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Dream stared at the wall. What else was there to do? The walls were black, black, black, and burning orange.
Nobody ever came by, of course. He was in prison for a reason, after all. And not a reason he regrets, either.
But it would still be nice to see someone.
Huffing, Dream tugged at his hair absentmindedly. It has grown too long, too shaggy. It was a bit like wool, so it clumped in dreadlock balls that he knew needed to be cut out. He at least wanted news from the outside world.
How was everyone? Who had died? How is George, Foolish, or Puffy?
Some might tell you otherwise, but the person Dream missed most was Puffy. She was his mother, what would you expect? But she never dropped by. Nobody did.
With half-hearted anger, Dream threw a rock at the wall and screamed until his voice hurt. He knew Sam wouldn't do anything, but it emptied his lungs for fresh air, at least.
A red light flashes behind him. He didn't care. He knew it meant that the lava had opened, probably Sam with food, but he has stopped eating a long time ago. And he was too tired to put up any fight.
"Hey."
Dream turned. Sam stood there. Heavily armored, but weaponless.
"Mm," Dream barely acknowledged him. Although, this was odd.
"Dream, you haven't been eating," Sam sighed. Dream couldn't pick up the tone.
"...Good," He still didn't meet the creeper's eye. "Isn't it?"
"Not really," Sam remained unmoving. "If it were me, I wouldn't give a shit what happened to you. Honestly, I probably would leave you to starve," He shrugged, and scratched his stomach. Dream had learned how to tell what anyone was doing by sound alone. Why was Sam so annoyed? And calm?
"So… why are you giving a shit, then?" Dream lifted his head lazily to meet the Warden. Sam cringed slightly at the sight of his face.
"Your mother, actually." Dream raised an eyebrow. Sam sighed, and pawed at the ground. "Puffy won't shut up, asking if you're okay. If you die, she'll blame me."
"So?"
" So, I care about Puffy. I don't want her mad at me for killing her son, " Sam walked forward and tilted Dream's head up by his horns. "So eat something, you fucking bastard." His pupils blazed red, contrasting the mossy green.
"Don't," Dream grabbed his hand with a paralyzing grip. "Touch me. Ever."
Sam snapped his hand away, rubbing the shallow pads and glaring at the prisoner with disdain.
"Bring me Puffy," Dream's tone was flat, but dripping with anger. "Then we'll talk. Mkay?"
Sam turned and padded out without another word.
Dream laid his head against the wall and closed his eyes.
"Duckling! Oh Duckling! Where are you?"
Dream covered his mouth to stifle his giggle. He scooted closer to Sally, who was hiding next to him. The pair hid from their mothers in a compartment below deck.
The door opened behind them, and a pair of golden arms wrapped around Dream.
"Foolish! Let go of me, you toad!" Dream screamed and kicked his older brother.
"Hey, stop that!" Foolish grabbed at his legs to hold them in place. "DAD! I found him!"
"Nooooo," Dream drooped. Puffy dropped from the ratlines.
"There you are, my little sheep," Puffy snuggled against her son, grabbing him from the older. "Thanks, Foolish. Have you seen Sally, perchance? Her mother is looking for her as well."
Dream pointed to the hiding spot. "In there," he said. A voice groaned loudly.
"Dream, you aren't supposed to tell them!" Sally crossed her arms angrily. Dream stuck out his tongue.
"Guess what, Duckling?" Puffy turned to the 8 year old. Dream shrugged. Puffy pulled Foolish closer as well. "We're going home!" She announced.
Both of the brothers' faces lit up. "Really?" Foolish asked, at the same time Dream shouted, "George!"
Puffy laughed. "Yes, really, we're gonna see George, and Sapnap," she turned to her oldest. "And Eret, and all of your other friends," she smiled as she pointed to the horizon. "In a few hours, we'll even be able to see the landmass right there."
Just then, Niki appeared from below deck. Dream ran up and jumped into her arms, nearly knocking her over. "Mom! Guess what? We're going home!" Niki held her son with a slight difficulty.
"Really?" She asked, but she already knew, of course.
"Yeah! Mama said so!" He dragged her over to the captain. Foolish gave her a hug as soon as she let the sheep down.
"I'm gonna go tell Sally!" Dream announced, running off to find his mermaid friend.
"What do you mean? He has to go with you!" Dream hated when they fought. Especially when Niki yelled. It was foreign, compared to her gentle tone.
"I can't, he can't keep his hands off gold, you know that! I've lost too many trade routes already, this is our biggest supplier. You know we need the money, Niki," Puffy’s tone was quieter. Even gentler.
"You raised him as a pirate, Puffy. What did you expect? Old habits die hard."
"Me? Niki, we raised him together, you can't just-" Puffy took a breath. "I'm not going to argue with you. He's not going, and that's final."
"Puffy, Foolish already moved on," Niki's voice was quieter than before. "If you keep leaving him behind, Dream will move on too."
"If I have to take full responsibility of him, then you can't tell me how to parent my kid," Puffy growled.
Dream looked at his hands. It wasn't his fault he stole things, gold was just so comforting. Especially after Foolish left the house at sixteen. Nobody was left to comfort him, Puffy off at sea and Niki at work.
Dream walked into his brother's room and laid down in the empty bed. Puffy was gone when he woke up. She was at sea for a total of six years.
On his sixteenth birthday, four years after Foolish moved out and two years after Puffy left, Dream left. Without telling Niki, he went to live with the Halo's until eighteen.
He never really got close to Puffy again.
Dream stared at the ceiling. Why would she care now? He had barely spoken with her since he was fourteen. Now he was twenty-one, in jail for thievery, manipulation, torture, and murder. If anything, he expected her to disown him.
The red light blared again. Again, Dream stayed static.
Silence filled his lungs. Three people in a quiet room, none spoke.
Arms wrapped around his midsection, and he went rigid. Soft wool brushed his face, frail arms held him tight. She was crying into his shoulder.
Dream still didn't speak. Still didn't move. Puffy sobbed and sobbed.
Dream took a deep breath and lifted an arm to rest on her head gently. "How's a hello, hm?" He spoke so softly, you almost couldn't tell.
"Oh, Dream," She sobbed. She moved Infront of him. Cupping his face. "Oh, Dream, " her hand brushed the scars, scrubbed at the dry blood.
"Hello, Puffy," Dream made no move toward her, but neither away.
"Baby, what happened? " Puffy whispered.
Dream wiped at her tears slowly. "I'm…" he looked away. "I'm so, so sorry," he felt tears well up behind his eyes, burning. "Mom, I'm sorry, I'm sorry, please, please forgive me," he lurched forward, grabbing her arms. Sam made a move forward, sword drawn.
Puffy met his eyes and shook her head. "Dream, why do you ask for my forgiveness? I can't get you out of here."
Dream's eyes met hers. Terrified. Needing. Pleading .
"Yours is all I need."
"But why?"
Dream pulled her close. "I miss you," he whispered softly. "I need you."
Puffy held him back. "I forgive you, little duckling," she returned. Dream sobbed. "My baby duckling," she whispered.