Chapter Text
“So, what’d we do?” Dream asked, crossing his arms. “I know George knows about me, and I know about him, and I understand that. And little him isn’t comfortable flying on his own. But what if I slip while you’re gone?”
“I’ve been trying to think of solutions, and I really don’t know,” Sapnap admitted. “I don’t want to put George through that but I can’t leave you here alone. Not because I don’t trust you, but I-...”
“I could just hold back,” Dream whispered. “But that’s really hard to do now.”
“Maybe you could ask Punz to hang out while I’m gone? Maybe that’ll keep you out of your thoughts? Keep you big?” Sapnap asked. “If you’re wanting to stay big while I’m gone.”
“I am,” Dream confirmed, “That’s not a half bad idea. But, Punz’s never seen my face before.”
“Better now then never, right? And George isn’t gonna care, he’s already seen your face,” Sapnap said, and Dream nodded. “If you don’t want to, that’s fine, I- I can figure something out, I think, I just-”
“No, no, let’s see if Punz can come over,” Dream agreed. “I like that idea, and if something does happen, I trust Punz. I don’t… he wouldn’t do anything weird or anything like that, I trust him.”
“Are you sure ?” Sapnap asked.
“Yeah, just… just in case, if I slip before you leave, let him know… little me, I don’t, I don’t want him to be confused.”
“Of course,” Sapnap nodded, “I- Dream…”
“You’ve got two of us now, I can learn to share you a little bit.”
Sapnap smiled, but there was a small look of guilt on his face that he couldn’t shake. He exhaled, “The rooms are ready?”
“Yep! I’ve gone through them a hundred and one times,” Dream smiled.
“Awesome, let’s check once more?”
“You read my mind.”
*-8-*
“Hi, love, I wanna talk to you about something,” Sapnap whispered as Dreamie curled up against his side. “Georgie is finally coming home, and you know that. But he’s scared of flying alone. I’ve gotta go with him to make sure he’s safe, is that okay?”
“Yous… yous gotta lea’be?” Dreamie whispered.
“Not forever, I just need to bring Georgie home, you might not even notice I’m gone,” Sapnap whispered, running a hand through his hair. “But I’ve got to protect Georgie too, right?”
“Yah,” Dreamie whispered. “Who gon’ wa’ch me?”
“Well if you do slip, our friend Luke, or Punz, will be here hanging out with you, and I’m sure he’d be more than happy to help, okay?” Sapnap whispered. “I’m not leaving yet, it’ll be a few more weeks, but I wanted to give you a heads up now, okay?”
“Otay,” Dreamie whispered, holding onto Sapnap tighter. “I wove you Mama.”
Sapnap kissed the top of his head, “I love you too, Cubby. Mama’ll come back. Mama always comes back.”
*-8-*
“Hey man, thanks for coming over so this poor man isn’t alone like he was last time I went to the UK,” Sapnap chuckled, letting Punz into the house. “He’s editing I think, I’ll let him know you’re here, you two can meet, yada yada,” he said, and Punz smiled watching his friend exhaustedly go through the motions.
“Nick, I think I can handle Dream,” Punz promised.
“No, I know,” Sapnap said. “Just to preface anything that may happen over the next few days, please. Please understand that it’s just… it’s who he is. He can’t change it, and he’s trying to become more comfortable. I would explain more but… I have to go, and you might not even have a chance to see what I mean. I’m exhausted, please just-”
“Go, you weird cryptic monster,” Punz laughed, knocking fists with Sapnap. “Go get George.”
“Thank you, again,” Sapnap said, retreating to Dream’s room to let him know his company was here as Punz nodded. They shared a goodbye as Sapnap grabbed his bag and left in his car.
Dream smiled as he basically appeared from the darkness of the hallway, causing Punz to jump, “Holy shit dude! Don’t do that!” Punz laughed, standing to give his friend a hug. “Look at you! Holy shit! You look amazing, dude!”
“Thanks,” Dream chuckled, “Pizza and Mario Kart?”
“Are you seducing me right now?” Punz asked, and Dream laughed as he walked into the living room.
The first day and a half was great. Dream really hasn’t been this shy but hyper to spend an extended period of time with a friend since Sapnap moved in, but, he was happy. A little too happy. By the night of the second day, and the day before Sapnap was due home with George, he slipped.
He slipped on total fucking accident and little him didn’t know what to do. He doesn’t know what caused it, he isn’t quite sure where he is, and he knows Mama isn’t here.
“Dude, what kind of sushi do you usually get?” That’s a stranger, and Dream slowly moved his head to look at the stranger. “Hey? You okay?” The stranger asked. “Why’re you looking at me like you don’t know me?”
“W’ere Mama?” Dreamie whispered, and Punz pulled his eyebrows together in confusion.
“Who?” He asked, “Your mom? Dude I don’t know, call her or something.”
“No… Mama ,” Dream insisted, and Punz pulled another confused face.
“Is this the thing Sapnap was talking about?” Punz asked, and Dream slowly scooted away from Punz. “Yeah, I’m gonna call Sapnap.”
“Mama?” Dream perked up at the mention of his caregiver.
“That’s a kink,” Punz whispered, pulling out his phone.
“Hey, what’s up?” Sapnap asked, smiling at Georgie who was happily spinning around in his gaming chair, pacifier in his mouth and Elli in his arms.
“Um.. what’s going on with Dream?” Punz asked. “He’s staring at me like he doesn’t know who I am.”
“Fuck,” Sapnap whispered, “This was the thing I was talking about, the thing he’s trying to become more comfortable in but didn’t really have time to explain before I left. Basically, he’s an age regressor, so treat him like a child, okay? I know, it sounds strange, but please. Please, Dream has been traumatized enough and I know he’s terrified that I’m not coming home.”
“So I just… baby him?” Punz asked. “And what’s with the whole Mama thing?”
“That’s what he calls me when he’s regressed, I’m his caregiver, like a parent. I take care of him while he’s small, and sometimes when he’s big. It’s endearing, personally. But, yeah, he might not be used to you, but just… show him you’re no threat and that you’re not angry, and tell him who you are. I warned little Dream multiple times before you came over.”
“You forgot to give me a heads up though. I could’ve looked more into this,” Punz whispered.
“I know, I know, and I’m sorry,” Sapnap whispered. “Please, try your hardest to take care of him. In the kitchen there’s a binder, it’s a start of some boundaries and things that little Dream likes and dislikes, there’s no schedule yet but we haven’t built that up. Just.. treat him like a toddler.”
“Yeah, okay,” Punz said. “No problem, just next time, a little heads up, okay? I’m not mad.”
“Thank you. I love you, man,” Sapnap sighed.
“I love you too, get Georgie here safe,” Punz said, and Sapnap confirmed he would before they hung up. Punz turned to Dream, who was still eyeing him cautiously. “Hey, buddy. My name’s Luke, did Mama mention me before he left?”
“‘uke?” Dreamie whispered.
“Yeah, I’m a friend of Mama and Georgie’s,” Punz said, slowly stepping closer and squatting down to seem less threatening. “I’m your friend too, I’m not here to hurt you, bud.”
“I wan’ Mama,” Dreamie whispered.
“Mama’s getting Georgie,” Punz whispered.
“Mama weft me?” Dreamie pouted, his bottom lip quivering.
“No, bud, he’s coming back,” Punz promised. “I promise he’s coming home tomorrow.”
“W’ere Pop?” Dreamie asked.
“You want something to drink?” Punz asked.
“ No , I wan’ Pop ,” Dreamie repeated. “Da bear.”
Punz’s eyebrows pulled together in confusion again. “Can I check your room, maybe? Is it a stuffed animal?”
Dreamie nodded, and Punz slowly stood back up. “Okay; I’m gonna look for Pop, okay? Don’t- don’t go anywhere. Please?”
“I s’ay,” Dreamie whispered.
Punz found Dream’s room and carefully started looking through it as unnosily as he could, eventually finding the bear under paperwork in his desk. He also found a pacifier, so he decided to grab that as well.
He found Dreamie in the same spot he’s left him. “Hey, this guy?” Punz said, offering the bear and smiling as Dreamie lit up. “I also found this, if you want it.”
“Danks,” Dreamie whispered, opening his mouth for it. Punz slowly put it in Dream’s mouth.
Dreamie laid down on the couch, curling up with the bear and stuffing his face into the couch. Punz slowly retreated and found the binder, opening it up to read within it.
Little Dream
Likes pet names (Cubbie and love however are reserved)
Dreamie, never Dream (he will pout)
Apple juice over OJ
Mac and Cheese shapes
Chicken Ramen (no other flavor. Seriously.)
Do not give him soda.
“Pop” is the Polar Bear
Patchie (Pa’chie) is the real cat
Patches (he says pa’ches) or fake Patchie is the stuffed cat.
Bluey is his favorite show.
Mario Kart is a great distraction.
Goldfish is a good snack
Loves strawberries
Won’t eat “adult” meals (ex sushi, steak, full pieces of chicken) but try cutting them up
Water, Milk, Apple Juice ONLY
Two packets of fruit snacks a day nonconsecutively
Sippy cups are behind regular cups and on the second shelf
Bottles are in Nick’s room (unneeded so far)
If he needs a bath, the kids Berry stuff. Nothing else. He will throw a fit.
Punz chuckled, reading through the list. Part of him wondered if this was some elaborate prank, as Dreamie was watching him from the corner of one of his eyes, the other one covered by the couch. However, Punz had the inkling it wasn’t.
“Do you want some apple juice?” Punz tried, causing Dream to move his head. “I could put on some Bluey too, if you would like.”
“A’ple ju’ce?” Dream slurred through the paci.
“Yeah, I’ll get you some,” Punz offered, opening the drink cupboard and moving some cups to see the sippy’s he didn’t notice before.
And once the boy was settled with his snack and drink and TV show, they even found a blanket to wrap him up in, Punz sat down to read more about this age regression.