Chapter Text
Since being trapped in the cell with Dream, nearly three days had passed. Or maybe two… it didn’t matter anymore. Tommy pulled his knees to his chest and shrank further into the corner. Pandora’s Vault was filled with lava and obsidian built to withstand anything—but Tommy was so…
Cold.
Even though he hadn’t eaten since getting stuck here, his stomach churned with nausea. He was probably sick. Or something like that.
It didn’t matter. He would get better. Even without proper food or water, even trapped in an inescapable prison with his former manipulator—his worst trauma—Tommy was fine. He would be fine.
He had to be fine.
—
Dream looked up from the book in his hands and glanced at Tommy. The blond boy was curled up in the corner. Maybe he was finally learning, huh? Dream set the book down and walked over, tilting his head slightly. Was he passing out from hunger? Maybe he should share one of his dirt-covered, raw potatoes.
But again, why should he care?
He let out a quiet, unhinged chuckle and kicked the boy sharply in the back.
What was surprising was that Tommy barely reacted—just a flinch and a few sharp breaths. Dream had assumed that Tommy was starting to learn something. He kicked him again, harder this time. The only response was Tommy shrinking further into the wall.
Something in Dream snapped.
“Wake up, idiot!”
He grabbed Tommy by the collar and yanked him upright. Tommy clawed at the hands around his throat, but Dream shoved him back to the ground. As Tommy tried to push himself up, a heavy kick drove into his abdomen. Before he could even gasp properly, Dream seized him again and slammed him against the wall. A harsh blow to his diaphragm followed—and Tommy’s consciousness slipped away.
Dream stood there, breathing hard, staring at the blood on the floor, the wall, everywhere. It was almost fortunate that Sam had sealed the prison while Tommy was inside. No one would notice the mess for a long time.
He dragged Tommy back to the corner by his hair. It would be Dream’s way. Only Dream’s way. Any other outcome led to a dead end. There was no alternative. With another quiet, unhinged laugh, he dropped onto his bed—hard as bedrock.
—
Every inch of his body felt like it was burning. His scalp, his stomach, his spine—everything hurt. The last thing he remembered was Dream throwing him around. So that wasn’t surprising.
But he was still so cold.
Tommy curled in on himself, trying to generate warmth. Maybe if he begged, Dream would let him use the blanket. But that wasn’t worth the risk.
He pushed himself upright using the obsidian wall for support. Dream was asleep. If he woke him, he’d probably be signing a one-way ticket to the grave.
So he slid down the wall and sat on the floor instead. The nausea that had haunted him for days felt even worse now.
He pressed a hand over his mouth, trying to steady it. If he threw up, Dream would show no mercy. He shifted awkwardly, trying to find a position that didn’t make it feel like his stomach was trying to turn itself inside out—no luck. He clawed at the obsidian again, forcing himself to stand. His fingernail scraped against a rough edge. Normally he wouldn’t care, but right now it made him want to sob.
It was just hunger. That had to be it. He hadn’t eaten in days; of course his head felt strange. There was nothing wrong with him. He was just hungry. That was all.
He steadied himself and approached Dream. Waking him was the best option.
Just as his hand hovered near Dream’s shoulder, Dream’s arm shot out and caught his wrist.
“What do you think you’re doing?”
“I—I…”
“I’m listening.”
“I’m cold.”
Dream laughed softly. “We’re literally surrounded by lava, Tommy. I’m sure you can come up with a better lie than that.”
“I’m not lying, Dream. Please.”
Dream stood, studying him—at least, it felt like studying. With the mask, it was impossible to tell. He pressed a hand to Tommy’s forehead.
Then he shoved him roughly onto the bed.
“Don’t even think about throwing up on it. We’ll have a problem.”
Tommy muttered a quick thank you and curled into the far corner of the mattress.
—
Awesamdude hurried to activate the bridge leading to Dream’s cell. He needed to get Tommy out—now. Once he was certain the bridge was fully extended, he ran forward. The wall of lava parted, allowing him through.
Dream was in the corner with a book. Tommy lay on the bed, pale and motionless.
Sam checked his pulse.
His skin was ice cold. His heartbeat was—
“Dream… what did you do?”