Chapter Text
"YOU SOULLESS HEATHEN!"
Dream winced at the screech from Swap as he held him back from attacking Ink, who stood in front of them, unfazed with his arms crossed. The Guardian of Positivity felt his legs ache, and he felt the need to sit and rest, but if he let his friend go, he knew he wasn't going to give the Protector of AUs any mercy. Ink was strong, but Swap was a trained guard.
No doubt there would be an advantage for Swap if Ink wasn't going to use his brush.
"You're overreacting, Swap," Ink brushed off the mortal's rage. "It wasn't that bad,"
"NOT THAT BAD!?" Swap's eye twitched. "YOU LEFT US TO WATCH OVER THE AUS WHILE NIGHTMARE AND THE BAD SANSES HAD US SURROUNDED! WE COULD HAVE DIED!"
"Dream wouldn't be able to die," Ink pointed out.
"NIGHTMARE INJURED HIS LEGS!" Swap scowled, causing a wince from Dream at the reminder. "DREAM BEING IMMORTAL DOESN'T MEAN HE IS NOT ABLE TO FEEL ANY PAIN, INK!"
"He's standing fine," Ink sighed. "Besides, Error was going after the other AUs, and I needed to make sure he didn't destroy the important ones!"
"I UNDERSTAND YOUR PRIORITIES ARE IN THE AUS, BUT WHAT ABOUT US!?" Swap hissed. "ARE WE NOTHING TO YOU!? WE WERE BATTLING FOR OUR LIVES, AND WE WERE ALMOST DEFEATED IF DREAM DIDN'T TELEPORT US AWAY! AND WHERE WERE YOU? YOU WEREN'T AROUND TO HELP US!"
"Swap, don't be so selfish!" Ink growled, his voice getting higher. "The AUs are more important, and you know that! That's the main point of the Star Sanses; to protect the AUs! No matter what we need to sacrifice!"
Dream's eyes widened and looked at Swap, who could only stare at the shorter Sans before his eyes gleamed. He slipped from the Guardian's grip before his fist met the Protector's face.
"Swap!" Dream pulled his friend back.
"WHAT!?" Swap glared at the other. "HE DESERVED IT!"
"...I know, but..." Dream held his breath. He turned to watch Ink groan as he force himself up. He shook his head and looked back at his friend. "Let's just go,"
Swap grunted but nodded. He grabbed Dream's friend as the Guardian opened a portal behind him. Ink hissed and held out his brush.
"HEY! GET BACK HERE!"
Swap hissed and flicked his hand, bones emerging to surround the Protector before dragging Dream with him through the portal. Ink kicked the bones apart and managed to force his way out, but he was only able to rip a part of Dream's hood before the two disappeared, the portal closing behind them.
"FUCK!"
Dream gasped as they landed on the snow as the portal closed behind them. He looked around and hummed. "I think I teleported us a bit too far from Snowdin..."
"HM." Swap let go of his hand, moving a few steps towards the trees. "IT'S ALRIGHT, FRIEND. I BELIEVE IT'S BETTER WE STAY AWAY FROM SNOWDIN FOR A WHILE. INK MIGHT COME LOOKING FOR US THERE FIRST."
"Yeah... you're right," Dream nodded. "Should we get some shelter first? The snow's starting to fall really harshly,"
"OH YES. I ALMOST FORGOT THAT THE SNOW IS HEAVY DURING THIS TIME," Snow hummed. He narrowed his eyes. "THERE! I SEE A CAVE!"
The two ran towards the mountain just as the snow began to fall heavier than earlier. The snow began to thicken at their steps, and Dream felt his legs ache worse than earlier, but he kept going. They were just about to reach the cave when he felt half of his body suddenly sink into the snow.
"Ack! S-Swap!"
"DREAM!" Swap halted in his steps before running back to his friend. "DO NOT WORRY! I WILL HELP YOU!"
Dream whimpered, feeling the cold creep up his bones but he nodded, watching as his friend use his hands to dig through the snow. The Guardian had attempted to help by digging through the snow with his own hands, but it only caused his lower body to sink deeper. He froze and swallowed.
Stay calm, Dream. Stay calm.
Dream shut his eyes to take some breaths, allowing his friend to dig faster and shove as much snow away from him as much as possible. His eyes widened when he was suddenly grabbed and lifted from the snow.
"I GOT YOU!" Swap beamed, carrying his friend over his shoulder. "COME! TO THE CAVE!"
He rushed to the cave just as the snow got worse. Luckily, they were within the cave's protective walls in time, and Dream breathed out a sigh of relief as he was set down on the ground. Swap glanced at the cave entrance for a moment before turning to his friend.
"ARE YOU ALRIGHT? ARE YOU COLD?"
"A little, but I'll be fine," Dream offered the other a smile, leaning against the nearby rock to rest his back. "Sorry... I should have been more careful,"
"NONESENSE! I, THE MAGNIFICENT SANS, WILL ALWAYS HAPPILY RESCUE HIS FRIEND!" Swap grinned. "BESIDES, SINKING INTO SNOW IS NORMAL WHEN ONE ISN'T USED TO IT," Swap assured.
Dream giggled. "I see," He looked around. "I think we should start up a fire for the night,"
"OH YES!" Swap hummed. "LUCKILY, WE HAVE THE RESOURCES TO CREATE A CAMPFIRE IN THIS CAVE,"
"Great, I'll get the firewood, and you- Ack!" Dream winced as he attempted to get up, only for the pain to cause him to fall back.
"DREAM!" Swap ran to his side. "ARE YOU IN PAIN? ARE YOU BLEEDING? DO YOU HAVE ANY FURTHER INJURIES?"
"No, no... it's probably just sore from the fight with Nightmare and the coldness of the snow," Dream grumbled. "I'm fine, I promise,"
"IF YOU ARE SORE THEN YOU SHOULD NOT MOVE," Swap shook his head. "STAY SEATED AND I WILL MAKE THE CAMPFIRE!"
"But-"
Dream was unable to argue as Swap quickly got up and ran around to gather the resources. Dream sighed and looked at his legs, laying on the ground and stretched out. He patted his leg, and he winced at the lack of response.
Were they broken?
He did hear a crack when fighting Nightmare, but he assumed that it was just because he was a skeleton, so any injury on his bones would cause a crack, but not to the point of breaking. A part of him wanted to pull up his pants to check, but the cold air hitting his shoulder caused him to pull back and clutch his cape and hood.
It was too cold to check...
Maybe tomorrow.
He was sure that it couldn't be that bad, right?
When Swap returned, Dream took out a lighter to start up a fire. They huddled together for more warmth, stretching their hands on the flames. Dream removed his cape and hood to wrap around them.
"I AM ALRIGHT," Swap tried to reject. "I AM USED TO THE COLD. I'VE LIVED IN SNOWDIN FOR A LONG TIME,"
"I know, but the snowstorm sounds like it's getting worse," Dream shook his head. "Come on, it's big enough for the two of us,"
Swap sighed in defeat and let his friend wrap the cape and hood around them. The snow fell heavier and heavier outside as the two dozed off, snuggling against each other for the night.