Pandemonium | Dream SMP

17. You just have to ruin everything for me, don't you?

By the time I return to the house, all is quiet, signalling that Quackity must have left while I was occupied with Dream. Schlatt is still sat in the kitchen, exactly where I left him, eating out of a box of cereal. He turns as I enter the room, one of his goat ears flicking.

"You enjoy your walk, sweet cheeks?" He questions through a mouthful of flakes.

I hum, taking the empty seat opposite.

"Do I look like a bean sprout to you?"

Schlatt pauses, looks me up and down, and shrugs, "I mean, I wasn't gonna say anything..."

"Wow, thanks." I muse dryly.

"Don't mention it."

With a roll of my eyes, I sit back, picking at a loose thread on my sweatshirt. Or, I suppose I should refer to it as Dream's sweatshirt now, since it is his. Rolling back the left cuff, I eye the mustard stain he'd brought to my attention. I guess I should be feeling embarrassed right now. The younger me probably would be. Wearing a boy's clothes is meant to be a big deal. I even smelt them. But that shy side of me melted away long ago. Schlatt's constant gestures of affection and flirtation can be thanked for that. It takes a lot more to get me flustered nowadays. I can't remember the last time my heart truly pounded with desire.

"Ay, what's with the frowny face? You'll get wrinkles."

I look up, blinking. Was I pulling a face? "Sorry?"

"Your face was all scrunched up an' shit," Schlatt explains helpfully, admiring a cereal flake between his fingers.

"Ah, just thinking about the election." I smile, straightening up. Best not to tell him of my encounter with Dream. It would only distract him from his new duties. And also provide him a new excuse to tease me. "When is the opening of the ballots?"

"Couple days. Wilbur brought the date forward. His idea of tryin' to cut my votes short I reckon." Schlatt chuckles darkly and crunches down on more cereal, "lover boy is scared he's going to lose. As he should be."

Schlatt smirks, probably imagining the look on Wilbur's face when he finally wins. It's an expression I'm more than used to seeing.

He turns to give me a look and raises an eyebrow. "Speaking of elections, you're not thinking of wearing that rag to it, are you?"

"Oh, um, I'm still looking for something to wear, actually. I've been searching through chests upstairs, but there aren't a lot of choices in my size. This just happened to be what I chose to get me through the day, since my old top isn't wearable anymore."

"If you're having that much trouble, just go ask that bakery girl if she has anything," Schlatt suggests nonchalantly, standing up to rummage through a cupboard, probably for more things to snack on.

I feel like banging my head against the table. Why didn't I think of that?! Niki's about my size and height, she could easily have a shirt or jacket for me to use. But most importantly, how did Schlatt of all people come up with this idea before me?

"That's actually a good idea."

He snorts, "of course it is. All my ideas are good."

"Mmm." I smile and nod, watching as he opens a box of crackers. "I'll visit her tomorrow then, it seems a little late to go now."

Schlatt hums and leans against the counter, crunching down on a cracker. "Or, y'know, you could just wear nothing?"

I nod thoughtfully, "Yeah, I could."

The horned man coughs and then chokes, thumping his chest. "The fuck-?!"

"Of course, I might get a bit chilly when I leave the house. But on the plus side, it would give me an advantage over Dream. Less clothing means faster reflexes. It would make an excellent diversionary tactic, too-"

"You just have to ruin everything for me, don't you?" Schlatt grumbles, pressing a cracker into my mouth before I can say any more to completely crush his perverted fantasies. "You go get your damn clothes tomorrow, 'kay?"

I giggle at the sight of his disgruntled expression and chew on the cracker. As he leaves the room, he calls over his shoulder, "and it had better be sexy!"

The next day comes quickly with sunshine and warmth. There's a sweet scent on the breeze that fills my thoughts with flowers and honeycomb. Crossing the bridge of the community house, I'm really regretting choosing to wear this damned sweatshirt. It's brought me nothing but trouble. I've barely been out of the house for more than ten minutes and already I'm starting to sweat, my spine growing slick and sticky. It brings back memories of the nether, where every breath would be hot and ash-filled, and every step would melt not just your shoes, but also your will to live. I can safely say it's one of the few things I despise in this world. Along with llamas and creepers.

Instead of taking Prime path to Niki's little bakery and risking the wrath of not just the members of the SMP but also sunburn, I make a clean cut through the woods and fields, popping up alongside the ocean, just within view of L'Manburg's wooden docks. I keep tugging at the neckline of my sweatshirt, growing gradually more uncomfortable the longer I spend outside. Hopefully, Niki is home, and my sweaty trip won't be a wasted one.

I'm in luck, for as I round a bump in the land, the figure of Niki comes into view, not within her bakery but instead sat out in the grass above her shop, looping daisies into chains to make flower crowns. But she's not alone. Tubbo with his bright smile and mess of brown hair sits opposite her, also plucking at daisies. He wears a pair of dungarees, with what looks like a bee sewn onto the front pocket. It's strange seeing him out of his uniform. He looks much less formal, and more like a kid his age.

Being out in the open, I'm spotted by Tubbo before I even get within hearing range of the two. He waves me over and yells something, but I don't hear what it is. Niki turns in her spot on the grass, surprised for only a moment before she smiles that honeyed smile of hers.

"Ares, hello," she greets politely, craning her neck back as I stop beside the cheerful duo.

"Come make daisy crowns with us!" Tubbo exclaims eagerly, holding up his attempt at a daisy chain. It's a little crumpled and most of the flowers have lost their petals, but still a valiant effort on his part.

"I'm afraid I don't have time today," I smile apologetically. "I just popped over to ask a favour of Niki if she doesn't mind?"

Tubbo pouts and Niki blinks, intrigued. She has on a pair of spindly glasses that make her eyes appear round and soft, accentuating her long lashes. She reminds me of a Russian doll, her every feature picture-perfect as if painted by hand.

"What is it you need help with?"

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Ayyyyyyyy, 50k baby! Going on 100k! I've added up all your votes from the last chapter and already have a plan for the special chapter. It'll probably be out after chapter 18. In the meantime, have some artwork of Ares by yours truly.