masks ∥ A Dream SMP Ghost Dream AU

4.

Things you need to know:

1. Ghostbur's Blue starts out as a transparent dye that absorbs the emotions of whoever is holding it. Overuse causes it to take the memories that cause the emotion as well. Ghostbur doesn't want to feel sad, so he uses Blue often. As a consequence, he often forgets whatever memory made him sad.
2. If you don't remember from the first chapter, Sapnap was present at the rescue mission and learned everything that had happened first-hand. He didn't take it very well, and committed much arson in a fit of rage.
3. At the start of this chapter, everyone on the SMP, except for Technoblade and Wilbur, don't know where Dream is. As far as they know, he's still hiding, and probably not doing too well.
4. Mobs don't care about ghosts and won't attack unless the ghosts provoke them.
5. THIS CHAPTER HAS POV SWITCHES, WHICH FOR THIS CHAPTER ONLY, WILL BE DENOTED WITH THREE TILDES (~~~).

Warnings: Mild Graphic Descriptions

"Hi, I'm Ghostbur! What's your name?"

Ghostbur waited patiently as the other ghost shifted uncomfortably, grey eyes darting to the side. He looked nervous, his fingers tugging uncertainly at the strings of his hoodie. "Dream," he whispered at last.

Ghostbur's smile widened. "Hi Dream! It's nice to meet you!"

Dream shakily returned the smile. "N. . . nice to meet you too."

Alivebur hadn't liked Dream. Had hated him at first, a hatred that became a twisted sort of respect as his madness consumed him. But Dream's ghost was not Dream, and Ghostbur was not Alivebur. So Ghostbur smiled at the translucent ghost and shoved some colorless dye into his hands.

"Here, have some Blue!"

Dream blinked, staring down at the block. The dye flaked off as he rubbed his fingers over it, darkening and leaving streaks of sapphire across his skin. ". . . Blue?"

Ghostbur nodded cheerily. "It absorbs your sadness," he explained.

Dream studied his stained hands. "Thank you," he said quietly. Ghostbur beamed and held out his own Blue-streaked hand.

"Come on, I want to introduce you to Friend."

"Friend?"

"Friend!" Ghostbur grabbed his hand and pulled him through the wall. Dream stumbled, surprised, before regaining his balance.

It had begun snowing again, tiny flakes drifting down from the ashy sky and sticking to Friend's blue coat. The sheep was trotting circles in the snow, leaving wreaths of hoofprints across Technoblade's lawn. When he spotted them, he stopped his looping to trot towards them, cutting a line through his otherwise perfect arcs.

"This is Friend," Ghostbur said happily, releasing Dream's hand. Friend peered curiously at the new ghost. Dream reached out, paused, and looked at Ghostbur, who gave him an encouraging smile. "Go on, pet him! He won't mind, I promise."

Dream lightly patted the top of Friend's head, and when the animal gave him a friendly nudge in return, he hesitantly brushed his hand over Friend's wool. A small smile spread across his face as he buried fingers in the blue fur. "It's really soft."

Ghostbur beamed, his own ghostly fingers stroking Friend's ear. "I actually met Friend here," he said. "Techno sent me outside because. . . because. . . I can't remember, but I found Friend in the forest over there." He gestured at the treeline to their right.

Dream turned to look up at him. "You can't remember?"

The smile slipped from Ghostbur's face. Friend, sensing his sudden drop in mood, butted his leg. Dream hastily looked away.