They stand in front of a large cottage, with a pink and yellow striped door. It's pretty, Dream thinks. The cottage walls are covered in vines that it slightly cover the four front windows, two at the top and two at the bottom. Dream can't quite see it, but he thinks there is more building than what he sees at the front. The roof is thatched and Dream doesn't think he has ever seen a house look so much like a home, all cosy and warm, like this one.
Despite only being a ten minute drive from Sam's place, they've never seen a place quite like this.
Sam knocks on the door using the golden door knocker, and Dream takes a second to appreciate the perfection he is surrounded by. The sky is crystal blue, and the few clouds that are dotted around the sky are perfect and fluffy like candyfloss. There's no engine noise in the background; only birds and the slight breeze that rustles the leaves in the trees. It's perfect.
The door opens in one swift motion, and there stands a short lady, with wild, half brown, half white curly hair. She has curled horns that nestle cosily in her ringlets, and her brown eyes are horizontal. She's wearing a long coat, much like that of a pirate, and leather boots. Her smile is bright and genuine and she looks at them with love as she looks between the four people standing at her door.
"Sam!" She exclaims. "Come in, come in, we just finished breakfast, would you like anything?"
Sam walks in first, followed by Punz, Purpled and then Dream.
The house smells of ocean air despite not being by the sea, and already Dream can see beach-themed ornaments on the walls. There are a few photographs also on the wall, but Punz doesn't look at them too much.
They all follow Puffy into the kitchen, where there are empty cereal bowls on the table and a couple of glasses; one empty, the other in the grip of a small boy sat at the table. He has dark brown hair, and green eyes that Dream can see from where they are standing. He has chubby cheeks and he swings his legs from where he is sat. It's a kid. Puffy has a kid. A small child that looks up at the three brothers with big eyes. Dream doesn't know how to feel.
"Oh boys, this is Foolish, Foolish these are the boys I was telling you about. They'll be staying with us for a while." The young boy at the table nods, and takes a long sip of his juice.
"Are they staying in my room?" He asks, his voice high and slightly naisled.
Puffy laughs sweetly, and Dream already envys their relationship. "No honey, they have their own rooms."
Foolish nods, content with this answer.
The boys shuffle in, but don't move to take a seat.
"You can sit here!" Foolish perks up, gesturing to the chair next to him. Reluctantly Dream sits next to the small boy, as neither Punz nor Purpled make a move.
"Guess what we had for breakfast!" Foolish exclaims, his green eyes mirroring Dream's.
"What?" Dream asks, building up enthusiasm he doesn't have.
"Chocolate dinosaurs! They're not real dinosaurs, but they're shaped like them, and they taste of chocolate. Mama says they're actually healthier than normal chocolate because it's cereal!"
Dream opens his mouth in shock. "No way are they healthier! You have to be lying."
Foolish laughs loud and happy. "I'm not lying, Mama tell him! What you told me!"
Puffy laughs and gestures for the other two brothers and Sam to have a seat. "It's true, who'd have thought that cereal chocolate could be healthier than normal chocolate."
As the others sit down, Foolish pulls a small, plastic shark from the pocket of his shorts, and gently hands it to Dream.
"This is Finley," Foolish says, "you can look after her today if you want."
And really, how can Dream say no? Foolish smiles softly as Dream makes a fist around Finley.
"I promise, I'll keep her safe."
"Tea Sam?" Puffy asks, breaking Dream out of his trance. He looks up to see Punz smirking at him and Purpled trying to hold in a laugh.
As Puffy and Sam drink tea, they also sort through paperwork. Paperwork has always caused Dream unecessary anxiety.
"Do you want a tour of the house?" Foolish asks, and the brothers agree.
Foolish takes them around the kitchen, living room, office, laundry room and the downstairs toilet. Each room downstairs has some sort of connection to the sea; Dream briefly wonders why.
Upstairs is just as nice. Hues of blues decorate the hallways and Dream admires the small details hidden within the walls paint, such as the pink and orange shells along the skirting board.
"Mama said you're not sharing this room, so this must be yours." Foolish says, opening one of the doors. The room is small, with two beds on either side and only a slither of space between them. There is a wardobe, however, so at least Dream won't have to worry about cramming everything under the bed. This room has wallpaper unlike most of the house, and Dream can't help but run his fingers over the bumpy texture.
"I hope two of you don't mind sharing," a voice comes from behind them, and Dream turns to see Puffy leaning against the doorframe. "We have enough rooms for you boys to have one each, but it's been a busy morning and I didn't have time to clean the third last night. I hope this will do for the time being."
"This house is huge." Purpled says, and Puffy snorts a laugh.
"Yeah. It used to be a couple of cottages and a bunch of stables out back, but before we moved in, the people before us bought the neighbours house and extended the two into one. The stables are long gone, but hey, that means we have a bigger garden."
"Mama, mama can we go out to the garden?" Foolish asks, bouncing on the balls of his feet.
"Let the boys settle in first," Puffy laughs, "the other room is just next door and the last room is across from that. Once we get it cleaned you can decide who goes where. I guess I'll leave you boys to it."
As soon as Puffy makes her leave, Sam makes his appearance.
"I'm heading off boys," he says, "any problems you know my number."
He sends the trio a comforting smile before turning on his heel and leaving. Dream turns back to the beds.
"We can do the same arrangement we had at Sam's." Dream suggests. "We have all day to decide."
In the end, Dream and Purpled agree to share and Punz takes the other room. It is also decided that Purpled will move to the other room once it's cleaned.
Punz chooses to stay in his room whilst Foolish drags Purpled and Dream to the garden. It's huge and Dream marvels at the flowers and trees and... everything. It's truly beautiful.
"Do you wanna play on the swings?" Foolish asks Purpled who hesistantly agrees.
Dream doesn't want to jinx it, but as he fiddles with the shark in his pocket, he thinks he'll like it here.
YOU ARE READING
Reputation
Fanfiction"Dream legs it down the alleyway, bag gripped tightly in his hand. His cheeks are already red and angry from the bitter cold wind and his feet numb inside his shoes. He can hear rasped shouts from behind him, and forces his legs to move faster." Or:...
