It Was Never the End DreamNotFound

Chapter 18

Dream POV

A deeper, more grated male's voice sounded with Wilbur's. Reluctantly standing to move the boulder, Dream darted back to George's side as Wilbur's fluffy brown hair poked out. 

Following Wilbur was an older man with chin-length orange-blond hair and scruff around his jaw. His blue eyes were identical to Tommy's as he stood up from the tunnel. He was wearing a green hat with white stripes, a deep green trench coat, and a sword strapped to his hip.

Dream straightened up, eyeing the man warily. 

"We're relieved to hear your safe, George." The older man nodded at the brunette. "We were beginning to fear the worst. Wilbur told me why you left, but I hope you know that doesn't excuse your running off. You could have talked to me if you were unhappy with some of the rules."

George scoffed softly under his breath, but politely nodded at the man. "Sorry, Philza. Why did you come here yourself?" 

"I wanted to meet Dream myself." Philza turned to Dream, who's hands instinctively itched for his battle ax. Philza didn't look hostile, only cautious. He offered Dream a smile. "That must be you."

George glanced warily at Wilbur, who shot him a thumbs-up. George looked relieved, taking Dream's hand and giving it a reassuring squeeze. Dream interlocked their fingers in a tight grip.

"Hello." Dream forced the word out between clenched teeth. 

"Wilbur said you can be a bit unfriendly before you get to know anyone." Philza grinned for real this time. 

"Did Wilbur tell you anything else?" George pushed. 

"He said you wouldn't return unless Dream came with." 

"That's right." George stared Phil down with unwavering brown eyes. 

"I trust Wilbur's judgement," Philza began slowly. "When he first told me about Dream I'll admit I was completely against it. But he and Tommy told me some things, and swore he wouldn't harm anyone in camp." 

"He wouldn't." George promised. Dream nodded in agreement.

"I believe your judgement, too. I will listen to Will's vouch, but if he slips up once he's out." 

"Thank you." Dream's voice was soft, and George's head snapped in his direction, looking startled to hear Dream speak. 

"Thank Wilbur and Tommy." Philza replied.

Dream glanced at Wilbur. 

Wilbur smiled. "I know. You're welcome. Save your thanks for when Tommy can hear them, you'll never hear the end of it."  

 "What's the plan?" George's hand relaxed slightly in Dream's.

"We will all sleep here tonight. I already hosted a meeting and explained the situation to everyone. They have explicit orders to not make a fuss over Dream's presence. Techno will have a talk with anyone that grumbles too loudly." Philza explained.

George smirked, and Dream guessed that "talk" was more of a life-threatening experience. Dream ran his thumb gently over George's knuckles. Part of him was excited to meet the fearsome Techoblade. It wasn't often he met a man of equal strength.

"I wouldn't say anyone's happy," Wilbur chimed in. "But they agreed to base their judgement on Dream's behavior." 

"That's... better than I was expecting." George admitted. 

"Sapnap wanted to come with us to get you." Wilbur laughed. "But Phil made him stay."

George perked up. Dream remembered the brunette telling him that Sapnap was his best friend. 

"I've told everyone to make the greetings brief when we arrive so you two can go to your cabin and rest for a bit before dinner." 

Dream was relieved that Philza had everything planned out. Even if he wasn't thrilled about a "dinner" or "greetings". He had to put up with it, though, for George's sake.

"Looks like I'll be settling in with you boys for the night." Philza scanned the cave before his eyes flew wide. "GOOD LORD, was that Tommy?!" 

Dream followed his eyes to the carvings on the wall. 

Wilbur nodded. "How could you guess?" 

"Of course it was." Philza cracked up. "Sometimes I wonder where I went wrong raising that boy." 

"He's a good kid." Dream felt his mouth begin to smile looking at the carvings. 

Philza looked up, his eyes meeting Dream's through his mask. Philza's face brightened. "His is, isn't he?" 

"Nobody repeat this to Tommy." George warned, eliciting laughter from all of them. 

Next Morning

The night had been awkward, it was difficult sleeping in the presence of a stranger. Even if Philza seemed easygoing and fair, Dream still wasn't comfortable letting his guard down. As a result he'd ended up sneaking a little closer to George, finding comfort in the brunette's gentle breathing and warm body. 

Now he stood in the ravine outside the tunnel. Early morning sunlight washed the ravine, turning it a beautiful shade of tan. George was stretching next to him tiredly. Wilbur and Philza appeared one after the other from the tunnel a moment later. 

Without a word they began to walk down the ravine. There was a ledge just around the upcoming bend in the ravine they could climb up. 

Just as he was curving around the bend in the ravine, the hair on the back of Dream's neck stood up. A flash of color made him duck back behind the bend, pulling George tight against his chest to keep the brunette from sight. Covering the George's startled gasp with a hand, he glanced at Wilbur and Philza. 

Both men had already pressed in beside Dream. Keeping his voice low, Dream whispered, "People, three of them." 

Philza nodded, his voice hushed as he replied, "None of the group would have come here. They must've been travelers that slept in a cave for the night as we did. We will avoid them for now and warn the camp upon returning."

The four of them stayed silent, listening to the clatter of dislodged stones as the travelers climbed the ledge. Most survivors left weren't always mentally stable, so most people tended to avoid conflict. Unless said person was Dream, who in his past would just kill them and move on.

He wouldn't do that now, however. He was sharply aware of his precious person leaning against his body. Dream would never risk George, and he'd promised to be better. So he waited quietly with the others.

Three shadows flickered over the edge of the ravine as the traveling survivors made it to the top. Dream saw them briefly as they walked just above them on the edge of the ravine. One was a girl, a teenager around Tommy's age, Dream guessed. She was wearing a high-low dark green cloak, black leggings, and boots. Concealing her face was a white-and-blue Japanese-style fox mask. 

A man with a black hoodie rimmed with red walked beside her, sunlight reflecting off his glasses. The third person had a blue jean jacket over a white t-shirt. Within moments they were out of sight, disappearing over the top of the ravine. 

Philza had their group wait awhile to be sure the travelers left before they, too, made their way up the ledge. 

Dream walked close behind George, anxiously watching the brunette's careful steps. The ledge wasn't very wide, and Dream didn't relax until he emerged safely at the top. The three strangers were nowhere to be found. 

"I'll take the lead from here." Wilbur began to walk in the direction Dream assumed to be the camp. 

This is it. Despite knowing there was still several hours of walking, Dream's stomach knotted with nerves. When the sun set tonight, he'd be sleeping in the Sleepy Bois camp.