where you go i'll follow | dsmp

chapter two

The sound of sheets rustling beside them and a bright light hitting their eyes made River slowly come to consciousness. 

The soft exhale of breathing could be heard to their left but their body felt so heavy, they couldn't turn to see what it was. Looking around they could make out a small brown bookshelf and other cozy furniture they didn't recognize. Slowly looking to the right they could make out the shape of a person sitting on a wooden stool, but the intensity of the sun behind them made it impossible to make out any of their features. As if they could sense River had woken up they stood up and took a couple steps to the bedside and rested a hand on the top of River's head moving to brush the hair out of their face. The figure opened their mouth to speak but all they could hear was muffled speech, trying to comfort them. The hand on their head moved down to pull the blanket further up their body to keep them warm. River wanted to speak, to ask them where they were. To ask who they were, but their eyes became heavy again and they couldn't keep them open for much longer. They must have had a pitiful look on their face because the unknown person quietly shushed them, holding their surprisingly small hand. They're hands felt warm and rough but not in a bad way.

Then at last some of the words they spoke, River could make out. "...be okay. You need...re..." they smiled softly down at them then leaned down and gave them a soft kiss on the head. River felt their lip quiver as they tried once again to speak but was unsuccessful. Finally their exhaustion got the better of them and their eyes slowly closed.

"Don't worry, I'll be here when you wake up."

—

River woke up with a gasp and struggled to get air into their lungs. Looking around they saw they were back in their room at the SMP. There was no small wooden stool next to their bedside and nobody laying next to them. As they began to calm down and the warmth of the dream faded, they slowly gripped the fabric over their heart and sighed. 'So it was just a dream...' They got up and tried to let the whole thing go but couldn't help but feel like it was less of a dream and more of a memory. A sharp knock on their door brought them out of their thoughts and they looked toward the noise.

"River. Meeting. Now." Dream's sharp tone made them pause as they threw their legs over the side of the bed. It had been a long time since they had heard him talk with such a cold tone. Whatever it was must be serious or seriously pissed him off. Hopping off their bed they quickly got changed and headed downstairs. 

Dream hadn't waited for them.

The quiet sound of conversation grew as they stepped down stairs and walked into the dining room where everyone was sitting having a meeting. River quickly sat in the empty seat beside Sapnap, giving him a warm smile which he returned. Silently he slid his plate of waffles over to them. They happily started devouring what was left as the conversation continued around them.

Dream sat across from Sapnap, even with his face covered by his mask you could tell that he was seething. "I have had enough of those L'Manchildren thinking they can do whatever they want," his chair screeched across the floor as he shot up. "This is our land! And we're going to take it back, now." The room went silent as everyone stared up at him, the air was uneasy and uncomfortable. River felt the same as everyone else but they pushed down their hesitation and stood up from their seat. "I'm on your side, Dream," they gave him a small smile as he looked in their direction. "No matter what." He gave them a small nod then turned back to look at everyone else. A soft sigh to their left had River looking down to Sapnap who was rubbing at the back of his neck and gave them a quick glance before looking at Dream.

"Could be fun." He smiled widely and a chorus of agreements rang about the room. Dream seemed to deflate with hidden relief and a quiet chuckle followed.

"Guess we better start prepping."

-

A/N

this is a shorter chapter but i couldn't think anymore lol