It Was Never the End DreamNotFound

Chapter 44

Dream POV

"It's been one week." Philza leaned forward, hands on his knees. "None of you have seen a single monster?" 

They were currently sitting around a crackling campfire, the orange-red flames licking the sky with greed. Dream had his arm around George's shoulders, shaking his head no with the rest of the group. 

Philza puffed out a breath. He glanced at Techno, seated calmly next to him. Before he could speak, Wilbur cut in. 

"I think it's safe to say that lightning had something to do with it." Wilbur frowned in thought. "The lightning only appeared after DreamXD died, and if I recall, the monsters were a punishment for him." 

"George404 said the only way to stop Divine Punishment was to kill him." George spoke softly, and Dream tightened his hold on the brunette. "I guess it worked."

A week had passed since Dream carried George into camp, and behind them Techno, Punz, and Sapnap had brought DreamXD's body back for burial. To say the rest of the group was shocked at the sight of a dead winged god was putting it lightly. Even so, they still buried the body with delicate care, and Dream was shocked to find most of the camp was sympathetic to the fallen god. 

"The poison in Skeppy's body is gone as well." Niki put in. "I think he will be fully recovered in another week." 

Drista sighed in relief, and Dream's heart was warmed at the smile on his sister's face. The girl was sitting between Tommy and Ranboo, her pale green eyes reflecting the firelight. 

"You really think it's over?" Ranboo asked, bouncing his knee nervously. 

"We can only hope," Philza replied. "But so far, it looks like it."

George shifted against Dream, leaning his head more comfortably against the dirty blond's shoulder. George's leg had shockingly healed in a week, though it still got stiff from time to time. Niki reassured the brunette that the stiffness would eventually go away.

Dream smiled, fondly playing with George's soft brown hair. The campfire was warm on his maskless face. 

"We should celebrate." Sapnap slapped his knee. "We haven't been happy about anything in ages." 

Philza started to shake his head, but Quackity jumped to his feet.

"FUCK YEAH LET'S HAVE A FIESTA!" 

"Quackity." Philza tried, but the raven-haired man slung an arm around his shoulders.

"Mi hombre, don't kill the fiesta before it starts." 

"We should at least wait until Skeppy recovers." Niki put in gently. "He will want to join us." 

Dream stifled a laugh at Philza's face, which gave him annoyed-parent vibes. The group leader didn't object, however, and simply waved his hand in permission. 

Sapnap, Quackity, and Tommy cheered, pumping their fists. 

The group talked for a few hours before everyone retired to their cabins for the night. Dream pulled George tight against him, loving the warmth of the brunette's body against his. George buried his face in Dream's neck, murmuring a soft, "Goodnight."

"Goodnight princess Georgie." Dream stroked George's hair soothingly, his eyes drifting shut. 

Just like he had every night since DreamXD died, he dreamt of a brightly colored place. A familiar mushroom house, a purple cat with speckled fur stretched out in the warm sunlight on the balcony. Her lilac eyes watched lazily as a couple walked, leaning against one another, whispering little things to make the other laugh.