It'll Be Ok

Birch liked not being the subject of conversation.

They'd seen what being popular or infamous in even a small community could first hand.

And they very much wanted to stick to the status quo they'd peacefully cultivated over the centuries.

So, they did.

Ever since the massive breakdown that destroyed their home, they'd fled to live between AUs, the Omega Timeline not being an option that far back into the past. They'd stayed in their own pocket forest dimension for over 500 years now, and they liked it like that-
'You're overcompensating on all these trees for the important one you failed to protect'
-they were a creature of habit, after all.

Their life was much more interesting when they stumbled upon Cloud. Interesting, as in the positive way. Yeah.
They fell skull first into love with him, their Soulmate-
'You can't lose this one, you won't lose this one'
-and they quickly became inseperable, Cloud even leaving his own AU behind to join them in their cottage in the woods.

He wasn't prepared for just how much plantlife there would actually be, but he welcomed it with open arms.

So, they settled.

They wed.

They...They loved one another.

That's what Birch believed-
'He doesn't really love you, fool. Who could? You failed Mother.'
-and what Cloud affirmed whenever they were overcome with doubt.

They were happy-
Sometimes, late at night when they couldn't sleep, Birch would speak of their old home,
-Content, even-
filled with regret and sadness and pain, Cloud having to comfort them as they bawled their eyes out, lamenting their loss and grief,
-Cloud may even start wanting children soon-
"I can't stop thinking of them, my family-"
-and that's all they could ever hope for-
"I failed her-"
-the sound of little ones pattering across the floor-
"I couldn't protect him-"
-the sound of squeals and laughter-
"And...And I have no idea what became of him, either-"
-of home-
"he may even still be stone-"
-of love-
"and I wouldn't be there to see him if he became free-"
-of life-
"I miss Dreamtale so much."
-of family.

'Because you lost them, didn't you? What makes you think trying again will make you feel better?'

The full extent of Birch's...trauma wasn't apparent until Cloud returned home from an errand one day, deciding to greet his spouse with a surprise.

It was painful to see their regret as they begged for forgiveness, and it was very, very easy for him to give it all, promising that it was ok, it was just a roof, besides, the new tree looked rather "faerie-cottagecore" in the middle of their living room, whatever that meant, and they would move the books and fairylights there to make it look nice too, don't cry darling you're just fine.

It didn't get much better when the...Protector found their home.

He was loud. Rather crude. Birch was certain they didn't like him much, though Cloud seemed aquainted already, so they stayed polite, for their husband's sake.

But, no, he wasn't what put them off the most.

After a few visits, he decided it was an excellent idea to bring him along.

That's why they were here right now.

Alone.

In a closet.

As far away from the conversation as they could get without straight-up leaving.

A knock on the door disrupted their thoughts, and they sniffled in response.

"Honey..?" came their concerned husband's voice, soft yet warm. "Are you ok? Please come out darling..."

"...'m non-binary..." Birch answered quietly, wiping away their tears as they heard Cloud's gentle chuckle.

"I know, my soul, but that's not what I meant."

Birch breathed shakily for a few moments, getting up from the closet door and opening it to see their husband standing attentively, holding out his arms for a hug once they came into view. They restrained a sob as they accepted the hug, leaning into his touch greatfully.

"...I didn't know he was ok..." they finally spoke, choking on fresh tears.

"I know," was all Cloud could answer. And that was ok.

"...He...Did- Did he know who I am?"

"I think he did."

Birch whimpered, causing Cloud to pull back slightly and caress their skull, pale eye-lights filled with love and affection, shimmering against the glow of the fairy lights on the wall behind them.

...If this were a romance novel they were sure this was where he'd pull them in for a kiss.

But no, this wasn't a romance, this was just...their life.

Instead, their husband gave them a soothing smile, humming with affection.

"...Did he seem...um...pessimistic about seeing me?"

"Definitely not, if anything his face lit up when he saw you. He seemed rather disa- ...uh, upset when you teleported away-"

Instantly, Birch tore themselves from his arms, racing back downstairs with a cry. Cloud stood still, stunned for a moment before laughing in exasperation, quickly following them, only to find them in tears again as they babbled at the Guardians who had situated themselves on the couch. Words seemed to fail Birch, however, and they ended up impulsively launching themselves at the Positivity Guardian, who managed to catch them in time before either of them got hurt.

Cloud gestured for Ink to join him in, well, any room that wasn't that one in an attempt to give the siblings some much deserved privacy.

Because this.

This is what Birch needed to truly begin healing their wounds of the past.

<~•~>

"Birch!" came Dream's call outside the cottage. He'd made a habit to visit as often as he could, seeing as how Birch didn't like leaving much, meaning Cloud was given the task of running errands, one of which he was doing now. Birch's attention flickered from the pastry they were making to their brother outside, smiling.

"It's open!" they called back. They enjoyed his visits; he'd always bring a new sort of tea or recipe or other assorted gifts with him.

But when Birch set the pastry aside to greet their guest, this wasn't the gift they were expecting.

Dream did speak of a treaty the last time he visited.

Birch felt their face crumple as they began to sob, quickly moving to bury their face in the newcomer's chest, letting out a shaky, satisfied sigh as they felt arms wrap around them in return.

Dream and Nightmare exchanged a quick, pleased glance as 500 years of grief escaped the small Tree Guardian, with Nightmare's own mood soon dissolving into regret and tears as they both lamented the past, Dream discreetly sneaking away to refrigerate whatever that delicious smell was in the kitchen.

Because he knew this wouldn't be the last time they would do this, though he would quickly return to soothe them through it.

Healing was a bumpy road, but they'd all get through it.

Together.