Pandemonium | Dream SMP

73. It's dangerous to distract the driver.

Fear seizes me the moment I realise what I've done.

I stare at my closed fist with disbelief. It throbs, and I've actually split the skin on a knuckle.

Techno makes no sound as he slowly raises a hand to touch his swelling cheek. He looks completely surprised. An expression I thought I'd never see from him.

Before I can think any further on what I'd done an arm hooks around my waist and yanks me well out of reach of Technoblade.

I'm shoved behind Dream as he draws his axe, holding it defensively across his body.

Still no one has said anything. Though Wilbur does stand with a hand to his mouth, his head turned away as his shoulders shake.

Is he...laughing?

"Perhot' podzalupnaya." I mutter under my breath.

Techno eyes me curiously as I mutter and I shrink further out of sight, wanting to sink into Dream's shadow.

"Huh." Is all he says, his voice impassive.

Tommy whips his head between the three of us, his sword lowering to his side. He looks just as nervous of Techno's reaction as we do.

"We're leaving now." Dream says steadily, turning his head to observe the group carefully, calculating if anyone will jump in to defend the pig man's pride.

But nobody does. They simply watch in frozen shock as Dream backs us up to a staircase, then spins around and grabs my arm, sprinting up the steps two at a time.

No words are shared between us till we're out of the cave and under blue skies again. The horse from earlier is exactly where it was left, and turns to knicker at us softly as we spill out onto the grass, gasping for breath.

"You—" Dream snaps, twirling on me, his axe still drawn, "are suicidal!"

"I know!" I wail, sitting down in the dirt and pressing my hands to my face in distress.

"You punched Technoblade!"

"I know!"

"And then stood there like an idiot!"

"I know!"

I duck my head, trying to curl in on myself. I feel like pulling my hair out. What was I thinking?! I just nailed the most dangerous man in the country in the face! And survived! I wasn't even provoked! I was just— I was just so angry. So frustrated! Seeing his face again triggered me so bad that I literally lost control.

"How am I still alive?" I mumble into my palms.

Dream sighs and sheathes his axe, then drops down in front of me and takes my hands, prying them from my face.

I peer up at him like a guilt-ridden dog, waiting to be scolded.

"You're an idiot." He repeats his earlier words, but this time his tone is soft and tired. He bumps his forehead to mine, the mask cool on my skin.

I'm still trembling despite the danger being behind us now. But I can't seem to stop.

"Did you see Wilbur laughing?" I question, trying to distract myself.

"Yeah. I did."

"And Tommy's face was kind of funny."

"It was."

"Hey, Dream?"

"Yeah?"

"I think I'm scared of Techno."

"You'd be crazy if you weren't." He muses, pulling back to run a thumb over my cheek. "You're only human."

I give a dry laugh. "I don't know what I am. If anything you're more human than me."

"Hmm. Maybe."

"Maybe?"

Dream stands, pulling me up with him. Instead of answering he begins to untie the horse from its post, giving its saddle a quick check.

"It's almost been an hour." He says, offering his hands as a stirrup as he nods to the horse. "I need to get you back."

My expression falls.

He's right. It's time I returned to Manburg before Schlatt suspects anything. I wish I could stay with him for longer. Dream's company really is addictive. It's becoming harder and harder to pry myself away from him every time we meet.

I mount the horse and he slides on behind me.

"Will they mind us borrowing the horse?" I ask.

"I'll bring it back...eventually."

He flicks the reigns and the horse breaks out into a trot, weaving easily between the trees.

I lean back into Dream's chest and gaze up at him. His eyes are focused forward but I see his mouth move behind the mask as he smiles.

"You see something you like?" He teases.

I hum, and run a nail along his jaw.

His body tenses and a shiver passes through him.

"It's dangerous to distract the driver." He warns.

I ignore him and lift a leg up onto the saddle, rotating my body to face him. He glances down at me, tense and expecting. He knows I'm up to something, but per usual has no idea what.

"Eyes on the road." I muse, pushing up to kiss his jawline. My hands slip sneakily beneath his jacket and shirt, caressing his skin in small circles. One of his hands drops away from the reins to pull me closer, pressing me flat against his chest.

"You'll seriously be the death of me." He breathes as my hands roam lower.

I hum blissfully, taking in everything about him before we're forced apart again.

Once we reach the place where we left Punz, Dream slows the horse to a standstill and looks around. One of the trees rustles and something white drops down in front of us.

"You're cutting it pretty close there," Punz says, observing us.

"Sorry for making you wait." I drop down from the horse and give it a pat on the neck. Dream remains seated in the saddle and I don't blame him. After what I've just done to him I wouldn't risk walking either. His ears are still bright red.

Dream clears his throat and adjusts his collar, trying to hide the marks on his throat. "Keep her safe, Punz."

The male smirks like he's just heard a good joke. "You do realise she could probably run my ass into the ground, right?"

I chuckle. I hadn't realised I'd left such a strong impression on the guy. I'm flattered he thinks I'm that good.

"I'll be fine," I assure Dream, giving him my warmest smile. "I do have you looking out for me. I couldn't be any safer."

"You two really are mushy with each other, huh?" Punz muses, tucking his hands into his front pocket. "Gotta say, I did not see it coming."

"Shut up." Dream remarks, though I hear the smile in his voice.

Turning the horse around, Dream stoops to place a hand to the side of my face.

"Stay safe, 'kay?"

"I will."

With a peck to his ear that has him redden all over again, he pulls his hood up over his head and kicks the horse's flank. They disappear quickly into the forest.

"You've really got him wrapped around your little finger," Punz observes, nodding for me to follow. "Remind me never to upset you."