Who Lies in the End?

Ch 38: 8 "Because you're an idiot, that's how,"

art by: xiha

The mansion was still quiet by the time Dream arrived. Some servants were moving about, preparing to start the day with sleep still lingering in their eyes. The faint aroma of coffee floated through the halls from the kitchen. The robust scent mingled pleasantly with the cinnamon roll kept safely in his gloved hands.

As he rounded a corner, Dream had to roll out of the way as a sleepy Sapnap came into vision. They narrowly dodged each other, before stopping.

"Sorry," Sapnap mumbled as he hid a yawn behind his hand, "Oh, hey Dream."

Dream quirked a bemused smile, "Did you skip the beauty sleep tonight?"

"Bitch, I look fabulous," Sapnap yawned again, "I was just up late finishing the project that you asked for."

Dream laughed quietly, "Sure, sure. Hey, how does it look?"

Sapnap leaned again the wall and crossed his arms, "Looks pretty good. Tubbo already had it designed out, I just had to follow his instructions. It's all done now, and Beckerson is happy with the change of scenery."

Dream's body relaxed at the good news, "I'm glad. I really do appreciate this, by the way. I'm thankful that you and Tubbo pulled this off."

"Yeah, well," Sapnap stretched and pushed himself off the wall, "It was a fun project to work on. Beckerson's tank has been depressing for quite some time," he turned and began walking down the hall, "I'm gonna head to bed. Night, Dream."

"Morning, Sapnap," Dream responded as Sapnap rounded a corner and disappeared from sight.

There was excitement bubbling in Dream's chest at the knowledge that the tank was finished. How would George react? Would he be happy? Would he be upset? Would he like the design? Would he be cranky from staying up all night? Would he not like the idea that Dream had asked this? What if he secretly hated the idea of a larger fish tank?

Excitement turned to nausea as Dream let his thoughts swarm. Did he do the right thing? Was this okay? Would George think he was weird?

No. Nope. Stop it. Dream shook his head to try and shake the thoughts from his head. It was going to be fine. Everything was going to be fine. George could love it. He could think it was the coolest thing. He could be happy that Beckerson had a nicer home.

Steadying himself with a deep breath, Dream began to navigate the halls. He wasn't exactly sure where George would be, but he figured he could hang outside of his room, at the very least. Maybe he could get a sneak peek at the tank first.

His steps slowed as the sound of heated voices lingered around the corner. There were three voices: George, Bad, and someone that he didn't know. Their tones were hushed, but the quipped words and snapped sentences were enough to indicate that it wasn't a pleasant conversation. Dream snuck up to the corner and focused his hearing on the voices.

"This is something you're supposed to bring to me, not to the duke himself," Bad sounded agitated.

"This is too important to be put through a middle man. Duke George, please, if you would just-"

"I have heard you, and I've given you my answer."

"Then you clearly weren't listening," the third person huffed, "We, the council, and the village, respect your decisions; however, we are concerned about some of your recent choices: namely regarding the criminal."

"His name is Dream, and I'm not changing my decision. He is my guest and is safe here in the village," George's voice was formal and terse.

"I understand that, but the villagers are wary of him. They don't want to speak against you, but I don't want them to suffer in silence."