Stone Cold

Chapter 14

[Hi. I'm back. It's taken me 2 months but I'm here. I have a few things to say before I get into my apology. (Also, the chapter is always written first so my rambling doesn't decrease from the word count of the story)

First, the idea for this chapter is from joynerrt and PastaGod_Italy helped add onto it. Thank you both for that!! If you are a Spanish speaking reader, Tekvaco858 has a Spanish translation that may be more convenient for you. Thank you for doing that for my story btw! That is so flattering to me you can't even imagine.

Also, I have reached 1k views on ao3 which, once again, mind blown! I may not know your names but you all mean the world to me. I started this for myself but I don't know if I would be able to keep myself motivated without all of the love and support you have all shown me both here and on ao3 despite my nonexistent updating schedule and the long pauses between each chapter.

I do hope to improve on that but my mental health is not exactly healthy. (Don't worry, everything I have is mild but it still impacts me ya know?) Anyways, enjoy the chapter!]

*Dream's POV*

For the first time in what felt like months but in reality was much shorter than that, Dream woke up feeling refreshed. He hadn't realized how much he missed hanging out with Blue. He would be sure to apologize to him when this was all over.

Dream got dressed and ate some of the cereal he bought grocery shopping the day before. He cleaned his dishes and was all set to spread positivity and other such jobs for a guardian.

He was surprised at just how much motivation he had. He didn't usually get this motivated even after hanging out with a friend the day bey. Maybe he should eat breakfast more often.....

Dream got through 6 AU's before lunch. He actually took a break to eat something! He was going to be responsible today.

Once again, he was surprised at the burst of motivation that something as simple as a meal caused. He REALLY should do this more often.

He went to 2 more AU's before he felt a burst of negativity. He must have spread a bit too much positivity.....

He sighed before texting the other stars and opening a portal.

To his surprise, both Ink and Blue were stepping through a portal as well. How had they learned about the attack so quickly?

He shrugged it off as good luck and summoned his weapon.

He just had his staff out for now. The battle wasn't too aggressive yet. When it got more violent, he would switch to his bow. He didn't like getting out his knives as they caused the most damage and he usually didn't want that.

He blocked a tentacle with a burst of positivity from the tip. Nightmare hissed and drew it back. Dream had to duck to dodge a second tentacle and then lunge to the left to avoid an attack.

His soul was turned blue and he was slammed into the ground and hit with a few bones. He rolled to avoid more of the same kind of attack.

He stood up quickly but ended back up on the ground to miss a blaster beam. Summoning his bow, he hit an attack heading his way and then one of Nightmare's tentacles.

Another attack grazed his arm. Dream sighed in relief. He had barely dodged that one.

He sent an arrow Dust's way and caused to bone attacks to pause for a few seconds. Unfortunately, his feet were swept out from under him and he landed flat on his back.

He had to roll once again to avoid the many attacks coming his way. He didn't dodge all of them but his HP was still pretty high so he wasn't too worried.

He quickly changed his bow into his staff and formed a shield. He really should use that trick more often. He took a second to catch his breathe while Nightmare and Dust starting breaking through it.

The second it shattered his bow was summoned once again and a wave of arrows was sent their way.

Dream grinned. That probably looked really cool.

Dream changed his mind once he felt Horror's humor and looked over to see him laughing.

Dream blushed but continued fighting.

He prepared another wave of arrows for Nightmare and Dust.

Suddenly, he felt a wave of horror coming from his twin. He was looking right at Dream for some reason.

"Nightmare? Are you okay?"

He didn't say anything and just kept staring. Dream suddenly felt everyone's eyes on him. What was wrong with everyone?

Everyone seemed to understand why Nightmare was so scared and worried except Dream himself.

Dream gave himself a once over. Suddenly, he froze.

Oh no.

His arm covering.

His arm covering was ripped leaving the perfect view of his stoney arm. He wished his arm wasn't numb. He could have made sure no one saw if he had noticed sooner!

Dream felt himself start to panic and immediately reinforced his aura. He was fine. Everything was fine. He would think of some excuse, he knew he could. There had to be something believable out there somewhere right?

Dream decided to play stupid for now. That wave of terror and worry was only from Blue. His enemies were definitely not worried about him as far as he was concerned at the moment.

"Blue? Are you alright?"

Thankfully, Blue snapped out of it and offered a shaky reassurance. Everyone else tore their eyes off of his arm as well (mostly.)

The battle resumed, though it was filled with caution and wariness.

Dream thought Nightmare might stare another hole into what was left of his sleeve thing.

This was surprisingly awkward for the seriousness of the situation.

When the stars surrendered, Dream could barely hold back the wave of relief he felt.

Hiding positive feelings was harder than negative ones because they technically fit right in with the aura meant to hide them. He still managed.

Instead of going to the Star's base, he went straight to his bedroom and collapsed on his bed. How was he supposed to explain THIS away? It didn't really matter if anyone believed him but he needed a cover that would be passable.

How would he possibly get stone on his arm in a very normal could-happen-to-anyone way?

First of all, he should definitely not admit that the gray was stone in the first place.

It's just a shadow? It's paint?

...

Ink is an artist. He could just say that he was helping Ink with something and got gray paint on his arm and forgot to clean it off!

That would work right? It was a cover story for sure. It was passable.

This was fine. He could handle this. He. Could. Handle. This.

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