Purpled almost forgot what real food tastes like. Their previous fosters left them to their own devices for the most part, and he was asleep when Sam heated up left overs.
Puffy's food tastes amazing, and even Punz has to reluctantly agree. Purpled notices that he's fallen back into old habits as his arm is curled around the plate. Dream eats openly, as he slurps his spaghetti with exaggeration to make Foolish laugh.
Purpled tries to eat it normally, but he finds himself worrying about his eldest brother. He wasn't even like this with with Mrs Brown, although it was very clear from the start what kind of person she was.
Punz leaves the table as soon as he's finished. He doesn't ask permission nor does he take his plate to the sink. Purpled knows exactly what he is doing and wishes he wouldn't.
"This tastes amazing." Dream says politely, making up for the rudeness of Punz.
"Thank you Dream. I have cookies for later if you boys fancy some." Foolish cheers, his arms waving in the air and he nearly sends spaghetti across the table. Dream laughs and Purpled smiles.
They finish eating with light conversation, mostly between Dream and Puffy, and Purpled takes all of the plates to the sink, earning him a ruffle to the hair.
Purpled makes his way back upstairs, only catching a glimpse of Dream giving Foolish back his shark. He thinks that the three of them look happy together, and something twists in his stomach.
Before he knows what he's doing, he finds himself in Punz's room, laying next to the older boy. They don't say anything but stare at the speckled ceiling.
"Dream really likes it here, doesn't he." Punz states, and Purpled nods his agreement.
"Do you think, if it ever came down to it, and we had to choose between moving on and staying here, Dream would choose to stay?" It's a question Purpled hadn't considered yet. They have been here for mere hours and already he feels that Dream has found his place. Everyone has one.
"I think..." Punz begins, seemingly choosing his words carefully, "that if we did have a choice, we would all stick to the majority. If you and Dream wanted to stay, then we stay. If you and I wanted to go, then Dream would come with us..."
It's quiet outside as the sun takes its leave, setting slowly.
"How long are you willing to wait before you trust her?" Purpled questions.
"I don't honestly know," Punz shrugs, "I don't feel right here. I don't feel comfortable. I wish I knew why..."
He trails off and turns to face the wall, his back to Purpled.
"Is it because of-"
"NO!" Punz interrupts, curling in on himself tightly. "Whatever you're about to say, it isn't that."
Silence.
The room is now dark and Purpled gets up to shut the curtains and turn on the light; he only feels slightly guilty when he sees Punz wince.
"Can I sleep here tonight?" He asks, timid.
"Of course you can Purp, you don't need to ask."
Purpled goes back to his room to change and lets Punz get himself ready. They brush their teeth together and Punz slings his arms around Purpled as he guides him to bed.
Purped loves the feeling of being warm and safe, and is already drowsy by the time Punz tucks the blanket around him.
The pair go to sleep early, even earlier than Foolish. Purpled is half awake when Puffy checks on them, and is asleep when Dream pokes his head in the room.
YOU ARE READING
Reputation
Fanfiction"Dream legs it down the alleyway, bag gripped tightly in his hand. His cheeks are already red and angry from the bitter cold wind and his feet numb inside his shoes. He can hear rasped shouts from behind him, and forces his legs to move faster." Or:...
