Her Guardian || Demon! Dream Sans x Reader

trīgintā septem

(Y/n) sat at the table beside Error, listening to him mumble to himself as she rested her head on her hand. The others were busy talking amongst themselves or standing silent, and (Y/n) was almost able to convince herself that the norm had been reestablished. Error was putting the finishing touches on his plans, Silver and G were standing off to the side in a conversation with Swap and Slash, and Ink was rolling a paint vial in his hands as he debated drinking it. Dream was quietly talking to him, and (Y/n) was able to get bits and pieces of the conversation through Dream's thoughts to figure out he was helping Ink process what happened to Outer.

It still felt surreal, like it was all a dream that she had yet to wake up from, but that was likely because she was forced to put it to the back of her mind to prepare for what they assumed to be an incoming attack from a pissed Waylon. Did Ink deserve to carry the guilt of what happened to Outer? (Y/n) wasn't sure anymore. Assigning blame wasn't helpful like Dream said, and Ink had already been beaten over the head about his screwup to the point he stopped experiencing emotion to focus on making up for his previous shortcomings. Although, her thoughts were influenced by Dream and Dream valued harmony between the demons regardless of what happened. He was a good King, better leader material than anybody else, and it showed in his benevolence and drive to help Ink—not that (Y/n) didn't already know that.

Dream felt her gaze on him and lifted his head, smiling warmly. He was always so quick to smile at her, like she truly was the love of his life and simply gazing at her brought him insurmountable happiness. She wasn't sure how such a sweet King like him fell for a mess of a girl like her, and watching him from her spot at the table made her question how it happened all the more. He'd seemingly put all of their issues in the past, brushing aside his initial feelings and resolve to push her away like it wasn't there at all, and while she didn't doubt his ability to put it behind him—especially since he wanted it just as badly as her despite his denial—part of her suspected he was just that good at hiding his persisting hangups. But they didn't have time to sit down and talk about it, not with everything going on. Besides, what did it matter if he was just going to return to his world once this was all over anyways?

"His positivity always amazes me," Error mumbled, not looking up from where he was leaned over the table beside (Y/n). "We're born into a world with no reason to be positive, yet he wears a smile like it's etched onto his face." He scoffed. "I'm inclined to believe he's crazy."

"Crazier than you?" He only grinned, glancing up at her to shoot her a quick wink, and (Y/n)'s gaze returned to Dream with a sigh. "You'd think he harbors no trauma at all with how he carries himself." Dream's smile faded some at her thoughts before he turned back to Ink.

Error rose a browbone at her. "Do you think he's going to drink it?"

"The paint?" She considered it. "If Dream's doing as good a job as I think, he will."

"I'm looking forward to it." A cruel smirk curved his teeth as (Y/n) glanced up at him. "He deserves to feel guilty."

"You don't blame yourself?" She frowned, earning a scoff from him.

"If I wanted Nightmare to figure out I'm helping you then I would." She doubted his pride would let him take any personal responsibility anyways, but he did have a point. All of his years serving under the King of Negativity taught him how to fly under the radar, and he did a stellar job of it—though denial almost seemed to come naturally to him. He could probably make himself believe anything.

All the talk about guilt made her thoughts drift to the entire reason Ink stopped drinking his vials, and her gaze fell. "Do you miss Outer?" The question was quiet, only for him to hear, and she heard a soft breath escape his teeth.