Dreamcatcher

4. Distractions

Coming out of his portal and closing it, Dream landed in the Stars' base, glancing around until he spotted a taller, blue skeleton.

"You needed me, Swap?" Dream asked, soul feeling lighter already without the excess negativity that swarmed Error. Not that he was annoyed at the other for it, if anything he was thrilled to have been able to brighten Error's day. A quiet sigh of relief released from him, he was tired but pushed it aside, more important things still had to be done. 

Error's smile was one Dream never expected to see. Sure he'd seen the ones filled with malice from when he destroyed AUs, but his  carefree (and childish, if Dream had to be honest) laugh at just a simple pun had washed a feeling of tranquility over him and surprised him quite a bit. It was cute in a way. Perhaps Swap was right, Error didn't seem at all as bad to hang out with compared to when fighting him. 

At hearing his voice, Swap jolted up with an eager look, granting Dream a wide smile.

"Dream! Yes! Thanks for coming so soon, friend!" He exclaimed, jogging towards Dream with his eye lights flickering to stars. Dream chuckled, Swap always kept his spirits up with his optimism.

The Star Sanses base wasn't large but Dream had to admit Ink had managed to make the interior a sight to behold. The lounge area was the largest in the house, countless beautiful paintings embedding the walls, many symbolising AUs or the Star Sanses themselves. Dream's favourite was the large apple tree painting on his door, it provided a distant sense of nostalgia and always reminded him of who and what he was fighting to protect.

Comfy and colourful furniture filled up much of the space (he made a mental note to ask Ink later to paint a replacement blanket for the one he'd gifted Error) as well as a few first aid kits and other healing items on some shelves, healing magic could only do so much.

The kitchen was openly connected, though only Swap actually cooked in there, Ink only entering to raid their fridge and Dream occasionally to help the Swap.

Ink had clearly let his imagination go wild creating their base (even more so in his room, which the other two rarely entered, for a good reason) yet with Swap and Dream's help they prevented him from going overboard. The lounge was the room the trio hung out in the most, especially Ink when he wasn't away and Dream noticed the artist's absence immediately.

He turned his attention back to Swap, who was gleefully carrying some tacos over to him.

"Here, I managed to finish them when you were gone! You should eat something before we have to go."

Dream thanked him, taking one, chest filling with gratitude as he realised Swap had remembered the banana ones to be his favourite. After taking a few bites, complimenting Swap on his cooking skills (who puffed out his chest declaring 'The Magnificent Swap's cooking to always be the best!') he finally questioned his friend, 

"So what's the problem you needed help on? Does it have to do with Ink being away?" 

Swap hummed a yes, frowning slightly.

"Ink called me earlier, said he needed help fixing an AU." Swap paused, glaring at Dream as he noticed the guardian not finishing the taco. Dream gave an embarrassed smile before picking it back up and taking some more bites.

Even though Dream had no need to eat much food with all the positive energy he received, Swap persisted in telling him how it was a bad habit, neglecting his health, and regularly made sure the guardian ate enough. Despite not believing it benefited him, Dream still thanked Swap by helping train him as well as always being there for the other...he wished he could do more as there was always so much stress and self-criticism buried in Swap's mind and emotions. But, with Swap assuring him he was always fine there wasn't much he could do.