~ 𝙳𝚒𝚟𝚒𝚗𝚒𝚝𝚢 ~ [𝐷𝑟𝑒𝑎𝑚 𝑥 𝑅𝑒𝑎𝑑𝑒𝑟]

Chapter 12: Breakthrough

You collapsed.

Dream was there in an instant, tenderly and effortlessly scooping up your body while saying, "We need to find her parents... Frisk..." He looked at you with those golden eyes, those eyes that told you that it was all going to be fine...

You were sure that he was going to say something else, but your consciousness failed you before he could say another word.

:):

You woke up in a bed, dressed with (F/C) sheets.

(F/C)... Sheets..? Am I back home??

Bolting up, you instantly regretted it and fell back down. The stuffed animal you had healed what felt like years ago was still there. Yep. This was your room alright, with the same army of stuffed toys and (F/C) decorations everywhere.

With a shaky breath, you held your hand to your head and focused on a good memory. Dream, laughing beside me on the grass...

The pain in your head went away immediately.

You smiled, relieved that your magic still worked. A few voices floated up the stairs, slightly muffled through the door.

"Mrs. (L/N), I know it's a lot to take in, but—" Ink.

"No! No. Do you understand how-how worried I was??" Mom.

"Mrs. (L/N), please. We've been taking good care of them, and they aren't hurt—"

"Hurt? Hurt?? My child is passed out on their own bed after disappearing for three weeks! I have no idea what you've done to them, or what-what—Their dad is already hospitalized after the last time this happened! We don't need anymore hurt in our house."

You stiffened, clutching the sheets. Dad? In the hospital? Your thoughts instantly deterred from your own health to his. Hurt? Hurt? Hurt where? When? How?

"...I'm sorry, Mrs. (L/N). I really am. But I promise you that (Y/N) only passed out because they were overwhelmed."

Your heart rose, and you swallowed hard as if to send it back down. That voice, that sweet, lilting, wistful voice that carried along the wind like cotton candy...

"The damage isn't large. They'll have a migraine at most."

A sigh of both relief and exhaustion. "Never, and I mean never do that again. Or I'll never allow (Y/N) out of my sight again."

"Yes ma'am."

You sat up, holding a hand to your forehead. Memories swirled around your skull, pressing in on you like a submarine at deep sea. Then, a tiny puncture and all the memories came flooding in at once.

Blueberry. The book. The goodbyes. (N/N). The curse. Dream. Dream...

Squeezing your eyes shut, your mind slowly arranged itself again. You were at home because it was attacked. The Book of Magic was on the bedside table. You were safe. Dream was here.

In all of your thinking, you didn't hear your mother come up the stairs and open the door.

"(Y/N)!"

You were softly embraced by two (S/C) arms, holding you tight. "I-I was so worried! You just disappeared and then your father got hurt and then I had to do so much to support me and then there was a huge attack and—"

"Calm down, Mom," you laughed softly. "I'm OK."

Smiling, your mother let go and looked straight into your (E/C) orbs. "There's someone that wants to see you. I'll let him do it, but not if you don't want him to."

You nodded. She sighed. "Then he'll be right up."

Walking downstairs, she called a name. Your heart rose. The door opened quietly.

"...(Y/N)?"

His voice was higher than normal, and cracked a little on the last syllable. His golden eyes bore into yours, taking on a time of melted butter and honey. You were both quiet for a few moments, just relishing the fact that you were both alive.

Dream took a few gentle steps towards you, fidgeting with his cape. Once he was right in front of your bed, he swallowed hard. "I'm glad you're OK."

You hugged him.

He gasped softly at the gesture, but immediately wrapped his arms around you. Tears leaked gently from his eyes sockets. You could feel the liquid dripping onto your shirt. Soon after he started, you were weeping too. It was a mess, but at this point neither of you cared. For a few minutes you just stood there hugging each other, rocking slowly.

"...Thanks, Dream." He blinked, surprised you were talking so soon. He had been enjoying your presence.

"For what?"

You smiled softly, whispering, "For everything. The adventures, the Book... Not wiping my memories..."

He chuckled despite himself. You like it when he laughed. His shoulders would shake a little, and you suddenly would feel much better. "Well, I suppose that is something," he sighed, putting a hand on your head. Your face lit on fire. Again. "How's your migraine?"

"Oh! Much better," you giggled, inhaling deeply. "I can still use my magic, thank the stars. How's... How's Blue?"

A low sigh. Dream pulled you away from him, putting his hands over yours. "Not very well," the guardian whispered. "He's in no condition to fight or defend. That curse made him helpless. There's barely anything we can do."

Silence fell over the room once again as you fiddled with your fingers. Dream slowly backed out of the room, never taking his eyes off of you once. "Well then. You should probably get some sleep."

"Yeah... Yeah," you said, nodding. He pushed a few waves of sleep towards you, and you felt your eyelids starting to droop. "I can fall asleep myself, y'know..."

"Oh," Dream blinked, cutting off the supply. "Well then. Have a good night! I'll give you any updates on what's going on. Alright?"

You grinned, feeling yourself slip away from consciousness. "Sure, Dream. I'll see you later."

And with that, you drifted away into another peaceful slumber.