The Burning ~ Dreamnotfound + Skephalo

Chapter 4: Hot Stuff

As everyone waited outside of the medic's home for Nick, Skeppy worked on restringing the bow. Dream was expecting to hear screams of pain from outside, but he never heard any. Either the medic's home had thick walls or Nick was taking it like a champ.
The medic opens the door and walks out, looking at Dream. "He's asking for you, Clay." Dream reluctantly got up, not ready to face Sapnap. He was half expecting to get an earful from him when he walked in, but instead, he was greeted by a weak smile. Sapnap was stretched out on a table with a pillow under his head. Beside him was a small table filled with all sorts of tools and gauze as well as a cup of water. After catching a slight glimpse of Sapnap's arm under normal lighting, he quickly looked away, not thinking he could stomach the view. All he saw was wet, white as snow skin covered in blisters that were still bleeding.
"It's ok," Sapnap hoarsely laughs as he notices Dream look away. "I can't look at it either."
Dream sits on the other side of Sapnap to avoid his burnt arm. "Damn, it smells awful in here."
"That'd be me. Burnt flesh isn't exactly a pleasant thing to smell." Dream's stomach turns as he tries to focus on a spot on the wall. "Dude, you look really pale," Sapnap points out.
Dream takes a couple of shallow breaths. "I would just rather not think about your arm."
Sapnap nods. "Ok, that's fair." He bites the inside of his cheek, nearly losing himself in thought for a second. "I'm sorry."
"For what?" Dream asks. "I'm the asshole that caused everything to go wrong, not you."
"No you're not, Dream," Sapnap assures him. "I'm the asshole here. I was so mad that everything happened and you were the first person I saw when I was ready to explode. George was the one who started it. He knew what to say to set you off and he said it. I should've been there for both of you and I'm so sorry."
"But you're right, Nick," Dream says. "I didn't do a perimeter check like I was supposed to."
Sapnap reaches out to Dream to touch his arm. "Clay, you were in a rough spot. George beat you down with something you wanted to share with him. I understand both of you in this situation and I'm sorry I ever made you think that it was just your fault."
Dream relaxes a little in his seat. "Thank you, Nick. I forgive you." The two sit in uncomfortable silence for a minute, not quite knowing how to continue a conversation. "So, has the medic given you and information about your arm?"
"Yep. My arm will never be the same again," he says sadly. "It'll be healed in three weeks, but it's gonna leave a scar all the way down my arm. My skin is going to tighten which means moving my arm will be harder and more painful. I also can't close my hand all the way so that's concerning." He closes his eyes and frowns. "Why is it that the second George goes missing is the second I won't be able to help?"
Dream laughs. "I know you well enough to know that you're coming whether you're injured or not."
Sapnap smirks. "You're right." His smile drops. "I just don't know how I'm going to use my sword. There's no way I'm going to be able to use my right arm and my left arm is dumb and can't do the things that my right arm can."
"We will figure it out," Dream states. "I promise."
The medic walks into the room and grabs some sort of cream from the side table. "Nick, you're going to have to keep your burns well moisturized. Use this cream twice a day for three weeks and your arm will be healed. Also, keep your arm wrapped. I'll give you enough gauze and medical tape to last you the three weeks." Sapnap's face contorts into absolute pain and he bites the inside of his cheek as the medic gently spreads the cream across his arm. He grabs Dream's hand and squeezes the hell out of it, but Dream didn't mind. He just wanted his friend to feel better. After a few painful minutes, Sapnap's arm was fully wrapped and ready to go.
The two-step outside of the medic's home just as Skeppy finishes stringing the bow. "Feeling alright?" he asks Sapnap.
"I'll feel better when we find George," Sapnap responds. "If we start moving now, we'll be able to catch up with whoever took him."
"We can't leave now," Dreams says.
Sapnap scoffs. "Are you serious? Your husband was just taken! Why are you hesitating?!"
"Because we aren't ready, Sapnap!" Dream sits down beside Bad and Skeppy. "We are all exhausted and drained and you're hurt. There's no way we'd be able to win."
"We also can't leave Lily," Bad says. "Her grandmother is going to pass any second now. She needs someone to be there for her when that happens."
Skeppy claps his hands together. "I have an idea!"
Bad whispers, "Oh boy, here we go."
Skeppy elbows Bad, then begins to explain his plan. "One of us should stay here while the other three go after George. We need someone to watch the village anyway, just in case the people that took George attack."
"In that case, I should stay," Sapnap says sadly. "I'd only weigh you guys down."
Skeppy shakes his head. "No, you shouldn't be left alone to watch the village. I'd rather you go with the group. I think Dream should stay."
Dream frowns. "Well, I don't care about your opinion. George is my husband and I should be there when he's saved. You should be the one to stay, Mr. Riptide."
"You really think I'll be able to take care of Lily by myself?" Skeppy laughs. "I can barely take care of myself, let alone another tiny human being."
Dream crosses his arms. "Well, I'm not staying here and you can't make me."
"Fine! I'll stay!" Bad yells, standing up. "Come on, Skeppy. Let's go home. Dream, you're welcome to stay with us if you want." Dream stands up and the three say goodbye to Sapnap before returning to their home.