#eggpire!dream

“I’m fine. Just a bit of loose footing. You?” Dream was fine. He didn’t want to talk about himself. They didn’t have enough time.

“I’m doing great. Look–see that turn, right there?” Dream did. “We’re heading there. I’m pretty sure that leads to the Egg. That crowd’s,” he gestured behind him, to their pursuers, who, who would of guessed it, had blown the entrance open again and were after them once again, “not going to follow us into there. It’ll be safe.”

Technoblade laughed, a little awkwardly. “Yeah, I know what you’re thinking: ‘It’s dangerous, Techno! We can’t do that!’” That was, in fact, not what Dream was thinking – he was thinking about the mob behind him and a familiar voice echoing out through the chambers, a promise of death wrapped around edged reassurances of caring about him. “Well, we blocked the Egg off and it’s dead or close, so it should be fine, but those idiots don’t know that.”

“And you do?” Dream shot back, one eyebrow raised, but his mind was in a different place. Put one foot in front of the other. Take step after step. Keep moving forward. Don’t get distracted. Don’t stop until it’s safe.

“I’ve had to deal with the Egg a lot, Dream, and I’m pretty sure it’s achieved omelet status now. It shouldn’t be an issue, and it’s a good threat either way. I’m not sure how much longer we can keep this up.” Techno grimaced, wrinkling his nose.

That was a valid point. Dream didn’t know about Technoblade, but he was certainly feeling the familiar heavy exhaustion creeping into his bones, weighing him down, and the pain shooting through his body at every motion, and the way his lungs were heaving in his chest, trying to keep air pumping through his damaged lungs and keeping him breathing. “Fine.”

“Good. Just follow me and we’ll be fine.” Techno took a sharp turn towards the other corridor, speeding out of sight and Dream had to speed up to keep up with him (too scared that he’d slip out of sight and Dream would never be able to find him again because Techno had just left and didn’t want to be found anymore, not by him; that he didn’t want to have anything to do with Dream and would just leave him for the wolves).

Dream had to stop - his leg was throbbing, pulsing with pain, dead weight he had to drag behind him that he wished was just gone; his lungs were weak and screaming for air; his head was spinning and he had to stop, had to grasp the wall and hold on for dear life or else fall down and not get up - once he reached the other room, because that’s what it was - a room. Not a cave or system of tunnels anymore, but a room, with smooth, dark, polished walls and a floor covered by old faded carpet. A table was spread out in the middle of the room, rotting food placed on some of the platters on the table, chairs hastily thrown aside around it.

(Faintly, Dream heard shouts from outside, most far off, some a bit closer; he couldn’t make out any of the words and didn’t want to put in the energy to try to)

Dream’s eyes landed on Technoblade, standing behind the table with a strange look on his face. It wasn’t one Dream recognized, a strange mix of recognition and nostalgia and horror and whatthefuckdidIdo?

“Techno?” Dream asked, pushing himself up off the wall.

“Ah, yeah, Dream,” Techno answered. “It’s fine. I just didn’t realize it’d lead to here. Not exactly the best place, all things considered.”

“What even is this place?” Dream wrinkled his nose, glaring at the table.

“The room they held the Banquet in. Looks like no one got around to cleaning this place up,” Technoblade commented.

Dream huffed a laugh. “You don’t say.” He scanned the room, not quite sure what he was looking for but content to stop talking.

The walls looked like they were just one solid color at first, even in their current shadowy state, but Dream noticed that it wasn’t the case. There was actually a slight ruby tint to it all. That was interesting. It seemed important, even if he wasn’t sure why.

Dream saw a little, tiny crimson vine peeking out of one of the cracks in the wall. He reached out to try to touch it, but, the second it brushed against his skin, it sprung into motion, wrapping itself around his wrist and Dream–

And Dream–

And Dream was drowning–

A wave of red overcame him, voices he had never heard before but trusted completely suddenly overwhelming him, sending his mind spiraling, thoughts scattered and not his own, leaving him falling, falling, falling, drowning in a sea of crimson, unable to do anything about it, knowing he couldn’t win, that he couldn’t do anything to save himself, that he was so utterly helpless and completely out of control.

And he was still drowning, desperately trying to keep his head above the water, knowing that if he stopped for even a moment or let any of the red in he would be doomed but it was just so hard and the Crimson was just so convincing, telling him to calm down, to let go, to let himself stop and let himself fall down and down and down into the deep deep terrifying comforting red.

And then–

“Hey, Dream? You in there, buddy?” Techno asked, stepping towards him. Concern (and caution, like he was approaching a wild animal primed to bite) was written all over his face. Dream looked at him blankly.

Look at him, the voice, the red, whispered mockingly in his ear. Try to think of a single thing he’s done for you. Did he save you from the prison? From Sam? From Quackity?

That was the wrong sore spot to hit. Techno had saved him, had saved him from all of them. He’d come back for Dream. He was probably the only reason Dream was alive right now, and he was the only way he’d make it out alive here.

Remember how he left you. Remember how he promised he never would, the crimson creeping deeper within him chided. I can get you out of here, if you just let me. I can give you everything you’ve ever wanted, Dream. Give in, and you’ll have everything you could ever want.

“I’m fine, Techno,” Dream answered, ignoring the voice in his head, the red beginning to cloud his vision, the way the world was spinning, just the tiniest bit. The vine around his wrist was beginning to creep further up his arm. It didn’t hurt. He smiled, trying his hardest to be reassuring. “I’m fine. I just felt a little funny.” His voice didn’t sound like his voice. Dream knew not to worry about it. He was just worried, and anxious, and tired. That was it.

And, if you just let me in, if you just hand control over to me…you won’t have to worry anymore. You won’t have to be tired. You can take a break. You can let me take care of everything. It will all be fine, the voice coaxed.

Dream didn’t want to have to worry anymore. He was tired of being tired. He wanted to take a break. But he knew he couldn’t. He was the only one who could do what he had to. That was it.

You can still do it. I can just help you achieve what you want. Push you along. Set you on the right path. Help you along a little. Provide a bit of support if you ever need it. Help bring everyone together, as one big happy family. 

Isn’t that what you always wanted, Dream? Your heart’s desire? But that’s impossible. At least, it’s impossible without me. I am the only way to get what you want. The only way to make everyone happy. For you to be happy.

But, in the end, it’s all up to you, Dream. You don’t have to listen to me. You don’t have to take my bargain. The choice is in your hands, after all, but there is so much more I can offer you.

Dream liked that.

“Yeah? You sure about it?” Technoblade asked, one eyebrow raised.

Dream was. The red felt good. It made him feel comfortable. Powerful. In control. Just like how he used to always be but never was anymore. He liked how it made him feel.