#starpoly

'What am I even doing?' Day thought to himself, the teen nervously biting on the tip of his thumb as he looked at the creation in front of him.

When he head heard that Pallet's birthday was coming up he had brushed it off, claimed it was just another day. But then, as he laid in the cabin with his little brother he couldn't help but think more about it. About the one party that his and Midnight's only friend had thrown for them when they were kids. Sure, the villagers had thrown parties for Day whenever they had wanted something from him or something good had happened but that one party had been special because Midnight had been included.

Pallet had people that cared about him.

And as embarrassing as it was to admit it... Day was one such person.

So, he spent the next few weeks doing what he could to make a present. He knew Pallet like bunnies, if that wasn't already obvious by how many 'bunny' things he had and he also knew that his parents meant the world to him. So he figured he'd make a stuffed bunny with the little fabric he had and cover any obvious holes with patches of clothes corresponding with Dream, Ink and Swap. Red marks like the tattoos on Dream's arms along with suns on the bears feet, a blue shield and blue eyes which represented Swap, black inky ears and a scarf for Ink. A cute idea in theory but unfortunately, the execution was... terrible.

But the fabric hadn't covered as much as he'd hoped, his stitches were messy and the bunny looked more like a llama.

And the scarf sure as hell didn't help.

'Maybe this was a bad idea... I could just buy him something?... who am I kidding. I spent the money we had on warm clothes for Midnight, I can't afford a toy but I also can't just... not give him something. Kids need to know they're cared for...' He sighed, dragging his hands down his face with a shaky breath. 'Damn it... fine. I'll just drop the thing off at the front door and leave. If it's too terrible hopefully they'll just throw it away rather than having this thing in their house.'

Day got to his feet, grabbed the stuffed toy, then walked over to a paper bag he'd gotten from shopping months earlier and dropped it inside. With the present contained he walked into the shared bedroom where Midnight was laid in his crib, chewing on one of his tentacles as he stared up at some glow in the dark stars Day had stuck onto the ceiling of the room.

"Alright, Nightlight, let's get this over with."

Day slipped Midnight into a little blue onesie which looked like a little bear, ears included. He had to alter the suit to let Midnight's tentacles and tail slip out without issues which made it more comfortable for his little brother but not particularly warm. Though that became less of an issue once he slipped the cloth baby carrier onto him. It was still awkward and embarrassing but it kept Midnight warm which - in the end - was most important.

'Midnight, check. Present - if that's what I'm calling it - check.' He thought, picking up the present as he walked back through he house and slipped on his shoes. 'Embarrassment and shame? Check... might as well get this over with.'

'Just go knock.' Day told himself, looking up at the house in front of him, the bag handles tight in his hand. 'The light is on, they're clearly home, and you're already late. Just... knock, hand them the bag, then leave. Easy.'

Day sucked in a breath, then let it out slowly and marched towards the front door. But, when he raised his hand to knock, every bit of bravery left his body and the shame crawled up his back once again. They had helped him when he was at his lowest point... and he couldn't even give their kid a good present.

Day looked down at Midnight who was asleep against his chest, drooling onto his shirt. Not crying or fussy so he couldn't use him as an excuse not to do it.

He was just going to ring the bell, drop the bag and walk away. Though before he could, the door in front of him opened.

He bristled on instinct and stepped back as he came face to face with those same eyes he had met a few weeks earlier at the store. The same Guardian that dripped with control and maturity that Daydream could only long to have some day. Which made his reaction seem even more childish as he promptly held the bag out.

"It's for Pallet. For his birthday. It's shit but it's... whatever. Give it to him, throw it away. Up to you, I just-" Day's eye's flicked passed Dream to Pallet who was being held by Blue in the background. "I uh... wanted to give him something, I guess. And say... Happy Birthday, Pallet."

Dream smiled and took the bag, "Thank you, Day."

"Can you say thank you, Pally?" Swap asked the toddler who promptly pointed at Midnight and shouted.

"Bunni!"

"Bear. But good guess." Day said with an uncertain smile.

Dream chuckled, "Would you like to come in?"

"I uh... I mean, we have... stuff to do. Like... food and stuff. Besides, we kinda dropped in on you guys, kinda rude to do that, right? We shouldn't stay under foot any longer."

"Don't be silly, you're not under foot."

"Yeah, and you could join us for dinner! The magnificent Sans will ensure you and the little one is properly fed!" Swap swore from the background before Ink shouted.

"And you have to hear Pallet's new word!" He chuckled, "It's adorable!"

Dream's cheeks grew tinted in color a look of pride in his eyes as he nodded. "Come on."

Day hesitated, then nodded. "Okay, fine."

As Day stepped into the house, a familiar warmth filled his bones. Safety and comfort he rarely found anywhere else but his own home. Even as the door closed behind him, he felt safe.

"Bunni!"

"Bear." Day corrected again, moving closer to Swap and Pallet once more.

Pallet grabbed at the cloth carrier to look at Midnight better while Day patted Pallet's head.