"What?" I stared at him in disbelief. How many surprises could I have in a day? First Techno, then Quackity, and now Karl.

He smiled sheepishly, glancing up at me, "Yeah, I can go anywhere I want in time with this book."

My jaw dropped, shock racing through my veins. I don't know what I was expecting but it wasn't that. My mind raced with questions, leaving me silent. I tried and failed to process words.

He must've noticed, quickly explaining, "The book is filled with stories of where and when I've been. Words appear on the pages as I experience new places and times. I just found it one day, and I've had it ever since."

He looked down at the book, nervously twiddling his thumbs, "I know it's weird-"

I didn't let him finish, rushing up to grip his shoulders, "That is SO COOL!" He laughed at my excitement. He placed the book back under the clothes, hiding it.

Any ideas of going to sleep disappear. I sit down on Karl's bed, making myself comfortable. Karl laughed again, brightening the room. He settled next to me, knowing what we were about to do.

I took a deep breath, trying to settle the increasing questions in my mind. I picked one, starting there, "So does that mean you've seen all my friends' ancestors?"

He nodded, staring off into the distance. He must be thinking back on the memory. "I don't recall how many generations ago it was, but in that time, they were wearing pilgrim looking clothes." He giggled, "Quackity's ancestor actually had a thing for Bad's."

I slapped a hand over my face to suppress a laugh. I failed to hold it in, imagining the scenario in my mind. I calmed my laughter, trying to stay quiet so I wouldn't wake the others.

Karl seemed to think of something suddenly, turning to me, "You know what's odd though? All the people who live here, their ancestors knew each other. But I never saw any of yours."

That didn't surprise me, my past was a bit odd. I sighed, leaning my head against the wall, "Well, that's because I don't have any. Not that I know of at least."

He looked at me curiously, waiting for me to continue, "This sounds strange and makes me seem crazy, but I swear I'm not." I glanced at him, "I don't remember my childhood at all. Not even my parents. I woke up in a village a few years ago, with no memory of how I had gotten there."

I paused, lazily dancing a flame across my fingers, "All I knew was my name, my age, and that I had powers. So I got up and wandered, searching for answers. That's how I came across them," I gestured my hand outside, to our sleeping friends, "I grew content with what I had, so I gave up on searching. And I haven't wanted to search since."

Karl nodded, sympathy in his eyes, "I'm sorry you can't remember."

I chuckled, content in my heart, "It's alright. I'm happy with what I have now, so it doesn't bother me. Well, I'm not very happy with Schlatt but hopefully, we won't have to deal with him for much longer."

The boy's face turned dark, nodding, "Yes, he is quite the villain."

I switched the topic, picking another question. I laughed at it, scenarios running through my mind. My voice was filled with amusement, "What were Dream's ancestors like? Were they trying to keep a nation united as well?"

Karl's face turned nervous once more, staring at his hands. He glanced at the door, holding something back. What could make him nervous about Dream?

He laughed at himself anxiously, "I'm spilling so many secrets tonight." He turned to me, grasping my hand, "This is something more serious than my time traveling. You cannot tell anyone."

I nodded, confusion on my face. He glanced around quickly once more, "Dream is immortal." Another surprise added to the list, maybe this day would go down in history as one of the most surprising days of my life, "I've run into him before, many times actually. So it was no surprise today when he recognized me."

Well, it actually made sense. Dream was amazing at fighting and survival, which would take a long time to learn. And even longer to perfect. He had well, forever, to train his mind and body. I wondered if he had ever loved another like me.

I kept the last part to myself, shaking my head, "At this point, that doesn't surprise me. I've experienced too much for that to not make sense. And truly it does make sense, based on his skills."

The boy nodded, a smile small on his lips. "What is it?" I asked him as the smile grew.

He turned to me, a sparkle in his eyes, "Every time I've run into Dream before, he's always been on his own. The man never made friends or fell in love." His smile grew, "That is until he found you."

I blushed, facing away from him but he continued, "I can tell in the way he looks at you. He loves you. And he's never had friends like you three. So I'm glad he does now."

I smiled at him. Butterflies fluttered in my stomach, making my pulse race slightly. I settled them, relaxing. Our conversation continued for a while, Karl telling me of stories and adventures he's had of pirate ships and crazy villages.

When the clock that was sitting on the dresser began to change to day, I bid Karl goodnight. Both of our eyes had grown heavy while talking, sleep settling in our minds. Moments like this, staying up late talking, were what I savored.

I rubbed the sleepiness from my eyes, walking across the hall to Dream's room. As I walked past my open door, Ghost lay curled up on my bed. His paws moved lightly, but his breathing was even. He was dreaming. I smiled, grasping the door handle.

I opened it quietly, peeking my head into the room. It was pitch-black in the room, soft light seeping in from the hallway. There was also a small lantern on the nightstand, shedding some light. I stepped in, closing the door, the room going dark once more.

I walked on silent feet towards the bed, pulling back the blankets. Dream's even breathing becomes quicker, his body shifting. Geez, light sleeper.

I pushed him over, making a space for me. I climbed into the bed, Patches jumping on the bed to lay down next to me. I poked Dream's arm, making him open his eyes.

His green eyes were soft from sleep, watching me through cracked lids. I smiled at him, "Hey." My voice was hushed, a soft whisper.

"Hey." He gave me a lazy smile, his voice rough from sleep. I held in a giggle from it, composing myself. I had told Karl I wouldn't tell anyone, but I wasn't telling anyone who didn't know already.

I ran my fingers across Patches' brown fur, keeping my gaze on the feline, "So, I've been up talking with Karl all night."

Dream had closed his eyes again, humming in response.

"And, well, he told me something really interesting about you."

"Did he?" Dream murmured, already falling back asleep.

"Yes. He actually told me that you're immortal." I cut right to the chase, not wanting him to fall asleep before I could tell him.

His eyes snapped open, no longer being lulled to sleep. He seemed at a loss for words.

I laughed at his shock, placing a hand on his arm, "Don't worry, I won't tell anyone your secret."

He relaxed slightly, closing his eyes once more, "Well, as long as you don't care that I'm hundreds of years old, I guess it doesn't matter if you know or not." He pressed a kiss to my forehead lightly, sending sparks through my bones.

I laughed again, nestling in next to him. He laid his arm over me, careful not to crush the cat in between us. I gave in to the sleep that was tugging at my mind, stilling my hand on Patches. My breathing deepened as I drew nearer to the edge of sleep.

Dream must've thought I had fallen asleep, he murmured to himself, "I've never loved someone like you in my thousands of years of being around. I'll never love someone as I love you."

My heart burst from his words, fireworks exploding. This moment made all of the war and destruction worth it. Although it was only a breath in-between moments, it was all worth it.

I fell asleep to his words, light filling me up.

But because I fell asleep, I didn't hear his next words,

"When this world goes to shit, I hope you don't hate me. I hope you'll stay with me, even when power becomes my second lover."

-

Dream pov

A few hours later, he woke up to see she was still fast asleep. She had gone to bed later than the rest of them, so he let her sleep.

He quickly scratched Patches' head, climbing out of bed. Gathering his ax and shield, he glanced towards her once more. Her hand had remained on Patches throughout the night, earning a small smile from him.

If only he could pause time and stay in the moment forever.

The hallway was still quiet while people slept through the early morning. He silently made his way to the front door, easing it open. The last wisps of color were lingering in the pale sky as the sun rose.

Humidity hung heavy in the air, rain on it's way. Dream tugged up his sleeves of his hoodie, letting the air hit his arms. He ignored the weather, walking towards Manburg. The only sound in the world at the moment was his quick steps, his black boots flattening the grass.

He hummed a tune, absentmindedly glancing around at the plains. A horse was grazing in a pit in front of the base as he passed Pogtopia. It looked up at him briefly before returning to it's meal. The horse reminded him of his own horse, Spirit, who had died a while ago.

The tune came to end as he neared the nation, which stood deathly silent. It's citizens were hidden away for the night, and most likely because of fear. It was as if the nation feared to breathe or it would get hit with a glass bottle.

Dream didn't approve of Schlatt hitting people, especially because he had struck y/n, but there wasn't anything he could do. He may have power over the man behind the curtains, but it wasn't enough to control his violence.

He glanced towards where he was supposed to meet the horned man, but the White House was gone. A few blocks remained, either by accident or on purpose to serve as a message.

But that's not what drew his attention to the hill.

To the side of the destruction, a small cobblestone hut stood. Darkness was wrapped around it, making small walls. So much for freeing the nation of walls.

He scoffed, walking towards the hut. Unlike before, no whispers plagued his mind when he neared the darkness. A blinding wall of light stood strong in the back of his mind, built by the gods thanks to y/n. It kept the dark out, letting him think clearly.

It wasn't the only thing that kept the gods away from him now though.

That night he had been visited by the Goddess of Light, when she told him of her plan, he had to strike a deal.

The deal would ensure a compromise to the dark gods, allowing an opening for y/n to strike. Noemi told him that the darkness would not be able to get him, bringing him some comfort. He also made the Goddess promise that y/n would be kept safe from the darkness.

When she did promise, he agreed to go through with the deal. To protect her.

He would offer himself up to be a god in human form, the God of Chaos. The gods wouldn't be able to control him or take over his body, but he would act as a symbol for them. He could give in to his desire for power. They would become distracted with him, letting y/n strike Schlatt when he would be weakest.

He would be a god in a human body.

It broke his heart that he would have to gamble his relationship with y/n, but also a small part of him was excited. He would be able to get drunk on power and chaos without feeling guilty. The small voice in his head told him it was a good thing that he may lose her.

Maybe she would join him. They could rule over the lands, without having to worry about any person or darkness controlling them. He would offer his hand to her, and all he could do was hope she took it.

Maybe his friends would even join him.

But if she didn't, he would do everything in his power to try and win her back.

He supposed it was sick in a way, the way he cared about her. He just wanted to make her happy and keep her safe, even if it meant becoming a villain.

He pulled himself out of his thoughts, stepping past the walls of darkness. He knocked on the spruce door. After a few movements of no noise coming from the other side, he knocked more aggressively.

A grunt and a thump came from inside, the door creaking open. Schlatt peered out at him, a lazy smile forming on his face. He opened the door wider, revealing his disheveled form. His clothes were crumpled, his hair a mess.

Dream scrunched his nose behind his mask, the strong scent of alcohol wrapping around him. Heavy smoke was seeping out of the hut from the lit cigar between the horned man's fingers.

"Dream, my man! What are you doing here?" Schlatt leaned against the doorframe for support.

Dream was thankful at that moment for his mask, hiding his eye roll, "I'm here for the meeting we planned." He continued when Schlatt looked confused, "We planned this meeting weeks ago."

He was losing his patience. The horned man nodded, walking back into the hut, "Come on in."

He turned around, spreading his arms. Dream shook his head, keeping his feet planted, "I'm not talking in there. I'd rather not get smoke inhalation." He turned, walking off towards the former place of the White House.

After a few moments, Schlatt followed him, looking more presentable. The darkness must've helped him out because his eyes turned black and there was a fog floating around him. There was no drunken stumble in his steps.

"So, Dream, what do you want?" His voice was clearer, deeper. The darkness was in full control at the moment, locking the drunken man away for now.

Dream leaned on his ax, "I want to help you."

Schlatt smirked, "Did lover boy turn on his little y/n? Was she not powerful enough for you?"

Agitation nipped at his mind, leaking into his tone, "Schlatt if you don't want my help, my resources and I can go offer them to Pogtopia."

That made Schlatt come to attention, anger rippling in his eyes, "No, I'll take your help. Glad to be in business."

He turned, ready to walk away. Dream stood up straighter, "But, I need something in return."

Schlatt sighed, turning, "What could you want? You're the most powerful man in these lands, you have everything." His anger turned into annoyance, crossing his arms.

Dream smirked behind his mask. He wanted something that Schlatt had somehow gotten in his grasp, "I want the book."

The horned man's face hardened, "What book?"

"Don't play dumb, Schlatt. I know you have it."

The man froze, contemplating. He walked off towards his hut, emerging a moment later with a book in hand. "I'll give this to you, if you fight on my side. I know how much you hate the nation Wilbur and Tommy built."

Dream walked up to the man, sizing himself up. He took the book from Schlatt's hand, shaking his other. He tightened his grip, looking Schlatt dead in the eye, "It's a deal. Oh, and if you so much as touch y/n," He leaned into the man's face, "I will break every bone in your body, in the slowest and most painful ways possible."

Schlatt backed off a little, a hint of fear in his eyes. Good, Dream wanted him to be scared. It made him feel stronger, powerful.

He released the man's grip, stepping away, "Good day." He nodded his head, turning back to the woods.

Schlatt may have known what the book was about, but he had no idea he just gave Dream one of his most powerful weapons.

A key to beating death.

~~~~~~

noooo dream :( don't leave us

i hope you all have an amazing day or night! make sure to drink water!