When they had finally arrived at the shopping mall that Technoblade had decided on earlier that day whilst Dream was working, he could almost feel Dream's entire attitude shift. He had a feeling he knew why, but he had hoped Dream hadn't thought he was just taking him to a Walmart or somewhere cheap like that. Seeing the blond turn to face him, head almost instantly shaking no, he interjected himself before Dream even got the chance to speak.

"Don't say a word. This is where I have decided it is best to look for things for you. Don't argue with me. Just accept it."

Dream bit his tongue but still managed to make it very clear that he didn't agree with this arrangement. He wouldn't argue, knowing that it would simply make the whole situation worse, yet he somehow still felt terrible. If he was to just accept this, wouldn't that make him a beggar who was accepting charity? He had always managed on his own and the thought of just simply caving in and accepting help made him almost physically ill. Yet before he knew what was happening, he was being picked up and hauled out into the mall parking lot. Technoblade had used the slightest bit of effort to move the man.

Dream, having no choice now, but to comply, steadied himself as his feet hit the ground. "Techno! The fuck man!" he exclaimed, staring angrily at the man, getting frustrated by the fact that he wasn't at all intimidating.

Techno just laughed and pulled the old hoodie hood off of Dream's head and ruffled his hair affectionately. "Come on nerd."

With that, the pinkette took off and Dream huffed for a slight moment before following. The door slid open in front of them and Dream froze before walking in. The places in here were far out of his price range and he knew that. He shopped at Goodwill, Walmart if he was lucky. But the mall? Especially the Foothills mall? Not in a million years.

"Well? What are you waiting for? Is there a sign that says no homeless Dreams allowed?" Techno asked, regretting it that very second as Dream went from nervous to sad in a split second. "Oh, god, I'm sorry Dream. I shouldn't have said something like that. That was super insensitive on my end."

"It's fine. I know you were just teasing. I know you Techno," the blond shrugged. "Where are we going in here exactly?"

"I figured we could hit up the two places on the end first and then make a stop wherever else you felt is needed on our way to the other end. This is your shopping trip. You get to pick in the end after all."

"And if I really got to pick we would be in the Walmart three streets down," Dream rolled his eyes, shoving his hands deep into the hoodie pockets.

"Oh lighten up Dream! This day isn't about making you feel guilty or anything else of the sort. It's about having fun. With me. Your best friend," Technoblade nudged his shoulder gently as they walked.

Dream gave a small nod, overwhelmed by the sheer amount of noise and people. While he probably saw more people than this every day thanks to his job, it didn't change the fact that he had extreme social anxiety. It was why his days were spent with Techno or alone. He didn't have any friends left from high school besides the pinkette besides him right now nor had he ever had the chance to make any. So the blond man had withdrawn into himself, managing to mask well enough at work to keep himself fed.

"Techno," he began as they made their way through the maze of people to the east side of the mall, "can I ask you something serious?"

"Of course you can Dream, I don't mind answering any questions you have," Techno's braided hair swayed back and forth as he walked.

"Why are you doing this? I know you can afford it and I know that we are friends and all that, but why now? Like, I've been homeless for three years. In those three years, I have done my best to never ask for your help in any way. I never wanted you to feel responsible for me."

"Well you see Dream when you care about your friends, you go out of your way to help them," he answered. "And as to why I am doing it now instead of before, that's simply because I'm blind dumbass Dream. I didn't realize just how much you were struggling. I just always saw a strong friend. I'm sorry for that. You shouldn't have to constantly be strong."

Somehow, Techno's words didn't seem true to Dream. He knew that the man was most likely being honest and would probably never lie to him, but for some reason, the doubt was indeed there.

"I believe you," he lied.

The two entered the open doors of the clothing shop on the east side of the mall, all former conversation being forgotten as they were greeted by a sales associate. Both gave the customary, 'thank you,' and then promptly continued on their way. Their first stop was jeans, getting about five pairs of well-fitted jeans, before moving onto shirts, underwear, socks, and other things that Dream didn't have but could most certainly use.

It was after they had checked out, the receipt being snatched from a bitter Dream, and they had begun to move on to a shoe store, had something truly caught Dream's eye. It was a lime green hoodie like the one he wore now, but with a basic white smiley face on it. It looked comfortable and cozy and even though he hated to admit it, this hoodie was falling apart.

"Techno… I hate to ask, but can we stop and look in that store?" Dream pointed towards the store door that had the hoodie in it.

It didn't take a genius to see that he wanted to stop to look at the hoodie specifically and Technoblade nodded eagerly. "Of course. As I said, this trip is your treat."

They rushed into the store, Dream promptly trying on the hoodie. It fit well, baggy like his other one, but still comfortable. He quickly brought it to the counter to purchase and blushed slightly when Techno paid for it. Dream promised to repay his best friend and they headed on their way. By the end of the time at the mall, Dream and Technoblade had their hands full of clothing, shoes, and a very specific hoodie. And for once in a very long time, Dream felt valued by someone.

Sorry that this chapter is a bit shorter, but once again, thank you for reading. I had a big school project due, so that took my time mostly this week. Have a great week, please review, and see you next Sunday!

Best Regards,

PFT3000