The nights alone were the worst part.

The number of times Dream awoke in a cold sweat, swearing he had just seen Techno die in the car crash, were too many for him to even begin to count. Every day went the same way. Pull himself from bed to peruse the empty house for a bit before actually getting ready for the day. Then the day went one of two ways. Go see Techno at the hospital until he had to go to work, or go to work until he could go see Techno. The day after the accident had been awkward because work had slipped his mind completely. Wilbur had called him, voice laced mostly with concern as Dream had proven to be a valuable employee and had never been late.

Explaining what had happened and offering to come in either way, however, Wilbur had dismissed the shift in a heartbeat. Dream did show up the next day, however, eyes sunken in and hiding behind the bar to avoid customers. Wilbur accepted this until the third or fourth shift back when two people came in looking for Dream.

"Dream, the two men here are looking for you," he said softly, taking over the pitcher of steaming milk.

Dream looked up to see his friends. "Can I take my fifteen?" he asked quietly.

"Go ahead," Wilbur nodded, fully taking over the bar.

Dream untied his apron, hanging it on the hook near the pantry door before stepping out from behind the counter. "George, Sap, what are you doing here?" he asked as the three of them headed to a back table.

"We heard about what happened with Techno. George told me that it happened the same night as the date and we both knew we needed to come to check on you," Sap answered.

George placed a tender hand on Dream's shoulder, it was so light that Dream almost didn't notice it until his grip slowly began to tighten. "We're here for you Dream."

Dream rolled his shoulders back, an attempt to remove George's hand without making it obvious. "I appreciate it, you guys. But there's not much to say or do. The doctors have no idea when he'll be able to go home, so it's just a game of waiting. His uncle is covering all the bills so that's good at least. And, well, through all of this, we're officially dating. I guess this is just the ultimate relationship challenge."

Dream's laugh sounded so fake that no one was fooled even for a second. The two friends looked at each other concerned. "Well maybe once he's released and feeling better we can have dinner together. Celebrate that he made it out okay, you know?"

"Sounds like a plan Sapnap," he muttered. "Sounds like a plan. Well, I have to get back to helping Wilbur. Thanks for stopping in guys."

Neither got a chance to answer, before Dream was darting towards the counter, snatching his apron up as he walked by. George shot Sapnap a worried look before waving and leaving. Dream, on his part, couldn't get back to work fast enough. While he truly did appreciate his friends coming to check on him, it didn't change the fact that he didn't want to talk about his problems at that moment. Work had been his escape the last few days and he planned on keeping it that way.

Wilbur shot a worried glance at the three friends, knowing that this was Dream pushing away help. He didn't know how to help without sounding pushy however and so the brunette just stayed silent, welcoming Dream back by stepping out away from the bar. The blonde smiled at Wilbur as he finished tying his apron.

"Sorry about that," was all he said, not having any reason to say more.

The two fell silent, working in effortless harmony until their shift was over. Dream packed up and immediately headed to see the man who had never left his mind since.

—

"Hey Dream," Techno said, waving the man over as he entered. "You got here just in time. I'm about to go in for my final round of x-rays for a while."

"Oh?" Dream asked, coming to sit next to Technoblade.

"Yeah. They said as long as the x-rays look good and I can prove that I can manage myself on crutches, I can go home tomorrow. They were going to let me go home today, but my doctor got an emergency call to another hospital and so they won't have time to look at the x-rays today."

"That's great! You know, George and Sapnap came and saw me at work today, and they were talking about having a celebration dinner at some point after you were released with Bad and maybe a few others. Is that something you would be down for?" Dream asked, braiding what was left of the pinkette's hair.

He had recovered a lot quicker than most people had expected. while no one doubted Techno's strength to push through, it was odd to see someone so well off after something so devastating. Dream had a theory that the hardest part was going to be when he had returned home. For anyone could be strong in front of strangers. When you don't want someone to know how much pain you are truly in and they don't know you, it was easy to hide it. But Dream prided himself in knowing how Technoblade felt and he could sense the struggle behind every smile.

"Yeah, that sounds nice. I haven't seen them for a while, so it'll be good to be around our friends again. I'll set that up. Also, for being released tomorrow, I was planning on asking Uncle Nix to drive me home. I know you work and I don't want to have to sit up for the whole trip," he laughed softly.

The two talked back in forth in fond words, for about thirty minutes, until a nurse came in to get Techno. Dream kissed him on the forehead quickly, both of them saying their goodbyes and goodnights before they both had to go. Techno's hand gripped Dream's tightly, locking eyes with the blonde. The words, I love you lingered on his lips, too scared to say them. He didn't need to however as Dream seemed to understand the nonverbal affection. Life felt good for the two and that was all that mattered.

Leaving you guys with some fluffy fluff in the New Year before the pain comes back. I'll see y'all next week! Thanks for reading!

Best Regards,

PFT3000