Of all the days' Techno decided to have had enough of Dream, this might have been the worst one. Like all November's here, the wind cut through everything and everyone, leaving not an ounce of warmth for those in need. Any bit of snow just made it worse. Dream had originally debated staying in his car, but around four o'clock, the cold became just too much. The sun was starting to set and the chilly wind had picked up. So he relented, seeking shelter in the nearest and cheapest motel he could find. It was terribly rundown, but it was better than sleeping in the car.

The room felt crusty and abandoned and Dream tried to ignore the mold growing around the shower in the bathroom. Shaking slightly as he scrubbed his hands with the courtesy bar of soap, he locked eyes with himself in the mirror. It was the first time he had seen himself in quite some time, the world around him looked dull. His blonde mop of hair was a mess and he had stubble, the evidence of not shaving for two days there. His clothes were dingy and all Dream could think was that if his looks had anything to do with Techno's love, this was a terrible look for him.

His phone buzzed on the small side table in the other room and looking towards it, he could see the lit-up screen. Hope sparked inside him. Maybe it was Technoblade. Maybe he could come home and not have to worry. Drying his hands, he darted to the phone, frown appearing. It was Sapnap. While not the person Dream had hoped for, it was someone he cared about.

"Hey, give me a call when you can."

The text, while perfectly clear, felt cryptic and foreign. Dream sank onto the bed, staying at the blinking text bar. What was he supposed to say to this? Was he to just call Sapnap? Sighing, he finally settled on an answer.

"Why?"

"Just call me."

The responding text was sent back within seconds and so Dream gave in and did just that. The phone barely had the time to ring through once before Sapnap answered. Dream fell deathly silent, not even daring to breathe. He didn't know what Sapnap wanted of him, but he feared the worst.

"Dream," Sapnap's voice was breathy as if he had been running. "Where did you end up going?"

"Motel. It's too cold to stay in the car," he muttered. "I could have managed, but I didn't want to."

"Okay, you know you could have come here right? Technoblade told us that he basically kicked you out and was wondering where you were. His uncle is here too, searching for you."

Racking his mind, the only uncle Dream could think of was Nix. "Why is he there? I bet he would kill me if he heard what Technoblade saw. Also, I couldn't be there, because right now, I might have willingly and eagerly hurt George. I'm still angry at him."

The phone went silent and for a moment, Dream thought he had lost Sapnap. "I get it. And I am sorry. But I hope that this doesn't impact the relationship between you, Bad, and me. We are here to help Dream. Can I tell the uncle where you are staying?"

"Sure. It's the Cadillac Motel off of 21st and Central," he muttered. "I'm sorry about this all. Thank you for caring Sapnap."

"Always. We'll see you soon Dream."

The line truly went dead and Dream plugged in his phone, before locking every lock on the door and heading to bed. If someone was to show up in the middle of the night, they would be doomed to just wait outside until Dream was awake once more.

—

Dream never fell asleep.

He couldn't. It just felt wrong and all he wanted was to be in his own home, but Technoblade had forced him out. He felt alone. Everything seemed to be a repeat of what had happened years ago. The pattern of Technoblade being the center of Dream's problems unnerved him. His parents had originally kicked him out due to a crush and now that same crush had left him alone. George's words from the party last night echoed through his mind.

"I don't think he loves you as you love him."

The thought was devastating to Dream, but one he was aware he might need to think about. As far as he knew, he had done nothing, but his best to show and provide unconditional love to Techno, and nothing he seemed to do was good enough. Maybe George was right. Maybe the love Dream felt was one-sided and that this was just Techno's excuse to get rid of him. He could have had the plan set up for a while but was simply waiting for the right moment.

The doubt was almost as heavy as the snow that laid on the roof, growing with every second that passed. Dream felt his eyelids get heavy as he fought back tears, opting to remain emotionless over appearing weak. He was almost asleep, almost away from his living hell when a knock was heard. It startled him awake and he knew it could over be one of three people and the only one he wanted to see right now was Techno.

Peering through the peephole, he saw Technoblade's uncle standing there, alert and ready. He took a deep shaky breath before answering the door. "Hello sir," he muttered.

"Dream, I've been sent by Technoblade to bring you back. What happened between you two?" Nix wasted no time with formalities, getting straight to the point.

Dream sighed once more, stepping aside so that Nix could come in from the cold. "I was assuming he told you. We went to a party, I got drunk. A former friend and I went to ask another friend if we could get a ride home. George then forced me to kiss him and Techno saw. I tried to stop it, but I couldn't."

As Dream spoke, his words became faster and more panicked. "I couldn't stop him I swear. I was drunk and I'm very sorry, to begin with. But then Bad, the friend who we wanted to ask for the ride home, opened the door and pushed George off me. It's a terrible misunderstanding and I know Technoblade's hurt, but I really don't want to lose him. I love him and I have for so long now and he is all I have. I understand if he wants space and that's okay too, I just want him to forgive me, and-" Dream's rambling was soon cut short.

"Techno told me none of this, but I assure you he would like to speak with you. I assume you have already paid for tonight yes?" Uncle Nix asked, going around the room, collecting Dream's things.

"Yes sir, I have. I can stay here, I don't mind," he whispered.

"But you won't. I can't have the man who is dating my nephew spending the night in a place like this. You will come back to my place for the night and then once everyone has cooled down, we shall talk with Technoblade as a group. Max shall take your car to my place. No need to worry about that," Uncle Nix tossed the keys to another man whom Dream had not seen enter. "Now! Let's get out this dingy place and let's go home."

It took the three men less than five minutes to pack everything Dream had brought in. With that, Dream checked out, accepting the partial refund he received as the room would need to be cleaned. Uncle Nix said not a word to him on the drive home, but as they pulled into a neighborhood that Dream hadn't even ever dared to lay eyes in all of his years of living here, the man knew that whatever he had gotten himself into, it couldn't have been good.

Hello again! Another late update, another week. This week has been marginally better and I am technically caught up with this story once more. I shall try to have another update for you on Sunday, but once again no promises. The stress is very thick right now, but I trying my best. Thank you all so much for the kind words last time. They made my day. I hope you all enjoy.

Best Regards,

PFT3000