Saying that Dream was the problem was a bit of an understatement.

Dream was more than the problem, he was the answer.

That within itself was also a problem.

Technoblade wished nothing more than to push Dream up against a wall and kiss the blonde until all of his problems disappeared, to forget about what he saw. To forgive the man and accept that it was not only an accident but not even his fault. It couldn't be that hard to do, surely, and looking at Dream, it seemed plausible. Yet every other thought went back to George kissing the one who claimed to be his alone. Swallowing hard, he spoke up.

"I've heard what you and Sapnap and Bad have to say. I know you know that I didn't see it the same way and that it was hard for me to believe that this wasn't on purpose. I will admit that I knew about George's crush on you for a long time. In fact, I knew about his before I knew about yours. That doesn't change the fact that you were in the wrong. I thought I could trust you. I just hate that I was wrong."

"Ah yes. Blame someone who not only didn't consent to the kiss but also was drunk. That makes complete sense. And to think father sees you as the smart one."

Eret's words shocked Dream and Techno. Technoblade had never expected Eret to take Dream's side and Dream hadn't either. Dream didn't say anything, wisely waiting his turn as he saw words forming on Techno's lips.

"Since when are you two so chummy? This isn't about you Eret, it's about me and my boyfriend. I know that's a word you don't know, being the loner you are," Technoblade turned his gaze on Eret.

The brunette took a deep breath, shaking his head. "At least we're getting this over with before Thanksgiving. I'm very aware this isn't about me, but Dream and I bonded last night and I've taken time to learn his story and what has happened in the past week. If I may say, he seems like an honest man with nothing, but pure intentions. It's you who have created this break in the relationship. That fellow George only progressed it. We were always going to end up here eventually."

"Technoblade, as your cousin and as your friend, I love and care about you, but I know you. You're just a bit too much like my father and no matter how this relationship went, no matter how Dream handled every problem, we were always going to end up here. Your hesitation to trust those who care about you and the distrust you have for the world, in general, was never going to end well."

Technoblade saw red, slamming his fist on the table. Dream jumped back, this being the most violent act he had ever seen from Techno. The pinkette rose shakily to his feet, leaning heavily on the table as he stared down Eret, who sat unmoved across from him. Dream glanced towards Nix only to find him eating, unbothered by this.

"Techno," he whispered, barely loud enough to reach the pinkette's ears. "Sit down, please. I don't know what has happened between you two, but I can tell you that Eret is right."

Technoblade whipped his head towards Dream. Dream. The man who had been the center of his world for nearly a whole year now. The man who had stolen his heart. The man who had been his best friend for years, enduring homelessness for him. Who was enduring homelessness at this moment for him. Dream had every right to get up and walk away right now, having heard everything that had been said. Yet here he was, once again enduring something unfair just to be with who he loved.

Technoblade at this moment realized just how unfair he had been and how correct Eret was. Eret knew him inside and out, having lived with Techno since he was four. He was the first one Eret had trusted enough to come out to. He was the one Eret had called to avoid trouble from his father. He was the one Eret had fallen onto when their mother had left. When their mother had left for much of the same reasons Dream might be considering leaving.

Sitting back down, shaking the entire time, the English major swallowed hard. "Of course. I- I'm sorry. I know that doesn't fix anything I've said, but I'm still sorry."

"Techno, I have stood by your side for years. I will do anything to repair this relationship and I'm sorry that George was able to place any doubt in your mind. I knew about George's feelings, but I had told him multiple times I wasn't interested and I thought that he would respect those boundaries. I was wrong."

"You have nothing to apologize for Dream. I was the one in the wrong here the entire time. I overreacted initially and I was doing so just now as well. I never gave you a chance, because Eret is right," he said, getting a brow raise from his cousin. "I don't trust people. I've seen so many types of relationships go south in so many ways. I never thought I would be able to trust again and so I did my best to distance people from me to try to prevent us from getting hurt. I see that only did the opposite now. I'm sorry. Truly."

"I would give you a million chances a million times over," Dream said quietly. "Because I love you and only you."

Nix rose from his seat suddenly, clapping hard and slow. "Very nice you two. Working out your problems like adults. Dream, my family's kindness remains with you. I think you will be good for my nephew and will better him. Eret. Meet me in my office in two hours. Now, if you'll excuse me, I have a meeting to get to. Enjoy some breakfast."

Nix left, leaving the three at the table alone. The tension vaporized from the room nearly the second he was upstairs. Dream glanced between the two, a small tinge of confusion still on his face. Eret looked pale, Technoblade mimicking a similar look.

"Eret, Techno, what's wrong?" he asked.

"Nothing you need to mind yourself with. My father is simply angry at me. I'll probably be spending the holidays at lake house again," Eret sighed. "I am the disappointment here."

While Technoblade and Dream's issues may have been resolved, some tension still remained between Eret and their cousin. Seeing the rather effective results of the prior conversation, Dream made the decision to fix it. Forgetting the fact that the house he lived in was not actually his and that he had just been kicked out of it for two nights, Dream turned to Eret.

"You can stay with us," he said, ignoring Techno's look.

"We don't exactly have a spare bedroom."

"I can sleep on the couch. They can have my room. No one should have to stay away from friends and family during the holidays."

Eret chuckled. "Oh, I would be near family alright. But I won't lie, spending time with you and Technoblade is a much-preferred situation."

"Mom and dad are still there then?" Technoblade questioned.

"Indeed they are. I think they'll be at Thanksgiving as well so I give you a warning about that now."

"Mom and dad… Oh, you mean your mom and dad Techno? I thought they didn't live anywhere near here?" Dream looked between the two cousins.

"They don't. It's a two drive up through the mountains. They rarely come down and only call when they need something. They live off of Uncle Nix's dime and while he doesn't care because he cares for them, even he admits they should be in prison for what they have done. But their lawyers were good and they got away with no but a slap on the wrist basically," Techno's voice was bitter.

There was no love lost for the parents who had abandoned him sixteen years ago. Eret's look shared the same feeling and Dream couldn't help but wonder what exactly had gone on. Knowing he would find the answer eventually, he turned back to the issue at hand.

"Well, either way, that doesn't change the fact that if your father is kicking you out, you have a place with us."

"I mean, I would gladly accept, but this is Techno's choice. It is his place after all."

Dream and Eret turned to look at the pinkette who simply gave a sigh. "I don't exactly have a choice. I care about what you think Dream and I owe you more than I miss to admit Eret. So yes, you can stay with us if Uncle Nix sends you off."

"Thank you Technoblade. I best be off. It's never good to go into a meeting hot-headed."

Eret left, leaving Techno and Dream alone for the first time in quite some time. Dream stood, pushing in his chair, feeling a bit nervous now that Eret had left him here alone. He walked towards Techno, giving him the crutches so that he could more easily stand. The English major accepted them gratefully, not saying anything yet.

"I'm so sorry about this Techno," Dream whispered.

Technoblade shook his head. "No need to apologize. I was the asshole. Eret helped me see that. She's really good at that. Thank you for giving me another chance," the awkward silence returned. "You look really good by the way."

Dream glanced down at the corset vest and smiled. "I kind of wondered if Eret was lying when they said Nix didn't like underdressed people at breakfast and he was actually just trying to get me to dress up to impress you."

"Uncle Nix does expect a certain formality at family meals, but Eret did go out of his way to make you look nice," Technoblade gestured to his own outfit. "I could use some of the fashion sense. I think I lost all mine in the wreck."

Dream chuckled slightly, relieved to see Techno in a decent mood once more. "Sorry for just inviting Eret to stay with us. They were amazing to hang with last night and I could tell something had happened between you two, but I also know what it's like to be kicked out of your home."

"No, don't apologize. Eret and I have put off our problems with each other for too long. It's high time we fix them. She means a lot to me as a cousin and as a friend. I'm glad you two get along. Not that it would have mattered originally, but it does now that you've met."

"Well, I think I'm easy to like," Dream muttered. "I best go change out of these clothes. I'll be back soon and then we can go home. Or we can wait for Eret to see if he needs a place. Up to you."

"We'll wait for them."

With that, Dream darted back up the stairs to change into his own clothes. As he was coming out of Techno's room, he bumped into Eret, who looked very distressed. The brunette took a step back and swallowed, giving Dream a weak smile.

"I see you've changed. You can just place the clothes on the bed."

"I will. Thank you for standing up for me back there. I appreciate it a lot. However, are you alright?" Dream shuffled the folded clothes to one arm.

"My father is just scary when he's angry, but this is my fault. I said those things, not you or Technoblade. I will let you know more once I know more. Are you and Techno headed out?" he asked, fists clenched.

"Not yet. We were going to wait for you if that's alright?"

"Totally fine," Eret checked his watch. "Well, I must be off. I will see you two later."

Eret took back off down the hall and Dream placed the clothes in his room, worried for them. Pushing the thoughts aside, he quickly rejoined Techno downstairs. Everything would be okay.

—

"I can't believe this behavior Eret! I understand that you think it is acceptable to say those types of things behind my back, but to my face and to guests nonetheless? What the hell was going on in your mind!" Nix shouted, not even allowing Eret time to sit.

"I was simply trying to defend Dream father. Technoblade was being unreasonable and I let my tongue slip. I'm sorry," he said weakly.

"You let your tongue slip. Boy, I ought to show you what a loose tongue looks like. You're right about one thing, however. You truly are the disappointment here. Look at those two. Even Dream and his low background is able to behave with more grace than you are. You might as well have gone with your mother all those years ago seeing how low you think and speak of me."

Eret bit his lip, looking down at his feet. No excuse could save him now. "I'm sorry father," he muttered.

"You will be. I can't believe I somehow raised such a disappointment of a child. I wish Technoblade was my son. At least he knows how to respect his elders and bothers to get an education," Nix forced Eret's head up, grasp firm on his chin, the pain blinding as Eret was reminded how strong their father was. "When Technoblade's parents come for Thanksgiving, you will return there with them for a year. In that year you will either be in a school of my choosing or able to live on your own with no help from me."

Eret blinked back tears as she stared her father in the eyes. "Not even Uncle Hept gets that treatment. You support him and Aunt Sonia and they should both be in jail."

"He's my brother."

"I'm your only child!"

"Well then maybe you should have learned to keep your mouth shut," Nix shoved him away. "Go. I don't want to see you right now."

Trembling, Eret nodded and went to leave. "Yes sir."

The second the office door closed behind him, every tear he had fought back began to fall.

I give you, another chapter. I hope you all enjoy and please! Drop a review if you do!

Best Regards,

PFT3000