The drive home was a bit wild.

Eret and Technoblade had clearly made amends over the day and Dream had never seen the pinkette act like this in front of anyone. If Techno had two functioning legs right now, the car might be on its side from the cousins' roughhousing. Whilst it was good to see them getting along, Dream was worried for their safety and everyone else's on the road as the crutch that was supposed to be resting on the floor beneath Techno's feet was shoved in his and Eret's face.

Arriving home, the blonde, brunette, and pinkette all piled out of the car, briefly helping Technoblade before heading inside. It felt nice, to have someone here and as Eret settled into Dream's room and Dream into the chair in the living room that he still thoroughly referred to as his own, the world felt calm for a moment. It felt safe. As if everything didn't have to go perfectly at this moment. Nighttime fell quickly, with Dream and Techno saying their goodnights to Eret before Dream moved towards the couch.

"Goodnight Techno. I'm glad you and Eret have made amends."

Dream was not greeted with the monotone voice he loved so much, but instead, a hand on his. "I'm glad too. Thank you Dream. You really helped me fix something there. Also… I'm sorry for assuming and I'm sorry about George. I know he was one of your best friends."

"Ah, don't worry about it. It can't be too bad. Worse has happened to me," Dream shrugged. "I'm glad we are back on good terms."

"Yeah, of course. You're my boyfriend and my best friend after all. I couldn't possibly just abandon you forever. I was a major dick. But um, I feel bad about you giving up your room to Eret, and while I know she's grateful, I also, um, wanted to ask if you wanted to, to sleep with me instead of the couch?" Technoblade's voice started out confidently but was faltering by the end. "I totally understand if not. And it's fine either way!"

A wave of warmth and love washed over the blonde in his oversized green hoodie. "That would be very nice. I think I would like that a lot."

"Cool, cool… Well, then to bed we go I guess."

Dream stifled a laugh and nodded, following Techno to the bedroom and helping him into the bed before joining him. The two fell asleep together in a blissful embrace and Dream slept the best he had in years.

—

The snow was falling harder than ever before. Dream couldn't even see past the front yard to the street. Eret was in his room getting ready to go and Technoblade was doing the same. Deep down, Dream knew that he should as well, but a deep seed of fear had planted itself into his chest. The blonde dared not mention it out of fear of sounding weak, but he couldn't shake it.

It had been almost two weeks since Eret had officially started living with them. Two weeks since the incident with George. Almost four weeks since Techno's accident. And that was where the fear came from. The accident. Techno seemed unbothered by the thought of driving in the snow to his uncle's for Thanksgiving, but Dream was very bothered by it. He had nearly lost Techno once and knew that if it was to ever actually happen, he would honestly rather die.

The distinct sound of crutches approaching pulled him from his head. Dream turned to see his boyfriend heading towards him, looking stunning as ever. "You okay there nerd? You look as if someone kicked a puppy."

Dream forced a smile. "What? No, I'm fine. Promise. Just… Nervous."

"I know my uncle and Eret still haven't apologized, but they won't be the family drama. I promise. It's never them, it's my parents. Always is."

"Oh, well, I mean that's both good and bad. I wouldn't want Eret to be stuck in a place that just kind of hates him. They don't deserve that."

Dream was grateful for the mixed-up communication. It wasn't something he had thought of actually, but now that it was brought up, it was his most forefront thought. He wondered how Eret would deal with this situation. It had been nearly two weeks since he had talked with his uncle.

"You should go get dressed. We need to leave early with this weather."

"Yeah… Of course. What should I wear? I don't own anything that formal Techno," he said as he looked the English major up and down.

Technoblade, was styling an outfit Dream hadn't even known he owned, the red cloak going oddly well with his pink hair. The man was stunning to the blonde and he felt awfully small next to him in his lime green hoodie. Dream's worry grew more as he watched Techno go silent and then turn to leave.

"Well all the stores are closed, but I think I might have something."

The English major left Dream, the click-clack of the crutches betraying his gait. Dream chewed on his lip before picking up his phone after it buzzed on the window sill he had sat it on. Before unlocking it, he knew who the text was from and while he had debated saying yes, Dream wasn't sure how Techno and Eret would take it, plus they wouldn't have a ride to their dinner.

"Last chance Dream. Can we expect you for dinner? Dad's about to set the table."

It was indeed Wilbur. He had expressed his anxiety about going back to Techno's uncle's place and had been invited to spend dinner with Wilbur, Phil, Tommy, and Tubbo almost instantly. Dream glanced towards the hallway that Techno had not yet reemerged from yet. He could offer to just drop Techno and Eret off or he could ask Wilbur is Techno and Eret could join.

"Dreeeeeaaaammmmm."

His phone buzzed again and this time he laughed and answered.

"Give me 3 minutes and I'll have you an answer."

"FINE."

Dream laughed once more and rushed towards Techno's room. "Techno. How sold are you on going to your uncle's?"

"I mean, I'm kind of committed. Besides, I found you half an outfit and I'm sure we could steal from Eret's closet," he held up a shirt and what looked to be a black corset. "Why do you ask?"

"Well Wilbur has invited me to go his place and I thought, maybe you and Eret could join me. I understand if not."

Technoblade's face fell. "Oh, well, I guess, but this is the one holiday I spend with all of my family. Maybe we can do dinner together another time?"

"Yeah. Yeah, of course. No worries," Dream waved it off. "I get it."

It was bold-faced lie as Dream, did not, indeed, get it. Family was truly a foreign concept to him, but he did know one thing and that was that Wilbur and everyone else had become family to him. So the thought of telling them no hurt a little. He opened his phone, fingers tapping the glass screen rapidly.

"I can't. I'm sorry. I really wish I could join you."

The message was sent and practically milliseconds later, the three dots popped up, indicating a response was on its way. Dream put the phone away for the moment however and turned to Techno.

"So what am I wearing?"

—

A twenty-minute drive shouldn't take an hour, but in this weather it did. Eret and Technoblade chatted mindlessly as Dream drove, hyper-aware of every single snowflake. The world was white and bright and honestly annoying. As he pulled into Nix's place, however, he was greeted by the sight of multiple cars, many more than he remembered from before. The house seemed to tower over the metal gates and brick walls that he passed and the buzz of people could be heard from inside the car.

"Well, we are here. Let's hope we don't get stuck here for the night. That would suck," Dream said, getting out to help Techno.

However, even as he did so, he had no chance of actually helping Techno. Two men came to help Technoblade and ushered him and Eret to the house leaving him alone. Another pointed to the cars parked a bit away.

"You must be the chauffeur. You may park the car over there. Nix does not enjoy having cars too close to the house."

Dream was then left in the snow, no one even looking back at him. The feeling of loneliness was overwhelming as he got back in, turning the car on once more. He turned into a parking spot and laid his head on the steering wheel and cried.

Hi. First off, I am so sorry for being gone for so long. I've been outrageously busy, but I am back! I hope to wrap this story up by June 4th so I can start something fresh after my wedding. But, in case anyone cares, here's what has happened since I last updated.

1. I graduated from my college.

2. I went on a small, five-day vacation.

3. I started training for new positions at my job.

4. I started my garden.

5. I started going to therapy.

And that's about it. Most of these things are good things. I promise to be more on top of this from now on. Thank you for sticking around and if you are new, thank you for being here!

Best Regards,

PFT3000