Wanderer Part II
Original Story Here Trigger warning for broken bones, depression, anxiety, spiraling, self harm, neglect, and abuse. The continuation has similar content.
Hidden under the cut for user discretion.
Click for Story
That meeting was an absolute disaster, The council was not prepared for him Quitting, dreadfully surprised and afraid that he was even capable of yelling back at them at all. Some of them whispered about corruption or glitching, he is not corrupted Thank you very much; just finally balanced. Regardless, Dream can't be bothered to feel any guilt about it, if they want to be afraid of him that's their choice.
Being able to feel their fear in that way was certainly new to him. He's always been able to detect negative emotions, just not parse them out as easily, before seeming like a complicated swirl of tangled yarn. Now he can actually perceive each individual strand, telling fear from nerves and anxiety instead of having to guess which was which. He isn't scared of that though, feeling more elation than anything. Branded as a traitor he may be, but his mood is surprisingly good.
As a freshly rogue out code, he decided it was best not to stick around, catching up on some much needed energy from that meeting he's recharged enough to slightly heal his wounds. He's walked around on broken bones before, so making his way to a peaceful little AU to patch up more is nothing new to him. When he's at his new destination resting under a nice tree, he texts Swap to grab the medkit, seeing as while Ink can portal, he'll never remember the needed supplies. Dream also types a quick message that he quit the Omega Timeline, and that he'll explain better in person. He got a thumbs up response back, and so he decided to lean back and wait.
It's not long before the two arrive, Swap running over to Dream and gasping about the state of his limbs. “DREAM! WHAT IS THE MEANING OF THIS, HOW COULD YOU WALK AROUND ON THOSE FOR WHO KNOWS HOW LONG! THEY COULD HAVE SPLINTERED OR WORSE!” When he's riled up, Swap can go on for what feels like an eternity. At least he's begun to help patch up Dream in the meantime, even though he's now got Dream trapped in a lecture. Kneeling down on the ground next to Dream has them both smiling. Even with all the bluster, Swap would have made an excellent nurse if things were different. Dream doesn't mind getting his non-existent ears talked off, happy to feel the relief and concern coming from his friend; a truly gifted healer, even without using a drop of magic.
It's strange for Ink to hang back so long though, usually Dream is tackled into a hug regardless of his injuries. It takes a moment for Ink to amble up, not with the usual bouncing step, but a more measured walk. Dream looks at Ink approaching with a grateful smile “You have my thanks for bringing Blue and the medkit,” he knows that Swap doesn't love being called Blue, but it's the only way Ink remembers the poor mortal. Swap even has a minor twinge of annoyance hearing the name. Dream smiles apologetically at his caretaker before moving on. “The last fight was a bit intense. Speaking of, I've also got some new–”
“You're not Dream” Both Dream and Swap pause at the declaration Ink just made. Both look at the artist with mild confusion and shock. Ink’s eyelights are also white, both locked on Dream In such a serious way he's never seen before. Dream can feel the fluctuating paint fueled feelings drifting around Ink, so Ink didn't forget to drink the vials?
“Um, Ink. Whatever do you mean?” Dream can't help but feel a little hurt seep into his voice now that he can. Swap is now looking at him too with surprise from the non-chipper tone.
“You ate the Black Apple right?” What ink just said shocked Dream to the core of his apple soul, did Ink see him do it? Was Ink there watching? He hadn't mentioned anything about that in the text. Has something else given that away?
With more trepidation than he'd like to admit “Yes, I did. The Apple wasn't black however.” That got something to change in ink with a jolt, eyelights rapidly flipping through different shapes and colors. Looking at Dream like a broken puzzle now instead of that hollow dissection a second ago.
Ink started muttering to himself, checking his scarf while Dream and Swap just looked at each other in concern. The artist has always been cryptic and eclectic, but usually with the same awkward cheer Dream always had as well. This serious contemplation is a new level of off-putting.
In an unusually gentle tone for their exuberant blue teammate “Ink, Why Don't You Tell Us What's Wrong Friend?” Swap has gone back to helping splint dreams bones. Splitting attention between the two guardians. A little nervous as to what's going on between them. As neither of them had ever acted this way before.
Ink strangely serious without being hollow, still full of color and not lacking or in excess of any particular paint. Dream is measured without false bubble and cheer, mellow in a way that was fabricated before, now truly exuding a peaceful presence.
Ink looks up from his scarf, finally looking at Swap with some sort of recognition. “Oh, Oh! Sorry, but that's not Dream you're patching up Blue!” What? Did they truly hear that right the first time?
“Um, Ink.” Under his breath he whispers, ‘please call me swap’ with fond exasperation before moving on. “This Is Dream. He Called Us Here After Fighting Nightmare. He Is Wearing What Dream Always Wears, Same Eye Color, Same Positive–” Swaps eyelights snap to Dream in some kind of realization.
Dream now a little afraid asks. “Swap, is everything alright?” Swap looks at dream, really looks at him and comes to some sort of conclusion before looking at Ink.
“The Aura Is Gone, Or Not Gone? Different.” With a little unease, Swap keeps bandaging Dream, looking far more tired than moments ago. “You Don't Feel Warm Anymore–”
“That's not all!” Ink interrupts “You aren't cold and slimy either! Or tentacly, which you should be if you ate the other Apple” Ink wasn't smiling, looking on with a mix of confusion and worry. Checking his scarf again and again. “This isn't right, you aren't Dream anymore, but something is wrong, you aren't Shattered either”
The almost hysterical panic in Ink’s voice has Swap and Dream fearful. Dream is getting used to the new emotions he finally has, and he can tell Swap is also surprised and worried. Swap is looking more exhausted and run down by the minute, something Dream wasn't able to truly notice before.
“Swap, what is the matter, you do not look well” Dream places a hand over Swap’s, he's bandaged enough to handle himself. With the new connection to negativity, he might even be able to call upon some more of his healing magic. A little brush of the sensation causes Swap to jolt.
Swap jumps from Dream's touch immediately, stopping any healing before it starts. “Oh, Nothing Nothing! I'm Fine, Truly!” He waves his hands frantically at Dream, trying to dismiss the concern. Dream, now having a newfound sense, can empathize with how ragged the mortal skeleton looks…oh no.
“Swap…” the soft somber tone catches the mortal off guard, halting his panic. “I apologize” Dream looks away, now caught up in all the memories of how he had been inadvertently pulling Swap into his self sacrifice and neglect. The two of them destroying themselves for the greater good. Neither giving themselves time to rest or recover, even denying themselves healing knowing it would expend energy they couldn't afford. If he feels awful as a guardian, he can hardly imagine how Swap feels. Well, he doesn't have to imagine it now. He can feel it seeping from his friend, the deep ache, the sleeplessness, the hunger and fatigue. He looks back to his loyal companion, eyes full of regret “It appears as though my actions have harmed you, and for that I am deeply sorry my friend.”
The apologies seem to have left Swap speechless. So many feelings war inside of the skeleton before he settles on sorrow with a sad smile. “What Changed? You Never Seemed To Care Before” He's looking at both Dream and Ink for answers.
Ink finally pipes back up with something, also looking lost and saddened. “Dream, you were supposed to Shatter” Dream and Swap look up at Ink in distress now. Ink's eyes are reflecting a dark blue and purple “You were supposed to eat the black apple to become like Nightmare and take on the corruption, but the script is wrong! I don't know what's supposed to happen next” Ink looks to be in anguish, tears of ink starting to leak from his sockets as he trembles. “You are supposed to be evil right now and tear this multiverse apart, dragging me and blue down with you!”
Ink is shouting now, Swap is stunned, looking at Dream like he'll jump at his neck and eat him. Dream is lost, he doesn't feel corrupted, he can just see more clearly than he ever has before. His relentless positivity has blinded him to his own pain and to that of his dear friends. Deciding to do something, he carefully stands up on his healing limbs to embrace Ink.
The shaking artist accepts the hug with a sobbing breath. Struggling to put together some kind of sentence. “This is wrong…” another sniff “We shouldn't be hugging!” A wail of sadness “You should have come back from the meeting after killing everyone and then hurt me and Blue!” Ink keeps trembling. Dream looks at Swap, who doesn't know what's happening either. Ink keeps going, punctuating each outburst with a hiccup. “You woke up, you weren't supposed to wake up! You were supposed to go away forever! But I don't want you to go back either! I don't want to fix it!”
Dream holds on so carefully, navigating the torrent of emotions Ink is unleashing. Calling on the Purple apple he ate. It's not dissimilar to how he used to call upon his magic before, only this time instead of pushing something out, it feels like inviting someone in. Giving them sanctuary to rest in the calming sense of a deep ocean, of easing their woes with guiding moonlight, giving the warmth of comfort in soft winter nights. Dream pulls tenderly on Ink's feelings to stabilize the soulless skeleton before he uses up all his paint. “Maybe you do not have to fix it this time Ink”
Ink freezes, not even pretending to breathe anymore, responding in an empty whisper. “It's my job to fix the script, they'll leave us if the story is wrong”
Dream motions Swap over to join in, shaking free of his own paralysis Swap hugs the two guardians and shakes with own realizations. Dream keeps going, having an idea as to what ink is talking about. “Are these the creators you've mentioned before?” Dream received a nod to his bloody bandage-covered sternum. “Do you think they made it okay for things to change?”
Ink starts moving again, regaining some life back to his form. Ink has always looked small but in this moment the diminutive skeleton appears truly fragile. Ink looks back up to Dream and gasps! “Your eyes! They! They!” Ink reaches up and grabs Dream's face, pulling his skull down to be eyelevel with the vertically challenged Ink. “You really do have both?” Ink is looking so deeply into dream's eyelights it is uncomfortable, Dream has never liked confrontation and isn't sure what's happening.
Dream keeps looking to the side with his skull stuck. Eyelights darting around refusing to look at Ink, who is deceptively strong refusing to let go. “Ink…Could you please release my head, and tell me what's the matter?” Ink just whips Dream's skull in the direction of Swap, who has still been in the hug at Dreams side, burying his own head in dreams shoulder. He too is in disbelief looking at dream's face.
Swap finally gives him an answer, “Well, I Believe The Issue Is That Your Eyelights Now Contain Some Purple” He gives Dream and Ink a squeeze. “It Doesn't Feel Bad, And It's Far Less Oppressive Than Before.” Swap looks down to the side, feeling guilt over the confession.
Dream too feels shame for not realizing how much his own presence had put pressure on those close to him. “Ink”, Dream calls very carefully, Ink immediately releasing Dream's skull to hide back against Dream's chest. “You had mentioned before that I was supposed to take on Nightmares corruption?”
Ink sniffs before answering. “Please forget that, I said too much. It doesn't matter anyway.” Ink's grip tightens a bit around Dream's aching ribs, exuding more fear as the feeling becomes more prominent in the little skeleton.
Dream and Swap share a long look before Dream comes to a decision. “We should disband–”
“What?” “What Do You Mean!?” Both Swap and Ink manage to say in unison, one of shock and the other in melancholy.
“If I am to fall, I do not wish for either of you to be near. Swap, you need to go home. You have fought so valiantly and for so long. Please, rest friend.” Dream taps his frontal bone to Swaps, he very quietly apologized “I can not bear to see this life destroy you any longer. And I know I am to blame”
Swap meets Dream's eyes in quiet contemplation, accepting Dream's proposal without argument. Already accepting of the decision. “Dream, If You Leave, Where Will You Go?” Swap starts to lower all three of them back to the ground, likely noticing the shaking from dream’s pain and his own exhaustion. Ink suddenly breaths out harshly, finally releasing Dream's broken ribs.
They sit beside each other, leaning against each other and the tree. Ink looks at the other two with a longing. “You two can be free, now, ya’ know.” Ink looks back to the horizon of the little world they are in, peering beyond at something only the creation guardian can see.
Dream, just looking at the sky, inquires back. “How do you mean Ink?”
“You don't have titles; you just gave those up and someone else allowed you to. You aren't Dream anymore, and he's just a regular swap now” Ink isn't crying like before, just smiling in a detached way while the tears flow silently. “If you pick a new one, you might not Shatter if you encounter Nightmare”.
Ink suddenly hops up with his famous agility, summing that massive brush to flourish it with a twirl. The typical Ink Grin™ back in place, “So, I'm headed out! This has been fun but I gotta go!” Exclaimed with an enthusiasm like this whole situation didn't happen, slapping an inky portal on the ground. There's a wave goodbye before Ink falters and the smile drops… “See you around?” The question asked with such tentative broken hope before Ink returns to form and disappears into the puddle. All evidence of the paint evaporating before long.
Dream and Swap are Bewildered and Perplexed by what that could mean. Neither of them made the decision to move or follow after Ink. Swap can’t actually leave yet, being mortal and unable to portal while Dream is reeling with the cryptic nonsense that threatens to give him a headache. Swap looks to hum with a shrug, “Wanna Go Back To My Place, Clean The Blood Off You And Part Ways?”
Dream gives a soft nod in reply, “Yes, I’ll be quick to be on the move again so as not to attract unwanted attention. I might also need a new outfit as this one is ruined…especially the case if what Ink says is true” the last part uttered very quietly. One last look towards the peaceful horizon before Dream stands, offering a hand to Swap. The blue clad skeleton only hesitates slightly before taking it, not releasing the grip as Dream opens a portal to Swap’s home.
They end up in Swap’s room, the lovely house on the surface has an adjoined bathroom full of snacks, medical supplies, sewing kits, and emergency supplies for the brief moments Swap was able to rest before being thrust out into the multiverse again. Together they got Dream fully patched up and in some new clothes, a baggy long-sleeved cream colored shirt, some also baggy cargo pants, a belt of pouches with essentials for his upcoming travels, and a rucksack with a rain poncho to keep Dream dry. Not many words are exchanged but Dream is sure to thank his dear friend for this kindness before they part ways. Knowing that he will stop later, Dream decides to just wear the cloak now, saving room in the bag for the sleeping gear he’ll need to obtain. He looks in the mirror to see himself, wondering who that stranger is looking back at him. The only things of his old life showing are the clasp of his cape peeking out of the cloak, and the circlet on his head.
He feels the need to remove it, but he can’t bear the thought of throwing either item away. He pulls his circlet down past his skull so it rests upon his clavicle, bending it to overlap to ensure it won't fall off. He looks back to his own eyelights, seeing the drops of purple resting at the bottom in the pools of gold, that have since softened into a sweeter yellow. They were not like that earlier when he confronted the council... He really isn’t Dream anymore is he? He looks back to Swap, who is also surprised at the new image, not bothering to say anything but begins to head towards the stairs gesturing for Dream to follow.
They are both in the kitchen, silently enjoying a last meal together consisting of unassembled sandwich bits: pickles, bread, peanut butter, some cheese, olives, Swap’s guilty ketchup pleasure, and a heaping helping of cold turkey slices. They are comfortably existing before Swap’s brother enters the home, dropping his grocery bags and rushing to embrace Swap with all that he has.
Swap is greeted by his brother with open arms, their embrace is so warm until Papyrus notices Dream. Dream is…less welcome, completely understandable; being the one who kept Swap away for countless nights; inadvertently or otherwise. Dream understands, truly; what it's like to be separated from a sibling for so long. Without the Positive Apple constantly chanting about the greater good, he can empathize with his former teammate’s brother and see how many mistakes he had made with Swap. “Do not worry Papyrus, I will not be taking him away ever again. We have disbanded.”
”That’s great and all but, who are you exactly?” The lanky Papyrus looks at Dream with the suspicion of a stranger, not the malice of someone who kept his sibling hostage to battle Eldritch gods. Dream is stunned, and Swap is more than a little surprised. Neither of them had expected Papyrus not to recognize the one before them as the guardian of positivity. But, maybe that isn’t true anymore, and this particular Papyrus is exceptional at detecting lies.
Dream…not Dream… decides to introduce himself politely either way, “Hello, there is no reason to fear. I am…just a wanderer” He reaches out politely to shake hands with Swap’s brother, hearing the silly but familiar rubber chicken squeak within the grasp of their hands.
Papyrus chuckles a bit with the strange honk, mentioning the wonders of comedy, while Swap shakes his head fondly. Papyrus lets go with a smile, “Well then. Nice ta mee’cha Wanderer” and with that, Dream Wanderer can feel something etched on the apples in his chest. Truly the beginning of a new life.
He looks up at the kindly Papyrus with more true joy than he’s felt in a long time, then turns to his friend and gives a shining smile. He receives such a heartfelt grin in return, looking at both of them with gratitude. “Your kindness to me means more than you could ever know, please never hesitate to call me if you need anything. You have my eternal and most sincere gratitude.” He opens his arms for an embrace not only finding Swap within his arms, but Papyrus wrapped around the two as well. Wanderer rubs his face in Swap’s chest plate to hide the tears, he vows to make the multiverse a better place one SOUL at a time. For himself, for his friends, for his brother.
He turns to leave, waving as he opens a portal of yellow and violet. Not with a goodbye, but a “See you next time”. He steps through and the gateway shatters with a shower of sparkles, not knowing where he’s going, Wanderer chooses to let his magic guide where he goes next with no destination in mind. Finally looking forward to the future, for the first time since he was a child. When life was simple as sleeping under an apple tree with his twin, wishing on stars and not even knowing what their lives could have held. He is able to forge his own path outside of the pre-determined doom.
He is free.
