In the next few days leading up to the election rally, things start to get...interesting.

For one, I discover that Wilbur's son, Fundy, has created his own party for the presidential race. I can see it in Wilbur's face the next time he comes to visit that he had not anticipated this betrayal. His eyes are tired, and his voice hoarse as he greets me and Schlatt, checking up on us to ensure we've had a comfortable stay so far (and also to confirm that Schlatt has kept himself out of trouble). I feel bad for the man, but find little I can say to comfort him. I have next to no experience when it comes to family bonds, and as such have no advice to offer. All I can give him is a comforting smile and my well wishes in his fight for the presidential seat.

Aside from Fundy's new party, the only other contester in the election is a person named Quackity, who I'm surprised to find isn't even a member of L'Manburg, yet is running for the place of president anyway. I've yet to meet him but would be lying if I said I wasn't intrigued. From what I've heard he's a rather...eccentric individual.

The election isn't all I've been thinking about these past days, though.

My visit from Dream has been playing on my mind a lot too. After our first encounter along Prime path, I've been doing my best to learn what I can about the masked man, since I may well have to clash swords with him at one point.

I make the mistake of asking Schlatt what he knows of Dream.

In return, I receive a twenty-minute rant on how much of a jerk-off Schlatt thinks he is. I should have anticipated that Schlatt is going to be biased against the masked man. He hates him for reasons I've yet to learn.

So I turn to the only person I can trust to give me straight details. And that's Tubbo.

As expected, he tells me exactly what I need to know, and by the end of our little chat, I think I finally have a grasp of just what kind of man Dream is.

Controlling, stubborn, and merciless. Yet not totally without reason, as I'd discovered the night he visited me.

All qualities that Schlatt just so happens to share.

Maybe this is why they don't get along?

When the morning of the election rally finally rolls around, Schlatt, naturally, is still asleep. This may not be obvious yet, but the man is not a morning person.

"Hey, Schlatt, sir. Today's the rally. You need to get up soon." I probe gently, resting a hand on his shoulder.

He stirs and rolls over with a grumble, turning to face me.

"Am I dead?" He hums, his voice groggy from sleep.

"No, sir."

"Then why do I see the face of an angel?"

I laugh lightly, and lean back, shaking my head.

"Would a protein shake help wake you up?" I offer.

"Maybe..."

Leaving him to wake up, I head into the kitchen and begin putting together one of his disgusting protein shakes. As I do I hear shuffling from the front room, and peek my head through to see what the commotion is all about.

"No-no-no. Where is it?!" Cushions go flying through the air as Tommy turns his sofa upside-down in search of something. I dodge a pillow that flies straight for my head, allowing it to sail clean past me.

"Did you lose something?" I ask, surveying the messy room.

Tommy doesn't even spare me a glance as he moves on to looking under the furniture.

"I'm supposed to be helping set up the podium today but I can't find my hat!" He explains frantically.

"Your hat..."

I bite back a smile and turn to the kitchen, taking confident strides across the smooth stone floor and over to the fridge. Standing on my tip-toes, I reach up and manage to grab a hold of the black hat hidden carefully from view. I'd spotted Schlatt placing it here yesterday when Tommy was distracted with Tubbo, and now I know why. What a mean trick to play on a boy. Although I can't say I'm surprised.

Entering the front room I hold up Tommy's hat and call out to him. His head pops up from behind a table and a grin immediately blossoms out across his face.

"You found it!" He cheers, vaulting the sofa and grabbing the hat from my grip, "Thanks!"

"No problem. Oh- hold on. Your collar is bent."

I slip my hands beneath the white collar of Tommy's shirt and he goes stiff. I giggle at his reaction. He's clearly not used to being helped.

Deciding to take full advantage of his obedient state, I quickly straighten out the rest of his outfit, adjusting the sleeves of his blue blazer and twisting his hat so it sits better on his head. His hair is surprisingly fluffy when it's not flattened out by his hat, I discover.

"There, perfect."

I step back, folding my hands behind my back with a smile.

He blinks, and suddenly lets out a breath I hadn't realised he'd been holding. He checks out his newly adjusted outfit.

"Uh, thank you." He gives a small smile, embarrassed by my help.

"That's okay. Now, don't you have somewhere to be?"

Tommy's expression drops.

"The podium!"

I laugh, watching as he slams the front door open and sprints down the garden path, waving over his shoulder at me while yelling something I don't quite hear.

As I go to close the door, Schlatt's voice speaks out behind me.

"What the hell was that about?" He yawns, leant against the bedroom doorframe.

"Tommy had to go help set up the podium." I explain, "He couldn't find his hat though, so I helped."

I give Schlatt a look and he chuckles, not even trying to defend his actions.

"You'll also be on stage later today," I remind him, "Do you have the speech that Wilbur gave you to practice?"

"Eh, it's here somewhere..." He rubs the back of his neck and lets out another yawn.

I smile softly and move to stand in front of him, reaching up to take the red slip of his tie that hangs limply around his neck. "Do try to follow the script," I comment, beginning to fold the tie into a Windsor knot. "It's the least you can do for them after how well they've treated us."

Schlatt hums, his dark eyes focused intently on my face as I work, my head slightly tilted in concentration.

"You know your head tilts when you're thinking hard, right?" He says suddenly, a smirk crossing his lips.

"Yes, I know."

I finish his tie and straighten it out against his shirt, admiring my work. I go to step back, but a palm is placed over my hand, keeping me close to his chest. I look up, my lips pursing.

"I need to finish your protein shake," I state, a little bewildered by this sudden show of affection.

"In a minute." He mumbles, leaning forward to rest his forehead against my shoulder. His hair tickles my cheek, and I laugh lightly.

"You make fun of Tommy for being a child, yet you secretly have this side of you." I hum, my voice filled with amusement as I reach up and stroke his head.

"Shut up." He grumbles, and I laugh again.

My hand finds the curve of his horn, and unable to help myself I begin to trace its ridged shape.

He shivers at the action, his arms dropping to snake around my waist.

"You're too cruel, you know that?" He mumbles, pulling me tighter against him. My stomach flips at the firm embrace, but I manage to keep my breathing steady and my mind clear.

"You want me to stop?"

"...no. Keep going."

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Why the fudge did no one tell me Schlatt had ram plushies for sale!!! Like look at that thing! I need one!