I sit quietly on a sofa as Schlatt paces around his office, hands clasped tightly behind his back. He's quiet, a worrying characteristic for a man who loves to talk. Ever since I repeated to him my encounter with Techno he's been like this. Pinched brows and narrowed eyes, his lips moving as he mutters to himself. He's thinking, and it worries me.

The doors slam open and my head jerks to the side, only to immediately regret it as the long gash in my neck flares up again. I have a damp cloth pressed to it, my suit jacket folded to the side of the sofa and out of the way. It had thankfully remained blood-free despite my weeping wound, a miracle in itself. I would have been sad if I'd ruined my new jacket on my first day of wearing it. Not much can be said for my white undershirt, however, which looks like a murder scene on a snowy landscape.

"Tubbo says there's an emergency?" Quackity questions, the first one into the office, a bedraggled George at his heels.

Schlatt stops pacing and frowns, making his way back around his desk to take a seat. "Oh, it's an emergency alright. Just look at what that bastard did to my Secretary of Defence." Schlatt gestures to me. I give an awkward smile and a tiny wave.

Quackity scrunches his nose up at the sight of me. He's already seen my sorry state, but George does a full-on double take.

"Is that blood?" He moves forward to squint at me, propping his sunglasses up onto his head.

"No, it's fucking mayo." Schlatt snaps.

"Hey, don't take it out on George just because you're angry that Ares got a lil scratched up!" Quackity defends his friend, his brows furrowing in annoyance.

George steps back, sheepish, and mutters something about being colourblind.

"I don't have time for this shit," Schlatt grumbles, running a hand down his face. Then he barks, "where the hell is Tubbo and that fox?!"

"Here, sir!" Fundy skids into the office, panting heavily, out of breath. A moment later Tubbo appears behind him, flushed in the face and also panting. Did they run here?

"Good, close the door," Schlatt instructs.

The door is closed and an uncomfortable weight settles around the room. Everyone's eyes are on the horned man, his hands clasped beneath his chin. Well, everyone except Fundy, who keeps glancing at me with clear concern.

"Ares, why don't you start us off? Tell the cabinet who you met today." Schlatt says, his voice dangerously soft.

I look between him and the sudden eyes upon me. "Yes, sir. The man I met today was named Techno."

"Holy shit. You met Techno?!" Quackity exclaims, finally looking as concerned as the others.

"Is he the one who hurt you?" Fundy butts in.

I nod, deciding that saying it was an 'accident' probably wouldn't sound very convincing. "Yes, he was carrying a crossbow and a sword at the time I met him."

"Did...did he say why he was here?" Tubbo questions from the back, his voice meek and filled with worry. But also something else. Something...hopeful? But why would he be hopeful? Does he know Techno?

"Yes, actually." I shift between the cushions, the pain in my neck growing uncomfortable. I want to lie down. "He mentioned joining a rebellion-"

A fist slamming down onto a desk has everyone jump, especially Tubbo. I'm used to Schlatt's loud noises by now, and manage to hold back my surprise.

"Those little bastards." Schlatt mutters, "they fucking employed him! Of course they did!" He gives a short, high pitched laugh devoid of any humour, and this time even I flinch.

He's actually angry. I don't like Schlatt when he's angry.

I notice that Fundy's fur has bristled out in fear, and Tubbo has stepped subconsciously behind the fox.

"Who have...sir?" Quackity asks, his voice uncharacteristically quiet.

"Loverboy and his gangly sidekick, Tommy Innit. I knew Wilbur couldn't let it go. He just couldn't bare to see his precious country in my hands." The man runs a hand down his face, "He's planning to fight back. To take back what is rightfully mine."

Quackity exchanges a look with George before saying, "Sir, are we going to have a war on our hands?"

War. Just the sound of the word has a cold chill run across my body. Does Schlatt really want war? I used to doubt Dream's words, thinking them nothing but biased slander. But so far everything he's said has been true. A little harsh, but true. Ever since coming here, Schlatt has been showing more and more of his ruthless side. A side that I would only occasionally get glimpses of, or hear about from the man himself. Every day, I feel like the Schlatt I know is slipping further into the void, and it scares me.

"Well we're certainly going to put up a fight," Is Schlatt's response, his voice hollow of emotion.

That's a reasonable answer, right? My brain tries to comfort me, searching for a light to grasp hold of.

"Ex-excuse me, sir?" Fundy speaks up, his hand half-raised as if asking a question in class.

Schlatt turns half-lidded eyes to him. "Hmm?"

"Shouldn't Ares get some proper medical attention? She isn't looking so good..."

"Huh? Oh, right." Schlatt waves a hand in my direction, "yeah, you're dismissed, Ares. Go clean up and get yourself sorted."

"Thank you, sir."

I stand slowly from the sofa, leaving my trident against the wall, and stoop to pick up my jacket. It's painfully quiet as everyone watches me move across the room, towards the door. Of course, they're not used to seeing me in such a pitiful state. It's only natural they'd stare.

"I'll...I'll help her," Tubbo says, starting towards the door as well.

"Not you," Schlatt states, so firmly it has the boy flinch. "You're needed here, Tubbo. By my side."

Tubbo dips his head and backs up.

"Fundy, you help her out." Schlatt decides after a moment.

"Y-yes, sir!"

The fox almost trips over his feet in his haste to get to the door, following me quickly out into the hall.

"You don't have to help me just because Schlatt told you to." I say politely, turning to smile at the fox, "I'm quite used to tending to my own wounds."

Fundy shakes his head fervently, his black ears flapping.

"You are hurt. And hurt people shouldn't be left on their own." He states firmly.

"Ah, I suppose you have a point." I grin. I knew it would be pointless to try and deter the fox. It's really heart-warming just how intent he is to spend time with me, regardless of the reason. Schlatt used to be like that. Before we came to L'Manburg. Before he became President...

"Does it hurt bad?"

I blink. Fundy is peering into my face, his head tilted like a curious cat.

It takes me a moment to understand what he's referring to.

"Oh, my neck? It kind of stings, but I've suffered through worse." I say.

"Hmm." Fundy narrows his eyes. He clearly doesn't believe me. "If it's not your neck, then what's wrong?"

I stare at him, taken aback. Is it that obvious that I'm having a bad day? Or is it just a guess?

"And don't say it's nothing, because that's a lie." He presses. "I want to hear your thoughts, Ares. I want to hear your troubles. I know you probably don't think much of me. But to me, you- you're important too, okay? If you're having a bad day, you can say so. Because if no one else will listen, I will. If you..." he hesitates, as if suddenly realising what he'd said, "if you want to, that is..."

Ah...hooy morzhovy, is this guy trying to make me cry?

I purse my lips, debating on how to respond. I'm not used to such heartfelt comments. Schlatt is always so crude and oftentimes vulgar. But those are the parts of him that make me laugh.

But Fundy...Fundy makes me happy. He's so genuine and kind. Always so careful with his words. And then the way he gets embarrassed after saying something he regrets has my heart go all fuzzy and I can't help but smile. I can honestly say I'm happy when I'm with him. Because even if he doesn't say anything, I can tell by the wag of his tail and hopeful eyes that he's happy to see me, too.

Is this the sort of companionship I've been looking for? I know Schlatt was teasing me when he said I should hook up with Fundy, but maybe he was unknowingly right? Maybe this lovable fox is my perfect match? Someone soft and sweet, like Niki, but who shares the same loyalties to Schlatt as I do. This could be the lonely hole in my heart talking, but I at least want to explore the possibility before shutting it down completely. I like Fundy, enough to try start a relationship with him.

I stop walking. We've made it to my bedroom door, but I don't go in. Instead, I give the orange fox a tender smile. "You'll listen to my worries? Even if they're strange?"

Fundy perks up, his eyes blazing determinedly. "Yeah! Every single one!"

"And you'll really help me if I'm having a bad day?"

"Absolutely! I will drop everything to make you feel better!"

"But what if you're doing work for Schlatt?" I prompt.

"Then I will, uh..." his nose scrunches up in thought. "I guess I'll just have to finish my work extra fast so I can be with you?"

"And do you find me attractive, Fundy?"

The fox opens his mouth, but then snaps it closed again, his eyes bugging. His expression has me laugh.

"I...is this a trick question..?" He says slowly, eyeing me suspiciously.

"Is that your final answer?" I tease, pushing on the door to enter.

"Yes! I mean- no! That's not my- Yes I think you're pretty! Super pretty!" He blurts out hurriedly, terrified to say the wrong thing, even if he doesn't know why he's saying it.

"Good answer." I smile and enter my bedroom. Fundy hovers outside for a moment, totally bewildered by what has just happened. When I realise he's not going to enter, I roll my eyes good-naturedly and poke my head back out, "you wanted to help, right? I could do with some fresh bandages and iodine."

"Huh? Oh, yeah! S-sure!"

"Thank you." I lean over and place a soft kiss on his cheek, "and I think you're pretty, too."

---------------------

AHA! AHA I SAY TO ALL YOU NON BELIEVERS! I SAW YOU IN THE COMMENTS SAYIN' HOW SAD YOU WERE GONNA BE WHEN ARES REJECTS FUNDY! AHA! BET YOU DIDN'T SEE THIS COMIN'!

But Astria! I hear some of you say. Isn't this meant to be a Dream x OC? I'm confused.

Yes, it is also that, too. What? You think romance is easy? You think you're going to fall in love with the perfect guy/girl on the first try? Nuhuh. It's all a part of trial and error my friends.

Wooo. And now that's out of my system, thank you MaroonNoMercy for your fanart! Ares looks badass with those scars.