The walk is quiet and filled with urgency, yet the strong grip of Dream's hand around mine fills me with nothing but ease. He frequently glances back, as if to check I'm still here, and squeezes my hand every time he does so. A reassurance to both himself and me. It fills me with warmth to know that he missed me so much. To know that he loves me despite my hesitance to be committed to him.

"So, Punz works for you?" I question after I feel the quiet has dragged on long enough and my curiosity has reached its maximum.

"Punz works for the highest bidder." He explains, stepping through a shallow stream. I follow him, unbothered by the water that soaks through my boots.

"For how long?"

"Since the festival. I wanted him to keep an eye on you," he hesitates and then adds, "and George."

"I sometimes forget that George is a close friend of yours." I hum, thinking of the brown-haired male. "How has Sapnap been?"

Dream shrugs, "dunno. Haven't really seen him much lately. He's got a new friend called Karl that he's been spending all his time with. If you ask me I think he has a crush."

"Well, I certainly hope he romances better than he fights. Or he won't be going anywhere with Karl."

Dream laughs and pulls me against him, almost tripping me. "Not everyone can be as good at fighting as you, y'know? Cut Sap some slack. You've already left him traumatised after breaking into his house."

"He left the door unlocked," I mutter, leaning into his side. "I will happily take credit for beating someone's ass, but I will not be accused of breaking and entering. I have some morales, believe it or not."

"Sure you do." He muses, stopping to catch my chin in a hand. I already know the drill and tilt my head back, lifting his mask with the tips of my fingers as our lips connect for a brief kiss.

"I have a question." He hums, keeping me close.

"Yes?"

"Why is it you've never once asked to see my face?"

I pause, surprised. That was not a question I was expecting. But I can understand his curiosity. As a lover isn't it normal to want to see the face of the person you've entered a relationship with? Even if it is only a physical one.

"Because-"

I'm cut off by a snap of the undergrowth.

I spin around, almost making myself dizzy as I reach down to draw the knife from my shoe. But I stop mid-draw when I see a head of thick brown curls, and a tired pair of eyes.

"Wilbur?" I murmur, unable to mask my shock.

"Oh, it's you." He hums, his expression unbudging as he looks me up and down. But once his gaze flicks over to Dream he scowls.

"I brought a guest, Wilbur." Dream grins, stretching his arms out.

"Take her back." Is the man's immediate response as he turns away.

Dream fixes his mask and slides an arm over my shoulders, "aw, don't be like that. Are you still salty about the little festival incident? You know I deceived you for a reason, right?"

"Dream, where are we?" I interrupt before Wilbur can retort.

"You're in Pogtopia." Wilbur frowns, brushing a hand through his curls. "Or more specifically, above it. I'm surprised you followed Dream without knowing."

I take a step back, alarm rising up inside me.

"What? Dream! I can't be here! If Schlatt found out-"

"He won't. Nobody is going to tell him. And there's someone here you need to see." He affirms, gripping my shoulders to keep me in place.

"Who?" I ask sceptically. "You don't mean Tommy, do you? I don't think that's a good idea."

"He's talking about Tubbo." Wilbur sighs, shoving his hands in his jacket pockets.

My head whips around to stare at Wilbur. "Tubbo's alive? He's here?!"

He nods and I tear myself away from Dream, walking quickly to him. "Please, can I see him? Can you take me to him?" My hands are practically shaking as I stare pleadingly up at him, feeling like I might start hyperventilating. I don't dare to believe him till I see the boy for myself.

I need to see him. To apologise to him...

Wilbur glances from me to Dream before sighing deeply and nodding. "You're going to follow me anyway, so sure. But don't expect your arrival to be treated kindly."

I nod eagerly. I just want to see Tubbo.

Dream seems a bit put-off by how quickly I'd rushed to Wilbur's side, and hangs back a few feet as we're lead to a small rise in the land, where a cave has been carved into the landscape. There's a horse tethered outside, and it grazes peacefully as we walk past and enter the cave.

A wooden table and a chair are the cave's only furnishings. Wilbur grabs a lantern from the wall as he walks by.

I can tell by first glance this cave is not their base of operations. It's too small and empty. So I stay quiet and wait for Wilbur's next actions.

He stops before a moss-covered wall near the back of the cave, and starts running his hand through the greenery.

As I watch I feel Dream step up behind me, and then the soft press of his fingers twining with mine.

"What did you do to upset him?" I ask.

"That question's a little too vague, Bean. Mind narrowing it down?"

I roll my eyes, "you said you deceived him at the festival. I wasn't aware Wilbur was even there."

"Ah, that's a story for later."

Wilbur grips something beyond the moss and pulls, revealing a hidden door and a set of stone stairs.

"This way," he instructs.

I'm led down an awkwardly curving staircase, slick with mildew and smelling of mould. If not for Wilbur's lantern we'd be walking in complete darkness. Every few steps Dream places a palm to my elbow, steadying me when I teeter.

"Mind your step here, we don't have railings," Wilbur says suddenly, casting a glance back to me. He makes a point of ignoring Dream.

"Railings?" I mutter.

My next step down drops me onto a narrow path, and I quickly understand Wilbur's warning.

We're now right along the edge of a large ravine, lanterns swinging from chains like eery fireflies. Stone steps like the ones we're on hug every wall, leading up and down to hidden alcoves and unseen bends. A single, wooden bridge spans from one side of the ravine to the other, and creaks when Wilbur walks along it.

Somewhere in the distance I hear the chatter of people, and the occasional clash of metal on metal.

"The infirmary is on the ground floor," Wilbur explains, his voice bouncing from the wide walls. "Tubbo is still in pretty bad shape. Over a third of his body has third degree burns and he may have lost sight in his right eye."

I swallow thickly, the severity of his injuries hitting me like a brick to the gut.

"Has he been taking potions?" I ask softly.

"As many as we can give him."

Wilbur nods to a curtain on our right, "he's in there."

"Thank you. I'll be quick."

"Ah, not you, Dream. I want to talk to you."

Dream tuts, and I imagine his eye roll.

"If you need me, just yell." He instructs me and I nod. Not that I'm sure what I'll need him for.

Pushing aside the curtain I enter the makeshift infirmary. The lighting is dim and dusky, giving the room a sleepy feel. Shelves line one wall, stocked with various first aid items and recovery potions. Against another wall sit three beds. The first two are empty, but the third holds a small body, tucked delicately beneath the blankets. Half his face is hidden by bandages, his torso and right arm white with the cotton dressing. Despite this I'd recognise that fluffy brown hair anywhere.

"Tubbo?" I ask quietly, taking slow steps forward.

The boy shifts, hearing my voice, and turns my way. His eye widens the moment it lands on me.

"Holy shit. Ares?!"

I'm across the room in a flash, dropping down to my knees at his bedside and grabbing up his uninjured hand.

"I'm sorry. I'm so, so sorry." I almost weep, my voice cracking as emotion overcomes me like a storm. "I couldn't protect you. You didn't deserve this."

"Hey, hey. It's cool. You have nothing to apologise for." His hand slips from mine and he pats me on the head. It feels strange. Usually, I'm the one comforting him. "I should have been more careful. You did nothing wrong, Ares."

I shake my head, staring into his single, blue eye with disbelief. His expression is so calm. Almost happy. His voice shows no hints of pain or fear.

"Honestly, I'm kind of relieved to be out of that place." He continues. "I really hated all that paperwork."

I smile slowly, my heart settling. "You weren't the best, I'll be honest."

"I know! Right? I suck at paperwork! And that suit was itchy as hell. You know I hardly washed that thing, right?"

He actually manages to make me laugh, which immediately turns into a choke as I almost cry.

"I know you don't want me to say it, but I really am sorry."

The boy just tilts his head and smiles. There's nothing but kindness on his face.

"I understand. You can't go against Schlatt, because he means the world to you, right? Just like how Tommy and Wilbur mean a lot to me."

I nod, brushing a hand through Tubbo's curls. His horns have grown a little longer again.

The curtain to the infirmary is pushed aside and Dream pokes his head in. "Hey, Bean, time to go."

"You came here with Dream?" Tubbo asks with bewilderment.

"I did. And I hope to come back again to visit you, if I'm allowed."

"It would be nice if you did. But I understand if it's too dangerous for you."

"You're incredible, Tubbo. You know that?" I hum, and place a soft peck to his temples.

He blinks at me, flabbergasted, then smiles the biggest smile.

Stepping past the curtain I see now why Dream called me. A small crowd has gathered, and they all look unsettled. Their expressions turn worse when they see me appear at his side.

"Ares?" A soft voice utters, sending an uneasy chill through my body. Niki peers at me from behind Wilbur, her short figure dressed in dark clothes and a small sword at her side. I haven't seen her since the festival. I didn't know she was here...

I want to say something but instead keep my lips sealed. I inch a little further back. There are so many angry eyes here.

A sword is drawn, accompanied by a scoff as Tommy makes himself known. He has scrapes along his face and hands. His hair has grown thicker and wilder. And did he get taller?

"What is she doing here?" He snarls, directing his sword point to me.

"I brought her to see Tubbo." Dream states coolly, taking a small step in front of me. "She isn't a spy. She thought he was dead."

"He almost was dead!" He exclaims, waving the sword around. "And she hardly did a thing!"

I shrink further behind Dream, biting my lip, my eyes downcast. I have nothing I can say to defend myself.

"Not entirely true. She gave me a pretty good run for my money." A deep voice says.

My head snaps up. Techno is walking over, his sword propped on a shoulder.

Dream goes stiff, resting a palm quietly against the hilt of his axe.

"Hey Dream."

"Techno."

"You two were just leaving, right?" He questions, tilting his head.

"Yeah, we were..."

Dream retracts his hand from his belt and turns, placing a palm to my lower back. He whispers for me to start walking.

I do. I take a few uneasy steps, beginning to walk away. But then I stop.

"Ares?" Dream murmurs, a small warning in his voice to not do anything stupid.

"Sorry, just-- Give me a moment," I take a deep breath, clutching my shaking hands to my chest.

In one fluid movement I turn, stride back across the stone floor, and stop right before Techno.

The resounding crack of my knuckles connecting with his cheekbone echo through the cave system.

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Thank you so much for the incredible fanart TomTanuki