A month later, Dream's POV

I slowly open my eyes and see Error snoring softly beside me. His hand rests on my scarred one and I see that we're still surrounded by the pillows and blankets he made. I smile, seeing how faint the scars are on my arms now. Error has worked through code to fix each of my wounds carefully, shrinking the size of my cracks or scars, especially around my eye. He still loves me with my scars, he just wants to make sure it can't worsen. He has also given me plenty of affection through his words and actions to erase any doubts or memories of what was said to me. What was done to me....All of it. His words overwrite all of it in my head as the truth...I feel so warm and safe with him. I feel loved...Heh, he has certainly tried to make up for the fifty years apart, as have I...I shake my head, dismissing my thoughts.

Then time seems to freeze. No, literally. The clock stopped ticking and a bird was stopped mid flight in the air. I sit up and Error fades from sight beside me and I find myself sitting on nothing.

No...no no no no! Not now! Not again! This is supposed to be the good part! Things are supposed to get better! Be peaceful! Be REAL! No no no no! NO!

I glance around and don't see anything. I feel my soul start pounding in my chest and then I feel my hand get squeezed, the one resting under Error's hand. That immediately caught my attention and grounded me again. He helped ground me as he gently brushed my hand, relieving me of the building stress. My body relaxes and my breathing slows, my soul settling down.

"I apologize for how sudden this is but I thought it was best to inform you as soon as possible."

"What is the issue?"

"They are already trying to find loopholes in the deal. You no longer want any intervention so they're undoing any past forms of their intervention...releasing various consequences and creations of Nightmare's...Like the Owl Demons...They're releasing these accidents randomly and aim for it to eventually cause damage or attack him as if it were a natural sequence of events. I am warning you now so that you can get ahead of it."

I nod.

"...I see...Thank you..."

"Also there seems to be an inventor with new interest in you."

"Good or bad?"

"Well..."

"Bad then I assume. Can I go fix it now?"

"You must be warned that they are Fate's selected soul...Being given advantages..."

"Great..."

"Your mom is still ripping through everyone so I'm not sure how effective it'll be..."

The darkness fades away and I sit up, rubbing my head as it aches from the interaction.

"DreAmY? Ar3 y0u alr1gHT?"

"Will visited....with a warning...They're trying to find loopholes and Fate is causing trouble."I say

He gently squeezes my hand and I smile at him.

"AnOtHeR pRoBlEm wiTh fAtE? HoW loVeLy."He says sarcastically

"It's not going to go anywhere, Erry. I don't think it's going to get that far, even if Fate selected another soul given how the last one turned against them."

"I juSt dOn'T liKe iT. I aM siCk oF tHeSe wArNiNgS anD sEeiNg iT huRt y0u..."

"It's going to be okay. Even Will admitted that it's going to be hard for there to be much progress for them with my mom still hunting them down."

"DoEs She EveN reAliZe tHaT yOU'Re bAcK?"

"I've been trying to reach her but she's currently too angry to realize it and Nightmare can't reach her because she's too busy ripping that realm apart to find the culprits. Given the time difference, it could be years here before she calms down and listens to anyone trying to inform her."

"I sEe...I tHiNk wE sHoUlD chEcK oN yOur bRoThErS."

"Good point."

We get up and he opens a portal for us to return home but then paused hearing the conversation unfolding between my brothers.

"So how long do you think it'll take for Error to join our family now that they're reunited?"Obscuro asks

"What are you insinuating?"Nightmare asks

"Oh come on, you gotta see it. It would make sense. He's gone for decades and their reunion is on a hidden island. Now they've been gone for a month on a hidden island together! They're basically having a honeymoon phase! And do you really see Error letting the opportunity slide after what those idiots caused?"

Nightmare hums, then grins.

"I cannot disagree. They started this mess as a test of Error's comment that showed devotion to our brother, so that would be a fuck you move that he'd make in response. It would prove their little test wrong. Want to test his commitment to 500 years? He'd easily give more and he is a planner. And I have heard the gang making bets about any potential plans Error may have."

I see Erry's face burn up.

"Do you think they'd move in here? I can easily summon another house for myself to give them space."

"Error did make it himself so I wouldn't be surprised."

"What does the gang think?"

"Well, the longest that they're betting it to take is a year before something happens. The only one who hasn't bet anything is Horror out of the three of them. Horror says that he's more concerned for Error's sake whenever that occurs given everything such an event would include. Can't say that he's wrong either. He does glitch a lot when stressed and that event would be very stressful."

"What do you think about their ideas?"

"They're very limited."

"How?"

"They're only focusing on half of the equation if you get what I mean."

Now my face burns up, and it doesn't help that I can clearly remember the prophecy that was told to me.

"Hm?"

"Our brother spent fifty years of our time stuck in that realm fighting to keep things the way they are now. He fought so that we could keep our connections and freedom instead of returning to petty conflicts. He was also fully aware of the fact that they were trying to separate him and Error since he was very relieved that he was gone for 50 years and not 500...He made comments that he was glad that he didn't make us wait too long despite it being out of his control. Now, I don't know about you but if I spent 50 years fighting to return to my loved ones, then I'd make sure an opportunity to separate us never reveals itself again."

Error glances at me and both our faces burn brighter.

"Hmm...That is a good point. He cares a lot for Error and they keep treating them like their bond is a phase...I can see Brother proving that it isn't a phase."

"Hence Horror's understandable concern for Error. Can you imagine his reaction if our brother did that?"

"He'd be rebooting for days!"Obscuro chuckles

Nightmare nods.

"Given what I have sensed from him in the past towards Dream I wouldn't be too surprised. And that was before they were even together officially!"

"Oh, officially? Do you mean before they were together or before you knew they were actively dating? Do you mean like when you walked in on their date without realizing it was a date? I was certain he was going to kill you for that!"Obscuro chuckles

"HEY!"

Error starts laughing, shaking his head.

"My point still stands. I recall sensing an extreme change in him and his mood spike linked to the word boyfriend so can I can only imagine his reaction if he was called something else."

"Bold words coming from someone who couldn't recognize a candle-lit dinner date."

"Oh, would you let that go?"

Obscuro chuckles, shaking his head and Error laughs hearing Nightmare's frustration.

"When should we go through? I wasn't expecting to walk in on a conversation like this."I whisper to him.

"GiVe m3 a s3c0nd...MaYb3 tHey'Ll chaNg3 tHe suBjeCt..."He says, unable to stop laughing as Obscuro continues to tease Nightmare.

A few minutes of this passes and it gives my face a chance to cool as well as my soul to stop pounding. Then Nightmare's eye shrinks and he shushes Obscuro.

"You hear that?"

Obscuro's eyes widen in realization as Error tries to quiet himself.

"ERROR! We can hear you!"Obscuro shouts

Error grins, finally ending his laughter. He grabs my hand and walks through with me, waving to them shamelessly.

"How long were you there?"Obscuro asks

"D0 y0u reAlLy wAnT tHe aNsWeR t0 tHaT?"He asks teasingly in response

"YES!"

"It wAs fUn hEaRiNg yOu tEaSe nIgHtmARe."

Nightmare glares at him but they both seem relieved at that response, thinking that they're in the clear.

"Good to see that you're both back."Obscuro says

"You alright, Dream?"Nightmare asks

I nod.

"WiLl dEcIdEd t0 boThEr hIm wItH wArNinGs. s0 muCh f0r a peAcEfUl mOrNiNg."

"You too?"Nightmare asks

"Will visited you?"I ask

"Yeah, already making plans to handle it."

"Please be careful, Nightmare."I say

"Will do."He says

Obscuro grins, seeing me holding Error's hand still.

"I'll start doing preparations..."He says

I glance at Error and see his face burn up. He quickly goes to find his brother and I chuckle.

A few days pass and Lust pulls me into the wedding preparations, getting me to try on outfits with him, his brother, and Swap. We went through checking designs for suits, trying them on, buying them, and encouraging Lust whenever he seemed to freeze up. We praised him and assured him that this was the right choice. He just couldn't believe that this was happening and was so happy.

Then we left the store and tried to help him make more preparations, his brother leaving to tend to the plans and confidently stating that it would be perfect. Lust had made him the best man for the wedding so his brother was making all of the arrangements. Apparently his soon-to-be husband Dance was working to make sure the space was right and making a playlist of their favorite songs. Obviously, there was going to be a dancing space and good music for them. They agreed that he'd work with three goals. Dance focuses on the event feeling good with the tastes or sounds while Lust focuses on things looking good and their brothers help where they can to make sure things go smoothly altogether. Most of the preparations have been made so it's mostly the final touches. They even talked through the seating, timing, how many photos, and what traditions they'd like to keep or not. I cannot be happier for him.

The conversation shifted to a playful tone and jokes were passed among us as we helped him decide what would be fitting or not for his wedding and what he'd like to include. Then as we're looking through what sweets he thinks would be good to include and the topic is on the flower toss tradition, Lust throws me a mischievous look with a grin.

"Soooo, how angry would Error be if I went for a headshot at him? Assuming he's your +1, Dream."

Swap starts laughing.

"I'd definitely get a picture of that for Blip! Just don't chuck it too hard at him!"Swap says

"Isn't that tradition supposed to be random chance?"I ask, feeling my face burn.

I had mentioned it and he said he'd come but why is Lust scheming this for HIS special day?

"Alright. How angry would Error be if there was a random chance that there's a headshot with flowers in his future?"

"Umm...I think he'd crash honestly once he processed it."I say

"Hmm...Has he seen you in a suit?"

"I think only once in an actual suit. Other times were just formal outfits..."I say

"Does he have a suit?"

I nod, knowing he'd make one even if he doesn't. Lust grins.

"How is the relationship anyway? I hear you were stuck with him for a month after reuniting!"He says

"We're...readjusting you could say. His glitching had to get used to me again and he wasn't too happy about that. He spent that entire month trying to hold hands without crashing and we had to work on some things...I had to assure him that I won't leave again and he tried to eliminate every insulting idea that was put in my head by some jerks...I think we're good now but it's definitely still needing to smooth things out."

"Yeah, 50 years apart isn't going to be fixed in a month. Do you see a future with him?"

"Lust!"Swap snaps

"What? I'm guessing if he fought powerful beings to protect Error that there'd be something in the future."

"Okay, that's fair but it wasn't just him!"Swap says

"Yeah, they wanted to go after everyone and reset the multiverse to their liking. Some wanted to change it back to how things were while others wanted to make it more entertaining or their definition of better. None of them wanted a peaceful multiverse where we decide our futures ourselves. Trust me, I saw what they were picturing and you don't want that. Some of them wanted Fate to lead again and that's the worst option ever and I'm not just saying that because it would harm Error. But you don't have to worry since now there's a deal forbidding them from ever trying that again."I explain

"I see...But do you imagine a future with him?"

My face burns and various thoughts run through my head. I've done more than imagine a future...I've been shown it...Seen it...

"Why are we out preparing for your big day when discussing this?"I ask

"Oh come on! I'm just curious!"He says

"There are no bets involved are there?"I ask

His eyes shrink and he gets a guilty look on his face. I shake my head.

"I knew it."I sigh

"Who said anything about bets?"

"Error and I almost walked in on my brothers discussing it. Apparently, the gang had been betting on how long it would take, and my brothers were debating who would make the move. Horror seemed to be more concerned with how we are instead of how long it takes for that day to come from what I hear. And I know how you can be with bets, Lust. The fact that you wouldn't drop the question or focus on this at all when today's meant to be about you told me that something else was going on. Plus I can sense your hopes."

"Oh dear...How did Error take that? It must've been awkward."

"Well, it was a bit awkward. But then Obscuro started teasing Nightmare which made Error laugh, giving a less awkward subject to walk in on. I just hope he doesn't feel pressured after hearing that or that it's expected of him. I've had to assure him that he doesn't have to follow norms and that I'm fine with us but I can imagine that's hard when you hear that your group has been making bets of what they expect from you."I say

"Yeah..."Swap says

"Hmm...That's understandable...And he's not much of a party person, right?"

"He doesn't like crowds."I say

"Hmmm, well if it helps, let him know he can wear his feather boa if it makes him more comfortable."

I smile appreciatively at him.

"Yeah, that may help him."

We continue chatting and once done with that, Lust goes back to chat with his brother while Swap joins me to return home. We smile as we chat and then I feel something wrap around my ankles. I glance down, seeing different roots wrapped around my ankles and preventing me from moving.

"Uuuh...This is new..."I say

"You need a hand? Let me help you."Swap says, reaching out his hand.

Then I get pulled lower with my bottom half swallowed up by the ground. Roots yank my arms down and I frown.

"This feels like quicksand...or perhaps it's just that fast...Umm...I don't know...You should step back, Swap..."I say

"Dre-"

Then I get pulled completely underground and I'm unable to see or hear anything. Then I feel something wrap around my soul, squeeze it and I can't even yell. Then there's a rumbling in the ground and I can feel something growing near me. Then I feel my ankle get yanked and I feel my body slip through a portal, hitting the ground roughly. It feels like my body is extremely weaker.

"Seems like my trap worked. Now the question is what to do first...Let me grab the next invention..."A voice says

I slowly lift my head and everything is blurry, then I shut my eyes as my soul tries to recover.

What's going on...? Wait...This must be the inventor...

When I open my eyes, I find myself in a bed. A bed that's not mine and feels quite stiff like it's made of plastic. I get up and find that my clothes aren't my own. The first thing I notice is a frilly collar tied with a large bow. Then the sleeves had ruffles at the shoulders then went to cuffed ends at my wrists. I glance down seeing some fabric making a wrap skirt to my knees with black shorts underneath once checking. I had small shoes with bows on the front and high stockings as well. I check my head, finding a little ribbon tied in a bow on the back of my head. I checked a mirror, seeing that the bows were a faint green and quite big while the rest of my outfit were faint orange or nearly yellow. The shoes were light green too. I don't even recognize the room and feel very uncomfortable with the situation. I glance around, noticing how everything looks like it is made of plastic or stiff. Upon closer inspection, I found logos of toy brands and assembling instructions or markings indicating how small it was. I quickly learned from the small sizes that I got shrunk down and frowned, wondering what this inventor could want with me...Am I just a toy now? Stuck in a toy house? I'm certainly dressed up like one and placed in a dollhouse. Then I leave the room, finding a staircase that shakes under my feet as if ready to be removed from the toy set. I find a kitchen with food that is so fake that it's clearly toy accessories. I see a pair of giant eyes hidden behind goggles looking in through the windows and jolt.

"Hmm....I don't know if I like you in that style...You won't need the rest of this."The stranger says

I see my clothes, phone, bag, and accessories in a stack multiple times the size of me, solidifying the fact that I was shrunk down. I watch as it all falls through a portal that quickly shuts once it falls through. I step back, incredibly creeped out.

"Hey Ssssofia, I heard you were connecting with Fate and wasss wondering---what is that?"I hear Evelyn say

"My play area. This is a new toy I was lucky to get with Fate's help. My new inventions made it easier than I expected...Fate gave me plenty of advantages to make it happen which I am grateful for...This is going to be fun..."The one with goggles says

I see Evelyn peek her head in and frown as her red eyes spot me.

"Thisss isss not how I expected us to meet again...Sssofia, let him go. Thisss is not how to treat him..."

"But I don't wanna!"

"Do you wanna deal with hissss brothersss then? Or hisss mother? What about hisss boyfriend and sssoon to be fiance?"

My face burns and I try to hide from their sight.

"I don't see a ring!"

"Did you see an earring?"

"Yes, so what?"

"That's his partner's! You don't want to deal with him! And his mom is mad enough! Do you wanna face an angry Nim?"

"Oh, Fate promised that I wouldn't deal with his mother!"

"How can she promise that?"

"Because she is super powerful! Besides, he won't be alone for long!"

They continue arguing and I slip back upstairs to the bedroom I woke up in. I shut the toy curtains and sit down. Is this really what I'm stuck with? Is Error next? Who will be put with me? I frown, tugging off the odd shoes and the stockings. I keep trying to find something to lock onto. My soul pounds and I still feel extremely weak from whatever squeezed my soul before I got dropped by this stranger. I have to be careful what I do with my remaining power or energy, then sense a lot of positivity from Blip.

I take that as my chance and teleport to it, finding myself dozens of feet in the air and landing in Error's web of strings. I find a dozen puppets around me and glance down, seeing that I'm hundreds of feet in the air above the floor of the antivoid. Falling would cause critical wounds. Error sits grumbling on his beanbag as he makes another puppet and Blip smiles warmly at him, leaning on the beanbag from behind him.

"WhAt hAs y0u s0 fruStrAtEd, br0tHeR?"

"WaLkEd In On DrEaM'S bROThErS hAvInG a c0nv3rsAti0n aNd iT wAs tHe m0st AwkwArD th1nG t0 wAlK iN oN! ThEy aNd tHe gAnG hAvE bEeN bEtTiNg oN tHe relati0nsh1p eXcePt f0r h0rRoR! AnD tHeY wErE diScuSsiNg tHe cHaNc3 oF m3 plAnNiNg s0meThiNg! In DrEaM's h0m3!"

"ThEy'r3 n0t wr0nG tHouGh, aRe tHeY?"

My face burns up hearing that.

"I d0n'T n3eD dReAm kn0wiNg tHaT! FiFty y3aRs g0n3 g1v3s m3 t1m3 t0 plAn aNd eArNs h1m t1m3 t0 r3lAx, n0t rUsH iNt0 s0m3tH1nG tHaT c0ulD b3 sTreSsFuL! AnD tHe lAsT tHiNg I wAnT iS f0r a chAt wItH hiS br0tHeRs t0 exp0s3 iT! WhAt iF hE aSkEd? ThAt w0ulD'v3 b3eN uNbeArAblE AnD i w0ulD'v3 crAsHeD!"

I glance around, trying to figure out what to do. I try not to listen since he is venting his frustrations and I'm not meant to hear this. I spot a nearby puppet of Error with a loose jacket, then grin. I climb across the strings to it and carefully slip the jacket off of the puppet. I slip the jacket on, see it cover me, and grin. It feels much more comfortable and hides the outfit I was put in. I glance down, seeing them both stiffen up and go silent as I try to crawl across the strings to a secure space.

"Do y0u s3nsE tHaT?"

"YeP. YoUr b0yfri3nd iS h3re."

Then I see Obscuro appear and glance around as he appears covered in dirt.

"Can either of you check the code of the property?"

"WhY?"

"Swap was walking Brother home when he suddenly got swallowed up by the ground and a tree sprouted full of apples. I've been digging to find him but got nothing. His things suddenly appeared beside the tree and it doesn't make sense so I want to see if something is being manipulated."

"ThAt's oDd b3caUsE w3 caN s3ns3 h1m. I wiLl g0 ch3ck tHe c0d3 f0r y0u."

I see our brothers disappear through a portal. I see Error glance around.

"DrEaMy? YoU oKaY? I kNoW y0u'rE herE! JuSt sHoUt aNd i'Ll guiDe y0u fr0m th3 3mptin3sS!"He shouts

This will need some explaining...Someone will need to tell me about that tree and I'll have to piece together what happened for them. This feels so weird...

"Up here..."I say

His head snaps upward and he frowns, scanning for me among the puppets. He puts his glasses on and frowns, lifting himself in strings to examine closer. I couldn't do much without risking that I'd fall. He notices me and his face burns up seeing me.

"TiNy...DrEaMy?"

I glance up at him and he carefully lifts me in his hand. I pull the jacket shut so he doesn't see the ridiculous outfit I was put in. He examines my bare feet carefully, already checking for more scars or injuries. I smile slightly at him, appreciating the care that he has in his gaze for me.

"Wh3rE'd y0u g3t tHaT jAcKeT?"

"I umm, took it from a puppet...I'd rather it from what I was put in."I say

He notices my tight grip keeping it shut.

"DrEamY? WhAt hApPeNEd t0 y0u?"

"I...I'm still putting it together...Swap was walking to the house with me when roots suddenly pulled me into the ground and it felt like quicksand. I got pulled underground, felt something grab my soul and drain it before I got yanked through a portal while still feeling weak. Turns out it's Fate's new soul selection and this one likes toys...She was given a lot of fake promises by Fate and had set a trap from what I understand. Next thing I know I'm in a toy bed of a toy house with her watching and planning to give me some company...She looked like a kid. Evelyn checked on her and they started to argue about the situation which gave me a chance to find a way out. I teleported to Blip's happiness but landed up here..."

"CaN I cHeCk yOu? I sEe tHe bOw on yOuR hEaD aNd hOpE yOu wErEn'T a gIfT tO aNyOnE..."

I shake my head.

"She...changed my clothes at some point after shrinking me...You can check but nothing hurts...Just feel drained."

I loosen my grip and he opens the jacket to examine me. I see his face burn a bit more and his gaze scans me multiple times, making my face burn. I feel so ridiculous...I watch as one of his puppets of me gets lowered into sight beside him and some strings slither closer to me in the palm of his hand. His gaze focuses on the puppet instead and with a flick of his finger, the strings zip into action. They take the clothes off of me faster than I can process this and replace them with the puppet's clothes. I blinked and it was done and the jacket was resting on my elbows, waiting to be tugged up if I chose to lift it. I see the outfit I was put in now resting on the puppet of me. Error seemed to focus on it that entire time as a way of giving me privacy. He glances at me again and sighs.

"As gOoD aS yOu loOkEd in tHaT, I dOn'T liKe tHe iDeA tHaT yOu wErE foRcEd tO wEaR iT. I hOpE tHiS mAkEs yOu mOrE cOmFoRtAbLe."

"It does...Thank you, Erry."

He grins and then I see the puppet wearing the outfit get erased and ripped into nothing as if it never existed. He places me on his shoulder and grins wider. I pull the jacket on me properly and lean against him. I see his face burn brightly and smile.

Then Nightmare appears down below, glancing around.

"Dream?"

"I g0t h1m. S0me0n3 t0oK h1m aNd sHruNk h1m."Erry says

He lowers down and I glance up at Nightmare.

"Dream...How does your soul feel?"

"It was squeezed and I feel drained but don't know the clear reason..."

"I think the reason is in your front yard."

Error opens a portal and steps through with Nightmare. I see a large tree beside the one that has grown for my family...The one I planted with Obscuro that I have marked with my family's initials or colors to include Nightmare and Palette. The new tree is full of black apples, yellow apples, and a mix of both colors. I gaze in awe at it, seeing that it sprouted where I sunk into the trap. Then Error raises his hand and opens a code screen.

"PutTiNG a bArRiEr oN THAT sO gReEd dOeSn'T mAkE hIsToRy rEpEaT iTsElF."He says

Nightmare snaps his fingers and the incredibly tall fence that surrounded the property is shortened to a more reasonable height. He glances at me and sighs.

"It seems that your soul was drained and made this tree. I can sense your aura so it didn't take everything but it definitely drained your soul."

"It w0uLd mAk3 s3nsE f0r thAt s1nc3 h1s c0d3 hAs a miX 0f botH...hAd, I m3aN. It'S jUsT poSitiVe n0w."Error says

My gaze scans the ground carefully and I notice Swap is keeping my brother and Blip from stepping off the front deck.

"Why do they look so unsettled?"

"Well, I was pulled under and the tree sprouted out of nowhere. I don't know how the tree grew but I was pulled under for a trap. I'm not sure if other traps were placed. It was a new soul chosen by Fate...a kid looking for new toys that placed the traps..."

"SeALiNg ThEm uP nOW."

I glance at him and smile. Then my soul turns blue and gets pulled to Obscuro, who nuzzles his head against mine seeming relieved, and then Swap pats my head with a look of relief. Then they both grin.

"Why am I not surprised that you are wearing his jacket?"Obscuro says

"Your stuff landed here and that had to be the weirdest sequence of events in a whi-"

"ShiT! I t0ok 0n3 sTeP!"Error says

I glance over, seeing that he's halfway in the ground already. Nightmare's tentacles are feeling along the ground, checking from traps or sinkhole areas.

"That's just dumb luck, Error. That seems to be the only spot your code didn't seal."

I see him start glitching and error signs fill his vision, then he gets yanked deeper where only his hand is above ground.

"Not again!"

"I know where he's getting taken. Seal it up and check the surrounding area for traps. I don't want anyone else getting caught."I say, hopping out of Obscuro's hand.

I run to Error and grab his hand, getting pulled under with him. The opening seals up and we fall through a portal, Error's body glitching out as he hits the ground, then quickly gets an injection.

"Well, this is convenient...Hm, that outfit seems alright for now. I'll put you back into place while I get him ready."

I get placed back in the dollhouse and the roof shuts, blocking me from getting out. I go to the window, seeing Error shrinking in his clothes and holding his head, overwhelmed by the glitching and sounding like he's in pain. He starts patting around blindly, calling for me but then crashes. Sofia or whoever this is picks him up and places him on a table.

"I'll have to get more creative for more toys!"

Oh no...

TBC