Late Night Lullabies - Chapter 5

Instructions

The path back to the SMP was quieter than George expected. Sapnap led the way, his armor clinking softly with every step, while Dream walked beside George, his hand brushing against his now and then. George wanted to say something, to break the silence, but he couldn’t shake the knot of unease in his stomach. When they reached the main area of the SMP, it was immediately clear something was wrong. Tommy was pacing frantically near the Prime Path, gesturing wildly as Tubbo tried to calm him down. Niki stood nearby, her arms crossed and her face grim, while Philza and Technoblade were deep in conversation near the community house. Tommy spotted them first. “Finally!” he shouted, storming toward Dream. “Where the hell have you been?” “Calm down, Tommy,” Dream said evenly, his mask tilted slightly as he regarded the younger boy. “What’s going on?” “What’s going on?” Tommy repeated, his voice rising. “What’s going on is those two”—he pointed aggressively at Philza and Technoblade—“are planning something, and no one will tell me what it is!” Dream glanced toward Techno and Phil, who were watching the scene unfold with matching expressions of mild amusement. “What makes you think they’re up to something?” “Oh, I don’t know,” Tommy said, throwing his hands in the air. “Maybe the fact that Techno’s been sharpening his axe for hours and Phil keeps muttering about ‘necessary sacrifices’ or some crap like that!” Dream sighed, pinching the bridge of his nose beneath the mask. “Tommy, take a breath.” George stepped forward, placing a hand on Tommy’s arm. “Why don’t we just talk to them? See what’s going on before we jump to conclusions.” Tommy scowled but didn’t pull away. “Fine. But if they’re planning to blow something up, I’m taking the first swing.” Dream chuckled softly. “Let’s hope it doesn’t come to that.” As they approached Phil and Techno, George couldn’t help but notice the way Dream’s posture shifted—his shoulders squared, his movements precise. It was a stark contrast to the relaxed, open Dream he’d been with earlier, and it reminded George just how much Dream carried with him every day. “Phil. Techno,” Dream said, his voice calm but firm. “What’s going on?” Philza looked up, his eyes sharp beneath the brim of his hat. “We’re preparing.” “For what?” George asked before he could stop himself. Techno smirked, resting his axe on his shoulder. “For the inevitable. This server’s been on the brink of collapse for ages. It’s only a matter of time before it all falls apart.” “That doesn’t mean you have to help it along,” Dream said, his tone colder now. “Helping?” Philza chuckled. “Dream, mate, we’re not the ones who set this world on fire. We’re just trying to survive the fallout.” George felt Dream tense beside him, and without thinking, he reached out, his fingers brushing Dream’s. It was a small gesture, but it was enough to ground him. “We don’t have to let it fall apart,” Dream said quietly. “We can still fix this.” Techno’s smirk widened. “You really believe that? After everything that’s happened?” Dream didn’t answer immediately, his gaze flickering to George. For a moment, the weight of everything—of the wars, the betrayals, the endless cycle of conflict—seemed to hang in the air. But then he straightened, his voice steady. “I have to believe it,” he said. The conversation ended shortly after that, with Phil and Techno retreating to their own corner of the server and Tommy grumbling about keeping an eye on them. Dream and George lingered by the community house, the weight of the day pressing down on them. “You okay?” George asked softly, his hand brushing against Dream’s again. Dream sighed, pulling off his mask and running a hand through his hair. “I don’t know. I want to believe we can fix this, but… sometimes it feels like I’m just holding back the tide.” George stepped closer, his voice gentle. “You’re not alone in this, you know. You’ve got me. And Sapnap. And even Tommy, annoying as he is.” Dream chuckled, the sound soft but genuine. “Yeah. I know.” He turned to look at George, his green eyes searching. “Thanks for being here. I don’t think I say that enough.” George smiled, his heart warming. “You don’t have to. I’m not going anywhere.” For a moment, they just stood there, the world around them fading into the background. Dream reached out, his hand cupping George’s cheek as he leaned in, their foreheads touching once more. “Whatever happens,” Dream said quietly, “I’m glad I have you.” George’s smile widened, and he tilted his head just enough to press a soft kiss to Dream’s lips. “You always will,” he murmured. As the sun began to set, casting the SMP in hues of gold and orange, Dream felt something he hadn’t felt in a long time: hope. ...