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They woke up slowly, the morning after they were married. Fundy had to fight the urge to fall back asleep. Dream looked bleary-eyed, soft and disheveled as he stretched out like a cat on top of him. It was a captivating sight, ending in Dream leaning down to plant a gentle kiss on Fundy's nose, and Fundy was smitten all over again.
They didn't really get dressed. Fundy found a pair of soft cotton pajama pants, and Dream ignored his wedding attire in favor of plucking one of Fundy's shirts out of the closet and slipping it on. They were the same size, Fundy realized, and his tail wagged at the thought; they could share clothes.
Dream wandered into the kitchen, Fundy following close behind. He nearly bumped into Dream as he stopped abruptly in the middle of the floor. He looked around before glancing back at him, brow furrowed.
"We're having breakfast together?" Dream asked, uncertainty clouding his voice.
Fundy nodded so vigorously he felt almost like a bobble-head. "Absolutely, yeah. What would you like? I have bread, eggs, there should be some fruit- oh! We can eat the leftover cake if you have a sweet tooth. Whatever you're feeling. We could even go to McPuffy's if you're up to it-"
He felt like his words were stumbling over themselves, rambling, but Dream didn't seem to mind. He looked through various barrels and began pulling out ingredients, setting them in neat little rows. He pulled out a pan next, setting it on the stove, before turning to give him a warm smile. Fundy halted his words, melting.
"Would you be interested in french toast?" Dream nodded to the pan.
Fundy's ears perked up. "That sounds good! But you don't have to if you-"
"I want to." Dream interrupted. He said a little more quietly. "I want to, for you."
Oh.
He could feel the flush on his cheeks, heart swelling until he fell overwhelmed with giddiness. For you for you for you.
He leaned in to nuzzle Dream's cheek, hoping even a fraction of the affection he was feeling could translate. Dream tensed in surprise for a moment before relaxing, and the joy bubbled and fizzed as he nuzzled back.
"How can I help?" Fundy asked.
Dream instructed him with animated gestures. Butter in the pan, egg in the bowl. He didn't raise his voice or become irritated when Fundy admitted to lacking a whisk, instead grabbing a fork and letting their shoulders bump gently.
"I learned how to cook from Bad." Dream explained as he whisked the egg. "So if there's anything that's not- if it isn't right, then you can blame him."
"No, no, it looks right to me." Fundy shook his head, then paused. "Probably. I mean, I don't know anything about this sort of thing."
The fork clinked inside the bowl as it stirred. "About cooking?"
"About french toast. Breakfast making. The whole works. I just grab something and go."
A memory floated from the depths of his mind. He was pretty sure, somewhere way back, that his father and grandfather had eaten breakfast with him before. It hadn't been especially interesting for a child- he couldn't remember what the adults were discussing, but he knew he had considered it boring- but the sausages tasted like they were cooked in honey, and his father had sat next to him for a full half hour before his attention went out the door and he along with it. It hadn't happened again, and Fundy had learned that the best breakfasts were the ones you could bring with you and easy to store.
"'The whole works,'" Dream repeated thoughtfully. His brow was furrowed. Fundy fought the urge to smooth away the tension with his thumb. Dream shook his head and shot Fundy a faint smile. "I don't know if this really counts as that, but it's something at least."
He showed Fundy how he dipped the bread, then threw the first couple onto the pan with a satisfying sizzle. They created a small routine, Fundy dipping bread, and Dream flipping it. It felt strangely peaceful; one of the most powerful men he knew was sprinkling cinnamon and sugar over a cooking pan, and the morning sun was warming his face. A domesticity he felt he could sink into and never leave.
The first pieces burned, of course. Dream had hissed under his breath, and Fundy could feel the confidence physically drain from the man beside him.
"There's still plenty more," Fundy tried to soothe, hesitating for a moment before rubbing his back. "Things usually never turn out right on the first go anyway."
"I'm getting sloppy. I've done these plenty of times before, it should be easy for me." Dream muttered, but he leaned into the comfort.
The second pieces didn't burn, though their appearance was an absolute mess. Dream had scowled at them the entire time, only dropping it when Fundy had set them on the 'finished' plate, officially making them the bottom of the stack.
The third, fourth, and fifth gradually became neater and cleaner, until Dream grinned in triumph and set the final piece at the top.
"Not perfect, but good."
The countertop was cleaned quickly and they didn't bother grabbing more plates. Dream pulled out several handfuls of sweet berries and spread them all over the toppling stack.
"It's better this way," he had insisted. In turn, he looked appalled as Fundy poured an obscene amount of syrup all over it.
"Syrup is really good." He defended, unrepentant, and Dream sputtered as he attempted to save the bottom pieces from drowning. Fundy would have felt a little bad, maybe offered to grab Dream a separate plate, but there was a cheer to Dream again, a spark in his eyes as he teased, you want some toast with your syrup? and Fundy could only bask in the warmth of it all.
A single piece remained when they finished, sticky and soaked. Dream refused to touch it and Fundy was full, so he trashed it and washed the plate, giggling as Dream attempted to put his hands under the faucet alongside it.
"Syrup feels gross." He complained.
"You're the one who wanted to make french toast." Fundy tried to stifle his snort, thumping his tail against Dream's back.
"Starve then, next time." Dream rolled his eyes, and suddenly a washcloth was being shoved in his face. "Your fur got sticky, here-"
He took Fundy's face in his hand and scrubbed his cheek. It only lasted a moment, and it was with a firm, practical hand, but Fundy still felt like sparks were dancing under his skin. Was this what it was like to have someone alongside you every day, to exist knowing you were wanted? Cared about? It seemed like a dream, but it was real and wonderful and good.
"What do you want to do now?" He asked eagerly as he watched Dream toss the cloth into the sink.
Dream paused. A conflicted look passed over his face.
"I have things I have to do today." He glanced out the window. "I still need to check on Tommy-"
"You can do that later in the afternoon!" Fundy suggested. Truthfully, he'd rather say Dream not bother with it at all. He didn't want to end their time together so soon, much less because of Tommy... but he didn't want to be pushy; Dream was his husband, not his- servant, or someone he could just order around.
(husband husband husband, his heart sang.)
Dream reached out and entwined their hands. "Alright. Then let's go sit. You can tell me what all those marbles in the living room are for."
Fundy grinned goofily. "Yeah?'
Dream grinned back, and tugged him into the living room. "Yeah."
--
Fundy snuggled deeper into Dreams arms, pressing another kiss against his lips. The couch was a bit small for them both to be laying on it, but they managed. The marble game Fundy had been teaching Dream how to play had been hastily shoved into a corner, save for a few pink marbles that had rolled themselves under the couch. He'd worry about them later. Or step on them, more likely. Either way, he was currently experiencing bliss, and that was far more important.
Of course, because the server seemed to exist only to perpetuate his suffering, it was when he felt the most comfortable and cozy that there was a heavy knock on the door.
Dream made a grumbly noise, hugging Fundy tighter. Fundy briefly debated the benefits of not bothering to get up. It sounded like a great idea from where he was laying.
Another knock, sharper. Don't ignore me.
Fundy sighed and wiggled his was out of Dream's hold and into a standing position. Dream opened one eye and gave a baleful stare, reminding Fundy of a disgruntled cat. A very cute one.
The third knock was more fist than knuckle. He regretfully made for the door.
"What's happening?" He couldn't stop a yawn as he pulled it open. He was meant with the iciest stare he had had ever encountered.
"I'm here for Dream." Punz said flatly, shoving his hands in his pockets. He looked like he was one wrong move away from putting a knife between Fundy's eyes, and Fundy suddenly felt utterly puckish.
"My husband is busy at the moment." He drawled, leaning against the doorway. Punz's eyes tightened at the corners, and Fundy was reminded that he was in fact shirtless. Implications were fun and to be used to their fullest extent. "I'm pretty sure honeymoons are supposed to be two weeks long."
"Let me in or I'll break your fingers." Punz growled. Fundy tried not to let his glee show on his face, but he must have failed, because Punz shoved him outright, pushing his way in and bee-lining straight for the lump of Dream on the couch.
"Dream," He heard Punz whisper urgently as they knelt to the ground. "Are you good?"
Fundy righted himself, closing the door and smoothing his fur down.
"He's fine." Fundy called. Punz ignored him. Rude. The guy had no manners.
Dream pushed himself into a sitting position. There was a bleariness in his eyes that he blinked away, posture loose and comfortable despite his bare legs and the tension in Punz.
"I'm good." He answered with a reassuring smile. "I just- I decided to finish the ceremony here, instead. I didn't want any more interruptions."
Punz's brow formed a hard line, and they nodded. "I get that. I just wanted to make sure. You didn't answer your comm."
Dream winced. Fundy bristled at them, though Punz didn't see it. He didn't know why Punz was so nosy, and the not-knowing made him a feel a bit prickly.
"I got tired and fell asleep. I'm sorry about that." Dream said lamely, but Punz shook their head and lightly knocked their foreheads together.
"No, it's just good to know you were safe." Punz glanced at Fundy, coldness obvious on their face, then turned back to Dream. "You stayed with him?"
"Of course, he's my husband." Dream answered like it was obvious, because it was. It was the most obvious thing in the world. Fundy could feel himself light up, and the warmth in the look Dream shot him made his insides turn to melted marshmallows.
"Dream." There was an exasperation to Punz's tone.
"It's fine." Dream sounded equally exasperated. "Really. I had it under control. Everything's still going to plan."
"But it didn't, or you would have come back." Punz insisted. "And after everything that happened, staying with him could have- I don't think it's the best idea."
Fundy fluffed up angrily. "Hey!"
"We weren't-" Dream paused his protest, something flickering in his expression. He stood abruptly, pulling Punz with him, and marched to the bedroom.
"Sorry, give us a second." Dream said curtly. He herded Punz inside and shut the door.
For ten seconds, Fundy stood dumbfounded as he processed. He repeated the conversation in his mind, then did it again. Frustration tore at him. He hated being out of the loop like this, especially when it involved him. Whatever the hell Punz's problem was- OK, so maybe he knew exactly why Punz was still mad at him, but it had been funny- it didn't mean they could just dismiss him, or imply he'd be a threat to Dream's safety.
(He wouldn't, would he? The doubt planted itself in his mind for a moment, anxiety rooting deep, before he took a deep breath and crushed it. No. No he wouldn't. This was the first good thing to happen to him since... everything. He'd keep Dream safe, in good times and bad. He promised.)
The voices behind the door picked up, heated, and his ears pricked forward. Cautiously, he crept towards the door and strained to listen.
Not that he had to strain very hard. Fox ears and all. Hybrid traits weren't always just a neat aesthetic.
"-but you're getting attached."
Fundy nearly flinched back at the scorn underlying the word.
"It won't hinder the mission." Dream said in a steely tone.
"You can't promise that when it already has; you haven't missed a meeting before this, Dream."
"It was a one time thing. I'll make sure to not to schedule things with Fundy so closely to our meetings the future. That was on me."
"You're still planning on seeing that guy." It wasn't a question.
"Yes."
"He's on their side, Dream. You know the shit he's pulled before. And if you had been at the meeting last night, you'd know that the wedding was always meant to go down like that. He shouldn't even be with you right now."
There was a long pause. Fundy could hear his heart beating in his chest.
Finally, Dream spoke in a small voice. "... what?"
"Ender confirmed it; its canon." There was silence for a moment. When Punz spoke again, his voice was closer, where Dream was. "I know it was hard, what happened. I'd tear out his tongue for you for what he did-"
"Punz." Dream scolded.
"I know." Punz's voice was fond. "But we can't let our attachments blind us to what's true. Fundy is with the enemy, he's been with the enemy since the very beginning. You can't trust him just because of a fancy party and a sleepover."
"He could be an asset." Dream protested, but it was weak, and Fundy's heart dropped into his stomach.
"He could kill you when your back is turned." Punz countered firmly.
I wouldn't. Fundy felt the words caught in his throat, begging to be shouted. He felt like his entire being was vibrating with energy and he was a moment from explosion.
Everything was quiet on the other side. Dream said nothing in response. Fox ears strained, picking up only the faintest, shakiest breath.
In the silence, Punz's words became the trigger. "Even if he leaves, Dream, I won't. I promise."
That was enough. Fundy slammed the door open, the force of it sounding like a gunshot.
"Shut. Up."
Punz and Dream startled away from each other, Punz's grip on Dream’s shoulder- something that made Fundy hiss- fell off, a sword appearing in their hand on instinct. Like Fundy was the threat in the room.
He didn't know what the hell was going on or what all the secrecy was about, but whatever anyone else thought, Fundy was on Dream's side, and Punz was going to have to fight him if he wanted to try and make Dream think otherwise; he wouldn't be pushed away so easily.
He marched over to Dream, placing himself between the two like a shield. It was him who would take the blow this time, consequences be damned.
Instantly, Punz's entire figure became as tense as a spring lock, ready to snap.
"Back off from him." Punz said in a low voice. Their sword glinted dangerously. Fundy stood his ground.
"I should be the one saying that." Fundy growled back. A hand on his shoulder made him glance back at Dream's concerned expression.
"It's alright, Fundy. He's not going to hurt me."
"He's lying to you!" Fundy glared at the mercenary. "He's making up stuff and trying to make you think I'm gonna leave."
"I was only telling him what you already are." Punz stepped closer, and the tip of their sword hovered close to his throat. "A troublemaker, a liar, and a man who values country over people."
"Punz." Dream warned, and raised a hand to cover Fundy's neck, forcing Punz to pull their sword back to keep from catching him on their blade. Fundy flushed, leaning into the intimate touch.
"I'm not." he said, soft. Then, stronger. "I don't. I'm not gonna leave Dream for Lmanberg."
Punz snorted in disbelief, but Fundy kept going. "Yeah, I was all for the place before, it was fun, getting to play all those pranks and run around with the others, and- and it was dad's. I liked the idea of making him happy. And it did...! Until it didn't anymore."
He sagged a little. Dream squeezed his shoulder.
"I wanted to be with my friends, and if they didn't want me anymore, at least I still got to be part of something that was his, even if it was blown up and stupid and belonged to someone else."
There. He said it out loud. It felt a little pathetic, admitting that he cared about what his father had wanted. He was supposed to be living for himself, now, not Wilbur. But there were little pieces of his heart that only seemed to fracture worse every time he thought about it. He felt lonely, and he hated feeling lonely.
He thought he'd been wilting in the darkness of his father's shadow, but now his father was dead, and the world was still dark.
Slowly, Dream moved to wrap his arms around Fundy in a loose embrace. Warmth spread in his chest as his dearest husband buried his face in the back of his neck. A tiny, barely noticeable kiss was placed there, as if uncertain of how it would be received, but it was welcome. Of course it was welcome, how could it ever be anything but? He reached up to feel Dream's hair run through his fingers, hoping he could reassure. I'm ok.
Punz made a show of rolling their eyes, mockery obvious. "You say all that, but it doesn't mean a thing coming from you. You switched sides three damn times and there's nothing stopping you from making it a fourth. I'm going to need a lot more than that to start believing you, bee-killer."
"That's what this is really about, isn't it?" Fundy bristled, pulling himself out of Dream's arms. "You don't care about anything I have to say, you just want to be pissed off about the stupid prank I pulled on you months ago."
"Of course you'd think that," Punz snarled with such fury that Fundy took a step back in shock. Punz pointed his sword at him, as if accusing. "You're too busy thinking about yourself and your own little world to see the bigger picture of what's going on you ignorant, feeble-minded-"
"That's enough!"
Dream's voice held such command that Fundy felt as if the world had been forced into stillness. His husband darted out to grab hold of the sharp edge of Punz's blade, but his fingers hadn't even curled over it before they vanished it into their inventory, alarm clear on their face.
"Dream, your hand-"
"It's fine." He dismissed. He stepped back to show off his undamaged palm with a small wave. "You didn't cut me."
Punz looked like they wanted to argue, but they were silent, face ashen. Fundy felt much the same; every muscle in his body was unbearably tense, bracing itself for the blow that never came. He exhaled slowly, fighting the urge to pull Dream close and maybe hide away forever; his husband stood apart from both of them in that moment, clearly attempting to mediate their fight. If Fundy pushed for closeness, it might seem like he was asking Dream to take his side, and he wouldn't, he wouldn't. He could never make things harder on him like that.
"Are you okay?" He asked instead. His voice sounded small. His husband's glance was soft, before schooling itself into the calm neutrality of a leader.
"Don't worry about me. Right now we have to settle things so we can move forward with what's to come."
Dream rubbed his face. He looked very tired.
"Punz, Fundy has no way of knowing the things happening beyond the server, so yelling at him for it is pointless and dumb."
Punz crossed his arms but said nothing. Dream turned to Fundy.
"I know this might be a little strange, but even if the way Punz said it was aggressive-" Dream grimaced. Behind him, Punz didn't look the least bit sorry. "- there's a lot more going on than just personal issues. We can't just assume because we're married that we'll always be on the same side."
"Please listen-" Fundy pleaded, but Dream interrupted.
"That's why I think you should have the option to choose whether you should be."
Punz jerked. "What?"
"Punz, wait outside." Dream said calmly.
"Dream."
"Punz."
It was an entire argument in two words. Punz left the room, unhappy but without the storm that Tommy would have made in an argument with Tubbo. It left Fundy feeling strangely off-kilter as the door shut- not slammed- neatly behind them.
"He's probably listening in." Fundy said.
"Of course he is." Dream shrugged, and then raised a knowing eyebrow. "Wouldn't you?"
Fundy lowered his ears and blushed. He wasn't really ashamed, but something about being called out by his husband made him a little sheepish. "Just to make sure everything was okay."
"Sure." Dream snickered as he dragged Fundy over to the bed, sitting them both down on the wrinkled sheets.
They never made the bed, Fundy noted, wondering if they ever would become the sort of people that made their beds every morning. He never cared to before, and he didn't know if Dream did either, but they could. They could become the sort of people who tidied every weekend, who drunk coffee and ate breakfast together in the mornings. Dream would kiss Fundy goodbye when they went out every day, and Fundy would kiss him hello every evening, and there would be no sides to choose from, because they supported each other, always.
His husband reached out to take his hand, holding it loosely in his lap. "I'm going to need you to take this seriously. Not that I haven't think you have been, but just to make sure you understand what you're getting into, yeah?"
"Absolutely," Fundy nodded. He squeezed Dream's hand. "Whatever you need."
Dream shook his head. "Its not about what I need. Its about what you need. Because I'm not asking to borrow some diamonds or anything. This is about whether you can handle the responsibility of the entire server."
Fundy blinked. "The server-?"
Dream put a hand over his muzzle. "Let me finish."
Fundy closed his mouth, nodding. Dream was the admin, so it probably made sense that all this secrecy was about server stuff. He wasn't well versed in it compared to his grandfather, and even then, his grandfather was weird even for an admin he was pretty sure, so he couldn't make too big of an assumption on what his husband was doing.
"There is something going on that is causing problems for the server, something that can't be actively spoken about. The repercussions of this getting out to the wrong people could mean the permanent destruction of the server and everyone who's ever stepped foot on it."
Fundy's blood ran cold. What?
"Punz and I, as well as other people, have come up with a plan to stop this." Dream said firmly, rubbing his thumb into Fundy's palm. "We are taking action, which is why I had a meeting after our wedding I was supposed to attend. It was wrong of me not to go, and I'm going to prioritize those meetings in the future."
Even over us, were the words unspoken. Fundy couldn't argue them, nor did he want to; everyone staying alive was a lot more important than a dinner missed, or a date rescheduled.
"But..." His husband's visage seemed horribly, horribly weary. "It's not going to look good. The steps required for me to get everyone through this will make me, and anyone associated with me, every friend and every ally, a enemy of the server, or a target. There's no better way it can be done. Trust me, I've looked at it from every angle I could."
Confusion whirled in his mind, along with dread. Their grip on each other felt like the only steady pillar in the storm.
"When I married you, it wasn't my intent for you to get involved in this. Officially, its to make server ties stronger, but unofficially? I just- I care about you. And I need to say that now, before this goes too far and I'm not allowed to say it anymore. Because when I become the big villain of the server, I can't let us be seen together. I can't be a picture perfect husband to other people on the server, and I know that's not what you were signing on for, and I'm sorry for that."
"I wasn't looking for a good reputation from you." Fundy blurted out, startling Dream. "I wasn't thinking that. I know you're not the most well liked person, and you don't have to be, I don't care about that."
"But its not just about looking good to look good, its about you being safe." Dream argued. "Respect isn't going to keep people from putting a knife in your back if they think it'll get to me. Fear can only keep them away for so long."
"Maybe I don't want to be safe without you." Fundy retorted, pulling their hands out of Dream's lap to let them fall on the bed.
"I'm one of the most skilled fighters on the server; I can handle myself." Dream reminded him.
"There's a lot more to being safe than just that."
"But it matters a lot, here."
Fundy's tail thumped in annoyance, but then his husband sighed, leaning forward to rest his head against Fundy's shoulder, and the anger left as soon as it arrived, leaving only a bit of glumness.
He nuzzled his soft, blonde hair. "I'm sorry."
"Don't be," His husband murmured. "Its not your fault."
It felt like it anyway. Another area he failed in. Not eloquent enough to be a poet, not strong enough to keep himself safe. Not good enough to be by his husband's side.
"I could come home to you," Dream said so quietly Fundy had to tilt his head to hear. "Even when I'm a villain. We could have breakfast and dinner, and sleep in the same bed, and set up little dates when no one is around to see. I'll still be yours, even when we're not together, and you don't have to get involved in any of this, I swear."
He curled and uncurled the hand that was still holding Dream's. "And what if I want to?"
Dream chuckled humorlessly. "You'd be risking your life, constantly keeping secrets and working as a spy against the server. You could suffer a fate worse than death. And you could never go back once you know everything."
Fundy released their hands and pulled Dream into a hug. "But I'd be able to help, right?"
"Someone else knowing what's going on would make certain aspects easier."
"And we'd be in it together?"
"... yeah, we would."
"Then I'm ready." Fundy said, and he was. He would play his part in keeping the server safe. For Dream, and for himself. He wanted to know why his life was in danger, and what secrets were being kept from everyone around them. He wanted to be a part of something real and true, and he wanted to take away even a fraction of the burden on Dream's shoulders. He could learn to be strong so Dream wouldn't always have to be, instead of being safe inside, alone.
(No longer in the dark, but facing the light of the sun.)
Dream's hug tightened, before he let go and drew away. There was a shine to his eyes that hadn't been there before. "Are you sure?"
"Yep, never been more sure in my life." He grinned and did a small thumbs up.
His husband laughed breathlessly. "Epic."
"Totally." Fundy agreed, and Dream giggled as he threw himself at Fundy. They fell back onto the mattress with an oomph! and then they were both giggling, unable to stop themselves. The world felt wonderfully warm.
In a few minutes Dream would pick himself up and apologize, saying he really did have to go check on Tommy now. Punz would be sitting on the couch, looking unsurprised by Dream informing him that Fundy would be attending their next meeting. Dream would kiss him goodbye, with a promise whispered in his ear, and he'd watch his husband leave with Punz by his side, and the two's shoulders would brush, silently comforting each other over things Fundy didn't understand yet.
(He would, though. Even if he had to get the dumb beehive he left in one of his chests and give it to Punz to show that the bees he stole weren't really dead. Even if it had been funny at the time to pretend they were.)
Things were good now, though. They were so good. Not perfect, but they never had to be, not with Dream.