Chapter Text
Dream saw the blood drain from his father’s face and his own brow furrowed. He’d never seen this man before.
King Viridian had.
His voice came out as a squeak. “Wh- Geppy?”
“Hi, Bad.” The stranger smiled and picked up his pace until he and the king crashed into a bear hug.
George, Dream, and Techno stood dumbfounded as they were forgotten by the green-eyed king.
His eyes brimmed with tears, and his words came slow and gasping. “Skeppy, what are you doing here? Is it really you? What is happening?”
Skeppy was also crying happy tears that leaked onto his green clothes. He was dressed to match Bad’s entourage and emeralds dangled from his ears.
“Yes, Bad. It’s me. You’re not going crazy.” He chuckled and wiped Bad’s tears away before wrapping him in another hug. He sniffed with blue eyes tinged red.
“I’m actually here.”
Bad almost seemed to shut off in disbelief. He kept touching Skeppy like he would fade away any second. “But you- you- I thought I’d never see you again.”
“Me neither.” Skeppy held Bad’s hand up to his cheek and gazed at him tenderly. “But I heard you were coming to Cathens in person, and…”
His smile dropped into sorrow. “Oh, Bad. I’m so sorry. I know how much she meant to you.”
Bad gasped, looking suddenly much younger. He shook his head. “It happened so fast… and then she was… gone, and I was so alone.”
“We’ll always remember her,” Skeppy promised, gently touching his forehead to Bad’s. “Puffy was the gentlest person in the world. You were a good match.”
Bad shook his head with a sob. “I could never match her. She always forgave me, I didn’t deserve it.”
“Yes, you did, Bad. You do.” Skeppy’s voice softened. “You were so gentle, and kind. You did what you thought was right.”
Bad sniffed. “No, no. Skeppy. Puffy and I, we never felt…. Oh, Skeppy. I should’ve chosen you. I’m so sorry.”
“It’s okay, Bad. It hurt for a long time, but I’ve accepted it. I forgive you. It would’ve been hard, maybe impossible for us. You still had a good marriage with Puffy, and a son.”
Bad sniffed again; the crown was slipping off his head. “Friends are good, but I wanted a marriage with love. I gave her everything I could… but I missed you, Skeppy. You disappeared.”
“I’m sorry. I just couldn’t stay in Duresh. I moved here, and set up my own little life.”
“Oh. Do- do you-”
“No.” Skeppy’s expression was bittersweet. “No one.”
“Oh,” Bad said again.
George gave the prince a look that silently begged for an explanation.
Dream reeled. He had absolutely no idea what was happening. He’d never seen his father cry, let alone utter his mother’s name.
Techno nudged them and gestured at a6d, whose grin was far too smug as he watched the other two reunite.
“Bad.” Skeppy took the other king’s hand and glanced at the rest of them. “I think you should let your son do this, don’t let your pride get in the way.”
Bad gave him a look. “Skeppy,” he said sternly.
“Baaaad.” He tugged on the royal’s arm with a playful smile.
Bad wiped his eyes, cleared his throat, and straightened his crown. “I will… consider it.”
Dream’s heart leaped and he squeezed George’s arm like a python.
“But-” King Viridian stopped them- “you have to have rules . Clay isn’t moving permanently, and he will still rule Duresh when the time comes.”
George was nodding, but he glared at what the other monarch said next.
“-And teach this boy king idiot how to rule.”
Everyone else collectively went “Whoa, too far!” And Techno literally drew his sword.
George breathed slowly through his nose. “Excuse me, you’re in my country right now. Consider your words carefully. And we still have the matter of the assassins you sent after me.”
King Viridian showed a little embarrassment. “In my defence, you’re incompetent.”
George held out an arm to stop Techno from charging at him, and Bad raised an eyebrow.
Skeppy coughed. “Um, Bad. Speaking as someone who’s lived here the past two decades, King Caleur has proved exceptionally mature and capable despite his age. Did you see the people outside? He’s protected them well.”
King Viridian barely acknowledged him.
“And… your son is engaged to him, so the insults and threats should probably settle down,” Skeppy said emphatically.
“They better.” George had never looked more like a king than that moment. He was still holding Techno like a growling guard dog on a leash.
King Viridian sighed. “Alright, just keep Dream in line. He’s even more childish than you.”
King Caleur ignored the jab and said, “Don’t worry, I’ve learned how to handle his impulsiveness.”
Dream raised his eyebrows. “Oh, have you now? Also, for the record I’m offended.”
One month later…
George saw morning light through his eyelids and slowly opened them. A messy-haired Dream nudged him shyly.
George hummed and signed, “Are you ever going to sleep in your own room?”
“Why would I?” The prince leaned close over his head. “Then I couldn’t wake up with your arms around me.”
“Shut up.” George kissed him.
He was the one who cut it off a while later, sliding to the edge of the bed. “Come on, we have to get dressed.”
“What is it today?” Dream asked lazily. “Riding? Paperwork in the garden? Visiting the people?”
George scoffed lightly as he finished tying a cloth around his waist to keep the tunic in place. “It’s Techno’s kids today.”
Dream jumped up. “Yessss! I forgot about that! I can’t wait to meet them.”
“Then hurry up,” George signed at him teasingly.
“Orrr I could help you,” Dream drawled as he saddled up to snatch the trousers from the brunette. “Then you could help me. Buttons can be tricky, you know.”
“Get off, you rogue.”
Dream knelt and bit his lip. “Is that an order?” he asked in a low voice.
He got a coat in the face and took it off with a “humph.”
“I don’t need your help.” George fixed his own cuffs.
“Yes, but I want to help.” Dream fixed the brunette’s white collar and held out the sleeves of his royal blue coat. He couldn’t resist running his hands down George’s arms and got pushed back.
“Come on.”
George rolled his eyes and let Dream approach again to button up his front. His thief’s hands moved fast, and their gazes met. George connected their lips again and smiled into the kiss.
Then he smirked. “Your turn.”
Eventually they made their way to the main entrance just as Techno drove up one of the castle’s more decorative carriages. The twins Tubbo and Charlie wrestled in the Captain’s lap until another kid screamed “WE’RE HERE!” out the window.
“Wait until it stops moving!!” Techno shouted over the horses clopping as they started to open the door. The children begrudgingly hovered as far out as they could.
Finally it stopped and the kids poured out, heads swivelling to take in the gates, the stables, the guards, and the looming castle itself.
“Ay, hey. What do we say?”
The five of them gathered at the base of the stairs and rehearsed, “Good morning, your highness. Thank you for inviting us.”
Techno’s gruff face beamed with pride. He leaned to tell George, “Jamie is at home, but don’t worry, these five are plenty.”
He named each child for Dream, who grinned like an idiot as they mixed themselves up so much there was no way he could keep track.
He made George smile. The king clapped and signed to them all. “Good morning, what part of the castle do you want to see first?”
Shouts overlapped. Techno pointed at Lila, his oldest. “I heard garden first.”
The kids proved impossible to wrangle. They set out into the garden like wild dogs, off in a heartbeat.
Dream chuckled and leaned on George’s shoulder. “Sweet little lambs, aren’t they?” he said sarcastically.
Techno crossed his arms. “I’d expect 50-70% damage to the flora, your highness.”
“What?!” Dream exclaimed.
“That’s a little more than I anticipated,” George said. “Think you can repair it for us, Dream?”
“Yeah, but… are they going to do that much damage inside?”
George patted his arm. “Don’t fret, love, we prepared for this.”
“Right. Hi, Fundy.” Dream waved to the man who had been shrinking into a hedge. He shrieked.
“Fundy, you work here. You can stop freaking out every time you see us,” the prince sighed.
“Aheh, okay. Um, hello. Your majesty.” He bowed to George.
“Um, Dream, why is the garden now overrun with children?”
“They’re my children,” Techno said.
“You have- right. Nevermind. Um, your majesties, everything in the garden’s property is growing, um, good.”
“You’re doing great, Fundy,” George signed encouragingly.
“Hold it! Leave that statue alone!” Techno raced to stop one of his kids from getting crushed.
Dream chuckled and took George’s arm. “Shall we?”
He nodded, and the two of them strolled to one particular place. They took their time. The air was fresh and perfumed, the bushes were healthy shades of green, and Dream made sure each flower reached perfection.
“Oh, I got a letter yesterday while you were riding,” George remembered. “Forgot to tell you, sorry. It was from our northern neighbours.”
“Remind me who that is?”
“The one who repaired my crown. They’re engaged too.” George hugged his side.
Dream laughed. “We really are trendsetters. Is that the third announcement?”
“Fourth, and I heard some of the entourages are matching up too. The ball worked wonders for everyone, it seems.”
Dream gave him a look. “Please tell me this time-”
“No. Addressed to King George Caleur and Prince Clay Viridian.”
The prince pouted. “Why is your name always first in the letters?”
George let out a laugh. “Because I’ve presently got a higher status than you, fool.”
“Just watch who you’re calling fool.” Dream practically headbutted him like a dog demanding affection.
George gently kissed the top of his head. “Alright, I’m sorry.”
Dream shrugged and plucked a rose as they passed. He handed it to George, who chuckled again.
“I will have to start carrying a vase for all of the flowers you give me. Thank you. Do you feel like returning a reply letter? The Green Thief could be at their kingdom and back faster than our new Royal Post.”
“Eh. I probably will if this place becomes too small, but for now I’d rather stay with you than ride Spirit for two weeks.” He put his hand over George’s fondly.
“Good to know I’m more preferable than your horse,” the brunette joked.
The breeze rocked the tree’s leaves as the couple sat in the grass under it. George’s head leaned on Dream’s shoulder and he sighed happily.
Dream tucked a cornflower behind his ear, making George giggle.
The garden wasn’t as quiet with the children chasing each other around, but it was wide enough that their noises were distant. Birds sang sweetly. George gazed down at their overlapping hands. His ring glinted green, and Dream’s shone blue. The king smiled.
As if Dream read his mind, he said, “I never thought I’d get this lucky. Last time we were here, I was thinking ‘Savour it while you can, Dream, it won’t last forever.’”
George closed his eyes, finding rhythm in Dream’s breathing. “Me neither. I didn’t know if you were real, and I couldn’t imagine being where we are today, engaged.” A happy warmth filled his chest.
“I almost kissed you.”
“I know.”
Dream hummed, then asked, “Are you feeling cold?”
George smiled. “No, I’m perfectly warm.”