It took about a week for Stress to return to a semblance of strength -to be allowed off the bed, at least. The wound in her abdomen was still giving her some trouble but unlike before, she could move around and do some of the chores around the house. Dandelion was there to make sure that she wouldn't hurt herself accidentally, although there weren't many things her beloved dog could save her from. She wasn't up to full power yet but slowly and steadily, she was getting there.

Ever since he could walk normally on his leg again, Tommy hadn't left her base. He was always around in one way or another, always there to make sure she wouldn't hurt herself by overworking her healing body, worried sick yet laughing hollowly at how the roles had been reversed. He took the brunt of the heavier chores even when Stress complained that it was easy enough that she could do them herself. That was bullshit and they both knew it but Tommy was the only one to actually acknowledge it.

Tommy still had Shroud to return to, however, so he had to leave from time to time, only to return to find Stress attempting to do something he thought would be critical to her health. She would tell him he was exagerating but Tommy would shake his head and lead her back to a couch or a chair and tell her to rest for a minute. Dandelion was put on watch right after, disallowing her owner from standing up. It was truly a funny sight -one that Tommy often found amusing after the danger of Stress hurting herself had gone.

Within the first three days, Tommy had brought Shroud back with him. What? It's hard to care for his giant spider if he wasn't living in his main base. His towers had been filled with cobwebs and a worried and stressed out Shroud hissed at him when he'd visit over the three days of their long-distance relationship.

Truth be told, Shroud proved an excellent deterent to Stress and her work-aholic habits that every hermit had seemed to suffer of. Tommy would give the command to the spider to guard the front door and Stress would see him and turn the other way. It was a mystery why he was even allowed to stay and how the woman had yet to chase Shoud with a broom but Tommy hadn't complained.

Xisuma would frequent the area as well, and Iskall had been clingy all week. The admin didn't bother them much, only dropping in to say a 'hello' and check up on the frail, coddled patient that was a grumpy Stress. Tommy knew the bee felt responsible for what had happened -Tommy believed it too; Xisuma was responsible for what Dream had done but at the end of the day, whose fault was it really? Dream was an adult; technically, he didn't need to be held by the hand to follow simple rules.

Then again, did Hermitcraft even have rules? A rule was a written text, well-known to everyone and accompanied by a form of punishment. There, the rules were notional and more of an ethic to follow. Hermitcraft didn't have any punishments planned for something like that and Tommy was partially relieved that the fact didn't change because of Dream. His new home hadn't been ruined quite yet and he was thankful but he also wanted the bitch to suffer in some way.

Simply locking him away in a tower for private tutoring and constant scolding wasn't enough.

Iskall had agreed with him, being Stress' closest friend. He deeply cared for her and Tommy could understand the thirst for vengeance that had overcome the man; he partook in it, afterall. It took a lot of time from Stress to convince him to not interact with Dream further, saying that he'd done his part already. Tommy disagreed but one look from Stress had him shutting up his mouth. Even wounded and weak still, Stress could be intimidating in a way only a disappointed parent could be.

Tommy still wasn't convinced that there was anything salvageable in Dream. He didn't know how someone so corrupt could pick up their legs and jump from that path to the one of righteousness after what he'd done.

Stress was adamant, however. Building bridges and whatnot. Tommy didn't understand.

"You don't have to", she'd told him the last night of the week, when he had brought the subject up. It had been a calm conversation for the most part, Tommy seeking answers and evidence from her, only to receive unintelligible responses. "I'm not asking you to stick around. You don't have to forgive him for anything that he did, you reserve that right"

The words were a huge comfort to him and the fact that nothing had been demanded of him -absolutely nothing at all- provided an incredible amount of relief. He didn't want to forgive and Stress had told him that she wasn't expecting anything from him. He was free of demands -not that the hermits had demanded anything more than for him to make his bed in the morning but... It was freeing some inner, deeper part of him; the one that was always ready to receive the emotional brunt of someone else's wishes.

He had needed that in the Dream SMP but not anymore, apparently.

"I don't know if I'll forgive him", Tommy told her right after, thinking that she wanted to know his intentions with his old admin; his old abuser, even. Truth be told, Tommy had been thinking a lot about their little talk a week ago.

Stress smiled at him encouragingly, patiently waiting with a crease on her forehead. They were sitting on her bed, Tommy adamant about tucking her in in spite of her protests. "I don't think I ever will. He's done too much", he continued with a shrug, plopping down on the mattress right next to her side. He crossed his legs and rested his forearms on the sides of his knees, looking the woman right in the eyes as if to challenge her to disagree.

"He has", she said. He wasn't surprised; she was on his side, as much as some part of Tommy remained unconvinced.

"I've done a lot too", he sighed into his hands, a sound half-way to becoming a groan of frustration. "He just had the upper hand in every battle", and he'd been wondering, "Would I have acted like him if I had that power?"

The woman raised an eyebrow, a fond but troubled expression on her face. There was silence for a moment before she understood that he wanted her input. "I don't know, Tommy", she said, "The truth is that power can corrupt anyone, let alone a teenager who dove head first into the deep end of the pool right after coming of age"

Sage words. So sage, Tommy was inclined to follow their vague nature and ponder them in his head. He didn't think that he'd act any different; all he wanted from the start was a peaceful life, causing chaos in the SMP with his friends and family. What had happened instead... Tommy wasn't sure if it was hunger for power and prowess or whatever else.

It made him wonder what Dream was like before Tommy had joined the SMP. He had caught glimpses of another side of the admin before L'Manburg had been declared independent land, though they hadn't been important enough for Tommy to withhold during the wars. They had all been blinded by a veil; the cycle of revenge had taken them, rolling them through it languidly; effortlessly.

Hermitcraft had shown Tommy how to break the cycle and live a more serene life; one that many on the SMP would envy. He wondered if it would have the same effect on Dream -was that last outburst a sign that he had trouble adjusting or something? Tommy wasn't good with interpreting body language outside of the battlegrounds.

Stress had seemed so sure that he could; that he would change that Tommy was inclined to believe the sureness in her eyes.

"There are so many alternatives, the chances are so high and low for something different to happen", she then chuckled, "Iskall can explain chances better"

He huffed a laugh, tousling his hair with his hands. It was good to hear some optimistic sound, even deep into the night when there was supposed to be no sound at all.

"Don't do that, your hair will get all messy", she scolded him, light-hearted as always with a hand tiredly swatting his away. Tommy stuck his tongue out at her. "And go to bed already, it's late"

"I am in bed"

Stress raised an unimpressed eyebrow at him, expression something between amused, fond and disappointment. That was until she realized that Tommy wasn't joking as the boy did, in fact, make his way to the other side of the mattress and plopped down into a pillow nose-first.

If he woke up cuddled into Stress' side, one arm splayed over her protectively and too tight for the sentiment to be anything else, no one but Shroud -who had snuck into the cuddle-pile some time during the night- was a witness to it. Thankfully, Shroud couldn't speak and therefore, that secret was safe.

Double-thankfully, Stress hadn't woken up to a spider in her face because -reluctant as he was to get up- Tommy herded Shroud out of the room.

Φ

When Stress was well enough to leave the house, she had immediately demanded for Xisuma to bring Dream to her. Tommy, who was still lingering at her house, was not thrilled at all but he was somewhat proud to hear Stress threaten the almighty bee that if he didn't bring Dream to her, then she'd bring herself to both of them.

Tommy didn't want to be part of whatever word-exchange Stress was planning to have with the green teletubby but he also wanted to guard her. Last time, it had ended in unfair bloodshed; Tommy would not let that happen again. So, he stayed; he lingered; he always had one eye open and gaze not falling far away from Stress.

After that was done and dealt with, he'd return to his house with Shroud and pay False a visit. He knew she was fairing surprisingly well in spite of the severity of her wounds but Tommy still wanted to see that with his own eyes and not through Cleo or Xisuma's words whenever they talked in chat or passed through.

Unsurprisingly, Xisuma had relented to Stress' request easily. There was no further argument as Stress tended to the animals and Tommy kept a lookout on the top of the skull for any buzzing bees. Movement caught his eye for a moment and looking down, he found that it was just Dandelion playing in the grass. He let himself observe the cute dog for a few moments, leaning over the edge of the building, careful not to fall over.

Then, the dog stopped, seemingly to sniff the air and jumped to her feet before Tommy could completely comprehend what was happening, Dandelion was racing across the grass. Following her, he found that Xisuma had just arrived, Dream at his side.

He did not feel jealous at the sight of Dream petting an all-too-eager Dandelion. Nope. Not at all.

Okay, maybe a little but he couldn't start a scene. Stress wouldn't speak to him for a week if he did that. So, he ducked down and stayed out of sight instead, remaining close enough that he wouldn't be noticed but close enough that he could hear. 

"Hello!", Stress greeted once she noticed them. Dandelion circled the two men, sticking to Dream's side once she had grown dizzy.

To Tommy's surprise, Dream was weirdly calm if only a tad relaxed. Whether that was a front, Tommy couldn't know but if Xisuma trusted that the man would remain like that to step aside and let the two have their space, then... Then Tommy would have to trust that too.

"How have you been? Come inside!", she urged and Tommy didn't like that at all. He saw Xisuma silently follow them into the skull's maw and Tommy rushed to get to his feet. How would he keep watch from outside when they were inside?

Spy work was so awkward, Tommy wondered how Tubbo had managed to be a mole during war for so long? Ugh.

In the end, he ended up going inside. Silently, like a creeper, he crept inside, hiding behind some stray chests and shoulkers. He gripped the axe in his hands tightly, ready to pounce the moment Dream tried anything.

Only, his plans were foiled when Stress asked Xisuma to remain in the living room so she and Dream could talk in private. He approached the couch and sat down on it right as the admin was returning there, stopping when he spotted Tommy inside the house.

"What are you doing here?", Xisuma asked in a whisper, wings buzzing silently. Tommy gave him a lopsided grin, shifting the axe in his hands so it glinted in the artificial light of an ajacent end rod.

"Same thing as you", he shrugged and the man visibly relaxed, sitting down on the cushions with his hands on his knees. He looked utterly exhausted. Dandelion approached them from the kitchen, having finally come off of Dream's side, tail wagging excitedly as she jumped in between them.

Tommy pet the dog, sinking his fingers skin-deep into her soft coat. The only sound interrupting the whispers coming from the kitchen were interrupted by Dandelion's panting. Neither of them dared to speak, only listening intently to what was being said.

Φ

"I'm sorry for Spirit", Stress said as she handed Dream a mug of warm tea. Dream accepted it, pulling it closer to himself across the table. She sat down opposite of him, her own mug in hand and steam flowing into the air in thin strips.

They had been talking for a long time. Stress had lost track of it, having concetrated her thoughts on Dream and urging him to open up more to her. She was thankful that Xisuma had trusted her enough to leave them to talk alone, otherwise, she doubted that Dream would be talking as much as he was. Tommy was somewhere outside, altough he could've followed them inside. Dandelion exiting the kitchen an hour or so ago was a dead giveaway to him being in the house.

It was fine. If he listened to the conversation instead of Stress telling him how it went, it was better. First-hand always was better than second or third and with how their relationship was, destroyed and in the boiling pits of the Nether, Stress thought it was the best scenario there possibly could be.

"It's fine, I'm over it. I loved him but he's dead", Dream shrugged, sliding a thumb across the clay of the mug before continuing. "I'm just... angry. That Tommy tried to use his remains against me",he paused for a moment, "Why am I even telling you this?"

Stress sipped at her tea, slowly, keeping her gaze on the two black dots of the mask. "I don't know", she said honestly.

"You're...", he started, then hesitated, then shook his head and tousled his hair in frustration. "You're too nice. Why?"

"I told you that I wanted to give you a second chance, Dream", she simply replied, smile full of genuinity because her words were true.

"I don't deserve this", he said. An alarm sounded in Stress' head, not quite a red one but one that triggered the motherly side of her. Dream put his head in his hand, quiet, silent, looking too small. She wondered what Xisuma was doing with him in those towers of his while Stress was recovering with Tommy. Maybe Iskall had paid a visit too and Stress had no doubt that he'd attempt to rip into the guy in her stead.

Which was something that she didn't appreciate. She could take care of a problematic youngin on her own and them interfering -as much as she loved the hermits- would not help at all.

"I say you do", she said, leaving no place for argument. "I'm sure X didn't mean anything harsh he must've said to you. Did he say something bad to you?", she asked quietly, not wanting Xisuma nor Tommy to hear. Xisuma would get to hear it first-hand from her if that had been the case in the towers and she didn't want Tommy fearing Xisuma because of something that occured in the heat of the moment.

"He- maybe. I don't know", Deam sighed, though the sound was wobbly. "He said a lot"

Stress mimicked the sound, though she was frustrated -not conflicted. "Right. We'll talk to him afterwards". Her answer was a muted nod. "I would like to talk to you about something else if you're up for it"

Another nod, that one a little more hesitant but Dream did look up from where he'd been staring at his tea, which had almost gone cold. There was more in the kettle, hot and waiting to be drained in the sink or drank if he needed it.

"I had told you that I wanted to know why you stabbed Tommy and I the last time we met", she prompted. Dream moved his hands to hold on the mug; it must've kept some of the warmth of the liquid, then.

"I remember"

"I'd like to know-"

"I got attached", Dream spewed out before flinching like his own words had burnt him. Stress was stunned in her seat, the mug in her hand feeling awfuly warm as she tried to remain neutral. She must've done that right because Dream cleared his throat and continued. "Too fast... It scared me, I guess. It sounds so weird saying that out-loud"

He lifted the chin of his mask up, bringing his tea up with one hand in an attempt to stall. Stress indulged him, taking a sip of her own. Several seconds passed, which went by silently, save for a bark that came from the living room.

"You were scared", she repeated, moreso for her brain to register the fact rather than to prompt Dream into speaking more. Just a few minutes ago, they had been talking about Spirit, Dream's beloved stallion, how it was used against him in negotiations between New L'Manburg and him.

The dots were easy enough to connect, sad as the conclusion was.

"You were scared of becoming attached to me", she continued and Dream looked relieved to not have to explain himself further. "In case Tommy tried to use that against you? Am I reading this correctly?"

"Yeah", was the solemn response she got. There was no casualness to it or any other emotion to describe his tone other than relief. Relief of a load he'd been holding for who knew how long and then it was on the table, off his shoulders and sharing it instead.

"Oh, Dream", she whispered, quietly standing up and rounding the table to go to his side. She reached a hand out but hesitated, Dream looking at her, impatient or fearful, she couldn't tell.

Opening her arms in an impulsive decision of an invitation, she left the acceptance of it up to Dream. It took a moment but he moved. He didn't stand, didn't do much of anything other than reach his own hand to hers and pull her closer. She let him and he rested his head against her stomach, letting himself be wrapped up in her arms and cradled like a newborn.

Her hand was placed on his back, only barely catching a small shake.

"I'm sorry", he said, voice muffled by the fabric of her shirt and the porcelain mask. She felt his jaw move against her other hand that was gently holding his the side of his face. The muscles tightened, teeth grinding. "I'd wanted to get rid of you"

The words came out wet and cracked; she feared he'd choke on them. There was another shake or maybe a shudder but Stress kept silent, only tightening her hold on him instead of interrupting. Ever so gently, she moved her hand up to his hair, fingers tangling in the strands in an attempt to comfort and pushing the hood off of his head. Her touch steered clear of the mask's strap, though she doubted crying in it felt nice -silent as he was, it must've had been even harder.

It was a moment that would've had been better in complete privacy. Xisuma was out there and so was Tommy, and her suspicion of the boy having snuck inside was proven true when she saw him peering in through the doorway. For the better, Dream had his back turned towards the door, too deep into waves of emotions to realize that there was someone else in the room.

Tommy looked concerned, or at least, that was what Stress had seen in his eyes when his gaze fell on the green bundle in her arms. The gleam of the axe blade in his hands caught her eye but his hold was loose enough to prove not to be any danger nor meaning any harm.

"Is he okay?", he mouthed to her, respectful enough to not interrupt the moment with his voice. Stress appreciated that and the concern Tommy was showing told her that he'd stayed and listened instead of walking away. He was a brave, young man, having had chosen to face the truth head on. She was proud of him for it.

She shook her head in reply and jerked her chin towards the door in response. Tommy lingered a few moments longer, eyes boring into Dream's back, before leaving.

"Dream?", she called his name, gently shaking the man by the shoulder with one hand. He looked up, shoulders almost hunched. Stress pushed hair out of his forehead easily without any knots in it. "I've told you I've forgiven you. I just need you to forgive yourself now, okay?"

"That's unfair", he muttered, burying his head into the wool of her cardigan. She chuckled.

"Well, I say it's fair", she said, "I also want you to talk with Tommy... start a friendship anew. You both have a lot of unanswered questions"

Φ

To be honest, Tommy didn't know how to feel after witnessing that. Sure, he had heard everything Dream had said but there was no telling how much of it had been true. Xisuma had been sitting quietly the entire time, something like regret and anxiety oozing off of him in waves. Then, there was the sound of a chair being pushed and Tommy had rushed into action with the axe in hand. The admin didn't try to stop him, only following him with a whispered warning of caution.

He did not expect to see Dream, powerful, cunning Dream, being cradled by Stress.

By all rights, that image cracked the villainous personna of the man and Tommy didn't know what or how to feel. Dream had looked small. So small and vulnerable, it made him question if it was right to hold anger against him. He had seen some of himself in that little, private moment that wasn't at all private because they were there.

He gave them privacy right after becoming a witness to something that he could've had mistaken for a crime. Dream being emotional... If someone had told him that Dream was capable of showing any sort of emotion that wasn't vengence and bloodlust, he would've laughed in their face.

What he saw turned the tides. He didn't know if he should've laughed or cried. It was too much to handle and so, he'd stepped outside for a breath of fresh air.

He stayed silent, peering into the jungle and at the ocelots grooming each other in their sunbathing spot.

There were clouds gathering over the area, dark in colour but the sun still shined through, rays enough to sparkle on the surface of the lake and the grass to appear a healthy green. It would rain overnight, maybe during the afternoon. Such a day would've been spent inside with Stress back when Tommy was freeloading. With a mug of hot cocoa and a god book, they'd pass the afernoon, maybe joke about so that the woman would forget about restocking her shop in that ridiculous weather.

Dream was there, however, and Xisuma too and Tommy didn't know how the lot of them would fair in the evening. he picked at the white fur sticking to his clothes, little remnants of Dandelion's presence on his lap.

He didn't notice when he was joined by Xisuma, seemingly to share the unnamed feelings with him. A hand grabbed onto his hsoulder and he lt himself be pulled into the admin's side, faintly feeling one of his translucent wings fall against his back. He leaned into him, having half the mind to keep himself upright.

"What do you think?", Tommy asked him, gaze set on watching the ripples created in the surface of the water by the fish living in it.

"I think that all of us are in the wrong", were the bee's discerning words. Tommy sighed and rubbed a hand against his face. "Stress suggested that you two talk about this and I agree. No violence, just words"

Tommy was thoughtful.