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Bad remembers when Dream and the others were kids, only a decade back but it feels so much longer, and the demon can recall a lot of times the young rainbow-haired boy spoke with him but one stands out starkly as he watches the prisoner stumble as he continues his pacing around the cell.
A younger, softer but almost equally solemn Dream had wandered up to sit by Bad’s side on the hill, watching younger George and Sapnap continue to run around and rough house with each other.
His mother was off at sea again, and Dream still wasn’t old enough to join her on her ship. Puffy had confided in Bad that she was afraid of Dream having no friends his age or being hurt during an attack. So he stayed here on land with Bad, Sapnap, and George, and Puffy visited as much as she could.
"....Hey Bad?' The boy finally breaks the peaceful silence between them. Glowing eyes turned to him and crinkled as the other smiled questioningly, taking the expression as approval to continue he turned to look back at the other two and drew in a breath. 'W-Would you say I'm a bad guy?"
The hooded man is shocked, gasping before completely turning to look at the other and resting a gentle hand on his head. "What? You muffinhead, why would I ever think you're a bad guy? Did you upset Sappy or George? I'm sure whatever happened could be fixed with a sincere apology!"
"Hehe no, we're good.' The boy chuckles but they quickly fade off as his bright smile slips and shadows slip into his eyes. 'No it's just...It's just I've been reading and-and I know as we get out there into other servers there's gonna be battles and such and if it came down to it in a fight....I would kill for them. I would do anything for them. D-Does it make me a bad person if I'm willing to hurt others for them?"
The silence between them grew long, Bad taking the time to digest what had been said and thinking carefully about how he should respond. He could see the genuine worry and distress in Dream's eyes, the boy earnestly wondering if his love was bad because of how much he cared and that just made the demon's heart ache from how long it had taken to get the boy to be less reserved about his feelings. So to cut the silence that had caused the boy to start curling into himself the demon used the hand on the younger's head to draw him into a gentle hug. Dream could easily pull away if he needed but he only went lax and melted closer, clutching at Bad's robes as he buried his face in the older's neck.
"I think it's amazing that you care so deeply Dream, and never let anyone tell you otherwise. And I think as long as you're fighting for the right reasons and defending each other's backs then I will never see you as the bad guy and I'm sure they won't either."
Dream snuffles slightly before pulling away, ducking slightly to try and wipe away the few tears that had started to slip from his eyes. The younger stood, took another deep breath and a glowing smile spread across his face. "Thank you Bad, I'll always be by their side and do everything for them and of course they'll do the same. We're the Dream Team! No matter what I'll never leave their sides and I'll make a server that we can all have fun in and never even have to worry about all those stupid battles and such anyway!"
Bad laughs and cheers along with him as he races down the hill back to the other two, jumping and joining into their wrestling match which causes the other two to gasp before laughing and all tumbling around each other. The demon smiles softly and prays to Prime the boy's words will stay true, that his boys would never lose sight of each other and stay this happy forever. He could only sit back and watch them laugh and grow together for now.
Watching the young boy turned young man now, curled up in the corner of his cell as far from the lava as possible as Sam activates the dispenser to drop down his potatoes, the demon wishes the boy's words had stayed true, that his own prayers had been answered. And hearing the whispers tugging at the back of his mind and red tinting his sight he couldn't help but wonder if another being could be the one to answer those prayers instead…
After all, the Egg had answered his prayers previously, bringing Skeppy, Ant, Punz, Ponk, and himself back together. Had even added Hannah to their family as well. The Egg would like Dream anyways, they have a similar drive and aligned goals.
Of course the boy would be welcomed with open arms. After all, he is the Admin and should have been listened to long ago, but alas he was not. His power will allow us to forgo having to sacrifice others for my survival, and he could use someone on his side, yes?
Yes, Bad could see it now. He wouldn’t have to feel the twinge of regret that comes with killing the others, and Dream is such a social creature, being by himself must have been what led to his spiral to begin with. That should have been noticed long before, but at least they can fix it now.
He was one of Dream’s parents once, he can be one again. And who knows who will see Dream standing strong with them and joining their family?
Puffy never stopped loving Dream and Sapnap snaps at people who imply Dream was always evil. George may have thrown himself into sleeping but he was never far behind when Dream was around. Bad misses his kids and his friend. But maybe, there is hope yet.