Work Text:
Punz is a simple man. He's a mercenary for fucks sake. You pay him, you have him for whatever you need him for. Simple.
It's never been that way with Dream. Only a few years younger than him, but felt like he had to carry the weight of the world - his world - on his shoulders.
He's been with him since the very first day he arrived on the server, even longer if you count the years before. That whole time Punz has never wavered, never betrayed, never abandoned someone he held so close. Someone he trusted with his life. Someone who he admired.
But Punz knows one simple fact; Dream isn't perfect. Dream may be a strategist, may take into account how much people despise him, may know how he can use that to his advantage to his overall plan.
Dream, however, doesn't take into account that he isn't alone on this plan for a reason.
It shouldn't have taken him that long to get out of Pandora's Vault. Why did it take so long? They should've met ages ago.
These questions don't spill out of his mouth when he sees the orange-cladded man for the first time in nearly a year. Doesn't question anything as he brings him into a warm embrace.
He hears it from Sapnap of all people.
"Dream payed me a visit."
That snaps Punz's gaze out of his inventory. He's only at Kinoko to play up the fact of searching for the escaped prisoner. His eyes meet the hybrid's.
"He did? What did he do? What did he tell you?"
On the surface, it makes it seem like he's only questioning for the sake of leads. But, of course, his relationship with Dream never severed.
"He wanted his armour back but I wasn't going to give it to him. Brought up that he was getting tortured by Quackity for a moment."
Sapnap simply shrugged, as if that wasn't important information to him. The mercenary tried not to let his facade slip away.
This is someone Dream considered his friend? Did he really not care for someone he has known for years??
Keep up the act, Punz. Don't let them know.
"He threatened Kinoko Kingdom but, when I got here he wasn't anywhere in sight. No one saw him."
Punz could only give him a curt nod, trembling hands gripping onto the reins of his horse. He vaguely remembers giving Sapnap a quick goodbye before riding off.
What the fuck..
Now here he stands, in the base of his tower. He knows that Dream told him to wait for “a sign” to see him, but for once, he was in need to see his friend.
His friend.. after what he found out, was he truly worthy of calling Dream that?
When he arrives, Punz gets straight to the point.
"When were you going to tell me?"
The masked man had barely any time to settle down into their meeting spot. His body tenses for a moment.
"Tell you what? Punz, you know everything about our plan. We-"
"This isn't about the plan, Dream."
...
"Then.. what is it about?"
Punz let out a deep sigh.
"When were you going to tell me about the torture?"
The silence is loud. The mercenary felt like he would've said something else, if not for the admin finally speaking up.
"Sapnap told you, huh?"
Punz stood up from his seat, "Does it fucking matter?"
Dream doesn't respond that time and so he continues on.
""Things went a little south", hm? Are these "things" named Sam, by any chance?" He questioned.
"Maybe, but what Sam let happen-"
"What he "let happen" was you getting tortured by Quackity? For what fucking reason?!"
Punz could only see red.
Dream trusted Sam to be the warden for a reason. He trusted him to keep him safe, they both agreed on that. Never would Punz have thought that Sam would let this happen.
"He tortured me so he can get the revival book. But as I was about to say, what Sam-"
"Sam is a fucking problem, that's what he is! Why did you keep this from me? You were-"
And for once that whole conversation, did Dream finally manage to cut Punz off.
"I'm still useful to you so it doesn't fucking matter!"
...
What did he just say..?
"I didn't tell you because it doesn't change anything. I'm fine! I escaped and I can fight back now, not to mention our plan is still going perfectly!"
The admin continued to ramble on with his explanation as the red clouding Punz's view cleared up. And he saw what he was missing.
He can't see his face with the mask but he could tell a lot from his body language..
Dream is shaking. His knuckles whitening as the grip on his axe strengthens. In the pauses of his speech, his breath is laboured.
The vision is clear as day and Punz takes a step towards Dream. He seizes his moment when the masked man tries to take a breath.
"Dream.. is that how you think I see you?"
There is no reply as the painted smile stares directly into his soul, Dream's body frozen.
Punz eventually stands in front of the admin, only a few inches apart.
He raises his hand up to Dream's face, only for him to flinch at the sight of it. Punz pauses his movements.
"Dream, I am neither the warden of that prison nor your torturer. You're not a tool to me, okay? You're more than just my ally.. you're my friend."
The mercenary gives the admin a soft smile.
"Let me see you, Dream.. you're no longer in a prison. You're safe."
Punz's hands drift to unclip the mask on Dream's face, waiting for him to give the sign to stop.
He doesn't. And so the ceramic smile was removed.
Olive green meets crystal blue. Scars now out in the open for the blonde to see. New and old. Freckles still prominent as ever, though.
When was the last time they saw each other like this?
It doesn't matter. Because now Punz sees him. He finally sees Dream.
"Long time no see, buddy." Punz quoted the man in front of him.
There's a scoff of laughter. Such a familiar sound that was missed dearly.
"You're such an idiot.." Was mumbled out as the admin buried his face in Punz's hoodie.
If they embraced each other in a hug, no one will know but them.
If tears were shed that day, no one will know but them.
If whispered reassurances helped calm Dream down, no one will know but them.
If their relationship became stronger after, no one will know but them.
It's never been simple with Dream.
A man who hides all he cares for in order to protect them. A man who puts up an act as the villain for his goal. A man who will sacrifice himself for the server.
Punz stays because it was never about money. It was always about Dream. Always.