Chapter 2

Dream sighed as he looked at the clock on the wall. It was only 9:00, but the journey to Hotland from Snowdin Town was long and arduous. If he wanted to be on time for his interview at 1:00, he would need to leave soon.

Mettaton's resort was one of the most prestigious establishments in all of the underground. Getting a job there was no small feat, and Dream felt a mix of excitement and nervousness at the thought of his interview.

He quickly finished his breakfast, his mind running through potential interview questions and rehearsing his answers. He had been preparing for this interview for weeks, and he was determined to make a good impression.

Once he was done eating, he cleared the table and washed the dishes, his movements quick and efficient. He then went upstairs to get ready, choosing a simple but neat outfit that he hoped would convey his seriousness and dedication.

Before he left, he took one last look around the house, his gaze lingering on Piko's ukulele and the notebook she had left behind. His heart ached at the thought of leaving her, but he also knew that this was an opportunity he couldn't pass up.

With a final sigh, Dream grabbed his bag and headed out the door. He had a long journey ahead of him, and he couldn't afford to waste any more time.

The chill of Snowdin was quickly replaced by the heat of Hotland as he made his way towards Mettaton's resort. Despite the heat, Dream couldn't help but feel a chill run down his spine. This was it. This was the moment he had been waiting for. He was finally going to make a name for himself, and maybe, just maybe, he could finally confess his feelings to Piko.

At the resort, and at the interview...

"So are you good with people?" The Mettaton asked at the interview.

Dream shifted slightly in his seat under the robot's scrutinizing gaze. He knew who this was, of course. Mettaton, the flamboyant owner of the resort, was a well-known figure in the underground. He was intimidating in his own way, but Dream had faced scarier things.

"I like to think so, yes," Dream replied calmly, keeping his gaze steady. "I've always enjoyed helping others and I believe that good communication is key in any situation."

Mettaton seemed to consider his answer for a moment, his metallic face unreadable. He then proceeded to ask a series of questions about Dream's previous experience, his skills, and his reasons for applying to the resort.

Dream answered each question confidently, but not arrogantly. He was honest about his lack of experience in the hospitality industry, but also highlighted his willingness to learn and his strong work ethic.

Finally, after what felt like hours, Mettaton leaned back in his chair and regarded Dream thoughtfully. "Well, you certainly have an interesting background," he said. "And I appreciate your honesty."

He then stood up and extended a metallic hand to Dream. "Welcome to the Mettaton Resort," he said with a smile. "I think you'll fit in just fine."

A wave of relief washed over Dream as he shook Mettaton's hand. He had done it. He had gotten the job. His hard work and preparation had paid off.

As he left the resort, Dream couldn't help but feel a sense of excitement for his new job. But more than that, he felt a renewed sense of hope. Maybe now, with a steady job and a promising future, he could finally muster up the courage to tell Piko how he truly felt.

Dream blinked in surprise as Mettaton led him to a small counter with a cash register. A name tag labeled "Dream" sat beside it, seemingly waiting for him.

"A cashier position?" Dream asked, trying to keep the disappointment from his voice. He had expected something, well, more.

Mettaton, however, seemed oblivious to his disappointment. "Yes, our first one quit this morning," he explained, a hint of annoyance in his voice. "You'll be handling the reservations, payments, and any other customer inquiries. It's a very important position, I assure you."

Dream nodded, forcing a small smile onto his face. He knew he should be grateful for the opportunity. After all, a job at Mettaton's resort was still a job at Mettaton's resort, regardless of the position.

But he couldn't help but feel a twinge of disappointment. He had thought that getting a job at the resort would be his big break, his chance to prove himself and perhaps even impress Piko.

But now, standing behind the counter and staring at the cash register, he couldn't help but feel like he was just a small cog in a big machine.

Still, he was determined to make the best of it. He would work hard, prove his worth, and maybe, just maybe, he could work his way up to a more fulfilling position.

"Thank you for the opportunity, Mettaton," he said, turning to the robot with a determined look in his eyes. "I won't let you down."

Mettaton gave him an approving nod. "I'm sure you won't, Dream," he said, turning to leave. "I look forward to seeing what you can do."

As Mettaton walked away, Dream turned back to his new workstation. It wasn't what he had expected, but it was a start. And sometimes, a start was all you needed.

As Dream walked home, he heard the news channel saying "Monster rebels from RUIN's Break out! Royal guard confronting them at snowdin town!"

Dream's heart thumped in his chest as he heard the news report. Monster rebels from the ruins had broken out and were headed towards Snowdin Town. The Royal Guard was confronting them, but the outcome was uncertain.

His mind immediately went to Piko. She was in Snowdin Town, alone. The thought of her facing danger made his blood run cold. He needed to get to her, to make sure she was safe.

Without a second thought, Dream began to run. He sprinted through the streets of Hotland, barely noticing the heat or the curious looks he was receiving from the other monsters. His mind was focused solely on getting to Snowdin Town as quickly as possible.

He reached the transport station and jumped onto the first train headed towards Snowdin. The journey felt like it took forever, and Dream spent every second worrying about Piko.

When the train finally pulled into Snowdin, Dream didn't wait for it to come to a complete stop before jumping off. He ran through the snow-covered streets, his eyes scanning the area for any sign of Piko.

The town was in chaos, with monsters running and shouting. The Royal Guard was there, trying to control the situation, but it was clear they were struggling.

"Where's Piko?" Dream asked one of the guards, out of breath and desperate. The guard pointed towards the edge of town, where the sentinel station was located.

With a nod of thanks, Dream ran in that direction. His heart pounded in his chest, his breath came out in short gasps, but he didn't stop. He couldn't stop. Not until he found Piko. Not until he knew she was safe.

"Sir, we're gonna need you to stay out of the area." Guards said, blocking Dream.

Dream skidded to a halt in front of the guards, his chest heaving as he tried to catch his breath. He could see the sentinel station in the distance, but the guards in front of him were a solid wall, their faces stern and unyielding.

"I need to see Piko," he gasped out, trying to push past them. But the guards were immovable, their armored bodies forming a barrier that Dream couldn't breach.

"Sir, we're gonna need you to stay out of the area," one of the guards said firmly, placing a hand on his chest to stop him.

"But Piko is..." Dream started, only to be cut off by the guard.

"We understand, but this is a dangerous situation. We're doing our best to keep everyone safe. That includes you."

Dream felt a surge of frustration, but he knew arguing wouldn't help. The guards were just doing their jobs, and he needed to trust that they were doing everything they could to keep Piko safe.

With a sigh of resignation, Dream took a step back. "Please," he said, his voice barely more than a whisper. "Please keep her safe."

The guards nodded solemnly, and Dream could only watch as they turned back towards the chaos, ready to do their duty. He felt a pang of fear for Piko, but he knew he had to trust in her strength. She was a member of the Royal Guard, after all. She could handle herself.

With nothing else to do but wait, Dream found a quiet spot away from the chaos and sat down, his mind filled with worry for Piko. He could only hope that she was safe, and that this would all be over soon.

It was hours after Piko usually gets home. It was around 11:00, and yet Dream couldn't stop pacing.

With each passing minute, Dream's worry grew. The house was quiet, too quiet. He missed the sound of Piko's ukulele, her laughter. He missed her.

He had spent the rest of the day waiting for her to come home, hoping to see her walk through the door with that bright smile on her face. But the hours passed and there was no sign of Piko.

It was 11:00 now, long past the time Piko usually came home. Dream couldn't sit still. He paced the living room, his mind filled with worst-case scenarios.

Had something happened to her? Was she hurt? Was she...? No. He couldn't think like that. Piko was strong, she was resourceful. She would be okay.

But as the clock ticked closer to midnight, Dream's worry was replaced with fear. He had to do something. He couldn't just sit around and wait.

Deciding on a course of action, Dream grabbed his coat and headed out the door. He would go to Snowdin Town, he would find Piko. He had to.

The cold air of the night hit him as he stepped outside. Right as Dream opened the door, He saw Piko, in her scratched armor. She looked tired, and relieved. "Oh... Hey Dream. What are you doing up this late?" She asked.

Dream's heart almost stopped as he saw Piko standing there, her armor scratched and dented, her face tired but relieved. He had been so worried, so scared, and now here she was, safe and sound.

"Piko..." Dream whispered, barely able to believe his eyes. He rushed towards her, his heart pounding in his chest. He wanted to hug her, to hold her close and make sure she was really okay, but he stopped himself. Now wasn't the time.

"Oh... Hey Dream. What are you doing up this late?" Piko asked, her voice weary. She gave him a small smile, but he could see the exhaustion in her eyes.

"I was worried about you," he admitted, his voice barely above a whisper. "I heard about the monster rebels and... and I couldn't just sit around and wait. I had to make sure you were okay."

Piko's smile widened a little at his words. "You were worried about me?" she asked, her tone soft. "That's... that's really sweet, Dream."

She reached out and put a hand on his arm, her touch warm despite the cold armor. "I'm okay," she said, her voice steady. "I'm tired, and I could use a good night's sleep, but I'm okay."

Dream let out a sigh of relief, feeling a weight lift off his chest. Piko was safe. She was okay.

"Let's get you inside," he said, guiding her towards the house. "You need rest."

As they walked inside, Dream felt a warmth spread through him. Piko was safe. She was home. And for now, that was all that mattered.

As Piko sank into the cushions of the couch, Dream watched her with a sense of relief. She looked exhausted, her eyes heavy with fatigue, but she was safe.

"Do you want something to drink? Eat?" Dream asked, ready to cater to her needs. He didn't want her to lift a finger, not after what she had been through.

Piko shook her head, leaning back against the cushions. "I just need to rest," she said, closing her eyes. "But thank you, Dream."

Dream nodded, his heart aching for her. She had been through so much, and he wished he could do more to ease her burden. But for now, he would give her the space and peace she needed.

He moved to leave, but Piko's soft voice stopped him. "Dream?" she called, her eyes still closed.

He turned back to her, waiting. "Yes, Piko?"

She was quiet for a moment, then said, "Thank you... for worrying about me. It means a lot."

Dream felt a warmth spread through him at her words. "Of course, Piko," he said, his voice soft. "Always."

With that, he left her to rest, his heart filled with a mix of relief and concern. But beneath it all was a newfound resolve. He would be there for Piko, no matter what. He would make sure she was safe.