Chapter 14

One day, in the afternoon, Dream got a note to meet at the docks at sundown.

The note was unsigned, but Dream knew who it was from. It was Piko's handwriting, the looping letters and ink smudges unmistakably hers. His heart pounded with anticipation as he read the message, a smile spreading across his face.

He wasted no time. He grabbed his coat and headed for the docks, his steps quick and purposeful. He arrived just as the sun was beginning to set, its golden light casting long shadows across the dock.

And there she was. Piko, standing at the edge of the dock, the setting sun painting her in warm hues. She looked different, somehow. Stronger. More determined. But her smile was the same, the same smile that had comforted him on countless occasions.

"Dream," she greeted, her voice filled with relief and joy. "I missed you."

Dream felt a lump in his throat as he rushed forward, pulling Piko into a tight hug. "I missed you too, Piko," he said, his voice choked with emotion. "I'm so glad you're back."

They stood there, holding each other as the sun set, painting the sky with vibrant colors. It was a moment of pure joy, of relief and reunion.

Because Piko was back. And they would face whatever challenges came their way together.

As they sat, watching the stars, Piko pulled out her music note necklace, and fiddled with it with her fingers. "Funny thing was... even after I did everything... even after Chara took me away, It got me through prison too... there was ONE thing... that reminded me that, well... someone cares, always. That there's always someone who cares." She smiled up at Dream. Being with her like this reminded Dream of their lives together. And how much he loved her.

Dream watched as Piko fiddled with her necklace, her words resonating deep within him. He felt a warmth spread through him as she looked at him with that smile, a smile that meant home to him.

"Piko," he started, his voice barely above a whisper. He reached out, gently taking her hand in his. "I want you to know that...I'm that someone. I care about you, more than you could ever know."

He paused, swallowing the lump in his throat. "I love you, Piko. I always have, and I always will."

The confession hung in the air between them, their shared silence filled with unsaid words and unspoken emotions. Dream looked at Piko, his heart pounding in his chest, waiting for her response.

Her smile widened, her eyes sparkling under the starlit sky. "I love you too, Dream," she whispered, her voice filled with affection and sincerity.

And in that moment, under the blanket of stars, they found solace in each other's arms. Their love, once unspoken, now out in the open, as beautiful and endless as the night sky above them.

"So... do you... want to make it official?" Piko asked.

Dream looked at Piko, her face lit by the soft glow of the moon. His heart pounded in his chest, a rush of affection flooding through him. "Yes," he said, his voice filled with certainty. "Yes, I want to make it official."

He reached out, gently tucking a loose strand of hair behind her ear. "Piko, would you...would you be my girlfriend?"

The words hung in the air, the night holding its breath as Dream waited for Piko's response. His heart pounded in his chest, anticipation and hope swirling within him.

Piko's smile widened, her eyes sparkling with happiness. "Yes, Dream," she said, her voice filled with joy. "Yes, I'll be your girlfriend."

And so, under the blanket of stars, they made it official. Their love, once hidden, was now out in the open, as beautiful and endless as the night sky above them.

Because that's what friends do. They stick together, no matter what. And sometimes, they fall in love.

And after that, they did everything together. They even slept together (Although all they did in the bed was sleep because they weren't ready to do... THAT) One day, Piko asked Dream "Hey, could you help me with something?"

"Of course," Dream said without hesitation, giving Piko a warm smile. "What do you need help with?"

He loved spending time with Piko, whether they were doing something exciting or just enjoying each other's company. Their relationship had only grown stronger since they'd made it official, their bond deepening with each passing day.

He was ready to help Piko with anything she needed, whether it was something big or just a small favor. Because that's what he loved about being in a relationship with her - being there for her, supporting her, loving her.

"I... made a new song, and I really want to try and post it online or something. But it kind of needs a male singer too. It's a love song after all." Piko said, smiling.

Dream's eyes lit up at the idea. "A love song, huh?" he said, a playful smile on his face. "I'd be honored to sing with you, Piko."

He wasn't a professional singer, but he was willing to give it his best shot for Piko. After all, she had always been there to support his dreams and now it was his turn to do the same for her.

They spent the next few days practicing the song, Piko teaching Dream the notes and harmonies. It was a beautiful song, filled with love and passion, and Dream couldn't wait to share it with the world.

When they finally uploaded the song online, it was met with an overwhelming positive response. Their fans loved the song, praising their harmonies and the heartfelt lyrics. It was a success, but for Dream, the best part was getting to create something beautiful with Piko.

When they finished, Piko uploaded it into a file and said "Great! I'm so excited! How many people will hear it? How fast will it spread? What is no one hears it?" Piko said, her sentences getting faster.

Seeing Piko's excitement and nervousness, Dream reached out, placing a calming hand on her shoulder. "Piko, no matter how many people hear it or how fast it spreads, it doesn't matter," he said, giving her a reassuring smile.

"The important thing is that we both put our heart and soul into this song. And I think that's what people will truly appreciate. So don't worry about the numbers. Just be proud of what we've created together."

His words seemed to calm Piko down a bit, her anxious energy giving way to a hopeful smile. "You're right, Dream. I'm proud of our song. No matter what happens."

And with that, they waited and watched as their song started to make its way across the internet. Regardless of how many people listened to it, they were both proud of their work and the love they had poured into their song.

A few months later, and a few songs made later, Dream saw PIko come into the house trying not to bounce up and down.

Upon seeing the excitement in Piko's eyes, Dream couldn't help but feel a rush of curiosity. "What's got you so excited, Piko?" he asked, matching her energy with a wide grin of his own.

Piko took a deep breath, trying to contain her excitement. "You won't believe it, Dream! Our song... it's gone viral! It's been shared all over the internet, and people are loving it!"

Dream felt a surge of joy upon hearing the news. He pulled Piko into a hug, his heart filled with pride and happiness. "That's amazing, Piko! I'm so proud of us."

Their music had reached people all over the world, touching their hearts and making them feel a little less alone. It was more than they could have ever hoped for, and Dream couldn't wait to see what the future held for them.

"That and..." She held up her envelope. She unwrapped it, and it was an acceptance letter from the... 'Ebott university of music and song.'

Dream's eyes widened as he read the letter, a surge of pride washing over him. "Piko, this is incredible!" he exclaimed, pulling her into a tight hug. "I'm so proud of you. You deserve this."

Piko had always been passionate about music, and now she had the chance to study at one of the best music schools in the world. It was a dream come true, and Dream couldn't be happier for her.

He looked at Piko, his heart filled with love and admiration. "We should celebrate," he said, a wide grin on his face. "This is a huge accomplishment, Piko. I'm so proud of you."

As they celebrated Piko's achievement, Dream couldn't help but feel incredibly lucky. He was in love with an amazing woman, and he couldn't wait to see where their journey would take them next.

The start of the school week, Piko was buzzing around the house getting things, faster than a bumble bee in a field of flowers. She was grabbing all her instruments, and books, and Dream swore he saw steam because Piko seemed to be going the speed of light.

Watching Piko buzz around the house with an infectious energy, Dream couldn't help but chuckle. He loved seeing her so excited and passionate about something.

"Slow down, Piko!" he called out, amusement evident in his voice. "You're going to wear yourself out before your first class even starts!"

Piko paused momentarily to stick her tongue out at him before continuing her frantic preparations. Dream shook his head, a fond smile on his face. He loved her energy, her passion, her spirit.

As Piko finally gathered all her things and headed out the door, Dream couldn't help but feel a sense of pride. Piko was following her dreams, and he was glad to be able to support her in her journey.

It felt like an eternity since she left. Dream went to his new job interview, and met someone at the bus stop. She had blonde hair, green eyes, and was drawing. the exact opposite of Piko, actually. She heard Piko and Dream's song on the radio and turned to Dream. "Hey, isn't that your song?"

Dream was startled to hear his song playing on the radio, but even more so when the woman next to him recognized it as his. He gave her a surprised look before breaking into a smile. "Yes, it is," he confirmed, feeling a surge of pride.

The woman looked impressed. "I love this song," she said, her eyes sparkling with admiration. "It's so beautiful and heartfelt. You and your partner have a real talent."

"Thank you," Dream replied, feeling a warmth spread through him at her words. He thought of Piko, how she would react to hearing their song on the radio, and felt a pang of longing. He missed her, but he was also incredibly proud of her.

As he sat there, talking to the woman about their music, Dream couldn't help but feel grateful for everything he and Piko had achieved. They had come so far, and he couldn't wait to see where their journey would take them next.

Because that's what friends do. They stick together, no matter what. And sometimes, they fall in love.

"By the way, My name's Kipo." The woman said. Even her name was the exact opposite of Piko's.

"Pleasure to meet you, Kipo," Dream responded, extending his hand for a friendly shake. Despite the odd coincidence of their names, he felt comfortable around her. She had a friendly aura and seemed genuinely interested in his music.

As they continued to chat, Dream found himself enjoying Kipo's company. She was easy to talk to and shared his passion for music. He couldn't help but feel a sense of camaraderie with her.

However, as they parted ways when the bus arrived, Dream couldn't help but think of Piko. He missed her more than he thought possible and couldn't wait for her to come back. Despite meeting new people and making new friends, Piko was irreplaceable.

After Piko got back from her school day, she didn't look as happy or excited as Dream thought she would. Her expression seemed as if she were trying to figure out a puzzle.

Seeing Piko's troubled expression, Dream's heart tightened. He quickly approached her, worry clear in his eyes. "Piko, what's wrong?" he asked, his voice filled with concern.

Piko looked at him, her eyes filled with confusion and a hint of sadness. "I... I don't know, Dream," she admitted, her voice shaky. "I love the university, the teachers, the classes... but somehow, I just feel... out of place."

Dream listened to her, his heart aching for her. He knew how much she loved music and how much she wanted to study at this university. To see her so upset was heartbreaking.

He reached out, gently tugging her into a comforting hug. "Hey, it's okay," he whispered, his voice soothing. "It's just your first day, Piko. Things will get better, I promise. And no matter what, I'm here for you."

"And worst of all, this week we'll be learning about country music!" She said. Dream knew how much she HATED country music. He didn't know why, but she just did.

Dream couldn't help but let out a gentle chuckle at Piko's words. He knew about her deep-seated dislike for country music. It was one of those quirky things about her that he found endearing.

"But think about it, Piko," he said, trying to lighten the mood. "This could be your chance to broaden your musical horizons. Who knows, you might even find a country song you like."

Piko made a face at him, clearly not convinced. Dream just smiled at her, his heart filled with fondness. He knew that no matter what, Piko would get through this. She was passionate, determined, and incredibly talented.

And he would be there, every step of the way, cheering her on.

"I'm gonna go practice a new song..." She went over to her art studio and flipped the sign. The sign had three options that Piko could fill in. Do not disturb, Knock before entering and wait for permission, and come in. It was on do not disturb. Dream knew that ment something was bothering her.

Listening to the lyrics of Piko's new song from outside her studio, Dream couldn't help but feel a pang of concern. It was clear that Piko was struggling with something, and her song was a cry for help.

Although the sign on her studio door said 'Do Not Disturb', Dream couldn't just stand by and do nothing. He wanted to help Piko, to be there for her. He knocked on the door gently, hoping she would let him in.

"Piko, can we talk?" he asked, his voice gentle. "I want to help, if you'll let me."

Whether she let him in or not, Dream would be there for Piko, ready to support her in any way he could.

"Come in..." She said, pausing her song.

Dream gently pushed open the door and stepped inside Piko's studio. The room was filled with the sound of her voice and the strumming of her guitar, the melody of her new song still lingering in the air.

He walked over to her, taking a seat beside her. "I heard your song, Piko," he began, his voice gentle. "It sounds like you're going through a tough time. Want to talk about it?"

Piko looked at him, her eyes filled with a mix of emotions. Dream reached out, gently taking her hand in his. He gave it a reassuring squeeze, hoping to convey his support and care for her.

Because that's what friends do. They stick together, no matter what. And sometimes, they fall in love.

"Well.... let's just say the people going to this collage isn't exactly.... Open to monsters being on the surface. And they blame me for that because... well, it IS technically my fault for breaking the barrier so..." Piko said, staring at her notebook where she had the whole song already written down.

Dream listened attentively as Piko explained her situation, his heart aching for her. He knew how much she had fought for monster rights and how proud she was to have broken the barrier. The fact that she was being blamed for it was unfair and hurtful.

"Piko, you didn't do anything wrong," he said, his voice firm. "You fought for equality and freedom. That's something to be proud of, not ashamed."

He squeezed her hand reassuringly, hoping to impart some of his conviction onto her. "Don't let them get to you, Piko. You're an incredible person and a talented musician. Don't let anyone tell you otherwise."

Because that's what friends do. They stick together, no matter what. And sometimes, they fall in love.

Piko nodded. "Buuuuuut I'm still gonna do this song, this is one of the best songs I've made in a while. You see, each word or sentence spells out the alphabet."

Dream couldn't help but crack a smile at Piko's determination. Even amidst her troubles, her passion for music and creativity shone through.

"That's a really clever idea, Piko," he praised, genuinely impressed. "I can't wait to hear the finished song."

Despite the serious conversation they just had, Dream felt a sense of relief. Piko was strong, and he knew she could handle any challenge that came her way. And no matter what, he would be there to support her.

Because that's what friends do. They stick together, no matter what. And sometimes, they fall in love.

Dream couldn't help but notice Piko's eyes on him as he moved around the room. At first, he thought he was just imagining things, but as the glances became more frequent, he realized that Piko was indeed watching him.

He felt a flutter of excitement in his chest but also a hint of confusion. Was she simply curious, or was there something more to her glances? He decided to confront her about it.

"Piko," he began, turning to face her. "Is there something you want to talk about?"

He looked at her, his eyes soft and inviting. Regardless of what was on her mind, he wanted her to know that she could always talk to him.

Because that's what friends do. They stick together, no matter what. And sometimes, they fall in love.

"Hm? Oh, no, I, uh, Just thinking about a lot of things...." She said. At 4:30, Dream got a text from Kipo. And Piko noticed it right away. She turned back to what she was doing right after, (She was making dinner) but Dream swore he saw her eyes widen. The text said 'Hey, wanna chat?'

Dream looked at the text message from Kipo, feeling a small thrill at the idea of catching up with her. But then he glanced at Piko, who had quickly turned her attention back to the dinner she was making. He couldn't help but notice the flicker of surprise, or was it something else, in her eyes.

"Yeah, sure," he texted back to Kipo, all the while watching Piko from the corner of his eyes. He didn't want to assume or misinterpret anything, but he also couldn't shake off the feeling that Piko's reaction held a deeper meaning.

But for now, he decided to focus on the conversation with Kipo and the dinner that Piko was making. He could always talk to Piko later.

Him and Kipo talked for a while. They talked about drawing, and music, and Dream at first thought he felt something, but he shoved the feeling back down. He already had a girlfriend, and she was loyal. So he had to be loyal too.

As Dream carried on his conversation with Kipo, he found himself enjoying their shared interests and the easy flow of their chat. But when a peculiar feeling began to stir within him, he immediately pushed it away.

He had a girlfriend, someone who loved him and whom he loved in return. He would not betray that trust, not for anything. He reminded himself that his feelings for Kipo were purely platonic, that he saw her as a friend and nothing more.

Once their conversation ended, Dream put his phone away, his thoughts returning to Piko. Looking at her, he felt a warm affection fill his heart. He was lucky to have her, and he wouldn't jeopardize their relationship for anything.

They ate, but for the first time in a while, they slept in two different beds. Piko had come up to him when they were ready to sleep and asked him "Is it okay if we sleep... in different rooms tonight?"

Dream was taken aback by Piko's request. They had been sharing a bed for a while now, and it had become a comforting routine for both of them. But looking at Piko's face, he could tell that she needed some space.

"Of course, Piko," he replied, managing a small smile. "If that's what you want, then it's okay with me."

He watched as Piko nodded, a hint of relief in her eyes, before she retreated to her room. Left alone, Dream couldn't help but feel a pang of loneliness. But he respected Piko's decision and understood that everyone needed some alone time.

Because that's what boyfriends do. They respect their partner's wishes, no matter what. And sometimes, they sleep alone, hoping that tomorrow will be a better day.