Chapter Text
Rooming with Dream was a never peaceful. And when special events rolled around he would become insufferable.
Sometimes, he hosted parties in their dorm and didn't hold back. Techno was lucky it was usually when he was out, since it seemed Dream knew his schedule, somehow. Other times he'd be out and about at parties or events for hours. That's when Techno got some quiet and private time.
Now that it was October, he knew that there would be a lot of things happening for Halloween, and Dream would be all over that. He'd also heard around that some frats were hosting parties. So in all honesty, Techno didn't expect to see him around a lot. It's a miracle he's a good student with his night life.
A week before Halloween Dream had asked Techno if he would do anything for Halloween. And he found no reason to lie, he was going to do nothing.
And he really expected that he would in fact be doing nothing, just resting. He found it a little odd that Dream asked him. But he really didn't care, they were in different worlds that didn't need to interact.
But now, Techno was irritated, surprised, and kind of scared when Dream arrived one afternoon with costumes. The surprising part was that he offered one of them to him. When Dream saw the confused face on him, he chuckled and then started explaining how he would go trick or treating, and with the character he was dressing up as, he needed a partner. As he continued explaining the costumes, Techno still didn't understand how any of this involved him.
Techno just blankly stared at Dream as he kept talking and reached for his headphones as he cut him off.
'I don't see how this involves me, but have fun man'. And proceeded to go back to his homework he'd been working on.
Techno expected Dream to just leave with whatever extravagant plans he had and leave him alone. And it did seem so, because he heard the light noise of a door click, and returned to his work.
Just when he was starting to be absorbed in his work, he had something thrown on his head. Somehow he hadn't heard the door click again nor whatever movement Dream did when he returned. Whatever the other threw covered his face so he pulled it off as he turned in his chair to face Dream.
He was about to tell Dream off for bothering him. But once again he was surprised by this guy, and when he finally took in Dream, whatever he was about to say disappeared.
This was the last thing he'd expected when he turned around. And he had zero idea of what to think about it, and buffered just processing it.
Dream was leaning against a wall shamelessly posing to show off his outfit. As Techno regained his working brain, he could only assume that the outfit was supposed to be Dream's Halloween costume. And he, somehow, couldn't believe that his roommate was actually that coarse.
He didn't know what he expected the other to dress up for Halloween, and never cared to think about it.
Nevertheless, a skimpy devil costume.
He never believed the movies where girls would wear skimpy outfits for the one night of the year it was considered okay. He didn't think he'd actually encounter anyone like that in college. Much less, a guy. And worst of all, a guy he kinda knew. His roommate.
After he'd stared at Dream for, hopefully, no more than a couple of seconds he carefully lowered his gaze to whatever he'd thrown at him. Techno held a long garb, that as he unraveled it, he could identify as a priest costume.
As he examined it more, he noticed it looked like it would totally fit him. It was a straightforward and simple thing. A long black robe with the cuffed neck piece.
This simple and modest piece was the complete opposite of what his roommate had on. He wore black thigh high boots that led to some black leather shorts with a belt that had a tail of sorts in the back. His torso was covered with a very sheer red shirt, as if it did anything, and a cropped leather vest.
His wrists were also covered in bracelets, he had chains on his shorts, and a choker that looked like he stole from some goth. Then to top it all off, he had a headband with horns on it. It wasn't an incredibly skimpy outfit, but it barely hid much skin. But his legs were more covered than the rest of him!
Dream was giddy at the staring and the frustrated circles of Techno's mind was running. He strolled up to him and slowly got Techno’s attention with a hand to his shoulder. He spoke softly, like he didn't want to startle.
'I’m going trick or treating tomorrow, and I wanted a buddy to do a two person costume together '. He smiled sweaty and added, 'and you're the first person that came to mind'.
His voice was so charming and smooth like always but he added weight to his words to convey how he wanted Techno to accompany him to go out.
At that point Techno felt he'd gained back enough composure to actually say something, like he intended from the start.
As he stared into Dream's bright and imposing, but vicious, emerald eyes. He swallowed and finally replied with his monotone voice masking his previous dumbfoundedness.
'I'd take that as a compliment if it wasn't from you.' Techno continued with a sigh, 'Man, I don't know what you're playing but I don't know why you'd think I'd agree to this.'
Techno turned around and tossed back the priest outfit as he added on, 'and don't you have friends to join you anyways?', after a small pause, 'Plus, I'm too old to be trick or treating anyways.'
Dream frowned, catching the other's costume. He huffed and remarked back 'Well, I thought it'd be nice to finally invite you out to do something fun. '
'-And I considered you specifically because there's a treasure hunt that can give materials, senior work, and other prizes. And not only that, but we get to meet lots of people from other majors, and the treat isn't just candy so you could get- '
Dream kept on explaining the supposed benefits of joining him on his little trick or treating activity. And the other got so caught up in explaining the night that it seemed he forgot he was trying to convince Techno to join, only continuing to talk not checking to see if he was actually listening.
Seeing as Dream got absorbed in his own world like always, he opted to discreetly ignore him and continue his work.
Techno wasn't not interested in going out for hours in the night just to walk and talk to people, or whatever, but the mention of prizes like senior work was interesting.
He was really interested in his peers' work as to study and learn from them as to gain their experience. Being taught from someone who already went through his coursework would prepare him for his next projects. Something to get an upper hand.
Usually that type of stuff was off limits and sometimes considered cheating at times. So he wondered why they were using those things as prizes, and how easy they were actually giving them away. No way it was just given to whoever knocked their doors and said 'trick or treat!'.
While he kept musing over the offer and how he would use them, Dream remembered why he was rambling about Halloween night.
When he rambled he had paced their dorm and ended up laying on his bed facing the ceiling. When he looked back at Techno, he was deep in thought. Dream knew that Techno wasn't interested in going him but he hoped something would raise some interest.
He was really hoping that all the mention of senior work, networking, and all those things would interest the nerd of a roommate he had, since he spent all his time in class or studying. Dream was only interested in the secret treasure of the night.
He'd been told about a secret challenge of going around campus of completing a dare or challenge from specific people to collect coins that would later be interchangeable for the entrance to a final event.
A supposed secret monster party, something totally crazy and secret from snitches.
It wouldn't actually be on campus so they needed some way for the people who knew to be recognizable.
Dream being a sophomore in college was in need of something to let loose and some real fun. He was passing in school and teachers liked him enough, so he knew how to balance his student and party life to enjoy the best of the whole experience.
This event was one of a kind and massive, supposedly only seniors and some juniors were told about it along with some alumni, so it was very exciting for him to have been told about it.
Being talkative, charming, and knowing how to basically read people's minds, made him very popular and known. That, along with his concurrent presence at parties made him pretty recognized.
As Techno mentioned, he did in fact have friends who always joined him in his fun, but they had actually made a bet on who would make it to the secret party first. Therefore, he couldn't actually go with them.
Techno was completely uninvolved in that type of secondary life, so he knew it was odd to randomly ask him to join, but there was a reason for that.
The people making the treasure hunt and dares were some crazy and smart people. It was already incredible how they would plan such a big event without the school knowing and shutting them down was incredible. But they also went hardcore with their partying. Drinking and dancing wasn't all that happened there.
So considering the people organizing this, he knew the challenges would be tough, and it's not like he doubted himself in his ability to solve and accomplish tasks, but he knew he could probably use some sort of help for them. So inviting Techno, a guy rumored to be some sort of genius with durability, it was his golden goose.
They weren't best of friends but they respected each other and no conflicts had come up. Dream thought they could work well together.
With the added benefit that if he could get Techno to also do the challenges and collect coins, Dream was sure in the end Techno wouldn't go to the party so he could keep the other’s coins and win the second bet.
That one was a bit more of a rumored competition. He heard whoever got the most coins would get something. Yeah, that's all that was said. It was very vague, which made it more exciting, like a surprise.
Techno was doing his work again, ignoring his existence like always. He really needed to win all the bets, and Techno was his best bet. The big problem was actually getting him on board to just join him.
Dream had even taken into consideration his reserved personality and gotten him a priest costume that was modest and simple. His own costume was a deal with a friend to do a couples costume, but since she was also in on the bet of speedrunning their way into the party, he lost his partner.
He was an incubi and she was a succubus, it was her idea. He agreed to the outfit because she promised compensation, a favor. That was a great offer, he had so many things to get back at her he could use the favor for.
Plus he didn't mind some extra attention, it wasn't that revealing of an outfit, and it wasn't even freezing cold outside anyways.
It was hard to think of a way to convince Techno to agree. He didn't actually know him that well. They had their basic introduction when they met, but all he knew of him came from rumors and others’ words. He was sure it was the same for himself and Techno.
He had a second nerd he could reach out to help his mission, but that guy did like parties and was a little annoying so that's why he was second choice. If not even third, the second being going alone.
He finally sat up and spoke with a whine to make sure the other heard him through his headphones.
'Ugh, you didn't hear a thing I said! Hey man this is my effort to socialize with you. We've known each other for a bit, so it's not that weird, and wouldn't it be nice to get out, get free stuff, have some fun, or something?' he put on a pout, and the lightest glare, when Techno finally looked at him.
Techno stared for a bit, then replied with a monotone voice, 'I'd actually prefer to rest tomorrow'.
Tension started building up. Dream didn't know actually interacting with his roommate longer than five seconds was this frustrating and Techno was getting annoyed at the insistence and disturbance.
After a staring competition, Dream caved. If he couldn't tolerate this guy at the moment, how could he tolerate him if they went out for hours. He sighed exacerbated, searched for his phone, threw himself on his bed again and searched in his contacts.
Techno just off handedly stared as he busied with his call. His face unimpressed and if he wasn't imagining it, Dream could sense amusement at his irritation.
Then both went back into their own worlds after their conversation died.
Dream reluctantly looked for that annoying nerd's number he got because the other insisted he was a call away, whenever Dream needed something.
As he finally found it, he called and put it on speaker. Dream didn't care that Techno could probably hear it, he didn't seem that interested in him anyways, if the previous conversation said anything, and if anything it might make him feel bad he ignored him. Whatever.
The call rang twice and then it was answered. 'Dream! My guy! You've called me, there must be something you'd like from me, yes? Lay it on me. '
The guy sounded giddy and he could feel the smirk on his face, and as much as Dream appreciated the enthusiasm and accessibility he just realized he'd forgotten the guy's name. He'd saved his number as ‘Nerdier nerd’. Dream hoped he wouldn't be too offended.
'Heyyy, I'm going to sound so mean right now', he tried to sound really apologetic, ' but I forgot your name. It's just that it's been so long since we spoke that I forgot, and I saved your number as Curls', he finished with a light hearted laugh.
Dream wasn't going to admit the actual nickname he put, but hoped the guy liked his curly hair enough to take it as a compliment.
And he thankful did, as he also laughed when he responded.
'Oh dear! Ah, don't worry, I know you're a busy guy and I'm a little too unremarkable'. Dream could hear the sarcasm and teasing, at least he was easygoing.
‘My name is Will. I hope you'll remember me, and place a name to those curls.' The guy, Will, continued to tease.
Dream laughed slightly and relaxed at the other's fun. He decided Will was actually better than Techno. This guy was actually sociable and entertaining, unlike some others.
'Well I'm happy we're still on good terms. And you guessed it! I have a little favor to ask, I promise it'll be fun, and we can actually get to know each other'
Dream continued after the other hummed in agreement. 'Tomorrow night there's going to be a big event for Halloween and I need a second for my costume. '
He increased his charm even though the guy, Will, seemed interested enough.
'Oh I've heard of that, I was interested to see what people would be up to but I don't have a costume to go out with. But since you're inviting me, I'll very gladly be your second. Just tell me what to dress up as'.
The end almost came out as a purr and Dream was actually intrigued at this guy's weird personality. He was almost too friendly, like they knew each other well.
When he met him it'd been a short interaction. He'd been in the library looking for a book his friend requested and something for his upcoming test.
Because as much as he lived it up, he needed to keep his grades up and pass classes. He enjoyed living the present but did think about the future. As much as it didn't seem so to some people.
When he was browsing the textbooks, Will had come up to him, just asking where he could find a certain book. Dream joked about him being mistaken for a librarian was a first, but still helped out. Will thanked blithely and awkwardly apologized.
After some quick directions, Dream was leaving to check out but Will stopped him, offering his number to make up for the help. Dream obliged, it wasn't odd for him to get new contacts randomly. He honestly had a good amount of numbers he had zero recollection of who they belonged to.
Dream replied excitedly. 'Oh! You don't have to worry about the costume, mine came with a second one, though it might fit you a bit big'.
Since Dream got the priest outfit for Techno, who was tall and large, he probably worked out in his free time, the outfit was kind of big. And if he remembered correctly Will was kind of skinny, he was tall. Probably between Dream & Techno, but skinnier than even Dream.
Will didn't seem to mind one bit and very excitedly replied right back. 'That's great! I don't mind one bit, anything is good'.
'Perfect. Since the events starts in the evening, let's meet up around that time in my dorm. I'll text you the details a little later'.
Dream wrapped up the conversation, now that he had a partner he had to make his action plan. Will was different from Techno, he needed to figure out how he'd keep the other's coins, without giving up the secret.
Will seemed nice enough but he had people he planned to party with and didn't want distractions.