You know the common trope that Dream can't dream and if he does his version of "sleep" it's just like floating in darkness? What if that's just because his subjects are too afraid to visit him? Like, he thinks it's just that he not-sleeps and can't dream, that's just how it is for Dream of the Endless. And then he's trapped in a glass bowl for 106 years and comes out changed and starts to be kinder to his subjects and taking their thoughts and feelings into account. And since he thinks sleeping is just a state of nothingness for a few hours he hasn't tried it in centuries, but Hob (bless him) tries to get Dream to have some healthier habits and at some point convinces him to try sleeping. And would you look at that, some dreams actually show up this time and Dream gets to experience his realm the same ways mortals do for the first time ever