Dream is not a foolish man. He joked around, he played his games, that is a fact, but when it all comes down to it, he's smart. He has a quick mind, and is always fast to coming up with plans and ideas.

So if that is true, then why, why can he not figure out a solution to his problem?

His goal was easy when he started this. The path was straight and clear. Find a merman, get his tears, deliver him to Schlatt, and then he'd have saved the lives of his crew. But now- well, now it was different. He cared about George. The merman was fun to be around. He didn't want to just hand him over to Schlatt. He couldn't possibly do that. He just had to find a way to convince George to give him his tears. Maybe he could make up a fib to Schlatt, that they secured his tears but the merman escaped- or something like that.

George wouldn't hear of it though. He saw giving his tears away as the greatest disgrace. No matter how many times Dream tried to explain it, he just wouldn't listen. Could George not see that his life was on the line? Could he not see that giving up his tears was the easiest and most likely safest situation? The answer was no. He could not. Dream didn't know how to show him.

Every time he brought it up, he'd get the cold shoulder. A 'not now, Dream', 'I don't want to talk about it, Dream' or something along the lines before the idea was completely blanked and wiped from their conversation.

It was tiring. Dream was worried. Really, really worried. They were still incredibly far away from Schlatt's, it would be a long time before they arrived, and with Dream stalling, they wouldn't be at Lmanberg any time soon. But still, it was bound to happen. The longer he took, the more likely it was that Schlatt would come for him. Dream knew it would happen, and he wasn't sure how to stop it.

He didn't know if he could stop it. He'd done many great things in his life and had many magnificent stories to tell of his victories, but the one time he really needed himself to save the day, he was unable to. He was, to simply put it, useless.

Dream wished him and George had met under different circumstances. Things would be so much different then. Things would be better. There'd be no looming threat over their heads, no worry, no Schlatt.

But they weren't in a different circumstance. They weren't in some mystical better life. They were here. On a boat, in the direction of Lmanberg.

Dream wished he was anywhere else.

It was night, right now. Everyone else was asleep. Dream was sitting on the stairs that led to the steering wheel. He let out a soft breath, being able to see it in the cold night air. It swirled around before disappearing, and he rubbed the back of his head. He pulled his mask off and held it in his rough hands. He stared down at it, his thumb brushing over a small crack on the bottom. His grip tightened on it as he looked back up to the sky. The stars were beautiful. They looked like they were painted by the gods. He almost wished they were. If there were any gods, he hoped one of them had created this.

He let his fingers run over the braids that George had done in his hair the night before. That was a good night, especially in contrast to right now.

Dream let out a small sigh as his gaze dropped to the water. He leaned against the wall on the stairs as the waves churned with the wind. They were dark and powerful. They were scary. Dream had lived many years on the water. Constantly at sea. He loved it, he truly did, yet the sight of the sea at night always scared him. It made him realise how vast it was, and how insignificant he was in comparison.

He thought about George. George belonged in that water. Not in a glass tank. He was wild. Not tame, not like humans. Dream imagined George swimming in that water, where he was supposed to be.

He wondered if George ever got scared of it.

Dream often found himself doing this. Thinking about George. The brunette was all the blonde could think about these days.

George's dark brown eyes invaded his mind, their depth paralysing and their curiosity burning. Dream rested his face in his hands, scrunching up his hair as he sighed. Dream didn't know what to do. He was so confused. It felt weird for him. It had been years since he'd felt this unsure about things. He was always one to be confident in his thoughts and abilities, not spending time worrying over what the future would hold. But now? Well, now it was different. His situation was the opposite of what he'd expected.

A hand patted Dream on the shoulder, causing him to jump slightly in surprise. He was too caught up in his thoughts to notice the sound of footsteps, which was incredibly unlike him.

Sapnap was sitting next to him. The man gave Dream a worried look. Dream blinked at him, smiling weakly, before looking out to sea.

"Are you okay?" Sapnap questioned, which Dream did not answer. He just let out a heavy, uneven breath.

"Sorry. Dumb question. I know you're not okay." Sapnap murmured, looking out at sea with Dream.

They sat in silence for a few minutes, the only sounds being the waves crashing against the boat and the steady swaying sound as it creaked.

"I don't know what to do, Sap." Dream broke the silence, looking over at his friend.

He saw Sapnap's gaze flick to his scar quickly, before looking properly looking at Dream.

"I'm scared. I don't want George to get hurt. But I don't want our family to get hurt either. I'm so confused..." Dream continued, and Sapnap let out a deep breath.

"I don't know, Dream," he muttered, "I wish- I wish there was something I could do to help, but I'm just as clueless as you are." Dream shrugged in response, not wanting to answer.

He ran a hand through his hair, before looking back down at his mask. The porcelain seemed to glow in the moonlight. He may have thought it beautiful if he were in any other situation.

"I wish it was easier. I almost wish I hadn't become friends with him. Then it wouldn't be so hard," Dream admitted, "but I care for him. Why do I care about him, Sapnap? Why is this so difficult?"

Sapnap hesitantly gave Dream another pat on the shoulder, he was always one that was fine with physical affection, but right now it was different.

"I know why this is difficult for you, Dream...I know why you care for him so much," Sapnap murmured, causing Dream to look up at him, "but I know you will not believe me if I tell you."

Dream studied him for a moment.

"I can't give him to Schlatt." Dream said after a moment.

"I know."

Dream felt tears prick his eyes. He felt like a child again. He felt like how he did when he was young and just learning of the world.

"Oh, Dream." Sapnap murmured, before pulling Dream into a hug.

Dream let silent tears fall as he clutched onto his best friend.

They sat there hugging for what felt like forever.

"I'm scared." Dream sniffled.

Sapnap just hugged him tighter.

Dream felt comfort from his best friend. It wasn't often that he cried like this, but he was glad he had Sapnap. He knew crying by himself was worse.

He turned his blurry, tear-filled eyes to the water.

Sapnap and Dream sat there as they watched the ocean.

Dream needed to figure out what to do. He knew he did. He had to come up with some solution, to save himself, his family, and George.

George.

His heart sped slightly at the thought of the merman.

He had to protect George. There were so many things to do. So much planning ahead.

But for now, he let himself relax, and sit out in the cool night air with his best friend.

x - x - x - x - x - x - x - x - x - x -x - x - x - x - x - x - x - x - x - x - x - x - x - x - x

Hello friends!!! Another chapter, done :D

IM SORRY FOR THE ANGST (no I'm not >:D)

And ohmygod, we went from 4.3k yesterday to 6.9k??? That is so crazy!! Thank you so so so so much for all of your support, this is unbelievable.

You guys are so awesome

Happy reading!!

-Bee

(30/1/21)

Co-posted on ao3