Dream stared down at George's unmoving body and shook his head.

Why wasn't it working? It had to work, it just had to!

Dream watched the glowing tears get absorbed into the brunette's wound, and let his tears drop.

Dream nudged him slightly, but there was no response.

"Phil," Dream murmured, turning to look up at him, tears blurry in his eyes, "Phil, he's not waking up."

Phil looked down at him, a mournful expression gracing his face.

"Dream..." "No!" Dream sobbed, looking down at George.

"George, wake up! Please, it had to work! Please wake up!" he screamed, sobs wracking his body as tears streamed down at his face.

"You have to wake up," he cried, "I need you. I love you. Please."

George did not move.

Dream pulled George's body close to him, hugging him one last time as he buried his head in George's shoulder.

He gripped onto his shirt, not wanting to let go as tears streamed down his face.

Dream held him for a minute as he refused to believe his George was gone.

Suddenly, Dream felt a hand in his hair, and for a moment he thought it was Phil until the body he was holding started to move.

He gasped, pulling back and looking in front of him, holding George's shoulders.

The man was awake, blinking at him tiredly.

George looked down to his wound, which had stitched itself up, and let out a shaky breath.

Dream stared at him in shock, tears drying slightly but still red on his cheeks.

"George..." Dream whispered, not taking his eyes off the man, scared that he would die if he did so.

The merman looked up at the sound of his name and stared at Dream.

He's alive. He's alive, he's alive, he's alive!

"You're alive..." Dream murmured, and the man nodded his head slightly.

They stared at each other for what felt like an eternity, and Dream felt the happiest he had in a long time.

After a moment, George smiled, tilting his head to the side slightly.

"I'm sorry, did you say you loved me?" he asked, and Dream went bright red. He felt heat crawl up his cheeks and he stammered, trying to find an excuse.

Oh shit, oh shit, oh shit.

George rolled his eyes, before leaning forward and kissing him.

It felt like nothing he'd ever felt before, his heartbeat increased so much it felt like it would burst from his chest.

He froze in surprise, before he melted into the kiss, cupping his hands over George's cheeks.

At that moment, it was just him and George. Everyone else in the room had disappeared. The only one he focused on was the merman. George. His George.

They parted after a moment, and Dream continued to hold George's face.

He panted slightly from the lack of air before a giddy smile lit up his face.

George grinned back at him as they stayed in each other's arms.

"Does that- does that mean you-"

"Yes, Dream. I love you." George interrupted, and Dream felt butterflies erupt in his stomach from the words.

Dream hears someone wolf whistle from behind, and he turns his head quickly to see the crew all smiling at them with relieved looks on their faces.

Dream smiled back, feeling exhausted, and he helped pull George to his feet.

They held each other's hands as George wobbled, obviously still adjusting to being alive again.

"George!" Dream heard someone call, and they turned slightly to see Tommy running over.

Dream stepped back slightly and Tommy barreled into the brunette's arms, hugging him tightly.

George squeaked in surprise before relaxing and hugging the teenager back.

"I thought you were dead." the boy mumbled, and Dream saw George's expression soften.

"I'm okay, Tommy." he murmured, and the boy gripped him tighter for a second before parting.

George rested a hand on Dream's shoulder, unable to stand up well by himself as his legs wobbled.

Slowly, everyone made their way over, giving George hugs and comforting words. Karl had sobbed into George's arms, and they'd spent ages talking about all the things they'd missed out on.

Dream had found out about Karl being in the castle for years, and he'd been sick to his stomach at what he heard. George had suffered, and it had only been two days he'd been stuck there, so Karl must have had it really fucking bad.

Despite this, Dream still smiled.

George was alive. He was alive, he was okay, and he was not getting hurt on Dream's watch.

Dream found it hard to believe that George actually loved him back, but he did not argue with it. He was so immensely happy, and nothing would ruin this moment.

He squeezed George's hand, and the man turned to look at him.

"Don't scare me like that again." Dream murmured, and George rolled his eyes fondly.

He leaned forward and pecked Dream on the cheek.

"I wouldn't dream of it." George whispered back, and they exchanged a blushing smile.

Dream wound his fingers through George's and looked over at his crew.

Quackity sat with Tubbo on the stairs, exchanging hugs as the older one rubbed the younger's shoulders, saying something to the younger that Dream couldn't quite make out. Ranboo, Niki, Fundy and Ant sat in a circle, murmuring comforting words to each other, while Sam and Sapnap talked about who knows what a few metres away from Dream and George.

Dream glanced to the side and saw Techno looking extremely awkward as he stood in front of Phil, Wilbur and Tommy.

He said something that Dream could not hear and watched Phil pull the taller man into a hug.

Techno looked startled, before he hugged him back slightly, stiffly patting his back.

Wilbur joined the hug, and Tommy leapt into it.

Dream smiled warmly at the family reunion and turned back to George.

"So..." he murmured.

"So..." George copied.

"What now?" Dream asked, rubbing his thumb over George's.

The man thought for a moment, before smiling.

"Let's go on an adventure." the merman murmured, and Dream smiled, pulling him close.

"I like the sound of that." he whispered, before pulling George into another kiss.

All was well.

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 - x - x - x - x

Hello friends!!! Sorry this is so late!! And sorry it's so short....I was out all day with my friends and only just now found time to update! My best friend Oakley is literally sitting here right now next to me reading, and I'm neglecting her oml.

AnYwAy,,,,, yeah I did that.

What, did you think I'd actually kill George off? As if.

Uh, so there's one chapter coming out tomorrow, and then we're done!!!

SEE YOU ALL TOMORROW IN THE FINAL CHAPTER OF A MERMAN'S TEAR!!

Happy reading

-Bee

(20/2/21)

Co-posted on ao3