"George?" Dream called, lightly knocking on George's room door. He didn't receive an answer.

"George!" He called again, with another knock.

"What?" He finally answered.

With a sigh of relief, Dream slowly opened the door to witness a sleepy George laying by himself with the TV playing some random reality show.

"How are you doing? I made French toast." He made himself comfortable beside George on his bed.

George rubbed a hand down his face, then pulled his sweatshirt sleeves further down his arms.

"I'm doing.. fine."

"Have you talked to your mom yet?"

"No."

A wave of silence came over them as Dream turned his head to the tv.

George glanced at Dream.

"So, you're not doing okay." Dream muttered, taking the remote from George's hand and shutting the tv off.

"George-"

"No," he interrupted.

Dream spun his head to face him.

"I don't get it, Dream. I don't get why you won't try."

"Try..?"

"Try. With me. You told me you- you told me you loved me. Last night. Now I can't even touch you?"

"I won't be able to make you happy, George."

"You have been making me feel happy, Clay. You make me feel like a whole new planet."

Dream parted his lips but didn't dare to speak.

George scoffed to himself, shaking his own head.

"I'm so sorry, George. You- you don't deserve this."

George swallowed a large lump in his throat.

"Especially after I was the one to confess. I started this. I should've confessed while you were in England so we would be prepared when you came to Florida- so we could settle this. Settle us."

Dreams eyes began to water. He wanted George to say something. Say anything so he didn't have to tumble over his own words.

"I'm sorry too, Clay."

"W-why?" Dream stuttered, his eyes burning as he quickly wiped them.

George turned his attention back to Dream.

"We already talked this through last night and now.. now I'm being hard on you. I know you need to focus on yourself and maybe I just haven't been loyal enough to that. I'm just so angry that I don't get to have you.. I mean that I don't get to have you right now. I have never wanted someone in the way I want you."

George kept his eyes focused onto Dreams.

Silence.

Silence, until the wind steadily flew into the room, a cold breeze swiping over the two.

Dream had managed to keep himself from crying and spitting out pathetic sobs.

"You know how much I care for you, right Georgie?" Dream whispered.

George squeezed his lips together with a quick nod. "I know."

Dream couldn't help but smile.

George couldn't help but smile.

The smiles turned to light chuckles, then a shared hug between the two.

George buried his face deep into Dreams shoulder, tightening his arms around his back.

"Never in my life would I find myself falling for the biggest idiot I've ever known," Dream whispered beside George's ear, sending a shock of goosebumps.

"Let alone a man."

This made George laugh, hard. He wheezed as he pulled away from Dreams tight hug and punch him in the stomach.

"You dick!"

"Hey! I'm just being honest!"

———