Chapter Text
Dream and George walked hand in hand up to the dining pavilion. There were more people than Dream thought there would be, for some reason he’d assumed it would just be them and like ten others but there were about 15 tables full of chatting people. Dream got a bit overwhelmed by the noise and faltered, suddenly not feeling so sure about this whole thing.
George seemed to notice and squeezed his hand reassuringly, “hey, it will be fine, alright?” George smiled at him, “besides we could make it a game, whoever flirts the best gets the bed.”
Dream laughed, “I thought you said I got the bed because I’m doing you a favor?”
George rolled his eyes, “that’s no fun, now c’mon,” he pulled Dream forward to a table where Dream recognized his mother to be sitting.
When Ms. Clark saw them approaching, she turned to the man she was sitting next to, whispering something in his ear and they both stood up. “Hi George, Clay,” she greeted before motioning to the man, “this is Frank.” He was tall with dark hair and dark eyes, he looked almost kind in contrast to George’s mother.
George shrunk back as the man held his hand out with a smile, “nice to meet you boys.”
Dream took one glance at George before taking the man's hand, shaking it firmly, “nice to meet you too sir.”
The man dropped his hand with a deep laugh, “no need for formalities, call me Frank.”
George’s mother cleared her throat, staring at George with daggers in her eyes, George seemed to be overwhelmed and still had yet to speak.
Dream paused before saying, “George isn’t feeling so well sorry he’s being quiet, the jet lag is really hitting him I think.” George looked at him sharply, surprise written all over his face. Had he not expected Dream to cover for him? Dream had no interest in seeing his mother have a breakdown and take everything out on George.
“Calm down Laura, let the boys have something to eat before you throw a fit,” a new voice came from in the seat next to George’s mother. It was from a rather pudgy woman with poofy blonde hair that looked like it had been blown out.
Dream had to bite his lip to prevent himself from laughing. George’s mother scoffed and sat down with a huff, remaining silent. Dream let go of George’s hand, pulling out his chair for him with a slight bow and a wink. George rolled his eyes but he could have sworn he saw a slight blush as he sat down. Dream took the seat next to him.
“Hi George, how are you doing my dear?” the same woman who had spoken up moments earlier asked.
George cleared his throat, speaking up for the first time since they’d approached the table, “Hi Aunt Linda, I’m doing well, how are you?” Dream made a mental note of the name and relation, he wanted to remember everyone’s names no matter how difficult it would be.
The woman smiled, “I am great, even better now that I get to meet this dreamboat you call a boyfriend.” Dream flushed violently as he registered that she was referring to him.
George giggled, “Clay is handsome isn’t he?” Dream got even redder if that was possible and shoved George’s arm.
“Says you, you’re over here looking like a whole model,” he paused before playfully adding, “you should have seen him getting out of the shower…” he fanned himself lightly with a teasing grin and he saw George’s jaw drop from the corner of his eye making him snicker. The look on George’s mother made it 10 times better, she was barely hiding her disgust at their flirting and Dream wondered if George had been playing up how accepting she’d been when he’d come out. She looked like she was about to be sick.
George's aunt laughed, "so how long have you two been dating?"
Dream said "a year and a half" at the same time George said "a year." They both froze, looking at each other in panic.
Dream cleared his throat, "I've liked George for a year and a half, but we only started dating a year ago." He tried to clarify, George's aunt just smiled, not seeming to notice their slip up, or maybe she just didn't care all that much.
"And you both go to the same college? Thats how you met?" She asked, Dream frowned, they really should've discussed their backstory before the dinner.
"We do go to the same college but we met when we were younger," George said pausing and looking at Dream, "we've known each other for about six years now right?"
Dream nodded with a smile, "I can't believe it took us so long to figure out we liked each other," he shoved George playfully, "for the longest time I thought this idiot hated me." George smiled at that, looking down at the table and biting his lip. Dream glanced at George's mother before lifting one finger and lightly tracing George's jawline, his heart was beating rapidly and he froze as George swallowed. But George simply reached up and interlocked their hands, playing into exactly what Dream had been going for.
George’s aunt spoke up again, “Dear Lord, you two are absolutely adorable,” she fawned, “and let me tell you something. My daughter, Sarah, and her boyfriend hold back nothing, so don’t be afraid to kiss in front of us,” she motioned between herself and the rest of the people at the table, “trust me we’ve seen it all.” Dream’s eyes widened at her implication and he gave a panicked look to George who mirrored his expression.
“I- we- uh-” George stumbled over his words, clearly caught off guard by her statement.
“Oh don’t be nervous George, go ahead, give your boyfriend a kiss.” George’s aunt waved her hand, this time at them, “it's supposed to be a week of love! Let’s start it off right.” Dream was frozen in place, literally the one thing that George had said was off limits was already being asked of them.
George cleared his throat and Dream turned toward him slowly, George was already facing him, his face deathly pale. They stared at each other for a long moment and Dream tried and failed to read George’s expression.
They must’ve been staring in silence for too long because George’s aunt spoke again, “go on boys, don’t be shy!” Dream wanted to slap her in the face, throw food at her, something, anything to make her shut up.
Dream watched with wide eyes as George leaned forward, closing the space between them. George’s lips were soft as they pressed against his. Time seemed to freeze for a moment in Dream’s mind and he didn’t understand the slight flutter that went through his stomach. He was very hesitant as he kissed the boy back, George pulled back after a moment and he looked defeated. His eyes were blank as he stared at Dream for a moment before turning away. The fluttery feeling vanished as soon as he saw the look on George’s face, and he suddenly felt sick to his stomach. Dream desperately wanted to apologize but couldn’t, he promised himself that he would bring it up with George once they’d gotten back to their bungalow.
“There you go! Happy week of love!” George’s aunt said cheerfully, clearly not sensing that anything was wrong. Which was good, right? That’s what they were supposed to be doing, tricking people.
George laughed shakily and Dream could almost hear his voice break. Dream swallowed, “we’re not really into pda, sorry.”
Dream locked eyes with Wilbur from across the room who was staring at him quizzically, clearly having seen what had happened. He sighed, shaking his head slightly, he would have to deal with that later.
“Neither are me and my husband,” George’s aunt spoke again, motioning to the man who sat silently beside her, Dream nodded at the man and the man nodded back before turning his attention back to his food.
Dream glanced at George who was moving his food around on his plate, his elbow on the table, leaning his head against his hand. It looked like he hadn’t eaten any of it. Dream bit his lip worriedly, George was very clearly upset and Dream had no idea what to do. A server came up to the table, holding a bottle, “wine anyone?”
George perked up and nodded, pointing to his empty glass, Dream looked at him in concern, he’d never seen George drink before, even at parties they’d both attended at school. George was one of the only other people he knew that refused when anyone asked him if he wanted a shot. The man filled his glass and George drank the whole thing in one long gulp, tightening his jaw slightly.
“George!” his mother scolded, “slow down on the alcohol.” George shrugged and went back to playing with his food. Dream was getting more and more worried by the minute.
“C’mon Laura, let the kid drink he’s on vacation,” Frank said lightly and Dream wanted to yell at him as he pushed his glass toward George, “enjoy it George.” He winked and George picked up the glass, this time sipping it slower.
“George…” Dream muttered under his breath, George gave him a sharp look, that clearly said to shut the fuck up. So Dream did.
One by one people began to leave to go back to their bungalows for the night, George's aunt and Frank both wished them a good night, George's mother was very clearly upset at George's drinking but she didn't say anything. Dream and George stayed, Dream still sitting in silence next to George who was very clearly drunk. Pretty soon they were the only ones left at their table, a few people still lingering at tables around them. Wilbur had waved to Dream as he’d left, giving a concerned look at George to which Dream shook his head. He’d deal with it.
Dream was beginning to get angry, what the hell was up with George? Was kissing him really that bad? Now Dream was going to have to half carry him back to their bungalow, Dream raised an eyebrow as George reached again toward his glass. He’d had enough, he reached out, grabbing George’s wrist, stopping his movement.
George looked at Dream for the first time in what felt like hours, “what the hell?” his voice was slurred and his eyes were hazy.
“What do you mean ‘what the hell’ George? What the fuck is up with you right now?” His voice came out harsher than he’d meant it too but he didn’t back down, George was being irrational and he had to know it.
Drunk George seemed to be much more ballsy than sober George because he scoffed hotly, standing suddenly from the table, swaying slightly as he turned toward Dream, crossing his arms over his chest, “I think you can figure this one out on your own, Clay.”
Dream glarred as George said his name mockingly, “we kissed, it's really not that big of a deal, George.”
George didn’t respond, instead turning away and beginning to walk back toward the bungalow. He was leaning dangerously to one side and Dream sighed, pushing himself up from his seat and following after the boy.
Once he reached him he hooked his arm around George’s waist, ignoring how George made a noise of complaint and held up the boy's small frame, helping him walk. George only resisted for a moment before giving in, leaning against Dream as they walked.
“Why are you being nice to me?” George slurred out, his voice sounded as if he was on the verge of tears and it made Dream frown.
“Because even though I don’t know what’s up with you right now, I’m still your friend and I’m gonna take care of you,” George looked at him, his eyes dark under the moonlight. Dream could've sworn he saw the boy glance down at his lips and Dream cleared his throat quickly. Drunk George clearly didn’t know what he was doing, “also I can’t have you going and falling into the ocean and drowning. That would be such a pain to explain.”
George giggled, the dark look leaving his eyes, “you’re funny Dream.”
Dream smiled, “Am I?”
“Yes,” George said and thought for a moment before continuing, “and you’re really nice, like stupid nice.” Dream raised an interested eyebrow, smiling slightly, “I remember one time in the cafeteria I saw you come in and there was a girl who was sitting alone and you just went and sat next to her, no questions asked, and started talking to her. That’s when I knew I-” he stopped himself suddenly and Dream looked at him in confusion.
“That’s when you knew what?” He prodded, wanting to know where he was going with that thought. He hadn’t known anyone noticed him sitting next to the girl that day, she had been in one of his classes and she was new so he’d just chosen to sit down next to her, it hadn’t been a big thing.
“Nevermind,” George seemed to have sobered up slightly because he wasn’t leaning on Dream nearly as much. They reached their bungalow and Dream opened the door, helping George in before shutting it after them.
George stumbled away from Dream, landing on the bed with a groan.
“You’re really gonna regret drinking that much in the morning,” Dream hummed and George groaned again.
“Shut up,” his voice was muffled since his face was buried in the pillows on the bed. Dream rolled his eyes with a small smile. He grabbed some sweats and a t-shirt and changed in the bathroom, washing off his face and grabbing his toothbrush, brushing his teeth. When he walked out George was still in the same position he had been before.
“Are you gonna change or like… brush your teeth?” Dream asked, pulling out a sheet from the closet and moving to lay it out on the couch. George lifted his head from the pillows, studying Dream as he placed the sheet on the couch.
“You can sleep in the bed,” George spoke up, his voice was considerably quieter than it had been before.
Dream looked up at him, shaking his head, “you're drunk, you can have the bed tonight.”
“No, I mean…” George paused and Dream tilted his head slightly, “you can sleep in the bed with me.”
“Oh,” Dream’s heart did a weird spin and he stared at George for a long moment, “are you sure?”
“Just come here before I change my mind,” George patted the spot next to him and Dream paused just for a moment before slowly climbing into the bed. He laid as far to the other side of the bed as he could, careful not to touch George.
George laughed quietly, “you can take up more space, it's okay I won’t be mad if you touch me.”
Dream swallowed before relaxing, shifting so he wasn’t on the very edge of the bed. Dream didn’t understand George, he was so hard to read. One moment he was angry at him and the next he was inviting him to share the bed. George reached out and flipped off the light on the lamp next to the bed, sending the room into darkness. Dream felt George shift next to him and froze as he felt George’s pinky lock with his own.
“Don’t say a word Dream,” George mumbled.
Dream felt a blush crawl up his neck and shook it off, George was drunk, that was the only reason he was acting like this. No other reason, absolutely nothing else.