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They really should have expected Dream’s mom to find out eventually. She was already so involved in their lives, it was honestly hard to keep anything secret from her. That’s why she was aware of their relationship, (although she knew Dream had been in love with George and Sapnap way before he did).
It was hard enough to explain when George started using the shopping list as a coloring book, but she never asked about it.
Until she actually did.
Many weeks worth of shopping went by before she had asked, that’s why Dream assumed they were safe. He was extremely caught off guard, all the boys in the room had visibly tensed up.
“Um…” George and Karl shared a look, they seemed not as worried as the other two.
“Can you give us a second?” George hummed and dragged Dream by his hoodie sleeve out of the kitchen.
Sapnap started up a conversation when they left, thankfully avoiding the awkward topic for the moment and bought them a little time.
“I think you should tell her,” George blurted. Dream was taken aback, a look that conveyed the obvious ‘are you sure?’ question. “Karl and I actually talked about it, um…” The brunette chewed on his bottom lip, “We really trust her. And we think it’s okay to tell her, as long as you do.”
“You're sure?” Dream definitely looked unsure, but George and Karl were.
“Yes. Just let us leave the room first, it’s kinda embarrassing,” he awkwardly laughed. Dream laughed too but nodded, he reassured George that he’d wait for them to leave.
George had pretty much forced Sapnap and Karl out of the room the second they returned, although they complained it was understood when he explained why. Karl was definitely relieved.
“So, are you going to tell me now or are you going to avoid it again? It can’t be that serious.” Dream’s mom was resting against the counter, her arms crossed in front of her in that standard ‘I’m waiting’ pose.
“It’s a lot more than you think,” Dream sighed. “I’m gonna need to explain this to you. So don’t make assumptions before I’m done, please.”
She nodded as a ‘go ahead'. Dream took a deep breath.
“So there’s this thing… It's called age regression.” He watched carefully for her reaction. She seemed unphased, other than slightly confused. “Basically, it’s a coping mechanism? You— you like… mentally go back to a younger age? Like you, just don’t have control over it. But it’s completely safe and healthy!”
“So what does that have to do with this?”
“Well uh, George and Karl— they uh, they both regress. Nick and I like, we— we take care of them when they do.” She went to say something but he interrupted her before she could, already anxious about whatever response she may have. “It’s not weird! Like, we just treat them like kids when they’re regressed and uh, call us daddy and stuff— again, not weird! And then when they’re uh, b-big, again, then we treat them like normal.”
“I see.”
Dream wasn’t sure if he liked or hated the lack of reaction. She didn’t seem upset… but it felt awkward now.
“So um yea, George likes to draw when he’s uh, little, so he starts drawing on the shopping list when people aren’t watching.”
“That’s sweet,” she smiled, “No wonder they look like scribbles.”
“So you don’t… think like— it’s weird?” She shrugged.
“No, you said it’s healthy and normal. Who am I to judge? I love all you boys.” Dream relaxed, he finally let out a breath he didn’t know he was holding. “If I ever find out you or Nick hurt one of those two though, just remember I have the power to take you back out of this world.”
“No— no! Jesus, mom,” Dream laughed (wheezed) with her, even if the look on her face showed ‘I’m being serious'.
She forced Dream into a motherly hug, quietly reassuring him she’d never dislike him or any of her boys for things they didn’t have control over.
***
“Uhh… Mom?”
Dream’s mom had just come over after grocery shopping. It’d been a few weeks since their conversation, but nothing had been brought up at all about it, everything stayed normal. Dream was helping her pack away the food, but he’d moved on to other household things such as stuff to do with laundry and toiletries.
“Yes?”
“What are these?” Dream lifted a couple of coloring books from the reusable bag, inside it was left behind a pack of those fruity-scented markers, (Dream recognized the iconic Mr. Sketch logo). The two books were Paw Patrol and Spider-man.
“Oh!” She smiled and snatched them out of his hands, “I bought them for George and Karl! Thank you for reminding me.” She pulled out the markers too and piled them neatly together on the counter. Dream wasn’t sure if he was more happy or confused.
“Why?”
“Clay,” she huffed, “I don’t have any more babies to spoil with toys, your sister is too old. You paved a new path for my grandma instincts.” Dream rolled his eyes at her.
“You don’t have grandchildren, don't call yourself a grandma.”
“Whatever,” she lightly slapped his arm. “George, honey? Can you come here?”
Oh God. Dream wasn’t sure how he’d feel about all this.
“Yes ma’am!” George grinned as he rounded into the kitchen, she smiled warmly and held the books and markers out to him. The brunette looked down at the items in his hand, eyebrows furrowed in confusion.
“Those are for you and Karl.”
“Coloring books…?” George spoke with caution like he was prepared to be made fun of or judged. The anxiety in his voice told them he was expecting to be lured into a trap.
“Well someone kept drawing on my shopping list. I thought these might be a good substitute so I can actually read it.”
George looked in awe at the colorful markers and books. He’d never watched Paw Patrol, but he did secretly debate it every time he scrolled past it on their streaming services.
“I— thank— uh,” the brunette looked at Dream with a pleading look. He could tell that George was slipping fast but looked scared. Probably because it was in front of Dream’s mom of all people. The blonde beckoned George over, he came forward with his head down.
“Are you okay?” Dream cooed. He gently held the back of George’s head as he nuzzled into him.
“Mhm.” The little’s cheeks were flushed adorably. Dream carded his hand through brunette curls, (George really needed a haircut), as he swayed them quietly for a moment.
“Baby?” George looked up at him. Dream continued to speak in a hushed tone, “Do you want to go color with your new book and markers?” The brit nodded excitedly, already almost bouncing in place. Dream chuckled. “Okay, go have Dada and Karl open those for you, ‘kay? I’ll be out with you guys in a little bit.”
“‘Kay!” George beamed. He giggled as Dream kissed his forehead before rushing out of the room, eager to color with the fruity markers.
Dream almost forgot his mom was still there, she was stood at the side with an incredibly amused look the whole time.
“Uh—”
“That was adorable,” she laughed, “I can tell you take care of him well.” Her tone went soft, Dream blushed and laughed embarrassed.
“It’s nothing. I just care about him, ya know?”
“I can see that. You know you make a really good Dad—”
“Mom! Not this, please.” He begged.
“I’m teasing you!” She laughed. “Why don’t you go spend time with them. I can put the rest away.”
“Are you sure?” Dream more than anything wanted to go watch his baby color and happily point at the colors while he got them all over his hands.
“Go take care of your boys, Clay.”
“Thanks, Mom,” he sighed. She awed and pulled him in for an exaggerated hug, but he reciprocated with a laugh.
“Oh, do you want me to make you boys lunch before I go?”
“Sure.”
“What does George like?” Dream couldn’t help rolling his eyes, but he’d admit it made his heart swell seeing him mom of all people so supportive.
“Mac and cheese!”
“On it! Now go!” She shoved him out of the kitchen, but not without forcing him to dramatically kiss her cheek and tell her he loved her. (He did it without a single complaint).