warmth [dreamnotfound] | ✓

chapter thirteen. something comforting.

8:30 PM.

The sun setting over I-24 was one of the most stunning things Dream had ever seen. He wasn't sure where they were or what was going to happen next, but in that moment all he noticed was the glowing yellow reflecting in the water that surrounded either side of the road.

George felt it too, the heat and the overwhelming calmness that had washed over the vehicle and the two boys inside. It could've been the clear sky, or the lakes, or the soft music that hummed from the speakers, but something about that moment was different in the best way possible. It didn't feel quite real. Too good to be true. He didn't want to ruin it by mentioning it to Dream.

"This was what you were talking about earlier, isn't it." It wasn't a question in the slightest, instead, Dream just observed what was happening around them.

"Exactly." George's friend lazily leaned over to the side, resting his head on the boy's fabric-covered shoulder, but his eyes stayed trained on the sky.

"I think this is the first time something nice has ever happened to me without any repercussions."

George smiled but it held a tinge of sadness. He completely understood. "Me too."

"I wonder if Florida is going to be like this?"

"Don't tell me you're wanting to turn around now. It's a little too late for that."

"No no no, it's not that. It's just..." The music swallowed his lack of words. "I'm just hoping it lives up to everything I've been dreaming it will be."

"I'm sure it will."

"Nah, I don't know anymore. This, this sunset and this music and- and this! This right here is what I've been thinking it would be. You know, quiet and nice and i'm having the time of my life and no one's judging me or trying to stop me or anything." he stopped, letting out a sigh that he'd been holding for quite a while before continuing. "And the best part is that I can say shit like this and no one will judge me or think I'm being weird or wonder where the real Dream is because he's right here, he's just not what everyone thinks he is." The boy's words picked up in pace as he started rambling but George didn't mention it. Every word made more and more sense. It was an explanation he was never expecting to a question he hadn't asked. "So, I'm just hoping Orlando will be the same way, I guess."

George thought for a moment, soaking in every word. "What if you didn't go? What if we never left this car and just went somewhere else? I mean, you have your stuff in here and so do I. We could go to some beach town and sleep in the backseat until we get jobs and make enough money to buy one of those beach villas. Oh, and we could finally get rich enough to live out those dreams of being streamers! You know, the ones where we had a YouTube channel and stuff? We could do that!"

George's shoulders shook with laughter, but Dream didn't move. His green eyes glazed over with the reflection of the sunset. "That's not that bad of an idea."

His laughter stopped. George turned to his friend and removed the hand that was intertwined with the other boy's. He needed something to shake the boy out of his haze and so reached forward and ruffled blond hair between his fingers with a smile. "I was joking, Dream."

Dream knew his scars were on full display but didn't move his hair back. "I know, I just wish I could. I wish I didn't pay a ridiculous amount of money to go to a college that I don't even know if I'm going to like."

"You're going to like it, I promise."

"How do you know that?" Dream's voice held a wobbly note of worry and he wasn't smiling anymore. His eyes flickered away from the sun and over to George's face, moving a bit closer until George could practically count the number of freckles on his cheeks.

"You're good at making friends, being around people. You'll find people you like. You might even find that love you want so badly."

"Maybe we'll both find it."

"Maybe." George's hand hovered over the radio, wanting to change the song to an upbeat one or even just to turn it louder, but he didn't. He'd had enough drowning out his thoughts for the day.

"Keep this on," Dream muttered and his eyes flickered closed.

"Okay." The quiet, sad music remained and with that, Dream leaned over and buried his face in the other teen's shoulder, quietly falling asleep. George was left alone, wondering what he truly wanted in the world. He hoped he'd find it sometime soon. He wanted love, that was for sure, but he thought that might have to wait a while.