warmth [dreamnotfound] | ✓

chapter twenty two. goodbye to a world.

11:11 PM.

"So. This is it. The end." Dream stood a foot away from the door to his new dorm building, hands in pockets and eyes on the floor. His feet shifted beneath him and he could feel himself getting closer to the warm body beside him. If only to feel the heat one last time.

"Dream, you make it sound like the apocalypse," George laughed but he could feel something in the air too. It had been there since the car crash in Kentucky, but now it was stronger than ever. A cloud hovered between the two, but not one to separate them. It brought them closer, like the pull of a tornado.

The silence that followed was deafening. They heard nothing but each other's breathing. They saw nothing but their bodies. They knew nothing about what was to come.

Dream felt himself getting even closer, feeling more heated by the second. It was now or never. His last chance. His eyes met George's for a mere moment before he pulled them back to the ground and stopped, backing up so his shoulders hit the brick of the wall behind him.

"Dream?" The shorter boy took a step forward, the toes of his Converse rubbing Dream's sneakers slightly. His long fingers settled on the other's shoulder and for once he didn't flinch. He didn't dare move. Their eyes met once again. For longer this time. He memorized every speckle of black and brown that floated through the endless ocean of Dream's eyes. "Are you okay?"

Golden spheres darted down a few inches, just enough to be looking elsewhere, before closing and meeting his again. His breathing slowed ever-so-slightly. In. Out. George could hear his heart in his ears. He wondered if Dream was feeling the same things he was. He wanted to know.

"Fuck it," Dream muttered more to himself than George. He stepped closer until their chests were pressed flat against each other. George looked up. Dream looked down. Their noses touched. "Can I?"

George nodded.

Eyes fluttered closed. Breathing stopped momentarily. Lips met way quicker than intended by either boy as they tumbled head-first into a desperate dance against one another, each touch messier than the last. Dream was pressed against the wall even harder as George's arms wrapped around his neck, leaning onto the tips of his toes. Their faces pushed even closer, noses bumping into each other, but neither let it distract from the moment. Teeth collided a bit too much and hands fumbled for purchase, but the two could feel the tension in the air finally fizzling out as they both pulled away for air, sucking in heavy breaths and leaning onto each other.

The night was suddenly silent. It felt as if even the city was recovering as Dream pulled George into the tightest hug he'd ever felt, sharing their warmth as the two held onto each other under the shitty roof of the college dorm complex.

Green eyes opened, peering over George's shoulder to the black car, which was still parked where they'd left it. He pulled away from the hug slightly and looked his best friend directly in the face.

"Where are you going? Really this time. No lies. No bullshit."

George didn't move. He kept his arms around Dream's neck and his face against Dream's chest. "Well, to be completely honest with you, I'm not sure. It's going to be far away though. You can count on that."

"Just. Stay safe. Okay? If you're going to do something crazy, promise me you'll stay alive long enough that I can see you again when I'm done with school in the winter." He let himself smile a little.

"Okay. I promise."

It was not time to leave quite yet. They both needed a few more minutes to truly process that this was the end. Neither really had a grasp on reality in that moment as George pulled himself off of Dream and moved to stand beside him, leaning against the brick wall as well. The two looked out at the sky, sharing their minds for just a little while longer without saying a word.

A cloud moved away from the moon, allowing moonlight to shine onto the building, the parking lot, the car, and the two teenagers who moved out from under the roof to bask in its light for a bit. As they stood in the graves of their old selves, they held hands because what else was there to do in silence?

"I wish the city lights weren't so close so we could see the stars," George said.

Dream nodded but replied with, "They're still there, you just gotta travel a little to see them." He didn't care that they couldn't see the stars. It didn't matter because he wouldn't look at them anyway. Dream could have the whole Milky Way in front of him but he would still look at George. Nothing could compare to his best friend.

Another cloud passed in front of the moon and the two were basked in darkness, turning to face each other. Hands dropped to their sides awkwardly. "I guess this is it then."

"The end."

"Well, I'll see you around then?" George offered a small smile and leaned in to do something. What it was, he wasn't sure until it happened and he was pressing a soft kiss to Dream's cheek.

"You know, as far as kisses go, our first wasn't very good," Dream grinned.

"Well, it was my first. You don't have an excuse."

"You're right. Guess I'll have to give you an accurate representation of my skills then." He pulled George against him playfully, ruffling his hair before moving his hand down to press against the boy's chin. He tilted it up until he was admiring beautiful brown eyes. It didn't last long though because soon his lips were back on George's.

This time was slower. They held each other, drinking in every last bit of the moment. George pretended he couldn't feel the tears trailing down Dream's cheeks. It was easier than admitting that they were there.

George's slender arms snaked around Dream's waist and held him like his life depended on it. Like the world was ending around them. This time he was certain that it was.

Dream choked back a whimper as they pulled apart. He stared at the grass. He didn't want his last image of George to be blurred by tears.

"Goodnight, George."

"Goodnight, Clay." They parted ways as the world began to fall asleep around them.

Sometimes that was just how things were meant to happen. In the privacy of silence.