Torn Souls

17. Astrology

"I love you. And I shouldn't feel like this but I do." Dream spoke before he could think, the rest fumbling out with panic. "And because someone needs to finish those poems and fragments of stories you've written." It was against everything to even make friends with the human. But to be in love? "I'm here George, just for you and only you."

"Then why do you keep leaving?" He deserved an answer, the hurt in his tone made that obvious. "Every time you do, it hurts so bad."

The wind only grew colder and ten times harsher the longer they sat locked in each others embrace. The pair held on to one another as if their grip even so much as shifted, everything would crumble beneath them and rip them apart. Moonlight beamed down illuminating tears that streaked down their faces. Stars sparkled proudly against the almost black sky.

"I'll never let you go. Not if I can help it." Dream shifted George so they were face to face. The ghost's thumbs traced the brits cheeks to wipe the tears away.

"Good. I love the way you've brought me pain." George's voice shifted to sound serious and cold. But held enough honesty to break the both of them. "And i wish that pain were pills so I could overdose in you. Because at least the pain brings some feeling to the numbness. " He rested his forehead against the other's.

"I'm sorry. I-" Dream's voice was barely above a whisper, clouded by guilty conscious.

George was tired of the tears. Tired of the waiting. So he silenced the ghost. "I'm not." Before a second thought had time to spawn, before hesitation could set in, their lips met, but just for a moment.

However, it only took a single moment for the final spark to ignite the inevitable fire that burned between them. And the fire burned each and every one of their problems. The fire burned the desire to jump from the top of the roof until it was completely gone. It burned the many rules between the mortal and the ghost. Surely they would make an exception for soulmates that were torn apart by death. And if not, George would find a way. The moment that was filled with want and eagerness seemed to only last a millisecond.

It wasn't long enough to steal his air but still left Dream breathless. "Holy shit." He huffed out a stunned laugh.

"Y'know Dream? I think the stars are shining for us. I've never seen them this bright. And the moon? Might not be full, but it's never looked bigger." He tore his eyes away from the ghosts and up to the sky. It was true. The night sky never looked more beautiful.

George was a word Dream could never forget. His fascination with the small things. Or even with the big things. The way he chose to let a big rock in the sky keep him company. The way he chose to let a million tiny burning balls of gas millions of miles away to keep him happy.
"Astrophillia. Rare love and obsession with planets, stars, and outer space. That's you."

The brit's gaze shifted from the universe above to the boy holding him. "Who wouldn't love space. There's so much to it. It's beautiful." George smiled softly, returning his eyes to the sky.

Dream kept quiet but made a promise to both of them; I'm never leaving you, ever. He didn't want to make the situation between them worse, he would find a way to make it work. He didn't care what it took. If he had to break each and every last rule? So be it. If it would cause trouble for himself? So be it. He would give everything to George. One way or another.

"George?" Dream's arms grew tighter around the other's small waist. Brown eyes met his as he was met with a soft hum. "This is against everything. But I don't care. I would die a million times again, break a thousand rules, cause the world to burn, just to be with you. So, will you be mine? And I will be yours."

"Yes." He replied with certainty. It was the first thing he had been sure of in years. The fire had been reignited in him, spreading comforting warmth through his core and within his veins, injecting itself into his bones. The joy on the ghost's face faltered and dropped when he continued. "But, you have to promise, no more secrets. And please do not promise something you can't be sure of." In an instant, he wished he could take it back. But in life, there is no 'undo' button. He would've pressed it a thousand times by now. However, he felt he had earned the no secret no promise portion.

"Alright. But can we go inside first?" A nod of approval came from the brit. Even nearing February, the temperature had not come up. It seemed to be glued in the icy temperatures of the harsh winter. Dream balanced himself with George in his grip, he wasn't quite ready to let go. Even if he wasn't going anywhere yet. George could smell the reminiscence of cologne and a faint trace of earth as he buried his face in the crook of the ghost's neck.

The warmth and comfort swarmed them as they shut the apartment door behind them. Their scents collided and the air smelt like sweet vanilla and flowery fields. If George tried hard enough, he could picture forget-me-nots and lilacs rooted in with tall grass surrounding him. The midnight sky would look back at him, the moon would be in a beautiful crescent. George was so lost in his field it felt as if he was plunging into water as he was dropped gently to the cushioned grey couch below.

Dream took his spot beside him, throwing a blanket over their laps even though the apartment was plenty warm. George's head lay on Dream's shoulder. He didn't know if he actually wanted answers. What if the secrets were better kept as such?

"You know I'm still not alive. I'm still not human." Dream wished he was. It would make things incredibly easier. Nothing seemed to come easy to either of them. "I- we have these missions. To stop...suicides. And until you're happy, we stay here."

"Missions? We?" George looked up at Dream, keeping his head on the ghost's shoulder.

"Yeah, there's multiple beings. We all took the same way out." Dream noticed a certain glisten in George's eyes. "Not all of us get chosen as 'guardians'. We aren't even supposed to know the human." He kissed the brunets forehead before wrapping his arm around his shoulders.

"Wait.." the pieces slowly came together in his mind as he sat up to look at the ghost. "You- that's how you?" Dream nodded his head, looking toward the window to avoid the warm loving eyes of his lover. No matter the comfort George brought him, the topic still stung. "You were terrified on the roof. You wouldn't go towards the edge- it wasn't just the heights." George's soft hand cupped his face so they met eyes. "And today... oh my god Dream." Apologies were muffled by the hood of the ghost's hoodie. George's arms wrapped around his neck, he was hugged back by the others strong arms around his waist.

Exhaustion took over them, George felt Dream carry him to his room. George remembers the ghost gently setting him on his bed and climbing in beside him. But he knew this memory would be gone by tomorrow. So he allowed himself to sleep.