Torn Souls

23. All nighter

Was it a good idea to stay up all night? No, It wasn't. But George sure as hell didn't regret it.

The moon was high and the street lights guided them through the city. Neon lights from signs reflected off of the iced over road, throwing colors every which way. It might have seem empty and abandoned at 3am but it left George's heart full and beating fast with adrenaline. Dream filled the quiet void with songs. They both danced in the middle of streets and dashed into alleyways.

George watched Dream's face, admiring the joy. His voice cracked every so often, as he stopped to take a moment to breathe in the middle of a line. The ghost looked absolutely ridiculous, but George knew he did too.

So this is the idiot I got the privilege of falling in love with. George thought, occasionally joining in with lyrics.

They came to the end of a street, finding the park and sitting on a bench. Their hands covered their mouths as they laughed, stopping it from bouncing in between the brick buildings. Small, hot breaths escaped, becoming visible in the air. Watching the stars twinkle down at them brought a certain sense of peace neither had felt in a while. It was dark, lamp posts occasionally lit up the sidewalk with its yellowish dim glow. The trees were bare, only snow rested on their branches.

George took a few deep breaths after laughing. He was still cold, regardless of the thick coat he wore over two hoodies and a beanie on his head. Snuggling in closer to Dream, he rested his head on his shoulder.

"If you're getting tired, we can head back." Dream offered. He wrapped his arm tightly around George's shoulders and held his icy hands.

"No." George answered immediately. It was far to beautiful of a night to go back home, just to sleep it all away. "I'd rather stay here."

It was more early morning anyways, he assumed maybe five am. There was still four hours left until his first class and two until sunrise. George was used to all nighters anyways. One more wouldn't make a difference.

And so they sat, snuggled up on a bench in a park in London. Refusing to leave until he at least saw the sunrise. But to be truthful, neither wanted to leave. They were perfectly happy in each others presence, even if they were silent and had nothing to say. The sky began to fade from the dark blue to its pale yellow. The few clouds lined in a deep gold color, the more the sun appeared, the more pink they turned.

Dream lifted his head from George's. He fought to stay awake as he smiled back at Dream.

"Are you ready to go now?" Dream asked, stretching his legs as he stood.

"Mmhm" George mumbled back, taking the other's hand. Taking their time, the city began to wake and begin to come alive as the clock ticked into seven am. The busier it got, the harder it was to dodge people.

The apartment was warm and happy, a stark contrast to the grumpy morning people and cold air. Watching as the apartment filled with sun rays, they snuggled under a thick blanket. The TV went on softly in the background while they chatted and sipped on monsters Dream pulled out of the fridge.

George fought to stay awake, his ramblings making less and less sense. Caffeine wouldn't save him this time.

"George you need to take a nap." Dream insisted. He just shook his head.

"No because if I do that, then it'll mean the night is over." The Brit explained in an almost incoherent mumble.

"George, it already is. The sun is already up and you have less then two hours until your first class." Dream attempted to reason, but had no such luck.

"Fine. But I need to shower first." George moved the blanket and set the monster on the coffee table.

"Can I co-"

"Uhm- yeah, no." George cut him off. He didn't need to be embarrassed this early in the morning. He made his way into the bathroom, locking the door behind him for good measure. The water felt good, but he kept it quick. A nap would be nice.

Walking back into the living room, it was brighter than when he had left it. The tv had been turned off, Dream laid asleep on the couch. George slowly moved the blanket to lay on his chest. He found it a tad creepy that the ghost didn't have a heart beat. It was only a reminder that he  was no longer alive. George found peace in the fact that they could still touch one another. Falling asleep to the steady buzz of the radiator, he decided that missing the first few lectures wouldn't kill him.

...

George was awoken by violent shaking. "George, you gotta get up we overslept." Dream said to him whilst shaking his shoulder.

"It's okay I meant to. What time is it anyways?" George muttered as he sat up, rubbing his eyes.

"It's nine am." Dream replied with relief that the brit wasn't upset. "Are you skipping your first lecture?"

"Yes- I was actually wanting to skip the first two or three. But it's alright." George closed his eyes for a few seconds before Dream spoke again.

"I don't want you to be behind again. I know you hate them but you have to go." Dream had a valid point. George knew he did as he opened his eyes again, glaring at the ghost not wanting him to be right. "Come on, up."

George slipped from under the warm covers and shivered as cold air surrounded like an unwanted hug. His shoulders sank with dread as he found clothes and walked to the bathroom. His posture straightened a bit. His reflection was different today. The bones in his torso and arms weren't so obvious. Sunken in cheeks and dim eyes smiled back at him instead of frowning.

As they stepped outside, the air didn't seem to cause him to shiver as violently as it once had. Pure white snow shimmered in the sun. The clouds were thin and wispy, allowing the earth to eat the sun's rays. The world seemed brighter, he didn't need to wonder why. Dream walked contently beside him, watching the traffic pass, glancing in each window at what every store had to offer. Dream was the only thing he needed to be happy.

"Hey," George squeezed his hand to get his attention. "I love you."

It's funny how three little words can mean so much. Just three little words can hold so much power over someone. How three little words can determine everything. "I love you too." It could've been the cold that send shivers down his spine, but those three little words that rattled in his brain told a different story.

George attempted to narrow his focus on the warmth of the auditorium where his third class took place. His focus was glued from the ghost hovering by his side. His skin prickled with the desire to be touched. The words in front of him and the words on the board blurred into fuzzy, indecipherable shapes and the sound of his professors voice was drowned out  by Dream's voice and the three words that had been said. It hadn't been the first time someone had told George they loved him. But it made his world stop when it was said by his lover.

The normal pile of homework at the end of the day seemed minuscule. George felt as if he could conquer the world so long as Dream was by his side. He noticed the way the ghost would stare at him during lectures. He would admire the way George's cheeks would swell red and how he would bite back a smile and fight the urge to look back at him.

They had returned to George's apartment, both giddy with joy after the day had ended. It wasn't spring yet, however, there was already a blossom of love within him. They laughed until they were lightheaded with aching ribs and sore cheeks. Dream was the only thing he needed, George decided.