It Was Never the End DreamNotFound

Chapter 14

Dream POV

Pain. Cold.

That was all Dream could feel as his mind grew fuzzy. He knew George was somewhere nearby, calling his name, but he couldn't reply. His heart ached to comfort the brunette. He could feel the heat radiating from his own body, but he felt unbearably cold.

And the pain. 

Dream wasn't sure when he'd lost consciousness, but even in the dark fog he could feel the excruciating pain consuming his body. As time went on, he felt something else, too. Death.

Tugging at him so temptingly, luring him closer to the light. Promising release from his suffering. He was ready to give in to the floating sensation when a soft hand brushed his cheek. Behind his eyelids, in the depths of his slumber, a familiar voice gently spoke to him. 

"Oh, no you don't." 

George?

"That's right. He still needs you. Don't inflict the pain I did. Go back to him." 

Aren't you...? I can't. I tried. 

A pair of heterochromatic eyes flashed through his mind. One blue, one brown. 

"Then I will help you." 

The eyes in his mind vanished, and he felt a pair of soft lips meet his forehead. The moment their skin connected, Dream could feel his fever lighten slightly. The dark envelopment of death was chased back. 

Dream opened his eyes. His mind was hazy, his body heavy. The room was dark and gloomy, lit only by a dying fire. He slowly became aware of a weight against his side. Unable to lift his head, Dream weakly reached out to grasp the hand that was tracing circles on his stomach.

"Dream?" The most beautiful boy in the world sat bolt upright, staring at Dream with such hope and desperation that Dream felt his eyes fill up. 

"Georgie?" Dream was surprised by how gravelly his voice sounded. His throat felt dry, unused. 

Tears streamed down George's face. The brunette threw himself down, wrapping his arms around Dream's head. George was careful to avoid Dream's injured shoulder, laying instead across his left side.

Dream's left arm trembled as he entangled his fingers in George's soft brown hair, embracing him back. 

"You're awake..." George sobbed, burying his face in Dream's neck. "You're really awake."

"I am." Dream closed his eyes, soaking in George's hug. George's body was shaking softly, his arms tightening around Dream.

He felt awful for scaring George. Dream knew it was unlike him to get distracted like that, but George was so much more important. The very idea that the brunette might've been hurt shook Dream to his core. 

"I'm sorry, Georgie." Dream pressed his chin to George's head. "I worried you."

"I thought..." George's breath shuddered. "I really was beginning to think you were going to leave me." 

Dream's heart clenched. "Never."

George tangled his hands in Dream's dirty blond hair. "Our promise works both ways, you know."

"Of course," Dream whispered. His throat was strained, but he still struggled to speak. "How could I ever go anywhere if you aren't with me? I told you, you're all I have."

George didn't move, just held onto him. They remained like that for several moments, reassured in the closeness of one another. 

"DREAM'S AWAKE!" Tommy's voice made them jump. "WILBUR, WAKE UP. HE'S AWAKE. WILL, GET YOUR ASS UP!"