It Was Never the End DreamNotFound

Chapter 15

George POV

It had been almost two weeks since Dream woke up. The dirty-blond male was already walking around, his fever gone. George finally felt comfortable with Dream's progress to leave his side and get back to his projects in his workroom. That also meant leaving Dream to the mercy of Tommy's boredom. 

"One week." 

George looked up at the sound of Wilbur's voice.  "What?" 

"Dream should be fit to travel in a week." Wilbur approached the table strewn with metal parts and wires. "He's healing extremely well. We just have to keep him from overdoing it until then." 

Easier said than done. Dream was clearly not liking being stuck inside, and George often caught him gazing longingly at his battle ax, which had been confiscated by Wilbur. 

"I'm not pressuring you to come with us," Wilbur reassured. "But we've already overstayed." 

George fiddled with a thin wire in his hands. "Thank you for helping him. I... don't think he would have made it if you hadn't. I know he wouldn't." 

"I can see it, you know." Wilbur's voice was sympathetic. 

"See what?"

"That you're in love with Dream." 

"What?!" George's voice almost matched Dream's. "No, I'm not-"

Wilbur raised his hands, palms out, to silence him. "Relax." 

George's face burned as he pinched the wire more fiercely. He couldn't bring himself to argue. He wasn't even sure himself what he felt, but some part of him deep down knew Wilbur was right.

"What made you think that?" George kept his eyes fixed on the wire. 

"It was obvious the moment I got here. Dream getting injured only brought it out more." Wilbur spoke matter-of-factly. 

"Obvious?" George bit his lip. Was it obvious to Dream, too?

"If it is of any consolation, the feeling is mutual." Wilbur seemed to read George's mind. 

That made George look up. He opened and closed his mouth wordlessly. 

Wilbur smiled. "I take it you didn't notice?" 

"No," George said slowly. "Dream's behaved like that from the moment we met." 

"Hmmm, I don't think that is entirely true." Wilbur raised an eyebrow. "He's fallen hard, worse than you and I can't even see his face." 

George wanted to pester Wilbur with questions, but his face felt like it was on fire. Instead he snapped, "What's the point of this?" 

"That I couldn't just let someone you love die." Wilbur looked sincere. "You don't trust people often, George. You've never loved anyone on a romantic level. I may not agree with what Dream has done, but after seeing you two, well... you have my vouch to bring Dream with us." 

"I don't-" 

"Just think about it. We miss you, Gogs." Wilbur ruffled George's hair. "You're like a brother to me, I want you to be happy." He paused. "Besides, he's growing on me, too. Tommy already likes him. He might just fit in with the group."

George stayed silent as Wilbur left the room. With a puff of breath, he buried his red face in his hands. His head was spinning. 

George didn't know how long he stayed like that before there was a light tap on the table. Nearly jumping out of his skin, he looked up to see a familiar smiley-face mask.