Living Together // DNF

10

The next morning, Dream woke to the smell of food drifting into the room. The space beside him was empty, and he kicked the blankets off, rolling out of bed as he stretched his arms up over his head. He made his way to the bathroom, quickly brushing his teeth, hands running through his messy hair as he made his way towards the kitchen.

He inhaled the aroma as he stepped into the small room, eyes widening in surprise as they landed on the sight before him. George was at the stove, flipping a pancake onto a plate, while Sapnap and Karl sat at the table. Dream felt all of their eyes on him, and Karl smiled brightly as he said, "morning, Dream."

"Morning," Dream responded, voice still rough with sleep, "what are you guys doing here so early?"

Sapnap shrugged, his eyes meeting Dream's as he answered, "we just wanted to check on you, you know...after last night."

Dream smiled, moving one hand to cover his heart as he responded, "awh, Sapnap."

Sapnap rolled his eyes, a faint smile on his face as he quickly muttered, "yeah, whatever. I'm only here because Quackity was worried about you."

"Yeah, okay," Karl said, shaking his head, "this is the second time you literally knocked a guy out for Dream. Such a chad."

Sapnap turned to face Karl, scoffing before saying, "why do you guys keep calling me a chad? I'm not a chad, I was just looking out for my best friend. I'd do it for any of you idiots."

Dream laughed, smiling at Sapnap as he responded, "love you, Sap. And I appreciate it."

Sapnap smiled, his attention shifting back to Karl as Dream turned to watch George, who was just sliding the last pancake onto the plate. He wrapped his arms around the brunette's waist, George's back melting back against his chest as he leaned in to kiss his cheek, quietly muttering, "morning, baby. The food smells good."

George smiled, his head turning so he could give Dream a quick kiss before responding, "thank you. I figured I would make your favorite for you. How are you feeling?"

Dream hummed happily, smiling as he answered, "I'm feeling better."

George looked pleased with his answer, and Dream let his hands fall away from the brunette, moving to help George carry the food over to the table. The four of them settled into light conversation as they ate, and Dream was feeling content and light, just happy to be around some of his favorite people.

But as breakfast was ending, Karl cleared his throat nervously, his eyes flickering over to Dream as he quietly asked, "Dream?"

Dream's eyes met Karl's, eyebrows raising questioningly as he waited for him to speak. Karl shifted in his seat, silent for a moment before he continued, "there's actually something...Sapnap and I..."

Confused, Dream's eyebrows knit together, and he leaned back in his seat as he said, "you okay, Karl? Whatever it is, you can say it."

Karl nodded quickly, taking a deep breath before saying, "okay well, there's an NA recovery meeting that's happening nearby. And Sapnap and I, we think...we think you should go. I know you don't really go to the recovery meetings anymore, but we just wanna make sure you're really okay after last night, and we thought this might be helpful."

As he fell silent, Dream inhaled slowly, eyes dropping down as he nodded. He knew Karl was probably right, it would be a good idea to go to the meeting. The meetings were specifically designed for this, to help people in recovery when they needed it. And he couldn't deny that seeing Fundy last night had triggered something, leaving a lingering feeling of unease and anxiety clinging to him.

He felt George's hand slip into his own, and his eyes lifted to meet soft brown eye's, George's voice soft and gentle as he said, "I think it's a good idea, Dream. I'll go with you, of course."