Subway au ;) -dreamnotfound

twenty-three

Walking into work was more weird for George than it was for Dream. Dream was the manager, and those topics were off-limits to managers. George, however, couldn't avoid them.

"He's cute and all, but Dream? You didn't think smashing the manager was going to be weird?" Quackity says.

"Quackity, shut up!" Karl starts.

"I didn't even know you guys were, like, a thing? Are you a thing?" Willow asks with a sort of desperation in her voice, and George feels guilty.

"Ya... uh- we're a thing." George answers, sort of regretting being so reckless when Dream warned him about being public about their relationship in the workplace.

"Me and Karl saw them at a party, like, you're so stupid thinking we didn't know." George Quackity teases again.

"You knew before me then, idiot. Everyone go back to working, how are you this bored that you have to focus on my love life this hard?" George tells their small group.

They all stop prying.

Just as much as George was annoyed, he was relieved and elated. He could talk about Dream, he could be public about him, he didn't have to ignore him at work. Of course, they couldn't sneak away anymore and do naughty things secretly. But the exchange was good to George. It was exciting, but it was exciting no matter where it was.

"George!" Anthony walks in, makes his way around the sandwich bar, and kisses George on the cheek. This was more affection than Dream could ever dream of showing George at work. "Welcome to the family!"

This was really the first time George has seen Anthony since he was hired, he only ever came to talk to Dream and it was rare. George always felt a love for Anthony, so the kiss and sentiment warmed his chest. George dreamt of the day his dad could say this to Dream instead of Anthony saying it to him.

"Way to keep a secret!" Dream walks out of his office. "Anthony, you didn't have to tell the whole world." Dream gets a kiss on the cheek, too. From anybody else it would've been a problem, but George allowed it this one time.

"You talked about him one time in a meeting and your face lit up. I'm sure everyone knew, it's not me who is bad at secrets!" Anthony says. They both blush.

It was a warm day, George did not want either of them to be at Subway forever, but right now it felt like home. It was pleasant, and it was kind to them. This is why George applied, to have a sense of home when he was far from it.

—-

(Three months later, December)

"This is your favorite topic, huh?" Dream asks. "You paused every half an hour of every movie to ask me something. I like it, but why do you worry so much about the future?"

George felt guilty for sabotaging movie night. "You're my person, I love you. I never saw a future with anyone and now I do. I wanna pick your brain about it because it feels new to me."

"Ok, so I should get a degree in computer science?" Dream asks.

"Whatever degree you want, but you said you liked computer science. I can help you enroll next semester in whatever classes you want. It's coming up, but if it's too soon then next semester. Do it for you, I want you to focus on you because I could die tomorrow. I just want you to be set." George says.

"Don't say that. We have time, I want to think about it, ya?" Dream asks like he needs permission, but he is glad someone is holding him accountable and adding structure and motivation to his life. It's his decision, he knows. But George is doing what his parents failed to do, and he is relieved to see a future and something to run towards.

"As much time as you need." He kisses Dream's hand, and goes to unpause the movie. Dream stops him.

"Wait... let's make a deal." Dream proposes.

George raises an eyebrow and moves to the opposite side of the couch so he is not in Dreams arms anymore. He wants to see his face. "What do you mean?"

"I like you. You're warm in my bed, kind to me, lovely even though you don't always know how to express how you feel, you're gorgeous and I like spending all my time with you. The one time a week you leave I feel sick..."

"Dream, thank you," he gives him a quick kiss, "but get to the point. What's the deal, babe?" George asks.

"Well, if I go to school I need a tutor. If I go back this semester, will you come officially live here?" Dream finally asks, after wanting to for a long time. George smiles.

"I mean, I will probably still go back, and don't feel forced to say yes, but maybe that could've been like a good incentive to convince you." Dream says.

"I've waited ages for that question. Why did it take you so long to get the hints? Me not leaving didn't show you I would love to live here?" George laughs. Dream is ecstatic.

They agree to talk about the details later, and finish their movie night.

Neither of them could've imagined that a few months earlier, so much could change. Dream felt a calm in his chest he had never felt, and as much as he thought his past would hinder his ability to love unconditionally, it didn't with George.

As Anthony said, George was apart of the family. They would call and FaceTime Dream's parents, and had planned to go visit them in real life for dinner. The thing is, Dream had no idea there was also a trip to London George had been planning, and he could soon meet George's family, too.

985 words