lavenders blue

c h a p t e r : f o u r

song: A New Family - Patrick Doyle 

tw: death mention, mature language, physical abuse, violence, blood warning

George had a deathgrip on Dreams bicep as they sprinted through the forest. The prince had no idea where they were going but he prayed Dream wasn't going to murder him. The trees loomed above them, moonlight poking through the high branches, barely reaching the earth below Patches hooves, which were thumping across the dirt. Georges face was cold from the rushing wind so he strained his back to rest his cheek on Dreams coat, hoping he wouldn't mind, which of course he didn't. Instead he was met with another reassuring squeeze of Dreams arms. The ground below them was becoming increasingly more uneven and the prince panicked when he realised Dream wasn't going to stop anytime soon. 
"Dream...can we slow down p-please," George stuttered as Patches jumped over a rock, thankfully clearing it with ease, clearly used to rides like this.  
"Aren't you having fun? Isn't this freeing?" Dream laughed sitting up slightly causing George to slip further into him with a petrified cry, "ok ok we'll stop," he whispered, tugging the reins gradually. George let out a grateful sigh as they came to a stop, the horse below him swaying every now and then to maintain balance, but nothing like before.  

"I'm sorry, I'm a sucker for speed," Dream chuckled and George's breathing returned to a normal pace, still laying in Dreams warm embrace. "Comfortable hey?" He joked. George sat up, still keeping his back pressed into Dream as he took in their surroundings. The forest was dense, packed with wildlife as the canopy barely let any light in from the night sky above them. Yet, he wasn't afraid, he felt safe here, up high on Dreams horse, in Dreams arms. 
"You're not going to stab me now are you," George trembled, looking up at the blond begging for his comforting smile but was instead met with a loud wheeze, 
"Of course not your highness, why on earth would I do that?" He laughed as George became more and more flustered,
"Please just call me George..." Dream nodded loosening his grip on the reins as Patches bent down to sniff at the grass below them. 
"You know, George, we have to jump back over those hedges hey," he nudged and George winced, "woah, you ok?" Dream dropped the reins completely, planting a hand on George's back, looking him directly in the eyes in fear that he hurt him.

George looked back. Even if he could barely see him he could make out his features, his green eyes did contain the small yellow flecks like his sister, George counted them. They were so close, breathing the same air as the prince starred up into the lords eyes, lost in thought. Dreams hand remained on George's back, awaiting an answer, circling his thumb slowly against the warm skin. He wanted to kiss him. That was the first time he thought like that and he was scared of himself, but it was true. George wanted to kiss Dream. But he couldn't, not now, not here. 
"George...are you ok?" He whispered, "did I hurt you?" George shook his head.
"N-no I'm sorry-"
"No need to apologise,"
"I just really hate riding, I've had some bad experiences in the past," he looked at his hands, turning away from Dream with an embarrassed look on his face, a Prince who couldn't even ride a horse. 

"Hey that's ok, we can go slower on the way back, you could go behind me and hold on that might wor-"
"No!" George quickly planted a hand over his mouth, aware he just yelled, giving away their position to anyone who could be around them. Dream chuckled glancing around before making eye contact with him,
"Shh, you're being loud," he smiled, "you just like being in my arms don't you," Dream teased. It was true, George loved being here, he felt like nothing could touch him, or hurt him, he wanted to stay this way forever. "What if you sat side straddle, you could comfortably hold onto me then?" Dream scooted back a little bit, waiting for George to switch positions, a hopeful smile on his face.
"I'm not sure I understand..." he whispered. It was like Dream read his mind, George was so uncomfortable, twisting to hold Dreams arm but he also wasn't sure how sitting on his side would be any better, that and he was incredibly nervous. The prince was surprised his heart hadn't burst from his chest yet. 
"Put this one,"  Dream patted Georges left leg, softly hooking his hand under his thigh, George tensed at the touch and Dream paused, "relax..." His hand was warm yet strong as he lifted his leg up and over, careful not to kick the back of Patches' head, so it was resting next to his right, both on the same side of the dark horse, "here..."