It Was Never the End DreamNotFound

Chapter 39

George POV

"DreamXD..." George's voice choked in his throat.

A flurry of unreadable emotions flashed through that brilliant green eye. Even under the weight of the rain, DreamXD's feathers trembled. When their eyes met, DreamXD tilted his head, his muscles stiffening. Emerald green met mocha brown, narrowing dangerously. 

George stared up at DreamXD, the throbbing of his leg drowned out under the pounding of his heart. DreamXD shifted his cracked mask back into place, his blue ring glinting under a flash of lightning. 

George flinched when the God leaned down, picking him up easily. DreamXD held George tightly in bridal-style. The brunette opened his mouth to protest but cried out when his leg was moved. DreamXD ignored him, opening his wings wide to take flight.

"No, wait—" George struggled weakly in his arms. "Please, put me—"

Thunder cracked, drowning out George's words. Not that DreamXD seemed to listen nor care. The god launched them into the air, the pain from his broken leg racing through George's body to his brain. Blood still seeped from his shoulder wounds, staining Dream's hoodie deep red. Shadow edged George's vision. Finally, the world went black. 

. . . . 

George's head throbbed, groaning awake. His body hurt all over, shivering with cold. Something warm pressed against the left side of his body, and he leaned closer. The warmth seemed to stiffen, and George thought he heard a low growl before he slipped back into unconsciousness. 

When he awoke the second time, the pain had receded slightly. He was warm and dry. Opening his eyes,  he blinked in the faint light. Stone surrounded him, cut unevenly into... was he in a cave? 

"You're awake." 

George sat bolt upright. "Dream?!" 

"And how do you know that?" A tall dirty blond with massive white wings stood nearby. His green cloak was missing, and it took George a moment to realize he was wrapped in green fabric. 

The memories from before he fainted flooded George's mind. He glanced around wildly. Rocky stone walls surrounded him before fading into darkness. The only light was from a small fire not far from them. Somewhere far away, he could hear the soft drip of water. DreamXD's cracked mask looked ghostly in the gloomy cave. 

George stared back at him, his mouth dry. The air around the god was nothing like it was in George404's memories. The warm, bright atmosphere had been swallowed by an intimidating, unpredictable dark cloud. Yet... George's eyes trailed down to the dirty blond's crossed arms, noticing the slight tremor in DreamXD's fingers. 

Was he... scared? No, that wasn't quite it. George couldn't put his finger on it, but something was off about the god. He suspected the god was confused, shocked, and maybe even a little panicked. 

"What are you?" DreamXD interrupted George's thoughts. "You're not..." 

His voice trailed off, but George could guess what he wanted to say. "I'm not your George." 

DreamXD stiffened, black seeping into his wings. The color didn't fully take over, however, and the brunette wondered if DreamXD was suppressing his other form. 

"What?"

George pulled his arms closer to his body to hide his trembling. It's okay... he's still Dream. Dream wouldn't hurt me. He lifted his chin stubbornly, eyes boring into that cracked mask. "I'm not your George, just like you aren't my Dream."

The deep, rumbling growl returned, and George saw the pointed tips of DreamXD's black nails glint in the firelight. 

"You're going to have to do better than that." DreamXD's voice was surprisingly soft.