Ready Now (Merman's Tear One-Shots)

Return of the Ball (Dream and George)

Dream yelped with surprise as Ranboo barrelled past him, jumping out of the way just quick enough to not get struck down by the tall, split-hair dyed teen. Said teen turned quickly, eyes widening comically as Dream fixed him with a glare. Ranboo paled slightly at Dream's look, still not used to even seeing his face, but relaxed when Dream rolled his eyes affectionately.

"Watch where you're running, Ranboo." he chided and Ranboo nodded sarcastically, saluting him with two fingers. "Aye aye Cap'n!" he said, before running up the stairs, back to being in a rush, skipping the steps with his long legs. 

Dream chuckled to himself, turning around again to sort through his satchel that lay on the wooden dining table. Checking off everything he needed, he tried to wrack his brain for anything he might have forgotten. While it wasn't a big deal if he did forget something, considering he could run back down to the dock from the castle to get it, he didn't really feel like taking unnecessary trips. He was just about done double-checking when George's joky whine came from the comfort area of the ship's level. He turned to the side, seeing George half draped over a couch, pillows on his side.

"Dreeeeeaaam." he whined, and Dream snorted. "What do you want?" he asked, leaning against a chair tucked into the table, and George pouted. "Can you find my jumper? The wool one?" Dream raised an eyebrow, walking over to him and tapping his nose. George scrunched his face up in annoyance, softly slapping the blonde's hand from his face.

"I think," Dream started, voice light, "you mean my jumper." George rolled his eyes, scoffing. "Pish posh, whatever. Your jumper, my jumper, same thing. Can you get it?" 

"Why can't you get off your lazy bum and get it yourself?" Dream retaliated, fingers combing through George's dark brown hair. The latter hummed, relaxing into the touch, eyes slipping shut. 

"Well," the brown-eyed man started, "why would I do that when I have you to get my stuff for me?" Dream laughed, pulling his hands from the other's hair, who grumbled at the loss of touch.

"Come on, George, I have things to do, you're not the only one who needs to bring stuff to the castle." George cracked an eye open, eyebrows furrowed playfully. He contemplated for a moment, and Dream continued to look down at him, smiling, which caused George to sigh.

Dream watched him sit up, before looking at Niki, who, being the only sane person on the ship, had already packed her bag, and was sitting on the other couch reading. 

"NIKI!" George yelled loudly, startling the girl, who jumped in her seat, before looking at the man. "Yes, George?" she asked, voice exasperated as if she already knew what was coming.

"Dream is bullying me." George stated matter-of-factly, causing Dream to splutter with surprise, "What! I am not-" "Yes you are," George interrupted, "you're bullying me and I'm telling on you." he crossed his arms.

"You sound like a child." Dream muttered, yelping as George whacked his side. Dream rubbed the spot with an indignant pout on his face, and George grinned back up at him.

"Oh my god," someone's voice interrupted the moment, and the two of them glanced up to see Skeppy leaning against the wall, having obviously walked in a few minutes ago and watched the interaction go down, "stop flirting already and just go get his jumper. I don't know but I'm pretty sure we're late, dudes." Dream rolled his eyes, "Yeah, you're right," he agreed, turning back to George, "fine. I'll go get your stupid jumper."

George cheered, throwing his hand up to Niki, who started at him with amusement for a second before high fiving him back. 

Dream tried not to think about how wholesome it was that George often copied human things, repeating them all the time to show he cared. As far as he was aware, mer didn't high five, and the brunette had probably picked it up from Tommy (along with other crude hand signals, but he shouldn't get into that).