all we have is now / feral boys fanfiction

~11~ real

I call Nick's number to see if he wants to watch Criminal Minds. We made a pact that we would never watch an episode without the other. He doesn't answer, so I call again.

"Wrong number," a familiar voice answers.

"Dream," I say in a serious voice, although I'm smiling.

"Taegan."

"May I speak with Nick?" I ask, feeling like a kid asking their friend's parents to talk to my friend.

"He's busy," Dream says.

I hear shuffling in the background, followed by voices.

"Is that my phone?"

"Shh," Dream says.

"Who is it?"

"I want to talk to her" a different voice says. A voice that has a distinct accent compared to the other.

"George?" I ask, "Dream, is that George? Put me on the phone with him. George?"

"Ugh, fine," he mumbles. There's some more shuffling.

"Hello?" George says.

"George?"

"Taegan?"

"Hi, what are you doing with Dream?" I ask.

"I'm moving in," I can hear the smile on his face. "I got here earlier today."

"George is in Florida confirmed?" I ask with a laugh, "and I didn't know about it?"

"I got here yesterday," he replies. I think I hear him say a quiet 'shoo' to someone.

"When are you coming over then?" I ask, "I have to save you from the green monster of a person."

George laughs a little. "Actually," he stops for a moment. "I have an idea. Hold on."

A thump rings through my ears as the phone placed on some sort of counter. I stay on the phone for a solid minute until someone picks the phone back up.

"Taegan!" Nick says.

"Hi," I laugh, "Where did George go?"

"I'm still here," George pipes in, "We're all here, even Dream."

"Wow, I'm honored," I joke.

"Listen," Sapnap says, "would you want to maybe come over tonight for pizza?"

"Actually?" I ask, surprised. Coming over would mean that I would see Dream's face, and I've never seen him in person.

"Yeah, of course. We'll send you the address," Dream chuckles.

"I didn't even say yes-"

"Doesn't matter. You are eating dinner with us," Dream interrupts, "whether that means you come over here, or we intrude your house. Your pick."

I sigh. "I'll be there within the hour."

I park in the driveway. I've only been here one time to pick Nick up for our trip to Karl's.

The air outside is brisk this time in the nearing-winter. It's not as cold as other states would be, but Florida still gets a slight cold to it.

I stand in front of their door. I'm sure it's just a normal sized door, but it seems larger to me right now. It's a pale green. Figures.

I raise my hand to knock when the door swings open.

"How long were you just going to stand there?" Dream asks as he comes into view.

My mouth hangs open a bit, not being able to completely take in the human in front of me. I mean, he's human not some pixelated character.

Maybe in my head he's just been a distant figure talking on the computer and behind doors when I pick Nick up. But this person is real.

I robotically lift my hand up and tap his cheek. He moves backwards away from his touch, rolling his eyes.

"Geez, your hands are cold," he chuckles, "Would you stop gawking and just get in here?"

"Sorry," I move hair put of my face as I walk into the house, "It's just weird that you're so.. Real."

"Of course I'm real," he says, "don't be ridiculous."

The house is kind of hot. I wonder what temperature they could've possibly set the thermostat to. Nick is laying on the couch. I peek my head over into his view. He gives me a slight smile. It was adorable.

"Hi," I giggle, "Dream's real."

Nick rolls his eyes. I think I hear a scoff behind me from Dream himself.

"Where's George?" I turn away from Nick to scan the rest of the room.

Nick is lying on a huge couch facing the TV. There's a staircase to my left, and a hallway next to it leads to more rooms.

George walks down the stairs right on cue.

"Taegan?" he asks as if he didn't know I was on my way.

I give him a quick hug. "Hi George."

"I can't believe you're like... real," George laughs.

I look over my shoulder and death glare Dream. I'm not the only one who thinks that way.

"Do you guys just live in your own little world where everyone is a robot?" Dream shakes his head walking to another area of the house that's unknown to me.

Nick follows him to the area. George gives me a shrug and goes along as well.

"Where are we going?" I whisper to George.

"I'm not really sure," he whispers back, "I never got a full house tour. I have no idea what's back here."

"Wow, what rude hosts," I shake my head, "I'll figure it out and make sure we're not getting murdered."

I skip until I'm next to Dream. I smile sweetly as I ask, "Where are we going?"

"Food, dumbass," he turns around, "We've been waiting on you two."

George and I both pause in the doorway. My mouth drops to the ground as I enter the kitchen. The large room feels warm like the rest of the house. Stainless steel appliances against white cabinets line the entire room. Dream walks into a different room off the kitchen, which I assume is the pantry, although it's bigger than all my house's closets combined. In the middle of it all is a giant kitchen island. A stack of mail is laid out on the counter along with a bag of chips. Neither of the boys strike me as candle guys, yet one is lit on the counter.

"Woah," George interrupts my thought, "this fridge is huge."

I turn to take in a large fridge but frown. "George," I sigh, "that's a normal-sized fridge."

"What?" He raises his eyebrows and opens the doors as if that'll make it seem smaller.

"This island on the other hand," I sigh as I put two hands on the marble, "This is huge."

"That's what she said," Nick chuckles.

I ignore him. "This counter is like..." I search my mind for the right word. "Well, it's big enough to be a dance floor."

"I swear, Taegan, if I find you dancing on my countertops" Dream scoffs as he walks back in. Dream sets napkins down next to the pizza boxes I didn't even notice before.

I put my hands up. "Never said I would, but just saying I could."

"I'd prefer you didn't," he gives a pointed look.

I shrug. "No promises."

~author's note~

dream is real

have a great day:))