Reticent

Greeting

George let Dream's words hang in the air. Such a soft and welcoming color, his eyes... He lost himself in them, finding comfort in the intimacy of lingering eye contact.

Dream... George's mind repeated. His voice was a lot different than he thought it would be. A lot more soothing, a lot more crisp. He talked faster, too. Listening to him ramble could probably lull George to sleep. He wondered what his laugh sounded like. Not a chuckle or sounds of amusement, a full, unfiltered laugh. George was curious to see if it would be loud, hoarse, silent, perhaps just harsh wheezing. He wanted to know more. A lot more. Everything.

Dream waited patiently for George's answer, watching as the creature slowly relaxed whilst the two stared at each other. After a long moment, George came to and finally answered.

"George..." He said hesitantly. "My name is George."

"Lovely name~" Dream complimented with a smile. George felt his ears grow warm.

"Thanks..." He muttered quietly, clearing his throat and ducking part of his face underneath the water. He looked away from Dream. His mask was still laying in the grass next to the tree, George noticed.

"Have you been here the whole time?" Dream asked. George nodded slowly. "Alone?" George nodded again. Dream took in this information, then changed the topic completely. "Why did you take off my mask?"

George completely froze. There wasn't any malice or accusation in Dream's voice, just genuine curiosity but the question made George realize he violated this man's privacy. There must've been a reason he wore it and George completely disregarded it. What a sour way to start.

"Sorry..." George mumbled just under the surface of the water.

"Don't be," Dream replied, a soft, forgiving smile on his face. "It's okay." George stayed silent and avoided eye contact. He felt he would get lost in those gentle green eyes. They were so vibrant in the moonlight. Everything about him was vibrant.

Since he didn't respond, tension began to rise as a sense of awkwardness drifted into the pond. Dream's confidence faltered, though George was far too caught up in his own entranced thoughts.

"I didn't mean to scare you," Dream said quietly. "Sorry if I freaked you out." This time, his voice was full of insecurity. He absentmindedly picked at the skin around his fingernails.

George looked back and lifted his face above the water. "Did you wait this long just to tell me that?" He asked. He disregarded his thoughts, deciding this whole interaction was unavoidable. George wasn't in any danger. For now. He could spare a conversation. What was the point of being timid if he had already been seen? George had wanted to talk to Dream since he saw him leant against the tree the first time. He was given an opportunity. He was going to take it.

Dream smiled awkwardly and rubbed the back of his neck. "Well... Kind of. I didn't actually have a plan."

George snickered. "All that time and not a thought went through your head, huh?"

Dream laughed. "I suppose not. It's far too pretty here to be stressed over conversation that may or may not have happened." What a wonderful laugh he had. George felt the tension leave him and he finally relaxed. He eased into the conversation with newfound comfort in the company.

George moved a little closer. "What do you mean?"

"I mean I didn't know if you would come back or not. I was prepared to wait but you might've just stayed down there. I figured it would be easier to wing it if you actually came back."

"I wasn't going to," George admitted. "But I felt bad that you were waiting so long. And now it's dark."

"Don't feel bad. I've been meaning to visit at night. I've wanted to see everything in the moonlight, but I hadn't really had a good excuse. It was worth the wait." Dream smiled at him.

"I'm glad you like it," George said quietly, a sense of pride in his voice. How nice that this stranger found comfort where George lived. His beautiful home was being recognized by a beautiful visitor.

"It's beautiful..." Dream whispered to himself. George was startled by the similarity in thoughts. "I, uh... I do have to go home, though. I'm struggling to stay awake." George felt disappointment sweep over him. He should've resurfaced sooner. He should've been braver. They would've gotten to talk longer. He could've learned more. Regret bubbled in his chest along with a slight discomfort.

"Oh... Okay," George murmured. Dream stood and brushed sand off his clothes. He turned to go, but George leapt out of the water and grabbed his wrist. "Will you come back?" He asked, locking eyes with Dream, who smiled gently.

"You'll see me again," Dream promised. George released his grasp and let himself smile.

"I'll see you again..." George repeated. Dream nodded, then turned to leave, walking back up the deer trail and holding out his hand so the long grass brushed against it. George watched him until he was out of sight, feeling a pang in his chest just as Dream ducked through the trees.

Slowly, George swam to the bottom of his pond and settled into the sand. I'll see him again. There's no reason to regret. Doubt ran through his mind in circles, trying to convince himself he didn't make a mistake by taking off Dream's mask. It's dangerous for people to find George, however. He may have to move again. But Dream wouldn't say anything, would he? That was a space he came to for calm and quiet. To get away from the stress and noise of every-day life, right? He wouldn't give away his escape. George was sure he would be okay. If things did go wrong, though, he could always just leave. He wasn't stuck there, he just liked the quiet. Though, now his space was occupied by another.

He'd be okay. Surely. He'd be just fine. Change isn't always a bad thing.