Reticent

Bankside Picnic

It was four days later when Dream finally returned to George's pond. George had been waiting for him, though he would never admit it. Perhaps he was a lot more lonely than he thought. Dream's visits really affected him. Though, again, he would never admit it.

George watched Dream walk happily down the deer trail with something in his hands. It was a big basket with a ribbon tied over it, keeping the lid shut.

George could see him smiling from behind the mask. When he sat on the grass near the bank, he took it off and scanned the surface of the water. He spotted George very quickly and waved at him.

"Hello~" He called out fondly.

"Glad you're back..." George said timidly.

"I told you I would be." Dream started unpacking his basket, pulling out various pre-packaged food items. "I figured I should bring a house-warming gift." George never really had the chance to try human food, seeing as how he avoided people. He wondered how it would taste. He really only ate fish and various aquatic plant life. Sometimes a small animal that got a bit too close to the water, as well. That probably wouldn't be a very pleasant conversation topic, though.

"You're staring," Dream pointed out after he had finished unpacking the basket.

"Ah, sorry," George said, breaking his gaze away from the food splayed out in front of Dream. "What did you bring?"

"Some stuff for lunch to share. I haven't eaten yet," Dream explained. "You want some?" He picked up something red about the size of his hand. "An apple?"

"I've never had one." George climbed up to the edge of the bank, leaving only his long extravagant tail dipped in the water. He reached out and took the apple from Dream.

"Oh, come on now. You've never had an apple??" George shook his head while examining the apple, trying to figure out how to eat it. "Well I suppose that makes sense. You live in the water and there aren't apples down there. You just bite into the side, George."

He looked at Dream who had an amused expression on his face. He looked back down at the apple then slowly bit into it. The taste was sweet, much sweeter than anything he ever had before. The red skin was tough and tart, but the inside was much softer and full of juice. It dripped off George's chin and down his webbed hand holding the apple. Dream started laughing.

"Your eyes got so big!!!" He said through wheezes. Wonderful wheezes. George loved the sound of his laughter. "What was that face??"

"It's so sweet..." George said, taking another bite. "I like it."

"There's much sweeter things than apples. I can bring you more next time." Dream reached over and grabbed a yellow bag of potato chips. "Try these next. There's more here than just apples."

George quite enjoyed everything Dream had to offer him. And Dream quite enjoyed watching George's reaction to everything he tried. The two of them shared food for around an hour, taking their time and talking, getting to know each other.

Dream lived on his own in an apartment about twenty minutes away. He moved in just recently and was recommended George's pond for a quiet place, though he was warned as well. Apparently the locals thought it was cursed or haunted or something.

"Must be daring to have come, then," George commented.

"Maybe, but I don't really believe in curses or ghosts or whatever. I heard 'quiet place' and 'people are afraid to go there' and thought it was perfect," Dream laughed back. "This place is beautiful. Though I love the quiet and how untouched it is, it is a shame people are afraid of it"

"It's better that way." The two of them locked eyes for a moment, reading each other.

He's pretty...

Dream smiled sweetly and George's ears grew warm. He cleared his throat quietly.

"You're right," Dream admitted. "It is better this way. Much better." George shifted his gaze downwards and fiddled with the webbing on his hands. Dream watched this strange, unique creature in front of him.

He's very pretty...

"George?" Dream called softly. George looked back up at Dream. "What all do you know about humans?"

"Not much, I guess," George answered. "I try to avoid them."

"Why did you approach me, then?"

George swallowed.

Why did he take off Dream's mask? Why did he watch him from the water instead of swimming to the bottom so he wouldn't be seen? Why was he so curious? He's never been so interested in anyone else. What was so different about Dream?

"I... I don't- I'm not sure..." George stuttered. "I guess I just thought you were... Captivating?" He felt a pang in his chest and stifled a cough. Dream sat and marinated in George's answer. Captivating, was he? What an interesting word choice.

"Captivating?" He echoed after a moment.

"Captivating," George confirmed with a much more confident tone. "I've never seen anyone wear a mask like yours. Why do you wear it?"

Now Dream froze.

How was he meant to answer that? It was a comfort for him, sure, but should he tell George that? How would he explain that? It wasn't as if he hated his face. Or was scared to be seen.

"I just like it, I guess," he answered simply.

"I like it too." Dream smiled shyly at George.

The two of them sat in comfortable silence. They listened to the birds singing in the canopy overhead, the water rushing through the pond, small animals walking just behind the tree line, the small breeze gently brushing through the long grass and wildflowers. George could smell the sweet scent of pollen and mud. The grass felt kind against his webbed hands, much kinder than the fish that constantly pestered him in the pond. Dream turned his face upwards towards the sunlight filtering through the leaves overhead. George admired how his skin glowed in the lighting. He looked so content just sitting there without saying anything. As if George's company didn't sway his composure whatsoever. Perhaps he even enjoyed sharing this space with George.

George hoped that was the case, that it wasn't a facade. He enjoyed sharing his space with Dream. He wanted the feeling to be mutual.

"You're staring," Dream pointed out.

"You look good in the sunlight," George complimented without realizing. The second the words left his mouth, his hand flew up and covered it. "Sorry," he corrected quickly, his voice muffled.

Dream gave him a content look. "Don't be," he said softly. "It was a nice thing to say. We're friends, after all. It's not weird to compliment friends, you know." George let his hands fall and smiled at them.

"You're very kind, Dream," George said, not looking at him. 

"I try to be."