Reticent

The First Leaf

Dream began stripping himself of unnecessary clothing, folding it neatly and gently placing it in the long grass. He slipped into the water next to George and shivered. George watched the hairs on Dream's arms raise.

"Cold," Dream commented.

"You'll get used to it. Then you won't want to leave."

"Was this your plan to keep me?" Dream teased. George sprayed water at him.

"No! You're just in my domain now. It's only fair." Dream merely shrugged.

The two of them sat in the water and talked for a while, this time George carried most of the conversation while Dream listened. He spoke of where he was born, how his people were, that he hasn't seen any of them in years but that's okay. How he had travelled nearly world-wide looking for the perfect place to live without being bothered too much. Dream listened to all of it, occasionally asking clarifying questions.

At some point during his monologue, however, George went into yet another violent coughing fit.

"Holy shit, George," Dream swore once the coughing subsided. "Are you okay?" George nodded without saying anything, afraid that using his lungs would trigger more coughing. It was starting to ache almost constantly. "Is there anything I can do to help? That sounded so painful." Dream's voice was full of concern. George shook his head then dipped under the water for a moment. He let the water rush through him, then resurfaced after he felt more confident.

"I'm okay," he confirmed, his voice hoarse. "It's been going on for a while. It's fine."

"Come on now. That didn't sound fine at all."

"I'm okay, really. You don't need to be so stressed. It's okay."

Dream gave a soft, bittersweet smile. "If you say so, man. I trust your judgment."

George splashed Dream again. "You don't need to treat me like I'm fragile, you know."

Dream wiped the water from his face and sprayed George back. "I just care about your well-being! You're my friend, after all... Dickhead."

"Don't test me, Dream. I'd win this fight," George warned.

"What makes you say that? I'm bigger than you."

"Not by that much and I guarantee my tail would be devastating."

Dream cocked an eyebrow. "Oh, yeah? Beat this!" He quickly stood and slammed his chest and arms against the surface of the water towards George. The spray was massive, completely blinding George for a moment.

"Let's go!!" Dream celebrated as George recovered.

"Pathetic," he said after he wiped the water from his face. "Watch this." George flipped under the water and fanned out his tail as big as he could get it. As soon as it breached the surface of the water above, George brought it crashing back down with enough force to push Dream backwards in the water. When he resurfaced, Dream was absolutely soaked and dying of laughter.

"You win! You win!" He repeated. George smiled in triumph. "I shouldn't have doubted you."

"Obviously. I could've told you that." Dream sank down further into the water in an attempt to keep warm. He relaxed against the sandy bank and turned his face towards the canopy, taking in the sunlight. His blonde hair gently swayed in the water, framing his face. George admired him for a moment. How was it that a land creature could look so peaceful in such a dangerous environment? Water could kill him so quickly. Of course, George would never let that happen, but it was still so strange.

George crept up and sat next to Dream, who looked at George with a soft expression, then smiled.

"You have such a beautiful home, George~" He complimented. George felt his ears grow warm.

"Thank you..." George said timidly.

You're beautiful...

George's chest began aching, sharp pains splintering throughout his ribcage. He felt a cough rising in his throat, but stifled it and ignored the pain. It would go away, after all. It always did.

Dream did eventually have to get out of the water. He dried himself by sitting in the grass, basking in the sun for a while. George kept conversation, though he did not follow.

"Are you cold?" He asked, noticing Dream shivering slightly.

"Just a bit. I'll warm up though," Dream answered simply.

"You should come back."

Dream smiled. "I would, but I have to go home soon and I would prefer to keep my clothes as dry as I can."

"Clothes are overrated."

Dream burst out laughing. "Says you! You don't have clothes!"

"Yeah, cause they're overrated."

"No, cause you live in water. You don't need them under there."

George rolled his eyes. "You still wore clothes."

"Now you're changing your argument." George merely shrugged as Dream dressed himself.

"They just look like a hassle," he commented.

"To be fair, I'd much prefer to have them than to not."

"Humans are weird."

"Humans don't have fur to keep them warm."

"Neither do I."

"Well, I don't know enough about you to decide if that's a valid argument."

"You just know you're wrong."

"Yeah, sure. That's exactly it. You're so right."

"I am right."

"You're such an idiot. I do have to get going, you know." The mood became heavy. George wished he could stay longer, but he did have someone to go home to. George had no one else, but Dream had Sapnap. "Don't give me a sad look, George. I'll come back."

"I wasn't giving you a sad look."

"Oh, come on now. No need to lie to yourself." Dream smiled. "You'll miss me~"

"Whatever."

After farewells, Dream returned back up the deer trail, leaving George by his lonesome in the pond.

George started coughing not long after, violent shudders travelled throughout his body and more sharp pains splintered across his chest. Once the coughing finally stopped, he tasted blood and pulled a small leaf from his mouth.

What the hell...? He thought as he gasped for breath.