The Kingdom in the Mirror // DreamNotFound

Chapter 2

George gave Karl a small smile as he finished taking it all in. If this was a dream, then it was a pretty awesome one.

The taller brunette turned to George, beaming. "What do you think, huh?"

George smiled back while nodding his head, "I've never seen anything like it." He responded, stepping forward a bit closer to the edge of the taller hill they were on. He studied the houses and people about.

Still, he couldn't believe this was all real.

Karl gestured for George to follow him back inside the cottage, before leading him into a cozy living room. The two sat down on the chairs placed around a fluffy rug, Karl leaning forward to place his elbows on his knees and tilt his head questioningly at the other brunette across from him.

"So, George. How exactly did you end up here again?" He asked, and George hummed in acknowledgement, "Oh, yeah. So I know this sounds impossible, but last night." He paused, looking out the window, the sun setting across the water outside. "Well, I think your time is a bit different from mine, it was like 12:00 am for me." He looked back at Karl who was listening intently.

"Well, I heard some noises from my basement and I went down to investigate, and my mirror was glowing! Like swirling and moving like there was water trapped inside it!" George said, moving his hands a bit to demonstrate. "I turned to go back upstairs to see if maybe I was sleepwalking or something, when it just sucked me in and spat me out here! I don't know how or why-"

George was cut off as Karl held up his hand, "I believe you, George. Maybe stuff like that is impossible for your world, but here, almost anything is possible." He smiled mysteriously at the shorter brunette, who gave him a small grateful smile back.

"Thanks, I just didn't want you to think I was crazy even though I am telling the full truth." George said, gratitude showing in his words and expression.

Karl nodded, leaning back to place his hands behind his head. He stared up at the mushroom ceiling in thought, "I just wonder why it chose to bring you here?" He mused, turning to study George from the corner of his eye.

George shrugged, "I'm just as lost as you are. Would you know how to send me back possibly?" He asked, hope daring to light in his chest.

Karl frowned, before shaking his head, "I don't. Sorry. Maybe you can try doing whatever made it start glowing in the first place?" He suggested, and George pursed his lips, "But I didn't even do anything in the first place! I woke up to it already humming and glowing, and then it just sucked me in like a vacuum." He explained again.

Karl shook his head, "Then I don't know how to help unfortunately, maybe we should just wait until it starts glowing again or something? Maybe it takes a certain amount of time to start up again?"

The brit sighed, but nodded in agreement. "I guess that could be it."

Karl suddenly grinned in excitement, "Guess that means you get to stay with me until it does, huh?" He said, sitting up as well.

George raised an eyebrow hesitantly, "You'll let me stay with you?" He asked unsure and Karl laughed. "Well, where else would you go? Of course you can stay with me, it'll be fun! I'll show you around Kinoko and introduce you to everyone, it's going to be so awesome with someone new here. We don't get too many visitors." He rambled, George sitting awkwardly across from him. He could only smile at Karl going on and on about having him here.

He had to admit, it did feel nice being around someone again.

–

Karl had taken George out to see the Kinoko after the conversation they had had. George, in awe of everything around, it didn't take much to surprise a social deprived guy.