The Apocalypse [Dreamnotfound AU]

They're Back

Tw: swearing

Quackity's words barely register past the million embarrassing worries rushing through Sapnap's mind.

He blinks, overly aware of his burning cheeks, of Karl standing too close to him, of the guilty look in both of their eyes. Thoughts of what had just happen invade his mind, and he wonders how Quackity and Montero haven't noticed it yet, when he's so self-conscious of every move he makes.

Then, Quackity scrunches his nose, and Sapnap's heart plummets. "Why are you guys so red? What happened in here?"

"You don't wanna know..." Karl starts, just as Sapnap startles and stammers, "Nothing."

Montero raises his eyebrows and Quackity stares between them for a few seconds, like he doesn't get it. Then, his jaw drops and he backs away a few steps.

"I'll just...you know - I'll meet you outside," Quackity stutters, suddenly more flustered than Sapnap as he rushes outside.

Despite everything, Karl bursts into laughter and Sapnap feels a smile tugging at his lips as Montero giggles with them.

"He looked so terrified," Karl manages between giggles, wiping at his eyes. "Like, not even uncomfortable just straight up terrified."

When Sapnap manages to catch his breath, he remembers what Quackity had said before he'd left. "What do we need to see?" Sapnap asks Montero, who suddenly goes serious, his eyes glimmering.

"Quackity spotted Bad's car while we were on lookout," Montero says, a little breathless either with laughter or excitement. "They're back."

Karl chokes on his laughter and Sapnap feels his heart stop, then start up again, hammering against his ribs. "What?" he asks, even though he heard him the first time. His mind seems to be running in slow motion as it processes Montero's words.

Karl grabs his hand, squeezing it so tight, it hurts a little. "Then what are we even waiting for? Let's go!"

Montero nods and leads them out of the caf, Karl dragging Sapnap out by the hand as Sapnap starts to realize what is happening.

Dream and the others are back. And if they're back, then George might be back, and then...

"They might have brought the cure," Karl whispers to him at the same time as Sapnap thinks it. His voice sounds choked with emotion. "You could be cured."

Sapnap has no words, so he squeezes Karl's hand back, hoping it expresses what he's feeling.

They find Quackity near the front door. His cheeks are laced pink, and he avoids Sapnap and Karl's gazes even as he nods toward the parking lot of the school. Sapnap's blood thrums through him, his mind barely registering what he's seeing as he stares at the bright red convertible parking in the parking lot, followed closely by a dark van.

"Oh my God!" a voice calls out from the car, and Sapnap realizes Montero's pushed the front doors open and they're standing partially outside. Then, he realizes the voice is familiar, a voice he hadn't realized he'd missed so much until he hears it...

"Sapnap!" George yells, scrambling out of the car, Dream right behind him. Dream, who's smiling so brightly as he watches George, then meets Sapnap's eyes. Sapnap can't help his grin as he looks first at Dream, then at George, rushing toward him.

"George!" Sapnap calls back, and Karl lets go of his hand with a smile.

"I'm back!" George whoops, and Sapnap laughs as George runs into his arms. He picks him up, swinging him around, and George giggles madly, clutching Sapnap tightly. They're both laughing so hard that Sapnap feels breathless. When he finally lets go of George to hold him at arm's length, George has to wipe the tears from his eyes. Sapnap realizes then that he doesn't know if the tears are from laughter or sadness or relief to be back. But he feels tears prick his own eyes as he stares at George, who smiles brightly back at him.