Revenge

Chapter 9

*George's perspective*

"I don't care, George."

The words seemed to bounce around in George's skull. They were cold and sharp, with jagged edges that cut into every part of George they touched. But no matter how much those four small words hurt, George refused to let his pain show.

Even if he did, it wouldn't make a difference. This wasn't the same person he fell in love with, and it was that thought that had kept George sane during these past few days.

So instead of letting himself be hurt by Dream's words, George focused on the fact that the Dream he knew and loved wouldn't treat him this way. His Dream would be concerned for his safety, and his Dream would tag along on even the smallest missions if it meant he could keep his eye on George.

But this version of Dream wouldn't do any of those things, and George knew that. Dream would stay behind, because he didn't care what happened to George anymore. If anything, he was probably hoping that George didn't return back to the safe house.

As the words fell to the floor between them, Dream held George's gaze for just another moment. George tried desperately to see even the smallest fragment of the old Dream, but he was met with a stare that was cold and unfamiliar.

And then without so much as another word, Dream was turning and leaving, and George's eyes fell towards his lap. He felt Sapnap's eyes on him, and he knew that Sapnap was only trying to help as he quietly started, "George, I-"

"Don't," George was quick to cut him off, "it's fine. I know he doesn't care about me anymore, Sapnap."

When he looked up, Sapnap was still looking at him with that expression that George couldn't stand. He didn't need anyone feeling bad for him, because he knew that this whole mess was his own fault.

"I'm fine," George breathed out the words, and Sapnap finally nodded in response.

No matter how many times he told himself he was fine, it never got more believable. But he had always been good at hiding how he was truly feeling, and so he did his best to shake off yet another disappointing exchange. If he just kept focusing on other things, then eventually, he might be able to process the fact that Dream didn't feel the same way anymore.

It was tense and quiet for a few seconds, and then Sapnap made a poor attempt at changing the topic. It was what he always did when something like this happened, and George was always grateful for it because he couldn't stand fixating on Dream's words for too long.

"Should I make dinner? We can come up with a plan while we eat."

George felt himself smiling, and Sapnap returned the gesture as George nodded in response.

It was strange, bonding with Sapnap after the way George had treated him in the beginning. He never would have pictured that he'd be growing closer to Sapnap while drifting away from Dream, but life was unpredictable in that way. And he was quickly beginning to enjoy the friendship he had with Sapnap, it kept him grounded in a way he didn't know he needed. On his own, George knew himself to be reckless and dangerously impulsive; he needed someone like Sapnap to balance himself out.

He felt some of the tension dissipate as he followed Sapnap into the kitchen, settling in at the table as he watched Sapnap pull ingredients out of the cabinets and the fridge. He was a surprisingly good cook, and George preferred the meals that he made to his own, and so he had no problem sitting back while Sapnap worked. He found it oddly calming to watch Sapnap cook, and he settled back into his chair with a content sigh.

With his eyes cast down as he began cutting up vegetables, Sapnap's voice drifted through the silence, "did Tommy and Tubbo tell you exactly what type of business we'll be walking into?"