Ends of the Earth [DNF]

Chapter 39: Dark blonde with warm undertones

The following days was mostly filled with a sleeping Dream and a restless George that passed time by gathering useful supplies for their trip. They decided to head back to the base after Dream had explained what the others had been up to during George's absence. But they didn't keep going right away due to Dream being rather drained after his resurrection from the dead.

George was nowhere near his former shape before the bunker, but his energy had returned quickly. The pair decided to take another road this time because they didn't need to hide from the bunker anymore. It would go a lot faster, even though their decreased capacity most likely would result in an extra day of traveling.

George was excited to return home. It felt like years since he last saw his friends. The plan to break free from the bigger group and go on their own journey remained, according to Dream. Although he was excited, a part of him would miss everyone. Sure, they could meet again someday. But the world's a big place.

The third day arrived and it was time to start heading back. George estimated that it would take about three days. However, he had a little secret planned along the way that would increase the time slightly.

Being back in the woods made George feel nostalgic, despite not having been away for more than a few weeks. Dream filled in the blanks regarding what happened after they'd been caught. The blonde explained how that it had been purely unintentional to leave the tracker on. He even explained that they'd all been informed that the little black device was nothing more than a way to communicate. George believed him. He knew that his reaction was clouded by emotions after he found the tracker and that he'd acted very harshly.

"So... the psycho-leader of the bunker was your dad?" George asked carefully after debating whenever to start this conversation or not.

Dream sighed and ran a hand through his hair. "Yeah, biologically at least. He didn't really live up to the father figure-roll though." George just nodded. It was fascinating how different you could be from you parents.

"You said that the plan was to give everyone in the bunker a chance to leave before destroying it. Do you think anyone left?"

"Hopefully. I don't think that everyone there's bad people, rather formed into fearing the unknown."

"I don't get it." Dream raised an eyebrow in his direction. "Why wouldn't the leaders rebuild the bunker on the surface? I would've been way more convenient if the population got bigger and they needed to make more space."

"Well, they told us that the surface was inhabitable due to radiation and the population never got bigger because there was a one child policy." George furrowed his brow. The surface hadn't been dangerously radioactive in decades, even the bunker-people would've survived.

Dream must've sensed his confusion. "I think it's all comes down to power in the end. If you show people that there's options, it becomes increasingly harder to remain in power." George decided not to answer. He instead tilted his head up to stare at the treetops. The leaves moved slowly from the warm breeze, covering the sky that was hinting about the fact that the day was coming to an end.

The sky was clear, to George delight. They'd soon reach his planned destination and a clear sky would make it even better. A warm arm draped itself around his shoulders, making George switch his gaze towards the blonde. Dream was searching his pockets and then stopped. A smile grew on the taller's face as he pulled out the hidden object. A faint, green light appeared.

"Look! I managed to save it." George recognized the carved moon and laughed. "You saved a piece of wood all this time?"

"Yeah, I couldn't lose both my moons. You know, like your little love story." George threw the other's arms away from his shoulders. "That's so cheesy, blondie." "Dark blonde with warm undertones, Georgie!" George huffed. "Whatever." But then his feet left the ground he found himself hanging over Dream's shoulder

"Dream! Let me down!" Dream just laughed. "You know what happened last time, tall boy." But his threat didn't help.

Suit yourself then.

George grabbed both sides of the other's stomach, just below the ribs. The reaction was immediate. Dream's grip loosened and George suddenly saw the ground getting closer. He managed to land on his shoulder and redirected the impact by spinning forwards. He turned around to face Dream, who still looked shocked. George smirked at the expression. "An IQ test on you would sure as hell be interesting." The comment made Dream flip him off.

George laughed and continued walking forward.