Operation: Merciless

Chapter Thirty-Six | Shots Fired

George was taken aback when Technoblade actually had swimwear ready for him, as if he had been anticipating this moment. Despite his excitement to go outside, Dreamer showed no interest in joining the pool party.

Sitting on the couch, George waited for everyone else to finish getting ready. Dreamer's gaze felt heavy as he judged him from across the room, arms crossed over his chest.

"Ey, George!" Techno's cheerful voice broke through George's thoughts. He looked up to see Techno, wearing swim trunks and a smile. Dreamer gave Techno a disinterested glance, his head tilted as if rolling his eyes.

One by one, the rest of the house occupants joined them in the room. Techno clapped his hands together and called out, "Come on, boys! Let's go take a dip! Last time together! 'Ey!"

George followed behind the group, feeling a nervous excitement as he stepped through the sliding door. The fresh air and summer heat felt strange but not entirely unfamiliar, and the roughness of the pavement beneath his feet provided a comforting sensation.

"Move over, slow pokes!" Punz pushed past the group and jumped into the water, creating a loud splash.

While the others played and laughed, chasing each other around, George sat at the edge of the pool and dipped his toes into the water. Kardac stood nearby, as if guarding him. Although he had eagerly wanted to go into the water before, now George hesitated.

Dream sat down beside him, giving him a curious look. "I thought you wanted to go out?"

George picked at his nails, avoiding eye contact with Dream. Dream gently grabbed his chin, lifting his gaze toward him. "How about we go in the water? Just like last time?"

George wanted to shake his head and decline, but he didn't want to upset the killer. Instead, he averted his gaze and nodded slowly. Dream released his hold on George's chin, and George reluctantly lowered himself into the water. The coolness of the water was refreshing, offering a momentary respite.

As George swam away from Dream, he approached Sam, who greeted him with a smile. George managed to return the smile, albeit a small one.

After a moment's hesitation, George saw Dream gliding through the water towards them. Once Dream was within earshot, he straightened out and observed them.

Sam glared at Dream's mask before turning to George. "Does he ever take it off?"

George raised an eyebrow but remained silent.

"I used to take it off," Dream started, then corrected himself with a sigh. "There's no privacy here. If people can see me, the mask stays on."

"Is it comfortable? Since you wear it all the time, it must be, right?" Sam asked, bombarding Dream with questions. George felt a sense of unease. If there was one thing he had learned, it was never to ask Dream too many questions.

"No," Dream snapped, growing irritated. Sam was about to speak up again, but George shook his head, silently warning him to stop. He felt uncomfortable and exchanged a look of pity at Sam before swimming away to join the others.

George swam back to the side of the pool and got out before Dream could reach him. He found solace in seeing the killer annoyed as he redirected his attention towards Technoblade, engaging him in conversation with an eerily cheery tone.

George remained quiet, observing each person around him. Most of the guys were playfully roughhousing with a football, while a couple of others engaged in a conversation with Dream and Techno. Eventually, Techno left the pool and began drying off.