Second Life

#10 Rain

Dream found some of his clothes that he never wore and gave them to George. He waited in his bedroom for the other to finish changing.

George walked in a moment later. Dream clothes didn't fit exactly, but they'd do. The shirt fell to just above his knees and the sweatpants sagged at his ankles.

Dream realized there was only one bed in the house. "You can sleep in here with me if you want. Y'know, since you can't really float anymore."

"Are you sure?" George hesitated, "I can just sleep in the chair by the piano. I don't mind."
"George. Get in the bed," Dream smiled, pushing away the other's humble ways.

George climbed into the bed awkwardly. He turned to face Dream. They smiled at each other the way only two very sleep-deprived people can.

"Hey," George started, "I'm really glad I chose to live again."
"Yeah? Just so you can sleep in a mildly uncomfortable bed with a guy you kissed once?"
"Yeah. You make it worth it."

Dream chuckled. "Goodnight, George."
"Goodnight."

The night was warm and welcoming. They fell asleep to the quiet chirps of crickets and swaying of trees.

The next day, Dream awoke to the pattering of rain on his window. He looked out of the speckled glass at the soaking grass and immediately thought of George.

George still hadn't touched rain.

He looked down at the other and shook his shoulder gently. "George," he whispered, "wake up."

George propped himself up on his elbows and rubbed his eyes. "What?"
"It's raining."

George's eyes got wider. He looked up at the window. There was a spark in his eyes that Dream had never seen before.

Dream stood. "Come on. Let's go to the backyard." George followed him to the glass door.

The two walked out, heavy, damp air filling their lungs. Dream walked out into the rain, water sloshing under his feet.

George hesitated for a long moment. For years and years what fell before him was lethal. It felt almost unreal that he could truly enjoy it now.

George held out a hand for the rain to hit. A smile broke onto his face the moment a droplet landed on his skin.

Dream held out his hand. "Come on, it's safe. I promise."

George placed his hand in Dream's and walked out onto the grass. They both smiled at each other and ran out to the middle of the yard, almost slipping on mud.

They played in the rain like children. Two big smiles played on their faces as they laughed.

George smiled and pushed his soaking hair out of his face. His eyes shone like gems in the small light they caught from the clouded sun.

Dream stopped in his tracks to stare for a moment.

"What?" George laughed out with a crooked smile.
Dream walked closer. "Sorry, you're just really pretty."

George kissed his cheek gently, standing on the balls of his feet to reach. Dream pulled him in closer.

The downpour splashed cold water droplets onto their faces, but neither could be bothered to care.

To Dream, that moment felt like a movie. Some corny ending to an old sitcom his mom used to watch. George reminded him of everything sappy and 'gross'.

"George, do you wanna make this whole thing official and..." he paused, taking an extra glance at the curious look in George's eyes, "be my boyfriend?"

George smiled and hugged him tightly. "Isn't the answer to that obvious?" he said into the crook of Dream's neck. His breath was hot on his cold skin.

They hugged and kissed in the rain until it started to get too cold. They went inside and dried off, the whole time putting small kisses on cheeks and brushing hands intentionally.

The weeks ticked by like minutes. No matter how much time passed, George never once regretted his decision to live again.

The morning sun rose into the sky. George sat up and rubbed his eyes tiredly. He looked down at Dream asleep beside him and smiled to himself.

He had found a meaning to live; Love.