right where you left me

chapter four

Present Day

"You seriously can't expect to spend Christmas like this ." Sapnap was clad in a Christmas-eve ugly sweater. It was part of a merch drop from a year back, embroidered pandas and flames lining the thick cloth. He looked out of place in the midst of the others, who were still in sweatpants and hoodies.

"It's just us," Karl said. "No one's coming over this year, so we didn't think to decorate."

Dream never cared for Christmas decorations. They were fun and all, and they definitely got him in the spirit, but the hassle of putting them up and taking them down a month later was not the good part of the cheer. There have been multiple times when Dream's Christmas tree stood through the whole year and collected dust through the spring and summer. He only took it down because cobwebs had begun forming on the branches.

"We're over," Sapnap huffed. "And I want a Christmas tree."

Quackity pointed at the sad-looking miniature potted evergreen sitting on the coffee table, "We do have a Christmas tree."

The raven-haired man rolled his eyes. "You guys are no fun."

"I'm sure someone's open," George said. Dream looked down at his lap to see the Brit scrolling through his phone. Various grocery stores were pulled up in the search engine, each one closed for the holidays. A bubbly feeling traveled through him as he reached his hand over to play with his brown hair, earning a knowing smirk in return.

Sapnap smiled, "So you'll come and get one with me?"

"If we can find one," George agreed. "Look at these."

Sapnap sauntered over to the couch, leaning over the backside to get a better look at the small screen. He rested his chin on Dream's shoulder, and Dream let himself lean against the other man's scruffy cheek. He took a deep inhale, relaxing as Sapnap's woody scent and George's vanilla mixed in his lungs.

The weight on both sides of him felt nice— it was domestic. He imagined the three of them sitting in a living room in Florida. An open window and the sun shining through it, palm trees dancing in the humid heat. There was a pool in their backyard, and there was no cover for it.

He'd even settle for L.A. if George was with them. Long runs up the hills and shopping sprees in the city. Maybe they'd go out in the desert for the weekend, or play it safe like everyone else and eat somewhere basic like Saddle Ranch or Nobu . Dream and Sapnap could even teach George to surf, and based on the balancing acts the Brit does on Dream's heartstrings, he seems like he'd do good on the waves.

"What about this?"

Dream snapped back to reality. The windows were closed and there was a weather warning for snow on the T.V.

The tree on George's screen stood shining under the display lights. It was silver-colored, the type that looked expensive and seemed to be owned by all A-listers. It was beautiful, and Dream could already imagine the way red ornaments would look hanging off the branches.

Sapnap hummed, "Can we get multi-colored lights for it?"

"I want white lights for a white tree," George said. "Multi-colored lights are tacky."

"You're just mad you can't see them."

George rolled his eyes, "Do you want Christmas or not?"

"What, do you know the Grinch or something?"

"I'm sitting in his lap right now," George looked up and smiled at Dream. He reached up and grabbed the taller man's chin, moving his face around like someone would to a child. "Look at that green complexion."