Silent Ruler [DNF]

Chapter 13: Leave the past behind

Happiness beyond comparison. From the moment he was born had it been a given fact that love wouldn't be something that George would've the luxury of experiencing. An arrangement marriage based on strengthening the kingdom's power had most likely been his destiny if he remained the crown prince.

George, who'd devoured romantic novels like a drug, had envied these fictive characters like nothing else. Unconditional love, a relationship whose foundation solemnly revolved around genuine feelings towards one another.

Yet here he was, standing in a magnificent place tightly engulfed in a hug by an even more magnificent person. True love is often described as one of the most amazing sensations known to man. An exaggeration George believed for so long, especially after growing up in the castle and having witnessed the few relationships that existed in between those stone walls. However, he now knew that it wasn't an exaggeration. His heart raced while mind was overtaken by an euphoric sensation. He felt so alive, so grateful for everything that had made this possible.

His head was pressed against Dream's tanned chest while the blonde chin rested against the top of his head. How long they'd been standing like this was difficult to tell, yet George never wanted it to end. A calloused hand ran along his chin and carefully tilted his head upwards once more. Dream leaned down and kissed him softly. The kiss was gentle and didn't last long. Their foreheads stayed connected.

"I really hate to do this, but we should head back to the others before they break down the cave to find us." Dream whispered in that low voice that sent shivers down George's spine. The blonde possessed plenty of qualities that George adore, but his voice was for sure one of the best ones. Especially when he deepened it. However, that particular information would remain his secret, fully aware of how cocky Dream would get if he knew.

George reluctantly broke apart, but kept their hands intertwined. "True, they probably think we drowned or something." He said while guiding them to the edge.

He turned to the blonde who already looked at him with a sly smirk and sparkling eyes. George had read somewhere that peoples pupils tended to expand while looking at someone they loved. And as he studied the green eyes (that to him appeared yellow), he clearly saw the expanded pupils.

"Time to let going Georgie." Dream cooed and before he knew it, he felt Dream pushing him into the water. "Dickhead!" George shouted before his head submerged under water.

A wheezing laughter echoed before Dream jumped after. George swan down to the bottom and saw Dream approaching. He glared in played annoyance at the blonde before taking his hand. They stayed there for a moment. Golden locks floated around the tanned faces in a lovely mess. A childish grin decorated the freckled face. Dream's other hand caressed George chin, making it impossible to contain the annoyed expression. They both knew that they needed to get away from there, but George swan closer and pressed their lips together one more time and Dream was quick to reciprocate the kiss.

Shouts erupted as they rejoined their friends who were quick to start flaming them with questions. Neither George nor Dream gave any further details than that there was a tunnel at the bottom that led to a secret room. Questions regarding what it contained and what they did were left undisclosed. It was their secret, something that both seemed to feel belonged to their knowledge only.

George pushed himself up the side of the water to sit next to Quackity while the rest appeared to have some contest in who could drown themselves first. Quackity's dark eyes saddened as Karl swam up behind Sapnap and kiss him lovingly. George patted his friend's shoulder, recalling the dark-haired guy's confession regarding Karl and Sapnap.

Wilbur appeared at one point and informed that Philza wanted to talk with Dream, so the blonde left while the rest of them stayed behind.

It was a wonderful evening in many ways. Like so many times before, George truly felt a sense of belonging. However, as the evening passed, a reoccurring thought continued to bug him. The memories of kissing Dream kept replaying over and over. How lovingly the blonde had looked at him and how happy he seemed. George was happy too. But the fact remained, he carried a big secret, one that could change everything. Would Dream ever be able to love, or even like him, if he knew the truth? A part of him hoped that he could leave that part behind. Another part hoped that if needed tell Dream the truth, that the blonde would understand that it was all in the past.

But the more he thought about it, the more he dreaded the future. Sensing and dreading an inevitable separation

Quackity's eyes landed on him. "Everything okay over there?"

George kept his gaze on the water and observed Karl and Sapnap who floated while holding hands. He sighed and thought back at Quackity's Spanish saying: I killed myself in the most beautiful way." "Yo me suicide de la manera." He told his friend

Quackity went quiet for a second. "¿Como?" He asked with a low voice.

With effort he met Quackity's gaze and gave him a sad smile. "Me enamore de alguien que no puedo tener."

He broke the eye contact and absentmindedly glanced around the cave. His heart ached as he recalled the meaning of the second part: By loving the person I cannot have.

Dark eyes studied him for a moment before they returned to the swimming couple.

"It sucks, doesn't it?" George hummed agreeingly. Relieved that no more questions were asked regarding the subject.

"Although I like to believe that if the person you love but can't have, was made for someone else. Then I too must've been made for someone else out there." Quackity continued.

George leaned back and steadied himself on his arms while tilting his head study the roof. Vines surrounded the glowing stalactites. Such an insignificant detail to most. Yet it proved something that George deemed rather noteworthy. Despite the bad conditions for growth that the plants received in the cave, such as lack of earth and light, nature still found a way for it to work. Quackity's philosophy was admirable, however George couldn't help but think that maybe their cases differenced. What if Dream and George were made for each other, but they're given unkind conditions for it to work. Still, a somewhat pessimistic objective. But if a plant could survive in a place that denied it access to one of its most fundamental needs, then maybe the future for him and Dream wasn't doomed just yet.

George heaved himself from the floor and offered his dark-haired friend a helping hand, who gladly took it. He patted Quackity's shoulder as they proceeded to walk back, giving the remaining two some privacy. "Lovely philosophy you got there." Quackity broke out in a proud grin. "I know! Yet I've been told that my foul language makes me a "bad influence" on the younger people here." He scoffed. "Can you believe the audacity?"

The change of topic was something George highly appreciated. His mind continued to go over everything that happened back with Dream and what it potentially could mean for the future. However, Quackity's lighthearted chatter made it less draining, and there was still time before he needed to face his demons back in the kingdom. Dwelling on hypothetical scenarios benefited no one.

Plus, his family had declared him dead. Maybe his former life could remain dead too.