a late-night conversation about home
- ❀ -
It's ten pm and they're in bed doing their nightly routine of cuddling while each doing their own thing. Sometimes they talk, and sometimes they're just on their own phones, scrolling on Twitter and answering messages. It's so domestic that George almost can't believe it, but he loves it anyway.
Dream has his head on George's chest and is busy scrolling through low-volume tiktoks on his phone resting on George's stomach. george is running his fingers through Dream's hair, lost in his own thoughts as he gently detangles knots.
He doesn't notice that Dream is looking at him until he feels the blond move in his arms. Dream shifts so he's leaning on his elbow and not laying on top of George quite as fully.
"What are you thinkin' about?" He asks softly.
George's eyes flit to his. He twirls a strand of caramel hair around his finger on the back of Dream's head, still not quite out of his head.
"Nothing," he mumbles unconvincingly. And fittingly, Dream is not convinced.
Olive eyes stay on him as Dream waits for him to gather his thoughts and say what he really means. They've had similar conversations before, and Dream knows to be patient. George really loves him for it.
George sighs through his nose and moves his hands to grab onto Dream's hoodie strings, curling them around his fingers idly. Dream doesn't stop him.
"I was just thinking about my parents," he says finally, glancing at Dream briefly. "I need to go visit them at some point. Maybe soon."
"Okay," Dream says, giving George's waist a squeeze. He shifts a bit. "Well, is it stressing you out? I can help you look at your schedule if you want, find a good time?"
George smiles at that, but he glances down again. "Thanks but it's not...that's not really what I'm worried about."
"Then what?" Dream's voice goes even softer than before.
George twists his fingers tighter in Dream's hoodie strings, feeling his heartbeat quick for no apparent reason. He doesn't know why he can't just sayit–
"Would you want to go with me?" He blurts out, locking eyes with green again. Though he doesn't look away this time.
Dream is already smiling. "To see your family?"
George nods, feeling shy and hopeful all at once.
Dream smiles at him softly. "Yeah, of course. I'd love to."
"Really?" It comes out quietly, a little choked. For a reason he can't place, George feels a little bit like he wants to cry.
"Yes, George," Dream reassures him, saying it like it's the most obvious thing in the world. "Is that what you've been worrying about?"
"I haven't been worrying, I just...I don't know," George trails off. Then he glances up at Dream again and says, quieter, "I didn't wanna have to leave you."
It's almost painful to watch how much Dream's face softens at his admission. Painful because George can say honestly that nothing has ever made him feel as loved, and that realization makes his heart squeeze in his chest.
"Aw," Dream chuckles softly, his hand coming up to cup George's cheek. George wraps his fingers around a bigger wrist, smiling sheepishly.
"It's stupid," he mumbles, overly aware of how close his lips are to Dream's palm.
"It's not stupid, George. I don't even want to think about how much I'd miss you if you went without me."
George doesn't really know what to say to that. The only thing he is sure of right now is how grateful he is for Dream, for having someone who understands him so well.
He gives Dream a soft smile, encasing within it everything he wants to say but doesn't have the words for. And then Dream is leaning down and kissing him softly, pressing plush lips against his own. George lets his eyes fall shut and gives Dream's wrist a light squeeze, hoping that Dream can sense the love he put into that gesture, too.
They're both smiling when Dream pulls back.
"What was that for?" George asks.
Dream shrugs, "Just felt like you needed a reminder."
George's smile grows, amused. "A reminder of what?"
"That," Dream moves in closer. "I'm crazy about you."
There's a pause as George just looks at him, searching for the joke on his features, before he can't help but laugh. "Pfff," he lifts a hand to his face.
Dream starts laughing, too, taking the smaller hand in his own.
George lets his head fall to the side cutely and gives his boyfriend a soft look. "Okay, Dream."
And Dream just smiles, because they both know that he meant what he said. He knows it, George knows it, and about everyone else knows it, too.
"Have you talked to your parents about when?" Dream asks genuinely.
The question makes George sigh again. His gaze falls to his hands, well, his hand in Dream's.
"Mum has sent me some dates that she said work best for them. I haven't really looked at them properly yet," he says.
Dream gives his fingers a comforting squeeze. "Alright, we can look together, then. Would we stay at their house?"
George glances up at him again and wonders for a split second if Dream realizes how amazing of a person he is. His ability to be so calm and solution-oriented has saved George from spiraling more times than he can count.
"Well, they'll definitely expect me to," George says, and then quickly adds, "But you don't have to do that, obviously. You can get a hotel or something– I'll pay."
He looks at Dream so intently he probably looks more worried than earnest. Dream doesn't lose his smile, though.
"What, you don't want me in your room?" He asks jokingly.
George tilts his head to the side again. "You know what I mean," he counters, pulling on Dream's fingers lightly.
Dream drops the teasing, his shoulders lowering ever so slightly. "I don't mind, George. Genuinely. I wanna stay where you're staying. Well– if your parents are okay with it, obviously."
"Oh, they are," George assures him, unable to forget the endless questions he'd get about their friendship when he lived at home. "I know my mum would be very happy to have you."
Dream smiles and leans in closer. "And you? How would you feel about having me there?" He glances down at George's lips unsubtly.
George can't help but smile wide, and he moves his hands to cup Dream's face, brushing his thumb over pink lips. "Very, very happy," he says.
"Good," Dream murmurs, before closing the distance once more, kissing him just as softly as before.
And that was that – they'll go together.
- ❀ -
