Cupid (DNF + Karlnap)

Chapter 24: Everglades

I lied last chapter lol
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Dream POV.

“The Everglades still seems like a boring idea.” Techno began again now that we were alone. Both Sapnap and Karl had disappeared upstairs, leaving just the three of us around the table. I attempted to keep my head down, still not sure if I would be able to control my blush if I made eye contact with the brunette.

“It’s interesting.” George responded. “This is a part of your culture Dream, isn’t it?” I didn’t respond. I knew it was half-hearted and intended as a joke but I just couldn’t think of it as that at the moment. Cautiously I lifted my hand to run through my hair without responding, just reminiscing the feeling of George holding me.

“Plus, I still don’t see why money is the issue. Dream is loaded.” The way he talked about me, as though I was nothing more than a wallet just bugged me. Perhaps it was the fact that he was being so loving to someone who was virtually a stranger while being so cruel to me. It just hurt my heart.

Techno, my best friend, glanced over at me. He had a caring look on his face. I wasn’t sure if he knew the situation, knew that I was upset and had love for George. Usually he was good at knowing these kinds of things, but today it felt as though he was unaware.

“Yeah, Dream is loaded.” Techno nodded. “He is loaded with his money. He isn’t loaded with your money.” He spoke as though it was obvious, as though George should know that which realistically he should know. I was fine buying almost anything for the brunette, if only he’d asked, yet he just assumed he was entitled to it.

I brushed my hand through my hair once again, listening as Techno continued to speak and watching him silently. “Plus, it seems like Karl and Sapnap aren’t overly interested in seeing the everglades. I don’t see why it’s such a big deal that you go there.”
“Because it’s a beautiful place.”

“It’s still a swamp.” Techno shrugged, finding this whole interaction amusing. I decided to tune them both out to avoid having to deal with it, just slowly continuing to eat my pancakes which were beginning to grow cold. This was beginning to annoy me to be completely honest.

I was so in love with George. There was no way I could avoid it, no way I could deny or even try to hide it. He was the most beautiful person in the world but here he was, obsessing over another man.

The only thing that stopped me from confessing this right now was my love and respect for him. I didn't think it would be fair to tell one of my best friends I'd love him, that would just ruin our relationship. Then there was also our relationship with Techno, it wouldn't be fair on him either if I tore what we had apart.

"Even if it is a swamp there are some beautiful views." George pointed out. He was in such a good mood that he was even cleaning up his own plates. That was a hint to how serious he treated this newfound love. It just was enough to show I wasn't worth changing his mind for, no matter how depressed I appeared.

“Dream, are you feeling okay?” Techno was looking over at me. He was watching me as I sat continuing to freak out internally. “You look kinda pale.”
“Oh… I’m…” I wasn’t sure how exactly I wanted to tell them the truth, or if I even wanted to tell him and George the truth. “It’s nothing.”

Part of me prepared to hear a joke from the pink haired man. I mean I could even think of one myself, ‘see George, he’s going pale from the idea of all that money being spent on you’. Yet instead he kept quiet, just turning his attention back towards George after glancing at me for a few other seconds.

“So anyway, I had been cut off earlier, but I found a VIP river tour that we could book. It’s six hundred for the first person and an extra two hundred for everyone else.” George chirped. He had a phone in his hand and began googling stuff to show us. His fingers moved so fast it was almost a blur and he tapped his foot impatiently.

“Six hundred dollars?” Techno scoffed. “Is the river made of liquid gold or somethin’?” He asked with a smirk on his face. Once again he looked over at me.
“It’s not that.” George reassured. “It’s just quality.”
“Quality how?”

George smiled smugly. “Well it comes with a five star meal, a guaranteed chance to see a bunch of the rare animals such as alligators, hawks, maybe even panthers, and free refills of all sorts of expensive liquor.”

A set of footsteps headed down the stairs and all three of us glanced over to look. Sapnap appeared and he was rubbing his face tiredly. “Are you okay Sapnap?” I managed to ask him, rubbing my own face as well.
“I’m fine.” He responded. “Just needed to grab something from Karl’s room.”

“Great.” George smiled, putting his phone down and spinning on his heel. “There is an opening for a tour this evening over dinner… if Dream is willing to pay for it.” Then his attention turned to me, a pouty expression on his face. “Please Dream.” He begged.
“George, stop it.” Techno sighed.

I looked at the beautiful brunette, and I was about to agree, about to say ‘yes’ and give George my card so he could book the tour. Then I glanced at Techno who’s expression had turned stoic and I slowly shook my head. “I’m sorry George.” My voice remained low, as though I was still guilty. “But Techno is right.”

The brunette seemed shocked at the idea that I was disagreeing with him, but I avoided seeing that shock as I lowered my gaze. “But it’ll be cool to go see. I want to show…” He let out a huff and just stomped off in a childish fashion. Techno, without a word, followed him.

When they were both gone Sapnap looked over at me. “Are you feeling okay?” He asked.
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1071 words

Would you go on a date with George to the Florida Everglades?