~Galaxies Apart~ a dreamnotfound fanfic

chapter 18

George stumbled backwards. He had imagined this scenario several times in his head, but most of them ended with Dream being skewered by George like a kabob.

Clay let out a breath, staring at the floor in front of him. This gave George a few moments to gather his wits.

He swung his saber out, the end of it floating only inches from Clay's exposed throat.

"Don't say that," George hissed.

Clay looked up, locking eyes with George. His face held several expressions. Guilt, sadness, hope, and resolve.

George felt his eyes cutting through his soul, breaking him down. But he wasn't going to let Dream see that.

"Stop...saying that," George said. Clay wasn't even fazed. He held eye contact with George. He knew that if he didn't follow through with this, he would die. And he wouldn't die happy.

"George, I mean it. I always meant it," Clay said, dropping his lightsaber to the floor.

George felt his heart being tore in several different directions. His brain was telling him to kill Dream, end all of his problems once and for all. But his heart was telling him that this is Clay.

He wanted to listen to his heart, reach out to Clay, but he had been hurt far too many times. All he was doing was setting himself up for failure.

Clay noticed the torn look on George's face as his hand, holding the lightsaber, quivered slightly.

"George," Clay whispered. George looked into his eyes again. "I know I haven't given you any reason to trust me, but please."

George's look softened slightly.

"George, look in my head."

George just shook his head. At this point, he didn't even trust what answers he would find by digging into Clay's mind.

"Please," Clay pleaded, his eyes filled with desperation.

George took a breath and held out his hand, reaching into Clay's head.

Inside of Clay's head:

George and Clay were fighting in the training room. They were rolling and jumping around, swinging their lightsaber whenever the other got within range.

George not only could see the memory in Clay's head, but also feel it. He felt the joy that surrounded the memory.

"Oh Georgeee," Clay called. George felt a warmth with the words, but he realized it was in his own mind, not in Clay's.

While George picked through his thoughts, Clay studied George's face like a book.

He had dark brown, almost black eyes. The color of his hair matched. Smile lines surrounded his small nose and mouth, a reminder of much simpler times. As he concentrated, crinkles formed around his eyes and his eyebrows furrowed.

"Fine, but you only won because I let you."

George continued to play through the memory, remembering it in his own head clear as day.

"That's exactly what you said last time," George said with a giggle.

George felt Dream's mood shift slightly at George's laugh. It made him...happy?

When Clay felt George remove himself from his thoughts, he let out a breath.

"I..." George stuttered.

"I always meant it. And I always will."

George was dizzy with how many thoughts were running through his head. He felt his breaths become shallow.

So Clay loves me? What does that mean? Is he still Dream? Do I love him?

"George?" Clay asked, noticing his unease.

George just shook his head, taking a step back. "Give me...a sec..."

Clay nodded, preparing himself to catch George because, honestly, he looked like he was going to pass out any second.

"George, you should probably sit down," Clay suggested.

George fell back on his butt, grateful for the brief rest. Clay sat down across from him, crossing his legs. His eyes never left George, sho was staring at the floor in front of him.

"What do you mean?" George asked, seeming out of the blue.

"Hm?" Clay asked, confused about what he was referring to.

"What...do you mean 'I love you'?" George asked.

Clay took a deep breath. He had a whole lot of explaining to do.

"When I turned to the Dark Side, there was always this...pull. It was a pull back to the light. It was like the Force was telling me that I forgot something when I left the Temple." Clay paused to let his words sink in for a moment.

"And...the thing I forgot was you. I didn't realize how much I missed you until the Force decided to reconnect us. When I saw you I...I knew that I had messed up big time by leaving you behind. You were my everything. You were my best friend, my training partner, my Force buddy, and...most of all...my true love."

George's eyes widened. That was not what he was expecting.

"George, I never stopped loving you. And, if you want me to, I'll drop everything. My entire life here in the Darkness, to be with you."

George didn't know what to say. I mean, what do you say to something like that?

So, instead of speaking, he leaned forward, grabbing Clay's face as he pressed their lips together. Clay happily returned the kiss, gentling cradling George's face in his hands.

The kids was short and sweet, but it meant everything to George. He smiled at Clay as they separated, happy with what had just happened.

All of his dreams had come true. Nothing, absolutely nothing, could ruin this perfect moment.

That was, until a green lightsaber pierced Clay's torso.

It happened in mere seconds. One moment, George was savoring Clay's gorgeous features and getting lost in those bright green eyes. And the next, a bright green laser sword was poking through his chest.

George yelped. Clay looked down in shock at the giant hole in him as the lightsaber disappeared. George glanced up, trying to catch the face of whoever had done this.

And his day just got worse.

Sapnap hovered behind Clay, lightsaber still in hand. Obi-Wan jogged up behind him, just in time to see the wreckage.

Clay fell backwards, staring at the ceiling. George slid over, cradling his head in his hands.

"You're okay, you're okay," George muttered as he ran his thumbs across Clay's face.

Clay just smiled, his eyes still fixed on the ceiling above. "I got to tell you. I'm complete now."

George could feel the life energy slipping away from him, but he had no idea what to do. "No, no Clay hold on..." he choked back a sob. "Please."

As Clay's eyes drifted shut, he muttered his final words. "I...love you...Georgie."

George felt that all of his life was gone. He buried his head in Dream's neck, only to feel his body disappear moments later as he became one with the Force.

George sniffled, still sitting on the ground. "I love you too, Clay," he muttered, even though he would never hear it.

{1148 words}
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I'm sorry. But it had to be done. I'm going to do an epilogue, then the story will be COMPLETE. I really hope you enjoyed this book. I had fun writing it (up until discord discovered it 🙄).
Anyways, thank you guys so much for all of the support throughout this journey.

Much love,
Sa1ty Lettuce