Perception {Dreamnotfound}

25 | A Little World In A Bubble | 25

-George's POV-

I fade in and out of consciousness over who knows how long. My vision slowly returns to normal, causing me to feel less dizzy. It's not perfect, but it's good enough.

"How are you feeling now?" a sweet voice asks me, gently checking the area around my now bandaged wound.

"Fine" I lie, immediately feeling the pain flood back to me. Darryl doesn't look at all convinced. "Something is bothering you" he comments placidly. "I'll move the curtain so you can talk to Nick.

Darryl thankfully hands me some painkillers before leaving. "I need to help some other people. Tell Zak if you need anything."

Nick is awake on the other side, talking to Zak as the curtain is pushed back. He turns to me, wincing as he catches a glimpse of the bandages. "Alright what's wrong with you?" Zak asks.

"Nothing I'm fine-"

"He's lovesick, Zakky."

Zak shoots Nick a glare, punching his arm lightly. "How many times do I need to tell people not to call me that?!"

"Oh but Darryl can" Nick smirks, batting his eyelashes as he utters the medic's name. "I get it."

"He's my soulmate, and you aren't Nicholas."

"Okay never say that again-"

"Make me."

"Hey I may be injured but I can still beat your tiny ass in a fight."

"I may be two inches-" Zak spits the height difference. "But I can still kick your ass all the same."

"Language both of you!" Darryl hollers from next door.

The two assassins laugh, focusing their attention back to me. "What's up Georgie?" Nick smirks. "Lovesick?"

He's right and I can't ignore it.

"I want Dream" I whine pathetically, not really caring about the consequences. Zak blinks rapidly a couple times, looking to Nick. Nick just rolls his eyes. "You're the last one to notice Zak" he laughs, and my stomach drops.

Who else knows?!

Darryl rushes back in, beckoning for Nick and Zak to follow him. The medic looked to be in an awful state, messy and flustered from rushing around to help as many people as possible. Shadows show through the curtain opposite me, one Nick and the other presumably Zak.

As soon as they leave, Clay rushes in. "George!" he yells, not caring who's around. "Sorry I couldn't get here sooner! I tried I swear-"

"It's fine" I smile, trying to sit up and failing. Clay wraps his arms under mine, helping me up. He leans me against the wall, nervously snoring the bedsheets below me. "You saved Nick" he breathes. "Why? Why did you save him?"

"I- I don't know..."

"You saved him..."

"For you" I admit. "I'm not willing to help people, but I know how much Nick means to you. I couldn't just let him die." I smile at Clay, who looks strangely nervous. "I saved him for you" I repeat.

"You knew, so you interfered. You never interfere-" Clay runs through what I've told him in his heart, confused and nervous. I'm not sure what, but something is wrong.

"George..." he mumbles, avoiding my eyes as he shuffles closer to the edge of the bed. Despite the pain in my shoulder, I push myself away from the wall and closer to him.

We hug gently, Clay being cautious not to touch the wound. His clothes are splattered in blood from the fight, but it's dried up over time. He cups my cheek with one of his hands, gently brushing his thumb over it. He pushes my glasses up onto my head to look me in the eyes, still wearing his mask.