Location 2 Project: OPPC // DreamTeam AU

Chapter 10

Clay felt his anxiety creep back up on him, if he told someone exactly how clay was found... it wouldn't end well for Clay. Sapnap noticed the facial shift as Clay staggered gently backwards, eyeing the door.

Sapnap was confused but intrigued,
"Hey uh- Clay was it? I can help you find George, I am looking for him too.

Clay felt breeze of relief and smiled
"Ok alright-"

The two boys walked in silence until Sapnap decided to lighten to mood as they paced quickly through the green ward halls, the faint echo of voices bouncing through the air.

Sapnap looked at Clay's bloodshot eye and decided to use that as a starter
"So uh, the eye, you good?"

Clay became apprehensive, he glanced away slightly.
"Uh just got some deodorant in it.", Clay managed to fumble out.

He really isnt a good liar.

Sapnap nodded slowly.
"So, uh how did you end up in this damp metal hell?"

Clay chuckled nervously
"I uh woke up here"
Clay thought his lie was good, but the sudden shift in tension and the unsettled look on sapnaps face soon made him realise it really made it worse.

"Haha- like I uh, just woke up in the green ward dorms, that's were george found me", Clay felt fear creep up his throat.

Sapnap looked concerned bit he soon forced any suspicion out of his mind.

Clay is a nice guy, and hes clearly human.

The atmosphere was honestly quite miserable, both boys trying to convince themselves that this isnt an awkward moment, just naturally walking together, but they knew they were lying to themselves.

Sapnap perked upon hearing the voices boom just a little louder until they turned the corner-

"GEORGIE!", Sapnap squealed

George turned and saw sapnap and felt undeniably delight until he saw Clay and got embarrassed by the name Sapnap called him.

"Dont call me Georgie", he poured

Sapnap laughed,
"Aw little pouty baby man gonna cry, your like a mushroom!"

Sapnap was right, George's face was full of colour, glowing from embarrassment.

George's eyes landed on Clay, Clay could feel the softness of those brown eyes as he smiled warmly at him.
Wait what-

"I see you made friends with Ni- I mean Sapnap", George beamed

Clay had to get his thoughts straight, he almost laughed at himself as he fumbled through his brain for some sort of response
"Yeaah.."

. . .

The silence was broken by a rough cough coming from behind George .

Sapnap let out an agitated sigh.

Eret walked closer to Clay, even behind sunglasses Clay could feel Erets eyes sinking into his skin.

"Of course your in the Green ward...", he mumbled softly to himself

The rest of them remained confused and concerned as Eret started at Clay intently.
Sapnap stepped in.
"Eret lay off, hes probably a extra member or a teen that got drunk and ended up here somehow."

Eret gave a angry glance at sapnap that instantly said 'how dumb can you actually be'.

George tuned in,
"We found him in a metal box"

Sapnap realised now at this point Clay had lied, but he didnt want Eret to do anything dumb.

"I- uh.. a stow away maybe?", Sapnap suggested.

Clay remained quiet, the truth was finally catching up to him, he messed up by getting attached, he messed up by making friends even if it's only been a day or so.

His thoughts swarmed him.

Eret was getting agitated.

"Sapnap, you know do you not? Stop attempting to spare him or will you make me explain in front of dear 'Georgie' right here, right now.", Eret remarked aggressively

Sapnap bowed his head, giving a pained but somewhat angry glanced at Clay before submitting before the king. King Eret. His authority and skill was undeniably, Sapnap didnt see it till now.

George looked crestfallen, glancing back and forth between the 3 men in front of him,
"Am I missing something?", he blurted sheepishly

Eret fixed his collar.
"Not at all, you should leave to your dorm, I'll take care of....him." his eyes landed on Clay.

George looked concerned.

"One thing George, please ensure that that boy you are with...."

Eret remembered the moment and felt that wretched feeling of...pity? Regret? He wasnt sure, but somehow he felt bad.

"Tubbo his name was...is okay. he appears to have have better days then this one.", he said his words fast and roughly as he choked on his pride and slight embarrassment.

George and Sapnap too seem surprised at Erets concern.

"Y-yeah sure", George said softly

Both George and Sapnap said their goodbyes as Eret refused to make eye contact with anyone.

Sapnap cringed at himself, king? King Eret? What was he thinking- ha!

George's gaze breezed over Clay, his face looked shell shocked and his hands clasped into balls.

"Clay? Are you okay?"

Clay's feelings were definitely hurt but he realised now that George doesnt understand.

"Yeah, do you...

know what will happen to me?"
Clay's voice was hoarse.

George smiled hopefully, Clay felt alot safer.
"Probably take you home, you had a rough time."

George also noticed how his eye was almost perfect despite being practically ripped open.

"Your eye cleared fast hug", George said gently
Clay smiled painfully at him.

"Sure did."

Eret had a spark of an idea.
"George, I heard you cut your arm open, how is it?"

George tensed up. This is what tubbo told him the blood was right, why did he lie? Oh god.

"Uhhhh yep"

Eret sighed.
"I don't believe it was a yes no question."

"YEAH well ha it's fine!", he stammered

"It definitely was a lot of blood, George.",
Eret said smugly, giving off he knows it a lie.

George averted his eyes.

After all the goodbyes, George hugged Clay, to George this might be the last time he sees Clay, to Clay it was much much more, George would never look at him this way ever again when he finds out.

"Bye George"