DreamNotFound oneshots

Apricity and Apologies

Hello everyone. Sorry for not updating in a while. Also, so if this seems rushed or messy.

TW: emotional abuse, manipulation???

If you have any opinions about George's actions, please do not leave them in my comments.

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It had been a while since George has seen his family. Years, even. So when George decided to visit them for Christmas, he was not prepared for what the trip entailed.

"Clay! Are your bags packed?" George yelled into the other room, receiving a small response.

Clay leaned against the doorframe. "Yeah! Did you grab our toothbrushes," George hummed, "extra socks, deodorant?" George hummed again.

"Then we should be set!" Clay beamed.

He took the suitcase in one hand and George's hand in the other, dragging both toward the front door.  "Woah! Woah, Clay, there's no rush."

"What? Early is always better than late, right?" Clay questioned. George sighed and agreed. "Ok, so why not go now? It's just your family? They won't bite!"

"Yeah, my family that I haven't seen in forever..." George rolled his eyes. As much as he wishes he could stay home, he had already promised his mother he would show. Plus, Clay was ecstatic to finally be meeting his family.

It was hard enough to ignore the pleas in his head to spill his guts to Clay about why he has avoided this situation, but now that he might see it live? Those pleas were now closer to screams, screaming at him to stop. To dig his heels into the driveway and explain. Maybe, then, Clay would understand his hesitation.

But that increases the chance that he would laugh at him with his cute little wheeze and brush it off as friendly banter. To him, that was more painful than just bottling it up.

So, with a heavy heart, he crawled into the passenger seat and watched as Clay loaded the last bag into the trunk.

"Ready?" Clay asked as he slid into the driver's seat and buckled.

"Ready as I'll ever be." 

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Tense was an understatement. George's shoulders were stiff as he sat at the dinner table with his father and made small talk. Clay had made many attempts to help calm him down, from little nudges with his foot to his hand on his thigh. All of these had little affect. They couldn't stop the inevitable.

"Hello, you two! Oh, you must be Clay! I'm Jane. I see you've already met John. I'm so glad George finally found someone to bring home!" His mother greeted as she walked into the room from the kitchen. Clay chuckled at the comment, George only rolled his eyes.

Everything stilled as the doorbell rang. All noise went quiet in George's ears while Jane rushed to get the door. Small chatter and approaching footsteps could be heard as the two turned around to look at the mysterious relative.

Jane guided them back to the dining room. "Clay, this is Emily. Emily, this is Clay, George's boyfriend."

Emily smiled sweetly as she shook Clay's hand. She turned to George. "Well, look who finally showed up for the holidays!"

"Hey sis." George pushed through gritted teeth, letting out a breath that he didn't know he was holding.

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