Chapter Text
George slid away from the bed, Michele passed out, and holding the blankets like they would disappear.
George frowned seeing her saddened face, and went downstairs, retrieving his phone to call Sapnap.
"George, I'm working on trying to find him." Sapnap said.
George didn't even get a proper hello, that's what he was greeted with, when in reality he only called Sapnap to use him as a distraction from the whole Dream being taken thing.
George's frown stuck as he sucked in a harsh breath, "I know, I just wanted to see if you were alright, you were covered in blood."
Sapnap paused, "it wasn't mine."
"Then who?"
Sapnap's silence spoke thousands of words.
"O-oh.. right. How's Karl doing? It's been a while."
"George, I know what you're doing."
"What am I doing then? Besides checking up on my best mates?"
"You know what you're doing, it's alright to be sad."
"He'll come back."
"George..."
"He'll come back, Sapnap."
Sapnap didn't argue further, not wanting to start an actual argument with his aching friend.
"We'll try to find him, George."
George heard another call ringing in and saw who it was, "I have to go."
George ended the call with Sapnap and answered the call.
"Dream!? Dream are you okay!?"
Dream let out a thick breath into the phone, "Hey Georgie.." Dream let out a painful cough and George teared up, trying to press the phone closer to his face, hoping to somehow be with Dream.
"Where are you?"
"Sam's warehouse thing.." Dream said softly. "I came here on my terms and promised not to fight back if I got to call you."
"Michele is sleeping, but I can go wake her if you want to talk to her."
"Don't, she's just a kid.. she shouldn't have to hear this."
"You aren't much older, Dream, you don't deserve this either.."
"I'm sorry that I left you.. I just cant fathom the thought of losing you forever."
"Will you be coming back?" George asked, a tinge of hope sparking in his voice, praying Dream's next line of soft spoken words will ignite the flame.
"Are you in the kitchen? At the island?"
"I am?" George asked, the spark begging for some light.
"Pretend I'm across from you, and extend your pinky, I'll do the same."
George let out a breath and held up his pinky, closing his eyes, feeling Dream's pinky vividly. George cracked a small smile, that soon faded, his brain couldn't hold a smile, it didn't feel it deserved to.
"I pinky promise that I'll come back to you."
"Dream..."
"I promise George, I will come home to you and hold you in my arms. You won't be alone forever."
"I'll wait for you, the entire time." George said, his hope adamant in his voice, whisking through the phone and into Dream's ears.
Dream allowed himself to smile, "I'll find my way back to you, we were made for each other, you and I, we're forever."
"Yeah.. Forever.." George said, "I promise to you that I'll be waiting, so don't break your promise, I won't break mine."
Dream let his hand fall and hold the wound on his stomach, as it ached, he wasn't sure if it ached from being fresh, or from how hard his heart was aching.
He was sure it was a mixture of both, his heart ache was vastly spreading through his veins.
"I love you." George's voice was soft, promising, honest.
"I love you too." Dream returned the honest, heart felt tone.
"Forever?" George muttered out, his smooth voice was replaced with hurt uncertainty.
"Forever, George. 1437, Remember?"
"14..37.." George mumbled, "please come back to me..." George pleaded and Dream let out a breath.
"See you soon, Georgie." Dream said softly.
"Dream.. d-dont go.." George clenched his phone, fear swirling his brain.
"I love you..." Dream said and the call cut out.
George stood there for a few moments, staring at the marble counter top, his hand dropped and soon he set the phone down, glaring at it.
It would appear the phone wronged him, when in reality, it did nothing of the sort.
George let out a breath, I'll wait for forever.
*
Winter break seemed to end pretty fast, Michele's first day back, January 5th was full of early morning arguing between her and George.
She didn't want to go to school and he hadn't slept well the night before.
George streamed daily now, sometimes more than once, anything to keep his mind busy, he also started going for walks and even bought seeds to plant in pots that would be ready to bloom into flowers by spring when he could plant them.
George leaned back on his chair, glancing at the time, he had been streaking for 4 hours by now and could feel a headache pushing against his forehead, seeping to his temples.
"This will be it for the stream today guys!" George waved vigorously at the camera with a smile then ended the stream, getting up and falling back onto the bed.
Patches jumped onto the bed and curled into him, purring softly as he pet between her ears.
The left side of the bed was always made and left untouched.
That was Dream's side.
George turned on his side, facing the wall, rather than facing to Dream's side, his head was empty.
George knew better than to be sad, he was waiting.
Dream was fine.
Just because there was no texts or calls, doesn't mean he's dead, he's just busy.
Dream wasn't dead.
He wouldn't leave his friends like that, or his family, or George.
George jumped at his phone ringing and he answered it, not excitedly, knowing there wasn't going to be good news, there never was.
"Hey George, just checking in."
"Hello." George said, zero emotion backed his words.
It had been 10 days since Dream had left, 9 days since he called.
"How are you?" Sapnap asked, forcing enthusiastically.
"Waiting."
"Mentally, I mean."
"Great, but streaming three times has given me a headache."
"Take some Advil and get a nap into you, I'm sure Michele won't mind you sleeping when she gets home from school." Sapnap said softly.
"Yeah, sure thing."
"George, I'm trying here.."
"You don't think I am?"
"That's not what I meant." Sapnap said and George knew that.
He was unsure why he lashed out, he knew how hard everyone was trying. They were constantly walking on eggshells around George, knowing the wrong move would break him. Or make him snap.
George was rightfully on edge and they were hoping to find Dream soon, it's only been 10 days and George was like this, how would he be after a month or more.
"Sorry." George mumbled, "I'm tired.. talk later?"
"Talk later, George.." Sapnap said and watched George end the call.
George pulled the covers over himself, up to his nose and felt Patches nudge him before moving to curl on Dream's pillow.
George didn't even turn to her, he couldn't bare it.
George just allowed the thick darkness of slumber overtake him.
*
George clapped along with the crowd as everyone on stage bowed. George was holding flowers and his phone, standing up along with the others, watching the array of caps sway in the wind and fall around them all.
The kids on stage all ran down to their parents, George hugged Michele who had a sad look in her eyes, but a smile plastered on her face.
With her late birthday, she graduated at the age 17.
"I'm proud of you, Michele." George said, keeping his arm around her shoulder.
"Thank you, I'm happy I made it this far with you by my side, and Dad backing me from afar."
George smiled softly, "go get your cap so we can go for dinner, I think your uncles will be joining us."
The news caused a genuine smile to form on Michele's face as she ran to find her cap in the jumble of people and other caps.
When Michele came back, she got to hug Karl and Sapnap, and the four of them went out to dinner, enjoying the warmth in each other's company.
George kept his phone close the entire time, and he was glad he did, as he got a call, from Dream.
He didn't tell the others of course, he said it was his mom and excused himself to outside.
"Dream?" George voice sparked hope as was breathy, it had been about 5 months since he last heard from Dream.
"Georgie.. oh my god.. I missed your voice."
"Dream!" George said, tears pushing at his eyes.
"It's me, Georgie, god.. I.. you.. thank god I could call.."
"H-how are you?" George asked, tears dripping from his eyes.
"I'm alive.. I may have figured out a way out, but I'm still unsure, I just needed to hear from you. I needed to know you were alright.."
"She graduated today.." George said and Dream let out a breath.
"I can't believe I missed it.."
"I took many videos for when you come back, you can watch them all, and share how proud of her you are."
"Thank you.. and I'm sorry you've had to wait so long."
"It's been so hard... Dream... there's days where I wake up and I just.. I just can't get out of bed, my mind is stuck there, numb. I think it's hurting too much."
"I'm sorry." Dream's voice was drenched in guilt.
"It's not your fault, I'm the one who doesn't know how to handle my emotions."
"I'll see you again.. I promise."
"And I promise I'll be waiting." George said softly.
"I have to go, the only thing allowing me to use my phone is me having to shut it off so the battery doesn't die, and Sam leaving with all his men, I love you, George."
"1437." George said.
"1437.." Dream said and George kept the phone to his ear, hearing the call drop, then went back in, forcing a smile.
"Welcome back!" Karl said.
"Thank you, my mum's being annoying again something about how I never call."
"Well, we all go through that." Sapnap chuckled.
*
"Are you sure you don't want me to go with you and help?"
"Papa, I promise, I'll be fine."
The word burned George, it was acid he couldn't shake. Acid he couldn't swallow anymore.
"Make sure you call, and visit." George said, hugging her.
"You too, yeah?"
"Of course Darling." George let out a breath, "I can't get over how it's September already."
"I know, it feels like I just graduated, now off to college I go." Michele said and George pulled away from the hug, tearing up.
"I'll visit you, Papa, I promise."
George held out his pinky and Michele chuckled at the childish act but linked pinkies with George anyway to humor him, not knowing how important pinky promises were to him.
No one could truly understand, they don't live the aching love he is.
"Goodbye, Darling."
"Bye Papa!" Michele got into her car and drove off.
George watched until she was out of view and slipped into the house, now empty and cold.
George decided to light a vanilla candle and settle on the couch with a bag of chips and turned on a random stream, watching with little interest.
"Gogy's here!?" Tommy's voice filled the depths of the house, mimicking how empty it was.
George hated how reflective the house was.
He hates how much pity the house showed him.
"Hi Gogy!" Tommy waved to the camera and George pulled discord up on his phone and texted Tommy a hi back.
"Where has Dream been? No one has heard from him in 9 months about!"
'I told you, he's been busy' George texted to Tommy.
"Well tell him we all miss him!" Tommy said.
"Yeah, I miss him too." George said softly to himself.
He felt as if tho his own voice echoed.
Pity
That's all George felt around him.
Everyone pitied him.
Maybe he has been waiting too long, perhaps it was time for him to move on.
They all claim Dream would want him to be happy and waiting for a man who may never come is definitely not happy.
George shook his head, I promised I would wait, Dream is coming home.
George glanced over to the picture of them on the wall, "you promised.." George spoke.
"You can't break your promise..."
*
"Welcome!" George said, hugging Karl then Sapnap.
"Thanks for having us, I know it was last minute and everything."
"You're fine, Michele is setting up the table, come in." George said with a soft smile.
"We brought the turkey as promised!" Karl smiled, holding up the warm tray topped with aluminum foil.
George winced at the word and took the tray, bringing it to the table.
Sapnap and Karl walked in and sat down, Michele and George joining them.
They all piled the dinner onto their plates, happily.
"So 18 already?" Sapnap asked and Michele chuckled.
"And on Thanksgiving!" Karl said with his usual smile.
"It's not that big of a deal, it's just 18, plus..." Michele's voice trailed off as she glanced to the empty chair next to George.
George clapped his hands together once and smiled, "I'm just happy that everything is going well at College!"
The 3 were taken back by George's response to Michele's comment.
They had all told him it was okay to stop waiting, but now that they suspect he may have, they regret it.
George had never loved anyone nearly as much as he loved Dream.
George took in the worried expressions of everyone around him and looked to Dream's chair, "it's been 11 months guys, let's talk about something else."
"George you haven't wanted to talk about Dream in months.." Sapnap pointed out.
George clenched his jaw, "Im getting a drink." George stood up and went into the kitchen to pour himself a glass of wine.
Karl went in and George poured him a glass as well.
George watched Karl take a sip then set it down. What didn't throw George off was Karl taking George's drink and setting it on the counter.
What did throw him off was Karl hugging him.
George had resisted more human contact than necessary in months, and never let it be emotion felt.
Only happiness.
This was not a happy hug.
Karl was shocked to feel a pair of arms wrap around him, George had gave in and allowed himself to shed tears.
George was in so much agonizing heart pain, it felt unreal at times.
He didn't feel alive the other times.
George sometimes felt like he loved days outside his own body, like he was watching himself struggle through the day, trying to suppress the feelings.
Trying to hide the truth of the pain.
The days were spent alone with a cat, both missing Dream.
Some days Patches didn't get out of bed either, no one could stop George from laying in loneliness.
Longing for a man he didn't know the health of.
Longing for a promise of forever to be fulfilled.
George needed Dream, His heart belonged to Dream.
George couldn't move on, or just forget, it was impossible with a love this deep.
I hope you didn't break your promise, Dream.
*
"Merry Christmas!" George smiled brightly.
*
"Happy New Years!" George's voice beamed.
*
"Easter already!" George chuckled.
*
"4th of July, what a stupidly cute American holiday." George said, watching the fireworks with Awe.
*
"Happy Birthday!" George smiled, handing the small gift to Michele.
*
"Thanksgiving is a pretty funny holiday." George stated, setting the turkey in the middle of the table where Michele, Karl and Sapnap were sat.
*
"Merry Christmas, Michele." George said, holding the phone to his ear.
"No of course I'm not mad at you, Youre allowed to be with your friends Darling, just come visit soon so I can give you your gift, actually, I can mail it to you."
"Yeah I'm sure! Have fun!" George ended the call and his smile dropped.
George set the present down on the counter and went upstairs, his eyes too dry to muster tears.
There was no more tears left.
Dream was probably dead, Michele was finally old enough to stop coming home for holidays, and Patches was losing her usual spark.
George laid in bed and Patches was already there, sleeping.
She slept a lot more.
So did George.
What else could they do? They've been waiting for more than a year..
They only knew how to long for things, there was hardly anymore living in the moment.
How could people expect them to?
Michele has moved on, she did a long time ago, she accepted it, mourned and moved on.
Sapnap and the rest of the casino people also moved on.
The fans just accept Dream as a good memory.
But George?
He was the only one who got promised a return.
It was special to George.
So where was he?
Did he give up?
George clutched the blankets, clenching his eyes closed.
Did he take the easy way out and let them kill him, letting them end his misery.
"Hope I'm not too late.." George heard from the doorway.
George sniffled and turned towards the door, his eyes going wide and he nearly fell out of bed, trying to stand up.
George ran over and jumped into Dream's arms who grabbed him and held him up, allowing George to wrap his legs around Dream's waist.
They were there in silence, just holding each other.
"You actually came back.." George managed as tears started painfully poking at his eyes.
"I promised you I would.." Dream said softly going and sitting on the bed, letting George keep koala hugging him.
George started crying into Dream's shoulder and Dream just rubbed circles on his back, feeling the smaller boy start to shake.
"It's alright, Georgie.. I'm here now.." Dream said and kissed George's head, going back to holding him.
Patches meowed softly and weakly, going over and rubbing against Dream's arm, curling up next to him.
Dream smiled a bit and teared up, George was trembling tremendously as he sobbed and Dream wasn't sure how to calm him down.
It didn't help Dream was also crying.
"I love you, Dream.."
"1437, George."
George let out a shaky breath, "it's nice to hear you say that again.. it's been too long."
"I love you so much George.. I'm never leaving you again. You have my word."
"Promise?"
"I promise, Love. No more separation."
George only sobbed harder and Dream just hummed, rubbing his back again, "it's alright... get it out.. I'm here now, I'll keep you safe."
George nodded and clutched onto Dream's shirt, clearly terrified his lover would leave again.
Dream was aware of the fear and allowed George to do as needed, Dream would do the same if the roles were reversed.
Dream missed George to an extreme but Dream knew it wasn't his time to sob over it, he had everyday for the last almost 2 years, George didn't cry as often.
George's feelings weren't that easy to understand.
Dream could sit here and hold his violently shaking partner for hours and shed a few tears, knowing he caused this.
He caused George to feel this pain, Dream would never forgive himself for that.
No one deserves the pain that George went through.
Everyone says that time heals us, yet George never stopped feeling alone.
He was always hurt.
He didn't feel hope.
Time only hurt him more.
Dream shouldn't have made that promise, that night.
Maybe George could've been happy and moved on with someone else.
But Dream was happy to have George back in his arms, and George was glad to have Dream back.
They needed each other to thrive.
And they would always be together.
Forever.