Chapter Text
George was huffing, royal blue cloak flapping in the wind behind him as he jumped from tree to tree, chasing the green cloaked man in front of him while the porcelain smiley face mask he wore mocked George at every glance. He could hear his guards, Sapnap and Bad, right on his tail and knew that Antfrost had returned to grab supplies and armor for the group. After all, no one had expected this chase when they had snuck out to visit the villages fair. The blonde hair of their victim was the only thing they could see of the mans features, most likely done on purpose.
The prince wondered how the thief would've known George had been planning to visit the village. He'd had enough information to be able to jump them on the pathway out of the castle, snatching George's crown before taking off that in hindsight, George probably should've left at the castle. Now he was stuck chasing the man in the hopes that they could get the crown back before his parents found out he had snuck out.
The trees leaves sunk softly beneath their feet before popping back up playfully as the weight was quickly relieved, only for the cycle to repeat itself over and over, allowing the rustling to fill the otherwise quiet upcoming night.
"Bad! To the left!" Sapnap warned, causing the shadowy man to jump down from the tree, thrusting his hand out in an attempt to have the shadows from below the trees reach up and grab the green man, only for it to shrivel up as the man easily dodged back into the sunlight.
"Dangit!" Bad yelled in retaliation, continuing his chase from below the trees and keeping an eye on which shadows the man had slipped too close too, though never enough for Bad to grab him.
The man wheezed softly, chuckling as he spun the golden glistening crown in his hands teasingly. George grit his teeth tightly and Sapnap released a frustrated growl.
As Dream once again made a jump further up into the trees, George wondered how believable it would be if he tried to convince the queen and king that someone had managed to jump him in his sleep.
The sun was slowly sinking below the horizon, the perfect time to witness the nights festival when it would be lit up with lanterns and stars. A sight George had finally found the courage to sneak out too, only for this wretched man to take advantage of it all. To ruin everything that George had so carefully planned. He wanted to scream from the frustration of it all.
The overbearing parents, the strict guards, the limited time spent outside, it was all George's version of a living hell. As much as he loved his personal guards, even they were protective to a fault.
Sapnaps black hair, pushed to the sides by a white headband tied around his head, swung wildly as he jumped in front of George to raise his own hands and send fire shooting towards the thief. George paused only enough to ensure he wouldn't get caught in the crossfire, but when the green cloaked man easily dodged that too, George took the lead once again.
"Gogy!" Sapnap shouted, as the thief swung around and shoved George off the tree.
The prince lost his balance rather easily, but didn't fall very far before a shadow was wrapping itself around him protectively and sliding him to the ground next to Bad.
"Thanks," George muttered, but he was up and running again before he could hear the start of Bads lecture.
Once the sun had left the darkness started rather quickly, though the stars were well enough to lead the way. When the intruder had jumped down, George was expecting Bad to immediately grab him with a shadow only to realize that the man was no longer here. George froze, just in time for the green cloaked man to swing around, a diamond sword in hand.
George glanced around for Bad or Sapnap, and upon seeing neither of them he silently cursed enough words that would've led Bad into one of his long lectures on the importance of good vocabulary and manners. He was armor-less, weapon-less, and had no backup. All he had was his sirens voice, the least helpful thing of them all as it was weakest when he wasn't near any water. While the castle was surrounded by the lushest lake, in the middle of the woods no water was in range.
George didn't dare wait a moment before turning and bolting, hearing the cackle behind him only further prompting his legs to hurry.
"Oh George~," a smooth voice called out, honey sticking to it tightly. "Come out and play!" Another wheeze filled the clearing.
George supposed he shouldn't have been surprised the thief knew his name, but it still sent a flash of fear that only spiked his adrenaline.
His heart thumped loudly against his chest, so loudly he could've sworn he could hear it getting closer by the second-
Something heavy landed on him front above, causing George to drop to the ground in a heap. He couldn't see his new attacker, but he could see the slow approaching figure of the green cloaked man.
"Get- off of me!" George huffed, sweat making his hair stick annoyingly to his forehead.
"Dream," the man on top of him greeted, nodding at the smiley face masked man, not that George could see it.
George glared up at the man above him, who stared down with that infuriating mask covering any expression. The prince hated not being able to read people's expressions, it gave him no indicators of ones mood or possible actions. He supposed that must've been 'Dreams' intention.
"What do you want?" He snapped. "If you want the crown, just keep it!"
The man atop him completely ignored him, only shifting slightly to position himself better on George, a foot firmly on his back and keeping him down.
"Did you take care of the other two?" Dream asked, turning his head back from George to the new attacker.
"Yes, they've both been sent back to their respawns."
George winced. Respawns were the most painful thing someone could go through, feeling the pain of however you had died a thousand times over before finally and slowly being returned to the world, and even then the after-affects would make you want to die all over again.
And if his parents learned that his guards had lost him, they would not be merciful to his friends.
George went to start struggling again when a cool container was being pressed harshly against his lips. Dream had moved so quickly and silently that George had barely noticed, but he grit his teeth tightly and did his best to turn away pointedly.
"Well that's annoying," Dream noted, before leaning back and slamming his foot into George's face.
George let out an instantaneous yell, and Dream took the chance to shove the drink down his throat, forcing him to swallow the vile tasting potion.
"There. Good job," he cackled, tossing the empty container carelessly to the side.
George wanted to scream, wanted to fight and yell and curse, but the blurriness was already kicking in, and his head was pounding so badly he felt it were about to explode.
Darkness called, and George didn't have the motivation to deny it.
***
Waking up to dimmed light was helpful, but still painful as George's eyes strained to make out his surroundings. The ground beneath him was rocking, and his hands had been harshly forced together by a thick rope that dug into his wrists painfully and kept his hands forced in front of him. His foot had a chain around him that upon inspection was attached to the wall, rather cliche if you asked George.
His cell was small compared to what George was used to, but nothing too bad. It looked like it could've easily held six people, maybe going on seven. It had several unused chains leading from the wall that lay against the ground carelessly, and simple bars blocked off the front of his cell that was otherwise surrounded by a plain wood. But George was alone.
A small curtain surrounded a tiny tub, probably for the bathroom, and a tiny blanket laid in the corner of the cell. George shivered and hunched in on himself, slowly moving towards the corner with the blanket and wincing as the rope tugged at his wrists painfully at the slightest fidget.
"Hello?" His voice was raspy, and the word echoed around the room.
A tiny window sat on the side of the wall as well, allowing George to look out and straight into a lovely blue sea. A small wooden port could barely be seen from his positioning, letting him know that they were still parked at land, but most definitely on a boat, and a big one at that.
George hoped Sapnap and Bad would find him soon.
***
When the door outside his cell bars opened, George was ready. He forced himself upward the best he could and glared at the newcomer.
Dream wore the same stupid smiley faced mask, but now it was pushed up to the side of his head, revealing a sharp gaze and scarred face. His sandy hair looked wind tossed, and the green cloak had been replaced by a sharp outfit, one expected of a pirate.
George couldn't stop the grin from filling his face, and it slowly started to turn into a laugh. Dream stared back, clearly unamused.
"Want to tell me what's so funny?"
George's grin showed off his perfectly white teeth, gleaming in the small light. "Let me out."
"And why would I do that?" Dreams expression hadn't shifted since he'd walked in.
George hummed, allowing his voice to shift to one of irresistible power, calling the ocean for its help. "You will let me out."
"I will not."
George's smile snapped to a worried frown, that he quickly attempted and failed to cover with another glare, and he desperately called upon the sea once again, "you will let me-,"
"If you do that again, I'll kill you," Dream warned. "And I've already reset your spawn to this room."
George's head spun. "Why isn't this-,"
"I have my ways."
Silence had never seemed louder.
"I've never heard of stopping ones abilities," George finally decided on, deciding for a more dignified route.
"It's just muffling it," Dream shrugged. "Not a big deal."
"Fine. Then what do you want?"
Dreams eyes held a fire, one George couldn't decipher. He'd give the pirate what he wanted and leave. Any punishment his parents had would be far better then this.
And then it was Dreams turn to smile. The temperature dropped dangerously, and George sunk back further in on himself.
"I want you."
"What is that supposed to mean?"
Dreams eyes sparkled, and his only response was tilting his head as he studied his prisoner slowly. George was slowly losing his patience.
"Can I leave?"
"No."
"Then what do you want?"
"I already told you. I don't repeat myself."
George grit his teeth tightly. Dream chuckled.
"I'll let you get situated in your new room. Food will be sent down later, don't bother the sender."
"Or what?" George challenged, glaring up at the cool gaze of his captor.
Dreams smile turned vicious. "Or I'll kill him."
George didn't argue again as Dream let the door slam shut behind him.
Humming to himself was the only break in the silence he got, asides from the occasional sound of footsteps coming and fading. George had long buried his face into his knees as tears threatened at his burning eyes. His body wracked with held-back sobs, fear making his shivering much worse. As much as George didn't want to admit it, he was scared. Everything was too much, things spinning around him.
He'd only wanted to go to a fair.