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George lays on his right side, body dipping slightly into the mattress, with his arm under his head to support it. He lightly drapes his left arm across Dream's waist, fingers fiddling with the bottom hem of the blonde's shirt. Dream is slightly more propped up on the bed, the pillow giving him some height. Dream turns himself to face George more, mirroring the other's position on top of the covers.
He lightly threads one of his calloused hands through George's soft, chocolate-brown locks and looks at him, taking in every last detail of his lover's face. George stares back at Dream, but his eyes lack their usual brightness, instead being replaced with a mixture of regret and melancholiness.
Dream can visibly see how drained his boyfriend is, his own heart aching as he takes in everything about the older boy in front of him; from the dried tears on the brunette's face, to his eye-bags as a result of numerous night terrors that keep him up for days on end, to the dark red marks littered across his forearms, signifying his lowest of times. Dream truly feels terrible about everything that the boy he loves has had to endure in his short lifetime.
For George, it takes every ounce of energy within him to simply open his eyes in the morning. Too many of his days begin with Dream having to come over to the brunette's apartment and gently coax George out of bed with the promise of cuddles and fast food. Dream was so patient with George, though. He never fails to lay with George in his pitch black bedroom while the older boy sobs into the blonde's arms. He remembers to pick up George's depression meds when George is too anxious to leave the house. And, of course, Dream is always there to calm George down from yet another panic attack that was likely triggered by the brunette's never-ending nightmares. Though he often has trouble expressing his feelings, George is eternally grateful for everything his boyfriend does for him.
Sometimes, though, George feels like a burden. He hates how his mind has gotten to such a state that his own boyfriend is one of the only things keeping him alive. It makes George feel ashamed that he can't even take care of himself properly. He knows it hurts Dream, too, having to see his own soulmate constantly in such a dark place. Guilt consumes George a lot of the time, but he would never tell Dream that.
Dream removes his hand from George's hair and lightly trails his fingers across the other's cheek, continuing in a downward motion until he's tracing the edge of George's jaw. George subconsciously relaxes into his boyfriend's touch, closing his eyes. The two boys have been silent for quite some time now, but it was a comfortable silence. A silence that George has learned to feel secure in.
"Sometimes I wish I could detach from my body," George speaks up suddenly, eyes still closed. Dream doesn't respond, partially from confusion, signaling George to continue. The older boy takes in a deep breath, squinting his eyes more tightly shut.
"I feel like I'm being held down by it, as if it's some kind of weight. It's suffocating me. My body is just constantly dragging me into a dismal state, and has me, like, chained, or whatever. I'm unable to get away from it; I'm bound to it for life," the brunette rambles.
Dream hums in understanding, then tentatively puts a hand on George's waist in an effort not to startle him. When George doesn't react negatively, Dream gently pulls the brunette closer towards his body, slipping an arm under the older boy's that was still resting on Dream's side. George eventually shuffles close enough to bury his face into the blonde's chest, wrapping both of his thin arms fully around his boyfriend's torso while also tangling his legs in between his lover's.
Dream smiles fondly at the sight of George all curled up and clinging onto him, pressing a chaste kiss to the top of his head. He traces light shapes into George's back, feeling the brunette relax further into the touch.
"It must be difficult having to deal with that constant feeling," Dream finally responds. George grunts in agreement, adjusting his hold onto Dream's body.
"I'm sorry I can't rid you of that pain," Dream sighs.
"Don't be."
"You shouldn't have to suffer like this, Georgie."
The brunette scoffs, "I'm aware."
Dream feels his boyfriend tense up immediately after saying that.
"Sorry. Just sensitive. As always," George pulls back slightly and lifts his head up to look directly into Dream's gaze. Dream brushes a loose strand of George's hair that had fallen in front of his eyes out of the way.
"Don't apologize, angel. I understand."
Now feeling even more guilty, George breaks the eye contact and tears himself completely away from Dream, laying on his back and staring blankly at the white, popcorn ceiling. Dream lets him have his space, knowing from past situations not to push George too far. His gaze wanders around George's fairly messy room, and the blonde makes a mental note to clean it sometime this week.
George can feel tears threatening to fall again and attempts to clear his throat, trying to rid himself of the lump growing inside it. It comes out as a strangled whine, however, causing Dream to snap his full attention back to the older boy.
George digs his nails into his palms, trying to regulate his increasingly shaky breathing. Dream takes note of this and gently reaches his hand down to meet his boyfriend's, pulling lightly on George's trembling fingers and interlocking their hands.
This simple, yet extremely kind gesture is what sends George over the edge. He's tired of hiding his emotions away. Dream is his boyfriend, for crying out loud. He's seen George in much worse of a state than this.
So, George lets himself cry.
Dream sits himself up immediately after seeing the first tear escape from George, hurriedly lifting the smaller boy up from under his armpits and plopping him onto Dream's lap. The brunette's quiet sobs quickly turn into loud wails filled with months and months of pain and guilt he's bottled up. George tightly wraps his arms around his boyfriend's torso and buries his face in the crook of Dream's neck, definitely soaking the blonde's signature smile hoodie with his tears. Dream doesn't mind, however.
The blonde is focusing on suppressing his own sadness at the sight of George, knowing how much George hates being pitied, holding onto the older boy as if both of their lives depended on it.
"I-I n-never...I never w-wanted it, Dream," George chokes out through his tears. Dream's heart shatters at how hurt George sounds. For Dream, it'll never get easier seeing just how broken and vulnerable George truly is when speaking about the trauma he suffers from.
"I know, baby. I know, and I'm so sorry he didn't listen to you," Dream whispers, resting his chin on the top of his boyfriend's head. George chokes back a sob and hugs Dream as tight as he possibly can. "He should've stopped when you told him to."
Dream slightly rocks the two of them back and forth, stroking his fingers through his lover's hair to provide both George and himself some comfort. He hears George take in a ragged breath before talking again.
"It feels s-stupid. Dumb, e-even. It's been m-months, Dream. Months, and h-he still controls m-my life," George manages to get out, sliding his body slightly downward so he can rest his head on the upper part of Dream's chest. Dream stays silent for a moment, letting the brunette catch his breath from the heavy sobbing.
"It's not stupid, Georgie. I hate how he's made you feel that way. Everything you're feeling right now is completely valid," Dream starts, his voice gentle.
"But, although it doesn't seem like it right now, he's gone. He can't touch you, he can't hurt you, and he won't ever be able to have control over you again. You're safe, George, safe with me. I promise you."
George sniffles. "He caused this. Everything is his fault. And I hate him."
Dream uses his thumb to gently wipe away George's tears as the brunette sits up on his boyfriend's lap, staring at his own hands and still slightly trembling from before.
"I hate him, too, sweetheart. Probably even more than you do. He hurt my angel, after all."
George cracks a small, half-hearted smile at the pet names before bravely turning to look Dream in the eye again. After a moment, George's gaze flickers down to the blonde's lips, and the older boy leans in, cupping Dream's jaw and softly pressing his lips against his lover's. Dream kisses back gently, resting one hand on George's waist and habitually reaching his other hand up to tangle his fingers in the brunette's hair. The kiss doesn't last long, but both boys can feel the endless amount of love that radiates from it, nonetheless.
George breaks away and lightly kisses Dream's forehead as well before he rolls off the blonde's lap. The smaller boy reaches for the covers and eases himself under them, tugging on Dream's arm to indicate that George wants him to do the same.
It's late at night, and both boys are beginning to feel drowsy, so Dream quickly slips his shirt off and obeys George's nonverbal request to join him under the blankets. Dream snakes his arm around the smaller boy's stomach and draws him closer so that the brunette's back is pressed against the blonde's chest, effectively spooning him. George sighs contentedly.
Dream lightly rests his chin on George's shoulder, but not before pressing a few gentle kisses onto it. George softly laughs at the sensation, a sound that Dream hasn't heard all that often recently, which makes the blonde smile.
"I can't imagine what I would do without you," George whispers, sleep starting to take over his body.
"You don't have to imagine that, Georgie," Dream whispers back, closing his eyes and subconsciously tightening his hold on the smaller boy. "I'm never leaving your side."
George allows himself to fully relax into Dream's touch, both boys drifting off into a peaceful sleep. It's a rare slumber, one where George isn't plagued by a single night terror, blissfully unaware of the pain his mind was going through just moments prior. He knows Dream is right beside him, both figuratively and literally.
When he's with Dream, George finally feels safe.