Chapter Text
The prison was intimidating and the atmosphere around the nether portal was oppressive. Sam's stoic tones directing him to go back through the portal didn't help. George knew the man was the warden, but he was nervous. Would it hurt him to smile? Then again, Sam was wearing a gas mask so George wouldn’t have been able to see it anyway.
The main entryway was neat but spartan, the white pillars that lined the walls were nearly glowing from the light of the redstone lamps. Sam stood behind the black stone desk, leaving a good five feet and a lectern between them. "Before you are allowed in I need to ask you some questions."
"Okay." George agreed, trying not to toy with his shirt as his nerves got the better of him.
“When was the last time you visited the prison?”
“I haven’t.” George felt a little guilty at that. Dream had been here for a while, months even, and he should have come sooner, but he just couldn't bring himself too.
"Where is your place of residence located?"
"Kinoko."
"What are all your prior relations with the prisoner?"
"All? That would take ages." George said.
"Abbreviated, then."
George took a breath and tried to think of the key moments Sam would need to know. "We were friends for a very long time, founded the server together. Fought L'Manburg and Pogtopia together. He made me king of the SMP and I didn't see him for a while since he basically went into exile with Tommy. Then he came back, took away my kingship, said he didn’t care about anything, and blew up L'Manburg so we didn’t end on good terms."
Sam was writing for a long moment before he continued. "Do you believe the prisoner is deserving of being locked up?"
"Yes?" George didn't mean to sound hesitant, but he'd never had to think about it. "I… I mean… he did really bad things so yes." He repeated, more firmly this time. He did believe that; Dream had hurt people and he needed to be contained, to be stopped. But there was a part of him that couldn't believe Dream had become such a monster which was why he was here. For closure; to find out for himself if his friend was truly gone forever.
There were more questions, followed by more paperwork on the lectern, and then all kinds of respawns and checkpoints to ensure nothing got in or out without Sam's knowledge. It was long and tense and finally George found himself standing before a wall of lava.
"Make sure to move with the bridge." Sam directed and George nodded. There was a long minute off waiting as the lava wall lowered and every second George's heartbeat went faster. He was so tempted to just leave; he didn't want to face this. But he needed to face this.
And then he saw him. Dream was there, in his obsidian cell on the other side of the lava. The bridge started moving and George didn't even mean to walk forward with it, he just did. And then he was there. Mere feet from his oldest friend, separated by only the stone barrier taking up about half the cell entrance.
"George!" Dream had leapt up the moment he noticed him, a blinding smile on his face that George wasn't sure he'd ever seen before.
"Hello, Dream." George answered as the bridge left, the lava filling in the air behind him. And then the barrier between them was dropped.
"You're here! You're here." Dream repeated it to himself so softly George almost didn't hear it over the bubbling lava.
"Yes, I am. I… I figured it was time. I wanted to see how you were and… I missed you." George answered honestly. He looked around the cell again, not wanting to meet Dream's eyes. It was mostly empty, with only a small lectern, a cauldron, and a chest. There was no bed and George wondered if Dream simply slept on the obsidian.
"I'm so glad you're here, George." Dream's smile was… nice. It was the smile that George had been able to feel through the mask when they were younger, in those soft pleasant moments that were a side of Dream others didn't get to see, though this was his first time seeing it without the mask in the way.
George coughed and moved a little further into the cell, still looking around. "So, how have you been? What have you been doing?"
"Oh! I write, mostly. Books are the only thing Sam really lets me have." Dream answered, his fingers brushing over the leather covered book on the lectern like it was precious.
That was when George noticed. The slight trembling in Dream's fingers, the bruise on his wrist and worse around the one on his neck, the pale skin and dark circles under his eyes. George stepped forward to check on his friend, because it was obvious Dream was hurt, and Dream's subtle flinch was more painful than any arrow or ax.
"Dream?" George asked quietly and Dream hummed, looking at him without quite raising his head. It wasn't right. Dream didn't cower and flinch, not from anyone and certainly not from him. From his George. "Has… has anyone been to see you recently?" He asked instead.
Dream seemed to relax a little as George moved away and it broke his heart. "Mm, I don't think so. I see Sam regularly. And… oh! Quackity comes by every day." Dream added absentmindedly and George froze for a moment.
"Quackity does?" George questioned and Dream nodded, but his smile was forced and despite wrapping his arms around himself, Dream continued to tremble. "Why?"
"I shouldn't…" Dream took a step back and George immediately moved forward to grab him. Dream flinched, his whole body pressed to the wall and curling inward as he pleaded "Don't! I'm sorry. Please don't hurt me."
George froze then snatched his hands back before he sat on the ground, shuffling to be as far away from Dream as he could in the small space. "It's okay, Dream. I'm sorry I scared you. I'd never hurt you." George offered gently.
Dream slowly looked up, face hidden behind his hands and hair. "You're okay, Dream. I'm staying right here. I won't come any closer." George promised. They stayed that way in silence for a while, George ignoring how uncomfortable the ground was.
"Why?" Dream finally asked and his friend's voice was rough and shaky.
"Because you're my friend, Dream. And no matter what you've done you don't deserve to be tortured." George answered. Dream's gaze went distant and George started humming. He wasn't a singer like Dream, but he could do this much for his friend. After a minute Dream started quietly singing along and George smiled.
They finished the song together and finally Dream looked more relaxed. "It's been ages since I heard you sing. I missed it." George informed his friend and Dream offered him a fragile smile.
"George, would you…" Dream cut himself off with a shake of his head.
"Would I what? Is there something you need?" George encouraged gently and Dream hesitated. It was strange; Dream was usually so forward and decisive. To see him falter like this was weird.
"I just… would you hold me?" Dream's voice was so quiet George almost didn't hear it over the lava, but he smiled anyway.
"Yeah. I think you need a hug." George agreed and Dream all but melted. It was only a couple of steps before Dream was sat down next to him and George moved slowly as he wrapped his arms around the blond. Dream practically purred at the contact, nuzzling against him as his whole body went lax.
They sat in silence for quite a while, George gently massaging Dream's head. It was Dream who broke the silence first. "Thank you, George."
"You don't need to thank me for this." George insisted.
"Nobody's been kind to me here, until you. It means more than I can say." Dream objected and George had to physically bite back tears.
"Well, I'll just have to look after you then. I’ll come and hold you as often as you want." George offered and Dream's smile was a warm one.
"I'd love that." Dream answered sleepily, making George smile himself.
"Dream, I need to know something." George began and Dream flinched.
"You want the book too. I don't have it, I swear. I burned it. I…" George quickly cut off his panicked explanation. "I don't care about some dumb book. I care about you. I want to know who's been hurting you, Dream."
The blond was quiet for a long time before he murmured "Quackity."
"Quackity. Okay. Dream, I have to leave, but I'm going to find Quackity and talk some sense into him. Okay? I won't let him keep hurting you. And I'll be back as soon as I'm done." George promised and Dream's smile was soft, but his eyes were hopeless.
"Okay, George." Dream agreed and it hurt hearing Dream's exhausted acceptance. He didn't expect anything from George despite his promise and it hurt. The shorter man stood up carefully, helping the blond to his feet as well, and Dream seemed almost lost as he stood in the middle of the cell.
George stepped up to him and touched his cheek. Dream leaned into the touch like it was a life line. "I promise I'll be back." George swore softly and Dream nodded, but his expression was more content this time. George stepped back and called for Sam to let him out. He hated leaving Dream as he was, but Quackity needed to be stopped before George could help Dream heal.