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For the first time in George's entire life he feels free. The windows to Dream's light blue pickup truck are rolled down all the way and passing drops of rain whip into his face. He tilts his head up to the sky and laughs and that laugh is the most real thing in the world. Dream joins in, laughter barely overpowering the music blaring through the speakers.
Adrenaline courses through George’s veins and he welcomes it, head still tilted towards the sky, middle fingers in the air because fuck the people and the town that made him feel so worthless when this is how he should be allowed to feel. Free and loved and worthy and ready to take on the world because now he can.
Dream's cheers of joy echo through his ears and they soothe any leftover static in his brain because Dream is happy too, even after everything. They get to feel their happy ending as the "Welcome to" sign fades in the distance.
The night drags on and the moon chases them as they drive, a watchful presence that provides comfort. The windows are rolled up now, so the wind and rain no longer whip through George's hair. The silence is so quiet. Every single bad thought seems to be gone because Dream's here with him and together they can conquer anything. They conquered that town so who says they can't conquer the world?
George feels himself sink further into the passenger seat as Dream pulls into a small gas station on the side of the road. A light flickers at the front of the store; it reads "Open 24 hours" and sure enough a person stands inside at the counter looking like they're about to fall asleep. Dream shakes George's shoulder gently.
"You wanna go in?" He asks, voice soft and comforting and maybe a little raw from their screaming earlier. George nods sleepily and opens the door to step out, instantly getting hit by the cold air. He giggles as Dream grabs hand and pulls him toward the door.
The rain beats down on both their heads as they run toward the entrance to the gas station. Dream flips George's hood up and puts a mask over his mouth before walking into the store.
They both realized that laying low would be the best option, knowing their parents would be looking for two perfectly well behaved kids who suddenly disappeared. They hold hands as they enter; George instantly pulls Dream towards the slushies with a sparkle in his eyes. Dream tries to argue that they need to save money but then he's hit with a "please" that melts his heart, so he says yes. George grabs a cup and fills it to the top with bright blue slushy.
"If you got a red one we could kiss and turn our tongues purple," George says cutely as he follows Dream, who is trying to actually get snacks that could last them. Dream stands up from where his head is ducked down, picking up some chips from the bottom shelf.
"You're such an idiot," Dream mumbles fondly, "now what'd you want?" He asks as he walks into the next aisle, eyes scanning the shelves.
"For you to get a red slushy and then kiss me," George says confidently. Dream whips his eyes back to meet George's.
"I'll kiss you once we get outside but I'm not getting the slushy," Dream says firmly because he knows that if he doesn't he's gonna get hit with puppy dog eyes that he can't resist.
"In the rain?" George asks, and of course it's a horrible cliché, but Dream can't deny he wants to partake in it, especially if it's with George.
"Yes, in the rain," Dream sighs playfully as he continues down the aisles. George picks up his pace, following Dream down the aisles and holding stuff in his arms before counting it all and dumping it onto the counter.
Dream looks down at George as the cashier scans and bags all their stuff; George offers him a lazy smile with blue stained teeth. Dream just smiles back and turns his attention toward the bags.
The rain continues to pour down outside and even though they both know they're about to get soaked they still sprint to the car. Dream dumps the bags behind the passenger seat and a moment later George is tugging him out into the rain.
They both stand still for a moment, letting the rain soak through the clothes and directly into their skin. George looks up to meet Dream's eyes and for the first time in what feels like forever he doesn't have to hide what lies behind his gaze. His love doesn't have to be kept in a little cage that only unlocks when he and Dream are alone in rolling fields.
After what feels like ages Dream reaches down and cups George's cheeks, staring into his eyes a second longer before connecting their lips.
This kiss is different from all the rest. This one has a spark that runs through both of them and all it does is draw them closer. George brings his arms up to wrap around Dream's neck, pulling them closer as Dream's tongue maps out every surface of his mouth like it has done a thousand times before.
For a split second the rain stopped. Everything stopped. Because in this exact moment all Dream and George can feel is each other. The passion and love and freedom of kissing in the rain in an abandoned 24-hour gas station parking lot as the world fades away.
They both pull away gasping. Getting too lost in the moment to acknowledge their need for air because all they wanted to do was drown in each other. The rain continues to pound down, so loud that you can hear it when standing under the flimsy metal roof that sat above the gas pumps.
George gets into the passenger seat as Dream walks around to the driver. They're both sopping wet and cold to the bone. Dream partially regrets their cliché little moment as he feels the cold fabric of his shirt press against his back and he can spot the water already starting to pool in George's seat. But he can't really find it in him to care because seats and clothes can be replaced but memories can't.
Dream pulls out of the parking lot and into the night. The clock in the car reads 4:23 but he is nowhere near tired. George on the other hand is on the verge of passing out in his seat and Dream doesn't blame him. Sure he wishes that he could get him out of the wet and soon to be freezing clothes but George deserves to sleep for a little.
His mind can't help but wander back to a few hours earlier. The cold of the night as he pulled up as quietly as possible a few blocks away from George's house. He remembers rolling down the windows, half to keep himself awake and half so he would be able to hear if anything went wrong. George's small figure had appeared just down the street 15 minutes after they were supposed to meet.
George had told him that if he was later than 20 minutes to leave without him. Dream knew the minute after the words came out of George's mouth that he wasn't going to do that. He knew the risk that their whole plan held but he also knew that the pros outweighed the cons. So he sat out in the chilling night, biting his nails as the minutes ticked by.
The relief that flooded through his body when he saw George walk around the corner, bag slung over his shoulder and duffle in his hand. He dumped both in the backseat before crawling into the passenger seat and pulling his knees to his chest.
In that moment Dream wanted nothing more than to comfort him and wrap his arms around the boy who now shook with silent sobs, but he couldn't because the longer they sat there the slimmer their chances of getting out became and George knew that. So George urged him to get going. To finally put his foot on the gas pedal and drive. To get as far away from this place as possible.
It wasn't until they had finally gotten out of the city border that George's tears stopped and Dream watched as he opened up, reaching his arms towards the sky as rain hit him through the open windows.
Dream blinks back to the present as light from the sunrise pours through the windows of the car. George stirs slightly but quickly stills again, head resting against the window. Dream sighs contently as he pulls off to the side of the road. Hiding the car decently well behind some trees before resting his head against the window of the now turned off car.
George wakes up a little bit later. Slowly sitting up, noticing the uncomfortable position and damp clothes and groaning quietly. The second thing he notices is Dream sleeping peacefully with his face squished against the car window. He smiles to himself because he doesn't think he's ever seen Dream look that peaceful before. Hair strewn over his forehead and face completely relaxed while even breaths pass his lips.
A part of George doesn't want to wake him up but another part knows that if he doesn't Dream is going to wake up uncomfortable and whiny so he gently shakes him awake.
Dream jerks slightly when George's hand lands on his shoulder, sitting up with a quiet, "huh?" George giggles quietly.
"We should move into the backseat so you don't get uncomfortable," George says quietly, trying not to overwhelm Dream after he has just woken up. Dream nods softly and opens the car door before closing it and crawling into the backseat of the truck. George follows suit and laughs as he and Dream try and get comfortable on the seat that definitely isn't meant for two people.
After some more shifting they land in a position where Dream is laying on his back with George settled on his chest. Dream's legs are way too long to fit on the seat so they are bent with his feet planted on the edge of the seat while George's legs rest between them. Dream sighs deeply as he reaches down and wraps his arms around George's waist, pulling him up and pulling him closer. All George does is smile because what else could he do at this moment. He tucks his face into the side of Dream's neck and plants little kisses along his throat, clearly trying to get a reaction.
"Baby, I wanna sleep," Dream mumbles into George's hair.
"And I wanna kiss you," George says quietly as he places a few more kisses along Dream's neck, threatening to trail up to his jaw.
"After a nap, m'kay?" Dream says sleepily, eyes already threatening to close again. George lets out a quiet huff into Dream's neck but the ladder is already asleep, breaths coming out even as the calmness of sleep fills the car.
Dream wakes up what he presumes to be a few hours later. George is still asleep on his chest, the sound of even breaths filling the car.
"Baby," Dream whispers softly as his hands drift around George's back. George wakes up at the movement of hands and lifts his head up, "good morning, sunshine." George grumbles softly at the pet name. He blinks his eyes open, squinting slightly from the now afternoon light that pours into the car.
"G'morning," George says sleepily as he moves to rest his head back on Dream's chest.
Dream picks George's chin back up and looks him in the eyes, "we gotta get going baby and I don't want you sitting back here by yourself." George hums in acknowledgement.
"What about the kisses?" He asks a moment later, voice still sleepy but he's definitely more awake. Dream lets out a little sigh and George can definitely tell that he's won. He sits up on Dream's lap quicker than he should be able to given his half asleep state, but Dream doesn't question it as he sits up and leans against the window. George smiles before scooting closer and connecting their lips.
It's moments like these that they both crave. Moments where they can forget the world even if for a second. Dream lets George take him apart piece by piece. It starts with him working his tongue into Dream's mouth, nibbling at his bottom lip until it elicits a gasp and taking it as an invitation. Dream lets himself fall victim as George runs gentle fingers along his scalp, tugging on his hair occasionally to pull out more gasps.
Dream loves to let George take control like this. Do whatever he pleases as Dream turns to putty in his hands. George parts from him taking a few breaths and giggling as Dream's head lulls back until it hits the window. George takes that as another opportunity and quickly dives for Dream's neck, honing in on a sensitive spot that he already knows is there. Dream lets out a little whimper at the feeling of tongue and teeth on his neck and George smiles against the column of his throat.
He pulls away once Dream is a mess of whimpers and whines, "I think I'm gonna be the one driving today," he says teasingly and Dream just nods, still out of breath. George giggles before pressing the pad of his finger onto the steadily forming bruise, causing Dream to let out a gasp that borders on a whimper. "C'mon then," George says through a giggle as he climbs into the driver's seat, grabbing the keys on his way.
It takes Dream a few minutes to come to his senses before opening the door and walking around to the passenger side.
"Where are we going?" George asks the moment Dream closes the car door. He turns the keys in the ignition and listens to the car start up before Dream answers.
"Just drive, honestly. If we keep going straight we should get two states over in like two, maybe three days." George nods and places his hand firmly on the steering wheel before pulling out from the side of the road.
A red light blinks in the corner of George's vision; he snaps back to the present to a blinking "E" on the dashboard. Dream is humming quietly next to him and he almost doesn't want to interrupt, but he has to.
"Where's the next gas station?" He asks quietly, trying not to shatter the serene moment. Dream glances over at him, snapping out of the trance of humming along to songs on the radio.
"It's been a bit since we last saw one so another one should be coming up soon," Dream says and quickly returns to his humming which George doesn't really mind. It fills the car with an ambiance that is gladly welcomed, especially when the anxiety of being out in the world claws at George's insides. The question of "What's next?" rattles around his brain and he desperately tries to ignore it by drowning it out with Dream's voice. If Dream notices the way he starts tapping on the steering wheel or how his breathing gets shallow he doesn't point it out. And knowing Dream, he's probably waiting until they can both relax together to talk about it.
The next gas station comes into view shortly after their little conversation. George pulls in and parks just as the gas tank gets dangerously low. Dream continues to slump in his seat as George gets out to put the gas into the tank. Dream’s tired and George knows that, he's allowed to be. He drove through the entire night while George slept peacefully in the passenger seat and then he was woken up earlier by George requesting cuddles. So George is happy to let him sleep even though the sunset atmosphere of the quiet gas station sends a chill down his spine.
"Do we need anything?" George says as he dips his head past the door. Dream looks up at him, slightly dazed and very tired, and shakes his head; George nods and moves back over to the gas pump to pay.
Dream is already half asleep against the window of the car when George gets back in and he doesn't have a need to move him, so he turns the keys in the ignition, allowing the gentle hum of the car to soothe Dream to sleep.
George had been asleep for maybe an hour when Dream gently shakes him awake. He's slightly groggy but Dream's hands and voice quickly draw him back into a semi-awake state.
"Wanna go sit in the bed? The stars look pretty tonight," Dream says softly as to not startle George too much. The ladder hums in agreement and allows Dream to tug him out of the car and into the bed of the truck.
The chilly air sends goosebumps down his arms which are quickly taken care of by Dream's warm hands. He allows Dream to tug him close once they get comfortable in the back of the truck. Dream must have laid out blankets beforehand because George is faced with soft blankets rather than cold metal which he is very grateful for.
George's gaze turns to the sky and he quickly realizes that Dream is right, they do look beautiful tonight. He thinks back to all the times they sat under stars just like this in their small town where the rolling fields were the only safe place to be. He thinks back to all the conversations that were secrets between the two of them and the wind. Ones that they had when their only issue was getting out of that godforsaken town and now here they are. Out in the open.
"Remember the last time we were in this position?" Dream mumbles, face up to the sky and of course George does.
"What do you say we leave this place?"
"Forever?"
"Yes," Dream whispers into the night. The words sink into George's ears and melt into his heart. What he would give to get out of here. The small town that drains every feeling from his head. The little town that makes him want to curl up on himself and hide from the world. He knows Dream feels it too, and that's why they're sitting in the back of Dream's light blue pickup truck, gazing at the stars in one of the multiple rolling fields where they can truly be themselves.
"I wish the world was different," George mumbles, face not shifting from the stars.
"The world is different, here just hasn't caught up yet," Dream says calmly. George loves the way Dream's words sound like honey, always doing exactly what they need to do. Whether that be comfort, love, reassurance, and so much more. Dream can do it and George just wishes to do the same. George finally turns to face him after the silence settles and Dream is already looking at him, eyes loving.
"Do you think they'll ever catch up?" He asks genuinely, Dream ponders for a second, taking a glance at the stars before looking back at George
"If they do, we won't be here to see it," he decides on. George wants to ask what he means but then his mind drifts back to the conversation that took place not even 15 minutes earlier.
"How do we even do that?" George asks after careful consideration. He sounds exhausted because it feels impossible. Leaving the place he's been his whole life, where his everything is. The town is small, there's not much to do, but there's college to pay for and the world to face, and how is he supposed to do that?
"George," Dream says softly, scooting closer to bring George's head to his shoulder, "it'll be okay, I promise you." George looks up at him and Dream offers a reassuring smile.
George fights back tears as the next words escape his mouth, "how do we even start?" He fights sobs as he speaks because everything is just so terrifying.
"Shhhh, baby, it's gonna be okay. I'll always be here," Dream soothes, rubbing gentle circles on George's bicep. Tears are still falling with no end in sight, Dream's voice fills his ears as hot tears continue to cascade down his cheeks.
"You know the pizza place I've been working at?" Dream asks quietly after George's tears slow down, but haven’t stopped. George gives him a wordless nod, not trusting his raw voice. "I've been saving up tips and extra money, so we can get out."
George doesn't even know what to say, so he doesn't speak and Dream must understand because he pulls him closer, surrounding him in warmth and comfort that both of them crave like dying men.
Neither of them move after that; both try to keep the small amount of comfort sheltered and preserved until the next time they get to feel it.
"God, why is the world so sick," George finally says in no more than a whisper because what else can you say? What else could possibly be said to try and put all of his feelings in a sentence, a conversation.
"I don't know," Dream says quietly, solemnly. And George knows that he doesn't know how to form the words either. So both of them continue to sit in silence after that. They had never gotten close to a conversation like this before. Of course there had been the occasional 'God I hate it here' muttered in a lighthearted tone even though it was stone cold serious, and of course they had talked about leaving for college when they turned 18. Exploring a big city where they could hold hands while walking down the street and feel safe being themselves. They'd be able to avoid the disgusted glares and the way too loud whispers. But this felt more real, less like an idea and more like a promise.
So with no words left. Dream gives George a final hug before crawling into the driver's seat. George follows suit and climbs into the passenger, relaxing once Dream's hand is placed firmly on his thigh.
"Look at us now," George says breathlessly, turning his attention toward Dream and catching the proud expression on his face, "we really did it," he continues.
"We did."
George hates to shatter the mood but the tendrils of anxiety still curl in his stomach as he stares up at the night sky, mind running a mile a minute. "What do we do next?" He blurts out before any logical thinking can stop him. Dream freezes momentarily and a little part of George thinks that Dream doesn't really know either.
"I don't know," Dream answers truthfully and it makes George want to curl in on himself. He'd always been so sure of his life and now everything feels so out of control, so unattainable. Dream must sense his anxiety because all he does is pull George closer, placing a kiss on his temple before he continues talking, "whatever we do at least we'll do it together." George hums as he looks back up at the sky.
The idea of having Dream with him helps quell the anxiety a little bit but it still swirls in his gut and threatens to crawl up his throat, and Dream knows that.
"This is how we started last time, isn't it?" George gives him an affirmative nod, "and now look where we are. We're free and we have the world at our fingertips." He ends the sentence with a sigh, tugging George closer as he looks up at the sky.
"But we had a plan to leave and now we're out in the world with nothing." George's voice quivers as he speaks. He's trying not to cry because he doesn't want to cry. He doesn't want to be sad while they're out living what they dreamed of for so many years.
"Shhh, baby, it's okay, we'll be okay," Dream reassures and it sounds strangely like what Dream said the last time they laid out in one of those rolling fields and now they're here, and those words help calm his rapidly beating heart. "I'm thinking we drive another state over, find some sort of trailer park, and we can lay low," he rambles and George listens, Dream's voice like honey to his ears.
"What do we do after that?" George asks through a sniffle.
"We'll cross that bridge when we get there-" Dream turns to the side to press a gentle kiss to George's forehead "-just like we always do," he finishes and George just looks up at him, almost envious of the way Dream can be so optimistic and so logical at the same time. It shouldn't make sense and yet it does.
George turns back to Dream to place a tiny kiss on his cheek, causing Dream to turn toward him with a puzzled look on his face.
"What was that for?"
"Because I love you," George says softly, "and you always know how to make me feel better," he mumbles quietly.
Dream chuckles, "of course, sweetheart, I love you too." And with that Dream tips George's chin up to connect their lips. Providing comfort for both of them even though they don't know exactly what's ahead, but don't worry.
They'll figure it out, just like they always do.