Archive of Our Own

There's a sweet smell in the air, hearts in their eyes and alcohol on their tongues. For some of them, it burns so good and for others it’s raw and boring in the back of their throats. It’s just the three of them, Dream, George and Sapnap, just like it’s always been. And exactly in that order as well. 

Dream, and then George and Sapnap. Dream, who has to stick around, deal with their bullshit excuses not to confess their love for each other. Dream thought he would be relieved when it finally happened, but actually, he’s stuck in the middle of it. 

He loves his best friends, he loves them together in fact. But it’s not all the time that he’s enjoying being the third-wheel of the trio, watching them kiss and cuddle constantly, whispering sweet-nothings during movies that Dream picked yet he can’t even focus on it. Most days were like this, now they all went to the same college, George and Sapnap rooming together and constantly inviting Dream over. 

Now Dream wasn’t a dick, and he liked his friends, so he almost never denied. Some days he’d call it off and say he wasn’t feeling well, but when he did it just left a sour guilt pit in his stomach, so he didn’t do it often. 

But why oh why didn’t he say no on Valentine’s Day?

“You’ve got chocolate on your cheek!” The American calls out, brunette hair getting long with the year as it brushes on his forehead. 

“Lick it off,” A british friend giggles, tipsy on his tongue and heart shaped bubbles fueling in his chest. 

Dream rolls his eyes from the couch, a non-alcoholic drink in his hand while he leans on the back, looking at the 2 boyfriends teasing each other next to the chocolate fountain that Dream was reluctant to buy (but George just insisted). The idea of coming here was probably doomed from the start, but Dream wasn’t one to back down from his friends even though it was quite literally torture from his place on the couch. 

“Guys I’m literally right here,” Dream steps in with a neutral tone, propping his elbow on the back of the couch and turning his back to see Sapnap leaning over the island to land a sloppy kiss on George’s cheek, eliciting a drunken giggle from the smaller. His sentence didn’t seem to get across, so with a groan, he turns back around and pulls the drink back to his lips boredly. 

Part of the reason Dream agreed to come to their dorm was because it was their first time partying in the dorms, being able to drink all being at the age of 21 and Dream needed to lay off college work for a while. In fact, it was such a reasonable choice that he didn’t even consider the reason Valentine’s Day was a party thing. It’s not like George and Sapnap could care though, because they were blocking out everything around them and 100% focused on each other. Now Dream was here to babysit them, at least that’s what it felt like. 

Regrets filling his mind for the 10th time of the night, he suddenly hears feet pattering across the living room and then there’s music blaring from the TV sound system. Dream mindlessly stares upwards and he looks up to see George laughing and starting to dance in the middle of the room, to Levitating by Dua Lipa. He’s wearing a baby pink skirt, small black socks and one of Sapnap’s black hoodies, expectedly. He’s dancing, head tilted back with breathless giggles leaving his pink lips, and Dream doesn’t know how he does it. So, he just sits back and watches him be a goof, in the back of his mind fully expecting Sapnap to come around eventually. 

“Partying is so fun with you guys,” George laughs out loud, skirt twirling with every turn of his hips. Dream scoffs without really thinking, a knowing smile on his face. 

“Yeah I’m pretty sure you’re just high on shits and giggles,” The blond comments smugly, sipping his virgin margarita on the couch and looking away when the brunette drags his hands up his thighs while purposely pulling the skirt up to reveal more than Dream would like to see. 

“You’re not?” George taunts, letting more tipsy giggles escape his lips, humming to the song in the background as his feet shuffle on the carpets. 

When George dips his body down and shakes his hips again, Sapnap walks into the living room smirking widely, Dream desperately wanting to get out of there before they do something a little too close for comfort.

“It is really fun,” Sapnap agrees, because of course he would agree. They were completely oblivious under the influence, and usually it would make Dream laugh, but right now it was doing everything but. “You’re just a bummer Dream.”

He places his hands on George’s waist and sways his way back up so they’re dancing front to back, the slightly taller brunette nipping at the other’s neck. George giggles profusely again, the sound slowly becoming more and more annoying as the night progresses. Dream sighs again, not bothering to respond as he brings the drink back to his lips, hoping the drink will do something to his mind, when it’s not even alcoholic in the first place. 

Maybe Dream was like this because he was jealous. Maybe their relationship was nice in the best ways, but it definitely did not feel that way in this current moment. All he wanted to do was drink the night away and make it home before midnight, or at least before they did something questionable. He was certain if it got too heated, they wouldn’t care if Dream was watching- not like he would anyways. 

When Dream looks up again, George has turned around and wrapped his arms around Sapnap’s neck, trying to kiss his lips with a drowsy smile drawn on his flushed face. The LED lights casting in the room showered them all in red blossom, smoky reflections caressing all of their faces. 

Every time George tries to kiss the other, Sapnap would tilt his head back and tut at him, whispering things that Dream did not want to hear. Something he did pick up on though was, “Not when Dream is here baby,” and George would respond in his hazy, slurred accent, “Don’t care.”

Yet Sapnap wouldn’t let him because maybe there was a soberness there that kept the sexual interactions at bay. Dream couldn’t be more thankful for that. But there wasn’t much else he could hear, trying his best to ignore the sensual comments slipping from their raw minds as he began to sit up from the couch.

They didn’t notice him leaving the living room, muffled music blaring from the forbidden dorm when he shuts the front door. He’s positive they probably heard that, but it wouldn’t surprise him if they didn’t. Leaning on the door, he takes a last, long sip from the cocktail, and puts it in front of the entrance. He rubs his eyes and evaluates the rest of his night consciously, wondering what getting home will feel like, if he’ll see adorable couples taking late night walks under the stars, anything romantic that Dream dreaded to see in his current headspace. It wasn’t that he hated love or anything like that, it was just dumb that he wasn’t getting any action on the most intimate day of the year. 

When he thinks of being in love, he does not think of George and Sapnap’s relationship. Definitely not. 

The year goes on by, college work piles at Dream’s desk and he has restless nights, but at least he can relax some days. It’s sunny in the spring, it smells like Easter and religion beaming through everyone’s hearts as weeks go by in the cool air and plump grass around their campus. 

He still hangs about George and Sapnap, their love growing indefinitely with the flowers in the fields. They go hand-in-hand, bumping shoulders and laughing star-shaped clouds from their hearts. Some days Dream finds himself enamored with the odd relationship they have formed, not caring for their constant touching and being around each other, but when it gets to the point where he’s third-wheeling most afternoons, it gets annoying. 

Sapnap is smart, it’s true. He can pick up on obvious signs from Dream that he’s bugged, tries to calm him or feel a little guilty for his antics, but honestly, Dream doesn’t want guilt. He doesn’t know what he wants, but it still hurts being around their darling smiles when the blond walks around sulking. 

When the summer comes around, the sun isn’t soft in the sky anymore, but it’s beating. It’s burning red into their skins, dolloped by sunscreen and the pained smell of it’s protection. There was no rain or comfort to shallow them, just light in the blue staining blush onto smitten cheeks and happy feet. 

Dream, George and Sapnap go to the beach together for the first 2 weeks of summer, dancing along hot sand and sea-carved shells. George skips over salmon-colored fish and salty water, while Sapnap laps up the cooler water, shouting tanned compliments to his lover. Dream sits on the rocks, watching them laugh and smile together, a friendship it was at first, now tickled boyfriends. He can’t explain why it’s so aching to watch them. 

His heart wants to smile and observe, but his head keeps muscling through and rolling his eyes when they pull in for a distant kiss. They don’t notice him, they never do. 

Usually it’s cute for a while, sun-kissed bodies taunting and teasing, making the most of burning light and cooling water. But lately it’s gone over his head quicker, becoming a sick taste in his throat when he’s dragged along the sidewalks to an amusement park just to watch them live happily, like Dream has always wanted. Yet he’s stuck with piles of overdue college homework and a bored interpretation of Florida summer. 

The final month of Summer comes slow, and open arms. For Dream, at least. 

George tells both of them one morning, he’s going to his family for the rest of summer. It’s a lump in his throat he has to clear and swallow, force out when facing his teary-eyed boyfriend who doesn’t want to waste the lovely summer they’ve spent soaking.  It’s extremely weird for Dream, because he rarely sees Sapnap cry like this, mouth wavering as he tries to forbid the salty substance from falling, even though it’s obvious he fails, cheeks stroked with wet tears. 

It had been his worst third-wheeling moment yet. And not just because of their sappy comfort, but because Dream didn’t want to react the way he did. Which was not kind. 

“Why can’t you take me with you? Why drop this bomb so late into the summer? Our summer George?” Sapnap wails with a broken voice that’s laced with confusion, chest tight as his heart beats so heavily out of it. 

They’re all talking on the floor, Dream laid against the one opposite of the tv, George and Sapnap side by side on the couch adjacent. George holds Sapnap’s hands with a guilty look in his eyes, no tears but an equally sad state. He can tell they want to hug, and Dream just wants to get out of there and be the last one to know about how Sapnap deals with this situation. Except he’s experiencing it first-hand. 

“You know I’m not ready for that. I miss them Sap-” George pleads, tightening his hold on the other’s hands like if he lets go, they’ll break apart forever. Dream can see the sentiment in it, but it’s too hard to see the gold when it’s buried with confessions that aren’t his business. 

He still doesn’t find it right to leave, he was invited here to know as well, even though his feet want to get up and run. 

George takes a deep breath and brings up Sapnap’s hands to his cheeks, wrapping the cold palms on his hot face. “It’s not long, I’ll be back before you know it.”

“Sapnap you’re being a pussy, it’s only a few weeks," The blond croaks out before he can control it, the voice in his head ripping out and forcing words out of his throat. It’s deadpanned and sounds the least heartfelt, burning his chest when it hits him. 

He meets the brunette’s gaze who burns holes into his eyes, squinting his eyes with curled eyebrows, jaw tightened with a fearful strength. 

“Fuck you,” Sapnap spits harshly. Dream can sense a bit of tease in his voice, but it’s scarcely hidden in the pain from his raw tone. He doesn’t say anything else, just sighs and looks back to George, immediately pulling him into a bone-crushing hug that speaks lonely truths and broken promises. 

Dream wants to see into it, wants to know how the love feels, being apart from who you love, but he simply cannot. George glares at him through his own glistening eyes that pierce into his eyelids, silently telling him that was a shitty thing to say. Dream knows that though, it racks through him every day after that. 

The conversation weighs heavy in his mind for weeks. Weeks into George’s travel, weeks into Sapnap’s complaining about missing George and wincing whenever he realizes that Dream was listening. Although Dream wants to take it back, wants to apologize for saying it, but he hasn’t learned better. He hasn’t been taught the feeling they felt that afternoon, being ripped out of each other’s arms for a month across the ocean. 

They didn’t talk for the first week of being without George. Dream separated himself in his dorm to focus on his own work, doing things that did and didn’t have to do with college. But it wasn’t long before he found himself attracting to his best friend again. Sapnap couldn’t either, and they went back to each other before either of them could stop it. 

It was like this for all their lives, pointless fights and snarky comments only for them to drift back together and laugh it off like it wasn’t anything. Dream still thought about it, whenever they teased each other on the way to lunch in the hot summer. Dream was sure Sapnap thought about it too, but even more of his boyfriend who was miles away spending time with his family. 

It was kind of sad, Dream has to admit, seeing his best friend try to smile when really he was just sad George didn’t want to bring him. But at least he was there to comfort and pull him through, telling him it was only for a month in a much better manner than he did before. Except only Sapnap pretended to listen, and Dream noticed that. 

So they suffered their way through together, doing work with each other and laughing off the unspoken frustration. Even when they were fighting in the back of their minds, it was still nice to hang out, just like they always would. And it got easier, and eventually George came back. 

Sapnap was happy to see the brunette, there's not much to describe. Dream forcefully smiled through it all, hugging George and telling him about summer which was mostly them drinking, going out and watching movies, doing normal homie activities. George nodded, slightly suspicious, but moved on nonetheless.

And nothing really changed. 

The next time they get drunk together, it’s new years. Weirdly enough, they were able to make it the next few months after summer without the craving to drink off stress and hang out with buzzing cocktails and loud music. But on new years day, it was the perfect time to relax together. 

Dream still had his whole mindset tied to finishing college before focusing on other things, and other things meant meeting people, trying new things, meeting people. He really just wanted to meet people, hookup, be entranced with sweet accomplished women or cute boys who got coffee at 2 in the afternoon with a book in hand. 

Surprisingly, he’s been able to hold off from snapping at his two best friends who seem to still be on each other all the time, even with being busy 24/7 due to having 8 classes a day and double that homework. Dream still has no idea how they have so much time together, yes they live in a dorm together, yes they both have the same major, but it still made no sense to Dream.  

He was glad to have them anyways, if they could make time together, they could make time for Dream as well. Even though he certainly felt like he had no need of being there, it still was all the fun watching George jump around like a maniac again with a shirt dampened in spilt wine, while Sapnap sat next to Dream admiring the boy like he was America’s top model. Dream wanted that, wanted the bubbles, the love. And maybe he didn’t want it exactly like their relationship, but he wanted one nonetheless. 

So with that thought in mind for most of New years Eve, he sulked on the couch with lidded eyes and a phone in hand, mindlessly scrolling on twitter for the past couple of hours. He couldn’t count how many times George asked him to dance, he wasn’t really one for dancing. He was bored, his mind was plain, his tongue was dry with the taste of cheap beer. 

George was drunk. The first time they drank, he was at most tipsy. But tonight, he really went at it. It was cute watching him stumble over the carpet to pop another piece of gum into his mouth and dance along the floors, this time a vibrant yellow color beaming from the LED lights. But it was tiring. It was like every other weekend when Dream was out with George and Sapnap, watching them flirt the night away with hushed praises and not so subtle kissing in the corner of the kitchen. It made him feel lonely, yet it wasn’t his friends fault, they were just so divulged in each other at every seething moment. He wondered consciously, is this all they do? Dance, drink, kiss? Do they ever fight, see the worst in each other and eventually come back? Is this all it is, having sex and fun while the years go by?  

Because if that’s all it was, Dream didn’t want that. 

He wanted to know his partner, wanted to love them in the nights and mornings, finishing each other’s sentences without thought. Being able to relax anywhere and be able to form conversations easily and naturally. He wanted to fight, to argue and not understand each other so they can make up and finish all the missing pieces of the puzzle. The only thing he got to see though, was the honeymoon stage, the puppy love that was horribly dumb and hard to watch all the time. He could hardly call it love.

He didn’t feel like leaving tonight like he did before, in fact it was transitioning to a new year and he wanted to make the most of the night. 

So they did. Dream even danced a little when he worked up to it, believe it or not. Music blared from the Bluetooth speakers of the couple’s dorm, blasting as the oldest laughed and giggled with alcohol etched into his brain, Sapnap and Dream laughed along with him, the youngest easily fitting well with his best friends while Dream did his best to loosen up a little. While it was only slightly awkward from Dream’s perspective, being there to experience multiple attempts of George trying to drag Sapnap away privately, yet the brunette denied and something in Dream thought that his best friend knew there was something going on with him when they hung out as a group. But he brushed it off mainly due to his slightly drunken state, and continued on dancing and messing around with his childhood buddies. 

Eventually the new year comes around, Dream doesn’t get his new years kiss, but he gets as close to it as he could. George pulled them in for a group hug when the clock struck 12, the two lovebirds pulling away seconds in, and made out for a good 5 minutes after that. Dream tried to laugh it off for the sake of the party and knowing his friends were drunk, but even with his mind raw and incoherent, he fell into that mind and shrugged off with a moody look in his eyes. 

Craving some oxygen that wasn’t his friends’ beer breath, he went out to the balcony of the dorm, taking the opportunity given by his friends getting a dorm on the second floor, he walked out and leaned on a metal fence blocking off the fall. It smelled clear, refreshing, relieving if anything. The dark, night sky is filled with starlight and a lambent moon, outlining the sky with its presence. Part of him felt like that moon, alone and surrounded by stars that only made him shine brighter, yet they didn’t know it. And the sun was his soulmate, across the world, only gone when he appeared. Or perhaps he’s the sun, alone in the sky always, but surrounded by transparent clouds that are never enough for him to reach out to. 

The moon sounded better, because he had constellations like his friends, to teach him the path to the sun. 

After only a couple of minutes of staring out there alone, he heard a few footsteps tapping behind him. Turning his head only slightly to be welcomed with a tired face, eyes dropping and a sloppy smile plastered kindly, Sapnap. 

“Hey," He greeted, voice warm and you can definitely hear the alcohol weighing on his tongue. 

“Hey idiot,” Dream replied, smiling teasingly and looking back over the balcony so they looked over together. 

“Finally a new year,” Sapnap yawned, tilting his head upwards towards the dark sky, “It’s gonna fucking suck.”

Dream laughs loudly, squinting his eyes shut from the sheer force of it. “You are 100% right.”

“At least all your college shit is close to being done, I’ve barely done any summer work because George wants to drag me somewhere new everyday.”

“Now you’re 0% right, how do you drop so far?” 

“What?” Sapnap scoffed, turning his head to look at Dream’s cold face that’s trying to keep his face straight at the inaccuracy.

“Yeah,” the blond says hushed, dragging a dry palm over his face like he’s attempting to wash away his exhaustion, “I’ve probably only done like 1 assignment due to procrastination alone. And maybe some loneliness mixed in there, who knows” he starts rambling only slightly, letting his words fall into the welcoming night. Sapnap hums in acknowledgment, both of them staring into the abyss of nothingness. 

Sapnap smiles into the dark, some good things on his mind, others contemplating. But he doesn’t really control what he says, lacking the proper mindset to pick and choose anything carefully anymore. 

“Well,” he starts, drawing into a yawn again slowly, “At least you didn’t run out tonight. Thanks for that.”

Even though he feels like he can’t think straight right now, Dream can feel his running mind pause at the statement. 

“What?”

Sapnap laughed, dipping his head as his next words slur out from drunkenness, “You didn’t think we noticed? You left last time we all drank together. You know-”

“Look Sap I-”

“You know- ” the younger continues, squinting his eyes in Dream’s direction, eliciting a huff from the other, “We like having you here. Sorry if we get too much sometimes but- but we’re just having fun,”

“We don’t have to talk about this.” Dream tries to cut in, breathing warm breath into the cold air with growing desperation in his voice.

“No, Dream,” Sapnap laughs again, starting to lean towards Dream until he faces him. “We know you’re lonely and stuff, and we honestly just want to help-”

“Sapnap stop.” Dream snaps, conversation cutting short quite quickly and he frowns, bending his eyebrows with serious intent so the brunette gets the hint, even though he knows it can be hard since they’re both drunk and very unaware of their thoughts leaking from their mouths. 

He can barely see in the dark lighting, a slight reflection of red from the other room, Sapnap drawn to a frown himself and looking back to the sky. 

“O-oh okay. Sorry, gosh I am just so drowsy right now-” he gawks with an apology, leaning back a little so he can balance correctly without hurting himself over the metal bars. 

Dream nods and draws his lips in a line with a sigh, “Yeah man, I know.” He says breathlessly, warm breath hanging in the air, “I know.” 

Dream appreciates his attention in the moment, thanking the skies for stopping this short. Usually he would be worried about the state they're in, but maybe Sapnap being a little raw right now wasn’t too bad. So they really did notice him leaving last time? Or was that just the alcohol talking? Surely not. 

And they know he’s lonely? Maybe they’re paying more attention than he thought. But wouldn’t they do something about it? Try and stop uninviting him to more couple-like dates, like Valentine’s Day? He wants to ask Sapnap, beg him to know why they suppose he’s lonely and why they don’t do anything about it. But there’s a comfortable silence in the air, just them together with the night, letting the cold take over their bones and allow them to live for a fine moment without any struggles on their minds. 

Minutes later, Sapnap’s husk voice startles him. “We should go check on George.”

Dream nods, even though he probably can’t see him. So instead he turns and sighs, sticking his hands into his jean pockets before entering the yellow-stained room where it smells like sharp tang and sweat again. He almost laughs at it, sobering up already when he only had enough shots to keep him nurtured for a while. 

Inside the room from an immediate glance, Dream can’t see George. But when Sapnap slides past him into the room, and heads towards the kitchen, the blond looks up to see the smaller brunette puffing a cigarette in the corner. It startles him for a moment, seeing his tiny best friend pulling it to his lips slowly and carefully, and then Sapnap running towards him, and honestly, it’s probably the most sober he’s seen Sapnap all night. 

Dream follows after him, which isn’t too far, but it feels like crossing a bridge that’s too long for comfort. He witnesses George inhaling as an attempt, but failing miserably when he starts coughing and giggling wildly. Sapnap immediately rubs his back and smiles down at him with a roll in his eyes. 

“Baby where’d you get that?” the younger laughs drunkenly, snatching the roll from his fingers and pulling it to his own lips for a quick whiff. Dream’s a little worried at first, before George latches on to Sapnap’s arm and smiles against his shoulder, his own tipsy face squishing into the fabric. 

“A friend”

Sapnap exhales from his lips, a somehow successful hit, then digging the bud into a nearby napkin sitting on the island. “We shouldn’t do this right now love,”

Dream’s surprised at the calmness in his voice, a hint of love embracing the tone that Dream would expect to be something more demanding, figuring since his boyfriend managed to snag a cigarette from someone he didn’t know. Dream would probably be at least a bit angry, but there was no trace of that from Sapnap. 

“No, no Sap, please!”  George begs with a slight whine, face turning into his arm so his voice grumbles into the sleeve. Dream coughs back a laugh at the heavy drunk behavior from his tiny friend. He didn’t know what he was expecting from George, but not something so whiny. Yet something about knowing George also made it make sense. 

“We’re very drunk right now, it’s time to head to sleep.”

The shorter brunette grumbles incohesive words into his shoulder again, Sapnap smiling at his cuteness. He kisses the messy brown hair on his head and leans down to grab his thighs and lift him into his arms. George easily complies with a huff, resting his head on Sapnap’s neck, breathing softly.  

“Let’s clean you up,” Sapnap whispers and turns around, heading for the hallway on the left, leaving Dream in the kitchen to watch them walk away, carrying George softly to the bathroom. It was like a switch went off in Sapnap’s head, a sense of security beaming in his head that just automatically alerts when George is near. It makes his heart warm, the way Sapnap talked to the older into going away, preceding all cautions before continuing. Dream had never seen it before, the oddity of it all striking him fondly in his weary heart. 

Leaning against the counter, he fights back the headache edging into his forehead, spotting a few empty cans scouted around the place. Taking his mind off the previous few aching hours, he starts picking them up, trying to clean the place up a little. In the background he can hear the bathtub start running, smiling at the thought of Sapnap cleaning up his sleepy boyfriend. 

A while later when there’s less reminiscence of alcohol and the LED lights are turned off, music now completely off welcoming a silence buzzing, easing the headache now rising more heavily into Dream’s head. The bathtub is still running, so he supposes it’s taking a long time to take care of the drunk boy. It’s even considered that maybe Sapnap joined him in there, but he laughs it off quickly. 

Curiously, Dream walks down the hall with quiet footsteps, trying to avoid the creaking of planks under his feet, and surprisingly being successful when he enters Sapnap’s room that’s a couple feet away from the bathroom they are located in. 

When he enters, it smells like both of his friends in one, oddly enough. Cherries and british pancakes, then gaming and football. He laughs at the scent, but brushes it off when he sees two blankets on the messy bed across from him, an equally messy desk in the corner. Stepping inside, he observes the mess they both had made on it, papers that scatter, which seem to be unfinished college work- Sapnap’s earlier statement ringing in his head. A frown sits on his lips, realizing that they all aren’t getting their stress relieved for different reasons. 

But on top of it all, there’s a nice folded envelope sitting amongst random coding guides. There’s a wax button folding the edges together, in the shape of a barely visible heart shape. He tilts his head at the sight of it, drawing his lip in as he reaches for the paper substance. When he picks it up, it’s soft in between his fingers, a nice medium-sized letter that has an American stamp bold in the corner when he turns it over.

Eyes drifting to the address, there’s no name, no person it’s directed to. Only the faded writing of the location, Brighton.

What?

Obviously, Dream immediately correlated the city with George, but why? Did Sapnap try to send George a letter? But George was here? So his family?

But that wouldn’t make any sense. Then why wasn’t it sent? 

Thinking about possible times that it would make sense to send a letter to Brighton, to where George lived more importantly, a possible idea came up in his mind. 

Did Sapnap try to send a letter during his trip this summer? But wouldn’t he send it? Why didn’t he?

The recurring questions were interrupted when the door creaked open further, and two people he recognized filled the room. Sapnap was carrying George bridal style - thankfully clothed - as the smaller hung to him with a sleepy smile on his face. He can tell they had a nice time in there, but any assumptions he sought to fill, were again interrupted when Sapnap’s eyes diverted to the letter in his hand. 

Dream’s thumb was still etched over the dry cursive writing, while the younger looked at him, fear striking in his eyes for a moment. Then, Sapnap flashed him a tired, knowing smile when the realization sets in, before turning his head back to George when the smaller stirred in his arms, alerting him. As he went back to placing the brunette onto their shared bed, worry coursed through Dream’s veins, caught in the act of snooping and he hadn’t felt more scared for his life. Being trusted by his best friend, and then having that trust broken with one stare, and even worse, a soft smile, felt awful. 

It was supposed to be a good new year. Not start off 2021 with this terrible feeling in his heart. 

He watches George reach up with grabby hands, despite being drowsy, latching his fingers onto Sapnap’s bicep with an adorable protest. He figured that George wanted Sapnap to join him, but the standing leaned over and whispered, “Be there in a second love."

George easily turned over, giving Sapnap access to leave a sweet kiss to his temple, Dream’s heart flickering once more at the lovable, heartfelt touch. If he was being honest, his whole heart could melt watching them treat each other like this, frowning when he thinks back to the times he hated any trace of it. 

Sapnap straightens up and beckons Dream over and out of the room, keeping the door creaked open so he can go back to it later. 

Dream immediately speaks up first so he can overpower the harsh beating in his chest. 

“What was that in there?”

Sapnap audibly gulps in front of him, feet shuffling with obvious nerves that only draws Dream more curious, and now fully knowing that the letter belongs to him. 

“It’s just a letter- nothing serious,” the younger tries to excuse, running a hand swiftly through his tired locks, staring up at Dream with hoping eyes that he would just drop it. 

Yet Dream doesn’t want to, because he got his first piece of information, and with no control over his decision, he didn’t feel like stopping. 

“Yeah, but you never sent it, why? That obviously makes it something serious," Dream crosses his arms, pinning his eyes on Sapnap with only a little bit of guilt in his chest, but nothing to stop him from getting answers. Sapnap cowers under the stare.

The smaller huffs again, rolling his eyes and unlocking their glance so he can stare at the floor, mouth locking from the inside, and Dream realizes they aren’t going to get anywhere with this already dying conversation. They are both too drunk to move on with anything serious, and Dream knows it. Part of him is already making a decision before he acknowledges it. 

“I can’t even think properly right now, can we talk about this later?” Sapnap scoffs, eyes starting to burn into the floor that spreads truth and fear of fire across the planks. Dream notices and takes a deep breath, wanting to gain the power and continue this conversation, but his tired eyes and wavering legs say otherwise. 

“I-” Dream starts, thinking before Sapnap waves him off with a hand, stepping back and going forward so he moves past Dream. The simple brush of their shoulders makes Dream wince at the sting, frowning. 

Before the blond can protest, Sapnap is shoving a pair of forgotten keys into his palm with a coldness he doesn’t want to recognize.

It’s his own dorm keys, he left there when he joined them a few hours ago. Dream stares at them, hesitant to look back at Sapnap, because he knows what he would see if he did. A painful stare, telling him to leave. He didn’t want to leave, so even though it was offered in the first place, he pretended it was his decision. He grasps the key firmly, turning around, leaving the dorm on his own accord. He doesn’t try to look at the crack through the door when it shuts, echoing in the silent hallway. 

A similar feeling to their first party resounding in his mind, but this time the dorm behind him is quiet. It sits empty in his heart, fading thoughts left confusing and unanswered.  

They don’t talk about it. Not anytime soon, at least. 

It sits on his mind for a few weeks following, but not as much as he used to think about things, weeks and weeks after it happened. It was a much lighter bowling ball on his mind, which was relieving to say the least. After new years, they didn’t party much. 

He wasn’t sure why, maybe Sapnap made it more efficient to start finishing college work earlier so they could hang out fulltime again. Or maybe Dream was too much of a dick to be invited? Which couldn’t be true, because he knows that George would fluster under every stare if he was lying to Dream. And he wasn’t, yet there wasn’t anything telling him otherwise either. 

So he just goes with the flow, lets the new year roll in and springtime welcomes itself far after winter. Winter goes by quickly, there’s nothing memorable to really capture his mind. Dream goes home for a week for Valentines this year, making it impossible to be stuck between a Sapnap and George affair like last year. So that was a little bit reliving, but part of him was questioning how they were doing while he was gone. He wondered if they bought each other anything, if they celebrated with kisses and chocolates, afternoon dates and bowed presents. 

He never found himself caring about that stuff before, yet he would think about his friends all the time. Maybe it was the new years party that helped him be a little more vulnerable to that stuff, maybe it was the way he saw Sapnap take care of George with sweet love. 

So springtime goes by with light-hearted butterflies and gentle sun. It’s actually much better than last year, it’s more kind to Dream. He finds himself enjoying those afternoon walks with Sapnap where they talk about things they’ve always talked about- always leading to George in the end.  He finds himself laughing so hard when George makes a sexual joke about Sapnap, or when he gets flustered telling Dream stories about the first time they said ‘I love you’ on Easter. 

It surprisingly makes his heart warm, he’s the loosest he’s felt all year. He may not be getting that action, but watching his friends be rewarded with it, made him feel lighter. 

He was still extremely lonely, kept up with more college work than ever, racking his brain whenever he missed an assignment because his brain was too loopy to remember, it wrecked him. So nowadays, he felt himself wanting to hangout with his friends more.  It was definitely a cycle he never thought he’d have to go through. Thinking back on the previous year where he dreaded tagging along with them to a movie, it was so shitty. 

Hopefully he’ll be able to smile over it one day. 

Then, summer rolls around again. It gives him similar memories and feelings that last year did, but overall, extremely relieving. He actually finished all the college work he could beckon before summer hit, so he was free every day (for the most part). It was nice focusing on himself for the last couple weeks of the semester, shoving everything into the teacher before he was off, into the abyss of sun and ocean waters. 

Every part of his mind craved that it would go by slowly, so he could appreciate everything he let slip by last year. Sadly, the sun didn’t listen to him. 

The first month went by quick. And mostly because George dragged them both somewhere almost everyday, savoring every living moment he could for some odd reason. They had so much time, but George made it seem like they would lose it all if they didn’t do something everyday. Dream went with it though, maybe it would take away the fear of losing summer if he actually spent it with care. 

But when the first month came near its end, Dream got an odd text from George one morning. It wasn’t like his cheesy prank texts that Sapnap dared him to send, or some edit George made on his charming face, but it was serious. 

George: Hey, can you come over? Need to talk to you. 

Dream quirked an eyebrow from where he was on the couch, 2 in the afternoon. To be honest, it did strike some worry. When does George really need to talk to him like this? He didn’t mention a Sapnap or anything, so maybe it was just them? But his mind hummed and sent something back. 

Dream: Be there in 10. 

When he got there, there was no sign of Sapnap’s presence. He stood in front of the dorm they shared, George only a wall away. He wasn’t worried about it being awkward or sharing personal things, because it was only natural at this point. But he was worried if he was in trouble, or if there was some news he should expect.

So he knocked, and in front of him is a worn out George, pajama pants and Sapnap hoodie (expectedly). 

“Hey,” he sighed, ushering him in with a hand. Dream complied, stepping in with a questioning grin, and they made their way to the couch mindlessly. He took note of how messy George’s hair was, and how baggy his skin sat underneath his eyes. He looked sad, worried, stressed. Dream almost didn’t recognize his state, it being about a month since he last saw him like that. 

“You okay?”

George sighed again, this time with more pent up heave than the last one. He ran a hand through his hair and shrugged, words picking at his lips needing to fall out. 

“Actually, no. Not really.”

Dream stretched out his legs and brought them up so they were crossed on the couch, giving his full attention to George. The brunette turned his body as well, so they sat across from each other on the length of the furniture. 

“I- I’m going away again for summer,” he started, breath clouded and exhausted. Dream frowned. “I needed to tell you first.”

Why?

When he looked at George’s face, it looked serious, eyebrows bent with the intent of silently reminding Dream. 

Oh. 

Before Dream could try and explain, or attempt to defend himself, the other stopped him with a simple lift of his palm. 

“Last time I told you guys, it didn’t go too well. I made the mistake of telling you both, because we all know how much you don’t care about our shit-”

“Hold up, what the fuck?” Dream interrupted, straightening his back. No, no, making assumptions like that wasn’t right. “Of course I care about you guys and what’s going on.”

“Last year doesn’t really show that, does it?” George enforced, waving a hand at Dream with anger fueling up from the tension. It rose so quickly that Dream didn’t even notice both of them with uncrossed legs and arms tightening. 

Dream scoffed and before he could bat out a response, he took a deep breath to regain calmness. A practiced refresher, if you will. 

“I- George.” He started with frustration, eyes starting to waver, knowing where the misunderstanding was rising from. “That was last year. I don’t know why I was so fucked like that, I’m sorry. ”

They both silenced. It was the first time Dream really apologized for his angry looks and despised comments whenever their relationship was brought up. He noticed George soften, arms going limp in his lap and eyebrows lifting slightly. 

Dream continues, “Um, look. I’m sorry I reacted poorly last year. It was all this pent up ignorance and useless pettiness, that I couldn’t control my words. It was dumb."

George takes a deep breath and nods, head falling to look at his hands in his lap, obviously relieved that the conversation managed to chill out a little before it could escalate. Dream smiled at his spilled confession, but he knows it isn’t over. The months between each summer of silence won’t immediately make up for what he said.

“Okay Dream,” He says quietly, a tiny smile breaking its way on his face. But he shoves it down, an attempt to remain serious, when honestly, George wasn’t too good at that. 

“You just- you made Sapnap really upset last time. I really don’t want it to happen again.”

“It wo-”

“No, Dream just listen for once,” he cut off, voice sharpening and head snapping upwards to warn him with his worried eyes. Dream quiets. “When you left, it almost seemed like Sapnap was more upset with you than me. He wanted your support, and you didn’t give that to him.”

Dream doesn’t answer. The sternness and honesty pouring from the other’s voice was enough for guilt to pang in his chest, a gulp running down his throat and a frown to etch on his face. 

“You can’t always assume that what we have is all rainbows and sunshine. We talk things out, we argue. And he needs help figuring it out sometimes. In that moment, you shut him out, then acted like his feelings weren’t valid. Do you understand?”

Dream meets his eyes again with a weary, guilt tripped glimpse of worry. He didn’t think it was that deep honestly. The shiver in George’s voice prompts him to nod. 

It only breaks his heart further when the brunette continues, close to a whimper. “It hurts me seeing Sapnap like this. It’s gonna be hard telling him- so I need you to be nice. Okay?”

The pure truth that releases from George’s voice makes Dream smile. “Okay.”

George smiles back, releasing a deep sigh. “I am so fucking scared.” He lets out a broken, breathless laugh. 

Without thinking, the blond reaches out for the smaller’s hand, gripping it tightly in his fingers. He makes sure they are looking directly at each other, warm smiles connecting. 

“It’s gonna be okay, you know. He loves and cares about you, he’ll understand." Dream says, full honesty shining beyond his teeth. It feels good to talk to George about this, something he never thought would make sense to talk about. Since he was so used to shutting it out and forgetting about it (although his mind wouldn’t let him).  

George nods simply, eyes starting to water. “Yeah, yeah I know. He wants me to bring him and stuff- to meet my family. I’m just not ready for that.”

“I get it,” Dream assures, making sure to talk gently, a tone in his voice that’s almost unrecognizable. “If I get it, I’m sure he will too.”

George laughs at this, shutting his eyes and letting a tear slip. When he feels the wetness on his cheek, he squeezes Dream’s hand tighter.

Dream smiles and admires the smile on George’s face, stretching shortly and only a little bit of pink on his cheeks from getting emotional. He takes the vulnerability and runs with it. 

“I don’t know a lot about this shit..” He starts, letting their gripped hands fall limp in between them, still softly caressing for comfort he finds endearing. “But, watching you guys, I feel like I’ve learned a lot.”

This causes George to smile wider in a sense, eyes brightening in a silly glimmer that almost prompts Dream to chuckle at. For the sake of the conversation, he gulps it back. 

“That’s sweet,” George cuts in. When Dream meets his gaze again, he’s smirking. 

“Yeah, I can’t believe I haven’t had another human interaction since high school, besides you guys.” 

“I can.”

“Shut up”

They laugh together for a moment, letting the position they have together tighten with a silent promise, I’ll be here. 

Dream had never felt more comfortable talking about his feelings. His mind feels a little less heavy, a little more confirming, and a whole lot more complete. 

“Thanks,” George whispers, dropping their hands and wiping the close-to-dry tears off his face. Dream doesn’t need to answer, only a simple nod and a welcoming smile that speaks volumes. 

Eventually they give each other a tight hug and Dream leaves with a lot on his mind. He’s grateful George came to him about this, because it definitely taught him to pay attention and think before talking, especially if it’s Sapnap and their delicate relationship he has grown to know over the past year. Yet he can’t help but to worry about them, and how Sapnap will react to George’s decision. He knows Sapnap can also have quick-witted reactions, but at least they’re more logically derived. 

It might be hard, but it’s George and Sapnap. They’ll come together, and it’ll be okay. Right?

Dream really tried to have hope, he really did. But it was like the whole world was against him, and he couldn't keep a positive mindset in place. It always drifted off into negative idea of what's to come, as the last month of summer drifts nearer. He had never found himself so worried about George and Sapnap before, yet here he was. Every night, sitting in front of an empty coding software, but all on his mind was Sapnap crying. Which usually was a pretty unbearable sight to see. But Sapnap was his best friend, and he had looked after him for so long, it was normal for this sense of protection to kick in. Even if he knew that George didn't want to hurt him at all, it was still sour on his mind. 

He had suffered 2 weeks, 2 weeks of waiting for any sign that George told him, 2 weeks of worry that Sapnap was avoiding everyone due to his own repressed thoughts. Dream held his thumb back hundreds of times from hitting the call button and ringing up Sapnap, to ask him how he is. Because it was 2 weeks of nothing, and it sucked. 

Until it was June 29th, the day of George's flight. That's when he finally got a message from George. Why it was on June 29th, he didn't know. He was just glad to hear from his friend about what was going on. 

George:  Hey can you please come talk to Sapnap?

George:  He's been locked in his room since yesterday morning when I told him. I don't know what to do

Dream reads the texts and his heart tightens, confused and upset at the same time. 

Dream:  You told him the day before you leave?? That's barely enough time to cope George

He gets a response within seconds.

George:  I leave late tonight anyway, it doesn't matter it still would've ended like this

George: Please just get over here. 

Dream:  Alright, be there in a few. Has he been eating?

George:  Ask him yourself, he's been ignoring me. 

Dream feels a cold feeing enter his chest at the idea of Sapnap avoiding George. Based on what he knows, Sapnap would never stay out of George's sight, always around him whether they were hugging, kissing, or just plainly hanging out. Even with Dream, they would be with each other, keeping each other close. And the fact that Sapnap was hurt enough to avoid him, was extremely worrying and Dream wanted to do all it took to understand why. If he were Sapnap, he'd make the last moments with George worth it before he leaves for a whole month, leaving Sapnap with his best friend, and him only. 

To be perfectly honest, Dream didn't know why George wouldn't take Sapnap with him. But he does know it's not his business, even though he feels like everything between them involves Dream now, especially with how clingy they were over the summer, and before then. So he would ask George, but he has changed so much that it feels weird to overstep. And maybe that's a good thing. 

Quickly, Dream makes his way over to their dorm, holding his hoodie tightly to him as he prepares for the worst. Thoughts of Sapnap alone in his room, broken, of all things, hurts him to his core. Once again, he hates seeing Sapnap sad, and he knows that the mental idea of it cannot compare. 

When he gets to the door, George opens it before he can knock. Unexpectedly, George looks just as wrecked as what he would have imagined Sapnap to look like. His hair is ruffled way more than it usually is (before Sapnap decides to mess with it), his clothes are baggy and his shirt is damp by the collar. Dream frowns at the sight, anxious butterflies filling his chest. 

The brunette gives him a sad smile, urgently gesturing his hand to come inside, Dream complying. With haste feet, they stare down the familiar hallway, and the room on the left, that is supposed to be theirs, is closed, but there is a faint light coming from under the door crack. Dream can only assume that George slept on the couch last night- which is something Sapnap would have never let him do.  

Dream doesn't spare another second looking at George, no matter how nervous he was couldn't stop his quick feet from going down the hallway and approaching the bedroom door. There's silence behind it, no sign of Sapnap but he knows the boy is a quiet complainer. He goes to lift a hand to the door, but pauses, forehead dipped low beside it. 

"Sapnap?" he calls, before knocking silently. "It's Dream.. what's going on?"

He still doesn't get an answer, fire trickling up his chest with worry and frustration. 

Dropping his hand down to twist the handle, he pushes the door open and steps in. "Dude, your boyfriend is leaving tonight, what are you doing-"

When he steps in, he's met with Sapnap, who's sat at the foot of his bed, head lifted up from where it was resting on his arms, legs pulled to his chest tightly. His eyes are baggy and his hair is more of a mess than George's which is saying something. The last time Dream saw him, his stubble wasn't even that full, but he looked it with puffy eyes and tear-stroked cheeks. His heart drops at the tired sight of his friend, staring up at him weakly with broken filled orbs. 

His voice falls off quickly, unable to finish with an arc in his voice like he usually would. This time it just broke off, speechless. And Sapnap had nothing to say about it. 

Except when the sight of Dream processes in the doorway, his face pales and his eyes roll. "Fucking hell-" Sapnap groans, tilting his head back onto the edge of the bed with a heavy flutter of his eyes. "I didn't think you'd come around- but well, here you are." He says smugly, his chest heaving with a long sigh. 

Dream crosses his arms firmly in the doorway, eyebrows bending at his friend's reaction. "What does that mean?"

The brunette scoffs as Dream shuts the door behind him. "I just thought you didn't care, since you've been silent these past few weeks. You knew the whole time, didn't you?"

Dream sputters, dragging a hand through his blonde hair that's grown sweaty in past few moments, Sapnap scoffs again. "I knew you didn't care. He's going away again, and- fuck-" Sapnap's eyes begin to brim with tears again, hands coming up to drag them along his warm cheeks with frustration. Dream sighs from where he's standing, hesitant to reach out, and he doesn't. 

"Well I'm here, aren't I?" 

Dream barely notices the eye roll that peaks through Sapnap's hands on his face, and it makes his insides bubble in anger. 

"Look Sap," Dream starts as he holds a breath. "We need to talk."

"Yeah? Are you gonna call me a pussy and bail again?" Sapnap snaps, and for the first time Dream notices how gruff his voice is. He can tell he's been crying, and it's not just because of the dried tears on his face. 

Dream steps forward without answering, depicting his answer with the way he sighs and approaches Sapnap one the floor. He thinks the brunette is gonna rise to meet his level, but he doesn't move, so Dream leans over to sit down in front of Sapnap, crossing his legs on the scratchy carpet. It rubs against his legs uncomfortably, but it can't beat the way his whole body feels weird as he prepares for the conversation. But the better part of him wants to make this all better, and see what he can do for his best friend, despite his actions last year. 

Dream takes a deep breath as his throat feels sight and his palms feel sweaty. "That was really shitty of me, and I regret it. You have no idea what kind of toll it had on me afterwards. I- I just feel like a dick, and I'm sorry."

It took a lot for him to muster that up, and it finally feels good to let it all out. Sapnap's face stills and his hands sit clammy in his lap between where his legs are folded up. He doesn't stare up to look at Dream. 

"How did it take you that long to apologize?" the brunette asks, voice soft and there's a hint of brokenness in the way he says it. Dream tenses and frowns. 

"I guess," Dream inhales deeply, "I haven't really understood any of it until now. I really don't know how love works, but I know you guys have it," the blond lifts his finger and gestures between Sapnap and the boy in the other room, smiling down at himself, but Sapnap doesn't reciprocate. 

"Yeah," the brunette exhales, "You don't know what it's like to be apart from your partner for a whole month."

"Tell me then."

Sapnap finally lifts his head from where it was hung low, and meets Dream's sympathizing eyes. "What?"

Dream smiles, "Tell me," he insists, "tell me what it's like then."

He watches as a lump forms in Sapnap's throat, and the way he gulps it down, fluttering his eyes. A frown sits on his lips as he thinks, picking at his fingers. 

"It's like I-" he begins, voice wavering with what sounds like worry, but mostly sadness. "I just miss him all the time. Even when he's here, I feel like he'll just be... taken away again."

Dream appreciates his ability to speak up about this, lips gaping open as he vulnerably let words escape his mouth that hold an enormous amount of weight on his chest. 

"I don't want to be mad at him," Sapnap whimpers quietly, but he's far from embarrassed. "but I can't even look at him right now. I just feel betrayed I guess."

It startles him for a moment, but Dream sits up slightly so he can move his body over to the other side of Sapnap, sitting against the edge of the bed so they sit side-by-side. Dream nods, and prompts the brunette to continue, proof that he's actually listening this time. Weirdly enough, Sapnap feels comfortable talking more and more about it, he finally feels it's right to mention something it's been too long since last spoken about. 

"You- you know the um-" Sapnap gulps nervously, "the letter?"

Dream's face stills and he nods, thinking back to when he lightly touched the soft paper, etched with George's location on the back as it was pulled together with the wax button. He knows it holds sentiment and he's ready to hear Sapnap explain.

"If it wasn't already obvious, I was gonna send it to George." the brunette confesses, dipping his head low again and frowning at the vulnerable silence between them. "I projected everything into that letter, and I didn't send it because I was ashamed and upset, so it didn't feel right."

Dream smiles and even though it may not be right to in that moment, it feels good to hear it from Sapnap. "Do you regret not sending it?"

Sapnap hums, before cocking his head to the side. "Kind of. Maybe not the letter, but the contents of it."

Dream doesn't even bother asking what's inside, or what it says. He can already imagine what kind of sappy shit he had to say to George, and it makes his heart warm at the thought. 

"Does he know about it?"

It's obvious by the look on his face, that Sapnap hadn't told him about it. The way he looks ashamed at his lap as he picks at his nails, mouth drawn into a line that should be more of a frown in Dream's opinion. 

"I was going to," the brunette admits, "the day after new years, I think. But I got a little nervous."

Dream nods and the silence pricks around them for a moment, the blond drawing together a conclusion in his head. When he looks up to his friend, Sapnap's got tears brimmed in his brown eyes, deeming them brighter than ever. He figures he doesn't have to talk, because Sapnap's mouth gapes open with silent confessions falling from his lips. And finally, he pulls together what he wanted to say, a tear falling down his cheek. 

"I really- really  don't want him to leave Dream-" he chokes for a moment, groaning and throwing his head back with an emotionless laugh. "I just feel like he doesn't care"

Dream admires the amount of wetness on his cheeks just from talking about George, and if anything, it makes his heart beat erratically with pride for his best friends. He doesn't remember feeling this for his friend's relationship, ever, and it's quite funny how it's happening now. 

He knows George loves him, and genuinely, this makes him laugh. 

It may be the wrong thing to say, but it's always been his personality, and it's always been this way with Sapnap. And they would always come together anyway. So he lets it loose. 

Dream scoffs from the other side of Sapnap, watching more wet tears file from Sapnap's shining brown eyes.

"For someone who is so smart, you can be a real dumbass"

Sapnap's head shoots back to Dream's for the millionth time, squinting his eyes and rolling them when he spots the dumb smirk on the blond's face. "Fuck you," he says, with no toxicity at all this time around. It makes Dream chuckle a little deeper. 

"Look, nothing against you Sapnap, truly," he starts, choking up a little on a laugh that maybe be a little unneeded right now. Yet it eases the tension between them, gratefully. "-but George fucking loves you dude, and you have to be the most oblivious person ever to realize that."

Sapnap scoffs pathetically, blinking roughly so he lets a fat tear roll down his cheek, a raw sigh escaping his chest. "I see it, but why can't we make this next step? He's just pushing me away again Dream."

The last few words at the end of the sentence breaks off into a broken sniffle, nervously shoving a hand into his already ruffled hair, making it far more worse- but it's become a habit at this point. 

"I think you need to talk to him Sap," Dream encourages thoroughly, leaning closer to Sapnap so he can show him the intent of his words. Sapnap almost breaks off into a frustrated groan, but Dream continues. "-and I assure you he's going through the same shit you are, so stop being so goddamn selfish for once." He finishes it off with a laugh, lifting his arm so it slips along the brunette's shoulders and pulling him into the blond's side. It's rough and messy, but Sapnap falls right into it with a heavy mph. 

Sapnap nods into his shoulder, rubbing his nose into Dream's shirt messily, eliciting an annoyed, playful groan from the older, along with a muttered 'gross'. 

After a few moments of the brunette filled with mirth emotion, he sits up and rubs his eyes thoroughly, and giving Dream one final stare as his eyes clear from the wet tears in his eyes, that now sit gently in the corners of them.  

"Thanks," he says, voice heavily gruff. "I know it's not the ideal conversation," he sniffles again, "but I'm glad you're still sitting here."

Dream gives him a warm, grateful smile, happy to be in another emotion filled situation, but not with just Sapnap, but George as well. He finally feels like he understands both sides of the situation and maybe even a little bit of power granted he's talked to both George and Sapnap. Yet he couldn't feel more content. He just hopes Sapnap can figure this whole thing out, no matter what Dream knows or not. 

"I'll always be here man, and I'm sorry I've been such a shit friend," he says and it's nothing less than honest. 

Sapnap eyes him and finally lets a smirk rise to his lips. "You're just a little dumb, but you're not shit."

"I'm flattered." Dream says sarcastically, laughing loudly as he tilts his head back and ruffles Sapnap's hair while the brunette tries to duck away, ultimately failing and falling over with a boisterous cackle. It's a little odd hearing the boy laugh after such a serious conversation, but Dream couldn't be more happier about it. 

It falls into an easy banter between them, but when the silence approaches, Dream sits up with a crack in his knees, giving Sapnap a hand to lift him up as well. They both brush off their pants and flatten their shirts, Sapnap going as far as rubbing the leftover tears off his cheekbones and trying his best to smooth out his hair, which doesn't happen successfully. 

There's no more words between them, except nervous butterflies eroding both of their bodies- oddly Dream's, but it's a nice feeling overall. And when they exit the room, George is waiting on the couch with the most anxious Dream's ever seen him. The blond steps off and allows Sapnap to move forward, a sad limp in his movements only drawn from the raw feelings he felt earlier. Dream feels like a proud dad watching his best friend fall into his boyfriend's arms when George stands up at the sight of them.

George immediately cradles Sapnap's face as the younger wraps his arms around the older's waist, frowning as his cheeks are smooshed by the brit holding his face dearly. He thumbs over the wet cheeks with delicate circles, leaning forward and placing a sloppy kiss on his forehead and sighing deeply. 

"I-I'm sorry Sap, I-"

" Shhh,"  Sapnap shushes him, pulling him into a tight hug, that speaks love through the way he grips the back of his shirt in his hands, face nudging its way into the smaller's neck as he sighs with deep content, and even Dream can see the love erupt from his chest at the embrace. 

George looks over Sapnap's shoulder, resting his chin on the boy's shoulder blade as Sapnap shakes, George rubbing a soothing hand up and down his back over the wrinkled shirt. Moments into the hug, George's eyes look upwards and meets jade ones from the corner and sends Dream a gentle, reassuring smile. Dream returns the smile, warm and true, cupping his hands and feeling way more content than he did last year, and possibly ever when it came to watching his best friends come together again, just like he always knew they would. 

It had been an emotional afternoon, that was for sure.

And Dream was extremely exhausted from everything that occurred that day, hurt and comfort, love and rejoice, yet everything in between. 

He had never felt so sentimental, impassioned, and earnest. 

It was a great feeling, he had learned. 

So now he was here, outfit changed from before but now in a new white button up, tucked kindly in his black jeans. He took a quick shower when he got to his dorm so he could wash off his tired smile the best he could. But there was no way that smile was leaving him, because he was here now, standing in front of George and Sapnap at the airport, George getting ready to head into the airport. 

Sadly, there were no impulse decisions of Sapnap buying a ticket, but what he could assume was a promise. A promise that Sapnap would be able to come next time, because that's what Dream saw when they held hands every waking moment of the night. 

He watched them hold hands the entire time during the car ride, trying so hard to focus on the road ahead of him, but it was tough when there was a heart-warming couple unable to keep back their emotions as they got closer and closer to the airport. Sapnap held onto him for dear life, and even though Dream found it slightly ridiculous that he can't handle a month, he's overall happy for them that they figured it out. 

It's not his business to know what they talked about after he left, but he could only assume good things. Sapnap still had bags under his eyes and jittery feet as they got closer and closer to the entrance, but they both made sure Sapnap ate something before they left, and got at least 8 ounces of water in his body. They felt good. Dream felt good. 

And finally, they were here, George was about to leave, and maybe it was only for a month, but Dream could feel it in the way it sounded like an eternity. He will miss his best friend, but he knows it will hit harder for Sapnap, yet he can only be there for him, and he was content with that. 

George grips Sapnap's hands firmly as they wait outside in the cold, various families dropping off their own loved ones at the airport. George holds him protectively, peppering kisses along his face, one after one, brushing along his stubble and digging his nose into every crevice of Sapnap's neck. The younger still isn't too pleased with George leaving again, but Dream can tell he's gained some sympathy since their last conversation about George visiting his parents. 

George turns his head towards Dream, who stands there with his hands in his pockets, scanning about the area with a strained face, holding back a smile. 

"You take care of this idiot, alright?"

Dream meets his eyes at the sound of his voice, and smirks at him, smile fond and eyes devious.

"I've heard that one before."

George leans over to slap him on the forearm, leaning on his leg and then tilting back, right into Sapnap's arms again. The younger pulls him into a loving kiss, lifting his hand so he can brush his thumb along George's cheekbone, holding his jaw to bring him ever so closer. 

"I love you," Sapnap whispers onto the boy's lips, brushing their noses together playfully. George smiles as blush fills his cheeks in the enclosure, exhaling softly with love. 

"I love you too. You'll be okay," George adds, swiftly moving his face so it lands by his shoulder, taking him into a hug again. Tears are met with Sapnap's face again, him being so unable to keep in his emotions around George, a silly sight to see. 

"I'll miss you," he says breathlessly, voice cracking under feeble sadness, wrapping his arms around George's waist once again so they are flush together. 

George nods into the embrace, rubbing Sapnap's hips in a gentle caress. "I know baby, I know."

There's no giggles, no drunken laughs. Only warm smiles and endearing love pulsing between them, Dream's knees feel weak. He doesn't have a single thought in his mind, only them. Everything is them, Dream has learned. He learned it the hard way, but he wouldn't have learned any other way. 

Finally, when they reach the top of the line, George holds tightly onto his suitcase and gives his friends one last look. He's not leaving forever, and this moment is definitely a little overdramatic, but if it is, Dream doesn't mention it. 

"Bye George!" Dream exclaims with a beaming smile, pulling Sapnap into a side hug while they both wave at the brit, who tugs his suitcase along, pushing one of the heavy doors open to welcome the warmth of the airport. 

"Bye love," Sapnap whispers into the air, and Dream is sure that George heard it despite how quiet it was. 

Hearts full, accomplishments achieved, and one heck of a summer meeting its middle-end, George heads into the process of getting back to England, yet he never really left at all. Because George will always be in Sapnap's eyes, his body, his soul, and Dream can finally see that now. 

Fucking finally.