Work Text:
It was around midnight when Dream finally left the stream that he had been apart of since sundown. He leaned back in his chair, stretching his arms above his head as he yawned tiredly.
He sighed when he relaxed again, taking a long sip of his water then set his bottle back on his desk.
Reaching for his phone, it was then he realized just how much time has passed. He cursed under his breath and shook his head, “Jesus.” He mumbled, standing from his desk after he shut off his PC.
Patches mewed softly when Dream pulled open his door, causing the blonde to smile. Dream leaned down and gave her a few gentle pets, before straightening out and heading down the hall and into the kitchen.
The house was quiet, since Sapnap was out visiting Karl again for the week and George must’ve been asleep. But from the looks of it, the kitchen looked like it hadn’t been touched in hours.
Usually, if George made himself anything, there would be a trace of some sort of mess since George in all honesty was a messy person at times.
Dream furrowed his eyebrows and grabbed a granola bar from the pantry, before making his way up the stairs to check on George. He figured if the other boy was still awake, then he’d offer to make some sort of food for the two of them. He hadn’t seen George since well before he joined the stream earlier anyway.
While munching on the granola bar, Dream rounded the corner at the top of the stairs, heading down the hall to George’s room.
As he stopped in front of the door and was about to knock, he paused. What was that? His eyebrows furrowed together in confusion, leaning his ear closer to the door to listen in a bit.
Soft sobs could be heard on the other side, causing Dream’s heart to drop. He immediately began to knock, as soft as he could, “George? I’m coming in.” He warned, before turning the knob.
As soon as the door was open, Dream was met with the sight of a very distressed George. In his arms was his pillow, his face buried into it to try and muffle his cries.
Dream’s face softened, carefully walking toward the bed. He set the granola bar down on the nightstand, gently sitting on the edge of George’s bed.
His hand reached out, carefully settling down on George’s knee. The small boy flinched away, a whimper leaving his lips as he clutched the pillow tighter.
“Hey.. George..?” Dream whispered, his voice soft and full of concern. “Can you look at me, please?”
George shook his head and turned away, his back facing the taller one now.
Dream sighed softly, scooting a bit closer to the brown haired boy. “Georgie, please?” He whispered again. “I’m here for you, okay? You can talk to me.”
The smaller of the two shook his head again, “Can’t..” George whimpered, his voice shaky from his crying.
“You can’t?” Dream asked, getting a nod in return. “And why can’t you?”
George’s hands clutched around the pillow tighter, “G’nna judge..”
Dream shook his head, despite George not being able to see, “You know I never judge a thing you say.” He spoke carefully. “Unless it’s us making fun of each other.” He chuckled lightly, trying to lighten the mood.
George sniffled, “Jus’ feel’n bad.”
The taller one took note of the tone in the other’s voice and the slur in his words, tilting his head to the side in slight confusion. This wasn’t like the usual George.
“Bad, like how? Are you sick? Hurt?” Dream pried on, as George shook his head in reply.
Sighing, Dream ran a hand through his hair. “You’re gonna have to be a little more forward with me here, George. I want to help but I can’t if you don’t speak to me.” He told him.
George whimpered again, not wanting to upset his best friend. He curled in on himself more, another quiet sob leaving his lips. In his head, he was making Dream angry.
“‘M s’rry.. Did’n mean t’make you mad..” George cried, his eyes shut tight and his chest aching.
Dream couldn’t stand to see his best friend hurting anymore, so he leaned forward and wrapped his arms around George tightly.
He pulled George close to his chest, the boy in concern shaking his head and trying to get away.
“No! ‘M bad, don’t deserve comfort!” George thrashed around, his pillow lost from his arms as he tried to get Dream’s hands off of him.
Dream only grew more concerned, trying to calm George down. “George, hey, calm down. Please, calm down. Just listen to me, okay?” He tried again.
George pretty much was tuning him out at this point though, his hands clutching at Dream’s to try to get the other off of him.
In George’s mind, he didn’t deserve comfort. He was bad and should be left alone. Dream shouldn’t try to care for him. He didn’t need it. He was fine on his own.
Dream knew better. He cared for George more than words could begin to describe. He was his best friend, and nothing could change that.
Gentle hands reached out and cupped George’s cheeks, tilting his head up and making him look into familiar eyes.
Almost immediately, George calmed down slightly. His big brown eyes were full of tears, a scared look on his face.
“There we go.. You’re okay, alright? I’ve got you..” Dream gently spoke, his thumbs wiping away the tears on the small boy’s cheeks.
“Now.. Can you tell me what happened, please?” Dream tried again, and George sniffled softly.
Reaching up to rub at his eyes, George nodded slightly. “Saw mean things ‘bout me..” He told the other, his voice sad.
Immediately, Dream grew defensive of his best friend. He straightened out his posture, feeling angry that people upset George to the point that it got to. “What did it say?” He asked carefully, trying to remain calm in sake of not upsetting George more.
“Said I was ‘nnoyin n stupid n loud..” George explained, renaming some of the things he saw on Twitter. He looked away from Dream’s eyes, staring at the wall as more tears welled up in his eyes.
“They said I did’n deserve t’ be friends with you n Sap. Tol’ me I was bad at everything n that you s-should kick me ou’..” George broke down into tears again, his hands covering his face as he backed away from Dream’s comfort again.
Dream’s heart was broken for the boy in front of him. He couldn’t believe people would say so many rude and hurtful things to somebody he cares about.
George was amazing, and so sweet and caring. He was none of the rude things people were saying on Twitter.
Dream knew the real him, and he was thankful everyday that he got to be blessed with George’s presence.
Everyday he was so happy and grateful that he got to hang out with George, that he got to make him laugh and see his smile. He was so thankful that he could simply sit in comfortable silence with the other, and for the other times where they’d be as loud as they could be while playing games.
Dream was so lucky to have somebody like George at his side when he truly needed it. He was lucky that when stress got to him and he was feeling down, George was there to help lift his spirits again.
Every little thing they did, Dream was so thankful for. So how could people hurt his best friend like this?
Seeing now, the state that George was in, Dream was extremely worried.
He knew George was hurt and upset, but he wasn’t sure where the small voice and slurred speech came from.
He was confused on that part.
Dream carefully removed George’s hands from his face and pulled the boy back into his embrace, hugging him tightly and rubbing his back in soothing circles.
“Georgie, it’s okay.. I’m here, alright? I’m right here..” He whispered, George’s sobs muffled in the fabric of Dream’s shirt. “They’re all so wrong, okay? I promise you they are. You’re so amazing, George..”
The small boy nuzzled his face closer, pressing it into the taller’s neck. Dream could feel the warm tears hitting his skin as George let out all his emotions with heart-wrenching sobs.
“Hurt m’ feelin’, Dada..” George whimpered, the nickname slipping without him even meaning to.
Dream’s hand paused on George’s back, and he felt George tense immediately when he seemed to realize what he had said.
Quickly, George clutched onto Dream tighter as his small body trembled with fear. “D-Didn’ mean to! Pease don’ be mad!” He sobbed, fearing that his best friend would be disgusted and abandon him.
Once Dream heard the nickname, everything seemed to click into place. It took him by surprise temporarily, but he was quick to continue rubbing the soothing patterns on the brown haired boy’s back.
Dream cleared his throat quietly, deciding to give it a try.
“Georgie, baby, it’s okay.” He spoke slowly and carefully. “I’m not mad at you, I could never be mad at you..”
George’s breathing was too fast paced for Dream’s liking, not seeming to hear what the younger was trying to say to him. So, carefully, Dream grabbed George’s hands in his own.
He held them firmly, and took a shaky breath.
“Baby, can you look at me again? Please?” He tried again, hoping the little one would hear and comply.
It took a few seconds, but George finally pulled back and made eye contact with Dream again.
His cheeks were stained red and with tears, his eyes puffy.
“There we go.. Good boy, thank you for listening.” Dream praised, giving him a soft smile.
George’s big eyes seemed to soften upon hearing those words, a hint of a smile showing on his distressed face.
Dream let go of one of his hands and used his sleeve to wipe at the tear stains again, “I’ve got you, I promise. I’m gonna protect you, okay? I’m not going anywhere at all.”
“You pwomise?” George whispered, fiddling with Dream’s fingers shyly.
“I promise. As long as you want me here, I’m going to be here.” Dream confirmed, holding out his pinky of his free hand.
George’s eyes moved to focus on the pinky and a small gasp left his lips. He was quick to latch his pinky onto the other’s, an even bigger smile appearing on his face now.
He pulled his and Dream’s hands toward his face, pressing a small and gentle kiss onto their pinkies. “Gotta kiss ‘em t’ seal.” He whispered, causing Dream to chuckle softly.
“How could I forget? Silly Dada!” Dream spoke, leaning to kiss their pinkies as well.
George’s eyes lit up, giving Dream a curious yet hopeful look. “C-Can call you Dada?” He asked, just to be sure, his voice sounding small and shy.
Dream nodded, “Of course, baby.” He smiled.
Before he knew it, George was launching himself forward to hug onto Dream with a soft giggle leaving his lips. “My Dada!” He cheered softly.
Dream’s heart melted, his arms wrapping around the small body in front of him. “My baby.” He whispered back.