Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

Dream hit the end stream button on his StreamLabs after raiding Tommy, another successful stream with George and Sapnap under his belt. He stretched his body, a few pops coming here and there from his joints after sitting in his chair for three and a half hours straight. He hadn’t streamed for that long in a while, and the fans absolutely loved it. He made a mental note to force himself to stream more often, he forgot how much he enjoyed it. Sure, manhunt videos were fun, but there was nothing more exhilarating than watching the chat go at a million miles a second, reading comments and donations that warmed his heart, answering questions that made the fans go wild. Sure, the occasional troll pops in, and the whole “cheating scandal" had affected him more than he would ever want to admit, but it’s the comments that tell him that his stream has made someone happy after a shitty day, the ones that say, in extreme situations, that he saved their life. Those where the reasons he did what he did. And he would never change that for the world.

A knock on his bedroom door brought him out of his thoughts as he turned to look at whomever it was. He grinned and a certain brown haired, hazel-eyed British man opened the door. Ever since George had moved in with himself and Sapnap in Florida, Dream felt like his life could not get any better – especially with the relationship quickly evolving between the two.

Dream knew George liked him. It was pretty obvious from the subtle touches, the way he leaned into Dream during movies, and the way he flirted, both on and off stream. George didn’t try to hide it. And Dream didn’t hide the fact he liked George. The special attention he would get on stream, the late-night baking sessions that turned into the pair throwing flour at each other and chasing each other around the kitchen, and especially on nights where Dream's anxious thoughts got the better of him, and he would plop himself down on George’s bed next to the man, cuddling in close. And George would place his arms around Dream, cuddling him until he was ready to talk.

So, yes, the pair liked each other. And they both knew. But an unspoken rule of their careers made it difficult to be together. The pressure of the fans knowing, how their relationship could never be truly private as it was all on the internet. And neither knew if they could handle that.

“Hey" George spoke “Me and Sapnap were thinking it ordering food tonight since neither of us can be bothered cooking, and by the looks of things neither can you". Clay smiled, nodding. “We were thinking McDonalds” George continued on “But if you have any suggestions, I’d be more than willing to try change Sap’s mind” Clay chuckled. George would do anything for Dream, even if it was as simple as bullying their other roommate into ordering different food because Dream wanted something different. And Dream would do anything for George. One word and Dream would do it.

“McDonalds sounds great. I'll just get my usual. I'll transfer you guys the money for it"

“Nope!” George told him, popping the P at the end. “Our treat for you. Think of it as a celebration for you finally streaming again". Dream rolled his eyes and didn’t argue with him, but made a mental note to donate the exact amount of at least how much his own food cost to him and sap next stream, under the guise of “just because”. It wasn’t usual for Dream to do. He had more money than he cared to admit, and loved his friends. So, he didn’t mind giving then something every once in a while.

“Alright I’ll be down in a sec” Dream told George. The older nodded with an almost shy smile, like he wanted to say more. “You alright?”

“Yeah" George said, staring a few more moments at Dream “Just taking in how handsome you are". Dream felt the rise of heat crawling up his neck to his face.

“And you are gorgeous George". Soon enough George shared the same red face as Dream did. And Dream decided, fuck it. Who cares about the fame? Who cares about what the fans think? “Can we talk tonight?”. George paused, looking at him for a second, before smiling the biggest smile Dream had ever seen and nodding, obviously putting the pieces together. With that Dream's door closed gently, the soft padding of footsteps making their way away from his door.

Dream turned back to his computer, pulling up a tab he had pulled up time and time again to check that it was still going. Due to the pandemic, TwitchCon had been cancelled so many times. But this year, with vaccinations being rolled out and safety precautions being taken at every step, it was planned to go on finally. Dream had been liaising with the organisers, attempting to book at slot on the stage for him to finally face reveal. He checked his email. His most recent one to the organiser still un-replied to. But Dream knew they would get back to him eventually, after they got through the thousands of other emails that they probably got every day – and his face reveal was almost definitely not top of their priority list nowadays with what was happening in the world. Though in Dreams mind it was the top of his priority list. He couldnt wait to be able to leave the house, to go for walks instead of being constricted to his garden for fresh air. To be able to explore and show his dear friends his home city of Florida. He was determined to make it happen. Soon.

After checking his email, Dream stood up, stretched again, shook his leg which had gone dead from his awkward position, and made his way down to the lounge room where Sapnap and George sat arguing about something that probably no one else cared about. Patches sat next to them, and upon seeing Dream, got up and walked over to her food bowl expectantly. Dream obliged, walking towards the kitchen through the lounge.

“Dream! Tell Sapnap that chicken nuggets are way better than burgers!” George protested as he spotted him walk into the room.

“Clay!” Sapnap exclaimed, having gotten used to using his real name from how long they have lived together, unlike George who still referred to him by his online alias, not having lived there as long to grow comfortable with the Floridian’s true name. “Tell George that there is nothing better than a burger, and that they’re way better than dumb chicken nuggets”.

“I mean, McDonalds do have better chicken nuggets than most places” Dream commented as he walked back into the room after feeding the cat, plopping himself down next to George. Sapnap groaned as the Brit whooped in triumph.

“Simp" Sapnap muttered, but Clay knew there was no malice behind the word. Sapnap had been the one that Dream had first admitted his bisexuality to. Sapnap had been there for him, when he came into his room at 3am, sobbing from the fear that he and George could never be together. And it was Sapnap who k we exactly how to deal with one of Dream’s panic attacks when they came on, and was usually quick to catch on to the trigger of it, reassuring him that it was fine, and in some situations leading him away from whatever the culprit was. So, Dream just rolled his eyes at his best friend, choosing not to comment, as the two watched George, amused as the man practically paraded around the room, shouting periodically about how he was right, and that chicken nuggets, were in fact, the best fast food.

It wasn’t long before the doorbell rang. The one thing that Dream loved that came out of the pandemic was non-contact delivery. He wouldn’t have to worry about their driver being a psychotic fan, stalking them or even releasing their address online. Overdramatic, maybe, but Dream didn’t doubt that there were people like that in the world. So, Dream collected their food from the doorstep, no driver in sight. He picked up the food, bringing it in and placing it on the kitchen counter and began dividing the food between the three, Sapnap only making one off-handed comment of “If you like nuggets so much Dream why did you get a burger, huh?”, which he ignored. They put on a movie while they ate (George not so subtly cuddling into Dream and occasionally stealing his fries).

About half way through the movie Dreams mobile began to ring. Strange, he thought. He wasn’t expecting a call from anyone. He looked to see an unknown number. He never answered unknown numbers for many reasons. His anxieties about phone calls, his fear that it was a crazy fan that had somehow gotten his number, and the fact that he had no patience to deal with spam callers. So, he let it ring out. Minutes later, a notification popped up to say that whoever had been calling, left a voicemail. George looked over at Clay’s phone and scoffed “Who leaves voicemails nowadays”

“I don’t know but I better listen to it so I know if I have to change my number because of a crazy fan” he half joked. He pressed the voicemail button on his contacts, listening to the robotic voice drone on about his new message before an unfamiliar voice begins.

“Hello, this is the Floridian Attorney General office. This phone call is in regards to Hailey Stewart, so if Clay Taken could contact us back as soon as possible, that would be great, thank you".

Clay sat stunned as the robotic voice returned asking him if he wanted to replay the message. Which he did to assure he heard it correctly.

Hailey Stewart.

He hadn’t heard that name in over a year. And if it was the Attorney General calling, then it couldn't have been good. He excused himself from the room, quickly getting up and walking to his own room with confused protests from George and Sapnap. He walked into his room, closing his door, and also locking it, which he hasn’t done in months since George arrived, always wanting the Brit to have free access to his room. He sat on his bed and dialled the number that had just called him. After only a few rings someone picked up. “Hello, you’ve reached Floridian Attorney General, this is Marie Lawrence speaking, how many I assist you today?”. The voice sounded so professional that it sounded fake, which Dream assumed it was.

“Hi, this is Clay Taken. I was called in regards to Hailey Stewart? Apologies I missed your call I was... um... occupied”

“Hello Mr. Taken, that’s no problem at all, thank you for calling me back. I’m not sure if you’re aware but Miss. Stewart was found dead in her apartment approximately 22 hours ago”. Dream was shaking.

“Um... no I wasn’t aware” he mumbled.

“I am sorry to be the one that has to break it to you”. The woman, Marie, broke her professional act and sounded genuine when she spoke this time. “And at a time like this I’m sure that mourning her loss is top priority...”. Dream hadn't spoken to her since the incident, so mourning was not on his list of priorities, however he couldnt help but feel sad. She had been a massive part of his life for the few months she was in it, so though he was not in mourning, he did feel his heart tingle slightly, Marie continued. “...There is, of course, the discussion of her last will and testimony. Usually, we would do this in person, but due to current circumstances that is not possible and therefore must be done over the phone”. Dream nodded at first, then remembered that the woman couldnt see him.

“Yeah, of course”. He didn’t know why he was in Hailey’s will, but it explains how they got his number. His number had not changed since he and her cut contact, so she must have written how to get in contact with him.

“Miss Stewart writes ‘In my final will and testimony, if I am to pass, my daughter Rosaline Elizabeth Stewart is to be handed over to her biological father, Clay Taken’ The child is currently in an emergency foster placement due to...”.

Dream choked on air, and she stopped, obviously confused and concerned by the noise he had made.

“What?!” Clay exclaimed, his professional phone voice out the window

“Where you not aware of the situation of Miss Steward handing over her parental rights to you on death?”

“I didn’t even know she had a kid!”. Marie paused for a while, obviously shocked and confused.

“Apologies, this has never happened before. Usually when the father is on the birth certificate, they are aware of the child’s existence... I have to make some calls to figure this situation out, so let me call you back"

“Of course, let me know as soon as you can?” Clay wanted to know what the fuck was going on.

“Of course. Have a pleasant afternoon Mr. Taken". And with that the phone went dead.

Dream stared at his mobile in his hand, his body shaking. His stomach began to twist, and next thing he knew he found himself bolting out his room, barely making it to the bathroom on time for the food he had very recently eaten to come back up. Panicked footsteps came stomping towards the bathroom as he finished emptying the contents of his stomach, flushing away the evidence, though the putrid taste in his mouth and the lingering smell still remained.

“Clay?” a hard knock on the door and his name being spoken registered in Dream’s head, but he could not bring himself to answer, his breaths beginning to quicken, his lungs beginning to ache, and this head beginning to go fuzzy, his eyes blurring and body shaking. The door to the bathroom opens.

“Shit!” he registers a voice, not able to tell at first who it belonged to.

“Nick, what’s happening” another panicked voice spoke, different to the first. Dreams brain finally registering that the two voices were hid roommates.

“Panic attack" Sapnap said plainly as he gently turned Dream to learn against the wall, away from the toilet. “He's never vomited from it before; shit and we don’t know what’s triggered it" Sapnap panicked. Sapnap never panicked when Dream's had a panic attack before. The thought caused the blonde to panic even more, feeling like he was about to pass out from the lack of air to his lungs. He couldn't get the reason out to help his best friend help him. All he could do was sit against the wall and feebly attempt to get his breathing back on track, which he was currently failing miserably at. George had never experienced one of Dream's panic attacks- at least not in person. So, he wasn’t expecting George’s soft voice to speak to him.

“Dre... Clay" he quickly corrected “Clay, love, it’s me. It’s George. I’m going on touch you, is that alright?”. With what little strength he let he managed to nod. He felt a hesitant touch on his leg, which quickly started moving in general circles. “Now Clay, I need you to listen to me and Nick, ok?” Dream nodded again.

“Clay" Sapnap’s voice again. The switching voices was almost overwhelming, if it weren’t for the fact that he heard the voices every day. “Clay, I need you to breath with me? Like we've done before. In and out". It continued like that for a while, George’s hand rubbing small soothing circles on Dream’s thigh while Sapnap, the expert in the situation, talked him through breathing. Eventually his breath began to even out, his lungs still hurt but his head was clear, if sore from the lack of oxygen.

“I’m going to get him some water” Sapnap announced standing up from the bathroom floor “Stay here with him alright George?”. George swiftly nodded, not taking his eyes off Dream once, distress, panic and – worst of all – fear, clear in his eyes. Dream instantly felt like shit, he always did after a panic attack, but he felt even worse knowing he had scared George. The older man had never seen the younger in the state. Hell, Sapnap had very rarely seen his this bad, if ever.

But George stayed with him, whispering things to him such as “you're alright, I’m here, you'll be ok, I’m not going anyway". Dream appreciated it, coming back into reality more with every word spoken by George, eventually getting the strength to lift his hand and place it on George’s, squeezing it gently. Sapnap returned quickly with a glass of water, handing it to Dream who accepted graciously, taking a gulp in a hope to wash the acidic taste of the vomit that still lingered in his mouth.

Slowly Sapnap and George helped him up and manoeuvred him to his room, all three sitting on his bed. “So, want to explain what brought this one on?” Sapnap asked.

“Hailey" Dream answered plainly. Sapnap’s eyes widened, surprised, however George looked thoroughly confused.

“She called you?” Sapnap asked, Dream shook his head.

“She’s dead. Found in her apartment”

“Shit dude"

“Does anyone want to fill me in?” George finally piped up looking between the two, “Who’s Hailey?”. Dream and Sapnap looked at each other, quickly having a mental conversation, before Sapnap gave him an encouraging nod.

“She was a woman I met over a year ago" Dream began to explain, refusing to meet George’s eyes “When the cheating scandal happened I... wasn’t in a good place. I cut everyone off"

“I remember” George told him almost sadly. Dream knew George would never admit it, but he knew that it had been hard for him as well as Dream, having one of your best friends practically ignore you, which sent George down a spiral thinking he had done something wrong. They had talked about it when Dream opened up again, not that George would admit they talked about it.

“I went out drinking almost every night. I risked my identity, and I was super fucking lucky. I met her at a bar one night and...It was supposed to be a one-night stand like all the others” Dream continued, rubbing the back of his neck awkwardly as he admitted it “A quick fuck then leave situation. But we talked after that. Her life was shittier than mine, a lot shittier, and we kind of bonded. I was only a month. Nick eventually came and pulled me out the gutter". He turned to the Texan with a grateful look. He would never be able to repay what Sapnap did to help him, force him to take care of himself again, pull him back up from his depression. “I tried to keep in contact, to see if I could help her, but she cut me off, saying I deserved better than her, I should live a good life and she would only weigh me down. I haven’t spoken to her since”. Throughout the whole story George just sat and listened, which Dream was extremely grateful for. By the end of the story, he expected George to be upset with him not telling him out Hailey all those months ago when they had their conversation. Maybe jealous at the fact that it was obvious he still had found memories of the woman, even if it wasn’t in a time of his life that he was proud of. But he didn’t. He looked almost sorry for Dream. “And just now I got a call from the Attorney General office to tell me she’s passed away" Dream finally finished.

“I’m sorry dude” Sapnap said.

“She must have meant a lot to you back then" George commented. “Why did the Attorney General office call you about that?”

“I was in her will. I didn’t even know she had one”

“And I’m guessing that something in the will freaked you out" Sapnap said cautiously, not wanting to send Dream back into another state of panic.

“She had a baby, I didn’t know, she never told me …” Dream began finally after a minute of awkward silence between the three, trying to will the words to come. George and Sapnap looked at each other confused then looked back to Dream. “Apparently I’m its biological father".

The silence was deafening as Sapnap and George just stared at him, Sapnap’s mouth dropping open, which would have been comical if not for the situation they were in. “And apparently, she put my name on the birth certificate and wrote a will saying if anything happens to her, I get the kid that I didn’t even know existed. And now...” he felt the familiar panic rise. Sapnap caught on to it this time.

“Dude, it’s alright”

“Its not alright Nick!” Dream snapped, then quickly muttered an apology for it.

“Did you not use protection...” George tapered off at the end, and Dream could have sworn his eyes flickered down to his crotch. Dream caught on quickly to what he meant.

“Yes, I wore a condom, but they’re 98% effective against pregnancy so who knows”

“You don’t even know if this kid is biologically yours” Sapnap quickly interrupted the conversation, obviously also getting what George meant and not wanting to discuss anything to do with Dream’s crotch any anything (existent or not) down there. “There’s no proof. She could have been fucking other guys too”. Dream didn’t know how to feel about this. It didn’t make him feel better, he knew that for sure. "It might not even be your problem...”

“Problem? Nick it’s a baby not a problem!” George snapped at him this time.

“Woah, George, no need to get like that” Sapnap looked shocked at George’s outburst “I never said it wasn’t a baby. All I’m saying is that there’s no proof it’s Clay’s kid”. George opened his mouth to argue just as Clay’s phone went off again. A number that he had become familiar with after today. He picked up without hesitation this time.

“Hello?”

“Hello Mr. Taken, this is Marie Lawrence calling you back from the Attorney General regarding the situation of Miss. Stewart’s will”

“Hi, yeah, so what’s happening?”. Sapnap and George were looking at him intently.

“After some phone calls and emails my colleagues, bosses and I have concluded that we will ask you to take a paternity test and have it sent on to us, where we will give it to our labs to conclude whether or not you are the biological father. In the case that you are not, then the will becomes void due to the wording of ‘biological’ and you will not have any right to the child. In the case you are then you will have two choices. You can sign away your rights to the child, in which she will stay in the foster care system and you will not have any contact with the child until she can seek you out herself at 18, or you can accept the parental rights and after a CPS worker inspects your home and your past to ensure you are a suitable parent for the child. No matter what the child’s safety in any situation is our first priority”

“Yeah of course. I can do that”

“And Mr. Taken? As a mother myself I want to give you some advice” the professional air dropped and Dream felt like he was talking to a human, instead of a robot “A child is a huge responsibility. So, in case you do come back as the biological father, think long and hard about what is best, not just for the child, but for you. Because if you take on the responsibility but don’t want it... that can screw up a child in the long run”

“I'll remember that. Thank you". Marie gave him the details of where to book the test, how to get it to them, how long it could take to get the results back, and wished him a good day.

He hung up, Sapnap and George looking at him expectantly. “I have to get a paternity test done to see if I’m the kid’s dad. If I am I can either sign away my rights and let her stay in foster care or I can take her in as long as I’m suitable”.

“What are you gonna do?” George asked.

“He doesn’t even know if he is the dad yet" Sapnap countered

“But he might be" George glared back. “And if he, is he’ll need to choose”. Dream didn’t know why George was so passionate about the situation, and obviously neither did Sapnap by the confused look.

“First things first" Dream said, keeping his breathing level “I need to get this paternity test".

Chapter Text

Dream went outside for the first time in years. It was strange. He fiddled with his mask constantly to ensure it covered his face. The one good thing about the pandemic – he could wear a mask without getting strange looks. However, the downside of living in Florida was Instead he got strange looks for wearing a hoodie, its hood pulled over his head, in the scorching heat. The wore sunglasses to complete the look, ensuring no one could see any part of his face. He didn’t want to risk his identity being figured out, especially because of where he was heading.

Sapnap had obviously gotten paternity test and fertility test mixed up, because when he arrived, instead of the private room and naughty magazines his best friend had promised him, it was a simple swab of the inside of his mouth and being sent on his way again, the nurse promising they would send it off to the right place.

And now he played the waiting game. One week. They told him it would take one week at most.

When he arrived back home, he let out an instant sigh of relief, every anxiety he had about going outside washed away. He was surprised he hadn’t given himself agoraphobia with how long he spent in the comfort of his own house.

“Did you enjoy yourself” he jumped slightly, not spotting Sapnap on the couch, looking over at him and seeing him wiggle his eyebrows. Dream rolled is eyes, kicking off his shoes, taking off his jacket and discarding of his mask.

“Yes, the cotton swab stuck inside my mouth was super sexy”. Sapnap looked at him confused.

“You didn’t have to...”

“No nimrod, I didn’t”

“Bummer” Sapnap shrugged, with a small smirk “Maybe you can ask Georgie in a bit after your little talk". Dream couldnt even yell at Sapnap for his joke. The talk. The talk about them. He had completely forgotten.

“Shit" Dream muttered, flopping himself onto the couch next to the younger boy. “Sap I don’t know what to do anymore with this talk”

“Clay. You like George. George likes you. What’s there to talk about dude. Just ask him out, fuck him, and live happily ever after!”

“That was before the whole ‘I might be a dad’ thing happened and threw a spanner in the plan”

“You might not even be the father! Why are you so worried” Sapnap asked him, carefree as always. Dream just looked up at him.

“Because Nick what if I am. What do I do? Do I just stick the kid in foster care forever and have them resent me, or do I risk being a shitty dad? And I’ve got you and George to think about cause you both live here and I’m not just gonna say yea without asking you guys... and George. He seemed weirdly passionate about the situation which is weird, but also I don’t want to loose the relationship I want to have with him because he doesn’t want to date a guy with a kid”. Dream poured his heart out to his best friend. And Sapnap sat and listened.

“Clay" he said softly, a caring tone in his voice. “You’re my brother dude. Whatever you choose I’ll stand with you, alright. And I think George will as well knowing how much he cares about you. And honestly, I can’t imagine being in your position. But I’m here for you. I love you”. Clay smiled at him.

“I love you too brother”.

Dream walked up the stairs to his room after his conversation with Sapnap for a moment to breath. That didn’t last long as his door opened and in ran Patches, who instantly jumped onto his bed and made herself comfy. George popped his head in after. “Sorry" he said sheepishly “she was just sitting outside your door”

“It alright" Dream chuckled. He gestures for George to come in, patting the space beside him, and George happily does so, closing the door and sitting himself down beside Dream and his cat. An awkward tension filled the air between them.

“So how was it?”, George asked nervously as if he wasn’t sure if he should bring it up.

“It wasn't as good as Sap made it out to be that’s for sure”. That made George laugh, instantly breaking the tension “I was promised porn magazines and all I got was a stupid cotton swab stuck in my mouth! The lying bitch". George was turning red from laughter, coughing from the lack of oxygen getting to his lungs. Dream grinned, proud of the fact that he was able to make George laugh so hard. He eventually calmed down, a few hiccoughs being all that was left of the laughing fit.

“So, you would have preferred something else being stuck In your mouth, noted" George said finally, making a blush crawl up Dream's face.

“Fuck off" he muttered, no malice behind the words as he smiled shyly. The tension grew again, neither sure how to start, but both knowing it needed to be talked about. There talk last night had been postponed, Dream wanting to go to bed as soon as possible, exhausted both physically and mentally from the evening that he had. Dream finally broke the silence. “Hypothetically” he began, catching George’s attention, “If you liked a guy, or a girl or anything in-between" he added on quickly to try and cover the fact that the situation was completely not hypothetical, as if George didn’t already know “And you found out suddenly that they had kid, and they had to decide whether they wanted it or not, and they haven’t decided yet... would you still like them and maybe want to date them. Hypothetically if course”

“Well in this hypothetical situation" George began, not meeting Dream’s eyes “I would want the guy, girl or anything in-between to make a choice first, so that when we started a relationship, if they wanted one, they would have a clear mind and not have to worry about the baby situation, but I would still like them yes. Hypothetically”. Dream’s heart sank a little bit. He tried on to let his face fall but must have failed seeing the frown on George’s face.

“Is there a certain decision you would want them to make?” Dream asked, in hopes of help making his decision.

“There is actually" George refused to meet Dream’s eyes “But I wouldn’t tell them because I wouldn’t want to sway their decision. But not that it matters what they chose, even if I didn't think it was the right one, I would still like them, and would still want a relationship with them" George looked up at Dream now, their faces inches apart, having moved closer without even realising it.

“Hypothetically” Dream breathed, his eyes flitting down to George’s lips, not trying to hide it from the other boy.

“Hypothetically” George agreed, inching forward ever so slightly. But he pulled away just as quick, causing a sadness to wash over Dream. George cleared his throat and excused himself for Dream's room, practically running out the door, shutting it behind him.

And Dream was alone with his thoughts once again.

The second day of waiting, Dream thought, would be the easiest. There was practically no way they would have the results of the test after a single day, so he could take a full day to relax, think about and research his options, without the anxiety of his phone going off with the possible fate changing news. He had yet to tell his family about the situation. He had no clue how they would take it. He concluded that should be his top priority. That was, until, he heard yelling from downstairs. And it wasn’t the usual jovial and playful yelling that Dream was used to. It was a full-blown argument. Without a second thought he quickly ran down stairs, catching what must have been the tail end of it.

“Just because you cant fucking let go of your past George, doesn't mean Clay should suffer because of it!” Sapnap yelled at George. Neither had spotted Dream yet.

“Fuck you Nick, I told you that because I trusted you not so you could use it against me, you arsehole!” George screamed back, his accent becoming even more British as his temper rose.

“I’m the asshole? You’re the one trying to use your relationship with Clay just so he'll chose what you fucking want him to!” Sapnap countered, George looked at him upset, almost offended.

“I would never do that" he began yelling but tapered off quietly, almost crying “You know I would never do that Nick I like him too much to do that to him. And you should know that”

“Yeah right!” Sapnap snapped loudly.

““What the hell is going on" Dream finally interjected from where he stood on the staircase, both boys looking up at him, Sapnap’s eyes still filled with anger, while George’s, once filled with anger, now held sorrow after the accusations Sapnap threw at him.

“Ask your boyfriend. I’m going out" Sapnap practically growled, throwing one last glare George’s way and storming out, door slamming behind him. George just stood in the middle of the room shaking. Out of anger? Our of sadness? Dream couldn’t tell but in an instant, he was beside him, holding him close and guiding him to sit on the couch. George sobbed in his shoulder for a while as Clay cuddled him, letting him get out all of his pent-up anger and tears wash away. When he finally calmed down, he looked up at Dream, eyes still glistening.

“I’m not sure how much of that you heard" his voice croaked as he spoke, his voice horse from a combination of yelling and tears.

“Just the end of it” Dream told him “It sounded like Nick was being an ass though"

“You’re just saying that because you like me" George mumbled. A new development in their relationship. Sure, both have hinted and made it clear as day they like other, and admitted it in twisted words that make it sound like it’s a scenario not involving them, however neither had outright said they knew the other liked them. Though it was not a lie. But hearing it still made Dream blush slightly. He'd been doing that a lot around George.

“How about you explain the situation themes I can make up my mind on who was in the right, or if you’re both idiots”. George chuckled lightly at the joke, but shook his head.

“If I tell you I’ll have to tell you my opinion on your... situation” he admitted “And I don’t want to sway your opinion and prove Sap right".

“What if I promise I wont let your opinion sway me?” Dream asks “I never expected either of you to not have one, I’m actually surprised that Sapnap doesn’t have one...”

“Believe me Nick isn’t as middle ground as he makes out to be" George glared at the door.

“Well, how about you tell me yours while explaining what you guys were arguing about and I’ll wrestle Nick’s out of him eventually”. For a minute there was silence. But Dream was patient, waiting for George to start his story. And he did.

“Well, Sap asked how our talk went last night and whether, and I quote “you fucked each others brains out but I doubt it because the walls are paper thin and I didn’t hear anything", which is true to be fair, I don’t know how you have never heard when he's touching himself... and moving on" George shivered in disgust and Dream chuckled. “Anyway, I told him that I wanted to wait until you made your decision so I didn’t sway you and you had a clear head – “

“Wait, so we weren’t talking about a completely fictional situation?” Dream faked shock, and George giggled. Dream was happy to see his friend laughing again after such an intense argument.

“Anyways, he asked me what I thought so I told him...” George hesitated, looking at Dream, who nodded in encouragement “I told him I thought you should take the kid in”. Dream was slightly shocked. If anything, he thought this two friends would be completely against the idea, being forced to live with a baby. But George wanted him to take it in?

“Why do you want that George" Dream asked once he got over his initial shock.

“That’s what Sap asked too. I haven’t told either of you this before but... y'know how I lived with my grandmother?” Dream nodded. He had never questioned why the older never lived with his parents, never wanting to cross that boundary of trust they had “My dad left before he found out my mother was pregnant. Remind you of anyone?” he joked looking at Dream. He just continued to listen “The thing is my mum never wanted kids. She was going to get an abortion but my grandmother found out. She’s super religious, and when she found out my mother was pregnant and trying to get rid of it, of me, she went ape-shit at her. Locked her in her room practically for the whole 9 months. Only letting her come out for doctors appointments and never out her sight in case she tried to abort secretly. When I was born, apparently, she didn’t even want to hold me. They all told her she had PPD, tried to give her as many medications, but she just didn’t want me. Bless her heart she did try, at least up until I was 5. Then she just left. She'd had enough and just couldnt handle it. I knew she never loved me even at that age so I wasn’t surprised. So, I was bounced from foster home to foster home for two years, until finally my grandmother won the court case to get custody of me”. The entire time Dream had his hand on George’s thigh, helping him, encouraging him. And he couldnt be prouder, or sadder, for George in that moment “Take it from a kid who was in foster care. Its shit. Most of them are in it for the money, and even the ones that actually care, they never keep you for long because all of a sudden there’s a kid much more in need of a family like them so they ship you off to the next one. I wouldn’t wish it on my worst enemy. I mean, maybe I just got unlucky. And I don’t know of its different I’m America than it is in England. But that baby deserves a parent, and honestly Clay, you are the best person for the job.” Dream began tearing up at that. He held George just a little tighter. “I still don’t have my father. I contacted him at 18 and was told my mother was a whore and I wasn’t his kid. No one knows what happened to my mum. I wish I had just one parent in my life.”

“Thank you for trusting me with your story " he whispered to him and he held him tight.

“Yeah well, I told Sap the story too. And he told me foster care cant have been that bad, and I probably didn’t remember much because I was a kid. So, without me outright telling you I think you know what he thinks” Dream nodded. “And that’s how the argument started”

“Yeah, Nick’s definitely the ass in this situation. You trusted him with a story from your childhood and he used it against you. He better apologise or I’ll kick his ass”.

“Thanks Clay. And please don’t decide just because of me. Do your own research on the foster system here. It might be better. But Clay?” George paused, sitting up and holding both of Dream’s hands in his “No matter what you choose, when you make this decision, I still want to be with you, alright? Even if you chose to give up your parental rights. And if you chose to take it in, well... I'll be whatever you want me to be to the kid".

“Thank you George” they sat there, looking into each others eyes for a while, just taking each other in. “I’d better call my own mom and tell her about the situation. And tell her I’m lucky to have her". One final embrace and Dream stood up and walked back to his room to call his mom.

He heard the front door open as he reached his bedroom door, and a familiar Texan accent say “I’m sorry. Let’s talk".

As expected, Dream’s mom went through all 5 stages of grief when she found out. But she told Dream that she would support him no matter what, and that meant the world to him. He had a support system. And he hoped that now George knew he had one too. And when he finished his phone call, he made his way back downstairs to check in on his best friends. Though the air was slightly tense, they were talking and that’s what mattered to him. Because if there was one thing he needed right now, it was his best friends.

On the third day, Dreams nerves were heightened, if only slightly. There was a real possibility that the phone could ring that day. A very small one, but a real one. He decided to get Sapnap’s opinion. He walked into his room without even knocking, Sapnap sitting on his computer editing, and sat himself down on his bed. Sapnap just looked at him confused. “Spill it" Dream said bluntly “What are your thoughts on the whole situation I’ve got going”

“Dude, I told you, I don’t have an opinion. I'll support you no matter what" Sapnap said plainly, repeating what he had said to dream on that first day.

“That first part is bullshit. If you didn’t have an opinion, you wouldn’t have had an argument with George yesterday”. Sapnap just sighed, saving his video and sitting down beside Dream.

“Fine. I do have an opinion, but I don’t want it to effect the outcome of the situation" he admitted.

“I’m making the same promise to you that I did to George. I will not let your opinions sway me in any way. I just want to know what you think because you’re my best friend and I value what you have to say". Sapnap hesitated, and said nothing. But Dream didn’t move. And if Sapnap knew anything about Dream, he would know he's stubborn, so eventually he gives in with a sigh.

“Fine, I’ll tell you what I think. But by the look your giving me, I think you already know”.

“Tell me anyway" Dream said, legs crossed, ready to listen.

“I personally, if you are the father, think you should give the kid up to foster care” Sapnap finally said. “Dude, you’re barely 22, you’ve got your career to think about, and your life ahead of you. I just want you to do what’s best for you and not be guilted into taking this kid on just because you might be the only biological family they know about. Your life matters too. And when you have a kid, that’s your only priority. Karl told me about Kris's baby. How he’s the cutest little thing in the world, but for a while, before she came back to work, that kid was her whole life morning, noon and night. And it’s not like you can hire a babysitter because of the whole famous YouTube thing”. Dream listened to every word Sapnap said.

“Thank you for caring about me Sap"

“Like I said Clay, you’re my brother, and I just want what’s best for you. Don’t get me wrong though, if you decide to keep it, I’ll be the fucking best Uncle Sap in the entire world, and you at no point will have to do it alone alright? No matter what you chose Clay I’ll stand by your side. I wasn’t lying when I said that".

Dream smiled and pulled Sapnap into a bro-hug, which quickly melted into a regular one. “I know"

On the fourth day, nerves rose even higher. An even bigger possibility of the phone call and Dream didn’t know what to do with himself. He lay in bed till noon, when Sapnap and George finally barged into his room. “We're filming a video today”. Sapnap told him plainly.

“But what if the phone rings" Dream asked.

“Duh, that’s why I said video and not stream dumbass" and George nodded next to him “that way if your phone does ring we can pause and cut it out or something”

“I don’t know guys. I might sit out of this one"

“No you wont" George told him, arms crossed stubbornly “Come on Dream, me and Sap aren’t going to let you sit around and wallow in your own anxieties all day in the case that your phone does ring”

Dream had never been happier that his two friends were getting along. The past couple of days had been filled with tense and sometimes awkward airs since the argument they had. Dream had hated it. His two best friends never had fights of that proportion, and Dream had felt guilty because he knew it was his fault. He voiced as much to George, as they not-so-subtlety cuddled close to each other while watching a movie, Sapnap haven fallen asleep on Dream's other side.

“Its not your fault Dream" George had told him. “Sapnap’s a dumb-arse and I’m a stubborn fuck. We were bound to clash at some point. And we apologised to each other, it’s just getting back into the rhythm of things again"

And it looked like they had, in fact, gotten back into the rhythm of things as George booted up his PC for him and Sapnap dragged him out of bed and shoved him into the bathroom for a shower.

“You have to make a good impression if they do call" he told Dream and the talked protested.

“They’re not going to be able to smell me over the phone Sap!”

And that is how Dream found himself on the 4th day forgetting every anxiety he had as he recorded a dumb video with his two best friends.

It was the 5th day when it all happened. The three best friends were sitting together, eating lunch so graciously prepared by Dream (George had tried and almost burnt down their kitchen). A simple grilled cheese for each of them, though George protested, using his British slang to call it a “toastie”, which the two Americans laughed at him for. Then Dreams phone rang. All laughing stopped abruptly as Dream started down at the unknown number that he knew off by heart. He looked at his two best friends who gave him encouraging smiles. He answered, putting the phone on speaker so that they both could hear too. The pair were dead silent. “Hello?” Dream answered nervously.

“Hi, Mr. Taken?” a voice he had come to recognise talks over the phone, as it echoed around the room.

“Yeah, hi, it’s me"

“Hi, its Marie Lawrence. We have the results of the paternity test you took in regards to possibly taking in Rosaline Elizabeth Stewart”. Dreams breath was shaky, as was the rest of him.

“Yeah, of course, what were the results?”. The noise of shuffling papers and an agonising silence came as Marie read the verdict.

“You are in fact the father of the child”. Dream closed his eyes. He knew. He already knew and it confirmed it. He knew from the moment he was told about the kid that it was undeniably his. And now he had a decision. He felt someone take his hand and an arm over his shoulder. He opened his eyes. George was at one side, hand in his, Sapnap at the other, arm slung over him, pulled close to his side. His friends. His family, his family, both with different opinions on what he should do. He knew what he wanted, he just hoped they would agree with him. “So now we move on to the decision that you’ve made, whether you're signing away your rights, or if you'll go through the process of taking the child in. If you haven’t made a choice we can give you a few more days but no more than that I’m afraid as this case has already taken longer than usual". Dream looked at his two best friends. Then spoke.

“I want to meet her". A beat of silence and George and Sapnap both looked at him and Marie on the phone made no noise.

“Sorry?” She asked confused.

“Before I make my final decision. I want to see the kid if that’s possible”. Typing on a keyboard from the other end of the phone made Dream nervous. He didn’t want another call back. He knew what he wanted, and that was to see the kid.

“Can I put you on hold? My boss is currently next door so I can talk to her about it quickly instead of having to call back”

“Of course, yeah”. And the line went quiet for a second before hold music started playing.

“You want to meet the kid?” Sapnap asked confused. Dream nodded at him.

“It'll help me make my decision I think, seeing her”. And his two best friends nodded in understanding. A few almost painful minutes later, the music on the phone stopped.

“Hello?”

“Hi”

“So after speaking to my boss, as long as COVID-19 regulations are adhered to and you and the foster family have had both vaccinations, we can set up a meeting at 5pm this afternoon with the current foster family for you to meet the child. Is that alright with you?”. Dream almost sighed in relief.

“Yes that’s perfect, thank you so much"

“Of course Mr. Taken. It will be in our office at 5pm" she gave him the address which George quickly typed for him on his own phone “We will see you then"

“See you then” Dream confirmed before both parties ended the phone call. Georges hand was back in his after writing out the address, and he squeezed it.

“I wish we could come with you, stupid COVID regulations. We've all been vaccinated!”

“I know George” Dream rubbed his thumb over George’s knuckle “If you guys want you can wait in the car for me? I would really appreciate if you did".

“Of course we will" Sapnap told him, and George nodded. “And Clay? No matter what you decide afterwards, we’ll support you".

Chapter Text

The time came faster than he would have like. Dream was a nervous wreck. Sapnap refused to let him drive because of how nervous he was. He sat in the front seat, leg bouncing, trying to control his nerves. He once again wore his disguise and thanked the heavens that masks were mandatory. They arrived outside the building and he froze. Sapnap placed his hand on his shoulder while George, unbuckling the instant they pulled over and stopped the car, leant over from his seat in the back and wrapped his arms around Dreams neck in a hug. “You can do this man" Sapnap told him.

“We believe in you" George added on. He didn’t know what he would do without his two best friends. With one last deep breath he stepped out of the car and made his way into the office building. It was quiet, almost dead, a majority of workers still working from home, which Clay was also grateful for, because it meant less people who had to see him, though he doubted law and attorney workers were in his target audience. He walked up to the front desk, taking off the sunglasses, though he kept his hood up. The woman behind the screen looked up at him, her eyes showing she was smiling behind her mask.

“Hi there how can I help you today"

“Um I have an appointment at 5pm with Marie Lawrence”. He spoke quietly so his voice didn’t carry. The receptionist typed something into her computer and looked up at him.

“Clay Taken?” she asked. Dream nodded “Of course, if you just want to take a seat, I’ll let her know you’re here”. He walked over to the waiting area. He was the only one there. His leg started bouncing again, a combination of his anxiety, nerves and ADHD. His thoughts began to overtake him. All he could think about was the kid, and questioned why he wanted to see her. Well, he knew why, he just wondered if it was a good idea. His leg continued to bounce, he looked around the room, reading the posters in an attempt to distract him. What if the kid got his ADHD? His anxiety and panic attacks? He'd never be able to forgive himself if the kid suffered because of him.

“Mr. Taken?” he was quickly pulled out of his own mind. A middle-aged blonde woman wearing a gray suit jacket and pants with a white blouse looked over at him. He stood up, pulling his hood down to be polite.

“Just call me Clay" he said. He towered over her with his height. “Of course, Clay. Pleasure to meet you in person. I’m Marie who you talked to on the phone. I would shake your hand, but due to the procedures I’m not allowed. You can confirm you’ve had both vaccinations, yes?”. Dream brought out his proof. “Perfect, follow me”. He did as he was asked, following behind her with the 6ft distance between. As they walked towards an office, he heard it. The crying of a small baby. His body tensed. It was real now. He was about to walk into this office and meet a kid. His kid. Marie sensed his nerves as she stopped in front of the door and looked over to him.

“I can tell you’re nervous from over here" she joked, causing Dream to chuckle slightly. “It will be alright” she told him. And he wished he could believe her. But he nodded and took a deep breath. She opened the door and allowed him to enter. The crying was louder without the door muffling the sounds, the screaming from the child causing Dreams ears to ring as soon as he walked in. He looked over to see a woman holding the small child, rocking it and trying to sooth it. She looked up at Dream, then gave him a look up and down as if she was judging him. He pursed his lips behind his mask, but said nothing, happy this woman could not see his expression. Marie closed the door shuffling in after him. “Mrs. Donaldson this is Clay, Rosaline’s biological father” Marie introduced him.

“How old are you?” was the first thing Mrs. Donaldson asked, not even giving any pleasantries.

“I’m 22” Clay answered simply. The woman rolled her eyes, as if unimpressed, still trying to calm the screaming child.

“And what do you do for a career”. Clay was nervous to answer this one. He wasn’t comfortable announcing it.

“Online stuff" was all he said. Giving a look over at Marie as if to say he would explain if she wanted it.

“Online stuff" Mrs. Donaldson repeated with an irritated tone. “Care to elaborate”

“Now Mrs. Donaldson, Clay is not here to be interrogated, he is just here to meet Rosaline”. The woman rolled her eyes but said nothing more. Marie walked over and took the baby from Mrs. Donaldson’s arms, walking over to Dream. He had never held a baby before, not since he held his little sister as a kid, and even then, his mom made him sit on the couch and held her along with him. With some help from Marie, he managed it, the baby in his arms. From across the room, Mrs. Donaldson scoffed.

“I’m sorry but as the current guardian of Rosaline I have to give my two cents on the matter. He is far too young for starters, he refuses to elaborate on his job making me think he’s one of those wannabe influencers, another word for unemployed, and he didn’t even know how to hold a baby, he is not fit to be a father in my opinion, and a single father nonetheless, what will that child do without a mother, every child needs a mother...”

“Mrs. Donaldson” Marie interrupted her, obviously irritated, “If you have been paying attention maybe you would have realised that since being in Clay’s arms Rosaline has stopped crying". And Marie was right. The moment that she had been put into his arms, the baby, Rosaline, had ceased screaming, and instead was looking up at Dream curiously, bright green eyes like his own, as Dream rocked her as if an instinct had suddenly taken over.

“Hi" he said to her, something bubbling inside him as she just continued to stare up at him curiously, as in taking in his face, though she couldnt really with his mask on. As he held the baby, no not the baby, Rosaline, his baby, for the first time, he got exactly what he wanted from meeting her. A connection. He wanted to see her before deciding so he knew if he could connect with his kid. And he got his answer ten times over. With her green eyes looking up at him, almost invisible strands of light blonde hair, both of which she got from him. But Dream also saw her mother in her, and it brought back all the memories, the good times him and Hailey shared, and a few of the bad, but none of that mattered as he look at Rosaline in his arms. His daughter. He held her closer.

“Clay, I think I can guess your decision by the look on your face" Marie giggled “But I do need vocal confirmation. What is your choice?”. Though he didn’t want to, he tore his eyes away from Rosaline in his arms and looked over at Marie.

“I'll take her" he confirmed. He heard another scoff from Mrs. Donaldson, but with a quick warning look from Marie, she said nothing. Marie looked back at him with a smile on her face.

“You'll have to leave her with Mrs. Donaldson for now while I arrange the CPS background checks and home inspection. Don’t panic” she added seeing Dreams eyes widen slightly “Its just standard procedure to ensure the child is going into a safe environment, which I’m sure she is”. Dream just nodded.

“I have roommates too" he told her “Just in case you need to do checks on them too". She nodded.

He was reluctant to give her back, especially to Mrs. Donaldson after how she judged him, but he handed her to Marie to give back. No more words needed to be exchanged, as Marie led him back to the reception. As soon as the door to the office closed, he heard Rosaline begin to cry again. And this time it broke his heart.

He thanked Marie profusely for her help, in which she just smiled. “I had a good feeling about you the moment I saw you, Clay. And my good feelings have never been wrong yet. I’m sure you'll be an amazing father” she looked around and lowered her voice so only he could hear “And don’t pay any mind to Mrs. Donaldson. She thinks she’s knows it all just because she’s one of our older foster parents. She’s very traditional and set in her ways”. Dream just nodded. Bitch would have been the way he described her, but he kept that to himself.

He made his way back to the car where Sapnap and George were waiting impatiently. When Dream got back into the car they instantly jumped onto him with questions.

“What happened”

“You were only 20 minutes we expected it to be longer”

“Did you see the kid?”

“What are you gonna do?”

“If you guys let me speak, I’ll tell you” Dream finally told them and they shut up, looking at him.

“Well tell us then!” Sapnap said impatiently. Clay looked at them both, nervously.

“I’ve decided to do it. I’ve decided to take her". To Dream’s surprise, George looked shocked, yet Sapnap wasn’t phased at all.

“So, what happens next?” Sapnap asked him, starting up the car like Dream had simply told him he was ordering Wendy's for dinner rather than taking a child into their home.

“CPS has to do background checks on us and a house check to make sure its suitable and stuff” he explained. Sapnap nodded along.

“So, what was it like? What was the kid like?”

“Sap she was the cutest thing" Dream began to gush, eyes lighting up as he spoke “When I first went in she was screaming her lungs out, and the bitch of a foster parent was judging me, but as soon as I held her in my arms she just calmed down, and she looked at me with those beautiful green eyes and I just... Sap I didn’t want to give her back, I just wanted to take her with me and never let go". Sapnap smiled as Dream talked about Rosaline.

“She’s definitely going to have you wrapped around her little finger when she’s older" he chuckled. Dream grinned sheepishly. The Sapnap said “Hey George you alright? You haven’t spoken in a while". Dream realised he was right. He looked behind him and could have sworn he caught him quickly looking away. Was George staring at him?

“Yeah I’m fine” George told him. “I just wanted to give Dream a chance to talk about his new child". Dream knew he was lying. He knew George better than he knew anyone in this world. He dropped out with a nod but he made a note to ask him what was up later on. The whole car ride home, all Dream could do was think about how many dangers there were in their house, vocalising his concerns and having Sapnap help him come up with a solution. George was quiet the entire time.

When they got home, George immediately excused himself to his room, mumbling something about feeling car sick, which both Dream and Sapnap knew he didn’t get. “Is he alright?” Dream asked Sapnap. The younger just shrugged.

“He's been off since you got back in the car. Maybe you should talk to him in a bit”

“I think I will” Dream confirmed. They both wandered into the kitchen, looking through their cupboards and fridge trying to decide what to have for dinner. That when Dream remembered something he wanted to bring up to Sapnap. “Hey Nick” Sapnap looked at him “Why didn’t you look surprised when I told you I’d decided to take Rosaline in?”. Sapnap smiled softly at him.

“Because Clay, I know you. I knew the moment you found out that kid was yours, you were taking her in. Because that’s just who you are”

“But didn’t you want me to give her up to foster care?”

“That’s because I was scared you were only taking her in out of duty. The moment you wanted to meet her I knew that it wasn’t out of some duty. You wanted to make sure first. And I know you. I knew you would fall in love with her the moment you saw her”. Dream teared up, tackling his best friend into a hug, which Sapnap instantly reciprocated.

“How do you always know what to say?”

“Because I’m amazing” Sapnap joked. “Now, stop hugging me and go up and hug George. You made your decision and he said that was when you would get together. Go get your mans”. He gave Dream one last squeeze before releasing him from the hug and practically pushing him towards the stairs. Dream chuckled but did as Sapnap wanted him to. And with one last “Don’t fuck too loud!” from his best friend, Dream made his way up to George’s room.

He knocked on George’s door. It was silent. Dream stood awkwardly for a few moments, eventually assuming George had fallen asleep. He went to go back down before hearing a faint voice say “Come in". Dream opened the door. George was sat on his bed with his phone.

“I didn’t wake you, did I?” Dream asked. George shook his head, not looking up at him. Dream walked into the room and shut the door, walking over and sitting next to him on the bed. George still paid him no attention, scrolling through something, Dream assumed Twitter, on his phone. “Are you alright George?” Dream asked him concerned. George wasn’t usually the type of person to sit on his phone and ignore company. Plus, after the car, Dream was worried about him.

“I’m fine" he answered bluntly.

“Its just because you don’t seem fine. You were really quiet in the car earlier and now you’re giving me two-word answers”. George looked up at him irritated, but still didn’t meet his eyes.

“I told you Dream. I’m fine, okay?”

“If you’re sure" Dream wasn’t convinced, but knew there was no point pestering. George was nothing if not stubborn.

“Well...” Dream moved closer to George slightly, he could have sworn George moved away. His face fell, but he continued anyway “I was thinking since I’m hear, we could have our talk"

“Why not go talk to Sap about your new baby since that’s all you'll care about now” George finally snapped. His eyes widened instantly as his hands flew to his mouth as he realised what he said. Dream sat frozen, staring “I’m sorry Clay I didn’t mean to just burst out like that...”

“But you meant what you said?” Dream almost whispered. George looked at the ground and said nothing. That was all the answer Dream needed, but not the one he wanted. “George please tell me...”

“I wasn’t expecting you to take it in okay” George interrupted, finally looking him in the eyes. “I expected you to sign away your rights, have it stay in foster care, so we could come back and start a relationship together. But now you’re going to have a kid and I don’t know how I feel about that”

“You were the one that wanted me to take her in George” Dream didn’t know if he was upset, angry or confused.

“I thought I did. But then you said you where and it all got too real. And if we’re together and you get this baby, what does that make me? You might be ready to take on that responsibility but I don’t know if I am Clay!” George began to tear up, his words tapering off at the end. Dream reached over and placed a hand over his. This time, George didn’t pull away, just letting it rest there.

“George I would have never expected that from you, to take any responsibility. And I’m sorry I was selfish and didn’t think about you...”

“No Clay. I’m the one who should be sorry". Dream felt as George intertwined their fingers, never looking away from him “I’m the selfish one. All I’m thinking about is myself”. George sighed, looking away from Dream once again, but didn’t pull his hand away “You did the right thing, Clay. It’s... She’s... you’re kid”. Dream squeezed his hand, bringing his hand up to George’s face and pushing it gently so he was looking at him.

“George” he said quietly. The older didn’t respond, only stared into the eyes of the younger “I’ve made my decision. Now I think it’s your turn" Dream gave a sad smile “But you don’t have a deadline. I'll wait George. If you take days or years to decide I’ll wait. If you want to be together that is. If you change your mind...” Dream hesitated “Then I’ll try to move on". He knew it was impossible. George was the only person he had never felt this way about. He didn’t know what he would do if George changed his mind. If he didn’t want to be with him. “And I hope we can still stay friends. Because if I lost you as a friend, I have no clue what I would do". Dream finally pulled away, standing up from George’s bed. He looked over at him one final time, a sad smile on his face “I’ll leave you alone for now. I just hope you make a decision". And with that Dream left, shutting George’s door behind him.

He went to his own room and curled up on the bed, finally letting the tears fall from his eyes as he silently wept. Decisions were hard things, and Dream hoped he would never have to make another one ever again.

Unfortunately for Dream, having a baby (or in his case, bringing one into his home) came with a lot of decisions. The first one he had to make a few days later being whether they would turn the spare room into a nursery, or if she would sleep in Dream’s room.

“You'll need some alone time" Sapnap told him as they sat together in the lounge room. “Just make the spare room a nursery so you’re room can just be your chill space”

“I guess" Dream sighed “But what if something happens and I’m not there". Sapnap rolled his eyes.

“You’re already an overprotective parent. Chill out. The spare room is right next to my room so I give you a promise as my best friend if I hear anything I will run through and check on her" Dream was still unconvinced “And those baby monitor thingies exist too, so you'll be able to hear her". At that point they heard movement coming from upstairs, and down came George. They both went completely silent. When George walked in he looked at them strangely.

“You guys alright?” he asked. They both just nodded, an awkward air forming. George sighed. “Just because I’m not comfortable talking about this baby stuff with you Dream, doesn’t mean you have to stop talking to Sap about it the minute I walk into a room. I’m an adult”. Dream breathed a sigh of relief and gave George a grateful look. George just nodded at him and walked through to the kitchen. Dream and Sapnap continued.

“Fine. A nursery might be better, but what about when Karl eventually comes to stay, where will he sleep?” Dream asked.

“In my room" Sapnap answered without thinking, then realised what he said. Dream watched amused as his face began to redden and he began to stutter out excuses “I mean, we have the spare mattress in the attic, and, I mean, I can always take the couch and he can have my bed...”

“Nick you’re getting yourself worked up over nothing. I never said a word” Dream told him amused, at which Sapnap turned even redder. George walked out of the kitchen and looked at the pair.

“Sap thinking about Karl again?” he asked jokingly

“Fuck off George" he groaned, grabbing a pillow and hiding his face. Both Dream and George began laughing, and eventually Sapnap joined in. When they eventually calmed down, George decided to sit down with them, claiming his room was boring and he would just sit on his phone and block out their ‘baby talk’.

“Anyway, what colour are you painting the room” Sapnap quickly changed the subject.

“I don’t know, pink?”

“That’s kinda boring though" Sapnap pointed out “Pink room for a girl”

“True" Dream sighed. He never would have thought this much discussion was needed about a baby's room.

“How about green? It's your brand after all"

“I mean, if we're veering away from stereotypes, that would be very stereotypical of me”

“Oh my god!" George exclaimed exasperated, causing both boys to look over in shock as they saw him looking between them. “Its a bedroom for a three month old it’s not like she’s going to remember”. Dream couldnt help but notice it was the first time George had referred to the baby as ‘she’ instead of ‘it’. “If it’s really that important to you to make it look original just keep it white and paint little pictures on the walls!”. Dream and Sapnap looked at each other. Then back at George.

“I like that idea” Sapnap confirmed. Dream couldnt help a smile creeping onto his face as he looked over at George.

“That’s what I’ll do then" Dream confirmed, nodding. “Thanks George".

“Anything to shut you guys up" George told him, rolling his eyes, but Dream couldnt help but notice the small smile on George’s face.

The next decision Dream had to make a few day later was the crib. With Sapnap busy streaming and recording with Karl and Quackity all day, he didn’t want to harass him with questions. So he sat on his phone downstairs and began looking. He was looking at the more expensive ones because not only could he afford it but he assumed that more expensive meant better quality. George, once again, came down to join him. “I cannot stand listening to Sap pine over Karl while they’re recording” he complained.

“I mean, he had to listen to us for long enough" Dream joked, and George rolled his eyes. He then looked at Dreams phone.

“What are you doing" he asked Dream.

“Baby stuff” he answered simply, not wanting to make George uncomfortable.

“Dream, have you even read the reviews on that". He hadn’t, and he told George as such. George just gave an exasperated sigh. “Dream don’t just go off the price! Just because its fancy and expensive doesn’t mean it’s good. And a cot is just somewhere she’s going to sleep, and she'll grow out of it”

“Cot?” Dream questioned.

“Sorry ‘crib’ and you Americans call it” George said playfully poking fun at his American friend. George practically snatched Dream's phone from his hand and typed some things, and scrolled. Dream just looked at him, fondness in his eyes. “Look at this one. Its not too expensive, good reviews, plus you can transform it into a bed when she out grows the crib”. George handed Dream’s phone back to him, letting him look at what he had found.

“How do you know all this stuff George?” he asked, genuinely surprised. The man that wanted nothing to do with this knew more than both Dream and Sapnap combined.

“When my aunt was pregnant it’s all I heard about when she came over to my grandmothers” George admitted “I know more than I want to know"

“Well if you ever change your mind” Dream hesitantly began, not looking George in the eyes “Y'know, about not wanting to think about baby stuff. I could use some help. I know nothing". It was painful to admit, but Dream truly knew nothing about babies, or anything about what they needed apart from the basics. And even then he struggled. He tried to hide the tears that began to well in his eyes at the thoughts. But he knew George saw them, which he was embarrassed about. He looked back at George after drying his eyes, and he saw George thinking.

“What else do you need?” he asked. And that’s how Dream and George spent the rest of the day looking up baby things. And Dream couldn’t be more grateful for his best friend. And he hoped that it might bring George a little closer to his own decision.

A final decision that Dream had to make was about his career, and that was the hardest one. He didn’t want to stop streaming or making videos, he loved it. But with a child he had to figure out if it was even possible. He sat with both Sapnap and George (who had fully come around to helping him with ‘baby stuff'). “I don’t want to give it up” Dream told them “But I don’t see how I can keep doing it with Rosaline around. I don’t want anyone to know about her and what if she cries or something while we're streaming”

“Streaming may be a bit harder” George confirmed “But you can still make videos. You can edit out any noises and stuff”

“I guess" Dream confirmed “But would I even have anytime to make videos. She'll need constant attention and supervision and stuff. Maybe I need to just announce I’m giving it up"

“But people would question why and then they might try to invade your privacy even more" Sapnap pointed out. Dream groaned in frustration.

The three boys heard the door bell ring then the door open and a woman’s voice call out “Boys it’s me!” it was a voice all three recognised as Dreams mother. She walked into the lounge with a smile “Wow you’re all down here at once. Usually I have to coax you out of your rooms with food" she joked, then added “I was coming through the area visiting my friend Doris so I thought I’d come visit. I’ve brought cookies”. She came forward and all three boys took one.

“Thanks mom”

“Thanks Gillian"

“Thank you Mrs. Taken".

Dreams mom rolled her eyes. “George, please call me Gillian" she scolded him, but smiled nonetheless. “So what’s going on. Why are you boys gathered in the lounge?”

“I’m trying to figure out how I can stop streaming and recording without it being too obvious" Dream replied to his mom with a sad sigh. His mom looked at him shocked and concerned.

“Why do you want to stop? You’ve made such a name for yourself and you’ve been having a lot of fun with it lately in the ones I’ve watches”. Dream smiled. It made him happy that his mom watched his stuff. He knew she supported him, but the fact she went out her way when she didn’t have to made him feel special.

“I do love it mom. And I hate that I even have to make this decision. But with Rosaline, I’ll have to give her my full attention. And I don’t want people to know about her to protect her. And a combination of those things makes it impossible to keep doing this. Especially when she’s older too”. Dream was shocked when his mom gave him a stern look.

“Clay. Did I give up doing what I loved when you and Dris were born. No I didn’t. So you will not give up your streaming and video career. You have two best friends to support you. And you have me, your father and your sister. You know we will help you with that child in a heartbeat. You’re not alone Clay". Dream was surprised he wasn’t dehydrated with the amount of times he'd cried the past few weeks. But here he was, tears streaming down his face again as his mother walked over and hugged him tightly.

Decisions are hard. But with the people he loves beside him, Dream can make any decisions he needs.

Chapter Text

The days leading up to the house inspection were stressful. Lots of building, arguments about instructions, painting, and ensuring the house was baby proofed ensued. Dream snapped at his best friends at least twenty times during this time (Sapnap kept track, apparently). He just wanted everything to be perfect. The day of the house visit was even worse. “Nick are you sure all your weed is gone” Dream demanded for the tenth time that day.

“Yes Clay. Me and George smoked it all to stop us from strangling you" Sapnap grumbled, irritated.

“Sap. He's stressed” George told him with a sigh “Let him freak out”

“He asked me 10 times already George!”

“I know. He's already yelled at me when I tried to go to the shops because they would need to talk to all of us. That was 2 hours ago. I would have been home by now".

“I can hear you!” Dream snapped. He could have sworn he heard Sapnap mumble the number 23 under his breath, but didn’t comment.

“Clay, you need to calm down a bit" George placed a hand on Dream's shoulder “There is nothing dangerous anywhere”

“But what if they find something that we didn’t George” he argued. George pulled him into a hug and almost instantly every bit of stress melted away. Dream gave a shaky breath as he held George. “I just don’t want to risk this” he said quietly. George nodded In understanding.

The doorbell went. With one final squeeze, Dream let George let go of him and walked towards the door, opening it. A man, no older than 30 stood at the doorstep, his mask covering his face. “Hi are you Clay Taken?”

“Yes I am. But call me Clay"

“Clay, got it. I’m John Evans. I’m the social worker conducting your house check today"

“Of course. Come in" and Dream stepped out the way to let him in. “These are my roommates Nick and George" he gestured to each as he said their name. Both men greeted John.

“Pleasure to meet you all. I would shake your hands but, you know" he chuckled. “Now before I begin I want to let you know I’m not here to judge you. I know the thought of having a stranger look through your house can be nerve wracking. My only job is to ensure there is no immediate danger to the child. I want you to succeed Clay" he looked at Dream with kind eyes. “And please, if any of you have any questions feel free to ask. I’m not expecting any of you to be experts”. Dream was beginning to feel much less nervous as he showed John around. He asked Dream some questions about his family, about Sapnap and George and about his own childhood. Dream showed him where Rosaline would be sleeping, and all the precaution measures they took. He then went off to talk to Sapnap and George. By the end, the only concern that John asked about was lack of baby proofing, which Dream told him they were planning to do when the kid could crawl and move about on her own, which he was more than satisfied with. The inspection seemed to fly by, and at the end they all sat in the lounge room to discuss what came next.

“You have done your research I see boys” John chuckled “You’ve passed with flying colors and I’m more than happy to report back that the house is suitable” Dream thought he might cry in that moment “As for next steps” John continued “either myself or one of my colleagues in the next few days will pick up Rosaline and bring her here to be left in your care. For the first year we may do visitations just to ensure you’re getting on alright. I'll call you in a few hours to let you know when we will be bringing her to your home”. And with that the three bid the social worker farewell as he left. And when the door closed, Dream did finally burst into tears, and was quickly engulfed in a high from Sapnap and George. They stayed like that for what felt like an eternity, until George broke the silence.

“So I can go get groceries now yes?”. And they all burst out laughing.

Early that evening Dream was editing a video when George knocked on his door. “Can I come in?” he asked, almost nervous.

“Of course” Dream told him. George walked in and sat on Dream’s bed and watched him edit. “Since the whole baby thing I’ve not edited any videos and I’m really behind"

“I can edit some for you" George said. Dream paused what he was doing and just looked at him, rolling his eyes and giving a chuckle

“George you rarely edit your own videos never mind mine” he half-joked. But when he saw George’s face it didn’t look like he was kidding.

“I’m being serious Dream" George shrugged “I'll edit them for you. I know you wont have time anymore”.

“George, it's fine I can edit my videos” Dream told him. “Are you alright?”

“Of course I’m alright, why wouldn’t I be?”

“Because you randomly knocked on my door, asked if you could come in then offered to edit my videos. What’s up?” Dream got off his computer and sat on the bed beside George. George looked hesitant, not meeting his eyes.

“I’ve made my decision”. Dream’s breath hitched in his throat.

“And?” he asked nervously. George gave a sigh and finally looked up.

“I want to be with you Clay. More than anything else. But...” Dream’s heart sank at that three letter word. George continued “...You may be ready to take on the responsibility of a child, but Clay, I’m not".

“George" Dream said to get his attention “I’m not expecting you to take on any responsibility, even in we were together. You only have to do as much as you want to do, and even if that’s nothing I’d be ok with that”

“But I cant just do nothing. That baby is going to be living here”

“But I’ll never expect you to take on any sort or parental role George" Dream placed a hand on George’s shoulder “And you and Sap always have the option to move out too...” George scoffed.

“The Visa to get here was a pain in the arse. There’s no way I’m moving back home” he joked, causing Dream to chuckle and lightening the mood, if only for a moment.

“I’m serious” Dream told him, the tension rising once again “If you and Nick wanted to move out and get a place together without me, I wouldn’t blame you, or stop you".

“I would be lying if I said the thought hadn’t crossed my mind" George admitted. Though Dream had suggested that very thing, hearing that George had considered it hurt him, though he hates the fact that it did. He made the decision, and couldnt expect his two best friends to be dragged along against their wishes. “It was only for a minute though” George then continued softly “Because I moved here to be with you and Sap, so here with you and Sap I will stay”.

“If you’re sure" Dream told him “But you can change your mind at any point”

“I know".

A silence fell over them. It wasn’t quite awkward, though it was in no way comfortable. Both knew that more needed to be said. A confirmation of decisions needed to be talked about. It was Dream that finally broke it. “So, what’s your decision then?” he asked quietly. George hesitated.

“Like I said, I want to be with you Clay, so badly that the thought of rejecting you makes me physically hurt” he looked away again refusing to make eye contact as he spoke “But I just don’t know how it will work with your new baby".

“Then don’t make your decision yet" Clay took George’s face in his hand and turned his head to look at him, meeting no resistance from the older “Like I said George you don’t have a time limit. We'll see how it works with Rosaline here, see if your comfortable. Please?” he practically begged, looking at George with what could almost be described at a puppy dog look. George sighed, a small smile on his lips.

“Okay. That sounds reasonable”. Dream’s face quickly turned into a grin as he pulled George into an embrace, squeezing him tightly, attempting to ignore the wetness gathering in his eyes from relief.

“Thank you". And George, knowing that Dream needed this, tightness his own arms around him, pulling him closer.

Dreams phone interrupted their moment. They released from the embrace, Dream giving George a small smile before answering. He had gotten to comfortable answering unknown numbers, Dream realised, however he knew this attitude would swiftly change again once Rosaline arrived. “Hello?”

“Hello, Clay Taken? Its John Evans. I’ve spoken to everyone and made arrangements to have Rosaline brought to you and officially left in your care in two days at around 1pm. Is this suitable for you?”

“Yes, that’s great"

“Perfect. We will see you then”

“Thank you"

“” and the line went dead. Dream put his phone away, his grin faltering only slightly when he saw George looking at him, almost expectant.

“She's here in 2 days at 1”. Almost to Dream’s surprise, George smiled at him.

“I cant wait to meet her" he said. And Dream was even more surprised to hear that it was genuine.

Two days flew past and felt like an eternity at the same time. Dream had calmed down slightly since the house visit, and Sapnap and George were grateful for a bit of calm in the house.

It didn’t last very long.

The day of the baby's arrival finally came. It started out quite calm That morning. Dream was nervous, but the other two didn’t mind. They knew he would be and were slightly nervous themselves. Neither Dream nor Sapnap had really had to look after a baby before, and George was still warming up to the idea of a baby in the house so tension was bound to be slightly higher than normal. However, all hell really broke loose when a yell of pain echoed around the house. Dream and Sapnap ran towards the Brit, whom had been the one to cry out in pain. “Fucking shit that hurt” they heard as the bound through the door.

“What happened?”

“You ok man?” the two younger boys looked concerned. George just nodded still wincing from pain.

“I’m fine” George confirmed “I think my plug short circuited when I went to plug my adaptor for my phone charger in and I got an electric shock. Hurt like a bitch but I’m fine". That send Dream into a panic.

“I didn’t even think about getting plug protectors!” he gasped “If that hurt you, it will absolutely injure a baby. What if they don’t let us take her because it’s too dangerous. What if...”

“Dream!” Sapnap placed a hand on his shoulder “Dude, she's what, 4 months? She isn’t walking or crawling yet so she'll be nowhere near the plug sockets yet”. Dream did not look convinced “How about I go out and buy some of those plastic things that you put in the sockets?”. That’s seemed to calm him so that’s exactly what Sapnap did to ease Dreams mind, if only slightly. That wasn’t the only thing to go wrong. Dream had began snapping at the two again for minor things and the two were beginning to slowly loose their sanity. (“Sapnap don’t leave the toilet seat up she could fall in!” “SHE CAN’T FUCKING WALK YET CLAY!"). The final straw was midday, a few hours before Rosaline’s arrival. Dream was in the kitchen grabbing a glass of water and had not seen Patches lounging on the floor and he subsequently tripped over and the glass he was carrying to fall and smash into lots of shards on the ground. Patches ran off with a small hiss but was otherwise unharmed. Dream stood in the middle of the kitchen just staring at the glass, trying to control his breathing. He had been going into panic attacks over very small things since all of this began. George walked into the kitchen hearing the noise and seeing the poor cat run out. It was only the two of them, Sapnap earlier saying he needed to get out the house before he lost it. When he entered, he saw Dream, staring at a pile of broken glass, his knuckles white and his body shaking very slightly.

“Clay" he said softly walking over to him, placing a hand on his arm. At George’s touch his knuckles began to unclench and his very slight laboured breathing began to even out a small bit. Dream looked at him, tears pricking his eyes.

“Is it too late to change my mind" he asked in a pained whispered. George brought him into a hug, squeezing him tightly, and didn’t pull away until Dream did, knowing he needed it.

“Go sit on the sofa, I’ll clean this up, and you can talk to me, okay?” George said to him softly. Dream just nodded and walked into the lounge. George very quickly swept up the pieces of glass, more focused on getting to Dream and helping him. He walked into the lounge and sat beside Dream who was staring at his hands and refusing to make eye contact.

“I can’t do it George. I fucked up, I should have never said I’d take her, I can’t take care of a baby"

“Clay, you smashed a glass after tripping over” George told him sincerely.

“What if I was carrying her instead of the glass George!” he snapped. George knew he was stressed and annoyed at himself, and was taking it out on him, so did not take his snap to heart. Instead, just placed a hand on his arm.

“Well, it wasn’t” George reasoned “It was just a glass. And now you've learned to keep an eye on the floor next time”. Clay said nothing just sitting there. “Its a learning process Clay. And I’m 100% confident that you would have been more careful if you had Rosaline in your arms. Trust yourself”.

“I just don’t want to fuck up” Dream almost whispered, only just audible to George who was sitting beside him.

“You wont. And you have me and Nick. I promise you have me" he added, seeing the unsure look on Dreams face. “Obviously I’m still struggling with the dating thing while she is here” he said awkwardly “but I at least want to help, like, the same amount as Nick for example. I don’t know how I feel about being Uncle Goggy though" This made Dream chuckle. “We're here for you Clay”. Dream nodded, slowly calming down again.

“I’m sorry I snapped at you" he apologised and George just gave a patient smile.

“I know you didn’t mean it". They stayed there for a while, enjoying each others company, Dream eventually leaving his head on George’s shoulder while George played with his hair. It felt domestic. Like they were actually together. But George knew that there was that one thing keeping them from being together right now.

He felt guilty. He was the one who had told Dream to take in the baby, then all of a sudden, he didn’t want to be with him because of it? It felt selfish. But the minute that Dream has told them that he was keeping her, George panicked. He didn’t want the kid to see him as a parental figure of any kind, he just wasn’t ready for that level of responsibility. And by dating a father, didn’t that mean he was just as responsible for the kid as Dream, rather than the same responsibility as Sapnap? He knew Dream wouldn’t make him, but eventually it was inevitable. So, he would wait and see. If Dream had an instant connection with her the moment he met her, maybe meeting her would solidify what he wanted. And as he looked at Dream, dozing on his shoulder, he prayed to every god he didn’t believe in that his decision would be the one he wanted to make, but was too scared to rather than the one he never wanted to make.

The door opened and closed with a click, making Dream lift his head from hid half-asleep state. Sapnap entered the lounge looking much calmer than he had before. Without a second thought he stood up and engulfed the younger boy into a hug, not even trying to disguise it under the pretence of a “bro-hug”. After the initial shock Sapnap quickly reciprocated. “I’m sorry I’ve been such a dick recently” Dream mumbled into the others shoulder. Sapnap just chuckled.

“Dude it’s me that should be apologising, I’ve done nothing but get pissy at you when you’re going through so much right now”.

Neither boy noticed a certain Brit pull out his phone and snap a picture for future blackmail.

The moment ended when the doorbell rang. Dream, without releasing from the hug, pulled put his phone and checked the time.

2:11pm

To say Dream was nervous was an understatement. But with one final encouraging squeeze from Sapnap he pulled away and walked to the door, opening it. And there they stood, the familiar masked face of John Evans holding a sleeping baby. His baby. He promised himself he wouldn’t cry again, that all the crying that he had done so far would be enough for a lifetime. But seeing her again, knowing he was going to take her a keep her forever, it made him tear up again.

“Pleasure to see you again Clay" John greeted.

“You too" he opened the door and allowed the man to come in.

“I have a few boxes in my car for you, just some stuff that Rosaline came with when she was taken into the system. If you could take her, I’ll head out and grab them"

“We'll come help too" Sapnap said as George stood up nodding. The two walked outside towards the car parked there. John held out Rosaline for Dream to take. And the moment he took her into his arms he knew his life was changed now and forever. It was only two boxes, George and Sapnap took one each and brought it into the house. John stood at the door again, something in his hand, his eyes showing he was smiling underneath his mask.

“There is just one more thing” he says to Dream. He hands Dream a envelope with his name on it. “It was requested that once you took Rosaline Stewart... or Rosaline Taken if you want to change her last name, into your care you be given this letter from her mother”. Dream took the envelope from his hand. “I can tell she’s in capable hands Clay, but remember you have my number so if at any point you need help do not hesitate to call” Dream nodded as he bid the three boy’s farewell. Dream shut the door when John got into his car. He started down at Rosaline in his arms. She was his. He didn’t have to give her back this time. Sapnap instantly ran over.

“Dude let me see her!”. He was almost reluctant to give her over to Sapnap. He had just gotten her. But knowing he was able to stay at her side he hesitantly passed her over to him. Sapnap, not knowing how to hold a baby, needed some assistance at first. The look of awe on his face made Dream smile. “Dude she is the cutest fucking thing holy shit”

“And this is her asleep!” Dream gushed as a new father does “You should see her when she’s awake Nick"

“George wanna come hold her?” Sapnap question. George was still standing awkwardly away from them, just watching.

“Nah, I’m good" he told him. Sapnap didn’t question him, continuing to fawn over the baby in his arms, but Dream couldn’t help but feel slightly sad at Georges reluctance. Didn’t he want to meet her? Wasn’t this supposed to help his decision? Dream said nothing for now. “I’ll make us some food while you get her settled in. Want me to show you how to prep a bottle for when she wakes up?” Dream smiled with a nod, placing the letter on the coffee table before following George as he walked into the kitchen. “SHIT!”. He ran toward the kitchen where the Brit had just sworn. He then heard “Oh fuck that’s a lot of blood". Panic rose in his chest as he swiftly went in to see George holding his foot, blood soaking through his white sock, and a look of pain on his face. Sapnap wasn’t too far behind, Rosaline still in his arms and somehow still fast asleep despite the shouting.

“You alright... shit".

“I must have missed some glass earlier” George told them.

“We need to go to the hospital George” Sapnap told him, handing Rosaline back to Dream.

“I'll come too" Dream said quickly.

“You cant dude, the car seat isn’t set up yet and it would take too long to do. George needs to get his foot checked” Sapnap explained. Dreams face paled. He would be left alone with the baby for the first time. He knew it would happen eventually, but he literally just got her, he thought he would have some support. George saw the look on his face as Sapnap ran around grabbing his car keys and jacket.

“Clay. You'll be alright I promise. Give me your phone” Dream, confused, handed over his phone, and George began typing. He handed it back. “There. I put in your notes the instructions on making a bottle”. Dream nodded appreciatively. Sapnap came back into the room and looped an arm around George to support him.

“Keep me updated promise?”. The other two nodded. They made their way out to Sapnap’s car. And then he was alone. Well, he wasn’t alone entirely. And the sudden noises in his arms reminded him of that. A small cry made Dream jump slightly. He looked at the baby in his arms who looked up at him. He smiled down at her. “Hi Rosaline”. She began to make little noises at him and he chuckled, bringing her closer to him into a cuddle. He remembered reading something about talking to her to help develop her speech, so he began mindlessly talking “Of course it's when that two leave when you wake up. You know, Uncle Sap was very excited to meet you. And George... I don’t know. He said he was so I hope he was telling the truth. You’re too cute to not want to meet. You know I should probably make sure there’s no glass around, though it might be a bit hard with you”. He chuckled, continuing to mindlessly talk as he sat down with her on the sofa.

It was all going great until she started crying.

She had fallen back asleep in Dream’s arms, so he put her in her crib. He went down stairs and cleaned up all the glass that George had missed. He had gotten a text saying they just arrived and were waiting to be seen. That’s when cries echoed throughout the house. Since then, he had tried feeding her, burping her, changing her (which didn’t go very well since he had no clue what went where) but nothing was working. Now Dream sat on the couch, no update from Sapnap and George and a screaming baby who wouldn’t quieten down. He almost felt like joining Rosaline in her nonstop crying. It was then he saw the letter. He had almost forgotten about it with everything going on. He held Rosaline close as he could, trying to comfort her as he opened the letter, hoping and praying that it might have something that would help calm the baby down. He began to read:

Dear Clay,

If you’re reading this it means something has happened to me, whether that be an overdose, an accident or it all got too much for me, I don’t know yet. But I knew from the moment I found out I was pregnant if anything did happen too me then I want you to take care of our daughter.

Do you remember one of our final nights together? We started talking about anything and everything, and you mentioned how you would love to have a daughter and name her Rose after your grandmother? And then I laughed and said I wanted to name my future child after my grandmother Caroline? It was soon after that I found out I was pregnant. I wanted to keep it so badly, but I knew you had a life and career ahead of you. So, I cut contact with you. It’s one of my biggest regrets in my life.

When our daughter was born, I remembered that conversation. So, I mashed the names together. Rosaline. I love her with my whole heart. I know you'll take wonderful care of her.

I love you both. You were my past, she is my present, and if you have this then I guess she is your future.

I miss you

Hailey

He held Rosaline almost impossibly closer. He missed her.

Finally, Rosaline began to calm down when Dream sang her a lullaby and cuddled her close.

When George and Sapnap returned, they found Dream in the lounge room. A blanket had been laid out on the floor and Rosaline lay on top of it on her back, giggle away while Dream made funny noises and tickled her. “She’s awake!” Sapnap interrupted, making Dream jump slightly. He hadn’t heard them come in. He smiled at them

“Yeah, it’s been non stop crying most of the time but she’s calm now”. He turned to George, who had a bandage on his foot “Are you alright?”

“Yeah, they removed the glass. Its not deep enough to need stitches. I just need to change the bandages every 4-6 hours” Dream nodded, getting up and walking towards George, giving him a hug.

“I’m glad your okay. I’m sorry the glass was my fault"

“It was me that didn’t clean it properly Clay”

“I was the one that smashed it". George just rolled his eyes.

“Ugh guys?” Sapnap interrupted “Is she supposed to do that". The two others looked over at Rosaline who had somehow managed to maneuverer herself from her back onto her stomach, reaching for one of the toys on the blanket. They all just started at her, Dream with a sense of pride.

“At 4 months they can roll onto their stomach and lift themselves up on their arms” George said without thinking. The other two started at him shocked. He rolled his eyes “What? I doubted either of you had done or were going to do research on baby development after all you could talk about was how cute she was so I did it while we were waiting at the hospital". Dream couldnt have been more grateful or asked for a better friend.

Later on in the evening, when Sapnap had gone to his room to call Karl, it was just Dream, George and Rosaline. George was scrolling on his phone while Dream was feeding her before putting her down for bed. “So" Dream asked simply. George looked up and he was staring at him.

“So...” George was confused.

“What do you think of her?”. George looked at Rosaline in Dream’s arms nervously.

“I mean, she’s a baby" he answered.

“If you don’t like her that’s okay. I mean I think she’s taken your spot for the cutest person in the entire world, but I may be bias”. George scoffed but turned a shade or red nonetheless.

“I never said I didn’t like her” George argued, purposefully ignoring Dream’s comment.

“Then why wont you hold her" he asked. George went quiet and refused to meet Dream’s eyes. “I’m sorry! I didn’t mean it like that” he began to ramble in a panic “I promise I’m not trying to make you hold her or look after her I just mean...”

“Because I’m scared” George interrupted him. Dream just looked at him, waiting for him to continue “I’m scared that I’ll hold her and I won’t like her as much as you and Nick, and there will be no chance between us”. Dream moved himself closer to George.

“You'll never know if you don’t try” he said quietly to him, gesturing for him to take the baby from his arms. George closed his eyes took a deep breath, before opening them and taking her.

It was... completely normal. George looked down at her as she finished her bottle and she started up at him. She was cute as a button, but George didn’t feel some sudden surge of love for the child and a want to be an important person her life. But he didn’t feel disgust and hatred for the child for putting whatever he had with Dream on hold. Overall, he felt ridiculous for worrying so much.

“So?” Dream looked at him expectantly.

“I’m still neutral” George said with a smile. Dream smiled back.

“I'll take that" he chuckled softly taking Rosaline back to burp her before putting her down.

George looked at Dream fondly, watching how loving and careful he was with the child. And suddenly his decision did begin to sway, not all the way quite yet, but he hoped it would continue to go the way it was. Because seeing Dream look after a baby, seeing how much love and care he had, only made George fall for him even more.

Chapter Text

Firsts are an important part of life, and are especially important when it comes to babies. However, they’re just as important for new parents too. George realised this very quickly when after 2 months with Rosie, a nickname all three men had quickly given the baby when they realised saying ‘Rosaline’ every single time was a mouthful. She was now 6 months, growing and developing stupidly fast. She was able to recognise her own name, their faces and reach out to the person she wanted to hold her (usually her father) and was sitting up mostly unaided, a few pillows at her back to ease the mind of the overprotective Dream.

And yes, Dream was stupidly overprotective, in George’s opinion. Rosie had slept in her own crib only a handful of times, Dream having her sleep next to him most of the time ‘in case she wakes up during the night’. Which she did. A lot. The house typically being screamed down and the occupants being woken at least a few times a night.

“Again dude?” Sapnap grumbled walking out his room just after George walked out his, both hearing the screaming and knowing sleep was futile. Dream walked out of his room with her, obviously trying to sooth her “Isn’t she only supposed to wake up, like, twice for food? This is the fifth time tonight”

“She’s teething Nick!” Dream snapped at him, obviously just as tired as the others “She’s in pain what do you expect?!”.

One first George was trying to avoid was the inevitable first fight the boys would get into since Rosie's arrival, and he definitely didn’t want that to happen at 4am. So, he quickly intervened before Sapnap opened his mouth again. “Sap, why don’t you head back to bed and Dream I’ll help you get Rosie back down to sleep”

“I'll go to bed, doesn’t mean I’ll get any sleep” Sapnap muttered under his breath, but unfortunately Dream heard him.

“If you’re so unhappy here Nick, why don’t you just move out” he snapped.

“You know what Clay I just might” Sapnap growled back at him before storming back into his room, his door slamming and causing Rosie to scream even louder at the noise. George sighed, walking over to Dream and holding out his arms.

“I'll take her” he told him, but Dream was unwilling, holding Rosie tighter to him “Clay you’re upset, which is making her more upset. Let me take her, you go get some water and cool off”. George could see Dream was still reluctant, but gave a sigh anyway, handing the screaming baby over to George and trudging down to the kitchen. George walked into the nursery, gently bouncing and shushing Rosie as she continued to scream. It wasn’t long before Dream came back, looking no better but with a bottle in hand. George handed Rosie over to Dream who started to attempt to feed her.

The screaming stopped as Rosie took the bottle, though she was chewing on it more than she was eating, obviously in an attempt to sooth her painful gums. “I'll go to the pharmacy tomorrow and see if they have any teething gel or anything” George told Dream in an attempt to help him calm down, though he knew it was futile. George knew that, like any parent, Dream hated seeing his child in any sort of pain.

“Thank you” Dream mumbled, sniffing slightly. Silence fell over them, one that wasn’t uncomfortable, but not the comfortable silence the pair were used to with each other. “Do you think Nick will actually move out” Dream asked George quietly. George could tell that his anxiety was getting the better of him.

“I don’t think so” George said, placing a hand on his back. “I think he’s just upset and overtired”. Dream stayed quiet. George knew there was nothing he could say to truly calm his mind about Sapnap. “I’m not going anywhere though”. Dream looked at him, eyes welling with tears again.

“Promise?”. George nodded.

After some research online and some Tylenol, the pair finally got Rosie back to sleep. Dream told George that he would take her back to his room, not wanting to piss Sapnap off any more, considering the nursery was right next to his room. George agreed, knowing that Rosie was going to sleep in there anyway, whether or not Sapnap’s room was next to the nursery or not.

The next day, George woke up and went straight down to the kitchen, knowing he would need coffee to survive with how little sleep he got. Sapnap was already sitting at the dining table, engrossed by his phone, looking both exhausted and worried. A brown paper bag sat on top of the table. George looked at the it, confused. “What’s in the bag?”. Sapnap jumped in his seat, dropping his phone on the table as if there was something incriminating on it. He had obviously had not heard George arrive. His head snapped up to where George was standing with an eyebrow raised in confusion and curiosity.

“Oh, I went out to the pharmacy and got teething gel for Rosie” Sapnap explained nervously. He refused to meet George's eyes, an almost guilty look etched onto his face. George took a seat at the table beside him and looked at the younger expectantly.

“Okay, spill it. What’s wrong”.

“Dude, I’ve done nothing but be a dickhead to Clay and you this entire time” Sapnap confided, his hands still anxiously fiddling. “I’ve done nothing but snap at Clay since Rosie arrived, and then I just threatened to move out which probably upset him even more”

“Would you actually move?” George asked him. Sapnap shook his head.

“Never. We've been waiting to live together for so long I’m not gonna fuck it up”

“And can you imagine actually having to pay rent” George joked in a hope to help his friend lighten up.

 It worked very slightly, George saw a small smile and an eye roll on Sapnap’s face. “Sap it’s going to be stressful for all of us” George continued on in a more serious manner. It felt weird having a serious conversation with Sapnap. Most of their conversations were light-hearted, poking fun at each other and laughing. A serious conversation with the youngest Dream Team member was something he hadn’t navigated before, but he knew it was what Sapnap needed. “None of us have been in a crazy situation like this before. It’s new and it’s going to take some time to get used to. We've all been quite snappy to each other recently, and it’s allowed. It’s obvious you really care about Clay and Rosie, especially if you went out and got that for them” he gestured to the bag. He bumped his shoulder affectionately into Sapnap’s “We'll get through this together Sap, like we always do”

Sapnap looked at him gratefully, looking like he was about to say something, then his phone buzzed on the table. He scrambled to pick it up, checking the notification. Then his face fell again. He gave a frustrated sigh, throwing it back on the table in an uncaring manor.

“Since we're already talking about icky feelings and shit, want to tell me what that was about?” George asked him. Sapnap looked reluctant at first, and George was about to tell him that it was fine and he was kidding, but Sapnap must have ultimately decided that it was worth talking about because he spoke.

“I fucked up with more than just Clay last night”. He began, the paused as if to figure out the thoughts that were stewing in his head. George waited patently for him to continue if he wanted to. “I think I made Karl hate me too”

“Well firstly” George started, watching Sapnap grab for his phone again when I buzzed, and look disappointed once again “There is no ‘too’ because Dream doesn’t hate you”. Sapnap looked at him unconvinced but said nothing to argue with him. “And secondly I’m sure Karl doesn’t hate you”

“He hasn’t replied to me since last night. He's never done that, even when we've argued before” Sapnap looked upset, his eyes looking watery. George put a hand on his shoulder awkwardly in an attempt support him, not quite sure what to do.

A crying baby he could handle, babies cry all the time, but he had never had to deal with a crying Sapnap.

“No pressure obviously” George prefaced quickly “But if you want to talk about it I’m here for you dude”. There was silence for a while, and George assumed it was the end of the conversation. Then Sapnap spoke again.

“This is weird man” he chuckled, wiping the unshed tears from his eyes “Usually it’s Clay that deals with me and my shit”

“Georgenotfound in touch with emotions arc?” George joked, getting a chuckle out of Sapnap “Who would have thought?”.

“Maybe you can get your shit together with Clay” Sapnap joked right back.

“Hey we're not here to talk about my relationship issues” George countered. Sapnap rolled his eyes and let out the first genuine smile that morning. However the mood turned sombre again once Sapnap's phone buzzed once again, his face falling as he glanced at it to George’s dismay. George took Sapnap's phone from him, with less protest than he expected from him, and turned it off.

“So, want to talk about?” He asked. Sapnap nodded. George waited patiently while Sapnap gathered his thoughts once again.

“Last night” he finally started, and George gave him his full attention “After I went back to my room, I called Karl because I knew he would still be awake with his sleep schedule. He always knows how to cheer me up so I thought it would help”.

George couldn’t help but notice the faint blush that creeped onto Sapnap’s cheeks along with the small smile. But he didn’t mention it. “We were joking about like we usually do and he mentioned that he wanted to come visit Florida the minute that Dream faced revealed” The smile on his face disappeared as quick as it had appeared. “Since I was pissed off at Clay I kinda got irritated and told him that he probably wouldn’t be able to visit at all so to not get his hopes up”.

“We say things we regret when we're pissed off” George comforted, seeing the look of guilt appear on his friends face. He knew that Sapnap would never have said that out of malice. “Is that why you think he hates you?”. Sapnap shook his head.

“He asked why and I knew I had fucked up so I told him that I couldn’t tell him because we obviously haven’t told in our friend group about Rosie and that’s up to Clay if he wants to tell him. But he kept pressing me and saying that we never keep secrets. I know he was joking, he would never actually pressure me to tell him something, but since I was already in a bad mood eventually I snapped at him and told him to stop being nosey and to mind his own fucking business” George notice Sapnap’s eyes began to water again at the memory “His face just fell and he looked so upset, then he just hung up on me. I’ve tried to call him and message him to tell him I’m sorry but he's just completely ignoring me”. There was silence after Sapnap had finished talking George used it to figure out what to say.

“I know I don't know Karl as well as you do” he began “But he's still one of my best friends, and I think I know him well enough to know he doesn’t hate you”

“Why would he ignore me then George” Sapnap asked, his voice breaking from the tears he was holding back again. One managed to slip down his face and he hastily wiped it.

“He feels guilty you idiot” George told him simply. “He thinks that you hate him for pressuring you to tell him something you didn’t want to tell” George smiled as Sapnap looked at him hopefully. “I bet he's avoiding all his chats with you and phone calls because he's afraid you'll be pissed off at him and he's trying to avoid it”

“I hope you’re right” Sapnap sighed, looking at his turned off phone. He looked back at George with a smile “Thank you so much George”

“Anytime Sap you know that” they shared a hug. George didn’t let go until Sapnap did, knowing that he probably needed it. Once they parted, a goofy grin made it’s way onto George's face “Now that all that feelings shit is out the way, want to make some breakfast?” Sapnap chuckled.

“Sure Gogs”.

Making breakfast did not go as well and they had hoped. With overcooked eggs and undercooked pancakes and bacon that had been charred black, it was a miracle that the pair had not set off the fire alarm (thanks to some quick thinking by George who opened the windows when the smoke had began). They laughed and grimaces as they tried to eat some of what they had made, before throwing it all out and ordering something instead. As they were eating and watching a random anime George pretend to be interested in for Sapnap's sake, his phone buzzed with a discord message.

KarlJacobs

Hey dude, is Sap with you?

His phone keeps going straight to voicemail and he's not answering messages so just concerned

George looked at the messages confused for a second before he remembered, letting out a chuckle. “Sapnap, did you ever turn your phone back on?”. It was the younger man's turn to look confused.

“No? I completely forgot about it. Why?”.

“Karl’s been trying to message you” George told him. Sapnap's looked panicked instantly.

“Shit! What do I do?!”. George decided best course of action would be to message Karl back and let him know their idiot friend was alive, but decided to save his dignity and tell a little white lie.

Georgenotfound

Yeah he's fine. His phone died while we were hanging out and he didn’t notice lol

KarlJacobs

Np:) Tell him to call me on disc when you’re done hanging out

“He wants you to call him” George informed Sapnap “But I bought you some time saying we're hanging out so you can figure out what to say”

“What do I say George?” Sapnap asked in a panic.

“How about ‘Karl I love you let’s have e-sex'”

“I’m being serious George” Sapnap snapped, and George felt guilty.

“I’m sorry. Just tell him the truth”

“I can't tell him about Rosie obviously!”

“Who can’t you tell about Rosie?” A third voice joined the conversation. Both men looked over to see Dream coming down the stairs with Rosie gurgling away in his arms, both of them too caught up in their conversation to hear her noises. Sapnap froze, but George spoke.

“Karl” he informed Dream. “Sap and him got into a massive row last night because Sapnap said he couldn’t visit and then refused to tell him why”. Sapnap shot a glare at George. Then looked at Dream, guilt all over his features.

“I’m sorry man, I shouldn’t have even said anything about him not coming or anything like that. I’m such a shitty friend and if you want me to move out I will”.

Dream walked over towards them. Sapnap averted his eyes looking at the floor. Dream handed Rosie to George, who took her without complaint, and brought Sapnap into a hug, not even trying to disguise it as one of those dumb ‘bro-hugs’ they usually do. Sapnap looked shocked at first, but didn’t hesitate to return it.

“If anyone’s a shitty friend it’s me” Dream told him as he released the hug, looking Sapnap in the eyes “I’m sorry Nick. This is a big change for all of us, and I shouldn’t have gotten angry”

“No it’s me that should be sorry Clay” Sapnap said instantly “Babies cry, I should expect that. I was tired and grouchy”. Sapnap then grabbed the brown bag that had not moved from the table since it had been placed there and gave it to Dream “I got some teething stuff and the lady at the pharmacy also said that freezing a face cloth works too or something?”. Dream looked grateful as he took the bag.

“Thank you Nick”

“It’s the least you deserve”

“Yay, great, we're all friends again” George interrupted, Rosie now squirming and whining in his arms, reaching out for Dream, “Now can you,” he turned to Dream and thrust Rosie back at him “Please go feed your child so she'll calm down. And can you,” he turned to Sapnap once Dream had taken his baby with a chuckle “Go and talk to Karl so you can both apologise for being dumbass's. God I’m actually starting to miss the ‘will they/wont they’ the sad pinning is much fucking worse”. Dream let out a wheeze of a laugh while Sap punched George's shoulder lightly in annoyance, before he began to make his way to his room”. Just before he left, however, Dream called out his name, and Sapnap turned back.

“Tell Karl about Rosie, I trust him. And tell him fuck the face reveal, book a flight over next time he's free” With a grin Sapnap began to walk off again, a new sense of confidence. But Dream shouted after him “Just make sure you’re not too loud when you fuck, I don’t want my daughter traumatised for life”

“Fuck you!” came a shout back, sending both Dream and George into a laughing fit. But it was quickly interpreted by Rosie’s cry for food. Dream wandered into the kitchen, talking quietly in an attempt calm her down while he prepared her breakfast. George smiled after him, the sight tugging on his heartstrings.

George decided he was going to go back to bed for a nap. But as he began to head for the stairs, he heard Dream yell in the kitchen “George! Get in here!” in a panic, thinking something was wrong, George bolted into the room, but saw a more than overexcited Dream. “I was giving Rosie her bottle and look!”. Dream gently opened Rosie's mouth and George looked, a grin appearing across his face when he saw the beginnings of Rosie's first tooth had finally pushed through her gum. He looked back at Dream who looked like he had just won first in MCC with his excitement. George couldn’t help but feel just as excited for him.

“Well done Rosie" he coo'd at her, before turning back to Dream “We can go out later and get her a first toothbrush” But for now I’m going to nap”.

Dream's first stream since Rosie's arrival was something George knew the Floridian would struggle with. It had been almost two and a half months since any of the Dream Team streamed or uploaded to YouTube (George had a video he could have been editing, but in true George fashion he was putting it off).

The fans on Twitter were itching for a stream, but none of them wanted to risk an unexpected baby cry making it’s way into the stream and having the fans speculate. But it was even stranger than none of them had streamed in a while, especially since none of them had signed up for MCC in a while, causing concern and curiosity in the community. So the plan was for Rosie to spend the day with Dream's mom, while the three of them streamed.

The only problem? Dream was reluctant to let Rosie go.

“We can just do it while she's sleeping” Dream argued as the four of them, including Rosie, hung out in the lounge. The baby in question was babbling away to herself on her tummy grabbing every toy in sight while the three streamers sat on the couch debating.

“And risk her crying out?” Sapnap pointed out “How will we explain that one to the fans?”

“We don’t have to stream then” Dream shrugged.

“The fans are getting restless” George told him. “They want a stream and are concerned that none of us have really been active in social media either. You know what some of them are like and I don’t want to risk a doxx. That could really put Rosie in trouble”. George saw Dream look at his daughter, his eye full of concern knowing that George was right.

“I’m just not ready to leave her” he said in whisper, George and Sapnap barely hearing him.

“Clay, I don’t think you'll ever be ready” Sapnap said honestly, and George nodded in agreement “but it has to happen at some point. And it’s just your mom dude, you trust her right?”. Dream nodded reluctantly.

“I’m pretty sure she’s capable considering she raised you and your siblings” George added on. Dream said nothing, still just watching Rosie play happily. George placed his hand on Dream's leg, and Dream looked up at him. George gave a kind and understanding smile. “Its only for a few hours. Your mum can drop her off again the minute we hit the end stream button”.

“Fine” Dream finally sighed. Sapnap gave a cheer of excitement and ran off with a shout about getting his set up ready. George stayed with Dream while he called his mom, who came and picked Rosie up half an hour later while a huge smile.

“And how’s my gorgeous granddaughter” she coo'd, picking taking Rosie from Dream's arms.

“She's fine” Dream told his mom nervously, glancing at George who was standing beside him for support “But if there are any problems at all, call me instantly, I dont care if I’m streaming”.

“I’m sure she'll be fine Clay” Dream's mom reassured him “I’m excited to spend some time with Rosie”. It took another 10 minutes before Dream let him mom leave.

The three decided that Sapnap should stream while the other two hung out in VC with him, since his set up was already prepared. George sat with Dream in his room waiting for Sapnap, who was muted and deafened in the discord channel. They were going to be in the same VC. George decided it would be for the best, as he knew if Dream was left alone, he would be constantly checking his phone and worrying about his daughter. This way, George could be there to keep him calm (and hide his phone if need be). Dream's leg was bouncing impatiently.

“God can he just start the stream already” Dream complained. George rolled his eyes.

“He's probably making sure everything is working”

“It shouldn’t take this long though”. George placed a hand on Dream's bouncing leg to still the movement.

“Calm down” George told him plainly “You’re stressing yourself out”

“I’m sorry” Dream apologised with a sad sigh. “I’m just worried about Rosie and it’s my first stream since she's been here and...”

“It will all be fine” George gave a soft smile and took Dream's hand. George practically saw the stress melt away from his as Dream looked at their intertwined hands. George gave a reassuring squeeze “I promise”.

“You nimrods ready?” Sapnap's voice finally came through the speakers.

“Ready when you are” Dream told him.

Dream's hand never left George's the entire time, not that the fans would ever know.

The stream went perfectly. As soon as Sapnap had hit the start button, the three had fallen into their usual dynamic. It was almost like nothing had changed. They decided collectively not to address questions about why they hadn’t been in the past MCC's, not being able to think of a believable excuse. But they had fun shouting and joking with each other again, and the fans couldnt get enough.

When they finally ended stream, George was surprised to find they had been streaming for almost three and a half hours, time having flown by.

“Want to text your mum?” George asked Dream once they had left VC. Sapnap had plans to call Karl after their stream, so had jumped out of the voice channel as soon as he had hit the ‘end stream’ button (Dream had called him a simp, Sapnap called him a bitch in return). To George’s surprise, Dream shook his head.

“I’ve been keeping Rosie to myself. I want to let mom have as much time as possible with her”. A comfortable silence fell over them for a while as they relaxed. There hadn’t been quiet in the house for such a long time. It was strange not to hear crying or babbling throughout the house, but it was also quite nice.

“You still haven’t let go” Dream’s quiet whisper barely broke the silence. George looked down to see their hands still intertwined. George want to pull away and apologise, but Dream held on tighter. “I didn’t say that was a bad thing”.

George looked up into Dream's eyes. It was a shame, he always thought, that he could never see the true colour of the Floridian's green eyes, the colours looking muted. That didn’t mean that George got any less lost in them every time.

“Did you ever make your decision” Dream questioned him quietly “or are you still thinking about it”

In a moment of confidence, George decided then and there “I’ve made my decision”

“And what is it?” Dream asked, his eyes very obviously flitting down to George's lips and hope in his eyes, with a soft smile, George began to lean forward, he closed his eyes and lips met. Soft and sweet as they looked, a weight lifted from George's chest that he didn’t even know had made a home there. Lips moved in sync, not quite chaste, but not desperate and wanting. When he pulled away, Dream's lips chased his own and he let out a chuckle.

Does that answer your question?” George asked as Dream's eyes met his once again

“I think so” Dream replied, his smile growing. A beat of silence, then George broke it once again.

“I’m not ready to be Rosie's second dad or anything like that” he told Dream “not yet anyway. But I want to try, if you’re willing?”

“We can try” Dream agreed “Now kiss me again”

It’s not just babies and parents that experience firsts, George reminded himself as his lips once again met Dream's. Everyone experiences them at different points in their lives. Some he thinks of fondly, such as the first time he set food on American ground, Visa in hand and two idiots waiting for him to officially come home. Some not so pleasant, such as his first hang over where he spent most of the day over the toilet.

His firsts with Dream, however, will always be top of his list.

Chapter Text

Sapnap was an absolute wreck. After being given the all-clear for inviting Karl to visit them, he immediately arranged it with the tall brunette. It took a while to arrange, Mr Beast videos needing recorded, a sponsored stream promised, and other obstacles in their way. But they finally arranged a date one month from that day. That day was finally here, and now he was running around like a mad man, trying to ensure everything was perfect for Karl.  

Dream stood and watched him, baby monitor in hand as Rosie napped peacefully upstairs.  

“Don’t you think you’re going a bit overboard Sap?” Dream asked him amused. Sapnap turned to him with a glare.  

“You were worse than this when George got his Visa” he said pointedly to him. Dream opened his mouth as if to argue, but promptly shut it again, knowing the youngest was correct. With a smug look on his face, Sapnap went back to straightening out the throw pillows.  

“It sucks George, and I won't be able to hang out for long when he gets here” Dream said, glancing at the monitor “The business meeting just couldn’t be moved”. George had a meeting with the Dream Team managers about his upcoming merch. With rules almost completely relaxed now, the managers requested a meeting in person, having never met George before in person. Dream had decided as he owned the merch company, and George couldn’t drive himself, that he would go along too. A private conference room at a 5-star hotel was booked, and Dream would be wearing a mask, even though the rules had been relaxed enough for them not to be mandatory. The managers, of course, had seen Dreams face, however there was the risk of him being seen, especially if he was noticed with George so precautions where necessary. Rosie would be spending some quality time with Dream’s mom. “But on the plus side” Dream then continued, “it means you guys can talk about stuff without anyone in the house to interrupt”.  

It was true and was one of the reasons Sapnap had specifically requested Karl’s first day of visiting be today. This meeting had been planned and rearranged many times, first due to the pandemic, then George got sick and then Rosie; Sapnap knew it couldn’t be postponed any longer.  And he wanted to have that conversation with Karl. The “what are we” conversation. Feelings were mutual, you had to be blind not to notice, but both had been skirting around the topic for a while, neither confident enough to bring it up. Well, Sapnap had decided that after the argument a month prior, it was finally time to have that conversation.  

“He’s here for a week, so you guys will have plenty of time to hang out” Sapnap told him, finally happy that the pillows were symmetrical.  

“If you don’t gatekeep him from us” Dream teased. Sapnap rolled his eyes, before quickly checking his phone. The flight tracker said Karl’s flight wasn’t too far away. He couldn’t put it off any longer. He had to leave, or he would be late. Finally, the anxiety he had been feeling completely took over. Was he ready? Should he just forget about the conversation? Should be just cancel and say he’s sick?  

“Nick”. His real name brought him out of his own mind as he looked towards Dream. He had a soft look on his face. He walked over to Sapnap and put a hand on his shoulder “You will be fine. I promise. You two idiots will confess your love, make out, maybe fuck then live happily ever after”. Even though he knew Dream was half-joking with him, it still brought him comfort. He gave a thankful smile.  

A cry came through the baby monitor, signalling Rosie had woken from her nap. Dream gave Sapnap one last smile. “I’ve got to get my baby. You go get your man”. With that he walked up stairs, leaving Sapnap alone. He took a deep breath, calming his nerves, before grabbing his car keys and heading out the door.  

The drive to the airport was one he was familiar with. Driving there to catch flights to Karl was quite a regular thing, and of course the drive to collect George from the airport was still fresh in his mind, even though it had been many months ago. But never has he went to pick up the tall brunette. He blared his Spotify playlist in an attempt to calm his nerves, which did help. But when he pulled into the airport parking lot, the nerves returned. He checked the flight tracker again – Karl’s flight was descending. He parked his car and made his way to the arrivals.  As he got there, he heard his phone ping. When he looked, of was a text from Karl.  

Landed! Heading to baggage. Can’t wait to see you handsome <3   

Even just through a simple text, Karl knew how to cause a light blush to come to Sapnap's cheeks. He didn’t have to wait too long after that text for the tall man to appear. Karl grinned as soon as he saw Sapnap, making a beeline towards him before dropping his suitcase and engulfing the shorter man in a hug, which Sapnap instantly returned. It took Sapnap a while to get used to Karl’s constant touches, but now he was he wouldn’t change it for the world.  

“Hey Sap” Karl said finally letting go to Sapnap’s disappointment (not that he would ever admit that). Sapnap, the gentleman he is, picked up Karl’s suitcase for him, and the two of them began walking out towards Sapnap’s car. The closer they got to the car, the more nervous, Sapnap realised, that Karl got. When they finally got into the car, Sapnap turned to him.  

“What’s up?”  

“Are you sure Dream is okay with me coming to stay for the week?” Karl asked nervously playing with a ring on his painted fingers. “Like, with the whole face reveal thing not happening now and the baby situation...”  

“Karl” Sapnap interrupted before he could spiral down his worry path even more. He took Karl’s hand in his and squeezed of in hopes to comfort the taller man. “It was Dream who told me to invite you. It will be fine I promise” Karl smiled at him, squeezing his hand back. They stayed like that for a short while, enjoying each other's company. Sapnap started the ignition, and his music blared. Both jumped apart and Sapnap frantically turned it down from the full volume he had it on the drive there. He gave a sheepish and apologetic look, but Karl just giggled.  

The drive home was filled with singing and talking and having fun. The drive was so much more fun with Karl, Sapnap decided. When they pulled up to the house and got out of the car Karl began looking nervous again, but Sapnap just took his hand and squeezed it like before.  He did not let go until they reached the front door, giving one last squeeze before dropping it and opening the door, shouting “We’re home!”  George was sitting on the couch, watching over Rosie who was on the floor, trying her best to make herself move. She had almost gotten the hang of crawling, to the delight of Dream. Sapnap knew as soon as that child could move though, Dream would become more of a nervous wreck than he already was. Dream popped his head out from the kitchen with a grin, walking over towards Karl.  

“Holy honk you’re handsome” Karl said as he rushed forward to pull Dream into a hug. “Looks like someone else had taken your title of most handsome-est man in the world Sap” Sapnap just scoffed at Karl’s joke. 

“Please Karl” Dream joked back as he released Karl from the hug “We all know that title always belonged to you”  

“Are you trying to steal my boyfriend, Jacobs” George joked as he walked over to give Karl his own hug.  

“Why would I do that when I can steal you instead”  

“Still living up to your homie hopper nickname I see”  

“Good to see you again too Georgie” Karl giggled, then his eyes widened spotted Rosie on the floor. “She’s so cute Dream!” he looked at Dream as if to ask permission to go over. He nodded and Karl rushed over and picked her up. “Hey Rosie, aren’t you gorgeous, you look just like your daddy”. Karl continued to coo at Rosie as she babbled back in her own language. Sapnap was in awe of Karl’s natural affinity with children.  

He was interrupted by the sing of Dream’s phone. “Shit”  

“What’s wrong?” George asked him 

“Mom can't have Rosie, Drista’s sick”. Dream looked panicked “what are we gonna do! We literally cannot cancel this meeting again; the merch needs to be released in the next few months and we’ve already put it off”  

“We could ask if we could switch it to a zoom meeting?” George suggested.  

“The conference room is non-refundable they’d lose out on tons of money, and I don’t think they’d be happy” Dream sighed defeated “but I don’t think we have a choice. I’ll phone them now”  

“Wait” Karl said before Dream could dial the manager. “How about Sap and I watch her?”. Sapnap had never watched Rosie on his own, hadn’t even suggested it because of how overprotective Dream could be, but he nodded in agreement anyway. Dream looked hesitant.  

“I dunno Karl, Sap hasn’t really been alone with a baby before...”  

“But I’ve looked after Tucker about a billion and one times” Karl argued “And you trust Sap, right?”  

“Of course, I do” Dream said without having to think about it. He turned to Sapnap “Are you comfortable with it Sap? I know you probably had other plans”. Sapnap knew what he was referring to. But he nodded anyway. 

“Of course, man; I love spending time with Rosie. And I'll have Karl here to help me” Dream still looked reluctant. George placed a hand on his shoulder.  

“Rosie will be fine Dream” he reassured him. Finally Dream sighed.  

“Alright, as long as you two are alright with it. I don’t just want to dump babysitting on Karl his first night here”  

“Dude I literally offered” Karl said, Rosie still in his arms grabbing at his hair.  

Dream wouldn’t leave until Sapnap reassured him ten times that if there were any problems he would call. “It’s only a couple of hours dude, we’ll be fine. I’ll literally text you hourly if it helps”    

“Just call me if you need anything. And she’s not allowed to start crawling without me there” Dream said as they were leaving “I’ve already prepared puréed apples for her lunch, they’re in the fridge. And don’t forget if she drinks water it...” 

“It needs to be boiled and cooled down I know” Sapnap said “Now go”. Dream gave Rosie one last kiss before he and George left. As soon as the door closed, Rosie began to cry. She cried and reached out towards the door her dad had left through, trying to wiggle out of Karl’s grasp.  

“Rosie it’s alright” Karl comforted her, trying to give her a hug, “your daddy will be back soon, you’re alright”. But Rosie continued to struggle in Karl’s arms, looking around frantically. She spotted Sapnap, a familiar face, and began to reach out for him. Sapnap happily took Rosie, who began to calm slightly with a familiar face. Sapnap began rocking her in his arms, continuing to calm her.  

“You’re a natural Sap” Karl smiled. Sapnap chuckled.  

“I’m not really, I just watched Dream”. Sapnap looked at the time “It’s almost time for lunch. You want to order us something on my card and I’ll get her food ready”. 

Rosie wasn’t able to use a spoon yet, but still tried to help feed herself by shoving her whole hand into the purée, causing Sapnap and Karl to laugh at the mess that she made. They ended up having to give her a bath, which ended up with Sapnap and Karl getting soaking from lots of splashing.  

An hour and a change of clothes later, Rosie was on the floor, Sapnap trying to get her to crawl to him “Uncle Sap is way better than daddy Rosie so you should crawl for me instead”. Karl was secretly filming the whole thing. That’s when the notification popped up on his phone, at the same time as Sapnap’s phone buzzed. 

FLORIDA STORM WARNING. ALL ROADS CLOSED. DANGER TO LIFE. PLEASE STAY INSIDE.  

“ Shit” Sapnap swore, looking out the window. The rain had already started from the looks of it. Sapnap looked at Karl with panic “If roads are closed, does that mean that Dream and George...” as if on cue, Sapnap’s phone began to ring. He answered and put it on speaker instantly.  

“Sap” Dream’s frantic voice came through the phone before Sapnap had said a word. Rosie’s head popped up at the sound of her father’s voice, as she looked around from her place on the floor. “The hotel won’t let anyone leave, we tried to explain, but because of the danger to life they’re on lock down, and the roads are closed so we couldn’t get back if we tried and...”  

“Dream chill” Sapnap tried to calm him.  

“How can I chill Nick when I can’t get home to my fucking kid” Dream snapped. There was silence for a minute before Dream spoke again “I’m sorry Nick, I’m just freaking out”  

“Really, I couldn’t tell” Sapnap said sarcastically, getting him a light smack from Karl.  

“Sap, be nice” Karl scolded him “Don’t worry Dream Rosie is safe with us”  

“The storm won’t let up anytime soon” Dream said. “I don’t know what to do, Rosie’s never spent a night away from me before, what if she gets upset”  

“Dude, I mean this in the nicest way possible, but I think you’re going to be worse than her”. Another silence. Sapnap knew he was right “Look, you have a whole night at a 5-star hotel with George. Alone. You haven’t had any alone time with him since you started dating. Enjoy yourself”  

“But Rosie...”  

“Will be fine” Karl interrupted “She’s with us”. They both heard Dream sigh, knowing he had no choice in the matter.  

“How is she” Dream asked. 

“She’s looking around for you. She can hear your voice. Talk to her”. Sapnap gave Karl his phone as he went to pick up Rosie and bring her closer to the sound of her father's voice.  

“Hey Rosie sweetheart” Dream’s voice became softer in an instant. Rosie kept looking around, not quite understanding the voice was coming from the phone. “Be good for uncle Sap and Karl, okay? I love you”. Dream began to talk about what to do with her night routine, when suddenly, the line cut off. They tried phoning him back, but it wouldn’t go through. 

“I’m guessing lines got hit with the storm” Karl said. With the sudden lack of her father voice, Rosie began to get upset again.  

“It’s almost her bedtime anyway” Sapnap told Karl while rocking Rosie. “We should give her a final bottle and put her down to sleep”.  

Usually, Rosie falls asleep in Dream’s bed with Dream rocking and cuddling her, the crib they got when she first arrived mostly unused apart from the occasional nap. Sapnap was not lying in Dream’s bed. But Rosie refused to go into the crib, screaming the house down whenever either boy tried. And the storm raging outside did not help the situation, Rosie’s cries getting worse every time thunder rolled. She was overtired, scared and refusing to close her eyes. She cried whenever they weren’t holding her.  

Sapnap was starting to get frustrated. It was almost an hour since she was supposed to be asleep for the night. Sapnap was going to have to talk to Dream about this co-sleeping thing.  

“Give her to me” Sapnap said, taking a distressed Rosie from Karl who was trying to sooth her. He walked to his own room, Karl following.  

“Where are you going Sap?”  

Sapnap didn’t answer for a moment, making his way into Dream’s room. He grabbed one of Dream’s shirts and then made his way to his room. “It’s not Dream’s bed but it’s better than nothing” he said as he put Rosie on his bed. “Don’t get me wrong, she’s going in that crib as soon as she’s asleep, I'm not dealing with screaming in my ear when she wakes up, but if it gets her to sleep now, I don’t give a fuck”. He put Dream’s shirt beside her, hoping the familiar smell of her father would comfort the infant. Slowly but surely, Rosie began to calm. Sapnap looked over to his bedroom door and saw Karl standing awkwardly and chuckled.  

“There’s room for one more to snuggle in” he joked. Karl shuffled into the room and Sapnap moved himself, so he had one arm around Karl and the other rocking Rosie. Karl melted into the cuddle and Sapnap couldn’t have been happier than where he was right now. There was a comfortable silence throughout the room, which the boys noticed was strange considering Rosie had just been screaming. When they looked over, they saw that she had fallen fast asleep. Sapnap very gently removed his hand from where he had been rocking her with bated breath. She stayed asleep. He let out a sigh of relief. He turned to Karl and saw the older also has a look of relief on his face at the quiet. Both relished for a moment.  

“I don’t know how Kris and Dream do this” Karl chuckled “We’ve only spent a day with the gremlin and I'm exhausted. I could sleep, and that’s saying something”. Sapnap chuckled, knowing how Karl felt. Neither had very good sleep schedules, Karl in particular living off Monsters to keep him going most of the time; but right now, he felt like he could snuggle up with Karl and pass out until Rosie inevitably woke them up.  

“I don’t envy them” Sapnap agreed.  

“You're a natural though Nick” Karl tells him with a soft look “The way you were with Rosie? It was so sweet. You’ll be an amazing dad in the future”.  

“Oh, I do not want kids” he chuckled softly shaking his head “I’m content with being uncle Sap”. Karl’s face dropped for a second. He tried to hide it, but Sapnap knew him too well. Concerned, he asked “You alright?” 

“Me? Yeah fine” Karl told him, almost overly happy. He quickly released himself from Sapnap’s one-armed embrace and got out the bed “Well, I had better head to bed, I could sleep for a year”. Sapnap’s concern only grew; it wasn’t like Karl to be the one to stop their physical affection, or to shy away from sharing a bed with his friends.  

“Are you sure you don’t want to stay here?” Sapnap asked “I really wouldn’t mind. And I kinda wanted to talk to you about something when Rosie fell asleep”.  

“Can we reign check that conversation till tomorrow?” Karl asked almost nervously “I really am quite tired y’know”. Sapnap didn’t want to push Karl, so he just nodded his head and let Karl walk out the room. He looked over at Rosie, sound asleep despite the loud storm. He did not want to risk waking her by putting her in her crib, so he caved, deciding to just let her sleep in his bed just this once. With Karl on his mind, and a storm raging outside, Sapnap fell into a restless and broken sleep.  

Chapter Text

The phone had cut off before Dream could remind Sapnap what time Rosie had her final bottle at and where the spare diapers were kept, which sent him into an anxiety spiral. What if his daughter went to bed soiled and unfed? Not that Sapnap would do that. He knows Sapnap would never do that. But what if there was an emergency? What if both Sapnap and Karl died during the stop and Rosie had no one to look after her? What if –  

“Dream” George interrupted his anxiety spiral with a soft hand on his shoulder “It will be fine” he assured. 

“But what if it’s not” Dream whispered full of fear “What if something is wrong, and Nick can’t call us”.  

“You know for a fact Sapnap would brave this storm single handedly, danger or not, if it meant Rosie would be safe. He loves her almost as much as you do”. Dream nodded quietly, cuddling up to George in the double bed they had been given at the hotel until the storm passed. He knew that George was right. Sapnap would never let anything happen to his daughter.  

“He just be mindful not to wake her up while he fucks Karl” Dream joked in attempt to get rid of the anxiety “I don’t want my daughter scarred for life”. George chuckled. 

“I’m sure she won’t wake up in the 10 seconds it takes Stupidnap to finish” George banters back. Both men fall into fits of giggles at the expense of their friend. A comfortable silence fell over the room, both George and Dream simply enjoying each other's presence. 

“It feels weird” Dream says finally, breaking the silence “not hearing her or having her next to me while she sleeps”  

“Well, she's not going to be a baby forever” George reminds him “So you’ll have to get used to her not being beside you every second”.  

“I hate that thought” Dream admits. Like any father, the thought of his little girl growing up and not needing him anymore was the worst thought in the world. 

“She’s going to grow up” George continued “she’s going to go to kindergarten and grade school, and before you know it, she’ll be a high-schooler sneaking boys into the house”. 

“No” Dream deadpans “She’s not allowed a boyfriend ever”. George chuckled at him.  

“She’s going to rebel and get one anyway if she’s anything like you” George told him, which Dream couldn’t argue with. He knew he was a troublemaker growing up, and if his daughter was anything like him, then he was in for a very interesting time during her teenage years.  

Rosaline was growing up too fast, in Dream’s opinion. Just a few months ago she could barely roll onto her stomach and now she’s trying to crawl all by herself. And George was right. In the blink of an eye, she would be a rebellious teen. Blink again and she’ll be off to college. Then before he knows it, he’ll be walking her down the aisle, then eventually looking after her babies. That’s not something that Dream was ready for.  

Once again George pulled him out of his own thoughts, this time with a gentle kiss which he immediately reciprocated. “Stop overthinking it” George told him “All babies grow up” 

“But they’re not all my babies” Dream told George sadly. George looked at him fondly. 

“You’re such a sap you know that?” he told Dream “Luckily, you’ve got a while yet till she goes into... how does your school system work?”  

“She’ll go to preschool when she’s three” Dream explained “Then Kindergarten when she’s five” 

“Then you’ve still got a while. She’s not even one yet”. Talking about Rosie starting school began to make Dream think.  

“What’s going to happen when she goes to school?” he asked out loud. “Because if I take her, and people know who I am, then people might give her shit” 

“But I thought you weren’t face revealing now?” George asked him “To protect her. And I'm sure your mum could just take her to school”. George was right. His mom could just take her to school. But if she did, he would never get that moment of dropping her off, calming her nerves, walking her to the school gates. “And who knows, by that time you may have fallen off the face of the earth and no one will know who you are” 

“Maybe” Dream says with a sigh “But what if not? What if we’re still all popular figures, and I can’t take my baby to school?  I don’t want to rely on my mother. I want to be able to kiss her on the head and wish her a good first day at school. I want to be there for her and not have to hide from people”.  

“I guess you’ve got a choice” George tell him seriously “Keep yourself faceless, miss out on those moments with Rosie to protect her. Or face reveal, have those moments, but also risk exposing her to the limelight before she can have a say”.  

“I mean, there are content creators with children that aren’t in the limelight” Dream points out. “DanTDM for example” 

“Yeah, but DanTDM doesn’t have anti’s that will literally dox him” George counters.  

“I just don’t know what to do George” Dream admits, becoming increasingly frustrating. “I promised a face reveal when you got here, and I put that off so I could do it in an extravagant way, and that annoyed the fans enough. They’re expecting a face reveal George. And if I don’t do it that might put Rosie in danger as well. I’m damned if I do, damned if I don’t and I don’t know what to do”.  

George engulfed Dream in a hug as tears began to fall from his eyes in frustration. “You don’t owe the fans anything, especially not a face reveal if you don’t want to. The real fans will understand”  

“But the ones that don’t will make our lives a living hell” Dreams murmurs into George’s shoulder as he snuggles down into the hug. “What if they try to do something to me. What if they try to do something to Rosie. What if...” 

“Fuck them” George says “Fuck anyone who tries to be a dickhead on the internet. And especially fuck anyone who tries to ruin your life by forcing you to do something you don’t want to do. And if people decide to be dangerous, well we have the police on speed dial”.  

“Thank you, George,” Dream tells him, finally releasing him from the hug “And I'm sorry for being so stressy” 

“It’s seriously fine Dream” George assures him, “It’s your first night away from your daughter, you’re allowed to worry about her. I would be very surprised if you weren’t freaking out to be honest; you’re such an overprotective father. Not that it a bad thing” George added on quickly seeing Dream’s face drop with worry “You’re allowed to be protective of your kid. And you kind of have to go overboard with the jobs we have”. There was silence between them as thoughts of different things ran through Dreams head.  

“Sometimes,” Dream begins, opening up about a vulnerability that he has worried about for so long, “I worry what will happen to Rosie if something was to happen to me. I don’t want her to end up back in the foster system. Between what you told me about your experience and the attitude woman who looked after Rosie until she came to me, I don’t want her to suffer through that”.  

“You have your mum” George reminds him, “remember my grandmother eventually got custody of me. I’m sure you can put it in your will that Rosie goes to your mum, just like Hailey did to get Rosie to you”.  

“What about you and Nick?” Dream asks. “You are both such a big part of her life, and I don’t want that to be taken away from her”  

“I’m 100% certain your mum would still let Sapnap and I see Rosie” George assures him.  

“What if, like, we get into a crash and I'm in a coma and Rosie is in the same hospital, but no one can see her because I'm her only legal guardian”. George just gave him a look “What? It could happen!”  

“I’m pretty sure you can put a trusted person down on her paperwork at the hospital so if that happens, you can put down a trusted person who can be with her in the scenario”. George humours him. He then sighs and looks serious at Dream. “I promise Dream someone will always be there with Rosie. We all love her Dream. I love her and you know I would never let anything happen to her, and neither would...” 

“Would you ever want to be Rosie’s actual dad” Dream blurted out suddenly, leaving both George and himself surprised. Dream began to stutter “I’m sorry, that just came out because you said you loved Rosie; I mean, we’ve only actually been together a month and it’s way too early to think about that..." 

“Dream, chill” George tells him, taking Dream’s hand in his own. “We’re dating, it’s serious, it’s only right you question that kind of stuff. Rosie is the biggest part of your life and someone that wants to be with you has to understand that”  

“Why do you always know what to say” Dream sighs.  

“Because I'm awesome why else” George joked, before becoming serious again “Dream, I know I want to be with you. And I knew we were going to have this conversation at some point, I just hoped it would be a little bit later”.  

Dream began to get nervous. What if George didn’t want Rosie as his kid. Dream knew that George loved her, hell he just said himself that he did, but what if he didn’t want to be a father figure to her. What if he only wanted to be a friend or a cool uncle like Sapnap. Dream just got George, and he wasn’t ready to lose him. He wished he had never asked that stupid question.  

“Like I said” George began looking Dream in the eyes “I love Rosie. She is the cutest and smartest baby I have ever met. And even though I don’t think I'm ready for her to start calling me “Dad” tomorrow...”  

“I mean, she can’t talk yet George” Dream joked to calm his nerves.  

George rolled his eyes with a smile and continued “... I don’t think I would mind being, like, a legal guardian. I will admit the whole thought of being a guardian to a literal human being is honestly terrifying. But I love her, and I love you, so know it will be worth it. So, I guess the answer to your question is technically yes, in the future I would love to be considered Rosie’s ‘dad’ but how about for now we just go with if something happens to you, I'm one of the people who look after her. We can look at more in the future, if you still want to be with me in the future” 

“You love me?” Dream asked softly, his breath hitching. It was the first time that those words had been said to each other; even though Dream had been dying to say them for a few weeks, he thought it was too early and didn’t want to frighten George away. But hearing George say it first? Dream didn’t know how he could fall harder but in that moment he did. He looked at George with a softness in his eyes only reserved for him (and Patches of course). George's eyes widened, realising what he said.  

“I mean, yes?” he stuttered out in a panic “I do, but I realise it’s too early, I mean it’s only been a month, it’s way too early, and I understand if you can’t reciprocate, and I'm sorry if I’ve made it awkward now...”  

“I love you too George” Dream told him. “I think I've loved you since the moment you landed if Florida and I haven’t stopped loving you. And of course, I want to be with you in the future. You are my future and you always have been since the moment we started this crazy YouTube journey together”. George tackled him to the bed, their lips clashing, moulding together like they were made for the others. Dream’s lips wandered to George’s neck, and that’s when they both knew that tonight was going to be magical. 

Dream and George wake up the next morning fully tangled up in each other. The storm had stopped during the night, so their impromptu night together was over, and they could now go home. Dream slowly attempted to detangled himself, but when he tried to move it was met by a whine from George as he tightened his grip around him. Dream chuckled. “George, I need to pee”. George shook his head, gripping him tighter in response; Dream rolled his eyes. Eventually he managed to coax his way out of George’s grasp with promises of editing videos and food. After they had both gotten ready for the day, they left the room, heading down to the hotel reception to hand in their key. They both thanked the receptionist for accommodating them during the storm, and then head for the car.  

“I hope Rosie is alright” Dream said nervously as he started up the car for their journey home. “Sapnap sounded strange when we called him earlier” 

“It’s Sapnap he always sounds weird” George told him. “I’m sure that everything is fine. Why would Sapnap lie to us” 

“He just sounded so nervous. Oh god what if Rosie started crawling without me and that’s why he sounded so nervous”  

“Well, if she did, then she was obviously ready”  

“How could she be ready without me?!”  

The drive home wasn’t too long. When they pulled into the driveway, Dream rushed out of the car and towards the door. When he opened the door, he was greeted by Sapnap and Karl awkwardly sitting on opposite ends of the couch on their phones. Sapnap looked up first and smiled “Hey. Rosie’s having her morning nap. Took forever to get her down. You really need to stop that co-sleeping thing”. Dream ignored Sapnap and rushed up to the nursery. He quietly opened the door and snuck inside without making a noise. There in the crib, Rosaline slept soundly, and Dream let out a quiet sigh of relief. He snuck back out to join the others in the living room. The awkward air still hadn’t vanished, with George trying to make conversation, and the other two not really responding. Neither were looking at each other either. Dream knew this wasn’t right. Usually, Karl and Sapnap would practically be sitting on each other's laps. He could only assume the ‘talk’ last night hadn’t gone well.  

“Are you guys alright” Dream finally asked, addressing the obvious elephant in the room.  

“I’m tired” Karl said, getting up. He actively avoided looking at Sapnap “I’m going to take a nap”. Karl left in the direction of the spare bedroom. Dream and George looked at each other. Things must have gone very wrong. George gestured in the direction Karl was walking off. Dream nodded and did the same gesture towards Sapnap. While George followed Karl, Dream headed straight to Sapnap, taking a seat beside him while the younger just scrolled through his phone.  

“Did Rosie behave?” Dream started off, trying to coax a conversation out of Sapnap.  

“Went to bed late” Sapnap told him bluntly, not looking up from whatever was so interesting on his phone. “Both last night and her nap. I was serious about the co-sleeping thing” 

“Yeah, I should probably work on that” Dream chuckled. There was silence as Sapnap said nothing else. Dream sighed “Dude what happened” Sapnap just shrugged, and Dream began to get irritated “Nick”  

“What” Sapnap snapped, finally looking up to meet Dream’s eyes.  

“What the fuck is up with you and Karl dude?” Dream asked “Yesterday you were planning on asking him to officially be together and now you guys won’t even look at each other. Did the conversation go that bad? There’s no way he doesn’t like you back, so what happened?”  

“We didn’t even get to have the fucking conversation” Sapnap practically growled.  

“Just because you’re pissed off dude, doesn’t mean you have to take it out on me” Dream countered back. Sapnap sighed and dropped his head to his hands, seemingly beginning to calm down.  

“I’m sorry dude” Sapnap apologised “No we didn’t talk about it. Karl’s been avoiding me since we put Rosie to bed last night. One minute we were snuggling in the bed, the next he jumps up and says he’s sleeping in the guest room, and I'm left alone with Rosie and a shitty night's sleep. I tried to talk to him this morning, but he keeps avoiding me. And then I saw him looking up early flights home. I don’t know what I did to piss him off dude, but I think whatever I thought we had is over”. Sapnap looked almost in tears. Dream pulled him into a hug.  

“Hopefully George can figure out what’s going on with Karl” Dream assured him. 

He really hoped that George could.  

Chapter Text

All Karl wanted was for things to go back to the way that they were before last night. Before Sapnap said what he did. When he believed everything between them would be perfect.   

He walked into the spare room, his room for the time being, and flopped down on the bed with a sigh. He was so excited for this trip. He was sure it was going to happen, that Sapnap was going to admit his feeling, he would admit his, and they could finally stop with the “will they, won’t they” bullshit and just be together.   

But of course, last night had to change everything.   

Karl loved children. There were lots of kids in his family, lots of cousins that he grew up around, and even a few of his older cousins that he had grown up with now had children of their own. Karl loved each and every one of the children in his family. He used to babysit for his family when he was a teenager. He had always known he wanted children of his own someday, and helping Chris with baby Tucker only solidified that want for him. He imagined it. Little feet running around a house he shared with the one he loved. A boy with his own fluffy brown hair. A girl with the green eyes of a certain someone.   

But the dreams of that green eyed girl were crushed right along with his heart.   

Not wanting kids was always a dealbreaker for Karl. And he knew if someone said they didn’t want kids, it wasn’t likely they were going to change their mind. He had read Reddit horror stories of people who hadn’t wanted kids who ended up having one for some reason, and from what he read all it led to was fights, divorces, and a kid who is stuck in the middle of it, knowing that one of their parents never wanted them. That could scar a kid for life, and Karl didn’t want that for his future children.   

A knock on his door brought him out of his thoughts. He ignored it, hoping whoever it was would get the message and go away. They didn’t. Another round of knocking came, then another after he ignored that one too. Eventually, whoever had decided to disturb Karl’s moping just decided to knock on-stop. Finally, after a whole minute of the constant knocking noise, Karl eventually shouted “What?”   

“Can I come in?” came a familiar British accent. Karl was relieved and disappointed at the same time that it was George.   

“And if I say no?” Karl quipped back. There was silence just for a moment. Then the excessive knocking began again. “Alright, come in” Karl sighed, knowing there was no getting rid him. George entered, closing the door behind him, and sat on the bed where Karl still lay motionless, burying his face back into the pillow.   

“So, you gonna talk about what’s up with you and Sap?” George questioned.   

“Are you giving me a choice” Karl muttered back. He could practically feel George roll his eyes without needing to look at him.   

“We’re just worried Karl. Yesterday before we left you were both happy and joined at the hip. Now you won’t even look at each other”. Karl said nothing. He heard George sigh “You know the fans will notice if you two aren’t all over each other, right?”. Karl knew he was right.  “So why don’t we fix whatever happened so you can get back to your usual dynamic before the fans notice somethings off, because it will be all over Twitter”. With a final sigh, Karl finally took his head out the pillow and looked at George, blinking the tears that had been forming out of his eyes. George looked concerned about him, which Karl expected. It wasn’t very often he showed people the vulnerable side of him; he was pretty sure the only people to have seen it was his Mr. Beast crew and Sapnap. Now he could add George to the list. “What happened?” George asked again, placing a hand on Karl’s shoulder to comfort him.   

“It’s dumb” Karl admitted. He knew explaining it to George would make him sound crazy.  

“Tell me anyway” George told him “I won’t judge you until you’ve finished explaining then I'll decide if you’re being dumb or not”. Silence again, as Karl tried to put what happened into words.   

“I thought Sapnap was going to confess his feelings to me last night” Karl began “All the signs were there, even while babysitting. Then we couldn’t get Rosie to bed, and Sapnap finally caved with putting her in his room. We were cuddling and I thought that was going to be the moment...” Karl paused for a moment, feeling the tears he tried to hold back fall from his eyes and down his cheeks. The more he tried to collect himself, the more the tears fell, so he gave up and continued “...But then, Sapnap said he didn’t want kids. I’ve always wanted children, to the point of not having them being a deal breaker for me”.  Karl wiped his eyes, sniffing and feeling embarrassed about crying over something so miniscule. “I genuinely thought we were soulmates or something. But I guess not”. George just started at him for a minute as Karl finally got hold of his emotions and began to calm himself.   

Eventually George came to his verdict. “Yeah, you’re right. You are dumb”. Karl as only half expecting that answer. He had hoped that the story hasn’t come across as dumb as it sounded. “Did you even ask Sapnap why he doesn’t want kids”   

“No” Karl admitted “But usually when people don’t want kids, it’s because they don’t like them, or don’t want that responsibility, or don’t have any paternal instincts”   

“Have you seen Sapnap with Rosie?” George questioned “He loves her with almost as much as Dream does. He took on the responsibility of babysitting in a heartbeat, even the sudden overnight. And the way he is practically another dad to Rosie with how he treats her? None of those things are true with Sapnap”   

“So why would he say he doesn’t want kids?”   

“Because he’s dumb as well” he told Karl. “Karl, you have to talk to him”  

“What if he doesn’t want to talk to me?” Asked Karl, burying his face back down into the pillow. “What if I've fucked it all up and he wants me gone”.  

“Dude, stop being a nimrod” George told him “Of course he wants to talk to you. He’s out there moping about why you won’t talk to him”. Karl said nothing in response.   

Yes, he wanted to talk to Sapnap. He would love to get this sorted, talk to Sapnap and get their dynamic back. But at the same time, he was scared that if he spoke to Sapnap, his heart would break all over again. He heard George sigh before feeling the bed shift as he got up. Then heard the door close as he left. Karl didn’t know if he was grateful for the solitude, or devastated George had left him.   

Another knock on the door once again brought him from his thoughts.   

“Don’t start this shit again George” Karl snapped at the closed door “just come in”   

“If it’s not George, can I still come in?”. His stomach lurched slightly as he heard Sapnap’s voice come through the door.  

“Yes” he said after a moment of silence. The door creaked open slowly and Sapnap entered the room, a nervous look on his face, which Karl felt bad about. He never wanted Sapnap to feel nervous talking to him. Sapnap sat on the edge of the bed, as far as he physically could be from Karl. Karl still didn’t move from his position on the bed.   

An awkward silence filled for room, neither really knowing what to say to each other. Karl was trying to come up with something to say, when finally, Sapnap spoke. “If you want to leave you can y’know”. It was said in barely a whisper, and Karl wasn’t even sure he had heard it properly at first.   

“What?” he asked, confused, lifting his head up to look at Sapnap. The younger refused to look at him. Karl finally sat up on the bed as Sapnap spoke again.  

“You can leave if you want” he repeated louder this time. “I saw you looking up flights home, I know you want to leave”  

“I don’t want to leave Sapnap” Karl told him. Sapnap finally looked him in the eyes, and Karl couldn’t tell if Sapnap was upset or angry, maybe a mix of both.   

“Then why the fuck were you looking up flights Karl? Why else would you be looking at planes to go home if you weren’t planning on leaving”  

“I was looking them up in case you wanted me to leave early” Karl admitted. The mixture of emotions on Sapnap’s face morphed into pure confusion.   

“Why would I want you to leave early?". Karl sat for a moment thinking about how to word what he wanted to say, before sighing with frustration.   

“This is dumb” he told Sapnap “I’m dumb. I got upset over something that probably doesn’t even matter to you”  

“If it matters to you then it matters to me” Sapnap said, taking Karl’s hand in his. Karl relaxed at Sapnap’s touch even more than he did at George’s earlier. “But Karl, you need to talk to me instead of ignoring me, or ignoring the subject”. Sapnap paused for a moment, he looked as if he was contemplating what to say next. Then he sighed. “Karl, I want to be with you. As more than friends. But to do this we need to be honest with each other. So please, tell me what's wrong”.  

Karl sat for a moment, just holding Sapnap’s hands while he thought about what to say to him. How he could break his heart by telling him the truth. He knew he had no choice.  

“When we put Rosie to bed,” Karl began, looking away from Sapnap’s face; he couldn’t look him in the eyes. “We were talking about children and you said you didn’t want any”. His eyes began to water with the unshed tears from earlier as he took another moment. “I want kids” he finally dropped what he had been holding back. “I want them so much to the point that not wanting them is a complete deal-breaker for me. So, I understand if you change your mind about me”. Karl had been excepting shocked silence, or maybe Sapnap leaving him alone in the room; what he was not expecting was a chuckle. Karl’s finally looked back at Sapnap out of curiosity of his reaction. A soft smile adorned his face.  

“Was that all?” he asked. Karl was confused.  

“But you said you didn’t want children”.  

“You know why I said that Karl?” Sapnap asked him. It was rhetorical, but Karl shook his head anyway. This time, it was Sapnap’s turn to look away from Karl. “Because I'm honestly scared to have kids”. Of all the things Karl thought was the reason, he was not expecting this. He didn’t interrupt, letting Sapnap continue with his own confession. “Part of me would love to have kids, especially with you”. Karl blushed at this confession. “But I'm terrified that I might not be a good dad, and I'll screw up the kid mentally or something”  

“Sap, are you kidding? You’d be an amazing dad!” Karl exclaimed to him, causing Sapnap to look right back at him. “I mean, have you seen how you are with Rosie? You’re amazing with her. You’re better than me, and I'm the one who’s babysat Tucker and stuff before”. He pulled Sapnap into a hug, and Sapnap returned it in an instant. Neither were willing to let go. “You will be an amazing dad in the future” he mumbled into Sapnap’s neck. When they finally came apart Karl saw Sapnap’s eyes look down at his lips for a split second. Without hesitation, Karl leant forward and placed his lips on Sapnap’s. They kissed until they had to part for air.  

“Will you be mine? Officially?” Sapnap asked him. Karl grinned and placed another peck on Sapnap’s lips.  

“Nah”  

“Karl!”  

They left the room hand in hand. When they returned to the sitting room, Dream and George were waiting for them, Dream entertaining Rosie. They both looked towards the new couple.  

“Fucking finally!” George exclaimed. Dream shushed him.  

“George, you need to watch your language around Rosie now, remember? She could be talking soon”. But George didn’t care, he walked up to the two with a grin. “Glad you finally got your shit together”. He pulled Sapnap into a hug of congratulations then moved onto Karl. “Be gentle with him” George muttered in his ear. “He’s a softie underneath that hard exterior”  

“I know” Karl muttered back to him. When George released him, he looked over to see his boyfriend – yes boyfriend! He’ll never get used to that – had walked over towards Dream.  

“Come on Rosie” he cooed “Sapnap. You can say it!”.  

And Karl fell a little it more in love with him. And even though it was in the far future, Karl couldn’t wait to have children with him in the future.  

That green-eyed girl would be so cute.