Work Text:
When Sapnap walked in, gasping like he couldn’t breathe, Dream and George were immediately paying attention.
Crossing over to them both, Sapnap dropped down onto the couch between them. “I can’t—panic attack—I need—“ He waved his hands slightly. Immediately, Dream took one of his hands. Pulled him close.
“Ssh. Ssh, it’s okay, it’s alright. Breathe.” Dream said, wrapping his arms around Sapnap’s back. Taking a shaky, weak breath, shoulders and chest rattling, Sapnap shook his head. His fingers found his hair, tugged lightly. “Ssh, ssh, it’s okay, I have you. I’ve got you.” Dream whispered, kissing the side of his head. His hands found Sapnap’s, and Sapnap grabbed onto him. Interlaced their fingers around one another. “Ssh, ssh. I know, I know.” He pulled Sapnap to his chest, close enough that he could feel Dream’s heartbeat. Crying, Sapnap gripped tighter to his fingers. There was a moment where it was just them sitting there. Then, George shifted over. Reached up and touched the sides of Sapnap’s face. Rubbed a thumb over his cheek.
“Hey. We got you. Okay, just breathe with me, okay? That’s all you need to do.” George said, holding his gaze. He matched Sapnap’s breathing, then slowly began to ease his breathing into something smoother and softer. Matching it, Sapnap stuttered through a couple of breaths. Still, he managed to match George’s breaths for a couple moments before it hitched. “That’s great, that’s great.” Dream wrapped his arms around Sapnap’s waist and rested his chin on the young man’s shoulder. Nodding, Sapnap shoved his palms into his eyes, dropped forwards to prop his elbows on his knees. Dream moved with him, meeting George’s gaze. “Do you want to talk about it?”
“The movie— Breaking —“ Waving a hand, Sapnap sniffed. “It’s horrible, it’s ableist, the—it reminded me of—of my family and what happened to—“ He paused. Gently, George cradled his face.
“I’m sorry. That’s awful.”
“I should have just checked the sites beforehand.” Sapnap mourned, shoulders shaking. “I was an idiot.”
“Then you’ve learned for next time. I’m just sorry that this is happening to you.” George replied, still holding onto Sapnap’s face. “Hey, breathe with me, okay? Just keep breathing? We can relax after this.”
Slowly, slowly, Sapnap’s breathing eased out. Softened into what it normally was. Dream hugged him a little bit tighter, pulled him back so they were both lying on the couch. “Do you mind making dinner? I know it’s my turn.” Dream said, looking at him. Nodding, George touched Sapnap’s shoulder. Then, he stood up, turned, and hurried into the kitchen.
Humming, Dream rocked Sapnap back and forth. Slowly tipped to the side and pushed Sapnap over to the side slightly. And then he squished him into the couch for the first time. It wasn’t the first time. Probably wouldn’t be the last, either. Sapnap wrapped up into him, tucked his face into Dream’s neck. Letting him, Dream felt him close his eyes. Then, gently, he reached up and slowly began running his fingers up into Sapnap’s hair. There was a low hum, and Sapnap tucked his face a little deeper into his neck. Let out a soft breath.
“I know, I know. Not the most fun. Hey, how about we sleep in your room tonight?” Dream asked. Brushing his fingers along Sapnap’s cheek, he smiled when there was a soft breath. A little nod followed. He moved his hands down, found Sapnap’s shoulders, and started rubbing at the knots there. “You’re hurting, aren’t you?”
“It’s fine.” Sapnap mumbled, arms tightening around Dream’s middle when he found a particularly hard knot. “Thanks. Don’t worry. It’s just tight.” His breathing paused again, and Dream took his hands away. “It’s from carrying all of you.”
“Carrying all of our love for you, maybe.” Dream fired back. Looking at him, Sapnap snorted.
“Do you know what George is making?” Sapnap asked.
“Mmmm…” Tipping his head back, Dream covered Sapnap’s ear. “Yo George! Whatcha making!”
“It’s a surprise!”
Turning back, Dream said, “It’s grilled cheese and tomato soup.” Sapnap nodded.
“He’s always good at that.” Dream hummed, played with his hair a bit more. “Can you keep doing that? It’s kind of nice.”
“Playing with your hair?”
“Mhmm.”
Dream kept toying around with his hair. As he did, Sapnap relaxed into the sheets, sighing softly. Some of the creases that Dream could feel pressing into his neck, from Sapnap’s nose and forehead, eased out. “There you go.” He mused, smoothing Sapnap’s hair out. Humming, Sapnap pulled him a little closer, tangled their legs together. “Are you in a cuddly mood?”
“Very much so, yes.” He hummed. Grinning, Dream pulled him as close as physically possible. “Cuddle with the homies, am I right or am I right? Socks on or off.”
“Who cares about socks, as long as your feet are warm you’re fine.” Rolling over onto Sapnap, Dream crushed him into the couch. “This cuddly enough for you?”
Face smushed into the cushions, Sapnap mumbled, “Absolutely.”
“Okay, okay, stop crushing him.” George scolded, walking in with the cats right behind him and food on a tray in his hands. If Dream remembered right, they’d accidentally stolen it from the TSA or something like that when they had met up with George for the first time. When he had flown into the US for the first time. To meet with them. But yeah. Pretty sure that was stolen from TSA or something.
“I want to be crushed.”
“Alright, alright. But you’re cleaning soup off the couch when it spills.” Both of them sat up. For the moment, all of them sat around the living room coffee table, cats cuddling around them and the regular sound of each other breathing a constant and safe presence.
Stirring his spoon around, Sapnap asked, “You guys don’t mind that I get anxiety attacks, right?” He kept staring at the soup. Because of that, he missed the look that George and Dream shared with one another.
“Why would we mind? You didn’t ask for anxiety.” George pointed out, looking down at him slightly. Dream glanced over, then looked back to Sapnap and nodded. Still, Sapnap wasn’t looking at them.
“Hey.” Reaching over, Dream touched his wrist. Dark eyes flicked up to meet green. “We’re not here because of some perfect version of you we have built up in our heads. We’re here because we love you. You’re important to us.” Sapnap’s face flushed slightly, and he looked down. Rubbing a thumb over his wrist, Dream added, “If we cared about this fake version of you, then that’s cruel. More importantly, that’s not you . That’s someone that doesn’t exist. You’re the one we want. You’re the one we care about.”
“Right.” Sapnap mumbled. George got up, setting his empty dishes aside. Then, he sat down by Sapnap, sat down, and pulled him over to kiss his cheek. Dream got to see the exact moment one of his housemates bluescreened due to the other one. Blinking, Sapnap turned and stared at the floor. Clapped a hand over his mouth.
“We care about you. That’s that. Not eat that grilled cheese or I will shove it down your throat.” George announced, crossing his arms and leaning back.
Sapnap looked at Dream, who just widened his eyes and looked to the side.