Work Text:
Dream never planned on being a father at such a young age. He’d never planned on having kids, period.
But here he is, standing in the middle of his bedroom with a fussy two month old crying into his ear and feeling seconds away from crying himself.
When the twenty-two year old had gotten the phone call from his ex-girlfriend, he’d been in the middle of his afternoon class. It had confused him, since they’d been broken up for ten or so months, give or take a few weeks, so he had ignored the call and went back to paying attention to what his professor was teaching.
After the third call, Dream had no choice but to excuse himself from his class to go out and answer. He’d barely gotten through his annoyed greeting before he’d heard the words that had completely turned his life around.
“You have a son, Clay.”
His ex had explained that she had found out she was pregnant only a week after they’d broken up and instead of telling him, she’d kept it a secret. So much of a secret that not even her family knew about the pregnancy, nor the birth. She’d told him that she couldn’t handle taking care of a baby, that she couldn’t afford both herself and a newborn, especially while she was still in college. She had been thinking about putting the infant up for adoption before she decided to call Dream.
“Are you able to take him? I thought I would be able to, but I-... I just.... can’t.”
Dream had hesitated. He was a young college student who had classes to attend everyday, as well as four roommates he had to think about. He couldn’t just agree to taking a baby he hadn’t met yet, nor without talking to his friends first.
He had asked her if she was able to wait a couple of days, to give him time to think it over.
“I can give you two days. That’s when I’m supposed to leave the hospital.”
So, over the next two days, Dream had called his mom to tell her the news and to get her advice on what she thought he should do. The woman had been surprised, to say the least, but she couldn’t hide her excitement over her very first grandchild. She’d asked him all sorts of questions, very few he could provide answers for, and when he’d asked her what he should do, she had told him that it was completely up to him and that whatever he chose, she would support him no matter what.
He then sat his roommates down and told them about his newfound son. The reactions were a mixture of shock and disbelief. They’d asked almost the same questions Dream had heard from his mother.
“When was he born?”
“What’s his name?”
“What the fuck, you have a kid?!”
“What do you want to do?”
They understood Dream’s hesitancy over taking on a newborn, but they were quick to assure Dream that if he did want to take the infant in under his care, that they would be more than willing to help out in any way that they could. That they’d support him.
By the time the big day came along, Dream had pretty much made up his mind of saying no. He couldn’t take care of a baby! Not when he was still in college and had rent to pay for the house he and his friends lived in. He couldn’t afford anything that a baby needed, nor could he afford a babysitter if he would ever need one.
Besides, he just couldn’t see himself taking care of another, tinier human being. He could barely take proper care of himself, for god sakes! How could he possibly take care of a baby?
Dream walked into that hospital set on the fact that he would walk out empty handed.
But when he walked into that hospital room and his ex-girlfriend had handed him the newborn, Dream had fallen in love, right then and there. He had nearly burst into tears as he cradled the tiny human in his arms and when he’d looked at his ex, he was met with a watery gaze.
“His name is Parker.”
Dream never once put down his son as he asked the girl every question that came to mind, his voice quiet so as to not disturb the sleeping baby in his arms.
“Is he healthy?”
“How much did he weigh?””
“Are you okay?”
Every question was answered through a teary smile and a shaky finger gently smoothing over the dark, silky hair covering the infant's head. She had told him that she thought she would be ready but as soon as she’d held him, she knew she wasn’t fit to be a mother. She would rather him go to someone who would love him unconditionally and care for him in the way that she couldn’t.
She felt that Dream could be that person.
Dream left the hospital with a baby carrier on his arm and a diaper bag over his shoulder. A kind nurse was nice enough to help teach him how the carseat went into the car and before he knew it, he was pulling into the driveway of the house he lived in with his roommates. Only George and Karl had been home, then.
Karl had been surprised, and absolutely elated, at the sight of Dream walking in with the baby carrier but George had just looked at Dream with a smile that practically said that he was expecting it.
Hell, George probably knew Dream better than Dream knew himself so the Brit most likely knew that they would end up with a baby in the house by the end of the day.
“I would’ve been more surprised if you didn’t bring him home. Now give him to me.”
A shrill cry pulls Dream from his head and he quickly resumes his gentle bouncing and shushing. Parker quiets for a moment, a soft whimper leaving his mouth. The silence only lasts for a few seconds before the crying starts back up.
“What’s wrong? Hm?” Dream murmurs softly despite his own nerves beginning to bubble up within him. His lips brush against the soft dust of hair on top of Parker’s head. He’d already had a bottle, been burped, his diaper is clean, he doesn’t feel like he has a fever, and he won’t take his pacifier…
Dream doesn’t know what the baby could possibly want but he hopes they figure it out soon because he’s exhausted and he has an early class tomorrow.
Parker lets out another loud cry and Dream is about ready to start crying with him. They’ve been at this for well over an hour now and he’s tired . They both are.
A soft knock is heard before his door creaks open slowly and George steps inside. His hair is messy and sticking up here and there. His large sleep shirt hangs over his frame, showing off his pale neck and collarbones, and the cuffs of his sweatpants are rolled around his ankles.
Dream vaguely recognizes them as a pair of his own that went missing a couple of weeks ago.
Basically, George looks like he’d just stumbled out of bed. And he most likely did.
The realization makes the cold feeling of guilt overtake Dream. “I’m so-”
“Don’t.” George cuts him off gently, giving him a soft, assuring smile. The brunet closes the door and approaches the two of them. He rests his hand on the back of Parker’s head, murmuring quietly to the little boy over his cries. “What’s wrong with him?”
“I don’t know.” Dream doesn’t mean for his voice to break but it does.
George notices, of course he notices , and he automatically holds his hands out. “Give him here.”
“George-”
“Clay.”
Dream frantically blinks away the tears pooling in his eyes, ignoring the few that manage to escape, and he carefully hands Parker over to George, who takes him with gentle whispers and cooing. Dream watches as Parker squirms for a moment before relaxing against George’s chest. His cries quiet slightly, but not by much.
George looks at Dream. “Go get some water, yeah? Calm down.”
Dream opens his mouth to protest but George interrupts him, “You’re feeding off of each other right now and he’s not gonna calm down until you do. Go .”
Realizing that George is most likely right, Dream wipes his eyes and reluctantly leaves his bedroom to go downstairs to get himself a glass of water. He downs the entirety of it within a few seconds and he refills the glass. He drinks it slower this time and sets the glass in the sink to be washed. He leans back against the counter and lets out a loud exhale, swallowing past the ache in his throat.
His thoughts slowly drift to George. More specifically, George and Parker.
George has been a big help over the past two months, more than he probably realizes. Now, don't get Dream wrong, all of his friends have been an incredible help over the past two months and are amazing uncles to his son. But George... He’s offered to watch Parker multiple times while Dream's had classes, he’s made countless bottles, changed many, many diapers, even when he didn't need to. He’s been there almost every minute since Parker was brought into their home and in return, he’s built such a strong bond with Parker. It warms Dream’s heart every time he thinks about it.
Witnessing the two together has also made Dream realize something that he should’ve realized sooner.
Dream loves George.
Dream is in love with George.
He’s pretty sure he has been since that party they went to in sophomore year when George had saved him from an overly-flirty and touchy drunk girl and dragged him outside into the cool night air. The two of them had sat out by the pool for hours, their feet dipped into the cold water, talking about anything and everything that came to their minds.
It was a moment Dream finds himself thinking back on frequently. For the longest time, he figured it was just because he thought that was when they realy, truly became friends. Best friends, even.
But now he knows that wasn’t the case. Not at all.
That was the night he fell in love. He’d just been too dense to realize it.
Shaking himself from his thoughts, Dream rubs at his eyes and lets out a loud, stabilizing breath before making his way back upstairs.
It’s quiet when he nears his bedroom and he’s about to walk in when George’s soft voice stops him.
“-know how lucky you are to have such an amazing dad? Because you are. You’re a very lucky boy. He’s the greatest person you can have as your father, really. He loves you so much and he’s always working to be the best version of himself that he can be for you. He does so much to give you the best life possible… so you have to promise me that you’ll start going a bit easier on him, okay?”
There’s a small whimper from Parker and the sound tugs at Dream’s heartstrings despite the overwhelming emotions that are flooding within his chest at the words he’s hearing coming from George’s mouth. He’s never heard the man talk so… sincerely before.
“I know, I know,” George comforts through a small chuckle, “It’s terrible, isn’t it? Absolutely terrible ... But you can do it, love. I know you can.”
A few seconds of silence pass and Dream takes a moment to gather himself and wipe away the tears that had begun to pool in his eyes at the heartfelt words he had just overheard from his best friend. He never knew George thought so highly about his abilities as a parent, or as a person. It caught him off guard, to hear George talk about him in such a way and for a brief moment, Dream thinks about the possibility of his friend feeling the same way.
But he’s quick to push those thoughts aside.
Dream shakes his head. He’s looking too far into the gentle words and praise. He’s high on emotions, it’s making him overthink. He almost laughs at himself. There’s no way George feels the same… there just isn’t.
Dream would know… wouldn’t he?
Before he can sink into his head again, Dream pushes his door open and steps inside.
The latter is standing near the window, cradling Parker close to his chest and patting a gentle rhythm onto the boy’s back. He sways on his feet, moving back and forth in a slow and soothing manner that Dream has done many times himself.
George glances over and catches his eye, his eyebrows raising in a silent question of “ you good? ”
Dream ducks his head in a small nod and he sits himself on the edge of his bed. George walks over to the crib sitting near Dream’s computer and oh-so-carefully transfers the sleeping infant onto the mattress. Both men wait with bated breaths, waiting for the inevitable cry, but it never comes.
Much to their relief, Parker stays asleep.
And much to Dream’s confusion, George walks to the other side of the bed and makes himself comfortable under the blankets.
“Lay down.” George murmurs softly, blinking tiredly at the blond.
Dream hesitates for a second before he lays down as well, tucking his body under the blankets. He rolls onto his side, facing George, and tucks an arm under the pillow.
“Dream?”
Dream hums in response.
“You know you’re not alone, right?”
Dream blinks at the question, his brows furrowing. “Yeah…?”
“Then you also know that if you ever need help, you can come wake me up? You can wake any of us up.”
Dream sighs quietly. “George…”
“We promised we’d help in any way we can,” George reminds him, “How are we supposed to do that if you don’t tell us when you need help?”
“I just… I know how busy you’ve all been lately.” Dream whispers. He fights off the frown that’s threatening to appear. “With finals coming up, we’ve all been cramming. I just… I didn’t want to bother any of you. Especially when it’s this early in the morning and we don’t get enough sleep as it is.”
George snorts faintly. “You’re too considerate for your own good.”
Dream gives him a weak smile and George sighs.
“You’re always welcome to wake me up if you need me, Dream.” George tells him and he makes it clear that he’s leaving no room for arguments. “I don’t care what time it is, or how much sleep I’ve gotten. If you need me, you have me.”
The words almost make Dream want to cry again but he swallows past the lump in his throat to speak. “Okay.”
Dream doesn’t think he’ll ever understand how he got so lucky with his little group of friends, and he doesn’t really care either. All he knows is that he’s very happy to have them in his life and now that he has them, he’s never letting them go.
“Thank you, George.” Dream sniffles quietly, no longer trying to hide his emotions and letting a few tears loose. They roll over the bridge of his nose and onto his pillow, leaving uncomfortable damp spots on the pillowcase.
George rolls onto his side and rests a gentle hand on Dream’s arm. “Let’s get some sleep, yeah? We can talk more tomorrow.”
Dream nods, using the edge of his blanket to wipe his face dry. He moves his pillow closer to George’s and tugs the blankets up further. An audible yawn forces its way out of Dream before he relaxes into the mattress.
“George?”
“Yes, Dream?”
“I love you.”
“I know.”
Dream yawns again. “No,” he mumbles, his eyes slipping closed, “ I love you , George. Like… actually .”
There’s a faint chuckle.
“ I know , you idiot.” George mutters and Dream feels a comforting weight rest over his side, pulling him closer. “Go to sleep. We’ll talk more later.”
Dream hums faintly, contentedly. “Goodnight, George.”
“Goodnight, Dream.”