Archive of Our Own

This isn’t the first occasion in which George has been caught off guard by the waving of his blinds behind his curtains, only to see (what he presumed to be) the stray cat that likes to meow loudly to him until he gives up some food and/or nice head scratches. There’s no doubt she’s a pretty cat - her fur’s got mixes of brown and grey, varying in small stripes down her back accompanied by a white under-belly and white socks on her paws. George would steal her as his own if he was sure she was a stray.

George smiles at the sight of Patches’ tail swooshing back and forth behind her calmly, pawing gently at his window during the early afternoon. Usually, this was the time she came when she decided to, so George isn’t too surprised. Carefully, he pushes the door open and mumbles a quiet apology to the cat who quickly moves out of his way as to not get pushed off the window. Carefully, she steps her socked feet into the room, stretching with a big yawn which George can’t help but awe at.

George continues the music he was playing before she had made her presence known, something quiet but still pleasant to listen to - in specific, “Mad Sounds” by Arctic Monkeys. Humming along quietly, George leans down into his lower cabinets to retrieve a small bowl and some cat food and can’t help but laugh when Patches rubs her head against his hand in appreciation before she dips her head down to start eating from the bowl. “Where’s your owner, huh?” George pets gentle patterns on her back, smiling fondly when she doesn’t seem to flinch away from the touch. “Do you have an owner, honey?” George frowns at that realization, standing to his feet and returns to what he had been doing before - some simple coding on his computer for his classes.

It’s not much longer before Patches has finished a good chunk of her food, or what she deems to be a good amount before settling on the arm of the chair that George is sitting in. George doesn’t mind - quite the opposite, actually. Part of George really wants to take her as his own but knew that the possibility she had an owner was very prominent considering she wasn’t there around his porch every single day, and she seems to be well-fed and beautifully groomed. All he wanted was a collar - or some sign of an owner, it’d be nice.


Patches is there longer than normal, opting to lay comfortably wedged underneath George’s arm with her head resting on his lap and he doesn’t have the heart to move her. Honestly, George would’ve kept her there for the night to ensure she was safe if it weren’t for the yelling that interrupts him from his coding. It wasn’t violent yelling, there wasn’t any fight but it was a yell for an animal - someone yelling the name “Patches”.

Curiously, George looks down at the cat who is finally starting to come back to her senses after sleeping for so long. “Is it you that they’re yelling for?” George is answered with a head nuzzled into his thigh, making him laugh. “C’mon, they’ve been yelling for a bit, it’s probably you.” George shuts his laptop, carefully taking the cat into his arms, and is relieved she simply seems to ease into the touch rather than fight it. George walks towards his window and catches a glimpse of the person who had been yelling heading inside, probably giving up for the night and simply keeping a bowl of her food and water out in front of his door in hopes she’d find her way back.

“You’re giving this poor man quite a scare.” George presses a kiss to the fur between her ears before he makes his way out of his apartment and beelines for the other door, wishing to return the cat to the distressed owner in hopes he won’t get any more freaked out by the situation.

Knocking echoes quietly throughout the house and startles Dream from his spot at the dining table where he had been freaking out and texting his mom for help. Quickly, he jumps up to his feet and nearly trips when he gets to the door, opening it, and is almost too distracted by the boy in front of him to even notice he has his cat in his arms.

He’s pretty - though that word doesn’t even scrape the surface of how in shock Dream is. The boy in front of him has messy brown hair that lays disheveled across his forehead, and he’s dressed comfortably yet he looks so warm and genuinely holdable and it makes Dream’s heart melt just a bit inside his chest.

“Is… This the cat you were yelling for?” There's a blush that’s dusted carefully under his cheeks when he realizes the man had been staring at him - the very attractive man, at that. “She’s been stopping by my house during the afternoon, I didn’t really know if she was a stray or not. I assumed not, she seems well-fed and well-groomed.”

Dream swallows the lump that threatens to crack through his body, looking down in George’s arms to see his cat curled up against him comfortably. Usually, Patches wasn’t entirely a people person so it was shocking, really. “Yes, that’s her!” Dream reaches forward to take his cat from George’s arms, smiling when she immediately nuzzles against his chest. “Thank you… I’m sorry, I don’t know how she’s getting out so easily - I hope she isn’t being too much trouble, she’s quite the spoiled cat so she might be just super needy.”

Dream’s rambling. Dream is rambling to the pretty boy standing at his doorstep, shyly messing with the sleeves of his sweater since he no longer has a cat in his arms to busy his hands. “It’s no issue!” George smiles sincerely, looking down at the cat in Dream’s arms in hopes he doesn’t have to keep making eye contact with him. “I was considering taking her if she was a stray, she’s very sweet. She also seemed to be very friendly - is she usually like that?”

“Not at all, actually. Most people she meets she usually judges pretty hard - she is an extremely sassy cat. She’s kind of how I know if people are gonna last in my life.” The tone in Dream’s voice is joking, though it isn’t hard to tell that there’s some sincerity hidden between the breaths in his words. “Thank you for bringing her back… Usually, she’s home when I get home, but I just kind of got a little freaked out when she wasn’t. She’s really my baby.”

Truly, George can’t help but giggle, he doesn’t mean it rudely but it’s funny to see this man who he would be intimidated by if they locked eyes down the street being so gentle with this tiny cat in his arms and loving her so hard. “That’s sweet.” George leans forward to run a finger down the cat’s back, laughing when he sees her nuzzle further into Dream’s chest. “What’s that say about me then?” George smiles brightly at him, looking up through long eyelashes which catches Dream completely off guard. Truly, he’d never seen someone that pretty.

Dream stumbles on his words, sputtering out incoherent nonsense as he is simply awestruck by his neighbor - who he regretted never introducing himself to before. Holding Patches close to him, in what seems to be a way to ground his stuttering heart and stuttering words, Dream merely offers a shy smile to George. “I guess that’s up for fate to decide.” Dream carefully pulls Patches from his chest, offering her to George with a smile. “She does her little arm stretch to you, she’s only ever done that to me and my mom.”

Patches snuggles her way against George’s chest once she makes contact with him, purring loudly which only makes Dream beam. “I guess she thinks…” Dream hums, seeming to think as his eyes flicker between George and the kitty wrapped cozily in his arms. “She thinks that you should let me take you out to lunch tomorrow and get to know the guy who so rudely snatched her up.” George scoffs, glancing up at Dream who only offers him a happy smile in response.

“I think that she’s right.” George looks down at the cat curled up so close to him, pressing a kiss between her ears with a smile. “I’d like that.” George is careful as he grabs his phone from his pocket, making sure to hold the cat close to him before he extends his phone to Dream. “Put your number in there, you can text me details. Maybe I can enlighten you on what cat food I use when she’s at my house, she likes it.”

A blush clouds Dream’s cheeks, threatening to color his whole face in roses and bubblegum before he clears his throat, nodding and taking the phone from George’s hand with a shy smile of realization. “You bought cat food for her?” Dream puts his number and name into his phone, handing it back to him with a laugh. “You didn’t have to do that… It’s sweet, but you didn’t have to do it!”

George only shrugs, handing the cat back to Dream before he slips his phone back into his pocket. “It’s no big deal, where’s the harm in spending a little extra money on the sweet cat who stops by my balcony during the afternoons?” George smiles, looking up to see dusk finally settling its way into the horizon, making him let out a small sigh.

“I should get home, I would love to stay and talk about how your cat is the reason you’re taking me out to lunch but I still have some work to do and your cat makes a really great distraction.” George looks back down to lock eyes with the other, giving him a shy smile. “Your name’s Dream?” He recalls it from taking a quick glimpse at the contact name, trying not to giggle at the thought.

“Kind of?” Dream laughs lightly, fiddling with Patches tail as it rubs against the material of his sweater. “It’s what most people call me, my name is actually Clay.”

“Clay.” George hums it quietly in return, and the name slips off his tongue so easily and it makes the butterflies eating away at Dream’s stomach come out of his throat tenfold. “Pretty, it fits you.” George outstretches his hand, watching as Dream grabs it with a curious quirk of the eyebrow. “I’m George.” George giggles quietly at the dumbfounded look on Dream’s face before he pulls his hand back. “I’ll see you tomorrow, Clay.” George turns around, looking over his shoulder at Dream with a happy laugh, giving a small wave before he’s disappeared behind the door to his apartment, leaving Dream there with a heart full of butterflies and cheeks that glow the colors of tulips.

Dream would never get over the pretty boy to who his cat had warmed up to with no hesitation.

.ೃ࿐

Dream admittedly stays up all night thinking about different places he could take George out to lunch, thinking about the boy and how pretty he was and how much he genuinely wanted to spoil him and press chaste kisses to his skin until he was a mess of blushing and happy laughter.

They text a lot that night, too. Dream learns George’s favorite type of food is sushi (though he’s never had it, he vouched to take him to sushi for their lunch date) and he’s studying to major in computer sciences, just as Dream had.

It’s endearing, really, how pretty Dream thinks his neighbor is. It’s endearing how much effort he puts into making himself presentable whilst frantically looking around for his phone and wallet. Truthfully, Dream was beyond nervous, letting his anxiety eat away at the reality of the situation: he was going on a date with a cute boy who loves his cat nearly as much as he does.

The sound of his doorbell ringing makes him jump, spinning in a circle to face his door with wide eyes and rose-tainted cheeks. Dream had taken a long time to mentally (and physically) prepare himself for this date and had assumed he was prepared but that’s proven wrong with how much his heart rate increases at the knocking.

Quickly, Dream smooths his hair back and does a double-take in the mirror, and lets out a frustrated sigh at the piece of hair that makes its way out but leaves it alone anyways. Dream opens the door and his heart performs in his chest when his eyes fall over George’s outfit.

Simple. The outfit was simple but god did it make Dream’s heart want to erupt.

George is dressed in a simple sweater and black cargo pants accompanied by a bright smile and anxious hands that mess with ring-clad fingers.

“You look pretty.”

The words are said quietly and they make George stutter on his words before looking away in defeat. The small smile creeping up on his lips is pretty and it makes Dream want to kiss him breathless.

“Thank you.” George sticks his hands in his pockets, presumably to quit his anxious fidgeting before he looks up to get a better look at Dream, and the lump that threatens to fall from his throat increases tenfold.

Dream is arguably dressed just as casual as he is: a green flannel and black khakis, hair pulled back into a messy bun with a few pieces poking out here and there.

If it weren’t the first date, George would probably kiss him until there was no breath left in his lungs. “You do too, your hair looks really nice. Do you usually do it like that?”

“Not usually. It gets kind of annoying like this honestly but I figured it’d be nice to do on a date, do something different.” Dream shrugs his shoulders after those words, reaching for his keys and wallet before he looks to George with a wide smile.

“Ready for sushi? Is that okay? I know you said it was your favorite but I know you may not be in the mood for it.” Dream’s rambling is cut off by George gently resting a hand on his wrist with a hum of acknowledgment.

“Don’t worry about it, I am honestly up for sushi at any time. Didn’t you say you hadn’t had sushi though? I don’t want you to dislike it or anything.”

“If I do, so be it. I haven’t had it and I want to really bad, you can give me some recommendations too!” Dream’s giggle is intoxicating, making a smile glow across George’s cheeks.

“Yeah, sure!” George removes his hand from Dream’s wrist when he steps forward and waits patiently for him to unlock the door. “I actually haven’t had sushi in a while, it’s been a few months. It’ll be nice to go do it, especially on a date because it’s also been a long time since I’ve been on one of those.”

Dream can’t help the laugh that escapes him, smiling widely at George. “Well I hope I can make today enjoyable, the last thing I’d want to do is ruin your sushi experience.” Dream motions for George to follow him, heading to his car with a happy hum. “Thank you for agreeing to the date, you totally didn’t have to. It was probably a little weird for me to tell you that I wanted to go out because my cat liked you.”

George laughs, and he laughs happily. The laugh drips with honey-flavored saccharide, eyes crinkling at the edges before he looks up to Dream with a sickening smile. “I didn’t find it weird, I think it was really sweet. It’s definitely one way to ask someone out. Besides, I’ve seen you around the complex a few times and I always thought you were really pretty. I’m kinda glad I got an excuse to actually approach you.”

Dream’s cheeks heat up in blowzy roses, decorating his face in a lovesick warmth. “You thought I was pretty? George you’re going to make my ego inflate tenfold.” George laughs lightly, a grin pulling at his lips happily as he goes to respond but is quickly interrupted by Dream. “I’ve literally been dying to talk to you since I moved in. I see you with my best friend’s boyfriend quite frequently actually, it’s a surprise we haven’t met. You’re with Karl a lot so I actually see quite a lot of you I feel.”

“Holy shit! ” George stops in his tracks to stare at Dream with wide eyes and a dumbfounded laugh. “You’re that Clay?! I didn’t realize! Sapnap talks about you a lot when I get to see him, I didn’t realize that was you though!” Dream giggles quietly at the reaction George gives and nods in response.

“I didn’t realize you didn’t know, honestly. Karl talks about you a lot, too. He’s really fond of you, actually!” Dream opens the passenger door with a gentle smile, heart threatening to stop in his chest when George presses a gentle kiss to his cheek in thanks.

Dream closes the door gently and circles around the car to get into the driver’s seat, though is stopped when he watches George lock the door with a mischievous grin. Dream pouts, leaning down to look at George with a shake of the head. “Let me in, you nimrod!”

George shakes his head with a giggle. “I don’t know what you’re talking about!”

Dream sticks his tongue out at him, holding his keys up with a shake of the head. “I’ve still got these, idiot.” George pouts at him, crossing his arms over his chest in faux annoyance.

“You’re no fun!” Dream smiles lovingly at the childish demeanor, unlocking the car before he slides into his seat. “Sorry to ruin your fun, sweetheart.” Dream slides the key into the ignition, looking over to George with a small hum.

“You can play whatever music you want if that’ll make up for the situation.” Dream watches as George races to get his phone from his pocket, watching as his phone screen illuminates him in green and black hues.

“You’re so regretting that choice.” George giggles, connecting to the car Bluetooth before he lets 21 Savage play through the car which admittedly catches Dream off guard.

“I won’t lie, this is not the music I expected you to listen to. That’s not a bad thing! It just caught me off guard.” Dream turns to rest his hand on the back of George’s seat, looking over his shoulder to back out of his spot with a small hum. “I enjoy this music too, though. I kind of will listen to whatever as long as it sounds good.”

“What music did you expect from me?” George’s question is genuine, being curious as to what Dream assumed he’d listen to. George’s eyes follow Dream’s arm, smiling lightly as he leans back in his seat and enjoys the music playing in the car.

“I don’t know, honestly. I kind of thought you’d like 70’s artists, kind of like Elton John? Something about you just kind of reminds me of him, I guess.”

“That feels like the biggest stereotype I’ve ever been told in my life.”

“That’s not what I meant!” Dream’s laugh echoes throughout the car, filling George’s ears with cloying dopamine. “I just meant that you seem like you’d like 70’s artists! I’m not saying you’re like the biggest raging homosexual or something!”

George giggles happily, grabbing Dream’s hand and intertwining their fingers to bring his flailing hand down to the center console between them. “I don’t care, I just thought it was funny I’m not mad.” It’s not hard to tell that Dream calms down substantially, letting out a faux huff of annoyance. “You’re not wrong, though. I actually enjoy Elton John a lot, he’s probably one of my more played artists on Spotify.”

Dream smiles in embarrassment at the response, looking down to their hands once they reach a red light. “I think my top artist is Doja Cat and I truly don’t know if that’s the most embarrassing thing I’ve ever admitted or not.” Dream brings George’s hand up to his lips to press a kiss there for a few moments, not missing the way George beams.

“She’s good! She makes some good fucking music.” George’s ears turn bright red at what he says, whipping his head to the side to look at Dream. “I did not mean that as in she makes good music to have sex to, she just makes good music I swear.”

Dream nearly chokes on his own laughter small hiccups interrupting the giggles. “I knew what you meant, I didn’t even think of it that way oh my god.” Dream watches as George’s face falls in embarrassment, hiding his face with his free hand with a whine. “It was funny, don’t worry. That is definitely an impression I’ll remember about our first date.”

“You are such a jerk!” George playfully smacks his arm, grabbing his phone to switch the song with a playful frown, though he was fighting a smile and it was obvious. “I’m so not talking about my music ever again. I did not mean for that to happen like that, I am so embarrassed.”

Dream can’t help the giggles that pour out of him, opting to press another kiss to George’s knuckles as an apology. “I won’t talk about it, I swear. You literally had to bring my cat to me because I was on the brink of losing my mind, I think we can both say we’ve done equally awkward things in front of one another already.”

“I guess you’re right.” George smiles fondly at the kiss to his knuckles, closing his eyes and leaning back and listening to ‘Your Song’ by Elton John filter throughout the car speakers. “ God , I love this song.”

“Second best song by him, if you ask me.”

“Second?” George asks curiously, rubbing over Dream’s knuckles with his thumb as he looks over to him. “What’s your first?”

“Take Me To The Pilot.” Dream turns into the parking lot for the restaurant, looking over to George with a small smile. “I also really like Tiny Dancer, it probably falls in third of my all-time favorite Elton John songs.”

“Can we sit and listen to the song before we go in? I really like it, it’d be nice to finish it.” George peeks over to Dream with a hopeful look and giggles happily when he gets a nod in response.

“What’s your favorite?”

George doesn’t answer immediately, biting his lip in thought as he grabs his phone and looks through Elton John’s songs. “That’s a good question.” George’s smile widens when he finds the one he really likes, and it’s obvious and endearing. “Okay, so my top two are definitely tied between Honky Cat and Rocket Man. I know Rocket Man is really basic or whatever you want to call it, but you can’t tell me that song isn’t beautiful.”

“It is.” Dream smiles sincerely, unbuckling himself before he turns the radio off once the song comes to an end. “You ready, handsome?”

“I’m ready.” George stutters on his words, cheeks igniting in rosegold and appreciation. “Thank you for this, seriously. If you don’t like it, I’ll take you out somewhere you like at some point, I swear. Actually, I’ll do that even if you do like it.”

“Oh, so another date is guaranteed?” Dream smiles happily, tongue peeking out between his teeth and his eyes crinkling at the edges. “I’m glad to hear that, seriously.” Dream slides out of his seat, opening the car door for George with a wide smile.

George gets up to his feet and feels his cheeks drown in heat, smiling up at Dream. “I hope so, I guess it depends on how today goes, huh?” George’s words are teasing and full of no malice, though the smile he’s fighting is obvious.

Dream intertwines his fingers with George’s, leading him into the restaurant with a smile. “I guess it does depend on how today goes, but I hope it’s well.”

George laughs softly, following Dream to their table once they’re guided by their host, George watching as Dream looked around the menu in confusion. “I don’t know what to get.”

George laughed lightly, moving around to sit beside Dream and look through the menu. “Well, I personally really like the chili ponzu yellowtail roll, but that’s like a lot of food in one roll for the first time eating it. I’d suggest something simple like a surf & turf roll or just a simple California roll.”

“Can I try some of yours?” Dream flips the menu to look at the drinks, letting out a happy sound when he sees the strawberry lemonade on the menu. The noise earns a happy smile from George who nods in response.

“Yeah, I don’t mind.” George closes his menu and intertwines their fingers, resting his head on Dream’s shoulder with a hum. “How’s Patches? Any more leaving the house?”

Dream only laughs at that, rubbing over George’s knuckles absentmindedly. “Not yet, I think she understands that you were literally at my house yesterday so she just seemed really happy yesterday. It’s nice to see how much she likes you, y’know?”

“She’s a sweet cat, it’s nice to know that she likes me.” George goes to continue his sentence, though the sight of their waiter coming to take their order makes him stop talking.

Dream’s quick to give both their orders, George watching how a sparkle seems to make itself noticeable in Dream’s eyes when he squeezes George’s hand. “You sure you’re okay with me trying some of your food?” Dream asks curiously, looking down at George with a small frown. “I know that could be gross to some people and I don’t really want to make you or anything.”

“Dream, I don’t care. You ramble a lot, it’s cute.” The response that George gets is photo-worthy, watching the way Dream shrinks back to avoid being flustered, a shy smile creeping on his lips.

“I do that a lot when I’m nervous, I’m honestly nervous as hell right now. I don’t think I’ve been this nervous for a date since… high school?”

“Why are you nervous?” George giggles quietly, moving his fingers from Dream’s only to press their hands together and admire the size difference with a shy smile. “You have nothing to be nervous about. I’m honestly really excited about this and I find you really sweet, Clay.”

“George, if you don’t stop talking I’m going to kiss you and I fear that I’m serious.” George giggles happily at that, covering his face with his free hand.

“God, don’t say that, please. Dream, I said I find you pretty and that I really like you, you cannot say you want to kiss me as if I don’t want to reciprocate it.”

Dream laughs loudly, pressing his forehead onto George’s shoulder and nuzzling into his neck with a hum. “I’m just saying, I’m being honest.”

“Maybe you’ll get a kiss or something at the end of the date.” George’s words are whispered quietly into Dream’s hair and pressing a kiss to his crown too. “Now I’m gonna move to the other side so we aren’t just awkwardly pressed against one another as we try to eat Sushi.”

Dream laughs quietly at that, though he feels his heart pick up when the kiss is pressed to his head. “Alright, Georgie. Whatever works!” George does as he said he would, moving over to the other side of the table.

“Here’s your food! Tell me if you need anything else or need refills!” Their food is laid out onto the table, Dream smiling happily to George.

“Thank you!” George smiles at the waiter who gives a smile in return and walks away. “Tell me how you like the California roll. If you don’t like it, just let me know.” George earns a nod in response, watching as Dream picks up the California roll and bites into it.

“Woah!” Dream smiles happily, covering his mouth so he isn’t blatantly talking with his mouth full. “This is… Really good, George. I see why you like it so much.” George smiles fondly at him, grabbing one of his own sushi rolls and setting it onto Dream’s plate.

“I’m glad you like it, try that one. It’s pretty spicy, though so I don’t know how you’ll enjoy it.” Dream’s already popping the sushi roll into his mouth before his eyes widen.

Dream chokes a bit from the spiciness, covering his mouth with an embarrassed smile as he swallows it. “I don’t do really well with spice, oh god.”

George can’t help but laugh, but still, he moves to sit next to Dream again and rub a hand up and down his back. “You gonna be okay?”

“I’ll be okay, I might just kind of falter when I get home though.” Dream laughs lightly, going back to eating his California rolls in hope that it’ll subside the heat coursing through his body.

“I’m sorry, I should’ve thought that through. I’ll take care of you when we get back to your house if you need me to, I didn’t mean to upset your stomach or anything.”

“I should be fine, I promise. I appreciate that, though.” Dream smiles lightly at George in appreciation.

The rest of their date is spent with George profusely apologizing for making Dream eat spicy food and Dream just simply trying to pass it off that he’d be fine - and he was until he got home and laid on his couch, huffing and puffing about how gross he felt.

“You feeling okay?” George asked softly, running his fingers through Dream’s hair with a small hum.

“I’m fine.” Dream laughed lightly, leaning into George’s touch with a happy hum. “My stomach just feels gross is all, I really don’t react well to spicy food.” George smiles softly, nodding in understanding.

“You gonna be okay if I get back to my apartment then? I really don’t want to leave you if you’re gonna feel like shit, but I do have to finish my computer work and I really don’t want to miss that deadline.”

Dream laughs lightly, sitting up to flash George a happy smile. “I’m fine, George. I mean it, go get your work done, okay? I’ll text you if I really need anything, I mean it.” George sighs softly, leaning down to Gently cup Dream’s cheeks.

“Whatever you say, Dream. If you need me, you can text me I mean it.” George hums quietly, tilting Dream’s head up with a small laugh as he pressed a gentle kiss to Dream’s lips.

Dream’s startled by the gesture, though he returns it quickly with just as much excitement. George pulls away before he could really enjoy it, huffing quietly in response. “I’ll see you probably later this week, okay? Feel better, love.”

Dream smiles brightly at him, leaning up to press another kiss on his lips. “Okay, say bye to Patches on your way out.” Upon hearing her name, Patches swishes her tail in curiosity and hops off her perch by the door, circling around George’s legs and rubbing against his leg with a purr.

“Well, I think she’s saying bye to me.” George picks her up with a happy smile, pressing a kiss to her fur. “Take care of him, will you?”