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George had strained a smile, yet he mostly slouched at the last call of his name that class. It’s been happening again and again, and it was unnerving him for the past weeks.
He stood from his seat last as their economics teacher ushered him from the leaving class. She was a sweet woman from the get-go, whose bloodline was established as one of the best chefs of a neighbouring kingdom. Her being an economics teacher was marvellous, considering her business workplace.
"Your- George? Could you please get these papers to Miss Puffy’s class?" Miss Niki handed him a small stack of folders with some lesson titles on some visible sheets. George meets her eyes, taking them without looking at any of them.
"Of course, miss." He gives a little nod and sees her smile.
Sometimes he'd think it was too unbelievable that he's been able to top Dream on Society and Politics for six exams —that he couldn’t accomplish for years; He muses he’s been blessed by the gods at that point and not by his own sheer skill. And even if the gods may have probably and so suddenly turned to his side, it would also be too much to think Dream would fall out of favour too.
He liked the first time it happened, he practically rubbed the damn test all over Dream's face as soon as he got the chance. Just barely, at least, he wasn't that heartless when the guy was at the edge of distraught and just didn't bother him at all. It was awfully weird for the guy to be that upset, -especially when he’d normally beat him in other classes and he’d be the one to cut him a peg down. Well, it was a long streak though, George shrugged it at that.
And as much as he wanted to take the turn of being that cocky and rub this fact on Dream's face again, he couldn't get this bad feeling off. It was enough to distract George from the obvious glaring and scoffing when they had a class together.
What's more unusual was that Dream didn't dare utter a word after that, a tease or another rude taunt in front of his face. This lasted to their other classes too. Even if Dream caught first on Philosophy, he didn't share the same smug reaction he usually did. Having him walk past him was more than unusual —George was basically met with bare ignorance from the clever blonde.
As soon as he gets to the vicinity of the door to the classroom, he sees two boys shuffling around. Both looked a bit young and out of place to be in the class.
He only but slightly coughs a second before getting recognised by one of them.
"Ah, your highness!" One of the taller boys called out in an obviously faux chirpy tone, it also obviously caught his friend’s attention. George cringed at the honorifics.
"Newcomers." He acknowledges. So what were they doing in the 3rd year’s class? —And apparently having some business with someone else’s notes. "We don’t use honorifics in class. Please, use George."
"We were just collecting someone’s notes for them, sir." The second one said, calmer than his giddy friend, with a curtsey. "We’ll be off, thank you for your time!"
He nods as they scurry off the room in file. George then places the papers on the teacher’s papers, looking over the tables with some papers left at the table those two were at. And from observations, or more likely the name written on one notebook, it was Dream’s. He grips the notebook with some contempt. Does the guy already have charm over the newcomers? To be completely honest, George still wonders how an egoistic personality was fonded over.
"George?" Dream narrowed eyes on him as soon as he got to the room.
"They forgot to grab the rest, I presume?" He quipped fast, setting the notebook down.
To say Dream was slightly annoyed at what George calls a slight inconvenience - as much as meeting eyes could be - would be drastically underestimating his mood. On a scale of gripping his nails to bleed to pathetic arson, he was ascending quickly; he was quite possibly breaking a barrier at this point.
George stepped back from him, as he marched right past to collect his things. He shivers at the cold reaction he got.
"Just leave me alone, you prick." His words were seething but begging in some sort of way.
And for further emphasis, the guy almost throws himself as he leaves the room, almost wanting to hit George, only if necessary.
What the fuck was wrong with the guy? George huffs. He’ll get back at that new attitude of his.
Okay, maybe he’s been that worried about Dream for a few weeks now.
George doesn't get how the glares that turned even more genuinely furious and the bare ignorance he faced from him was starting to get on his nerves. It pricked every moment when Dream didn't care to taunt nor to discuss anything about their classes and spare rumours in hand. It hurt, even more, when he didn't seem to be cheery in any sort of way. Hurt gathered by his chest as if he's somehow part of why he's acting like this.
Everything felt off now. Even though performance wise, nothing seemed to change drastically, it was unexpectedly demotivating for George. He wants to chalk it up to Dream being one of which he sees himself equal to in judgment and reason; and having the guy's enthusiasm diminish affects him. Which could be a metaphor to show that he actually cares for his friendly rival in some way, Karl explains to him.
And it doesn't really hurt to say that he did in some part of himself.
"Whatever—"
"—You did…"
Well then. Eavesdropping wasn't exactly the thought in mind when George wanted to check up on the annoying other. It certainly isn't 'getting back at him' but it works enough. Still, he wasn't opposed to it, he's just making sure the other wasn't planning anything horrid like his current attitude. Only but god could imagine the things one could do when furious. Dream was obviously stressing about something to be this irritable, he defended himself.
"I never did." He recognises Dream's pestered voice. "He's just a prick, nothing new about it."
"You know I will always offer to beat them or just him up somewhere secluded if this goes on, but, even I can’t believe that as much as you do, I guess."
"No thank you, but what exactly are you implying?" Dream asks warily.
"Well, I don't know—” Sapnap starts, almost like he’s preparing himself. “Like the easiest solution, literally by talking things out and apologising?"
Apologise? George thinks as he leaned by the wall of the library, flipping a page of what he's pretending to read.
It was obvious from the start of it that he's the 'prick' Dream was talking about - the guy can't insult others that easily -. So, he must be that someone he needs to apologise to. Though, has Dream ever done something wrong to him? Excluding his rudeness and misconduct, nothing comes to mind.
"No."
"You guys could be at least good acquaintances too though..." Sapnap's ends that thought right there as the displeasure on Dream's face might get him scolded at. "I mean, it's a surprise you two aren't getting along in the first place. Both of you have the same interests, goals and attitude, really. Would make really good chemistry if you guys didn't try to slit each other's throats when you two breathe the same air."
George piqued at that, almost chuckling out loud.
"That's the whole thing." Dream deadpans right across everything his best friend had said. "I know you want to be on good terms with him because of Karl, but you can't drag me in that notion."
Was that it? George scoffs at that immature thought. Was Dream being pissy these weeks because he's thinking his friend was leaving him or something? And he may even have done something wrong without George even realising. It isn't even that big of a deal! George doesn't even care if his best friend and his own get together or not.
He feels his chest tighten up to his spine, aching each time he breathes in deeply. He wasn't all too kind to him, yes, but he's never got out of his way to insult him -in most occasions, at least. And yet, was George that horrible for the guy to act like this?
"Look, you can be friends with whoever the hell you want for all I care, but the one thing I will never do is become 'friends' with him." Dream finishes with a wave of his hand, shooting down the hypothetical offer. "No thank you. And please drop that thought."
"Well—"
"Who said I wanted to be friends with you, anyway?" George entered the library, asking but in a soft voice —not offended by the way!
Dream looked up at him from his seat and snarled at him. There were still traces of anger from the classroom incident —whatever that was. Plus, paired with what George heard earlier, it only serves his want to throw this guy off a roof.
"Good afternoon, stalker. Any of your business you must have lost in here?" Dream quipped quickly. He was only ushered by his friend to calm down. Well, Sapnap only tried to; George was thankful for his decency.
"I was just passing by, you immature pug, " He scoffed at his lie, Dream was no better than not to believe. "Just coming to remind you of how outrageous you are."
"Oh did I strike your pride or something, George?" Dream rolled his eyes then stood up, gathering a few books in hand and another to pull up his friend by the sleeve. "I've spent too long here. We have to go, your highness."
He didn't have the heart yet to stop Dream from his tracks as he passed to avoid him again; especially not to ask if everything's alright anymore. "To also remind you, our literature exam, by the end of the week. Too worried you'd keep on slipping up. I'd hate to be the one to pick up my own hurdles."
"I feel touched." He acknowledges before leaving, gaze not reaching out to him. It concerns George much to his dismay. "You worry your head too much of me, George. "
He does. And he'll continue to do so. George will make sure he's ok, all well out of spite. Maybe.
George really couldn't take the safe route if it were for his dignity. Right now he's been gambling his actions for the fun of it, something you could observe in this very moment.
He hasn't really been out of his dorm quarters for more than necessary, loving the confines of his room to study. Other students began to take notice how he's been doing homework as soon as classes ended and reading his books outside now –much closer to Dream just to keep an eye on him. George was never quite happier with how well he could blend in the crowd until now.
Now if someone were to question how much he cares, this would be one of the top examples.
And what he finds from discrete observations were fairly intriguing.
George knew the other wasn’t as fairly off as the rest of everyone; from the information he got from him, he was one of the sponsored students. And yet the sponsored ones seem to only have been helped to get into the academy, leaving them to fend in this environment. Something George would have praised more than he is, if it wasn't for how he’s seeing Dream literally charm his way into getting some references and books from another student. It carried on to the rest of the day; pulling pity, ‘you’re doing me a great favour already, you look tired taking notes, let me handle that, though, I need your book to do it’ and everything else in between. George was perplexed, he couldn’t decide if he should hide his face from second hand embarrassment or laugh and look crazed out of his mind.
It was a nice tactic indeed. Though, as he scanned about the library, he could pick out the newcomers out of the crowd, scorning the guy as he worked quickly through making pairs of notes. He studies how a small group would visibly scoff as they walked away and one thing he can conclude -irritation with no outlet wasn’t a nice look. And maybe that’s what tipped George to follow their eyes as the sun left for the moon.
For one second, George didn’t even realise how almost everyone had emptied out the library only for it to have papers scattered all around the hardwood floor. For once then, he didn’t let a word out of anyone’s mouth.
"Leave at once."
It was a while since he ever spoke lower than what’s intended. And from one look, the four knew nothing but to stand still. The taller one with the three more accomplices —George remembers that face from the classroom. Oh they were entirely fucked the moment they took a second longer.
"What did I just say?"
Curses traversed from their hushed voices as they scurry out.
"What the hell are you doing here—" And by the looks of it, Dream was the one who seemed ready to spout angrier ones that could be labeled as blasphemy. "I don’t need your help, George."
"No you don’t-" He hissed, almost seething, even more so than Dream. "You need a kick on the head— hard enough for a comatose!"
"What the fuck?"
"How long, Dream?"
"Why wouldn’t you know?—"
"How long, Dream?"
A second passed with just a stare from him. Confusion and acceptance mixed into the other’s light jeweled eyes.
"Goddamn it, at first I thought you were actually behind-" Dream gestures to his side with the unorganised papers. " them"
George quirked a brow. "You thought I would go to such lengths just to beat you? And I thought you knew me better than to stoop that low. Do you think I could easily tarnish my fucking dignity, Dream?"
"Yeah, I know. You're always trying to cover up your prick of an attitude with the fact that you're all too 'fair'. And you're too high up your ass to go back on your word; the only good thing about you I guess." He sighs annoyed, but George acknowledges the hint of a compliment. "It was just a wrong hunch, I don't owe you an apology for that."
"So you knew it wasn't me and knew it was the new fools? Why the hell didn't the thought of reporting them pass your head? Don't tell me it was too busy dealing with feeling bad, you overdramatic ass."
"George, " The brunette stopped in his tracks as soon as the other's voice cracked at his name. It took a while for him to continue as if contemplating his own words and whatever reaction he or himself would have. George wants to curse at him for it. "Do you even pay attention to the people around you? Spoiled sons of marquises and counts who can make me look worse than you after exams as soon as I step outside. I have nothing. And if you've possibly forgotten, not every one of us is a damned crowned prince."
"What the hell are you going on about in that ludicrous brain of yours?"
George flicked the guy's head making him look straight and not down on him. His face was curled in an uneasy manner, almost startled if he could place a word on it. And he was the one who had the balls to insult the very crown prince and yet get scared of some nobles with a few businesses –under the kingdom's care- his care might you know.
"You, the one who keeps tying my achievements, one who made a name out of 'nothing' in your words and could possibly enter the court or the kingdom itself. And to think you'd pick a fight with me and stay passive in their hands. Are you looking down on your future king that much?" The aggravated tone was as obvious as a castle in the sky. And it was the only thing to stop Dream in his tracks and take a minute to think and process. "You’ve worked too hard, Dream. It'll take the most foolish and mindless person to ever accept what you've just said. You have to realise the power you currently hold."
He was unusually dumbfounded from the brunette's endless kickbacks. Though, it is perhaps the reason as to why he could calm himself and play with a grin settling on his lips. After the stress piling up, this has been the most normal and familiar thing to happen, especially between them, from all the 'avoiding' each other. As familiar as passive aggressively delivering unintentional compliments from who Dream saw as a high stuck up brat.
"Please don’t get me started on connections and the other difficult topics. I’m not ready to give you that much of an ego boost, it’ll kick me in the arse and you know that."
"Don't tell me you care now." He chuckled, not still at all, just a bit nervous. Dream stared back at him, although eyes lidded looking down for the entire shot of silence. "You really think so, George?"
The other rolled his eyes, also began to marvel at the floor as well, holding a smile. "Was I already too obvious, jerk? And I already said you’re not getting anything more than that."
Dream was silent for a second before snickering. "You really are something, George. "
They started studying together more often. Well, more often in a span of a day at least.
George silently smiles at the change of mood about it. Their fights and arguments became a bit too endearing, poking at jokes instead of soft barbed wires. Tension was relieved when they both started to show off their ranks in classes once again. And the teasing, gods, does it get any better. The change within the jabs and mockery were all too different; more soft and careful. And George being one to observe how cautious he was never to mention names of titles, lifestyle, and anything that he'd express much disdain to. It was enough for him to value Dream’s own words for him; joking or complementing expressions even.
The trickle of warmth was there when they were more free as friends with very competitive tendencies.
"Study with me,” George just wants to see him more often than on the school grounds. “I want to steal your notes."
"George, I’m not a miracle worker to make you better than this .” Dream brushes him off with a tone so light, he might as well have asked who’s dorm they were going to be in. “And, your handwriting is shit."
He scoffs, continuing to walk back. "Yeah and you’ll never advance in statistics and business then."
"No, wait, lets talk-"
George looks back at Dream as he feels loose strands of his golden locks tickle the sides of his face. And slowly, the weight of the other's body slumped, cosying by his side. George leaned to the other side till he was being wholly supported by his bed cause damn it, the blonde was actually this heavy. He doesn't complain though. It was warm with Dream snuggling up to his neck and slotted around his side like a heavy- broad blanket. Still, the other didn't break his attention towards their combined notes.
He tried to keep his attention on their notes, but it didn't really help with his case right now. If anything though, he wants to stay like this, peacefully and quiet with his friendly rival.
George looks back at Dream, seeing the quiet guy scan through the pages of their notes, yawning just a bit for a second. He never did see him this close, especially not this silent and not scowling at his face. His glowing eyes were lidded from the long dying day they both went through. Cherry highlights naturally bloomed around his cheeks with the touches of star line freckles scattered about.
Dream leaned in and the brush of soft lips was suddenly against his cheek. George went hot against that touch and his chest began to tighten, enough to hurt and suffocate him for a second. He parts from the feeling, both metaphorically and literally, leaning back against the side of his bed.
George flushed even more from the smug grin playing on the other's lips.
"You kept staring." The brunette choked at the realisation. "Is that what you wanted from me?"
George takes a breath but only manages to just let it out eventually. Dream never changes, does he? Still an annoying tease, yet was able to sway his fragile heart. And yet, if art blooms from his hopeless pining then who's to say it's all that bad?
He couldn't even manage a simple quip or retort, or even simply smacking that stupid grin on his face. His face flushes more then averted his eyes. Glancing back at the book, he couldn't even try and concentrate on the words; not when those precious jewelled eyes were on him.
"—Can you do it again?" George chokes out accidentally. And Dream only stared at him almost as flushed as he was. Well, he certainly did wipe the grin off, seeing the blonde stumble back. And it only made George's chest soar. It was his turn to make him redder
He pulled the other's collar, dragging him down to peck his cheek, pushing him away as soon as he touched that freckled sun-kissed face of his. That cheeky little grin he had was entirely replaced by a straight line and widened eyes.
"What's the matter, Dream?" He nodded at him, with a lopsided smile.
"Nothing, " And with all that matters, Dream laughed, airy and open. "Nothing important, pretty boy."
And so they both spent their night in peace and silence with one another, a relatively new experience for the both of them.
However, it was also foreign for them to tie second place the next day in history and have this shy and tall lanky kid seize first. Oh well, there's always the first time for everything. And the kid was actually pretty sweet.