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Flashing lights accompanied Dream as he scurried into the bathroom, slamming the door behind him. He cursed under his breath as the contents of the can he held spilled onto his shirt. He tried to take a bit to gather himself but he was stopped by a weird noise.
A weird… groan.
It only took a second for Dream to find the source, looking down towards the floor.
There was some brown haired guy knelt on the tile in front of the toilet, half slumped over into the bathtub next to it. His nose scrunched up after another sound of discomfort, and Dream’s instincts kicked in.
Motherly instinct, of course. It came second nature, being a cat mom, obviously.
“You okay?” Dream asked, a bit loud to get the man’s attention.
The brunet lifted his head slightly and squinted as he faced Dream, trying to make out his face. Dream had no problem recognizing the man though— he’d know those pretty curls and that soft jaw anywhere.
“George?” Dream asked again as he placed his can onto the sink to approach George.
“Who’re you?” George mumbled.
“I'm Dream.” He said softly, kneeling next to George, “You know, from physics?”
“God, don’t talk about physics.” George scoffed, then groaned, “You’ll make me sick.”
“I think you already are.”
George hummed, averting his gaze back to the pool of water in the toilet. Dream leaned in to stare too, watching George’s reflection on the clear surface.
Even sick, he was pretty.
After a minute, George spoke up, “I know you. You sit in front of me.” He rubbed his eyes a bit, “an’ you do all the stupid homework.”
Dream chuckled, “I do.”
“an’ you wear those cute sweaters with that collar.”
Dream blushed, taking his face away from the water. Sitting back on his knees, Dream watched George stay still, swaying in place.
He just called me cute.
“I do.”
More silence followed.
“Sorry. I don’t know why I said that.” George chuckled softly, adjusting himself on the hard tile.
The brunet pressed his face into his hands, muffling his laugh. When he finally slid his fingers down his cheeks, he looked Dream’s way through the gaps between them.
Dream gave a soft smile. He hoped George was too fucked up to recognize the blush that sat heavy on his cheeks.
“Fuck.” George muttered with another groan.
“What happened?” Dream asked, letting a hand slide up George’s back.
He’s so warm.
“Dunno,” George clenched his eyes shut, “Drank too much.”
“That’s not good for you.” Dream hummed, rubbing soft circles on his back.
Very, very warm.
“I know my limits.” George scoffed, “Just… overdid it a bit…”
Dream hummed sarcastically.
“I’ll be good in a few…” George grabbed ahold of the bathtub, pushing himself up on weak legs.
Dream scoffed this time, practically catching the brunet as he slipped. His arms hooked under his shoulders quickly as he stood behind George, lifting him slowly to his feet.
There was no way this guy would be ‘good in a few’.
“Sorry to worry you.” George stifled a hiccup, “I’ll be going now.”
Dream rolled his eyes, tightening his grip on the shorter, much to his disliking.
“You can’t even stand up, George.” Dream said matter-of-factly, “What makes you think you'll be able to go back out to that party?”
“I’m fine, Dream.”
“You’re not, though.” Dream loosened his grip, letting George go slightly.
With a few steps, George’s legs seemed to give up on him, forcing the brunet to lean up against the wall for support. He cursed under his breath, glancing back at Dream.
Dream watched as George pushed off the wall, swaying where he stood. He groaned, and Dream chuckled.
“You wanna get outta here, George?” Dream stepped closer to George, resting a hand on his warm back.
“So forward.” George laughed.
Dream rolled his eyes, the blush returning to his cheeks fiercely, “Not like that, idiot.”
“I don’t wanna go…” George whined, leaning into Dream’s touch.
“We really should.” Dream wrapped his arm around George. He was so, so small. “I’ll take you back to my dorm and you can shower… I’ll get you a snack, maybe. Or you can just take a nap. How does that sound?”
George groaned, but nodded. That’s all Dream needed— his arm gripped George’s side tightly, helping the shorter take small, slow steps out of the bathroom.
Dream could see the discomfort on George’s face as he reentered the party, lights and sounds and people overwhelming him so easily.
And he wanted to go back. Dream scoffed.
Slowly, Dream helped George to the front door and out into the cool, carpeted hallway. Shuffling got easier with less people to navigate around, and before they knew it, Dream was fishing his key out of his pocket and shoving it into the doorknob.
The door swung open, and they were met with the soft scent of Dream’s air freshener. Dream helped George inside and closed the door behind him quickly.
“You still good?” Dream asked him softly, guiding George to the edge of the bed.
George hummed in acknowledgment, but refused to sit. He clung onto Dream tightly, making eye contact with the blond.
Even in the darkness, his eyes sparkled.
“Wanna brush my teeth.” George muttered, scrunching up his nose.
Dream nodded and changed their direction. It only took a few short steps to the bathroom, George’s fingers clinging to Dream’s body all over. There was no extra toothbrush, and Dream cringed when George picked up his green one and shoved it in his mouth.
George spit, rinsing with tap water cupped in the palm of his hand before Dream guided him back out to the bed.
“Do you want pajamas?” Dream asked, “I have, um… Some sweats and shirts.”
George shook his head. Dream could tell the world spun for him with just that simple movement.
“You sure—“ Dream turned to look at George from his dresser, but quickly looked away.
The brunet slid his shirt off over his head, tossing it into a pile on the floor before working off his jeans. Dream glanced at him out of the corner of his eye, hiding the way his cheeks burned.
Dream felt half bad— he took George in to care for him, and yet he couldn’t even look his way without getting flustered. This wasn’t class, he couldn’t just stare at his back and fawn over him— he was way too vulnerable.
By the time Dream looked back over, George was tucking his legs under the covers, eyes droopy and tired.
“Right,” Dream nodded, “You go to sleep.”
Dream stood upright, dusting off his knees before sighing. He looked back towards the dark dorm room, eyeing the small couch against the far wall.
He supposed the couch wouldn’t be too bad…
“C’mere…” George mumbled. “Don’t leave.”
Dream really couldn’t hide how much he was blushing. The butterflies he was feeling swarmed and made his head as fuzzy as George’s probably was.
“You sure? It’s a small bed…” Dream rubbed at his neck, “I don’t wanna be, y’know… all over you.”
“Don’t care. Come here.” Geroge drew out the last word, whining as he scooted against the wall to give Dream room.
Fuck it.
What other chance would Dream have to get into bed with his crush?
Dream climbed onto the small mattress, slowly pulling the covers up to his shoulder to match George. He laid on his side facing the brunet, and it took him a couple seconds to process how close they were.
He could see every freckle that dusted his pink cheeks, every eyelash on his chocolate doe eyes that stared right up into his own. His curls were off to the side, falling in every which way and framing his face perfectly.
Dream only hoped George was looking at the same details on his own face.
“What’re you thinkin’ about?” George’s words were muffled, his cheek squished against the pillow.
His eyes flicked down quickly to watch George talk. Puffy, pink lips were chapped slightly, but they were so beautiful.
“Nothing much.” Dream replied softly.
“You wanna kiss me.”
Dream looked away quickly. There was nowhere to hide, though, so he opted to close his eyes.
“No.”
“Yes you do.” George chuckled tiredly, “You can, if you want to.”
Dream hesitated, eyes cracking to meet George’s half lidded ones.
“I want you to.” George added.
George’s eyes did the same flick to Dream’s lips, though he took his time watching them twist and twitch, trying to form words. He chuckled, and Dream matched his laugh.
“Not tonight.”
I’d feel bad.
The brunet whined, and Dream laughed a bit louder.
“Ask me again tomorrow morning, George.”
If you remember.
George buried his face into Dream’s chest, breathing warm into his shirt. It melted Dream’s heart, making him wrap an arm around the smaller. He was so comfortable, he felt like he could fall asleep at any moment.
Dream’s fingers carded through George’s soft hair until he heard soft snores from the boy’s mouth, and even longer after.
“Good night, George.” Dream whispered, his lips against the top of George’s head.
Hopefully, George would kiss him tomorrow, but for tonight, this was enough.