Chapter Text
Compliments never came naturally to George; He didn’t know how to give or receive them. Any time he attempted to do either or, he would stutter over his words, scoff like it was a joke, or say nothing at all. His friends would always take this as a means to continue, thinking that maybe George didn’t know how much he was appreciated. He did, he just never knew what to say back.
Compliments did, however, come naturally to Dream. He loved giving them but also loved receiving them. George would observe in wonder every time. Dream accepted compliments with a smile and a ‘thank you’ like it was easy, and returned them with equal ease. George wanted to be able to do that, even if it was only one way or the other.
So, he got to researching. He found an article the other day about the five love languages and decided to test them out one by one, as he wanted his boyfriend to know how much he was appreciated. ‘Words of affirmation’ was first on the list, the one George would be arguably the worst at.
George knew that he sucked at telling Dream that he loved him; he hoped that he radiated the energy of ‘I love you, I just suck at showing it’. Sure, George would say it every now and again, but it was still hard for some reason. Dream had known George for a long time so this wasn’t new but now that they were in a relationship, George felt kind of bad about it. He knew how much Dream verbally expressed his care for both him and their friends, and recalled that the article said that how people usually show their love is also how they’d like to receive it.
George exhaled, his scrolling on the article on his phone pausing as he thought about how to test this one out. Thankfully, the article had a few examples. The two he figured would be the easiest for him to carry out were leaving a sticky note for him and complimenting him on something he would do that day. Sounds easy enough, he thought.
Dream had gotten out of their bed to make breakfast a few minutes ago, but not without a parting kiss or two placed on George’s cheek. He was alone until breakfast was ready; This was as good a time as any to use strategy one: the sticky note.
George made his way over to Dream’s desk, pulling a neon pink sticky note off of the accordion-like stack that sat on a shelf attached to the desk. Grabbing a pen, he thought for a moment before writing down a sentence or two. He read his handiwork with a soft grin before gently placing it on the bottom right corner of one of his monitors.
“I know you've been working really hard on editing this video, but please remember to take breaks and drink water :)
Love you! - Georgie ❤️”
George knew he wouldn’t see it until after breakfast, but still found himself smiling when he imagined Dream’s reaction anyway.
A buzz in his pocket pulled him back to reality. It was a text from Dream. Probably saying that breakfast was ready, he thought.
Sure enough, the text read ‘breakfast is ready, baby! :) ❤️’ . George smiled, laughing softly through his nose as he put his phone back in his pocket. He made his way down the hallway, his stomach growling as soon as the smell of fresh pancakes hit his nose.
Sapnap was already sitting at the table, laughing at what George assumed was a meme or a TikTok on his phone. Before he could ask, Sapnap was showing George the video and saying, through laughter, that it was one of the funniest TikToks he had ever seen.
“You’re an idiot,” George laughed, shaking his head. “It’s not that funny.”
“You’re laughing, though,” Sapnap pointed out as his laughter faded.
“Only because you’re laughing too much,” George insisted with a lighthearted eye roll. “Get a better sense of humor, idiot.”
“Are you hangry or something?” Sapnap bit back jokingly, his laughter starting up again when George shot him a glare.
“You’re an idiot,” George said again, his voice barely above a mutter as Dream placed a full plate in front of him.
The pancakes looked like something out of a stock photo. They all looked uniform, perfectly golden brown and perfectly round. They were very satisfyingly smooth, butter placed perfectly in the center on the top with maple syrup cascading down the sides in even, treacly waves. If George wasn’t hungry before, he certainly was now.
Both him and Sapnap ate in almost complete silence, too busy enjoying the perfect breakfast to comment; Dream didn’t seem to mind. He actually seemed pretty pleased with the silence, grinning as his friends devoured the meal he had made for them.
It didn’t take long for them to finish, Dream taking their empty plates back into the kitchen before anyone could say anything. Sapnap excused himself to his room, explaining that he had planned a stream with Karl and Quackity. Dream and George replied simultaneously, their “Okay, have a good stream” s overlapping each other.
George found himself frowning thoughtfully when heard the sink turn on, standing up to make his way into the kitchen. George paused in the doorway, unable to hold back a smile when Dream sent one his way as he noticed the former standing there.
“Yes?” Dream raised an eyebrow, sounding wary but giggling anyway.
George said nothing in reply, merely shaking his head as he approached. He placed a gentle hand on Dream’s chest, making himself just a bit taller to place a kiss on his cheek. George’s heart soared at how Dream practically melted into his touch.
George reached out a hand towards Dream, looking to the plate in the latter’s hand and then looking back into his eyes. Dream furrowed his eyebrows in confusion and curiosity, but handed George the plate nonetheless.
“What are you doing?” Dream chuckled fondly, returning to the sink to rinse another plate. George hummed as he placed the plate he was holding in the dishwasher, looking back at the sink when he stood straight again.
“Helping you,” George replied simply. “It’s the least I can do.”
“Oh,” Dream replied softly, eyebrows raising gently. They fell and his expression morphed into an almost sickeningly sweet smile. “Thank you, Georgie.”
“It’s whatever,” George muttered, kicking himself mentally when he felt his cheeks heat up. Dream’s smile grew a bit when he noticed, but said nothing of it when he handed George another plate.
“Breakfast was really good,” George started, hoping his nerves weren’t obvious. He knew he shouldn’t be nervous complimenting his boyfriend, but he just didn’t want to do it wrong. “Like, amazing.”
“Really?” Dream’s face lit up, and suddenly any and every trace of nerves vanished from George’s body. “Oh, good! I’m glad!”
“It looked like a stock photo,” George carried on, recalling the thought that popped into his brain when the plate had been set down in front of him. “Gordon Ramsey is terrified right now.” Dream chuckled jubilantly, beaming as he scrubbed away at another plate with newfound vigor.
“I wouldn’t go as far as to say that ,” Dream replied humbly, though there was a hint of agreement in his voice. “But… I thought they looked pretty good.”
“They were amazing , baby,” George smiled softly, his heart flipping in his chest when Dream lit up at both the compliment and the pet name. “Honestly the best pancakes I’ve ever had.”
“Oh, shut up,” Dream sputtered, his cheeks pink. George chuckled softly, the smile on his face so fond it was almost disgusting. Dream chuckled as well, and then they both fell into a comfortable silence as they found a decent dish-washing rhythm.
“I don’t know how you do it,” George mused after a moment, grabbing the next plate from Dream’s hands almost absent-mindedly. Dream tilted his head a bit in confusion, but didn’t look away from the sink.
“Do what?” Dream hummed, handing George the last plate and turning off the sink.
“You always find the time and energy to cook for us every day,” George spoke again, his voice softer than it was a second ago. “Everything always tastes so good, too.”
“I love that you do that for us,” George looked into Dream’s eyes, a smile finding its way to the former’s face upon seeing how happy the latter looked.
“I… know I don’t say it much…” George trailed off, fiddling with his hands nervously. “But.. I really do appreciate everything you do.”
“You always make sure we have good food to eat, you always ask us how we’ve slept or if we’ve had any water, you let us know that we can talk to you about anything, you don’t care if I wake you up at three in the morning for something…” George listed examples, counting on his fingers. He swallowed, feeling oddly emotional as he prepared his final line.
“I’ve never felt so loved or cared for by anyone else in my whole life,” George finished in a whisper, sheepishly looking to his feet.
“Okay, well, maybe my mum, but, you’re a very close second,” George chuckled softly, exhaling slowly as he realized that he probably just ruined the moment.
George did not expect to look back up to see his boyfriend crying in front of him. For a moment he panicked, thinking maybe he really did just spoil what was supposed to be an intimate and wholesome moment. Dream seemed to sense George’s anxiety, as he smiled softly and closed the distance between them by pulling George into a warm embrace.
“I love you so much, George,” Dream exhaled, sniffling as he buried his face in George’s shoulder. Although he knew they were happy tears, George’s heart twisted in his chest at the sound of Dream crying into his shirt.
“I needed to hear that,” Dream breathed. George felt simultaneously relieved and guilty upon hearing that. Dream felt the former’s shoulders tense a bit, so he spoke again to elaborate.
“I’m not saying you don’t make me feel loved, George,” He continued, pulling away and grabbing George’s shoulders gently yet firmly. “Because you do.”
“But I need to get better at saying it,” George confessed with a frown. “I feel like it seems like I hate you.”
“It doesn’t seem like you hate me, love,” Dream assured with a warm laugh. “Yeah, you don’t say it often, but you do show it in other ways.”
“You ask me the same questions,” Dream pointed out. “You also ask me how I slept or if I’ve had water.”
“You’re not as verbally sappy as I am, and that’s okay,” Dream reassured with a soft smile. “You tell me you love me in other ways, too.”
“Actions speak louder than words, right?” George added with a chuckle. Dream grinned, nodding as he echoed the laugh.
“Yes, exactly,” Dream murmured, gently kissing the tip of George’s nose. “Really, though, thank you for saying that. It was really nice to hear.”
“I’m getting better at it, I think,” George replied sheepishly. “I didn’t stutter or make it into a joke this time.”
“Well, not as much of a joke as I normally do,” George murmured, recalling the jokes he had made just moments ago. “It's a step in the right direction.”
“You’re so adorable,” Dream hummed, kissing George’s cheek. “I love soft and vulnerable George.”
“I love all Georges,” Dream chuckled, pulling George into a soft, slow kiss.
“I love you, too,” George exhaled when they pulled away, feeling his heart swell in his chest as Dream smiled again.
“Well, as nice as this has been, I need to finish that video I’ve been working on,” Dream groaned, rolling his eyes. George chuckled as they both slowly departed from the kitchen. “I just wanna get it done. I’m getting sick of looking at it.”
“Yeah, I get that,” George chuckled in response, walking alongside Dream as they both made their way down the hallway.
“I’ll wait for you on the couch, okay?” George spoke, planting a kiss on Dream’s cheek. “We can watch a movie or something when you’re done.”
“Sounds good,” Dream replied with a soft smile. “I’ll go as fast as I can.”
“Speedrun it,” George joked with a laugh, smiling wider when Dream chuckled. The latter shook his head as he closed the door, leaving George by himself.
George made himself comfortable on the couch, turning on the Great British Baking Show to run in the background as he scrolled around on his phone. He was mostly waiting for Dream’s reaction to the sticky note.
Sure enough, he received a text message seconds later. It was a picture of the note, with Dream’s reply being ‘ 🥺❤️ i love you so much’ . George smiled softly, heart-reacting to Dream’s message before replying with one of his own, which read ‘ love you too, idiot ❤️❤️❤️’.
Although it was the only one he had tested so far, Dream seemed to really like hearing words of affirmation. George smiled to himself as he stuck his phone back in his pocket, feeling warmth swirling through his chest as he thought about how happy Dream seemed today.
Maybe George wasn’t as bad at compliments as he thought.