Chapter Text
George cautiously made his way across the market grounds knowing that he really shouldn't be here, considering he was a normie surrounded by mages and knights. It was supposed to be their time to shop. His time came in the afternoon, but today was his and Dream's one-year anniversary, so he wanted to get Dream something special to celebrate. However, when his time to shop came around, all the good stuff was usually gone, so he had decided today he would go to the market early. He had to be sneaky, though, or else he'd get caught, so he kept his head low as he carefully scanned the various shops searching for the perfect gift.
After a few minutes of searching, he came across a perfectly bright red apple. Perfect Dream loves apples. After checking the price, he bought the apple keeping his eyes lowered. Hoping that the shopkeeper didn't realize he was a normie. After purchasing the apple, George started making his way home smiling as he imagined the joy Dream would have once he saw the apple. Maybe after George tells him that he went to the market early, he would even loosen up on him and stop treating him like a child. Unfortunately for George, he was so caught up in his thoughts that he forgot to pay attention to his surroundings and slammed right into a tall man with a sword strapped to his side, immediately identifying him as a knight.
The knight turned around quickly, saying, "Hey! Watch it-" but his words died on his tongue as he laid eyes on George, attempting to run. However, the knight grabbed his arm, pulling George back with a small yelp as the knight said, "Not so fast." He pulled George up to eye level holding him off the ground as he struggled to get free. The knight glared at George before saying, "What the hell are you doing here, normie." George, however, was too focused on getting free to acknowledge the question. The knight's eyes narrowed in anger as he drew his sword, leveling it at George's throat, causing him to freeze as the knight spoke in a tone that allowed no argument. "I will give you one more chance to answer me before things get ugly, normie. What the hell are you doing here?"
George stuttered out, "I-I-I g-got lost, sir. I'm j-just trying to get home." The knight's grip tightened on George's wrist, making him cry out in pain as he tried to pull his arm out of the knight's grip, saying, "P-please s-sir! let me g-go, I j-just want to go home."
"Are you ordering me around, normie?" the knight asked, pushing his sword deeper into George's neck, nearly drawing blood.
George's eyes widened in fear as he realized what the knight was doing. "N-no! I s-wear s-sir I'm s-sorry-"
The knight cut him off though hissing, "Shut your mouth before I shut you up permanently." instantly silencing George. "I don't believe a word you say, boy, especially after I saw you steal that apple." he motioned toward the apple, clutched tightly in George's free hand. George opened his mouth to explain that he hadn't stolen the apple, but the knight glared at him, saying, "Silence! you speak when spoken to understand?" the grip tightened once more as George nodded quickly, tears threatening to fall. The knight continued sheathing his sword, "Now I'm a forgiving guy, alright." he dropped George, who quickly pulled his arm close to his body. The knight towered over him, saying, "And I'm more than willing to forget I ever saw you," George looked up in fear and confusion as the knight continued, "if. you give me the apple."
George pulled the apple closer to his body, defying the knight as he said, "n-no. I paid f-for this fair and square it doesn't belong t-to you."
The knight's eyes flashed with anger as he took a step closer to George, who took a step backward until his back hit a wall, and the knight leaned over him, speaking quietly, which was somehow worse than his yelling as he said: "are you defying me?" George winced at his tone, shaking his head no as he clutched the apple to himself as if his life depended on it. "What's your name, normie."
George swallowed nervously, saying, "G-George."
The knight slammed his hand against the wall behind George, making the smaller man flinch, closing his eyes in fear as the knight said, "No, you dumbass! Your last name. I'm reporting you for theft."
George's eyes snapped open. Before he could stop himself, he yelled out in anger, "I DIDN'T STEAL IT!" his hands immediately came up to his mouth as the knight glared at him before grabbing him by the throat pinning him against the wall with such force that George dropped the apple grabbing at the knight's arm as he struggled for breath.
"DON'T YOU DARE YELL AT ME, NORMIE!"
"I-"
"Silence! the only thing I want to hear out of your mouth is your last name, you worthless piece of Shit!" The knight was furious at this point.
"A-Anderson," George chocked out, starting to see black at the edge of his vision, knowing that this was probably his end. However, instead of killing him, the knight's grip on him loosened slightly, allowing George to breathe as he sucked in a breath.
"Anderson, hmm," George could hear the cunning in the man's voice as he leaned in closer to George, speaking directly into his ear, saying, "So you're his little bitch. Well, I've got something special in store for you. See, I need a little revenge on your loverboy since he decided to cheat in our last fight." The grip on George's neck became more painful as the knight tightened his grip, and his nails started to dig into George's skin, nearly drawing blood. The knight held him there for a moment more before dropping him to the ground. George collapsed in a pile on the floor as he coughed and gasped for air. As the knight said, "it's time I teach your little lover boy a lesson about cheaters," the knight knelt next to George; who hadn't moved from his position on the floor, still trying to get air back in his lungs, grabbed a handful of George's hair, pulling up before slamming his head into the ground. The knight then stood. As George attempted to get up, he put his foot on his back, pushing him back down to the ground, "You know what bitch, you're the perfect target. You're too weak and scared to do anything. Isn't that right Normie." George's only response was a small whimper, which seemed to displease the knight, who frowned before removing his foot from George's back. Two seconds later, he slammed his foot into his ribs as hard as possible, driving the air from his lungs. George yelled out in pain, curling into a ball, trying to protect himself as best as he could. The knight slammed his foot into his side once more, causing George to scream as he felt something inside him snap.
The knight drew his foot back, preparing to kick him again. However, before he could continue, a familiar voice called out, "Hey!" George spotted the apple and quickly grabbed it, tucking it securely into his pocket. "what the hell is going on here?!"
George raised his head a little bit at the familiar voice, and he saw the familiar green sweater of "Dream!" the knight said, surprised by his sudden appearance. He quickly recovered, saying, "Mind your own damn business, Anderson. This is between this thief and me." He pulled George to his feet, twisting his arm behind him, causing him to let out a startled yell, but the knight pressed his sword to his neck, instantly silencing him.
"Considering this supposed thief is my boyfriend, I think that makes it my business, don't you, Armstrong?" Dream said, seemingly unfazed by the knight, his blank face not revealing any emotion, but George could tell just from his body language that he was pissed.
"It doesn't matter. Your boyfriend's still a normie out during our time! The law says to punish him." the knight said, pulling George closer to himself.
George whimpered quietly, hoping that Dream hadn't heard him. Unfortunately for him, though, he had. Dream nodded deep in thought before saying, "that law is hundreds of years old! No one enforces that law anymore!"
The knight scoffed, saying, "It's still a law, and he still broke it!"
Dream though quickly before saying, "Don't you think you've punished him enough?"
The knight laughed, saying, "Not a chance! All I've done to your little bitch is bruise him up a bit. There is so much more pain I have in store for him," he pushed the sword deeper into George's neck.
"Well, as I've stated before, he is my boyfriend. I'm sure you don't want to make me mad, so why don't you call it good and kindly fuck off." as he spoke, he moved one of his hands to the sword belted to his side. "Unless you want to lose to me again, Sapnap."
The knight glanced between the two of them, glaring at Dream. "Whatever, he isn't worth my time anyway." he scoffed before whispering in George's ear so that only he could hear, "This isn't over, normie. I will get my revenge." He pushed George into Dream, who caught him before he could fall as the knight turned and walked away, disappearing into the crowd shortly after.
As soon as he was out of sight, Dream dropped the imposing act holding George close as he checked him over, saying, "Are you alright? did he hurt you?"
However, George pushed him away, not wanting him to discover the fruit hidden in his pocket as he said, "N-no, I'm, ok Dream. r-really."
Dream sighed in relief before grabbing his arm and dragging George out of the market as he said, "Then what the HELL were you thinking!" as they started the walk home. Dream was silent, never once loosening his grip on George. The latter was stumbling in his attempts to keep up with the much taller man until about halfway home. When Dream started to yell again, however, his tone was laced with concern, not anger " You know you're not supposed to be out at this time, and you're not supposed to leave the house without telling me! Do you have any idea how worried I was?!" George mumbled an apology as Dream continued saying, "Why were you even at the market at this time anyway? It's not like you to go looking for trouble."
"I just wanted to get you something special for our anniversary. Whenever I go to the market, all the good stuff is already gone. So, I thought I'd go early today to try and get something good," George said, trying not to cry and failing as tears started dripping down his face.
"Oh, Georgie, you don't have to do that for me." Dream said, stopping and pulling the shorter man into a hug, his anger dissipating the minute he heard the reason for his dangerous adventure. They hugged until George managed to calm down and stop crying. "Next time you want to do something like that, let me know. I was worried, sick." George nodded as Dream wiped the last tears off his face, pulling him into a hug briefly before continuing to walk home. After a few minutes of comfortable silence, Dream said, "Sooo. Did you manage to get something? or do you want to go back?"
George shook his head, saying, "I think I've had enough adventure for one day. besides, I already got you something."
Dream raised an eyebrow at that, saying teasingly, "Really? what's that?"
George giggled at his teasing tone before saying, "Not yet, Dreamy. We have to get home first."
Dream immediately picked George up, who gave a startled yelp and quickly grabbed his neck to avoid falling as Dream said, "Well, there's no time to waste then!" he ran the rest of the way home, not giving George the chance to argue that he could walk on his own.