Work Text:
Dream had always been shy about certain things, I mean the man was cocky but even when it came to showing his boyfriend affection in person, he had his troubles at first. The hugs and kisses always felt awkward to him, and he was also insecure about it. George did his best to reassure him, in the nicest way he could. After a few months it became less of a stiff thing to cuddle and more of an instinct.
Then came Dream’s secret. George had known about it way before they had met in person, finding out only a few months into their 2 year relationship. But right as Dream started to become comfortable with slipping on calls with the brunet, he had moved to America where all their progress became lost once again. George had been living with the younger for 5 months, and he had not regressed once in that time, at least to George’s knowledge. He never pushed it, nor talked about it. But when the blonde came knocking on his office door at 6 pm, he knew something was up right as he turned to look at him in the doorway.
“Yes?” George called softly, eyes locking with the other’s. Dream blinked slowly and then looked around the room. “Dream? Are you okay?” He asked. He didn’t receive a response, and right as he began to walk towards him, the little took a step back, cowering. “Hey, no, it’s okay.” He cooed, seeing the blonde’s lip quiver and tears begin to form in his eyes.
“I-I’ sorry. I-I’m, I’ll go.” Dream stuttered out. He turns around and bolts down the narrow hall into their shared room. George follows and watches as the younger sat down on the floor, knees pulled up, his body shaking. He was pressed against the wall in between the wall and the bedside dresser on Dream’s side of the bed.
“Dream, talk to me.” George said softly. Dream didn’t look at him and shook his head. As George sighed, he looked around the room, thinking, only to freeze and turn his head quickly back to the other. “Baby?” He called out. Dream’s head shot up, his face red. George’s face fell softly and he cooed as he walked towards the boy, bending down in front of him. “Hey, it’s okay. I’m here.” He said.
“I-I’m sorry.” Dream cried, lunging forward, wrapping his arms around George as he buried his head into the nook of his neck. George gasped and after a moment, wrapped his arms around him.
“Don’t be sorry baby.” George whispered. “Talk to me, what’s wrong?” Dream pulled his head out and looked at him, huffing.
“My brain is tellin’ me bad things Mama.” Dream whispered back, his eyes wide. George’s eyebrows furrowed for a moment before they once again fell.
“Did you take your meds?” George asked, the blonde responded with a shake of his head. “Why not?” He followed it up with.
“All out!” Dream exclaimed. George nodded and shushed him, wiping his tears. It was silent, and George’s brain processed it all, stopping on the other’s words.
“You called me Mama?” George asked. Dream filled his face away, taking away his arms too.
“N-no.” He stumbled out.
“It’s okay if you did.” George reassured, but he wasn’t having it.
“N-no. I’m fine.” Dream whispered, his voice seemed to have returned to normal and he stood up, George doing the same. “I’m just gonna-“ he walked past him and made his way to his office, sitting in his chair. George waited outside the door, giving him some space.
Dream began to heave as he made his way into his chair at his desk, eyes getting heavy. His brain screamed at him and then only after a few moments after his denial he shouted. “Mama!” He screamed. George bursted in, walking up to him fast.
“Hey baby. It’s okay.” He cooed, he put his hands on either side of his face and shushed him as he cried.
“It won’t stop!” He said. “Tellin’ me bad things!”
“Hey, it’s okay baby. Deep breaths, follow Mama’s breathing.” George whispered, and Dream did. Once calm enough, he shoved his face into George’s chest, his thumb in his mouth. “Let’s go to bed.” He said. George helped him up and laid him in bed, crawling in too. Dream laid his head on the older’s chest and whined and whimpered only to be met with praise and reassurance. “Hey, you got a pacifier baby?” George asked.
“In drawer? I don’ know Mama.” Dream whispered his voice shaky, to the little’s dislike, George sat up and opened Dream’s bedside dresser, grabbing the green pacifier inside. He laid back down and once Dream did too, he gently pushed the object to his lips and he accepted.
“All better.” George whispered. Dream hummed in agreement, getting a chuckle from the brunet. As the blonde fell asleep, so did the other and before you knew it, the sun was once again out.
George was the second to wake up, and upon doing so, he noticed the other was missing from their bed. He stood up and listened carefully to soft clattering in the kitchen. As he turned the corner he could see Dream sat at the table, a bowl of cereal in front of him, moving the spoon around slowly in the milk. “Dream?” George called out, he looked up quickly.
“Yes?” Dream replied. George could see the terror on his face, and he felt his insides twist.
“Are you feeling okay?” He asked.
“I’m fine.” Dream replied.
“Were you stressed yesterday?” George asked. Dream opened his mouth, about to speak and a soft noise escaped his throat, but he then sat back and shut his mouth, instead of a vocal response, just shrugging looking away from him. “Dream, you know I’m here to help.” He tried to reassure.
“I know you are.” Dream said softly.
“Did yesterday make you- uncomfortable?” George asked, his voice falling to a whisper. He had tried his best to comfort the other yesterday, but due to the reaction and awkwardness this morning, he feels he may have done something wrong. Dresm shook his head quickly and stood up, looking back at his boyfriend.
“No!” He shouted. “I- I mean, you didn’t make me uncomfortable. I just,” he paused and grabbed his bowl, bringing it to the sink, “I know it made you uncomfortable.”
“What?” George asked. “What made you think that?”
“I called you,” Dream stopped his sentence, wincing at the thought.
“Wait, you think you made me uncomfortable because you called me Mama?” George asked. Dream whined out of embarrassment at the name. “Dream, can you look at me please?” He asked. Dream did as he was asked, his face red. “I wasn’t uncomfortable, I promise.”
“You weren’t?” Dream asked, the other responses with a nod. “Are you sure?” He asked.
“I am. Dream, last night was the first time you had regressed in person!” George said happily. Dresm frowned and shrugged, walking past him.
“Well not the first.” He whispered.
“Wh- Dream, you’ve-“ George paused, eyes on the blonde. He nodded softly and refused to turn to face him. “You didn’t tell me?” He asked. George’s voice sounded broken and hurt and it broke Dream’s heart.
“I-I’m,” he paused and he felt tears swallow his sight making the floor tiles he stared at look blurry. “I’ sorry.” He whispered. The pitch of his voice had changed ever so slightly, and George quickly picked up on it.
“No, no. It’s okay baby.” George said quickly, walking up and grabbing his shoulders softly. “I just wanna know why? If you wanna tell me.”
“I got,” Dream sighed. He turned to look at him, grabbing the edge of the brunet’s shirt. “I got scared.”
“Why?” He asked.
“I didn’t know if you would get- mad?” Dream whispered.
“Hey, I would never get mad about that.” George replied. He wiped away the tears that began to fall from the other’s eyes.
“I just,” Dream’s voice deepened and he pulled his hand away from the fabric. “I thought you’d think it was weird. I know you were fine with it, like when you lived in England, but I didn’t know if you would think differently of it when you lived here.” George tilted his head softly and shook his head.
“That’s not true.” He reassured. Dream nodded softly and George sighed. “And, don’t do that.”
“Do what?” Dream replied.
“You did this over the phone too.” George whispered. “You’re trying to ignore it. You can regress, baby.” Dream’s eyes widen and he feels his body stiffen.
“It just doesn’t feel like the right time.” Dream said.
“Dream, relax. Hey,” George ran a hand through the taller’s hair, then caressing his cheek lovingly, “why don’t we go lay down.” Dream nodded softly and let the other lead him. He got comfy in the bed, sitting criss cross. “Are you tired?” George asked.
“No.” Dream replied.
“Okay. Do you wanna watch something?” George asked, the other shrugged. “Why don’t we watch one of Sapnap’s videos?”
“Sappy?” Dream whispered out, looking at the other. George smiled happily and nodded.
“Yeah baby.” George said. “Let me grab the laptop.” Dream watched as the brunet stood up and grabbed the electronic, coming back to the bed. He sat quietly as George tapped away, and once the video started Dream hummed happily. George moved to sit at the desk that held their shared computer.
“Mama?” Dream said softly.
“Yeah?” George replied.
“Why far away?” Dream asked.
“Oh, am I too far away?” George asked, Dream nodded. George stood back up and made his way to the other’s side. The blonde cuddled up to him, his thumb falling to his lips. George’s eyebrows furrowed and leaned over to grab the pacifier from last night, bringing it to his lips. “Here, take this.” George whispered, and Dream did.
——
It had been a few weeks since that, and Dream had begun to be more comfortable with it all. He had slipped usually to somewhere between 3 and 6, and George loved caring for him.
The brunet currently sat in his office, laughing as he talked to a few of his friends in a discord call. He heard a soft knock on the door and turned to look at it. “One second guys.” George said. He muted and stood up, opening the door. Dream stood on the other side, hands in his hoodie pocket. “What’s up?” George asked.
“Can- can I sit with you?” Dream asked. George recognized it all straight away and smiled softly.
“Yeah baby. I’m on a call right now, no one's streaming, we're just hanging out.” George explained walking back to the computer. Dream nodded and sat on the floor next to the chair, George sat back down and ruffled his hair. “I can go if you want me to love.” George said, but Dream shook his head.
“No, I’ jus’ wanna sit with you.” Dream replied.
“Okay, tap me if you need anything, okay?” George said, and Dream nodded.
George went back to chatting away, only after a few moments Dream was poking his leg. “One second guys.” George said, muting and looking at him. “Yeah, love?”
“Can I say hi?” Dream asked, his voice was soft and high, and what was George to say no.
“Yeah! Come here, wanna sit on my lap?” George asked.
“Is’ camera on?” Dream asked nervously, George shook his head. “O’tay Mama.” He sat down, facing the screen, leg bouncing. George unplugged his headphones and connected his speakers.
“I’m gonna unmute now.” George said softly, and the other nodded. “Hey guys, Dream came in, he wanted to say hi.”
“Hey!” Karl shouted.
“Dude, where have you been?” Sapnap asked.
“Hi!” Punz said.
“Heya Dream!” BadBoyHalo added.
All the sudden talking caused the little to flinch and George grabbed either side of his arms softly, concerned. “Hi guys.” Dream said, his voice soft.
“You gonna come join the call?” Bad asked. Dream shook his head and opened his mouth, only to turn to poke George.
“No, I’m making him make me dinner. He needs to work on his cooking skills.” George lied. Karl giggled on the other side of the line.
“Yeah, mma’ cool.” Dream said softly. George rubbed his arms lovingly.
“Say bye.” George whispered, and Dream nodded.
“Bye guys.” Dream said.
“Okay, one second.” George said, muting. “You okay baby?” He asked.
“I’m feeling really little.” Dream said softly, fighting away his urge to just whine at the other’s words and instead throwing on his ‘ big boy voice.’
“That’s okay. Stay on my lap, relax, love.” George whispered, and Dream nodded. “Tap me and I’ll leave the call, okay?” Dream nodded softly. George unmuted and Dream listened to their conversations as he laid his head on the other’s shoulder, breathing into his neck.
“When are you gonna stream?” Punz asked.
“Soon, I’ve been editing my YouTube video. It’s almost done, so after that.” George replied, Dream hummed and gripped his shirt and George quickly turned to look at the other’s body.
“What was that?” Karl questioned.
“What was what?” George lied.
“That noise.” Karl said.
“I didn’t hear anything.” George replied.
“I didn’t either.” Bad spoke up. George rubbed the other’s arm as he laid happily, half asleep in his lap.
“Anyways, which video is it?” Sapnap asked.
“Oh, it’s a video Dream and I filmed. New mod, just goofing around.” George explained.
“Okay, sounds fun.” Sapnap said softly. Dream hummed once again and George froze. There was silence and then Dream sat up.
“Mama?” Dream said softly, eyes heavy. George felt his face redden and he looked at his discord screen.
“Dream?” Sapnap questioned, and Dream shot his head to look at the monitor, horror on his face. Dream stood up and back away, the sound of rustling coming out and reaching the headphones of the others.
“Dream.” George said calmly, turning to look at him.
“Was that Dream?” Bad asked. Dream backed away, eyes widened, tears building up, his face reddening. Right as George opened his mouth, Dream ran out. No one spoke, the next noise being a loud shout from George’s end.
“FUCK!” Dream screamed. Geirge stood up, worriedly.
“What’s going on?” Karl asked.
“I need- I gotta go. I’ll be back.” George said quickly. He left the call and ran out of the room and towards the bathroom. He could hear sobbing and things falling, and he twisted the locked door’s knob. “Let me in.” George demanded. Dream replied with sobbing on the other side of the door, and George’s breathing hitched. “Open the door, Dream!” Dream cried louder and George gritted his teeth. He turned his body and slammed his body against the door, after a few times, the door flying open. He ignored the pain in his body and ran towards the boy. The counters of the bathroom were covered in things that had been pushed out of the medicine cabinet. Dream sobbed, body shaking, hands in hair. “Hey, look at me.” George cooed.
“They know!” Dream shouted. George shook his head, sighing.
“Calm down.” George tried.
“They know I’m a fucking freak!” Dream screamed, his hands pulling his blonde hair. George shook his head and put his hands on top of the other’s.
“Baby, please.” George begged.
“I’m a freak!” He shouted, eyes shut.
“No, no you’re not.” George pleaded. He managed to get the younger’s hands out of his hand, and pushed them to his chest. “Breath,” George whispered, “breath with me.” Dream shook his head. “Look at me.” George demanded, and Dream did, pupils dilated and wandering. “Follow my breathing.” George whispered.
“I,” Dream whimpered, “I can’t.” George nodded and sighed.
“You can. You can, baby.” George reassured. Dream whined, and George whispered sweet things to him softly, getting the other to calm down. As his jagged breathing returned closer to open, more tears began to fall.
“Mama, M’ a freak.” Dream cried. George shook his head and brough the boy closer. Dream wrapped his arms around him, laying down almost fully on the floor, his head on George’s stomach.
“Don’t say that.” George replied.
“Mama, I’ a freak.” Dream cried. George shook his head again, his mind screaming at him to help the other, to help his baby.
“It’s okay. Deep breaths baby, deep breaths for Mama.” George whispered. Dream whined, but did as he was told. After a few more minutes, Dream was down to whimpering and a few loose tears falling down his face. “Stay here.” George whispered, and Dream hummed. George stood up and walked out of the bathroom, running to grab a water bottle. As he came back in, Dream whined and leaned out to him, hands up. “Drink some water baby.” George said. He opened the water and held it to the other’s lips. The blonde went cross-eyes as he looked at the water that was close to his face, he reached up and placed his hand on either side of the plastic bottle. George helped lean it for the other and after a few gulps pulled it away. Dream hummed happily and looked at the other with tired yet wide eyes.
George stood up, and looked around the bathroom, it was a mess. He needed to get Dresm out of here, he knew he was tired, and along with the younger one needing a nap, George needed to call back his friends and try his best to lie for the other. “Okay, let’s go to bed.” George whispered, holding a hand out. Dresm took up, but did not move, just looking up at him. “C’mon baby, up.” George said. He still did not budge and then it clicked. “You need help?” George asked. Dream replied with a hum and a little smile. George wasn’t the strongest, and Dream was taller then him, but he could manage. He helped the other up and took slow steps to the bedroom. He laid him down and Dream whined as he pulled away, eyes wide with tears once again threatening to fall. “No, no! I’m not leaving!” George said quickly. He sat down by him, and Dream hummed, grabbing his shirt, laying down. George wordlessly placed the pacifier in his mouth. Dream laid towards George, on his side. The brunet rubbed his back and shushed him as his eyes flicked open and closed. After about ten minutes, Dream was out. George pulled out his phone and ended up texting each one individually telling them Dream had gotten hurt, which was not believable but none of them pushed on.
George stayed rubbing his back for a half an hour until Dream opened his eyes. “Mama?” He called out.
“Hey baby, you sleep well?” George asked.
“M-mama.” Dresm repeated, grabbing the other’s shirt.
“Yeah, I’m Mama, I’m here.” George reassured. “Are you hungry?” George asked, Dream looked at him with wide eyes, giggling.
“Mama!” He said happily. George looked at him confused, then smiled too.
“You’re little little, aren’t you baby?” George asked, knowing the other wouldn’t answer. Dream blabbed back a few ‘Mama’s’ which was enough for George.
Dream and George sat in the bed for the rest of the day, George talking happily to the little as he replied with giggles and rambling of random syllables. He knew they would have to talk to their friends later, both of them knew, but they’d worry about that later.
George brought the water bottle to his lips and Dream gladly took it. “My little baby.” George cooed. He pulled the water away, and Dream giggled, tugging the fabric of the other’s shirt up and down. George grabbed the laptop and turned on some Netflix show before quietly walking off to make them some food. He returned quickly with food and a sippy cup filled with apple juice. He helped feed the other, and when Dream was handed the cup, he bit the plastic on top. “No, don’t bite, drink.” George said. Dream whined, obviously confused and George caved in. He sat the boy in his lap, the blonde resting his head against his shoulder and George brought the cup to his lips, which he gladly took. George would be lying if he said he didn’t enjoy this, and he’d be lying to say that he couldn’t wait to do this again.
He was glad to take care of Dream, glad to be there for him. “I love you.” George whispered. He didn’t say it often, but when he did, he always meant it, he meant it in a deep way. He said it in the way that would make the group of kids cringe, that would make an old woman smile happily, he said it in the way where he meant it, a way that no matter how little, Dream knew he meant it.
Dresm smiled back, his face red. “La’ Mama.” Dream said, trying his best to send his reply to the statement. George chuckled and nodded.
“I know.” George whispered back.