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Dream hated college with a burning and fiery passion.
It was supposed to be a fresh start, and he tried to be positive about it. A new school, in a new city with new people and new opportunities. But he still fucking hated it. He shouldn’t be here, he never really intended to go to college in the first place, he hated everything about the idea. Sitting under fluorescent lights, flipping through textbooks, classes boasting with young adults and useless lectures from professors about a career that he totally isn’t going to pursue anyway. He should be somewhere else, maybe if he tried hard enough he could be travelling the world right now or be a famous supermodel or something, but instead he’s thinking about how miserable it is here.
The only reason he’s really sticking around is he wants to make his parents proud, because the overjoyed looks on their faces when they dropped him off at his new dorm was burning into his mind whenever he considered making a run for it. Also, partly because of the college football team that he was the captain of.
(It was mostly the football team, because let’s be honest here, this football team would be shit and wouldn’t last in the league without him. Also it was his only worth here).
So here he was, huddled close around overly masculine boys who were shoving each other around with such aggression that Dream could never understand. The strong and disgusting scent of sweat and overused Axe body spray are the only things that lingers in the air, and it’s strong enough to make him gag under his breath from behind his helmet.
It’s a Home game, meaning all of his school and supporters will be watching him like a hawk this whole game as the Captain and Quarterback. And to say Dream was close to losing his shit was an understatement.
“Hey Dream!” Sapnap, Dream’s best friend, calls out as he approaches him.
“Sap. What’s up?” Dream passes light conversation, bumping their padded shoulders together as Sapnap lets out a breathy laugh along with a lighthearted grin.
“Dude” He starts, looking up at Dream from behind his helmet. “Did you see the cheer teams' new outfits? Holy fuck dude, they’re insane” He adds with a tone of disbelief and excitement. “Tight and short, just how I like ‘em” He makes a lazy attempt at a joke, patting Dream on the back.
Dream internally cringes at the statement, and is biting back the look of disgust and absolute mortification he really wanted to let out. Instead, he forces out an awkward laugh, and he silently prays to himself that it doesn’t come off as too fake.
“Uh, yeah. Sure, whatever you say, Sap.” He replies, laughing to himself, and hopelessly attempting to avoid any sort of eye contact with the brunette.
“Oh, also! Check out the team we’re playing tonight. Look at their captain, what a fucking prick” Sapnap laughs, gesturing to the other team who were sat on the opposite bench. “It’s humorous, really. He thinks he’s top shit just because they’re from some pristine private school”
Dream glances over, noticing their captain, and to say he was fucking beautiful would be an understatement.
He was pale, with wisps of wavy brown hair falling in his face. He had a slightly crooked smile, and sweat pooling on his forehead. He laughs at something his teammate said, before his eyes meet Dream’s. He stares at him for a second, something between interest and a glare, before looking back to his teammate and laughing again.
“Dream?” Sapnap questions, waving a hand in front of Dream’s face. Dream shook his head, internally cursing himself for staring for so long. “Thought I lost you for a second there bud, you good?” Sapnap nudged him slightly, eyebrows furrowing in concern.
Dream’s thoughts were crashing like a wave right now, his mind was wandering too far for him to keep up.
“Yeah, yeah” Dream assures, clearing his throat nervously. “I’m good. I think I’m just gonna introduce myself to the Cougar’s captain. Be a good sport, and all” Sapnap nods softly as Dream leaves Sapnap behind to yell over to his other teammates (“Hey, yeah, over here Punz! Did you see the cheer teams' new uniforms? So hot!”)
Dream doesn’t even know what his plan to speak to the pretty brunette is, but by the time he reaches the bench he doesn’t have much time to think it over.
“Uh, hey” Dream stammers out.
“Hi” George replies, and Dream notes that he looks
extremely
unimpressed right now.
“I’m Dream, the Mustang’s captain. Wanted to introduce myself. And you must be…?” Dream trails off.
“George,” He answers flatly.
Dream smiles warmly, offering his hand to shake. “Well, it’s nice to meet you, George”
George stares at Dream’s extended hand for a second, before hesitantly shaking it. Dream wants to scoff at him, for being such a fucking priss. Of course the Cougar’s pretty brunette team captain is a dick, Dream should’ve known better when he walked over to greet him. George was from a fancy rich private school, of course he was going to be a fucking asshole.
“It’s not gonna be nice when we crush you and your stupid little team and you guys get kicked out of the bracket for playoffs but whatever you want to think” George snaps.
Dream awkwardly laughs at George’s statement, not knowing how to reply, yet not taking it to heart. “Well, I gotta run. Good luck tonight” Dream smiles once more, trying to pull any kind of manners or even a smile out of George, but it seems as though George refuses.
“Whatever” George answers, Dream turning away.
Needless to say, Dream couldn’t focus at all during that practice, and he was sure he was going to be hounded by his other players later. His eyes kept wandering over to George, and honestly he couldn’t even care that much. He just couldn’t stop thinking about George, and he knew he needed to do something about it, even if the other was a fucking asshole who hated him.
When there’s thirty seconds left in the game, and Dream isn’t sure they’re going to win. They’re tied with the Cougars and Dream is real fucking worried. The last thing he wants is overtime.
The flashing stadium lights are blinding him, but Dream can’t crack under the pressure.
Someone throws him the ball, and he catches it, tucking it under his arm. He looks at the swarm of defence now hounding him, and he fucking runs for his life. He runs, shoving anyone who even dares get close to him.
He fucking runs until he slides over the goal line, throwing the ball to the ground.
In an instant, Dream’s teammates are surrounding him, cheering and screaming into his ear. Someone picks him up on their shoulders, as he laughs and cheers along with them.
He looks over to the Cougars bench and locks eyes with George.
George is pissed.
He wasn’t just upset. No, he has a full on death glare pointed right at Dream, and Dream can’t help but laugh just a little, because it was just the sight he wanted to see.
Once his feet reach the ground again, he finds himself walking over to George, who looks extremely unimpressed.
“What the fuck do you want?” He hisses.
“Woah, calm down tiger” Dream replies. “Just wanted to say good game”
“No you didn’t. You wanted to rub it in my face and piss me off, you prick” George snaps.
Dream shrugs in reply. “Yeah, you’re right”
George scoffs, crossing his arms over his chest in anger. “Piss off then!”
Dream looks back to his teammates, before gazing back to George. “Would you like to come to our party?” He stupidly suggests.
“Why the fuck would I want to go to your guys shitty party?” George accuses, but deep down he knows it doesn’t matter, he’s going to go anyway.
“I mean, I would usually just go back to my dorm but your bus doesn’t leave until tomorrow, yeah? And even though you’re a bit of an asshole, I think I’d like your company at this party” Dream tells him with a small nod. Dream always had a way with words, he always got his own way with his charm, and it was something he prided himself in.
“‘Kay, whatever. Fine” George huffs.
“Good. Invite your teammates, I seriously don’t care who you invite as long as they’re not a dickhead. Give me your number, and I’ll text you the address. It’s at Alpha Chi’s frat house, my buddy Punz is a member of it” Dream explains, as George questions why in the fuck he even agreed to go to this.
They swap numbers, albeit begrudgingly (mostly on George’s behalf). But they end up meeting in front of Alpha Chi’s frat house at 9:26 PM.
“You’re early” Dream comments, hands burrowed deep in the pockets of his jean jacket (that he knew he was probably going to discard and lose tonight).
George pulls his phone out of his back pocket. “By four fucking minutes dickwad, and hey! You’re early too!” George argues, shoving his phone passive aggressively into his back pocket.
“Calm down, Georgie. I was joking” Dream playfully rolls his eyes as he walks up into the house.
George follows closely behind him, he can feel the bass from the music beating in his heart. The scent of beer and weed overwhelms him as soon as he steps in the house and he’s suddenly reminded why he doesn’t usually go to parties.
“Any of your teammates coming?” Dream asks as George follows him to the kitchen for a drink.
Dream grabs a beer, and hands George one as well. “Maybe. I told my linebacker to spread the word and show up but I doubt they will, they’re all private school pussies” George shrugs.
“Oh, and you aren’t?” Dream accuses, earning a sharp shove from George
“I’ll show you I’m not a private school pussy once I out drink you” George taunts, downing half his drink in one sip, and Dream can’t help but watch in a half state of fascination and attraction, because holy fuck George looks hot when he’s challenging Dream.
“Oh, you’re fucking on, Cougar”
Dream crouches down and grabs some of the shot glasses laid on the table, carefully pouring ten. George watches over his shoulder, as Dream carefully pours the same amount of pure vodka into the shot glasses (If you asked Dream he would tell you he didn’t usually drink, but all logic has gone out the window now, especially when he knows deep down he’s going to lose).
They stand still in a line, and Dream stands back up. “First to finish all 5 wins” He suggests, knowing damn well George would do it either way. George nods in reply and crouches down over the shots.
Somehow through the chaos, Sapnap had made his way over to Dream and George’s drinking game, and decided he had to referee.
“3….. 2... 1.. Drink!” Sapnap exclaims, watching over the two boys.
Dream and George hurriedly bend down, tipping the drinks into their mouths as fast as they can. Dream scrunches his face up at the taste of vodka on his lips, slowing him down. George wins by a good ten seconds, vodka dripping down his lips to his chin.
Dream wants nothing more than to kiss that cocky smirk off of his face right now, but he knew he couldn’t.
“See! I’m not a fucking private school pussy!” He yells much louder than he meant to, Dream laughing as he shushes him.
“I hate you” Dream exclaims back.
“Oh, you fucking wish!” George slurs a bit, giggling at his own words.
Sapnap had disappeared shortly after Dream and George’s drinking game (which had gotten both of them extremely shitfaced).
Dream, being a lightweight and absolutely fucking plastered right now, decided that the party was getting too overwhelming, so he stepped out on the back porch of the frat house. It wasn’t long after until George followed him out in a drunken state like a lost puppy (it’s not like Dream minded), claiming he “didn’t know anyone here” and he had to “stick with The Man” as he called Dream.
George collapsed down on the porch step beside Dream and looked out onto the backyard, Dream staring up at the cloudy night sky.
“Where does your accent come from?” Dream wonders aloud.
“Oh, you noticed?” George teases, Dream rolling his eyes in response.
“Of course I noticed. I assume it’s British but I hear a little bit of American” Dream tells him.
“I’m originally from London, moved here after my father got a promotion when I was about 14” George explains, Dream humming in response. “My parents still have the accent, which is why mine is still there”
Dream nods silently, as he looks over to George.
George shrugs, his head collapsing on Dream’s shoulder as he attempts (and fails) to stifle a yawn. “This is the most fun I’ve actually ever had. There’s no parties like this back at my school”
“Oh yeah, why not? I’d think you prestigious private school kids would know how to party” Dream thinks aloud, looking down at the pretty boy laying on him right now.
“Nope. They don’t want to piss off their parents, even if they did get caught with a little bit of weed or alcohol it’s not like daddy's money wouldn’t pay off the fine” George drunkenly rambles, throwing up an exaggerated hand.
“I forgot all you Cougar kids are rich pricks” Dream laughs. “Not you though, you’re a rich dickhead instead”
George chuckles at that. “I still don’t like you by the way, even if you did invite me to this stupid party” George comments, sitting up and taking a sip of his drink that he had put on the step below him (it had been replaced with water a long time ago due to George being an absolute rowdy drunk and Punz not wanting someone to die of alcohol poisoning on his front lawn).
“Guess I’ll just have to make you like me then, won’t I?” Dream smirks at the brunette.
George looks at him for a second with a look of uncertainty, his eyes flicking down to Dream’s lips.
“Oh yeah?” George teases, leaning in a bit with a devilish smile toying at his lips.
Dream swallows the lump in his throat. “Yeah” He breathes out.
“How are you going to do that?” George questions. Dream can feel his hot breath on his face, and he knows what’s going to happen next.
Dream leans in, closing the gap between him and George. He kisses him softly, unsure if this is okay. All his doubts wash away when George deepens the kiss, running his fingers eagerly through Dream’s hair. Dream smiles into the kiss, hands ghosting down to George’s waist in a tight grip.
George is the one who pulls away first, he takes a breath, his face heating up red under the porch light. Dream breathily laughs, before leaning back in for another kiss.
Dream pulls back for a second, admiring how fucking perfect George looked right now. “Would you like to go back to my dorm?” Dream offers. George nods and before he knows what’s happening, he’s on his feet dragging George through the party by his wrist.
He catches a look of confusion on Sapnap’s face as he reaches the front door. “Stay with Punz for the night! I have company!” Dream calls back to him, and he and George are out the door before he can hear the other protest.
-
“Sapnap”
Sapnap’s eyes angrily flick up to Dream, who was now standing in the line of vision of the stupid video game he was currently nose deep in.
“What the fuck, dude? I’m kind of in the middle of something” Sapnap complains, throwing his controller beside him on the bed.
“I know, but I need advice and I didn’t know who else to ask” Dream sighed as he collapsed on the bed underneath him in a spot beside Sapnap.
Sapnap stared at Dream in wonder. Dream never needed help with anything, he was always independent and confident and never needed advice from anyone. If someone ever did give him advice, it’s not like he would take it anyways, but on the rare occasion he did need advice, it usually meant that something was seriously bugging him. So, Sapnap was all ears.
“Oh” Sapnap says plainly. “Yeah, sure. What’s up?”
“Okay” Dream starts, taking a breath. “So, I think- I think I may like someone, alright?” The mixture of joy and shock on Sapnap’s face was instant, making Dream regret bringing it up with him. “No, stop it. Stop looking so excited. I’ll go to Karl instead” Dream threatens, rolling his eyes.
“No, I’m sorry, I’ll be good. I promise” He replied, clearing his throat. Dream stared at him accusingly before continuing.
“Anyways, I need to know. How do I.. talk to them? I’m pretty sure they hate me” Dream questioned hesitantly. He cringed at himself, this was so stupid. He should have just let it go and the thought of asking George out should have never crossed his mind. He and George were a one time thing, he should’ve known.
“Well, what kind of person is this girl?” Sapnap questioned, quirking an eyebrow when Dream hesitated.
“Uh, it’s a guy,” Dream reluctantly said. Dream is expecting Sapnap to yell at him, or call him stupid or maybe give him a slap upside the head for liking a boy of all people. But he doesn’t, of course.
He softly smiles, as his eyes light up in happiness for the blond. “Dude! I’m so proud of you!” Sapnap breathed out, cutting himself off with a gasp. “Oh my god, this about that rich daddy’s boy sleaze you brought home!” Sapnap exclaims in shock.
“Okay, he is
not
a rich daddy’s boy sleaze!” Dream argues. “And his name is George”
Sapnap slaps Dream’s arm, hastily. “You cannot be sleeping with the enemy!”
“But- I like him! And he’s nice!” Dream stands, throwing his hands up in protest.
“You literally just said you thought he hated you” Sapnap scoffs, narrowing his eyes into slits.
Dream sighs, pinching the bridge of his nose. “Yeah, he is kind of a prick- but we had a moment! At the party, and then again in our dorm, and then when he left in the morning. Like he definitely likes me more than he acts like he does”
“Do you really like this boy?” Sapnap asks accusingly.
Dream nods in reply. “Yes”
“Text him. The Cougars are coming back to town for a game right? Ask if you guys can get dinner afterwards” Sapnap suggests, with a simple shrug.
“That’s not too bad of an idea” Dream thinks aloud. “Fuck, thank you. You’re a lifesaver man”
“I know,” Sapnap answers flatly. “Now can you fucking move so I can play my game now?”
-
Dream: hey
George: hello?
Dream: its dream btw
Dream: i had a question for u lol
George: oh god
George: what
Dream: omfg u dont even know what i was gonna ask
Dream: and ur already complaining :(
George: fuck off what do u want
Dream: i was wondering if u wanted to go to dinner w me
Dream: after ur game in town next week
George: why
Dream: i like u
Dream: ur not THAT bad
George: oi fuck off
George: i was gonna say yes but that made it a no
Dream: fuck u
Dream: pls :(
Dream: do sum charity work for a poor lonely college football captain
George: fine wtvr ill see u at my game?
Dream: ofc
-
“Not you again” George whines as he walks out of his team's locker room, to see Dream leaning on the wall with a smile on his face.
“You played good” Dream compliments with a laugh.
“You know I didn’t. Shouldn’t you be, you know? Team captaining, instead of pestering the other team’s captain for a date” Dream chuckles softly at that.
“Don’t be ridiculous. You agreed to this date” Dream reminds him, as they start walking to Dream’s car in the parking lot.
“Oh, so this is a date? Hm, I was right” George questions accusingly.
“Of course it is,” Dream answers.
“I thought we were just getting dinner, I didn’t realise this was a fancy date or I would look much less sweaty” George comments, as Dream unlocks his car.
“Fuck off, you look handsome”
-
When Dream walks into his dorm the next day, hair messy and neck littered with hickeys, Sapnap snorts.
“I take it he doesn’t hate you then?” Sapnap jokes, Dream attempting to throw a pillow at his head.
“Fuck off, we had a great time” Dream sinks into his bed, closing his eyes.
“We play the Cougars again in a bit, by the way. Don’t let this romance with George fuck the team over, okay?” Sapnap asks threateningly.
Dream doesn’t even bother to open his eyes, he just silently nods, and apparently that’s enough for Sapnap because he leaves him alone after that.
-
Before Dream knows it, he’s playing the Cougars again. And he really likes George.
It had been close to two months since the two first met, and kissed at that party, and now they were basically attached at the hip.
George is perfect. He’s handsome, and funny, and sweet (once you get to know him). And he knows about football so it wasn’t like Dream was talking to a wall. And he lives only a few towns over, but the 45 minute drive is worth it.
He likes George so much, he lets the older tackle him, and steal the ball from him relentlessly during a scrimmage before their official game, earning many glares and screams from his teammates for being stupid.
When the game finally rolls around he decides he likes George a lot. He likes him so much he kisses his cheek in between plays, and even lays back on tackling his teammates.
And to be frank, Dream is pissing Sapnap the fuck off. Not just because Dream is being stupid and letting a boy get in the way of their game, but because he warned him. He knew this was going to happen, he knew Dream would get together with George and it would fuck both George and Dream’s football playing careers over and burn them to the ground.
“Dream, get your fucking head in the game! Stop worrying about your stupid boyfriend!” Sapnap yells angrily, slapping Dream upside his head.
“Ouch! Fuck, Sap! I will” He whines, rubbing at his head through his helmet.
“Dream! Over here!” Punz calls from the other side of the bench. Dream heads over to the blond, who was pouring a sip of Sapnap’s blue Gatorade into his mouth.
“Okay, you didn’t hear this from me” Punz says lowly, glancing around to see if anyone is overhearing this conversation. “Coach is thinking about making you step down as captain”
“What- What the fuck? Why?” Dream demands, in shock.
“Because your performance hasn’t been top notch since you’ve started seeing that George kid, and these are the games that are gonna get us in the League Cup, Dream. You’ve gotta pull up your game, alright bud?” Punz asks, giving him a pat on the back before he wanders over to Sapnap.
The game goes on, and it’s torturous to say the least. Dream tries harder than he was before, shoving basically anyone he can in his way to get to the fucking ball.
The Mustangs win by a good amount, Dream’s teammates are throwing him around and cheering. He looks over to George, and he gets deja vu from the first time they properly spoke.
The only thing that’s different now is George isn’t mad.
George is smiling.
Once Dream gets a moment away from his teammates he heads over to George, who immediately pulls him into a tight hug.
“You did awesome! I’m so proud of you!” George boasts. “You’re going to be in the League Cup!”
Dream laughs as George basically squeezes the life out of him. “Stop it, I’m sorry I had to kick your ass to get here though”
“I don’t care, my boyfriend is going to be playing in the League Cup!” George exclaims, letting go of Dream to ruffle his messy, helmet hair.
“Oh, so I’m your boyfriend?” Dream asks, smirking.
George scoffs in reply. “Are you stupid? Of course, you are” He smiles.
Dream leans down and kisses him on the cheek. “C’mon, wanna go celebrate?”
“Lead the way, my love”