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George was never the type for romance.
Back at school with promposals and homecoming signs, he’d always tried to stay clear. It was all too flashy, too much. Besides, most of his family didn’t even know that he was gay. If he came home with a boyfriend, well, his parents wouldn’t exactly be happy.
But, he was 24 now. On November 1st he would be 25.
Turning 25, in George’s case, was a death sentence.
If he didn’t marry someone– for love– by the time he became 25, he would die, plain and simple. An amazing society he lived in, killing people who don’t have time for romance.
It was like Aphrodite ran the country, maybe Eros too. The country’s whole motto was basically: if you aren’t in love, you die. Incredibly terrifying for the aromantics, and at this point, George was starting to think he might be one as well. He’d never been in love and he didn’t plan to be. November 1st was going to be a terrible day.
But then Dream came along.
Sure, they’d been friends for a long time. They’d been hanging out since basically preschool, constantly with each other, barely talking to anyone else (besides Sapnap, and Karl and Quackity occasionally). Even through high school and college they stayed best buds. Dream was an English major now, working for some prestigious publisher in the city. George was comp sci, but he worked from home. And home happened to be a small shared apartment with Dream.
Around a month before George’s death date, Dream came home from work with a crazy idea. He must have been on crack, or something because the words that came out of his mouth made absolutely no sense.
“We should get married.”
It was quick, breathless, and George had almost thought he’d imagined it. Married? Him and Dream? “No way.”
“Yes, way,” Dream affirmed with a sly grin. George held his breath, knowing the blonde’s dumbest ideas always came along with that grin. “We get married, live happily, and you don’t die. Simple.”
George scoffed because seriously, how could someone be so oblivious? “We’d have to actually be in love, Dream. There are tests, monthly visits, background checks.”
The blonde didn’t seem at all off-put. He shrugged. “We could totally beat the system. We live together, we’ve been friends for years. Even the people around us think we’re together.”
“No one thinks that,” George said, although he didn’t quite believe it himself. In public, they always got strange looks, almost as if other civilians were judging two guys together on a friendly coffee date. But it was totally normal– he and Dream weren’t a thing.
Dream gave him a knowing look, Yes they do. He walked closer to George and his expression turned sad, like a rose beginning to wilt. “I can’t lose you, okay? You’ve never liked anyone, like ever, so this is the best shot we have. It’ll be believable, you and me.”
George wished he could push his friend away, but something in his face screamed ‘lost puppy’. How could he live with himself if he knew he disappointed Dream? If he didn’t try everything he could to stay alive for his friend?
So, with great reluctance, he agreed.
In the beginning, nothing really changed. They were still good ol’ Dream and George, best friends forever.
The first step in proving they were a couple– a soon-to-be-married couple– was networking. On social media, they already had countless pictures together. Most were friendly, maybe even brotherly, but some were a little bit more. A majority of the posts on Dream’s page were poses of him hugging George from behind or kissing his cheek. Those were the ones they needed more of.
So, naturally, they invited Sapnap over to take pictures of them acting like a couple.
Dream told him the plan, which made their friend scoff. “You’re crazy,” he’d said. “But if anyone can pull it off, it’s you guys.”
George didn’t quite know what he meant by that.
Currently, he was on Dream’s lap and he felt indescribably uncomfortable. They’d cuddled some nights after falling asleep on the couch before. Maybe his head fell onto Dream’s shoulder, or maybe Dream’s laid on his lap every once in a while. But this, actually sitting on Dream, was something new.
Sapnap laughed at George’s distaste. “Smile,” he ushered. “Just sit there and look pretty, Georgie. You’re doing great.”
Dream seemed to be enjoying it too much. His arms were protectively looped around George’s middle as he leaned his head on top of George’s. The brunet could feel a smug grin against his scalp.
“Smile, baby,” Dream whispered. His voice was teasing, making fun of George’s inability to act cool with all of this. The blonde was confident, much more confident than George had ever been.
He sucked in a breath and tried to make his face look like he was entirely, completely in love with Dream. He curled his lips up, bared his teeth, crinkled his eyes, and hoped to everything out there that it looked like he was ready to marry the man under him.
The rest of the pictures weren’t as bad.
Sapnap had Dream hold George bridal-style, the way grooms held their wives at weddings. It was fine to do, but Dream was definitely the wife in their scenario with all his cooking and cleaning. Not that gender roles mattered, but Dream was exactly like his mother that way, and George planned on holding that over his head forever.
Their other pose was standing. Dream kissed him on the cheek while they held hands in the background. It was cute and all, but it wasn’t like they’d never held hands before. It was more of a comfort thing between the two of them. Whenever one was upset, the other would hold their hand to let them know they were there. Throughout everything they’d been through, Dream was the one person George could always count on to be there.
The next part of the plan was convincing people that they were actually together.
The wedding officiant was sure to ask their close family and friends about the newly wedded couple. They would be more suspicious about a wedding only a couple days before one of the partners was destined to die. George knew they had to put on an excellent show, but he didn’t know if he was up for the challenge.
First, they went over to Sapnap’s. The brunet already knew about their arranged marriage– and he supported it since he didn’t want his friend to die – but his roommates, Karl and Quackity, did not.
Dream and George walked into the apartment together, holding hands.
As soon as Quackity opened the door he was yelling for the others to come quickly. He pointed at their linked hands, and George could swear Karl looked faint.
“So it finally happened, huh?” Quackity asked, eying the two up and down.
George could've responded, but instead, Dream swooped down and pecked him on the cheek. “Yep,” he said. “We’re dating. Soon to be married.”
If George’s cheeks flushed red, it was only because of embarrassment. Knowing his best friend (and future husband) kissed him in front of his other friends was enough to make him blush. He needed to get used to it before it became an issue.
Karl walked up to the pair and grabbed George’s free hand. “You and I,” he said softly, “need to have a chat.”
With that, he pulled George away from Dream and their linked hands to lead him into his shared room with Quackity. The door was shut, and then George heard squealing.
“He finally asked you out! Or did you ask him out?” Karl was pacing around the room, practically bouncing with his steps. “This is the best thing to happen since the invention of video games!”
George grabbed Karl’s shoulders and shook them. “Yes, we’re dating! We planned on explaining it to you three together when we got here.”
Karl gulped. “Oh.”
He followed George out the door and into the living room.
When they were all seated—George was reluctantly on Dream’s lap like the picture—Karl asked, “So? Tell us everything .”
Luckily, the two had rehearsed their get-together speech before they’d come. It was simple and easy to remember, but also completely believable. Two best friends slowly falling for each other over the years, totally never been done before.
“Well,” Dream started, “The past year things with us have been… different.”
“A good different,” George added as he sent a faux in-love smile Dream’s way.
Dream smiled back and tightened his grip on George’s middle. “Right. It was a good difference. We didn’t really understand it until we fell asleep watching Better Call Saul. When we woke up, we were tangled together on the floor.”
“Our faces were so close we could’ve kissed.”
Dream scoffed, but continued nonetheless. “We did kiss. And now we’re here.”
Sapnap made a face of disgust. “We didn’t need to know what you get up to at night. That’s your business.”
Karl giggled, and when Dream’s face turned red from lack of response (“We didn’t- I don’t know what you’re talking about”) George had to laugh too. He tilted his head back and laughed into Dream’s shoulder.
What he didn’t expect was for Dream to kiss his forehead.
It was short and sweet and completely unnecessary because they didn’t need to play up their romance that much. But Dream looked down at him with what seemed like a genuine smile and his annoyance faded. They were best friends, after all, and a kiss on the forehead could mean nothing.
But it didn’t mean nothing because every time Dream kissed him it felt like he meant it. Like he wanted to kiss George somewhere more important than a forehead, or cheek– a more special place under his nose and between his chin. George didn’t know what to think of it. He didn’t necessarily mind it, but he didn’t yearn for it. It wasn’t like he made Dream kiss his cheek every morning before he left for work, or anything.
(Except he did.)
It was a running bit between them. Like how in old movies the wife would kiss her husband goodbye before he left for work. George had told Dream to do it as a joke, and it had just stuck.
George, on the other hand, had never kissed Dream in the entirety of their friendship. Not on the cheek, the forehead, not even on his hand (Dream had started to do that– kissing George’s knuckles before they went to bed). He wasn’t really one to show affection, although anything Dream gave him he gladly took; he just wasn’t the initiator.
Sometimes he felt like kissing any part of Dream would be too permanent. Like, if he kissed Dream, his lips would stay there, forever implanted on his best friend’s skin. It was a stupid thought, but it was one of George’s greatest fears. A kiss, no matter how small it seemed, was like a promise. Each time Dream’s lips brushed him, it was like he was saying I’m here. I’m not leaving.
Leaving was a hard topic for George to talk about. His experience with people leaving him in the past was less than great.
He knew Dream was and would always be there for him; the blonde was his rock. But the fear of Dream leaving him was always there, always lurking. He didn’t want the amiable kisses to leave with them.
And he didn’t want to leave Dream.
Two weeks after Dream’s “We should get married” speech, the blonde decided it was time to actually apply for the marriage.
To get permission to be married by the state, they had to send in documents. Said documents included pictures of them together, a small paragraph of how they got together, and basic personal information like an address.
It was easy to do, and they finished in less than 20 minutes.
Dream decided spontaneously that he wanted to drive them all the way to the post office. Apparently, their own mailbox wasn’t enough, and according to Dream, they needed only the best for their fake marriage. George waited in the car while the blonde ran their envelope in.
When he came back to the car, however, he looked as if something was on his mind. George grabbed his hand. “What’s wrong?”
Dream’s eyes shot open like a deer in headlights. “Well… it’s just that-” he paused, trying to regain control of himself. “If the applications are approved, that means we could be married by the end of next week. That means we’ll have our small ceremony, but after we say the vows…”
“We have to kiss,” George finished.
At said words, his stomach practically dropped to his feet. He hadn’t realized they would need to kiss publicly in order to be a verified couple.
“Yeah,” Dream agreed, his head hung low.
“And you want to-”
George could read Dream better than himself sometimes. Especially in times like now. He knew the blonde was thinking the complete opposite of what was inside his own head. To George, kissing for the first time in front of everyone he loved was preferable. But Dream wanted to…
“Practice.”
George’s lips parted at the confirmation. He and his best friend were going to kiss, more than once. Sure, kissing at the wedding was unavoidable. It was mandatory. But now Dream wanted to kiss beforehand too. And if George knew Dream at all, he knew his friend was a perfectionist. He wouldn’t want to give up until their kiss was perfectly wedding-worthy.
“We don’t have to now. I- I was just saying,” Dream rushed. George knew his cheeks were burning in embarrassment and would’ve made fun if they weren’t about to kiss in the parking lot of a post office.
He squeezed Dream’s hand a little tighter. “It’s okay. We can do it now. But you know I don’t really have any…”
Dream pulled away at that. “Oh god. I totally forgot I would be your first kiss. Are you sure? I don’t want to pressure you.”
George thought it was funny how stressed out Dream could get. The guy was so caring and sweet that it was endearing. George really didn’t have anyone else he trusted as much as Dream. He didn’t have a significant other, a partner he could kiss freely. Dream was his person, no one else was really in the picture. Kissing his best friend was inescapable, so why not do it now?
He smiled and grabbed Dream’s hand again. “Kiss me, idiot.”
The blonde hesitated for a moment before leaning over the center console and meeting George’s lips with his own. It was soft and tentative and exactly the way a first kiss with a middle school crush goes. Although, George supposed this was his middle school kiss since he’d missed out on it years prior.
The kiss was okay, but George honestly didn’t know what to expect.
But then Dream’s hands found the outsides of his chin and he pulled George forward. His lips moved against the other’s the slightest bit faster, and it was then that George realized that this was why horny teenagers kissed all the time.
Kissing Dream felt nice. Warm hands at the edge of his face matched perfectly with the gentle lips caressing his own. His chest felt all bubbly, and he felt a smile growing at the corner of his mouth.
Caught up in the moment, George reached his hands out to Dream’s side of the console. He felt a toned chest and instantly fixed his arms so they were looped lazily above the blonde’s hips. Dream hummed at the notion, so George pulled him a little closer. He heard Dream’s stomach hit the console, but he could’ve cared less.
Too soon, Dream pulled away.
George wanted to whine about it, but he realized he would only embarrass himself. The fact that he liked kissing his best friend was enough alone, but if Dream heard him make noises, he would be done for.
“Um, alright,” Dream said, his voice an octave higher than usual. “Cool. ”
He turned sideways so that he was facing forward. His hands found the wheel again, and George heard him push down the accelerator.
Apparently, Dream didn’t want to talk about it. George sighed dramatically in a way Dream was sure to hear and placed his head against the window.
It was going to be a long week.
The air was weird between them. George didn’t understand what had changed. Maybe because you kissed him and liked it, George’s brain supplied. He effectively avoided that thought.
It’s not like he’d ever kissed anyone before. Maybe the way he and Dream kissed was nothing special. Hell, he knew people kissed like that all the time, whether it meant something or not. But when he thought about the kiss over the console his stomach got all fluttery and his heart started beating faster. It was a new feeling, and George wasn’t quite sure what to make of it.
It had now been a week since their visit to the post office. A week since things were good between them. They were still together all the time, but to George, it felt like Dream wasn’t really there. The blonde always seemed wrapped up in his own head whenever they were together.
George decided it had been enough. Dream couldn’t be stuck in his head for a week and still be okay.
So, he cornered Dream in the hallway before work (the hallway where Dream usually kissed him goodbye but hadn’t since the incident). Dream was dressed in his usual khakis and a sage green sweater while George was still in pajamas.
He didn’t care, though, and when Dream called a goodbye, he cried “Wait!” and sprinted out of their shared kitchen.
Dream looked nervous. George crossed his arms and ordered, “Tell me what’s up with you.”
“Later, George,” Dream said, still not meeting George’s eyes in the process. “I’ll be late for work.”
The brunet scoffed. “You’re practically the CEO, they can wait for you.”
Dream hesitated for a moment before closing the door. He looked somewhat ticked off, but George could tell he was more nervous than he was showing. If they didn’t fix their relationship now, how were they supposed to get married in a couple of days?
“It’s just-” Dream paused. He took in a deep breath before continuing. “We kissed.”
George summoned up every bit of confidence he could muster. “So? We’re going to have to kiss in front of people soon. If we’re weird about it now, they’ll never let us get married.”
“So you don’t…” Dream said so quietly that George could barely hear it. “Okay, yeah. I can do that, not be weird about it. We’ll be fine.”
To prove his point, he leaned down and kissed George’s cheek the way he did every morning before. It was short, but George’s cheeks turned pink because of it.
“Bye,” Dream said, smiling as he rushed out the door. It closed before George could say it back.
Standing there, in the morning sun, was George. He held his cheek as he watched Dream’s car leave from the window.
Something had changed between them, and George wasn’t sure what to think of it.
Two days later, the pair got a large envelope in the mail.
It was addressed to Mr. and Mr. soon-to-be Davidson, which made him laugh at the thought that Dream would be taking in his name instead of the other way around.
The blonde pouted as he opened the envelope.
Inside were two pieces of paper. First, was a letter that verified their marriage application. Their photos and summary, etc. had all been checked out. The second was a marriage invitation. In one week, on the anniversary of Dream’s plan, they were invited to visit the city hall to be formally married. The paper said they could invite up to ten close friends and family, and that an officiant would be provided.
George smiled in complete relief. His death day wasn't soon. He wasn’t leaving Dream.
Dream picked him up and spun him around. They held each other closely, and George almost cried when Dream whispered giddily, “You aren’t leaving!”
He pulled Dream closer and pushed his head into the crevice between Dream’s neck and chin. All the fear and anxiety from the past couple of months would finally go away; he didn’t need Dream to see him crying over it.
The blonde, however, decided to press a kiss to the part of George’s scalp closest to his face. His lips were placed longer than their usual forehead or cheek kisses. George liked the permanency of it all. Dream was there, and he wasn’t leaving.
When they finally pulled away from each other, something was different. George could hardly form a thought in his head when he saw Dream’s face. The blonde’s entire face was puffy from crying. His eyes glossed over and his lips parted as he looked down at the brunet.
George figured he looked the same. Crying was never really something they did together. George closed himself off in his bedroom and covered himself in blankets while Dream went on long night drives. But right now Dream looked surprisingly… pretty. His wet eyelashes and swollen lips made him look like a fallen angel, and George found himself moving closer.
It was pure instinct– George could barely even think– but he cupped Dream’s head in his hands like the blonde had done to him the first time. Dream melted in his hold, so George leaned in.
He connected their lips without thinking it through. In a panic, he almost flinched back, but then Dream tightened his grip around George’s back and pulled the brunet closer.
George’s mind was blank as Dream looped arms under his thighs to lift him up. He held on to Dream’s face and kept kissing his best friend all throughout. When Dream tried to pull him even closer, he hooked his ankles around Dream’s back and tilted the blonde’s chin further upward.
The kiss was more than last time. It was more than anything George had ever experienced in his entire life. It was so much and not enough all at once. It was everything, and the only consistent thought in George’s head throughout was Dream.
A loud thumping came from their apartment door and George accidentally jumped out of Dream’s arms. He couldn’t even say anything before the door opened and revealed Sapnap. The brunet didn’t realize his friend’s position as he put his spare key back into his pocket.
“Did the envelope come yet?” He asked. “It was-”
His questions died in his throat when he looked up.
Dream and George were still standing closer than an average space bubble. Dream’s hands were lazily around George’s hips and George was still holding Dream’s face.
They immediately disconnected, however, when Sapnap laughed at them. “Okay, I’ll take that as a yes.” He rolled his eyes fondly. “I’ll be going now.”
He walked away, leaving the door to slowly close behind him. George used the one brain cell that wasn’t completely stuck on the idea of him and Dream kissing and ran after him.
He found the brunet a couple of doors down, unlocking his own apartment. “It’s not what it looks like,” he said, trying to convince himself more than he was the other.
Sapnap scoffed. “You’re an idiot if you think that.” He smiled and closed the door behind him, leaving George starstruck in the hallway.
He walked back to his own apartment with a sigh, deciding not to talk about whatever the fuck had happened between him and Dream.
They were getting married in a little over a day. He couldn’t screw anything up now.
The day before the wedding, things were weird between them.
It wasn’t like after their first kiss when they seemed to be almost avoiding each other. Now, it was more like they were being too careful around each other, like they didn’t want to do anything that made the other uncomfortable.
Of course, Dream didn’t know that George felt more comfortable when they were kissing rather than anything else. He didn’t know George was now aching to hold Dream every second of the day. He didn’t have a clue as to what George was feeling at all, but George had no plans on telling Dream whatsoever.
It was pointless. The plan was simple: (1) get married tomorrow and (2) don’t die.
Today, though, the pair needed to go tux shopping. They weren’t the richest people on the planet, so they decided to rent out their tuxedos.
Dream wanted George to be in a full-on white suit, but George declined with the rebuttal that Dream was taking in his name and was therefore his wife.
Eventually, the blonde agreed and ended up picking a completely white tux for himself. George picked a regular black tux and met Dream by the changing rooms.
He took off his sweater (Well, it wasn’t really his, it was Dream’s) and replaced it with an elegant black tuxedo. It was the color of his hair, and George had to pride himself on looking good.
From the changing room over, Dream yelled, “I’m coming over. You better be changed.”
George sighed. He knew you weren’t supposed to see your wife (husband, partner, whatever ) in their outfit before the wedding. It was bad luck, but George opened his door regardless.
When he saw Dream, his jaw dropped.
His blonde locks complimented the white suit incredibly. His sun-kissed freckles popped out, and his hazel eyes were practically lighting up above his sage green tie.
And speaking of the suit, it fit Dream wonderfully. It wrapped around his shoulders and hips in a way that made Dream look modest but furiously gorgeous.
“You look beautiful,” Dream said. His voice was breathless, as if he’d been swept away.
George flushed, because who wouldn’t flush at a compliment like that, and smiled bashfully. “You don’t look too bad yourself.”
Dream smiled and stepped forward. His hands found George’s collar as he adjusted it. Then, he looked down. “Where’s your tie?”
From behind his back, George pulled out the tie he’d picked out to match Dream’s. He’d never been good at tying them. Although he typed constantly for his job, his hands were much too clumsy to fasten one exactly right.
Dream gently took it from his grasp and wrapped it around the back of George’s neck. He hummed as he looped the silk over itself, and eventually pulled it together. His hand ended underneath George’s chin, and for a moment George wondered if Dream was about to kiss him again.
But the blonde pulled back and cleared his throat. “We should change back,” was the last thing George wanted to hear as Dream left him alone in his changing room.
The day of the wedding was probably the most stressful day of George’s life.
Dream was gone before he woke up. He’d left a text saying he was at Sapnap’s to get ready since seeing your partner before the wedding was back luck.
As soon as George sent back a ‘K’, Dream texted him that Karl and Quackity were heading over to help him get ready.
George knew how to put on a suit; he didn’t need them. What he did need, however, was help with his tie. He would’ve preferred Dream helping him like the day before, but Karl would suffice (he didn’t trust Quackity to do anything– the guy would probably end up choking him).
Barely a cup of coffee later, there were knocks on the door before his two friends let themselves in. They were still in pajamas, but they held hangers with the suits they’d rented. They fought over who would be Best Man, so they ended up deciding all three of them would be Best Men for both of them. It was crazy, but the idea of marrying Dream was even crazier.
“Good morning, sunshine,” Quackity grinned. “It’s time to make you look like the hottest man on the planet for your big day.”
George grumbled as he took one last sip of his coffee.
Hours later when they were all in their suits and ties, Karl was adamant about applying eyeliner to George’s eyes.
“No,” George said flatly.
“Come on,” Karl whined. “You'll look great. Besides, Dream will love it!”
George rolled his eyes– the eyes he really didn’t want eyeliner on. “I don’t care what Dream thinks.”
Quackity laughed hoarsely at that. “Yeah, right. Sapnap told us what he walked in on the other day.”
George flushed. Sure, maybe Sapnap had walked in on him and Dream making out. Whatever. They were clearly just practicing for the ceremony today. But, his friends didn’t know he and Dream’s whole relationship was based on a lie.
“Shut up, we barely even did anything.”
“If that’s ‘doing nothing’ I wonder what you guys are like in-”
George cut Quackity off before he could say anything else. “You’re an idiot.”
“But you love me,” Quackity swooned.
“And Dream!” Karl quipped unhelpfully.
Because yeah, George did love Dream. He’d loved him as a friend for years. He’d loved him ever since they were kids. But now everything was getting confusing. He knew the way he loved Dream had changed, but he wasn’t sure exactly how much.
He shook his head and grabbed the eyeliner from the counter. “Fine.” He placed the eyeliner in Karl’s hand. “You can do it.”
When they reached the courthouse, George was so nervous that his leg was shaking.
Here he was, in a courtroom with all his closest friends and Dream’s family, getting married when almost a month ago he was complaining about flashy romances and how all love was fake. He was a hypocrite.
Quackity and Karl led him through the place until they reached the room. George was so zoned out that he didn’t realize they were there until he heard cheering.
The room was small, but its space was used wisely. Near the front, there was a small elevated platform for the bride and groom (or groom and groom in their case). Along the sides were 10 chairs for family and friends to sit in, and all the chairs were filled except for three– George didn’t want to think of the person he knew wasn’t coming.
The room was decorated beautifully. White drapes were placed around the walls, and there were flowers lining the chairs and platform.
Dream wasn’t in the room yet, but George knew it was because he was dramatic and wanted to have his mom walk him down the aisle.
George was standing in the front of the room next to a court officiant. Quackity and Karl took their places near the front of the room next to Sapnap. Behind them were their other three friends Punz, Foolish, and Tina.
On the opposite side of the room were two empty seats in the front that George knew were for Dream’s mom and sister (Drista insisted on being Flower Girl), and behind them was a blonde boy George knew as Tommy. He was one of Drista’s friends and she’d only brought him along because he insisted on supporting the LGBTQ+ community. George didn’t mind, he thought the kid was funny.
And finally, behind Tommy was an empty seat George knew wouldn’t be filled. Dream had asked him a little while ago if he wanted to invite his mom, and he’d said no. Yesterday, Dream had said he reached out to her anyway but had gotten no response. They decided to leave a chair for her regardless, even though George knew the last place either of his parents would be was a gay wedding.
Bridal music from a radio started playing and George straightened up. The door opened and in strode Drista. She threw flowers all throughout the aisle, but somehow most of the basket ended up on Sapnap’s head. George would have laughed if he wasn’t actively holding his breath waiting for Dream.
Then, as if the blonde had read his mind, Dream strode in with an arm interlocked with his mom. Somehow he looked even better than the day before. He was practically glowing in the courtroom’s lighting.
His mom was whispering something into his ear, and when Dream laughed, George felt his breath completely leave his lungs. Dream’s smile looked so pretty and genuine that under all his stress, George almost cried.
At the moment Dream looked up, he froze, no doubt in shock over George’s unanticipated makeup. But George froze too because how could he not? Dream was in a white tuxedo looking like an angel, how was he not supposed to stare?
Dream’s mom had to physically drag him in order for them to move forward again. They didn’t break eye contact though, and when Dream reached the platform, George was starstruck. Up close was even better; Dream was actually sent from heaven.
The officiant cleared their throat and began the ceremony.
“Welcome, everyone,” they said. “We are gathered today to join Dream and George in matrimony. They’ve been cleared by the state to marry, and our courtroom is here to ensure that there is no funny business.”
George gulped as the officiant turned toward them. “What you promise each other today cannot be treated lightly, they are made to last a lifetime. Since you’ve decided to spend your lives together, promise each other these things…”
They trailed off and looked George directly in the eye. “George, do you take Dream to be your partner, and live together in matrimony? Do you promise to love, honor, and comfort him in sickness and in health?”
George looked right at Dream when he said, “I do.”
They turned to Dream and asked the same thing. Dream looked at George when he said, “I do.”
George’s heart was practically beating out of his chest. His stomach was going crazy, and he almost felt nauseous. Promising to spend life with Dream in front of their friends and family was a lot to think about. He tried not to think about the kiss coming up.
“If you have rings, please bring them out,” said the officiant.
The two of them agreed that they didn’t need huge, expensive wedding rings to profess their completely real and undeniable love for each other. When they’d gone shopping for tuxedos, George had suggested– as a joke– that they should use mood rings instead. Dream unironically agreed, and now they were in a courtroom pulling out mood rings for each other.
“You may place the ring on Dream’s finger.”
George took Dream’s hand in his own and placed the mood ring. It turned a blue-green color that George tried to pretend didn’t stand for romance. Mood rings were cheap knock-offs; there was no way Dream was actually in love.
He had to say a couple of words about how the ring was a promise they’d stay together, and then Dream was the one putting a mood ring on George’s finger.
Surprisingly, George’s also turned a blue-green romantic shade. Again, cheap knock-off. He and Dream weren’t in love. Their marriage was only for his survival. Obviously.
The officiator started talking again, but Dream reached out and took George’s hands in his own while they did. “The rings symbolize the union of two partners today, tomorrow, and always. Wear it as a reminder of the love and trust you have for each other. By the power invested in me…”
George held his breath. He was actually about to kiss Dream again.
“I now pronounce you partners for life.”
His head felt dizzy. George realized that legally, he and Dream were now married. They were married, and George wasn’t going to die, and neither was Dream. They were now bonded for life, and George slipped a happy tear at the realization he was stuck with Dream forever.
“You may now kiss your partner.”
Dream lifted his hand to George’s cheek and wiped the stray tear. He was smiling softly, but it looked like he could tear up at any given moment.
George smiled back and surged forward.
Their kiss in front of everyone was much less than their two prior. It was gentle, sweet, and their lips were only together for a couple of seconds.
But George’s insides felt like they were going to break regardless.
When they pulled away, the small crowd was whooping and cheering. Sapnap was standing up, Drista looked like she wanted to go home, and the others looked just as happy.
George held Dream’s hand in his own as they left the room.
As soon as the door was shut behind them (giving them less than a second to themselves), George hugged Dream as tight as he could.
He mumbled, “thank you, thank you, thank you,” as strong arms wrapped around his frame. He was so thankful, so happy, that Dream had offered to do this for him.
The moment was shattered when the crowd broke through the door. The newly wedded couple was showered in hugs and kisses and ‘congratulations!’.
It was a lot, but George wouldn’t have had it any other way
When mostly all their guests had left for the small dinner planned, George was shocked to see Dream talking to his mother.
They were chatting about something and laughing and George didn’t know whether to be happy or concerned.
She caught his eye and started making her way over. George could physically tell how much she changed when talking to him versus Dream. Her shoulders sagged a little, her eyes looked a little sadder. She was radiating guilt.
“Hi, honey.”
Next to being happy about the wedding and marrying Dream, now his mom was here. Maybe she didn’t see the whole shebang, but she was here now. She’d made an effort to care about him, and he was smiling wide because of it.
She pulled him into a tight hug. George let himself be held in her arms as he shot a look behind them. Dream was grinning and holding out a thumbs up. George closed his eyes and pulled his mom closer.
It was nice to hug like that. They hadn’t spoken in a while, and even after everything he missed her.
“I was so worried about you,” she said, a small tear making itself known in the corner of her eye. “You’re turning 25 tomorrow and I thought you didn’t have anyone…” She wiped away the tear. “Then Dream calls me and invites me to your wedding. I’m just… shocked. And so happy for you.”
“Thanks,” George said. He didn’t really know what the right words were to say; he was speechless. He was thankful she came, super happy, and a little in love with Dream at the moment. He assumed his new husband had pestered his mom until she came (he was the type of person to do that).
She fixed his collar before stepping back. “Dream told me you two have a dinner planned with your friends. I have to get back to work, but I just wanted to make sure I was here to tell you I love you. I’m so proud of you, George.” She smiled and chuckled to herself, “Unlike your father, I don’t care about the marrying-a-guy thing. I think I’ve known you liked him since middle school.”
George flushed in embarrassment. He definitely hadn’t liked Dream since middle school– their whole relationship was fake even now. Yet, when his mom said that, something in his head lit up like a light bulb. Maybe she was right. Maybe the whole reason why he never liked romances, never had a crush on anyone, was because he’d been in love with Dream the entire time.
She hugged him one last time before walking away. George realized he’d been wrong about her.
Then, Dream did something completely unexpected. He walked over to George, pulled him in close, and kissed him.
It wasn’t planned, like the wedding kiss or car kiss. It was more like when George had kissed him after the letter came. Even now, it was completely different. It felt like they were putting everything they had into the kiss. Like neither man ever wanted to let go.
Unfortunately, Sapnap ruined the fun once again.
He’d somehow snuck up on them and pulled Dream backward. George was so shocked he didn’t even comprehend it at first.
“It’s not the time for making out,” Sapnap said sternly. He reminded George of an upset teacher. “You have a dinner to go to.”
They ended up following him to the car with a shared smile. Along the way, their hands had somehow become linked, but neither could tell when.
The dinner was fun, but afterward, George was exhausted. So exhausted, in fact, that he made Dream carry him to the car and all the way up to their apartment.
Dream sat him down on his bed before going to the bathroom. He changed from his stunning tuxedo into a Sooners sweatshirt and gray sweats. George sleepily approved.
When Dream told him to change, George protested. He was tired, sure, but he was overplaying it so that Dream would just do everything for him. It happened a lot, actually. George would feign exhaustion and Dream would take care of him.
Like now, Dream was untying his tie and helping him take off his suit.
Their apartment was cold all the time– hence why Dream was wearing sweats– so when Dream had helped him strip down to his boxers (yes, his boxers. They’d been living together for years and had practically seen each other naked), George was so cold he jumped into Dream’s arms.
The blonde wasn’t having it. “George, you’re like… naked. Come on, get dressed.”
But he wrapped his arms around George anyway like a hypocrite. The brunet felt instantly warmer, and he knew it wasn’t because of the Sooners hoodie.
When he was warm enough he pulled away and allowed Dream to put him in sweats and a sweater. The blonde shook his head angrily, but the smile on his face betrayed him.
“You’re an idiot,” he said fondly.
“No, you,” George rebutted. He sat back down on Dream’s bed and realized the blonde was staring at him. “What are you looking at?”
Dream’s cheeks flushed a little. “Your eyeliner. It’s smudged.”
“Karl said you’d like it,” George supplied.
“Did he?” Dream laughed softly. “Is that why you wore it?”
The brunet shrugged, so Dream moved closer. “It’s smudged,” he repeated.
“Fix it, then.”
The blonde licked his thumb and swiped under George’s eye. The brunet scrunched his nose and moved away in disgust. “You’re gross!’’ he yelped.
“That’s how my mom does it,” Dream shrugged. “Now sit still.”
George didn’t stay still and instead moved backward toward the wall. Dream grinned and moved so he was towering over the brunet. His knee pushed down on George’s and with his spare arm he grabbed George’s wrist so the brunet couldn’t squirm around. He licked his thumb and wiped off the last of the eyeliner.
“See,” Dream said. “Easy.”
George rolled his eyes before realizing the position they were in. He gulped and looked down at Dream’s hand around his wrist. Then he looked up at Dream. The blonde seemed to realize too, and now his lips were twitching like he wanted to say something.
He pulled away, and George almost frowned.
“I’ve been meaning to ask you something,” Dream said nervously.
George nodded and grabbed his hand, urging the blonde to continue.
“What happens now?”
George’s stomach dropped at the question. They were married now, and as far as he knew, they were best friends. But what his mom said about liking Dream since middle school was starting to feel real. He knew he loved Dream, but there was a big difference between loving someone and being in love with them.
George realized that the line was probably crossed a long time ago.
“I don’t know,” he answered truthfully.
Dream pursed his lips “I wanted to wait until after the wedding. So I wouldn’t mess anything up with our plan. But, this relationship we have…,” he paused, taking a deep breath before he finished. “I don’t think it’s fake for me.”
He looked so upset that all George knew how to do was pull in Dream for a hug. He mumbled small assurances while hugging him tightly.
George was so relieved that Dream felt the same way. Knowing he was questioning what they had, convincing himself it was more than friendly, was everything. George planted a small kiss on Dream’s hair. He needed to know he was there, but George was never the best with words.
George’s chest suddenly felt wet. He looked down and realized Dream was shaking. George panicked, “No no no, it’s okay, Dream. You don’t have to cry.”
The blonde tilted his head up. His eyes were red and glossy. “Sorry.”
George smiled and wiped the tears from Dream’s cheek. Knowing he and Dream were thinking the same, George finally got the confidence to say what he’d been thinking all along.
“I don’t think it’s fake for me either.”
Dream smiled a little and furrowed his brows, almost as if he didn’t entirely believe what George was saying. “Really?” he asked, his voice small.
“I think I’ve known for a while,” George admitted. “I never liked anyone because I’ve liked you the entire time. My mom knocked some sense into me earlier.”
Dream laughed a little in disbelief. “It’s always been you, too.”
George scooped Dream’s face into his hands and kissed him on the forehead. He held his lips there longer than normal just because he could. He could kiss Dream whenever he wanted to now. They were happily married.
“Thank you,” George said. “Thank you for being an idiot and offering to marry me a month ago.”
What George would never admit was how nervous he’d been for the past year. He knew he was closing in on his death date, but back then he had no interest in anyone. There was no one that stood out to him, except for Dream. He understood that now.
He was so grateful that Dream had done this for him, even though it was a friendly thing at first. George would’ve been okay with being married to Dream even as just friends. There was no one else he wanted to spend his life with.
But now, they had something more, and that made George happy too. Anything involving his husband (god, it was weird to say) always made George happy.
Dream chuckled. “I’m glad you agreed.” His face turned sour for a moment– no doubt thinking of what would have happened had they not been married– before smiling again. He looked up at George almost shyly. “I kind of omitted the truth earlier…”
George was confused. “What?”
“I don’t just like you,” Dream said. George held his breath. “I love you. And not as a friend… I- I think I have for a while.”
George let out a sigh of relief. Everything he’d been holding for the past month was relinquished with three simple words. “I love you,” he said, pulling Dream in for a short kiss.
His stomach got all bubbly again, and he welcomed the feeling.
Dream smiled up at him. “Wanna sleep in my bed tonight?”
George gasped dramatically. “How scandalous.”
“Not like that,” Dream said, voice getting softer. “Just wanna hold you.”
George nodded his head and moved closer. He let Dream wrap his arms around him even though he knew he’d be the one holding Dream by the morning (the blonde was like that, George only agreed to help his ego).
Dream kissed George’s head, and only moments later George heard soft snores coming from behind him.
George fell asleep that night listening to the shallow breathing of the blonde next to him. Their relationship was anything but normal (seriously, who gets married at the beginning?) but it was simply extraordinary. His best friend, his husband, had saved him from death, and for that, he’d be forever grateful to his idiot lover.
Tomorrow was his birthday, his old execution date, and George felt more alive than ever. In Dream’s arms he felt reborn, reawakened. Dream hadn’t only given him a ring, but a whole new life along with it.
Their relationship was only beginning, and it was already incredible. George wondered what they could amount to in a couple of years. He burned with anticipation.
He snuggled himself further into Dream and closed his eyes. Before he’d married Dream, met Dream’s lips, George was only existing. Now, he was finally learning how to live.