Work Text:
Step one: introduce yourself.
Dream’s been working on this one for a while - watching George from afar (but not in a creepy way… he hopes) but he just can’t help himself. The brunet makes his morning cafe run so much better. Maybe it’s the magical hot chocolate he makes or maybe it’s his smile, either way, he makes it better.
So introduce yourself. Easy.
Introduce yourself to the pretty barista, with the stupid name tag he’s doodled all over and the little pride pin on his apron.
Not too friendly that it scares him off, but not too unfriendly that you don’t seem interested.
Let your heart beat fast as you walk up to the counter and bask in the feeling of having a stupid crush. Then finally after much preparation, introduce yourself.
“Hi!” he exclaims just a little more enthusiastically than intended.
Not too friendly that it scares him off, but not too unfriendly that you don’t seem interested.
That probably scared him off.
“Hi!” George replies, a wide grin across his face. An extremely pretty wide grin. “Hot chocolate, extra whipped cream for you today?”
Step one point five: try not to freak out over the fact they remember things about you.
Dream smiles. “You know it.”
He just looks so pretty today.
George nods, “It’ll just be a minute.”
When Dream gets his drink there’s a note on it, call me :) with what he can only assume is the pretty barista's number. He supposes that’s step one completed - even if George had kind of beat him to it.
Step two: ask them out.
This step should be easy, he has his number and knows (?) he’s interested. (Okay.. seems interested.)
Shakily he types in George's number to his phone, rereading it over and over to make sure he hasn’t typed a number wrong.
Hi, it’s Dream!
He sends it.
Now it was a waiting game.
hi dream :)
Or not.
sorry if this seems sudden or anything, or if this is completely out of line but, would you want to go out for dinner some time?
Dream just stares at his phone, not believing his eyes. Had the pretty barista just asked him out?
Of course! when are you free?
He guesses that George could take over the second step and ask him out instead.
Step three: take them somewhere nice.
Or in this case, let them take you somewhere nice. Dream has gotta admit, George seems to be following these steps a little more than he is.
Candles light up their table as they tell each other stories from their childhood, gossip about people in their town and realise they have mutual friends.
Dream can’t help but smile while he listens to George talk with such passion, smile at the way his eyes crease when he laughs and his lips turn upwards when he smiles.
Dream thinks George is perfect.
Step four: drive them home.
Now this step he can do. Mainly because George doesn’t have his license. Dream promises to teach him to drive some day.
He drives George home in the pouring rain and he feels like he’s in a romance movie. He feels George's eyes burn his cheeks while he tries to focus on the road, he wonders if George notices him blush.
There’s not a moment of silence, they talk about everything and anything. It's comfortable with George.
Step five: kiss them.
Or in this case kiss them back.
Wow, Dream thinks George must have a copy of this list too.
Kiss him.
In the rain, outside his doorstep.
Kiss him back while you cup his face and he pulls you closer. Kiss him back while you taste the sweetness of his lips. Kiss him back while you process the fact he started to kiss you.
Kiss him.
Step six: ask them to be your boyfriend.
This one comes a little later…
When you're sitting across the dining table from them, home cooked meal in front of you on your fifth date, ask them. Ask them to be your boyfriend.
“Can I ask you something?” George says nervously, rubbing the back of his neck.
Dream furrows his eyebrows. “Of course.”
“This is going to sound stupid but I really like you - if it wasn’t already obvious. and.. well I know we’re technically already going out? But, would you want to be my boyfriend?”
Or in this case, have him ask you to be his boyfriend.
But regardless, Dream smiles more than he ever has. “Of course I want to be your boyfriend.”
And kiss them again, not because it’s the next step, but because you want to. Thank them for the meal and kiss them again. And cuddle them. And call them your boyfriend. Because you deserve it after this long list.
Step seven.
This steps even later. After a couple years when you’re just as madly in love as you were when you first got together - so make sure you don’t lose your checklist before you get to this stage.
When you still enjoy falling asleep wrapped in each other's arms and waking up in the same position.
When you still enjoy eating breakfast together and going on fancy dates.
When staying in and watching tv is still one of the most exciting things to do.
When you want to spend the rest of your lives together.
Propose to them.
This isn’t a step Dream is willing to let George get to first. This is a step he’s determined to succeed in.
So he plans it all, from head to toe, every single detail.
Their house is decorated, candles, fairy lights, and flower petals. George's favourite meal is set out on the table, with the plates they only use for special occasions.
Their song is playing in the background and he surprises George with the set up when he returns home from work.
So,
Step seven: propose.
Hug him. And tell him to sit down. And eat your dinner. And talk. And laugh. And fall in love more.
And propose.
And tell them how much you love them. And tell them how much they mean to you. Tell them you want to spend forever with them. And kiss. And cry happy tears. And hug. And kiss again.
And then laugh when the other pulls out a ring from their pocket and reveals they were about to propose to. And finally celebrate, because for once you actually got to the next step first.