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This was an ordinary meet up, nothing so extravagant planned for the few days George would be staying after having flown over to North Carolina. He would be staying at a nice hotel, hanging out with a few of his friends, and overall just having a good time.
There were slight shifts to his initial plans, ending up staying over at Karl's place on the first night after a get together which resulted in Nolan and Foolish also spending the night. They may or may not have had a little to drink, just enough to feel a faint buzz before passing out on the couch. At least George did, Nolan staying on the comfortable, cushioned chair and Foolish resting on a pillow on the floor which he advocated was quite comfortable. Apparently the others didn't agree, which Foolish stated was 'their loss'.
As for Karl, he started out on the couch, huddled next to George until he woke in the middle of the night to scurry back to his own bedroom. The next morning, as George was pondering where the man had gone, Karl came down in his silk pajamas.
The day proceeded, more casually. Those there decided to stay in and chat while a few movies ran in the background. Food was ordered in, the steady rain falling outside contributing to the decision. It was nearing dark when Foolish had to leave for a stream, Nolan catching a ride with him. As for George, well, he decided to stay over that night too. As well as the rest of his stay since it was offered. Fortunately, the hotel offered partial refunds during the booking date, so all that needed to be done was to gather his things then check out. Karl had driven him over to the place so he could do just that, getting back home less than an hour later.
"George, you got the Messi shirt recently didn't you?" Karl asked from one side of the couch, looking over to George who sat on the opposite side.
He perked up with the mention, nodding as he then smiled. "Yeah, I did. I kinda wanna go put it on now."
"Go put it on then," Karl suggested. "Here, I'll go change into mine too."
The can of Monster once in his hand was placed down on the small side table before he stood up. Instead, his hand was offered down to George, both now standing before heading down the hall to where the bedrooms were. George had set up his belongings in the guest room, basically placing his suitcase to the corner of the room and calling it done. He entered the room, Karl walking a little further down where his own bedroom was. After a few minutes, both emerged from the rooms, eyes instantly drawn to each other as the shutting doors sounded. And just as quick, both lit up.
"Yeeaahh, let's goo!"
"Yooo, that's sick!"
The two voices nearly overlapped each other, Karl's following George's.
"Spin, do a 360!" Karl estactically suggested with a smile, which a beaming George followed through with. He backed up a few steps, lifted his arms a little, then rotated in a circle as Karl cheered, both breaking into laughs and giggles as the distance between them was narrowed once more. It wasn't so clear who reached for who's hand first, but they ended up held against each other, walking back to the main room where a movie was put on.
George went to the couch, going to lay himself along the length of the cushions and almost as if natural, Karl got down and joined him. He was smoothly welcomed, the lighter brunett holding on to the other's arm which was draped over his waist. And before they could get too sleepy an hour or so later, both got up to get ready for bed.
As the two were heading towards the bedrooms they planned to sleep in, Karl called over to George. "Join me in my room, I don't mind. We can continue the movie in there.. If you would like."
George paused in his tracks for a moment, looking towards Karl, then to the nearby guest room door, then back. And when he looked back, he found himself walking towards Karl, the man offering a delighted smile.
"Wait," George called out, pausing again which Karl blinked at in curiosity. "I wanna change out of these clothes. Go ahead, I'll meet you in there."
With a nod from Karl, he turned back towards the guest room where he changed out of his clothes and quickly slipped on a pair of comfortable shorts and a white short sleeve. His used clothing was tossed over his suitcase, deciding to wait until morning to put them away properly, and he was returned to the path towards the bedroom.
"Why is it sooo cold," George complained, rubbing his exposed arms as he hastily went over towards the bed. Within seconds, he was laying on top of the blankets, earning a scoff from Karl who had changed into his own pajama nightwear.
"It's freezing, Karl."
"It's not even that cold, George," was replied, Karl too climbing up on the bed.
"It is, " George then persisted, though his tone had softened, turning on his side to face Karl with a pout.
"Dude, then get under the blankets," Karl insisted, lightly tugging on the sheets below the other.
"..Are you going to as well?" George hesitantly asked, receiving an eye roll in return, though a slight smile to the other's face discarded any malice to it.
"Yeah, yeah, now get under them so we can continue the movie, nimrod."
George's jaw dropped though catching on to the lighthearted tone, following Karl's act in getting underneath the blankets. As he did, he huddled up towards the lighter brunett, face leaning towards the second briefly. "You're an idiot," was all that was lightheartedly said before laying more so on his back.
"Uuhuh, whatever man," Karl played along with that now less hidden smile. The movie was played on the television facing them, the two on the bed wordlessly getting into their cuddling positions, limbs tossed over each other. And like that, they eventually fell asleep. Just as they would for the next four days.
More time was spent with each other, more clothes piled up next to George's suitcase, and more cuddles were shared. On the morning of George's departure, he woke up to an empty bed a little confused. He didn't think much of it, only resting himself amongst the blankets for a few more minutes before turning himself the opposite way. He was still a little tired, eyes only partially opened as he continued to lay on the bed.
A few minutes had past, dark eyes drifting shut once more until footsteps were heard approaching. Subtly, he peeked towards the doorway where Karl then entered, following him with his gaze. In his hand was a pink cloth of some kind, heading towards the closet where it was left. After Karl exited the closet, George waited a moment before sitting up with a stretch, slightly startling the one standing.
Suspicious.
"Mornin"
"Morning."
"I went and gathered your things to put back into your case," Karl then said, "I was going to pack for you so you didn't have to, but I didn't finish."
"That's alright. Thank you," George responded, getting off of the bed. He stretched once more before trudging over to the doorway. "I'm gonna go freshen up, then finish the job. Did you want to go get breakfast, or?"
"Yeah, we can do that. I'll go get changed in the meantime."
The two set out to do their tasks, Karl heading over to his closet and George leaving the bedroom to enter the bathroom. Shortly after, George was in the guest room, looking through his clothing to change into something fresh. Karl had in fact gathered all his things there, but something was missing.
His Messi shirt. He knew it!
He was going to walk into the bedroom and call out the second attempt to steal one of his shirts, but then he had a second thought: he would just steal it back. Put it back into his case, then announce it later when he would land back in Florida. So he did that instead, changing into a new outfit before quietly walking into the bedroom. For a moment, he stopped and looked around the room, listening for any sign of Karl before heading towards the closet.
"Karl? Are you in there?" he called out, peeking into the entryway.
He wasn't.
That was his cue to find his shirt as quickly as possible, trying not to mess up any of the other clothing until he eventually found it. It was picked up, having been laying on a shelf behind hung up shirts, and hastily carried back into the guest room where it was packed into his suitcase.
"Were you calling me?"
Now it was Karl's voice that slightly startled George, turning himself around. "Oh, uh, yeah. I was seeing if you were ready to leave."
"Yep!" Karl smiled despite the other's surprise, holding up his car keys, "whenever you are. Where'd you wanna eat at?"
George hummed in thought before offering his suggestion. "How about McDonald's?"
Karl couldn't help but to chuckle at the answer, but shrugged. "Yeah sure, meet me out in the car when you're finished packing."
After agreeing, Karl left for the car and George went to finish packing, dragging his case down to the car once he was. Seeing him approach, Karl opened the trunk, the case being carefully placed within before shutting it.
Before they knew it, they were at the McDonald's close to the airport. It seemed like no time at all until they got and ate their meals, George buying a packet of apple slices for the short trip over to the airport.
"I'm gonna miss you so much Gogy," Karl murmured into their hug. Or at least his portion of the hug George was– trying to reciprocate.. He really was! Even with a lighthearted scoff and partially awkward stance, he was hugging back.
"Yeah, I know you will," George played. "I'll call you when I land so you don't miss me too bad ," he then grinned, going to turn away from the proximity. He only backed up a couple of inches, however, before being swiftly pulled back into the embrace, this one tighter. Not too tight, but it was definitely secure, Karl resting his head over the other's shoulder as his arms wrapped around his waist.
"You better," he stated in a near whisper. "Promise me."
George was in shock for a moment, having gasped out as he was guided into the position. The position he then practically melted into, his tensed arms now find their way genuinely around Karl. "I promise I will call you as soon as I can."
Neither of them moved for a few seconds. Neither of them questioned it.
"Good," Karl then spoke, reluctantly stepping back to reveal his faint frown.
" Ooooh I'm not even gone yet and he's 'sad'. He misses me already, your honor, " George joked in an emphasized accent.
Even through a tease, Karl scrunched up his nose, trying yet failing to hold a smile that grew along his face. "Yeah, yeah, I miss you already George. Now go before you miss your flight." He ended his sentence with a soft push to the other's shoulder to which George laughed at.
"Byyee, idiot. " George waved his goodbye before grabbing his case. Only when seeing Karl wave back did he officially turn around to board his flight.
It was a pretty average flight, like most others, eventually stepping off of the plane hours later. After reuniting with his case, he took out his phone, then thought of an idea.
Girlfriend 🤪
1:44 p.m.
(Hey, I just got off the plane a bit
ago)
(The call's going to be a little late)
(The wifi SUCKS here 🙄)
1:48 p.m.
(that's ok :)!!)
(call whenever you can)
1:56 p.m.
(I'm heading toward the enter-
ance right now to be picked up)
2:00 p.m.
(HURRY 🤬🤬!!!!)
George didn't even realize how much he was smiling from the text, chuckling as he found himself quickening his steps to the entrance from the false command. The entrance where both Sapnap, who held up a 'George' sign, and Dream picked him up. All three cheered and high-fived as they were once again reunited, soon leaving the airport.
After some driving, greeting Patches, unpacking, and talking about the trip, George dismissed himself back into his room. As soon as he did, he grabbed the pink shirt he took and slipped it on, pressing to facetime Karl's contact. It only rang a couple of times before he picked up.
"So that's where it went!" Karl's eyes widened a little, exclaiming the second he saw George.
The dark brunett laughed at his little scheme and the reaction. "Yeeess, I took my shirt back and you didn't catch me!"
"George– you took mine ya' goofball."
...Huh?
George's mischievously playful expression morphed to confusion as he stared at Karl through the screen, then down to the shirt he currently wore. "What? I grabbed the one you hid in your closet though."
"I didn't 'hide' any shirt in my closet. I hid your shirt in the bathroom cabinet since I knew you wouldn't think to look there-"
"So you did take my shirt."
There was a small pause, Karl looking caught before choosing to just continue with what he was saying. "I had just placed mine away there. Check the tag."
Immediately, George pulled his arms up through the sleeves and in so that he could rotate the top around, grab the tag, and examine it. Just as claimed, the 'KJ' was evident on the small piece of fabric he seemingly overlooked completely when snatching the clothing piece. He knew Karl wouldn't have added it to his shirt.
"Well.. what now?.. I can ship it back to you if you'd like me to."
There wasn't an actual response for a few seconds, the only sign of a reply being a contemplative hum coming from Karl. Then there were words. "That's alright. We can just swap them, again, the next time we meet up."
He supposed that could work. Truth be told, which George would never do in this case, the thought of getting to keep Karl's shirt for a while brought a sense of faint giddy. Maybe more than faint. Like said, he would never tell.
"Yeah, that works," George casually concluded, once again looking down to the pink shirt he had been so sure was his. "We'll swap them back then. Hopefully soon."
"Aah," Karl started, George already knowing it was going to be some silly tease by his tone and knowing grin, "you just wanted to come see me again as quickly as possible, taah ."
He was right. "As if."
"Gotta admit, the bed's a lil' empty without you Gogs," Karl said with the smallest frown as he settled into the sheets.
George made a responsive noise, a barely-there tint being fought against on his cheeks. "Put the phone next to you. Then I'll technically still be there," he explained in a separate, almost dull tone that covered his inner nerves from those words. He couldn't even look at the camera.
There was a moment of silence which only made them grow.
"Like.. a sleep call?"
"Only if you want to of course," George rushed out, "we don't ha-"
"Yeah, okay, okay!" Karl beamed, George blinking from the answer. Are you tired now, or..?"
"Mmm, yeah, kinda. It was even that long of a flight and I feel the jet lag. I'm probably going to take a nap, what about you?"
"Yeah, I'll do the same."
George listened as he crawled up onto his bed, sitting his phone accordingly besides himself. "Okay, well, rest well Karl."
"You too," Karl yawned, causing George to yawn afterwards, "beautiful boy."
George could feel the heat rising up again, so he just shut his eyes about to drift off. He was truly happy laying there wearing his swapped shirt.
"Wait, George.."
"Yeah?"
"Meow for me Kitten, so I can go to sleep."
"Oh my god, shut up," George responded through his laughter.
"Aahh, come oonn -"
Time passed and the two eventually did fall asleep. Whether he did or didn't meow would be a mystery, but there was only one thing in his mind the moment he had fallen asleep. Yeah. He really was, truly, happy.