Chapter Text
Dream was once again working at the coffee shop, where he had been spending most of his free time after classes this past week.
The coffee shop was pretty small and quaint, with the classic warmly colored interior. It was also glaringly empty, like usual, since it was still so new in town with multiple competitors in the area.
Dream had needed the money since he'd just moved out to live with his best friend — and now roommate — Sapnap. The prospect of such an easy but well-paying job had definitely outweighed Dream's dislike for coffee.
The little bell above the door dinged, alerting Dream of his other best friend, George, entering the coffee shop.
“Hey, how's work?” George asked as he casually walked behind the counter like he always did.
“Pretty quiet,” Dream replied, leaning back against the counter. A few notebooks were spread on it since he had figured he might as well use his time for something other than mindless scrolling. He hadn't really gotten anything done anyway, but it's the thought that counts, right?
George took a few more steps to lean against the counter next to Dream, before looking around a bit. “I like it here, it's peaceful.”
“I guess, yeah…” Dream followed George's gaze around the coffee shop as he adjusted his apron slightly. “Look, I finally got the apron with my name on it today,” Dream pointed to the embroidered white letters on the caramel-colored fabric.
George briefly reached out, brushing his fingers over the lettering on his chest. Dream reflexively leaned into his touch. George didn't react.
“Dream,” he read out loud, as if seeing the word for the first time. “Nice. Now I don't have to worry about forgetting your stupid name all the time, super useful,” he teased with a small smile.
Dream rolled his eyes. “Maybe I should ask them to make one for you too, in case you forget your own name,” he said as he grabbed George's hand with his own when it retracted from his chest.
George's gaze flicked down to their joined hands and he raised an eyebrow. “It's pretty unprofessional to flirt on the job, y'know.”
Dream coughed out a surprised laugh, letting go of George's hand, “My bad, I'll have to keep myself in check.”
“You better. Wouldn't want you to get fired so soon.”
Dream pushed himself off the counter and grabbed his bag, throwing the notebooks into it. “You coming over today?”
George peered over Dream's shoulder to see the notes while considering the invitation. “I was gonna study tonight…”
“Just take your stuff with you, then.”
George rolled his eyes. “Because I'll definitely be studying at your place.”
Dream snorted and zipped up his bag. He turned back to look at George. “You're making it sound weird.”
George stared back at him unblinkingly. “Okay, but it is weird, idiot.”
“It won't kill you to not study today, you don't need to every single day.”
“You're being a bad influence,” George grumbled.
Dream grinned, looking way too proud of himself. “You probably like it too.”
George rolled his eyes again in response, but didn't object.
George helped Dream clean the place up a bit until Dream's shift officially ended and they could head to Dream and Sapnap's apartment.
Dream fished around in his pocket for his car keys when they walked outside and tossed them to George so he could get in the car while Dream locked the shop door.
George had already connected his phone to the car radio when Dream got into the driver's seat. He saw George queuing songs from his playlist intensively and smiled to himself.
Dream was convinced George had fallen asleep during the short drive, but the latter had gotten up as soon as Dream parked the car, so he couldn't be sure.
They went up the stairs and Dream unlocked the apartment door, letting George in before himself. George muttered something about chivalry under his breath.
It was a pretty small apartment, but both Dream and Sapnap had their own bedrooms with PC setups. The kitchen and living room were open plan, a small gray corner couch dividing them.
Dream and George walked into the living room where Sapnap was sprawled on the couch. He sat upright as the two entered. “Oh, hey. What're you up to?”
Dream shrugged. “Just hanging, might play something.”
George sat down on the other end of the couch, leaving space for Dream in the middle while he went to grab the controllers that were on the TV cabinet.
They all started playing some random racing game that had come with the cheap controllers Sapnap ordered, because George had been complaining for ages that the three of them couldn't really play anything together while he was over.
Soon they devolved into their regular trash talk.
“I'm destroying you!” George laughed.
“No you're not!” Dream yelled back right before he fell into last place, both George and Sapnap overtaking him.
George stuck his tongue out at Dream, but quickly focused again when Sapnap got close to catching up. “You're getting muffined, as usual.”
Sapnap huffed, “This guy won once, and now he's all cocky.”
“And I'll win this time too. This is the comeback!”
Right before the finish line Sapnap managed to ram his car into George's, making him drive off course.
“What!?”
“Yes! Let's fucking go!” Sapnap shouted once he had finished in first place.
“What? That's so dumb,” George muttered dejectedly. He still came second though, because Dream had fallen so far behind earlier.
“I gotta go now,” Sapnap said as he turned his controller off and got up to put it back, “wish I could wipe the floor with you idiots again, but alas.”
He grabbed his phone and keys, walking out of the living room. They heard the front door open and close soon after.
Dream leaned back into the couch cushions and George turned to look at him. “Just us two now, huh?”
“Seems like it,” Dream got interrupted by a yawn.
George reached for the remote and turned the TV off, “Don't tell me you stayed up all night again.” After he was met with silence he turned back to look at Dream. “Did you?”
“I would never.”
“Yeah, right.” George put their controllers back too before sitting down next to Dream. The other boy draped his body over George's, using him as a pillow. “Get some sleep, idiot,” George said softly, his fingers already tangled in dirty blond hair.
An hour or so later, Sapnap got back and saw them cuddled up and asleep on the couch. He couldn't resist taking a photo, quietly snickering to himself.
***
Dream and George woke up at the same time. The living room was a lot dimmer, some light shining in from the street lamp outside the window.
There was a comfortable silence, the room filled with a calm air.
“Sleep well?” George asked quietly, subconsciously resting his hand on Dream's waist.
Dream hummed sleepily. “…what time is it?”
George pulled his phone out of his pocket, scrambling to turn the brightness down. “Three AM.” He groaned softly and stretched his arms.
He felt Dream nod against his shoulder. He took a moment to think before wondering aloud, “It's Monday?”
George looked down at his phone again. “Yeah.”
“We have class in the morning.”
There was a small stretch of silence. “I'm too comfortable to move,” George complained, putting his phone on the table and lying back down.
Dream was in silent agreement. He reached for the soft blanket that was on the back of the couch, covering both of their bodies with it. “Goodnight, George.”
“Night.”
They fell asleep again, limbs tangled together.
***
Around two weeks passed with George not visiting the coffee shop, because most of their free time had been filled with preparation for an important presentation as well as other smaller projects.
When it was finally over and done with, the three planned a movie night to wind down and hang out together again.
It was a Friday night, Dream and Sapnap were getting ready while they waited for George to arrive.
They had bought a bunch of snacks and drinks that Sapnap was laying out on the living room coffee table while Dream made popcorn in the kitchen.
When Dream brought the bowls of popcorn to the living room he saw his phone screen light up with a new notification. It was a text from George that read, “Sorry i forgot to ask you earlier but i invited a friend to come with me, is that okay?”
He showed the text to Sapnap, at which he shrugged, and said, “Yeah, I don't care.”
Dream replied with that.
Some time later a knock sounded on the door. “I'll get it,” Sapnap muttered as he went to let George in.
Dream heard George and Sapnap talking, and then noticed a third, unfamiliar voice. As if on cue, the new guy stepped into view.
Dream walked over and leaned against the wall to listen to George introduce him. ”I forgot to tell you before, but this is James. We've been helping each other with school stuff a lot I guess.”
Sapnap offered James a friendly smile and introduced himself, whilst Dream eyed James suspiciously.
He was a bit shorter than Dream, with dark hair and some stubble on his chin.
“Hi, I'm Dream.”
James looked Dream over just like Dream had done a moment ago. “Hello, I've heard a lot about you.”
Dream glanced at George curiously, who sheepishly avoided eye contact. “Nothing too bad, I hope?”
“No, no, all good things, of course, George seems very fond of you,” James replied. A soft, warm feeling settled in Dream's chest at the words, but the feeling started fading as soon as James placed his hand on George's waist. George seemed unfazed.
“So… where'd you two meet?” Dream asked, trying not to openly stare at them.
“We share a few classes,” James replied with an easy smile.
“Cool.”
Sapnap went over to the couch to escape the tension that George appeared to be either oblivious to, or very good at ignoring.
“C'mon guys, movie time.” They all followed him and sat down on the couch.
Sapnap and James sat on either end of the couch, George sat next to James and Dream sat between George and Sapnap.
Halfway through the movie Dream felt George lean more into James's side and saw James put his arm around George's waist again.
The two sharing popcorn really sold the look of a cheesy movie scene.
Dream leaned toward Sapnap, lowering his voice, “I don't like this guy.”
Sapnap didn't seem surprised in the slightest. “I can tell, maybe try to be at least a bit subtle about it.”
Dream glared at Sapnap, who nudged him in turn. “Don't take your anger out on me. And he seems like a decent guy.”
They heard George laugh loudly at something James said. “There's no way he's that funny,“ Dream grumbled to Sapnap, the latter sighing and turning back to the TV screen.
Dream munched on popcorn resentfully for the remainder of the movie.
George stood up once the credits rolled. “That was pretty good,” he said to the group, stretching.
“Yeah, didn't expect it to be this funny,” James chuckled, before turning to look at Dream. “Dream, you didn't crack a smile the whole time?”
He forced an awkward laugh. “Huh? Oh, I'm just a bit tired today.” He yawned for effect.
“You better not stay up the whole night again,” George muttered while Dream grinned in response.
“Don't worry about me.”
Sapnap stood up as well to grab a drink from the table. “Do you guys wanna do something else or are you heading out already?”
“I think I need to go,” James said somewhat apologetically.
George nodded. “I'll go too.”
Both of them got up from the couch and said their goodbyes, finding their shoes and shrugging on jackets.
George pulled Dream into a tight hug before he left.