Forever

Chapter 29

With only one day left in their trip, Dream could only seem to focus on one thing; the inevitable conversation that awaited them back in London. He knew it couldn't be avoided, but all he could seem to picture was the crushing weight of all George's bad choices crashing down around him. He was so blissfully unaware of everything that had happened, and Dream was going to be the one to take that away from him.

George seemed to sense that something was wrong, and as they had gotten ready for their day, he approached Dream and wrapped his arms around his torso. With his face angled up and a soft smile, he asked, "what's wrong, Dream?"

Dream couldn't help but smile back, brushing strands of brown hair out of George's face as he answered, "nothing's wrong. I'm just not ready to go back to London yet."

It wasn't a complete lie, but Dream still felt guilty for not telling him what was really going on. George had been so open and vulnerable the past couple of weeks, and he deserved the same in return. But Dream just couldn't seem to give that to him.

George hummed quietly to himself, and then kissed Dream's jaw lightly as he responded, "me neither. I like being here with you."

The guilty feeling swelled, and Dream managed a nod as he answered, "me too, George."

In another world, Dream pictured a scenario where George and him could stay right where they were forever. George wouldn't need to worry about getting his memories back, and Dream wouldn't need to worry about filling in the gaps of his traumatic past for him. They could be just how they had been for the past couple of days; happy in their own little bubble.

In reality, though, Dream knew things couldn't be that simple. George deserved to know about all of it, but Dream was just scared of his reaction. In the very back of his mind, he knew that if George were going to push him away for any reason, it would be for this. George had a history of shutting down and running away when things got difficult, and this was the very definition of difficult.

"Well, we still have the rest of the morning to enjoy before we have to leave," George hummed quietly.

He was making every attempt to make Dream feel better, but somehow, it only made him feel worse. He didn't want George to feel like his sudden mood change was his fault, and so he smiled and leaned down to kiss George, who hummed happily in return.

"You're right," Dream replied, "let's go get some breakfast and enjoy our last morning here."

George nodded happily, sliding his hand into Dream's hand and pulling him towards the door of the hotel room. Dream was happy to follow along, and he tried desperately to ignore the intrusive thoughts as they emerged outside and made their way towards a small bakery just down the street.

With arms filled with coffee and pastries, they made their way to a small stretch of greenery nearby. It was familiar to Dream because it was the same little park where he had eaten breakfast with George almost every morning of their last trip here, and he even led George over to the same bench they had sat at before.

While they ate in peaceful silence, George's eyes roamed over colorful flowerbeds and tall trees, and Dream could see a newfound appreciation light up his entire face. He liked watching George experience the world through new eyes; it was one of the first stretches of time he could recall where George actually seemed happy and fully at ease.

While his eyes roamed the side of George's face, George turned to face him with a small smile as he quietly stated, "you're staring again."

Dream laughed, face warming as he answered, "I know, I'm sorry. It's just that you seem..."

His words trailed off, and his stomach flipped. George was happy, and he was going to ruin it all.

He could feel George's eyes searching his face carefully, and when he didn't finish the thought, George asked, "I seem what? Happy?"