《DNF Parent AU》

《Equal Love》

Prompt: Part 2 of "Favourite Dad".

No one's POV

It's really no surprise to Dream that Clare likes George more as her other dad than him.

Okay, it can be all fun and games at some days, but there were also times when Dream felt... hurt.

Times when he felt the same painful twang of jealousy inside him whenever Clare could say and do anything, if it means having George with her.

Though, that doesn't mean Clare doesn't love Dream anymore.

George was aware of this situation, and he often reminded him that she also loves him; that she loves them both equally, as her dads.

And that made Dream feel slightly better.

But not today.

It was this usual routine that Dream already knew was going to happen, when she heard George leaving for work in the morning.

As always, Clare didn't like it.

"Clare, can you let go of Daddy, please?" Dream pleaded softly, prying her away from George, who was clinging onto his sleeve.

She only shook her head, and gripped her other small hand on George's collar when she got the chance to.

Dream sighed in defeat, and let George carry her fully.

He slowly moved her so she can comfortably lay her head on his shoulder.

"Sweetheart, you have to listen to Papa, okay? I have to go to work," George whispered to her.

Clare continued to cling onto him, but nodded as if she understood.

"I promise, Daddy will be home soon before you know it," George spoke, slowly handing her back to Dream.

She began to whine, but at the same time she didn't fight back with Dream's arms holding her.

The moment George left and closed the door, that's when her whines turned into soft cries.

And as expected, it took Dream quite a while to calm her down.
_________________________

It went a bit frustrating from there.

But Dream was thankful enough that George went home from work early.

Clare waited for George at the door, and when he appeared, she instantly beamed up and raised both of her arms for him to carry.

George waved at her first before he continued to walk inside.

He went to the living room and didn't saw Dream there. He got confused and looked around the house until he saw Dream washing dishes by the kitchen sink.

George secretly crept up behind Dream and gave him a hug.

Dream could only flash a tired smile at him before he continued; this kind of made George upset.

Clare kept calling for George in the living room and asked to be carried.

He then tapped Dream on his shoulder, "How about you watch her for a little while," George said as he took Dream's place in washing the dishes so he could go play with Clare.

"Don't worry, it's fine. You're tired from work, go watch her instead," Dream spoke back.

"I don't mind washing the last few dishes, hun. And then I can help you with dinner after," George offered.

"No, George, you can go play with her. She'll be fine with you, I feel like she doesn't even need me," Dream spoke, his voice cracking at the end.

"What? No, Dream, of course, she needs you," George reassured.

"No," Dream broke down, putting the last plate on the dish rack, "I feel like she doesn't even want me at all- and that's just really hard for me,"

"Stop. Dream, come here, please," George picked up his hand and pulled him to the living room where Clare was playing on her mat.

George patted next to him on the sofa, and Dream sat next to him.

Dream took a glance at Clare handing a toy to Patches next to her, before he hid his face onto George's shoulder, letting the uncontrollable tears fall and stain his shirt.

"I just- I love that you have a connection with her, I really do, but it kills me a little bit," Dream mumbled, feeling George's hand massage his back for comfort.

"Dream, you're also her dad. She loves you, too," George reassured.

"George, she- she prefers you more," Dream explained, "I d-don't even remember a time where she's excited to see me, or even a time where she wants to do anything with me,"

"Dream," George slowly held his face up to look at him, as he wiped away his tears, "You're the best dad ever, always remember that, okay?"

He pushed his hair away and kissed his forehead, and Dream just sunk into his loving affection.

Time skip - the next day

Dream kept George's words yesterday in his head, and reminded himself that he doesn't need to try so hard to get Clare's attention.

But for some reason, that thought disappeared today after having to deal with a slight issue of getting her to cooperate with him.

So, he needed some sort of distraction.

Something to take his mind off for a bit.

Luckily, it was the weekend, and George was at home right now.

So, he agreed to watch Clare by himself while Dream went for a walk.

A few hours passed, Clare was contented with the fact that George was there to hold her, feed her, and play with her.

But then late afternoon struck, and Dream wasn't home yet.

George was cooking something simple in the kitchen for dinner, while he left Clare on her own in her playpen with SpongeBob playing on the TV.

Clare eventually got bored with her toys, as well as watching the cartoon.

She then felt like she missed something-

More like someone holding her.

George came back to her, and held her close, on their way to the dinner table.

Even when she was already on George's lap, and he himself was the one feeding her, he still couldn't understand why Clare kept whining and attempted to push herself away from him.

Hours passed and Clare was now upset.

Any toy, stuffed animal, hug or kiss given by George was rejected by her.

And now he knew why.

Dream came home with a tired look in his eyes, yet he tried to change his expression.

The moment he came through the door, he held a small bouquet for George and a little something in a paper bag for Clare.

George held Clare on his hip, as they went to go approach Dream.

Though, George wasn't even inches closer to him when Clare already reached her hands towards Dream, to the point she could almost fall, Dream's first instinct was to let go of the things he held.

And she just started crying.

Earlier, Dream did take a walk to take his mind off for a bit, but at the same time he also wanted to get something for the 2 most important people in his life.

He kind of expected for Clare to want the new toy first that he bought for her when he comes home, but she didn't.

George sympathetically watched the scene infront of him, with Dream holding their little girl close.

And now George understood that maybe he's not Clare's favourite, or that Dream is not her least favourite dad.

Maybe...

She doesn't like it when one of them is only with her.

Maybe she just want them both with her at all times.

(why is this so adorable)