Work Text:
The moment Dream closes the front door his head hits the wood leaning against it for support. He takes shallow breaths with his eyes closed in attempt to recenter. Work today was terrible. The lead manager of the project quit, his boss tore everyone a new one about wasting company time, and their client denied an increase in the budget. So yeah, Dream’s had a pretty stressful day.
He takes a deep breath. A spark of happiness flits across his mind teasing a smile at his lips. He couldn’t wait to get home. He’s been excited about it all day. Because George is home today.
He raises his head off the door, takes off his shoes, and leans his briefcase against the wall happy to forget it for the time being.
All he wants to do is walk into his home, hoist George into his arms and never let go. Dream breaks into a full grin at that, strides increasing as he enters their home. Somehow George always can make everything better. Even just a single word uttered from George’s lips makes Dream’s heart sing.
Snuggles, kisses, teasing. Dream loves it. He loves George.
As Dream passes through the hallway a bit of confusion nips at his mind. The house is almost eerily quiet. No noise from upstairs, none coming from the kitchen, not even a peep from the direction of the living room. Maybe George is outside?
Dream snorts to himself as he finally makes it to the kitchen which opens up into the living room. George being outside without Dream’s prompting is an incredibly rare occurrence. Dream teases George 24/7 poking and prodding mockingly at his porcelain skin.
The wooden floor boards creak under his feet as Dream walks in. His eyebrows raise momentarily before he breaks out into a fond smile gazing at the couch. George has his head propped up on a pillow, arms curled as if holding something in a hug yet there’s only air, a blue fuzzy blanket draped over his shoulders. George’s chest rises up and down, little puffs of air escaping his lips as beautiful brown eyes are hidden from view by long eyelashes kissing his cheekbones. Dream yearns to reach out and brush the hair fluffed against his forehead. George appears angelic. Like nothing can disturb his bubble of complete ethereality.
But Dream’s like a moth to a flame. He just has to reach out to George. To let his fingers graze soft skin. To trace the small speckling of freckles that span from the bridge of his nose to his ears. To confirm that yes this is real. Yes Dream married his best friend that he’d been pining after for nearly a decade. To be absolutely certain this is the love of his life sleeping peacefully in their home on their couch.
Just as Dream extends his hand he feels a whacking sensation against his leg. His eyes widen as he twists his body around lightning fast, fists raised in front of his face expecting to be met with an intruder.
Dream frowns as he looks into space. There’s no one there. Dream lowers his fists and then bap! The hit against his leg returns.
Dream’s eyes dart downward. His mouth drops open. Well if it is an intruder….it’s a tiny one.
A small blond boy, that can’t be over the age of five, with huge blue eyes that encompass at least 60% of his face, is pouting at Dream in an attempt of a glare with a cardboard paper towel roll held in defiance at Dream like a sword.
Dream bites his cheek to avoid bursting out in laughter. The kid narrows his eyes studying Dream. He raises his ‘sword’ higher in the air prepared to strike. His voice is filled with genuineness, entirely serious, “Get away from George meanie!”
Dream blinks, smile wiped off his face. He frowns looking down at the kid staring defiantly at him. How does this kid have the right to tell Dream of all people to get away from George? Dream knows he’s overreacting. This is just a young kid that’s confused by a stranger walking in. But the idea that Dream would ever be a danger to George sparks something in him. A mixture of exasperation and anger.
Dream crosses his arms, straightens up so he’s at his full height towering over the child, he glares down at the kid, “I’m Dream, George’s husband.”
The kid pauses. Dream can practically see the gears turning in his small head. Then he huffs once again glaring. Dream barely suppresses a groan.
He wacks Dream again with the paper towel roll for good measure. He stomps his foot on the floor making the sound echo in the room, “I’m Tommy, and you’re a liar!”
Dream gapes indignantly. He leans down to face Tommy, “Am not.”
Tommy points a finger in front of Dream’s face, “Are too!”
Dream knows he’s being immature. But he doesn’t care. A part of him is amused at the little interaction while the rest of him wants to pick the kid up by his shirt collar and toss him out the door. However that’s probably child endangerment. And George would probably get pissed at him. There has to be a reason the kid’s here.
Dream squats down so he’s eye level with Tommy, ignoring the paper roll that’s getting closer to his face as Tommy’s pout increases tenfold fueled by irritation, “Whose kid are you?” His next words are more of a side thought, “I don’t remember George mentioning a Tommy.”
That only serves to upset Tommy further. He marches forward and stomps on Dream’s foot with way more power than a five year old should possess. Dream bites his lip harshly to avoid cursing under his breath.
“I’m not telling you anything!”
Dream sighs rubbing a hand against the bridge of his nose in exasperation. All he wanted to do was snuggle with George and now he’s dealing with a riled up child ready to tackle him to the ground.
A smile twitches at the side of Dream’s lip. It would be adorable how much Tommy’s being protective over George if it wasn’t against him.
Speak of the sunshine. George grumbles in his sleep stirring at the noise. Dream directs his attention at the couch to see a frown painted on George’s face while he turns a bit.
A small gasp sounds behind him, and then the sound of little footsteps dart past him. Tommy runs to George at a quite incredible speed. He hovers over George unknowing, frowning deeply. Clearly wanting George to rest for some reason.
Dream frowns as a seed of worry forms in his chest. Is George sick? Dream moves forward to place his hand on George’s forehead to check his temperature.
He makes it about halfway till his hand is slapped away. Dream’s eye twitches as Tommy bares his teeth, “Leave George alone!”
Okay the original cuteness is getting old. Dream glares daggers, “This can go one of two ways. Either you move out of the way or I toss you out of the way.”
Tommy’s jaw drops as he appears scandalized at Dream’s threat. Then he does something that makes Dream’s heart ache. Tears build in his eyes as his lip trembles, his voice but a whisper, “Please don’t hurt George.”
It’s like a stab to his heart. Dream takes it back. He loves this child and will do everything in his power to protect him.
Dream kneels down again to be on eye level with Tommy. He smiles softly, “Hey it’s okay. I promise I would never hurt George.”
He wracks his brain for a solution. For once it comes to him instantly. He makes sure to make his tone suggestive instead of demanding, “How about you wake up George and he’ll explain, okay?”
Tommy glances between Dream and George’s sleeping form. Slowly he nods. He turns around and in the most gentle gesture Dream has ever seen from a child, softly pats George’s cheek.
Normally it takes Dream hell and back to wake up George but apparently Tommy’s special because as soon as his small hand makes contact with George’s cheek eyelids flutter open.
Tommy whispers again, “George, there’s a weird man.”
Completely ignoring the detail that said weird man is right behind him and can hear everything he’s saying.
George startles at that, hands flying up to prop himself up properly on the couch. His eyes are filled with panic. He instinctually grabs Tommy holding him tightly before he even bothers looking around.
Tommy squeaks at first but quickly eases into the hold. It might be Dream’s imagination but he swears Tommy is grinning at him with an evil little twinkle in his eyes.
Finally George meets his gaze. Relief floods Dream. The tension in his body fades. This can finally be sorted out. George will explain Dream is in fact not a murderer and George will explain who the hell this kid is.
Except that doesn’t happen. No, far from it.
A warm smile takes over George’s face as he meets Dream’s eyes. He glances over the tension and irritation lining Dream’s form. And then the smile twists, twists into a smirk that Dream is familiar with. A smirk that says things are not about to go his way.
Dream whines walking closer, “Georgie please.”
George gasps dramatically pulling Tommy tighter, “Oh Tommy what are we going to do!”
It’s a good thing Tommy’s not facing George because otherwise he’d see the devilish grin George is sending Dream’s way.
Dream puts his hands on his hips raising a singular eyebrow. It screams, I’ll deal with you later. George ignores it.
Tommy pulls at George’s arms with a determined look on his small features, “I can do it.”
He waves his mock sword in the air, bouncing with energy, “I’ll save us!”
At that George looks down at him lovingly. With one hand George tousles Tommy’s hair gently, “Go get em bud.”
Tommy springs out of George’s arms so furiously Dream feels genuine fear crawl up his spine.
Tommy darts around him in a circle whacking him with the paper roll, adding small fists of fury here and there. He’s an absolute whirlwind.
George smiles at the two of them. He mouths at Dream with an invitation, ‘You gonna play?’
Dream freezes. He tilts his head in confusion mouthing back, ‘He doesn’t think I’m-‘
George shakes his head.
Hm well. The next time Tommy hits Dream’s thigh with rapid little punches Dream yelps in pain dramatically gasping, “Ouch!”
Tommy grins up at him, eyes shining with delight.
If Dream wasn’t so occupied with playing along now he’d burst out laughing at the reaction.
George cheers in the background, “Nice, Tommy!”
Tommy brightens even further. Adjusting his stance while preening at the praise. His smile is missing several teeth which Dream quickly finds is a hit to the heart strings.
With a new vigor Tommy continues his attack. One particular hit to his tailbone actually makes Dream wince in pain.
Just as Tommy begins to run out of breath Dream clutches his side, “Ah you’ve, you’ve…”
He glances behind him to make sure Tommy isn’t there. With nothing but the hard wooden floor greeting him Dream resigns to fall on his ass for the entertainment of the child.
He hits the ground a little harder than necessary. He reaches up to the sky like he’s dying, “You’ve got me.”
Dream groans in a mixture of actual and faux pain. Tommy hops on over, placing a foot on Dream’s chest to emphasize his win.
Dream jerks his head and then goes completely still. He peeks one eye open. He’s greeted with George not standing too far away. A shimmering admiration exuding off his form in waves. George glows and all Dream can do is smile and be forever thankful to bask in his glory.
George blows a kiss Dream’s way as a thank you. Dream winks back making George giggle.
Then George turns away. His arms are thrown wide open. Just like that the small foot is removed from Dream’s chest.
Dream doesn’t dare move afraid to upset the game. But that’s okay cause he’s still able to see the moment Tommy runs into George’s arms and George lifts him in the air twirling him around as a stream of giggles escape Tommy, “My hero!”
Dream slowly sits up as George finally sets Tommy down.
The air is tense as Tommy stares Dream down so hard Dream almost feels like it’d be in his best interest to go back on the ground playing dead.
What’s even worse is the anxious expression George is shooting him the more Tommy advances.
Dream’s throat goes dry as large blue eyes are locked on him like a lazer. He’s a grown man. He will not squirm because a five year old is looking decently scary.
A moment later Tommy stands before Dream staring into his soul.
Dream holds his breath waiting for judgment. George watches the interaction biting at his lip with his fingers crossed.
One moment goes by. And another. And another.
And then suddenly Tommy offers his hand to Dream as if to help him up even though it’s physically impossible.
But Dream’s not about to let Tommy know that. Not when he thinks the kid might be leaning towards his favor.
Dream carefully hoists himself off the ground while managing to pretend it’s Tommy’s doing. George sends him an impressed look. Dream winks in return.
George crosses his arms while rolling his eyes. It still doesn’t hide his soft smile at the scene.
Tommy stares up at Dream with the intensity of a thousand suns. He never looks away, “George?”
George hums walking over, “Yes, Tommy?”
Tommy turns looking up at George. George waits patiently. Tommy looks down at his feet and then to Dream and once again to George.
He lifts his hands in the air making grabbing motions, “Up.”
George’s laugh is like the bells of fairies to Dream’s ears.
“Alright big guy, but just this once.”
George hoists Tommy so he’s against his hip. Tommy sits there entirely unbothered. He’s back to staring into Dream’s soul.
Dream’ll never understand why the judgement of this child has suddenly meant life or death. Maybe it’s because of how protective he is over George. Or maybe it’s the way George pulled Tommy to his side the moment there was danger. Or maybe, it’s the moment they spun with peels of laughter dancing around them. Maybe it’s all of those things and more.
So when Tommy reaches out towards Dream’s face, smacks his hand against it, and mumbles, “Nice Dreamy”, it means the world. It means the world to him and he can tell based on the tears in George’s eyes it means the world to him too.
Tommy enters their life like a whirlwind. Dream wouldn’t have it any other way.