Things had continued to be just as mundane as they possibly could be for a few weeks more. George put his effort towards streaming and recording; Clay continued to develop their next album with the help of the rest of the band; Nick focussed on settling in to his new environment and streaming as well; Keres readied herself for her next big gig and the Outcasts did... well, the Outcasts did what they always do. Whatever that may entail, George had given up wondering.

It was oddly nice, living life like normal people do. But we all know that that bliss couldn't last for long.

"Honestly, I'm surprised you didn't suspect anything when chat and I kept talking about rings." Sapnap shrugged. Once again, the topic had turned back to George and Clay - specifically George's ring from Clay.

"I just thought chat was being weird again, bullying me for my ring size, and you were just going along with it." George protested with a huff, Sapnap chuckling at him.

"You're so stupid, it's no wonder it took you and Dream so long to actually get together." Sapnap chastised. George decided that ignoring him seemed like a very attractive option. He focussed instead on reading his most recent donation.

"Have I spoken to Dream recently? Yes, I have, I talked to him this morning." George pushes down the small flare of happiness that bloomed in his chest being able to say that on stream. "Actually, before I started the stream he sent me just," George giggled for a moment " a picture of his feet with no context." He laughed again, remembering his confusion. "It was just his bare feet on his coffee table next to a mug."

"George~" Sapnap teased, dragging out the word, leaning closer to his mic and wiggling his eyebrows suggestively. "I didn't know you were into that." He continued and George scoffed, rolling his eyes.

"Shut up. Yes, I have spoken to Dream this morning." George finalised, lightly pressing his fingers to the bracelet around his wrist, registering the way it had been softly whirring for a good few minutes now. He soothed his thumb over the back of the band for a moment and smiled as the whirring calmed.

Now that George thought about it, Clay had been fiddling with his bracelet more often than not today. They had quickly agreed a few ground rules after George had been woken three times in one night and Clay had almost burned his hands whilst making breakfast several times.

Rule number one was no touching the bracelet at unreasonable hours for the other unless it's an emergency - Clay quickly found that 'I miss you' was not an emergency at all. That rule was pretty self explanatory.

Rule number two was that the bracelets were only to be worn around the wrist. Way too many jokes from Nick and Clay had been made at the realisation that George had made Clay a vibrating metal band for their anniversary. Needless to say, George wasn't impressed.

Rule number three was more of a recommendation than a rule: don't overuse the bracelets. They needed to be charged - Clay had also very quickly discovered as much.

So, when the silver band rested just below the sleeve of his hoodie began to buzz a mere five minutes after it had stopped, George began to get worried.

He had told Clay that he would be streaming and at what time after Clay had said he would see whether he could join for a moment, so George was mildly confused as he watched the entire gray band light sky blue.

Either Clay was attempting to annoy him or something was wrong. And, after the light had not faded for a solid ten minutes, George decided to find out which it was.

////:\\\\
06/06/21

Georgie 💕
Everything okay?
7:32pm
Worried my bracelet might be broken
7:32pm

Clay <3
Sorry
7:37pm
Didn't realise I was holding it
7:37pm
Call me after the stream is done?
7:37pm

Georgie 💕
Of course
7:37pm
Are you alright?
7:37pm

Clay <3
Sort of
7:42pm

Georgie 💕
Sort of?
7:42pm

Clay <3
Physically I'm fine
7:42pm
Emotionally I don't know
7:42pm

Georgie 💕
Okay, I'm ending the stream
7:42pm

Clay <3
Wait no
7:42pm
George don't
7:42pm
It's not that urgent, it's okay
7:42pm

Georgie 💕
Too late
7:42pm
Seen

////:\\\\

"What's wrong?" George greeted after having swiftly explained himself to the stream and Sapnap before signing off.

"It's nothing, George, don't worry." Clay answered easily but it was clear as day that whatever it was was not nothing by Clay's body language. He was hunched small into his desk chair, Patches sat purring in his lap, and had a positively pained look on his face.

George wasn't going to let Clay lie to him again.

"That's bullshit, it's clearly something. Clay, what's wrong?" George reiterated with slightly more force. Clay seemed to curl in on himself more. With a soft, nervous breath, he worked on finding the right words. George waited patiently.

"Damien was discharged early from the hospital a while ago without anyone being informed. We found out just now." He finally admitted, words all on one short breath. George's eyes widened marginally. "I'm just scared that that might mean he'll be back soon. I know I said I didn't care about what he did anymore but that doesn't mean I'm not still scared."

Clay felt pathetic, cowering away from the man the moment it seemed he may even be considering coming close. Cowering away from him because he had money and power and fame, three things that Dream more than likely had more of. He felt pathetic and infantile and utterly cowardly.

Nothing my ass, George thought.

"You're allowed to be afraid, Clay, especially after all that he has put you through," He reassured gently, settling for resting his hand on the bracelet as it was as close as he could get to pulling Clay into his arms "but you don't have to be. You aren't alone and you never will be. We all know now how he works and what he's capable of and we're not going down without a fight. We're not giving up on you. I'm not giving up on you."

The fire with which George spoke licked its way  from George's lungs into Clay's chest and made quick work of willing away the all encasing chill that had settled within him upon their discovery. It warmed through his heart and up through his lungs as well to settle comfortably on the base of his tongue.

"No matter what happens, no matter what he might make me say to you, promise you'll find a way to move here as soon as your visa gets through." Clay couldn't find it in himself to care about the desperation in his tone. "Promise me, George."

George lifted to press his lips to the ring nestled around his first finger. "I promise." He spoke, eyes never leaving Clay's. Clay nodded excessively, thumb brushing frantically over his wrist for some semblance of comfort.

"No matter what happens, I'll be at your side before you know it."

////:\\\\

@DOTDUpdates
Devastated to discover that manager of @(Dream)ingOfTheDisco Damien Bèste was recently victim to a horrible accident. Glad to be able to report that he is recovering swiftly in the comfort of wife Selene Bèste's England home
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retweets      likes
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@fleepfloop
Wife? Alright, okay, I'll admit I wasn't expecting that one.
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@ClarkNotKent
🤩 pain 🤩
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@Sapnap
Uh
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     @chiccennuggies
     Uh
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1.3k words

I'm so sorry for how late today's update is, me and an irl were making these massive Dream plushies for ourselves and I completely forgot :( pls forgive me :(

Feedback is welcome and appreciated!!

Yours, Dandelion