"GODDAMNIT DREAM!!" George wailed, slamming angry fists into his desk. His body shook with adrenaline, sheer determination pulsing through his veins. This was the FIFTH time his friend had killed him this stream, and not once had he managed to get back at him. Each of his attempts have ended in failure, and his poor desk wasn't going to take the torment much longer. The wood creaked when George leaned in, elbows pressing hard against it. "I'm going to fucking GET you!"

"Maybe you just need to get better..." His friends mocking voice sounded from George's headphones, adding onto his rage. He was so incredibly done with him.

A bright streak of sunlight shined through the blinds onto his screen, sending a glare into George's eyes. It was almost 4 pm, meaning the sun already started its way back down. Dream was across the world, stuck much earlier in the day; it was barely past 10 am in America, though... neither of them couldn't care less what time it was. They were in the most intense duel of survival they've had in a long time.

Dream and George often do "manhunts" in the game Minecraft, Dream challenging George and often a few of their other mutual friends to chase him down and kill his character just once to win. All Dream had to do  was beat the game, or survive an hour, or whatever silly challenge they've made to make it harder. It sounded like an easy win to George most days, considering how there are usually 3 or even four of them chasing him, but many of the times, they get to taste the soles of Dreams shoes.

"THATS IT, IM GONNA KILL YOU!!" George shrieked, running to where he was previously annihilated. Dream only laughed, probably getting away with all his gear. That only infuriated him more! He grit his teeth with anger, focusing fully on his goal. They fell into tense silence just as he saw some of his stuff laying on the floor, abandoned and clearly filtered through by Dream. He didn't care, he saw the iron sword he had floating in wait for him to grab it and plunge it into his friends egoistic Minecraft throat...

He didn't get the chance.

His screen flashed red, again and again as he was jumped from behind. George let out the most high pitch, pathetic scream he's screamed in a while. He barely had the chance to turn his character around before the death message took up his view. He threw off his headphones, gripping the desk so hard his knuckles went white. "DREAM I SWEAR TO GOD I CANT I CANT I CANT-" he curled himself forward, giving himself  only a moment to breathe before immediately putting the headphones back on. He wanted to hear Dreams laugh, even if it was because of his loss.

He cracked a smile as he heard the triumph laugh Dream produced, ignoring their friends disappointed whines. He loved to hear Dreams laugh, wheezes and all. He was perfect to him, for him, for everyone. George couldn't say one bad thing about him, except how much Dream distracted him. The way he spoke, his voice, the pictures of themselves they'd send in the dark hours of night... He relaxed to the thoughts, making his way back once to his death site again. The rage bubbled down, being replaced by pure appreciation for his friends. Every day was made worth it when he got to be with them. He wished the world wasn't so big... so he could go to Dream...

"-orge, George? Hey, you listening?" He snapped out his thoughts to Dreams questioning voice. "Huh?" He blinked, seeing he'd gotten stuck in a hole. "Uh, yeah?" He made his way out, pretending it didn't happen. "Are you coming to get your stuff?" Dreams tone was filled with humour. George could've swooned at him, but squashed it down. He can't let people see him like that. "Yeah totally" He bit his lip, humiliated. He didn't dare feel more than appreciation, and any thought of it being more was strictly forbidden. His thoughts constantly betrayed him, making his gut flutter with flashes of thought and concept, making a blush coat his face. He swore under his breath, hoping his mic wouldn't pick it up. He saw the familiar terrain once more, seeing the pile of items. By now, they didn't really matter. He picked it up and quickly donned the armour Dream didn't take, and went on to search. Dream was not going to get away with his undoing!

...

"Phew, that was a HELL of a game! Congrats George!" Dream audibly leaned back in his chair, taking in his defeat. George stared at Dreams death message in chat before leaping up. "YEAHHHHH!!" He dropped himself back down, hands up in the air. "I DID IT!! IM SO EPIC-" he grinned ear to ear, jumping off the End island. He respawned as fast as he could to see Dreams character leaping from block to block (hiding the shame of his defeat, he hopes). Dream stopped to quickly type something elsewhere, probably starting a second recording for the extra scenes, so George took the chance to cuddle to his character. Their two friends respawned now, starting to yell over Dreams words with cries of victory. George barely listened, looking up at Dreams character with what he hoped came off as appreciation. He knew the face behind the Minecraft skin, and he knew that one day that face will be pressed up against his. His stomach lurched and span at the thought, heating his body up. He couldn't think like that!

"So, what do you think, George?"

"H-huh? Sorry?"

"About what I just said." Dream replied smartly, moving his characters head to face down to his.

"Uhhhh... can you say it again?" He pursed his lips, ashamed. So many people were gonna catch onto this...

"No I cannot" Dream leapt away, resuming his random jumping and shit.

"Please, I didn't hear it, Bad and Sapnap were too loud!" George started running and jumping the other way, colliding with Dream after each circle. Bad and Sapnap both shouted objections, only to be hushed when Dream laughed.

"I forgot what I said." He nonchalantly added, turning to Sapnap and Bad. "Do you remember?"

The two fell silent, going afk for one moment.

"Chat says you asked him if you want to 1v1" Sapnap replied first, tabbing out of Discord. George's eyebrows raised.

"Me and DREAM? A 1v1?? Do you know how hard I'm gonna get creamed?!" He grabbed his forehead, letting a strained huff. Sapnap and Dream laughed, letting Bad whine about gross wording before continuing.

"Well yeah, you basically just beat me one on one right now! You started beating Bad up when he tried to take over, you were so close to dying!!" Dream jumped up to him, spinning around him with no purpose. "You were, right?"

"Uh- I think so, yeah..." George paled a bit, knowing immediately that he would loose to Dream.

"Yeah! So, we can just make a thing and do the thing, sounds like it'll be a close match!" Dreams grin was heard through his mic, probably knowing real well that George will loose. Or... he will let George win. He didn't know why would Dream think of doing that, though. They briefly fell silent, letting George collect his thoughts. George was sure they hadn't asked him anything in that moment he was distracted, he felt like he would've reacted to his name.

"Wait a second..." George began, being cut off by his friends boisterous laughter. He in fact hadn't said anything, they knew he was just in a doozy. Unfortunately, George couldn't stay mad for long.

"Does this mean there's no 1v1...?"

...

George sighed as he sat down at his desk the next day, stirring the ice cubes in his drink. His and Dreams 1v1 was starting in half an hour, but knowing Dreams luck with storms and maintaining Internet connection in them, there may be delays. He didn't mind, personally, Dream on stream was surprisingly less flirtatious than in private calls, and it definitely distracted him less. He didn't not enjoy the flirting, but oh lord did it send his mind into sinful depths. He drummed his desk with his free hand as he opened Minecraft, then all his streaming software. He checked everything's connection, and then messaged Dream.

"hey, you ready?"

Dream was online, so he was sure to get a response soon. He took a sip of his drink.

"Almost, my cat is scared of the thunder. Giving her pets."

George smiled at the response, imagining Clay gently petting Patches in the dim light, only lit up by his monitor screen. He'd be smiling gently, rubbing Patches' cheeks with his thumbs and listening to her purrs. Maybe there'd be the gentle smell of sea, a hint of palm- or not, it's not like he's ever been to America to know. He can only imagine what it's like. George sighed, giving himself a last moment of peace before going live. The chat rolled in, greeting him and already sending donations. Today, his stream started with him smiling.

...

George's hand was so sweaty, he barely was able to grip his mouse right. His heart pounded in his ears, rapid and loud. He barely focused on Dreams screeches, and on where Dream was in the arena. The pvp had stretched out to a full few minutes, both of them planning and being precise in their actions. George found it very hard to get combos on Dream, while on the other hand, Dream could barely hit George with the way he was moving around. George loved this part of their friendship, where they'd do something together and get absorbed in it entirely. Moments like this where the world got small, and it was only their laughs and their fun. He fondly remembered a good round of Mario cart from some years back, both their parents telling them to keep it down over and over until it was just too much. George laughed as he struck Dream three times in a row, being sure he took good damage. Dream wailed loudly, retreating for the fifth time. All their defences and potion stock was running low, having used it already. He let a feral snarl as he chased after him, not caring for his health bar. Dream squealed in surprise, not expecting George to take him on so confidently. He retaliated, bringing George's hearts down further.

They both went silent as they sparred viciously, now in the endgame. There was no backing off from this. George leaned close to his screen, focusing fully on getting back at Dream. For what, he did not know, but Dream was a dead man now. George let out a loud yelp as Dream suddenly jumped behind him, and started rapidly taking him while he was off guard. George span around, and gave one last click...

Dream let an anguished wail. "HOWWW DID YOU NOT DIE THEN!"

George looked at Dreams death message in chat, stunned.

"Oh my god..." he muttered, then broke out into a grin. "I beat you... like- I won- I just won! Dream!! Haha holy shit!" He leaned back, rubbing his hands dry on his sweatshirt. He started laughing, giddy and delighted. Dream whined loudly on the other end, bitter at his defeat. George didn't know how he did it, but he just did. He was not going to shut up about this for a while. His chat was going mad, congratulating him and dissing Dream. George paused cheering to take a sip from his cup, abandoned for most of the duel. He was shaking visibly.

"You're so adorable when you win, George" Dream giggled, having went to George's stream.

George nearly choked. He coughed a little, "pardon???" He put his drink down, ears going red. Dream laughed. "Well, you get all giggly, it's adorable..." he went a bit quiet at the end, embarrassed that it was pointed out. George felt so gay. "I- umm-" he pulled up the collar of his sweater, hiding his cheeks. He felt like he was being roasted alive!

"Thank you, Dream. I do too"

...

"Sorry about how the stream ended, I think I broke you a little bit there" Clay laughed. George was now in bed, speaking with his friend over the phone about the events earlier. He had gotten so flustered, Clay's reaction after his comment was indescribable. The both of them had basically dissolved, red cheeked and stuttering. Ending the stream was quick after that, George only read out donations and thanked the users, and quit. He wishes he didn't regret it, the fans' reactions almost mirrored his thoughts. It gave him confidence, but that scared him. Dream would hate him if he'd fall in love. They were both straight! Very straight. Yeah...

His thoughts trailed off, the two of them staying silent for a little. "Mmm, it's fine, it was really fun" George reminded himself to speak, grinning again. His cheeks warmed at the thought of the compliment. "I didn't expect to win, honestly. I saw how hard you tried. It was so scary!-" George put an arm behind his head, leading the conversation away from potential shame. Dream didn't let him live through it though. "Heh, I bet you like that- being scared." He giggled. "That's kinky, heheh-" "No Clay, stoppppp-" they both laughed, then fell silent. They stayed like that until Dream spoke up. "I could tell you so many things, George. But you'd hate me for it."

"No I wouldn't! You already told me so many weird things- pissing the bed-"

"NOT like that, no!" It was Dreams turn to get flustered now, and George laughed.

"Then tell me if it's not that bad, I like hearing your stories!"

"It is that bad! I can't just give you my whole life when you've said nothing, you only ever told me about the time that-"

"I'm going to stop you there-"

"Walked in-"

"Clay stop it-"

Dream laughed loudly, his signature wheeze sounding out. "You-" he cut off to wheeze "Walked in on-"

"That's it! I'm going to sleep! Goodbye! Goodnight!" George blushed deeply, rolling over to his phone to hang up. Dream wheezed loudly. "Fine!! Goodnight Georgie, sleep well! Don't walk in on-"

George hung up, covering his burning face. Clay is going to be the death of him. He let his hands slide off his face, sighing loudly. Lord, Dream was perfect. His voice lingered in his head, replaying "Georgie" over and over. His voice was so fond... "You're so adorable..." Dreams words played on loop in his head, lulling him to sleep.