I'm not an expert or anything but in this one George is a selective mute, which means he can talk just not to everyone or in every situation. Also, I don't think I wrote it in an offensive way but I'm not mute so if there's a problem lmk and I can fix it ok? No worries luvs

So idk how much y'all know about ASL but if something George says seems really blunt it's just meant to be similar to how sign language really is (I don't know enough about it to do an accurate translation so just go with it mkay?)

**bold italics are sign language**

TW: suggested past trauma, verbal abuse/attempted assault

3rd Person P.O.V.

"George~!" Dream called, running through the hallway to catch up with the smaller boy. George turned, smiling at him.

"Hey, you wanna come over tonight? Sapnap and I are having a movie night, I thought you might want to come too..." George's smile brightened, and he nodded fervently.

"Popcorn?" George signed, tilting his head in question. Dream hesitated for a moment, in thought. He had learned how to read ASL for George, but he was still a bit slow with it and couldn't sign back very well.

"Yeah, sure, if you want." Dream paused, thinking for a moment. "Hey, why don't you come home with me? We can stop by the store on the way, you can pick out any snacks you want," he suggested.

"Yes." Dream took George's hand, leading the brunette to his car.

"You know, I actually wanted to ask you something," Dream stated, eyes cast downward. His nervous energy rubbed off on George, and the unspoken question lingered in the air, suffocating them both.

"Yes?" George asked, eying Dream warily.

"You don't have to answer if you're uncomfortable," he assured the anxious boy. "But... why don't you talk?" George winced. He knew this question was coming, it was practically inevitable. If he was being honest, George was surprised Dream hadn't asked before.

"I can't tell you all of it," he signed, taking a long pause to choose his words carefully. "But years ago, something happened, and I haven't spoken since." Dream nodded slowly, not wanting to pry, but wanting to quench his curiosity.

"Like... a trauma?" George nodded, glancing away and bringing his knees up to his chest, hugging them tightly.

"Don't want to talk."

"No, no, that's fine. I'm not expecting you to, it's alright," Dream assured. George didn't acknowledge the blond. Dream sighed, starting his car and starting the drive to the store. There was an uneasy silence between them, one Dream would usually fill with a random story or telling George about his day.

At the store, they both walked in and went their separate ways, picking up snacks and candies for movie night.

"Hey, cutie, what's your name?" George turned, staring blankly at a girl batting her eyes at him. "Hey, don't ignore me! I asked you for your name!" She waved a hand in his face, making him back up into the wall.

"I am mute! I am mute!" He signed repeatedly, not getting anywhere with the girl.

"Don't pretend to be deaf, I know you can hear me! Just speak!" George flinched at her tone, pointing at his throat and shaking his head. She scoffed, rolling her eyes. She raised a hand, pulling it back like you would to slap someone.

"What's going on here?" Dream asked, voice firm. The girl backed off immediately, glaring at George.

"Nothing. Mind your own damn business." Dream frowned at her, looking back at an uncomfortable looking George.

"George? Everything good?"

"Please can we leave." It wasn't a question. Dream nodded, pushing past the girl to take George's hand and lead him out of the aisle.

"Are you ok?" George was shaking a little, fidgeting anxiously. He nodded slowly, handing Dream a bag of popcorn and a small container of chocolate covered raisins.

"Oh, I'll go pay for these. Why don't you go out to the car?" Dream suggested, offering George his keys. The smaller boy took them, running out to the car. He sighed, slumping in the seat. It could've happened again, he thought, biting the inside of his cheek. Why am I so weak? Why can't I just fight back? Why can't I just speak normally, like everyone else? I used to talk...

"Hey, can you unlock the door?" Dream startled George from his thoughts, tapping on the window. The door was unlocked, and the blond got in, putting the bag of snacks in the backseat. George watched him, silently of course, until Dream noticed.

"Hey."

"Hi." Dream sighed, frowning at George.

"What happened in there? She didn't hurt you, did she?" The brunette tensed up, rubbing circles into his knuckles. He shook his head, refusing to look up at Dream. "George." His tone was softer, yet still firm. "Please, you can tell me, I just want to help-"

"No." It came out as no more than a whisper, and Dream almost didn't hear it. He sputtered for a moment, struggling to find words that usually came so easily.

"Did- did you just- George?!" His mouth was open in shock, staring at George with wide eyes. The brunette covered his face with his hands, letting out a soft whine. Dream smiled, raising his eyebrows. "So you can speak!" George just shrugged, turning towards the window. "No, wait, George- can you do it again?"

"No. It never happened." Dream deflated a bit, sighing.

"It did happen, Georgie, I heard you." He paused for a moment, tilting his head to look the the smaller boy. "You have a nice voice. I wish I got to hear it more often." That caught George's attention.

"You like my voice?" He asked, eyes wide and untrusting. Dream nodded, smiling.

"Yeah, I like it. Was that an accent I heard? I never even knew you had one, that's so cool!" George turned away shyly, smiling down at his lap.

"T-thank you." He still spoke softly, barely above a whisper. Dream was ecstatic, he had heard George say an entire three words today- three more than he usually heard.

"Yeah, I really like your voice... thank you, for letting me hear it, by the way. I think it suits you," he mused, grinning at the brunette. "Oh, Sapnap is going to be so excited, I'm gonna text him-" George grabbed Dream's hand, stopping him from texting. He shook his head wildly before letting go, pulling back uncomfortably. "George?"

"Don't tell please."

"Ok... will you tell me why, though? I won't text him, I just want to know," Dream assured him. George just shrugged, glancing away and fidgeting nervously. "George~"

"Stop." George signed, frowning.

"Will you tell me? With words?" The blond requested. "I really want to hear your voice again." George shook his head, eyebrows furrowed.

"Too much." Dream sighed, but nodded.

"Alright, fair enough. I'm proud of you, though. That was really big," he praised, putting a small smile on the smaller boy's face.

"Thank you." George took a breath, sighing softly. "I don't speak much. I only speak for certain people. I will speak for you sometimes. Not S-A-P-N-A-P." George explained, having to finger spell Sapnap's name. Dream nodded, tilting his head.

"You trust me more?" George glanced up, nodding quickly.

"It's different with you." He signed shyly, looking away. Dream bit back a grin.

"Yeah. I guess it is different, isn't it?" George looked up curiously, waiting for Dream to elaborate. "I mean, let's think about it. Sure, Sapnap is my best friend, and so are you, but I don't see Sapnap in this car with us. I could've asked him if he wanted to come to the store..." Dream paused, looking George dead in the eye. "...but I didn't." George swallowed nervously, nodding at Dream's words.

"Maybe I didn't want Sapnap to come with us. I mean, I love him, of course. He's a great friend, and we'll see him later, but..." Dream leaned in a bit, shortening the distance between them. "Sapnap isn't you, George. Nobody could ever be you." He leaned in a bit closer, close enough for George to count the freckles on Dream's skin. "I don't know. I guess..." he chuckled softly. "I guess I might love you." George's breath hitched as their lips connected, and after a moment's hesitation he kissed back.

Dream tasted like mint and chocolate, like somewhere between a Thin Mint and a peppermint patty. George, on the other hand, tasted sweet, like perfectly ripe peaches and cream. You wouldn't expect them to mix well, but it felt like heaven on both sides of the kiss. George pulled away first, completely red in the face and breathing heavily.

"Was that ok? Sorry, I should've asked, I just got caught up in the mo- mmph!" George cut him off with another kiss. This time, when they pulled apart, there were no doubts between them. "I'll take that as a yes, then," Dream chuckled, grinning. George blushed, smiling brightly.

"We should go." He giggled, pointing at the time. They were supposed to be meeting with Sapnap at 4, and it was nearly 3:50.

"Right." Dream started the car, only barely noticing the words George signed when he thought the blond wasn't looking.

"I think I love you too, Dream."

Oop that was cute wait-

Lowkey thinking about writing a mute George book... thoughts?

Requests?