Everything was a blur for Clay, all the way up until boarding. It was a blur of doubt, fear and overthinking. He'd almost forgotten his makeup-mask in his worry. But he had boarded now. There was no going back.

In less then twenty-four hours, George would know. George would know everything. And then it would be up to him. It would be up to George to decide whether or not Clay and Dream get to stay.

In less then twenty-four hours, George would have Clay's heart in his hands and Clay would be powerless to do anything but watch and see what George did with it.

Clay decided that was enough dramatics for one afternoon and opened his phone. He swiped for a little bit before pulling up his music app and plugged in his earphones.

Clay felt himself smile at the name of the playlist it opened to. "George's epic playlist 😎". He remembered when George sent it too him.

////:\\\\
17/1/20

Georgie
Dude, your music sucks! How do you listen to that?
10:39pm

Clay
What do you mean? Did you even listen to the lyrics?
10:39pm

George
You are such a closet emo
10:39pm

Clay
I am not!
10:39pm
If my music is so bad then send me some of yours
10:40pm

George
Maybe I will!
10:40pm
I am going to make you the most epic playlist
10:40pm
And then you'll regret ever doubting me
10:40pm

Clay
I bet it's going to be exclusively dreaming of the disco
10:41pm

George
Never disrespect them like that again
10:41pm
Just because you said that, there will be no (Dream)ing Of The Disco
10:42pm

////:\\\\

Clay would loathe to admit it but George's taste wasn't actually all that bad. There was a good mix of relaxing melodies, meaningful lyrics and rap - Clay had never pinned George as the rap type but he supposed you don't have to fit the stereotype to enjoy something.

He pressed shuffle, sinking into his seat. And, as the first few notes of Fantasy by Khai Dreams drifted through his earphones, Clay felt himself slipping off to sleep.

London was beginning to warm as it slipped into spring. It was the first thing Clay noticed as he stepped out of the airport.

But that didn't mean it was warm enough for Clay's Floridian liking. He pulled his hood up over his ears and clutched his suitcase closer, searching for a taxi. He hadn't bothered hiring a car.

He was about to flag down the nearing taxi when he heard a scream. I forgot about that bit... Clay thought with a wince.

"Dream!" Someone shrieked. Great. Dream put in his best wide smile and pretended that he wasn't exhausted. The shrieking continued as Dream turned to look at the girl running towards him.

All the noise had attracted a crowd and, before long, Dream was surrounded. People were screaming for pictures, yelling their love for him and grabbing at his hoodie.

Dream tried desperately to pry himself from their grips and back toward a cab. Or security.

"What are you doing here?" Dream managed to make out one voice ask. He chanced a glance behind and managed to catch eyes with a taxi driver. He signalled them with a nod and began backing toward them.

"I'm visiting a friend," Dream replied with a taut smile.

"A girlfriend?" Another voice shouted. Dream laughed nervously. Something like that, hopefully... Dream wanted to answer.

Instead he said "No, just a friend." Finally, he bumped into the door of the cab. He reached behind himself to clasp at the handle with one hand. The other hand passed his suitcase to the awaiting driver, eyes pleading. The driver just about managed to clutch the case and put it in the back of the cab through the other door.

"It's lovely to see you all, really, but I have to go." Dream explained before tugging open the door and ungracefully falling into the seat, slamming the door closed quick after himself.

"Where to?" The driver asked, eyes kind, from where they'd quickly climbed in behind the wheel - probably sensing Dream's urgency. They glanced at where Dream was still holding the door closed and discreetly locked it.

Clay sighed out a thank you and pulled up his phone, reading out the hotel name. The driver smiled and began on their way.

He'd never admit it but Clay was slightly disappointing by his hotel room. It was nice and spacious, don't get him wrong. There was a king sized bed in the centre of the left wall, a sizeable chest of drawers against the right wall, an en-suite bathroom accessed near the door, a large window overlooking the skyline that took over the far wall, even a decently sized TV on top of the chest of drawers. It simply... lacked something. It didn't feel right for Clay to be there.

Clay shrugged off the feeling, leaving his suitcase at the foot of his bed and walking to the window. At four in the morning, the multitude of glowing windows dotted over the tall buildings looked like fallen stars. It was like looking into a lake and seeing the trees surrounding it mirrored in the water.

Clay took a deep breath and tried to match the lights to their respective stars. With the city, the sky and his warm hotel room, Clay felt peace.

Whatever happened tomorrow, Clay would take it in his stride. Even if George decided to never speak to him again. Clay would bury his feelings and never say a word to him again if George told him to.

Clay let out a self-deprecating laugh. "Nick was right. I really am simping for George."

Clay slipped his phone from his pocket and snapped a photo of the view, making sure he couldn't be seen in the reflection of the glass.

////:\\\\
9/5/20

Clay 😊
[the skyline image]
4:16am
The city lights look like stars
4:16am
You're probably asleep right now but I wanted to let you know I got to the hotel safe and sound
4:17am
In case you were worried
4:17am
Under twelve hours until I see you
4:17am
Sleep well Georgie <3
4:21am

////:\\\\

Clay threw his phone onto the plush sheets of the bed and shuffled to his suitcase. He couldn't be bothered to unpack yet, he'd do that tomorrow. Instead, he rooted through the mess to pull out his washbag and a pair of pyjama pants.

The first thing Clay did was remove his foundation. It was a tedious process and the more Clay removed, the less he felt like looking at his reflection.

Once he was confident he'd gotten most of it off, he washed his hands and moved to take out his contacts.

He lingered under the scalding water of the shower, despite his head being void of any thoughts.

He couldn't help taking glances in the mirror as he slipped into the pyjama pants, scrutinising what he saw. He slipped on his glasses. They were simple, black frames with thick lenses.

Clay couldn't look his reflection in the eye as he brushed his teeth, quick to slip from the bathroom with his discarded outfit.

As he dropped himself onto the soft bed, Clay's phone buzzed with a notification. He almost didn't check it.

////:\\\\
9/5/20

Clay 😊
[the skyline image]
4:16am
The city lights look like stars
4:16am
You're probably asleep right now but I wanted to let you know I got to the hotel safe and sound
4:17am
In case you were worried
4:17am
Under twelve hours until I see you
4:17am
Sleep well Georgie <3
4:21am

Georgie 💕
Don't let it get to your head
4:40am
But I stayed up to make sure you got here safe
4:40am
Also, I couldn't sleep
4:41am

Clay 😊
Awwww, you do care about me!
4:41am

Georgie 💕
On special occasions
4:41am

Clay 😊
Well, I'm here in one piece
4:41am
So we can both go to bed now
4:41am

Georgie 💕
Okay
4:42am
Good
4:42am

Clay 😊
Goodnight Georgie <3
4:42am

Georgie 💕
Goodnight Clay :)
4:46am
Sleep well
4:51am
Seen

////:\\\\

Clay felt the fond smile on his face before he realised it. He switched on an alarm for midday and plugged in his phone. Eleven hours.

////:\\\\

@DOTDUpdates
@DreamWasTaken spotted outside Gatwick airport! Supposedly meeting "just a friend"
[a short video of Dream swarmed outside of the airport, answering the few questions he could decipher before slipping into a taxi]
————————————————
3.4k retweets      12.8k likes
    |
    |
@OhOphelia
👀👀👀 he better be doing what I think he's doing
    |
    |
@DefinitelyNotDying(inLA)
OwO? But like, the way people swarmed him? Not a vibe.
    |
    |
@Wish_I_Was_The_Disco
Am I the only one who finds this disgusting? Dream is a HUMAN BEING just like the rest of us. He looks so uncomfortable, PLEASE stop doing this shit.
         |
         |
     @DreamWasTaken
     Thank you
     ————————————————
     16.3k retweets      32.9k likes

////:\\\\

Clay wasn't awake enough to realise what effect that simple tweet might have on George. He drifted off to thoughts of a melodic laugh, the smell of coffee and a very, very pretty boy.

———————————
1.5k

I have written this chapter three separate times and it's still a mess 🤡

I don't think I've said it before so I'll put it here: if you ever have any questions, feel free to ask!! I try my best to reply to every comment :)

Feedback is welcome and appreciated!!!

~Dandelion