Clay made sure to wake up early the next morning. It took him almost half an hour to pry away from George's warm embrace but it was a necessary sacrifice to go and grab the package before George saw it. He opened it to check nothing had been damaged and grinned, almost buzzing.

After tucking it away safely in his unused room, Clay slipped back into George's room and climbed back into bed. He was content to lie in for a little longer, especially if it meant having his boyfriend in his arms.

His boyfriend. Clay couldn't quite get over that yet. George was his boyfriend. Not just a boy he'd met at a concert. Not just a fan. Not just his friend or best friend that he flirts with. Not just his crush. But his boyfriend.

Really, Clay shouldn't be surprised at all. George had confessed to having a crush on Dream (and Clay, but Vincent helped with that) only shortly before Clay came to visit. And, even if George hadn't confessed, it wasn't hard to see, from any of the messages he'd sent to Clay, that it was more than just a simple celebrity crush.

But it still felt unreal. George felt unreal. He was like no one Clay had ever met before and yet also a beautiful mix of all of Clay's favourite people and more. But, what made Clay love him most of all was that he treated Dream like a regular person even long before he knew Dream was Clay.

Dream was so used to being put on the pedestal of 'could-do-no-wrong' and complete perfection that to have someone who saw past that, someone who talked him off of that pedestal with the most sunny of grins, had him winded. Because George never believed in that 'perfect person' bullshit that the media blasted. Because George saw that Dream was human and George knew that all humans made mistakes.

Clay tightened his arms around George by a fraction and looked down, through half-lidded eyes, to take in his face. He looked relaxed and content and, if Clay didn't know any better, he'd say it looked like George had fallen asleep smiling. His long, black lashes rested on pale cheeks, soft pink lips slightly quirked at the corners. Clay brought one hand up to gently, softly, brush George's hair back from his face.

Clay wasn't sure what the future had in store for them. He knew that there would still be hardships but he hoped they'd seen the worst of them. He was sure, however, that no matter what the future threw their way, he could get through it as long as he had George by his side. He felt like he could do anything with George by his side.

"Penny for your thoughts?" A soft, gravely voice murmured. Clay zoned back in to see George's warm brown eyes staring back at him. George had taken a moment to appreciate the fond, loving look on Clay's face before he spoke. "What were you thinking about?" He asked, stretching slightly before shuffling closer.

"You." Clay answered easily, bringing his hand up to brush George's hair back again. George closed his eyes and leant into the touch with an appreciative hum so Clay continued to idly pet George's hair. "How lucky I am to have you." He continued and George blushed, a sleepy smile tugging at his lips. It turned sour for a moment.

"You deserve more than I have to offer." George mumbled, eyebrows knitting. Clay stopped stroking George's hair, resting his hand on George's hairline, in order to gently massage his thumb between George's eyebrows, smoothing the creases that had formed in his upset.

"You have more to offer than I have ever deserved." Clay corrected in a low whisper, resuming petting George's hair once he was certain the creases were gone for good. George felt Clay's voice echo through him and he had to hold back a shudder.

"Are you sure I'm all you want?" George asked self-consciously, biting his lip. Clay looked between George's eyes, mesmerised for a split second. He brought the hand petting George's hair down to rest gently over his cheek. He let his thumb trail to George's bottom lip, carefully prying it from George's teeth. He brushed his thumb over it softly, watching through his lashes.

"You're all I could ever want and more." Clay murmured hoarsely. George kept his eyes on Clay's, registering his wide blown pupils as he stared at George's lips. "You're all I've ever needed." He continued and George felt like crying.

"Kiss me." George whispered. And Clay did.

////:\\\\
15/5/20

Darry
Are you and George free to video call? :0
1:34pm
It's fine if not :)
1:34pm

Dream :)
Yeah, we're free
1:34pm
Is Zak going to be there too?
1:34pm

Darry
Yep!!
1:34pm
Vinnie is inviting Sapnap as well
1:34pm
I think
1:34pm

Dream :)
Nice
1:34pm
It'll be the whole family
1:34pm

Darry
Awwww!! Yeah!! (๑>◡<๑)♡
1:34pm

Dream :)
Alright
1:34pm
George and I are ready whenever :)
1:34pm

Darry
Cool!!
1:34pm
We'll call you!!
1:34pm
Seen

////:\\\\

"Good morning! Or good afternoon for you, I guess." Darryl chuckled with a wave. Zak grinned and waved from beside him.

"Good morning for you guys." George smiled and Clay waved in response as well. The app pinged as Vincent joined. He waved a hello and each of the boys responded with their own variation. Finally, Nick joined a few minutes later with a grin. George made some comment about him always being late, to which Nick rolled his eyes.

"How is it in England?" Zak asked, looking at the part of the screen that held George and Clay's camera.

"Cold." Clay replied deadpan and Zak and George laughed. "George keeps stealing my hoodies, I'm going to freeze." George bumped Clay's shoulder with his own, currently wearing another of Clay's hoodies.

"That's literally the first time you've complained, shut up." George laughed out. "I thought you liked it when I wear your hoodies?" He asked innocently. "I can take it off if not." He stated, wrapping his hands around the base and beginning to lift.

Clay whined, wrapping his arms around George to stop him from removing the clothing. "I do like it when you wear my hoodies." He murmured, resting his head on George's shoulder. Distantly, Nick gagged and Zak and Vincent laughed. Darryl cooed sweetly.

"How is it going in the skephalo residence?" Clay asked with a wink and watched as Darryl blushed. Zak smiled bashfully at him. He dramatically threw his arms around Darryl's shoulders, squishing his cheek to Darryl's. Darryl giggled, wrapping his arms around Zak's waist.

"It's going wonderfully." Darryl finally answered with a happy grin. Vincent rolled his eyes out of exasperation and Nick decided it was safe enough to fake another gag. Zak stuck his tongue out in childish protest.

"What about you, Nick?" George asked, quickly cutting in again before Nick could reply. "Oh wait, yeah, nobody loves you." He pretended to realise and Zak, Vincent and Clay choked out surprised laughs.

"George! That's not very nice!" Darryl scolded through Zak, Vincent and Clay's mingling laughs. George giggled sheepishly.

"Yeah George, me and your mother are very happy together." Nick states and Zak, Vincent and Clay laughed harder, Clay's wheezing becoming present. George leant back against Clay's chest, grumbling something about 'don't talk about my mother like that.'

"Nick! That's not nice either! What do you say?" Darryl mothered, watching Nick's camera with a disapproving glare. Once Nick had finished giggling, he looked over to George and Clay's camera.

"Sorry George." Nick apologised insincerely but Darryl decided it was probably the best he'd get out of him.

"Now George, what do you say?" Darryl asked, turning to Clay and George's camera. George smiled from where he was layed back against Clay's chest, Clay wrapping around him almost entirely.

"Apology accepted." George stated mischievously and Darryl sighed in disappointment.

"No, George. You apologise as well." He stated, rubbing at the bridge of his nose. Zak wormed his way beneath Darryl's arm and poked at Darryl's face until he smiled again, fondly.

"I'm sorry you're alone, Nick." George apologised in faux innocence. Clay chuckled into his neck and George felt a selfish sense of pride. Darryl would have been annoyed, had Zak not chosen that moment to tuck his head under Darryl's chin.

Nick looked to be grumpily thinking for a moment before his eyes lit up with an idea. "Hey Vincent, will you go out with me?" Vincent deadpanned, staring straight at the camera.

He then stood up, exposing the shirt he was wearing. It was black with the words "people suck" written in big, white letters. He sat back down, face still deadpan. "What do you think?" He more stated sarcastically.

"Yes?" Nick asked hopefully, winking for good measure. Vincent's face didn't change. If anything, he looked more like he wanted to die.

"No." He stated. Nick slumped and Zak, Clay and George laughed.

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1.5k words

RIP Nick 2k20

Feedback is welcome and appreciated!!

~Dandelion