I wrote this like 14 hours ago while in the bathroom trying not to be sick and then forgot about it, lmao my bad

Literally like 10 am, I wake up bc I'm in so much pain and then chill in the bathroom for half an hour writing this while also trying not to be sick 👍

So anyways if its bad... that's why lmao (I don't edit shit so-)

Italics are mostly what Gogy types in this chapter

TW: PTSD, mention of dehumanization, mention of abuse, mention of rape, anxiety/panic

Previously...

George is half asleep in my arms, trying to keep himself calm and steady. "I promise to protect you, Gogy. Til the end of time." His body relaxes into mine, and I'm thankful that he was able to sleep. He deserves to feel safe and protected, and I want to do everything I can to provide it to him. He's been strong even through this whole mess, and I could never be disappointed in him.

I just wish things could get better for him. He deserves it.

George's P.O.V.

I'm laying against Dream when I open my eyes again. He has a hand in my hair, the other rubbing my back slowly. I pick my head up, looking at him through tired eyes.

"Oh, hi there. Sleep well?" He asks, smiling softly. I shrug, putting my head back down with a sigh. "Well, I hope you had a nice nap. You woke up at a good time, I have to go check on the brownies I put in the oven!" I tilt my head, moving off of Dream so he can get up.

"While you were upstairs I thought I'd make something, like a dessert for us to share," he explained, walking to the kitchen. He raised his voice as he got further away so I could still hear him. "Brownies are easy, and I had the box mix stuff, so..." Dream opened the oven, taking the pan out with an oven mitt. "I hope you like them!"

I got up slowly, trotting into the kitchen. Dream had his back to me, checking the brownies. He turns, jumping a little when he sees me.

"Woah, ok, that surprised me a little... you're so quiet when you walk..." His expression changed quickly, from one of happiness to something I couldn't really place. Like a combination of sadness, regret, and maybe anger? "Hey, George, can we actually have a talk?" Dream seemed almost upset, leading me back to the couch.

"Let's sit, ok?" He takes his spot back from earlier, laying out across the long part of the couch. "C'mere." He smiles gently, beckoning me to sit with him. I crawl back into my spot from earlier as well, laying partially on Dream's chest.

"I want to ask you something, and you don't have to answer if you don't want to, but please just don't lie to me." I narrow my eyes, nodding slowly. Dream sighs, giving me a weak smile.

"Will you tell me about what happened?" I immediately stiffen, blood rushing in my ears. It sounds like emptiness, which is pretty accurate to how I'm feeling. Do I tell him? Do I not? He said I didn't have to...

Against my better judgement, I shrug. Dream seems happy about it, albeit a little nervous. He hands me his phone, open to the notes app. I grab it hesitantly, looking up at him.

"I just want to ask you a few questions about it, just so I know..." Dream's expression saddens for a moment, before returning back to a supportive smile. "If you don't want to answer, or if I go too far, just let me know and I won't ask more, ok?" Taking a deep breath, I nod slowly.

"Ready?" As ready as I'll ever be. I nod again, anxiously awaiting his questions. "How long?" I frowned, trying to figure out the best way to answer it. To be completely honest? I wasn't exactly sure about the whole time aspect of it.

two or three months? maybe?

Dream read over my shoulder, an arm wrapping around me gently. His expression had become unreadable.

"I'm sorry," he said simply, shaking his head sadly. "I'm so sorry. You deserve so much better than that." I just shrug, glancing away. Dream seems to get the point, and moves on with his questions.

"Um..." I can tell he's trying to be extra careful with his words. "Why exactly won't you speak?" I was expecting this to come up. He hadn't really asked much about it and I'm sure it was something he was curious about.

complicated. at first I was afraid to, because it was against the rules. but now it's just really hard for me, like I just physically can't bring myself to speak most of the time.

Dream nodded solemnly. "Can I ask what he did, exactly? Like... I know there was... um, abuse, but..." He trailed off, grimacing at his own question.

Where is the line drawn between lying and avoiding the truth?

...I suppose what he doesn't know won't hurt him...

he would hit me a lot, hurt me, sometimes he would choke me with a collar too, call me things and tell me what I can and can't do, stuff like that.

I let out a shuddering breath, closing my eyes as Dream read the message. I had to admit, it was both relieving and painful to tell someone. Even if I completely skipped over the worst part of it.

"George..." Dream murmured sadly, voice quiet and breathy, like he was going to cry. I heard him sigh, breath quivering slightly. "That's really horrible, and I'm sorry, but I know you too well. You're not telling me something." I looked up at him with hurt in my eyes, frowning as he took a deep breath.

"I'm sorry for asking this, but... did he... rape you?" I felt my whole body stiffen. My breaths came in quick pants, less and less oxygen actually making it to my lungs. My chest felt tight, my head felt dizzy. Everything felt out of focus, like a camera with a smudge on the lens.

"George?" Dream touched my shoulder, and I flinched back instinctively, breath audibly hitching. "Woah, hey, it's ok, you're safe!" I squeezed my eyes shut for a moment, forcing myself to take a breath. With shaky hands, I typed a quick question of my own.

hpw did yiu knsow??

He read it, squinting at the words- or, rather, the jumble of letters that vaguely resembled words- and frowned.

"How did I know?" He asked. I nodded frantically. "Oh, well... I was actually doing some research, on PTSD? And I was reading about different types of it and, I dunno, I guess I saw some similarities?" He shrugged kind of awkwardly. "I thought about it more, and it would certainly explain a lot, especially the stuff I couldn't figure out earlier..."

I felt myself calm slightly at his quick explanation. Dream was researching PTSD? That's actually so sweet?

Yeah, I really don't deserve him.

Somehow, I had calmed down, and found myself laying my head down on Dream's chest, listening to his heart beat. It was sped up, for a moment, then a cautious hand wrapped around my back, holding me in close. I heard his heart rate slowly go back to a steady beat as we laid together peacefully.

It was weird. Dream seemed to have this effect on me, like his presence was calming. I felt more... solid around him, like I wouldn't waste away at any minute. I don't ever want to be apart. He's my safe place, the person I can trust the most. Hell, now he even knows one of my biggest secrets, and I'm not panicking about it.

Thank you, Dream.

Yeah uh updated nice very pog

I think imma go read or something idk I just need to like... chill out