Dream stares at the TV. Fitzpatrick intercepts the ball, heading for the end goal.
But he's not paying attention to the TV. The Dolphins are losing anyways; he lost interest 30 minuets ago. At this point it's just background noise.
He's nervous. He shouldn't be. He knows it's stupid, to be nervous. George will say yes.
He runs a hand over his face. He hears a bang from the kitchen, followed by a crack. Patches jumps up off his lap, Venus's head popping up from the floor. It pulls him from his thoughts. He stands up, checking on George in the kitchen.
He's cracking open a pillsbury can. Dream remembers him saying he was going to make cinnamon rolls for tomorrow. They're having family over for Christmas.
Yet another thing Dream is nervous about.
George has already met his mother, at Cassidy's wedding. She'd tried to be cordial. But it was clear she wasn't into whatever "the hell" they were doing.
His anxiety has been through the roof this week as a result. He knows his mother won't approve. And as much as he claims he doesn't care what she thinks, it still bothers him.
He sighs, coming up behind George to watch him. He slides his hands around his waist, resting his chin on his shoulder. He jumps slightly, causing him to smile.
"My mom's allergic to cinnamon."
George pauses. He pulls away, glancing at him over his shoulder. Dream smiles at the panic on his face. "Wait- seriously? Why didn't you mention this-"
"I'm kidding," he jokes.
George rolls his eyes, turning back around. Dream watches as George rolls up the Pillsbury dough, placing them on the tray. There's a silence.
"It'll be fine." George eventually whispers, sensing his anxiety.
He sighs. "Yeah."
He bites his lip. He shifts, pressing a kiss to his shoulder. He teasingly slides a hand down George's stomach, thumb tugging at the waist of his shorts.
"Clay," he hisses, slapping his hand away.
Dream huffs. "Come to the bedroom with me." He pouts.
"I'm literally making food. Can you wait?"
He lets out an exaggerated sigh. "Fine."
He pulls away, deciding it would probably be best to do it in the living room, by the Christmas tree. It's more romantic that way anyways.
He slips into the bedroom. He pulls open their closet, reaching up to push storage bins aside, finding the present. He sets it out on the bed, pulling open his bedside drawer. He shoves junk aside, pulling the black velvet box out of the extra pair of socks he always keeps in there.
He pulls it open, glancing down at the ring.
He'll say yes. There's no question.
So why is he so nervous?
The box snaps as it shuts, and he shoves it into his pocket. He catches sight of the picture on his nightstand, pausing to look at it.
It's the photo from that time they went fishing, over three years ago. George has a coy smile on his face as he holds up the bass, Dream giving him bunny ears. Placed in the picture frame George got him for his birthday.
It's still probably one of Dream's favorite photos. He can't really pinpoint why. The day following had been a catastrophe. But he likes to think that everything in that moment was absolutely perfect. He was happy, then.
Still happy, now. But then it was more naive; before he fully understood the complexities of his and George's relationship.
Cassidy had been so reluctant to leave after George came back. They managed to make Jackson uncomfortable enough to scare him off (all it took was several heated PDAs), and then Cassidy begrudgingly followed after him a couple weeks later.
After about a month George went back to London, and they had attempted a long distance relationship. It was difficult. They only lasted a month until Dream broke and flew to London to see him. The cycle continued for almost a year; they'd go a month with just talking on the phone or FaceTiming. And then one of them would break and fly over. Stay for a month. And then go back home.
It wasn't until Cassidy's wedding that Dream had decided it was enough. He figured it was time they stopped torturing themselves and just settle down. Dream had begged to move to London with him, but George refused, saying his "flat" was too small for the both of them. So instead George moved in with him in Orlando.
Patches and Venus (George's dog) took a while to get use to one another, but they eventually got along. They even got another cat, since Luca had passed away. Him and Patches are best friends.
Dream sighs, sitting down on the bed.
He's been planning this night out for months now. He had even planned to do it earlier. But he kept chickening out.
He bought him a pair of colorblind glasses. That was the first "present". And then he'd have him read the Ishihara tests at the bottom of the box. Ideally, George would be able to make it out with the glasses on: marry me? And then Dream would get down on one knee. And pop the question.
He runs a hand over his face.
He's been running through his speech for the past week. It's simple. And yet he's terrified to mess it up. He knows George wouldn't care, but he wants it to be perfect.
He stands up. He places the present on the couch. George smiles when he comes back into the kitchen, sliding the rolls into the oven.
He comes around the kitchen island, pulling Dream into a hug. He tilts his head up to peck his lips. "Now we can go to the bedroom."
Dream smiles.
"But we gotta be quick. 15 minuets or they'll burn."
Dream bites back his dirty retort; will only take me five. "Come to the living room first. I have a present for you."
George cocks an eyebrow. "But it's not Christmas yet."
"Consider it a Christmas-eve present."
George sighs. "Fine." He says, almost seeming disappointed.
Dream grins. "The bed will still be there afterwards," he reminds him, pulling him into the living room.
George rolls his eyes, a smile crawling it's way onto his lips. Dream stops him in front of the Christmas tree. And then he hands him the present. He bites his lip as George starts to tear away the wrapping paper. George glances up at him when he gets to the black box.
"Open it." He breathes.
George does.
"What is this?" He asks.
"Try them on." Is all Dream says.
He sighs. He puts them on. Dream bites his lip, watching at George glances around the room.
"Woah-" he breathes.
"Can you read what's inside?" Dream asks.
George glances back down. He stares for a moment. Suddenly he glances up at him, face in shock. Dream smiles; relieved that his plan worked. He gets down on one knee, and George slaps a hand over his mouth.
"George Henry Davidson," Dream breathes. "You've absolutely changed my life. Shown me that life's worth living. Supported me despite all the odds. And I could never be more gratefull."
He pulls out the black velvet box, watching a George's eyes widen.
"I've known you for almost 10 years now. Been your best friend for eight, and I've been desperately in love with you for at least five, and I never want to stop."
He opens the box, revealing a sleek silver ring with three encrusted diamonds.
"Will you marry me?"
George ogles at him, silent for a moment. "Oh my god yes," he breathes, and Dream smiles, anxiety flying out the window.
He stands up, embracing him in a bear hug. George is already crying.
"I love you," he cries into his shoulder, gripping him tight.
"I love you more," Dream says, pulling away. "Try it on. See if it fits."
George bites his lip as Dream slides the ring on his finger. It fits him perfectly. Dream grins; he'd completely guessed.
"Mine's in the box." He says, motioning to the glasses box. He watches as George pulls it off. He catches the engraving on the inside of the band.
"Yours says Clay Rue Crawford's on the inside, because your mine and I'm yours."
George smiles. "I like that." He slips the ring on Dream's finger, and then pulls him in for a kiss.
It's a sweet kiss, soft and tender, but loaded with love and passion.
"God I love you," George breaks away to say it, breathing it across his lips.
Dream smiles, pulling away. "Let's get a picture. For Twitter."
"Twitter?" George asks.
"Just our hands." Dream says. They still haven't told the fans they're together. Dream supposes they'll have to do that soon. He hopes they won't be angry that they waited so long to tell them.
He takes his hand, making sure to get both of their rings in the shot. He posts it without a caption.
George drags him back into a kiss, and they fall onto the couch, George straddling his lap.
"This is the best gift I've ever received." He whispers, making Dream smile.
They cuddle on the couch, and George really starts to get a good look around the room with his glasses on.
"This is amazing," he breathes.
"Can you see different colors?"
"Yeah, like...your shirt is so red."
Dream smiles. They go around the room, pointing at different things. And he realizes he never wants this to end; this so incredibly perfect moment. Then again nearly every moment with George is perfect; beyond anything he could have ever imagined.
He wouldn't have it any other way.
The cinnamon rolls end up burning in the oven.
A/N: congrats you have done it. You finished the story. Wowza.
Thank you so much for reading! I hope you enjoyed. Feel free to share if you want. Also, I love reading comments. If you have any feedback or critique I'd love to hear it. :)
Much love - Fyreflys