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“Okay darlin, I’ll see you later” Dreams mother calls out to her son.
“Bye ma!” He runs over to his horse and jumps on. They immediately take off, setting towards the trees, nearing the center of town. As he rides, he smiles breathing in the fresh air.
George will be there today. I get to see him.
He halts his horse by a forest entry, seeing his friends Sapnap and Karl holding hands talking. Karl was prince of the town, next in line for the throne. There was a small issue with him being next, he was gay and in a relationship.
Sadly, with being the prince, it meant you were subjected to forced relationships and subsequent marriage by your parents and they were never the one you wanted. Karl, unlike most royalty, he was very open to his friends about how much he hated being royal. His parents forced him to be straight, having to ‘date’ a princess from a neighboring town but, Karl was lucky. This girl was pretty well in the same boat that he was, Niki, the princess, was in love with another woman, so the two had a deal. They would hold hands and act as though they loved each other when necessary but, they were really just best friends.
Niki made sure Karl was happy and he made sure she was too. Sapnap was appointed to being Karl’s guard from a young age so it was natural that he would be around the fluffy haired boy often. They fell in love by the age of 16 and haven’t stepped away from each other since. Of course, when Niki and Karl had to kiss or ‘flirt’ with each other, Sap was hurt by it but, what else were they to do? He knew it was needed to keep his lover safe.
It was likely Karl’s family, more so his mother, knew what was going on and still chose to look past it. The royals would much rather save face and keep their son happy secretly than have other royals look at them like they’re insane. To say at least, Karl and Sapnap had it easy. They had the entire royal system hiding their relationship and letting the two boys be together so long as it didn’t interfere with Karl’s royal duties.
Dream, on the other hand, did not have that luxury. Being gay was frowned upon, not illegal but frowned upon and as much as Dream wanted to show off his lover, he couldn’t.
George was an angel is his eyes. He could do not wrong, a gardener in training for the royal family, he spent time in the beauty of nature as a beauty himself. Dream had met George one late night when he was walking home from the castle’s gardens.
“It’s late, boys like you shouldn’t be out” George hears a voice calling out to him. It’s dark and he shivers. The night air was not kind to him.
“What d-do you mean by that? Who are y-you?” George was shaking. He assumed this was the point where he would get robbed. His father, the gardener, had always told him to leave before sundown for this reason. It would be a heartbreak if his son was hurt for leaving passed.
“Darlin’ I won’t hurt you, I just wanted you to know that you’re not alone. I can walk you home so you’re safe” Dream was being honest, he didn’t want to hurt the shorter brunet, he simply wanted to make sure the boy would get home okay.
“Who are you though?” George was a little bit calmer, still unable to see the blonde.
“My name is Dream sweetheart, and you are?” Dream emerges from where he was standing next to a darkened tree.
“G-George. I’m the royal’s gardener, well my father is but, I’m working with him. I was just a little late finishing up today. A-are you sure you aren’t going to hurt me? The royals take care of us so uhm, if you hurt me, they’ll-“He stuttered a lot. Not only had he been approached by a man after night fall but, this man was gorgeous. Tall, blonde, a smile that lit up the night sky.
“George, a boy of the flowers. I hope I haven’t scared you; I have no intentions on hurting you, merely wanted to extend a hand to help you home so nobody else hurts you. You have my word” Dream reassured him. There was no way this boy was going to be walking home this late at night alone. He was sure to be hurt somehow.
“Oh, okay. I can pay you for this service. Uh, my coins are at my home but, I will be sure you are-“George rambled but was cut off by Dream laughing.
“You are such an innocent soul Georgie, I wouldn’t have offered to do this, if I had wanted paid for it. I think you’re quite the piece of art, they need to be handled with care, you know. I want to walk you home so long as you allow me to meet with you again.”
George blushes and nods, walking closer to Dream and taking his hand. They walk maybe 15minutes before arriving at Georges quarters. They talk the whole time and even spend some time talking in front of the house. It may be quick but, George has never felt safer with someone.
“Well darling, thank you for giving me the pleasure of walking you home but, I must return to mine before my mother sends a brigade after me” Dream was always a charmer and George was no exception to this.
“I wish you could stay longer sir Dream; I’ve enjoyed your company” George admits.
“If you want me to come see you tomorrow, I will gladly do so” Internally Dream was screaming, not only was George stunning, he was smart and funny. There was no way Dream could get this boys attention for more than tonight.
“Maybe stop by for lunch, if you are around of course. I always have extra food but nobody to talk to”
“What about your father?” George sighs lightly.
“He’s been sick lately, so I have been all alone at work” Dream offers him a smile and rubs George’s shoulder.
“I’m so sorry George, if you need anything, I’m here for you. I would love to join you for lunch tomorrow, say high noon?” George is beaming. A boy in this town cared about him.
“Of course, that would be perfect love, I will see you then” George confirms.
“I bid you a goodnight darling, sleep well, pretty boys like you deserve all the rest they can get” Dream leans forwards and kisses George’s cheek without thinking. He’s quickly thrown off, a blush blooming and a giggle sounding from George.
“I apologize if that was wrong of me, or too forward or- “
“It was fine, uh good, great even! I enjoyed the feeling darling” George’s accent heavy as the night draws on.
Dream leaves with a smile and chuckle, saying his goodnights to George again.
As George lays in his bed at night, his mind is filled with the tall blonde he hopes to see tomorrow as promised.
He does. Dream was right on time.
This carries over into the present time, years later and whispered confessions of love fading into the night sky. Dream is still always on time, always at George’s beck and call. They were not allowed to be together at all. The town would not like that as much as the royals did not. So, the boys loved in secret.
“Hey Dream, right on time as usual” George chants, bouncing over to the blonde quickly wrapping him in a hug.
“Always for you my love” He quietly tells his lover. Pulling apart, the small group walk into the forest away from the rest of the town. Where they walk to is a hidden cave on the side of forest, only accessible by climbing through rocks and over a large body of water. The boys had found it a while back and Karl along with Sapnap had immediately taken the time to decorate it with lights and seating, just for the four of them. It was their sanctuary to love their significant others as they please.
As much as George and Dream were slightly jealous of the royal duo, they wouldn’t have it any other way. The boys loved each other more than anything in the world and even if they could only share it with two other people, it was enough for them. Upon meeting, they knew there was nothing that could keep them apart. A boy made of flowers and his angel, attached at the hip, friends to many but, lovers to few.