Chapter Text
“Everyone, in your seats please, you only have two hours to complete this experiment.” Prof. Halo shouted over the din in the chemistry lab.
Dream tugged with excitement on his best friend Sapnap’s arm, “We’re gonna speedrun this, is going to be so easy.”
“Sorry,” the teacher replied. “I’m picking lab partners today.”
Everyone in the lab groaned, except for George, who was leaning on the soapstone countertop, head in his hands as he stared out the window at who knows what.
Probably daydreaming.
“Sapnap, you’re paired with Karl." Professor Halo gestured to the first lab station. "And Dream, you’re paired with George.”
Dream grabbed his notebook and rolled his eyes as he made his way across the room while Sapnap and Karl snickered. “Really? George?”
“Yes, Dream,” The professor shut his binder. “He’s been struggling lately, and you're my best student, so I thought you could help him out.”
“I guess.” Dream slumped onto the stool and turned to face his new lab partner - the shy, nerdy brunet who knew absolutely nothing about chemistry.
“Sorry.” George peered up through thick lashes with deep chocolate eyes.
Dream’s scowl softened as his heart did a little flip. He’d never really noticed it before, but George was kind of, well... cute.
In a nerdy, idiotic sort of way.
“Whatever,” Dream blinked the thoughts away as he set his notebook on the countertop. “Let’s just get this lab done.”
Over the next two hours, they botched the experiment, not once but twice.
The first time was George’s fault for not being able to see the correct colors when they changed at the end of the reaction. (Why would someone who’s colorblind take a freaking chemistry class?)
The second time was because Dream got distracted by Sapnap’s teasing and forgot to turn down the bunsen burner.
Before he knew it, the class was over, without any progress to show for it.
Dream approached the teacher cautiously, “Professor Halo, can we stay to run through the lab one more time?”
Dream squeezed his eyes shut. If he failed this class, he’d never get into the pharmacy program.
“Sure, I trust you.” Professor Halo smiled. “Just lock up when you’re done.”
“Thanks!” Dream exhaled a sigh of relief, then glanced over at George.
“I’m sorry.” They both said at the same time, then laughed.
A blush crept up Dream’s neck at the melodious sound bursting from George's lips.
“Hey,” George opened his notebook. “How about this… you do the experiment, and I’ll write the lab report.”
"Well, you can help a little.” Dream replied as he handed George a graduated cylinder.
“Are you sure?” George accepted it with hesitation, their fingers brushing for a moment.
“Yeah," Dream replied. "And I really appreciate you writing the report. I suck at writing. I’m much better at messy shorthand than writing papers.”
“Good thing I’m a journalism major.” George grinned, his smile lighting up the room.
“You know.” Dream carefully mixed the chemicals and set the beaker over a low flame, glad for the relative silence to help him focus. “I could use some help with my English essay.”
“Only if you’ll help me study for the chem exam on Friday.”
“Deal.” Dream held out his hand.
A spark of electricity traveled up Dream's wrist as George took his hand, looked up at him and smiled.
And that, my friends… is Chemistry. :)