Chapter Text
George's bookbag dug into his shoulder as he waited for the bus to take the short ride to the academic buildings. Rain battered the plastic shelter at the bus stop, creating a relaxing rhythmic beat. Beside him Karl hummed an unfamiliar tune. Some unreleased music had just dropped and Karl wouldn't shut up about it.
New England was aptly named. The rain was the same in Vermont as it was in the UK. The decaying smell of leaves drifted up from quickly growing puddles.
“You okay, man?” Karl asked, taking out an earbud. “You look a little pale, I mean more than usual.”
“Yeah, I'm good,” George managed a half smile. He'd woken up with a headache that morning, but he'd taken some pain meds. They hadn't fully kicked in, but he was fine enough to attend his Friday lecture.
“You wanna hang out with me and Sapnap this weekend?” Karl asked.
“Sure, I have to get a project done, but I can work on my laptop,” George said, “I'll text Dream.”
Karl let out a light snort. “Of course.”
George shook his head. He pulled out his phone and sent Dream a text.
Sapnap and Karl's place was best for meeting up over the weekends. They lived in the couples dorms, which offered way more space than the single omega or alpha dorms. Besides the fact that half of them would be left out if they tried meeting in either George or Dream's dorm rooms.
George really liked living at the university. But it had been hard adjusting to not being able to go bother Dream in his own room the way he had when they were in high school. No omegas in the alpha dorms and all that.
Part of George's stomach spasmed painfully. George rested a hand on his abdomen, breathing through it. Odd. Karl hadn't noticed. But maybe he was right about George not feeling well. His headache hadn't dulled any. Now that he thought about it, he'd taken the meds over an hour before. They should have kicked in. But instead things were getting worse.
The rain poured harder. Streams ran off the top of the bus shelter.
George's phone hummed, a text back from Dream.
Dream: works for me
George lifted his fingers to type a reply, but the letters went out of focus for a moment.
“So is he coming?” Karl asked.
George shook his head and just hit a button to reply with an emoji. He grunted as another pang of pain twisted his gut.
“George, hey, you okay?” Karl waved his hand inches from George's face. “You don't smell right. Maybe you should just walk back. I can take a note to your professor.”
Karl's voice was distant, as though he were on the other side of a pane of glass. The rain was so loud. When did the rain get so loud?
Something's wrong. George looked down at his hand. It was pale pink, blurred against the pavement below.
“I might throw up,” George got out. Those meds hadn't worked at all. His headache was worse. Why was it so damn loud?
“I'm gonna walk you back to your dorm,” Karl rested a hand on George's shoulder.
“Yeah,” George nodded. It didn't feel like his head was moving.
He took a step forward, guided by Karl's hand.
Thunk.
Somehow the pavement had found the side of his face. Water ran cold against his cheek. Oh, guess I fell.
“George!” Karl cried, gripping his shoulders and trying to turn him over.
Everything went black.
* * *
The dull hum of a hospital room greeted George when he woke. He was met with the smooth powder blue walls, the wall-mounted television, and rough bedsheets. The room was warm and smelled like vanilla. That was nice. Vanilla was a calming scent for most omegas.
“George?” a female voice asked. “George, are you awake? Can you hear me?”
George turned his head and made eye contact with the nurse standing at the edge of his bed. She was a short omega, pretty with curly red hair.
Something tugged on his arm when he moved to sit up. A thin tube was taped to the inside of his arm. George followed the tube to a bag of clear liquid on a hook beside the bed.
“George?” the nurse repeated.
“Yeah,” George replied. He felt like parts of his brain were floating. The pain had gone entirely. He wanted to sleep again, the bed was comfy, he could sleep some more.
“I need to take a few vitals, okay?” she asked.
George nodded.
“The doctor will be in soon. He's just finishing with another patient,” the nurse said. She took George's hand and clipped a sensor onto his finger.
George looked past the nurse to the observation window looking out into the hall. Karl and Sapnap stood side by side, craning their necks to see what was happening. Karl had gone quite pale, and his eyes were red.
“Do you know those two?” the nurse asked. “The omega is the one who brought you in. He and the alpha insist they are friends of yours, but we can't allow visitors that aren't family without permission.”
“They're friends,” George answered. He put on a smile. Hopefully they both saw that.
“Well, they can see you as soon as I'm done here.” The nurse smiled.
“What happened?” George asked, rubbing his head with his free hand.
“I have to let the doctor answer that, but I can tell you it doesn't seem to be too serious,” she reassured, noting something on her clipboard. “I do need to ask about any medications you might be taking.”
“Just an allergy medication, one of the over the counter ones,” George answered, “oh, and my heat suppressants.”
The nurse nodded and continued writing. “Do you know the prescription and dosage?”
George answered as best he could. He knew the drug name but not much else. He wished she could just explain.
The door to the room rattled as someone outside shook the handle.
The nurse jumped, letting out a sharp breath.
A tall alpha leaned over to the observation window and pointed to the door, mouthing something George couldn't make out. Dream. With his dirty blond hair, baggy hoodie, and worried expression. His hair lay slick on his forehead, and the shoulders of his hoodie were darker from the downpour. Stupid, he didn't need to get rained on over George. He didn't stop talking, even though Sapnap tried pulling him away from the door.
“Do I need to call security?” the nurse asked, anxiety mounting in her voice.
“No, no, he's a friend,” George assured. Dream was supposed to be in class. Stupid Karl had probably texted him. It was embarrassing enough George had passed out in front of Karl. Now Dream had to see him like this?
“Not one for patience, is he?”
“No,” George chuckled. He waved at his three friends, making sure he got Dream's attention. The tall alpha didn't seem satisfied with a wave and a smile. He positioned himself, arms crossed, right outside the door.
The nurse hummed to herself as she finished taking George's blood pressure.
“Alright, I'll tell the doctor you're ready, just a few minutes,” she smiled.
As soon as the nurse opened the door Dream's voice came through.
“George!” Dream's gold eyes found George as the nurse squeezed by. “I just need to see him, we're friends, he needs-” The door shut abruptly, and George watched as Dream followed the nurse, pointing back at the door. He didn't look angry, but he definitely wasn't happy. Sapnap pulled on Dream's sleeve and Dream rounded on him. The two alphas shared some words involving a lot of pointing and insistent looks George's direction. George waved to Karl, who smiled back, rolling his eyes.
Emotions were clearly running high, and George still didn't understand what had happened. He felt okay. Dream was supposed to be in class. This was not 'harass a nurse' worthy.
George tried sorting through what had happened that morning that could have caused him to faint. He didn't feel sick. More like his whole body was just wound a little too tight, and his head was slowly drifting in and out of focus. It wasn't a bad feeling, just not right.
A gentle knock sounded at the door before the electronic lock turned green, and a middle-aged man in a white coat stepped in. George wasn't positive, but he was pretty sure the doctor was a beta, but maybe his sense of smell was fucked up.
“Hi George, I'm Doctor Avery,” the doctor greeted, offering a soft smile. He held onto a black clipboard, which he turned a few pages on before continuing.
“Can you tell me what you remember?” the doctor asked, pen poised over his notes.
“I fell at my bus stop this morning,” George answered, “that's it.”
“And you didn't wake up with any concerning feelings? Pain, nausea-”
“A little lightheaded, I did get a headache, but now my stomach doesn't feel great,” George answered.
The doctor nodded and made another note.
“Well, I got your blood work back, and you experienced an episode of syncope induced by estrogen dysregulation.”
“What?” George didn't know how he was meant to react to that. He didn't even know half those words.
“Fainting caused by a sudden irregular hormonal shift,” the doctor answered, still smiling reassuringly. It couldn't be that serious if he was smiling. George felt fine. Minus the creeping ache in his gut and the fact his brain felt like it was floating out of the room. He was fine.
“It's an uncommon side effect of heat suppressants,” the doctor explained, “especially in younger patients, we can see low iron levels. Now we ran your blood, and your iron was concerningly low, as well as your blood pressure.”
“What's this mean then?” George asked. That all sounded more serious.
“Well, ordinarily shifts in your cycle are regulated more gradually if left alone, but suppressants stop that shift that sends you into heat entirely. And normally that works for most patients. When it doesn't your system can freak out, causing unpredictable shifts in hormone levels. When that happens, the standard is to take the patient off suppressants immediately to let the system re-regulate. With side effects this severe, we don't generally recommend starting suppressants again, even on a lower dose.”
“But how's that possible? I've been taking them over six months now.” George didn't want to panic. He'd been fine before. He'd liked the last half-year, not having to worry about his cycle getting in the way of things.
“Sometimes we can tolerate things for a while before our system rejects them,” the doctor said. “I'm going to prescribe iron supplements, and I can write you a note so you can get leave when you do go into heat again. You're a student, right?”
George nodded.
“It will take a few weeks for your iron to regulate, and there are some concerns with stopping suppressants too abruptly. Do you have a roommate or a family member who can help you for the next few weeks?”
“Weeks?” George didn't have time for any of this.
“Yes, especially with your case, you should limit physical activity, and recovery can be rough. If there are adverse withdrawals, you'll need someone close.” The doctor made a few more notes before smiling again at George.
“I can take care of myself,” George said without thinking.
“At least for the following twenty-four hours, unless you want to spend the night in the hospital,” the doctor said.
“Can I talk to my friends first?”
“Of course.” The doctor glanced over to the window looking into the room. Dream and Sapnap didn't look impressed.
“I also would recommend starting a new method of birth control,” the doctor added. “It can help regulate hormones as you adjust to the absence of suppressants, and you will start experiencing heat again.”
“Oh, yeah,” George said, his brain tripped over the mention of 'birth control'. He hadn't had to think about that in a while, and it was just . . . a lot. He didn't have a partner so it wasn't a big deal. Not like he had any immediate worries.
“I'll add that prescription and send those to the pharmacy downstairs,” the doctor scribbled away on his clipboard. “Your friends can come in, and the nurse will be back in a few minutes with care instructions.”
The doctor walked back to the door and held it open, waving in Dream, Sapnap and Karl.
Dream pushed the door a little too hard as he half-jogged into the room with the other two on his heels.
“George, what the fuck happened?” Dream demanded. He came to an abrupt halt right next to the head of George's bed, craning over him.
“Dude, look at him, let him fucking rest why don't you, before you interrogate him,” Sapnap said, standing at the foot of George's bed.
“I'm fine guys, really,” George assured, looking between Dream's worried eyes and Sapnap's furrowed brow.
“Were you hurt?” Karl asked, voice much gentler than the others.
At first George didn't understand the question. Oh. He had fallen on the pavement, hard. Now that he thought about it, his whole left shoulder ached. But there weren't any bandages, so it couldn't be that bad. Nothing for Karl to worry over.
“My shoulder hurts a little, but-”
“Why didn't you catch him?” Dream accused Karl.
“You wanna try that again?” Sapnap said, taking Karl's hand.
“Can we just try to relax? I know emotions are running high, but George doesn't need us fighting,” Karl said.
The other two nodded.
“You look like an idiot,” George commented, grinning up at Dream. He looked so stupid half-soaked from the rain. His usually fluffy hair glistened in long strands on his forehead.
“It's just a little rain,” Dream dismissed.
“It's freezing outside.”
“Good thing I run hot.”
Sapnap snorted.
“I didn't mean – ugh, you know what I meant.” Dream shook his head in defeat.
George laughed. Dream flustered was always entertaining, especially when he dug his own grave.
“Can I text Tina?” Karl asked, holding up his phone.
“This really isn't text everyone worthy,” George said.
“Look, you're lucky I didn't text your mom,” Karl said. “And I mean, I think Dream might have actually tried to kill me if I didn't tell him.” Karl glanced up at Dream with an awkward smile.
Dream didn't refute the statement.
George elbowed Dream in the thigh.
“Ow!” Dream ruffled George's hair in response.
“Hey!” George tried smoothing it back down.
“I wouldn't have done anything,” Dream said, “probably.”
“See?” Karl raised his eyebrows, looking sideways at Dream.
A hand rested gently on George's shoulder. George wasn't sure Dream had even realized he'd done it. His thumb slowly rubbed a soothing, circular pattern against the fabric of George's hospital gown.
George became aware of all three pairs of eyes on him, waiting for something.
“There was a problem with my suppressants,” George finally admitted.
George explained everything, pulling on the edges of his sheets, not really looking at any one of them. Dream and Sapnap were both alphas, but they were his closest friends so he didn't feel too awkward explaining it to them. Even though he caught Sapnap shifting uncomfortably on certain topics.
“I can do it,” Dream broke the silence.
“Dream, you can't. They won't let an alpha in my dorm,” George said, already knowing what was coming next.
“Then we get a couples dorm,” Dream said matter-of-factly.
Sapnap made a choking sound.
“Relax, as friends,” Dream glared over at Sapnap. “Come on, we've talked about it before, so we could be closer, and it would make streaming a hell of a lot easier.”
George chewed on his lower lip. They had talked about getting a couples dorm room before.
The school had an entire dorm set aside for couples, mated or otherwise. One of the main uses was to accommodate students in heat who had a partner, since the other dorms were quartered by gender. It was a pretty easy process, just some paperwork informing the school they were together. Some colleges in more conservative states required a couple be mated before allowing them to dorm together. But in Vermont a simple piece of paper confirming some sort of relationship was good enough. It was really to protect the university. They didn't want alphas trying to sneak into the omega dorms to see their partners and vice versa.
And people did it as friends. That was how Karl and Sapnap had started. There were even temporary rooms for students just to spend heats together. It wasn't a big deal. No one would think anything weird was going on.
Dream had been George's best friend since middle school, when George had been the awkward British transfer student new to the States. Yep, that was Dream, his big, stupid best friend. No one knew him better. Dream wasn't an alpha - he was just Dream. They'd been scheming about being roommates since George could remember.
But then a lot changed. Elliot happened . . . and they both forgot about the plan.
“Just until you're better,” Dream said, reassuring.
“I can take care of myself,” George said, crossing his arms.
“I know. I just wanna make sure you're doing it right,” Dream teased, and George couldn't help cracking a smile. He really did feel like shit. Having Dream's help would be a load off his shoulders.
“Okay,” George nodded, “we can dorm together, or whatever.”
“How romantic,” Karl mocked.
“Shut up.”
“So they wanted me to sign something?” Dream asked.
“Yeah, that you'll watch me for the next 24 hours or something,” George admitted.
“George, that's serious,” Sapnap scolded.
“I'm fine,” George said in mounting frustration. This was what he didn't want, his two alpha friends getting overly protective.
“Okay well, we better hurry then,” Dream said. “I think we're too late to get a proper dorm room today, but we can definitely get one of the heat rooms.”
“Dream,” George cautioned. It was one thing to get a dorm together. No one would have any reason to think anything was going on. But if they got one of the heat rooms that told a completely different story. Even if they had no intention of doing anything. George wasn't even in heat for fuck's sake.
“The next 24 hours George,” Dream said, “that's the only kind of room we can get with this short notice unless you'd rather get a hotel room.”
George shook his head. Anything but a hotel room. He wasn't doing that again.
“Then it's settled,” Dream nudged George's arm, “c'mon, it'll be like our old sleepovers.”
* * *
Discharge from the hospital went quickly after Dream assured them George wasn't going to be alone that night. Thankfully he let Karl go into the downstairs pharmacy to pick up his new prescriptions.
Karl didn't say anything as George was handed his three new medications: iron supplements, anti-nausea meds, and birth control. He understood.
“I can help get anything you need out of your dorm, just make me a list,” Karl said, putting an arm around George's shoulders. Not Karl too. With Dream and Sapnap it made sense; they were alphas, they didn't notice when they did stupid stuff that was too protective. Karl did not need to also treat George like he was at risk of dropping dead any second. But the gesture was comforting, especially coming from another omega.
The rain hadn't stopped when they met with Dream and Sapnap in the pickup area outside the hospital. The neon signs marking buildings and departments shone an eerie shade of pale blue through the storm.
Dream drove the four of them in his car to the omega dorms first. It was a short ride from the hospital. George sat in the passenger seat. For once he hadn't had to fight Karl or Sapnap for shotgun. Man it was gonna be a while before they started treating him normal again. The nurse had given care instructions and made everything sound so serious. He wasn't allowed to do any physical activity for a whole week, and he had to get his blood re-tested in a week. Stupid suppressants.
Karl was quick to gather a box full of George's essentials for the night. He even managed to get the correct change of clothes George had asked for. They'd have time to move the rest another day. George just needed to get through the first day.
No one said anything about the actual plan. And that was fine with George. He wasn't in the mood to hear a bunch of jokes on the subject of him and Dream getting one of the heat rooms for the night, or them finally going through with their plan to get a couples dorm.
George was frustrated. He wanted to be excited that he'd finally get to move in with his best friend. He just wished the circumstances were different. They hadn't had time to plan anything, and he couldn't help but wonder if Dream felt pressured. He wasted way too much time trying to look out for George.
Karl made a few lighthearted comments, but for the most part, they rode in silence. Everyone was tired; it was almost 4 pm. Dream ran the heater way higher than he usually allowed. George wasn't dying from hypothermia. But he didn't protest. It probably wouldn't be long before he was begging to stop Dream from driving with the windows down in the middle of winter.
“Shit,” Dream said under his breath as he pulled into the lot for the couple's dorm. “I'm gonna have to get a new parking pass for here aren't I?”
“Yeah,” Sapnap answered.
Dream parked in front of the main office for the dorm.
The building was the largest set of dorms on campus. Red brick outlined several multi-story dorms with slanted metal roofs. They looked just like the omega dorms, with the exception that there were more windows. George knew from hanging in Sapnap and Karl's room that the rooms were essentially two-bedroom apartments, if not a little sparing on the square footage.
“Lemme carry that,” Sapnap said, taking the box of George's stuff from Karl.
“Umm, actually, you guys can go,” George said. “It's probably best if Dream and I go to the office by ourselves.”
“You sure?”
“I can carry a stupid box Sapnap,” George said, his patience thinning.
“Okay, well, text us,” Karl said, resting a hand on George's shoulder and giving it a squeeze before he opened his door.
“Thanks,” was all George got out. He was getting tired.
“Just sleep, and make sure he eats, and-”
“Bye Karl,” George waved. Sapnap put a hand on Karl's waist, and they walked back to their room in the third building.
“Ready?” Dream asked, splitting a grin. Maybe he really was excited about the move.
George nodded. He hoped there wasn't too much paperwork, all he wanted to do was lie down.
The office was more like the type of thing they had at the DMV. A low counter, white halogen lights, and way too much beige. The whole place smelled like paper and stale ink. It wouldn't kill them to scent it with something nice.
A single administrator occupied one of the end service stations at the counter.
Dream and George were the only ones, so they approached when she waved them over.
“IDs,” she asked, tapping the counter. They both handed over their student ID cards. The administrator was older, maybe in her fifties, with gray hair pulled back into a tail. Sharp blue eyes narrowed on the pair of them as she pulled up their profiles on her computer.
“And what is it you need?” she asked, monotone.
“We, uh, wanted to apply for a shared dorm room,” Dream spoke up. He sounded cool and collected, but under the counter George noticed his leg bouncing.
“Sure, fill these out and make sure both your signatures are on each sheet. Don't mix them up. One's marked for the alpha, the other for the omega.” She slid two clipboards onto the counter and highlighted the lines for signatures.
“So we can get in today?” George asked.
“No,” the administrator answered, “these take twenty-four hours minimum to process.”
“We need a room tonight,” Dream said, offering a smile.
“Heat rooms are the only thing that doesn't have a waiting period,” she said with a scolding look, as though she shouldn't have to explain.
Dream put an arm around George's waist pulling him close as he chatted with the administrator while she drew up the paperwork. It wasn't the first time Dream had put his arm around George. George felt a little odd given the circumstance. They were presenting like a couple. But he leaned into the support. The doctor hadn't lied about dizzy spells.
“Okay, can we get that?” Dream asked.
The administrator's eyes narrowed on George. “He isn't in heat.” She didn't leave room in the statement for argument.
“No, but he just got back from the hospital, and I'm supposed to watch him tonight,” Dream said. His attempt to lay on any charm was utterly lost on the woman.
She sighed. “I can make a designation for special use,” she said, pulling out another clipboard.
“Thanks,” Dream said, grabbing a pair of pens.
George took a seat in a folding chair by the door. Dream joined him, and they filled out their forms in silence.
The one for the couple's room was simple and straightforward, it even had options to mark the nature of their relationship. George checked the one marked 'friends' and finished. He initialed the disclaimer stating that he was fully aware and consenting to cohabiting with a student of a different gender.
However the form for the heat room had some very invasive questions. Things like “how many days do your heats typically last(estimate to the nearest day)?” and “have you been sexually intimate with your chosen partner prior to today's date?” Why did they need to know any of that? He finished as quickly as he could, putting n/a down on a few questions because he wasn't in heat!
Dream nudged George.
“What?”
“I need to sign yours,” Dream nodded at George's form.
“Oh yeah.” George handed his over and signed his name under Dream's.
That was it. They'd have their own dorm together.
“You don't have to stand up. I got it,” Dream rested a hand on George's shoulder before he got up and returned the paperwork.
The administrator took a few minutes entering the information into her system. She vanished into a room behind the desk and returned with two keycards.
“Heat rooms are in building one,” she said. “Send requests for fresh linens through your online student accounts. Return your keycards here when you are finished with the room. Any damage is claimed on your student insurance.”
“Got it,” Dream said as he took the cards.
“You'll both get an email when your dorm request has been processed,” she said.
“Oh yeah,” Dream said. “Is there any way we could try and get a dorm near our friends, or at least in the same building?”
“I can add a note,” she said, “but it depends on availability.”
George was glad to finally be out of that office.
Building one was connected to the main office. So all they had to do was go around to the proper entrance.
Inside it looked like the other dorm hallways, with cheap carpet, plain walls, and numbered rooms. The only difference was the aggressive air conditioner cotton scent that permeated the air. George supposed he should be grateful he didn't have to smell the impact of dozens of other students in heat, but he hadn't eaten since breakfast, and the strong scent made him gag.
“I think we're at the end,” Dream pointed, reading their room number off the keycard.
Room 117, the very end of the hall, next to a window looking out onto the greenbelt behind the building. George relaxed a little. It felt more private than he'd been expecting.
Dream swiped his card, and the door unlocked with an electronic beep.
Inside the air was mercifully cleaner. That cotton smell still lingered but it was dull, and the room would smell like the pair of them after an hour or so anyway.
It looked like a small motel room, with a few notable exceptions. A single large bed filled with pillows took up the center of the room. A cart of linens stood at the foot of the bed. In the corner by the door, a small fridge hummed, the sides plastered with various stickers. The only door led into a dark bathroom.
George wasn't sure what he'd expected the room to be like but this wasn't it. He knew one thing, he wouldn't want to have to go through heat in such an impersonal room.
They both stepped inside, kicked off their shoes, and the door swung shut behind Dream. It seemed he was also having trouble taking his eyes off the very singular bed.
“Oh, um, I didn't think about that,” Dream let out a nervous laugh.
George probably should have thought of that. Why would there be two beds?
George didn't say anything. He dropped the box with his stuff and flopped face-first into the bed.
“What, you're not gonna try and make this less awkward?” Dream demanded, his voice muffled by the comforter George had buried his face in. The heat rooms were nice, plenty of extra linens for nests.
“Nope!” George rolled over. “And why's it awkward?” Dream was being stupid. It was only weird if they let it be. They'd known each other for too long to be so immature about the room.
“I'm supposed to be nice to you because you're sick, but if you're gonna be an ass I might adjust my policy,” Dream folded his arms, looking down at George.
“I'm not sick,” George protested.
“Get up then,” Dream challenged.
“I'm comfy,” George pulled on the comforter to cover his feet.
“Uh huh,” Dream shook his head. “At least there's a TV.”
George raised his head. He'd missed the small television mounted on the wall opposite the bed. Probably didn't have any good programs. Maybe it connected to Netflix.
“Karl and Sapnap are sending pizza,” Dream said, holding up his phone.
George found the remote on the headboard and started messing around with the TV. It just connected to local free channels. He skimmed until it landed on a show that would make good background noise.
Dream sat on the corner of the bed and watched along with George.
Slowly they forgot about where they were and started picking out stupid names in the show's credits and sending pictures to their group chat with Karl and Sapnap.
An hour later Dream got up and left, returning with a pizza box.
“Did you take your meds?” Dream asked, closing the lid to the pizza box before George could grab a piece.
“I can take them after,” George said, leaning to try to grab the box. Dream jerked it away. “Hey!”
“It literally says to take before eating,” Dream said, holding up the sheet the nurse had given George.
“Fine,” George grumbled.
Dream stepped into the bathroom and filled one of the plastic cups by the sink with water. He handed it to George with what George could only read as exasperation. George dug the bottle of anti-nausea meds from his pocket and swallowed one, finishing with the water.
“Happy now?” George said flatly.
“Have you considered not making things difficult?”
“Have you considered that you don't have to become my mom just because I'm a little under the weather?” George snipped back.
“A little under the weather,” Dream repeated in a terrible British accent. Dream barely got the words out before he doubled over laughing. Eight years and his fake accent hadn't improved one bit. It was almost endearing.
The pizza was good. But it wasn't long after finishing a few slices that George's stomach started hurting. He leaned forward a little not wanting to worry Dream more.
Dream moved up to the head of the bed and sat across from George, his left leg hanging off the side entirely. He brushed his fingers over George's hand.
“Can I?” Dream asked.
George nodded in answer as Dream took his hand and slowly rubbed their wrists together. Dream knew he didn't need to ask before scenting like that, but he always did anyway. So George had given up telling him off for being polite. Light scenting was normal between friends and was even encouraged to make platonic relationships stronger.
The gesture released Dream's usual fresh lime scent, almost overpowering George's floral rose. The soothing effect was pretty immediate. George's mind didn't focus so much on his abdominal pain or the stress from that morning. Dream wasn't being subtle with efforts to make George feel better, but he seemed to think that was his job.
Wait.
“Didn't you have an important interview or something today?” George asked. He vaguely remembered Dream talking about something for his English program. It was hard to remember everything Dream said sometimes, he went on and on about books, and most of it was just Dream rambling about whatever pretentious book he was currently reading.
“Nah,” Dream waved a dismissive hand. “I just had a quiz. I can make it up next week.”
“Dream that's important,” George said. Why did Karl text him? He knew Dream would drop everything. And it could have waited at least till Dream's classes were over. He'd skipped the whole day.
“Really, my early semester quiz about Shakespeare's early plays is life or death?” Dream mocked. “Seriously, it's not a big deal, my lit professor loves me.”
“Okay, you don't need to turn this into an ego stroking monologue,” George said, not quite convinced. He could have sworn there was something more important that day.
They watched a few episodes of some cop procedural. Halfway through the third episode Dream got up and pulled a few pillows off the bed, then grabbed some linens off the cart at the end of the bed.
“What are you doing?” George asked.
“Getting ready for bed. It's late, George,” Dream said, throwing it all on the floor.
“But why are you doing that?” George asked.
Dream's eyes darted from the floor to the bed to George. “Padding, I'm not gonna break my back sleeping on the floor raw.”
George was confused. This had been Dream's idea and he was suddenly the uncomfortable one. The bed was massive, it wasn't like they'd have to touch.
"Just sleep here." George gestured to the large amount of space, trying to show Dream he was being stupid.
“No, I'm not taking up any space you might need,” Dream shook his head, hair bouncing with the motion. “Besides, if you puke I don't wanna get hit.”
“Just for that I might have to aim for your spot on the floor,” George stuck out his tongue.
“At least it'll be warm,” Dream shrugged.
“Dream, that's disgusting.”
“Then go to sleep,” Dream urged.
“You really don't have to-”
“George, are you trying to get me into bed?” Dream raised his eyebrows, teasing.
“That's not – you know what I meant. Fine, sleep on the stupid floor, see what I care,” George crossed his arms and leaned back into his pile of pillows.
“Goodnight George,” Dream chuckled, before switching off the light.
Eight Years Ago
George's first day of middle school was fine. Just fine. Nothing horrible happened. His classes didn't seem like they'd be too hard; in fact he was definitely ahead in math. But it wasn't great.
Students talked to him, fascinated by his accent, but the novelty wore off in about five minutes, then they forgot about the new kid and fell back to their friends.
Wentworth was such a small community everyone knew each other. The school started at first grade and went all the way through eighth. Everyone had grown up together. Except for George.
“It will take time, just be yourself, and you'll make friends in no time.” George's mum had reassured.
He didn't want new friends. George wanted his old friends from back home. He'd gone from seeing them every day to them being voices he heard through a computer.
Why they had to move to such a stupid city for his dad's work, George didn't understand. His dad got a job in Concord, a big city where things actually happened. But they had to live in a boring small town in the middle of the forest. With a bunch of kids who all knew each other already and didn't need George.
It didn't help that he was a new omega student. No one said anything, but he caught a few people staring.
So it was fine. No one talked to him, but no one was mean. They just let him be, walking around with his bookbag and clothes that were probably a little too formal for school.
When lunch finally rolled around, George didn't sit in the dining hall. It was so loud, and there weren't any empty tables. He didn't want to mess up people's friend groups by taking a seat that wasn't his. So he took his lunch outside on a bench overlooking the schoolyard.
The leaves of the oak trees were starting to change color, from deep green to fiery red. At least that was what George had been told. New England was apparently famous for the beautiful fall colors. But all George saw was the same shade of dull gold. When the leaves changed to red, he'd just see brown.
Being colorblind rarely bothered him. It was frustrating at times. But during the move so many people had brought up the pretty leaves, how beautiful his new home would be. And none of them remembered he couldn't fucking see any of that.
George nibbled at the edge of his sandwich, trying to imagine why people obsessed over fall color. If the leaves turned blue and purple, now that would be something.
“People are gonna think you're weird if you sit out here alone like this,” a voice said behind George.
He turned and found himself looking up at a tall alpha student, with dusty brown hair and yellow eyes. His faded hoodie had the school logo printed on it.
“Maybe I am weird,” George said, a little stunned. A cute alpha had just talked to him, was smiling at him.
“Mind if I sit?” the boy asked.
George shook his head and moved over to make room on the bench.
“I saw you in English,” the boy said, “sorry, I wasn't making a joke. I meant we both have Russell third period.”
“Oh,” was all George managed.
“Sorry, my name's Dream,” the boy held out his hand awkwardly. George took it, wrapping his hand around Dream's long fingers. “Okay, well, that's what you can call me. My actual name is Clay, but I prefer Dream, umm, anyway . . .”
Dream's leg bounced against the edge of the bench. George smiled.
“I'm George,” George said.
“You're new,” Dream observed. “You like it so far?”
George shrugged.
“Yeah,” Dream nodded in understanding. “Fall's coming, so the trees are gonna be great in a few weeks.”
“I wouldn't know,” George mumbled, setting down his sandwich. “I'm colorblind.”
“Oh,” Dream said, “well, another thing I like about fall is how the trees contrast with the sky. You know, they get darker in color, and it just makes the blue come to life. You can see blue, right?”
George nodded.
“Well, there you go,” Dream clapped George on the back.
They'd barely talked five minutes, and Dream had figured out George's favorite color on his own. How?
George stole another look over at Dream. His lanky frame hunched slightly, long legs stretched out on the pavement. They were required to wear scent blockers at school, even though their scents were still developing. But George caught fragments of citrus coming off the alpha.
“Dream!” A boy's voice shouted from the doors to the lunch room. “Get in here. Alex is gonna do that thing with the chocolate milk again!”
Dream turned around, rolling his eyes. A shorter boy with scruffy hair and a large hoodie hung off the door handle of the lunch room.
“I've seen it!” Dream called back.
“It's okay,” George said, “you can go back with your friends.”
Dream shook his head. “I can miss them being stupid this one time.”
The clouds overhead shifted and sunlight spilled across the schoolyard. When Dream smiled back at George, his eyes were practically glowing. Pretty.
A few seconds passed where they both just stared. George was painfully aware of how awkward things were, but he couldn't take his eyes away from Dream's. A weird feeling took shape, his stomach felt lighter, and he became aware of his heart beating just a little faster. A spark passed between them, making the hairs on the back of George's neck prickle.
“Hey, we're hanging out this weekend at my house,” Dream said, “playing games and stuff. You wanna come?”
“Really? You don't even know me,” George perked up all the same.
“Sure I do,” Dream grinned. He held up a hand and started counting off on his fingers, “you're British, you like blue, you have third-period English, you're short, oh, and you're weird.”
“I'm not short,” George protested, “you're just too tall.”
“Oh no, whatever will I do with my superior height, reach the top shelves of things without needing a stool?” Dream put on an overly dramatic voice.
“More like hit your head on a door-frame,” George replied.
“Just gimme your number.” Dream pulled a notebook out of his backpack and handed George a pen. “I'll text you. My mom will probably make cookies or something. It'll be fun.”
George scribbled down his number.
“And don't worry,” Dream said, “you won't be the only omega, our friend Tina's coming too. I think you two will really like each other.”
George hadn't even thought about it. He guessed that would make his mom feel better. She probably didn't want him just making friends with a bunch of alphas.
Dream got to his feet, picking up his backpack. George's heart sunk a little. After that, he didn't want to go back to sitting by himself.
“Wanna come sit with us?” Dream tilted his head, “I can introduce you to the group.”
“Yeah!” George jumped to his feet so quickly he almost spilled his lunch.
“Sap, tell Alex to get more chocolate milk, the new guy wants to see,” Dream yelled through the open lunchroom door.
George trotted after Dream and took a seat on the edge of the table bench, side pressed against the tall alpha, looking at a row of fresh smiling faces.
Maybe his first day of middle school was better than just fine.