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7

"Dead?" George was taken back by his words, his expression falling.

"You just disappeared. I tried to call you for months-" he stuttered "no never answered George. After Sap left it was harder to believe you were okay. So, i found it easier to tell myself you had passed away, i didn't want to think that you hated me and just wanted to get rid of me."

"I'm here." George reached out, letting his hand rest on Dreams knee, his expression soft and doe like. His big brown eyes really were something, Dream would've fallen apart if he wasn't constantly distracted by them. "i guess you deserve an explanation." He sighed.

"no- no i dont- not if you're ready."

"Stop," he hushed, "i want to explain."

Slowly Dream nodded, George's hand was taken away from dreams leg, he almost let out a small whine at the loss of contact, but kept all noises to himself waiting for his friend to talk.

"Right so, eight months before i left i was diagnosed with liver cancer." He paused, fiddling with his fingers. he watched how dreams expression twisted into a much deeper frown. "I kinda freaked out at first, as anyone would. So you might remembered the few months where i was really sick, just tired all the time and sick."

"Yeah- you told us you had monovirus, so when you stopped face cams we kinda just assumed you were just super sick with it."

"I lied, i was going through chemo. I lost all my hair and i was so fucking embarrassed. Seeing fans get upset that i wasn't streaming as much or posting i don't know why- but it affected me more than i expected. Then it got worse." He shuddered. He felt his hand get held, glancing down and noticing that Dream had wrapped his hand with his, forcing a dopey comforting smile to help ease him. George squeezed gently, letting out a thankful sigh.

"I was told i was going to die if i didn't get a transplant, that's when i lost hope. Transplants were fucking impossible to get.And i broke, so i made a plan." He squeezed tighter onto Dreams hand, not releasing his grip as his tears began to fall faster. "The final time i called you guys, was the night i planned to take my life. I would've rather have died on my own terms than to stupid cancer. So after i left the call i went to the bathroom and i already had everything laid out and i-"

"Stop, please-" Dream voice shuddered "I can't- knowing i tried to help and failed-"

"You didn't, you called me and i stopped everything i was doing. I ignored you the first time- thinking you'd give you. But you didn't, so i answered and tired to keep my cool. And you helped, knowing you cared that much. So i got up after i finished messaging you- uh but things didn't work out."

"I don't really remember what happened- but apparently my downstairs neighbour heard a loud crash, he knew i had cancer and i gave him a spare key for emergencies. According to him i was seizing on the floor, he called an ambulance and they put me in an induced coma. I was in it for about three months, after they tried to take me out of it i crashed and slipped into an actual coma. But- things got better." He smiled.

Dream just nodded to show he was listening, his thumb gently brushing George's hand.

"During the coma, a match for a liver came about, so they performed the surgery. I woke up a week or so later and was told that i was cured i guess? Of course i'm at risk of getting cancer again, but for now everything's good and i've never been better." He lifted his shirt, showing a large scar across his stomach and chest area. "So, yeah. that's why i left."

"Wow, okay uh." Dream pulled his hand away brushing the back of his hair and rubbing his neck nervously. "That's a lot."

"I know, i'm sorry."

"Please stop apologising, George you have nothing to be sorry for."

"I ruined friendships Dream, i hurt you more than i'll ever be able to fix."

"I would've done the same as you did George, please just stop apologising."

"You're probably wondering why i'm in florida"

"Kinda yeah."

"When i got the all clear from the hospital, i got home and first person i tried to message was you. But the messages wouldn't go through, so i tried twitter and realised you had deactivated all you social media's, so i freaked out. I messaged sapnap, checked the next day and i was blocked, i still don't have an explanation for why he blocked me. So i did what anyone would do, i waited and applied for a Visa, got another clear from the hospital and a year or so later i managed to get a flight to florida, went to your address and knocked. Safe to say i was a bit confused when some old woman answered the door, so i just assumed you hated me and moved on, i thought you and Sapnap couldn't stand me and abandoned me."

"No- George i-" He didn't hesitate to lunge forward, pulling George in and holding him tight. "I could never have abandoned you. Me and Sapnap got in a huge fight not long after you left, he moved back to Texas i think- i'm not too sure, we don't talk anymore. I couldn't stay in that house it hurt too much, so i moved and i didn't tell a soul- not even my family. But- i- fuck i wrote to you everyday."

"You wrote to me?" George pulled away from the hug, searching Dreams eyes.

Dream nodded standing quickly and disappearing into the apartment, before reappearing with two big piles of folded letters, each wrapped with a blue bow.

"I wrote letters to you, to make it feel like you were still here. In case you ever came back, so you wouldn't need to be caught up on anything." Hesitantly Dream handed the letters to George who took them with trembling fingers.

"Dream." His voice cracked.

"I'm sorry- did i do something wrong-"

"No, nothing at all. Just- thank you, yknow? For not being a dick about this."

"Why would i? George- seriously i'm just glad you're here right now. I'm so sorry that you went through that all alone. I just want you to know i'm not mad at you and i'm not upset, i'm proud of you for telling me and i'm even more proud of you for fighting and being here right now."

"That's the first time i've heard that since i was told i was free of cancer."

"Well, from now on i'll tell you that i'm proud of you every single day. It's what you deserve and it's true."

"Dream, you can i hug you."

"Is that even a question? Come here." Dream opened his arms and George pulled himself forward, tucking into him and letting his head rest between Dreams neck and shoulder, practically curled up on his lap.

"I love you." Dream whispered, but George was already asleep in the safety of Dreams arms, and to Dream that was okay, he had the rest of his life to tell George he loved him, for now; he just had to focus on George and making sure that everything was okay. Always.