(un)usual call

George's phone rang.

That was a curious thing in and of itself, mostly given the hour and how his phone was put on do not disturb, and especially how it was Dream.

He usually didn't call. At least, not much anymore. Not when only doors and a few steps over separated them.

George fiddled for a moment, briefly considering if this was some kind of urgent matter. He grinned at the thought. He knew it wasn't, he also knew what he wished it was, almost what he expected it was, so he answered.

"Hello, Dream?"

"Yeah, hey, hi, George," the other greeted, something breathless in his voice, something eager, "You doing anything?"

"Not really."

George could tell Dream was doing his best to keep his cool, to act nonchalant and casual, even though he knew the other wanted something, which was immediately confirmed when Dream replied, "I was thinking we could call, you know, talk, like we used to."

"Hm," George murmured, feigning ignorance like he didn't know exactly where this was going, already preparing to leave his office as he powered his computer down, "What does that entail, Dream?"

"Talking, mostly."

"You just wanna talk?"

He heard Dream shift, his tone weighted as he carefully skirted around the words, "Well, talk about what we're doing. Talk and.. help each other out."

"Oh," George raised an amused brow, "So, it's like that today, is it?"

"Thought it might be fun. It's," Dream let out a slight exhale, "It's been awhile."

Which was true. They hadn't done this since George was back in London. Not in the same house. Not while being so close to each other that they didn't need the middleman of a phone to connect them.

"I guess," George petulantly conceded, as if there wasn't already excitement, wasn't already a reaction to the insinuation Dream was presenting, "You need it that bad?"

"No," Dream scoffed, like that was such a ridiculous claim, "I don't need it. I just.. want it."

"Mm," George responded, "You want me to talk to you?"

"Yes."

"Okay, then, what are you doing?"

Dream's reply was easy, relaxed as soon as George said the words that showed this was beginning, how they always started these games, "Laying in bed."

"Really?" George mused, as if he didn't know exactly why and where this was heading, "Why is that?"

"Just waiting. Waiting for you."

Dream wasn't even trying to save face at this point. George grinned at the other's obviousness, clearly he was impatient, and, taunting slightly, he questioned, "How long?"

The other paused for a moment, reluctant to give George such information, "I dunno. Like, maybe an hour?"

"An hour?" George repeated back, something so vindicated licking at his words, "Waiting all this time just for me to talk to you? Seems like you do need it."

Dream let out a breath, but he had nothing with which to defend himself, so he caved, "Yeah."

"Yeah?"

George got up from his chair then, and Dream picked up on the movement instantly, asking his own question of, "What're- What are you doing?"

"Walking to my room."