Again, and again, and again
Summary: Sapnap gets given a chance to do things right- he grasps that chance like a lifeline.
Warnings: check Ao3 port for full tags
Authors Note: I fucking did it, all seven days of SNF week written at record speed, I think I'm gonna have a writing crash now, get some well earned rest for my wrists and finger joints. I'll probably try and get out some fluffy crack for the bonus day because sometimes that's what the world needs. @sobredunia I swear I'm taking a break but I want you to look at this anyways cause I'm proud of it. Anyways! If you enjoyed maybe considering leaving a reblog, or checking out the Ao3 port, drop a kudos or comment over there.
"I want a second chance," Sapnap said, forcing his voice calm, the world felt so small around him as the it collapsed in on itself. Eyes trained on Georges form, looking for the smallest give, the faintest sign, any tell of an answer.
All George does is speak, everything else static aside from his voice, "And what makes you think you deserve it?"
"I miss you, I know we're friends still, and that's great! I swear it's amazing that we still hang out all the time," Sapnap explained, his semblance of confidence was starting to fall apart, "But, there's the whole, how do I put this-"
"You miss the sex?" George asked bluntly, relishing in the red that shot to Sapnaps face at the accusation, at the way it short circuited his friends brain.
"Well, yeah, obviously George, but other stuff too," Sapnap said, George stays silent, giving a small gesture to continue, tilting his head and lowering it down again in an instant. Sapnap couldn't help the way hands came to fidget at the hem of his hoodie, mottled gray fabric coming undone at the edges where he rested his hands to tug at it so often, "I just, George I miss all of it."
"None of those are reasons for you to deserve it, that's just whiny begging. Besides, you dumped me first, you're lucky I'm even hearing you out," George said, his voice was too calm. And too cold, icicles sharp as knives thrusting themselves into Sapnaps chest.
Sapnap paused, what was he even supposed to say to crack someone like George. He tapped the tip of his shoe on the ground, raking through his head for words, "Because I was an idiot and I'm not anymore...?"
George rolled his eyes, "I guess that's close enough, but it's been a year, so don't expect instant chemistry all over again," He stepped down from his front door as he spoke, the golden glow from inside silhouetting his form and casting a stretched out shadow.
Sapnap nodded, "I know, thanks."
"Just don't fuck it up this time, cause I won't be ready to hear out a pathetic third times the charm speech," George said, an essence of a smirk on his face as he spoke. He leaned in and placed a kiss to Sapnaps cheek, he tried to push down the urge to do it again.
"I figured as much," Sapnap said, so very, very tempted to return the gesture. Instead all he did was yank George into a short hug, he was shrugged off rather fast, "I love you."
George stayed silent.
Oh, oh did he already mess it up? Too soon? Yeah, he definitely dropped the L word just a little bit too soon. Anything would be better for his sense of dignity right now than stumbling over an apology he can't even picture in his head.
"I love you too idiot," George said, voice just a little bit quieter than before.
-/-/-/-
Sapnap finds himself at Georges door once more, knocking and waiting patiently for his date to arrive. George swung open the door, wearing something just a little bit more refined than usual. And he brushed his hair, it rested differently than it usually did, not by much, but just enough to tell.
"Hi," Sapnap managed just barely.
"Hi," George echoed back in a similar tone.
Sapnap clasped his hands together, "Any place in specific you were thinking of, or?"
George shrugged as he stepped down, following Sapnap down the sidewalk, "Wherever is fine with me, we could go get something from that fancy place you love so much."
"On a first date?" Sapnap asked, he sounded somewhat astonished, but the astonishment rested more in the fact he wasn't sure he grabbed enough pocket change, having left his card at home where Dream was faithfully watching over it.
"Can you really call it a first date?" George asked, "We've gone on a first date before Sap."
"Right," Sapnap begins, "On our first date 2.0?"
George nearly laughs at the concept, "Yes Sapnap, on our first date 2.0 I wanna go somewhere nice and get good food instead of getting something from a Burger King."
"I wasn't gonna take you to a Burger King, I have class," Sapnap said, traffic was already starting to filter into their path downtown. It was always busy downtown, but it felt calmer with someone to talk too.
"Then where were you gonna take me?" George asked, quirking a brow as he spoke.
Sapnap brushed his hand against Georges as he spoke, a silent invitation, "So there's this pizza place that opened up a couple months that me and Dream eat at every now and then, it's pretty good."
"Not really feeling pizza tonight, feeling fish and chips honestly," George said, "I miss Britain as of late."
"There's this place that does great fish 'n chips nearby actually," Sapnap said, diverting away from the planned path, "It's sort of a food truck, but they've been stationary for a while now."
"Every single restaurant ever sells fish and chips Sapnap," George said, he grabbed hold of Sapnaps hand and gave a gentle tug, "We don't have to go all the way to a food truck for one meal."
"What's the fun in getting all sorts of cheap, crappy food when we could go find a place that only makes one kind and does it really good?" Sapnap asked, he sounded somewhat genuine as he spoke.
George paused, "C'mon man, we don't have to get super good food, we never got good food on our dates."
"I was an idiot," Sapnap said, he sounded a bit stern, mostly to scold himself, "I didn't realize that I should cough up some cash for you, besides, you're homesick, a good meal should cure that."
"Fish and chips sound great," George said, crumbling a bit under the pretense that Sapnap wanted to do something nice, not just because he thought it was the right thing. It was the catalyst for the initial cannibalization of their first relationship, eating itself from the inside out, "Thanks."
Sapnap gave a warm smile, melting the frost of Georges hesitation with ease. He laced their fingers together carefully, "It's our first date 2.0, I'm gonna do it right this time."
"Yeah, cause last time you totally messed it up," George said with a somewhat teasing tone.
"I did! I bought us some Burger King, kissed you, and called it a day," Sapnap stated as they came to a pleasant halt at a crosswalk, "I totally fucked it up."
"I thought it was charming, very American," George said.
Sapnap gave a tentative glance to George, "And look where that got us, I was being an idiot and then I broke our relationship."
George squeezed Sapnaps hand a little tighter, "If you start being an idiot again I'll tell you right away, promise."
"Thanks," Sapnap said, a little bit quieter than before.
The street light shifted colors and they took their way through the intersection. Silence was there but it was a comfortable silence, a brief pause compared to gaping silences that once brought more pain than reprieve. One more corner and they were at the food truck, the all too familiar scent had George feeling twisted inside. Not only had he failed to realize he was starving, craving a food of any sort, but it smelt like home. The scent of grease and fish, crisping potatoes and a hearty sprinkling of lemon, that was his home in a meal and he missed it more than he thought he did.
"You good?" Sapnap asked, George nodded.
"'M fine, can I have two fillets?" George asked quietly, reading over the menu briefly.
"Totally," Sapnap said, fishing into his pocket to pull out a fifty dollar bill, the worker perked up and made her way over.
"Sorry for the delay," She said, she sounded spent, overworked.
"It's fine," George said, "We can wait."
She gave a small sigh of relief, "I'll take your order but I'm not sure how fast I can get it done, I'm sort of slammed at the moment."
"Then we'd like three fillets," Sapnap said, placing down the bill on the counter. She hesitantly took it and opened the register, unsure if she had the right bills to exchange, "Don't worry about the change."
"Alright," She jotted down the order on a slip of paper, "You two are number four, I'll call your number when it's ready."
"We'll be listening," Sapnap said before leading George over to one of the few picnic tables, people sat at other ones, waiting for their meal or already indulging.
George sat down across from Sapnap, drumming his hands along the wood.
He gave a small sigh before speaking, "Is it any good?"
"The fish?" Sapnap asked before he could stop himself, it was a stupid question, of course he meant the fish, what else could he mean?
George shot Sapnap a look, "Yes, the fish, is it any good?"
Sapnap nodded, "Totally, I'm always searching for this place, this is the longest it's been in one spot for actually."
George gave a hum, "It smells good."
"Wait until you taste it," Sapnap said, there was a tense pause, "Am I, am I doing this first date thing right?"
The question sucker punches George, "Of course you are, completely different from how you did last time, but you're still doing it right," He briefly thought over his words, "Can you even do a first date properly?"
Sapnap shrugged, "Probably, I bet theres like, books on it."
"I mean, Minecraft didn't have a tutorial but you got good at it, tutorials are for losers," George said, scraping the back end of his nail against partially chipping paint. Picnic tables have been in this town longer than he has, he wonders if he has much use as a picnic table. A conduit to make someone smile, a place people can go to let go and breath for a minute.
Sapnap paused, "Alright, good point, I still feel like I'm fucking it up."
"Would a kiss make it better?" George asked, almost teasingly, shifting the way he held his syllables like he was talking to a child.
Sapnap nodded, "Yeah," He leaned over the table a little bit, "A kiss would totally make it better."
George smirks a bit, "I mean, it's barely been one date-"
"Please," He cuts off George without even thinking, it garners a raised brow, and he does it again, "Please, give me, a kiss. Please."
"I was gonna give you one anyways Sap," George stated calmly before leaning in and gently pressing a kiss to Sapnaps lips, a muted warmth washed over the latter and he liked it just a bit too much.
"Sure you were," Sapnap answered with.
"I really was," George said, "I promise."
Sapnap had to refrain from rolling his eyes, he gave a sarcastic hum.
George placed a hand on top of Sapnaps, he didn't do much more than that. It was just a quiet calm of contact, calluses resting against the back of Sapnaps hand the way they did before. Sapnap let his gaze rest on George, he looked so soft, the sharpness he held dulled just a bit. To anyone else he'd still look sharp enough to verbally cut someone in half, but to Sapnap, to Sapnap the contrast was immeasurable.
"Number four!"
"I," Sapnap began quietly, "I'm gonna go get our food."
"Don't be long," George said, lifting his hand up before Sapnap left.
It was only a brief distance, but returning with a small basket of fish balanced in each hand made it feel like longer. He placed one down in front of George who barely waited until Sapnap had sat down to start eating. It tasted like home, the flaky tenderness and the smoothness of the tartar sauce, that was home to George.
"Is it good?" Sapnap asked between a bite of fry and fish, he had grabbed a squirt of ketchup before returning, sauce resting in a small metal container.
George nodded, "It's delicious, we're definitely coming here again."
Sapnap barely catches the faintest tightness at the mere idea of again, at going on a light dinner date with George once more. He forgot how nice it was, just him, his partner, and the sky turning from blue to orange. Even with the quiet murmur of people talking and the rumble of cars driving past it felt like it was just them.
"Helping out your homesickness?" Sapnap asked carefully, breaking a chunk of fish off and dipping it into the small bowl of tartar sauce.
"A lot, thanks for bringing us here," George said, reaching over to dip a fry in Sapnaps ketchup container, he gives an offended 'Hey!' before returning the favor.
Sapnap stays silent for a moment, reaching out to lay his hand atop Georges. He gets no recoil from the action, but he's sure his hand is sweaty, and burning hot. He retracts his hand before George could make a comment about his current state of being flustered and smitten.
When George finishes his fish, saying thanks once more, Sapnap calls a taxi while George scrapes the scrapped remains into the trash. He returns the sauce tins as the sign instructed, the plastic baskets join the crumbs in the trash. Then he's at Sapnaps side again, he leans into the shorter who leans back to counter the balance shift.
"Sapnap," George begins.
"Yeah?" Sapnap asked.
The Brit glances up to the sky, the shade had already begun to darken, "You're gonna be able to walk back to your place in time right?"
"Like, before it gets dark out?" Sapnap asked, he followed Georges gaze to the darkening sky.
"Yeah, I don't want you getting lost or something, raccoon attack or whatever," George explained, "If you died of a raccoon attack I would laugh at your funeral."
"I mean, I would laugh at yours if you died stupidly," Sapnap said bluntly.
George gave a hum, "If you laughed at my funeral I'd haunt you, make sure I'm always in the corner of your eye."
"I'd always be thinking of you either way," Sapnap said, the familiar sight of a taxi car came into view. It slowed to a rolling halt beside George and Sapnap who pulled open the back door and slid in.
George takes the window seat, Sapnap sits in the middles just to lean into him a little bit. George leans back, Sapnap leans harder, it reaches a point where they're just pushing against each other, a truly fruitless endeavor. It passes the small pocket of time though, it simply disappears in their game of shoving.
George stumbles out first, Sapnap follows, handing over the bills to the driver and following George to the steps.
"Considering we only went to a food truck I'd say that was a success," Sapnap said, George gave a small smile, faint, barely visible.
"Yeah, for a second first date, never thought I'd say that, it was pretty fun," George said, he gently wrapped his arms around Sapnap who easily returned the gesture.
"And just think, its only the first in a series of second first times," Sapnap said as George pulled away.
George rolled his eyes a little bit, "Good night Sapnap."
"See you probably tomorrow," Sapnap said, watching carefully as the door opened and closed, and George was out of his sight.
Even with the chill descending into the evening air he still felt sort of warm and fuzzy all over.
-/-/-/-
Every day that they did something together, something as a couple, Sapnap couldn't sleep the following night. It didn't matter how simple or interpretive it was, he knew they were doing it as a couple, so did George. And that's why it made his heart flutter no matter how mundane it was, he can't believe he was so dumb even one year ago, to let go willingly.
He doesn't get this invasive heat coiling across his nerves when he's with anyone else. He doesn't feel his heart rate spike, akin to that of a rabbit, when he's with anyone else. Not even Karl, his momentary rebound, made him feel as light and airy as George does. He can't even pinpoint the exact words, but it puts him on cloud nine, and all he can do is nod along and try not to be to much of the same idiot that sabotaged his chances the last time.
"Hey, Sapnap," Dream began, leaning over his best friend who was lazing across the couch.
"Yeah?" Sapnap asked, he sounded distant, drifting out to a sea of thought.
"Me and Wilbur were wondering if you and George wanted to double date with us," Dream said, drawing out his syllables in an attempt to grab Sapnaps attention, "Do you guys want too?"
Sapnap shrugged, "Ask George- don't know if we're solid enough to double date."
"You guys have been on like, a bazillion dates Sapnap," Dream said.
"Seven," Sapnap corrected before he could stop himself.
Dream gave a groan of annoyance as he stepped back, "Seven, you've been on seven dates, you should ask George if he wants to try a double date."
Sapnap simply rolls over, sliding off the couch and pulling himself to his feet. He stretches his arms over his head briefly, "Maybe, maybe not."
"Dude, just pick up your phone and call him," Dream said, he almost sounded desperate.
Sapnap gave a hum, reaching into his pocket and sending George a text, "Happy?" He looked at Dream as he spoke the words, trying to do the thing that George does, a halfhearted glare that drills holes into someone.
"Now I am," Dream said, he slumped back onto the couch.
"My spot!" Sapnap practically exclaimed, the entirety of the couch taken up by his friend.
"My spot now," Dream answered with, "Let me know when George responds."
Sapnap has to refrain from parroting Dreams words back in a mocking manner, instead he pivots on his heel and makes his leave. His leave doesn't take him very far though, only too the kitchen where he finds himself pouring a glass of juice. It's a mixed blend, one of those types with the exotic fruits and an apple base. Dream insisted on buying it nearly a month ago, and he hated it, Sapnap tolerated it.
He sipped away at the odd mixture of tang and sweetness resting in his mouth. A vibration shoots through his thigh where his phone rested, he's quick to place down the glass and grab his phone. He feels a slight wave of relief wash over him at the answer to his question about double dating with Wilbur and Dream.
"George said no!" Sapnap shouted through the empty door frames.
"Just no?!" Dream shouted back.
Sapnap watches as another text bubble pops up on his screen, "He says maybe next week!"
Dream is trudging into the kitchen, he leans against the counter, "Wil has a gig next week."
Sapnap gives a hum of amusement, a small one that could almost substitute as a laugh, "Sucks for you."
"I'm gonna bring this up again later Sapnap," Dream said.
"Answers gonna be the same Dream," Sapnap answered with, eyes trained on the typing bubble.
Dream swung open the fridge door, "Not every single time," He pulled out a can of orange crush and popped it open with one fluid movement.
"You'd be shocked," Sapnap said, then the typing bubble disappeared for a full text bubble to reappear in it's place, "Hey Dream."
"Yeah bro?" Dream asked before taking a swig of his pop.
"This new movie George wants to see is playing tomorrow, could you like, drive me down?" Sapnap asked, Dream didn't respond, "I'll call a taxi back."
"Consider it done, just bring me back some Mike and Ikes," Dream stated.
"Thanks man," Sapnap answered with as he typed back a quick confirmation to George.
-/-/-/-
"You're seriously wearing that to a movie date?" Dream asked as he looked over Sapnaps outfit.
"Yeah, seriously," Sapnap answered with, straightening out his cap once more and smoothing down his T-shirt.
Dream had to refrain from sighing at the travesty that was his friends fashion sense, "Alright, hop on in."
Sapnap went to open the front passenger door, Dream glared at him, "What? I'm not allowed to sit in the front seat?"
"Of my car?" Dream asked, somewhere on his voice was venom.
Sapnap rolled his eyes as he opened the back door, "I'm not a kid Dream," He said as he took a seat and rolled down his window with the manual crank, pulling down his seat belt afterwards, "Now please hurry up."
"For someone who claims to not be a kid you sure are impatient," Dream chided as he hopped into the front seat and jammed the key into the ignition before twisting as it rumbled to life.
"I don't wanna be so late that we miss a chance to buy tickets," Sapnap said, resting his arm in the window frame.
"We won't," Dream answered with, slowly turning on the radio as he swerved through somewhat calm traffic, "Think there was an accident?"
The bluntess of the question catches Sapnap off guard, "What?"
"Streets are empty, what happened?" Dream asked, twisting his words a bit so his question would come across more clear.
Sapnap shrugged, watching street lamps and bushes drift by, "Who knows, maybe the zombie apocalypse started while we weren't looking."
"That would be so nasty," Dream said, shuddering in disgust, "Puss and blood everywhere, I think we'd see some bodies if the fall out started."
"Good point, I raise everyone went on vacation except for a few people, all on a yacht sailing away while we're stuck here in the heat," Sapnap said, he glanced over to catch Dreams expression.
"That, my friend, would suck balls, unless the cops left too, we could break in to some fancy store and get some stuff for free," Dream said, "Maybe then it'd be a little bit fun."
"Only a bit," Sapnap said, "Or, or, or, we've slipped into a different timeline where everyone evacuated this town in the wake of rabid dogs."
"That's the most bullshit one yet," Dream said, taking a broad turn.
"More bullshit than the zombie one?" Sapnap asked tentatively.
"More bullshit than the zombie one," Dream parroted back, reaching down a hand to rest at the gear shift.
Sapnap glanced out the window he was rolling up, he found George sitting on a bench outside the theater. When the car came to a complete halt he shoved open the door, "Thanks for the ride!"
"Buy me my candy!" Was what Dream answered with as he rolled out.
George perked up a bit as Sapnap walked over, he stood up and brushed down his pants. He pressed a kiss to Sapnaps cheek and a hug, a greeting of sorts, "I was starting to think you'd bailed."
"I would never, Dream wasted precious seconds getting me to sit in the backseat though," Sapnap explained, George nearly laughed at that.
He tugged Sapnap over to to the ticket booth, "He made you ride in the backseat?"
Sapnap nodded, "Yeah, I can only wonder why, he probably has something up front he doesn't want me seeing."
"Could just be a mess," George proposed, counting out the money required for the movie.
"You never know when it comes to Dream," Sapnap said wistfully as George paid for the tickets, he handed one to Sapnap.
"Truer words have never been spoken," George said, reaching out to hold Sapnaps hand, Sapnap reciprocated it like second nature.
Sapnap took a steadying breath, "So, second chance at a first movie date?"
"First movie date 2.0," George corrected.
"Yeah, first movie date 2.0, think it'll go well?" Sapnap asked.
"I suppose we'll just have to wait and see," George said, sliding in through the door into an already darkened room, previews sliding by one at a time.
The entire corridor was near empty, there was one other couple near the back.
Sapnap glanced at the rows of seats, he hesitated before asking, "How many seats do you think I can take up?"
"Three at most," George said, already able to see that this movie date was going to be eventful.
-/-/-/-
"So that was certainly a movie," Sapnap began with, George nodded.
"I've never left a theater with popcorn left over," George said, shaking the bag of popped kernels to punctuate his sentence.
"I barely had time to see how many chairs I could take up," Sapnap said, holding open the doors for George, a cold bite of frost on the night air.
"And then the last ten minutes," George said, shaking his head a little bit as he did so.
Sapnap nodded, "It was insane how they left us on a cliff hanger like that, it has to be criminal."
"Has to be," George said, he shoved his hands in his pockets as he spoke.
"You have a ride back home right?" Sapnap asked, George gave a nod.
"Yeah, Fundy said he'd drop me off at home before heading to his friends place," George said, "His shift is almost over."
"And he knows where to pick you up?" Sapnap asked.
George nodded, "I'll be fine."
"Cool, cause I gotta call a taxi," Sapnap said before pulling out his phone and dialing the number, George stayed silent as Sapnap sent through the call.
"I love you," George said bluntly, refusing to wrap the words in ribbons, plain and simple.
"I love you too," Sapnap said before George leaned in and placed a prompt kiss to Sapnaps lips, the pressure so minimal he could say a ghost was kissing him.
George held out a hand, Sapnap took it, "Even if we aren't still a thing when the third part comes out we'll still watch it together right?"
"Of course man, but if I don't fuck it up we'll still be a thing by then," Sapnap said boldly, watching the occasional car drift across the slicked street. It must've rained while they were watching the movie, a light shower, minimal puddles laced the pavement.
"We're still gonna have to wait and see whether or not you fuck it up," George said, he watched a car come into view. It was an older model, but it ran smoothly, and the pieces of visible patchwork just made it look really cool. Sapnap was staring as it rolled up right in front of them, a window came down and a fox sat inside.
"Nice ride," Sapnap managed to get out as he stared at Fundys car.
"Thanks," Fundy said as George trotted over, Sapnap followed just a bit.
"I'll see you sometime soon, promise," George said as he opened the backseat door of Fundys car.
"See you soon then," Sapnap said as he took a step back and let the two ride off, watching as his own cab came into view.
He was running on fumes really, the entire time inside of the theater was euphoric in a sense. He paid no mind to the potholes the cab driver hit as they rolled through town. He just leaned against the window and stared out at the nighttime sights to be seen. Completely empty streets, light refracting across a sheen of water, darkened store windows- maybe some things are harder to romanticize then others. When they finally arrive, he hands them a fifty when he only needed to give forty, but they don't complain as he slides out the car.
He swears theres a bit of a bounce in his step as he makes his way up the drive. He doesn't even notice Wilburs bike sitting next to Dreams car. He does notice that the door refuses to budge when he twists the handle even though Dream promised to leave it unlocked. He did have his keys on hand but instead he decides to send Dream a text. He gets a delayed response of 'back door' and he reluctantly makes his way around back to find the door propped open.
He steps inside and glances around for Dream, finding him sitting down at the kitchen table.
Sapnap takes a seat opposite of him, "How come you locked the door?"
"I'm using our room tonight," Dream said.
"Dude, that's why we bought two mattresses, cause you insisted on making the other room a shared office," Sapnap said, almost agitated, "What was I supposed to do if you were asleep?"
"Sapnap I'm using the room for sex, Wilbur dropped by unexpectedly," Dream explained, watching red rise to his friends face, "So I need you out of the house."
"Can't I sleep on the couch?" Sapnap asked.
"What the hell makes you think these walls are soundproof?" Dream asked, Sapnap buried his face in his hands.
"There isn't a single place I can stay, not a lot of hotels in walking distance take customers so late," Sapnap said, Dream leaned over to place a hand on his shoulder, Sapnap glanced up.
"Sucks for you," Dream stated bluntly, "Go sleep at your boyfriends house."
"We aren't on boyfriend terms yet, he's just my partner," Sapnap said, voice dissolving as he spoke.
Dream gave an uncaring hum as he stood up, "I don't care and you don't have any options."
"Can I at least get some clothes for the morning?" Sapnap asked, Dream made a nervous noise.
"I doubt you wanna see the state Wilburs in right now," Dream said as he pushed out his chair, "But, a pair of shorts and a hoodie are on the couch for you to use as pajamas."
"Thanks," Sapnap said as he made his way to the living room, shucking his pants off as he did so.
"Don't be back too early," Dream said as he walked past Sapnap who was tugging on a pair of basketball shorts.
"Not even gonna ask," Sapnap muttered as he tugged off his shirt and pulled on the hoodie, leaving the hat on the couch.
Dream made his way over to the front door and held it open for Sapnap who reluctantly stepped out.
"Don't touch my stuff while I'm gone," Sapnap said as Dream slowly pulled the door shut.
And then Sapnap was out in the chill of the night, except it was closer to ten, where the temperature stagnated at one he couldn't sleep in. He didn't want to call a taxi after just having called one up so late considering he was sober. So he started on his brief walk to Georges place, it was a short stroll, no more than ten minutes either way and close to flat.
It was silent out, cars lined up in driveways or parked along the curb, the golden glow of streetlamps shimmered in the minimal water. He swears his footsteps are echoing, louder and louder as he gets closer and closer to Georges home. It's just one night, he'll crash on the floor if he has to, he'll be out by ten and on his merry way home to his own couch without being much of a bother. Are his hands shaking? No, not much, they can't shake half as much when they're balled into fists and shoved into the singular pocket of his hoodie.
His eyes are trained on the ground, scanning over every crack and crevice where water gathers. His shoes are starting to show signs of wear, scuff marks at the plastic tips and laces coming undone. He taps his toes against the steps as he ascends the few stairs of Georges porch. Then he raises a hand to knock, he has a cadence to how he knocks, its about seven knocks in the pattern.
He hears faint footsteps before the door swings open, he barely manages to choke out a weak, "Hi."
"Sapnap," George began as he looked at his partner who was currently standing outside of his house in the middle of the night wearing naught but a hoodie and shorts, it was an unexpected sight, "It's ten PM what the hell are you doing outside?"
"Dream kicked me out," Sapnap said, "So I was wondering if it's time for a second chance at sleeping under the same roof?"
George moved out of the way of the door frame, "Come inside before you freeze to death idiot."
Sapnap took hesitant steps past the doorway, closing it behind him slowly, "Thanks."
"Look, I'm tired, and too lazy to blow up the air mattress, so you're sleeping on the couch," George said, gesturing to the general area where the furniture sat.
Sapnap nodded, "Cool, I'll try not to bother you."
"It's fine, but why did Dream kick you out? I thought the two of you were best friends?" George asked as Sapnap sprawled himself across the couch, one leg hanging off the side while the other knee stunted itself.
"He just wanted the house for the night, cause Wilburs over," Sapnap rolled his eyes as he spoke Wilburs name, "It's happened before, I just had time to get a hotel room."
George gave a hum of amusement, "Nice story, if you wake up before me the cereal is where its always been."
"On top of the fridge?" Sapnap asked.
"On top of the fridge," George repeated.
"And the milk?" Sapnap asked.
"If you empty the carton feel free to open the other one," George said, leaning on the back of the couch, "If you take a shower or whatever everything is in the same spot it's always been."
Sapnap nodded, "Cool."
"And if you need more blankets feel free to yank one off my bed," George said, "I probably won't notice."
"Good night George," Sapnap said.
"Night Sapnap," George echoed back, leaning in and placing a small kiss to Sapnaps forehead before taking his leave.
He left his bedroom door open instead of closing it, burying himself in swaths of blankets once more. He ended up contorted in the pile of comforters, light blankets, and the occasional piece of clothing wrapped in. The few pillows he had were askew in an effort to get comfortable once again, he was right on the cusp of falling asleep when Sapnap knocked.
And now he couldn't fall asleep again.
He just felt cold despite the amount of fabric that he was suffocating in. He didn't exactly know how he was supposed to fall asleep again when his partner was just laying on the couch with a blanket and pillow calling it a night. He stared up at the ceiling, waiting for sleep to engulf him once more in it's oozing embrace, but it didn't. He couldn't keep his eyes closed for much longer than brief counts of mere seconds.
George gave a heavy sigh as he pulled himself from his bed and made his way back to the living room. He rested against the door frame, "Are you still up?"
He gets a groan in response.
"I changed my mind about you sleeping on the couch," George said, he sounded hesitant, "If you want you can have a second chance at sharing a bed with me."
"Gimme a minute," Sapnap said, he already sounded sleepy as he sat up and slid off the couch.
"You don't have to," George said, "It's just, if you'd like, I'll be in my room."
He turned to slide back into the comfortable darkness of his room once more. Curtains hanging over windows dutifully to try and dampen the morning light. He only burrows under the first layer of blankets, resting on his side and staring at the spines of books resting on a bookshelf. He startles a bit when Sapnap drops down beside him, resting on his back and trying to give ample space.
It gets tense really fast.
"I'm not gonna bite if you touch me Sapnap," George got out quietly, edging into the warmth of an arm resting atop his middle.
Sapnap gave a hum, "I didn't wanna find out the hard way," He curls into George protectively as he speaks.
"Alright," George said, speaking softly, "Love you."
"Love you to," Sapnap managed to get out before yawning just a little bit, "I'm to tired to talk."
George gave the faintest nod, "G'night."
-/-/-/-
Sapnap woke up alone, partially covered in a mess of bed sheets, and in a dimmed room. He glanced around wearily for a clock of some sort, eight AM, he gave a groan of annoyance as he fell back onto the mattress. He trained his gaze on the ceiling, picking apart where the paint peeled and where the light cover had a crack. Then he heard faint footsteps, ah, George was already awake, he didn't decide to just take the couch instead.
He swung his legs over the edge of the bed and pulled himself up, he really didn't want to be awake. But he still made his way to the kitchen and started pouring a bowl of cereal. He sat down beside George at the kitchen table, taking a bite of rice krispies as he did so.
George nudged over a small cup of tea, "I forgot your favorite kind."
"It's fine, whatevers whatever," Sapnap got out blearily as he took a sip of the hot beverage, flavors coating his tongue comfortably, "Thanks for letting me crash."
George shrugged a bit, "It was nice, you could stay the night more often if you'd like."
"Dream would probably like that," Sapnap said, "More time to do whatever it is he does when I'm gone."
"Next time we should plan it though," George said, "Instead of you showing up on my door step cold and alone."
Sapnap nodded, "Definitely, have a home cooked dinner or takeout with a movie."
"That'd be nice," George said, he took a sip of tea, "We're like, official now, right?"
The question catches Sapnap off guard, "If you want to be, then yeah."
"SNF is go then," George said, his nonchalant nature behind the words had Sapnap pausing a bit.
"I hadn't thought of it like that," Sapnap said, George gave a small smile.
"Really? You seriously hadn't thought of the fans Sap?" George asked, placing down his mug as he spoke.
Sapnap shook his head, "Not really, I tried not to last time at least."
George gave a hum, "I did."
"Of course you did," Sapnap said, refrain from rolling his eyes.
"I'm always thinking of the next thing," George said, giving a soft smirk, "We don't have to really tell anyone."
"Thanks," Sapnap answered with.
"So, second chance at spending an entire day together?" George said, Sapnap nodded.
"Might be a lazy day," Sapnap said.
"Don't care, we could just, drink tea and watch anime," George offered, "Unless you wanna go deal with Dream."
"Anime and tea sounds good," Sapnap said, scraping the bottom of his bowl as he spoke.
"Fundys already at work, but I think he's coming back closer to four," George explained, reaching for Sapnaps mug, "Are you gonna finish that?"
"No," Sapnap said, George easily swiped away the mug, slowly sipping the beverage.
"Thanks, I'm gonna go set up Netflix," George said as he stood up, he swiveled around the table and rested his head atop Sapnaps, "Love you."
"Love you too," Sapnap echoed back, the worlds already feeling familiar in his mouth once more.
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