Chapter Text
The bright sun was basking the entire kingdom in its golden rays. The light shining through the dense treetops and painting different patterns onto the forest ground. Spring had reached the endless forests of the kingdom, letting everything finally bloom.
The woods were filled with endless noise, from hundreds of birds and insects to different mammals, all enjoying the resources the forest offered them. And yet one sound cut through the air. It was the sound of two pairs of boots chasing each other through the dense forest. They ran around the trees, always staying close enough for their giggles to reach the other.
“Oh George!” Dream called out breathless, not just from all the running but also because of all the laughter that had already fallen out of him.
“And you are the kingdom's best knight? You can’t even catch me,” George called back, hiding behind another tree as Dream took a short break, just to catch his breath.
“Don’t make me actually get you,” Dream warned, although there wasn’t any bite to his words, instead pure fondness laced his voice as he slowly snuck in the direction of where George was hiding.
Just as Dream stepped around the large tree he managed to catch a glimpse of his lover before George bolted deeper into the forest, Dream immediately running after him.
Since the king's death George had taken back up his physical training, and Dream had to admit that George was quick. But alas, he was no match for Dream, and just after a few metres Dream had caught up to him.
As soon as George turned around slightly to look back at him, Dream threw himself forward, effectively sending them both tumbling to the ground.
Dream made sure to turn them over as they fell so it wasn’t George taking the harsh fall. And as they laid their Dream couldn’t help but close his eyes to enjoy the moment to its fullest. With the cool soil beneath him and his lover still laughing while he held him close to his chest, there was no place he’d rather be.
The knight could still make out the noise of the creatures inhabiting this forest and the few rays of sunshine that got through the dense leaves warmed his face nicely. He could get lost in this feeling, stay like this forever.
“Let go of me, you idiot!” George broke him out of his peace, starting to wiggle around in the tight hold Dream had on him, trying to get out.
“And why would I do that?” Dream asked, promptly flipping them around so it was easier to keep George in place. He found the sight of George staring up at him with wide eyes and a slightly parted mouth cute. “Come on, why should I let you go?” Dream’s voice was insufferably sweet as he taunted the other, seeing the exact way George was struggling to form a coherent thought.
“Because I’m your prince and I command you to,” he eventually declared, accompanying his statement with a triumphant grin that left no room for Dream to argue. He would do anything for his prince after all.
Dream stole a quick kiss before getting off George, helping him up as well. “Although, technically you are my king,” Dream corrected him, not letting go of the soft hand he was holding, instead opting to pull the other closer.
“With that logic you are technically my prince consort.” And George looked so proud of himself, so genuinely excited at having made such a silly observation.
“But we aren’t married, so technically I’m still just your knight.”
“And I haven't officially been crowned so technically I’m still just your prince.”
“Hmm…” Dream pretended to be thinking as he hugged the other around the waist loosely, starting to sway them from side to side. “I think there is a difference between those two. You are the king even if you haven't had an official coronation yet, I would only become your consort if we actually had a ceremony.”
“Then why don't we just have a ceremony?” George asked, looking up at him innocently.
The truth is that even though George had been king for a whole month Dream had still been putting off telling his family about the two of them.
As soon as it had been announced that the kingdom had a new king, Dream had run back to his childhood home. The wave of relief that washed over him when he saw his sister open the old wooden door was unlike anything he had ever felt.
George had offered them a place at the castle but Dream’s mother had declined the offer. As it turned out they had saved most of the money the former king had sent them to afford a small book shop in town. His mother still had to sell some selfmade furniture on the side, but she was much healthier then the last time Dream had seen her. She wasn’t overworked to the point of standing at death’s door anymore, now she was far enough away that only her fragile looks were a reminder of her deathly illness.
Dream had told them about how it had been for him, how life at the castle had treated him but even through all his stories he had never mentioned that he and George had become a couple.
There was something in his unconscious mind stopping him from telling them. Even if he knew they would be fine with it.
“I won't push you, but I would love to be able to declare to the world that you are mine,” George eventually broke him from his thoughts, his eyes filled with understanding.
“I want that too,” Dream said hesitantly. He should just rip the bandage off.
In the distance they heard the church bells ring, it was three in the afternoon. The reminder of the time seemed to snap George out of the haze he had been in. It was so easy to lose themself in each other, but there were things that still need to be done today.
“Bad is going to kill me if I’m late to my own coronation!” George broke away from the hold Dream still had on him and started running back in the direction they had come from. Dream wasn’t able to hold in his laughter as he started running after him, not taking long to pass him as they raced back to the castle.
The preparations for the coronation had taken longer since it had been so unexpected, but things were starting to take on shape as Skeppy finished up the last details of George's extravagant outfit. They had cut down the budget for the celebration by quite some bit, considering they had to focus on paying back so many debts the late king had accumulated over his reign.
George had come to a new agreement with the Liontooth family, with them helping him to figure out how to reign properly and Dream was happy to see that his lover's efforts were already showing some results.
“Are my eyes deceiving me or is it really you.” Sapnap all but jumped in front of Dream's face. “I never thought I'd catch a glimpse of you without your lover by your side ever again,” Sapnap whined in an overly sarcastic voice, moving to lean on the wall next to where Dream was already standing.
“He's changing right now.” Dream rolled his eyes, a smile still making its way onto his face. He had been so busy with everything lately that he barely had any time to see Sapnap.
After the king's death was announced he had only passed paths with Sapnap once. There had been a certain knowingness in his eyes but they didn't end up speaking about it.
“Trying on his wedding dress?” Sapnap asked, a smirk proudly painted on his face.
“Why are you so adamant about this whole thing?” Dream tried to laugh off, but he felt the slight warmth that spread over his face.
“I called it all from the beginning, and I better be your best man,” Sapnap jokingly threatened, and in a way Dream found it nice to see all of Sapnap’s stupid expressions without the distribution of the mask.
“First we have to get through the coronation, and maybe then we can start thinking about that.” Dream just rolled his eyes, watching as busy workers hurried down the hall, the last final touches being made.
“Are you doing okay?” There was an unfamiliar sincerity to Sapnap’s voice, something soft, almost spoken in a whisper as if asking for a secret to be spilled.
And in all honesty Dream wasn’t sure if he had an answer. Between reconnecting with his family and supporting George through the process of becoming king he felt like he hadn’t had a single minute alone to just let things settle into place in his own mind.
But Dream had never liked to be alone, not really anyways. So having Sapnap next to him no, offering but never forcing him to talk made a different kind of appreciation spread to his body.
“Thank you,” Dream whispered it back just as softly as Sapnap had. “For everything, really.” A soft smile made its way onto the other knight's face.
“Anything for you, Dream.”
Dream wasn’t sure what exactly it was, whether it was the way he had said it or the way the few stray rays of sunlight reflected off his eyes but it reminded Dream of something. Of something he had already remembered a while ago but hadn’t gotten the chance to fully grasp yet.
“It was you, wasn’t it?” He watched the way Sapnap’s eyebrows drew together. “When we were young and I got lost in the dungeons, it was you that showed me the way out.”
It took another few moments before the recognition spread over the brunette's face, Sapnap standing up straight again as slowly but surely a laugh bubbled out of him.
“I remember that!” He laughed out, a chuckle making its way out of Dream as well. It took a little while for them to calm down again, for a familiar and comfortable silence to spread between them, one that Dream eventually broke again.
“You saved my life.”
“Yeah I did that… That means that you owe me your life and therefore your engagement to the new king!” Sapnap boasted, sounding far too proud of himself.
Dream was quick to shush him, the confused looks from the staff passing by enough to make a sligh embarrassed blush appear on his face. “You can’t just say that! Besides, don’t you have a job to do?” Dream practically pushed him towards where he had come from, ignoring the loud laughter that echoed off the tall walls as Sapnap disappeared down the hall.
The blond took the moment, leaning his forehead against the cool stone wall as he took in the moment of solitude. But it didn’t seem like he would be catching any breaks today, because before he knew it the door besides him swung open.
“George would like a moment with you before we head to the coronation.” Bad was the first to step out of the room, holding that certain proud spark in his eye. Skeppy however looked much more annoyed as he followed.
“He kept asking for you, I couldn’t keep him still for even just a moment,” Skeppy complained, a measuring tape draped around his neck, but it was clear that he was just as happy and proud as Bad was. One of his arms came up to settle around Bad’s waist as they also disappeared down the hall.
Dream took a deep breath before stepping into the very messy dressing room, his eyes immediately landing on George.
And the only thing Dream knew right then for sure was how good George looked in full royal attire. The long blue cape hanging off his shoulders loosely and the glittering jewels of his crown breaking the light.
Dream only noticed that he had been caught staring when his eyes finally landed on brown once already staring back at him.
“Why are you looking at me like that?” George tilted his head slightly, a strand of hair falling in front of his eyes, it made Dream’s heart beat just that much faster.
“Just remembering why I want to marry you.” Dream enjoyed the way George's face turned just the slightest bit pinker at that, the blond reaching for his hand and bringing it up to his face to kiss it. It was one of his favourite things about no longer wearing the mask, he could kiss George whenever he wanted.
“Ready for the coronation?” George asked as Dream looked back at him, only nodding shortly before leading them to the door of the fitting room. But just before he opened the door he felt himself be pulled back, a short kiss finding its way onto his lips before he watched the slightest smirk play on George’s expression as he left, Dream following behind him.