Chapter Text
“Okay, okay, what’s the most British thing you’ve ever done?”
“What does that even mean? Like, what do you want me to say, drink tea? I don’t even like tea!”
“Wow, that’s a surprise. No coffee, no tea… lemme guess, you drink pure Marmite for breakfast.”
Walking under a canopy of leaves, you knew this whole “British” shtick was getting old. But it was pretty clear that talking about anything YouTube or social-media related made George uncomfortable, so you tried your best to avoid it.
“Haha, very funny,” he snickered. A beat of silence followed, and of course your thoughts were all on him. He’s so cute. What if I messed this up? God, I’m so annoying.
Luckily the atmosphere was too positive to let your anxieties thrive, which you were ever thankful for. Each time a breeze blew past, you pretended it was blowing away one of your giddy insecurities.
“So, we going anywhere particular?”
“Hm? Oh, uh not really. I just figured since it was nice out, we could just walk around.” He nodded cutely.
“Honestly I don’t really go around here too often,” you chuckled, “And I imagine the same for you, Mr. Streamer.”
He laughed. “True, you’re a quick learner.”
“So,” you began, “If you weren’t forced outside, what would you be doing around now?” You were genuinely curious, although your sarcastic quip lightened the ask.
He thought for a moment. “Well, I’d honestly probably be sleeping still- I sorta just wake up and nap whenever I feel like it. But other than that, probably talking to my friends.”
“Like Dream?” you asked. He nodded, a strange look in his eyes. A mix between curiosity and knowingness, you felt. “Who else? I’ll be honest, I’m not super familiar with the gaming community.” That was a lie, you’d done plenty of research; but playing naive seemed to have worked the best for you so far.
“Oh, yeah I wouldn’t expect you to be. To be honest, I’d be a bit strange if you did know everything about me- like, it makes it feel as if I’m the only one meeting someone knew, if that makes sense.”
“Yeah, yeah, I get that.” You silently thanked your ability to pick up on social cues. “I presume most of your interactions are like that?”
He hummed in agreement. “It’s not, like, bad or anything… just a bit awkward. I rarely have conversations with strangers to begin with, and when they know all about me it makes it sort of strange.”
“I’d imagine. But, I also sort of get it. I mean, I’d probably do the same if I saw a handsome celebrity out in the wild.” Your face flushed as you realized you’d just called him attractive. “Oh! I didn’t mean it like-”
“Haha, don’t worry it’s fine.” He changed the subject, but him rubbing the back of his neck alluded to some discomfort. It didn’t help that you found the action particularly attractive…
“So, do you play any video games?”
“Hmm?” Distracted, you’d just barely heard the question, but luckily caught it. “Oh, well not really. Animal crossing I suppose, I’ve tried Zelda. I’ve played minecraft, but, well, it’s embarrassing to say that in front of pro minecrafter.” You both laughed lightly, turning another corner.
“Yeah, although it’s more embarrassing on my end I can assure you,” he rubbed his neck again.
“What’d you mean?”
“Ah, well, the title of pro-minecrafter isn’t exactly… prestigious, I guess.”
“What? I think it’s cool!”
He sighed, but didn’t look convinced. The shallow crease of his eyebrows made you want to fill him with all the admiration you felt for him, that he couldn’t see.
“No, I’m serious. Imagine doing what you love, every day. No schedule, no rules- all that freedom, I don’t know what I’d do with myself.”
“Yeah, I’ve heard all that. Sometimes I sorta feel like I don’t deserve it all.”
“But that’s the great bit! It doesn’t matter if you deserve it or not, because you have it, right?” Your admiration was bursting at the seams, you didn’t even know what you said and if it made sense or not. But to your joy, it seemed to work.
The sparkle in his eyes returned, matching the yellow blossoms guarding the trees on your path.
“Thank you.”
You grinned, and he did as well.