Cool obsidian hit Dream's feet as he was teleported to the final dimension. Endermen gossiped with one another and goggled at the intruder in their home. Jumping onto the endstone island, he pulled out his bow and started to shoot at the pillars. One. Two. Three down-

"Hope that was enough time," George's voice rang out. "Oh- you already got some of the crystals... Well then."

"You doubt my capabilities," Dream commented, firing again. It whizzed through the air, hitting an obsidian pillar instead of the actual target.

"Mhm, you were saying something, Dream?" George teased, having seen Dream fail.

"Whatever, you didn't see that."

About to shoot the last crystal, Dream was interrupted by the slowly growing growling coming from behind him. The dragon raised its head, hissing out purple fumes. It leapt to the sky, following Dream, who ran out of sight once it showed signs of attacking.

Looking from below, the dragon's black scales blended with the void, making it even harder to foresee an attack. Dream wasn't the only one with problems though. He looked around, and saw George running from several enderman, all mad at him with their mouths open in an eternal scream.

The last crystal was enclosed in a tight cage on top of one of the taller towers, which would be a problem for anyone with a lesser skill. So basically anyone but Dream.

"Ugh, alright Hawkeye," George grumbled, standing in a stream to avoid the citizens of the End. "You still have to beat her."

The dragon, obviously not wanting to die, had other plans. It swooped down, scattering the habitants and throwing Dream against a pillar.

Hopefully without a broken rib, he got up and waited for the dragon to attack again. And it did. Just not Dream.

"NO! Stupid dragon! I'm trying to help you!" George screamed, crawling into a makeshift hobbit-hole for refuge.

Dream chuckled at his antics and set up a crafting table. Pulling out some string he balled it all together and crafted a bed with spare wood.

The dragon flew down again and landed on the bedrock nest, glaring around for the intruders. Behind her, Dream snuck up and set up the bed, setting off an explosion with the slightest amount of pressure. Both him and the dragon were blown from the nest, onto the hard endstone floor.

Taking the opportunity, George ran from his cave and tried to attack Dream. He raised his sword just in time, as iron clashed against diamond, attracting the attention of more enderman, who watched the fight with about as much interest as if it were a game.

Out of the corner of his eye, Dream saw the dragon stand up again, about to take off. Kicking George in the gut, he ran towards the overgrown lizard, jumping at it. She snapped at the man on her neck, unable to reach him. George could only watch as Dream climbed up to the struggling dragon's head, and drove his sword through her skull, until only the hilt was showing.

The queen was dead.

"Wow, Dream. Way to be dramatic."

~ • ~

George sat down on the log, waiting for Dream to return from the End. It shouldn't take this long. All he has to do is die or jump through the portal. After waiting another ten or so minutes, he finally teleported back to the overworld.

"Finally, you're here. Why'd you take so long? Wallowing in your victory?" George asked. Dream remained blank-faced, and he remembered that once you defeat the queen, a type of mental message is sent to you. It was weird. Also way quicker to jump off the edge.

Dream looked around, as though trying to remember his surroundings, before turning to face George with a cocky grin.

"Better luck next time, Georgie." His clothes were still stained with blood from the fight, whereas George looked relatively normal, since respawning resets ones attire. Another reason to jump instead.

The two walked back to the ravine, letting their legs dangle off the edge and sharing their own perspectives of the hunt. 

That is, after Dream pushed George to his death. And then vice-versa.

While Dream rambled on about new problems that came with the new Nether, George half-listened, half-stared. Dream agreed to take off his mask for the time being, and he was finally able to see his features clearly.

Sure, the mask mainly covered his eyes and nose, there were still a few details George never saw. His dirty-blond hair was messy but seemed almost shiny in the sunlight and hung over his greenish eyes. Light freckles dotted his cheeks, only noticeable if you were really looking. Whenever he said something funny or smiled, his noise sort of scrunched up in a really cute way. 

It's normal to think your friend is cute, right?

Dream caught George staring at him out of the corner of his eye and chuckled. George quickly looked away, his glasses failing to hide the blush parading across his face.

"Oh, Georgie~ Whatcha looking at?" Dream teased, watching in amusement as he turned even redder.

"Ugh, Dream, I'm just getting used to you not wearing your mask, okay?"

"If it's too uncomfortable, I can put it back on if you want," he offered, reaching for the mask that lay between them.

"That's not what I meant." Far from it.

itsnotdoneitsnotdoneitsnotdoneTHEREWILLBEMORE