PHOENIX

Chapter Fifty Seven: A Nation Lost

Sunlight wakes me, along with the familiar scent of the woods on a sunny afternoon. Keeping my eyes closed, I make a mental note of the feeling of Dream's chest rising and falling underneath me. I noticed a gloriously soft feeling on my head, and recognised it as his fingers, combing through my hair gently.

It took everything in me to finally open my eyes, not wanting to disturb the moment or the sensation of his hands, but knowing I have to get up.

"Hello, there," Dream murmured, his hand stilling.

"Why did you stop?" I grumble sleepily.

Dream laughs softly and picks back up again where he left off.

"You know we have to get up soon?"

"No. I'm canceling today," I respond sluggishly, closing my eyes again.

"Nix," Dream tsks, but doesn't move.

"How soon?" I reply.

"How badly do you want to stay here?" Dream asks. "Because I'm willing to say fuck it and let everyone else deal with all this".

"Dream," Now I'm the one scolding the other.

"Kidding," Dream replies.

I open one eye and peek at him, seeing his not sorry grin grow on his face. With a disappointed sigh, I untangle myself from his arms.

"What happened to canceling today?" He sits up.

"It's crazy that I'm the responsible one in this relationship," I stretch, yawning.

Dream's hands snake out and pull me into his lap, kissing my shoulder.

"What is this relationship, exactly?" He asks, looking back up at me.

"Well...I don't know..." I blush.

"It's so endearing that you could be entirely confident last night and yet shy now," Dream watches me fondly.

"You're so- you can't say stuff like that and expect me to not turn red," I complain, hiding my face in my hands. "Don't say sorry to that, I know you were about to".

I hear Dream clamp his mouth shut.

I knew it.

"What do you want to call us?' He asks. "What are you comfortable with?"

"We're...together," I decide, lowering my hands. "Is that okay? I feel like boyfriend and girlfriend doesn't suit us".

"I'm glad we're together," He kisses me sweetly.

Yep. Canceling today. As far as I'm concerned, nothing exists outside of this room.

"What about pet names?"

"As long as you don't pull out something disgustingly sappy, I don't mind I guess," I respond, playing with the collar of his shirt.

"Anything you want, Gorgeous".

"Oh god, I shouldn't have said yes," I laugh, heat rising to my cheeks.

"Want me to call you something else, Angel?" He responds smoothly.

"Better, but not there yet," I shake my head.

"Tell me what you want, Love".

I still, the name sending warmth in my chest. I bite my lip, trying to hide the large smile tugging at my lips.

"Found it," Dream murmured, placing a kiss on the corner of my mouth.

"It's only fair I get to call you something," I say decidedly. "What about Jerkface, or Dumbass?"