Lovers Instead (Dream x Reader)

Chapter 11: i cant leave em alone (plot)

"Baby?" Clay's voice is clear, startling me from where I was lost in thought.

I notice the call is otherwise silent, and check, seeing it's me and him alone. Sapnap and I continued to play after upsetting Clay, but we were tamer, quieter, eventually cascading into silence, until finally—

"Baby?" Clay repeats.

"Yeah?" I ask, rapidly blinking, trying to focus on his voice instead of getting lost in thought again.

Possessive? Really? Am I sure that's accurate? Because—

"Where are you going?" Clay asks.

I hum. "Huh? Going where? I'm staying home."

He laughs, quiet. "No I mean mentally. I've been saying your name for like, a while. Are you okay?"

"Uh— yeah." I say back, swallowing nervously. "I'm just— I think I'm kinda tired, I guess."

Clay makes a noise. "Maybe you should sleep, then." He says.

I feel my expression twist as I consider it. "Sleep does sound pretty poggers." I mumble.

It gets him to laugh, so I count that as a win.

"You wanna go to bed? Keep me on call? I can sleep too—" He says.

I feel myself hesitate.

"No, I—I'd rather sleep, alone, I think."

I'm not sure why. I just feel like I need some breathing room.

Clay protests. "Is this about earlier? I'm sorry I kinda freaked out I just—"

"No— no." I interrupt him. "This is totally independent. I'm just tired."

It's the not the whole truth, but it's close enough.

There's silence for a moment, before Clay speaks.

"You're sure?" He asks, sounding vulnerable. "I don't want this to be a like— a thing."

"I'm sure." I repeat. I hesitate, but continue to speak, "I mean, I'm— I'm really tired so I think I'll—"

"Wait—" Clay interrupts, "—before that. This weekend? Plans?"

"Plans?" I ask, thinking. "Do we have plans?" I have a lot of make-up work due by the end of this week and beginning of next, so I'm not sure how much time I have to spare.

"Not yet. But it's— it's Valentine's, so we should uh— should make some? Yeah?" He responds.

Oh. Right. I chew my lip.

"I'm—" I can't say no to Valentine's. It's Valentine's. "Yeah. You can come down when you're free, then."

"Yeah? Then I'll be there Friday, meet the uh— the new roommate and stuff." He responds.

Something about it makes my stomach flip. I want him here, I want to see him, but— I feel weird, guilty too. I'm seeing now that 'possessive' might not be too far off the mark, even he admits it. I just wish he could see my intentions and understand there's no one for me but him. It changes my perspective on him as I realize how possessive he is, how protective, of me, he is.

Sapnap is his friend of years, but Clay's willing to get into a fight him with about me. The guilt pangs, sharp in my stomach. I don't want to come between them just because I'm stupid.

"Okay, bye." I spit out way too quick, before immediately hanging up.

I stand, stomach filled with upset as I make my way to my closet, carding through the clothes to pick pajamas. I try to shake the feeling. Being possessive isn't a bad thing, right?