A/N: OKAY PANDEMIC THEMED THING IDK WHY I'M WRITING THIS BUT I AM. Kinda sad stuff idk this is just what I've been imagining the pandemic is like for ppl. ALSO PPL AT MY SCHOOL DON'T SOCIAL DISTANCE SO DON'T BE ONE OF THE DICKS FROM MY SCHOOL AND SOCIAL DISTANCE. ESPECIALLY IF YOU'RE IN AMERICA. STOP BEING IDIOTS, STOP BEING SELFISH, WEAR A MASK. IF YOU'RE NOT WEARING A MASK, YOU'RE BEING SELFISH AF, OK? WEAR A MASK, SOCIAL DISTANCE, AND THAT IS THE BEST WAY YOU CAN BE OF USE TO THE WORLD DURING THESE TIMES. THANK YOU FOR COMING TO MY TED TALK.

Dream fidgeted a little, adjusting his mask as he waited. He was waiting for something — someone — special. He shifted his weight onto his left leg, yawning a little as he waited. The airport was mostly empty, which was quite lucky for Dream, although he had heard that the airport had been mostly empty most of the time. Footsteps sounded ahead. Dream looked up.

Not George. He began pacing slowly, waiting patiently for George to appear. He shuffled his feet, waiting, bored out of his mind.

"Hello Dream." George's voice spoke from behind him.

Dream looked up, and smiled. "George, how did you sneak around me?"

George shrugged. "You were staring at the floor the entire time, it wasn't too hard."

Dream grunted in response. "Okay, let's go. I'm getting in the drivers seat, you go in the seat to the direct diagonal of me, okay? We just need to be safe."

George chuckled. "Yes. I have corona. Yes, I have been able to get through airport security carrying COVID." Dream rolled his eyes.

"You never know. Maybe you got it sometime on the flight." Dream continued, seriously. George's smile fell, and they all drifted off into their own thoughts. Dream lead George to the car, and George obediently sat down directly diagonal from the driver's seat.

"Not quite 6 feet, I'd say." George commented.

"Ha, no. But it's the best we can do. I'll drop you off at the hotel. It'll take maybe fifteen minutes. Try not to sneeze all over me or something." Dream joked casually, but the tension was still in the air.

COVID. The pandemic. 6 feet distance. All the things that were keeping Dream apart from George, and George apart from Dream.

They drove in silence. The streets were eerily empty, and all the people they saw were all masked and suspiciously glancing around. It was almost like there was a world war happening and you couldn't trust your own neighbor.

"Are you just going to throw me off at the hotel?" George asked.

Dream shrugged, still focused on the road. "No... I was thinking, since you might be tired, you would want to sleep for a bit. You know, take a shower, and stuff. We can hang out later, when you're not half asleep or something."

"No, I slept on the flight. I'm good." George assured Dream.

"Really? If so, then we can head to the park. I've always wanted to take you there, it's beautiful." Dream perked up, excitement slipping into his voice. George smiled.

"That sounds great." Dream immediately made a U turn and headed back the other way. George leaned back, starting to relax in the presence of Dream. They chatted casually, keeping the conversation light. After a few minutes, Dream pulled up to the park. George stepped out of the car, keeping his distance from Dream. He walked up the path, taking in the fresh air.

"Big change from London?" Dream asked. George shrugged.

"Sort of." His voice was muffled by his mask.

Dream flopped down on the grass, sighing. George neatly sat down, glancing around at the scenery. It was a thin, spread out forest, with sunlight streaming down between the gaps in the trees. A thick covering of grass cushioned the ground, and there were occasional flowers dotting the trees.

"What do you think about the pandemic? How are you holding up?" Dream commented, turning his head to George.

George grunted. "I don't know. I've been staying at home for most of the time, but it's really no change."

Dream chuckled, then adjusted his mask. "I know. That's what I was thinking. But going outside for once is a real change. And it's a welcome change in my world." George answered with a wordless smile.

Dream abruptly sat up. "I really wish I could see your face." He began. "You know, without your mask."

George's eyes were wide and sad. "I know. But we can't. No one can."

Dream's eyes were searching George's face. "I wish I could see your smile again. Be able to enjoy you without this pandemic between us."

And in that moment, they were only six feet apart, but truly, they were miles and miles, worlds and worlds apart. In their minds, they were separated. By this invisible barrier. By this intangible barrier. And who knows if it'll ever fall?

"I wish I could see you." Dream whispered, words barely audible through his mask.

"You can."

"You know what I mean."

Silence fell again. Dream leaned closer to George. Instead of leaning in, George backed away. Dream's eyes were downcast.

"I do know what you mean. But there's nothing we can do. Nothing." George finally said, staring off into the distance. The wind gently whistled through the trees, stirring up the leaves and blowing the grass.

"Distance is tough." Dream finally commented, voice almost blank.

"We're not that far away, Dream."

"No... with the pandemic between us, I can't even touch you. Let alone kiss you."

"Those are all dreams for another time."

"Funny."

"Yeah, life is a funny experience. I'm just glad I get to have it with you."

"Ditto."