////:\\\\
11/5/20

Darry
Hey Clay, I heard what happened with the hotel, are you okay? <3
8:47pm

Dream :)
Hey Dar, I'm alright <3
8:47pm
George called up management and Nick picked up my stuff for me
8:47pm
I'm staying with George now
8:47pm
I just wish people wouldn't do this
8:49pm
It's hard to just enjoy my time with George when people are constantly watching and posting about everything I do
8:49pm

Darry
It sucks but that's part of being famous
8:49pm
Being known and being recognised
8:49pm
Don't let it ruin the moments you get to spend with George
8:49pm
The media will always pretend they know everything about everyone so let them pretend
8:51pm
You will know the truth for yourself and that's all that matters
8:51pm

Dream :)
You're right
8:51pm
Thank you, Darry.
8:51pm

Darry
Always, Clay.
8:51pm
And if you ever need some quiet time with George, I can distract the media (๑>◡<๑)
8:53pm

Dream :)
I
8:53pm
I don't know whether to feel afraid or not
8:53pm

Darry
Hehehe ♪(๑ᴖ◡ᴖ๑)♪
8:53pm
How's it going with George anyway? I hope he's doing alright
8:55pm

Dream :)
It's going really well
8:55pm
He didn't hate me and it's not awkward
8:55pm
He's so easy to be around and he's so pretty and he treats me like a normal person
8:55pm
Yesterday he bought me really nice coffee and showed me some of the best places in London and didn't make fun of me when he found out I was afraid of heights and he held my hand all day and let me wear his clothes because mine were wet and he taught me to play minecraft and fell asleep on my shoulder holding my arm
8:56pm
And he's always so smiley it's so cute
8:56pm
There was a bit where he wasn't okay but he didn't tell me why
8:56pm
He was just really out of it and Nick said he'd been crying
8:56pm
But he seems fine now
8:56pm

Darry
I'm really happy for you, Clay :)
8:56pm

Dream :)
But enough about me and Georgie
8:57pm
👀 hows it going with you know who 👀
8:57pm

Darry
HUSH
8:57pm

Dream :)
THIS IS A TWO WAY STREET DAR
8:57pm
I TOLD YOU NOW YOU TELL ME
8:57pm

Darry
NOPE
8:57pm

Dream :)
YES
8:57pm

Darry
IM LEAVING
8:57pm

Dream :)
You'll be back :)
8:57pm
Seen

////:\\\\

"What are you chuckling about?" Clay looked over to see George. George was wearing a confused smile.

"Darryl is in denial," Clay explained and George nodded.

"Who is Darryl again?" George asked.

"Oh yeah, I forget you don't know their names. BBH is Darryl, A6d is Vincent and Skeppy is Zak." George nodded again with a soft 'ah'. "Darryl hopes you're alright, by the way." Clay added with a smile.

"Aw, I hope he's alright too." George cooed. George went back to flipping through the channels on TV before turning back to Clay again. "Do you want to watch a movie?" He asked, bored.

Clay nodded, switching off his phone. "No horror movies though." Clay warned. As much as he loved the cliché of snuggling up with your partner during a scary movie, Clay wasn't about to risk a weeks sleep for it. He'd find another way.

George let out a relieved sigh. "Thank god, I hate horror movies." George agreed. He could almost hear Nick calling them cowards but he didn't really care. "How do you feel about Forrest Gump?" Clay shrugged. He hadn't watched it before but he'd heard it was good.

George clicked on the movie and disappeared off to the kitchen. He came back in with a bag of popcorn and two cans of Coca Cola, switching off the lights as he walked in. Clay tried not to be disappointed when George dropped himself a regular distance from Clay, placing the bag between them with a smile.

George was still flustered from falling asleep on Clay once, he wasn't about to do it again and risk making him uncomfortable. He missed the flash of disappointment on Clay's face.

The movie was good, it was one of George's favourites for a reason. They'd already worked their way through the popcorn and placed the bag on the floor.

George shifted to get more comfy. He placed his socked feet on the coffee table and let one hand fall to his side, the other rested on his stomach. While George was engrossed in the movie, Clay was taking glances at George.

It was during one of Jenny and Forrest's reunion scenes that it happened. At first, George thought he was imagining things. He thought he was imagining a feather-light brush against his little finger.

But then it happened again, more firm this time. And George was sure it had happened. He could feel his heart rate pick up but he didn't dare look. He stayed still, wondering whether Clay would act or not.

Eventually, George felt a tentative little finger rest over his own. The touch was light and gentle and it made George's heart ache.

Clay couldn't fight down his smile when he felt George's little finger wrap around his in return. It was the smallest thing, linking pinkies during a romantic moment in a movie, but it made Clay's heart soar.

It stayed like that for a while; George and Clay watching Forrest Gump in the dark in George's sitting room, pinkies linked. And then Clay got greedy.

Clay had always been affectionate, it wasn't his fault. So, as Jenny and Forrest confessed, Clay carefully flipped his hand to lace his fingers with George's. He watched George's reaction out of the corner of his eye, chewing on his lip.

George went a pretty pink, corners of his lips twitching, and squeezed Clay's hand. It was the barest movement, almost not there. And Clay had to lean into his free hand to stop himself from giggling. He really was a high school girl who'd caught feelings.

And that's how they watched the rest of the movie. Hands laced, slowly gravitating towards one another until they were pressed shoulder to shoulder.

As the credits rolled Clay and George stayed in place. Neither wanted to be the one that broke the spell. Eventually, George used his free hand to stifle a yawn and Clay turned to him.

"You tired?" Clay murmured and George nodded, rubbing his eyes with one hand. "It's been a long day, I think we deserve some rest." Clay continued by way of explanation and stood, slowly letting his fingers slide from between George's. George voiced his agreement, standing as well.

"Goodnight, Clay. Sleep well." George mumbled, smiling sleepily up at Clay. Clay wished he could have this forever.

"Goodnight Georgie. You too." George hummed and padded off towards his room. Clay walked to his, having already set up earlier.

George's home felt exactly like that to Clay. Like home. The only problem with it was that it had one bathroom.

Clay wasn't sure whether George knew about his mask. He wasn't sure how George might react. Would George get upset? Would he think that Clay was lying to him still? Clay didn't want to find out.

But Clay didn't want to find out what George thought about him without the mask even more. He'd have to start waking up earlier so that George wouldn't get suspicious.

Clay didn't want to keep hiding things from George but, as he stared at his reflection in quiet revolt, he decided it was necessary. Clay scrutinised for a moment longer, glaring at his skin and glasses.

They didn't seem like much to anyone else. Anyone would think Clay was just being dramatic but Clay had been through far too much upset to see that way.

But George wasn't like anyone Clay had ever met. George was an enigma. George was kind, selfless, protective, thoughtful. George cared in a way Clay wasn't used to. Clay switched off the bathroom light, swiftly making his way back to his room.

////:\\\\
11/5/20

Clay
Help
11:34pm

Frenchie
Hello Clay. I'm good, thank you for asking.
11:34pm

Clay
I'm having a dilemma
11:34pm

Frenchie
When aren't you
11:34pm
What is it now?
11:34pm

Clay
You know I have a crush on George?
11:34pm

Frenchie
You do?! I'm shocked.
11:34pm

Clay
This is why I wish I lived with Zak and Darryl
11:34pm

Frenchie
No you don't
11:34pm
You'd feel like too much of a third wheel
11:34pm

Clay
Anyways
11:34pm
I think it's more than a crush
11:35pm
Like
11:35pm
He's really easy to be around
11:35pm
His house feels like a home to me
11:35pm
He makes me feel calm and happy just by being there
11:35pm
He said goodnight in the cute sleepy voice and smiled at me and I wanted that forever
11:35pm
And now I want to show him my face
11:35pm
My actual face
11:35pm
With the glasses and without the makeup
11:35pm
Even though I only met him in person for the second time like two days ago
11:37pm

Frenchie
You're a mess
11:37pm
And you're in love
11:37pm

Clay
Huh
11:37pm
I'm in love with George
11:37pm

Frenchie
Well done
11:37pm
Now go tell that to George
11:37pm
Seen

////:\\\\

Clay would tell George he loved him. Clay would tell George he loved him. Clay would tell George he loved him.

Eventually.

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1.6k words

Hehehehhehehehehehheheheheh I love writing Bad's texts so that I can use cute faces like (๑╹ω╹๑ )

Feedback is welcome and appreciated!!

~ Dandelion