The days come and go; and eventually, George finds himself already on the final countdown to June 21st. With only a few days left, he's starting to feel the fear more intensely over the looming deadline — and the fact that in just four or five short days, everything will have changed completely in one way or another. As his train approaches Goring and Streatley station, a pang of excitement mixes with nerves; and it rushes through him in the form of adrenaline. Other than a few sneaky jibes here and there, Levi has still been his usual loving self, despite how much the wait for the upcoming date has hurt him; and George has appreciated the lack of change in character. He alights the train once it arrives in the station, before performing his typical routine of exiting the premises and looking for Levi's car. As expected, it's parked in the same spot as it always is; so he makes his way over to it, to find Levi getting out the vehicle to meet him.

"Hello, my lover," Levi greets playfully, bringing him into a hug. Upon withdrawal, he speaks again, "How have you been? Any development?"

"I've been alright. Just balancing every element of my life. You know how it is," George answers, partially dismissing how much he's got going on. "How have you been?"

"Just fine. Just waiting, really." Levi flashes a smile, knowing that George is aware of what he means. "Where did you want to go today? Any preferences?"

"Well, I haven't eaten yet. Maybe we could go for some lunch, or something," George suggests, scratching the back of his neck awkwardly. "In the usual place?"

"That works for me," Levi agrees, opening his car door and ducking his head down to get into the driver seat. George follows suit with the passenger side, before Levi pulls out of the space. "Just make sure you don't order the spaghetti."

"Honestly, I spill sauce down myself once, and you never let me live it down, do you?" A bashful smile tugs gently at George's lips, as he remembers the first day they met fondly. "Then again, I suppose it was my own fault for thinking a mustard yellow jumper would be a good outfit."

"Not the best decision you've ever made," Levi teases. "But hey — you pulled it off, still. You're one of those lucky bastards who would look good in a bin bag."

"Highly doubtful," George self-deprecates. "I think the only time I've ever looked at myself and liked what I saw, was on Andrew's wedding day. I remember looking in the mirror before I went to the ceremony, and ... I don't know; I guess just the suit, and the fact it was a wedding — it just made me happy with my reflection, I suppose."

"You should have far more confidence in yourself," Levi assures him. "I think Steph's insecurities have seriously rubbed off on you."

"Maybe they have," George evaluates. "But it is what it is. Maybe I just need to see myself in a suit again. I think that's the only outfit I can confidently wear."

"Well, maybe one day if you get married ... " Levi allows his voice to trail off, realising that it may never be possible in their lifetimes. "Or if you go to somebody else's wedding again."

"Yeah, maybe." George decides the subject is a little worn out now, so he changes it as the pair arrive in Goring village centre. "So anyway, what's the plans for after lunch?"

"Did you forget how little there is to do in Goring?" Levi chuckles, as he gets out the car; once George is out too, he locks it. "All we can really do is eat, walk and see Mum's dogs."

"I guess. Maybe we could go to the river; sit on our usual bench," George offers. "It's been a while since we last did that, hasn't it?"

"It has." Levi glances across at George. The amount of love he holds in his heart for the Greek is insurmountable; and yet, at the same time, he is so simultaneously hurt by the fear that George may never reveal the truth to Stephanie. He wants, more than anything, for his lover to hit the deadline and finally confess his secret — but a tiny part of him is apprehensive about the likelihood; and although he has laid all his cards on the table, he still doesn't desire to leave George if he fails to tell Stephanie he's leaving. But he knows that needs must, for he has to put himself first and move on, should George go against what he's said he'll do.

The men walk together, towards the same pub-restaurant that they usually dine in; after being seated and ordering, Levi deems that it is appropriate to give George the rundown of his plans, ahead of June 21st — just so that they both know where they stand.

"So," Levi begins. "I just wanted to go over how things will work on the twenty-first."

"What do you mean?" George raises a brow curiously.

"Well, I'm going to take a wild guess and assume that you won't tell Stephanie before that date," Levi guesses, leaning back in his chair slightly. "So I just wanted to arrange everything ready for the day."

"Go on," George encourages, nodding once and gesturing with his hand for Levi to keep talking.

"So this is what is going to happen. Because I want to make this as easy as possible for you," Levi reassures. "As I've said before, you have until midnight. I will be driving down to London on the night of the twenty-first, with my car entirely empty other than myself in the driver seat. I will wait outside your home until the clock hits midnight; so that once you've told Stephanie the truth, you can immediately diffuse any conflict she may start by coming with me and leaving her to calm down."

"And if I don't come out at midnight?" George furrows his brows, interested in what Levi has to say.

"I will give you ten minutes past midnight to walk out that door," Levi explains. "But as soon as it hits that time, I'll be giving up the fight and I'll assume you've made your choice. And I'll be driving home alone; and you and I will be over. Not because I want us to be — but rather, because you want us to be."

"But I don't want us to be—" George begins to respond defensively, but he is interrupted by the arrival of the pair's drinks, "—Thanks, sweet—" He grabs hold of his glass, before continuing, "—I don't want us to be over at all. You know that. And you don't need to worry, because she'll know by then. And we'll go back to Goring together; and we'll start the rest of our lives together."

"I just hope with all my heart that you're right," Levi murmurs, taking a sip from his drink. "Because I don't want to lose you. But if you aren't willing to choose your own happiness, then I'll have to choose my own. I'm sorry, my darling, but you know I can't keep my life on hold by waiting for you to change yours."

"I know." George takes a hold of Levi's hand subtly, as not to attract too much attention from anybody else in the room. "But soon, you won't have to wait. Soon, we'll be together for always. And it'll be fantastic. Just you wait and see."

• • •

Later on in the day, George and Levi come to a halt at the edge of the river. George smiles; the very first thing he came to realise about Goring, was how gorgeous and picturesque the little village is. His fondest memories of being here include being stood exactly where he is now; basking in the beauty that surrounds him. It gives him the comforting feeling of familiarity, and — strangely — a sense of nostalgia for a time that only occurred a few months prior. He still finds it difficult to comprehend just how much has happened between himself and Levi in such a brief period of time; but not only this — how much he has grown as an individual since he met Levi. Despite his high volume of self-deprecation, he also acknowledges that he has embarked on his own personal journey to self-acceptance: and come far from the place he was in, as little as half a year ago.

"This view never gets old," George sighs contently, his voice quiet as not to rid the calmness and serenity that fills the atmosphere around him.

"It doesn't, does it?" Levi questions rhetorically. "And in a few days, you'll never have to leave this beautiful place again, if you don't want to."

"It sounds wonderful." George's eyes gloss over the simple treasure that is nature, in awe. "Without sounding too cheesy, I'm unsure what's more stunning. You, or this view."

"That really was cheesy," Levi laughs. "But I'll allow it, because it's you who's doing the talking."

"Goodness me, who's cheesy now?" George tuts, amused.

"So I'm not allowed to be?" Levi raises one brow, confidently folding his arms.

"Alright," George dismisses, holding his hands up in surrender. "I honestly don't know who's more cringy, really. Maybe when I live here, we should ask your mum to keep tabs on who says the most god-awful things."

"Is that while she's saying the same things to Daniel, or after she's finished saying the same things to Daniel?" Levi jeers.

"Good point. We may have to be the ones keeping count on how sickly they are to one another," George snickers. "But I suppose I'd take that, over them tiptoeing around their feelings for one another like they were last year."

"Tell me about it," Levi agrees. "It was painful to watch them try not to say or do the wrong thing for fear of scaring each other away."

"It was, wasn't it?" George shakes his head in mock disapproval, before stepping away from the river edge to go and sit on the bench. Levi follows him, taking a seat by his side, and they simply watch the world go by for a little while.

• • •

"It's been brilliant, once again." George takes a gentle hold of Levi's upper arms, looking up at him adoringly. "And I can't wait to be able to spend every second with you, once I've left London. Mark my words; I'm so excited."

"It's crazy to think that this is the last time you'll be here before you move here, provided all goes well," Levi gushes enthusiastically. "It's really happening, George. It's really happening, isn't it?"

"It is." George grins, unable to contain his excitement. "Just a few days more, now. Count down those hours, my darling."

"Don't you worry — I'll be counting the seconds, let alone the hours." Levi moves in to give his love a hug, taking a silent moment to appreciate the way George's chin leans upon his shoulder; the physical touch never gets taken for granted — even the little details are given attention. "Safe journey home."

"Thanks. I'll call you at some point in the next couple of days," George informs him; he turns his head just in the nick of time, spotting his train in the distance. "Here's my train. I'd better be off, now."

"Of course." Levi brings his head to George's, as they press their lips to one another's in a brief farewell kiss. Upon parting from one another, Levi looks to George, with eyes oozing with adoration. "I love you."

"I love you too. So much." George quickly raises his hand, touching it to Levi's cheek as he slowly walks away; his fingers gradually glide away from his lover's skin as he goes. Once he's on the train, he looks out the window, blowing a kiss to Levi; who returns the sweet gesture as George is whisked away, back to London.

"Just a few days," George mutters to himself, once he's found a seat in the carriage; he feels comfortable talking aloud due to the lack of customers travelling on the service. "A few days until life finally changes. And hopefully for the better. You can do this, Georgios. For Levi. For yourself. For both of you. You wait and see — everything will be so much better."

As Levi makes his way back to his car, he too speaks to himself; in reassurance about the future. "Not long now. You know, he may actually do this. He's scared, but he may actually do this. For you. For himself. For you both. You wait and see, Levi. Things are going to start looking up."

Feeling a lot more confident after today's visit from George, he drives home, in good spirits.

• • •

Nice lighthearted chapter for you! Hope you're still enjoying. Eight chapters to go! xx