Note: this chapter contains some strong homophobic viewpoints and some depictions of violence which some readers may find disturbing or triggering.

•••

The journey to Reading station is a fraction shorter than the journey to Goring; soon, George finds himself glancing out the window to spot the train slowing down. Although he knows Levi won't be feeling quite so lively in comparison to his usual self, he is still looking forward to seeing the face he has come to adore. He rises from his seat, heading into the vestibule ready to leave the train; he peeps through the window to see a crowd of people ready to get on after he's departed. The doors open, so George works to slip past all the other passengers, and out to the front of the station. The busyness of a town or city doesn't normally bother him, due to living in the capital city where it's always just as hectic; however, with the pre-existing concern he feels for his lover, he senses that he is becoming overwhelmed this time. He finally makes it out of the station, scanning his surroundings for Levi or his car; with how many people there are walking around, it proves more difficult than at Goring.

With no warning, the face he has been searching for pops up in front of him. "Hey, George."

"You made me jump," George gasps, clutching his chest for a moment, before going in for a hug. "But I'll allow it this once, for you."

Levi lets out a small laugh, more to appease George than from amusement. "I really needed this hug," he admits, his voice muffled from his mouth being pressed to George's shoulder. They withdraw; Levi glances at the Greek man before him with a forlorn expression. "I really just needed you."

"Well, I'm here now," George assures him, beaming despite his sadness. "And you can have me safely for a few hours. Otherwise Stephanie may start questioning things."

"That's fine. I didn't even expect that much of your time," Levi answers, starting to lead the pair back to his car. "But regardless, let's go to the centre and grab a drink or something. It's been a pretty long journey for both of us."

•••

The couple find themselves in a quaint little cafe around half an hour later, sharing a pot of tea between them. This suits both of them; with Levi preferring weaker tea, and George preferring stronger — it means they can tailor their drinks to their personal tastes.

"So," George begins his interrogation, lowering his mug. "What's this new guy's name, then?"

"I think mum said he's called Daniel," Levi responds, shrugging as if trying to dismiss the fear he's feeling. "They met in that pub-restaurant you and I went to the first couple of times we met up. She said they had a few drinks together and clicked. I'm just worried that she's misread it."

"But you never know — maybe he is a nice guy. How many guys in Goring could possibly be terrible people, hey?" George forces a chuckle, taking another sip of his drink. "Maybe this guy is so good, that you'll call him your step-dad one day."

"Don't go there," Levi murmurs. "I would never let anybody replace my dad — not even as a step parent. Nobody is worthy of that title."

"I see," George concludes. "Well, I'd seriously just give it time. Your mum is a grown woman, and I'm sure she's aware of the red flags in an abusive relationship by now. I'd like to think she's intelligent enough to get out if she needs to."

"My mum is too kind to people," Levi reminds him, shaking his head in disapproval of this fact. "She gives people the world; and even when they throw it back in her face, she still keeps on giving. I wish she'd learn."

"Does she have any reservations about me being with you?" George asks, feeling a little nervous about the potential response.

"She thinks you're amazing," Levi tells him honestly. "Of course, she knows you're cheating on your girlfriend, but she kind of tries to look past it. I've told her it isn't for long, and that you'll be telling Stephanie the truth soon. She knows you're there for me seriously, and she's just ... happy that I'm happy, I suppose."

"Well, if her only qualm is my girlfriend then I consider that a win," George snickers, leaning back in his cushy chair. "I mean, it's not bad going, really."

"Of course it's brilliant," Levi agrees. "But of course it doesn't mean having an affair is one-hundred percent acceptable."

"Well, it won't be the case for long," George states. "Just until I know we're seriously serious. Until I'm comfortable that this isn't just some crazy extreme honeymoon period."

"I've already told you I love you — what more do you want from me?" Levi grins, perhaps feeling slightly better about the situation he's been so anxious over. "I don't just tell random guys I love them if I don't mean it. In fact, you're the first and only man I've ever said it to."

"Aw," George coos softly, taken slightly aback by this revelation. "I mean, I know you've not really had any relationships at all, but it still feels weird knowing I'm the first."

"Well, am I not yours too?" Levi raises a brow in curiosity.

"First man," George replies, a little disappointed by this. "Obviously I've said it to Stephanie before. But I've never meant it. You're the first person I've ever said it to, and meant it."

"Well, I'll certainly take that." Levi smiles, his subtle shyness bringing his eyes down to his cup of tea. "Maybe we can go for a bit of a walk after this. Get some cool autumn air in our faces, I guess."

"Sounds like a plan," George answers, concluding his first tea; he pours some more into his cup. "I do like a bit of fresh air."

•••

As the sun starts to set around an hour later, the two men stroll slowly through a local park. Neither of them know the area hugely well, but they evaluate that it's difficult to get too lost in such a big open space. With the seasons gradually progressing into winter, the nights are longer; and therefore the sun fades a lot earlier in the day. As they walk through the grassy area, they observe children running around playing tag; some kicking a football around; some utilising the swing set. The thoughts of raising their own children one day enters both of their minds — however, neither one of them bring this up in conversation. After all, in this day and age it isn't socially acceptable for a same-sex couple to adopt or look after children anyway.

"You know, I can never really work out whether I like winter," Levi points out, in an attempt at making conversation. "Because the dark nights can be so pretty in the right setting, but then ... the sun being out later is also nice."

"I've always felt the same," George agrees, finding a certain amusement in how similarly their minds work. "Nothing beats a summer sunset though, and I'll defend that opinion until the day I die."

"Of course," Levi chuckles, glancing up at the sky. "I mean, it's already getting dark. But I must say, the sun setting is so beautiful."

"Or what little sun we do get in autumn," George jibes. "Typical English weather. I'm amazed it isn't raining."

"That's very true." Levi shakes his head, finding great amazement in how the man stood beside him can alter his negative mood, in such a short space of time. "But we might as well be grateful it's so pretty tonight."

"Of course." George halts his already-slow walking entirely, simply looking around the park to take everything in. He feels Levi stop next to him; then, he feels the gloved hand of his partner slipping into his own. In reaction, he whips his head around to glance at Levi. "You're sure you want to do this?"

"I'm not ashamed of showing I love you," Levi justifies, closing his fingers around George's to keep their hands connected. "You're the best thing to ever happen to me, and I'll defend that opinion until the day I die."

"What if somebody we know happens to be here?" George asks nervously. "I know it isn't likely, but it isn't impossible. Reading is a rather large place in comparison to Goring, especially."

"You worry far too much," Levi responds.

"Says the man who dragged me here because his mum's got the hots for a man she met in a pub," George retorts, not for a single moment being serious. "Point is, we've both got silly worries, but they're still valid."

"Of course they're valid," Levi smiles, leaning in to peck George's lips briefly, just once. "But I won't let anything happen to you. I promise that with my life."

The reassurance is enough to convince George that Levi is correct; he nods his head to communicate this, before they continue with their walk. "It's not very likely that we'll see anybody we know, anyway. We're far enough from London. I don't know anybody who would randomly decide to come to Reading for an evening trip."

"Exactly." Levi snickers at George's pep-talk to himself.

A silence follows, in which the men observe the mostly-peaceful scenery around them; the birds flying in groups in the rose-tinted sky; the kids being called in from outside for their dinner by their parents; the various dog-walkers going about their normal evening routine. It's a very typical view of a very typical life — but both George and Levi feel a strange sense of yearning to be a part of this view; to blend in like all the other park-goers. The pair arrive at a bench — seemingly their favourite place of dwelling regardless of where they venture together — so they decide to take a seat to people-watch.

"You see those kids over there?" Levi asks, pointing over to a small group of sixteen and seventeen-year-olds. "That was me when I was their age, a few years back. Just hanging out on the park with my two friends. That's all I had, back then. But I have fond memories."

"Me too," George adds. "Andrew and I used to go to our local park near our school in Bushey. On Fridays, we'd go to the clubs. On Saturdays, we'd go to the park and get pissed listening to Elvis Presley records."

"So you were into Elvis as a teenager?" Levi laughs. "I must say, I didn't see that one coming."

"I wasn't anywhere close to how obsessed you are with Michael Jackson," George corrects him. "I liked some of his songs, but it was more for the ambience of the evening. Our piss-ups on a Saturday evening were some terribly sophisticated, uh ... pieces of pantomime."

"I can imagine," Levi teases. "Sometimes I wish I were that age again. Not in every sense, but ... for the carefree parts, I suppose."

"Well, I wouldn't change a thing about where I am now." George's attempt at being sweet are met with the reaction he wishes for, as Levi beams. "I know we don't have a summer sunset, but I don't think it's needed."

"I'm inclined to agree." Levi initiates eye contact with him; the pair begin to move in for a kiss, but alas, this isn't meant to be.

"No fucking way!" a voice is heard shouting across the park. "What the fuck!"

Both George and Levi part from one another, to see where the commotion is coming from; when they see the teenagers approaching them, they begin to panic a little.

"What's going on?" George whispers anxiously.

"I don't know," Levi mutters back. "But my instinct is to get out of here."

"Fucking sick bastards!" another voice jeers, a lot louder and clearer than the last. "Don't you have any fucking dignity! Fucking disgusting!"

"I think you might be right about getting out of here." George grabs Levi's hand, pulling him up from the bench, as the pair start to run away from the kids as quickly as they can.

"Fucking gay boys!" a third voice chimes in. "Couldn't you find a girl to get any action from?"

"You've got no right being allowed to breathe the same air as us!" another voice spits.

The group follow George and Levi; some go to the effort of running just to catch up with them so that they can continue to hurl their abuse at the men. They cannot seem to lose the teenagers no matter how far they run nor how fast they go; George begins to hyperventilate, his breathing becoming erratic as he continues to listen to the sickening comments being thrown at them.

"How do we lose them?" George cries, turning his head to see how far away the kids are. "They just seem to keep finding us, Levi!"

"We need to get to somewhere public," Levi answers breathlessly. "Then there will be witnesses if they try anything."

They keep up their speed as consistently as they can; occasionally glancing behind them to check their progress in relation to the group. George looks ahead, noticing that they are both almost out of the park; he sprints as if his life depends on it, desperate to reach civilisation, where he will finally be safer.

"Come on Levi — we're almost safe!" George calls, not for a moment taking his eyes away from the route he has planned in front of him. "Just keep going!" Levi doesn't answer, which causes George to turn his head in reaction, to try and see how far behind he is. When he realises Levi isn't with him, his chest tightens. "Levi?" His eyes widen, as he peers into the darkness to see Levi laying on the floor surrounded by the teenagers. "Levi!" he shrieks, his voice breaking in anguish.

He starts to run back towards his lover; however, when some of the group make an attempt at chasing after George, he admits defeat and runs away from Levi once more. As he hurries back in the direction of the centre of Reading, he can't help but feel immense guilt for leaving Levi behind; so much so, that he stops running, and turns to face the teenagers that have chosen to pursue George instead. The young boys stand only a couple of metres away from him, laughing to themselves.

"Look at you," one of them comments. "Fucking disgusting. Our mates have seen to your little boyfriend. Now it's your turn."

"Go and find a fucking girlfriend," another adds, slowly walking towards George. "Fuck-ups like you shouldn't even be breathing. You need correcting. Something ain't right in here." He taps his forehead, to emphasise his point. "Good job we can do it for you."

Another cackles. "Don't say we aren't doing anything to help you, buddy."

One of the boys comes to stand opposite George, abruptly punching him in the nose; in reaction, George cowers down, holding his face with one hand. When he withdraws, he sees crimson staining his fingers; he gasps, a paralysing sense of fear taking over his body, freezing him in place. Regardless of how much he wants to run, he physically cannot. The kids mock poor George, cornering him and hitting him until he has no choice but to tumble to the ground in agony. Once he's down, the teens resort to kicking him in the ribs and the stomach, forcing him to bring his knees up to his chest to shield the front of his body. From the immense impact on his stomach, he chokes, coughing up a little blood; it escapes his mouth, splashing the ground as he continues to splutter hopelessly. One boy grabs George by his bloodied chocolate hair, yanking hard enough to evoke a shout of pain from the poor soul.

"Please stop ... " he begs weakly, using his arms to try and protect his head. "Please, please stop."

"As if we're going to listen to a word you say, you fucking freak! Fucking hell!"

As George pleads with the little energy he has left, one of the boys delivers the final blow to the side of his face. The gut-wrenching shouting stops, and George's head rolls back against the floor; with his eyes shutting as he loses consciousness.

•••

Chapter twenty-nine! This was a hard one to write. Unfortunately homophobic attacks happen and it's so frightening and so wrong on every level. I hope you still liked reading regardless. xx