The upcoming day is nerve-wracking for both men; Levi sits alone in his car, tapping aimlessly at his steering wheel as he waits for George's train to arrive into Goring. George glances at his watch, realising that the time is soon approaching for him to finally be around the man who causes the butterflies in his stomach. The train announces Goring and Streatley Station, which transforms the gentle excitement into ferocious heart palpitations; he rises from his seat, heading to the vestibule area ready to alight. Levi checks the clock in his car, noting that the train is due within the next couple of minutes — he heaves a sigh, before pushing open his car door; and he exits the vehicle.

"Today is the day," he tells himself softly, in a bid to calm himself down. "Just be cool about it. The worst that can happen, is he rejects you. But you can still be friends afterwards." He leans his body against the side of his car, keeping a look out for the victim of his newfound affection; he sees the train slowing into the station, which sends a harsh wave of anxiousness through his chest. His rational brain tells him that this feeling is entirely normal for the experience he is going through; his irrational brain tells him he's going out of his mind.

Eventually, after a rush of passengers flood the road leading out the station, George's sweet face can be seen approaching him. He swallows, before forcing a smile to suppress all other emotion. George gives the same smile, slinging his over-shoulder bag off; ready to place it in the footwell of the car.

"It's great to see you again," George compliments, trying his hardest not to give away what's going on in his head.

"The same for you," Levi returns politely. "So, I've kind of already got the day planned for us this time. Just to avoid any kind of difficulty when we have hours to spare later, and nothing to do with them."

"Nice one," George answers; the pair get into the car, so that they can go to the village centre. "So, what's happening first?"

"Well, first of all — the obvious. We'll be going to the river, to just sit and take it in for a while. We can talk and stuff. Oh! And my mum made us a little something." He gestures with his head to the backseat, where a dainty wicker basket sits. "She knows about you, so she thought she'd make a little picnic food for us. Saves us going to the same restaurant as the last two times."

"That's so lovely," George beams, already seeming to like his mother just from this act of kindness. "So, she knows you made friends with me? Does she know how we met?"

"I told her a little bit about the phone call, and you coming out as gay to me by accident," Levi explains, flicking his car indicator on prior to turning left on the road. "It actually gave me leverage to come out to her myself — so she knows I'm gay now."

"Oh, wow." George appears surprised by this, but nonetheless he is impressed that Levi had the confidence to have divulged that. "What did she say to you about it?"

"To paraphrase, she said she supports me. As long as I'm happy." The memory of his mother's reaction brings another smile to his face; this mingles with the acknowledgment of who he's talking to, resulting in him being unable to return to a straight face. "Which I thought was cool."

"It is," George murmurs. "I just wish I was safe to do the same thing."

"Who's stopping you?" Levi interrogates; although his tone is playful, he's being serious.

"I guess it's just me," George responds sadly. "I'm just so frightened of my family and friends rejecting me. And I'm scared of how Stephanie will react."

"I know. But people can be a lot more accepting than you realise," Levi assures him; he parks up outside his home, before switching off the ignition. "Here we are. You ready for the joys of the river?"

"Always." George's apprehensiveness melts into happiness, as he gets out the car; the sights of this village never grow old to him. Granted, he has only visited three times now; but there's a charm he can't brush off, every time he's here. The men walk to the river edge, with Levi holding the basket in one hand; they take a seat on their usual bench, before unpacking what Levi's mother made for them to share.

"So, how was the journey here?" Levi asks, initiating small talk between them.

"It was pleasant." George chuckles, before taking a bite of food; he allows himself a few seconds to chew and swallow, before continuing, "How was the wait outside the station?"

"Also pleasant." Levi laughs, glancing over at the water. "You know, if the station didn't have ticket barriers, I'd come and wait for you on the platform."

"It's no issue to me." George shrugs, to emphasise how little he is bothered by it. "I'm happy to give you a meet-and-greet at your car each time."

"Right." Levi decides to draw the conversation to a close, as he attempts to find something else to talk about. "So, after this I was thinking you could come back to my house for a little. You know, because we don't always have to be in public together. My house is rather nice, you know."

"I can believe it," George acknowledges; he turns his head a moment, spotting something that interests him. "How have I missed that before?" He rotates his full body on the bench in awe, pointing at the subject of his attention. "Look at that house, Levi. Look how gorgeous it is."

"Ah, Mill Cottage," Levi informs him. "Nobody's lived there for a few months. It's a stunning place though."

"One day when I'm rich, I'll move here and live there," George challenges, leaning his chin against his hands as he admires the architecture of such a stunning building. "And that garden. Wow!"

Levi's eyes slowly move to the side, to watch George's reaction; the wonder on the Greek-English man's face as he imagines living in such a grand home is enough to captivate Levi. So much so, in fact, that Levi can't help but create these make-believe scenarios in his own head — he sees them both sat at the breakfast bar in the kitchen sharing pancakes; he sees them cuddling on the sofa watching films; he sees them brushing their teeth at the same sink next to one another, and laughing at the froth that accumulates around their mouths. The little things are the things he cannot help but yearn for; a simple love that others take for granted. He sees all of these things in the man sat beside him; and the most frightening part is that George will know how Levi feels by the end of the day.

"It's certainly a beautiful view," Levi comments softly; his words are aimed more at George, than the cottage behind them. "A dream."

George grins, exposing his teeth in such a way that Levi spots the little 'fangs' he has in his top set; this tiny feature is yet another thing that he finds endearing about him.

"Where would you like to live? You know, if you could choose anywhere in the world," George asks him, entirely oblivious to the subtly-flirtatious remark that has just been directed at him. "Because you know I'd move here if I could."

"I think, actually, I'd stay here," Levi answers, taking another bite of food; he makes quick work of it, before elaborating. "After all, home is where the heart is."

"I feel like a stranger in my own home sometimes," George admits, setting down an orange juice carton that he has been holding for the last few minutes. "Feeling as though I can't be comfortable — or at least, while Stephanie is around."

"I know. But you said you'd tell her the truth once you found a man to love, didn't you?" Levi raises a single brow, unsure of whether this moment is appropriate to bring up his feelings.

"I suppose. But it's easier said than done, isn't it?" George clasps his hands together, leaning them on his lap. "I mean, finding someone. Especially when you're closeted. Because, who are you coming out to, in order to initiate a relationship?"

"I get it." Levi nods in understanding. "I always said I'd only come out if I found someone worth coming out for."

"Well, I guess you didn't keep to your word," George points out, with a chuckle. "I mean, I'm the reason your mum knows you're gay."

"That's true." Levi is still battling with his head as to whether now is the right time to be honest with him; he glances down at the bench, for the sake of fixing his gaze somewhere other than George. "But you're a good guy. Totally worth coming out because of you."

George gives a closed-mouth smile as a substitute for laughter, although he misses the hinting that his friend is doing. "And I guess it just makes it easier on you when you do finally take a man home. Your mum will have some context, at least."

"Speaking of which — did you want to conclude this nice little picnic and go to my house for a while?" Levi intercepts, as he starts to pack some of the food and drinks away into the basket. "You could meet my mum, if you like. I'm sure she'd love to put a face to the name."

"I'd love to." George helps Levi to put everything away; then, the pair head back to his home. The walk is brief, because his house is only a few hundred metres from the main part of the village centre.

Levi enters first, holding the door open for George to follow after. "Mum, I'm here with George!"

The woman pops her head around the door that leads to the living room; her curious expression switches to one of excitement at this new face. "Hello darling! So lovely to finally meet you." She brings the rest of her body out from behind the door, moving into the hallway to give George a hug in greeting. "Levi has told me all about you."

"It's a pleasure to meet you, Mrs Jones," George returns, his bashfulness kicking in. "He's told me all about how fantastic you are, too."

She gasps, her way of expressing mock surprise. "Well, I wouldn't go as far as 'fantastic', but I appreciate the kindness. And gosh, please call me Penny. Mrs Jones makes me sound old — even if I am getting on for fifty now."

"I don't believe you," George breathes, resting a hand against his chest to suggest his shock.

"Oh, you are definitely a charmer, aren't you?" She snickers, as she comes to the conclusion that she should leave the pair alone for now. "I'll just be up in my room. If you need anything at all, either of you, do make sure to shout me." She gives a little wave with her fingers, before dashing up the stairs, out of sight.

"She's amazing," George compliments. "What a kind lady."

"That's my mother for you — she can never do too much for anyone. That's why I love her so much." Levi approaches the living room door, opening it back up now his mum isn't here. "Anyway, make yourself at home. Any guest here is part of the family, according to my mother." The men take a seat together on the sofa, neither of them speaking for a minute; this creates a silence which is neither awkward nor comfortable.

"So." George takes it upon himself to be the first to speak. "What exactly did you tell your mum about me before today?"

"I told you, didn't I?" Levi furrows his brows, a smile forming on his face. "I just told her that I called you by accident one time, and then you told me you were gay by accident."

"That can't be all you said. She's being far too nice to me," George evaluates, allowing himself to lean back into the cushions behind him. "You must have told her something really good about me, or something."

"I don't know about that," Levi teases, trying not to reveal too much, too soon. "Maybe I told her you're a good friend, too. And that you're a great guy, and your personality is cool."

"So you're really selling me well," George laughs. "You sound as if you've spoken about me more than you speak about your obsession with Michael Jackson."

"Well, she was curious about you. What can I say?"

"Why is she so curious about a stranger?" George cannot seem to comprehend this phenomenon.

Levi enters a state of monologue. "Well, she caught up with me the other day — the day that I called you when Steph was at home. And she said to me that I looked sad. She asked me why I was so sad, and I kind of just told her about you. I told her how I'd accidentally met you, and how we'd been seeing each other and getting to know one another. She just kept asking me questions about you, and so I just kept answering them. I told her about how you're partially red-green colourblind; I told her I purposely avoid any outfits with those two colours just so that you can see everything I'm wearing properly. I told her about the time you spilt spaghetti down your jumper. I told her about how you ranted to me about your secret, only to realise I wasn't Stephanie. And she just kept asking, and asking, and asking. So I kept telling, and telling, and telling. And there was a stage where I couldn't stop talking, and—"

"And you're doing it again now," George jibes playfully, finding amusement in Levi's altered demeanour. "You're talking a lot. I'm fairly sure you only talk a lot when you're passionate."

"Well, maybe I am passionate." By now, anxiousness has flooded Levi's entire body, but he knows he cannot turn back now. "Maybe I only talk a lot when I'm enthusiastic or excited or immensely interested in something."

"Something still confuses me," George chimes in. "You said before that you were sad when your mum started talking to you. Why were you sad?"

"I was sad because—" He isn't certain of how to respond to George's question, so he halts all speech for a moment to think.

"If it's because you feel sorry for me for having to hide who I am, then I can assure you that you don't need to." George's reassurance causes Levi's head to snap around; the men make eye contact for the first time in a short while. "Honestly, I know I'm doing this to myself. You don't have to be sad for me."

"It's ... hard to explain," Levi states quietly, adrenaline plaguing his brain; slowing his thought processes. "But it isn't quite that, I guess."

"Then what?" George is growing impatient; he isn't frustrated with Levi, but his intrigue is getting the better of him. "You're confusing me a little. Talking a lot, yet being so vague."

"Oh, George! Why couldn't you just take the hints?" Levi suddenly cries, very much out of his character. "I came out to my mum because you were worth coming out for; I'm talking a lot about you because you're somebody I have very strong, fond opinions of." He buries his face in his hands for a second, before lifting his head back up. "Because I look at you, and I see everything I ever wanted. I look at you when you're laughing and I see someone I can share stories with. I hear your voice say my name and I imagine all the things we could be. I see my end and my beginning in your eyes. I see a future — a life! And I try with all my heart to forget the way I'm feeling. I try so, so hard George." He holds his hand over his heart, to emphasise his next point, "But then I get this painful aching in my chest, because the thought of not having you around is something I can't get my head around. Since you came into my world, all I can imagine is a life with you in it. I was sad the other day because I know that even the remotest chance I have at being something to you, is tarnished by the fraud you call a relationship." In shame, he rises from his seat, beginning to leave the room for fear of having said too much. "Sorry."

George remains frozen in place for a minute after he hears all that Levi has to say; he wants to react, but he is stunned. He has never considered that the way he feels for Levi, could be reciprocated. After the initial shock, he realises that Levi is no longer in the room; he leaps up from the sofa, to follow after him into the kitchen. He finds Levi, with his hands leant against the countertop; his hair partially masks his face, due to his head being tilted.

"You don't need to be sorry ... " George utters, too shy to talk at his normal volume. "I promise, you don't."

"I expected this to go a lot smoother," Levi confesses, embarrassment clear in his tone of voice. "I wanted it to be nicer."

"What you said back there was ... it was beautiful, Levi." George edges closer to the man, cautious not to move too suddenly. "Nobody has ever spoken about me so sincerely before."

"If you think it was all bullshit—"

"Of course I don't," George interrupts him, finally arriving next to him. "I've known you long enough now, to know when you're serious about something. And besides, you talk a lot when you're passionate." He expels air from his nostrils in amusement, to bring the conversation to a more lighthearted tone.

"I'd never want to interfere with you and Steph," Levi reminds him. "Not ever. It has never been my intention, I swear. So please don't think I'm trying to force you out, or something."

"I know you wouldn't do that," George acknowledges. "You respect me, and I appreciate that — a lot." His kind words are enough to bring Levi's eyes to his; they finally look at one another in a bid to read each other's expressions. Both of them feel a wave of calmness override any previous unrest; a silence lingers, as neither of them know what to say. With being stood next to one another, only a small gap separates them. George makes the bold decision to do something he hadn't planned on doing prior to this moment; he raises his arm, pressing his hand to the side of Levi's neck. He uses his thumb to lightly caress the jawline, before he moves slowly in, closing the small gap between them; George's eyes close — as do Levi's — just before their lips connect in a soft, prolonged kiss. Their stiffened bodies prevent the experience from becoming intense; the only sign of motion is Levi's hands shifting slightly, to touch upon the elbow joints of George's arms, to keep him still.

All too soon, they withdraw from one another; their foreheads remain pressed to each other's as they take a moment to process what has just happened.

•••

They finally kissed! I felt so giddy writing this. Hope you enjoyed it! xx