As George exhales, a cloudy mist expels from his mouth from the cold in the train carriage he's sitting in. The winter weather is drawing ever closer — he is dressed appropriately for this, with a long navy coat draped over his person; a grey scarf wrapped loosely around his neck; and black buckled boots. Tonight is bonfire night — and to celebrate the occasion, he is on his way to visit Levi, so that they can watch the firework display by the river. Admittedly, George is looking forward to this; with the fireworks being after dark, he has had to come to Goring in the evening as opposed to during the day — meaning he hasn't been able to use the excuse of going to work like usual. Instead, he has told Stephanie that he is visiting a friend; but while this isn't strictly false, he still feels guilty in a sense.

As the train pulls in to Goring and Streatley station, George feels a rush of excitement; it's been about a week since he last saw Levi, due to life getting in the way. They have had to settle merely for phone calls in between working, and Stephanie being around. In this brief time apart, however, their fondness has only built up for each other; their discussions are increasingly more personal as each day goes by, and more secrets have been divulged. Although their private affair has only lasted two or three weeks, it feels as though it has been going on for much longer. The train comes to a halt at the platform; George lunges up from his seat to head to the vestibule to alight. As he opens the door to get out, he looks into the distance, at the cars parked outside Goring and Streatley station. He spots Levi's vehicle, so he hurries to get through the ticket barrier and out of the premises.

As he heads over to Levi's car, George notices him getting out of the driver side. As soon as he sees that familiar, handsome face, he can't help but dart forward as quickly as he can. Levi opens his arms before George reaches him; inviting him in for a hug in greeting. George falls into Levi's chest, savouring the first sweet embrace he's been given, in what he deems as being far too long. Levi's leather-gloved hand reaches to hold the back of George's head, which instantly makes George feel all-the-more protected against the chilly evening air. In the darkness, the men know that they are safe from the public's wandering eyes; they part from one another, instead opting for a drawn-out kiss. With Levi being a couple of inches taller than George, he grabs the lapel collar of George's coat, to pull him upwards so their lips meet easier. For a few blissful seconds they remain this way, until Levi pulls back to look into George's eyes.

"Oh, how I've missed you," he utters.

"It isn't even close to how much I've missed you," George retorts softly, still quietly catching his breath. "I can't believe we lasted this long apart."

"It doesn't matter now. We're together again." Levi smiles, relieved at this fact. "And tonight is going to be beautiful."

"Agreed." George's expression matches Levi's, now. "So, are we going straight to the river?"

"Of course. They have stands set up with snacks and stuff, if you're hungry." He gestures with his head, to the passenger side of his car. "Let's head over there and you can see for yourself."

George opens the gap between the pair, as he walks over to the other side of the car; once he's seated, he realises just how warm it is inside, as opposed to how frosty it is outside. Levi gets in the car from the driver side, switching on the ignition to start the car heating system.

"Is this firework display something they do every year?" George asks, in order to create small talk.

"Pretty much, yeah. My mum and I normally go each year, but this year she decided to stay at home to look after Meggy — and Maisie. You know the deal with animals and fireworks," Levi explains as he drives. "Bless her heart; my mum is giving them a little pamper evening. Grooming them, and giving them treats. It's the little things, isn't it?"

"That's the cutest thing I've heard today. And that includes your voice," George teases, earning a look of offence from Levi; he doesn't look away from the road, however. "I'm joking. They're both just as adorable as each other."

"Good save," Levi comments. Before too long, they arrive back at Levi's home, so he removes his seatbelt and glances at George. "Let the fun begin."

"Let's do it." George can't help but beam with excitement as he gets out the car, slamming the door shut afterwards. He looks back at Levi's house, remembering their first kiss only a couple of weeks ago, and how his mother interrupted it unintentionally. It was a fantastic day, even with the rollercoaster of emotions that resulted from it.

The men walk over to the bridge by the river, where the display is set to take place. George observes the various little stalls that are scattered across the grassy area; he sees the food and snacks, as well as some simple game stands with silly little prizes. The latter makes him feel enthusiastic, so he grabs Levi's hand and drags him over to one — Hook-a-Duck.

"Come on, Levi — we have to have a go on this one," he asserts, laughing. "I'm a master at Hook-a-Duck."

"Let me see your skills, then I'll give it a go," Levi challenges, raising a brow. "Show me what you've got, Georgios."

"I'll have a go, please," George tells the stand owner, folding his arms. "I'm on a mission here, to prove to this one—" He points to Levi with his thumb. "—That I've got some amazing hooking talent."

"No problem, mate," the owner smiles. "If you hook a duck with an odd number underneath, you win a small prize. If you hook one with an even number underneath, you win a medium prize. If you hook the duck with the golden base, you win any one of the large prizes you like."

"Challenge accepted," George jeers, amused, as he grabs a hold of the hooking device. He angles it so it hovers just above the water that the ducks are floating on; he evaluates which he should go for, before positioning the hook in alignment with the duck of his choice. Successfully catching it, he fishes it out of the water, lifting it up to check the number underneath. "Odd. Small prize. Seriously?"

"So talented," Levi cackles, jokily slapping George on the back. "It's okay though — you get a tiny inflatable hammer. How exciting is that, hey?"

"Shut up," George snaps, trying to fight his chuckles. "I'd like to see you get an even or a gold duck. Go for it."

"I'll take a turn," Levi tells the owner. "See if I can get a better prize than this guy."

"Of course." The owner snickers, handing George his small prize, before giving Levi the hooking device that George just used. "Try your luck; you never know."

Levi uses the same strategy as his partner; he keeps the hook steady as he decides which duck to aim for. Having settled on one, he manages to grab it in a matter of seconds, giving a triumphant smile as he checks the underneath.

"What did you get?" George asks.

"I got the gold base. Get a load of that!" Levi jibes, unhooking the duck so he can show the stand owner his achievement. "I'll take that massive blue bear over there, mate." He points to the prize he wishes for, still extremely satisfied that he beat George in the game.

"Certainly." The owner unties the blue bear from the string that holds it in the air on the stand, before giving it to Levi. "Nicely played. You'll have to come back later and try your luck again."

"We'll see," Levi concludes, saluting the stand owner. "Cheers, mate." He looks at the bear in his arms, before sneaking a glance at George. "You in a bad mood because I beat you, Mr Talented?"

"I'm not bothered," George answers, although his tone clearly expresses this isn't true. "It's a game based on luck, not talent, anyway."

"Sounds like something a loser would say," Levi chuckles. "I'm only messing with you. I chose this bear because I wanted you to have it. I know blue is your favourite colour."

"How did you remember that?" George's face gives away his confusion. "I don't remember ever telling you that."

"You did, a while back — one of our first conversations," Levi reminds him. "You told me your favourite colour was blue; but not because it's a generic boy colour, but because it's the colour of the sky. And the sky is fascinating to you, because it's endless; and even when you get to space, it's still technically sky. Do you remember saying all of that?"

"I guess I do now." He shrugs, taking a hold of the bear which still sits in Levi's arms. "I'm just surprised that you remembered that far back."

"I remember a lot of things you say. Because you matter to me." The kind words are enough to flit George's eyes up to Levi's. "George, I wish you knew how special you are to me."

"You're special to me, too." George furrows his brows slightly, unsure of where this gentle demeanour of Levi's has suddenly come from. "You're the first person in my life who I've ever ... " He becomes too anxious to say what he wants to say, so he holds back.

"Who you've ever, what?" Levi is adamant about getting the words out of him, so he persists. "I'm the first person in your life who you've ever, what?"

George's apprehension is obvious, as he shakes his head; his stance is fragile, as if he's afraid. "I just don't want to think it's something it's not. I don't want to assume what this feeling is, if I'm wrong."

"I know what this is," Levi assures him, moving his hand up to touch George's cheek lightly. "You've been living a lie your entire life. You've never felt strongly for somebody in a genuine sense. You've had to pretend for twenty-three years, to be someone you're not. And now that I've come into your life, it's thrown off everything you ever thought you knew about these feelings ... and it's confusing you."

"I just don't want to be wrong," George murmurs sadly. "I don't want to ruin anything else in my life because I dived in head first when I shouldn't have."

"You're not wrong," Levi comforts him. "I know exactly what you're scared of telling me. I know you've been waiting for me to say it first, because you didn't want to assume it was one-sided. I can see it in your pretty little amber eyes, George."

George musters half a smile at Levi's words, because he is still unsure of where the conversation is going to go. "What can you see, Levi?"

"You're dead serious about me saying it first, aren't you?" Levi snickers, setting the teddy down on a nearby bench for a moment to free his arms. "You want me to say it so that you know you're safe to say it too, don't you?"

"I don't know what you're talking about." Despite this being a lie, George is too bashful to answer honestly.

"You're ridiculous. Come and sit." Levi takes a seat on the bench with the bear, patting the empty space beside him to hint at George to sit there. "I don't like seeing you all jittery like this. We're meant to talk about our feelings, not hide them. That's what we're here for, isn't it? To be open with one another. Come on; talk to me, my darling."

"I've never been able to say it to Stephanie, because it isn't true. I've never been able to say it to anybody," George admits, still avoiding the words. "And I want to say it to you. But what if I'm jumping the gun and being too ... too forward? Too quick? I don't want you to be frightened off."

"You'd do no such thing," Levi reassures him, rubbing down George's arm to calm him a little. "But what you're trying to tell me, isn't something to be scared of. It's real; it's not just in your head. And if it makes you feel better, it's a mutual feeling. And it isn't too soon at all. I've known you for just long enough now."

"But you're avoiding saying it, too," George points out. "I do this with Stephanie, so I can tell when other people are doing it as well." He knits his eyebrows together, as a pang of heartbreak shocks his body. "I shouldn't have done this, should I? I should never have done any of this. I can't believe I've cheated on a girl who actually loves me, all because my eyes wandered too far to the other side of the playing field. I'm a fool. I've been so foolish." Abruptly, he stands up from the bench, beginning to walk off from Levi.

"Where are you going, George? The fireworks are about to start!" Levi calls, rising from his seat with the bear in one arm.

"Home — where I should have been anyway," he responds shortly, quickening his walking pace.

Levi rushes after him, realising that this entire situation must be incredibly daunting to the poor soul; it can't be easy trying to come to grips with one's feelings on somebody when one is engaging in an affair they didn't intend on starting.

Around one hundred metres from the bench, Levi finally catches up to George; he tugs at his shoulder, forcing the Greek to turn to face him. In this moment, the firework display starts, causing deafening banging sounds to fill the night sky. The men make eye contact; Levi sets the teddy on the floor next to him, so that his undivided attention is on George.

"I'm not avoiding it," Levi tells him over the sound of the fireworks. "Stephanie's insecurities are really rubbing off on you. I'm not playing the game you think I'm playing. And I promise you I'm not avoiding telling you what you want to hear."

"If you've got something to say — why don't you say it?" George frowns, tears forming in his doe eyes. "Otherwise, there's no use in us wasting time here." He slowly rotates his body back around, facing away from Levi, before starting to walk off again. He halts, however, with no warning, when Levi speaks up.

"Georgios Kyriacos Panayiotou," he breathes, with perfect pronunciation, among the commotion of the fireworks behind them. "I love you."

George's head snaps back around, as he stares into Levi's eyes to see how genuine he appears. The tears that have accumulated finally spill over his lashes, falling freely down his cheeks as he expels a shaky laugh; he steps back over to Levi, standing opposite him. "Can you repeat that?" he requests, no louder than a whisper due to nerves.

"You know I'm not afraid to tell you. Not now, and not ever." Levi moves forward a touch, so that he can hold George's face in his hands. "And so I'll say it again for you. I love you."

"You tosser," George sniffles, giving a loose grin through his crying. "I can't believe I'm saying this. I love you." He shudders at the words that have just come from his mouth, but the adrenaline drives him to repeat it, with much more enthusiasm this time. "I love you."

"You love me?" Levi questions playfully, just to be sure.

"Yeah," George laughs. "And you love me?"

"I do, yeah." Levi shares the amusement with him, before finally sealing the small space between them in a deep, romantic kiss. Both the men can't help but keep gently giggling at their silly interaction as they take slow pecks at one another's lips; the fireworks continue on above their heads, providing a stunning array of colours, which sparkle gorgeously in the evening sky. Once they've both cured their adoring hunger for one another, they part; instead deciding to make the most of the show. Levi wraps a protective arm around George's shoulders, pulling him in to his body as they watch the fireworks together in awe.

•••

Got to say, I really enjoyed writing this one! I hope you enjoyed reading. xx