After the initial adrenaline of the moment subsides between the two men, their foreheads finally part; they remain in close contact, but the intimacy is replaced with a sense of uncertainty. Their eyes don't leave one another's, as they search each other's irises to get any kind of inkling as to what goes on in their heads. It takes a short while of maintaining eye contact, before George breaks the silence in a hushed panic.

"Stephanie can't find out about this," he asserts, quickly withdrawing from Levi's hold; he adjusts his shirt to tidy it up a little, unsure of what to make of what's just happened. "She can never know that just happened. Not ever."

"I promise," Levi assures him, no louder than a murmur; he is admittedly surprised that George made the first move on him, despite him being the one to confess feelings to George. "B-But, what was that?"

George chooses this time to lower his eyes to the floor, embarrassed at his own actions. "It was ... a thoughtless kiss. And I'm sorry for forcing myself on you in that way. Really, I am." He rubs up and down his own arm with his fingers, looking as though he's on the verge of tears.

"So you didn't mean it?" Now it's Levi's turn at feeling overwhelmed with emotion; he hates to say it, but he is disappointed by George's choice of phrasing.

"Wait," George stammers, snapping his eyes back up to look at the man before him. "I didn't mean to word it like that. I just mean, I didn't plan it. It happened without me really contemplating the consequences. But of course I meant it, Levi. I wouldn't kiss someone I didn't—" He realises what he's saying is entirely a lie, so he abruptly stops talking. "Well, obviously I would. But not you."

"So what are you saying?" Levi raises one brow, hoping with all his heart that George means exactly what he's hoping he means.

"I ... " He hesitates, because although he can sense it from within that he genuinely feels strongly towards Levi — he has never had this experience before, and so it alarms him. He swallows, lifting his hand to his forehead, rubbing gently. "I feel the same way as you do, is what I'm saying."

"And you didn't say anything?"

"I didn't want you thinking I was crazy," George confesses, a forlorn expression slowly creeping onto his sweet Greek features. "I didn't want to scare you away when the friendship we have is so wonderful already."

"Is that what you want it to remain as?" Levi asks him. "Friends?"

"It ... doesn't make sense," George points out. "You like me, and I like you. It doesn't make sense to remain friends, when we both know it would tear us apart inside each time we saw one another."

"You're not saying you want to cut off all contact, are you?" Levi questions sadly; he never quite expected the conversation to go the way it has so far. "Because I don't want that. Friends is better than nothing at all, surely? Plus, where would you be without being able to vent to me about your worries? And where would I be without being able to listen to you, and to be able to go on, and on, and on about Michael Jackson?" His passionate persuasion continues, as his eyes dart around erratically. "When we first started talking, I told you that you could vent to me whenever you wanted; but I never expected to find the same amount of solace in you, too. But I have, and I don't want to lose that now that I have it. Nobody else in the world is willing to listen to either of us; so even if nothing ever happens between us, I couldn't possibly imagine a life without you in it — even if it's only as a friend. You can call me insane if you want to, or you can say I'm overreacting. Whatever you like. But the fact is, it seems foolish to just avoid one another purely because we're scared of what could hap—"

"Shut up for a minute," George intercepts suddenly; before Levi can even utter another syllable, George quickly moves back in, capturing Levi's lips with his own once more. The suddenness causes Levi to tumble slightly — but George catches him, before holding him against the kitchen counter to secure their position. This time, the kiss feels entirely different; what was once spontaneous awkwardness, is now a confident, intensely drawn-out gesture of hunger, and of longing. There holds no shallow lust in this moment; only authentic, raw adoration — something George has always been unfamiliar with. He hides this well, however, as he moves his lips slowly and seductively in time with Levi's. The fire-fuelled session between them continues on; neither of the men have any intentions of parting from one another any time soon. Levi's hands move up, tangling carelessly within George's cedar wisps of hair; meanwhile, George brings himself forward just a touch, allowing their bodies to press to each other's.

Eventually, the only thing that causes the pair to withdraw from one another, is the sound of Levi's mother coming down the stairs. When she sees the men in the kitchen, she gives an expression of guilt.

"Sorry boys — I thought you'd be in the living room," she apologises. Her eyes move from her son, to George — his hair has become significantly scruffier since she last saw him; this arouses some form of suspicion in her. "Everything alright?"

"Brilliant," Levi splutters, not quite wanting his mum to know what's happened yet. "Just ... talking in the kitchen."

"Is talking all you've been doing?" She cocks a single brow, trying her hardest not to lose the straight face she has.

Just this is enough for George to feel heat rush to his cheeks; he's never been 'sussed-out' over something like this before. He stares at Penny, much like a deer who has been caught in headlights, unsure of how to respond.

"Like we said — just talking," Levi repeats, hoping that George will get the hint and play along. "Isn't that right, mate?"

"Yes," George stammers abruptly, still with embarrassment evident in his features. "Just talking about, uh, Michael Jackson. This guy talks your ear off, doesn't he?" He turns his head to Levi, widening his eyes as if to suggest he needs help.

"Come on, mum — you know what I'm like," Levi cackles, swatting the air with his hand to dismiss any unspoken speculation his mother may have. "I don't shut up, do I?"

"This is very true," Penny laughs. "But poor George looks like he's seen a ghost. Is everything okay, sweetheart?" She comes forward, placing a motherly hand on his shoulder. "If you're feeling overwhelmed with being in a new place, I'm sure Levi won't mind if—"

"I'm absolutely fine," George interrupts, smiling at her. "Sorry. I think it's just meeting new people. I've heard so much lovely stuff about you, of course, but my nerves get a little erratic seeing somebody face-to-face for the first time."

"Bless your heart." She chuckles gently, before slipping past the men to grab a glass of water. "Well, I hope you don't mind me gatecrashing your lovely discussion. My throat was starting to become dry."

"It's not a problem at all," George assures her, politely. "Gatecrash all you want to."

"Don't say that — next time, I'll accidentally catch you having sex or something; and it'll be tragic for all of us," she teases, her way of exposing that she knows what they were up to.

"We—" Levi can't even find words to defend his actions, so he remains silent.

"I'm ... so sorry if you think I've been taking advantage of your son today," George apologises, much to Levi's surprise. "I-I didn't plan to even do this. But he told me how he felt about me a few minutes back, and I really didn't expect it. And I know he poured his heart out to me, and I barely even gave him a response to suggest whether I felt the same." His eyes fill with sadness; all kinds of emotions come flooding into his chest now — mainly a mix of uncertainty for what will come of himself and Levi; and guilt for the fact he is deceiving Stephanie. "B-But I just wanted to make it clear before anything further happens." He looks back to Levi, ensuring he is giving him undivided attention. "Levi, I'm happy to say it to your face, and in front of your mum. You two are the only people in the world who know the truth about me, and not once have I been condemned or judged for it by either of you. I'm not used to talking about my true feelings, because I've lived my entire life in a lie. But with you ... I can be me, one-hundred percent. And that's all I wanted."

Between George's words, Penny can't help but beam from ear to ear; she has never bore witness to such a sweet display of words for her precious son until now. She leans herself against the wall, watching as George continues to eloquently speak about the man he has grown to care so strongly for.

"Most of the words I've wanted to say to you are written in my diary at home — where I knew nobody could ever see them. But that's the beauty of it: it means I can say exactly what's on my mind, and it's the real, authentic truth. I don't lie to my diary, not ever. I only wish that I'd have brought it with me today, so that I could tell you exactly what goes on in here." He taps his forehead with his index finger a few times, to indicate what he means by 'here'. "But seeing as I don't have that privilege, my messy, clumsy brain will have to suffice, I guess." He gives a nervous laugh, lowering his eyes to the floor a moment to think over what to say. "Um, but I guess the thing I'm trying to say is that ... I mean, it's pretty similar to what you've already said. But since you came into my life, it's as if everything has, kind of, fallen into place. Only a couple of months ago, I was trying to end everything. I hated the idea of existing. Nothing felt worth it. Yet somehow, just by being you ... you changed that. The idea of being alive is exhilarating to me, now. I wake up every day feeling as though I finally have a purpose other than working and sleeping. I have somebody to wake up for, even if the relationship remains purely friendly. I get shy thinking about it, but all I have to do is look at you and I get so uncontrollably giddy." He pauses, because coincidentally, he gets a bout of anxious giggles as he finishes the sentence. He rubs his face with his hand, to compose himself slightly. "I feel like a child who's just developed their first puppy crush. And it's magic. It's all magic."

"He talks just as much as you do when he's passionate," Penny jibes softly to her son. "Look at him. This boy thinks the world of you, baby."

Realising his mum is correct, Levi can't help but grin at the Greek-English man before him. "Well, perhaps we both need to work on our paraphrasing and summarising, don't we?"

"But where's the fun in that?" George asks rhetorically, his smile exposing his gorgeous teeth.

"Well, it would mean we can talk less, and do this a little more." Levi leans towards him, pressing his lips to George's in a brief, playful kiss; before pulling away from him. "Don't you think?"

George takes his bottom lip into his mouth for a second, to calm himself after what's happened the last few minutes. "You make a perfectly valid argument, I must say."

"You guys make me sick. I love it," Penny chimes in, beginning to walk towards the kitchen door again. "Be good to each other. I'll leave you to it." With these words spoken, she exits the room with her water, isolating the men once more.

Levi glances up at the wall clock that hangs above their heads. "It's already two-thirty. We only have a couple of hours until you have to go home."

"I wish I didn't have to go," George sighs; he presses one hand against the counter, to hold him in place. "Even if I didn't fancy you to death, I just love Goring with my entire heart."

"Not your entire heart, surely?" Levi teases.

"Alright, fine. With half of my heart. You can claim the other half if you like."

"Only half, hey?" Levi shakes his head in mock disapproval, folding his arms to further convey this playful disappointment. "Well, it's okay, because Meggy and my mum share the other half of mine."

"Like that, is it?" George gasps in surprise, touching his hand to his chest. "Then my mother and my baby niece claim some of the other half of mine, too. Oh, and Andrew."

"Fine!" Levi scoffs, attempting to hide his chuckles.

"Fine!" George adds in the same tone, concluding the conversation.

Levi melts a little, at George's sarcastic attitude. "You're so cute when you're feisty," he compliments, no longer able to contain his amusement.

"I can be a lot more feisty than this." George uses this comment as a means of flirting, although only subtly; as he doesn't wish to get ahead of himself so soon after they've admitted feelings for one another. "But we'll save that for another day."

"I'll hold you to that." Levi heads towards the kitchen door, holding it open for George to pass through. "But until then, how about we go back to the living room and relax like we were meant to do originally?"

"Sounds good to me," George agrees, following after him.

Even with all that's been said in this brief period of time, he still struggles to wrap his head around the fact that he has reciprocated feelings for somebody who genuinely makes him happy.

•••

Chapter twenty-two! Hope you're liking this, still! xx