"So," Levi speaks softly, placing down his glass. "This is actually really nice." He settles back into the luxurious crushed velvet armchair he's been fortunate enough to land in, resting his arms behind his head.

"It's all thanks to Mel," George reminds him, taking a sip from his drink; he doesn't intend to consume much alcohol this evening, due to his fear of recreating the evening of his mother's funeral. He figures, however, that a glass or two won't do any harm. "And Tee, and Stella. They're all diamonds for giving us this time together."

"Indeed." Levi glances across the bar, observing the various groups of individuals scattered around the room. "This place is incredibly fancy, don't you think? I almost feel like a peasant in here."

"Behave," George scoffs, swatting the air with his hand dismissively. "You're the most good-looking, sophisticated guy in here. I'm surprised you haven't turned more heads."

"I wouldn't be so certain," Levi smiles; he wouldn't raise awareness to his thoughts, but he is incredibly content with the fact that George seems to be enjoying himself in this moment in time. "You, my darling, would deserve all the attention. Not me."

"Don't put yourself down like that." The sound of a gentleman's voice earns the attention of the couple; they turn their heads, to find a man of about their age — perhaps a few years older — stood above their table. "Sorry to disturb you both. I just had to say how dashing you are."

"W-Well," Levi chokes out; he is surprised that he has gained somebody's attention in this manner. "Thank you. Um, who do we have the pleasure of talking to? I didn't catch your name."

"Handsome guys like you can call me Mack," the man responds; he pulls up another chair, taking a seat with George and Levi. "So, what brings you here?"

"We were just having a few quiet drinks," George answers, with a bite of sarcasm. "And just enjoying a nice evening together. We've not spent much time alone since we've had kids."

"Oh, you have kids too?" Mack sucks air between his teeth, as if this feat is comparable to a prison sentence. "No wonder you both look stressed out. Kids are too much hard work. Especially these days — always whining for their parents' gadgets and the like. I suppose yours are the same?"

"You're rather upfront for a stranger," George comments flatly.

"George," Levi hisses, not wanting to appear rude in front of Mack. "Ours are pretty good, actually," he informs him. "They don't tend to throw tantrums or kick up a fuss if they don't get their own way. They're good kids."

Mack raises his hands in surrender, unashamed of being proven wrong. "That's great for you guys. You must have really raised them well. I applaud you for that." He shakes his head, letting his guard down a little. "Sorry for my prejudice. It's just, I tried kids with my ex-wife. They loved me, until she poisoned them against me. Now they don't want to know me. I suppose I'm just a little bitter about it."

"I'm so sorry you had to go through that," Levi apologises sincerely, furrowing his brows sympathetically. "I couldn't imagine losing my relationship with my kids."

"Well — if one good thing came of it, it made me realise that women aren't my strong point." Mack shrugs, before explaining further. "A few months after the divorce was settled, I realised I was gay. Only took me — what? Forty-five; fifty years of living to finally get the picture. My ex used to say I was a bit slow. I guess she was right."

"Well, at least now you know who you really are," Levi speaks optimistically. "I suppose there's no harm in that."

Mack turns his attention to George momentarily. "Forgive me if you think I'm being too forward," he instructs kindly. "But would you mind if I buy you and your ... "

"Husband," George utters bluntly.

"Right! Would you mind if I bought you and your husband a drink?" Mack smiles genuinely, in an attempt to sway George's decision. "I just couldn't pass on the opportunity to talk to such a dashing specimen."

"I mean, I'd rather not," George responds; in truth, he is still weary of strangers giving him drinks after the time he was spiked when he was younger. The fear has stayed with him for all these years; even now, he is overly cautious surrounding the matter.

"Go on then," Levi snickers, watching as Mack rises from his seat to go to the bar. "He seems alright, doesn't he?"

"Of course he seems alright to you," George frowns. "You're the one he fancies. Of course he's going to sweet-talk you like there's no tomorrow."

"Behave yourself," Levi cackles, in disbelief at what his husband is trying to imply. "He wanted to buy both of us a drink — not just me."

"Because then I don't have a leg to stand on if I become uncomfortable with him," George elaborates. "He knows he can flirt to his heart's content if he includes me, too. I can't say a word about it."

"He's just being nice." Levi observes that their new acquaintance is returning with two drinks, so he ends the conversation as abruptly as it started. "Thank you, Mack."

"It's nothing." He places both drinks on the table, sliding one over to George's end. "I know you said you didn't want one, but I got you one anyway. A peace offering — for interrupting your quiet night."

"Well, you can have it," George declines, neither maliciously nor politely. "I've had my quota of alcohol for tonight, anyway."

"No worries. More for me." Mack retrieves the glass, tipping back the contents in a few large swallows. Once he's done, he leans back into his chair. "That's the good stuff. Not the same old cheap shit you're probably used to."

"Are you saying our taste isn't as exquisite as yours?" Levi asks playfully, taking small, controlled sips of his drink. "Because I'll have you know that we have wonderful taste. We just don't drink much."

"Kids to look after, hey?" Mack offers.

"And responsibilities to maintain," George adds, side-eyeing his partner. "You know — jobs; housework; family life; friends. And each other — isn't that right, Levi?"

"So your name's Levi, hey?" Mack interrogates, raising a single brow curiously. "That's a nice name. It suits you."

"Well, you have my mother to thank for that," Levi laughs nervously; he can sense that George isn't enjoying this unwanted company, but he is apprehensive about dismissing the man they've only just met. "B-But anyway, perhaps we should be making tracks. We've been out long enough."

"It would be cool to keep in touch," Mack invites. "I can tell you guys are fun to be around. I'm in to that."

"Uh ... " Levi hesitates for a moment, unsure as to whether it's a suitable idea to give Mack their numbers; to avoid coming across badly, he ultimately agrees. "Of course." He quickly takes Mack's phone, adding his number into the contacts list speedily to end the night as soon as he can. "Well, it was nice to meet you, Mack."

"The pleasure was all mine. Catch you some time soon, all being well." He raises one hand, using this motion as a substitute for a wave, as the two men head out of the bar to go back to Melanie's house.

"Why the fuck did you give a random stranger your phone number?" George huffs, the moment they're out of Mack's earshot. "He could have been anyone!"

"He seemed pretty harmless," Levi excuses calmly. "You need to relax a little. I'm not stupid. He's just a lonely gay guy who needs friends. You can't say you've never been there."

"He and I are not the same person," George spits, as they make their way to the tube station. "Just because I was harmless, doesn't mean he is. He could be a murderer, and you've just given him some insight into your life."

"I'm sure it'll be alright." The pair arrive at the London Underground, before entering the station and heading to the correct platform. Conveniently, as they set foot on the one they require, a tube train comes rattling down the tracks to pick up the waiting passengers. The couple embark, glancing out the windows as the doors close, and the train rushes rapidly to the next station. After a few moments of silence, Levi decides to speak again. "So, did you enjoy the night we had?"

"Until it got gatecrashed, I did." George is keen to emphasise just how irate he is by Mack's stunt of intervening in their solitary evening together, so he lays it on thick. "And until I realised that my husband has developed an inability to say 'No' to somebody, provided they give some sob story about their failed marriage."

"He said he'd been through a lot. Forgive me for having a conscience." Levi teasingly tugs at George's cheek, squeezing the supple skin between his fingers to indicate he's only messing. "I seem to always have soft spots for people who are struggling with their lives, don't I, George?"

"You can't marry every man you feel sorry for," George reminds him, very-obviously unamused. "It's not my fault you settled for the first man you ever spoke to."

"Don't you dare." Levi rolls his eyes at George's self-deprecation, as the pair arrive at their stop. "I didn't settle at all. You know I love you more than anything in the world — well, besides the kids."

"Well, things change don't they?" George is first to alight the train, hanging back from walking away from the platform so he can wait for Levi to catch up with him. "Just because you've loved me for almost three decades; doesn't mean you can't fall out of love with me, and fall for somebody else."

"I think your head's being a little bit silly at the moment," Levi jibes, in reference to the explanation of grief they have given to their children. "I don't have any intentions of falling for somebody else. I built my life with you, because I wanted to build a life with you."

George wants to believe Levi with all his heart; and for the most part, he does. However — such with his insecurity stemming from a combination of grief and from his past relationships — he finds difficulty in doing so as fully as he would like. To neither agree nor disagree with Levi's words, he simply nods his head, in an attempt to end the discussion; he just wants to get back to Mel's house so that they can collect the kids and settle back in the hotel for the evening. When Levi speaks once more, he realises the conversation isn't quite over yet.

"I thought you knew how much you meant to me, George."

Despite his best efforts to avoid eye contact prior to this moment, George can't help but glance up at his lover. "I-I do, mostly."

Levi cocks an eyebrow. "Mostly?"

"Y-Yeah." There is no particular reason for George to suddenly be stammering so much, but through his slight inability to communicate, he explains further. "I just—you—I'm just—" He allows himself a moment to gather his thoughts, as not to make more of a fool of himself. "It's just, you could have any man you wanted. How could you choose somebody like me?"

"You're insecure because of Mack, aren't you?" Levi frowns at this assumption he's made, as he reaches to touch upon his husband's shoulder to provide reassurance. "But you don't need to be. I have absolutely no interest in him whatsoever. Don't even consider that idea."

"Could you not see how into-you he was?" George almost finds hilarity in the notion; not that Levi is incapable of garnering such attention, but rather, at the fact that Levi is so oblivious to what's right in front of him. "He was essentially drooling into his drink just looking at you. He could have refilled his glass without even needing to go to the bar."

"You're so funny," Levi compliments, coiling an arm around George's body to pull him in to his side. "This is just one of the reasons why I married you, and not some random guy in a bar." He leans in, pressing a sweet, gentle kiss to George's temple; over the last twenty-eight years, Levi has maintained the two inches that allow him to slightly tower over George, meaning he has to lower himself a touch to reach him.

The reassurance is enough to cheer George up, even if it's only temporary. He takes advantage of this brief period of feeling like his head's above the water, halting the pair in their tracks by standing opposite Levi.

"I love you," George dares to utter quietly.

Hearing these words brings an immediate, unfaltering smile to Levi's face. "I love you too, you complete nut." George gives a loose grin, exposing his teeth in such a way, that Levi can see the adorable 'fangs' he has in his top set; he uses this as the trigger for complimenting George once more. "You know, I love every single little detail about you."

"Such as?" George presses.

"Just the quirky stuff," Levi comments, deciding it's best to go further into detail. "The orange flecks in your eyes. The dimples when you smile. Your little vampire fangs." He laughs when the latter point causes George to slide his tongue over his teeth to feel said fangs. "The way you listen to every word I say; and you actually take it in and act on it. You know me in a way nobody else does. You're connected to me on a level that no other person could ever reach. You don't realise it, George, but you are my life and soul."

George is taken aback by Levi's response; for he never anticipated such a heartfelt summary of what makes their love so special. Deep down, he knows that Levi is correct in every word he says; and no amount of self-deprecation can take away the truth, that they are, when all is said and done, completely and utterly made for one another.

• • •

Chapter nine! Thought I'd mix things up a bit. Hope you enjoyed. xx