George tugs on the edges of his jumper restlessly as he hovers outside of Menswear, lighting a cigarette in an effort to delay his entrance into the establishment even though he's already had one on the trip here and he's not really craving another quite yet.

George isn't sure why, but he's a bit apprehensive about tonight, which makes no sense whatsoever, but that doesn't stop his stomach from jumping or the shaking of his fingers as he tries to convince himself to just walk inside.

George attempts to calm down by telling himself that this is just another night. It's not like it is his first time in Menswear after all, and although he has avoided the main room on his last few visits, he's got no excuse for his unexpected bout of nerves.

Still - something feels different about this evening, but George can't quite place his finger on why that is. It's Halloween yes, but that's never meant anything to George before. He's not even dressed up, instead, he's wearing black jeans and a red sweater that he thinks looks decent on him since he didn't have a costume readily available.

He'd considered wearing something of Kyle's, orange is his favorite color, and that would have been a bit more festive, but George doesn't really want any reminders of his boyfriend pressing against his skin while he's with Matty.

Things are still confusing between them, and George hasn't really tried to fix that recently. They've talked a bit more, but their conversations have been relatively short-lived since Kyle's so busy with his case.

Kyle's been apologetic and borderline lovely when they have spoken, but George isn't quite ready to forgive him for the hurtful things he said in their last spat, not to mention he's still certain he's cheating on him even if Kyle continues to adamantly deny the accusation.

George has been keeping himself occupied with other things, mostly work and Matty if he's being honest. He knows that's not that best coping method to use, especially since the wounds Kyle has inflicted on him are still there festering underneath his uncaring veneer, but confrontation isn't George's forte, avoidance is much more his style.

Matty's been an excellent distraction, in fact, George has seen him almost every day since Kyle left. He's taken to sharing breakfast with George, claiming he loves his cooking so much he can't go back to his own paltry attempts, and George finds himself making double portions even when Matty hasn't specifically said he's going to be joining him.

Matty's opened up a bit more to George as well, he seems to be especially talkative in the mornings, or maybe he's just getting comfortable with George, but whatever the case is, George has learned that Matty has a younger brother who he adores, and that he sends him money as often as he can as well as his mother, which only makes the other man appear even more perfect in George's eyes, but he'd kept that information to himself.

Another thing that George has discovered is that Matty's not exactly well off financially thanks to certain tidbits he's shared and the small clues George has picked up on like his empty pantries and the fact that he's working more hours than ever, and although it shouldn't bother him, George finds himself fretting over Matty's predicament more often than he does his own relationship issues.

George had to resist the urge to offer Matty money when he'd put the pieces together. He has a feeling his gesture wouldn't be appreciated, but still - he'd give Matty the world if he could, and he can't help but worry about him even when it appears that he's handling things on his own.

But just for tonight, George isn't going to concern himself with the heavy things in his life, including Matty's struggles, or Kyle, or his intense attraction to the dancer who's become so important to him in such a short amount of time.

George wants to have fun, to enjoy spending his evening with the one person who can make him smile with nothing more than his presence, so after taking one last drag from his cigarette, George heads inside the club which isn't even open yet, but Matty must have told the bouncer to expect him since the door swings outward the moment he approaches it.

"They're in the back," the nameless man nods toward the dressing rooms, ignoring George's mumbled thanks entirely as he turns back to the window stiffly.

George stuffs his hands in his pockets as he crosses the empty floor, his gaze roving over the interior of the club which looks much different without the flashing lights and numerous patrons filling the booths.

George's mind flashes back to the first night he properly talked to Matty, to how pretty he'd looked under the pink glow and how much he'd come to mean to George since then, leaving George slightly dizzy when he realizes that not too long ago Matty had been nothing but a gorgeous stranger and now he very well might be falling for him.

George is snapped out of his thoughts by the arrival of someone who George thinks is Nick appearing from the back room in a policeman outfit that fits so tightly George is a bit taken aback, not that he should be by this point.

Nick's followed by another boy who is dressed as a robber, although he's really just got striped pants on coupled with a toy gun strapped to his waist and a bandana hanging around his neck, his bare chest showing off a set of borderline ridiculous tattoos including a butterfly gracing his stomach which has George giggling under his breath as he tries to imagine what had inspired him to get such an odd piece.

"Look Harry - George is here," Nick exclaims, at least, George hopes that is him. He keeps getting Matty's coworkers confused since he hasn't spent all that much time with them. The only ones he's truly sure of their names are Olly and Adam since he's spoken with them the most.

"Hello," George waves awkwardly, his hand hanging limply in the air when Harry beams up at him brightly like they've been friends for ages.

"Matty's in there," Harry points behind him vaguely before rapidly turning back around to face George. "He's going to be so happy to see you, he was really hoping you'd come."

"Yeah well I did say I'd be here," George chuckles lowly. He's not sure why his presence is cause for such celebration since he had assured Matty he'd come tonight, but maybe Harry's always this excitable.

"That's good, honestly we're all so pleased to see you. You're coming out with us after as well right?" Nick asks, sounding almost as thrilled as Harry although he's slightly more subtle about it.

"Think so yeah," George nods, his eyes fixating on Harry who's still staring at him, his mouth tugging upward into a grin as he hides himself behind Nick, his hands resting on his waist in a familiar way that has George's stomach twisting up for reasons he can't explain, but it's probably got something to do with Matty if he had to guess.

"That's great, we can chat more then," Nick exclaims cheerfully, "but we're just going to pop off this way for a moment, and uh - yeah, Matty's in there like Harry said. It was nice seeing you again George."

Harry laughs quietly as a punctuation to Nick's statement, and although George could be wrong, he has a feeling the two of them are sneaking off to make use of the private rooms before the doors open. His guess is solidified when Harry all but wraps himself around Nick as he begins heading in that exact direction, causing George's stomach to twist angrily with something that might be envy at how into each other they both seem to be.

George shoves away the snarky voice in the back of his head that's telling him that he and Kyle will never be able to emulate that sort of affection as he continues toward his original destination, the sound of his footsteps as well as his momentary longing for something that has most likely died long ago becoming drowned out in the chatter coming from the dressing room which grows steadily louder the closer he gets to it.

The scene George walks into can only be described as friendly chaos. There are people everywhere, some that George has never even seen before, and everyone's dolled up and scurrying around, somehow avoiding colliding with the other occupants of the room in the process.

Makeup and elaborate costumes are spread out across every available surface, filling the atmosphere with sparkles and so many colors that George can't comprehend all of them before his eyes are drawn to Matty almost as if he's the focal point of the room, or maybe he only appears that way to George.

The sight of Matty completely eradicates all lingering traces of Kyle from George's mind, allowing him to smile freely as he observes Matty while trying not to stare too blatantly.

Matty's sitting on the counter instead of in one of the nearby chairs, probably because most of them are filled with clothing. His slender body bends over gracefully as he applies some green eyeshadow to Olly's lids who seems to be dressed as a peacock, his sides trembling with laughter due to something that Olly has said which George didn't catch over the constant noise in the room.

It takes Matty only a few seconds to notice George hovering in the doorway, even as occupied as he is. Matty's face immediately splits into a genuine smile when he spots him which has George feeling warm all over almost as if he's standing in direct sunlight.

Matty rushes to his side before George can begin moving, carefully avoiding the numerous obstacles in the room as he goes. When he reaches him, he wraps his arms around George's waist tightly, craning his neck upward as he fits himself against George's body like their limbs are meant to be slotted together in this fashion.

"Hey," George greets Matty fondly, allowing himself to return his embrace although it's a bit difficult given the pair of dainty wings he's got strapped to his back.

"Seriously George...you're not wearing a costume?" Matty groans instead of returning George's greeting, but the upturn of his lips doesn't falter at all as he drags George back to his previous position.

"Sorry, didn't have one on me," George shrugs, his own expression radiating happiness as Matty huffs irritably, which is somehow ridiculously endearing to George, but really, everything Matty does seems that way to him by this point.

George zones out slightly when Matty returns his attention to Olly for a moment, his gaze dragging over his slender frame which is fitted with a pair of white shorts and nothing else if he doesn't count the wings and the halo resting about his tousled curls.

The angel outfit Matty's wearing is verging on indecent, which is the point of course, but George finds it oddly fitting given the position Matty's taken in his life recently.

"Well, we have loads here." Matty starts digging through a random pile of mismatched clothing that all look much too skimpy for George to ever consider putting on. "Look - you can match with me," Matty cries gleefully, emerging with a red tank top that he's sure he would tear in two if he tried to fit it over his shoulders and a headband bearing horns proclaiming it as a devil costume which George wouldn't have been able to figure out otherwise.

"You're mental if you think I'm wearing that," George scoffs incredulously, doing his best to ignore the pout Matty plasters on as he continues to hold up the outfit like that will make George change his mind. "I'm serious, I'm perfectly fine in this."

"Oh come on George, at least wear the headband," Matty pleads, "it goes with your jumper and everything, and as lovely as your cozy George look is, it's Halloween, you've got to dress up properly."

"Fine," George concedes much more easily than he thought he would, but it's hard to deny Matty anything when he bats his eyelashes like that and pushes out his bottom lip in a way that would make George want to kiss him if he was single, and also if he wasn't, but he can't let himself entertain that dangerous train of thought, "but nothing else."

"You should do his makeup too," Olly adds on once Matty's positioned the horns, which George has only just now noticed are coated in glitter on top of his head. He'd had to bend down so Matty could reach, placing their faces in such close proximity that George could count the individual sparkles dotting his prominent cheekbones.

"Could I?" Matty asks softly, his eyes going wide and bright as George groans under his breath.

Really though, it's not that big a deal, it is Halloween after all, so it's not like he's going to be the only one with a painted face. George finds himself nodding slowly before he can talk himself out of it, which earns him a delighted giggle from Matty, the sound alone cementing his decision although George has never done anything like this before.

As Matty seats George down and begins dusting something under his eye, George recalls when he'd first seen Matty in makeup. He remembers that he'd never considered it something that could look good on a boy before, and how it had made him slightly uncomfortable to realize that he'd liked it on Matty.

Fuck - Matty's job in general had rattled him in the beginning, but now he's here in the dressing room of a strip club being dolled up by a dancer like it's the most natural thing in the world, which it sort of is to him by this point.

Matty has opened up his eyes to so many new things, and not just regarding this, but also the unhealthy nature of his relationship and how much he'd been lying to himself in an effort to save something that might not be worth it in the end.

George would still be miserable if he'd never met Matty, and yes - things aren't perfect now, but they are getting better, at least George likes to think that they are.

~~~

George enjoys Menswear's Halloween show more than he ever thought he would, and not because of the half-naked boys on stage, even if he does sneak a few more glances at Matty then he probably should.

Maybe it's because he's more relaxed now that he knows most of the strippers, or perhaps it's due to his wavering dedication to Kyle, but George is able to observe them without feeling choked by guilt, and it helps that the atmosphere tonight is light and joyful. They've all got vaguely thematic dances worked out depending on their costumes, and it's apparent to everyone in the audience that they're having a blast with the wordless skits.

Matty even gets a solo dance, which he'd told George about earlier when he'd first heard the news. Matty really seems to love being on stage, George can see it in the way his eyes light up and his voice pitches higher when he talks about it, and even if he does end up taking off most of his clothes, George no longer sees anything wrong with that.

Matty is electric during his number, his limbs moving fluidly as some vaguely familiar pop song plays in the background. George is transfixed by him completely, and not only in a sexual fashion, it's just thrilling to watch Matty doing something he enjoys so much.

George gets a bit of a surprise when Matty crawls off the stage near the end of his performance before making his way to where George is seated, his motions followed by the cheers of the other patrons.

George stiffens up a bit when he realizes everyone is staring at him while he's got red glitter painted across his face and an obnoxious headband on, which is probably why Matty's chosen to do this so he can play up their matching costumes, but when Matty steps into his line of vision, he forgets his surroundings entirely.

Matty respects George's space as he dances in front of him, never once touching him even though George doesn't think he'd mind so much if he did. When Matty's finished, he blows him a quick kiss after climbing back up on the stage, collecting the money that's littered there before darting away once the applause has died down a bit.

George slips off to find Matty as soon as the music transitions and the main lights turn back on, hoping to spend some more time with him before he has to begin working the floor, which is something George is trying not to focus on for too long. He has no problem with what Matty does, not now, but he's not all too keen on watching him grind against another man that George wishes he could be.

Matty drags George out for a cigarette when he makes it back into the dressing room, their shoulders almost touching as they huddle together under the small awning, hiding from the slight drizzle that's started up while they'd been inside.

"You still interested in hitting up a bar later?" Matty queries, breaking the soft blanket of silence with his question, a puff of smoke trailing after his words, obscuring his painted features for a brief moment before it dissipates into the chill air.

"'Course, I've got to make sure you get home safe don't I?" George teases. He fakes a wince when Matty elbows him playfully, the smile that's been plastered on his face all evening growing impossibly wider when Matty chuckles at him fondly.

"You don't have to you know, like...all of this isn't necessary. I'm really glad you're here of course, but I don't want you to feel like I'm forcing you to be." Matty exhales sharply, his face scrunching up like he's thinking deeply about something, so George stays quiet while he gathers his thoughts. "It's just, I know you don't necessarily enjoy being at the club, which makes sense. It's not for everyone, and as much as I appreciate you going out of your way to spend time with me, I don't want you to do something that makes you uneasy just for me."

"It's not like that Matty, I swear," George answers instantly, attempting to erase the slightly fearful look Matty's trying to hide by turning his head away with his words. "Maybe it was at first, I hadn't ever been in a strip club before John's bachelor party, but now it's not a problem at all - honestly. I've been having a lovely time, and I want to go out with you and your friends, I really do, so don't worry about me, and if it ever becomes a bit too much, I'll let you know."

"You mean that...this doesn't bother you?" Matty gestures down at his skimpy outfit which isn't entirely covered by the coat he threw on as they were leaving the dressing room. "You can be honest with me you know, I won't be upset."

"I don't care that you're a stripper Matty," George promises without hesitation, imbuing his sentence with as much sincerity as he can manage in the hopes that Matty will believe him.

George has rarely seen Matty this lacking in confidence, and it's scaring him somewhat. He prays his reluctance to come around the club hasn't made Matty think less of himself or what he does, but he has a feeling his insecurities run a bit deeper than anything he has done.

"Thank you," Matty exhales heavily, his body pushing against George's side briefly as he speaks, the gentle gesture conveying his gratitude more than his verbal statement ever could.

George wants to pull Matty closer, to wrap his arms around him as he expands on his statement, to tell Matty that he's the most amazing person he's ever met, that nothing he has done could ever cast him in a different light, that he's perfect in his eyes, but before he can do any of that, Matty stands up suddenly, removing all physical contact with George as he flicks his cigarette out into the rain-soaked alley.

"Break's over already?" George sighs a bit more despondently than he means to, but he's not ready to lose Matty to the crowd waiting for him inside just yet.

"Yeah, but don't worry, we've only got another hour until my shift ends."

"I'll be waiting when you get off," George reminds him, sensing that Matty might need to hear that again, and when Matty smiles up at George with both his lips and his eyes, he can't help but return the joyful expression.

~~~

George ends up stumbling home after spending the rest of the night and some of the early hours of the morning drinking with Matty and his friends. Most of it is a bit of a blur thanks to the large amount of alcohol he's consumed, but he'd loved every minute of it, he knows that much.

Matty's tangled around him as they navigate their way back to their block of flats, his steps stilted and unsteady as he hangs most of his weight off of George. After his first few drinks, George had transferred Matty's tab to his in an attempt to help him out a bit moneywise, and Matty was too pissed to notice by the end of the night, leaving George extraordinarily pleased with himself at his subtle good deed.

Matty's singing quietly as they walk. George thinks it's the song he performed at the last bar they went to which had a karaoke machine that Matty had instantly gravitated toward, but he'd been drunk enough at that point that he can't name a single track that Matty had chosen, so really, it could be something from the club as well or perhaps it's neither of those options.

George hadn't been aware that Matty could sing so well, or at all, but apparently it's just another skill of his along with dancing and being an overall incredible person, which George's muddled brain counts as a very valid achievement.

George loves the sound of his voice, and he finds himself humming along softly as he keeps Matty upright while they ascend the stairs to his flat. George is a bit shocked that he's the soberest of the two given how much he'd had to drink, but it's probably got something to with their size difference and whatever else effects alcohol tolerance.

George is a bit exhausted and out of breath when they reach Matty's door, inspiring him to lean against the wall as Matty fishes for his keys in the pocket of his coat. George giggles when the halo he still has on bobs with his movements, the sparkling decoration coming dangerously close to falling off when Matty shakes his head in frustration a few times before he succeeds in his search.

"I don't remember if I said this already, but I really like your costume," George mumbles sleepily, his feet following Matty inside once he's got his door opened, only for him to almost fall over when Allen barrels into his knees excitedly, "and I really like you too Allen."

"Thank you," Matty giggles breathily, "and I'm sure if Allen could talk he'd say he likes you too."

"Hey...Matty?" George speaks up when Matty turns his back for a moment so he can close the door behind them, the lack of eye contact allowing him to speak freely as he hovers in the entryway instead of leaving like he thinks Matty expects him too.

George has something he wants to bring up that he really should have done quite some time ago, but right now, with the liquor he drank earlier still warm in his belly and his limbs loose and languid, he's finally found the courage to voice his query aloud.

"Hmm?" Matty hums in the way of a response as he struggles with his jacket, attempting to get the stiff fabric over his arms, which it seems to be resisting stubbornly.

"I know this is a bit out of nowhere, but I was thinking...I mean, John's wedding is on Saturday, and I still have a plus one since Kyle won't be going, so I was wondering if...do you maybe want to go with me?"

"You're serious?" Matty gasps sharply, his battle with his coat momentarily neglected as he spins around rapidly while George tries to decipher if the sound he let out is a pleasant one or not. "You'd really want me there?"

"Yeah, I do," George nods blearily, his inebriated state not lessening the truth of his statement in the slightest. "John's been pestering me about wanting to meet you, and it would be loads more fun if you were there. I can help you rent a suit if you don't have one, and there's an open bar too," George tacks on in the hopes of convincing Matty to join him, only just now realizing how badly he wants the dancer to accompany him once he's spoken it aloud.

"I'm off Saturday actually, I think I've even got my suit from my nan's funeral around here somewhere." Matty's voice turns slightly wistful at the end, but before George can comment on what he's just said, Matty continues speaking. "God I haven't been to a wedding in ages, I thought the next one I'd attend would be Harry and Nick's, they're bound to make it official soon I'm sure, but I'm getting off-topic now," Matty laughs airily. "I really would love to go, and you've met my friends after all, so it's only fair that I met yours."

The saying "all's fair in love and war" pops into George's head suddenly, and he thinks that means something in regards to this situation, but he's far too tired and pissed to properly decipher what, so he focuses on responding to Matty instead.

"Thank you, fuck - I'm so glad you'll be there with me. Honestly, I've been dreading it a bit, not because of the actual event, just going by myself and all that. I don't really like being alone all that much, I'm sure you've noticed that, it's probably half of the reason I'm still with Kyle..." George trails off when he recognizes his drunken ramblings for what they are.

George shuts his mouth before he can say anything else embarrassing, occupying himself with petting Allen who is still repetitively bumping his head against George's leg in an attempt to gain some affection.

"Well I'll be there to keep you company now. Just warning you though, I get a bit teary at weddings, so if I start crying, don't tease me too much."

"That's adorable," George murmurs against Allen's neck which he has his face half-buried in by this point. Matty doesn't seem to hear him since he's returned to wrestling his coat over his slim shoulders, which is probably for the best.

"You planning on hanging around for a bit?" Matty asks when George doesn't move. "You don't have to of course, but if you are, I need to change soon, these shorts aren't very comfortable."

George pulls away from Allen so he can ask another question, which is debatably just as nerve-wracking as the first for different reasons. "Do you think I could maybe stay here tonight? I'm a bit too knackered to make it back down to my own flat."

Matty nods even as a surprised expression passes over his face, which makes sense given George's past reluctance regarding this exact event, but George isn't really afraid of being at Matty's anymore, even with how pissed he is and how lovely Matty looks with his smeared makeup and his hair pulled up into a messy bun. George trusts Matty not to insinuate anything, and although a part of him wants to do just that, he knows he won't.

What George feels for Matty has become something more than plain lust or even affection, he's not ready to label it right now, but he's certain of that much.

Even if he was single at the moment, Matty deserves better than a messy, drunken fuck, so George isn't as tempted as he's been on other occasions. What he really wants right now is simply Matty's presence and a bed that doesn't smell of Kyle.

"Of course, Allen will love that. He's been sleeping in the guest room lately, I think he was hoping that you'd be back," Matty chuckles as he toes off his shoes, motioning for George to do the same when he continues to crouch by Allen with a grateful smile stretching across his lips.

George doesn't even make it to the guest room in the end. He and Matty both fall asleep on the sofa after Matty suggests watching a film so they can sober up a bit before bed. George dozes off so quickly that he can't recall what movie Matty popped in, his eyes becoming heavy and weighted the second he snuggles into the blanket Matty procures for him.

George wakes up with a stiff neck and an aching spine, coupled with Matty half sprawled across his lap and Allen curled up against his side, but even with his discomfort, George thinks it was the best night's sleep of his life, and he finds himself wishing that this exact scene could greet him every morning.

Hello I have returned with gay times.

I hope you liked this update because I really did and it covered a lot of important things at least I meant for it to so fingers crossed that I managed to convey them correctly.

I think this story has only three or four chapters left now just warning you all.

Votes and comments always make me smile if you would like to leave one.

I love you all so very much xxxx

- starr