Despite the earlier hiccups, the following hours go smoothly, and John is sufficiently calmed by the time his and Ross' ceremony is due to start.

It all passes in a bit of a blur to George who is standing at the front trying not to visibly slouch although he thinks he looks like a giant next to John's shorter groomsmen.

George is feeling a bit knackered as he waits for the proceedings to begin, but he tries to push his tiredness away, knowing he's still got quite some time to go before he can return home.

And once the music swells and John appears in the entrance to the small chapel with a smile and slightly watery eyes, George grins in response, because John is about to be properly married, and all misgivings aside, it's exhilarating seeing his best friend find love with such an amazing person.

John looks wonderful; his suit is pure white and his hair is curlier than usual thanks to something Matty had done to it which had confounded George and pleased John immensely. John had even agreed to let Matty put a bit of makeup on him, although whatever product he had applied isn't noticeable, it just seems to highlight John's natural features which is a testament to Matty's skill.

John's lips continue to stretch wider as he makes his way to Ross' side who also has an infectiously happy expression on his face. Just viewing them together makes John's earlier doubts seem paltry now, because George can see how much they care for each other, and he knows they'll make it through any ups and downs that are thrown their way.

The ceremony goes off without a hitch, if John starting to cry halfway through doesn't count, which George thinks is more beautiful than anything really, and when his gaze searches the crowd only to end up landing on Matty who is wiping his eyes as well, George's vision also gets a bit blurry.

The vows move onto the kiss which is teary and filled with laughter and hollers from the guests, and sooner than George is expecting, the pastor begins wrapping things up and John and Ross are making their way back down the aisle together hand in hand while the crowd tosses rose petals at them, many of which land in John's hair.

George stays where he is for a bit, letting most of the crowd exit the room before he heads in Matty's direction who is still sitting in the pews. Matty's face is slightly wet, but he's smiling when he turns and looks at George, and although George can't explain why, he finds himself pulling Matty into a tight hug as he approaches him.

It's most likely just an effect of being at a wedding, of witnessing real love in such close proximity that has George holding Matty much more intimately than he usually would, and to his surprise and also relief, he feels no guilt when Matty snuggles into him willingly.

Matty giggles as he leans into George's touch, his slender arms wrapping around George's waist as they embrace in the middle of the half-empty church, ignorant to the few people that are still milling around them.

"Thank you for coming with me," George whispers as he pulls away, hoping his sentiment will explain his unwarranted affection, although really, he'd just wanted to hold Matty for a moment since his presence here means more to him than he'll ever be able to explain with words.

"Thank you for not making fun of me for crying," Matty chuckles hoarsely, his breath catching in his throat slightly when George wipes away a few tears he missed with his thumb, the gesture far too gentle for it to be a simple act of kindness among friends, but George knows that Matty is more than that to him now.

"Got a bit choked up myself honestly," George replies, forcing himself to retract his hand even though he wants to keep it where it is pressed against Matty's cheek.

"I'm so glad you invited me honestly, I haven't been to a wedding in ages and I forgot how special they are. It was a really lovely ceremony, John looked so happy"

"He is, and now we get to watch him get pissed and inevitably end up snogging Ross for the next few hours. You feeling up for it?" George asks, worry tinting his tone a light blue shade when Matty yawns into the crook of his arm.

"Of course, I never turn down free booze, and I want to show off my dance moves to a new audience."

"Well come on then, can't keep them waiting," George laughs heartily, his gaze never leaving Matty as they start walking toward the back garden where the chatter of the other guests can already be heard, drowning out Matty's own soft giggle that George strains to hold onto even when it's faded away completely.

~~~

George loses Matty almost instantly when they enter the gardens the reception is being held in. Matty makes a sound akin to a squeal and darts off in the direction of the nearest bundle of flowers that are accented by the white lights and other decorations that have been put up for the party, and although George tries to follow him, he keeps getting stopped by guests who want to share a few words.

George gives up on trying to find Matty when he escapes his line of vision for the third time, deciding to let him enjoy himself for a bit while he finds their table, which he seems to be doing if his joyous expression that George had glimpsed before he disappeared means anything at all.

George is a bit worried that Matty won't be able to spot him in the crowd, but he forces himself to stop searching the nearby bushes out of the corner of his eye, assuring himself that Matty will text him if he gets turned around, and really, he's the tallest person here, so he shouldn't be too hard to pick out.

John and Ross are already at the table chatting with the people nearby and accepting all of the well wishes and congratulations they're receiving with easy smiles on their faces, their hands entwined and their bodies leaning toward each other in a physical manifestation of their adoration that George hopes he one day emulates with someone else.

"Hello George," John calls out loudly, "you got your speech all ready?"

"Yeah," George sighs in fake exasperation. When he'd originally agreed to be John's best man, he hadn't realized how much would go along with it, and he's not the best at speaking in general, especially not in front of a large audience, but he has something worked out that is short and sweet, so he should manage. "Just don't expect a novel or anything."

"Everyone will probably be too drunk by that point to notice," Ross comments. "I heard the kitchen staff already had to break into the second case of wine since the open bar was practically mobbed the second the ceremony ended."

"That's the best part of weddings," George teases, "none of us came for you, we just wanted the complimentary drinks."

"Ah of course," John laughs uproariously, "I should have known you were never really my friend, just using me for liquor this whole time were you?"

"Yeah, sorry mate, but I thought it was about time you knew."

"Oh sod off and sit down," John snorts, "and where is Matty? Don't tell me you scared him off already."

"Nah, he went to go look at the gardens. He loves this place by the way, you should have seen his face when he first saw it."

"See - I did pick a nice church you twat," Ross cuts in, the banter between the two leaving George chuckling since he's never heard the word twat be uttered with so much affection.

"I know you did, but my choice would have been wonderful too, and it's not even raining," John argues back like it actually matters by this point, but George is used to this by now after being friends with John for so long, so he doesn't attempt to interject.

John and Ross continue to bicker for a bit, but George gets distracted from their conversation when he spies Matty heading over. He stands up and waves although Matty's already seen him, earning himself a nudge from John that George completely ignores in favor of catching Matty's attention.

Matty slips into his reserved seat gracefully, the one that was originally meant for Kyle. He instantly begins introducing himself to those at the table that he hasn't met yet which is everyone besides John, and he does so with an ease that George has never been able to emulate when talking to strangers.

George watches Matty fondly as he chats with Ross and immediately begins winning everyone over just like he'd done to George the first time they'd spoken, his stomach feeling oddly warm and fluttery, which is a sensation he chooses not to push away for once.

There is just something about Matty that draws people in, that makes them feel special, like Matty genuinely cares, or maybe that's just how George views him, but either way, he's thrilled to witness Matty melding with his friends that even Kyle didn't like all that much.

~~~

The reception is as lovely as the wedding itself was. George stumbles through his speech a bit, but he keeps his focus on Matty who smiles encouragingly at him the entire time, and he makes it to the end without embarrassing himself too much. John seems to enjoy it at the very least even if it is slightly boring.

Matty continues fitting in perfectly just like he has done all afternoon. John is beyond delighted with him, which had started earlier on when he'd seen his completed look that had been orchestrated almost entirely by Matty, and his fondness had only grown when Matty began pelting him with questions about the church and it's history. They'd even gone off on a tangent about their favorite flowers in the gardens for a bit that George had eventually zoned out of.

The day is almost over now though, and the attention has finally left George and their table in general since everyone's busy eating and drinking and dancing. George is indulging in the first two options, but he's kept to his seat so far, even when Matty had begged him to dance with him earlier.

And it's not like George doesn't want to dance with Matty, in fact, he'd been severely tempted, but he had resisted the urge, knowing that with the way he's been thinking today, it would probably make him even madder for Matty that he already is, and he needs some space before he does something truly idiotic.

Matty's found another partner now though, one of Ross' cousins he thinks, and he seems to be having a good time. George likes to imagine that he can hear Matty's bubbly laugh from where he is even if Matty is halfway across the room and the music is covering up everything besides the chatter closest to him.

When George has finished his plate of fish, he glances around briefly, and after noticing that John is entirely wrapped up in Ross and Matty's occupied with his new friend, George takes the chance to slip away for a quick smoke.

George isn't even entirely certain if he's allowed to light up here, but he can't be bothered to actually leave the premise, so after making sure he's mostly hidden in the back of the gardens, he pulls out his pack of cigarettes which is still mostly full.

He hasn't been smoking as much as he used to lately, and although George can't credit that to Matty, he thinks spending time with him has been improving his mood and filling his thoughts and spare moments with things others than wasting his hours moping and smoking.

George slouches down as he inhales deeply, resting against one of the ornate planters that look as if they've been here for a hundred years, and maybe they have.

George is starting to see the appeal of this place, it really is gorgeous in an ancient way, and now that he's standing aside and observing things, he can understand Matty's fascination with it.

As if thinking his name had caused him to appear, Matty suddenly emerges among the flowers and foliage, a soft smile on his face and a cigarette resting in between his slender fingers.

George has been enjoying his solitude, but he can't deny that his heart skips a bit when Matty spots him and his face breaks into a proper grin.

"There you are," Matty huffs as he comes to sit beside George, his small frame swinging upward until he's perched on the lip of the planter George is resting against. "I can't find my bloody lighter, and I thought I saw you sneak off."

George chuckles around his cigarette, fishing in his pocket until he finds the item Matty is asking for, clicking the flame alight when Matty sticks his own cigarette in his mouth and pushes it in George's direction instead of taking the lighter from him like George had expected him too.

"You having a nice time?" George asks simply to fill the air with something other than smoke and to stop himself from staring at Matty like he's currently doing.

"Yeah, I really am honestly," Matty answers sincerely. "I know I've said it probably a thousand times, but thank you for bringing me George."

"Thank you for coming, it means a lot to me," George also repeats himself, because he's uttered those words before as well, but he wants Matty to know that he means them.

They smoke in silence for a bit after that, and even when George is finished with his cigarette, he stays and watches Matty through his peripheral vision, noticing how his body sways along to the music that's still audible from where they are even though he's sitting down, the small motions captivating George entirely.

So it's not his fault that he jumps a bit when Matty suddenly stubs out his cigarette which isn't entirely spent and springs to his feet, a sound that's somewhere in between a gasp and a shout leaving his lips as he spins around to face George.

"I love this song," Matty explains when George shoots him a quizzical look, his posture radiating excitement as George tries to pick out the strains of the new track, but he can't place it. "You have to dance with me George, please?" Matty all but begs, and George doesn't even try to fight him this time.

Because he wants this, he really does, even if he can't disguise it with the excuse that it's a simple dance among friends, because it's not anymore. George barely even feels guilty when Matty wraps his arms around his neck and steps into his personal space, his skinny frame fitting against his perfectly when he places his hands around his waist.

George loses himself in the act of being with Matty, of how right it feels to have the other man pressed up against him, and he knows now that taking a risk with Matty is what he needs to do if he has any chance of finding true happiness, he's been mostly certain of that ever since he'd given John the same advice a few hours ago.

Matty is everything to him, he wakes up and Matty is the first thing that pops into his head, he looks forward to their shared breakfasts and their texts and the nights spent out with him whether it's at the club or just taking Allen on a walk more than anything else, and Kyle barely factors into George's mind anymore.

George wishes he'd figured this out sooner, he feels like he's lost precious moments with Matty thanks to his indecisive nature, but in a way, he's also glad he took his time and didn't immediately drop Kyle when Matty came into his life.

He's sure now that this is what he wants, that Kyle isn't the one for him, and maybe Matty isn't either, but George hopes he might be, and he no longer harbors that same faith in Kyle.

George will make himself call Kyle tonight, he'll tell him that he's done, that he has been, and he'll attempt to get some answers that he feels that he deserves.

George has put this conversation off long enough, but for now, he's going to dance with Matty and enjoy the rest of their evening, and hopefully, that'll give him the strength to face Kyle's twisting words and guilt-inducing nature.

When Matty leans his cheek against George's chest, George shudders slightly, a surprising surge of want pulsing through his veins when he feels Matty relax entirely, trusting George to hold him upright as he leans most of his weight into him.

As much as George fancies Matty, he hasn't experienced sensations like this around him often. He's always held himself back, but now something has snapped within him and he knows he's teetering on the edge of a knife, waiting for the slightest rush of air to push him one way or the other.

"I really want to kiss you," George admits quietly, cursing himself for speaking aloud but unable to hold himself back any longer. He can blame it on the wine he's had, but he thinks it's caused more by the heady atmosphere when it's just him and Matty and his new sense of determination that sets his tongue loose without his consent.

"I really want you to kiss me," Matty whispers, and fuck - George can feel the heat emitting from his red-tinted cheeks given their close proximity, which of course only increases his desire to press their mouths together even more.

"I can't though," George sighs, unwilling to be labeled as a cheater even now that his relationship is in tatters, because that's not him, it never has been, and he doesn't want Matty to think he's possible of betraying him if they do in fact end up together. George hurries to add onto his statement when Matty's face falls, hating the pained look he's receiving and desperately needing to erase it. "Not yet anyway."

"Soon?" Matty asks, pulling himself back from George just enough so he can meet his eyes, his expression smoothing out as he peers up at George shyly.

Matty's irises are dark and glittering, and George thinks he could gaze into them for hours like the sop Matty's turned him into. George nods slowly, every fiber of his being screaming at him to drag Matty closer and kiss him like he's been dying to ever since he met him, but he knows it will be better for the both of them if he waits.

"Soon, I promise. I'm mad about you, I think you know that, and I've been an idiot, which is nothing new, but I need to talk to Kyle, to properly call things off, and I - I was afraid you might not actually want me in the way I want you," George spits out, needing to say this all now before his courage dries up, his blood rushing in his ears with such force that he can barely hear his own confession.

"I've been gone on you for a while as well, fucking hell you've been driving me insane," Matty chuckles weakly, his feet shuffling backward, creating a small amount of space between them as Matty begins twirling his curls between his fingers nervously. "I was too scared to say anything, I didn't want to lose you, and I wasn't sure if you were bothered by my job and all that, but fuck George - you don't know how hard it is trying to be just your friend."

"If it's anything like what I've been going through, I think I have an idea," George laughs, and although the sound is strangled and a bit wheezy, it releases some of the built-up tension inside George's chest - not all of it, but enough so that he can breathe again. "Just let me do this right, give me a bit of time, but if you still want me once everything's settled, then..." George trails off because he's not sure how to end his statement.

He still isn't one hundred percent certain what Matty is expecting from him, if it's a fuck, or a boyfriend - which is the option George would prefer, or just George in any way he can have him, but they can sort that out later. George has to get out of his current relationship first before he can contemplate a new one.

"I'll be waiting, no matter how long it takes," Matty promises, and fuck - that sounds much more serious than someone looking for a shag, which Matty can surely get easily enough anyway.

The way he's worded it makes George feel special, desired, and that's just one of the many reasons that George has fallen so ridiculously hard for Matty, he's realizing more and more of them now that the mental blocks he's put around his attraction for the other man are crumbling into dust.

George can't help but pull Matty into a fierce embrace, trying to convey everything he's feeling with the pressure of his arms around Matty's middle since it's the only touch he's allowed to give him right now.

Matty melts into it instantly, his limbs clinging to George tightly as George rests his forehead against Matty's, letting his lips brush the skin there briefly before he forces himself to stop tempting the both of them even though it feels just as incredible as the first time George had allowed himself to do this.

"Is it alright if we get out of here?" George suggests once they've broken apart, and George swears that it feels like a piece of his heart is now embedded in Matty's skin, but if there is anyone he trusts to keep it safe, it's Matty.

"Yeah, I'm knackered honestly," Matty agrees, his gaze darting around skittishly like he's not quite sure what to do with himself now that they have to go back to pretending to be just friends, even if it's only for a little while longer, and honestly, George feels the same.

"Thank you," George murmurs as they begin making their way back to where everyone else is gathered, "for this, for everything, for understanding, I don't know what I'm trying to say, but just thank you."

"You don't have to thank me George," Matty smiles gently, his fingers dancing lightly across the back of George's hand as if he wants to hold it but he's not sure if he can. "I am thrilled you want me, believe me, I am, but even if you didn't, it wouldn't matter as long as you're happy, that's all I've ever wished for you since the first night we spoke at the club."

And fuck - George has no response to that, not one he can utter without crying that is, so he simply does what Matty's been hinting at and clasps their hands together, squeezing Matty's palm lightly as his eyes well up and his heart stutters in a manner that's a bit frightening, but the exhilaration of finally confessing his feelings to Matty outweighs his terror regarding what is to come, at least for the moment.

Fuck we've finally reached this point. I've been so excited to get here which is probably why I actually managed to update this in a timely fashion.

I've had parts of this chapter written out for ages ever since it was just supposed to be a oneshot, and I am over here yelling right now since I can finally post it.

I don't think I'm making sense but that's alright.

Also I got a bit eager to put this up so the editing might not be as good as usual. If you saw any mistakes don't be afraid to point them out.

I hope this made you all as giddy as it did me.

Also I've been getting a few comments about the slower pace of this story but that's the way I wanted it to go, and I think it worked much better than if George had immediately dumped Kyle and went off with Matty but it's finally moving along now.

The next chapter is George's call with Kyle, so that one should be interesting as well.

Votes and comments are my favorite things if you feel like leaving one.

I love you all so very much xxxx

- starr