When George wakes up this time in Matty's home with a warm weight pressed against his side, he knows it isn't Allen, and that fact has him smiling before he's even properly opened his eyes. Matty is here - with him, and starting his day next to someone he cares so much for is the best thing that has happened to him in ages.

The events of last night flash through George's mind at lightning speed, transforming his expression from a soft smile into a proper grin as he remembers everything that had occurred after he'd gone to see Matty at the club.

In a way, it sort of feels like a dream. It seems impossible for him to actually be this content with his life, but he is, and the fact that Matty has brought this amount of happiness to him simply by existing is something George doesn't think he'll ever stop being grateful for.

George also recalls what he had uttered to Matty as they had drifted off, the almost inaudible 'I love you' that he hadn't truly intended to fall past his lips. That doesn't mean he hadn't meant it though, and yes - it might be too soon to tell if George is actually in love, but this feels right, as if it was meant to be, and he doesn't regret his unintended declaration.

George wants to fall in love with Matty, he aches to spend every night with him and greet each morning with his soft curls tickling at his chin and his gentle exhales brushing against his skin. He hopes this is what the future holds for him, it seems to be heading that way, but after being hurt in the past, a part of him is terrified that Matty isn't as dedicated to this budding relationship as he is.

But Matty has done nothing to fuel that assumption, in fact, he's practically proved the opposite at every opportunity. He's been there for George since the day they met, even when he had no reason to be.

George was just another face in the crowd, a stranger that Matty could have easily tried to take money from, but he hadn't. He'd respected George, he'd listened to him when no one else had, he'd supported him in everything and never pushed George too far, letting him take his time with Kyle, allowing him to make his own decision when he was ready, and now he's here just like he promised he'd be.

Matty begins to stir just then, disrupting George from his internal musing as he blinks his eyes slowly, a joyful grin tugging at the corners of his mouth when he looks up only to meet George's gaze since he had been staring down at him without even realizing it.

"You're not Allen, but you're much more handsome than him, and you smell better too," Matty mumbles, causing George to laugh freely at his statement.

"I'm a bit surprised by that last one, was almost certain I reeked of come and sweat," George retorts playfully. He does really need a shower, but that would involve moving away from Matty, and he's not ready to do that just yet.

"It's a nice scent, they should make a perfume of it really, it's very arousing."

"You're even more ridiculous than usual in the morning," George teases, his lips aching with how hard he's smiling, but it's a wonderful pain that he'd like to experience more often.

"I am, this is why I never get up this early."

"Did I wake you?" George questions, not that he thinks he did. He'd been completely silent after all, but he wants to make sure he's not bothering the other man, or even worse, overstaying his welcome.

"No, I sort of just wanted to make sure you were still here," Matty admits after a few seconds of silence.

"And it's alright that I am yeah?" George has to ask, because if Matty does want him to leave, he will, even if it kills him.

"It's wonderful," Matty answers instantly, assuaging all of George's irrational fears with the simple statement. "In fact, you should never leave again."

"That would be lovely, but at some point, I should wash up, probably need to text John too so he doesn't think I've died."

"You still staying at his place?" Matty queries in between yawing in the most adorable fashion that George has ever witnessed.

"Yeah, was hoping I'd be out before his honeymoon was over, but that hasn't happened yet. They got back two nights ago, but I've not really been up for apartment hunting. I was a bit occupied with other things, mainly you if I'm being honest." George fiddles with a loose piece of skin at the edge of his nail as he speaks, his cheeks flaring a dull red when he realizes how smitten he must sound, not that he isn't.

Matty pauses for so long that George thinks he's fallen back asleep, but when he glances in his direction to ascertain if his guess is correct, he sees Matty biting at his bottom lip, a worried expression tugging at his features that has George instantly concerned as well.

George doesn't break the moment though, letting whatever is going on in Matty's head play itself out, his breath catching in his chest as worst-case scenarios run through his own brain. This is Matty though, he isn't going to hurt him, at least, George doesn't think he is.

And when Matty finally does open his mouth, what he says next lays George's insecurities completely to rest, because if there was anything Matty could do to prove that he was truly serious about them, this is it.

"So, I have a crazy idea...and feel free to say no, because believe me, I know I sound mental, but - um...well, basically I can't afford my rent, or I won't be able to soon since they are raising it at the beginning of the year. I'll be fine either way, but if you wanted, maybe you could move in with me? I mean, you need a place to stay, and I need a roommate, so it seems logical."

"You're serious?" George blurts out, his heart fluttering rapidly against his ribcage thanks to Matty's suggestion.

He wants that so badly now that the offer is on the table, not only for his own selfish reasons involving been as close to Matty as possible at all times, but so he can help him out with his monetary issues as well. He tries to say so, to verbally agree to this plan, but he's stricken speechless after his initial outburst.

"It's stupid, I know. We haven't even been together a full day, but just - fuck, I don't know, I can tell this is real if that makes sense? I've been told I'm a bit of a hopeless romantic, and it's cliché, and ridiculous, but I want to be with you properly, this isn't just a bit of fun for me. If it's too fast for you, then I completely understand, but I really don't want to leave this flat, and if you need a place to stay, it's sort of perfect. If it doesn't work for whatever reason, you could always leave at any time and I'd figure something out, but I -"

"Matty, I'd love that, honestly," George finally finds his voice again, cutting off Matty's frantic rambling before he can get even more worked up. "I want to be with you too, I want you to be my boyfriend, hell - I think I'm falling in love with you, I really do," George confesses, barreling forward before Matty can react to his sudden confession. "Moving in together may seem a bit hasty, but honestly, I've been gone for you for so long it doesn't feel that way to me, and if I hadn't been with Kyle when I met you, we would have already been dating for months by this point."

"Yeah, you mean it?" Matty asks, his expression taking on a hopeful cast tinged with an aura of tentativeness that has George one hundred percent sure that Matty desires him in his life just as badly as he does.

"I do, every word."

"I think I'm in love with you too," Matty whispers, almost as if he's not allowed to say it, "and I want to be your boyfriend more than anything."

George understands the sensation, he's been struggling with his own emotions for so long that this internal battle feels like all he's ever know, but now it's over, they've won, at least in his opinion, they have. They are free to express their adoration for each other, there is no Kyle in the way anymore. All of his previous guilt has been erased, and now he is unburdened from everything that had been forcing him to keep Matty at arm's length.

"I'm so fucking gone for you it sort of scares me," George blurts out, his head and his mouth disconnecting from each other, although they are both traveling along the same lines, he just hadn't meant to say it aloud.

"You think you're the only one? I fucking asked the entire club for advice on how to handle being so in love with you, that's how into you I am. I'll never live that one down, especially not now."

"Did you?" George chuckles airily. "Were they helpful at least?"

"God no, not in the slightest, well - Harry was vaguely decent with advice, but remind me never to do that again. Be prepared for their teasing the next time you stop by, they'll probably all claim that it's thanks to them that we got together."

"I don't really care how it happened, I'm just glad that it did, so they can take the credit if they want," George smiles, something about the fact that Matty assumes he'll be stopping by again soon warming his insides, maybe because it's another way of showing that he wants George in his life, and it's gratifying to be able to take that position without worrying about Kyle and his own misgivings.

"You sap," Matty sighs.

George is about to argue with Matty's statement, because Matty is at least as sappy as he is, if not more, but then the other man leans over and kisses him, effectively silencing George with the pressure of his lips and the soft graze of his tongue.

Matty starts just when George is really getting into the kiss, inciting him to instinctually grab for his hand while his eyes snap open, holding it tightly for a brief moment before he realizes it's only Allen's sudden arrival that has caused Matty to jump. The dog hops up onto the bed easily, uncaring of what he's interrupting. He snuggles into George's side without even a glance at Matty who is pouting in his direction.

"Hey boy," George grins, using his free hand to pet at his ears gently which causes Allen to release a soft huff of contentment.

"Apparently Allen loves you too, so that's settled it then, you have to move in now or he'll be upset."

"Guess I do, I wouldn't know what to do if Allen was cross at me," George laughs, the sound rumbling out of his chest with an ease that he had forgotten he possessed.

"But you can change your mind of course at any time, I won't throw a fit -"

"I know I can love," George interjects once again, "but we'll talk about it more later, and if either of has any issues with the new living arrangements, which I doubt we will, we can discuss it and find a solution that works for the both of us, but right now, I mostly just want to kiss you some more."

"Then why aren't you?" Matty teases, his eyes narrowing when George glances behind him to where Allen is still pressing against his spine.

"Well I don't want to mentally scar your dog, and I can't promise I'll be able to stop at only kissing."

"Out he goes then," Matty announces as he springs off of the mattress, shooing Allen into the hallway skillfully before closing the door behind him. "He'll have to learn to use his own bed at some point anyway, I always let him stay in mine, but you're much better company."

"He can come back when I'm finished with you," George grins, his chest swelling with love as Matty all but rushes into his arms.

And as George kisses Matty fiercely, it hits him all over again that this is his life, Matty is his boyfriend, and soon this will be his home.

He can't help but to smile against Matty's mouth when the thought sinks in, their teeth clacking lightly before George manages to contain the stubborn upturn of his lips, but it's only seconds later that he's grinning again, the expression making everything better as their bodies meld together like they were never meant to be apart.

This story is not dead I promise in fact it's almost over and I am determined to finish it off soon.

There is only one more chapter after this which will be a sort of epilogue then Intertwined Souls will finally be done.

I spent so much time worrying about this chapter in my head but I think I finally got it right now and I really hope you all enjoyed it as much as I do.

Votes and comments are always lovely to see if you feel like leaving one.

I love you all so very much xxx

- starr