George drags his feet as he continues to wander among the aisles of Tesco, leaning most of his weight on the trolley that protests against the added load every few seconds with a loud squeak of its wheels. Due to his height, it leaves George hunched over at an awkward angle, his spine already starting to ache slightly, but not enough to inspire him to straighten up and actually walk properly.

George isn't even sure why he's made the decision to go shopping, because he's got food at his flat, but he'd been in one of those moods where he's simultaneously starving but nothing in his cupboards held any appeal for him, so that's how he found himself here. The walk had tempered his appetite a bit though, and the numerous items gracing the wide shelves haven't really managed to catch his interest just yet.

George pauses near the frozen foods, eyeing the colorful packages that are his typical go-to since he's generally too lazy to actually make something from scratch these days. He eventually picks a few boxes without really looking at them, not like it matters all that much, they'll end up tasting shitty either way.

George remembers when he did actually put effort into his meals, because contrary to what the contents of his basket would lead people to assume, he's actually quite fond of cooking, but that was back when Kyle was a regular occupant at the table and he had someone to appreciate his efforts, it's just not as rewarding when he's the only one eating half of the time.

George rubs his eyes as he continues to amble about, not quite ready to head back home yet but also wanting to be back on his sofa more than anything else, and he can't quite make up his mind if being stationary and comfortable is worth dealing with the loneliness that seems to seep from the walls of his flat whenever Kyle isn't there.

George continues his failure of a shopping trip when he remembers the article he's supposed to be working on that's due next week which he's hit a wall on. That's another reason he's not back at his place, because if he isn't there he doesn't have to think about it, although the main one is the empty feeling that's slowly been devouring him from the inside out.

It started this morning as soon as Kyle had left for work, and it was nearing the point of being unbearable even though George is trying to ignore it like he usually does. It's an affliction he's been struggling with on and off ever since Kyle's grown distant with him, and sometimes George thinks he's going to go mad from it, but he's found that keeping himself occupied helps to dull the effects by a small margin.

Speaking of Kyle, George still has no idea where he was all evening, because it couldn't have been work, not when he still wasn't home after George returned from the strip club last night, and he hasn't had the chance to casually inquire about his whereabouts just yet.

George had tried to wait up for Kyle, but he must have fallen asleep before his boyfriend got home, because he doesn't remember him joining him in bed, but he was there when he awoke, kissing George absentmindedly when he realized his eyes were open.

Kyle had gotten up not long after that even though George had huffed in discontentment, wanting to spend a few more minutes lazing about with Kyle while he was actually there. Kyle had pretended not to hear the sound, which was loud enough that George knows he hadn't missed it, moving to the closet so he could put on one of his numerous smart suits that George had once loved but was now beginning to despise.

Kyle hadn't asked how George's outing with John had gone - hell, he probably didn't even remember that George had planned to hit up a strip club for his friend's bachelor party, and George hadn't brought it up either, not wanting to ruin the peaceful morning with what could easily spiral into an argument if he let it.

They had shared a quick breakfast together before Kyle insisted that he had to be off, leaving George with a promise of being home on time that afternoon which George no longer allowed himself to place any faith in.

George's heart had sunk as soon as the door shut behind his boyfriend, the fake smile that constantly seemed to be plastered on his face sloughing off of him so quickly it was like it was never there in the first place.

George had dozed off again after that, but it had been an uneasy slumber. He'd dreamed that he was back at the club, but this time he'd taken up the curly-haired stripper on his offer - Matty, his name was Matty, not that it mattered, but George wanted to remember that the dancer was more than just a nameless face. It was important for some reason, even if George was most likely never going to see him again.

And even though it has just been a series of mental pictures, George had felt ashamed and guilt-ridden when he woke up hard and coated in a light sheen of sweat, because okay - Matty is pretty, and maybe if he was single he would have considered getting a lap dance from him, but he isn't.

And honestly, George would rather be with a man who actually desired him and not just the contents of his wallet, not that a dance in a club is synonymous to a relationship, but George also doesn't usually participate in any sort of sexual activities unless he's got feelings for the person in the first place.

He isn't thinking of Matty in that way though, he can't, because no matter how lovely he is, George's fascination with him is just physical. He knows he's overacting a bit, and that some men don't even consider the events that happen in a strip club as cheating, but George has always been a bit more conservative than some of his friends.

His attraction to Matty just feels wrong to him, even if it's a passing thing that he'll forget about in a few weeks time. George isn't used to this, he doesn't fantasize about other people, not even in his sleep, and the fact that his cock was awake and demanding attention because of someone that isn't Kyle had George confused and ashamed although he hadn't done anything to purposely cause this.

George had forced himself into the shower then, refusing to touch himself as punishment for his illicit thoughts, immediately pulling out his laptop once he was clean and doing his best to occupy his mind with the printed words dancing across the screen instead of his stupid dream that meant nothing at all - it was just a product of being a bit sexually frustrated, and those things happened to everyone right?

But George couldn't concentrate on his work, which had led him to the kitchen in search of food, ending with him here at Tesco with a mostly empty trolley since his true purpose in going out had only been another distraction instead of the intention to refill his pantry.

George sighs under his breath, eyeing the packages of meat he has somehow ended up near while he'd been lost in his thoughts. George spies the fancy hamburgers with the little chunks of cheese placed inside that Kyle loves, tossing one in his with the rest of his things on the off chance that he actually does come home tonight. It's a possibility after all, and even though George knows he's being foolish, he wants to believe that Kyle was being sincere even if he's let down more often than not.

George circles the store for a bit longer, picking out a few more items that he really doesn't need, wasting as much time as he can with the pointless task of shopping which is much more entertaining than his usual activities. John texts him while he's hovering in the cereal aisle, thanking him again for coming out and reminding him of the date of the recital dinner, saying he can't wait to see him and Kyle again.

George has to resist the urge to groan under his breath, because with the way things are going, he wouldn't put it past Kyle to try and back out of that as well. He'd assured George multiple times that he'd make it, but still - George is losing faith in everything Kyle says at an alarming rate, so why should he assume that this event will be any different?

George should have just stated that he'd go alone to the wedding, which isn't ideal, but it would be better than staring at the empty seat reserved for Kyle all night. Their relationship hadn't been nearly as bad when George had originally checked the plus one box on his invitation all those months ago though, and he knows it will be much more enjoyable with his boyfriend there, if he makes time in his apparently busy schedule for it that is.

When George looks up from his phone after taking an obscenely long amount of time composing his reply to John, he has to blink numerous times to make sure he isn't hallucinating, because standing at the other end of the aisle is a slim figure with a curly mop of hair that looks eerily familiar.

When the man doesn't disappear, or George doesn't wake up in his own bed to find out this is all another dream, he's forced to accept that the stripper he can't seem to get out of his head is indeed standing in front of him - Matty. He's got a name George reminds himself, and he really needs to start referring to him by that instead of his occupation.

A dull rush of panic flares through George's nerve endings as he's forced to accept that one of the things he was so steadfastly trying to avoid is now sharing the same air with him. George never imagined that he would see Matty again, not unless he found himself back at the club for some odd reason, so he doesn't know how to react.

And really - Matty's presence here isn't all that strange, it makes sense that he would live close by to where he works, and he's obviously got to eat just like everyone else, but George is still unusually startled by his unexpected appearance.

He can feel his cheeks tinting red as his posture straightens up like he's unconsciously trying to impress the man who most likely has no idea who George is. God knows he probably deals with hundreds of people every night, and it's not like George is very memorable for anything besides his tall stature.

George has the odd urge to say something to him, or even just to wave, while a smaller part of him wants to run away from Matty like he does with everything else that confuses him. George has no idea if he wants Matty to notice him or if he should disappear before he does something he'll regret, and the conflicting desires leave him stuck in a state of indecision that has his muscles locking down, making him incapable of moving in either direction.

He settles on keeping his arms firmly pressed at his sides as he continues to watch the man slowly make his way nearer to him, probably looking like an absolute twat in the process, but it's as if he has frozen in place and he's completely forgotten how to function like a normal human being as soon as he caught a glimpse of Matty.

Matty looks different today though - of course he does. George didn't really think that strippers wore what they did in the club out on the streets, but it's strange seeing Matty in ripped jeans and a slightly too small t-shirt instead of leather pants and bare-chested. He appears smaller somehow, maybe because he's got on regular shoes without a thick heel, but George likes the casual outfit on him almost as much, maybe more than what he'd been parading around in last night.

George reminds himself that he shouldn't be forming an opinion at all, and that he really should leave before he does something to embarrass himself, but his feet still seem to be stuck to the floor, and Matty's drawing closer by the second.

This is a change from the other evening though, at least to George, and he doesn't feel nearly as guilty for his innocent-looking, because Matty's not here taking his clothes off and shaking his arse, he's just shopping. George has never chastised himself for taking a quick glimpse at a boy before if he caught his eye, and George can't deny that Matty is exceptionally pretty, especially when he tosses his hair back in agitation as he tries to reach a box that's a few inches taller than his splayed out hand can touch.

And even though George isn't a believer in fate, or destiny, it feels like this encounter was supposed to happen, why else would he have run into Matty again at his fucking local Tesco of all things not even twenty-four hours after their first meeting?

As Matty continues to struggle, George moves without thinking about what he's doing, retrieving the box of Special K that he barely has to stretch to grab. Turning around slowly, George passes the package to Matty, keeping his gaze trained on the laces of his sneakers so he won't check to see if Matty wears makeup in his day to day life as well.

"Here," George mumbles lowly, flinching slightly when Matty's slender fingers close around his for a brief moment as he retrieves the cereal, and as fucking ridiculous as it sounds, George swears his skin tingles lightly even after Matty is no longer touching him.

"Thanks mate," Matty beams, which George notices when he allows him to glance upward quickly. "Don't know why they place these so high up, it's like they don't want me to get the one with strawberries for some reason."

"There's more over there," George gestures, pointing to another row of Special K that's actually at Matty's level, still keeping his eyes focused downward even though that's a difficult task when Matty leans into his personal space ever so slightly, presumably so he can look where George is indicating.

"But that's the big box," Matty huffs after straightening up again, allowing George to breathe once more now that the smaller man isn't quite so close to him, "don't like buying that one since I can't eat the whole thing before it starts going stale you know?" Matty explains, and for some reason, the comment has George chuckling lightly, even though it isn't at all funny, and he can now see that Matty's right and the package is decidedly larger than the one he retrieved for him. "So...do you work here or...?" Matty asks curiously, making no move to return to his abandoned trolley as he toys with the box in his hands idly.

"Uh - no," George admits, his cheeks flaring crimson again when he finally forces himself to maintain eye contact with Matty for more than a second, noticing that his face appears to be clear of all cosmetic products, but it's still just as gorgeous bare as it was painted red and blue. "Saw you were in a bit of trouble and thought you could use some help," George shrugs, his hand coming up to scratch at the back of his neck like he always does when he gets nervous.

"Hey...I know you," Matty exclaims, which of course has George blushing even harder than he already was. "You were at the club last night, the shy one," Matty teases, and even though George sort of wishes he could sink through the cracks in the tiles so he could escape the mortification that's currently threatening to choke him, he also can't stop watching Matty who seems delighted by his deduction if the way his irises are practically glittering means anything at all.

"Yeah - um, that was me, didn't think you'd remember," George chuckles awkwardly, unsure if he should make his exit now before his face resembles an active volcano, but still finding himself immobilized in Matty's presence.

"It was only a few hours ago mate," Matty giggles, the sound doing something to George's insides that he doesn't understand but he knows he likes it, "and you're cute, I always remember those."

"I - I'm...cute?" George stammers out, not used to having that particular adjective applied to him. He typically hears handsome, sometimes hot, but he has to admit that his heart rate picks up as soon as the word falls from Matty lips.

"Yeah, but don't worry, I know you've got a boyfriend," Matty winks in an overexaggerated manner, leaving George's lungs seizing in his chest as he tries to remember how to make them function again, "but if you're ever at the club again, ask for me yeah? I owe you for getting me this." Matty shakes the Special K briefly, a grin tugging at his features when George continues to stand there with his mouth half open and what he's sure is an idiotic expression plastered across his face.

"Okay - sure, uh...I've got to be going now, don't want the frozen goods to melt," George mutters, slowly backing away without taking his eyes off of Matty.

"Yeah course," Matty nods, glancing toward his own trolley for a moment before returning his gaze to George. "Can I get your name though?"

"It's George," George manages to answer coherently, something warm and potent curling up his spine at the fact that Matty had asked at all.

"I'm Matty, can't recall if I told you last night, but I do hope I see you again, whether it's just here or at the club," Matty remarks, sending George a quick wave before tossing his cereal into the basket and exiting the aisle, leaving George shaken and confused but also slightly giddy all at once.

It was obvious that Matty had been flirting with him, at least - George thinks he was, but instead of feeling uncomfortable like George usually does when that happens, he had actually liked it. He waits for the familiar tendrils of guilt to leave his stomach in knots, but they don't appear, even after he's checked out and walking home with his bags slung over his arms, the contents bouncing against his side with every step he takes.

George feels odd about liking his encounter with Matty as much as he did, because he shouldn't be so pleased with himself for maintaining his composure around a pretty boy that just so happens to be a stripper as well. George hadn't intended to ever see him again, much less speak with him, but it's not like he searched him out, it was a perfectly innocent encounter on the surface at least.

George refuses to torment himself for this, because nothing happened. Even if Matty is interested in him, George has no idea if it is genuine or not. It might have been a ploy to bring in another paying customer after all, but either way, it was just a quick chat with a man in Tesco - that's it. George didn't do anything wrong, so he isn't going to get hung up over this when Kyle is most likely doing a lot worse behind George's back.

And yes - George might fancy Matty a little bit more than he should for someone that's taken, but that's not why he continued to talk with him. He seemed nice is all, and he listened to George's mumbling without appearing bored, which is a rarity for George to find in anyone lately, not that George managed to say much without stumbling over every other word.

That doesn't mean he's going back to the club though, because he's not, but he also isn't going to deny himself from approaching Matty if he sees him out in public again. He's allowed to have friends after all, and even if it's a bit too earlier to assume that he and Matty will ever reach that point, George had felt a connection with him, the same one that had been there with Kyle at the beginning of their acquaintanceship before they had gotten together, and he's not going to punish himself for having an enjoyable conversation with someone no matter their occupation.

And really, George needed this good experience right now, even if it was just a chat that barely spanned a few minutes, because having someone like Matty not only remember, but also compliment him was a boost to George's fragile self-confidence which is slowly declining by the day, but at that moment, he had felt like a person again, like he's wanted, or that he could be, and fuck - George hadn't realized how much he ached for that simple confirmation until he received it.

Matty stays on George's mind for the rest of the afternoon, but this time, he doesn't try to banish all thoughts of him. A secret smile tugs at his lips as he sits himself in front of his laptop after he puts away his purchases, the heavy weight in his chest that had been dragging him down earlier finally receding, allowing him to finish up his article with an ease that has been eluding him lately, and even though George doesn't want to admit it, he knows the only reason he is so motivated is because of the pleasant mood that had followed him home after his run-in with Matty.

I think this might be my favorite chapter I've written so far I'm such trash for this fic just imagine Matty getting all frustrated because he can't reach something I'm crying.

I've got a bit more of this prewritten but it's for parts in the future so I've got to go back and connect it all. Idk when the next update will be but I'll try to have it posted within a week or so once I figure out what's happening next. I've got a new laptop though so that helps speed up the process since I don't have to resort to writing on my phone as much now even though it's not as bad as I used to think.

Btw I'm exhausted after being at warped tour all day so my editing job on this was probably shit but I'll go back and fix it eventually.

Votes and comments are lovely as always.

I'm a pain in women's clothes

<3 starr