True To You

Chapter 27

It was still dark when Ringo woke up to the soothing sound of George murmuring a song in his ear. The man's fingers were running gently through his hair, combing it backwards before messing it up again, making it as messy as it looked after a rough night. He hummed at the feeling and buried himself deeper into George's embrace as he pried his eyes open.

They were lying in bed; Ringo with his head on George's chest, his arms wrapped loosely around him and their legs intertwined. How they had ended up there, Ringo didn't know, but he didn't really care either. As long as he was here with George, it was all good. Especially when the younger man's fingers were in his hair and his other hand was caressing his bare arm, making the little hairs stand up at the ticklish and yet calming feeling. He groaned softly and let out a loud yawn as he tightened his grip, pulling his lover even closer. Lover. Yes, that sounded good .

"Hmm... finally awake, are we?" George said, his voice thick and croaky with sleep, indicating that he hadn't been awake that long himself yet, either. Ringo smiled as he felt the press of lips against the top his head and let out a hum in reply, sleepiness still rendering him unable to form proper words, let alone full on sentences. He buried his face in George's bare chest and started placing little open mouth kisses on his smooth skin, not avoiding the man's pink nipples. George chuckled above him, wiggling under the attention he was given, as he cupped Ringo's head in his hands and angled it up, making him meet his eyes. Ringo barely managed to hold in a sigh as he stared into those soft, gentle brown eyes, deep and full of adoration and love. Oh, how he had missed seeing those eyes on him. He leaned up for a kiss- simple and sweet- and smiled when George met him halfway, pressing their lips firmly together for a few seconds, before pulling away, his fingers tracing Ringo's bottom lip.

"Good evening, luv." George said with a chuckle, moving his hand to rest in the small of Ringo's back, gently pressing him closer, his fingers playing with the top of the sheets that were draped over their waists. Subconsciously, Ringo leaned into his touch, arching his back as he let his forehead rest on George's shoulder.

"Evening?" He asked, finally having regained the ability to speak, "How long was I asleep?"

"Not long. About an hour and a half. You were out like a rock, though. I had to carry you here. You're far heavier than you look." George said, sounding amused at the memory as he buried of his hands back into Ringo's mop of hair.

"You carried me here?" Ringo looked up at him in surprise. George was so skinny and lanky, Ringo could hardly imagine him carrying anything that was heavy, never mind a full grown man. George, however, seemed to find his surprise amusing, for he laughed at him as he petted his head like one would do a cat.

"I'm stronger than I look, you know. I don't hang from a pole twice a week for nothing. It's a good workout, that is." He said with a wink and Ringo felt his cheeks heat up at the memory of seeing George swirling half-naked around a pole, muscles pulled tight. Although the sight was very attractive and appealing, it also made him feel anxious, despite knowing he didn't need to feel that way. Could he do it, though? He supposed with time he could get used to hear George talk about his job and enjoy visiting him at work, or at least he hoped so. But what if he didn't? George needed someone who could be there for him when he needed them to be, someone who trusted him and knew he was and always would be who George loved, to whom he would return at night and with whom he wanted to share his life. But Ringo did know all that already, and yet...

His anxiety must have shown on his face, as George's thumb gently caressed his cheek as he made him look him in the eye, a gentle reassuring smile on his lips.

"What's on your mind?" He asked and Ringo released his bottom lip, which he had been worrying between his teeth unwittingly. His fingers started to draw little circles and figures on George's chest, feeling nervous to be talking about it, not wanting to hurt George's feelings again.