Intertwined Souls (Matty Healy/George Daniel)

1: "Having Fun"

On a typical Friday evening, George usually chooses to curl up on the sofa with either a good book or a film, maybe even go out with his boyfriend to the cinema if he's feeling up to it, but besides that, George rarely leaves the flat, not really enjoying clubs or bars all that much.

He's reminded of exactly why that is the second he steps into the establishment he's been hovering around for about five minutes, a neon sign spelling out the word Menswear flashing brightly above the small building, which sounds like the name of a clothing store or some shit when in fact it's the exact opposite.

This is George's first time in a strip joint, and he honestly hopes it his last as well. George has to resist the urge to cover his ears as he makes his way to the booth his friends are already ensconced in once he's payed the cover fee, because it's loud in here, not to mention hot, and crowded, and just when George is debating on ducking back outside so he can smoke another cigarette and maybe give himself a chance to acclimate to this new environment change, John's head pops up over the back of his seat, his slender hand waving George over, erasing his chance of a momentary escape entirely.

George doesn't know why he's agreed to show up for this, besides the fact that it's John's bachelor party and his friend all but begged him to go, stating that as a groomsmen he had an obligation to, but still - this isn't George's scene, not at all, but at the time it had sounded more appealing them moping around his flat which is his usual night time activity as of late.

George refuses to think about that right now though, because he's here to have fun, not worry about why his boyfriend's been uncharacteristically absent the past few months. It's not like he doesn't have his suspicions, and deep down, George knows he's cheating, but he's still trying to convince himself that Kyle's actually at the office and not off with some other man.

Maybe that's why George decided to go out, sort of like an act of defiance that Kyle probably won't even notice since he's rarely at home. It's a step toward admitting his relationship is falling apart - a small one, but George has to start somewhere if he's ever going to break free from the iron grip Kyle somehow still has on him.

George should just leave him - even if he isn't actually cheating, he's not happy, and he hasn't been for quite a while if he's being honest with himself. He's tired of coming home to silence and crappy television reruns instead of his boyfriend, and the whispered apologies and promises to be better that fall from Kyle's suspiciously swollen lips when he is around aren't soothing the ache in George's heart as well as they used to.

"Here," John yells loudly to be heard over the pounding bass that's causing George's bone to vibrate under his skin, "you look like you need this." John pushes a drink into his lax palm and George takes it without asking what's in it, hoping that the alcohol will allow him to loosen up and banish all thoughts of Kyle from his mind for a few hours at least.

George sends John a grateful nod as he slips into the open seat next to him, forcing his face into a semblance of a smile that seems to satisfy John for the time being.

His friend isn't clueless about George's situation, but with his pending marriage to Ross drawing steadily nearer, George has refrained from dragging him down with updates on his dismal relationship, vicariously living through John's happiness while secretly praying that one day he'll find someone who loves him as much as Ross so obviously adores John.

The lights in the place begin to flicker then, briefly plunging the colorful room into a state of darkness before the stage is illuminated with a harsh pink glow, drawing everyone's attention to the small platform where George assumes that a performance is about to begin.

His friends lean back in their seats, their eyes trained on the curtain obscuring the dancers - strippers from view. Their shadowy forms are visible as they strike random poses that George thinks look a bit ridiculous, but by the cheers already erupting from the other tables, he's alone in that aspect.