Bows (Matty Healy/George Daniel)

Blue

"Matty, babe, it's time to wake up," George whispered softly, pulling Matty closer to his chest. Matty mumbled a response and refused to open his eyes, curling even closer to George.

"I guess I'll just have to reschedule my plans," George said slowly, watching Matty's tired eyes flutter open.

"What plans? Don't we have the day off?" Matty mumbled into his chest.

"Oh, you know, just some plans. No big deal. I may or may not have wanted to go to the beach." George commented, running his fingers through Matty's hair.

Matty's eyes suddenly brightened as he sat up and hugged George. His curly hair was a mess - a force of nature never to be contained. He grabbed George's hand and attempted to pull him off the bed.

"Why didn't you start with that, Georgie! Let's go, hurry up! We can't waste any more time." Matty exclaimed as he buzzed around the room, throwing towels and multiple shirts in a bag. He quickly pulled his hair up after changing into his swim trunks.

George walked up behind him and clipped a tiny blue bow in his hair before going to the kitchen to pack lunch.

Matty stopped for a moment, turning to look at himself in the mirror. Even though he wasn't happy with what he saw, the bow made him smile. George gave it to him on their first date - which was almost a year ago, to be exact.

-

"George, can I open my eyes yet?" Matty asked, fidgeting in the passenger seat. George giggled before responding.

"Love, just a few more minutes, alright? I promise the surprise is worth it," George said while putting the car in park. "Hold my hand and don't open your eyes, that's cheating."

Matty clung to George's hand as George guided him down a wobbly pier. The brown boards were rotting and unevenly placed. They were making quick progress until the sound of waves crashing against the shore caused Matty to pause.

"Are we - are we at the beach?" Matty whispered, leaning into George. George pulled Matty against his chest and nodded his head. "Surprise! You can open your eyes now, ya know."

Matty slowly opened his eyes while turning around to see the vast expanse of blue water. A look of shock settled across his features. His eyes were shining when he turned back around to face George.

"You know me so well, Georgie. What did I do to deserve you?" Matty whispered before leaning on his tip toes to kiss George.

It was a short kiss - sweet and simple. George pulled away first, grabbing Matty's hand and pulling him towards the beach. "We can't waste the entire day on the pier. Let's have some fun."

-

Matty was pulled out of his thoughts by George calling his name. "Matty, come on, we have to leave now."

Matty grabbed one of George's jumpers before running to the front door. He grabbed George's hand and pulled him to the car, rocking back and forth on his heels as he waited for George to unlock it.

Once inside, Matty sat in the passenger seat with his legs pulled up against his chest while George settled in. It was going to be a long drive. With the radio turned up, and the sun washing over the both of them, Matty once again got lost in thought.

-

The waves were crashing against the shore while George held Matty's hand. It had been the perfect day. Matty and George built a legendary sand castle and had a picnic on the beach. "Who even does that?" Matty thought to himself as the pair went up the pier for the second time that day.

George stopped suddenly, letting go of Matty's hand and reaching into his pocket. "I - I don't know if this is weird or anything but I saw this at the store and immediately thought of you." George blushed as he opened his palm to reveal a shiny blue bow.

Matty looked at it a minute before grabbing George's face and pulling him down for a kiss.

Eventually, they broke apart, breathing heavily and resting their foreheads against one another. They both grinned and laughed before heading back to the car.

With the sunset bathing over them and George's hand in his, Matty had never felt happier.

-

"What are you thinking about, love?" George asked as he grabbed Matty's hand. He held it tightly as he continued to drive down the road.

"Honestly," Matty mumbled, "I'm thinking about you. How much I love you and how much you mean to me."

"You're such a sap, Matty."

"Yeah, but I'm your sap."