pieces ~ george x will

pieces

(OOC: This is already up on AO3, but I thought I'd post it here. Let me know your thoughts by commenting!)

It's 11:58 on New Year's Eve, and the wind bites at George's skin as he stands on his balcony, nursing an outrageous soft-drink-and-hard-liquor combination in a red solo cup. He notes the places where his skin is turning to goose pimples. He feels exposed.

Will has been staring at him all night. That makes him feel exposed too.

The door behind him makes a shuffling noise as it opens and shuts. George doesn't look behind him, he knows who's there.

"Will?"

Will lets out a chuckle, and joins George in leaning against the balcony rail. "How'd you know?"

"It's always you, innit?" George replies.

"S'pose it is," Will said. "Though it could have been Alex or James, or, hell, anybody looking for a bit of air."

"Nah," George said, facing Will with a lazy smile. "You're the one who checks up on me."

"Somebody has to," Will said, cheeks pinking. George notices this, and turns away, looking out across the London skyline. He takes a sip from his drink and feels the burn of alcohol trace a path to his stomach. He's tipsy, buzzing; he feels like his edges are a bit blurry. Like he's liquid, like he's permeating, like he isn't sure whether or not he's in control. Will's still watching him, he can feel it on the back of his neck.

"You havin' fun tonight?" Will asks.

George meets Will's gaze, and then, feeling impulsive, drains his glass. Alcohol gives him false courage. He faces Will.

This is the hard part. He knows how Will feels about him, how long he's felt this way. When his gaze turned less friendly, more... something else. When Will touches him now and how different it is from when Alex or James do. Will is careful, afraid to overstep but hungry for contact. George looks at Will, and feels like his heart is frozen in his chest, an icy pit.

George looks at Will, and he knows that Will wants more than the friendship they have between them.

"It's alright," George says, because what else can he say? "Bit lame. The one you and Gee threw last year was better."

"To be fair, you didn't help Alex at all," Will laughs. "Poor sod pulled it all together this morning."

"He could have asked me to help him," George frowns. He crumples the empty cup in his hand, just so he can have something to do.

"You won't wake up until it's half past noon," Will points out.

"Not my fault that I'm nocturnal," George says.

"You should sleep more." Carefully, Will rests a hand on George's shoulder. George immediately tenses, draws in a shaky breath, and Will releases him. "Are you alright, mate?"

"Anxiety," George explains. He isn't lying, having all those people in his flat makes his skin itch.

Will nods, understanding. "Want me to distract you?"

George nods.

"Do you have any New Year's Resolutions?"

"Be more honest," George mutters.

"That's a good one," Will says. "I might have to steal it."

"Feel free," George says, before wincing. He regrets that–– he doesn't want Will to admit his feelings. He can't deal with that, having to reject Will. George is straight. And even if he wasn't, he couldn't bear to date one of his best mates for fear that it would destroy his friendship.