this is the place ⇝ george x will

5

They take the tube, and all go out for a celebratory meal in the city, dark and bustling as they swarm about. He and Will walk at the back of the group and find their feet among the many around them. He's happy, grinning like a child as they cross the road. And when Will grins down at him, it's like they're solitary beings.

James and Alex hold hands in front of them, soft and loving. George doesn't know how to feel, because, maybe he wants what they have. Jealousy burns through his veins like toxic liquid, acid perhaps. But Will just nudges him like it's a joke, gestures over at their hands laced together, grins at him. He makes a face like he's pretending to vomit. "Knew they'd be shagging," he says when Alex and James are out of earshot, when they've joined up with Fraser and some of the other people George isn't familiar with. "Wasn't hard to guess."

"James is straight though," George says, although he's fully aware it's not true. "Isn't he?"

It's true that James indeed puts up a heterosexual front. He's tall, taller than all of them, strapping, and his voice is low and gravelly. He makes jokes about girls and boobs with Fraser, while Alex sulks on the sofa with his pink hat askew across his overgrown fringe. But then James remembers that he's sort of in a relationship with Alex and slips a hand around his waist until the other boy is grinning again. He's hopeless.

"He says he is," Will replies. "You never know, though, do you?" And he connects his gaze with George, the street lights casting colours over his face, and it reminds him of fireworks.

*

Will sits at the end of the table, proud and grinning as he pours them all a glass of wine. He's wearing a red jacket, which is a splash of colour for him, and a black beanie which sits nicely over his dark hair. George decides he looks good when he's happy like this.

Mia's there too, with her friend who George now knows as Esme. They're happy enough, chatting with Fraser about something hilarious. It should be weird that Mia's there as an ex-girlfriend, but it's not. Will grins at her like they're mates, and they exchange pleasant conversation as if they never dated. George takes a swig of beer and stares into it again.

His phone vibrates in his front pocket, and he discreetly takes it out, as not to appear unsociable to everyone else around the table. A message from Alex pops up, and he opens it in confusion. Alex is right across the table from him.

'Didn't think you actually liked him, but you do don't ya??' It reads, and George's head shoots up to meet with Alex's gaze. He's got his eyebrows raised, and he nods at the phone in George's hand.

He types, 'What are you talking about mate?' and sends it before he can give it any more thought.

'You've been staring at Will the entire time'. And then the sounds of the restaurant suddenly fade out, until all George can hear is the ringing in his ears and his breathing becoming laboured, shaky.

"Does anyone want another drink?" Alex says, muffled, after a few seconds, standing up and gesturing to where the bar is. He's noticed, and it almost makes George want to leave. "It's on me."

Everyone but Will murmurs in agreement, and Alex gestures for George to follow him. George stumbles up from his chair, almost knocking it over in his haste to follow Alex. Everything swirls in underwater oblivion, like he's in an aquarium being watched, observed.

"Hey, no," Will says before they've left, putting his drink down and turning around to face them. "I said this was my treat." A frown settles between his brows, and he looks up at George, eyes hazel green, honest. George struggles to look away.

"Just this round, yeah?" Alex argues, and Will must've regarded this adequate because then Alex is dragging him off to the bar.

"Don't lie to me, George," Alex says once they're leaning up against the bar. "Was I right?"