overthinking

10 seconds

They sat there and talked in the cold for about another hour, it was around 2am at this point. Finally, the fire was out with minimal damage and it was safe to go back inside, although the guests weren't allowed to stay. The hotel staff came out and announced that everyone would be transferred to a different hotel for the next two nights, or they could find their own place to stay.

"Uh, clay?" George couldn't believe what he was about to ask but hey they were starting over anyways so why not?

"Yeah" he said as they both walked upstairs just to grab clays stuff and leave.

"I mean, I've heard the hotel you're going to is really bad-"

"SHH don't remind me, I hate hotels" he half joked.

"no no that's not what I mean I was just gonna ask if you um- wanted to stay with me? it might be easier but only if you want to of course" The moment of silence after George asked felt like an eternity.

"Really?" Clays face lit up, but he tried to hide it, "That would seriously make things so much easier, THANK YOU"

George felt relived but at the same time he wasn't expecting that response for some reason.

"um we don't really have a guest room as long as you're ok with that" he said, his face turning red as he said the words.

"Yeah of course that's fine, I mean I already knew that. as long as you don't run off again" Clay laughed.

George laughed along but his anxiety was already through the roof, "I probably wont but no promises" now they were both proper laughing, even though it was still sort of a fresh topic.

---

"Ok well, this is it" George whispered being careful not to wake his family.

"this looks way bigger on ur facecam, I mean this is so small, like I know you like Harry Potter but please you don't have to live in a closet like him" Clay laughed at his own insult and even though he tried not to George laughed too.

"ok shhhh my family is sleeping, and I do not live in a closet this is normal size" George whisper screamed back at clay.

"whatever harry" Clay said in a bad British accent.

They were both clearly delusional and exhausted. Clay set down his thrown together suitcases on the floor and unzipped the one with all his clothes.

"We both smell like smoke" he pointed out taking off his hoodie.

George froze for a moment, now a shirtless clay was just standing there staring at him. His breath hitched when he realized he should probably say something, anything.

"oh um yeah you're right we should probably uh change" George said, admittedly still staring.

Clay just laughed at him a little but George ignored it. There was no way george was going to acknowledge what his friend was doing with anything more than a stare. George reached for a shirt out of his drawer and just stood there waiting.

Finally, clay put on a clean shirt but George was still just standing there. He laughed again, "what George??"

"well I have to change," George laughed but he wasn't joking.

"Really? ok fine 10 seconds" Clay laughed as he turned around and started counting down, "10...9..8."

"CLAY just let me changeee" George rushed to put on his clean clothes but his laughter slowed him down, and clays counting sped up.

"7....6....5..4321" Clay jumped around just as George had pulled his shirt on.

"Yeah nice try" they were both still laughing, neither really processed what they were actually doing. It didn't matter though they were having fun and they werent even thinking at this point.

"ok i'm tired" George said as he turned off the light and leaped into his bed, laughing as he laid right in the middle.

"GEORGE I cant seeee" clay jumped to where he knew the bed was, landing half on top of George.

"OW what the hell"

Without moving, George reached over and switched his lamp on. Both of them froze at the realization of how close they were. Neither of them dared to move any closer, nor any further away. They both let out a small awkward laugh, but stayed still just staring at eachother.

Clay would blame it on how delirious he was, but he wanted so badly to close the gap between them. Of course George did too but the question was if either would actually dare to. It almost started to annoy George how well clays eyes could practically talk to him, he could tell they both wanted the same thing.

Before George could make his decision clay made it for him. The feeling of their lips finally touching felt surreal, and as cliche as George thought it sounded, it felt electric. They were so in synch, like both were having the same thoughts at the same time, eventually finding a rhythm.

Eventually George had to pull back, out of breath. Only now coming back to reality.

"clay I-"

"shh" Clay shushed him, also trying to catch his breath. Once again using his eyes to tell george what he was thinking.

Those 10 seconds felt like a completely new reality, one with none of their problems or questions. It was obvious that neither boy had processed what happened. Both very clearly confused, but also thrilled with not an ounce of regret, yet at least. So thrilled in fact that George dared to risk another kiss. He slowly reached up to the back of clays neck, pulling him back down into a kiss. Slower this time but just as unbelievable as the first one had been. The feeing sending chills down his entire body, he never wanted this to end.

For a moment George let himself wonder what had taken him so long, before remembering all the reasons he wanted to avoid this very moment. Any bit of worry he had disappeared when he was swept back up as clay deepened the kiss further for a moment, before pulling back again. This time flipping over onto his back beside George.

Both men laid there, still trying to come back to reality, just staring at the ceiling. Neither one dared to say a word in fear that the moment might be ruined. George had no idea how the past day had ended up turning out like this. Everything from when clay had first arrived up until their fight felt insignificant and irrelevant....

A/N

all i have to say is omg FINALLY

also im hoping i wrote this ok im pretty new to this😳 it was a lot of fun thoo and i hope you enjoyed !! <3