Alllllriiight, y'all! I was in the mood to write some fluff, especially after the last chapter. This is pure filler stuff. The action starts next chapter! I would love to hear your feedback!
Matt couldn't help but grimace. "This is it?"
"Yeah."
"For five of you?"
Fred sighed and sat on the floor. "We'll manage."
"You and George drive each other mad enough in a flat nearly double this size! Not to mention the rest of you!" Matt sat down next to Fred and put his arm around his shoulder. "I'm not saying you won't manage, I'm just worried for you."
Fred rested his head on Matt's shoulder. "I know. I'll be alright."
Matt kissed the top of Fred's head. "Of course you will, darling." He took Fred's hand in his. "Love, if you want to come—"
"No. George isn't going to take care of himself." Fred chuckled, but it was clear his heart wasn't in it.
Matt bit his lip, choosing to stay silent.
Fred looked up at Matt. "You don't think I'm making the wrong decision, do you?"
"I don't think you'd be happy if you weren't fighting tooth and nail. I want you to be happy."
"Bold of you to assume that this right here isn't happy." Fred swung himself into Matt's lap. "I'm not happy in the Order. I hate it. But it's something I have to do, you know? And when this is over, you're going to be my world, Matthew Middle Name Gallo."
"Davide."
"Matthew Davide Gallo. I like that."
"Yeah. It was my dad's name."
"Well, Matthew Davide Gallo, I love you."
"Get a room, you two."
Matt's head snapped up. "Oh, hi, George."
George smiled curtly. "Hi."
"Alright?"
"Yeah, I've been worse." He set his paper bag on the counter with a loud sigh. "You staying for supper?"
"Nah, I don't want to intrude."
"You're always welcome," Fred insisted, resting his head on Matt's shoulder.
George nodded his agreement. "Nobody else has moved in yet, we've only got to feed the two of us. I don't know how to only cook for two."
"Please stay," Fred begged, barely audible. "I need you to stay."
"Yeah, alright."
George seemed to relax a little bit at that. "Right. Noted." George started unpacking his bag. "Anything in particular you want?"
"Whatever the chef desires."
Fred snorted from his place on Matt's shoulder. "Something you'll eat, Georgie."
"Get up, love, I'm going to help George."
"No…"
"Don't be such a baby. Give us a few minutes, yeah?"
Fred sighed and got up. "Like, alone?"
"Yes."
Matt watched Fred walk out of the flat openly and shamelessly. "You sure you're alright, George? Eating enough?"
George looked down sheepishly. "I don't feel good. Like, ever. It makes it hard to stomach anything."
Matt nodded. "And sleeping?"
"Hardly ever."
"You do realize you're driving your brother mad, right?"
George took in a deep breath, puffing his cheeks out, and nodded. "I know."
Matt nodded. "Good. Where does this go?" Matt held up a box of pasta.
"Anywhere."
They put away the groceries in silence, with Matt organizing the pantry so it wouldn't turn out like the one at the twins' flat. "You know, when my dad died, I didn't know what to do. And I'm no shrink, but my guess is you're pretty lost right now. If you need anything…"
George gave Matt a small smile, but even Matt could tell how forced it was. "Thanks."