George and Lennie are like the other men in every way, except in one very significant way. They are friends. In Steinbeck's book, one of the most significant and tragic points is that there are no friendships. This is why Slim is so surprised that George and Lennie travel together. Here is what Slim says:
“Ain’t many guys travel around together,” he mused. “I don’t know why. Maybe ever’body in the whole damn world is scared of each other.”
Hence, George and Lennie's friendship is what sets them apart, and the men know this. Listen to what George says to Lennie, who listens in agreement.
Guys like us, that work on ranches, are the loneliest guys in the world. They got no family. They don’t belong no place. . . . With us it ain’t like that. We got a future. We got somebody to talk to that gives a damn about us.
Even at the end of the book, George is a faithful friend. We might not agree with what he did, but what motivated George's decision is his love for Lennie. George believed that that men would harm Lennie and kill him in a far worse manner than if he shot him. So, George's loyalty to Lennie made him take his life.
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