Seventeen Steps (22/?)

[million_star]

Title: Seventeen Steps (22/?)
Author: millionstar
Pairing: Belldom
Rating: Will vary, this chapter R
Warnings: A hint of sexytimes
Overall Summary: Matthew is intrigued by his newest neighbor.
Feedback: Would be lovely, if you are so inclined.
Disclaimer: I don't own Muse; the following is pure fiction.
A/N: As always, thanks to dolce_piccante, myz_bee. Couldn't do this without you two. Thanks, my lovely ladies, for your help & support. <3 To those of you who've been reading SS, I apologize for the delay in posting, and hope you enjoy.

One, Two, Three, Four, Five, Six, Seven, Eight, Nine, Ten-a, Ten-b, Ten-c, Xmas Eve, Eleven, Twelve, Thirteen, Fourteen, Fifteen, Sixteen-a, Sixteen-b, Seventeen, Eighteen, Nineteen, Twenty, Twenty-One

When it came to Father's Day they were truly something of a motley crew.

Dominic and Paige's father was deceased, Tom's father was traveling the world, and Matthew had just re-connected with the father he had at one time sworn to forget forever. During drinks one night at the twin's flat, though, Paige came up with the perfect way to be able to celebrate this particular holiday.

She looked at Tom. "Liam. And Chris!"

Tom glanced around the room. "Grandad? What about him?"

"We should do something special for them both on Father's Day."

Matthew smiled. "That's a fantastic idea. I usually spend this weekend with him and Tom anyway, well, I have since I've lived here, anyhow. Never had any other reason to celebrate it."

Dominic turned to Matthew, smoothing the brunet's hair. "Now that your father is back in the picture, this is truly something to celebrate." Matthew leant in, the two of them sharing their sixth kiss of the evening.

The girl with the golden hair groaned. "Again? I wish I had a pound for every time you've kissed each other tonight. If I did, I'd have," she scrunched her face up in thought for a few seconds before giving up, "well, I'd have a few pounds. And I'd buy you both some lip balm with it."

Tom winked at Paige. "Three words, you two."

The couple in question released each other, their lips making a smacking sound as they did. Dominic raised his eyebrow at Tom playfully. "Three words? You mean, 'kiss him again'?"

"I meant, 'get a room', but you two are so damned cute together that 'kiss him again' works for me," Tom replied, Dominic laughing at his answer. The two of them had gotten to know each other a little better these past few days, and Dominic found himself really admiring the new man in his and Paige's life. Sometimes he cringed internally at the memory of just how threatened he once felt by Tom, but he chalked it up to the fact that he needed to get used to sharing his sister. Once he made that realization he'd felt much, much better, actually.

"So, where should we do this?" Tom asked. "I think grandad has the most room, after all, that house is huge, and the kids could play out back in the yard."

"But what if Kelly has Father's Day plans already for Chris?" Dominic mused.

"We can plan this for the day before," Matthew suggested.

"Oh! Good idea, gorgeous," the blonde replied, leaning in for lucky number seven. Tom merely giggled at their continued eagerness, but Paige, at this point, was getting fed up. She picked up one of the small pillows on the couch and threw it, hitting Dominic squarely in the head.

"Oi!" Dominic yelled. "Not the hair, Paige! What have I told you about that?"

Upon hitting her intended target so perfectly her hands flew to her mouth in shock and she nearly tripped over Tom in her haste to take off down the hallway. He picked up said pillow and sprinted after her, Paige cackling with laughter. She and Dominic had been down this road many times and she knew his retribution would be swift and vicious; well, as vicious as it could be for a man trying to chase his sister while wearing painfully tight pink trousers, that is.

Matthew smiled after them, but Tom couldn't help but notice the hint of anxiety in his friend's eyes.

"Hey," he whispered, "what's up?"

"I just... I don't know, really," he shrugged.

"Yes, you do. Talk to me. Is your father giving you grief?" Tom replied, moving over to take Dominic's spot next to Matthew on the couch.

"No, not at all," Matthew smiled. "We've spoken on the phone a couple times this week, actually."

"That's bloody fantastic! So, what's wrong?"

"I'm just thinking too much. Look at where all of us were just six months ago. We were searching for something more to life, you know? Then Dominic and Paige moved here and it's like suddenly everything fell into place for us." He scratched his head, casting his eyes downward, examining the knee of his red trousers.

Tom remained silent, waiting for Matthew to continue; he knew his friend well enough not to push him.

"Then my father contacts me and, well... it's... it's daft."

"What is, Matt?"

"I've never been this content in my life. Maybe that's put a new fear inside me, but it's like I'm waiting for something to go wrong. That I'm going to wake up one day and all this was a dream." He took a deep breath and finally looked his friend in the eye. "I know, it's silly."

"It's not silly. It's the most normal thing in the world." Tom put one hand on Matthew's arm. "You were much too lonely, for far too long, and you don't want to live that way again. That's natural, mate."

"I reckon so."

"I know so. The thought of not having these two," he cocked his head in the direction of the still-bickering twins, "around is quite a sobering one."

As if on cue Dominic made his way back to the den, red-faced, his hair a mess. He threw himself on the couch next to Matthew, panting.

"She's such a pain," Dominic whined, a grin on his face. "Look at this, there's an imprint of that bloody pillow on my forehead now!" Matthew leaned in to inspect it and snorted at the image of two tiny buttons pressed into the blonde's skin.

"Aww, want me to-" Matthew began.

"Ugh, if you're about to offer to kiss it better I'm getting the hell out of here," Paige groaned. Tom's eyes lighting up when she walked back into the room. She'd pulled her hair into a ponytail and shrugged into an old t-shirt. She winced visibly when she sat down.

The three of them immediately took notice, Tom getting up to sit down next to her, Dominic hurrying over to kneel in front of her, and Matthew reaching for his keys in case she needed to be taken to hospital.

"What's up, kid?" Dominic asked, shooting Tom a worried glance.

She stared at the three of them like they were aliens before bursting out laughing. "You three should see yourselves. Mother hens, the lot of you! I'm fine, I busted my shin against the door in my room, thats all."

"Oh," Dominic replied, relieved. "Okay then." He stood and walked over to where Matthew stood, keys still in his hand, and smiled when the brunet pulled him close.

Wordlessly, Paige grabbed Tom's hand and her bag and led him to the door.

"What are you doing?" he asked.

"Let's catch a movie, yeah? May as well give these two some privacy. They're not gonna let up till we do," she sighed as they walked out.

Once they were gone Dominic jumped up and locked the door behind them, Matthew watching him with a smirk. The blonde then made his way to where Matthew stood and took him by the hand, leading him down the hallway.

"What are you doing, Dominic?" The pianist purred. They came to a stop outside Dominic's bedroom, the blonde leaning against the door frame, his eyes serious.

"We've never made love in my bed," he replied softly.

Matthew's breath hitched in his throat, for that wasn't what he was expecting to hear.

"We've never had the opportunity to," Dominic continued softly. "I was thinking the other night that I don't sleep well when I'm not in your arms. I want to be able to lie here when I'm alone knowing how fantastic you look wrapped in nothing but my sheets." He moved closer, placing a light kiss to Matthew's lips. "I want..." he trailed off, his eyes falling to the brunet's neck.

"Say it," Matthew urged him, tilting his neck slightly to give Dominic a better view.

Dominic reached behind himself and opened his door, slowly backing them across the threshold, Matthew kicking it shut behind them. His lips kissed a trail across Matthew's face, the brunet's eyes fluttering closed when he felt himself being pushed gently against the closed door, a firm hand palming him through his trousers. The blonde had to close his eyes for a moment to steady himself, the feel of thick flesh stirring beneath his fingertips overwhelming him.

"I want to lie here at night and be able to smell you on my pillow," he continued, pulling Matthew further into the room by his belt loops, the brunet's arms around his neck. "To close my eyes and remember the sounds you make when you come in my bed." He kissed one porcelain cheekbone. "Can I have you, gorgeous, please?" His last word was whispered shakily into Matthew's lips as they reached his bed.

Truth be told, Matthew had often thought the same thing these days, that sleeping alone now almost seemed like a punishment of sorts. Matthew clung to him tightly, Dominic gazing steadily into blue eyes for an answer. The huge grin on on the brunet's face made the blond's heart skip a beat.

"I'm yours, " Matthew whispered, pulling him down to the bed.

The two of them didn't rush things that night, instead taking the time to worship each other's bodies. Lips met lips lazily, hands traced now familiar paths across warm skin, and whispered words of love and want floated through the air. When Dominic finally took Matthew, the blond was determined to make it last as long as he possibly could. He kept his eyes on Matthew's face as slow thrusts morphed into something much more primal. Because Dominic kept leaning down for the occasional kiss, their breaths mingled sweetly as they neared completion. Gasps gave way to desperate cries, until finally they came, Matthew first, Dominic right behind him.

Neither of them could muster the will to move for a few moments, both panting and dripping with sweat, Matthew's legs still hooked around Dominic's waist. Eventually the blond lifted his head, caressing Matthew's face, pushing the damp hair from his eyes.

"Mine," he gasped, before collapsing against his prince for the second time, Matthew's body feeling more like home than ever before. One of the words the brunet had spoken to Tom earlier manifested in his mind:

Content.

Matthew panted in the darkness, smiling, his fingernails still digging deliciously into Dominic's back.

**********

It had been a wonderful day in the end, despite the fact that Matthew had worried something would happen to spoil it; it seemed that particular old habit was hard to break. But as he sat in Liam's garden in the early Saturday evening sun, AJ asleep in his arms, Matthew had to admit that the scene that unfolded before him earlier today was amazing. They had started to go their separate ways, AJ staying behind because she'd insisted it had simply been too long since she'd seen Nova, and demanded that Matthew right that particular wrong as soon as possible. It was agreed that he and Dominic would take her for a quick visit to Nova and then drop her off at her house.

The picnic table just across the lawn was empty now, but at one time today it had held all the people he loved the most. Together, for the first time; and if he were a wee bit lucky, it wouldn't be the last.

Dominic and Chris had somehow been roped into an impromptu game of hide and seek with the children. Tom, Paige and Kelly were Liam was talking to Matthew's father animatedly, no doubt telling him one of his famous tall tales that the rest of them were so fond of. Matthew had been a little nervous about asking his father to come today, but the older man had jumped at the chance to spend time getting to know the people in his son's life. Truth be told, once he introduced his father to Liam, Matthew knew that things were going to be okay.

"And who do we have here, son?" Liam boomed cheerfully, putting one hand out to Mr. Bellamy in greeting.

Matthew swallowed. "Liam, this is my father, George." Mr. Bellamy shook Liam's hand, a shy smile on his face, the older man's eyes widening.

"Father?" The expression on Liam's face took on a gravely serious tone suddenly. He took a deep breath and nodded. Eventually he reached into his pocket for a handkerchief, using it to dab at his eyes. Matthew panicked internally, wondering if something was wrong, if perhaps Liam was aware of the past he and his father had shared.

Luckily, he was worrying for nothing.

"Oh, what an honor to meet you, sir," Liam whispered, still holding the other man's hand. "Your boy here," he glanced at Matthew, "he's, well, I hope you don't mind me saying so, but I love him like he were my own. How proud you must be of him!"

Matthew stared at his shoes nervously. He had no idea how his father intended to reply to that statement.

"I'll be honest with you, Mr. Kirk," he said softly, "I reckon that you probably know him better than I do." Matthew's eyebrows rose as he finally dared to look at his father. When he did his father gave him a quick smile, before he continued talking. "I do know one thing. I am extremely proud of the young man I'm getting to know."

The older man smiled. "As well you should be. All that matters is that you're here now. New beginnings, yes? Let's go outside and find the others, shall we?"

AJ finally stirred in his arms, yawning.

"Matthew? Why'd you let me fall asleep?" she asked, awfully indignantly for one so young, the pianist thought.

"Hey! It's not my fault you ate three pieces of that chocolate cake and got sleepy," he protested, giggling.

Her mouth opened and Matthew laughed even harder at the evidence of said cake on her chin still. "But you dared me to, remember? You told me I couldn't eat more cake than you, but I KNEW I could! And-"

"Shhhh," he hissed, glancing around, thankful that Chris and Kelly were already gone. "That's supposed to be a secret, yeah?"

The little girl rested her head on his shoulder again. "You're so weird, Matthew." He smiled and lost himself in his thoughts again:

Christopher and Kelly had received his father warmly, which Matthew made a mental note to thank them both for later on. Dominic introduced Mr. Bellamy to his sister, Paige smiling brightly.

"I'm so pleased to meet you, sir. Here, sit next to me!" Dominic, at this point, was struck yet again by the kind of person his sister was; inherently kind, gracious and positive, despite what she was going through with her health. It occurred to him that he could learn a thing or two from her; in fact, he hoped fervently that some of her goodness had somehow transferred to him.

"Matthew has told me about your illness, Paige," Mr. Bellamy began, somewhat quietly. "May I ask how you're feeling today?" Tom walked up to where they were sitting and shook Matthew's father's hand with a smile.

"Nice to see you, sir."

"You too, Thomas." His eyes drifted down to where Tom and Paige's hands were joined and smiled. "Ah, I see."

They both blushed.

"I'm a bit tired, but for the most part, today's been a pretty good day. Thank you for asking," Paige said, another smile on her face.

"Are you still undergoing chemotherapy?"

"I finished the latest round Monday," she replied. "I have an appointment in a couple days to see where I stand. With a little luck maybe it will be my last."

"She's going to be just fine," Dominc interrupted, strolling over with baby Ernie in his arms, the little one nestled against his chest. He gave his sister a soft smile. "I know it."

It hit Mr. Bellamy at that moment just how close these twins were, and it left him feeling happy that Matthew was surrounded by such warmth. Still, the realization that he'd never been able to provide his son with that very thing was a bitter pill to swallow. He suspected that it always would be. Automatically his eyes searched for Matthew and found him instantly. His son nodded at him with a smile and it bolstered his confidence to continue talking even more.

"So, Paige, tell me about your photography." It was a simple request, but the way that her face lit up you'd have thought he'd just told her she'd won the lottery.

Dominic wandered over to the corner of the garden where Matthew and AJ had hidden themselves away, smiling at the sight of them: AJ asleep against Matthew's shoulder, and the brunet asleep, his head against the young girl's. He sat down and cleared his throat.

Matthew jumped, wincing as he adjusted his eyes to the evening sun. "Ugh, I fell asleep."

"Looks like it," Dominic teased, glancing at the still sleeping AJ. Matthew kept one arm around the little girl but snuggled closer to the blonde, kissing his cheek sweetly before resting his head on his shoulder. In response Dominic put one arm around Matthew and gifted the top of his hair with a kiss of his own.

"Good day, yeah?" he whispered.

Matthew nodded happily, albeit sleepily. "Very good, Dom." Only a few seconds later he was snoring lightly against Dominic's shoulder. The blonde chuckled as he lost himself in a memory of his own from the afternoon. Once Matthew's father had announced he was heading back to his hotel, Dominic asked him if he could walk him to his car, the two of them leaving Matthew with a puzzled, but happy look on his face.

"I can't remember the last time I had such a good day," the older man admitted, reaching into his pocket for his keys.

Dominic grinned. The scene he'd just witnessed had been surreal, Matthew and his father saying their goodbyes for the night. At the last moment Matthew had pulled his father in for a quick hug, and the tears that came to the older man's eyes didn't go unnoticed by the blonde. Dominic hesitated for a moment.

"Something on your mind?"

The blonde cleared his throat. "Well, yes. I love Matthew more than anything," he blurted out. "I just wanted you to know that, sir. He's everything to me, and he's been amazing to my sister too. He came into our lives just when the both of us needed him most. For that reason I intend to make him as happy as I can, for as long as I can."

"Dominic, please," Mr. Bellamy began, smiling, "I can see that you make each other happy, and that's enough for me. You don't need my approval!"

"Maybe not," the blond said carefully, "but I'd like it all the same. You're his father, after all, and we only get one of those. Now that you and he are trying again, well, it's important to me that you and I are on the same page. Maybe what I'm trying to say is that he and I are something of a package deal, you get one of us, you get both of us."

"I understand."

Dominic stopped walking suddenly. He took a deep breath and turned to the man next to him.

"But, do you? I need to-. Oh, I don't know how to say this," he mumbled to himself.

"If you wish to say something, just say it, Dominic," Mr. Bellamy smiled, "there's no need to be nervous!"

The blond summoned all his courage. He took a deep breath, held his head high and looked into George's eyes. "Please don't hurt him again. I mean no disrespect, sir, I promise, but... just, please. Don't." he finished.

"I won't, Dominic. Believe me, I won't. Never again."

It was a simple proclamation, but it was all Dominic needed.

"Hey," Matthew's tired voice brought him back to reality, "we should get going."

AJ stretched. "Yes! I'm ready to go see Nova!"

"Then let's go, yeah?"

Once they'd told Liam goodnight they walked hand in hand to the car, AJ skipping the entire way.