Seventeen Steps (2/?)
Oct. 27th, 2009 07:35 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
million_starTitle: Seventeen Steps (2/?)
Author:![[livejournal.com profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/external/lj-userinfo.gif)
millionstar
Pairing: Belldom (AU)
Rating: Will vary, this chapter: R
Warnings: None
Beta: The wonderfulophelia1971 &hearts
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: Thanks so much for the kind comments on the previous chapter, they really boosted my confidence. :)
One
Matthew woke early. His bedroom was still dark. Outside his window, he could see that the moon still hung high in the night sky, surrounded by what seemed like millions of stars. Too early , he thought. His eyes fell shut again, until the body spooning him began gifting him with soft kisses to the nape of his neck.
What? Who?
It was clear that Matthew was not alone in his bed, despite the fact that he should be alone in his bed. Every few seconds the kisses would stop, only to be replaced with fingertips gently tracing the skin there, treating Matthew’s neck as though it were something to be revered. His pulse increased at the realization that he was being held, by someone who felt warm, still heavy with sleep and so, so good. He attempted to turn over so he could get a look at his partner, but was held firmly in place.
“Let me touch you, Matthew,” a distinctly male voice whispered in his ear.
Matthew relaxed. A strong hand caressed his chest, tracing lazy circles around his navel, occasionally drifting down to caress his waist. The kisses to his neck became wetter and more urgent, until Matthew was shaking with want; it had been so long since he had been touched so intimately… since he had been touched at all, to be honest. Craving more, he stretched, arching his back against the body, snuggling deeper into the blankets. He grinned as the strong legs entangled with his own, shifted to accommodate his movements. When one finger rubbed at his bottom lip, Matthew willingly drew it into his mouth. He was rewarded with a series of kisses to his cheek.
That simple action was oddly familiar to Matthew, so much so that he felt as though he had been in this precise situation before. His desire grew even more when he felt the erection pressing against his arse. Emboldened, he sucked harder on the thick finger in his mouth. If he remembered correctly, as soon as the wet digit slipped from his lips, it would be dragged across his nipples repeatedly, until he was whimpering with pleasure. He was right.
How did I know that would happen?
Matthew decided to stop analyzing his current situation and start enjoying it. He hooked his thumbs in the waistband of his boxers, awkwardly pushing them down his thighs. The voice in his ear groaned its approval once Matthew was free of them. When his aching cock was finally grasped by a strong hand, Matthew threw his head back, moaning as one slow stroke became two, three, four, then none as Matthew woke - for real this time
He swallowed nervously. Curious - and more than a little hopeful - he carefully put one hand out to feel the pillow behind him. It was empty.
Angrily, he pulled the pillow to his chest and turned onto his side, hugging it tightly. He hated this recurring dream. It always played out the same way; always in his own bed, always with his back to his ’partner’, and he always woke with the same feeling of utter loneliness. The only purpose it seemed to serve, was to remind Matthew that he was hopelessly alone. It was rare for Matthew to feel so pessimistic, but he was only human.
No, he thought to himself, you are not alone, so stop with the self-pity. It was true enough that he was desperate for someone he could be happy with, but he had his small group of friends and family. More often than not, they were enough, but sometimes Matthew had to reconcile the fact that he wanted something more. He wasn’t asking for much, not really. Someone to come home to every night; that’s what he longed for, like Chris had found with Kelly. They were so in love, and were seemingly perfect for each other, and sometimes Matthew was so jealous of them that he felt ashamed.
He thought about the one real relationship he had been part of, and how it had ended so badly. It was hard to believe that a whole year had passed since that night he found himself sitting on the floor in Chris and Kelly’s kitchen, at one in the morning, in tears. Chris had sat next to Matthew, listening patiently to him, one hand on his back. Once he learned what had happened, his eyes flashed angrily.
“Bastard. I should break his bloody neck.”
“That won’t change anything,” Matthew had whispered.
Chris looked at him closely. “Maybe not. But, Matt, I’ve known you for eleven years now, and until tonight I’ve never seen you cry. It hurts me to see you so upset. I just want to make him pay, you know?” His voice dropped to a whisper. “I‘m so sorry, mate.”
Matthew raised his reddened eyes to Chris. “What… what did I do wrong? I don‘t understand.”
“Hey. Don’t you dare blame yourself for this,” Chris admonished. “You did nothing wrong. All you are guilty of is loving someone unconditionally.”
“That’s a mistake I won’t be making again anytime soon.”
“Matt. No. Please don’t say that. There are plenty of decent guys out there, guys who would be absolutely blessed to have someone like you in their life.”
Matt sighed. “We’ll see,” he mumbled.
Chris ruffled Matt’s hair. “Are you sure that you won’t let me give him a savage beating?”
“No. But I appreciate the offer. I don’t know what I would do without you, you know. Love you, Chris.”
Chris feigned a look of panic. “Ah, really, I’m flattered Matt, but, erm, you‘re not my type,” he winked, before collapsing into giggles.
“Like a brother, you prick,” Matthew laughed.
He was jolted back to reality by the sound of his alarm clock beeping. He sat up, yawning. One of his best pupils would be arriving in a couple of hours, which would prove to be just the distraction he needed. When his feet touched the floor, he actually felt a little more positive.
An hour or so later he was back in his flat, having returned from his visit with Liam. The shrill sound of his phone ringing startled him. He hurried over to the desk and answered it.
“Hello?”
“Matthew! This is Monica’s father. I just wanted to let you know that she won’t be able to make it to her lesson today. I do apologize for cancelling on you on such short notice. My sister just arrived from the States for an unexpected visit, and we don‘t see her very often. Would it be okay to pick up where you two left off, next week?”
Matthew smiled as he heard Monica’s excited voice in the background call out “See you next week, Matthew! Tell Nova I’ll see her then!!”
“Of course it’s okay. Just enjoy your company and tell Monica I’m looking forward to seeing her soon.”
He hung up the phone and walked back into his den, his footsteps echoing in the quiet flat. Matthew’s pride and joy was swimming gracefully in her aquarium, her blue body shimmering in the morning sunlight. Nova was a rare female cichlid, a Christmas gift from a former student whose parents owned an exotic pet store. Matthew knelt down in front of her tank, placing one finger against the glass.
“Good morning, Nova. How’s my girl today?” She swam closer to the glass, stopping just in front of Matthew’s finger, as though she was nuzzling it. “What do I do now?” he asked her. “This day hasn’t gone at all like I’d thought it would so far.” He stood up. “Right. No use sitting here feeling sorry for myself. I’m going out for a bit - anything you want? Anything at all?”
Nova swam away, taking refuge in one of the tiny caves in her tank.
“I don’t know which is more alarming; the fact that I’m talking to myself, or the fact that I‘m talking to a fish,” he muttered as he got his coat and keys.
After spending the morning haunting his local bookstore, he found himself seated at the counter of the restaurant next door to Kelly’s shop for a quick lunch. He was studying his menu when he realized that someone had sat down next to him.
“This seat taken?”
Matthew shook his head. “No, not at all.” He looked up, directly into his new neighbor’s grey eyes; eyes that were even more stunning when they weren’t full of tears. He looked down, blushing, wondering if he’d been caught staring. The blonde coughed nervously and spoke.
“I wanted to thank you again for your kindness last week.” He put one hand out. “My name is Dominic.”
Matthew grasped his hand, shaking it firmly. “I’m Matthew,” he said brightly. Dominic seemed to blush for a second himself, before taking a deep breath and speaking.
“So, Matthew, what’s good here?”
Matthew smiled, grateful to be feeling like his old cheerful self suddenly.
If you're interested, this is Nova
Author:
millionstarPairing: Belldom (AU)
Rating: Will vary, this chapter: R
Warnings: None
Beta: The wonderful
ophelia1971 &heartsSummary: 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: Thanks so much for the kind comments on the previous chapter, they really boosted my confidence. :)
One
Matthew woke early. His bedroom was still dark. Outside his window, he could see that the moon still hung high in the night sky, surrounded by what seemed like millions of stars. Too early , he thought. His eyes fell shut again, until the body spooning him began gifting him with soft kisses to the nape of his neck.
What? Who?
It was clear that Matthew was not alone in his bed, despite the fact that he should be alone in his bed. Every few seconds the kisses would stop, only to be replaced with fingertips gently tracing the skin there, treating Matthew’s neck as though it were something to be revered. His pulse increased at the realization that he was being held, by someone who felt warm, still heavy with sleep and so, so good. He attempted to turn over so he could get a look at his partner, but was held firmly in place.
“Let me touch you, Matthew,” a distinctly male voice whispered in his ear.
Matthew relaxed. A strong hand caressed his chest, tracing lazy circles around his navel, occasionally drifting down to caress his waist. The kisses to his neck became wetter and more urgent, until Matthew was shaking with want; it had been so long since he had been touched so intimately… since he had been touched at all, to be honest. Craving more, he stretched, arching his back against the body, snuggling deeper into the blankets. He grinned as the strong legs entangled with his own, shifted to accommodate his movements. When one finger rubbed at his bottom lip, Matthew willingly drew it into his mouth. He was rewarded with a series of kisses to his cheek.
That simple action was oddly familiar to Matthew, so much so that he felt as though he had been in this precise situation before. His desire grew even more when he felt the erection pressing against his arse. Emboldened, he sucked harder on the thick finger in his mouth. If he remembered correctly, as soon as the wet digit slipped from his lips, it would be dragged across his nipples repeatedly, until he was whimpering with pleasure. He was right.
How did I know that would happen?
Matthew decided to stop analyzing his current situation and start enjoying it. He hooked his thumbs in the waistband of his boxers, awkwardly pushing them down his thighs. The voice in his ear groaned its approval once Matthew was free of them. When his aching cock was finally grasped by a strong hand, Matthew threw his head back, moaning as one slow stroke became two, three, four, then none as Matthew woke - for real this time
He swallowed nervously. Curious - and more than a little hopeful - he carefully put one hand out to feel the pillow behind him. It was empty.
Angrily, he pulled the pillow to his chest and turned onto his side, hugging it tightly. He hated this recurring dream. It always played out the same way; always in his own bed, always with his back to his ’partner’, and he always woke with the same feeling of utter loneliness. The only purpose it seemed to serve, was to remind Matthew that he was hopelessly alone. It was rare for Matthew to feel so pessimistic, but he was only human.
No, he thought to himself, you are not alone, so stop with the self-pity. It was true enough that he was desperate for someone he could be happy with, but he had his small group of friends and family. More often than not, they were enough, but sometimes Matthew had to reconcile the fact that he wanted something more. He wasn’t asking for much, not really. Someone to come home to every night; that’s what he longed for, like Chris had found with Kelly. They were so in love, and were seemingly perfect for each other, and sometimes Matthew was so jealous of them that he felt ashamed.
He thought about the one real relationship he had been part of, and how it had ended so badly. It was hard to believe that a whole year had passed since that night he found himself sitting on the floor in Chris and Kelly’s kitchen, at one in the morning, in tears. Chris had sat next to Matthew, listening patiently to him, one hand on his back. Once he learned what had happened, his eyes flashed angrily.
“Bastard. I should break his bloody neck.”
“That won’t change anything,” Matthew had whispered.
Chris looked at him closely. “Maybe not. But, Matt, I’ve known you for eleven years now, and until tonight I’ve never seen you cry. It hurts me to see you so upset. I just want to make him pay, you know?” His voice dropped to a whisper. “I‘m so sorry, mate.”
Matthew raised his reddened eyes to Chris. “What… what did I do wrong? I don‘t understand.”
“Hey. Don’t you dare blame yourself for this,” Chris admonished. “You did nothing wrong. All you are guilty of is loving someone unconditionally.”
“That’s a mistake I won’t be making again anytime soon.”
“Matt. No. Please don’t say that. There are plenty of decent guys out there, guys who would be absolutely blessed to have someone like you in their life.”
Matt sighed. “We’ll see,” he mumbled.
Chris ruffled Matt’s hair. “Are you sure that you won’t let me give him a savage beating?”
“No. But I appreciate the offer. I don’t know what I would do without you, you know. Love you, Chris.”
Chris feigned a look of panic. “Ah, really, I’m flattered Matt, but, erm, you‘re not my type,” he winked, before collapsing into giggles.
“Like a brother, you prick,” Matthew laughed.
He was jolted back to reality by the sound of his alarm clock beeping. He sat up, yawning. One of his best pupils would be arriving in a couple of hours, which would prove to be just the distraction he needed. When his feet touched the floor, he actually felt a little more positive.
An hour or so later he was back in his flat, having returned from his visit with Liam. The shrill sound of his phone ringing startled him. He hurried over to the desk and answered it.
“Hello?”
“Matthew! This is Monica’s father. I just wanted to let you know that she won’t be able to make it to her lesson today. I do apologize for cancelling on you on such short notice. My sister just arrived from the States for an unexpected visit, and we don‘t see her very often. Would it be okay to pick up where you two left off, next week?”
Matthew smiled as he heard Monica’s excited voice in the background call out “See you next week, Matthew! Tell Nova I’ll see her then!!”
“Of course it’s okay. Just enjoy your company and tell Monica I’m looking forward to seeing her soon.”
He hung up the phone and walked back into his den, his footsteps echoing in the quiet flat. Matthew’s pride and joy was swimming gracefully in her aquarium, her blue body shimmering in the morning sunlight. Nova was a rare female cichlid, a Christmas gift from a former student whose parents owned an exotic pet store. Matthew knelt down in front of her tank, placing one finger against the glass.
“Good morning, Nova. How’s my girl today?” She swam closer to the glass, stopping just in front of Matthew’s finger, as though she was nuzzling it. “What do I do now?” he asked her. “This day hasn’t gone at all like I’d thought it would so far.” He stood up. “Right. No use sitting here feeling sorry for myself. I’m going out for a bit - anything you want? Anything at all?”
Nova swam away, taking refuge in one of the tiny caves in her tank.
“I don’t know which is more alarming; the fact that I’m talking to myself, or the fact that I‘m talking to a fish,” he muttered as he got his coat and keys.
After spending the morning haunting his local bookstore, he found himself seated at the counter of the restaurant next door to Kelly’s shop for a quick lunch. He was studying his menu when he realized that someone had sat down next to him.
“This seat taken?”
Matthew shook his head. “No, not at all.” He looked up, directly into his new neighbor’s grey eyes; eyes that were even more stunning when they weren’t full of tears. He looked down, blushing, wondering if he’d been caught staring. The blonde coughed nervously and spoke.
“I wanted to thank you again for your kindness last week.” He put one hand out. “My name is Dominic.”
Matthew grasped his hand, shaking it firmly. “I’m Matthew,” he said brightly. Dominic seemed to blush for a second himself, before taking a deep breath and speaking.
“So, Matthew, what’s good here?”
Matthew smiled, grateful to be feeling like his old cheerful self suddenly.
If you're interested, this is Nova
