million_star | Seventeen Steps (19/?)

Title: Seventeen Steps (19/?)
Author:

millionstar
Pairing: Belldom
Rating: Will vary, this chapter PG
Warnings: None
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: It's been a while, hasn't it? Apologies for the delay in updating, and I hope this chapter doesn't disappoint. This is a shorter chapter than previous ones of SS; I just needed to step back into this one slowly. :) As always, thanks to

dolce_piccante,

myz_bee, and

frolicandfall for support and assistance. &hearts you three!

This chapter is told from Matthew's POV

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

I wake unusually early.

My mind is racing with nerves already, for tonight I have agreed to meet with my father for a long talk. After thinking hard about it I’ve decided that to ignore his request would be more his style, and that is something I am not eager to emulate. I am choosing to put myself out there, whilst fervently hoping that it’s not a mistake. I do know that if I don’t take advantage of this opportunity I’ll regret it the rest of my life.

Still, the uncertainty is unsettling. Luckily, the man I love wakes up as I am contemplating all this, and at the feel of his arm around my bare waist and his lips on my shoulder, I turn to face him.

When he kisses me good morning I feel like I can take on the world.

"Do you want me to go with you tonight?" he asks, sliding his arms around me.

Do I want him to? God, yes. I want him to so badly that I'm shaking. I don't answer him immediately, instead opting to bury my face deeper into his neck, kissing the soft skin there. Dominic hums softly, his hands holding me closer while caressing my back. When he whispers that he loves me my heart skips a beat.

I wonder if that happens to him when I'm the one saying those words?

"I want you with me always," I reply finally. "But I think I need to do this alone."

I look into his eyes and he's smiling at me, the early morning sunlight casting a gorgeous glow on his hair. He nods.

"Fair enough. You'll be fine, Matthew. I just know it."

I avert my gaze for a moment. I wish I had his confidence.

"Look at me," he commands softly. I do, and he cups my chin in his hand, kissing my cheek sweetly. "Trust me, you can do this. You're stronger than you realize, you know. I'm pleased that you're giving things with your dad another shot. Second chances in life are a rare thing."

"I'm just worried that nothing positive will come of this." I admit. "I reckon I’m afraid that he hasn't really changed."

"Well, he made the first move," Dominic points out. "That must count for something, right?"

"I was shocked to see him standing in Kelly's shop the other night, that's for sure. And it was out of character for him. I would never have thought he would want my forgiveness. I hope this can be the beginning of a new start for us both." I flip us unexpectedly, eager to feel him on top of me. His body is still warm and heavy with sleep as he rests his head on my chest.

"I envy you."

His statement puzzles me. "How so?"

"I'd give anything to have the opportunity to see my father again. I miss him so much," Dominic says quietly. His arms hug me tightly, his now troubled grey eyes blinking rapidly in an attempt to keep any tears that might threaten to come forth at bay.

"Tell me about him." I ask softly, stroking his back. He smiles, and my heart flips a little at seeing his reaction to my request.

"He was an amazing man, Matthew. A hard worker, a fantastic father. I wish you could have seen the spell he seemed to have over my mum. When he came home at the end of the day my mum's face would absolutely light up."

"Tell me more."

“I can remember being so scared that my family would reject me when I came out, but of course they didn't. My father was especially supportive. His calm acceptance was something that I always envied about him. He used to tell Paige and I to surround ourselves with people who loved us, and that if we did that, we’d have a happy life indeed.” He looks at me. “It took us a while, but I think she and I have finally managed it.”

He hugs me even tighter as I process his words. I don’t know what to say, really, because I just can’t wrap my mind around the concept of a supportive family environment. In listening to him talk, I feel the familiar pang of sadness that I couldn’t have grown up that way, with one small difference this time: there is a tiny spark of hope in the back of my mind now knowing that maybe, just maybe things can be different for me and my father now. I have to cling to that, don’t I?

“Do you remember the morning I found Paige collapsed in the flat?”

I nod.

“I’ve never told you this, but when Kelly opened the door to our building and you came out with Paige in your arms, you reminded me of my father in that moment, and it gave me strength. I have no doubt that he would love you, Matthew.”

My heart flutters and I flush slightly at his words. I’ve never had anyone say anything so beautiful to me in my life.

“I like to think that he would have,” I admit shyly.

He scoots up my body to gift my neck with warm kisses, and when he reaches my earlobe he speaks again.

“I know he would have. You have a kind soul and a big heart. Not to mention you‘re a hot piece,” he winks.

“Stop it. You’re making me blush, Dominic,” I tease, wrapping my legs around him.

"I mean it," he says, raising his head to look at me. "I’m so proud of you. Love waking up in your arms, gorgeous," he whispers.

“How is Paige? I’ve been so busy with teaching that I haven’t spoken to her in a couple days.”

He tenses ever so slightly, scratching the back of his head. “I haven’t really seen her much lately.”

“Oh? Everything okay?”

“Don’t worry, she’s doing very well,” he smiles, reassuring me. “It’s just that she's spending a lot of time with Tom these days,” he shrugs.

“Wow! Are they getting serious?”

He grimaces. “Ugh. I don’t want to know about it if they are! I do know that it’s nice seeing her happy. I’m grateful to Tom for that. But…” he trails off.

“But…?”

“It sounds daft, but I miss her,” he says, flushing a little himself now.

“She hasn’t abandoned you, Dominic. This is good for her, and for Tom as well, I think. Believe me, that girl thinks you hung the moon. She’s just a little smitten right now, that‘s all.”

“You’re right,” he sighs. “And deep down, I do understand. I’m glad she and Kelly are spending time together as well. And besides,” he says, now nibbling on my collarbone, “I know how it feels to be smitten with someone.”

"So do I," I whisper. His kisses move further south until finally he lavishes attention on one of my nipples. It tickles, and I bite my tongue to stifle the giggles that try to escape my mouth at the sensation. “That was a heavy conversation for so early in the morning, wasn’t it?”

He flips us, giving my bare arse a firm smack. "It was. Now get in the kitchen and make me some waffles."

I raise an eyebrow playfully. "Excuse me, but you're the one who's a stud in the kitchen, not me. You go fix them!"

He cackles with laughter. "That sounds like a bad porn title!"

"What?"

"I can see it now. A Stud In The Kitchen, starring Matthew Bellamy. I‘d pay to see that!" He covers his face with both hands as he continues laughing. It's infectious, and soon I find myself giggling as well. With a happy sigh I get to my feet, reaching for my dark blue robe. He's brought me breakfast in bed before; I think it's high time I repay the favor. I've only made it three steps away from the bed when I hear him call my name suddenly.

I turn to look at him and he's sitting up in bed, one hand outstretched, lower lip extended in a cheeky pout.

"Changed my mind," he whispers. "Come back to bed?"

I can’t say no to that, now can I?

Current Mood: worried

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

From:

deadshines.livejournal.com

It's back! Yay. :D

Awh my face actually lit up when I refreshed my flist and saw that you updated. Adorable as always and I liked the little nod towards PP at the end, if that's what it was? Haha, I like to think it was referencing that anyway..

But yes, still loving this!

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Seventeen Steps (19/?)

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