Stockholm Syndrome - Ch24

Three mornings later and Matt was thankfully not as immobile as he had been at first. He was able to walk now, but still had a constant pain in his stomach that felt like a dull, aching cramp. Mello had taken off the patch on his face, and Matt could not help break into hysterics when he saw the state of his lover’s eye. It was not blue, nor purple, but an intense ebony-indigo with green tinges.

Although it had been Mello’s turn to laugh when Matt realized that his face was just a little bit worse off. His head hurt, constantly, it was nearly impossible to lay on his left side or else a sharp, nearly blinding pain would split through his whole head.

Matt’s wrist was making a nice recovery however, which was good because it had been his right hand which was Matt’s primary one.

All in all, thinks were looking up. Way up. They’d received a phone call about the car, which Mello and Olivia had gone to get, and it was now parked safely behind Gloria’s house.

Matt and Mello were, for once, sharing a room- both sleeping in the spare bedroom that used to be Olivia’s. It was roomy with a queen-sized bed, but it lacked a window so the room was very dark.

Overall, the threat of attack was gone, injuries were healing, and they were in the company of very good friends.


“What’s a seven letter word for ‘vulgar’? Starts with an O.”

“Obscene.” Matt said immediately, running his good hand through his hair. “I’m guessing.” He bent down slightly to scratch Keane’s ears, the dog had taken a definite liking to him and now flumped down at his feet every change he got.

“No, that fits.” Gloria sounded pleased. “Thanks.”

“No problem. When do you have to work tonight?”

“Seven. I’m working nights again.”

“Heh, that sucks. If I sit by a window, would you mind if I smoked in here?”

“Go for it.” Gloria shrugged. “You don’t even have to sit by a window, I don’t mind the smell. Olivia quit smoking last year and she’s got ashtrays still hanging around if you like.”

“You’re amazing.” Matt laughed, shaking his head. “That being said, if I give you money will you grab me a pack of cigarettes when you get off work?”

“Sure.”

“Awesome.” Matt reclined back in the armchair, gazing out the window. It was raining outside, and a bird was perched at the hanging feeder outside the window. He watched it for a moment before it caught sight of him and flew away in a flash.

“You and Mello have a very interesting relationship.” Gloria said suddenly, her eyes still trained on the crossword puzzle.

Matt gave her an odd look. “What do you mean?” He leaned forward a bit now, interested.

“It’s cute to see you two interact. You have such a charming relationship with each other… all you do is make fun of each other when you’re not cuddling and making sweet-talk.”

Matt felt himself blushing. He wasn’t sure if Mello could hear them talking, but the blonde (who was doing dishes in the kitchen) made no sound to indicate that he had. “Wul… I love him.”

“I know.” Gloria nodded, smiling. “It’s very obvious.”

“Heh. Our relationship wasn’t always terrific.” Matt winced at the memory. Oh, god. He didn’t want to think about that. “Mel acted like he hated me for the longest time.”

“What, why?”

“Because I was in love with him and didn’t want to tell him.” Mello called from the kitchen. He leaned out into the doorway, evidently intent on taking part in this conversation. “So I put up this stupid act so he wouldn’t be any the wiser… which worked for a while, until he left and then I freaked out and begged him to come back.”

Matt winced again. “Yeah…”

“I started coming home wasted.” Mello leaned on the doorjamb, one hand on his hip. “Which was a really bad idea, because when I wasn’t in my right mind, the very thought of him got me excited.”

Matt cracked a grin. “Yeah. Making out with me on the couch and leaving me to be all, “what the fuck, durr” and letting you have all the fun. You lush.”

“Am not,” Mello frowned.

“But… wait, Mel, aren’t you below the drinking age?” Gloria tilted her head slightly, frowning. “You’re… how old?”

Mello sighed. “No. I’m nineteen. I –know- I don’t look like I am. I just… kind of saw drinking as an opportunity to sort of… let myself go. And I figured it was a good way to give Matt the hint… aaand I played around with weed, too.”

“Pfft.” Gloria rolled her eyes.

“Drugs. They is serious business, Mel.” Matt muttered, shaking his head. “You are so dumb.” He one hand over his eyes. “That is still the stupidest idea I’ve ever heard.”

“But it worked.”

“Dammit, it did, but that’s beside the point.”

“I thought so.” Mello sighed. “There was a point a couple weeks ago where we literally beat the hell out each other. I was angry every day because of all the shit I was getting from the guys. So stupid me took it out on Matt, and he retaliated right back.”

“I had every right to.”

“Yeah, there’s no denying that.” Mello took a deep breath, shook his head. “Again. Sorry.” He bit his lip, “I’m a moron.”

“Yeah. Kind of.” Matt beckoned the blonde over, and when Mello paused in front of him, Matt gave him a kiss. “But I love you.”

“I love you too.” Mello chuckled, ruffling Matt’s hair and crossing the room to disappear back into the kitchen. “Hey Gloria, where do you want these plates?”

“Above the sink, left-hand cupboard.” Gloria reported, tapping her pencil on her book. She was quiet for a moment, until: “Have you guys… done anything?” She asked suddenly, propping up her head on her hand interestedly and giving Matt a wry look.

Matt blinked. “No… well… kind of.” He gave a nervous laugh, unsure as to how to put it into words. “Just… kinda fooled around… haven’t actually had sex yet. Both times I was the receiver though.” He sighed. “Which means I’m probably going to end up taking it.”

“No.” Gloria shook her head, trying not to laugh. “You’re dominant. I can tell.”

Matt blinked again. “How do you figure?”

Gloria gave Matt a look, her eyes half-lidded. “You should see the way he looks at you when you’re not looking.” She said quietly. “He adores you. You’re the one holding him, not the other way around. He’s in your arms. The guy’s mad on you, Matt. Plus. He just looks like a receiver… and you’re taller, so that helps.”

Matt snorted with laughter, shaking his head.

“Just because you get to have the first orgasm doesn’t mean you’re gonna end up being the one who gets it.” Gloria raised an eyebrow. “I thought the same thing about myself. I’m dominant with me and Livvy.”

“I could tell that.”

“How could you tell?” Gloria sat up a bit more and pulled the big dog towards her, he let out a yawn and nuzzled into her neck with his cold nose. “No kisses, Keanie-weenie.”

“Because she comes to you. She’s the one who follows you. Plus she’s smaller and sweeter. She wants you to hold her instead of her being the one to initiating it.”

Gloria gave him a wry, knowing look, raising an eyebrow. “See?”

“…Ohhh,” Matt nodded understandingly, finally getting what Gloria saw in them. “I gotcha. Yeah, you’ve got a point.” He cleared his throat, then yelled at the kitchen, “OY MELLO, GLORIA SAYS YOU’RE GONNA END UP TAKING IT.”

"Yeah, yeah." Came the reply. “I didn’t really plan on being the one doing the doing.”

Gloria rolled over onto her side in a fit of giggles, while Matt trembled with silent mirth with his head in his hands.

“G-got it!” Matt choked out, a grin on his face.

“Mwahaha, your virginity is mine.” Mello muttered from the kitchen in a low, dopey voice. Matt let out a bark of laughter that made his stomach hurt even worse, but he ignored it.

“Likewise, darling.” Matt chuckled back. Mello appeared in the doorway, his hair tied back and his sleeves rolled up.

“Right-o,” Mello crossed the room to hover over Matt’s armchair, putting a hand on each arm of the chair. He leaned in and kissed Matt soundly before taking a seat on the floor in front of him, leaning forward to look at what Gloria was doing.

“Six letter word for ‘veneer’, ends in D-E.”

“Façade,” Matt and Mello both answered in unison.

“Thanks.” Gloria scribbled onto her book, nodding and biting on her bottom lip.

Mello leaned back, then leaned his head back to look at Matt. Matt locked eyes with the beautiful blonde, and felt a small smile creep over his face. There it was… that look. Mello’s eyes were blue beneath multicolored lids, one was ebony and one had faded to a faint indigo. Something passed between them in that gaze, and, although Matt was unsure what it was, he felt a warm sensation spreading up in him.

Matt reached down with one hand and stroked Mello’s neck and cheek. “Love you.”

“Love you too.” Mello reached up and caught Matt’s hand, then interlaced their fingers together.

Gloria sighed and put down her pencil, looking up at them with a raised eyebrow. “C’mon, you guys. You’re giving me a cavity, now knock it off.”

Matt blushed, smirked, and laughed quietly, while Mello stuck out his tongue. “You’re just jealous.” He said smugly, squeezing Matt’s hand.

“Right.” Gloria giggled, “You’re cute, Matt, but I don’t swing that way.”

“Yeah, me neither.”