Work Text
Kelly.Kelly.Kelly.Kelly.That name has always bounced around in his head for years now. He remembers the first time he had written the name. When he first learned to spell, he was supposed to write his name, so he wrote Kelly instead of Matthew. Kelly was shorter and more straightforward to write in his young mind, and the name felt significant. It felt like Matt needed to remember it, know it, and write Kelly on a piece of paper. Put it out to the world.He remembers his tutor smiling softly at him and looking at Matt with so much hope in her eyes. Matt didn't know how to respond other than blush. That was the first time soulmates were explained to him. Ms. Cassie Langley—now Mrs. Langley-McKenna—had told him that names were significant. It was the name of his soulmate, his other half, his one and only.She explained that soulmates are becoming rarer these days, and most people don't even believe in them anymore, but she had always told Matt that he should never lose faith in soulmates.From birth to six, Matt had only ever known Kelly. He didn't know whether or not he was a boy or a girl—at first, he thought Kelly was a girl, but Ms. Langley had explained that Kelly could be both a boy and a girl's name. He didn't know anything about who his soulmate was, and in his young mind, only knowing the name was fine.He wrote the name everywhere. It was on all of the work he got from Ms. Langley. He had signed Matthew-Kelly on all his drawings and even written the name on his arm with black marker.Kelly was everywhere, and Matthew Casey was okay with that.Gregory and Nancy Casey were not.When they found out that their only child had a soulmate, they immediately told Matt that it was a myth and that soulmates didn't exist. Matt had cried his four-year-old eyes out because he didn't want Kelly to be a myth; he didn't want it all to be fake because he liked the idea of finding and falling in love with his half. (He used to be such a romantic—he blames Cassie for that. She always tells him about true love and fairytales and makes him believe the world is good.)His parents didn't like that. Whenever they heard the name Kelly in the house, Matt was yelled at, and he had a shoe thrown in his direction. The shoe never hit him, but it was close enough to his head that he always felt the wind from the flying object fly past his face. It made him cry every time, making his parents angrier, making their voices louder, and Matt felt smaller.Matt kept his mouth shut from then on, not allowing himself to slip up and say Kelly accidentally, but his parents hated having a mute kid.Matt was so confused because he didn't know what to do. Ms. Langley encouraged him to continue to write out Kelly and to say his name, but they both agreed that it would only happen when his parents weren't here. But he wanted to be a good boy and listen to his parents, so it was only ever whispered in the night when Ms. Langley would tuck him into bed, and they would whisper about the different futures Matt could have with Kelly.That all changed when he turned six. When he turned six, he had woken up with a mark on his left shoulder. He hadn't noticed it until his mother had screeched and slapped Matt across the face. Matt was so stunned by the sudden hit—his parents had never laid a hand on him before—that it took him a couple of minutes to wrap his head around what had just happened. When he came back to reality, his mother was yelling at him and furiously scrubbing at Matt's shoulder with a towel so hard that Matt started to cry from the pain. His father entered the room shortly after, and suddenly, two loud voices were screaming at Matt. His shoulder began to bleed from the force of the rubbing, and then he was shoved so hard that he lost his balance and fell face-first on the ground. He hit his head and doesn't know what happened after that.The next time he woke up, he was strapped to a cold metal table with a big bright white light shining in his face and a throbbing headache. He whined and tried to move, but he couldn't. Not only was he restrained, but he felt sluggish and weak and like his limbs weighed a million pounds. He couldn't move, which scared him until an unfamiliar face blocked the bright light."Hello, Matthew, my name is Dr. Apollo Adler. You hit your head, so I'm here to fix it," the scary man had said, and before Matt could ask what happened or ask for Ms. Langley, he started screaming from the pain coursing through his body.His vision went white, and then his memory went fuzzy.He remembers floating in and out of consciousness and remembers sharp voices and yelling.
"The mark is still there."
"We can try another round, but I hope you know, Mrs. Casey, that removing soulmarks is nearly impossible."
"You said you can do it."
"I said I want to experiment. I didn't say it could work."
"Well, it better."
"There is one thing I can try: amplify it more. I may be unable to remove the mark, but I may get him to forget the name."
"Do it. Anything."
He doesn't remember much of his life from age six to eight. He remembers meeting his friends and that Ms. Langley was no longer his tutor; instead, she worked as the family's personal chef. Matt hadn't seen her since he wasn't allowed in the kitchens, and Ms. Langley wasn't allowed out.He had cried to his parents to let him see her, but they had shoved him and told him to shut up. Matt tried sneaking in, but his parents had two security guards standing at each entry to the kitchen, and every time Matt tried, the guards would stop him. He gave up after a year and resided to never seeing the only person who ever made him feel loved.He had forgotten all about Kelly. He didn't even know he was supposed to know that name, so he continued seeing Dr. Adler. Every time, he was fuzzy and sick for a week after his visits.He had started moving his fingers methodically and humming or tapping a specific tune, but it went unnoticed by Matt, his parents, and the staff. Everyone thought it was a random tick Matt had because he only seemed to do it when he was stressed, nervous or concentrated.~~~When Matt had gotten a little bit older, he saw Ms. Langley again, and this time, it was because one of his father's new security guards, Robert McKenna, had snuck him into the kitchens. From then on, Matt would spend an hour talking with Ms. Langley every morning, and sometimes, Robert would come to join the conversation. Matt learned how to cook over time as he helped Ms. Langley—Cassie—around the kitchen, but they always had to be quiet to not alert the guards on the other side of the doors.~~~Currently, a sixteen-year-old boy sits in a chair on his balcony facing the forest behind his house, with music in his ears as he draws in his sketchbook. A heavy metal gate surrounds the entire property, leaving the boy to feel boxed in most of the time, but from his view on the house's third floor, he can see past the gate and into the endless trees and rough routes. Sometimes, he wishes to walk through those woods and see where it takes him. Maybe to another part of the city or another life. A life where he isn't the son of one of the wealthiest men in Chicago. A life where his parents are nice to him because they are his parents and not for show. A life where he can be who he is and do what he wants without the pressure of the outside world.Does a world like that exist? To him, it's only a fantasy, but maybe if he dreams hard enough, he may not have to return to the real world—to his real life."Mr. Matthew?" A voice ran through Matt's ears, jolting him out of his perfectly crafted daze, and he turned to see one of the maids standing in the doorway of his balcony. Matt takes out the headphones and smiles softly at her."Daisy, what can I do for you?" Matt asked, closing his sketchbook and turning his attention to the maid. She has been working for the family for as long as Matt can remember and has been polite to them. Along with all the other workers, he doesn't socialize with the family and walks away when their presence is no longer needed. It's a job. They do it and then walk away—his dad's rules."Your father asked me to tell you to get ready for the gala tonight; they will be leaving at six," she informed him, and Matt gave her a tight-lipped smile and nodded at her. She walked away, and Matt fell back into his chair and sighed heavily.The gala is where all the wealthiest people in Chicago come together to put money in for a cause. Everyone there is fake and pretends to care about the world when they come in their most expensive clothes and fine jewelry to remind everyone that they are still rich and important. Matt hates these because he has to spend the whole evening wearing his 'camera smile' and converse with everyone about politics or business or his plans to take over his father or mother's company.His parents are Chicago's royalty. They control almost everything in the city and have enough power and money to buy the entire city.His dad, Gregory Casey, owns the most significant and best law firm in Chicago—Casey's Law Official—but he also runs a construction company—Casey's Construction—that built half of Chicago. He is almost as important as the mayor of Chicago, and Matt would be lying if he said that didn't get to his father's head. He might even be more important than the mayor, and Matt won't be surprised if he has the mayor in his pocket.His mother, Nancy Casey, is the CEO of a publishing company—Clover Casey's Publishing—which puts a lot of pressure on Matt.Three companies in Casey's name mean that Matt will inherit them, and he doesn't know how to run three businesses at a time. His father keeps telling him that if he works harder, he can do it and to stop complaining.In other words, Matt's parents hold a lot of power in Chicago, which means that people look to him to determine how he will take over. Matt also has to prove himself worthy of taking over.Casey's hosts Tonight's gala, and he and the workers have been preparing for the event for months. Today was the only free time he had to himself because he was expected to dress up for the part. His dad wanted Matt to get a tailored suit in blue to match his mother's dress, but Matt refused and wore the blue suit he already owned. He doesn't understand why he needs a new suit for every event when he has only worn them once and has already had close to ten in different colours.Don't get him wrong; he knows he is privileged and grateful to have a roof over his head and food on the table. He knows his life is 'good,' but he can't help but wish it was different.He's sixteen, and his parents are already pressuring him about their companies and how he should take over. He's been to several court sessions since he was six and learned to sit still and quiet. His summers were filled with shadowing lawyers, working on construction sites and sitting in on meetings with his mother. They tell him it's to prepare him for taking over, but Matt believes it is a way for them to discard their parental responsibilities. Matt feels more like an employee than a son, but this has been his life since he could remember. Everyone outside these walls knows Matthew Casey, the only son of Gregory and Nancy Casey. "Heir" to the Casey name.He's an only child, so all the responsibility falls on his shoulders, and he has his entire life mapped out in front of him. Nothing ever has, and nothing ever will be his choice, and he has long accepted that.Matt sighed and went to close his sketchbook when he noticed he had unintentionally drawn birds flying around in the sky above the forest he was supposed to be drawing. He's always been drawing birds subconsciously, much like the blackbird mark on his left shoulder. He knows now it isn't a birth mark—it's too dark to be a birth mark—and he was always told to cover it and never show it to anyone.Matt gets up and gathers his stuff before entering his walk-in closet to grab his suit.The cause for Tonight is cancer, and his father's law firm is the one hosting it. Matt knows he has to stay and talk to people for the better part of the night before he can go and escape. He hopes he isn't tasked with talking up the people, getting them more invested in their company, and donating more. He wants to be left alone and away from all the fake conversations and people.Matt finishes getting ready, takes a quick look in the mirror, and ensures his suit is up to par before walking out of his room. He walks down to the living room, where he waits for his family to finish getting ready."People have seen that before. Should've worn your new tailored suit," Gregory chastised, and Matt gulped, looking down at his excellent suit and then up at his dad."Sorry, sir, I didn't have time," Matt said calmly."Then make time; you will do everything I say next time. I don't care how busy you think you are, a good and hard working person would make time," Greg looked at Matt with such hatred that Matt had to look to the floor."Do better," Greg said and slapped Matt upside the head. Matt flinched but didn't say anything. "Go change into your tailor suit," Gregory said in such a tone that made Matt's skin crawl. Matt's learned one too many times what disobeying that voice would bring him, and he hasn't seen the inside of that room in four years and doesn't plan to do it again.Matt nodded, turned around, and ran up to his room.Once in the comfort of his room, he drops to the ground, trembling like a leaf as he regains his composure.That room will always bring him close to a panic attack, and even the threat of it makes it difficult for Matt not to retreat into his mind where he's safe.He takes deep breaths and blinks several times so as not to pass out, and when his vision is a bit clearer, he pulls himself up on shaky legs and slowly walks over to his closet. Once inside, he grabs the bottle of water he stores in there, drinks half of it at once, and then strips out of his suit before downing the other half.Matt returns in a very similar navy blue suit and waits in the doorway to the living room for his father's approval."That will compliment mine and your mother's outfits perfectly," his father says, and Matt walks into the room, not daring to make eye contact with his father. The two fall into awkward, tense silence as they wait for Nancy. The air around the Casey family is often tense and awkward when alone, but outside, they can play the loving family."You look lovely," Gregory said once Nancy entered the room. She wore a navy blue floor-length dress with silver cross straps on the back."Thank you, honey," she smiled as Greg leaned over to peck her cheek. "Let's go," Nancy said, barely looking over to Matt as she walked past him and out the door.The car rideover was filled with Gregory and Nancy telling Matt every detail that they wanted Matt to talk about with everyone. He was getting so much information that he knew he would miss a few as the night went on. He doesn't say that. He's not allowed to complain, so he stays silent and takes in as much as possible.~~~The flashing lights of the camera.The fake smile and say hello to everyone.The pretend concern over the cause.All of that happened in ten minutes when the gala started, and people started coming in. If an outside were to be looking in, they would mistake this for some A-list celebrity party, but in Chicago, this is. The wealthiest are all public people, and cameras will follow their every move."You look like you're having fun," Connor whispered under his breath when the Rhodes finally arrived, and Matt was shaking his hand to greet all their guests and the rest of his family."Don't even get me started," Matt whispered back as Connor pulled away and headed into the venue. Matt was forced to stand by his parents outside the venue for another half an hour before he finally got to go inside. It wasn't much more of a relief because now he has to mingle with everyone and at least say hi and talking about the charity they chose to donate. He is still a teenager, but he is coming close to college, which means they expect him to step up his game.Matt catches Heather and Connor talking in the corner, and occasionally, Heather makes faces at him just so he doesn't feel too left out.Matt stands up on stage behind his father as he makes his speech and then a toast, and then Matt is finally released from his "duties" for the night. He immediately goes to his friends and sighs heavily when he reaches them."That was fun," Heather said, handing him a glass of sparkling juice."I wonder if these would get more bearable when we are legally drinking," Matt muttered into his glass."I'm going to have to be wasted for these things to be considered 'fun,'" Connor said, and Matt nodded."That was probably the longest two hours of my life," Matt whined and put an elbow on the table beside him, letting it take half of his weight."You okay?" Connor asked. To anyone else, it's a simple question from a concerned friend, but Matt knows Connor is asking if Matt is about to have another episode. Connor and Heather are the only person who knows the fear and anxiety being around their father for too long will cause, and it's worse when they are in public because his father touches him more, keeps him close and pretends to be a loving father. It makes Matt have to pull himself together so tightly he barely breathes to pass as a loving son who is all too eager to follow in his parent's footsteps when, in reality, Matt is two seconds away from passing out."Fine, just tired with this entire day," Matt said reassuringly despite his gut churning and every fibre of his being screaming at him to get out of this place and somewhere where he could breathe."At least we can sneak away soon," Heather said with a smile."Can't," Matt said. "Mom needs me to be present at all times.""Why? You're not even in college," Connor said, and Matt rolled his eyes and clenched his jaw."It doesn't matter. I'm almost there, and my dad keeps saying that I must prepare to take over everything. They want to retire early, so I have to step up early," Matt said with an eye roll."You should enlist in the army," Heather said, making Connor and Matt look at her with raised eyebrows. "What, you only need a high school degree, and if you enlist, your father can't say anything about that because you'll be away and hard to contact. Plus, you are making a sacrifice for your country, so it looks good from an outsider's point of view," she further explained."My dad would kill me," Matt said, but he put the information to the back of his head for now.Before any of them can speak a hand is clapped down on Matt's back making the blond nearly jump out of his skin."Jeez, always so jumpy, little Casey," a mocking voice said behind him, and Matt resisted the urge to throw up."Cameron," Matt said in a way of greeting."So there's a party at my place after our team wins the soccer game this coming Friday," Cameron said conversationally as if they were friends when they all know he is only friendly to Matt because of Matt's status."We'll be there," Matt said politely and in his political voice. Cameron doesn't notice a difference and nods before leaving to find his friends. Matt hates that half his school is at the gala, but they go to a private school, which costs more than most people's mortgage, so everyone there is loaded.Matt hates everyone at his school. They are all shallow and only care about creating good networking so they can climb the social ladder; hence, everyone tries to befriend himself, Connor or Heather. The Caseys are the wealthiest family in Chicago, followed by the Rhodes and the Caddells. They are at the top of the list, and their parents are influential. Casey runs the law/politics, construction, and publishing world, Rhodes runs the fashion and car industry, and Caddell runs the technology and media entertainment industry. All families are "friends" with each other, and Matt has grown up with Heather and Connor. Unlike their parents, they like and tolerate each other and are close friends.None enjoy shallow, fake friendship relationships or stepping on others to reach the top. They don't see status or class, just people, making them bond closer together and forming their own little group. Their parents approve of the friendship because, in their eyes, that means when the kids take over, they can expand and blend their companies to become stronger and expand out of Chicago."Anyways," Connor drawls once Cameron is out of hearing range. "Your dad can't do that if you are halfway across the world in an unknown location," Connor pointed out, and Matt nodded."Come on, we still have forty-five minutes before you have to talk with everyone before they leave; let's go outside; you are still in view but more private, and I can make fun of Connor's bad pickup lines," Heather said, and Connor groaned, but Matt jumped up and followed her."That was a week ago. Let it go," Connor grumbled over them."Nope," Matt and Heather said, and Connor rolled his eyes but followed his friends out to the venue's pool area.For the next forty-five minutes, all three of them sat on the floor against the wall as they dropped their mask and were regular friends poking fun at each other. Suppose Matt was sitting in between his friends, as their touch has always grounded him and kept him teetered to the present. They kept their laughter quiet, but they were all relaxed as the pressure from their parents floated away.Matt was reluctant to leave when his father angrily dragged him away from his friends. He had to spend another hour going around and convincing people to donate more money to the cause and talking about logistics, the victims, and the family businesses. It felt repetitive to Matt as all the conversation went about the same way, but they got most people to up their donations, which is good. Matt also had to pose for more pictures with the rest of his family and some of the bigger donors before the night was finally over. He didn't get a chance to properly say bye to his friends, but he would see them at school on Monday.
----- CHAPTER BREAK -----
Matt wakes to what feels like an earthquake, groaning and blindly reaching for his pillow. He knows exactly who is causing the earthquake but is too tired to get up, so he purposely doesn't set his alarm. Once his hands are on the pillow, he blindly swings it in the air, and then a thud, a laugh, a groan, and a body weight."Dude, that was me," Connor voice grumbles, and suddenly, there's giggling in Matt's ear and hair on his face."I ducked; I don't know what you were doing," Heather said, moving her face away from Matt's neck."Why are you shaking the bed, Heath?" Matt asked, still half asleep and wanting to turn around, but he couldn't since an entire human body sprawled on top of him."Come on, your parents are gone; let's drop the mask," she said excitedly and sat to straddle Matt's thighs. Matt felt the bed dip and knew Connor was kneeling beside him."It's noon, by the way," Connor points out, and Matt shoots up, nearly bumping heads with Heather."Shit," Matt said when he turned to look at the clock on his bedside table."Now, let's go; maybe we'll go to eat at that diner on the other side of town," Heather suggests. Matt and Connor look at each other and then turn, knowing glances at Heather. "Up and ready in ten," she said, jumping off the bed and running out of the room. Matt sighs, drops back on his bed, and hears shuffling. Then Connor is lying beside him."Heather dragged you out of bed as well?" Matt asked, and from the deep sigh, he knew she did."She'll drag us by the ankles if we don't get up," Connor pointed out, and Matt groaned but rolled out of bed. He sluggishly moves to his bathroom to go about his morning routine.After much complaining from Heather, they arrive at the diner in Heather's car twenty minutes later. They settle into a booth in the far corner, practically hidden away from the rest of the restaurant, with Connor and Matt on one side and Heathre across from them."So, what's the deal with Eleanor?" Heather asked, shifting her attention from the counter to Matt, who grimaced. "Break up didn't go well?""Oh, with her, it was okay," Matt said, causing Connor to frown. "Her parents threw a fit because Ellie accidentally yelled it with her bedroom door open. Then her parents got mad at... well, I don't know who they were mad at, but going on about the future and how it was ruined. Ellie did, however, help me escape.""Shit," Connor said, trying to suppress a laugh. "At least she was okay with it.""Hey, we both got into a relationship for the benefit of our parents," Matt said with a shrug. "Plus, I have a sinking suspicion she was using me as a cover-up from her real relationship.""Who?" Heather asked, eager for a piece of gossip, but Matt shrugged. Eleanor had explained to him the day after they broke up why she wasn't affected and had come out to him in the process. As much as he loves and trusts his friends, this isn't his secret to tell, so he wouldn't break Ellie's trust like that, even though she didn't explicitly say that he couldn't tell anyone."But my mom is already setting me up with someone else," Matt said with an annoyed eye roll."I'm pretty sure if both our parents weren't homophobic, they would've put us together," Connor said, and Matt nodded. If the Casey and Rhodes families blended into one family, everyone would have more power and money."I'm pretty sure they are waiting for Matt to be legal before they put him and Claire together," Heather said. Both Matt and Connor wore twin expressions of disgust, and Heather laughed.Claire Rhodes was the perfect daughter in Cornelius Rhodes's eyes. She was set to take over their store while Connor was supposed to take over the car company, but Connor had made it clear he didn't want any part to do with either company and fought his father at every turn. On the other hand, Claire gladly did as she was told and tried to get Connor to see the "error" of his ways, thus creating a rift between the Rhodes siblings."What if Mrs. Casey is talking to your parents?" Connor said, suggestively raising his eyebrows, and Heather's eyes widened while Matt paled."No, I actually think she might," Matt said, and Connor's gaze snapped to the blond. Matt was about to open his mouth to continue when a blond came to their table."Hey, Heather," he said in an almost fond voice, looking directly at Heather, who smiled softly at the man."Hey Andy," Heather replied, going a bit shy. Connor and Matt exchange knowing glances before turning their grins on the two. "This is Connor and Ma-""Holy shit, you're Matthew Casey," Andy said, face full of shock, and a flash of anger went through his eyes. Matt frowns, but he nods slowly."Have we met?" Matt asked slowly. He's never seen the boy before, even though he's heard countless stories and ramblings from Heather about the "cute waiter boy.""Andy, Andy Darden," he said, extending a hand for Matt to shake and purposely emphasizing his last name. Matt frowned for a second and shook his hand before making an 'O' sound and paling. "Yeah," he said sadly, focusing on the notepad in his hand. No one says anything for a couple of minutes, air tensed with a mixture of emotions."So, um, what's on the special?" Heather asked slowly to break the tension. Andy shakes his head as if to expel any lingering thoughts and focuses on Heather, and a smile spreads across his face. He goes about listing the specials, but Matt doesn't listen. His mind races back to what he read about Darden in his father's files.It was last summer and Casey's Construction had moved to expand and build new houses in Chicago. They had decided on a pretty well-off neighbourhood—not super big houses, but not small either and in a good location—and had destroyed all the homes within a week before the project got cancelled. Matt remembers seeing on the news that the people who lived there barely had enough time to get all their things moved when Gregory had started the project. It was never stated why the project was cut short or what they would build, but the land lays empty as Gregory refuses to rebuild the house. It wasn't anywhere in the files that Matt had read either, but Matt remembered the names of the families and knew they had all moved. Some left the city altogether, while most moved into cheaper apartments they could get on short notice.Matt didn't realize he had zoned out entirely until Connor nudged his arm and told him he had ordered a strawberry milkshake and pancake. Matt could see the questions in their eyes, and Matt sighed, pulled up an article that covered the story, and placed his phone on the table for them to read.Him finding the files was an accident. When he stumbled across these files, he was in his father's office looking for a loophole on a case he was helping on. Matt had only seen the first few pages before his father walked into the office, and Matt had quickly hidden the file away. He remembers now that the file is in his closet at home, and he made a mental note to himself that he would look back on the files and see what the project was about."Fucking asshole," Heather grumbled and glared at no one in particular."That's my dad for you," Matt muttered and decided not to mention the file until he had a plan or answers."Know where they are all staying?" Connor asked, and Matt shook his head."I heard some of the people are sleeping on the streets," Heather whispered, and Matt whined as if all of this was his fault."Don't wo-" Connor started but paused when Andy returned with their drinks, and that's when he noticed the article was still open on Matt's phone."Darden, I'm sorry for what my father did," Matt said as he grabbed his phone and put it in his pocket. "Do you mind me asking where you're staying?""Shitty apartment that has rats," Andy spat out, and Matt fought a wince. Andy sighed and ran a hand through his hair."Am I right to assume you knew nothing about this?" Andy asked, and Matt hesitated, Andy's eyes widening."No," Matt said firmly to stop whatever angry rant was about to come out of Andy's mouth. "No, I didn't know before or while it was happening. I found out the night before the press knew." Andy closed his mouth, but his jaw was tense, and he glared at Matt. "I don't know what happened, but I can find out.""I don't care; I just care about having a place to stay," Andy said, and with that, he turned around and walked away. Matt slumped in the booth and looked to where Andy had retreated when he noticed another waiter—similar height to Andy, with salt and pepper hair—glaring at Matt. Matt's face goes red, and he turns to get away from their looks."I can leave if you want a cha-""No," Heather said, stopping his friend. "Damage is done.""So what were you going to say about Mrs. Casey wanting you and Heather together," Connor said, changing the subject, and Matt gulped and nodded."I don't know. You know she is always going on about Heather and me," Matt stated, and Heather nodded. "Well, now she might take advantage of getting your parents to push us together." Heather groaned and put her face in her hands."My mom was asking many questions about you after the gala," she grumbled, still with her face in her hands."What type of questions?" Connor asked."Questions like, who is Matt dating, how our friendship is going, when will I see him next, that type of thing. She was even excited when I told her I was coming over today," she said with another grimace."Jeez, thanks. It's good to know I'm such a great date," Matt said in a monotone voice. Heather rolled her eyes and flicked some of her milkshakes at Matt, who laughed and ducked out of the way."This could be good," Connor said, and Matt and Heather both turned to look at the guy like he was crazy. "What? I'm saying that Heath can use Matt as a cover when she and a certain someone get together." Connor nods over to where Andy is cleaning the counter while talking with the other waiter who was glaring at Matt earlier."Oi, what about me?" Matt asked, and Connor shrugged."Then you don't need to date random people you don't even like. You got lucky with Eleanor, but that was because you chose her; you know your mom would go for someone of higher status than Eleanor, and we all know who those people are and how they act. At least with Heather, it's easier, and you both know nothing will ever develop from this. Matt's gay, Heather has a crush on someone else, it's simple," Connor said as if he were explaining a simple concept to them."It's simple," Matt mimics under his breath, and Connor shoves him in retaliation."Fuck off," Connor said, and Matt grinned."Actually," Heather said slowly, and Matt turned to her in surprise. "Please...""No," Matt stated firmly, and Heather gave him the puppy dog eyes and pouted. "No," Matt said again this time looking anywhere but at Heather and can hear Connor chuckles from beside him."Pl-""You haven't even asked the guy out yet," Matt cut her off just as Andy reappeared with their food. The blond waiter had raised his eyebrows but didn't say anything, and Heather's cheeks turned red."Hey Andy, when do you get off?" Connor asked casually, and his friends turned wide-eyed at him, but Connor only looked at Andy. Andy frowned slightly and looked around the table."Listen, dude, I don't swing that way, but my friend mi-" Andy started slowly, and Connor rolled his eyes."Not for me," he said, cutting him off. "I have a friend, dirty blonde, about 5'1", lik-" He was cut off by a piece of potato hitting his face, and he glares at Heather."Shut up, Rhodes," she glares at him, and the two are left glaring at each other, waiting for the other to back down."Um..." Andy said not knowing what was happening, he looks to Matt who shrugs and plucks a strawberry off his plate. "I get off at four.""Great," Connor said, turning a cheerful expression on Andy. "Have a ride?" He asked, and the blond shook his head. "Now you do." Andy blinks before turning and walking away, and Heather groans and slides down her seat to the point where only the top of her head can be seen over the table."Why!?!" She whines and kicks Connor in the leg."Now she has a date, which means she needs a cover," Connor said, turning a pointed look at Matt."What's your angle in all of this?" Matt asked, turning a calculating look on Connor. Heather reappeared and matched Matt's look."Yeah, why are you shoving us together," she squints her eyes at Connor, who raises his hands in surrender."No angle, I promise," he said, but neither of them let up. "Seriously, there's no angle," he tries again, but no response. "Fine," he groans. "If you two get together, it would be big. Two of the three most powerful families in Chicago, their offsprings dating, and potentially creating a bridge for the future to blend the two would take pressure off of me. My dad would focus on you two and how he can use the two of you to help expand and grow his companies. It would give him another project to focus on and less time scrutinizing everything I do.""Fuck," Matt said, relaxing in his seat. "This is where our lives are heading now, pretending to be in a heterosexual relationship with one of my best friends, so said best friend can date someone their parents don't approve of and would distract my other best friend's dad from acting like a shit father to my best friend. Great," he stabs at the piece of pancake he cut and shoved it in his mouth."And they say being rich is glamorous," Heather mumbled.~~~By the end of their meal, Connor and Matt had a silent conversation with their eyes before Matt walked over and slid in beside Heather, who was too busy finishing her milkshake. Matt threw an arm around Heather's shoulders, not alerting the girl since this was a norm for them. Matt reached into her pocket, pulled out her keys, and jumped out of the seat when Heather turned confused eyes at Matt."Wanna take care of the bill?" Connor asked, sliding over his credit card, and both boys grinned over at her."Might wanna talk your chance now," Matt said, looking behind him to where Andy was leaning against the counter while talking with the same waiter, and the restaurant looked close to empty.Without another word, Connor and Matt left her at their booth in shock as they walked out without another word, slid into her car, and waited for her."Mischievous assholes," she mutters under her breath and grabs the card and walks over to the counter.~~~Connor taps Matt's shoulder, and they watch Heather run over to the car, waving a napkin in the air with a huge grin. She climbs into the driver's seat and bounces while squealing."Went well?" Matt guessed, and she nodded and shoved the napkin in his face. Matt noticed a phone number written on it."I love you both," she said, yanking them into a group hug. They chuckled and patted her on the back."I have to pick up his friend, Kelly, as well, but Andy said that he would bring takeout from here, and we can eat at a park or something when we drop Kelly off," Heather said excitedly, completely unaware of how Matt froze in the passenger seat hearing the name. He frowned when his heart started beating faster, and the name sounded so familiar, but he couldn't remember where or when he had heard it. Subconsciously, he reached to scratch at his left shoulder as he got lost in thought. For some reason, he thought back to his childhood; he barely remembers anything before age six, but he feels as if there's something important there for him to remember.He knows he has blanks in his memories, at least once a year, one entire week is completely gone from his memory but his childhood is where more chunks are gone. He remembers bits and pieces from when he was born to around eight, but they are so vague that he can't make sense of them. He remembers asking Cassie or his parents, but they all dodged the questions or told him to mind his own business—his parents—or look at him sadly—Cassie—but he's never gotten an answer. Even when he sees Dr. Adler and brings up his memory loss, the doctor says it's nothing to worry about, and he lost his memories due to some fall that happened when he was little. He doesn't believe his parents or Dr. Adler, so he knows they are hiding something from him, but what he doesn't know is what it has to do with his memories."Who's Kelly?" Matt asked, unaware that he had accidentally cut Heather off."His friend, the one glaring at us," she said, shifting uncomfortably; "he also lived in that neighbourhood.""Great," Matt muttered and sighed. Now, he needed to go back home and review that file.
----- CHAPTER BREAK -----
Heather dropped the boys off in front of the gate of her house since Connor lives beside Matt and Heather lives across from them. They live deep in the neighbourhood, and their houses and properties are the biggest on the street, with large black and gold gates around the entire land.The walk from the gates to Matt's mansion of a house is long, but Matt doesn't notice as his mind is lost in what he can remember from the file.When he enters the house, he briefly greets Robert and pops his head into the kitchen to greet Cassie before going to his room and hiding straight for his closet. There's a trapdoor on his floor where he hides things he doesn't want the maids or his parents to find. Not that his parents ever come into his room unless it is to yell at him, but he wants to be cautious.Matt pulls out a file, sits back, and goes through it.~~~Matt pulled out of his concentration on the file when his bedroom door burst open. Matt jumps on the floor in front of his French doors—that lead to the balcony—where he had migrated when he needed more space to lay out all the paper and grab some of his law books."So change of pl- woah," Heather started but stopped when she noticed Matt was sitting in a circle of paper and books. "What's all this?""The neighbourhood destruction," Matt said. "I took the file because it felt important. Seeing Darden made me remember it, so I pulled it out, and when I did, I started noticing discrepancies. There's a case here," Matt said, shaking the notepad he had on his lap. I don't know exactly what, but I'm close. I can feel it.""Wait, so your father planned never to finish what he started?" Heather asked, walking over and reading some of the papers laid out."No, that's the thing. He destroyed an entire neighbourhood as a show of power. Someone who lived on that street wanted to run for mayor this year, but it was someone my father couldn't control. So, instead, he demolished all their homes as a threat to him to stand down. My dad wanted the current mayor because he is someone he can manipulate, and I guess my dad thought that if this candidate ran, he would win. But I need to find who was involved and more important evidence," Matt said, already looking back down at his papers and getting sucked into the work again."How would you even get your father to finish this?" Heather asked, getting confused by all the law books."Not me, the public," Matt said, barely looking up. "I'm going to need you to leak the story to one of the journalists who works for your mother, which would cause a public outrage. All this mainly points to the mayor and my father, but if there's enough public pressure, the mayor is easier to sway than my father. Then Casey's clients from the law and construction companies might leave or threaten to leave, which would pressure my dad to act on something. I would then try to trick him into thinking that it would be his idea to rebuild the neighbourhood—make it nicer, for the same price—to keep his clients and potentially get new ones.""Devious," Heather said with a proud nod."Thanks," Matt mumbled."Anyways," she said, jumping onto Matt's bed, and the blond looked up at her. "My parents may or may not think we are going on a date tonight." Matt's eyebrows shot up, and Heather squirmed. "Look, they kept saying how good of a guy you are and how great we work as friends, and all these nice things about yo- oh shut up." She said when she noticed Matt's grin."I didn't say anything," he protested, but Heather rolled her eyes."Yeah, but your eyes did," she grumbled, and Matt laughed but motioned for her to continue. "Then my mom called your mom, and there was so much pressure that I just blurted that we are going on our first date tonight, and we didn't say anything because we weren't sure it was going to work. You know, with the friends-to-lover transition and shit. I told them I would meet you here since your parents aren't home, and once again, we didn't want to make a big deal out of it and wanted to keep it a secret. So, you are driving me to pick up Andy and Kelly. Then, you will drop Kelly off at his place, Andy and me off at the park, and hang out around the area. I'll call once Andy and I are ready to go, and then you'll pick us up, drop Andy off, drive up my neighbourhood, walk me to the door so my parents can see what a gentleman you are, and then off you go.""Okay, anything else I need to do, your majesty?" Matt asked, and Heather threw a pillow at him, which he easily caught. "I don't think Andy or Kelly would be happy about it," Matt shifted uncomfortably, but Heather's shoulder slumped."Maybe tell them this," she suggested, waving a hand at the papers littering his floor. "You're not in the wrong, it's not your fault your father's a dick.""No, but to everyone else, it is," Matt said with a sigh but stood and glanced at Heather from head to toe. She wore a simple green summer dress with white shoes and curled hair. He decided if the Caddell's would see him later tonight, he might as well look the part. He walked to his closet and found some dark blue skinny jeans and a cream colour shirt with a light blue button-up."Acceptable," he said, spinning around to show Heather, who glanced at him from head to toe and nodded. Matt quickly gathered everything and put them back under the trapdoor before grabbing his phone, wallet and keys."My lady," Matt said formally while extending his elbow for Heather, who rolled her eyes but accepted the gesture either way.~~~Matt waited in the car while Heather entered the diner a couple of minutes before either boy's shift ended.When Heather came out, Matt was leaning against his car door with his phone to his ear and sunglasses on."Is that Matthew?" Kelly asked with a hint of anger and annoyance."Yeah, that's what I meant by a change of plans," she said, fidgeting as they all paused in front of the diner. "Look, it's a bit complicated, and I'll explain later, but right now, can we go to the car?" Andy nodded and grabbed Kelly to tug him along. "I know you may think I'm biased, but I promise you when I say this, Matt isn't a bad guy. Trust me, he had no idea what his father was planning. He's working on fixing it, but given his age and that everyone he knows who can help is under his father's payroll, he needs to go about it the secret way, which will take a while. He's been working all day on this. Just give him a chance," she all but pleads and Andy looks over at her and then at Matt—who now that they are closer, seems to be tense while listening to the other person on the phone—and sighs and nods. He looks back to Kelly who gives him an 'you've got to be kidding me,' look but relents and sighed.Matt looked over—still on the phone—when he heard footsteps approaching, and he smiled briefly before tossing his car keys over to Heather and walking away from the car. Heather shrugs, unlocks the car, and climbs in the passenger seat while Kelly and Andy climb into the back."Fucking G wagon," Kelly mutters under his breath."So, where are you living?" Heather asked, turning to look expectantly at Kelly. Kelly gave her his address and noticed the surprised look on her face. Kelly smirked meanly at her."My house was destroyed, remember?" Kelly asked, and Heather gulped and nodded."Sorry about that," Matt said, getting into the car and dropping his phone in the cup holder."Who was it?" Heather asked."Mom," he said with an eye roll, and Heather nodded and told Matt Kelly his address. Matt pretended to be surprised, but he already knew since some of the locations where the people had moved to were on his father's file.Matt turned to his back seat and smiled politely. "Matt Casey, but I guess you already know that," he said with an extended hand, to which both boys looked down at the hand, then at Matt, then at each other."Wanna explain why he's here?" Kelly asked instead of introducing himself, and Andy elbowed him."My parents think I'm out with Matt tonight. He's here as a cover story," Heather tried explaining in the vaguest way possible."What, your parents won't approve of their daughter dating someone who doesn't live in a fucking castle?" Kelly asked sarcastically, and with a mean edge, it got hit in the ribs again."Ignore him," Andy quickly cut in, shooting a 'shut the fuck up' look at Kelly, who rolled his eyes."It's a complicated situation," Matt said, looking into his rearview mirror at Kelly, who glared at him. "You must be Kelly Severide." Kelly's eyebrows shot up in surprise. "Your family name was on the file of the people in that neighbourhood.""So you did know," Kelly said, leaning on his knees and giving Matt a challenging look in the rearview mirror."Not until it was done, but I will fix it. I'm close to finalizing the details, and then, hopefully, I will give it to the right person." Looks over at Heather, "and the rest will fix itself. It's not a grantee, but those houses will be rebuilt.""Probably even shitter than before," Kelly scoffs in an attempt to hide the surprise and gratitude he feels when he notices the honesty in Matt's eyes."Wrong," Matt said, not disturbed by Kelly's attitude. "They will be better, and prices won't go up. I'll make sure of that.""How? You're in high school," Andy said, jumping into the conversation."Maybe, but my dad has been letting me take over from time to time to familiarize myself with my future roles, which means I started making my ties and connections," Matt said with a shrug. Kelly nodded, but he was impressed by the blond in front of him. He also has to admit that when Heather returned to the diner, saying that Matthew was in the car waiting for them, his heart skipped a beat.Matthew was the name he remembered and probably knew even before he learned his own name. His mother had explained that it was the name of his soulmate, and when his mark appeared, he knew his soulmate would have a matching mark on the same spot. What annoyed him was that Matthew is such a common name that he had met three Matthews, but none of them had the bird on their left shoulders. He briefly wonders if Matt has a bird on his left shoulder but then has to laugh at himself because it would be absurd. They are two different people from two different worlds. There's no way they are each other's soulmates.~~~The car ride to Kelly's apartment was quiet, saved for the radio playing in the background."Drop them off first," Kelly said, and Matt glanced into the rearview mirror to look at Kelly. "I want to discuss your plan to rebuild the neighbourhood." Matt sighed, nodded, and turned to Heather, who looked back at Andy. Andy glanced between Matt and Kelly for a few seconds before directing Matt to the nicer—and quieter—park he had planned to take Heather to.When they pulled up, Andy got out, and when Heather did, Matt's hand reached out and stopped her. Kelly watched as the two had a silent conversation before Heather smiled and leaned over the console to kiss Matt's cheek before hopping out of the car. Kelly wondered what was being communicated between the two, but he quickly exited the vehicle and ran around the front to enter the passenger seat. Matt raised an eyebrow at him but didn't say anything else and looked at Kelly expectantly."There's a pretty good pizza place not far from here," Matt nodded, and Kelly started giving directions.When they arrived, Kelly and Matt walked silently to a table near the back, and Matt glanced around."No one's gonna rob you, you know," Kelly said annoyedly, and Matt rolled his eyes."I've never been here; I want to take it in, especially the art on the walls," he nodded to the wall of hand-printed pizza-related art. "You don't like me because of what my father did, my status, or both. That's fine. But can we at least try to tolerate each other for the benefit of Heather and Andy?""Aren't we below your standards, though?" Kelly asked, trying to see how far he pushed Matt."My standards in friends are decent people who don't judge others based on superficial stuff. Since you are sitting here and judging based on what you see on the outside and what you think you know of me, so yes, currently, you are below my standards," Matt shot back. Kelly's eyebrows raise in surprise, but he doesn't give any outward reaction. Internally, he was impressed with Matthew, and the blond had just gained some respect from him."I'm starving," Kelly said and stood up. "You have to order upfront. What do you want?""Caesar salad is fine," Matt said, and Kelly rolled his eyes."It's a pizza place, man," Kelly said, gesturing around them."I know," Matt said with a shrug. Kelly sighed, went up to the counter, and ordered their food. He returned ten minutes later with a receipt in hand, and he noticed Matt's cost of the food in front of him. He looked up to see the blond frowning down at his phone and his right hand tapping something on the table—like a code."Thanks," Kelly mumbled and quickly put the money away. "So," Kelly started catching the blond's attention. "Your school has a soccer game this Friday, right?""Yeah," Matt said slowly. He expected their conversation to be about the neighbourhood, not his school's soccer team."You're not on the team?" Kelly asked and scanned what he could of the blond's body. From what he could tell, he kept himself in shape and, given what he chose to order at a pizza parlour."No, but Connor's the captain," Matt said, and Kelly filed the name away. He knew the brunette beside Matt looked familiar but couldn't remember his name."813," someone yelled, and Kelly jumped up to grab their food, and he placed Matt's salad in front of him."You and Heather seem close," Kelly said conversationally."Best friends since I could remember," Matt said with a shrug. "The three of us, Connor, Heather and myself, have always stuck together. Not the biggest fan of some of our peers.""Andy did say she was different, more relaxed, down to earth," Kelly said but kept an assessing gaze on Matt."She is," Matt said, not faltering under Kelly's stern gaze. "So, Kelly, what about you and Andy?""Been friends since the sandbox days," Kelly said easily, and Matt smiled softly before he frowned and shook his head. "Are you serious about helping us?""I am," Matt said, getting more serious and sitting upright. "What he did to you guys because of one person is unfair. I'm in a power to try and sway my father. I can't promise anything, but I can promise that I'll try everything in the book. I truly am sorry for what happened, and I wish I had seen the signs of my father trying to distract me from what he was doing with work."Kelly nods, not knowing how to respond to someone so earnest and sincere."Isn't your dad going to notice you're snooping?" Kelly asked, and Matt shook his head."Out of the city for two weeks," Matt said.The conversation came to a stop after that. It wasn't an awkward silence, and there was no longer much tension between them. It was almost comfortable silence, almost.~~~Kelly had directed Matt back to the park when Heather had called for them to be picked up. The music played softly as the two waited for their friends to emerge from the park.When they did, they held hands, and both looked like they were blushing like crazy but content."Hey," Matt greeted when they slid into the backseat."Hi back," Andy greeted and lightly punched Kelly's shoulder in greeting."How did it go?" Kelly asked and saw both of them blush, and a stupid smile cross their face. "Got it," he said with a smirk. He turned back to face the front and noticed Matt smirking as well. The blond must have caught their reactions as well.~~~Andy and Heather chatted away in the back, and Kelly and Matt chimed in from time to time. When they had pulled up to the apartment, Matt had tried not to wince at the place they had to live in because of his dad. He wished he had known about the plan sooner and found a way to intercept it.He was pulled from his thoughts when Heather climbed into the passenger seat and beamed at Matt.The car ride home was filled with Heather gushing about the date and how much she liked Andy. Matt smiled, letting her chat his ear off about Andy Darden, and was happy for his friend to have found someone who had that stupid, goofy smile on her face.When he pulled up to Heather's house, Matt opened her door for her and walked her to her front door. He had kissed her on the cheek, having seen the front curtains move, and knew they had an audience."I'm really happy you found Andy," he whispered in her ear before pulling her in for a hug. "We would need to talk about logistics soon if I am your cover story.""Talk tomorrow," she promised, and Matt pulled back and placed another kiss on her forehead—this he does on the regular when they have more of a heartfelt moment—and pulled back. He walked backwards to his car and waved before turning around.
----- CHAPTER BREAK -----
"Giggles?" Matt heard when he was in the kitchen, looking through the fridge. Without missing a beat, his cheeks turn red like a tomato, and he turns to shoot a glare toward the brunette lady standing in the doorway. "Why is it that I hear that you and Heather are a couple now?" She arched a perfectly crafted eyebrow, crossed her arms, and stared Matt down."Um," Matt started and felt like a little kid caught with his hand in the cookie jar. "I-I was going to tell you today, Cassie.""Hmmm," she hums, and they both know she doesn't believe him. Matt deflates and closes the fridge door, completely forgetting what he wants from the kitchen. He slumps into a tall chair by the kitchen island, and his shoulder slumps. "What's going on, Matt?" She asked, getting serious, and moved around the kitchen to prepare the tea, knowing it was one of those nights."Nothing really," Matt said with a shrug and moved his gaze to look out the window to see the sun just starting to rise. "Hey, Cassie?" She hums again, and Matt keeps his eyes trained on the peaking sun but is not really taking in anything."Why can't I remember much of my childhood?" Matt asked, and Cassie tensed up and fidgeted around."You hit your head, sweety; it was pretty bad," she said, and it was the exact wording Matt had asked her in the past. Matt hums and gulps."Did you know that Dad destroyed an entire neighbourhood just to make a point to one guy—who planned to run for mayor—to not mess with him and back down?" Matt asked, finally turning his attention to someone he considered his surrogate mom."Are you talking about the news from summer?" She asked, relaxed now that Matt didn't push the subject."Yeah," Matt said, crossed his arms and placed his chin on his forearms."That does sound like something your father would do," she said, and Matt sighed. He doesn't say anything as he stares at the counter before him, but Cassie can tell his mind is a million miles away. "What's up, Giggles?" Matt's face heats up again, but then he sighs."Heather, Connor and I went to a diner on the other side of town. Heather's been telling us for weeks about this cute waiter boy who works there, and when we arrived, at first, the guy was focused on Heather until she introduced us. He immediately recognized me, and when he said his name, Andy Darden, I realized he used to live in that neighbourhood. I had seen the file in my dad's office when I was there, and when my dad walked in before I got to see much of it, I hid it in my bag and brought it home. I had completely forgotten about it after I had hidden it, but after yesterday, I pulled it out again. I had to dig more, but my dad never planned to rebuild that area. He just destroyed so many people's homes to show his power to one guy. But yesterday, when I dropped Andy and his friend Kelly-" Cassie tenses at the name. "They live in this shit-hole of an apartment. It's just, I—I don't know." He sighs frustratedly and runs his hands down his face. "I think I have a plan to help, but that would mean I risk putting my father's company's reputation on the line. I mean, it's my father's company, I can't do that. That's betraying my blood."Matt looks up when a steaming mug of tea gets slid into his peripheral. He smiles weakly and wraps his hands around the mug."I hope you know you have no control over what a grown man choices to do, father or not, it doesn't matter," she started moving into the spot beside him."But it does. I'm his son. His 'heir' as he likes to put it," Matt said with quotation marks over 'heir' and an eye-roll."Yes, you may be his son, but you can choose to be your own man. You're still young, Matt; you're sixteen, turning seventeen in a few months. You aren't expected to fix your father's problems, and you are certainly not expected to take the fall," she said, and Matt stared down at the amber liquid."It sure feels like it," he said with a sigh, and Cassie rested a comforting hand on his back."I know, sweety, it does, but that is your parents' fault," she said. "What do you want to do? Don't think about your parents or the effect it may cause; think about what you want to do.""I want to rebuild the neighbourhood. Maybe upgrade it, have the old residents have a say in some of the construction and keep the price the same for those who lost their homes. I want to get them into better placements while the construction is happening, and I want help in any way I can," Matt said honestly and without hesitating. "But if I do that, I would need my father to sign off on the construction job. He has the biggest and best teams at his disposal, and although I want this project to be done well, I feel like it should be soon. They lost their houses; some lost everything because they didn't move out fast enough. After all, my father just started the wreckage early without saying anything."But to get my father to sign on would be impossible. I would need pressure from the public and then manipulate him into thinking it would be a good look for the company image, but that would mean I have to go behind his back, give out sensitive information that could destroy his image, and then manipulate him for my own gain. It just feels wrong and like a betrayal," Matt groans and drops his head on the counter beside his mug.Cassie smiles down at the kind-hearted teenager sitting in front of her, and she is so proud of the man he grew into. Although she wouldn't mind Matt playing a little dirty or watching Casey's fall, she knows how badly it would affect Matt and how badly Matt would feel. She wouldn't mind watching Gregory and Nancy Casey get knocked down a few pegs for what they've done—and continue doing—to their son, but she knows Matt still seeks his parent's validation, comfort, and, most importantly, love. She knows Matt will never get it despite matching and succeeding every single one of their exceptionally high expectations. His parents don't know the meaning of parental love, and although they seem truly in love with each other, they seem only to have a child to ensure their legacies continue. Mentally—and not for the first time—she punched Gregory and Nancy in the face."Well, I hope you know that if your opponent isn't always playing fair, sometimes you have to spin the game and play their cards on them," she said in a confusing way that made Matt frown. "What if you didn't go public?""He won't listen to me," Matt grumbled, and Cassie could see and hear the deep hurt in Matt's words."Have you chosen your project?" Cassie asked, and Matt frowned at the change of subject."Was gonna assist on a pro Bono," Matt said with a shrug. Truth be told, he hasn't thought much about the yearly project he has to do for all of the companies under their family names. It was something their parents came up with; it was supposed to prepare him for when he took over, and every year, he needed to choose something to work on for the company that would bring the company's image in a better light or help it improve. In the past, his parents just gave him something to do, and Matt did it without question, but this year, his parents have been spending more time away since they are working on expansions. They have yet to give Matt his projects, and Matt is just waiting for the phone call with his orders."What if this is your project for the construction side?" She suggested, and Matt's eyes lit up."Wait, that might be a good thing. If I'm head of the project, that means I oversee everything, which means I can make sure my dad doesn't try to undermine anyone," he said, getting excited, and Cassie smiled, watching the gears turn in Matt's brain."What were you going to do for the other two?" Cassie asked, and Matt shrugged."For the publishing company, I was planning on some rebranding," Matt said with a shrug. His mother's branding is outdated, but the cash is still rolling in, so his mother hasn't cared much about it. "For law? I don't know. There is not much I can do there unless I'm assisting because I don't have a degree. He normally throws a case at me.""Sounds like you have a plan," she said, and Matt nodded and drank his tea slowly as his brain worked on the pitch idea he had to make if he wanted his father to agree. He can't give any hints about Matt knowing what was behind the destruction and make it seem like it would be good press and money for the company, even though Matt doesn't care about that.~~~Matt is sitting on his floor again when Heather and Connor come barrelling into his room. Matt looks up briefly and then back down at what he was frantically typing on his laptop."You know there's a table for a reason, right?" Connor asked but moved to sit on the couch in Matt's room."Not enough space," Matt said distantly, and the two let Matt continue to work silently as they busied themselves with their phones.Twenty minutes later, Matt jumps up and shoves his folder at Connor and then spins on his heels to face Heather."Wanna work on a project together?" Matt asked with a grin, and Heather frowned. "Clover Casey's Publishing and Caddell's Entertainment." He said their family's company, and Heather frowned more. "You know the projects I must do yearly for my parent's company?" She nods, and Matt straightens, and his grin widens. "Well, I've realized that my mother's company needs a revamp in the media since it's slipping a bit, and I thought who else could do the job right other than my creative, intelligent and beautiful best friend Heather Caddell. We can rebrand my mom's company in the digital world; with your design brain and my knowledge of my mother's company, we could work on it together and get our parents off our backs on doing something boring." Matt beamed, raised his eyebrows, and waited for Heather to react. Heather stared at him in shock as she processed the information thrown at her."Matt?" Connor asked, slowly rising from the couch, still reading over the folder. "What's this?""A project for the both of us," spinning his grin on Connor. "I figured out a way to get the neighbourhood rebuilt and under my oversight. I pitch that," he pointed to the folder in Connor's hand, "to my father, and I might just be able to get him to agree. However, I need a sponsor, your father wants his company connected to my family name and what better way to do it in this way. Your father's car company will be advertised when this project gets announced, and I thought we could use some of the big cars or trucks to transport everything. I don't know how people the cars are what they advertise them to be. You show your father you're doing something for the company while he gets his company more advertisement and a link to Casey's name, showing an actual connection to us other than whispers. Plus, you and I could work on this together, our way." Matt was still grinning, but he had gone into business mode.Heather had moved to look at the folder in Connor's hands, and Matt stood there, smiling proudly as he let his friends process what could potentially change their year."This will be a lot of work," Connor said slowly, and although his face was neutral, Matt could see the suppressed grin, and Matt knew he was on board."It would, but you can have this as an argument whenever your father yells at you for not investing in your family. This way you are," Matt said with a shrug."It certainly will," Heather said, now grinning. "Plus who said it would just be the two of you, houses need technology.""People need vehicles," Connor continued. "Plus, Dolan Rhodes Department Store may or may not have connections to several hotels and apartment complexes around the city that the people can use.""We could even call for the city of Chicago to help with the little things to get this project off the floor," Matt added."Could set up a donation, maybe some fundraisers to pay back what they lost," Heather added."Getting all of our names in the media would distract our parents while we did things our way," Connor finished, and by this point, they were all grinning at each other."So...?" Matt asked and screamed when he was suddenly tackled to the ground by Connor, and then both boys let out an 'oomph' when Heather jumped in on the hug that had fallen to the ground. The kids laughed as their plan came to view in their minds."Pitch this to our parents tonight," Heather said, rolling off the boys, and Connor rolled off and landed on the other side of Matt."We would need to make it official," Connor pointed out. "Plus, Matt's parents aren't even home.""Nope, but I scheduled a virtual meeting with their assistant for Tuesday evening so we could get all the parents together and pitch it to them then," Matt said."I NEED MY LAPTOP!" Heather screamed and scrambled off the ground, and before either boy could react, she was out of the room and probably running to her house to grab her stuff."Thanks, I know you technically don't need me for this," Connor said, turning his head to face Matt. Matt turned to look at Connor, their faces close but still a reasonable distance away. Once upon a time, they would've been a couple, hell they've been each other's first kiss with a boy and what solidified their sexuality to themselves. Nothing ever progressed further. Nothing ever needed to be done because they were happy with their relationship. Platonic soulmates are what Heather used to call them jokingly, and although it was a joke at the time, they knew deep down that it was true. Their close friendship could be seen as something romantic simmering underneath. Still, they have been each other's rock their entire lives and have a mutual understanding of home situations to know precisely what happened with a single look."I'm not paying for moving trucks and shit," Matt said with a laugh when Connor pinched his side.~~~Thankfully, their background and knowledge of their parent company have directed them to direct their pitch. Them being so close made it easier to flow ideas around and get on the same page and soon enough a project pitch was created.~~~Connor and Heather had stayed the night since they worked well into the bright morning hours, and they were still talking about their pitch on their way to school and for most of the day. They knew they needed to perfect this because they only had one shot.Matt and Heather had forgotten how they wanted to act at school with their relationship 'change,' but talking about their pitch had made them stay close as they whispered. It was like killing two birds with one stone.~~~Tuesday evening came, and they were all set up in Matt's mini-meeting room on the second floor of his house. His second floor is mainly business-related. His mother and father's offices are set up on the second floor, and they have a meeting room for business meetings at the house. There's a library full of law books and Matt's old homework room.The kids had prepared a dinner for their parents—with the help of Cassie—and now that they had all eaten and had a glass of wine, they were ready to pitch.With the Caseys on a large screen, the Caddells on one side, and the Rhodes on the other, the kids got ready upfront. They were all dressed formally, Matt and Connor in a suit, and Heather in a fitted dress, they had their presentation loaded up and files they need as further proof."Mr. and Mrs. Casey, Mr. and Mrs. Caddell, and Mr. and Mrs. Rhodes," Matt started.~~~An hour later, the kids left the room, giving the parents all the time to discuss the project they had just pitched to them, and they all let out a breath they didn't know they were holding."Fuck, that was stressful," Connor said, loosening his tie from around his neck."You think they'll go for it?" Matt asked nervously and rubbed his hands on his suit pants."They'll be dumb not to; it's not like they need to do anything other than sign some shit," Heather said, the most confident of them all. "Plus, our plan doesn't have loopholes and is solid on all fronts. Satisfying all their needs and wants for both us and their companies.""It's a good deal," Connor finished, and Matt nodded. "How's Andy?""Good," Heather said with a blush, but her eyes showed fondness."Good?" Matt asked teasingly, and Heather blushed more and looked away while punching Matt in the shoulder."When are you seeing him next?" Connor asked, walking closer and keeping his voice low to avoid their parents from overhearing them."Friday," Heather said, getting shy and shifting from foot to foot. "So, Matt-""I know, we're going on a date Friday. I'll drive somewhere and work while you guys are being all lovey-dovey," Matt said teasingly. Heather couldn't possibly get any redder, but she did and had to look away from them. Connor chuckled, and with a look from Matt, they pulled Heather into a three-way hug."We're happy, but I hope you know we expect to meet him officially," Connor said, getting serious."Definitely," Matt agreed. "We need to make sure that he is right for you and not some gold-digging asshole.""Oh my god," she groaned and pushed them away but had a slight smile on her face. "What are you guys? Like my brothers?""Yes," they said in unison, and all joking and teasing dropped. Heather, being an only child, had made Connor and Matt step up and step into the roles of protective older brothers whenever needed, and since she is about to start dating someone, they need to make sure they officially meet the guy."I love you guys," she said, her face softening."We know," Connor said with a shrug. Heather rolled her eyes but smiled when Matt kissed her on the forehead. Connor wrapped his arms around her neck from behind her and kissed her temple."You seem to like him, and we know you don't do flings; we just want to make sure you're as safe as you can be," Matt said."Yeah, especially since you don't have the greatest track record with spotting assholes," Connor pointed out, and Heather rolled her eyes but couldn't disagree with him."KIDS," Cornelius yells from inside the room, and they detach and take a deep breath before walking to open the door."We expect bi-weekly reports on our desk every Saturday on the progression of the project," Geogry said through the screen, and the kids had to fight off a winning smile."So, does that mean we have the green light?" Connor asked, and Elizabeth was the one who stood up and walked over to stand in front of them."You have the go-ahead," she said, smiling proudly, and all their eyes lit up and crashed her in a hug. She laughed and hugged them back.
----- CHAPTER BREAK -----
It was Thursday after school; Heather had dragged Connor and Matt to the diner. Matt had just walked out of his debate team meeting when Heather had grabbed his wrist out of nowhere and yanked him out of the school. Matt thought he was getting kidnapped and panicked for a brief second until he realized it was Heather."Why must we be here when you want to see Andy?" Connor asked as she dragged them into the restaurant."Because I want to tell him the good news, and Kelly is here, so we can tell both of them," Heather explained, and instead of going to the back booth, she went up to the bar area and sat down, pulling Connor and Matt down on either side of her. Kelly, who was by the counter, raised his eyebrows at the trio and turned into the kitchen to call for Andy."Hey," Andy said excitedly when he spotted Heather but stopped when he noticed Matt and Connor on either side."Hey," Heather beamed, and Matt and Connor looked at each other over her head and chuckled."Ow," Connor and Matt yelped when Heather pinched both sides."What can I get you?" Kelly asked."We are here to do something for you," Heather grinned, and Andy and Kelly looked at each other in confusion."We are?" Connor and Matt asked, and Heather nodded. She snapped her fingers in front of Matt, and Matt glanced at her hand and then at her, not knowing what she was asking for."Bag?" Matt asked, and she nodded. Matt sighed, removed his backpack, and placed it on the counter before her. She dug through it until she pulled out a notebook and pencil. She flipped to a random page and stared at Kelly."What was your house number?" Heather asked, and Kelly frowned."615," Kelly said slowly and then Heather turned to Andy."620," Andy said, and Heather nodded and grabbed Matt's laptop from his bag."You know you have a bag as well," he said, but she waved him off. Matt looked around and ensured no one was listening before leaning closer to Kelly and Andy. "We managed to find a way to rebuild your neighbourhood with no cost to you guys, and whatever you were paying before will stay the same. We're going to make the houses look more modern, and for those who lost the house and want to come back, we are giving them a chance to choose little details about the house's structure. Like open plan, large windows, balcony, patio, etc.""Wait, it's happening?" Kelly asked, surprised, and Matt nodded."I'm going over tonight to my father's construction company to talk to the board and start putting together a team, and by Sunday, the project should be up and running, and some people either from my team, Heath's or Con's would contact everyone to let them know it's happening. Heather will set up some donations to help you guys with the furnishing payment, if possible, or pay for anything else you lost. Since we are also working with Rhodes, you guys can choose from their selection of vehicles. You would need to pay for them, but Connor is working out a deal for everyone. Then the technology stuff will be from Caddell's," Matt explained and glanced over to find Heather looking at the neighbourhood in maps through satellite view."When will it be done?" Andy asked."March? April? I don't know, but early next year," Matt replied, giving a rough estimate for a timeline. He would also need to talk to the board about that."Oh, and I have some rough sketches of new layouts and websites for your mother's company," Heather said absentmindedly."I can't promise anything with the cars but you wouldn't need to pay for moving trucks, I'm covering that," Connor added in and left the two boys stunned. Andy had doubts when Heather told him Matt's original plan, and Kelly didn't believe that it was happening—or better yet, that it was happening so quickly. He would love to leave the shitty apartment he and his mom are currently living in, but he didn't trust Matthew—who was a stranger, still is—when he had said he was going to fix something his father caused."If you ha-" Matt started but was cut off by a loud voice."CASEY!" Matt turned just in time to see Cameron, and he internally groaned and noticed Heather closing the laptop."Cameron," Matt said with a tight smile."Oh, you're here with your girlfriend and Rhodes," he said, eyeing Heather with some disgust, to which the girl just raised her eyebrows."Yup," Matt said, completely forgetting that they were supposed to be in a relationship, and he threw an arm around Heather's shoulder."Hey, Cameron," Heather said with fake kindness."Hey Cam," Connor said with a smile, but he felt awkward. "Ready for the game tomorrow?""Definitely," he grinned and sat on the stool beside Matt, leaning in a little closer than necessary. "What are you three doing on this side of town?""Could ask you the same thing," Heather fired back."Doing charity work," Cameron said with a shrug, and the three friends frowned."When do you do charity work?" Connor snorted, and Cameron grinned."And what does it have to do with this place?" Heather asked, firing Cameron a disgusted look."Giving them business," Connor said, gesturing to Andy and Kelly, and Kelly scowled at the boy."You do realize we aren't that much above them, money-wise, right?" Matt asked him, but Cameron laughed."You and your jokes," Cameron said and turned to Kelly, who looked pissed off. "Two burgers with fries, two chocolate milkshakes. Oh, and it's to go." Kelly stood there with his arms crossed, glaring at the teen who raised his eyebrows at him. "Go, I already gave you my order," he said and shooed at Kelly, rolled his eyes and turned to punch in the order. "NO ONIONS!" Kelly paused and debated whether or not to add extra onions.Matt jumped up, walked over to Kelly, and knew Cameron was watching him. Thank god for Connor, who immediately caught Cameron's attention and started discussing tomorrow's game."I would just like to point out one fact: Cameron is allergic to onions. Deathly allergic," Matt whispered, and Kelly's eyebrow shot up."How did you?" Kelly asked, getting confused."The look of mischievous on your face," Matt said with a shrug. "But he hates mustard and tomatoes, but if he's eating with his dad—most likely—then his father would make him eat everything on the plate. Oh, and mushrooms, but don't show it on the receipt because his father would look through it to ensure Cameron didn't ask to take off those foods.""And here I thought you were the perfect little prince," Kelly said teasingly, and Matt rolled his eyes."How's this for a perfect little prince?" Matt asked, flipped Kelly off, turned, and walked away, hearing Kelly's' shocked laugh. Heather had migrated to the booth in the back, and Matt was about to join her when he noticed that she and Andy were talking. Deciding to give them some privacy, Matt sat at the empty table that would block Cameron's view of Heather and Andy.Although the booth's position is secluded and hard to see from most ends of the diner, if Cameron shifted just a little more to the left, he could see Heather and Andy holding hands under the table. He may not be able to see Heather clearly, but it won't be hard to figure out where the other two people in their group had disappeared off to.Matt looked over and saw Connor losing patience with Cameron. He decided to save a friend."So, Cam, rumour has it you're gunning for a scholarship next year," Matt said, patting Cameron's shoulder and standing between them. Cameron's face lit and went on a tangent about his plans for university and scholarships and bragging about his skills on the field despite the team captain sitting right before him. Matt listened intently, nodded, and commented on the correct part. Soon enough, Cameron's food was ready, and Matt had to guide the conversation to an end. Matt sighed and sat down heavily on the stool beside Connor."You're good at that," Kelly commented, looking at Matt with raised eyebrows."What?" Matt asked, checking his watch, and internally groaned when he knew he needed to leave soon for the meeting with the board."Pretending to be nice to assholes and make them think you care," Kelly said, and Matt grimaced."I do care. It's just... well, Cameron isn't the best person per se-""He's an asshole," Heather said, materializing behind Matt out of nowhere."He's not that bad once you get to know him, but a right asshole when you don't. Even on the team, I wouldn't give him an award for best person, but he's not that bad," Connor tried justifying. "Except for when he's drunk," Connor glanced at Matt, who shifted uncomfortably."Plus, you work in anything where you are primarily dealing with clients; you need to know how to play a conversation," Matt said and cringed when he realized how similar he sounded to his father. "Speaking about clients, I need to go.""Want us to come with?" Heather asked, and Matt shook his head. "Text us later.""I'll come with you; I need to finish my homework before the game tomorrow," Connor said, hoping up. Both boys leaned in to kiss Heather on either temple and waved to the others before turning and walking out of the diner.~~~"Where are you? I can't see you," Heather said through the phone and looked down at the sea of people on the bleachers. It was minutes before the game started, and Matt was running late. They would normally meet Connor before the game and be one of the first few on the bleachers waiting for the game to begin, but Matt had to go to the office right after school as he had to finalize details of the construction jobs with his father and the rest of the board.Since Matt is still in high school and doesn't have a degree, everything will need to be signed over by Robert McKenna—Gregory Casey's second-hand man. Robert is the head of security for the Casey household. Still, whenever Gregory is out of the city, Robert is the one who oversees everything, including what Matt needs to do. Unbeknownst to Gregory, Robert doesn't see eye to eye with how he runs the company and raises his child, so often, he disregards his orders and does things his way. That includes letting Matt voice his opinions and allowing the teenager to find his path and voice."I don't see you ei--oh wait, never mind," Matt said, jogging up the bleachers and apologizing profusely to people when he had to squeeze by, but he finally got to Heather and, surprisingly, Andy and Kelly. "Here to spy on the competition?" Matt teasingly asked Kelly with a raised eyebrow, and Kelly rolled his eyes and pointed to Andy."He dragged me out, said he-" he paused and looked away before waving Matt closer and leaning in. "He didn't want to be thrown to the wolves alone.""We're the wolves?" Matt asked, amused."Snobbing ones," Kelly said with a shrug but smiled, letting Matt know he was kidding."Snobbing ones? All of us? Plus, I thought I was the 'perfect little prince.' Did I manage to change your mind on that?" Matt asked with a hint of flirtation. He didn't know where it was coming from but he was in a good mood. Kelly is good-looking, and he wants to relax for a bit."Dunno yet," Kelly replied, catching onto the flirtatious tone and smirked."Swap," Heather said and yanked on Matt's arm, causing Kelly to lean back not to get hit by their arms. Matt got up and sat on the other side of Kelly, so he was in between Heather and Kelly, and Andy was on Heather's other side. "We still need to talk about how we act in public.""I know," he whispered back, taking off his jacket and putting it around Heather. He pulled it forward a bit, blocking the view of Heather's arm, allowing Heather and Andy to hold hands without anyone seeing. Anyone who turns back around would see his jacket around Heather, and the two are pressed and flushed together enough that, hopefully, it keeps their cover."Still don't understand this thing going on," Kelly whispers in Matt's ear, and Matt turns his head."You're just gonna have to wait and find out," Matt whispered, and Kelly's eyebrows shot up. "What?" Matt asked innocently. "I don't divulge private information like my dating life to be who thinks I'm snobby," Matt said cheekily and then turned his attention to the field when the cheerleaders came running out onto the field.~~~Throughout the game, Heather and Matt had been cheering loudly for Connor and their team while Kelly and Andy watched, impressed. There were moments where Andy would side-glance Matt, especially when Matt and Heather hugged whenever Connor scored, and he wondered about the dynamic the three of them had, especially Matt and Heather. He glanced at Kelly, who was staring confusedly at Matt's left arm. Andy put that thought away and reminded himself to ask Kelly about it later.The game ended with Connor's team winning, and loud cheers can be heard from the bleachers. Matt and Heather ran down to the field to congratulate Connor.~~~Matt was hanging near the edge of the field with Heather when Andy and Kelly walked down and settled on either side of the pair."What's the plan now? Got a party?" Kelly asked, shoving his hands into his pocket. Matt shrugged and looked at Heather, who was already checking her phone. Kelly watched as Matt reached under the sleeve of his left arm and briefly saw a flash of something black. He couldn't see much, and it was barely for a second, but part of him thought back to the mark on his left shoulder and the name 'Matthew' that was constantly running around in his mind. He remembered Matt tapping at the pizza parlour and how it didn't seem to be tapping to some song. It almost seemed like a code, but Kelly didn't know what it was or how to decode it. When he was cheering, he noticed that the sleeve raised a bit, but once again, Kelly could only see a bit of the black ink, nothing that would tell him what was on his arm. He also noticed Matt was tapping his thigh when the game got intense. Part of him wonders if his soulmate is Matt, the blue-eyed blond standing beside him or if he is reading too much into everything.Kelly zones back into the conversation when someone lightly smacks him in the stomach. He sees Matt looking up at him with curious blue eyes."You coming or not?" Matt asked, and Kelly frowned. "The party, it's at Connor's house.""Sure," Kelly said with a shrug, and Matt smiled. Then Matt's smile became forced as some other students got their attention, and Kelly noticed when Matt stood taller and put on a professional front. He glanced over to Heather, who seemed annoyed at the person, and when Kelly looked over, it was Cameron. He internally groaned and turned his body so his back was to Cameron.Kelly returned to Heather's car with Andy and Heather, leaving Matt behind with Cameron while he waited for Connor. Matt had given Heather a betrayed look, to which the girl only smiled apologetically and dragged Andy and Kelly away."Why are we leaving him with Cameron?" Kelly asked."Because, Connor won't make it to the house before the first few people start showing up for the party, I have the key so I need to be there to open the house and gates. Con's parents are out of town, Claire's at college, and Connor gave the staff the day off, so the entire house is empty. I helped him set everything up before the game," Heather explained."And does Matthew know that Cameron is in love with him?" Kelly asked with a hint of annoyance, to which Andy gave him the side eye."Trust me, he does," Heather said with a shudder. "It's sad, really; Cameron's liked Matt since they first met when they were twelve. Matt was always nice about it and indulged in conversation with him, but he didn't know back then. The man is oblivious whenever someone flirts with him, so he doesn't realize until Con and I told him. Matt didn't believe us, and then a few weeks later, Cameron asked him out, and Matt freaked. He had lied and said that he was confused about his sexuality at the time as a way to get Cameron to back off, but he never did. He just kept bugging Matt for the next four years and sometimes almost crossing the line of trying to do things with Matt at parties when he was drunk. We usually keep Cameron away from Matt at all times during parties and it's only drunk does Cameron try more than to get a touch from Matt, he's harmless otherwise.""Doesn't sound harmless," Kelly said, slightly horrified, and returned to the fields."He is harmless otherwise. Sober Cameron knows very well what would happen if he tried something on Matt without the excuse of alcohol in his system. He also knows that Matt and Connor hold his position on the soccer team. It's been a year since drunk Cameron has even attempted anything on Matt, and that was because he joined the soccer team," Heather said, getting into the car."Why do they hold the power?" Andy asked with a frown."Matt's parents are the most powerful family in Chicago. Gregory has ties everywhere, and it seems to be everyone's belief that if you piss Matt off, you piss Gregory off. Pissing Gregory off can knock you off the social ladder and essentially make you disappear. Gregory can get Cameron blacklisted from any scholarships within seconds. Connor holds the power because he's captain, he's also Matt's best friend and not to mention his family is second to the Casey's," Heather explained."Royalty," Kelly muttered, and Heather snorted."If you think of it that way, then Matt would be the prince, heir to the throne," she said playfully. "But that's how our school works," she said sadly."So what? Where you are on the social ladder at school is based on your family's money?" Andy asked, and Heather nodded."Casey, Rhodes, and Caddell's are the top three families—in terms of money—in Chicago. That made us—the kids—the most popular in school without doing anything. Being a Casey, Matt is the most popular and the highest on the social ladder. Then it's Connor and then myself. Everyone either wants to be our friend or hates us from afar," Heather tried putting it into words without going too deep into the conversation."So mean girls," Kelly concluded, and Heather glared at him through the rearview mirror."We don't bully anyone," she deadpanned."So what? You keep to yourself or talk with the cheerleaders and soccer players?" Kelly asked, and she rolled her eyes. "Wait, why weren't you on the field? I thought Andy said you were a cheerleader?""Hurt my ankle during the summer," she said with a shrug. "Healed now, but I need a doctor's note to give me the all-clear; that isn't until next week.""And Connor's the captain of the soccer team?" Kelly asked, and she hummed."So what's Matt? Normally, in movies, the captain of the team that's the biggest in school and the head cheerleader get together and are the most famous," Kelly said with a frown, and she huffed in annoyance."This isn't a movie, Kelly. Our school functions differently, and Matt may not be captain of the soccer team, but he is the captain of the track team, our debate, and student council," she said. Kelly's eyebrows shot up, but she didn't say anything else wildly when Andy glared at him to shut up. He was just confused about how this private school functioned and how Matt fit into it. Matt first pegged him as the guy who is quiet and keeps to himself—not popular, but not not popular.
----- CHAPTER BREAK -----
"You must stick by Heather's side all night, right?" Connor asked as Matt drove them back to Connor's house."Yeah, I'm gonna have to find her and see if we can sneak over to my place, then she and Andy can get some alone time," Matt said with a thoughtful look in his eyes as he tried to figure out all the possible outcomes of tonight's party."So..." Connor started, and Matt hummed, briefly glancing at him before returning to the road. "Kelly.""What about Kelly?" Matt asked with a frown, and Connor studied Matt's experience even more."Doesn't sound familiar to you?" Connor asked, and Matt frowned even deeper and kept shooting Connor's questioning glances."Why would it? Have we met before?" Matt asked, and Connor shook his head. Unbeknownst to Matt, Connor had heard the name 'Kelly' come from Matt's mouth and in his handwriting multiple times when they were little. He had gone home and asked his mother about it, and she explained it was a soulmate thing. Connor was so excited that his best friend had a soulmate, but until a little six-year-old Matt disappeared for a few weeks and returned, not uttering or writing the name Kelly ever again. Connor has suspicions about why, especially when Matt doesn't seem to remember much of his younger days and when Dr. Adler started appearing in the house. Cassie told him not to bring up soulmates or push Matt to remember 'Kelly' or any memory that was close to his sixth birthday as it might trigger Matt to remember what happened for him to lose his memories. She had told him that when she had tried, Matt had a panic attack so bad that he passed out and had pounding, almost debilitating headaches for weeks.Right now, Connor wanted to see if seeing Kelly and hearing his name all the time would trigger the memory to come on its own. Connor noticed that Matt was touching and scratching his soul mark on his left shoulder more often, and Connor noticed how Kelly would look at Matt pensively. He noticed Kelly touching his left shoulder as well. He would bet all his money that Kelly and Matt are soulmates, and part of him is excited for his best friend to have found his soulmate, but the other part—the bigger part—is worried about what having Kelly here might trigger in Matt's mind. He is grateful that Dr. Adler only comes once a year now, and Matt doesn't seem so out of it anymore, but he knows that what Dr. Adler is doing to Matt is not ethical or legal."No, just wondering," Connor whispered absentmindedly, and Matt looked at him confusedly before shrugging and driving up his own driveway.They get out of the car and walk over to Connor's house, where the party is in full swing.~~~When Connor and Matt arrived, Kelly was dancing with some girl on the dance floor, and Andy and Heather were sitting on one of the couches talking to some other people."THE CAPTAIN!" Someone hollered, and soon, Connor was swamped with people, and Matt slipped away and found Heather."Hey, Matt," Eleanor said, and Matt smiled softly at her."Hey, Ellie," Matt said and bent down to kiss her on the cheek as a way of greeting them."Can we talk later?" She whispered in his ear, and he nodded and pulled back. She got up and left to mingle around, and Matt took her seat beside Heather."Hey," Matt said, getting both of their attention. He leaned in, making sure no one else could hear them. "Heather and I will escape to my house later on. You find Connor, and he'll tell you how to sneak over, and then you and Heather can have your alone time.""Thanks," Heather smiled gratefully at Matt."Don't thank me now; that just means Heather and I will need to mingle and act couple-ly," Matt said apologetically, and Heather sighed and nodded. Underneath Matt's coat, she squeezed Andy's hand again before getting up and dragging Matt onto the dance floor.Kelly noticed the sad look on his best friend's face and made an excuse to the girl he was dancing with to go and check on his friend. When he walked over, Andy was looking intently at one specific place, and Kelly followed his line of sight and noticed Heather and Matt laughing together on the dance floor. Kelly elbowed Andy, and Andy briefly glanced over, and then his eyes were back glued on the happy "couple.""You okay?" Kelly whispered, yelling at Andy due to the loud music."Yeah," Andy yelled back, and Kelly nudged him again to tell him he didn't believe him. "They- I mean, I know they're friends, but they-" Andy tried saying, and when he failed to get the words out, he waved a frantic hand at Heather and Matt."Why are they? You know," Kelly said, waving to them, and Andy sighed."Keeping up appearances," Andy said with an eye roll and a sigh that Kelly saw more than they heard. "But... we will get alone time later," he perked back up, but it seemed forced. Kelly felt bad for his friend and wanted to tell Matt and Heather to knock it off, but Heather had explained to Andy—then Andy explained to him—that their parents always wanted the two together since it was for the benefit of both families. Heather could use Matt as a cover story whenever they wanted to do something together, so neither of their parents tried to set them up with someone who would ruin their lives or make it more difficult.Kelly didn't really understand why, but most importantly, why it was such a big deal, but then again, Kelly didn't know how that aspect of life worked. Hell, his mother is barely present in his life, and his father went AWOL a while back, so parental consent or validation is not something in his life."Come on," Kelly said, tugging at Andy's arm. "Let's get a drink; it's a party anyway," he dragged them through the sea of people to the kitchen, where all the drinks and food were located.~~~Heather and Matt had made their way off the dance floor to where Kelly and Andy were chatting to random people in the kitchen. When they noticed Matt had arrived, they had straightened up and turned on winning smiles to an oblivious Matt. The little flock had moved over to start chatting up Matt, who looked slightly alarmed for a second before he schooled his expression into one of professionalism and chatted back. Kelly noticed Matt slowly shuffling out of the kitchen, leading the group of people to follow. When Kelly turned, he noticed that Matt had deterred people from the kitchen, blocking the entrance so no one would notice Andy and Heather whispering to each other and standing a bit too close for what's considered friends, especially when the kitchen is pretty quiet from the music. When their eyes met, Kelly raised his eyebrows at Matt, but Matt shrugged and paid attention to the people he was talking to.Ten minutes later, Matt entered the kitchen alone and sighed as he leaned heavily against the counter. Kelly turned and noticed how stressed Matt seemed to look."It's a party, Matthew," Kelly said, amused, and Matt rolled his eyes."Matt," he corrected. "I know it is, but I can see how much cleaning I need to do tomorrow morning.""Don't you have servants for that?" Kelly asked out of genuine curiosity, and Matt rolled his eyes out of annoyance."Look, just because we have servants, or maids, or butlers, or chefs, or whatever shit you think we 'rich' people have, doesn't mean we don't know how to pick up after ourselves. Connor let them have the day off, we made the mess, we're cleaning it," Matt said with an annoyed tone and Kelly mumbled an apology. He reached behind him to grab a drink and handed a cup to Matt, who shook his head."I'm not drinking," Matt said, and Kelly looked down at the cup and then back at Matt."Hey, Matt. Have you seen anyone trying to sell weed?" Heather asked, making her concoction of drinks."Why?" Matt asked, accusatory, and Heather raised her hands in the air."Hey, I just want to know what corner or who to avoid," she explained, and Matt shook his head."Probably outside somewhere," Matt said and checked his watch.~~~Kelly has a light buzz, and he is on the outskirts of the makeshift dancefloor talking to some blonde who is a bit too drunk for Kelly's comfort. He wonders where her friends are, but she is amused to watch as she tries to get some coherent thoughts out. Andy was on the dancefloor near where Heather dragged a very reluctant Matt back onto the main floor.Kelly ended up at the corner with Andy, who was laughing, clearly buzzing, and maybe a bit drunk. Kelly smirked at Andy, and soon Connor wandered over. Kelly turned back to the dance floor to find Heather's head higher than everyone else's, and then, as he saw her come closer, he noticed Heather was on Matt's back."Why are you carrying her?" Connor asked, and Matt shrugged."Complained her feet were hurting," Matt said, turning his back to Connor. "Your turn," he leaned back and let go of Heather. Connor barely caught her in time and placed her back on the floor."Feet weren't hurting; I didn't want to push through the crowd, so you're doing it for me," she said with a shrug and sipped at her drink, and Matt glared at her."You've become commanding when drunk," Matt said, and she shrugged again and winked at Andy before turning around to find some of her other friends."You look like you had fun," Kelly commented."Very, got my feet stepped on so many times and bumped into, it was fun," he said sarcastically, and Kelly laughed.~~~"Con is in the far corner talking to Amber," Matt winked at Heather, who laughed knowingly. "Let's slip out now, and Andy, go find Connor, and he will lead you to my house." He had pulled Andy and Heather to the empty kitchen where they didn't need to scream to be heard.Matt grabbed Heather's hand, and the two walked out; Matt wrapped his arm around Heather's shoulder, and they walked through the dancefloor and went out the front door, so it was obvious where the two were going while Andy slipped around to talk to Connor. Kelly decided that he wanted to make sure his friend was okay, and part of him felt a pull to Matt and wanted to talk to him more. Every time they interacted, Matt showed him that he wasn't who he thought he was, and now he was curious about who lay behind the professional walls.~~~"Holy shit," Kelly whispered once they stepped into Matt's kitchen from the back entrance of the house and looked around the place, it was evident that the kitchen itself was twice the size of Connor's. Everything in the kitchen screams rich, and Kelly briefly wonders how much something would cost if something were to break."Oh, hi, Connor," a lady's voice caught Kelly's attention, and he turned to see Connor hugging an average-height brunette lady."Cassie," Connor greeted. "What are you still doing here?""Just cleaning up, plus Robert wanted to talk to Matt about the new project. Heather's in the living room waiting for, I presume, one of those boys," she said, moving her knowing glance to Kelly and Andy. "Which one of you is Andy Darden?""CASSIE!" A whined voice came, and then a pink-cheeked Heather emerged from one of the doors."I'm sorry, sweetheart, but you looked so happy talking about him," she said unapologetically, and Andy grinned while Heather blushed even more."Let's go," Heather said and walked over to Andy, grabbed his hand and dragged the now-laughing blond out of the kitchen."NICE TO MEET YOU CASSIE!" Andy yelled."Ah, so that's Andy," she said before turning to Kelly. "And you are?""Kelly Severide," Kelly answered and extended his hand for her to shake, but Cassie's smile dropped from her face as she stared at Kelly with a mixture of horror and relief. Kelly frowned and glanced at Connor, who was shifting from foot to foot and looking anywhere but at Kelly. That made him frown more, and he turned his attention back to the woman, still frozen in shock."H-How do you spell your name?" She asked almost in a whisper, and Kelly's frown deepened as he dropped his arm."K-E-L-L-Y," Kelly said and watched as tears entered her eyes. Her eyes immediately darted to Kelly's left shoulder, and Kelly subconsciously placed a hand over his mark. He felt this woman before him knew something very important that she wasn't telling him."It's nice to meet you, Kelly," she said softly, looking up with watery eyes and smiling softly at him. "You and Matt have met?" Kelly nodded slowly, and she turned to Connor, who shook his head and sighed. "That's nice. He's upstairs in the conference room with Robert.""Yeah, he texted me telling me to come up," Connor said, waving his phone in the air. He walked past Cassie and leaned in to whisper, "he doesn't remember anything, but his tapping and humming have come back.""I will keep an ear out," she whispered back, placed a hand on his shoulder, and squeezed gently before turning to leave the kitchen."Come on," Connor said, walking out the other double doors. Kelly was left confused, following him."What was that about?" Kelly asked with a frown, and Connor shook his head and remained silent. There was an awkward silence between the two until they arrived at large double French doors. Connor pushed open the doors, walked in, and dropped beside Matt on the couch along the side of the room while Kelly was left gapping at the size of the room. It was almost triple his bedroom size, and he wondered how big this house was."Gonna sit or continue to gape like a fish?" Matt asked, snapping Kelly out of it. Kelly closed his mouth and sat on the chair opposite the friends. "Robert, this is Kelly; Kelly, this is Robert; he's the official coordinator/leader of this project.""Mostly the one who signs off on things," Robert corrected and reached out a hand to shake Kelly's. "Matt here tells me your family and friends were in one of the destroyed houses.""Yeah, one of the worst, actually," Kelly said, still looking around the room."615 and 620?" Robert asked, and Kelly nodded. "Well, this is for you and your friend." He handed over two files, and Kelly took them with a frown. He opened it up, and there was a piece of paper with a house on it, some measurements and a card attached to it."What's this?" Kelly asked."That's the number of the company; more specifically, it's Robert's. We will send out this information on Monday, but you and Andy will contact Robert if you want to make any changes to your house. There, you will see the main floor plan, the second floor, and the basement. Also, you will see a list with the security unit and appliances like fridge, stove, laundry machine, etc., on the last page. Those are stuff from Heather's family's company. If you plan to make changes, please let Robert know before the end of this month. Also, contact me if you want a 3-D house layout, and I can show you," Matt explained. He got up and ran out of the room, but Kelly didn't notice as he stared at what was before him. He knew this was happening, but seeing the floor plans information and what they wouldn't need to pay extra for made, it was all the more real. Once again, Matt proves to him that he isn't the 'good little prince' he thought he was.Matt returned and placed a business card in front of Kelly."That's my business number and email, and I wrote my personal number on the back," Matt said and sat beside Connor. While Kelly was busy looking through the file with surprised eyes, Connor, Matt and Robert talked about the finances and logistics of the project.Half an hour later, Connor left to go back to the party, and Robert left with his wife, leaving Matt and Kelly in the room."What the fuck," Kelly whispered, staring down at the file."You can go back to the party," Matt said, getting up and walking out of the room with Kelly hurriedly following behind."No thanks," Kelly said, and Matt turned and frowned at Kelly. Kelly merrily shrugged. Once again, he couldn't explain this weird pull to Matt that he felt, but either way, he and Matt were alone, so he jumped at this chance. "Got a place for me to store this?""Here," Matt took it and led them up to the third floor and this time, Kelly tried not to look surprised at how rich everything looked.Matt placed the file on the dresser not far from the door of his room and turned to Kelly with a smirk.
----- CHAPTER BREAK -----
"How much did you have to drink?" Matt asked, and Kelly shrugged."Two beers and two shots, not drunk. That file certainly sober me up," Kelly said, and Matt nodded."I have a feeling Heather and Andy might take a while," Matt said, and Kelly chuckled and nodded. "I have a pool table. Do you play?""You have a pool table?" Kelly asked, mouth dropping open without his brain's consent. "Wait, why am I surprised? You live in a fucking castle, like seriously? The gold and silver are accented with the marble, and everything here looks so shiny you can see your reflection in it. I'm pretty sure the air in the house is expensive." Matt shifted on his feet and looked away while Kelly rambled on and gestured widely around the hallway they were standing in. He hated how people reacted to his "wealth" since he always saw it as his parent's money."So... the game?" Matt asked, switching the topics. Kelly froze for a second, caught off guard, and nodded."Sorry," Kelly said, shaking his head to expel any lingering shock to Matt's wealth. He noticed that Matt was always cautious about hiding his wealth. His clothes never had any name brands on them, even if they looked expensive; he never brought up money or made any comments that made him look out of touch with the rest of the world. But seeing Matt's uncomfortable position now, he knew he had overstepped, and once again, Matt was showing him that everything he knew about rich people was wrong. That is another thing that makes Matt all that more interesting."Oh, you're on, Princess," Kelly said with a smirk, and Matt's eyebrows shot up, but he said nothing about the nickname.He certainly did not get little butterflies in his stomach at the pet name. Nope. Abso-fucking-lutely not. Nada."Alright," Matt said, matching Kelly's smirk with his own."Every missed shot is a shot of vodka," Kelly said, and Matt made a disgusted face. "What?" Kelly asked."You just want to get me to drink, Severide," Matt said with a scoff but didn't disagree. Kelly rolled his eyes and deadpanned Matt."It's a party, Matthew," Kelly said in a bland tone."It's Matt," he corrected immediately. "And if I don't agree to the terms?""We can play strip pool," Kelly said with a shrug. Matt's jaw dropped, and Kelly smirked."No," Matt said with finality. "I'm doing tequila," Matt said, shocking Kelly as he hadn't seen Matt go near alcohol the entire party while the rest of his friends were probably pretty close to wasted by now."Fine," Kelly said, and Matt led the way to the fourth floor. Kelly had to focus hard, not look around in awe, and follow Matt."I would like to point out that Connor's better at it than I am," Matt said when they entered the game room. It was a large U-shaped room that had a pool table, poker table, a small bar area, a large TV, comfortable couches and beanbags near the back. The floor-to-ceiling windows face the back gardens and double doors that open to a balcony."Guess you're drinking up, Princess," Kelly said absentmindedly as he took in the sheer size of the room. He shook his head again and focused on Matt, who was setting the table up. Kelly walked over and noticed the rack of cues hanging on the wall and the stand where he assumed the balls went after they finished playing."I said he is better, not I suck," Matt said with a challenging grin and walked over to the bar in the corner of the room and grabbed two shot glasses and a bottle of vodka and tequila. He placed the drinks at the end table and tossed a cue to Kelly, who quickly caught it with one arm."We'll see about that," Kelly said with a smirk."Well, you're the guest. You can break," Matt said, stepping back from the table, and Kelly winked at him before walking around and leaning onto the table. Matt was surprised by the wink and was glad that Kelly was focused on his shot and didn't see Matt's blush.Kelly walked over and positioned himself correctly before hitting the white ball and breaking the pyramid. Matt then walked up for his turn and eyed the table carefully before positioning himself and getting a stripped ball in a pocket."You're solids," he said with a grin, going for another one and getting it in. Kelly rolled his eyes, and Matt got two more in before he missed, took a shot, and made a face. Kelly chuckled and walked up to the table for his turn. He got three in before he missed and had to take a shot.They continued the game as they teased each other, and as they both took one more shot, they started playing dirty and tried to make the other one purposely miss. Kelly began it by bumping his hip with Matt as he hit the white ball, making his shot off course. Matt retailed by blowing an air horn in Kelly's ear, earning him both a missed shot and a shriek. Matt laughed while Kelly tried for a scowl, but his faint smile gave him away. By the end of the game, Matt won with four shots in him, and Kelly had five. Kelly offered another game, but Matt didn't want to be too hungover tomorrow, so he collapsed on the couch with a new water bottle, ready to chug it."You feeling it?" Kelly asked, collapsing beside Matt, but he was drunk and couldn't eye measure properly and ended up half on Matt. Matt groaned and tried to push Kelly off of him, but his arms weren't working, and all he did was tickle Kelly, to which the other teen just pinched his side, to which Matt shrieked. Kelly jumped up in alarm, making him straddle Matt, but when his brain registered that it was Matt, he smirked."Ticklish?" Kelly asked, and Matt's eyes widened. He quickly tried to scramble from underneath Kelly, but Kelly sat down on Matt's thighs, putting all his weight down, making Matt unable to move."No," Matt said but couldn't keep a small smile from escaping. Kelly sighed and looked away, and Matt relaxed. That's when Kelly pounced and started tickling Matt, to which the blond shrieked and started giggling as he tried to catch Kelly's arms."MERCY, MERCY," Matt yelled in between laughs, and he couldn't stop his legs from kicking out; he laughed and accidentally pushed Kelly off the couch, but Matt ended up falling with him."A-HA!" He said and tried jumping up to get away from Kelly while he was momentarily distracted, but Kelly was faster and lifted them over before Matt could blink and started tickling him again. Matt laughed loudly again, and he was laughing so hard he had tears in his eyes that he missed the genuine smile on Kelly's face and the slightly fond look creeping into Kelly's eyes."PL-PLEASE!" Matt begged while laughing. "I'M GONNA PEE," Kelly stopped then, and Matt still giggled as he relaxed back against the floor. Occasionally, he would let out little laughs and then immediately groaned. "I think you gave me abs," he whined as he held his stomach, and Kelly laughed and grabbed Matt's wrist and pinned them to the ground beside his head. He didn't know—nor care—about where this boldness came from—maybe from the alcohol in his system—and he looked down at Matt, their faces inches apart."Now that I know you're ticklish, I'm gonna use it as a weapon," Kelly whispered and looked Matt dead in the eyes. Matt couldn't even form a comeback as he was so close to Kelly's face, and suddenly a rush of feelings—old feelings???—came back, and he got that weird tingling feeling he got when he was supposed to remember something.When Kelly realized Matt wasn't talking, he thought it was the proximity and looked down at Matt's slightly glazed and distant look in his eyes, and he was quick to jump up. When Matt didn't move—even kept his arms in the position Kelly put them in—Kelly got a bit worried and walked over to kneel at Matt's head."Matthew?" Kelly asked."It's Matt," Matt mumbled and snapped back to reality with a frown. He shook his head to clear his mind of his childhood's vague memory fragments."You good?" Kelly asked, and Matt nodded and sat up."That's not fair," Matt suddenly whined, and Kelly's eyebrows shot up in surprise and confusion. "I can't defend myself from tickling," he pouted and crossed his arms, and Kelly laughed at Matt's adorableness."Not my fault," Kelly said with a shrug and got up and slumped on the couch. He felt dizzy from the sudden movement and groaned. "You wanna go back to the party?""Nope," Matt said and laid back down on the floor."Why not? It's a party with your friends," Kelly asked, and Matt scoffed."Only three of my friends are there, well four, if you count my ex-girlfriend," Matt said. "Which reminds me, I need to talk to her," Kelly said. Kelly felt jealous at the mention of Matt's ex, and he couldn't understand why."It's a party, Matt. Loosen up," Kelly said, and Matt let out a one-syllable laugh. 'Ha!' Kelly looked over with one eyebrow raised."I've been told that word is not in my vocabulary," Matt said, staring at the ceiling."Well, parties are a great way to loosen up," Kelly said, and Matt shook his head. He turned his head to look Kelly in the eyes."Not when you're in my position," Matt said with a sigh that had too much weight and sadness in it."Why? You're a teenager," Kelly asked, and Matt shook his head again."Not when you're the only son of Gregory and Nancy Casey in the city of Chicago, which they partially own. Not when you have to take over their companies once you get your degree, and especially not when everyone looks at you and sees the power, the money, and all the 'glamourous' things they can have if they pretend to be my friend," Matt said. The alcohol in his system makes him show more of his vulnerable side than he usually would; it doesn't help that he's a lightweight, to begin with. "Not when you're me," Matt whispered with a frown, turning his head to face the ceiling again."Well, I hope you know I'm not hanging out with you for your money or shit," Kelly said, and Matt turned around with a disbelieving eyebrow raised."You hated me because I came from money and who my father is, and don't think I didn't notice you trying to hide your awe when walking up here," Matt said, but he didn't seem bothered by it."I hated you because I thought you were like every other rich person I met, like Cameron," Kelly corrected. "And yeah, I hated you because you're a Casey, but then you proved you aren't your father. Plus, I've never been to a house this size, sorry if I got carried away but I'm not sitting in this room for some personal gain.""I want to believe that," Matt said with another sad sigh. "I had a friend—well, who I thought was my friend—who said the same thing, and next thing I know, I'm out a couple thousand, and they've gained some expensive new things and dropped me the second they got popular.""Well, if you ever try to spoil me, I would throw the money back at you," Kelly said seriously."What? Even if I took you on a date?" Matt jokingly asked, the question slipping out without meaning to. Kelly froze for a split second and then turned a thoughtful look at Matt."Who said I wouldn't beat you to the punch?" Kelly asked, and Kelly saw the blush rising on Matt's cheek even if Matt was still staring at the ceiling."Well, then- yup," Matt mumbled, trying to come up with a sentence, but his brain had decided that exact moment to stop working. Kelly slightly chuckled and made a mental note to get Matt to go speechless again as he found it adorable, the way Matt's blushed deepens."My mom either works double shifts or stays home- um, yeah. She's a nurse, and my dad left when I was six," Kelly said, and Matt looked over with a frown. "You went vulnerable, thought I'll repay the action. Relationships are a two-way street," Kelly said with a shrug, not looking at Matt. Matt smiled softly and kept the smile on as he returned to the ceiling."I bet Andy comes over a lot," Matt said, trying not to ask why Kelly stopped midway through his first sentence about his mom."He does," Kelly said with a fake annoyance, but they both knew that Kelly didn't mind—loved it even. "My friend April likes to drag me to her family dinners or just out with them most of the time.""That's a good friend," Matt said, and Kelly hummed. "But I'm sorry your parents aren't around.""You too," Kelly said, and Matt snorted loudly, making Kelly look over in alarm."I'm glad my parents aren't home," Matt said with a chuckle, but Kelly noticed the pain behind his eyes. Kelly wanted to comment more on the subject but felt Matt would quickly shut the conversation down and decided to play it safe."You come up here a lot?" Kelly asked, and Matt shrugged."Mostly, my dad uses this room; I normally stay on the second or third," Matt said and flipped over on his stomach to get on his hands and knees and crawled over to where he dropped his water bottle when Kelly had tickled him."So, did you or him put the dart board on the ceiling?" Kelly asked, and Matt frowned. Kelly pointed directly on top of him, and Matt followed his finger and laughed."Connor and Heather. Surprised my dad hasn't yelled at me about that," Matt said with a chuckle, glad for the conversation shift. "Heather and Connor get competitive about darts, and they wanted a challenge, so the ceiling it was," he shook his head at his friend's antics."Who won?" Kelly asked with a raised eyebrow."No one. Heather tried throwing a dart up and nearly took Connor's eye out when it fell back down. They were also extremely drunk that night and nearly brained themselves out trying to put the damn board on the ceiling. In the end, they just laughed and fell asleep two seconds later," Matt recounted."You weren't drinking?" Kelly asked, and Matt shook his head."I just stopped myself at one beer," Matt said. "My parents were returning the next day, and I didn't want a hangover. But it was funny being the sober person in a room with those two drunks."They chatted about random things, mostly Kelly talking about stuff Matt couldn't understand in his drunk thoughts, but he kept up and mostly chuckled when Kelly didn't make any sense. He jumped when his phone went off. It was the timer to tell himself to start kicking people out, and he was surprised by the fact that it had been three hours since he had left the meeting room, which meant he had been talking with Kelly for three hours.He checked on Kelly, who seemed to be passed out, and he figured that Kelly should be fine for a few minutes by himself, but to be sure, he left a note saying he was to clear the house and a trashcan beside Kelly's body.~~~Matt turned off the music at Connor's, grabbed a large case of water bottles, placed them at the front door, opened them, and started kicking people out. Once the music was gone and people realized it wasn't coming back on, they started trickling out of the house, and Matt wormed his way through the crowd to find Connor, who had a defeated look on his face as he stared at someone leaving. Matt followed his gaze and figured out it was Amber, hanging off of another boy on the soccer team. He quickly walked over to Connor and made him turn around."Next time, and trust me, she wasn't that great to begin with," Matt whispered in Connor's ear, who sighed and nodded. "You want to check the upstairs rooms, or should I?""Would I find condoms again?" Connor asked, and Matt shrugged."Well, I put them there earlier. If people were going to have sex, better be safe sex," Matt huffed. Connor's eyebrows shot up, and he rolled his eyes."God, you're such a mom," Connor said fondly, swung an arm around Matt's shoulder, and dragged him upstairs.They looked at each other with disgust before going to each other, banging loudly and screaming that the party was over.When everyone had cleared out, and Connor had made his way to Matt's house, mumbling about sleep, Matt didn't question why he hadn't just crashed in his room. Matt did another walk through Connor's house to ensure everyone had cleared out and made a face at the used condoms that had missed the trash bin by a good foot. He made the bins as big and visible as possible, yet they still miss.Once everyone was gone, he did another walk-through to lock up Connor's house—he's been here too many times and knows Connor's house security codes—before setting a mental task to wake up early to clean up.He returned to his house and first checked the guest bedroom to find Heather and Andy passed out cuddled on the bed—with or without clothes underneath the blanket, Matt didn't know nor care—and then he went to wake Kelly up. The teen grumbled and sleepily followed Matt to a guest bedroom before falling face-first on the bed and returning to sleep. He rolled his eyes and walked to his room to find Connor already on one side of his King bed, and he went to the bathroom to go through his night routine.Once that was done, he walked through his own house to make sure no one tried to jump the gates between houses, and when he found no one, he finally made his way upstairs and collapsed beside Connor.
----- CHAPTER BREAK -----
Matt woke up minutes before his alarm and quickly turned it off so he wouldn't wake Connor. He mentally groaned as he had only three hours of sleep. It was 5 AM, and he knew he needed to clean Connor's house before 8 AM. He isn't sure if Connor told the servants not to come today either, but just in case, Matt doesn't want them to clean that mess. He also doesn't know if Claire would decide to drop by from college, so to be on the safer side, Matt climbed out of bed. He grabbed his keys, where he had a copy, and went to Connor's house. Before he left his house, he made sure to leave a glass of water and painkillers on the bedside tables where Heather, Andy, Kelly, and Connor were sleeping. He had a bit of a headache, but it wasn't a hangover.Over at Connor's house, he sighed at the mess that the house had become."Fuck me," he whispered and started picking up the cups left in random places and random garbage around the house. He was glad there were no spills on the ground or in the future—Elizabeth Rhodes would flip out if there was a spill on her furniture—aside from the rooms. He mentally groaned at the prospect of having to clean the bedrooms and bathrooms; after the glimpses, he saw last night—well, early this morning—he did not want to go in there but didn't have a choice.The first floor and outside of the house were all cleaned up an hour later, and he made his way up to the second floor. He got his gloves, a large basket, and cleaning products ready as he went to the rooms. Thankfully, aside from a stray used condom here and there, the rooms weren't too bad, and Matt mostly needed to change the sheets. He still didn't like having to pick up condoms, but it could've been worse.By seven, he had put the Rhodes house back in order, all the dirty sheets in the laundry machine, new sheets on every bed, and the trash all taken out. The house was back to being spotless, and as he was leaving the Rhodes's house through the back, he heard the sound of a car in the driveway. He walked around the house and peeked through the side as Claire Rhodes got out of her car. Matt mentally cheered as he finished all the cleaning before Claire got home, knowing they would've all been dead if Claire found out because she would've told her parents.He snuck back over to his house and ran upstairs to take a quick shower, now no longer bothering to be as quiet as possible since Connor should be waking up soon. On his way back to the kitchen, he made sure to close all the blinds in the house to keep the sun from shining in, knowing everyone else would appreciate it.Once in the kitchen, he bumped into Cassie, who was pulling out pots and pans to make breakfast."Morning," she greeted, and Matt smiled back. "I'm assuming Connor, Heather, and the two boys I met last night are here?""Yup, asleep and will be extremely hungover upstairs," Matt said, making coffee."I saw Claire this morning," Matt hummed and felt Cassie was conversing to avoid the actual topic she wanted to talk about. "Did you know she was coming back?""Con never said a word," Matt replied and heard one of the kitchen doors swing open."Good morning. You're up early for someone who was at a party last night," Robert said, grabbing a mug and placing it beside Matt's while they both waited for the coffee."Didn't drink much," Matt said with a shrug and nodded toward the Rhodes's house. "Plus I needed to clean the house before anyone from Connor's staff shows up and thankfully I did, Claire arrived just as I was leaving.""You're a good friend," Robbert said, rubbing Matt's head—messing up his hair—to which Matt batted his hand away and then fixed his hair. "Maybe a little too good of a friend, but good either way.""Thanks?" Matt said, well, it was more of a question, and Robert shrugged."Anyways, your father informed me they will come tomorrow night and expect you at the dinner table. They also expect a full report of the first week with your new projects, and your mother wants you and Heather to meet with their media designer to discuss a rebrand," Matt groaned and put his face in his hand."All by tomorrow?" Matt asked, and Robert hummed."I already talked to Mindy—the head of media design—and since she isn't here for the weekend, she asked that you and Heather email her with ideas for the brand. The report is simple. You've already been keeping track of every new development in the project, and I managed to get your father to allow you to give a rundown at dinner tomorrow," Robert said. Matt grinned and hugged Robert tightly, to which the older man laughed and hugged his 'adoptive' son back."You're the best," Matt mumbled against his chest and pulled back just as the coffee machine was done."Just be ready by tomorrow, and I will text you when I get your parents' ETA," Robert said, and with that, he walked out of the house to get to his job."So, that was Andy Darden?" Cassie asked, and Matt nodded, grabbed his mug and settled on the kitchen stool, watching Cassie move around the kitchen as she pulled together a large breakfast. "And his friend...?""Kelly Severide," Matt replied with a small smile. Cassie kept glancing at him through the corner of her eye, wanting to see any signs of Matt remembering. "Hey, Cassie?" Matt frowned, looking deeply into his coffee, but his eyes were distant. "Did we ever talk in my bed when I was little, like four or five years old, and did we ever talk about soulmates?"Cassie's head snapped up to look at Matt, but he was still staring at his coffee mug with a deep frown as if trying to allow the memory to show clearly in his coffee."We did," she said cautiously. This would be the first time Matt had ever mentioned soulmates since his first visit to Dr. Adler."It was a common topic of conversation when I was little, right?" Matt asked, and Cassie hummed. Matt looked up at her. "Why did we speak about them?""Why do you ask?" She asked instead, and Matt shrugged."I remembered something yesterday when I was in the game room with Kelly," Matt said, looking back down at his coffee, but this time with a soft smile that turned into a frown. "I don't know. Memories flooded my mind about my younger days that I never remembered, but they were all too short to grasp onto one. But one thing that I do remember is the two of us talking about soulmates. I don't remember the actual conversation, but I remember the hopeful feeling I used to get, and something about the conversation felt wistful. I don't know if that's the right word, but it felt like I was waiting for something... I-I don't know.""I'm glad you're remembering," Cassie said softly and had to turn to the stove not to let Matt see the tears in her eyes. Ever since the first visit with Dr. Adler, Matt never had that lively, happy glow to him anymore. As a child, Matt was always laughing and giggling—hence her nickname for him—and just an overall happy child full of dreams, but after that visit, Matt was never the same. She knows Elizabeth Rhodes had noticed the shift in Matt, and Heather and Connor had noticed the change in Matt. The two little kids used to whine to her about how Matt wasn't the same anymore. She hated explaining to them that people change and Matt was still the same, but he wasn't. He had lost that sunshine glow to him, and his eyes started carrying around this trauma even if his brain couldn't remember. It got worse as Gregory began to find ways to punish Matt, which made the burden in Matt's eyes heavier.Now Matt was slowly remembering his childhood—the good moments—and she couldn't be happier, and part of her hoped that he would continue to remember. She knows that isn't possible since Matt's yearly appointment with Dr. Adler is coming up in two weeks, and she knows any progress he made in remembering 'Kelly' and conversations about soulmates would be lost. She never knows what happens during those appointments; no one on the staff knows—not even Robert—only Dr. Adler, Nancy, and Gregory know what is happening in that room. Everyone else can only hear Matt's screams."But why did we stop?" Matt asked, looking back up at Cassie, who still had her back to Matt. Cassie sneakily wiped at her eyes and cleared her throat before turning and facing Matt."You had different interests," she said with a shrug, and Matt narrowed his eyes in that familiar way he did when he didn't believe someone was telling him the truth. "Now come on, I'm not doing all the work," she teased, and Matt laughed, jumping up to help make the breakfast. Neither of them brought up the conversation about soulmates again, but they couldn't stop thinking about it for different reasons.By the time the breakfast was done, they left it in the oven to keep it warm, and Matt returned to his coffee—now cold—while Cassie made tea. Matt went through his phone's emails before jumping up, said he needed to do his morning workout and left the kitchen.~~~It was around nine AM, and after Matt had gotten out of the shower—the second one that morning—Connor was the first to wake up."Good morning," Matt grinned and threw a hoodie and sweats to Connor, who had just downed the painkillers with water."You're chipper," Connor said with a groan. He moved off the bed and grabbed the clothes Matt had thrown at him. Matt shrugged, and Connor looked Matt up and down and then at the steam in the bathroom behind him and frowned. "How long have you been up?""Five," Matt said, walking over to his desk to clean up the mess he had left yesterday."Let me guess, you cleaned my house," Connor said with a hint of annoyance, and Matt hummed. "I said I would help you clean. Why didn't you wake me?" He whined, feeling bad that Matt had to clean up his mess for him."Hungover Connor, awake at what he considers 'too goddamn early to be a functioning human in society' hour to clean an entire house? Yeah, no thanks; you will whine and complain, probably almost throw up and slow me down rather than help. Also, your sister is here, arrived a little over seven, just as I was done cleaning the house, so you're lucky I cleaned when I did," Matt said, glaring and Connor and Connor scrambled to find his jeans with his phone in it. He checked his phone and didn't see a single message from Claire, but that shouldn't be too surprising, considering she would randomly show up at home unannounced. Connor didn't care if his sister was home or not, they never got along that well due to the seven year age gap between the two."Fuck," he whispered right as Heather burst through the door with Andy following behind. Andy paused in the doorway of Matt's room, first he was surprised by the size of Matt's room and then when his gaze wondered to find Connor, in only his boxers, and Matt with only a t-shirt and boxers on and hair still ruffled from his shower, and his eyebrows shot up. Heather, on the other hand, didn't give either of them a second look as she walked to Matt's closet."Hey, throw me some sweats, will you," Matt asked Heather, who hummed, and a pair of gray sweatpants flew out of the closet door."Why are you sta-" Kelly's voice can be heard from the hallway, and then Kelly stopped beside Andy in the doorway and followed his gaze to where he was glancing between Connor and Matt. Neither boy realized Andy's surprise as Matt moved closer and looked over Connor's shoulder, down at his phone, still with his sweatpants in one hand."What are you gaping at?" Matt whispered, looking between Connor's face and the phone screen that displayed the calendar."It's Claire's birthday tomorrow," Connor said, and Matt frowned, checked the date, and then hummed."I'm going to assume you forgot?" Matt asked, and Connor groaned and leaned back into Matt's chest, making the blond stumble a bit before he balanced both their weight."Fucking, fuck, fuck," Connor cursed, and Matt patted Connor's shoulder. "Heaths?""What?" Heather yelled back, her voice sounding muffled from inside the closet."Got any birthday present ideas for Claire?" Connor asked, sounding desperate, and Heather's head popped out of Matt's closet."When's her birthday?" Heather asked."Tomorrow," Matt asked, maneuvering him and Connor. He was a bit more uncomfortable as Connor apparently didn't want to support his own weight."Then perfume? I don't know, I don't know your sister that well," Heather said with a shrug and disappeared back into the closet."Oh, I have that," Matt said, pushing Connor to stand on his own and walking into the closet with Andy and Kelly following. Once they were there, Heather was only wearing one of Matt's hoodies but with no bottoms other than her underwear, and Andy smacked a hand over his and Kelly's eyes."Ow, what the fuck?" Kelly asked, annoyed. He had already felt a flare of jealousy seeing Matt and Connor so comfortable with each other while both were half undressed, and he was too hungover to analyze the meaning behind the feeling."You are not seeing my girlfriend half naked, especially before we had even gotten to third base yet," Andy said. "Matthew Casey and Connor Rhodes, you better not be looking!" He exclaimed, and the three of them looked at the pair weirdly and then at each other."Andy, love, that's very sweet of you, but Matt, Connor and I have been friends since our diaper days. They've seen me naked on multiple occasions," Heather said sweetly, and her feelings for Andy just blossomed."WHAT!?!" Andy exclaimed, and his hand dropped from his and Kelly's eyes, but his eyes were still squeezed shut. On the other hand, Kelly had opened his eyes only to revert them out of kindness and focused on a picture hanging on the wall beside the light switch of what looked like Connor, Matt and Heather doing—and failing—at a human pyramid when they were kids."You can open your eyes," she chuckled, and Andy opened one eye only to see Heather in Matt's hoodie and one of her jeans that she had left here. He relaxed and opened his other eye, now Matt and Connor, also fully dressed and Connor and Matt were in the corner hunched over something."Great, we're all dressed, has painkillers in us, so now...WHEN HAVE YOU SEEN EACH OTHER NAKED!?!" Andy practically screeched the ending part of his sentence."You've seen me naked," Kelly said with a shrug, and Andy glared at him."Hey, it's no big deal. They're basically my brothers," Heather said, now switching to seriousness as she noticed Andy was getting worked up about this."Yeah, sorry," Andy said, closing his eyes and taking a deep breath; when he opened his eyes, Matt and Connor were looking between Andy and Heather with an unreadable expression on their face."Is this a bad time to say when we're officially having dinner?" Connor asked, and Heather groaned and rolled her eyes."Hey, you said we were basically your brothers," Matt defended with a shrug."Fine, it could be some weird double date," she sighed, walking out of the closet and grabbing Andy's hand as she passed. Matt and Connor looked at each other before bursting out laughing, and none of them realized the tightening of Kelly's jaw.
----- CHAPTER BREAK -----
The five of them went downstairs, and when they arrived in the kitchen, plates of food were all set out. Matt smiled, knowing Cassie must've sorted all the food when she heard them come down the stairs.The breakfast was quiet as they were still slightly hungover, and Connor spent most of the breakfast wrapping the present for his sister. He felt a bit bad that he hadn't bought it or put much thought into it, but then again, Claire and I never really talked, especially now that he's a lot older.The silence was disrupted when Robert and Cassie walked into the kitchen with a gift and placed it in front of Matt, who paused mid-bite and looked at the bag in front of him, then up at Cassie and Robert, then back at the bag. He blinked slowly, trying to remember if he had forgotten a key date or something that would warrant a present, but his mind came blank."You know you can open it," Cassie teased, and Matt huffed, dropped his fork, and finished eating. He grabbed the bag but paused when he noticed the matching giant grins on both their faces, and then he turned to Heather and Connor for help, who only shrugged."Why are you looking at me like that?" Matt asked slowly, a bit confused and a bit scared of what lay in the bag."It's nothing bad, kiddo," Robbert said."Not a kid," Matt immediately huffed but still glared at the two of them, trying to figure it out."Giggles," Cassie said slowly, and Matt sighed and pulled the bag closer to him."Giggles?" Kelly asked."It's Cassie's nickname for Matt ever since he was little; it's cute," Heather said with a hand over her heart and sighed, dropping her head on Andy's shoulder. "Little Matthew Casey, extremely blond hair, the smile that could brighten up every room, and a contagious laugh. He was adorable," she said still in a dreamy voice, and then her face changed to slight disgust. "Don't know what the hell happened that this is the same person," she teased, and Matt grabbed his toast and threw it at her in retaliation. She laughed as she caught the bread with her mouth and grinned over at Matt, who rolled his eyes."Love you," she said once she swallowed her food and leaned over to peck Matt's cheek, to which Matt made a disgusted face but didn't move. It was all fun and games. Connor, however, noticed Andy looking at Matt and Heather with what looked like jealousy and confusion. He wanted to reassure Andy that Matt was, in fact, gay, and even if he was interested in girls, Heather wouldn't be one of them because he sees Heather as his little sister. However, although Matt is out of the closet, it is kept on a need-to-know basis because his parents don't know, and any imperfection to their image would make them angrier with Matt. Connor, having heard and comforted many of Matt's mental breakdowns after one of his parent's punishments, knows enough that for Matt's wellbeing, they shouldn't provoke the bear. Not until he has a solid escape plan for Matt, which he works on.Matt pulled out a small white box with a red bow. he glanced at the box and then at the older couple, and his frown deepened. He moved the bag onto the ground and undid the ribbon, and when he glanced up at the married couple, they gestured for Matt to continue, and he slowly opened the box, expecting something to jump out at him. When nothing does, he opens it fully and frowns at the small, baby-sized pair of black Converse, and he looks from the adults to the shoes, then back again. Matt's slightly hungover brain takes a couple of seconds to register what is going on, and his eyes widen."YOUR PREGNANT!?!" Matt shouted, causing the teens who were still hungover to cringe away from the loud voice. Matt apologized, but he was still looking at Cassie and Robert. Robert smiled proudly, and Cassie had tears in her eyes. Matt ran around the kitchen island and hugged both Robert and Cassie."Oh my god!" Matt whispered."Congratulations," Heather said, coming around and hugging both of them"Oh my god, there's gonna be a little one running around," Connor said, shaking Robert's hand and hugging Cassie. Kelly and Andy both said their congratulations and mostly stayed out of what seemed like a group moment for them."Oh my god!" Matt said again, this time gripping Connor's right forearm with both his hands shaking it, causing Connor to laugh and let Matt have his arm. "OH MY GOD!" Matt said louder, grin bright and wide as ever and bouncing on his feet, causing everyone to laugh at Matt's reaction."You excited, Matt?" Kelly couldn't help but ask, and Matt turned to look at him and nodded excitedly. Kelly noticed that, for the first time, there wasn't any weight or burden in Matt's eyes; he looked like a child on Christmas morning, and it was refreshing."CONGRATULATIONS!!!" He yelled in her ear in his excitement, and she laughed and hugged him tighter. "How far along are you?" He asked, pulling back."10 weeks," she said, and Matt's smile grew, turning his eyes into slits as he looked back down. She wasn't wearing anything tight-fitting, so it was hard to tell if her bump was visible."It's too early to know the gender, but what do you hope it is?" Matt asked, jumping up on the counter behind him and staring at them with comprehensive, expectant, and excited blue eyes."I'm hoping for a girl, but I don't care," Robert shrugged."I think it's a boy," Cassie said, fondly rubbing her stomach and looking down at it."Names?" Matt asked."Matt, we are ten weeks," Cassie laughed, and Matt shrugged."I'm excited, sorry," Matt said, still grinning. Cassie laughed more, shook her head, and walked over to ruffle Matt's hair, to which he swatted away but couldn't help the grin on his face. "When did you find out? Did you have your first ultrasound?""We found out around six weeks ago," Robert replied, walking up to his wife and wrapping his arms around his waist. "We did have an ultrasound; we put it underneath the shoes." Matt flailed in his attempt to climb off the counter, nearly smacking Connor in the face and accidentally kicked Heather in the thigh, but he got off the counter. He stumbled over to where the present day, unaware of his friend's amused chuckles. He carefully removed the baby's shoes, as if they were something delicate and placed them to the side to find the ultrasound on the tissue paper. He gasped, and he brought the photo closer. Connor and Heather ran over, wanting to look at the picture."You're gonna have a baby," Matt whispered in awe, and when Heather made cooing noises, he leaned his temple on her forehead."God, I'm hoping for a girl," she said."I want a boy," Connor said."Well we don't know that yet, either way, we will love them no matter what," Cassie said stepping out of her husbands embrace and going to pick the plates."Nope," Matt said immediately and slowly put the photo back before stopping Cassie. "You're pregnant. I can do the dishes. I know for a fact my parents will work you until you physically can't anymore, so you are sitting your ass down while I do the dishes," Matt said firmly and moved around, gathering everyone's dirty plates."He might be worse than you," Cassie said to her husband, who was proud of Matt and leaned over to give Matt a high five, to which the blond grinned."Raised him well then," Robert said, earning an eye roll from Cassie."I'm only ten weeks pregnant," she said with a sigh but did as told and sat down."But you're growing a full human in there," Matt said pointedly. He turned around with a sponge in one hand and pointed the sponge at Cassie. "We don't want anything to happen to that little bean while it's cooking, so if I can do something, I'm doing it." She rolled her eyes but couldn't help the fondness of seeing Matt still considerate of others, given how his parents treated him."Can I go baby shopping with you? Have you picked out clothes? What about a gender reveal party? Are you buying a new house? What are potential names? Who else knows? Do I need to keep my mouth shut about this? What about-" Matt rambled out questions as he rinsed the dishes, and Robert and Cassie looked at each other and then at Matt and then at each other and rolled their eyes fondly at the child they helped raise."Matt," Robert and Cassie said simultaneously, amusement in their eyes, and Matt bit his lips to stop talking and looking guilty."Sorry, I've always wanted a sibling," Matt said with a blush and focused on his dishes."No, we have not thought about much of that or at least haven't agreed on much, but we did want to ask you one thing," Cassie said, and Matt's head snapped up. "We all know that once this baby arrives, you will be his/her brother, but for legal reasons, we wanted to ask if you would like to be the baby's godfather," Matt's jaw dropped, and a plate dropped from his hand and into the sink sending some soap studs to fly up."Are you serious?" Matt asked, and Cassie nodded. Matt's eyes went comically, and he nodded so quickly everyone was scared his head might fall right off. "yes, yes, a million times, yes." Matt was quick to rinse and then place the plates into the dishwasher before rushing over and hugging Cassie again from behind. Cassie laughed and placed her hands on Matt's forearms."I'm going to be someone's godfather, and I'm going to get a little brother or sister, and the world's gonna get a Ms. or Mr. McKenna," Matt whispered, and Cassie nodded. "Oh my god," he whispered for what was left like the millionth time.~~~Once the shock and excitement wore off—slightly—Matt settled back in his seat, but from time to time, he would smile and do a little happy dance in his chair because he couldn't wait to have a little sister/brother.He was unaware of Kelly looking at him with a weird expression. Kelly had felt a flutter in his stomach at how Matt reacted to having a sibling and how excited and protective he started to get for Cassie. The first thing that popped into his mind was, 'How excited would he be for their first kid?' Kelly had to frown for a multitude of reasons. One of them is the fact that Matt and him aren't a thing. They're getting closer, but he still doesn't know if Matt likes guys. Secondly, he doesn't even know if Matt is his soulmate. The blond has never once mentioned soulmates or hinted at the fact that he has one—then again, neither has he. Matt also hasn't reacted to his name. When he first noticed Matt sitting in the booth at his job and heard his name for the first time, something in him just fit. He couldn't explain it, but it was like a piece of a puzzle going in, and then he felt this magnetic urge to go and talk to him. Then he remembered Matt's last name, and he got pissed and he got confused. His reaction was written all over his face, and Andy glanced over, giving him sidelong glances. Thirdly, he never saw himself with children. He didn't want to run out on them like his father or mostly care about his work and drinking like his mother. He was scared of becoming like them and terrified that he wouldn't even notice if it started happening. So he told himself, no kids. But seeing Matt's reaction made him want to reconsider the rule.When he heard Robert telling Matt that he would need to go to the office, Kelly was snapped back into reality."I thought you said I can stay here and do it," Matt said with a pout."I know, I'm contacting the lawyers on the case to see you can come on Monday after school or I can handle it," Robert said and Kelly frowned not knowing why they needed lawyers."Monday's not good; I have cheer practice," Heather piped up, and Matt raised one eyebrow at her. "I know some people speculated me 'cheating' on you as people have seen me close with Andy. I thought it'd be good to show them we're fine if you come to my cheer practice. I'm allowed back anyway. I got my doctor to sign off and coach to agree, so I'm officially back on Monday.""It'll be better if the two of you just kiss in the middle of the hall," Connor said with a shrug, and Andy glared at Connor. "Sorry.""Let's avoid that," Heather said while wrapping an arm around Andy's shoulder and leaning in to peck his cheek. Andy grinned and turned his head to kiss her softly."Well, I better get dressed then," Matt sighed."Oh, by the way, thanks for the painkillers," Kelly said, and Matt smiled and got up and left the kitchen, stopping at the doorway."You guys have a key; don't burn the house down," Heather and Connor both gave thumbs up."Oh, and I'm staying for the week. Mom's out for a business trip, and Dad is as well," Heather called after Matt, who popped his head back in only to give her a thumbs up and disappear."It's nice out; we should have a pool day," Connor suggested, looking out the kitchen window at Casey's impressive backyard."Ooooh, yeah," Heather said, excitedly sitting up in her seat. "I think I have some bikinis in Matt's closet somewhere.""You in?" Connor asked, looking at Kelly and Andy."We don't have trunks," Kelly said, and Connor shrugs."Matt and I might have something that'll fit," Connor said, and Kelly and Andy nodded.~~~Matt was in his father's office while on the phone with someone from the company. The rest were in Matt's closet, preparing for a pool day.When he was finally ready to go to the office, he walked out of the door only to bump into Robert."Jesus," Matt said, jumping back so he didn't walk straight into his chest."Your friends are having a pool day," Robert said, and Matt frowned slightly but hummed. "Go grab your trunks.""Why? I can't," Matt said, confused. Robert sighed, walked into the room, and placed a hand on his shoulder."You're still a kid, Matt. You're sixteen-" Matt opened his mouth to protest, "and do not give me that crap about being nearly seventeen. You're still a teenager, and what was your father's mistakes are his mistakes to fix. We both know if the roles were reversed, you wouldn't dump this on a child either." Matt looked to the ground, unable to meet Robert's eyes, and his shoulders slumped with defeat."What about my dad?" Matt asked in a shy, almost quivering voice, and Robert sighed, knowing how deep Matt's fear of his father runs."I'll handle him and this mess," Robert said and, with his free hand, grabbed the file out of Matt's hand. "Now, go and enjoy your time with your friends. Try to relax, forget all the stupid rules your parents have set, and, more importantly, be a kid.""I'm not a kid," Matt pouted but relaxed."No, but you missed out on your childhood years," Robert pointed out, and Matt looked away and sighed."Fine," he said, and Robert patted his shoulder and turned to walk away. Matt sighed again and ran his hand through his hair, and if he focused hard enough, he could see the slashing of the pool. He walked to his room and quickly changed into trunks. He stared at the mark on his left shoulder and lightly touched it before turning to his shirt. He debated whether or not he should wear a sweater since he needed to cover the markup, but at the same it was a pool day. Then again, he didn't want Kelly or Andy seeing it and asking why his 'birthmark' looked so much like a tattoo. He sighed and reached for the shirt when Robert said, "Try to relax, forget all the stupid rules your parents have set, and, more importantly, be a kid." He dropped his arm, grabbed a towel, and headed downstairs, trying not to run back to his room and grab his shirt.He knew his friends would be in the back, so he immediately headed in that direction. Cassie wasn't in the kitchen, but Matt assumed she was cleaning the house. He slid open the door to the back. Connor noticed him, waving him over, and he shouted, "Canon ball!" as he ran to jump into the pool.Kelly had looked over when he heard the door slide open, and he smiled when he realized it was Matt. He laughed and swam out of the way, watching Connor wholly drenched by the splash."Thanks, Matt," Connor said in a dry tone as he stood at the edge of the pool, not dripping from head to toe. Matt grinned, gave him two thumbs up, and swam to the other side of the pool when he saw Connor getting ready to jump in."Glad you can make it," Kelly said once Matt swam into earshot and Matt settled to Kelly's right."Thanks," Matt beamed and shook out his hair, only for Kelly to get splashed with it. "Sorry," Matt apologized, and Kelly shook his head and laughed."What happened to the mess your father created at the firm?" Connor wiped the water from his face. Kelly frowned and turned to Matt, why would he send his sixteen year old son to clear up a law mess?"Robert's handling it," Matt said with a shrug, and Connor noticed the slight panic in Matt's eyes as the blond was looking towards the house."Great! More time for me to beat you at pool cup pong," Connor exclaimed, changing the topic quickly and relaxing when Matt laughed and shoved him. Kelly looked between the two friends again, and not for the first time, he wondered the nature of their friendship. He was about to ask what pool cup pong was when something in the corner of his eye caught his attention. He saw the familiar bird on the blond's left shoulder. A mark that he stares at constantly and touches or rubs subconsciously. He was looking for a mark that holds so much more meaning and a mark in every 'Matthew' that he meets.Matt swam away with Connor, leaving Kelly to stare at the place where Matt had vacated with confusion and anger.This meant that Matthew Casey is his soulmate.Did Matt know that they are soulmates?
----- CHAPTER BREAK -----
For the next hour, they were out by the pool. Kelly was observing Matt closely. He wasn't wearing a shirt either, so his mark was on full display, but Matt, Connor or Heather hadn't reacted to it other than a double take. Actually, if we were being sincere here, Connor and Heather had stared at the mark for a little too long, and then they both turned to each other and then at Matt. Matt was the one; Kelly didn't even know if he had noticed the mark. His body language indicated nothing, but he noticed the blond tapping again against his cup when he and Heather were talking on the poolside. When he focused closer, it looked less like a random tapping and more like some code.What's a tapping code? Morse code?He couldn't see clearly from his distance, not even how long he was tapping, and Kelly had to keep looking away because every few seconds, Matt would glance over with a frown.He didn't know how to feel about this situation. Does he ask Matt about them being soulmates or wait until the blond approaches him first? No. Definitely, not, he can't hold back especially if his soulmate is less then ten feet away from him right now. He just needed a way to get Matt by himself.~~~"So, I wanted to ask you something," Heather said, sitting beside Matt and dangling her feet in the pool. Matt hummed, both hands mindlessly tapping at the side of the pool and staring into the water. "It's about us.""Break up?" Matt asked, and Heather shook her head."My parents like the idea of you and me too much. That's not what I wanted to ask you," Heather said. Matt gave him a sympathetic smile, and Heather shrugged. "It is what it is.""You know, I think if you had introduced Andy to your parents before you put us in their heads, they might've accepted Andy," Matt said. Heather groaned and dropped her head on his shoulder."I panicked, okay," she whined. "But now that is done, and your parents are involved, and we both know your parents won't allow us to break up.""Well, we don't need to listen," he whispered with a deep frown. Heather's head snapped up in shock. Matt hardly suggests going against his parents, and Heather has witnessed why. But Matt looked like he didn't want anyone else to hear it."Rather keep you alive, please and thank you," Heather said. Matt rolled his eyes and shoved her shoulder. "Anyways, I know you and I need to talk about everything. But I think keep the PDA to a minimum. Cuddles and stuff are fine, but for kisses, keep it to the temple and cheek, like you already do. But..." She trailed off."But..." Matt repeated."Andy seems to think that you and I might turn into something. Do you know that trope about a fake relationship turns real? Well, he thinks it's something like that. I tried explaining to him that you're gay without outing you. But I can tell he is a bit jealous or confused.""So... what? You want me to come out to him?" Matt asked, and Heather shook her head and groaned. She dropped her head in his lap and reached a hand lightly in the water."I know he would never forbid me or whatever from seeing you or Con, but I know our social difference affects him, especially when I had to explain why you and I are fake dating. I don't know, I don't want to out you to him when you aren't ready. I'm just confused. I don't want to lose him either.""Heather, if he can't trust you-" Matt started, and Heather tapped his thigh to get him to stop."He does. I think he is more insecure about himself and then sees you, the same social class as me. I'm not sure, but that's what he hinted at," Heather said, sitting up and looking at Matt with a pout."I'll try to talk to him, but that sounds like something that'll just take time," Matt said with a sympathetic smile, and she groaned and nodded her head.She dropped her head back on Matt's shoulder as the two got lost in their world. Connor came over a few minutes later and sat on the other side of Matt. The blond dropped his head on Connor's shoulder, and Connor dropped his head on Matt's head.~~~Connor and Heather seemed to hear his thoughts because either of them was always by Matt's side. ALL. THE. TIME. He internally groans and decides to ask Matt alone.Matt was sitting with Connor, and Kelly walked over, and Connor caught his eye. Matt turns around and smiles at Kelly."Hiya," Matt chirped, and Kelly's eyebrows shot up."Hey," Kelly said with a grin, and Matt'a's smile dropped to a frown when he noticed the mark on Kelly's shoulder. Matt's right arm absentmindedly reaches for the identical mark on his left shoulder."MATT! COME HELP ME WITH THE SNACKS," Cassie pokes her head out of the kitchen doors and yells. Matt jolts out of his thoughts, staring at Kelly's mark, and walks away still with a frown. Kelly groans while Connor silently thanks Cassie for being so perspective."Let me guess, your name was Matthew. Constantly saying it, thinking it, writing it?" When Matt was out of earshot, Connor asked, and Kelly glared at him."You and Heather have been trying to keep me away from him," he said accusingly, and Connor shrugged."I'm looking out for Matt, my best friend," Connor said meaningfully, and Kelly scoffed."I'm his soulmate. Don't you think that's something to take into consideration?" Kelly asked—more like spat out."Exactly," Connor said, groaning frustratedly, and ran a hand through his hair. "Look, Matt's life isn't as simple or black and white as it seems from the outside. He doesn't know. Soulmates are a delicate topic; he saw your mark, and I know you saw the confusion on his face. You can talk with him about anything but his childhood, parents and soulmates. Let him come to you about that," Connor tried explaining the best he could without exposing everything to Kelly."He's my soulmate; you can't stand in the way of that," Kelly said, getting angry and moving closer to Connor. Connor groaned and tugged on his hair a couple of times before taking a deep breath, trying to compose himself."Kelly, I'm saying this one time. You cannot, and I mean you cannot, say a trigger word to Matt or anyone who has them. Anything about his childhood, soulmates, or his parents, especially if you want a physical person to be your soulmate and not just a memory," Connor basically growled by the end and turned on his heels and walked away.Kelly blinked repeatedly. He honestly didn't understand the big deal, but Connor implied heavily that something terrible would happen to Matt if he brought it up. But still, he is his soulmate. How could he tell him? He found his soulmate, this is supposed to be some happy reveal, why can't he do that?"No, just no," Heather said from behind him, and Kelly jumped and turned to see the girl with her arms crossed, glaring up at Kelly. Andy, looking like a lost puppy, standing beside her."What?" Kelly asked, and Heather's eyes narrowed."Let Matt come to you. He'll figure it out, but it has to be on his terms," Heather said and turned to leave."Do you understand any of that?" Kelly asked, and Andy shrugged."So..." Andy said, eyes darting to Kelly's soulmark and then back up to Kelly and back again."Yeah, it's Matt, but I can't talk to him about it," Kelly said frustratedly."Why?" Andy asked with a frown."God, if I know," Kelly exclaimed, annoyed and threw his arms up."LUNCH!" Cassie yells, and Kelly sighs, drops his arm and head, and takes a couple of breaths.They walk into the kitchen to see Matt already changed into a shirt and sweatpants, sitting on the counter in the corner with a laptop on his lap and a pensive frown. Connor walks over to look at what Matt is looking at, and then his eyes dart to Kelly before walking over to grab something to eat. Kelly frowned and was about to ask what Matt was looking at when the blond suddenly jumped off the counter with his laptop and darted out of the kitchen.Kelly turns back to the people in the kitchen, wondering if they know what happened. Still, Cassie, Connor, Robert, and Heather all seem to have a silent conversation, leaving Andy and Kelly confused and feeling like they are imposing on something private.He internally curses them all to hell for leaving him in the dark and seemingly Matt as well.He is itching to tell Matt—that is, if he doesn't know already—but Connor and Heather have warned him, and he feels as if going against his soulmate best friends isn't the best move this early on in their relationship. He settles on getting Matt to see his mark because he knows Matt has noticed it, and the gears are turning in his head. He knows it. If he can't talk to Matt about it, then he would have to settle for throwing Matt all the hints in hopes the blond gets it.~~~Kelly and Andy get dropped off at their apartment by Heather after lunch, and all Kelly can think about is where Matt disappeared. There was no trace of the blond ever since he darted out of the kitchen, and he noticed the tense atmosphere around Connor, Heather and Cassie. He so badly wanted to ask what was happening, but he knew that none of them would say anything because he strongly suspected it had to do with Matt's safety. That made him even more anxious, but either way, he kept his mouth shut while his brain ran away.~~~"So, Matthew," Gregory said once they all had their meals placed in front of them, and he lifted his glass of whiskey to his lips and took a sip. "How's the project coming along?""Great," Matt replied somewhat flatly, still distracted by what he's been reading up on all day."Matthew," Nancy hisses, and Matt's eyes snap up from where he looked unseeingly at his pasta. "Elaborate.""Oh," Matt said, clearing his throat and launching an in-depth report on everything he, Heather, and Connor have already accomplished and what they plan to do within the next week. He also goes into the finance of everything and the press, knowing his parents would want the good press—even though he doesn't care about the cameras."Mom?" Matt asked after a lull in the conversation. "When's my next appointment with Dr. Alder?""A week from now," Nancy answered, wiping her mouth with a napkin. "We have something to tell you.""What?" Matt asked, placing his fork down."I'm running for Mayor," Gregory announced proudly, and Matt felt the colour drain from his face. "You will be expected to step up your game, do a few more public interviews and take on more projects. I will have my assistant send you a weekly schedule. We are getting you back on your training schedule and back on your diet because you are starting to slack-"Matt tunes out of what his father is saying; he only worries about how this will change everything. If his father is Mayor, then there's no telling what shady, illegal things he would get into and rope Matt into it. It would make it ten times harder for him to slip out of his parent's grasp."MATTHEW," a slap across his face and the hissing from his mother snapped him back to reality, and he cleared his throat and tried his best not to bring his hand to his burning cheek."Sorry," Matt mumbled an apology. "Congrats, sir.""You're done eating," Gregory said, and Matt looked down at his half-eaten plate of food. "Go upstairs and finish your homework."Matt hesitated; he wanted to eat more since he had gotten so lost in his research today that he forgot to eat correctly and was now hungry. That hesitation was enough to irritate Gregory that he grabbed Matt's wrist and yanked him out of his chair. Matt cried out at the sudden pain."I said go," Gregory said lowly and gave Matt a threatening look. Matt looked down at his feet, mumbled an apology, and shuffled upstairs.~~~"Hiya," Heather chirped Monday morning and leaned in to kiss a zoned-out Matt on the cheek."Hi," Matt mumbled, and Heather frowned and touched her lips."Are you wearing makeup?" Heather asked, and Matt's head snapped to her, and his eyes widened."Did any rub off?" He whispered, and Heather's face hardened as she realized why her best friend would wear makeup."No," she said sharply, and Matt sighed in relief. "What happened?""God, Cameron is insufferable today," Connor groans as he approaches Heather and Matt. "That asshole is mak- what's going on?""Matt," Heather said slowly, and Matt shrugged."I zoned out," Matt said in a way of explaining. Connor frowned, and Heather nodded to Matt's cheek and from the anger in her eyes, he caught on."What's going on with Cameron?" Matt asked, changing the subject before Connor could rant about Matt leaving that house. He threw an arm around Heather's shoulder and stirred his friends to their first class.~~~After school, Matt had gone home to meet with the dietitian and personal trainer—the same people he's had most of his teen life. Matt frowned at the strict rules they had set for him. he wanted so badly to throw the plan away, but his parents were sitting across from him, and he couldn't risk it. He internally groaned and subconsciously reached up to scratch at his mark.After that, Gregory dragged Matt to the office, and he jumped in and out of meetings for the rest of the afternoon.He didn't even have time to check his phone, so he had missed three calls and two texts from Kelly.~~~"So it's true," Connor said, walking into Matt's room from the balcony doors."What is?" Matt asked, but his voice was muffled by his face buried in his pillow. He had come home and collapsed on his bed from his long day."Your father is running for mayor," Connor said, laying beside Matt on the bed, and Matt groaned."Told me last night," the blond turned to face Connor. "I'm never leaving him.""Do you want to? I know you always joke about it, but I'm serious whenever I bring it up," Connor said carefully, and Matt sighed, turned his back, and stared at the ceiling."It's a soulmark, isn't it?" Matt asked instead, and Connor hummed, trying not to overreact to Matt talking about soulmates. He had seen Matt's computer the day of the pool and saw him looking into soulmates. He hadn't said anything then, but he was praying that Matt's memory was returning since it's been almost a year since his last visit to Dr. Adler."Why haven't I felt this compulsion to say Kelly?" Matt asked, and Connor sat up abruptly and stared down at Matt. "I saw his mark," Matt shrugged, and Connor laid down slowly, not wanting to push Matt but eager to talk to Matt about this."You hit your-""Head, I know," Matt finished with an annoyed eye roll. "Now tell me the truth and not whatever lie you and Cassie concocted.""Matt," Connor said slowly. "We didn't purposely want to lie to you.""Figured," Matt shrugged, sighed, and turned to Connor on his side. "It's because of my parents, right?""Isn't it always?" Connor asked, and Matt snorted and nodded. "So, how do you feel about Kelly?" Matt shrugged, placed his head on Connor's chest, and curled around his friend. Connor wrapped his arms around Matt, knowing he needed the comfort."I don't know him that well, but from our conversations, I think we'll get along fine," Matt replied honestly. "He saw my mark didn't he, that's why he was staring at me all day?""Yeah," Connor admitted softly. "Heather and I told him not to say anything to you.""Because I 'hit my head?'" Matt asked, using quotation marks over 'hit my head.'"Yeah," Connor replied a bit sheepishly, and Matt sighed."You ever gonna tell me?" Matt asked, looking up at Connor, who shook his head."Last time I did, you passed out on me," Connor admitted. Matt's eyebrows shot up, and he sat up, looking at Connor in surprise. "It was a while back, probably because it was the first time after the incident, but Cassie didn't want to risk you breaking your head, so Heather and I backed off.""Fucking love my life," Matt muttered sarcastically and laid back down on Connor. "Stay.""Wasn't planning on leaving," Connor admitted. He was already changed and ready to go to bed before climbing into Matt's room. "Kelly would be pissed if he found out his soulmate was cozying up to someone else." Matt snorted but did lessen his hold on Connor."Don't forget about me when you and Kelly run off into the sunset and live happily ever after," Connor said. Matt snorted, laughed, and lightly punched Connor."Sleep," Matt said, chuckling. "And no promises."
----- CHAPTER BREAK -----
"What are you doing here?" Connor asked when he walked out of Matt's bathroom one morning to see Kelly looking slightly uncomfortable in the doorway. Kelly frowned at Connor and looked around the room to find no Matt. "He had to go into the office. Heath and I are supposed to go in later today, but he's with his father. Who let you in?""Robert," Kelly said, and Connor nodded, still eyeing Kelly suspiciously. "What are you doing here? It's nine in the morning.""Been sleeping over for the past week," Connor said with a shrug and walked into Matt's closet and pulled out some clothes to change into."Right," Kelly said, taking a few steps into Matt's room. "I wanted to talk to Matt.""And you thought showing up unannounced at his house was the best idea?" Connor asked with a raised eyebrow and poking his head out of the closet. "You're lucky his parents aren't home.""He's not answering his phone," Kelly said with a shrug, and Connor rolled his eyes and muttered something that sounded suspiciously like, 'stupid asshole.'"Didn't I tell you not to bring this up to Matt?" Connor asked, coming out fully dressed. However, for the past week, Matt has been asking him and Heather more about his childhood to fill the gaps in his memories and see if he can figure out when he stopped saying Kelly or talking about soulmates. Heather and Connor tried their best to answer vaguely, not wanting Matt to pass out on them again or, better yet, not wanting Matt to accidentally slip up in front of his parents and make the situation ten times worse. Matt, however, wasn't having it and kept hounding Heather, Connor, Robert and Cassie, but none risked anything but dropped certain hints here and there, trying to nudge Matt's memory in the right direction."And I still don't understand," Kelly huffed, annoyed. He had been spending the past week trying to reach out to Matt—all of which the blond ignored—and just wanted to talk to him. To the best, he was destined to be with them, but whenever he saw Heather, she just stared at Kelly until he dropped the subject."Look around," Connor said with a huff, and Kelly raised an eyebrow but did look at the overly large and expensive-looking bedroom. "Does anything in this room scream 'MATT' to you? Does anything in here tell you that someone with a life lives here? Does this room look like a bedroom for a teenage boy? Huh? Because from where I'm standing, the only place in this fanatic ass room that suggests someone lives here is the little corner of Matt's closet where he can hide photos of the people that matter most to him. In case you haven't noticed, that list isn't very long. In case you haven't noticed, Matt doesn't talk about his family much. In case you haven't noticed, Matt is a 16-year-old, almost seventeen-year-old running three companies. In case you haven't noticed, Matt has more responsibility than the average teenager. And you may look at me, Matt or Heather, and all you see is money, but this—" he waves around the room "—is the price we pay for it. All of our rooms are completely stripped of personality. Why? Because it's a constant reminder that our parents could take everything away, and we'll be left with nothing. Matt's parents are the worse of the lot and guess what, they would not hesitate to send Matt off to some boarding school, or locking him up in a cell, or turn him into some obeidant dog. You don't know half of the things I know about the Casey family, and let me tell you, it isn't pretty. It's better now because Matt knows how to play his parents' game, but it's still horrible. You trying to push Matt into something like a soulmate bond is the worst idea you could come up with. Trust me, his parents will find out, and once they do, I don't even want to think about what would happen to Matt." Connor said, seething and burning with rage by the end of it. Memories of what he witnessed or had to hear Matt whisper into the dark with the most broken voice he has ever heard come flooding back.Kelly steps back, seems to shrink in on himself, and looks around the room again. Although there are school books on a bookshelf and pencils on the table, other than that, the room looks like it came straight out of an Ikea magazine."I'm not saying to leave him alone. I want Matt to be happy, trust me he deserves that much but like I said before, let Matt come to you about it. There's something about him that you don't know, which could jeopardize everything, and currently, Matt is working on it. And he's not ignoring you on purpose," Connor said, and Kelly raised an eyebrow. "He changed phones; he does that often," Connor shrugs, and Kelly frowns, and Connor sighs and walks over to sit on Matt's couch. "He will come to you soon, he's close.""Close to what?" Kelly asked for the first time since Connor's rant."He hasn't seen your messages or got them. Here," Connor said and handed him what looked like a business card, and Kelly took it. It was the same business card that Matt had handed him the night of the party, and he looked back up to Connor. "There's an extension number that would connect you directly to Matt. On his call logs, it would just say business call. Your number won't show up.""You know, that sounds like I'm going to do something illegal," Kelly commented, but he reread the extension number in his mind and committed it to memory."He won't be able to call you back all the time, and you can't text," Connor continued, ignoring Kelly's comment."Why didn't he give me this himself?" Kelly asked, putting the card in his leather jacket."Heather was supposed to tonight when she comes to see Andy," Connor said with a shrug. "He step it up, it took a while since he's been under his father's watchful eye.""You know you're making it sound like Matt's the son of some King, and he's the misbehaving prince that the King is trying to subdue," Kelly comments, and Connor rolls his eyes."Trust me, if his father wins the election, that won't be far off," Connor said and got up and opened the balcony doors. "Follow me. You shouldn't risk anyone seeing you in the Casey house.""Wha-" Kelly started, but Connor glared at him, and he resigned and followed Connor. They crossed what seemed to be a treehouse with a bridge connecting Connor and Matt's bedrooms. Connor led him out of the house, but not before Kelly noticed that Connor's bedroom was very similar to Matt's—as there was barely anything personal in the room.Kelly walked home and ultimately resigned but wondered if he had called the extension and if Matt would talk to him.He pulled out the card on the bus ride home, stared at the little four digits on the card, and debated whether he could call him. Part of him wants to leave Matt alone, and if Matt really wanted this or even kept him as a friend, he would make it happen. He still doesn't understand everything Connor is implying but is starting to get the sense that he won't like it when—if—he hears the truth.~~~Matt had spent the better half of his Saturday in and out of meetings with his father, staring at his phone and jumping to answer whenever it rings and frowns when it's not the voice he wanted to hear. Connor had texted him a simple thumbs up, which means he gave Kelly the card. His father had gotten him a new phone that he knows is tracking his movements, incoming calls, and texts. He wanted to throw the phone back at his father when he had received it but knew that would get him in trouble, and he did not want to go back.He has been reading up on soulmates more whenever he's at school and has access to the school's computer where his father can't track him, but even with that, he gets Heather to log in just to be safe.He has a sinking suspicion that Dr. Adler is the one that makes his memory go away; he has no idea, but from what little he can remember of the man, the doctor focuses on more advanced technology and surgeries. He wouldn't put it past his father to employ a man who could help alter his son's mind; he knows that is what Dr. Adler had done. He doesn't know what to do especially since he is set to see Dr. Adler, in two days and his parents have been making him take the medicine he needs to take daily a week before his appointment. Matt pretends to take them before and flushes them down the toilet when he can. It might be a horrible idea, but if those meds are keeping his memory blocked, then he won't take them."You're doing it again," Heather whispers and grabs hold of Matt's hand, and Matt jumps, not even realizing Heather has arrived."Doing what?" Matt asked and stared down at his hand."Your tapping thing," she said, and Matt sighed, knowing that that was a habit he needed to get out of, especially since his parents had slapped his hands until it turned bright red when they noticed it."Thanks," Matt mumbled and squeezed her hand. "I guess you heard.""I talked to Andy about it at length; he isn't the happiest about it, which is why you and I are going on a date," Heather said, and Matt nodded, already seeing if he could sneak off to find Kelly while Andy and Heather go on their date. "I think you and Andy would be great friends once he gets over his jealousy of you.""You talk about him enough; I don't think he should be worried about me taking you away from him but me taking him away from you," Matt jokes and Heather gasps in a mock offence and shoves Matt, causing the blond to laugh and relax."Do I even want to know?" Connor asked, walking up to the pair. Matt grinned over at Connor."Isn't Darden just the cutest?" Matt asked with fake doe eyes, and Heather huffed and rolled his eyes. Connor opens his mouth to continue the joke when he sees Gregory walking over to them. He quickly—and quietly—clears his throat and grins at Gregory, dragging the other two's attention to the approaching man."Sir," they all greet at once."Children, I expect you all to be at the gala tomorrow night," Gregory said, and Heather and Connor frowned."It's the one announcing the project to the public and getting the donations, also where he will be announcing running for mayor," Matt fills them. When he turns away from his father to tell his friends, his eyes are annoyed and panicky while he maintains a perfectly professional voice."We won't miss your big day, Mr. Casey," Heather replies cheerfully. She steps closer to Matt and slips her hand back into Matt's. To Gregory, it was to keep up the pretense of their relationship, but to Matt, it was her way to help Matt calm down and tell him she was there."Lovely," Gregory smiles. "Matthew, I want all the calculations and forms done by tonight.""Of course, sir," Matt mumbles; his father walks away, and Matt defeats him. He drags his friends to the office he uses when he's here and collapses on the couch, completely exhausted from dealing with his father. He is always tense, and keeping up the persona of Matthew Casey, Gregory, and Nancy Casey's perfect son is exhausting."If it helps, I finished everything for your mother's redesign. I can handle that side of the project, so you don't have to worry about it," Heather said quietly, and Matt smiled tiredly at her."I guess you two are going together to the gala?" Connor asked, coming to sit with Matt on the couch. Matt sighed and gave Heather an apologetic smile. She shrugs and settles on the other side of Matt. "Let's finish this report so Heaths can go on her date, and you can escape your father.""You escaping your father right now?" Heather asked, and Connor grinned over at her. She laughed.~~~Five hours go by, and the friends finish their report. They hand it to Gregory, who hands it off to another employer to check over their work before he signs his name and dismisses them.They finally leave, and Matt leaves his phone in his room and sneaks over to Heather's house while Connor has to go home to deal with his family."Hey," Andy whispered fondly when he walked over to Heather's car and opened her door for her. Heather blushed and smiled back. Matt climbed out of the car, glanced around, and then looked through the glass to see if Kelly was working tonight. "He's coming, just changing.""Thanks," Matt said, looking at Heather and then back to Andy. "Mind if we talk?""Sure," Andy said, and Matt signalled for them to walk in the tiny walkway behind the restaurant. For the first few minutes, it's silent while they walk."I'm gay," Matt said, and Andy stopped in his tracks and turned to look at Matt, confused. "You have nothing to worry about regarding Heather and me, trust me. Even if I were into girls, she's too much a sister to me that it would feel wrong. I don't like this lying and pretend relationship as much as you do, but I hope you understand why.""No, not really, to be honest," Andy said with a shrug and sighed. "Will this ever stop?""Yes," Matt said with a reassuring smile. "Look, the Caddells will come around one day, just not right now. We have to be careful. But the second Heather tells me that she wants to end it, I will.""Aren't you doing this for her?" Andy asked with a frown."It started that way, but now it shifted because of the campaign you'll find out about tomorrow. My father wants the perfect image, and having Heather as my girlfriend would help with that, but I'll figure something else out if you or Heather don't want to hide anymore, and I'll figure something else out. Just say the word, and we will 'break up,' and it'll be done. Her parents, despite certain old traditions, will come around, trust me. Plus, they love me, so I can give you pointers on how to win them over," Matt said with a grin, and Andy grinned back, feeling a weight come off his shoulder."What about the money?" Andy asked, scratching the back of his neck."They'll get over it," Matt said with a shrug, but when Andy didn't look too convinced, he sighed. "They are good people despite everything they are. They want their daughter to be happy, and once they see how happy you make her, they'll drop all their ideas for Heather marrying to expand the company. Trust me; once you do, her mom will dote on you, and her father will treat you like his own son.""You sure about that?" Andy asked hopefully, and Matt smiled and nodded. Andy did notice that there was a look of something in Matt's eyes: jealousy? Longing? he didn't know but suddenly felt terrible for his jealousy over Matt. "Thanks.""No worries," Matt said, clapping Andy on the back to show him that there were no hard feelings. They turned to head back to the car."Surprised you and Connor haven't given me the hurt her, I will hurt your speech," Andy said jokingly, and Matt laughed and shook his head."We have class; we will do that over a formal dinner," Matt quickly replied, and Andy's grin slipped off his face."Well shit," he muttered to himself, and Matt laughed again and bumped his shoulder with Andy's. "Don't worry. You're off to a good start.""That's good because Heather talks about you guys a lot, and there seems to be a lot of history and love between the three of you," Andy said, chuckling to himself. "Honestly, I wouldn't be surprised if Heather left me if I didn't get along with you guys.""She has," Matt answered honestly, and Andy's eyebrows shot up. "She had a jackass of an ex, Con and I never liked him from the start, we tried to give him the benefit of the doubt but he didn't reciprocate so two weeks later he was gone.""Damn, no pressure then," Andy chuckled nervously, and Matt laughed and threw an arm around Andy's shoulder."Like I said, you're off to a good start," Matt said, and Andy's grin returned. For the next few moments, they threw jokes back and forth quickly, and by the time they arrived back at the car, Kelly and Heather were already waiting.Matt climbed into the back seat, reaching to the driver's side to squeeze Heather's shoulder and smiling, telling her that the conversation went well. Andy slipped into the passenger and leaned over the console to kiss Heather briefly."Hi," Matt said shyly to Kelly, and Kelly nodded back. "Are you free tonight? I was wondering if we could talk.""Sure," Kelly said with a shrug, and Matt nodded, feeling his nerves resurface."Where to?" Heather asked."My place," Kelly replied, and she nodded.The car ride was awkward in the backseat, but the couple up front didn't seem to notice as they were joking and laughing between the two of them. Kelly kept glancing over at Matt while Matt kept his gaze glued to the scenery outside, not taking anything in as he ran through what he wanted to tell Kelly. He planned a speech that hopefully explains everything, and maybe Kelly would understand. It would hurt if Kelly didn't want anything to do with him afterwards, and he understands why, but he wishes that isn't the outcome because, from their small moments alone, he enjoyed Kelly's company.All he had to do was remember and get through his speech. No way he was forgetting anything.
----- CHAPTER BREAK -----
He forgot everything he wanted to say.The second Heather dropped him off. He walked up to Kelly's apartment silently as he practiced his speech. Now that they were both sitting on Kelly's couch, Kelly was waiting for Matt to talk. His brain blanked, and every word he wanted to say flew out of the window."So..." Kelly prompted when it was clear Matt wouldn't talk."Con told me you came to my house this morning," Matt blurted out, and he mentally facepalmed because that was not in his speech."Yeah," Kelly breathed heavily and fiddled with his necklace."That can't happen again," Matt said. Apparently, his brain-to-mouth filter is gone, and his mouth is just blurting things without his consent. "Shit," he muttered and groaned in his hands. "Not that you're not allowed to come over; it's just when my parents are in town, and it's riskier.""You don't want your parents to know me?" Kelly asked. He couldn't help the little hurt in his voice."Nope," Matt answered honestly and without hesitation. He finally peaked over at Kelly to see the hurt and disappointment. This was not how I wanted to say this." Matt jumped up, walked around the coffee table, and started to pace back and forth."My life isn't simple," Matt started. "My parents are monsters. I realize that now. I also know—and hate—that I still strive for their approval. I am their only child, and as you can guess, I'm set to take over all their businesses once I'm of age and have my degree. Gregory and Nancy Casey are controlling; growing up, they nitpicked everything I wore, did, and ate. They put me back on a meal plan and a workout plan. They spent hundreds of dollars for someone to teach me how to succeed in school and tutor me until I managed to uphold my grades. They want to mould me into this perfect little son that fits their image, and for years, I followed along because I didn't know any better. Any imperfection is taken away," Matt pauses in his pacing and turns to face Kelly. "Including that I have a soulmate," Kelly's eyebrows furrowed."How is that an imperfection?" Kelly asked, and Matt shrugged."They can't control that soulmate. They don't know where they came from, and more importantly, they believe that a soulmate won't bring any power or money into the family," Matt replied easily."That's bullshit," Kelly said, and Matt shrugged."I don't remember much of my childhood. Most of my memories are either blocked because of trauma or because the family doctor blocked them. Up until I was ten, my memory has been fuzzy. I remember Connor and Heather and things from school, but I no longer have chunks of time. Con, Heaths, Cassie and Robert don't talk about it or the memory I lost; I don't know why, but they keep saying they don't want to risk it. As to what, I don't know, but I can only assume that something had happened when I was young to warrant such protection."The point is, if my parents find out, I am trying to remember my soulmate and have met them. Well, I don't want to find out what would happen. Dad won't hesitate to kill someone just because he pissed them off. It's not safe for you," Matt said, mentally high-fiving himself for remembering."Morse code," Kelly said, and Matt frowned and realized Kelly had been staring at his left hand the entire time. Matt looked down, and only then did he notice that he was tapping something against his leg. Immediately, he crossed his arms over his chest. "I'm going to assume if everything soulmate-related is gone in your memory, then you don't have the urge to say Kelly." Matt shook his head. "How long has that tapping thing been happening?""All my life," Matt shrugged and moved to sit back down on the couch."It's Morse code, Matt," Matt looked at him confused. Your tapping thing, your brain may not make you say or spell out my name, but it completed the urge in another way. I noticed it when we went to the pizza parlour, and then it kept happening, and it wasn't until the pool day that I realized what it was. I wrote down the pattern and searched up Morse code, and you have been tapping out my name in Morse code the entire time."Matt looked down at his hand as if the truth would magically appear on his palm."Huh," he said and smiled, glad he didn't completely lose anything related to his soulmate. "I guess Dr. Alder couldn't change that.""I guess," Kelly whispered, not knowing where to go."But either way, you and I can't happen," Matt said, and Kelly's head snapped up, looking at Matt with shock and pain."Why the hell not?" Kelly asked, getting angry, and Matt sighed."Did you not hear what I just said? My fa-" Matt started."Yeah, your dad is a dick and someone who would kill someone if they breathed wrong, I get that. I don't understand why you are letting him dictate your life. You said it yourself: he's a monster. Why are you still there?" Kelly asked, not bothering to conceal his anger. Matt groaned, stood up, and started pacing again."It's not as simple as just walking away," he grumbled, and Kelly rolled his eyes."I know that, but that doesn't mean you must follow his every rule. Do you ever plan to leave?" Kelly asked, and Matt paused with his back to Kelly."Yes," he admitted quietly, and his shoulders slumped, but he shook his head. "I'm not letting him hurt you. I'm not letting you get caught in something that doesn't involve you-""Doesn't involve me? My soulmate lives in a toxic household with an abusive and controlling asshole of a father. I'm pretty sure that means I'm involved," Kelly spat. He wasn't angry at Matt; he was angry at the world for putting them in this position, especially at Gregory Casey."You can walk away. We barely know each other, our bond isn't even complete, we don't go to the same school, we don't live in the same area. Once your neighbourhood is rebuilt, you won't ever have to see me again. You can escape it. I can't," Matt said quietly, turning to face Kelly, and that's when Kelly noticed the glassy look in Matt's eyes. He sighed and got and walked closer to Matt."I'm not walking away, and I'm not leaving you there alone. This is my life as well. I want this. I'm willing to take the risk, and as sweet and noble as your decision to push me to keep me safe, I'm sorry. Still, I'm not letting you do that," Kelly whispered. Matt looked up at him with his big, watery blue eyes, and it physically pained Kelly to see the hurt and hope swimming in Matt's eyes. They were so close that they could feel each other's body heat, and Kelly wanted nothing but to wrap Matt up in his arms."And I can't live with myself knowing you're going to get hurt because of me," Matt admitted and closed his eyes, and a few teardrops slid down his face. He took in a deep breath and took a step back from Kelly. He turned and started heading for the door, but Kelly was quick enough to grab Matt's wrist, stopping the blond."You don't get to do that. You don't get to come into my life with your perfect blue eyes, blond hair, and righteous attitude, doing everything you can to fix something that wasn't even your fault. You don't get to come into my life, show me I have a soulmate, and then walk out. You don't get to do that," Kelly spat out angrily, and Matt wiggled his wrist free from Kelly's hold."I know your reputation; you'll find someone better," Matt said, not looking back at him, and Kelly growled in frustration."Do you even know what soulmate means? We are each other's other half. We are meant for each other. There's no one more perfect for me than you," Kelly said, walking around Matt's still form to face the blond, but Matt was staring down at his shoes."But that doesn't mean you can't be happy with someone else," Matt whispered, and despite not seeing his face, Kelly could hear the pain in every word. "I'm not even out of the closet yet, and I don't know how far I would have to go to escape my parents. I'm not doing that to you. I can't live with myself if you have to give up your entire life for me." With that, Matt walked around Kelly and left the apartment.Kelly was stunned for a few seconds before he turned and ran out of the apartment, but Matt wasn't in the hallway anymore. He groaned and banged his head on the wall. He reached into his pocket and pulled out the business card Connor had given him. He ran into the apartment to grab the home phone, dialled the number, and then punched in the extension code. He let it run until it went to voicemail."Why have Connor or Heather give me an easy way to contact you if you don't want to see me again? Get off your righteous high horse, and let me choose what happens in my life. I want to try this with you, but I'll outright say it if you don't want to because I'm from the wrong side of town or don't have as much money as you. Don't coward behind false empathy or whatever you were trying to do."Kelly hung up angrily and threw the phone across the room until it broke against the wall. He didn't even care at the moment. Too many emotions were swimming in him to care about breaking their only phone in the house.
----- CHAPTER BREAK -----
Matt listened to the voicemail over and over. Whenever he heard Kelly's pain and anger, he hated himself that bit more because he had caused it. He didn't have the heart to call him back.Initially, he planned to tell Kelly everything, and then, if he wanted to give them a shot, Matt would happily agree. He wanted to be selfish for once in his life; he wanted a glimpse at happiness, and he wanted a normal life. But that all changed when he stepped into the Severide's apartment. He glanced around and saw evidence of the outcome of his father's actions. He already knew that the apartment complex was in the bad part of Chicago. But the apartment itself was barely bigger than a studio apartment. There was a bed in the far corner and two doors. He knew one was a bedroom and the other was a bathroom. He remembered looking at the blueprint of Kelly's old house, and seeing his old house compared to where he lives now was eye-opening to Matt.It was then that his entire direction had changed.He can't be selfish.He can't have a glimpse of happiness.He can't have an everyday life.All because it would be at the cost of Kelly Severide.He knew. He knew that the second his father found out—and his father will find out—he would never see Kelly again. He doesn't even want to think about what Gregory might do to Kelly, and Matt doesn't want Kelly to have a target on his back for the rest of his life—and that is if his father doesn't kill him first. He can't be selfish if that means Kelly must pay the price.~~~Kelly had been snapping at people left and right. His boss ended up sticking Kelly in the back, so he didn't have to deal with people as he was driving people away. He couldn't help it. He was angry at Gregory Casey, angry that Matt wouldn't listen to him, and angry that Matt was even put in that position.He was so unpleasant to be around that Andy gave him a wide birth to let him cool down.~~~"I'm giving you two weeks off to heal," his trainer had said, and Matt frowned as he panted heavily. "Your doctor's appointment is today," he reminded Matt, and he groaned internally. He had forgotten entirely about his appointment, and now all his nerves were rushing back to him. He didn't take any of the medication that he was supposed to take a week before the visit, so he didn't know what to expect. From experience, he barely remembers much of the doctor's appointment; all he remembers is throwing up and screaming."Thanks," Matt mumbled. His trainer nodded and walked out of the gym in the house's basement."MATTHEW," his mother's voice ran down, and Matt sighed, knowing he didn't have time to panic or second-guess his decision."COMING," he yelled back and ran upstairs.~~~"Matthew, it's nice to see you again," Dr. Adler said with a creepy fake smile, and Matt had to hold back the shiver of uncomfortableness he felt running through his body."Dr. Adler," Gregory replied, shaking the doctor's hand. The three adults left the room, leaving Matt alone, but not for long, as a nurse came in and handed him a gown without looking at him.Matt knew he should've run the second they pulled up to an industrial-looking building, which looked like a cleared-out warehouse inside. He didn't get the chance, however, because his father dragged him into the building with a tight grip on his arm.Matt swallowed down his fear and changed into the gown. He thought there might be cameras in the cold room they were in because the nurse returned the second he had finished tying the gown. He was then led into another room, and the second the doors opened, he froze.In the center of the room was a metal table with a weird contraption at the front of it where the head was supposed to go. He noticed the restraint hanging off the sides of the table, and memories of his screaming came back to him.It hurt.It felt like they were trying to electrocute his brain out of his skull."On the table, Matthew," Dr. Adler's voice came from behind him, and Matt jumped and whirled around. Dr. Adler was giving him a weird look and pointed to the table. Matt looked back at the table and then back at Dr. Adler."Can you tell me what is going to happen first?" Matt asked, and he couldn't hide the shakiness in his voice. Dr. Adler's eyes narrowed, and then he scanned Matt's body from head to toe."Get a blood test," he said to the nurse, who hurried out of the room without a second's thought. How do you feel, Matthew?""Nervous," Matt replied honestly, shuffling his weight from foot to foot."It would seem," he hummed and moved about the room, leaving Matt hovering awkwardly at the front of it. "Sit," he pointed to a chair, and Matt sat down. Seconds later, the nurse was back and cleaning his arm. "How's your head?""Fine," Matt shrugged, not knowing why he was suddenly questioned about his head. Then again, this doctor's visit was supposed to be about his head injury from a decade ago, a head injury he doesn't even remember having or feeling any after effects."Good," he hummed again. The nurse handed Matt's blood sample over, and the two walked out without a word. Matt was left alone, and he did everything in his power not to look at the large metal table in the center of the room.He doesn't know how long he's been left alone, but suddenly, his father burst into the room with a look that could kill him. Without a word, he drags Matt out of the room with a grip that surely cuts off his circulation."Dad, what's going on?" Matt asked, trying to pull his arm out of his father's grip."Shut up," he barked and pulled harder on Matt's arm to get him to hurry his steps. Matt hisses under his breath and hurries his step to keep his arm intact.They walk out of the building, and Matt realizes that all his clothes and shoes are inside the building, and he is in the gown that barely covers him. He doesn't have time to think whether or not he can ask his father for shoes because his father opens the trunk of the car, and then he is suddenly thrown into it, and then the door closes. He is left in the dark and in a tight space, and Matt has to remind himself to take deep breaths before he has a panic attack.He jumps when he feels the car speed off.~~~"OUT OF THE HOUSE, NOW!" Gregory yells into the house, and everyone drops what they are doing and scurries out."Ow!" Matt yelps as he is dragged by his hair from the front door to the basement. He passes by their gym and goes through another door. He is never allowed in, and he starts to scream and try to get out of his father's grip. "Let me go," he says pointlessly and cries out as he feels a sting on his back that makes him freeze."Shut up," his mother hisses, and Matt squeezes his eyes shut, letting a few tears drop from his eyes.He knows what will happen and can't do anything to stop it.He wants to tell his parents to stop and let him be or get on his knees and beg them to stop. He would do anything, absolutely anything, as long as he didn't have to enter that room.But he doesn't do any of that. He walks, sniffling quietly, as he passes the barely working wall lights and follows his father."Strip," his father commands the second they stop in front of a secure metal door—similar to vault doors at banks.With shaky hands, Matt undoes the ties on the gown and lets it drop to the fall as he is left naked in front of his parents. His father types in a code and the vault doors open suddenly. Matt has to close his eyes as the onslaught of memories comes rushing back to him.His mother pushes him into the room, but Matt stumbles. His parents drag him to the bench in the center of the room, and Matt grabs the sob that escapes his mouth as he is guided to bend over at the waist on the bench. He is then strapped into the legs of the bench, keeping his arms and legs immovable. His legs and arms are spread wide, and his head is down. He hiccups, knowing what comes next."Throwing out your medication," his mother says, and he can hear the sound of a belt snapping and Matt tense up. "That was a stupid move, even for you.""I'm so-AH.""SILENCE," she said just as she slammed the belt hard across his thighs."You have delayed your visit," his father then said, and before Matt could react, another hit from another belt went over his ass, and he cried out.His parents were still talking, but he didn't hear a word from any of them. He couldn't hear anything over the sound of his sobs, cries, and screams and the sound of the belt slapping his skin. The stinging of each hit was almost deafening, and Matt was trembling all over as hit after hit from his legs to his shoulder came right after each other.Despite the pain, the second he was untied from the bench, he hurried as far away from the bench as possible, curled up in a ball on the thin mattress in the far corner and cried into his knees. He could hear the doors close shut and the sound of the lock going in place, and Matt let out loud wails and sob the second he was alone.~~~"Aren't you supposed to be out with Heather tonight?" Kelly asked as he leaned against a locker while Andy grabbed his books from it."I won't see her for a good two weeks," Andy said with a sigh, and Kelly frowned."Why?" He asked."Something about Matt having gone away on a business trip, which means we can't use him as a cover," Andy said, and Kelly frowned harder."Business trip?" Kelly asked, and Andy shrugged."God, if I know. She called last night and was extremely vague when I asked why Matt was on a business trip during school and for two weeks. She seemed pissed about something but did mention that since Matt is away, she and Connor are taking the lead on the project, which means they'll be busier, so she doesn't even have the time to sneak off," Andy explained and closed his locker door. "Something in her tone told me something was wrong, but I couldn't get anything out of her.""Hey," April said, wandering up to the two friends before Kelly could push for what Andy meant. "Both of you, this Friday night, dinner at my house. My mom demands your presence at the Sexton family dinner.""We will be there," Kelly said, knowing that if he refused—well, he can't—Mrs. Sexton would drag him by the ear to her house if she had to. There's no telling that women no.
Ring Ring
~~~
Day 2
Food is shoved on a tray through a little slit in the wall and lands on the ground with a clang. There are two slices of bread, one bottle of water, a container with plain pasta and two meatballs, and his food and water for the next two weeks.Matt has no heart to eat anything and remains curled on the corner mattress. His parents didn't break the skin this time, but he knew that there would be large bruises and angry red marks all over his body for a while.He's cold.He is freezing cold and tries to maintain as much body heat as possible.~~~The Severide and Darden families are asked to come to Casey's Construction building, where both families meet Heather and Connor in one of the meeting rooms. Andy tried to get Heather's attention, but the blonde kept a professional front and stuck to what the meeting was supposed to be. When their parents left for a quick break, Andy tried again to talk to Heather, but she only collapsed in his arms and seemed to be holding herself back from tears. Kelly and Andy were both confused, and Kelly looked over to Connor, who looked about two seconds away from pushing someone. They figured it had something to do with Matt, and Kelly wanted so badly to find out what was going on where the blond was.~~~
Day 3
Matt had nibbled on the bread: only half the bread and a couple of sips of the water.He had crawled over to bring the tray to his mattress and remained curled up in a ball. This time, he kept his back to the wall and his eyes on the door.~~~Andy couldn't get anything out of Heather after the meeting, just Heather sneaking over and crying and mumbling nonsense into Andy's chest and then having to leave in the early morning to not be caught by their parents.~~~
Day 4
Matt starts shivering and eats more of the bread, trying to get some energy to keep his body warm.~~~Kelly starts to feel anxious, and he tries to contact Connor, but Connor merely states that Matt is away on a business trip and hangs up on him.~~~
Day 5
Matt is starting to lose focus on the door. His face still faces the door, but his eyes are unseeing as his mind wanders to a place Matt actively avoids.~~~Kelly may or may not have pushed his team a little too hard during practice after school, but he's worried, and his anger has resurfaced.He isn't any better when he goes to the Sextons for dinner that night. He knows that April and Mrs. Sexton notice the shift in Kelly and Andy, but thankfully, neither say anything nor push for the boys to open up.~~~
Day 6
Mat had finished both slices of bread and half of the water bottle.He uncurled himself from the tight ball he wrapped himself up in, only to scream out in agony as every welt, bruise, and angry red mark made themselves known on Matt's skin and his muscles.He doesn't cry or have enough tears to let them drop.~~~It's become so bad that his mother had given Kelly a weird look."Are you okay, Kelly?" Jennifer asked, and Kelly hummed and forced himself to eat the cereal. Jennifer wanted to talk with her son, but it's been so long that they've been so distant that she doesn't even know how to start. Instead, they sit in silence as they eat their breakfast.~~~
Day 7
"Daddy? Mommy? Please, I promise I'll be good, I promise, I promise, I pro-"
Matt squeezes his eyes shut and smacks his hands down on his ears to stop hearing his younger self in this exact position."Stop it, stop it, stop it, stop it," he is mumbling, not even aware he is speaking and rocking back and forth."No, no, no, no, no," he starts saying as images fly through his brain, and he is helpless to stop them."STOP IT PLEASE. SHUT UP. NO, I DON'T WANT IT. STOP IT, STOP IT, STOP IT, STOP IT," Matt starts screaming.~~~Kelly gets increasingly worried when Connor and Heather stop by the diner to inform them that construction is beginning and to ensure they are okay with the blueprints before it's too late. He notices that both Connor and Heather have dark circles under their eyes, and Kelly starts to worry all the more, as he can see Matt's best friend's worry taking a physical toll on them.~~~
Day 8
"STOP IT, STOP IT, STOP IT," Matt screams as he starts smacking his head to stop the memories from flooding back into his mind.
"I'll do anything, please; I don't want to be alone. Mommy, please, I'll be good, please."
"MAKE IT STOP, PLEASE," Matt's legs started to kick out as not only were memories flooding into his brain, but the side effects of whatever Dr. Adler does to his brain every year, and have not done it this year.
"Do you think Kelly will be a nice girl?"
"What makes you think Kelly is a girl?"
"Because Kelly is a girl's name."
"It could be a boy's name as well. Would you be okay with having a boy for a soulmate?"
"I think I want Kelly to be a boy."
"NO, NO, NO, NO, YOU CAN'T HURT HIM! I WON'T LET YOU!"
"Dad, please. I won't ever say his name again, and I won't ever bring up soulmates. Just please, let me out."
~~~Kelly narrowed his eyes when he saw Gregory and Nancy Casey on TV in Chicago without Matt anywhere in sight.They were all smiles, doing his campaign and speeches and how much he cares for this city when Kelly knows it's all bullshit and he only cares for power.~~~
Day 9
"LET ME OUT! LET ME OUT! LET ME OUT!" Matt has moved in front of the door and is banging on it, not caring for how his muscles scream and protest with every move and how his fists are beginning to hurt. Logically, he knows that no sound escapes this room other than the cameras in every corner that capture and hear every minute of his misery."I'LL DO ANYTHING JUST LET ME OUT!"~~~He isn't sleeping.He used some money to buy himself a beer, and he's glad the cashier barely even checked his fake ID.~~~
Day 10
"Mommy! Daddy!"
"Stop, who said you can touch us?"
"I just want a hug."
"Hugs are for weak boys. Go upstairs and catch up on your homework."
"I'm weak, I'm sorry I'm weak. Please, I'll do better; just let me out."Matt has curled up in a ball in front of the door."IF YOU WANT ME DEAD, WHY NOT JUST END IT!?! HUH? KILL ME. WANT ME TO STARVE? HERE," he said. He grabbed whatever was left of his pasta and threw it across the room, letting the contents fly everywhere once the container hit the wall. "HERE'S THE WATER, TOO!" He opened the water bottle and let the waterfall fall to the ground.In a fit of rage, he knocks over the bench."Let me die slowly," he whispered.~~~Kelly scoffs at the picture released of Matt in a suit somewhere in Europe, looking all businesslike. Kelly would bet all his money that Matt isn't actually in Europe.He goes to a house party, gets lost in the loud music, and makes out with some random blonde.~~~
Day 11
Matt is still weakly banging on the door, but this time, his mind has stopped wandering to the past, but his eyes are still distant.~~~He sneaks into the girl's bedroom he hooked up with at the house party. Brittany? Beatrice? He doesn't know her name, not that it matters, this is a booty call anyways.~~~
Day 12
Matt resigned in his attempts and returned to lay on the mattress, curled up in a ball again.~~~"Matt should be back soon," Andy said, running up to Kelly in the hall."Come again?" Kelly asked, freezing in the middle of the hall and ignoring the grumbles from the people behind him."Heather told me that he should be back soon, but she isn't entirely sure," Andy said, shoving Kelly to the side so they wouldn't block other people."How does she know?" Kelly asked, and Andy shrugged."Couldn't understand much from her crying, only gather that much," Andy said, looking pained. "I don't know what the fuck is happening, but Heather has been crying to me every night.""You don't think his father—" Kelly started. Andy shrugged and looked anywhere but at Kelly, and Kelly knew that meant his friend believed Gregory Casey did something. "Heather and Connor know about it?""It would seem so," Andy said, and the school bell rang. "Come on, we have one more class, and you have practice for the game this weekend."~~~
Day 13
Matt hasn't moved a millimetre from his spot.~~~Kelly contacted Connor again to ask if he would let him know once Matt returned. Even if he doesn't see him, he needs to know Matt is at least back.~~~
Day 14
Matt wraps the restraint around his neck and closes his eyes as he starts to tighten it.~~~"He's back," Connor said, then hung up the phone and did not give Kelly anything more to go.
----- CHAPTER BREAK -----
"He nearly died, and you're telling me Gregory isn't doing anything? Not even a doctor to at least look over the marks on his back, ass and legs?" Connor asked angrily as he, Heather and Robert stood beside a passed-out Matt in his room."No," Robert said with a sigh and rubbed his forehead."Con, your mother used to be a nurse, right? Before she married your father," Heather said, and Connor swallowed and nodded."She finished her degree and worked for about a year before they married," Connor said."Think you can sneak her over here to check on Matt? It's not like she isn't aware of the monster the Caseys are," Heather had to clench her hands to keep her anger in check."My dad is at work today, and my mom is home right now, but won't Gregory notice once he comes into the room to find Matt with, I don't know, an IV?" Connor asked, and Robert scoffed and shook his head."He never enters Matt's room or comes near here," Robert said."Is Cassie downstairs? Maybe she can wipe up a soup or something," Heather asked, and Robert shook his head."Nancy fired her when Cassie asked for time off when it came closer to her due date. I wanted to slap that bitch right then and there, especially since I learned what happened to Matt only hours ago, but Cassie made me stay here to keep an eye on Matt. I can, however, ask her to make something, and I will go home to pick it up. It'll be easy to get Cassie here through Connor's room. Anyone at your house?""Only my mom," Connor said, walking towards his room.~~~"Oh my god," Cassie said, coming over to the bed where Matt is now awake with an IV in his arms for the fluids he lost. "How are you feeling?" Matt shrugs, not looking up from where he is staring at his hands."Matt, can you eat something?" Elizabeth asked softly. Matt shrugged again. Cassie put her bag down, and Heather placed the bed table over Matt's lap."Why don't we all eat? I think we all had a long day," Cassie suggested. She gave everyone a food container and handed Matt his soup, knowing he doesn't eat much in this state."Do you want to watch a movie? The new Avenger one came out?" Connor asked, already reaching for the remote."Yeah, come on, let's watch Chris Evans and all his Captain America glory," Heather said and placed a hand on Matt's shoulder, only for the blond to tense up. Heather immediately pulled back her hand and mumbled an apology.~~~Kelly was running off the field after their game, a bit surprised to see his mother in the stands beside Andy and a poorly concealed Heather attached under Andy's arm. When they won, Jennifer came down to meet him on the field and congratulated him with an awkward hug. Thank God Andy was there to lift the mood."Hey," Heather called from behind him, and Kelly paused and turned. She ran up and handed him a folded piece of paper. "From Matt." Kelly's eyebrows shot up. He hadn't received any updates from Connor or Heather about Matt, and the blond never reached out."How is he?" Kelly asked, and Heather paused and looked down at her shoes. She looked up at him, opened her mouth to say something, and then shut it and frowned as if her words weren't aligning the way she wanted them to. "Can you at least tell me why you and Connor looked like a wreck and why people kept saying he was on a business trip when I'm willing to bet he was still in Chicago? You scared the shit out of me and still are.""Healing," Heather said after another long pause. Kelly gave her an unimpressed look, sighed, and rubbed her hands down her face. "We don't know, okay? His parents have done it before but never for two weeks, and I've never seen it as bad as it was this time. But Matt is stubborn as hell, bouncing back or at least pretending to be." She turned to walk away before Kelly could try to get anything else out of her but paused and turned back. "Read the note, and I think Matt might be coming around. He cares, maybe a bit too much for someone he just met, but he cares. Don't lose hope in him just yet," she ran back to Andy and Jennifer.Kelly was left stunned on the side of the field, and he looked around before opening the note.
Kelly,
I'm really sorry about the way we left things and especially for causing you so much pain. My fath--Gregory, changed my phone again, so my number changed—again—but I will leave my personal number below. My da--Gregory doesn't know about this phone, but Connor helped me acquire it. I will keep it hidden so he won't find out. Either way, I'm sorry, and I can't say that I'm ready to put you at risk, but I don't know. I don't know why I'm writing this, but it feels wrong not to have a way to contact you or anything like that.
Heaths told me you had a game tonight, so good luck. I'm pretty sure you'll win, and if you do, congratulations! If you don't, I don't think that's possible.
~ Matt C.
Kelly chuckled at the note. It seemed Matt just wrote down his rambling thoughts and didn't bother rewriting them, which he liked. He also noticed that Matt had surprisingly good handwriting, almost like caligraphy or fancy cursive. He crossed out father and dad and wrote Gregory above it, as if it were an afterthought, and Kelly wondered what Gregory had done to Matt for the past two weeks.Kelly's mom got called into the hospital halfway through their celebratory—and awkward—dinner, so Kelly met Andy to go to one of his teammates' house parties.~~~Kelly was sitting in a holding cell, looking up at the ceiling as he waited for someone to pick him up. He didn't know who would but knew his mother had to sign all the papers for him to leave. His mother got called in, which meant the hospital was busy and needed extra hands, so he doubted she would check her phone. Andy didn't get busted as he left the party to meet up with Heather, and he is also underage, so he can't bail him out.He sat there for a while, and his eyelids were slipping shut when a police officer banged on the cell, loudly jerking everyone in there awake."Severide," he said, and Kelly sighed and got up. If he was getting out, that meant they had contacted his mother, and he wasn't ready for confrontation with her right now, especially in the middle of the night.He followed the officer out of the station and was handed a ziplock bag where his wallet and keys sat. He took them out and looked around for his mother, but instead, he froze when he saw a head of blond. Matt was sitting on a bench against the wall with his head facing the ceiling, looking half asleep. Kelly smiled in relief, seeing Matt in one piece and in the flesh, but wondered if Matt was here for him or someone else. Taking a chance, he walked over and sat beside Matt, effectively waking the blond, and Matt's tired blue eyes looked over at him. Matt smiled softly."You got into a fight at a house party," Matt stated. Kelly's eyebrows shot up, and Matt shrugged. "I got your mother's signature on the forms and paid bail. It was really awkward trying to explain to her who I was—when she found out my last name, she wasn't too happy—and why I was bailing you out. She also told me to bring you to the hospital immediately so she can check you over and then drive you home before you get yourself into more trouble." Kelly scoffs and rolls his eyes. His mother must be perplexed right now."Why are you here?" Kelly asked, and Matt shrugged. "Better question, how did you know I was here?""I heard about the house party getting busted. I was at the office going over files and shit when Robert informed me of the arrest and that you were a part of it. As for how he knew, I don't know, but I'm glad he did," Matt said. "Let's go; I'm tired; it's the middle of the night, and I don't feel like sitting at the police station all night," he stood up, and Kelly chuckled as he stood up.They got into the car silently, and Matt turned on all the lights, reached back and pulled out a first aid kit. He rummaged through it, pulled out a wet cloth, and scanned over Kelly's injuries."You didn't see anyone for those?" Matt asked, gesturing to Kelly's knuckles and face."Refused," Kelly said with a shrug. Matt sighed, grabbed one of Kelly's hands, and started cleaning the bloody knuckles. Thanks for picking me up.""I owe it to you," Matt said with a shrug and pulled the cloth away when Kelly whinced. "I think you may have fractured some of these.""That's what the medics said," Kelly said, earning himself a 'are-you-dumb' look from Matt. Kelly chuckled and shrugged. "I was pissed off, drunk, and tired.""Still pissed off now?" Matt carefully asked and moved to clean the other hand, noticing his left hand wasn't as severely harmed as his right."More tired," Kelly said, and Matt nodded and looked up to scan at his face again. Matt moved to lean in closer and cupped Kelly's right cheek to clean the blood on his left eyebrow."Will you be pissed if I brought you to the hospital?" Matt whispered, and due to their proximity, Kelly felt his breath on his lips and nose."Will you drop me home if I asked?" Kelly asked, trying to focus on their conversation and not on Matt's lips, Matt's proximity, or the fact that he was touching him."Nope," Matt said with finality and moved to clean the blood from Kelly's nose and lip. I probably shouldn't be cleaning you before you see a doctor, but I couldn't help myself," he said more to himself as he lightly brushed at the cut on Kelly's lip. He dropped the hand with the cloth from Kelly's face but still had a hand on his cheek as he stared at Kelly, not moving away."Your mom told me to have someone page her," Matt whispered, and Kelly hummed. "I should-yeah-um," Matt said with a slight chuckle, pulling away and busying himself by throwing away the supplies.Kelly cleared his throat and shook his head to clear what had just happened from his mind.The drive to the hospital was quiet but calming. Matt had a hand resting on the consort the entire time. Halfway through the drive, Kelly took it in his hand and rested it on his lap without looking at Matt. Matt looked over when his hand was taken, smiled, and let it rest on Kelly's thigh as they drove through Chicago night's streets.Once again, Kelly was surprised when Matt pulled into the parking lot, paid for a spot, and parked. He expected Matt to drop him off, but apparently, he planned to stay."You don't have to stay, you know," Kelly reluctantly said when they climbed out of the car."Too bad," Matt said, and Kelly rolled his eyes. They navigated their way through the underground parking."Thanks for the note, by the way," Kelly said, bumping his shoulder lightly with Matt. Matt smiled softly. "You didn't need to do that.""It was mostly just ramblings," Matt muttered."It was cute," Kelly said with a shrug, and Matt blushed, looking down at his shoes.They got into the elevator, Kelly leading them to the ward he thinks his mother is on. In the elevator, they were standing shoulder to shoulder, and while Kelly was leaning against the wall, Matt seemed not to put any weight on his back. He shrugged it off, thinking it was nothing.Matt hesitantly rested his head on Kelly's shoulder, and Kelly immediately wrapped his arm around Matt's shoulder, missing the tightening of Matt's jaw or the hiss of pain he held back. It was only for a few seconds before the pain subsided. Elizabeth Rhodes had come through the treehouse to get to Matt's room every morning and night to ensure his back and thighs were healing correctly. It would've been weird having to strip in front of her since there were large marks on his ass, but Elizabeth is like a secondary mother to him, and she was very gentle with him.Matt stepped back from the embrace when they were nearing their floor, and Kelly was about to protest when the elevator doors dinged open. The two walked out, only to be met by a very worried and disappointed Jennifer Sheridan, Kelly's mom."Hi, Mom," Kelly said tentatively as the two walked closer to her, and Jennifer pulled Kelly in for a hug."My stupid child," she said with a sigh. "Why would you get yourself into a fight?""Some people don't know that no means no," Kelly shrugged, and Jennifer was torn between being proud of Kelly and wanting to slap him upside the head for getting himself arrested."Next time, find a less physical way to deal with it," she said with a small smile to let Kelly know she wasn't too mad. "Go, room 5." Kelly nodded and walked towards room five, Matt trailing behind him like a lost puppy."Want me in the ro-" Matt started to ask, only to be yanked into the room by Kelly. He stumbled in, nearly tackling Kelly to the ground. "Could've just said yes," he muttered but held a smile on his face."That was more fun," Kelly said with a shrug and settled on the hospital bed. "What time is it, by the way?""Two," Matt replied, sitting on the chair beside the bed.The doctor came in, and they did an x-ray on Kelly's hand. His right hand had a hairline fracture. They put his right hand in a cast, gave Kelly some ointment for all the cuts on his face and his left hand so they wouldn't get infected, and discharged him. Jennifer returned when they were done to give Kelly a lecture, and Matt walked out, giving them privacy.He was exhausted.He sat on the chair outside the rooms and ran a hand down his face, letting the exhaustion take over. He was emotionally and physically tired, and he didn't even want to begin to analyze what had happened to him. He was getting close to a breaking point with them, and he didn't know what to do, and that was just another load added to his shoulders.Matt jumped when a hand touched his shoulder. Since he was caught off guard, he couldn't hold back the hiss of pain. Kelly looked alarmed and immediately withdrew his hand."Ready?" Matt asked and ignored Kelly's worried look. "Let's go," Matt said. He returned to the elevators and planned to walk down to the garage, hearing Kelly walking behind him.Once the elevator door closed, Kelly turned to Matt, spun Matt to face him, and studied his face."Are you okay?" Kelly asked, and Matt nodded. "Are we ever going to talk about what happened? Heather and Connor were worried sick, which in turn made me worry.""Not tonight," Matt mumbled and rubbed his eyes."How about we skip school? I have the excuse of being injured, and you, well, you look like you can sleep for an entire week," Kelly said. Matt hummed before his brain caught up, and he frowned."I can't skip school," Matt said, and Kelly raised his eyebrows, waiting for Matt to explain. Matt's frown deepened as he remembered why he was not allowed to skip school. "I've never skipped before. Mom said school is too important and that I should always be there. Last time was when I had to go on a business trip.""Well, you will be no good if you go to school like this. Matt, you seriously look like you haven't slept in ages," Kelly said, his face and voice worried."I'll be fine. An hour or two of sleep, and I'll be fine," Matt said and shook his head to shake the tiredness out. When that didn't work, he dropped his head onto Kelly's shoulder. Kelly sighed and wrapped his arms tentatively around Matt, holding him closer."Fine, what time do you have to be at school?" Kelly asked, and Matt groaned into his chest."Seven, have a student council meeting," Matt muttered, and Kelly sighed."Fine, but you are not getting up until six at the earliest," Kelly said, but Matt shook his head still, his head buried in Kelly's chest."I have to work out before school, so I have to be up at four thirty on a school day," Matt said, making Kelly roll his eyes."Stubborn little shit," he muttered."I'm not stubborn," Matt said weakly and poked Kelly's side, making the brunette jump slightly, not wanting to be tickled."I'm being serious, Matt. If you really can't miss a workout day, then at least do it later. Let yourself have a few more hours of sleep," Kelly said with some finality to his tone but kept it soft and caring."Trainer will drag me out of my bed if I'm not in the gym by five," Matt muttered and sighed before stepping back and out of Kelly's embrace.Matt drove Kelly back home with the music on and Kelly talking to him to keep him awake. Kelly was worried Matt was too tired to drive back to the other side of the city and was debating whether or not he should drag Matt with him.That decision was made when Matt pulled into his street, looking worse than he had in the hospital."Come on," Kelly said, and Matt frowned at him. I'm exhausted, you're exhausted. It's like three in the morning, and there's no way I'm letting you drive in the state you are in.""I have school, Kelly, and gym in the morning," Matt said with a sigh."Cancel," Kelly said, and Matt shook his head."Can't cancel; I don't make my schedule," Matt said, and Kelly grounded his teeth, trying to contain his anger."Matt, can't you just re-""NO," Matt said firmly, sounding more awake, and Kelly sighed. "Look, this isn't me trying to be a good little obedient child; this is me trying not to get thrown into that fucking room again." Kelly looked over with a frown and saw the fear and anger swimming in Matt's eyes. "I'll call you when I'm home. Still the same number as the one I have on file?" Kelly nodded, and Matt smiled softly. Kelly looked at him one more time before sighing and going to climb out of the car, but Matt stopped him with a hand on his wrist. The blond tugged until Kelly returned to the seat and shut the car door. Matt looked shy and hesitant, and Kelly raised his eyebrows only for the blond's face to get increasingly close to his. Kelly froze, not wanting to do anything that would scare Matt off. Matt's lips came in contact with his cheek and stayed there for only a second before pulling back and whispering, "Good night, Kels.""Night, Matty," Kelly whispered back. Matt smiled, settled back down in his seat, and let go of Kelly's wrist. Kelly smiled at the blond before climbing out of the car.Matt waited until Kelly entered the building before driving off.~~~Kelly jumped when the phone rang and quickly picked it up."Safe and sound," Matt's voice came through the other end, and Kelly let go of a breath he didn't know he was holding in on."Glad to hear it," Kelly said.
----- CHAPTER BREAK -----
"Thanks for meeting me," Ellie said. Matt smiled a tired smile and moved to sit in the chair beside her. The student council meeting had just finished, and Matt had agreed to stay and talk to Ellie."What's up? Are your parents still mad about us?" Matt asked. Ellie grimaced, and Matt chuckled softly and shook his head."They'll get over it; I wanted to ask you if I should come out to my parents," Ellie said, shifting in her seat but looking at Matt with scared but hopeful eyes."Come again?" Matt asked, and Ellie shrugged."Lily and I are—""Lily? As in the one from the soccer team, Lily?" Matt asked, and Ellie smiled fondly and nodded."Lily and I want to come out, and you know she's already out to all her friends and family, and she wants us to stop hiding. I want that too, but you know my parents better than she does, and I don't know how you think they'll react. Lil says they'll be mad, and then it would wash over soon enough, but I don't know if that's true. I can't tell if I'm projecting my fears," Ellie explained, and Matt suddenly felt uncomfortable. Ellie's parents remind him of the Caddell, which is good because, at the end of the day, they love their daughter and want the best, but they also care about appearances. They might accept Ellie inside the house, but he isn't sure they'll be okay with Ellie and Lily acting like a couple in public."Hiding in what sense? Like PDA and shit or?" Matt asked, and Ellie blushed crimson red. From their time together as a couple, Ellie always got shy whenever something came close to PDA."Well, we won't be making out in the halls or anything, but what we did, walking to classes together, holding hands, I guess innocent PDA," Ellie said with a shrug. "Innocent in public..." she trailed off, and Matt's eyebrows shot up and grinned."Jesus," Matt laughed, and Ellie rolled her eyes and shoved Matt's shoulder."Come on, I need your help," she said, and Matt huffed and tilted his head to the side in thought."At the end of the day, they love you, despite their need for public appearance, they still want the best for you, and I've seen it before. I think it would be a shock, but as Lily said, they will take time to get used to it, and it would be...fine," Matt said and hesitated on the last word, and Ellie's face dropped. "Look, I just mean because they care about the public's opinion, behind closed doors, they most likely will be okay with it, but you might get some backhanded comments whenever you and Lily go out in public.""Figure that as well," Ellie muttered, slumping in her seat. "That's the best-case scenario, isn't it?""Who knows, they might be super chill," Matt shrugged. Ellie gave him a doubtful look, and Matt sighed. "For what it's worth, I think you should, if you are ready, of course. Plus, anyone who gives you hell in this school, I'll stand by you. Plus, Connor is out—I'm not, but that's for another reason—but that doesn't mean I won't stand beside you.""Thanks, Matt," she said and pulled him in for a hug. "Oh, by the way, how was the business trip?""Great, went as planned," Matt lied easily, and she smiled.~~~"Why are there rumours you're cheating on me?" Heather asked, sliding into her spot in math class beside Matt and Connor, who were sitting in the place in front of them."What?" Matt asked, looking up from some files his father made him read through."This," Heather said, pulling up a photo on her phone of Ellie and Matt hugging earlier today. Matt rolled his eyes and looked around to make sure someone would see. He leaned in to peck Heather's lips and smiled at her quickly."Just the talk we've been meaning to have, post-breakup, it's nothing," Matt said loudly so other people could hear. Heather smiled and leaned her head on his shoulder for the show. Connor bit his lips not to laugh at the little display they were putting on."Oh, so it went well?" Heather asked."Yup, no hard feelings, will remain as friends," Matt said, and then the teacher walked in, and Heather sat up in her seat.Heaths: Think they bought it?Con: It looked like they didYou: I don't know, nor do I care. I should, however, tell Andy before he finds out and bites my head off.Heaths: 😆like he would do that after your talk with him. His whole demeanour around this fake dating thing has changed.You: Good to knowCon: Think Kelly would feel the same?You: Why are we bringing up Kelly?Heaths: Someone's blushingMatt kicked Heather under the table, and she grinned over at himYou: Unlike you people, I care about school, so I'm going to pay attention nowHe put his phone in his bag, saw Connor and Heather still texting, and sighed, mentally telling himself to ignore the messages later.~~~"You know, some outsider would think you're kidnapping us," Connor commented as Heather pushed him into Matt's back seat and shoved Matt into the driver seat lightly—very aware of the injuries Matt is pretending he doesn't have. Heather ignored his comment as she slapped Connor's door shut, and the boys shared a confused look in the rearview mirror as Heather rounded the car and got into the passenger seat."We're picking up Andy, aren't we?" Matt asked in a deadpan tone, and Heather grinned at him."Start the car," she tapped on the dashboard, and Matt rolled his eyes."You kn-""Nope, your parents are gone to New York, so that means two weeks without the monsters around," she grinned at him, and Matt huffed and rolled his eyes."And the first thing I'm doing is seeing Andy?" Matt asked, pulling out of their school parking lot."Let me guess, we're swinging by Kelly's place," Connor pipped up, leaning forward to pop his head between the front seats."And then what? Disney World?" Matt asked rhetorically, but Heather's eyes glittered with an idea, and he groaned and regretted the words that left his mouth. "Anyway," he cut in before Heather's idea could be further formulated. "You two still got that escape plan?""What?" Connor asked, getting serious, and Matt shrugged, trying to keep the atmosphere light. He'd been thinking about this for a while, especially after what happened."The escape plan," Matt reiterated. Connor and Heather looked at each other, and then Matt, who was extremely focused on the red light, looked at them."Yes, still needs some fining out," Connor said slowly, and Matt hummed."Do me a favour, and don't tell. I don't want my pa- Gregory and Nancy- to find out through me somehow," Matt said, mentally cursing himself for almost slipping up again. The name change didn't go a miss by Connor or Heather, but they chose not to bring it up, knowing to wait for Matt to bring it up first, especially if they wanted an actual answer and not his rehearsed lies."Are we ever going to talk about your neck?" Connor asked. Matt tensed up and may or may not have stepped on the gas pedal a bit too roughly when the light turned green."Nothing happened," Matt replied, sounding like it came through clenched teeth."We all know that's a lie, but that's fine. We will let it go for now," Heather said sternly, and Matt gave a single nod and relaxed slightly."Am I dropping you and Andy off anywhere?" Matt asked, clearing his throat of any emotions. Heather shook her head but said nothing else. The air in the car was tense. Connor and Heather were worried as hell about their best friend, especially since Matt bounced back the next day and pretended like everything was fine and he hadn't just tried to commit suicide a week ago. They also noticed Matt being jumpy, zoning out more often, and barely sleeping. They were worried sick and did not want to see their friend get hospitalized for driving himself into the ground, but they also knew Matt. Pushing him to talk about something he isn't ready for would only make him explode and pull back more. It's a tricky game, but they know the second they see even a tiny red flag, they are jumping on it and dragging Matt out to whatever they need to get Matt talking."When was the last time you painted?" Connor asked suddenly, and Matt frowned as he pulled up behind the school's forest area."Um... painted? It's been a while, drawing? The night of the gala a few weeks ago," Matt replied, a bit confused. He looked over to Heather, who was smiling at him. He groaned, put the car in park, and then slumped in his seat. "What?""I didn't say anything," she protested, and Matt rolled his eyes."Tell that to your face," he muttered, earning himself a punch to the shoulder before she got out of the car. Matt's phone vibrated in his pockets, and he pulled it out to see a text from his mother. He sighs and opens it up to find a single document with instructions on it. He reads through it only to roll his eyes again, pull up an empty document in his phone, and start typing."Am I fifth wheeling today?" Connor asked, and Matt scoffs and shakes his head. "What are you typing?""Book contact details for a manuscript I gave her a couple of days ago," Matt replied as he typed, and Connor leaned forward to read over his shoulder."How long are we wai-Oh, never mind," Matt said, staring unimpressed at the window of his passenger seat to find Heather's back leaned against it and an arm he knows belongs to Andy."I'm climbing," Connor said, swiping a leg into the passenger seat and crawling into Heather's spot."Hey," Andy said when he opened the car door about five minutes later, and Connor pointed to the back when Heather went to open the passenger door."Hey," Matt mumbled with a frown as he focused on typing the last few words in his sentence."To Kelly's," Heather said, settling into her seat."To Kelly's," Matt mumbled, putting his phone away and starting the car again."Oh, by the way, I'm checking up on the construction tomorrow, so you don't need to worry about that," Connor said, and Matt hummed, his mind still on the brief contract idea he was drafting.~~~Matt pulled up on the side of the building, immediately pulling out his phone to continue working, and Andy and Heather went to fetch Kelly and drop off his homework."What?" A sleepy Kelly answered the door, and Andy grinned and pushed through. "Sure, come on in. Hey Heather.""Hi," she waves and waits by the door while Andy guides Kelly to his bedroom."What are you doing here?" Kelly asked and then yawned."First, I need to drop off homework," he said, pulling out a stack of paper and placing it on Kelly's desk. "Second, because the five of us are hanging out.""Five?" Kelly asked, blinking when his shirt hit his face."You, me, Heather, Connor and Matt," Andy said, watching as Kelly's face lit up. Suddenly, he was awake. "Oh, your coach told me to tell you to 'stop getting into fights and injuring yourself.' He sounded annoyed and a bit pissed when he found me today.""Not my fault," Kelly shrugged and walked over to his closet to get changed. "What are we doing?""I don't know. Heather has a place; she, Connor, and Matt always attended it as kids. I don't think they've been back since, but it's just some relaxing thing," Andy shrugged and scanned the room before grabbing Kelly's leather jacket and throwing it at the man.Ten minutes later, Kelly was ready, and they left the apartment where Connor and Matt were still waiting in the car."You're stressing about nothing. It looks fine, and Robert is reading over it before Nancy or Gregory sees it, so it's good," Connor said once Kelly had opened the back door, and Matt huffed."Are you sure?" Matt asked with a pout, and Connor rolled his eyes."Heather!" Connor exclaimed."It's fine, Matt," Heather automatically said, not knowing what they were talking about but quickly backing Connor."You don't even know what it's about," Matt whined and turned in his seat to pout at Heather."Give me the phone," she sighed and took the phone from Connor."There can't be loopholes. This author has a reputation," Matt warned."If it's so important, then why is Nancy letting a seventeen-year-old write it up," Connor asked with a raised eyebrow."Sixteen," Matt corrected and shrugged. He turned more and grinned at Kelly. "Hey," he said softly, then frowned as he scanned Kelly's cuts."Hi back," Kelly said with a smirk."Bloody fifth wheel now," Connor muttered, causing Matt to roll his eyes and face back to the front."Where-" Matt started but saw Heather holding a basket. "Never mind."~~~They arrive in a little forest area on the city's outskirts, and Kelly and Andy look at each other a bit confused before shrugging and following the others through the tall grass.Soon, they are greeted with a lake and a large tree, giving them shade from the sunlight."Holy shit," Andy mutters and Kelly hums in agreement."Matt found it," Connor announced proudly, but Matt frowned."I did?" Matt asked. Suddenly, Connor swallowed nervously and darted his eyes everywhere but at Matt's confused face and Heather's outraged expression. Matt then turned to Heather, and when he saw her face, a realization dawned on him. "Around the 'head injury,' right?""Yup," Connor said sheepishly, rubbing the back of his neck. "I'm going to grab the towels from the trunk. It would've been better if you told us we were coming here so we could've brought swimwear.""Impulsive decision," Heather shrugs as Matt tosses Connor the keys.Heather drags Andy closer to the lake and leaves the basket beside the tree."This place is nice," Kelly comments, following Matt to the tree where the blond settles with his back against it."I know, we've been coming here for as long as I can remember and probably longer—memories a bit fuzzy—but it's one of my favourites," Matt said as he reached into his backpack and pulled out his sketching pad."You draw?" Kelly asked with raised eyebrows, and Matt blushed and nodded slightly before angling his body to keep Kelly from seeing his artwork as he opened to a new page. "Heeeeyyy," Kelly whined and pouted. Why won't you let me see?""Not yet," Matt said, having to focus on the page to avoid being lured into Kelly's pout."Fine," he huffs and slumps against the tree, trying to sneakily look over Matt's shoulder for a peek at his work. But Matt has pulled the book up to his chest, shielding it from Kelly's view. "Fine, I'll just go and third wheel the couple by the lake," he says in a dramatic, sad sigh, and Matt grins."Have fun," Matt said cheerfully, shoving Kelly's shoulder to get the other moving. Kelly glared at him, which earned him another grin, and the other man huffed, turned to the couple, and started walking toward them.~~~They roll up their pants to their ankles as they kick and play around in the lake. They would've tried to dunk one another, but they only had three towels—Matt keeps them there for an impromptu trip like this—so two of them would be shivering as the sun sets.With their laughter and playful shoving, the five of them looked like friends who had been together since their early years.When the sun sets, they dry their feet and sit around the picnic basket as they snack on the food Heather has brought.Heather has her head in Andy's lap—the blond gently running fingers through her hair—and her feet in Connor's lap. Matt has his back against the tree, knees up to his chest with his sketchbook in his hand as he listens to everyone talk while he sketches. Kelly is on the other side of Andy, constantly peaking over to Matt with a soft and sad smile. This may be the first time he's seen Matt draw—hell, he didn't know the blond liked drawing until today—but Matt has this relaxed, effortless look as he sketches away. Kelly has never seen that look on Matt, not even when he is around his friends, and it just reminds him of how much weight is put on Matt's shoulders at such a young age. Once again, he feels anger bubble up at the thought of Mr. and Mrs. Casey, and he hopes he doesn't run into either of them as he doesn't know if he can hold his tongue.Kelly is brought out of his thoughts when a grape hits his face. He blinks a bit, confused, before realizing Matt threw it if the smirk is anything to go by."Stop staring; it's creepy," Matt said but was still smiling."Just waiting for you to show us what you drew," Kelly said with a shrug, and Matt bites his bottom lip."He won't do it," Connor comments, tossing a few blueberries into his mouth. "He never shows us anything in that sketchbook.""No, that's the navy blue one; this one is obviously black," Heather comments, sitting up and squinting at the cover of Matt's sketchbook."Sorry, Con. Heaths is right," Matt said with fake sympathy. Connor rolled his eyes, and Heather cheered."So show us," Heather said, reaching out with grabby hands for the book, but Matt held it protectively over his chest and glared."No flipping," he warns, and she nods. Slowly, ever so slowly, he passes the book to his left where Kelly is, and Heather makes an offended noise at her best friend showing his work to Kelly first. Kelly is slightly amused by the silent interaction between the fake couple, but the art grabs his attention in front of him. His eyebrows shot up into his hairline, and his jaw dropped. He was looking at how Matt had captured the scene perfectly with just a pencil and paper."Holy shit," Andy whispers beside him, having leaned in to get a look. "Dude, this is amazing, what the fuck?""Thanks," Matt mumbles and blushes. There's more conversation around him, but Kelly tunes them out as he stares at the drawing.There on the page are the four of them sitting in their position right now with the sunset nearing the horizon of the water. Heather, with her head on Andy's lap, eyes closed, huge smile, hair fanned out and looking at peace, with Andy having one hand in her hair, looking down at her with fondness. Kelly didn't even know it was possible to capture emotions like this, but this is living proof that it's possible. Beside the couple, Connor is leaning back on his elbows, laughing up at the sky and half his body being captured by the sunlight and on the far left of the page is Kelly, grinning from ear to ear at a snarky comment he just threw out. It was only done with pencil, but Matt managed to capture every detail in their bodies and every shadow, including how the lake reflects the sun and the directions the grass and leaves are going from the slight wind around them.With just a pencil and a piece of paper, Matt managed to capture a moment that was fleeting in real time but immortalized it on paper."Kelly?" Matt asked softly, suddenly beside him, scaring the other boy into reality. "D-do you like it?" Matt asked nervously, and Kelly had to close his jaw and swallow a few times from the dryness due to the time it was left open. He nodded quickly."It's re- wow- like what the actual fuck? It's amazing, Matt, honestly," Kelly stammers out, still slightly stunned to speak. He didn't know what he was expecting, but this? This masterpiece was not it."Thanks," Matt blushed again but maintained eye contact and squirmed in his seat with a look of open awe and adoration swimming in the man's eyes."God, they're like eyefucking," Andy comments quietly, breaking the two out of whatever trance they were in, and both looked away with matching pink cheeks. "Ow!" Andy squeaks as Heather slaps him on the thigh, and Connor slaps him across the back of his head."They were having a moment," Heather huffed, and Andy rubbed both sore spots with remorse written all over his features."Matt, have you thought about posting your work?" Connor asked, going back to his seat. Matt gently grabbed the sketchbook back from Kelly's hands."Nope, nope, and nope," Matt said quickly as he put his sketchbook back in his school bag. "Come on, let's pack up and get out of here before it's too dark to navigate out of the grass maze." He changed the subject, and Connor sighed but let it drop.~~~Matt had somehow talked his way into walking Kelly up to his apartment to ensure Kelly followed the doctor's orders and cared for his cuts and bruises. That's how he found himself on Kelly's couch, face a few inches apart, as he concentrated on the cuts on Kelly's face that were definitely healing."You know I can do this myself," Kelly comments quietly. He does not want Matt to stop because of how close he is but also wants him to stop so the blond can focus on their proximity."I know," Matt whispered back, and Kelly could feel his warm breath on his face.Once satisfied, the blond sat back with a grin and cleaned up the mess he had made. He wandered back to Kelly, and Kelly raised his eyebrows when Matt sat back down instead of grabbing his phone and leaving."What's your schedule like tomorrow?" Matt asked conversationally, and Kelly frowned slightly."I have School and then soccer practice, but it's probably going to be me sitting on the sidelines since Coach wouldn't let me play this soon after an injury," Kelly said with a shrug. "Why?""What time does it end?" Matt asked, ignoring the question."Five," Kelly replied with narrowed eyes, trying to see where Matt's thinking was leading."Can I pick you up, and then we can return here? I just want us to sit down and talk," Matt suggested nervously, not looking at Kelly. Kelly smiled, his heart jumping with joy as Matt suggested they discuss whatever was happening between them. Sure, it could be bad like last time, but Kelly felt that that wasn't where Matt wanted the conversation to go."Don't be late, princess," Kelly replied, using an old nickname that made Matt roll his eyes, but a slight blush appeared."Night, Kels," Matt whispered and quickly leaned in to peck him on the cheek before jumping up with his phone in hand and walking out of the apartment before he could overthink and blush bet red. On the other hand, Kelly is frozen in his seat, and his small smile is slowly growing.
----- CHAPTER BREAK -----
Matt woke up early, got himself ready for another day at school, and rubbed in the cream that Elizabeth had given him before going over to Connor's so that she could put it on his back where he couldn't see or reach. It hurts. It hurts like hell, but the physical pain has become a dull ache, but the psychological damage is still there. He truthfully doesn't know which is worse—being beaten within an inch of his life or being left in a room by himself, naked, and going crazy. He shivers at the thought, wraps his sweater around himself tighter, and catches his reflection in the mirror. He pauses, pulls down the collar of his shirt, and lifts his chin to see the light pink line at the bottom of his neck. He's glad they didn't leave a noticeable mark, and he avoids it like the plague, but from the short conversation with Heather and Connor yesterday, he knows he can't. He can't put his friends through that, and he knows he has to talk about it; he doesn't know how. He doesn't even understand why he did it. He barely remembers anything physical from those two weeks, only that he was going crazy, and he has nightmares every night about different scenarios that he doesn't want to touch with a ten-foot pole.He has debated several times to talk to them about it. He knows that no matter how much he loves Heather, something like this, he feels more comfortable with Connor. Maybe it's because his body remembers when Connor was there for him since the beginning and having witnessed most of his trauma as well as heard and comforted him. Maybe it's because Heather has never shied away from showing her emotions on her face, which often meant she would get pissed the second Matt talked about it. He doesn't know the reason, but he knows it's easier to talk to Connor about this. He feels bad for thinking about that, especially since it's his fake girlfriend, and Heather has always been there to support him, but he doesn't even know how long it would take to get the words out of his mouth. He doesn't know if he and Connor would sit in his room for hours before Matt dares to speak. It has happened in the past; typically, Matt is drawing or painting, and Connor is reading or doing homework, both highly aware of the other's every movement.Matt shakes himself out of it, grabs his school bag, and goes downstairs to grab an apple.He hasn't walked into the kitchen since he found out Cassie was fired. He was furious when he found out, so much so that Robert had to keep him from running downstairs and yelling at his parents. He misses her presence, seeing her in the morning after his workouts and talking with her before school. But he sees her today after school before he goes to Kelly's. He has talked to her over the phone, and she and Elizabeth are constantly bombarding him about whether or not he is taking care of himself. Matt can't feel annoyed; he is just loved and basked in the attention of the two people he sees as a mother figure for as long as it lasts. He's not stupid; he's aware that it won't end pretty well now that he has finally admitted that he wants out of his father's grasp. But for once in his life, it's a risk he's willing to take, especially if that means he could be free to be who he is and not look over his shoulder every two seconds."Hiya," Matt greets, walking into Connor's room through the balcony. Connor doesn't move from his place on the bed, and Matt looks over to see it's only six thirty, which means Connor won't wake up for another fifteen minutes. Matt drops his school bag on Connor's desk and quietly walks out of Connor's bedroom, searching for Elizabeth. He loves it when it's just Connor and Elizabeth at home because the air in the Rhodes household lessens, and everyone is at ease."Did you eat?" Elizabeth's voice rings through Matt's brain, and he jumps, looking down the stairs to see the blonde woman stare at him sternly. Matt smiles sheepishly and holds up the apple he's taken one bite of. Elizabeth sighs, rolls her eyes, and motions Matt down, and the teen quickly follows her into the kitchen."Seeing Cassie today?" Elizabeth asked conversationally as she got started on breakfast. Matt hums as he takes another bite out of his apple. "What do you think the baby is?""Girl," Matt said, lighting up. Elizabeth smiles softly at him. "I don't know why, but I think it's a girl," he pouts, "but Cassie thinks it's a boy, so she's probably right.""You never know," Elizabeth pointed out, and Matt snorted."Like I can win against a mother's intuition," he chuckles, but Elizabeth can't argue. She tosses a spatula to Matt just as he finishes his apple, and he starts helping with breakfast.Around seven fifteen, Connor comes down, still half asleep, but grabs a plate of food while Matt fixes him a mug of coffee. Elizabeth stays for a few more minutes before kissing Connor and Matt on the head and turning to work."What?" Connor asked, mouth full of pancakes, as he glared at Matt, who had been shifting in his seat the second Elizabeth left the kitchen."I'm sorry," Matt blurts. Connor quickly swallows, drops his fork, and turns to his best friend to give him his full attention. Matt makes a weak gesture to his neck, and Connor has to use every ounce of strength not to show his reaction outwardly. On the inside, he is on the edge of his seat, ready to be whatever Matt needs as long as Matt opens up."Talk when you're ready," Connor forced the words out even if he wanted to shake Matt until the words fell out."Can't talk about something you don't understand," Matt shrugs and stares a hole into his coffee."Hasn't stopped you in the past," Connor jokes and Matt rolls his eyes and shoves at Connor's shoulders."I'm trying here, okay?" Matt sighed, leaned back in his seat, and ran his hands tiredly down his face."I know, and I'm proud of you for even acknowledging it. Just do me a favour," Connor suggests and Matt hums. "Go to someone, anyone. I know you can't see someone professionally because of Gregory and Nancy, but Heather, myself, and maybe even Kelly are here for you. You don't need to talk or do anything, but I don't want to find you in that state again, okay? Please," he pleads, and Matt sighs and nods and rests his head on Connor's shoulder."I promise," he said, holding up his pinky. Connor quickly linked their pinkies together and rested his head on Matt's head."So..." Connor starts softly, and Matt hums again but doesn't move. He has dropped their connected hands onto his lap. "What's going on with you and Kelly?" Matt groans and turns his face more into Connor's neck, causing the brunette to laugh, wrap an arm around Matt, and use his free hand to go back to eating."I'm going to explain as much of the situation to him as I can today, and I guess we will see from there," Matt mumbles."So does that mean we won't cuddle like this anymore?" Connor asked, and Matt rolled his eyes. "What? Kelly is most certainly the possessive, jealous type.""We're friends," Matt deadpans, and Connor shrugs."Friend who's kissed in the past," Connor points out, and Matt sighs heavily before pinching Connor's side, causing the other to let out a noise that's a mixture of a laugh and a squeak of indignation. Matt smirked and got up to put his plate away, and that's when he noticed Heather standing in the kitchen doorway with amusement, and he laughed. Knowing Heather heard his noise, Connor groans and resigns to let his friends tease him while he eats his food with a betrayed look.~~~"Giggles," Cassie said as she pulled Matt in for a tight hug but quickly loosened her grip once Matt hissed in pain. "Sorry," she said with some furry in her eyes that Matt knew was directed at his pa—Gregory and Nancy."How are you doing?" Matt asked, changing the subject. Cassie beamed while guiding Matt further into the house and towards the kitchen. "Wow, it smells like a bakery in here.""Robert and I have decided that I should start putting together a menu," Cassie said, and Matt paused once they entered the kitchen. Every surface was covered in some sort of bakery goods, and he wondered how they would eat everything."I thought you wanted to open a restaurant," he said, walking over to the table and leaning over to peer at the cupcakes."Actually, I want to open a bakery and a restaurant, but right now, I'm starting with a bakery. There's a location that's currently being built, and it won't be fully ready until a few months, but we put down a deposit and are waiting to hear back," she seemed happy and at ease, and Matt smiled. "Are you still going to Kelly's afterwards?""Yeah," Matt said with a bit of nerves behind his words."Well, let me put together a taste box. While you're there, give one to Heather's boy, Andy. Was it?" She started moving about the kitchen, putting two of everything in each container before Matt could say anything. "Now, what's going on?""What do you mean?" Matt asked with a frown as Cassie fixed him with a stern look and placed a mug of tea in front of him. Matt sighed and slumped down in one of the chairs. "I don't know what to do with Kelly," he admitted. Cassie placed the containers down and moved across from Matt at the table, giving him her full attention. "If I were a better person, I'd walk away. Leave Kelly alone until I am completely out of their grasp, but I don't want to be. I want to be selfish and take whatever time with Kelly I have, but it will end badly.""You're allowed to be selfish, Matt. Your entire life, you have been living for others, pleasing those poor excuses of parents just for them to treat you as nothing more than a business investment. Kelly makes you happy, you two have a chance to build something some people only dream about, take it. Robert is on your side. I know he has a small team within Mr. Casey's employment who are willing to go against him. Myself, Connor, Heather, we are all here for you, and we love you too much to let anything bad happen to you. We know who Gregory Casey is and how to play his game, and so do you. Be a teenager, make dumb mistakes, have a whirlwind romance, and live. Live for yourself for once, you deserve it," Cassie said walking over to wrap her arms around Matt's shoulders in a side hug. "Don't forget, this is Kelly's life as well. If he knows the risk of what will happen and how your relationship will work and wants to be a part of it, let him. I know you mean well and want to make sure he is safe, but you can't make a decision that affects his life without his input.""I'm scared," he admitted quietly, taking comfort from Cassie and leaning further into her embrace. "What if I screw up, and Gregory finds out, and he goes after Kelly? What if I mess up the whole being someone's boyfriend because of how fucked up I am? Kelly is out. I don't want to force him to hide for my sake.""First of all, watch your language," she chides and pulls back to look at Matt sternly. "There's a lot of what-ifs, risks, and uncertainty when you enter any relationship; this one might look slightly different. Yes it is a risk knowing who your parents are, yes you would have to hide for a bit, but its not forever. Connor, Heather, and Robert are working to get you out of your parent's grasp; have a little faith in them. And have a little faith in yourself. No one truly knows what they're doing in their first real relationship. I know I didn't. Hell, I didn't know what I was doing until Robbie. I still don't know, but I'm learning. Every relationship works differently. Find what works for you and Kelly. It might take some time, but it'll be worth it in the long run. Just remember, there are two of you in a relationship, which means you have an opinion on the relationship, and you must communicate and compromise. This isn't a dynamic like you and Connor, where, with one look, the two of you have agreed on a plan. Kelly is new, different, and out of your comfort zone, but that's good. Let it be good. Let the relationship flow as it should, and enjoy it.""Thanks," Matt mumbled with a smile, and Cassie smiled softly and stood up. She kissed Matt's temple and gave him a good squeeze before she went back to packing everything."I'm always here, you know that," she said, and Matt nodded. He took a sip from his mug when Cassie placed brand-new sketchbooks and pencils in front of him and raised a questioning eyebrow at her. "I was wondering if you'd like to do some sketches for us. The logo, the business cards, maybe some art on the walls." Matt beamed and happily nodded.They spent the next hour of Matt getting the dimensions of the bakery, some potential names she's working on and the aesthetics. It helped ease Matt's mind from the whirlwind of emotions running through his mind, and by the time he had to leave to pick up Kelly, he felt lighter and at ease. Well, it's not precisely lighter. He went with two large bags filled to the brim with pastries, and Cassie kept cutting him little pieces of everything for Matt to try.~~~"Right on time, princess," Kelly said the second he opened the passenger door. Matt smiled, and Kelly took a chance and leaned over to kiss Matt's cheek. He smirked at the blush on Matt's cheek and settled in the passenger seat."How's practice?" Matt asked, waiting until Kelly had his seatbelt on before he started the car."Pissed that I hurt myself while at a party," he snorted and shook his head. "But he did let me lead warm-ups and drills.""When are you allowed to play?" Matt asked, resting one hand on the consort."Probably not for another month, despite never using my hand," Kelly said with an eye roll and glared at his cast as if it personally offended him."By the way, I have food from Cassie—well, more like desserts—for you and your mother to taste test," Matt said once they had gotten closer to Kelly's apartment complex. "Also, construction has started, so later tonight, I would need to stop by with Connor and Heather.""That was fast," Kelly comments, and Matt shrugs."We want this done soon, and it's easier since it's an all-hands-on-deck type of thing. Plus, me doing this would keep my fa-Gregory from trying to pull me too much into his campaign," Matt said. He mentally cursed himself for not using his name."Right, mayor," Kelly mutters to himself, and Matt purses his lips into a thin line as he pulls into a parking spot.They walk up to Kelly's apartment in silence. Once in, they settle on the couch, with Matt pulling out the multiple containers filled with baked goods. Kelly's eyebrows shoot up when he notices the array of food on his coffee table, but he doesn't comment. He goes to grab plates and forks."I think this would be easier if you ask and I answer," Matt suggested as he cut up a brownie in half. "I don't know where to start.""You sure?" Kelly asked, and Matt nodded. He pauses to think about what he truly wants to ask Matt. "Okay, well, I already know about your parents being assholes and about the memory loss and shit. If I ask about the room, will you tell me?" Matt frowned and tilted his head in confusion. "The night you bailed me out, you mentioned something about not being thrown in that room again. What room?" Matt's jaw tensed, and he looked away. "Okay, um, what about, is this conversation going to towards potentially getting together? If it will end like it did last time, then I don't think I need a repeat." Matt relaxed when he noticed Kelly wouldn't pressure him further about the room."No, I want this," Matt whispered, and Kelly grinned and took a bite of his brownie only to moan."Shit, that's good," he said, and Matt chuckled and nodded. "I don't have many questions, to be honest. What would it look like? I know you are on thin ice with going against your parents, so... what would this relationship look like?""Secret," Matt said with a heavy sigh. He placed his plate on the coffee table and angled his body to face Kelly. "It can't get out, and I can't be seen with you anymore since the project is needed. Once the campaign starts, there would be more eyes and ears on me, and I mean Gregory would assign them to me. As a way to make sure I am doing as he asked.""Can I tell my mom?" Kelly asked, surprising himself and Matt."Tell anyone you trust won't tell a soul," Matt said, scooting closer to Kelly. "I don't want you to think I'm ashamed of this relationship or anything. I only ever told Heather and Connor that I'm gay, and Andy so he would stop glaring daggers in my head every time I'm near Heather," he rolled his eyes. "But I can't afford them knowing about you. Seriously, Kelly, I honestly can't handle anything happening to you and staying away from you would've been the safest option, but I want to be selfish, and I can't kick you out of my life. I want this to be as normal of a relationship as possible.""Hey, I get it," Kelly said, cupping Matt's cheek, forcing the blond to look at him. "I understand, now, the situation we're in, and I'm all in." Matt melts into Kelly's hand and smiles lazily."I will still need to pretend to be in a relationship with Heather, but like what I said to Andy, I'm gay, but even if I am interested in girls, Heather is too much of a sister to me for me to think of her that way," Matt admitted. Kelly sighed and placed his plate on the coffee table beside Matt's."I will admit that I'm quite possessive and jealous sometimes, which might bother me even though I know you two are friends. I think the thing that gets me would not be able to act that way with you in public rather than taking you have feelings for Heather," he explained, and Matt pursed his lips in thought."Heather and I have ground rules. We were always very touchy since we were kids, so we didn't change our behaviour much once we started "dating," but we don't kiss unless necessary. Heather tells Andy whenever we have to pretend to go on a date to appease her parents or mine. I could do the same, let you know whenever we have to go to the gala together or whatever and anything you aren't comfortable with, we can talk about it, and I'll have to talk with Heaths, but we can make adjustments as we go," Matt suggest, and Kelly smiles and nods."Do they track you?" Kelly asked with an uncomfortable frown, and Matt sighed."My phone, but I found the tracker and transferred it elsewhere. They tried placing one in my car once, but the second I found it, I broke it. They didn't punish me for it, which shocked me, but as far as I know, they don't have any more trackers on me. Robert will know if Gregory orders another tracker, so he will give me a heads-up," Matt admits, rolling his shoulder with the disgust he felt running through his body."What's the plan to get you out?" Kelly asked, and Matt shrugged."I don't know, nor do I want to," Matt said; without thinking about it, he started tapping his pattern against his thigh. Kelly notices and smirks but doesn't say anything. "Gregory or Nancy would get it out of me if they think I know, so it's safer if I don't, but Con, Heaths, Robert, and Cassie are the ones making the plan, so you'll have to ask them.""Do you want me to know?" Kelly asked, and Matt nodded."I'm not leaving without you, so unless you want it to be a surprise," Matt replied, and Kelly grinned from ear to ear."This has nothing to do with the situation, but how did you know you were gay?" Kelly asked suddenly, and Matt blinked, the question catching him off guard."Connor," Matt answered and moved to cut up a cupcake for Kelly to try, completely missing the way Kelly's face hardened. "We were just entering our teen years and wanted to know what it was like to kiss another boy. He found out he was bisexual—although I'm getting the feeling he might not be into girls—and I found out I was gay. Heather always used to joke that we would end up dating at some point or that she sometimes feels like a third wheel, but I don't see that happening. Even before I remembered anything about soulmates and the fact that I have one." Matt continued, unaware of Kelly's reaction—which was growing more possessive and jealous by the second."You two never had feelings for each other?" Kelly asked, keeping his tone even. Matt shook his head and finally turned to Kelly with half a cupcake on his plate. He frowned at the look on his face that he couldn't place. "You two are close," Kelly shrugged, and Matt rolled his eyes."Look, Connor understands me on another level. We have similar family situations, and we've seen enough of each other's aftermaths to have developed this safety net in each other. We've spent countless nights cuddling together, crying, or praying that the world would stop and let us be kids. We love Heather but her family situation isn't as bad as ours, her parents love her and sees her more then a business investment so in the past, she couldn't understand the things that went on in our house. We developed a close friendship, and I admit that we have that deal where if neither of us is married by the age of forty, we will marry each other. That is, if we don't get stuck in an arranged marriage, but there are no romantic feelings. I love him, he's my best friend, but that's it, nothing more to it," Matt said a bit defensive with his relationship with Connor. Gregory and Nancy had once commented on it and thrown in a few homophobic slurs here and there, but he was too young at the time to understand what they meant. He knew that if Connor hadn't come from the family that he did, his parents would've forbidden Matt from seeing Connor and completely cut him off from his first friend."I understand," Kelly said, swallowing the cupcake he was eating while Matt went all protective and defensive. He placed the empty plate on the coffee table again and pulled on Matt's arm with his uninjured arm until the blond got the message and got closer. Kelly kept pulling until Matt ended up in his lap, and he wrapped his arms around Matt's waist. "You two just have a stronger bond than a regular friendship, like a platonic soulmate type of thing," Matt snorts but nods. "I trust you.""Thank you," Matt whispers, wrapping his arms around Kelly's neck. "You still sure you want me and everything that comes with it?""Definitely," Kelly whispered, leaning closer and darting his eyes from Matt's blue eyes to his lips. "Matt?" Matt hummed. Can I kiss you?""Y-yes," he breathed out, and Kelly smiled as he leaned in slowly, giving the blond time to pull away if he wanted, but Matt leaned in as well, meeting him halfway. At first, once their lips touch, neither moves, but Matt relaxes, and his arms tighten around Kelly's neck and starts moving his lips against Kelly's lip. Kelly hums and moves his lips with Matt's, moving his hand into Matt's hair and holding him in place. One of Matt's hands moves to cup Kelly's cheek, smiling into the kiss, and ends up breaking the kiss with a giggle. Kelly pulls back enough to look at Matt's face, which now has both hands over his mouth, giggling into it. He raises a questioning eyebrow, and Matt drops his hands to reveal a large grin that reaches his eyes and makes his baby blue eyes sparkle."What's so funny?" Kelly asked, brushing some hair out of Matt's forehead, causing the blond to blush."I'm just happy," Matt said with a shrug. He moved closer to Kelly and then placed his head on Kelly's shoulder."Happy looks good on you," Kelly whispered, keeping his casted arm on Matt's waist while the other wrapped around his shoulders. "Go on a date with me." Matt pulls back, sitting up in Kelly's lap, looking at Kelly with surprise and hope."Can't really go outside and do that," Matt said, but he was smiling, and Kelly frowned."I can cook, and we can have an indoor date," Kelly suggested, and Matt nodded. "Good, this Saturday, okay?" Matt nodded again. Matt settled back down, nuzzling his face into Kelly's neck and just basking in the bubble of happiness he had created for himself.
----- CHAPTER BREAK -----
"Staring at the phone with not making it magically ring," Andy commented, not looking away from the movie, and Heather snickered beside him.Matt had left about an hour ago to check in on the construction, and initially, Connor and Heather were supposed to meet him there, but Connor got called home for a tense family dinner, and Gregory had kicked Heather off the site. Heather had shown up at Kelly's apartment with Andy, ranting about how misogynist Gregory Casey is. Matt raised his eyebrows and climbed off of Kelly to let Heather collapse on him once she finished her rant. Matt had ended up going to the construction site by himself, grinding his teeth whenever Gregory commented on wanting to televise everything, even though he returned to Chicago for the night before returning to New York once he believed Matt would follow his orders."Shut up," Kelly muttered, crossing his arms over his chest and glaring at the phone on the coffee table that was still full of desserts from Cassie. Half of it was in the fridge for his mother, but the three ate the other half.Andy snickers and allows Kelly to ignore the movie he picked out and stare at the phone, which has remained silent since Matt left four hours ago."He's probably just busy," Heather said and looked down to check the time on her phone. "It's only nine-thirty," she said, and Kelly sighed and slid deeper into the couch."He's so lovesick," Andy mocked and whispered to Heather, who chuckled and nodded."So what's the plan for the date anyway?" Heather asked, glancing at Kelly and then at the movie."That's for me to plan, him to find out, and probably him telling you later, so you'll find out later," Kelly said, and Heather huffed impatiently."I hope you know that you might be my boyfriend's best friend, but you are about to go out with my best friend, and I know people and places. I will make your body disappear if you ever hurt him," she threatened, glaring at him with so much honesty, fire and protectiveness in her blue eyes."I promise I won't," Kelly answered honestly. She narrowed her eyes, studying him for a few minutes before giving a short nod and turning to the TV. Kelly glanced over her head at Andy, who shrugged and turned back to the movie as well, while Kelly turned his attention back to the phone.Despite the movie, it was silent for another hour when the phone rang, and Kelly jumped to grab and answer it."Hello?" he asked, but the phone kept ringing. He turned to see Heather holding up her ringing phone with mirth swimming in her eyes."Hello?" She answered, making Kelly huff and put the phone back down on the coffee table, glaring at it. "Yeah, I can be there, when?... Sure... No, have you?... Oh?... Well fuck, Gregory Casey... Yeah sure... Do we need to tie him to the bed again?... He looked good in silk... *blushes* Fuck off... Yeah, yeah *eyeroll*... No... Do you want to come or not?... NOT LIKE THAT YOU BASTARD! *facepalm*... Meet me at the halfway point... Ice cream, duh... We'll get him something or drag him with us... But you just said he left... Matt isn't that big. I'll bring a suitcase, and we'll shove him in there and sneak him out... I can say that I had to deliver something and I only had a suitcase to put it in... No one would give me weird looks... Heyyyyyy!... Wow, I have the best friends, don't I? *deadpan*... Fuck off... Bye." She hung up and leaned over to peck Andy's lips before jumping up and grabbing her bag. "That was Connor, I need to go rescue his ass from boredom and tension.""Call me later?" Andy asked, grabbing her wrist before she could walk past him."Of course," she said with a smile and leaned down for another kiss.As she was leaving, she quickly texted Matt to call Kelly and said she and Connor were coming to pick him up. She threatened to shove him in luggage again if she had to and tie him down to the bed to keep him from working himself sick.~~~
Ring Ring
It took Kelly a few seconds to wake from his sleepy mind, and Andy kicked his leg to answer the phone to stop the ringing. When Kelly processed that the phone was ringing, he jumped up, grabbed it, and answered it, making himself lightheaded by the speed of his movements."Hey," Matt's voice came through the phone, and Kelly sighed in relief. He got up and walked to his room to avoid distributing Andy, who had fallen asleep on the loveseat."Hi," Kelly said, all tiredness forgotten."Sorry, I know it's late, but I figured you'd appreciate me calling like I promised," Matt said, sounding apologetic. Kelly could hear some shuffling of papers in the background."What time is it?" Kelly asked once he got into his room, turned on his light, and looked for his clock. Matt, it's three a.m.; please tell me you are about to sleep."Silence.Kelly groaned into the phone and fell on his back on the bed. He lifts his cast arm to his face, but he drops his arm a bit too fast due to his tiredness, and a heavy cast landing on your face hurts—a lot."I was on the construction site for a few hours, and then Heather and Connor came and got me to drag me back home. Heather showed up with luggage—which she nearly shoved me in there when I said I couldn't leave yet—but there was an issue at my mother's publishing company when we were on our way home. It took a while, and some food was shoved at me for them to let me go to work. Still, I'm here working through the issue," Matt said tiredly. Kelly suddenly had an image of Matt sitting in a grand office in a suit and rubbing his forehead with piles of paperwork surrounding him."And you can't go home and ignore it?" Kelly asked, and Matt sighed loudly, and then more paper shuffling could be heard."I honestly can't, my parents aren't coming back for another week and my mo—shit—Nancy doesn't like to have manuscripts faxed or emailed or whatever and this needs to be done before the work day tomorrow which is nine AM. Something about a deadline and press or shit, I don't know, I wasn't listening, but I wasn't going to allow the workers to stay after their scheduled time and not get overtime pay because Nancy doesn't believe in that either. Two of our editors had returned to help with some of them, but I kicked them out around midnight. Both of them had families to get back to, and one of them had a custody battle in the morning with his abusive ex-husband, and he needs to be well rested for that, so now it's only me. Robert came for a bit after the two left, but then Cassie was throwing up, and he left to take care of his pregnant wife, but he did leave me food, energy drinks, and a pillow. I don't know why he gave me a pillow but no blanket, but that's not the point."I have two more manuscripts to read and more forms to proofread before I hand them off to the COO to sign, and then I have to deliver them to the clients. I got so absorbed by all the work I needed to knock out that I completely forgot about my phone, and then I remembered when the Chief of Editing here at the company called me not too long ago. I think Nancy woke him in the middle of the night because he sounded groggy, and I felt terrible, so I told him I'd handle it so he could go back to sleep. God, Gregory, and Nancy seriously don't know how to plan projects properly and set realistic expectations; they are running their workers dry without caring about the world."But anyways, got off topic again," Matt rambled, his annoyance and exhaustion. "You should go back to sleep; I'm sorry I woke you just to ramble about a stupid and selfish CEO that I sadly share blood and last name.""You should be sleeping, too. You gave them all the night because they should sleep, and yet you—a seventeen—year—old—is doing the job of a CEO and working well into the night," Kelly chides and hears Matt sigh. "Example to me again why you are even allowed to do any of this?" Kelly asks now, having the phone between his ear and shoulder as his excellent arm rubs his aching face."They call it preparation, but Gregory got some document saying if anything happens to them, I will take over the company once I hit 16. I'm almost seventeen, so they can pass off their work to me whenever they want. Still, since I'm not the official CEO, I can't legally sign off on contracts and important documents, but I can proofread them and make a quick summary for them to skim before they sign it. I honestly can't remember the document that well, there's some other things in there but honestly, I was young and Gregory was the guardian and the lawyer so I just signed on the dotted line. Some legal advice is to never sign a document without reading it through with a fine tooth comb." Matt explained as he sat in his chair and leaned over the desk again to continue working. "Good thing is, I will be prepared for when I do take over.""Don't you need a degree first?" Kelly asked with a frown."For the law firm, yes. Nancy's and the construction company, not exactly. It isn't straightforward due to the way Gregory wrote the contract, but if they do need to pass it over to me before I have my degree, then with the COO, I can be the CEO while getting said degree. Everything I sign off on must also be signed off with the COO until I have my degree and full control over the company," Matt said distantly as he proofread another contract."I'm too tired to get pissed at your parents again," Kelly grumbled, and Matt chuckled at that. "But once again, I fucking hate their guts.""I'll let you sleep. Tomorrow is a Saturday. Are we still on for our date?" Matt asked hesitantly, and Kelly smiled up at the ceiling."Of course, please don't show up in a suit, but something comfortable. It's not going to be anything fancy. Sorry if that's what you're hoping for," Kelly said now, a bit self-conscious about his idea. He had pitched it to Andy early today (when Heather was gone), and he said it was a good idea, but knowing the side of the city Matt is from, he probably expected a fancy dinner date."No, it's fine. I prefer comfy anyway, and I'm not just saying that to make you feel some way; I mean it," Matt said, and you could hear the honesty behind his words."Okay," Kelly said with a smile again. "Swing by at six," he said, and Matt nodded, forgetting Kelly couldn't see him."I will see you at six and let you sleep. Night, Kels," Matt said with a soft smile. He was glad no one could see him because he was smiling like an idiot right now."Nope," Kelly said, sitting him and blinking at the dizziness he felt. God, he needed to stop moving so quickly. "Not until you promise me that you will get some sleep. I like to go on dates with people who will stay awake and not fall asleep within the first few minutes." Matt laughed, put his pen down, and leaned back in the chair."I don't make promises I can't keep, as much as I would love to do—trust me, I want sleep—but I can't. If I don't get this done, then I'm back in the room and there's no date," Matt said, he sounded too cheery for what he said, probably trying to hide the fear in his voice. Once again, the room was mentioned again, and Kelly wanted to know what Matt meant by that, but some part of his brain was telling him that he wouldn't want to know. "But I can promise I won't fall asleep unless we're cuddling because you're warm and comfortable, and I get sleepy when you play with the hairs on the back of my head." He admitted, causing Kelly to smirk and filing that information for later."Night, Matty," Kelly said, letting the nickname slip out. He loved giving nicknames to the blond and loved the fact that no one calls him Kels, so it felt more special being just between the two of them."Bye," Matt whispered, and then the call went dead, and Kelly sighed."Kelly?" Andy's tired voice came through the door, his head popping through. "Good, you're done," he walked over, climbed into Kelly's bed, and fell straight back to sleep. Kelly rolled his eyes and returned to put the phone back to charge before heading back to his room and shoving Andy over a bit so he could have enough room to sleep on his bed.~~~"He said comfy," Matt mumbled into his bed, where he was lying face first. Connor and Heather were both over to help him pick out what to wear to Kelly's house.He had spent all night at his mother's company doing work. When the COO arrived to comb through his work, he tried to leave, hoping to squeeze in a nap, but he wasn't letting him. He got pulled into a meeting with a new author and had to pretend he wasn't two seconds away from falling asleep. It was around noon when he finally left, and he went home, ate, and took a power nap."Okay, so why not this?" Heather asked, holding up a hoodie for Connor."Or we could do this white tee with some sort of jacket over like a plaid," Connor said as he looked through Matt's closet."But then the pants that would match wouldn't be comfy," Heather pointed out, and Connor sighed and nodded. "Maybe this, it brings out his eyes.""Should we go with black, dark grey, or white sweatpants?" Connor asked, lifting Matt's three different-coloured sweatpants."I'm leaning towards dark grey or white, but maybe something less baggy," Heather said. Matt lifted his head and peeked into his closet as best he could from his position, but he only saw Connor's hand from time to time. He sighed and dropped his head again."You know he was like a kicked puppy last night when you wouldn't call," Heather told Matt. The blond smiled and rolled over onto his back."Speaking of puppy, your mom getting one?" Connor asked, and Heather squealed excitedly."She's over there now; I couldn't go because I have school, and they have cats, which I'm allergic to, so that sucks. But she is getting a Goldendoodle that was just born yesterday," she said happily, and her voice pitched up as she continued to speak."When will she be back?" Matt asked, getting off the bed and finally walking to his closet."It's Sunday, so I'm dragging you all to my house to meet her," Heather said, throwing Matt the light blue hoodie they picked out."Andy coming?" Connor asked, and Heather sighed and shook her head."You know he can't," she said sadly. Matt sat on the island in his closet, removed his top, and changed into the hoodie."You could always introduce Andy as a friend," Matt suggested. "It would make the transition a bit easier." He lifted his legs when Connor started rummaging through the drawers there."I don't know yet," she sighed. "I mean, between her and my dad, she's the one that's going to be more accepting of Andy, but she still loves public image and might want to up Andy's appearance or whatever. I don't want her to change him or for Andy to change to fit my parent's mould of a boyfriend. On the other hand, my dad will take longer to come around, and he's more likely to kick me out if I don't want to follow their rules." She leaned on the island beside Matt and put her head on his lap."Okay, but your parents aren't as—how do I put this nicely?" Connor asked, pausing in his search of Matt's closet."Controlling? Monstrous tendencies? Stuck up? Downright mean? Borderline child abuse? Shitty father figure? Shitty mother figures? Child neglect? Self-centered bastard? Absent father? Doesn't give two flying fucks about their child? Money oriented? Public image-oriented? Should they be locked away in prison? Shouldn't they be allowed to have children? Shall I continue?" Matt listed off without missing a beat, surprising his friends, and they both looked at him with a mixture of surprise and amusement."What Matt said, your father isn't like that. He comes from old money, just like our families do; they tend to have that type of thinking where they want to stay on top, and the best way to do it is through alliances. But your father married your mother, who is a lot more down-to-earth. He may not like it initially, but he won't do anything drastic like Matt or my father. He might be silent on the situation but he'll come around, he's a lot more understanding," Connor pointed out."What type of drastic would Cornelius do? Gregory, I understand. He would probably send you halfway around the world, but Cornelius doesn't seem like he would think that big," Heather said. Matt nodded in agreement when she brought up his father but frowned at what she said about Cornelius. Cornelius might look relaxed compared to Gregory, but Matt knows the truth."Disown me, cut me off, send me to boarding school, but my grandfather left me the inheritance, and my mother would swear up a storm," Connor said with a shrug."Still planning on medical school?" Matt asked, and Connor nodded with determination."You know Matt, you should do something like that as well," Heather said, returning to rest her head in his lap. "Maybe get a portfolio and pursue art." Matt snorted and shook his head."Not going to happen; my dad would kill me before I even get my hands on an application," Matt said with some amusement, but anger lingered in the background."But you're perfect; I mean, all the paintings in the house are yours," Connor said, and Matt shrugged."My parents bought it off of an art show that they attended for charity. Mrs. Richards—as always—snuck my work into the show since it was her husband running it. I should've known something was up when she asked me to do a few more specific pieces," Matt said and shook his head in amusement at the sneaky ways of his art teacher."And your parents bought all of them?" Heather asked, and Matt shook his head."They bought five. The rest Cassie and Robert took from my art room and hung them up, and when Nancy asked about it, they made up some lie saying it was delivered from Mr. Richards, knowing that they liked the artist so much he got in contact with him to do a few more pieces," Matt said with an eye roll. He remembered standing in the hallway during that conversation, looking half mortified and half trying not to laugh, significantly when Nancy nodded and praised the artist."See, they like your work," Connor pointed out and shoved the rest of Matt's outfit in his lap, effectively covering Heather's face. She whined while Matt laughed and lifted her head so he could get changed."Because they know it's not mine," Matt said, leaving his closet to go to the on-suite bathroom. "Plus, even if they think they could make money off of my work, they would still want me to do something that aligns with their needs, which is taking over the business and carrying the family legacy.""What are you working on now?" Heather asked a bit louder through the closed door."Mrs. Richards told me to try abstract, and I think she wants me and a few other students to do the mural at our school," Matt yelled back as he changed."We're getting a mural?" Connor asked as he absentmindedly played with Matt's avocado squishy."I don't know," Matt said with a sigh. She wants to make the school look more alive, but the principal needs a reason for a mural to be put up in his school, so we, as student council, are trying to find one.""Sports? Academics? Music?" Heather suggested, and Matt huffed."He said it needs to be something sentimental," Matt said."What like a death?" Connor asked with a distasteful look as Matt walked out, but then it turned into a contemplative smile."Don't sit on shit," Heather joked, and Matt huffed and rolled his eyes. He was wearing his light blue hoodie with simple white loungewear pants."Here," Connor said, throwing Matt's bag over to him."Ready to go?" Heather asked, jumping off of Matt's bed."Will I be a third wheel tonight? Nope," Connor said with a huff, but he kept a smile on his face."Cheer up, you'll find someone someday," Heather said, throwing an arm around Connor's shoulder."Matt found someone. Heather and Andy are married-" Heather made a sound of protest. "I said basically, I'm gonna be a fifth wheel.""I shall introduce you to April. She's Kelly and Andy's friend," Heather said as they walked through the empty halls of the Casey residence. "Maybe you two might have something.""Nope," Connor and Matt said simultaneously, making Heather frown."You can both fifth wheel together," Matt said, standing on the other side of Heather."What did I miss?" Heather asked with a frown and looked between her best friends, who were basically brothers."I don't think I'm bi; the last two girls I tried to go out with just ended poorly, and I was mostly uncomfortable," Connor admitted."Why wasn't I informed immediately?" Heather asked, unwrapping her arms only to slap Connor's arm playfully."Ouch, I didn't tell anyone," Connor whined as he rubbed his arm. Heather looked between Matt and Connor before huffing and crossing her arms."I will never understand how this relationship works. How can you always sense things in Connor before he even says anything? It's like the two of you are in tune with each other without the strength of a bond, almost like a soulmate," Heather said, and Connor and Matt looked at each other before bursting out laughing. "What?" She asked, but the boys kept laughing, leaving Heather to pout while she waited.She didn't get an answer until they were in Matt's car."We're not soulmates," Connor said with a chuckle, getting into the passenger seat. "Just two people who've gone through similar shit and been there to pick up the pieces before we were old enough to realize what we were doing. Platonic soulmates? Maybe, but not romantic.""Plus, Connor is easy to read sometimes," Matt said with a shrug."Am not!" he protested, and Matt gave him an 'are you sure?' look, and Connor huffed and turned away."Kelly would love this," she said with a laugh as she gestured between the two, and Matt groaned."Then he would love the way we both found out we were into guys," Connor tacked on with a smirk, making Matt flustered."I'm pretty sure he would kill you," Heather said. "But if he does find out let me know, I want to witness Con's death.""Hey," Connor protested, and Heather smiled innocently."You don't get involved with soulmates," she said with a shrug. She looked out the window, and Connor rolled his eyes."You'll protect me, right?" Connor asked, looking at Matt. Matt hummed loudly in thought and then shook his head, causing Connor to gape at him and Heather to laugh from the backseat. "Ex-fucking-cuse me," Connor said, mocking betrayal and annoyance."He could be my future husband. You are a friend," Matt said."If you weren't driving right now, I would slap you for that," Connor grumbled, followed by an eye roll and a glare. Matt knew Connor wasn't mad and that this whole thing was them teasing each other, so he laughed while Connor tried his best to hold his glare and not break out."Well, it's a good thing I'm driving," Matt said, and Connor rolled his eyes but couldn't keep the smile off his face."Fuck the both of you," Connor said."You should know that Kelly already knows," Matt said, stopping at a red light and smirking when both his friends turned to him. "He mentioned something about our bond, and I rambled out in defence of our relationship, so he knows how we both found out we were into guys. He was jealous, but he's fine with it now.""So your soulmate won't be my killer?" Connor asked hopefully, and Matt shrugged.
----- CHAPTER BREAK -----
They finally arrived at Kelly's apartment complex in Matt's car. After he rang the doorbell, Matt stood nervously at the front door, with Connor and Heather standing behind him. The door opened to Andy in a penguin costume, and all of Matt's nerves melted away as he stared at the person in front of him."Why?" Matt asked, weakly gesturing at Andy, who stood there looking like this was a perfectly normal occurrence."Mr. Matthew Casey, welcome to your date with the lovely Mr. Kelly Severide. You have arrived just in time for your first date, and I have been told to get the fuck out," Andy said in the poshest British voice he could muster. Matt was trying not to snicker, but Connor wasn't doing an excellent job containing his amusement."Why are you a penguin?" Connor asked, chuckling."He found it at the store when we got everything and made me buy it. We were arguing for like an hour in the aisle until I gave up and grabbed the damn thing. When we got back, he helped me set up while being a penguin," Kelly said, coming up from behind Andy with an annoyed eye roll. "He didn't help much." He glared at his best friend."I did what a penguin would do," Andy said in mock offence, putting one hand (flapper) to his chest."Then waddle to the Arctic," Kelly said, shoving Andy out of the door."People these days are so rude," he muttered, shaking his head. "My lady," Andy bowed and extended an arm to Heather, who looked flushed and amused at the same time."Have fun with them," Matt whispered to Connor as he pushed him towards the couple."I'm only chilling with them for a bit, then I'm gonna hang with the team later," Connor said. "I don't even want to be around them for that long." The three of them made their way to Andy's apartment, the couple up at the front laughing about something and Connor shaking his head behind them. Matt laughed and watched his friends leave, and when they turned the corner, Andy stuck his head and waved a hand (flapper) at them."Sometimes I wonder why I'm even friends with him," Kelly said, and Matt laughed, walking into the house. "You look great, by the way," Kelly said, wrapping his arms around Matt's waist."Thanks, so do you," Matt said, turning in Kelly's embrace so he could face him. "Wait," Matt said, shuffled out of Kelly's embrace, and scanned the man from head to toe. "Okay, continue.""What was that?" Kelly asked, and Matt reached up to touch the cut on Kelly's forehead."Making sure you cleaned your cuts," Matt said."My mom was home this morning, so she fussed over me," Kelly said, taking Matt's hand from his face. "Oh, by the way, she loved the desserts, but that strawberry tart thing was her favourite.""I'll let Cassie know," Matt said. "Do you need help with dinner?" He started making his way to the kitchen when a blindfold was suddenly placed over his eyes. "Hello?""You can't see the living room, and no, Andy helped me—by help, I mean he waddled around complaining about not having fingers and proper hands to hold things." Matt knew that Kelly had rolled his eyes again. "Just trust me, and I'll lead you to our date," Kelly whispered from behind Matt. Matt smiled and let Kelly guide him where he needed to be."Okay," Kelly said, taking off Matt's blindfold and moving to stand before him, only to see Matt with his eyes closed. "Open them, Matty," Kelly said with a chuckle and moved to the side, and Matt gasped."Is that a fort?" Matt asked excitedly and looked at Kelly like an eager puppy."Yeah," Kelly said, smiling wide. Matt's happiness is contagious. "Go in," Matt said, getting on his knees and poking his head in, only to freeze as he took in the surroundings.The white sheets held up by high chairs had fairy lights hanging from them, giving the fort a soft glow. A mattress on the floor had pillows and blankets around it to make it more comfortable, and in front of the mattress was a small table with food on it."I know it's not much, but," Kelly said, and Matt turned around and stood up to hug him tightly."I love it," he mumbled into Kelly's neck. Kelly's nerves melted, and he wrapped his arms around Matt's waist."Good," Kelly said and lightly nudged Matt to move into the fort. Once he was inside, Matt looked around in awe, and Kelly could've sworn his baby blue eyes were sparkling. "Dinner?" Kelly asked, and Matt nodded and shuffled around to get comfortable. Kelly opened the lid that covered the plates of food."I can cook one good meal, and that is pasta, but my mom and Andy tell me the sauce is the best. They could be biased," Kelly said with a shrug. Matt looked down at the orange-coloured sauce, picked up his fork, grabbed a fork full of the food, and put it in his mouth. Kelly watched him anxiously, waiting for his reaction, and Matt chewed slowly, trying to savour the taste and also purposely torturing Kelly.Matt swallowed and licked around his mouth and lips before turning to Kelly with a straight face."So?" Kelly asked, and Matt broke out in a smile."I'm not kidding or being biased; that's actually really good," Matt said. Kelly narrowed his eyes at Matt, trying to find a hint of a lie, but he found an amused, honest blond beaming at him."That was just uncalled for," Kelly said, lightly shoving Matt, who laughed and quickly returned to Kelly's side."Sorry, but I saw an opening and took it," Matt said with a shrug, going in for another fork full. "Is this by scratch?""Yup," Kelly said proudly, watching Matt's eyes widen and then look overly impressed. And before you ask, no, you cannot know what's in it. It's a secret," he added as Matt opened his mouth to ask that question. Matt closed his mouth with a huff but nodded."So what? Did you just mix random ingredients, and then bam, the best pasta sauce in history was created?" Matt asked, making Kelly laugh."Nope. I was following some recipes and couldn't tell the difference between the four ingredients, so I bought the wrong kinds. I also didn't measure properly, used the wrong ingredients, and basically made a different kind of sauce than the one I was supposed to make," Kelly said with a shrug. Matt froze for a second before laughing, and Kelly pretended to pout at him."I'm sorry, but that's amazing. A good creation that came out of a horrible mistake," he explained with a chuckle and a shake of his head. "If you didn't measure, how did you recreate it without knowing what you actually put?""Lots of trial and error and Andy making disgusted faces at me," Kelly said, and Matt laughed."Poor Andy," Matt said, and Kelly grunted."He got so mad at me that he poured the really bad sauce over my head and complained for three days that I was giving him food poisoning," Kelly said with an annoyed look. Matt bit his lip to keep from laughing."So, it's not good on the stove, but what about the grill?" Matt asked, changing the subject, and Kelly shrugged."Never tried," he said, even though they had a grill in their storage unit. It was his father's, but ever since he left, it had sat collecting dust."We should go camping one day," Matt said out of nowhere. "Let me rephrase that: I get two weeks off at the end of July and the beginning of August, and Con, Heath, and I usually go on some trips. It depends on whose parent is under supervision, but they promised to let us go alone this year. It's between Heather's beach house, my cabin, and Connor's lake house. You and Andy should join this year.""Parents won't mind?" Kelly asked, and Matt shrugged."Parents don't need to know," Matt said conspiratorially, and Kelly chuckled and nodded."Yeah, I'm in," Kelly nodded, and Matt beamed, already planning what those two weeks would look like."You know," Matt said and pointed his fork at Kelly, who went crossed eye, looking at the fork and then at Matt. "I told you I'm about as straight as a circle, but what about you?""Straight as a circle?" Kelly asked with a laugh. The blond shook his head, shrugged, and waited patiently for Kelly's answer."Bisexual," Kelly replied. "I always just knew and then experimented with a couple of guys here and there.""Like kissing or..." Matt trailed off, looking slightly uncomfortable but also intrigued."Kissing, topping, bottoming," Kelly said with a shrug. He knew he had a reputation for being a somewhat slut, but he never saw anything wrong with it. He respected people's boundaries; he was a teenager with a high libido, his mother didn't give a fuck—or she doesn't know—his father is MIA, and he would like to explore what he liked and what he didn't. He doesn't see the problem with it; he is clear about his intentions, and if someone doesn't want to, he backs off. No harm."Oh," Matt said, playing with the food on his lap."Oh?" Kelly asked, forgetting about dinner and staring at Matt, who was not looking at him."Yeah, oh," Matt mumbled. Kelly put his plate to the side of the mattress and cupped one of Matt's cheeks, forcing the blond to look at him. But those baby blue orbs were darting everywhere else but at him."Matt, look, I'm not ashamed of what I've done," Kelly started, but Matt shook his head."I don't care. I know you have a player reputation, but I don't care. It's just," Matt said, sighed, and leaned into Kelly's hand, closing his eyes. "I've never done anything more than kissing with anyone.""Hey," Kelly said, tapping Matt's cheek. Matt opened his eyes slowly, and his cheeks turned red from embarrassment. "I don't care. I don't care that you haven't done anything. I like that I'll hopefully be your first, but I won't care, even if you don't want to do anything. We will go at your pace, and I'm good with anything—not bottoming, I tried it once and didn't like it—but I wouldn't mind trying with you. Maybe you'll change my mind, but you can set the pace. Whatever feels comfortable for you." Matt smiled a bit, his eyes brightened, and he turned his face in Kelly's hand to kiss his palm."Thanks," he whispered. Kelly smiled and leaned in to kiss Matt. It was originally supposed to be a soft, innocent kiss, but he realized he was quickly becoming addicted to Matt's lips, and he couldn't help but deepen it to get more of Matt's taste.Matt whined, and Kelly pulled back immediately, embarrassed that he had just told Matt they would go at his pace. Then, he started a makeout session with him."Not that," Matt said, slightly out of breath. "The plate was digging into my stomach," he said, and Kelly relaxed and chuckled. Let's eat first; I don't want all this to go to waste."They spent the next hour or so talking. Kelly told Matt about soccer, a bit of his family, and some childhood memories. Matt kept his story pleasant, mostly of Heather Connor or both. If Kelly realized the pattern, he wouldn't have said anything.After eating, Kelly and Matt went to do the dishes, and Matt was very strict about, 'You cooked, so I clean, and you have a fractured hand.' Kelly rolled his eyes and let Matt explore his kitchen, looking for things that needed to be done. He leaned against the wall and watched him.Kelly realized how Matt had fitted into his life. It was hard to explain, but it was like they were two puzzle pieces meant for each other, and they found one another. He didn't want to imagine a life without Matt. He didn't want to visit the thought of what would happen if Gregory ever found out about them. After the pool incident, Kelly went home and researched about soulmates and Gregory. It was hard to find anything bad about the man because he is constantly seen donating money or hosting charity events, but Kelly dug far enough that he found some people who used to work for him and his family. Those comments were horrible and confirmed what Matt told him. Some people even tried to call child services at Casey's when Matt was about seven, but Gregory was able to talk his way out of it. There were a lot of bad qualities Gregory has, but the one that stuck out the most was someone saying:"... he's a man with a large ego, money and power. If he doesn't get what he wants, he will always find a way, no matter the price. It is not confirmed, but I know Gregory is not opposed to murder or holding someone captive. I fear for his son and the kind of environment that little boy will grow up."That stuck out to Kelly, and he wanted to do everything in his power to grab Matt and run. However, Kelly gets the feeling that Matt would hold on as long as he could in the hope that his parents would show signs that they love him back. They are also underage and can't do much in the eyes of the law, especially when Gregory Casey is the law."Kels?" Matt asked, and Kelly snapped out of his thoughts to see Matt looking over at him with a tilt in his head. "You okay?""Yeah, why?" Kelly asked."I asked if I could get a tour of the apartment. I've been here a bunch but never got the tour," Matt repeated, and Kelly nodded."Spaced out, sorry," he shook his head. "It's not much, but let's go." Kelly grabbed Matt's hand, and part of him didn't want to show Matt the rest of the apartment. Matt's house was probably thirty times bigger, and Kelly knew Matt's room alone was about the same size as the entire apartment. But Matt, being Matt, was looking at everything with wonder, but he paid the most attention to all the pictures of Kelly.Matt cooed and called Kelly cute while he shook his head and tried hiding his blush. It was hard to bring Matt away from the photo of a little three-year-old Kelly dressed as a mad scientist.When they got closer to Kelly's room, Matt stopped in front of a painting of ancient Rome. He studied the painting so intensely that Kelly wondered what he was looking for."That's my mom's favourite place to be. She once went there for an exchange program and always wanted to return. I think this was the painting she bought when she was there," Kelly explained, and Matt nodded."Rome's very pretty," Matt said with a faint smile. "Do you know the artist that painted this?" He asked, and Kelly shrugged. "Well, I went there a few times when I was little. It's actually where I discovered my love for the arts. My parents went there for a business trip, and while my parents and the CEO of the other company spent a week doing business stuff, I stayed with the CEO's wife, a painter, one of the best in Rome. She taught me to draw and paint and opened a side of me I didn't know existed. Little seven-year-old me got more paint on myself than the actual canvas, which isn't that different from now, but it was the most fun I've ever had on a business trip. Mom got mad at the mess I made of myself, but the wife said getting messy is part of the process. She's a nice woman, and I wished I was still in contact with her.""You paint? I mean, I know you can draw; I don't know why that surprised me," Kelly asked. Matt chuckled and nodded."All the art in the house is mine. Don't tell my parents that because they think it's someone else, but yeah. It's my safe place," Matt said and turned to look at Kelly with a peaceful smile. I should do a portrait of you one day. Would you be a model for me?""Um," Kelly said, feeling a bit uncomfortable, and Matt laughed and shrugged. "You want to be a painter?""Nah," Matt said as Kelly guided them back downstairs. "I have to be a lawyer/businessman and maybe do painting on the side.""But if you could be anything else," Kelly promoted, wanting to escape what his parents drilled into his mind."I don't know. I am a lawyer, but I would run the companies differently if I had the companies. For starters, I'll have a pro-bono section for the firm. Many people can't afford a good lawyer, and all pro-bono law firms don't have the money and funding to do proper research and everything. Our company has a big enough income to support a pro-bono section. Secondly, I would have a starter author section with Nancy's company. Nancy only signs on well-known authors, but I've read manuscripts to novels that I think would sell amazingly with the right PR. Maybe even hook up some of the senior successful authors with the newer ones and do a mentorship program or whatever. It would be so much more impressive and draw more attention to us when we can produce new best-selling authors versus representing already best-selling authors. I would want to work with the city of Chicago more for the construction company. Gregory mainly does houses and/or buildings in the rich area, but if we work with the city, we could build stuff everywhere in Chicago. Plus we could do a charity program once every few months. Fix up some of the homeless shelters, rehab centers, and even some of the abandoned areas in Chicago. I won't want to run it as they do, but as long as they are still alive—even retired—they won't allow me to change so much in the company." Matt rambled on about all his plans and ideas about what he would do as a CEO. "Oh, and health insurance, well, bigger health insurance. I learned last night that they don't even give their employees coverage. I was pissed about that, but there's nothing I can do about it. Oh, and overtime pay, Nancy doesn't have that set up but still expects people to complete projects that would require them to stay overtime to complete. I'm unsure about Gregory, but I'm almost certain he is the same." Matt said, crawling back into the fort. He turned to see Kelly staring at him with a soft smile. "What?""Nothing; it's just that you seemed to have thought of this for a long time, and it's nice that you want to use them to help the city more," Kelly said, coming closer to Matt and kissing Matt's nose and then forehead."What about you?" Matt asked, flushed, and moved so he could see Kelly's whole face but not get too far away."Firefighter, preferably on the squad," Kelly said, and Matt's eyebrows shot up. "Benny, my father is a firefighter, and he used to tell me all these stories, and they sounded so cool. I don't know, but Benny Severide is a legend in the CFD, but I want to make it on my terms and not because of my last name.""Kelly Severide, Squad firefighter," Matt hummed. "Want to be lieutenant?""Obviously," Kelly said, and Matt snorted."I could totally see you bossing a team around," Matt said, amused, only to be pinched in the side by Kelly, causing a loud shriek to escape Matt. Matt immediately tried to get up and out of the fort, knowing Kelly would tick him again, but his legs got tangled in the blanket and slowed him down. The next second, Kelly was on him and the apartment was filled with a loud shriek and giggles as Matt squirmed and laughed underneath Kelly, trying to get away from Kelly."Kels.... stop.... pl-please," Matt pleaded between laughs, but Kelly pretended not to hear him and continued tickling him. "AHHHHHH!" he screamed, throwing his hands everywhere to stop Kelly, but he didn't really know what was going on. Kelly stopped when he realized Matt probably wasn't breathing, and Matt started taking deep breaths between laughs.After about ten minutes of Matt calming down, he smiled dopely up at Kelly, and once again, the urge to kiss Matt overtook him. Kelly leaned down, cupping Matt's cheek, and kissed him deeply, taking Matt's breath away. Immediately, Matt's arms flew around Kelly's neck, holding him close and opening his mouth to allow Kelly entrance. He let out a little moan when Kelly's tongue explored Matt's mouth. Kelly groaned in response to Matt's noise, and he forced himself to pull back, letting both of them breathe and calm down."You are a fucking drug, I swear to God," Kelly grumbled, and Matt laughed, rolled them over so he was on top of Kelly and shuffled down so he could lay his head over Kelly's beating heart. Kelly had his casted arm around Matt's back, and the other was playing with the hair on the back of Matt's head."You keep doing that; I'm going to fall asleep," Matt mumbled, and Kelly shrugged.They lay in silence, in each other's arms, for a couple of minutes before Matt moved his hands over Kelly's chest and rested his head on his hands."Kels?" Matt asked softly, not wanting to disrupt the calm atmosphere they had created for themselves. Kelly hummed, letting him know he heard. "Once we are eighteen and when my parents have no more legal power over me, hypothetically, would you run away with me? If that's what I must do to escape Gregory's grip." Kelly nodded without hesitation."This is going to sound cheesy, but I'll go anywhere with you," Kelly admitted. Matt smiled and pushed off of Kelly's chest, getting a grunt from Kelly. Matt quickly kissed him before pulling away and settling back on Kelly's chest."I would follow you anywhere as well," Matt whispered, and Kelly smiled dopely to himself as he continued to play with the hairs on the back of Matt's head, effectively lolling the blond to sleep—as the blond had said.
----- CHAPTER BREAK -----
Jennifer had returned from a hard night from her overnight shift at the hospital. She was exhausted and couldn’t wait to sleep, and part of her wanted to stop by the store to buy a bottle of wine, but she had promised herself that she would stop. She wants to be more a part of her son’s life, after all, Kelly shouldn’t have lost both parents at the same time and she has years to make up for. She knew it would be hard, but she needed to do this.She opened the front door to their small apartment and frowned when she saw what looked like a fort in the living room and where her pullout bed was. Part of her wanted to yell out of frustration and annoyance, but she took a deep breath and quietly went over to see if Kelly was in the fort. When she bent down, she noticed Kelly sleeping soundly and a tuff of blond hair cuddled into Kelly’s neck. This wouldn’t be the first time she woke or came home to find someone random in Kelly’s bed, and although she didn’t like it, she didn’t have the right, especially after not being present in Kelly’s life for the past decade. She sighed, allowed the two to sleep, and went to the kitchen, expecting dishes or take-out containers, but the kitchen was spotless. She mentally high-fived Kelly and went about making pancakes.Kelly was slowly being pulled from the warmth of sleep to a weight on half his body. He tried turning his head to see who it was. The person’s face was buried in his neck, and he could feel their warm puffs of breath. He remembers his date with Matt, Matt falling asleep on his chest, and Kelly not having the heart to wake the blond. He briefly wonders if there’s someone Matt has to meet in the early mornings—he remembers Matt saying something about a trainer at 5:30 AM—but he doesn’t want to burst his bubble and stop those thoughts. If Matt gets in trouble, he thinks he can do something about it, and he makes a mental note to get Matt to give him his schedule so he knows when he should wake the blond up so he does not get in trouble. Is asking for his schedule too possessive or controlling? They’ve only been on one date.‘God, I’m too tired for this,’ he thought to himself and wanted to go back to sleep when the soft noise of the stove and the smell of pancakes made him want to get up. Slowly, he rolled Matt onto his back, and the blond whined and scrunched his nose at being moved. Kelly couldn’t help but smile at how cute Matt looked. He had to chuckle when Matt grabbed the pillow, cuddled it to his chest, and fell back asleep. Kelly stayed there for a couple more seconds, just watching the blond. Is that creepy? Probably, but Matt looked so much younger and relaxed when he was sleeping, and Kelly wished he could keep him like this and keep Gregory and Nancy Casey away from Matt.Kelly quietly crawled out of the fort and stretched for a couple of seconds before making his way to the kitchen but stopped in his tracks when he noticed the back of his mother.“Mom?” Kelly whispered. At the table, Jennifer turned around with a tired smile and handed Kelly a plate of cooked pancakes.“Morning, sweetie,” she whispered and handed Kelly another plate while the teen blinked, confused at his mother. Kelly has been confused about what’s happening with his mother for the past few weeks. He had noticed all the alcohol being gone from the apartment, and although she looked tired, she seemed to be putting in more of an effort.“Did you just get back?” He asked, slowly transferring some pancakes to his plate while still confused. He couldn’t remember the last time she cooked him breakfast, especially after she had a night shift.“About twenty minutes,” she said with a shrug and returned to the stove. “Will your friend want breakfast with their boyfriend’s mom?” Kelly groaned.“Mom,” he whined, and she laughed softly. Then, he went to pour herself another coffee.“I’m just asking; all the other girls seem to slip out before I got a chance to say anything,” she turned to Kelly with an eyebrow raised, and Kelly blushed and coughed and got up to grab some orange juice from the fridge.“This isn’t some hookup,” he mumbled loud enough that Jennifer barely heard it. “And it’s not a girl.” Kelly focused on pouring the syrup over his pancakes and tried to ignore that her mother had frozen mid-way, lifting her mug to her lips.“Oh,” she finally said, blinking and shaking her head. “Well, does your boyfriend want to have breakfast with us?” Kelly groaned again, and she laughed, rubbed his shoulder, and leaned down to kiss the top of his head.“He’s not my boyfriend,” Kelly muttered, and she nodded, returning to the pancakes cooking on the stove.“So, does your friend want to have breakfast with his friend’s mom?” She re-worded her question and turned just in time to see Kelly squirming in his seat.“But he’s also not not my boyfriend,” Kelly said, cutting up his pancakes and once again avoiding eye contact with Jennifer.“Well, does your not-not boyfriend want to have breakfast with his not-not-boyfriend’s mom?” She asked without missing a beat.“He would love some if you don’t mind,” a sleepy voice said from inside the fort. Kelly’s cheeks heated up, knowing Matt probably woke up shortly after he moved him.“Great, chocolate chip pancakes. Are they okay with you?” Jennifer asked cheerfully.“That’s fine, Ms. Sheridan,” he said, and Jennifer paused when her maiden name was used. She goes by her maiden name now, but most people—the ones she caught sneaking out—have referred to her as Mrs. Severide.“It’s Matthew Casey,” Kelly supplied helpfully, seeing the confusion on his mother’s face. “The guy who came and got me out of jail?”“Ah! Matt,” she said, remembering. Matt emerged from the fort with his bedhead and looked like he could sleep for another few hours.“Hi again,” Matt said and waved shyly and made his way over to the table as he tried and failed to get his hair under control. Kelly chuckled and stood up, meeting Matt halfway and slapping the blond’s hands away as he used his good hand to help Matt. “Thanks,” Matt whispered, looking up at Kelly through his eyelashes. When Kelly was done, he dropped his hand to Matt’s shoulder and looked into those beautiful ocean-blue eyes he loved.“Morning,” Kelly whispered, wanting to lean down and kiss the blond, but Matt stepped back.“Your mom is watching us,” he whispered, and Kelly sighed and nodded. Kelly took his hand and led him to the chair beside his, then went to grab Matt a plate, cutlery, and a glass of orange juice.“Well, thank you again for taking care of Kelly that night,” Jennifer said sincerely, and Matt smiled but shrugged.“It’s no problem,” he said, thanked Kelly when he placed everything down in front of him and then blushed when Kelly dropped a kiss on the top of his head. Jennifer smiled at their interaction and felt happiness swell in her heart, seeing how well Kelly treated this boy. “Where’s the cream?” Kelly frowned, sitting down, and Matt waved a hand at Kelly’s face. Kelly rolled his eyes and glared at Matt, who glared back equally stubbornly.“They’re mostly gone or healed,” Kelly said, and Matt scoffed.“I can still see red, and one of them must’ve started bleeding at night because you have dried blood near your hairline, so either tell me where the cream is, or I’m going to go look for it myself,” Matt said sternly and crossed his arms over his chest and raised his eyebrows challengingly. Jennifer watched with growing amusement, and Matt had just won another point in her books.“Fine,” Kelly sighed and waved a dismissive hand to the bathroom. Matt jumped up triumphantly and grabbed the item.“I like him already,” Jennifer stage whispered—still loud enough for Matt to hear—and Matt blushed while Kelly brightened.“He’s pretty great,” he said, looking down at his hands with a fond smile, and Jennifer reached over to squeeze his hand before finishing up the last of the pancakes just as Matt sat back down and raised Kelly’s head with two fingers. He leaned with concentration as he applied the cream to the needed areas on Kelly’s face. “You don’t have to keep doing this; you know that, right?”“Shut up, I want to,” Matt muttered, and Kelly chuckled and stayed still.“Oh, that reminds me. I’ve booked your follow-up for your wrist; it’s two weeks from now,” Jennifer informed Kelly. Once Matt moved onto his hand, he nodded. “So, what was with the fort?”“Oh, we’ll get it clean; I know you just came back from an overnight shift, so if you want to sleep, I can clean it up now,” Matt said, sitting up and already looking ready to go and clean up. Kelly touched Matt’s shoulder and kept the blond from sprinting off.“You can take my room if you want. We’ll get the living room back to normal,” Kelly said, and Jennifer smiled.“See you boys later,” she said, going to the bathroom to get herself ready for some shut-eye before her next shift.“Calm down, she likes you,” Kelly whispered, and Matt huffed and dropped his head on Kelly’s shoulder.“You think?” he asked, and Kelly nodded and kissed Matt on the top of his head.“I do, now eat,” Matt huffed again but sat up and grabbed his fork.“Heaths is getting her dog today. She just texted me that her mom should be home soon, so I will have to leave pretty soon as Connor is coming to pick me up,” Matt said, and Kelly frowned.“Didn’t you drive here in your car?” Kelly asked, and Matt nodded.“But I gave my keys to Connor. I’m not allowed to stay overnight anywhere unless it’s work-related, so we drove in my car so no one would think it was weird that I was gone, but my car wasn’t. Then Connor took it and parked it in my driveway, then went to his room through mine,” Matt explained. Kelly was still frowning but decided not to ask further. It made no sense to him, but ten again, Connor and Matt seemed to be pros at this---whatever "this" is. “I had a nice time last night.”“So did I,” Kelly said with a soft smile. “If our schedules align, we should do this more often.” Matt nodded eagerly and turned to face Kelly. There was still food in his mouth as he was chewing, and his cheeks were so complete that it reminded Kelly of a chipmunk, and he couldn’t help but chuckle.“Do you think we could call tonight?” Matt asked once he swallowed, looking shy but hopeful at the same time.“Of course,” Kelly said, and Matt beamed at him, his expression turning to tease. “What?” Kelly asked, getting a bit nervous.“So, I’m your not-not boyfriend?” He asked with a questioning eyebrow. Kelly rolled his eyes and turned to his food to hide his blushing. Matt chuckled and leaned in and kissed Kelly’s cheek. “Well, I’m happy to be your not-not boyfriend, but I think I’ll be happier with being your boyfriend, but both work.” He said casually, but inside, his heart was beating out of his chest.“Hmm,” Kelly said, pretending to think long and hard about it. Matt rolled his eyes and shoved his shoulder. "I’d rather be your boyfriend, make you all mine,” he said lowly, leaning in and stealing a kiss from Matt, who was slightly surprised and turned on.“You are possessive,” Matt comments when Kelly pulls away, and Kelly shrugs.“It’s something I’m working on,” he admitted, and Matt hummed. He knew possessiveness could quickly turn into a bad quality in a relationship, but he liked feeling wanted by someone, and at the moment, he trusted Kelly not to cross the line.~~~Matt and Kelly cleaned the living room as quickly and quietly as possible. Well, they tried to be quick. They kept getting caught up in kissing, or one of them did not want to be out of reaching distance from the other, which slowed down the whole process. Neither of them minded, knowing they wouldn’t see each other for the rest of the day. Kelly was scared for Matt’s safety every time the blond wasn’t in his eyesight, and Matt didn’t want to leave the safety and warmth of Kelly’s presence.It was slow, but they finished cleaning up without waking Jennifer and returned the living room back to normal. Matt texted Connor to bring him some clothes to change into, and they left the apartment to go across the hall to Darden’s apartment.“Eek! I’m so excited,” Heather squealed once she opened Andy’s door with some borrowed sweatpants and one of Andy’s t-shirts.“Do you have pictures?” Matt asked, walking into the apartment and waving at Andy. Heather sighed, closed the door behind Kelly, and shook her head.“Mom wanted it to be a surprise,” she said, and Matt snapped his finger in an ‘oh-man’ way.“Breakfast?” Andy asked.“Nah, Mom cooked us breakfast,” Kelly said, flopping down on the couch, and Andy frowned. “I know, but we didn’t have time to discuss it. Matt cut into our conversation.” He said teasingly. Matt rolled his eyes and sat down beside Kelly.“That’s because you and your mom kept going back and forth about asking whether or not I want to stay for breakfast,” he said and glared at Kelly. “All I heard when I woke up was, ‘Does your girlfriend want to stay for breakfast? Oh? She’s not your girlfriend, okay then does your friend. Oh, not the friend, so does your boyfriend. Oh, sorry, your not-not boyfriend.’ I felt the need to cut in at that point,” Matt said, summarising the bits and pieces of the conversation he had heard that morning.“Wait, you came out to your mom?” Andy asked, handing Heather her bowl.“Your mom didn’t know?” Matt asked with a frown, turning to face Kelly.“We never had a sit-down conversation about it, but I never hid it from her. She just never witnessed me with another guy but only girls, so she just assumed I was straight, and yes, I did come out to her, and she froze for a while but then was fine,” Kelly explained, and Matt squeezed his thigh.“So...” Heather said, gesturing between them with her spoon.“When Con is here,” he said, and Heather rolled her eyes and checked her phone to see if Connor was there. She wanted to know about Matt’s first date with someone he likes and is the correct gender, and she wanted to meet her new puppy.“Fineeeeee,” she whined and sighed dramatically, and Matt rolled his eyes.It wasn’t long until Connor texted that he was here, and Heather nearly face-planted in her haste to get up. After breakfast, she quickly changed into her clothes and bounced her knees while she waited for their ride. Now that it was here, Matt had to yell a quick goodbye to keep up with his overexcited friend, and when he was taking too long—according to Heather—he was dragged downstairs, where he believed he was going to miss a step and die.“What took you so long?” Heather asked, climbing into the back seat and throwing the bag to Matt.“I didn’t take long,” Connor protested, and Matt was glad for the tinted windows. He pulled out the jeans and T-shirt Connor had thrown in the bag and quickly changed while in the car.“To her, three seconds was too long,” Matt supplied, words a bit muffled from the shirt over his head.“Calm down, Heaths. Your puppy will be there,” Connor said with a chuckle. He waited until Matt had changed and put on his seatbelt before starting the car.“I’m just excited,” she said apologetically.“How was night with the team?” Matt asked, and Connor made a disgruntled face. “What?”“Nothing, just some homophobic assholes,” Connor said with a sigh. Matt narrowed his eyes at his friend, and his eyes darted everywhere. Connor’s eyes met his briefly before returning to the road, and Matt relaxed.“What?” Heather asked, popping her head between the boys. “What was that silent conversation look for?”“It wasn’t Connor; they were being homophobic too,” Matt supplied and then turned to Connor. “So who then?”“Some waiter, he wasn’t even waiting at our table but in a different section, but the guys saw the nail polish and the makeup and yelled across the restaurant,” Connor said with an eye roll and squeezed the wheel tighter, so much that his knuckles were turning white. Matt reached over, took one of Connor’s hands off the wheel, and gave it a reassuring squeeze before letting go.“Assholes,” Heather muttered and crossed her arms. “This fucking city, I swear to God.”“You know assholes are everywhere,” Connor pointed out, but Heather shrugged.“Yeah, but at least there’s no Gregory Casey,” she muttered, then turned apologetically to Matt, who shrugged—not bothered by the comment.“So, how did your date with Andy go?” Matt asked, but Heather’s eyes glimmered with excitement.“I should be asking you that. You’re the one who had his first date, like a real date with someone you intend to have a relationship with for real and not for show,” Heather said, leaning forward and placing her head on the back of Matt’s seat.“He built a fort, cooked, we ate, had our first kiss, talked about random stuff, gave me a tour, cuddled, kissed some more, and then we fell asleep,” Matt said in a casual tone and with a shrug. Heather’s jaw dropped, and Connor stopped the car a little too forcefully at a red light. “What?”“YOU HAD YOUR FIRST KISS!?!” Heather screamed, making the two boys jump into their seats.“Hey! I’m right here,” Connor proclaimed, but she waved a dismissive hand at Connor.“I meant a first kiss with Kelly, a real re-,” Heather started.“Yeah, yeah, I get it. It’s a real relationship,” Matt said, pretending to be annoyed, but secretly, he was happy that Kelly would be his first for most situations surrounding a romantic relationship.“Oooo, this is so exciting,” she squealed. “Con, our little Matty is growing up,” she pretended to wipe a tear from her eyes, and Connor turned and looked at him with a pout.“Soon, he will be off to college, and we will only hear from him through the phone, but after four years, he will come back married and with a child,” Connor added in a fake sad but slightly proud tone. “Our little birdy.”“Are you two quite done yet?” Matt deadpanned, crossing his arms over his chest and angling himself to see both.“Just saying,” Heather sing-songed and leaned back in her seat.~~~Once again, it was too long, in Heather’s opinion, but they finally pulled into the gates for the Caddell’s residence, and Heather jumped out before the car stopped.“MOM! WHERE’S THE PUPPY!?!” Heather yelled the second she unlocked the front door and threw it open.“She’s in li-” a tall, formally dressed blonde walks into the entryway but stops talking when her daughter darts past her and runs towards the living room where an excited squeal and the bark can be heard. “-living room. The puppy is in the living room.” She said with a sigh but an amused smile and then turned to the two boys who were toeing off their shoes and closed and locked the door. “Matt, Connor, how are you?” She asked with a friendly smile, and both boys took turns kissing her cheek in greeting and giving her a quick hug.“We’re doing great, Amelia,” Matt said.“Better now that there’s a dog involved,” Connor said, and she grinned, swiping her hand to the side as a gesture, telling Connor he could go see the dog. Although excited, Connor had a calmer walk through the house to the living room.“You know, we haven’t had an official dinner with you since you and my daughter are dating,” Amelia said, looping her arm around Matt’s.“We’ve been busy with the rebuild,” Matt explained.“Well, how about sometime this week? Wednesday?” she offered, and Matt nodded. Great, then it’s settled. Go and meet Cooper.” Matt ran to the living room to find a Goldendoodle in Heather’s lap on the ground, Connor beside her petting the dog, and an elderly man sitting on the couch watching the two.“Hi, David,” Matt greeted and shook the man's hand.“Matthew, it’s great seeing you. It would be best if you came over more often,” David said with a large grin.“Dad, I swear you love Matt more than I do,” Heather said with an eye roll.“Isn’t it a good thing for the father to like who his daughter is dating?” he asked rhetorically, unaware of the internal winces all the teen made.“Well, I am coming over on Wednesday. Amelia has just invited me for dinner,” Matt informed as he made his way over to his friend and kneeled on the other side of Heather. “Are you good with that?” He whispered in her ear, and she nodded. Heather shifted so Cooper was facing Matt.“Cooper, this is Matt,” she introduced.~~~The three of them spend most of the late morning out in Heather’s backyard throwing a tennis ball between each other, and Cooper jumps for the ball in the middle.Heather ended up going inside to look for lunch, and Matt and Connor settled in the middle of the yard, now taking turns throwing the ball and Cooper going to chase it.“It was silent,” Matt said, breaking the silence between the two, and Connor glanced at him before throwing the ball again. “They wo- well, I was left alone.” He stuttered, and Connor tensed up beside him, knowing where this conversation was heading. “For two weeks, I was left naked, hurt, and alone in the room.” Connor could tell by Matt’s monotone and distant voice that Matt was disassociating as they spoke. “The room looked like a prison cell or one of those torture chambers you see in history books. I was given a tray of little food and a water bottle, and that’s all I had for the two weeks. It was silent, cold, and alone, and I was going crazy. Every part of my body burned with the cuts and bruises, but I didn’t care about that. Being left alone like was a psychological torture, one that when I was nearing the end, I wasn’t thinking. I wasn’t even fully present in my body; my mind kept going to the past, and I kept hearing me screaming and crying. It was torture, and I wasn't thinking straight. They left the bondage from the spanking, and I didn’t think.”Connor sat there digesting the information he got from Matt. Neither he nor Heather could ever get an answer out of Matt for what happened in the room other than he was alone and cold. From the marks on Matt’s back, he knew that Casey had hit Matt with a belt, and it scared him when he saw the red mark on Matt’s neck. He knew it wasn’t from the belt as the sizing wasn’t the same. He had cried when his mother had confirmed his suspicion, and if it weren’t for Robert, he and Heather would’ve driven to wherever they were and killed them for doing that to Matt. They’re sweet, innocent, too good for this world, Matthew Casey.“But, um, do you..?” Connor tried to ask the question but didn’t know how to word it.“No, I am not suicidal,” Matt replied softly, shaking his head as if he had just returned to his body. He smiled when Cooper came over, dropping the ball in Matt’s lap. Matt picked it up and threw it again, watching Cooper run off. “It was horrible in there, and I wasn’t in control. My physical body was in the room, but my mind was everywhere else. Hearing and seeing things that aren’t real, feeling emotions of something I don’t even remember happening. Like-” Matt groaned in frustration and ran his hands through his hair. “I don’t know, honestly, I don’t know. It didn’t feel like me. It wasn’t me. But at the same time, it was, and now I’m just confused.” Connor didn’t know how to respond, so he wrapped his arms around Matt’s shoulder and pulled him in. Matt went willingly, dropped his head on Connor’s shoulder, and squeezed his eyes shut, letting some tears fall.
----- CHAPTER BREAK -----
Heather found Matt asleep with his head in Connor's lap, and she raised her eyebrows—pretty sure she was only gone for thirty minutes—but Connor tapped the bottom of his neck, and Heather nodded. She turned into the house to grab a blanket and a large plate of food and walked back out. They rearranged Matt so he lay across both their laps, placed the blanket over him, and ate quietly. Cooper seemed to notice the drop in emotions and sat quietly by Heather's side while they all waited for Matt to wake up.~~~"I was expecting a call at like midnight," Kelly said, answering the phone. He already knew who it was and heard a laugh on the other end."Hello to you too, Kelly," Matt replied, and Kelly grinned and moved into his room, ignoring his mother's knowing glance. When Jennifer woke up from her nap, she and Kelly sat down to discuss the shift in their relationship. She acknowledged that after the divorce, Kelly had lost both his parents—one by walking away and the other to alcohol and work—and she promised that she would be better. She had asked Kelly to give her a chance to patch up their relationship and not give up on her, and she wanted to be more involved in whatever aspects of Kelly's life he would allow. Kelly didn't know what to say to her and nodded, letting the conversation end there. He wasn't a big heart-to-heart type of guy, and it was weird to have that conversation with his mother as he never had that type of relationship. He promised himself that he would subtly let his mother know when there was a game for her to attend if she wanted. Although he noticed the shift before this conversation, he didn't want to get his hopes up about it being permanent."Hi," Kelly said, sitting down on his bed. "How's the puppy?""Oh! Cooper is so cute," Matt said, excitement clear in his voice. He went on a small ramble about the puppy and lunch with the Caddell's."What about you? How was your day after I left?" Matt asked, putting in his headphones. He moved to the balcony facing the forest and pulled out his sketchbook."Nothing much, just a conversation with my mom," Kelly shrugged, and Matt paused."Oh?" He said, wondering if Kelly would continue."Just, you know, wanting to be a part of my life again," Kelly said vaguely. It wasn't that he didn't want to tell Matt everything about his relationship with his mother; it was more that he wasn't ready to open that door yet. He has always ignored the lack of parental guidelines and has often turned to the Sextons for help if he needed it. He has yet to discuss his emotions fully, and even after so many years, he doesn't duel on it much and barely comes to terms with it himself. He doesn't know how to express that to Matt or anyone, so he opts not to say anything."That's good, right?" Matt asked, and Kelly hummed. "Well I'm glad, I like your mom.""Thanks?" Kelly said with a laugh, and Matt shrugged despite being unable to see him. "Can we Skype? I want to see your face.""I have to get my laptop!?!" he whined, but he stood up and returned to his room."Moving, ugh, what a hard task," Kelly mocked, and Matt stuck out his tongue at the phone. They sent each other their account information, and soon, Matt was moving back outside with his laptop, setting it on the little table he had so Kelly could see him."Are you outside?" Kelly asked where he was sitting up against the headboard of his bed."On my balcony," Matt said, lifting his laptop and turning it to face the forest. "I like to sit out here and draw. It's peaceful, and I like the view.""What are you drawing?" Kelly asked once Matt put the laptop back down and picked up his pencil and notebook."Dunno," Matt shrugged. "My teacher, Mrs. Richards, wants me and a few other students to work on a mural for our school, but our principal won't allow it until something comes up. But she has hinted a couple of times that her husband has another opening night at his art gallery. In the past, she had put myself and a few other students' art up in the gallery in the 'Upcoming New Artist' section, but since they couldn't use my name, it was annoying. She hasn't asked me if I wanted to participate yet, but I think she will soon.""Is it like a competition to get your artwork in the gallery?" Kelly asked, and Matt shook his head. Kelly briefly wondered if Matt was drawing him or the view because the blond kept flicking his blue eyes up and then back to the page as his hands moved across the page."The opening night is in April or May, and throughout the year, you would hand in work as usual, and Mrs. Richards picks three she thinks has real potential to exceed in art. The other will go to the art gallery night we have at our school, so everyone still gets some exposure. But it honestly depends on how much room they have in the gallery," Matt explained, and Kelly hummed."Would you want to though?" Kelly asked, and Matt shrugged."Dunno, it's not like I can do anything with it anyway; it's just a hobby," Matt said as if he had come to terms with the fact that he would never be able to show his art however he wanted."You could, I don't know, create a website, show your art there, start a business, I don't know," Kelly suggests, and Matt looked up—stopping his drawing—to deadpan Kelly. "What?""I am running three businesses and going to school; I don't need any more work on my shoulders," he explained, and Kelly rolled his eyes."I know that, but I'm just saying. It doesn't have to be anything grand; it could just be a place where you share your work. If it is successful, then you can sell it online. I don't know how much of your parent's money is yours, but this could be a way for you to make your own money, you know, in case they cut you off or you run," Kelly suggested and paused in thought. "I'm not a computer genius, but I know my way around a laptop, and I'm sure Heather knows some tech people who would be willing to get a website started for you. It's up to you.""I don't know, I'm not even that good," Matt admitted, and Kelly snorted loudly and shook his head."You, mister, are not that good?" Kelly asked in disbelief. "I've only seen one drawing, and you did that in a couple of hours, and it was amazing. I'm not saying that because I'm your boyfriend or whatever other biases you can think of. I'm saying that because you are. You truly are. You captured the emotions during that time and put them on paper. I'm going with a guess that you've never taken a class aside from the ones in school, and that's pure raw talent, mister. So please don't go all self-deprecating on me. You, Matt Casey, are amazing at art, and I bet that if we get that website up and running, it will be a hit." Kelly said with a challenging look as if daring Matt to argue back."Thanks," Matt blushed beet red and returned to his drawing to hide his blush."No problem, princess," Kelly said proudly, smugly."I'll think about it," Matt said after a few moments of silence."Can I know what you're drawing?" Kelly asked, trying to find a reflection in the glass behind Matt, but he couldn't see anything on the page."Nope," Matt said, popping the 'p,' and Kelly rolled his eyes."Do you have a trainer tomorrow morning?" Kelly asked. Matt checked his phone and then shook his head."Last day off," Matt said with an annoyed sigh. "Why?""I'm just wondering," Kelly said, not knowing how to ask if he could stay over. He hates how codependent he is becoming to Matt, but it's Matt Casey. How can someone not be attached to the blond once they meet him? It's impossible, and Kelly won't believe anyone who tries to convince him otherwise."Okay," Matt said slowly, knowing there was something else Kelly wanted to ask but couldn't.They continued to talk about random topics, and Kelly kept noticing Matt would drift off and stop drawing and then come back to himself with a shake of the head. At first, he didn't think much of it, and then he thought maybe Matt would bring up whatever was causing him to think so deeply, but after the fifth or sixth time, Kelly had to ask what was happening."Spill," Kelly said, and Matt hummed, then paused and frowned."Spill what?" Matt asked."What's got you with that deep frown of yours? Something is eating at you since I've had to repeat myself four times now, and I'm pretty sure you still have no idea what we're talking about," Kelly stated, and Matt looked sheepish. "It's fine, but what's going on in that beautifully blond head of yours?" Matt blushed and scrunched up his nose to hide his blush, and Kelly thought that was the cutest thing he had ever seen."Ever want to live in New York?" Matt asked, and Kelly gave him an 'Are you serious?' look. "Answer the question.""Maybe for a trip or something, but I don't think I want to live there," Kelly answered, and Matt hummed, slumped in his chair, and moved his notebook off his lap."My parents have something in New York," Matt whispered, looking past the laptop screen and into the forest before him. "For as long as I can remember, they always spend two weeks in Chicago and then two weeks in New York, hell sometimes they'll be there for a week and a half, and then Robert would tell me that they are staying for another week. I used to think it was a part of their travel for work; they had a lot of those as well. They left for England for a month, went to New York for two weeks, came home for two weeks, and then returned to New York. I never understood why, and I tried asking them when I was younger, but I got yelled at, and then something was always thrown near me to shut me up. After a while, I stopped asking. They are in New York right now, and I know it's not work or business. We don't have any offices outside of Chicago; they want DC. They never take any security guards with them; their team of personal assistants and people are back in Chicago, so it's not a business trip; it's an personal trip. Everyone gets a week off—except those working for the companies. Whenever they'll be gone, Cassie, Robert, or Elizabeth Rhodes would watch me until they return."They always seem happier when they come back from New York. They are much calmer, have genuine smiles, are nicer to their employees, and are, you know, less of an entitled monster. Well to everyone except me, they treat me the same, the only difference is that it takes them a couple days even to acknowledge me unless I did something wrong. I don't know. I don't know, but I've been questioning their actions for a while. Maybe they have a house there, but I've never seen or heard of us having properties other than the ones I've been to."I know I shouldn't expect much from them; they're Gregory and Nancy Casey, but what hurts me the most is that they never have the decency to tell me they are leaving. I remember when I was around seven, I would wake up excited because Gregory promised to bring me to the law firm for the first time, and I was excited. I wanted to make him proud so badly, but that all changed when I came downstairs and Robert told me they had gone to New York for two weeks. It took me a year to realize they go every two weeks and every time without a word to me. They don't tell me even when they change plans and extend their trip. Robert always does. They have my number. They have my email. They have a way to contact me, but the older I get, the less they talk to me and send messages to other people to me. The only time I ever hear the news through them is when they need me to do something or fix some mistake, and they are pissed out of their goddamn minds, so they take it out on me," Matt said, getting worked up. Was he angry or sad? He didn't know."I feel like a business investment to them and not a son. No. I am a business investment to them. That's all: someone to take over and carry on the name so they can be 'royalty' or whatever they want. I know they are capable of love because they do love each other. Hell, Nancy went against my grandparent's wishes and married Gregory, and I see them every time they look at each other. Even after so many years of marriage, they still look at each other like they hung the moon in the sky and treat each other with love and kindness. I used to want a relationship like that. I prayed I had someone look at me like my father looks at my mom. So I know they aren't cold-hearted people, but they refuse to show that love and kindness to me, their child."I don't think they know the meaning of parental love. Then I thought, 'hey, maybe their parents weren't loving people.' Nope. Absolutely not. My grandparents are the sweetest people ever, and there was so much love for my parents whenever we visited until they passed. When they died, that was the first time I ever witnessed them crying. Nancy was so heartbroken and missed her parents so much for a good month, and Gregory tried to hide, but I saw the pain in his eyes and his body language. I don't understand why they can't share that with me," Matt stood up and started pacing the balcony length. Whenever Matt was in the frame, Kelly noticed he was doing his tapping pattern against his leg again. Elizabeth Rhodes, Cassie McKenna, Robert McKenna, David Caddell, and Amelia Caddell showed me more love than my parents had combined. Hell, even Cornelius Rhodes when I caught him on a good day. Those people aren't even my parents, yet they practically helped raise me. Robert, Cassie, and Elizabeth were always there for me. One of the three of them was always there when I had a nightmare, when I got sick, when I got hurt or when I got scared. My parents? God knows where, but they were always informed. However, I never saw them until their business stuff was done. It was always on their schedule. 'Oh, my son is in the hospital because he got food poison. Sorry I can't make it, I have a meeting.' 'Nope, sorry, I have a hair appointment.' 'You want me to come to his talent show? I'd rather not because I have a case to win.' 'I have to go to New York.' It's also more important to me. I'm second—no—I'm tenth in their priority. Actually, that's not accurate, and I'm not even on their priority list. I swear they forget I exist until they need something from me or throw me into a goddamn room because they want to punish someone." Matt was almost screaming out of anger by the end of it, and when he was finished, he took a deep breath and dropped in his chair. "Fuck," he swore, running his hands through his hair, unaware that he had started crying until tears hit his thigh."I spend my entire life doing everything they want to the best of my ability. Connor and Heather used to joke that I was their good little solider, always following orders without questioning a thing. I did everything and pushed past my limit so many times, but that's not enough," he whispered. Kelly barely caught it. He sat back, dropping his head to the top of the chair and staring at the roof of his balcony. He took deep breaths to calm himself down, and Kelly gave him time to recoup. Matt chuckled and said, "Sorry, I went on a whole rant right there," he finally looked up to Kelly, who had his jaw tense and was trying to control his anger."I want to make it clear that I hate your parents. They shouldn't be controlling you the way they do or preparing you for a business they barely do but soak up all the money. You are a teenager, you should be out there having fun and making mistakes not sitting at home reading a law book or be at their company doing their job. The way that they treat you is child neglect. I don't know much about the law, but I know throwing stuff at you, neglecting you, and abusing you is child abuse, something they can go to jail for. It's fucked, and I hate that I can't get you out of there. I hate that you still have to be in that house even if they aren't there. I hate that you must live the way you do. I honestly don't know how you relate to them because you are the nicest person with the biggest heart. Have you done a DNA test? Are you sure you came from Gregory and Nancy Casey?" Kelly said, getting worked up himself. Matt chuckled and nodded."Did four actually, once when I was born, then when I was four, then again when I was twelve, and then a year ago. The last two were because they were so mad because I messed up some merge project, and they wanted to make sure I was their son and did a blood test," Matt said with a shrug, and Kelly's jaw dropped."If I kill your parents, will you be my lawyer?" Kelly asked, causing Matt to laugh uproarious, feeling all the emotions that were worked up flow from him. Kelly smiled, glad to make Matt laugh and relax, but he wasn't joking. He had never felt the need to kill anyone as much as he wanted to kill Gregory and Nancy Casey."Need a degree first, so maybe wait seven-ish years?" Matt suggested, and Kelly shrugged."I'm a patient man," Kelly said, and Matt rolled his eyes but picked up his sketchbook again.It was quiet between them as Matt relaxed back into his drawing. Kelly was messing around on his laptop and kept glancing at the corner of his screen to see Matt."You know you still do the tapping thing, right?" Kelly pointed out, and Matt looked up with a head tilt that reminded Kelly of a confused puppy. "Morse code comes out when you're stressed out or something.""Habit, I guess," Matt said, looking down at his hands, then shrugged."That's Good because I still write your name when I'm not paying attention. My teacher got mad at me the other day because I handed in my homework with Matthew Severide as the name," Kelly said with a laugh, but Matt was silent. He went onto Skype, so Matt was bigger on his screen and saw Matt look far away. "What?""Is it too early in our relationship to say Matthew Severide has a nice ring to it?" Matt asked a bit nervously, and Kelly grinned and shook his head."Absolutely not," Kelly said. "Matthew Severide. Matt and Kelly Severide. I like it." Matt blushed more, bit his lip, and nodded."Can you imagine if we both work together? I don't know, what if I join the academy with you, and we will rise through the ranks. Lieutenant Severide and Lieutenant Severide," Matt suggested, and Kelly laughed."That would be confusing, but I would not mind it one bit. If we worked in the same house, same shift, God," Kelly said, picturing an older version of themselves laughing and hanging around in a firehouse. "Want to become a firefighter?" he asked more seriously, and Matt shrugged."I want to help people, and firefighting is cool, and I wouldn't be opposed to it," Matt admitted, and Kelly's grin brightened."We would be such a power couple," Kelly pointed out, and Matt laughed."Isn't that a rule or something? Married couples can't work in the same house?" Matt asked, and Kelly shrugged."Fuck the rules," he said, and Matt rolled his eyes but agreed.Neither wanted to hang up. They kept talking until it got too cold for Matt to sit outside, and he moved inside, still not showing Kelly what he was working on. He charged his laptop and got himself ready for bed, yelling when he was in the closet getting changed. Soon, he was falling asleep with Kelly on the screen. Kelly may have taken a couple of screenshots of a sleeping Matt.~~~Matt enjoyed his last morning without having to wake up early and work out for an hour. He popped over to the Rhodes house, waiting for Connor to wake up, and caught up with Elizabeth over tea. He felt lighter after talking with Kelly all night and waking up to a message from Kelly.
You're cute when you sleep. I hope you slept well, princess. I'm calling you tonight. You better pick up. :) <3
Matt may or may not have grinned stupidly at his screen and re-read the message for ten minutes before pulling himself out of bed.
----- CHAPTER BREAK -----
"You wanted to see me," Matt said, popping his head into the art room where his favourite teacher, Mrs. Richards, sat at her desk. It was after school, and Matt had already planned to stay for Heather's cheer and Connor's soccer practice. Even when he didn't have to pretend to be Heather's boyfriend, he still attended every practice."Yes, please, come in," she said, and Matt walked in and settled on the desk in front of her. "As you know, my husband does an art show every year where he allows students from this school to show their work," Matt nodded. "Well, I want you to be a part of it—not the student section but as one of the main artists on the show.""You want to me what?" Matt asked, blinking rapidly as he tried to process what was being told."We will keep it anonymous as always, but I think it would be good exposure for you," Mrs. Richards continued. She had to pull their hair to get Matt to agree to show his work when it was in the student's section."How would it be exposure if it's anonymous?" He asked."Because there will be people from some of the biggest art schools in the country. This year's gallery shows some big names but graduated students from those arts schools, and there will be professors, scouts, and the dean from those schools. Some schools offer a summer program, like a taste of what it would be like going to their school, and if they see your work and ask about you—if you want, of course—we could give them your contact. This is your chance to get them to notice you; you can get a full ride," she explained, and Matt stared at her with wide blue eyes. Glimpses of not having to hide behind his art, having people see it and then see his name beside his work, was a dream he never thought could come true. He wanted it. He wanted to go to an art showing and stand proudly beside his work with Kelly and his friends. Away from the hell of Chicago. From his parents. His parents. Shit, his parents."I-I can't," Matt said quietly, almost as if it hurt him to say it. "It's a great opportunity, Mrs. Richards. I appreciate it, but I can't. My future is already set up for me. This," he waves around the room, "is nothing more than a hobby." He lied, and she sighed dissapointedly."I don't know what your home life is like, but I do know that you just lied to me. I see your face when you're in here, doing art, and so immersed in your work that you zone everything else out. This is more than a hobby; you and I both know it. But I'm not going to force you. I will keep a spot open for you if you change your mind," she said. Matt pursed his lips and looked down at his lap. He hated disappointing anyone, specifically those who had shown him kindness."Thanks," Matt whispered. He got off the table and made his way to the door. When his hand was on the handle, Mrs. Richards spoke up."I hope you know you can come to me with anything. I mean it. If something is going on, you can let me know," she said with so much hidden meaning behind it that Matt nodded and left the room.~~~"What's up with you?" Heather asked, climbing the bleachers after her practice was over. Connor was picking up the equipment they'd used for drills on the field."Nothing's up with me," Matt muttered, continuing his sketches. Heather knew better than to try to see what he was drawing. She nearly lost an eye the last time she tried to take a sneak peek."Liar," she said but didn't push. Matt sighed and glared at her."Why is everyone calling me out on my lies?" Matt muttered, and she frowned."Why are you lying so much that people must call you out?" She countered, and Matt rolled his eyes."Do either of you have water?" Connor asked, appearing out of nowhere and a bit sweaty. Matt reached into his bag and threw his water bottle at Connor."Mrs. Richards wants me to put together some art to show at a showing for her husband's gallery. There will be big names, and deans, professors and scouts from some of the biggest art schools will be there. If they like me, they could offer me a spot in their summer program, get experience and my name out there, and potentially get a scholarship," Matt said casually."That's amazing, Matt!" Heather exclaimed, her whole face showing excitement, but she frowned when Matt shrugged."Can't do it. Even if it's anonymous, even if they want me, they will find out who I am, and then Gregory would find out. They will never let me do the summer program, and what would be worse is they would know that I've been participating in the art shows all of high school and pull me out. They don't even know I'm in art class," Matt said with a hint of anger."Okay, but like you said, it's anonymous. They won't know who you are until they want you, but just because they want you doesn't mean you need to accept. They saw your work, and they liked your work enough to want you in their summer program, so if you ever apply in the future, they might recognize you, and you would have a better chance to get in. You don't need to accept their offer; use this as a chance for people to see how talented you are," Connor suggested, and Heather nodded in agreement."They would know that you exist and will keep an eye on you when we need to apply to college next year. It's a great opportunity," Heather added, and Matt shook his head."That would hurt their ego," Matt said, and Connor rolled his eyes."Or make them want you more," Connor suggests."This isn't dating," Matt said, furrowed brows and Connor glared at him."I know it's not dating, but the whole 'playing hard to get' works in more ways than just dating. Put together some of your best work, let Mr. Richards show the artwork, and we will figure something out if you want to accept any offers. As of right now, paint and let your work speak for itself," Heather said, throwing an arm around Matt's shoulders."I don't know, there's too much to do anyway, the project with the rebuilt, Nancy's rebrand-""Already done," Heather said proudly, and Matt frowned. "Look, I've been in contact with people on her team about the behaviour of the two of them. Let me worry about this. We will split the responsibility of the project rebuilt, and you go and have fun with Kelly and put together a portfolio.""I'm not letting you do all the work," Matt said with a sigh, and Heather rolled her eyes."You will," she stated firmly. "Come on, Matt, let yourself live a little while, and let Connor and I handle some stuff for once.""Yeah, plus it would take our parents off our backs for not being involved enough in their company. Win-win situation," Connor added."Fine, but I don't like it," he groaned, and Heather and Connor high-fived each other."You don't have to," Connor and Heather said simultaneously."I'm going to get changed, and then we can grab food; I'm starving," Connor said, finishing the last of Matt's water before going down the bleachers.~~~The following week, Matt spent most of his days calling Kelly on his burner, texting on Skype, and then Skyping late at night. Matt had resumed his workout sessions early in the morning and hated it, but he didn't have a choice. What made it worse was there was no Cassie to see after he was done. He had checked in with her almost every day and had spent an afternoon after school to talk with her about some designs he came up with for the bakery she wanted to open. He had asked her opinion about the offer Mrs. Richards gave him and what Heather and Connor had said, and she agreed with Connor and Heather, and Matt was more tempted to accept the offer. He had also asked Kelly, and his boyfriend grinned and yelled, "I'M DATING THE NEXT VINCENT VAN GOGH!" into the phone. He wanted to accept the offer so badly but was terrified of what might happen if his parent caught wind of it.~~~"I said yes!" Matt exclaimed."To the dress?" a female voice came from behind him, and Matt yelped and whirled around, clenching the phone to his ear. "Sorry," Heather said with amusement all over her face, hearing Kelly laugh through the phone."But said yes to what?" Connor asked, walking in from his balcony doors, and Matt rolled his eyes. "Who are you talking to?""Do you people not know how to knock?" he grumbled, sitting down on his bed, placing the phone beside him, and putting Kelly on speakerphone."We do, but why would we knock when coming to you?" Heather asked, shrugging, dropping all her weight on the bed."Common courtesy?" Matt questioned, and Heather shrugged."You don't count," she said, and Matt grabbed a pillow from behind him and swang at Heather, slapping her square in the face, causing her to yelp."Anyway," Connor said, chuckling a bit. "What did you say yes to?""Mrs. Richards," Matt said with a grin."Don't you think she's a bit old for you? Plus, she's married," Heather joked."That's great!" Connor exclaimed, tackling Matt into a hug, causing the blond to fall back onto the bed and then grunt when another weight was added."We're so happy for you!" Heather said on top of both Connor and Matt, and Matt whined."SOMEONE'S ELBOW IS DIGGING INTO MY RIB!" He yelled. Connor and Heather rolled off him, and Matt took a dramatic deep breath."Congratulations, Matt," Kelly said, and Matt smiled dopely at the phone."Hey! We should go and celebrate," Heather said, jumping up and looking ready to leave."Celebrate what?" Matt asked with a frown."Matt Casey taking his life into his hands and not giving two flying fucks about his awful excuse of parents," Connor said with a proud grin and hauled Matt off the bed. "We are picking you up, Kelly.""Ri-" Kelly started saying, but Connor hung up."Oops," Connor said, looking down at the phone and then shrugging."We need chips and alcohol," Heather said, pulling Matt downstairs."Do I get a sa-""NO!" Connor and Heather said at the same time. Matt sighed and let himself be tugged into his car.They picked up a confused Kelly, and Andy and Connor hopped out of the car so Kelly could take the passenger seat. When Kelly climbed in, he smiled at Matt and leaned over to give him a quick peck on the lips—ignoring their friends."Hi," he whispered."Hi," Matt squeaked, blushing and caught off guard. Kelly couldn't help but kiss his cheek before settling in his seat."Drive," Heather said, popping her head forward."Where?" Matt asked."Store," she said. Matt sighed, made sure everyone was buckled in and then drove off.They had gone to the store where they bought too many snacks and drinks, and then Matt drove them to their favourite hideout spot. Between last time and now, someone had put more towels into Matt's car, and they all stripped down to their underwear and jumped into the lake. Matt and Kelly teamed up together to dunk people into the water. It was good fun, a relaxing afternoon just being teenagers hanging out with their friends. When they got out, they were all dried off and ate while talking about random stuff. At some point, Matt ended up in between Kelly's legs, back leaned against his chest, and he felt warm and safe. He wished he could stay here forever. He sighed happily and melted into Kelly's embrace, closing his eyes when he felt Kelly kiss softly on his head.Sadly, it was getting late, and Matt had to drop Andy and Kelly off back at their apartment. Matt didn't want to leave him, but they had school the next day, and his parents were supposed to be back soon, so he needed to prepare himself mentally to see them. Now that he sees his parents in a new light, he needs to remind himself every time he sees them not to react differently. It's becoming more challenging with every message, call, or touch from Kelly. Making all of Matt's logical thinking fly out the window."Are you sleeping over?" Matt asked, and Heather and Connor nodded. Matt opened the door and frowned when he saw one of their security guards."I thought everyone had the weeks off," Connor whispered, and Matt nodded slowly as he carefully went further into the house as if walking through a house with traps in it. He noticed more and more of their staff milling about, doing their jobs, which raised Matt's anxiety to a new level."MATTHEW IS THAT YOU?" Gregory's voice booms through the house, and Matt freezes in the doorway that leads to the living room. He can feel Connor and Heather freeze up, and then a soft, comforting hand on his lower back and one on his shoulder."Yes, it's me," Matt said, keeping his voice as strong as it could be when he felt like he was trembling like a leaf."WHY HAVEN'T YOU BEEN ANSWERING YOUR PHONE!?!" Gregory's face was red with anger as he walked towards Matt, Connor and Heather. Connor instinctively gripped the back of Matt's jacket and pulled him back slightly."I didn't hear it, Dad," Matt whispered."I AM NOT YOUR FATHER, AND YOU ARE NOT A CHILD OF MINE!" He roared, and Matt gulped, seeing the vein on Gregory's neck about to pop out."I-I'm sorry, s-sir," Matt's voice quivered."Get out. Now." He said lowly, directing his attention to Connor and Heather, who hadn't moved from his sides and were clutching onto him out of fear or protection—Matt didn't know. Matt turned to face them and gave a slight nod, to which he could see the hesitation on his friend's face. "Don't make me ask again.""Go," he whispered, detaching their hands from around him. "We'll talk later." He wanted to say he would be fine, but everyone in the room would know it was a lie.Connor's jaw clenched and gave Gregory a hard stare before softening when he focused back on Matt. He leaned in to give Matt a tight squeeze and a pat on the back before reluctantly stepping back to let Heather hug Matt. Matt gave them both a light shove towards the doors, eyes pleading that they leave before they make the situation worse. Connor gripped Heather's wrist and dragged her out of the house. Matt stared at the spot his friends vacated, and once the front door could be heard opening and closing, all his muscles tensed up, and he slowly turned to face Gregory again."WHAT DID YOU DO?" Gregory growled lowly. If he were in a cartoon, smoke would come out of his ears, and his face would be red and angry."I don't know what you're talking about," Matt said. Now, without his friend's presence behind him, he couldn't hide how terrified he was, and his voice wobbled.Nancy was sitting calmly on one of the loveseats, reading a magazine, unfazed by the situation, and all the employees who were in the room before Gregory had entered were now nowhere to be found. Matt gulped and tried to keep a cool head and not show his fear too much, although he was doing a terrible job."Of course you don't," he scoffed, then his sharp eyes glared at Matt. "I left you in charge for barely two weeks. Is this what you do?" He seethed, and Matt flinched and let out a whimper. "YOU CAN'T DO ANYTHING RIGHT. ABSOLUTELY NOTHING RIGHT. YOU DON'T THINK I SEE WHEN MY COO HAVE TO CORRECT YOUR MISTAKES OR WHEN YOU NEED TO ASK MY WORKERS HOW TO DO SOMETHING? YOU ARE JUST A DUMB LITTLE BITCH." He snapped darkly, and Matt bit his lip as he looked down at his feet. You couldn't see much of anything due to the tears in his eyes, and he fought hard to keep his ground."Do you know how much money you've cost us?" Nancy piped up, cool as a cucumber, not looking up from her magazine. Matt felt that was even worse because that usually meant she would take out her anger more forcefully later."I'm sorry," he whined, trying to curl in on himself by hunching his shoulders and keeping his head down. That was the wrong move since something was thrown at him, hitting him in the head and causing him to stagger back. Matt was shocked by the sudden contact, and he looked down to his mother's right heel. Big, shocked blue eyes stared at his parents."Give me your phone and keys," his father said dangerously calmly. Matt gulped and took out his phone and keys. "You were supposed to proofread every contract before we signed it, and yet you missed a major detail in one of the contracts for my construction company. It was a deal that gave the other company 75% of MY money on a project that would've given us millions of dollars. It would've brought the company to a new level, but now, with this 75% loss, we would barely be going anywhere, so what do you have to say about that?""I don't know what you're talking about," Matt whimpered, now cupping the top of his head as it throbbed."Well, I expect you to fix this problem, and clearly, we aren't hard on you enough to be more thorough and have a better eye to catch these types of traps," he spat out, stocking up to Matt, who couldn't help but back up in fear."You will not talk to your friends," he smirked. He snapped Matt's phone in two. "I pulled you out of school for the time being, and you are to do it online while you fix your problem. You will also not leave this house until I say so, and you will follow everything I or Nancy tells you to do. Do I make myself clear?""Yes, sir," he whispered, and with that, Gregory walked out of the room.Matt waited until he could hear their footsteps up the stairs. Then, he dropped to his knees and let out the whimpers he was holding in. He doesn't let himself cry, not yet, at least. He knows he won't be able to stop if he does, so instead, he shoves down his emotions and stands on shaky legs to go to his room, knowing what will happen tomorrow.~~~It was around ten p.m., and Kelly and his mother had a good dinner. The conversation was slow at first, as both did not know what area of each other's lives they were allowed to discuss or ask about. Then the topic turned to soccer, and Matt and the conversation flowed easily afterward. Jennifer had to leave for another overnight shift, and Kelly was now in his room doing homework while checking his laptop every two seconds, not wanting to miss a call from Matt.He frowned when he heard movement outside his bedroom window but didn't think much of it and returned to work.He whirled around when he heard his window open. He was about to grab his biology textbook as a weapon when he saw a familiar blond head."Matty?" Kelly asked, jumping up and walking over to Matt. Once Matt looked up, his eyes were filled with tears, and he had a few tear stains on his face. "Oh, princess, what happened?" Kelly's voice dropped to a whisper as he gently cupped Matt's cheek with both hands and used his thumbs to wipe away the tears."Hold me," Matt whispered softly and so brokenly that Kelly immediately pulled him into his chest, and Matt collapsed in his arms, shaking as he let his tears fall."Oh, I'm here," Kelly said softly, one hand rubbing circles on Matt's back and the other in Matt's hair, scratching lightly at the scalp. "I'm here, baby." Matt's cries didn't stop, and Matt fisted Kelly's shirt to pull him closer. Matt pushed his head underneath Kelly's chin.Matt cried for another thirty minutes before calming down enough for Kelly to move them to his bed."What happened?" Kelly asked softly, but Matt shook his head, still not looking at Kelly and hiding his face in Kelly's neck."I won't be in contact for a while," Matt whispered, and Kelly frowned."Why?" Once again, Matt shook his head."I have to go," Matt reluctantly said and moved to get off of Kelly, but Kelly's arms tightened around Matt."Matt, what's going on?" Kelly asked, but Matt was surprisingly strong. He twisted out of Kelly's grip and stood with his back to Kelly and his head down."Tell Con and Heath as well," Matt said before walking to the window and climbing out before Kelly could say anything else.
----- CHAPTER BREAK -----
"You know, April, do you know how soulmarks work? Because if two soulmates meet, how do they complete the bond?" Andy asked, sitting down in his seat on the other side of April during lunch."Why are you asking me?" She asked, and Andy shrugged."Severide doesn't know," Andy said, and she turned raised eyebrows on Kelly, who shrugged."No one told me," he defended, and she rolled her eyes."I honestly think it's a gradual thing," Daisy, a tall brunette, said. "Because my grandparents on my mother's side are soulmates, and they said their bond gradually improved. Something about the same mark slowly appears on the other side of their body, like it fades in. It grows as your relationship grows.""So it's not like when they have sex?" Andy asked, genuinely confused, and Kelly threw his apple at his head. "Hey! It's a valid question.""You're an idiot," April said with an eye roll, and Andy whined and threw Kelly's apple at April's head."So..." Kelly said, turning to Daisy when the two started bickering beside him. "What was their bond afterwards?""Well, you know every soul-bond is different. Some can feel each other's emotions. Some can read each other minds or, more like, cognitively connected that one look can carry a whole conversation. But others say they don't feel anything different from a strong, healthy relationship," she shrugged and then narrowed her eyes at Kelly, studying him. "Why?""Curious," Kelly shrugged nonchalantly. Daisy was about to call his buff when the rest of their group arrived, and the conversation shifted.~~~The rest of the day, Kelly waited for class to be over. He called Connor seconds after Matt had left, and Connor reassured him that he could see Matt in his room. Sadly, Connor couldn't go into Matt's room as Gregory had placed guards outside his bedroom and balcony doors, completely locking Matt in his room. Once again, he wanted nothing more than to march over to Casey's residence and kill Gregory and Nancy Casey. He could hear the anger in Connor's voice, and he was pacing from the constant movement on Connor's end of the call. Not too long into their phone call, Heather's voice appeared, and Kelly had never heard her sound so angry. There was a sharp bite to her words, and she ranted in a whispered yell. Kelly assumed Connor's parents were home.Connor and Heather didn't tell him much, other than they had come home to find an angry Gregory Casey, and they were dismissed, but Connor could hear Gregory's voice from outside the house.All Kelly knew was that Heather and Connor were taking turns watching Matt from Connor's bedroom through the night, and Kelly had slept with the phone by his bed.Now, Kelly was waiting for one of them to come pick him up from school so he could finally get some answers. He wanted to skip school, especially when he found out from Andy that Connor skipped school to keep watch over Matt during school, and he wanted updates on his boyfriend.~~~"So...?" Kelly asked the second he got into the backseat of Heather's car."You two have a shift," Heather said, surprisingly cold and didn't even bother to turn and look at him or Kelly."Heather, please," Kelly pleaded. He didn't care how desperate he sounded."Connor said that the blinds were closed around ten this morning. He couldn't see anything after that, so Robert was sent to deal with the office work. Connor and I are expected at the office in an hour, so I'm dropping you off at work, and then I'm leaving," she explained with a bite to her voice. Andy placed a hand on her shoulder, and she sighed and closed her eyes, taking multiple deep breaths. "I'm sorry," she said, finally looking at Kelly. "Gregory was pissed about something, and we didn't see Matt until he was sneaking back into his room, seconds before the guards were posted. Elizabeth had even tried going over it, saying she wanted to catch up with Nancy, but no one was allowed into the house. When I left Connor's this morning, their employees, mainly the kitchen staff, maids, and assistants, all left, and it was only the guards in the house.""What's gonna happen to Matt?" Kelly asked, getting nervous, and Heather shrugged."The last time this happened—I barely remember it as it was early on in our friendship—but Matt was six. We didn't see him for a while, and parts of his memory were gone when he was back. He had horrible headaches, and he was skittish around us. I know Robert is trying to get into the house without alerting Gregory, but he can't slip away unnoticed without Gregory or Nancy in either office. We're seeing him once we get to the office, and Con and I will create some diversion to let Robert leave and see if he can get to Matt and at least get him to call us so we know he's okay," Heather said sadly. She turned to Andy and smiled tiredly at him, and Andy leaned over to kiss her forehead softly."Anything we can do?" Andy asked, and she shook her head."They aren't gonna kill him, are they?" Kelly asked, and Heather scoffed."They kill Matt. They lose whatever future they want. Matt is the key to whatever fucked up plan they have. They won't kill him," Heather said coldly. She started the car and turned up the radio, wanting a distraction. The music wasn't helping, but it was better than sitting in tense silence.~~~"FIX IT!" Gregory hissed as he shoved Matt into the room and jumped at the sound of the heavy doors shut and locked behind him. Once again, he was naked and cold, but they didn't tie him to the bench this time around. Instead, Matt noticed a file on his mattress and sighed, walking over to it. If he is going to be trapped here, he might as well use it as a distraction from his mind.~~~"I need you to sign a couple of documents, Greg," Robert said, walking into the living room of Casey's residence and subtly glancing around the house. He had noticed from the second he stepped into the house that it was eerily quiet, and he knew most of the staff were gone. He also noticed that the "family" photo hanging on the wall by the front door was gone. Everything the Casey's had put up to resemble a happy, caring family is gone. There were no pictures of Matt anywhere, and all his awards were taken down and replaced with other decorations."Ah," Gregory chirped, pulling a pen from his suit pocket."There's also a document I need Matthew to sign; it's for the project rebuilt," Robert explained, but Nancy shook her head."He can sign it later; he's busy right now," she said, not looking up from her laptop."It's time-sensitive, ma'am," Robert said, trying to keep his annoyance and impatience out of his voice."Leave it in his room," Gregory said, returning the now-signed documents to Robert. Robert nodded and went to Matt's room, knowing Matt wouldn't be there. He sighed in relief when he noticed no guards by his bedroom door, and when he entered the room, he noticed no one standing outside the balcony doors either. He hadn't dismissed his team, and they usually report to him even if it's an order from Gregory, so he wonders where they are.Silently, he moved through the house, looking for anyone on his team but finding none of the main, second, third and fourth floors. He snuck down to the kitchen, where he could go into the basement without passing through the living room, and the basement was empty as well. He knew that there was a secret passage somewhere in the house. He remember when Matt was younger, and he had come down with the flu, and he was so sick that he was rambling nonsense, but the blond had mentioned a scary room below the basement.It takes Robert around an hour to find the secret door, but when he finally does, his stomach drops. He pulls out his flashlight and walks through the door, closing it behind him. He shivers. The temperature has dropped dramatically, and he slowly walks through the hallway. He couldn't help but feel as if he had just walked into a horror movie. Instead of fancy and expensive chandelier lights, a flickering wall lamp barely holds on. The walls are not insulated, and Robert fears the building might come crashing down any second.He stops once he hears voices. He turns off his flashlight and presses himself against the wall."You can't be seriously okay with this," Walker said, and Robert leaned around the corner to see two of the security guards."I don't know what happened," the other guard, Scottie, said."But it's not right. It's child abuse.""It's money.""Is that all you care about? The money?""Look, I have eight mouths to feed at home; they pay well. I need it.""And you're going to overlook this?""I don't know what goes on behind these doors. I've never been here either. I don't think McKenna's been here, and he's Mr. Casey's second-hand man.""Does he know?""No, and you know why. We are being paid doubled to be here and not tell the boss. Now, shut up.""But it's wrong.""Then why take the money if you think it's wrong?""I didn't know it would be this!?! I thought we were supposed to be outside his room, not this-this. I don't know what this place is!""Well, it's too late now. Now shut up, they are supposed to be here in ten minutes and unless you want to die, you don't want them to hear you talk like that."Robert sighed quietly and knew he had to leave before Gregory and Nancy came down. There was only one hallway with no place to hide, and he mentally told himself that he needed to put together the plan faster. He had a sinking feeling that it was only getting worse, and he didn't know how much longer he could protect Matt.~~~Matt picks up the paper, reads the first line, and knows that whatever mistake has been made was not because of him. He doesn't recognize the company name and knows he hasn't seen, read or briefed his father on this contract. He remembers every partner they partner with. He remembers every company that is blacklisted for whatever reason his father has. He remembers every partner and company he had to read about when he was forced to work the day before. This company was not on any list or in his memories.Matt wanted to scream at the cameras and say he didn't make the mistake, but he knew it would be a waste of air. If his father made the mistake, then he would pay because his father is a man who can't take the blame for his own wrongdoings. If it was someone who worked for his father, then Matt wouldn't be here right now, so he knows it was a mistake made by his father.He sighs and skims over the contract, and at first glance, he can see why his father would've signed right away. At first glance, the partnership deal seems too good to be true, but at second glance, Matt catches all the words that make it into a trap. They are so hidden and well-used that they can be easily missed, but Matt never signs a contract without reading it thoroughly three times to ensure he didn't skip over an important word. He knows how ugly a lawsuit over a contract can get simply because the client missed one word that makes their case impossible to win.The child is his father, and his father fell into the trap.Matt, a sixteen (almost seventeen) year old boy still in high school, has to find a way out of a problem that is supposed to be the job of a lawyer who had at least four years of law school to back their knowledge. He internally groans, knowing he will not be let out until he comes up with a foolproof plan and then four backplans.Matt wants to scream, throw everything at the door, demand his human rights, get out, and get Kelly.~~~Gregory watches as Matt scribbles down his plan to get the 75% the company has lost. When the blond is finished, he lifts the notepad with shaky hands and gives it to Gregory without looking at him. He skims over the plan once before grabbing Matt forcefully and tying him down to the bench. Matt hadn't even resisted and let himself be tied down, and Gregory smirked at the fight that had left Matt's body.Matt panicked when a blindfold was wrapped around his head and earplugs were placed into his ear. He screamed when the first hit of the belt touched his skin.~~~He was sobbing in pain for what felt like hours.~~~Every day, he would get a small cup of water to drink. Someone guiding his head up and pouring the water down his throat.Every day, there was pain shooting everywhere on his body. From a belt, paddle and other tools he couldn't recognize.Every day, he sobbed when his mouth was being used, wondering when they would use his ass.
----- CHAPTER BREAK -----
Kelly has spent the weekend mindlessly staring at the ceiling, unable to do anything. He doesn't know if Matt is safe, which is killing him to the core. It takes every ounce of strength he has not to march over there and take the blond away. Fuck the law.His mother has tried and failed to get him out of his room. April had come over to try and drag him out as well, but to no avail. Andy would stop by, but instead of dragging him out of his room, he would sit on his bed doing his own thing.He hasn't heard from Heather or Connor. He only knows from Andy that the two are taking turns watching Matt's room or Casey's residence.On Monday, he goes to school and mostly feels on autopilot. He goes to his classes but mostly sits there and worries about Matt. He sits at lunch and worries about Matt. His teammates and friends all glance over multiple times and ask if he is okay, but Kelly doesn't answer. He skipped soccer practice and got scared when he saw Cassie standing outside his apartment door."Sorry," she said, and Kelly shook his head."Want to come in?" He asked, and she nodded. Kelly unlocked the door and let her in. Cassie walked over to the couch and sat down with a sigh. "I don't mean to sound rude, but why are you here?""Matt," she said, and Kelly froze. "He isn't dead. I don't know much of what is going on; all I know is Robert and Gregory had an argument over Matt's treatment. I just wanted to check in on you. So Kelly Severide, how are you handling all of this?" Kelly shrugged and sat down on the loveseat across from her."Has this happened before?" Kelly asked, and she sighed. "I know he said something about a room but never elaborated.""He told you about the room?" she asked, shock evident on her face. Kelly nodded."It was mid-rant, but yeah. I don't think he wanted to talk about it. It may have just slipped out," he said."Well, yes. That's Casey's favourite form of punishment. No one is ever allowed in the house while it happens, and Matt never talks to me about it. Connor or Heather may know a bit more," she sighs and hands a plastic bag over to Kelly. "Eat." Kelly pulls out the container and opens it to see lasagna and a fork."Can I ask?" Kelly starts as he pokes at the food. "You called him giggles once. Why?" She smiles fondly as pictures of a happier and younger version of Matt play in her mind."When Matt was a little boy, he was the happiest kid in the world. His smiles were as bright as the sunshine; whenever I brought him to the park, he always made a friend and laughed. His giggles were also adorable, and he always giggled, even if no one was talking. He would think of something funny or read something funny and then giggle to himself quietly," she looked down at her hands sadly."When Matt was born, Nancy would dote on the boy constantly. Matt and Nancy had a tight relationship. Whenever he was crying, Nancy was the one who could calm him down. Matt always gravitated towards Nancy and cried whenever Gregory came near him. I think baby Matt was smart enough to know Gregory was no good. I don't know what happened to Nancy that caused her to start hating Matt. I think it was when Matt first learned how to speak that everything changed. Your name was one of the first few words he learned," Cassie looked up and smiled. "We used to talk about life with Kelly. It was his favourite thing to do, and then he turned six, and that's when everything took a turn for the worse.""What happened when he was six?" Kelly asked."It was an accident. He doesn't remember much, although his memories are slowly coming back to him," she said and rubbed her stomach absentmindedly. "I'm really happy you gave Matt a second chance.""He's my soulmate," he said with a shrug, taking a bite of the lasagna."But still, I know you two had a fight the first time around," she said, and Kelly shrugged again. "Either way, I'm glad he's found you, and I can't wait until that boy is out of his parents' clutches.""You and me both," Kelly said with a sigh. "Do you think Matt will be safe in that house for another two years?""No," she said without hesitation. "Gregory is starting to lose his mind. But I know Matt won't be killed. I don't know if that's better or worse.""Can't we get the police involved?" Kelly asked, and she sighed and shook her head."Gregory Casey and Nancy Casey run many more businesses than what is listed online. Even though he isn't mayor, he owns Chicago and has people in every job position wrapped around his pinkie. Finding someone willing to go up against Gregory Casey would be rare, and even then, there's not much to do. They are careful. We may know—or at least can fill in the blanks—but that isn't enough. We don't have physical proof of anything happening. Matt barely talks about it, and Gregory and Nancy cover their tracks well. One wrong move, and it could kill Matt. They may need Matt since he is the key piece to their game, but they are willing to lose that key piece and rebuild. Right now, we need to make them think nothing has changed," she said, and Kelly groaned."But Matt is paying for it," he argued, and she nodded."I don't like it, but there's nothing we can do," she said, and Kelly rolled his eyes and slumped in his chair.~~~Connor and Andy had to pick up a drunk Kelly in a random alleyway four days later.Kelly barely shows up at school on days his mother isn't there to push him out of the door.Jennifer had sat her son down on their couch."What's going on?" she asked gently, and Kelly shrugged and muttered, "I'm fine." She didn't believe it for a second, and she was getting increasingly worried as she watched the pain consume her son. "Kelly, you haven't been okay for the past week and a half. You know you can talk to me."Silence."Is this about your arm? The cast will come off soon."Silence."Is this about being unable to play at this weekend's game?"Silence."Is this about Matt?"Kelly looked up at her, sighed and nodded sadly."Is he okay?" she asked tentatively, and Kelly broke. He started sobbing, and Jennifer's eyes widened in shock. She moved to sit beside him and pulled her into his side, letting him cry. She didn't know what was going on, and she had so many questions running through her mind, but she let Kelly cry as she held back until after he calmed down."Thanks," he mumbled, pulling away from her after ten minutes of crying. He sniffled and wiped his eyes with his sleeve."Are you okay?" She asked, brushing some of his hair out of his forehead."Matt and I are fine, but Matt isn't," Kelly said, and she frowned. "Matt and I's relationship is complicated, not complicated within us; I mean a bit, but not really. More outside forces? But, like, the outside force doesn't know we are together, so it's like a secret relationship but not because Matt is scared to come out—well, he is, and he's still in the closet, but not for the reason of not acceptance—well that too but not the main part—maybe it is the main part. But-""Okay, you lost me, kid," Jennifer said, raising her hand to stop Kelly's rambling thoughts, which made no sense to her. "Can you start from the beginning?" Kelly nodded, bit his bottom lip, and stayed silent as he tried to work through his thoughts and put everything in the right order."Matt and I met when he came to the diner with his two friends, Heather and Connor. At first, we didn't get along because he's a Casey and was mad at his father for what he did to our house. But then Matt was used as a cover story for him and Heather's parents so Heather could go out with Andy. During their first date, Matt and I hung out, and I noticed that Matt was different from his parents. He started the rebuilding project because of Andy and me, and we kept seeing each other because of Heather and Andy. The more we hung out, the more I liked him, even before I found out he was my soulmate-" Jennifer's eyebrows shot up. "Connor threw a party, and we were invited, and I ended up spending half the night with Matt at his place, and that's when I started to understand him a bit more. But it isn't very easy because of who his parents are."His parents own three companies, and since he is the only child, he is expected to take over once he has his degree and shit. They put a lot of pressure on him and make him do their job sometimes when he is only a teenager. Most of the time, Matt is doing their job more than they are, but they get all the praise, and Matt gets all the work. His parents don't care about him the way a parent should," Kelly said with anger lacing his voice and an eye-roll. "They control him and his entire life, and it makes me sick. I realized we were soulmates the day after the party when they had a pool day, and I saw the mark. Matt didn't want to do anything about the mark because it was his way of keeping me safe, and there was a back-and-forth until he caved and we got together."Something in that house terrifies Matt, but he doesn't talk about it. There was a time when I saw Matt, and it looked like he was in pain from just sitting. We can't do anything to help Matt either because Gregory Casey owns this fucking city. Now, Matt is locked inside his house. Over a week ago, Connor, Heather and Matt were returning to Matt's house when Gregory started yelling and kicked Connor and Heather out. Then Matt snuck into my room through the window, cried, and said he would be out of contact for a while. That was the last time I saw him. No one has seen him since," Kelly rambled it all out and took a long breath."Wow," Jennifer said, blinking at all the information she had just received. "That's-That's- wow.""Yeah," Kelly said, blinking away the tears."With this situation—and I may not be the best person to advise, but I think your best way to help is to listen, be a comfort, and be what he needs. Getting involved with family issues is tough for an outsider, especially who Matt's parents are. I know it would be hard, but keep a close eye on him, and if you think his life is at risk, real life-threatening danger, then you let me know. If not, then be the comfort he needs. Encourage him to talk, but don't push. Try to create a calm and safe environment when you are with him. Give him time to relax, laugh, or melt his worries away.""But what if I never see him again because of his parents?" Kelly asked."Have you seen evidence of physical violence?" She asked, and Kelly shook his head. "Look, I hate it. I hate when I get patients who are evidently in a domestic violence relationship, but as sad and hard as it is not to say something, you can't without the victim saying something first. If Matt asks for him to get him out, then you get that help and pull him out, but you can't force him out. I can ask some of my friends from DCFS and some of my lawyer friends about this situation. I'll be vague about this and won't name you or Matt, but get an idea. We can devise a plan for when Matt wants out and have it available whenever he is ready. I can also see if there's any law about soulmates that would work in your favour. But as of now, you have to play by his rules. Don't make the situation worse for him; be there and guide him. Don't force.""Kidnapping him and running away to Australia sounds easier," Kelly said seriously, and Jennifer laughed and shook her head."We will save that for plan B," she said, and Kelly chuckled wetly. "I know it's hard, sweetie, but we will get through this.""I hope," Kelly muttered, and Jennifer sighed quietly and rubbed Kelly's back comfortingly.~~~Kelly groans as he is pulled out of sleep. He turns his head further into the pillow and covers his ears, but the ringing doesn't stop. It takes him a few minutes to realize that the ringing isn't his alarm but his phone, so he jumps out of bed and runs to grab the phone from the living room."Matt?" Kelly asked once he answered the phone."Do you have someone who can drive you to the hospital?" Jennifer's voice came through the phone, and Kelly frowned and looked around the living room to find a clock. He frowned more when he saw that it was three a.m."Mom?" Kelly asked, rubbing his eyes."Do you have a friend who can drive you to the hospital?" She asked again. "You mentioned Matt's friends. Do they have a car?""Yeah, why?" Kelly asked, getting concerned."Call them and come to the hospital, and you remember where to go when you have to find me, right?""Yeah," Kelly said, walking to his room to grab a hoodie."Go there, and have one of them call me once you are at the hospital," she said, and Kelly could hear the urgency in her voice."Mom, you're scaring me," Kelly said."I'm sorry, but this is important. I must go now, but call me once you're here." She hung up, and Kelly sighed. He dialled Connor's number and was surprised when Connor picked up on the first ring."Hello?" He asked, sounding exhausted."My mom just called me and told me to come to the hospital. I know this is last minute, but can you drive me?" Kelly asked. "I think it's Matt. I don't know. A couple of days ago, we talked about the situation, and now she's calling me at 3 AM on her night shift and said it was important and to come quickly.""Heather... Ow, what the fuck, Connor... It's Matt; wait, are you two naked under there? Did you have sex in my bed... No, of course not... Get dressed. We'll pick up Kelly and then drive to the hospital. Did you get anything from Robert?... Let me check..." Kelly heard through the phone, and then there was a bunch of groaning and shuffling. "We're coming," he said and hung up.~~~"Robert isn't picking up," Heather said, annoyed, as she hung up the phone. Connor was driving like a madman on their way to the hospital."Did your mom say anything else?" Andy asked, and Kelly shook his head, keeping his gaze out the window.Kelly directed Connor where to park. Then, Kelly used Connor's phone to call his mother, letting her know they were there. She gave him a floor and room number. The four of them wandered through the hospital until they reached the room, and Kelly knocked.Jennifer opened the door and ushered the teens into the room. Right as Kelly was about to ask why he was rushed to the hospital, Jennifer pulled back the curtains, and Heather gasped.There on the bed is a pale-looking Matt hooked up to IVs, machines, and blood transfusion.
----- CHAPTER BREAK -----
"He just got out of surgery," she whispered. "There was a man here, Robert McKenna. He was here with Gregory and Nancy Casey, who were ushered to the police station.""W-what happened?" Andy asked, staring wide-eyed at his friend and placing a hand on Kelly's shoulders and his other arm around Heather."From what I heard, Robert found Matt bleeding on the couch and called the ambulance. Gregory and Nancy were putting up a fight, and the police were called. Robert came here with Matt in the ambulance, and Gregory and Nancy tried to enter the hospital, but they weren't allowed. Matt was rushed immediately to surgery for a bunch of stitches. He lost a lot of blood and is extremely malnourished," she explained and kept glancing over at Kelly, who remained frozen, staring at Matt. "He will wake up soon.""He almost died, didn't he? From the blood lost?" Connor voice was rough when he spoke."Yes, a couple more minutes and he would have," she admitted and Heather ran over to Matt and hugged the blond as best she could. Andy went over to comfort his girlfriend and Connor walked out of the room needing a breather."Did you treat him?" Kelly asked quietly, still not taking his eyes off Matt."I was one of them," she said and Kelly turned to look at her and she placed a hand on his shoulder when she saw the tears pooling in his eyes."What was his condition?" He asked shakily."He was unconscious, but..." she trialled off and sighed. "We have to take pictures of his injuries; it's protocol when we get someone who is showing signs of abuse.""So there's evidence," Kelly perked up silently, but Jennifer looked at him sadly."There can't be a case until Matt speaks. Even if we have these photos, Matt could lie and say it happened because of something else," she said."But he's a minor," he protested."Yes, but Gregory would know how to play this game. I heard through the rumour mill for a while now that Gregory had some law/contract Matt signed in case something like this happened. I don't know what it is, but he had protection," she said, and Kelly frowned. "Just because he's a minor, he has to talk before an investigation can be launched and arrest can be made. I don't know what loophole Gregory found to be able to do that, but we aren't playing by the law. We are playing by Gregory Casey's Law." Kelly's jaw clenched, and he turned on his heels, dropped himself in the chair opposite Heather, and tentatively reached out for Matt's hand. It lay limp in his hand, and it was cold to touch. Kelly sniffled and placed his forehead over his and Matt's clasped hands.Jennifer left the teenagers on their own in the room only to run into Connor Rhodes, who was sitting on the ground with his back to the wall, looking sick and terrified. She looked around and walked over to sit beside the young man."Connor, right?" She asked quietly, not to startle him, and Connor nodded slowly. "Kelly told me about you as well when he talked about Matt. You're his friend-""Best friend, practically brothers," Connor corrects, voice rough and shaky."Brothers," she said, placing a warm and comforting hand on Connor's shoulder. "We have some of the best teams at this hospital, and he will be fine. He's going to wake up. You will not lose him.""Maybe not now," Connor mutters, face scrunching, and Jennifer doesn't know what to say. Between what Kelly had told her and what she saw on Matt's body, she knew the boy wasn't safe in his house and didn't know whether or not Matt would make it to the hospital the next time.Connor got up wordlessly and walked to Matt's room, slipping in silently.~~~Jennifer managed to bring a larger loveseat into the room and place it in the corner. Heather was curled up on Andy's lap on the loveseat, fast asleep, while Connor and Kelly both took a chair opposite each other, not being able to sleep. Both had a hand in Matt's as they were both lost in their own thoughts.Connor's phone rang around six AM, causing everyone in the room—minus Matt—to jump up. Connor hurriedly answered the phone without checking the caller ID."I'm going to assume that since you've been trying to call me all night, you know," Robert said into the phone. Connor grunted and put the phone on speaker. "The cops came when the ambulance was there. Gregory and Nancy are currently being questioned, and I'm coming over now. Once Matt wakes up, the detectives want to talk to him, but since he's a minor, I would need to be present.""What's going to happen?" Kelly asked, voice raw."If he tells the cops everything that happened, then they will put him into a temporary home," Robert informed, but everyone knew that wasn't what was going to happen."You know Matt won't talk," Connor said sadly, looking down at his best friend."Even if he does, Gregory would stop him before it can get out," Robert said quietly. He saw the furious look on Gregory's face when he called an ambulance and knew that talking with the cops would make the situation worse. He is honestly debating whether or not to pack up their stuff put Matt in the backseat, and drive away."So what? He's going to be stuck in that house forever?" Kelly asked, anger rising and evident in his tone."I don't know," Robert said with a sigh. "I don't know what's going to happen, Gregory fired me. I can't protect Matt anymore—not that I've done a good job of it.""You kept him alive for this long," Heather said quietly. Connor slumps in his chair defeatedly and stares down at his shoes. "What even happened?""I can only assume you must ask Matt," Robert said. He knows what happened or can put the pieces together for the full picture, but he doesn't know how much of this Matt wants his friends to know. Connor frowns when Robert hangs up, but he enters Matt's room seconds later. He glances at Matt's form—looking better than when he found him—and turns his attention to Heather and Connor. "Don't do anything stupid. I mean it.""What, like killing Gregory in his sleep?" Andy muttered, and Robert fought a smirk."I told the cops everything. I didn't hold back, but if Matt denies it, then nothing would be done," Robert said. "There are already cops over at Casey's residence checking out the house, but odds are, the room will be gone by now. Gregory has about four to five cops under his payroll in every pretinct of all ranks, they would need a solid case if they want this investigation to get further.""And they need Matt's statement for that," Kelly concluded, and Robert nodded. "Fuck, Matty, please tell the truth.""He won't, and we all know it," Connor said, getting angry."This is plain child abuse. Why the hell not?" Andy asked, and Connor swirled around on him."Because despite Matt starting to rebel against his parents and starting to live life for himself, they are still his parents. He still sees the good in them, and he doesn't want to go into the foster care system. That will only end terribly. Gregory won't let Matt walk away even if he is across the world protected by the fucking secret service or whatever shit. I know that Heather knows that, and Matt knows that. His choices are either stay by Gregory's side or get a bullet to his head and buried six feet underground," Connor whispered yelled stocking up to Andy. Heather and Kelly had to grab his shoulder so he would not press Andy against the wall."I'll be fine," a croaked shaky whisper came from behind them and they all turned to see Matt blinking several times and trying to sit up."Stay down, Matty," Kelly said, all of them rushing over to his side. Kelly placed a hand on Matt's shoulder, guiding him back to the bed. Matt hissed quietly, and his face scrunched up in his discomfort."This isn't fine, Matt," Connor said, looking at him with sad, defeated eyes."Better than dead," Matt muttered. "Or so I keep telling myself," he whispers to himself."I'm going to get my mom," Kelly whispered, but he didn't want to leave Matt's side, so he turned to Andy, who nodded and gave Kelly's shoulder a squeeze and a kiss to Heather's temple as he passed."We'll get you out," Connor said, and Matt shook his head."Don't bother," Matt said, Connor's jaw tensed. "I'll handle them. I'll get out; just don't fuss about this.""Don't make a big fuss!?!" Kelly exploded, his voice rising, and he took a deep breath to calm himself. "Matt this isn't some cut on your face, you lost so much blood that you nearly died!""But I didn't," Matt argues weakly."Okay," Jennifer said, walking in right before Kelly or Connor could yell again. "Why don't you guys wait outside while I check him over.""No," Kelly said firmly, standing beside Matt's bed. "I'm not leaving him.""Kels, it's your mom. I'll be fine," Matt said softly, squeezing the hand that was cluched tightly in Kelly's."I'll be right outside," Kelly said, leaning down to kiss Matt's forehead. Matt frowned when he flinched back. He was going to say something, but his mother's hand was on his shoulders, guiding him out. Everyone exited the room except Robert, Kelly, and Connor, both tensed with fear, sadness, and anger."You know what happened, don't you?" Matt asked Jennifer as she guided him to turn on his side so she could check on the bandages and stitches."Is there something you want to tell me?" Jennifer countered, and Matt shrugged the best he could. He turned to look at Robert, whose jaw was tense and glared at the wall across from him."There's no evidence, what's the point?" Matt asked with a sigh."Your stitches look good," she commented quietly after a few minutes of silence. She laced up the back of his gown and turned him back on his back. She fussed around with the machines and jotted some notes down before nodding and giving Matt a sympathetic look before leaving the room."Keep them out for a second; I want to talk to Robert alone," Matt said, and she nodded. Once the door closed, Robert came over and sat by the bed in one of the chairs."How did you find me?" Matt asked, Robert's eyebrows shooting up."You don't remember?" He asked, and Matt shook his head. "On the living room couch, you were on your stomach, naked and bleeding.""Nancy's going to kill me if I got blood on that cream colour couch," Matt muttered, and Robert had to bite his lip to keep himself contained. "Are they dead?""Gregory and Nancy?" Robert asked with a frown and Matt shook his head. "Then who?" Matt looked away and Robert waited a few minutes to see if Matt would say anything but the blond stayed quiet. "Matt.""Someone mentioned cops," Matt said instead, and Robert sighed and nodded. "They took your statement?" Robert nodded again. "You told them everything?""Including your not accident when you were six," Robert said, and Matt nodded slowly. "They need your statement if this case will go anywhere.""They're not getting it," Matt stated with a shrug and looked around the room."Matt," Robert said with a sigh."No. What Connor said is true. They won't let me walk away without a bullet in my head. Not only would my walking away be a sign of them losing, but I know too much about the company's inner workings. I know too much about them, everything they do and all their sketchy work. I can figure it out by asking the right people to talk without tipping them off. I'm too close to it," Matt explained."Fine," he said, not sounding remotely close to happy about the situation. "Answer me this, full honestly," Matt nodded slowly. "Did they sexually assault you or rape you?" Matt looked down to his lap and then turned to the window beside him. Robert groaned into his hands, and Matt's heart rate was picking up, causing the beeping to get louder in the room."Everything okay?" Jennifer asked, poking her head in glancing at the machine."Fine, is it okay if I get some water?" Matt asked."Of course," she said and left."They can come in," Matt whispered, and Robert stood up and walked out. Matt sighed heavily and looked up to the ceiling."Here's the water you asked for," Kelly said, coming up beside him, and he and Connor helped him sit up enough to take sips from the straw. When he was halfway down, the cup signalled to be put down, and they gently lowered him to the bed."The house's skeleton has been built," Heather said, jumping to sit by Matt's feet on the bed. Connor and Kelly were on either side of the bed, and Andy stood behind his girlfriend at the end. "Ellie came out to the school and her parents. Rumours are that her mom flipped out, but her dad was too stunned to speak, and she and Lily are adorable. Cameron kept asking about you at school, but your absence made him find someone new to obsess over because he started cozying up to Amber. There's a rumour that someone is pregnant, someone hooking up with a teacher, and Connor punched Cameron.""You did what?" Matt asked having not paid too much attention at Heather's attempt to lighten the mood."He was being a homophobic asshole to Ellie and Lily," Connor said with a shrug, and Matt looked down at his hands. "I'm fine. It wasn't even that hard.""How much trouble did you get into?" Matt asked, grabbing Connor's hand to inspect them himself."Not much. My mom called, and he hadn't heard of it since my father was out on a business trip. Mom scolded me about using my fist instead of my words, but that's all. She had a small smile on her face the entire time, so I don't think she was that mad," Connor said, and Matt huffed. "Elle's okay?""She is," Heather confirmed and Matt made a mental note to check in with her later. Matt turned to Kelly and scanned his boyfriend from head to toe and then settled on his cast."When's that coming off?" He asked, nodding to his cast."Sometime this week? I don't know. I didn't pay attention when I came for the checkup," Kelly admits, and Matt rolls his eyes. Matt tugs on Kelly's hand to get the teen to lean down, and he places a soft kiss on Kelly's nose. Kelly smiles and wants nothing more than to kiss Matt, but since he flinches earlier, he isn't sure if he can do that."Come on, I missed almost two weeks; more had to have happened in your lives," Matt urged, trying desperately to get them all to start talking so the tense atmosphere would disappear. Andy was the first to jump in and start talking about random rumours from school or his work that he'd heard, and then, everyone sat on Matt's bed conversing easily. There was still a tense undertone, and they all kept glancing over at him every two seconds as if he might disappear any second, but Matt didn't call them out.They talked until Matt fell asleep again.~~~"You have to eat," Cassie said, urging them all to eat the food she brought. It was now around eight AM, and they were all sitting outside in the hallway as the cops were arriving soon, and Matt was in there with Robert. Cassie had arrived about twenty minutes ago, rushing over to Matt and doting on him before hugging him the best she could, with him half lying down and her belly starting to show. She was extremely gentle in her hug, especially around his back. The comfort her hugs normally bring remained the same.Two detectives, one with shoulder-length black hair and the other with dark brown hair, walked past them and straight into Matt's room.~~~"Hello. I am Detective Hank Voight, and this is my partner, Detective Alvin Olinsky. Are you Matthew Casey?" Voight introduced himself in his raspy voice, and Matt nodded."Matt's fine," he said, and the two detectives moved to stand at the end of this bed."Okay, Matt," Olinsky said. "How are you feeling?""I'm not going to tell you what you want to hear," Matt said, jumping straight into the reason they were there."And what's that?" Voight asked, glancing at Alvin quickly."You are here because of suspected child abuse or whatever. I know my parents were at the police station. I'm fine, the house is fine, and my relationship with my parents is fine. There's no child abuse going on," Matt said firmly."That's not what we got from him," Olinsky said, nodding to Robert, standing in the corner, out of the way."Well, no investigation can move forward without my statement, and the answer is no," Matt said, and Hank's eyebrows rose."Then how did you end up in the hospital, back all cut up?" Hank asked."What excuse do you want to hear? Fell down the stairs? Landed on nails? Scratched my back with a back scratcher too hard?" Matt asked, and Hank sighed."You're a smart kid, but you and I both know the truth of what's going on," Hank said, sitting in the chair beside the bed."No, if you knew the truth, you wouldn't dare step foot into this hospital room or have questioned Mr. and Mrs. Casey," Matt said, holding in a wince as he leaned forward to meet Hank's stare."Is that a threat?" Hank asked, more surprised than anything else."Not a threat, a warning," Matt said with a shrug, settling back on the bed. "If you knew who my parents are-""Everyone knows who Gregory and Nancy Casey are," Alvin cuts in, sitting opposite his partner."Then you should know they have cops on their payroll," Matt said. "This won't end well. They don't hurt me, never have, and never will." He lied easily, but neither the cops nor Matt believed him."Protecting them won't do anything," Hank said, and Matt snorted and shook his head."I'm not protecting them," he muttered, looking down at his palms. "You want a case to work on?" He looked up to the detectives. "Go into Gregory's employment list, check if everyone is alive, there's two people who are most likely either dying as we speak or dead. That's where you should focus, but I wouldn't suggest bringing it forward as an actual case. Just keep it to yourself once Gregory wins mayor. Use it as blackmail, or keep it until you can build a solid case on him or whatever you want. I don't care."Hank and Alvin looked at each other, surprised, and then at Matt, who was staring boredly at the wall in front of him."You know that how?" Hank asked, and Matt shrugged."I'm his son. I know a lot about everything they do, even if they don't think I do. I've spent my entire life staring at their books and income; the math doesn't add up 95% of the time," Matt said and then turned to Robert. I'm done talking." Robert stepped forward as the detectives stood up. Hank reached into his pocket, produced a card, and handed it to Matt."Contact me if you need anything off the books," Hank said, and Matt took it wordlessly. The two detectives left the room."He's running for mayor?" Alvin asked with a distasteful frown."Not surprised," Hank muttered and turned to Robert."James Walker and Dean Scottie," he whispered. "Those two were last seen guarding an underground secret room at the Casey's residence. I overheard the two talking about Gregory offering extra money for the job since everyone else in his employment for the house got the weeks off.""Why?" Alvin asked, jotting down the names."That's what happens when Matt disappears; no one is allowed in the house until Matt is back," he whispered, but anger was evident in his voice."Think we can get their contact information?" Hank asked, and Robert nodded."I still have the file; I'll send it over," he said, and Hank nodded and shook his hand."Thank you," Hank said, and Robert shook both hands and sighed as he watched them leave."Didn't talk?" Cassie asked, walking over to Robert and rubbing his arm."Not what was supposed to be said anyway," Robert said cryptically. She frowned, but Robert shook his head and mouthed, 'Later.'"Is it good to see him? The doctor wants to check him over," Jennifer asked, walking up to Robert and Cassie. Robert nodded, leaning down to peck Cassie's lips quickly, and then followed Jennifer and the doctor into the room again.
----- CHAPTER BREAK -----
The doctors released Matt promptly by the next morning. They had made sure he ate three meals, finished two IV drip bags, and knew how to clean and care for his stitches. They were pushing it, but they didn't believe Matt going home was the safest option, so they couldn't do anything.Connor had gone home and brought back a duffle bag with Matt's clothes from his closet, which was now sitting on the bed beside him. Gregory and Nancy had to come and pick him up, as Matt is still a minor and can't sign his discharge papers. Heather wanted to come, but she knew she couldn't keep her cool around Gregory, so instead, she and Andy had to keep an eye on Kelly to ensure he didn't show up at the hospital."I'll be fine," Matt whispered, gripping Connor's hand."I'll believe it when I see it," he grunted, and Matt sighed. He didn't know how else to convince everyone that he wasn't going to die, but then again, he didn't know that for sure himself."Matt?" Hank asked, entering the hospital room and shocking the teens."I don't want to talk anymore," Matt said, and Connor clenched his jaw, wanting to do anything to get Matt to spill the truth to someone who could deal with Gregory. For some reason, Connor felt as if Detective Voight wasn't opposed to killing someone if you gave him a good enough reason."They were found dead; you were right," Hank replied instead of sitting in the chair in front of the two boys. "However, there's no solid evidence against his father-""Gregory," Connor and Matt corrected at the same time."Gregory, there's no solid evidence against Gregory that he did it," Hank finished, and Matt rolled his eyes."Why are you telling me this?" Matt asked, letting go of Connor's hand and crossing his arms over his chest."You know why," Hank replied, raising both his eyebrows. Matt glared at the detective before sighing."Who were they?" Matt mumbled, dropping his hands on his lap and playing with his fingers."Security guards, James Walker and Dean Scottie," Hank said, and Matt's eyes widened as he glanced up at Hank. "Knew them?""Of them, I know everyone under their employment—well, try to anyway. James is a new father, and Dean has a large family he needs to support," Matt said, pinching the bridge of his nose."Wanna fill me in?" Connor asked, nudging his shoulder lightly with Matt's."Two guards who guarded the room," Matt whispered. "I'm going to ask Robert for their addresses so I can send them something and figure out a way to send money without them knowing it's from me or thinking it's some scam or shit. Fuck.""If they have a wake, you can leave it there," Connor suggests, and Matt sighs and shrugs."I have your number," Matt muttered to Hank. "How did they die?""Walker was shot in the head, Scottie was strangled," Hank replied, and Matt pursed his lips and nodded. "Call if you need anything. I mean it even if it's an escape from them. Off the books." Hank extended his hand. Matt stared at the hand and then at his face, shaking it wordlessly. Hank left the room nodding to Alvin, who was keeping watch, and the two left the hospital just as Gregory and Nancy pulled up."News?" Matt asked, and Connor nodded."Nancy had Amelia spin the story, so now, you fell down two flights of stairs and your 'parents' were worried out of their mind that there was shouting, and that caused a misunderstanding about child abuse. They've been on TV already crying about 'their little boy getting hurt and nearly dying' and all that shit. Nancy got the fake crying down to the T; I will admit that," Connor summarized, and Matt rolled his eyes."Oh, Matthew," Nancy said dramatically, looking worried and relieved simultaneously. She ran over and hugged Matt tightly, unaware of his injuries. He glanced behind Gregory, standing to the side of the door, and saw the cameras. Internally, he rolled his eyes, but externally, he wrapped his arms around Nancy and buried his face in her neck. Gregory rushed and joined the hug, and it took everything in Matt not to tense up and back away from them. Nancy pulled back, and there were tears in her eyes, mascara running down her face, and Gregory looked relieved. Matt would give it to them; they were good at playing the 'worried parents' role, but he knew better than to fall for it. Sadly, he was good at 'playing the loving son,' he smiled at his parents and promised them that he was okay.Once the door shut and no one else was in the room except the Caseys, Connor, Nancy, and Gregory, they dropped the act, and anger came over them."You nearly cost us everything," Gregory whispered angrily. "We will go home and pretend like none of this happened. At school, you will brush it off until this thing dies down. Got it?""Yes, sir," Matt muttered, and Gregory gripped his upper arm tightly and pulled him off the bed."Let's go," he said, and the act was back the second they left the room.~~~Matt was in his boxers, lying down on his stomach as Connor checked the stitches on his back. As predicted, Gregory and Nancy ignored it the second they arrived home, and his laptop and a new phone were sitting on his bed."Want me to stay the night?" Connor asked, and Matt shook his head."I'll be fine on my own," Matt muttered into his arm, and Connor frowned."Okay, but I would suggest contacting Kelly; Heather's been blowing up my phone saying, and I quote, "Kelly is about two seconds from going feral and ripping everything apart from here to Matt,'" Matt rolled his eyes but chuckled. Connor tapped his hip, and Matt sat up slowly and dressed himself."I'll Skype him," he said quietly, and Connor darted his eyes all over Matt's face. "Con," Matt groaned, but Connor looked at him worriedly."Promise me not to do anything stupid. Please," Connor pleaded, and Matt nodded and held out his pinky."Promise," he said, and Connor narrowed his eyes at him, making sure he was telling the truth before linking their pinkies together."I love you, Matt Casey," he said, pulling Matt into a hug."I love you too," he said, letting himself relax for a second in the embrace before pulling back. Matt reached for his laptop and opened it as Connor reluctantly walked towards the balcony doors to get to his room.Matt sighed and rubbed his face. He honestly didn't know what to do. He didn't know if he wanted to cry, scream, punch something, eat his feelings away, or spend hours staring at the ceiling. He didn't know what emotion he was supposed to feel, but he wasn't feeling anything right now. He's just numb and doesn't know what to do. He wants to put on a brave face for everyone, but he knows Connor saw right through it, and it was worrying him even more, and Matt didn't want Connor to worry anymore. He didn't want his friends to worry about him, but he didn't know how to convince them that he was fine when he clearly wasn't."MATT!" Matt jumped when Kelly's voice came through his laptop. Matt smiled tiredly at Kelly and waved a small wave. "Oh, thank god.""Let me guess, Con texted Heather that I was gonna call, and you couldn't wait any longer?" Matt asked teasingly, but Kelly shrugged unbothered."What? I can't miss my boyfriend?" Kelly asked. Matt's cheek heated up at the word boyfriend. He coughed and turned away from the screen, especially when Kelly started chuckling. "Can I see you?""What is my camera not working?" Matt asked with a frown, checking his settings."No, it is. I just want to see you in person," Kelly said. Matt bit his lip and looked towards his bedroom door. "Are you on house arrest?""Nah, they're ignoring me," Matt said."So, can you slip out to come here? Or I can get Heather to bring me to you. I just want to see you," Kelly said. Matt glanced back at his door and nodded a very small nod. Kelly's eyes lit up when he noticed the small nod."Get Heaths to drive you. I can't drive at the moment, and Gregory and Nancy won't come into my room," Matt said. Kelly's screen suddenly got very blurry as he dashed through the apartment with his laptop in hand and ran across the hall to Andy's apartment."You're driving me to Matt's," Kelly said."Hi, Matt," Heather said, poking her head into the frame and grinning widely, but Matt could tell—even through a screen—the worry and concern in her eyes. "We'll be there. Do you need anything?" Matt shook his head, and then they were moving again, and Kelly settled his laptop on his bed."I'll be there soon, princess," Kelly said fondly, and Matt smiled and ended the call. He let out a breath he didn't know he was holding in, placed his laptop on the bench at the end of his bed, and laid down slowly. He stared up at the ceiling, wondering whether or not any feelings would come rushing to him.~~~Matt jolted out of sleep—when did he fall asleep—and hissed in agony as all his stitches protested."Woah," Kelly's voice sounded from behind him, and Matt jumped out of his bed, legs getting tangled in the sheet—when did he get under the covers?—and tumbled off his bed. He groaned in pain and stayed on the ground for the time being while every muscle in his body was shooting with pain. "You alright?" Kelly asked, slowly coming into Matt's view without startling him again."Peachy," Matt's voice was clipped from pain, and Kelly got off the bed and sat beside Matt on the ground."I didn't mean to scare you," Kelly whispered, and Matt shook his head. Slowly, Kelly placed his hand in Matt's hair, waiting for a sign that Matt didn't want to be touched. When none came, he ran his fingers lightly through his blond locks. "Had a nightmare?""I don't know," Matt sighed and closed his eyes. He couldn't remember what made him jolt out of sleep. He knew it was something bad, but he couldn't remember. Part of him was glad that he couldn't remember, but the other part was annoyed that his brain was still not remembering moments of his life. "What time is it?""Three in the morning," Kelly said, looking down at Matt worriedly. Since Matt's eyes were still closed, he didn't notice."How long have you been here? When did I fall asleep?" Matt asked, slowly moving his head onto Kelly's lap without opening his eyes."I got here a few minutes past nine, and you were already asleep by then. I tucked you in under your sheets, and Heather stayed until eleven before leaving. I hope you don't mind me sleeping beside you; I could stay on the couch," Kelly suggested, suddenly self-conscious."No," Matt said, lifting an arm to fist Kelly's sleep pants. "I want you on the bed with me.""Good, you're very cuddly when you sleep," Kelly said, smiling and huffing out a laugh when Matt weakly punched his thigh. "Speaking of the bed, how about we move up there? Think you can move?""Yeah," he said with a sigh and slowly pushed himself into a sitting position, Kelly's hands guiding him up. Once he was standing, he lowered himself back on the bed, and Kelly made sure he was comfortable underneath the sheets before climbing in behind him. Matt stayed on his side as it hurt less, and Kelly wrapped an arm around his waist, careful not to hurt Matt more."Think you can go back to sleep?" Kelly asked, placing a kiss on the back of Matt's neck."Not really, if I'm honest," Matt said with a sigh. Kelly moved his body slightly closer—still aware of Matt's scars—and leaned over to peck Matt's cheek."Do you want to talk about it?" Kelly asked, and Matt's face scrunched up in distaste. He shook his head."When is your cast getting off again?" Matt asked instead, and Kelly looked down at his casted arm between their bodies."A week?" Kelly said, but it sounded more like a question. "Then physio starts, and I must do eight or ten sessions.""Once a week?" Kelly nodded, and Matt turned around and buried his face underneath Kelly's chin. "I'm sorry I scared you the last time we saw each other. Also, sorry I snuck in through your window.""Yeah, how did you do that? The fire escape doesn't even lead to the ground. There's a good foot that you need to jump," Kelly said with a chuckle and felt Matt shrug against his chest."Perks of intense workouts daily," Matt said, and Kelly could've sworn he heard anger behind Matt's words. It was only now that Kelly realized Matt had been speaking in whispers and barely looked at him. Even in the hospital, he was very subdued and didn't hold eye contact unless he made a point for someone to drop the subject. He internally sighed and wished he could wrap Matt up in the softest, most fluffy-ist blanket and keep him in his pocket to keep him protected. He hates that he's in the same house as Gregory and Nancy Casey and that Matt is still here."You're thinking loudly," Matt mumbled, pulling Kelly out of his thoughts."Sorry," Kelly muttered, resting a cheek on Matt's hair."Sleep, Kels," Matt mumbled, and Kelly nodded and tightened his grip around Matt's body.~~~Kelly woke up and immediately got scared that he didn't have something in his arms. He sat up quickly and looked around, but no Matt was in sight. He turned to the bedside clock, and his eyes widened when he saw it was three PM. He sighed, threw the blankets off him, and went to Matt's closet, where he had placed his bag last night. He was rummaging through it when he noticed some light coming from underneath the back wall. He frowned and kept moving, and the closer he got, the more he heard some music coming from behind the wall. Kelly pushed against the wall, watching it swing open. He stood there frozen for a second, unsure if he could go further. Suddenly, the door opened wider, and Connor stood on the other end with his eyebrows raised. He moved aside, and Kelly took a hesitant step in and paused when he saw Matt sitting in the middle of the room painting. Most of the room was not renovated except for a couch against one of the walls and a coffee table in front of it. Art supplies were sitting on the floor against the opposite wall, and a stack of paintings leaned against the wall in the corner. Kelly looked back to the couch and noticed two feet swinging in the air, and he frowned, walking over and caught a glimpse of the top of Heather's head. The girl was lying on her stomach between the couch and coffee table doing homework. On the coffee table was another laptop, some paper, and a pencil, and Kelly figured Connor was doing homework as well. Kelly walked over to Matt, stood beside him, and stared at Matt's painting.Currently, a red streak splits the bottom half of the canvas in half. There were a bunch of different colours and cloud-like blobs all over the canvas, and he was curious about what Matt was painting. He glanced over at Matt's face and was a bit taken back by the faraway look in them. It was like Matt mentally wasn't here, and his body was working on autopilot.Kelly looked over to Connor and Heather worriedly, but Connor nodded slightly as if answering his unspoken question.~~~Robert sealed the doors to this room shut, so from the outside, it was just a wall. Matt's parents hardly ever came to Matt's side of the house, so they didn't notice when they lost a guest bedroom and turned it into Matt's art room. Matt kept all the art he had made over the years and all his supplies in this room to keep out of sight of his parents.Matt had walked over and sat down in front of the easel and stared at the blank canvas. He had been itching to paint something ever since he got out, but now that he was sitting in front of the canvas, he didn't know what to paint. He usually painted what he was feeling, but his emotions were so jumbled that he didn't know where the beginning was and where the end was.There was a door in his mind that he kept locked shut, but lately, that door was ajar. Matt felt the urge to lock it shut again. He was angry, hurt, confused, and didn't know what to do about it. He was trying to shut another door, but it wouldn't budge. He couldn't close the door to the room, and it was bothering him to no end. He usually took a day to recover, and he could close and lock that door and be done with it, but now it didn't seem to want to close. He was seeing memories of the times he was in that room, memories he tried to bury.Something had changed in him, and he didn't understand what. He had lived his whole life following a specific path, set of rules, schedule, and one goal in mind. His life was predictable and constant, but now it was like the path was no longer straight but split into two, and he didn't know which way to go. He didn't understand which way was right and why the path suddenly split when he had never done that before.His path not only split but became cloudy. He couldn't see ahead as clearly as he used to, which confused him even more. Nothing changed in his life aside from the presence of Kelly, but one person couldn't change someone's whole course of life, could it? If it could, Matt doesn't know how he feels about that. He hated whenever something changed, or he couldn't see a clear outcome. He liked predicting what would happen next and knew the answer when facing a problem. He didn't know the answer to this split path, nor could he see a clear outcome.There is too much cloudiness and too much emotion.~~~Kelly spent the entire day watching Matt paint and watching as more and more of the canvas was filled up. Heather and Connor whispered about the rebuild project but occasionally glanced at Matt. The blond didn't once look over at them or show signs that he noticed people in the same room or the quiet music playing in the background. Aside from the faraway look in Matt's eyes, he looked relaxed and at peace. Kelly wished he could always see Matt this way, but he knew that might not be possible, at least for now.~~~"Ah," Matt jumped when he turned around, walked straight into Kelly's chest, and nearly fell backwards if it weren't for Kelly to steady him."Sorry," Kelly said, a bit amused. He got a glare in return as Matt steadied himself on his feet."How long have you been in here? How did you know I was here?" Matt asked, and Kelly looked at his watch."Give or take four hours," Kelly said, and Matt's jaw dropped. "I woke up and went to grab some clothes from my bag when I noticed the light," he nodded to the bottom of the secret door."Oh," Matt said, scratching the back of his head. He turned and saw Connor and Heather, who smiled and waved at him. "Should I even ask why you two are here?""Hey!" Heather whined. "We are your friends, and you weren't answering your phone, so we came here. We found Kelly asleep on the bed, and you were nowhere in the house, so we figured you were in here.""We tried calling you, but you were in Mental Matt Land," Connor continued, and Kelly frowned."It's when Matt gets so lost in his mind that he has no awareness of the world around him," Heather explained and then glared at Matt. "Nearly walked in front of traffic once." Kelly's head snapped over to Matt, whose eyes darted around the room, not making eye contact with anyone."So... dinner?" Matt asked."Cassie dropped off food earlier," Connor said, and Matt nodded. "Wow," Connor stood beside Matt and Kelly, looking at the painting."It's nothing much," Matt said with a shrug. Soon, Heather came over, and the three friends looked over Matt's painting.Matt had painted a red path that split the bottom half of the canvas into a silhouette of a growing person. The beginning of the path was a toddler, then a child to a pre-teen, and then a teenager standing where the straight path began to get curvy and then split into two. The sides of the path leading up to the split had books, school, grades, schedules, working out, and meal plans, and it was more linear and organized. Where the path began to split, so did the clarity of the images and the organization of the images beside the path. One of the two paths was clouded at the front, but the back had buildings, books, construction symbols and law symbols that were blurry and faint. The other path had a light red heart, clouded but more blurry than the other path, and a faint miniature portrait of Kelly in the fog.The painting was supposed to represent Matt's upbringing of always having everything laid out and being organized and straightforward, but now, as he is older and has met Kelly, his life's future begins to fog, and a new path opens up.Kelly was amazed by the detail of Matt's painting and threw an arm around Matt's shoulder when he recognized himself in Matt's fog."It's amazing, baby," Kelly had whispered and saw Matt blush and look away, so he leaned down slowly to kiss his cheek."Thanks," Matt mumbled."So... can I buy this?" Heather asked, and Matt rolled his eyes and elbowed her in the stomach as she laughed. "Jokes aside, it's amazing, Matt.""Thanks," Matt said, getting a pat on the back. Matt knew that it was Connor, so he turned and smiled at him. Matt noticed the small smile on Connor's face, knew he recognized certain parts of the painting, and figured it wouldn't take Connor too long to figure out the meaning of his painting."Let's eat; I'm starving," Matt said and got up. The other two walked out, leaving Kelly and Matt there. Matt turned around and wrapped his arms around Kelly's neck. "Hi, how did you sleep?""Hi, I'm back. I slept okay, and I wanted to wake up with you in my arms," Kelly whispered, and Matt grinned."Well, on our first date, you left me to wake up by myself," Matt said, and Kelly's jaw dropped, amused."Oh, so this is payback," he said, and Matt hummed and shrugged. Kelly laughed and leaned down to kiss Matt, but the blond wiggled out of his hold."I'm hungry," Matt said, not looking at Kelly but grabbing his hand and pulling him out of the room. Kelly frowned but didn't say anything, letting himself be tugged along. This is the second time Matt has avoided a kiss from him, and he is starting to wonder if he did anything wrong. Matt was cuddling up to him last night and even hugged him just now. He didn't flinch when he kissed his cheek, but he moved away when he leaned in to kiss his lips. He didn't know what was happening with Matt and told himself to ask the blond once they were alone.
----- CHAPTER BREAK -----
One thing that Kelly noticed is the way Matt is eating. It's almost... delicate? It's kind of the same as girls in his school eating when they don't want to mess up their lipsticks. Maybe that's not a good comparison, but he doesn't know how to describe it. Matt would bring the food close enough to their lips—without anything touching his lips—use his teeth to pull off the food and then chew carefully. Kelly looks to Connor to see if he notices, and when he does, he can see Connor and Heather share a worried look, and then they both turn to Matt. Matt is oblivious to all the worried glances, or he does a really good job hiding them because he seems to converse with Andy happily. He decided not to bring it up but made a mental note to talk to Matt later today. He put his arm around Matt's shoulders, and the blond immediately curled himself to his side, but he maintained his conversation.Connor sat in the living room with everyone else, acting all relaxed but keeping one eye glued on Matt. Despite Matt talking to him and opening up, he still felt how much Matt held back.Matt may talk about a lot to him, but he never sheds any light on the inner workings of his family and how he feels about it. They grew up together, and Connor witnessed much about the Casey family, but when Matt disappears, Connor could only gather information from elsewhere. He is aware that Matt isn't obligated to tell him every little secret about everything; it's just from what he knows about Matt Casey's life; the more he worries, and what he doesn't know, the more he knows his life worsens. Matt isn't safe at home, and Connor hates that there are still gaps in Matt's life he doesn't know because he doesn't know if those gaps put Matt's life in more danger.Unlike Connor, Matt doesn't know where he stands with his parents or who he is as a person. Connor knows that he doesn't want to go into the family business; he wants to go into medicine and maybe even try surgery, but he knows the medical field is where he wants to try a career. His sister ignored him, and his father yelled at him, but his mother gave him encouraging words and told him to ignore his father and follow his dreams. He planned to attend medical school without his father's help and knew a way out.Connor knew Matt may talk about leaving but knew it might never happen. Matt was loyal, trusting, forgiving, and far too patient for his own good. Matt had stood by his side and even stood up to Connor's father on a few occasions, and he knew Matt was a friend he would have by his side his entire life. Matt is one of those people who, once you two connect, will stick by your side through thick and thin, no matter the circumstance. Connor also knew that with the Casey's, Matt loves them, and anyone he loves, he gives them his everything. Matt is loyal to his parents, their business, and the future they want. He trusts his parents are doing this for his good. He forgives them for every task they drop on him even though he is a teenager and it's work they can—should—do by themselves. He forgives them for their random trips to New York or anywhere else and doesn't have the decency to tell him directly but has one of their security to inform Matt. Worse of all is that he is patient and will wait until his dying breath for any signs of approval from his parents or a sign that they love him. Connor doesn't even know if they are capable of parental love and feels like Matt is playing a losing game, but the blond refuses to hear or see the reason.~~~For the following week, any attempts to find out what happened made by Matt's friends and Kelly had been brushed off. Matt either said, "Nothing you need to worry about," or "I'm fine now," or "I just did work," or some variation of that. If that didn't work, he resorted to staring at you until you dropped it or remained silent as he continued whatever he was doing. He refused to talk about it, and it worried Kelly because he could sense the worry of Connor and Heather, not to mention the fact that Matt ended up in the hospital.Matt and Kelly have spent time together almost every day. It was easier with Jennifer knowing about them, and the Casey's not caring about Matt. Since Matt is in recovery, they can't pile on more work on their son while the press is still looking closely at their family. Something Matt was grateful for. He had seen Heather on her phone, constantly smirking over at Matt just ten minutes before a new article came out about the speculation of the Casey family. Heather has wizzled herself into her parent's company and managed to see drafts of new articles before they go up so she can be sure they won't say anything that might worsen Matt's situation. However, keeping the press on Casey's every move would put some heat on Gregory and Nancy and take their attention away from Matt, buying them time.Matt likes physical contact, and Kelly found it interesting that whenever they were together, Matt subconsciously had a hand on his arm or shoulder at all times or sometimes full-on leaning on him. When they did homework together, Matt would have his legs over Kelly's lap while on the couch or have his head in his lap, and the two worked silently.Kelly noticed Matt looking off in the distance fairly often and still avoided the question about what happened or why Matt kept dodging his kisses. Kelly badly wanted to know, but Matt completely shut down whenever he brought it up and got tense and defensive. Kelly backed off, clearly knowing Matt refused to talk.Whenever they hung out at Matt's house, it was always in Matt's room or his art room. Kelly spent many hours just sitting there and watching Matt paint. Matt was working on an art project for school, and he got too far into it, so he wasn't aware of his surroundings.~~~School was hell.Matt had been constantly dodging questions left and right and was thankful that Heather and Connor stuck to either side of him. People wanted to know if the rumours were true, and Matt had to focus on every move he made to ensure he didn't give the wrong impression. Sure, everyone knew he fell down the stairs, so he was bound to be limping or showing some signs of discomfort, but the scars and stitches on his back and thighs were still extremely painful. He was scared if he showed signs that he was in pain, then people might think it was because of something else.Matt mainly focused on schoolwork. He needed to catch up either way, so he would drag Connor and Heather to Mrs. Richards' room and hide in the art room instead of the cafeteria.Home life was barely the best. His parents were busy with the press and so many eyes on them that they ignored Matt even in the comfort of their own home. Now, his parents had to do their jobs without passing work off to Matt, which kept them in the office longer than usual and meant Matt was home alone most of the time.It worked out well because now that construction of the rebuilt neighbourhood is up and running, there's barely anything for Connor, Heather, or Matt to do. The three would drop by occasionally, but that was about it. Heather had the most work as she was handling the project's press and the rebrand for Clover Casey's Publishing, leaving Matt to relax with Kelly.~~~"City or the country?" Matt asked when they were in Matt's bed, supposed to go to sleep."Suburbs," Kelly answered, and Matt hummed. "You?""I don't know, I always wanted a house with a white picket fence, a nice garden in the front, maybe a front porch, a mailbox and a medium yard. We could have a trampoline in the back or just a porch in the back to have dinners outside or barbecues. A roof where it's a good spot for a sunset, and during the summers, we can bring our sleeping bags and sleep under the stars," Matt said in a dazed voice. "Does that sound cliche?""Nah," Kelly said, playing with Matt's hair. "I like that, a simple life.""Not simple if you're a firefighter," Matt said and then fisted the front of Kelly's shirt. "You better be careful on shift because I don't want to get a call saying you are in the hospital.""I can't promise there won't be hospital visits, but I can promise I will try my stubborn ass to get back home to you," Kelly promised and kissed the top of Matt's head, and Matt smiled and looked down."I like that," he said, and Kelly made a hum. "Home, you and I are a home.""Well, I hope we are," Kelly said. Matt nodded and turned his head to kiss Kelly's chest right above his heart. "Kids?""Definitely," Matt said, tilting his head to look at Kelly. "You?""At least two; I want to know that if anything ever happens to either of us, they will have each other's back," Kelly said, always wishing he had a sibling. He didn't care if he was older or younger. He wished he had someone to grow up with and annoy, but knowing they would always be in his corner no matter what happened."Yeah, I always wished I had a sister or brother," Matt said. "It gets lonely, and I had Connor, but Con is a younger brother, and sometimes he couldn't hang out because of family stuff, and I was alone. Heather was there too, but she's closer with her family, so there was often family time when we were kids. You would be a good older sibling or an annoying younger brother." He got a pinch to the hip for that comment, and Matt laughed."How would I be an annoying younger brother?" Kelly asked, and Matt shrugged."Just look like it," Matt said and took another pinch. I'm sorry, but you do. I know you would be protective if you were the older brother, especially when they start dating.""Won't argue with that," Kelly said. "You...I don't know. I know you would be protective no matter what, but I feel like you would be more of the siblings they go to when they need help. You would be annoying, but not in the 'I'm doing this just to annoy you,' but more in the 'I'm not purposely annoying' way. Does that make sense?""Nope, but thanks," Matt said, and Kelly rolled his eyes."I want the yard to face some landscape," Kelly said suddenly. "I like that your room faces the forest. It would be nice to look out at it when you want to sit somewhere and think.""It is; I love sitting out there and drawing; it's relaxing," Matt said."Oh, and a treehouse. I want the kids to have a treehouse where they can play," Kelly added. "Maybe have a no parents allowed, and as long as they don't do something stupid, I'm okay with it."Matt smiled as he listened to Kelly rattles off things he wanted their future to look like. He wanted nothing more than to fast-forward to where they could begin to build this future."Maybe get a dog. You seem to love Cooper a lot," Kelly said. "Oh, and if possible, get a play set outside, or we could keep the grass an open concept, and I can teach them soccer or catch in the backyard.""What would you put our kids in for extracurricular?" Matt asked, wanting more insight into Kelly's mind."I don't care, probably when they were younger, do a little of everything and find their interest. Maybe some sport, definitely swimming, doesn't have to be competitive, but they need to know how to swim just like they need to know how to ride a bike. Then, something in the arts, like drawing, dance, theatre, or music. Then maybe daycare? Allow them to meet more people," Kelly said, trying to picture everything he's seen in movies of kids doing different kid-like things. "But if they have your genetics, then visual arts is where they will excel.""Maybe it would skip a generation, who knows," Matt said with a shrug. "I wish there was an umbrella of extracurriculars for kids. It is one place where they spend the summer exploring all types of interests, and that would make it easier for the parents to figure out what the kids like. They would do crafts one week, sports the next week, reading, nature exploring, dance, painting, music, martial arts, etc. Plus, that would be cheaper than the parents paying for a year's worth of after-school activities and finding out after class two that their kids hate the class.""Mr. Businessmen can create that," Kelly said, nudging Matt slightly, who laughed and shrugged."Would you do family night? You know, Heather's family used to have every Friday as family night. The parents have to put work on pause, Heath has to put her social life on pause, and the three of them would eat dinner together and talk, then watch a movie or play games and spend time together. Heather loves it, especially when her parents have to travel for work—which is much more now since they held off on leaving too much when Heather was young. I think it would be nice," Matt said, wishing he had that with his parents and would love to start the tradition now, but he is beginning to think that is just a faraway dream. "They don't anymore because life got in the way, but I think they are trying to plan it again.""Definitely," Kelly said. "Oh, and I want them to trust us even when they know they did something bad. If we tell them they can't go to some party for whatever reason, they snuck out and do it anyway, but if they get into trouble at the party, they will call or tell us. I don't want them driving while under the influence or, god forbid, walking home while drunk, alone and in the dark.""I don't care if they drink underage; I would care more if they drank and drove or ended up in jail," Matt said with emphasis on the last word and pointed at Kelly, who shrugged."I wasn't drunk, just pissed," Kelly said, and Matt rolled his eyes."Maybe boxing if our kid turns out to have your short temper," Matt said with a hum, causing Kelly to roll his eyes."Would you paint the nursery?" Kelly asked, and Matt shrugged."I wouldn't do like pink or blue. I think I would do more designs on the wall, maybe a mural or something like that," Matt said with a yawn. "Maybe a cliche song lyric or quote or dancing ducks," he said, starting to fall asleep. "Maybe a purple flying pig just because." Kelly frowned and was about to question Matt when he felt his even breaths on his neck. He chuckled, picturing their toddler sleeping in a room with a purple flying pig on the wall."God, you're silly sometimes," Kelly whispered to himself and pulled Matt closer to him before letting sleep take him as well.
----- CHAPTER BREAK -----
Two weeks had gone by without anyone talking about what happened to Matt. Two weeks passed without Matt kissing Kelly on the lips; every time Matt dodged it, the blond immediately changed the subject. Kelly was getting more and more frustrated, and he could. Connor and Heather were starting to get increasingly worried. He wanted so badly to ask Matt about it, but every time he even tried to broach the subject, he was met with so much fear in Matt's blue eyes. Kelly hated that look on Matt. The blond's face drained of all colour, and his eyes were screaming for help, but he looked two seconds away from throwing up, so Kelly dropped it.Matt was healing, and now they were just angry red scars on his body without the pain.Kelly had his cast taken off and started physiotherapy, which Matt drove him to and from the appointments.The two spent much time together, in person or on the phone. Matt had to start going back to his parent's company, and Heather backed off with the media, but the Caseys were still ignoring Matt. Matt knew they were brewing something and was waiting for the other shoe to drop.Hank Vioght's card was burning a hole in his backpack. Matt didn't tell Kelly about the card or anyone else aside from Connor, who was there. He thought about reaching out to Vioght, maybe starting to give over some evidence so a case could be made, but every time he picked up the phone to start typing, he couldn't bring himself to finish typing the number. He hates how much control they still have over him despite him knowing/seeing their truth.He will forever be the little boy seeking validation and love from his parents.Being mad at them, going behind their back and ignoring their rules when he harms others is one thing. Giving them up to the police is another. He knows if he plays his cards right, he will get deeper into both their accounts and find physical proofs of people that randomly disappear after pissing one of them off. He knows he can do it without getting caught. He knows he can hand over the file with proof that Gregory Casey was the one who destroyed an entire neighbourhood because one person pissed him off. He knows their finances and bank statements will lead to shady side businesses, and he knows Vioght would be the cop to give it all to. He knows all of this, yet he still hesitates.He wants the monsters out of his life for good, but he can't help the tiny spark of hope still inside him that his parents are good people. He can't help but wonder if he's wrong.He also can't throw the card away or stop himself from driving to the 21st district. He has sat outside the police station at least four times a week for about two hours, nearly going in a couple of times. Every time, he sits in the car staring at the front door, imagining his parents in handcuffs being dragged in. But every time, he turns the ignition and leaves without a word.~~~"Hiya," Kelly said, getting into the passenger seat and leaning over quickly to kiss Matt's cheek, but Matt turned his head at that moment, and their lips met. Matt jolted backwards and hit the back of his head against the window. Kelly frowned at Matt as the blond silently turned on the car and pulled out.Neither said anything in the car. Matt turned on the radio and drove tensely."So... we're just going to ignore it?" Kelly asked, trying to remain calm, but the question had more bite than intended."Yes," Matt said tensely, and Kelly rolled his eyes."So, are you never going to kiss me again?" Kelly asked with a scoff and glared at Matt."This isn't ignoring it," Matt argued, glancing away from the road for a second to glare at Kelly."You can't make all the decisions in this relationship. It's a relationship; there are two people involved, which means I get to have input. "Kelly bit back, and Matt sighed but didn't say anything. Kelly rolled his eyes and looked out the window.~~~Ignoring their issues isn't the healthiest thing in the world but it is what Matt and Kelly are doing. Later that night, they called and it was tense for a few minutes before Matt started asking Kelly random questions to break the ice. It wasn't healthy; they both knew it, but Matt couldn't speak. He's barely accepted what happened himself, and he isn't ready to say it out loud. He doesn't even know how to articulate this to Kelly, so he keeps a tight lip on it, just waiting for it to explode.~~~The next day, Matt was nervously pacing back and forth in his closet, with Kelly leaning against the doorframe and watching with amusement."Stop finding enjoyment in this and help me, please," Matt huffed and stopped to turn to Kelly with a look of pleading that reminded Kelly so much of a dog, and the resemblance was too much for Kelly to handle."Wear whatever," Kelly said, and Matt rolled his eyes."It's your mom," Matt deadpanned. "I'm having dinner with your mom. As in my boyfriend's mom. As in, I'm meeting the parents. As in, it's a big deal. As in, I need to look good. As in, I-"Okay, okay, okay. Stop saying as in, and breathe. You look two seconds from passing out, and we do not need another hospital visit." Kelly interrupted and Matt took a deep breath in and out. "Yeah, it's a big deal in a general context, but it's a woman you've met multiple times, someone who treated you in the hospital and seen you sit on my lap while watching a movie. You've met her before, she's met you before, I don't know why this is so nervous for you," Kelly pointed out still not moving from his spot."I'm nervous because this is like the first official meeting of her, she hasn't asked me too many questions about me or the past and technically it's not an official relationship until you suffer through a nerve-racking family grilling. Like, what if he doesn't think I'm good enough for you? Or what if she thinks I'm too much trouble, given my parents? Or what if she doesn't like it? What then? Huh Kelly, what then? Do we stay together? Do we break up? What if she asks me about future plans? Or, or, or, oh my gosh I ran out of or's to say. But what if, ugh," Matt groaned and continued pacing, now rubbing his temples. Kelly rolled his eyes but walked over to Matt. He picked him up—scarring the shit out of Matt—and placed him on the counter of the island and stood in between his legs and wrapped his arms around Matt's waist."She already approves of you and of us. It's just dinner because she wants to spend more time with me, and since you are basically my other half, you are coming along. It's just dinner, Matt. Be yourself, your true, amazing Matt Casey self, not the Matthew Casey, solider boy to Gregory and Nancy Casey self," Kelly said, looking into Matt's eyes. Matt sighed and nodded, rested his forehead against Kelly's, and wrapped his arms around Kelly's neck."Okay," Matt whispered but didn't move from his spot. "I'm sorry," Matt whispered and moved to place his head on Kelly's shoulder. "Not just for the freakout but for yesterday as well.""Take your time, just don't shove me away," Kelly said. Matt nodded and kissed Kelly on the neck."You're the best boyfriend," Matt said, leaning back, grinning at Kelly, and smirking."And don't you forget it," he teased, kissing Matt's nose. "Now, let's get you dressed. As much as I would love to see you naked, I don't think my mother would approve." Matt blushed a deep crimson red, and when Kelly laughed, he punched him in the shoulder and hopped off the island.Matt was about to start his panic about clothing all over again when Heather burst through the doors."Thank god you didn't leave yet," he said, slightly out of breath. Matt and Kelly looked at each other with furrowed brows and then turned to Heather. "Put on a suit, and your best Matthew Casey, son of two asshole mask and let's go." Matt frowned even more and noticed Heather was dressed up nicely, wearing a formal baby pink dress and a matching pink headband in her hair."What's with the dress?" Matt asked, but Heather was walking towards his drawer full of ties."I remember you had a pink tie. I'm pretty sure I was there when we spent four hours at Con's store buying every colour tie at your father's request," she mumbled to herself, and Matt blinked slowly."Heaths, what's going on?" Matt asked, going over to her and grabbing her shoulders to spin her around."I'm sorry," she said with exhausted apologetic eyes."For what?" Matt asked, and she sighed."I know you have that dinner with Kelly tonight, and I tried everything I could think of to get us out of this, but Nancy showed up at my place tonight, and my mom and Nancy were talking, and then next thing I know, our families were having dinner together. My mother suddenly remembered the dinner you promised to be there for, but then the two weeks happened, the hospital and then recovery, so she thinks now is a good time. Nancy said you were free, and next thing I know, she shoves a dress in my hand, and then now I find you get you to come over to have dinner with my parents and your parents. Think of it as an official family dinner since we 'got together,' and I tried to talk us out of it, but then Gregory showed up, and it all went to hell," she took several deep breaths, having said all of that in one breath."I'm sorry?" Matt asked, blinking as her rambling words sank in. "I'm having dinner with your parents and my parents?""Yes," she said."As a couple," he said, gesturing between them."Yes," she replied."Tonight," he said."Yes," she said, and Matt rolled his blue eyes, which were filled with annoyance, and turned to Kelly."Don't worry about it," Kelly said before an apology left the blond's lips. "We can reschedule.""I had to chance with Andy as well, maybe you two can do something?" Heather suggested feeling bad for making the two reschedule something Matt could stop rambling about at school today."I'll figure something out," Kelly mumbled, leaving the closet to get his stuff. Matt quickly followed after him."I'll send your mother some flowers or something to say sorry that I can't make it tonight, and we can reschedule for when your mom's free," Matt rushed, looking at Kelly with sad eyes."You don't need to do that," he chuckled and reached over and pulled the blond in for a hug. Matt went willingly and buried his head underneath Kelly's chin, and Kelly frowned when he could feel Matt shaking against him. "Are you okay?" he asked, and Matt nodded and pulled out of the embrace. He had the worst reassuring smile."CONNOR!" Matt shouted, walked out of his room onto the balcony, and climbed onto the plank to enter Connor's room. He stormed in, startling Connor, who looked confused as he was staring down at his homework. "Can you drive Kelly home?""Why can't you?" Connor asked, but he had already stood up and gone for his keys."Apparently, I have a date with Heather, Heather's parents, and mine," Matt said tensely, and Connor paused and stared at his best friend from head to toe."Are-""Please," Matt suddenly pleaded, and Connor nodded slowly."WHERE'S YOUR PINK TIE!?!" Heather suddenly shouted. Before anyone could respond, she ran into Connor's room and headed straight for his closet."I burrowed it," Connor said. "Top dra- oh, never mind, you found it.""Should we do a three-piece suit?" She asked herself as she wandered back into Matt's room. Connor walked over to Matt and patted him on the back."Good luck. If anything, I'll fake something with the project to get you out," Connor said, and Matt gave him a relieved smile. Come on, Kelly," Connor said, walking towards Matt's room. "Parents are downstairs, so we can't go through my house." Kelly nodded and looked over to Matt, who was being pulled by Heather. He shoved a suit in his hand.~~~Kelly was sitting at dinner, staring down at his plate of food. He didn't want to talk about Matt, and when his mother asked where the blond was, he just shrugged and sat down. Jennifer let Kelly stay silent for now, but she knew if Kelly kept pushing this away, it would never be addressed."Kelly, sweatie?" Jennifer asked, looking at Kelly, who only hummed in acknowledgement. "Can you tell me what happened?""I don't want to talk about it," Kelly mumbled, and Jennifer sighed. She was about to go with another approach to get Kelly to talk, but the doorbell rang. She got up, hoping it was Matt, and Kelly did too since his head shot up and looked at the door almost hopefully. She walked over to the door and opened it to find a board-looking courier with flowers in his arms."Delivery for Ms. Jennifer Sheridan?" he asked. She nodded and signed before taking the flowers into the house, where he noticed Kelly's face drop. There was a card, and she pulled it out.
Dear Jennifer,
I'm sorry I couldn't be there for dinner tonight and for the last-minute change. I promise we will reschedule, and I hope I don't lose any points here because I like your son. I know these flowers won't excuse my absence tonight, but I hope you accept this bouquet. I noticed the painting in the hallway of ancient Rome and Kelly informed me that you would love to visit there some day. These flowers bloom in ancient Rome, and I know it's not a geographical country, but I hope this helps.
There's a card of what each flower means and its history if you are interested.
I am sorry again.
Sincerely,
Matt Casey
Jennifer chuckled at the formality of the note and didn't expect anything different from Matt, who she noticed still held himself in a businessman-type manner despite being a teenager."It's from Matt," she informed, placing the flowers on the table. She smiled when she noticed there was already water in the glass. She placed the card beside it and left it open in case Kelly wanted to read it, which he did, not giving the flowers a second glance. Kelly smiled and rolled his eyes but was still clearly sad."Matt and Heather were suddenly dragged into a dinner with their parents and needed to play fake dating tonight," Kelly said, and Jennifer nodded in encouragement. "Connor drove me back, and now Matt is sitting at a dinner playing perfect boyfriend. I agreed to this when we got into a relationship. The fake dating occurred before we were a thing, but I hate it. I want to go outside with him, go on dates, hold hands, and all that romantic stuff that normally makes me gag. I want to be able to kiss him, but I can't do that either. Tonight and yesterday's fight was just a punch to the face that he isn't mine. To everyone else, he is Heather's boyfriend, not mine, Heather's. Part of me worries that if his parents tell him to cut me off, he might.""Matt's loyal," Jennifer pointed out, and Kelly sighs and nods."He is, but you don't see the struggle I know he has in his head about his parents and what they want versus what he wants. It's sad how long and how tight he is holding onto the hope that they will not turn his life into something that will only benefit their own pockets, and he refuses to see or hear reason. It's like they brainwashed him to be their perfect little solider," Kelly said, getting angry. "It's annoying, and I know Connor and Heather see it too, but they told me nothing can be done. You saw how he was after those two weeks. He was so broken and in the fucking hospital. Every time I bring it up, he clamps and shoves it back. When I brought up the potential that he could've been seriously hurt at the hands of his parents, he stared at me with cold, icy blue eyes. It was like he was looking at someone who killed Connor, his best friend. He is loyal, but between myself and his parents, I think he is more loyal to his parents. I don't think our soulmate bond matters to him."Sometimes I think he is thinking about leaving everything because of this painting he did, and I was a part of it, blurry, but I was there. He gets these faraway looks in his eyes, and when he snaps back to reality, he's jumpy and tense. Then, like a week ago, he was talking about our future. About our kids, our house, how we would raise them, it was like I'm a part of his future, but then he pushes me away when we could be taking that step towards that future," Kelly groans in frustration and pinches the bridge of his nose. "I'm so confused about whether or not he is in this or not. The universe has put us together, each other's missing puzzle piece, we are as perfect as two people can be for each other and it is quite literally written in the stars and yet Matt still doesn't believe it. I'm not someone who believes in destiny and all that, but this-" Kelly waves a hand at himself and the flowers "is something that I believe in. I believe in us, and I don't think he does." He took a long breath and sagged in his chair, staring at the ceiling. "Am I being stupid or overreacting?""I can't answer that because I don't have a soulmate," she answered, walking over and sitting beside Kelly. "You two have known each other for what? A month? A month and a half?" Kelly nodded. "It takes time to build a solid relationship, especially with a strong outside force pulling you apart. I can tell from the way he looks at you that he is in this, but when it comes to family relationships like Matt's, it's not as simple as walking away when the other person doesn't love him back. No matter the age, a kid who doesn't have a solid parental figure would always look for that in other people. Matt's parents are still in his life, distantly there, but they are there, and there will always be a part that will hold onto that rope that ties him to his parents. Try to get him to communicate to you about this.""He won't talk," Kelly whispered."I said communicate, not talk," she said, and Kelly looked over, confused. "He paints right?" He nods. "He paints what he feeling?" He nods again. "Try asking him what the paintings are about or looking through them; I'm sure there will be some hints about his feelings. If he lived his entire life living by some agenda by his parents, as you said, how do you think he would react if that agenda is suddenly ripped away from his hands?""Lost and confused," Kelly answered with a sigh. "I'm overreacting," he groaned. Jennifer shook her head and threw an arm around Kelly's shoulder."No, you are not. You have every right to feel the way you do. Focus on getting through your rut and then talk to him. Think about what you want going forward. If this relationship were to work, you both have to put in the same effort and meet in the middle," she said, and Kelly sighed and nodded."I said this before, but I just want to kidnap him and keep him in my arms forever," Kelly said, and Jennifer laughed and shook her head."If you do that, I think you would have a very annoyed blond young man in your arms for not letting him do his own thing," she said, and Kelly nodded in agreement. "Come on, let's finish dinner, and we could watch a movie."
----- CHAPTER BREAK -----
"What are you doing here?" Kelly asked, not looking up from his notebook, where he was trying to understand chemistry."Getting your stubborn ass to talk," Andy said, flopping down on the couch beside Kelly. "What's going on in that thick skull of yours?""Nothing," Kelly said, rolling his eyes. He slammed his notebook and tossed it to the coffee table."It isn't nothing so spill," Andy said, throwing a pillow at Kelly's head."You and Heather, she comes from money; you don't. How's that going?" Kelly asked, turning to face Andy on the couch and throwing the pillow back at him. Andy was initially confused, thinking Kelly was about to change the subject again, but instead, he wondered if their status was an issue with Kelly."Her parents don't know about us, but money has never been an issue. Sure, she comes from more, but she isn't snobby and doesn't show it off. We do things that don't cost a lot of money, and on days I want to spoil her, I have to plan it to save up. Sure, I was insecure about it at first, but she had soothed this without me even knowing it," Andy answered truthfully and then narrowed his eyes at Kelly. "Why do you ask? Money an issue with you?""Not really," Kelly said with a heavy sigh. "I talked to my mom about this a couple of days ago but didn't mention that if Matt leaves his family, I don't know if he expects to live a comfortable life like he does now.""Nope," Andy answered immediately, and Kelly raised an eyebrow at his friend. "Oh, come on, it's Matt," Andy sighed. "That guy is pretty adaptable, plus he's smart and talented, and you're good looking"—ducked from a pillow— "I think the money he uses for himself is what he got from that art show he did a while back, that's what Heather told me. Plus, with you at his side, he couldn't care less, trust me.""Yeah," Kelly said, feeling a bit stupid for thinking Matt might feel like that even though he knew the truth deep down. "I don't know how to approach the issue of us being a secret and shit like that.""If it's getting Matt to see how he is truly being treated, then I think you have Connor and Heather to help you. They are trying to talk to Matt about it," Andy said, and Kelly felt a bit relieved that he wouldn't be the only one talking to Matt about this."Yeah, I guess I should feel relief toward Connor more than jealousy," Kelly said with a chuckle, and Andy smiled knowingly."They kissed to find out their sexuality, that's all," Andy said, and Kelly grunted. "Platonic love, that's all. Matt has you, and I am almost sure there's nothing more than platonic or brotherly love between the two. No need to rear your jealousy in that direction.""You find this amusing, don't you," Kelly said, throwing the pillow back at Andy, who laughed and nodded.Are you jealous of someone who will never take Matt away from you? Definitely," Andy said. Kelly rolled his eyes and got up to sit beside Andy on the couch."Fuck off," he said, and Andy just grinned and grabbed the controllers. Kelly looked down at his lap and sighed heavily. "He will, right? Maybe not between myself and Connor but me and the life his sperm and egg donors planned for him." Andy raised a questioning eyebrow at Kelly's choice of words."Internal fights about family dynamics are complicated, and so is child abuse," Andy answered honestly, and Kelly pursed his lips. "But, hey, if it really came down to it, he'll walk away.""And you know that how?" Kelly questioned, crossing his arms, and Andy shrugged."You don't see how he looks at you," Andy shrugged and threw a controller in Kelly's lap. "It's like you gave the world colour or something. It's love, or falling in love or whatever." Kelly couldn't contain his grin and focused on the screen."I love him," he whispered more to himself than anyone else, but Andy glanced at him out of the corner of his eye and smirked knowingly.~~~Kelly and Matt didn't see each other in person for three days. Gregory and Nancy loaded Matt with work, and Matt was stuck at the offices doing their job while Gregory prepared for the election. Their team started discussing strategy, and Matt was not looking forward to that.As he was going through some files from recently closed cases and the company's financial statement, Matt stared at the documents that he knew had been tampered with. He had no idea what to do with them other than hide them at the bottom of the drawer and pray his father or mother never needed those pages again.~~~Kelly was lying on his bed with the home phone to his ear and a stupid smile on his face as he listened to Matt ramble about something from school. He was getting worked up about some mural and trying his best not to yell at the principal for having a thick head, and it was amusing to Kelly since he could hear Matt pacing in his room. He laughed when Matt groaned loudly, and then the phone was silenced, and he assumed Matt's face was planted in his bed out of annoyance and exhaustion."I'm sure you will figure it out," Kelly said, hearing a muffled affirmative from Matt and chuckling."Birthday," Matt said as he shuffled up his bed and got under the covers. "Your birthday is in a week and a half, so what do you want.""No spending money on me," Kelly said and pictured that pout Matt was wearing, which he was. "I'm serious, Matt; I don't want you spending money on me; I just want you to be with me.""Ple-""No loopholes either," Kelly said, and Matt shut up and stayed silent."I can't promise that," Matt said, and Kelly rolled his eyes. "Fine, I won't buy you a present, but that's all I agree to. Do we have a deal, sir?" Kelly rolled his eyes."If I argue this more, I'm not going to win, am I?" Kelly asked, even though he knew the answer. He would be arguing with a lawyer in the making and knew if Matt had his mind set on something, nothing could persuade the blond otherwise."Nope," Matt said, popping the 'p,' and Kelly sighed and pictured the triumphant grin on Matt's face. "Yay! Your birthday is on a Friday. Does your mom have plans?""I don't know," Kelly said with a shrug."I'll text her later," Matt said, and Kelly frowned."You text my mom?" Kelly asked, and Matt hummed."She has a cell phone, and we talk from time to time," Matt said with a shrug."I don't know if I'm supposed to feel weird about that," Kelly said, and Matt laughed."It's nothing. I'm holding off on the urge to get your baby pictures until that dinner I have with her," Matt said. Kelly's eyes widen with horror, and she groans, ignoring Matt's laugh on the other end."Fine, but one day you will show me your baby pictures," Kelly said, but then the phone went silent on the other end."I don't have any," Matt whispered. Well, most of them are with Elizabeth. She took a lot of Con and me, or from Cassie and Robert," he confessed, and Kelly felt a surge of anger as his parents didn't even want to document moments of Matt's childhood."Then we are getting it from Elizabeth," Kelly said, trying to keep the mood light despite his desire to rant about the injustice he was feeling."Yeah," Matt whispered and let out a sigh. "You should sleep.""Yeah," Kelly whispered but didn't move to hang up."Good night, Kelly.""Night, Matt," with that, Matt hung up reluctantly.~~~The school was picking up quickly; projects and homework were piling up on Matt, and Matt was running himself ragged. Heather and Connor were no better either. All of them were leaders in their extracurricular activities, which caused them not to see each other except in class. It didn't stop Heather or Connor from worrying about Matt, as they knew the blond had a history of ignoring his body.Matt had received a text from Gregory as he was leaving school stating that they were going to New York. The text included an attachment with everything that Matt needed to do in a short amount of time. Matt rolled his eyes, tossed his phone in the passenger seat, and drove to the neighbourhood to check on its progress.By the time Matt got home, he was exhausted; it was eight, and he was finally done with everything. He collapsed on the couch face first and let himself lay there for god knows how long. He must've fallen asleep because he awoke suddenly to a weight on his lower back, and he sighed when Heather's scent hit him."What do you want?" Matt asked groggily but did nothing to push Heather off of himself."Good, you're alive," Connor said, walking over and sitting down beside Matt's head."You thought I was dead, so you decided to have Heather sit on me?" Matt asked. He knew Connor merely shrugged, and Matt rolled his eyes and buried his face in the cushions."We need to talk," Heather said, and Matt groaned and wanted to go back to sleep."What about?" Matt asked and was met with silence. He lifted his head to look at Connor, who was looking away and biting his lip. "No," he said sternly and sat up, making Heather yelp and jump off of him. Matt went to leave the room, but Connor was quick to block his way. Matt's eyes hardened, and he tried to get past him, but Connor held his ground and stayed in front of Matt."I brought Cooper," Heather said, and Matt heard the sound of paws on the ground and then an excited puppy nudging his leg with its head."I'll play with the dog, but I'm not talking," Matt said, sitting down, scooping Cooper in his lap, and petting him."Matt," Connor said with a sigh, but Matt just glared at him. "If you don't want to tell us what happened, fine. You had the chance to tell the police, get yourself out of this shit place and yet here you are. Why didn't you say anything? Why are you still protecting them? You nearly died, Matt. DIED. We nearly lost you, and for the past weeks, you have been acting like it didn't happen. Those stitches would've re-opened if we didn't pester you about cleaning it," Connor said frustratedly."We just want to help you," Heather said softly, sitting beside Matt but not touching him yet."If you want to help, then drop it. It's risky enough what I'm doing with Kelly, so just drop it, and can we please move on?" Matt begged, but the friends weren't having it. They've seen Matt getting more and more tensed and jumpy over the years, and what happened last week was their last straw. They wanted to give Matt a chance to talk before they were forced to try something else."Why are you protecting them?" Connor pleaded, and Matt rolled his eyes and stared down at Cooper as he petted the dog."I'm not protecting them. How many fucking times do I need to say it?" Matt asked, raising his voice more."YOU NEVER TOLD US!" Connor exclaimed."You told us you wanted out, and yet you were presented with a chance, and you still didn't take it," Heather argued, glaring at Matt, who glared right back."It's none of your fucking business," Matt spat, standing up and about to leave again, but Connor grabbed his wrist, and Matt instinctively shoved him back hard. Connor stumbled back and fell into the coffee table which luckly didn't break but he looked up at Matt a bit surprised. Matt was shocked, but he felt that they were too close and needed to protect this secret. He was too scared to tell anyone because he thought he was crazy, so he schooled his emotions and continued to glare."I'm done talking. This is my house. Either drop this or get out," Matt said coldly. Heather and Connor looked at him, shocked, and then at each other."We're your friends; we're not dropping this," Connor said, getting up and going toward the front of the house. "I'll see you tomorrow," he muttered before he walked out of the room, leaving Heather, Cooper and Matt."Call if you need anything," Heather whispered, taking her dog and leaving. Matt remained standing as his emotions swirled around in his body like a tornado, and he was barely holding on. He felt horrible for pushing Connor and for the way he acted, but he wanted nothing more than to forget about the situation.He shook his head and walked to the kitchen for some water, hoping that would calm his mind so he could go over to Connor's and apologize. He didn't notice his hands were shaking until he reached for a glass, and it nearly fell out of his hands. Matt slammed it hard on the counter as he pinched his eyes shut, trying to stop the flashes of memories from playing through his mind.His body felt cold all over. He could hear every scream as if he were in the room. He could feel every hit, every thrust, every choking. He could smell the arousal of the unknown man, he could feel the pain. He felt the rough grip on his hair and the cold and tightness of the restraints, and Matt turned and threw the glass across the room in an attempt to stop everything.He screamed as he lost control, and anything he got his hands on, he threw it or smashed it to the floor.Whenever he felt a hand or hair on his face, he moved to throw something else on the ground. He needed something to let everything out, and being so lost and confused in his mind, he wasn't aware of what he was doing.Matt lost all his composure and destroyed his entire kitchen. Every pot and pan was on the ground; every plate, mug, and glass shattered to pieces; every utensil was thrown across the room, and every decoration around the kitchen was broken on the ground. Every cabinet and drawer door was left wide open, and then there was a panting Matt standing in the kitchen doorway, looking at the mess he had created.With shaky hands, he reached into his back pocket and pulled out his phone to make a call."Hello?" A groggy voice answered."Everyone is out of the house, my parents took a surprised trip to New York, and I fucked up the kitchen," Matt replied and heard shuffling."We'll get it cleaned. Are you okay?" Robert asked, and Matt hummed. "Go upstairs to your room. Try to get some sleep.""No," Matt said and pinched the bridge of his nose. "No, I have to meet with someone. I'll help clean everything up once I'm back, I promise." Matt hung up, turned on his heels, and ran to his car. Once inside, he pulled out his phone to make another call."Voight," the person answered."Can I come over? If I'm going to help you, I need to know exactly what I need and how to get it. We will only have one shot at this after all," Matt said. Then, an address was rattled off, and Matt drove off.
----- CHAPTER BREAK -----
Cassie and Robert were cleaning Matt's mess in the kitchen when Matt came walking in with a pinched expression."Hey, where were you?" Cassie asked softly, not wanting to startle Matt, but the blond jumped at the sudden voice."You should sit down," Matt said instead and quickly grabbed a garbage bag and helped pick up all the big pieces of glass."Stop," Robert said softly and placed a hand over Matt's arm. "Why don't you go into the living room with Cassie?" he suggested, but Matt shook his head and continued cleaning."I'm sorry I made the mess. I should clean it. Neither of you is supposed to be working, and hell, neither of you works here anymore," Matt mumbled, not looking at either of them."What?" Robert asked, blinking, and Matt froze."Shit," he said, realizing what he said. "I saw Gregory was going to promote someone else and fire you. I think it'll be good to get yourself, Cassie and your unborn child as far away from this fucked up family as possible.""Matt, we aren't going to just leave you here," Cassie said, carefully walking over to Matt. "Come on, let's go into the living room." She tried coaxing Matt out of the kitchen, but Matt shook his head profusely and shuffled away from Cassie. Cassie and Robert looked at each other worriedly."You didn't break the kettle," Robert chirped, and Matt grunted. Cassie quickly made her way over to the kettle and stove, where the damage was the most minor. She started making tea while watching a distressed Matt angrily pick up a glass."Okay, okay, giggles," she said, using his nickname to try and calm him. "You can clean later if you want, but I need you to breathe right now. You are working yourself up too much, and we don't need any more scars on your body." Matt sighed and placed his garbage bag down. He carefully approached the kitchen island and climbed on top of it, where the surface was cleaned. He sat on a crossed leg and stared down at his lap while fiddling with his fingers and taking deep breaths.Both adults worked silently around Matt, letting the teen calm down and giving him the space to think and formulate his thoughts.It was silent until Cassie pushed a mug of tea in front of Matt and—with the help of Robert—got onto the island and sat in front of him."I'm sorry," Matt said brokenly. He sniffled, and Cassie grabbed the box of tissues and handed it to him. "I-I... I tried, I tried," he cried, looking up with tears rolling down his face. Cassie placed a hand on his knee, silently encouraging him. "Why can't I leave?""Because," she said, moving to sit beside him. She pulled Matt in for a side hug, letting the blond drop his head on her shoulder. "They are your parents. The people who are supposed to love and protect you. It's confusing when parents do not do that and even more confusing when the child realizes what is happening. Your memories of your childhood aren't even fully back. Your soulmate has entered your life, and now you see your life from an outside perspective. Matthew Casey has two lives, one where you lived your entire life and the one that outsiders see. You are beginning to see the second one for yourself, and now you are confused because it doesn't match the reality you knew.""B-but I knew!" He wailed, sitting and sniffling. "I-I knew who they were. I just ignore it," he said quietly, reaching for a tissue. "I defended them when I was little; I believed everything they said. I played their good, strong son and looked where that got me. A confused teenager who pushes away his friends and boyfriend when they want to help. I got two people killed, and who knows how many more. Many people lost their houses and all their stuff because of my father, and now I find out that my father let a murderer walk away and helped put an innocent man in prison. How much more blood has been spilled?"I pushed Connor yesterday after promising never to do it, knowing how Cornelius can get sometimes. I wind up in the hospital and nearly exposed everything. I can't even let Kelly kiss me because my parents had those two guards use my mouth without consent, and yet I still don't want to expose them. One second, I want to send everything to the cops or give it to Heather and have her expose everything to the media. The next, I keep everything hidden so no one would ever know so they don't go to jail. I keep going back and forth so much that I'm sure everyone is annoyed with my mood swings by now," Matt said. He was breathing heavily afterward as he blurted everything out, and tears continued to fall from his eyes.Cassie let him speak freely without interruption, keeping an arm around Matt's shoulder and rubbing his arm comfortingly. Matt collapsed back into Cassie's embrace, turning his head into her neck and letting himself cry. She wrapped both arms around him and held him tightly as Matt cried. She didn't care that he was wetting her shirt; she just wanted to comfort him.Matt cried himself to sleep, and Cassie remained on the kitchen island, holding him as he slept while Robert finished cleaning the kitchen."Maybe we should bring him home," she whispered. "He shouldn't be alone, and I don't think it's healthy for him to be in this house right now.""I think he would like that," Robert agreed. "I'll move him to the couch, and then we can go upstairs and pack a bag for him. Then, we can run to the store and replace everything.""I'll make a list. You pack his stuff. Don't forget his sketchbook," Cassie said as Robert lifted a sleeping Matt. The married couple moved quickly but silently as Matt slept on the couch, unaware of anything happening around him.It was concerning when Matt didn't stir as Robert carried him to the car and placed him in the backseat. However, Cassie pointed out that he must've exhausted himself by keeping everything in and then crying out. Robert drove, looking at Matt in the rearview mirror, keeping an eye on the road and in the rearview mirror. Neither knew where Matt was or why he wandered home at four in the morning. He was concerned about Matt and didn't care that he was about to be fired; he was worried about Matt's safety afterwards. He felt guilty for seeing those guards in Matt's room and not doing anything. He should've gotten them away so they didn't have the chance to rape Matt or walk into their deaths. Facing their families was especially hard, and he and Cassie had gone to the wake with a check from Matt for both families. He felt so guilty, even more so, as he watched Matt frown and twitch in his sleep from whatever nightmare was running through his head.~~~Matt blinked awake, feeling solid arms wrapped around his shoulder, and he jumped out of his skin before he realized it was Kelly. He frowned when he didn't remember seeing Kelly, and he looked up to see black because his face was squished into what felt like Kelly's chest. He focused on the rest of his body and thought for a second that he had four legs. He couldn't tell which limb was his and which was Kelly's; all he knew was he was Kelly's blanket because he was draped over him.Matt tried to push himself up, only for a growl and then arms tightening, and he sighed. He opted to lift his head and look around but didn't recognize anything. It took him a couple of minutes to realize he was in the guest bedroom of the Langley-McKenna household. He frowned, remembering how he got here, why Kelly was here, and what had happened. He recoiled in on himself and started to freak out a bit."Five more minutes," Kelly mumbled, and Matt didn't even realize he was moving to get up until Kelly pulled him back down on his chest. That momentarily made Matt forget his worries, and he chuckled at the sleepy state of Kelly Severide. He cuddled closer to Kelly's arms and allowed himself to drop back into sleep.The next time Matt woke up, he felt a little more like himself and refreshed, although he was still exhausted. He was about to get up when, once again, he was on top of Kelly, Kelly's arms keeping him tightly in place. He wondered which one of them put them in this position while they were asleep, but he didn't care. He liked being this close to Kelly and felt safe in his arms."I know you're awake," Kelly said, jolting him from his thoughts. He shifted a bit so he could look at Kelly's face."Wasn't pretending to be asleep, just wondering why I keep waking up on top of you like a blanket," Matt mussed, and Kelly shrugged."I don't care," Kelly said and leaned up to kiss the top of Matt's head. "Feeling better?" Matt hummed and nodded with a soft smile on his face. "It's around two in the afternoon, so do you want to grab some food from downstairs, or do you want me to grab it, and you can stay up here?""I'll go with you," Matt said, not wanting to leave the comfort of the warmth but not wanting to be away from Kelly for even a second. "How did you get here? Better yet, why are you here? Why am I here?""Slow down with the questions," Kelly chuckled, but Matt noticed his arms tighten around his waist as if Kelly needed that small reminder that Matt was still there. "Cassie called me. I'm not sure how she got my number, but then again, she did show up here at my house once, so I'm not questioning it. Either way, you told me you were here and had a long night, and Mom dropped me off before work. I came around eight, and you were still out to the world, so I crawled in to get some extra sleep. You are a very cuddly, Matt Casey." Matt scrunched up his nose in distaste, mostly trying to hide his blush, and attempted to roll off, but Kelly's arms tightened, and Matt huffed and stayed put. "As for why you are here, I don't know.""Great," Matt muttered, placing his ear on Kelly's chest above his heartbeat. With his hand resting on Kelly's chest, he traced random patterns on his chest. "Do you know if- um, never mind," Matt mumbled, and Kelly frowned. Matt squeaked when Kelly flipped them over so Matt was on his back, and Kelly hovered over him with a worried frown."What?" Kelly asked, shifting his weight off his bad wrist. By this point, strength was coming back into Kelly's wrist, but it was still uncomfortable or painful when applied too much pressure on it for an extended period of time."Nothing," Matt said with another sigh. He moved one hand to clasp around Kelly's forearm, which was resting—and supporting Kelly's weight—beside Matt's head. Then, he went back to drawing patterns on his skin, completely unaware of the small shivers Kelly was trying to hide."Okay," Kelly said, trying not to let his disappointment and hurt show. He rolled away from Matt and sat at the edge of the bed, running a hand through his hair. Matt internally sighed and shuffled on the bed, sitting beside Kelly on the bed silently. "Do you want this?" Kelly asked, sounding hurt and annoyed, and Matt's eyes widened. "Never mind, sorry," Kelly said, shaking his head and standing up. He extended a hand to Matt with a small smile—looked a bit too forced for Matt's liking—and Matt's hand slipped into Kelly, and Kelly pulled him up. "Let's eat, princess," Kelly said, pulling out an old nickname that made Matt blush, and he elbowed Kelly's ribs when the other teen smirked.~~~Matt ended up in the backyard with Cassie, tea in hand. He let everything out and told her about his fight with Heather and Connor in detail. She sat there silently and listened until Matt was finished talking before she went to comfort him.Kelly and Robert were in the living room inside the house, playing a game in the background, but neither focused on it. Kelly was extremely aware that this was the man Matt saw as a loving father figure, and this was the first time they had been alone together since he and Matt got together."Relax, kid," Robert chuckled, and Kelly glanced at him from the side of his eyes, still tense. "Why are you so tensed? We've met multiple times before.""How I see it is you are Matt's father, and this is the first time you and I have been alone together. It kind of feels like a meeting the parents thing," Kelly said, and Robert beamed and shook his head amusedly."If you expect a threat, I'm sure I don't need to give it; it's heavily implied. You hurt Matt, you would have myself, Cassie, Connor, and Heather on your ass, and let me tell you, I'm not the one to worry about. Connor and Heather are heavily protective of Matt to the point where they would kill without a second's thought," Robert said, and Kelly gulped and nodded. He already knew Matt's best friends were someone he didn't want to get on their bad side, but then again, he had no plans of hurting Matt."No plans are hurting him, sir," Kelly said, and Robert nodded. Kelly sighed in relief when Matt and Cassie returned, Matt, grinning from ear to ear. "What's up?""Murals for the nursey," Matt said, and then suddenly, Kelly was pulled off the couch and hauled upstairs by an overexcited Matt.The next thing Kelly knew, he stood with a clipboard as Matt rattled off measurements and ideas that Kelly was not following. It seemed Matt was speaking mostly to himself, as Kelly couldn't even get two words in before another thought went through Matt's mind, so Kelly stood there amused.~~~Matt still has not talked to Connor or Heather for three days. Around nightfall, when he knows Connor is in his room, he looks out of his balcony doors to see Connor's light on. Matt sighs, gets off his chair, and walks out of the room before he can tell himself otherwise.He tentatively knocks on Connor's balcony door even though it's unlocked, and Matt knows where the key is. Connor looks over with an unreadable expression and opens the door. Matt smiles shyly at him, but Connor just stands there with his arms crossed and leans against the door. Matt looks further into the room to see Heather on her stomach on Connor's bed, looking like the two are working on homework."Hey," Matt says, and Connor nods in acknowledgement. "I'm sorry. I know you guys are only trying to help me, I know you two are worried about me, I know that incident scared the crap out of everyone. I'm not dumb, I know all the signs you guys are seeing and want me to admit but I can't. I just fucking can't, not yet at least. I'm working through it in my head, and it's confusing in my brain that I can't formulate the words, not yet. I'm sorry I shoved you, I'm sorry I snapped, I'm sorry for being a shitty friend. You've helped me throughout my life, kept my secrets, and even covered for me, and when you asked for honesty, I couldn't give it to you. I'm sorry."It's silent between them as they mull over Matt's apology, and Matt stands on the balcony, playing with his fingers as he waits for their response."Promise one thing," Heather said, walking over and standing beside Connor with a stern expression. Matt nodded and waited for her to continue. "We are your family—Connor, me, Cassie, Robert, Elizabeth, Kelly and Andy. We are your family, remember that. Gregory and Nancy are nothing more than donors, which might take some time to accept fully, but promise not to push/shut your family out. None of us are letting you go through any of this alone. I mean come on Matt, we have been friends for over a decade now, I hope you know we aren't walking away.""Promise," Matt said easily. "I still want to talk to Kelly first about this; I know he's a bit upset about it.""He's just worried," Connor said with a tired smile. "We all are, you scared the shit out of all of us.""Sorry," Matt said."It's not your fault; you were born from the devil's spawn," Heather mutters, and Matt lets out a surprised chuckle."Are we good?" Matt asked and yelped when Heather and Connor suddenly yanked him into a tight hug."We're good, Blondie," she said, and Matt rolled his eyes and hugged his best friend tightly."Heard you're staying at Cassie's," Heather said when they entered Connor's room."I was, but I came back after the weekend. I helped them plan the new bakery. They put an offer down on a location, and I was working on the nursery," Matt said happily."Have you talked to Kelly yet?" Connor asked, moving some of his stuff off the bed. Matt climbed in between them and settled down."He stayed whenever he didn't have work," Matt said."He's back at work?" Heather asked, and Matt hummed."I think just working the cash for now," Matt said and worried his bottom lip. "He thinks I'm one foot in, one foot out.""Are you?" Connor asked, and Matt shook his head."Not going to lie, I can't blame him. Sorry Matt, but you wanting to protect everyone from the devil's spawn had meant you kept everyone at arm's length," Heather admitted, and Matt sighed, placing his head in Connor's lap and legs in Heather's lap."I-I," Matt bit his lip and looked at the floor. Connor and Heather looked at each other excitedly, hoping Matt would say what they thought he was about to say."You..." Heather said, and Matt sighed."I love him," Matt said, and Connor and Heather high-fived and were about to cheer when Matt suddenly screamed in pain and rolled off the bed, clutching his right shoulder. Heather immediately dropped to the floor, hovering over Matt, not knowing what to do. Connor ran out of his room, hoping to find his mother, and found her standing close to the edge of their roof."Mom?" Connor asked. Elizabeth tensed, got off the roof ledge, quickly wiped her face, and turned to her son, who looked confused and worried at the same time."What is it, darling?" She asked with fake calmness."Matt," Connor said, darting away with Elizabeth on his heels.~~~Kelly was standing with their door wide open, gaping at the person standing on the other side, when suddenly he screamed in agony and stumbled back into the apartment, causing Andy to poke his head out of his apartment."Kel- Mr. Severide?"
----- CHAPTER BREAK -----
Elizabeth ran into Connor's room to find Matt curled up in a ball, screaming out in agony, and Heather looking two seconds from crying and panic-stricken. She ordered Heather to grab ice and Connor to bring a water bottle while she ran to Connor's bathroom to grab a wet towel. She dabbed at his forehead lightly and rubbed his back, waiting for the pain to subside as she already knew what was causing the pain.When her son and Heather came running back in with what she asked for, Matt had stopped screaming and was instead breathing heavily. Connor and Elizabeth helped move a stilted Matt onto the bed, and Connor and Heather sat on either side of Matt to support him while Elizabeth kneeled in front of him."Matt?" she whispered softly, placing her hands on his knees. Matt's unclear gaze moved to meet hers, and she smiled softly."I'm going to place this over your shoulder," she said. She waited for Matt to nod before moving to place the ice pack on Matt's shoulder. Heather uncapped the water bottle and handed it to Matt. Matt didn't move to grab it, so she placed it on Connor's bedside table."What happened?" Matt asked, furrowing in confusion, and Elizabeth's wide grin spread across her face."What?" Connor asked, a bit concerned."Congratulations, Matthew Casey," she said, and Matt frowned even deeper. "Your soulmate bond has officially been completed!""WHAT!?!" All three teens exclaimed, and Elizabeth chuckled as she stood up and moved to sit on Connor's desk chair."It happens when a true declaration of love has been made," she said. Matt blinked several times, and Heather squealed and shook Matt's uninjured arm."Oh my gosh, oh my gosh, oh my gosh," she whispered excitedly."But we haven't said those words to each other," Matt said confusedly."It doesn't need to be said to each other; it just needs to be said," she clarified. Matt turned to look at his shoulder, removed the ice pack, and lifted his sleeve. There, on his right shoulder, was the mark, identical to his left shoulder and the matching one on Kelly's shoulder."Do you feel any different? Can you read his thoughts? What is Kelly thinking right now?" Heather rambled out questions."Right now, I feel as if someone is trying to break every bone in my hand," Matt said. She immediately let go of Matt's hand and blushed."Sorry," she said, basically buzzing with excited energy."Congrats, man," Connor said, slapping Matt's back and turning to his mother. "What does this mean, though?""What happens after is mostly unknown as it changes depending on the couple," she said, and Matt tilted his head."Is this like a marriage type of thing?" Matt asked, and Elizabeth made a so-so gesture with her hand."Technically speaking, a bonded soulmate is more official than a marriage in a court of law, but because soulmates are so rare, let alone bonded pairs, it's often a law that's left forgotten," she explained, and Matt frowned. He was rethinking everything he and Voight had discussed the night before."This is so exciting," Heather whispered, and Matt let a soft smile slip onto his face. "Connor!" she exclaimed, catching her other friend's attention. "Our little boy is all grown up and has gotten himself bonded," she said, wiping a fake tear from her face."Ah yes, he's no longer our problem," Connor said, joining in on the theatrics, and Matt rolled his eyes and moved away from his ridiculous friends. "Our little birdy has flown away from the nest," Connor said, wrapping an arm around Matt's middle and pulling him down onto the bed. Before Matt can utter a word, he is being pancaked by his friends, both continuing to pretend to wipe."Get off me!" Matt exclaimed and screamed when Heather started tickling him, and laughter and yelps could be heard from all three teens. None noticed Elizabeth slipping out of Connor's room with a fond smile that didn't reach her eyes. Neither noticed how she stared at a photo by Connor's door of the three teens when they were kids, hugging each other at a water park. None noticed the sad look she got or the whispered words, 'I'm sorry.'~~~On the other side of the city, Andy rushed past Benny and went to help Kelly stand up and move to their couch."What the hell happened?" Andy questioned, and Kelly grimaced in pain as he held his right shoulder tightly."Don't know," he grunted, and they heard the front door close and approaching footsteps."What mess did you get yourself in this time?" Benny asked, sitting on the loveseat and frowning at his son."Nice to see you too, pops," Kelly grunted with an eye roll and tried to fight the pain coursing through his shoulder. Andy jumped off the couch, ran to grab the house phone, quickly dialled Jennifer's number, and returned to put her on speaker."Kelly?" She asked right as she picked up."It's Andy," Andy said, glancing at Kelly worriedly and then at Benny with a skeptical look. "Kelly just started to scream out in pain, and he's now holding his right shoulder.""Did he fall? What happened?" Jennifer asked, panic evident in her voice."I didn't fall; it just feels like someone is burning something into my shoulder," Kelly said in a tight voice as he tried not to let the pain he felt show."Andy, I need you to grab an ice pack for me," she said, relaxing her tone a bit. Andy jumped up to do just that."Shouldn't he be going to the hospital?" Benny questioned."Who's that?" Jennifer asked."Benny!" Andy yelled, came back to Kelly's side, and placed the ice pack on his shoulder. There was a tense silence between everyone, and normally, Andy would either make a joke or back out of the situation, but right now, he was worried for his best friend. "Ice pack is on his shoulder; what now?" he questioned, breaking the silence."Right," Jennifer mumbled, shaking herself out of her thoughts. "Slowly lift his sleeves, and I want you to tell me what you see," Andy nodded and looked to Kelly for consent, and the other teen shrugged and nodded. Andy lifted Kelly's sleeve slowly, and he frowned at what he saw. He let the sleeve drop back into place and quickly checked his other shoulder, and then a smile broke out on his face."What's that smile for?" Kelly questioned, getting scared by his best friend's smile."Jennifer, when soulmates bond, an identical mark appears on their other shoulder, right?" Andy questioned, just to be sure."OH MY GOSH!" She exclaimed, and Andy's grin widened. Kelly frowns for a second before his face morphs into shock and disbelief. "There are identical birds on his right shoulder?" Jennifer asked just to be sure."Yup," Andy said, smiling so wide his eyes turned into slits and showing all his teeth. "You, my friend, are officially bonded with the one and only Matthew Casey!" Andy said, patting Kelly's shoulder, and Kelly grinned excitedly."MATTHEW CASEY!?!" Benny exclaims, shocking everyone as they have forgotten that Benny is still in the room. "Your soulmate is Matthew Casey? The tyrant's son?""He's not a tyrant," Kelly frowned, although he couldn't say the same as his parents. "Matt isn't anything like his parents," he defended and then turned to the phone. "How did we bond anyway?""Well, you told me you loved him and that it happened now. That means he just admitted he loves you back," Andy said in a fond, lovey-dovey voice, letting his body drop onto the couch with a sigh. "Declaration of love has been made," he said dramatically, and Kelly rolled his eyes but couldn't fight the smile on his lips."You are not gay," Benny looked at Kelly with furious eyes, and Kelly rolled his eyes."Bisexual, to be fair," he corrected."You can't be in love with a guy," Benny said with an eye roll. "You can have fun with him, but you will not settle down with a guy, especially a Casey." Benny spat that last word with disgust, and Kelly couldn't blame him as he wasn't fond of 'Casey' either, but he knew his boy was nothing like the other Casey's."A little late for that," Jennifer said. "Benny, go to whatever hotel you are staying at and come back for dinner when I am back from work.""Fine, I don't want to be near this," he muttered. He got off the couch, walked out of the apartment, and slammed the door."I'll be home soon," Jennifer said softly, and Kelly hummed while staring at the front door with a mixture of anger and sadness."Talk to you later," Andy answered. He hung up the phone and immediately dialled his girlfriend's number."THEY'RE IN LOVE!" She exclaimed happily, and Andy cheered while Kelly and Matt rolled their eyes. "Come over. Wait, we'll come to you.""Ow!" Kelly could hear Matt exclaim. "I would like my arm attached to my shoulder, please, and thank you." Kelly chuckled and could picture Matt's pout as his friends tugged him away."Should he change?" Connor asked, and if the muffled noise was anything to go by, it sounded as if the phone had been put away."Do they remember we are still here?" Andy asked, and Kelly shrugged."You're still on the phone!" he yelled. Seconds later, the loud beeping came from the phone, indicating the call had ended. Kelly rolled his eyes but stood up and walked to the bathroom. He lifted the sleeve of his right shoulder to stare at the mark. It was identical to the one on his left shoulder, albeit a bit red on the edges, and he smiled at what this meant for his and Matt's relationship.~~~"OUR BABIES ARE ALL GROWN UP!" Heather yelled once she threw open the door to the Severide's apartment."I KNOW!" Andy yelled back and jumped off the couch, going over to his girlfriend. Kelly stood up and received a face full of blond."Hi baby," Kelly whispered, wrapping his arms around Matt's waist, and Matt wrapped his legs around Kelly's waist and arms around his neck, clinging to him."Hi back," Matt whispered, burying his face into Kelly's neck. It's good to know we are on the same page." Matt pulled back just enough to look at Kelly's face and grinned stupidly at his boyfriend."Kind of wished we said it to each other first," Kelly admitted but couldn't stop the happy grin from spreading."You could say it now," Connor's voice suddenly broke through their bubble, and both boys turned to look at him in surprise, completely forgetting other people were in the room. "Yeah, we're here too." Matt rolled his eyes and dropped his legs from around Kelly's waist, but the other teen didn't want to let go. He held tightly around Matt's waist, keeping the blond glued to his side. Matt giggled and turned around in Kelly's arms, leaning against Kelly's chest."Awwwww," Heather cooed, leaning into Andy and holding the phone."Did you take a photo of us?" Kelly asked."I'm sending them now," Heather confirmed. Matt rolled his eyes but ignored them when his phone buzzed in his pocket."Go away," Kelly glared at their friends. Heather gripped both boys' arms and pulled them from the room, where they headed to Andy's apartment."Kelly Severide," Matt said, turning in Kelly's arm and wrapping his arms loosely around Kelly's neck."Matt Casey," Kelly said, using his full name but purposely not saying his full first name, remembering how many times Matt always corrected him when they first met."I love you," Matt said softly, and Kelly felt as if his heart had just exploded in the best way possible. It had been nearly twenty minutes since he found out that Matt felt the same way he did, but it had barely sunk in until now. Matt Casey, his soulmate, his boyfriend, just told him he loved him, and it felt so much more real now that it was said in person.Kelly grinned, picked Matt up, and spun him around. Matt squeaked when his feet suddenly did not touch the floor, but then he giggled into Kelly's neck. Kelly laughed and spun a couple of more times, loving the carefree sound coming from Matt and promised himself he would spend the rest of his life making those sounds come from Matt."Keep spinning, and I'm going to throw up," Matt yelled and wobbled a bit when Kelly placed him on the floor. Kelly steadied him and then smiled up at Kelly."I love you too," Kelly said softly, moving one of his arms to cup Matt's cheek. Matt closed his eyes and leaned into Kelly's palm. Kelly wanted to kiss him. He wanted to pour all his emotions into the kiss to show him all his emotions. He leaned his head down to rest his forehead on Matt's forehead and breathe in his scent."Can I kiss you?" Kelly asked. He had learned his lesson not to randomly kiss Matt anymore and was hoping that asking him first was the way to go.Matt's eyes snapped open, and they pulled back a bit to look at Kelly more closely. The sudden movement caused Kelly's head to snap up in alarm."Shit, sorry," Kelly sighed and bit his bottom lip, and looked down to gather himself before looking back to Matt. When their eyes met, Matt's eyes looked very calculated as the baby blue hues darted all around Kelly's face. Kelly was about to pull back, letting Matt have some room, but then Matt's arms—loosely and limply around Kelly's neck—had tightened, keeping Kelly in place."I'm the one who's supposed to be apologizing," Matt whispered, and his eyes suddenly turned sad and full of guilt."It's fi-""No. No, it is not," Matt said sternly, stepping closer and burying his face into Kelly's neck. Kelly sighed and wrapped his arms tightly around Matt's waist, resting his chin on Matt's shoulder, swaying them slightly to help soothe Matt. Matt hummed and let himself lean further into Kelly's arms. Kelly moved slowly and gently and fell onto the couch, pulling Matt on top of him. Matt shuffled around until his ear rested over Kelly's heart.It was silent between the two. Matt tried to gather the courage, while Kelly was happy to have a relaxed Matt in his arms."Yes," Matt whispered, then tucked his knees on either side of Kelly's waist and pushed himself off Kelly's chest to hover over Kelly's face. "You can kiss me," Matt said, and Kelly's eyes lit up. one hand came up to cup Matt's cheek gently, and his thumb rubbed over Matt's bottom lip softly."C'mere," Kelly muttered and pulled Matt down. Their lips met for the first time in what felt like forever. Matt froze at first, nearly causing Kelly to pull back immediately, but then the blond melted into the kiss, and he let Kelly take more of his weight as he cupped Kelly's face in his hands.Their lips moved together, passion flowing between them and desperation, both wanting to pour everything into each other and never wanting to let go. Kelly missed the way Matt tasted and couldn't help himself from licking Matt's bottom lip asking for entrance, he wanted more—needed more. Matt groaned and opened his mouth, but the second Kelly put his tongue in Matt's mouth, Matt pushed himself up and broke the kiss. Both breathed heavily as they caught their breath, and Matt's eyes were squeezed tightly shut.Matt leaned down to nose at Kelly's jaw, and Kelly tilted his head back, not sure where this was going, but letting Matt do what he wanted. Matt placed soft butterfly kisses all over one side of Kelly's neck. Kelly moaned softly, and Matt's hands balled into fists on the couch. Matt moved to the other of Kelly's neck, placing the same butterfly kisses up until he reached the junction of his neck and jaw."Can I leave a mark?" Matt whispered against Kelly's neck, and Kelly could feel himself getting hard at the idea of walking around wearing Matt's mark proudly and freely."Go ahead," Kelly said, and Matt licked over the junction before nipping lightly on the skin, causing another moan to come out of Kelly's lips. Matt sucked on the spot, and Kelly's arms tightened around Matt's waist. The blond could feel Kelly's hardness poking into his thigh, and that spurred him on. He doubled his efforts—not having done this before—but feeling more confident with the more noises Kelly made."God, princess," Kelly groaned, and Matt could help to adjust his position slightly so their hips were aligned and rolled his hips onto Kelly, causing a moan from both of them. Matt pulled back enough to see a splash of purple/red growing on Kelly's neck, and he could not help but feel proud that he had left a mark on him. "Shit, you keep doing that. I'm going to cum in my pants," Kelly warned, and Matt wasn't even aware that he was still rolling his hips down on Kelly, their cocks meeting through their pants."What if that's my goal?" Matt asked and moaned when Kelly's hands flew down to his ass, gripping tightly at the flesh. "Shit," Matt whispered, dropping his forehead into the side of Kelly's neck when Kelly bucked his hips up, meeting Matt's movement."God, I love you," Kelly groaned, feeling himself getting close and started chasing his orgasm."' uv you too," Matt gasped and started to suck on the skin on Kelly's neck, and Kelly's grip tightened even more Matt briefly wondered if there were going to be hand-shaped bruises on his ass later. "Gonna...""Cum, princess," Kelly whispered, and Matt moaned loudly as he spilled into his pants. Kelly wished he was able to see Matt's orgasm face, but for now, the noise was enough to tip him over the edge and cum into his pants.Both breathed heavily as they came back from their orgasm, and Kelly moved both his hands to Matt's lower back, rubbing his back softly."Sorry about the ass grabbing," Kelly said, and Matt shook his head and nudged his nose to Kelly's cheek, once again reminding Kelly of a puppy."Don't be," Matt said and wiggled his ass. "Probably gonna have two hand-shaped marks on my ass." That caused a growl from Kelly's lips, and Matt laughed, pushing himself up to look down at Kelly. "Possessive much?""Over you? Definitely," Kelly said proudly and with his stupidly adorable smirk. He leaned slowly, giving Matt enough time to move away, but Matt bent down and kissed him softly."Hell of a way to celebrate our first 'I love you's,'" Matt chuckled when they pulled apart, and Kelly grimaced, remembering the stickiness in his pants."How about we take a shower? I have some clothes for you to wear," Kelly suggested, and Matt nodded, sitting up and getting off Kelly.Taking individual showers and Matt coming out with Kelly's hoodie and sweatpants made Kelly's heart do funny flips. He couldn't stop himself from grabbing Matt's waist and kissing Matt deeply, but Matt froze underneath his touch, and when Kelly pulled back. Matt was staring back at him with wide, fearful eyes. Kelly frowned, about to open his mouth to beg Matt to tell him what was wrong, but then the blond shook himself out of it and started talking about Kelly's shower and getting out of the embrace. Kelly wasn't about to let this slide again, especially when those fearful blue eyes were directed at him."Your father just pulled up," Andy said, bursting into the room in a panic, and Kelly blinked. "Want to stall? Kill time? Get the two of you out?""Jennifer, too," Connor said, running in."I don't want to see him," Kelly said, tone going cold. Andy nodded and pushed a confused Connor out of the room, and Matt tilted his head in confusion."Your father is back?" Matt asked, and Kelly shrugged, turned, and left the room.
----- CHAPTER BREAK -----
The ride back was silent. Connor had driven Matt and Kelly back to Casey's household, and Matt kept glancing at Kelly from the corner of his eye while Kelly sat there with his jaw clenched tightly. Matt slipped his hand into Kelly's, and Kelly held onto it like a lifeline but kept his gaze out the window. Internally, Matt sighed, and he and Connor made eye contact in the rearview mirror.When they arrived at the house, Connor drove off, and Matt and Kelly entered the house silently and walked up to Matt's room. Kelly wordlessly went to Matt's balcony and sat down, staring unseeingly out at the forest. Matt quietly went downstairs and made them both a cup of tea before returning and finding Kelly in the same place. He placed their teas on the side table between the two seats, grabbed his sketchbook, and sat down.Taking a deep breath, Matt started drawing to give Kelly the space he needed to process his thoughts but staying near enough that Kelly knew he wasn't alone.It wasn't until an hour later, with two empty tea mugs, that Kelly finally turned to Matt, who had, at this point, put his sketchbook aside."He wants something," Kelly whispered, looking back at the forest. "He never comes back into my life without a reason. He either left his other family, needed money or wanted someone to warm his bed, hoping it would be my mom. He is just going to leave again, never stays long enough for me to build a relationship with him—not that I want to anyway." Kelly dropped his head in his hand and sighed. "I don't know why he was here this time around, but he was at the apartment when the bond was completed, and I guess I should add homophobic to the list of reasons why I hate him. He also seems to have a strong hatred for your family name." Matt snorted."Everyone does, and if they don't, they are just as bad," he said bitterly with an eye roll. The blond stood before his boyfriend, who looked up immediately, and Matt climbed onto his lap, straddling him."He doesn't even try to have a relationship with me," Kelly said, linking his hand behind Matt's back. "Comes and goes as he pleases, and once he has a new family, I'm forgotten in his memory." Kelly moved one hand to cup Matt's cheek and absentmindedly rubbed his cheek back and forth as his eyes became distant. "Is it bad that part of me still wants a relationship with him? I'm still hoping that he would man up and become a father to me?""No," Matt said silently, and Kelly's eyes focused back on Matt. "He's your father, trust me. I know better than anyone how confusing it is to want a parent's affection when you know deep down that they would never give it to you freely.""Look at us," Kelly said with a humourless chuckle. "Two people come from broken families, and we are soulmates.""Hey, we don't fight destiny or whatever higher power put us together," Matt said with a shrug, and Kelly laughed."Can't argue that," Kelly said, dropping his head so it rested on Matt's shoulder."You can stay the night," Matt whispered. "Gregory and Nancy are still gone.""Sure," Kelly said gratefully, not wanting to go home and deal with Benny but feeling slightly bad about leaving his mother alone."But we must go to Cassie's place to help with the mural and prepare the nursery."I can't believe you're getting a pseudo brother/sister," Kelly said, looking up at Matt, who started grinning."Me neither," Matt said, then his smile slid off his face. "I know you have questions about what happened and how I've been acting recently. I— Well, it's hard to talk about it, so I drew everything out instead. But it's your birthday in a couple of weeks, and I don't know if you want to see this before your 17th birthday, so it's up to you.""Are you okay with showing me?" Kelly asked. Matt nodded, leaned over, and grabbed his sketchbook."I love and trust you," Matt whispered, looking down at the sketchbook. "I can't hide this any longer, and I— Well, here," he handed the book to Kelly, who took it with one hand and looked down, then back up at Matt. "Look through it whenever, just know, some pretty fucked up shit went down, so look through it whenever you're ready.""Do you want me to look through it with you?" Kelly asked, and Matt was quick to shake his head."Drawing it was enough," Matt said grimly, and Kelly nodded. He wanted to look through the book because he was desperate to find out what happened, but he didn't want to leave Matt alone. "One more thing," Matt said, pulling Kelly out of his conflict. "I talked to Detective Voight—the cop that investigated my parents when Robert found me and took me to the hospital—I went last night to see him, and he is investigating my parents off the record." Kelly's eyebrows shot up in surprise, and they moved to place the sketchbook on the side table."What did you two talk about?" Kelly asked, and Matt sighed."He has a kid, Justin, a year younger than us," Matt started, and Kelly nodded, wondering if Matt was deflecting or just working through his emotions. "He is also fostering a teenage girl; she's eighteen, and her name is Erin. I ran into both of them last night when Voight and I were talking. The talk with him lasted longer than expected because I ended up talking with Erin and Justin, just getting to know them. I found out briefly what happened to Erin's mother and how she ended up in Voight's house. It's nice to see Justin and Erin's bond; they act so much like siblings even though they met three years ago. She turned her life around, and I could see that Voight and Justin were happy about it.""They sound like really nice people," Kelly commented, and Matt nodded."I'm helping him build the case," Matt said, Kelly's eyebrows shooting up again. "I have access to incriminating files and databases, and I know how their business is run and who to ask that would turn on them immediately. Last night—before Erin and Justin came down—I told Voight about all the shady things I've witnessed and where to get the evidence. On top of that, I hinted at the abuse I suffered at their hands and what happened that day I ended up in the hospital. I'm meeting him again next week to give him everything I've compiled.""I want to come," Kelly said immediately, and Matt looked at him in surprise. "You're not going through this alone.""You sure?" Matt asked, and Kelly nodded, and a small smile appeared on Matt's face. "Okay," he whispered and leaned in to kiss Kelly softly. "Wanna watch a movie? Take our minds off of things like Benny, Voight, fucked up parents, fucked up childhoods?""Definitely," Kelly said, standing up with Matt in his arms. The blond squeaked in surprise, clinging tightly to Kelly and giggling in his neck as Kelly laughed and walked into Matt's room.They spent the night kissing and cuddling as random movies played. They didn't care what they were watching; they were just together and putting the outside world outside their little bubble of happiness.~~~Kelly woke up earlier than Matt—which is the first—and his eyes wandered around the room while holding Matt close to him. Kelly's eyes were drawn to the balcony where the sketchbook was forgotten. He looked down at Matt and gently rolled the blond off of him. Matt whined and scrunched up his face before snatching Kelly's pillow and hugging it to his chest, to which Kelly chuckled. He climbed out of bed slowly and padded to the balcony doors. He opened it slowly, slipped in, and sat on the chair. He stared at the sketchbook and took a deep breath before picking it up and opening it.~~~The following day, Matt found Kelly sitting on the balcony, staring into the trees. Matt grabbed a blanket, wrapped it around himself, and stepped out on the balcony, planning on cuddling up with Kelly, but he stopped in his tracks. He saw his sketchbook open on Kelly's lap, and he looked up to Kelly, who had already turned to face him with the most horrific look on his face. Matt's panic rose, and his brain was scrambling for something to say or do, anything but stand there like a statue, but his brain was just on a loop of "OH MY GOD, OH MY GOD, OH MY GOD" and "HE KNOWS, HE KNOWS, HE KNOWS" and "HE DOESN'T WANT ME ANYMORE, HE DOESN'T WANT ME ANYMORE, HE DOESN'T WANT ME ANYMORE."On the other hand, Kelly didn't know where to start. He had flipped through the sketchbook four times, wishing—praying—that his eyes had deceived him the first—three—times, but every time he flipped through it, he noticed more and more of the little details in Matt's sketch that made him want to vomit, kill someone, or both. It was horrific to see Matt's sketch of what happened, and he doesn't know what's worse, flipping through the sketchbook—that is so well drawn that it felt like he was watching it through a screen—or watching/hearing the pain and anguish in Matt's voice/face as he recounts everything that happened. Either way, he now wants to kill everyone who let this happen—knowingly or unknowingly. His Matty—his soulmate, his ray of sunshine, his everything—doesn't deserve any of the pain he was put through, and he doesn't even want to imagine what Matt went through as a child."I—um, I can drive you home if you want," Matt strutted out, pulling the blanket tighter around him so he would have something to do with his hands.The sound of Matt's voice broke Kelly out of his trance, and he shook his head."No—" his voice cracked, and he cleared his throat. "No, I don't want to go unless you want me to." Matt shook his head and silently sat beside Kelly on the chair. He flicked his eyes between Kelly, the sketchbook, and the forest.The two sat in silence. Neither knew what to say—specifically, how to start the conversation neither wanted to have. Kelly remained still while Matt moved into every position possible for a human sitting on a chair until he had enough and popped out of the chair."Do you want tea? Eggs? Pancakes? Muffin? A cookie? Maybe some fruit? Or a cheese board? Or meat? Or-""MATT!" Kelly cut in with a fond smile, and Matt relaxed a bit but still looked like he was two seconds away from bolting. "Come here," he said softly and held out his arm. Matt took it, and Kelly moved the sketchbook off his lap and then pulled Matt onto his lap. Matt squeaked in surprise, and he giggled softly, nestling into Kelly's arms. Kelly rested his chin on Matt's shoulder and turned his head to kiss Matt's cheek."Wait," Matt said, and Kelly loosened his hold around Matt. Matt shifted around until the blanket had come loose from underneath him, and he moved to wrap the blanket around Kelly. Then, he wrapped Kelly's arms tighter around himself. Kelly chuckled and let Matt shuffle around until the blanket had perfectly burrito them both."I love you, Matt," Kelly whispered, and Kelly could see—and feel—Matt's cheeks heat up."I love you," Matt whispered back and turned to kiss Kelly softly. When he pulled away, he rested his forehead against Kelly's and whispered, "Does this mean you don't hate me or are disgusted with me?" Kelly jerked his head back in surprise, and Matt smiled shyly."Imma kill them," Kelly snarled—almost a growl—but then he looked at Matt and softened up. "From now on, I want you to remember that I would—and could—never be disgusted with you or anything that has happened to you in the past. It may be hard for you to remember that whenever you get into your self-conscious headspace, but I'm saying it now—and for however many times you need to hear it for it to stick—that I will never be disgusted by you. You want to know why?" Matt shook his head, and Kelly moved one hand to gently cup his cheek, which Matt leaned into like a cat nestling up to its owner. "Because I love you, and I never plan on stopping. You're mine until the end of the world.""That's a long time," Matt chuckled, and Kelly shrugged."Well, it's the truth, 'til the end of the world, you and me," Matt's cheek tinted pink, and he smashed his lips together, feeling overwhelmed with how easily Kelly showed him love. He had never experienced it to this extent and didn't know what to do with it now that he had it. "I love you 'til the end of the world.""Good," Kelly whispered, thumbing at Matt's bottom lip. "Because it would've been real awkward if you didn't." Matt laughed, shoving Kelly's hands away from his mouth only to pull him back in and collapse his weight against Kelly's chest. "One day, you're going to be free from their grasp, and you're going to become the most famous artist has ever known, and some big shot CEO/lawyer and I will be standing there proud of my husband.""Damn, are you proposing?" Matt joked, but his heart was exploding with love, happiness, hope and Kelly."I will need a ring first, but a proposal is in the future," Kelly said as if it were normal."You keep this up, and I'm going to be permanently red," Matt mumbled, moving his hands to his heated cheeks to hide how much Kelly was making him blush."That's okay, you'll be my tomato," Kelly shrugged, and Matt's eyes widened."That will not stick, I swear to god, Kelly if you start calling me-""My tomato," Kelly interrupted with a triumphant smile. "What's wrong, my tomato? You don't like the name? Because I think it's cute and very fitting as I constantly make you blush as red as a tomato. Won't it be cute? My tomato, when is the food done? Or how was your day, my tomato? Or better yet, who's picking up the kids, my tomato? Or my toma-" Matt slapped a hand over Kelly's hands and glared at him, but the glare was ineffective as it was Matt, and to Kelly, Matt looked like an adorable kitten at all times."No," Kelly raised his hands in the air as a surrender. Matt lowered his hand slowly, and Kelly didn't say a word. Matt glared at Kelly for a couple more seconds before relaxing."Fine, I promise I won't," Kelly said, but there was a purposeful stop in the sentence and a grin that shouldn't be on Kelly's face. Matt's eyes widened, and he tried to jump out of Kelly's lap, but the brunette tightened his grip around Matt, pulling him closer. "my tomato.""NO," Matt screamed, trying—and failing—to get out of Kelly's grip."My tomato, my tomato, my tomato," Kelly said in a sing-song, all the while Matt was wiggling around wanking/pushing/pulling Kelly. Matt is pretty strong, but Kelly is stronger, so although holding Matt down is a bit of a struggle as the seconds tick by, it isn't impossible.Matt collapsed and breathed heavily against Kelly. Kelly laughed, kissed his forehead, and relaxed his grip a bit. Matt seized the opportunity, jumped off Kelly, and bolted straight into the room."Oh no, you don't," Kelly said, jumping up to chase Matt. The blond laughed as he ran out of his bedroom, with Kelly following close behind, but he was smart and always dodged Kelly's arm. Laughter can be heard echoing around the house for the first time in a long time. Some long-term workers smiled softly to themselves, especially when they saw Matt running past them with a huge smile, with Kelly followed closely, laughing freely.Matt screamed when Kelly wrapped both arms around Matt's waist, spinning them both around as Kelly made his way back to Matt's bedroom. Matt was giggling as he tried to escape Kelly's grip and laughed/squeaked when Kelly fell back on his bed, bringing them down."God, you can run," Kelly said, breathing heavily. Matt wiggled around until he was straddling Kelly's lap, hand on either side of Kelly's head, and grinning down at him."What can't handle some cardio, old man?" Matt teased."Who you calling old?" Kelly said, and before Matt could reply, Kelly flipped them over so Matt was underneath him. "Because it's not me.""Hmm.. I don't know, for a soccer player, I would assume you would have more stamina," Matt continued teasing, but Kelly leaned down and kissed Matt hard, and Matt let out a surprised noise before wrapping his arms around Kelly's neck and kissing him back. Kelly licked Matt's bottom lip, and Matt opened his mouth as their tongues battled for dominance. The kiss was dirty and passionate, and Kelly couldn't help but get aroused, and he rolled his hips down against Matt. Once Matt felt Kelly's erection against his leg, he froze up, which Kelly immediately noticed and pulled back."What's wrong?" Kelly asked, and Matt shoved Kelly away. Matt got up and paced the room."I have to go. I need to check up on the progress of the sites," Matt said, already heading to his closet to change and get out of the house. Kelly sprung off the bed and jumped in front of Matt, stopping the blond from entering the closet."I'm not doing this again. We're not doing this. If something is wrong, we talk about it," Kelly said, and Matt sighed and walked back to the bed."You were hard," Matt said, and Kelly frowned, walking towards the blond in confusion. Matt looked at Kelly and then purposely out on the balcony and back at Kelly. Realization hit Kelly like a ton of bricks, and his face immediately turned apologetic."I am so sorry, Matty. God, I'm so stupid," Kelly said, rubbing his hands down his face. Matt got up, walked up to Kelly, and pulled his hands away from Kelly's face."It's fine, I just- well, I don't want anything sexual to happen, not now. I'm not ready," KMatt said a bit nervously."We will go at your pace. You don't want anything to happen in the next three years. Nothing happens in the next three years. You don't want anything to happen ever, then it never does. As long as you are comfortable and ready, then—and ONLY then—will anything happen," Kelly said, and Matt smiled softly."You would wait that long?" Matt asked, and Kelly nodded, pulling Matt in by the waist."I don't care; that's just an added bonus. Don't get me wrong; I want to see you squirm and blush for me in another way, but what we have now is equally as amazing, if not more. I just care about being with you," Kelly said, and Matt blushed a deep red again. "See, I'm already doing it," Kelly teased, and Matt rolled his eyes, shoving Kelly lightly. "Do you really have to go?""Yeah, but you can come with me; it's your new place anyways," Matt said, and Kelly grinned and nodded."Let's get changed and go," Kelly said.
----- CHAPTER BREAK -----
For the past month, Matt has been able to play the "well-trained son" whenever he interacts with his parents. It got harder every time, especially after his nights at the Voight's household. The more evidence they complied and the more they talked, the more Matt was pulled out of his little bubble of wishing for a happy family. Voight did some digging behind the scenes, and he found things Matt would've sold his soul never to know. He knew his parents' hands weren't clean. He knew they had done sketchy things, but the dead bodies, the pictures of torture and the wreckage that Voight had shown him had Matt realizing with confusion. It was one thing to know and another to see it. It was as if the rose-tinted glasses were being pulled off completely, and it took everything in him not to scream or punch his "parents" for every hell they put everyone through. It took everything in him not to drag their businesses to the ground. It took everything in him not to leak everything they had on his parents out to the press and watch as the city turned against them. He had to clench his hands so hard that his nail dug into his palm so as not to show outward disgust whenever Georgory talked about the election.Kelly had come with him several times to Voight's house, and he and Erin hit it off immediately. Matt would've been jealous, but he knew Kelly and Erin wouldn't do anything, and he often found himself their target of teasing. However, Kelly and Erin's relationship had been the last straw keeping Erin out of the investigation, and Voight reluctantly allowed Erin to help. Matt's heart swelled when the first time Erin saw everything, she had hugged him tightly—so tight that he couldn't breathe and nearly turned blue—and threatened to kill, torture or maim Georgory and Nancy Casey. For the rest of that night, he had Kelly's arm around his shoulder and Erin holding his hand as Voight went through some of the cold cases that he believes are connected to the Casey's. Justin had even come down for a bit, but with Voight and Erin yelling at him not to get involved, he reluctantly went back upstairs. But for about an hour, whenever Matt first arrived, Justin would drag Matt into whatever videogame he was playing or dragging him to the backyard and kicking around a ball. Matt knew Justin was doing this to make Matt feel more normal and more like the teenager he is and less of the CEO to be, taking over companies that were built off of other people's blood. He knew that but never called him out on it and let himself be dragged. He didn't mind it. He and Justin got along incredibly, and it was nice to have a new friend where he didn't need to put up a front. Someone who knew enough about his life to see that he needed some normalcy but not enough to look at him with sympathy.Matt also noticed that Voight had become more protective over him. At first, whenever the night ended, it was just a simple "keep me posted," but as the meet-ups continued, Voight would tell him to text him once he got home. He had gotten Matt a burner phone, and they even had a code, so if his parents ever found it, they wouldn't understand what any of it meant. Then, he asked Matt to come over on nights when they were discussing the case, and Voight started teaching him how to defend himself. It became a little class for him, Kelly, Erin and sometimes Justin whenever he caught Voight and Erin on their good side and allowed him in. Matt felt he was slowly being integrated into this little-found family and held onto it as much as possible.Then, nearly every weekend, he would go to Cassie's house and help with whatever she needed. The nursery was coming together well, and he, Kelly, Connor, Heather, and Andy often found themselves foaling around in the room. It was fun to have his boyfriend and best friends all working on a project together in his pseudo-mom's home. He was so excited to meet the new baby. He knows he isn't the newborn's brother but wants to fill that position. He always wanted a sibling, and he can't wait to do some of the things he wishes he had.Matt was glad for the less security of him as Geogory focused more and more attention on the election. It hadn't even started, but there were so many meetings, paperwork, and legal stuff going on that Geogry and Nancy were too busy to pay much attention to Matt. He had more freedom to leave as he pleased and fewer eyes on the rebuilt neighbourhood— close to being finished—and Matt didn't have to answer to Geogry anymore. Often, when Matt would bring up stuff to Georgy about the rebuild process, Geogry would tell him to handle it and either hang up on him or slam the door in his face. Either way, that meant fewer interactions with Georgy. Another good part is that his parents have restored to talking to him through staff. They only had interactions when Geogry and Nancy needed information from him or to make sure Matt looked presentable enough for whenever the campaign began.Overall, Matt started to see a way for him to escape and leave Casey's name behind him.~~~It was midnight on Kelly's birthday. Matt had spent all night yesterday getting everything ready for Kelly's birthday and then called Kelly at midnight to scream 'HAPPY BIRTHDAY' through the phone. Kelly grumbled about going deaf, but he had a smile on his lips and was happy that Matt had called. They had stayed on the phone for another twenty minutes before they hung up since Kelly kept getting calls from his other friends wishing him a happy birthday.~~~Kelly woke up feeling body weight and soft lips on his neck and face. It was a pleasant feeling, but he was slightly concerned about who was doing this. He cracked an eye open, and all he saw was blond."Matt?" Kelly asked, and Matt planted one more kiss on Kelly's cheek before pushing himself up and hovering over Kelly's face with a grand smile. "Matt!" Kelly said again, more surprised, and Matt grinned and nuzzled down into Kelly's neck."Morning, birthday boy," Matt mumbled, and he yelped when Kelly suddenly flipped them so he was underneath Kelly."What are you doing here?" Kelly asked but leaned down to kiss Matt, not giving the blond a chance to answer. When Kelly pulled back, Matt blinked several times and shook his head as if trying to regain focus."It's your birthday. I'm here to surprise my boyfriend on his birthday. Is that so wrong?" Matt asked, and Kelly smiled brightly."Abso-fucking-lutely not," Kelly whispered and slammed his lips against Matt's again. Matt wrapped his arms around Kelly's neck, holding the birthday boy close to his body as his lips moved in sync with Kelly's."Happy birthday, Kelly," Matt whispered when they pulled apart."Thanks, princess," Kelly whispered back, grinning at the blush on Matt's cheek.Matt cleared his throat and said, "Come on, up you get, your mother let you sleep in, and she has a present for you, so move your lazy ass." He commanded as he pushed Kelly off of him and jumped off the bed. Matt was standing there, smoothing out his uniform, and Kelly had to fight the urge to pull him back down to the bed."Do I have to go to school?" Kelly asked, half grinning, and Matt smirked and nodded. "Fine," he whined, rolled out of bed, and stood before Matt. With quick movements, he gripped Matt's shoulders and turned them so Matt's back was on the bed, pushing Matt down. Matt yelped and giggled, pulling Kelly down on the bed with him."This is the opposite of getting up and ready for school," Matt commented with raised eyebrows, and Kelly shrugged."Fuck school, I want you," Kelly said, and his eyes widened the second he realized what it said. "I don't expect anything just because it's my birthday; like I said before, you control it and-""It's fine," Matt interrupted. "I understood what you meant." Matt smiled softly up at him and leaned up to kiss Kelly. "But..." Matt said, flipping them over quickly so Kelly could be pinned to the bed. Matt grabbed both of Kelly's wrists and pinned them to the bed, causing the brunette to look up at Matt in surprise. "Right now, you must get dressed and ready for school. I'm dropping you and Andy off this morning, so you two will be a bit early if I want to make it to my class on time. I need to make it to my classes on time because I need to meet up with a few people, which means you need to move your perfect ass off the bed and into the washroom." Matt climbed off of Kelly and yanked him up, reminding Kelly again of how strong Matt was. Once Kelly was on his feet, he stood there staring at Matt with a soft smile and fondness radiating off of him. Matt raised a questioning eyebrow at Kelly."What?" Matt asked, tilting his head."You're cute when you get bossy and plan-y," Kelly said, and Matt laughed at that and shook his head."Thanks, but I'm serious," Matt said, turning Kelly around and shoving him out the door.~~~Matt had dropped Kelly and Andy off at school before speeding off to his school, hoping to make it on time. He was cutting it close, but he knew she would understand if he was late.Once Matt parked, he sighed and rested on the stirring wheel.
Knock Knock
"OH MY GOSH!" Matt exclaimed, jumping in his seat, looking to his right with wide blue eyes, and rolling his eyes when Ellie stood laughing. Matt flipped her off but unlocked the passenger door, and she opened it and stepped in, still laughing."Sorry, I didn't mean to scare you," she giggled, and Matt rolled his eyes. "Here," she pulled out a small red velvet box and handed it to Matt."It's done?" Matt asked, and Ellie grinned and nodded."You said it was for his birthday today, so..." she said and trailed off. Matt looked at her, slowly opened the jewelry box, and gasped at what he saw inside."Holy fucking shit Elle," Matt whispered, and Ellie smiled proudly. "Fuck you're families business; you should do this as your career.""God, I wish," she sighed."How much do I owe?" Matt asked, reaching back to grab his wallet, but Ellie placed a hand on Matt's arm and shook his head."Nothing," she said, and Matt was about to argue. "Seriously. I don't want the money.""I need to give you something," Matt said, and she smiled softly."Paint something for me," she said, and Matt frowned. "More specifically, I want you to paint a family portrait with Lily's parents, her brother, and her sister, who passed last year. Her sister was a baby, and they didn't have a chance to get some official family photos, and I want to give them that. I have pictures of her family and her baby sister. Do you think you can recreate it?""Definitely," Matt grinned. Ellie sighed in relief, reached into her bag, pulled out a folder, and handed it to Matt."I wrote down the measurements for it to fit over the mantel," she said, and Matt nodded as he opened the folder and looked through the photos."I'll do some sketches, and you tell me which style you like better before I paint," Matt said. Ellie nodded and leaned over to kiss Matt's cheek before exiting the car. She ran to Lily in front of the school and greeted her girlfriend with a huge kiss. Matt chuckled as he grabbed his bag and got out of the car.~~~Kelly had spent most of the school day receiving birthday wishes from his friends and teammates, and he was just over the moon. He wasn't even upset about being at school on his birthday because he spent most of the day texting back and forth with Matt on his new phone. When Andy looks over and grins at him, he knows something is happening but says nothing.~~~When the second class ended, Andy gripped Kelly's wrist tightly and proceeded to drag him out of the school without answering any of Kelly's protests or questions. Kelly waved at people wishing him a birthday and shrugged when April stared at them weirdly.Kelly was suddenly shoved into the back seat of a car, and when he looked at the driver's seat, he saw Heather grinning at him."Happy birthday," she said."Thanks, Heather," Kelly replied, glaring at Andy, who was looking at him with a weird smile. "The fuck is wrong with your boyfriend?""Don't know," Heather shrugs but hits Andy's shoulder lightly.Heather pulls out of the parking lot. She starts talking about work and her family's company, and Kelly notices that they aren't heading to his place or her neighbourhood. Before he can guess where they are going, he sees the lake and grins.They pulled up beside Matt and Connor's car, and Kelly was the first to jump out and walk closer to the lake to find Matt and Connor standing at the edge of the lake with their pants rolled up, laughing at something the other had said. Kelly quickly walked up, wrapped his arms around Matt, picked up the blond, and swung him around, causing the blond to laugh out loud and squirm in his grip."Come on, you two sickeningly happy couple, let's eat," Connor said, rolling his eyes, but Matt saw the smile he was trying to hide.The lunch wasn't anything special, but everyone was relaxed. They ate pizza and played around as if all the stress from the outside had disappeared, and they were five teenagers soaking in their youth while it lasted. All family drama had been stuffed away in a box while they all enjoyed themselves. It was what they all needed.Matt and Kelly went to Kelly's place when the sun started setting. Matt had Kelly put on a blindfold the second they entered the apartment. Kelly looked at him weirdly but did as told, and Matt carefully guided Kelly to his bedroom, where he had hidden his present earlier that morning."Now sit; it's a bed behind you," Matt said, and Kelly slowly sat down, feeling for the mattress underneath him."Can I take this off now?" Kelly asked, and Matt bit his bottom lip nervously."Happy birthday," Matt whispered. Kelly reached behind his head to take off the blindfold and blinked his eyes a bit at the sudden change in brightness. When his eyes settled, he looked down, and his eyes widened.There Matt was, on one knee, with a ring box open to reveal a ring nuzzled inside."I'm not proposing," Matt said and chuckled."Sure seems like you are," Kelly said with a grin, and Matt rolled his eyes."Figured this was more dramatic," Matt said, sounding nervous. "I know ever since we've met that I have been back and forth on our relationship. I know I struggled hard with everything my parents put me through, and in turn, I shut you out when I should've pulled you in. I'm sorry about that, and if I could go back, I would. You didn't deserve that, especially when you've been such a great boyfriend—the best anyone can ever hope for—and I never returned the favour. I also realize that I never made it clear—100%—what future I want to build with you."Matt took a deep breath and looked down at the ring."I ask Ellie to make this for me. She makes jewelry on the side, and I think she did an amazing job. But that's not the point," Matt said, shaking his head to get back on track. "It's a promise ring. It's nothing big and flashy, and I also got a silver chain if you want to wear it as a necklace, but the meaning is still the same."Kelly Severide, I want this ring to represent everything I want to build with you. I want the picket fence, the kids, a life that's just our own in a world we built for ourselves and only ourselves, and most importantly, I want to marry you someday. I want to be your partner in crime, start a life with you, create memories, and grow old with you. I love you, Kelly, and I always will," Matt said with glassy eyes as he started to tear up. "So Kelly Severide, do you ac-""Get up here," Kelly chuckled, pulled Matt up by the elbows, and pulled the blond onto his lap. "Of course I do.""Oh, thank God," Matt said, releasing a relieved breath before handing the box to Kelly."Now we need to ask her to make you one," Kelly said, taking the box but keeping his eyes glued to Matt."She did," Matt said, reaching into his pocket and pulling out another identical ring box. "Here, look at them both."Kelly pulled both ring boxes out and brought them closer to his face to inspect them better. His head snapped up to Matt's, and Matt smiled shyly and gestured for Kelly to continue looking.Both rings have a simple silver band, but one has a thin blue strip around the center, and the other has a thin green strip. When Kelly looked at the inside of the ring, he saw the engraving."M.S + K.S," Kelly whispered and looked up to Matt, not wanting to speculate."Matt Severide + Kelly Severide," Matt said with a shrug. Kelly quickly put the rings in the boxes, placed them beside him on the bed, and quickly flipped them over so Matt was pinned underneath him."You're going to take my name?" Kelly asked in awe, and Matt nodded."Not just because I want to distance myself from the Casey name completely but because I want everyone to know who I belong to. You're mine, and I'm yours, and taking your name in the near future will solidify to everyone else in the world," Kelly leaned down and kissed the air out of Matt's lungs."Well, I can't wait for that day to happen," Kelly whispered once he pulled back. "Thank you, Matty," he said, sitting up and pulling the blond with him. He grabbed the ring box just as Matt handed him the chain."I'm wearing it as a necklace since it's easier to hide from my parents, but once I'm out of here, it's going onto my ring finger," Matt said just as he slipped the green ring onto the chain."Well, then," Kelly said, putting it on the index finger of his left hand. "How did you know my ring size?""I may or may not have measured it with string while you were asleep," Matt shrugged sheepishly, and Kelly laughed and pulled the blond in closer."Do you know which finger it's supposed to go on?" Matt shrugged, and Kelly looked down on his hands. "I'm leaving it there for now.""So... you like it?" Matt asked, and Kelly looked appalled."You just reminded me that you love me and want a future with me. So no, I don't like it, Matt. I love it, princess," Kelly said, and Matt melted into Kelly's chest. "Thank you, baby. I love you," Kelly whispered, kissing the blond's head.
----- CHAPTER BREAK -----
Kelly showed his mother Matt's present when she got home from the hospital. Matt had blushed the entire time Kelly was gushing about the present to his mother, and Jennifer constantly shooting him knowing glances. Despite it being three people and a certain someone missing from the table, Kelly loved every second of the dinner. It wasn't all too special but a simple and stress-free birthday dinner for Kelly. He was glad Matt was comfortable around his mother and that his mother approved of their relationship. He didn't know if he could handle hiding his relationship with Matt from his mother, especially if she was trying to be more present in his life. However, Kelly could see something his mother was stressing about, and clearly, Matt was in on it as well because they would sometimes have silent conversations with each other. Kelly filed it to the back of his mind to ask either of them later.Matt stayed the night, and Kelly had his blond tucked in his arms. As the blond snored lightly, Kelly stared down at the ring on his finger with a fond smile. He felt content, and life couldn't get any better for him. He won't lie; ever since his father left, his birthday was never a big deal. His mother always took the day to spend with him, but there was always an obvious presence they both chose to ignore. Although today wasn't anything big, having Matt beside him and the past few weeks of his mother paying more attention and being more involved in his life made today one of the best birthdays.~~~Kelly woke up to a pillow falling on his face. He grumbled and buried his face in the bed more but paused when he didn't feel a presence beside him. He patted around, and where Matt was supposed to be was empty and cold. He cracked an eye open but didn't see Matt there. He rolled onto his back and turned to find Andy grinning at him."You're the wrong blond," Kelly mumbled tiredly, and Andy scoffed."Well, your blond isn't here currently," Andy said, tugging on Kelly's arm. "Up you get and go get ready.""Where are we going? Where's Matt?" Kelly asked, sitting up and stretching."I'm spending the day with myself at work, and then April and Matt are off doing Matt's things," Andy shrugged, walking to the door. "We leave in twenty," he called over his shoulder, and Kelly sighed. He got off the bed and grabbed his phone from the nightstand, where he noticed a sticky note sitting beside it.
Morning (or afternoon, depending on when Andy decides to wake you up). I know you have a phone, but I figured this was cuter. I don't know. It's probably cheezy, but here is a handwritten note from me to my love (that's you if it's not obvious
). I need to run some errands and get moving on this case with Voight, so I'm sorry I left this morning. Have a good day with your friends, and I'll call you later today. <3 - Matty
Kelly chuckled, took a picture of the note, and sent it to Matt with a heart before going to his bathroom to prepare for whatever Andy would drag him.~~~Although Kelly hates work, today was pretty nice—shockingly for a Saturday—but April had spent their entire shift sitting there. At some point, his team had wandered into the restaurant, and it was nice to see everyone more casually. He glared over at Andy and April when more people from school showed up, but both of them shrugged and looked as innocent as guilty people could look. His boss had even given Andy and Kelly the rest of the day off, and Kelly spent an hour hanging out with his team and friends from school.Spending the rest of the afternoon with April and Andy was refreshing. It's been too long since it had only been the three of them, so it was nice. They spent some of the afternoon at April's house because her parents were wondering where Kelly was and why he wasn't coming over for dinner much anymore. Kelly then got the third-degree interrogation from April and the Sextons about this mystery person, which kept Kelly grinning and jolly. Andy was no help in the conversation; he was laughing with Noah as they watched Kelly trying to wiggle himself out of the conversation. It was entertaining—for Andy and Noah. At the end, Kelly didn't say who specifcally is his boyfriend but they did get it out of him that he had met his soulmate and they had started the bonding—to which started a whole new interrogation that left Kelly with a headache trying to get out.~~~Closer to 9 PM, Kelly knew something was happening when April and Andy kept checking their phones. They both ignored Kelly's questioning glances and acted as if nothing was happening. That was until he was blindfolded, and he sighed, knowing this was probably something Matt set up."You are making me bus somewhere while blindfolded?" Kelly asked as they stood at the bus stop with a blindfold over his eyes."Don't worry, we'll guide you," April said, and Kelly rolled his eyes."That doesn't reassure me at all," Kelly mumbled, which caused April to slap him, to which he jumped and stumbled a bit. "Point proved," he can practically hear April's eye-roll. "Make me wear handcuffs, and people will think you're kidnapping me.""Shut up," April grumbled."Bus here," Andy said. He grabbed his hand and pulled him to the bus, with April standing behind him to ensure he didn't fall.They got weird looks, but no one approached them or asked why Kelly was blindfolded.~~~"Seriously," Kelly exclaimed as a pair of headphones was put over his ears, and he couldn't hear their response. "This is just stupid. Now, I'm not even sure if you two are kidnapping me. I swear if I lose a kidney tonight, I'm coming to kill you." He stumbled when he bumped into someone, and then one of the headphones was pulled off his ear."Why would you lose a kidney," April's confused voice said."Why would you blindfold me, make my bus across the city, and then put headphones over my ears unless you are bringing me to someone to take my kidneys or a surprise party," Kelly said and shrugged and winced when the headphone was forcefully put back over his ear.They walked for about ten more minutes—during which Kelly said he needed both his kidneys—until they suddenly stopped.~~~"He looks happy," Matt said, standing before Kelly, who looked amused."Have we arrived to take my kidneys out?" Kelly said—more like yelled—and Matt's eyebrows shot up."He believes that we are taking him to have his kidneys removed and sell them on the black market," a dark-haired girl said with an eye roll, and Matt knew this was April."Or a surprise party," Andy said, and Matt furrowed his eyebrows, trying to figure out how KElly got from one to the other. "Don't ask," Andy sighed."Okay," Matt said slowly, then extended his hand toward April."Matt," he introduced himself."April," she said as she shook his hand. "Glad your company is doing this, although they are why a rebuild was needed.""My father's company, not me," Matt said a bit too firmly with—not well—hidden anger. "But, the team hired on the job had worked hard and fast to finish it by today.""Still," April said but seemed to be analyzing Matt's reaction. "Your father must be proud of you for taking charge. Andy tells me that you, Heather, and Connor are the head of this project."Matt snorted and rolled his eyes. "Yeah, well, why not see the finished product? "He stretched his arm back and opened the gate around the neighbourhood so no one would run onto the sites while the construction was occurring."Shit, Matt," Andy said, looking around. Matt grinned at him, and then Matt slipped away before they got to the group of people here for Kelly's party. Matt stood on the porch of what is now Kelly's house beside Heather, Connor, Erin and Justin.They watched as Andy and April removed Kelly's headphones first and then the blindfold."SURPRISE!" Everyone yelled, and Kelly's eyes widened as he looked around and noticed there were people from his school, his teammates, and his friends. His eyes scanned around and blinked as he realized all the newly built houses around him. He scanned the crowd and noticed Matt in the far back."What the fuck?" Kelly said, shocked. Heather came around and stood beside April."The neighbourhood is officially finished rebuilding. Move-in will be allowed two days from now but for tonight. It's your birthday party. Only two houses are open for the indoor party—yours and Andy's new houses—but outdoors is all yours," Heather said."LET'S GET THIS PARTY STARTED!!!" He yelled, and cheers replied, and people started mingling."How long have you known?" Kelly said, grabbing Andy's elbow before he got leave."Two days," Andy said with a grin."Matt was stressing about getting this together, but it was all finished two days ago, and then all final payments/paperwork were finalized yesterday. This project is officially done," Heather added and then kissed Kelly's cheek. Also, Matt and I officially broke up. So..." She turned around, pulled Andy down, and kissed him deeply. Kelly's eyebrows shot up, but she grinned as Andy was then pulled down the street with the crowd.~~~Andy's house had a pool attached, and most people had migrated to Andy's house, while Kelly's house was more for video games, and high school drinking games occurred.Matt and Connor mainly had stuck together, Justine joining in with the party while Erin stayed for a couple of minutes before leaving."Who are you staring down?" Matt asked. Connor jumped and reverted his eyes to Matt."No one," Connor shrugged."Hmm," Matt said and grinned at Connor, telling him he didn't believe him. "The redhead is leaving," he said, nodding to where a redhead and a brunette were walking away. "Losing your chance.""Do what? Walking up and say hi?" Connor asked, and Matt shrugged."Better than staring like a creep," Matt said. Connor elbowed Matt in the ribs, and Matt laughed, pushing Connor back, which then started the two of them pushing each other."Idiots," Heather said, suddenly standing there with her arms crossed."What? We weren't doing anything," Connor said innocently as their arms were around each other's shoulders, smiling at Heather innocently."Yeah, sure," she said and rolled her eyes. "It's a party, party."~~~Matt stayed away from the pool for obvious reasons. He was sitting outside Kelly's flat roof, looking out at the sunset in the distance and listening to the party below him at the pool. It took a lot of planning and figuring out how he could be present for Kelly's party without many people raising eyebrows and ensuring this rebuild was finalized in time. He felt terrible about how much the teams had to work to get this done in time, but Matt gave everyone a bonus."This is where you disappeared to," Kelly said from behind Matt with a beer."Have you had fun with your friends?" Matt asked, and Kelly grinned and nodded. He walked out of the window and pulled Matt into a hug. Kelly had been partying downstairs with everyone for a good two hours. Matt watched from a distance before disappearing upstairs."You are getting me wet," Matt whined, trying to pull away. Kelly's body wasn't wet since he had dried off after coming out of the pool, but his hair was still damp."Too bad," Kelly said, tightening his hold around Matt and burying his nose in Matt's neck. "Thank you, princess.""You deserve it," Matt said, leaning into Kelly."What aren't you and my mom telling?" Kelly questioned, and instead of Matt tensing, Matt just sighed."Your father tried to show up for your birthday dinner. Jen and I had to talk him out of it and had Robert keep him busy," Matt said, and Kelly smiled."Thank you," Kelly said, and Matt turned his head and kissed him. "How did Robert manage that?""Your father loves talking about himself," Matt said matter-of-factly, and Kelly nodded in agreement."Poor Robert," Kelly said, and Matt laughed."Trust me, he had made me promise him two weeks' worth of babysitting duty," Matt said, and Kelly chuckled and shook his head.They were silent as they stared down at the party, and Matt stared to notice Kelly's mood had changed."You okay?" Matt asked, a bit worried."Fine. I just wish you could be down there with me as my boyfriend, like Heather and Andy now," Kelly mumbled, and Matt nodded."Same," Matt whispered. "But we can have this little moment before they start wondering where the birthday boy went." Kelly smiled and pulled back. They sat at the roof's edge, watching the sunset, sharing Matt's beer, embracing everything.~~~"Whatcha working on?" Matt asked when he climbed through Kelly's new window and jumped on the bed, landing on Kelly's back where he had been working on school work on his stomach on the bed."We have a door, you know," Kelly said with a chuckle and turned his head to kiss Matt's cheek."I know. I'm the one that designed this place, and I don't care," Matt shrugged, and Kelly rolled his eyes. "Room is coming together, actually whole house.""Mom is going a bit crazy with decorating. I didn't know she loved interior decorating as much as she did. She and Andy's mom are going crazy, even April's mom. The three of them are at the mall every other day, coming back with plants, photo frames, or some random decorating. The main furniture is done due to you and your team. The other night, my mom asked me what colour throw blanket looks best on the couch."Fun," Matt chuckled and rested his chin over Kelly's shoulder. "So..." he nodded to the notebook on Kelly's bed."Chem," Kelly said with a sigh."Why are you doing Chemistry Saturday morning?" Matt asked with a frown."Need to get this done," Kelly said, and Matt stared at Matt. "Did you go to the gym?""Nope," Matt said."So, you decided to rock climb my house. Is your workout today?" Kelly questioned."Hey, we all have our choice of workout," Matt said, shuffling up to get a closer look. He reached over for Kelly's pencil and started writing out one of the equations and answering each step by step as Kelly watched. If it were anyone else, Kelly would've been annoyed by someone doing this, but it was Matt, and he knew he wasn't doing it to make Kelly feel dumb or to show off."There," Matt said, kissing Kelly's cheek as he put the pencil down. "Also, why didn't you tell me you were struggling in chemistry?""How do you know that?" Kelly asked. Matt smiled and leaned his head on Kelly's."I may have been busy, but I am well aware of my surroundings—unless I'm painting, that's a different story—but I noticed you struggling in chemistry and overheard a phone with your mom talking about your grades a few weeks back. I didn't mean to eavesdrop," Matt said, looking sheepish. "Not to mention, your entire homework is wrong."Matt yelped when he was shoved off of Kelly, and then Kelly pinned him down on the bed."Smartass," Kelly said, and Matt grinned."I can help you, you know," Matt said, and Kelly nodded."You good at chemistry?" Kelly asked. "Wait don't answer that, you're good at everything.""Not soccer," Matt said. "Grow up in the house I did, and you are either academically gifted or on the streets. "He tried for a light tone, but despite his tone, Kelly knew the truth behind the words. "But I mean it. I can help. When's your test?""Tuesday," Kelly said. "I need to pull my mark to at least a seventy not to be kicked off the team.""Kicked off the team?" Matt asked, surprised, pulling back completely."Yeah, not really that important, tho," Kelly sighed and rolled onto the bed beside Matt. "Not like I'm going for a scholarship in soccer or anything. This is more for fun. I don't need it for the fire academy anyway.""I'll find out if I'm allowed to play on Thursday," Kelly said, and Matt huffed. "Sorry I didn't tell you; you were stressed and working a lot, so I didn't want you to worry about this. Plus it's not like I'm going for a scholarship in soccer or anything, this is more for fun.""Scholarship or not, it's the last game of the session, and you helped your team get there, which means you should play," Matt said, moving off of Kelly and settling beside him. "Let me help, please," he pleaded, pulling out the puppy dog eyes and the pout. Kelly groaned and rolled onto his back with his eyes squeezed shut."That face should be illegal," Kelly said. Matt laughed and strove Kelly's waist, putting a hand on either side of his head, still making a face. "Fine," he grumbled when he cracked an eye open to see Matt's puppy-dog eyes, and then Matt smiled triumphantly."Not my fault you can't resist that face," Matt said, leaning down to kiss Kelly's nose before jumping off of the bed and going over to Kelly's chemistry notebook to see what he had to do.Jennifer knocked on Kelly's door and poked her head through."Kelly I'm going groc- Matt," she said, surprised to see Matt sitting there. "I didn't hear the front door open or the doorbell," Jennifer said, looking at Matt, confused, and Matt smiled innocently at her. She stared at him for a good minute before a light bulb went off in her mind. "You came through the window, didn't you?" She asked in a deadpan, and Matt grinned and nodded. She sighed and nodded in amusement as she returned to the kitchen. "We need to start locking our windows.""It was," Kelly said and turned to Matt suspiciously. Matt nodded in confirmation before walking out of the room, and Jennifer moved out of the way. "YOU PICKED THE LOCK, DIDN'T YOU?""I WILL NOT CONFIRM NOR DENY ANYTHING""Why do I bother," Jennifer sighed and disappeared down the hall.
----- CHAPTER BREAK -----
Life was too perfect. Too simple, drama-free, happy, perfect.That is a red flag. A red flag of which Matt should've known to become more aware and on edge about. But it's too late now. Too late for him.Waking up with a pounding headache.His hands are tied behind his back.A blindfold over his eyes.What feels like a seatbelt?His legs were tied at the ankles.What feels like a barrel of a gun, one against his thigh and the other against his shoulder."He's awake," a voice Matt can't recognize said."Good because we're here," Gregory's voice said, and although Matt couldn't see him, he knew he was grinning like the Grinch. "Your new home, Matthew," his hands gripped Matt's chin. This should teach you that I see everything in my city," he whispered lowly, then let go of his chin and slapped Matt across the cheek. "Leave," he ordered.~~~"Hey guys," Ellie said, joining Heather and Connor as they walked to Heather's locker. "Either of you seen Matt?""Not here yet, might be running late since his parents are back in town," Connor said as calmly as he could while Heather scowled into her locker."Damn," she whispered and sighed."Matt texted me last night that he might be late this morning, so he told me to tell you to go to the art room before first period," Connor said, a bit confused as Matt didn't offer any other detail. Ellie's eyes lit up, and she said a rushed goodbye and ran down the hallway before either of them could ask her any questions."Weird morning," Heather sighed and closed her locker, and the two made their way to Connor's locker. "Andy texted this morning that Kelly was in a foul mood because of the chemistry test and about his father. Apparently, last night, Benny was drunk and yelling at the front door of Kelly's house. Then, this morning, he found Kelly asleep on his couch with his backpack on the floor.""Everyone's fucked up families," Connor sighed."Oh, how's your mom?" Heather suddenly asked, and Connor frowned and looked at her weirdly. "My dad bumped into her at the store the other day and told me that Elizabeth looked... different? He couldn't explain it, but he felt something was off.""I noticed it too, but when I asked, she just said she was stressed about work, taxes, bad company, and other things. She mumbled everything, and that's all I got. Claire's flying somewhere led to a fight between Claire and Mom, then a fight between Mom and Dad. I honestly have no idea what's going on, and no one would tell me anything," Connor sighed with an eye roll."Well, shit," Heather said. "Let me know if you want me to do some digging," she wiggled her eyebrows. Connor laughed and shoved her a bit.~~~"Why didn't you sneak into Matt's place?" Andy asked, setting his tray down beside Kelly and plucking Kelly's apple."Yours was closer," Kelly shrugged and took his apple back. "Plus, I couldn't risk being late to school.""How was the test," April said, sitting beside Kelly."Find out later today," he shrugged, feigning nonchalantly when both could tell he was worried."You're playing; everyone knows that," Andy said, and then the rest of the team came to the table.~~~"I don't know. He was supposed to meet me during his lunch period, but he didn't show," Erin said into the phone, Justin sitting in the passenger seat and holding the phone up between them."I'll check if he is in school," Voight replied. "You two go home.""We want to help, Dad," Justin said."No," he said firmly, and then he hung up the phone, leaving the two non-blood-related siblings to roll their eyes.~~~"I can't believe he's not here," Heather whispered, looking around the art gallery.Heather, Connor, Andy, and Kelly were all dressed up and standing in a very posh-looking art gallery holding flutes of sparkling juice—they were underage—but none of them wanted to celebrate.They had received the invitations not too long ago and hoped that by now, they would have an update on Matt's whereabouts, but there was none.~~~"Thank you for everyone showing up," Nancy said, holding her drink in one hand and a tissue in the other. "Our son worked hard on these pieces, and I-" she wiped away some tears while looking down. "I wish he were here for his big moment to shine," she said tearfully, with a voice cracking. "But in honoration of him, proceeds from his work would be donated to the local cancer fundraiser.""Bullshit," Heather whispered angrily.~~~Kelly came home after the gallery and collapsed on the couch. He was so out of it, so dissociated from the world, that he did not know how long he had sat on the sofa or heard the doorbell."Hey, sweetie," Jennifer whispered and rubbed Kelly's back. "There's something here for you," she pointed to the gigantic cardboard box resting against the loveseat. It came with this, too. I'll be in the kitchen if you need me," she handed the envelope, kissed the top of Kelly's head, and left the room.Kelly frowned and opened the envelope.
This is my promise to you: I love you and can't wait to build a future with you ~ Your Matty
Kelly had silent tears rolling down his face. He got up and opened the box, and inside, he saw that it was filled with canvas.Kelly's heart clenched when on the canvas was written in all caps and bubble letters "SOULMATES," and what filled the letters were paintings of Kelly and Matt. Their faces aren't identifiable in the paintings, but Kelly recognized them as memories of their time together. He and Matt met at the diner, which was at the beginning. As the letters continued, so did each painting in the correct timeline. There was shopping for food for Connor's party, the arguing over chips, their dancing at the party, the pool game, the moment water fell on Matt, their talk in Matt's nest, their cuddling on the couch, the first dinner with Jennifer, them hanging out with their friends, Kelly's birthday party when they were on the roof, their first kiss. He used their memories of them together to make up the word "SOULMATE," and Kelly couldn't hold it in anymore and let himself cry.He tried to be strong in hopes that Matt would return soon, but seeing their short but very loving relationship in front of him, like being painted by his soulmate, was the last straw, and he let out a loud, heartbreaking sob. Hearing the sound of Kelly's cries, Jennifer rushed out of the kitchen and quickly comforted him. She let her son cry on her shoulder as she, too, had her tears. She felt like she lost a potential son, and what made it worse was she had no idea where Matt was.They cried for half an hour before Kelly could examine the last three paintings.There was a note saying that the collection was named "Love."The first two were two parts of a painting. The first painting had a big split in the middle of a golden heart; the piece of the heart on the left had blue accents detailing the heart, and the piece on the right had green accents detailing it. Kelly and Matt used their eye colour in this part.Around the half, with the blue detailing, people are yelling, a chained-up person with their mouth bonded together, and an angry person with red eyes and hands gripping the edges of the heart, trying to pull it away. Kelly knew this was representing Matt's life. Around the heart, with the green detailing, is a broken family and a lost boy trying to get by and pretending everything is fine. It was representing his life. Both halves of the heart tried to connect and become whole again while outside forces kept them apart.The second painting was a continuation. Both halves of the heart meet, and the blue and green detailing blend and swirl into the other part, mending them together and repairing the damages. There is a yellow force around the heart, pushing away all the negativity from the first painting and things that kept the halves apart.The third and final painting of this collection had an outline of someone's profile—Kelly's profile—and the outline was made using words that Matt would use to describe Kelly. To fill in the profile, Matt slapped on watercolour, each colour meant to represent an emotion or a thought, and he showcased both good and evil. Everything he seen in Kelly so far that knew helped make the Kelly he knew today.Kelly didn't remember what happened after that. He thinks he may have cried himself to sleep clutching the booklet with Matt's paintings, sleeping in front of Matt's painting of their relationship.Holding on to any remnants of Matt and their relationship.~~~One second Matt was here, the next he was gone.One second, they were living life; the next, all had someone following them.One second, Gregory and Nancy were huge CEOs; the next, they were Mayors.One second Elizabeth was alive, the next paramedics were rushed to the Rhodes house.One second everything was fine, the next the world burnt down around Kelly.One second they had it all, the next they had nothing.
To Be Continued ...... in a sequel :)
----- CHAPTER BREAK -----
Hey everyone!So... This may not be the news you want to hear if you are waiting for book 2. I'm sorry.I had finished writing book two and was about to go into editing it. I realized I hated every word I wrote and deleted everything. So, now I have to restart.Out of curiosity, would you be mad if I killed off Andy and Shay? Like they did in the show? Because I have written like five versions of this book, I keep going back and forth about Andy and Shay's character being a part of books 2 and 3. Let me know in the comments, because I really don't know. The (new) storyline can work with both being alive, or one being dead, but I don't know. Part of me wants to kill off Andy because that's how the show starts, but another part of me wants to keep Andy alive because I love writing Andy. I've been re-reading some of my old works and loved having Andy in the story, but there's no Andy in the show. Andy in the books would give me a lot of different writing paths and more options for how I want to start. I don't know. The same goes with Shay. I feel like a dog chasing its tail with this and I figured I might ask you guys.Let me know!Thanks,A. B