✧ 𝕄𝕒𝕥𝕥𝕖𝕠 ℚ𝕦𝕒𝕥𝕥𝕣𝕠 ✧

   With the curtains drawn and door closed, darkness enveloped everything inside the room in a complete void. He’d lost all sense of time, but knew he’d been wide awake in the bed for hours. Now and then he’d shift on the mattress, and either kick the blankets off after they became too hot or rolled up in the soft duvet when the cool bedroom air turned cold. Sometimes it took hours for him to fall asleep, but once he was finally out he could stay in bed for days. Then there were nights, like that night, where it felt like he’d never sleep again. Matteo couldn’t quiet his mind. He thought about a shower or bath, but they’d only help keep him awake. Food was always great. Liquor was a great sleep aid when he was alive, if he drank enough of it, but Matt didn’t want to turn to old habits. So, maybe a walk?

   Matteo was still in the gray lounge pants he wore to bed, but with a t-shirt thrown on before he left his room. A little walk, or run, down the neighborhood would be nice, help clear his head - at least, he wanted to convince himself it’d help. Maybe he just needed to make it routine for a bit? As the door on his left came into view, Matt stopped in the hallway. There was a knot in his stomach when he quietly approached the doorway, shoulder against the wall. It was like he was a child again, awake from a nightmare, standing outside his parents’ room; too afraid to go back to bed, but worried he’d upset the sleeping man and woman if he woke them up. But Matteo wasn’t a kid anymore, and they weren’t his parents. 

“I told you I wasn’t coming down.” He responded, surprised that the man seemed intent on getting him out of the tree. He sighed softly and let his legs swing slightly. “You do make good jokes though–” He offered the man, finding that he was trying in a way that very few people did. He hesitated for a moment before speaking, “I’m Silas.”

   “Alright,” he said in a breathy huff. Matteo’s arms crossed, and he leaned against the tree on his right shoulder. “Thanks.” With a smirk, he glanced up toward Silas briefly. “I’m Matteo.” His dark eyes traveled down the tree until they met his shoulder against the rough bark. “So, Silas-- How long’ve you been here? And in that tree?”

Will shook his head and smiled to show that he was fine.  “Just wasn’t paying attention,” he wrote.  “New here.  I’m Will.”  He looked up at the taller man, a clear question on his face, hoping he’d reciprocate by giving his name as well.

   “Good,” he said with a smile. After reading the guy’s name, he said hello. “I’m Matteo.” The taller man quickly glanced around, then back to Will. “Do you know your way around the island? Do you need help finding something?”

   ‘ well i guess i’m not that on my own, ’ she started with a shrug of her shoulders. ‘ he just isn’t super personable i guess. i wouldn’t like to label myself a plaything, but i guess that’s what you could say i am, ’ zana specified. ‘ but i am an independent woman so. ’ she hadn’t had much choice while she was alive. ‘ zana followed as the man began to move. ‘ hey, admitting you have a problem is the first step in solving it right ? ’ she teased with a grin. 

   He frowned a little, and glanced toward her. “Sounds a little unfortunate, but I guess it could be worse for you?” It was more of a question than a statement. He couldn’t imagine devoting himself to a god or goddess who was detached. Matt smirked. “I didn’t mean for it to sound so...demeaning?” He was something of a plaything himself. All he did was smile in response, because he had too many problems he could imagine fessing up. “One day at a time, right?” He shrugged. “So- You like, just arrived?”

matteo knows exactly what he’s doing,  absolutely knows what he’s doing, especially with that smile upon his lips—- and just the way he moves,    zion  furrows  his  brow,   “of course I wanna hear your dreams,”  so long he’d spent denying it, denying his desire for men,  extending his own courtesy,  drilled into him even when his family wasn’t there to witness it.  there is some regret etched inside of him that he didn’t act on it sooner, that maybe he had just not been in such a rush into marriage to get his parents off his case. it was far too late, or at least its what he believed it to be.  the kiss so many years ago had come as a surprise and his body had wanted more, accompanying his mind  ;  more, more, more.  the only thing that stood in between it was his marriage, the marriage that hadn’t been out of love but of necessity, to get his family off his back, never a good way to go into something.

the island had been changing him, more so than being alive had, there was always some looming pressure on him, even after his wife had died.   another wife, children,  prayer,  staying faithful.  but here there was none of it,  or  at least the first two, the last two were better, now that it was his choice, that it wasn’t something he’d been forced into.  that he had been praying to the beautiful mystery woman who’d stolen his faith away from the one of his upbringing. he was more OPEN, or trying to be for lack of a better term.  zion wanted to experience most of what he’d been deprived of, what he deprived himself of. right on cue, shortly after head placed in the others lap,   digits glided through his hair.   zions eyelids fluttered shut in a gentle hum, deepening as the other hand drags softly across his chest.    one eye peeks up at matteo at his words, unable to stop the blush that creeped upon him, all the way to his eartips,  “mmm, I’d like to see you—-” try was going to be the word he was going to let out that is before the sensation through the fabric draws a gentle gasp from his lips.  zion wiggles a bit, moving then so he’s sitting up,   sue him, he’s sensitive to the touch,  deprivation will do that to you.  sweatshirt is tossed over the back of the couch and his head is back in matteos’s lap,   “smoothie was prefect,” a chuckle,  “I can make you one, if you really want one.”

   The smirk widened into a toothy smile when the man gasped, and squirmed under his devious touch. A mixed look of surprise and confusion fell on his face as Zion sprang up, and he pulled his hands away. Maybe he’d done too much again? As the sweatshirt was shed, and his friend settled back down, head in his lap once again, Matteo’s hands moved back to their previous positions. “Gettin’ a little hot?” he asked with a crooked smile. Fingertips danced through the buzzed hair near Zion’s temple and ear, and wide palm cradled the top of his friend’s head. “I’ll take you up on that offer later.” The hand that rested atop the other’s chest moved forward, and his index finger began to draw circles around the nipple over the soft tee shirt. “Right now, I have a question I’ve been thinkin’ about for a while.” In truth, he’d been thinking about a lot of things in that moment. What would a whimper and moan sound like in that deep voice of his? How long would it take for the man’s cock to get fully hard if all Matt did was play with his tits? Could he make him cum that way? Was Zion’s cum as sweet as his personality? Would he last very long with Matt inside him?

   The hike took most of the morning, all afternoon, and the evening only just begun. The wilderness helped ground him, refreshed his senses, and cleared his head. Without a doubt, he planned to spend more time at the park. His sense of direction was uncanny, but Matteo was glad to have company on his first trek. There wasn’t much of the trail left before they’d be back at the beginning, and they neared a small clearing with a lake. Matt inhaled deeply as he slowed to a stop, then exhaled with a soft sigh. He shrugged the backpack off, and it fell to the ground with a thump. His fingers made quick work of unfastening the flannel shirt, and he peeled it off his shoulders to drift onto the backpack. Matteo turned around and looked at them with a playful smirk.

Will smiled a little, appreciative of the fact that this person would make an effort to communicate with him.  In Will’s experience in life, most people hadn’t bothered.  He pulled a little notepad out of his pocket which he’d been carrying around with him.  It was a gift from Menuo, to ease Will’s worries about not being able to communicate.  

“I can read lips,” he scratched out quickly and then showed it to the man with a smile.  He chewed on his lower lip for a second, then added, “Sorry, wasn’t looking where I was going.”

   He knew people that became deaf because of combat -- either lost their hearing from explosives, or the slow blossom of tinnitus from the machinery and weaponry they used every day. Matteo was nothing, if not patient. Waiting for someone to communicate through written word instead of speaking wasn’t a problem. He gave a slow nod, then looked back up. “No worries,” he said with a subtle shake of his head. “You’re alright? Didn’t break anything?”

    zana knew she was a walking annoyance, especially when she was in a certain mood. if they  could die again ? there was the slightest chance she’d be the one on the chopping block. perhaps she should dial it back on an island full of powerful beings. ‘ nope. i’m fending for myself here and clearly i’m not doing so well, ’ she teased with a grin. ‘ nice to meet you matteo, i’m zana, ’ she replied reaching her hand out to shake the other’s.

   He smirked, then shrugged. “By yourself, eh?” He hummed curiously. “I think you’re the first I’ve met who isn’t some god’s plaything.” He glanced toward her with a raised brow. He shook her hand. “And you seem to be doing pretty well on your own, Zana. It’s nice meetin’ you, too.” He let go of her, and slipped his hands into the pockets of his jeans. Matt turned and started toward the nearest bar. “Booze is this’a way. I should warn you,” he began with a smile: “I get pretty flirtatious when I’m drunk. I’m trying to better myself, but it’s a process.” 

Names held no more power to him than the silly curses people spat at him. Words were words to him, and rarely did they hold a power. the corner of his mouth twitched, the tugging of a smirk starting to form as he watched the other. “Have you always been so bold as to approach in such a way, Matt?”  A hand gestured to the spot next to him, an invitation before he flagged someone else down. Once again trying to order a bottle. “What do you drink, boy?”

   His arms folded over that thick chest, and his eyes bounced back and forth between the male and the spot he motioned toward. Maybe he should just leave. “Only if I really like the person,” he said with a huff. Matteo sat by the stranger, and his arms unfolded. He mouth the word “boy,” and his brow furrowed. It felt weird to be called a boy, especially since it hadn’t happened since he was an actual boy. “Uh-- I’ll drink anything.” He still didn’t know the man’s name, but he had a feeling asking would just be met with another bitchy remark.

❛ it’s a learning curve. you’ll get there, give yourself some time. ❜ kaia definitely had spent plenty of time getting used to it and understanding how things worked here. but when she was with her goddess, everything seemed right. ❛ oh… i think i first sacrificed myself… four hundred years ago? give or take? it’s hard to remember time and how it passes in the living world. ❜  

   It was obvious by his change in expression the number was not what he expected to hear. Honestly, he didn’t know what to expect from the island or the people on it. If she was able to live four hundred years on the island, they truly were dead. Matt took a moment to collect his thoughts. “That’s...unbelievable. It’s still difficult to wrap my head around this place,” he said with a smile as his eyes closed. “It feels like I’ve been in a dream, and I could wake up at any minute.” His eyes opened, and moved to the woman. “What’s it been like living here for so long?” His jaw tensed, then Matteo sighed. “Have you ever wanted to leave?”

“in my dreams?    c’mon what about your dreams?  can’t tell me you’ve never thought about it,” bare feet come to rest on the cushion more of a balance as he perches atop that arm of the sofa.   it was amusing because he had thought about it,  even before this whole island thing reuniting them again.  he wiggles his toes gently against the cushion and smiles over at matteo keep his eyes on him. it was such a new found appreciation,   the  way matt seemed to seek out attention, the way both aryas and matt’s attention partially focused on him. it was new to have attention, whether sexual or not to him, and he just has to say he loves the high it seems to bring him—- being at their mercy seemed like some kind of better heaven than he could’ve asked for.

zion always has to take a moment to appreciate the way matteo and arya both dressed, almost the opposite of how he’d kind of been, conservation, nervous to even remove his shirt, if not for the faint scars then for simply it being in the proper of times.   it’s shown through a little right now with,  tee-shirt, sweatshirt, sweatpants and boxer briefs on,   however diverted previous to the speedo he’d worn in the pool.  finally, breaking out of his shell, the shell that’d been artificially built by his upbringing.  there was no need to face the music,  the music being his family, anymore    ;  still  his sweats were comfy.    cup is brought to his lips again and he’s finishing off his smoothie. his leg extends and he shoves matteos thigh with his foot.  “bossy,”  but maneuvers himself down,  “why can’t you order it?”  head placed upon the other mans lap,  “pleeeeeease.”

   “Yeah?” A sly smile curled his lips, and Matteo shifted on the furniture to sit properly, feet flat on the floor. Confessing even his most tame of dreams involving Zion may have been enough to make the man’s skin crawl. “Oh, I don’t think you want to hear any of my dreams.” He’d thought about the man for a long time, probably since they first met. His interest in the other soldier began as infatuation, but quickly grew into genuine care. It was difficult to maintain a friendship at first when all he could think about was getting the man’s clothes off, but the desire ebbed into a dull hum with time. He knew Zion well enough then not to do anything that would clash with the other’s morals, or make him uncomfortable. Matt knew all about the other’s family, and their religion - his family was very similar when it came to beliefs and world views. It was years before Matteo worked up the nerve to kiss him, despite wanting to do much more for a long time.

So this was the game he wanted to play - all in all, it wasn’t the smartest move on the other’s part. Adrik wasn’t one to play anything fair. In fact, he often took the dark, dirty road that left bodies along the wayside. Tongue moved along his lower lip, wetting it from corner to corner as he watched the other. Silently debating with himself. And then finally, he gave a small, subtle shake of his head. “No. You speak. I determine if your words are worth anything.”