matthew fairchild appreciation month 2023

“I didn’t know you paid attention while I talked.”

Alastair raised his eyebrows and sighed. He was about to reply to Matthew, but Thomas interjected. “Come on, you’ll lose the train if you keep arguing about the time,” he patted Matthew’s shoulder, and he finally went out of his apartment, passing in between his friends with his dog on a leather leash.

Thomas and Alastair looked at each other, and followed him outside. The air was crisp, the street still bore the signs of the storm that had bothered the city the night before. Matthew stopped in front of a hansom cab and told the driver to wait, and turned to his dog.

“Oscar. Your father is going to Paris for a few days,” he cooed. “Unfortunately, I can’t take you with me, because Angel forbid dogs can’t attend fashion shows.” Alastair grumbled in the background, said something like “I thought you were late,” but Matthew ignored him. “So I have to leave you with these handsome chaps. You know them both. There is Thomas, who is your friend already. And there’s Alastair,” he took a pause, “who might be your friend. Do not ruin his carpets if you don’t like him, but you can totally eat his ties –”

“Matthew,” Alastair said gravely. “Give me the dog and leave.”

Matthew smiled at his dog and then he turned to his friends. “See, Oscar? Alastair is already brimming with excitement to take you out and clean after you do your business.”

Alastair rolled his eyes as Matthew finally passed the leash to him. Oscar observed Alastair and smelled his pants, then turned to his owner when he greeted them one last time and got into the cab. 

Matthew didn’t like to leave Oscar, but he knew that at least the dog would stay with people he trusted. Yes, even Carstairs. To an outsider they may look like a cat and a dog not getting along, but it was just a farce. He knew Oscar would have fun.

The train to Paris was delayed, and Matthew found himself in the city of lights a few hours later than planned. He couldn’t attend the first salon show he had booked because of this, but never mind. There was more than one show. He couldn’t complain to anyone, though, because this city was always in a rush, and people seemed annoyed by small talk. Time was money.

Time was precious indeed, and Matthew had to change his suit as soon as he entered his lavish room at the hotel where he was staying, because he didn’t want to smell like the train. He eventually made it to the Palace of Versailles where the second event was going to happen. This one, unlike the others, featured a fashion show with models. It was a smart way to let the customers see all the looks and then see in detail those that caught their eye.

Matthew walked briskly to his front seat with a brochure in hand, but instead of reading the program, he used it to fan himself. 

“Quite different from London, right?”

In the time Matthew turned his blonde waves toward the voice who had just spoken, he realized to whom it belonged. “Must be the position,” he offered the woman a pleased grin. “We are more South after all. Maybe the perturbation that worried our country last night will head here next.”

“It would be hilarious if it did,” she said, exchanging smiles. “One of the shows I have to attend is in an Italian garden. Imagine the rain falling suddenly and drenching the poor posh people who came from everywhere just to buy clothes.”

“I would like to see that,” Matthew laughed softly. “I never thought we would be meeting here.”

“Esme, the name is Esme,” she blurted cheerfully. “I did. I know you like fashion.”

Matthew nodded. “Yes, I do remember you, Esme,” he replied. “We often frequent the same circles, you see. And now even fashion circles. Out of my friends, only Anna likes fashion. Ah, and probably Alastair,” he sighed. “But they are so boring when it comes to clothes. They do not go out of their black comfort zone.”

Esme smiled again, and she blushed. “I never thought you paid attention to me,” she mumbled, moving her gaze to the guests who were searching for a seat. “I wouldn’t consider myself part of a fashion circle, not at all.”

“Then are you here out of curiosity? Paris is one of the pillars of women’s fashion, after all.”

“I’m here because of my mother,” she explained. “You see, this seat was hers. She had another event she had to attend, but didn’t want to waste the opportunity to take a peek into the new trends.”

“Oh, so she sent you in her stead. Clever.”

“Yes,” she nodded. “She also told me to order the gowns I think are good for her, but I…”

“I remember your mother,” Matthew said. “I could help you, if you want? And maybe suggest something you can order for yourself.”

Esme’s smile widened, and the pink on her cheeks deepened. “Yes, I would love that.”

Matthew exchanged the grin, and the conversation quieted because the orchestra had just started playing. The show was about to begin.

A few days later, Matthew was exhausted even if he didn’t do much aside from examining and choosing new suits and ties and shoes to add to his wardrobe. Picking out fashion items was tiring, but it was fun, especially when you weren’t alone. 

He ended up meeting Esme Hardcastle at every other show he had booked, and the two resorted to spending time together because they both came by themselves. Matthew didn’t mind being alone, because he could always find company if he desired. But being with someone he knew, even if barely, was better. Somehow, it made him more comfortable when he was traveling. It was like having a piece of your home country with yourself. 

He had to admit, Esme was a cheerful and bright woman. She liked to talk about different topics, but she enjoyed it when people inquired about her family tree project. 

“How should I write you on the family tree?” she had asked him. 

“Just write my name and surname? I’m too young to think about marriage,” he chuckled.

“I never mentioned marriage.”

“No, but you told me you asked people about their plans. Whether they will get married soon, whether they have kids,” he had shrugged. “I don’t plan on either of those things,” he smiled. “At least for the time being.”

“You’re a dog dad,” she nodded and scribbled something on her notebook. “Noted.”

Matthew thought Esme was disappointed, but he never had time to ask her because the day after he went back to London. He was sure they would have chances to speak again. 

As he thought about what he did with Esme during those days, he decided to get Oscar from Cornwall Gardens on the way back from the station. For some reason, her last words to him stuck. She had called him dog dad, and he knew it was true. He sent a fire message to Thomas to make sure they were home, so he could embrace his dog.  

“I thought you were in Paris,” Thomas answered the door. “I mean, I thought you would be back tomorrow morning.”

“They canceled a show due to the bad weather,” he explained, letting himself in. “How did it go? Was Oscar good?”

“I believe you’ll have to see for yourself,” Thomas said. 

“What? Did he break a vase? Did he tear one of Alastair’s shirts apart?”

Thomas led him to the living room. “Even better,” he lowered his voice as he opened the door. 

Matthew frowned, wondering what Oscar could’ve done, until he saw the scene. Oscar was perched on the sofa, sleeping quietly. This wouldn’t have been weird at all, but what made Matthew gasp in surprise was on who Oscar was leaning. His head was on Alastair’s leg, and he was resting as well, one hand on the dog’s back. But he wasn’t jealous, just amused.

“What in the world,” he muttered. “Oscar!” he called, and the dog instantly raised his head and left the sofa to come to him, flapping his tail happily. “Yes, yes, I missed you too,” he stroked his fur.

“You are early,” Alastair grunted from the sofa, rubbing his sleepy eyes. 

“I believe in the element of surprise,” Matthew declared. “And perhaps you do too.”

“Well, I don’t, but what can I do?” he scoffed, but he was grinning. “Is it really shocking that Oscar likes me?”

Matthew shrugged, a smile tugging at his lips. “I might leave Oscar here more often.”

“He’s welcome to sleep on my leg whenever he wants,” Alastair admitted, and Oscar barked. “I do think he agrees.”

“Did you meet someone interesting in France?” Thomas wondered, and Matthew’s mind went back to Esme.

“You wouldn’t believe…” he began, and he told them about his Parisian experience. He would send a fire message to Esme, at least to see if she returned home safely. But not today, tomorrow. Today he would be a dog dad and spend the remaining time of the day with Oscar.

*

This story is called "element of surprise" because Matthew is surprised of finding Esme in Paris and getting along with her but at the same time, he's amused that Oscar likes Alastair so much. I hope you can tell that Matthew and Alastair are joking, they like to banter like that. lol.

“Matthew?” Y/N whispered, unable to believe what she was seeing.

Y/N stepped back to allow Matthew into her flat and closed the front door, still trying to process everything. Once she turned back to Matthew she hesitantly reached out and brushed her hand over his arm, trying to deem if he were real or not.

“I can’t tell if it’s really you or not,” Y/N said as she took one more step closer.

“It’s really me,” Matthew said, his voice low and warm.

Y/N trailed her hand up his arm until she reached his shoulder and gripped onto it. “You’re really here.”

“I am,” Matthew said breathlessly.

Y/N smiled and threw her arms around Matthew’s neck and pulled him tightly to her. His own arms wrapped around her waist and pressed her body into his own until there wasn’t a single gap between them.

Y/N’s head buried in the crook of Matthew’s neck as she breathed in the familiar scent of his cologne. She hadn’t realised how much she missed it until now. Her shoulders shook as she tried her best to keep the tears from flowing down her cheeks but failed. All the emotion she had over missing Matthew was all coming out.

Matthew pulled away from their hug and rested his forehead against Y/N’s. “There’s no need to cry.”

“You’re crying too,” Y/N said as she noticed the tears brimming Matthew’s eyes.

He tried to blink his own away but only succeeded in making them fall down his cheeks. Y/N let out a breathy laugh and wiped his tears away, her hands lingering on his cheeks.

“I missed you so much,” Y/N whispered. “I can’t believe you’re here.”

“I missed you too,” Matthew said. “More than you can imagine.”

“I wished everyday that you would show up on my doorstep, I’ve even dreamed of it a few times,” Y/N admitted. “That’s why I didn’t believe you were really here.”

“I dreamed of you too,” Matthew said. “Nearly every night I was away.”

Y/N closed her eyes and savoured the feeling of Matthew’s arms wrapped around her. It had been just over a year since she had last seen Matthew. They had sent letters to one another over the year but it wasn’t ever nearly enough. Having Matthew with her and hearing his voice was the greatest gift Y/N had ever received.

A loud crash echoed from the flat above Y/N’s and caused the two to jump apart in surprise. Y/N immediately missed the warmth of Matthew’s body. As she now stood opposite him she realised how little she wore. Her night clothes were thin and didn’t do a huge job of concealing her body. Y/N flushed and Matthew tried not to move his gaze away from her face.

“Do you want tea or anything?” Y/N asked, leading Matthew through her flat and to her living room.

The room had a lingering warmth from the fire that had been roaring not too long ago. Despite this, Y/N still felt a chill.

“I’m okay, thank you, Y/N,” Matthew’s response was strangely formal.

Y/N only nodded and took a seat on her couch and beckoned Matthew over. “Tell me about your travels.”

“I’m sure you’ve already heard all about them,” Matthew said, getting comfortable next to Y/N.

“I want to hear about them again,” Y/N said. “I want to hear you tell me, not just read about them.”

“Okay,” Matthew said, settling further down into the couch, his arm brushing Y/N’s as she unconsciously shuffled closer.

When Matthew began talking about his travels, the smile on his face was infectious. It was a smile that, before his travels, Matthew brought out so rarely. A soft smile graced Y/N’s face as she listened to Matthew. His hands flapped about as he spoke and she wanted to reach forward and intertwine her fingers with his.

It was no secret to anyone else that Y/N loved Matthew dearly. Before he left, even she hadn’t known exactly what she felt for the blonde Fairchild. She had only ever thought that her relationship with him was a close friendship. It wasn’t until he left for his travels where she realised that the ache in her chest wasn’t because her friend had left. It was because the person she loved had left.

For weeks, Y/N didn’t leave her flat much, only to buy food or gather her post. She was happy for Matthew. Happy that he was doing something he had always wanted to do. The only thing she wished was that she had realised her feelings for the Fairchild sooner.

“Are you even listening to me?” Matthew teased as he noticed Y/N’s faraway expression.

“Of course I am!” Y/N exclaimed.

“Then what did I just say?”

Y/N’s mouth opened and closed trying to respond but she couldn’t because she truly didn’t know what Matthew said.

“I will listen now, I swear,” Y/N said.

Matthew rolled his eyes and pulled Y/N closer to his side, wrapping an arm around her shoulders. “I’ve spoken enough of my travels, tell me about what you did.”

Y/N sighed and wrapped her arms around Matthew’s torso and rested her head on his chest. “You don’t want to hear about what I did. It’s rather boring.”

“Nothing you do is boring,” Matthew said, his arm moving from her shoulders to rest on the dip of her waist.

Y/N felt the heat of his hand through her thin nightgown and robe. She wasn’t entirely sure that Matthew even realised that he had moved his arm, but Y/N didn’t say anything about it.

“Honestly Matthew,” Y/N said. “I haven’t really done much.”

“Liar,” Matthew whispered against her hair.

Y/N sighed. “I did a little travelling of my own, not to your scale though. I just did a small tour around England, Scotland and Wales for a few months, nothing too grand.”

“Did you enjoy it?” Matthew asked.

Y/N nodded. “I did, it felt…freeing.” Y/N traced the pattern on Matthew’s waistcoat with her finger. “I do like London but being away for a bit made me realise how little I’ve actually done with my life.”

“Don’t say that,” Matthew said. “You’ve done a lot with your life.”

“But only to the confines of London,” Y/N said. “When I travelled, it was the first time I’d ever seen the sea and felt sand between my toes.”

“Where was your favourite place to go?”

“Cornwall,” Y/N answered. “I spent a week there, the longest I spent anywhere. I stayed in a small village and everyone knew each other. It was nice to now worry about anything and just live in the moment. Is that how you felt?”

Matthew smiled. “That is how I felt.”

“It was a good feeling,” Y/N said.

The two fell into a comfortable silence. Y/N still lightly traced the patterns on Matthew’s waistcoat while he toyed with the ends of her hair. Y/N felt her heart begin to beat rapidly as Matthew’s hand moved from the dip of her waist to her hip. Still he didn’t seem to notice.

Y/N tilted her head up to look at Matthew, his eyebrows were furrowed as if he was in deep thought. However once he noticed Y/N’s changed in position his gaze shifted to meet hers.

“Hi,” she whispered.

“Hi,” he replied.

The two only looked at one another, no words exchanged. Their faces so close that Y/N could feel his breath lightly fan her face and she had no doubt that Matthew could feel hers.

A shiver made its way through her body and she pressed herself closer to Matthew, wanting his warmth. The hand that had been simply resting on his lap was now rubbing her upper arm lightly trying to give Y/N as much warmth as possible.

The places Matthew touched felt like they were on fire despite the plunging temperature. His touch sent her alight.

Y/N’s hand moved from where it was rested on his chest to his cheek, her thumb lightly brushing across his cheekbone. Matthew watched her movements carefully.

“Did you meet anyone while travelling?” Y/N asked the question before she could even think about the repercussions.

Matthew froze as did Y/N.

“I didn’t mean to ask that,” Y/N said, wide-eyed and began to pull away from Matthew. “That was completely out of line. I’m so sorry-”

“Y/N,” Matthew said. He didn’t sound angry.

Y/N stopped and looked at Matthew. She was beyond embarrassed. Even if he did meet anyone, it was none of her business. Matthew was his own person and could make his own choices. And just because she loved him, doesn’t mean that he loved her back.

As Y/N began to pull even further away from him, Matthew lightly grasped her and pulled her closer to him until they were in the same position as before.

“Ask me again?” Matthew said.

“What?” Y/N questioned, even though she knew exactly what Matthew wanted her to ask.

“The question,” Matthew said. “Ask me again?”

“Did you meet anyone?” She asked.

There was a pause while Matthew let out a breath. “No, I didn’t.”

Y/N felt bad that she felt the smallest bit relieved at his answer.

“Did you meet anyone?”

The question caught Y/N off guard. “Sorry?”

“Did you meet anyone?” Matthew repeated.

“No,” Y/N answered. “No, I didn’t.”

Matthew only nodded as he didn’t meet her gaze. His eyes were fixated on where his hand grasped hers.

Y/N now felt hot. Before she was cold but now she was burning everywhere and wanted to escape the conversation. The once comfortable atmosphere had changed to one of uncertainty. Y/N didn’t like the change.

“Why did you ask me that question?” Matthew asked, his gaze still purposefully avoiding hers.

“I-I don’t know,” Y/N said.

“You do know,” Matthew said.

Y/N sighed and looked at where their hands were joined, the cool metal of his rings pressed against her skin. The words were on the tip of her tongue but she couldn’t bring herself to speak them.

“I asked you that question because…” she trailed off.

“Because what, Y/N?” Matthew’s gaze finally met her’s. “Please tell me.”

“Because I am in love with you.” Y/N’s voice was barely above a whisper.

Despite her nerves, Y/N felt like a weight had been lifted off her chest. The words she had always wanted to write to Matthew in her letters were finally spoken. The world grew dark as Y/N closed her eyes, not wanting to meet Matthew’s gaze in fear of what he would say or do. If he pushed her away, Y/N wouldn’t know how she would react.

However, what Matthew did say surprised her.

“You can’t mean that,” Matthew said.

“What?” Y/N said and opened her eyes. “Of course I mean that.”

Matthew shook his head, emotions swimming in his green eyes. “You can’t.”

“Why can’t I?” Y/N said. “I am in love with you Matthew.”

“No,” Matthew said, tears welling in his eyes. He clutched Y/N’s hands tighter.

“I do,” she said, bringing her hands from his and caressed the sides of his face. “I love you.”

Matthew’s eyes bore into hers. They held a look on uncertainty, like he wasn’t entirely sure that anything was real.

“How can you possibly mean that?” Matthew said.

“I do mean it,” Y/N said. “I love you so much that it hurt me so much when you left for your travels. I didn’t realise it before but once you left I realised that what I felt for you was love. Not the type of love you share with any of our friends. I felt it long before but was too oblivious to realise it. I fell in love with you years ago.”

“You loved me even when…” Matthew trailed off, not wanting to speak much of that period in his life.

“Even then,” Y/N said. “I adore you.”

Y/N wiped away the tears from his eyes as Matthew gently held onto her wrists, leaning into her touch.

“If you don’t feel the same, it’s okay,” Y/N said, her voice cracking. “We can just forget about it.”

“I never thought I deserved you,” Matthew said, his voice wavered like any moment he would burst into tears. “I never told you I loved you because I didn’t deserve you.”

Y/N’s heart broke hearing the sadness in Matthew’s voice. “Why didn’t you think you deserved me?”

“I could barely take care of myself, let alone you,” Matthew replied. “There were times when I wanted to tell you, not caring how it would affect our friendship. You were– are the constant thing on my mind. I wake up thinking about you and I fall asleep thinking about you.” Matthew paused to let out a shaky breath. “When I went on my travels, I hoped that I could move past what I felt for you but with every letter I sent you and how you responded with such excitement and telling me how proud you were of me, the more I fell in love with you– even if I was thousands of miles away.”

Y/N let out a breath and pressed her forehead against Matthew’s. “You deserve the world, Matthew. You deserve everything good in it.” Y/N's thumb gently moved across his cheekbone. “I know your life hasn’t been easy. I know you have struggled for years. But you need to know how proud of you I am, how proud everyone is of you. You are always surrounded by people who love you so much. Never forget that.”

Matthew let the tears fall as Y/N wrapped him into a hug. He buried his head into the crook of her neck as his body shook. Y/N clutched onto him tightly.

“I don’t deserve you,” Matthew muttered.

“You do,” Y/N said. “You deserve every good thing.”

Matthew pulled away and took Y/N’s face in his hands. “You are the best thing in my life.”

“I thought James was?” Y/N joked, hoping it would make Matthew at least crack a smile. She succeeded.

Matthew smiled. “Second best then.”

Y/N smiled as she leaned into his touch. “I love you, Matthew.”

“I love you too,” Matthew said.

Y/N’s heart swelled as Matthew spoke those words. A year of sending letters back and forth and realising her feelings for him, she never expected that he would ever feel the same way. Now as she looked into his eyes and saw nothing but pure love, she knew she was home.

“May I kiss you?” Matthew asked.

Y/N smiled. “You may.”

Once their lips touched, Y/N could think of nothing else but Matthew. His lips were soft and he tasted sweet. When she thought of kissing Matthew several months ago after a very particular dream, she had imagined fireworks and an overwhelming amount of feelings. She felt none of those.

Kissing Matthew felt normal, like their lips were always meant to touch and connect. They fit perfectly together– two halves of a whole.

An arm wrapped around her waist and Matthew pulled her on top of him with one swift motion, without disconnecting their lips. Y/N let out a small noise of surprise.

“Sorry,” Matthew mumbled against her lips. “I just need to be closer to you.”

Y/N’s eyes fluttered close as Matthew pressed his lips against Y/N’s once more. Her arms wrapped around Matthew’s neck and threaded her fingers in his hair, her nails lightly scratching his scalp. Matthew sighed in delight.

Y/N smiled into the kiss. She never would have thought that this was how her night would go. Finally kissing the man she loved after only loving him from afar. The feeling of his arms wrapped around her body made her feel safe and loved. Each touch sent her alight and left goosebumps in their wake. Everything about Matthew heightened her senses more than any rune ever could.

Matthew pulled away once more and opened his eyes to look at Y/N. His arms were locked around her keeping her in place and he tightened his arms the slightest amount.

“I love you,” Matthew said with a smile. It lit up his entire face. “I don’t know how I got so lucky to have you in my life.”

“How lucky you are?” Y/N said, brushing his hair away from his face. “I am the lucky one, because you, Matthew Fairchild, are a gift.”

Matthew smiled and nuzzled his head in the crook of her neck, pressing a light kiss to her bare shoulder where her robe had slid down.

Y/N smiled and held him long into the night.