Matthew Goldstein

Milo remembered the first time it had been just him and Matty at this very spot. How nervous he had been to take his shirt off in front of the firefighter. How sweet Matty had been with him then and every day since. They were both still navigating their insecurities and their relationship, but they were doing it together. 

Laughing as he watches his boyfriend jump into the lake, Milo quickly follows suit, swimming towards him once he surfaces. “Hey, you. Fancy seeing you here.” The brunette teases, pressing a kiss to his boyfriend’s cheek. “This is nice. How come the water’s always perfect here? Must be magic.” 

Matty waited for Milo to join him, knowing it was just a matter of time before his boyfriend followed him into the water. He could be persuasive when he put a lot of effort to it, not that it always worked with Milo but he knew there were certain moments where he had an advantage. Like this. Grinning as the other swam towards him, his arms moving quickly around his waist when at reach, Matty hums into the kiss. “It’s definitely magic.” He admits as though offering an actual fact. “And just how hot we are makes it even better.” He laughs, already predicting a roll of Milo’s eyes back at him for his silly joke. “Definitely worth jumping in, huh? We won’t tell Brooks. It’ll be our little secret.”

“You really should be more considerate about your new car!” Milo chuckles, shaking his head. This charade was all working in Matty’s favor, a fact that Milo wasn’t about to admit just yet. Matty was insufferable whenever he got his way! “Mm, well…you think we can find enough to start a fire? We could warm up and dry off after…two birds, one stone.” He suggests, taking a quick look around. He was sure that they could find enough to get a small fire going. “”We can hang out for a bit, pick up a pizza on the way home. Maybe more than one if we’re feeling nice and wanna feed Brooks and Vera too.” Milo says teasingly, knowing full well that they would. “One swim. Only ‘cause you’re so cute when you beg.” 

“I am being considerate of my new car. I’m just also very considerate of my hot boyfriend!” Matty adds, smirking as he feels Milo slowly but inevitable give into him. “We always have some here, babe, is that your only request?” Matty would take care of everything else. The fire. The pizza. Making sure the car was spotless. Feeding Brooks and Vera. He was just happy he had won this one, too, stealing a kiss before he started pulling his shirt off his shoulder and getting rid of his pants and shoes, and jumped into the water making a big splash. Once he emerged, Matty pushed his hair away from his face, floating as he looked back at Milo. “Your turn.”

Emmett wasn’t sure if hearing that Brad had been arrested was supposed to make him feel better or not. Yes, there was some sense of relief, but he also knew better than to get his hopes up too high when it came to law enforcement and Brad. The system had failed him before, as much as it pained him to admit it. “Oh, okay. Good.” The firefighter murmurs after a moment, nodding slowly. He knew his uncles Will and Josef were probably already on it without his dad even having to say anything. It was what their family did. They showed up for each other. “We do like to eat…and there are a lot of us. God, sabba must be going crazy in the kitchen already.” It was no secret that Brett Goldstein cooked whenever things got tough, and calling the situation Emmett found himself in was definitely more than tough. Rubbing a hand over his face, the brunette sighs, accepting the pills and water from Matty with a small smile. “”Thanks, dad.” Swallowing them down quickly, he considers the question, wincing slightly as he shifts in the bed. “Uh….six and a half to seven, I guess. I’m okay though, if I don’t move too much.” Or breathe too hard. Or laugh. Or cry. Emmett mostly felt like doing the latter, out of exhaustion and pain, but mentally and physically. It had been a very, very long day. Giving Matty’s arm a squeeze when he kisses his forehead, Emmett looks up at his dad, carefully shaking his head. “Hey, hey…I’m okay. I’m gonna be okay. Don’t be beating yourself up over this either, dad. I’m here. That’s what matters.” He says quietly, offering the other man a smile. “I love you too.” 

Matty watched as the news about Brad’s arrest settled in but he didn’t say or add more to it. He didn’t want to talk about Brad at all because he wasn’t sure if he was able to contain his anger and frustration, and that wasn’t something he was willing to put his son through at this time. So he offers a tight smile instead, allowing himself to focus again on his family and their overwhelming love and support. “Like animals.” He adds when Emmett mentions how they all like to eat, which was all in its own a big understatement. “Too many.” Of course, he had a lot to do with that bringing triples into the family. Matty wouldn’t change a thing about it, though. He loved his kids, his nephews and nieces, his brothers, his parents. The fact that they were all there shouldn’t surprise him. He would’ve been with them had the situation had been different. In a heartbeat. “As much as he loves any excuse to have everyone over, this is not one of those so you better be good now and do what the doctors say so we can take you home soon.” Matty knew both Ethan and Brett worried. A lot. He couldn’t blame them. He understood what they meant, all those time they just told him to wait until he had his own kids. He had learned his lessons. Parenthood had put so much into perspective. “Don’t move, then.” His voice was tender, tucking his son in bed, knowing he should bring Milo in but dreading having to leave the room. When he leans in to kiss his son’s forehead, he feels his words catching unexpectedly at his throat. He nods idly at Emmett’s reassurance, mostly because he cannot find the strength to speak without breaking apart, so he doesn’t. All he can do is trust his kid to be okay, and be thankful he was there. He still doesn’t speak as he’s moving to the door, his hand on the knob when he stops to look back at Emmer once before leaving the room.

Rolling his eyes at his boyfriend’s teasing, Milo gives Matty’s shoulder a light shove, chuckling quietly. “We’ll bring towels next time.” He replies, leaning into the other man’s touch. “Mm…I mean, we’d have to stay until we dried off. We really can’t ruin the upholstery!” Milo knew Brooks and Josef would never let Matty hear the end of it if he did. He’s quieted by Matty’s lips on his, arms instinctively wrapping around the other man’s neck as he leans up on his toes to kiss him back. “You really are very convincing, you know.”

Matty knows what he’s doing. He also knows he’s being successful. “The upholstery!” He laughs, shaking his head. Keeping the upholstery dry was the very last thing on his mind right this very second, if he was being honest. “We can always just wait before we go back. That way nothing is ruined.” He adds quickly with a shrug and a mischievous grin on his face as he pulls back softly from the kiss, kept close by his boyfriend’s arms around his neck. “I know.” Touching his nose to Milo’s, he smiles, arms moving around his waist. “I also know you love it.” He grinned. “Just one quick swim?” He tried again, pouting. “I’d take you right back home but Brooks is there so, you know.” Matty shrugged. As much as he loved his brother, and living together, there were slight inconveniences to their arrangement every now and then.

Blinking a few times, Emmett takes a breath, wincing slightly as he inhales. There’s a seriousness in his dad’s voice that worries him, but after an experimental wiggle of his fingers and toes, he figures the news can’t be too bad. He had been shot, he knew that much. Emmett vaguely remembered hitting his head on his way down too, so he was probably slightly concussed, but in all honesty, everything hurt so he wasn’t really trying to figure out what was causing what pain. “Yeah, yeah. Okay.” Emmett finally murmurs, taking a couple of careful sips from the cup Matty offers him. His papa was usually the one who fussed over him like this, his eyes closing for a moment at the feeling of his dad’s fingers brushing through his hair. “Did they…” Emmett starts to ask, pausing after a moment. He didn’t remember hearing a second shot, but his memory was so fuzzy that he wasn’t entirely sure. Licking his lips, he hesitates before he continues, unsure if he wants to hear the answer but knowing he has to. “Brad. What happened?” Emmett asks, his gaze moving to the doorway to see if he could see if there was any security standing on the other side. He doesn’t see anyone though so he quickly looks back to his dad for confirmation that Brad was either arrested or shot and killed by the cops, chewing on the inside of his cheek lightly. “We were due for a family reunion anyways, right?” Emmett asks, though the laugh that leaves his lips dies pretty quickly, wincing at the pain that shoots through his chest. “Ah, shit. Don’t make me laugh.” He didn’t have to say that it hurt because Matty’s eyes were practically glued to the monitors beside him, watching every little uptick.. “Yeah…I’m sorry about that. I know it’s not exactly my fault. but…” He kind of felt like it was. He was the one who had dated Brad, brought him into their lives. Emmett never thought his ex would have gone that far though. He had done everything right, gone though all of the proper channels to keep him away from him, and in the end it didn’t matter. He had still showed up at the station and fucking shot him. It didn’t matter that he probably hadn’t meant to or that it likely wasn’t his intention when he showed up there. It was what happened and Emmett knew that he was very, very lucky to still be alive. “I’m okay, all things considered. Everything kinda hurts though, but I feel like that’s kind of to be expected. I wouldn’t hate it though if someone talked to the doctor about a little more pain medicine.”  Emmett admits, a slight, defeated frown tugging at his lips. “I mostly just feel tired.”

Matty knew his son would have questions, and there would be a time for those but, right now, he just wanted to make sure he knew exactly what he needed to know. He had been hurt and it was serious, but he would be okay. He was okay. He was awake and he was alert. They were in the same line of work. They knew the risks they took every day they put their uniforms on. As a father, and as his Captain, Matty worried every time they got a call, but this wasn’t supposed to happen to Emmett. This wasn’t supposed to happen at their Station. His son was supposed to be safe that day. Matty brings the water hoping it’ll make Emmett’s throat hurt a little less as he talks, knowing what his son was about to ask even before he said the words. He takes a deep breath, trying to remain calm. “Souza and Díaz apprehended him at the scene at took him into custody. No bail. We’re going to make sure he doesn’t get away this time. He’s not going to hurt you again, Em.” They had failed Emmett once already. Him as a parent. The system. They had already reached out to friends and family who could help take on this case to court, or at least, he thought Brooks had. Matty didn’t really have a chance to do much else than being there for Milo, taking turns to stay with Emmett in case he woke up. Matty knew he should go tell his husband their son was okay, and he was going to. He just needed to make sure of it himself first too, watching Emmett’s every move carefully, taking in the stats on the screens. If nothing else, his son’s attempt at a joke reassured him, ruffling Em’s hair carefully. “I don’t know if there will be enough food left at the grocery stores for when they come back for Thanksgiving at this rate!” He added, though having his family there, even if it was stressful, was also comforting. They weren’t alone. They would get through this, together. The love they showed for his son, for him, Matty knew they were blessed to have them.  “Hey, don’t do that. Don’t blame yourself for this.” Even if he was blaming himself, too, that’s the last thing he wanted Em to be doing right now. “I’ll see what I can do for you but you know it’s better to take it easy with the pain meds while we can manage the pain. So, from 1 to 10, in how much pain do you think you are right now?” Refilling his son’s cup with more water, he grabbed some of the pills left by the nurse earlier. It was a small dose but it would help for now. “Take thee for now. They might make you go back to sleep soon so I’m going to go get your papa before I get in trouble for not letting him know you woke up and I didn’t tell him.” Matty waited a moment before he started walking to the door, leaning in to kiss his son’s forehead as if he was still a child and he was tucking him in for the night. “I love you so much, Emmett, and I’m so proud of you. I don’t know if I say it enough and today I didn’t know there for a second if I would have the chance to tell you again.”

“I like the reminders.” Milo murmurs back, leaning his cheek into his boyfriend’s hand for a moment before he follows Matty out of the car, lacing his fingers through his. “What is it with you always trying to get me to swim when we’re never dressed for it, hm? Admit it, you just want to get me out of my clothes!” Milo jokes, nudging Matty in the side lightly. He’s mostly teasing, but he also wouldn’t put it past Matty to want to go for a swim now that they were there. “Josef might actually kill you if you ruined the interior of the car because we went for a swim though so…rain check? I will, however, happily make out on the dock with you if you want.”

“Oh, absolutely! I’m just always trying to get you naked. It has absolutely nothing to do with swimming!” Matty was not even trying to be funny as he said that, a wide grin taking over his face. They had take things slow in the beginning of their relationship. It had been good for both of them, easing into each other. Now that they were past all those initial insecurities, there was no stopping Matty from showing just how much he constantly and relentlessly wanted his boyfriend. “Fine, we won’t get the car wet this time.” He adds, walking to the dock, an arm resting behind Milo sitting next to him as he takes in the view for a moment before his eyes fall back to his boyfriend. “Are you really sure you don’t wanna go for a swim?” Matty teases, his hand moving to run down Milo’s back, leaning in as he chases after his lips. “Last chance.” He was already kissing Milo, pulling him closer because if they weren’t going to jump into the water, then he was definitely getting his make out session. 

Emmett Goldstein had never been so scared in his entire life. When Brad had shown up at the station, he knew he had to protect the rest of the crew. He did the only thing he could, radioing his dad - his captain - with the coded message reserved only for emergencies, and in this case, someone with a gun. It was a code used so rarely Emmett wasn’t sure if anyone would catch on, but thankfully, they had. Or maybe not, because the sound of Gio and his partner approaching had spooked Brad enough to take a shot at him. At first he was so stunned that he didn’t even realize what had happened and the next moment he was on the ground with Brooke hovering over him, pressing hard onto his chest. Even though he was from hitting his head when he fell, he could see the blood seeping through his shirt and onto his big sister’s hands. Emmett was sure there was chaos ensuing around them but all he could hear was the ringing in his ears and the muffled sound of Brooke’s voice telling him to look at her and stay awake. And he tried, he really did, but he was dizzy and his eyes felt heavy, letting them shut for a moment when he feels himself being lifted onto a stretcher, someone else’s hands replacing Brooke’s and — oh god, it hurt. 

Emmett isn’t sure what’s in his head or what he’s saying out loud, a pain filled whimper followed by a weak dad…escaping him, begging for Matty. His dad would fix things. He would make things better just like he did when he was a kid. Emmett had a feeling it would take more than a Band-Aid and a kiss to fix him this time though. 

The ride to the hospital was pretty much a blur with Emmett going in and out of consciousness the entire way. The next thing he knew, he was waking up in a hospital bed and everything hurt. Opening his eyes hurt. Breathing hurt. His mouth was dry, groaning quietly while his vision clears enough to see his dad sitting by his bedside, reaching out to him. “Dad…”

@mattygoldstein​

Matty wasn’t sure when it was the last time he had taken a nap. Even now as he held his head up with his fist and fought his lids from closing on him, he couldn’t sleep. Every time he tried to, the second he felt himself drifting off, the memories came rushing through and making him jump back in place. His eyes tried to focus on the machines to which his son was connected. He was trained for many years enough to know what everything meant and yet, he couldn’t think straight. Being in this room with Emmett lying in bed was his worst nightmare. It was the kind of fear that lived always right underneath the surface from the moment his kid told him he wanted to be a firefighter. Like his father before him, Matty was beyond proud. He also dreaded the moment he failed to have his back. He was his father before he was his Captain. His one job in this life was to make sure he was okay. 

There was still residue of dried blood under his nails. Matty picked on it as he tried to get rid of it, putting his phone on silence. His brothers and nephews and nieces were all worried about Emmett and while he appreciated their concern and support, he didn’t have the strength to keep up. A sigh escaped him, a yawn quickly followed. He rubbed his eyes and ran a hand down his face. Dad— The weak cry still echoed through his head. Matty alone lifted his son’s body as if he was a kid and carried him to the stretcher. He watched the paramedics take over but he stayed closed behind. I’m here, kid. Dad’s here, Em. I’m not going anywhere. 

Dad— 

Matty immediately opened his eyes wide, sitting up and leaning forward to keep his son from moving too much. “Hey, bud— I’m here. Easy, now. You’re okay. I’m here.” A breath of relief escaped him but his trained eyes immediately moved to the screens to make sure Em’s vitals were okay. “I’ll get you some water and I’ll walk you through what happened but you have to promise me you’re not going to get too worked up. I’d tell you if something was wrong. You have to trust me, okay?” Only when he was certain his son would not panic did Matty stand up from his seat and poured some water for him, helping Emmett with the glass as he stood by the bed. “The bullet missed vital organs, but it was still invasive. You’ll be able to recover, though, therapy will help. They’re going to keep you here for a few days until everything else stabilizes. We’re just monitoring any internal bleedings.” Matty ran a hand through his son’s hair, checked on his temperature. His face was drained of much color still. He offered a smile albeit weak and tired. “Your papa is here. I need to go get him soon or he won’t forgive me for not telling him you’re awake. So are your siblings. And your grandparents. And your uncles. It’s like a Goldstein convention out there.” He tried to find humor in it but his voice turned serious, quieter. “You scared me there for a moment, kid. How do you feel... other than shitty, I guess?”

“Lucky for you, I’m pretty small. I fit on your lap nicely.” Milo replies with a smirk, knowing that they could definitely figure it out if they really wanted to. Reaching over to rake his fingers through the hair at the back of Matty’s neck, he smiles, humming quietly. This place had been an important spot for the Goldstein family, Milo knew that. He had been lucky enough to be invited along on camping trips when they were growing up, and after he and Matty had gotten together, just the two of them. The spot meant a lot of things, but mostly it was a place where you could go and just be. It was a quiet, safe space. It was special. “I’m glad I’m here with you, Matty. I really, really am.” 

“We can test it out.” The firefighter smirks back, turning on the driver seat just enough to face his boyfriend. The spot was no longer just Matty’s or his siblings’ or his parents, but theirs now too. “Me too.” He says quietly as he leans in for a kiss, his hand cupping Milo’s face, thumb brushing softly over his lower lip as they take a breath. “In case you haven’t noticed.” He smirks softly as he pulls back, opening his door, calling over his shoulder for his boyfriend to follow. “Let’s take a walk.” Matty’s holding out his hand for Milo as they meet around his car, leading the way as they move closer to the water. “There’s a lot more space here anyway, we’d definitely be more comfortable if anything.” He was teasing, of course, though both of them knew Matty wouldn’t entirely put it past him if Milo wanted to.

“He’s the worst.” Milo jokes, even though both know that Brooks is the complete opposite. He was a genuinely good guy and he knew that they were lucky to have him in their lives. Anyone who knew Brooklyn Goldstein was. Milo knew the bond that Matty and Brooks shared went beyond words. It wasn’t something that could be understood until you witnessed it for yourself. Milo could still remember all of the times in high school where Brooks came sprinting over from track practice to check on Matty. It’s a twin thing they would both say in unison, shrugging at the confused looks on everyone’s faces. Milo was no stranger to it though, always amused by their antics and happy to be part of their world. “Hm, me?” The brunette murmurs into the kiss, smiling when he feels his boyfriend’s smile. “Oh, for sure. We’ll find a way.” Milo jokes back, pressing a kiss to Matty’s cheek as he starts to drive. It doesn’t take long for him to realize where they’re headed, The spot. It was a special place for the Goldstein family. Giving Matty’s fingers a squeeze, he presses his lips to the other man’s knuckles, gaze focused on him. “It’s a pretty good place to be.”

“I mean, these probably recline all the way back, and that backseat is not very big but it might just fit us right.” Matty shrugged, endless possibilities playing through his mind. “When there’s a will there’s a way, Milo... and there is always a will for sex.” He had been impatiently patient when it came to sex with Milo, which he didn’t regret, but they were past that stage now and Matty didn’t mind making it very clear just how into his boyfriend he was. He was in a good spot. He was happy. He felt okay, mentally, physically and emotionally. There were still nightmares, but even those had began to dwindle. With his hand in Milo’s, he turned and smiled. “It’s a damn good place to be.” The spot had many different meanings throughout the years. Most recently, it had also become their place. It brought them closer. “Everything always comes right back to this spot right here. It’s crazy how much has changed since I left, since I got back, but this place? Nuh-uh. Not one bit. Fell in love with some cute curly-haired guy? Brought him over. Got a brand new car? Drove straight here.”

“Aw, c’mon…you know we have no secrets! This was a surprise, not a secret.” Brooks protests, shaking his head. “Besides…Josef was happy to take the project on. I think he appreciated the distraction after, well…you know.” The details of Josef’s breakup hurt Brooks to even think about. He was happy to give the man a distraction, even if it really was for his twin’s gain. “I didn’t think you’d mind it being stick. This thing drives like a beast. I mean, I had to test drive it over here.” Brooks says teasingly, grinning when Matty revs the engine. He was pleased that the surprise had managed to stay a surprise and that his twin seemed so happy about it. Brooks loved seeing him so happy and so excited. “Yeah, yeah. I love you too.”. Brooks replies, giving his twin’s shoulder a light squeeze at Matty’s thanks. “He knows of it, but not what the final product looks like. Wanna go swing by and show it off? Just don’t let dad try to steal it from you, we both know he might try!”

Matty gave the car another look, walking around it before he finally settled behind the wheel. It was no secret he inherited the Henry daredevil bone and an unreasonable need for speed. Even before letting the engine roar, his adrenaline was already all over the top, a wide grin on his face just at the anticipation of it. He loved his brother in a way that was indescribable, as if Brooks was a part of him, like a limb, or a lung. Without him, Matty was incomplete, dysfunctional. “Ha! I want to see him try!” The firefighter laughed, shaking his head at the mention of their father. “Although he might like the idea that this will keep me entertained since last time I took the fire truck out for a ride he wasn’t exactly pleased... but where’s the fun in driving a firetruck under speed limits, c’mon!” There wasn’t much he could get away with at the station but Matty still tested the limits more often than Ethan would like, or could handle. “Josef is pretty fucking good at this, ain’t he? Who the fuck has time to be a lawyer and a mechanic at the same time?” It was more of a rhetorical question, really. They all knew the reason behind it. “How is he holding up? I should come by say thanks, get him a six-pack or something.” As much as he fought with his own dad on what seemed like a daily basis, Matty couldn’t imagine living in a world without him or Brett, or his brothers, especially Brooks. They were close to their parents place now, slowing down once he was off the highway. 

“Yeah…what a jerk. that Brooklyn Goldstein. What’re we gonna do with him?” Milo teases gently, reaching out to give the back of Matty’s neck a comforting squeeze. “We both know you don’t have to top anything. This is a gift. You don’t owe Brooks anything other than you being here, safe and happy. That’s all he wants.” It was all Brooks ever wanted. Milo remembered how wrecked he had been after Matty had left for basic training, and later, overseas. How he wouldn’t eat, wouldn’t sleep, and when he did…the nightmares. It was hard to explain the bond between the twins, but there was no doubt how strong it was. Anyone who knew Brooks and Matty Goldstein could see it. “I know. That twin of yours…he’s one of the good ones. He loves you with everything he’s got.” Milo murmurs, reaching up to ruffle his boyfriend’s hair. “Yeah, it’s probably best we leave that information for ourselves. Brooks definitely might steal the keys back if you tell him that.” He adds jokingly, leaning forward to press a kiss to Matty’s lips. “Take me away, hotshot. Show me what this thing can do.” 

"Fucking Brooklyn Goldstein!” Matty laughed, shaking his head with a playful shrug. It was comforting just how well Milo seemed to know him and Brooks, and how he understood their dynamic, but not entirely surprising. Both Milo and Vera had been around for so long. Matty was actually relieved when his brother started dating Vera. It meant he didn’t have to get to know someone from scratch and potentially dislike them for his brother. Even if his relationship with Milo had been a surprise to even himself, Matty was sure that Brooks probably felt the same way. “I love Brooks. We shared a womb. It’s part of the deal. You know who else I love in a completely, luckily non-incestuous way?” He grinned, leaning to the passenger seat to kiss his boyfriend, grinning into Milo’s lips. “We don’t have to tell anyone but we’re so doing it!” With a playful wink, he sat back against his seat, hands on the wheel and the shift stick, driving away. His route was similar as the one he took with Brooks, idly driving towards the spot without planning. “I don’t know why whenever I don’t know where to go, I end up here.” It ranged from moments of pure happiness to uncontrollable rage or complete despair. He felt good that evening, though, parked to overlook the lake and the setting sun. Matty sought for Milo’s hand, lacing their fingers together, his eyes focused on the display of colors before them. 

Watching Matty look over the car, Brooks smiles to himself, pleased that he managed to surprise his twin. He had never been good at keeping secrets from him, so the fact that he managed to pull this off was pretty impressive. “Shut up. We both know this isn’t about the truck. I just thought you deserved a ride of your own.” Brooks replies, shrugging. Opening the passenger door, he slides in beside Matty, grinning softly back at him. “Besides, I know a guy who gave me a pretty sweet deal. I hope you like it.” He thought he would. The car was very Matty, or at least he thought it was. His twin deserved a car of his own, and he deserved something nice. Sure, Brooks’ truck was reliable, practical. It was perfectly fine for running errands and whatnot. Brooks didn’t mind lending it to Matty whenever he needed it, but he also figured it was high time that his twin have something of his own too. Luckily, Josef had come through with the Camaro and had been kind enough to work on it for him at a discount. “I would’ve told you about it sooner, but y’know. It would’ve ruined the surprise.”  

“Right, right...” Matty’s teasing slowly quieted down as a lump began forming in his throat, looking from the car to his brother, to the keys in his hands. He shook his head not because he was disappointed but because he was moved by Brooks’ surprise. It wasn’t even about the car but his brother constantly knowing exactly how to get to him. “I’m gonna have to have a chat with Nilsson too. Can’t have you all keeping secrets from me!” He laughed, turning the keys in his hands before jumping behind the wheel, grabbing a feel of the dashboard. The Camaro was truly in mint condition. “It’s a good thing I know how to drive stick shift.” He grinned. Obviously a car from this year had to be stick. It was a beast. Grinning, he turned the ignition and let the engine roar, testing it’s power. “Ready?” Matty asked, letting go of breaks the very second his brother answered, speeding down the road. He pushed the car to its limits when they got to the highway, slowing down a little once they were back down some ol’ back roads, windows down. “You’re a fucking asshole, I hope you know.” He said quietly, the smile on his face reaching his eyes. “Thank you. This is awesome. I mean it. Wait until dad sees this. Does he know too?”

Milo, of course, had been in on the secret about Brooks getting the car for Matty. He had run interference that morning to make sure that his boyfriend didn’t accidentally ruin the surprise for himself, peeking out the front window to watch the twins’ interaction when Brooks finally gets to reveal his surprise, smiling softly to himself. The bond that Matty and Brooks shared was unparalleled. Just seeing the way the two of them interacted made him smile, the same smile still playing on his lips as he watches Matty and Brooks drive off, busying himself with some sketches until he hears the car pull back in the driveway. When Matty doesn’t come in right away, Milo walks outside, climbing into the passenger side. The softness in Matty’s voice makes him smile, reaching for his boyfriend’s hand to kiss his knuckles lightly. “I did, but only so you didn’t ruin the surprise for yourself. Brooks did good, huh?”

Matty just chuckled when his boyfriend admitted he was in on it all. He knew how close Milo and Brooks were so it really wasn’t a surprise to him that the two of them would confabulate against him or, as in this case, for him. “Yeah.” He agreed, his hands still holding the wheel, voice quiet. “Yeah, he did, that fucking asshole.” He meant it with all the love in the entire universe, too, grinning as he turned to look at his boyfriend. “How am I going to top this, really? It’s not fair, you know.” He was obviously kidding but he didn’t have to explain that to Milo. Milo understood his and Brooks’ relationship, had witnessed it so closely and for so many years now. “It’s not fair.” He repeated, shaking his head slowly, smiling. He loved his brother and he knew the love was reciprocated tenfold. He didn’t need a car to know that. “I guess we won’t be telling him if we end up having sex in the backseat, though... I don’t think he can stomach it.” He joked, grinning. “Wanna go for a ride? This baby is a beast.”

“I had class and then I had to run a couple of errands after.” Brooks replies with a shrug, glad to see that his twin wasn’t too antsy or suspicious. Milo had made sure to keep him from accidentally seeing him pull up in the car or anything, so that was working in his favor. When his twin mentions his game, Brooks chuckles quietly, shaking his head. “Uh, I guess not. Just come out when you’re finished, yeah?” He asks, shrugging back at Milo when he exits the room. I tried. Send him outside when he finishes his round, yeah? He asks his best friend, playing with the keys tucked in his jacket pocket as he heads back outside, leaning back against the car as he waits for Matty to show. “Finally.” He groans teasingly when he sees the firefighter open the front door, stepping aside so he can take a better look at the Camaro, tossing the keys in his direction. “Ta da. I got you a present.” 

Matty frowns as he watches his brother exit the room, his attention half on the game only managing to get him killed almost immediately making his friends scream at him through the headphones. He laughs, shaking his head as he pulls his player from the game and letting them know he’ll hit them all later before turning off the console. He’s stretching his arms over his head when he asks Milo where his twin went, his boyfriend sending him outside. “Shut up, it’s literally been like... five minutes.” Matty shots right back as he closes the door behind him, defending himself on instinct though his eyes immediately go to the unfamiliar car against which Brooks is leaning on. Even as Brooks says he got Matty a present, the words really don’t register. “That’s a ‘69 Camaro...” Matty nears the classic car, walking around it. It was practically in mint condition, too. He lets himself run his hand along the recently polished paint in admiration. “Are you kidding me right now?” He looks from the car to his brother, catching the keys on instinct, laughing. “Brooklyn, what the fuck? Are you serious?” He opens the door to the driver’s seat, taking his place behind the wheel, both still in shock and excited. “I don’t know what to say, Brooks... I just... I mean, if you didn’t want me borrowing your truck anymore you could’ve said something but this is fine too. This is more than fine, actually.”

Brooks had stopped by Josef’s mom’s house after his classes were done for the day to pick up the car. Josef had done an amazing job on it and he knew his twin would love it too. He, of course, didn’t mind letting Matty borrow his truck, but he figured he deserved to have his own ride too. After parking the car outside of their place, he heads inside in search of his twin, knocking lightly on his bedroom door before poking his head inside. “You got a minute? I’ve got something outside I wanna show you.” 

@mattygoldstein​

Matty had been playing video games with old High School friends online that day which meant he was being very loud and very energetic from the gaming chair in his and Milo’s room much to his boyfriend’s regret. It didn’t mean he would just get up at any moment now and come up with some crazy idea of something to do but he had found himself without the need to leave his room for a while now. Every time he tried, someone pulled him back or Milo offered to bring him what he was going for. He really didn’t think much of it, almost ignoring Brooks entirely over the shouts and reactions from his friends coming through his headset when his twin walks in. “Hey, what’s up? Where you’ve been all morning?” Matty asks over the sound of his friends still calling out to him through the headset, cursing him when he paused the game for everyone. “Uh- sure? Is it a life or death matter? Like my game?” He asked, pointing his controller at the screen teasingly.

Milo knew that he wasn’t an easy person to get close to. Despite his familiarity with the Goldstein family, he was closest to Brooks. Though he had kind of grown up with him and Matty, he wouldn’t say that they had ever been particularly close to one another. They had only started to get close after Matty returned home from the army after he had hit on him at the bar. They understood each other on some level, connecting through their late night texts and phone calls when nightmares made it impossible to sleep. Opening his heart up to Matty Goldstein hadn’t been a choice he made lightly, but it was also one he made willingly and with eyes wide open. “You’re plenty good.” Milo finally says softly, brushing his fingers over his boyfriend’s cheek. “But I’m happy to have you for life. I don’t expect you to be perfect or for things between us to always be easy. That’s not real life. What’s real is this, us. Me and you, facing life together. That’s all I want.” He murmurs as he rests his head on the firefighter’s chest, listening to his heart beat. “I’m happy. Especially with you. I know that you love me and I promise that I won’t forget, but I definitely wouldn’t mind a reminder every now and then too.” 

“I can do that.” Matty looked straight back into his boyfriend’s eyes, smiling as he pulled Milo closer, hands framing his face and bringing their lips together for a kiss. He didn’t think he was a big romantic like his twin, and he surely wasn’t the perfect man or the perfect boyfriend, but he did love Milo. Even if the feelings were new and unfamiliar, he had never been as sure of loving someone as he was now. “I’ll remind you every day.” He adds, holding Milo to his chest, eyes closing. “Even when I’m being intolerable, especially when I’m being intolerable.” He laughed. Matty knew he was a handful. Luckily, Milo knew that too but that hadn’t scared him off. They both had a past but neither focused too much on it. “Remember when I asked you if you thought this was weird? How easy it was between us, just talking and stuff?” Matty smiled, his voice quiet. “You’re definitely more than just kinda okay in my book but I’m sure I’ve made that clear by now.”