#brownfic

“Cause my baby's sweet as can be; he'd give me toothaches just from kissin' me.”

Will walked through their house following the sound of Matthew’s voice. Will felt deeply amused that Matthew was not a particularly good singer, but that he was so free with it now that he thought that Will wasn’t home. It also made him wish that Matthew sang like this when he was home.

It was such a joyful sound, and it seemed to push away each and every shadow in their house.

“No grave can hold my body down. I'll crawl home to him.”

Matthew’s voice cracked and Will felt a little freer. There was unadulterated happiness in the sound and he followed the noise to the bathroom. He paused outside, putting his hand against the door and feeling the wood under his hand. He imagined the sight behind the door, Matthew covered in suds, his head thrown back in song.

The image drove him to carefully open the door, and he held his breath as he tried not to make a sound.

He didn’t want to stop the singing now that it had started.

“I didn't care much how long I lived; but I swear I thought I dreamed him.”

The feeling of happiness was infectious and Will bit his lip to keep from laughing. It seemed that Matthew was always able to lift him up even when he didn’t intend to.

He could see Matthew’s form through the shower door. He was dancing along as he sang, his arms waving about to punctuate each line.

“My babe would never fret none; about what my hands and my body done.”

Matthew somehow found more passion, and the volume of his voice jumped. Will bit down on his lip harder but the laughter slipped out.

“I'd still have my baby and- Oh shit!”

Matthew jumped back, hitting the shower door.  Will had a few seconds of worry as he flailed to catch his balance. There was a bit more noise and the door was roughly shoved open.

“Damnit Will you almost gave me a heart attack. I thought you weren’t supposed to be home for another hour.”

Will didn’t even bother to hold back his glowing smile.

“I came home early to surprise you.”

“I’d say you sure surprised me.”

Matthew said, still breathing a little deeper. Will could tell his heart was still racing. He could tell he was calming down when Matthew started to get a grin to match his own.

“If you want to make it up to me you can strip down and join me in here.”

Will laughed, the noise filling the small room.

He’d always felt that their relationship wasn’t the type to survive well the warm glow of sunlight. That it would show how hollow all their touches were.

Or were they hallow?

Lately he didn’t know, the alpha was confusing him, at first he’d thought Matthew had wanted him like a prize, the only fighter to fucking the trainer. Now though, after he’d felt the kisses against his neck while they rutted, and how Matthew would hold him while they were knotted together. The words he had thought were bullshit, mumbled promises of forever, were slowly becoming so real.

The confusion was brushed off with the heavy weight of the blanket.

He couldn’t avoid it forever, and if he got dressed he might be able to make it out the door without Matthew seeing him.

Will couldn’t find most of his clothing, his shirt and underwear had disappeared from the face of the earth, so he stole some of Matthew’s. He could sneak them into Matthew’s gym bag the after the weekend.  It was better than going out half dressed.

He wasn’t going to admit how good it felt to wear his alphas- No; an alphas clothing.

Not allowing his mind down that road distracted him, and when he tried to make it past the kitchen he was caught.

“Hey, I made bacon and pancakes.”

He looked at the alpha, wearing only sweatpants and an apron, his face lit up with hope and excitement. He looked shiny new and young, for once not showing the ware of his life. Matthew hadn’t realised it was a mistake; he thought Will had decided to stay.

His mouth opened, but like the apologies the words died in his mouth. He wasn’t going to be the one to take the shine away from Matthew, not today. Instead he slinked over to the rickety little table and seated himself.

“Smells good.”

Matthew walked over to him and dumped the three pancakes in the pan onto his plate. He leaned down and took a sniff near his cheek, following it with a soft kiss.

“So do you.”

Will didn’t think as he tilted his head to show his neck, but he caught the movement before it was finished. He felt flustered, his omega side feeling more present this side, Will had pushed it down for years, and it was hungry.

Matthew was frozen in place the hot pan in his hands, and Will realised the warm sunlight wasn’t revealing how hollow their relationship was, it was showcasing the depth that had built up without him noticing.

His body betrayed him, his cheeking heating up as he looked down at the plate grabbing the fork and shoving the food into his mouth without any dressing.

Out of the corner of his eye he could see Matthew straightening up, his chest puffed up. When he turned back to the stove despite himself Will smiled, and allowed himself a full look.

His back was bare except for the bow of the apron, and Will could see his nail marks. Little half-moons he had dug in as Matthew fucked into him. Although it made warmth pool in his stomach it was the bow that forced the small laugh from his lips.

Matthew turned around, his face still beaming to match the sun of the day.

“What?”

Trying to guide Michael through each movement, he had stopped talking for a while. It was hard to think past the feeling of Michael's rump pressed into his crotch, but he did notice the lethargic way he punched.

“You punch like a bitch.”

Jay laughed.

Michael turned in his arms, and Jay no longer had an excuse to hold onto him. He was mourning the loss of touch when he noticed how sad Michael looked, he was about to take the words back when Michael spoke.

“Sorry, spending all this time with you must be influencing me.”

It took a moment to realise that despite Michael’s apologetic tone he was calling him a bitch.

His mouth was gaping when Michael started to laugh.

With the lack of a comeback Jay lunged at Michael and though he may have lacked strength he moved fast and avoided the first few attempts to get a grip on him.

Jay would have been more impressed if he wasn’t so annoyed, but once he did get a grip on Michael he twisted his arm carefully, just enough to hurt a little without actually damaging him.

Michael went still in his arms and he used the position to pull Michael to his body. His eyes were still dancing with laughter and his lips were parted.

It didn’t even feel like a choice when Jay leaned forward and brush his lips against Michael’s, and when there was no protest he gently sucked on the full lower lip, tasting his mouth. Jay released Michael’s arm so that he could slip his hands around Michael’s waist and pull him just a little bit closer. Something he had been wanting to do for over a week. He was used to just wanting who he wanted and moving on. No one had filled his mind to this point before.

His tongue pressed between Michael’s lips and he was rewarded with a groan.

His body felt hot and uncomfortable, he had never wanted someone this much and he was unsure where to go from here. When he broke the kiss the mocking expression was gone from Michael’s face.

“Well.”

Michael’s tone was soft, and Jay could see the same confusion he felt echoed on his face.

“Well if you want to go inside maybe-”

Michael was still against his body and he was making no effort to pull away. Jay could have stayed that way all day, but when he heard his brother’s voice he jerked away

“Jay I brought home steak, get the barbeque going.”

Nate’s voice was muffled from the house, and as Jay searched the windows he couldn’t see him. They would be able to figure out their shared confusion and attraction without any one interrupting for a little longer.

“Great I’m hungry.”

Michael seemed glad for the change in topic, but Jay didn’t want it to end like that. When he made sure he couldn’t see his brother Jay put a hand on Michael’s lower back.

“We can try grappling tonight.”

There was a small flower shop they passed every time they walked to the bus stop. Will had coaxed Sam inside, hoping to buy her a flower to cheer her up.

That was how they met Matthew. He owned the flower shop and upon finding Will and his daughter standing awkwardly at the door, stopped the side work he was doing and devoted his entire attention to them. They left with a single, beautiful cherry brandy rose and a very smitten daughter.

They stopped by almost daily after that, and Sam peppered Matthew with all sorts of questions about the flowers. But while she went off to select one as routine, Matthew would devote the entire time to questioning Will about himself.

By the third week, Will realized Matthew was flirting.

By the fourth week, he found he didn’t mind.

It is now the fifth week (or is it six?), and last weekend, the three of them had gone on a picnic. It had been much less awkward than Will had anticipated and Sam was already asking when they’d see Matthew again. Unfortunately, Sam had caught a cold from one of the kids at school and was stuck at home.

But Will had decided to stop and pick up a flower for her anyways. Besides, not seeing Matthew was strange and it threw him off.

Matthew was wrapping a bouquet up when he entered, the small bell above the door jingling. Will offered an awkward smile in return to Matthew’s grin.

“Just you?” Matthew asked, not seeing Samantha.

“Yeah, uh, Sam’s got a cold,” Will said. “She’s stuck at home.”

“That’s too bad,” Matthew said, and Will could have sworn it was half-hearted. “What are you going to take home to her?”

“Any suggestions?”

Matthew glanced around his shop, eyeing ech of the plants and flowers. “I got an idea,” he said, and wandered off into the shop. Will shifted his weight between his feet, waiting until Matthew returned with an armful of what looked like carnations.

“Wai-“

“Mr. Graham,” Matthew said, turning to hold his gaze, “It’s okay. It’s a get-well gift.”

“If… Alright, if you insist,” Will muttered.

“I absolutely insist.”

They fell into a silence as Matthew trimmed stems and began to arrange the carnations. “Is she staying with someone?”

“Yeah, I have someone who watches her when I’m at work and she’s home for some reason,” Will said. Matthew paused, rubbing a stray leaf between his thumb and index finger. “When do you get off work on Friday night?”

“This Friday?” Will frowned.

“Yeah, this Friday.”

“In the early evening,” Will answered, feeling a heat in his pulse for some reason. “Why?”

Matthew cleared his throat, and looked at Will. “I was hoping we could have dinner.”

“Just…. Us?” Will’s lips felt dry.

“Yeah, just us, if that’s okay.”

“Like a date?” Will rubbed his palm against his pant leg.

Matthew’s lips twisted into a lop-sided smile. “Is that hard to believe?”

“No, it’s….” Will sighed, pushing his glasses up to rub his eyes. “It’s not that. I’m just surprised.” He gave Matthew a determined look. “I’m free Friday. Sam can stay with my friend.”

“Yeah?” Matthew sounded hopeful.

“Yeah,” Will said.

Matthew finished wrapping up the carnation bouquet. “Then I’ll text you about making firm plans?” He offered the bouquet to Will.

“Okay,” Will said, leaning forward. His hand rested on Matthew’s for a moment, and Matthew’s smile drifted away. He leaned forward and Will’s eyes slid shut on instinct. He felt the press of lips against his own, holding the position for a few seconds and Matthew pulled back.

Will swallowed, grip tightening on the flowers so he didn’t drop them. Matthew was beaming, delighted. “Uh, well thanks for the flowers,” Will said. “Sam will be very happy.”

“Tell her I hope she feels better,” Matthew said.

Will fidgeted then turned, heading for the door. “See you Friday.”