Chapter Text
Tom didn't fully remember how he got back home. He didn't even remember what happened after Laurel left. He knows he found his friends, he knows they made him sing a song or two or a hundred. The only other thing he knows is that at some point he threw up (thankfully in a toilet, not on the floor). And now he was laying in his bed, his head heavier than usual. He was in that middle state between a hangover and being drunk, either way he definitely wasn't sober. "I need to get up for work", he thought to himself as he looked at the time. After a minute of getting himself together he managed to drag his body off of the bed. His head hurt a bit, his throat was sore from the singing and yelling and, honestly, his whole body ached. He felt like shit, but he had to make himself look presentable. Well, he didn't have to, but it always made working from home more manageable and separated it from his personal life. He didn't feel like having breakfast, so, tripping on some half empty vodka bottles, he just went to take a quick shower and got himself some water.
When he was back in his room he took his laptop and when he logged in he saw the unfinished email from yesterday. Looking at the bright screen was almost painful and excruciating, was he to be honest, but somehow he pushed himself to finish this task and move on to next ones.
Working in this state was awful, but at the same time it wasn't that bad. He had to just focus on this one thing and aside from the occasional throbbing his thoughts were occupied.
After two, maybe three hours of forcing himself to work Tom felt himself sobering up. When it was time for the meeting he tried to join the call, but the app didn't work. He messaged some of his colleagues and they all had the same problem. After some time they got a group text from their IT department. They had some technical issues that they were trying to fix, but it seemed to be something bigger. In other words - Tom's workday was cut short. Well, he had to be available to the end of his official work hours, but he somehow managed to do most of his part earlier, so he wasn't that worried. It meant he could sober up in peace.
He closed his laptop and went to the kitchen. He felt well enough for some simple breakfast. To his surprise the fridge wasn't empty, maybe they went shopping yesterday? He didn't remember if they did and it honestly didn't matter.
Eating scrambled eggs and toast in the kitchen alone was something he wasn't used to. He sat at the table and mindlessly looked at the window. Only after some time did Tom realize that the sun was up today too, so it was possible his roommates went out. Maybe that's why the house seemed quieter. That or maybe Edd and Matt worked in their rooms.
When Tom stood up he felt like throwing up, but he managed to pull himself together to quickly wash the dishes. He tried not to look outside, the sun was just too bright. The whole kitchen was too bright for him, but outside was even worse. Until something, or rather someone, temporarily blocked the view. Tom's movement was too slow and hungover to catch who it was, so he left the half washed dishes to check the backyard. He mentally cursed himself for not bringing shades, because his head hurt. He felt just as bad as in the morning and just wanted to go to sleep. "I will, I just want to see who's here." Tom looked in the general direction of the kitchen's window and saw Matt laying on a lounge chair. He was... Tanning?
- Oh, it's you. Aren't you allergic to sun? - Tom stepped closer. He was lucky Matt sat low, he could give his head at least some rest not looking up. Though looking at him made him feel weird, it made his stomach churn. Or maybe it was yesterday's alcohol, he wasn't too sure.
- I'm in the shadows. - He answered without looking up at him. At least Tom thought so, he had sunglasses (that he was jealous of), so it was hard to tell.
- Tanning in shadow? Yeah, that makes sense. - He would've rolled eyes if he had them.
- Hey, it's the only way I can do it. I'm a ginger vampire. I can't do it normally, I never could. - Matt huffed.
- Whatever. - Tom let out a small chuckle, which made Matt smile too. Tom felt just a slight bit better at the sight of it. - Edd's home?
- Nah, he just went out to get some cola. - He finally pulled up his glasses and looked at the other man. - What we bought last night didn't last for long.
- You went to a store yesterday?
- *We* went to a store yesterday. - Matt corrected him. - You really wanted to get some more booze.
- Hm, that explains some things. - He made a mental note to clean his room and finally throw away those bottles trashing his floor. - I don't remember shit.
- Maybe it's for the better. - Matt murmured, but Tom heard it. Almost everything felt louder to him.
- What did I do? - He asked dragging a hand across his face.
- Nothing. - He turned to his side so Tom couldn't see him.
- Come on, just tell me. It can't be worse than that one time I took of my-
- You asked me to bite you, again. - Matt mumbled. He sounded angry, but not mad angry, rather embarrassed angry. - On the dance floor.
- Oh. - He could feel blood rushing through his body and decided to say something stupid, but true.
They stood a while in this awkward silence, that somehow was louder than any words they said. It made Tom feel like throwing up and not just because of the hangover. At some point Matt got up from his lounge chair and started to head back in, but Tom didn't want him to go yet.
- What exactly did I say? - He asked quieter than he meant to.
- What? Like yesterday? - Tom nodded. - Uhh, I think something like "Your teeth are better" and "I want to feel them".
- Oh, fuck. - Tom sighed and put a hand on his forehead. What possessed him to say that? - I was blackout drunk, I'm sorry for what I said.
Was he really?
- It was kinda weird. - Matt stood in the doorframe, his head turned, so Tom couldn't see his face. - Why do you keep saying it?
- Because I meant it. - These words escaped his mouth faster than he could think. Suddenly his head didn't feel that heavy and he could look up to see Matt, but he didn't move. Tom felt a wave of confidence, maybe last droplets of the alcohol were speaking through him or maybe he just needed to get this off his chest. - I just love it when you bite me. And... And I think I like you.
- Well, I like myself too. - His tone wasn't as over the top Matt-like obnoxious. He almost sounded as if he was reassuring himself, he was nervous.
Tom went up to see him better. Matt didn't go away, but he didn't look at him either. He still has sunglasses on, but it was obvious he was avoiding eye contact. He also seemed to be redder than usual, though it could've been sunburn not blush. After a few moments of uncomfortable silence Tom spoke up.
- Will you bite me? Again? - He tried to sound nonchalant, but it clearly didn't work. After not getting an immediate response he almost said "forget it", but Matt did finally answer.
- You won't faint?
- No. - Tom said in a bit of a shock. He couldn't guarantee it, but at least he'll try not to faint.
Matt took off his glasses and looked at him. There was something weird in his expression, that Tom couldn't pinpoint. He almost looked serious, but there was something deeper, more meaningful behind those pretty eyes of his.
After what felt like forever he finally stepped closer. Matt looked at Tom's neck and then one more back at him, as if to ask for permission, which he got. He then placed one of his hands on Tom's shoulder, the other one he carefully wrapped around his waist, when he finally sank his long fangs in the same spot as the first time. The initial pain quickly turned into a burning sensation. This time something was different, something *felt* different. Tom held onto Matt's hands, trying to keep his balance. He could melt into Matt's teeth and arms and his whole presence, just like previous times, but now it seemed more... Intimate. It was definitely better, though he thought it was impossible. The hotness of the other man's breath, the hotness of his own blood slowly trailing out, the soft and slow licks. What he felt was undescribable, it was beyond pleasure. He felt Matt's grip on him tighten, as if he was scared Tom would run away. Or that he would faint, which he was close to, but he tried to remain conscious. Tom closed his eyes and decided to give in to this. He rested his arms on Matt's back and panted heavily. From time to time he let out a quiet "don't stop" or "I love it" in between the moans and groans. He totally lost track of time, but still, when they parted he felt like it wasn't enough. He wanted more.
- Why'd you stop? - He breathed out not letting go of Matt, who was blushing heavily and avoiding his gaze.
- You taste like vodka. - He admitted. He looked at Tom with almost a pleading face. - Do you want to... You like me, right?
This took Tom by surprise, but he answered honestly.
- I think so, yes. - He felt embarrassed and a bit insecure about admitting it. Yes, he said earlier that he likes him, but being asked about it was a whole another deal.
- I love me too. - He avoided eye contact again.
- That's not what you wanted to say. - Tom might've been still a bit hungover right now and at times he was clueless or just plain stupid, but even in the state he was in, he knew Matt wanted to say something more.
- No, it's not. - He gave up so easily it almost made Tom feel bad for him. Matt's eyes wandered around for a bit, when they finally landed on the other man's face. - I... I want to kiss you, I think?
Tom was surprised. Maybe he was a bit delusional, but he felt Matt might feel the same way, but he didn't expect him to say, or rather ask, this.
- What? - He sounded more perplexed than he intended.
- Kiss you. - He repeated uncertainly.
- Sure?
Tom half smiled and pulled Matt closer. He looked him in the eyes, giving him a few seconds to back off. He, obviously, didn't, he leaned in closer and placed a quick and sweet kiss on the others lips, but Tom wasn't satisfied with just that. He kissed him again and Matt answered with a gentle bite on his lips. Tom felt shivers go down his spine, he grabbed Mart harder and tried to pull him even closer.
When they parted Matt had a face so red it almost looked sunburnt. Tom on the other hand grimaced, he was blushing too, but he also felt strong pounding in his head.
- Are we, like, a couple now? - Matt asked smiling, showing his beautiful teeth. Tom once again had to resort to looking down, so he couldn't see though.
- I guess. - He tried to sound nonchalant, but failed, pure happiness spoke through him.
Tom wanted to go back inside, but Matt handed him his sunglasses.
- I can bring you some water. - He offered.
- Since when are you so perceptive? - Tom laughed, but genuinely meant it. Matt just shrugged.
They talked for a while in the backyard as they awaited Edd. Matt explained that when there aren't many sunny days he becomes less hungry, but his vampire powers still made him crave blood, thus he suddenly bit Tom the other day. Tom said how he realized that the strange feeling he got when Matt did that came not only from his deeply hidden crush on him, but also from his slightly masochistic tendencies.
When Edd finally returned, was already feeling better, and Matt somehow managed to tan a bit. The couple decided to help him with transporting his absurd amount of cola cans home and. In the meantime they discussed how to tell about their relationship and chose to inform him about it some other day. Maybe a few days or a week, just to feel if this will even work out. Tom also decided to tell Laurel about it, but with the same latency.