Chapter Text
Matthew felt a warmth spread across his face as the small noise escaped his throat. His hands tightened on Alfred's letterman jacket, holding fast as he let the other explore his mouth. He could feel the slight smile in the kiss at the sound as Alfred's thumb brushed the skin where his shirt had raised a little.
It didn't feel intrusive. Matthew knew he wasn’t trying to get anywhere… it was just like he was enjoying the feeling. He knew this because Alfred was always like this. The pair had been dating for two weeks now and the taller teen seemed to take any excuse to simply touch him. Whether it was soft brushes like this, fingers through his hair, or simply just holding him close. He seemed to crave it.
As long as they were in private that is.
Matthew had been stunned when Alfred had first nervously asked him for help on a project for science. Obviously he had no problem helping… but he was weary. He figured it was some sort of prank set up, especially when he insisted they meet at Alfred’s house when no one else was home. He actually had his brother on speed dial under the table just in case after seeing how oddly nervous Alfred seemed.
It was a grand total of ten minutes of working on said project when Matthew insisted to know what was wrong. Alfred fidgeted. That was normal. Years of being in the same class granted him that knowledge, but this was ridiculous.
Boy, was he shocked with the flood of tripping over his words and half formed thoughts and confessions that, honestly, left him more confused… until Alfred growled in frustration and just… kissed him.
It was a hell of a way for the quarterback to come out he thought.
It was a fairly gentle kiss, given the circumstances, and it left Matthew’s head swimming. Against his better judgement… he rode the wave of emotion that hit him, and returned the gesture.
It was no secret Matthew was gay. He'd come to terms with the teasing and such that came with it, no problem. It wasn’t always pleasant, being one of the few out guys, especially the dating pool. He was down to either the other out boys, which most he really didn’t click with, or closeted boys.
After his last two closeted relationships had imploded he had sworn off relationships until graduation.. It was just easier.
Obviously that hadn’t worked out. It wasn’t his fault though! Alfred he had quickly found was dorkily charming. For someone who was supposed to be tough and cool, he sure knew how to woo a guy. Wild flowers, silly little notes about the stars, hand holding and stealing small kisses whenever he could. It was intoxicating…
Matthew pulled out of the kiss gently, leaning his forehead to Alfred’s, a contented smile across his lips. Alfred’s head shifted just enough to give an eskimo kiss, eliciting a soft laugh and another quick kiss. “ It’s almost time...” He said softly without having to look at his phone.
“No...” Alfred argued weakly, pulling Matthew closer, burying his face against the others neck,
“Al…” Matthew said with a quiet chuckle “I know, But if I miss curfew I won’t be able to come out at all, remember?”
Alfred whined, but sighed and nodded, “Alright…” he conceded. Matthew watched sadly as he pulled away and stood. It meant the countdown started. In five minutes they would be packed up. Then Alfred would hold him and kiss him against the car, to add the dorkiness of this, he would put on a song in what he called his ‘kissing mattie’ playlist. One song was as long as he would bargain for to just hold, kiss and generally be a giant corn ball to Matthew. When the song ended, they got in the car.
The first five minutes of the drive they held hands over the center console. Then Alfred would suddenly need his spare hand for the steering wheel. He would get more tense, his eyes taking on a paranoid look until they reached Matthew’s house. When they were in the safety of his driveway, he would maybe get brave enough to steal one more kiss.
And that’s how it happened this time. One last kiss Matthew savoured. One more to get him through… put off the sentence he hated…
“I’ll see you tomorrow at school babe. Sweet dreams” Alfred said with a smile that Matthew couldn’t help but to return.
“Yup. I’ll text you when i wake up” Matthew replied before getting out of the car “Good night Al” he said gently, shutting the door and watching the car pull away.
He could cling to the illusion… he could (and would) daydream about what tomorrow would be, but really he knew. It was back to being Alfred’s lab partner. That casual acquaintance he would nod or wave to in the halls, but wasn’t exactly who he’d stop and talk too.. Because why would he? He couldn’t be seen being too friendly with a gay kid… he wasn’t ready to come out, and people would know .
Matthew pushed that away in favour of day dream tonight. Imagining Alfred waiting for him outside of school, holding his hand on the way to class, stealing those touches and kisses he always craved…
Of course, this meant he was smiling like a complete moron when he got onto the darkened porch… it also meant he was paying no attention to his surroundings and of course half jumped out of his skin when the voice rang out from the porch swing
“So Jones is gay huh?” Matthew’s blood ran cold as he looked towards the familiar voice, the red glow from the end of a cigarette lighting up Arthur’s face.
“W-what? It’s… it’s not what- I mean- that’s…” Matthew stumbled in a panic
The older blonde smirked, putting the cigarette out in an ashtray before stepping forward and ruffling the other’s hair “Relax” Arthur said with a chuckle. “Not gonna out him and ruin it for you kid” Matthew breathed out at the relief. He was aware his brothers friend wasn’t a huge fan of Alfred. They were cousins or something… had a bad falling out over something or other. Matthew wasn’t sure…
“Thank you…” Matthew said quietly, looking at his shoes.
Arthur gave an affirmative hum, “Yeah well… I’m not sayin’ your taste is any good… but as long as you’re happy with whatever he’s givin’ ya…” It sounded almost like a question, Matthew looked up feeling maybe a little defensive…
“Of course I am. Alfred’s… Al’s great” He said with a determined nod, pushing back all the not so great part of it. He couldn’t just stand there and let someone bad mouth Alfred completely…
“Right, well in that case-” Arthur started, but he was interrupted when the door opened.
“Arthur we still have- Matthew!” Francis smiling face was suddenly poked out the door “Not late this time!”
Matthew rolled his eyes “No. I do know how to tell time… it’s just not always easy to get my ride to get up and take me”
Arthur made an ungodly sound, and leaned against the wall, coughing to try and hide what Matthew obviously knew was laughter, his cheeks turning red. Honestly it wasn’t even that dirty sounding…
“You should quit smoking cher, you’re going to lose a lung one day…” Francis said looking at him with a raised eyebrow.
Arthur waved away his concern as he gathered his composure, standing back up “Yeah yeah mom. Let’s get back to whatever bullshit maths we were covering.”
Matthew walked past his brother, into the house hearing and exasperated “We were studying for the history test!” as he mounted the stairs and took off upstairs to his room leaving the two best friends to bicker and fight all they wanted.
He finally flopped down on his bed and pulled out his cell. He was smiling like an idiot as he looked up at it. Rolling onto his stomach as he looked at the snap Alfred had sent him of him laying in bed, pouting a little, ‘wish you were here’ scrolled across with an arrow pointing to the empty side of the bed. Matthew took a screen shot, not wanting to lose the image. He sent a goofy one of his own before turning in for the night, smiling like the love struck teen he was…