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Mat and Brian were goofing off during their lunch period when they noticed students putting up flyers for homecoming, usually Brian didn’t care all that much about stuff like that but it was his senior year so he figured he’d point it out to Mat.
“Y’know we haven’t ever gone to any school dances.”
Mat shrugged. “I don’t see why, watching the game seems like the only fun part, and dancing is too awkward.”
Brian shrugged. “What!? There’s music, food, dancing, I mean I dunno how to dance but I still like to dance.”
“You should go then.”
“I mean yeahhh” Brian groaned. “But I don’t wanna go aloneee.” Brian sighed.
“You should ask around.”
“I don’t wanna ask anyone!”
“There’s no girl you like?”
Brian shook his head. “Not really.”
“I think my brother is going.”
“He’s probably going with his girlfriend, I don’t wanna butt in.”
“Then I dunno Bri, you could go alone? I’m sure some of our friends are going, you could go with them?”
“I suppose… I’ll think about it.” Brian sighed, and Mat noticed Brian seemed a little disappointed as he took another bite of his lunch. Mat felt bad, maybe he should’ve offered to go with him but he couldn’t imagine it going over well, how people would probably make fun of them for going together, how much those jokes would hurt, and how terrifying it would be for people to joke about how he liked Brian, how he’d feel humiliated for stepping on Brian’s feet as they tried to dance, or how if he tried asking Brian to slow dance he’d reject him. Although Mat really didn’t want his fears to come true it took Mat about a month of Brian talking him into going to finally give in, and agree to go with him “as friends”.
Mat didn’t have anything ready to wear, but luckily his brother had an extra suit that was a little big, but it worked, and wasn’t like he had time or money to find a himself suit, and even if he had suits never really seemed to fit Mat right, but still the awkward fit of the suit that made him feel like he was swimming in it didn’t help with his nerves as he walked through the packed bleachers looking for Brian, he saw him sitting quietly tapping his foot before turning his head to see Mat, Mat smiled as Brian’s eyes glanced over Mat before smiling back as their eyes met before Brian stood up.
“You look nice.” Brian complimented him, Mat felt it was out of courtesy, but still he smiled as he thanked him.
“Thanks…” Brian looked pretty good too, his hair was gelled back but his curly hair fought against it, and one curl had gotten loose and was dangling over his forehead. Mat didn’t mention it though as he felt someone bump into him, and noticed their friends walking towards them. They all found a place to sit, Brian would’ve been fine without Mat, but Mat was a little glad he had decided to come along, he was glad Brian had convinced him, it wasn’t nearly as awkward as he expected now that they were surrounded by their friends, and even as the dance began Mat felt comfortable hiding within the group as he danced.
As the night went on things slowed down, and so did the music. Most people had left to go to more exciting parties, or to have sex in a parking lot but Mat, and Brian were enjoying each other's company along with a couple of their friends. Jennifer was the last to leave as she placed her hand on Mat’s shoulder to get his attention, “I think I’m gonna find my other friends, do you wanna come with?” Mat almost nodded before he felt Brian’s hand touch his arm as the song shifted to a slow romantic song.
“Matty… I still wanna dance…” Brian’s hand ran down Mat’s arm to his hand as his fingers touched the palm of Mat’s sweaty hand. “You wanna keep dancing?”
Mat didn’t hesitate for a second as he bit his lip before nodding. He felt Jennifer’s hand leave his shoulder with a pat as if saying “you get him tiger”.
Their eyes met as the soft music played, and Mat’s hand still rested in Brian’s. Mat felt like no one was watching, he knew that probably wasn’t true, but it didn’t matter, all that he could see was Brian’s smile, his squinted eyes as he chuckled and as his cheeks blushed, and his dark brown curly hair that was now messier than before from dancing. Brian moved his hand away from Mat’s hand, and onto Mat’s shoulder along with his other one to pull him closer. Mat giggled as he leaned his head closer, resting his forehead onto Brian’s chest as their bodies rocked gently to the music. Mat could feel Brian’s feet stumble as he adjusted himself, and he could feel Brian’s heart racing though his chest. “Sorry…” Brian chuckled before adjusting his feet, Mat noticed Brian slip his shoes off, before he bent over to take off his socks. “You know I don’t like to dance with shoes on.” Brian explained as he kicked them aside, finally feeling comfortable as he pulled Mat close again like he was before. Mat laughed before placing one his hands on Brian’s back, and resting the other on his shoulder. The two had been dancing to loud upbeat music all night, but now they barely had any energy in them, and as the lights dimmed, and the music slowed, so did they. Mat felt like he could stay in the moment forever, it felt like the world went quiet, and it was just them alone in it, and even though they would occasionally step on each other's toes Mat would bet the world they looked beautiful together…
-
It was the end of the year as Brian flipped through the yearbook, he flipped through the pages, and laughed at the ones he found himself in, the ones with all his friends, the ones with Mat, but then he got to the pages from their homecoming, pictures of the game, people dancing, and then he saw one hidden along with the rest of him, and Mat dancing. He saw the photographer take it but he was pretty sure if he mentioned it to Mat in the moment he would’ve covered his face, he was glad he didn’t, they did look beautiful.