Another (2 / 3)
Title: Another (2 / 3)
Author: millionstar
Pairing: Matthew/Dominic AU
Rating: PG
Here There Be: Angst, Mentions of Abuse
Summary: How do you help someone out of a toxic situation when they don’t realize they’re in one to begin with?
Author’s Note: If you choose to read, as always, thank you. It means so much. Thanks to mcsparklez for taking a look at this. <3
Life in the building continued.
Or, rather, Dominic’s fascination with Matthew continued, even though he rarely bumped into the songwriter. He found himself wondering constantly if Matthew were okay, to the point that he began to seriously ponder if it were becoming a borderline obsession. Dominic had decided that he needed a distraction.
So, to that end, Dominic had been spending time volunteering in the children’s ward at the local hospital, reading stories to some, playing dress-up with some others. He was over the moon when he found a music shop downtown on a random walk one evening. He’d nearly missed it, until a blue neon light caught his eye. Upon closer inspection, the light said “Wolstenaxes”. The sight of a blue bass guitar on lighted display in the front window seemed to beckon Dominic to come inside, and Dominic obeyed instantly.
What he found inside was nothing short of a revelation.
Wolstenaxes was a guitar shop like no other Dominic had ever been in before. Instruments lined the walls as far as the eye could see. One room was devoted to electric guitars, the next to assorted bass guitars - one smaller room even held mandolins and violins. Dominic was especially delighted to see that Wolstenaxes also dealt in percussion, and it was while Dominic was kneeling, examining a see-through kit that had caught his eye immediately, that someone spoke behind him.
“That one’s a beauty. I’m a bit surprised it’s still here, actually.”
Dominic stood and turned, finding himself faced with a tall young man with a smile on his face. “Yeah, it sure is. I might be persuaded to give it a good home.”
“Say the word and it can be yours. Name’s Chris, by the way,” he extended one hand, which Dominic shook with a smile. “If I can help you with anything, just let me know. Look all you’d like.”
“This is my first time in your store, and I have to say, you’ve got something fantastic here. Great vibe, quality product-”
Chris raised one eyebrow. “You know your stuff, then? Are you an afficianado?
Dominic shrugged. “Well, I don’t know about that but I dabble, yeah. Drums. Do you play?”
“I can usually be found with a bass in my hands at any waking moment. Playing is my lifeblood.”
They were interrupted by the sound of a guitar being tuned, followed by the sound of an impressive riff. Chris crossed his arms and winked at Dominic. “Talk about luck. You’re just in time, this guy is amazing.”
“Oh?”
“Yeah. Comes in on the first Tuesday night of every month, like clockwork, for an hour or so, and jams in the one of the rooms upstairs. He can do things with a guitar that will blow your mind. He doesn’t say a lot, just walks in, nods a hello, goes inside, closes the door, and goes at it. I figure it’s good advertisement for my product, actually. Any customers that happen to be here when he’s jamming end up stopping in their tracks and just listening to him.”
Judging from the frankly fantastic sounding guitar music now flooding the store, Dominic reckoned he could understand that pretty damned well. “And he only comes in once a month?”
“He bought a guitar from me a few years back. Once someone has made a purchase here, they gain automatic access to one of the jam rooms whenever they wish.”
“Really?”
“Yep.”
“That’s an interesting policy, pretty cool of you.”
Chris beamed. “My father instituted that policy ages ago, and it’s been a pretty popular one over the years. Excuse me, I’ll be right back,” he apologized, eyeing another customer who had just entered. “Take a look around!”
Dominic wandered around the store, examining all of the kits he could. He spent a good hour giving them a thorough once-over. He even tried out a guitar or two, although the sensation of holding one in his hands was foreign to him. Dominic wrinkled his nose and shook his head with a wry laugh. Nope, it was definitely not for him.
He was in the process of seeking Chris out to discuss the price of the clear drumkit when someone came bounding down the stairs and nearly bumped into him.
It was Matthew.
Dominic was surprised to see him, but the look on Matthew’s face reflected the fact that he was just as surprised to be seen. His mouth dropped open in surprise and he began to look around the shop as though he were frantically searching for someone. He swallowed.
Matthew looked so incredibly anxious that Dominic was instantly worried.
“Hey!” Dominic said happily, hoping to lighten the mood. “Jesus, was that you playing just now? You are one talented-”
“You never saw me here,” Matthew whispered nervously, then ran out the door and into the night.
“What the hell was that?” Chris asked from behind the counter. He frowned.
Dominic shook his head. “I’m not sure.”
They discussed the see-through drumkit a bit more, which was really just a formality, because Dominic had decided that he simply couldn’t live without it the moment he laid eyes on it. Chris promised to have it delivered the next day.
On the walk home, what he’d seen played heavily on Dominic’s mind. Why had Matthew been so spooked to see Dominic? So, Matthew was no mere songwriter, he was also a guitarist - a very talented one. Dominic found himself wondering if what he’d just heard had been an original composition. His mind kept drifting back to that frightened look on Matthew’s face, though. He couldn’t shake it.
When Dominic finally made it back to the building, Tom and his girlfriend Alexis were standing in the lobby, talking with Ian and Matthew.
“Well, maybe next time the two of you can join us,” Alexis smiled, Tom’s eyes on Matthew. “Hi, Dominic!”
“Oh, of course!” Ian said loudly, one arm around Matthew’s waist. “If it had been any other night, we’d have loved to, but this is the one night a month that Matthew takes part in his little book club. He only got back a few minutes ago, so we’re heading out for a late dinner. But, next time, definitely!”
Book club?
Dominic looked at Matthew. Ian was still speaking to Alexis, oblivious to the wordless communication Matthew and Dominic were indulging in. Matthew had grown pale, his breathing coming quickly. He was, Dominic could tell, silently willing him to keep quiet and not correct Ian regarding his whereabouts earlier that evening. He needent have worried - Dominic, for his part, had no intention of doing so. It wasn’t his secret to divulge.
“Book clubs are the best,” he said cheerfully, digging through his pockets for his keys with a smile. “Well, good night, all.”
“See you soon, Dom,” Tom called, “we need to get together again for more bad pizza!”
“You got it,” Dominic replied, laughing. “Hey, I may give you a call in a few if that’s okay?”
“Sure!”
Later that night, Dominic shared with Tom what had happened that evening over the phone. Tom was just as mystified as Dominic over Matthew’s behavior. The only explanation either of them could come up with was that perhaps it was the only time that Matthew truly had to himself. Perhaps it was his way of a break from Ian?
If only that had made either of them feel better about the situation.
The next morning Dominic was having a late breakfast when a knock on the door interrupted him. He padded over to answer it, tightening his leopard print robe, and opened it. He found Matthew standing there, eyes cast downward.
“Hi there,” Dominic smiled, genuinely pleased to see the gorgeous creature again. “Come in!”
Matthew did, stepping into Dominic’s flat. “I won’t stay long, I just wanted to say um, about last night,” he stammered, “thank you for not telling.”
Dominic nodded, biting his lip. “It’s none of my business.”
“I just…” Matthew looked around, as though he were looking for the words he wanted to say, as though he might find them written on the walls of Dominic’s flat. “I don’t like lying to him, but Ian wouldn’t understand.”
“Why not?”
Matthew swallowed, looking away. Dominic quickly changed his approach. “So what sort of guitar did you buy from Chris? What’s it like?”
“I don’t have it anymore.”
“Oh.”
Abruptly, he looked at Dominic, scanning his face, blue eyes drinking in the sight of him. “You’re very kind,” he said. “I should go, I just, yeah, thank you.”
Dominic wanted to take Matthew into his arms so much in that moment that the want created a physical ache. It was becoming more and more apparent that Matthew encountered precious few kind people in his life. “It’s not just kindness,” he blurted out.
“What?”
“I worry about you, I-”
“Worry about me? You barely know me. What reason could you possibly have for-”
“Tom and I are both worried for you.”
Matthew paused, understanding flooding into his expression. “You’ve been talking with Tom. Now it makes sense.”
Dominic opened his mouth to reply, then closed it abruptly. What was there to say?
“He should really mind his own business, especially when it was a simple matter of our television being turned up too loudly. I wonder who else he’s been talking to. How dare he-”
“Did the television leave the mark on your face that night also?”
Matthew’s head shot up, his eyes wild. Dominic waited for a denial, for anything, but the other man remained silent.
“You’re not even going to deny it, are you?”
Matthew’s lips were pressed tightly together.
“Would he be angry with you for going to Wolstenaxes? Is that why you’ve had to lie to him? Are you afraid of what he’ll do if he finds out the truth? Will he hurt you? Why do you put up with that, Matthew?”
“He loves me, he takes care of me.”
Dominic was stunned. “You can’t honestly believe that! He hurts you! I saw the two of you arguing next to your car a few weeks ago and the tone he used to speak to you, it made me sick, Matthew.”
“I need him. You don’t understand.”
He took Matthew’s hands. “Then help me understand,” he implored. “Help me understand.” They remained in that same position for a few seconds, Matthew staring down at their joined hands. Barely, imperceptibly, Dominic felt him squeeze his own. Dominic exhaled a shaky breath and squeezed back. He caressed Matthew’s knuckles with the pad of his thumb. Matthew looked up at him, his eyes rimmed with tears.
Dominic chose his words carefully, intent on conveying feeling and not applying unwelcome pressure. “I would take care of you if you were mine,” he whispered. “I would cherish you.” Matthew just stared at him, deep into Dominic’s eyes, as though he were trying to read Dominic’s very soul. He took a step forward and very nearly allowed Dominic to take him into his arms.
Then, for reasons known only to Matthew, the spell was broken. Matthew tore his hands from Dominic’s and sniffled, wiping his eyes with the back of his hand. “I shouldn’t have come here. I can’t.”
“You can. Let me help you, help you find another-”
“Another what?” Matthew spat, throwing his hands in the air. “What makes you think I want another anything? Jesus, who the hell do you think you are, saying these things to me? My life is none of your business.” With that, he stood and walked to Dominic’s door.
Dominic, defeated, followed him to the door and implored once more: “Let me help you, Matthew.”
As he walked out into the hall, Matthew’s eyes no longer had that wild spark inside them. Dominic gasped at how blank and defeated they looked as he finally replied, quietly.
“You can’t.”
The door closed just as Dominic had whispered a reply.
“I won’t stop trying.”
Two days later he was deep in thought, well, deep in thought as one could be while struggling with a sudoku puzzle, when a knock came to his door. Hoping perhaps it was Matthew, he jumped up and answered it, but was surprised to see Chris instead. “Hey, you!”
“Hey, Dom - I hope you don’t mind me dropping in like this, but I wanted to bring these sticks by.” He handed Dominic a small parcel. “This extra pair should have come with the kit, but were back ordered and only came in today. I’m sorry about the delay.”
“Sweet,” Dominic grinned. “Thanks a lot. You wanna come in?”
“Can’t, gotta get home, but I also wanted to let you know that we’re doing some rebuilding in the shop so we’re gonna be closed down for 3 weeks, so the jam rooms won’t be accessible. I already let James know, it’s pretty cool that he lives so close to you!”
“James?”
“Yeah! The guy who was jamming that first night you were in the shop, James-”
Dominic’s mouth went dry.
“-I had to leave the message with his boyfriend Ian just now, he seems like a nice bloke. I hope he remembers to pass it on.”
Oh, god.
“Anyway, I’m taking the kids and wife on a vacation while the construction is going on, but I’ll see you in a month or so, yeah?”
Dominic nodded, his stomach churning. Chris said his goodbyes, but Dominic merely nodded through them, in an almost zombie-like state as he closed his door. He didn’t know what to do. Matthew’s secret was clearly out now, to the one person he was desperate to keep it from, and Dominic couldn’t see this situation ending well for Matthew.
Author: millionstar
Pairing: Matthew/Dominic AU
Rating: PG
Here There Be: Angst, Mentions of Abuse
Summary: How do you help someone out of a toxic situation when they don’t realize they’re in one to begin with?
Author’s Note: If you choose to read, as always, thank you. It means so much. Thanks to mcsparklez for taking a look at this. <3
Life in the building continued.
Or, rather, Dominic’s fascination with Matthew continued, even though he rarely bumped into the songwriter. He found himself wondering constantly if Matthew were okay, to the point that he began to seriously ponder if it were becoming a borderline obsession. Dominic had decided that he needed a distraction.
So, to that end, Dominic had been spending time volunteering in the children’s ward at the local hospital, reading stories to some, playing dress-up with some others. He was over the moon when he found a music shop downtown on a random walk one evening. He’d nearly missed it, until a blue neon light caught his eye. Upon closer inspection, the light said “Wolstenaxes”. The sight of a blue bass guitar on lighted display in the front window seemed to beckon Dominic to come inside, and Dominic obeyed instantly.
What he found inside was nothing short of a revelation.
Wolstenaxes was a guitar shop like no other Dominic had ever been in before. Instruments lined the walls as far as the eye could see. One room was devoted to electric guitars, the next to assorted bass guitars - one smaller room even held mandolins and violins. Dominic was especially delighted to see that Wolstenaxes also dealt in percussion, and it was while Dominic was kneeling, examining a see-through kit that had caught his eye immediately, that someone spoke behind him.
“That one’s a beauty. I’m a bit surprised it’s still here, actually.”
Dominic stood and turned, finding himself faced with a tall young man with a smile on his face. “Yeah, it sure is. I might be persuaded to give it a good home.”
“Say the word and it can be yours. Name’s Chris, by the way,” he extended one hand, which Dominic shook with a smile. “If I can help you with anything, just let me know. Look all you’d like.”
“This is my first time in your store, and I have to say, you’ve got something fantastic here. Great vibe, quality product-”
Chris raised one eyebrow. “You know your stuff, then? Are you an afficianado?
Dominic shrugged. “Well, I don’t know about that but I dabble, yeah. Drums. Do you play?”
“I can usually be found with a bass in my hands at any waking moment. Playing is my lifeblood.”
They were interrupted by the sound of a guitar being tuned, followed by the sound of an impressive riff. Chris crossed his arms and winked at Dominic. “Talk about luck. You’re just in time, this guy is amazing.”
“Oh?”
“Yeah. Comes in on the first Tuesday night of every month, like clockwork, for an hour or so, and jams in the one of the rooms upstairs. He can do things with a guitar that will blow your mind. He doesn’t say a lot, just walks in, nods a hello, goes inside, closes the door, and goes at it. I figure it’s good advertisement for my product, actually. Any customers that happen to be here when he’s jamming end up stopping in their tracks and just listening to him.”
Judging from the frankly fantastic sounding guitar music now flooding the store, Dominic reckoned he could understand that pretty damned well. “And he only comes in once a month?”
“He bought a guitar from me a few years back. Once someone has made a purchase here, they gain automatic access to one of the jam rooms whenever they wish.”
“Really?”
“Yep.”
“That’s an interesting policy, pretty cool of you.”
Chris beamed. “My father instituted that policy ages ago, and it’s been a pretty popular one over the years. Excuse me, I’ll be right back,” he apologized, eyeing another customer who had just entered. “Take a look around!”
Dominic wandered around the store, examining all of the kits he could. He spent a good hour giving them a thorough once-over. He even tried out a guitar or two, although the sensation of holding one in his hands was foreign to him. Dominic wrinkled his nose and shook his head with a wry laugh. Nope, it was definitely not for him.
He was in the process of seeking Chris out to discuss the price of the clear drumkit when someone came bounding down the stairs and nearly bumped into him.
It was Matthew.
Dominic was surprised to see him, but the look on Matthew’s face reflected the fact that he was just as surprised to be seen. His mouth dropped open in surprise and he began to look around the shop as though he were frantically searching for someone. He swallowed.
Matthew looked so incredibly anxious that Dominic was instantly worried.
“Hey!” Dominic said happily, hoping to lighten the mood. “Jesus, was that you playing just now? You are one talented-”
“You never saw me here,” Matthew whispered nervously, then ran out the door and into the night.
“What the hell was that?” Chris asked from behind the counter. He frowned.
Dominic shook his head. “I’m not sure.”
They discussed the see-through drumkit a bit more, which was really just a formality, because Dominic had decided that he simply couldn’t live without it the moment he laid eyes on it. Chris promised to have it delivered the next day.
On the walk home, what he’d seen played heavily on Dominic’s mind. Why had Matthew been so spooked to see Dominic? So, Matthew was no mere songwriter, he was also a guitarist - a very talented one. Dominic found himself wondering if what he’d just heard had been an original composition. His mind kept drifting back to that frightened look on Matthew’s face, though. He couldn’t shake it.
When Dominic finally made it back to the building, Tom and his girlfriend Alexis were standing in the lobby, talking with Ian and Matthew.
“Well, maybe next time the two of you can join us,” Alexis smiled, Tom’s eyes on Matthew. “Hi, Dominic!”
“Oh, of course!” Ian said loudly, one arm around Matthew’s waist. “If it had been any other night, we’d have loved to, but this is the one night a month that Matthew takes part in his little book club. He only got back a few minutes ago, so we’re heading out for a late dinner. But, next time, definitely!”
Book club?
Dominic looked at Matthew. Ian was still speaking to Alexis, oblivious to the wordless communication Matthew and Dominic were indulging in. Matthew had grown pale, his breathing coming quickly. He was, Dominic could tell, silently willing him to keep quiet and not correct Ian regarding his whereabouts earlier that evening. He needent have worried - Dominic, for his part, had no intention of doing so. It wasn’t his secret to divulge.
“Book clubs are the best,” he said cheerfully, digging through his pockets for his keys with a smile. “Well, good night, all.”
“See you soon, Dom,” Tom called, “we need to get together again for more bad pizza!”
“You got it,” Dominic replied, laughing. “Hey, I may give you a call in a few if that’s okay?”
“Sure!”
Later that night, Dominic shared with Tom what had happened that evening over the phone. Tom was just as mystified as Dominic over Matthew’s behavior. The only explanation either of them could come up with was that perhaps it was the only time that Matthew truly had to himself. Perhaps it was his way of a break from Ian?
If only that had made either of them feel better about the situation.
The next morning Dominic was having a late breakfast when a knock on the door interrupted him. He padded over to answer it, tightening his leopard print robe, and opened it. He found Matthew standing there, eyes cast downward.
“Hi there,” Dominic smiled, genuinely pleased to see the gorgeous creature again. “Come in!”
Matthew did, stepping into Dominic’s flat. “I won’t stay long, I just wanted to say um, about last night,” he stammered, “thank you for not telling.”
Dominic nodded, biting his lip. “It’s none of my business.”
“I just…” Matthew looked around, as though he were looking for the words he wanted to say, as though he might find them written on the walls of Dominic’s flat. “I don’t like lying to him, but Ian wouldn’t understand.”
“Why not?”
Matthew swallowed, looking away. Dominic quickly changed his approach. “So what sort of guitar did you buy from Chris? What’s it like?”
“I don’t have it anymore.”
“Oh.”
Abruptly, he looked at Dominic, scanning his face, blue eyes drinking in the sight of him. “You’re very kind,” he said. “I should go, I just, yeah, thank you.”
Dominic wanted to take Matthew into his arms so much in that moment that the want created a physical ache. It was becoming more and more apparent that Matthew encountered precious few kind people in his life. “It’s not just kindness,” he blurted out.
“What?”
“I worry about you, I-”
“Worry about me? You barely know me. What reason could you possibly have for-”
“Tom and I are both worried for you.”
Matthew paused, understanding flooding into his expression. “You’ve been talking with Tom. Now it makes sense.”
Dominic opened his mouth to reply, then closed it abruptly. What was there to say?
“He should really mind his own business, especially when it was a simple matter of our television being turned up too loudly. I wonder who else he’s been talking to. How dare he-”
“Did the television leave the mark on your face that night also?”
Matthew’s head shot up, his eyes wild. Dominic waited for a denial, for anything, but the other man remained silent.
“You’re not even going to deny it, are you?”
Matthew’s lips were pressed tightly together.
“Would he be angry with you for going to Wolstenaxes? Is that why you’ve had to lie to him? Are you afraid of what he’ll do if he finds out the truth? Will he hurt you? Why do you put up with that, Matthew?”
“He loves me, he takes care of me.”
Dominic was stunned. “You can’t honestly believe that! He hurts you! I saw the two of you arguing next to your car a few weeks ago and the tone he used to speak to you, it made me sick, Matthew.”
“I need him. You don’t understand.”
He took Matthew’s hands. “Then help me understand,” he implored. “Help me understand.” They remained in that same position for a few seconds, Matthew staring down at their joined hands. Barely, imperceptibly, Dominic felt him squeeze his own. Dominic exhaled a shaky breath and squeezed back. He caressed Matthew’s knuckles with the pad of his thumb. Matthew looked up at him, his eyes rimmed with tears.
Dominic chose his words carefully, intent on conveying feeling and not applying unwelcome pressure. “I would take care of you if you were mine,” he whispered. “I would cherish you.” Matthew just stared at him, deep into Dominic’s eyes, as though he were trying to read Dominic’s very soul. He took a step forward and very nearly allowed Dominic to take him into his arms.
Then, for reasons known only to Matthew, the spell was broken. Matthew tore his hands from Dominic’s and sniffled, wiping his eyes with the back of his hand. “I shouldn’t have come here. I can’t.”
“You can. Let me help you, help you find another-”
“Another what?” Matthew spat, throwing his hands in the air. “What makes you think I want another anything? Jesus, who the hell do you think you are, saying these things to me? My life is none of your business.” With that, he stood and walked to Dominic’s door.
Dominic, defeated, followed him to the door and implored once more: “Let me help you, Matthew.”
As he walked out into the hall, Matthew’s eyes no longer had that wild spark inside them. Dominic gasped at how blank and defeated they looked as he finally replied, quietly.
“You can’t.”
The door closed just as Dominic had whispered a reply.
“I won’t stop trying.”
Two days later he was deep in thought, well, deep in thought as one could be while struggling with a sudoku puzzle, when a knock came to his door. Hoping perhaps it was Matthew, he jumped up and answered it, but was surprised to see Chris instead. “Hey, you!”
“Hey, Dom - I hope you don’t mind me dropping in like this, but I wanted to bring these sticks by.” He handed Dominic a small parcel. “This extra pair should have come with the kit, but were back ordered and only came in today. I’m sorry about the delay.”
“Sweet,” Dominic grinned. “Thanks a lot. You wanna come in?”
“Can’t, gotta get home, but I also wanted to let you know that we’re doing some rebuilding in the shop so we’re gonna be closed down for 3 weeks, so the jam rooms won’t be accessible. I already let James know, it’s pretty cool that he lives so close to you!”
“James?”
“Yeah! The guy who was jamming that first night you were in the shop, James-”
Dominic’s mouth went dry.
“-I had to leave the message with his boyfriend Ian just now, he seems like a nice bloke. I hope he remembers to pass it on.”
Oh, god.
“Anyway, I’m taking the kids and wife on a vacation while the construction is going on, but I’ll see you in a month or so, yeah?”
Dominic nodded, his stomach churning. Chris said his goodbyes, but Dominic merely nodded through them, in an almost zombie-like state as he closed his door. He didn’t know what to do. Matthew’s secret was clearly out now, to the one person he was desperate to keep it from, and Dominic couldn’t see this situation ending well for Matthew.