Ambient - Chapter 5
Title: Ambient
Pairings: Bellakirk, Belldom
Story summary: Tom Kirk has fallen for Languages student, Matt. When Tom and some of the other university students travel the world for their major assignments, Tom tries his best to reach Matt's heart, but there seems to be competition with Geography student, Dominic. Will Tom's desire be forfilled?
Warnings: None
AUTHOR'S NOTES: It took me a while to work out how to write this chapter, but here it is! We're in Ireland, which is the country which I want to visit the most, so I decided I'd let Tom have the experience, as I wish I could.
I stay in bed while I hear the other students getting ready for the day. How I wish I could be among them. I watch through the small bunk window as they step out into the fresh air and sunshine. Chris walks with Morgan, most likely asking what he's supposed to be doing, and I lay my eyes on Matthew. He always looks so peaceful, like he is completely comfortable being on his own, but also enjoys the company of others. My gaze is broken when Dom approaches Matt. He speaks a few words, and brushes his hand on Matt's arm.
No.
Matt smiles, and they then walk together. I can't watch... but I can't look away. I can't let that happen.
~
Finally, I'm feeling 10 times better. Physically better, anyway. The worst of the sickness is gone, but I've basically missed out on the whole Germany trip. We're heading for the airport to catch the next plane to Ireland. At least I'm better for this.
~
It feels so great to be out in the freash air. I take in the most beautiful countryside I have ever seen. It's so green and peaceful and calm. We're surrounded by endless fields, with the ocassional grazing cow, and old stone farmhouses. I take many pictures. Probably too many, but I want to be able to look back at the photos, and remember this place.
We take lunchbreak at another location; a village. It's just a quiet one though, with an old pub and a few stone cottages. Matt approaches me from further down the dirt road.
"Tom?" I know it's silly, but I love it when I hear him call my name.
"Yes?"
"How about we have that drink now?" he grins, and gestures toward the pub.
"Definitely." I smile back softly, and we go inside.
It's warmer in, a small fireplace burning in the left wall. A young woman is at the bar, drying a glass with a white teatowel. She smiles as we approach the bar.
"What can I get you both?" she asks, in a beautiful accent.
"What do you want?" Matt turns to me.
"Whatever you're having."
"Two beers please."
The woman gets out two new glasses and fills them from the tap, the amber coloured liquid filling up quickly. Matt pays when they're put on the bar.
"I thought I was supposed to be buying you a drink?" I say.
"Does it matter? I needed one. Maybe you can buy me one another time." Matt grins, and we touch our glasses together.
"You needed one? You have a rough day?"
"Well, you could say that."
I decide not to push the matter further, and just let Matt tell me what he wants to.
~
Matt has a few more drinks. Then a few more. I bit too much I think. I wonder what happened?
"I'm... I'm not going to have any spending money left." he says sadly and slowly.
"Let me buy you one then." I offer, but realise that he probably doesn't need anymore.
"No!" he says. "Just... just stay here wih me Tom. If I pass out, you can carry me."
"Tom, do you maybe want to tell me what happened today?" I ask. I am worried about him.
"No. He's just... so forward..." he mumbles.
"Who is?"
"No, no, it doesn't matter."
"Matt," I say sternly. I had to know now.
"Okay, okay. It's Dominic. He wants too much of me, but I... I don't know."
I feel a wrenching feeling in my gut. "Dominic? So he's making you... uncomfortable?"
"Yeah, I guess so. I'm not a fast sort of guy, you know?"
"I do. Maybe just tell him that he's making you feel that way?"
"Could do. You know what, Tom?" Matt makes eye contact.
"What?"
"You're a real nice bloke. I like you."
My heart races. What kind of 'like'? Who cares, the man's drunk.
"I like you too, Matt."
"Come here," Matt moves closer and puts an arm around my neck, and pulls me in for a kiss.
It tastes like beer, but that's to be expected. I kiss him back, until he pulls away, and takes a look around. His gaze freezes by the door, and I follow the trail of his vision. Dominic is standing at the door, staring, his mouth slightly open, at where Matt and I are sitting. His face shows a look which I can't determine. Perhaps, between anger and sadness?
After a few seconds, he moves to the other end of the pub, and buys a drink. Matt slowly moves his gaze back on me. He then begins to chuckle softly.
"What?" I ask, confused.
"Did you see his face?" he snorts, and bangs his fist on the bar.
Even though I don't particularly like Dominic, I do feel for him a bit.
"I did, but; well, you shouldn't laugh."
Matt's smiles dies slowly. "Yeah, you're right. Can you buy me a drink?" he asks, with puppy dog eyes.
I hesitate for a moment. "Alright."
I get out of my seat and walk to the other side of the bar where the bartender is now. I spot the water jug next to a stack of glasses, and take one off the stack.
I place the glass of clear liquid in front of Matt. He tilts his head and inspects the drink.
"What's this?"
"What you should be drinking now."
"Tom!"
"Don't 'Tom!' me, you've had more than enough beer. I'm just looking out for you."
Matt pulls a sulky face and lifts the glass to his lips.
~
The hotel bed feels much more comfortable. I'm glad that we're going to have proper accommodation for this trip, but of course it isn't first class. There are four beds in this room, and it is quite a small space, but we do have our own bathroom.
The lights are off, and I hear the breathing of the other occupants of the room. Matt is one of them, but he's already asleep and breathing softly. I think about the night. The kiss. Dominic. Matt's words 'I like you'. At first they made me smile to myself in the darkness, but then that ceased. Did it actually mean something? He was drunk, and he might not even remember it tomorrow. I don't know, I guess we'll just have to wait and see. But I know one thing: Matt's not too keen on Dominic.