Silver Scarves & Revelations
Title: Silver Scarves & Revelations
Author: millionstar
Pairing: Belldom
Rating: Eh. I dunno - 15 for language?
Warnings: None
Summary: In which Matt and Dom go shopping.
Feedback: Would be lovely, if you are so inclined.
Disclaimer: I don't own Muse; the following is pure fiction.
Notes: I got the idea for this after seeing a particularly pretty scarf in the mall last night. Big thanks to theyellow_daisy for agreeing to take a quick peek at it. Thank you, K! *hugs*
Matt’s eyes were tired and red. He sighed in frustration for what had to be the hundredth time in the last half hour. He was exhausted and more than a little scared. Lines from Apocalypse Please ran through his mind involuntarily.
This. Is. The End. Of the woooooooooorld…
He tapped one foot against the bottom of the cheap plastic dressing room chair he was sitting in. A small boy walked up to Matt to stare at him, one thumb in his mouth and the other in his ear. Matt sat up suddenly and smiled weakly at him, unsure of what to do next.
“Hi!” he offered with a nod of his head and a smile.
The little boy stuck his tongue out at him and walked away. His mother, Matt could see, had just found for him the most adorable Rudolph sweater to try on, and Oh you will look so sweet in it, Alexander!! To make the experience complete, the child began screaming in protest at being forced to try on the sweater in question. Matt didn’t blame him, really; it was quite hideous.
Fight the power, little man , he thought, wincing when the boy‘s screams became louder and shriller. And bring me a Panadol or five while you’re at it, yeah?
Matt had never been in a shopping mall in the US this close to Christmas before tonight. He had also never sat in a crowded dressing room in a department store, amongst the overly fussy mothers, whiney children and sarcastic teenagers. It was his own fault, really. He had thought that an impromptu shopping trip would be a nice way to spend this, their evening free between gigs. He should have known something was up when Dom was so eager to join him and Chris had suddenly decided to back out. Matt had called him on it, actually.
“What’s up? You not coming with us?”
Chris looked at Dom, who was fixing his hair in front of the mirror and whispered to Matt, “No fucking way. Dom’s got that look in his eye.”
“What look?” Matt was confused.
“That “oh-my-GOD-those-purple-striped-trousers-would-look-sooo-good-on-me!” look. He’s like a man possessed when it comes to shopping, Matt. You should know that by now.”
Matt had laughed. “Oh, come on, let him have his fun, Chris. He does like to shop, but it‘s sort of cute, isn’t it?”
Chris cocked an eye at Matt, grinning. “Feeling sentimental, Bells? Fine. Take your man shopping, with my blessing, and have fun - but remember one thing,” he warned.
“What’s that?”
“For the love of God, keep Dominic Howard away from accessories. Clothes are one thing, but get him close to neon belts and shoes and sparkly scarves and all will be lost.”
Matt snorted. “Please, Christopher. I can handle it!” he smirked with a wave of his hand.
And yet now, six hours later, Matt had learned the hard way that he could not, in fact, handle it. He loved Dom, he really did, but he was ready to go back to the hotel. He shut his eyes and massaged his pounding temples with his fingertips. Matt had just dozed off when he sensed someone sitting down next to him. Warily he opened his eyes to find Dom grinning excitedly at him.
“This was such a good idea, Matt!” He took a sip of Matt’s latte. “Having fun?”
Matt nodded slowly, forcing a smile onto his face. “Fun. Did you find what you were looking for, Dom?” he asked hopefully.
“Yes. Now I can say I own a pair of periwinkle trousers.“
“Oh, I liked those! The blue ones, right?”
Dom patted Matt on the shoulder. “No, Matt. Not blue, periwinkle.” He shook his head. “Anyway, I think we’re done…”
Oh thank fuck, Matt thought.
“…here. I saw a fucking fantastic pair of shoes in a shop a couple doors down!” Dom hopped up excitedly and went to pay for his items.
Ten minutes later, in the shop a couple doors down, Matt found himself sitting in yet another uncomfortable plastic chair. The floor around him was littered with bags containing Dom’s purchases. A salesgirl in an elf costume offered Matt a candy cane, which he accepted with a smile. He unwrapped it and placed the straight end in his mouth, closing his eyes and relaxing.
Dom came out of the dressing room, this time sporting a pair of zebra print Converse with a pair of tight black leather trousers. He placed one foot on Matt’s knee, jostling the sleepy singer from his catnap.
“You like?”
Matt nodded, rubbing his eyes, and removing the candy cane from his mouth. He licked his lips. “Yeah. I do. Nice!” He smiled weakly.
Dom’s face fell. “Are you okay?” he asked, concerned. “We can go if you like.” He sat down beside Matt, running one hand through his dark hair.
“Don’t be silly, Dom” Matt smiled. “I’m just a little tired, but it‘s okay. No worries.”
Dom kissed his cheek. “I promise you I’ll hurry. Hey - by the way,” he jumped up and disappeared behind the counter, returning with a handful of scarves. “I was thinking of getting a couple scarves. Which of these do you like?” Dom began holding them up to his neck one by one, admiring his reflection in the mirror. “They’re all fabulous, really, aren’t they?”
Matt suddenly erupted in giggles, so much so that he dropped his empty latte cup on the floor.
Dom put his hands on his hips.
“I’m sorry Dom, but that was just so very gay.”
Dom raised an eyebrow, struggling to keep the smile off his face.
Matt coughed. “Ah, okay - I like the silver one?”
Dom frowned. “The silver one? I don’t own anything that matches it, I think I’ll get the green one instead.” He reached for the green scarf in question, but it was no longer on the counter. Just then he and Matt noticed a young man at the counter who was trying the green scarf on. He posed in the mirror, looking up with a hateful glance when he noticed Matt and Dom looking at him.
“What are you looking at?” he sneered.
Dom shook his head, his eyes sweeping over the skinny, lanky man. He laughed. “Nothing - believe me, nothing special at all.”
“It looks much better on me than it did on you anyway,” the man snorted, winking at his own reflection while he loosely rested the scarf on his neck.
Matt sat in his seat, crunching on his candy cane and felt something inside him snap. He could take the crowds. He could take the screaming children in the dressing room. He could even accept that his hands were blistered from carrying Dom’s bags all evening. But he was not about to let some punk be disrespectful to Dom. Matt stared at the young man, shocked by his rudeness, and spoke up.
“Like fuck it does.”
“Who asked you?”
Matt walked over to him, pointing to his reflection in the mirror. “Let me give you some friendly advice, mate. Look at your skin tone. Clearly you have a pale complexion - you don’t have any business wearing a color that deep.” Matt grabbed the scarf from the stranger’s neck and walked over to Dom, wrapping it around his neck .
“But Dom, because he happens to tan so well, looks, well,” he brushed the hair back from Dom’s brow, “bloody gorgeous in that color.” He raised one eyebrow at Dom’s grinning face before walking back to the counter. He selected a beige scarf and tossed it at the young man before heading back to his seat. “Try this instead. It’s a bit softer.“ He put the candy cane back in his mouth and closed his eyes again.
The stranger was incensed, but he did as Matt suggested, holding the scarf up to his face. “Who the hell do you think you are, you…” he paused. “Huh. You’re right, really.” He eyed Matt and Dom suspiciously. “Thanks.”
Matt waved him away dismissively, crunching on the last of his candy cane.
He could hear Dom settling with the sales girl and finally, mercifully, after the longest seven hours of his life, Dom announced that he was ready to go. Matt was grateful when Dom suddenly insisted on carrying them out. Once they were in the back of the car heading toward the hotel, Dom pulled Matt close, resting his head on his shoulder.
The next few minutes were a blur. Matt was dimly aware of making the trip in to the hotel and leaning into Dom’s strong arm as they shared the lift to their room. Once inside he excused himself to take a hot shower in hopes that it would soothe his tired muscles.
When he emerged from the bathroom in a cloud of steam he headed immediately for the bed. Dom was already under the covers, and he made room for Matt to join him. Matt snuggled down into the fluffy bed, eyes already shut. He felt Dom’s arms envelop him and Dom’s lips kiss his shoulder.
“Matt?”
“Hmmm?”
Dom spoke carefully. “Since when do you know anything about skin tones and color coordination?” He placed another kiss to Matt’s shoulder.
Matt smirked. “I know a lot of things, Dom. I am, you’ll find, full of surprises.”
Dom smiled against his cheek. “You sure are, Bells. Thank you, by the way. Thank you for taking me shopping, for carrying my bags, for rescuing my green scarf from that skinny punk.” They both giggled.
“You’re welcome, Dom. Now can you let me sleep?” Matt begged.
“Why silver?” Dom demanded.
Matt groaned. “What?
“Why did you want me to get the silver scarf?”
Matt relaxed. A smile played on his lips. “Your eyes. I used to love it when you wore that silver jacket during the Absolution photoshoot. It just seemed to play against your grey eyes so well. I just thought it would look great on you.”
“Matt.”
Matt finally opened his eyes, irritated at being kept from sleeping. “What, Dom?”
“I bought something for you.”
Dom was lying next to him, his blonde hair spilling beautifully against his pillow, wearing the silver scarf. His eyes were calm and his expression was one of utter contentment. Honestly, he took Matt’s breath away.
“Do you like it?”
Matt nodded, moving closer, touching the delicate metallic fabric. He held the long end up to Dom’s eyes and nodded again, smiling softly.
“See? Gorgeous, like your eyes… absolutely gorgeous.” he leaned in and kissed Dom sweetly. “It’s perfect.”
Dom snaked one hand under his pillow and handed Matt another candy cane. The sweet gesture caught Matt off guard. He pulled Dom closer, snuggling up to him under the covers.
“Merry Christmas, Matt.”
“But it’s only the 15th, Dom.”
“Don’t care. Just wanted to say it, you know?” Dom reached out and stroked Matt’s face, Matt leaning into his touch. “Plus, well, the scarf is all I’m wearing right now. Wanna unwrap your present properly?”
Matt grinned as Dom covered his body with his own.
“Merry Christmas, Dom.”
Author: millionstar
Pairing: Belldom
Rating: Eh. I dunno - 15 for language?
Warnings: None
Summary: In which Matt and Dom go shopping.
Feedback: Would be lovely, if you are so inclined.
Disclaimer: I don't own Muse; the following is pure fiction.
Notes: I got the idea for this after seeing a particularly pretty scarf in the mall last night. Big thanks to theyellow_daisy for agreeing to take a quick peek at it. Thank you, K! *hugs*
Matt’s eyes were tired and red. He sighed in frustration for what had to be the hundredth time in the last half hour. He was exhausted and more than a little scared. Lines from Apocalypse Please ran through his mind involuntarily.
This. Is. The End. Of the woooooooooorld…
He tapped one foot against the bottom of the cheap plastic dressing room chair he was sitting in. A small boy walked up to Matt to stare at him, one thumb in his mouth and the other in his ear. Matt sat up suddenly and smiled weakly at him, unsure of what to do next.
“Hi!” he offered with a nod of his head and a smile.
The little boy stuck his tongue out at him and walked away. His mother, Matt could see, had just found for him the most adorable Rudolph sweater to try on, and Oh you will look so sweet in it, Alexander!! To make the experience complete, the child began screaming in protest at being forced to try on the sweater in question. Matt didn’t blame him, really; it was quite hideous.
Fight the power, little man , he thought, wincing when the boy‘s screams became louder and shriller. And bring me a Panadol or five while you’re at it, yeah?
Matt had never been in a shopping mall in the US this close to Christmas before tonight. He had also never sat in a crowded dressing room in a department store, amongst the overly fussy mothers, whiney children and sarcastic teenagers. It was his own fault, really. He had thought that an impromptu shopping trip would be a nice way to spend this, their evening free between gigs. He should have known something was up when Dom was so eager to join him and Chris had suddenly decided to back out. Matt had called him on it, actually.
“What’s up? You not coming with us?”
Chris looked at Dom, who was fixing his hair in front of the mirror and whispered to Matt, “No fucking way. Dom’s got that look in his eye.”
“What look?” Matt was confused.
“That “oh-my-GOD-those-purple-striped-trousers-would-look-sooo-good-on-me!” look. He’s like a man possessed when it comes to shopping, Matt. You should know that by now.”
Matt had laughed. “Oh, come on, let him have his fun, Chris. He does like to shop, but it‘s sort of cute, isn’t it?”
Chris cocked an eye at Matt, grinning. “Feeling sentimental, Bells? Fine. Take your man shopping, with my blessing, and have fun - but remember one thing,” he warned.
“What’s that?”
“For the love of God, keep Dominic Howard away from accessories. Clothes are one thing, but get him close to neon belts and shoes and sparkly scarves and all will be lost.”
Matt snorted. “Please, Christopher. I can handle it!” he smirked with a wave of his hand.
And yet now, six hours later, Matt had learned the hard way that he could not, in fact, handle it. He loved Dom, he really did, but he was ready to go back to the hotel. He shut his eyes and massaged his pounding temples with his fingertips. Matt had just dozed off when he sensed someone sitting down next to him. Warily he opened his eyes to find Dom grinning excitedly at him.
“This was such a good idea, Matt!” He took a sip of Matt’s latte. “Having fun?”
Matt nodded slowly, forcing a smile onto his face. “Fun. Did you find what you were looking for, Dom?” he asked hopefully.
“Yes. Now I can say I own a pair of periwinkle trousers.“
“Oh, I liked those! The blue ones, right?”
Dom patted Matt on the shoulder. “No, Matt. Not blue, periwinkle.” He shook his head. “Anyway, I think we’re done…”
Oh thank fuck, Matt thought.
“…here. I saw a fucking fantastic pair of shoes in a shop a couple doors down!” Dom hopped up excitedly and went to pay for his items.
Ten minutes later, in the shop a couple doors down, Matt found himself sitting in yet another uncomfortable plastic chair. The floor around him was littered with bags containing Dom’s purchases. A salesgirl in an elf costume offered Matt a candy cane, which he accepted with a smile. He unwrapped it and placed the straight end in his mouth, closing his eyes and relaxing.
Dom came out of the dressing room, this time sporting a pair of zebra print Converse with a pair of tight black leather trousers. He placed one foot on Matt’s knee, jostling the sleepy singer from his catnap.
“You like?”
Matt nodded, rubbing his eyes, and removing the candy cane from his mouth. He licked his lips. “Yeah. I do. Nice!” He smiled weakly.
Dom’s face fell. “Are you okay?” he asked, concerned. “We can go if you like.” He sat down beside Matt, running one hand through his dark hair.
“Don’t be silly, Dom” Matt smiled. “I’m just a little tired, but it‘s okay. No worries.”
Dom kissed his cheek. “I promise you I’ll hurry. Hey - by the way,” he jumped up and disappeared behind the counter, returning with a handful of scarves. “I was thinking of getting a couple scarves. Which of these do you like?” Dom began holding them up to his neck one by one, admiring his reflection in the mirror. “They’re all fabulous, really, aren’t they?”
Matt suddenly erupted in giggles, so much so that he dropped his empty latte cup on the floor.
Dom put his hands on his hips.
“I’m sorry Dom, but that was just so very gay.”
Dom raised an eyebrow, struggling to keep the smile off his face.
Matt coughed. “Ah, okay - I like the silver one?”
Dom frowned. “The silver one? I don’t own anything that matches it, I think I’ll get the green one instead.” He reached for the green scarf in question, but it was no longer on the counter. Just then he and Matt noticed a young man at the counter who was trying the green scarf on. He posed in the mirror, looking up with a hateful glance when he noticed Matt and Dom looking at him.
“What are you looking at?” he sneered.
Dom shook his head, his eyes sweeping over the skinny, lanky man. He laughed. “Nothing - believe me, nothing special at all.”
“It looks much better on me than it did on you anyway,” the man snorted, winking at his own reflection while he loosely rested the scarf on his neck.
Matt sat in his seat, crunching on his candy cane and felt something inside him snap. He could take the crowds. He could take the screaming children in the dressing room. He could even accept that his hands were blistered from carrying Dom’s bags all evening. But he was not about to let some punk be disrespectful to Dom. Matt stared at the young man, shocked by his rudeness, and spoke up.
“Like fuck it does.”
“Who asked you?”
Matt walked over to him, pointing to his reflection in the mirror. “Let me give you some friendly advice, mate. Look at your skin tone. Clearly you have a pale complexion - you don’t have any business wearing a color that deep.” Matt grabbed the scarf from the stranger’s neck and walked over to Dom, wrapping it around his neck .
“But Dom, because he happens to tan so well, looks, well,” he brushed the hair back from Dom’s brow, “bloody gorgeous in that color.” He raised one eyebrow at Dom’s grinning face before walking back to the counter. He selected a beige scarf and tossed it at the young man before heading back to his seat. “Try this instead. It’s a bit softer.“ He put the candy cane back in his mouth and closed his eyes again.
The stranger was incensed, but he did as Matt suggested, holding the scarf up to his face. “Who the hell do you think you are, you…” he paused. “Huh. You’re right, really.” He eyed Matt and Dom suspiciously. “Thanks.”
Matt waved him away dismissively, crunching on the last of his candy cane.
He could hear Dom settling with the sales girl and finally, mercifully, after the longest seven hours of his life, Dom announced that he was ready to go. Matt was grateful when Dom suddenly insisted on carrying them out. Once they were in the back of the car heading toward the hotel, Dom pulled Matt close, resting his head on his shoulder.
The next few minutes were a blur. Matt was dimly aware of making the trip in to the hotel and leaning into Dom’s strong arm as they shared the lift to their room. Once inside he excused himself to take a hot shower in hopes that it would soothe his tired muscles.
When he emerged from the bathroom in a cloud of steam he headed immediately for the bed. Dom was already under the covers, and he made room for Matt to join him. Matt snuggled down into the fluffy bed, eyes already shut. He felt Dom’s arms envelop him and Dom’s lips kiss his shoulder.
“Matt?”
“Hmmm?”
Dom spoke carefully. “Since when do you know anything about skin tones and color coordination?” He placed another kiss to Matt’s shoulder.
Matt smirked. “I know a lot of things, Dom. I am, you’ll find, full of surprises.”
Dom smiled against his cheek. “You sure are, Bells. Thank you, by the way. Thank you for taking me shopping, for carrying my bags, for rescuing my green scarf from that skinny punk.” They both giggled.
“You’re welcome, Dom. Now can you let me sleep?” Matt begged.
“Why silver?” Dom demanded.
Matt groaned. “What?
“Why did you want me to get the silver scarf?”
Matt relaxed. A smile played on his lips. “Your eyes. I used to love it when you wore that silver jacket during the Absolution photoshoot. It just seemed to play against your grey eyes so well. I just thought it would look great on you.”
“Matt.”
Matt finally opened his eyes, irritated at being kept from sleeping. “What, Dom?”
“I bought something for you.”
Dom was lying next to him, his blonde hair spilling beautifully against his pillow, wearing the silver scarf. His eyes were calm and his expression was one of utter contentment. Honestly, he took Matt’s breath away.
“Do you like it?”
Matt nodded, moving closer, touching the delicate metallic fabric. He held the long end up to Dom’s eyes and nodded again, smiling softly.
“See? Gorgeous, like your eyes… absolutely gorgeous.” he leaned in and kissed Dom sweetly. “It’s perfect.”
Dom snaked one hand under his pillow and handed Matt another candy cane. The sweet gesture caught Matt off guard. He pulled Dom closer, snuggling up to him under the covers.
“Merry Christmas, Matt.”
“But it’s only the 15th, Dom.”
“Don’t care. Just wanted to say it, you know?” Dom reached out and stroked Matt’s face, Matt leaning into his touch. “Plus, well, the scarf is all I’m wearing right now. Wanna unwrap your present properly?”
Matt grinned as Dom covered his body with his own.
“Merry Christmas, Dom.”