RP Log with mattdevlin | Best Laid Plans
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Matt had made it home for Valetine's Day with about 3 minutes of the day to spare. He had been on the go since 5am since they got the call out of the new case, and he and Ronnie only managed to clear the decks to go home at around 11.30 that night. He was apologetic, of course, and somewhere through all that admitted that he had never really been hooked up on Valentine's Day and hadn't ever taken much of a liking to it. That wasn't to say he wasn't going to try, only they agreed to take a raincheck on it and celebrate it the next day, which turned out to be a day Matt was forced to take off because he had worked too many hours in the last week. Apparently according to the police force policy, even coppers needed a rest period, case or not. So, after a good night of heavy sleep, Matt had woken up feeling a lot more refreshed the next morning and a long shower with a shave was just the icing on the cake.
He came out of the bathroom wrapped in just a towel and made his way towards the kitchen, his stomach starting to growl in anticipation of breakfast. His last meal had been half a soggy burrito left over from the day before that left Ronnie complaining about Matt's digestive system when they were stuck in a car together on a stake out. Matt was almost drooling at the thought of a good fry up with lashings of bacon, eggs and sausage. How anyone could survive on eating something like grapefruit for breakfast was beyond him. He found Vee in the kitchen and came up behind her, wrapping his arms around her waist and resting his head on her shoulders as he leaned just a little to flick the kettle on for coffee. "Did you sleep okay, love?" he asked her, kissing the side of her neck.
"Mm... yes, thank you. Did you?" Vee murmured as she reached behind her to find his ass covered in just the towel. "You know, I think you should always wear just a towel. It's criminal how fucking sexy you are wearing one." She didn't move to face him, enjoying the embrace too much as her other arm covered his, and her fingers brushed over the back of his hand. She hadn't minded that he'd got in late, even if she had been looking forward to 'raping Elmo' as Euan had put it. In fact, she hadn't even had a chance to tell Matt yet that her former partner was back in town. "I need to tell you something."
Matt laughed. "Oh yeah? Not sure the loved ones of the murder victims I'm questioning would really appreciate that," he deduced and unhooked a couple of mugs from where they were hanging on the rack near the kettle. "I did sleep well, actually. First time in a while. I think I was anticipating it more than I realised. It's been a hell of a few weeks. Hell of a few months, actually. Lots of stuff going on from all directions. I'm sorry again about the Valentine's Day thing. I only remembered it was even that when the lass at the coffee cart served me pink coffee as a Valentine's bonus. I kept expecting it to taste like strawberry and I couldn't bloody enjoy it. It made it worse that it was covered in pink sprinkles." He raised an eyebrow warily. "You do? That sounds quite ominous. Do I need to sit down? You aren't going to whip out a positive pregnancy test or anything, are you? Should I get an ambulance on stand by?"
"Shame. Maybe it's just a policy we should instigate around the house. You always wear a towel, I'll always just wear lacy panties." She turned just enough to look at him from over her shoulder, and smiled as she tilted her head back to brush a kiss against his jaw. "You've probably been carrying a lot of the worry over the Scot and the suit's case, too. Now that it's over with you can get back to normal. Or as normal as handling cases with strangers is. It's fine about Valentine's Day. It was just a stupid idea. I mean, it's the first time I've been properly hooked up around one. Like with a boyfriend, and not just a lay, or whatever. Mostly I used to ignore it, so I guess I just wanted to see what it was like doing the romance thing. But we don't need a holiday for that. She made you what? Ew... That's worse than Euan's green Guinness on Saint Patrick's Day. How did the sprinkles not melt?" Vee nodded, and did turn around this time as she wrapped her arms around his neck and looked at Matt. "Yes, I do. And no, you don't. Nothing involving babies or hospitals. Euan's going to be a DS at your... I was going to say precinct, but that's not right, is it? He's moving to London. Sneaky prick lined up a job and didn't tell anyone. Sneaky prick also managed to get offered a promotion in New York, but he turned it down. He doesn't want to be a desk jockey."
"And guarantee, Ronnie will make it that day to start dropping around for a daily coffee," Matt predicted in amusement. "Then we really could have a heart attack on our hands. That case rode really close to home. I've known Evans since he transferred from Scotland. Not personally, mind, but in passing. It was why I was amused when Gee told me that she thought he was odd, because I really hadn't gotten that feeling about. Turns out the poor guy was just dealing with the aftermath of a case, and wasn't acting top notch like he would. I'm glad they've sorted things out, but then it all hit the fan with the lawyer, who really does have quite the name in London and the case was high profile before we knew what was happening. It wears you down. You try to remain impartial but it's impossible. It drives you on adrenaline to get the job done ASAP so it doesn't keep wearing down on everyone involved, but when it's over, you just inevitably come crashing down from the high." He was getting everything out of the cupboard for a coffee, or he would be way too tempted to just crawl back into bed and sleep the day away. "Yeah, the sprinkles just sort of squished together and made the coffee lump- what? What did you say? He's here? In London?!" he asked, looking at her like she was mental.
Vee leaned back on the counter as she watched him, her eyes more than focused on his waist, and those luscious hip dents of his she just wanted to lick every time she saw him. It was unfair that Matt was just so damn sexy. Then again, at least he had intelligence and wit to match. "Is he likely to do that? How is he, anyway? Still thinks I'm going to suck out your soul and wear your skin as a dress? I know, baby, and I can't blame you. I would have been exactly the same if it had been me in your place, and Euan in Evans. Or something like that. Cops are still human. Complete impartiality is never going to be completely achievable." She frowned a little at his look before she nodded. "Yes, unless I really did imagine him. He's here but staying in a hotel until he finds an apartment."
"Not really. I mean, he'll drop around occasionally and isn't exactly the best at giving forewarning, but he's not a pest. He mostly keeps to himself. It's usually me haunting him when I get fixated on things, and he just puts up with it. I've lost count of the amount of times he's stopped me making a dick of myself." Matt frowned a little and gave a slight nod. "Aye, never completely achievable..." he agreed and then set the coffee jar down on the counter with a small groan, rubbing a hand over his face. "Are you absolutely bloody sure he's here and not in New York? Are you bloody serious that he's just upped and moved here without word? Left his apartment in New York?"
Vee had been trailing her hand over Matt's back and stopped as he groaned, realising something was wrong, but she wasn't sure what. He and Euan hadn't gotten along that badly, had they? "Of course I'm sure, he showed up on your doorstep last night and freaked me out. There's no way he's in New York. Why? What's wrong? And yes, left the apartment. What am I missing, Irish?"
Matt really wanted to ask her if there was any chance she had dreamt it, but it would probably just succeed in pissing her off when he kept continously thinking she was a mental case. Not that he meant to do that, but it really would be much, much easier if she had dreamt it and he wouldn't even be weirded out she was dreaming about her ex partner. He kept his hand over his face for a few moments and then let out a rough sigh as he let it drop back down to his side. "Gee's gone to New York. To see him."
Vee stared at him. "Are you joking?" She waited a beat before she shook her head and answered her own question. "Fuck... He doesn't even know! She didn't... He didn't... Oh, fuck. Shit. Fuck!"
"He bloody told her to come! He told her to come visit him sometime! Clearly he never fucking meant the invitation!" Matt cried in frustration. He couldn't quite believe that everything seemed to hit the fan all over again. "Why didn't he tell you he was coming? She's had a shit couple of weeks and needed to get away, so Evans convinced her to go over there. I figured it was a good idea! It should have been a good idea. Now she's probably landed on his doorstep, and it's not even his bloody doorstep!"
This time it was Vee who covered her face with her hand as she groaned. "Goddamnit! I can't believe it... Of all the shit timing in the entire world... How long's she gone for? I need to call Euan. He has to call Gee and make this fucking right. No good ever comes of his stupid secret bullshit Irish business. He's all about making the decisions when they feel right, and not realising sometimes people need to know he's actually got decisions to make."
Matt realised he was starting to get the hints of a tension headache and he rubbed his fingers against his temples. "When did you say he got here? Last night? Is he even going to be conscious? He was jetlagged for days the first time he got here. Not that I can blame him, because it's a bitch, but bloody hell! I'll try and call Gee, or talk to Evans to see if he's spoken to her. She flew out the day before yesterday, and she's never been over there before." He huffed out another breath, trying to figure out what he should do first. "Are all your friends this much of an impulsive pain in the arse? I swear he's given me hemorrhoids."
Vee slid her arms around Matt's waist and pulled him into a hug as she kissed him softly. "Well, kind of. I mean, Euan is pretty much my only friend now. I'm sorry if he's given you haemorrhoids. I'll gladly kiss them better, or massage them, or do whatever it takes. I'm sorry, Matt. I had no idea he'd be this much of an impulsive pain in the ass. I never would have even guessed he'd wind up back here so soon. I'll go wake him up and smack him around, or something. Fuck the jet lag, he needs to make up some serious ground."
Matt had a momentary burst of selfishness that seemed to come out of nowhere. He moaned in annoyance and threw up his hands. "This is my day off! I was supposed to be relaxing!" he cried, even the thought of needing to cook breakfast putting him off now. He scrunched up his nose and fished a box of Cornflakes out of the cupboard, the cereal swishing around in the box as he dropped it heavily onto the counter. "I need to call her. Who wants to be friggen stranded in New York, of all places? No offense. But when you're a Brit and always been a Brit, that place is gonna be a shock to the system and you're on your own. That movie with the kid abandoning his family and running around there having the time of his life is bullshit."
Vee bit her lip as she watched him helplessly. "Baby, you don't have to stress about this. I mean, it's fucked. I don't doubt that. And I really, really want to give Euan a bitch slap, but it's his mess to fix. I know you should call Gee to check on her, but it won't take all day, right? You still can enjoy your day off. We can still enjoy your day off," she added hopefully. Vee picked the box up and put it back into the cupboard before going to the fridge and getting everything out for a cooked breakfast. She set the stove going, and put the pan onto it. "And it's okay, no offense taken. How long is she even going to be there if Euan isn't?"
Matt scratched his head and leant against the counter. "Mess? Did you think there was maybe a slight hint his decision might have involved her on some level? He might not see it as a mess, you know. He might see it as practical to have gotten it all set and happening so he didn't fuck anyone around by hinting he might, especially if he got cold feet about London. It might have averted crisis if she gave him a heads up that she was going, too. It's one whole big fuck up from all angles again." He pressed his lips together, working the situation over in his mind. It was going to be completely screwed if he came back here and didn't contemplate Gee's presence on some level. Matt didn't need her to verbalise it for him to see she was hooked on the bloke, he just hoped Euan wasn't as big an arsehole deep down that he declared himself to be... or Gee was going to get hurt. Again.
Vee pressed her lips together as she replayed her conversation with Euan last night. "He... didn't talk about her. Not until I brought Gee up. He was glad the case was done with, and seemed concerned about interrupting any paperwork. He also asked me how much of a grace period he had before I tried to set him up with her. I told him I was done with it! Which I am! No more interfering. I know he sees it as practical, but given the fact neither of them spoke to each other they've now had the bizarre crossover and landed in each other's cities without each other. I didn't do anything this time!" Vee felt the need to add as a defence while she held her hands up. "He's probably just keeping his thoughts about Gee to himself like everything else."
"Can't exactly blame him for being wary, though. Your cupid arrow was well mis-aimed. It's all very sudden. It sounds like he wasn't even sure he was going to do it until he just did. He probably just thought Gee would be here if he came and whatever else went on after that remained to be seen. You said yourself, he's impulsive. Reckless. Whatever else you want to call it. Are you really all that surprised he has done all this, or is it basically completely in-character for him? You wanted him here, he's here. Gee's just gone and gotten inadvertently caught up in it, and she really doesn't need to contend with any more shit, but it's happened. She just needs to know he's here, and he needs to know she's there." Matt had to unhook the towel and re-tie it when it started to slip off his hips. "What do you think his thoughts about Gee are?" he felt the need to ask. "Because now that he's here permanently, they've suddenly become more prominent."
"I know, I remember. I'm seriously regretting that entire period and wish I could have a do-over. But I've been good since then. I'm just sticking to my own self. Or your own self. Lots of talking and sharing, and not being a batshit crazy woman. Look, truth be told, I am surprised. I get him turning down the promotion, but I don't really understand completely why he's come back here. Not when he hated London so much. I'm not entirely sure of the reason except he doesn't mind that he's stuck with me again, and I think he likes the idea of staying a detective. If Gee's a factor, he's really not saying anything. I'll talk to him, you talk to Gee." Vee watched the towel slip, and almost cried out in protest when Matt re-tied it. "Baby, you really don't need the towel. I think today should be naked day," she told him as she turned to quickly flip the bacon and sausages over, and poke at the eggs to make sure nothing was burning. "I don't know... I know he'll think she's hot, but he's hardly biased in that regard. He's just always appreciated great breasts, and a great ass. I just... I don't know. That part of Euan I've never been able to tap into. I just know he likes sex, and has stopped bothering with the complications of a relationship. Then again, not sure any chicks have held his interest long enough. Not for a while."
Matt couldn't help just feeling discontent about the whole thing. It was bad enough to think of Gee over in New York along when she was probably anticipating having the guy there for at least some stress relief and a bit of something positive after all the shit. This wasn't how anyone should debrief after such a horrible case. He scratched the back of his neck, watching the breakfast cooking in the pan. "She needs more than someone who is just going to think she's hot," he said with a small frown. "He's either going to hook up with her, or he'll just want to play with her like he plays every other girl in his vicinity. And with everyone around her hooking up, she might just settle for that shit, which is screwed. Some girls are alright with that, but Gee isn't. I know she isn't. She wants more. I'm just really not convinced Euan has the capacity to fill anything she wants, but she's blinded because he's apparently such a brilliant lay." He shot her a pointed looking, knowing they had a history. "Why can I just not see any of this ending well?"
Vee sighed, and reached out to cup the side of his face. "Because you're you, and you care about your friend. Just like I care about Euan even if I know he doesn't need protecting against Gee. I just can't assure you it'll work out when I get the feeling none of us are going to be sure if he wants more with her until he's asking her out, or sweeping her off her feet, or whatever it is he does do when he's ready to date someone. It's a waiting game, and it's a shit one. I'm sorry, Irish."
Matt's forehead creased as he looked at her. "Have you seriously never seen him date someone? But you know he has, it's just like Nessie. You think it exists, but no one has ever really seen it? You know him, how do you think he would be dating someone? Would he do the right things, or is dating in his head just fucking with the odd bunch of flowers? Because Gee, she's..." He sighed heavily. "Had a really bad relationship experience in the past."
She gave a shake of her head. "Seriously. And you're right about that comparison. I'm still wondering if it has really happened, but he assures me it has. Honestly? I think he'd be a great boyfriend. He's rough around the edges, but that's just Euan. You take him as you see him, or you don't take him at all. He was actually pretty good when Gee needed him before he left. Don't you think? And he let her take care of him which was huge." Vee's brows drew together as looked at him. "No wonder you're being so protective."
"What about Gee? Would she alone be enough to... satisfy him?" Matt asked, scrunching his nose up at the way he had to put it. "Because he's like a sex addict or something. She said he was. He seemed to give her some of what she needed, but I was too busy wanting to smack him around a bit just for the sake of it. It's not that I don't think she can hold her own. But he's just... all sex, and sex was a big factor in her relationship that ended, and not in a good way."
Vee wet her lips and flicked the heat off as she looked to see their breakfast was cooked enough. It could afford to just sit there for a moment. "I think if anyone has a chance it's her. She's smart, she's sweet, she's funny, she really is sexy, and she's a cop. She gets the cop life, and he doesn't need to feel guilty about it. She's real. Euan's just... sleeping around is like wanking for him. Why use his right hand when he can just stick his dick in a real chick?" She pulled her mouth to the side as she looked at Matt. "I wish I could say the right thing, but I really don't know what it is. I can't speak for Euan's ninja thinking."
Matt's train of thought was interrupted when his stomach growled loudly, making him feel like he hadn't eaten in a week. He gave a small snort of a laugh and rubbed it a little. "Seriously need to make up for shit stakeout food right now. I might be able to think better if I've eaten... among other things," he added, throwing her a cheeky smirk and giving her arse a small pinch. "I still only get one day off right now, may as well make the most of it. There's no snapping fingers and getting her back here in ten minutes, anyway."
Vee laughed when he pinched her ass before looping her arms around his neck and kissing him on the mouth. One of her hands dropped, and she patted his ass through the towel before she pulled away to start serving breakfast on the plates she'd pulled out earlier. "Then we better make sure you eat plenty. I'm not having you run out of energy halfway through making the most of today. I spent all last night waiting for you being horny as hell. Gee'll be alright. I hope."
"Maybe halfway to hell," Matt bargained, raising his eyebrows at her and glancing down. The towel wasn't hiding anything, nor did he have any intentions of it doing so. There was a reason he hadn't gotten dressed after the shower, he just hadn't anticipated another drama on the list, especially not one that involved Vee's elusive Irish ex-partner. Matt was exhausted the night before, but after a good night's sleep, it was evident he had taken a raincheck on other parts of his anatomy that were renewing with a vengeance.
Vee smirked as she followed his gaze, and reached out to flick the towel undone so the troublesome item was gone. She picked up a piece of bacon and held it up for him as her blue eyes shone. "A little fuel for the tank. You can't be like that, and not have me act on it, Irish. That would just be cruel," she replied as she started to sink down to her knees, and wet her lips. "Especially when I suddenly want something else for breakfast."
Matt had made it home for Valetine's Day with about 3 minutes of the day to spare. He had been on the go since 5am since they got the call out of the new case, and he and Ronnie only managed to clear the decks to go home at around 11.30 that night. He was apologetic, of course, and somewhere through all that admitted that he had never really been hooked up on Valentine's Day and hadn't ever taken much of a liking to it. That wasn't to say he wasn't going to try, only they agreed to take a raincheck on it and celebrate it the next day, which turned out to be a day Matt was forced to take off because he had worked too many hours in the last week. Apparently according to the police force policy, even coppers needed a rest period, case or not. So, after a good night of heavy sleep, Matt had woken up feeling a lot more refreshed the next morning and a long shower with a shave was just the icing on the cake.
He came out of the bathroom wrapped in just a towel and made his way towards the kitchen, his stomach starting to growl in anticipation of breakfast. His last meal had been half a soggy burrito left over from the day before that left Ronnie complaining about Matt's digestive system when they were stuck in a car together on a stake out. Matt was almost drooling at the thought of a good fry up with lashings of bacon, eggs and sausage. How anyone could survive on eating something like grapefruit for breakfast was beyond him. He found Vee in the kitchen and came up behind her, wrapping his arms around her waist and resting his head on her shoulders as he leaned just a little to flick the kettle on for coffee. "Did you sleep okay, love?" he asked her, kissing the side of her neck.
"Mm... yes, thank you. Did you?" Vee murmured as she reached behind her to find his ass covered in just the towel. "You know, I think you should always wear just a towel. It's criminal how fucking sexy you are wearing one." She didn't move to face him, enjoying the embrace too much as her other arm covered his, and her fingers brushed over the back of his hand. She hadn't minded that he'd got in late, even if she had been looking forward to 'raping Elmo' as Euan had put it. In fact, she hadn't even had a chance to tell Matt yet that her former partner was back in town. "I need to tell you something."
Matt laughed. "Oh yeah? Not sure the loved ones of the murder victims I'm questioning would really appreciate that," he deduced and unhooked a couple of mugs from where they were hanging on the rack near the kettle. "I did sleep well, actually. First time in a while. I think I was anticipating it more than I realised. It's been a hell of a few weeks. Hell of a few months, actually. Lots of stuff going on from all directions. I'm sorry again about the Valentine's Day thing. I only remembered it was even that when the lass at the coffee cart served me pink coffee as a Valentine's bonus. I kept expecting it to taste like strawberry and I couldn't bloody enjoy it. It made it worse that it was covered in pink sprinkles." He raised an eyebrow warily. "You do? That sounds quite ominous. Do I need to sit down? You aren't going to whip out a positive pregnancy test or anything, are you? Should I get an ambulance on stand by?"
"Shame. Maybe it's just a policy we should instigate around the house. You always wear a towel, I'll always just wear lacy panties." She turned just enough to look at him from over her shoulder, and smiled as she tilted her head back to brush a kiss against his jaw. "You've probably been carrying a lot of the worry over the Scot and the suit's case, too. Now that it's over with you can get back to normal. Or as normal as handling cases with strangers is. It's fine about Valentine's Day. It was just a stupid idea. I mean, it's the first time I've been properly hooked up around one. Like with a boyfriend, and not just a lay, or whatever. Mostly I used to ignore it, so I guess I just wanted to see what it was like doing the romance thing. But we don't need a holiday for that. She made you what? Ew... That's worse than Euan's green Guinness on Saint Patrick's Day. How did the sprinkles not melt?" Vee nodded, and did turn around this time as she wrapped her arms around his neck and looked at Matt. "Yes, I do. And no, you don't. Nothing involving babies or hospitals. Euan's going to be a DS at your... I was going to say precinct, but that's not right, is it? He's moving to London. Sneaky prick lined up a job and didn't tell anyone. Sneaky prick also managed to get offered a promotion in New York, but he turned it down. He doesn't want to be a desk jockey."
"And guarantee, Ronnie will make it that day to start dropping around for a daily coffee," Matt predicted in amusement. "Then we really could have a heart attack on our hands. That case rode really close to home. I've known Evans since he transferred from Scotland. Not personally, mind, but in passing. It was why I was amused when Gee told me that she thought he was odd, because I really hadn't gotten that feeling about. Turns out the poor guy was just dealing with the aftermath of a case, and wasn't acting top notch like he would. I'm glad they've sorted things out, but then it all hit the fan with the lawyer, who really does have quite the name in London and the case was high profile before we knew what was happening. It wears you down. You try to remain impartial but it's impossible. It drives you on adrenaline to get the job done ASAP so it doesn't keep wearing down on everyone involved, but when it's over, you just inevitably come crashing down from the high." He was getting everything out of the cupboard for a coffee, or he would be way too tempted to just crawl back into bed and sleep the day away. "Yeah, the sprinkles just sort of squished together and made the coffee lump- what? What did you say? He's here? In London?!" he asked, looking at her like she was mental.
Vee leaned back on the counter as she watched him, her eyes more than focused on his waist, and those luscious hip dents of his she just wanted to lick every time she saw him. It was unfair that Matt was just so damn sexy. Then again, at least he had intelligence and wit to match. "Is he likely to do that? How is he, anyway? Still thinks I'm going to suck out your soul and wear your skin as a dress? I know, baby, and I can't blame you. I would have been exactly the same if it had been me in your place, and Euan in Evans. Or something like that. Cops are still human. Complete impartiality is never going to be completely achievable." She frowned a little at his look before she nodded. "Yes, unless I really did imagine him. He's here but staying in a hotel until he finds an apartment."
"Not really. I mean, he'll drop around occasionally and isn't exactly the best at giving forewarning, but he's not a pest. He mostly keeps to himself. It's usually me haunting him when I get fixated on things, and he just puts up with it. I've lost count of the amount of times he's stopped me making a dick of myself." Matt frowned a little and gave a slight nod. "Aye, never completely achievable..." he agreed and then set the coffee jar down on the counter with a small groan, rubbing a hand over his face. "Are you absolutely bloody sure he's here and not in New York? Are you bloody serious that he's just upped and moved here without word? Left his apartment in New York?"
Vee had been trailing her hand over Matt's back and stopped as he groaned, realising something was wrong, but she wasn't sure what. He and Euan hadn't gotten along that badly, had they? "Of course I'm sure, he showed up on your doorstep last night and freaked me out. There's no way he's in New York. Why? What's wrong? And yes, left the apartment. What am I missing, Irish?"
Matt really wanted to ask her if there was any chance she had dreamt it, but it would probably just succeed in pissing her off when he kept continously thinking she was a mental case. Not that he meant to do that, but it really would be much, much easier if she had dreamt it and he wouldn't even be weirded out she was dreaming about her ex partner. He kept his hand over his face for a few moments and then let out a rough sigh as he let it drop back down to his side. "Gee's gone to New York. To see him."
Vee stared at him. "Are you joking?" She waited a beat before she shook her head and answered her own question. "Fuck... He doesn't even know! She didn't... He didn't... Oh, fuck. Shit. Fuck!"
"He bloody told her to come! He told her to come visit him sometime! Clearly he never fucking meant the invitation!" Matt cried in frustration. He couldn't quite believe that everything seemed to hit the fan all over again. "Why didn't he tell you he was coming? She's had a shit couple of weeks and needed to get away, so Evans convinced her to go over there. I figured it was a good idea! It should have been a good idea. Now she's probably landed on his doorstep, and it's not even his bloody doorstep!"
This time it was Vee who covered her face with her hand as she groaned. "Goddamnit! I can't believe it... Of all the shit timing in the entire world... How long's she gone for? I need to call Euan. He has to call Gee and make this fucking right. No good ever comes of his stupid secret bullshit Irish business. He's all about making the decisions when they feel right, and not realising sometimes people need to know he's actually got decisions to make."
Matt realised he was starting to get the hints of a tension headache and he rubbed his fingers against his temples. "When did you say he got here? Last night? Is he even going to be conscious? He was jetlagged for days the first time he got here. Not that I can blame him, because it's a bitch, but bloody hell! I'll try and call Gee, or talk to Evans to see if he's spoken to her. She flew out the day before yesterday, and she's never been over there before." He huffed out another breath, trying to figure out what he should do first. "Are all your friends this much of an impulsive pain in the arse? I swear he's given me hemorrhoids."
Vee slid her arms around Matt's waist and pulled him into a hug as she kissed him softly. "Well, kind of. I mean, Euan is pretty much my only friend now. I'm sorry if he's given you haemorrhoids. I'll gladly kiss them better, or massage them, or do whatever it takes. I'm sorry, Matt. I had no idea he'd be this much of an impulsive pain in the ass. I never would have even guessed he'd wind up back here so soon. I'll go wake him up and smack him around, or something. Fuck the jet lag, he needs to make up some serious ground."
Matt had a momentary burst of selfishness that seemed to come out of nowhere. He moaned in annoyance and threw up his hands. "This is my day off! I was supposed to be relaxing!" he cried, even the thought of needing to cook breakfast putting him off now. He scrunched up his nose and fished a box of Cornflakes out of the cupboard, the cereal swishing around in the box as he dropped it heavily onto the counter. "I need to call her. Who wants to be friggen stranded in New York, of all places? No offense. But when you're a Brit and always been a Brit, that place is gonna be a shock to the system and you're on your own. That movie with the kid abandoning his family and running around there having the time of his life is bullshit."
Vee bit her lip as she watched him helplessly. "Baby, you don't have to stress about this. I mean, it's fucked. I don't doubt that. And I really, really want to give Euan a bitch slap, but it's his mess to fix. I know you should call Gee to check on her, but it won't take all day, right? You still can enjoy your day off. We can still enjoy your day off," she added hopefully. Vee picked the box up and put it back into the cupboard before going to the fridge and getting everything out for a cooked breakfast. She set the stove going, and put the pan onto it. "And it's okay, no offense taken. How long is she even going to be there if Euan isn't?"
Matt scratched his head and leant against the counter. "Mess? Did you think there was maybe a slight hint his decision might have involved her on some level? He might not see it as a mess, you know. He might see it as practical to have gotten it all set and happening so he didn't fuck anyone around by hinting he might, especially if he got cold feet about London. It might have averted crisis if she gave him a heads up that she was going, too. It's one whole big fuck up from all angles again." He pressed his lips together, working the situation over in his mind. It was going to be completely screwed if he came back here and didn't contemplate Gee's presence on some level. Matt didn't need her to verbalise it for him to see she was hooked on the bloke, he just hoped Euan wasn't as big an arsehole deep down that he declared himself to be... or Gee was going to get hurt. Again.
Vee pressed her lips together as she replayed her conversation with Euan last night. "He... didn't talk about her. Not until I brought Gee up. He was glad the case was done with, and seemed concerned about interrupting any paperwork. He also asked me how much of a grace period he had before I tried to set him up with her. I told him I was done with it! Which I am! No more interfering. I know he sees it as practical, but given the fact neither of them spoke to each other they've now had the bizarre crossover and landed in each other's cities without each other. I didn't do anything this time!" Vee felt the need to add as a defence while she held her hands up. "He's probably just keeping his thoughts about Gee to himself like everything else."
"Can't exactly blame him for being wary, though. Your cupid arrow was well mis-aimed. It's all very sudden. It sounds like he wasn't even sure he was going to do it until he just did. He probably just thought Gee would be here if he came and whatever else went on after that remained to be seen. You said yourself, he's impulsive. Reckless. Whatever else you want to call it. Are you really all that surprised he has done all this, or is it basically completely in-character for him? You wanted him here, he's here. Gee's just gone and gotten inadvertently caught up in it, and she really doesn't need to contend with any more shit, but it's happened. She just needs to know he's here, and he needs to know she's there." Matt had to unhook the towel and re-tie it when it started to slip off his hips. "What do you think his thoughts about Gee are?" he felt the need to ask. "Because now that he's here permanently, they've suddenly become more prominent."
"I know, I remember. I'm seriously regretting that entire period and wish I could have a do-over. But I've been good since then. I'm just sticking to my own self. Or your own self. Lots of talking and sharing, and not being a batshit crazy woman. Look, truth be told, I am surprised. I get him turning down the promotion, but I don't really understand completely why he's come back here. Not when he hated London so much. I'm not entirely sure of the reason except he doesn't mind that he's stuck with me again, and I think he likes the idea of staying a detective. If Gee's a factor, he's really not saying anything. I'll talk to him, you talk to Gee." Vee watched the towel slip, and almost cried out in protest when Matt re-tied it. "Baby, you really don't need the towel. I think today should be naked day," she told him as she turned to quickly flip the bacon and sausages over, and poke at the eggs to make sure nothing was burning. "I don't know... I know he'll think she's hot, but he's hardly biased in that regard. He's just always appreciated great breasts, and a great ass. I just... I don't know. That part of Euan I've never been able to tap into. I just know he likes sex, and has stopped bothering with the complications of a relationship. Then again, not sure any chicks have held his interest long enough. Not for a while."
Matt couldn't help just feeling discontent about the whole thing. It was bad enough to think of Gee over in New York along when she was probably anticipating having the guy there for at least some stress relief and a bit of something positive after all the shit. This wasn't how anyone should debrief after such a horrible case. He scratched the back of his neck, watching the breakfast cooking in the pan. "She needs more than someone who is just going to think she's hot," he said with a small frown. "He's either going to hook up with her, or he'll just want to play with her like he plays every other girl in his vicinity. And with everyone around her hooking up, she might just settle for that shit, which is screwed. Some girls are alright with that, but Gee isn't. I know she isn't. She wants more. I'm just really not convinced Euan has the capacity to fill anything she wants, but she's blinded because he's apparently such a brilliant lay." He shot her a pointed looking, knowing they had a history. "Why can I just not see any of this ending well?"
Vee sighed, and reached out to cup the side of his face. "Because you're you, and you care about your friend. Just like I care about Euan even if I know he doesn't need protecting against Gee. I just can't assure you it'll work out when I get the feeling none of us are going to be sure if he wants more with her until he's asking her out, or sweeping her off her feet, or whatever it is he does do when he's ready to date someone. It's a waiting game, and it's a shit one. I'm sorry, Irish."
Matt's forehead creased as he looked at her. "Have you seriously never seen him date someone? But you know he has, it's just like Nessie. You think it exists, but no one has ever really seen it? You know him, how do you think he would be dating someone? Would he do the right things, or is dating in his head just fucking with the odd bunch of flowers? Because Gee, she's..." He sighed heavily. "Had a really bad relationship experience in the past."
She gave a shake of her head. "Seriously. And you're right about that comparison. I'm still wondering if it has really happened, but he assures me it has. Honestly? I think he'd be a great boyfriend. He's rough around the edges, but that's just Euan. You take him as you see him, or you don't take him at all. He was actually pretty good when Gee needed him before he left. Don't you think? And he let her take care of him which was huge." Vee's brows drew together as looked at him. "No wonder you're being so protective."
"What about Gee? Would she alone be enough to... satisfy him?" Matt asked, scrunching his nose up at the way he had to put it. "Because he's like a sex addict or something. She said he was. He seemed to give her some of what she needed, but I was too busy wanting to smack him around a bit just for the sake of it. It's not that I don't think she can hold her own. But he's just... all sex, and sex was a big factor in her relationship that ended, and not in a good way."
Vee wet her lips and flicked the heat off as she looked to see their breakfast was cooked enough. It could afford to just sit there for a moment. "I think if anyone has a chance it's her. She's smart, she's sweet, she's funny, she really is sexy, and she's a cop. She gets the cop life, and he doesn't need to feel guilty about it. She's real. Euan's just... sleeping around is like wanking for him. Why use his right hand when he can just stick his dick in a real chick?" She pulled her mouth to the side as she looked at Matt. "I wish I could say the right thing, but I really don't know what it is. I can't speak for Euan's ninja thinking."
Matt's train of thought was interrupted when his stomach growled loudly, making him feel like he hadn't eaten in a week. He gave a small snort of a laugh and rubbed it a little. "Seriously need to make up for shit stakeout food right now. I might be able to think better if I've eaten... among other things," he added, throwing her a cheeky smirk and giving her arse a small pinch. "I still only get one day off right now, may as well make the most of it. There's no snapping fingers and getting her back here in ten minutes, anyway."
Vee laughed when he pinched her ass before looping her arms around his neck and kissing him on the mouth. One of her hands dropped, and she patted his ass through the towel before she pulled away to start serving breakfast on the plates she'd pulled out earlier. "Then we better make sure you eat plenty. I'm not having you run out of energy halfway through making the most of today. I spent all last night waiting for you being horny as hell. Gee'll be alright. I hope."
"Maybe halfway to hell," Matt bargained, raising his eyebrows at her and glancing down. The towel wasn't hiding anything, nor did he have any intentions of it doing so. There was a reason he hadn't gotten dressed after the shower, he just hadn't anticipated another drama on the list, especially not one that involved Vee's elusive Irish ex-partner. Matt was exhausted the night before, but after a good night's sleep, it was evident he had taken a raincheck on other parts of his anatomy that were renewing with a vengeance.
Vee smirked as she followed his gaze, and reached out to flick the towel undone so the troublesome item was gone. She picked up a piece of bacon and held it up for him as her blue eyes shone. "A little fuel for the tank. You can't be like that, and not have me act on it, Irish. That would just be cruel," she replied as she started to sink down to her knees, and wet her lips. "Especially when I suddenly want something else for breakfast."