"Kiss Me, I'm Irish" [1/3]
Title: “Kiss Me, I’m Irish”
Author: zetastation
Beta: easilyerased
Pairing: Belldom
Setting: AU - Ballybay, Ireland.
Rating: NC-17 (PG-13 for this one)
Warnings: diva!Dom, language (for this one... hehe)
Prompt: by the adorable thekeyholder - Dom plans to go somewhere fancy for Christmas, but shit happens and he ends up in a small remote town where he gets to know Matthew (who is annoying at first). Entry for snowpremacy 2013.
Feedback: as good as Matt wearing just socks and a phone.
Disclaimer: I don’t own Muse and this is a work of fiction, never happened. The places mentioned here in this story exist for real and I don’t own them. No offence intended.
Author’s Note: So, this has been done and ready since last Thursday (here) and a MILLION thanks to Nat for having beta’d this before finishing her own. You’re such an angel! <3 I had so much fun (and good stress) writing this story! I found the prompt so good and kind of a challenge to me and I started working on it since the beginning of November.
I don’t know if fortunately or unfortunately, I couldn’t picture this any shorter. I’m sorry if this is too long! Since it has 9253 words, I’ve split it in three parts because LJ is a bitch and won't let me post the whole thing in one shot. Thank you very much ilurvebelldom and nuraicha for plotting with me and putting up with my whining and take_a_bow06 for helping me to organise a soundtrack for this story (you can check it here).
Also, I apologize for my ignorance about Irish traditions and any other inaccuracy you’ll certainly find in the plot; I went through a lot of research (special thanks to Google and Google Street View lol) and tried my best to recreate an Irish scenario here, but of course it’s not 100% right.
So, Brigi, I hope I had not disappointed you! This is also sort of a belated birthday gift <3
Hope you all will enjoy this! And Merry Christmas guys! <3
Part 2 - Part 3
“Ballybay?!” I asked the stewardess, confused, as soon as I heard the pilot announcing the flight’s destination. “We are going where?!”
“Ballybay, sir,” she repeated with a trained smile on her face. I hate false smiles. I hate stewardess. They’re always smiling and being polite. Are they robots?! Can’t they be a bit more human? “We’ll be there at one thirty.”
“What?! Aren’t we going to Dublin?!”
“I’m sorry, sir. This is Airbus A319. Dublin’s flight is Airbus A391.” She faked a sad frown and stepped away from me.
“Wait!” I undid the safety belt and stood up, hurrying to catch the woman.
“Sir! Please, return to your seat! We’re in mid-air!”
“I don’t give a shit! I’m not supposed to go to Bally-fucking-bay!” I groaned in annoyance. What the hell was happening?! “You must help me!”
“Sir…” She sighed and turned on her heels. “Follow me, please.” I obeyed and she led me to a place with more stewardess. “Show me your ticket, please.” I put my hand into the front pocket of my trousers and took the ticket, handing it to the woman. She studied it thoroughly and frowned after a few seconds.
“What?” I crossed my arms and shifted my weight to one leg.
“Mr. Howard, I’m sorry. I don’t know what your plans were, but you bought a ticket to Ballybay instead.” She pointed to the paper, exactly where the destination was written. She was right, it was really written Ballybay…
“Oh, fuck! Fuck, fuck!! Fuck, Emma!!!” I cursed, clenching my fists and recalled the moment when I bought the ticket.
Well, actually it was Emma, my big sister, who bought them.
She’s a weird woman, she liked to spend the whole day admiring landscapes, nature and shit like that. For fuck’s sake! How can a 25 years old woman like to do such things?! Can’t she realize how much she’s losing? I mean, we always lived in big cities, megalopolis, full of skyscrapers, boulevards filled with tons of cars and people walking, running, or whatever.
How can Emma like to be close to dirty plants, wild animals? There’s mud and insects everywhere she likes! Why can’t she be a normal person and stay in the city? And it’s so much better and comfortable! You don’t need to walk too much because you can always call a taxi; but somehow she prefers to ride a horse, a bicycle or just use her feet to go somewhere.
I can’t understand a person like her.
Worse! She’s a vegan and avoids any sort of cosmetics! How can someone live without body lotions, perfume?
Sometimes I wonder if she’s really my sister. We’re so different…
And it’s her bloody fault if I took the wrong flight! I told her I wanted to go to Dublin because my classmates would be there too. You know, classes were over and I decided to spend the Christmas with my friends. I remember she was in a hurry, mumbling some crap about Ballybay, that she needed to visit there because of the fishing competitions. Not that she was going to join it, but she was determined to intervene the event. Emma is against any kind of killing. She’s paranoid!
Oh, man! I was fucking sure she had mistaken the destinations when she was buying the tickets!!! And she hadn’t even checked them to see if everything was alright! I hate her so much right now.
“You have to put me in the right flight!” I required, sounding a bit harsh.
“Sir, we can’t do anything. It wasn’t the company’s fault.”
“But I don’t want to go to Ballybay! I don’t even know anyone there! And I’ve booked a room in a big hotel in Dublin, not Ballybay!”
“As I told you, we can’t do anything. But I suggest you buy a new ticket as soon as we land.” She smiled again. “Please, come back to your seat, sir.”
I can’t believe this is happening.
***
As soon as the plane landed, I ran to buy a ticket to Dublin, but to my misfortune, the seller told me there weren’t any free planes anymore.
“What?! Are you saying the next flight will be only on December 25th?”
“Unfortunately, yes, sir. Starting at noon.”
“I’m fucked…” I sighed and felt the urge to bang my head on the wall. “Fine, I’ll buy one.” That was my only chance to get away from the middle of nowhere.
It was already nighttime, almost 10 p.m. and I was sure Ballybay was that type of city where grumpy old people who go to sleep with the chickens live. Boring people.
Unwilling, I walked through the empty streets, observing my surroundings and looking for some regular hotel to spend the night. Also, I tried to call Emma, but there wasn’t any mobile signal.
Shit.
It was all her fault… I’ll waste Christmas in some godforsaken place where I don’t know a damn soul.
Still paying attention to where I was passing through, I noticed the lack of high buildings. No way! Where will I find a good place to sleep?! There’s NO chance I’ll sleep on a single bed with thin mattress and old duvets, nor book a room without a bathtub, because, let’s be honest, I don’t deserve to shower while I could have a hot, relaxing bath. And let’s not talk about the pillows! It’ll be the same as if I was resting my head against a rock.
After a few more minutes walking - and spoiling my new polished shoes with a mix of mud and snow from the street - I spotted a small bar; The Gateway was its name. It was a small yellowish establishment with windows, door and details in a reddish tone of dark brown. I decided to go there and ask for information and, of course, to ask something hot to drink. I was freezing, for fuck’s sake!
When I entered the place I noticed how simplistic it was; peeling walls, old painting, wooden furniture and a small fireplace at the back of the room. There were a few men inside the bar, drinking and chatting; but what caught my attention was a young guy among all the drunk, old ones. He was brunet and was probably the barkeeper, judging by his position behind the counter, cleaning a glass with a tea towel.
I observed, curious, the way he smiled at some of his customers once in a while, and noticed a wonky tooth. That was a funny detail about that good looking man. He couldn’t be too much older than me.
He was quite… handsome.
Carrying my bag and walking towards the counter, I discreetly fixed my hair - which, after all the stress and my long, tiring day, was much too messed - and smoothed my jacket, trying to get rid of the wrinkles on the fabric. “Uh, hi,” I said. The brunet, who was still cleaning the glasses, looked up and I noticed his piercing blue eyes.
“Good evening, sir,” he greeted me, his lips twitching into a quick smile. “What would you like to drink?”
“Something hot, of course. Can’t you see I’m freezing?!” I rolled my eyes, sighing and rubbing my hands together. Seriously? Was it possible that this guy was as stupid as he was cute?!
I realized he had frowned at me, but I just shrugged that off. When he was about to say something, I felt a big, heavy hand land on my shoulder. I looked at the hand and then to its owner; a bearded man around forty years old. He was really drunk, judging by the red colour of his face, the silly smile on his lips and the strong smell of alcohol emanated by his big mouth. I wrinkled my nose, disgusted by his reckless appearance and smell, withdrawing my shoulder so I found myself free from his hand.
“Matthew boy makesss the bessst Irisssh coffee eveeer!” the man said and burst out giggling; a strong Irish accent in his voice. I quirked my eyebrows and looked back at the barkeeper. Then I noticed a discrete label on the pocket of his jacket; it said Bellamy, M. I suppose the ‘M’ is for Matthew.
“Thank you, Mr. O’Brien.” Matthew - I’ll call him that for now - nodded. “So.” He threw the tea towel over his shoulder, and it miraculously got onto the hook on the cupboard. “Would you like to try an Irish coffee?”
“Yeah, whatever. If it’ll warm me, I’m fine with it.” I sat on the bar stool and waited for the guy to prepare said coffee. I saw him pouring whiskey into a glass, then he added black coffee, mixed in two spoonfuls of brown sugar and stirred for some time. At the end, he poured fresh cream onto it and handed me the glass. I took a deep breath, inhaling the coffee scent; it had a really good smell.
“Enjoy.”
I took a sip from the beverage and for the first time that evening I could feel my tense muscles relaxing a bit while I was drinking and feeling the good warmth going down my throat. “Not bad,” I admitted. “Well, do you know some good place I can find to spend the night in?”
“Hm, our best one is definitely the Killyliss House, but I’ve heard they don’t have free rooms anymore. You know, it’s Christmas time.” Matthew scratched his chin. “Actually, I think there won’t be any free hotel around… Not until December 26th. But you can always try an inn.”
“What? There’s no fucking way I’ll sleep in an inn!” I snorted and shook my head. Matthew frowned. “Listen, money is not a problem to me, okay? So, I already know there’s not any real good place around, but I’ll try this Killyliss House.”
“They don’t have free rooms,” he said in a firm tone.
“Who said? And I told you money is not a problem, so I’m sure they can find an empty room if they’re clever enough. But maybe they’re so stupid that won’t realize my offer.”
“What the hell are you trying to do?” He crossed his arms over his chest. “Get them to kick someone out? At Christmas?”
“You got me.” I rolled my eyes and put the money for the coffee on the counter. “Keep the change, hick.” I winked, grabbed my bag and walked towards the exit.
“What?!” I heard him asking, outraged, and when I was about the leave, I felt him tugging on my jacket so I turned to face him. I found Matthew frowning deeply with anger in his eyes. “Who the fuck do you think you are to come into my place and talk crap about my city and its people? Also, we’re not hicks and even if we were, what the fuck do you have to do with it?! You don’t fucking know us so stop talking bullshit! Get out of here right now, and don’t come back! And I don’t need your fucking money.” He threw the money on the street and pushed me out of the bar, closing the door behind me.
I was, technically, kicked out of somewhere. That had never happened to me before! “No one kicks me out of nowhere!” I shouted at the door and stepped away, collecting the money from the ground.
***
Damn it! I went to all the hotels in Ballybay, but there were no vacancies! And, as I’ve learned, they didn’t accept my money to organise a free room for me. Worst thing was that it had begun to snow. I caught sight of a bar, not so far from where I was, and ran in its direction. I could at least escape from the blizzard.
I sighed deeply in relief as soon as I was inside the place, but when I looked around, I felt the urge to scream. How could I not have recognized it?! “No fucking way!” I muttered to myself when I spotted the brunet staring at me, furiously, from behind the counter.
“What the fuck are you doing here? I’ve thought I had told you not to come back again.”
There was no one left in the bar, he was probably about to close the place. “I didn’t mean to come back,” I said, honestly. “But there’s a blizzard outside and I don’t want to freeze to death!”
“I’d pay to see that happening.” Matthew narrowed his eyes, smirking. How dare he?! “Look at the poor city child!” He was cheeky enough to say that in a mocking tone, pouting and chuckling at the end. I felt my blood boiling. That stupid hick… I wanted to jump on him and strangle him!
How the hell did I feel a tiny little bit attracted to him earlier?!
“I’m serious! I didn’t find anywhere to go. I don’t know what to do!”
“I might know somewhere you can spend the night,” he said, scratching his chin.
“Where?!” I widened my eyes and, certainly, they were shining with hope.
“There’s this nice barn not so far from here,” Matthew said, shrugging. “I’ll drive you there, if you like.” He tried, but he was not able to hide the mischievous smile on his silly face. “They say that the horses there are docile and a great company in cold nights.” His giggle was hurting my ears. Oh, I hate him so damn much!
“What?! No way! I won’t sleep with horses!” I couldn’t help the high pitched voice I suddenly had at that moment.
“The barn is not fancy enough for you? So you’ll have to freeze outside because you won’t stay here. I’m closing.” Matthew walked out from behind the counter, taking his keys and coat and headed for the door.
He put his hand on the doorknob and when he was about to turn it, I shouted, “Wait!” Matthew stopped and looked at me. “T-this barn… There is a house there, right? The owners of that place would accept me, maybe?” I sighed, feeling humiliated for asking for something like that.
“Probably. Who knows?”
“Uh, do they at least have a double bed and a bathtub?”
“What?!” he squeaked, arching his eyebrows. “Oh, please!” Rolling his eyes, he snorted and shook his head. “You know what? You’re a pain in the arse, for fuck’s sake! Not even the horses deserve your company.”
“What?!”
“Mummy’s boy wants a warm double bed during the night and a thick duvet to avoid the cold!” he mocked. “Mummy’s boy wants a bathtub just to play with the bubbles and his little duck.”
“Stop it! It’s not funny!” I barked, annoyed. “Shut up! I don’t even care if I’ll sleep with horses; just tell me a place to spend the night.” I hadn’t thought at that moment how desperate I was sounding. “Please!” What a shame! Dominic Howard never begs.
Matthew just kept staring at me for a long time, but then he shook his head and sighed loudly before putting on his coat. “Shut up and come with me.” He opened the door and the cold wind assaulted us.
***
“Where are we?” I asked, curious, when he turned off the engine. We were on a street with many small houses.
“See that house with a red door?” he asked while undoing his safety belt.
“Yeah?”
“That’s mine.” He jumped out of his car and ran to said door, opening it before the blizzard got worse. I was still inside the car and saw Matthew waving to me.
“I can’t believe it…” I rubbed my brow before going to his house. When we were inside it, I brushed the snow off my clothes and hair, using this time to take a look around. Matthew had a simplistic house without any of the fancy things I was used to. A worn checkered couch was in the middle of the living room, facing an unlit fireplace and surrounded by simple wooden furniture.
“What? Not your cup of tea?” he asked, impatient.
“Definitely not. But it’s just for one night. I suppose I won’t die.” I hoped so.
“You’re ruthless and ungrateful!”
“And you’re so grumpy, for fuck’s sake!”
“Why did I bring him here?!” He threw his hands up and looked up, as if he was talking to god or something.
“Can you please show me my room? I’m dead tired if you haven’t noticed yet.”
“Your room?” Matthew laughed and I looked at him, confused.
“Why are you laughing?”
“This,” he patted on the arm of the couch. “is your ‘room’.”
“You’ve got to be kidding me.”
“Nope.” He started walking towards the stairs and I followed him.
“Where are you going?! I can’t sleep on the couch; it’ll fuck up my back!”
“I’m sure you’ll survive.” I heard him chuckling while opening the door of which I presumed was his bedroom. He closed the door in my face and I started banging on it.
“Oi! Are you serious?!” He came back a few moments later, holding a duvet and a pillow and pressed them in my arms. “What’s that?”
“Do you know how to light up a fireplace?” Matthew suddenly asked and I nodded. “So I hope you’ll enjoy your stay.” He smirked before closing the door again. This time I heard him locking it.
“This can’t be happening,” I sighed.
***
Author's Note: For all that I've researched, Ballybay doesn't have an airport, but this is an AU fanfiction and won't kill our happiness xD