Seventeen Steps (16a/?)
Title: Seventeen Steps (16a/?)
Author: millionstar
Pairing: Belldom (AU)
Rating: Will vary, this chapter: PG
Warnings: None
Beta: My Random Chants Selection, ophelia1971, Beta extraordinaire and a wonderful friend. &hearts
Summary: Matthew is intrigued by his newest neighbor.
Feedback: Would be lovely, if you are so inclined.
Disclaimer: I don't own Muse; the following is pure fiction.
A/N: Thanks as always to my bit reader, the lovely dolce_piccante for input and constant support! xxx
This chapter's POV: Paige
One, Two, Three, Four, Five, Six, Seven, Eight, Nine, Ten-a, Ten-b, Ten-c, Xmas Eve, Eleven, Twelve, Thirteen, Fourteen, Fifteen
I'm so excited.
I'm also terrified.
I look pretty good tonight, I think.
I'm paler than usual, though.
"Stop that."
I glance at my reflection in the mirror and can't help but smile at Dominic standing behind me. Amazed at just how in tune my twin is with me, I flush a bit. He puts his hands on my shoulders and speaks to me softly.
“You’re beautiful. Trust me. Makes sense, actually, what with you being the twin sister of such a handsome devil as myself.”
Sure enough, as I attempt to meet his eyes in the mirror, he’s checking himself out again. I can’t let that slide, now, can I?
“Are there mirrors in Matthew’s flat?” I ask innocently.
“Well, yeah. Why?”
“No reason, I was wondering if you kept one eye on it as you watched yourself gavotte…” I say, singing the last five words.
“Ah. Very funny. Because,” he cocks one eyebrow at me and sings back to me, “Dom’s so vain…”
I wince, visibly. “Dominic, we’ve talked about this. Don’t sing, yeah?” Even though he knows I’m joking, his face falls ever so slightly into a pout.
“Sorry, Dommy.” At that, his face breaks into a toothy grin. I turn and hug him tightly.
“I love you, you know.”
He holds me closer and places a kiss to the top of my head. “I know. I love you, too. I hope you have a great night with Tom. Well, wait, not too great a night.” Suddenly a look of uncertainty mars his face and he takes a step away from me. “Actually, when will you be home?”
Man, he makes it too easy sometimes.
“What makes you think I’m coming home at all?” I purr, shooting him an obnoxious wink.
“But, you-” he sputters indignantly, his mouth dropping, “oh, stop it!”
“You’re worrying too much,” I smile.
“Will you have your mobile on you in case I want to call to make sure you’re alright?”
“What? No! Dom, if you call me tonight I’ll bleach your green trousers while you‘re sleeping.” I warn. “I-”
“How are you feeling right now? Still okay?” he interrupts, now pacing back and forth across the floor at a dizzying pace. I thought we were past all this, and I’m at a loss as to how to make Dominic understand that not only will I be fine tonight, but also that I need this. These past couple of days I’ve felt, well, normal, for the first time in ages. It’s hard to put into words. It’s like… I feel like Paige Howard again, not like Paige Howard, Cancer Patient.
But, this is what Dominic does now. He worries about me. He’s got my mobile now, checking to see that the battery is fully charged. He’s so into the task at hand, that he doesn’t notice the door of our flat opening, nor does he notice the cheeky smile that the young man walking swiftly toward him sends my way.
When Matthew grabs him by the hand, Dominic is momentarily startled. Once he realizes that Matthew is here, though, his face lights up like you wouldn’t believe. I can’t help but smile as Matthew cups his face sweetly and places a quick kiss on his lips. My mobile now forgotten, Dominic draws Matthew close to him, a look of pure and complete happiness on his face.
It makes me smile. It also makes me wonder just how serious these two have become.
Matthew walks over to me, kissing my cheek. “You look absolutely gorgeous. Poor Tom isn’t going to know what hit him when he sees you.”
“Oh, stop that,” I joke with a laugh, hugging him, “it’s quite obvious that you’re the hottest thing in this flat tonight, Matthew. My dear brother seems to have lost the ability to speak.” Matthew turns to look and catches Dominic looking at his arse, a faraway look on his face.
Calmly, Matthew speaks. “Dominic, the building’s on fire.”
“Hmmm? Do what now?” My twin shakes himself out of his reverie, causing Matthew and I to burst into laughter.
“Let’s go, you,” he orders, tossing Dominic his leather jacket. “You’re coming with me.”
“What?”
“We’re gonna watch cheesy, old, black & white horror movies tonight at my place.”
Dominic frowns, putting one arm through Matthew‘s. “But you don’t even own a telly!”
“Don‘t need one. All we need is my laptop, the couch and a blanket, yeah?” Matthew says softly, smoothing the collar on my brother‘s shirt.
Christ, they’re adorable; it would be sickening, really, if it weren‘t so bloody cute. As they make their way to the door, Matthew winks at me and Dominic walks over to me and gives me a soft smile.
“Have an absolutely wonderful night, yeah? See you later.”
I nod. “I will, please don‘t worry!”
At the door he tries one last time. “You know, if you would just let me call you in an hour or so, just to make sure that everything‘s ok-” I start to protest, again, but instead I burst out laughing when Matthew puts one hand over my brother’s mouth and drags him out the door.
Once the door closes the butterflies manifest fully. I haven’t done this in so long, and I’m just afraid of making a fool of myself once I’m alone with Tom. I walk aimlessly around the flat, until I finally find myself in front of the full length mirror in Dominic’s bedroom. The more I think about it, it’s entirely possible that I’m overdressed; the skirt might be a bit much. It’s black, long ,and flowing and it just, well, it makes me feel pretty.
You have to remember, I haven’t felt pretty for a long time.
Kelly picked out the dark pink shirt I’m wearing this morning when she and I went shopping. Suddenly I hear the knock at the door.
Oh God. Okay. It’s okay.
My body is buzzing as I head toward the door, and it only gets worse once I open it, because he, I just, he’s just, oh… he’s the most gorgeous creature I‘ve ever seen.
Delicious, even.
Tom’s dressed in black from head to toe. His trousers are hugging his body in all the right ways, and I make a mental note to check out his arse in them as soon as I can. What? Believe me, you’d be doing the same thing if you were me, trust me. My eyes sweep up his body, taking in the way the top couple of buttons of his shirt are undone, exposing his neck and throat perfectly. My heart skips a beat as I realize that his face is peppered with a delicious-looking hint of stubble. His eyes are cast slightly downward and it hits me that we‘ve spent the last twenty seconds checking each other out. When our eyes finally meet we both laugh.
“Hello, you.” he says with a big smile.
“Hello, yourself,” I reply happily. There’s a fine dusting of snow on his head and before I can stop myself I take a step forward into the hall to brush some of it away. Beneath the tiny, frozen flakes his brown locks are silky soft.
He makes a move to help me but suddenly we both hear a noise down the hall, suspiciously coming from Matthew’s flat. Tom and I both cross our arms, as we turn our heads in the direction of said flat. As if on cue, after a few seconds, the door opens slightly and two heads, one blonde, one brunet, peek out ever so slowly.
“Hi Mum, hi Dad!” Tom calls out cheerfully, waving like an excited little boy.
Upon seeing that they’ve been caught out, however, they both duck back inside quickly and shut the door.
“Unbelievable!” I mutter, still glaring down the hall.
“Wow,” Tom whispers.
I glance at him, unsure of what he means. He shuffles his feet and blushes before speaking.
“It’s just that, well, uh…”
“What is it?” I smirk, shrugging my coat on as the door swings shut.
“You’re beautiful when you’re angry!”
Of course now it’s my turn to blush, and at that we both burst out laughing.
“This has to stop, right now, you know.” I warn, shooting him a quick grin. “For the rest of the night, no more blushing from either of us, okay?”
Tom sighs and shakes his head.
“I’ll try. But, I promise nothing.”
Author: millionstar
Pairing: Belldom (AU)
Rating: Will vary, this chapter: PG
Warnings: None
Beta: My Random Chants Selection, ophelia1971, Beta extraordinaire and a wonderful friend. &hearts
Summary: Matthew is intrigued by his newest neighbor.
Feedback: Would be lovely, if you are so inclined.
Disclaimer: I don't own Muse; the following is pure fiction.
A/N: Thanks as always to my bit reader, the lovely dolce_piccante for input and constant support! xxx
This chapter's POV: Paige
One, Two, Three, Four, Five, Six, Seven, Eight, Nine, Ten-a, Ten-b, Ten-c, Xmas Eve, Eleven, Twelve, Thirteen, Fourteen, Fifteen
I'm so excited.
I'm also terrified.
I look pretty good tonight, I think.
I'm paler than usual, though.
"Stop that."
I glance at my reflection in the mirror and can't help but smile at Dominic standing behind me. Amazed at just how in tune my twin is with me, I flush a bit. He puts his hands on my shoulders and speaks to me softly.
“You’re beautiful. Trust me. Makes sense, actually, what with you being the twin sister of such a handsome devil as myself.”
Sure enough, as I attempt to meet his eyes in the mirror, he’s checking himself out again. I can’t let that slide, now, can I?
“Are there mirrors in Matthew’s flat?” I ask innocently.
“Well, yeah. Why?”
“No reason, I was wondering if you kept one eye on it as you watched yourself gavotte…” I say, singing the last five words.
“Ah. Very funny. Because,” he cocks one eyebrow at me and sings back to me, “Dom’s so vain…”
I wince, visibly. “Dominic, we’ve talked about this. Don’t sing, yeah?” Even though he knows I’m joking, his face falls ever so slightly into a pout.
“Sorry, Dommy.” At that, his face breaks into a toothy grin. I turn and hug him tightly.
“I love you, you know.”
He holds me closer and places a kiss to the top of my head. “I know. I love you, too. I hope you have a great night with Tom. Well, wait, not too great a night.” Suddenly a look of uncertainty mars his face and he takes a step away from me. “Actually, when will you be home?”
Man, he makes it too easy sometimes.
“What makes you think I’m coming home at all?” I purr, shooting him an obnoxious wink.
“But, you-” he sputters indignantly, his mouth dropping, “oh, stop it!”
“You’re worrying too much,” I smile.
“Will you have your mobile on you in case I want to call to make sure you’re alright?”
“What? No! Dom, if you call me tonight I’ll bleach your green trousers while you‘re sleeping.” I warn. “I-”
“How are you feeling right now? Still okay?” he interrupts, now pacing back and forth across the floor at a dizzying pace. I thought we were past all this, and I’m at a loss as to how to make Dominic understand that not only will I be fine tonight, but also that I need this. These past couple of days I’ve felt, well, normal, for the first time in ages. It’s hard to put into words. It’s like… I feel like Paige Howard again, not like Paige Howard, Cancer Patient.
But, this is what Dominic does now. He worries about me. He’s got my mobile now, checking to see that the battery is fully charged. He’s so into the task at hand, that he doesn’t notice the door of our flat opening, nor does he notice the cheeky smile that the young man walking swiftly toward him sends my way.
When Matthew grabs him by the hand, Dominic is momentarily startled. Once he realizes that Matthew is here, though, his face lights up like you wouldn’t believe. I can’t help but smile as Matthew cups his face sweetly and places a quick kiss on his lips. My mobile now forgotten, Dominic draws Matthew close to him, a look of pure and complete happiness on his face.
It makes me smile. It also makes me wonder just how serious these two have become.
Matthew walks over to me, kissing my cheek. “You look absolutely gorgeous. Poor Tom isn’t going to know what hit him when he sees you.”
“Oh, stop that,” I joke with a laugh, hugging him, “it’s quite obvious that you’re the hottest thing in this flat tonight, Matthew. My dear brother seems to have lost the ability to speak.” Matthew turns to look and catches Dominic looking at his arse, a faraway look on his face.
Calmly, Matthew speaks. “Dominic, the building’s on fire.”
“Hmmm? Do what now?” My twin shakes himself out of his reverie, causing Matthew and I to burst into laughter.
“Let’s go, you,” he orders, tossing Dominic his leather jacket. “You’re coming with me.”
“What?”
“We’re gonna watch cheesy, old, black & white horror movies tonight at my place.”
Dominic frowns, putting one arm through Matthew‘s. “But you don’t even own a telly!”
“Don‘t need one. All we need is my laptop, the couch and a blanket, yeah?” Matthew says softly, smoothing the collar on my brother‘s shirt.
Christ, they’re adorable; it would be sickening, really, if it weren‘t so bloody cute. As they make their way to the door, Matthew winks at me and Dominic walks over to me and gives me a soft smile.
“Have an absolutely wonderful night, yeah? See you later.”
I nod. “I will, please don‘t worry!”
At the door he tries one last time. “You know, if you would just let me call you in an hour or so, just to make sure that everything‘s ok-” I start to protest, again, but instead I burst out laughing when Matthew puts one hand over my brother’s mouth and drags him out the door.
Once the door closes the butterflies manifest fully. I haven’t done this in so long, and I’m just afraid of making a fool of myself once I’m alone with Tom. I walk aimlessly around the flat, until I finally find myself in front of the full length mirror in Dominic’s bedroom. The more I think about it, it’s entirely possible that I’m overdressed; the skirt might be a bit much. It’s black, long ,and flowing and it just, well, it makes me feel pretty.
You have to remember, I haven’t felt pretty for a long time.
Kelly picked out the dark pink shirt I’m wearing this morning when she and I went shopping. Suddenly I hear the knock at the door.
Oh God. Okay. It’s okay.
My body is buzzing as I head toward the door, and it only gets worse once I open it, because he, I just, he’s just, oh… he’s the most gorgeous creature I‘ve ever seen.
Delicious, even.
Tom’s dressed in black from head to toe. His trousers are hugging his body in all the right ways, and I make a mental note to check out his arse in them as soon as I can. What? Believe me, you’d be doing the same thing if you were me, trust me. My eyes sweep up his body, taking in the way the top couple of buttons of his shirt are undone, exposing his neck and throat perfectly. My heart skips a beat as I realize that his face is peppered with a delicious-looking hint of stubble. His eyes are cast slightly downward and it hits me that we‘ve spent the last twenty seconds checking each other out. When our eyes finally meet we both laugh.
“Hello, you.” he says with a big smile.
“Hello, yourself,” I reply happily. There’s a fine dusting of snow on his head and before I can stop myself I take a step forward into the hall to brush some of it away. Beneath the tiny, frozen flakes his brown locks are silky soft.
He makes a move to help me but suddenly we both hear a noise down the hall, suspiciously coming from Matthew’s flat. Tom and I both cross our arms, as we turn our heads in the direction of said flat. As if on cue, after a few seconds, the door opens slightly and two heads, one blonde, one brunet, peek out ever so slowly.
“Hi Mum, hi Dad!” Tom calls out cheerfully, waving like an excited little boy.
Upon seeing that they’ve been caught out, however, they both duck back inside quickly and shut the door.
“Unbelievable!” I mutter, still glaring down the hall.
“Wow,” Tom whispers.
I glance at him, unsure of what he means. He shuffles his feet and blushes before speaking.
“It’s just that, well, uh…”
“What is it?” I smirk, shrugging my coat on as the door swings shut.
“You’re beautiful when you’re angry!”
Of course now it’s my turn to blush, and at that we both burst out laughing.
“This has to stop, right now, you know.” I warn, shooting him a quick grin. “For the rest of the night, no more blushing from either of us, okay?”
Tom sighs and shakes his head.
“I’ll try. But, I promise nothing.”