Matthew pulled on his pants. It'd been one hell of a night. He normally didn't let himself get lost in the heat of the moment, but a combination of alcohol and techno music in the local night club left him waking up in the room of a stranger whose name he didn't know. Naked. And sore in significant places.

He bit his lip as he buttoned up his shirt. God, he hoped they'd used protection... But, honestly, he knew they probably hadn't. If they'd have been thinking about it enough to do that, they'd have at least taken the time to have a conversation with more than the words "Oh God!" and "Harder!"

He looked over his shoulder at the man sleeping in the bed. He was naked too, laying on his stomach and breathing deeply. Matthew was glad the blankets had slipped down, revealing his muscular back and smooth skin. He blushed when he realized that there were little pink crescent moons imprinted in it from the way he had been gripping that back the night before. He pushed his glasses back up his nose and walked out into the living room.

He was glad that his impromptu lover was still fast asleep, as he wasn't familiar with the etiquette for one night stands. Although, he mused, based on the tidiness of the apartment, he had good taste in men. He smiled to himself at the amusing thought. He should be beating himself up for sleeping with a stranger, but frankly this was the first time he'd had this good of sex since college.

Then, the shit hit the fan. He'd looked up after tying his shoes and saw the picture on the bookshelf. His paramour had his arms around another man. Nuzzling him. It was almost disgusting how in love they looked. To rub salt in the wound, there was a slightly worn gold wedding band beside the picture. With his happy bubble successfully popped, Matthew started feeling the effects of his hangover. He ran to the sink and threw up.

Hours later, Matthew was curled up in his own bed, hugging his knees. The man hadn't woken up before he left, and he was glad for that. What do you say to a man for whom you are almost definitely a colossal mistake. It's not pleasant being somebody's screw up. He sighed and wished sleep would just come already. He was tortured enough as it is.

After he'd grown tired of laying there trying to cure his tiredness, he changed his mind and took a shower. He turned up the water a little too hot, like usual, and let the cool November air in the window. The cold breeze across his skin when he got out made him feel cleaner than the actual shower had.

Matthew closed his eyes and let himself be miserable for ten minutes. He had to put a time limit on or he'd never be able to get off the sofa for his depression. But, for the ten minutes, he cried. He sobbed, and buried his face in the towel, and hated everyone involved. Then, he washed his face, dried himself, and wondered what there was to cry about involving the man whose name he'd never even asked. There was an answer, in the back of his mind. He felt it pressing. But he pushed it back away, and let the day resume.

Monday came and brought with it work. Matthew had a job in an office, coding software. Somehow on all their completed projects, his name always escaped the credits. If it wasn't for his regular paychecks, Matthew'd wonder if his boss even knew he existed.

Work wasn't all bad. The secretary was his best friend. The busty woman with short light hair and just a trace of an accent. Her name was Yekaterina, but he just called her Kat. She had to answer phones and redirect customers to tech support and complaints. Matthew'd often wondered how she tolerated the job, as every time someone spoke harshly towards her, she'd end up in tears in the break room.

"Hey, Kat..." Matthew smiled softly as he walked into the office. "How was your weekend?"

"Oh, Matthew! It was good. I spent some time with my sister..." Yekaterina turned a shade pinker. Matthew wondered if that was her explanation for more exciting occurrences, as the blush returned every time she mentioned her 'sister.' "Ahem, moving on." Kat said hurriedly, "How about your weekend Matthew?"

"Ah, it was... I'll tell you about it later. Come to coffee with me during lunch break."

"Alright, that's fine... Are you okay Mattie, you look about to cry..." Yekaterina was always fussing about him, almost like a mother. Maybe it was justified this time.

"I'm fine, Kat. Really. It was just more excitement than I'm used to."

She sipped her coffee and raised her eyebrows in the direction of the wavy haired boy across from her. "So, define excitement."

"It's a long story..."

"We've got an hour, start talking."

"Well... Um..." He was trying to stall. He was failing. He gave up. "Okay, I slept with this guy."

"Well, that was unexpected," Kat teased, smiling.

"Shut up," Matthew stuck his tongue out. "It didn't end good. He was married."

"Oooh, the plot thickens. So, you're a proper homewrecker now?"

"I didn't stick around to find out, actually."

"Well, he has your phone number, right?"

"Actually, he doesn't even have my name..."

"Matt!"

There was a long pause.

"You were... um... careful, right?" Her eyes widened.

Another long pause.

"I'll take that as a no..."

"It's not like I meant to... I was drunk. I barely remember the rest of the night besides the..."

"Matt, come on. Take friends with you when you go out. That keep stuff like this from happening. Do you know how bad this could en-"

"Yes! I know how bad this can end! Don't lecture me, I know I was stupid..."

She fell silent at the uncharacteristic outburst, and tears welled up in her eyes.

"Shit, I'm sorry, Kat... I didn't mean to yell... I'm just upset about it… More upset than I realized."

"I know, Matthew... It's okay, no harm done." She smiled shakily.

"Thanks." He smiled back, "I'm glad I've got you to tell in the first place."

Back at home, Matthew curled up with his teddy bear. He didn't want to have to pay any more attention to the problem than he had to, but he knew he should go to the doctor in another month or so, to check for disease. He wished that there was no such thing, and that one night stands could stay on that one night. Forever.

But the part of him in the back of his mind pressed again. He shook his head, trying to rid himself of that part. He didn't have time to listen to stupid ideas. And anything that wasn't a remark on what a mistake that night was had to be stupid. Damn thoughts. Damn night. Damn guy. He closed his eyes. Dammit.

-x-

It may continue.