I'm most certainly 10-12 hours late with this, sorry! I meant to have it posted before I left for work but my nerves were a little frazzled with my first day of work for my new job~ I hope to be far, far better next week! All the same, I hope everyone enjoys this chapter =3
Hours later, Ivan stirred with a low groan and a stretch to wake himself up a bit more. He glanced down at the restriction of his arms and frowned slightly as he noticed that he had neglected to change and he quickly proceeded to change into something more suitable for sleep and walking around the house; loose pajama pants. As much as it frustrated his mother, he refused to get fully dressed to simply step out of his room for menial tasks. He headed down for a snack but was stopped by one of the maids holding a familiar mask. His eyes widened a bit but only for a moment before they returned to normal and took the mask handed to him. Ivan chuckled softly to himself "Cinderella…" he whispered with a minuet smile. He returned to his room to set the mask next to his own with thoughts on somehow finding Matthew to return it and, perhaps, getting to know the little blond better as he grabbed his early morning snack before heading back to bed until a more reasonable hour.
Matthew continued to soak in the tub long after Francis had gone to bed, the bar of sweet smelling soap in his palms held to his nose as he took in the scent, reminding him of his phantom, though most everything did remind the enamored young one of the masked stranger. He found himself wondering how such an encounter could affect him so deeply.
Ivan woke early in the morning with a sleepy snuffle as his alarm went off. He stretched to get the kinks out of his limbs before standing and heading to the shower to clean up before work.
Matthew yawned, stirring in the king sized bed and squinting at the sunlight spilling through the blinds as one of the servants opened them.
"Good morning, Master Williams, breakfast will be served shortly. Would you like to eat before or after your bath?"
The little messy haired blond murmured a little answer as he rubbed his eyes and sat up, and the servant nodded, coming over to undress him and lead him to the bathroom where she'd drawn a hot bath. She was one of Francis' best servants.
A hot, refreshing shower eased the rest of the tension from him and he stepped out to dress himself. He had long tired of being dressed by any one of the staff, not wanting to be manipulated into clothing as they saw fit, especially since he was twice their size; he could dress himself just fine and did just that.
Ivan headed downstairs and grabbed breakfast, a full array of everything he could even think of and more. They set up a plate for him and he ate quickly, finishing up just as his parents came down to eat and getting out the door to head to the place he actually felt at home at; the job that he had actually earned his way up for the most part though it was one of the family's businesses.
Matthew freshened up after his bath with the usual sprays and powders before eating breakfast and getting ready for his meeting with a new inventor to go over toy designs.
Ivan settled himself in the large, ergonomic chair in his spacious office and attended to the documents he needed to go through.
"…So it's basically a board game that can be played with Candy dice and chocolate pieces" the inventor explained, showing how it could be played.
Matthew nodded, "I see…very innovative, Mr. Vargas." He reached out a hand to him over the table, "It would be foolish of me not to invest with you. Besides, our generation has got to stick together—show elders how things are done" he winked with a smile.
Feliciano smiled warmly in return, shaking his hand firmly, "I completely agree, Mr. Williams! Thank you so much, sir. My father once worked in one of the William's family's candy shops in Italy; It is an honor to work with you, truly."
He had a few people come in for their appointments to discuss alternate recipes and techniques and he set them up with the different members of his staff that could prove their claims before he wasted his time with anything that wasn't up to pare with their base standards.
After a day full of meetings and perfume tests, Matthew was exhausted. All day he had wanted nothing more than to stay at home and paint since the servants had set up his studio while he and Francis attended the masquerade ball. As a matter of fact, it was all he could honestly think about—making a still life painting about the ball…perhaps with one of his heels…the pearls he had worn draped over and on the inside of the shoe…the silk of the golden table cloth as a background…perhaps a wine glass…and his mask facing up—yes that would be lovely, he mused, putting the picture together in his head. He went to his room, expecting to find the mask on his desk. He was confused to find it bare; however, and thought it might still be with the gown. He checked his wardrobe…not even a trace of it. And then he continued his search, retracing his steps from the bathroom to the limousine, but to no avail. And then it clicked—'The private room! I took it off in there…'
As the day dragged on, Ivan became more and more ready to go home. He was eager to relax and, at the very least, get a decent meal; a luxury that he could never honestly deny himself though most of the other 'perks' fell to the side.
Eventually is was time to return home and he cleared his desk of the completed work and set it to the side, grabbing his case and putting the rest of the incomplete forms and orders inside incase he wanted to work on them later.
Matthew decided it was probably swept away with other items left over from the ball, but wondered if perhaps he should go about getting it back.
Once Ivan had arrived home and set everything on his desk, he spotted the little mask resting on his dresser and was surprised that the little treasure had eluded his thoughts for so long but once again it was at the forefront as he was called for dinner; admittedly eager for the wide range of food that was always laid out.
It wasn't long before Francis returned from his business meeting, walking in with a little lavender present box in his hands, "Here, mon ami…a gift from one of our newest partners." He walked over and handed him the box. "Seems I've arrived just in time for our luncheon" he checked his watch, "and with a few minutes to spare. Shall we go?" Just as Matthew was about to respond, Francis' phone rang, "Go ahead, mon dieu. I'll join you shortly." He kissed his head and then went into the kitchen to fix a drink while talking to another company interested in a partnership with the newly merged Williams and Bonnefoy.
Matthew sighed softly, blowing a kiss and then taking the elevator. He arrived at the restaurant within a few minutes and got to one of the VIP booths upstairs. He sat down, looking at a menu as the rain started to fall outside the high window.
Once the quiet dinner was finished, Ivan eager to escape the onslaught of questions he knew could come at any moment, they dispersed equally as silent as they had arrived and Ivan was free to continue his work and ponder how he could meet the lavender-eyed bear once again; if for no other reason than to return the beautiful mask.
"I'll have a salad to start off…and lamb as the entree, please" Matthew said, handing his menu to the waiter. The man replied with a nod, refilling his glass with more wine before going back to the kitchen.
As Ivan fiddled with his pen, tapping it on the stack of documents on his desk, he stared curiously at the mask and he suddenly wondered if it would be strange of him to commission a local artist to do something with a theme of the previous night.
As Matthew looked up from the table his eyes wandered toward the door, in search of his fiancé, who was nowhere in sight. He sighed and cast his gaze to the window, looking at the gray clouds low in the sky, colored leaves tumbling through the quiet breeze. About an hour passed as Matthew ate and studied the dessert menu, certain that Francis would walk in any second. His eyes glanced up every time the door opened, only for him to sigh and look back at the menu.
Ivan found his mind stalling on his work, focused on the image of pearls and lavender eyes and he decided to visit his favourite restaurant where he had made some on his best decisions. Of course, it helped that the local place was famous for its desserts and Ivan knew exactly what he wanted. With a goal in mind he set everything down, grabbed the little mask for inspiration, and headed out the door.
He was seated in his usual corner and was looking through the menu; though he already had an idea of what he wanted it wouldn't hurt to check and see if anything else caught his eye.
Matthew started to realize Francis wasn't going to show; perhaps he'd gotten busy at the last minute and wasn't able to call. He was just about to leave when he took one last look around for his fiancé, and met a pair of familiar violet eyes. 'Phantom...?' he thought, trying not to stare.
The ever-observant man felt the hair on his neck stand and the odd tension of being watched as he awaited his dessert. Ivan glanced around, searching for a pair of eyes and just when he was about to brush it off as nerves he met a crystal-clear lavender pair and his heart skipped a beat 'That's the colour' he thought with excitement. He tore his gaze away to try to piece the two together and see if it really was his little pearl bear but the gown, beautiful as it was, had hugged Matthew's curves and the outfit this man was wearing didn't match the delicate elegance. 'Still…I have to be sure…' Ivan thought with determination as he stood and politely confronted the man "You seem familiar, have we met?" he asked simply, not wanting to waste their time if he wasn't whom Ivan hoped.
With mild surprise that his supposed phantom first approached him the wide eyed blond blinked up at the tall man…the lovely accent clinging to his words rang in his head clear as a bell. "Pardon me, sir, for being forward but…I would never forget eyes like yours…" it was cheesy, he knew, but it was what the pearl bear would say to his phantom.
Ivan smiled wide, unable to completely contain his joy. He took Mathew's hand with a smooth motion and kissed the back of it "Pardon my rudeness but they could not be as beautifully memorable as yours are…" he trailed off and pulled the delicate mask carefully out of his jacket pocket. "I was hoping to see you again, for more than just returning this" he said with a bold glint in his eyes.
"My mask!" Matthew gasped with a sparkle in the lavender gaze as he looked at Ivan. "My phantom…" he hugged him.
He lifted Matthew in a tight hug, swinging him slightly. Ivan wanted to keep holding him, keep him close but the thorn in his side reminded him of their fiancés and he knew that he couldn't ignore that. With his smile still in place he set Matthew down "Do you mind if I join you?"
Matthew blushed, all thoughts of Francis swept away as he gazed longingly at the Russian, "N-not at all…"
Ivan's smile warmed and he sat down at the other side of the table after motioning for his waiter to deliver his dessert to Matthew's table. "Would you like anything?" he asked, noticing the menu still on the table.
Matthew picked it up, looking through it, "Ah this chocolate mousse looks delicious…thank you." He smiled up at him, placing his clasped hands daintily beneath his chin.
"Excellent choice, it's what brought me here tonight and I certainly couldn't be happier" Ivan rested his arm on the table, admiring how the elegant hands folded.
Matthew's smile widened as he gazed into the soft violets, "Ah" he started with a dreamy sigh "where do I begin? Last night was…it was wonderful…"
"It was" he agreed readily "one of the most entertaining nights I have had in a very long time though it was far too short for my liking" Ivan said warmly as dessert arrived; the mousse decadent and thick just as he remembered.
Matthew took a fork into his mousse and scooped out a bit of the rich cream, loving the sweet taste, light and soft on his tongue, "Mm…yes, I agree. I could have danced with you for hours."
Ivan's own dessert came moments later, the same that Matthew had ordered. He was certainly pleased with it, it being the primary reason he came to the restaurant, but…he almost didn't want to eat it with the thought that lingering with his food would prolong their time together though he knew that was foolish. If they really hit it off, then they could continue talking elsewhere and Ivan would hope for that and more.
Matthew glanced down at the dessert for a moment, leisurely swirling the excess crème on his fork and nibbling at it "Ah so…do you come here often…?" He would have mentally kicked himself if it was a cliché pick up line and not a straight forward question…he'd already gotten his phantom, after all.
The Russian smiled, slightly amused by Matthew's choice of words but he knew by the casual way his little bear said the phrase that he meant it literally; not that Ivan would deny him either way. He nodded "Whenever I can get away and treat myself but I don't want whatever the staff offers, what about you? Should I make a point to come here more often?" he asked. Ivan knew he was blatantly flirting but he couldn't quite help himself, or, he simply didn't want to bother with futile resisting.
"Ah well…of course you should—so you can come see me" Matthew smiled and batted his eyelashes at his phantom, twirling a blond curl around his finger.
"Shall we make it a regular event?" Ivan asked with a soft little smile, unwilling to explicitly say date but it was certainly implied despite the engagement rings on their fingers.
"I'd like that very much..." Matthew replied with a demurely seductive lavender gaze on his phantom. He would have removed his engagement ring had he even remembered it being on his finger.
Ivan smile started to favour one side, morphing into a smirk at the heated gaze as his own eyes lowered "Last time I got a look like that the date didn't end until the next morning…"
"Oh…my phantom…you wouldn't notice the morning from the night…" Matthew flirted back, unconsciously circling the rim of his glass with the tip of his finger as he blushed pink.
"Day or night, it wouldn't matter with you…" Ivan answered smoothly though he hadn't noticed that he'd spoken the very forward thought earlier. He dropped his gaze to admire the delicate hand tracing the rim of the glass.
The same passionate albeit lustful violets sent arousing chills up the pearl bear's flesh and spine with a wanderlust of excitement. "Day…and night then…" he purred softly, referencing the Russian's boasted stamina.
Ivan's smirk grew as Matthew spoke again, keen eye noticing the subtle shiver that raced along his little bear's skin "Until neither of us can gather the effort to move…" he trailed off with a promise to his words that said so much more than he could voice.
Matthew's lips and cheeks were bruised with dark rouge as he shivered at such words leaving little and yet myriads to the imagination "Is that a promise…?"
"Of course, my word always is" he took Matthew's hand and kissed it, lingering on the smooth skin to seal his words before reluctantly pulling away.
The sudden release of his hand from the velvet lips was like a drug, just enough of the Russian's subtle touch to get him hooked, and leave him wanting more. "I don't believe you…" he replied, locking eyes with him as he removed his engagement ring slowly.
Ivan's brow rose as the thin piece of jewelry hit the table, rolling slightly before coming to a stop between them. "Then there is nothing left to do but defend my honour and prove it to you…" he trailed off as he pulled off his own ring, the trinket joining Matthew's on the table with a faint noise that went unnoticed by the two. He stood and held out his hand to Matthew "Whatever guest room you were taken to, has nothing on my room" he purred.
Matthew silently smirked and took his hand, standing from his chair, leaving an extra tip with the payment on the table. His heart was beating so quickly it felt like a wild, fluttering bird was trapped in his chest.
The little scamp had beaten him to paying his bill though he added his own tip to the pile. In addition, as they passed his original table he tossed down a generous amount onto the hard surface, plenty for not only his ticket but a tip that covered his table switching. He wrapped his arm around Matthew's waist and they headed out of the busy building "Did you drive here?" he asked, hoping that they could ride together.
Matthew nodded, taking out the keys and clicking them at the sleek Lamborghini parked out in front. The doors opened and he slid into the passenger's seat without a word.
Ivan chuckled "So did I" he rested his hand on the passenger door "my home isn't far, you can follow me there then I'll take care of the rest…" his tongue peaking out to wet his lips at the thought of what was to come. He pulled away to preserve both of their sanities and headed to his car with a filthy smirk etched onto his face that promised an unforgettable night.
Another hard shiver followed the other up Matthew's spine before he gathered himself to drive and moved seats.
The ashen blond situated himself in his car and, after motioning to Matthew to make sure he was ready to follow, he headed out of the parking lot; his mind filling with images of Matthew splayed out and wanting, crying out his name.
His body shivered even more with the beckoning of the man's finger, as if the phantom was luring the pearl bear to his own decadent demise. The engine purred as he turned the key, and then shifted gears before tapping the gas, soon cruising behind his phantom down the road.
It didn't take long for the eager duo to arrive but anytime was longer than Ivan wanted to spend out of reach of his little bear. He threw his car into park the moment he was in his usual spot and smirked as he watched Matthew park alongside him. Ivan held open the door for his soon-to-be lover with one hand and left the other extended for Matthew to take, helping him out of the seat "Would you like anything before partaking in me?" he asked politely though a smirk tugged at his lips and his words were anything but casual.
"How thoughtful my phantom is…" Matthew nearly swooned, fanning himself a bit to cool his dark red face. He shook his head "Mmn nothing but you…"
Once Matthew had stood, Ivan tugged the little blond flush against him with a flick of his wrist "Good, I'd hate to waste a moment…" he trailed off, tipping Matthew's chin up and brushing their lips together just to thicken the tension and tease themselves even more before he finally led him inside the house.
Matthew caught his lip gently between his lower lip and upper row of teeth, slowly pulling it back before letting go, soft, warm breaths caressing the smooth, velvet mouth as his heart rate sped up.
Ivan hummed, pleased with Matthew's eagerness "You make me want to start here" he chuckled, glancing around the empty foyer that led to the stairs "but you deserve far better and I don't want to risk getting caught before we've even started…" He pinned Matthew to him and lifted him with ease, continuing up the stairs with Matthew draped along his arms. With the eagerness of a small child with a favourite treat, Ivan all but ran to his room, kicking the door shut and kissing Matthew deeply.
The blond settled onto the well cushioned silk sheets and wrapped his legs and Ivan's waist as his hands ran through his hair while he leaned into the kiss, tongue stroking the Russian's.
He breathed deeply into the kiss, laying along Matthew and weaving his fingers through his thick, wavy hair. "You taste better than I imagined" he purred against the parted lips, nipping his bottom lip gently, playfully.
Matthew moaned into his mouth as he stroked the back of his neck, shapely legs hugging his hips intimately.
Ivan ground against Matthew "I'm not ashamed to say that I wanted to lead you to my room the night of the ball, you were beautiful even with the mask but…" he joined their lips in a firm but short kiss "so much more so now that I can truly see you."
"I have to say the same about you…my phantom…" Matthew purred with a little moan and arch of hips at the firm warmth against his thigh. "And I'm not ashamed…to say I wanted to be led to your room…"
"I'm happy to hear that I'm not corrupting an angel, I just wish that we had not been tied to other things that night." Ivan ran his hands down Matthew's back to grab the hem of his shirt, fisting the smooth cloth, bringing it up a couple of inches before pausing to check with Matthew "Our conversation at the restaurant seemed straightforward but how far would you like to go tonight?" he asked, wanting to be entirely sure of the other's consent. Ivan would happily go as far as the little blond was comfortable but he certainly hoped that they wouldn't be ending the night with little more than kisses.
"Oh my…such a darling sweetheart my phantom is…" He arched into the seductive touch with a little moan, "I want everything…all of you…" A possessive albeit passionate tone laced into his voice and lavender eyes as his fingers laced through Ivan's hair with a gentle tug, thighs squeezing his waist to emphasize Matthew's point. "You are…my phantom…"
Ivan groaned softly the sultry tone and tempting words catching him off guard "I'll give you everything you can handle but I want the same in return…" he trailed off with a smirk and pulled Matthew's shirt off over his head, breaking his hold on his hair but giving Ivan free rein of the slender chest. He took full advantage and kissed down Matthew's neck to a nipple, giving it a little kiss before slowly dragging his tongue over it.
Matthew arched into the sensual massage with a heated moan as he felt his stomach burn, just from beginning. His heart fluttered wildly in his chest while his arms were still captive in his shirt.
The Russian kept the shirt and arms trapped within it pinned to the pillows as he worked Matthew's chest, feeling his heart race like a captured bird. He smirked up at Matthew "Scared or excited…?" he asked teasingly as he gently pinched the hardened nub between his teeth and gave it a tugging suck.
Matthew let out another gasped moan as he panted against the sheets, his small blushing chest heaving "A-ah! M-most people would be…terrified to face a spirit…I…couldn't be more excited…or one might say…a mix of both…" His legs trembled with the pricking shiver going through him.
"One could say the same about pleasing such a powerful creature, the risk involved if I don't treat my little bear properly" he answered with a deep chuckle that resonated through Ivan's chest to Matthew's belly where they were held together by Ivan's weight and Matthew's strong legs.
Matthew shivered at the unbelievably sexy gesture as he looked up at the Russian with blushing parted lips and dilated, half lidded eyes, tongue flecking out slightly to wet his lips before biting them with his desire. "You might…get attacked…"
"I had better be careful then and please you as quickly as possible" he teased with a little smirk and continued kissing his way down, leaving little hickies here and there along the way until he reached the edge of the elegant suit pants. "Then again…I have always enjoyed a challenge…maybe I should play a little dangerous instead…" he trailed off with a smirk.
Matthew tisked him with a little purr, "I would hate to maul such a lovely phantom…but it seems…my phantom prefers to dance on the razor's edge…more often than not…" He panted softly against the silken sheets as slowly spread his legs.
"You would have to catch me first…" Ivan worked his way in along the hem and tugged the button loose "can you catch a spectre?" he asked as he worked the zipper down and pulled the fitted pants lower to reveal elegant lace panties. They were silvery-white with intricate patterns that artfully obscured the growing length "Beautiful…" Ivan whispered and gave the covered bulge a kiss.
Matthew arched his hips into the cool lips against the heated silk, back rising from the sheets lightly as he looked down at the Russian with passion filled lavender eyes complimenting his ruddy cheeks and parted peach mouth that emitted a breathy little moan.
Ivan chuckled "Where did all of that bravado go? Is it so easy to silence a bear?" he asked teasing waiting just long enough for Matthew to open his mouth to retaliate before he opened his own and mouthed at the tip of the flushing head, peaks of it visible between the lace.
Just as Matthew was about to reply, he felt the warm, damp sensation of Ivan's mouth over him and shivered into another sharp arch with a loud moan, already falling apart in his phantom's hands.
The violet eyed man hummed in amusement and pulled away to carefully pull down Matthew's panties "Have you been with anyone before?" Ivan asked as he pulled the white pants off and tossed them to the far edge of the bed with the panties following afterward.
Matthew panted against the sheets, another shiver running through him from the slight breeze as Ivan freed him from his clothes. "N-no…" he whispered, shifting to close his legs a bit shyly.
Ivan paused, pulling away to get a proper look at the suddenly timid man "Are you sure you want me to be your first?" he asked, wanting to be absolutely sure before they did anything that Matthew would regret.
Another chapter done! I hope you all enjoyed it and I'd love to know if any parts caught your eye so please feel free to leave a comment or message me =3
~Poison