21 | OUT
18:50 Incoming Message; From: Severide: 'So, what would you say about date-night two nights in a row? thought we could go check this new club, dip our toes in the waters of the world... you up for it?'
After writing a deleting about 7 versions, afraid of coming across too enthusiastic, Matt finally gives up trying to be playful, seductive, funny or smart. He grunts in frustration as he sends the simple message:
19:02 Outgoing Massage, To: Severide: 'Sure.'
19:06 Incoming Message; From: Severide: 'Well don't get too excited... Pick you up at 2130'
19:08 Outgoing Massage, To: Severide: 'Sorry, I'd love to, really. See you then'
...
"A gay club, really?" Matt can't hide his surprise as they walk into the club and realization falls, the loud music forcing them to talk directly in each other's ear.
"Yeah well, thought it might make it easier on the PDA for the first time,"
"Oh, really? You planning on being appallingly PDA tonight?" Matt tries to come across easy and light, but Kelly can sense his underlying concern.
"Hopefully not appalling in any way, just able to kiss you if I want, dance with you in my arms, if we feel like it," he lifts his head to look into Matt's eyes in question, Matt nodding solemnly. "Let's get a drink," Kelly offers, trying to loosen the atmosphere, tugging Matt toward the bar. "Beer?"
Matt nods again, taking in his surroundings as Kelly turns to the bar. He suddenly feels too many eyes on him, his eyes fall to the floor to avoid eye contact, not wanting to send the wrong message.
"Hey honey, you're all sorts of gorgeous, aren't you?" a passing man asks Matt, eyeing him sharply up and down. Matt smiles bashfully, a blush rising in his cheek, his eyes glued to the floor, his hand grips a bit tighter on Kelly's back.
"You okay?" Kelly asks as he returns and hands him a beer.
"They aren't very subtle, are they?"
"What do you mean?"
"I feel like a piece of meat; the way guys are looking at me. Is this how women feel on a night out?"
"Might be." Kelly answers, "you want me to set them straight? No pun intended..." Kelly laughs cheekily, but he can see Matt's nervousness rising. "Hey," he says as he slips a hand behind Matt, pulling him against him, searching for his eyes, "it's just you and me. Just like yesterday. Think of them like water."
Matt looks deep into his eyes, trying to let Kelly's eyes and arms ground him into security, deciding to make an effort to enjoy the proximity to Kelly and ignore the rest. Not succeeding to relax and enjoy himself, Matt downs his beer to try and erase the edges of his unease, asking Kelly if he wants another one as well.
"Don't do that, Matt, we can go if you're uncomfortable."
"Don't do what?"
"Drink to drown it out. You're uncomfortable, let's leave."
Matt looks at him for a moment, ashamed that Kelly had called him out but happy he'd noticed, but sad to ruin Kelly's evening. "No, you want to stay. We can stay. Or I can go, and you can stay and enjoy yourself, this just isn't my thing." He says apologetically but Kelly shakes his head heatedly.
"I couldn't give a damn about this place, Matt, I just want to hang with you."
A bubbling sensation of warmth and gratitude fills Matt, he can't help himself, forgetting their surroundings and any inhibitions he may have had, and kisses Kelly quickly, leaving the other man utterly surprised.
"Let's go to Molly's then, have a quiet beer," Matt offers, smiling, and Kelly takes the opportunity to kiss him again.
..
As they come into Molly's they find it full but comfortable. No tables available, they set themselves at the bar, asking Otis for two beers.
"Better?" Kelly asks as they get their beers.
"For me, yes. You?"
"I'm happy if you are. Cheers," Kelly answers, raising his bottle, happy to see Matt's confidence return as he settles in. They clink their beers, settling into a relaxed conversation about nothing important, both enjoying each other's company and comfortable proximity.
"These are from the lady at the end of the bar," Otis suddenly interrupts, setting two shot glasses in front of them. They raise their eyes to find a young brunette eyeing Severide. They raise the shots in salute before slinging them down, and she makes her way to them. Matt can see Kelly preparing himself for the encounter, curious to see what Kelly will do.
"Hi, I'm Terry," the woman says.
"Kelly," he answers, sending a knowing look at Matt.
"Thought maybe we could have another drink without so much bar between us," she says smiling, not even looking at Matt.
"Sorry, Terry, but I'm actually here on a date with the most incredible person, so..."
"Where is she then?"
"Who?"
"Your date…"
"Right here," Kelly grins as he takes hold of Matt's hand.
"You're gay?!" she says loudly, the surprise evident in her voice as her eyes roam the bodies of the two men in front of her. Matt's eyes automatically scanning the room to see if anyone heard, he kicks himself mentally for caring, returning to focus on Kelly's answer.
"No, but I'm also not available. Enjoy the rest of your evening." Kelly sums it up, turning his full attention back to Matt.
"You didn't have to do that," Matt says, a worried look on his face.
"Of course I did, I'm here with you."
"Listen, Kelly," Matt's features become serious as he tries to put his thought into words, "I know sex has always been a bigger part of your life than it has mine, I don't expect you to give up sex with women because of our…"
"First of all, Matt, I have never in my life cheated on a partner, not going to start now."
"That's not what I meant, it's not cheating if we talk about,"
"Secondly, don't believe everything I dished out when I was younger, okay? Those were not all pretty days, most of it was lonely sex, sad sex to forget the impending loneliness. I'm not lonely anymore," he whispers, his eyes finding Matt's in an encouraging smile.
"Don't you miss it, though? I mean, it's something I can't give you,"
"Do you?"
"No, but,"
"Thirdly, Matthew," Kelly smiles roguishly as he goes on, his voice lowering further, "I don't know how to tell you this, but you're quite a handful in bed. Insatiable really, so I don't see myself needing or wanting any backup sex any time soon." He can see Matt blushing at the sound of his words, a sheepish expression on his face. A chuckle escapes Kelly's lips at how cute he finds Matt.
At that moment, Shay suddenly comes up behind them, her voice hushed, "Uh, guys, just a heads up, don't know what your plans were about keeping the lid on this, but the bitch in the back has other plans, she's mouthing your situation loudly."
All three pairs of eyes move to watch the woman at the end of the bar as she rants into Joe Cruz's ear, a look of surprise washing over him as his eyes shoot to find the two lieutenants sitting at the bar. They raise their bottles at him, a smirk on their faces, and he can't decide what it means. They might be sitting in close proximity to each other, but that doesn't necessarily mean anything. He grunts in frustration at having believed the crazy lady beside him.
.
"You ready to go?" Kelly asks as they finish their drinks.
"Yeah, just one thing I need to do first," Matt says as he climbs off his stool.
"What's that?" Kelly says distractedly as he pulls money from his pocket to pay for the drinks.
"This," Matt says, his voice thick as he leans in to kiss Kelly.
A thought flashes through Kelly's mind, that it's going to be an extravagant, showy, blunt kiss, to make a point, but it's not. Matt merely grazing Kelly's lips at first, inviting him to play. It's slow and warm and delicate and intimate. It's about the two of them, not anybody else. It's so Matt, Kelly thinks, falling in love with him just a tiny bit more for his ability to remind Kelly so simply, what's important and what's not.
Their eyes sparkle at each other as they finish the kiss, their arms around each other, their heads close. "Come on, Handful," Kelly says quietly, pulling lightly on Matt's collar, "let's get you home. There might still be time for me to take advantage of you before shift tomorrow."
And they get up with a chuckle and exit the bar, not even registering the intense, surprised silence that has ensued, all eyes on them, all heads filled with questions.