Matthew found that after a day of spending time with Grandmama, that he had grown charismatically fond of her. She doted around the house, her bent fingers dusting at tabletops and book cases. She was sweet and babied Alfred like he was her own. It was nice to see him loved and coddled like that.
Alfred had actually sat up for a few hours, his hands cradling a bowl of soup as he graciously ate the good food Matthew could never provide him until now. Biting his lip, the blonde meandered across the bedroom, his feet stopping just in front of the window. Below, the Points bustled as usual, people going about their lives in squalor and grime. And here Matthew was, sleeping in a warm bed, clean and smelling faintly of magnolia blossoms.
Against his chest still sat the little burlap, its treasures heavy against his heart. He couldn't allow harm to come to Ivan. The man cared more for complete strangers than anyone else had...anyone but Matthew's father. Ivan bore a striking resemblance to a young man that he could remember , walking with Arthur, strong and proud.
There were not men like that anymore in New York and Matthew was willing to bet in the entire United States.
An idea suddenly came to him as he fingered the thin, frayed ribbon holding the tip of his corset closed. The only way to get Gilbert away from Ivan was for the officer to die. Matthew could play the Butcher's little game, but he would not allow Ivan to die. And the only way to insure that was getting the man out of the city completely. Gilbert wouldn't go past the city line, and that is where Ivan would be safe.
Bending to kiss Alfred's forehead Matthew whispered to him that he would be back soon. With that, he left heading in the direction of a Hungarian Hell cat of a woman that knew from her days with Arthur. The woman recognized him instantly and she rose an eyebrow in question , as Matthew quietly pulled her aside to speak to her.
In an hour Matthew had returned to Alfred, confident his plan would work.
Ivan had returned with little information on where Matthew's Papa had gone, those who remembered him from the old days simply not informed anymore and those who knew the butcher's whore well enough unwilling to talk no matter how much Ivan bargained. He had gotten some information that the blonde man had fallen victim to one of the smaller gangs of New York, but Ivan had to wonder if the man had simply run away now that his sons were taken care of.
Arriving at his home, the man let his hammer slide from his shoulder and tap along the sides of his legs as he walked, opening the door to his room and tilting his head at Matthew and Alfred on the floor.
"How is he?" Ivan asked, sitting on the edge of his bed facing the two, hammer laid across his lap and hands resting along the handle.
Hand pausing in brushing a wet rag over Alfred's face, Matthew tilted his head to give Ivan a little smile. "He has his good days...and his bad," he hummed, placing the rag into his lap as he re tucked the other blonde under the clean covers. "I think today is one of his best."
Matthew had never seen Alfred eat so much. It was startling and wonderful to see empty bowls of soup and the bottom of little cups of milk that the old woman had insisted he had. "He hasn't had a decent meal since father died," Matthew smiled, getting up off the floor. He smoothed his fingers over his waist as he moved to sink beside Ivan, his expression a false sense of hope.
The blonde wasn't stupid. Ivan had found nothing.
"...how was your day?"
"Difficult and disappointing." Ivan sighed and leaned against the wall behind his bed, tilting his head to watch Matthew. "The people who would talk to me seem to be under the impression that your Papa simply left. I doubt that, you two were the life and light to Francis' world."
Matthew bit his lip as he felt his throat clench slightly, his fingers bunching in his lap. "...I don't know Ivan...ever since our Father died...Papa hasn't been the same. If he left...i-it was probably for the best." He couldn't drop Gilbert's name...but he could attempt to get Ivan uninterested. "You know as well as I do no one around the Five Points will talk. You're trying to do the impossible..."
"Maybe." Ivan stated simply before he sighed. "But I made a promise and I intend to keep it." He tilted his eyes to look at the blonde firmly. "If I can't keep that first promise, I'll keep the second." The older male smiled as Grandmamma Dunlock hobbled through the door, smiling as she handed the man a bottle of wine and mumbled in her thick Irish brogue that he should relax and drink for a bit as it was Sunday. The man pulled the cork from the bottle with his teeth and took a long drink from it, sighing as he held out the bottle to Matthew. "Take a drink with me. I hate drinking alone."
Laughing quietly behind his fingers, Matthew shifted until his back could touch the wall, too, his hands pulling up his skirts so that they pooled in his lap and showed off his legs up to his knees. He took the bottle and drank, eyes fluttering closed for a moment before he sighed and leaned against his thighs, the wine dangling between his fingers as he peered at Ivan after a quiet moment. "...tell me about this man. Who was he?"
"A great man." Ivan murmured, grasping a thin wrist and lifting the bottle to his own mouth and taking a drink before letting go of Matthew's hand. "About ten years ago... You would have been a child back then... But ten years ago there was a man who brought half of the Five Points into an army, determined to cut down Gilbert before he destroyed the entire city under his hand." Ivan sighed and laid down fully on the bed, arms folded behind his head. "I had the honor of fighting beside him. He threw himself into the entire battle..." Ivan sighed and tilted his head to Matthew. "I was new to the police force, the Bowry Boys back then actually had decent men behind them... But I was the only one who fought in that gang war." The man took another drink of wine, using Matthew's hand to guide it to his mouth. "Before we marched into Paradise Square he made me promise that if he failed, if Gilbert won, that I'd make sure that Five Points didn't fall into ruin... That I'd take care of those important to him as well as I could." Ivan sighed. "His lover... His lover didn't accept my protection... He didn't think that I could do anything to save this city."
Matthew was silent as he listened to Ivan, images of war and blood and powerful men and young boys that protected and loved this city dancing in his head. He could remember that day well...Alfred and Matthew were about nine years old or close to it, and they were huddled together in the snow, hiding where their Father had told them to stay so they would be safe. Alfred couldn't take it...he had to know if their parents were alright.
The next time Matthew had seen Alfred, the boy was covered in blood and sobbing into their Papa's arms. Their Father was dead and their gang had lost. Things had spiraled out of control from that point on.
Francis had struck up deals with Gilbert to ensure the safety of his children; if he gave the man his body and devotion, the boys were to remain unharmed and protected by the Fist of the Five Points. The promise had lasted until the two were about twelve, and that is when Alfred fell ill. It was nothing but a cold at first, but the longer he had it, the worse it got until the point where Matthew's brother could barely walk and was confined to bed. Matthew took it upon himself to care for Alfred as best he could, but he was only a child and there was only so many virtuous things he could do.
The rest...Matthew didn't want to think about.
But the idea that Ivan had been close to his Father...to Arthur. It clenched at his chest and made him miss the man so very, very much. He had to know...
"What...what was his name?"
"Does it matter?" Ivan asked softly. "He was a great man. An ideal... And I failed to protect him... I failed to protect his lover... I refuse to fail in protecting his children." Ivan's eyes turned to peer up at Matthew silently for a moment before his spoke. "Arthur James Kirkland."
Silent as he felt his throat clench and his eyes burn, Matthew pressed a hand to his mouth and let out a little whimper. "It matters...oh, Ivan...it matters so much to me..to Alfred," he mumbled, his other hand gripping tighter to the neck of the wine bottle. "I knew it...I knew you were more than just a good man," he breathed, eyes raking over to the other male's face. "...I should have realized it sooner. There are no men like you and Father were anymore..."
Ivan chuckled and shook his head. "Not in New York... Maybe somewhere else." The man reached up to the bandages around his throat, tugging at them to reveal the scars beneath. "But you can't be a good man without earning your battle scars against this world." There were thick bands of scars around the man's neck, reaching down to his collarbones and up along his jaw. It was a wonder his head had remained attached to his body.
"My God...," Matthew mumbled, shifting slightly to peer at the scars around Ivan's neck. "...by all rights you should be dead," he breathed, tentatively tracing his fingers on the marred skin. He wasn't sure if it was the alcohol or the guilt he felt consuming his chest, but Matthew found himself bending slightly, lips moving to brush at the scars tentatively. "But here you are..."
Ivan grunted, the sensitive skin prickling against his nerves at the touch, his fingers reaching up to gently touch the blonde hair. "I'm nothing if not stubborn." Ivan stated simply, smiling down at the blonde. "And I had a promise to keep. Dying was no excuse."
"You don't have to keep those promises now, Father would understand," he smiled, reaching a hand to gently brush at Ivan's hair. "There's only so much you can do Ivan...and by taking care of Alfred...Father...Father would have been eternally grateful." Biting his lip, Matthew shifted, the bottle being placed on the bed side table as he laid down beside the other male, his hands coming up to cup Ivan's cheeks. "...Ivan?...if you can't do anything else for us..promise me, that if anything happens,...keep Alfred safe. He...he can't die by Gilbert, Ivan..he just can't," he whimpered, already saying too much.
Ivan gently stroked Matthew's hair and face. "He won't, My Bludget, he won't die by Gilbert... I promise."
Matthew gave him a relieved little smile, his fingers reaching to trace Ivan's features. "Tell me something? You have all these dreams and wants for the Points and for everyone else. What about you, Ivan...? What do you want?" he asked softly, reaching to gather the wine again to take a sip from.
Ivan hummed. "I've never really thought about it." The man shrugged as he rested his hand to the blonde's lower back. "I don't know... I suppose I want what everyone wants... A nice home... A family." The man pressed his fingers to Matthew's spine before he let his hand drop to the bed. "I've never really thought about it... I don't have any interest in any of the women, I don't think I'd be able to raise children... I suppose I've never considered that I could have a family, since I'll probably never leave the Five Points."
"Don't say that Ivan," Matthew shook his head, curls brushing his cheeks as he peered at the man's face, a little smile on his lips. "You'd be a wonderful father..husband...you deserve wide open spaces and a good person to take care of you just as much as you take care of them." It hurt a little, to realize a wonderful person like Ivan thought he didn't deserve any of the beautiful things in this world.
Where did that leave the rest of them?
Ivan gave a small smile, his thumb reaching up to trace Matthew's cheek as he stared at the blonde, his fingers cupping the soft hair before he leaned forward for a soft kiss. "You're probably wrong... I haven't done nearly enough to deserve all that."
"Probably wrong is not altogether wrong, Ivan. You've helped so many, I've seen it. Everyone has. And my Father...he'd agree. You deserve all the happiness you can get," he gave him a tiny smile, fingers coiling around Ivan's. "Me? I don't know anything but New York. I don't think I'd make it anywhere else." It was like a cruel fate that he never asked for, but had graciously attempted to accept.
Ivan slowly searched Matthew's face for a moment and it seemed as if he had wanted to say something but it was obvious that he was biting his cheek. After a moment he pressed his mouth to Matthew's, his arm wrapping around the thin waist. "Um... Tomorrow is the Fall Festival... You should go..." The man gave a smile. "Grandmamma Dunlock would take care of Alfred for you, I'm sure. She loves him to pieces."
Matthew gave him a pinched smile, lips pursing after a moment as he looked away from him. "...Ivan...I don't..really need to go," he protested softly, a little sigh escaping him after a moment. "Perhaps...Papa would show up...," he mused, empty and unenthusiastic.
Ivan smiled and pressed a kiss to Matthew's lips, gentle and soft as he cupped pale cheeks. "Save a dance for me..."
The pastor smiled as he sat the young women down on a single chair, one by one, mirror in hand and young men lining up to be chosen or rejected. The Fall Festival, despite the poverty of the Five Points, was always an event that people loved to give into.
Matthew was seated on the chair as well, and Ivan watched as the young men lined up again, either not knowing or caring for the gender of the young Bludget. The pastor smiled and pushed Ivan into the line as well, the older man opening his mouth to protest as Matthew was directed to lift the mirror in order to find his dance partner. Certainly he would choose a younger man, someone other than him, and as Ivan stood near the end of the line, he was sure that he wouldn't make it to standing behind the blonde.
It had taken a lot for Matthew to even agree to be there. He didn't feel much like dancing, not with the recent events still fresh in his mind, but Grandmama Dunlock was a convincing woman and the other pretty boys that took roost in Gilbert's tavern were not to be missing a painted face. Feliks, a charming, spite fire little blonde thing had taken Matthew by the arm that very afternoon and had spent the rest of the light hours finding him the perfect thing to wear.
Because no matter how much Matthew tried to convince himself and everyone around him, no one believed him for a second that he wasn't, even if a little bit, in love.
Curls pinned off his neck and dainty earrings brushing his jawline slightly, Matthew sighed as he lifted the mirror. He recognized most of the boys, Gilbert's men or regular hoodlums that attempted to clean up nicely, but none stroke his fancy. He politely shook his head to every single one, thinking perhaps if he declined them all, he could just be done with this whole thing and go home.
But a familiar face, almost shy and eyes respectful caught his eye and Matthew almost melted. He was silent for a long while, staring at Ivan's reflection fondly, until the man was being gently pushed out of the way by the pastor.
"That one. I...choose him."
Ivan blinked in surprise, eyebrows raised as he paused before removing his police hat, standing before Matthew in his full uniform, sleeves rolled down and boots polished. He offered his hand to the younger male, lifting pale fingers to his lips and gently pressing a kiss to the digits. "Thank you, My Bludget." He murmured softly. A candle was placed between their hands as they were ushered aside and Ivan cleared his throat before he gave an uncertain smile down at the blonde. "I haven't danced in over two decades."
Matthew wanted to tell Ivan that there was no one else here he'd rather dance with,...hell, that here was no one else in all of New York that he'd rather dance with, but he hoped it at the very least went without saying. He smiled and shook his head, little well placed curls brushing his cheeks with the gesture. "Just don't look down at your feet," he smiled softly, his hand tightening on Ivan's shoulder.
The way the officer looked in uniform was enough to make Matthew slightly weak in the knees.
They moved to the tune of the distinctly Irish music for a time, before Ivan softly asked, "Why me?" The dim light of the room did nothing to hide the brightness of his violet eyes, intent and focused on Matthew as if the blonde was the sole person that could ever hold his attention.
"Because I didn't want to dance with anybody else," Matthew answered softly, looking away slightly embarrassed. "You..," he started softly, tongue licking slightly at painted lips, "..you look incredibly handsome, Ivan."
Ivan flushed at the compliment ducking his head. "You look very lovely too..." He whispered, smiling down at Matthew and giving his corsetted waist a small squeeze. "I'm dancing with the most beautiful face in all of New York..."
"Stop trying to flatter me, Officer, we already share a bed," Matthew teased softly, his body taking a tiny step forward in order to press closer to Ivan.
Ivan smiled softly and chuckled. "Careful, the pastor always makes sure that these dances remain chaste... And I don't want him to pull you away from me too soon." Ivan gave the younger man's waist a gentle squeeze, careful to not tug the younger male closer out of respect for the Pastor's intentions.
"What the pastor doesn't see won't hurt him," Matthew hummed, his fingers moving just slightly to brush Ivan's high collar and the sliver of skin that was just under his ear. He sighed happily, content as he rested his head against Ivan's chest and just breathed, moving their bodies in slow, rhythmic time with the music.
Ivan paused before he leaned down and pulled a soft kiss from Matthew's lips, his teeth gently catching at the full lower lip before he gently pulled back, eyes boring into the younger male's before he dove down for another brief kiss. "Is there somewhere we could go?" The man asked softly, his hand gently squeezing at Matthew's corseted waist in a meaningful way.
Matthew was quiet for a moment as he considered Ivan's intentions, before his shoulders slumped and his hand lowered, a little smile playing on his mouth. "Follow me~"
The moon shone bright and unbridled on the dark ocean, cold and wide and endless. Matthew gently stepped down the wet, soggy wood of an empty dock, the harbor quiet save for the sloshing of dark waves against ships, barges and piers. He held on to Ivan's hand as he led him to a cluster of barrels and fishermen traps, piles of rope and tarp and hay, virtually undetected from the stone docks they had used to get there. "Is this what you were talking about?" he asked softly, almost teasingly as he turned to face the water, its vast, cool nothingness frightening and tempting.
Ivan nodded and murmured an affirmative, either Russian or English he wasn't sure, and grasped hold of Matthew's waist, sliding his fingers over the brocade of the corset, tugging at the top gently before his hand slid inside the neckline to tease over Matthew's collarbones and chest as his mouth descended on the pale throat. The older male pulled the slimmer frame until Matthew's back was pressed fully to his chest, descending on the largest pile of rope and holding Matthew as close as he could. "Perfect... How do you take this off?" The man asked, his fingers tugging at the lacing insistently before he gathered one hand up beneath the layers of skirts to press to a pale thigh firmly.
"You've...you've seen me take these off what feels like a hundred time already and you still are too impatient to figure it out?" Matthew teased, face flush as he reached his own hands up to pull and unhook until the corset was loose enough to simply shrug out of. He bit his lip as he tilted his head back, his free hand coming up to tangle in Ivan's hair and pull him closer, skin trembling wherever the other male touched.
Ivan growled softly at the teasing but his fingers simply pulled at the buttons and clasps of the rest of Matthew's gown, his hand sliding beneath the loosened corset and dragging fingers over soft stomach and chest, the older male breathing in the scent of gold curls as he pulled Matthew closer. "Perhaps I'm just more interested in what's beneath whenever you take it off." Ivan murmured against the column of the blonde's throat, his teeth gently scraping at the skin as he slid his fingers up along the trembling stomach, tempted to dive further down into the skirts but waiting for fear of overstepping his bounds.
Taking a step away from the man, Matthew turned to face him, his hands reaching up to tug Ivan down for a kiss, deep and meaningful and slightly desperate before he pulled away with a hidden smile on his face. He stepped back towards the pile of hay and canvas, before he turned away his hands working at the rest of the corset before sliding it and the top of his outfit off and open. He knelt onto his knees before settling on his back, his eyes dark and inviting as he lifted his knees and let his skirts fall to bunch at his hips. Matthew's gaze never left Ivan's face as he reached his arms out for him, intent on drawing the man closer.
Ivan shifted to kneel between Matthew's legs, his hands tangling gently in soft curls as he pressed his mouth to the blonde's. He managed to unlace Matthew's skirts slightly, his lips trailing down jaw and neck until he reached the soft dip of Matthew's collarbones, his teeth dragging down pectorals and ribs and stomach until he could nip softly along the cut of sharp little hips. Violet eyes stared up at blue the entire journey down, one hand on Matthew's waist, the other sliding beneath skirts and petticoats until he could press his fingers to the warmth of Matthew's groin.
"Are you...getting nervous now?" Matthew teased, voice breathless and heated as he arched slightly at Ivan's touch and his fingers moved down to tangle in his hair. "...I trust you, Ivan...I don't...do this with just anyone if I can help it." He smiled and reached down further to grasp Ivan's uniform by the shoulders in order to hoist him up closer. "I also won't break...now are you going to take this off or am I going to have to do it for you, Officer?"
Ivan growled softly, pulling Matthew's skirts up and off, giving a firm bite to the cut of Matthew's hip and waist before he pulled up and pressed his mouth to Matthew's, firm and passionate, the older male dragging his hands over every inch of skin he could, one hand working at the buttons of his uniform, the jacket and then shirt removed first before he lost patience and simply pulled the fastenings of his pants open before he lifted Matthew's legs about his waist.
Breathing in through his mouth in a little gasp, Matthew hooked his feet at the ankles and reached up his hands to grip Ivan's shoulders tightly. He tugged the man closer, brushing their chests together as he kissed him, his teeth nibbling at Ivan's bottom lip. "It's cute...when you're impatient."
Ivan cursed softly in Russian, giving Matthew's mouth a soft lick before he nipped at the tip of the blonde's tongue. "Because it doesn't happen often?" The man murmured softly, pressing his hips up against the younger male's, rocking their bodies together gently, feeling the heat building between their bodies.
Tilting his head back with a little moan, Matthew nodded, his curls already coming loose of their pins as he arched to meet Ivan's rocking movements eagerly. "Y-yes...and I think it's...it's sweet," he teased, a finger moving down to run under the man's chin. "You're a reserved, respectful man, Ivan...I like to think there's a part of you that you keep hidden," Matthew cooed, eyes lowering as he stared at the man's face fondly.
Ivan's jaw clenched briefly before he lowered his mouth to Matthew's. "You'd be the first to see it if you asked." He murmured, his fingers clutching at pale hips firmly before he tilted his head and kissed at the pale throat.
"I don't...I don't think you understand Ivan," Matthew breathed, face flush and body heating as his hands moved to push fingers through silvery hair. "...I wish...I had time to know all of your secrets...to see everything you've kept hidden," he told him softly, his back arching with a little mewl.
"You can." Ivan whispered, his mouth against Matthew's neck. "You can... Stay with me and I'd let you learn every secret." Large hands slid against Matthew's hips, lifting him until their bodies could fit together, the older male attempting to push into the blonde. "Please, stay with me..."
Whimpering softly, Matthew hooked his arms around Ivan's shoulders, his face moving to tuck against Ivan's neck. "I...I want nothing else than to be...to be able to stay with you," he murmured into his skin, his short nails grappling at Ivan's shoulder blades. "I'm...I'm just scared.." But he couldn't tell him what of...what for.
Ivan tilted his mouth to fit against Matthew's firmly, stopping the words as gently as he could. "I promise." The man whispered. "I'll protect you... I'll take care of you..." The older male pressed against Matthew fully, careful and gentle as he fitted himself into the blonde, groaning softly as he felt the heat.
Matthew cried out softly and shook his head , his toes curling as tears pricked at the corner of his eyes. He peered up at Ivan and shook his head, shaking fingers coming to press to the man's lips. "Don't...d-don't promise," he whispered between little moans and shakes, his eyes glossy as he resumed clinging tightly to him. Promises...promises never lasted, deals and insurances and having another's word...they all meant nothing. He wouldn't be able to stand it if Ivan were to promise.
Ivan kissed Matthew gently. "I will... When you're ready to hear it." Ivan murmured, gently stroking Matthew's leg as he pushed against the blonde, into him, feeling heat and passion and desire pool in him as he showered Matthew's face with kisses as he stroked at him. "I'll do everything I can to take care of you and Alfred."
"Why...?" Matthew mewled, arching his back as he tilted his head back, curls tangling under his head as he rocked up against Ivan's movements. "God above...Ivan...w-why?" he whimpered, body shuddering and flushing; everywhere the man touched him sending sparks and jolts through his entire frame.
Ivan carefully kissed Matthew, gentle and soothing as he moved against him. "Because who better to love than the one person who thinks they don't deserve it?" Ivan asked gently. "I want you to be loved... But I don't want anyone else to give that to you... Because then I'd lose the one person I've ever wanted more than anything."
Matthew's heart clenched as he held Ivan to him, little whimpers and moans leaving his mouth as buried his face in the man's neck. He kissed him and held him and relished in every single touch and movement, his need to tell Ivan to just take him and Alfred away so great he almost gave in. Instead, he gripped Ivan's waist with his thighs tightly and twisted until he could gently slam the man's back onto the very spot he had just been in. Matthew's body settled against Ivan's chest, fingers racing over the officer's face fondly and lovingly.
He loved him...there was absolutely no denying it now.
Ivan groaned and pushed his hips up against Matthew's, watching blonde hair form a halo of curls about the younger male's head, moonlight filtering through the soft strands. The police officer groaned and moved his hips against the slender frame. He leaned up slightly, barely managing to graze his lips over soft neck and shoulder, hands pressing firmly to the slim back.
Matthew gave him a breathless smile, his arms tangling around Ivan's shoulders to pull him up into a sitting position as he slowly continued to move in his lap. He pressed kisses to Ivan's forehead and cheeks and the tip of his nose, his movements slowly gaining momentum again as his insides clenched and he purred into the man's shoulder.
Large hands clenched and tightened in Matthew's waist, guiding the motions in a harder, faster rhythm, careful to not hurt the blonde but not being too gentle as he thrust into building warmth. "Matvey... My Bludget..." The man whispered hoarsely, his mouth brushing kisses over the pale throat and nibbling softly at the skin.
"Yours," Matthew whispered in response, his lips pressing to Ivan's ear a she breathed in little whimpers and held onto the man, his head tossing back after a moment, Ivan's name on his. His insides clenched, tight and wet and warm around the man's length, his thighs parting more over Ivan's lap. His teeth nibbled at Ivan's pulse, his fingers splaying and nails digging gently into the officer's back. "I-Ivan..I..." Matthew whimpered, his head tilting up so he could easily peer at his face.
Ivan slid his hand over Matthew's stomach, his mouth brushing against the blonde's lightly as he pressed their foreheads together and rocked his hips against the blonde's, careful and gentle as he did so. "Matvey..." He murmured, wanting nothing more than to remain like this forever, but knowing that it'd have to end sometime.
"Promise...p-promise me," Matthew started softly, his own request betraying his previous words as his movements stilled and he cupped Ivan's cheeks. "...t-that no matter what happens...I..," he swallowed, lips parting to take a shuddering little breath as he pressed his lips to Ivan's ear. "...that I love you," he whispered, thighs trembling as he clung to the man tightly. "Don't...don't forget." He pleaded softly.
Ivan captured Matthew's lips with his own, his hands pulling the blonde close as he groaned and pressed as close as he could. "I promise... I'll never forget that... As long as you never forget that I love you too." The man clutched his hands in blonde curls, his body trembling and clenching with the need to release heat and be overwhelmed.
Matthew whimpered and nodded his head, his lower half moving and swiveling and bouncing to bring Ivan to climax, his own following right after. He clung to him tightly, hands balled into fists as he pressed his face to Ivan's shoulder and trembled, heart clenching and aching. Everything had suddenly gone all wrong...
Ivan grunted and shivered, pulling Matthew close and laying back on the pile of rope, his fingers kneading at Matthew's spine as he kissed at a pale neck and shoulder. This wasn't supposed to happen, not now, not when he needed to get Matthew and Alfred out of the Five Points...
Matthew watched Ivan for what felt like an eternity. He melted into the feel of Ivan's hands on his back and the sweet, loving kisses to his skin. It broke Matthew's heart just thinking of what he was doing...what he had set out to do. He was betraying him...Ivan would never forgive him once he found out.
Ivan eventually pulled back enough to peer at blue eyes, smiling softly, genuinely, his fingers careful in their tracing before he spoke. "Let's go home..." He murmured, pulling a kiss from the pale lips.
Nodding gently, Matthew lifted himself from Ivan's form and began to collect his things. "Let's hope they are sleeping."