With the roar of the fire, my heart rose to its feet

[mateors]

Matty was so sure that no one else in the world had ever felt what they were feeling in that moment. It was so rare and pure. He couldn't imagine this type of love existing for anyone else in the world. It was sacred, belonging only to them.

Gabi looked full of emotion. And even though it was the good kind, the happy kind, it still made his heart ache to see her almost cry. When Gabi peppered his face with kisses, Matty smiled, rubbing at her sides. The physical contact felt so natural, as if they'd both spent many lifetimes doing this.

"I can't wait either, baby. But finding out my favorite color is a little too personal. Maybe we save that for our third date?"

Matty grinned. He wiped at her cheeks gently. He also felt overwhelmed with love and happiness and excitement. This was only the first day they'd known each other. They had the rest of their lives to spend together.

"I'd do anything for you," Matty admitted. "I'd spend the rest of my days sorting out all of your rainbow goldfish if that's what you wanted."

[gabriellereed]

'I can't wait either, baby. But finding out my favorite color is a little too personal. Maybe we save that for our third date?'

Laughter forces its way out of her, hard and sudden, emotions tipping on a tightrope stretched between intense adoration and amusement. Trust Matty to make her chuckle in the midst of all this.

There's a snort. A smile, as Gabi's eyes dart around the room momentarily.

"I bet it's green though. All these plants..."

That was the beautiful part of it, wasn't it? She had all the time in the world to learn his favorite color— maybe colors, since he was an artist, maybe he liked a deep emerald green and a smoky mauve. Or maybe he favored something brighter, some electric coral shade.

Whatever it was ... it would become Gabi's favorite color too.

Matty's grin is infectious, and Gabi matches it instantly, cheeks rounding beneath his thumbs as he swipes at any stray moisture. I'd do anything for you, he says, and Gabi believes him. A strange sort of peace settles her, the notion of truly being held. It was ... crazy, maybe to some, all this talk of forever after such a short amount of time. But it felt right. And Gabi and Matty didn't owe anyone else an explanation. If forever was what they felt, why water it down? Why not say it? Gabi didn't want to think about what was normal, she just wanted to trust love.

Trust Matty.

'I'd spend the rest of my days sorting out all of your rainbow goldfish if that's what you wanted.'

And that declaration is one of a thousand reasons why Gabi does.

"I didn't know they made perfect men like you." She drops her head into his hair for a moment, presses a kiss before leaning back to look into his eyes once more. It sends a shiver tripping up her spine — the idea she got to have him forever.

"You'd probably be very good at that. The color sorting. With you being an artist and all." Her lips purse, gaze caught by all the complicated computer and gaming equipment, expensive cables and wires. She catches one of his hands. Kisses a finger. "I bet you have very fast reflexes too."

[mateors]

Gabi understood, and she didn't seem to mind his interruption. She pressed her forehead against his. Matty exhaled, his eyes searching for hers.

Matty hated the idea of having to wait, too, but he would've done it a thousand times over if it meant getting to this moment.

For the first time in Matty's twenty-seven years, he was seen as perfect. Lovable. Not someone who needed to be more mature, or someone who was too emotional.

He was the love of Gabi's life.

The words made his chest tighten, made his stomach do a flip. The knot in his throat only grew, and … Matty didn't know what to say. He could only smile in disbelief.

He wrapped both arms around Gabi tightly. His lips found hers, and he offered a slow, deep kiss. When he finally pulled away, Matty somehow found the words again. He kept his face close to hers. He smiled, still overwhelmed with emotion, but in the best way possible.

"I love you, pretty girl."

He cupped one side of her face, planted a kiss on the other side.

"I can't wait to learn everything about you, to find out that it's somehow possible to love you more than I do right now."

Matty smiled, looking into her eyes.

"My love. Forever and ever."

[gabriellereed]

They were so close their eyelashes brushed against one another. It was a whole other type of intimacy, as familiar and intimate as sharing a glass, or sharing a singular breath. Closeness, both proverbial and literal.

And god, doesn't she feel close to Matty now.

Matty kisses her, holds her near, and Gabi allows herself to sink into the emotion, surrender to what she was feeling in his arms. It was hard for her, sometimes, surrendering. Her childhood, placement after placement, had rarely allowed for spontaneity or a relaxed heart, and her career today demanded exacting precision and effort. Gabi didn't just ... fall in love overnight.

Except she had. Clearly she could, when that person was Matty. It felt fucking right— they had spoken about it briefly last night, being made for one another, but the concept was so clear to her now. Matty, with his welcoming smile. Matty, with his clever, lovely hands who made such wonderful things. Matty, whose eyes had roamed over her body with such clear awe, who had looked at her in the morning with overwhelming affection as he cooked her breakfast without complaint. He was so fucking easy to love. Loving him came as instinctual as drawing in a breath. If God existed, clearly he had spun their souls from the same thread. Clearly he kept Gabi's happiness in mind.

The kiss is thirsty, deep, unrushed, and Gabi takes great pleasure in letting the tips of her fingers roam ghost over his face like she was touching the marble statues from his book, slow and indulgent and reverent.

'I love you, pretty girl.'

Their faces are still close together, thank god. It's easier for Gabi to see his smile that way, feel that warm pleasure knowing she had put that smile there. She just wanted to make him happy. She just wanted to keep Matty happy forever, was that too big an ask?

'I can't wait to learn everything about you, to find out that it's somehow possible to love you more than I do right now.'

Gabi is never speechless, but for a moment her face just tightens with overwhelming emotion, prompting her palm to swipe across her cheeks in a haphazard motion. Anticipatory of tears. The kiss upon her cheek had done a number.

"Sweet boy," She repeats, smiling through it. "You're so beautiful." He was, wasn't he? Gabi kisses him, on his temple, near his ear, right at the corner of his eyelid. "I can't wait for our date. So I can spend the whole night falling in love with you more. And..." A measured exhale. "I can find out important stuff. Like your favorite color."

'My love. Forever and ever.'

"Yours. Forever and ever." Gabi straightens takes his head into her hands. Grins a bit triumphantly. "Mine."

Hers! Love fills up the cavity of her chest, bright, beautiful, overwhelming.

"Don't ask me what I'd do for you right now. Because the answer is anything."

[mateors]

The fact that Gabi played into it all made him love her even more. It wasn't too silly for her. She didn't question it, she simply went along with it.

And there was this funny feeling inside of his chest, this compulsion to screw it up by suddenly changing the subject … but there was no controlling it. Matty's gaze softened, his laughter fading.

Matty loved the way Gabi straightened her spine, deepening her voice to speak into a make-believe radio. He loved that she believed he could do anything, even now while he was stuck in some stupid, corporate job in secret hopes of pleasing his father one day. He loved that she loved him after just a few hours together, and that one night together felt too short for the both of them.

"You are the woman of my dreams," Matty said, somehow amazed that he hadn't said those words before now. "You're everything I've ever wanted."

It was difficult to speak over the knot in his throat.

"You're who I've been waiting for, all this time."

[gabriellereed]

The echo of their laughter hangs in the air for a moment like smoke, but Matty soon falls silent.

There was something sudden in his eyes— the way they shifted, the way his laughter trails off. Gabi isn't sure what to expect. Only that he was now looking at her with a tenderness that made her bones ache.

She isn't used to someone looking at her like that. Andrew certainly never did. He was so brisk, and business-like, and he tried for humor but never quite managed this softness. At least not for Gabi.

Matty, on the other hand, could peel her like ripe fruit: so delicate and tender in the way his words sliced into her heart. He was sensitive, and sweet, he laughed at everything and saw the world through an artist's eye.

'You are the woman of my dreams,'

Something solid forms inside her chest.

'You're everything I've ever wanted.'

Gabi isn't sure what brought this about, in the midst of their jokes— she only knows the way her eyes smart. How she twists in his lap to get a better look at Matty's face.

'You're who I've been waiting for, all this time.'

The sincerity in his eyes makes everything melt.

"Matty." Gabi cups his face, brings her forehead to rest against his. This was better. This seems more appropriate— her eyes mere inches from his face. "Sweet boy. You're fucking killing me." She shifts her head several inches to kiss his cheek for a long moment, eyes shuttering in thought. To be everything he'd ever wanted...

"I hate the thought of you having to wait." She leans back another imperceptible inch, just to better look at him. "But I feel very lucky it worked out this way. That I got to meet the perfect person that you are. Perfect for me." God, it felt as if her insides were engulfed by heat. It was all so much, so intense. But if Matty was being open with her, so too would Gabi. It felt right— going all in. "The love of my life..."

It clicked into place; the truth of that statement.

[mateors]

Matty hadn't thought about it up until that point, but he really couldn't wait for everyone in his life to meet Gabi. All of his friends, coworkers, and the few family members that he tolerated.

He'd be so proud to have her on his arm. The most beautiful woman in the world had somehow picked him.

Wasn't he lucky?

Gabi was so supportive, too, insisting taht he could do anything he wanted to, and that he'd be good at it. He smiled in return.

Maybe one day.

"Ah, yes. Those goddamn villains." Matty shook his head. "I think we should build an FBI profile for them and issue some sort of public warning."

Matty grinned, putting on his best impression of what he imagined an FBI agent sounded like.

"We're looking for a white male, mid to late twenties. He must've grown up in some sort of loveless home because he buries drugs at parties. He's also a chronic pothead…"

He laughed, trailing off. He raised his brows at Gabi, silently encouraging her to finish the profile.

[gabriellereed]

'Ah, yes. Those goddamn villains.'

Goddamn villains indeed! Burying molly in his planter like errant, drug-packing squirrels. Who did that at another person's home? Though Gabi does get a strong kernel of satisfaction knowing she and Matty had been the ones to actually enjoy it.

That had just been the cherry atop an already perfect night.

Matty grins as he suggests assembling a criminal profile, and Gabi can't help but mirror that smile, laughter bubbling in her chest as he attempts his best impersonation. They had disposed of that molly with incredible efficiency, hadn't they?

'We're looking for a white male, mid to late twenties. He must've grown up in some sort of loveless home because he buries drugs at parties. He's also a chronic pothead…'

Ugh. Even his laugh reminded Gabi of ... water, bubbling from a stream. Relaxing and melodic. She almost misses her cue to finish the profile because she's too busy staring at his face, too busy admiring how how effortlessly funny he was.

Gabi straightens, puffs out her chest as if displaying pectorals and a badge.

"Suspect is likely a drifter, likely has several priors. We're looking at someone who never refills the water filter in the fridge in a timely manner, and at this point should be considered dangerous..."

At that Gabi inclines her head. Catches Matty's gaze with a smirk as she pushes down on an imaginary radio at her chest, voice deepening in intensity.

"Officer Matty I'm going to have to insist you do not approach them without a partner, do you read? Do NOT approach solo."

Gabi jabs a finger in his direction.

"I'm not losing our best guy on the squad."

[mateors]

A political hero at Gabi's job. It made sense, given the type of people that she seemeed to work with. Matty wasn't the biggest fan of the politicians his father aligned himself with. Then again, he wasn't really a fan of a lot of stuff his father aligned with.

"This is great. I feel like I already know Diego so well now."

"I'll introduce you to him one day. He's a cool guy, he's just… you know. Not afraid of being himself."

Matty smiled to himself. It didn't matter what type of diet or lifestyle change Diego was making -- he was still a good friend, a kind individual. That part of him consistently stayed the same.

"You could do this professionally, obviously."

What a nice compliment for a couple of not-so-serious drawings. He kissed the side of her neck.

"I used to want to. I wanted to do a lot of things, actually. Probably too many things to ever really be achievable."

Matty tightened his arm around her abdomen.

"What crazy, nearly impossible thing should I draw next?" He wondered.

[gabriellereed]

'I'll introduce you to him one day. He's a cool guy, he's just… you know. Not afraid of being himself.'

Gabi hums at that. Smiles. It made sense— that someone as utterly earnest as Matty would hang around people who were similar. Even Selene was like that in a way. She wasn't ashamed to be intense, or competitive, just as Matty seemed to move like water, free and fluid and charming with his artist's soul. Diego, it seemed, had fully embraced the more bohemian parts of his personality. He sounded fun. Could probably party, too. Gabi felt happy and honored for the chance to meet someone Matty was so clearly fond of.

"I'd like that."

There's a kiss on her cheek, prompting a smile, and then something from Matty that makes her soul ache a bit.

'I used to want to. I wanted to do a lot of things, actually. Probably too many things to ever really be achievable.'

There's a tightening round her abdomen. A constricting in her throat, a moment where her brows draw together intently.

"I think you could do literally anything you wanted to, actually." Gabi twists slightly, to look up into his face, wondering what had made someone as talented as Matty think otherwise. "I think you'd be good at all of them."

It made something inside her constrict, to think of a younger Matty with all these dreams. Someone who made movies by himself. Someone who parked themselves at the Met and painstakingly studied figures of marble and clay. There was just something so... creative, about Matty, and it touched her. Made her want to protect that spark.

'What crazy, nearly impossible thing should I draw next?'

She drops a kiss upon his collarbone.

"Maybe you can draw those nefarious villains who were burying drugs in all your potted plants."

[mateors]

Gabi liked the spot, and Matty did too. He wrapped an arm around her abdomen, holding her close. He could get used to this - working like this, playing games like this. It wasn't difficult, and it meant having her close.

Matty braced himself for her reaction. It was weird. And he knew it was weird. Then, Gabi started laughing. She was laughing quite a bit, honestly, and Matty couldn't help but join her.

The sound of her laugh was perfect. Joyful and contagious. He wished he could record it and play it on a loop for the rest of his days.

"I'm glad you like it."

Matty laughed at the idea of drawing politicians.

"Yeah, I could probably draw some crazy conservative representative getting an abortion. But. My dad is probably friends with them."

Matty shrugged, laughing at the idea. Yeah. That would be funny.

He rested a chin on her shoulder. He clicked on another file. This one was a little less strange, but it was a caricature of Diego as a massive body builder. Only, instead of lifting weights, he was lifting vegetables.

"Diego is a vegan. Sometimes. And he's also not jacked. So. He really liked this one."

[gabriellereed]

It felt so nice, when Matty secured his arm round her abdomen— like a seatbelt or a blanket settling over your lap, something that made her secure. Comfortable.

All the different ways their body could touch, and Gabi wants to experience all of them.

And what was even nicer was the feel of them laughing in tandem; Matty was glad she liked it, and Gabi savored the feeling of their chests expanding and contracting together. He had a beautiful laugh. Matty had a beautiful everything.

'Yeah, I could probably draw some crazy conservative representative getting an abortion. But. My dad is probably friends with them.'

Gabi lets out a strangled noise at the idea, eyebrows raising on shock. Huh. She knew he and Selene's family were wealthy— upper echelon wealth, the kind that can afford the Bugatti Centodiec with ease— but hearing that Matty's father was close with government officials was still a surprise. That probably ... was a lot of pressure. Maybe suffocating, to be born into such a family. Selene certainly seemed to have a complicated relationship with it. At least Gabi's own family meant privacy and anonymity.

Gabi just chuckles, wraps her hand around his wrist, thumb circling round the convex of the bone there. A snort.

"That would honestly be hilarious. And I think at my job you'd be hailed as a political hero."

There's the new pressure of his chin settling into the indent of her shoulder, and oh, of course, that fits perfectly too. How did everything about Matty suit her so well?

He scrolls for a second more, reveals another drawing for Gabi. This time it was an actual depiction of his friend.

'Diego is a vegan. Sometimes. And he's also not jacked. So. He really liked this one.'

Well. Apparently with some liberties.

"Oh my god."

Gabi finds herself grinning again, studying the photo with squinted eyes. It was clear, Matty's talent at capturing things, people, ideas, in his art.

"This is great. I feel like I already know Diego so well now."

"You could do this professionally, obviously."

[mateors]

Gabi had no intention of cancelling their date. Life threatening injury or not, she would be there. And Matty believed her, because he felt the same. Nothing would ever stop him from seeing her.

"I'm trusting you on this," Matty said, voice reflecting somewhat of a playful warning.

With that, Matty plopped down on his computer and powered it up. Meanwhile, he motioned for Gabi to join him, to sit on his lap while he browsed through a few folders of artwork. He finally found the one dedicated to the abominations that he made for Diego.

He clicked on the one labeled Cartman.

It depicted a much taller Cartman, with longer, Jesus-esque hair under his beanie. He also had a goatee. He was at a podium, no doubt having just finished some powerful speech about leaving behind worldly possessions. There was a crowd of people listening, all faceless and facing this … cult-like Cartman.

"I know it's weird," Matty said, laughing. "But Diego's weird, and he really liked it. He said I somehow managed to capture this guy's real energy, or whatever." Matty shrugged.

[gabriellereed]

Matty was trusting her on this.

The sketchbook had already been shared, all that beautiful art, and now came this, prompting Gabi to return a playful nod of her own. Nothing could change her opinion of Matty anyway. No matter how unique the drawing was.

If anything, Gabi is a bit tickled that he went out of his way to create something for a friend. It sounded thoughtful!

She sets his sketchbook carefully upon the desk, shuffles into his lap with a smile when invited to. It's a lovely spot. Gabi has an excellent view of the computer, and she can feel the warmth of Matty's chest leak into her back, a nice little touch of sun just below her shoulder-blade.

"I like it right here," Gabi remarks as he sifts through his folders. She wanted to sit here again in the future.

But. Well. She's rendered momentarily speechless at the final reveal.

'I know it's weird,'

'But Diego's weird, and he really liked it. He said I somehow managed to capture this guy's real energy, or whatever.'

Sacred indeed. It is a depiction of Eric Cartman preaching to the masses, holding them under his sway with his flowing locks and small triangle of facial hair. Gabi's jaw drops, and she leans forward in Matty's lap, face stopping only a few inches from the screen.

She laughs. Hard. Reaches a hand back to grasp Matty's forearm.

"Fuck, Matty." Her grip tightens when a stitch materializes in her side. "Oh, Matty, this is so good." God. It was good, wasn't it? Excellent composition, a perfect portrayal of ... frenzied passion, on Cartman's face? Even as a joke, it was all done amazingly. No wonder his friend had loved it. Gabi finds herself truly, and thoroughly impressed at her love's talent.

"This is like the power of creation. Being able to make whatever you want?" Gabi purses her lip in thought. "Like you can just draw politicians kissing Goku, or something."

[mateors]

There was nothing better than hearing Gabi say that she was falling more in love with Matty. It made him smile widely, made him lean in to kiss the side of her face because he felt it too.

"God. I fucking love you."

Every hour. Every minute. Every second. HIs love for her was always growing. It was the most incredible feeling in the world. It made him feel superhuman, and he hoped it never went away.

"No. Diego doesn't really stay in anything for a long time. He experiments a lot."

That was the kindest way to describe it. One day, Gabi would have to formally meet Matty. They'd have to be around each other, but Matty wasn't worried. Gabi was kind. Even if Diego was a little eccentric, she'd accept him as he was… because of who she was.

"I might have a picture of the artwork, but. It's kind of sacred, and I don't know if I can trust you?"

Matty hooked his arms around her hips.

"What if you change your mind and cancel our date?"

[gabriellereed]

It makes Gabi's eyes flutter shut, makes her grin as if she'd just been crowned queen of the world. I fucking love you. It sounds so sweet out of Matty's mouth. Earnest, too. It didn't matter the pair hadn't been acquainted for twenty four hours. Maybe others wouldn't understand it. But Matty did, and Gabi sure as hell does too, so what did it matter if some might find it unbelievable?

What was the doubt of others compared to the complete surety of her own heart?

She loves Matty, and it's as simple and as real as that.

Gabi purses her lips, nods as Matty explains that his friend was the type to shift around. Diego sounded rather ... bohemian? But if he was friends with Matty, surely he had no shortage of good qualities! Anyone who appreciated Matty clearly had a heart and a brain.

But her love is hesitant to share the photo.

It was sacred, apparently.

'What if you change your mind and cancel our date?'

Gabi smiles lazily, slings her arms around Matty's middle when his hands find her hips.

"You can soooooo trust me. I would never violate the sanctity of your Eric Cartman artwork."

And! This next part is said with blazing earnestness. It makes her heart constrict a bit, honestly.

"Even if I get hit by a bus on Monday... I am still coming to our date, Matty." She surges up on tiptoe— presses a slow kiss against his lips. "I would crawl there. Besides. There's nothing you can do that would make me not wanna see you."

[mateors]

Matty was enamored with the idea of drawing Gabi. He'd love to tell her how to pose. He'd love to spend hours looking at her. Apparently, she thought it was a romantic idea, too.

"I see you as perfect. The most beautiful person in the world," Matty said, cupping the side of her face. "I'd love any excuse to just stare at you for hours."

Matty smiled. It sounded like the perfect day to him. Putting all of his focus on Gabi, working fervently to make sure every detail that he loved about her face was reflected on paper.

"Weird as in … uh. You know. Fan art? For my friend? He's a little weird, so. I drew Cartman from South Park as a a cult leader once?"

Matty laughed a little awkwardly. It was… weird. He and Diego had a habit of exchanging weird gifts.

"He went through this phase where he was trying to find out what religion he was, and he somehow ended up in a group that was kind of cult-y with a dude who resembled Eric Cartman. So."

[gabriellereed]

I see you as perfect

The most beautiful person in the world.

There's a disconnect in Gabi's brain— some static, and a lag, because how on earth does Matty see her as the most beautiful person in the world? Matty, perfect Matty who actually deserves the title. It doesn't quite make sense, but his words flood Gabi's brain nonetheless, and she feels impossibly ... buoyant. So warm.

She wonders if his hands hurt, if they burn where he's cupping her face.

"I don't know what to say to that." Gabi covers his hand with her own, leans to kiss the inside of his thumb. Ugh. The effect still hadn't lessened, had it. How disarming Matty was, how fucking charming and sincere he was while doing it. "Other than you're just making me fall more in love..."

And he was. It almost scared Gabi, how the love she felt for him kept accumulating and accelerating and multiplying. She had never experienced this before. Not even close. Matty wanted to draw her, capture her with his own hand ...the thought is electrifying and beautiful.

And she's even more endeared, honestly, if not thoroughly confused, by Matty's description of the fan art he did. Eric Cartman. A religious group that had veered into cult-territory, but not quite?

She lets out a strangled exhale, somewhere between a cough and a laugh.

"Did, uh ... did he stay in the cult-y group?"

The picture he's painting, proverbial and literal, is making Gabi smile so hard her cheeks hurt. Leave it to Matty to make her fluctuate between such two extremes. He contained multitudes, her baby did. And now he's piqued her curiosity to the point of need.

"And— god, please say yes — do you have a fucking picture of this artwork?"

[mateors]

Matty definitely wasn't the guy who fished for compliments, and he didn't want it to seem that way. He genuinely believed that the first few pages weren't as impressive, because they'd been done by a fifteen year old Mateo. His art style had changed since then, and Matty felt like he'd greatly improved. But, he understood what Gabi meant.

He was sure that he'd love any and all of Gabi's projects and hobbies because they came from her.

"Maybe I can draw you one day," Matty offered. "You can pose for me and watch me draw."

It sounded romantic to Matty. Watching her, maybe for hours on end, while he attempted to draw the perfect shape of her mouth.

"Sometimes I'm hard on myself," Matty admitted. "But you haven't seen some of the weird stuff I've drawn for my friends."

[gabriellereed]

'Maybe I can draw you one day,'

Gabi swallows.

'You can pose for me and watch me draw.'

Thud-thud, thud-thud. Her heart practically pounds against her sternum, face flushed not just at the idea of being drawn, but watching Matty do it, watching him study the planes of her face with his artist's eye. It sounded ... incredibly romantic, honestly. And hot. Posing for your lover while they drew you? No wonder Kate and Jack had practically stumbled into that vehicle.

Gabi tries for a composed smile, instead probably looks all sappy and love-sick and excited.

"That, I think, would be really nice... and romantic." A beat. Gabi presses her tongue against the point of her tooth, imagines how Matty's brow might furrow when he sketches the line of her cheek. It was so flattering, honestly. That someone like Matty would want to capture her likeness.

"I'd like to see how you see me..."

Matty said he was hard on himself, sometimes— and wasn't it so true about that old adage? Being your own worst critic? Gabi has certainly applied vicious levels of scrutiny and pressure to her own work. But good art seems much more obvious than good research, and she hopes that maybe he can look at these older sketches with the same awe that she does. Maybe one day he'll see what she does.

She rubs Matty's arm, raises a brow inquisitively at the mention of ... weird stuff. There's a smirk.

"Weird how?" Her thumb strokes slowly against the warm skin of his bicep. "I bet it looks amazing no matter what it is."

[mateors]

It was a miracle that Matty even left the house for work on Mondays. Oftentimes, he'd spend a vast majority of his weekend in that very room.

"Yeah, it's really chill, in a way. Just hearing the city. Smoking some good weed." He shrugged. It was a simple pleasure that Matty enjoyed. And, now that Gabi was in his life, he wondered if they'd share evenings out there together. Smoking, staring out at the skyline.

Matty wrapped an arm around Gabi, squeezing.

"The plants can be a little moody, but. I think they like it here."

Matty laughed. He'd never really expected to be a plant collector, but. Thanks to Diego, he'd grown to appreciate having them around.

"Oh, and there's this…"

Matty walked across the room, opening the closet door. It was mainly used for storage and extras. There were a few tripods, a few cameras in their cases. He fished through a few sketchbooks until he found the right one. Definitely the mildest one.

"I started this in high school, so. The first few pages suck, but… whatever."

He handed it over.

Inside, nearly every page contained a sketch. Matty used to go to the Met whenever he could, and he'd spend hours drawing the sculptures while he listened to music.

"I don't do it as much as I used to, but. Maybe that can be date number two."

[gabriellereed]

'The plants can be a little moody, but. I think they like it here.'

Gabi smiles, leans her head upon Matty's shoulder as he gives a gentle squeeze.

"They're all green and huge. They definitely do."

And why wouldn't they be? If Gabi were a plant— she'd like to be something tall and tropical— she would be perfectly content to live here under Matty's care, surrounded by other thriving greenery. Hell. She wanted to stay here now.

Matty had described the pocket of serenity he found on the patio. Listening to the sounds of New York, getting high. It sounded insanely appealing to Gabi, who had yet to curate such a ... rigorous self-care routine as Selene. No. No hot yoga or balcony sessions for her. Mostly she just indulged in her latest snack fixation and angrily scrolled through her work email again. Sitting out there on the patio with him, perhaps lazily pruning a dead leaf or two ... that sounded vastly more appealing and healthy. And. Well. She was pretty certain doing anything with Matty would drop her blood pressure levels quite tremendously. Everything felt better, felt amplified by his side, whether that was cooking breakfast or leaping into the pool.

But her curiosity is interrupted when Matty begins fishing around in the closet, handing her something that makes her heart leap in excitement. The fact he was already comfortable enough to let her flip through....

'I don't do it as much as I used to, but. Maybe that can be date number two.'

Matty's sketchbook. Gabi opens it carefully, as quick as she dares, head bent down to observe what's on each page.

'The first few pages suck...'

The first few pages were beautiful. And so was every single page that followed. The smile that appears on Gabi's face is involuntary, pulled out of her in awe of the sketches and studies Matty's hand created— the heavy pleats of fabric, the globular curve of a hero's shoulder. It was all strikingly beautiful, and Gabi's heart aches at Matty's talent, the fact he might downplay what he drew. Why would he do that?

"I would love to sit and watch you draw..."

Gabi's head snaps up, something misty there in her eyes.

"Matty, these are gorgeous. You're completely brilliant."

"I definitely don't trust you to rate your own artwork..."

[mateors]

Matty knew that Gabi was being sincere. There was no way that she wasn't. That's why he loved her. He picked up on that sincerity and kindness the second that he'd met her. She was friends with Selene, after all.

Matty led the way upstairs, to his office. Down the hallway from his bedroom was the room that Matty occupied the most. He'd put a lot of work into the area to make it somewhere that he loved.

"It's a little busy," Matty described with a smile, before pushing the door open.

The first thing that Gabi was going to notice was probably going to be all of the plants.

A few hanging plants. A huge monstera that flourished by a pair of French doors with a perfect view of New York. There was a decent sized couch, with a few blankets draped over the arm rests. Often times, this is where Matty preferred his naps. And, of course, there was a desk that housed his laptop, dual monitors, and an impressive PC and gaming set up that Matty had built himself.

"This is it! I know. It's a lot."

He let go of Gabi's hand only to walk over to the French doors that led out into a very tiny balcony area. There was a small table there, and a pair of chairs. Matty pushed open the doors.

"This is where I like to smoke weed sometimes."

[gabriellereed]

Her head kept swiveling as they walked— eager to catch glimpses of what she missed last night. Obviously, Gabi had been ... preoccupied, earlier. But now she had time to look, and now she would be getting a complete tour of the office. Matty opens the door, prefaces their entrance as if to prepare Gabi.

'It's a little busy,'

Gabi loves it immediately.

The room was punctuated with shocks of green— a sprawling monstera stood guard by the doors, while other, longer plants trailed leaves of varying shades of chartreuse, fern, forest down from their perch in the air. There was something relaxing about it all. Seclusive.

In the midst of all the jungle lush was a computer set-up— it looked complicated, and expensive, with multiple screens and parts situated on the desk. Gabi's eyebrows raise. Quite a contrast to her solitary work laptop. She thinks the contrast is nice, all these green growing things serving as a backdrop for monitors and blinking light. Technology and nature enmeshed.

It isn't a lot, as Matty says. It's fucking cool.

She grins, wide, spins around slowly to absorb the entire picture.

"This is so fucking cool, Matty. It's crazy that you ever leave this place." Her fingers gingerly brush the monstera. "All these plants..."

Not only cool, it was beautiful. Clearly indicative of Matty's creative eye. He then opens the french doors to reveal the balcony and its seating, the stunning skyline of the city. Another layer to the office: all that shining metal, sleek industrial forms.

'This is where I like to smoke weed sometimes.'

Gabi waltzes up to him, leans against the firm muscle of his side. She's endeared, honestly, by Matty's work. Something about the time it must have taken him to collect and cultivate all these plants, to make the office such a lovely escape ... it was attractive.

"Probably impossible to have a bad high up here."

[mateors]

Matty stood shortly after Gabi did. He placed any leftover ingredients back in the fridge and didn't worry too much about the clean up. He could worry about it later. Right now, his time with Gabi was precious, and he'd promised to show her his office, after all.

"You're really sweet," Matty told Gabi, smiling as he rested a hand on her side. "You might not feel that way when you see some of the questionable stuff I've drawn."

Matty laughed. Had he drawn some very weird South Park fanart for Diego? Of course! But maybe he'd save those types of revelations for later on.

Matty grabbed Gabi's hand, taking a few steps back.

"C'mon. Let me show you my office."

[gabriellereed]

His palm, his fingers— it all seemed to fit comfortably against her side, almost as if they were sculpted to rest there.

Like it was meant to be.

'You're really sweet,'

'You might not feel that way when you see some of the questionable stuff I've drawn.'

Gabi exhales, hard, head already shaking the moment those words leave his lips. Sure, she didn't know the kind of art Matty made. She didn't know the style he favored, the subjects of his work. But she did know Matty— even if their introduction wasn't so long ago — and she saw evidence of his taste in the lush styling of his house. It was all lovely. Bright. Eye-catching. So unlike the bland, tiredly-minimalist styling most rich people seemed to favor now. Besides. There was no way a beautiful soul like his could make something bad. She was sure of it.

"No way." Gabi answers, chin set with conviction. "I already know I love everything about you. Anything that you touch."

Matty takes her hand. Mentions that sacred office space. There's the stirring of butterflies, a shiver passing underneath the borrowed shirt.

"Lead the way, baby."

[mateors]

Matty certainly didn't mind if his bathroom had little traces of Gabi everywhere. In fact - he welcomed it. Matty would've been the happiest man in the world if he had her clothes in his closet, and her make up scattered across his counter. There couldn't have been a better feeling, Matty thought.

"That's okay," he finally replied, offering her a simple shrug. "There's plenty of space."

Matty grinned in response to Gabi biting her lip, presumably over his use of the word 'date.' He felt the same, too. Excited. Boyish. Completely enamored.

He agreed with Gabi's sentiment, though he never dared to call any of his hobbies 'art.' It wasn't real art, according to his father. It was a waste of time and money, but Matty didn't care. It was his time, and his money, and now - Gabi was excited to see all of it.

"I hope you like what you see," Matty said. He tucked a strand of hair behind her ear. "I know I do."

[gabriellereed]

Matty was perfect about it, of course — quick to reassure Gabi there were plenty of room for her items. How unfortunate, he was so perfect! Because every sweet gesture, every tender word just meant parting for work was going to be more painful.

But there was no point in worrying about that now. She and Matty had a reprieve; another twenty-four hours to become acquainted with the person they loved.

Gabi was lucky.

'I hope you like what you see,'

'I know I do.'

So fucking lucky.

Gabi collects their plates and glasses, heat and the smoky-sweet scent of bacon still lingering in the air, and sets them in the sink before wheeling round to Matty, a smile curling there upon her face.

"You smooth-talker."

He was smooth; smoother than glass, and very adept at making her insides twist with butterflies. Ugh.

Gabi cups her hand against his cheek, already certain she had discovered her new favorite artist. It all felt very simple to her.

"I'm know I'm gonna love everything of yours because it's an extension of you."

[mateors]

Matty didn't need to be thanked. This is what he wanted - for Gabi to stay, as long as she wanted. Now, Matty no longer had that feeling of dread that she would leave soon, or that she'd leave with Selene. He had for another 24 hours.

"You should leave them here."

You can leave everything here, if you want, Matty wanted to say - but he kept that part to himself. They had to look forward to some things, right?

Matty kissed the side of her face one more time.

"I'll get to show you my office..." Matty said, grinning. "And you can help me pick out my outfit for our date. But aside from that, we can just do nothing, if we want."

[gabriellereed]

'You should leave them here.'

She feels strangely weightless in that moment, and a bit self-satisfied, too, the thought of her mascara or brush there on his counter. Matty was so quick to oblige her. So sweet. It was comforting, knowing that when she did eventually have to leave, some part of her, though small, would remain here with him. Maybe Matty might look at her blush compact and think of her.

"Mmmm. Well now your bathroom is gonna look like a beauty parlor, I'm afraid."

She squints, when Matty presses a kiss to her cheek, shifts her head to give one too.

'I'll get to show you my office...' 'And you can help me pick out my outfit for our date. But aside from that, we can just do nothing, if we want.'

Date. The word has Gabi biting her lip, girlish, flustered, in an excited way, feeling less ... composed, than a man had ever made her feel. But that really wasn't a bad thing. When was the last time she'd felt a flutter like this? The thought of being out in public with Matty ... it sends her pulse skittering. Makes her chest warm with pride.

"Yes to all, please." Gabi says, draining the last of her orange juice. Her smile is bright —just yesterday she'd been practically developing an ulcer over work, and now here she was skipping over clouds. Just because she was excited to see his office."I feel like ..." A beat. "...Getting to see your art is gonna be getting to see you."

[mateors]

Gabi and Matty both seemed to be on the same page. They both understood what this was - love. Real love. The type of love that made people move mountains.

The type of love that was rare and impossible -- only … it was happening, right now, to both of them.

Gabi pressed his hand against her chest, near her heart. The heart that he loved. The heart that loved him back.

It was a vulnerable moment between the two -- emotional. Matty meant every word of what he said. There was no obstacle that they couldn't traverse together. They could conquer toothbrushes and work outfits and everything else, as long as they got to stay together.

Matty wiped at her eyes, kissing the sides of her face.

"We'll get you a toothbrush and shampoo and make up and whatever else you need to be comfortable," Matty promised.

Matty was so fucking excited. Another 24 hours. 24 hours of spending time with her and curing their hangover together. 24 hours of whatever they wanted.

Matty cupped her face, leaning in to give her a kiss.

"Thank you for staying."

[gabriellereed]

For a moment Gabi forgot they were in his kitchen. Forgot they were on earth, and that the two of them weren't the only living beings to exist. But they may have well been, when Matty brushes away her tears, alternates kisses upon her cheeks. Gabi didn't have to worry about a toothbrush. Hell. He'd said he'd get her makeup. It was staggering, honestly, the lengths he was going to ensure not only that she stayed, but that she was comfortable here. Matty had only just met her. And yet it mattered to him, that Gabi might have the tube of mascara she was partial to. He loved her that much. What they shared together was singular, rare, proof of either divine chance or beautiful fate.

'Thank you for staying.'

Gabi wasn't really sure she'd earned thanks. It was the opposite of sacrifice, staying with the love of her life: getting to decide upon lunch together, getting to wrap her arms about his abdomen and gaze at his face just for the pleasure of it. Matty looked so beautiful now. And had, since the first second of their introduction, but there was something about someone baring themselves in the warm light of morning, admitting they never wanted you to go ... it made him even more gorgeous.

They kiss, and it feels something like forever.

"Thank you for wanting me to stay. For everything."

The whole day was just theirs. Theirs! And to think she wouldn't even have to want for her brand of shampoo! God. It felt... insanely satisfying, honestly, to think of her shampoo sitting upon his shelf.

"You know..." Gabi begins a bit slyly, leaning her face into the warm space of his palm. "It'd be kinda redundant to take some of the things back. I might even have to leave them here..."

[mateors]

Matty watched for Gabi's reaction. There was always a part of him that came off a little too strong, a little too eager, but -- that didn't appear to be an issue with Gabi. She seemed to understand him and welcome that side of him with absolutely zero hesitation.

There were tears forming in her eyes, asking if Matty really meant it, if he'd really go through all that trouble just for her.

"Yes," he said, without even needing a second to think. "I'd do anything just to keep you here. None of it is trouble if it means you get to stay."

Matty really hoped that she understood and felt the same sincerity that she'd shown him.

"I just … love you so much already and twelve hours of knowing you isn't enough."

Matty shook his head. He realized how that sounded, but he didn't care.

"I'm always going to want more time with you."

[gabriellereed]

Yes.

Instantaneous. Uncomplicated.

'I'd do anything just to keep you here.'

And Gabi would do anything to stay. But she wouldn't have to, because Matty had offered to do this so willingly— he'd make arrangements to have her clothes brought here, hell, get her a whole new outfit, just so she could spend another night with him, so she wouldn't have to rush to her apartment before the sun was cresting over an orange and pink sky.

A lump, in her throat. Almost painful. Gabi swallows around it and gives a watery smile. Matty was just so ... earnest. Real, and it struck her at her core.

'I just … love you so much already and twelve hours of knowing you isn't enough.'

"It's not nearly enough, is it?" Fuck. He looked so ... sweet, beautifully vulnerable with her. Everything felt impossibly tight, like the cavern of her chest had been filled to burst. "Not when it feels this important." Another swallow.

"—Not when you are."

Gabi takes his hand, uncurls it, gently, presses it against her chest as if he could absorb her love through osmosis, through heartbeat alone; that way he could have it always, never be without. It's less about thought, and more about feeling. More about two syllables banging around in her chest, unfamiliar to her, until now, creeping on the edge of her consciousness with quiet insistence. Soulmate.

"Of course I'll stay. I'd stay if you told me we had to sleep on the pool deck without a blanket." Gabi wedges her palm against her eyes, swipes.

"I don't have my toothbrush though."