Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

"Y! M-C-A! It's fun to stay at the- Hey! What are you doing?!"
Tom was standing on the bar counter, dancing and singing along to YMCA, as Matt dragged him down from there.
"You're drunk, Fletcher!" Matt yelled over the music at Tom who was still trying to do the dance moves along with the song.
"No, I'm not!" Tom slurred, but Matt still grabbed his arm and started dragging him along.

He knew Tom well enough to know that he would be absolutely miserable in the morning when being faced with all his drunken actions. So he wanted to spare him a little and get him home before it went too far. Ever since Matt sobered up, it had been his unofficial job to help his friends out when they got a little too drunk. It was rarely Tom getting too drunk, though. Matt was a bit worried about him.

"I don't wanna go home, Matt!" Tom whined as Matt found their jackets and started helping Tom put his on. Of course he was too drunk to do it himself. He made Tom put out his arms in front of him, so he could guide the sleeves over his hands and up his arms. Then he zipped up the jacket and felt a bit like a dad taking care of his kid. Tom looked into his eyes, they were swimming, and smiled sheepishly at Matt.

As they got outside and the cold air hit their faces, Tom stopped in his tracks.
"Oh, crap," he said before bending over and vomiting all over the pavement. Matt sighed and put his hand on Tom's back, trying to comfort him.
"I'm gonna go get a bottle of water, are you gonna be okay?" Matt said. Tom looked up during a break in the vomiting and nodded. Matt quickly went back inside to get some water from the bar. On the way he ran into Danny.

"You going home with Tom, ay?" Danny said with a grin. He knew all about Matt's more than friendly feelings towards Tom. Matt rolled his eyes.
"He's drunk as Hell, Dan, it's not like that at all."
"Keep telling yourself that, mate," Danny teased and winked. Matt punched his arm lightly and hurried along to the bar.

When Matt got outside again, Tom was sitting a bit away from the mayhem he caused. He was sat on the ground with his back against the wall, leaning his head back with eyes closed.
"You alright, mate?" Matt said as he reached him. Tom opened his eyes and gave him a tired smile while nodding. Matt handed him the bottle of water and he greedily started drinking it, desperate to get the taste of bile out of his mouth. Matt took out his phone and called a cab. When he hung up the phone, he turned to look at Tom. He was staring at him with a silly smile across his lips.

"What?" Matt said and smiled. He couldn't help but smile whenever Tom did. It made his heart flutter.
"You're always so nice to me," Tom said.
"Of course. We're mates," Matt said with a smile.
"I know, but you're nice to me... It's different than the other guys," Tom said and got a puzzled look on his face. Matt could feel his heart beating faster and nervously laughed at Tom.
"You're rambling, mate."
Tom laughed, too, "Yeah, maybe you're right..."

Five minutes later, the cab pulled up and they got in. Sitting in the backseat, Matt gave the address to Tom's place. Tom sighed beside him and put his head on Matt's shoulder. Matt froze, not wanting to move a muscle. He felt like that time he saw a deer in his backyard and was afraid that every little movement would break the spell and make it run away. All of a sudden Tom also snuck his hand into Matt's. After letting out a content sigh, he started lightly snoring.
Matt noticed the driver eyeing them in the mirror, but he didn't care right now. He felt so happy feeling Tom leaning against him with his hand in his.

As they reached Tom's place, Matt lightly squeezed Tom's hand and said, "Hey, you're home."
Tom stopped snoring and after a second of realizing what he was doing, he quickly sat up and pulled his hand out of Matt's.
"Sorry..." he mumbled before quickly getting out as Matt was paying the driver.
When Matt was done paying, Tom was already at the door, trying to get the key into the lock, but seeing as he was pretty drunk, it was a pretty hard task. Matt took the key from Tom and unlocked the door. As their hands touched for a second, Tom quickly pulled away. He pushed through the door and ran into the house. Matt frowned as he followed him in. 

As he entered the house, he could hear Tom vomiting once again in the bathroom.
He shuffled to the bathroom door and asked, "Are you okay, Tom?"
"Yep..." Tom weakly answered from the other side of the door. Matt leaned against the wall next to the door and slid to the floor. He closed his eyes as he waited for Tom to emerge.
He could hear Tom shuffling around in the bathroom, flushing the toilet, turning on the faucet, brushing his teeth.

When Tom finally exited the bathroom, Matt was almost asleep with his head leaning against the wall.
"You didn't have to wait for me," Tom said and smiled sheepishly.
"Don't be silly, mate, I wanna make sure you're okay," Matt just said and got up from the floor.
"Let's get you to bed," Matt said and put his hand on the back of Tom's back to lead him to the bedroom.
"You're too sweet," Tom mumbled and Matt's heart fluttered a bit at his words.

As they got to the bedroom, Matt helped Tom get his clothes off. Despite Tom throwing up, he was still way too drunk to keep his balance while taking off his skinny jeans. Matt pushed him down on the bed and grabbed his legs.
"I can do it!" Tom whined.
"Shut up and let me help you," Matt said and couldn't help but chuckle about the whole situation. He grabbed the pant legs and pulled them off of Tom's legs. Tom couldn't help but giggle, too. Matt helped him pull his shirt over his head and off, too. As he was sitting there on the bed in just his boxers and sheepish look on his face, he looked so innocent and vulnerable. Matt's heart was swelling in his chest.

Tom crawled under the covers and sighed.
"I feel rubbish, Matt," he said.
"I know," Matt said with a smile and sat down on the bed.
"Will you please stay with me for a while?" Tom asked innocently and looked at him with puppy eyes.
"Of course," Matt said and laid down on the bed next to Tom. Over the covers. He didn't wanna push it.
"I like you so much," Tom said, lying with his back to Matt.
"I like you, too, mate," Matt said, trying not reveal that his heart was pounding out of his chest at Tom's words.
Tom turned around to face him and smiled. Matt smiled back.
"Thanks for helping me tonight," Tom said.
"I told you, it's all good," Matt said and couldn't resist the urge to reach out and caress Tom's cheek. He knew he was crossing the line a bit, but Tom didn't seem to mind. He closed his eyes as if to savour the moment of Matt's touch. Or maybe he was just trying to sleep. Matt didn't know.
Tom reached his hand up to Matt's and intertwined their fingers. They didn't say anything, just stayed like that as they both drifted off to sleep.

Chapter Text

Matt threw Harry's arm around his shoulders and helped him outside. This night was one of many others that Harry had partied too hard. Matt had already called Izzy and made sure that she would be waiting for Harry at home. Matt opened the door to the cab that was waiting for them, and helped Harry in.
"If he gets sick, I'm gonna charge extra!" The cab driver said sourly. Matt took out his wallet and found 100£ to shove into the drivers hand. He also found a business card for AA that he put into the pocket of Harry's jacket.
"If you feel like you need some help, mate," Matt smiled at Harry, who was too drunk right now to really understand. Matt closed the door to the cab and just stood there as the cab drove away. 
"One down, one to go..." he said to himself and sighed as he went back into the club that he had just helped Harry exit.

As he entered, his eyes traveled to the far end of the club where Tom and Danny was sitting. Danny was leaning on Tom with his head on his shoulder and eyes closed. 
"Did you get Harry home okay?" Tom said with a worried look, as Matt arrived at their table.
"Yeah, Izzy will help him when he arrives with the cab," Matt said.
Danny opened his eyes and smiled wide, "Matt! C'mere!"
Matt obliged and sat down next to Danny who threw an arm around both Tom and Matt.
"Aaaah, my favorite couple!" Danny said. Both Tom and Matt laughed a bit.
"We're not a couple, Danny," Matt said and cursed himself for ever confiding in Danny.
"Come oooon," Danny slurred, "Stop the charade! It's obvious that you love each other!"
Matt rolled his eyes, "Danny, you're drunk. We should get you home."
"You know it's true!" He kept on going.
"Whatever you say, Dan," Tom said and got up from his seat to help Danny.

"Do you wanna help me get this one home?" Tom said and looked at Matt. He thought about it for a second. Tom didn't really need Matt's help, but Matt would like to spend a little more time with him. Even if it was with drunk Danny. 
"Sure," Matt said and smiled. Tom's chocolate eyes seemed to sparkle for a second as he looked at him. But it was probably just Matt's infatuation playing tricks on him. Tom gathered their stuff, while Matt was supporting Danny and also keeping an eye on him, so he didn't run off. They got a cab and Matt and Danny got in the backseat, while Tom got in front to direct the driver. 
"You guys can borrow our guest-room, if you want," Danny whispered to Matt.
"Shush, Danny," Matt said and elbowed him in the ribs. He was a little bit sick of the teasing, also because it made him really embarrassed. He didn't know what Tom thought about it all.
"Ow!" Danny yelled dramatically.
"You two! Behave!" Tom commanded from the front seat like a father on a road trip. 

When they got to Danny's house, Matt dug the key out from Danny's pockets and unlocked the door. Georgia was visiting her parents, so they couldn't just drop him off like Harry with Izzy.
They got him inside and guided him into the bedroom. Matt had to admit that it was much easier to help Danny get his clothes off with Tom's help. After getting Danny securely into bed and watching him drift off to sleep immediately, they stood there awkwardly for a few seconds.
"Well, mission accomplished," Matt said.
"Not yet," Tom said.
"Huh?" Matt said and arched an eyebrow at Tom.
"You still need to get me home safely," Tom said and grinned.
"But... You're not drunk, though," Matt pointed out with a smile.
"I know... But I thought we could spend some time together?" Tom said.
Matt stomach did a loop and he accidently almost choked on his own spit. After having a coughing fit and feeling pretty embarrassed about his reaction, he agreed to go to Tom's place.

When they arrived at Tom's place, he immediately put the kettle on.
"So... What you wanna do?" Matt asked as they were standing in the kitchen waiting for the water to boil.
"You wanna listen to this new record I bought?" Tom said and smiled shyly. 
After making their tea they went into the living room. Tom put on the record, and they laid down on the soft rug on the floor.

For a while they didn't say anything, just listened to the music.
"Tom?" Matt said then.
"Mm?" Tom said.
"Are you okay?" Matt said and waited patiently while Tom hesitated to answer.
"What do you mean?" he finally said.
"I was just wondering why you invited me over, and also you've been acting a bit off," Matt said honestly.
Tom hesitated again. "I guess I've been having trouble sleeping lately... And I just enjoy your company. You make me relax."
"Oh... I enjoy your company, too," Matt said, a bit flustered not knowing how to react.
"To be honest... I did want to ask you for a favour," Tom said sheepishly. Matt didn't answer, just waited for Tom to elaborate.
"I was wondering..." Tom started but stopped again. He had a hard time saying the words.
"Out with it, Fletcher!" Matt said after waiting for a bit for Tom to finish.
"I wanted to ask you, if you wanted to spend the night with me..." Tom mumbled. 
Matt lifted his head off of the floor and looked at Tom, so he could arch an eyebrow at him. Tom looked embarrassed with a slight color in his cheeks.
"No ulterior motives, I promise!" Tom quickly said after seeing Matt's face.
"I just really need to sleep, and I figure that I can fall asleep if you're there," Tom elaborated.
"It's weird, I'm sorry! Just forget I asked!" Tom then said when Matt didn't respond.

The truth was that Matt was stunned. He was so honored that Tom would confide in him and ask him for help. But also a tiny bit disappointed that Tom hadn't meant what he thought he did.
"No no, I'll stay with you!" Matt said.
"Are you sure?" Tom asked.
"Totally," Matt said and smiled even though Tom couldn't see it.
Without them noticing, the record had finished and it was silent in the room now.
"So... Do you wanna go and try to sleep now?" Matt asked.

Fifteen minutes later they were lying in Tom's bed in the darkness.
"So, you want me to do anything special?" Matt said because he didn't know how to help.
"Well, for starters; It's hard for me to fall asleep, if you're talking," Tom joked.
"Ha-ha," Matt said and pushed Tom lightly next to him in bed.
"I just need to relax, I guess..." Tom said.
After a few minutes of silence, Matt could suddenly feel Tom's hand searching for his. When he found it, he snuck his hand into Matt's without saying anything. Matt didn't say anything either. Just enjoyed their closeness and the sound of Tom finally drifting off to sleep.

Chapter Text

Matt marched through the front door of Danny's house, not bothering to knock. Danny was sitting in the kitchen, having a late breakfast with Georgia who had obviously just returned from her parents.

"What the fuck is wrong with you, Danny?!" Matt demanded, as he entered the kitchen.
"Wow, you could start with a 'good morning'," Danny said and chuckled at Georgia.
"Good morning. What the fuck is wrong with you?!" Matt said, earning a giggle from Georgia at the absurd conversation.
"What's wrong, Matt? Am I in trouble?" Danny joked, still chuckling.
"Take a guess!" Matt said sourly, not joining in the laughs.
"No?" Danny smiled, maybe he was still a tiny bit drunk from last night.
"Take another guess!" Matt just said.
"Alright, Matt, what's he done?" Georgia said, taking a sip of her coffee.
"That bloody muppet was blabbering on last night about how it was obvious that me and Tom loved each other!" Matt said, now slightly red in the head. He turned to Danny, "I told you that in confidence!"

Georgia gave Danny a disapproving look.
"What? I did? I don't remember!" Danny said and looked as innocent as ever. 
"No wonder! You were drunk as a skunk," Matt said with a huff and sat down on a chair next to Georgia, who got him a hot cup of coffee.
"Has Tom said anything to you about having feelings for Matt?" Georgia asked Danny. Matt nervously looked up at Danny, who shrugged.
"No, not directly. But he talks a lot about you," Danny said and looked at Matt with a smile. "He likes you, no doubt, but I don't know if it's more than friendly, sorry," he continued.
"That's alright, mate," Matt said, "sorry for going off at you."
"No worries, I deserved it for being dumb and drunk," Danny shrugged with a smile.

A few days later Matt was sitting at home at night, watching a movie on the telly. Suddenly his phone started ringing and Danny's name lit up on the display. Matt answered the phone.

"Matt! You gotta come help me!" Danny's voice sounded in the other end.
"What's up? Is everything alright?" Matt said with worry in his voice.
"No, Tom is really drunk, and he won't let me help him. He only wants you," Danny said, a hint of desperation in his voice.
"I'll be there!" Matt said, flying up from the sofa straight away.

Half an hour later, Matt entered the club, his eyes searching for his troubled mates. He saw them by the bar, talking to the bartender. Tom was looking upset and Danny apolegetic. Matt hurried over there.

"I'm a grown up, I can decide whether I want to drink more or not!" Tom yelled at the bartender, who apparently had cut him off from any liquor.
"I'm so sorry!" Danny was trying to smooth things over with the bartender, who was looking pretty disinterested in the whole situation.

As soon as Tom saw Matt, though, his whole attitude shifted from upset and aggressive to mellow and sweet.
"Hi Matt!" Tom smiled at him. Matt could clearly see, that he was drunk.
"Hey mate, are you alright?" Matt said, putting a hand on Tom's shoulder. Behind him Danny was looking relieved.
"I'm fine. They just won't let me drink anymore which is just utter bullshit!" Tom said, eyeing the bartender, who just rolled his eyes.
"What do you say, we go to your place?" Matt said.
"But I'm having fun here!" Tom said.
"Clearly..." Danny mumbled, earning a look of warning from Matt.
"We could listen to that record," Matt suggested, "You don't have to stop having fun, we will just move the fun to your place..."
Tom thought about it for a second before agreeing.
Matt and Tom got a cab to Tom's place, while Danny went home, exhausted from babysitting Tom.

When they got to Tom's place, he insisted that he was not going to bed, and Matt wondered when he had become a toddler dad. They went into the livingroom and put the record on. Tom was ordered to sit down on the sofa while Matt made them both some tea.

"So... Do you wanna tell me what's going on?" Matt asked as he placed their cups on the coffee table and sat down next to Tom.
"What do you mean?" Tom said.
"I mean; you keep getting yourself hammered, which is not like you at all. I know you're having trouble sleeping, but this is not the solution," Matt said and gently placed a hand on Tom's knee.
Tom looked down at his hand and sighed.
"I'm sorry, Matt, I never meant to become such a bother to you. I just have some things I need to sort out in my head," he said with a frown.
"You're not a bother! You're my mate and I wanna help!" Matt exclaimed. "You know, you can talk to me about anything, right?" He said and gave Tom's knee a squeeze.

Tom looked up at him with a determined look on his face. Then he leaned in and kissed Matt.
Matt's body had been screaming for Tom for so long that he automatically put his hands on the sides of Tom's face and kissed him back. After a few seconds he pulled back. 

"I shouldn't do this," Matt said. "You're drunk. I dont want to take advantage of you."
"Maybe I'm drunk, but I'm also in love with you," Tom said and leaned in to kiss him once more, but Matt leaned away from the kiss.
"Belive me, Tom. I'm so happy to hear you say that, but I'm not gonna hook up with you while you're intoxicated." Matt said. It took all in him to not just jump on Tom like he had been dreaming of for so long. But he knew it was the right thing to do.
Tom made a pouty face that made him look like a little boy who had been denied an ice cream.
"But... Does that mean that you have feelings for me, too?" He asked, his eyes sparkling with hope.
"Of course I do! And I would love to talk to you about it in the morning when you're sober. I just don't want you to do something you'll regret," Matt said putting a hand on Tom's thigh and giving it a loving squeeze.
"You wanna stay the night then?" Tom said. "I'm actually pretty tired," he admitted and stifled yawn.
Matt laughed, "Sure."

As they were lying in bed, Matt thought that he had to be nominated for an awkward for self-control for not jumping Tom's bones. Tom was looking at him with big loving eyes and all Matt wanted to do was kiss him until his lips fell off. Tom snuck his hand into Matt's like they were getting used to doing.

"A good night kiss?" Tom asked with puppy eyes. Matt chuckled and leaned in to give him a peck on the lips. As he did so, Tom grabbed his face and held on to him for a few seconds before letting him pull away. 
"That was cheating," Matt chuckled, secretly happy about the longer kiss. Tom just chuckled along with him and squeezed his hand before snuggling up to him and closing his eyes.