In a Perfect World: Chapter Three

Sun filtered into the room, casting a warm glow across two figures curled up under a thin sheet draped across a relatively small bed. The men were pressed against one another, their love for one another evident even in sleep.

One, a muscled blonde, had his arms tightly secured around the waist of another young man, one with a lither frame and shaggy brown hair, almost as if shielding him from the world.. The blonde stirred in his slip, his arms tightening even more, causing his bed partner to slowly awaken.

The blonde, now fully awake, placed a feathered kiss on his boyfriend's cheek and lightly trailed kisses down his face until he found himself in the crook of his boyfriend's neck. Nibbling at the tender skin, he delivered his good morning.

"You're a cover hog, you know," Matt whispered in the crook of Jeremy's neck.

Smiling, Jeremy turned in Matt's arms and placed a light kiss on his lips.

"You move around a lot in your sleep," Jeremy retorted.

"Oh yeah, you talk in your sleep, not that I'm complaining," Matt said, snuggling deeper into the bed.

"And why aren't you complaining mister," Jeremy said, mirroring his boyfriend's actions.

"Well when your boyfriend is moaning and saying things like: 'Yeah Matt' or 'God, you're so good Matt,' you know you're doing something right," Matt replied cheekily.

"You're such an idiot," Jeremy said in jest.

He tried to rise from the bed, but Matt reached up and pulled him back to bed.

"You don't have to leave just yet," Matt said, his voice still groggy.

"This is the third night this week that I haven't come home. Jenna says if I'm not in my bed when she wakes up one more time, I have to bring my new girlfriend around," Jeremy said, breaking free from Matt's hold.

Jeremy moved around Matt's room, looking for his clothes from last night. Matt sighed and removed himself from his bed. Jeremy couldn't help but stop and stare, admiring the definition of his lover's body. Noticing his audience, Matt smirked and walked over to Jeremy.

"How about you stay for breakfast. We can talk things over," Matt said, placing a chaste kiss on Jeremy's lips.

Jeremy hesitated for a bit. Matt laughed and said he might as well give up, he was going to stay anyway.

"When do you get so arrogant," Jeremy asked.

"About the same time we started dating," Matt said, pulling Jeremy closer, edging towards the bed.

"Ah now I get it. Have to compensate for the dramatic scene you put on," Jeremy said.

Matt growled before responding, "I didn't realize declaring my love for you was dramatic. Besides, that was like a month ago. Time to move on."

"Is that right," Jeremy asked.

"Yes, that's right. You hurt my feelings. I think you're going to make it up to me," Matt said, flopping back down on to the bed, pulling Jeremy with him

"I'm going to make it up to you, huh? You're awfully cocky," Jeremy managed to laugh out as Matt resumed nibbling on his neck.

Matt broke away for a moment. He reached up and grabbed Jeremy's hand, guiding it south. Jeremy let out a moan. Taking his chance, Matt flipped Jeremy onto his back and laid down directly on topic of him.

"Emphasis on the cocky," Matt said, punctuating his sentence with a roll of his hips.

Needless to say, breakfast turned into lunch.

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Matt and Jeremy had been dating for a month. Though never truly spoken, they became boyfriends the second Matt's lips touched Jeremy's. Shyly, they both explained their feelings to each other. Shocked that they were reciprocated, they had been inseparable ever since.

Things had fallen into a natural rhythm. They had mutually decided they would wait until everyone knew that they were together before they went out on an actual date. Their agreement did little to deter the two boys from having sleepover though (they lasted a week).

What they discovered, much to Matt's delight, was that when they slept in the same bed, when they were touching, they dreamed the same dreams.

Dreams of a future together. A normal home, a porch swing to sit on while their children laughed around them. Aging together, always together being the common theme.

They were in love, deep love. They exchanged 'I love you' in the middle of their very first "sleepover," and spent the rest of the night dreaming about it.

Only two people knew about them: Vicki and Tyler. Both had been upset, both for the same reason.

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Vicki had surprisingly been more supportive than first expected.

After talking for hours that first night, Matt had left Jeremy, with a kiss, to go home and see just how much damage Vicki had managed to accomplish.

Walking into the small house, he headed towards the kitchen, surprised to see Vicki waiting up, an uncharacteristic soft look on her face.

"You know, I thought you left to kick his ass," she began, "And I thought, 'damn, my big brother rocks.' And when I called the Gilbert house, pretending to look for Jeremy, but really checking to see that you hadn't committed a crime, I was surprised to hear from Elena that not only were you still there, but you were in Jeremy's room."

"Vicki," Matt started, but was cut off as Vicki smiled and shook her head.

"It all clicked. The looks you give him, the way you act around him, everything fell into place. And I couldn't get mad. Jealous, yes, I kind of did like him. But he makes you happy, obviously, you're smiling like an idiot," she said, smiling.

"Vic," he tried again, but once again was cut off.

"Don't Matty. You take care of me. Such good care of me. He is lucky to have you," she said, rising from her seat, heading to her room.

Matt smiled, thankful for the avoided battle. He was getting ready to head to bed himself when Vicki stuck her head out of her room, her sentence causing his stomach to turn.

"Oh, the person I was on the phone with. Tyler Lockwood. Who would have thought he was into dick? Might wanna give him a call."

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Matt drove up to the Lockwood Mansion, mentally preparing himself for whatever was to come. He knocked on the door, not expecting Tyler to be the on to open the door. They stared at one another, an accusing look in Tyler's eyes and a look of sympathy on Matt's. A silence stood between the two.

"I swear to God, you better treat him right," Tyler said, breaking the silence, a resigned smile.

"I will," Matt said. "I love him."

Tyler shook his head, a little bitterly.

"I know the feeling," Tyler muttered.

Even though it hurt Tyler, he had been there for both of them since he learned about their romance. There were still looks aimed at Jeremy, which Matt ignored (unless too blatant). Tyler and Jeremy still bickered, and Matt could still see a glint in Tyler's eyes, but he was their biggest supporter, and for that Matt was thankful.

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Jeremy sat at the Donovan table, Matt's practice jersey encasing him a scent that purely Matt. He was lost, deep in thought. Matt noticed that something was off with his lover. Taking the seat directly across from him, he asked him what he was thinking about.

"I think I'm ready to tell Elena and Jenna," Jeremy said, looking Matt in the eyes.

"Are you ready to tell them," Matt asked.

"Yeah, pretty sure. You going to be there with me," Jeremy asked, already knowing the answer.

"Every step of the way," Matt said, reaching out and taking Jeremy's hand. "I love you."

Jeremy smiled, and said, "I love you too."

It was the one of the most perfect moments in either of their lives.