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[byrned]

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[cravating]

Now who's trying to see who naked?

[He mumbles as he flops to sit on the edge of his bed, eyes half lidded, grinning like a drunk dope.]

[byrned]

If I was trying to see you naked then trust me this isn't how I'd go about it.

[ When Nate's down, he moves down to the floor and grabs each of his trainers, pulling them off one by one before getting his jeans over his ankles and removing them. He taps a hand against Nate's calf. ]

Okay now into bed with you, come on.

[cravating]

[In the veeeeery back of Nathan's mind, he's not upset about the sight of Matt kneeling in front of him. But he pushes that thought aside with a rough swallow and a nod. He can feel some strange stirrings in his boxers that he's not okay with so he quickly grabs his bedding and rolls to wrap himself up.]

Thanks. [He mumbles again, looking at the guy he once hated, now considered a friend, and maybe fancies? Life is too complicated.]

[byrned]

You got it.

[ He gets back up and reaches over, ruffling Nate's hair for no good reason. ] If you need to be sick in the night use the sink, okay? I'm gonna get back to bed now Nate.

[ And so that's what he does, to bed with him he goes, pulling off the joggers and getting all naked again. ]

[cravating]

[His eyes might look closed but he's looking. Whoops.

And then he abruptly turns away, as if the erection that is betraying him might be seen through the duvet.]

[byrned]

[ MORE TIME PASSES, and it's mid afternoon, a time when Matt usually finds himself alone here. For as much as he goes on about his music, he doesn't actually tent to practise in front of Nate. Never knowingly, keeping it all a bit private.

Today is no different, and alone, he's playing a little to himself. A little Claire de lune not for any reason but for himself, to get a little practise in, and because it's something he likes.

He doesn't expect Nate to come back, he has classes, doesn't he? ]

[cravating]

[He does have class, but today it was cancelled. Coming back, he just assumes Matt's playing a CD or something, but as soon as he opens the door, he realizes just how wrong he is.]

Whoa... [He says quietly, standing in the door and blinking. He's good. Really good. Wow.]

[byrned]

[ It's no grand piano, but it's the best he's got, and Matt sits at the keyboard, eyes closed and playing the music from memory. He's focussed, controlled, and so it isn't immediate recognition that Nate's there at all. As soon as he hears his voice he lifts his head, snapping out of it and looking almost sheepish. ]

Sorry I thought you were out.

[cravating]

I was. Class was cancelled. Sorry, I didn't realize-- I can go. If you don't want me here.

[byrned]

No don't be daft. I can put this away I was just getting a bit of practise in. Got a couple of exams on technique coming up soon, want to be top of my game. You can rent space in the music halls for the grand pianos but they're always fucking taken.

[cravating]

You don't have to stop. I don't mind, honestly.

[byrned]

Yeah? [ He shifts a bit, because he's not really used to an audience. Many years of keeping it secret and playing to himself. But hey, he needs to get used to it, right? Who better than a friend. ]

Okay but this isn't like the finished product or anything. Just so you know.

[ He takes a breath, and looks back to the keys, starting up again, the same piece of music from the beginning. He says nothing at first, nor as it builds mid way, looking over only as it quietens a bit, calmer. He smiles towards Nate. ]

So what do you think?

[cravating]

[He goes to sit on his bed while Matt plays. He's quiet, just watching the way he moves, the way he seems to be part of the music. It's amazing. He's never seen anything like it.]

That was... Wow.

[He's honestly speechless.]

[byrned]

[ Matt is... shocked. He's seen some of his tutors give favourable reactions, but they always seem to keep it fairly guarded. Back home it was his older sister that used to give him the belief he was actually good. Never thought something he'd seen from other people. So he's not quite sure what to do with himself, laughing almost nervously. ]

Well it's not bad. Could use a bit of work in the final third. But it's a good practise piece. Of course I also know a couple of Sting covers and some Beatles. [ He teases a bit, almost trying to distract from it. ]

[cravating]

[Nathan knows enough artists and musicians to know that game, the way you try to make it seem like what you're doing isn't a big deal.]

Keep working on it, yeah, but... seriously, that was brilliant. You should just... keep playing, yeah? I've got to get started sketching for a project, so it won't bother me if you want to keep going.

[byrned]

Yeah okay. [ He smiles a bit. It's nice to have someone want him to play, and he's not about to refuse. Of course he has a little fun with it though, starting up playing The Entertainer, looking over with a grin.

He doesn't try and keep that up too long though, transitioning naturally instead into something a little more appropriate. Nate wants to work, so he doesn't go for fast or loud, but keeps it recognisable, as he transitions naturally into Moonlight Sonata, playing gently in the background. ]

[cravating]

[He can't help but smile as Matt plays, sitting on his bed and sketching out a landscape scene. It's not his norm, but that's what class are for. They push him to try out new styles, to learn from them.

Every now and then, he glances up at Matt, trying to ignore that fluttery feeling in his chest. Having a crush on a straight guy isn't new for him but it usually fades as soon as he figures out that it's hopeless.

Not this time though.

Fuck.]

[byrned]

[ Matt could get used to this; sitting here, it feels relaxing and calm. He knows that soon they've already been told they will be able to go back to their proper accomodation. He hasn't said it aloud, but he's more than disappointed. It's been nice sharing with Nate, as much as he hated the idea to start off with.

The music continues as Matt moves from one tune to another, pausing every now and then as he tries to recall pieces, occasionally repeating the same piece to try and get it right. After a little while, he leans back in his chair and turns towards Nate ]

Hey you busy later? Me and a couple of people are heading to that new club we got the flyers for. You want to come? Find you a bit of fun? [ Because no he hasn't forgotten that. ]

[cravating]

[As Matt stops playing, Nathan glances up. The question takes him by surprise because he definitely did forget about that.]

...You sure? I mean- you don't have to have me tagging along.

[byrned]

It's not tagging along! [ he laughs, picking up a sock from next to him, because he's a student and there's crap everywhere, balls it up and throws it at him. ]

You could do with unwinding, letting yourself go a bit. We're going out at eight. You up for it?

[cravating]

[He tries to deflect that sock but it hits him anyway.]

Yeah- yeah, sure. If nothing else, I want to see your face when I point out all the guys I can tell are gay that you'd never guess were.

[It's really fun to blow Matt's mind like that.]

[byrned]

You make this shit up! That bloke in the pub was so not gay. You wanting him to be gay is a completely different thing.

[ And the second sock is thrown ]

[cravating]

I'm telling you! [He says with a laugh.]

He was definitely gay. It's not my fault you can only tell if they've got a big neon rainbow sign on them.

[byrned]

Well you know that would be handy actually. You should suggest it at your next board meeting. You're the chairman right? The chairgay.
[
Sadly he has no more socks to throw. ]

You need to get yourself laid. And so do I. You know I haven't since we've been in this place. [ That's a blatant lie, but he hasn't had sex here which counts maybe a tiny bit. ]

[cravating]

Yeah, for me it's not since-- yknow. [Jeffrey. We don't say his name now.]

I saw him the other day. Don't know if I told you.