The world outside was quiet. Too quiet. Inside, however, the air was charged, heavy with everything unsaid, everything they refused to acknowledge but couldn't escape.
Vinny sat on the edge of the bed, his chest still rising and falling too quickly, his lips tingling from Matthew's relentless kisses. He could still feel Matthew's touch on his skin, still hear his words—I want everything. You're never getting away.
The worst part? Vinny didn't want to.
He had spent years pretending he was untouchable, that nothing could shake him, that he was the one always in control. But with Matthew… it was different. It was dangerous. It was intoxicating.
Matthew stood across from him, leaning against the dresser with that insufferable smirk, his green eyes gleaming under the dim light. He looked like he had won. And maybe he had.
Vinny exhaled sharply, running a hand through his messy hair. "You always have to get the last word, don't you?"
Matthew chuckled. "Wouldn't be fun if I didn't."
Vinny scowled but didn't move away when Matthew stepped closer. His body was still betraying him, craving more even when his mind screamed at him to put up a fight.
"You're thinking too much," Matthew murmured, his fingers tracing the inside of Vinny's wrist, barely touching, but the sensation sent a shiver down Vinny's spine.
Vinny yanked his hand back, his jaw tightening. "And you don't think at all. You just do whatever you want, like the world is yours to play with."
Matthew tilted his head, studying him. "Is that what you think? That I don't think about you?"
Vinny swallowed, suddenly unable to hold Matthew's gaze. "I think you like messing with people's heads. You like knowing you have control over them."
Matthew's smirk faded slightly. He stepped even closer, his hand tilting Vinny's chin up, forcing their eyes to meet. "That's where you're wrong," he murmured. "I don't just want control over anyone. I want you."
Vinny's stomach flipped, heat rising to his face despite himself. He was about to say something—maybe a snarky remark, maybe a weak protest—but then there was a knock at the door.
A sharp, impatient knock.
Both of them froze.
Then, Vinny groaned. "Who the hell—"
Another knock. Louder.
Matthew sighed and reluctantly stepped back. "I'll get rid of them."
But Vinny was already moving, eager for an escape from whatever the hell was happening between them. He swung open the door and immediately regretted it.
Tom stood on the other side, arms crossed, his expression unreadable.
Vinny felt a familiar sense of unease creep up his spine. Tom had been distant lately—watching, waiting, analyzing. Vinny knew him too well to ignore the signs.
Tom's gaze flicked past Vinny to Matthew, who was still standing too close behind him. Something dark flashed in Tom's eyes. "Am I interrupting something?"
Vinny scoffed. "Not like you care."
Tom's lips twitched in something that wasn't quite a smile. "I care more than you think."
Matthew leaned against the doorway, clearly uninterested in whatever game Tom was playing. "If you have something to say, say it. Otherwise, get lost."
Tom's eyes narrowed, but his voice was calm. Too calm. "I was just wondering how long this little game of yours is gonna last. You're playing with fire, Vinny."
Vinny stiffened. He didn't like the way Tom said it, like he knew something Vinny didn't. Like he was warning him.
Tom's gaze slid back to Matthew. "You think you're in control now, don't you?" His tone was light, but there was an edge to it.
Matthew chuckled, unbothered. "I don't think, Tom. I know."
Tom smiled, but there was no warmth in it. "Then you're dumber than I thought."
The tension in the air thickened. Vinny didn't like this. Tom was usually the one pulling the strings, but this was different. This felt personal.
Tom turned his attention back to Vinny. "We need to talk."
Vinny hesitated. He knew better than to ignore Tom when he got like this.
Matthew, however, didn't move. "Anything you have to say, you can say here."
Tom's jaw tightened. "Not this time."
Vinny exhaled through his nose, rubbing his temples. "Fine." He shot Matthew a look. Stay out of it.
Matthew didn't look happy about it, but he didn't stop him.
Vinny stepped out into the hallway, closing the door behind him.
Tom didn't speak right away. He just watched Vinny, his sharp eyes taking in every detail.
Finally, he sighed. "You're letting him win."
Vinny rolled his eyes. "Oh, please. Don't act like you actually give a damn about my love life."
Tom's expression darkened. "You don't get it, do you?"
Vinny raised an eyebrow. "Then enlighten me."
Tom took a step closer, his voice lowering. "Matthew isn't who you think he is."
Vinny let out a short, dry laugh. "Oh, and you are? You're just mad because for once, I'm not playing your game."
Tom clenched his jaw. "This isn't about me."
"Isn't it?" Vinny challenged. "You've always hated when I give my attention to someone else. Admit it, Tom—you're pissed because I'm not just orbiting around you anymore."
Tom's face was unreadable. For a long moment, he didn't say anything.
Then, he sighed and ran a hand through his hair. "Fine. You wanna act like this is all about me? Go ahead. But when he screws you over, don't say I didn't warn you."
Vinny folded his arms. "And what exactly do you think Matthew is gonna do? Huh? Manipulate me? Use me?" He let out another humorless laugh. "Newsflash, Tom. I'm not a victim. I know exactly what I'm doing."
Tom's eyes flashed with something Vinny couldn't quite place. "Do you?" His voice was softer now, almost… disappointed.
Vinny's stomach twisted.
Tom took a step back, shoving his hands into his pockets. "You think he cares about you?"
Vinny hesitated. Just for a second.
That second was all Tom needed.
He shook his head. "I've seen people like him before, Vinny. They take and take until there's nothing left of you."
Vinny gritted his teeth. "Maybe I want to be taken."
Tom stared at him for a long moment. Then he let out a quiet laugh, shaking his head. "You really are a masochist."
Vinny smirked, though it felt forced. "Guess we have that in common, huh?"
Tom didn't answer. Instead, he turned and walked away.
Vinny stood there, heart pounding, mind racing.
Was Tom right? Was he really letting Matthew win?
And more importantly…
Did he want to lose?
When he walked back into the room, Matthew was still there, waiting. Watching.
Vinny closed the door and leaned against it. "That was fun."
Matthew arched an eyebrow. "What did he say?"
Vinny shrugged. "Nothing I didn't already know."
Matthew's smirk returned. "Good."
He reached out, pulling Vinny back toward him. And Vinny let him.
Let the fire consume him.
Let himself fall.