The morning sun filtered through the blinds, casting soft lines across Vinny's bedroom. Matthew lay awake, his gaze fixed on the ceiling, the rhythmic rise and fall of Vinny's breath beside him both comforting and torturous. The events of the previous night replayed in his mind—the fight with Tom, the unspoken words between him and Vinny, and the passion that followed. Yet, beneath it all, a gnawing unease settled in his chest.
Vinny stirred, his eyelashes fluttering open as he turned to face Matthew. A lazy smile curved his lips. "Morning," he murmured, voice husky with sleep.
Matthew forced a smile, brushing a strand of hair from Vinny's forehead. "Morning."
Vinny's eyes narrowed slightly, picking up on the tension in Matthew's demeanor. "You're brooding again."
Matthew sighed, sitting up and swinging his legs over the side of the bed. "Just thinking."
"About what?" Vinny propped himself up on one elbow, watching him intently.
"Everything," Matthew replied vaguely, running a hand through his hair. "Tom, us... I don't know."
Vinny sat up fully, the sheet pooling around his waist. "Look, if this is about last night, I told you, I'm here. But I need you to be honest with me."
Matthew turned to face him, conflict evident in his eyes. "I want to be, Vinny. But some things... some things are better left unsaid."
Vinny's jaw tightened. "That's not how this works. If we're in this together, we face everything together."
Before Matthew could respond, a sharp knock echoed through the apartment. Both men exchanged a glance, tension thickening the air.
"Expecting someone?" Matthew asked, standing up.
Vinny shook his head, reaching for a pair of sweatpants. "No. Stay here. I'll get it."
Matthew watched as Vinny left the room, his muscles coiled with apprehension. He listened intently as the door creaked open.
"Kieran?" Vinny's voice carried down the hallway, laced with surprise.
"Hey, Vinny," Kieran's voice responded smoothly. "Mind if I come in?"
Matthew's eyes narrowed. Kieran. The last person he wanted to deal with right now.
Vinny hesitated. "Uh, sure. What's up?"
Kieran stepped inside, his gaze sweeping the apartment before landing on Vinny. "I was in the neighborhood and thought I'd drop by. Haven't seen you around lately."
Vinny crossed his arms, leaning against the doorframe. "Yeah, been busy."
Kieran's eyes flicked toward the hallway leading to the bedroom. "Busy with Matthew, I presume?"
Vinny's expression hardened. "That's none of your business."
Kieran raised his hands in mock surrender. "Relax. I'm just looking out for you."
"Since when?" Vinny shot back.
"Since always," Kieran replied, stepping closer. "Look, Vinny, I know you think you know Matthew, but there are things you don't see."
Vinny's eyes narrowed. "Like what?"
Kieran glanced toward the bedroom again, lowering his voice. "He's dangerous, Vinny. I saw what he did to Tom."
Vinny's brow furrowed. "What are you talking about?"
Kieran sighed, feigning concern. "Tom's in bad shape. Matthew beat him up pretty badly. And from what I hear, it was because of you."
Vinny's heart skipped a beat. "You're lying."
"Am I?" Kieran reached into his pocket, pulling out his phone. He tapped the screen a few times before holding it out to Vinny. "See for yourself."
Vinny hesitated before taking the phone. On the screen was a photo of Tom, his face bruised and swollen, a gash above his eyebrow. Vinny's stomach churned.
"Why are you showing me this?" Vinny's voice was barely above a whisper.
"Because you deserve to know the truth," Kieran said softly. "Matthew's not who you think he is."
Vinny's grip tightened on the phone. "Get out."
"Vinny—"
"I said, get out!" Vinny's voice rose, echoing through the apartment.
Kieran held his hands up again, backing toward the door. "Alright, alright. Just... be careful, okay?"
Vinny didn't respond, his eyes blazing with a mix of anger and confusion. Kieran opened the door and slipped out, leaving Vinny standing in the middle of the living room, the weight of the photo pressing down on him.
Matthew appeared in the hallway, his expression guarded. "What did he want?"
Vinny turned to him, eyes searching his face. "Is it true?"
Matthew's jaw clenched. "Is what true?"
Vinny held up the phone, the image of Tom still displayed. "Did you do this?"
Matthew's eyes flicked to the photo, then back to Vinny. "I—"
"Don't lie to me, Matthew," Vinny interrupted, his voice trembling. "Did you or did you not do this?"
Matthew took a deep breath, stepping closer. "Yes. But it's not what you think."
Vinny's eyes widened. "Not what I think? You beat the crap out of Tom, and it's not what I think?"
Matthew reached out, but Vinny stepped back. "He was saying things about you, Vinny. Horrible things. I couldn't let him get away with it."
"So you resorted to violence?" Vinny's voice cracked. "That's your solution?"
Matthew's shoulders sagged. "I was protecting you."
"I don't need your protection, Matthew," Vinny snapped. "I need your honesty. Your trust."
Matthew's eyes softened. "I didn't tell you because I didn't want to drag you into it."
Vinny laughed bitterly. "Newsflash: I'm already in it. Whether you tell me or not."
Silence stretched between them, heavy and suffocating.
Finally, Vinny spoke, his voice barely above a whisper. "I need some time."
Matthew's heart sank. "Vinny—"
"Please," Vinny pleaded, tears brimming in his eyes. "Just go."
Matthew nodded slowly, pain etched across his face. He grabbed his jacket and walked to the door, pausing for a moment before stepping out into the hallway.
As the door closed behind him, Vinny sank to the floor, the weight of betrayal and confusion crashing over him.
Elsewhere
Tom sat in his dimly lit apartment, an ice pack pressed to his swollen face. The pain was a constant reminder of his encounter with Matthew. But beneath the physical pain, a simmering rage boiled.
His phone buzzed on the table beside him. He picked it up, squinting at the screen. A message from an unknown number.
"I hear you had a run-in with Matthew. Perhaps we can help each other."
Tom's eyes narrowed. He typed a quick response.
"Who is this?"
A moment later, another message appeared.
"Let's just say I have a vested interest in seeing Matthew fall. Meet me tomorrow at noon. Café on 5th."