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When Syrus had called Matt to come over, Matt didn’t even quite care about the reason.

For Syrus, he never hesitated.

A promise to stay as far away from whatever he man nonsense competition Waru was in earned a laugh from Matt afterward, but it was a laugh that dragged off into something else entirely. Syrus had quickly realized that perhaps there was something to Waru’s odd behaviour, and with a glass of red wine and a closeness on his pristine couch, he offered the opportunity to chat. Perhaps he had some insight into Waru that Matt didn’t, quite.

And perhaps that was true.

“He threatened you? Why? Wait— no, I’d rather ask him. If he does it again Matt, just threaten him back. It works better than charm, makes him listen.”

"He did and it was awful… Heh, you suggest making him come to heel?"

“He doesn’t often hear ‘no’ unless it’s followed by more direct language. He respects power — it’s probably his biggest kink. But really? Just to remind him you’re not easily pushed around, tell him to ******** off, do it kindly if you must? But I promise he won’t hate you if you mustn’t. He respects the strangest things…”

Syrus managed to mollify some of Matt’s concerns, in the end. Matt found himself noting, with a laugh, that perhaps that was why Albite had seemed so hyper-focused on his long tenure in the Negaverse, and how he probably knew more than Albite did. Syrus’ sarcasm about it being a surprise that Waru was being odd about anything helped cut Matt’s mood further, and well, the offer to distract Matt?

That was met with narrowed eyes and a quirked smirk on his face.

Well. He would absolutely take that distraction.

… Well, wait.

"Though should probably clear the air before we get too distracted. Is... there anything else you want to know from me?"

"Mmnn, about your abs -- or about you personally?" and he was eying Matt judiciously, just, letting his eyes roam, "No, I think not. I know you'll broach subjects with me when it's necessary. That was what you said you'd do, what I agreed to, and even if we were both twelve sheets to the wind, Matt? I do trust you."

… s**t.

As much as he wanted to immediately fall into Syrus’ touches and take that to where it would inevitably lead the both of them, Matt knew with the sinking in his gut he couldn’t just not address what had caused Albite’s initial hostility. He couldn’t not address what caused Albite to summon him–even if not literally–in the first place. He couldn’t not address the elephant in the room.

Or the butterfly, as it were.

"Yeah, think it's about time I broach something with you, actually. Trust you too, more than most everyone, and want you to keep trusting me that way." He swallowed around the air.

Nectaris knew who Cryolite was. The attempts to leave that divide there for both of their own safeties had fallen into the ocean. (Perhaps in a figurative sense, considering the discussions they had often had about their chaotic mutual boss, there was a truth to that.) Perhaps it had been silly the whole time. What were the chances they’d ever both be on the same side? And he didn’t want to lie to one of the loves of his life.

… It felt strong and heady to think that way, but the seriousness of what brought that on brought him back to Earth.

"I think I might need to cash in on my side of maybe kissing other people."

Syrus was, of course, measured as he always was, watching him and letting Matt sit in what he had just said for a period long enough to make it sit uncomfortably in his gut. They had been twelve sheets to the wind, and Matt had thoroughly enjoyed the results of that, but in the silence he found himself wondering if Syrus regretted the inclusion of that clause. He was still involved with Waru, so Matt couldn't see it as a regret–

And his fingers were still in Matt's shirt.

That was the first sign that he was worrying for nothing. The second, the fact that he wasn't going anywhere, followed with the third: a kiss that Matt drank up like he was dying of thirst. Alright. No need to twist himself into a knot over this.

Well.

Maybe.

"Alright, you caught me," Matt laughed sheepishly, glancing to the side. "Hit like a tsunami. Actively kissing, yes. But if you're uncomfortable with that, I did start dating you first. I'd figure it out." He hoped he didn't have to. Syrus was surprisingly easy-going under the surface. Hopefully it remained so in the face of who she was.

He wet his bottom lip. "Where do I start with her? A bright sunshine, pocket-sized energy that can't quite be contained, a butterfly that is as free as those implicate. Eyes like lilacs, hair like cotton candy floss." Matt's gaze went to a middle distance beyond Syrus as he put Nectaris into words. "But don't take that cute energy for something that should be brushed aside. She's as strong as a ******** bull, and can hold her own probably better than most people I know."

He let out a heavy breath.

"I've known her for a while, though not as she is now."

Matt appreciated Syrus’ series of requirements for his being obviously fine with it – it was a series of resounding no’s for the most part, and the slightly more hesitant no was because of who was at the juncture of it. Perhaps it was just Waru’s recent behaviour–would he eventually put Syrus up on a pedestal, too, and find some other person to blame for toxicity between them while not letting him function as his own?

While Matt didn’t know, he didn’t think Waru was a threat to Syrus, at least. And perhaps that made him safe by proxy because Waru wouldn’t want to hurt Syrus. He didn’t know.

“No, and no,” Matt replied, with a soft laugh that matched the softness in Syrus’ own voice. He truly didn’t understand how anyone thought he was impossibly icy– “I’m not against you and Waru, and she,” he chuckled, “I think she’s also pretty solidly in the kissing multiple people game, so to be upset at your presence would be hypocritical.” Or at least she had been. Matt didn’t know how Nectaris and Albite stood now, but it certainly wasn’t good.

Why had he gotten between? Why hadn’t he interfered sooner before it became a mess? How would he have known to get involved–

The most important part of that whole statement, though, was the second half. It was surprising to Matt that no one had ever bothered checking in with Syrus. Fed back into what he was worried about with Waru–perhaps he had certain expectations with Syrus and thus far Syrus hadn’t found them objectionable–but that felt like another conversation for another time. “Of course, babe. Your opinions are important to me.” His lips quirked. “Like that meeting a surprisingly high bar makes me attractive, though.”

It really shouldn’t’ve been a high bar. Whether his partners could manage themselves or not, they deserved a partner who would make sure they were alright, anyway.

The torrent of questions that came afterward was met with a smile that cracked into laughter. He wasn’t sure why it was so funny other than the concept of them all sleeping together seemed a bit mismatched. “I mean, I don’t think we’re all going to be sleeping together in that sense. You’ve told me you’re gay, for one,” and Matt wasn’t here to break an identity boundary. “For another,” he leaned forward, “sleeping together’s never really come up between me and her. Not sure that’s her thing.”

It was a bit of a shot in the dark, but he hadn’t gotten the impression from Albite either that their relationship had involved any of that, and Albite would sleep with anything that could legally consent, he was fairly sure.

“Maybe as in just sharing a bed, or like a cuddle pile,” he tapped his chin in thought, “but there would have to be a few things first. Or a neutral ground.”

The last part of that statement hinted toward the piece he hadn’t yet said.

“She makes me feel warm inside, honestly. Protects me, which feels nice. Bright and excited and happy to hear my words. Passionate about what she believes in.” Matt swallowed hard. “I think you’d like her. She has some similarities to Waru. But… meant what I said about a neutral ground.”

Just say it, Matthew Gowan.

“She’s my old general, actually. Before Albite.”

It was a new reach for the funny, especially because of all the surrounding circumstances. And yet, Syrus was right, and Matt didn't waste too much time snapping back with, "You sure it's not General Motors? He's got the motormouth to match," Matt winked, relief settling into his body as it seemed Syrus was taking this stunningly well. Perhaps he should have expected that; they had entered this boyfriend arrangement with space for Syrus to remain in Waru's infinite orbit and for space for Matt to find another if it happened.

He just felt keyed up to eleven. There was a risk, here. There was a risk here he wasn't sure if Syrus had caught, yet, though he was starting to ask for things like names. "Anyway, I'm glad to hear that," and he was, honestly. Knowing Syrus already had experience in this realm honestly only helped. "Being sandwiched between the two of you sounds like a perfect night. Might just need to warn her if it feels like our minds are going elsewhere."

And for that, he snickered.

But perhaps the balance would be ideal. If… other things were not problematic. If only… if only it was as easy as it sounded, as easy as his clear love–and if it was that clear, he'd blush for it later, but he had already said as much to her, hadn't he–felt in his chest. Matt didn't know how he got here, but he didn't want it to–

He was dancing around the point as much as a butterfly was impossible to catch.

"How much does Waru mention about the people he's in love with? Does he chat about them as endlessly as everything else?" Matt's gaze went elsewhere, focusing on the neutral walls as if they held the point of focus. "Did he ever mention an Alexa, by any chance?"

Matt didn't know how long he should wait, so he didn't. Syrus could ponder that internally if he wanted–or, he knew his babe was sharp. Perhaps he was starting to understand that the need for neutral spaces was perhaps routing from somewhere else.

"Well, don't know her civilian name now. But she's Nectaris of the Moon."

And that was the other shoe. He winced for it.

"The deer is, for what it's worth." Matt was attempting to center himself with the way he saw Syrus' face falling from the laughter he lived for to something entirely different. The contemplation was innately fine, but it was hard to think about why it was there, so he would rather not. Had he messed up? Was this the action that would make everything come crumbling down? "She and a few other strange names. He's babbled about them in the database and it's the kind of thing he enlists me to read over."

Unfortunately. He was just glad there hadn't been another multi-entry since that one…

He didn't readily know who "the deer" was by name, though. He could take a few guesses from silhouettes he has seen, but none of those were a name or a face, exactly.

As soon as Syrus started speaking, he admitted that this had to be very dangerous, and that he was going to pretend he didn't know as much as he did but rather knew of an Alexa instead… Matt had to admit the response was both better and worse than he feared, because she wasn't really Alexa anymore, was she? And to have her known as that felt like it was obscuring the truth again, even as much as it was necessary for the safety of everyone involved.

"He does," of course he knew. "Nectaris, who had once been Sylvite, is–was–his girlfriend." He didn't know if it was is or was (and definitely didn't know it was assuredly was now, either). "Don't think that's specifically what's got him so upset, at least. You know he'd share everything with everyone. But I do think that he is keeping it quiet."

Or, at least, he had been.

"My old general–Negaverse wants her dead, but he wanted her alive. Keep her on the rose-tinted butterfly-patterned pedestal he had her on. Think he wanted her to recorrupt."

Perhaps he should have felt bad for telling Syrus that Alexa was Sylvite. Was that leaking someone's identity? If that identity had been lost in the mire that was purification, did it even matter? Alexa Dewey was, for all intents and purposes, missing just like thousands of other people in this godsforsaken city. Whoever Nectaris now was? That was still hidden.

He held onto Syrus' hands as Syrus kissed his, his own grip perhaps just a bit tighter than his usual. It was the reassurance that Syrus wasn't running away that he needed, that Syrus was still willing to let Matt pursue this that he was grateful for. Very grateful, considering everything; he could tell that Syrus knew this was dangerous without him even naming it directly. Honestly, would have been easier if she was still in his orbit as Sylvite.

But then, Nectaris wouldn’t truly be happy.

“Heh, sure I don’t got the brooding emo guy on lock?” He tilted his head to the side, letting some of his shaggy hair fall toward his eyes. “Think some might think that’s my sexiest look.”

… But he was glad that Syrus found his happiness the sexiest, instead. Happiness was so hard to grasp and find; when he had it, he would rather live in it and breathe it and surround himself with every little touch of it. Matt would rather be happy when he could find those glimpses of serotonin. Some people wore the brooding emo look because they just wanted to, and he did that, too, but there was a reason for the stereotype– “He’s actually the one that busted your existence as my boyfriend to Nectaris. Did it as a stab at me, I’m fairly sure.” Matt rolled his eyes.

“I was trying to keep you two apart. I know it’s dangerous. Kissing someone who has been dubbed an enemy by those following our great eldritch god isn’t really the safest idea. But,” his lips were lop-sided, “can’t keep hiding it. Wasn’t right. Felt wrong – and it’s already been busted on one side, anyway. She primarily knows your powered name. When your existence got revealed, it was among getting confronted by Albite, so.”

So Syrus–Cryolite–held the advantage here, he supposed. And perhaps that would be to his preference. “Neutral ground likely qualifies as places around this city. Parks and s**t. Places so crowded you’re hard to pick out. She and I keep meeting at the botanical gardens, for what it’s worth.”

“In retrospect, perhaps I should be surprised too, that Albite held back his relationship with her from me, her old underling. But I think he thought we hadn’t managed to cross paths again, either.” Matt’s chuckle was light. “For what it’s worth, the whole,” he didn’t quite hold back the dreamy smile on his face, “kissing development is a very new one. But she wanted to hold a promise she made to all of us when she was a member of our side, you know? Said she would protect us and watch over us as our general or whatever, and she wanted to carry that as she could.”

And then she said what she really wanted to do was win him with the power of love, and Matt, who truly had a soft gooey heart under the entire emo guy appearance melted right then and there. He’d be lying if he hadn’t considered it, clandestine meetings by chance in their patrols having the feeling of two loves trying to hide their affections, but perhaps that was moreso a hindsight feeling than a foresight feeling.

Perhaps Syrus was very correct about the tortured artist thing. Definitely an introverted lone wolf, too. Matt had trouble believing who his teenaged self was, but then, falling in with the crowd that ultimately wasn’t right for him also fit the whole introverted lone wolf vibe too. It felt like the kind of thing he’d see in that kind of backstory. “You’re always trying to inflate my ego a bit, aren’t you?” and it was said with nothing but warmth and affection underneath a light, teasing tone in turn. “Though I should probably work on my highlights–

“People overestimate just how icy you are. Moreso a geode, I think – rocky and hard to penetrate but with unimaginable beauty underneath.”

Could he resist romanticism even in the depths of this conversation?

Perhaps not.

“I know never mind, but you got me thinking. If I had to guess they were meeting, they’re both so much more extroverted than either of us. Wouldn’t be surprised if it were more public places. Though I guess Waru has depth–keeping her hidden from all of us for that long, in an effort to retain her, maybe they were also looking for those hidden places. I suspect one of those places may have been where he first confronted me, though, a little nearby alcove on some water.” Matt chuckled. “But for you, quiet places for certain. If you want a place where you’re guaranteed to run into her, I can probably take you by the botanical gardens I sometimes brood at. Think she expects me there.”

Cryolite’s aura would certainly stand out in opposition to Fulgurite’s, though. He’d have to make sure it wouldn’t scare her off. If she could be. Was she capable of that?

He snorted under his breath. “For as much as he tries to be free-flowing, he really is stubborn about a lot of things. In this case, definitely hurt him in the end.” How badly, though?

Matt didn’t know that, yet.

“What do I need from you, though? A kiss and some of that hot tea, first of all.” His smile was light as he let his thumb ghost over the backs of Syrus’ hands. “But, really, all I ask at this juncture is that you keep me in the loop about what feels okay for you. I understand I’m dumping a lot on you, and you’ve really taken this like a champ,” he chuckled under his breath at a joke perhaps only he was understanding, “but that means it doesn’t feel fair of me to ask much more of you than that.”

Didn’t feel right.

“We dreamily spoke of things like marriage when we realized we were smashing into each other like speed trains. Don’t want to upset that.”

The brazen wink brought a delighted little half-smile to his face, and the wink was received hungrily. He might’ve tilted his head to the side in turn, all talk hinting at other sorts of games even without saying any of the words. Not that Matt terribly minded the right kinds of words–loved them, in fact–but there was something nice about a layered communication.

A layered communication that felt nicely punctuated by Syrus’s red cheeks and the kiss that Matt had requested, and he let out a dreamy sigh as his geode of a babe headed off to the kitchen.

… Definitely a tortured artist, when he thought about it. Everything Syrus said was a compliment as much as it was also the truth.

“I think I might’ve witnessed one of those dam breaks. It’d explain how erratic his behaviour seemed, at least.” Matt shifted on the couch so he could watch Syrus as he worked, his eyes following him as he moved around the kitchen to make them both some tea. “He dammed up all his feelings about Nectaris and it came overflowing when he realized I knew her too, I suppose, and then just went from there, really.” But he shook his head, happy to return to the conversation about them. To keep them together, they just needed to keep those lines open. Syrus was right. Upsets would happen.

They were living humans. What else was expected, really?

But they had started out their budding relationship with so much communication. Their first days were split wine and split tea, sitting on a couch and being deeply personal with each other in ways neither probably was easily. Matt bottled up everything about himself and had gotten good at it. Syrus had a notoriety as an ice queen, even if Matt thought it obscured the truth at best. All they needed to do to stop the train from derailing was keep that up.

That felt … easy.

“Look, babe, pull on my ear why don’t you?” Matt’s smile was certainly warmer than either of them had the fame for. “I can certainly give you that. For you, I’m an open book. Thumb through the pages as you like. I promise, I have better communication skills than the first you ended up in the orbit of.” To be honest, though, having better communication skills than Waru didn’t seem like a terribly hard skill to have. Having communication skills in general, though, always ended up being harder than it seemed to a lot of people.

Matt couldn’t understand why. Why wouldn’t he want to tell Syrus everything he possibly could?

“Now, if you’d like to share some of that tea with me as part of our sharing–”