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judassamara · 1 year

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2045 (and thereafter) | judas & matthew

with: @matthew-alexander

It had been a good few months since Matthew returned to his penthouse in the Hereafter. Working with the P.S. Group had taken up so much of his time, but the recent and very public reveal of his involvement with them had sent the fallen deity into a slight panic, one he hoped he managed to hide from the humans. If he was going to continue down this path on his own, he needed to make sure that they had nothing to hold over him when push came to shove and Matthew's biggest weakness was his pride and joy.

Matthew was still the owner of the Hereafter and a number of supernaturals had moved out because of his tie to the humans. He could not have that, not when the building was supposed to be a sanctuary to their kind. If it could remain that way for them, even if it might not be able to serve that purpose for himself anymore, then so be it.

He entered through the building's main entrance that day and made his way towards the reception. "Where's Mister Samara?" he asked the receptionist. "Tell them to meet me in my office." That was all he said before sweeping away to wait for Judas.

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Though Judas continuously offered every reassurance, there were still many people who saw what Matthew was doing and left the Hereafter. There was nothing they could do but help them move and wish them safe travels, but it made his heart ache every time. Each newly vacated room felt like an omen. They were finishing up cleaning one such room, sweeping up the floors and making sure everything was in perfect order, when they got a message that surprised them. Was Matthew actually there? It felt like he hadn't seen the man in forever, but he was busy, after all. They'd seen him on the news with the P.S. Group. He was far too busy for the likes of them.

Still, he made his way quickly downstairs, trying not to look excited by any means. They checked their shirt, adjusting the collar and making sure they didn't have any dirt on them before they knocked and stepped into the office. Matthew was actually there. Despite how much he hated the P.S. Group and what they were doing, they had never found it in themselves to hate Matt. Perhaps that was why they gave him a small yet warm smile.

"Hello, Matthew. What can I do for you?"

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Matthew was standing and looking out the window when he heard the door open and Judas entered the office. It had been awhile since they had last met, but Matthew remembered how seriously the vampire took his job and continued to do so to the point where he entrusted him to handle anything related to the Hereafter. And that was already how things were being run for the last few years.

"Judas," Matthew greeted him with a smile and gestured for them to take a seat. "It's been awhile. How have you been? I see that the Hereafter continues to be in safe hands under your watch."

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The last time Matthew called him to his office like this, it was to tell him about some big issue that needed fixing. This time, that certainly didn't appear to be the case. They took a seat, happy to get to see the man at least. It wasn't often he saw his old friends lately.

"It has been a while. I've been good, keeping busy and making sure everything is in perfect working order." Over the years, the Hereafter had become almost like a younger sibling that he had to protect and take care of. They had made relatively good friends with a majority of the residents, though many had left by this point. "What brings you our way? You've obviously had your hands full with your work."

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The way Judas was not casting any aspersions on what he was doing with the P.S. Group was certainly refreshing because he knew that there were a good number of residents in the Hereafter who would have spat on him already. Although those residents were probably all gone by now. Matthew had noticed the number of tenants dwindling in recent months and he knew exactly why. And that was exactly why he had returned that day.

"Yes. And I fear it's only going to increase from now. You've seen the news. I've become some sort of poster child for the P.S. Group..." he chuckled darkly. "Anyway, that means that I will be returning even less, meaning I won't have time to keep an eye on this place and also meaning that I will be handing the Hereafter over to someone else." Matthew thought he had braced himself for this but saying the words still hurt and he could feel his heart momentarily seize in his chest. "How would you like to own this building, Judas?"

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A part of him wanted to be happy that Matthew was doing well for himself but it was difficult. He'd seen the hateful things the P.S. Group inspired and they assumed Matt was with them for his own personal gain. It was disappointing that he wouldn't see the demon anymore, or probably ever, but what he said next surprised them, their eyes widening slightly. He was going to hand the Hereafter over to someone else? Judas wanted to speak up, say that he really didn't need to do that, it was still being well taken care of even if he wasn't there, but they held their tongue, seeing something in Matthew's expression.

"What?" they blurted softly, momentarily stunned. It took a few seconds for his mind to kick into gear again. "I - I can't afford to even rent a unit here. I can't buy the whole building from you." Even so, Judas had come to love this place dearly and he hated to think what kind of person might take over and what changes they would make. "Whoever owns it next, I promise to make sure it's still well taken care of."

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"You don't need to buy it. I will sign it over to you." If that was not indication enough that Matthew really wanted this to happen then the fallen deity did not know what else he could do. Judas was really the only person Matthew trusted to own and run the place properly since Luke decided that he wanted nothing to do with him anymore. Dear, sweet Judas who continued to look at Matthew the same way he did when the fallen deity first offered him a job out of prison. Matthew knew when he had earned someone's loyalty and he was not fool enough not to take advantage of it. Or at least that was what Matthew told himself as he steeled himself for his own future.

"I've seen how much you love this dreadful place, so why not just take it? You'd be doing me a huge favour. Truly."

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The clarification was a surprise, certainly, but it made his heart beat hard, once or twice, in his chest. Matthew was trusting him so much with the building that he was simply going to sign it over to them and leave it in their care. The words were odd, though. Matthew was acting as if he hated the building, hated that he owned it, and Judas knew that was the furthest thing from the truth.

"You don't have to lie to me," they said, though the tone wasn't accusing, simple stating a fact.

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The way Judas called him out immediately had Matthew stunned momentarily, but he hid it swiftly with a shake of his head. "I'm not. I just want the building off my hands. It's a waste of my time and resources," he said again, wanting Judas to just accept it. Why was the vampire making this more difficult than it should be when Matthew was already having such a hard time.

"Is it more money you want? Because that can be arranged."

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If Matthew was trying to be convincing with his lies, lying more was not helping him. That skepticism showed on their face as they let the demon dig himself into a deeper hole. Even though Judas knew it was lies, he also knew Matt wasn't going to be honest with them. They'd figured that out years ago.

"No. I will take the Hereafter from you." At least he could do this, for the Matthew that he knew, the one that opened it to be a safe place for supernaturals in the city. "It'd be nice if you were honest with me for once, though."

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Matthew had to be thankful for the small mercies. But Judas giving in so easily while still calling him out posed a problem the fallen deity had not been expecting. Or perhaps Matthew had been expecting this because he knew deep down that Judas would still help him regardless and without asking questions. As much as he wished to tell Judas, to tell someone -- anyone -- so that he did not need to be so lonely in the coming years, it was safer for everyone not to be associated with him and what he might have to do next.

"I'm not required to any such thing," Matthew said instead and drew a folder out from the drawer at his desk. Anything to distract him from looking at the vampire as those dark eyes tried to bore into his soul. "The paperwork. It's all been drawn up. You just need to sign it. Here." He opened it to the front page where Judas' name had already been printed at the bottom of the page. Matthew was going to give the building to them no matter what.

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His comments really were futile and Judas let out a small, resigned sigh. At least that was something that never changed. Matthew still kept him at an arm's distance, if not further now. They didn't argue or question anymore, simply moving to the desk and signing the papers, though the thought did cross his mind that Matthew had all these papers ready, so he must have already thought this choice through.

"I suppose we won't be seeing each other again for a while," if at all, but they didn't add that part. He couldn't help offering his hand in a handshake, though, wanting to touch him just one more time before he disappeared from their life again. "Thank you again, for everything."

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"No, we won't," Matthew said, injecting enough coldness into his voice as he closed the folder and picked it up. It was hurting him doing this, but he knew that putting the Hereafter in Judas' hands was the right choice. He looked down at the outstretched hand, hesitant to take it, but a small voice inside him told him that he needed to take it. For his own sake if anything.

The fallen angel reached his hand out and slid in into Judas' waiting one only to be met with that familiar coolness of the vampire's skin and it felt so... safe as it closed around his own. Blue eyes darted up to Judas' face as Matthew allowed himself a small moment of vulnerability and his hand squeezed tight as he silently pleaded with Judas to take proper care of the only thing in this world that he held dear.

"Thank you, Mister Samara," he said as he drew in a shuddering breath, finding that he did not quite want to let go of Judas' hand even when he sorely needed to.

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The words cut sharper than they thought they could. Maybe it was the tone, or the quick way he said it, without any hesitation. They could only wonder if they had done something to make him hate them, though they didn't think they were that special. The demon was probably just protecting himself and cutting out any loose ends before they became a problem. Judas just wished he wasn't one of the strings being cute.

They gave his hand a squeeze, holding onto it briefly the way he wished they could hold onto him. When their eyes met, it felt like they could see the smallest sliver of truth there and their chest tightened.

"Take care of yourself, Mister Alexander," they replied, the words feeling like a final goodbye. It was probably better that way. They wanted to help the supernatural community and protect who he could, and they couldn't do that when they would so easily give into whatever the fallen deity asked. Maybe this would be enough for them to finally get over their feelings for Matthew, but he doubted it.

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"You too..." Matthew said in return, his hand still closed tightly around Judas', perhaps a bit too much as their eyes held each other's across that space that remained between them. The fallen angel knew that this handshake had already gone on for a bit too long, but he did not want to let go. If he played things right, Judas was going to be the last supernatural he could be himself with before immersing himself in the P.S. Group for the years to come.

The vampire had become his one and only tie back to the life Matthew was discarding for what? His vanity and the need to play heroics? He finally released Judas' hand in that moment and tore his eyes away, his heart had been beating too fast in his chest in the face of those warm, brown eyes and he needed to leave.

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Their hands stayed together for far to long, but Judas decided then and there that it was closure. That when Matthew walked out that door, that was it. They were going to put their feelings for him away on a shelf to collect dust while they moved on with their life.

And they did, for the most part. With that connection severed, people began to see the Hereafter as a safe place again. People returned, thankful for a place to feel safe. People who didn't stay there Judas was able to direct to other places where they could hide. Somehow, he even managed to meet someone who thought he was charming and made him feel wanted and desirable again. Even so, when there was a knock on his door late one evening, Judas heard that familiar heartbeat on the other side and opened it, anyway.

"Matthew? What are you doing here?"

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It had been three years since Matthew returned to the Hereafter, the fallen deity constantly telling himself that he needed to stay far away from the building he did not own anymore. He had his hands full with the P.S. Group anyway, and as he spent more time with them, it became abundantly clear that his initial suspicions about them were correct. The humans meant to destroy them all and they started to test the loyalties of those supernaturals who were working with them. Matthew knew that his time would come eventually and when they did, he did not hesitate in giving them a name. They wanted a prominent figure and Matthew gave them Sipho Dumisani.

When the news broke that Sipho was captured and killed shortly after, it was the first time in a long time that Matthew could feel himself spiralling and he exited the P.S. Building in a mild daze. It did not do well to appear too affected. He wandered the district for awhile, waiting until nightfall when he found his feet taking him to Garond and to that familiar building he once called home. He still knew a few tricks on how to get in without detection, it used to be his building after all, and he found himself knocking on someone's door.

He did not know what he looked like to the vampire when Judas opened that door, but he was certain it was not good, so he mustered up a smile as he looked into a face he had not seen in awhile. "Judas. I'm not interrupting your evening, am I?"

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He had heard the news, he knew one of the witch elders had been killed. Now, to have Matthew at his door, they were suspicious that the demon was only there to use Judas like a mole, to figure out what the side he was helping to eradicate was planning to do. They knew the right thin to do would be to slam the door in his face but they couldn't. Instead, they stepped back.

"Would you like to come in?" At the very least, he couldn't let anyone see him in the building. If someone started questioning Judas's loyalty or, worse, a mob looking for revenge showed up, it wouldn't be a situation they could handle.

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"Yes..." That simple gesture of allowing Matthew into their home was all the fallen deity needed to hear and his shoulders sagged in relief. "Thank you," he said as he took those few tentative steps inside. It felt strange being back in the Hereafter like this and he looked around Judas' space and wondered why the vampire was still living in this one bedroom unit when he quite literally owned the building.

"I'm alone. I promise," he reassured the other just in case because he knew how the supernaturals perceived him these days and he did not want Judas to get spooked, even though the vampire allowing him into his space so readily already spoke volumes.

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It was strange. They had never see Matthew relax like that before, his shoulders genuinely and visibly dropping. Even his heartbeat sounded strange, different. Alone or not, Matt was a dangerous demon and a dangerous man. Judas was an idiot for even entertaining him but he couldn't stop himself.

"Would you like a drink?" they asked after they closed and locked the door, moving across the dim space. They kept the lighting dim at any given moment, almost atmospheric. In the years since he moved in, they'd slowly collected furniture and decorations, but the walls were still adorn with various paintings he had done. Most were landscapes, some of the city and some of other places nobody but him would recognise. And off to the side, near a shelf filled with well worn books, was a small painting of a man they would both be able to recognise, even with the unusual color palette.

"Why are you here, Matt?" They expected a lie, but they still asked, anyway.

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"Do you have something strong?" the fallen deity asked through a small laugh that threatened to crack until Matthew cleared his throat. Why did it seem to easy to want to just let Judas see him raw and vulnerable?

"I.. Um.. I just needed to get away for a bit," was all Matthew could say. He did not want to implicate himself or admit that he often felt like he might be in over his head doing what he was doing on his own. He shuffled over to look at the larger paintings on the walls. "Are these yours?"

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Judas had already grabbed whatever was left out of the liquor cabinet, something someone else had left there. There wasn't much of it left, so they poured it all into a glass and brought it back to the living room, handing it to him before taking a seat in an arm chair across from the beat up sofa. For once, the answer seemed genuine, though it probably helped when it was so vague. Still, Judas kept his eyes on him, remaining skeptical The question about the paintings did bring his guard down a little bit though.

"Yeah. Kind of the only hobby I kept over the years." He didn't talk about his paintings much. Nobody knew the truth about his past, so it wouldn't make sense to tell them about the cityscapes that weren't of Vievecor City.

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Matthew took the drink gratefully and took a big first sip, feeling the alcohol burn down his throat in a way that was sorely needed before turning his attention back to the paintings before him.

"You're very good..." The fallen deity smiled as his eyes continued to rove over the various canvases. "Where is this?" he asked pointing to one that was clearly not of Vievecor.

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His eyes followed Matthew's as they moved towards the walls. That was the one thing he was proud of in his life, his art. Sure, nobody saw it, but they were still proud of their work.

"Somewhere else," they replied dryly. It was a place somewhere in time, pulled from his memory and recreated on a canvas. It would never be perfect, never close enough to his memory for him to be satisfied. Slowly, after a few moments of silence, Judas spoke again, despite his better judgement.

"It's a place out West, where I grew up." Even that felt like admitting far too much.

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Matthew had been happy for the silence to keep going if that was what Judas wanted, he was just content to be here in this moment to forget about everything else in his life.

But when Judas spoke again and told him of a place out West, Matthew turned to look at the vampire. "It's beautiful..." he smiled. This seemed somewhat normal, right? Having a drink with a friend while admiring their art. Matthew wanted to believe it even if it was just for awhile.

"You could make a career out of this," the fallen deity suggested before moving on the look at some of the other paintings when a small one that sat near a shelf caught his eye.

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This was strange. Even before everything went to shit, they'd never sat and talked and been in each other's company like this. A skeptical and cynical part of Judas thought this had to be some trick.

"I wanted to, at one point. When I first moved in here, all I had was a bed and a fuckton of canvases." He'd used them all, too, though he hadn't kept very many. They noticed the one Matthew was looking at, but they couldn't bring themselves to say anything, wanting to see if Matt recognised himself or even said anything about it.

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Matthew scanned the painting, finding the colours beautifully blended and chosen and it took him a long moment before he realised who Judas had painted. His heart started beating faster upon that realisation, wanting to say something but finding that he was holding himself back.

"You still can," he said instead, eyes still fixed on the painting of himself as his mind raced with what it implied. "The art world loves supernatural artists..." For now, at least.

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They heard the way Matthew's heart sped up, and a small part of them hoped he would say something, but of course he didn't.

"I can't," he replied, the dejected tone evident. "I'm a vampire and an ex-con who killed several humans. I'm lucky I haven't been killed already." No, his art was just for himself now.

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"I'm sure you could with some good PR," Matthew turned to Judas with another smile. "Humans are strange. They love a good story." His fingers had fallen on the painting. It seemed like such a precious connection to the vampire and he did not quite want to let it go.

"Can I have this one?" he asked, wondering if he was asking too much even as he left so much unspoken and unacknowledged between them.

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He didn't think PR would help him but he was happy to let Matthew think that if he would smile at him some more. Their eyes followed his fingers as they touched the canvas. A part of them wanted to ask him to tell them why first, but he knew Matthew wouldn't answer. He had never been honest with him. Perhaps it was vanity, seeing how good he looked in Judas's paint style.

"Yes, you can have it," they replied, despite it being the only painting of Matthew they had kept, even though he had painted quite a few over the years. Perhaps it could be closure, for Matthew to truly be out of his home and life.

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"Thank you..." the fallen deity said softly. "I... I shouldn't take up too much of your time anymore. I'm sure you have things you need to get to." He curled the painting in towards his chest as if it were the most precious thing and moved to place his empty glass on the table. Matthew did not want to leave but it was not like he could keep imposing on Judas either.

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Somehow, he was disappointed when he started to talk about leaving. It wasn't exactly as if Judas was being the kindest host in the world but they had still missed him, despite his attempts to hate him. Judas stood from their seat, walking Matt to the door. They didn't know what to say, but they opened their mouth anyway.

"It was good to see you," they murmured awkwardly as they held the door open for him. They watched as he stepped out into the hallway and disappeared before closing the door and turning to lean back against it as he started to slump down. His hand lifted to press to his face, soon dragging down. "Fuck."

One little visit and Judas was in love with him all over again.

Days turned to weeks, turned to months, and they didn't see Matthew again. But that didn't mean the demon wasn't constantly on his mind. It made them a little more sullen than usual, irritated at themselves. All their progress of getting over their unrequited feelings had come undone with one visit, one meaningless visit.

As another boring, uneventful day turned into evening, Judas found himself with company once more, this time the woman he'd been seeing casually. If anyone could take his mind off Matthew, they hoped it was her.

And yet, as his lips traveled over her torso, peppering kisses to her smooth skin, there was a knock at the door. And, once again, he knew exactly who it was and should have ignored it. But, instead, with an annoyed groan, they pulled their shorts back on and grumbled their way to the door, opening it and leaning in the doorframe as they met eyes with Matthew's radiant blue ones.

"What is it this time?"

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More time had passed again with Matthew keeping himself away from everyone he cared about so that he could do his job. The painting Judas gave him had been placed on his bookshelf in his suite in the P.S Building, given pride of place so that he could gaze upon it each time he retreated to be by himself. He thought about that night often, replaying each moment as if it were some sort of lifeline he could cling to to help him get through the days, and unbeknownst to him, his constant thoughts of Judas found him at the vampire's door again that night.

He had been asked to give up some names again, especially those he might know of who were rescuing captured supernaturals. Matthew had given them a name, a vampire this time whom they brought in and Matthew was forced to watch them turn a new weapon on the poor soul. One that killed the vampire instantly with just one blast.

Matthew felt sick standing in front of Judas' door, but when the vampire opened it to stand in front of him looking just like that and very much alive, his fears seemed to wash away. They looked and felt so welcoming just standing there and Matthew could almost believe for a moment as if they were welcoming him home...

"I'm sorry..." he said, never had he ever apologised like this before until he realised that Judas might be having company. The annoyance in the vampire's voice was evident with the way they asked that question. "I shouldn't have come... I..." didn't know where else to go.

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The apology surprised them and their eyes widened slightly as they gazed down at him. Their annoyed expression softened with a sigh, one of resignation perhaps mixed with some annoyance, though that annoyance was at himself and how easily he gave into Matt every time.

"No, please. Come in." They put a hand on his shoulder to gently guide him into the apartment. They led him to the sofa and had him take a seat but, in that time, his guest had fully dressed and marched through the living space with clear annoyance, slamming the door on her way out. Judas took a brief moment to feel horrible about ruining the budding relationship they'd had, but they would always choose Matthew in the end, even if he never picked them.

"Do you want something to drink?" they asked, ready to offer him alcohol again. The apartment was much the same as last time, except for a spot on the wall empty from the painting Matt had taken with him last time. There was also an easel sitting in the corner, with some painting supplies collected in a box beneath it. The canvas was covered by a sheet he had tossed over it, unable to look at it himself and definitely not wanting anyone else to see it.

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It was only when Matthew stepped into the apartment to see a woman leave in a huff that he knew what Judas had done for him. "I'm really... I'm so sorry," he said again after the door slammed behind her. Again with the apologising... Why had Judas allowed him to interrupt in the first place? Matthew was wondering.

"Yes. Sure. Thank you..." And yet there was a small part of of him that was also slightly glad and relieved for it. The fallen deity looked around the room again, taking in how it had changed since he was last here, but only in small ways. Most notably the easel that was sitting in the corner. He moved towards it while Judas was preparing their drinks and curiously lifted the corner of the sheet.

What he saw painted on the canvas had his cheeks warming. Why was Judas drawing...? "Is this..." he cleared his throat. "Yours?"

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Moving back into the kitchen, Judas dug out whatever alcohol he had sitting around and poured it into a glass. When he heard Matthew speak, he was momentarily until he realised what the must have been looking at.

"Seriously?! I leave you alone for 2 seconds and you're already..." Judas was grumbling and cursing under their breath as they made their way back into the living room, their face flushed red with an intense blush. Nobody was supposed to see that, especially not Matthew. They really should have thrown it out when they had the chance.

"It's yours."

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Matthew's face turned more red at Judas' words. Why were they..? When he saw the vampire return, their face flushed red in a way Matthew had never seen before, the fallen deity could not help lifting a hand up to cover the smile that was threatening to break across his face.

He cleared his throat, the tension he had felt upon coming back here seemed to have dissipated completely in that moment and he could not help saying. "I don't recall ever giving you any pictorial references..." Matthew was not the sort to send others such photos. The words were said in half jest as he lifted the sheet again to take a proper look as if he wanted to be certain that this rather beautiful painting of a dick was that of his own.

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Judas set the drink down on the coffee table before taking a seat and specifically sitting with his back towards the painting so he didn't have to watch Matthew in all his vanity.

"I don't paint from references. It's from memory," they murmured, wishing so badly that they could get drunk in this moment. Now, not only was he sexually frustrated from painting it in the first place, the muse of the painting was in his home, cockblocking him from dealing with that frustration. "Since you love it so much, why don't you take that one home, too."

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Oh. It took a few moments for those words to sink in. The last time they had fallen into bed together was years and years ago and Matthew was certainly wondering what possessed the vampire to make a painting of this now.

He turned to look at Judas, but they had their back resolutely turned to him, clearly still embarrassed by what Matthew had discovered. "I do love it... But it's not finished yet, is it? I'll only take finished paintings..." he teased wanting to see more of Judas' adorable reactions.

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Judas looked at him then, but only to shoot the man a glare.

"I have zero plans to finish that. I didn't even intend to start it in the first place." Honestly, if Matthew didn't take it, they were likely to smash it when he left. They didn't want another constant reminder of Matthew in his house when they already couldn't get him out of their head.

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There were so many questions he wanted to ask, about this painting and also about the one Matthew took home, but the fallen deity was afraid of what Judas might say.

Matthew dropped the sheet back in its place and turned to walk over to where Judas was seated to slide into the seat next to him. The vampire was clearly agitated and that had not been Matthew's intention. "I'm sorry... I shouldn't have teased you," he said, reaching out to place a hand on Judas' arm instead.

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Judas watched him for a few moments before looking away as he moved closer. Their face was still heated and flushed pink, getting worse now that Matthew was next to him. The apology sounded genuine, far too genuine, and that made the vampire's dormant heart thump in his chest.

"Don't worry about it," they mumbled, feeling guilty for getting upset. It was unusual for them to feel so sheepish, except when he was around Matthew.

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They stayed staring at one another for a few moments, the fallen deity taking in the look on Judas' face and those warm brown eyes again...

"You were just so..." Matthew started, many different words sitting just on the tip of his tongue that he could say to take this different ways, but against his better judgement, he ended up leaning in instead and their lips met for the first time in a very long time.

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"Just so what?" he asked softly, still caught in his eyes. They couldn't look away, always drawn in by those beautiful blue eyes, the same blues he was drawn to when he set out paint colors. Everything always came back to Matthew, one way or another. When their lips met, their heart thumped again, stomach fluttering like crazy. How was he ever meant to be with anyone else when Matt kept showing up at his door being all beautiful and kissing him like this. Their hands slowly reached out for him, just wanting to hold him.

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Kissing Judas was clearly a mistake in Matthew's mind, but he kept going anyway. The vampire was the one person in the entire city who saw him like his each scant few times he appeared at their apartment. No one else did Matthew allow himself to lower his guard around these days and it was so tiring. Being here in this space with Judas meant everything to Matthew and he found himself trying to show that all in this kiss.

"Adorable.." the fallen deity breathed in between kisses and took the moment to move closer until he was practically in Judas' lap, just so that he could feel the vampire's arms close around him.

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The answer did not make it any better. Now his heart was thumping wildly and his face was heating up and they were kissing again and... Judas's mind was running away with him, overwhelmed by everything that was Matthew. As the demon moved, their arms slipped around him, helping to pull him into their lap and hold onto him as they kissed. They never wanted this kiss to end, knowing Matt would leave and probably shatter his heart again and not show his face for another several months, if not longer. His desperation to not let him go was probably clear in the way they held onto him, kissing him harder.

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"Judas..." he breathed, their bodies were pressed together in a way that made him feel so safe. Matthew did not want this to end either. It was a realisation that hit him when a small voice inside him told him that he needed to leave. A small noise escaped him as he shoved that voice aside, wanting nothing more than to lose himself in this -- in Judas. Perhaps it was selfish of Matthew as he thought that he was probably using the vampire to feel better about himself, but he did not want to stop.

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Hearing Matthew moan only encouraged him on more, pulling his hips closer as they deepened the kiss, their tongue dragging again his lips, asking permission for more. They would take anything and everything Matthew was willing to give him. Fingers dragged up Matthew's back, wanting to touch him everywhere he could.

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Matthew's lips parted on instinct to allow Judas' tongue inside, his hands were roving over their firm body as he shuddered with that newfound contact. It felt so good and Matthew had not felt this good in such a long time.

It would have been so easy for the fallen deity to give in to his desires -- their desires -- to keep going, but that voice inside him sharply reminded him again that this was dangerous. For himself and for Judas.

"S-stop..." he breathed against the vampire's lips even has he kept kissing Judas a few more times. "Stop!" Matthew said sharply, more for himself than anything and he pulled himself away and off Judas' lap.

"I'm sorry..." he said again. He really was apologising a bit too many times that evening. "I should go."

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The kiss felt so good, far too good, like something out of a daydream. And, just as quickly as it had started, Matthew was pulling away, telling him to stop. They couldn't help the way their heart sank. It really felt like Matthew was toying with him, teasing them until they broke. Either that or Matt had figured out what a terrible mistake Judas was.

"Okay," they replied softly, unable to bring themselves to say anything else. What do you say in this situation? All they knew was that they had been happy for a brief, fleeting moment before it was snatched away again.

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Matthew was straightening his clothes where he stood, face flushed as he got angry with himself for giving in so easily. This was a weakness that the P. S. Group could exploit and he was putting Judas in danger. But when had Judas become a weakness?

He made it a point to avoid the vampire's eyes as he made his way to the door, cursing himself for making this awkward. There was no way he was going to come back to Judas' place now. "Thank you..." he said as he finally lifted his eyes up to meet Judas' again. Just one last time before he slipped out the door and disappeared.

----------------

This time, Matthew's departure felt so final. Like they would truly never see him again. They watched him as he walked to the door, their eyes meeting briefly.

"Goodbye, Matthew." And then he was gone, like a ghost, like a leaf on the wind. Judas sat there for quite a while before they stood, feeling their frustration and pain and grief overflow as they grabbed their paint supplies and threw it across the room, the tin container clambering against the floor as brushes spilled out and paint tubes burst open, splattering color across the floor. But, as they turned back towards the canvas, any anger turned to sadness and he lost the energy to throw anything else, instead sitting on the floor and cursing themselves, tears dampening his face without their permission in soundless sobs.

----------------

The next time they met was on the year 2051 when the supernaturals decided to hatch a plan to assassinate Park Sung Joon. Matthew had heard about it through his contacts and he decided that it was time he left the P.S. Group for good. He left the building that evening and made his way to where he knew they were having a meeting and appeared at the door, to the surprise and anger of the person standing on guard where they almost killed him on sight. After telling them that he was here to help, they reluctantly brought him into the room to meet with those who were planning this assassination.

What he had not expected was seeing Judas there. But then again, he probably should not have been. The plans were set in stone that night with Matthew volunteering to break them all into Park's residence. He knew the man best out of everyone in the room after all but was still met with many looks of derision and distrust.

By the time the meeting was adjourned, Matthew was starting to wonder if he would perhaps die by the hands of his own kind when the assassination was over.

----------------

Life went on, just like it had before, just like it always would. Things were the same as before, and Judas continued to do what he could, helping people get to safety and getting the supplies they needed. As the plan started to come together, of course they were a part of it, even volunteering to go until he and Isabelle talked and she took that spot, instead. Besides, Judas knew he wouldn't be able to focus with Matthew there. Still unable to resolve their feelings for him, they had pushed them to the back of his mind, but they threatened to resurface when he saw the demon again, especially when he was so surprised he was there. As the meeting ended, they made their way over to Matthew, unable to keep themselves from saying something.

"You being here is going to make a big difference," they said, briefly patting Matt's shoulder. "Thanks." That was all they had to say, but they lingered for a moment, looking over his face and taking note of the small changes.

----------------

Matthew had been waiting for the moment that he would be alone with Judas again. And they had to wait for the meeting to be over for that to happen. When the vampire came over to him when they were finally left alone and that hand moved to pat his shoulder, Matthew felt some of the tension he was carrying melt away. But he was still wondering...

"Don't you hate me? Everyone else seems to..." It would only be natural that Judas did too. After everything he put them through.

-----------------

Their eyes widened slightly, surprised that Matthew would worry about something like that.

"I could never hate you," they replied. They had certainly tried, from Matthew siding with the enemy to him constantly showing up and breaking his heart for the fun of it, it seemed. "If I did, I certainly wouldn't have kept letting you into my home," he added in a teasing tone, hoping to light the mood a bit.

----------------

Matthew caught on to that teasing tone like it was a lifeline and he turned a warm smile on Judas. "Of course..." The last time he was at that place they had left on rather shaky terms, but Judas seemed to have swept that all under the rug.

"Are you still painting?" he asked as his cheeks warmed when he remembered what Judas painted last. "I mean... Landscapes?"

----------------

Seeing him smile helped Judas to relax a little. Their chest still tightened uncomfortable and they wanted to run away, but they seemed to be the only one who didn't want to stab Matthew at the first given chance. The question made their smile fall slightly, their eyes dropping his gaze.

"No, not anymore." Considering the last time, Judas had avoided painting to give them a chance to not be overwhelmed by thoughts of Matt, and missing him. Focusing on the day to day and not dwelling on his feelings made it easier to wake up and keep going.

-----------------

"Oh," Matthew said feeling a little disappointed by that answer even when he did not know why, or perhaps he just did not want to admit that he loved the fact that Judas had been painting him. "I suppose you must've been busy. I wasn't expecting to see you here today... Doing this. Saving people. It suits you..."

----------------

It was difficult for him to paint when Matthew had been his muse off and on for years. It was easier to avoid it and not stir up feelings he was trying to ignore. Judas didn't know how to deal with this conversation, it felt too genuine considering who he was talking to and they easily reverted back to the persona they had used off and on through their life, flashing Matthew a smile. "Don't worry, I'll come save you if you get caught."

----------------

"Really?" Matthew's brows rose in mild surprise as he felt something in his chest tighten. He was certain the vampire was teasing him, but he wanted to hope it was true. "Then I'll hold you to that..." he chuckled, wanting to stay in his little fantasy even if it was just for awhile.

---------------

They hadn't expected that reaction from Matthew, like he was actually surprised that Judas would rescue him. It was their role in the assassination, after all, making sure those who were captured were rescued, but of course he would do that for Matt even if it wasn't their job. Still, the way Matthew chuckled and looked almost at ease was far too much, their heart thumping and they cursed internally. All it took was one moment his progress was undone, again. "Just try to be safe out there, okay?" they replied so their reaction wasn't as obvious.

----------------

The next time they meet again would be after Park Sung Joon's assassination. It went swimmingly, if it meant successfully killing the human, but Isabelle and Elio were caught in the process and Matthew was depowered for the first time in his life. It had happened as he was trying to get Elio out of the complex, the deity had been in a daze after accidentally killing a number of humans and they were almost surely to get caught until the man opened a portal and shoved a depowered Matthew through.

Where he found himself next was in a thankfully empty alleyway just outside Park's complex, collapsed on the ground as he tried fighting against the effects of the depowering ray. This was not where the extraction team were going to be and Matthew vaguely wondered if Elio had sent him here to separate him on purpose. But no, the deity would not do that...

He tried pushing himself up off the ground on shaky legs and tried to make his way out. If he could get to the extraction point, he would be able to see Judas again and everything would work out just fine... That was Matthew's thought at least until one of Park's guards standing guard outside the building spotted him!

----------------

While the assassination took place, it was up to Judas to make sure anyone that got injured was quickly escorted away. Rescuing would be a later problem. They were waiting, listening. When he recognised people, he was able to direct others. At this point, there were three left missing, and they got more anxious as time went on. Deciding to check around, Judas began to move when he finally heard a recognizable heartbeat, along with another.

They took off running, not caring about being spotted or followed. The fact that Matthew's heart rate was irregular and quick, the the other person was still alive, meant something was wrong and they had to get there quickly. He saw the guard entering the alleyway and their eyes narrowed as they closed the space between them, lunging at the guard with fangs bared.

Their fangs sunk into the human's throat and tore it out without a second thought before their mind returned to them and they looked up to see Matt. They immediately moved to his side. "Are you alright?"

----------------

The human was advancing on him in one moment and in the next, Matthew saw Judas appear in a flash, fangs bare before they tore through the guard like he was paper. Matthew had never seen Judas like this before and he could not help looking on in awe while the whole thing happened, blue eyes were still trained on the vampire when the attack was over and that familiar face appeared next to his own.

"You saved me..." The fallen deity said, voice hushed as he reached a shaky hand out towards the other. This entire day had been an ordeal but he was so glad to see Judas again.

Their moment did not last long however as the sound of more guards made themselves known around them. An alarm had been sounded and the entire building had been put on lockdown.

----------------

Their eyes were filled with concern as hands went to either side of the fallen deity, ready to catch him if he was unsteady on his feet. Unfortunately there was no time to check his wounds, more guards rushing to surround them. Judas glared at some over Matthew's shoulder, counting the number of heartbeats to know how many there was. He could take them, but not without risking Matthew's safety.

Deciding protecting Matt was more important, they pulled him close, lifting him in their arms before barreling forward, slamming into the guards blocking their way with his shoulder to knock them back. With a path cleared, they ran, holding on tightly to him. He didn't stop until they were back at the extraction point with others, far enough that they knew the humans wouldn't have been able to keep up.

"Are you okay? Are you hurt?"

----------------

And Judas saved him again. Keeping to the promise he made in jest just the day before. Matthew was still clinging to them when they got back to the extraction point, one arm stayed looped around him even when he was set back down on the ground, not wanting to let Judas go lest he fall over.

"Depowered... But I'm fine," he gritted out as he looked at the rest of the team who managed to make it out. Isabelle was missing too. "Elio and Isabelle... We can't let the P.S. Group take them.."

----------------

When he noticed Matthew still holding onto them, they kept an arm around his waist, letting him lean again Judas as a support. It was good to see how may people they had managed to get out, but they felt a pang of guilt knowing that Isabelle hadn't escaped.

"I don't think we can rescue them, we don't have the advantage of surprised anymore. They're going to be ready for us." Considering what had gone down today, the P.S. Group would have to organise themselves before they could do anything to either of their captives. "We'll get them back, Matt, I promise." It just might not be tonight.

----------------

Matthew knew that Judas was speaking sense. They could not go back in now. Not with their dwindled numbers and the humans on full alert. The rest of the group were in agreement as well and began making plans to head back and regroup.

Matthew nodded at last, looking defeated but this was a group decision and he was too weak to fight back. "Okay..." he said. They had made plans to put each of the assassins in different safe houses after the mission and that was going to be the next step.

"OK. Let's go..."

----------------

He could practically feel Matthew's disappointment, it was clear how upset he was from his expression. Holding him carefully, Judas led him away. It wasn't long before they were at the safehouse, the one he had made sure was well stocked, and protected with some magic. They guided Matthew to the bed to rest.

"Can I get your anything? Water? Bandages? We should probably look at your wounds, they won't heal right now that you're depowered." Luckily, they had all sorts of things stored away in a back room.

----------------

Matthew shook his head, finding that he did not particularly want anything as he was seated on the bed in the back of the safe house. He had not even realised how beaten up if he was as his gaze remained on the floor before him.

"Wounds..." he said and felt a sudden pain blossom on his side and he winced from it. "Ow..." was all he said as he lifted a hand. It felt so weird that it was still there when something like this would normally have healed by now. "Are you sure we can't go back?"

----------------

Judas moved to dig out the first aid kit, though it definitely felt odd to need it for Matthew of all people. As he spoke, they sighed, stopping to turn to him.

"If you want us to go after them so badly, I will, but I can't guarantee I'll come back." There was no way the P.S. Group would take any chances in the near future. Their guards would likely double, each equipped with weapons to depower and kill supernaturals. The vampires had already been all but wiped out and they didn't doubt the humans would be happy for them to make themselves an easy target.

----------------

"No!" Matthew said immediately when Judas offered. He did not want Judas anywhere near the P.S. Group, not like this when he was depowered and weak himself.

"You're never allowed to go to the P.S. Group yourself!" he snapped, suddenly angry at Judas for even suggesting it.

----------------

The sudden outburst made Judas's eyes go wide with surprise. They had hoped he cared enough to not want him to go out on a suicide mission, but the reaction he was receiving now was far from what they had expected.

"Okay!" they said quickly, moving to the bedside to take Matt's hand in his. "Okay. I won't."

----------------

His hand closed tightly around Judas as if he would be able to hold him there always. The sudden thought of losing the vampire when he did not have anymore power at the P.S. Group was terrifying to Matthew and he had lashed out.

"Good..." he nodded, shoulders relaxing slowly. "Good..." Matthew said again as the weight of the entire day came crashing down on him and he lunged forward to pull Judas into a tight hug. "Thank you for saving me today..."

----------------

As they were pulled in, they practically scooped Mathew into their arms, pulling him into their lap as he sat on the bed, holding him close.

"You don't have to thank you. I'm just happy I made it in time." If they hadn't, and something had happened to Matt, their heart would have been shattered beyond repair. "I just need you to rest and get better, okay?"

----------------

"Just take the thanks, Judas..." Matthew huffed lightly from where he was cradled in Judas' arms, his face pressed to the vampire's neck and he sniffed, feeling a wetness in his eyes that he had not felt in a very long time.

"Can you stay here with me?" he asked in a hushed voice, one that wavered slightly as he did not dare to look Judas in the face when he asked the question, afraid that he might be rejected.

----------------

"Okay. You're welcome," they replied as they chuckled softly. He didn't need to be so cute and huffy. Feeling wetness again his neck, Judas smoothed his hand over his back, trying to comfort him.

"Of course," they replied, pressing their face against Matthew's neck as he hugged him a little tighter. "I'm not going anywhere."

----------------

"Okay..." Matthew nodded, glad to have Judas' reassurance that they were not going anywhere. This was all the fallen deity needed for now and he continued to hold Judas while he gently wept for those they lost that night and all the years before...

Days and weeks would pass by with Matthew living in that safe house, unable to leave because the whole city was looking out for his face and the faces of those who assassinated Park Sung Joon. It was safer for him this way given how no one knew how long he would be depowered for and feeling helpless, Matthew threw many fits out of distress, occasionally yelling at Judas whenever the vampire came to check on him and yet, they still kept coming, never thinking to send anyone else to check on him instead.

"I don't know why it's you who keeps coming to check on me... Did they force you?" Matthew asked bitterly one day from where he had curled himself up on the bed. He was glad that it was Judas, he really was, but he could never quite stop the small voice in his head that told him the vampire was simply doing this out of a sense of obligation. Why else would anyone want to help or care for a duplicitous, useless thing like Matthew in the first place?

----------------

Judas stayed by Matthew's side until he seemed to be irritated with him and, even then, he came back to check on him frequently, wanting to make sure he wasn't lonely and he had everything he needed. Even when he was getting yelled at, they still came back. They knew Matthew would never admit what he was really feeling, perhaps even to himself. Today, however, his words felt even more cutting than usual.

"If you really hate seeing me that much, then I'll stop coming," he replied, huffing softly but it was only a small one, his attempt to mask the ache in his chest with whatever annoyance he could muster.

----------------

"I didn't say that I hate seeing you. Why are you being so dramatic?" Matthew frowned, not liking the way Judas suggested to not come anymore, but he was still hurting and frustrated about everything and being cooped up in this safe house was driving the fallen deity just a bit mad.

"I just... I feel so trapped. I feel like a prisoner. And rightly so, I suppose. After all I've done. And you... The poor thing who has to keep coming to see me. Aren't you sick of me yet? Because you should be..." Matthew was pretty sick of himself and his own thoughts.

-----------------

The response he received was not a comfort, not when he knew Matthew to not be honest with them, ever. He probably did hate seeing Judas, a constant reminder of the night they couldn't save two of their friends and allies.

"You don't have to stay here anymore. There's a place for you in Remington tower." As for the rest of it, Judas looked away. Why would he be sick of making sure Matthew was okay? Did the demon really not see how much he mattered to them? "If I was sick of you, I wouldn't be here. I don't check on you because I have to. I want to. I want to make sure you're okay."

----------------

The thought of going to Remington Tower scared Matthew more than he cared to admit. There were more supernaturals living there, more judgmental eyes to turn on him as he walked the halls of his rival. Matthew did not know how he was going to fare if he ever went to stay there.

"Do you? Really? You're not annoyed at me for the way I treated you over the years too? I kept turning up at your place when you least expected it and then disappeared into the night once I was done with you... Must've been annoying, especially given how you..." Matthew stopped himself then. He always had a feeling that Judas liked him a lot more than normal, it had been what kept him sane for many years in the P.S. Group, but now that he was out, Matthew had begun to wonder if it was all in his head. Something he had made up because he desperately needed someone to keep him sane. "How you..." he said again, still unable to finish the sentence because what if Judas rejected him at last?

------------------

"Annoyed isn't the word I'd choose," they mumbled, though that wasn't the point. He was starting to see why Matthew had been so upset. Did he think Judas hated him? Or that they pitied him? Or maybe it was guilt that Matthew was feeling after all these years.

"How I have feelings for you?" They said, finishing his thought for him. "Yeah, well. I knew you were just showing up to manipulate me, but I couldn't stop myself from missing you and wanting to see you." It felt easy to admit it now, now that he didn't think Matthew was going to try to manipulate him anymore.

"I guess I'm just a glutton for punishment," they mused with a small shrug of his shoulders. "Now, do you want to go to the tower, or should I just leave you alone here?"

----------------

The way Judas said what he had wanted to say so easily shocked him and Matthew could not help staring at them. Laying it out in the open for them both and so casually admitting to it had the fallen deity at a loss for words.

"Did you think I was manipulating you?" he asked softly, his heart aching because that had not been his intention at all with Judas over the years. Yes, he had gone to Judas for rather self-serving purposes, but every time he did, it had never been to manipulate. "I never... I wasn't..." But that was how everyone saw him, wasn't it? And that was the problem and the reason that led Matthew to where he was today.

----------------

Judas watched him, confused by his reaction. Was he acting to try to save face? It was okay, they didn't care about that anymore. That was one of the few things he was actually able to come to terms with when it came to his love for Matthew.

"Why else would you show up at my place, while working for P.S. Group, while I was actively hiding supernaturals? I always thought you were waiting for the right time to use me to get access to the hiding places, or names of people you could up. I was waiting for the day they came to round me up, honestly." Judas shrugged from his spot where he was leaning against the wall watching him.

"Why didn't they?" Since they were being honest, they meaning Judas so far, what was the harm in asking? They had always been curious, after all.

-----------------

While Matthew had known of Judas' work with the supernaturals, he never once thought to give the vampire up. He never could. Not even when the P.S. Group continued to come to him asking for names and he would have exhausted everyone he could think of before ever giving them Judas.

"I couldn't give them your name..." Matthew said, the look on his face turning to one of sadness and disappointment as he despaired over the fact that Judas had thought that about him the entire time. He had not given Judas any indication otherwise though and the realisation of that hurt a lot more than he imagined it would.

"You were... You were the only part of my life that I wanted to keep away from them. To keep safe. I didn't want them to sully what we had between us." Those moments had been too precious to him. Though it was clear now that perhaps there had been nothing between them and it had all been in Matthew's head.

-----------------

Fuck. Fuck fuck fuck fuck. Hearing that Matthew hadn't given him up, couldn't give them up, it stirred up every emotion he had managed to bury and they had to look away, feeling their face warming slightly and their heart beginning to thump in his chest again. He wanted to be what the fallen deity cared about and wanted to protect, desperately so.

“What did we have between us, Matt? Because it was hard to tell when you kept rushing out like you regretted ever kissing me." That had definitely hurt, badly. "There is a reason that when I finally sat down to paint again, the only thing I could paint was you." And that damned painting. He still had it. Hell, he'd even finished it.

-----------------

What did they have between them indeed. That was the question and Matthew still did not know the answer. Clandestine meetings and stolen kisses across the span of a near decade would've meant nothing to the regular person, but they had been under highly irregular circumstances and thus Matthew had perceived them as something more.

"I don't know..." he said softly. "I did regret kissing you, but only because I knew it would be a mistake getting too close. You were a liability. One they could have exploited if they looked hard enough... Every time I went to you, I was terrified I was followed and every time I went back to them, I kept thinking that I would see them throw you into one of the experimental facilities. You don't know how terrified I was every time!" This was the first time Matthew had ever told anyone about this. He never had the chance to before and it seemed right that it would be Judas he told this to now.

"I didn't want them to destroy the only thing in the last few years that was keeping me sane... I'm sorry you thought otherwise. It was never my intention to lead you on..." He could understand if Judas wanted nothing to do with him now.

----------------

Judas watched him, listening to him speak and feeling their chest ache. As Matthew spoke, it was almost as if he could hear the sincerity in his voice. First perhaps the first time ever, Matt was being honest with them. That, coupled with the topic at hand, made it impossible for his heart to resist.

They didn't know what to say, how to respond or how to tell him that his heart, his long still heart, was racing for him. There were no words that would suffice. Instead, Judas quickly crossed the space between them and held Matthew's face gently in his hands as he kissed him.

They wanted to put all their emotions into this kiss. The longing, especially, but also the heartache, the frustration and the desire, all of it. Otherwise, how could he ever tell him?

---------------

Matthew was still fretting and bracing himself for this to be the last times Judas came to check in on him when he heard the vampire come over and felt cool hands on his face. The touch was gentle as those hands angled his face up towards Judas' own and they leaned in for a kiss.

The fallen deity's heart was threatening to beat out of his chest as he froze for a moment, not quite daring to move until it became evident that Judas was not going to pull away. His shoulders sagged and he leaned into the kiss, eyes closing as he tilted his head to deepen it. This kiss was so different to the ones before. Firstly, because Judas had initiated it and secondly, because their kisses were never so gentle, so tender, as if what they were doing in that moment was such a precious thing.

"Oh, Judas..." Matthew sighed against the vampire's lips and he felt a warmth flood his chest as he melted into the kiss.

----------------

Matthew was kissing him back and they immediately shuffled onto the bed, holding onto him as they continued to kiss him. It felt like, if they looked away, he would change his mind and push Judas away, so they didn't want to give him the chance. One arm moved down to loop around his waist, pulling him closer.

"Please don't push me away again," they murmured softly between kisses, their eyes stayed squeezed shut, their chest aching.

----------------

Judas was on the bed with him in the next moment and Matthew eagerly welcomed him. This was not how the fallen deity had expected the conversation to turn out and he welcomed them with open arms to pull Judas close and on top of him.

"I've never wanted to..." he confessed, his own heart aching in a way he never realised it could in a very long time. Matthew was not sure when the sentiment changed and all he wished was to tell Judas everything, but he was sure he would not have it any other way. Not again.

-----------------

Judas rested his body against Matthew's, not wanting to be anything but gentle and affectionate with him. They held him with such reverence, scared of hurting him or upsetting him.

"Don't leave me again," they mumbled unintentionally, pressing his lips to his again softly.

----------------

There were so many things that were still being left unsaid between them, but when Judas leaned in again to press their lips together, it was almost as if they were discovering this part of their relationship for the first time and Matthew wanted to take his time with it.

"I won't..." he promised, returning the kiss with something equally tender and just as slow. It did not seem like they were going to leave the bed anytime soon and if they were going to stay in this safe house, Matthew planned on making the most of it.

The next years passed with the world turning to even more shit around them. With the death of Park Sung Joon, his son rose in his place and was even worse than his father. Siwoo made is it his life's mission to eradicate the supernaturals and introduced measures that escalated in ruthlessness as time went by.

Judas' name was still tied to the Hereafter after all those years, but his involvement with the building and what it represented to the supernatural community became an increasing problem as time went by. Until one day, they got wind of a bomb plot. Some human factions were planning to destroy some supernatural owned buildings in the city and the Hereafter was a target.

Fretting for his building and Judas' safety, Matthew decided that he would risk himself and return. His powers had returned to him for a few months by then and any help they could have, Matthew was willing to give. Little did they know that the bombing of the Hereafter would also serve as a way to drive Matthew out of hiding... And when he building came down around them that night, Matthew was cursing himself for his stupidity in falling for this much too obvious trap.

to be continued....

#cw: sex #cw: feelings #cw: an emotional rollercoaster of unrequited love #vcnewworldevent #matthew: 2045 #》THREAD || MATTHEW

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