so many places (M/M)

[Lily]

Hello people ! I’m Lily and I’m so glad to be here with a story.

I wanted to write a story since a long time, but since english is not my first language (it’s french, salut salut) I was not feeling it. But the french-sneezing fetish community is like…Not really developped. It’s amazing in a way how I learned a lot of vocabulary related to sneezing, cold, allergies, body… Just trying to understand these stories. I hope I will not be too cliché in my way of writing my non-french characters, please be kind haha I’m just trying to give back to the community ! Also I’m so sorry if there’s errors, please feel free to indicate them so I can progress. I hope it will not bothering too much. 

TW : mention of death (cancer). It is just for Matt's character history, I promise the rest is lighter.

I kinda imagine the story for myself, but maybe you will enjoying it too ? Let’s hope.

Storyline

Matthew « Matt » Hatfield is an illustrator/journalist who enjoys swimming, his rare friends and he’s a proud gay activist. Really, Matt has really three majors problems : he gets the strongest allergies ever, he hate showing his vulnerability, and he can’t stand James Cooper, a talented journalist who’s been working at the same place since two years.

James « Jim » Cooper is a beautiful journalist, not out, cause he has been rejected by his family because his homosexuality. But that, nobody can really know, as he is always in a light mood, telling jokes and being charming to everyone. Really, he has three secrets : his past, his homosexuality and his freaking sneeze fetish.

No let’s see how those two guys are actually going to met in so many places they never even think about.

Lily

 

CHAPTER 1 : A SNEEZY DAY

 

Julie knew she had no possibility with Matthew Hatfield, even tough her job was actually selling Matthew's favourite and only kind of drugs he took : the caffeine. She saw him every morning and every morning she wanted him to have some nice words for her. But it barely happens. She knew Matthew Hatfield for 4 years now. Every morning, the same order : a tall black coffee. And sometimes a look. A word. Barely a smile. When he was in a excellent mood, which seems rare cause he was always kind of grumpy, complaining about weather who nevers seems to fit him, pushing back his glasses with a way too much serious look, he sometimes was kind of teasing, and he was quite good at that. Julie found Matt really attractive when he was teasing him in such a lovely manner. He was not that tall, rather athletic looking - she could smell the chlore and see the wet hair every weekend and most of the mornings, because he was an avid swimmer -. He had curly brown hair but with the sun you could see some ginger curls in the middle. Clear skin, behind a three-days beard, blushing easily. And he had blue or maybe green eyes, Julie never really catched this beautiful colour, as Matt was always touches his glasses in every way possible and avoid direct eye-contact. Also - and Julie was not particularly interested in that detail but it was worth mentioning because of how his nose was a nice and important feature - Matt had a long straight nose who turned up round at the end. It was a perfectly designed nose, charismatic and cute.

 

At this point, poor Julie sighed because even if Matthew was really great looking to the point where she could finds interest in the man's nose, she perfectly knew Matt was gay. He was a very discreet man but he had values and a strong character. He had courage, she was sure of that. She felt he was the kind of guy to defend his positions and values. And he was a proud man too. He was using his values and character, and joined every single pride to walk with some cartons with beautiful messages on it and drawings too, as he was a talented artist. And he was quite known in the neighbourhood, always saying a polite « hello » to different members from local associations. His mom was working in a lot of associations, especially feminist and LGBTQ+ ones, so he was always recognized as « Mary’s son », sometimes « The Artist ». Also, but that was keeped secret by the members, he was also known as the « Grumpy One » cause most of the time, Matt had a serious look, with his glasses, the brows always frowned and the way he was looking at people, kinda coldly. Plus he had this terrible temper, but few people were actually aware of that if they didn't talked to him. Julie was now given Matthew his money back. He might be gay and not interested, she truly finds him sweet in his own way, even tough today he was particularly not into the mood for chit chat and looked borrowed by something, massaging the bridge of his nose, in his thoughs.

 

"Here's for you Matthew. And have a lovely day !"

"T-thanks Julie, you too. B-bye."

 

Matt rushed at the door and take a deep breath before jumping on his bike. It was time. He nearly sneezed on Julie. Damn allergies. He blew his nose strongly : no sneezing in public that was a victory. He swallowed all of his coffee – he liked it really hot, loved the burning feeling – and directing himself to his job. He felt a familiar tickle coming in his nose since this morning. He had a couple of sneezes since he wake up. Damn allergies. There were coming up since this weekend, and Matt started to feel like he had to comes up with a plan to hide it the best he could. He took the medecine all right but he knew, with all the pollen of this early spring : he was in danger. He hurry to his job. At least he was safe there, in the large and tall glass building were the windows were, at his great happiness, always close.

 

He was parking his bike and felt he need to relieve all the pressure of his short but tickling road from his house to the office. Taking a deep breathe, he started to moan like he frequently did before a big fit. And it was a big fit. An explosion of a dozen wet and strong sneezes that echoed in the - fortunately - empty garage.

 

"M-mmm...Eh...Eh..Eshi...EshiiiIIIeEE-ESHIEW ! EH...EEEEHX-SHIEW ! SHIEW ! SH...SHI...SHIEW ! ESHIEW ! ET...ETISHOO ! Ehh-hEhhh-hEhckSHIEW ! ESHIEW ! Umph...M-M-eh...Eh...Etsh...Et-SHIEW ! ETISHOO ! AAAA....AAAA...AR-CHOO ! Finally...N-no...A-another...Another one...Jeez...Come...Come Al...Al...AlreadyyyyiiiishHIEW !"

 

He blew his nose again. The last sneeze felt relieving. Satisfying almost. Now he was good. He walked into the stairs, whistling happily. Matt really liked his job. He always knew he wanted to be a journalist. The information, the need to tell people about the world, he felt that was one of the most beautiful job ever. Growing up, the only thing that held him back was his creativity and love for painting and drawing that he felt he was going to lost in the process of becoming a journalist. Also he did have a shitty character. He was intelligent, creative, full of qualities. But he had a shitty character. He was arguing easily. He didn’t care to be loved by a lot of people, so he could easily being rude. Even with his rare friends. He was an introvert, afraid to connect with people. He often feels like people never understood him, and he don’t see the point to fight for made his point known. He was good-looking, smart and could been really funny, so he had attracted a lot of guys. But he had no patience. He couldn’t stand to be vulnerable and struggles to express him emotions. Yeah, that was the worst : his tendency to never shows his feelings. To hide them really deep inside.  He was good with emotions of others, when he cares. He was a caring person with whoever he felt connect to. But his own emotions ? Hated them. Hated the fact that people could see he was not just this witty bastard. Except his mom, Mary. But that was a heavy subject to him.

 

Mary Hatfield had raised her only kid alone, because Matt’s father was…Well, not really in the perspective to have a child, to get married, getting involved or whatever. She was sad when he leaved her, but she knew she wanted to have that child. She wanted to raised him with her values and showed him the world could be worth living by. She was a strong feminist woman. As a litterature teacher at the university, she had enough time to take care of her boy, even tough there were some hard days, especially when Matthew was a baby. But she always managed, sometimes babysitting kids in the neighbourhood, sometimes making jewellry and sell it to people on the market, with baby Matt on her back. She was this kind of woman you wish to cross your path with. Unique. Sweet. Beautiful in her way, with her red big curls dancing around her heart shaped face. Always wearing colours. Way too much jewels, who made some music as she walks. Full of creativity, loving books and truly believes in people. When Matthew, her dearest boy, made his coming out, she embrace it as for her it was perfectly fine. She kinda knew before him.

 

But she did not just accept her son’s homosexuality. She started to be a member of LGBT+ association, learned about how she could support LGBT+ rights. Because it matters. And she wanted to make the world a safest place for her son, and for others. She teached Matt a lot. She also always pushed him to speak to other people. To gain confidence. To be proud of himself. And to never feeling like he can’t have an exit to his sadeness.

 

She used to said « Happiness is everywhere. But Sadness too. You will know both, and many more complex emotions. But please Matt : find other people to connect to. Not a lover, but a friend. A lover is damn fine, you do what you want, as long as you stay safe, but you gonna need some friends. Humans are like that. They need people to express their feelings. To share. Never forgets that my lovely boy. »

 

She was a role model to Matthew. But her words were painfully true. Three years ago, she was diagnosed with a cancer. One year after, even with her fighting spirit, she died. Matt, who did not cry easily, couldn’t think about it without tearing up. Such a perfect day… It was at home, she already lost her hair, her beautiful curls, and used to wear beautiful and colourful scarves around her head at that time. It was fall. Her scarf was brown and gold. She went to the beach with Matthew. They laughed together. A lot. They were living together at that time. It was nice, never weird. They ate a good but simple meal on the beach. They watched the sun hiding behind the ocean and then get back at home. They watched Billy Elliot, their favourite movie. And had plans the morning after to finish a painting they both started. Mary went to bed early. The morning after, she was dead. Her calm and beautiful face will never smile, laugh, talks. And Matt did lost his faith into the words of his mother. No, not really. It was just, with Mary gone, there was nobody else who reminds him to share his feelings to the world. That was a shame, but that was his way of cope with the situation.

 

After that, Matthew felt he will never love anyone else. But at this time of life, he was already working with his best friend, Lizzie, ten years older than him, and his current boss at the Greenway Post. Well, the real boss was John Adams, but he was never here, as he directed many others newspapers. Lizzie was in charge. And even though Matt never believe he was friend with the most coolest woman ever since ten years old, his beginning into the journalism, it was true. She was a blessing. His best friend. A short girl with short curly salt-and-pepper hair, grey eyes and a tiny mouth always ready to say something sharp. An intelligent witty woman, and he did love her very much. She was the only one who saw clearly in him. Like...His tendency to never wanted being seen weak by anyone. Values. She recognized that in him, and he in her. They were alike in all the political, social and cultural matters. They had a lot of commun points. She was married with a sweet, funny and witty girl named Carol, who was taller than Matt, black, with a beautiful afro and almond-shaped eyes.

They had two kids, Matilda and little Mikey. Matthew didn't like children. At least, every children except Matilda and Mikey. He was so fond of them. Especially Matilda, because she was as witty as her mothers. And she loved Matt like a father figure, which always left Matt in a weird state of vulnerability that he could only deals thanks to his friends who knew he was not a fan of showing his deep emotions and never made him feel awkward, avoiding the subject in front of him. Plus he was really great with them. Taking them to the pool during the holidays. He even started to teach Mikey to swim after trained Matilda. And he was so great with painting and crafting with them. Matt was really into LGBT+ community and could have been the pride of a group of activist during the pride walks. But he always made the pride with his chosen family : Lizzy, Carol, Matilda and Mikey. The fantastic four, as he called them. Usually, Matilda was always shouting "The fantastic fifth uncle Matt ! You're not a genius in math or what ? For a guy named Matt, it’s a shame really !" - Matt was amused, and so deeply touched every time the 9 years old little girl said that kind of stuff that he usually didn't reply to that, playing softly with her ponytail, feeling unbelievably lucky to been love by them.

No, really, Matt was lucky to have what he always wanted : his dream job, where he was journalist and art director. And also, but he wouldn’t admit it even to himself : he had the chance to work with his friend Lizzie. There was only one problem : James.

James « Jim » Cooper. Everyone loved him since he put his foot at Greenway Post, two years ago, some weeks after Mary’s death. Everyone loved him. Except Matt. James was a tall incredibly beautiful man. There was no other terms. Matt himself couldn’t say otherwise : he was so beautiful. And weirdly enough, Matt had always pairing James with a photography he discovered when he was between 7 and 8 years old, in a magazine of his mom’s. He remember, he was only a kid, coming back from the pool, taking his mom’s magazine, just looking at the articles, discovering new words, loving that and hoping one day he could have his own newspaper. He had one, actually, he made himself at that time, making a mess in the house because of all the cutting papers, photographies etc. But Mary always supported him in his artistic projects. Anyways. He was turning the pages and find a photography of a stylist. A tall, pale man with really dark hair, hazel eyes and a straight roman nose was posing. He were dark clothes with pearls in it. And a diamond pierced his left ear. Matthew remember his 7 years old self feeling a big shiver down his spine, some water droping in his neck. He remembers this face so good, since that day. It was the most beautiful face ever. He was blushing in front of a photography of an unknown, discovering a lot this day.

After this episode, Matt knew this for sure : he was in love with guys, even with his young age he was certain of it. He will try to tell his mom – his mom was amazing, he knew he could tell her everything, she will understand –. Finally, he definitely wanted to be a journalist, not for encoutering his own David but truly, he made a promise to himself that he will become a great reporter.

So, yeah. James was basically a David. Elegant, tall, pale – and Matt wished sometimes that he could have been as pale as him, because Matt was blusing so easily that he felt he was most pink and not a regular white guy – and also James had raven hair, mid lengh and straight. Matthew liked his hair. He would have prefer it more messy, but that was the only think he was finding not as « perfect » as the rest. James had hazel brillant eyes, always looking like he was amused by something. His smile was cute. His cheekbones were beautiful, slightly pronounced. His roman nose was a model of strong yet classic nose. He even have his ears pierced, even tough he never put an earring to it and his dark hair always hides it, but Matt had a an eye for this kind of details. He did wondering one day why did James never wores a strass to his ear, just like the David of his childhood.

James was pleasing everyone. Especially the young ladies of the newspaper. Except Matt. Matt couldn’t stand James. He was beautiful, yes, and even that made him angry. He was too perfect to be real. Also, really jealous of the way James seems to fit everywhere. In any circumstance. How everyone loved him. Finding his articles great. That was the thing that bothers Matt the most. He doesn’t want to be love by everybody, as he feels like most of people are imbeciles. But the talent with words…He had it. And James, since his arrival, was like an eclipse. He was getting all the great subjects. Getting all the praise. James tried to comfort himself in the fact that he still was the art director, which was kind of a big deal, and he new he was talented in that area. But still. Also James was always telling clever and witty things that Matt finds hard to respond to. Which was the worst, at least for him, cause Matt were famous to always have something clever, well-turned to say, and he felt that even in that field James was better than him. Oh yeah, James was the worst.

Matt hated his own jealousy. If James was working in another newspaper, maybe they could have being friends. Who knows ? They were a lot alike. Their cleverness. Their center of interest for subjects they had to choose. Their way of talking. But no. Matt could even sometimes changes his mind, as stubborn as he was, just to said he was disagreeing with James. James was really relaxed about this attitude. Matt didn’t bothers to spoke directly to him. He spoke coldly. And most of the tome, he was just haughty, sometimes snapping. Lizzie even told him to calm himself, even to apologizing. Matt did it allright, but James knew that Matt was just doing that for Lizzie.

Matt arrived on time. He put his bike in the garage. His next step was taking the elevator till the fourth floor, who was the one were all the desks of the Greenway Post were. He knew he had just the time to put his jacket somewhere and grab his notes. The meeting of Monday morning was about to start any minutes now. But as he reached to the door, Matt freezed, the tickle of the morning coming back right at him. He doesn’t even tried to fight it ; the soonest he can freeing himself, the soonest he can reach the reunion in peace.

«  Come on…C-come, c-c-come on…I c-c-can’t be…eh…ehhe-ehhh…late…Ehhehh-eh-ehTCHOO ! ETCHOO, j-jeez that w…Ah….Ah… HAAAAAASHOOO ! ASHOO ! SHOO ! EEH-EHhheeh-HESHIEW ! Eh-EH-ESHIIIEW ! Stop… Jeez…HAPSCHTISHOO ! Aw ! »

He was done. At least for now. He was used to these incredible fits. Always had. And the first days – it started Saturday and it was Monday – were the worst. Besides James, the others problems at the Greenway Post were the fact that everyone wanted him to opens up, the art room where he never went because of his insane allergies – Lizzie was ok with the fact that he create at home because the dust and the painting products were too smelly and she actually had been a witness of Matt's sneezing crisis and had actually hesitate to call 911 cause, really she never saw him like this –. It suited Matt, who did not want sneezed, being vulnerable in front of others. Paradoxically he was so great to comfort others, good to never embarrassed his rare friends in that state. That was his own vulnerability he couldn’t stand. Only Lizzie was the only person at his job, and maybe in his close circle, who actually saw him when he was vulnerable. He prefers to keep it private, this state of vulnerability. And his sneezing were so strong, so multiple and always let him red-faced which was a very depleasant thing for Matt who tried so hard to hide it. 

*

The morning reunion was horrible. He did pass all the meeting to fight his constant urge to sneeze, even tough there was a lot of people ; a dozen reporters, Lizzie, James and Tony, the new intern.

The meeting began with the usual topics. And then they talked about the next issue. The Greenway Post was a monthly. And we were at the beginning of the month, it was time to validate the next topics for the month to come. As usual, James's ideas sounded simple, yet pleasant, striking and original to everyone. Matthew's, although approved, seemed more complex and not everyone seemed to agree. Matt was having a hard time selling himself today. His usually talent to pitch his ideas was weaknesses by his allergies. He wanted to avoid sneezing at all costs. His nostrils constantly dilated, he gently pinched his nose to avoid the shameful explosion. But it was tough. He also had the unpleasant impression that James was looking at him more than usual. And it was humbling enough to realize that the next issue would almost be co-directed between her best friend and James without James looking at him during his ridiculous fight against a massive allergic fit, stroking his blushed nose.

Matt disappeared as soon as Lizzie stopped the meeting. He put his hand to his face, letting out a series of violent sneezes he couldn't hold back any longer.

“H-EHIESHIEW ! EEE-SHIEW ! Hmf ! ATI-TISHOO ! TA-T-TISHOO ! Hmmm-me-meeEEESHIEW ! snif ! Oh lord…Oh n-n-n-no….Eh…AT-TISHOO ! ARCHOO ! Mmm-M-ISHIEWiiiieESHIEW ! Co-come on…A-ATISHOO !”

And the last one was the biggest, taken him by surprise at the moment when, he couldn’t be sure of course – he saw James leaving the reunion room and looking into his direction. He was not discreet with his big sneezes. James probably heard him made a fool of himself. Sneezing was natural of course, and he was ok with the way he sneezes, but he didn’t like when people were staring at him with a look of pity. Vulnerability? Not for him. Matt knew that at this point, especially during spring times, every one had at least heard him sneezes. He had these incredible strong sneezes that made some of the staff actually jump because they were violent but also took him by surprise, which also took the staff by surprise. But he really didn’t care. He actually wanted to go back home for lunch time. Yeah. Making one of his famous anti-social move. He could eat something comforting, sneezing his head off and be at peace. He blew his nose with a kleenex that seemed to be waiting quietly on his desk with relief. Then he made the decision to leave for good.

Full of frustration, Matt wasn't at Greenway Post during lunch time. Big deal. He came back to his house which was at 15 minutes in bike. He hated James Cooper now. Probably busy making Lizzie laugh, as the tall unberable guy he was. Lizzie was his friend. The only one who could deal with his silliness. How dare James came, taking everything ? But as he tried to find something else than the big veggie pizza he wanted to eat tonight, he realized with horror that his kitchen window was still open from the morning. He was so much in his thoughs about James Cooper he didn't even noticed. But his nose did. And Matthew feels with desperation a big allergy attack who was building up in his nose. He closes the window immediately but feels all the pollen messing with him, making his eyes watering. In few seconds he knew it was going to be a living hell. He sniffed wetly, which made it worse.

"V-very w-w-we-well then. Sh-sh - wow...shooHihhh-SHOO ! shoot ! HAAAAAAAASCHIEW! HEHHHSHEW! Ha-haHa-hhh-ISHU ! ISHU ! ISHU ! ISHU ! RAAAASHOOO ! "

He tried to walk to his dinner table were is a box of tissues but every step he had to stop, the force of his sneezing literally force him to stop walking otherwise he feels his gonna find himself at the floor.

"J-jeez it...ih-iiiih-hHHIHISSSSSHUU ! h-HHSsSShU ! hi-HHi-HHiShshssshIEw ! S-sSHIew ! SHIEW ! S-SHIEW ! Aah-pppRA-aad-damn...da-da...AAAaAaAAArchOO ! CHOO ! H-HHSSSSHU! SHOO ! HUH-HUHHHHHHSHOOO! HUHHHHHSHOO! HUHHHHSHOO, HUHHHSHOO, HUHHHHSHOO RAAAAAASCHOO! RAAAAAASCHOO! RAAAAAASCHOO! RAAAAAASCHOO!"

Exhausted Matt had finally reached the dinner table, he feels terrible, on fire, he had sprayed some of his sneezes on the floor because there was so much wetness coming out his hands couldn't stop them. He blew his nose softly but a long time to clear his nose. He rubed his nose softly, trying to softening this tickle. He feel the sneezing coming again, so he reach the box, take four tissues and sneezing right into them. 

"Ehhh-ehHhHH-ESSSSCHHHHIEEWWW! Huh… hUHhh… HUHHHHSCHOOO ! HUHH-CHOO ! HUHH-CHOO ! HUHH-CHOO ! HUHH-CHOO ! CHOO ! Hi-IIIChOO ! HessshhhIEW ! Ugh !"

He blew his nose, muffled a couple of sneezes in the tissues that are already too wet.

"Apk-KSHIEW ! EhcKkCheW ! EhhCkSHOO! Ehh-hEhhh-hEhckSHIEW !"

He couldn't see anything. His glasses were dirty because of the spraying. And his eyes were still watering. He was putting his glasses off, and starts to dry them with his tee-shirt but he realize that his dirty as well. Matt's sneezes were always that big and messy. Even when he was a child. He always had this allergy attacks. And he can't just sneeze once. Let alone stifling them. He hated stifled sneezes. For him it could even be dangerous. He tried to stifled one or two, some years ago, because he was on a date. He nearly pass out. It was always violent and big. And way too messy. Matt wasn't disgusted of whatever. He just knew that when he had to sneezes, it was better to just did so, to relieve the pressure from his body. What was embarrassing to him is the number of sneezes and the state of vulnerability that sneezing made him felt in public. Sighing, Matt tried to put his tee-shirt away because of how wet it is.

But four violent sneezes took him by surprise at the moment where his head was passing the collar.

"AAAaAaArCHOO ! Sh-ShIII-ISHIEw ! ISsShIEW ! ISsShIEW ! Shit !"

He did cracks his tee-shirt. He trashed the tee-shirt away, in anger. He undressed and go to the bathroom were he rubs his nose slowly, with caution, passing some water on his face and nose, feeling better slowly. But the time was passing. He only had one hour. And he felt more attracted by a shower rather than eating. He did take one, trying to washing his nose in the process, sneezing  a lot because of the steam that tickling his nose.

« Hihh…Hiii…HI-SHOO ! Hhhhh ? Heh…. HE-HE-HE-HETSOO ! TSHOO ! Wow…AT…ATISHOOO-SHOO-SHOO ! Oh my…Oh my…Eh…Eh…EHTSH…Sh…Come on…Eh…Eh…ETISHOO ! Tiiiii-TISHEW ! Ah…That felt…Ah…Ah…AhhhhAA-AAA-AaAaaaARCH-ARCHOOO ! ARCHOO ! ARCHOO ! TI-AHSH…AHsh…ATISHOO ! Eh…Eh…EHTISHIieeIiiiEW ! What the…That was n-new…s-sn-snotty as hel…he… oh…eh…what…the…ET…ETISH-EETSHIIIEW ! T-SHIEW ! T-SHIEW-SHIEW ! Wow… »

He felt good, because his sneezes were profound and relieving all the pressure at the moment. They were really wet and messy, but the constant water washed them of his face. It was actually…Kinda pleasing.

A quick look into the mirror, passing his hand on his stomach, he was athletic, in great shape as the great swimmer as he was but he does feels like he gained some weight. The truth is, Matt was more unsure of himself than he pretended to. And James was so good-looking that the little pride or confidence he had in his beauty was falling down at the simple thought of James.

"To be around Mister Cooper-Perfection all the time is…Gosh…He really is...Tha…Tha…The w-worst…" - Matt started to mumble, but at the second he though of James he feels the tickle again - "Damn...You...Mister...T-thin...C-CoopehhHhh-hEhhh-eHCKKKKKCHOOO!”

Right into the mirror. He looks at himself blushing, maybe because the fact that he was standing naked, really vulnerable because of his sneezes, thinking about his really good looking but anoying co-worker, the twist of his nose covering with his hands.

"Oo-n-noooo-not a-aAAaaa-not ag-gaaain...Ah...Heh-Hehh HehHhh-heHiSShu! Hitchoo! Huh-huHhTCHOO! Ehhckchoo, ehHHHckSHIEw, hah-hAHH-AAAASHIEW!"

Now he had to go. Or he would be noticed by everyone. He dry himself, put some new clothes on that look like the ones he had before. He also took all the tissues he could find, blew his nose with all the strength left into his old tee-shirt he trashes away, and go back to Greenway.

*

Matt closed his office’s door, working in silence and the peace he wanted. He did feels like he was getting the job done. And by chance, he was not sneezing a lot. These strong sneezes at home did him good. Just a couple of time and he really success not to stifling them but made them as discreet as possible. But he did uses all his tissues, as Matthew had really a runny nose during his allergies.

Then the day was over and Lizzie came to see his work of the day. She was surprised that she didn't see him this afternoon, so they talked a bit. Matt knew he was an idiot thinking this, but he immediatly felt like Lizzie was still his best friend. She wasn’t talking about James or anything. It was kinda reassuring to see his best friend talking to him as his disappearance from the lunch time, or even the afternoon, was not a big deal. He was happy because it prove him she knew it well. She trusted him. She was the best. He should told her that more, but struggled, even with her.

"Ok then. Matt you will come at 8 tomorrow ? Have the article of Jim, it's great stuff. And I want you to illustrate it."

"But Liz..."

"Matt ? You will be there. Please ? It is going to be really good. If you come at 8 you have the time to read it. Then with Jim you can work together on it."

"I had plans to go to the swimming pool tomorrow morning."

Lizzie sighed.

"I...I don't..." started Matt, but not knowing what he was coming up with.

"I know you don't like Cooper, cut Lizzie. But that's a shame. He is really nice and talented."

"Like me ?"

"You're talented. Nice...Well that’s another story", she said, gently caress his curls, then messing with it.

"Hey back of !"

They started to laugh. Matt did truly likes Lizzie. Well...

"Hey Liz you know what ? I will read it now. And then I'll go. I will close the office tonight. Promise. Ok ?"

Lizzie smiled.

"You and your pool...Ok then. Sound like we have a deal. I think we're the last ones but have a check before you go ok ?"

"No problem. Thanks."

"You're welcome. Oh and this weekend you want to go to the pool ? Matilda wanted to show you...Ehm...Something. Can’t remember how she called it. Little show in the water I guess ?"

Matt smiles at the thought of his goddaughter.

"Of course. I will send you a text when I'm there."

"Perfect. Love you !"

"Yeah you too" - he bites his lips, of course he loves Lizzie but he always feels weird to tell her, as he prefers to show her rather than tell - "Bye b-b-boss…Eh…Eh…EH-TISHOO ! Eh-SHIEW ! ECHOO !"

"Wow, that was big. Bless you Matt. You’re ok ?"

"Sorry Liz. My allergies… "

" Hey, are you ok ? " Lizzie asked again.

Matt looked at her. She had this look of concerned mom. No, he didn’t want to think of that. Lizzie was his friend, that’s all. He couldn’t started to get emotional.

" Yeah don’t w-worry…IIISHIEW ! Ugh, sorry girl."

He did apologizing only to her when he sneezed.

"It’s ok" - Liz smiles, but still had this little concerned look - " And bless you again. There you go."

And she gave him her last tissue, asking him if he was good, waving him goodbye. Lizzie gone, Matt blew his nose and put his tissue to the trash. It was a mistake, but he was so absorbed in James paper he didn’t thinks about allergies, tissues or even sneezing. The article… Yeah. It was good. Perfect even. James was a great journalist. Could have been a writer if he wanted too. Why did he decided to come at Greenway ? He could have worked everywhere else. Matt sighed. But he had to recognize it : it was truly amazing. And he even already had ideas to how he wanted to illustrated it.

The moment when he came back from his art thinking was when a strong tickle that started to bothers. He could smell the fresh air and the perfume of the flowers entering his desk, as if someone had let the window open. He rised, holding two fingers under his nose because he knew that if he started to sneeze, it will not end soon. And he did wanted to have a quiet ride back home. He was starving too. Wanted to go home more than another sneezing fit.

"Where are you, damn window..."

He walked with his fingers unders his nose, mastering the situation, proud of it in a way. As he did find the window, a voice saying "Hello" from behind made him jump by surprise and he put his hands away as he discovered James with his leather jacket, looking like he was going home too.

"Sorry I didn't plan on that. Make you jump I mean."

His grave voice. He could have been a singer too. His light skin taking all the light of the dark office, as the clouds were heavy tonight. And then Jim smiled, the perfect symetrical smile that made all James's face more beautiful than ever, as he asked :

"Am I that scary ?"

"What...W-what are y-you still doing here?"

[starpollen]

Good start! 😊

[Privatedancer]

Looking forward to more 

[MusicaDiabolos]

Bravo! Si tu veux aussi écrire en français je lirais avec plaisir

 

Great story

[orange]

thank you ! j'adore ce début! hâte de lire la suite

[Lily]

Hello everyone ! Thanks for the replies & support. 😃
Here is the next part. It's going to be a long story. I guess ? I don't know, I'm feeling inspired. Hope you will like this part.

Lily
 

@MusicaDiabolos 

@orange  hey, vous êtes françaises ? ça fait bizarre je croyais que tout le monde parlait anglais ici

MusicaDiabolos : oui mais je crois qu'une des "règles" du forum est d'écrire en anglais. En plus je ne sais pas si je serais aussi à l'aise à écrire en français haha ! 

 

CHAPTER 2 : LET'S TRY TO DO IT AGAIN

 

Matt immediatly putted his tongue at the top of his palate. He knew it couldn't stop the sneezes. Not forever. But it was worth the try. He couldn't stand to be humiliated in front of James again. And his sneezes well...Was kinda humiliating. Not to his eyes, as he could sneezes in any place, in front of anyone and he didn’t really care. But James is there, great looking guy, perfectly in control of everything and Matt was quite the opposite right now. His vanity had already taken enough hits today. Matt couldn’t stand it. Nobody was great looking when the sneezes. At least Matt was convinced of it.

"Going home" reply calmly James, losing slowly his smile, but then asked, raising his brows - "Aren't you ?"

"Yeah yeah m-me t-too. Great. You can go, I will c-close. Li-Lizzie asked me too s-s-so..." – Matt was fighting it, but he knew he had to get rid of James before the incoming explosion. His nostrils flared so much, he was nearly in pain. Gosh the tickle was so strong !

James rised one brow lightly.

"Are you ok ? Your voice his..."

"P-perfectly find. "

"If you say so."

For a moment Matt though seeing a point of concern in James's hazel eyes. 

But he was probably wrong. There was the charming smile again.

"If you want, I can ride you home" said James with his nice and soothing voice – "I have my motorbike and I think I'm going your way…Newheaven road right ?"

"I hate motorbikes" – immediatly said Matthew, but then added with a nasty tone "They’re such polluant engines. But there you are, being all like…proud of it or something ?"

Matt bited his lips. He knew he's being mean just for the sake of it. He wants to apologize right away, because he is not a mean person. He is being too much because of his lack of confidence. He knew, in his heart, that James is not the problem. But he just couldn’t talk anymore, feeling like if he opened his mouth, he was really letting go a massive sneezing fit. 

James lost his smile. He sighed, as he feels like it's pointless to even reply.

"Damn you are a piece of work. Bye Matthew."

"N-no o-ok-ok w-w-w-wa-wait I...I...I...HiHhh-hIHhhh-hIiIihHHHH-ITCHOOOO !"

He rised his hands at the perfect timing to avoid spraying the mess everywhere.

James, who was really in the mood to walk home, freezed at the moment Matt said "wait", and he finally turned to see Matt’s big sneeze.

He was working at the Greenway Post since two years. Two years spent fighting his secrets. Homosexuality, by being charming to everyone so that no one could guess he was only attracted to men. He knew there were some LGBT+ people here. Hell even the boss ! But he felt too ashamed. He had been so hurt already. He feared his coming out in his professional area. He wanted a fresh start. He wasn’t ready yet, even though he wanted too. The other secret was also a source of shame. Sneeze fetish, because it's too embarrassing. But then there was Matthew...He was out. A proud gay man. Intelligent. Talented. Funny. Also James felt like they had some commun points in their way of seeing the work they did. He also felt that Matt, if he was not cold and mean to him, could had been his ally during the process of coming out. He heard him talking of LGBT+ rights to straight people around here. He had this intelligence explaining things in a very simple way to everyone. He could also standing up. Like that time when he explaining coldly but calmy to a guy that he sould apologizing after a homophobic joke he made at the cafeteria. And James knew he did that more than once. And maybe even more outside. Matthew. The guy who seemed above everyone else in term of knowledge and who didn’t seemed to care if people liked him or not. James was admiring that, as he was hiding himself, trying to be what people wanted of him.

Even though Matthew always have been cold, sacarstic and even kinda mean with him since his arrival, James was interested in the guy. Plus he had a small crush because Matt was to his eyes a good looking man. He liked his red-hair lost in brown curls, his beautiful eyes that seemed to always looked away when James tried to had an eye-contact. And as a sneeze fetichist, James liked Matt’s nose so much. He had this cute long, straight but round at the end nose - James's favourites -. And he was the greatest sneezer of all time. Powerful, loud and wet sneezes. And the way he lost control, as his building up was always long, to let them out – freely at his place, James was sure of that – with sometimes a moan or a sigh of pleasure was making James so pleased. Matt had the most beautiful sneezes he ever heard. James did had knowledge in the area. And even if James had heard Matthew sneezing before, tonight was the first time he saw him actually sneeze right in front of him. He slightly opened his mouth, without a word, because all this thoughts made him speechless but he distinctly see that Matthew his already fighting another sneeze.

"Go-god...So...SoooooHHhHyaAAASHOO ! HAAAAAAASHIEW! AHHH-AHHH-AHHHHHTCHOO! ATCHOO, AaaaA-ATCHOO ! ATCHOO ! ARRRRRRSHOO!"

They were messy, James could distincly heard that. And even tough it didn’t seems to be a particulary pleasing moment for Matt, James was enjoing every second of it. He was fascinated of how Matt was losing all control of himself. His face was normally really composed, when he smiled it was so rare and pleasing, but he usually kept a serious look and a closed expression, and it was hard to read it. But right now… His face changed every second, contracting, his eyes slightly unfocused, his nostrils dilated, his mouth half-open, no longer being in possession of his faculties, and after a short wait, a huge sneeze took Matt by surprise.

"AAAAPCHIIIIIIIEW !"

This sneeze seemed relieving Matt only momentarily, for others followed almost immediately.

"Shit I n-need...neEHYAAAAAASHOO! Ehhh-ehHhHH-ESSSSCHHHHIEEWWW! Huh… hUHhh… HUHHHHSCHOOO ! Need ti-ti-tiiiiIII-ISHIEw! Ew ! Ugh ! SHIEW ! H-HI-ShIEW !"

It was hard to stop watching Matt but James force himself to fighting this, finding a box of fresh tissues, at the moment were Matt really seemed to need it.

"Tissues ?" suggested James, clearly trying to manage his feelings and giving him the box. He was blushing lightly but Matt's face was so red that he knew he was probably not be mocked by "Matt-tongue-of-fire" as James personnaly nicknamed him in his head.

"Yeah t-thanks..." said Matt in a breath.

For the first time, Matt did says thanks to him. James felt good for this simple word. He smiles.

"Well...Sounds like you needed it. And eh...Bless you ? I mean...You...Do seems to have the worst allergies ever."

Matt put his glasses in his pocket with one hand, the other taking tissues to wipe his nose and blew in it. Discretion dismissed. Whatever. Then he wiped his little tears from the sudden attack and putted his glasses on. He rised his head looking at James. Why was he babbling ? James was kinda like him in a way ; always knew what to tell. And he clearly had the advantage in the situation. To find the right words and all. Then why does he looks so...Wait, was he blushing ? 

"Do I embarrassing you ?" asked Matt in an attacking tone.

"What ? No, I…"

"You look weird" insisted Matt, as a way to inverse the situation, "Never heard someone sneezing ?" – he added, in a rude cold way.

He bited his lips again. He couldn't resist to snapped at James. But it was lousy. He was annoyed to see James blushing, because he thought it was of embarrassment. He hated that, it was making him feels more humiliating by the situation. Why was Jim even blushing ? Matt was the one who's being a mess ! He saw James’s expression changed. He looked disappointed, angry almost.

"Hey stop that tone. Right know. I mean… Why are you...Always harsh on me ? Did I do something to you ?" asked James, frowning his dark eyebrows.

Jim’s tone was clearly a boundary Matthew had crossed. And Matthew felt silly. He was being the Matthew nobody liked, not even himself. After his frustration, Matt felt ashamed right away. Because he knew he's was plain jealous. And angry because he was feeling vulnerable and he truly hating this. And James was just nice. He just...He didn't want to recognize that because then he had to show his soft and actually nice side. And that was way too hard for him. He couldn't. Or...Couldn't he ?

"I...No" started Matt, breathing with difficulty as he tried to prevent himself from a sneeze he could felt was coming.

"No what ?" - asked Jim, who was trying to calm his heart which had raced when he raised his voice.

"N-no you...You didn't...Hold...Hold on I have to...To...To sn...S...S-sSSSSHIEW ! AAAAASHIEW! HA-AAAASHIEW! HehHhh-HEHTCHOO ! ESSSSHOO! ESSHIEW !HaHh-HAAAAAEHHHCHIEW! Please...Please...Can yOoOouuu-sorry uh close the...the...the winda... AAAaAaAAArchOO!"

James was already going to close the window. He wished Matthew could explaining himself. He did close the window and stayed there, looking at the clouds darkening the sky.

"The...ThaAaA-ACHOO ! Thank you."

"Bless" mumbles James, as a reflex, not knowing if Matt heard him.

But Matt did heard him. He blew his nose, hoping all the pollen was there. He trashed the tissues and sniffled lightly, caressing his nose softly to make sure he was good. He saw James standing at the window.

"Hey James ?"

"Mmm ?"

"Thank you again. And I am sorry. I am, really. You didn't do anything. Can you...Can you turn over please ? Look at me."

"Why ?" asked James, not knowing what he wanted.

But he did turned anyways. Matt was walking in his direction, but he stopped like he was going to sneeze again, his face seemed focused to held it, his nose twitching in a way so cute James – to his great shame – wanted to accept whatever kind of apologizing Matt seems to want to do. Matt pinched his nose and breathed slowly for a bit. The sneeze was gone. Matt was looking at him, his eyes looking full of thoughts. Then his gaze changed, seemed more clear.

"Ugh. Well. Ok, let's do this. Let's...Let's try to do it again."

He held his hand in front of James.

"Hello. I'm Matthew. Matt. Or dickhead because well apparently nobody warned you but I deserve the title."

James was so surprised he didn't move. And Matt realized maybe James didn't wanted to shake the hand of someone who had been sneezing so much. He felt again like a perfect idiot, but James finally took a step forward and shaked his hand with a tiny smile that Matthew didn't knew he could comes up with, as he did alway had these big charismatic smiles like in the commercials. Matt's hand was warm and surprisingly dry. The pool was his favourite place, but it did dried his skin. James's hand was soft and cold. The perfect opposite. He felt so warm up by the touch of  Matt’s skin that he felt his frustration was melting. Plus Matt did seemed sincere.

"Hello, Matt. I’m James. Or Jim. Nice to meet you."

"So I'm not dickhead eh ?" Matt asked, relieved without knowing why exactly.

"No" – and James looked amused now, but not like he was mocking Matt, more like a sympathetic gaze.

"You sure it’s nice meeting me ?"

"No, it’s kinda tiresome, but I do like a challenge once in a while" replied Jim in a witty way.

They smiled at each others. And James suddenly realized that Matt had the most beautiful eyes he ever saw. The tears from the allergy made them more brilliant. And the colours...Because yes, for the first time, he realized that Matt have one blue eye, clear and light as the sky, and the other one is pale green with a tiny spot of hazel in the middle.

"Jim ?"

"Yes ?"

"You're staring", said Matt, intrigued.

"S-sorry I didn't mean to, I just..."

"Oh, I see, you are discovering that I have he...he...Oh...Hold...H-hold on I feel...Like...I'm..."

"Gonna sneeze ?" Jim scoffed, biting his lips.

"Hey don't...Don't... " – Matt sighed "Oh jeez it's stuck now. Hey ! Don't laugh."

Jim covered his mouth, hiding a tiny smile.

"Am not. Well I’m trying to. Really hard, I swear. Sorry. I know the feeling."

"Of course you do. Well...Yes I have heterochromia. You never noticed ?"

"No. But...You don't really staying with the team after work. Or even...Like it feels you are avoiding everyone. And dare I say, especially me."

"You can dare. I am."

Matt was sometimes so brutal. But it was just his way to talk. He preferred to tell the truth. But it did made him blushed a little. Jim raised his eyebrows, confused. 

"Or I was. I don't want to be a dickhead because of my... my... fuck... fuck.. eh...tissue...please..."

But the box was empty. Jim had tissue on him so he hurried and gave him one from his pack. Almost in time. Matt sneeze strongly in the tissue, spraying a bit the hand of Jim in the process.

"ESHIIIEW ! Oh god...That...Was...Not pretty. I'm sorry...So sorry...Did I hit you ?" – now he was blushing hard.

"No" lied calmy Jim, "And stop apologizing. It not like...You could help it or whatever. And ehm bless you."

"Thanks. And thanks for the tissue. Man they're vicious this year. My allergies I mean."

"I see that."

"What was I saying ? Oh yeah. I don't want to avoiding you like…You did nothing wrong, it’s just me. You already know why I was avoiding you, of course ?"

Jim was now so confused he frowned.

"Why ?"

"Oh well it...Jeez it's embarrassing."

"Please tell me" ask the soft yet deep voice of Jim.

"Not tonight. I will tell you later. I have to get home. I...It's feels like it's going to rain and I can't take the bike. I risk an accident with these...These...F...F-freakin...all...a... AAAaAaAAArchOO! CHOO ! AhhehhhHh-HHHEHHH-HYAAAAAAAAAAAAAASHOO !"

"Bless you Matt. Here, take this with you."

He held the pack of tissues to Matt.

"Sure ? I will use all of it."

"Yep. Come on."

"ThaaAA-xxChIIEw !" 

Matt sneezed right into a fresh tissue. Felt good.

"I meant : thanks" - he sniffled.

"Bless you" Jim laughed softly – "I...I have a proposition to make", he added, not even knowing what he was doing.

"Shoot", simply said Matt, wiping his nose as delicately as possible.

"I understand the way you feel about motorbike but I can ride you home in ten minutes sharp. Plus you don't risk accident with an allergy attack. Or the rain."

Jim felt bold to even thinks about this. He always felt weird talking about sneezing even though he just said "allergy attack", because he feared people could guess he had this fetish. And he also proposed Matt a ride home, which he knew Matt was probably rejected. Oh well, at least Matt was direct, and the worse thing that could happen was a plain no. Matt casually adjusted his glasses on, then nodded.

"Ok."

"Really ?" – James couldn’t believe it, that was so much easier than he thought !

"But don't rush on that death machine allright ? I want to make it. Alive."

There was the usual sarcasm. But Jim didn’t cared at all. He smiled.

"Hey I do that every day. Trust me, you don’t have to be scared of my driving."

"Yeah well let me be the judge of that." – said Matt in a grumpy yet funny way.

"I'm more scared of your judgement than my ride" laughed James. 

Matt had a little smile. He rarely did. He even didn't laugh much. But he liked the idea of James being "scared" of his judgement, even tough he knew it was said as a joke. Matt did preferred hearing people laugh. And the tiny stuffed laugh Jim had, while directing himself to the parking lot, made Matt, for a strange reason he couldn't even understand himself, wanted to make him laugh more.

Jim putted on his leather jacket and they walked towards the parking after closing the office. Jim had some fun putting the helmet correctly on Matt's face, and Matt was surprised how he was letting Jim do. He usually don't like to be taking care of. He knew James was just helping but still. Now they were both sat on the motorbike.

"You're good ?" asked Jim.

"Yeah I guess" – Matt was actually kinda scared of motorbikes, it did not like them because he was an ardent defender of ecology, but the truth was he also did feared thing he couldn’t control, the speed of the engine or even an accident.

"Now listen" – Jim said with a calm serious voice "You better put your hands on my waist. To avoid slipping."

"Ok captain" – said Matt in a light tone, even tough he knew he was going to obey because hey, he didn’t want to slip, that was for certain.

Jim didn't think it was going to be that simple. He feelt the hands of Matt around his waist and shivers softly. Why did he feelt like this ? It was not just the sneezes, it was more than that. But as he never felt like this before he couldn't understand hiw own emotions.

"Hold on a minute Jim" suddenly said Matt as Jim started the motorbike.

"Yeah ?"

"I know the road is short but I might sneezes with all the pollen. A lot. You saw."

"And ?"

"Well just…Don't freak out. And I might free one of my hand to covers them because well I’m not just gonna sneeze in the helmet am I ?"

Jim was blushing hard and was happy Matt couldn’t see that.

"No keep them at my waist please. Safety is more important."

"And so I just…What, sneezing on your neck ?" grinned Matt.

"I don't mind." said Jim in the most natural way he could.

"Well don't be surprised if you're covering in snot at the end", said Matt tightening his grip on Jim’s waist, then adding with a sigh "Sorry. That was gross."

"Let's go" said Jim after clearing his throat, this talking about sneezing and the weird shivers he feels at the simple contact of Matt's hand at his waist...Yeah that was a lot. He wanted to have fresh air.

They started to go at Matt's place. The first minutes were fine. Matt was more nervous that he was admitting. But Jim was driving slowly. Matt felt his driving was Jim’s way to reassure him. And he was right. Jim actually was driving slowly for that reason. Matt felt good. The speed didn’t felt that scary. He had this crazy thought passing in his brain than Jim and he could had been friends. If he could pass over his incredible jealousy. And if he could opening more to Jim. That was a lot hoping for. But Jim did saw him in a poor shape and didn’t took advantage of him. He was just nice, proposing this ride home. And Matt didn’t felt as shitty as he thought. The dark sky was an incoming storm, which rumbled all along their drive.

The only inconvenient part of the slow driving had was that the pollen came right into Matt’s nostrils, slowly and insidiously. Matt didn't wanted to close the helmet, as it was a hot heavy kind of day and he needed the fresh air after this long day of work. But that was a dangerous path to take. He didn't even want to let go of Jim. He was genuinely afraid to fall. But sneezing...He needed it so much. He just could not sneezing on Jim ! He was often rude but that was just so gross. He tried to let go of a hand and sneezed into it with violence "“EhhCkshIEwW", nearly falling in the process, so he clung awkwardly and forcefully to Jim’s waist. Jim stopped few seconds after. Without turning his head he asked, tension and concern in his voice :

"You're crazy ??" 

"Hey the right thing to say is b-b-bless...bless...bless you-uuuuUUhSchhIEW ! Oh no...EtCHU, eTchOo, hAh-hAH-HAhHh-HAISSHOO! Oh my god, hATCHOO!"

He did have the time to covers his sneezes and turn his head to the side but the helmet kind of hurt with the violence of the sneezes.

"Sorry" – whispered Jim – "Bless you. But please don't...Don't do that again. Just let your hands at my waist. It's dangerous."

"Ok...Ok...Jeez don't...Freak out man" – Matt rolled his eyes.

"I am not."

And kinda frustrated, Jim started the engine back. Matt felt the usual tickle beginning again. They were approaching his block but...Yes he couldn't wait. Stifling them maybe ? Without his hand it was hard.  But it was worth the try.

"Eh...Hmm...Uh...Uhh.AT-AtHIDTCihhhhhhhh ! Uhmf ! Uh...Uh...Tsshhhgn ! At...AaaaAaaGnn...da...d-daAaAm...Waa....Ah-ah-At-Tishpff ! Oof !"

The last one hurts. He also feels like his head his going to explose. And he is so damn dizzy. He should have eat something in the day. What a dumbass.

"Bless you" said Jim more loudly than he wanted – "You shouldn't do that though." 

"Do what ?" sniffed Matt, a bit dizzy.

"Repressing your sneezes. Stifling them."

"Turn to the left. It's here. The red b-b-buildiiiiIII-ITISHIEw ! Mmm ! Sorry ! The red one."

He had sneezed freely, a deep and wet one that felt relieving. But he was mortified at the though he actually sneezed on Jim's neck, even though he wasn’t sure of it.

Jim felt a shiver of pleasure coming from his neck and took all his body. He had felt a light spray on his neck and heard Matt's soft moan after that last big sneeze. That was more than nice. Even in his own dreams he couldn’t came with a scenario like this. He was also enjoying the fact that this big sneeze must have been relieving for Matthew. In short, he was over the moon. He parked near the building. The storm rumbled as Matt descended, squeezing Jim's shoulder lightly to keep his balance. He took off his helmet, ran his hands through his brown and red curls, closing his eyes and breathing gently. Jim gazed at him for a moment. He saw Matt's nose twitch and...

"Aaaapchiew !"

It was a surprisingly soft and cute one. Matt did repress a yawn just after, as if he was exhausted. He had covered that little sneeze in his wrist, wearily. He opened his eyes again, blinking several times, looking almost surprised that Jim was still there.

"And bless you again" – said Jim with a smile.

"Thanks. For the ride and..."

He didn't finish his sentence as the storm rumbled again.

"You should go. We see each other tomorrow ?"

But the rain began to fall very hard. It was a downpour and Jim followed Matt out to the porch. They stayed like this for a moment, their hair a little damp and their eyes fixed on the pouring rain as everyone ran in all directions to cover themselves. After 5 minutes, given the increasing intensity of the rain and the increasingly dark sky, it was obvious that it was going to rain all night.

"Hey Jim, what if you came inside ?"
"Excuse me ?"

Jim looked at Matt truly surprise by the polite but nevertheless nice invite.

"Well yeah you're not going to get at...Whatever is the place you live right now. It's stupid. You’re gonna freeze to death. I know I'm not the best company but...We don't have to talk. I have beers." – he felt stupid but it was not the first time of the day so he didn’t care that much.

"I..."

"Wine too" – said Matt, looking rushed to get home – "And even water, coke..."

"Ok" said gently Jim.

He couldn't say if he was excited or terrified to enters in Matt's appartement. But he was intrigued, that’s for sure.

[Femilloween77]

Salut salut, Lily! That's a great story, glad you're feeling inspired  

[Dream Moon]

Amazing! I need moreee

[orange]

yes, i'm french ! i love your story thank you

[Lily]

21 hours ago, Femiline77 said:

Salut salut, Lily! That's a great story, glad you're feeling inspired  

I just read the first part of your story, laughed cause both of our characters are named James, and also it's a m/m story :') 

 

@Dream Moon next part is coming soon ! 

@orange je me sens moins seule, j'espère que la suite te plaira !

 

guys i hope posting the rest tomorrow !!

[Lily]

salut salut

I promised you the rest today or tomorrow, here it is!
As it is a very long chapter, I cut it in two. Here is the first part, the second is coming soon. I hope that you will like it !

Lily

ps : I do think of many ideas for James and Matthew's story, but do you guys are waiting for specific stuff ? I'm interested to know what my readers like 😄

 

CHAPTER 3(1/2) – AT MATTHEW'S PLACE

Matt showed him the parking for his motorbike. Then they took the steps, as Matt hated elevator. Plus he needed to stay in shape for the swimming tomorrow morning. And at the door of his place he turned over and looked at Jim as if he was evaluating him. Jim raised his eyebrows, and had a sweet expression of inquiring.

"Don't move. I need five minutes."

"Ok" – muttered Jim.

"You look scared" – Matt had still his serious expression.

"Am not !" replied Jim a bit too soon.

"I know ! I'm teasing. I just need five minutes to...To fix one or two things. In five minutes, you can enter. And...When I'm saying things, it's not creepy. I swear : no bodies, no weird stuff. Kay ?"

Jim laughed behind his fist, as he always did when he wanted to laugh but was afraid to do "too much". Matt smiled. He wasn’t even concious of it, but he did really liked make people laugh. Even Jim. 

He bustled around to put away the dirty tissues and some junk that was lying around. Just in time ; Jim came in after the five minutes. But Matt was careful and his apartment was in better shape than he thought.

Jim didn't know where to look. The furnishings were old and unique. There was something very simple and touching in the accumulation of this furniture, objects of all kinds, which seemed to have been brought from all around the world. Large windows surrounded by curtains of dark blue fabric. Plants on the balcony. Oriental rugs. Jim admired the library, touched to see that it was filled with books he loved, and others he had always wanted to read. The gigantic rainbow flag in a patchwork of fabrics from several parts of the world above the fireplace. The posters of films that he loved himself. He no longer knew where to look. Everything pleased him. Touched him. And on the coffee table… Magazines, newspapers. One that seemed freshly read was the Greenway Post from two months ago. And he was turned... On the page of an article that he, James Cooper, had written.

Matt wasn't ashamed of his apartment. Every detail was important to him and he didn't care what other people thought. But seeing Jim's gaze lingering on the newspaper, he wanted to change the subject.

"So what do you want to drink?"

"The same as you," Jim replied distractedly, a shy smile floating on his face.

Matt went from surprise to surprise. Jim was far from being the Dom Juan he had imagined. He looked softer than he'd thought. Unsure of himself. Was he embarrassed? Matt didn't understand why. He retrieved his last packet of tissues - alas, he would have to hold on with this all evening - and served the beers. He didn't like to drink straight from the can.

He brought back the two beers and the young men sat down on the armchair for Matt, on the sofa for Jim.

"Here you go."

"Thank you."

They started to drink their beer in silence. Matt rised up to get another one as they were drinking fast. He was drinking fast. Nervously. James did just followed his rythm. James didn't seems to be borrowed by the silence. Matt was but he didn't knew why. But James was the one who breaked the silence.

"Hey Matthew ? You said...Before, at the Greenway Post. You said I knew why you were avoiding me. But honestly I still don't gets it. I don’t want to force you to explain but…If you could it would help me understand."

Matt coughed as he was drinking his beer, cleared his throat.

"Oh...I..."

I didn't had enough alcohol to tell you the truth Jesus was his thinking.

"Well I think...Of ! Who cares now ? I was jealous that's all."

And he drank his beer, hoping to never have to talk about that again.

"Jealous ? Of...Of me ?"

"Ya-ye-yi...eh...Yet-tishUU !HehHhhhhhCHOO ! EhTchu-iTCHOO ! Ehhh-EHHH-EHHCKSHIEW ! God ! Sorry. Yes of course jealous of you !"

He blew his nose with rage. Jim was not staring at him but his own glass. His long thin fingers caressing the glass. Matt feels he is blushing again. And it is that time when Jim chooses to held his head up.

"First of all" - his deep voice was so soothing - "Bless you."

"Don't bother with the blessings - sorry - I mean thank you." - said nervously, and in one breath, a sniffling Matthew.

"I...I don't really understand how you could be jealous of...Me ? I mean...I did...That's crazy in a way."

"C-c-crazy ? How c-co...co...coo...eh...EEEeetIshhhOO ! How come ?"

"Bless. Ironical is a better word in fact."

"Now I don't get it."

Jim looked at Matthew directly into his beautiful heterochromical eyes. It wasn't just the sneezes. Something in Matt...Did make him more...Himself in a way ? 

"I choose to work at the Greenway Post because you worked there."

Matt was speechless. Jim smiled softly. He tried to muffled a cute laugh, without success.

"Oh god. I never knew it was possible to actually shut this mouth."

"I...I'm...Mmm...Sorry...H-hold on just...Just a sec....EhhCkshIEwW ! EHcKkChoO HihHh-hIhHh-hIHHHH-HIHISSSSSSSSSSSHU!  Tihhh-IHHHH-ISSSSSSSHU! ISSHU, ISSHU, ISSHU, ISSHU !"

"Wow. Are you ok ?" asked softly Jim.

"Yeah yeah..." Matt blew his nose. He was nearly passing out because he was starving. And the sneezing...But what Jim just said was the most unbelievable stuff.

"Bless you."

"N-not done...I...T-think...Eh...EhpPChIEw ! k-kESHU ! IIII...Eh...Eh...EhckkkchOO ! Snif ! What do you mean ? James I..."

Matt looked so serious. So beautifully serious and confused.

"I don't understand."

James did take a sip of his beer. He never drink that fast but he needeed the help.

"I read your articles since I move here. It was...4 years ago. Pure hazard. But your style, your choice of subjects and the quality of your writing picked my interest. The day of my interview, I saw one of your painting in Lizzie’s office. Man I...It is good. Really. I'm not just saying that. Every morning I hope Lizzie leave her door open just to see the painting. I was happy to be working with you, cause I’m just always amazed by anything you are creating. "

He feels like he was blushing lightly. Again. But he didn't care anymore. The hardest thing was done. He did finish his beer and stay focused on watching the glass. No way he could faced Matt right away. He was telling the truth, his truth, but was afraid of how muched he shared.

Matt was speechless again. He was touched. Because he just knew James was being sincere. The saw his cheeks getting light pink, his beautiful cheeks, with sharp cheekbones and all. His heart did a weird twist, and raced a bit.

"Is that weird ?" asked suddenly James, looking at Matt, now tortured by the silence.

His hazel eyes were drowned in concern.

"N-n-no. Sorry. No. I never thought tha...thaaa.... ThaaAA-xxChIIEw!"

Matt managed to cover his sneezes but when he want to blew he's discovering he had just one last tissue. So he sniffs the most discreetly possible.

"Bless you"

But at this point Jim's voice, nearly a murmur, was nearly impossible to hear.

"Thank you."

Matt looked at Jim. He pinched his nose, felt better.

"Thank you James. I don't know what to say. It is way too nice for me. I never knew…I never even imagine what you just said."
"Well, you weren’t really into a sharing mood ; I tried but you kept avoiding me."
"I know. Regretting this already." – he did said it softly but Jim heard it and felt his heart racing too.

He waited till his heart was beating normal again. And he tried again.

"Maybe...Maybe you could tell me why you were jealous ?" Jim bited his lips softly.

Matt blushed really hard.

"Want another beer ?"

"...Yes ?"

"Hold on."

He stands up but he feel another sneeze coming. He was hoping it was the last one as he knew he was out of tissues. Plus he saw the hazel eyes full of...Well questions apparently. And maybe disgust ? By how many wet sneezes a man can be disgusted by another ? Matt freezed. He had no other choice than put his fingers unders his nose. He needed to stifling them. Otherwise it was just going to be a big mess.

"Sorry god, I’m — I’m gonna — g-gonna — Uhm-pchhhtx ! Aaah..tchxtt ! Eh.... Eh... Eh.... EEhK-Tishhhhm ! Hahhh-CHIXxxphh ! HahCHXxxxttumphhh ! Hihhhhhhh-HAHKJxxxxshhhhhh! HuhKXXTTphhh ! Outch ! O-oh..."

He did sneezes so violently, even with the stifles, that he felt he was really dizzy. His eyes started to watering again and he felt his vision blurred.

Jim did rise up quite fast at the last sneeze. The "outch" made him walks towards Matt almost instinctitly. He put a hand on his shoulder and the other one at Matt's back. Matt was rocking slightly. He shivered as he felt Jim touch him.

"Matt. Did you eat something today ?"

"Don't remember."

"Ok do you have something quick to make?"

"I...Oh...Sorry..."

He was swaying so much that Jim had to hold him tighter. His hand slipped from Matt's swimmer's shoulder to his chest. He could feel Matt's frantic heartbeat. The fit of suppressed sneezes clearly hadn't done him any good.

"Its ok. See ? I'm holding you."

"Not...Not complaining." Matt said. It was true. As much as he hated showing how weak he was he was grateful that Jim held it so well. He closed his eyes. Breathe gently.

"I have pizza."

"Great."

"Are you staying to eat?" Matt asked opening his eyes and looking into Jim's eyes.

" I am vegetarian." Jim confessed with a sorry smile.

Matt couldn't help but smile slightly.

"Me too. You know pizza can be vegetarian."

"Yes, it's true." – Jim felt stupid.

"I'm not really jealous of you anymore" Matt said, a gentle-mocking tone in his voice - "Not knowing this ; what kind of vegetarian are you ? Where do you came from ?"

Jim patted him on the shoulder, laughing.

"Stop talking nonsense. Let's put this pizza in the oven."

He almost regretted parting with Matt to walk him into the kitchen. But Matt put his hand on Jim's shoulder. Very naturally. Then Matt puted the pizza on the oven. He sat on the edge of the bar, crossed his arms and watched Jim. Jim looked at the timer. So Matt looked down slightly.

"You're a patient person. I admire it. It's not one of my qualities."

Jim looked up. Matt wasn't looking at him anymore but his expression was serious again.

"But you deserve to know. So, let’s go. I was jealous of you because I felt like the second you walked into Greenway I had become an outdated version of you. You could do it all and everyone looked up to you and then... .Shit it's harder than I thought" - he said, visibly struggling about his confession, but then "Sorry to be rude. I know it's stupid. I also know it's not an excuse but when you came I was living well the worst period of my life and I don't didn't understand...I couldn't understand how other people, just like you, could be bright, happy and funny and talented. And always good-look...." He cuts here because he was already saying too much.

"Well anyways. You are all of that and it did pisses me of like a kid of 8. Satisfied ?"

The last word was almost snapping. But Jim didn't care. He saw Matthews face battling with another sneeze. He had no other tissue. A clean handkerchief but...Will Jim accept it ?

"G-god J-Jim...say...saaay soOoOmething..."

"I have a clean handkerchief to give you."

"Whaaa...AaaAaa...? ah...ah..."

Jim pulled out the handkerchief without hesitation approached Matt and handed it to him. Matt stared at the handkerchief, its nostrils flared and its beautiful green and blue eyes glistening with tears. He was breathing heavily.

"St-Sta...Stand b-b-b-back....It's gu...Gu...God-g-gonna be mess...Ah...Ah..."

But Jim didn't move. He could feel the desperate breathing of Matt and didn’t think straight. 

"C-come on...M-me...Move...AwaaAAAA-TISHASHOO !"

Right into the handkerchief he took from Jim's hands. Matt taked a few heaving breaths, wanting so much that the smell of pollen had be gone for good. He needed to sneeze at least a dozen times. And not stifling them. He understood the tickle so strong that each sneeze seems to triggered another.

"HAAAACHIEW! AAAACHIEW! HAAAAAAASHIEW! AHHH-AHHH-AHHHHHTCHOO! ATCHOO, ATCHOO, ATCHOO, ARRRRRRSHOO! Oh...Oh...Eh...Eh-TIISHOO ! AR...AR-CHOO ! HAAAAASCHIEW !AAA-CHOOOO ! AA-CHOO ! A-CHOO !...AH...CHOO ! CHOO ! Tish-TIsHAaaashOOo !"

He then blew his nose. For good. For the first time in the day he felt relieved for good. That was it. Jim was so excited by the sneezing fit he sigh softly as to relieve the pressure.

"Why are you always right in front of me when I make a fool of myself ? "
"You just sneezed. Bless you, by the way I'm sorry."
"What for ? Do you have a cat ?"
"No why ?"
"Because I'm allergic to cats. So if you had one, I will accept your apology. It's not your fault – it’s…ah…ah…No, gone. Shit. Hate when they do that. It's just my allergies to pollen. Don't worry I know they're...strong and impressive but trust me I have seen worse."

Jim nodded. He couldn't say it but he wanted to see the worse too. Well maybe not tonight. Poor Matt, even with his relaxed way, totally natural manner of speaking – especially of the sneezes which made Jim’s heart raced like crazy – seems to had a hard time. Jim was also thinking about what Matt just told him. About his jealousy. That seemed crazy to him. But he also heard something painful, he always knew Matt was hinding his vulnerability but when he said he was living the worst period of his life, he wanted to hold Matt again. And telling him he wanted to relieved him from that memory. He wanted them to really had this fresh start.

In a more selfish way, he couldn’t overrided the words Matt used describing him. Bright, happy, funny, talented and… Good looking ? Oh he had success since a long time. But he never cared as much as right now.

"I don't have anymore beer. " Matt said, then he suggest "Wine ?"

"Yes I follow you."

Ding !

"Cool. Pizza done ! Hell yeah. I'm starving."

Matt was indeed so hungry that he opened the oven and went to grab the plate on which the pizza was placed but Jim, who was watching him do it, grabbed his wrist and squeezed it before pulling it away from the oven.

"Hey! What's wrong with you?" Matt asked with a movement of annoyance, pulling away from Jim a bit.

"I…Matt you could have burned yourself."

Matt's cheeks flushed. He felt stupid, as often with Jim. He couldn't bear to feel stupid. With Jim, it was even worse. He didn't know why.

"Excuse me. I'm so hungry I'm completely insane."

"Leave it to me," Jim suggested timidly, nudging him away.

Matt walked away. Jim put on potholders and took out the plate. He carefully but quickly cutted the pizza into slices. From the first slice, he handed it to Matt. Matt still had violently red cheeks.

"Here, here you go. Sorry, you don't have any papers… For…"

"It all served to…well to…" Matt tapped his nose with his index finger, like for saying "to blew my nose" which brought a wide smile to Jim's face. "Thank you," he added simply, picking up the pizza, feeling Jim's icy fingers barely warmed by the hot slice of pizza.

As their fingers brushed, a small electric shock shot through them. They jumped, let out a slightly embarrassed laugh and Jim finally took a slice. Emotions had cut his hunger a time, but now he was hungry too. Certainly not as much as Matt, who he could see was trying to chew slowly when it was obvious he was barely standing and really needed to eat.

After finishing their huge pizza, almost silently but not particularly embarrassed, Matt and Jim went back to drinking wine. Jim's usually very pale cheeks had flushed slightly. Matt had also regained his usual colors, accentuated by his allergy and the wine. He offered Jim to sit down on the sofa for a bit. He had taken out a few packets of cakes but he himself was biting into one, then two apples. Jim was fascinated. Matt had something so spontaneous, different from when he crossed paths at Greenway. He seemed to be less in control, letting the juices drip lightly down his chin, wiping it off with the back of his hand. It was as if they had known each other forever in the sense that Jim no longer felt the slightest embarrassment. He almost wished that… It was silly, but he almost wished that Matt had spoken to him, even with his harsh or cold tone. He wanted... Of course, that was perfectly silly. He wanted Matt to want him, if only on a friendly level. Jim was so used to having no particular effort to please, just saying what went through his head, with elegance and respect, sometimes a touch of humor, it always did the job. But Matt was different. He didn't seem to need anyone. He seemed to be in his world. Jim would have liked to go into this world. He had set foot there. That’s all. He thought that they were making progress. He was at Matt's while the same morning, Matt ignored him superbly during the meeting as if they were enemies. This idea made him smile, smile surprised by Matt.

"What?" he asked, placing the apple on a plate.

"Nothing. I was like, now that we've talked, make peace…"

"We weren't actually at war," Matt argued.

"A kind of cold war."

Matt let out a smile in spite of himself.

"Yeah. Well, well? Now that the armistice has sounded?" he joked.

"Could we try to be friends?" suggested Jim, relieved that he felt less embarrassed than he had thought to propose.

He was more… Disturbed by the vision of Matt who, having nothing left to wipe himself, was licking his fingers thoughtfully.

"Friends? I don't know if this is a good idea. I'm not a very nice person, and you know it."

“Friendship is not based on kindness.”

"Not only" Matt admitted, "But you won't put up with my temper for very long."

"Earlier, you did say you admired my patience," Jim retorted, his heart pounding but determined not to let Matt slip away.

"One point for you" Matt smiled, leaning back on the couch, watching Jim. Jim, so handsome, so serious all of a sudden.

"Lizzie is good at being friends with you. Why not me?"

“Lizzie is different.”

"You do not know me. "

"Exactly" said Matt calmly, adding, with a bit of a harsh tone without him even realizing it - "Why would I want to know you more than that?"

Jim was injured. But strangely, he was not completely defeated. He was beginning to perceive the wall that Matt seemed to want to erect between them. For what ? To protect yourself ? It was absurd. If Matt could read him, he would know that Jim was more scared than he was about talking about himself. Jim just had this hunch, and he didn't know how real it was, that he and Matt could become really good friends. Maybe even more. It was so rare for him to think about it, but he clearly perceived it. He felt how similar their tastes were. And he almost wanted to yell at Matt to find out. He chooses to opt for calm. Matt was putting up walls? Well, Jim couldn't take it anymore. He was going to break down that wall, prove to her that they were made for each other.

"As you wish. Do you like games?"

"It depends" Matt was surprised by the way Jim suddenly changed the subject. In a way, he was more used to doing it himself. He took a sip of wine.

"The 36 questions do you know?"

"I don’t think so. "

"We have to take turns answering questions the honest way possible and then look each other in the eye for four minutes."

"Weird game. What for ?"

"I don't know anymore. And to be honest, I don't have all the questions in my head. But let's try. To...Just talk."

"It's a game, huh? No weird questions?"

 

"I only remember simple questions. Just try to be honest. Let's go. If you could have dinner with anyone in the world, who would you choose?"
"Ok, ok...Probably Greta Thunberg. Like the girl. She have things to say. One of the rare kid I feel I could like."
"You know she’s not a child anymore ?"
"C’mon you know what I meant" - Matt rolled his eyes - "What about you ?"
"Stephen Daldry "
"Stephen Dal…You mean the guy who directed Billy Elliot ? "
"Yes. One of my favourite movie since I was 13. I could talk about it during hours so...Why ?"
"I-I-I nothing. I liked it too. "

It was Matt’s favourite film. Also his mom’s. He had the poster but he had to putted away because he couldn’t though of the movie without crying. He breathed slowly, looking at Jim. He was surprised.

"When was the last time you sing to someone?" - pursued Jim.
"Jeez, I don’t know. Not my thing, really. Singing. You ?"
"I like singing actually."
"You do have a nice voice." – the words escaped Matt.
"Stop messing around" – James laughed a little, think Matt was just joking.
"I am not ! It’s true" insisted Matt, who was blushing a little.
"Oh wow…Who knew Matt Hatfield could made a compliment ? Sorry, didn’t mean to make you blush."
"I’m blushing easily " – even if it was true, it was also true that Jim made him blushed. "Well you didn’t really answers : when whas the last time you sing ?"
"Last Saturday. Karaoke with a friend."
"No way" – Matt scoffed a little – "You go there ?"
"Hey don’t mock me."
"I try, believe me. It’s hard…W-Wha…Uhm…What did you sing ?" – asked Matt, his eyes so amused, a little laugh in his voice.
"No surprises."
"What ? "
"The song I mean. "
"No surprises as in the song of Radiohead ? Are you serious ? "
"What ? It’s a good song."
"I know it is" – and Matt raised and looked in his library to bring out an album autographed by Radiohead "I love it, I've been to three of their concerts".
"It must have been great" said Jim, surprised and pleased by the coincidence.
“Clearly” – and Matt sat back with a smile, remembering the concerts with joy.

Her knee brushed Jim's leg. He didn't realize it. He stared into Jim's, trying to remember the next question without being too confused by Matt's gaze. And the warmth of her body against his, even through their jeans.

"What is the thing you are most grateful for in life?"
"Lizzie."

Matt hadn't even thought. It was evident. As he was thinking about Lizzie, he smiled. And his eyes were shining. He caught himself as he felt Jim's gaze, trying to control the expression on his face to regain his composure. Jim was touched by this answer, once again so sincere. He had never wanted to be friends with Matt so much as he did now.

"And you ?"
"To be free. I know, don't say anything, it's corny. And besides, I don't even know if I'm really using my freedom."
"No, it's not corny, it's just a little mysterious" - said slowly Matthew, in a gentle manner.

But Matt didn't said anything else. He felt strangely well. He had let things slip, but he was not sorry. Jim was beginning to please him. He rested his head against what he thought was the usual throw blanket he often tossed nonchalantly on the couch.

"Is there something you've been dreaming about for a long time...And yeah, why haven't you done it?"
"Going to Japan. Because it's expensive, that's all." - sighed Matt.
"Oh…"
"What ?"
"I lived there."
"You're kidding aren't you?"
"No, I swear. My dad was in the military. We moved around a lot."
"I see. I…Could we talk about it someday ? I would really like to know more about this. Japan has always fascinated me."
"Yes of course." - said Jim in a relaxed tone even though he was way to much happy about Matt's interest to a country he knew very well.
"Cool. So how about you? What are you dreaming about, Jim Cooper?"

You opening up to me. That we manage to break down this wall that you are struggling to build between us. No. He couldn't say that.

"Set down. For good."
"How so ?"
"When you spend your childhood going to the four corners of the world, constantly moving, not being able to build anything with anyone, believe me, it becomes a dream to find stability somewhere."
"Oh right, I understand."

Jim looked at him again. Matt gently stroked the bridge of his nose. He didn't know why, something was irritating his nose, tickling it, moistening it.

"Keep on going"
"A tickle?" dared to guess Jim.
"No worries. I'll handle it." And Matt stopped stroking his nose to stifle a yawn into his fist. He lost ten years with this gesture, and Jim felt his heart melt. He apologized with a small wave of his hand. Why did Matthew have to be so charming? He didn't even seem to realize it.
"What is the most important thing in friendship?" he continued.
"If you think I don't see you coming…" Matt scoffed.
"What ?"
"Nothing. But answer first."
"I think it's being able to be who you are without hiding. Aristotle said that friendship is an affection that makes us love a person for who he is, and not for what he can bring us. So to not hiding seems important."
"I know." – Matt wasn't trying to prove he was smart, but he knew that thought of Aristotle very well, and he was okay with the idea. But he also felt like Jim was more or less tricking him. It wasn't unpleasant, but Matt wanted to warn him. He was not a good friend. He couldn't be. Why didn't he want to believe it?

There was a silence.

"I believe in trust. Trust is what I think is most important in friendship" - it was a cautious, but sincere answer. Matt rubbed the wings of his nose vigorously, the tickling becoming more and more intense. He pinched the tip of his nose and felt how irritated his nose was. Sneezing were coming up quickly.

 

[Femilloween77]

23 hours ago, Lily said:

I just read the first part of your story, laughed cause both of our characters are named James, and also it's a m/m story :') 

Aww, our stories are like siblings then ❤️ 

Looooved that last part, the 36 questions game is so sweet. I'm glad you've got more coming! 

[Dream Moon]

Love this part!<3 Maybe Matt could catch a cold and Jim takes care of him? It's just a suggestion hahaha 

[KizzerKoi]

Wow, I *love* this. ❤️ Despite very minor grammatical errors, your writing style shines through and I'm thoroughly glad to have read this. I hope to hear more if you're up for it! Also, as far as fetish stuff goes, your sneeze spellings are on point and some of my favorite I've read lately. It's interesting to think of the different sounds sneezes make in various languages and cultures. I am rambling now- 10/10 awesome fic!!!

[Lily]

Guys I’m so happy about this fic ! And your comments are so sweet.

@Dream Moon : hehe I have something like that in mind…

@KizzerKoi : I’m so touched by your comment ! It’s hard to write sneezes, I really try to listen as best as possible around me to try to transcribe them haha. And Matt is kinda based on someone I know so I have this horrible want to make my friend sneeze just to write sneezes the best way possible. 🤭

Here is the second part of chapter 3 !! hope you’ll like it, there is more to come (soon !)

CHAPTER 3 (2/2) - AT MATT'S PLACE

"What is your most precious memory?"
"One day I went to the beach with…Someone. Just a normal sunset on the ocean. Not impressive at all. But I didn't care. It's was…Perfect." – Matt thought it was strange to tell the truth, to speak half-wordly about his mother. But it was okay. Jim couldn't get more intrusive than that.
"Ok, you didn’t said a lot, but I trust you. It seemed really nice" said gently James, then asking, with a mix of curiousity and concern, "Are you sure you're okay? Sorry, you've been rubbing your nose for a while now"
"Don't worry" – and Matt immediately stops touching his nose, "So what about you? Precious moment ?"
“When I was living around San Francisco, with friends, on a boat, we saw whales, and that is a night you can’t forget” – Jim had a bright, dreamy look, as if he was reliving the scene.
"But how many lives have you lived?" Matt asks, eyes widening, barely hiding his wonder and curiosity.
"Ah, you mean you would like to know more?" Jim asked, amused.
"Yeah. So what?" Matt said defensively.
"No, nothing," James had a brief smile, feeling that he was able to getting Matt to admit that people like them couldn't just stay on the surface, and that yes, they had things to talk about. To shared.
"Shall we continue or you don’t remember the rest of the questions?" Matt muttered, annoyed that James was reading him so easily.
"Of yeah, eh…So…Ah, what is your most terrible memory?"

Matt froze. He paled and frowned, unsettled, fighting his anger because precisely when he was trying not to think about his mother, whom he had more or less just mentioned, Jim and his damn question came to shake everything up.

"I don't want to answer that. It sucks. I said no weird questions." snarled Matt with a bit of violence in his tone.
"Okay, don't get mad." Jim whispered sheepishly.
"I'm not getting mad, I…well shit would you answer that? Honestly?" Matt had raised his voice in spite of himself. He didn't realize it, but his anger showed in his eyes and in his tone, as he tried to protect himself from what he perceived as a trick question.
"C-calm down." Jim muttered, his eyes wide.
"I'm perfectly calm!" Matt realized he had almost screamed. He tried to adjust his voice, though still dry - "You're the one who should calm down. You're shaking."

Matt frowned, as if he just got along.

"You're shaking," he repeated, realizing that Jim was actually shaking. But it wasn't because of him, was it?
"Is…are you okay?" - his voice had become calm and collected again. He had lost his temper quickly, and he had calmed down just as quickly.
"Yes." Jim breathed, looking as pale as usual. Only it wasn't at all what Matt usually found beautiful. He had literally lost his colors as if Matt had scared him.
"No but…James is it me who…I mean…"

Matt leaned over, moved closer to Jim. Jim stiffened. Matt raised his eyebrows.

"Looks like I scared you." – he found these words odd, but that was his impression.
"Don't flatter yourself." Jim said in a low, almost curt tone when it was obvious that Matt had hit a nerve.

And Matt blamed himself. He was awful. He had really…yelled at James who was asking him a question, admittedly intimate, too intimate in his eyes. But his reaction had been disproportionate and he blamed himself terribly. James had his demons too, and within seconds Matt seemed to have them boiling over with his bad temper.

"Hey there" his shoulders slumped – "I'm ashamed. Really ashamed".

He had been nothing but obnoxious to James.

"It's okay," James muttered, rubbing his temple.
"Do you forgive me?" Matt asked staring at him, his eyes full of regret as he realized that even if he had wanted to, he didn't deserve to be friends with James, far too sensitive, too righteous, too much…
"M-mm." Mumbled Jim without even looking at Matt, even tough he could feel Matt's gaze upon him.
 

Matt stroked what he thought was the blanket on the couch and after a moment he putted his hand to his mouth. He almost wanted to bite his nails, like when he was a kid and did something wrong. He suddenly realized that it wasn't a blanket he was stroking or resting his cheek on during the questioning game; it was James' jacket. The leather jacket, black, but also tinted with a fine layer of pollen. And he had just put his hand to his mouth! Fighting the urge to sneeze, Matt concentrated on apologizing. Only that was really urgent.

"Yeah but Jim…I feel like…Like you don’t trust me. I’m really trying. I’m a dumbass with my struggles, but I tend to forget or to walk on people’s feeling with...without even notice. I know that. So again, sorry, didn’t means to. I know it’s lousy but…"

Jim was listening but he couldn't look up yet. He was trying to calm down. He knew full well that Matt wasn't violent. He knew how to tell the difference. But he couldn't stand the screams. Even though he knew Matt was angry, full of barriers, he wished he had kept quiet. And he shouldn’t asked all of this questions. Everything he wanted… Just a normal chat. To get to know Matt, just a bit. He wanted a normal, friendly interaction. Without this strange tension between laughter and cold. He crossed his arms. Matt pinched his nose slightly, feeling how congested and wet it was, the tickling becoming borderline unbearable. But he hadn't finished. He needed James to look at him. To let him read in his eyes that he was sincere. Damn, he wanted to let his guard down a bit. James had been vulnerable, answering the questions honestly. Why was he so stupid that he couldn't do the same?

"I-I-I’m deeply s-sorry…. Eh…Ah… Shit… I didn’t wanted to yell at you, I..I…I’m not violent I promise. I promise you…Ye-ea…Eh… Yeah, I promise you to never yell at you. Never again. Even…Even talk to you if that’s whaaaa-what you want. I…I know I don’t eveeeEHHn-even deserve any patience from y-youUuuu… Do y-yoooUuu oh n-no-no-no-no-noootIIIISHOOO ! S-sorry I-IIIITISHIEW ! "

More concerned with covering his face with his arm to avoid spraying Jim than with holding himself properly, the violence of these two sneezes had made Matt lose his balance. He fell slightly against Jim who seemed paralyzed. Matt was…one hand on Jim’s knee, the other sliding down Jim’s neck. Matt could feel the warmth of Jim’s body. He was about to…To what exactly ? He didn’t knew why, but he kept silence for a bit, ashamed. They gazed at each other. It wasn’t the four minutes of the game. Just two men looking at each other in a state of vulnerability from both sides. Matt taked a deep breathe through his nose, as if he knew all he needed was to get a bit of fresh air. But Jim was wearing a perfume. A really nice one, subtle and masculine, who nevers bothered Matt before. But at this point, with his sensistive nose and the closeness, it was already too much. The perfume was filled with subtle and dangerous notes for Matt, the citrus, then the spicier aspect of ginger, nutmet, the intensity of peppermint, the heady delicacy of jasmine, cedar… He tried really hard fighting against the sneeze. Jim was really paralized. Maybe it was the alcohol who were keeping these two fools from any movement. Oh well. Matt’s face…His extraordinarily close face. Even though the lamp reflected in Matt’s glasses, Jim distinctly saw a flash of panic in Matt's blue and green eyes, the lost of every control he had and then…

"ThEEEHCHOO ! Yee-YeshiiiIIIEW !"

Matt did protected Jim covering himself quickly, his hands in front of his face to trap his poor nose from the smells that assailed him. He backed up quickly, stood up, cause he couldn’t continue like this, and then sneezed very hard – "EEeeeEEEH-EH-EH-EH-ETCHOOO !", bending with the strenght of it. He letted himself fall back into his armchair, turning slightly on his side to let out another fit of desperate sneezes, interspersed with moans between embarrassment and relief, his eyes closed, hoping that Jim wouldn't see the extent of the damage.

"Huh…Huh…HUP-TISHOO ! Ah….Ah…Eeeeh…APTSHIIIIEW ! AAaaaAAA-RCHOO ! ACHOO ! A….APCHOO ! Ah ! Mmm…Aw…Oh…Oh-Eh-eh-eeeeeeeEEETISHOO ! TISHOO ! EH….EH…EH…EH-ThEEEHCHOO ! Huh…Huh….HuuUUUUTISHEW ! Yee-YeshiiiIIIEW ! I-I…ITISHEW ! Uh…Uh…IiiiIIII-ISHU ! ISHU ! Ah….Mmm….Uh….Uh…Uh…Uuuun-Ar-ARCHIIIIIIUH ! Ah-Ah-Ah-Ah-HHH-HHH-Hn-Hhh-AT-CHEW ! Huuuh-HuUUUNH-ATCHIEW ! Ah ! Uh…ATISHOO ! Ew....M…Mmmm…Meh-meEEeeeeEE-TISHIUUUU ! N-nno…Oh…Oh…Eh…E-ETISHIU-Hii-TISHU ! ARCHOO ! ACHOO ! Hm-HMCHIEW ! AH-PCHTIEW ! AaaaAAPTISHOO ! AaaaAAA-CHOO ! EPCHIEw ! EPCHIEW ! Huuhhh-HUTCHOO ! Huuu-HUTISHOO ! Eh…Oh…EEEECHIEW ! ACHOO ! ACHOO ! Hmm…Ah…ACHOO ! ACHOO ! ACHOO ! AAAAAACHH-AAAA-aaaaa-AAA-TI…ATISHOOOOOO !"

Matt had his hands covering his entire face now. He was trying to regain normal breathing. Burning and barely feeling his nose, he was exhausted from his fit. He knew he must be wet, awkward, so he kept his eyes closed and his hands covering his face, too ashamed of his crisis and the way he had acted with James. He couldn’t see him anymore.

There was a silence. Only his deep breathes. Then Matt heard steps towards him. And suddenly, with an incredible softness that made him shiver, he felt James' slender fingers on his head, then sliding down his hands. And he felt James' fingers slide over his, lowering his face-covering hands into his lap. Jim was there, kneeling in front of him. Matt no longer smelled her perfume. But then, he didn't feel much anymore. James was looking at him with a soft expression – his closed, sad, frightened gaze was gone. Matt looked away, blushing.

"Don’t…"
"Well that was a hell of a crisis. Bless you…A thousand times ?"
"T-Thanks. Fuck I’m so-sorry. You don’t have to stay anything, you can just leave you know…"
" Take this and blow your freaking nose" – simply said Jim.

James did gave him a piece of fabric that looked like a handkerchief. To Matt’s eyes, it was paradise.

"Please don’t watch. "
"Watching you blowing your nose ? You’re a weirdo, Matthiew Hatfield. I just saw…So many sneezes, it’s not the blowing that is going to scare me now."
"J-jeez…You did watch. " – and there was the blushing Matt again.
"Nah, I’m just teasing you. My own personal revenge. " said Jim with a soft smile, and he gave a little pat on his lap.

Matt did felt another tickle, so he blew is nose three or four times, feeling grateful that James didn’t look into his direction. No, he was busy to pat gently one of the hand of Matt, looking at an old scar Matt had since a bicycle accident at 7 years old. Matt knew Jim could hear him blow tough, which was disgusting, but maybe it wasn’t the worth part of the night. He left his hand being patted by James, liking the soft and cold feeling on his skin. He took a deep breathe. He had to do better than this. He had to.

"Hey, James. It’s dickhead. I wanted to tell you something. You did saw me being a bastard since two years. Today, I talked you like shit, I had the most horrible allergies ever which caused disgusting sneezes, I even sneezed on you. You have been nice enough to pretend I didn’t, but I’m sure of it. Also I nearly make you died on your motorbike. I’m snapping at you. I’m being a bastard. I even yelled at you. The only good thing I did was offering you pizza. And I was so starving I don’t even noticed if it was a good one"

It was hard. He was looking during all this little speech. Jim didn’t. He was softly drawing circles with his index on Matt’s hand.

"So what now ? Where do we go from here ? Any suggestion will do." – Matt’s voice was almost desesperate.
"Well just for you know the pizza wasn’t bad…", started Jim, still not looking at him.

Matt had a sad smile. He felt so weak.

"You better leave. I’m not a nice man. I swears" he said, painfully trusting the words he was saying.

Jim releva la tête.

"Hey. I forgive you allright ? I don’t care about all of this. I know you snapped because you’re trying too hard. You’re trying to hide yourself. But it’s too late. I know you are a nice man. But I also think you don’t want people to see that. And it’s a shame. You know Matt, it is important to stay who you are. With the bad parts, sure, and I did see a bit of that tonight. But I also know there is good in you. I am sure of it. And don’t even tried to denied it."

Matt was touched. Now he was really vulnerable. He swallowed a bit, trying to recover from this feeling of being seeing by the most friendly hazel eyes ever.

"Hey you, who are you ? Who told you to be that nice ?"
"Told you. I like a challenge from time to time" teased Jim.

Matt had a nervous laugh, then he passed a hand in his curly hair, avoiding a bit Jim’s gaze cause it was troubling him a bit.   "You're really not what I imagined" – he confessed.

"And what did you imagine? No wait, I'm not sure I'm going to like it."

Matt smiled, let out a small laugh, more relaxed this time.

"You're right. I wouldn't tell you. But in my defense..."

He found nothing and smiled apologetically.

"I have nothing to say. You just seemed too perfect to be true."
"Don't talk nonsense" Jim stuttered, blushing.
"It must be nice. To be so handsome, to please everyone..." - Matthew smiled, amused to see James blushing - "Well, I have the right to 'try to make you blush too mister ‘I have porcelain cheekbones I never blush’”
"Oh God what are you even saying..." laughed Jim lightly, didn't knowing what he could say.
"It's always funny how the girls from Greenway look at you. They literally drool over you man. Anyway...I'll drop you on the subject if you tell me which one you prefer."
"Who said I was into women ?" Jim abruptly answers, after a quick nervous laugh, not even blushing but feeling entitled to just being who he is.

Matthew did look surprised but just a little bit, assuming a casual air to not making James uncomfortable. He scratched his throat. He wasn't that surprised. Maybe because James reminded her of that handsome model, that David from the magazine. The one who had made him understand that he liked boys.

"Right."
"Come on" said James taking his jacket - "I have an hour of road ahead of me. I have to go back."
"But you drank alcohol tonight" objected Matt.
"It's true. I will return by bus. There are still some."
"I have a guest room."
"Oh really ?'

Matt shrugged.

"As you wish."
"I'm going home, I have to" muttered James.

He would have liked to say the opposite but the night had been long. He needed to calm down. To come to his senses.

"Yeah no worries. Watch out."
"Yes, promise. See you tomorrow ?"

Matt walked Jim downstairs. The rain had calmed down. The bus passed in front of Jim's house. In 5 minutes. Jim ran a hand through his hair, gently inhaling the smell of wet rain.

"Jim"

He turned to look at Matt. Serious expression. Brilliant, focused gaze.

"You don't have to answer and I hope I'm not intruding on anything by telling you this but you know, you could say it at work."

Jim looked down, kicking a leaf out of a puddle.

"Lizzie is married to Carol. I'm out. The team is ok on this area. I know it's never easy but really if there's a place where it's not impossible it's at Greenway Post."
"I know."
"Okay. I just wanted to tell you that. I'll will shut up about it now"

Jim looked up. He was grateful for Matt's gentleness. But also of his frankness.

"We can talk about it. It makes me feel good."
"Really ?"
"Yes. You're pretty good in that area"
"Ah well" - he sketched an embarrassed smile "Well I-I wouldn't have been completely useless today"

The bus would arrive any minute now. Jim wondered how they were supposed to say goodbye. He had looked down and only looked up when he heard Matt's ragged breathing.

Eyes closed, head slightly back, two fingers under his rosy nose with quivering nostrils, Matt was fighting a sneeze.

The bus was coming. Jim was biting his lip.

"Hey Matt? I have to go."
"W-what?" - he opened his eyes and did let go of all control "Eh...Eh...EhhhuuuUSHIEW! Sorry man."
"Bless you" - and then Jim did the craziest thing of the night for him; he slowly leaned over to Matt and placed a quick kiss on his cheek, "S-sorry bye" under his breath, and he hopped on the bus.

Matt was scarlet. He kept his mouth slightly open after this contact and only closed it when he heard the bus closing its doors. He kept his eyes fixed on Jim's tall figure, saw him turn as the bus pulled away. Worried look. Looking tense. The two disappeared when Matt smiled at him. Jim gave him a shy wave.

What a day.

"Jim… He is full of surprises. Jeez he is so...so...Sooooo-uh-uh-Uhmpchiew ! Oh shut up already ! There's is no way !"

And Matt went home collapsing after swallowing his meds and hoping for an attack-free night. He closed his eyes and the image that would illustrate Jim's article popped into his mind. He smiles. Oh good, he was going to try being friends with Jim. He had to. If it was not with Jim, there was no way he could try with someone else. And after all, Lizzie had succeeded. And Jim seemed to have the potential to help him become a good person. Beyond that, Matt hadn't been so intrigued by a person in a long time. As Aristotle said, he appreciated Jim not for what he could bring him but really because he appreciated Jim. This evening had shaken him. He managed to fall asleep only because he was beaten by his emotions.

Jim leaned his head against the bus window, dreamily imagining Matt's face watching him, his two-tone eyes following him smiling. He closed his eyes. The eyes were still there. To say that he had come out like that, in the turn of a sentence. He who had been prepared to say it in a hundred different ways, he had just dropped this information so lightly. He bit his lower lip gently. He realized he had wanted Matthew to know. To know he was attracted by men. Why ? Oh well… He thought of every details of that odd evening when he felt like he had finally met Matthew. And he liked him even more than he imagined. He barely jumped off the bus, his dreamy thoughts almost making him forget his address.

[Dream Moon]

Amazing as alwaysss, I love your writing<3 love to see how this continues 🤭

[KizzerKoi]

OH YAY, MORE!!! I've read this twice already now, it's my new current obsession on here. And that fit towards the end... Speechless. Character development is cute too. The non sneeze related aspects are similar to what I read outside of fetish content so it's a bonus lol. 

[Alexmeiai774]

The characters are so cute!!! 

[Lily]

Thanks for your lovely comments everyone !

The story is approaching to and end for the allergies/meeting part between James & Matthew. BUT I have other stuff to write about those two, I only have one question : do I still continue to post on this topic or should I create another one ? maybe it will be more comfortable for the readers ? idk just tell me what do you prefer, I can't wait to developp the story and add other kind of sneezes 

@KizzerKoi omg thanks you make me blush everytime 🤭

now I let you enjoy chapter 4 😉

Lily

CHAPTER 4 - BACK TO WORK

The morning after

Jim woke up in a good mood this morning. He drank a lot of water because he felt oddly dehydrated. Probably the pizza and beers of the evening. He looked at himself in the mirror after his shower. The memory of the evening spent with Matthew comes back to him in every detail. He smiled at his reflection. A stupid smile. He collected himself and hurried so as not to be late.

Lizzie was in a bad mood. Her daughter Matilda had cried this morning. She didn't want to go to school. Lizzie had lost her temper and Carol had dealt with the situation, but her mind was shattered at the idea that she hadn't been able to console her daughter. Arriving at work, she will have to be on conquered ground. Otherwise it was going to made her mad. Everything had to be perfect. But of course, everything seemed to go wrong today.

It started with the coffee machine that didn’t work. Great. She needed coffee. She didn't take the time this morning. Going into the metting room, she consoled herself with the thought of Matt who was probably coming with his own coffee. Also, since he was going to the pool the morning, he will be in a great mood. Maybe he will even bring one to her ! She said hello to James, who was already there. He was always the first one at Greenway Post, and Lizzie did like his punctuality and the fact he was predictable.

Not for long. She was there with the very handsome James Cooper in the meeting room for twenty minutes now. And still no sign of Matt. Jeez, he was annoying ! Matt who hadn't even had the decency to send a message. She was furious. If even his friend dropped him, it promised to be a particularly painful day. She didn't even have the energy to talk to James.

James. He was tense. He was starting to worry. Maybe Matt wouldn't come. Maybe Matt, having regretted the evening, was going to find an excuse not to see him anymore. He felt the stress building up inside him, his lack of self-confidence playing one of those tricks on him.

Matt came almost running, out of breath, wet hair still dripping. James was relieved to see him, and felt his heart race. He wanted to smile but he was so caughted up in his contemplation of Matthew, handsome Matthew with wet and curlier than ever hair, handsome Matthew with his brilliant eyes.

"I-I-I sniff ! I'm really sniff ! s-s-s-sorry...sniff Didn't see the time" – he said, his voice interrupted by his heavy breathing.

Matt was a sporty guy, but he just finished the fastest race of his life. Also, even though he tried his best, Matt almost sniffled before every word he said.

"What the hell were you doing Matt?" Lizzie asked crossing her arms, both relieved and angry.
"Sorry darl…Sorry Lizzie I was swimming and didn't see – sniff – the time pass."
"I guess your phone was dead again? You're annoying me sniffling like that. Go dry yourself. You're going to catch a cold."
"You don't catch cold with wet hair" Matt replied - and suddenly he turned to James "Hi Jim", pushing his glasses up his nose.
"Hi" said Jim with a gentle smile, reassured. Matt did seemed to remember the evening.

Lizzie's eyes widened. Matt was talking to James? It was new.

"So can we start then?" she sighed.
"Sure! So now, I was thinking, for James's paper maybe we could go with these paintings I made."
"But…When did you make them?" Lizzie wondered, kinda confused.

"This morning. I had a short but productive night"

James was impressed. Matt had had time to… Paint to illustrate his articles? Obviously, Matt had already done several illustrations, it was the specificity of the newspaper, to inform on many subjects with the artists who collaborated to illustrate the articles. But this speed surprised James. He was very impressed even before seeing the paintings.

"Well look at that," Lizzie said, trying to hold back with a difficult smile. His friend was insufferable but so talented. In fact, it was also his incredible talent that made him utterly insufferable.

Matt spread out his work. Lizzie readjusts her own glasses, observing the work. Jim looked at them for a moment without saying anything. They worked very well together, barely needing and saying anything to understand each other. Jim approached without a word. Matt smelled a familiar scent that tickled his sensitive nose. James' perfume...

"And J-Jim what d-do you T-think...Oh wait...Here...He...He...He-Tishehm ! Tishu !"

He had tried to suppress his sneezes but it was difficult. They were only a little less powerful than usual, covered in his elbow.

"You see you are getting sick!" said Lizzie, half triumphant half worried.
"It's just my my…c’mon…my all...allerg...IIIIEESHHIEW!"
"I swear, you have to be more careful when you’re going to the pool, seems to me you catched something there" Lizzie insisted.
"Hey next time I sneeze I'll appreciate a b-b-bless..."
"You can't even say it..." mocked Lizzie.
"Eeeeeh-EeehtisHHHIEw!"
"Bless you" immediately said James, because he was eager to say it but couldn’t cutting the two before now. He tried to focused on James design to help his want to just gazed into Matt's face.
"Thanks you James" – Matt stuck his tongue out at Lizzie like the 8-years old kid he was.

Lizzie rolled her eyes. Gosh, Matt could be such a baby sometimes. He blew his nose "So, James, what do you think about it?"

"I'm thinking we should go with this one" said Jim, pointing at one of the painting.
"Oh really? Ok but I can try to work much on it. Its just a try out you know" said Matt, even if he was proud of himself.

James lifted his head.

"I know. And I do think you should rework it"

Matt felt his pride stabbed. He took that kind of comment from Lizzie with no problem. The fact that they were friends didn't take away from the respect he had for her as a professional and superior. But Jim! He was hoping to show off a bit with his painting. Make him happy too? He had got up very early, moved by a creative inspiration. And there he was acting like he knew creation stuff ? God the man was exhausting.

"Oh yes ?" – said Matt, in full bad faith.

James looked perfectly relaxed. A soft expression passed over his face.

"Yes. The lines are interesting but look, this one could be lined up better"

Lizzie smiled. James really had an eye.

"I don't see" Matt said, a bit stubborn.

He put his hand on the sheet and bent down. James approached him. He pointed to the place he was talking about, brushing Matt's hand.

"From there...To there."

And now Jim was…Shit, he was being a professional. The fact that he was actually right about the line, which made Matt crazy. He looked at Jim. James was bent over the sheet, over his drawing, a serious expression on his face. Focused eyes and tense jaw. He inhaled gently. Jim's scent penetrated his nostrils as strongly as that of pollen. Citrus, nutmeg, jasmine, peppermint, cedar, wooded smell…He concentrated.

"I see. Anything else?"
“The contrasts here could be more marked”

It's your scent that's marked my dear, Matt thought. But he did love it so much.

"Yeah...I think so too" – Matt admitted half-heartedly.

He was fighting a big sneeze that threatened him. He didn't want Lizzie to worry and think he had really caught something. He pinched his nose discerningly but James noticed and smiled. He couldn't help it. Matt's efforts were desperate and adorable at the same time.

Lizzie realized she was smiling in spite of herself. They seemed to get along after all.

"Ok guys, I'll let you see the details, I have to make a phone call"

"No problem" said Jim, realizing that Matt was pursing his lips hard, a focused look on his face, didn't seem to want to say a word.

Lizzie slipped away.

"Did I hurt your feelings ?" Jim asked kindly.

"N-not…Not at…At…Aaaah….Ah-HHN-huuunnn…Ah…Hunh-Pshhhm! Oof! Aaa-uh-uh-Apchiew! Aaaa…Ah…Hmmm-TIShhhiuuu! Hmm-aaah! AAAA-Tchtttsm Ahh-Eh-Tshum! Apxxchiew! Ah….Ah…AAA-Tttschhiew!"

The first ones were kinda stifled, Matt having placed his fist under his pretty nose but inevitably at the end James could hear a bit of Matt's desperate voice which trembled under the power of the sneezes, Matt having a lot of trouble not letting out a little of their strength.

"Bless…" – started Jim, but he was cut immediately by another fit of Matt.

"Ah… HHI-ITSHIIU! Ah…EH…Eh-pchiew! EPCHHH-HESHIIIIEW! sniff! Aaa-AHSHIEW! Uh…Eh...EEE-EESHIEW! Mmmm…."

They were here. Matt's big powerful sneezes, making him lose control, that felt so wet and so relieving to him. And this little moaning of relieving at the end ? Jim shivered.

"Bless you."
"Thanks. Sorry, I tried to stifling them ‘cause Lizzie is going to be crazy if she ever heard me sneezing like this but it’s like…so hard for me to do"
"Don’t stifled them, you are going to get hurt"
"Please, my nose have seen worse", and Matt had a little sniffle "Do you…I'm sorry, do you have a tissue?"
"Yes, of course" - Jim had taken the time to buy some this morning. He had really thought of Matt when buying some.
"Thanks, even though you shouldn't, I'll end up stealing them from you every day" - and he turned slightly, sneezing one last time "Uh-Uhuuuunnnpcchiiiiiiew!" in the handkerchief with relief.
"Bless. Allergies again?"
"Yes", lied Matt, perfectly knowing that it was because of Jim's perfume.

Jim nodded sympathetically.

"Oh and… You're right. For the line. And the contrasts. Anyway, I have to work on all that.", admitted Matt with less difficulty than he thought.
"Oh, well…"
"I wanted to tell you, I uh…I had a great night yesterday."

Jim thought his heart just did a flip.

“Me too” – he said immediately.

Matt smiles. It was still rare to see him smile like that. Jim smiled back, hoping he didn't look as silly as the one he'd seen in the mirror this morning.

"Hey guys!"

Lizzie came back, in a lighter mood. She had spoken to Carol on the phone: Matilda had asked her on the way to school if Mom Liz could pick her up from school, because she hadn't had time to give her her usual big hug. Things were working out. She went back to work, noticing from time to time… What… The kindness between Matt and Jim? Things were working out, and others were taking an interesting turn.

3 weeks later, a Friday morning

Matt was in high spirits. For two weeks he had came to work early. He had noticed that Jim was often the first to arrive, even though he was one of those who lived farthest away. And he liked to find him before everyone arrived. They shared a coffee together. Sometimes they didn't even talk. They were just together. Like the pool, seeing Jim before everyone else had become important to Matt, a part of his morning routine.

Jim parked his motorcycle. He was whistling, happy to find Matt. He was happy of how things were evolving. Since this evening at Matt’s appartment, which was dear to his heart, his relationship with Matthew had more than improved, it had taken a turn that he couldn’t have imagined.

He remembered he thought he was hallucinating the day when, arriving at the office first as usual, he had seen Matt grunting against the coffee machine, before turning to him and asking him what he was having. After which, without ever saying anything to each other about the fact that Matt had become strangely punctual, and even in advance, they had seen each other every morning. They discussed everything and nothing, driking coffee together. A little about work, like about how Matt's works could fit into Jim's articles. And Matt was also discussing this ambivalence for him to be between journalism and a visual artist. Jim was helping him as best he could. Jim thought he was always answering on the sidelines. But Matt, even if he didn't always thank him, actually considered everything he said. Sometimes they discussed films or exhibitions they were going to see, often the same ones, a few days apart, which drove Jim crazy, he wanted so much to go with Matt. He thought about it as he took the stairs, cause like Matt, Jim didn't trust the elevator. He also thought about the fact that Matt taken this habit to call him “Dear James” or “Dear Jim”, which made him blush all the time. Matt had also the habit with Lizzie. But that was it. And Jim enjoyed the privilege very much.

Matt was there. His back was turned as he gazed at the view of the city. In the distance, the ocean. Jim would have liked to see Matt’s expression. On the table Matt was leaning against, two steaming coffees that smelled much better than the usual coffee from the machine seemed to be waiting for them. Jim walked forward, he had this silent, feline gait, and Matt didn't hear him. But he did, without even saw him, recognized Jim's characteristic odor –

"Dear James, you have to ch-change your pe-per…perf…PerfeeeeEEEh-EH-ETISHIEW!"

He blew his nose quickly and turned to James. He clicked his tongue.

"What do you have to say in your defense?" he had his serious expression but was secretly having fun teasing Jim.
“I-I don’t know. Bless you? And er…Hello? " Jim said, with a cute and shy smile.

Matt struggled unsuccessfully against a smile that dawned on his face.

"Here it's for you. It'll change you from the infamous stuff you take here" – he took a coffee and handed it to Jim.
"Thank you very much, that's…So nice, you shouldn't have. Oh how good it smells…" Jim gently sniffed the strong smell of the traditional Italian coffee that Matt loved so much.

Matt gently rubbed the bridge of his nose. As soon as James approached, the urge to sneeze returned. Paradoxically, he adored her perfume. But it tickled his nose the same way Jim tickled his wards, knocking them down day after day, and Matt couldn't blame him.

"It's nothing. Oh no…Here it comes a-a-again…"
"Sorry. I'm going"
"Don't be stupid, it's not you, I was just tea-tish…Teasing… It’s just my aah...a-allergies…Eh…Eh…ETISHIEW! Ah…Ah-TSHIU! TISHIEW!"

Matt's sneeze sounded higher than usual. As if Jim's perfume had a particular effect on his nose, already getting pinky.

"Bless you. I really think it's my fault. See you later ?" suggested Jim, confused, torn between wanting to watch Matt sneeze and torturing his nose.
"Thanks, but that's nonsense" - Matt said, sniffling slightly. "It was just leftover pollen from this morning. I'm fine."
"Matt, you started sneezing the moment I walked in"
"C'mon that's not true, why won't you believe me? Look, could someone allergic to your perfume do that?" – and Matt walked over, raising his head slightly, taking a deep breath and sniffed James' neck for a long time - "See?" he said triumphantly, but immediately feeling that he was going to regret it, the smell rushing through him and attacking his nose.

Jim bit the inside of his cheek, hoping he wasn't blushing too hard. He could smell Matt's own perfume, a warm and cold scent at the same time, a natural smell of skin that he couldn't quite grasp, because it was masked by the scents of caffeine and chlorine. Matt looked triumphant but James saw Matt's nostrils flare, lips pursed slightly.

"Matt?"
"Drink your coffee, it's going to be cold."
"Matt don't try to…I can see you want to sneeze." - Jim took a sip of his coffee, he couldn't believe that stupid Matt had sniffed him to prove him wrong, it was so obvious Matt was holding back a sneeze.

"Not at all" - lied Matt, but his nose betrayed him, nostrils dilating and getting pinky. His controlled expression was struggling to hold. He pinched his nose slightly – it was even worse, Jim's scent seemed to want to stay.

"How annoying you are, always wanting to have the last word !" sighed Jim.
"Jim stop being dramatic" Matt said, rolling his eyes.
"And you, stop being ridiculous"

They looked at each other without saying anything. Matt wanted to sneeze badly, but from holding back, he felt that sneezing was blocked now. It was probably worse. He needed to sneeze. To release that pressure. It was almost torture.

"So what's planned this weekend?" he asked, gently rubbing his nose, without success.
"You can barely line up three words," Jim remarked.
"I…I can and-eh…eh…Why aren’t yo-yooou…eh…Ah…An…Answering me?"
"I wanted to go to a movie. Wanna come?" boldly asked Jim.
"What? Ah…Ah…Y-eh…eh…S-sure." - answered Matt, surprised but pleased about the idea.
"Man just sneeze already."

Matt pinched his nose again, rubbing it. But nothing to do: sneezing was blocked.

"They don't want to come out," he growled, unable to bear to admit he was wrong.
"Let me help" suggested Jim, leaning slightly towards Matt, "Just take a deep breathe"
"It's useless sniff ! I'm not…I'm not…Not…Neh…I-I’m not...Not allergiIIIIII-I-ISHIEW! Eh…Eh…EHSHIEW! ESH-ESH-ESHIU! T-TISHIEW! Mmm….Hun-huh- huh-huh-HIE-YISHIEW! Ah…Ah…AH-ATSHIEW! Ah…Ah…Hun-AH-ATSHIEW! Ah…Ah…Ahun…Oh…ARCHOO! ATSHIEW! Huh…HUUUN-ARCHIEW!"

He was almost shaking ! Jim too, for totally different reasons. He pulled away slightly.

"You feel better ? "

Matt turned slightly. Taken by surprise by the sneezes, he had collected everything in his hands. He didn't want Jim to see this. He found a handkerchief and blew his nose for a long time, feeling that the irritation was gradually disappearing. He wiped his hands and threw the tissues in the trash.

“Satisfied?” – he had this grumpy look that made him look like a kid.

Jim wanted to say yes, he was really satisfied. In more ways than one. He just smiled crackingly.

"I'm sorry for eh…The perfume accident. Bless you."
"Thanks."

They finished their coffee.

"Tomorrow we'll meet in front of the pool at 3. In front of the factory. We'll see then what we'll see at the cinema, ok? " Matt said abruptly.
"Okay" - Jim couldn't believe he and Matt were going to see each other outside of work! As friends of course. Or…
"Cool." - Matt was about to go to his office, he turned - "Do consider to change your perfume man, or I couldn't approach you without sneezing on you."

Jim let out a nervous chuckle. He was already looking forward to tomorrow.

[Dream Moon]

Loving this!! They have so much chemistry together 🤭

I don't think it's a problem if you keeping posting here 

(I hope maybe it's a cold coming? Just maybe) 

[Not Telling]

I absolutely adore this!! I am a sappy sucker for slow burn mutual pining and m/m pairings. All the emotional build up and angst just hits me every time. I am rather partial to the "enemies to friends to lovers" trope. So this story is totally right up my alley and hitting all my gushy buttons. I love how you're developing the characters and you're writing is superb. J'adore Matt. Comme il est beau! J'ai hâte de lire la suite! ❤️ 

For usability, it would be great if you just continue posting from this thread.  (The way the site is organized it's really difficult to find separate threads for continuation stories/characters).

[Lily]

hey everyone ! 

@Dream Moon they are cute aren't they ? don't worry about the cold, I had that in mind too 😉

@Not Telling omg thank you, your comment made my day, I really loved this kind of relationships developping slowly, the emotions, the angst...I feel there's a lot to tell and I love this. Matt physical appearance is actually based on a friend of mind who is kinda great looking, that's true, and also have this massive fits of sneezing so...Merci, trop mignon 🤭

I hear you, and gonna continue the story here ! So this is the final part of the "allergies sessions", and then we're going in another place with the guys...After all the story is called "so many places" 🤗

enjoy

Lily

ps : if anyone have the reference of the chapter 5's title (without cheating) I will be so happy

CHAPTER 5 - A D-D-DATE ? PLEASE YOU'RE OUT OF YOUR...

Jim had been waiting for Matt for 15 minutes. He was dressed as usual, simple and elegant, black jeans and a light blue shirt. A light jacket, it was the beginning of autumn and a light wind was blowing. A fragrant wind that soothed him in his thoughts.

He wanted to believe Matthew. After all, the day he arrived late, he arrived anyway. And since then, he was the type to arrive on time. And even a little early. Jim smiles. He arrived early so they could have time to talk. And that pleased him terribly. In the meantime… Here… He was thinking back to that day when Matt had arrived late. It was because of the pool.

Jim looked up. On the sidewalk opposite, the swimming pool.

He approached the building. On this side, a large bay window overlooked the large pool. Jim narrowed his hazel eyes slightly. He tried to find Matthew, but with the multiplicity of pools and swimmers, it was complicated. Where could he be… He saw a lot of swimmers but from there to find Matt ! He sighed. It was hopeless. He turned his head slightly. A swimmer, probably a great athlete, was training alone in the Olympic pool. It was beautiful, this slender and powerful body which was alone to make its way into the basin.

Jim was captivated. Jim almost wanted to breathe for him, as the swimmer was going at full speed, linking the lengths with various swimming styles. Then Jim saw him come out of the pool, his body tense, firm, muscular. He took off his cap, heading for the showers at full speed. Jim jumped. This super-powered swimmer was… It was Matt.

He couldn't come back. He remained motionless for a moment, then crossed the road to return to the cinema. He waited ten minutes, and saw Matt come out, his hair soaked, his shirt barely buttoned, a bag over his shoulder. Matt looked around, a little lost, before remembering that he had made an appointment with Jim opposite, in front of the factory. He turned his face and his gaze met Jim's. He crossed at a rapid pace.

"God, Jim, I'm so sorry. When I'm in the water I tend not to notice the clock."
"It's okay, I'm glad to see you"
"My dear Jim, you are much too kind"
"Are we still going to the cinema?"
"Yes, let's see."

Matt would have liked to suggest a ride, but his allergies were still threatening him. They chose a film together, an auteur film of which they had seen the trailer each on their own, and which they liked. The movie started. Both men enjoyed the film. At least at the start. Because you couldn't say that they were very focused.

Jim was hot. He had taken off his jacket, but even in his shirt, he didn't know why, he was hot. He knew he was going to spend the two hours next to Matt. He could smell its characteristic smell of chlorine, caffeine, slightly musky. He wanted to talk to her. To look at him. He didn't even know what to say to her. In the dark, in front of the film, it was impossible. But he wanted it so badly. He stared without seeing the images that unraveled before his eyes, trying to concentrate, failing to do so. Trying to think about what they would do after the movie. Have a drink ? To go for a walk ? As long as they were together... Talking to each other... Would he dare...

As for Matt, poor Matt was plagued with a terrible irritation in his nose. He had a handkerchief that he passed under his nose, gently kneading his nostrils in the hope of being able to relieve himself. The problem with this film is that there were a lot of very quiet moments and little music, which made it difficult to try to blow your nose. He wanted to remain discreet, he had already made a fool of himself in front of Jim, even if the latter seemed particularly unimpressed by these sneezes. Except that now was really not the time. Matt pinched his nose every ten seconds. His breathing was getting heavy and noisy.

"Hh…He-Tshh! He-he-hetchm! Ugh….Hhhh….Eeee-TSHM!"

It was so hard for him to suppress his sneezes. Not only did he hate doing this, but it hurt him. And above all, the tickling became more and more intense.

"Heeh….Hhhhhuh-Huuuuh…Ah…Huuuh-Tshhheh! Oh…Shhh….Eh…Eh…Huh…Huh-Tsssssh…Ooo…."

Jim finally came out of his thoughts and heard him.

"Hey Matt, are you ok?" he whispered.
"I…I…Ehhhh-Tcheeeh!" was the only reply Matt could offer.
“Bless…I mean…That was a sneeze yeah?” – Jim asked softly, because he had never heard that kind of restrained sneeze from Matt.
"I can't...Ehh...Eh...C-can't holding back much l-l-longer..."
"Just let 'em out" suggested Jim.
"SHHHHHHHH!" said someone in the room.
"I…I'm gonna try…to…H-h-h-hold the-ee-em…" Matt whispered, his voice distorted by the effort he was making to hold himself back.

Jim was even hotter.

"EEEeeeeEEEEE-TSHMM! Eeeee-eee-eeeeh…Oh my god…I…C-can’t…Hold…Hold…Eh…Eh-eh-eh-Eeeeet-SHIIIIIEW! Ah…Ah…A-a-aAaaaAAATISHIEW!" "Wheat…" "EEEH-TCHU! Oh god…Jim…I…I…I need to s-sneeze again…I have to…I h-have…EEEH-MPCHIEW!"
"It's ok", said calmy Jim.
"NO it's not! People are trying to watch a movie, jeez, don't be rude. " said a man behind them.

Jim felt angry at that crazy guy. He turned and raised his voice.

"Man, you're being rude, it's not his fault"

Matt felt his nose would never leave him alone. He tried to suppress one, two sneezes, but the rest were too strong to smother - "Ehh…Ehhhh-pchhhem! Aeeh-pchiiew! AAAA-PCHIIIEW! HHH-tishooo…Etshhh-IEW! EeeeeTSHUM! Eh…Ah….APCHIEW AAA-PCHHHIEW! Ah…I ca-can't…Sor…Eh…EHTISHIUUU!" He stood up abruptly and left the room.

Jim stood speechless for a few seconds, then grabbed his jacket and walked out of the room in search of Matt. He was easy to find. Incredible sneezes were heard in the men's room, echoing loudly.

Matt had rushed to the bathroom to let out the biggest sneezes in a long time – "uh…Huh…HUP-TISHOO! HuuUUUUTISHEW! HHUUU-SHIEW! AAAPCHIEW-A-CHIEW-AAARCHOO! AaaaaRRRCHOO AAASHIIIIEW TSSHIEW-Tha…AAAHHH-HUH- HUCHIEW! EEETSHIEW! EEERCHIEW! AAPTCHIEW! APTSHIIIEw-ah! APCHIOO! AAARPCHIEW-Hah…HaaaAAAA-TSHIU! ARCHOOO-Huh! Ah..I…AAAAH-PCHIEW!"

Probably the fact that the movie theater was closed and hardly ventilated hadn't helped, he thought as he tried to catch his breath. He closed his eyes and let out an intense succession of lighter, softer, longer, slightly higher-pitched sneezes.

"Huh…HuUU-Chiiiieeeeeew-ah…Huh-TIIIISHIEEEeeeeew…Ah-Ah-Huh-huh-Huh-HUUUTSHIiiiiiiew! Huh….Huh….Huh-huh-huh-huh-huh-HUTISHiiiiiiiiew! eeehtshiiiiew!"

He opened his watery eyes and blew his nose loudly. He couldn't take it anymore but he had given his all. Swallowing an allergy pill, a movement in the mirror startled him. James. He let out a half admiring half worried whistle.

"Bless you."

Matt growled.

"Sorry. I totally ruined the movie."

James frowned.

"But..."
"I'm going home, it's better. Go back. Enjoy the movie." – his bright eyes seemed to apologize for the slightly curt tone he had.
"Matt..."
"Don't worry it'll be fine" - he glanced briefly at Jim's reflection, frustrated with the situation. Jim stepped forward. Matt turned.
"Are you going to let me say something ?" he growled gently.
"Sorry. I tend to babble when I'm frustrated."
"Are you? Being with me is making you feel frustrated?" asked Jim gently.
"N-n-no of course no. It's just...I..."

Jim felt reassured. But he understood that he had to reassure Matt now.

"How about we go out? The movie wasn't that amazing. Honestly, I wanted to talk to you more than look at the screen"

Matt rolled his eyes. James really always knew what to say. He was grateful, didn't know how to tell her. He shook his head.

"Mister Cooper, you're really surprising"
"I'm not even trying to" laughed Jim, "Now come on, let's go" and they did go out.

They took a random path. The medicine seemed to be working since Matt wasn't sneezing on the way. James brainstormed what to say. But it was difficult. Matt's words were spinning in his head. Since he said nothing, Jim took his courage until tomorrow.

"Matt...what were you actually frustrated with?"
"Oh you know...I'm like...going to see a movie at the cinema isn't supposed to turn into a sneezing gig, you know."
"It was just a movie, who cares," James said.
"I wanted it to be special"
"Special ?" repeated James in surprise.
“Poor use of the word. I meant nice” – said Matt very quickly, as if trying to escape.

But he had said special. And Matt had a lot of flaws, but he had a really good use of words and their meaning. Jim turned slightly towards him. Matt was blushing.

"It's always kind of special to me. When we see each other," Jim whispered, trying to tell his feelings towards Matt, even thought he wasn't sure of anything.

Matt nodded but he didn't look at Jim. Jim stopped.

"Ehm. Matt?"
"Yes ?" - Matt also stopped and looked at him.
"When you said special..."
"...I meant nice" Matt said in the least convincing tone, embarrassed because Jim read him like an open book.

Jim's eyes widened. He bit his lower lip gently, took his courage until tomorrow and asked – "Matt are we...Are we on a date?" - he blushed saying the words, feeling like a teenager.

"Date??" laughed nervously Matt - "Please...A date...You're out of your mind my dear..." - but he stopped because he saw a glimpse of hope in Jim's gaze. A glimpse that was about to crack because he couldn't stop teasing all the time. He had to be honest with him, he knew it, he couldn't do that to James. So he continued but with a serious troubled expression on his face, as he muttered "My dear, dear James"

They were no longer blushing. They had completely frozen each other. And they were rather pale. Their eyes wondered.

"Am I ? Your dear James? For you it's always sounds like...A joke" Jim was so nervous he didn't know what he was saying. Her jaw was contracted and it made her cheekbones stand out.
"No it's not. You are, in fact, very dear to me, James."

James felt his eyes watering slightly. It was stupid to get emotional. But he couldn't help it. Matt was so special. Part of his charm lay in the fact that you never really knew if Matt was joking or not, always being in a teasing, mocking, charming mood. But there, Jim was afraid. Afraid that he imagined things. Because he felt painfully how devastated he would be if Matt had taken all this for a joke.

“I am still not sure you are joking or not” – his eyes were lost, watery, his bewildered look he barely tried to hide.
"Hey!" something like pain crossed Matt's own gaze "I'm not that cruel" – and he touched Jim's shoulder but Jim gave a small start and pulled away.
"I'm lost ! Ok ? So just... Explain what we are doing here! What do you want from me? Where do we go? I just...I can't always find the words to make you feel great about our friendship or whatever this is because...Because...I care about you but you're always like...Doing the craziest and cutest things to me...You are being thoughtful and kind and all but the second after you're late, grumpy, making jokes and you don't communicate what you want and...It's hard for me, I…I'm lost, please just…Just be honest with me. be honest."

His deep voice seemed on the verge of breaking. Matt did not know this fragility in his tone. Never heard it before. The angst was drowning his eyes. Jim felt like he had said too much. Jim gritted his teeth slightly. Don't cry don't cry...

"I didn't want to make you feel like this" - Matt was confused.
"I'm not like you, Romeo, sorry I don't know how to interpret what you send me" Jim had lowered his voice, being bitter even though he didn't wanted to, he was trying to pull himself together but it was hard and if he didn't want to hurt Matt, he wanted to make him understand how lost he really was.
"That's not fair" – frowned Matt, "I'm not an expert, I just…"
"Stop changing the subject, please answer me, what do you want?"
"Hey. It's actually hard for me too. To do this I- I..." mumbled Matt.
"W-what do you want me to say? I...I don't even know what you are trying to do" cutted Jim.
"Well if I could stop making you tearing up it could be a good start. You see I had plans to kissing you but salted kiss, even with you, doesn't sound the best" Matt said, with a tiny crack in his voice .

Jim frowned, bewildered. Her lips parted slightly. Matt was watching him intently. Jim felt his own gaze drift into Matt's eyes, his cheeks, his nose and finally his mouth. He inhaled lightly and gently leaned over to kiss Matt. It was a very soft, almost awkward kiss. But Matt felt his heart explode. He immediately wrapped his arms around Jim's neck and kissed back with passion.

The two men were kissing without interruption as if they had run out of air after a long apnea and that kissing was the breath they were missing. A warm, fragrant breeze enveloped them.

Matt felt the tickle taking over. The reprieve had not lasted long. But it had at least made her see how Jim was the most amazing person to kiss.

"Mmmm...Jim..." he moaned between two kisses.
"Yeah" Jim said with heavy breathing.
"I...Really...Don't wanna stop but like...G-gu-gonna sneeze..."
"M-mmmm..."

Jim continued to kiss him, more slowly but his embrace will tighten. Of course he had heard Matt. But he didn't care. Their kiss was so amazing he felt it might never end.

Matt laughed nervously, softly. He didn't really want to push Jim away but the irritation was growing, his nose was twitching.

"J-Jim...oh my..."

His breathing was panting but it wasn't the kisses anymore it was the sneeze that seemed about to explode. Matt felt his lips tighten under the pressure. But as soon as Jim caught his breath for a very short moment, Matt felt all control slip away from him.

"L-let...Let me...Ah...Ah..'Mmm....Jim...Let me goooaaaaa-AAAAESHIIIIEEEW!"

Right into Jim's cheek, a light spray.

Matt had done his best to turn his face in time only as Jim held him tightly in his arms had been difficult. He blushed and saw Jim blushing too, loosening his grip slightly.

"Oh my God Jim I-I..."
"Bless you" - Jim caressed his own cheek and could felt the little spray Matt had left there, he shivered in pleasure "Jeez you're adorable when you do that"
"What's sneezing on you? That's embarrassing. I'm so sorry."

Actually...But no Jim couldn't tell Matt.

"You're adorable when you have your lost eyes and try to find an excuse or whatever..." - Jim scoffed and took Matthieu back into his arms.

But Matt still wanted to sneeze and he pushed him away with one hand: Jim grabbed it and squeezed it gently. Matt covered some big sneezes in his elbow "Aaa-AaaTIShhhIEEw! Eh...Eh...No....Jeez...Eeeeh-HEHHHSHIEW! EHHSHIEW! EHHH-EHHH- EHHHHHHSHIEW! Eh...Eh-Eh- Eh?? Ah! ah! Shi...EEeeeeshHIIIIIIEW!..Mmmm..."

With each sneeze Matt emitted a little pressure in the hand that held Jim's, which did Jim a lot of good. He thought he melted when Matt couldn't let out the last sneeze for a little while and the best part was still that moaning at the end, rewarding the final outbreak with a wet sneeze.

"Let me go...I...Have to...oh...A...a last...Las...LaaaaSTISHIuUUU!" sneezed Matt freely but as he took a few steps away from Jim, grabbing a handkerchief and blowing his nose with relief. "Sorry"
"Come here" said Jim eagerly.
"You're not like...Disgusting?"
"Can we just focused on the fact that it's the best not date I ever been into?"

Matt burst out laughing, and Jim had a laugh too, because he didn't knew this kind of laugh coming from Matt's. He loved it. He approached Jim and dared a little kiss.

"Told you it was not a date"
"Nah it's way better" smiled Jim.
"And we should definitely try the eh kissing stuff soon again what do you think my dear James?"

They were both smiling at each other, a teasing look in their gaze.

"That's for sure. Oh and Matt?"

They were so close to kissing Matt had close his eyes.

"Yeh?" - he murmured.
"Bless you"
"Tha..."

They kissed again.

[solitaire-au]

This last chapter was the best! Please continue! 🥰

[Femilloween77]

Very well written as always ❤️ thanks for posting Lily!

[Lily]

What if I told you big cold + wet sneezes + romance + fluff + angst + Matt and Jim are coming ?

Enjoy folks, and thanks for your comments, they made me continuing this story ❤️

love

Lily

-

CHAPTER 6 – A CHILL FROM THE OCEAN

One month later.

Jim and Matthew had been dating for a month. They were taking their time. Matt didn't want to rush Jim. He wanted to take the time to be clear with his emotions so that Jim felt comfortable. They had seen each other every Saturday and some evenings of the week. They talked about themselves, they got to know each other little by little. And they kissed a lot. Matt was far from a prudish person, but he didn't want to scare Jim either.

If he knew ! Jim only hoped for one thing, that Matt invite him to sleep at his place.

He hadn't seen each other that weekend. Jim had spent the weekend with his aunt. Matt had gone to take care of his mother's grave from Friday evening until Sunday afternoon. He had seen friends on the coast. Surfers who had offered him to go swimming. They had all been there, even Jenny, who had a small cold. Matt felt so incredibly alive, battling the waves clumsily on the surf. And then to amaze everyone with his swimming skills. He was feeling well with his few friends who were lucky enough to live almost on the ocean. He didn't see them enough. He thinks he should bring Jim one day. He was amazed at himself. He...He actually wanted James to meet them ! 

The day of his departure, he had spent it alone. His friends were used to. He would clean and arrange his mother's grave and need privacy to do that. And they knew it.

Mary Hatfield was buried facing the ocean. He had been there for several hours, toiling like a madman on his mother's grave. A simple grave, with the name and dates of birth and death of his mother as well as the following inscription;

"adored mother, renowned teacher, inspiration to us all"

Then he sat there, sweating, in the icy wind that blew and made him feel like his mother was near.

He caressed the grave, the letters of his mother's first name. Mary. And then the surname, Hatfield, which was her name, his name also, he bore it with pride. He may not have had a father, but he had been blessed with a mother like Mary Hatfield.

"Mom, hey."

He always did that. He exhausted himself cleaning the tomb as much as possible and once it was perfect, at least never enough in his eyes, he said a few words. And he ended up talking to her at length, telling her what was on his mind.

"I’m sorry I didn’t came this summer. Now it’s fall and I’ll try to come more. I miss you. I have been busy but I know it’s not an excuse. The truth is that I met someone. His name is James."

The wind was blowing hard, blowing the brown and red locks of his hair in all directions.

"Do you remember when I used to come shoving around here? Right after…right after you left."

He bit his lip.

"You must have been mad at me for bugging you all the way here. But I'm sure you remember James. The handsome James who drove me crazy."

He chuckled, put his hand to his throat as if to shield it from the freezing wind.

"Well you must have known. You always knew everything before everyone else. He still drives me crazy but in a good way."

Matt spoke for a while about James. And Lizzie. And of Carol, of the children, of that time he had spent with his friends at the ocean.

"See, I'm starting to listen to you again mom."

His eyes watered despite himself. He inhaled deeply.

"I miss you so much. And you're still my favourite person. I love you. See you soon."

He placed a kiss on her fingers which he placed on the inscription of his mother's name. Then he left, walking towards the bus station.

On the bus, it was as if the memory of the wind hurt his head. And there were people, too many people, all talking too loudly for his liking. He was cold…Hot…Everything seemed clammy. A child sitting across from him had dropped his half-eaten cake. Matt picked it up and handed it to her. Then he buried his face in the collar of his jacket, regretting not having taken a scarf, a hat, gloves… He would have liked to sleep, but there was really too much noise.

Upon arriving at his apartment, Matt was surprised to feel how irritated his throat was. He wanted to have a coffee but his taste was altered. It was extremely unpleasant. He drank a herbal tea and fell asleep early.

Monday morning, Matt arrived on time. He hadn't slept much. And in the mirror, her face seemed paler than usual. He had body aches, probably from this weekend's surf. He took his bike, he who usually liked to pedal so much found no joy in it, the wind was whistling in his ears and it was unpleasant. He was eager to arrive. He dreamed of coffee and warmth. But the coffee…! He had forgotten to take it. He sighed, knowing that now he would have to settle for a tasteless coffee from the machine.

As the machine, pouring his coffee into a paper cup, broke his ears, Lizzie came up behind him and squeezed his shoulder.

"Hey you."

The moment he felt a hand on his shoulder, Matt had hoped it was Jim. But he still smiled at his friend.

"Hey Liz."

And he coughed a little, covering himself.

"So. The ocean trip?"
"It was nice. A bit cold."
"Cold? You mean…Oh Matt did you swim?" - Lizzie looked horrified.
"Well I was with the tree best surfers ever. I was kinda obligated."
"That's such a lame excuse. You just couldn't say no to a swim in the ocean you idiot. Anyways how's the band? Kassim, Jen, Dave?"
"They're fine. Kassim wants to see you badly. With Carol, and obvisouly the kids."
"Oh yeah, next time I will come with you. And if it's ok, I will accompany you to see Mary's grave. It's been a while."

There was a small silence, Matt still feeling his heart sink when someone mentioned his mother.

"Yes, okay" he said quietly, before coughing again.
"Are you okay?"
"Just a tickle in my throat. It's annoying. Have you…Have you seen James?"

Lizzie smirked. She more or less knew about those two. Matt was still pretending, but nothing escaped Lizzie's piercing gaze. She teased him whenever possible, and found his efforts to hide amusing.

"No, because he is not coming today."
"What? Why?" – he coughed a little, hoping it will give a reason to the fact that he was blushing too.
"I gave you Friday, and he got Monday. Don't you remember?"
"Oh yeah that's right" Matthew muttered, disappointed to have to wait a whole day to see Jim, lightly rubbing his temple. He was cold but his temple was hot and his head ached.
"You don't have a very good look today you know," remarked Lizzie, regaining her seriousness.
"Always a pleasure talking to you" Matt muttered rolling his eyes and abruptly "Huh…Hhhh….Ht'KsshieEEEw!! He…HeeeEEE-PCHIEW!"

The first one, which he had tried to hold back, had hurt him very badly. The second he had covered in his elbow. It was very wet and tore him a little fit of coughing.

"Jeez, that sounded harsh."
"No, don't worry."
"Bless you.
"Thanks. Let's work."
"If you say so."

They started to work. Matt had a terrible day. He coughed a lot, and was hoping it was just a little something. He went to bed early, without eating.

But the morning after, it was awful. Matt couldn't get up, he felt bedridden. Throat on fire. But the worst was his nose. He felt nothing. Nothing at all, except for something loud and jammed and...

"Ouch! Oh my…"

And he coughed a lot again. He saw it was already 10. He was so late! He stood up, frozen to the bone, and took his phone. Why was he shivering that much ? He called Liz. She answered almost immediately.

"Matt? Are you okay?"

Ordinarily he would have made a joke but he really didn't feel well at all.

"N-nnnot really."
"What's that voice? Matt, what's going on?"
"Nothing major. Can I take the day? I think I have a…A…A…AAAATCHIEW ! Sorry. A cold or something."
"You knocked out my ears. And you have a horrible voice." - said Lizzie.
“Ca-aaAAn….Ca…Ca…Damn…Caaat-Ssshiew!” Can't you just say yes or no? For the d-day?
"Of course yes. I would have liked to teasing you all day, but it's not very professional."
"Thanks Liz…Hi…Hitishiiiew!"
"That one was cute. Bless you and rest well."
“Nonsense. But thanks."

He had a very bad day. Suffering from coughing and sneezing. The feeling that his head was going to explode. Also, he had no strength to cook something. And anyway, he wasn't very hungry. He remained in half-sleep, blowing his nose, coughing, sneezing and taking medicine when he replaced it. A little before going to bed for good, because night was about to fall, he checked his phone.

There were a few messages. But only one interesting.

"Hey Matt. Lizzie told me you were sick. I’m sorry for you, do you need anything ? I can come at your house after work. Hope to see you tomorrow"

His dear, dear Jim.

Matt smiled at the mere thought of tall, pale, handsome Jim, his hair so dark it looked blue, his hazel eyes, his smell...

"Huh…Hunnn-HEEE-IIII-ITSHIIIIIUUUUH! sniff! Huh…Huh…Jee-ee-EeeeetISHIEW! Jeez that's so gross!"

He was kinda snotty, as always when he had a big cold. He blew his nose delicately, for he was beginning to ache from sneezing and blowing his nose. He texted Jim back.

"Hey Jim. I'm ok. I don't need anything. Don't worry. See you soon" He sent it, regretting the coldness of the message but he really didn't have the head to think.

He felt asleep in his clothes.

And he woke up early with a dozen sneezes as loud as they were very wet.

"UHHHPCHIEW ! Hhh....HUHPCHIIIIEW ! Rh...RAAAPPSHHHOOO ! ATSSSSHIEW ! Hhh....HAP-ha-haaAAAAPCHIEW ! HUh-huh-huh-HUPPPAAARCHO ! Hhh-HHHHH-AAAH-AAAATSSSSHEW ! Hhhhh-ARCHOO ! HHHHH-TsSSSHIEW ! Uh...HHH-HHHHHUPSSSSHIIIEW !! Ah...Ah....Uh...EHHHHTTTSSSh-ETSSSSHIEEW !"

He told Lizzie that he couldn't come all week. He never missed a day of work. But he felt that this was only the beginning of an abominable cold, possibly the worst he had ever had. All he could do was blow his nose. Then he felt dirty, even though he didn't smell anything, and decided to take a shower. He felt like an old man. The hot steam from the shower cleared his nose and he let out sneezes freely.

"He-HUUPSCHIEW ! Ha...HAPSSSHIEW ! Huh...Oh...Huh...Hhhh...HEETSHIIEM ! Huh...AAAATSSSHIIIIEWM ! Ha...Ha...HAAAPCHIEW-Uh ! Huh-Huh-Huh-AAAPTSHIIIIEW-Uh....Uh...UUUH-TSSSSHIU !"

He put on his pajamas; very comfortable jogging, a t-shirt over which he put on a big sweatshirt from his swimming club in university. He collapsed in front of the television.

*

Jim had had two bad days. The first was his day off, when he thought he was going to work to pick up Matt, but Lizzie informed him that Matt had a cold. He then left a message, but Matt didn't seem in a hurry to see him. This second day had been unpleasant. He thought of Matt, alone at home, sick, probably not able to feed himself or take care of himself properly. He didn't hesitate, after work, as he got on his scooter. He headed over to Matt's after texting him that he would be dropping by.

Jim stopped in front of Matt's. He was going to call Matt to open it but when he picked up his phone he saw Matt's message.

"Jim don’t come"

A wave of discouragement enveloped Jim. It was a hit. He gritted his teeth. A laugh made him look up. He paled when he saw a tall, slender man, black, very elegant, his face lit up with a sonorous laugh. That man laughing as he opened the window, Jim couldn't be wrong. It was Matthew's apartment window.

A heavy weight fell on his stomach. The guy disappeared and reappeared a few minutes later to close the window. Jim swallowed. He didn't understand. Who was this guy? What was he doing at Matthew's? Jealousy rose in him like a poison, he couldn't think. He couldn't calm down. He crossed the street. Once at the door he hesitated. He was about to turn around when the door opened. The handsome man in the window apologized with a dazzling smile.

"Oh I'm sorry I kicked you with that door didn't I ? Are you ok ?"

Jim mumbled something he didn't understand himself and walked back into the building. He climbed the stairs without thinking.

He felt his heart racing. He hesitated a few seconds in front of Matt's door. Then he knocked. He inhales deeply, and exhales slowly. But he didn't feel calm at all. He was scared.

The door opens.

Matthew was wearing his warm and cute jogging-sweater combo and big, mismatched ski socks. His hair was messy and the curls seemed a bit more flattened than usual. His cheeks were scarlet. His eyes extremely bright as if he was about to cry. He wasn't wearing his glasses and that made him look childish. His lips looked dry and cracked. As for his long straight nose and slightly rounded at the end, it was a little swollen and red at the level of the nostrils.

"Hey" sighed Jim.

You don't look well I'm so sorry what was he meant to say. But the words stuck in his throat.

Matt looked surprised.

"J-James...Wh...What are you doing here?"

His voice was hoarse. Jim swallowed. He couldn't help but find Matthew extremely cute in this unlikely assortment of clothes. And his tired look made him want to open his arms so that Matthew could snuggle up.

"Oh I'm sorry. Am I disturbing? I thought you were done."

Matt frowned. He ran a hand through his hair hoping he didn't look too horrible. Jim was so handsome. He seemed a little tense. A long day of work no doubt.

"Hello ?" he tried with the best tone he could.
"So you're going to act like nothing's wrong is that it?"
"What? Sorry, my head is underwater, I don't understand" - he crossed his arms, rubbing them lightly, the icy air in the hallway not doing him any good.
"You're amazing" muttered Jim.
"It doesn't look like your complimenting me. Sniff ! Hey Jim please stop and just explain to me what did I did sniff ! wrong. Or like...Leave because I really feel like crap right now."

Matt was started to be pissed off. He didn't want to find Jim like this. He did not know this tension in him. And to be honest, he didn't really like it. What he liked about Jim was the fact that he was much more laid back than he was. He pinched nis nose slightly feeling how much snot there was inside and feeling disgusted of himself.

"Forget it," Jim said, and he turned on his heels, ready to go.
"But…Ja-James w-what the...Tha...Th...THSHEH-EHShhhEShIIEw!" sneezed loudly Matt. He was shivering now. Jim jumped, the sneeze was so violent and unpredictable. He inhaled gently.
"Are you ok ?"
"I'm...Perfect even though the guy I like is talking pure gibberish rig...Ri...Eh...Eh...EhEeeEEE ! Oh n-n-no not...Not...The s-d-stuck one...E...IIISSSH-SHEEw ! Eh...At AAAaAaArCHOO! Ouch...Snif !"
"Bless you. I just wish you'd told me you were seeing someone else."

He turned. He seemed calm now.

"Just...why didn't you tell me?" he insisted despite himself, jealousy preventing him from thinking properly.
"I...I see sniff ! Someone else...Sniff ! Well that's new." said Matt with a mocking tone.

A look of sadness crossed Jim's eyes as he approached Matt and handed him a handkerchief who grabbed it and blew his nose loudly. He'd given up on looking sexy today anyway. And Jim looked just as off the mark as he did. He didn't seem to care that he was repulsive at all.

"Please. I saw that...Handsome guy at your window. And leaving your place."

He blushed lightly. Matt looked at him with his mouth slightly open. He thought, fighting against the tickling that made him wiggle his nose in spite of himself.

"What? But...Mais...Jim? You m-mean Luke? L-L-Luh…Uh…Luke is my doctor"
"What ?"
"My doctor" repeated Matt feeling the tickle which was getting louder and louder again.
"Oh no" and James paled, realizing his gross mistake.
"Oh yes" affirmed Matt before bursting out laughing.

It hurt his throat and his head but it was too funny. The idea that Jim was jealous gave him an ego boost.

"It's not...that funny" James was so confused he didn't know what to say.
"Oh jeez...My poor...Haha my poor James, you taught...HahahaAAAATISHIIIUM! TISSHHIEW! ARTISHIIU! AAaaaAaa...AaaaTCHIEEW! aAAAaaAApchIIIew!"

He had been able to stop laughing only by his intense sneezes which he had harvested with his hands by surprise. Her big wet sneezes that left him slightly dazed but amused.

"M'sorry. My dear James...You're jealous. I can't with you. You. Jealous! That's such an ugly move but with you it's so damn cute." said Matt with a satisfied smile.
"I'm really sorry, I'm such a fool" – said Jim, blushing hard.
"It's ok, I'll never though you were the jealous type" – Matt said.
"I'm...Not...I just..."
"You're jealous, and the fact that you won't admit it is even cuter" teased Matt, slightly chattering teeth and he had this little cute smile on the side.

Jim looked embarrassed, but responded to Matt with a cute smile. But he frowned when he realized something.

"You're shivering" realized suddenly Jim, concerned - "Let's go inside."