Tender Hearts Only Get Torn Apart

New Chapter! Short, but very extremely sweet. And cute. I love writing Mattie! He’s such a gay little firecracker. Enjoy, please! Oh, and three guesses as to who Matt ends up with. ;D Next update will not be so far away, sorry for the wait. I have no excuse, I just hit a block for a while! it’s back to writing itself, though. Reviews are motivation!

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[Matt’s POV]

The sky outside was a washed-out grey that seemed deceptively white against the crisp golden linen curtains. The bars over the window were painted a blue that matched my scarf, which I wrapped around my hand as I bit my lip. My knobby knees clunked against each other briefly.

The sunken-looking figure on the bed gave me a frowning once-over, going from my tan, fur-rimmed moccasin boots to the black nylons to the tiny denim shorts to the tight Mayday Parade shirt and the scarf, then back down again. Then, the eyes flicked up to my face. Our eyes met, and I felt a brief tingle in my legs before I gave him my most disarming smile.

The frown deepened.

His white-yellow hair shifted when he looked up to Jason, who now stood right over him as he sat hunched on the tiny bed. Grey, translucent skin seemed to be wrapped tight around his bones, and I found myself wanting to bake him some chocolate cake and force-feed it to the little dear. He seamed almost caved in, defeated somehow. I took note of the large chunk of shoulder and bicep missing from his left arm, and also of the pained look on his face when he weakly stood.

Alex moved hesitantly into the room, instantly sliding up next to Jason. It was weird to see my older brother so comfortable with someone else, but I genuinely liked Jason so who cared? Robert, as I’d been informed his name was, looked almost overwhelmed at all the company.

“Hey.” Jason let his hand rest gently on Robert’s left shoulder, not backing off when the smaller boy flinched. “What’s the verdict?”

I plopped cheerily on the bed, peering at them all curiously. Robbiekins spared me a single glare, probably for invading his personal space or some like bullshit, and then marched over to what seemed to be a meager closet with a snort.

“What else?” His voice was whispy, raspy, deep, rumbling, sensual, quiet. Almost like he was forcing it out, like it was hard to speak. He took slightly longer pauses than natural between his words. “They want me to stay forever. I begged and finally got a two-month period, if they can regulate the meds and get rid of the nightmares.” The boy didn’t even turn or go to the bathroom, he just shucked off the white hospital nightclothes and slipped on a loose, worn pair of jeans and a soft-looking slate sweater. His hair was quickly tugged into a high messy bun, but the bangs stayed in those dark eyes of his. That sharp gaze flicked to Jason. “But that’s pretty much as good as saying I’ll be here forever.”

Jason tutted at his friend’s negative view, then turned his attention to the others in the room- that is to say, my brother and I.

“Robbie, this is Alex and his little brother Matthew. They just moved into town.” His hand was wrapped around Alex’s, and Robert gave the boy a knowing look before toeing on a pair of black fuzzy slippers.

“Well, as nice as that all is, I’m bloody hungry. I need food, and not just this crap they serve us. So fork over the goods, you bastard.”

There was a rustling sound, and Jason procured a large brown grocery bag out of seemingly nowhere with a smirk. “Got ya covered.”

My mind felt like it was lagging ten seconds behind everything that was happening, and before I realized it, we were all sitting in a circle on the floor, eating lukewarm spaghetti and biscuits out of Styrofoam cases - courtesy of Jillian, whoever that was. I sure as hell didn’t know, but he was a pretty good cook.

The three others all chatted about small things, like music and books they’d recently read. Myself, I gazed steadily at the small dent in Robert’s sweater, right where his wound was. It fascinated me. Wasn’t quite sure why, but I did tend to be slightly more morbid than was socially acceptable. My plastic spork found it’s own way to my mouth, trembling under the weight of marinara and noodles- and my gaze remained steadied on the dent as Robert flexed his arm and picked up the open Sprite can in between his legs.

Alex finally noticed my rude staring and nudged me with his arm, in vain of course. I would stare if I wanted to. Jason’s warning not to didn’t apply to me as far as I was concerned. I slurped the saucy noodles and stared, watching that thin arm move and the tiny indentation filling out and then hollowing like they were pornographic in nature. Robert finally noticed and began staring back at me, causing me to pause in my eating. The spork trembled a mere inch from my tomato-glossed lips, which hovered open just slightly.

“Something interesting, Matthew?” His black eyes were piercing as he glared at me, causing my chest to constrict briefly.

“Yes, actually,” I practically yelled in the now quiet room. Well, it wasn‘t a yell so much as a flamboyant outburst. “You. I’ve never met a crazy person before. You’re pretty neat for a whacko. Can I touch it?” I pointed to his arm, making vague gestures.

Everyone was quiet.

I was pulled up by my ear, the tugging making me want to cry out. As it were, I just limped out of the room with my furious brother, waving at Robert as I was pushed through the door.

“What is the matter with you?!” Alex screamed in my face. Wow, his eyes were really big when he got mad. Never noticed that. I giggled at his fish-face and moved back.

“Ewww, garlic breath!” I pinched my nose, playfully winking at him.

He seemed shocked for a moment, but quickly pulled himself together. A long finger was pointed at my face.

“Let me get one thing straight- shut. Up. Do not say another word the whole time we’re here. You got me? And freaking apologize to the boy. You‘re so rude!”

I nodded, with no intention of following his orders at all, and let myself be tugged back into the room like a rag doll. Boy, Alex sure could be strong when he was mad. Not to mention cute. I stared at his ass until he sat down, ignoring Jason‘s raised brow.

Standing in the doorway, staring at my brother‘s ass and thinking about how lucky Jason was to have permission to pound it, I didn’t notice the tall white figure pulling me until we were already halfway out the door. Jason and Alex just continued eating and talking, ignoring the fact that the crazy person was dragging me into the hall. Away from safety.

“Agh!” I fell over my boots, landing into Robert’s chest. It felt hard under my nose, even though I hadn’t caught sight of any muscles when he’d been dressing. The door to his room clicked closed behind me, and I gulped before looking up at him. From this vantage point I could clearly see his half-lidded eyes, which were really actually a dark blue, not black like I’d thought. Surprise!

I wasn’t expecting what he did next.

He took off his shirt.

It dropped to the floor with a soft rustling, along with my jaw. Robert peered down at me and I suddenly noticed all of those muscles I’d missed, what with my nose now pressed almost in them and all. He was lean, but the muscles were definitely there, moreso than Jason’s even. My mouth watered. This crazy guy sure was a mega hunk!

His skin was almost see-through in the sunny hallway, and smelled vaguely of antiseptic, sweat, and watermelon. I let my hand fall onto his pectoral, wanting to grope that hardened muscle so badly. Hey, he’s the one who took his shirt off in front of the gay boy!

A chuckle came from deep in his chest, and I felt it rumble under my palm. With a flushed face, I snatched my hand away.

“I thought you wanted to touch it.”

The way he said it made it sound so dirty, all breathy like that. He inhaled deeply afterwards, as if talking were an exercise for him. My fingers twitched and I looked up, letting my eyes meet his. There was a smirk on his face- did this bastard ever just smile? I sure as hell hadn’t seen one yet. My stomach flipped as I finally realized what he’d said.

“Really?!” I yipped happily. “I can? Oh geez!” I bounced on my toes and reached up, laying my small hand on his left shoulder.

The wound started a little after his neck, and continued midway down his upper arm. A large chunk of his muscle just wasn’t there, and the indent almost went to the bone. It was bumpy under my fingers, but also soft, and hairless. I traced the dips and curves of it lightly, delighting in the small, relaxed breath he let out. I could feel the pump of blood under the thin scar tissue, and delighted in it.

“So, you’re from England?” I was trying to start conversation. I wanted to see just how crazy this boy really was. He’d displayed surprising sanity the whole time I’d been around him.

“Yeah… small town near London. Was nice to come to America… it’s much like England, but warmer.”

When he said ‘warmer’, it sounded strange. Like there was barely any ‘r’ in it. My lips pulled into a grin. Hot body, check. Hotter accent, check. I swooned, and pointed my toes towards each other as I stared up into his searching eyes. I thought I’d gotten lucky by meeting my brother’s boy toy, but this was even better!

Behind me, the nurse tittered to the patient in the next room over. When she came out into the hall and saw us, she put her hands on her hips and tsked.

“Put a shirt on, Robert. You know better.”

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My head was just starting to ache from all the laughing, and my shoulder was warm where he leaned on it occasionally. Jason kept giving me those knowing looks of his, and Robert kept making the most horrible perverted jokes. Our circle had tightened so that all of our knees were touching, and Alex was practically falling asleep in Jason’s lap. I caught him smiling at our antics a few times, though.

“And so then, she walks in on ‘im bent over her sister, and of course, she assumes they’re buggering. Because that’s what all girlfriends think when you’re bent over another lady I guess, even if you aren’t. So that’s why Jillian ain’t with Jessica any more.” Robert had a filthy mouth, and added his imaginative language to pretty much any story he told us.

“Ah, so that’s what happened. I heard it from Jess, but you know how she can be.” Jason sniffed and peered at his watch. Robbie nodded, and it was like an inside joke when they both smiled.

Alex blearily opened his eyes when Jason prodded him into a sitting position. I noticed that the room had an orange glow to it now, and the shadows cast by the rumpled bed grew longer by the minute. We would have to go soon, and I felt my stomach drop at the thought of leaving the insane, beautiful boy next to me. It felt a lot like a crush, and I felt my face heat up. I wasn’t even sure if he was gay, because I’d only gotten asexual vibes from him so far. I would love nothing more than for him to be gay, but I really couldn’t tell, whereas I’d known Jason was from the start. My eyes flickered over to him and my brother, who looked like he would pass out any minute.

“Well, we’ve gotta hit the road if we’re gonna be back in town by nine. Sorry, man.” Jason really did look sorry, and I figure I knew how he felt. My throat tightened.

Goodbyes were exchanged, and Robert gave Jason a very manly hug by the door before patting a sleepy-looking Alex on the back. When I tried to escape without having to say goodbye at all, Robert pulled me into his thin but strong arms, chuckling at my defeated look.

“Come back and visit me again sometime, eh?” He pinched my cheek with a smile, and I flushed.

“Of course,” I replied cheekily. “I can’t just deprive you of my awesomeness- what kind of person would that make me?”

I felt a little bit less sad walking out of the hospital, after that. Robert’s lingering gaze burned our backs, and even though I tried my hardest not to look at him over my shoulder, I failed.

He was staring at my ass.

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Alex fell asleep on the car ride home. I ended up having to punch him awake when we pulled up in our driveway, much to Jason’s amusement. We were all drained, but I enjoyed the slight weariness when I sprawled out naked on my soft mauve bed. Robert’s eyes flashed through my mind right before I drifted off into sleep, stubbornly ignoring my half-hard cock and the ache in my chest.