The Sweet Tooth

by Margot Larson

  Mathieu, who had stayed in the kitchen while Solomon talked to Adrian, entered the sitting area with two cups of tea; he put Adrian's on the coffee table until the Welshman was ready for it and handed the other one to Solomon, “I have coffee on if you’d prefer that.”

  Adrian remained silent so Solomon responded, “Tea is fine, Matt, thank you.”

  A comfortable silence fell on the room but was broken by footsteps sounding on the stairs. Three pairs of eyes turned to Mathieu’s door as it was pushed open. Anders stared back at the trio, Adrian leaning into Solomon on the sofa and Mathieu curled up in a chair, “Oh, um, have I come at a bad time? I only wanted to make sure Mathieu is alright. He…you didn’t take my calls this morning and I was concerned. I see that you’re fine…I’ll go, shall I?”

  Mathieu jumped up and jogged forward as Anders backed up and the door started to close, “Anders, Anders, please stay.” The artist caught the chef by the elbow and escorted him back into the flat, “I’m sorry I didn’t answer your calls earlier. I was,” Mathieu glanced at Solomon, “sulking, because Elise won’t let me come off the medication just yet.”

  “Oh, I’m sorry Mathieu.”

  Mathieu shrugged like the subject wasn’t bothering him all morning, “It’s alright. She thinks I can by Solomon’s birthday so we’ll have two things to celebrate that day.”

  Anders smiled broadly at the Irishman in front of him, “That’s a positive way to look at it, good for you, Mathieu.”

  Solomon just sighed and rolled his eyes.

  CHAPTER 25

  “So,” Anders hesitated looking around, “what else is happening today?”

  Solomon and Adrian looked up at the Englishman but neither man said anything for a moment until Mathieu nodded, “Help me in the kitchen, Anders?”

  While the artist and the chef decided what would be good to make for lunch Mathieu caught Anders up on the day’s events so far. They both agreed that what Adrian needed was something warm and hearty that wouldn’t take too long to prepare. Mathieu suggested chickpea-tomato soup. He found the recipe in the little box and showed it to Anders who immediately agreed.

  Mathieu put a large saucepan on the stove and gathered the first few ingredients, olive oil, garlic and a can of diced tomatoes. While Anders sautéd the first ingredients Mathieu collected the rest of the items needed to complete the soup; a can of chickpeas, chicken stock, a sprig of rosemary, salt and pepper. Once the garlic and tomatoes had been sautéed for two minutes Anders stirred in the rest of the ingredients. The pot was covered after the heat was turned down and the timer was set for ten minutes.

  While the soup simmered Mathieu cut slices of the crusty bread he was saving for dinner, arranged the slices on a cutting board and took it to the dining table. Anders found four good-sized bowls in a cabinet and placed them on the counter. Mathieu asked Adrian and Solomon, who had been talking quietly on the sofa, if they would take their seats at the table. Anders ladled the soup into the bowls; he took two and Mathieu took two to the dining area.

  A silence fell over the room and none of the men seemed to want to break it. Mathieu sent Solomon questioning glances but Solomon only shook his head and ate his soup. Mathieu grew more and more uncomfortable in the silence; he wanted to say something but he didn’t know what. The Irishman was fine while he had something to occupy himself but now that he was just sitting he was becoming more and more distressed. He couldn’t talk to Anders about what they normally talked about every day because the other two men were there, he didn’t want to talk to Solomon because he didn’t want to upset Adrian and he had absolutely no idea what he would talk to Adrian about. Yes, the man apologized but Mathieu still felt a lingering animosity towards the Welshman (he did acknowledge that it may have been just in his head if it weren’t for the fact that he was on the medication as a direct result of Adrian pushing him out the door).

  Mathieu started to feel lightheaded; he pushed back his chair, excused himself and headed to the bedroom to lie down. When Mathieu left the table it was not a surprise to Solomon or Anders but Adrian asked, “Was that because of me?”

  “I don’t think so, at least not all because of you,” Solomon said as he glanced toward the bedroom wanting to check on his partner. “I think it’s a combination of things. He was upset last night and this morning because he wanted to come off his medication so badly but his doctor said it wasn’t a good idea just yet. He’s also been having trouble with the designs of an art project he’s trying to get the commission for. We’re trying to decide which flat to keep and I know he wants to stay here but thinks I will only be happy in mine.”

  “And then I come along pounding on his door, demanding to be let in knowing you weren’t here to support or defend him. Then I go and blurt out everything and wind up bawling like a baby. I guess I should apologize again.”

  “I don’t think that would be necessary but if you want to wait until he comes out again. Okay?”

  “Should I go see if he’s alright?” Anders asked casting his own eyes towards the bedroom.

  “That’s alright, I’ll go,” Solomon pushed his own chair back and left the dining area. When Solomon entered the bedroom Mathieu was curled up on the bed with his back to the door, “Love?”

  “Solomon?”

  “Yes, Love.”

  “I’m sorry.”

  Solomon didn’t bother walking around the bed to his side he just climbed over his lover and flopped down on top of him, “What are you sorry for?”

  “For not being able to stay in the room.”

  “Baby, you don’t have to stay anywhere you don’t feel comfortable and you don’t ever have to apologize for leaving a difficult situation.” Solomon slid off his partner then pushed Mathieu onto his back so the blonde could rest his head on the Irishman’s chest and draped a leg across his hips, “How are you feeling now?”

  “I like this. This is much better,” Mathieu ran his fingers through the blonde’s hair.

  “We can’t stay like this, we have guests.”

  “Maybe they’ll think we fell asleep and they’ll leave.”

  “No, knowing Anders, he will come and check on us soon.”

  Just as those words leave Solomon’s mouth Anders knocked tentatively on the bedroom door before pushing it open. The chef peaked his head through the opening, “Everything okay?”

  Solomon kisses the Irishman deeply before turning his head to reply, “Everything is just fine.”

  ***

  Adrian had his back to Mathieu as the Irishman entered the living area and Mathieu paused thinking to offer an apology for walking out during lunch but Solomon’s words echoed through his head, ‘you don’t ever have to apologize for leaving a difficult situation’ so he continued on to the kitchen. He was actually disappointed to see that the lunch dishes have been washed. He was hoping to have something else to distract himself so he didn’t have to spend much more time with Adrian. He knew he may be behaving unfairly towards the accountant (he made his accounting face) but he couldn’t seem to decide how to act. Normally he would snuggle with Solomon on the sofa but he felt uncomfortable doing that now in front of Adrian after everything the Welshman told him about his feelings for the blonde.

  Mathieu was rescued from the kitchen by his partner just as his head started to spin again, “I could hear you over thinking from way over there. Everything is okay. Come sit with me.” Solomon took Mathieu’s hand, giving it a squeeze before leading him to the sofa. The blonde pulled his love down with him as he sat in ‘his’ corner and planted a kiss in the brunette curls.

  The three uni friends fell into conversation like there had never been any animosity between them. Mathieu only half listened while he bit at his nails taking the pieces out of his mouth and putting them in the pocket of his jeans. He wished he had his pad and pencils to distract himself or he figured he’d have bleeding fingers soon. The artist felt his partner breathe in his ear, “Mathieu, Anders is talking to you.”

  “
Oh….I…uh….sorry.”

  “He asked you if you wanted to go to the restaurant for dinner tonight with us as a send-off to Adrian.” Solomon felt Mathieu tense up and thought ‘of course he doesn’t want to go; he’s uncomfortable being in his own sitting room with the man’. Solomon tightened his hold around the brunette’s waist, “Just breathe, come on, breathe with me.” Solomon took a deep breath through his nose as Mathieu did the same.

  “I’m fine,” Mathieu whispered.

  Anders and Adrian watched as Mathieu closed his eyes and turned his body into Solomon. Adrian couldn’t help but feel incredibly guilty for everything Mathieu was going through. The Welshman saw and felt the love Solomon had for the man in his arms as he watched Solomon provide comfort and security. He now realized that the act of pushing Mathieu out the door that day all those months ago caused a domino effect to Mathieu’s mental state. Yes, he’d apologized but after his own breakdown and he couldn’t remember if Mathieu had accepted it or not. Looking at the way the man was clinging onto Solomon he thought ‘probably not’.

  “Mathieu, if I could go back in time there are so many things I would change. The one thing I wish I could take back most of all is what I did to you. I’ve never had to face any aftereffects of my actions until today. I’ve always been the type to say what’s on my mind consequences be damned then go on my way; seeing you like this, afraid to even look at me……what I did….it’s unforgivable. But, Mathieu, I am truly sorry. You were never anything but nice to me and I let my jealousy get the better of me that day. You didn’t deserve it and I wouldn’t blame you if you never spoke to me again. I know that if our roles were reversed I’m not sure I would’ve opened my door to you today but you did for me so I’m hoping that somewhere in your heart you can find a way to forgive me. I can see that you and Solomon really love each other and all I want is for my friend to be happy.” Adrian knew he was rambling but he wasn’t used to apologizing to anyone for anything and he was doing the best he could.

  Mathieu turned his head as he listened to the Welshman try to apologize. His breath hitched when Adrian said he only wanted Solomon to be happy, “Solomon’s happiness is all I want too. But I was making a lot of progress without the medication and now I’m stuck on it until December. You don’t know what it’s like to not be able to feel anything and I may still suffer withdrawal symptoms after coming off of it. I’m still afraid to go anywhere in public alone. I go to the park and hide behind the shrubs so people won’t see me and we call that progress. A lady laid a hand on me and I almost passed out. I would have it Solomon hadn’t been there. If his happiness was all you wanted I don’t think you would’ve done what you did. You want Solomon for yourself.”

  “I’m sorry you’re on medication and can’t go out yet. I really am. I did want Solomon for myself. I’ve loved him for years without him knowing but he will never have the love for me like he has for you. I will learn to accept that he will only ever love me as a friend. I have no choice if I still want him in my life. I wasn’t thinking with my head that day. I heard you say that you loved him and something inside me just snapped. I had been hoping that Solomon would see you as weak and he would get tired of taking care of you. I wanted him to realize that….that,” Adrian looks sadly at the Irishman, “that you were broken and that it wasn’t his responsibility to fix you.”

  “I told Solomon he deserved somebody normal. I tried to push him away. I locked him out and told him to go but he didn’t. He said he wouldn’t and he didn’t. I told him he’d get tired of my problems but he’s stayed by my side through everything.” The artist snuggled closer into Solomon’s side, “I love him.”

  “I know you love him and I’m happy for you, both of you,” Adrian looked up to smile weakly at Solomon. “Maybe if you can’t forgive me right now we can come to an understanding.”

  Mathieu was skeptical, “An understanding? What kind of understanding?”

  “That you and Solomon love each other and there’s no way I’m going to come between you two. That I’m going to go away for a while so you can relax and not have to keep looking over your shoulder for me to appear and do something else horrid to you. I know it’s cliché but I’m going to go find myself. I don’t like who I am right now, what I’ve become and I’m going to see if I can find a way to be a better person; a person who deserves the love of someone like you.”

  Mathieu is taken aback, “Like me?”

  There were tears in the Welshman’s eyes as he explained, “Yes, Mathieu, you. You’re so thoughtful, caring, loving and charming. You’re smart and funny, creative and open. It’s no wonder Solomon loves you like he does.”

  Mathieu blushed as he lifted his face to look up at his partner who nodded almost imperceptibly. The Irishman then turned his head towards Anders who also nodded. “Okay, I accept this understanding.”

  “Thank you.”

  Anders asked Mathieu again if he was up to going to the restaurant for dinner. He also reminded them that they have yet to see the collages. With a little prodding from his partner Mathieu finally agreed to go to the restaurant for Adrian’s send-off dinner. The four men set up a time to meet before separating to get ready. Adrian said his good-byes, Mathieu returned to the bedroom for a nap and Solomon accompanied Anders down the stairs.

  Solomon steps outside the front door with his friend, “Anders.”

  The chef heard the seriousness in the blonde’s voice, “Solomon.”

  “Tonight wouldn’t be a good night, would it?”

  “It would’ve been but with Adrian there? No, I don’t think it would be a good night. I’m sorry.”

  The blonde frowned and ran a hand through his hair, “I want it to be special. Something he’ll always remember.”

  “If you do it tonight he’ll definitely remember but probably not in a good way.”

  “Okay. I want him to be happy so I’ll wait.”

  Anders clasped Solomon on the shoulder, “You’ll know the right time when it comes.”

  Solomon drew Anders into a hug, “Thanks.”

  ***

  Solomon ran back upstairs thinking of joining his partner for a nap but instead of finding him asleep Solomon found him standing in front of the closet. Through the corner of his eye Mathieu saw Solomon enter the room, “Help me,” the artist wailed, “I’m lost in a sea of dress shirts and drowning in indecision.”

  “I thought you were napping. You’ve had an emotional day so far and it’s probably not going to get any easier, I’m sorry to say. You should get some rest.”

  “I was lying down but I started to think about the last time we went to Anders’ and the difficulty I had in picking out clothes,” he held out a hand and made grabby motions at Solomon, “Help me!”

  “Of course I’ll help you; you know I can’t resist the puppy face,” Solomon stood next to his partner and peered into the open closet. “Are you wearing dress pants or jeans?”

  “I thought I’d wear the same jeans I wore last time, you know, the dark ones. What are you going to wear?”

  “I guess I’ll wear jeans and maybe…” Solomon closed his eyes and wrinkled his nose in thought, “a light purple shirt.” He took a step closer to the closet and began to finger through the hangers. Solomon pulled out a few shirts one at a time and held them against Mathieu’s chest; he cocked his head to scrutinize the shirts with Mathieu’s face, hair and eyes. He put them all back into the closet until he came across a green one. It wasn't dark or too light and when he held it up to Mathieu the Irishman’s golden-brown eyes were highlighted perfectly, “Is this new? I don’t remember seeing it before?”

  “I ordered a few new shirts and had the guy who comes for the laundry drop some old ones off for donation. You like it?”

  “Like it? I love it. I can’t wait to see it on you,” Solomon’s blue eyes sparkled with anticipation.

  Mathieu’s hands gripped the hem of his t-shirt as he backed away from Solomon and began to shimmy the shirt up to reveal his taught s
tomach muscles, “How badly do you need to see it on me?”

  Solomon grinned wickedly and licked his lips, “Very badly.”

  The shirt was lifted higher to reveal Mathieu’s chest before he quickly pulled it over his head. After dropping the shirt to the floor the artist slid his hands down his chest to his waist where he ran his fingers under the waistband of his jeans, “Do you need to see the complete outfit to make sure it’s the shirt you want me to wear?”

  “Uh, huh,” Solomon couldn’t take his eyes off the Irishman. His breath hitched when Mathieu’s fingers popped the button on his jeans and the zipper was pulled down agonizingly slow. The artist teased his partner more by turning around and running his hands over his ass, around his waist, up over his chest and into his hair. He tugged the strands lightly letting out a soft moan as he dropped his head back.

  When Mathieu turned back around Solomon was right in front of him, “Need help getting out of those?”

  The artist stepped forward, placed his arms around the blonde’s neck, leaned over to whisper in his lover’s ear, “Yes, please.”

  Solomon’s hands were stripping Mathieu of his pants before ‘please’ was all the way out of the Irishman’s mouth. Solomon pressed his body forward as Mathieu wriggled the pants the rest of the way down his legs. As the Irishman kicked his jeans off his partner exposed the Irishman’s throat by placing a hand into the curly brown locks and tugging lightly. Mathieu threw his head back and actually whimpered when Solomon kissed over his neck and collar bone. Their arms wrapped around each other as their lips finally met in a passionate kiss.

  CHAPTER 26

  Dinner was a subdued affair even though there was an understanding between the men they all realized it was going to take time for the two to be comfortable around each other but Solomon wondered how that could happen if Adrian left. Most of the tables were full and there were quite a few more people drinking at the bar. Mathieu slid closer to the corner of the booth; Solomon sat across from his partner with Adrian on his right. Anders’ place was next to Mathieu but the chef had to move between the table and the kitchen. Every time Anders left the booth Mathieu was exposed to the openness and intensity of the full restaurant. He tried not to show how the noise was affecting him but he couldn’t fool his partner.