Chapter Text
New York City. Matt couldn’t believe he was there again. It was such a vibrant and exciting city. He was having the time of his life filming Doctor Who. Karen and Arthur were making things even better. There was no one he’d rather hang out with in a cool city than Karen and the Babes! Maybe they could record a new song and post it on Karen’s new Twitter account.
He grinned at the thought, sighing out and looking out at the view of Central Park. He was sitting on the side of the bridge, watching as the sun began to set.
The night before he’d hung out with the other two, exploring New York again. Although it was fun, it was tiring. He’d decided to try and relax tonight and had snuck out of his hotel to go back to the park.
He swung his legs over the side of the bridge, fidgeting. An on-looking would be worried for his safety. His mind was elsewhere.
Arthur spotted him and walked quietly over, glad for the gathering dusk. He stopped and silently aimed the peg that he had been tormenting everyone with at Matt before throwing. He grinned as it gently hit him on the back, not enough to startle him too much. He folded his arms and strode out into the clearing.
“What…?” Matt muttered with a frown. Feeling something against his back, he flinched and stumbled backwards onto the path. He clumsily got back up on his feet and then spotted Arthur smirking at him.
“Hey big nose, what are you doing here?” he teased. Name-calling wasn’t a new thing between them. Team TARDIS often made fun of each other and Matt loved the playfulness of their relationship. He had different gags running with Karen and Arthur and they both seemed to enjoy them.
“Shut it, astro-chin.” Arthur smirked back, walking over to him. “You have crap on your pants by the way.” He pointed out before leaning against the bridge. “Kazza’s getting ready for dinner so she sent me to find you.”
Matt gasped, “Astro-chin!” He brushed his hands down his clothes and looked self-consciously down at himself. “You know Darvill, Astro Boy’s kind of cool” he smirked, hands on his hips. He ignored the comment about Karen. He wanted to stay outside longer.
Arthur laughed. “Yeah, he is,” he agreed, hoisting himself onto the ledge. He swung his legs and looked around. “God, it’s brilliant here.”
Matt nodded, taking up his earlier position and sitting to the right of Arthur. “It’s beautiful. I’m gonna sit here until it gets too cold” he sighed. He looked over to the right side of the park, waiting for a protest about Karen.
“Well, Kaz always takes three hours to get ready and that’s without the shower she said she was going to be taking so I reckon we’ve a good chance of waiting here until it gets cold.” Arthur smiled. “Just hope you’re not hungry. Well, I do have Hershey bars if you are!” He grinned proudly, pulling out the American chocolate bar. “And Reese’s peanut butter cups in my bag somewhere…”
Matt smiled, “Not hungry yet. Thanks though. Might be later.”
He looked down, letting his legs hang over the side of the bridge and watched him swing in fascination. “See if I were The Doctor, I could jump off here, jump into the TARDIS and run away” he muttered, some what bitterly.
Arthur frowned. “Matt, dude? What’s the matter?” He touched his hand gently.
He quickly brushed his thumb over Arthur’s fingers, acknowledging his presence but still looking in the other direction. His gaze settled on a tree. Without a word, he walked over to it and tried to climb it. It was easy to get to the first branch because it was level with the top of the bridge. He pulled himself up and then looked up, pondering if he could go higher.
Arthur watched him curiously. He had known Matt for too long to try and push him into talking when he didn't want to. He knew it was usually better to let him get on with things and he’d find out when he was ready. “For God’s sake, don’t fall.” he called. “I don't want to have to explain to Steven why the Doctor has a leg in a plaster cast!”
“Rubbish! Isn’t this Twitter material, Darvill?” Matt sniggered, spreading his arms and legs to strike a pose against the tree. “Come and join me you chicken. Come and feel that New York vibe. The view’s good from here. It’s better the higher you get.” he beamed.
Arthur took his phone and took a photo of him. “Shall I tweet it?”
“Do whatever,” he shrugged and then turned his attention back to the view.
Arthur slowly climbed up the tree and perched in a branch next to him. “Wow.” he breathed, drinking in the view.
Matt glanced at Arthur and gave him a smile. He grabbed Arthur’s phone and climbed up to the next branch. He scooted around to face him again. He got a peg out from his pocket and held it above Arthur’s head. Then he took a photo with Arthur’s phone. “HA! I pegged you” he sniggered, sticking his tongue out at him as he uploaded the photo.
He made to look back at Arthur but instead his gaze moved past the tree, searching for the ground. He was up very high and the sun had almost set. He gasped, suddenly getting vertigo and clinging to the tree. The phone fell from his hands. “Fuck,” he cursed.
Arthur grabbed for him, shrieking as he nearly fell. “Shit!” he muttered. “Perhaps we should get down.”
Matt held tightly onto Arthur’s arm, climbing down onto the same branch as him. “I’m sorry, i’m really sorry mate I didn’t mean to drop it” he muttered, pressing himself against his friend. He took a deep breath, resting his head against Arthur’s.
Arthur wrapped his strong arms around him, frowning as he felt him shaking. “It’s not a problem, Badger.” He whispered, using the pet name that he very occasionally used to his friend. “It might be okay otherwise I can easily buy a new one.”
Matt smiled and slowly began to relax again. It was much easier now that he was facing the sky, rather than the ground below. He hesitantly let go of Arthur’s arm and lent back against the tree. “This is better,”
“Good.” He smiled at him, holding onto the tree beside Matt’s head. He stared at him.
Matt’s gaze flickered between Arthur and the sky. He even let his eyes flutter closed as he tried to make the most of the moment.
“Badger, badger, badger, badger…” Arthur singsonged quietly.
“Shut up Darvill, you’re ruining the mood” he grinned, opening his eyes and poking him on the nose.
“Ouch, you bitch!” Arthur poked him back on the chin.
“I pegged you remember, I can do worse than that” he grinned, giving him a daring look. He rubbed his nose against Arthur’s, eskimo style.
“I’d like to see you try.” he replied, his voice low and sultry.
Matt growled playfully at him and gently kissed him on the lips.
Arthur kissed him back, their kiss relaxed and lazy. “Mmm, missed that.” he sighed.
Matt looked away, feeling ashamed. He hadn’t planned on kissing Arthur ever again and he suddenly felt really nervous. The last time had suppose to be a one off. He bit his lip.
Arthur read his face. “Oh… Well, okay then.” He swung himself down to the base of the tree and began to search for his phone in the darkness. He was gutted.
“Arthur?” Matt yelled. He looked down and saw him at the bottom of the tree. “Have you found it?” He sighed and started climbing down the tree.
Arthur had found his phone and was busy trying to work out if it still worked. “Still turning on,” he muttered.
“That’s great” Matt smiled patting him on the shoulder. “I’m sorry” he added, slowly wrapping an arm around Arthur’s waist.
Arthur leant into the embrace, not saying anything as he fiddled with his phone.
“I’m just nervous. Plus, I don’t want to get papped with you” Matt shrugged. He took hold of his hand and walked with him under the bridge. Now they were able to hide from the world. He gave him a gentle kiss.
Arthur sighed and buried himself in Matt’s arms in a lover’s embrace. He was so sick of all the secrecy that surrounded them.
“Do you know what pegging actually means?” Matt muttered with a smirk. “We could do our own version of it” He pinned Arthur up against the wall and kissed him deeply.
Arthur moaned into his mouth, loving having him close and intimate. “Come to my room tonight then,” he whispered.
Matt gulped, running a hand through Arthur’s hair. “I was only kidding. Are you sure?” It wasn’t that he didn’t want to make love to Arthur. It was what it would mean for their relationship. It would mean they were serious. They would have to deal with the fans reactions, the tabloids hounding them and even friends treating them differently. That’s what he wasn’t prepared for.
“Are we ready for that? and everyone finding out?” he muttered into Arthur’s neck.
“I just want you, Matt.” he whispered, “I love…” He hesitated. “I love being with you when we have the opportunity. He took a deep shaky breath. “It… it doesn't mean people have to know.”
“Oh, ok” Matt smiled. “We’ll just have to be sneaky then” He gave him a wink, moving his hands under Arthur’s shirt and pinching his nipples gently.
“Cheeky!” He grinned back at him. Arthur shivered at the feeling of Matt’s hands on his skin. He was really looking forward to that night.
To be continued.