drifted | M.R.

012 | phoenix, arizona

trigger warning: drinking
word count: 992

Here they were.

Getting off a plane as Enzo and Belle followed close behind them. All Brooke wanted to do was sit in bed and stare at the ceiling. It had become what she did all the time. Mattheo could even see how she was becoming distant but he didn't say anything, just grabbing a bottle of alcohol and trying to drown his worries away.

It didn't help either of them.

Belle and Enzo became worried and offered to go on the trip, making sure everyone else didn't want to go before they offered. When no one wanted to go they ran to the room and told them that they wanted to go. It kind of worked out. Mattheo got 2 rooms, one for Brooke and him and the other for Belle and Enzo. It was like a couples vacation.

They were in the car, Mattheo trying to hold Brooke's hand but she couldn't help but pull away. She didn't want to be touched. And she knew she should voice that to him because that's what couples should do; have communion. But she felt this fear that if she told him that, he'd get mad because she was begging for his love for so long.

"How do you like it?" Mattheo asked with a look of hope on his face. She was so in her head she didn't even realize they had made it to the hotel, let alone walk into the rooms. She nodded, plastering a smile.

"Yup, looks amazing, Theo. Thank you." She leaned up and kissed his cheek, almost immediately pulling away. He could see the fake smile. He could see it like there was a sign saying 'fake smile' and pointing an arrow. So he found his way to the fridge, grabbing a small glass and going into his luggage. Before they arrived they hit up a liquor store, some Muggle place they had no idea existed.

They grabbed a bottle of wine and set it in their bags before heading to the hotel. He poured a glass, downing it like it was water. Brooke went to the bed and curled up on it. She brought her knees to her chest as she watched out the window. She couldn't lie, it was beautiful. Everything seemed perfect here. But in her head she knew everything was far from perfect.

Enzo knocked quietly on the door and opened it, walking in with Belle coming in behind him. When her eyes went to the girl who was curled up, she crawled on the bed and wrapped her arms around her. Brooke leaned into her touch, her eyes shutting. Being in her best friends arms brought her a sense of safety she hadn't been feeling much of lately.

Mattheo felt jealousy overtake his body. He wanted to be the one who held her. He wanted to be the one who made her fall asleep. Enzo saw the look on Mattheo's face before bringing him to sit on the couch, another full glass of wine in his hands.

"Mattheo..."

"No, Enzo. I'm not talking about this with you."

"You can't shut me out. At least let me help you. At least open up to me. You know I won't judge."

"How do I know that though?" Enzo knew he was struggling but something about Mattheo not trusting him made his heart clench, even though he'd never admit it out loud.

"Because when have I ever judged you before?" That shut Mattheo up real fast. He just let his finger rim the top of the glass. He smiled softly, remembering the time when Brooke had told him she was pregnant.

"Baby?!" Mattheo called as he entered their home, a large smile on his face as he did. He had just had a job interview and from his eyes, it went really well.

"In the kitchen love," Brooke called back. As Mattheo made his way to the kitchen, the smell of steak and mashed potatoes filled his senses. "Hey, how was the interview?"

"Good," he said as he came up behind her and wrapped his arms around her waist. "I think I got the job. I hope I don't jinx myself but I really do think it went well." She turned around, wrapping her arms around his neck.

"Good, it's nice to see you be happy about something like this?"

"Why?" He laughed slightly.

"Because....for so long we were trapped. That being able to do normal things feels...well it feels good." Mattheo kissed her forehead, a soft smile on his lips. "I have something for you." He raised an eyebrow.

"Is that so?" She nodded, a light giggle escaping her lips. She left his arms and went somewhere before coming back, a small box in her hand. "What's this?"

"That'd ruin the surprise if I told you, dummy!" He laughed, opening the box semi slowly. A picture of her ultrasound and a pregnancy test laid in the box. It registered through his head and he looked up at the girl, tears coating his brown eyes.

"You're pregnant?" His voice was a whisper. It was cracking as he asked.

"Noooo, I just decided to do a test and even though-" He cut her off from the sarcasm with a kiss. She melted against him, laughing against his lips softly.

"I'm gonna be a dad.." he whispered.

"The best one on the planet," she whispered back.

Tears were coating his eyes, a little smile on his lips. He looked up at Brooke, who was still being held by Belle, and a little cry escaped his lips. He missed how they used to be. Enzo brought Mattheo into his arms as Mattheo muffled his own sobs. Belle knew he needed a cry, and decided to act as if she could be even hear him because she knew if she did or said anything, he'd stop.

He wanted his home back.