Tonight isn't like other nights.
There's no frantic movements as we hurry to undress, hands pawing and clawing at each other's clothes. There's no hot, open mouthed kisses, accompanied by wanton moans as our bodies seem to merge together.
Instead, passion and lust are replaced by sweet love and tenderness.
One hand is against my chest, palm pressed flat above my heart and the other is behind my head, fingers knotted gently in my hair. My hands are on him too. One hand on his hip and the other wrapped around his waist under his body. We're dressed only in boxer shorts, the blue checked duvet cover pulled up over us to keep us safe from the bite of winter. His forehead is against mine, brunette fringe tickling my eyebrow but I don't care. As much as I want to brush his hair aside, my hands can't seem to leave his body; almost as though they are glued in place. He hums quietly, eyes shut as his index finger traces circles on my chest and his other hand makes loose fists in my hair, effectively massaging my scalp.
"Dom?" He murmurs, not opening his eyes or stopping his caresses.
"Hmm?"
"I love you." The three words are simple yet I know they are full of meaning and sincerity. I smile, unable to stop myself from doing so. Every time he utters these 3 little words, I can't help but smile. Such a perfect man loves me and oh, how much I love him back. He is my everything; the reason I get up in the morning and the reason I sleep sound at night. And I tell him this a lot but it doesn't stop him crying at night, petrified that I may one day leave him and not love him at all. I sit up all night if I have to, holding him sometimes for hours on end, just to let him know that I am always going to be there.
"I love you too, Matt." I whisper and it's his turn to smile, cheeks turning slightly rosy with happiness.
It's then that I let my eyes flicker shut and I let my lips brush against his, not quite kissing him but letting the gesture linger. His breath is warm against my lips, slow and steady; a sign to tell me that nothing more is going to occur tonight. No physical and sexual intimacy. Tenderness will be the raft that sails us into the land of sleep. I sigh softly as he uses his hold on my scalp to lock our lips together. His lips are soft and sweet against mine, barely moving as we kiss. I slip my tongue into his mouth and deepen the kiss but I don't take it too far, keeping it gentle and loving rather than needy. He giggles as I pull him closer, his body wriggling until we fit together like puzzle pieces, interlocking perfectly to depict a scene of true love. We barely pull apart as we break for air, gazing at each other and smiling like two love struck teenagers. I brush his fringe from his face, hand moving to cup his cheek.
"You're beautiful, Matt. You really are." My thumb strokes his cheek bones and the flush from just moments previous returns. He buries his face into the crook of my neck, both arms now wrapped around my neck. I press a kiss to his shoulder but make no attempt to move Matt from his hiding place. I want to take things slow.
"How long have we been together now?" I ask quietly and Matt considers this before answering.
"About 2 years? Maybe more?" He returns to looking at me, chest pressed flush against mine. Our lips meet again in a brief kiss.
"How come?" He continues and I shrug.
"No reason. I was just curious. I've lost track of time. Guess I'm too busy thinking about you to count days." I reply and he giggles, closing his eyes and snuggling close to me.
We lie like this for what seems like forever, content with just being in each other's arms. I pull the duvet tighter around us, almost cocooning us in a warm bundle. I wait a while before breaking the silence.
"Are you free?" I ask and Matt opens one eye, confused.
"When?"
"Forever."
"Why are you asking?" Confusion is written across his face and I take a small, shaky breath.
"Because I want to marry you. I want to spend every moment with you, properly joined to you and knowing that in every way possible, you're mine and I'm yours." The room falls silent once again and for an agonizing few seconds, I worry that I've gone too far and he's going to say no. His face returns to the crook of my neck and warm tears slide across my skin, falling from his cheeks. My heart stops as he nods. It's only a very small nod but it's message is unmistakeable.
"Yes." He murmurs and I start crying too, tears flowing freely down my cheeks and into his hair. My whole body is numb to any other emotion but an overwhelming feeling of love and elation.
He said yes.
Matthew Bellamy said yes.
He wants to marry me.
He hugs me impossibly tighter and I press kisses to his scalp telling him over and over again, between kisses, how much I love him. His tears come in steady streams and I lift his chin, staring him straight in the eyes.
"Why are you crying?" I whisper, wiping away his tears. He laughs and grins at me.
"Because you asked me to marry you!" He beams, tears seemingly unable to stop pouring out of his eyes.
"And you're crying? Oh god, I'm not that bad am I?!" I tease and Matt shakes his head, giggling.
"No! I'm over the moon! Dom, I love you so fucking much you don't understand. You are the best thing to ever happen to me and now we're getting married!" He gushes and it's my turn to laugh, stroking his cheek.
"I love you too, my love. But we should sleep. We have a wedding to start planning." I smile and Matt nods as he snuggles back against my chest.
"Night, Dom." He presses a kiss to my chest and shifts to get comfortable in my arms.
"Goodnight, Matt. Sleep well."
