You Light Up My World (Matty.)

[Cameron Osiris]

It was a nasty, rainy day outside, and Cam didn’t really feel like attempting to brave the weather. The power had already gone out, the last thing he needed was to catch a cold. So, he decided to start texting a bunch of people he knew in order to keep himself preoccupied, since he didn’t have any homework to do. He never had any homework.

He sent out a mass text, keeping it plain and simple.

[Cam: Hey, what’re you up to?]

[Mathis Reeves]

Mathis was sitting at the window, watching the rain pour down against the glass surface. Usually by now he'd being out doing one of his various activities, but ever since the power went out he'd been reluctant to go outside. He didn't even really know who he should try getting a hold of. After sending out a text to Cam (that had probably gotten lost considering how many friends the other had) he didn't have any one else who would be able to help him stay entertained. Homework was out of the question. He was just pretending it didn't exist.

After about an hour he got a text, prompting the mimic to scramble for his phone and eagerly texting back with a grin.

[Mathis: HI! I'm starin outta window. Wht bout u?]

[Cameron Osiris]

This particular reply Cam was especially looking forward to.

[Cam: Oh you know, thinking about you ]

He wasn't even kidding or flirting, it was legitimate. They hadn't spend a lot of time together, but they had been on a couple dates, or at least Cam would consider them such, even though Mathis seemed completely oblivious to how Cam felt about it. Maybe Cam wasn't being obvious enough.

[Mathis Reeves]

It didn't take long before Mathis was staring at the picture of Cam on his screen (which signaled that the boy had replied).

[Mathis: Cuz I'm so awesome, rght? No. Relly. Wht u up 2? Fnd anythn fun in the drk?]

He was grinning at Cam's text though, since he couldn't say he'd been thinking something different. Though in his case it was thinking about the light manipulator. Mathis wasn't stupid, he'd noticed the way Cam kept hinting at. But he was trying really hard to pretend it didn't exist in hopes that the other would stop trying to flirt with him during all their outings. Which he was still refusing to call dates. And it wasn't for a lack of liking Cam, because he did, but more because... Well... Liking guys like /that/ wasn't normal. Even if his brother was an exception. Though that didn't mean Matty had something against gays. He was just... Probably not gay. Maybe. All he really knew is that he liked Cam, and that Cam kept entertaining his thoughts. And they hadn't even been hanging out that long! ... Speaking of... They should probably go for coffee or something when the powers back. Maybe hit the beach too since it is summer.

[Cameron Osiris]

Cam laughed and shook his head as he read the reply. Really Mathis? What, was Cam gonna have to spell it out for him?

[Cam: Nothing, I really was thinking bout you dummy.]

There was something different about Mathis that Cam really liked and he couldn't quite put his finger on it. Was the guy playing hard to get? Cam didn't know, but he did know that he liked it.

[Cam: I can still play guitar in the dark, and you know, I make light ]

Sometimes people forgot about that and at a time like this, Cam's power came in handy. Not that he was going around bragging about it because then he would be exhausted all the time. He was tired enough as it was, trying to keep up with needing to see for himself.

The more Mathis ignored Cam, the more the light manip would try to get his point across.

[Cam: What about you?]

[Mathis Reeves]

Mathis' smile increased as he stared at the phone, trying to resist the urge to laugh nervously. Because that might make people look at him weird.

[Mathis: Didjaknow... Whn u send grup txts... U cn c the othr #s?]

That was probably a little harsh, but it made the mimic feel better. Now Cam might stop flirting and making Mathis confused. But even with that intention Matty couldn't help the little nagging bit of guilt that he might have upset Cam. A feeling of guilt that was squashed when his phone lit up anyway.

[Mathis: No... U make S-T-A-R-S. Told u b4. Stars, not light.]

Which was true, as far as Mathis cared. Every time he saw Cam's power he was reminded of his stupid thought back on the dance floor. That Cam was surrounded by stars, not a disco ball. It sort of fed into an image of Cam being an angel. Not that he'd admit that out loud.

He was grateful that Cam wasn't a telepath or he seriously be screwed.

[Mathis: I said? Starin outta window. Didjaknow its rainin??]

[Cameron Osiris]

Cam didn't respond to Mathis, since he was trying to evade the subject and Cam knew for a fact that just because he sent out a mass text with the same beginning to everyone in his contact's list, didn't mean they could all see each other's response. This wasn't FaceBook.

[Cam: The higher ups call it light manipulation, but you can call it star manipulation if you want to]

Cam was easy to please.

[Cam: That's what you're doin for fun? LAME! Yeah I knew it was raining, but I'd lvoe to be outside]

This conversation was dying fast, even though Cam didn't want it to. He sighed, running a hand through his hair, wondering what he should say next that wouldn't scare Mathis away. Sometimes it felt like Cam was walking on eggshells with the other teen - maybe that was the exhilaration Cam was attracted to.

[Cam: Ya like bein with me? ]

[Mathis Reeves]

Mathis tried not to be too disappointed that Cam didn't respond to his kind of mean text, though he decided that was for the best. It was mean and it was a relief to pretend it never happened. He'd have to make Cam cookies to make up for it or something.

[Mathis: Not manipulation. Summoning. Star summoning. Or celestial control!!! 'Cuz that sounds AWESOME!]

Sometimes... Even Mathis couldn't short cut words without making the text make no sense.

[Mathis: Yer gunna freeeeeeeze. It's K tho. I'll com & mak u soup. Gotta port-y stove.]

Which wasn't actually the case but Mathis was pretty sure he could find one in the home ec room. And if he didn't well... He could always use a Bunsen burner. Or a pryokenetic to heat up the soup or something for him.

The next text had Mathis freezing over his keys, frowning slightly as he tried to figure out Cam's destination with the sudden question.

[Mathis: Of course.]

[Mathis: y?]

[Cameron Osiris]

Cam was a lover, not a fighter. He had only ever been in two fights his entire life and he wasn't going to make a habit out of it.

[Cam: does sound awesome, but so not true lol]

With zwiping on his phone, there was no need for short cuts.

[Cam: You can come over whenever you want]

Cam meant it too, he always preferred face to face company over texting or whatever technology.

[Cam: ]

Taking a deep breath, Cam tried to explain himself.

[Cam: I like you Matty. More than a friend]

[Mathis Reeves]

Mathis wasn't really looking for a fight either, so. No. Cookies were definitely going to be in Cam's future.

[Mathis: Whtevr. Still say u summon stars!]

Unlike Cam's apparently fancy phone, Mathis had an incredibly cheap non-touch screen phone. He had to manually type what he wanted to say. So it made the mimic just makes everything as short as possible to save time.

[Mathis: Do I gt stars 2?]

Not that Matty actually cared at that point. He missed his friend since it had been over two days since they last saw one another.

[Mathis: ?]

At the next reply, Mathis felt like someone had released butterflies in his stomach while they pumped ice through his blood. How was he supposed to take something like that? What was he supposed to say? Then he remembered: ignorance is bliss.

[Mathis: a best friend?]

[Mathis: ....A brother?]

[Cameron Osiris]

[Cam: I'll make stars for ya Matty ***]

There was never a hidden agenda for Cam, not when he wore his heart on his sleeve. Getting frustrated at Mathis' feigned interest, Cam ran both hands through his hair, the phone landing on his bed.

[Cam: quit playing dumb]

[Cam: Like a boyfriend. Like I wanna kiss you.]

Mathis deserved to know, and Cam? Well, he didn't want to be strung along if Mathis wasn't interested. If there wasn't, then no harm no foul. They could be friends. But if there was a chance for more, Cam would take that chance.

[Mathis Reeves]

How was he supposed to feign interest? There was interest. But there was also that voice in his head telling him "two guys can't do it." Whatever it was. God had said no long ago. So long ago that it couldn't even be possible to go against now. Or at least, that was true for Matty. He held himself to a different standard then the rest of the population, so even if some were immune to God Smiting, Mathis couldn't possibly be immune.

[Mathis: Idk]

He stared at the screen for a few moments before his next reply.

[Mathis: I don't know Cam.]

He couldn't help it. Saying no made him feel that piercing ice in his veins. But even the thought of saying yes was putting a lump in his throat blocking the words. He wanted Cam all to himself but... He knew if he admitted that it would lead to things that would send him to hell.

[Cameron Osiris]

Cam didn't know enough about Mathis to know that the brunet was having an inner struggle. In his mind he was probably being toyed with, but he also tried to look for the best in other people. Maybe something else was going on here that he couldn't see. He wasn't a mind reader.

[Cam: Ok...]

Honestly, Cam felt disappointed, but he wanted to know if he should proceed and at least now he knew. Had he just imagined all those signals in his head? Wishful thinking? Was he desperate?

[Cam: You don't know like you've never liked a dude before or like, you're not into dudes?]

Because if he was being turned away he wanted to know why. If there just wasn't anything there, they could just be friends, but Cam was sure he hadn't fictionalized what he was feeling.

[Mathis Reeves]

Mathis stared at the phone screen, his inner turmoil heightening as he glared at the word 'ok'. How was he supposed to respond? How was he supposed to come up with words that made everything okay? That could make God still love him. That could make Cameron stay. The next text startled Mathis and he frowned when he read it.

[Mathis: I've... Never liked anyone before.]

There, that could be safe enough. Nothing could be taken wrong about that. Of course, it did nothing to help the confusion he was feeling inside. Nor did it really explain what he wanted. Or what he didn't want.

[Mathis: I don't... Want you to go]

More safety. Mathis swallowed the lump in his throat slowly, trying not to choke on the words that were fighting to bubble up. But he was still glad. Texting this to Cameron was easier, by far, than if he had to have this conversation in person.

[Cameron Osiris]

Cam didn't know the inner turmoil he was causing Matty. For the blond once he liked someone, he let his feelings have control and there was no turning back. Even though he could like a lot of people, he knew himself well enough to know what he wanted. And he loved himself for who he was.

[Cam: Oh...]

Well now he felt like a tool. Maybe Matty was someone who didn't want to be romantic with anyone. Or, maybe he liked Cam and didn't know how to deal with it. Well, Cam wasn't going to push him.

[Cam: It's okay ya know I'm not going anywhere]

He was glad this happened over text too. It gave him more time to think and less time to feel offended. Cam decided then and there that maybe they should just stay friends and he shouldn't complicate anything for the brunet.

[Cam: What should we do once the blackout is over? ]