In another life, Matt thought, in another story, they would simply lay there and not leave his bed for days after last night's events. But as it was now with the band being at Big Bear, too, they met for breakfast and then immediately went back to work.

Matt's thoughts drifted off to what she'd told him at various times through the day, but never once did he doubt his choice. Val was right, they had both been miserable without each other. He knew what it was like to feel alone, to try to feel that same pang he shared with Karma with any other woman. It was no use to carry on trying, especially when he had been for years already.

No-one asked about their status. Then again, they had made it very clear what they were when they walked down the stairs, right out of Matt's room. The two of them, together. Matt knew he didn't exactly ask that one particular question about their status, but he knew he did not have to. They were together, he knew that. Everyone knew that now. At least everyone that mattered.

It was safe to say that it wasn't Matt's most productive day working. For the Nightmare album, which he considered the best one lyric wise, he had written beautiful, tragic lyrics about loss, about death and suicide. But today? He felt like he was on top of the world. This was not a day that inspired him to write about such things.

The album that followed had easy, repetitive lyrics which Matt did not fancy too much. But then again, he'd written it alone mainly because he wanted to at least write something. Because he wanted the band to continue. Because he wanted Karma to see something he did, like write an entire album alone, and value him. Because he wanted to prove himself to her, to his bandmates and himself.

"Alright, how about a break here?" Johnny suggested, earning nods. It was shortly after 4 pm and they had been productive anyway working on songs for which the lyrics were almost complete. They just needed a final touch or a large makeover.

Brian had amazing ideas for some riffs while Zack, the most creative character in their group, already pictured the music video to go along with a song. Brooks added great to their group, not only with his drums but as a person. Everyone was glad he joined the band, and it was going even more smoothly than everyone had hoped.

Matt was more than glad. He was happy. So happy he wanted to have an airplane write "Shadows & Strikes" into the sky. The kind of happy that made him all giddy and put him not only in a good mood, but made him feel invincible.

During an early dinner with ordered fried noodles from the local Chinese restaurant, he finally asked the question of all questions.
"Guys, do you think we should go public?"
Four curious pairs of eyes were glued to his face immediately, then quickly changed to Karma's, then back to his.

"I knew I heard some moaning last night! Thought Zacky V and Brian finally discovered their true sexual orientation," Johnny cackled. Matt laughed. "If you did hear moaning and we were on the other side of the house, then... well, Brian... got something to say?"
Brian winked at Zack creepily, then retorted, "come on Matt, we all know you make them scream so loud it could easily be heard on the other side of the house!"

Matt's eyes rested on Karma after that comment. Did the mentioning of his past make her feel uncomfortable? The wide grin on her face said something else.

"Exactly. Which is why you definitely heard Zacky's soft moans, Bri doesn't have it in him, but Zack liked it anyway," she retorted, and with that Matt knew she did not mind. They all laughed at her comment.

That was something about Karma she never lost. She could be the funniest, most guy-ish "dude" and still turn all the heads as the classy lady she was. Matt impressed that fact about her right from the beginning since he'd never met someone who classified as both "dude" and "bangable". Today, of course, he knew better than to put women into those two categories, but he still acknowledged that this was something remarkable and unique about her.

"Now about that going public," Brian said as their laughters died down. Matt knew his friend Brian changed, too. In the past when they were joking, it was hard for Brian to go back to serious, and sometimes he made stupid comments when they discussed anything serious after fooling around. Michelle did him well, and probably the pregnancy, too. He made a mental note to ask him how everything was going with that later.

"I think it's a good idea," Brian continued, "we don't want this thing with you two to get fucked up again, and you guys not admitting it publicly is basically is what got in the way. Among other things," he threw Matt a stern look.

"Quite honestly," Brooks said, "I thought that right from the beginning. It was only a matter of time before the two of you would realize..."
The comment made Matt smile.

"And I think going public is actually a great idea to protect a relationship, as stupid as it sounds. I mean, you're gonna end up being seen together anyway," he added.
"Yeah, if they know you're together, alright no big deal. Shadows and his girlfriend going out for a dinner. K. But if they don't know you are, it makes a great story," Zack advised. Johnny nodded.

"Why don't we make some kind of live video on Facebook," Zack suggested. "We've never done this before and we could explain what we're up to, why we're not touring so far..."
"Well, are we touring? I mean, your album's been out for some months now and you never announced tour dates. I mean, I could play it," Brooks asked.

"I don't know. Larry didn't want us to because Matty here was a little cray-cray," Johnny said. Matt rolled his eyes, more at being called Matty than the mentioning of his breakdown. That surely wasn't something he was proud of, but it made him who he was today. His heart pounded painfully in his chest as he remembered how drunk he was during the shows, and what evil words he'd directed at his most prized possession, Karma, after them.

"Well, it's Karma who has a tight schedule," Zack threw in, and Matt was ripped out of his trance. Where were we? Alright. Yep. Touring. Yeah I remember. Oh, yeah. Karma.
Five pairs of eyes were now on his girlfriend. He smiled for a second when he randomly remembered that was what she was now.

"There's something else we should discuss. I wanna focus more on Avenged, really. Always have. I just need to tell all of you why I can't," she said. About time she opens up about that asshole Trey and his weird contract, he thought before getting up, and hopefully they'll have some ideas on how to get her out of it.

Matt got up and fetched some cans of beer, knowing this was going to be a long night.

Notes

Hello guys, here's another update for you :)