"You fixed my window," Eli said, setting down a hot cup of coffee in front of Matthew. He didn't even bother to pretend like he didn't know it had been Matthew.

"I don't know what you're talking about," Matthew said, because apparently, he did want to pretend he hadn't done anything. Eli just gave him an annoyed look.

"Yeah right," he said. "You're the only person creepy enough to fix someone's window in the middle of the night, you damn stalker."

"Really Eli, you wound me," Matthew said with a look of fake hurt. "And should you really talk like that here?" Matthew looked around, trying to see if anyone was listening.

It was a quiet Saturday, with Michael having a day off and Wendy taking over for him. She wasn't paying attention to them though, being too busy tending to a young man who decided to order an absurdly complicated drink. Eli would have felt sorry for Wendy if he hadn't caught her texting so many times already while he tried to work through the lunchtime rush.

On the other side of the shop there was a student working on something on his laptop with music blaring into his ears through his headphones. It was so loud Eli could hear it from where he stood. A couple sat in a corner, acting disgustingly affectionate. Eli shook his head and turned back to look at Matthew.

"I seriously doubt anyone cares," he said. 

“Yeah, you’re probably right about that,” Matthew admitted, looking with amusement at the other customers. “And as much as I know you won’t believe me, I was just passing by your place when I figured I’d check up on you. Which is a good thing, considering your window wasn’t closed.”

“Because it’s been broken forever and the stupid landlord won’t fix it.” 

“And now it’s not.” Matthew looked much too smug for eli’s liking. 

“You can’t just go around fixing people’s windows at night!” Eli hissed, doing his best to contain his voice. Their conversation was just way too shady for anyone to overhear.

“But I even did my best not to wake you!”

“I was asleep?”

“Yep. By the way, didn’t take you for the snoring type. Granted, it wasn’t very loud. Kinda cute, actually.”

“You can’t watch me sleep you friggin’ weirdo!”

“I didn’t! I was fixing your window!”

“Which you shouldn’t have done in the first place!”

“But what if someone broke in?” 

“You’re the only one who does that!” Honestly, by that point, Eli was worried about what trying to contain all his frustration into a harsh whisper could do to his health.

“I didn’t break in, your window was broken.” Matthew had no right to sound that frustrated.

"Just, stop being a creep." With that, Eli turned and walked off to where Wendy was attempting to not kill a customer. Matthew watched him go with a smile before he turned back to the newspaper he'd been reading.

A while later, just as Matthew finished his coffee and folded up his newspaper, Eli approached him. He was already wearing his coat, ready to leave for the day. His favorite part of the day, to be honest. Apart from that, Eli was also wearing an expression of uncertainty. As if he were reconsidering something. He still did his best to look sure of himself when he spoke. 

"Do you, uh, want to have lunch with me," Eli asked before Matthew could say anything. Granted, he looked to be too surprised to speak. A moment later, the surprise turned to suspicion.

"Why?" Matthew asked, probably thinking back to Eli ripping off his mask. Which, fair enough. Eli still scowled.

"If you don't want to then just say so," Eli said, sounding just as annoyed as he usually did when dealing with Matthew. This time, however, he couldn’t help but sound a bit flustered, pink tinging Eli's freckled cheeks. It was, sadly, something that didn’t escape Matthew’s notice. Before Matthew could comment on it—most likely in a way that would get him punched—Eli turned and walked to the door.

"Hey, wait a minute!" Matthew said, standing and hurrying after Eli, nearly knocking his chair down in his haste. "I didn't say no," he said, catching up to the redhead and pulling on his own jacket.

"Too bad, it was a limited time offer," Eli said without even looking Matthew's way. "Now stop following me." He quickened his pace in an attempt to get rid of Matthew. Not that it did much good. Curse the man’s freakishly long legs.

"What if I happen to be heading the same way and happen to want to have lunch in the same place as you and happen to want to sit at the same table?" Matthew asked innocently.

"Then I might happen to punch you in the face," Eli muttered.

"Harsh," Matthew said, trying not to look too amused. He didn't think Eli would really punch him—again. "So, why'd you ask me to have lunch with you?" he asked after a moment of silence.

"Because I’ve clearly gone insane," Eli said. After all, he still talked to Matthew.

"No you're not, you're just...unique," Matthew said, taking a moment to find the right word. Or at least, one that wouldn't make Eli want to hurt him. The redhead just gave him a blank look.

"Oh wow, thanks. You really know how to make a guy feel special," he said with a roll of his eyes.

"Aw, don't worry Eli, I think you're very special," Matthew said with a laugh.

"I really don't see that as a good thing," Eli said, stopping in front of a place that was well known for its burgers. "Are you really going to keep following me?" he asked.

"You asked me to have lunch with you," Matthew pointed out. "I'll pay," he added when Eli looked less than convinced. It wasn't a surprise when Eli paused at that and considered it. If there was one thing Eli wouldn't say no to, it was free food. After all, he was a starving college student.

"Fine, I guess I did ask you," Eli grudgingly admitted, and led the way in.

As was usual for the place, it was crowded, with plenty of people happily chatting as they enjoyed their food. It was a bright place, adorned with lots of signs and pictures that fit the 'roadstop' theme they had going. The counter was lined with stools that were all occupied and a couple of cheery looking waiters and waitresses wandered about, taking food to the small round tables and spacey booths. It was a warm place, not overly bright, and decidedly cozy. Definitely one of Eli's favorite places to have lunch.

Well, when he could afford it.

Him and Matthew claimed a booth and were greeted by a pretty young waitress. Her name tag read Sally, and she smiled at them and handed them their menus after the usual greeting. Eli tried not to stare as she walked away, her long, dark hair swaying in the high ponytail she wore it in.

"Really? I buy you lunch and you stare at the waitress, rude," Matthew said, regaining Eli's attention. There was a playful tone to his words, but something in his eyes told Eli he wasn’t purely joking.

"I wasn't staring," Eli muttered, feeling something like embarrassment. And then he remembered that this was Matthew—his stalker—he was talking to. "Not that it's any of your business if I do," he added, crossing his arms and leaning back in his seat.

"Sure it is. I wouldn't want you to get snatched away by a pretty waitress," Matthew said all too casually, his eyes focused on the menu he was looking through.

"You say that like you have a chance," Eli pointed out. "By the way, you don't even know if I like guys. Just because you sexually harass me on a regular basis doesn't mean I enjoy it," he added. Matthew just snorted and put down his menu.

"You had a boyfriend last year but broke up because he switched schools and moved away," Matthew said, elbows resting on the table as he leaned forward. "You know, I'd never abandon you like that," he said with a grin and a wink.

Whatever reply Eli had, refused to come out of his mouth. He could feel his face burning—whether from embarrassment or pure rage, Eli couldn't tell—and was just about to force himself to form a coherent answer when their waitress returned. Seeing Matthew order so casually just pissed him off more, for reasons Eli couldn't quite understand. Now in a less than happy mood, Eli ordered his food and went back to glaring at the man sitting across from him as Sally walked away.

"You are the creepiest damn stalker in the world," he said with a scowl once they were alone again. "How do you even know that?"

"Michael told me," Matthew admitted. "You were in a bad mood at work, so I asked him about it. He didn't mean to say it was your boyfriend that made you mad it just kinda slipped out, so please don't kill him. Wouldn’t want to have to turn you in to the cops," he joked.

"Oh my God, I hate you two," Eli said, letting his head fall onto the table with a groan. He did his best to ignore Matthew, who sounded like he was trying—and failing—to not laugh. Their food was ready just a short time later and Eli welcomed the distraction it brought.

Not that the bit of peace and silence the food provided lasted very long. Eli could never be that fortunate.