The two of them were at the table only for a few minutes and Mat was oozing over the menu. His eyes were wide with excitement. 

“I can’t remember the last time I had Greek food.” He addressed his statement towards Ywain, who was seated across from him. 

Matthew could feel the boys’ eyes on him while he traced his fingers along the list of foods. Ywain quietly said, “I’ve been coming here for years, but usually by myself.” 

The older man had his index finger on the meal spanakopita, so as to not lose his place, and flicked his eyes up. “Your friends don’t like the food?” I think I’m going to get this with some Ouzu. 

Ywain shrugged, “I just like it that way.” His eyes refocused on the menu. 

The waitress came by. “Oh Ywain you’re back! But this time you’ve bought a friend, how wonderful! Nice to meet you young man.” The blonde woman radiated with enthusiasm and beamed in Mat’s direction. She soon looked back at the regular “Are you having the usual?” She had her pen and paper out already. 

He nervously smiled, “yes but with water this time please.”

Grinning, the waitress nodded. She then took Mat’s order and was on her way. 

“So what’s your usual?” He asked him while folding his arms on the table. 

He hesitated to answer and only looked at him. “I uh, usually get Moussaka with one of their drinks but I’m trying to stay hydrated!” His hands that were on the table began to tap in a ticking way, avoiding his gaze. 

For Matthew, it came off a little odd but took it up as him being this way around a complete stranger. He didn’t know this boy too well and tried to remain complacent.

“I love moussaka! Why didn’t I think of getting that?” He played as if everything wasn’t unusual. The whole evening prior to this moment was met with awkward silences and averting gazes. 

Still avoiding eye contact he suggested, “you can try some of mine if you’d like. They make the best food.” A small smile brimmed his lips as he spoke. “Only if you want to of course.” He added quickly, glancing in Mat’s direction. 

No matter how enthusiastic I try to be, I am met with nothing but a wall. “Sounds good.” Matthew waivered. “But are you sure you want this evening to continue?” 

They suddenly locked eyes and the younger man’s eyes widened. “I’m—uh, sorry.” He spoke softly and pitfully. 

“No need to apologize. I just don’t want you to force yourself here. I’m a grown man, I don’t need you to pity me by making yourself miserable on my behalf. Just be honest.” Mat said it so matter-of-factly that it came off a bit coldy. 

The restaurant was getting rowdier with the evening coming to an end and nighttime rolling in. 

Ywain bit down on his bottom lip intensely, trying to hold back whatever he was feeling. “Thank you for your concern but I agreed to this arrangement.” Instead of tapping, he was now fidgeting his fingers together, almost offended by this call-out. 

“Well if you want to leave, we can.” 

He shook his head. “Let’s eat please.” He was stern this time. 

Matthew nodded in agreement and they sat in silence until the waitress arrived with their meals. The uncomfortable silence ensued until Ywain plopped a cut of his food onto his plate and just continued eating as if nothing happened. The gesture made the older man grin. 

When he took a bite of it, he hummed in amusement. “Man, my meal is great, but this is on another level.”

Ywain smirked and said, “I told you they have the best food!” He continued to look down at his plate with a grin. 

I should try and make conversation.

“So what’s your major?” Mat inquired before taking a sip of his alcoholic beverage. 

“Engineering,” his smile dissipated. “And you?” 

“Early childhood education.” The older man said happily, juxtaposing Ywain’s expression.

He perked his head up and glanced curiously at him. “You want to teach elementary school kids?” 

He hummed. “I actually really like children. I’ve always wanted to be a parent myself.” He took a forkful of his dinner. 

“You really are much older, huh?” The raven haired boy kept his eye contact. 

Mat chucked. “I guess but age doesn’t define your life situations. I mean I’m 29 but I’m also in college trying to navigate a purpose.” 

“But you’ve thought of having a family before?” He questioned before cringing at his own intrusion. “Yeah uh sorry you don’t need to answer that.”

He didn’t answer right away. Yeah I did, with my ex boyfriend. Mat took another drink of his beverage. 

“No, that's quite alright.” He reassured him. 

Ywain honestly spoke. “I never even thought about that, I mean even regardless of my age. My girlfriend talks about starting a family all the time.” He shared more about himself. 

Girlfriend? I guess I’m not surprised. He’s an engineering major and cute but why does he look so displeased? 

He cleared his throat. “I was also one of those people discussing marriage and children that young.” 

“Even though you’re gay?” He blurted out and immediately covered his mouth. “I-I didn’t mean it like that.” 

Matthew cracked a smile and couldn’t help himself from laughing. “You can be in a same sex relationship and still have kids y’a know.” 

“I know but it's still not socially acceptable.” He vacantly said, staring down at his plate. It was half way gone. 

“That’s one of the reasons why it never happened. My boyfriend at the time wasn’t out to everyone and even though he loved me he couldn’t be with me any further. Shit happens and people want different things.” He shrugged and continued eating. 

They ate the rest of their meals in silence. 

Ywain mustered up the courage to ask one more question as he gave the waitress his card. “How can you be so open about being gay?” The wording wasn’t the best but Mat understood what he was asking. 

He tapped his fingers on the table nodding his head back and forth. He was fishing for the right words but couldn’t find a way to sugar coat it. “I’ve been out for a long time and let’s just say nothing can hurt me anymore, not even your homophobic friend. I chose happiness and freedom even though it came with a hefty cost.”

The raven haired male just bummed in response. 

They both exited the building shortly after. The air was humid even in mid autumn. The sun had long since dipped into the building, leaving behind a beautiful yet sticky night. The limited stars twinkled above the heavily lit city street. 

“Thanks for the meal Ywain.” Matthew made sure to pronounce it properly with a genuine smile. It’s been so long since I’ve dined with someone and even though there was a lot of awkward silence, it still made me happy. 

He trailed behind the taller male. “Oh y-yeah of course.” He nervously responded, still following Mat as he walked down the sidewalk.

Did he need something? 

Suddenly that feeling Mat had earlier, that gut feeling, came into fruition. 

The younger man gestured them into a quieter alleyway. “Actually, you were right about that before. I actually wanted to come out tonight to investigate you. We have met before today and I wanted to see if you were lying about it.” The two men had casted them away in the alleyway.

Mat curiously eyed him and urged him to continue. 

“It’s now obvious you have no memory and I’m not sure if it’s because of my appearance shift or if you just didn’t get a good look but I was worried.” 

“Yeah I’m sorry I don’t recognize you at all.” Mat shrugged. “I’m not sure why you’d be worried though, it’s not like I have a huge audience here anyways.” 

“You seem like a nice guy and I feel a bit guilty about misleading my acceptance under false pretenses.” He sighed and recoiled into his own frame. 

The taller man started to shake his head with a slick grin. “My intentions weren’t pure either. I knew something was up and I curiously wanted to if you were concealing something. I guess you were.” He placed his hands in his pants. 

Ywain locked eyes with Mat and carefully chose his words. The cars passing by with loud honks drowned out his increasing heart rate. “Why would you?” He softly said, almost mouthing instead of actually speaking. 

Mat was actually good at reading lips and even though the lighting was poor, he could make out what he uttered. “Why would I what? I’m confused.” 

The 22 year old began tapping his foot and anxiously peered into his eyes. He didn’t say anything more, only pleaded with his colored eyes. They were a murky sea of uncertainty and waves of tears. His eyes glossed now. When he was overwhelmed he would cry. Not usually in the presence of strangers but he had nowhere to run. 

“Woah kid, it’s alright. We don’t have to discuss anything if it makes you uncomfortable. I truly am sorry for not recalling our previous encounter but there’s no need to get so upset over my error.” He cooed in that same soft voice just like that night with the stranger. 

“I’ve gotta go now. Thank you for your company tonight even if it was based on misled ideals.” He began to make his way out of the dark alley and into the street. Mat watched as he wiped his nose and sniffled. 

“Yeah Ywain, I’ll see you around.” He waved and smiled. Poor kid, but I honestly have no memory of him. 

The raven haired man glanced back once, nodded, and then became lost in the sea of people. 

“I guess I’ll take an Uber home.” He mumbled under his breath, pulling out his phone.