Argument temporarily forgotten Chris rushed over to see if Oliver needed consoling but he was fine? Confused and surprised but fine. 

The day somehow passed and Oliver surely worked but he didn’t remember any of it. He just kept thinking of her parting words and the fact she had recognised him. Recognised but didn’t blame him, possibly even forgiving him. Rebecca was a mystery wrapped in an enigma wrapped in a rather cute coat. 

Time passed as it always had for Chris and Oliver with one great exception. They both got matches on the app and they both ignored the match between them. 

Oliver even messaged a few people, none of them coming to very much except one or two transphobic remarks once he’d revealed his secret. But there was a very nice man called Jan he’d been messaging, he was ready for the axe to fall but when he revealed that he was trans and explained what that meant Jan was extremely understanding, kind even. It wasn’t common in the country he was originally from but he had experienced hate himself as a gay man and said he wasn’t about to push that hate onto someone else just for being different. Oliver was pleasantly surprised and continued messaging him, even agreeing to meet up for coffee on his lunch break Tuesday. 

Chris messaged Marcus. He was fine, a bit of a man’s man trying to talk football and expecting big bearded Chris to understand but he was kind and right now that’s what Chris wanted. Chris explained that he wasn’t a sports guy and despite his huge appearance he was actually a drag queen. “The only balls I know about is the ballroom scene I’m afraid!” Marcus was delighted. He was amazed at the idea of the big bear of a man in layers of padding, glitter and a gaff and asked to come see him perform. Chris gave him the date of the next show and the address and promised to wave to him from the stage. Marcus was even more delighted. 

Tuesday came and Oliver was very nervous, he was meeting Jan at the cafe across the street and was to recognise him by his red scarf just in case his pictures weren’t as accurate as they could be. 

He got there and spotted him immediately. Scarf perfectly red and visible and even more importantly his pictures matched. Jan was gorgeous. This round boyish face with cheeks you just wanted to pinch. Oliver suddenly felt very self conscious. If Jan was this cute what would make him want to be with Oliver, even though his messages certainly made it seem like he did. Even after Oliver’s bombshell. Jan turned and saw Oliver and his face didn’t change and Oliver considered changing his name again, leaving the country and never coming back but then Jan’s eyes swept over him again, Jan squinted and then his face lit up. He started enthusiastically waving like he was worried Oliver couldn’t see him even though the cafe was nearly empty. 

Oliver gave a weak smile and walked over, he asked for a latte from the chatty waitress and sat down. There was only one word for it Jan was exuberant. He seemed more than happy to see Oliver and excitedly shook his hand then pulled him into an awkward cross table hug. Oliver almost expected a kiss on each cheek. Jan chatted away happily from the moment Oliver got settled in his chair, he talked about his home country, the persecution he faced there, how happy he was here, his family and more topics! Oliver was thrown off from his prepared conversation topics by the intensity of Jan and his immense friendliness. Eventually Jan slowed down and said “oh! I’m sorry I talk when I’m nervous!” Oliver laughed and decided not to point out that he had noticed. Oliver was then able to chat about his own life, his drag and drag family while Jan reacted in gasps and even once giddy clapping where appropriate. By the time Oliver noticed his coffee it had gone mostly cold but he didn’t mind, he felt it was a sign of an engaging conversation. 

Jan leaned in and conspiratorially said the reason he hadn’t immediately recognised Oliver was he wasn’t wearing his glasses! He wanted to look well and was self conscious about his glasses. Oliver laughed and started to explain how he felt the same, one hand placed on Jan’s when he glanced up and made eye contact with the man standing behind Jan. It was Chris