an okay dad

“airlie gardens, hands down. that’s my running spot as it’s two blocks away from my house… uh, my former house i suppose?”

“woah, that’s a long trip to take right out of college. that’s bravery right there, my friend.” mat smiled up at lillian. he would’ve never dared to do such a thing himself. “and to think it took me thirty two years to leave wilmington. i take it you like chicago way better, is this your favorite place so far?”

mat had been over their dinner plans like crazy, analyzing every possible outcome, every variable that would make things go so wrong for him. to say he was nervous would be an understatement, really. ray made him anxious in a way he hadn’t experienced in a while and that terrified him. with booze cursing through veins, matias was slightly more confident. without it, he was a ball of stress, clear now that he was ringing her doorbell and pacing his body back and forth. “hey! yeah, i’ll take a drink.” he said almost as soon as she asked,  stepping into her apartment with lightly blushed cheeks. “cupcakes don’t really go well as dessert but uh, i... maybe it could work?” he chuckled as he set the box on the table, then taking a moment to look around her place. “ray, this is so nice!”

“no, it’s okay. lord knows i talk way too much for my own good, so you feel free to shush me whenever you want.” he replied, now relaxed that he wasn’t annoying her. “north carolina, right across the map. what are you doing around here, if you don’t mind me asking? looks like chicago’s treating you well, your place is incredible!”

“i don’t think anyone in their right mind would do that. maybe i’m insane and i just haven’t put two and two together quite yet.” he chuckled. “oh, california... how’s that like? i’ve never been.”

“i... yeah, i’m not sure either, this place is incredible.” he said, a pout almost taking over his lower lip. “we need to go home, though. my son’s three and missing the rest of the family.” he explained, even though he knew he shouldn’t. lyric was at best a friend of a friend, no one he owed a proper response to. “are you from here?”

“no, i know. i’m not proud of it myself.” he chuckles nervously, afraid she was judging him too hard for his mishap. “woah, those look so good! i’m leaving chicago and i wanted to have something nice to share with my kid and a friend.”

“i hope you’re getting enough rest at least.” he lifted an eyebrow at lillian. “nah, i didn’t mean it like that. it’s just... i really don’t want to leave this place. i love working out alongside my clients, most of the trainers i know give instructions but don’t do anything themselves. granted, i’m sweating five or six hours every day and that’s not easy at all but it helps me keep up.”

“i’m glad you had a nice time, despite everything.” he smiled up at her. “so, how have you been? how’s work going? i don’t think i’m ready to go back to mine.”

“god damn, what a life savior!” matias exhaled in relief. “i’ll take half dozen vanilla and half chocolate, please. i’d like to think i’m fairly good in the kitchen but i got distracted today, it was such a mess.”

mat squeezed bruno’s shoulder as the little one pouted at the woman in front of them. it hadn’t been easy for him and matias was aware, it was the first time they were far from home for such a long time after all. “yeah, this is bruno and i’m matias, nice to meet you! care to join us for a while? i was hoping to do some light jogging while this little munchkin runs around.” it felt strange to straight up invite someone he didn’t know to spend time with them, yet she reminded him of home so he couldn’t quite help himself.

“hey! you’re lyric, aren’t you?” mat questioned the girl on the other side of the counter with a big smile on his face. “i heard about you through a friend. i’m looking for some vegan, gluten free cupcakes, do you happen to make those? it doesn’t matter the flavor, i was trying to make some for my son but i managed to burn an entire batch and i’m too exhausted to try again.” // @lyricbennett​.

“yeah, thank god!” he chuckled. “that was possibly the worst hangover of my life. i forgot i was supposed to drink water every now and then, that messed me up big time. what about you? how was the other wedding? everything okay, i assume, since you didn’t ask me to rescue you.”

“is he still around? i-i, we can... think of something, like a story.” he said, his gaze glued to the floor. “just in case you get asked. i’m matias, by the way. i don’t think we’ve met before.”

“hey! i’m so glad you were okay with having a coffee with me.” matias greeted lillian by hugging her lightly. “i’m trying to say goodbye to people in person, even if i still have a couple of days. i just don’t want to forget about anyone.” // @lillixnwintxr​.

“thanks, man. really.” mat said, flashing the other male a candid smile. he knew he had a true friend in cj, there was something refreshing about talking to another dad, even if they came from two completely different walks of life. “enough about me. how have you been?”

“w-wha-uh, i... y-yeah, sure.” matias struggled, lacing his fingers with hers without thinking twice about it. his hands were slightly sweaty, his mild discomfort now clear as he tried to smile at her. “is t-this enough? you don’t, uh, have to buy me anything, though. i’m happy to help.”