continued from here ( @suns0ng )
The acceptance was the best gift he'd received all day. It was a relief to know he wasn't the only one fighting a losing battle against his own thoughts. "Saving you from overthinking? Good. That's a specialized service I offer," Hayden teased gently, his smile becoming a bit more genuine as he gestured toward the empty seat. "I'm Hayden, by the way. And I promise I'm a much better conversationalist than I am a solo diner." He slid into the chair across from the stranger, setting his drink down on the table once he was settled. He took a moment to actually look at the person across from him, noticing the way the window's reflection mingled with the dim lighting of the restaurant. There was a shared language in his solitude, a mutual understanding that didn't need a formal introduction. "I was sitting over there trying to convince myself that the lo mein was the most interesting thing happening in my life right now," Hayden admitted, tilting his head toward his abandoned booth. "But I think I was just lying to the noodles. It's a lot harder to ignore the calendar when it's this quiet outside." He leaned forward slightly, resting his forearms on the table in a gesture of openness. "So, if we're both experts at this... What's the professional verdict? Is this atmosphere better or worse when it's the only place in town with the lights on?"
