Chapter Text
Lukas sighed, grabbing his partners hand tighter. They sat on the roof of Mathias' house, talking aimlessly, trying to forget their futures that started the next day. Their futures that didn't seem to include the other. After years of being together, it all came to an end now. Mathias already had a job lined up at a local restaurant, and Lukas was off to collage miles away.
"You know, I don't understand why this has to be the end," Mathias muttered, causing Lukas to look over at him, away from the stars. Mathias' own gaze was still pointed upward, as if trying to focus on something greater that was up there.
Lukas nudged him with his shoulder, shaking his head lightly. "You know why. There are so many reasons. For one, long distance relationships hardly ever work."
"Yeah, well maybe it will work for us. You never know until you try."
"Mathias," Lukas sighed, leaning towards him, wrapping one arm around him. "I know this is hard for you. It's just as hard for me, but we can't continue on like this. We're two boys who met in a small town and fell in love."
"Exactly,' Mathias exclaimed, turning to face his partner fully, pulling the other boy into his lap. "We fell in love."
"Do you know how often people fall in love, Mathias? We fell in love in this small town. A small town that is the only thing we've ever known."
"What are you saying, Lukas? That once you leave you won't love me anymore? That you'll find someone else? That I'll find someone else? Because I can tell you right now, that's not true! At least not for me."
Lukas placed his hands on Mathias' cheeks. Putting their foreheads together. "Mathias, I'm not saying that I'll get across the city border and suddenly realize I don't love you, but maybe in the years to come, we'll meet other people, and fall in love in different ways."
"So what you're saying is that we'll never work? That no matter what, we can't be together?" Mathias had tears in his eyes, his voice shaky, and lips trembling.
"No," Lukas whispered, catching the first tear falling from Mathias' eyes. "What I'm saying is that if we are meant to be, then maybe, one day, years in the future, after we've met other people, and fallen in love in different ways, you and I will meet again, and know for sure that nothing compares to this," Lukas gestured between them, "We'll know for sure that we'll never love someone as greatly as we love each other."
"You know," Mathias pulled Lukas closer, a small teary smile on his face, "that has to be one of the most romantic things you've ever said to me."
They sat in silence the rest of the night, sharing small kisses and whispered dreams, pretending that the next day never had to come.
/ /
Lukas sighed as he passed the sighed, announcing a welcome to his old hometown. He hadn't been here since he graduated from high school seven years ago. He had promised himself he wouldn't ever look back, at least, not until he knew he could without it hurting.
Ten minutes later he found himself pulling into his driveway, and parking the car, getting his suitcase from the back of the car.
"Lukas," his mom shouted as soon as her son was half way up the walk way. "Oh, sweetheart, how have you been? I haven't seen you in years! Why did you never come to visit?"
"Sorry, Mom," he mumbled apologetically as he gave her a side hug, kissing the side of her head.
"Oh, it doesn't matter, now though, I suppose, as long as you never do it again. But you should get inside and get some rest. We have a reservation at one of the local restaurants. The one you always used to go to with your friend, Mathias, I think? he's been wondering about you, by the way, was wondering when you were coming back. I don't think that he's quite over whatever you two had in high school-and I know the two of you were not 'just friends.'"
Lukas just hummed, thinking to himself. He wan't entirely sure what to do when he saw Mathias. He had gotten over the other male already.
His mother left him alone when they got to his old room, telling him that his father would be home around five, and dinner was at six.
He sighed, laying down on his bed, hoping to get in a nap.
/ /
Lukas woke up hours later, around four. He quickly changed into some formal casual wear, and do his hair. true to his mothers words, his dad got home around five, and they chatted until it was time to go.
Once they got to the restaurant, they were seated quickly and given menus before being told that their waiter would be there soon, then being left alone.
"Wow, I don't believe we've ever gone here as a family," his mom laughed to herself.
"No, we haven't," Lukas agreed, putting down his menu.
"Already decided, Lukas?" his father asked, and Lukas nodded, folding his hands in his lap, looking around. The place hadn't changed much from the last time he had been there, new paint, and a few decorations were replaced, but it was still familiar, and Lukas found himself smiling, thinking of all the memories this place held for him.
'That's the place were Mathias got his finger stuck in a vent,' he thought to himself, laughing out loud.
"What's so funny, dear" his mom asked, but as he turned to respond to her, his voice was suddenly lost. Standing two feet in front of him was Mathias in a waiters uniform.
He looked almost the same, hair still in the same style, eyes and smile still as bright.
Lukas mentally cursed himself. He had told himself he was over Mathias already, that no matter what, the two of them was just something in the past, but sitting there, two feet from the other man, he realized he had messed up his calculations somewhere, because the truth was blatantly obvious now.
He was still in love with Mathias, and seven years of running away had done nothing.