LES || matt sturniolo ( ✓ )

𝐄𝐏𝐈𝐋𝐎𝐆𝐔𝐄

EPILOGUE
「 real life 」

─ real life ☾

matt adjusted his tie for what felt like the hundredth time, staring at his reflection in the mirror. the fabric was slightly crooked, and no matter how many times he tried to fix it, it still didn't sit right.

"matt, stop. it's fine," nick said from the doorway, leaning against the frame with his arms crossed. "you're going to make it worse."

matt sighed, letting his hands drop to his sides. "it's not fine. it's—this dinner actually matters, nick. it's not like the other times i've met him."

nick rolled his eyes. "you've met him three times, matt. you didn't spontaneously combust."

"yeah, but those were casual. this is an actual sit-down dinner at a nice restaurant. it's... official."

"official, huh?" chris chimed in, walking past the door with a slice of pizza in hand. "you proposing or something?"

"shut up," matt muttered, running a hand through his hair and messing it up again.

nick smirked. "you look fine. actually, you look good. vivienne's dad will probably be so impressed by how non-chaotic you seem that he'll hand her over with a bow on top."

matt glared at him. "that's not funny."

"it's a little funny."

with one last glance in the mirror, matt grabbed his blazer and shrugged it on. he felt a little ridiculous dressed up this much, it wasn't exactly his style, but tonight was important.

it wasn't about impressing vivienne's dad with charm or quick jokes. it was about showing him that matt was serious, that whatever was between him and vivienne wasn't just some high school fling.

he took a deep breath and grabbed his keys.

"wish me luck," he said, heading for the door.

"you don't need it," nick called after him. "but yeah—good luck!"

vivienne was already waiting outside the restaurant when matt pulled up. she wore a simple dress, her hair swept back, and she smiled softly when she saw him get out of the car.

"you clean up well," she said as he approached.

"you look..." he trailed off, taking her in fully. "perfect."

she rolled her eyes but smiled anyway. "you ready?"

"as i'll ever be."

they walked inside together, and matt spotted her dad sitting at a corner table. he was tall, sharp-eyed, and had a presence that always seemed to command the space around him without trying.

as they approached, vivienne's dad stood and shook matt's hand firmly. "matt, good to see you again."

"you too, sir."

they all sat down, the low hum of conversation and the clinking of glasses filling the space around them. matt could feel the weight of every word, every glance. but to his relief, the conversation flowed naturally, vivienne's dad asked about matt's plans after graduation, about soccer, about how things were going with vivienne.

matt answered every question honestly, keeping his voice steady and confident. he could feel vivienne's hand brush against his under the table every so often, a silent reassurance that he was doing fine.

when the waiter cleared their plates and brought out coffee, her dad leaned back in his chair, studying matt carefully.

"you know, matt, i've been watching the way you've treated my daughter for a while now," he said.

matt sat up a little straighter, his heart picking up speed. "yes, sir?"

"and i have to admit... you've earned my respect."

matt blinked, his throat suddenly dry. "thank you, sir. that means a lot to me."

her dad nodded, his expression softening slightly. "you're a good kid, matt. just... keep taking care of her the way you have been."

"i will. always."

vivienne beamed beside him, her hand slipping into his under the table.

the rest of the dinner felt lighter after that. they laughed more, and matt started to relax, the tight knot in his stomach finally unwinding.

outside the restaurant, the air was cool and crisp. matt and vivienne lingered by his car, the soft glow of the streetlights casting shadows on the pavement.

"you did good, matt," vivienne said softly, her thumb brushing over his knuckles.

"you think so?" he asked, a small smile playing at his lips.

"i know so. he likes you, matt. really likes you."

matt exhaled, a quiet laugh escaping him. "i felt like i was on trial the whole time."

vivienne grinned. "well, you passed."

she leaned up on her toes, pressing a gentle kiss to his lips. it was slow, warm, and filled with a quiet sense of certainty.

when they pulled apart, matt rested his forehead against hers. "you know i'd do anything for you, right?"

her voice was soft when she replied. "i know."

for a moment, they stayed there, wrapped in each other's presence, the world around them fading into the background.

"come on," she said eventually, tugging his hand. "let's go home."

matt smiled as he opened the passenger door for her, his heart full and steady.

whatever came next, college, life, all the uncertainty in between, matt knew one thing for certain: vivienne was his, and he was hers.