Mat Barzal Imagines

Uncertainty

Warnings: Angst (only a little)

Word Count: 1k

You couldn't wait to get through customs at JFK and see Mat.

You and Mat Barzal had been friends since middle school in Coquitlam, and you remained friends despite Mat moving to Long Island a few years ago. It was hard to maintain a friendship with someone living 3,000 miles away, but Mat was worth it. You were each other's biggest cheerleader. You couldn't imagine spending your spring break with anyone else.

When you finally collected your luggage and walked into the lobby in JFK, you looked everywhere for Mat's fluffy dark hair, but you didn't see him.

"Boo!" someone grabbed your shoulders from behind you, and you screamed so loud that it caught the attention of one of the security guards. You mouthed, "Sorry," and the guard, shaking his head, returned to his rounds.

"Jesus, Mat!" you said by way of greeting. You should've seen that coming: Mat was a notorious prankster.

"Sorry, I couldn't help myself," he responded, and you snorted. "Alright, fine, I'm not sorry. But you know that!"

"Of course I do, you're my best friend," you hugged him, "How have you been?"

"Better now that you've arrived," he said, "Let's get out of here. That security guard is still giving me side-eye."

You chuckled and nodded, moving to take your suitcase and carry-on, but Mat snatched the handles before you could.

"I can handle it," you insisted.

"I know, but you're my guest, so please let me just roll the bags."

"Fine," you begrudgingly agreed as you walked out of the airport and to his car.

It took almost 45 minutes to arrive at Mat's apartment complex; the traffic was at a standstill. You practically leapt out of the car when Mat finally pulled into the parking space.

You could hear Mat laughing as he came around and met you at the back of the car.

"Please let me at least take my carry-on upstairs," you pleaded, "I'm perfectly capable."

Mat sighed. "Alright, fine."

As he opened the trunk of the car, Mat turned to you and said, "You are the most stubborn person I know."

"But you love me anyway," you sing song. He mumbled something in response, but you couldn't hear what exactly he said. You didn't think anything of it, though, as the two of you walked up the stairs to Mat's apartment.

"Wanna watch Netflix?" Mat asked you as soon as you put your bags in his guest room.

"Sounds good. Can we watch Friends? I have to finish watching all ten seasons before they yank it off Netflix in January."

"Sure. Why don't you figure out which episode you left off on while I get snacks?"

"Okay, where's the remote?"

"Right here. Catch," Mat held the remote in the air, and you positioned yourself as he threw it in the air. You caught the remote easily.

"He shoots, he scores!" you screamed, prompting both of you to dissolve into a fit of laughter before Mat got himself together enough to get the snacks.

You were sitting on the couch with an episode from season 7 cued up on the TV when Mat came out with two glasses of water and gummy bears.

"Ooh, you got gummy bears?"

"Of course, they're your favorite."

"Thanks," you hugged him as he sat down on the couch, but his body language was off. It didn't get any better, so five minutes in to the episode, you paused it.

"Hey Mat?"

"Yeah?" Mat turned his head to look at you.

"Something seems off. Are you okay?"

"What do you mean by 'off'?" Mat raised an eyebrow.

"I don't know...I can just sense it. Is something going on with the team?"

"No."

"Okay, well, what's wrong? And don't you try to tell me there isn't anything wrong because I know there is."

There was a moment of awkward silence before Mat said, "I forgot to mention that I'm...I'm completely in love with you."

You had a bunch of scenarios in your head, but that was notone of them. "What?"

"I'm in love with you, (Y/N). It took me a while to realize it, but I think I've loved you since high school."

You were rendered speechless. There were so many thoughts running through your head, and you couldn't organize them all.

"It's obvious that you don't feel the same way, so I'm sorry if I made you uncomfortable..."

"Wait a second. I didn't say that," you cut him off, "I'm just trying to process everything. You just told me you love me; that's quite a bomb to drop on someone, especially your best friend."

Mat looked relieved. "Yeah, you're right, I'm sorry about that. I don't know what possessed me to go about it in this way."

"It's alright, I just...I feel the same way, Mat, but we live 3,000 miles apart. I can't just pick up my life and move to Long Island right now; I'm still finishing college."

"I'm not asking you to. I was thinking maybe we could have a long distance relationship until you finish school," Mat said.

"Well..."

You didn't know how to put this into words. You didn't want to lose your friendship with Mat, and you watched several of your friends enter long-distance relationships only for them to crumble under the strain. At the same time, however, you loved Mat, too. As hard as you tried to push away your feelings for him over the years, they always came back.

You finally spoke: "I want to say yes, but there is a lot to think about. I'm feeling really tired, so I'm going to take a nap."

"Of course; I understand," Mat said, and without another word, you stood up, walked into the bedroom, and closed the door.