Mat Barzal Imagines

School Project

Warnings: Anxiety, stress/burn-out

The glaring light of the sun coming through the window disrupted your peaceful slumber.

"Ugh!" you groaned, your voice thick with sleep, "Put the shades down!"

"No can do, sweetheart," you heard your boyfriend, Mat, respond. "It's twelve noon already."

"But it's Sunday," you whined and buried your head under your pillow.

You felt the bed dip next to you, followed by Mat's hand stroking your back. "You can't solve your problems by hiding in bed all day."

"Yes, I can." You sounded more like a five year-old kindergartener than a 21 year-old college student.

Mat's hand moved from your back to stroking your hair. "Babe, don't you have your final project due on Thursday?"

You groaned, emerged from under the pillow and chucked it onto the floor, and sat up on the bed to face Mat. "Yeah, but I don't wanna do it. I'm so burned out, babe."

Mat gave you a sympathetic look. "I know, sweetheart. But look at it this way: you only have this project and two final exams until winter break in two weeks."

"It feels like two weeks is a lifetime away," you replied.

Mat paused before speaking again. "I know I never went to college, so I might not understand exactly what you're going through, but the season is a grind, too. There are days when I just want to fake an illness and not play in a game. Do you know why I never do that?"

You shook your head to indicate that you didn't know.

"It's because of you. I have never met anyone who has such an incredible work ethic like you, so whenever I feel tired or like I want to give up, I think about what you would do."

"Really?" you asked, smiling.

"Yes, really," Mat said, "You are so resilient and able to get through anything. I have the utmost faith in you being able to finish your project."

"You think so?"

"Of course I do. I wouldn't think of you in my darkest and lowest moments if I didn't have faith in you."

God, your boyfriend was the sweetest, and really good at pep talks.

"Alright, let's do this," you said, getting up off the bed. Mat followed suit and wrapped his arms around your waist.

"I am so proud of you, sweetheart," Mat said, "I love you."

"I love you, too," you replied, and he pulled you in for a passionate and searing kiss.

When you pulled away, Mat said, "What exactly does the project entail? I forget."

You laughed. "I have to present the findings from my final paper to the class, and Professor Thompson said we have to use poster boards."

"Huh?"

"That was my exact reaction. She hates technology, so she banned us from using Powerpoints."

"Do you have the supplies?"

"Yep, they're in the closet in the living room."

You walked out of the bedroom and into the living room, Mat following on your heels. You opened the closet door, revealing a poster board and a large bag of supplies, including glue, scissors, colored paper, and markers.

"Wow, you're going all out for this project, huh?"

"Of course; you know I put 100% into everything I do."

"And that's what I love about you," Mat said before leaning in to kiss your neck.

You pushed him away. "Less kissing, more working. Now, how good are you at cutting? I need to cut out parts of my report and paste them onto the colored backing paper, but I can never cut in a straight line."

"I'm a natural," Mat replied.

You raised your eyebrows. "I know you're lying."

"Yeah, how's that?"

"Liana told me that she used to help you with any high school projects that involved any type of art." You couldn't help but giggle when remembering your FaceTime conversation with Mat's younger sister last week.

Mat groaned. "You're so lucky you're an only child, (Y/N)."

"But you love her anyway."

"She's my sister: I have to love her. But you," Mat leaned his head towards your neck again, "I chose to love you."

"Aw, baby," you said, "That's really sweet, but please stop trying to butter me up. We have to concentrate today. If you behave, though, I'll make it up to you tonight. Sound like a deal?"

"Deal," Mat quickly agreed, reaching into the closet to help you carry your supplies to the table.