To The Obviously Curious Man On Track 17,

Reading your letter made me super giddy this morning because it's obvious now- you were trying to get a closer look at me yesterday! Needless to say, I was pretty excited, so I forced my hungover roommate Gilbert to read it and confirm that it was actually real. He just grumbled something about not waking him up until the light stopped punching him in the face, which was basically what I'd expected. Whatever- I don't need a second opinion to know you're into me :)

So, to answer your questions about the handsomeness that is me, my hair is naturally awesome like that and the red button-up is definitely a work uniform (which I sleep in just to disrespect what it stands for). Literally all I have to do to get ready for work if I don't have classes is wake up (at 17:30, because who needs regular sleep schedules?), brush my teeth, and ride my bike to the station! Man, self-styling hair is the greatest genetic gift someone can receive…

I mean, besides being effortlessly beautiful, which you could totally be the poster boy for if you wanted to.

Sorry about the whole "call your brother, because it's not like you already try that everyday, emphasis on try" thing. At least you still have me to exchange letters with, right? Speaking of that- I'm glad you've started to open up to me, even if you don't like to admit that that's actually happening. It is, and I think we'll both come out better because of it. Dang, that sounded really wise, didn't it? You can call me Grand Master Mathias from now on.

Just so you know, I am absolutely not okay with you not bringing me any licorice cake. Did you eat it all yourself, or did you- it hurts to even think of this as a possibility- throw it out? It might've taken some extra effort, but you should've stepped out of your whole "honey badger don't care" attitude for a day and brought me the rest of that cake. Then you could've come home with me, met Gilbert and Alfred (because he was actually home for once), and we'd all share the cake and some beer. Nothing like getting drunk with people you just met to cure some chronic loneliness!

Too far? I think I'm getting a little too confident now that I know you are genuinely curious in what I have to contribute. I'll try to tone it down a bit, just for you.

I want to know more about the mysterious little brother! What's his first name? How old is he? Does he look like you? Why is his last name Steilsson? Even if it's a long and "unnecessarily complicated" story, I'm totally down to hear all about it.

I know you well enough now to know it's probably not going to happen via letter, but that just gives me all the more reason to one day meet you in person!

I'm sure it'd be love at first (close up) sight,

Grand Master Mathias


To The Naive Young Padawan Mathias,

And you thought I wouldn't catch that subtle Star Wars reference and find a way to throw it right back in your face. Yes, like almost everyone else in the world, I do enjoy a good epic space opera from time to time. Don't look so surprised.

For what seems like the fiftieth time, I must repeat that I am not and will never be interested in you. I don't plan on meeting you in person and I definitely don't plan on getting drunk with you and those horrible influences you call roommates. However, truly understanding why I feel obligated to reply to each of your letters demanding more information about you seems impossible at this point, so I assume I'll just have to get used to it.

The whole "revealing personal information through letters to a complete stranger" thing, not you insisting that I'm actually intrigued by you.

Of course, there's nothing like immediately contradicting myself after attempting to crush your hopes and dreams by answering all of your questions...

I'll have you know the licorice cake is still in my fridge. I plan on eating a slice of it for breakfast along with my first (but definitely not last) coffee of the day, because I'm a responsible adult. I can even attach a picture of the cake as it gets smaller with every passing day and watch you suffer...but I'll just consider that idea for now.

My brother's first name is Emil. Emil Steilsson. He looks very similar to me, though his eyes and hair are slightly lighter than mine. He's eighteen years old, which, in my opinion, is a number far too small for him to be permitted to live alone (stupid Asian boyfriend doesn't count) in another country. As for the last name, the shortest and easiest explanation is that we only share the same mother.

I feel like that's all I can disclose without completely breeching Emil's privacy, not to mention the fact that I don't think I'll ever feel comfortable revealing personal information in a letter when one: the receiver is an idiot, and two: I literally shove my letter in a tip jar to "deliver" it. Who knows who could happen upon it before you pick it up?

And that's an absolutely horrible thought that will now stay with me until I die…

Speaking of a breach of privacy, please don't let anyone else read my letters without permission. No matter how hungover they may be (again, this "Gilbert" is a horrible influence), I'd rather they not delve into the low-budget soap opera that is my life without my consent. Heaven knows how you managed to receive it...

There's no such thing as love at first (up close) sight,

Lukas


STORY TBC

...and more characters are fully revealed! You probably haven't caught too much of it yet, but things are about to go down. You'll see what I mean next chapter (which might involve a brief time skip, but we shall see) ;)

I'm still so happy to receive all your comments- they've inspired me and helped me improve my story, which is all I can really ask for without requesting the world on a silver platter. Thanks for the support and all the ways you show it!

Keep on reviewing, following, and favoriting- it's my fuel when I run out of chocolate and tea~