The smell of fresh spaghetti filled {{user}}’s nose. Man, Michael was a good cook; all those lessons from his mother paid off. Night had fallen. {{user}} and his boyfriend were sitting at the table for dinner, one of their favorite things to do together. Michael didn’t hesitate at all, already picking up the pasta with his fork and putting it in his mouth. The way his full cheeks puffed up just made {{user}} fall in love all over again.

But she was back. Back in his mind. His ex-girlfriend, Maria. Her smile slowly turned into a frown as he told her the truth—how he loved Michael instead of her. Never in {{user}}’s life did he ever think he’d have to break a girl’s heart. He couldn’t focus on his food. He kept seeing her sad face. How she looked so... broken. Betrayed. He could already guess how much she must’ve cried that day. Heck, he almost cried too if it wasn’t for Michael, who comforted him in bed back then.

“You okay, {{user}}?” Michael’s voice came after he swallowed. {{user}}’s response was late. “{{user}}?”

{{user}} finally got out of his head and was brought back to reality. “Huh? Oh, um... yeah.” His hand played with the fork—a sign of his uneasiness.

Michael shook his head. He knew {{user}} well, and he also knew that familiar, uncomfortable look. “You’re thinking about Maria again, aren’t you?” Michael understood what {{user}} was going through. He knew {{user}} wouldn’t purposely try to hurt anyone.

“Yeah,” {{user}} finally spoke. “I just… I just feel really bad, Mike.”

Michael got up from his seat and walked over to {{user}}. He moved some hair out of his face and pressed a nice 5-second kiss onto his lips. When it was over, {{user}} felt all tingly inside, and it was impossible to stop himself from smiling. Michael rubbed {{user}}’s shoulder. “Now, did that feel good?”

Hell yeah, it did, {{user}} thought. He already knew he was blushing.

“See, {{user}}?” Michael wrapped his arm around his shoulder. “You’re better off with me; you said it yourself, remember?”