Mattis avoided any and all conversation the lead toward the dream or what had happened that night. And he was sure that Alexei knew by now that if he even hinted toward something pertaining to it, he would quickly change the subject. Because his ability to talk about it was next to none right now.

He was trying to maintain everything else normally, but he could feel the tension between them that had not been there before. And he knew he was creating it.

He was blaming everything because of their time in the sauna. Matt had thought that it was all a one time thing. Why was he so cooped up in thinking about it? It was so frustrating.

Matt left his room, dressed in a simple shirt and shorts. He was more willing to let his pokemon wander around the sanctuary now than he had been before, so Arkose was laying on the floor waiting for him. The wolf gave him a look. "Stop giving me that look," he shot back at him.

"Alexei! You ready?" he called.

Arkose gave a whining noise, like he was trying to communicate with Mattis. He knew something was up. Mattis looked at him intensely, shaking his head. "Nope. Don't start it. We're not talking about that right now, Ark," he said.

The wolf pokemon huffed again, growling a bit as he stood up and stretched. "You can give me an attitude all night, but it won't change anything."

Matt heard Alexei hobbling about, turning to see him enter the living area. Thank gods he wasn't going to demand to use the cane.

"Well, I was going to suggest it anyway," he admitted, going to get it from the front door. He returned with it so that Alexei could take a seat. "You shouldn't walk on your leg all night."

"Is it wise to leave William in charge?" Matt asked teasingly, earning a baa of protest from the Wooloo. However, they were gone quick enough that he didn't hear any more of the tantrum from the pokemon.

He held the door open so Alexei could get out, making sure the door was locked behind them. "Do you know where you wanna eat?" he asked, putting his hands in his pockets as he waited.

They started toward the end of the building, leaving to the outside world now.

Free from their awkward air inside their rooms.

"I'm really down for anything."

Matt shrugged. "You should know by now that I'm not picky with my food." Eating in the wild left you with minimal options. He learned not to complain and eat what he needed to in order to avoid a hungry belly. So in his mind, any food was good food.

"And you know that you don't have to pay for us both, right? I'm not as broke as you think I am," he said with a small sigh.

It was a small joke, but also he did have more money now. Since he returned from his adventures, missions and jobs gave him a better income.

Looking at the phone, Mattis took a pause to look over the pictures of the restaurant Alexei suggested. It sounded pretty good actually. And fun.

"Sure, that sounds cool, actually. I can show you the proper way to grill," he said, smirking as the began to walk again. "How far away is it?"

Mattis barely heard him talk about building a nest egg, saving his money, blah blah blah. He knew about the basic stuff, but did he really need money to survive. He thought he had proven that he really didn't at this point.

Living in the woods, and all.

"Okay, okay, you can pay," he said, resigning to Alexei's insistence. "As long as I can make up for it some other time." That would be the only way he'd accept this.

Matt really didn't realize he had left Alexei. Sometimes he forgot. "Sorry. I forgot your hand was fucked up too." He came over, pushing him from the back.

Mattis pushed the chair for him, slapping his hands away from the wheel. "I got it. Let me push you," he said, pushing him forward at a pace that was quick enough for them both.

They passed several buildings, until one caught his eye.

"This is it, right?"

"Absolutely necessary. I was trying to wheel you, but your hands were in the way. I didn't want to run your hands over," he said in defense, nodding his head. "Don't sass me, sir."

Alexei confirmed they were at their location, so he wheeled him through the door.

"Table for two, please."

Since there was only two people being served, it was quick getting a seat. The server removed the chair so Alexei could have a seat there, and Matt sat in the chair across from him, looking over the menu.

"Huh. What all should we get?" He was blissfully unaware of what Alexei was stressing over.