"There's a reason you wanted to see me besides having Chinese food with someone, right?" Liam questioned after finishing his meal.
Evan took a sip from his can of Coke before answering.
"That's right." He turned the can over in his hands, organizing his next words. "I want to ask you to help me with a big favor, Liam."
His previous smile had changed to a straight line, and his completely serious expression intimidated the younger boy for a few seconds.
"... Talk."
"I want you to help me recover my memories."
Liam's green irises sparkled in surprise at that request, but he fought to control himself and not let his emotions get the better of him.
He tried to be rational.
"I'm not a doctor or a therapist."
"But you're a talented medical student, and you know a lot more than many graduates."
"You already have specialists at the hospital treating you."
"Their 'treatment' consists of telling me to ignore it and move on." He let out a deep sigh. "But they, as well as you and I, all know that amnesia has no reliable treatment and can end up affecting short-term memory, which I don't even want to imagine the hell that would be. Even if I don't remember who you were, searching your name on the internet brings up several awards you've received, and you've also contributed to experimental treatments as a collaborator."
"Are you suggesting I start with an experimental treatment for amnesia?" He smiled. "Sounds interesting."
"Doesn't it? You seem like the type of person who cares more about science than status, so if you want to dedicate yourself to medical research in the future, it could be useful as a resume. I'm willing to be your guinea pig."
"In any experimental process in the field of research, adverse effects could arise. Are you aware of that?" He crossed his arms and leaned back in the wooden chair.
"Of course, but I think the pros are bigger."
Good. He took the bait, and his medical curiosity couldn't pass up the opportunity to further investigate amnesia and find a cure.
Evan smiled, aware that the future doctor's help was already secured. Now came the negotiation part, since, obviously, busy wunderkind Liam Stone wouldn't do something like this for free.
"And what do I get in return?" Liam questioned, reassuring himself that this was a transactional deal and not a request from 'his boyfriend'. "Are you planning on telling me that if I get your memories back, you'll be my boyfriend again, and you'll be the payment?" Obviously, he knew that wouldn't happen. He let out a bitter laugh, while Evan smiled.
"Of course not, Liam. That would be taking advantage of your kindness. Instead, I propose to fund your research and help you with whatever you need. It's a win-win if you think about it; I recover my memories, and you can develop a new treatment for amnesia and discover new data on the effects and relationship between the brain and memory, while I also provide you with financial compensation for your work." He smiled and tilted his head. "Whether you and I ever become a couple again, with or without my memories, is something we'll see. Let's see what surprises the future holds."
That last resonated in the younger man's mind. On one hand, Evan was telling him that their relationship could flourish again even if he didn't recover his memories, but on the other hand, he was suggesting that, even with his memories, there was the possibility that he might decide not to be his partner again. Well... It didn't sound bad. Considering their current situation, it sounded like a reasonable long-term option.
As for embarking on medical research into neurology and brain trauma focused on amnesia, his endless curiosity had already begun to develop some hypotheses. There's a reason he decided to change the course of his life and bury his childhood dream of investigating the mysteries of other planets in the past, when he discovered that the human brain and body remained a mystery in themselves and that medicine could advance by leaps and bounds. It sounded exciting to work on such research in his free time, and he could certainly ask his professor questions and work as an apprentice to doctors whom he greatly admired, who further encouraged his curiosity and endless desire to learn.
And finally, there was the one thing he secretly desired but tried to bury deep within his soul: to recover Evan's memories and ensure his well-being.
He smirked.
"I accept. You don't need to pay me, just fund the necessary resources. That's enough."
Evan smiled.
"Thanks, Liam. Then it's a deal."
"Well..." he let out a long sigh, feeling a little more comfortable around the boy he could never fully understand. "Changing the subject, why that backpack?" He pointed at the backpack leaning against the wall that looked like it was about to explode at any moment.
"Oh, it's my stuff," he stood up, smiling from his chair, holding his plate to take it to the wash. "I'm planning on staying here for a few days."
"What?!"
Liam couldn't contain his surprise, combined with a growing anxiety.
"That's right. In therapy, they recommended that I surround myself with things I was familiar with before, plus there are a lot of things I want to ask you, because it seems only Liam knows them. Apparently, you've known me the best these past few months and know the most about my private life."
"But my apartment isn't a hotel for you to invite yourself over."
"Relax. I promise not to bother you. I'll help with the housework, and I also brought my blankets to sleep on the couch."
Would it be too much to ask if you could sleep in the bed like before instead of the couch?
Liam sighed and turned his gaze anywhere but on the actor who would never cease to be a mystery to him.
"Fine, do whatever you want. Just don't interrupt me while I'm working."
"Oki doki."
Evan expected the younger boy to go straight to his room to study or do school projects and be reluctant to speak so openly. But, to his surprise, he sat down on the couch in front of the TV and turned on the screen in front of him, going straight to the news channel and, after watching the latest news, turning it off again. He took advantage of this opening and went to sit at the other end of the couch.
"Hey, Liam."
It seemed like a good time to ask him what started that whirlwind of despair. And if it wasn't the right time to ask, he'd just try again another day.
"Ask your question," but he didn't take his gaze off the dead TV.
Avoiding eye contact so blatantly, would it be a good idea to continue?
"Where do you know Dante from?"
If he was too direct, it didn't matter to Evan, because from his time with the boy in recent days, he had noticed that the younger was always extremely direct when he spoke. There was a world of difference between "honest" and "blunt," and Liam was one of those who failed in social interactions because of his sharp tongue. Perhaps his brain used all his intelligence in analytical thinking, leaving emotional intelligence behind.
Evan Lloyd had considered three possible responses to his question. One, he would deny knowing him and not speak further on the subject. Two, he would feign dementia and make some sarcastic joke to evade the question. And three, he would give him only superficial answers, giving him no more information than necessary and leaving him in the same limbo.
However, his response wasn't any of those, and he confused him by letting out a small laugh. He finally turned to look at him with that green gaze that felt like it could pierce right through him.
"Did you really meet Dante? Are you going to make a romantic drama with him, or did they cast him as the villain?"
"The movie isn't a romance... But his character does play a romantic role."
"It'll definitely be fun to watch."
"You can watch the movie premiere."
"I'm not interested in romantic dramas, and if I watched it, it would only be to annoy Dante for being in something like that."
Evan pouted, puffing out his cheeks.
"It's not a romantic drama! The script sounds interesting. I assure you it'll be a good movie."
"Okay, tell me more later. Maybe I'll watch it if it's not a romantic comedy or something."
"So, I guess you do know him." His look, along with that sideways smile, was confirmation enough. "Were you friends at school or something? I think they're the same age."
"Not at all. And... he's not one for the spotlight. He values his privacy and isn't one to exploit his fame to be the center of attention, so he tends to go unnoticed outside of work."
"Then… how do you know him? And why did he ask me about you?"