Inspired by the drabble picture prompt contest at Heroes_contest community on live journal. The prompt was a bowl of popcorn
AN: I don't own these characters or make any money from the situations my mind puts them in, though I wish I did.
The door bell rang at exactly five. He was prompt as she knew he would be. She had invited him over to her premade, company approved apartment for a "movie night". Noah wanted Gabriel out of his apartment because he needed time to play detective: search his belongings, bug his place, solve the mystery, the whole shebang. She was playing decoy in this familiar game; a game she was good at.
One last look in the mirror reminded her to straighten the bow on her appallingly floral blouse and fasten the top buttons. She briefly contemplated leaving a few undone in order to flash the edges of her lacy bra. She wanted to toy with him like she toyed with all the other boys she liked. The image of his flushed face and his stammering words excited her. She loved to see men that way, it was proof of the power she had over them.
She quickly shoved the idea aside. This was a different game, Noah's game, she reminded herself. She needed to play her part. She opened the door with a large smile, which he quickly returned with an added blush, and led him into the Barbie dream house the company had provided her.
"Hello Gabriel" she chimed as she took his hand.
"Hey Elle" he mumbled as he handed her daisies. She took them from him appreciatively.
"Thank you, there're lovely." She practically skipped into the kitchen as she hummed an unknown tune and tossed the daisies into the sink indifferently.
Figures he'd get me daisies. They're such a "cute and pure" flower. She thought to herself grudgingly. Still, that was sweet of him. She reconsidered as she smiled and plucked one from the bouquet. When she reentered the living room she held a large bowl of popcorn in her hand and a small daisy pined to her golden hair. Gabriel was already seated on the white couch waiting for her. She handed him the bowel and took a seat beside him, curling her pink polished toes underneath her as she snuggled into his body.
"Don't you like popcorn?" she asked when she saw him quickly place the bowl on the coffee table.
"Not really" he replied with a smile. "It's too deceptive, I mean it smells outstanding just to tempt you, draw you in, but once you actually have it you realize that it's nothing special."
"I mean it doesn't really taste as good as it smell" He continued, in response to her blank stare. She turned away from him to look at the bowl with accusation heavy in her eyes. As if it were intentionally trying to give her away, ruin her game of pretend. She leaned up and kissed him on the temple before reaching over for a handful of the treacherous food and the remote. No it wasn't the same. She couldn't be compared to a stupid snack. Yes, she was deceptive but unlike the ugly starch on the table she was special. She couldn't be as easily ignored or discarded.
"I think you think too much" she said through a mouthful of popcorn. She swallowed, pushed play and leaned comfortably into his chest, enjoying the feel of the soft cotton sweater vest on her face and his clean scent that calmed her senses. She was good at this game, even when it came to deceiving herself.