I hate horror movies. I've told Heavy this a million times and yet when we get to the theater in Teufort the only two movies playing are horror films. Somewhere in my mind I know he doesn't control what the theater chooses to play but at the same time I'm upset with him for not leaving immediately.
"Will be alright," he looks down at me with a smile, "I can protect you from scary movie," I still don't want to go but after one large arm is around my shoulders I reluctantly move forward.
We get popcorn and soda and then pick seats in the back so Heavy's head doesn't block other people's view. It's surprisingly empty for a Saturday night. It's only us and a little old lady who sits up front. I pull off my mask and stuff a hand full of buttery popcorn into my face. As the movie starts our hands brush together in the popcorn bucket. He looks down at me with a smile and then squeezes my fingers. 'I'm going to be alright', I tell myself.
And I am, until the axe murderer jumps out from behind the door. I nearly jump out of my skin. I know I screamed because the old woman turns and shushes me. Heavy's arm goes around me and pulls me close so I can bury my face in his side. It helps to have him so close, to take in his scent and feel his chest rise and fall, but I can still hear the screaming.
I can't take it. Tears are running down my face and soaking his vest. The death shriek of one of the female characters scrambles my brain. I grab my mask, jump from my seat and sprint from the small theater. I hear Heavy call my name but I'm not listening. I run to the borrowed truck and I crawl inside the cab to curl up and sob silently into my mask.
I don't even notice the driver side door open but suddenly he's there, pulling away the gas mask and taking me into his strong arms. He's shushing me and stroking my hair. He whispers promises of safety and love to calm me down. When I'm finally sniffling instead of sobbing I look up at him.
"Do not understand," he makes eye contact with me, "my leetle fire bug kills people all the time but cannot watch scary movie?"
I shrug. It's different through the mask. He doesn't wait for an answer. He pulls me into him again and kisses me chastely on the lips.
"Is fine, we will watch better movie at base," his hand rests briefly on my knee before the car starts and we're on our way.