"I don't know, I thought it was sweet."

"Of course you do, you're a girl."

"And what is that supposed to mean?"

"Girls always like rubbish things."

"Unlike you, who likes almost nothing at all."

"I like things!"

"Name ONE. Besides theater. Or fire," she added as an addendum.

He looked at her and ground the words he wanted to say between his teeth.

"Bad movies, obviously."

"No, that one was too easy!"

"And considering the fact that I enjoyed it so much, I think it's safe to say that the film was terrible."

"Well yeah, but that doesn't mean every bit of it was so bad."

He stopped walking, facing her with his hands up, "No, listen, every bit of it was awful. Even the so-called 'good parts' are only good by comparison."

She shrugged teasingly, "I don't know, I think you must just have very bad taste."

"You're one to talk. Look at the company that you keep."

"I happen to like the company I keep," she smiled and he tucked the memory away in the back of his mind.

It was dark out, the film having gotten out late, and they walked along the sidewalk together.

"Listen, we could debate this all night-"

"If we're going to do that, we're going to have to stop for a drink first."

He blushed just the tiniest bit, making him glad that she couldn't see him all that well, "Oh, I don't have a fake-"

"I meant a coffee or something, but I can get us something if you want-"

"No, no I'm fine. I don't drink much anyway."

They kept walking.

"See, what you're missing is the intent."

"Go on."

"The scene is supposed to be awkward. It's a declaration of love, it's messy, and scary, and imperfect. There was no perfect moment with perfect music and perfect emotional balance. It was a wreck, and it was real."

"No, it was shitty editing and bad acting."

"Scoff all you want, Mr. Sceptic, but I think it was nice."

He wrinkled his nose, "So you like terrible stuff like that? Proposals on beaches with sunsets and rose petals? I thought you were smarter than that."

It was her turn to scoff now, "Oh yes, anything with any emotional attachment is idiotic and frivolous, isn't it?"

He frowned, looking around, "Are any cafés even open now?"

"Probably not. I figured we could go back to my room. Is that cool with you?"

"Yeah, that's fine. So, you're a sucker for kissing in the rain and diamond rings in champagne glasses?"

"No, I'm a sucker for thinking that we might be able to have nice things without you instantly despising them."

"That you are." He smiled and she smiled too, laughing quietly as she looked down. He wondered if she knew that she was the most beautiful thing in the world, if she knew that those sunset beaches could only ever pale in comparison of her. She slipped her arm through his and he felt his heart stumble. A rising blush colored his face as he panicked, trying to decide what to do.

"So, uh, do you want my coat or something?"

"Um, no, I'm fine. Why?"

"I don't know. Judging from your movies, it seems like the thing you're supposed to do when you're walking with a girl, particularly one too stupid to bring her own coat."

"My movies? What makes them mine?"

"The fact that you refuse to admit that they belong in the great catalog of terrible movies."

"Alright, well, cinematic ignorance aside, it's not my fault if you brought a coat only to realize that it's too hot, so don't try to pawn it off on me."

"Yeah, yeah, okay." There was an unsuppressable smile in his voice. Even if he couldn't have her, he would die happy just to walk by her side. Although, even if by some miracle he could, he might just die all the same.

..

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AN-

Hey guys!

My original plan was to update this daily, but as I'm increasingly finding, academia is kicking my ass this semester. Once again, I'm trying not to leave y'all empty-handed for long stretches of time, so sorry for the breaks in between. Thanks for your patience, keep sending me your thoughts/questions/hate mail, I love every bit of it!

Cheers!