Connor was already standing outside in the parking lot when Jude pulled in, parking Gerald as close he could manage to the front doors, and then jumping out.

"Hey, baby."

"Hi." Connor reached for Jude's hand. "How are you?"

"I'm good." Jude kissed his lips. "Do you have any plans for the thirteenth?"

"No. That's the day before my dad comes."

"Right. I think I found a date for us to go on. If you'd like to."

"I'd like to." Connor swung their hands. "What is it?"

"A surprise. Where I'll also be giving you your Christmas present."

"You didn't have to –"

"I wanted to," Jude interrupted him. "I want to."

"Thank you."

"Which will mean more if you actually like it."

"I will. We should go. We don't want to be late."

Connor swung their hands between them as they walked. Half a dozen times, when he thought he saw someone looking at them oddly, he considered dropping Jude's hand. He didn't want people looking at him like that. He didn't want them to think offensive thing about him or about Jude. He didn't want them to think about him or Jude at all. But every time he reflexively went to loosen his hand, thinking that Jude wouldn't want to be known in conjunction with him anyway, he thought of how Jude's face would look when he let go. And, so, he held on.

"Jude, you're … happy, right?"

"Yes," Jude said, looking over to him and smiling. "Why do you ask?"

"I just wanted to make sure. I like hearing it. You make me happy too, you know?"

"You're very cute." Jude squeezed his hand and Connor tried to think about that instead of anything else.

There were a surprising amount of people that were heading toward the movie theatre and Connor started to worry about finding seats, as the theatre was first come, first serve when came to tickets and the line was starting to grow. He was relieved that, when they spotted Jake and Amy standing just to the left of the front doors, Amy was clearly clutching tickets in her hand.

"Hey!" Amy said. "We grabbed tickets, 'cause that line was already a mess when we got here."

"Thanks. How much do we owe you?" Jude asked.

"You can grab the snacks," Jake said, "and then we'll call it even."

"That sounds fair," Connor agreed.

"But I think seats are the priority."

It seemed everyone was in agreement with Amy. They headed into the auditorium, flashing their tickets at the frazzled looking doorman.

"Where would you like to sit?" Jake asked.

"I always like sitting up in back," Jude said. "I feel like less people are in my way."

"As long as it's not the front row, I don't care," Amy said.

"Back it is!" Jake declared.

Jake and Amy ascended the stairs first. Jude gestured for Connor to go ahead, but Connor paused.

"Thank you."

Jude shrugged. "What? I like sitting in the back."

"Thank you," Connor repeated.

"You're welcome, baby. Now, start walking or they'll think we just used them for tickets."

Jude was joking, and so Connor grinned. He led the way up the stairs, all the way to the top. Jake and Amy had only been able to find seats in the middle of the wall. Connor had to think for a moment, but he would prefer to be stuck between Jake and Jude than whatever stranger might take the empty seat that would be beside Jude. He slipped in the aisle, cringing every time he had to brush up against someone's leg, even though it only happened twice and had barely lasted for a single moment, even when it did occur. He breathed a sigh of relief when he was able to drop into the seat next to Jude.

"Did we want to try and get snacks before the first movie?" Jude asked, resting against the arm that separated his and Jude's chair.

"Second movie?" Amy said, looking at Jake. "I'm not hungry right now."

"Me either. Unless you two want something?" Jake agreed.

"I can wait," Connor said, even though his mouth was watering at the thought of popcorn. He wanted something to snack on.

"Cool, after the second one it is."

Jake and Amy started to making small talk with Jude. Connor stayed mostly quiet, only laughing awkwardly when Amy said that she hoped he didn't get sick again. Connor was relieved when the first Christmas movie started, which, surprisingly, was Home Alone.

"I love the classics," Jake sighed.

The lights dimmed and Connor tried to focus on the movie and not the sounds of people snacking on popcorn. When he and Jude went to get snacks, he was going to get a large bag of movie popcorn and cover it in butter. He wondered if Jude would help him snack on it. Even if he didn't, he knew Jude wouldn't mind his craving and wouldn't suggest that he and Jude get something different, that they both wanted to share. Knowing Jude, he would likely think it cute that Connor wanted a large bag of popcorn. Jude tended to think he was cute. Not that Connor understood that, but he also didn't want to dissuade Jude from liking him. He wanted to keep Jude close.

Halfway through the movie, Jake and Amy ended up half in one another's laps. Connor thought they were making out, but he didn't look over and confirm that. He didn't really think that Home Alone was a movie that people should make out to. He shifted closer to Jude, who sought out his hand. Connor looked at it for a second, then decided he didn't want to hold Jude's hand. Instead, he put his arm around Jude's shoulders, and Jude snuggled into him. They watched the rest of the movie like that, and then, the moment that there was even a hint of the credits, Jude sat up and leant over Connor.

"We're going to try and beat the snack lines. Text Connor what you'd like."

Jake gave a thumbs up, and then Jude and Connor slipped out of the aisle and hustled down the stairs. Many others had the same kind of idea and, though they had tried to get ahead of the line, there were many others in line.

"We won't miss the beginning of the next movie," Jude promised Connor.

"I'm not too worried about it." Connor's phone buzzed and he checked his texts. "They would like … large nachos, an extra large Coke, and a bag of gummy worms. Or bears. Or whatever is there that's gummy-like."

"Ooh, I like the way they think. I want some gummy bears. Do you want share some?"

"I was thinking I'd get some popcorn. I've been wanting some ever since we walked in."

"Why didn't you say anything?" Jude asked, moving a step forward in line. "We could have gotten some before the first movie."

"I didn't want to be annoying. No one else was hungry."

Jude glanced at him and Connor saw that look on his face, but then Jude heaved a sigh. "Okay, baby. Well, we'll get popcorn now. Do you think I could convince you to trade some gummies for some popcorn?"

"Yeah, I think so."

Jude grinned at him and they shuffled forward again.

"Can I ask you something?"

"Always, baby."

"When we came here the first time … Did you have a crush on me, then?"

"Of course. I had a crush on you before I talked to you. You know that." Jude wrapped his arm around Connor's waist and held him close. "When we were watching Carrie, you held my arm through all the scary parts. And I went into teenaged angst mode and was sad that you'd only ever hold my arm and never my hand. I was … so sad and so annoying."

"Really? I can't picture that."

"Sarcasm hurts."

"But you're being sarcastic."

"I didn't say I wasn't a hypocrite."

"You know … I was only scared once during Carrie," Connor admitted. "I didn't want to let go of you. I didn't really know why. I mean, I don't think I wanted to know why. I was scared of liking you."

"Are you still scared?"

"Sometimes. Getting less so."

They were almost next in line.

"Do you want anything other than popcorn, baby? It was early when the first movie started, so it's not like we've got dinner."

"Uh … How do you think hot dogs are at a movie theatre?"

"As awful and awesome as everything is at a movie theatre."

"One with the works sounds good."

"Cool, got it."

Jude stepped up to the counter.

"Oh, no, don't pay for everything," Connor said. "Let me."

"It doesn't matter."

'It does," Connor said. "You're taking me out next time. I don't want things to be unfair."

"Thanks, Connor."

"So, what do you want?" Connor asked.

Jude gave his order to the counter woman and then Connor recited the rest of their rather large order to her. It took both of them, and some artful balancing, to get the food for the four of them back into the auditorium. They walked slowly up the stairs, and Connor was terrified of someone bumping into them and sending their snacks crashing to the floor. It didn't happen, but it was enough to make him completely anxious by the time that they were back in their seats and sorting out what belonged to who.

"We were getting worried you got run over in the crowd," Amy joked.

"Close to it. They're going to mob soon."

"The bathroom lines are probably a mess," Amy whined. She glared at Jake out of the corner of her eye. "If I hear one thing about guys have it easier, I'm not touching you later."

Connor shifted uncomfortably, again. It was a simple enough threat and had probably been made in many relationships. It still made him uncomfortable. He didn't think physicality should be held over anyone's head. It was hard enough to imagine that kind of love being freely given and happily reciprocated instead of being one-sided and too harsh for the other. Connor looked at Jude, who tossed one of his gummy bears into Connor's popcorn bag before taking a few pieces. Jude would never force him to do anything. Jude didn't even want to have sex, and Connor thought he was selfish for being grateful for that.

"How's the theatre hot dog?" Jude asked.

Connor picked a crisp white onion off the edge of his hotdog bun and popped it in his mouth. He'd always liked the sharp taste of onions. "Better than expected."

"Glad you like it."

The second movie popped up, which was the fairly new remake of The Grinch Who Stole Christmas. Connor liked it, though he didn't really think that anything could compare to the version that he had grown up with. He finished his hot dog and then placed the garbage under his chair, though he always felt guilty about doing that. He'd never forgotten to collect his trash from the theatre, but he was always paranoid that he would make someone else clean up after him. He settled in to watch the Grinch steal gifts. This time, he ended up tucked underneath of Jude's arm, leaning against his shoulder. They shared popcorn and gummies. After the second movie, Connor felt like he was ready to go, but he wasn't willing to run out on Jake and Amy again. Not after what he had done the first time that they were together. And so, while Amy went off to find a bathroom, he, Jake, and Jude sat and talked about plans for Christmas break. Connor felt like he was on the outside of the conversation, since he knew what Jake and Connor were doing. He was glad when Amy came back. Jude and Jake were awkward with one another. Connor didn't think that they disliked one another, but they didn't know each other. Amy was a little more extroverted and a little more unfiltered; conversation just seemed to roll easier when she was around.

"You're so lucky to be going to New York. Going somewhere for break is always more fun."

"Hey, you're going to have me this year!" Jake said.

"I stand by what I said."

"I like going home," Jude said. "I miss spending time with all of my family. But, you know, nothing wrong with a family vacation either."

Connor could think of a lot that could go wrong on his family vacation, but he was really going to try and be optimistic. If he left being pessimistic, then he was only going to see things negatively. At least, that was what Dr. Scott had said last week. He was going to try optimism. Or at least, he was going to try being optimistic. He didn't think he could maintain that mental perspective for too long but if it helped at all then it would be worth it.

The lights dimmed for the third movie and Connor sighed in relief. It was an old, black and white film. He tucked himself under Jude's arm again and focused on getting to the end of the movie. His social battery had been entirely drained, and he wanted nothing more than to get back to his room. He hoped he could make a speedy escape when it was all over.

The chapter's title is after the song Happily Ever After by He Is We (reader recommended). If you have a song that reminds you of Barefoot And Bruised and would like it to be on the playlist – and possibly a chapter title – send it in and let me know! I'd love to hear your playlist suggestions! (Chapter titles are mostly chosen via shuffle.)

So, on tumblr I'm: we are all of legend now (with dashes between every word). If you want to find my replies to anon reviews, add backslash tagged backslash anon dash replies. If you want to see anything I post about Barefoot And Bruised, go to my tumblr URL and add backslash tagged backslash barefoot dash and dash bruised dash. Punctuation is spelled out due to Fanfiction's restrictions. If you're having any trouble accessing the tumblr content please send me a pm and I can format it for you in a different way.

~TLL~