He hadn’t intended to go back to the wall, but he was asked to stay on the same route by the police chief, and he couldn’t really turn him down just because he felt awkward about a one-time interaction with some random woman. No matter how often he’d thought of her. Or her smile. But because he’d been assigned to the same route, he had to drive by the wall often. And sometimes he drove slower, though if he saw Kins there he quickly continued on. He didn’t know what to say to her. Hadn’t had to talk to a woman in years. And he wasn’t even sure if that was why he was interested - there was simply something about her that drew him in. Made him want to try. It was a strange feeling, looking forward to the day.

She didn’t seem to be making much progress on the wall, and he felt himself feeling worried. Wondering why she didn’t have more done. So when she wasn’t there one morning, he got out and went over to the wall, looking at what she had down so far. Trying to memorize how it looked. And then he’d left, quickly, because he didn’t want her to find him there and him have to come up with some sort of explanation. If that happened, he’d rather get shot down by lightning than have to face her.

He always tried to space the time he went by the wall out by at least a day. If she did notice him driving by, he didn’t want her to get any ideas. Or be worried he was going to bug her again. No, Jude would just settle for watching her art grow. It would tell him everything he needed to know - if she was okay, if she was healthy. He returned to the wall and couldn’t help but park when he didn’t see her standing there. Moving over to the art piece, he noticed that things had changed, which made a rush of relief sweep through him. She was okay.

"What seems to be the problem officer?"

His entire body tensed up as her bag thudded on the ground. Tilting his head up slightly, he searched for storm clouds. Just a little bit of lightning? No? Turning slowly, he kept his expression placid, but the ‘caught me’ look in his eyes was telling. He hadn’t realized how much he’d wanted to hear her voice until he’d heard it and the thrill that raced through his blood was almost enough to sweep away the embarrassment. Jude was absolutely not, under any circumstances, going to tell her that he’d been concerned with the sudden lack of progress. No, that was humiliating. She was a stranger. And he’d been extremely rude and then extremely awkward the first and last time they’d met.

”Does it normally go this slow in the beginning stages?” His stupid mouth was asking, his brain catching up seconds later and realizing he’d just admitted he’d kept an eye on her progress. There was a brief look of surprise on his face, at his own words no less, before he cleared his throat and gestured at the wall, breaking eye contact with her. ”I mean, this doesn’t look much more than when you were just starting.” And then he realized that the next thing his words would probably do was insult her by telling her she didn’t do much. Was he really tanking this interaction so quickly?

He almost wanted to just close his eyes and pretend she wasn’t there until she pitied him enough to just leave. ”Ah, hm.” He felt his brows draw together as he tried to think of what to say to look less like an idiot. At least now he knew what it felt like when a cop just appeared out of nowhere to question your entire purpose. ”You said something about two weeks. So I just thought that I’d come to see how it was going.” He said, the words harder and more serious than he meant them to be, because he was focusing so hard on not accidentally making her angry. He purposefully kept his eyes on the wall for a little longer before glancing back at her, fighting to keep his casual expression. ”So, how’s it going?”

722 words - Havyn Kinsley - hope this is good enough <3

(C) ELLIE @ GANGNAM STYLE

“Glad to see you haven’t changed since I last saw you.”

Jude was certain he’d already tanked this interaction, until he caught on to the laughter in his words. The relief that swept through him as she carried on to admit that things were going slow was immense, and he felt the tightness in his shoulders loosen slightly. He was still doing absolutely terrible, but at least she wasn’t angry at him. He couldn’t help but think he was the precursor for the ‘cursed’ wall. ”Mmm, or a rude cop set the mood off.” He said, tone musing despite the obvious implication of whom the rude cop was.

“Weather has been putting a hold on it mainly. Can’t exactly paint if the wall is wet or the rain threatens to wash away my progress.”

He deserved the tone she spoke with, as it had been a dumb quesiton from the get go - not only because it was incredibly insulting. He gave a nod, his expression revealing none of the inner anguish he was going through. Why she had his tongue tied and his nerves on edge he didn’t know, but it only made him want to try harder at this whole conversation thing. ”Good point.” He conceded, his gaze following her as she moved past him towards the wall. Turning to stop from being twisted around awkwardly, he watched her start to work on the wall.

Her commentary on him actually pulling through had a rare uptilt forming at the edges of his mouth. Jude hadn’t meant those words when he’d said them, not fully. He hadn’t planned on actually speaking to her ever again. And yet. The day after he’d met her, he’d gone out and purchased himself a glove, masks, and hand sanitizer for his cruiser. Just in case. He was kicking himself all over again when he noted that the mask would be doing him much better off if he had it right now, since she was here in front of him. ”I’m an ass, but I’m a reliable ass.” Jude told her. No reason in telling her he’d never planned on actually seeing her. That was obvious from the horror flick they’d just been a part of two minutes ago.

“So, how’s it going for you, Jude?”

His expression flinched for a moment, a small flash of something across his face as she spoke his name. It was entirely involuntary. He liked the way she said his name. He watched her paint for a moment, a curious look on his face. How was it going for him? Did anyone ever really want to know the truth behind that question? Did he even know the truth behind that question? Looking rueful, Jude shrugged his shoulders, though her focus was elsewhere. ”Still working on my bedside manner.” He replied, ”Nothing new.”

Hesitating, he shifted his weight. ”Actually. Since you’re here. I got something.” Holding up a finger, he turned and hurried back to the cruiser, in so much of a rush he didn’t even catch the drawing she’d done. He nabbed the mask, a simple black fitted one. It wasn’t much, and it certainly wasn’t medical grade, but it was hard to come by medical grade masks these days if you weren’t a medical personnel. He’d seen plenty of civilians using scarves and other strips of cloth. As he approached her again, he pulled the mask on over his face, though he still stopped a decent six feet from her. Masks had never bothered him, though when you’re chasing a guy over fences you prefer not to have anything over your mouth and nose. He’d just...never worn one. He didn’t care if he got sick. Jude knew thinking that way wasn’t healthy. But he didn’t care.

But then he’d seen how uncomfortable she’d been. And figured if he couldn’t be a kind person through his words, maybe even taking a few steps to show some sort of morality, would be good enough. Gesturing as if to say, ‘welp, here it is’, Jude’s gaze was locked on her. ”I figured this would make you more comfortable.” He stated matter of factly, gesturing to the mask on his face, as if it weren’t obvious what he was referring to.

711 words - Havyn Kinsley - oof

(C) ELLIE @ GANGNAM STYLE

“Well, perhaps you could tell this rude cop to come take the curse off of the wall.”

This banter was going much better than their last encounter. Jude felt himself relaxing more, enjoying the easiness of this conversation. He couldn’t remember the last time he’d sat down and seriously had a pleasant conversation. If he really thought about it, it was likely before the world took a dive for him. Before he lost them. He hadn’t let himself sit and enjoy life since. The change of pace was refreshing, but it felt wrong. Somewhere in him, he felt guilty for being anything but devastated.

The corner of his mouth lifted in a wry smile. ”I’ll tell him.” He told her, trying to sound solemn, though his tone was still infused with humor. Jude watched as she went over to the wall, starting to work. Though he thought it might be nice to sit and watch her work, he knew he’d have to leave soon. Things were currently fairly quiet, the city still recovering from the riots and keeping their heads down as the number of cases rose. People were scared, hiding in their homes and keeping their heads buried in the sand. And yet, here Havyn was. Kins. Making art.

“Jude Colburn, reliable ass. Is that what is printed on the card you hand out?”

Listening to the way she said his name, there was a voice in the back of his mind that told him he liked the way it sounded rolling off her tongue. As an adult man, he realized that he was attracted to her, which explained the nervousness. But as a widower, it felt like a betrayal. So he was determined to focus on just not being an ass. ”I don’t have any cards, unfortunately.” He answered, though he didn’t sound all that disappointed at the idea of not having one. Back when he’d been a detective, he’d had cards. But as a SWAT member, it didn’t really matter who he was. It wasn’t his job to solve cases anymore. He was the muscle. The battering ram. She asked what he did, and he thought it was funny how her words matched up with his thoughts. ”I’m SWAT. So that’s why my bedside manner is so bad. I’m used to kicking down doors.” He responded casually.

Jude probably wouldn’t ever admit it, but her praise - regardless of the joking tone she used - made him feel a little good about himself. He was seriously lacking in the social department, because he hadn’t felt this interested in forming a connection since everything happened. He’d just been moving through the motions, angry and hurt. He still was. But she was like a bright spot in the murkiness.

Which is why he’d been so proud of himself when he’d gone to get the mask. But as he stood in front of her, waiting for her response, he felt that anxiety claw it’s way back up into his throat. His chest felt tight, buzzing with nerves. He felt his lips parting, his brain scrambling to figure out how to save the problem. He was about to apologize. But then she spoke, thanking him. The way her eyes lit up told him she was smiling, and reflexively a relieved grin broke out on his face, hidden by the mask. Shrugging his shoulders, he inclined his head. ”I really should be wearing a mask anyways. I’m sure if the city weren’t just plunged into chaos, I’d have been in trouble for it.” He brushed her thanks off casually, not wanting to make it awkward.

“What are you doing later? I know the wall isn’t much to look at yet. But I do have some works you could see if you aren’t busy... if you want. No big deal.”

His heart froze in his chest, his eyes looking surprised for a moment before he reigned his reaction in. She was asking him to spend time together? Off the clock? At her place? Suddenly he remembered how it felt to talk to pretty girls when he was younger. That buzzing in your stomach that told you that things were dangerous. Why he was suddenly feeling like a teenager with a crush, he didn’t want to even think about it.

”Later? I...um,” He blurted, pausing to really think about it. When did he ever have plans after a shift? Or any time really? ”Nothing.” He admitted, a chuckle lacing with the word. Jude had become a big fan of delivery services ever since he moved to Lethford. The pandemic just gave him a good excuse to never leave his house except for work. He still hadn’t said yes or no, but his mind was still reeling that she’d even asked at all. ”But that...sounds nice.” He finally said, nodding his head. He was genuinely interested in seeing her work, which came to him as a surprise. He hadn’t been interested in any of his old hobbies for years. He’d stopped messing with art once he’d become a cop, only indulging whenever Emily would drag him to those wine-and-art things, or if Ellie wanted to fingerpaint. He’d definitely never been a professional.

The radio on his hip squawked to life. The dispatcher’s voice rattled off a new emergency, listing off a location that was nearby. Reaching to lower the volume, Jude turned his attention back to Havyn. ”I have to go, but I get off at seven.” The words felt foreign in his mouth, and he felt like he was about to choke on the dryness of his mouth. ”Do you want me to come over then?”

942 words - Havyn Kinsley - oof

(C) ELLIE @ GANGNAM STYLE

"Oh come now. I am sure that SWAT has to talk to some people. Or are you only sent in to break doors down?"

Jude shrugged his shoulders. ”I’m a really good battering ram. Not much talking to be done when you’re arresting someone.” His eyes flashed as he realized what he’d just said, and a wry smile spread across his face. ”Well, unless that someone is a hot tempered, tattoo-covered wall artist. Then there’s a little bit of talking.” He didn’t know where this joking guy was coming from. He hadn’t felt like this in a long, long time. It was pleasant, but still made him feel guilty. Here he was, flirting and trading jabs with a very unique woman, and what he should be doing is the exact opposite.

She brought him back with her joke about his reading capability, and he couldn’t help but chuckle in response to it. ”They use pictures mostly.” He admitted, having seen at least twenty papers taped around the station with a picture of a person’s silhouette wearing a mask. Thankfully, most of his work required the wearing of head and facial gear anyhow. So he hadn’t had to fight with anyone about why he didn’t care about getting sick. Why he was ready - had been ready for months - to die in the line of fire. Had thrown himself into gunfights and crack houses and criminal dens with abandon, letting himself lose sight of his goal. Of his safety.

"If you want to go home and get cleaned up, feel free. I normally don't go to sleep early."

It wasn’t actually a joke, which was still a bit what Jude was thinking. But she seemed genuinely eager to have him over, and he felt himself feeling pleased. Jude rarely slept. He usually got about five hours on good nights, and sometimes none at all. So the fact that she too was a late nighter only made him feel even better. ”Got it.” He told her, watching as she moved over to her bag and pulled out a card, placing it on the ground before moving away from it. Her phone number? His body felt too light.

Once she’d returned to her place at the wall, he moved over and stooped down to pick up the card. Curling it into his palm, he stood back up and turned to her.

"I'll see you later."

Another smile took over his face, and once again he found himself thanking that he had a mask on. ”See you.” Jude said, trying to sound casual as he nodded at her back - like an idiot, he thought - and started back towards his vehicle. He fought the urge to look over his shoulder at her, coming around behind his cruiser. Pausing as something caught his eye, he felt his brows pull up in surprise at the sight of her drawing. He stared at it for a few moments before going to the driver’s door and getting inside.

Soon as he got back to the station, he took a picture of the drawing and saved her contact information in his phone. He considered sending her the picture, and commenting on her artwork, but second guessed himself into leaving things alone. The day dragged on. He found himself glancing at the clock repeatedly throughout the evening. Jittery. Unfocused. Excited. When it finally came time to head home, he was out the door at seven on the dot. He got home in record time, stripping down before getting in the shower. When he got out and looked at himself in the mirror, he considered cleaning up. Shaving. Styling his hair? He was about to reach for his clippers when he stopped himself. What was he doing? This was silly. He left his bathroom and quickly got dressed in a pair of jeans and a white crew shirt. Boots on his feet, he grabbed his keys and headed back out.

Back in his cruiser, he paused to send her a text - feeling his heart leap as he hit send. He was really doing this. Was this a date? It didn’t seem to be phrased that way, but he hadn’t dated in so long that maybe he was just missing out. God, he sounded old.

A bundle of nerves, Jude tried not to drive too fast on his way there. When he arrived, he sat in his car for a few minutes, grabbing the miniature hand sanitizer he’d bought, drenching his hands in it and considering just quickly bathing himself in it. A fresh mask found it’s way onto his face. He still didn’t get out, staring blankly out his windshield. He felt silly. But he still knew he wasn’t going to leave. Just the image of her crestfallen face in his mind was too much for him. Suddenly, it meant the world to keep making her look at him the way she had when he’d brought the first mask out. Thinking that, he tucked the sanitizer into his pocket and got out of his car.

He remembered the way to her apartment as if he’d been there a million times, feeling the jitters getting stronger as he stood in the elevator. As the doors dinged open, his gaze lifted to search out her door, as if she might be standing there, waving at him. He was two steps out of the elevator when his eyes registered that the door was not closed. Without thinking, his strides got longer and faster, and he was halfway to her door when he heard her voice.

"Stop it! I said get out!"

The fear in her voice broke his mind, and he paused for a split second, chills running down his spine. He had never even gotten the chance to try to help Emily and Ellie, but his brain connected the fear in her voice to a false memory that only haunted him in his dreams. He couldn’t sleep because he used to have night terrors filled with their voices crying out for him. Unanswered.

And then, all at once, white hot rage slammed down on his head and his feet were propelling him towards her door, at first walking quickly before breaking out into a dead sprint. Pivoting as he reached her door, he threw his shoulder into it, lunging forward into her apartment. His eyes immediately found Havyn, and the man who was currently holding onto her. In a breath’s moment, Jude took in the scene. The guy. Looming over her, his hand. On her arm. Havyn, mask hanging from an ear, expression angry but...Jude felt something click off in his mind as he caught sight of the tears in her gaze. Some part of him that held back all that anger and bitterness turning off.

The guy was still absorbing Jude’s sudden appearance, and the stupid look of indigant anger on his face only made Jude more angry himself. He hadn’t stopped moving since bursting through the door, and with a few strides he was looming over the pair, his large hand reaching out to grab the guy’s wrist as his other hand came out and struck him in the face with the heel of his palm. At the same time, Jude used his weight and momentum to shove the guy back and away from Havyn, feeling a dark pleasure at the sound of a breaking bone. Nose, check.

Jude shoved the man’s arm away, releasing him only to grab the front of his shirt so he could swing him into the hallway wall. Blood was flowing freely from the punk’s nose, and distantly Jude could hear the annoying whine of his nasally voice as he loudly announced that Jude had broken his nose. Jude sneered underneath the mask, his eyes dead and cold. He didn’t have cuffs, because he hadn’t realized he might have to hurt someone tonight. He was trying to figure out what to do to restrain him when the absolute idiot spoke up again.

’That bitch wants it!’

Immediately, Jude jerked him away from the wall, wanting to kill him right then and there, but knowing that Havyn was still here with them. So instead Jude reeled back and punched him, watching as the other man fell back against the wall before sliding down to the floor. Out like a light. Jude felt the buzzing in his ears fade slightly, taking in the fact that his breaths were heaving out of him, his hands shaking. He wanted to kill him. Snap his neck. He didn’t want him to ever open his eyes again. Or that filthy mouth.

He remained silent for a few moments, trying to ease his breathing and the hot anger burning beneath his skin. After a few moments, he turned to find Havyn. Inclining his head, he tried to focus on her. He didn’t reach out to touch her, instead digging into his pocket and fishing out the hand sanitizer. Holding it out to her with the hand that wasn’t bloody, his expression softened and his eyes were concerned. ”I’m going to call this in and have him picked up.” He told her, because he didn’t want her worrying about if he was going to actually kill the guy right in front of her. God, how he really didn’t want to scare her any more than she already was. ”Kins? Are you okay? Did he hurt you?”

1576 words - Havyn Kinsley - oof

(C) ELLIE @ GANGNAM STYLE

"I'm okay. I... I am so sorry... I opened th-the door and I thought... it was you. I didn't even check. He pushed his way in."

His chest was aching terribly. He was still shaking, but he hoped she didn’t notice. Jude wanted nothing more in that moment than to reach out and comfort her. The only other urge he was having was to turn around and kill the man on the ground. But he couldn’t break his gaze from her, blatantly roving his gaze over her body as he looked for any kind of wounds. He wanted to hold her. Needed it almost. To convince himself he’d succeeded in protecting her. To prove she was real and solid. His muscles were all so tight that he felt rigid and stiff, his heart pounding in his chest.

Before he could bring himself to respond, she was suddenly turning away, heading off to likely collect herself. He cursed himself in his head, turning back to the man on the ground. He took his belt off, quickly tying the man’s arms behind his back. Then he made the call. In the time it took for officers to show up, Jude washed his hands and arms. Checked his clothing for blood.

By the time that she returned, the officers were already back. Jude stood by as they took her story, as he’d already informed them of his side of things. He couldn’t take his eyes off her. It was all he could do to stand away from her. He had an arm across his abdomen, his free hand holding the side of his neck. As if he were holding himself back. Holding himself together. But his eyes were locked on Havyn as she spoke to the officers. He barely noticed when they left, though when she entered the apartment again and closed the door, every nerve in his body was screaming for him to close the distance between them. Instead, he stood rooted in place, eyes still focused entirely on her.

"Jude, I am so sorry."

Jude hated that she felt the need to apologize to him, but as his lips parted to respond, she was continuing - and then the oven was going off. Why did it feel like he didn’t know what to say? He wanted to make her feel better. But his brain was coming up empty with words. And yet his thoughts were completely ensnared by her. He couldn’t think of anything else. He watched her go and take the food from the oven, and something about the fact that she’d cooked him food made everything else disappear.

He closed the distance between them, but drew himself short of a few feet from her. Not quite six, but he hoped she wouldn’t give him a hard time this once. His gaze finally left her to glance down at the food she’d made, though it hardly mattered what it was. She could have served him a plate of dirt and worms and he likely would have thanked her for it. ”Starving, actually.” He finally said, his gaze moving back to her, the mask hiding the hard line of his mouth, but the hunger in his gaze bare and plain to see. Once again, he looked her over, his gaze resting on her arm where she’d been grabbed.

The red skin was giving way to bruising already. He was reaching out to touch her before he realized what he was doing, and his hand hovered over the injured skin, not quite touching. His brows were drawn down together in a severe frowning expression, his eyes pained.

”Please don’t apologize again.” His voice was hard, but the words weren’t aimed at her. He felt like he was choking, and that anger he’d felt when he’d seen her fear was welling up again as he stared at her arm. He brought his arm back to his side, his gaze flicking up to meet hers. ”I’m sorry it wasn’t me at the door.”

’Jesus, relax.’ Jude told himself, feeling a familiar tremor in his hands. He kept telling himself that she was ultimately okay. She was safe. Ruffled, but he’d gotten there in time. He’d shown up this time. Still, not being able to touch her was agony. Because he really needed something to ground him. ”Let me help. Where are the plates?” He asked, distancing himself from her as he moved towards her kitchen cabinets, because if he stayed where he was he was going to touch her. And he didn’t want to make her any more uncomfortable than she probably already was.

770 words - Havyn Kinsley - oof

(C) ELLIE @ GANGNAM STYLE

“Chicken and rice casserole.”

Jude didn’t like that she was going to bruise, but he knew he wasn’t helping by focusing on it. He was only going to keep reminding her of what she’d just gone through, so he tried to focus on the food she’d cooked. Distract himself from his own thoughts. ”Smells good.” He commented, and he meant it. It smelled good enough to actually distract him. Jude was used to eating frozen meals, or take out. He used to cook a lot, but ever since he was suddenly on his own, his kitchens have largely gone unused. The microwave and he were on a first name basis.

“If I can’t apologize, neither can you. You were there when I needed you.”

He studied her for a moment, before giving a quick dip of his chin. ”Fair enough. Deal.” Though it only showed in the way his eyes changed, a small smile was on his face. He was swallowing the anger and fear, pushing it aside. Because he wanted to make her feel better. As she directed him to where the plates were, he got into the cabinet and pulled two plates down.

And then she was handing him a drink, talking about a shower. He took the bottle from her, nodding his head again. If he couldn’t hold her, he could at least try to be as supportive as he knew how. ”Take however long you need.” He said, his tone casual and his gaze dropping from her back to the food, not wanting to make her uncomfortable. Still, as she turned to head to the shower, his gaze found her back, and didn’t let her go until she stepped out of view. Sighing softly to himself, he turned and took the bottle opener off the fridge. Popping the bottle, he took a swig of the cider, standing awkwardly in the kitchen for a few minutes. Listening to the shower run.

As a little more time passed by, he carefully served food onto each plate, carrying them into the living room and setting them on her coffee table. Then he went back to the kitchen and retrieved another cider from the fridge, popping the top and returning to the living room. He set the freshly opened bottle on the table next to her plate, then sat down on the couch. Jude wanted to wait to eat until she came out, but he couldn’t help but sneak a bite of the casserole. It was still fairly hot, but he didn’t mind. It was delicious. A few moments passed before the shower shut off, and not long after that when she finally came back into view.

No mask. Jude sat up straighter on the couch, his eyes locked on hers. He’d taken his mask off after she’d gone to the shower, so he had nothing to hide the look of soft surprise on his face. Reigning his obvious staring in, Jude cleared his throat, nodding at the bottle of cider and plate that he’d set up for her. ”If I’m drinking, you’re drinking.” He told her, his tone gruff because he was still struggling with the no mask thing, but humorous all the same. He was distracted by her when she wore a mask, so this was going to be a struggle for him. In order to stop himself from continuing to stare at her face, Jude let his gaze wander around the living room. The decor seemed to embody her entire personality, which was weird to think as if he knew anything about her. But he felt like if he had to guess what her apartment looked like, he would guess something like this. It was...just her.

619 words - Havyn Kinsley - oof

(C) ELLIE @ GANGNAM STYLE

“It’s a mess in a way. But I like it.”

Jude wasn’t an idiot. He could feel her eyes on him. He knew that even as his eyes drank in the sight of her home, he was entirely focused on her. So close. He never thought that not being able to touch someone would ever be a problem for him again. But here he was, in over his head trying to pretend he was someone he hadn’t been in a very long time. Trying to be normal.

Still, he tried to brush the darker thoughts to the back of his mind as he looked at her various works, the pictures of her on the walls. He had questions he wanted to ask. But he knew when he started asking her questions, he wouldn’t know how to stop. There was a dam of curiosity in his mind, and if he asked her one question, he’d continue until he’d gathered every piece of her in his mind. That feeling of lightness was a long lost feeling for him. That drive to know someone, simply because they interested you. And it frightened him - because it made him feel guilty. He hadn’t allowed anyone to get close since he lost his girls; he wasn’t even sure how to begin the process anymore.

”It’s comfortable.” Jude responded, glancing over at her. He’d almost called her home beautiful, but the word had stuck in his throat. And the statement he had made was also very true. Her home was the polar opposite if his - hers lived in and peaceful. His was like the inside of a coffin. Immaculate, and depressing. ”It’s nice. Maybe I should get you to decorate mine.” Another terrible attempt at humor, but he at least didn’t sound like he was choking on a block of ice. There was warmth in his tone, which was an improvement.

“Interesting start to the night.”

Jude couldn’t stop the chuckle that escaped his throat, his brows moving up and down as if to convey how much that statement fell short of describing the night. ”You could say that.” He responded, his tone light. He watched her take her food for a moment, before reaching out to grab his own fork. He didn’t settle the plate in his lap, preferring to sit on the edge of the couch and eat as if the coffee table were a dining room table. He took a bite of the casserole as she mentioned hoping it made up for the night, and he felt the edges of his mouth curve up slightly. ”Not that there’s anything to make up for, but the food alone is certainly enough.” He told her, giving her a stern look, as if he might personally reprimand her if she continued acting as if she’d inconvenienced him. ”The cider is a plus.” As was the vision of her, but there was no way that thought was escaping his lips.

Her next question caught him off guard, and his mind immediately went blank. He hesitated, glancing over at her as if considering her question. Good lord, why hadn’t he thought about the small talk questions she might ask? ”I don’t watch movies very often anymore.” He admitted, looking back down at his food. ”I used to watch mostly war movies and action movies, though.” Jude told her, knowing he likely sounded like any typical man. But then he’d also spent even longer after that watching nature documentaries, musicals, romance, children’s movies. But he thought if he told her to put on the best Disney movie she had, she’d look at him like he’d grown two heads. So war and action it was.

”If you’re trying to figure out what to play,” He started, focusing on his food, ”Let’s watch your favorite movie in your collection. Whatever it is.” His gaze flicked up to meet hers, his head tilted in her direction. There was an easy curve to his mouth.

663 words - Havyn Kinsley - oof

(C) ELLIE @ GANGNAM STYLE