Smooth Surfaces

[Ramlock]

Zed smiled as he entered the kitchen, watching her prepare the popcorn. It was awfully elaborate... At least, compared to sticking a bag in a microwave. Still, it seemed to be something she was very into, and he didn't mind trying something new, anyway.

"A movie about a beautiful friendship. And love, I suppose. And more than a few Nazis."

Watching Sophie struggle to get the bowl, Zed would wait a few seconds before quietly stepping over next to her. He'd place one hand on her hip to steady her, reaching up over her shoulder to grab the bowl and move it down into her reach, moving his hand next to hers on the side of the bowl. Of course, he didn't immediately remove his hands from either the bowl or her hip.

"One bowl works for me."

[Skylar]

She didn't have a chance to answer him before she felt his hand on her hip. While he had touched her during dancing at the club, this was much different for her. She paused for a moment, stopped everything in fact: moving, breathing...everything. Quickly she tried to remember what she was about to say but came up empty handed..

Sophie watched as he moved the bowl to where she could reach it. What struck her odd is most people would have simply removed the bowl and placed it on the counter, yet he saw the importance to her of doing to alone. It was a kind gesture of the most simplest kind. However, the most important.

Her eyes landed on his hand beside hers, and while he didn't pull away, neither did she. In fact, she turned slightly toward him, enough so that his hand would slide around to the small of her back should he not move it. From his hand her eyes moved to his, she seemed almost nervous... “Thanks. One bowl it is then.” She tried to make it sound funny, but her voice was a bit shaky, almost a whisper.

[Ramlock]

Zed watched Sophie, noticing that she seemed a bit flustered at his actions, not moving his hand from her back... And it amused him, until he realized he was just looking into her eyes, too. For more than was perhaps smooth. Still, when he wasn't trying to lie... There was something in her eyes that was... Exotic? Strange and appealing, in any case...

"Um... Sounds good."

Luckily, he wasn't someone else, or he might well have hit himself. He wasn't a teenager any more... Still, he let go of the bowl, his hand lingering on Sophie's back for an extra second before he leaned back against a counter, facing her. He couldn't help but smile a bit... Certainly not where he had expected this night to lead, but much superior.

[Skylar]

With a bit of nervous laughter, she felt the only want to get her eyes off his was to move, and move she did. Slowly she moved over to the popcorn machine to stop it from overflowing. Her hands seemed to be shaking a bit and she wondered if he could hear her heart begging to burst from her chest.

The silence that now filled the room only made her a bit more uneasy. She placed the bowl on the counter and filled it overflowing with the popcorn. Drinks! She had almost forgotten. Turning she realized that Zed was basically beside the fridge. She'd either have to ask him to move a little, or risk hitting him with the door.

Again she laughed, moving to his side and pointing toward the fridge. “The.... sodas.” She smiled and tossed her gaze back to the fridge. She always believed that the eyes were the window to ones soul, and right now hers was scared to death. Or maybe just nervous...whatever it was, she wasn't sure she wanted him to see it, mostly for the sheer embarrassment of knowing what was going through her mind.

[Ramlock]

Zed smiled a bit wider in the silence that followed, though of course, he didn't do anything to break the silence that followed. It wasn't a terrible silence. Maybe a bit awkward, but in a good way. As Sophie went to get into the fridge, Zed moved aside, allowing her to enter.

"Sure..."

For lack of something better to do, Zed picked up the bowl of popcorn while Sophie was getting drinks. It was about time for the movie, it seemed. Maybe better that way. The movie at least wasn't going to be silent... Not that the silence was uncomfortable, but it was maybe a bit embarrassing.

"You ready?"

[Skylar]

“Mhm.” She smiled and headed into the living room, placing the sodas on the coffee table in front of the couch, assuming since they were sharing the popcorn, they'd be sitting together. Suddenly, her heart began to race again...

Before sitting, she went back to the door to see Aron still sitting outside, looking pathetic. This time however, she didn't comment on it. She was over it, so it was kinda whatever to her. She made sure the door was securely locked once again, and turned the overhead light off, darkening the room.

She again returned to the immediate area where they would be watching the movie, only to light two three wick candles that rested up the top of the entertainment center that held the television. “Uh..I hope you don't mind..it's kinda my movie watching ritual.” She laughed, this time less nervous.

“I suppose we're ready now!” With that being said, she took a seat on the end of the couch, bowl of popcorn in her lap. Curling her legs up slightly beside, yet under herself, she leaned against the arm of the couch and leaned forward to grab the remote. “Make yourself at home.”

[Ramlock]

Zed followed her, watching while she put the sodas down and lit the candles over the TV. Lighting candles was of course not something he did before watching a movie, and he wasn't entirely sure how to take it. What exactly did she have in mind? Yet, she seemed a little less nervous...

"No, no problem."

Zed set the bowl of popcorn next to Sophie while she sat down, then had a seat on the couch beside her. He wasn't touching Sophie, but he was still sitting on the middle cushion of the couch, and even a bit closer to her by that measure. Just a few inches would separate them as he got comfortable, grabbing a few kernels of popcorn while the movie began.

"Sure."

Zed kicked his shoes off, moving them down the couch to where they wouldn't be in anyone's way. For the moment, he was plenty comfortable, if perhaps a bit warm...

[Skylar]

She realized by the look on his face that the candle thing threw him off a bit. She also realized that it added a bit of a romantic flair to the situation that in some ways, could already be perceived as so. “I hate the glare the overhead light casts on my television. Thus the candles.” She laughed a bit, wondering if he would know why she mentioned it.

It made her happy to see him kick off his shoes and actually get comfortable. It was also nice to have someone other then Aron comfortable enough to do so around her. Most people found her odd, basically because she was usually quiet. But for some reason, Zed made her want to be more open, more...normal...

“That's great popcorn, no?” Nothing beat the taste of real popcorn. And by real I mean, shit that didn't come from a bag in the microwave. “My mom used to always make popcorn like this for me when I was a kid.” Her smile slowly faded, and she turned her head away. She didn't really have enough time with her mom....she only wished there could have been something she could have done all those years ago....

“We ready to start the movie?”

[Ramlock]

Zed laughed a bit at her explanation, and the bit of general awkwardness around the situation. Not that it was terrible, or anything. Besides, he knew better than to think she was completely innocent, as far as her implications may have gone. Still, he tried not to dwell on it as he tried the popcorn.

"It's pretty good. I suppose I can see why you don't use microwave popcorn."

Zed didn't mention her mother, or attempt to pry. The lonely picture of her family, and her turning away at the mention of her mother was information enough. It was tragic, but he had only really just met Sophie, and it wasn't his place to know. That was more something the guy on the front steps right now probably did.

"I'm ready if you are..."

[Skylar]

“I'm always ready.”

That was all he needed to say. With a click, the movie began. She curled up to her corner as if it was something she had done many times before. Blindly she would grab some popcorn, and munch it quietly.

Wide eyed she watched the movie as if she had never seen it before. It was almost a child like awe that her facial features held as she engrossed herself within the film.

Unable to hold the position she was in any longer, she pulled her legs up under herself completely sitting indian style. From time to time she would catch herself tossing a look at Zed. He was a handsome man, and the way the light from the television shadowed his facial features was almost haunting. Were she a painter, she would have to paint him just as he was then, and there.

[Ramlock]

Zed sat, watching the movie quietly, his hand occasionally covering his mouth. He remembered the movie pretty well; he had seen it several times. This time, though... He was having a bit more trouble concentrating on it. His mind kept wandering...

Zed would lean forward once in a while to get a sip of his soda, often casting his eyes sideways at Sophie. At least, she was somewhat in the way of the TV, and he could glance over without appearing too obvious. And from the corner of his eye, once in a while, he could see her looking his way, too...

Outside, it was starting to get a bit chilly, and the chill was starting to seep into the apartment a bit. Zed was pretty athletic, but he still noticed. Sophie, he imagined, would also notice... Not that he might not have a bit of an ulterior motive here...

"You don't happen to have a big blanket, do you?"

[Skylar]

Even had she not been looking randomly, she could feel his eyes on her from time to time. There were even a few instances that had he been a few seconds earlier, he would have straight caught her looking at him. In fact, in those instances, she had to fight back a giggle.

She would admit, though only to herself, and not out loud, that he was adorable. A sexy man, almost acting like a shy young man....it made her heart skip a beat here and there.

When he asked for a blanket it didn't dawn on her that it was getting chilly until she moved. “I'm sorry, I didn't even realize it was getting nippy in here.” Leaning down, her arm brushing across his leg, she reached under the coffee table in front of them to open the cabinet beneath it. Out she pulled a huge quilt that looked like something a grandmother might make.

“Here. It's super warm.” She smiled and unfolded it. Massive in size, it could have covered the entire sofa, but she carefully covered him with it....a smile curling her lips more and more as she moved closer and closer toward him.....

[Ramlock]

Zed smiled as she put the blanket around him, his attention for the movie waning, as he waited for her to sit back down. It was sort of a strange quilt... Perhaps some sort of family gift? He didn't really want to pry, though. Although, really, he knew very little about her, she similarly knew very little about him. Sooner or later, he might have to talk to her...

"Thank you."

As Sophie sat back down, Zed would move closer to her, moving his arm forward and up around her head to lay the blanket around her too. However, as she was covered with the blanket, he would also move closer to her, until they were touching, and left his arm wrapped around her shoulders. It was certainly a warmer and more comfortable position in which to watch the rest of the movie...

[Skylar]

He moved right in for the kill. His forwardness only added to his charm. She however, allowed him to make his move while she too, made herself comfortable. Slowly, almost....cautiously, she lay her head on his arm, only to slid closer and move her head down to his shoulder.

It wasn't long before the warmth and the comfort started to take its toll on her though. She could feel his heart beat and its rhythm was intoxicating. Her lids began to feel heavy while the movie wasn't even half way done. Where had the popcorn go? She had no idea....nor did she care.....

“Thank you for this. All this. Walking me home....staying with me. It really means a lot.” Her voice was a whisper as she spoke. Barely audible over the volume of the television. She had all but forgotten about what's his name outside. Because in here, wrapped up in a blanket and his arm...she was untouchable.

[Ramlock]

Zed shifted just a bit as Sophie leaned into him, getting comfortable, before promptly forgetting the popcorn and drinks, as well. Tonight, he... Well, he knew he shouldn't be doing something like this. He had rather good reasons, but... He could justify things. A bit of company wouldn't hurt anything...

"You're welcome... Seems you've had a rough time lately..."

Zed didn't say anything more. He watched the movie, barely halfway through, and held back a yawn. He hadn't really slept well in the past two days... He'd been looking for an answer to his questions. Not tonight, though. Tonight... He fell asleep. After a few minutes, Sophie might notice that he had relaxed more... And his rhythmic breathing would indicate he had, indeed, fallen asleep.