[Friday night had sort of become Jean's movie night, whether she had company or not. Tonight, it was Tropic Thunder and a large bowl of popcorn. And she'd invited Scott to join her.]
[She finished dumping the third bag of popcorn into the bowl, then headed into the den, seeing Scott on the couch. She gave him a large grin, then flopped down on the couch next to him, proffering the popcorn bowl]
Glad you could make it. [The grin on her face was accented by a bit of pink to her cheeks. Somehow, she was nervous.]
[ Scott has never really been into movies. He'd much rather be studying than frying his brain in front of the television. But when an offer comes from Jean, he leaped at the change to take it.]
[Jean grabbed a handful of popcorn, settling back into the couch. She groped for the remote, pressing play, then took a quiet deep breath, steeling her nerves. She leaned over, turned the light off on the table next to the couch, then moved back, resting her temple against Scott's shoulder.]
[Nervous energy thrummed through her, but she managed to contain it, tipping her head up to look at him with a smile.] I'm surprised you came. Not sure I've ever seen you watch a movie...
[She felt him shift, but didn't move. Jean knew that, left to his own devices, Scott would keep himself studying or training, and never let himself have any kind of fun.]
Appealing? Hm. You can come have popcorn and watch movies whenever. [Jean's tone was teasing, and she moved only to put the popcorn bowl on the coffee table, moving back to rest her head once again on his shoulder.]
You have to make time, Scott. [She reached a hand up to squeeze his elbow, then lets it fall back to her lap.] If I really wanted to, I could be studying and training and finding ways to keep myself busy all the time.
[She turned her head up to look at him once more, ignoring the movie] You're allowed to have fun, Scott.
[Jean frowned, then sat up, turning on the couch so she was facing him. One hand went to his jaw, a gentle urging of his head up to meet her eyes again.]
[Jean let her thumb rub along his cheek, then let her hand fall away.] You can tell me anything, Scott. If you don't want to talk about it, I'm not going to push. Just know I'm here.
[She gave him a warm, comforting smile, then leaned against him once more, watching the movie, but not really paying attention. After a few moments of blank staring, she got up off the couch, turned the movie off, and grabbed Scott's hand, tugging at him gently.] Let's go for a walk?
[She doesn't bother to drop his hand, instead falling into step by his side once they'd gotten outside. The cold was gaining a foothold, but long sleeves were enough to keep Jean warm.]
Around the lake. [She gives him a smile, lacing her fingers through his.] I take this when I need to unwind. End up in the woods when things are too loud.
[ Scott's tried going out for walks in the past, but they've never really seemed to help him. Maybe this time, with some company, things would be different.]
How often do you do this? [He looks down at her for a moment, but becomes somewhat embarrassed to look her directly in the eyes for so long, so he glances away.]
[Jean looks up at him, and away when he does. Her fingers squeeze his hand gently, then release, but not letting go.]
Few times a week, sometimes more. [Jean looked a little sheepish; as much as she was offering her ear to Scott, she hadn't shared much about what was going on with her.] Depends on how loud it gets in my head.
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[She finished dumping the third bag of popcorn into the bowl, then headed into the den, seeing Scott on the couch. She gave him a large grin, then flopped down on the couch next to him, proffering the popcorn bowl]
Glad you could make it. [The grin on her face was accented by a bit of pink to her cheeks. Somehow, she was nervous.]
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I wouldn't miss this for the world.
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[Nervous energy thrummed through her, but she managed to contain it, tipping her head up to look at him with a smile.] I'm surprised you came. Not sure I've ever seen you watch a movie...
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Appealing? Hm. You can come have popcorn and watch movies whenever. [Jean's tone was teasing, and she moved only to put the popcorn bowl on the coffee table, moving back to rest her head once again on his shoulder.]
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[She turned her head up to look at him once more, ignoring the movie] You're allowed to have fun, Scott.
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Why not?
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Not when they were just starting out.]
Nevermind.
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[She gave him a warm, comforting smile, then leaned against him once more, watching the movie, but not really paying attention. After a few moments of blank staring, she got up off the couch, turned the movie off, and grabbed Scott's hand, tugging at him gently.] Let's go for a walk?
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Where do you want to go?
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Around the lake. [She gives him a smile, lacing her fingers through his.] I take this when I need to unwind. End up in the woods when things are too loud.
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How often do you do this? [He looks down at her for a moment, but becomes somewhat embarrassed to look her directly in the eyes for so long, so he glances away.]
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Few times a week, sometimes more. [Jean looked a little sheepish; as much as she was offering her ear to Scott, she hadn't shared much about what was going on with her.] Depends on how loud it gets in my head.
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