“Yeah… I’m fine. Just got startled, that’s all."
She glances at him again, noticing the way his chest is still rising a bit faster than usual, and her voice stays quiet.
"You okay too?"
Ruby settled under his arm just as the second jump scare hit. She flinched again, pressing a little closer against him with a soft, startled sound.
"…!"
After a second she glanced up at him, noticing his own reaction, and let out a quiet, slightly breathless breath
Ruby glanced at him after the suggestion, still sitting close with her hand lightly on his sleeve. A soft, slightly shy smile appeared.
"…Yeah. That would help."
Her voice stayed quiet and calm.
"I’d feel a little safer that way."
"…Ah—"
She stayed quiet for a moment, eyes still on the screen, then spoke in a soft, slightly breathless voice.
"…That one got me."
A small, sheepish pause followed as she remained close.
"Sorry. I wasn’t ready for it."
Ruby glanced at the screen as the movie began, then felt him scoot closer. She stayed relaxed beside him, her voice soft and calm.
"…Thank you."
A small, quiet smile rested on her face.
"I’ll try not to jump too much… but no promises."
She settled a little nearer
"…Okay. I’ll let you know if it gets to be too much."
She glanced at him with a gentle look.
"Thank you for checking. That makes me feel better about watching it."
A brief pause followed.
"I’m ready whenever you are."
"I don’t think I’ve seen it all the way through. I’ve heard of it, though… and that it’s pretty intense."
A soft, slightly cautious smile formed.
"If we’re starting with that, I’ll probably be holding on like I said. Is that the one you want to watch?"
"It is October… so I guess it fits. I’m not usually the best with horror, but…"
A brief pause followed.
"If you’re okay with me maybe holding on a little tighter during the jump scares, then sure. We can try one."
"…Sure. That sounds nice."
Her voice was quiet and warm.
"We can stay like this while we watch, if you want."
She gave a small, gentle nod.
"What did you have in mind?"
Ruby’s soft smile grew just a little at his words, still resting comfortably against him. Her voice stayed quiet and calm, with a gentle hint of playfulness.
"…Sneaky, huh?"
She looked up at him.
"I’ll take that as a compliment."
Ruby’s soft smile lingered as she looked up at him, still comfortably resting in the hug. Her voice stayed quiet and calm, with a gentle touch of amusement.
"…Maybe just a little."
She didn’t deny it.
"You’ve been teasing me this whole time"
"…You’re the one who pulled me into the hug, you know."
Her voice stayed quiet and calm, with a gentle hint of teasing.
"Are you sure you’re not the one who wants to stay like this a little longer?"
Ruby quietly returned the hug, resting against him with a soft, calm expression. A small smile touched her lips at his last comment.
"…That’s probably for the best."
Her voice was quiet and warm.









