𝚂𝚞𝚐𝚊𝚛 | 𝚔. 𝚜𝚞𝚐𝚊𝚠𝚊𝚛𝚊

- Popcorn -

I nod in reply.

-

 We spend the next few minutes scrolling through titles, eventually landing on a movie called "The Martian". Sugawara reads the description aloud, nodding his head at details he finds interest in. The movie is about an astronaut left on mars to survive all on his own. It's a fascinating concept. After we settle on the title, the topic of concessions rolls into play.

"Candies or popcorn?" Suga wonders aloud, tucking his phone into his pocket.

The memory of fresh popcorn and caramels clouds my mind. "How about both?"

Sugawara shoots me a confused look. "Eh?"

"Y'know, popcorn drizzled in melted caramel?"

"Oh, yeah, that sounds nice," Suga sighs contentedly. "We do have caramel sauce, right?"

"I think it's in the refrigerator."

I get up from the bed and tug Sugawara to the kitchen. While Suga gets out the pot, I switch on the stove. Sugawara hands the container to me and I put enough oil to cover the bottom inside. Once I set it down, I turn to the shelf and take out a bag of popcorn kernels, dropping two into the pot. I close the lid. Once one of the two kernels pop, I can put in the rest.

I spend the next minute on my phone, watching the movie trailer. The landscape is painted with red dust, towering mountains, and the remains of a base. It's desolate. The man is alone, scrambling to reach the base before his oxygen tank runs out of air. There's a rod poking out from his stomach. It's shrapnel from the storm that started it all.

Sugawara jumps when the kernels pop. I chuckle, turning my phone off and sliding it into an adjacent pocket. I lift the lid to the pot, emptying the remains of the popcorn bag inside. The kernels begin to sizzle, several popping, and I shut the lid. The heat is trapped, speeding up the process. I occasionally shake the container, shifting the location of the finished and unfinished kernels.

The corn eventually pops to the point of filling up the pot, lifting the lid a few centimeters up from its place around the perimeter.

"That's a lot of popcorn," Sugawara comments.

"It's more than enough." I smirk, flipping off the stove switch. I wait for the remaining kernels to finish cooking as the distinct sounds grow farther apart.

Once I deem the process complete, I gently remove the lid and set it aside on the countertop. Turning around, I open an adjacent cabinet and remove three large plastic bowls. I remove a bag of pretzels from another cabinet. I distribute half the pot, filling two of the bowls a little over halfway. I put pretzels in the last.

Where's the caramel? I wonder, running a finger over my lip. The fridge, right?

I move over to the fridge, swinging open the door. I glance over the contents, frowning when it isn't there. A sly hand curls around my waist. Startling, I turn my head to meet a pair of hazel eyes.

"Looking for this?" Sugawara grasps the caramel in his free hand, grinning as I snatch for it. He tuts at me as if he were scolding a child. "Tsk. Let me take care of it."

He spins around, his hand drifting away from my waist. It's a cold feeling. I tug the refrigerator door shut and follow. Sugwara sets the caramel sauce aside, pulling out liquid butter and salt from the depths of the spice cupboard. He gathers the ingredients together on the counter, then removes the lids. He douses his portion of popcorn in caramel and butter, but only puts a dash of salt.

"Your turn." He gestures to the ingredients splayed at the counter.

The scent of fresh popcorn fills the room, sweeping back memories of happier, youthful days. I smile and walk up to him, bumping him aside with my hip. He feigns offense, raising a hand to his mouth, but steps away regardless.

I add my toppings, mostly consistent of salt and butter, but add a few slivers of caramel. I slide a spoon out from a drawer below and mix the condiments together. My fingertips are sticky. I run the tip of my thumb over my lip, a sweet hint of caramel on my tongue.

"It's perfect." Sugawara comments, tangling his fingers in mine before raising my knuckles to his lips.

I blush, flitting my eyes to the popcorn before gazing at him again. Heat rises up to my cheekbones, flush with newfound luster. I'm at a loss for words.

He kisses my hand again before releasing it, a faint smile gracing his lips. "Let's start the movie."