off limits ( m.s. )

SEVEN

VII.
SOTC: love affair - UMI

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"why the fuck does nick always get to decide what we watch?" chris pouts from his place on the sofa.

"because if it were up to you, we'd have the simpson movie on every night." the blonde-headed boy snaps, flipping through the films on the tv absentmindedly.

ruby and the triplets are all huddled up on the living room couch. they've been hiding from the rain that had been falling for hours now. it's kind of nice, being inside, knowing that there's nothing to miss. just a slow thursday, spent together.

    "fair point." chris admits defeat after a moment.       

    matt laughs softly. he's sitting next to her, so close that their legs are almost touching. ruby's not sure why she noticed that. they're all near each other, practically snuggled together under their blankets. nick is on her other side, eyes still trained on the tv.

    "i think i've got it." he nods like he's confirming it with himself.

    "palm springs?" matt reads it out loud.

    "oh, i've seen this. i liked it a lot." ruby comments without thinking.

    "dude, how have you seen every movie ever?" chris asks her.

    "i mean, i literally majored in film."

    "okay, another fair point made." he puts his hands up in surrender.

    "what about a rewatch?" ruby suggests coyly.

    matt turns to look at her, excitement written across his face. ruby can immediately tell that he sees right through her.

    "are you saying what i think you're saying?"

    "zombieland?" they announce at the same time, and matt flips his hand over to give her a high five.

    "great minds think alike." he raises his eyebrows, a small smirk morphing his features.

    "you guys are making it kind of hard to argue today, and i don't really like it." chris interrupts.

    ruby forces herself to look away, to turn and nudge nick lightly. "what about you?"

    "yeah, i'm in." he grins, already typing the title into the search box.

    "fuck yeah." matt lifts his hand in victory.

    she tries to hold in her laugh as she snuggles further into the plush cushions. seconds later nick is hitting play, and she's fully absorbed.

    something comes over her when she's watching a movie, or a video, or any media really. each evokes a unique feeling, if a person were to really pay attention. ruby knows this well.

    they all exchange laughs every few minutes, ruby quoting a few lines and matt quoting others. by the halfway mark, nick and chris are both asleep. they both look like mummies, arms tucked into their blankets.