Marshall

Movie Night

The couch was warm and snug. I sank deep into its folds and flipped on the television.  I could hear Marshall's footsteps  as he walked around the back of the couch.  He sat down next to me, sinking deeper than I, and shifted his weight so his muscled arm could rest over my left shoulder. 

"How are you?"

I glanced over to give a response and was taken aback by his beauty. His black shirt fit tightly around his rippling, toned arms and his muscular torso.  His brown hair made him look even sexier, more adult. He smelled distinctly of expensive cologne mixed that one, particular smell that men have, the one that drives me crazy.

"Fine, now that I'm here," I grinned.  "I'm excited to spend time with you.  It's been a couple days."

"Yeah, I'm sorry. I been busy," Marshall sighed and adjusted his weight.

"I'm so glad we're together now." 

"I am too." He flashed a rare smile.

As he beginning title sequence began to play, he picked up the movie case and turned it over to read the back.  I glanced over to watch his expression change from mild curiosity to terror.

"The fuck?!  This is a horror movie.  You know how I am with those," he protested.  "Can't we watch The Matrix or some shit?"

"No, I like when you get all scared," I giggled, poking him in the chest.

"Man, this is not okay," he frowned.  "Come closer so I don't get too scared."

I scooted closer to him and intertwined my hand with his.  He stroked my hair gently with his free hand.  God, his hand running through my hair felt heavenly.

Throughout the movie, I could feel his eyes on me, studying my features.  I didn't feel as though I was being examined, however; I felt like I was being praised, like his gaze meant more than his words could ever express.  Every time I tried to catch him in the act of staring his eyes would dart back to the movie, feigning innocence.  It was a ridiculous game.

Finally I caught him.

I turned my head quickly only to find his eyes staring directly into mine.  My heart stopped for moment, my stomach giving an unpleasant lurch.  Those gorgeous blue eyes were startling to look into.

"What?" I smiled as he stared determinedly.

"Your eyes," he said .  "They're more beautiful than the stars themselves."

"You're corny as shit,"  I laughed as he shrugged and let out a deep chuckle.  We both turned our attention back to the TV.

"Oh shit, oh shit, oh shit, oh shit," Marshall nearly shouted, covering his eyes with his free hand.  "They're gonna die, fuck!"

"Oh god, I can turn it off if you're too scared."  I tried to hold back a smile.

"Nah man, I mean, it's cool."  He settled back into the couch, trying to calm down.  "It's cool.  I'm ain't scared or nothin'."

"Sure."  

The movie finally ended.  It had turned out to be gorier and scarier than expected, and the reaction out of Marshall was priceless.  Perhaps I was a mean girlfriend for forcing him to watch horror movies with me when he was clearly frightened by them, but I loved it when he let his guard down.  It was one of the only times when he did.

We both stood up and I walked over to turn off the TV.

"Wanna, um, stay the night?" Marshall inquired shakily.  "I mean only if you want to, I know you've probably got better things to be doing."

"I'd love to."  I reassured him, giving him a little smile to show him that I meant it.

Taking my hand, Marshall led me up a flight of glass stairs to the second floor.  We turned right and walked to a door which Marshall pushed open.  I glanced around the huge room, spotting a king size bed to the left, as well as a huge box full of scraps of papers with what looked like random scribbles all over them.  Everything had a place in the room.  It looked almost obsessively clean.

"Do you just want to cuddle?"  I questioned.

"Sure," Marshall replied, grinning.  "Yeah, whatever you want to do."

I walked over to the right side of the bed and crawled in, turning on my side.  I felt the bed sink as Marshall sat down, taking off his shirt and climbing under the covers with me.  He scooted closer so our our bodies fit together, like puzzle pieces.  It brought on the feeling that we made sense together.

"Do you want me to turn the light off?"  I asked.

"Nah," he answered, and I heard a hint of urgency in his voice.  "That movie... let's just keep the lights on."

"Okay.  Love you,"  I breathed.

"Love you too,"  he answered sleepily.