Unexpected Love

16.

As they arrived home and made their way to the bedroom, Stan couldn't help but chuckle to himself, still thinking about how excited Liv had gotten when he mentioned Beetlejuice. Once they were inside, and Liv was putting her things away, Stan finally asked the question that had been on his mind all night.

"So, what's the deal with you and Beetlejuice?" he asked, leaning against the doorway, grinning. "You practically jumped out of your seat when I mentioned it. What's the story there?"

Liv instantly turned red, avoiding his gaze as she nervously laughed. "Oh, it's nothing. Just... you know... nostalgia and all that."

Stan raised an eyebrow, knowing there was more to it. "Come on, Liv. You can't get that excited over just nostalgia. There's something else, isn't there?" He moved closer, giving her a playful nudge. "Spill it. What's the big secret?"

Liv hesitated, her face flushing even more. She bit her lip, trying to dodge his teasing, but Stan wasn't letting up. He kept poking fun, grinning at her in that way he always did when he knew he was about to get her to crack.

Finally, Liv sighed, unable to keep it in anymore. She turned toward Stan, her cheeks bright red. "Okay, fine! You really want to know?"

Stan nodded, his grin widening. "Yep. Lay it on me."

Liv crossed her arms, looking a little embarrassed, but she decided to just say it. "Beetlejuice... it's my favorite movie because... well, Beetlejuice is the reason I'm into older men."

Stan blinked, completely caught off guard. He hadn't expected that. "Wait, what?" he asked, clearly stunned but also intrigued.

Liv groaned, covering her face with her hands for a moment before continuing. "I know it sounds weird, but it's true. When I first watched it as a 15 year old and you know how our hormones are, something about Beetlejuice—the character, I mean—just, I don't know, awakened something in me. And ever since then, I've always been into older guys. It's not something I've ever told anyone until now."

Stan stood there for a second, processing her confession. He was still a little surprised, but then, after a moment, his grin returned. "So, you're telling me Beetlejuice is the reason we're together? Because if you didn't like older men, maybe you wouldn't have given me a shot?"

Liv laughed, finally able to look at him again. "Well, yeah, I guess you could say that."

Stan shook his head, still grinning as he pulled her into his arms. "I never thought I'd be thanking Beetlejuice for my love life, but here we are."

Liv giggled, leaning into his embrace, her embarrassment fading. "It's weird, I know."

"Weird is what I'm all about," Stan said with a wink. "Besides, if it wasn't for that, maybe we wouldn't be here right now. So, I'd say it's a pretty good thing."

Liv smiled, resting her head against his chest. "Yeah, I guess it is."

Stan held her close, feeling even more connected to her after hearing her little secret. He loved how open and honest they could be with each other, no matter how strange the conversation got. As they stood there, wrapped in each other's arms, he couldn't help but feel grateful for all the quirks and oddities that had brought them together.

_____

Stan couldn't stop thinking about it. As they settled into bed after their date night, Liv was already flipping through a book, her soft breathing signaling how relaxed she was. But Stan's mind was still spinning, replaying the events of the day.

The way Liv had been so fiery and snarky when she bumped into her old high school bully — the same girl who'd once made fun of her for being plus-sized. Stan hadn't expected that side of her, but it had completely caught him off guard in the best way. He liked her sweet and kind, but seeing her stand her ground, with that feisty spark in her eyes, had stirred something in him.