Hey, Blue

7 - Watching You

The autumn air was crisp as they walked down the neighbourhood, leaves crunching under their feet and the wind blowing through their hair. An absent sort of warmth wrapping around them. Certainly, one of Marley's favourite seasons.

"---Okay, but seriously, I still don't get how that twist worked," Emrys said, hands in his pockets as they strolled down the quiet, tree-lined path. "I mean, the villain? A time traveller? Come on, that's lazy writing."

Marley smirked, nudging him with his elbow. "Lazy writing? You were the one sitting on the edge of your seat the entire time."

"Hey, I was waiting for something good to happen! Doesn't mean it actually did. It's like they threw everything in the pot and hoped for the best."

"I didn't think it was that bad," Marley shrugged, watching the leaves crunch under his boots. "I mean, yeah, the twist was kind of ridiculous, but the characters weren't half bad. The detective was decent."

"Oh, the detective." Emrys groaned dramatically. "He didn't even solve anything. The plot just unfolded in front of him, and he was like 'Oh, guess that's what happened.'"

Marley laughed. "You're not wrong. He did kind of stumble through the whole thing."

"Exactly! And don't get me started on the romance subplot. Forced. So forced."

"You mean the two people who hated each other but ended up making out at the end?" Marley teased.

Emrys rolled his eyes. "Classic enemies-to-lovers nonsense. Totally unbelievable. They spent, what, five minutes together? Suddenly, they're madly in love?"

"That's the magic of movies for you."

Emrys snorted. "Magic, right. I call it lazy."

"You think everything's lazy when you don't like it."

"Well, I just have standards."

"Oh, I know. Your standards for movies are like your standards for coffee—ridiculously high."

"Can't help it if I like good things."

"Yeah, yeah." Marley smiled to himself, stealing a glance at Emrys. There was always something about the way he got so animated over stuff like this that amused him. Emrys could pick apart the most trivial things and still make it interesting.

"I'm telling you, though," Emrys continued, "If I'd written that movie, the villain would've been someone we didn't even suspect, like the detective's partner."

"Of course you'd go for the unexpected angle."

"It's better that way! Keeps you on your toes. I'd have the audience guessing the entire time."

Marley chuckled. "You should've been a screenwriter."

Emrys shot him a look, grinning. "Maybe I missed my calling."

They turned the corner, and the sound of soft panting caught Marley's attention. A small dog, a shaggy terrier with mismatched fur, trotted up to them, its tail wagging furiously. A quick glance revealed a thin leather collar and a friendly-looking owner trailing behind with a leash in hand.

"Well, hey there, little guy," Emrys crouched down immediately, offering his hand for the dog to sniff. The terrier gave him a curious sniff before pressing its nose into his palm, tail wagging even harder.

Marley smiled, kneeling down beside him and reaching out to scratch the dog's ears. "He's cute."

The owner smiled warmly but stayed back, letting them enjoy their moment with the terrier.