“Really?”
Dawson nods.
“Okay. I’m happy with any of those.”
Dawson’s still unsure as he skips through the movies and genres, but when he hears no protest, he offers, “How aboutTangled?”
“Sounds ominous,” Cal teases, earning an eye roll.
“It’s a take onRapunzel.”
Cal doesn’t know what that is. “Sounds good.”
Dawson lights up and presses play. “Oh, I forgot—there’s singing.” He says it like he expects an objection.
“Singing is good,” Cal says, and that seems to do it. Dawson relaxes. Kind of. He taps his fingers nervously on his knee as the movie runs, and fidgets as Rapunzel sings the first song. It’s a good song—about how bored she is, and Cal can definitely relate to that—and she has a nice voice. It’s energetic and hopeful, and it has Cal bouncing his foot in sync.
Dawson notices and laughs. “Catchy?”
“It is.”
“Okay.” He can hear the smile in Dawson’s voice. “I’m glad you like it.”
“You should be in charge of picking movies. Clearly, I can’t be trusted.”
Cal does like the movie. Loves it, to be precise. It’s funny in that silly way that most fairy tales are, making him laugh hard enough that it pulls on his stitches.
Dawson loves it too, he can tell. His eyes are glued to the TV screen, his cheeks pulled taut in a big smile, and his eyes crinkling at the corners.
Cal would give anything to have Dawson look at him like that. To make him laugh like that. The smiles and small laughs he’s drawn out of Dawson have been like the sun breaking through the clouds, spreading a rush of warmth through his chest every time. He craves more of it.
He can’t hide his disappointment when the movie comes to an end. It’s only partially because of the movie itself and mostly because of how much he’s enjoying Dawson’s proximity. Just sitting here with him, nearly shoulder to shoulder after they’ve gradually gravitated towards each other is amazing.
Dawson notices his reaction, smiling knowingly. “Another one?”
“Is that okay?” Hopefully, he doesn’t sound too eager.
“Yeah, of course. Damn, if I’d known we’d binge movies, I’d have bought popcorn.”
“I don’t think I could eat now, anyway.” He’s still quite full from the pastries.
“Snacks are not for when you’re hungry. It’s more of a ritual.”
Interesting. “Next time, then.”
A strange look passes over Dawson’s face, but he smiles. “Next time. So, what are we watching?”
“You pick. I enjoyed your choice.”
“Okay.” Dawson purses his lips. “You wanna give a comedy a go?”
“Sure.” As he waits for Dawson to pick, his thoughts wander back toTangled.“There’s one thing I don’t understand.”
“About what? The movie?”
Cal nods. “Rapunzel wasn’t happy with her life. So why did she want to go back to the tower?”
“She was worried it would break her mother’s heart. That she would disappoint her.”
