Alex looked at his watch for the seventh time since arriving at the movie theater. He'd never been to a movie that early in the day and he liked it. The theater was virtually empty with mostly elders and a few families walking around. There was none of the chaos associated with premieres and even the workers seemed kinder. He debated with himself on whether or not bring a gift but he didn't know Montag well and he wasn't going to ask anyone about it and open himself to a lot of awkward and invasive questions. So, he settled for a coffee. Iced latte, similar to the one he ordered at the café.
He sensed Montag's presence as soon as he entered the theater; he was wearing all black as always, black t-shirt with some band logo, black ripped pants and combat boots, his long black straight hair was tied in a low ponytail and he was wearing his black framed glasses. He walked fast but gracefully, like a cat.
"The subway ran a bit late, sorry for the delay"
"Don't worry, I just got here" He extended his hand holding the coffee "For you. Happy birthday"
"You didn't have to. Thank you" he gave him a little smile while taking the cup.
Alex's heart started beating fast and out of rhythm. If things kept going this way, he was going to end up in a hospital bed. He felt like an idiot reacting to every little thing Montag did or said. As if every romantic feeling he didn't have throughout his teenage years were suddenly bursting their way out.
"What movie are we watching?" His voice came out breathlessly
'I hate myself'
"I was hoping you could help me choose, I didn't have anything in mind" Montag frowned while considering his next words "There's a German comedy, do you like comedy?"
"I struggle a lot with comedy, but if we're watching one, I do prefer European humor"
"That's great then. I'll get the tickets; do you want popcorn?"
Alex didn't really want anything to eat, movie theater food was overpriced and tasteless, but the possibility of brushing Montag's fingers with his own while reaching for popcorn had him reconsidering his stance.
"Do you want to share popcorn?" he begged to every god available, for his eagerness to not be too obvious.
"I could share. Let me go get the tickets and you get the food"
"Don't be nuts, I'll get both, it's your birthday."
"Okay, I'll go with you," he said, resigned.
Alex smiled brightly and started towards the tickets' counter. Not only was he going to a movie with his crush, said crush decided to spend his birthday with him. He was so happy he knew his face showed it, he'd never been good at hiding his emotions, his parents always knew when he was lying or when he was exasperated. His father caught on quickly, despite his difficulty with reading faces, when he needed time alone because of overstimulation.
That was one of the differences between his autism and his father's; Fernando was distant and stoic all the time, he always had a cold head even when everyone else around him was losing it. Alex could only maintain his stoicism if he wasn't overwhelmed or particularly excited about a situation. His mother always said it was one of the things that drew her to his dad, she said she likes cold men to cool her hot temper. Alex looked at Montag who was looking at his phone with an unreadable expression, maybe he was like his mother.
They sat as the trailers played; the room was virtually empty with an elderly couple seated four rows below them. Montag cracked his neck and flipped his ponytail, moving it to his right shoulder, the action bringing the scent of his shampoo to Alex's nose. Citrus, fresh and clean. He noticed the smell of cigarettes was gone.
"Did you stop smoking?"
"I haven't smoked today, didn't want to make you uncomfortable, I know you don't like cigarettes"
Alex was sure this is how being smitten felt. He, who couldn't make eye contact with most of his family, was unable to take his eyes off of this 6ft tall goth dude. He regretted the moment he thought Montag was unkind and uncaring, he regretted the way their relationship started because of his judgmental ways. He wasted so much time.
"You didn't have to, but thank you, that's really considerate"
"Don't make me regret being nice," Montag said sardonically
"You don't like compliments. Noted"
They were both smiling and Alex felt like he could float. Part of him felt bad because he could count with the fingers of one hand, the times he enjoyed his family's company this much and Montag just had to exist to make him happy. He panicked. This was probably too fast, they were bickering nonstop just days ago, but Alex couldn't stop his feelings, he just needed to be discreet and not show them to anyone.
The movie started and Montag lifted the arm separating both of their seats and spread his legs, Alex felt scorching heat where their knees touched. He looked at Montag but he was focused on the screen.
"Why did you do that?"
"What? The seat? I'm tall and it's uncomfortable. If you want to, I can put it back"
"No, no, I was just curious"
Alex smiled while sipping on his Icee. Whatever way Montag wanted to touch him was okay with him, just being near him filled him with a giddy sensation that ran through his veins like warm water, making him aware of places he didn't know his body had.
"You'll get brain freeze if you keep on gulping that" Montag interrupted his thoughts
"I've had enough experience drinking this, is basically the only worthy thing in a movie theater"
"You have a sweet tooth; you mentioned cake before"
"I do, it's my guilty pleasure"
"Good to know, now I can give you something on your birthday" he whispered
They continued watching the movie and Alex relaxed listening to Montag's low chuckles. He didn't really care about the movie, half an hour in he already knew what was going to happen, his ability for pattern recognition ruined most movies and shows for him so he never took the time to get invested.
"That was unbelievably wholesome" Montag said in a surprised voice
"That's better than pointless comedy, no? I don't oppose plotless movies but with the running time of some movies nowadays I think it is better to watch something with meaning instead of wasting my time" Alex didn't want to sound like a pretentious dick but that was his opinion.
"I prefer watching movies in my home, I can pause and adjust the volume to my heart's desire, so their running time has never been an issue. I can always stop and do something else and return to it later"
"If we were living together, it would be an issue. I can't start a movie if I'm not finishing it the same day" He realized what he said and blushed "it's a hypothetical situation, don't take it the wrong way"
"Don't worry" he said, Alex could hear the laughter in his voice "I know you're not proposing we live together, you don't have to apologize for everything. I think most people are able to infer what you mean"
"you'd be surprised of how many times I was labeled a weirdo for not wording stuff properly"
"You're not a weirdo and I'm sorry for saying that back at the studio. Sometimes situations get the best of me"
"That's better than sprinting every time they become overwhelming"
They both laughed and Montag got rid of the empty popcorn container and cups in the trash. He returned to walk beside him while leaving the theater, the silence didn't feel oppressive and Alex didn't feel the need to fill it with something. Just being there next to him, feeling his clean scent and the warmth of his presence was like taking Xanax for him.
"Do you want to have lunch? My treat" He needed an excuse to be with him and lunch was a good one.
"No, I have a project I'm working on and I need to finish it by tonight, raincheck?"
"Sure, no problem" He hoped his disappointment didn't show on his face.
"I better get going, thank you for everything, I had a great time"
Montag patted him on the head and left. Alex stood there, feeling incomplete.