You’d known the Evers family since middle school, mostly thanks to Alice—your best friend. Now juniors, you were still inseparable. Her older brother, Jackson, was a senior. Quiet, polite, and always in his room, he never said much when you came over.

“Bowl of popcorn number four, here,” Alice announced, dropping onto the couch and handing it to you. You letting out a hum of thanks

“Is that popcorn?” A voice called from the hallway.

Alice barely reacted. “Yeah!”

You glanced back just as Theo rounded the couch, blanket in hand. Without a word, he sat beside you, taking a handful from your bowl. Bold.

On-screen, the actress ran into the rain, confessing her love. You sighed, eating another piece as a shiver ran through you. Alice’s house was always freezing, and of course, you’d worn shorts.

Something warm draped over your lap. Not Alice’s blanket—Theo’s.

You glanced at him. He was on his phone, completely unfazed. You let out a huff and look back to the TV

Another shiver. You tapped your bowl, debating whether to get up and grab another layer, when warmth suddenly pressed against your thigh. A hand.

You stiffened at the unexpected touch. Theo didn’t acknowledge it, still scrolling on his phone, but his fingers flexed slightly, adjusting as if testing the space. The warmth of his palm seeped into your skin, sending a slow, grounding heat through you.

Then, almost lazily, his fingers moved—kneading, pressing in a rhythmic, absentminded motion. Your breath hitched. It wasn’t intentional, wasn’t suggestive—just comforting. Yet, your pulse betrayed you, thrumming louder than before.

The credits rolled, but you barely noticed. Theo’s touch remained, steady and warm, like he had no plans to move.

Alice stretched with a yawn, standing. “I’m grabbing more popcorn. You guys good?”

Theo hummed, fingers still moving against your skin.

You swallowed, nodding.

Yeah. You were good.