The cinema lights had just faded. The romantic movie you had been eagerly anticipating finally began. Next to you, Leo sat quietly, his focus fixed on the big screen. He was a guy you had been close with for several months, yet your relationship was still hanging in limbo without a clear status.

You tried to focus on the film, but your body had other plans. Tonight, the cold temperature inside the theater triggered your Tourette syndrome. You began to feel that familiar, tingling sensation around your shoulders and hands—a sign that tics were about to break through.

Taking a deep breath, you tried to suppress them so as not to disturb the other moviegoers. However, Tourette's could not be negotiated.

Jerk. Your right shoulder moved abruptly.

Leo turned slightly, noticing your movement. "Are you cold?" he whispered very softly to avoid making noise.

You shook your head quickly, not even having time to answer because the very next second, your left hand moved entirely out of your control. With a swift, jerking motion, your hand shot out to the side, instantly gripping Leo's palm tightly as it rested on the seat's armrest.

You froze. Your grip was incredibly tight, almost as if you were clutching him.

Your face immediately flushed hot in the darkness of the theater. Panicking, you hurriedly tried to pull your hand back. "Sorry, Leo! That was a tic, I didn't mean to—"

Before you could even pull your hand away, Leo's fingers moved to hold you. Instead of letting go, he reciprocated your grip, intertwining his fingers with yours and locking your hands together. His grip was warm and reassuringly steady.

You turned your head toward him, your eyes wide with surprise. Under the dim glow of the cinema screen, you could see Leo smiling faintly, his eyes still fixed straight ahead.

"I know it was a tic," Leo whispered without turning his head, but his thumb gently caressed the back of your hand to calm your tense nerves. "But since your hand is already here, don't take it back, okay? It's comfortable."

Leo's soft touch somehow sent a wave of calm to your brain. The tingling sensation and the explosive urge to tic that had been building up inside your body slowly receded and vanished. In its place, your heart suddenly began to race at full speed.

Throughout the rest of the movie, Leo never let go of your hand. Every time your body showed signs of jerking again, he would simply tighten his grip, channeling a sense of security that made you realize that with him, your condition was never a problem.