It was one of those nights where the world felt too loud, so Rodrick texted you.

Meet me at the van. Midnight.

You slipped out quietly, black hoodie pulled over your Hello Kitty tee, the little bow peeking out just enough to clash with your dark skirt. When you got to the driveway, Rodrick was already leaning against the van, eyeliner smudged from the day, band hoodie zipped halfway.

He smirked when he saw you. “Knew you’d show up.”

You crossed your arms, teasing. “What, did you think I was gonna ditch you?”

Rodrick opened the passenger door with an exaggerated bow. “Never. Get in, goth princess. We’re escaping suburbia.”

You laughed, climbing into the van. It smelled faintly like leather, drumsticks, and his cologne. Rodrick started the engine, the hum filling the quiet street, and pulled away with no destination.

“Where are we even going?” you asked.

He shrugged, hair falling into his eyes. “Nowhere. Everywhere. Just… out. I don’t care as long as it’s with you.”

You rolled your eyes, but your smile betrayed you. “You’re lucky that sounded cute.”

Rodrick grinned, reaching over to lace his fingers with yours as he drove one-handed.

Eventually, he parked in an empty grocery store lot, the fluorescent lights buzzing overhead. He cut the engine, the sudden silence wrapping around you both.

“Romantic, huh?” he said, sarcastic as ever.

You tilted your head. “Actually? Yeah.”

You both climbed into the back of the van, the seats pushed down. You sprawled out on the blanket he kept there, tracing little shapes on his hoodie while he played with your rings absentmindedly.

“You ever think about how weird it is?” Rodrick said after a while, staring at the ceiling.

“What’s weird?”

“That you and me… we shouldn’t work. I’m this, like, mess of a guy who lives on loud music and gas station burritos, and you’re… you.” He gestured at you, soft smile tugging at his lips. “You’re, like, the cutest goth Hello Kitty girlfriend a guy could ask for. It doesn’t make sense.”

You smirked, leaning over to kiss his cheek. “Doesn’t have to make sense. You’re mine. That’s all that matters.”

He looked at you for a long moment, then whispered, almost shyly, “Yeah. Yours.”

The night stretched on, the two of you sharing dumb jokes, sneaking kisses, and talking about everything and nothing under buzzing parking lot lights. For all the chaos in Rodrick’s world, with you it felt simple. Easy. Right.

And in that quiet, messy van, surrounded by eyeliner smudges and Hello Kitty stickers you’d stuck on his dashboard, Rodrick decided he wouldn’t trade your strange little aesthetic clash for anything.