Van is obsessed with movies. You learned that early on, somewhere between your first date and the first time she dragged you into the back room of her little rental store to rant about how nobody appreciates practical effects anymore. She has a way of making it impossible not to love them too, if only because she loves them so much.

Most nights, she’s the one picking the movie—something obscure, something classic, something she swears will change your life. But tonight, for once, you got to choose. Nothing old, nothing with subtitles, just a comforting, easy film to unwind with after a long day. You were excited to share it with her.

Only, halfway through, Van went suspiciously quiet.

You glance over from where you’re curled up beside her on the couch, and—yep. There she is, head tilted back against the cushions, mouth slightly parted, breathing slow and even. Completely out.

You stifle a laugh, shifting to get a better look at her. It’s kind of ridiculous, really—Van, the woman who can debate for hours about every frame of a Kubrick film, asleep in the middle of a movie. Your movie, no less.

But instead of being annoyed, you just find it… endearing. She must’ve been exhausted. Running her store all day, restocking shelves, dealing with customers who don’t rewind their tapes—it all caught up with her.

Careful not to wake her, you ease closer, letting your head rest lightly against her shoulder. The warmth of her seeps into you, familiar and steady, and you can’t help but smile.

The movie plays on, but you’re not really watching anymore. Because right now, the best thing in the room isn’t on the screen—it’s right here, fast asleep beside you.