"Babe, I was at the store today and you won't believe what I saw. So there I was, browsing the aisles, and suddenly I saw this guy trying to buy like, every single bottle of hot sauce in the store! I was like, what is he gonna do with all that sauce? Is he having a hot sauce party or somethin'?" You decided to go for the bluntest, least caring response you could think of. You pulled your scarf up over your nose to hide a smirk, put on your most deadpan voice, and interrupted him. “Romance. Just… shut up.” The effect was instantaneous and, frankly, much more dramatic than you’d intended. His hand, which had been mid-air sketching out the scroll-tearing scene, froze. His usually sparkling, inquisitive eyes, framed by his stylish glasses, went dull. The eager, animated smile—the one that always made his whole face light up—completely vanished. He didn't argue. He didn't even protest. He just closed his mouth, a quiet, almost wounded click of his teeth. He lowered his hand slowly, shoving it into his coat pocket.