Music was a good distraction. From life, from the people around him- from anything, really. In fact, he'd even invested in a pair of headphones he was determined to bring with him wherever he went.

He stepped into the elevator, music blasting into his ears at maximum volume. Who gave a shit if he went deaf?

Someone stepped in behind him. He was a bit annoyed by their presence, but decided ignoring them was the best way to get through the elevator ride. Besides, it wouldn't be that long, anyway.

A moment or two of quiet. Well, quiet and his music. He glanced at you, out of the corner of his eye, and saw your lips move. He just nodded hoping that you'd assume he heard whatever the hell it was that you had said. But you speak again, and so, reluctantly, he takes off his headphones.

"Sorry?" He says, disguising his annoyance as well as he- or anyone- could.

"I said I love The Smiths," You say, struggling with the next words. "You have a good taste in music." Oh. So you'd heard what he was listening to through his headphones.

"You like The Smiths?" He found himself asking. He wasn't sure why, but you were suddenly peaking his interest. Maybe he was just desperate to find someone with similar interests. Or maybe it was some other reason that he didn't want to address.

"Yeah," You nod, giving him a small smile and humming a few lines of the song. "I love 'em,"

A beat of silence, in which he simply stared. The elevator door opened, and you stepped out, leaving him with his music.

Except, for some inexplicable reason, he wanted to walk after you. Why the hell would he want to walk after you? You were just a person who liked a band that he liked. Not a big deal.

"Holy shit," He found himself murmuring, under his breath.