𝗺𝗮𝗿𝗰𝗼 𝗺𝗼𝗿𝗲𝘁𝘁𝗶 𝗵𝗮𝘀 𝗻𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗿 𝗳𝗲𝗹𝘁 𝗰𝗼𝗼𝗹 in his life. on red carpets, he is awkward and glitchy, in press conferences and interviews, he stumbles over words and almost shuts down completely, he feels as if he’s an old computer from the 90s being forced to function in this decade of flashy and cutting-edge technology. so he has to try to play it cool. it does not come naturally and it is painstakingly obvious. so when his old current childhood crush asks for time away togeter, even if it just tonight, he almost looses his footing. but he nods his head, shrugs his shoulder, “ of course — don’t worry, i’ll protect you from those monsters. ” he smiles ( am i smiling too much ? ), he places a hand on the small of her back, lightly, gentle, as if afraid it would scare her. “ let’s go, it’s just this way. ”
molly notices the touch almost immediately — light against the small of her back , careful in a way that makes something tighten unexpectedly in her chest . but she doesn't move away , and only tightens her hold on her drink as she lets him guide her through the blur of the noise and bodies , arm brushing his as they slip past a table of rowdy strangers . " i must be special tonight ... " she says quietly after a moment , glancing up at him from beneath long lashes , " having my own personal bodyguard " there's teasing there , soft and dry around the edges . gaze drifts towards the back exit , small grin lifting her lips as she thinks about the words before they fall from her lips , " although if this gum bench gives me tetanus i'm blaming you personally . "
