are you bored yet?

     “That’s exactly what I’m saying.” He laughed, though if he were honest, he wasn’t entirely show what he was saying. The joking banter shared between the two wasn’t something he was use to. He did know that he enjoyed it, and that he always looked forward to it. Even if he said something way beyond the ordinary Anna was always quick to match his energy. “I appreciate that. Especially, because if there’s anyone who has memorized your taste by now it should be me.” A little bout of knowledge he took pride in. Charlie was beginning to understand why it was that he felt warm inside every time he made a meal for her, but he knew Anna had a lot on her metaphorical plate. Probably a lot more than he put on her literal plate. He was a bit scared of adding to that. Though her keeping in mind the possibility of the two of them sharing a bed did make him want to question why she had been open to it. All he needed was one small confirmation he thought. “What? Are you serious?” He questioned as he paused. The shock of her not knowing what studio Ghibli was hitting him. “Spirited Away? Howl’s Moving Castle? My neighbor Tortoro?” He listed off as he lowered himself beside her. “Tú me traes un poco loco. Un poquititito loco.” He sang softly both in response to her not knowing Ghibli, but also as a confirmation that he was perfectly fine with watching Coco for the night.

     At the sound of her laughter it was easy for him to follow along. The images they had been painting were easy to find funny, but he found he was enjoying the sound of her laughter a lot more. “Whatever brings you home sooner right? When it works it works --- and, on the bright side, you got to try some amazing alien cuisine, and they probably won’t abduct anyone from this planet ever again should your critiques hurt their feelings.” He offered, his voice coming from the kitchen as he placed a few of the cuban styled cookies to a plate, and poured the two of them a helping of horchata before making his way back into the living room. The words that follow instantly bringing heat to his cheeks, and he found he was grateful for the plate in his hand as it gave him something to focus on as he spoke. “I wouldn’t be a good host if I made you sleep on the couch, would I?” he offered in return. Throat being cleared as he was suddenly too afraid to look her direction. “I don’t think I’ve ever really thought about it? I usually stick to the Ghibli movies, but how about we watch your favorite movie?”

     “You had me up until the UFO because that actually sounds like a lot of fun, and I’m certain you’d have more than enough questions for them. Plus --- they’d want to keep you alive so they would have to feed you which means you’d have the scoop on some of the best, or worst, alien recipes.” He teased with a soft laugh, unable to take himself seriously as he spoke. “Of course you are. I could never regret it though, being around you is always a good time. I’m sure Gavin would agree with me if he moves in. “I actually made some torticas de moron earlier today so I’ll go grab those if you want to pick out the movie?”

     “Online drama?” He questioned as he made himself comfortable, eyebrow quirked with curiosity. “Is it okay to ask what happened?”

     “Amazon is insanely scary --- they have a grocery store in some places with a cart that self scans your items as you load them into the cart. Absolutely terrifying.”

     “Did realize you scared so easily.” He commented with a soft smile as he held back a laugh. The things that scared Charlie the most were things like social interaction, and rejection. Horror movies, murder-mysteries, and true crime were a lot easier to sit through than being aware of his own existence. “You’re always welcome here Anna. You don’t even have to ask...--- the guest room is pretty bare right now if you’d like? I cleaned it out for Gavin just in case he wants to move in, but it’s yours for however long you need it. We can pop in some non-scary movies until you think you can sleep? I’ll make treats?”

     “It’s an actual labyrinth in that place. It’s no wonder it’s always packed, no one can ever find their way out.” 

     Typically, Charlie wouldn’t mind standing while waiting for his coffee but with so many bustling bodies he felt like he would be in someone’s way regardless of where he stood. The recently purchased cookbooks also weighing heavy on his shoulders so he’s grateful for the seat. “Thank you so much, I didn’t mean to disturb you or anything. I’ll get you your next round of coffee as my apology.”

     To Charlie, she had no reason to lie to him --- he’d never had any problems with any witches before. At least he didn’t think he did. “Well, I’m not entirely sure if these are alcoholic or not so I think I should pace myself. Grape or purple is fine for now.” He lifted his drink as she picked hers up and took a few swallows of his own. A small yawn slipping between his lips soon after. “I don’t know what flavor I’d call this but it wouldn’t exactly be grape...--- it is strong though.” He chuckled. Another yawn passing through his lips.

     At the sound of something of the citrus variety Charlie immediately began eyeing the pink and yellow bottles. “I think I’m a lot like that too. Good looking out.” He thanked her, with a small smile grabbing one of the yellow ones though he doesn’t pop it open just yet. A bit fearful that it might alcoholic so he wanted to pace himself. “Cotton candy?” He questioned as his facial features contort in confusion and disgust. “Isn’t that just sugar? How did they get that wrong?”

     It hadn’t been too long since Charlie had arrived on the social scene again. In his mind, he was attributing the other’s actions as a new way to make friends. Really really good friends. He supposed. Though he was glad the next statement seem to fall in the realm of casual conversation. Something he felt he did much better at. “I think i’ll steer clear of the whole table --- just in case.” He chuckled, though he did shove his hands in his pockets. No drink grabbing for him. “Now that would be excellent party hosting. Can never go wrong a jarritos, though I think I’d be much too scared to ask given whatever they did to your drink.”

     “I’m sure my top priority would be keeping them all over you.” The words came out quicker than his mind could even finish thinking of them. “I don’t know why I said that.” He was quick to follow up, his body taking a step back as if scared that he would have actually tried to reach out to her. Deciding to take another sip of his drink because his lips were suddenly dry as Anna continued to speak. “Nothing could ever be as good as spending time with you.” That was a thought he would have liked to stay inside his mind, but it wasn’t as bed as what he opened with. So he’d take it. “Um. Anyway --- how’s your night been so far?”

     As he talked about his drink Charlie began to feel like they were getting back to some sense of normalcy. Until they weren’t. His cheeks flushed a deep red and he found himself choking on air, giving a few quick coughs as he looked away from the other. Deciding in that moment that maybe the drinks at this table shouldn’t be tried, or tampered with. “Uh...--- Jarritos it’s basically soda. Just from mexico is all. A lot less carbonated and all fruit flavors.” He explained deciding the best course of action was to ignore his advances. “A lot like what you’re drinking I’m guessing. Not much different at all. Unless that’s more like a juice, than a soda.”

     It was hard for his heart not to jump at three times its regular speed at the sight of her smile. One that beamed from ear to ear, the kind he wished he could take credit for putting on her face. “That’s both terrifying and exciting.” He spoke honestly as he peered back down at the table. Though he trusted her enough to know that she would never intentionally steer him in the wrong direction. It’s why he doesn’t even consider the blue and orange drinks and instead reaches for the pink in the middle. “If I grow a new set of hands it’s on you.” He teased before lifting it up to his lips and throwing back a few gulps before lowering his bottle. “Whoa...” He mused, feeling it settle in his stomach and a newly found warmness spreading from his stomach to his heart before it reached the rest of his body. “What exactly was in that?”

     “Maybe?” He offered with a soft chuckle. It seemed like a dangerous time to play the guessing game with something you were meant to ingest. Especially at a party, but even more so one centered around the holiday of Halloween. Though he had been watching people come and pick their potential poison all night, and they all seemed to be okay. He figured it wouldn’t hurt to try. “I haven’t had a grape flavored....--- well anything in awhile so I guess let’s see.” He smiled picking up the drink, and raising it but stopped before it could touch his lips. “Would you like one? We could toast to discovering what flavors these are.”

     It wasn’t the response he was expecting. Nor a statement he thought he’d be hearing at all that night. Truthfully, he didn’t know it was possible to look bad while doing something as simple as drinking. Then again, he was always so hyper aware of what others were thinking of him that he paid no attention to what anyone else was doing. “Thank you?” He offered his features mimicking the confused state of his mind as he looked down to the drink selection once again. “What flavor did you get? I’m kind of eyeing the yellow one. Reminds me of Jarritos.” He tried pushing the conversation foward.