Chapter Text
You enter through the front door of the park house loud enough to let Mordecai know you were here. Max sniffs the air around him, either due to being in an unfamiliar environment or because of the scent of popcorn wafting through the air. Probably the popcorn. You set him down, letting him explore around before wandering off into the living room. Max tails behind you, not wanting to be separate from you.
“Oh hey! You made it!” Mordecai calls out from his side of the couch. He hops over the back of the couch to greet you, however stops once he sees your dog. “Who’s this?”
“That’s Max. I didn’t want to leave him alone at this time of night so I just…” You trail off, suddenly feeling unsure of yourself. What if he didn’t want Max here? Did you make the wrong call? Should you just turn around and go home?
Mordecai leans down to let Max take a curious sniff of his hand. Once he gets the okay he gives him a little scratch on the head. “He’s a handsome little guy isn’t he?” He then notices the worried look in your eyes. “Hey it’s cool, I don’t mind him here. Whatever makes you feel more comfortable.”
You let out a relieved sigh and watch as the two interact. Max seems to love the attention, which makes sense as he’s pretty chill with most people. what helps ease your bubbling nerves is the fact that Mordecai is just as happy to give the attention. You smile warmly.
The moment is broken when Rigby bursts downstairs with a tape in his hand. “Movie Night!” He hollers out, sliding down the banister.
Mordecai, who acknowledges the appearance of his comrade, also belts out an equally sounding, “Movie Night!”
Rigby comes sliding into the living room, hopping excitedly onto the plush couch. Though upon noticing your presence his smile turns into an annoyed frown. “What is she doing here?”
Dejectedly, you shift your gaze to the floor, desperately avoiding the heated glare sent your way. You shouldn’t have come here. You should’ve stayed home. He didn’t want you here. You shouldn’t be here.
“Dude, don’t be like that.” Mordecai complains, standing up fully and crossing his arms. “I invited her.”
“Why?! This was supposed to be our night!” He looks back towards you and narrows his eyes at Max. “And she brought her dog?! Dude what gives?!”
“Dude calm down. (Name) is actually really cool and I thought it be fun to invite her.”
“Psh, yeah right.”
You really wanted to go home. Clearly you weren’t welcome here. This was a bad idea. You can feel some unwanted tears stinging your eyes; no you weren’t going to cry, not over this. Max scratches your leg anxiously, he knows something is wrong. You scoop him up before turning away. This wasn’t worth it.
Someone jerks you back gently and immediately you can tell it’s Mordecai.
“Hey, I know Rigby’s a jerk, but please don’t go.” He pleads, but not before sending a glare towards his friend.
“He doesn’t want me here.” You say quietly, voice so low he almost misses it.
“But I do.”
You feel your cheeks burn. Why did he say it like that? So honest, so gentle. Did he truly want you here that bad?
He takes your hand in his, the other holding Max in place, and guides you to the couch. You take a cautious seat at the edge, side resting up against the armrest. Max, after taking a curious glance up at you, nestles in between the cushions and your exposed thigh resting his head comfortably against your leg. Him snuggled against you like that gives you a sense of comfort, feeling your rampant anxiety settle down slowly.
“She’s staying, so deal with it.” Mordecai states firmly, never once removing his hand from yours.
“Fine, whatever.” Rigby sighs with an attitude but doesn’t complain any further. He pulls out a tape, shoving it forward with renewed enthusiasm. “I picked us out a movie! Awesome right?”
“What? I thought we were watching Shy Guy?” Mordecai hold up his own tape, a cover with the title and a heart on it. A romantic comedy maybe?
“Dude, you’ve seen that movie a hundred times. This is way better!”
Both you and Mordecai take a closer look curiously at the box art. The thing that sticks out to you is the ridiculous looking horror designed car on the front. Who thought to give an old car some teeth? You rather be watching Christine.
“Ello Gov’nor?” By the sounds of it, Mordecai doesn’t seem too thrilled about this movie either.
“Yeah man, it’s foreign!” Rigby on the other hand appears way too enthused about the movie. “Check it,” He then turns it over to read the description. “A British taxi is possessed by the soul of its driver seeking revenge on the lowly gang members who murdered him. Pay the fare or pay the price.”
Yep, definitely would rather watch Christine.
“No dude, not another horror movie.” Mordecai groans, definitely not happy with the movie choice. “Last time I had to walk you to the bathroom every night for a week.”
“No, man, it’ll be different! This one’s old and cheesy, it’ll be hilarious!”
“Are you sure you can handle it?” He still doesn’t seem too sure.
“Dude, it’s in black and white. Come on!”
Mordecai turns to you, a questioning look upon his features. “What about you? How do you feel about horror movies?”
“Ugh, man don’t ask her!”
“Shut up, dude.”
He looks to you expectantly. Honestly, you love horror movies, them being your favorite kind of movies. You love the classics, slashers, foreign ones, psychological horror, even the really bad horror comedies. You smile at him giddily, you’d have to have your own movie night filled with horror movies. Maybe a Halloween marathon.
“I love them.”
He grins stupidly. “Awesome.”
The lights are switched off and the movie is being inserted into the vcr. Switching the television on the movie’s title card flashes on screen while a cheesy suspenseful theme plays. The two men let out fake screams in mockery of the film and you roll your eyes playfully.
The film itself was at the very least entertaining. Sure it was corny and very predictable, but you suppose that was the charm. The deaths were extremely underwhelming and you can’t help but let out an unflattering snort watching the taxi kill its victims. Your favorite had to be the one where the woman gets murdered in her own bathroom by the taxi. How did it even get in there to begin with?
Mordecai next to you releases an amused chuckle, face stuffed with buttery popcorn. He tries offering some to you but you politely refuse.
Further into the movie, at some point, a heavy weight falls on your shoulder. Glancing next to you, you find a sleeping Mordecai, who you assumed had gotten bored of the movie. You tense up immediately, finding this position rather uncomfortable. Between Max curled comfortably against your lap and the blue haired man snoring softly into your hair, you can’t will yourself to move. You can hardly focus on the movie, not with Mordecai’s nose brushing up against your neck. You’ve never had a man be this close to you before. What do you do?
Static blares from the television, emitting an intense buzz throughout the room; why was it so loud? Luckily for you the noise causes Mordecai to rouse from his slumber, removing his head from your aching shoulder. He yawns, stretching his stiff limbs and hearing an audible pop.
“Is it over?” He asks sleepily, rubbing his eyes due to the brightness of the screen. “Dude, that was so cheesy.” He complains, shutting off the television. “I mean, what was up with the taxi? Was it supposed to be evil or normal but haunted by a ghost controlling the taxi or what, you know?”
“That was horrible.” You quietly speak up, brushing away any remnants of your awkwardness.
“Yeah it was, wasn’t it?” He laughs airily, agreeing with your statement.
The two of you stand, carefully picking up your tired furry companion. He groans in protest, but gives up the fuss by drooping his head against your shoulder.
“Hey, I can drive you home. If you want, it’s kind of late.” Mordecai offers.
You check the time on your phone. 11:30. Yeah, that’s pretty late and you certainly don’t want to walk alone home at that time of night.
“Sure, if you don’t mind.”
He walks ahead of you, heading towards the front door. You move to follow him, but stop once you notice how completely frozen in terror his friend was. Rigby’s eyes appeared bloodshot, wide with unspoken fear. His knuckles white from gripping the pillow tightly within his grasp. Your concern for him prevents you from leaving immediately, despite how awful he’s been treating you.
You point towards the traumatized man who still hasn’t moved a muscle. “Is he gonna be okay?”
“Hmm?” Mordecai turns to the direction of his buddy, groaning slightly at the sight. “Yeah, he’ll be fine. Don’t worry about it.” He waves off your concerns, seemingly nonchalant about the situation.
You look to him one last time before following Mordecai out the door.
——
The ride back to your apartment is an uneventful one. Mordecai attempts to disrupt the silence with small talk but reconsiders when you only provide him with short responses. He doesn’t want to overwhelm you or make you uncomfortable. It’s late and both of you are tired, so idle chit chat was a lost cause.
Your apartment building comes into view and you point it out for him. He parks next to the cracked sidewalk and you shimmy out of the cart. Max rustles restlessly in your arms, disturbed by your movements.
“So…” He begins awkwardly, leaning back against the seat that squeaks under his weight. “I’ll see you Monday?” There’s a hint of hopefulness in his tone and you’re not sure how to feel about that.
“I have classes.”
You almost miss it, but you think you see disappointment cast through his eyes at your answer. Was he upset that you weren’t coming to work on Monday? Did he want to see you? No, perhaps you were just seeing things. Surely the lack of your presence wouldn’t be missed, right?
“Oh.” He sounds disappointed. However he quickly covers it up with an easygoing grin. “Well, I guess I’ll see you whenever.”
“Yeah, sure.”
“We should do this again sometime. Maybe next time you choose the movie?”
Next time? You choose? You feel your nerves start to act up. Why? You’re not sure. Subconsciously you hope that Rigby would not be in attendance. No offense to the guy, but he’s rather unpleasant, makes you feel on edge. You feel as if you were intruding on their time together; even more apparent by Rigby’s disdain at you being there. Though Mordecai seemed very eager to have you in attendance and you really didn’t know why. Sure he admitted to wanting to strike a friendship with you, but you feel as if you weren’t friendship material. Does he see something you don’t see?
Does he actually like you?
Mordecai appears to pick up on your uncomfortableness and gives you a soft look.
“How about just you and me then?”
“Huh?”
“If you feel bothered by Rigby, it can be a movie night with just us. He was pretty rude to you tonight.”
You agree with him there. Still, you’re uncertain. Did you want it to be just the two of you? Part of you really wants to, but another part is still so unsure; the social anxiety part of you. Honestly, what’s the harm in hanging out with him? He wasn’t Rigby, he was kind to you. Not to mention, you obviously need friends. You can only go so far in life with only yourself and your family. Having someone to talk to, spend time with, share interest with, you want a companion.
“Or not, we don’t have to if you’re uncomfortable.” He says, a tad bit saddened by your silence.
“No!” You pause, just now realizing how desperate that sounded. So you take a deep breath and answer him again. “No, we… we can do that…. the movie thing…” You trail off, internally kicking yourself for being so weird.
Mordecai’s face brightens up considerably, not caring how awkward your voice sounds. He’s clearly very happy and you look away bashfully knowing that you caused that.
“Great! That’s… great.” Now it’s his turn to be all bashful. He clears his throat awkwardly and he looks away from you, rubbing the back of his neck.
Cute.
Wait, what?
“Well, I should… probably get going.” He says. “I’ll see you later?”
“Yeah,” You say readjusting Max in your arms; god your arms are getting tired. His small head perks up sleepily and glances between you and Mordecai.
Mordecai gives your little yorkie a wave. “See you later, little man. It was nice meeting you.”
Max gives a yawn in response and you chuckle lightly. He’s adorable.
With that, Mordecai waves farewell to you one last time, bidding you a good night before driving off back towards the park.
You sigh, very much exhausted. Tilting your head downward you give your baby a soft kiss on the top of his head.
“Let’s go, sweetheart. Time for bed.”