Movie Taste.

Ace is supper excited about his first movies date with Marco. He was worried they couldn't agree on a middle ground. Like it or not, when it comes to likings, sometimes their age gap is an obstacle; he doesn't understand Marco's preference and vice versa. Turn out he was unduly anxious. Marco has no specific taste in movies and is willing to accompany him to the latest blockbuster - an action movies that is well-received on social media. The special effect is so breathtaking Ace is on the edge of his seat the whole time. About one-half of the movies, the protagonist is shot. He is blond and has the same build as Marco. Watching the guy lying in blood slightly stirs Ace's heart. He averts his eyes from the screen and searches for Marco's hand, urging to make sure Marco is safe.

Marco's nails are digging into his own palm. Hard. His eyebrows twitches and his jaw clenching tight.

"Are you alright?" Ace asks, worried.

"Huh?" Marco blinks and the seriousness disappears. His eyes softens when he turns to Ace. "I'm fine. Something wrong?"

"I-"

Ace answers by slipping his hand into Marco's. Marco startles at first, then he beams and tightens his grip. The warmth calm Ace's heart, but he cannot shake Marco's solemn expression out of his mind. Instead of focusing on the screen, he pays more attention to Marco's reaction. He soon notices how Marco's hand jolts slightly when an action scene happens; and when a character is injured, Marco gets serious again and his other hand curls into fist. At the climax of the film, the protagonist runs after the villain though he's badly bleeding, Marco takes an awfully sharp breath. His eyes go wide and his shoulder stiffens, then he pulls his hand away from Ace's.

"Marco?"

Ace grasps Marco's hand and receives a shy smile. Marco signals he's fine but his hand is cover with sweat. Ace doesn't remember how the movies ends, his mind too occupied by Marco's relief sigh when the screen goes dark. The lights are turned on and they remain on their seats, waiting the others to get out first.

"How do you think about the movies?"

"The acting and special effect are good, but I think the plot is a little bit rush. I'd prefer it went a bit deeper why the villain became who he is."

"Do you want to go with me again?"

"-Of course! I'd love to go with you again. I- Ace?"

Ace finds it hard to crack a smile. There was only one sputter Marco's words. Just one. But sometimes the least little detail is a sign of things to come.

"Marco, if you don't enjoy the movies, say it directly. This won't be the first time we aren't on the same page. I want this to work out between us."

"It's… It's not that I hate the movies Ace."

"Then what's it?"

To Ace's surprise, Marco's face turns beet red. His mouth opens, then closes, and opens again.

"It's- You remember when the protagonist was shot in his chest and he called the sidekick to announce where he was?"

"Yeah?"

"You won't be able speak if you are shot in your windpipe twice."

"…"

"When the blond girl lost her conscious, they're supposed to do CPR first, not straight up to electric shock."

"…"

"And when the sidekick was stabbed, he should lost more blood than that. The blade hit right at the artery."

"…"

"And when the protagonist chases after the villain at the final too. He was cut in his tendon. He isn't supposed to move, let alone running after a car and jump on it."

"…"

"I- uh- You see-" Marco hems, "-have a tendency of- you know, judging when it isn't… medically correct? The movies is good, but there're some scenes…"

Then he looks at Ace, his eyes filled with nervousness.

"I love going with you Ace, but I, uh- just can't hold myself. I'm sorry if I make you feel like I don't like your movies choice. Next time, maybe another one with less injuries? I'll try stop being a drama queen. You're okay with that-? Ace? Ace?"

Ace holds his stomach to prevent himself from laughing too hard. Felicity fizzles in his heart and fills his body with a warm sensation.

Marco just asked him out for another date.

"Of course, Marco. Next time. But before that, do you want to grab something to eat?"

The next date goes so well for the first time in his life Ace considers about marriage.

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Extra: Sewing.

Ace has always been proud that he can sew. During the teenage years he was a cocky brat that got his clothes torn off almost every day. His mother, tired of fixing his outfits, decided it's about time he learned how to sew. When she got serious, there's nothing could be done to change her mind. Therefore Ace, a delinquent by day, patiently pulled strings through a needle every night.

He was grateful for all those years because as it turns out, sewing is a pretty handy skill. The more he learns the more he's into it. Extra button? Easy. Ripped shirt? No problem. Inside pocket for jacket? Piece of cake. He can even alters his shirts so that they will show more of his features.

Ace can sew, so when he finds a hole on Marco's favorite jacket, of course he wants to fix it.

"Thanks, but I can do it on my own."

Marco's smiles and puts on his glasses. His sewing line renders Ace speechless: straight, neat and nearly invisible even without support by sewing machine.

"Holy shit! You're really good at this."

"Haha, I do this every day after all."

"Huh? But you're a doctor. Why would you-?"

"Suturing wound is not so different."

At the end of the day Ace cannot fixes Marco's jacket like how he wants to, but on the good side he finds out one more similarity between them.

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I hope this makes sense (^▽^)

I have a medical student friend who always cringe when injuries scenes aren't the same as how he learns and it's just hilarious (^▽^)