The movie on the screen flickered, casting muted shadows across the couch, but neither of them was paying attention.
Larry sat with his arm draped lazily over the back of the couch, his fingers absentmindedly playing with Lauren’s hair.
The strands were soft beneath his fingertips, grounding him in a way he didn’t quite understand.
Occasionally, he twisted a lock around his finger, watching it spring back into place.
Lauren hummed. "You’re gonna tangle it."
Larry smirked, still twirling the strands. "I’ll brush it out later."
She rolled her eyes but didn’t pull away. He had been sitting with this thought all evening, letting it settle, making sure it felt right. Finally, he broke the silence.
"I’ll do it."
Lauren, curled up beside him, blinked sleepily, the glow of the TV reflect
