Chapter Text
The theater was not busy when Po arrived, but he still couldn’t see Thame in the lobby. He glanced down at his watch. Ten minutes early. They still had time to make the movie. He sat down to wait for Thame and shot off a quick text to say he’d arrived.
At five minutes until the movie, an influx of movie-goers arrived and crowded the lobby. Antsy about time, Po stood and got in line to buy their snacks. If Thame was late, then at least they wouldn’t have to waste more time waiting to get food. From his spot, Po could see the candy bars on display. Thame hadn’t explained exactly which chocolate was his favorite, so Po decided to get the one that was the most obviously chocolate and not just partly chocolate or chocolate covered in a sugar shell.
His nerves about the time got worse as he moved up in the line. Thame was going to be late. Or something came up at work and he wasn’t going to make it at all. It wouldn’t be the first time Po was stood up for a date, but that was before, and this was Thame. He would come, right?
He ordered a small drink, a small popcorn, shrimp chips, and a chocolate bar even as his heart sank with the idea that he’d likely have to watch the film alone. Just before he could hand over his card, an arm stretched in front of him and tapped a card to the reader. When Po looked over, Thame was there. Even through a mask, Po could tell he was smiling apologetically.
“Sorry. Things got busy at work, and then the guys were teasing me,” Thame said. “But I’m not too late, right?”
Po shook his head as they gathered their things and moved out of the way. “I thought you might not make it,” he admitted.
“No. I promised you that we’d have this date when I was still in the hospital. I’m not going to break my promises to you.” Thame was so cute when he was serious. And a little intense, sometimes, but in a good way.
They maneuvered their way into the theater and down their row. There were only a handful of others filling in spots in other rows, meaning they had plenty of privacy even in a public setting. Thame glanced around as the room darkened and the movie began, and he seemed to be counting. Then he settled down and removed his mask.
They shared all the snacks, and Po was really enjoying the film. About halfway through, Thame leaned over and kissed his cheek. Po looked over, surprised, and Thame kissed his lips instead. Then he did it again. In the dark of the theater, no one would care, if they even noticed. But it was new for Po, and it sent a thrill through him as Thame continued to kiss him.
Just as suddenly, Thame pulled back. He bit his lower lip and ducked his head. Po wanted to kiss him all night.
“After the movie…” Thame whispered. He looked up, straight into Po’s eyes. “Can I come back to your place?”
The film was still playing, but Po was missing all of it. He swallowed thickly, suddenly wanting nothing more than to leave immediately and take Thame home. He took up Thame’s hand and nodded.
“Yes. I’d like that,” he said.
Thame smiled, and Po smiled back. They made it another ten minutes before the snacks had run out. Then they quietly snuck out of the theater and all the way back to Po’s apartment. They wasted no time on pretense, and they didn’t even make it to the bed. Their clothes landed haphazardly on the floor, while the couch would hold all the memories of their first time together.
Only after, while they cuddled and enjoyed the quiet, did Thame take a moment to actually look around. When his eyes landed on the balcony with its snake plant, he smiled and pulled Po close to his chest. Po rested his head on Thame, listening to the beating of Thame's heart and looking down at the bracelet on his wrist. And he was happy.