SIDE STORY 5

"Your hair smells different today."

Yeon jolted when Stan pulled him closer and began sniffing at his head repeatedly. "Is that why you've been rubbing my head the entire ride here?"

"Yea." Stan continued sniffing at Yeon's hair then rubbed his nose on it. "Is this a new scent? I love it!"

"Quick question Stan, are you by any chance unwell?"

"Not at all." Stan answered, still rubbing at his fated's hair and this time, his fingers began massaging his scalp. Yeon didn't want to complain since he was beginning to feel stimulated, the nerves beneath his scalp making him feel rejuvinated. However, after a few minutes, Stan began getting overly touchy and seeming that other people where soon going to be walking into the theatre, he felt a little self-conscious.

"Do you have a flu or something?"

"No. Why do you ask?"

"Because what you are smelling is the shampoo."

"Oh." Stan lifted his head from his fated's hair and looked at him. After some deep thinking, he returned back to his previous position but this time, picking up one strand after another and squinting his eyes as if studying each of them in-depth. "I get a faint scent of the shampoo yes, but why does it have a different scent on you?"

"We've used the same shampoo for months." Yeon replied and pulled himself free from his cuddly partner. They had been the first to arrive at the theater and were just waiting for the previews to begin playing. "You use the same shampoo Stan, in fact, we share pretty much everything together."

"This has to be a new scent. I've never smelled it before and I really like it."

"If you are not reacting to the scent then doesn't that just mean it's not a new scent?"

Stan sniffed once more at Yeon's hair and chuckled. "I wish it were a new one. You are yet to uncover all your scents anyways and I'm always on a hunt for them."

Yeon smiled. "I think you have to get your nose checked. Your sense of smell is whack."

His reply sent Stan laughing out loud, bringing back memories when Yeon had first heard Stan's contagious laughter. He smiled again and was startled when the theatre went pitch dark as the advertisements started running.

"We are the only people here? Where are the others?"

"Perhaps people just don't like this movie that much." 'Or because I literally had to ask my parents to book the entire theatre, a price they'd promised to pay after catching them repeatedly snooping around my things yet again.'

Looking at his fated, Yeon inquired, "Stan, are you responsible for the theatre being empty by any chance?"

"W-Why would you suspect me? I didn't use my threatening scent or anyhing..! You'd have sensed it immediately!"

"I find it suspiciously weird. Besides, you stuttered just now and seeing how you are defensive makes you appear more guilty."

"It breaks my heart whenever you suspect me to stoop so low."

"Are you really sure you didn't pull any pranks? This movie has been trending for a few days with great reviews so it's unnatural this theatre isn't full."

"Or your chosen movie no longer trends anymore."

"It's a horror movie, of course it's supposed to trend longer than a few days. Anyway, it doesn't matter. You took me by surprise when you finally agreed to let me choose what to watch this time."

"I could sence you were beginning to get tired of my romantic comedies and fictional drama."

"I got tired ages ago, but seriously, are you sure you can take it? There might be a lot of blood, gore, murder and I don't want you to bother me sleeping with the lights on. I'd kick you out of the room."

Stan smiled. "Don't worry. I can take it and if you get scared, I'll protect you."

"If my memory serves me right, last time we watched a horror movie, you'd wanted to protect me from the dark as if you could fight it, screeming to have seen something move. I wonder how you're going to be now that we are all alone, just us two in total darkness with a big screen infront of us, listening to the sound of people screeming for help. My advice is don't look back and focus on me, lest the darkness notices your state." A mischevious smile formed on Yeon's face when he added, "It can smell fear too."

A cold chill ran down Stan's spine as he tried his level best not to show fear, or the temptation to look back at the empty seats behind them. 'This wasn't a good idea afterall.' "Yeon, you've made your point."

Laughing, Yeon enjoyed the blank look on his fated's face. "I don't think I'll be the one needing protecting tonight."