#if i had a nickel for every time a + e mentioned bigfoot i'd have two nickels... which isn't a lot but it's weird that it happened twice

[sarcaasmic]

She smiles at the bigfoot talk, "Could be visiting his buddies," she comments. She knew it bigfoot was not a true danger, but it does bring attention to what could be out in those woods. Cryptids didn't worry her, but people did. The comment about them still having power has her looking at him again, "That's what I was thinking, but don't jinx it," she gives him a warning look. If they lost power at any point during their stay, she was going to blame him now. She'd survived without power before but that was a much different situation.

"Couple stays at a rental house and get hunted by masked killers," she explains as concisely as she can. She didn't want to explain too much as to avoid spoilers. Ellie looks to the tv as the movie plays but still listens to Alex's explanation of seven, she makes an interested hum. "Maybe we can have another movie night once we get back home?" she suggests. They could watch the scarier stuff in somewhere more familiar.

"Mhm," she gives no further explanation, he'll get context eventually. As they both focus on the television, Ellie is reminded why this movie was an early case of bi-panic for her. Julia Stiles, Heath Ledger, and Joseph Gordon-Levitt all in one film, c'mon. It takes some effort to focus on the movie, not that she was uncomfortable like this with Alex, quite the opposite. It just felt so natural, even as he twirled a stand of her blonde curls between his fingers. She was picky about who she let touch her hair.

alex’s eyes meet ellie’s,  brimming with amusement as he can’t help but wonder if it’s concern that he’s seeing on her face.   for someone who likes scary movies,  she seems extremely easy to spook.   and god,  are her reactions adorable!   “well,  last time i checked big foot lived in vermont.   i don’t think he visits maine often,”   he teases,  his eyes gleaming as he waits for ellie to realize the two states aren’t all that far away from one another.   lips pressed together,  he has to stifle that goofy grin that threatens to overtake his features.   “look,  we’re lucky we still got power.   it could have been a lot worse.”   he’s not easily scared,  but even he would feel somewhat uneasy if the lights went off. 

“i don’t think i’ve seen this one.   what’s it about?”   alex asks,  not realizing that he’s rambling and probably making it difficult for both of them to focus on the movie.   there’s something about ellie that turns him into a chatterbox.   he just wants to talk and talk and talk.   “seven isn’t really a horror horror movie.   i’d say it’s more of a psychological thriller.   we can put it on later.   it’s about two detectives,  morgan freeman and brad pitt,  who try to solve a bunch of crazy murders inspired by the seven deadly sins.”   that can be his pick.   he’ll think on it.   though,  maybe watching a movie about a psychopathic killer isn’t really a good idea given their current situation.   

eventually,  pale blue eyes focus on the screen,  trying to pay attention —   the cast looks promising.   heath ledger is one of alex’s favorite actors.   and so for a moment,  he manages to stay silent.   his fingers absently twirling a strand of ellie’s hair.   the weight of her hand on his chest,  the warmth radiating from it,  it has his heart beating faster.   she’s his best friend,  and yet here he is,  with butterflies in his stomach because she’s snuggling up to him.   what’s wrong with him?   “the white guy knew his shit?”   he laughs,  thankful for the distraction because otherwise he’d be coming to some truly wild conclusions.   but does she feel it,  too?   does her stomach feel all weird and fluttery when he’s near?   he can’t help but wonder.