love happy • chris evans (bwwm)

• five •

"Where's Chris?" Tom asked curiously as he plopped down next to Phoenix on her couch. He had been in town for Far From Home press and couldn't leave without at least stopping by his friend's house.

"Boston." Phoenix answered. "He had some reshoots."

"How's engaged life treating you?"

"So far so good." She replied. "We've only one disagreement so far."

"Do you mind me asking what it was about?"

"Joint checking accounts."

"Oh that must've definitely been Chris's idea." Tom figured. "That's a little too traditional for you, isn't it?"

"That's exactly what I told him!"

"I guess it can be a little tricky since you two were born 14 years apart. That's an entire generational difference." He spoke. "He has a lot more traditional views and values than we do."

"Yeah... That's one of the reasons I changed my views on marriage." Phoenix admitted. "I knew Chris would never be okay with me just being his girlfriend for 50 years while we're living together and doing all of the other things married couples do but without the official title; and I didn't want to lose him so I compromised."

"Now that I think about it, in 4 years, I've never even seen Chris angry or upset." Tom realized. "I've never seen him argue with anyone."

"Chris has absolutely no temper at all."

"Then how do you know when he's upset with you? And how exactly can you fix it if he's not exactly being vocal about it?"

"His energy changes when he's mad. Sometimes I'll just leave for half an hour, maybe an hour and come back and he'll look and act completely normal even when he's still angry." Phoenix explained. "It can be tough to handle those situations even after dating for a while but I always find that physical touching or intimacy usually works."

"But if he's upset with you why would he want to be having sex?"

"He likes sex." Phoenix shrugged. "But also you don't just completely start with pulling someone's pants off. You've gotta add in some kissing and touching. Like maybe I'll start with a single kiss and ask if that's okay. He never says no but it's always important to get consent, even in long term relationships. I can also tell by his vibes whether or not he wants me to be kissing him at that moment."

"Well what's the point if he's never going to say no to you?"

"He might. It just hasn't happened yet." She replied. "He's never said no verbally but there have been times when he hasn't wanted the same kind of intimacy I have. Every now and then I'll try to kiss him and he'll pull away; but right after, he does this thing where he kinda leans into me. Chris a big teddy bear and just wants me to hold him sometimes."

"That sounds like Chris." Tom nodded.

"Anyways, how's all the press going for far from home?"

"It is so great!" Tom smiled. "I love being with Jacob and Zendaya all day. And Jake Gyllenhaal is just incredible! I'm having a lot of fun."

"I'm glad to hear that, Tom. You look and seem very happy and full of energy."

"That's how it is when work doesn't feel like work." He replied. "Are you still going to come to the L.A. premiere?"

"I wouldn't miss it for the world but it'll just be me. Chris won't be able to make it."

"That's perfectly fine. You can walk the red carpet with me, take some pictures, say hi to Z..." Tom trailed off. "Should be a fun night."