37 Clowns

After she finished eating, Meredith coaxed Atlas to watch movie with her.

"What do you want to watch?" He asked, praying that she wouldn't put some cheesy romantic movie. Atlas hated those sugar-coated movies and had no idea why people loved it.

Real life was far messed up and these stupid movies raised some unbelievable standards in relationships.

"You would find out soon. Now I just want to cuddle while watching the movie. It's one of the things on my bucket list."

Meredith replied casually as she started the movie and walked back to him. He was sitting in the couch, waiting for her.

Atlas sighed but said nothing. He took the cashmere blanket she had brought and shook it loose. Meredith sat beside him. She scooted closer and placed her head on his chest with her legs resting on the table in front of them.

Atlas wrapped his arms around her waist and swept one end of the blanket across her shoulders and over her legs.

Having her in his arms felt so good he found himself smiling. Even if they watch a cheesy romantic movie, he felt it was worth it with her nuzzling herself against his chest with a smile on her face.

Atlas held her close and rested his cheeks against her temple as the movie started.

Twenty minutes in the film he realized it wasn't a romantic movie but a horror film with clowns.

Atlas face paled and his whole body turned rigid. He has always been afraid of clowns since he was a kid. Even though other kids played with them, they always freaked him out. He wondered why the other kids weren't freaked out by them. Even their smile sent chills down his spine.

"Me-redith…" He called out, his voice shaking.

"Let's change the movie, it's too early to be watching films with clowns." He said averting his gaze from the television screen.

Meredith turned to look at him with a smile, "Sofia said it's good. I have always wanted to watch it but I was scared. With you here, I think I will be fine."

She gave him a soft smile before turning back to look at the screen, an excited expression adorning her face as it glowed form the television screen.

Atlas took a deep breath and clenched his fist. Seeing the happiness glinting in her eyes he guessed he could only stomach his fears. He didn't mind doing anything to see that beautiful smile of hers.

A clown with blood dripping on his face after killing someone appeared and Atlas's heart nearly stopped and the blood drained from his face. His breath hitched.

"Atlas, are you okay?" Meredith looked up at him.

He said nothing. Just stared at her blankly.

Meredith shook him, finally bringing him out of his stupor.

"Don't tell me you're afraid of clowns?" Meredith arched her brows as she asked.

Atlas cleared his throat and avoided her gaze.

"No." He was surprised the words had come out pretty normal.

Meredith shook her head and laughed. Leaning closer to him, she whispered in his ears.

"They are just normal people who have painted their face, they wouldn't hurt you love."

Atlas stiffened because his mother had told him the same thing when he was a kid.

"I-I know."

Meredith's lips curled up in amusement. "Who would have thought, the almighty Atlas Martini is afraid of clowns." She chuckled.

"I'm not afraid."

Meredith shrugged, "If you say so."

"Really, I'm not afraid." Even though that was a lie, there was no way he was going to let her know one of his deepest fear.

"Then we are watching, I was about to change the movie."

Atlas opened his mouth but said nothing.

The next 30 minutes was the most torturous moment in his life. He had no idea how he sat through the movie but damn the things he had started doing because of this woman.

********

When Meredith woke up from her afternoon nap, she realized she was still in Atlas's arms. He was fully awake and watching her with a smile on his face while his fingers ran leisurely through her hair.

"You're awake." He said while pressing a gentle kiss on her forehead.

That made her stomach flipped with butterflies. In that moment, she had imagined their future together with her always going to sleep in his arms and waking up in them.

A face reddened at the thought as she mentally scolded herself. She knew their relationship wouldn't go that far. Atlas Martini wasn't a man you planned your happily ever after with.

"Are you hungry? I had ordered food for you. It's in the kitchen. I didn't know what you wanted to eat but I saw pizza box in your trash can so I assumed you liked it? "

Meredith nodded, "Yeah, thank you."

"Wel-"

His phone vibrating interrupted him. Warmth sliced through Meredith's heart. He had even put his phone on silent because he didn't want to wake her up.

He picked up the call. Meredith had no idea what the person said but the frown on his face and the anger in his eyes told her something was wrong.

"Hm I will be there in 20 minutes." He said coldly and hung up the call.

Sadness gnawed at her, she didn't want him to go. God when did she become this clingy.

"I have to go Angel. Will you be fine by yourself?" He asked, concern etched in her voice.

Meredith wanted to say no but she knew she couldn't be selfish.

"Yeah.." She said and pulled away from him.

Atlas stood up, "Alright. See you later."

He walked towards the door but Meredith called him, stopping him.

"Atlas, aren't you forgetting something?"

Atlas brows furrowed in confusion as he stared at her.

"What?"

Meredith pouted and crossed her arms across her chest, "My goodbye kiss."

Atlas chuckled and shook his head. Sighing he walked back towards her.

He pressed a soft kiss on her cheeks, "Goodbye, Angel."

"Atlass!" Meredith screamed at him because this wasn't the kiss she wanted but he just laughed and walked away.

When he reached the door, he turned around and stuck his tongue out at her.

Meredith widened her eyes in shock, she didn't know he had such a childish side to him. This man kept surprising her everyday, she thought with a grin on her face.

"You will pay for this!" She screamed at him but he just chuckled and walked out the door.