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Text || Eli

Dom: You're right, date night CAN be anything

Dom: I just wanted to give you the option of telling me nicely to buzz off

Eli: So if she keeps coming over before movie night and having dinner with me, then that's also a sort of date. Or we could go out to dinner somewhere, maybe.

Eli: I wouldn't do that.

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Text || Eli

Dom: Yeah man, I'm happy to keep coming! I just wasn't sure if you wanted that to like, be a date night thing or anything, you know?

Dom: I like our weekly movie nights; they're nice

Eli: I think date nights can be anything, but movie night is something I've done with you for a long time.

Eli: I like them, too.

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Text || Eli

Dom: Hey man; do you want me to keep doing Wednesday movies with you now that you and Cassi are dating? I know that things don't have to change, but I figured it's better to ask

Eli: I would prefer that you still came. It would feel wrong if you didn't.

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Adam Driver photographed by Peter Lindbergh for Breitling.

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Text || Eli

Dom: cute reference

Dom: I think Saw 2

Eli: I know a lot of dinosaur movies.

Eli: The second more than the first?

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Text || Eli

Dom: he likes them a lot

Dom: Sien likes scary movies and Jurassic Park by the way - I remembered to ask

Eli: We're Back was one of my favorite movies when I was younger, it has dinosaurs too.

Eli: That's good. What is her favorite scary movie?

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Text || Eli

Eli: That's good. How's her son? I don't know much about either of them, so I'm not sure what else to ask.

Dom: He's good - we watch a lot of kids movies, we haven't moved onto to anything we actually enjoy yet but Jaeden loves dinosaurs so I'm introducing him to The Land Before Time movies

Eli: I liked those movies when I was a kid. What does he think of them?

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Text || Eli

Dom: Pretty good; we haven't been on another real date, but we talk a lot

Dom: We made out like a couple of teenagers the same night we went on our date but we've both been a little busy lately but I make sure to text her every day

Eli: That's good. How's her son? I don't know much about either of them, so I'm not sure what else to ask.

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Text || Eli

Dom: I guess 2020 is the year we both get to start dating again

Dom: You kind of do only like to hang out with people you already know and enjoy, but that makes sense

Eli: How are things going with Sien?

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Text || Eli

Dom: It sounds pretty equal to me - I just can't remember the last time you've dated anyone. Or wanted to.

Eli: It's been seven years. I don't think very many people get my attention.

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Text || Eli

Dom: You have a very short list - but I'm glad you're communicating

Dom: Are you more interested in not being stressed or are you just eager to kiss her?

Eli: It isn't very long, but most people don't check all the boxes.

Eli: I'm very eager to kiss her. I think about it every time I see her. But I haven't done it because it's stressful, so I'm not really sure which feeling is more prominent.

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Text || Eli

Dom: You really like her, don't you?

Dom: That is a good thing - I know you're not really a touchy guy. But dating sort of means you have to be willing to get physical with another person

Dom: Is it something you want to do soon? Because Valentine's Day is like right around the corner that could be a nice surprise

Eli: Yes. She likes movies, and she doesn't talk through them, and she's very pretty. She checks most of the boxes on my list, even besides those ones.

Eli: I've been willing. I even sit close to her, which is different but I can handle it. She said she'd sit in my lap, but I've asked her not to do that yet.

Eli: I was thinking I might just kiss her on Wednesday. And then it's not a stressor anymore.

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Text || Eli

Dom: I know it doesn't seem romantic to ask her if you can kiss her, but that might help, continuing to be direct

Dom: It's a big deal to you, so it's normal to be sort of stressed out about it.

Eli: I just know we're on the same page about everything else, because I've asked. It would be nice to be able to surprise her with something. I'm not exactly surprising about most things.

Eli: I've held her hand, so it isn't completely non-physical. Which is probably a good thing, right?

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Text || Eli

Dom: Well, if you're not using it I could try

Dom: I know you're just the one person, but that's okay

Dom: Both are good options, honestly, and truthfully, you can always do both. There's a big difference between a big romantic kiss and a kiss as a greeting

Eli: It's not really something I see much of a point in. Besides, I like burning candles or incense for scent. I just like the fire aspect.

Eli: It's just for the first kiss. It isn't really a big deal or anything, but it's a little stressful for me. It's just that bit of physical affection anytime I'm getting to know anyone new. I know I'm awkward, I don't want to make it any more awkward for her than it probably already is.

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Text || Eli

Dom: I could give it a try; I'm open to almost anything at this point

Dom: Yeah, of course

Eli: Someone bought me a diffuser for Christmas, you're welcome to it.

Eli: I would like to kiss her. The cinemaphile in me is waiting for a big, grand moment, where the gesture is passionate and romantic. I'm not always great at recognizing that moment when I'm not planning it, however. Also, the autistic part of me is very nervous about ruining that type of moment and thinks maybe I should just kiss her at the door, in greeting. Something small could also be meaningful.

Eli: I'm not actually two people, I'm both a cinemaphile and I have autism. But I thought it might be clarifying to split the two up for the sake of the conversation.

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Text || Eli

Dom: I have; they make me have really vivid nightmares, so even if I'm physically rested, mentally I'm exhausted

Dom: Well, if you guys both like each other, there's no reason not to maybe date

Dom: I'll still be available for explaining things, though, don't worry

Eli: Then those won't work. Maybe lavender oil? I don't think oils work, but some people believe in them.

Eli: Could I get your input on a specific scenario, then?

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Text || Eli

Dom: Trust me, I know. I'm trying

Dom: You think? Did you guys talk about dating?

Dom: That is a good thing! I'm really happy for you, man

Eli: Have you looked into sleep aids?

Eli: We did. She said she didn't think she'd make a good girlfriend. And I'm awkward, unfortunately.

Eli: Thank you.