Futurama FF:: Just Once More

     "Fry, you are the most immature person I've ever met!"
     With those words, Leela stomped angrily out the door of the Planet Express living room, leaving Fry staring dubiously at the floor.
     No one could blame him for blowing up another one of the ship's engines. The lazy man in his early thirties just couldn't control a damn ship; and apparently couldn't control his feelings for his captain either. Leela was no ordinary woman; though she only has one eye Fry thought that she was beautiful the way she is, but never once did she take him seriously. More than seven years of chasing after her, and she never turned her head toward him even once. Yet through all those times he never gave up, even though he probably knew that his one-sided love would end up in failure.
     Of course, that had just hit him on the head like a dart. One-sided love. If only she'd let him show her that she could be happy with him, then everything will work out… at least he hopes so.
     "Man, all this thinking is making me thirsty." He scratched his head as he walked toward the refrigerator to grab a can of Slurm. Throwing himself on the couch, he took a sip of his beverage then ducked his head and frowned.
     "Stupid Leela…" He muttered to himself as he looked up to see Leela there, arms folded while glaring contemptuously at him.
     "Uh," Fry coughed then wiped his mouth. "You didn't hear that did—"
     "Well, I was going to come back and apologize for yelling at you so harshly." She said through her teeth then started to turn. "But I guess I was being pretty... stupid."
     "Come on, that's not what I—"
     "I get it Fry, just leave me alone."
     He watched helplessly as she ran through the doors into the cold night. Fry sighed then glanced at the arm of the couch where Leela's green jacket had been left. He walked up to it then slowly picked it up and held it against him. Frowning, he dashed out and chased after her.
     
     He followed her empty footprints on the white snow. He looked up at the clock tower to find it was almost twelve. Another year was going to end soon, and he didn't change anything between them—surprise, surprise. Fry occasionally glanced up from his old sneakers, making sure that Leela wasn't out of sight. At the same time, he would want to gently put her jacket on her back; but quiet sobs reminded him that it would probably be better to leave her be for now.
     "Stop following me," Leela said quietly, without looking back. "It's annoying."
     "Everything I do is annoying." Fry blurted out as if it was a-matter-of-fact.
     "Stop being an idiot," Her firm words shivered in the cold. She paused for a moment then said, "Do you really think I'm stupid?"
     Biting his bottom lip, Fry smiled then replied, "Yea, I think you're the stupidest person in the world."
     "Oh."
     "Wanna know why?"
     "…"
     "It's because instead of doing what you're suppose to as a captain, you're sulking and running around on a freezing cold night. Is that stupid or what?"
     He knew her too well. Every facial expression, movement, and words that came from her was a sacred message to him. He knew she just needed a good laugh, and her smile is the most precious thing to him. Nevertheless, he never knew when to shut up and stay put sometimes. Why didn't he just pull her around and kiss her?
     She stopped her pace for a moment then sighed, "Yea, you're right." He could hear the smile in her voice, and that was a signal to Fry—she's calmed down.
     Leela's eyes widened as she felt something warm hugging her from behind.
     "You'll catch a cold," Fry whispered. "Then there'll be more work for me."
     Leela chuckled then turned around. "I'll have my jacket now, thanks."
     "Oh," Fry quickly took his hands off her waist then reached out her jacket. "Right, sorry…"
     "Fry," She cupped one side of his warm and red face. "Thank you."
     He smiled again when she gently pecked his cheek.
     "Now come on," She took his hand then started to run back, "We've got a broken engine to fix!"
     As the distant countdown began, the stroke of midnight lightened the sky with fireworks and cheer. Looks like he failed again this year… time to start trying again.