The human torch's flame

Chapter 4

"Everyone in position for take off." boomed a voice from the loudspeaker that couldn't inside the shuttle. You sighed and walked up to your pilot's seat. You hesitated before sitting in your seat. This was your last chance; leave now and be safe, go now and risk everything. Your drifted across the switches. The risk was worth it, or was it? 

All the others were astonished at what they had seen; at how large and magnificent space was. But you weren't like any other astronaut. You had your own definition of 'large' and 'magnificent' that may not fit everyone else's description.

You sat down and buckled yourself in. You opened the intercom and spoke in a confident voice. "Mr. Storm, stop flirting and get in your seat. Other members of the crew: take a seat an hold on tight. We're leaving as soon as the co-pilot arrives."

It took Johnny about ten minutes to get to his seat.  Who knows what he was doing? He grinned and buckled himself in. He flicked a few switches and started the countdown 'till take off. The doors to the shuttle all closed with a sickening crack as the countdown did his job. The numbers resonated but you didn't pay attention until the numbers reached ten.

You then started flicking switches and telling Johnny to do his job rather than mess around.

"You're no fun." He protested.

"I'm plenty fun. You're just lazy. No not that switch. The left one. Do you know your right and your left. Seriously? The left one. There." 

He smiled. He couldn't take anything seriously could he?

"By the way, I wasn't flirting." You laughed. Why was he even saying that two seconds before launch?

"Don't care."

The final number boomed on the intercom and you and Johnny simultaneously flicked a middle switch. You removed your hand straight away and leaned back, holding your belt for the impact. It felt like a plain getting lifted in the air. For those who don't know how that feels it's like when you leave and walk somewhere at a very fast speed and you suddenly realise you forgot your stomach seven meters below.

Before the roar of the engines could be hear you could distinguish Johnny mumbled words: "What? No cute moment?"

I rolled my eyes. Suddenly a roar that could only signify take off burst throw the shuttle and your head was forced back against your seat. You bit your lip but it only took you about a second until you were able to pilot again. You pulled your head up with a little more effort that you usually would need as thought it weighed twice as much, and pulled the switches:

-Door lock in the inside of the shuttle unlocked.

-Crew assistance enabled

-Compensation of gravity on earth

-Lock down off air vents.

And a few other minor things. 

"So tell me about yourself." Johnny said as he removed his belt. You rolled your eyes. It was becoming a habit by being near Johnny so much. You unhooked your seatbelt and pulled the lever from the top board. You pointed at Johnny so that he could flick a switch to his left but he didn't budge.

"We're colleagues, not mutual entertainment." You stated and urge him to flick the switch by pointing more urgently at it. He just looked in your eyes and said:

"Why can't we be both? I mean we are going to be in space for about two or three days. So why don't we entertain each other? I would love to get to know you." The way he said it you were pretty sure was not: what's your home address? what's your phone number? but more: can I sleep with you?

Seeing that he would not flick the switch any time soon you got up and walked towards the switch. Apparently, dissabling the force of earth's gravity was not on a roll because you nearly fell back on the ground. two firm hands wrapped around your waist and pulled you to your feet. You steadied yourself and said:

"Thanks." 

"Does that mean I get a kiss?"

"Let me think." You lifted Johnny's hands from your hips and placed them on the sides of his body. You then said: "When you learn to be a pilot of your own flying machine."

He shrugged and walked over to the door. He leaned back on button that opened the door without pressing it; only exit from the room. You flicked the last switch and sighed a sigh of relief as a big metal clang could be heard. That meant that the first tank of fuel that had been used up on your departure and now empty was burning in the earth's atmosphere.

You pulled out a panel from Johnny's side of the room and set the coordinates for the platform where Reed would be doing his experiment. You walked towards the door ready to pop to the lab and check all the parameters for the experiment were correct. Unfortunately Johnny was blocking the way to press the button that would enable you to open the door.

"Can you step away please. I would like to get to the lab." 

"Not until I get a kiss."

"You're not getting one. Move aside." 

Johnny stubbornly stood in front of the button. An idea popped into your head.

"Fine. One." You moved closer to him. You could feel Johnny's breath hitch. 

You pulled off a grin that slowly turned into a smile. You slid your hands behind him,  pretending to make him move closer. You leaned in closer as he leaned in. Your chest was against his as you were sharing the same air.

Johnny's heartbeat was drumming and pulsing through his veins. You could feel it, being so close to him but no doubt he could feel yours. You placed your forehead on his and slowly started to diminish the gaps between your lips. Johnny's right hand was on your hip and had slipped through your shirt.

Only now did you start to close your eyes, just after Johnny decided to do the same; to savour the moment. But before anything could happen, you then pushed your hand to the wall and felt for the button. As soon as you heard the click of an opening door you quickly moved off of Johnny.

His eyes opened. You shrugged and walked out to head to the lab.

He looked out of the room and said: "No fair, I didn't get my kiss."

"Stay there or you'll never get one." You grinned as you headed towards the lab. You could help but smirk when you turned around and saw Johnny's hand on his lips. To say he was grinning like an idiot would be an understatement.