The human torch's flame

Chapter 22

Okay, so the picnic couldn't exactly rival a five star restaurant. And the blanket was definitely not colour-coordinated with the basket. So what?

In the end, you had a good time. Johnny did not say any more innuendoes than he usually would. The sounds of the city below started to calm down as you and Johnny looked at the sky. A few stars shone through the light pollution.

Your eyes were starting to feel droopy so you stood up and said: "I'm gonna head back down. Coming?"

Johnny nodded and stood up: "Shall I carry you or will you teleport."

"Guess."

Johnny didn't exactly guess but he didn't exactly not guess either. He scooped you up and walked to the edge of the building. You prepared yourself for the sudden drop that would leave your stomach three meters higher than your head by digging your fingers into Johnny's shirt.

Johnny had a smirk plastered across his face as he took a step of the building. He skin warmed again and his feet caught fire. He slid through the previously opened window, but he didn't set you down. Instead he flew all the way to your room and then in front of the door, he set you down.

His blue eyes were equally droopy as he smiled towards you.

"Good night."

"Sleep tight." You contined

"Don't let the bed bugs bite." He finished, grinning like an idiot. His hand softly brushed your check and tucked a strand of loose hair behind your ear. An obvious sign that he was into you. Unlike what he usually said or did, this gesture had nothing sexual to it. Could it be affectionate?

Johnny's mad smile faltered as he turned away and was about to walk towards his own room. You stopped him, withholding him by the arm. You weren't used to making a move so you just improvised. You gave Johnny a peck on the lips, blushed bright red (not something you do often) and closed the door slowly behind you.

You did your nighttime ritual while having one thing on your mind. Or rather one person on your mind.

You fell asleep almost as soon as you hit the pillow.

.................................................................................................

The next morning, you dragged yourself out of bed. You spent the next half hour sorting out your clothes and putting them in the closet. Then after stripping down, you went in the shower.

Once you'd finished dousing yourself in (favourite temperature) water, you slipped on some comfy clothes; jeans, a loose v neck shirt and a light jacket.
Your feet bare, you slipped into the hallway. Distant voices seemed to be bickering. You slowly made your way towards the kitchen.

Reed and Sue were observing a sheet of paper. They seemed to be arguing over the contents of the paper.

"Hi." You said as you slipped past them. Reed acknowledged you by nodding his head and Sue said good morning.

You entered the kitchen and grabbed (favourite breakfast). Ben was trying to eat from a spoon but was having some trouble when you entered the living room. You sat down besides Ben and replaced his half broken spoon with a plastic one.

"This should be easier to work with."

"Thanks." Was your reply by a slightly grumpy Ben.

"You'll get the hang of it." You said trying to be optimistic. Witch wasn't really your forte. Since you had always been more of a realistic.

"Do you really think so?" Asked a quizzical Ben.

You hesitated before giving him what you thought was the best answer: "No. But there's going be no need for adapting if we can get you back to your old self."

His raised eyebrow slowly lowered itself but he didn't seem convinced. Neither would you. If you were being lied at in the face by a frequent liar with a misty past and a strange tendency with knives.

Johnny walked into the room. He was still wearing his pjs witch consisted of boxer shorts and .... that's basically it. Your cheek didn't blush but you were definitely fighting the urge to.

He went into the kitchen. Ben looked at you sceptically witch looks hella weird when your face is made of rock. He spoke; "He got a thing for you know. I've always know him for more of a lady's man. He doesn't focus on one girl. But apparently, he's focused on you." It felt weird. Ben taking to you about Johnny's 'feelings'.

Johnny then walked in and sat on the chair beside you and asked: "Anyone heard about Reed's great idea?"

"Not Really." I said simply.

"The clothes that were on us during the incident may actually be able to contain my flames, Sue's invisibility. Reed thinks that we may be able to use the space uniforms to avoid destruction of them awkward situations."

Reed then walked in rubbing his neck, closely followed by Sue who was carrying a sport's bag. She lay it on the living room table and delivered the uniforms to everyone in the room. 

 Johnny took one look at the uniform in his hands, grinned and said: "I'm going out."

"Not in your boxers, you're not." Sue and you said at exactly the same time. Sue patted you on the back and let loose a small chuckle.

Johnny just grinned and walked towards his room upstairs. Once you had drained your breakfast you teleported upstairs and opened your other suitcase. The one with the lab material. Okay it wasn't all lab material. You pulled out a knife about  the size of your hand with a silver handle. You strapped a small belt to your shoulder and and placed the small knife in its shelter. It hid behind the jacket but was nevertheless accessible.

There was a knock at the door. And a fully dressed Johnny was standing with the door open. He was wearing the suit. You closed your suitcase, hiding your other knives and dangerous chemicals. You stood and raised your eyebrow at him. 

"I was thinking of going somewhere. The others won't approve but I thought that you'd like to come."

"And you think I'd approve?"

"Not really. But I'd like your company. So wanna come?" He asked.

"You bet." 

Johnny grinned and then said: "Race you to the elevator."

You grinned and said: "Oh boy, you don't want to do that."

And the next second, the only left of you was smoke.