The human torch's flame

Chapter 24

Once you got to the middle of the stadium, you started questioning your previous sanity. You drove to what you guessed was your starting position. You turned around to look at Johnny. You looked over your shoulder and saw a worried Johnny. He'd hopped off of his bike and had taken off his helmet. He looked at you as though he wanted to run forwards.

Before he could do anything rash, you winked and started your engine again. You mentally counted to three with your eyes closed, then abruptly opened them and let the motorcycle zip past the crowd. In a mater of seconds you were already on the rail. Then you pushed yourself off of the bike. You hadn't planed it but you were doing a double front flip and landed hands on the bike. You held on tight and swinged your legs forwards to get a grip on the bike.

What emotions went through your body? You'd like to say you had a revelation about life and that in that moment everything became transparent and that you're goal in life got cleared up. But geez, if that would have happened you would have said mid-flight for a whole day. And gravity pretty much stops you from doing that. Unless your Johnny. Heck, Johnny could flirt his way out with gravity....

You logged your feet so that they wouldn't move then prepared for landing. The ground hit the motorcycle so hard, it veered off course. You managed to pull it back on track. 

The motorcycle rolled to a stop. Then for a second, utter silence. No word, no breath, nothing. No noise came from the crowd above. The few expressions you saw where just Awe and surprise. Then that second was done. And the crowd roared as though they had louder than all a construction team.

If not for your protective gear, you probably would have gone deaf. Your heart was beating faster than any normal heart rate should be. You slowed down your heartbeat by breathing in. 

You didn't feel any thrill. Not like what you had when you disarmed bombs. When at the last second a what if? would pop up. When you were up in the air for a few seconds, it was like you were in some advanced cinema where you could feel the environment but without sensing the danger. 

You turned around to look at Johnny. He was grinning, his helmet under his arm. His mouth moves but you could catch what he was saying. You shrugged and started the motorcycle again, this time to exit the stage.

Johnny's number was called up. You could hardly see what he was doing from across the stadium but you guessed he was getting ready. 

The sound hit you before the sight. The roaring of the motorcycle rang in your ears. Johnny made an entrance. He stopped for a second then waved at the crowd. They didn't seem to realise who he was but they cheered him on anyway. He started his motorcycle and off he went. 

It would be a lie to tell that you're hurt beat faster while you where on the jump than when Johnny was jumping. He let go of the bike and for a scary moment you thought he would crash.  You decided that if he didn't manage to grab hold of his bike in the next two mini-seconds you'd teleport. You had no idea if you would manage to grab a hold of Johnny while he was falling. But before you could make any real move, your eye caught a glimpse of smoke escaping Johnny's jacket. 

Then he's body started smoking and you could help but smirk. People were gasping but you couldn't help but step back. Nobody could see it, but you had a proud grin plastered across your face. Johnny then burst into flames and flew for a few meters before crashing down. You winced on impact than teleported to where Johnny had landed.

You helped him up, ignoring the heat from his jacket. He took off his helmet then waved at the crowd. The crowd roared in approval. And if your senses were correct (witch they probably weren't after the motorcycle jumps), you could have sworn that the ground shock.

You grinned. But then Johnny ripped off the protective jacket, revealing the skin tight space suit that bore no marks of scorching. 

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

As soon as you left the 'arena' you were met with the news and reporters. You tried to slip behind Johnny. But he grabbed your arm lightly and twirled you in so that your hand was on his chest, making certain women in the camera crew green with envy.

In all honesty, being in Johnny's arms wasn't that bad. It was fine. But what wasn't fine was the fast that you, bomb deactivate and producer, were on camera. Basically, telling all the people who may have a grudge on you for not being exclusive or just selling to their enemies's cause.

You tried to hide your face from the camera. The miracle was that the bridge did not attract any unwanted attention for you. One time may have past. But you would push your luck as far as to go nation wide a second time.

Johnny, though, loved the spotlight. He made a few jokes, flirted with the woman and gave little to no fact or information. He was actually a pretty good speaker. When the press realised that Johnny was just toying with them and wouldn't give them any valuable information that wasn't given out already they moved along and went to interview the winner of the motorcycle tournament.

Witch wasn't Johnny because he lost his grip. And wasn't you because the guy had apparently done 'magic'.

Johnny and you gave back your equipment at the desk. Needless to say, that the men at the desk did not appreciate the half burnt suit but didn't say anything.

You and Johnny made your way towards the exit.

"I can't believe you did that. Have you ever trained or whatever?" Johnny asked, 

"I didn't. Honestly, I knew that gravity would pull me down at around......" Johnny put his finger to your lip.  He slowly bent your head so that you were staring into his eyes. Then he said, barely covering his grin:

"Even if there wasn't any gravity on earth, I'd still fall for you."

You burst out laughing, doubling over and clutching your stomach. When you finally managed to stand up, you said: "I can't believe you just said that."

Johnny laughed and answered. " Do have any idea how many times I can use a gravity pick up line."

You giggled than said: " I'm really attracted to you." Johnny was about to speak when you said: " and according to Newton's laws of gravitation, you're attracted to me, too."

Johnny's grin became wider. "Shut up." 

Then the obvious happened.

He kissed you.