[ John is still getting used to what's going on in Central City. What he knows so well - mutants - being so completely different from what he thinks they should be. And yet, it hasn't entirely kept him from finding some normal moments in between all the madness, meeting people, making friends.
Going on dates.
Patty's looking beautiful, and she's fun, giggly and endearing all through dinner. John made an effort, wearing a proper button down for the occasion and not just one of his usual ratty Henleys, and he's tried his best to be as charming as he could, all evening.
He follows it all to the letter, even to the point of walking Patty back to her door. ]
[ Patty's apparently got a type, although she doesn't really know it. She is doomed to fall for men who have to keep secrets from her, apparently. For now, she's blissfully unaware that the attractive man walking her to her door is powered.
As far as first dates go, it's been a good one. And when he tells her that he had a great evening, she smiles back at him, nodding in agreement, fishing the keys to her place out of her purse with one hand, her attention mostly on him.]
Me too. I mean it. It was nice to let my hair down-- [ She winces at that, feeling utterly ridiculous.] Not that I don't usually let my hair down or know how to relax, it's just... nice? [ She makes another face.] Just ignore me.
[ Chuckling, John stepped a fraction close, unfazed by her rambling. He wasn't exactly deterred by it - it was extremely endearing, and very earnest in a way he found helplessly attractive. ]
Don't think I wanna do that, [ He replies, his voice soft when he reaches out, a finger to her jaw and his thumb brushing her cheek. ] It was nice, and I get it. I don't get to let my hair down very often, either.
[ As a matter of fact, his hair is not actually down, right now. ]
[ Her eyes flutter at the touch and she shuts up, the words melting in her mouth as he tells soothes her awkwardness away, as he tells her that he doesn't want to ignore her. She lets out a fluttery sort of laugh, tilting her head back and forth.
Not enough to dislodge his touch, however..]
In case you haven't noticed, I'm a little awkward.
You probably think it's a lot less cute than I think it is.
[ He's grinning, a little crooked as he looks into her eyes. Right now, there are no thoughts of running away from the police in his mind. Right now, there are no anti-mutant laws and fear in the streets.
Just a nice end to a lovely night. ]
All I've seen tonight is a passionate, interesting, beautiful young woman with big dreams and the means to make them come true. So what if there's some awkwardness there? Doesn't make you any less amazing.
Probably, [ she says with a good-natured smile. Her awkwardness can be frustrating even at the of best times. But at least he finds it endearing?
He goes on to compliment her more and she feels her cheeks redden and flush further.] Are you trying to butter me up so I'll agree to a second date? Because it's working.
[ Another chuckle, and John tilts his head back for a second, looking up at the night sky before focusing back on Patty. If he was to focus, right now, he'd be able to pick up her heartbeat, hear if she's interested in him leaning in further.
But sometimes it's also more fun to go in blind. ]
I'm just being honest, [ he says as he starts leaning closer to Patty, his eyes moving between looking into hers, and looking at her lips. ] but also, maybe I'd really like to see you again, so I'm glad it's working.
[ Her gaze follows his upward, wondering what he's looking at before he speaks again and she looks down with him.] It is. Working, that is. [ Her hand moves to rest lightly on his shoulder, fingertips barely touching the base of his neck as she meets his brief gaze. He wants to kiss her and she knows he's waiting for a sign from her. So instead of giving a subtle one, she moves in to close the distance between their mouths.]
[ He smiles into the kiss, soft as it is for now, his hand moving to frame the side of her face a little more, fingers slipping in her hair, the other on her arm, shifting to her side, wrapping around her waist to pull her closer. He's careful, there, not to use too much strength - he doesn't exactly want to crush her - but it's not difficult, for him. He's trained for this sort of control forever.
But as he gets her closer, though, is also the perfect time to deepen the kiss a little, tasting the strawberries of her lipgloss on his tongue. ]
[ Her hand delicately slides a little higher now that their mouths have met. Her thumb curls against the fabric of his shirt collar and her fingers lay flat against his neck now. He holds her closer, he doesn't keep himself from touching her.
She likes it, the way his arm feels wrapped around her, the way it makes her feel. She moves to deepen the kiss and before she can, the kiss deepens, distracting her enough that she can't recall who started it, him or her, either way it happens. There's a soft sound that escapes her mouth then, the hand at his neck moves to slide over his shoulder and along his back, keeping him close.]
[ John's in no hurry. He takes his time, here, to enjoy the feel of Patty against him, her curves and her strength and the sweet taste of her lips, the noise she presses to his mouth. He lets himself make the most of it, tracing her lips with his tongue, slipping his hand further into her hair, thumb at the hinge of her jaw.
It's way too nice, and way too rare for him to get to do something like this, that he's not about to rush it. ]
[ It's nice to be kissed again, it's nice to feel someone hold you close and kiss you. It's better than nice. And she leans into him a bit more, her fingers curl at the fabric of his shirt as his tongue slides along her lips. Her mouth parts for him, teasing before she lets her other hand grip at his arm, encouraging him to hold her close. It's all a tease because a moment later, she breaks the kiss, her eyes half-lidded, voice quiet against his lips.]
[ As he listens to her words, John's face breaks into a smile, a laugh escaping him as he lets his hand move, tucking some hair behind her ear, his own eyes opening to look at her. ]
Good.
[ He licks his own lips, still able to taste her on them. He wants to lean in again, but he also doesn't want to stumble that step too far. ]
So I guess this is when I let you get inside. And promise to call you. Which I do, by the way. I promise I'll call you.