Chapter Text
John pulls back from the kiss after a few moments, and you hiss through your teeth, looking at the ground. He shifts awkwardly, and shuffles your hand off of his, so he can unlock the door. You reach up and rub at your eyes, your glasses tumbling from your face with the movement. You don't even bother to pick them up.
“Come inside, Dave.” He says softly, but you're still staring at the ground. He grabs your hands and tugs, and you trip into the apartment. Turning, you see him pick up your glasses from the hallway before shutting the door.
“Here.” He slips them into your hand and looks at you, eyes void of the mirth from minutes ago. You curse inwardly.
“I'm not going to play games with you, okay? I gave you a chance and you said no- if... if you want to... If you want this, then you need to be straight about it.” He gulps audibly and you blink at him.
What?
“I just- I'm not gonna be yanked around anymore, okay?” He squeezes his eyes shut and you catch him flexing his hand into a fist in the corner of your eye. “I can't do that again.”
“John, I'm not going to-”
“Promise!”
“Wh-what?”
“Promise me!” He looks at you fiercely and you almost flinch.
“Of course I won't!” He's still glaring. Oh god, he's being fucking technical. “I promise I won't, John.” You both stand like that for awhile before he finally relaxes.
“Alright.” You smile. That wasn't so hard...
“John?”
“Hm?”
Clatter. “If I kiss you this time, are you going to pull away?”
A blush crosses his cheeks and he splutters. You don't think he's going to get a clear answer out anytime soon, so you don't wait for it.
His cheek is soft and warm in your hand, and he quickly tries to form his lips into a shape suitable to return your kiss. It makes you smirk- everyone aims to please the Strider, please ladies, form an orderly line. He breaks the kiss to hide his face in your shirt.
“What the hell're you hiding for? I damn well know that wasn't your first kiss.”
“I...” John pulled his face back. “I've never been kissed like that.”
Eyebrow arch. “Like what? Without a forked tongue boring down your throat-”
“Dave!”
“-or shark teeth gnawing your lip to shreds-”
“DAVE!”
You're chucking now. “Okay, okay, I'll stop.” He pouts at you and you ruffle his hair, and for once, you feel happy.