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Black tea boiled in the kettle, rich in taste, paired perfectly with sugar and milk. The sweet, floral smell was invading the kitchen, Johnny was making some for him and... his date.
Johnny was nervous when he asked him out, when he invited Simon Riley to his apartment. But he managed to push away the negative thoughts and focus on his feelings, wanting to express himself to Simon.
And he accepted, without hesitation.
Johnny's heart raced, his heartbeat resounding in his muffled ears. Heat rushed through his body, coloring his cheeks bright red. A wide smile formed on his face as he looked into Simon's eyes, deep and soft, despite him trying to be inexpressive.
So Johnny made sure everything was perfect at his place: he wiped the dust off every surface, swept and mopped the floor over and over to make sure the floor was gleaming, cleaned all the windows, washed all the dishes and cutlery. Those who didn't know him might have said or thought that Johnny had and obsessive compulsive disorder.
He just wanted to make a good impression on Simon. So that maybe this would've happened again.
And he searched for a recipe to make black tea online, just for him, knowing it was Simon's favorite. He refused to buy it, he wanted to really put effort in this, to show Simon how much he really cared about him.
He poured the tea into two cups, grabbed some snacks and joined his date on the couch. They chose to watch a movie together, but choosing the movie was still on the to do list.
«Thank you, Johnny.» Simon accepted the cup from his hand, and Johnny nearly tripped over his own steps from how good his name sounded, slipping out of his mouth.
He smiled at him and sat on the couch, remoter in his hand, both of them ready to choose the movie for the night.
And as the movie was chosen and they continued to watch it, the tea finished and the snacks were running out, Johnny decided to head to the kitchen and grab some more.
Simon paused the movie and stood up from the couch. «Is it okay if I smoke, Johnny?»
«Sure, you can open the window.» Johnny pointed at the window to the side of the couch and Simon thanked him.
And just then, Johnny realized Simon needed to at least lift his mask up to smoke. That meant there was a possibility to see his face, again.
He missed seeing his features, having only been seen once, his messy hair due to his balaclava, the scars running across his face and suiting him so well. Simon was by far the most beautiful man Johnny's ever seen. And he missed his face.
He grabbed some candies and some chips and made his way back to the living room, his heart racing at the thought of potentially get to see Simon's face again. Or, the lower half of it, at least.
He placed all the snacks on the couch. Simon's back was turned to him, smoke coming out of his mouth, dissipating in the air outside.
Johnny stood there, amazed and mesmerized by his stance, even only his back. Everything about Simon allured and drew Johnny's attention towards him every single time.
«Want some, Johnny?» Simon probably felt his eyes linger on him for too long. But Johnny just couldn't help it. Especially when Simon turned his face towards him, revealing his naked lips.
His eyes narrowed in his direction, the cigarette placed between his index and middle finger. Johnny tried his best to ignore the knot in his throat, and came out with a shy reply.
«I've never smoked before.»
Simon kept his gaze on him for what felt like an eternity, when he finally beckoned Johnny to join him. «Come here.»
Johnny approached him silently, too shy and nervous to utter a word. The apartment was so warm and welcoming, Simon managed to make himself comfortable.
But the burning feeling blooming low in his stomach never quit. He used his most expensive cologne, wore his favorite pair of jeans, he even left his gloves at home. All this, exclusively for Johnny.
However, his mask remained, giving him that little confidence boost he needed.
He never really showed interest in him, not wanting Johnny to get hurt because of him. He was frightened at the thought of being responsible of Johnny's mood.
But when he looked deep into his eyes and asked him out, the ice surrounding Simon's heart began melting, the warmth of the other man's words, his kindness - overwhelmed him. His heart pounded in his chest, and he was so grateful for his mask, not revealing his red hot cheeks.
He accepted enthusiastically, knees feeling wobbly but he tried to play it cool. Johnny smiled and blushed, looking at him. And he felt so soft for him.
«Thanks for invitin' me, by the way.» he let out, looking at Johnny walking in his direction, stopping right beside him.
«It's my pleasure, really.» the shorter man replied, struggling to keep it together.
With his free, bare hand, he reached for Johnny's chin and lifted it up, slowly, gently. Their eyes locked, the depth of Simon's meeting Johnny's softness.
The shorter man gulped, swallowing the knot that formed in his throat, as Simon spoke. «You know I like you, right?»
Johnny froze. His jaw clenched, his eyes widened and his lips parted, his expression incredulous at the revelation Simon just let out like it was nothing, like everyone already knew it. Like he already knew it.
He gulped, trying to find something to say, but his brain stopped sending words to his mouth. He just stood there, eyes fixed into Simon's, chin tilted upwards by his fingers.
«R-Really?» he stuttered. «You do?»
He would've never guessed Simon Ghost Riley could like someone. Let alone that he could like him. It was unexpected, but everything Johnny ever wanted, really.
«Johnny...» Simon whispered, releasing some smoke out of his lungs and placing his hand on his cheek. Johnny blushed hard under his touch, the first time he was touching him like that, and especially, without his gloves.
The taller man's hand was warm and rough against his freshly trimmed beard, and Johnny's whole face was burning red.
«C'mon. Don't act clueless.» Simon whispered, softly caressing his face.
Just in that moment, the shorter man realized the depth of Simon's eyes meant something else. Whenever he looked at him with those deep, meaningful eyes he was so mesmerized by, it was Simon's way to tell him he liked him.
He damned himself for always thinking Simon hated him, for thinking he didn't feel the same way. For not noticing the way he looked at him. The way he'd always protect him, at all costs. The way he was always by his side, not leaving him once, not even thinking of doing such thing.
And now that Johnny finally realized how stupid he had been all along this time, he made a rushed decision, without thinking twice about it.
He kissed Simon. The shape of his soft, bare lips pressing against his was sending shivers down his spine.
Though, he pulled away right after, blushing and cold sweating. «I'm sorry.» he whispered, mortified.
«Don't be.» Simon inhaled some smoke out of the cigarette and grabbed Johnny's jaw tugging his face closer. Simon kissed him, this time, pulling him into a soft, gentle kiss. He kept his hand on Johnny's cheek, while he shyly placed his hands on his waist.
The smoke Simon inhaled was soon released into Johnny's mouth, and he breathed it just because it was coming from Simon. One moment after, the shorter man pulled away from the kiss and exhaled the smoke out, noticing Simon throw the cigarette away, not even halfway smoked.
As Johnny tightened his grip and pulled the taller man closer, their lips collided again and their kiss intensified by Simon carefully searching for consent to add his tongue. And of course, consent was given.
Bottled up feelings finally turned into a passionate kiss, deep and slow, everything they both craved from one another.
Eyes closed, tongues harmoniously brushing against each other, hands pulling the other closer. Lips now red and glossy, warmth crawling up their bodies, causing their heartbeats to race, and eventually sync.
They pulled away at the same time, catching their breaths. Their lips only inches apart, a trail of mixed saliva still connecting them.
It broke when Simon smiled widely. And his smile was contagious, causing Johnny to look into his eyes and smile.
Simon pressed his forehead to Johnny's, closing his eyes and letting his fingers tangle in the mohawk he loved so much.
«That's how you tell me you feel the same, Johnny?» Simon breathed, slowly lifting his chin to leave a sweet kiss on his forehead.
«I'm not good at explainin' things», Johnny answered, «thought I'd just show ye.»
Simon tugged him into a hug, his chin rested on the top of his head. He caressed his hair as Johnny wrapped his arms around Simon's toned body, his head on his chest.
«Y'know I prefer demonstrations to words, anyway.» Simon whispered.
Johnny lifted his face to look up at the man that deprived him of his sleep, that invaded his mind. And now, that man's lips were back on his, another deep kiss started and this time it was a lustful one, a deeply desired one. By both of them.
One of Simon's hands was caressing the side of his face, the other one was placed to the back of his head, trying to keep him this close to him.
Johnny's hands were wrapped around him, gently stroking his back and pulling him closer and closer, in case Simon wanted to escape his grip.
But that was the last thing he wanted. He craved Johnny so bad, and he did for so so long, he no longer wanted to stay away from him.
The moment they pulled away was just a rushed decision made by Simon, just to feel even closer to the man he had deep feelings for.
He took his mask off.
He kept his eyes closed for a long moment, and when he opened them, he found Johnny's stunned, surprised expression studying every detail of his face, memorizing his features once again making sure he would never ever forget what the man he loved looked like.
Shyly, and quite insecurely, Johnny raised a hand and reached for Simon's face, not touching him yet. He debated whether it would've pissed him off or if he could've potentially like it. And before he got to a conclusion, Simon grabbed his wrist and placed Johnny's hand on his cheek, leaning towards it and closing his eyes, allowing Johnny into a piece of him few people reached.
Johnny felt his heartbeat in his ears, his hand trembled against Simon's scarred cheek, while the two of them intertwined their fingers together.
Soon, Simon's hand left Johnny's, leaving him deal with the features he desperately needed to see. Johnny stroke his thumb on his side, gently caressed the scar running across his eyebrow and the rest of the scars on his beautiful, mesmerizing face.
His fingers brushed against Simon's soft lips, when his eyes finally opened again. A smile formed underneath Johnny's fingers, a smiled he kissed, gently.
A smile that was kept away from everyone else, that now wasn't a secret for Johnny. Not anymore.
But secrets are to be kept to yourself, one must not reveal them. Especially when you're sharing one this deep and this important with your coworker, and especially when he's known for being a pitiless, cold hearted killing machine.
Knowing that he had a soft spot for someone, and that someone always being one step away from him, could get the both of them discharged or killed.
Therefore, this had to remain their little secret.
A secret pact made through another kiss. Hopefully, a never ending one.