#394

Hairy (Coarse) - covered in coarse hairs/fur of any length

Fluffy (Soft) - soft fluff (of any length) covers the body

Leathery/Skin - a texture like leather or skin

Scaled/Plated - covered in disparate scales or plates

Feathery - covered in feathers

Smooth - low-friction surface, no resistance when stroking

Rough - has an uneven or irregular surface

Slimy - covered in a substance that makes it slippery

Tacky/Sticky - like semi-dry glue; sticks to everything it touches

Rubbery - elastic, slight friction when touching

Spiky/Prickly - sharp protrusions cover the surface

i said, holding my head between my hands as i looked down at the bed in front of me. he shifted in front of me.

"maybe youre just out of practice."

he said and i laughed, looking up at him and dropping my hands.

"i know how to control my powers johnny, same as the rest of you."

i said defensively, picking up the piece of toast and biting into it. he shrugged, rubbing his hands together.

"okay so what do you normally do?"

he asked as i chewed, tossing the bread back to the plate. i squinted at him, trying to clear my mind. i got flashes of him in the living room playing with franklin, him and ben working on the fantasticar, and him getting hit with the solar storm that gave them their powers. i shuddered, feeling his pain as everything went black. i closed my eyes and swayed back and forth.

"hey, hey, youre bleeding again."

he said, touching my arm. i opened my eyes to see him moving to grab a tissue off my nightstand. i took it from him and held it to my nose.

"thanks."

i said a little more tired than i meant.

"what did you see?"

he asked and i sighed.

"you."

i said and he smiled, quickly going slack to hide it.

"what about me?"

he said, trying not to sound too excited.

"ya know, you can talk to your family about the accident. they all went through the same thing, theyll understand."

his face fell at my words and i watched as he started picking at the seams of my comforter.

"oh."

he said sadly and i nodded.

"sorry, it just kinda happens."

he nodded back slowly, looking back up at me as i pulled the tissue away from my face to see if i had stopped bleeding.

"its fine, i guess i just didnt realize how much it had stuck with me. like dont get me wrong i still love space and will jump at any chance to go and i love my powers and i love my family but there are times that i think a little too much about it and it hurts to feel the change all over again."

i reached forward and grabbed his hand, stopping him from fumbling with the frayed edges of the blanket.

"johnny, everyone relives things, no matter how much they try not to think about them. believe me, i know."

he offered a small smile.

"how did you get your powers?"

he asked and my eyes went wide. no one had ever asked. no one had ever cared enough to.

"i was playing hide and seek with my friends outside our apartment as a kid and i got struck by lightning."

i turned my head to the side, showing the bolt extending from behind my ear, down my neck and onto my spine.

"the doctor said it should have killed me but instead it altered my brain chemistry. ive been able to read peoples minds ever since."

"that sounds like it hurt."

he said and i laughed.

"yeah, yeah it did."

i said, him smiling at me.

"you still hearing everyone?"

he asked and i smiled softly at him.

"nope. right now i just hear you talking to me."

he bit his lip, squeezing my hand.

"can i ask you something else?"

he said and i raised a brow in question.

"if you ask me again about-"

"i wont, i promise."

he cut me off, laughing at the face i sent him.

"no, i was wondering... if i can continue to keep other peoples thoughts out of your head like i am right now, maybe you might want to hang out with me today? i gotta go to the store for one. and town hall asked if we would help fix some stuff downtown from The Wizard attack."

he said and i smiled.

"ya know what, this is the most normal i have felt all week, being with you. so yeah i guess i will come with. as long as you think i wont be in the way."

i said and he shook his head quickly.

"not at all! ill go tell the team while you get dressed?"

he asked and i laughed, watching him stand and back his way to my bedroom door.

"yeah johnny, that sounds good."

°°°°°°°°°

when we finally got back to the tower it was beyond late. dinner had been done for a while and franklin was already put down for bed. sue and reed went to their room and ben went and sat on the couch to watch some tv. i on the other hand went to the lab, johnny following closely behind me. i had been able to focus on a lot more while being around the team while they worked. while we were out i got word of a few more villains working in the area and was eager to log them once we got back.

"will you slow down?"

johnny struggled as i stepped out of the elevator without him.

"my time is precious johnny."

i said, going down the stairs quickly and sliding into my desk chair. i began typing quickly on my typewriter, trying not to lose focus again.

"i know it is but its like someone lit you on fire."

i sent him a testing look as he sat on the desk in front of me.

"not funny, got it."

he said as i looked back down and continued typing.

"you got my grove back, i am not letting it go again Johnathan."

i said and he raised both of his brows making me laugh.

"wow. i cant believe you just said that. after i spent all day helping you get that grove back."

he said a little fake-hurt.

"if you shut up for five minutes i will kiss you i just need you to shut it so i can focus."

he held his breath for a second as i continued typing. i saw him check his watch out of the corner of my eye, typing quickly as i got notes out for each of the four groups i had read while we were out. when i finished i sighed and sat back in my chair. when i looked up he had his lips pressed into his mouth, trying not to smile. then his watch beeped.

"its been five minutes."

he said and i laughed, rolling my eyes.

"and you stayed silent the entire time."

i said impressed, him shrugging like it was no big deal.

"well then, johnny, i guess you get what you deserve."

i said, standing and stepping closer to him. his eyes went wide as i stood between his legs, looking down at him expectantly.

"wait, youre sure about this? cause i know you were worried-"

i pressed my finger to his lips.

"you talk too much."

i said before closing the gap between us, kissing him gently. he sighed into me, holding my hips as he kissed me back. when i pulled back he chased me, kissing me again, and biting my lower lip. i held his face still as he attacked my mouth with his. when i couldnt breathe anymore i stepped back, his hands still on my hips.

"why have we not been doing this the whole time?!"

he yelled and i couldnt help but laugh, shushing him.

"will you keep it down?"

i said and he shook his head, standing and turning us, leaning me back into the desk.

"oh no baby, youre mine now, im gonna make sure all of new york hears it."

he said and i could feel my face getting hot as he stared down at me lovingly.

"shut up and kiss me again hot head."

i said and he sent me a wild look, dipping his head down and kissing me harshly.

"ill kiss you until the day i die."

he said between pecks, making me smile into him.

"promise?"

i asked, looking over his face as he rubbed his thumbs into my hips.