chpt. 20

After I called Sophia and Larry, I plopped onto bed with a heavy sigh. I roll onto my side, looking out of the massive windows. The city is alive and bustling with people, cars, noise.

I then hear a soft knock on my door. I slowly get up and open my door. It's Johnny.

"Hey." I say, confused. "Are you okay?" I ask gently. I hear Ginger meow on my bed.

Johnny shifts on the balls of his feet, "I just, uh—this is stupid." He breathes, turning away.

I grab his arm, "Johnny. What is it?"

He inhales sharply, "Can I sleep with you tonight? Not—uh, no! Not in a creepy or weird way! In a normal, uh, way—"

I gently press my finger to his mouth, "Of course you can."

His eyes widen before he smiles gently at me, "Okay. Thank you." He looks down, his ears red.

I let him into my room, closing the door. He scoops up Ginger, who meows in protest. I chuckle, getting comfortable on the bed. He slowly gets in bed, pulling the covers up, laying on his side.

"Comfortable?" I ask him.

He nods, scooting further into bed, "Oh, yeah."

The then looks at me, his blue eyes soft, "Thank you." He says.

"You're welcome." I respond.

"No, for everything."

I frown, "I didn't do anything."

He chuckles, sitting up on his elbow, "That's the thing. You did. You're helping my family. As well as letting me stay here, but you're being a great help." He says.

"You're welcome." I repeat with a smile.

His eyes slowly span over me and I feel my cheeks heat up, "Also, being with you is making everything going on a lot easier." He says, his voice low. "I sometimes forget that I'm the Human Torch with you." He finishes, licking his lips.

It takes a few seconds to reply, "I'm glad." He smiles at me. I start to play with the end of the duvet.

"I feel safe with you. And... happy." I confess. "You also make everything going on easier. You're also very fun to be around."

He stares at me, his face has gone slack. He then breaks out in a massive grin, before tackling me, pulling me in a tight hug, his head on my chest. I hug him, leaning in to him.

We stay like that for a long while, in the dark, in the quiet. It's pleasant and nice. Just us. Breathing calmly, laying with one another.

He then hugs me tighter, burying his face in my neck. I shiver as I feel his lashes against my skin. I also feel his breath as he sharply exhales, "I don't want to lose you." He whispers, so low I have to take a second to comprehend what he's saying.

I'm taken aback, "What?" I ask.

He pulls his head away from my neck, looking at me straight in the eyes, "I don't want to lose you." He repeats. My whole body heats up at that. I see his ears are a bright red.

I lift my hand, playing with his fringe lightly, "You won't."

He frowns, "You can't know that."

"I—"

His expression turns to pure panic, "You can't know that. Y/n—" I feel his hands grip at my shirt, his chest starting to heave, his breath coming out in short gasps and pants. He's having a panic attack.

"Johnny, hey." I whisper. I grab his one hand, putting it to my chest. I put my other hand to his, feeling his erratic heartbeat beneath his skin.

"Breathe, Johnny." I whisper, putting my forehead to his. I close my eyes.

"Close your eyes, and breathe with me." I say softly.

I feel him shake as I hold him, but breathe with me, following as I inhale and exhale slowly. His heartbeat soon starts to slow, too. I take a few deep breaths, in case. We stay like that until he pulls away first.

He breathes in and out, "Thank you." He says.

I smile lightly, "You're welcome."

I then cup his cheek and he leans into my hand, closing his eyes again. His warm hand covers mine, his other grasping my other hand, intertwining our fingers.

He takes a few deep breaths, eyes closed. I watch as he kisses my palm, his lips leaving a trail of hot kisses behind, as if he's just feeling. I rub my thumb along his cheek, feeling his hot skin.

He opens his eyes again, staring at me intensely the dark. He smiles softly, tilting his head more into my open hand, his fingers lapping over mine as he stares at me.

"You're gorgeous, you know that?" He says.

I'm taken aback, "What?"

"You're gorgeous, to me. I don't think I've ever told you that." He says.

I feel myself blush, "Thank you." I stare at him through my lashes.

"You're not too bad looking yourself." I compliment.

He smirks, "I'm hot, what do you mean?" He teases, kissing my palm again.

I chuckle, "You are very attractive. I admit." I say.

I feel his cheek go warm under my palm. He looks down, a small smile on his face. Ginger meows and Johnny chuckles.

"You're good looking too, buddy." He says and I laugh softly. Ginger meows again.

"Are you sure I can stay with you?" He asks, unsure.

I frown, "Of course. Why?" I ask, taking my hand away from his cheek. He still holds my other one.

"Just asking. I—," He stops himself, as if doubting what he wants to say.

"You what?" I question, urging him to finish his sentence.

"I don't want to be alone tonight. It's too quiet and my thoughts... they get loud sometimes." He admits shyly.

I smile at him, "You can sleep with me whenever you want, Johnny." I say.

His back straightens, "You really mean that?"

I nod, "I do."

He grins from ear to ear, pulling me into a hug again. I laugh as he lays with me, hugging me so tight I can nearly breathe. I'm not complaining.

"Are you ready for tomorrow?" He asks as we lay in each other's arms.

"No." I admit honestly. "You?" I ask as I run a hand lazily through his soft hair. He leans more into my touch.

"No." He whispers, pulling me closer, holding me tighter. "I'm afraid, Y/n. For you, my family."

I hug him tighter, "We're going to be fine. Like Reed said, we'll make it work." I say.

"I hope so." He whispers. I hold him tighter, if I can.

I then place a soft kiss to his forehead, "Get some sleep." I whisper.

He nods, "Okay. Goodnight, Y/n."

"Goodnight, Johnny."

Ginger meows in the silence. We chuckle.

"Goodnight, Ginger." We say in unison.