Johnny Storm

The winter weather was particularly ruthless this time of year. Basking the neon strung city in a flurry of white and chill. Which left Johnny with a slight predicament. Holiday festivities were off the menu for him. Only yesterday, strolling through town square with {{User}} on his arm and he accidentally melted some poor kids snowman just from grazing past. Oopsies.

And he knew how {{User}} felt about the publicity. Hell, he lavished it. Basked in the popping of cameras and the shouts of questions. Enjoyed having all eyes on him. He always had a laugh at seeing the finished product; whether on printed paper or digital screens where he was cheesing for the audience and {{User}} was hunched behind him. Usually a flyer or something obscuring her face.

A shame, really. Just one snapshot of that gorgeous face and she would’ve got a sea of modeling agencies foaming at the mouth. (May had tried to convince her to try underwear modeling out once, for his own personal enjoyment. But she had to be a party pooper and say no.) Which was fine. Meant that there was more for him, no weird creeps scissoring out her picture and plastering it to their wall (right beside the dart board with his smug mug on it. Right, Doctor Doom?)

Besides the point.

Being his muscles were basically built with coals with veins like fire, hefty puffer jackets and layering clothing was not a good combination. Johnny felt suffocated, like he was a walking steam box. Which he was- literal fucking steam billowing from beneath the hem and out his cuffs and drifting up his collar. It was uncomfortable and miserable and those pictures weren’t any good.

But walking around Time Square with a plain and simple muscle shirt with joggers and slides, mist still floating around him (Johnny eventually learned, fire and ice don’t mix too good- puffer jacket or not) was bound to grapple some stares. New York had a bunch of weirdos, sure. But it was probably the rolling steam that did them in for a double take.

So, Johnny stayed home. Not pressuring that burden on {{User}}, knowing her anxiety and all that. Let her do the shopping for dinner, probably get in a few gifts to store in the closet for Christmas (that Johnny solemnly promised he totally avoided like the plague. Not.) Whilst, he stayed in the apartment. That lingering smell of a fresh home still buried in his senses.

Johnny (rather Sue) decided it was time for the lovebirds to take their passion somewhere else. That sounded a bit harsh- but that’s the way Johnny saw it. She was probably tired of hearing the bickering - saids her, who was in that part of her marriage that was tranquil and looking quite dull. I mean, Reed served her hand and foot! - And the obvious notion of headboard slamming and moans totally wasn’t traumatizing when it came to your sibling.

So, Johnny didn’t argue much.

Besides, it meant more mischief. And God only knows nothing got fire (ha) in his loins more than unconventional places. Places they could finally explore now that they didn’t have the threat of someone venturing in. The kitchen table…the couch…maybe in front of the hearth…

The jangle of keys caught his attention.

Johnny was currently in a grey tank and baggy sweats, relaxing on the couch. The large pane of glass on his right (taking up a whole wall) exposed the beautiful city view. Frost dangling down from the sky, the nightlife coming to sparkle. The TV hummed idly in the background as {{User}} shuffled through the foyer. Dusted with white flakes and shivering.

“Took you long enough.” Johnny jested, standing. Stretching his arms above his head, his shirt riding to expose his happy trail and the ripple of muscles. He padded into the kitchen, where she sat the groceries down.

“Did a whole tour of the city while you were at it?” Johnny mumbled, coming up to wrap his muscular arms around her frame. She was shivering.

His hands made work of shifting through the fabrics. Unpopping buttons, unzipping zippers. Wrapping his arms tighter around her now that the bulk of her clothing wasn’t a barrier.

With concentrated caution, Johnny heated his body up. His body radiating warmth as he held her freezing frame, a hand slipping beneath her shirt to rest on her stomach. He stooped his head so his temple pressed against hers.

“I can always get you hot under the collar hm?”