bemorelovely | highschool au!

highschool au!

Frankly Jon found highschool tropes exhausting, which was unfortunate because he occasionally lived them. The particular one that was the most annoying was 'bully the weird nerd who thinks he's smarter than everyone,' mostly because it ended damaged notebooks, occasional bruises and, worst of all, wasted time. So much wasted time.

Jon was smart though, and even if he didn't have the best common sense he learned how to keep under the radar most of the time. If keeping his mouth shut on occasion meant he could have a peaceful day he could manage, most of the time. Sometimes he couldn't.

Today was one of those times.

Earlier in the day he heard some comments from one of the brutes about Martin, of all people, something not necessarily strange given Martin was a bit of a chatterbox but unpleasant all the same. That may not have been enough to have him say anything- Martin was fine, he guessed, in a way that reminded Jon of eager dogs- if they hadn't brought up Martin's mother.

Maybe it was just nonsense, maybe there was some sort of rumor going around, whatever the reason the talk existed it rubbed Jon the wrong way, and he made the incredibly stupid decision of getting the group's attention and sassing them.

Yeah, that didn't go great.

In the end he managed to get away, losing his notebook to them and sporting a split lip for his trouble. He was pretty sure he lost them when he slammed right into someone down the empty, after school English hall.

"Oof- for god's sake, watch where you're going!" He shot out testily, because he apparently never learned.

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"No, I enjoy thrillers and horror more than the alternative." Jon admits, and realizes after a moment Martin was letting him take the lead of where they wandered. He considers it, he didn't really want to head back to his house just yet but it was getting late enough they shouldn't just wander aimlessly. He settles on a longer route home, one that skirted the local park and was generally a little too spooky woods for most people. Jon prefers the quiet, especially when he'd rather not deal with people interrupting whatever the hell this was.

Then, after another moment, he realizes 'next time' promised this would happen again. That shouldn't be surprising, they were friends according to Martin, but he still is glad to hear it despite himself. "Next time I'll get the tickets." He tries to sound casual and probably fails.

"You don't have to- humor me, you know," Martin blurts, but his fingers seize on Jon's as he does. "I mean, just because I'm- in a bad mood or what have you, it doesn't mean-- you don't have to humor me. Is all."

Even he isn't entirely sure what he means by this, but it felt like he needed to say it. Between the candy, and the hand-holding, and- everything.

Jon does wonder for a moment what he means, the movies or... well, this. "Honestly Martin, do I really seem like the type that humors people?" He answers, rolling his eyes more for show than anything.

He pauses though, from speaking and walking, glancing like it's simply to check the upcoming road for cars. "... I enjoy trying new things, having new experiences, things of the like. I don't typically like or trust anyone enough to have another party involved but-" He pointedly turns his head away, like looking at Martin is a little too much while saying all this. "But you're different. If it's you it's not humoring, so stop wasting energy worrying about that."

Martin holds his breath for a moment, giving Jon's hand an uncomfortable little squeeze. New experiences. Trying new things. Right. Right. God, why did he have to be in such a terrible mood. Why was he squandering this?

"I'd like that," he murmurs, not quite looking at him. "I'd like that. Having, um- trying new things. With you."

God, his face is a thousand degrees.

"Well... good. I would hope, after all this." Jon manages, finally glancing over. Honestly he's somewhat glad Martin looks as embarrassed as he felt- lord, they were talking about romantic entanglements, weren't they? This wasn't just him comforting a friend, his strange feelings for Martin after they finally reached an understanding weren't just budding friendship and that movie was- what, a date? He went on a date possibly. He went on his first date, ever, and didn't realize. Also it was when Martin was clearly miserable.

Ok, he was definitely getting ahead of himself now, and he swallows, beginning to move again. "I uh... do you want icecream or something? That's supposed to cheer people up from what I understand."

"That's- no, it's late, is there even any place open selling ice cream right now?" Martin drifts a little bit closer to him, nervous and weirdly shy, before he halts at a corner. They're near the park, the streetlights on, and there are few enough people around right now that he feels alright asking-

"Could I, um- I'd like to kiss you, I think. If that's okay. Just- just to make sure."

To make sure of what is a question he doesn't know the answer to.

"Probably not a proper place... maybe a convenience store." Jon admits, not giving in just yet. If icecream would make Martin feel better then it was an avenue worth pursuing, since he was definitely not someone good at comforting words and the like. Comfort food? That he could buy. Look at the chocolate.

He stops, turning and not at all expecting what comes out of Martin's mouth. It takes him a moment to even properly register it, and another brief moment to flounder. "... Are we on a date?" He finally responds, then seems to remember enough to quickly add. "That... that isn't a no, I was just- I didn't realize that was your initial intention and I-"

He shuts his mouth then answers, "Yes. Yes it would be okay."

"I don't know!" He blurts before he means to, and then hastily adds, "It wasn't supposed to be, and then you- you were really sweet to me, and then I thought maybe- when you let me hold your hand," he says, finishing a little lamely. "If it's weird, then don't- God, I'm sorry, I'm not trying to make it weird."

"N-no, no I-" Jon struggles a moment with that foot in his mouth. "I just wasn't sure if I missed some cue or... something. I-" He takes a deep breath before setting his face into something more stern, even if the nerves ruined it. "Martin, what did I say about humoring people? I wouldn't say it was alright if it wasn't, or if it was weird. So..."

He swallows and continues. "So if you aren't just doing this because you're upset or I was nice, if you really want to then kiss me already."

"Yeah, I--" He glances sideways, at the people he can see also walking in the distance, and his bravery flags slightly. "When we get to your house, okay? I'll kiss you then."

"Oh, yes, that would make sense." Jon agrees, slight disappointment in his tone even though getting caught kissing Martin nearly past curfew would be several shades of terrible. He starts walking in the direction of his house, hand still tight and nervous around Martin's. Definitely not taking the long route home anymore, hm.

He can't help a huff of laughter, more to release tension than anything. "Tonight isn't exactly what I was expecting. You continue to surprise me, Martin."

"Well-" Martin counters, still more than a little embarrassed, but he's made no move to actually break away from Jon here, despite the trouble he's having looking directly at him. "You've been surprising me since the first time I actually talked to you, you know. Even if you do still talk like an old man."

"I swear I'm buying you a thesaurus, it wouldn't hurt." The sarcasm was a comfortable fall back at least, and if he was the sort of person to care about what people thought he'd probably be paranoid about any looks being thrown their way as they walked. The last thing Martin needed, in his mind at least, was someone from their school seeing this and spreading that news.

Not that he's going to stop holding his hand, as nervewracking and strangely comforting as it was. He turns the last corner, his house in the distance. He slows a bit, acutely aware he did Not want to deal with his grandmother seeing anything. He makes a face. "... she's going to know. She always knows." He mutters before glancing over to Martin. "Let's just try to avoid her."

Martin, as stressed as he is, can't help the way he snorts a laugh at the immediate, visible distress in Jon's voice as he slows down. He shakes his head quickly and apologetically, before he pulls his hand back to slide it into the pocket of his hooded sweatshirt.

"She won't know anything," he argues, even if he wants to ask what, exactly, there is to know. "We'll just go to your room like normal."

"You're underestimating her ability to meddle." Jon definitely doesn't whine (yes he does.) He doesn't stop though, heading up to the porch and glancing through the front window. So far so good.

He opens the door for Martin, trying not too think too much about anything because this was... something. Overwhelming, in an alright way.

Of course his grandmother does walk in from the kitchen as soon as he enters himself. "Ah, hello Martin, dear. Did you have a nice time?"

Damnit. Jon just closes the door behind him. "We're going upstairs, Gram."

Martin doesn't miss a beat as he unwraps his scarf from his neck. "It was a lovely movie. A little spooky. And Jon bought the candy even though I was late, so it turned out alright." He flashes her a smile, trying not to be as apparently embarrassed as he really is. "Do you need anything before we go upstairs?"

"Oh no, I'm alright. I'm glad you had a good time." Gram waves her hand, turning as if to leave. Jon nearly let out a breath of relief, only for his hopes to be shattered. "And Jon, keep your door open, will you?"

It took a moment to place that bemused tone and comment, though when he does he hisses, "Gram." She was already walking away so he just continues heading up, too embarrassed to look at Martin.

Martin can feel his entire face go hot, but he isn't sure what to say to that- especially not what to say that won't just make them look more suspicious to boot. He swallows hard, then ducks his head and sort of scurries to the stairs and then up to Jon's room, as if he'd been caught doing something awful.

Jon very pointedly and loudly closes the door, because he's a fucking teenager and having petty fights with his grandma is his lot in life. As expected she didn't call up or say anything, he figured she was just trying to get a rise out of him. Guardians are the worst and no one understands the hard life of teenagers.

With one last nasty look at the door he finally turns to Martin, embarrassment flaring up again. "I uh- sorry, she's-" God. He reaches up to push his glasses to his forehead and rub his eyes. Such hard teenage problems. "She just likes to pick fun at me, she's not- it doesn't matter."

Martin's eyes are a little wide, his face still very clearly embarrassed as he glances over at the door. "Um-" He half-turns toward it, then looks toward Jon, very obviously conflicted. "I thought she said to keep it open, we probably shouldn't...?"

Martin Blackwood: very confused and distressed when people Break the Rules.

Jon isn't sure whether he's amused or still mindlessly embarrassed by all this. For a panicked moment he wondered if shutting the door seemed forward or... lecherous. He's going to die. When he speaks his tone is a bit strained.

"No, no it's fine, she wasn't serious. If she was she'd already be up here giving me a piece of her mind." He struggles a moment. "I could, I mean, open it, if you're uncomfortable."

"No, no! That's okay, just- as long as she doesn't come, um- barging in, I guess." Except that felt forward, too, and he groans in embarrassment, rubbing at his face as he glances sideways at him. "I'd rather not she see, er, you know. Us. Whatever."

Anyone else would find this the most hilarious conversation that ever happened. Jon is not one of them, and mostly struggles for a less flustered expression as he realizes he brought someone up to his room to kiss. Dear lord. He's almost a real teenager.

"She won't, she's not exactly stealthy with that cane." He offers, and finds his embarrassment easing somewhat on the onslaught of worry he had been harboring for Martin most of the evening. "I um- Martin, are you sure you're alright? I know I keep asking, I just- lord, I'm not good at this. I don't want to do the wrong thing or... or take advantage of some turmoil. You ah, you deserve better."

So so awkward, but he's trying.

His face wrinkles at the phrasing "take advantage," and he shakes his head, as if trying to dismiss that. "If anything I'm - er, taking advantage of you feeling bad for me..."

He trails off and takes a breath, before he ducks forward and pops a brief, chaste kiss right against Jon's mouth. He's not moving away yet, instead staring him down, trying to figure out a response.

Jon had plenty to say about that, mostly scolding for the whole 'I told you I'd never humor someone like that' spiel. Instead for one glorious moment he keeps his mouth shut, which works well since that kiss happens next.

He blinks, a little taken aback by the suddenness, and by the fact he hasn't the slightest idea how one kissed or responded to kissing. As chaste and small as it was it was nice, just a little bit of affection that made his chest warm. He braces himself, hand going hesitantly to Martin's arm as he tries to simply mimic what Martin did with determination.

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