highschool au!

[statementends]

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.

Comments

[statementends]

Jon nods rather dumbly, reaching up a moment before pulling his hand back. "Can I- am I allowed to touch you?" This immediately flusters him more, because even he realizes how that sounds. "Not- not indecently, I... lord, how do people usually negotiate this?"

He squares his shoulders and reaches up to touch Martin's jaw, only his fingertips in hesitant way that's ready to pull back at the word.

[corkscrewed]

"They usually just sort of- do it at their own speed, Jon, um- whatever you're comfortable with." He does sort of crack up at the phrasing, though, his shoulders trembling softly with laughter before it smooths into a sheepishly pleased look the moment the fingertips touch his jaw. "But, um, yeah- you're fine to do that."

[statementends]

"Then how am I supposed to know what you're comfortable with?" Jon definitely sounds petulant, though that doesn't stop him from exploring Martin's jaw with his fingertips, getting more confident with it now that Martin gave him the okay. He probably looks ridiculous, like learning the line of Martin's jaw was something worth a close study, but hey, to him it was.

He glances back over after a moment, as if remembering to be embarrassed. "I just... don't want to cross a line. I've never- well, obviously it's new to me." The newest. He frowns slightly, remembering Martin's earlier mood as he pulls his hand up to brush at Martin's hairline. "I don't want to upset you."

[corkscrewed]

"You're not gonna upset me. I promise. There's not- I'm comfortable with you, Jon, but if I start to not be, then I'll tell you immediately, okay? If you promise to do the same." It's just that the hand brushing at his hairline is so nice, and he leans forward slightly, as if eager to keep soaking up that particular brand of affection.

[statementends]

"Alright, that's certainly reasonable." There was something nice about the 'I'm comfortable with you' that gives Jon more of a backbone, exploration less hesitant than before. He takes note of how Martin reacts and tries brushing his hand through Martin's hair, lips quirking fondly despite himself.

[corkscrewed]

Martin looks a little sheepish when Jon's fingers go through his hair, but he doesn't exactly seem displeased by the touch. If anything, he's leaning further into it- before he impulsively scoots closer again, moves in to try kissing him another time.

[statementends]

Jon takes note of Martin's reactions, his uncertainty and near panic of before giving way to curiosity more fully now. It was funny, he never felt any particular urge to be tactile with anyone but this was... nice. Martin giving him the time to come to terms with it himself, letting him explore, being so god damned understanding about it- his chest felt tight for some reason. It was certainly something like fondness.

When Martin moves over Jon rests his hand on the side of Martin's neck, leaning in and kissing back with the same attention to trying to learn the ins and outs of this as before. Look, if he was going to kiss someone he was going to learn how, ok. Besides, Martin seemed calmer than he had all evening, or at least less upset.