Jean Grey is a marvel (phoenix_down_) wrote in valarlogs, @ 2013-10-22 13:11:00 |
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Entry tags: | !complete, jean grey (phoenix) |
Lets go hang out and talk
Who: Jean Grey and Bruce Banner
Where: a pancake house
What: brunch
When: a couple weeks ago
Warnings/Rating: pg-13 for flirting
Status complete
Bruce was smiling as he headed out of the think tank lab, freshly shaved and showered, and dressed in non-rumbled clothing, and stepped out to his car. ALl the short drive to Jean’s place, he was smiling, and he knew it was a silly smile, but he didn’t mind. She was an awesome friend, and he liked that they could talk about science, medicine, or simply silly things. He had never had a friend quite so like her.
When he arrived at her place, he stepped out, walked to her door and with a nervous but hopeful grin, he knocked.
Jean was playing with Jacob in her nice clothes. She liked Bruce, and hoped that their breakfast together would be as fun as the lunch at the conference. Jacob squawked loudly when Bruce knocked and Jean giggled. She picked him up gently and put him on her finger, then went to get the door. She smiled brightly at Bruce. “Hi! Come in, I have to put my bird away.”
Bruce smiled as he stepped in and he chuckled at the bird. “Nice looking fellow. “ He smiled warmly at Jean, nervous but hopeful this would be a nice night. “Don’t let me stop you.”
Jean smiled warmly and squeezed his arm. “It won’t take a minute.” She stroked the bird’s head lovingly as she made her way to his cage and deposited him inside. She made silly noises at him, even though Bruce would likely think her strange. She then bounced over to Bruce, straightening her skirt. “I’m ready for pancakes.”
Bruce shivered at the touch and watched her as she worked with her bird, and he nodded to her, extending his arm to her. “Then lets go.” He led the way out to his car, a blue Volkswagen bug, and handed her into the passenger side, then slid into the driver’s side. “I found a new place recently. My cousin showed up and she had found it.” He nodded as he started the car up.
She smiled and took his arm. He was strange, but very warm and charming. Even if he was a little out of touch, he seemed to genuinely care about people. “You have a cousin in the area? That’s lucky.” She belted herself in and smiled at him.
“Now I do. Apparently she just moved here recently. “ He smiled as he pulled out and drove, his eyes constantly moving and his hand movements sure and methodical. Driving was a science like any other, to him, and he handled it so.
“Do you have any family around?”
“Soon. My father’s going to retire in a couple years and move to San Diego with my mom. My sister works up in Portland, so we get together about once a season and go shopping together.” She smiled brightly. “It’s always nice to see them again.”
”Yeah?That could be good.” He hesitated, then nodded. “Hopefully it always will be so.” His own family connections were mostly bad.
Jean noticed his hesitation and squeezed his shoulder. “I’ve always had a good relationship with my family, but I know that’s not universal. Is your cousin nice?”
He nodded, then glanced at her at a light. “She is. most are not. I don’t get along with most of them.” He sighed and smiled a little. “My mom and dad were the last ones I trusted, other than her.”
Jean nodded. “That sounds hard. I’m sorry. But the best part about adulthood is picking your family.”
“Very true! And Jennifer is already a nice addition to my life. And I have friends here. Tony, and Pepper, both. Good people who keep me sane, sometimes.” He offered her a smile. “No mad scientists here.”
Jean smiled. “That’s good. I’m sincerely lacking in the friends department, but I’d like to think I’m making up for that lack.”
“Good. There are a lot of friendly people here.” Bruce appreciated that, but wished he was not quite so connected already.
“At the very least there are a lot of people on the network who seem eager to seek out help, so I can feel needed.” Jean was okay if it was only a tool to get new clients.
Bruce nodded. “I’m glad.” He grinned as he drove. “Have you talked to a lot of people there?”
“Just for work. I haven’t been talking to people, because now I’m afraid they’ll think I’m unprofessional if I’m not. . . you know. Professional.” It was kind of sad, actually. “I only joined it because I wanted to understand my patients.”
“Makes sense. Just don’t restrict yourself too much.” He glanced ahead and made a right, then glanced back at her. “You deserve more than just business.”
“Don’t worry, I do a few things for personal pleasure.” Jean’s voice was a little lower for a moment, and she gave him a somewhat wicked smile. He didn’t react to flirting the way most men did, which was curious and kind of fun.
“Good!” He smiled brightly over at her as he drove carefully, the insinuation in her tone and words passing him by quickly. “A person, much like a good machine, must keep all of its parts in working order, and in harmony.” He grinned as he glanced at her, nodding.
“Well, I do like to make sure things are well oiled, as far as my own concerns go.” She couldn’t restrain a giggle. She wasn’t sure if Bruce was oblivious to sex or just not into her, but it didn’t bother her either way.
“Hmm? Yeah? Good.” He grinned at her and reached out to squeeze one of her hands. “I'd hate to see you experience a glitch.” He spoke entirely seriously, and warmly.
Jean chuckled. “Have you ever slept with a woman, Bruce?”
Bruce sputtered, and pulled over, then blinked as he looked at her, really looked at her. Then he smiled. “Yes, but it’s been rather a long time. MIght need a refresher course.”
His lips curved into a slow lopsided grin.
Jean laughed, turning to face him. "You are a very handsome man, and it's been a while for me, too. I think I'd like to date you."
Bruce smiled at her. “I’d like that a lot. You’re very pretty, and you have a cute pair of ears. Just makes me want to nibble on them.” He nodded.
Jean laughed, and reached across her body to undo her seatbelt. “You have very beautiful eyes, I could stare at them forever.” She moved closer, meeting said eyes.
Bruce smiled softly. And he kissed her, slow and easy. He was not the world’s most experienced man, but he had kissed a few women, some. And he slid his arms around her, glad he had a car without a lot of things inbetween them to make this more awkward.
Jean sighed into the kiss, one arm around his waist and the other on his shoulder. It was a nice kiss, and it matched their speed. She wasn’t in a hurry with this, she just wanted some fun. When it broke she met his eyes again, her lips slightly parted. “You taste good.”
“You too.” He licked his lips, then grinned. “Lets get lunch, and then we can discuss this further...’ He grinned at her as he turned to start the car again and pull the car ahead and into the close parking lot.
Jean giggled when she saw how close to the parking lot they were. She felt a little silly. The pancake house looked cheerful, and the food would probably be good, but all she wanted to do was sit there and kiss Bruce.
He grinned and got out of the car, coming around to help her out. “C’mon you.” He nodded to her.”Lets go be silly in the waffle house.” He kissed her again.
She kissed him back, tugging playfully on the front of his shirt. She led the way to the restaurant, so he could get a good look at all her assets.
He smirked as he watched her. She had very nice assets. He sighed as he imagined seeing them more… unclothed, later… another day. Maybe.
He smirked and followed. Once inside, he slid an arm around her to wait to be seated and to gently let one hand briefly caress those assets, before taking her hand again as they were led to a table.
Jean shivered. He was bold, but she didn’t mind. She let him keep his arm around her waist as they went to their table, and she reluctantly took her seat. “This place smells fantastic.” She said with a smile.
Bruce smiled and he settled opposite her. “It does. I am fond of it.” He grinned, feeling bouncy and boyish, in one way. “What sort of breakfast do you like?”
“Waffles are nice, but I usually have scrambled eggs and oatmeal.” She perused her menu. “What do you normally have?”
“Crackers and cheese, and milk, and usually some kind of tuna fish or danish.” He nodded. He was odd. “Waffles, eggs, and bacon, and skillet creations are always something I have later, if ever.” He smiled and mmmmed.
Jean giggled. “You cook? I know how, but I don’t enjoy it very much.”
“I do. I learned as part of my chemistry and biochemistry training.” He chuckled. “Its fine. I don’t love it.”
Jean nodded. “I feel like I have so little time already that three minutes for a hot pocket can be too long.”
“Sometimes, I feel the same. But mostly… I just am not all that interested in cooking.” He chuckled then poked her lightly. “What’s your favorite food?”
“That’s a hard question. I eat fruit the most, but I think my favorite food is chicken. It’s good in everything.” She poked him back, smiling brightly. “What’s yours?”
“Caramel apples. And after that, cream cheese wontons.” He nodded. He had a deep seated love of them.
“Caramel apples are delicious, and I love all kinds of Chinese food.” She said with a laugh. “Maybe our next date could be for chinese food.”
His grin got wider. “I accept. And that sounds good.” he grinned. “I know a good place where the food is adventurous and yet good.”
“Adventurous, huh? I could use an adventure that doesn’t take me away from my practice too long.” Jean smiled at him and smiled at the waitress who came to take their order.
“Good.” He smiled and placed his order, and sat back as she placed hers, then grinned as one toe stroked her leg, shed of it’s shoe.
Jean laughed and looked down. “Silly man.” She said with a laugh. “I can’t take you anywhere.” She reached across the table and took his hand.
He squeezed her hand and grinned, relaxing. This day had come in an interesting direction and he was having fun.
“Guess you’ll just have to take me home.”
Jean’s eyebrows shot up, and she gave him a coy look. “We’ll see. You might be just as much of a terror there as here.”
“I might. Could be bad. You might have to spank me.” He chuckled then. He felt… bouncy.
Jean blushed. “It’s like turning a light switch on with you.” She didn’t mind. She liked a partner who could be open about his needs and desires.
He smiled. "I simply do not have a reason to shine most of the time. You've changed that." He lifted her hand up to his mouth and kissed it.
Jean continued to blush, but for a different reason. “I’m just good at seeing the best in everyone, I guess.”
“Maybe so. And thank you, for choosing to see it in me.” His cheeks flushed as well and he squeezed her hand, then nodded. “Now, tell me more about you, please?”
“Sure.” Jean said with a laugh. “What would you like to know?”
“Everything.” he grinned. “Ahm… how about your favorite music? And do you dance? And what kind of dancing?” He wanted to know it all.
“I like classic rock and roll. Johnny Cash, Jerry Lee Lewis, that kind of stuff. I also like a lot of pop music. Anything that’s upbeat and cheerful, since my work is by and large emotionally heavy. I like to dance, but I’m not good at it.” Jean laughed at the memory of the last time she’d gone out to dance. “I’ve never had a steady dance partner to practice with.”
“Very good choices. “ He liked old timey musics too. He nodded to her. “I’ve danced, but it’s been a long time ago and I never liked it.” He grinned at her. “Perhaps we could learn together.” He found himself wanting to do new things with her.
“That sounds like fun!” Jean said enthusiastically.
Bruce blushed and smiled at her. “Good. I’ll see if I can’t find out some information about where we could sign up.” He nodded. It sounded fun.
Jean nodded and sipped her drink. "If you could go anywhere in the world right now for a vacation where would you go?"
Bruce hmmmed, then grinned. “Edinburgh. The ancient buildings, the awesome university, the trees everywhere. I like it.” He hmmed, then noded to her. “And you?”
“Oh, that’s in Scotland, right? I miss the cold, that’s not a bad choice.” She thought for a minute. “I’d love to go to Morocco. I’m fascinated by the culture there, and I might have seen Casablanca one too many times.” She couldn’t help the fact that she loved old romance movies.
“Yes. A university and library are its most famous pieces, but the countryside is good too.” He listened to her answer and nodded. “Perhaps we can do both, some day.” He smirked.
Jean laughed. “We’ll see. Let’s stick with dancing for now.” She smiled when their food was brought out, and spent the next few minutes eating. The waffles were really good.
“Sounds like fun.” He grinned at her. Eating was nice and he stole glances at her and enjoyed himself. When he was mostly done, he pushed the plate aside. “I really like this place.”
“It’s nice, I’m glad we came here together.” She pushed her plate forward and wiped her mouth. “Do you have to rush back to work?”
“Not at all. Maybe we could go back to my place and hang out and talk?” He smiled at her, eyes warm.
Jean laughed. “How about my place, since you drove me over here?” That made more sense to her, and she’d cleaned up to prepare for it.
“Sounds good to me.” He put some bills down on the table, then rose and held out a hand to her. “Lets go hang out and talk.” He smiled and his eyes danced. “And maybe some more kissing.”
Sounded like a perfect lunch to him.
Jean took his hand, smiling at Bruce. “Kissing sounds nice.” She said with a grin. “It’s been a while since I’ve dedicated some time to that.”
“Sounds perfect then.” And he led her out, toward what sounded like a great evening.
~fin~