Do we have another basket from your cousin? Who: Jean Grey and Bruce Banner Where: his house What: a date gets interrupted by friends and Dreams When: 11/18 Warnings/Rating: PG-13 for nakedness, mentions of sex, sexual situations, and snuggling. Status complete
Jean smiled as she made her way up the porch to Bruce’s house. She knocked politely, wondering what his house looked like. They’d done all their dates at her place, and she wasn’t sure what to expect.
Since they were cooking she was just wearing shorts and a t-shirt, along with a sweater to keep her warm while she traveled from house to car.
Bruce opened the door as she stepped onto the porch, and stepped out to take her into a hug, and a long kiss. It was a nice evening and she looked amazing, and he felt good. All good reasons to be happy.
“Hello, beautiful. Welcome.” He led the way inside. His house was a small one, but filled with signs of his constructive mind. Papers on every surface, and half-constructed things on every other one. The surfaces were all very nice furniture, unique and beautiful pieces, what you could see of them.
Jean smiled and kissed him back, her hands looping around his neck. She was just fine with making out on the porch like teenagers. It felt damn good.
She smiled when he pulled away and led her inside. His house was fascinating, and Jean wondered how he found anything in particular. “You’re a busy person.” She noted.
“Sometimes, yes. Sometimes a lot of hurry up and wait is involved and I get reading and rpging done.” He nodded to her as he led her into the dining area, where the spaces were clean, if a little spartan. Though the table was a very old solid piece of wood, and the kitchen, next to it, sported high tech fixings.
“How’ve you been?”
Jean nodded. “You seem like your life is all kinds of erratic.” She wondered how he remained so steady in the middle of it all. She smiled at his question as she looked around the kitchen. “Good. It’s been a good week.”
“Sometimes? But not really. It’s all rather organized, really. It just looks chaotic from the outside. I’ll have to show you around sometime, in the areas public are allowed, so you can see how things are actually a lot smoother than they sound.” He nodded to her.
“I’m glad to hear that.” Then he pulled out two pans. “Now, I have the makings of chicken Parmesan here, as well as chocolate fudge brownies. So we just need to finish the last steps and then put them in the oven.”
Jean nodded and took her jacket off. “I brought vegetables, which just need a little steaming, and a loaf of bread.” The bread she was especially proud of. It was homemade and she couldn’t wait to eat it.
“Sounds perfect!” He grinned and snagged her with one arm for a quick kiss, then nodded. “Lets get things started, then, and we can settle with a glass of wine to await their completion.”
She kissed him back and laughed. “Do we have another basket from your cousin?”
He snerked. “No. This time it’s just you and me and our own planning.” He stroked her hair and nodded. With her help, he set things going. Soon, they were able to retreat from the kitchen and settled on the loveseat together. “How’ve you been?”
Jean sipped her wine, snuggling up against Bruce. “Good. It’s been a very nice day.” She kissed him softly, threading her fingers through his hair.
His arms went around her and down her back, to the bottom of her shirt, and under it. He kissed her slow and warmly, and then more passionately as he stroked her back, right up to where her bra should be. His fingers teased along her skin lightly.
Jean moaned softly, returning his kiss with equal passion. She broke it after a moment, pulling her shirt completely off. “I know you want to go slow, and I do too, but I want you to touch me so much.”
His smile was softly and he kissed her, then bent his head to kiss the revealed tops of her breasts, above where her bra covered them. “I do love touching you.” And he kissed her again, hands sliding up to gently caress her breasts through her bra.
Jean moaned softly, shivering at his touches. She gripped his knees, pressing her chest upward so he could get a good angle at it. She returned his kiss passionately, her hands sliding up his legs and tugging the hem of his shirt up as well.
Bruce smiled, groping and carressing her incredible breasts as he kissed her, and then raising his arms to let his shirt slide off. He was somewhat pale, but otherwise not in bad shape, as he did most of his own work in the lab.
She felt incredible, and he felt himself so aroused…
Jean felt aroused as well. Her fingers slid over his skin, and she ducked her head down to kiss and nibble along his collarbone. She found herself wondering what the rest of him looked like, and what kind of a lover he would be. She thought he would be gentle and methodical.
Her hands slid down to his thighs, and she ran her nails delicately along the inside seam of his pants, kissing him passionately again.
Bruce moaned as he pressed against her hand, against her, and shuddered, hard and excited as he kissed her and stroked her breasts, fingertips sliding into her bra and teasing her. “Beautiful.” He kissed her nose and her eyebrows and her hair and relished the ability to hold her, one hand sliding down and around to grope her rear.
Jean pressed him backward, so she could kiss further down his body. His hand on her butt was more than welcome, and she rubbed against it slightly. “Oh, Bruce.” She said, between kisses. “You’re so handsome.”
Bruce blushed, eyes bright with lust as he looked at her. “Mmm, and you are incredibly beautiful, Jean, and sexy. You make me feel incredible.” He whimpered and kissed her again.
Her pressing back made him lose his balance slightly, and he laughed as his back hit the seat of the couch. He looked up at Jean and grinned, one hand sliding up her body and he smirked. “Now you have me where you want me. Whatever will you do with me?”
She looked up. blushing brightly. That was an excellent question. She licked her lips, eyes meeting his. “I’m open to suggestions.” She said, her voice soft. “What do you want me to do with you?” Her hand went down to stroke against his erection. It wasn’t fair, but she didn’t want to be fair.
Bruce considered this, then smiled softly. “Dear Jean, I want you to do everything. I was going to wait longer, but the truth is, I have wanted this for some time. Its our seventh date, and I’m ready, if you are.” He smiled softly.
Jean nodded, sitting back a little. “If you’re sure. We should probably wait until after dinner, I don’t want to be interrupted by anything.”
“Of course.” He smiled and kissed her, then stretched. “I suppose I should check on the food then.” He grinned and pecked her on the nose as he rose.And discovered his pants had come undone in all of that as they fell to his ankles. He gaped for a moment, then laughed and kicked them away, and proceeded, in his dignity and boxers, toward the kitchen.
Jean gasped and hid her face in her hands. She didn’t even remember undoing his pants! “I’m so sorry. That wasn’t my intention at all.” She got to her feet and followed him.
Bruce smirked back at her. “Nor mine, but I don’t care. It happened.” He grinned, and proceeded to check the food, then start pulling things out. “Time to get your food hunger out. Dinner is about to be served.” Then there was much putting of things on plates and carrying of things to the table.
Jean laughed and made sure the table was set. Since Bruce was in his boxers she didn’t grab her shirt again. He ought to have something nice to look at, after giving her this show.
She took her seat, smiling brightly at him. “It smells wonderful.”
Bruce was more than glad to steal glances at her beautiful breasts and he smiled softly. “Thank you.” The bread, heated up, and the veggies, steamed, joined chicken parmesan, and he poured red wine for them both, after showing her the chilled bottle. The brownies set aside for cooling.
“There, now, we can eat.”
Jean smiled brightly, inhaling over the food. “This all smells amazing, Bruce. You’re done such a good job.”
Bruce blushed and then started in with her, amused and gladdened by all of this. To be here with her, an inch from sex and yet calmly and carefully eating, he liked it. It felt like real life, like normal life, and not his hectic and yet controlled science life. Which he loved, mind you, but this was nice too. He ate quickly, and thoroughly.
Jean smiled brightly, eating carefully. She didn’t want to get sauce on her breasts. She smiled at him frequently, giggling a little. He was so handsome, and he just went along with everything, handling new things as they came.
When he was done, he smiled and cleared his plates, then came back to sit with her, smiling. “I’m glad you could make it tonight.”
She was beautiful, amazing, complex, exciting, and very much a desirable woman.
“I’m glad I could too. Things have been so hectic recently.” She reached across the table and took his hand, pouring them more wine with the other.
He kissed her hand and smiled, squeezing it, then nodded as he took his glass of wine. “Mmm, perhaps when we are done, we can adjourn to the bedroom and enjoy some relaxation…” He winked at her.
Jean giggled and nodded. “Yes, I think that’s a wonderful idea.” She stood and held Bruce’s hand, sipping her wine as they headed toward the back.
He led the way, drawing her into the bedroom with a grin and a kiss, then laying her on the bed as he moved to start some music. “Please, make yourself at home.” Soft and low Frank Sinatra wafted over the air as he moved back toward the bed. With a smile he reached for her, eyes dancing with lust...
...and then the phone rang.
“Oh For crying out loud!” With a sigh, and a regretful glance, he went to answer it., “Sorry, be right back.” And he plucked up the handset just outside the bedroom door on the wall. “Banner residence...?”
For a moment there was nothing but loud babbling, but the sound resolved quickly into two very excited voices. The Lutece twins were going on about alternate universes and needing Bruce’s help examining an item from another world.
Jean slid out of her clothing and arranged herself on the bed so she’d be attractive when Bruce came in. The soothing music drowned out the phone call, and her eyes got heavy. She’d spent so much time working, this was the first time she’d truly relaxed in a couple days.
She dropped off slowly, and then the dreams began. They were innocuous at first, but quickly became fantastic. She saw a young girl, her best friend, die. She felt herself driven mad by her powers. She dreamed of the first time she’d contacted Scott, and the blessed silence when Xavier walled her telepathy off so she couldn’t access it.
Bruce sighed as he did his best to talk the Lutece twins down and promised to see them the next day and help them out. Yes he understood how important this was. No he was not going to come right now Yes, he understood this was important to them. “And I have a friend over.” He emphasized the word friend.
The Luteces gasped in unison at the emphasis on friend. Robert apologized, and Rosalind promised to call the next day. Then they hung up.
Jean’s expression was troubled as she slept, while years of someone else’s memories sank into her consciousness.
Bruce sighed as he moved into the bedroom, And he sighed again as he saw her asleep, then grinned. She was a beautiful woman. He slid into bed next to her, stripping the rest of the way, and snuggling close, hoping she would wake later and be interested in… fun. But for now… he closed his eyes.
Jean woke when Bruce settled into the bed, gasping loudly. She grabbed his arm and stared for a moment, before her brain woke fully and she remembered where she was.
“Jean? Are you okay?” He eyed her and smiled softly, worried now. Her look, her waking like that… that was not good. A gentle hand brushed her hair from her face.
Jean nodded, rolling onto her back. She covered her face with her hands and took a few deep breaths. “I just had the strangest series of dreams.”
Bruce shifted up and behind her in the large bed and began to gently stroke her back and shoulders. “ “Tell me about them?” But something deep in him already knew. She had become a Dreamer. Fascinating.
Jean sighed as he touched her. She knew it too, but she didn’t want to deal with that yet. “I dreamed of a different childhood. I grew up in another part of New York, and I watched my friend die. Not just physically, but. . . I chased after her spirit, somehow. I tried to take it back from Death. After that I was able to hear voices. It was torment. Then there was a man, and he made the voices stop. He promised to teach me to do it on my own, but before he gave up and locked it away I touched another person’s mind.” She knew who that person was. The time had come to finally talk to Scott.
He kept up the gentle touches and listened. “Oh? Whose mind?” He nodded to her. “It sounds like you’ve joined the ranks of the Dreamers. I’m sorry, Jean.” He gently stroked her hair. “What do you want to do?”
“That guy from the network.” She put her face in her hands again. “I don’t know what to do. It was so real.”
Bruce raised his eyebrows. Hm. “Are you sure?” He was skeptical that anyone who had acted like that could be of use. “And for now, maybe just taking it slow is best? What I’ve seen on the net seems to say that they come slowly, but surely, no matter what is done.” He hugged her lightly, sliding down next to her. “I’ll be here, no matter what you decide.”
Jean winced a little. They were so close, but she was completely out of the mood, now. “I think you’re right.” She turned to look at him. “I’m so sorry, Bruce. Please don’t think I’m leading you on intentionally.”
Bruce blinked, then nodded. “I don’t. Why would I?” He poked her nose lightly. “Jean, you just had a traumatic event, and experienced something no human should ever experience. Of course you’re not in the mood.” He pffted.
“Rest is called for, and maybe some of those brownies I made.” He smiled softly. “I like you, Jean, a lot, and you’re not just here because I want to have sex with you.”
“I know.” She rubbed her forehead, sighing softly. “I’ll have a brownie with you, and then I think I’ll head home for the night. I think a bath would do me some good.”
“Of course.” He smiled softly and rose, sliding on a robe and holding out a hand to her. “Just remember you’re not in this alone.”
She took his hand, collecting her things as she followed him. “Thank you, Bruce. That means a lot to me.” She squeezed his hand, wishing she was less shaken up.
He smiled gently as he led the way to the kitchen and fixed the brownies up, even putting some aside for her to take home. He wished things had gone different, but mostly he just wished he knew how to help her.
One way to another, he would be there for her.
Jean didn’t bother to get dressed until she’d had a brownie. She didn’t want to pick bits of them out of her bra during the drive home, and Bruce at least deserved to see her, if he wasn’t going to experience the whole thing. “What a night. I didn’t expect any of this.”
“I don’t think anyone expects these things. “ He chuckled. “But it was definitely an interesting seventh date.” He nodded to her, and his eyes were warm on her. She was beautiful. “You okay to drive home? I could take you?”
“I think I’ll be okay.” She squeezed his hand, giving him a soft smile. “Your concern is touching. I’ll text you when I get home, if you like.”
“Okay.” He smiled and squeezed her hand. “I’d like that. And then you can rest and sleep, I hope.” He hoped the Dreams would not torment her too much.
She nodded. “I hope so too.” She rested her chin in her hand, meeting his eyes. “I wasn’t expecting them to be like that at all. It was disturbing.”
“I’m sorry.” He wasn’t sure what to do, but he hoped her night was quiet and peaceful. “Hopefully it is done for the night.” And for longer. As fascinating as he found them, he did not think they were healthy.
When they were done with the brownies, He watched her, and talked with her as she dressed. “I’m sorry things went awry.”
She tugged her clothes on, wishing the night have gone better. “I’m sorry too. I was really looking forward to what we were about to do.” She hoped the phone call had been important, at least.
“Me too.” He smiled softly. “I’m sorry I was distracted long enough for you to fall asleep. A few friends discovered that items can come from the Dreams. And were bouncing off the walls and wanting to do experiments on them.”
He sighed and smiled at her. “Maybe lucky number eight.”
Jean chuckled and kissed him. “Next time we’ll unplug your phone.”
“Absolutely. Yes. I’m going to make a habit of that. And make sure I fill you with sugar first.” He grinned at her and kissed her back, then nodded. “I hope your drive home goes swiftly, and you can rest well.”
“Thank you.” She hugged him one last time and then set out into the night, disappointed and annoyed.
He watched her go and sighed. Well, that had sucked.