who john (the doctor) & gwen what catching up, having some coffee where his favorite coffee shop that i forgot its name when Dec 15! Another thread I forgot about it. Haha. ♥ warnings Impossible! status complete on posting!
John had been keeping rather busy lately. Instead of going straight home after classes to prepare and relax with a book, he would make time to go see his new friend, Rose. He’d taken to her like syrup on a pancake, so much so that he hadn’t really stopped to consider that the lines of friendship had certainly blurred between them. And he didn’t really mind that they had.
What it meant in the grand scheme, was that he had some catching up to do with his best friend, Gwen. She’d been busy, too, by the sound of it. So, making time for her was something he could easily do without batting an eye. Knowing she had a present for him had him mentally kicking himself for being unprepared, but he’d remedy that on a shopping trip within the next couple of days.
And any excuse to see his best mate again was well-worth it, really.
Arriving at the coffee shop in a timely fashion (as usual), John ordered himself a drink and sat down at a table within sight of the doors (though certainly far enough from them not to catch a tremendous chill) and waited for Gwen’s arrival.
Gwen was ridiculously excited. She’d gone a bit over the top for John this year, but she wanted to sort of apologize for having been MIA for a while. She’d purchased him a Kindle Fire, and loaded it up with movies, games and books--both the visual and the audio kind. Of course, she’d had to jerry-rig the thing, add extra storage space and a little more RAM, but that wasn’t difficult being Tony Stark’s right hand man. (Next to Pepper, of course.)
So the gift was pretty amazing. If Gwen didn’t say so herself. It was wrapped beautifully, in silver paper with a blue ribbon and gold tag. It was quite nice. That part Gwen had done all on her own, even if she’d had a little help with the Kindle itself.
She showed up to the cafe only a couple of minutes late (effing snow) and broke into a grin at the sight of him. “John!” She said, by way of greeting, then jogged the few steps across the cafe to tackle!hug him.
The moment he saw Gwen waltz through the door, John was back on his feet with a silly grin on his face. Sliding around the table, he met her quickly as he could with arms about her frame in the most friendliest of hugs. His adoration of Gwen knew no bounds, and he gave his friend one last squeeze before releasing her properly. Ever the affectionate sort with his friends, it certainly multiplied around the ones he thoroughly held dear.
“Gwen!” He said, laughing with excitement. He’d say it dozens of times that he didn’t get to see her enough, but was grateful for the time they did share together.
Hastily pulling a chair out for her, then absently flagged down a barista to come take her order in a moment. Venturing back to his seat, he crossed his hands over the table and instantly leaned forward in an ever eager fashion.
“So! Speak to me! Tell me! Know you’ve been tired, but what else have you got to share?”
Gwen laughed, slipping into the chair that was pulled out for her and grinning up at the barista who came running at John’s beck and call. “I’ll have a mocha, please. With whipped cream!” And then she turned her attention back to John.
“Nothing’s happened. My life is the same as the last time we talked, talk about boring,” she grinned softly, picking up a napkin to drape across her lap. “...Tell me more about you, though! I want to hear everything. End of the semester and all?”
Being a regular had its perks! John had certainly endeared himself to the workers with his odd antics and unusual sense of manners (in that he obliviously lacked them, then apologized profusely when it was pointed out). He was also a handsome tipper, as he had a tendency to overpay whenever the chance was given. Having money at all always did feel strange to him.
“Busy boring,” he repeated, pouting on her behalf. “No good, but that ought to change soon! Holidays and all!”
Propping his elbow on the table, he tilted his cheek into his hand in thought over her question. “Well, I’ve a few more exams to give, they spread mine out quite sparsely this go round. No doubt the snow will lead to special requests for makeup exams, as well,” though he didn’t seem to lament it. John didn’t like the idea of removing a student’s chance for success by denying them the opportunity to take their test, especially not due to weather-related hindrances.
“Suppose I’ve got plans, as I said, for the holidays,” he added, an almost shy smile tugging at his lips. “Exciting time of the year,” this one seemed particularly outstanding to him.
“Probably,” Gwen agreed with a nod. She was glad to talk about his life, since hers felt so boring. “The snow has really gummed up the works for a lot of people. I’ve put in some extra work this week because of it.” Unfortunately, it made more paperwork for the blonde. Somehow.
“You said,” Gwen added, raising an eyebrow and putting on a knowing smirk. “Plans with Rose? Exciting time of the year with Rose?” She asked, teasing, and gave him a nudge with her elbow.
Nodding in agreement over the snow, John didn’t lose his smile. “Quite right! Snow has been something of a hamper, hasn’t it? I enjoy it! Well, not driving in it, but I do enjoy walking instead!”
Oh, she was giving him a look. Either he was in trouble or she was well ahead of him in terms of where he stood in his dynamic with Rose. They hadn’t quite decided what to make of themselves, but he didn’t mind that at all. They were John and Rose, whatever else could be, would be. He didn’t think too far ahead, though that didn’t mean he hadn’t considered anything else at all either.
So, Gwen’s gentle teasing served to fluster him enough that he had to bow his head and laugh sheepishly. “Ah, well, yes. Yes, with Rose. Bit fast, isn’t? Haven’t known her for very long, and here we are planning to spend Christmas together! It’s all… new.”
Clearing his throat nervously, John tried to reclaim his nerves by nudging her back playfully. “Couldn’t very steal you away for the holidays, now could I?”
“I’ve got the week off between Christmas and New Years. Hopefully I can spend some time walking in a winter wonderland, too.” Gwen said, grinning. She was full of grins today. Watching John squirming was so entertaining. Also, they seemed to like one another. Gwen could tell there was something going on. Either that, or her radar was really broken.
“It’s a bit new. And a bit fast, sure. But sometimes things happen that way,” Gwen said, shrugging her shoulders. Then she laughed. “You’d have to convince Michael of that. I think he wants me around. Why, are you nervous about being alone with Rose now?”
“Oh, that’s brilliant!” He said, enthusiastic as ever. “Do hope you get the chance, know it’s cold, but it is worth a trek!” Already he’d had several snowball fights with the other blonde in question. Maybe there was something to the teasing Gwen inflicted.
Trying not to worry about the way he behaved around Rose, John counted on his new friend to tell him if she felt uncomfortable. Trouble was, or the lack thereof, she had remained on the same wavelength as John. Scratching at the stubble on his chin, nose wrinkling in contemplation, he shook his head.
“Think so?” He wondered. “Suppose it does…” It never had happened to him that way, so John appeared to become all the more lost in thought. “No, no, not nervous. That’s just it, anyone else and I’m certain I’d be… unsettled? Nervous, as you said. Odd thing, but perhaps it’s best not to over-think it, eh? Let things run their course.”
“Well, I’m glad that the two of you are comfortable around one another. It sounds like it’s perfect.” Gwen grinned brightly. “Besides Rose, how are things on campus? Classes going okay? You ready for Winter break and everything?” She asked, lifting her coffee for a sip. It’d cooled down enough now that she could drink it without burning half of her face off. Oh, she wasn’t going to let him live this down, was she? Even as she shifted gears in the conversation, he hung a step back in his mind. If Gwen thought that way, did Rose? No, she would tell him. Wouldn’t she? Of course, he didn’t ever have to second guess the way they were, over-thinking it would just ruin what they had unknowingly built. So, John relaxed all the more.
“Ready enough!” He chuckled. “Students did well overall, can’t complain. Looking forward to some fresh faces though,” it was one of his favorite things about endings--the start of something new, so long as the old ended on a good note. “Don’t really care for breaks though, you know. Already have plans to be on campus most of the time, ‘less of course I do end up taking a trip before next term. Haven’t quite made up my mind!”
“You’ve got time.” Gwen said, grinning softly. She loved how enthusiastic he was about his job. Not everyone got to do something they loved as much as he seemed to love teaching. Of course, Gwen was perfectly happy working at Stark, too. They were both lucky in that respect. “It’s a bit weird to be off work, I totally get that. I’m not looking forward to trying to figure out what to do with my break. Not headed home this year. That’ll be interesting.”
Sometimes he really loathed having free time. He could be such a slave to his job, but then he would use that time to catch up with his friends and remembered that he wasn't some sort of teaching machine. He didn't have to be all work and no play--that would be ridiculous (though he'd be lying if he said he didn't want to procure an antique typewriter for writing purposes at some point in his life).
So, he sat there happily chatting with Gwen about this or that until they had to go their separate ways 'til next their paths could cross.