invisible string - johnny storm

hate to see you go

Sue and Reed exchanged a glance—then, without another word, they left too, their footsteps fading down the hall until the apartment was quiet again.

Too quiet.

Aurora stood frozen in the middle of the room, arms wrapped around herself. Johnny leaned against the wall opposite her, uncharacteristically silent. The tension in the air pressed down on both of them, heavier than any fight.

They both opened their mouths at once.
"You—"
"I—"

They stopped, awkwardly. Johnny scratched the back of his neck. "You first."

She shook her head. "No. You."

He exhaled. "Where have you been? Are you okay?"

Aurora's reply was clipped, dry. "I'm fine."

But the word tasted like ash. Johnny's eyes narrowed slightly—he wasn't buying it.

"Rory," he said softly. "Don't do that. I know something's wrong."

Her chest tightened. Damn him for knowing her too well. She turned her face away, blinking hard, but a single tear slipped down her cheek before she could stop it. She swiped it away quickly, as if maybe he wouldn't notice.

But he did.

Her voice cracked when she finally let it out. "I just... I hated seeing you with all those girls. Like I was nothing. Like I was so easy to forget."

Johnny pushed off the wall, crossing toward her slowly, carefully, like she was glass. His face shifted—gone was the cocky smirk, replaced with something raw, almost guilty.

Aurora let out a shaky laugh. "And then you went and named me after you. Nova. Supernova. Seriously, Johnny? Did I really need to be branded as your sidekick?"

Her words hit him hard; she could see it. His usual armour of jokes and fire cracked, and something vulnerable slipped through.

"I'm sorry," he said quietly. "I didn't mean to hurt you. I... I love you, Aurora. I've been trying so damn hard to hold it in, but I can't anymore."

Her breath caught.

Johnny went on, his voice rough. "At the interview, they asked if we were together. And I told them... you're the one for me." His jaw clenched like the words burned to admit. "I looked for you to make sure you heard me, but I guess you had already left."

Aurora's heart pounded. "You—what?"

"I don't care about those girls," Johnny said, stepping closer, eyes locked on hers. "I tried to find you after, but I thought you were waiting outside. I should've tried harder. I should've looked longer. Rory I could never forget about you. Because it's always you. It's only ever you."

Her lips parted, trembling. "Johnny..."

He reached for her hand, his thumb brushing gently over her knuckles. "You know that string thing you always talk about? That invisible string tying us together?"

She nodded, tears welling again.

"That's you and me, Rory. No matter how much we fight, no matter how many times you tell me to back off—it's there. Tying me to you."

Aurora let out a wet laugh. "God, you're so cheesy."

"Maybe." He smiled softly, eyes shining. "But I am also yours."

It was all she needed to hear.

She surged forward, crashing her lips against his. His arms circled her waist instantly, pulling her flush against him as if he'd been waiting his whole life for this. The kiss was fierce and desperate, then softer, then filled with the laughter they couldn't quite hold back.

When they finally broke apart, foreheads pressed together, Johnny whispered, "Please don't tell me to leave this time."

Aurora let out a shaky laugh, brushing her thumb across his jaw. "I won't. I couldn't... even if I wanted to." Her chest ached, but in the best way. "Because I love you too, Johnny."

Aurora smirked through the tears. "But what can I say? I hate to see you go, but I love to watch you leave."

Johnny groaned, laughing, he buried his face in her neck. "Unbelievable."

Aurora smiled through the tears she didn't bother hiding this time. "Someone has to keep that ego of yours in check."

Johnny huffed a laugh, pulling her closer again. "Guess I can live with that."

And for the first time in a long time, everything felt right—like that invisible string had pulled them exactly where they were supposed to be.

——————————————————

actually shut up I love them so much.

my babiessss.

thoughts on the new F4 movie??