"Yes, Professor Nine," the class chanted.
"Yes, Professor Nine," said a voice in the back of the gym, coming in late and dripping in sarcasm. The people in the back of the class turned their heads to see who it was. Nine crossed his arms and craned his neck to see beyond the small crowd.
There, leaning against the chemical-scrubbed wood of the gymnasium wall, was John.
His arms were crossed and he had the smuggest grin on his face. All of the students in the room had their eyes fixed on him. A few gasped.
"I'd like to have a word with-"
John was knocked off his feet. Nine had sped across the room and gathered him up in a rib-crushing hug that spun the both of them around. As soon as he set him down, Nine punched him across the jaw. It brought him great satisfaction to finally do that, even though it looked like John was expecting no less from him.
"That was for waiting two months to see me," the taller Garde explained. Nine was surprised to see John scratch the back of his neck, embarrassed.
"Sorry about that," he replied sheepishly. "Do you have a second to talk?" John gestured his head to the litter of students still watching them curiously.
"Sure Johnny." Nine turned to yell at the shell-shocked group, "Don't have all day! Get moving!"
There was the squeaking sound of sneakers rubbing on the ground and little by little, the class started a jog around the perimeter of the gym. Nine took John by the crook of his elbow and lead him outside the swinging doors.
"You realize-" Nine started, but John interrupted him.
"Hang on." John had his hand turned towards the door, a face full of concentration. His fingers twitched and Nine could sense the air- more specifically the sound-waves in the air - shift and ripple. John dropped his hand, frowning. "Hope that works. Saw Nigel do it a couple times before and once on my way here."
"Okay, Pittacus Smith, what do you want this time?" John raised and eyebrow. Nine bit his lip, thinking he came off a little too annoyed, but then he noticed John catching sight of his metal arm.
"That's new." When Nine didn't reply, John continued. "When were you going to tell me you got that?"
Nine scoffed. "Hard to send an email when you don't know which end of the world you're in."
John ignored him. He moved to examine the arm more closely, while Nine squirmed awkwardly. John drew back, clearly impressed. "Who built it?"
"Lexa."
"Obviously." A knowing smile crossed his lips. "Happy with it?"
Nine opened his mouth only to close it again. Thankfully, John read his expression and switched topics.
"Did you read the letter I gave you and Lexa?"
"Obviously. What about it?"
"I, uh... Do you want to come with me? To see it?"
"To the Himalayas? Now?" Nine asked bemusedly.
"Not now, you idiot, but soon. Tonight. Tomorrow. Soon."
Nine snorted. "Johnny, unlike you I have a high-paying job and a system that relies heavily on the labor I input. I can't leave these-"
"Please?" John interrupted. Those damn puppy eyes again; bright cobalt-blue irises that Nine can never turn down.
"Who else has been there?" Nine countered with a sigh.
"Ella." John paused. "And Marina," he added, a shadow of guilt crossing his face.
Nine frowned. "Wait, what happened with Marina?"
"Noth-"
"John." Nine didn't usually say his Earth name.
John sighed. "Okay. Marina and I kissed." Catching the expression on Nine's face he continued. "More like she kissed me. It's fine. I explained, and we're just friends now."
"Explained what? That you've kissed basically all the remaining Garde, but no strings attached?" Nine snapped. John looked taken aback and a little hurt.
"Nine, I-"
Nine turned away, head in hands. "No- look- I'm sorry, I'm just a little pissed at how long you left me hanging." John opened his mouth to speak but Nine continued. "Two months. Just in case you lost count," he bit back bitterly.
With his head turned down at an angle, he spotted a flicker of sorrow in John's face before something changed and he squinted his eyes and pursed his lips. Nine locked eye contact with him and took a wary step back, sensing an outburst.
"You know what, Nine? I'm sorry. I'm so so sorry. Do you want me to say it again? Is that what you want to hear from me, over and over again until it's both of our very sorry asses take it to the grave? Because I can't even leave you for two months without you throwing yourself a pity party once I walk out the door. You can go ahead and cry over your wasted time but not me. We've all got jobs to do, so man up. Not everything's about you." John's speech had carried him closer and closer until he found himself inches away from Nine's stunned eyes and open mouth.
Even if Nine was unable to feel temperature, he would be able to say that John was radiating heat. They were almost nose to nose, and the taller Garde could feel hot breath making contact with the space in between his collarbone. Nine closed the gap eagerly and angrily with his still open mouth wrapping both arms around John's waist, pulling him in so their bodies were pressing together. John responded with just as much passion, sliding his arms around Nine's neck and clawing at the back of his shirt. In the heat of the moment (or multiple moments), they could be described as a fire that flared suddenly from new kindling. When they broke apart, that fire hissed down to its scalding coals; not as visible, but still very, very existent.
Nine spoke first, his breath heavy. "I only said that stuff to rile you up anyways."
"You're such a fucking liar," John replied with a grin slowly spreading. Nine smiled.
"You still kissed Marina."
"Now I've kissed you more than her, so stop complaining."
John's eyes drifted over towards the closed doors of the gymnasium. "Hope none of those kids of yours have x-ray vision."
Nine bit his lip, still focusing on John. "Who cares?" he said. John pulled him in for another kiss, this time with the heat of a steady burning hearth and a much sweeter taste.
"Well what do you say?" John said when they pulled back again.
"You tell me."
The blonde shoved him. "About coming with me, you dumbass."
"I think I'm down," Nine answered slyly.
"Tomorrow?"
"Tonight. Screw my job." John's eyes widened, and Nine chuckled. "Joking. Thursday I'm off for three days."
"Good." With a nod towards the doors, John added, "Doubt any of them are actually doing what they're supposed to. Now get in there and do your job, Professor."
John started to back away and Nine held on hesitantly to his hand. Then John raised his eyebrows and Nine let go.
Trying to mask the pain of part of his heart leaving again, the dark-haired Garde turned away. Before he opened the door to find the class stumble back from their huddled groups, John called out to him again at the end of the hallway.
"Hey Stanley." Nine raised his head and squinted down the hall. "I missed you too."
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