maybe he was reading too far into things but... as the pair drew back, and johnny got to see her face ( albeit it was lit up by excessive lasers and simultaneously clouded by fog ) he couldn't help but feel... sad. excitement was pulsing through him so intensely it was like he was being electrocuted, but now the sparks started to almost hurt. his muscles ached from fatigue he thought he had recovered from, shins splinted and feet sore from backpacking across thousands of miles just to find her, and suddenly weight felt heavy on his knees as his elated expression melted into one a bit more somber. johnny wore his heart on his sleeve, he always had, and masking any emotion, whether it be fear or sadness or delight, was not a skill he had mastered. now wasn't an exception, even with the music blaring around them and the club raging from corner to corner. mavis didn't answer his question about the tears being happy ones, and while he tried to keep smiling, it faltered — strained. it no longer matched his eyes as confusion flashed in them instead, a sense of dread starting to wind around his ribs, discomfort making the vodka redbull he had indulged in come right up his throat. ❛ uh... uh yeah, mav, one sec... ❜ he muttered, pushing his weight up to walk back into the booth, making quick work on his computer to queue up a couple of songs before letting the bouncer behind him know he was running out for a second. looking back at mavis he slipped his headphones off from around his neck and set them next to his board, johnny walked back towards her with hands shoved in his pockets. well, this wasn't the reunion he was expecting and... johnny may not be the smartest guy around but, he knew mavis. something was wrong, something was bothering her — and he had a feeling that whatever it was ?? she didn't want to tell him... which made the room spin as he nodded towards one of the doors that lead to outside. johnny needed the air right now. ❛ we can uh, go out back. i queued up a few songs so... we've got some time before my bossman realizes i'm gone.❜