five times kissed for stephen
I. John doesn't consider CPR kissing. He doesn't. But Clarissa's teasing makes him doubt it in her sing song voice "John and Stephen sitting in a tree, K I S S I N G!!" He grumbles for her to go away and continues tinkering with TIM. She doesn't go away and he glares at her, agitated and giving her the look. She doesn't let up, singing the song throughout the Lair until John finally snaps. Unfortunately, maybe, Stephen had picked the wrong time and just teleported in at the last stanza of her song "--Then comes John with the baby carriage!" John storms over to Stephen, grabs him by the waist and plants a kiss on his lips before turning to Clarissa and shouting "THAT WAS A KISS." and storming back off to his office, slamming the door behind him and leaving a very confused Stephen standing in the common area while Clarissa is on the floor in a fit of giggles.
II. The second time, it's not a laughing matter. Stephen has just asked John to kill him. Some stupid mission into 'Limbo'. It's risky, and John is honestly terrified, though he keeps a cool face at Stephen's little party. But while Cara is talking to Morgan and Russell heads out to get the nodes for the monitors, he looks at Stephen, biting his bottom lip before pulling him into his arms and kissing him, sweetly, tenderly. "You need to come back. I know what the party was about. I promise I'll protect Marla and Luca, but you need to come back-- I need you to come back." Stephen looks stunned before kissing him again, resting his forehead against John's. "I'll come back." He whispers. The two didn't know Cara was watching them with a small smile from the door.
III. John was so drunk, too much whiskey, too little carbs. His Ultra training is laughing in his face as Stephen was able to sneak up behind him in the bar. He was upset, rightfully so. Stephen's arm wrapped around his shoulders. "Come on, John, let's get you home." "I don' got one 'nymore." he slurs back and Stephen has to pry the next shot out of his hand. "John. Come with me. You aren't safe out here on the streets. Come home with me." And John registers Stephen's sincerity, looking up with a dumbfounded expression and seeing the younger man's face so close to his. "Your eyes 're really pr'tty." He slurs before kissing Stephen on the lips, sloppily, drunkenly-- but Stephen doesn't mind. "Come on, John." Stephen grins, taking John's hand and throwing money down to pay his tab. Stumbling along like a lost puppy, John tries to regain some dignity as Stephen leads them out of the bar and to the alley. The blonde lets out a chuckle and presses Stephen up against the wall, lips meeting his desperately, wanting to feel the other's warmth, and to remind himself he's not alone. Stephen returns the kiss with soft groans as John presses against him in all the right places, doing what feels right. The other breaks the kiss slowly and cups John's face. "It's alright, John. Let's get you sobered up, yeah?" The blonde nods, letting Stephen teleport with him.
IV. Seeing Stephen with Julian after everything that happened, it boils John's blood. He knows Julian pulled some class A bullshit to get Stephen into the Lair with him. But as he stands next to Cara to bait him, he's sending messages telepathically, telling Stephen it will be alright. When Julian is trapped in the d-chip air vent, Cara has both of their hands in hers. Stephen's other reaches out for John and he grasps it like a lifeline. John has no fight with Julian, because him and Russell already have a plan to rescue Charlotte at first chance-- with Stephen's help. He leaves and waits for Stephen to join him, wrapping his arm around him protectively. When the blast goes off, Cara joins them, wrapping her arms around both of them. Russell makes a little teasing noise and wanders off to prepare for operation rescue Charlie and raid a candy store.Cara is the first to initiate to kissing, giving both of the men a sweet kiss before John captures Stephen's lips heatedly while stroking Cara's side. "Later." Stephen whispers. "Got to go check in-- and get Charlie." They're all smiling, knowing Stephen was going to come through and save the littlest Lair dweller. "Go then. We'll be here." Cara answers for John and herself. Stephen plants one more kiss on both of them before moving out and teleporting to check in at Ultra, relaying the information about Charlie being moved to the Citadel and all the relevant information for Russell to hijack one of the vehicles.
V. John stumbles into Ultra, confused at why the signatures led him here. His head is still fuzzy and he's disoriented by his own memories-- he just knows people that are important to him are here. But among the group that gathers confused, he sees two faces that his memory immediately whirls back into remembrance. Stephen and Cara. His partners in this trinity of whatever it was. They rush to him as he starts to sink, overwhelmed. Stephen and Cara. They were his, and he was theirs. He doesn't know who kisses him first for a moment, but he returns it eagerly, reaching his hand up to feel short hair as he pulls Stephen's head closer to him. Cara's lips are on his cheek-- and her tears. Stephen's tears land on their lips and John pulls away, wiping both of their eyes with his thumbs. "It's okay-- I'm okay-- I'm back..." Together, Cara and Stephen help carry John into the main office, kicking everyone out and exchanging heated kisses as John explains what happened to him while his memories come back to him.
