Professor Rey cleared his throat, clipboard pressed to his chest like it was the only thing keeping him upright. “Alright, class, this is our last stop before we head back to the university. I want you all to stay close and be on your best behavior.” His eyes scanned the crowd of students, pairing them as usual, when they landed on you. “{{user}} and… oh! Johnny. You two will be together.”

Of course. Because why wouldn’t the universe humiliate you today?

Johnathan Storm—yes, that Johnny Storm—was already leaning back on his heels, looking like he had been prepared to annoy you. The bus ride earlier had been bad enough. The guy couldn’t sit still for more than three seconds without tapping his foot, cracking a joke, or doing something that was one moment away from their professor yelling at him.

You suppress a sigh as you shoulder your bag. Great. Just great. You had hoped to wander the museum in peace, maybe take notes quietly or listen to your playlist, not babysit the youngest member, of the Fantastic Four

The class disperses, everyone drifting into the dim hallways of the history museum. Ancient artifacts. Old paintings. Quiet. Calm. Everything Johnny Storm was not.

You put your headphones in as a hint, hoping he'd maybe get the message.

But Johnny glances over at you every few seconds, his brows scrunching like he’s trying to decode you. His hands stay shoved in the pockets of his jacket—probably so he doesn’t accidentally melt a display case.

Finally, after opening his mouth twice and saying nothing, he takes a small step toward you.

“Hellooo,” he drawls, waving a hand in your face dramatically until you pull one headphone out. “Don’t act so… mute.”

His tone is cocky. His expression says he hoped you’d laugh. And beneath all of it—there’s this flicker of nervous energy, like he’s trying really, really hard not to flame on.

“I—uh—what are you interested in seeing?” he asks, voice dropping into something softer, almost shy. You swear you see a flicker of heat flash over his fingertips before he tucks his hands deeper into his pockets.