With a deep sigh, he finally closed his eyes and leaned into the kiss as well. His arms wrapped tighter around you while one hand pushed into your neck to make sure you couldn't escape him.

Now that you had thrown a chance at his feet he wasn't about to let it slip away.

Your arms rose to wrap around his neck.

This closed the last gap between you. Your chest pressed against his. You could feel his heartbeat, how fast and excited it was.

Your fingers tangled in his short hair as the tips gently scratched the back of his head.

You didn't know why exactly you were doing it, but remembered that you had done it once when you were children. Back then he had closed his eyes with pleasure and leaned into the feeling.

Fortunately for you, his fondness for this little gesture had not changed.

Sharply inhaling, he tilted his head so you could reach the spot better. Carefully, he pressed against you to signal that you should move backward.

Without breaking the kiss, you accepted his guidance and walked back a few steps. Your back bumped against a tabletop.

As if it was an easy one, his arms slid under your legs and with a jerk, he placed you on the table so he could position himself between your legs.

Gasping, you broke the kiss. Lack of air burned in your lungs. Your breath was heavy while your head felt like it was flying.

With slightly parted lips and burning hot cheeks, you looked at him out of half-lidded eyes.

His hands were still resting on your back. He wouldn't let go of you at any price in the world. His breathing was heavy too, his eyes dark, but he was good at restraining himself.

Swallowing, he gifted you a shy smile.

"I... I let myself go a bit.", he tried to apologize.

But you just shook your head and smiled.

"Don't.", gently you pressed another kiss on his lips, softer and less heated. "I wanted it. For a while now... But I never knew if I should tell you..."

Relieved, he sighed and let his head fall back. A smile appeared on his lips and all at once it looked as if the weight of the world had fallen from his shoulders.

His forehead fell against yours.

"You wouldn't believe how relieved I am.", he murmured, rubbing the tip of his nose against yours.

You smiled.

"I can see it. Did you have to wait long for me?"

"I won't tell you. But I want you to know that it was worth it."

Suddenly, you had to smile sadly. A heavy sigh escaped you.

Fear began to grow inside your stomach.

Relationships came with responsibilities. Responsibilities that made you shiver.

"JD... I... how can I say?"

His hands took your face.

"Hey, I don't expect you to suddenly stop hesitating and do everything I want. I promised to give you time. And the promise counts for everything. For the next kiss, holding hands and everything else that comes. Take your time.", he kissed your forehead. "I know you. And I fell in love with you."

Huffing, you push him away from you and roll your eyes.

"A terrible decision, really.", you muttered, half joking and half sincere.

He shrugged.

"The heart wants what it wants."

"That sounds disgustingly corny.", you joked, laughing with relief.

He grinned and wiggled his eyebrows.

"I can be an ass too, if that's what you want."

"No!"

"Corny it is then."

"Please shoot me..."

"(Y/N)! Just when I've reached my goal, you want to die? Come on, be a little more fair to me."

"Fine.", you jump off the table. "Now let me cook you dinner. Hunger seems to be making you lose your mind."

Offended, he snorted.

"I beg your pardon.", he pushed you up the stairs to the upper floor. "It's not like I'm the smart one otherwise."

You had to laugh.

"Brute strength and helpless science. A good combination."

"Oh, yes, the Windflares will fear us."

"Or your father.", immediately after you said it you had to bite your tongue.

JD froze. The smile on his face faded.

Silently you scolded yourself for saying anything about Marcus. You knew that ever since JD had become a Gear the father-son relationship of the two had taken quite a bit of damage.

While you still turned to Marcus for advice every now and then, JD saw him as a red flag and even tried avoiding meetings despite not living too far away.

After a moment of nerve wracking silence, he huffed and a grin reappeared on his face.

Struck by surprise, you frowned.

"Are you- are you planning on killing me?", you asked, expecting the worst.

But as he looked you in the eyes, he seemed quite amused about the thought.

"You're right.", he said in a soft, almost sentimental voice. "My father would fear us. Because we're pretty much what my parents used to be, no? The brute and the brain."

A soft laughter escaped you. Closing your eyes, you had to shake your head in relief.

"Don't think too highly of me.", you glanced at him and started to grab some necessities from the drawers. "Your mom was a genius. I'm just working on some small stuff."

With a soft expression on his face, he sat down on the kitchen counter, his arms crossed.

"I'm sure that one day you'll achieve just as much as she did.", he said, fully believing his own words. "But I'd prefer if you didn't pay such a high price. I don't want to loose you too."

Smiling softly, you sighed.

"I'm not brave enough to die."

"I'm glad. Gives me more time with you."

"We've already spent our entire childhood together."

He shrugged.

"Would it be greedy of me if I wanted more time?", he asked, smirking. "Like forever?"

Groaning, you rolled your eyes.

"JD!", you sighed.

He grinned apologetically.

"Too corny?"

"Way too corny!"

"My bad. I can shoot you instead. After you make me dinner, of course."

Grinning, you rolled your eyes.

"Of course. You greedy little beggar."

"Bold thing to say to your new boyfriend."