Rest and relaxation

A few hours had gone by since they got out of the cave. Once the alpha was dead it seemed like any remaining wolves had ran away, as the small group did not encounter any. Even though something about that unsettled John, he was determined to put the labors of the day behind him. Since it was only the start of afternoon as well, they were given the rest of the day off.

John knew exactly how to spend it, saying quick goodbyes to the others and running to portal rooms of the HQ. It would be good to take his mind off the missions, and all that happened in the wolf’s Mindscape.

’God… I wish I could have done more for her...’ John thought to himself, unable to shake off the feeling of guilt as he walked slowly through the industrial corridors. He tried distracting himself, but the silence of the empty halls was bringing him back to that sinking feeling. But a single thought managed to dispel it, ’I’m going to see Alice again,’ that brought a smile to his face. There was nothing serious that needed to be done, he could finally enjoy some free time with her, ’that’s what people usually do, isn’t it?’ he chuckled to himself in his mind, still not understanding how his life had become so different in such a short amount of time. It was surreal in and of itself, and it was time for him to land back in the real world, even for a short while.

A familiar chime appeared with a name on Alice’s phone. For a few moments she didn't notice as she sat at her desk, until the beats of the rock tune which served as her ringtone reached her ears. Almost immediately she got up to grab the phone off her bed, where she had thrown it earlier.

’I hope it’s John…’ she thought, it had been two days since she had seen him and she was starting to get worried. Pressing the button quickly, a voice came through.

“Hey, I’m sorry I’ve been gone for a bit, was busy with… That. You know what I mean,” he said quickly, “I got some free time, wondered if you wanted to hang out? After what happened with your mom last time it might not be a good idea to go over there but I want to see you,” his tone showed clear hints of concern.

’Something’s bothering him…’

“I don’t know… I’m so busy with homework,” Alice said, her tone light.

“Huh, you’d rather do homework than spend time with your boyfriend? Alright then,” John returned with a chuckle.

“Come over here already!” Alice commanded, chuckling herself, “I’m not really busy and I have the perfect idea for what we could do. If my mom says anything I’ll talk to her myself,” she reassured John.

“Alright, I’ll be there soon then!” he closed the phone quickly.

’Already? Well, guess I should set up that anime before he gets here,’ Alice’s smile crept onto her face by now.

It wasn’t long until John had found himself at the door to Alice’s house. Knocking softly he was greeted by Hanna, who was wearing a smug but bright expression.

“I wasn’t expecting you back so quickly,” she laughed sarcastically.

“It’s been too long, I know…” John said seriously, “Can I come in? I talked to Alice already,” he looked straight at her, still unsure how to approach Hanna after their last encounter.

“She did say you were coming, and I suppose you guys deserve some time together,” she winked to him, “so come on in!” she turned back and started walking towards the living room of the house, “I’ll be in here. Should leave you guys alone,” she pointed to the kitchen with a smile, “Alice is in her room upstairs,” she said briefly before disappearing behind the walls hiding the kitchen.

Slowly, John headed up the stairs. Each step brought him closer to Alice and brightened his mood. The memories of all the times he had spent there rushed back to him, in particular he thought of what had happened last time.

’I should have stayed, I don’t want this to cause us to grow apart…’ he thought to himself, his mind once again drifting into worry. The sounds of creaking stairs and quick steps from above broke him out of it, and heading quickly towards him he saw Alice rushing down the steps. When she saw him looking at her, she increased her speed and before he could blink her arms were around him.

“Two days is not an acceptable amount of time to disappear for, John, especially after what happened last time! At least call me next time, or I promise when you get back here you won’t have a girlfriend anymore,” she said, her tone light and her face bearing a smile. The moment John opened his mouth to respond, she kissed him instead. Not wanting to break it off too quickly and enjoying the feeling of kissing her again, he let himself melt into it for just a moment longer. Alice was the first to break it, what seemed like an eternity later.

“So? What do you have to say for yourself?” she said, her tone more serious now.

John wasn’t sure what to say at first, “the important thing is that I’m here now! I promise it won’t happen again, this is all still far too new to me,” he laughed in response.

“Fine, I’ll take you at your word. But from now I’m choosing what we’re doing when we spend time together,” Alice took him by the hand gently and led him up the stairs.

“So what did you want to do?” John asked, avoiding a response.

“Thought it would be nice if we spent some time watching a show I think you’d like… You know, a bit like old times?” she said, smiling knowingly.

“That does sound fun. I need a break from thinking about important stuff, that’s for sure. What show is it?” he knew exactly what she meant, they had spent many nights watching anime and cartoons when they were younger.

“Oh, it’s an anime called Steins;Gate. It’s about time travel. You’ll like it, I’m sure,” she said, but John was barely listening. Too many memories were floating in his mind.

He remembered them sitting down in utter darkness on Alice’s floor, watching Avatar: The Last Airbender on the small screen of her computer. John loved it even more exactly because of those memories. It was a long time since they had done something like that, even before they had separated they had stopped sharing the intimacy that perhaps required. But that’s exactly why Alice was suggesting they watch a show now, to prove to both of them that they were past that, John was sure.

“Are you listening to me?” she asked, her tone more serious, as they stood in her room’s door frame.

“Yeah, sorry, I was just distracted.”

“Thinking about old memories?” Alice said, and when his face showed his surprise she continued, “I know that face John,” her tone almost seemed full of regret, “isn’t the important part that we’re here now? You told me that yourself.”

“Yeah, you’re right, but they were not bad memories. Memories of you never are,” he leaned in, intending to kiss her, and she reciprocated once more. This one lasted only for a moment, however.

“I’m not saying I don’t enjoy kissing you, but I don’t think that’s all we should do today.”

“Let’s go then,” this time John was the one to lead her in. As he walked in he saw the anime already paused on the tv that was now mounted to the wall across from her bed, just above where her computer sat, “ I suppose we don’t need to sit on the floor anymore,” John smiled.

“Still can if you want,” Alice chuckled in response. John laughed as well, but didn’t respond. Noticing his silence, she sat on the bed and waited for him for a moment before getting more comfortable. She slid back across it slowly, looking at the tv the whole time. John did the same, grabbing Alice's hand along with her attention while moving onto it.

Quickly, he kissed her on the cheek and said, "Think you can start it now," he said, still holding her and looking at the tv. Alice quickly grabbed a remote and a button press later the show had started.

After the first episode finished Alice asked for John’s opinion, and she did so again for the second and third episode.

“They were good, I like the concept of this show, a time travel thriller is always enjoyable and I like the characters so far,” he said, after the third episode. At that point they were just laying there, facing each other.

“What did you think of Kurisu?” she asked casually, her face blushing slightly.

“She reminded me of you, a little,” John paused for a moment, then leaned over to Alice and continued “I liked her,” he kissed her briefly again.

’It’s crazy how different this all is… Even two weeks ago I couldn’t have imagined doing that so easily’

“Well, I’m glad,” she blushed more and turned away slightly.

“Is that why you showed me this show?” John asked

’That’s cute,’ he thought to himself in a more smug tone than he thought he could manage.

“No!” she protested immediately, “but that is a nice compliment…” she trailed off, not sure how to continue.

John didn’t know either, so they just both sat there in silence for a while longer, enjoying each other’s presence. They were still holding hands and soon after they started cuddling almost instinctively. Their arms wrapped around each other and Alice’s head on John’s chest, the conversation started up again.

“You remember how I told you about Frank sticking his head in a locker?” Alice asked, her voice quiet but more serious in tone.

“Sure, why do you ask?”

“Well, he’s been acting strangely since… Like, he actually stopped someone from getting beat up the other day. I still have no idea how that happened,” John looked down at her completely shocked for a moment.

“Are you serious?”

“Yeah,” she raised her head and nodded slowly, “I know how strange it is, but it feels like something’s changed at the school. I’m not sure why.”

’I know why… And that makes it so much worse,’ John’s face showed his feelings clearly.

“Well, at least it’s a good change!” he tried to smile at Alice.

“Yeah, I guess, I just wish you were still there.”