koncassie in the houseeeee

[chickwonder]

chickwonder a Wonder and tactilekonesis a Recovering Surfer boy walk into a cafe

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[chickwonder]

[Cassie isn't nervous. She isn't! It's just a date....their first since dying, and wars, and coming back and going and the end of the universe and normalcy and disguise and-- ahem. Since awhile. She's there early, but not too early, and has already gotten a table that gives her a great view of the door. She fidgets with her hair again, and sighs]

[tactilekonesis]

[ Well, Kon's nervous. He's so nervous that his palms are sweating, which is a problem because he's also holding a single red rose as he walks in. Is the rose overkill? No, the rose is definitely overkill for a first date.

He arrives right on time, which is a miracle for him. No crime to stop, no detention to hold him back, and more importantly, no farming chores calling his name. (He got Simon and Sujan to do all the sweeping for him.) As promised, he's wearing a plain red t-shirt with one of Pa's old flannel shirts on top, along with his usual blue jeans and working boots. It's an outfit designed for comfort, and more importantly, within his school's dress code. Because he flew straight from school.

Upon seeing Cassie, he grins, holding out the rose as an olive branch– ]

Hey, Cassie. A rose for a rose? [ he pauses, mentally beating himself up. ] I mean, hi. You're great. No, you look great. [ . . . ] You get what I mean.

[chickwonder]

[there he is. maybe it's stupid, and it's definitely embarrassing, but whenever she sees him her stomach does a little flip. from that first time he saved her butt from Harm, till now, looking into those big blue eyes-- and at the rose. her rose.

she takes it with hands steadier than her heart, and giggles. girlish, embarrassing, all high in her throat. god, this is embarrassing, but-- here he is]

And you're sweet as pie, Kon. That's the sort of country phrases they say out there, right? Maybe that's too corny... But uhm. Hi.

[she can't stop grinning. he's here, he's real.]

[tactilekonesis]

[ She didn't feel how slimy his palms were, right? Good. Good. Because she's the most beautiful person he's laid eyes on, and he's had more than his fair share of women flung in his face over the years.

Kon swallows back his anxiety, rubbing the back of his neck. ] I reckon someone says that, somewhere.

[ He's teasing, which somehow grounds him as he navigates this uncharted territory. No one told him that dating your girlfriend, again, would make your stomach twist and turn into knots! ]

Hi. [ wait, he said that already. ] Um, have you ordered yet? Or should we go up together?

[chickwonder]

[she did not, probably because her hands are also super warm and also the rose is so thoughtful she's full of the warm fuzzies. she wants to reach out and-- touch his arm, his hand, something. that flash of contact was warm, was inviting and just-- so little, too little.

so Cassie reaches out, curls her fingers around his big ol' arm]

Hi. [she giggles again] We can go up together. I was worried I'd miss you coming in, so I didn't order. Plus that's probably rude...

[tactilekonesis]

[ He melts into her touch, releasing tension that he wasn't aware he was holding onto. Kon missed this. He missed the sound of her laugh, just as he missed the crinkle at the edge of her eyes when she smiles.

Savoring the moment, he lets her lead the way to the counter. ]

I wouldn't have minded. [ He's telling the truth. He isn't particularly attached one way or another to coffee, let alone the different varieties in each shop. ] But this way, we get to see what's different about this place.

[ Truly, he doesn't care. He's far more interested in seeing her reactions, and if the roasts pass her seal of approval. ]

[chickwonder]

[She feels the tension ease out of him beneath his skin, the movement of his muscles. and she offers him one of those grins he likes so much, eyes twinkling.]

They'll have to be pretty special to do business on this street. I've heard the brews are pretty strong.

[not that she particularly needs a strong coffee, but it's nice to try new brews. the cold ones too. once they're at the counter, she doesn't hang off of him or anything, self-conscious of not looking like an overbearing girlfriend, girl-friend, ex-girl-- whatever. but she does keep her hand lightly on his arm as she peers up at the menu]

Hmmm...matcha's always popular.

[tactilekonesis]

[ He immediately turns his head towards her with a look of complete betrayal. ]

Really? But matcha tastes like grass.

[ So NOW he has opinions. Opinions that he will swallow down as he follows her gaze and looks up at the menu. He's going to be a good boyfriend this time. A proper boyfriend who will drink grass, if need be, even though he can mow some outside for cheap. ]

[chickwonder]

[the look on his face-- he's so freaking cute. Cassie snickers, patting his arm comfortingly--] It does taste like grass, you're not wrong. But I think the other ones, the pink ones? Don't. Or they shouldn't.

[now she looks suspiciously at one of the baristas nearby, daring them to pipe in because uh akctually!! they could use some help...]

[tactilekonesis]

[ Somehow, "pink ones" sound even worse. Kon's expression crumples as he returns his focus to the menu.

One very amused barista pipes up that their Salted Caramel Macchiato might be to Kon's taste, with vanilla syrup, caramel sauce, and sea salt. It's also iced! Perfect for hot weather (and also recovering from flights).

For Cassie, Kon nudges her towards the rest of their seasonal menu. Lots of fruity-based drinks, ranging from fruit teas to some coconut loco drink with extra milk. ]

Or I could get an extra large and you could try some of mine?

[chickwonder]

[okay, the barista is helpful, she aims a grateful smile their way, then turns that smile back to Kon, brows pinched in concern]

Are you sure? You should get what you want, and you know, not worry about me pigging out.

[she does get the coconut loco drink...it sounds nice and cold, maybe not as tropical, but still good]

[tactilekonesis]

I’m very sure. Their serving sizes are huge. Besides, you get to try both this way!

[ The extra large might be generous enough to keep a speedster satisfied. Kon makes a mental note to bring Bart back, if the coffee’s good, before paying for their orders. Yes, paying! It’s a date and he’s not a cheap skate!

Once their coffees are ready, he glances back towards the table Cassie had picked out earlier– ] Where did you want to sit? Here?

[chickwonder]

[she narrows those blue eyes at him-- paying, even if it's a date! she's going to get him next time, the threat is there in her eyes.

but they've got their coffee, all is well, and now they can go back to toeing the line of conversations.]

Yeah, that's fine with me. We can look at each other instead of just the door this time.

[tactilekonesis]

Good, 'cause I think the door was giving me the stink-eye.

[ He pretends to ignore that unspoken threat as he takes his seat across from her. As long as he's got the ability, he wants to treat her! He wasn't really able to pay for dates in the past, now that he thinks about it, so this feels special.

As promised, though, he grabs an extra straw and holds out his drink for her to try before he's even had the first sip. ]

[chickwonder]

[it is special. they're older, they've been through so much, together, and apart. the smile doesn't leave her face when he offers his drink, and Cassie tucks some hair behind her ear as she dips her head, instead of just taking the drink.]

Oooh, this is nice.

[tactilekonesis]

[ He beams, as if he had personally picked the drink out himself. He didn't. But he takes a second to savor her expression before leaning back in his seat, satisfied.

Funny how a normal coffee date can make him feel so, well, super. ]

Yeah, it is. [ Whether he means the drink or being here with her, he doesn't clarify. He takes a sip now, feeling like one of those Archie comic characters. ] Also really sweet.

[chickwonder]

[he's never grown out of being so cute she wants to pinch his cheek-- Cassie refrains, but it's difficult when he beams like that. she savors his expression in turn. ]

These guys really know their stuff...guess I shouldn't be surprised, considering.

[tactilekonesis]

Considering they spend all day making these, I'd hope they know a thing or two.

[ His voice is light as he leans forward. He wants to reach over so badly, but for now, he'll settle for resting an elbow on the table and making himself comfy.

There's so much he wants to ask. How has she been? What sorts of non-hero things has she been up to? How are they going to explain this to the Titans on their next mission? (If they'll explain it at all?)

Instead, his mouth works before his brain as he goes– ] I, on the other hand, feel like this is all another language.

[chickwonder]

[She wants to reach over too. The contact with his arm wasn't enough, and now it's gone, and she's aching for it. So she takes another sip of her own drink, just to occupy herself. Just not to think about the blue, blue of his eyes, the tilt of his chin.]

The coffees? They do keep getting sophisticated, don't they.

[Does he mean dates? Because god, Cassie's lost on that]

[tactilekonesis]

They do, yeah. [ he pauses. The metaphor is officially gone. He had something brilliant in his head about growing up and savoring the bitter taste of caffeine, but it feels empty now.

He gives up on both his metaphors and his temptations, succumbing to his desire to reach out for her hand. Gosh, her hands are also smaller than he remembered them being. Or perhaps it's the first time he's really stopped to think about it? Which is funny, considering that he's so nervous his brain's going a million miles a minute. ]

I think that's part of growing up, though. Realizing stuff's more complicated than it seemed at the time.

[chickwonder]

[maybe all this coffee metaphor is distracting her from her own nervousness, and how complicated things have begun to be, no, have been for awhile now.

but Conner's hand is warm in hers. She flips them, his larger hand cradled against her palm. a giddy, bubbly feeling gathers in her chest, threatening to overwhelm her. she can't stop grinning]

That particular lesson seems to knock us on our feet a lot, hmm?

[tactilekonesis]

I could stand to learn it a few more times.

[ He can't stop grinning either. Maybe he craved that spark more than he thought. Her entire presence feels like the sun; warm and radiant, yet welcoming with its light. He wants to soak it all in (and it doesn't help that the sun also powers him up, literally speaking). ]

Though ideally with a lot less fighting and a lot more um, being like this.

[chickwonder]

[god, she's giddy. it's like they're kids or something, except you know, not. she curls her thumb around his wrist, against his pulse-point, automatically checking.

he's here.]

So many more moments like this. More dates. And private dates, too.

[tactilekonesis]

I like the sound of that.

[ He peers down at their hands, trying to tune out other customers giggling about young love and 'how it must be nice'. Sometimes, super-hearing is its own worst enemy. Other voices echo in his ear– and then also his heartbeat, threatening to rip out of his cage like a hummingbird.

His rhythm has never felt so constant. ]

Though I think this is plenty private compared to our usual. [ his expression gets even more mischievous – ] Unless you'd like to go flying again?

[chickwonder]

Private? With these gossips around? [she chuckles. even without the super hearing, she knows the signs of it: the heads ducked together, eyes turned on the couple, the hush in the shop. it's annoying, but also, maybe a little niggling part of her is happy to show off her cute boy-something.]

More private than Gar walking in on us kissing? [just as mischievous] We could fly. Maybe not right now, unless you want to?

[tactilekonesis]

[ He wrinkles his nose at the memory. It's not his favorite. ]

Maybe later. [ He concedes with a slight blush, if only because he has half his drink left. Only heathens leave their coffee unfinished! ] That's second date territory, right?

[chickwonder]

Hmmm, are second dates allowed to mesh together with first ones? Half dates? [she ducks to take a sip from her drink, smiling around the straw]

[tactilekonesis]

Depends on how we're counting them. [ Now he's being pedantic, entirely on purpose, as he feels his ears burn red. Kon was never great at hiding a blush, much less behind a suddenly small cup of iced coffee. ] But then again, math wasn't my strongest subject.

[ Is anything his strongest subject?

History, maybe, but that was the first class that really challenged him and made him want to try harder, if only to prove he could learn beyond what had been implanted in his memory. ]

[chickwonder]

Not mine either.

[oh no his blush is adorable!!! up to his ears....and she doesn't recall how far it goes-- okay, get a grip, cass.]

But I think we could figure it out together. One plus one is still two, right?

[tactilekonesis]

Right. [ His face grows even redder, almost matching the hue of his flannel shirt. He takes a hasty sip of his drink, as if it'll make the heat fade. (It doesn't.)

What does help, oddly enough, is squeezing her hand as if it's a lifeline. (It is.) ] And like we used to say, two heads are better than one.

[chickwonder]

[his hand is a little sweaty, and the blush isn't retreating and he's so cute she wants to lean in and kiss him
but she doesn't. just squeezes his hand right back and grins]

Always have your back.

[tactilekonesis]

[ If it weren't for the fact that all eyes are on them (and not because they're heroes or public figures), and also for the fact that this time, Kon really does want to take things slow, he would kiss her too.

He settles for interlacing his fingers in hers, noting how much larger his hands are. Huh. He sure didn't feel that difference back when they were in Young Justice - and even the last time they dated. Yet their hands are proof of how much time has passed. ]

Sure do. [ He's not even hungry, really, as he takes another sip, but he feels like he should get a pastry. Or perhaps that's Ma's voice in his brain, telling him to be more of a gentleman - ] You wanna grab anything else, by the way?

[chickwonder]

[she has the excellent plant to make this date a dinner one later, or a late, late lunch, so she declines the offer of food with a shake of her head

his hands sure are big. were they that big when they-- her cheeks flush, and Cassie certainly hopes Conner can't tell]

I'm fine right now. We can take a little stroll? If that isn't too boring.

second date!!

[tactilekonesis]

[ So Kon had a proper second date planned. He had reserved a table at a restaurant near Cassie's place; he had ironed his Good shirt; and heck, he had even asked Ma for advice, should the date go sour.

What he didn't predict - and honestly, should have - was some random D-list supervillain deciding to cause chaos downtown. Any other time, Kon would've just felt bad he was smashing some robot's face into concrete.

Tonight, however, he's just mad they're running late. He gives Cassie a sigh as he lets the chunks of metal fall to the ground. ]

For the record, this wasn't my idea of a good time.

[chickwonder]

[she'd spent probably an embarrassing amount of time deciding on a dress with Anita and Cissie and Greta, had not asked her mom for advice, and had just convinced herself not to eat any of the complimentary bread before this attack.

but Cassie is laughing, her smile bright and her dress ripped down the front as she turns to look at him]

Come on, live a little! I'm going to absolutely beat their head in for this.

third date!

[tactilekonesis]

[ Given that the first date was a rousing success (as far as dates go), and the second was a total bust no thanks to some small time wannabe, kon doesn't even properly plan a third date. nope. man has learned his lesson. if he wants one on one time with cassie, then he just has to seize the day and ask her to hang out with him doing ordinary things.

so this is how they end up at the tj maxx/home goods/some random mishmash of the two with a list of items ma kindly asked him to buy. kon has a feeling tim and bart are going to give him an earful of this later, but hey, at least this time he brought the pick up truck and there's a bunch of great restaurants nearby. ]

Thanks for coming along. [ jokingly: ] Feels like an exciting way to spend a Friday, huh?

Re: third date!

[chickwonder]

[what's better than doing errands together? it's casual, he looks good in just about anything, and she could find something for her mom, maybe.

and just spend time looking at him, being with him, taking him in in all his glory. be a little less starstruck, Cass]

Of course. Look at this crowd, it's the place to be!

[she laughs, gesturing to the staggering patronage that scatter across the aisles]