Joyce's voice broke the silence, her cheeks flushed a faint red as she held Johnson's hand gently.
"I don't mind you playing with my boobs but… don't you wanna eat?" she whispered shyly.
Johnson's body stiffened instantly. He snapped awake, consciousness flooding him as he quickly withdrew his hands. Sitting upright in a rush, his face burned with embarrassment.
"I'm sorry, Miss Joyce," he said hurriedly, turning his gaze away, unable to face her.
Joyce chuckled softly, covering her mouth with her hand. "Hahaha, you're funny, John." Then her eyes softened. "But really, how are you feeling? You're not too hungry, are you?"
Johnson kept his head low, the heat still on his cheeks. "How long?"
Joyce tilted her head in confusion. "How long what?"
"How long was I out? And… how are you feeling? You didn't overstrain yourself, did you?" Johnson asked at last, finally glancing at her.
Joyce sighed, resting her hands on her lap. "Well, you passed out completely frozen during training. I had to carry you here and treat you. You need to remove your suit, you might still have frostbite all over your body. Your blood froze to absolute zero, John… I had to use my powers to keep you warm. I can't control temperature perfectly, but I did what I could. I nursed you back to health."
Johnson's eyes widened slightly as her words sank in. "I see… then you must be very exhausted." Slowly, he bowed deeply, his spine cracking as he bent forward. "Thank you very much for saving me and training me. I must repay you for your kindness… for doing something for someone as worthless as I am." His voice shook, his face hidden as he looked down.
Joyce's heart skipped. She stared at him in disbelief. Why is he so hard on himself? Why is he always trying to carry such a heavy burden? Why can't he see… that I actually like him… She rose and stepped to his side, gently tapping his shoulder.
"You don't have to be so modest. You grew faster than you were last time. Now, you just need to learn to adapt and endure next time. That said, you must be hungry." She stood and returned moments later with a plate of chicken, noodles, and burgers.
"Johnny," she said firmly, "you need to remove your clothes. I have to treat you."
Johnson clenched his fists in silence. Why is she doing all this for me? She looked terrifying during training. I nearly died just trying to keep up with her. For what? Because I am too weak? His heart burned with a renewed vow. I must become stronger.
He closed his eyes, speaking inwardly. "What's my status, Jake?"
Jake's voice echoed in his mind. Checking status… it'll take some time, John. Should I retract the suit?
"Yes," Johnson replied firmly.
The suit dissolved into his watch, leaving him in only a pair of shorts. His body appeared lean yet muscular, his frame resembling that of a seventeen-year-old, tall and striking. His toned muscles glistened faintly with frostbite scars. His body shuddered as exhaustion overwhelmed him, and he nearly collapsed.
Joyce rushed forward, catching him before he could fall. She guided him carefully to sit against the bed's headboard. "You need to rest, John. We can continue training tomorrow."
"I'm fine," he answered with a smug grin, though his voice was weak. "But… how are you, Joyce?" he asked again, calmer this time.
Her lips trembled as she frowned. "I'm not so good. I overused my abilities just to make you stop, but you kept pushing forward. Do you want to kill yourself, Johnson? Why didn't you stop when I turned the entire desert into ice?" Her voice cracked with frustration.
Johnson blinked, surprised by the depth of her worry. Joyce's hand trembled as she patted his cheek and locked eyes with him.
"Try to think about yourself for once. I was worried about you… idiot." She pouted and turned away.
Johnson lowered his head. "I don't deserve your kindness, Joyce. If anything, I should be telling you to take care of yourself, to value yourself more. How long… how long was I out?" His tone was fragile.
Joyce's eyes softened. "Four hours, John. And during all that time, I was using my powers just to keep your heart beating because your body was frozen." She leaned in, her hands glowing with red light as she touched his chest. Warmth seeped into him as she pressed a cloth soaked in hot water to his frostbitten skin, massaging gently.
"Ouch…" Johnson hissed, wincing at the sting. "Why… why are you doing this?"
"Because you're my friend," Joyce said simply. "And I can't stand seeing my friends hurt. I'm sorry I was too hard on you earlier during training." Her healing aura spread, regenerating his living tissues, erasing burns along his chest and back.
Johnson's eyes widened. He turned his head away, his cheeks heating up again. "I… I am your friend?" he whispered.
"Yeah," Joyce replied softly, twisting a strand of her hair. "You're my friend. And… I really like you, John. But you'll never see that if you can't even like yourself." Her expression dimmed with sadness. She reached toward his thighs. "You have some burns here too… don't you need treatment there as well?"
Johnson froze, conflicted. "I am your friend? I'm surprised I could make a friend at all. You like me? Why? There's nothing special about me. I'm not that handsome… not rich…" He shook his head. "You can treat me if you want, but… I don't deserve it."
Joyce's brows furrowed, her anger rising. "You keep saying you don't deserve happiness, you don't deserve kindness, you don't deserve anything! Then what do you think you deserve?" She pinched his thigh sharply.
"Ouch, ouch!" Johnson hissed, but laughter broke through his pain. "What? I'm just stating the obvious. I can't be loved by anyone. I know it. I deserve all the hate in the world. I was born to suffer." His voice grew heavy, carrying old wounds. "Everyone who cares about me… never stays for long. Because I'm a piece of trash."
Joyce's heart ached. "You don't mean that, John… Come on, you should eat. I prepared your favorite noodles."
The scent instantly drew him in. Johnson grabbed the plate and began devouring it eagerly.
"Mmmmmm… the texture, the length, the sweetness, the smoothness of this pasta… It's amazing. On top of that, it's so tasty," he muttered between bites, his thoughts full of wonder.
Joyce leaned closer, watching him with expectation. "So… how is it?"
"It's delicious!" Johnson replied without hesitation, his face glowing with genuine joy. "I've never tasted anything this good. You should try some!" He offered her a bite.
A small smile tugged at her lips as she joined him. Together, they shared the meal.
"I'm glad you like it," Joyce admitted softly. "I've never given food to anyone like this before." She sipped some water, her voice low.
Johnson blinked. "What about James? Didn't you ever give him food? And where did those beasts chasing me even come from?"
Joyce's expression turned distant, her eyes clouded. "James and I… had a complicated relationship."
Johnson leaned forward, curiosity burning in his gaze. "How so?"
"I liked James, but… our relationship was never perfect. We argued about many things. He only came to me when he wanted money, or when he wanted to show me off to his friends. James was nice sometimes, but I didn't really like him." Her voice was tinged with sorrow.
Johnson's brows furrowed in concern. "Why didn't you like him? Did he… assault you?"
Joyce quickly looked away. "Well…" She hesitated. "If I tell you… will you stop hating yourself?" She pouted slightly.
Johnson's tone grew somber. "I'll try to accept myself… but I can't love myself. I don't even know what love is."
He finished the last bite of food, then met her eyes again. "I don't know what love feels like. I love everything else, but I myself have never experienced love. That's why I don't think I can ever be loved by anybody… unless they gain something from me." He let out a soft chuckle. "By the way… you should take off your suit. You might be hot under it." He teased lightly.
"Huh? Take them off? Idiot!" Joyce's face reddened as she puffed her cheeks, flying into the other room. She tried on ten different sets of nightwear before finally settling.
You should take off your clothes, you might be hot under it… His words echoed in her mind. Her heart raced. Why did he say that? If it were James, he would have already tried to take advantage of me. But John… he thought of me instead of himself. What did he mean?
She scolded herself softly. "Remove those impure thoughts. Stay calm. It's not going to be weird."
Finally, Joyce returned, wearing a revealing lingerie set that showed off her bust.
Johnson coughed, almost choking at the sight. "Ahem." He forced himself to speak. "I'd love to thank you for the beautiful spectacle before me but…" He quickly grabbed a cloak nearby and draped it over her shoulders.