Amanda | John - Last Sunday Afternoon [Backdated]

[x-pyromania.livejournal.com]

'A friend is one who takes you to lunch even if you're not tax deductible.' -Anon-

It was a quarter after twelve and John was early. He'd opted to dress in a smart casual manner; dark blue jeans and a black jacket over a white t-shirt. He held his coat in his hand. Tossing his cigarette out through an opened window, he knocked on Amanda's door and waited.

"Just a sec!" came Amanda's voice through the door, followed shortly by the witch herself, towelling her damp hair. "Oh bollocks, I'm not running late, am I?" she said on seeing John. "Come in. I'll just be a mo' - need to get this lot dry so it doesn't freeze solid out there."

He grinned. "Well, if you need some help with that." He flicked at his lighter producing a small flame. "Don't worry about it. I'm early." John stepped inside and surveyed the place with a quick glance around.

"Thanks, but I'll pass. I'm trying to avoid the singed rat look," she replied, poking her tongue out at him. "I had a training session in the Danger Gym with Wanda - funny how time flies when you're getting your arse handed to you." Her apartment was, as always, part office, with piles of books and files on almost every flat surface and a lingering smell of cigarette smoke.

The sight of the books and smell of cigarette smoke made him feel right at home. John lifted an ashtray from on top a pile of books, slipped a cigarette between his lips and went over to the couch. "So what do you feel like eating?"

"If I say 'food', will it get something thrown at me?" Amanda replied, emerging out from under the towel to grin. Her hair stuck up in all directions. "There's an all you can eat Chinese place not far from here, if you like. Good food, better price." She disappeared into her room, reemerginig wth a hair dryer in one hand. "How's the new place going?" she asked as she went to the kitchen and unplugged the toaster to plug the dryer in instead.

"Well, we're still trying to negotiate a deal. Angelo's working on that." They had found themselves a decent loft in the city but the rent was a bit high. John watched as Amanda attempted to get her hair into order. It was a messy affair.

"He's dating again."

The hairbrush paused in mid-movement - Amanda's face was obscured by her hair so John couldn't actually see her expression. Then she continued, asking in quite a normal voice: "Anyone I know?"

"I'm not sure." He had turned the television on and was flipping through the channels. "You acquainted with his childhood sweetheart?"

"Alejandra," Amanda supplied, flipping her hair back and continuing to dry it. She might have wrinkled her nose a little. "Makes sense - you know what they say about never really getting over your first love. Sounds like he's hoping to get a do-over."

"Doubt it's anything like that." John had lowered the volume on the television but kept his focus on the screen. "I still don't get why you two ever called it quits."

"It wasn't working," Amanda replied. "I mean, we're good mates still and all, but as a couple? we're going off in two different directions and it was getting pretty obvious that we just couldn't find the time to be with each other. We tried to fix it a few times, but it just didn't work." She switched the dryer off and bundled her hair into a ponytail, tying it with the hair elastic she'd been wearing on her wrist. "No big deal, honest."

"Alright." John threw her a glance and managed a smile. "If you say so." He stood up and reached for her jacket, offering to help her into it before he took hold of his own. "I'm just glad you're both still friends. Would be a little fucking awkward otherwise."

"Probably," she agreed, sliding her arms into her jacket as he helped her with it. "I mean, it'd be a pain in the arse if you felt you had to ask before hanging out with me or something."

"Yeah. If we were a bunch of sixteen year olds, maybe." John shook his head, a rueful smile on his face. "Thank god, barring myself, you're both such adults."

"You do remember you're older than me, right?" the witch teased as John shrugged into his own coat. "A whole three years, even. Wait, is that a grey hair I see?" She plucked playfully at his head while his arms were occupied.

He ducked and moved his head away, laughing. "Yeah, funny." John opened the door and pushed Amanda out by her shoulder. "And here I thought I'd treat you to lunch..."

She batted her eyelashes at him playfully. "What if I say I'm sorry and make with the cute?"

He arched his brow. "I'd say try harder." He grinned and slid down the banister, headed for the front door. "Come on, Mandy! I'll race you." Yes, John was very mature.

"Oh, yeah?" Amanda paused and closed her door, before concentrating briefly. Let's hope I can steer this proper... The floor swallowed her up and moments later she was reappearing on the outside steps of the brownstone, a shit-eating grin on her face as he opened the front door and barrelled out. "Boo. I win."

The look of surprise was evident on John's face.

"Goddamn cheater," he muttered before walking on ahead. "That's double the blow to my ego by the way. You're buying."

"Aren't you going to ask me how I did it?" she teased, falling into step next to him. "And your ego is pretty healthy, it'll survive."

"I'm all ears if you're using that magic of yours to rob a bank in your spare time. Otherwise--" He faked a yawn.

"Well, I probably could..." she began thoughtfully. "But only if it was an evil bank. With evil money being used for evil purposes."

"Easy then." He grinned. "Money breeds corruption. Corruption breeds evil. Now when do we start?"