xp_logs | MIXTAPE: 'Semi-Charmed Life'

Image by Mackinzie

The sun was starting to set on Coney Island, painting the sky with gold. It was surprisingly not as crowded as it should have been because there had been a recent rainstorm earlier that day. The remaining clouds peeked through the sky with swatches of rose.

Jean glanced over to Garrison as she slipped off her shoes and dug her toes in the sand. The setting sun made her red hair glimmer like fire and lit up her skin. Digging into her purse, she grabbed her phone.

"They say it's the golden hour. I should capture this moment," she said with a grin.

"I love it." They'd shared cotton candy and Nathan's hotdogs. They'd ridden the Ferris Wheel. It was as close to a perfect New York day trying to get out of New York and failing as possible. "Can I keep my shirt on this time?"

Grinning innocently, Jean paused. "Let's try two versions? One shirt on, one shirt off," she said, turning on the camera.

"Smile, handsome."

Kane gave her his best boyish grin as they snuggled together for the shot.

Jean checked the screen and let out a decided nod to herself. “Well, that’s dangerous. Smile like that too much, we’re going to have to fight the other ladies off with a stick," she said with a grin, tucking herself a little closer as she snapped another. She then angled the phone toward him so he could see, watching his reaction.

The breeze carried the smell of saltwater and fried dough, and her gaze drifted toward the boardwalk lights flickering on in the distance. “We should see what else we can get into before it’s dark.”

"Those other ladies are in for disappointment. I like the lady I came here with." He said, turning her by the waist and giving her a deep kiss.

As he did, a plane flew overhead, the contrast of rose and golden sky making the kiss and the moment feel majestic. Jean returned the kiss before nuzzling his nose with hers.

"Aww shucks, Mr. Kane, you know how to make a girl blush," she said.

"OK, the hot red-headed doctor lady with the massive mutant powers wants to date you, you accept that you won the universe and take her home." Kane said with a grin. "Also, those little red panties last night... I mean, I feel like I should send you a thank you note."

Jean stayed in his arms, tilting her head to the side with a slightly coy grin. "I could tell, especially with all the 'oh Gods,'" she said, winking.

"They went perfectly with the velvet dress for that '90s party we got invited to."

"I got called out for my Chuck Taylors! They were cool in the 90s, right?" Kane grinned, kissing her again. "I just... man. Jean, I love this, Just this. If that makes sense."

"Couldn't tell you, I was like...13. My idea of cool was Harrison Ford," Jean mused. She rested her head on Garrison's shoulder.

"It does make sense," she said quietly. "Like...feeling alive?"

"Feeling right." He snuck a second kiss in. "So, the ice cream place is open. Want to share a hot fudge sundae? Or a banana split? My treat."

Jean laced her fingers within his. "Sounds heavenly," she said with a smile, putting her shoes back on.

"Banana split would be great. I haven't been to a proper ice cream shop in ages."

Kane stopped, captured her lower lip and kissed her hard. He smiled as he released her mouth, pulling her along with him. "So, who gets to choose the toppings?"

"I figure it's a partnership," she said, following him down the beach. In the distance, a brusker played a few notes of some original tune on a guitar.

"You pick what you want, I pick what I want. One scoop each, plus toppings, with plain vanilla for the third as a generic buffer. Sound reasonable?"

"Not going to lie. You pick everything and I eat it, but making ridiculous faces because I love you."

Jean tilted her head. "Those are big words," she said, studying his face with a smile. They might have been past that with the whole...resurrection thing, but saying it out loud was still meaningful.

She then laughed. "And I do not pick everything."

"Fair enough. It is a hot fudge sundae." He said, kissing her hands. "Or a banana split?"

Jean smirked. "Which do you want?"

He kissed her again, deeply. "I want both or either. I kinda already won."

Jean’s smile brightened. “That’s dangerously close to happily-ever-after talk,” she said, voice gentler. Her thumb lingered against his knuckles as she met his eyes. “But if you’re winning, then so am I.”

"Hey, I was only discussing ice cream. Anything else is a very very different conversation." Kane said with a lopsided grin. "However, if you need me to put a ring on it, the onion ring cart is right beside the parlor."

Laughing, Jean grinned. "That surprisingly doesn't sound half bad. Not together, of course. Definitely more of a before or after thing."

"I do love a sign of commitment that is deep-fried and tasty." Kane said with a laugh, walking her over to the stands under the setting sun.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

From:

xp_lusized

THey are just SO stinking cute together.

From:

xp_daytripper

THIS. This is what both Jean and Gar deserve after all the drama of the past couple of years. They're so cute I could die!

Also, this song is totally in my head for the rest of the day.

Edited Date: 2025-09-19 01:02 pm (UTC)