Snack Attack

Posted on Fri Feb 23rd, 2024 @ 9:52am by Connor Bruin & Bliss Hawkins
Edited on on Fri Feb 23rd, 2024 @ 9:52am

5,043 words; about a 25 minute read

Mission: Episode 4: The Savage ConneXion
Location: Kitchen | X-Mansion
Timeline: August 25th, 1990

Sounds of crackling paper and plastic echoed through the kitchen. Connor had spent the last day down in the infirmary. Restlessness had overtaken any soreness that remained from his nearly life-threatening injuries. Thanks to Jade and the not-so-terrestrial medical technology in the subbasement, he was already back on his feet. Tonight he was rummaging through the pantry in search of snacks but so far he wasn't finding much that tickled his fancy. Potato chips? Too salty. Barbecue chips? Too smoky. Beef jerky? Too chewy. Salted peanuts? He wasn't an elephant. Nothing sounded good and Connor was getting a little impatient. A few items made their way to the countertop behind him as he started tossing them over his shoulder.

Connor probably sensed Bliss before her arrival. Her distinctive scent had some additional overlays, but her walking cadence was unchanged. She called out from around the corner with curiosity.
"Connor, are you in there? If you are, close your eyes I have something for you to see that's a surprise."

At first Connor thought he had been discovered in mid larceny. The sound of Bliss's voice was a relief in more ways than one. And she had a surprise? It could be anything. Food. Kisses. Dancing. An electron microscope. Bliss always had the best surprises for him. Connor backed out of the pantry with his eyes closed and blindly groped his way through the kitchen toward the direction of her voice. A smile was spread wide across his face.

Bliss chuckled as she did her best to avoid Connor's groping hands. Normally she would love that but at the moment she was focused on something else besides sexy times.
"Ok, stay there and I'll come to you."

She moved closer and took his hands in hers.
"Ok, so I'm trying something new, something different. And I'm going to see what you think. So when you're ready, open your eyes and tell me your first impression."

When Connor opened his eyes, he saw that she looked older and more adult. Her lips were more crimson than her cherry lip Baum. Her emerald eyes seemed to have been highlighted with coloring. Even her eyebrows had been shaped. It was definitely still Bliss, but a more refined Bliss.

Her expression was one of curious anticipation. She bit her lower lip in nervousness.

At first Connor pulled his hands from hers and pressed his forefingers against his eyes. His face turned askance as he studied her with a sidelong stare with his eyes pressed in. After taking in the sight of her, Connor bent his brow in concentration. His fingers went to the side of her head, first fondling her ears before tracing the edge of her jawline down to her chin. His gaze broke from hers and focused on his tactile contact. The thumb of one hand pressed upward over her chin to just below her bottom lip, followed by the other hand which hovered just over her forehead. After feeling her chin bone, the first hand came up below the other to create a box frame that veiled everything except her eyes.

Only then did he blink as though he recognized her. Connor grinned wide, taking every facet of her new look in all at once. His hand pulled back to his own face, fully open with his fingers straight up and his thumb pointing to his chin. He moved it in a circle while bringing his hand together to form an O-shape. His mouth made a similar form. <. Beautiful .>

Bliss's face lit up in a big smile, and she signed her thanks before taking her fingers through his red hair tenderly.
"Kennedy is going to teach me how to do this myself, so I might be able to do it on my own without looking like a clown without a circus."

"Is it better, or just different? Don't tell anyone, but I just want to look nice for you. I don't want you to get a big ego because of that. Ok?"

Connor considered her question and shook his head. <. Neither. Not better or different. Same but enhanced. Like when you are in bright sun or soaking wet but all at once. .>

After answering her question, he began pondering her statement. Was there a direct relation between her beauty and his head size? His hands began checking the dimensions of his skull with a quick series of pats here and there. <. Your new look hasn't made my head bigger. .>

A sudden realization came over his face. It occurred to him that perhaps she was making a coy euphemism for...something else. He closed his eyes and grinned through blushing cheeks. <. Now I understand. .>

Bliss's excited expression became confusion. She turned her head sideways and looked at Connor much like a dog trying to figure out algebra.
"Now I don't understand "

That gave Connor pause long enough for the blushing to fade from his cheeks. Maybe it was all a big misunderstanding? He decided to try plain, blunt honesty. <. My head is normal sized and you look like a movie star. .>

Bliss smiled warmly and kissed his cheek,. "Which movie star? Mel Gibson or Bruce Willis?"

After thinking for a moment, Connor couldn't place either name. He shrugged. <. Whichever one is prettier. .> He took her by the shoulders and squared up in order to give her another solid look, then turned his head away with eyes closed. <. You are very stunning. Now I see your face even stronger when I look away like a retinal burn. .> Connor looked back at her with his peripheral vision and a broad grin. She was so beautiful it nearly overwhelmed his senses.

Bliss was still smiling, but her eyes exposed her confusion. "Retinal burn? That doesn't sound good. Are you saying it's painful for you to look at me? "

That was so silly it made Connor giggle. <. No to pain, yes to after image. .> His giggling was like the revs of an engine. If it kept up, he might not be able to stop. <. You're funny. .>

"No, you!" she giggled. Bliss threw her arms around Connor and hugged him close. She saw the evidence of his search on the table behind her. "Would you like for me to make you a snack? I'm sure I can't make a milkshake as good as the one down at Shecky's , but maybe I could whip something up if you like."

The sucker hug she launched on him made Connor grunt, but he quickly returned it. Bliss felt hard and soft in his arms all at once. It was a pleasant combination. Once she mentioned the milkshake, though, Connor's mind became focused on one thing. Eyes wide, he nodded vigorously, sending his red tufts bouncing.

"Well alright then. I'm going to need milk, chocolate ice cream, a mixing bowl and a large beverage glass. You may want to get a pitcher, I'll make more than enough for you."

Bliss sat down at the table and watched Connor scurry about with an amused expression.

Milk and ice cream weren't a problem. Connor grabbed them from the refrigerator and overhead freezer and set them on the counter. The mixing bowl and pitcher were in a cabinet, so he jumped to the ceiling and pitched his feet against the opposite cabinet while he rummaged. After finding what he was looking for, he tossed them into the air, dropped to the floor in a squat, and caught the two items before they smashed on the ground. He set them next to the milk and ice cream. Tall glasses were last and Connor knew they were in the low cabinet. One hand reached for one glass and then another, flinging each in turn behind his head. With his other hand stretched behind him, Connor caught each in turn and set them down side by side near the other objects.

<. Done. .> When Connor looked bad at Bliss, he didn't look particularly impressed with himself. He'd just been in a hurry and that led to an abundance of energy. <. Anything else?.>

"Nope, just have a seat and tell me how was your day."

Bliss began the process, spooning ice cream into the mixing bowl. Next was the milk. She had grabbed a mixing spoon earlier. She began to stir it with more than enough force to mix it better than an industrial blender. She stopped and offered him a spoonful for a taste test.

While Connor could have offered up a couple anecdotes, he was soon transfixed by her handiwork. He sampled the mixing spoon at his mouth. It was good!

Connor's brow shot up. "Yeah! Yeah, yeah!" Good enough that he managed a verbal affirmative.

Bliss's face lit up with his words, accepting them as More than just praise for her mixology. She loved that he was becoming more verbal with the increased sensory input. She tasted it herself and mulled for a moment.
"See if you can locate some chocolate syrup, preferably Hershey's. Needs just a little bit more oomph in it."

The mention of Hershey's chocolate syrup made Connor perk up even more. He'd seen a bottle in the pantry. His dash to the pantry ended with a single arm hand plant while he grabbed the chocolate syrup. After an upside down pirouette, he reversed course in a mad dash back to Bliss. He skidded to a halt inches in front her, chocolate syrup in hand.

Bliss never tired of Connor's casual calisthenics. She grinned at him and motioned for the mixing bowl. "Ok, pop the lid so the syrup can drip out. I want you to carefully squeeze out the syrup. Don't worry about making a mistake, we'll start with drips and we'll go from there."

Bliss began the blending again, watching the syrup swirl in the bowl.
"Hey, could I ask you for a favor? My roommate, Kennedy? She's having rough times adjusting, this is all new for her. She's only discovered all of this mutant stuff in the last few weeks, and her family was anti-mutant to put it mildly. Could you watch out for her, please? She is an absolute sweetheart, and she doesn't deserve any of this mess. Then again none of us really do. She's just taking it all hard. I thought maybe we could go into town and show her the sights? You know all two of them. Get her hamburger and a malt down at Shecky's, maybe see a movie or go to the video arcade."

All of that sounded awful for Kennedy but fun for them. After he thought it over, he nodded and signed, <. Kennedy is nice. I carried her luggage when she arrived. Bobby gave her an ice flower. She can come with us into town. That sounds like a good time and she can help keep us out of trouble. .> Then he gave her the same impish smile she so often flashed him.

The two of them had gotten physical a few times, particularly on their first and only date, and decided to put the brakes on it. As amazing as it had been, it seemed best for them to have fun together in other ways. The mansion didn't need any more pregnancies.

Bliss swatted him playfully. She was enjoying his developing sense of humor. "Yeah, you're probably right, she seems to be the more sensible of the three of us."

Her swat reminded Connor of an idea he had earlier. He began signing rapidly, his hands and face full of enthusiasm. <. I know you do not feel prepared to arm wrestle safely but I thought of something almost as good. Remember when we wrestled over that Scotch bottle and you stiff armed me? I was unharmed. You could do that again while I try to move you backwards and we can see who wins. .>

Bliss nodded with his signing, following along on his meaning. She gave him an impish smile as she put the syrup aside. She began to carefully fill the tall glasses from the bowl.
"Tell you what, kid. You've been asking, and I'm going to Grant your wish. It'll be like tug of war. I'm down for it if you are. "

"Yeah, yeah!" Connor pumped the air with his fist and then clapped repeatedly in excitement. He loved to wrestle but so few people were willing. That seemed weird to him.

Setting one leg forward and bent at the knee, Connor put in his game face though not without showing an ecstatic grin. He took her hand and placed it against his chest. <. Ready. .>

Bliss began to lick the remnants of the ice cream from mixing spoon with her free hand with a casual smile. She spread her hand against his chest while anchoring herself to the floor of the kitchen. She was being careful, she didn't want to accidentally hurt Connor in any way.
"Ready. "

Whatever readiness Connor had was put on pause until Bliss had licked the mixing spoon clean. His eyes slowly but firmly bulged out from his head. Once the spoon was free from ice cream, Connor remembered Bliss's hand was still resting on him; his heartbeat was reflecting off it back into his chest. Blinking himself back to the moment, he gave Bliss a wide grin and set himself to push against her stiff-arm again.

He held up his hand and silently counted down from three with his fingers. Three... two... one.

And then he pushed. At first, nothing happened. It was like Connor let out a grunt for no reason. Connor grit his teeth and tried again. He pushed his full weight against her but Bliss didn't budge a millimeter. Redoubling his efforts, Connor dropped his weight and pushed with his powerful quads. His face turned nearly as red as his hair, his nostrils flaring from the effort. All he accomplished was a small pop from his sternum as it protested the strain.

At last he relented and backed up. He backed off a couple steps and gave his chest a rub. It didn't hurt really. Only tingled. Curious, he pulled up his shirt and saw a handprint right between his pecs. The sight of it made him look at Bliss and start giggling.
<. OK you win. .>
Normally Connor was very competitive, but at the moment his face was lit up like the Fourth of July with pure glee.

Bliss knew she was strong, but being unbudged by the best efforts of Connor made her smile. She knew he did his best and she didn't move at all. Her grain faded when he lifted his shirt and she saw her handprint in pink against his skin not that far from his healing lacerations.

Her touch now tender rather than firm, she gently caressed the pink skin. Her eyes looked worried and troubled.
"I didn't hurt you did I?"

"Nuh, nuh." Connor emphatically shook his head. <. You are amazing. .> He rubbed her handprint on his chest with pride. <. Will it be permanent?.> There was a hopeful look to his face when he posed the question.

Bliss shook her head quickly enough to make her styled hair move.
"No... It might not even bruise."

Connor almost looked deflated at first, but he shrugged and accepted that.

She continued to caress his chest tenderly. Just touching him spurred memories of their times together. They may still not have done the deed, but the temptation was always present in the back of her mind. Her breathing got deeper.
"I think about you when we're not together," she whispered. "Sometimes I even dream about you. "

Cheeks flushing red, Connor could only nod and agree at first. The caresses against his chest felt nice and soothing. <. You headline my dreams like a movie star because I cannot put you out of my mind. .>

Bliss's own cheeks pinked with his words.
"And then that means we're both just crazy for the other. Scott warned me not to hurt you, like I would spoil such an innocent soul. I understand why he was worried. I'm not the angel people want to see ending up with you, the kindred spirit. And I have an appreciation for you and all of your parts. I just want you to be happy and whole. If I can help you with that the rest is gravy."

That revelation set Connor back on his heels. <. What did Scott tell you? He never said anything to me about being worried. .> Her angel reference set his mind thinking back to what he'd read about them. <. According to myth, angels were so beautiful they were terrifying and anyone who saw one was scared for their life. You are even more beautiful inside than outside. If angels were to exist, you would definitely be one. .>

Bliss sighed and sat on the kitchen counter, pushing the hair out of her eyes.
"I'm not so scary. Scott didn't want me to hurt you by being too casual physically. He thought I'd corrupt you and move on to my next victim. Clearly he's not a very good judge of character given his current predicaments. "

"I'm no angel, or if I am, my halo is tarnished brass with some dents and scrapes that won't buff out. But in your eyes, I'm flawless. I'm probably somewhere in the middle on that spectrum. "

Those metaphors would keep Connor's mind occupied well into the night. He already knew better than to argue with Bliss about herself. It just wasn't possible for herself to see what he did. That was acceptable to him. <. Nothing wrong with my eyes, .> he signed to her with a shit-eating grin. Then he took the milkshakes she'd made and offered one to her while keeping the other for himself. The ice cream had started melting a little, giving the glasses a faint slosh, but overall they looked delicious.

Bliss smiled in that way that Connor seemed to think was just for him. She touched her tall glass with a soft clink.
"Here's looking at you, kid." Bliss took a pull on her straw, and she mewled with approval. "Not bad at all."

She ran her fingers through his ruddy hair affectionately.
"I'll do my best to never disappoint you. I want to be that person you see in me, the one nobody else can see. You're just going to have enough faith for the two of us."

While Bliss was more dainty in her tasting, Connor let Bliss run her fingers through his hair while he turned his glass upside down and chugged it like a snake swallowing a hamster. He set the empty glass aside and smiled at her through his milk mustache until a loud burp made his eyes cross for a second. "Ooof..."

<. Perhaps that wasn't a good idea. .> His signing was sluggish while a woozy expression came over his face. Then he grimaced and grabbed the back of his head. "Owww..."

Bliss winced with commiserating sympathy.
"ice cream headache? "

With the recklessness of youth, she put both hands on his head and rubbed gently. She focused her attention on making his pain better. Either that or a major stroke.

The contact made Connor start to giggle. "Tickuh... tickuh..." He made the sign for tickling. They had already established that Connor was ticklish as hell.

"Just focus on making the hurt stop. Is this helping?"

Connor's eyes began to bulge wide in surprise. His head slowly nodded in acknowledgement. He made the sign for "gone" and broke into a grin. His bulky arms swept Bliss off her feet and spun her around the kitchen. "Go-go! Go-go!" Somehow she had made his sharpshooting ice cream headache go away and he couldn't be more grateful.

Bliss held onto Connor and laughed as she was spun about the kitchen.
"I don't know if I had anything to do with it getting better. But I'm always glad to help."

She ran her palm over his head from scalp to nape.
"Just don't drink all your milkshake in one gulp. Appreciate the finer things in life, like me. Enjoy and savor.... "
She playfully rained soft kisses over his forehead.
"There... baby's all better."

"S-s-sav..." Connor tried so hard to repeat the word but fell just short. He held Bliss closer to him and returned her kisses along her neckline. Everything about her made him feel so good. Her kind words, her delicious treats, her warm kisses, now somehow she even took his pain away. Forget Warren. Bliss was the real angel. "Lo-lo-lo..." he whispered.

Bliss bit her lip as Connor kissed along her neckline, her arms wrapped around his burly shoulders. She had done everything she could to keep herself on the straight and narrow.
"What are you trying to say, sweetie? "

They had both been so good. But Connor couldn't forget the litany of naughty things Bliss had whispered to him on the Blackbird. In answer to her question, he sensually licked her neck and nipped at her ear lobe.

Bliss shivered when Connor began to tease her neck, and she rubbed herself against him.
"You got some new tricks baby...."

Well, she had put ideas into his head and given him time to think. What had she expected? Connor's hands slid down the scant few inches from the small of her back to her ass and gripped in just the way she liked it. With eyes closed, Connor was operating almost entirely by touch now, both receiving and expressing tactilely.

Bliss mewled with Connor's strong hands gripping her tush. She lifted herself up into him to wrap her legs around his waist. She leaned in and kissed him hungrily. She held onto his face with gentle hands even as her kisses deepened.

The way Bliss clung to Connor made his quads and gluts flex as he absorbed her full weight on and into himself. Her kisses found his mouth again, at which point he spread his lips and offered her his tongue as before on their date. It was so sensual to him that he became lost in her touch, like the sun at noon on a clear day or the chill of cold water that made him oblivious to all else. For all the multidimensional aspects of his mind, Connor could think of nothing else but the next directional motion of their wrestling tongues.

Bliss's hands smoothed over Connor. She relished every swipe of her fingers over his face, the grip of her thighs around his strong hips. The emotional and physical closeness inspired a emboldened extension of her ability. Her hands were accounted for. But he could feel something new, something more enveloping him beyond her arms and legs. It was as if he could feel her affections flow over him, as if she were shrouding the entirety of him within her loving warmth.

The flood of affection swept over Connor like a breaking wave that crashed over him. His legs slowly gave way, sending him drifting slowly to the kitchen floor like a melting snowman. Though he landed with a thud, Connor barely felt it. He kept Bliss pulled close to him as if to absorb her body into his if possible. He grunted on impact but his smile never faltered. If anything, the crash only amplified his passion and the love he was literally soaking in from Bliss.

Bliss sat up and rolled away from Connor to lean back against the stainless steel fridge. She pushed her hair out of her face and blew out a breath.
"I need a cigarette."

<. You quit smoking. .> Connor reminded her as he sat up too.

"Yeah....about that."
Bliss looked up to Connor.
"Mark Twain said that quitting smoking was the easiest thing in the world, and he knew because he had quit thousands of times."

At first Connor just furrowed his brow at Bliss, but realization dawned on him soon enough. He held out his palm and beckoned for her to hand it over.

"No."
Connor had not seen Bliss petulant before. But she was embarrassed by her lack of willpower on this subject.

<. Please. .> Connor's face turned sullen. One hand remained outstretched while the other rubbed a circle on his chest in the continued plea. <. Please. .>

Bliss stood up and dusted herself off. She would not look at Connor.
"I don't have anything on me. I'm not stupid, that would only make it harder for me."

Connor stood up and walked over to her. He needed her to see him, so he raised her chin. <. I smoke now too. I quit when you quit. That is the deal. .>

"Fine, I quit."
With that, Bliss stalked out of the kitchen, pausing to grab her milkshake. Her face was a dark cloud of annoyed anger.

"Hm..." Connor hummed to himself in thought. Was it really as simple as that? Time would tell. He shrugged and went back to the pantry in search of something salty after his sweet milkshake. But then he recalled that Bliss said quitting was easy. What if she quit and then started again?

Closing the pantry door, Connor hurried after Bliss's stalking steps to see if where she was going. His steps fell pretty softly for a big guy but he still wasn't exactly quiet. After reaching the end of the hall, he had to listen for wherever she might've went.

Bliss was stalking towards the dorm area, specifically the ladies section. She was steaming mad, mad at herself and mad at Connor for pushing on this. She didn't want the milkshake now, so she was going to give it to Kennedy.

All it took was a long jump from the floor to leap from the bottom of the bannister to the top, bypassing the landing altogether. Connor landed a few steps in front of Bliss. <. Why are you mad? .> His face was neutral in the way when he was people watching.

Bliss slowed down but didn't stop. She looked very cross.
"I don't like someone trying to control me. If I want to start something, or quit something, I'm not going to be blackmailed or held hostage because of a threat someone makes, especially someone who is supposed to care about me."

"N-nuh." Connor furrowed his brow and began signing. <. I would never threaten you. If you smoke, then I will smoke so we do it together. Why do you call that a hostage situation?.>

Bliss grabbed two fistfuls of her own hair and forced herself to calm down a little.
"Cuz I know it's bad for me. It's bad for you too. And by saying I'm going to start smoking to make you stop? That's about as open a threat as you can make to me. You're basically holding yourself hostage."

That made no sense to Connor and his face expressed as much.

"Look if I were to tell you that I'm going to cut into my skin with a knife until you promised to never go to the library again. How would that make you feel? "

Connor's eyes darted sideways in thought. <. Would I be cutting myself as well in that situation?.> He skipped the confusing comparison and just went straight for honesty. <. The point is to be together. If you like smoking as much as I like reading, then I want to share it with you no matter what it might cost me. .>

Bliss just stared at Connor for a long pause. Connor can see the gears turning behind her green eyes.
"I smoke because it relieves stress. It is also horribly bad for me. You trying to get me to stop adds to my stress. I don't want you to do something that's bad for you in order to try to get me to stop something that I know is bad for me. This is not about spending time together. We can't spend every moment together. And if you wanted to do something that's bad that's your choice not mine. I don't have control over you just like you don't have control over me."

Tilting his head from left to right, Connor asked, <. Then why are you trying to get me not to do it? Drinking alcohol allows me to access the speech center of my brain. If smoking relieves stress, then it's worth me trying. Why would you get mad at me for that?.>

"Because it will kill you! Maybe not today, maybe not tomorrow, but it will eventually. "
Bliss walked towards the entrance to the women side of the dorm.
"I'm going to bed. You can research smoking and tell me why it's bad for you. It's better not to start at all. I don't have that choice anymore. "

Connor took her by the hand and turned her back around so she could see what he said next. <. You chose me. You said I helped your craving. Now I choose you even if cigarettes are part of the package. If I die, I die. There is only one life and only one you. I want those things to be together. .>

Bliss looked at Connor with a sullen expression of exasperated defeat. She hugged him with a sigh.
"Sometimes you drive me crazy, but that won't change how I feel about you."

Hugs from Bliss were like sunrises on crisp midwinter mornings. Connor couldn't help but smile as he wrapped her up in his burly arms. When they parted, he asked, <. Are you still going to bed?.>

Bliss nodded, her frown muted but still present.
"Yeah. I just need to reset myself. I'll be fine tomorrow. Could you clean up our mess in the kitchen, please?"

"O-K." It was something Connor had been able to enunciate for several years now. Before he let her go, he tapped his mouth first and made a request in the form of a pouted lower lip.

Bliss leaned in and turned Connor's face away to kiss his cheek.
"Thanks, you're a doll."
She sighed and ran her fingers through his hair.

Connor grunted at her but couldn't help but smirk anyway. Even if he didn't entirely understand it, he knew she was playing with him. Girls had weird rules. The feel of her fingers in his hair was always nice, though, so he closed his eyes and savored the moment.

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