[It takes John a full five seconds to not just see, but register the apology, the peace-making gesture. It takes almost another five to get his hands to drop, and another five to finally draw a deep breath that starts to slow his hammering heart, to get that surge of adrenaline to drop.
And it takes another five for him to be able to break his gaze, to let his eyes screw shut as he blinks hard and scrubs his hands over his face, body and mind finally connecting fully to comprehend the lack of a threat.]
...didn't your parents ever tell you it's not polite to sneak up on people?
[A wan attempt at a quip, but an attempt all the same as John finally moves to close the space he'd created on reflex--give or take a couple paces for personal comfort.]
no subject
And it takes another five for him to be able to break his gaze, to let his eyes screw shut as he blinks hard and scrubs his hands over his face, body and mind finally connecting fully to comprehend the lack of a threat.]
...didn't your parents ever tell you it's not polite to sneak up on people?
[A wan attempt at a quip, but an attempt all the same as John finally moves to close the space he'd created on reflex--give or take a couple paces for personal comfort.]
Sorry. Just...didn't hear you.