Pairing: John/Kelly
Title: Poker Night
John moved into the recreational room of the Spartan Building. It wasn't used often, since the Spartans found that training was a better use of time than sitting around. There was a ping-pong table to one side and a TV set up if they wanted to watch the news. There were chairs and tables where the Spartans held a monthly poker game. They often bet for things like duties, war trophies, credits, and occasionally favors. John hadn't competed in the games yet. He'd only been observing at the last event. He'd studied the game though, and felt he'd gotten good.
He spotted the person he was looking for at one of the tables. She was playing a game of solitaire, seeming to be rather bored with the game. John moved over and sat down in the seat across from her. "Hello, Bunny."
Kelly groaned. "Stop talking to Gabriel. You're starting to talk like him."
"I like the nickname. It suits you. You were always our rabbit and bunny is just a nicer way of saying rabbit." John glanced down at the game she was playing. "Winning?"
"It's a game for the lonely. You don't really win." Kelly looked down at the cards. John frowned as the sad look settled on her face. He knew she'd been feeling alone since she'd broken up with Fred.
"Well, maybe I can keep you company. Make it so you aren't so alone." Kelly looked at him, surprised. "I actually came here looking for you."
"It's taken you long enough to make a move," Kelly grumbled.
"Well, I'm not really making a move." Kelly raised an eyebrow at him. "I was hoping you'd play me in some one-on-one poker. Want some real practice before I go against a full table of pros."
Kelly gathered up the cards. "More fun than this." She collected the cards in a single stack. "You know the rules of betting?" John nodded. Kelly shuffled the cards. "Neither of us brought any war trophies and we don't have the means to bet credits so duties and favors it is."
Kelly dealt out the cards and John stared down at the red and black. He was sure to keep his face neutral. He looked over and saw Kelly relax in her chair. She looked up and smiled at him. It didn't give anything away. He'd seen her at the last game. She was always smiling. She just enjoyed the game.
Kelly frowned a bit. "I'll start by betting guard duty with Private Jaron next Tuesday."
"You don't like him?" John raised an eyebrow and leaned a bit toward her.
"He's a bit perverted for me. Gets on my nerves. Nothing over the line, just doesn't get that I'm not interested. Doesn't help that I'm single." Kelly shrugged. She didn't have anything personal against the guy. She was just tired of being hit on.
"All right. I bet working the armory with Corporal Baron. The guy acts like I'm a celebrity. I'm tired of him asking questions." John didn't mind people being fans from a distance, but the Corporal wanted to talk about his achievements all the time.
Cards were swapped out and John set his hand down. "A pair with ace high."
Kelly grinned and placed her hand down. "Three of a kind."
John looked down at the cards and shrugged. "I'm sure that Jaron will be heartbroken. Any man would be if they were missing out on spending time with you."
Kelly gathered up the cards again. "Would you just make a move? You've been flirting for the past week and I've been perfectly clear." She dealt out the cards and raised her hand of cards.
John looked down at his cards. He looked back up at Kelly and made a decision. "All right, if that is what you want. We'll make a bet of favors. If I win, I get a kiss, from you."
Kelly didn't hide her surprise. She didn't think he'd be that forward after taking it so slow. "And what if I win?"
"What do you want?" John leaned back in his chair.
Kelly thought about that for a few seconds before she replied. "If I win you have to say it. I want to hear you say it." Kelly locked eyes with him and John fully understood what she was asking. He nodded. Kelly relaxed a bit and they swapped out their cards.
The two Spartans sat staring at each other. Kelly finally placed down her cards. "Four of a kind."
John nodded and set his hand down, face down. "I guess my luck wasn't with me." He stood up and moved around the table. He pulled a chair over and sat down beside her. Kelly turned in her chair toward him. His hand reached out and took one of hers, holding it carefully. He took a deep breath and looked up into her eyes. "Kelly…" She looked down at the table, seeming to believe that he was never going to say it. The look of disappointment in her eyes cut him like a knife. He squeezed her hand and she looked back to him. He swallowed all the fear and worry that were keeping the words from his mouth. "Kelly, I love you. I have for…since it all started. I just…was afraid to tell you."
Kelly frowned for a moment. "I don't like the thought of you being afraid, though it might help to keep you in fear of me." She reached over and with an easy action forced them all to flip. She stared at the cards then looked at John. "Why did you lie? You have a royal flush."
John shook his head. "Never said that I didn't win. Only said that my luck wasn't with me." He smiled a bit. "Is it that hard to think I'd want to lose? That I wanted to tell you?"
Kelly smiled and pulled him toward her. "Well you did technically win, so you do deserve your victory." She leaned forward and brought their lips together. John leaned in as they deepened the kiss. John felt her arms wrap around his neck and he leaned back as she moved toward him, settling onto this lap. He wrapped his arms around her waist and pulled her close.
Kelly broke the kiss and looked down at him. "I'm only going to warn you of this once." John frowned in confusion. "If you ever hurt me again, it will be the last time. There won't be any more chances."
John nodded, and rested his head against her shoulder. "I won't hurt you." His arms clung to her. He was just glad to have her back in his arms, holding him back. He was glad to have her love again.