[ Johnny doesn't instinctively see it as cruelty, doesn't remember Jack's unkindness -- he's always figured it's a part of him, and has accepted that part of him, too. He's one for quick forgiveness, because he can't imagine begrudging Jack Benjamin a thing, not when Johnny knows that he's so much more than the occasional cruelty, that his gentleness and his kindness shines through all the brighter on the occasion.

He'd just been hurt too much for too long, and he instinctively understands his lover's tendency to even a score Johnny isn't keeping. There is no score, when it comes to Jack. He cares too much to bother with that sort of thing.

Johnny steps into his arms and wraps his own around him, brows still knitted but taming in Jack's embrace, holding him tightly to assure himself that the fear is unrealised, that he's safe and here.

His heart is still pounding, and Johnny the daredevil, the bold and reckless Human Torch, had known what true fear was in those moments. ]

You know what you did was dumb, right? Even for me. And I wrote the book on dumb.

[ He buries his face in Jack's neck, breathing him in and pressing his lips to his pulse, soft and affectionate all the same. He might be angry with Jack, but it doesn't mean he'll drive him away. At least, not this time. ]

I could forgive you all the time. I'd be really mad at you but --