( season 3 : episode 13 - license to fly ; part two )

(juniper's outfit for this chapter)

The soft hum of Juniper's computer filled the air as Henry sat on her floor, his back against the bed, the faint glow of the monitor casting a pale light on his focused face. On the desk, several flight manuals lay scattered across an open notebook, filled with Henry's scribbled notes. Juniper sat on her bed, her legs crossed beneath a blanket, looking over his work. The room felt like a quiet cocoon, the kind of place where Henry could escape the outside world and focus entirely on the complex world of aviation that Juniper had drawn him into and got him more curiuos about.

Juniper was laying on her stomach on her bed near where Henry sat on the floor, leaning against her bed with her head resting on her forearms. She watched as Henry flipped through a flight manual, his brows furrowed in concentration. A small smile tugged at her lips, watching him so intensely focused. He was always so determined when it came to learning new things, and it was something she admired about him.

"How's it going?" She asked, tilting her head slightly to catch a glimpse of his notebook.

"Good. I think I'm starting to understand the basics of aviation." He replied, flipping to another page in the manual.

"I know you just wanna jump into the fun stuff like flying the Man Copter, but there's a lot more to it than just that. And I think that's part of why Ray won't let you fly the Man Copter, or teach you." She said, looking over the pages in his notebook. "It's a lot of responsibility. There's a lot to memorize and understand. But once you do, it's like riding a bike. You never forget how."

Henry nodded, closing the manual and looking up at her. "Yeah, I guess you're right." He said with a sigh, leaning back against the bed and staring up at the ceiling. "How do you easily memorize all of this, anyway?"

Juniper shrugs. "I dunno, I just find it interesting. Maybe because it's so different from the superhero world. It's nice to have a break and just focus on something else. Plus I've been around machines and stuff like that my whole life. Helps to have a dad who's an inventor. So this kind of thing just comes naturally to me."

"Lucky." Henry mutters, closing his eyes and taking a deep breath. "I wish I could have an easier time memorizing this stuff. It's a lot harder than fighting super villains."

Juniper laughs, nudging him lightly. "It's not that bad. You just need to find the right motivation. Like, for example...Maybe for every question you get right, I'll kiss you?" She offers, her cheeks warming at the suggestion.

Henry's eyes snap open, his gaze landing on her with surprise. "W-what?"

"Well, you know...L-Like a kiss on the cheek, or forehead." Juniper clarified, her cheeks growing warmer. She wasn't sure where the sudden boldness had come from, but she hoped it wouldn't scare Henry off.

"Oh. Oh yeah." Henry breathes out, feeling his own cheeks grow warm. He gave a small nod, clearing his throat. "Um, sure. That, uh, that could work." He said, trying to sound casual, even though his heart was pounding in his chest. Henry could feel the heat rising to his ears, and he avoided Juniper's gaze by pretending to focus on his notebook.

Juniper smiles softly, feeling a mix of nervousness and amusement at his reaction. "Alright then, let's test your knowledge," She suggests, reaching over to grab one of the flight manuals. She flips through the pages before stopping at a section. "Okay, first question. What does V-speed stand for, and can you name one example?"

Henry hesitates, his brow furrowing in thought. "Uh, V-speed...It refers to specific airspeeds important for flight operations. And, uh...V1? That's the speed at which a decision to abort or continue takeoff is made?"

Juniper grins, impressed. "Correct!" Without hesitation, she leaned over and placed a quick kiss on his cheek.

Henry froze for a moment, his mind going completely blank. He didn't expect that at all, his face flushing as a sheepish smile crept across his lips. "Well, maybe this studying thing isn't so bad after all." He said, trying to play it cool despite the fact butterflies were wild in his stomach.

Juniper laughs softly, her own cheeks flushes as she looks back down shyly. "A little motivation goes a long way. Then let's keep going. Next question..."

As the evening went on, the atmosphere in the room grew lighter, filled with laughter, teasing, and moments of quiet connection. For Henry, it wasn't just about learning aviation anymore—it was about being with Juniper, who somehow made even the most challenging things feel a little easier, a little brighter.

****

(juniper's outfit for this part of the chapter)

Henry leaned back in his chair, stretching his arms above his head as he glanced at the clock. The hands had crept past nine, and the stack of notes on the desk now lay scattered, the product of their combined efforts. He was tired and done with studying for the night, but the thought of spending the rest of the evening with Juniper made him feel a sense of excitement that he couldn't ignore. He glanced down when he felt Juniper lean her head against his shoulder, her eyes closed and a small smile on her face. His heart skipped a beat, butterflies filling his stomach.

"Hey, Junebug?" He asks softly, earning a hum in response. "Do you wanna watch a movie or something? I don't really want to call it a night yet. But I've had enough of studying for today." After school they had headed over to his place so Juniper could help him study more and get ready to fly with Ray the next day.

Juniper lifted her head from his shoulder, her smile growing as she met his gaze. "A movie sounds perfect. What do you have?"

Henry's lips quirks into a grin while he reluctnatly got up from the bed. He didn't want to move since he was comfy with her curled up next to him, but he had an idea of what movie to watch. He went over to where his movies were, kneeling down to pick the one he thought of. "Your favorite Disney movie." He revealed dramatically, holding up the dvd case of her favorite Disney movie, 'Brave.'

"Ooh, perfect!" Juniper cheers, grinning at him. She was a big fan of animated Disney movies, especially Brave. "You know me so well."

"I know." Henry couldn't help but reply smugly, a chuckle escaping him when she playfully rolled her eyes. He put the movie in and got back on the bed, settling in beside her as the movie started.

She settled back against the pillows, resting her head against his chest. He wrapped his arm around her, holding her close. It was a familiar position for them, one that they had shared many times before. It felt natural, like the perfect way to end the day. As the opening scenes of "Brave" began to play, Juniper's excitement was palpable. She softly hummed along to the familiar music, her head nestled against Henry's chest. He could feel her warmth and the gentle rhythm of her breathing, and it made his heart swell.

"Merida reminds me of you." Henry said softly, his voice barely above a whisper.

Juniper tilts head up to look at him, her brows raised in curiosity. "Oh? How so?"

Henry shrugs, his free hand absentmindedly playing with some strands of her hair after his arm wrapped around her shoulders. "She's brave, stubborn, and knows what she wants. She doesn't let anyone tell her who she's supposed to be." He pauses, a small smile tugging at his lips. "Kind of like someone I know."

Juniper's cheeks flushes, and she gave him a playful nudge. "Are you trying to butter me up, Henry? Because it's working."

He chuckles, leaning his head against hers. "I'm just telling the truth, Junebug."

"Whatever, dork." She muttered, though she didn't try to hide the smile on her face. Butterflies swarmed her stomach, her heart racing. She tried her best to focus on the movie, but she couldn't stop thinking about what Henry had said. Merida reminded him of her. That single comment replayed in her mind like a song stuck on repeat, filling her chest with warmth.

He rested his cheek against the top of her head, letting his eyes fall shut as the movie played. In this moment, he was content. There was nowhere else he would rather be than here, with Juniper in his arms. The steady rise and fall of her chest soothed him, and he felt himself relax, a soft smile playing on his lips. She was the one person who could always make him feel at ease, no matter what was going on. Her presence was like a safe haven, a place where he could escape the chaos of being a sidekick.

"I think my favorite scene from the movie is the will o' the wisp scene." Juniper's soft voice interrupted his thoughts, bringing his attention back to the movie. He hadn't realized it, but the scene was already playing on the screen. He was too busy focusing on the feeling of her warm body pressed against his.

"Why's that?" He asked, keeping his voice soft. He didn't want to disturb the peace, nor did he want to stop her from continuing.

"It's just...So magical, ya know? Like, everything changes when she finds the wisp and follows the path it leads her down. It's magical and mysterious. She doesn't know where it will lead her, but she's willing to take the risk. And I guess...I just really relate to that. Sometimes you just have to follow your gut, even if you don't know where it will lead you. Because if you never take the leap, you'll never know what could have been." She mumbled. She could feel the exhaustion seeping into her bones, making her eyelids heavy. She fought off the urge to yawn, not wanting to fall asleep.

Henry loved how passionate she was about this, her words laced with excitement. He couldn't help but think that the scene did remind him a lot of her. He could picture her following a trail of magical blue will o' the wisps through the forest, a spark of excitement in her eyes.

"I love the way the wisp scene is animated, too. It's so detailed, and so pretty." She rambled on sleepily, her eyes drooping shut. Henry noticed her fighting off a yawn and he chuckled softly.

"Tired?"

"Mmm...No, no." Juniper protested, even though it was obvious she was ready to drift off to sleep.

"You should go to bed. You can stay the night, if you want. My parents won't mind. You're practically family." He said, running his fingers through her hair in an attempt to lull her into sleep. He knew it often worked to help her relax and calm her nerves.

"Okay..." She yawned, finally giving in and letting her eyes flutter shut. She relaxed against his chest, her breathing growing slow and steady. Henry smiled, continuing to run his fingers through her hair. "'M sorry, the movies not over yet."

"It's okay, we can finish it later." He assured her. "Goodnight, Junebug."

"Night, Hen." Juniper mumbled, sleep slowly claiming her.

Henry waited until he was sure she had fallen asleep, the sound of her soft breathing filling the room. He shifted them so they're laying down under the covers, making sure not to wake her. He pressed a soft kiss against her temple, his lips brushing the skin there as he whispered, "Sweet dreams."

He laid back and pulled the covers over them, settling in comfortably beside her. He grabbed the remote to turn off the TV, the room going dark. The only light came from the moon that shone through the window, casting a silvery glow across the room.

He wrapped an arm around her waist and snuggled closer, the scent of her perfume filling his nose. He loved the way it smelled. It was sweet, but not overpowering. It was unique and suited her perfectly. He nuzzled into the crook of her neck, breathing in the comforting smell and letting his eyes drift shut. He listened to the sound of her soft breathing, his heart beating steadily as sleep overtook him.

This was the best way to end a day.

****

The first rays of sunlight filtered through the curtains, painting the room in hues of soft gold and amber. Henry stirred awake, his eyelids fluttering as the warmth of the morning settled over him. For a moment, he stayed still, letting the peaceful quiet of the morning sink in. His gaze shifted to Juniper, still nestled against his chest, her hair a cascade of soft waves spread across his arm. She looked so serene, her lips slightly parted as she breathed in steady rhythms. He couldn't help but smile, brushing a stray strand of hair from her face. The sunlight highlighted her features, giving her an almost ethereal glow. He didn't want to wake her, not yet. Moments like these felt rare, and he cherished every second.

The scent of her perfume still lingered faintly, mixing with the fresh morning air. He presses a gentle kiss to her forehead, murmuring a quiet, "Good morning, Junebug."

Juniper stirs slightly, her nose scrunching up in the cutest way. "Mmm...Morning already?" She mumbled sleepily, her voice thick with drowsiness.

"Afraid so." Henry chuckles softly, tightening his arm around her. "But no rush. We've got time."

"Good." She said, nuzzling closer. "I'm not ready to move yet."

Henry chuckled again, brushing his lips against the top of her head. "Take your time. I'm not going anywhere."

The world outside could wait; for now, it was just the two of them, wrapped in warmth and the kind of comfort only they could share. He buried his face back into the crook of her neck, his eyes falling shut once more. His arm draped over her waist, his fingertips gently tracing circles along her hip.

The sun rose higher, casting the room in a golden glow. Juniper shifted, her arms wrapping around his torso. She let out a sleepy sigh, her nose burying into his shoulder. She was trying to shield her eyes from the light, not quite ready to fully wake up. Henry hummed contently, a smile tugging at his lips. His fingers continued to trail along her side, his touch feather-light. His hand snuck up under her shirt, but he didn't have to do much since part of her shirt had already rode up her waist, exposing the smooth, soft skin of her stomach. His touch sent goosebumps across her skin, her muscles tightening beneath his fingertips. A small shiver ran down her spine, and she shifted slightly, trying to get closer. Her fingers gripped the fabric of his shirt, pulling him closer. She let out a sleepy groan, burying her face into his neck.

"You're so warm," She mumbles, her voice muffled by his skin. "And comfy."

Henry let out a soft laugh, his hand slipping from beneath her shirt and sliding up her back, his fingers ghosting over the skin there. "And you're adorable when you're sleepy."

"'M always adorable." She protested, though her words were half-hearted. She didn't want him to stop. The sensation of his fingertips dancing across her skin sent a tingling sensation up her spine, her body warming at his touch. She couldn't help the soft smile that played on her lips, even as her eyes remained closed. Her protests were weak at best, and Henry knew it. He chuckled quietly, his breath warm against her neck.

"You've got me there," He admits, his voice a low murmur in the quiet of the morning. "Always adorable. Especially like this."

Juniper hummed softly, her grip on his shirt tightening as she pulled him even closer. She felt safe, wrapped up in his arms, and she wasn't ready to let go of the moment. The way his fingers trailed lazily along her back was soothing, almost hypnotic, and she felt herself drifting in and out of a peaceful haze.

"Stay like this forever?" She mumbled, her words slurring slightly with the weight of sleep still tugging at her.

"Forever sounds perfect," Henry replies, his tone serious despite the small smile on his face. He pressed another kiss to her temple, his lips lingering for a moment. "I'm not going anywhere, Junebug."

Juniper let out a soft sigh, contentment radiating from her. The sunlight continued to filter into the room, casting everything in a warm glow. Outside, the world began to stir, but inside, time seemed to stand still for the two of them. Henry closed his eyes again, letting himself relax fully against her. The steady rhythm of her breathing, the warmth of her body pressed against his, and the quiet intimacy of the moment were all he needed. For now, the rest of the world could wait.

A/N henry & juniper <3 btws i know nothing about flying a helicopter so blame chatgpt if i got anything wrong about that lol cause i had chatgpt for help