#Logan ruined everything for her and what little she had she ruined for herself in his honor Explore tagged Tumblr posts

[holycartoonwarrior]

I personally think in lifeboats that Logan grabbed shiv’s hand because he thought she was someone one else, probably Marcia, and I think that means he probably did the same thing to Marcia and I do think Marcia was trying to be so aggressively firm w Shiv to make sure nothing happened to her. Because Marcia while no saint, has no desire to be mean to anyone except if she’s mad and feels wronged which is pretty fucking normal. And has her own daughter, and only let shiv go up after shiv invaded her privacy illegally. So yeah I think if shiv hadn’t jumped the gun maybe she could’ve had a woman in her life who cared about her.

[henrycangelbaby]

In which: This is not going well. He remembers what Y/N said—that he enjoyed scratches behind his ears, although he's pretty sure she had referred to them as "scratchies.”

or

Logan has to learn to get along with the newest family member.

Logan isn’t always resistant to change; in fact, he would do about anything for his lover, for his Y/N. He spends most of his nights watching the garbage TV of the modern family that she loves, and he even let her get pink tiles in the bathroom when they moved in together, but this might be too far.

He knows something’s up as soon as he walks through the door. Y/N usually comes running to greet him with a sweet kiss, or if not, he can usually hear her stomping around upstairs doing God knows what. But today, he doesn't hear anything immediately when he opens the door, and Y/N certainly isn't there to greet him.

As he steps further into the house, he tries to pick up on any sounds. Is that water running? It's a little early for Lovie to be having her nighttime shower, but perhaps a change in routine was called for. As he approached the sound, he realized that it wasn’t the shower; in fact, it was the sink in the bathroom. He could see her back facing him as she hunched over the sink, muttering to herself.

“Y/N?”

She quickly jumped at the unexpected sound, splashing water before turning around.

“Hey, love.”

He quirked an eyebrow. She sounded rather guilty.

“Is everything okay, baby?” he asked, peering over her shoulder to try and get a glimpse of what she was doing.

“Yeah, everything—”

He cut her off before she could finish. “Is that a cat?”

In the sink that he was standing in front of, he swore for just a second that he could see a sopping wet cat shivering in the middle of it. She finally relented quickly, turning around to pick up the tiny thing and pulling it tight into her chest, causing her shirt to quickly be soaked with soap and water.

“Actually, no, Lo, it’s a kitten,” she continued quickly, “and his name is Squish, thank you.”

“Baby, why the fuck do you have a kitten?”

He could be mad; she looked so cute standing there holding the tiny thing close to her, just like a protective mother.

“I found him, and he was all alone. He looked so sad; I couldn't just leave him there, Lo.”

Okay, he definitely wasn’t mad; how could he be when his baby had been doing something so sweet and loving? He hummed.

“So his name is Squish?”

Y/N lit up instantly. “Yes! Isn’t he the cutest?”

He nodded vaguely along, checking out the kitten closely. It was pretty cute, with white and red fur and big round eyes that peered up at him longingly. He was a little hesitant to reach out and pet ‘Squish’ just yet, but perhaps admitting his cuteness was the first step to that. He shook his head gently when Y/N offered for him to hold the kitten; that was definitely a while in the future.

The start of their relationship was rocky; Squish truly was very cute and made his baby very happy, but the kitten hadn't exactly taken a keen liking to Logan. Perhaps this cat was super smart or something, but he felt like the cat could tell something was up, could tell that he wasn't entirely normal. And listen, it wasn't entirely unjust; he had caught Logan whipping his claws out once completely on accident, but he had felt so guilty for scaring the little guy that he had fed him for a week just to win his trust back.

But it wasn’t just that; whenever Y/N wasn't around, Squish was, well, rather cold towards him. Perhaps it was rather silly of him to read into the emotions and feelings of an actual cat, but he felt that he should be closer to the thing. They did have quite a bit in common, more than he was willing to admit, much to his dismay. But no matter their common ability to ruin furniture, he couldn't quite understand the thing. It wouldn't matter if it was anything else, but this little kitty meant so much to his lover that he felt rather guilty about their mutual distaste for each other.

It goes on like this for a little while; they tiptoe and walk on four legs around each other for a little while, Logan embarrassingly unsure how to handle the little cat except for feeding it every day in hopes of it taking more of a liking to him. Things do not change for weeks.

Y/N has to go out of town for a few nights; she promises to call him every night (after teaching him his way around FaceTime) and makes sure he has Squish’s routine down pat. She leaves early in the morning, giving him a quick kiss on the lips and a somewhat crushing hug before she does the same for their cat and leaves out the door.

And suddenly they are alone together. He feels like a deadbeat father, unsure how to handle hanging out with his kid. Feeding it and then leaving it to its own devices. However, he finds himself rather lonely; of course, he finds things to do. He sees some friends, fixes the broken shelf in the bedroom, and considers what color he should consider painting the bathroom. He finds himself a little lonely; he is the only human in the house, and the only other creature seems to be avoiding him if it's not dinner time.

On day three of Y/N's absence (not that he's counting), he sits alone on the couch. He has eaten a rather pathetic dinner and now sits watching an episode of Modern Family on basically zero volume. The little guy comes trotting into the room. Despite the cat being about the same size as his hand, he can hear its little paws clicking on the ground, or perhaps he is more in tune with his supersense than he thinks.

Squish jumps up, settling onto the opposite end of the couch to Logan. He reaches out to pat Squish, but he gets quickly rejected as the cat shakes off his pat before turning around. This is not going well. He remembers what Y/N said—that he enjoyed scratches behind his ears, although he's pretty sure she had referred to them as "scratchies.”

Fuck it, it was time for him to give Squish some scratchies. He reached out and carefully patted the cat behind the ears. The little guy quickly leaned his head into Logan's hands, rubbing against them with what he could swear was a small smile. Squish moved closer to him, placing his furry head on Logan's thigh. This was nice.

He had opened the floodgates, and now there seemed to be no stopping them. Squish went everywhere that he went, always following Logan around, running around at his feet. He had also taken to sleeping in the bed with Logan. Logan was rather obsessed with having the little thing sleeping on his bicep or chest. Squish had taken residence on his thighs during their now shared TV time and had taken to meowing outside the bathroom when he spent too long in the shower thinking about his Y/N (Squish had ruined his pace at least once with the meowing, but Logan had quickly forgiven him, scared that he had traumatized the kitten again).

In all his excitement, he hadn't told Y/N about this new development in his relationship with her baby. Of course, he had been texting her more often than not—all they had been saying was “I miss you” and “I love you more,” and their phone calls had often consisted of too much talking.

After what seemed to be a lifetime, Y/N came home. She had texted him that morning letting him know her estimated arrival time, but he had jumped to his feet when he had heard her car pull up in the driveway, quickly swooping up Squish in his left arm before rushing to pull the door open. He grinned at her.

“Hey, baby.”

“Hey, Lo,” she replied before he pulled her into his arms, hugging her close to his chest. He kissed her on the head.

“I missed you."

"I missed you too, love.”

He shut the door behind her as she turned to face him and gasped in surprise.

“My baby!” she somewhat squealed in excitement, and she reached for the kitten, pulling him into her chest and kissing him multiple times on the head.

“I see you are getting along well,” she grinned at Logan. He felt his cheeks heat up.

“Yeah, we've been hanging out,” he shrugged.

She reached up for his collar and pushed their lips together. He smiled into the kiss. God, he loved his Y/N (and their Squish).

Squish’s clinginess towards him tampered down once his mommy was home. The kitten still sleeps in the bed with them and often rests himself on Logan's thigh, but he has stopped following Logan around wherever he goes. Y/N has definitely noticed their newly formed bond; she often catches them snuggled together when she gets up to pee in the middle of the night and has to stop herself from cooing every time Logan picks him up, dwarfing the little guy in his big hands.

Late one night, Y/N is in the shower, and Logan finds himself alone with the cat. He picks up Squish, pulling him next to his face and kissing the small guy.

“My baby,” he mutters. “My baby, tiny baby,” he utters quietly, gently kissing the kitten on the head.

God, he was down bad.

[coff33andb00ks]

Rule Breaker - Pt 6

max Verstappen x single mom!reader (with logan sargeant)

{masterlist}{prev} {next}

warnings: cursing, minimally proofread, implied sexual situations Summary: you can start a family who will always show you love, you don't have to be sorry for doing it on your own word count: 1927 auth.note: made the executive decision to not have actual smut in this fic due to multiple reasons (the main one being the thought of having smut then a scene involving a kid gives me the ick) spotify: i made a playlist

Logan was gentle. She appreciated that so much and told him so in the breathless moments spent in his arms.

He hummed, fingers tracing her back. "What do you mean?"

Y/n shifted so she could look up at him. "I don't know if I can explain it. Like… It was intense, but…"

He kept silent, fingers still tracing random patterns along her spine.

She sighed, trying to find the right words. "I just… Thank you for treating me like you care."

Logan frowned, his fingers going still. "I do care, though."

"Lo—"

"Did you think I didn't?" He sighed when she began to pull away. "Wait, no, don't."

She stopped, turning back to him at the touch of his hand to her shoulder.

"I'm not…" He let out a mirthless chuckle, his cheeks staining pink. "I'm not good at talking about my feelings. I usually prefer to just… Show it."

She closed her eyes and her mind flashed with him being nothing but kind and caring. It was what had drawn her to him, had made her want to be around him more, and had her wanting to invite him into her life. "I'm sorry," she murmured, opening her eyes.

He was smiling, that crooked half-smile that sent her heart into a silly tumble. "I care, y/n."

"I know you do. I'm sorry, Logan." She sighed, shaking her head. "I ruined pillow talk, huh?"

"You're just in your head, I get it." He was still holding her shoulder and trailed his hand down to hers. "C'mon."

Within seconds she was curled at his side, his arm around her again. His fingers resumed their earlier tracings, and she hummed, feeling content.

Cared for.

She liked that he didn't mind lying together in silence. Liked that he seemed just as content as she. Liked the quiet, the peacefulness she felt with him after that initial rush of butterflies.

His fingers danced over her back then smoothed her hair, and he hummed softly, letting out a sigh that was a balm to her weary soul.

"I care," he whispered.

"I care, too," she whispered back.

"Do you have to get back?" he asked after several moments had passed.

She thought of the texts she'd exchanged with Ellie, who'd insisted she enjoy herself. She was pretty sure her friend was more excited about the prospect of her having sex than *she* was. "No… I can stay a little longer."

"How about 'til morning?" Logan suggested.

She heard the underlying suggestion and smiled. "I'd like that."

There wasn't awkwardness. Well, a little, but he made it so easy to laugh it off. It was one reason she liked him so much, his ability to make her feel at ease. He didn't mind that she had to check in with Ellie, who reassured her that everything was fine and to enjoy herself. He didn't mind that she wanted to take a quick shower. When she stood there in his bedroom, feeling exposed and weird in a towel, he got her a pair of sweats and a t-shirt to wear.

And when they were falling asleep and she tentatively moved close, he smiled against her forehead and held her close.

She tried to sleep, tired and content as she was. But it avoided her, even after he'd drifted off, his gentle breathing warm and soft in her hair. She couldn't shake the feeling that something was off.

Something was missing. Some tiny piece that would make everything perfect.

Shifting, she tried to find a comfortable position, frowning in the darkness. Her night had been so close to perfect. He cared for her, she cared for him. He made her laugh, made her feel light and happy. He adored her son, and she knew her son worshipped the ground Logan walked on.

What, then, was missing?

*Casual* day at the factory. Max had rolled his eyes when it had been announced, thinking at the time that he wouldn't be around anyway.

But here he was, wondering what, exactly, made the day casual. Everyone was dressed as they normally were. Everyone was working. Everyone was acting as they usually did. Everyone—

"Max!"

Oh, that was something different. Grinning as Kevin ran up to him, he swept the boy up and hugged him, carrying him back towards his mother. "You helping mum work?"

Kevin giggled. "No! Here waiting."

Y/n smiled affectionately. "Ellie's picking him up in a little bit, she had a doctor's appointment."

"Everything okay?" he asked, setting Kevin down and steering him to y/n's office before he could wander off. Taking the backpack from her so she could open the door, he slung it over his shoulder.

"She's finally seeing someone about her migraines." Y/n held up her hand, showing her crossed fingers.

"I hope they can help," Max sighed, knowing her friend suffered from migraines frequently.

"Me too. I—" She cut off, glancing at the phone in her hand when it began to ring. "Gotta get this, it's about something I'm planning for Barcelona."

"Mama…"

Max recognized the tone. "I'll take him."

She smiled her thanks, answering the call and stepping further into her office.

Kevin was squirming by the time they got to the restroom. Max turned to give him privacy, frowning when he heard nothing.

"Uh-oh."

He turned, heart clenching at the heartbrokenness in the boy's voice. "Kleine maate?"

Kevin looked down and began twisting his hands anxiously. "Didn't make it."

Max's frown deepened, feeling a wave of sympathy when he saw the small puddle on the floor and heard the boy's fretful sigh. "It's alright, mate."

"Wanna be a big boy," Kevin mumbled.

Max squatted down, setting the backpack next to him and opening it to find the spare clothes he knew y/n kept for times like this. "I know, but accidents happen, yeah?"

Kevin sniffled. "Yeah."

Lifting his head, he met a pair of teary eyes and felt his throat close.

Stupid boy. I taught you better.

He swallowed, wondering how he could ever be expected to yell at a child. Especially for something like this. "Maate, listen to me."

Kevin sniffled harder, nodding.

"It's fine. You're still learning, yeah?" He spoke gently, wanting – needing – the boy to know he wasn't upset with him. And he had to know for sure. He already knew, but he had to be certain. "Your mum doesn't get mad when you have an accident does she?"

"No." Kevin rubbed his nose with the back of his hand. "But I don't like it."

"Accidents happen. Nobody likes them, but we just clean up the mess and try to do better, yeah? You think I always do things right when I'm racing?" As he spoke he mopped up the puddle then helped Kevin change out of his wet shorts.

"Yeah?" Kevin looked at him as though it were a stupid question.

"I don't. I mess up a lot. But you can't let accidents or mess ups keep you from trying."

Kevin sniffed and nodded. "Okay."

"I know you're upset with yourself, but remember that it's okay, yeah?" Max gestured to him. "It's fixed now."

Nodding again, Kevin flung his arms around Max's neck.

Max sighed, wrapping the boy in a hug and holding him close. "You're alright, hm? No harm done."

"Sorry Daddy," Kevin mumbled against his shoulder.

He froze, throat closing with emotion again. Daddy. The term, the affection needed to be called that… He closed his eyes, tightening his hold on the boy. "It's okay, kleine maate. Let's get our hands washed then back to mum, yeah?"

Daddy.

I don't have a daddy.

He helped Kevin was his hands, somehow keeping his voice normal as they chatted about the upcoming race week, even promising to pick up something Spanish for him. They made their way back to y/n's office and Max couldn't help the fond smile on his face as Kevin told his mother he'd had an accident.

"But Daddy helped," the boy finished with a bright smile.

His heart lurched up to his throat then fell to his feet as she raised her eyes to him.

"Thank you," she managed after twelve long seconds.

He knew the exact time, because he counted them. And he was sure his heart beat only four times as he waited for her words.

"No problem," he murmured, setting Kevin's backpack down.

She turned her attention back to Kevin, her tone gentle as she reassured him and promised it was okay, kissing the boy's forehead before telling him to play with his cars until Ellie got there.

Max's heart gave a weak thump as she straightened. "Y/n…"

"Later," she said, her throat working as she swallowed hard.

Later was a lot later than he'd imagined it would be. Standing outside the door of her apartment, he huffed, rubbing his hand through his hair as he hesitated. He should be on the way back to Monaco, should be focusing on the upcoming days in Barcelona, but all he could think about was the look of horror and surprise when her son had called him Daddy.

He knocked softly, knowing Kevin was probably asleep, and Ellie probably was too, and maybe even—

"Max?" Y/n's voice was incredulous as she opened the door. "What are—"

"I didn't tell him to call me that," he said in a rush.

She blinked, realization finally lighting in her eyes. "Oh. It's okay."

Okay? Okay?! It was all he'd been able to think about all evening and all she could say was it's okay?

"But it can't happen again," she was saying.

Two words fell out of his mouth without even the slightest hesitation. "Why not?"

She stared at him, eyes widening. "You're not his father, Max."

"I know that—"

"God, you're not even my—" she pressed her lips together tightly. "You're just a coworker."

If she'd pushed a blade into his heart it would have hurt less. "Y/n, please, just listen—"

"No, you listen! I can't do this back and forth anymore. One day you want to be 'professional' and the next you're inviting us into your life." Her voice wavered and he felt his breath catch in his throat. "You can't have it both ways, Max."

"It's not that simple—"

"Not everything is a giant problem that you have to analyze," she whispered.

He dragged his hand over his face. "You know what would happen if I chose…"

Light. Laughter. Little moments of joy.

He wanted to choose that. But she would hate him for doing it. For the darkness he harbored, that would eventually taint every beautiful corner of her life.

"Don't invite us in anymore," she said. And though she was looking down he knew there were tears in her eyes. Could hear them in her voice, feel them in his chest. "It's not fair to Kevin. Or to me."

"Please—" Don't go. Don't pull the only happiness I have away from me.

Except it wasn't his happiness to hold. Unless…

"Max, let me go."

He blinked and saw his hand on her arm. "Y/n…" His hand moved, and he felt her turn as he cupped her shoulder. He couldn't let her go. Not now. Not with tears in her eyes and pain in her voice. Letting her go would break something in her, and he'd never forgive himself. Releasing a shaky breath, he felt the silk of her cheek beneath his fingertips, then the velvet of her hair. "I…"

Her lips, trembling satin against his. She gasped and he tasted heaven.

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[jumpywhumpywriter]

"The Lost Hero" - Crippled Hero Presumed Dead part 8

Warnings: crippled hero, hero with disabilities, retired hero, reluctant hero, Supervillain final battle

Is Hero... dead?

His heart froze when his gaze landed on the two unmoving figures in the center of it all, a charred corpse crumpled on top of a mostly-untouched Hero. Everything was quiet. Too quiet.

Logan was in too much shock to move, staring numbly at Hero in her old hero suit. He was rooted to the spot.

Please be alive.

He watched for an eternity, until finally -- movement. The lifeless corpse shifted, and then slid off Hero's chest as Hero slowly sat up, hunching over herself, head bowed low.

A massive wave of relief and happiness crashed over Logan, and he jumped to his feet, stumbling over to Hero and dropping down next to her. "You did it..." He breathed in disbelief. "You really killed Supervillain..." Logan stared down at the body of what was once the most powerful crime master, ruler of the city he'd held hostage, now unrecognizable with burns covering every inch of him, clothes completely incinerated.

Logan turned to look at Hero, and was taken aback by the devastation etched into her face. Something wet glistened on both of Hero's cheeks, and he realized she was... crying? It was a strange sort of crying, near-soundless sobs more noticeable by the hitching breaths that accompanied them.

"Hero, what's wrong? Are you hurt?" Logan's eyes swept over her battered appearance. It was a stupid question, of course Hero was hurt after the fierce fight -- but nothing life-threatening, to his relief.

Hero's mouth opened and closed a few times, before her face twisted with anguish and she shook her head, fresh tears rolling down her bloodied face. Then, she reached out and opened a trembling hand with another choked sound. And there, in her palm, was a piece of warped metal, black with char marks.

Hero's pained eyes found Logan's, and she tilted her head -- running a finger along her neck, over the only part of the metal device in her throat visible from the outside. And Logan suddenly realized what was wrong. The fried piece of metal in her hand was the advanced technology disk that magnetized to the part in her neck... that gave her her voice. Without it--

"Oh Hero, I'm so sorry..." Logan croaked when it hit him. Hero couldn't speak anymore, the special disk that Villain had once made had somehow been fried by Hero's own powers during her last ditch attack. And the technology in that disk was unique to Villain's genius design, it was impossible to recreate. Irreplaceable, as far as Logan knew.

Hero cried harder, her shoulders and whole body shaking with heaving breaths as more silent sobs escaped her, uneven breaths the only outward sign of it aside from the tears tracks.

Tentatively, Logan reached out and put a reassuring hand on Hero's shoulder, not sure how she'd react to being touched. Hero flinched, but didn't recoil, and Logan pulled her into a tight embrace, offering what little comfort he could as the two of them hugged in the middle of the damage.

Hero's suit was rough against Logan's face as he buried it in her shoulder. A few holes were burned through it from where her powers had slipped her grasp slightly, but otherwise she was almost entirely untouched.

But then Logan pulled back, and his eyes landed on Hero's bad leg, and his chest twisted sadly. The brace Noah had invented for her was ruined too, the metal severely warped and crooked from the intense heat, half-melted and so brittle parts of it had broken off completely, making the brace utterly useless.

"I'm so sorry," Logan whispered. "...Do you think you can stand? We can get out of here and meet back up with Noah. He might be able to create a new brace for you."

Hero hesitated, then nodded wordlessly, getting her feet under her to stand. Her legs instantly buckled the moment she put weight on them, and Logan barely managed to catch her and hold her upright until she found her balance, though she was trembling violently. Hero leaned heavily on him for support as he helped her limp and stumble her way out of the Grand Hall, leaving Supervillain's mangled, charred body behind.

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@scoundrelwithboba @lumpofsand @isikedmyself878 @iamheretohurt @fleur-a-whump

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[strange-dreams-are-made-of-these]

Take My Whiskey Neat (Part 3)

Summary: Returning back to the mansion was supposed to be relaxing. Logan agreed to take Storm out for the night, Amaris found herself taken with the stranger known as Remy, and a new threat emerges to ruin this bit of happiness the Howlett's have found. Tags: Canon-typical violence, use of weapons, fluffy moments (romantic, platonic, and familial), unwanted romantic advances (briefly, unsolicited kiss) Word Count: 18k+ A/N: I do not own any of the characters mentioned except for Amaris Howlett. The divider credits are in my master list. Images found on Pinterest. Part One Part Two Part Four

His calloused hand wiped the condensation from the mirror to expose his reflection in a blur. With a towel wrapped around his waist, Logan turned the faucet on, running warm water in the sink. He cupped his hands together collecting the water before running it over his face and down his neck. The door of the on-suite bathroom was cracked to allow the fog from his shower to dissipate. Logan looked at himself in the mirror, carefully raking over his appearance. He didn't need to shave as he had done so the day before in the hotel room. He wanted to wait until he got dressed to brush out his hair.

He had heard of a place from one of the other teachers, a little bar about ten miles away from the mansion. It was newer but it always had live music and was seen as a safe place by the staff at the school. It was everything that Logan could have wanted to take Storm out on a date.

Feeling confident about his choice, Logan reached for his toothbrush and toothpaste. The rugged cage fighter was now cleaning up his act, for one night only, as he planned to leave mutant business behind to have a good time out with Ororo Munroe.

Logan finished taking care of his physical hygiene needs before heading out of the bathroom. After taking a few steps into his room, he gasped and then stood behind the door. Get out of here, kid! he hollered, holding his towel tightly around his waist.

Amaris had set some clothes down on his bed, some pants and shirts. Look, I'm just giving you some things. I know you have that date with Storm tonight. I thought you might want something different than the jeans you have and the red button-up. Amaris turned around and walked toward the door. I'd suggest the dark blue top and the black T-shirt.

Logan peered around at his bed, seeing the clothes she had dropped off. I don't need styling advice from you. Nor did he want to accept the clothes that were dropped off for him. There was nothing wrong with what he owned. Though, he did think that if he was staying at the mansion longer than he anticipated he would need more clothes.

Amaris opened the door slightly, calling back, I know you don't, before she closed his bedroom door, leaving him to his preparations for date night.

After ensuring she had left from the other side of the door, Logan left his bathroom, approaching his bed and seeing the clothes laid out for him. They were freshly cleaned, smelling of laundry detergent. He looked from the door of his room to the clothes his daughter gave him. He then looked to the wardrobe in the corner of the room, seeing his jeans and red button-up on the hanger.

With a huff, he grabbed the two shirts Amaris suggested, then walked over to the wardrobe to grab his jeans, belt, and boxers. Women, he whispered to himself as he walked to his bathroom again to change into the clothes. Meanwhile, in her room, Storm had changed out her earrings for some gold hoops. She was humming a song to herself as she ran a hand through her white hair, finding herself getting a little nervous about the date with Logan. She wasn't scared that it was going to be a bad date. She was more concerned she would develop something for him like a bad habit.

Jean knocked on her door twice. 'Ro? Can I come in?

Storm looked up, turning around in her seat at the vanity. Come in, Jean.

Jean entered the room, closing the door behind her. She beamed brightly, seeing Storm. You look gorgeous! What's going on?

Storm giggled a little before standing up. Her hands ran down the fabric of her yellow dress, smoothing the edges. I have a date tonight with Logan.

Jean nodded approvingly, wanting to support her friend. She also knew there had been a danger to the situation as well. Just be careful, Ororo.

Storm's bright facial expression slowly turned to confusion as she narrowed one eyebrow. What do you mean by that, Jean?

Jean waved her hand out, He's good-looking, don't get me wrong. But, he is Amaris' dad. Don't you think that will do something between the two of you? She asked her, more curious than a warning.

Storm knew what she was getting into when she continued the banter with Logan. She could only let him mentally undress her for so long before doing something about it. But the after thought of Logan's daughter being her best friend never ran across Storm's mind. Was this a mistake then? Should she have called off the event?

Jean placed her hand now on Storm's shoulder. You have a good head about you. We all want you to be happy, she would too. Just... have fun, and don't change yourself for him. Or anybody for the matter.

Storm nodded, feeling a bit of relief wash over her. Speaking of Amaris... She said she needed a patch job earlier. What's up with that?

Jean removed her hand, sighing a little somberly. She shifted her body weight, leaning on her right side. You know I'm not at liberty to say. She is family to us... but I still have an oath to protect patient information. She shrugged her shoulders, crossing her arms over her body. I’m speaking with Charles and Hank about it.

Hank? Storm gasped, covering her mouth with both of her hands. She knew if Hank was involved, something serious had been going on. Do you think…whatever it is… will get better?

Jean shook her head from side to side. Not on its own. It would take a miracle to fix it. Jean gauged Storm’s response as a sense of dread washed over her. I’m going to have her stay here tomorrow and watch over Gambit. He should have a clear bill of health by the end of tomorrow, but I want to give him another night in the infirmary. Just to be safe.

Storm nodded, a sneaky smirk weaving on her face. In that case, I want Logan to attend the field trip tomorrow. You know we could use an extra set of eyes and ears with the students, if you are going to have Amaris on medic duty.

Jean shook her head back and forth, laughing a little. Let’s talk about that after your date. Jean left Storm’s room, shutting the door to let the woman finish getting ready. Jean remembered the days of being young and in love, but she still wanted to be cautious with the interpersonal connections. Jean was friends with both Storm and Amaris. With Storm crushing on Amaris’ dad, it could lead to disaster if something terrible happened.

Storm sighed, heading back to her vanity and looking at herself in the mirror. She thought of her happy place, looking forward to the date, wanting everything to be perfect.

Amaris met with Charles, as he requested. Besides her earlier encounters with Rogue, Bobby, Storm, Jean, and the man named Gambit; She had kept to herself. She had two things on her mind.

Her injury and what it meant for her moving forward with the X-Men

And the stay from Calgary.

I’m sorry this has happened to you, my dear. He spoke, looking at her broken claws in her right hand. He knew it had to be painful, much like an injury he suffered decades earlier. Sometimes we lose crucial parts of us in order to become better.

Amaris looked at him, wondering why he was using her injury as a lesson. Yeah, well, if the only thing that becomes better is my judgment, I may have half a fighting chance. Her voice sounded strained, almost broken in spirit, yet she chuckled a little at the end.

Charles examined her face, offering her a warm smile. We are still analyzing the properties of your healing factor. To access if you are able to regrow your claws. I would think that if you were able to heal from a broken neck, you have a good chance of healing your claws.

Amaris looked down at her hand, waiting until Charles’ hands were a safe distance away before retracting her claws. The pain had been different from their natural state, ripping through her tendons and tissues in a rough way as her once sharpened claws were now jagged and broken. She shook her hand before massaging her knuckles when her skin healed. Professor… can I tell you something?

Charles looked at her, nodding his head once to assure her that she was safe to talk to him. Like any other time, speaking to her as a student or as a teacher. Amaris sighed, feeling tears forming in her eyes. I did something I thought I would never do. I know that I did what I had to do to protect myself and… She closed her eyes, looking away for a moment, figuring leaving Pietro’s name out of the conversation would do her story better. A group of men, a little militia attacked me. I killed them, all but two of them. I didn’t hesitate. She looked back at Charles, feeling the remorse in her chest begin to tear her apart, knowing she could not take back her emotion. They said they were looking for Logan.

Charles remained stoic, feeling the sense of grief from her. After many years of him being able to read minds, he was able to tell and feel how somebody felt just by looking at them. Being an empath wasn’t a mutant ability, it was a human gift. You had to do what you needed to do you protect yourself. He assured her.

Amaris lingered for another moment, then she continued on with her retelling. A man’s voice came through on a radio. He said he wasn’t looking for me, at least not yet. This hadn’t been the most concerning part. Oh no. He knew exactly who I was. Almost as if he was confirming his suspicions, or tracking me.

Charles spoke up. Did he say who he was?

She shook her head slowly. The one who did this, she gestured to her hand, He mentioned somebody named Stryker.

Charles knew the name Stryker all too well. He opened his mouth to speak before being interrupted by Scott who recently entered the room. You asked for me, sir? Scott, with the world’s record for the best timing, gave Amaris the out of the conversation she needed. She remained silent, getting up and leaving the room. Both of the men watched her, waiting to speak until she left the room. Is there something I should know? he asked the older man looking at him.

When one enemy falls, a new one emerges.

Logan waited down in the foyer space, his hands constantly shifting from being stuffed in his pockets to wringing his wrists and knuckles to fiddling with his hair. Some of the students had been passing in the hallway, greeting him as they traveled to their destinations. He stopped pacing, smelling something sweet coming from the top of the stairs. He looked up, seeing Storm pausing at the top of the stairs. He smiled at her, feeling a slight heat rise up his neck as she looked down at him. She didn’t have to get all dolled up for him, but Logan appreciated it.

Storm stared at Logan as she made her decent, her hand gliding over the railing as it supported her. This was it, now or never. As she rounded the corner of the stairs, she watched Logan as his hands left his pockets. You look amazing. he spoke faster than he could think.

Storm smiled, eyeing him up and down. So do you. She hummed, placing her hands on his chest as she smoothed out the collar of his shirt. How did you know I like blue? she quizzed.

It seems Amaris did know a thing or two about Logan’s fashion choices. He would have to remember to thank her for it. It was, uh… lucky guess. He spoke, watching as she slowly removed her hands from his chest. The feeling of her hands on him ignited that fire in him again, forcing himself to suppress the pitting feeling that welled in his belly. Do you like dancing?

She tilted her head to the side, thinking about his question. Sure, as long as you can keep up.

She was challenging him? Oh, how Logan already liked this woman. There’s only one way to find out He did something he normally wouldn’t do, hold his arm out toward his beautiful date. Storm looked from him to the arm he offered her, then back to him. She curled her hand into his elbow before he led her out of the front door and toward the garage. It had been a beautiful night out already, and as Logan caught himself taking another glance down at Storm, he couldn’t think of how more beautiful it could be.

Uh, we picked up something along the way. He spoke, walking her over to the El Camino he owned.

Storm’s eyes widened at the new addition. And where, do tell, did you find this? She asked him as he opened up the passenger door for her.

I can tell you about it on the way. He offered, then using his eyes and a gentle nod of his head for her to enter the car.

Storm giggled a little, smiling as she grabbed the sides of her dress, slipping into the single cab. Logan did his best to keep his smirk to a minimum, but the edges of his lips failed him. He closed the door, then walked around the front and got into the driver's side. He fished the keys out of his pocket, turning the engine over.

Storm looked over at Logan as he began to drive down the white stone driveway of the mansion, observing his features. This had been the first time she had been with him in a one-on-one setting, away from prying eyes. Away from the telepaths and empaths of the mansion, students and staff alike. It was almost as if she had the luxury of having a normal night out. Though, there was nothing normal about Logan.

He drove the car, one hand on the steering wheel, the other struggling to find a place on his lap or on the back of the cab seat. Storm looked over at him the entire time, crossing her legs as Logan turned onto the main road. He looked different from the time he had left, at least just a little. Was it possible he found a sense of peace on his journey? Or had he simply just found some missing pieces of a puzzle he had been working on.

Logan caught the sight of her staring at him out of the corner of his eye. He looked at her briefly, looking away from the road. Do I have something on my face? He asked, his free hand now running over his lips and cheek wondering if toothpaste had dried on the edges of his lips.

Storm shook her head, reaching a hand out to cover his. This took Logan by surprise, looking back to the road in front of them. The barren and empty road, leading them to their destination. You look really good. You look refreshed. She spoke, then removed her hand from his, placing it back in her lap.

Logan looked back at Storm, feeling the edges of his lip curling. He couldn’t say he felt relaxed on the trip, having the run in at Alkali or being stalked by Magneto’s son could put anybody on edge for a while. Maybe… I’m just looking forward to relaxing. he countered, watching her face turn. Her eyelids hooded a little, giggling at his response as she ran a hand through her hair.

He had a good feeling about tonight, how it could easily be a fluke thing that they both could get past, or maybe this was something they wanted to explore more. Hell, they had only known of each other for about three weeks now, but her smell was intoxicating. The way she commanded a room of teenagers was admirable, and her battle tactics were instincts that couldn’t just be taught. She was a strong willed woman that Logan already knew. Now, he was curious about what else he could learn from her.

Back at the mansion, Amaris had decided she was going to make something to eat. In the kitchen, she had opened up the door of the oven, using a kitchen mit and pulling a pan out, setting it on the stove top. She examined the chicken, using a spoon to gather up the liquid on the sides and poured it over the pieces of meat, having seasoned it with the items some of the others didn’t normally use. She wanted Italian chicken, but she also wanted spicy. She decided on a rosemary spiced combination, thinking it would satisfy her needs. It had been a while since she had a home cooked meal.

Amaris set the pan back in the oven, closing the door and setting the mit down. Something felt strange. There was a presence she hadn’t been familiar with, she could feel them in the door frame behind her. She spun around, her eyes meeting him again. Those red-on-black eyes were mesmerizing for sure. Woah there, buddy. I didn’t expect to see you up and about. She spoke, leaning against the counter, crossing her arms.

Remy nodded at her, wearing a pair of gray sweatpants and a black x-men hoodie. He tilted his head to the side, pouting his lower lip briefly before speaking. The light’s down there, they be too bright for Gambit’s taste.

Amaris laughed a little. Yeah, I don’t blame you. I’d have a migraine after a while of being under them, I’m sure.

Remy smelled the air, stepping off the threshold and walking further into the kitchen. Whatcha cookin’ there?

Amaris watched him, relaxing her shoulders a little. She knew better than to be relaxed around strangers, still not knowing what happened to him before he came to the mansion or what it was he could do. Yet, he had a kind face, and he was a little charmer. Some chicken and pasta. She could see the approving look on his face. There had been plenty to share with him, plus it would be a nice little meal after recovering from an injury. You hungry? she quizzed him, shifting her weight and uncrossing her arms.

Remy looked from the stove back to Amaris. mourir de faim, mon amour. Starving.

Amaris smirked, then tapped the counter space opposite of her at the island, gesturing for him to sit. As he crossed the room, he watched her grab a second plate, setting it next to one she had out already. So, what's a face like you doing in a place like this, huh?

He was blunt, something that most mutants had to be these days. She got her little taste of the treatment while out on the road. I grew up here, she told him, turning her attention to the pot on the stove and stirring the noodles. Now a days, I teach english.

Gambit made a sound crossing between a hum of agreement and a chuckle. You don’t look like no school teacher. At least not English. Far too boring. He watched her as she spared him a look from her cooking, a quizzical glint in her eyes. Nah, you look like somebody who ought to be out there somewhere.

Amaris removed the noodles from the heat, taking the pot over to the sink and draining the water from it. I don’t get out much. This place is all I’ve known. It was kinda embarrassing to say out loud, let alone to a stranger. Sometimes it was easier to admit things to strangers, never feeling the sense of owing them an apology or anything for what people could say to them. Besides, I’m a little hindered in my abilities at the moment.

She walked back to the oven, setting the pot on a cool surface before retrieving the chicken from the oven again. You walking around and talking, petitie. What’s keeping you at bay?

She fixed both of the plates, making sure everything looked yummy and presentable. She turned around, setting a plate in front of him and then one for herself. She fished around in a drawer for utensils, handing him a fork and knife. Not all injuries are visible. It was the kindest way to set that part of the conversation to the side as she picked up her fork and knife. Go on, ooyit. Eat. She stabbed her fork into her chicken, cutting into it.

He watched her, flicking his wrist over and pointing his fork at her. What was that word, petite?

Amaris fumbled a little, watching him as she set her knife down. Eat? Like what I’m doing now?” she asked, then eating the piece of meat she cut.

Gambit chuckled a little, furrowing his brows. Nah, that other word.

She used a napkin to wipe her mouth, having teased him before with her question. It means ‘eat’. Ooyit. She twirled her fork into her pasta, now finding herself not hungry at all as this handsome devil in the black hoodie eyed her down. It’s Blackfoot. My tribe.

Remy nodded, then turned to his food and cut into it. He took a bite of the chicken, almost analyzing it with every chew. Amaris watched him, biting the inside of her cheek. I can make you something else. A burger, maybe a frozen pizza? or-”

It’s not bad… he interrupted her thought, watching her reaction. Though, it could use some bouillon, little bit of mushroom, and some more spice. He winked at her, taking another bite. Maybe next time Gambit cook. Only to return the favor.

She didn’t know how to take his comment. He was a stranger, he was supposed to be resting down in the infirmary. Yet, being her normal, selfless self, she shared a meal with him and volunteered private information to him. What spell had she been under? Are you a telepath? Or do something up here? She asked him, using her pointer finger to touch her temple.

He shook his head, getting a fork full of the pasta. I’ll show you, if you willing to show me first.

Her lips drew into a thin line. It was reasonable, a request that Amaris, after much internal deliberation, decided to honor. She set her utensils down, then brought her hands together to crack her knuckles. With her left hand, she quickly unsheathed her three fully functional claws. The right hand unsheathed as well, in a less dramatic fashion. Had a little accident with these bad boys last week.

She watched him as he examined her claws, his eyes shifting over her knuckles as the bones protruded. He watched her as she sheathed them again, watching her wince before holding her right hand. Does it hurt? His tone shifted a little. Before it had been a little lively, light and full of banter. It changed into something more solemn, which caught her off guard. She responded quickly with a ‘yes’, rubbing her knuckles briefly. He reached into his pocket, pulling out a deck of cards, the same ones he had on the little table next to his bed. I charge the playin’ cards. They go boom He held one card between his finger and middle finger, a purple hue coursed through the cards details, the same hue sparking in Gambit’s eyes.

Amaris watched in awe, seeing how beautiful it was. Something so dangerous was still beautiful to her. Jean’s ways of moving objects with her mind. Scott’s optic vision was captivating. Storm’s control over the elements was awe-inspiring. There wasn’t anything beautiful about her mutation. She was destructive and dangerous.

The words echoed in her mind over and over again, something that she hadn’t hid well. Gambit noticed her eyes, searching back and forth, her once half smirk beginning to fade. What’s wrong, Chere?

Amaris looked up at him, pulled out of her thoughts as he spoke to her. She had been thankful he pulled her away from them, but the ever looming feeling still remained. Oh… Nothing. I was just thinking. Amaris took a bite of the pasta now, swallowing the echoes of doubt she battled with. The man watched her, silently agreeing with her, continuing their meal together.

A band played that night, their covers of songs filling the air along with the crisp sound of pool balls colliding together, and the smell of alcohol filled their nostrils. Logan and Storm sat in a booth at the bar, both nursing glasses in their hands. Storm giggled a little, pointing a finger at Logan. So you’re telling me that Road House was more entertaining than St. Elmo’s Fire? She asked him, feeling the warming effects of alcohol collect in her chest. Or maybe it had been the good company she had been with.

Logan watched her, leaning over his side of the table, crossing his arms on the table top with his hand holding his beer bottle. All I am saying is that Swayze is a better actor than Lowe.

Storm laughed a little more, relaxing her shoulders as she looked at Logan. This wasn’t the same one she had met toward the beginning of the month. He was a little softer around the edges, though only the ones he had been sharing with her. They were talking about movies and television shows, something that she wouldn’t imagine having outside of the mansion. To have a somewhat normal sense of being was to be celebrated.

Logan could tell there was a small shift in the air between them. He narrowed one eyebrow at her, watching the apples of her cheeks flush with a light rose color. What is it? he asked her, a small smirk playing on the corners of his lips.

Storm watched him, biting the side of her tongue. He had been insightful, something very fitting for him. This night has just been… Logan’s shoulders tensed up a little, wondering where she was going with her sentence. Had he messed up already? Made her uncomfortable somehow? Was this why he felt better alone without anybody to depend on him? Everything I could have imaged. she continued on.

Logan’s eyes perked up a little, a new flash in them as he looked at Storm. How her beautiful white hair danced across her shoulders, matching white eyelashes batted at him, and that sweet smell of rainwater permeated from her. How could she smell like rain? Was it due to her mutation? Did she use some type of product? Or had she been enchanting him, drawing him closer to her? The song changed, the band becoming people to the dance floor. It was a risky move, but the piano began to play, an intro that Storm loved more than life itself. Come on, Logan! I want to dance with you. she exclaimed as the guitar rifted, adding more notes to the band’s cover of November Rain.

Logan looked at her outstretched hand, how little her fingers looked reaching out to him so giddy like. He long since forgot about his beer, scooting out of the booth and wrapping his hand around her fingers. He looked at their hands connected now, watching as his massive hand swallowed hers whole. Storm smiled at Logan watching as he stood up, almost falling in line with her gentle tugs. She was much more than just a mistress of the elements, as she had told him before. She was a siren, and Logan was a sailor all too willing to listen to her songs.

Once they reached the dance floor, as did about three other couples, Storm rested one of her hands behind Logan’s neck, her fingers gently scratching at his nape. The hands that had locked together stayed nearly in the same position as Logan rested his hand on Storm’s hip. He looked down at her, at how beautiful she was. In their shared hand, he fiddled with her fingers, moving around to be able to his hand around hers comfortably. Thank you, Ororo. he spoke just loud enough for them to hear, piercing her beautiful blue eyes with his green-hazel ones.

Storm looked up at him as they danced together, basically swaying and shuffling their feet together. She hadn’t heard him call her Ororo before, only by Storm. Sure, she didn’t want the other people around her to hear her code name or give away the fact she was mutant. It was easy to explain the white hair at an early age, but the name of Storm with white hair was different. No, it was the way he looked down at her, their chests pressed against each other. It was the way he looked at her that made the shared air around them different. For what, Logan?

He found her quizzical face adorable as she looked at him, the way her cheeks began to flush when the hand from her hip moved up slowly, his fingertips tracing her side before reaching the side of her face, moving a white lock of hair from the side of her face. He could hear the way her heartbeat quickened against his slow moves, not out of fear. For saving me… a few weeks ago.

I know it’s hard to keep an open heart When even friends seem out to harm you But if you could heal a broken heart Wouldn’t time be out to charm you?

They stopped swaying to the beat of the song as Logan’s hand moved back to sit on Storm’s hip. Time felt as if it fell still around them. Logan made a slight move toward Storm to start closing in on the distance between them. He watched her as her eyes flickered between his eyes and his lips, a slight hesitation in her actions. The music continued to play on, filling in the dead space between them. Let me kiss you, pretty girl. Please. he whispered between them, his lips ghosting over hers.

Storm’s reaction was quick, a gentle pull at the base of his neck as their lips met, a gentle force against each other. Logan’s hand gripped the fabric of her dress, using it as an anchor while Storm clung onto his neck. She pulled her hand from his, now placing it on his chest as their lips crashed against each other a little harsher. Logan’s hold on Storm almost felt protective, as if she would crumble in his hold at any minute. The way his beard scratched against her cheek and lips feeling the bit of scruff that she found really attractive on him. Or how his free hand now wrapped around her back to support her. Logan had lifted her up a little bit, just so her feet were no longer touching the ground.

Storm had been the first to break their kiss, slowly opening her eyes to meet his again, a smile spreading across both of their faces. Logan moved again to set her back down, her hands moving to smooth out the fabric of his shirt she had wrinkled up. She felt she had to breath heavily to catch her breath, never having a first kiss feel that way before. She could see fireworks before her eyelids, feel a sense of comfort in his hold, and lose track of time being this personal with him.

Logan smiled again, pressing his lips to the top of her forehead. She broke the silence between them, her hands slowly sinking away from his chest. If that’s how you show your gratitude, I can’t wait to see you apologize. she mused, tilting her chin up to look at him.

Logan pursed his lips together, shrugging his shoulders in thought. I can think of a reason or two to stay around for a while.

Turning the faucet off after the last dish had been washed and placed in a drying rack, Gambit threw a towel over his shoulder, spinning around and leaning back against the counter. He watched Amaris as she wiped down the counters she used for food preparation, where they ate, and the stove she used. His reddish brown hair feel to the side of his face and head as the hoodie clung lazily against his shoulders. Amaris looked up at him as she threw away the cleaning cloth, wondering how somebody like him ended up in Charles’ school. Everything okay? she asked him.

She grew curious of him, from their first meeting only a few hours prior. He had been welcoming to her presence, and he hadn’t backed away from her or tenses up when she showed him her mutation. Most others would gasp in horror or pull their hands away. One student even felt pity for her, though he was an empath who could feel her pain when using her claws. Gambit was stoic, his facial expression didn’t change unless he was talking. And that voice of his was otherworldly. Smooth, jazzy like, and just sharp enough around the edges to keep his listener on their toes. A man like him could be living it up anywhere in the world, Amaris was sure of it.

He shook his head, crossing his arms over his chest. Does this place always sound quiet? He asked her.

She shook her head. When things are quiet around here it means one of two things. During the day, danger is around. But at night, She walked around the island, standing next to it as she faced him, keeping a little bit of distance between them. It means everybody is asleep or winding down for the day.

Gambit hummed a little. You ready to unwind, Amaris? he asked her.

That question could lead to several different outcomes. If she said yes, who would know what he would say? He didn’t seem tired and wanted to sleep or rest up. Amaris had been a bit of a night owl these last few weeks, feeling something was going to happen. She wished she could figure out what she was feeling so she could stop whatever it was that was going to happen.

If she said no, some of the same questions still applied. What would she do? Watch a movie? Work on lesson plans in her classroom? Read back over the letters her parents wrote to each other or herself?

Or was she willing to live a little?

Are you good at climbing?

Gambit leaned off of the counter, grabbing the towel and setting it down. I’ve done my fair share.

Amaris gestured for him to follow her as she approached the threshold. Hearing his approach behind her, she smirked, then pulled her hair over her shoulders to fall down her back. Gambit remained quiet as he followed Amaris, walking up two flights of stairs. She led him to a balcony outside, then walked over to one of the walls with jagged bricks and vine. She made quick work, scaling the wall and climbing to the rooftop.

Gambit followed behind her, watching the bricks she grabbed and taking the same ones. He looked a little shocked at the outward stretched hand to him, seeing the little woman in front of him wide eyed and smiling at him. He took her hand, hoisting himself up onto the roof of the mansion. Once both of them were up on the roof, Amaris took in a deep breath, stretching her arms out briefly before exhaling. The night sky had been clear, the moon was in its last stages of filling out again. She then stuffed her hands in her pockets, walking up toward one of the chimney’s, taking a seat. Gambit followed her, standing next to her as he looked out to the back side of the mansion. He saw the fountains, the little pond, the basketball court, and the pastures to the side of the mansion. You got all this?

She hadn’t been sure if he had been asking her directly, but she responded anyway. Actually, Charles owns it all. He just lets us stay here, brings in wayward kids, gives them an education, and we get to practice and use our powers freely here. She reached into her hoodie pocket, grabbing a box of cigarettes. She taped the butt of the box on her hand a few times, then flipping open the top, pulling a cigarette out and the lighter she had tucked into the box. After lighting it, she tucked her supplies again, pulling a long drag from the butt. After holding it in for a few seconds, she slowly exhaled all of the smoke, blowing it out as it flowed with the light breeze.

Gambit looked down at her, then decided to take a seat. Do you mind if Gambit get a puff?

Amaris shook her head, reaching her right hand out to hand him the cigarette, twisting her upper body a little. She watched him as his hand then wrapped around her wrist as he leaned toward her, guiding her hand to cover his lips. He wrapped them around the butt of the cigarette, his lips dancing on the thin pads of her index and middle finger, closing his eyes as he inhaled the cigarette. Once he felt satisfied with his drag, he removed her hand from his face, holding the smoke before blowing it out.

Her cheeks felt warm, creeping up to her ears. Thankfully it had been dark, so hopefully he didn’t see her face flush. Though, as the reds of his eyes flashed toward hers, she had a sneaky feeling he knew what happened. Thank you, Amaris.

Call me Mara, if you want. She responded, her tone dropping a couple octaves above a whisper. She didn’t need to be so quiet being outside alone with him, but she knew he was supposed to be in the infirmary. Yet here she was, sitting on the mansion’s rooftop with a near-total stranger, sharing a cigarette, and internally gushing over the feeling of his lips against her skin. The second time that day.

His position shifted a little, leaning closer to Amaris. His hand moved slowly, reaching up to move her hair off of her shoulder, tossing it behind her shoulder. His eyes scanned hers, seeing how they lightly reflected a yellow-amber color in the dark. Amaris should have moved by now, or stopped the altercation, yet she found his presence warm and inviting. Her finger tips felt cold and numb, almost needing a shock to bring them to life. Remy? she asked, watching as his face inched closer and closer to her, their noses nearly touching.

His lips parted as he closed in on the gap between them before the sound of a car’s engine approaching cut through the quietness. She turned to look, seeing the outlines of the camino approaching the mansion. Shit, get down before we’re seen. She replied, placing her hands on his chest and pressing his back down on the rooftop. She looked down at him, feeling his breath beat against the skin of her neck. His hands found her hips in the sudden motion, resting his palms on the top of her velvet pants, his fingers splayed out and way from her. Who are we hiding from? he asked, whispering between the two of them, his eyes bouncing between both of hers.

She watched him as his eyes shifted between hers, listening closely as the car’s engine was shut off. Storm, mostly. But there’s also him. She slowly moved off of him, handing him the cigarette as she tried to peer over the top of the roof, watching as her father and her best friend left the car. It seemed their date went well, enough to watch Logan pin Storm against the half wall next to one of the courtyards, hearing Storm giggle before they kissed.

Gambit, being a little nosey, also peered over, taking another puff from the cigarette. Seems she has better things to focus on, ange. They’re too busy to notice us up here, non?

Amaris turned away, flipping back over to face the sky. Maybe, but i’m not risking getting caught up here. She had been happy that her father and her best friend had a seemingly good time. At least good enough to return to the mansion in such high moods. Though she certainly didn’t want to listen to them kissing. Finish that, then we’re going back inside. I’ll get you some blankets to stay up in the common room.

Gambit looked over at her, blowing out more smoke. Yes ma’am.

Storm looked up at Logan as he broke the kiss off, the sounds he made had been heavenly music to her ears. Though, as she opened her eyes, he saw the confusion on his face. Had his ears been on top of his head like a dogs, she would have seen how one would stand up tall and the other flop over. What’s wrong, Logan?

He kept his hands firmly on her waist, twisting his body around as he sniffed the air. Primrose, cigarettes, and murky water. He knew they hadn’t been alone, but he couldn’t tell what the cause of the third scent was. Figuring it was easier to let it slide than to investigate, he turned back to look at her. Nothing. Thought I smelled something. He sounded a little sheepish toward the end, his face relaxing again as he looked down at her face, bringing his hand up to her chin, his thumb resting on her chin before pecking her lips once more. Let me walk you to your room.

Storm watched him as he slowly relaxed again. She gave him a brief nod, accepting his request before she turned off the wall. Do you wonder who fixed the car? She asked him as they both walked up to the main door of the mansion. Storm had wrapped her arms around her body as Logan put his hands in his pockets

He shrugged his shoulders, thinking about her question. I have an idea who. The older man at the library clearly knew his way around a car. If he had any kids, he was sure they would have maintained the car. The couple seemed really invested in Logan’s past, so it could have been possible they had people keeping an eye on the place. Guess I’ll never know.

He opened up the door for her, letting her in before following behind Storm, locking it up. She could swear she had seen a light quickly shut in one of the common rooms right off the main part of the hallway. Logan watched her as she hesitated, her body pointed toward the stairs and her head looking over to the halfway. Logan broke the little silence. I’ll check it out after you get up to your room.

Storm turned to look at him, a smirk playing on her lips. I should, really. I’m a staff member here.

He looked down at her, shaking his head. Ororo, I promise. I’ll take care of it. Consider it rent paid for the night, s’long as I can keep my room for the night.

Her smirk turned into a smile, turning around and taking the first few steps up the stairs. The way his coy smile creeped on his face combined with those hazel-green eyes of his had made her younger again. Acting like her lovesick teenaged students, feeling the warmth from her cheeks reach her ears and down her neck. Your room and board have been paid tenfold, in my eyes.

She had been thankful to have Logan around during the time of Magneto’s attack and plans weeks before. Now, she had been even more thankful, if it was even possible, to have him around. As they reached the top of the stairs, he walked up next to her side, staying near her, their sides ghosting over each other. Even his presence felt comfortable to her. It was warm despite his cold exterior. She could tell he had a unique way of displaying his affection. He had been protective of Rogue when they first came around, being the first adult the young girl could trust. She saw the way he carefully cradled Amaris when they thought she had been dead, how he was scared to touch her but couldn’t bear to see her in such a state.

Then it was the way that he looked at her all night, how his eyes raked over her body and how he complied with every single request she made. He was a different person, maybe he too felt a little warmer.

She stopped next to her bedroom door, turning to face him. Her arms slowly unraveled from her body as she looked up. Thank you for tonight, Logan. I had a lot of fun.

He smiled, looking down at her. His mind had been working on autopilot as he reached a hand out to hold the side of her face, pulling her in for a tender kiss. They both smiled against the other, foreheads pressed together as Logan’s fingers brushed through Storm’s hair, gently pulling a couple of the locks down the side of her face. I did too.

He watched her as he took a step back, letting go of her, his hands finding his sides. Storm offered him another warm smile, opening her door and shutting it behind her. Logan nodded a few times, backing away from the door, spinning around and walking back down the hallway. His fingers reached his lips, tapping them as he savored the taste of her cherry chapstick. He enjoyed the night out, not being able to recall a night that felt so nice like it before. It had been a long time, he would have bet. But the wait he made to have shared a few blissful hours with her made it worth it.

He descended the stairs, hearing a little clutter in the kitchen. He stalked up to the door slowly, hearing a couple cabinet doors open and the sound to glass moving. He peered in, seeing the dark kitchen in front of him. One little detail about Logan was that he had night vision, able to see very well in the dark. So, when he looked in and saw a pair of eyes flash toward him, a slight yellow-amber glow meeting him, he didn’t know what to think at first. When the figure stood up taller, Logan shook his head, crossing his arms. Jesus, kid. Whatcha tryin’ to do? Wake the whole place up?

Amaris looked over to see her father at the arch. She blinked a few times, then turned on a little lamp on the counter. She dusted her hands off on her black velvet pajama pants. I’m just cleaning up my mess from earlier.

Logan watched her, one of his brows narrowing a little. He could smell it again. Primrose, cigarette smoke, and murky water.

Were you outside smoking?

Amaris scowled a little, placing one hand on her hip, popping her opposite knee as she looked at him. I may have been. You going to tell me not to do that, too? Tell me it’s not lady like?

Though they had known each other for around three weeks now, Logan could tell when she was joking around. Thankfully he knew she was just jabbing at him, but he also knew it was wrong of him to act fatherly to her when she was an adult now. I’m the last person to be telling you what’s lady like. He leaned off the frame, walking up to her. He could smell the water smell around her, but not on her. He wanted to know what it came from, who had been responsible for it. You’re first night back in the mansion and you’re doing dishes? Are you okay? It’s nearly midnight.

Amaris looked up at her father, wondering if he had been deflecting from his night, or if being back in the mansion had been unsettling for him. I can skate by on a few hours of sleep. I’m not tired. She shrugged her shoulders before adjusting the plain orange top she wore, pulling at the neckline.

Logan inhaled a deep breath before speaking. You should go to bed. At least sit in it. Find a book to read or listen to some music. Amaris smiled looking up at her father. She silently agreed, turning off the lamp and walking around him. He then followed her in tandem, walking toward the staircase that led to the corridor that houses most of the adults living in the mansion. He walked behind her, feeling a set of eyes following him from the shadows of one of the common rooms. Have any plans for tomorrow? He asked her as they walked.

Jean’s having me stay here while everybody else takes the kids on a field trip. I’d protest to go, but i remembered I would have had to be responsible for some children and I couldn’t do that to myself. She giggled a little at the thought. She liked teaching them, but sometimes it felt that she was holding herself back as a teacher. I have some lesson plans to work on.

Logan stopped at his bedroom door, just a few rooms down from Amaris. If you could choose to do anything else, would you? he asked her.

Amaris looked up at him, a little caught off guard. She wondered where the question came from, or what her real response would have been. She became a teacher, just as her mother had been unknown to her at the time. Whatever I would chose, I would have wanted to be happy doing it.

Are you happy with it?

Silence lingered between them. The question felt heavy on her shoulders, suffocating her thoughts about the future or of a different place and time she could have been in. Goodnight, Dad.

Goodnight, Amaris. he responded.

She shook her head. You can give me a nickname, if you want. Seems a little too formal, like i’m in trouble or something.

Logan chuckled a little, turning the knob of his door. I named you, remember?

Yeah, and you never gave me a middle name. She laughed a little under her breath before turning to go to her bedroom.

Storm had decided to drink a cup of tea before the rest of the mansion decided to wake up. She remained quiet as she left her bedroom and making her way to the kitchen. There had been only one other person awake, to her understanding, which was the little boy who had the unique mutation of controlling technology. He was able to switch the channels on the tv with a blink of his eye, control the volume with a thought. Yet, his mutation kept him from sleeping. He didn’t need to, which was a strange offset to his mutation, but everybody had their ups and downs.

Storm began to heat up water in a kettle on the stove top, prepping her mug with a tea bag and the slightest amount of sugar to offset the bitterness. She walked over to the floor-length window, watching as the first hints of the sun’s rays peered over the trees. She had a difficult time sleeping, having thought about her date with Logan. How gentle he could be, when he wanted to be. Logan could have chosen to not go on the date with her, or he could have made her night horrible. She trusted that he wouldn’t, and thankfully she had been right.

The kettle began to whistle, pulling her out of her thoughts. She walked over to the stove, turning off the heat and removing the kettle, pouring the hot water into her mug and steeping her tea bag for maximum flavor. She set the kettle down on the stove again on a colder surface, stirring her tea.

Bold choice. Scott spoke, rubbing the back of his neck as he entered the kitchen, making his way to the coffee pot. Storm smiled at him, still not awake enough to muster a proper greeting. Scott opened up a cabinet, pulling out a new filter and a plastic jar of coffee grounds, scooping some in before starting the brewing cycle. He put his items back before grabbing an empty mug for himself, setting it next to the coffee pot. You were out pretty late last night.

Storm looked from her mug to Scott. Yes, we were. But, still rested enough for the field trip today. Storm loved to take the kids out, let them realize they are just like everybody else except they were a little bit more gifted.

Scott shrugged his shoulders as he looked at her. I’ve never brought your judgment into question, he started, resting his hands on the countertop at his sides. He wanted what was best for the team, and sometimes that meant dishing out tough love. Do you think this is right? What you and him did.

Storm wrapped both of her hands around the mug as she turned to face Scott, narrowing one of her brows. What we did last night? she questioned. All we did was go out. You act as if we much more than that.

Scott watched her, now crossing his arms over his chest. Did you?

She rolled her eyes. What you and Jean do isn’t any different. she paused for a moment before speaking again. Actually, No. What you and Jean do is more serious than what Logan and I did. Scott, you have done everything for Jean except marry her. So, excuse me, for wanting to go on a date with a guy.

Ororo, it’s not about you going on a date with a guy. It’s you going on a date with him

In the hallway, Amaris had passed through, still wearing the same set of pajamas as she wanted to go into the common room to check in with Remy. Hearing the conversation perked her ears, making her stop before the door to the kitchen. She focused on her breathing, making sure not to be heard.

Care to enlighten me then? What’s wrong with Logan?

Scott sighed, leaning off of the counter and uncrossing his arms. He’s dangerous. You’ve seen how he reacts. He doesn’t take orders, he leads with his own intentions, and he doesn’t need to be here.

Why? What makes him dangerous?

Venom filled his voice, his tone deceived him as he tried to sound level headed. Because he’s an animal, and we all know animal mutants only hurt others. It’s all they know.

Amaris listened to the words as they filled the air. Her hands balled into fists, the slightest ounce of pressure threatening to unsheathe her claws. How could somebody she looked up to as an older sibling share the same common mindsets of most of the humans who hated mutants? How could he say he is looking out for the students and the team and still be so judgmental of a small group of mutants? How could Scott be so cruel?

In times when tears would fill her eyes, she swallowed the emotions hard, relaxing her hands as she entered the kitchen, looking at Scott with anger in her eyes. Don’t ever say anything about animal mutants ever again. She stared at him, keeping her distance as he faced her, his lower lip quivering a little. You have no idea what restraint we put ourselves through to keep that side in check. Nor will you ever understand what limitations we will cross to protect the ones we love and care for.

Amaris! he exclaimed in shock, then swallowed hard. I was just-

Save it. If your next words are about anything except for todays field trip, I swear to you I will become something more for you to worry about than my father. she returned with equal fervor to his venom.

Scott turned around, pouring coffee into his mug. He walked to the kitchen door, hesitantly passing by Amaris with his head hung low. She eyed him, her stance unwavering as he left. She had been so angry that she nearly forgot to breathe during the encounter, exhaling what she had left and then taking in a deep breath. Her hands began to shake a little, mostly from the nervousness as she felt a fire course through her veins.

Storm set her mug down, remaining silent as the moment passed over. Amaris, she softly spoke, watching as the younger woman turned to face her. Ororo saw the hurt in her eyes lying behind the scrunched nose and furrowed eyebrows. I promise, I don’t have those same thoughts about Logan.

The younger woman watched Ororo, her best friend. Her face didn’t change, but there was a shift in her tone as she spoke. I know you don’t. But I’ll be damned before I let anybody here talk negatively about animal mutants as a whole.

Storm watched her as she spoke, hearing the tone shift from rage to a statement. Amaris' hands still shook, which only concerned Storm, not wanting her to hold onto emotions. Her lips parted right before Amaris spoke up again. Did you enjoy your night out?

Storm inhaled a deep breath, a smile spreading across her face. I did.

The corners or her lips cracked, turning upward. Good. That’s all that counts. She left the room slowly, turning around and heading toward the common room she had left Remy in. Her hands stilled as she walked, regaining her composure.

Another set of steps enter the kitchen after Storm returned to her tea. He cleared his throat hoping not to startle her. Good morning. Logan spoke, walking up to the coffee pot, thankful it had already been made.

Storm watched him, a thin lined smile still on her face. Good morning, Logan.

He found a mug, pouring himself a cup of coffee before he turned to face her. Did you sleep well? he asked her before taking a drink from the mug. He wasn’t much of a coffee guy, but if Ororo was going to bring Logan on the field trip as another set of eyes he would need a little extra boost of caffeine.

Storm stirred her tea again, removing the bag and tossing it into the garbage can. I did. she replied, then setting her mug down on the counter in front of her before leaning against it. How about you?

Logan chuckled, watching as her posture changed. She did look rested, which is better said than him. He tossed and turned all night, thinking back to the day up on the mountain when he and Amaris were attacked. How he let his guard down and didn’t sense those men approaching him. How he was unable to keep his daughter from getting injured to the point that she may never fully recover. Slept longer than usual. he replied as nicely as he could phrase it. You sure you really want me to go out there with you and the kids? I don’t know if you’ve ever met me before, but I tend to attract the unsavory types.

Storm gave a firm nod, pressing her lips together. You won’t have to teach. Just be with me in my group. Artie can be, well… a handful. she knew he was a unique child. He was mute, and had the powers of visual telepathy, and for some reason his tongue was forked and dark blue. He liked to stir messes with other kids, so going out where humans were made Storm a little concerned.

Well, as long as I don’t have to teach, i don’t see any problems then.

The mansion had nearly emptied out by now. The kids were on their way to a museum of natural history along with most of the staff. There were still a few staff members left at the school catching up on grading papers or writing lesson plans. Amaris had been trying to do the same, but there was an awfully attractive distraction sitting at one of the students desks. This is what I’m talking about. Gambit spoke, shuffling the deck of cards he pulled from his jacket. All work and no play must make Miss Mara a dull girl.

Amaris held her pen with both hands as she looked up at him. He had kicked both of his feet up on the desk, leaning as far back as he could. I’ve been gone for two weeks. I need to make sure that who ever subbed in on my classes kept up with the lesson plans I had ready, just in case.

Are you always looking out for others? He asked, collecting all of the cards in one of his hands.

She set her pen down, scooting away from the desk and crossing her arms. I’m just repaying Charles’ kindness for taking me in. Raising me.

Gambit swung his legs off of the desk, leaning forward. That’s not what I asked, ange.

Amaris exhaled deeply. She didn’t think she wore her heart on her sleeve, but ever since she had been reunited with her father, she felt there was a difference within her. She acted more territorial when it came to her loved ones, her teammates, but she knew recently she had acted more possessive of them. It’s been a while… since somebody has looked out for me.

Gambit nodded slightly. He could tell she had been taking care of herself for a while. I overheard you in the kitchen this morning, talking to Dr. Grey’s man. He watched her reactions as her face fell a little. Who’s Logan?

Amaris, for some reason, felt guilty about it. She had every right to say what she did, though thinking back on the conversation she may have sounded harsher than what she meant. You remember last night?

Gambit’s lips curved, dragging his thumb over the corner as if to wipe something away. All to well, he spoke coily, winking at Amaris.

She felt heat begin to creep across her cheeks, snaking up to her ears. Her fingers dug into her bicep as she spoke. The man that Storm was with, that’s Logan. She released the tension in her fingers, relaxing, though mentally cursing herself as she looked at Gambit, his unique eyes piercing hers. Logan is my father. We reunited three weeks ago.

Gambit looked at her confused. What do you mean reunited? I thought you said the professor raised you.

Amaris hated lesson plans, so she was happy for this distraction. You must really like me if you’re asking me all of these questions. She watched as he shrugged his shoulders in response. The last time I saw my father was 1979, the day Charles saved me and Scott, along with a lot of other mutants.

Gambit aint the smartest, but Logan looks a little too young to be your daddy.

Well, you’re not wrong. She stood up, moving from her chair to sitting on the edge of her desk, placing her hands in her lap. It’s his mutation. Probably mine too, seeing as I inherited a lot from him. She raised one hand up, wiggling her fingers hinting at the source of her mutation. He’s older than the professor. Much older.

Gambit stood up, his long brown leather coat trailing behind him as he put his cards away. Yet, he is able to produce beautiful creatures like yourself, chere.

Amaris watched as he approached her, placing both of his hands on either side of her, palms flat on the desk, lowering his face down to be eye level with her. She could swear the previous heat of her face turned into fire the closer he got. You keep looking at me like that, and I might start thinking you're interested. His eyes were the feature that drew her into him, a total stranger.

How long has it been since somebody looked out for you, ange? he asked her, his voice lowered as his breath again fanned over her skin.

It’s been four years, she responded, fighting the urge to lean back and away from him or to lean in to close the distance. Suddenly it felt like she had to fight for air, feeling her chest rise and fall in tune with her quickened heart beat.

He looked over her features, her brown-hazel eyes and how light they were, the way her cheeks flushed complimented her natural color, down to the lavender perfume she wore. Four years is a long time. Maybe time has healed those wounds, yeah?

This was wrong. She didn’t know this man. He was a stranger to her; tall, dark eyed, and mysterious. He could have been a threat to her or the children. He could be spying for somebody and trying to get intel on the x-men and Charles. But he was flirtatious, outgoing, and didn’t care about what others said. He was a flame that burned the perfect shade of orange and yellow, and she was a moth drawn toward him.

Amaris inched forward, her eyes flicking up to Remy’s. He watched her movements, falling suit with hers. Inches shrunk into centimeters. Remy closed the distance, softly clashing against Amaris’ lips. Her hands rested in her lap at first, hesitant to reach out and touch him. Remy didn’t care as he brought both of his hands now up to her face, cupping her cheeks as their lips clashed again, this time with a little bit more pressure.

Amaris could swear she had been seeing stars, as if a weight had lifted off of her during that minute. Remy, being the natural flirt he was, did feel a magnetic pull to the woman in front of him. He broke the kiss off, allowing them to breathe as his thumbs brushed over her cheeks, admiring how breathless he made her. What was it you were sayin’ ‘bout being interested?

Amaris’ eyes fluttered open again as she looked up at the cajun man. She brought one hand up to cover one of his. Her eyes focused on his lips as he pressed his forehead to hers, hating how she almost leaned into his touch. She must have looked like a love depraved little girl, and he was this man who had obviously seen a thing or two in his life. She parted her lips to speak when she heard the floorboard creaking outside of the classroom. She gently pushed Remy out of the way, hearing a pounding sound on the other side of the door. It was a heartbeat, pounding as if it’s owner ran a marathon. Or ten.

Amaris made her way to the door as Remy called out her name. As she opened it, she smelled that all too familiar scent again.

Peppermint.

Pietro stood outside of the classroom door, a bouquet of flowers in hand. Princessa, you look lovely today. He cooed, holding the flowers out to her.

She had been shocked by his presence, pulling him into the room and slamming her door shut. You have a lot of nerve showing up here. She pointed a finger at him, causing the man to tense up, though he had a smile on his face as he closed his eyes briefly. The same smile she fell for as a teenager.

You wouldn’t hit a man who brought you flowers, would you? he asked, holding them out to her. They were lovely, and incidentally were the same color schemes of their hero suits. Light blue daisies, orange tulips, and white roses. It was an interesting arrangement, something he would have had to pick out.

Amaris had taken a couple of courses during her time at Xavier’s ranging from mechanics classes led by Scott, to creative writing led by Charles. Another one of these filler classes she took had been flower arrangements by Storm. Amaris took the flowers, a scowl still present as she looked at the flowers. Just when I thought I knew you. She examined the flowers, bringing a finger to gently drag over the petals. A bouquet was worth a million words. This one was worth only a few. You think you can come in here with flowers and think i’ll forgive you for what you did? she asked, then tossing them back at him.

Gambit leaned against the desk, pulling his deck of cards out and shuffling them as he watched the encounter. Pietro looked over at him, wondering who he had been, before looking back at Amaris. Blue daisies? Loyalty? Is that what you call running away four years ago? she asked him, truly upset he waltzed in with the flowers. Orange Tulipes? White Roses? You think you can make an apology with these? Proclaim love with these?

Pietro set the flowers down on a desk next to him before turning back to the woman, holding his hands out to his sides. I had to come back to the mansion to make sure you made it home safely. Can you blame a man for that?

She couldn’t trust him. The timing had been troubling for her. They had lost contact for four years, then ran into each other in the same library in a different country, then he tracked her down to her parents cabin in the mountains. Now he was back in New York as if nothing had happened. What do you want? she asked plainly.

Remy cleared his throat. Do you need some help taking the trash out, ambre? giving her a little nickname based off the amber hues of her eyes in the evening dark front he night before

Amaris looked over at Remy as Pietro used his powers to run up to stand in front of Remy. I’ve never seen you around here, he spoke, eyeing the man. Are you another lost soul Xavier’s men found?

Remy’s eyes flashed the purple hue Amaris saw the previous night. Not wanting to have to explain to the others why her classroom was destroyed, she marched over to the men, placing one hand on both of their chests, pushing Pietro back. Sorry if the welcome isn’t warm. The last time you made an appearance I ended up with around five bullets in my back.

Pietro continued to stare at Gambit, his once charming smile turned into a cocky smirk. Almost as if he was trying to prove a point. He took a hold of Amaris’ hand, pulling her into his grasp. His other arm wrapped around her body as he spun her in a way she ended up leaning into him. I apologize for that, princessa.

Before she could react, he pulled her in for a kiss. Amaris’ eyes remained open as she pushed at him. Remy had intervened at this point, pulling Pietro’s hands off of Amaris. He forced space between them, standing in front of her while holding fistfuls of Pietro’s shirt. I don’t know where you come from, mon ami, but where I’m from we don’t kiss girls who push against us.

Amaris pulled her shirt back in place from where Pietro had grabbed her. She used the back of her hand to wipe her mouth, looking up at Remy as he turned his head to look back at her. She never felt so defenseless before, having always been able to take care of herself. She had a hard time accepting help of any capacity, including help in loving herself. Suddenly that kiss with Remy earlier didn’t feel so wrong now.

Pietro, you have one more chance to tell me why you’re here. Or else, I’ll let him have his fun.

Pietro flashed both of his hands up, a sign of surrender. Stryker. He has my sister.

There was a flash in her mind, remembering the conversation she had on the radio back at the mountains. The older voice, eerily sounding on the other end. How the soldier used her body weight against her, breaking her claws while they were sunk into his body. What did you say? she asked, wanting to hear it again.

Stryker has my sister. I can’t find him. Remy still held Pietro, but he searched his features for any signs of deceit. I came here because that’s what the x-men do. They help mutants. They help their own.

Amaris brought her hand up to Remy’s shoulder, giving him a light squeeze. She maintained eye contact with Pietro as he spoke. How do you know Stryker has your sister?

The flowers. The note is in with the flowers.

She looked at the flowers, slowly walking over to them and grabbing the stems. She fished a note out of the flowers, slightly damp on the corners front he stems, the faintest hint of green saturated on the corners.

She turned to look at him, flashing the little card. W.S. ? What are these coordinates? She asked him.

That is where my sister was last seen.

Remy looked over at Amaris. You really gonna trust this good for nothing swamp rat, Mara?

Pietro hummed a little, that coy smirk on his face again. She’s letting you call her Mara now? That’s impressive, Red.

Remy sneered a little looking back at Pietro. Amaris broke the tension. He’s telling the truth.

She set the card down as Remy let go of Pietro. The Sokovian man fixed his jacket, chuckling a little. I do it quite often. Nobody believes me.

Another set of steps approached the room, swinging the door open. Amaris, you have to see this. Came the voice of a woman, another member of staff. The president was attacked. They’re saying it was mutants.

The trio looked amongst themselves before Amaris led the charge out of the room, making her way to the nearest common room area. A couple other staff members had gathered around the television as a news reporter talked about the attack. She watched silently as the two men watched her, standing against the wall. Pietro spoke lowly between them. She’s loyal. Kind. Caring. I’ll give her that. But a word to the wise, friend. As soon as you can, get away from this place. It only causes misery for people like us.

Gambit had crossed his arms as he leaned against the wall. He didn’t shift as Pietro spoke. All he knew was that he could not trust the other man. It had been obvious Amaris did not trust him, and they clearly had a past. Gambit decides where he is needed. We all need a bit of rain every now and then to look forward to sunny days. His eyes shifted back to Amaris, watching the now worried woman analyze the screen.

Remy turned to look at Pietro, matching his volume, but keeping his tone lowly. I see you pull a fast one like that again and I swear to you I’ll make your fingers into snacks for my gator friends.

Pietro chuckled again, rolling his eyes. You’ll have to catch me first, Red.

The kids all made it back safe, though their trip had been cut short. Charles, Jean, Scott, Storm, Logan, and Amaris met together in Charles office. Scott was worried as he paced in front of a window overlooking the gardens. Jean and Storm shared a couch together, and Logan stood near the door. He still hadn’t found his place with the group, which was something Amaris hoped he would one day. Though it would have to be his choice, something she nor anybody else could force him into making.

Amaris stood next to a bookshelf, again keeping to herself as Scott spoke. Magneto has to be behind this. It only makes sense. he spoke confidently.

Jean was the one to object him. No. He couldn’t do that. He is already living in a plastic jail cell, the last thing he would do is jeopardize his living conditions to have another act in his will.

Erik is quite the wordsmith, Charles began, he is capable of organizing an event like this from prison. However, I agree with Jean. He wouldn’t risk being caught, seeing as he would be the primary suspect in this case. He wants mutant superiority. This would only hurt his goals and dash his advances.

Storm spoke up, a hint of anxiety in her voice. The government won't take lightly to this. They will only re-introduce the mutant registration act.

Charles watched her, a grave tone in his voice. Worse, even. They could place every mutant in the country on house arrest. Contain them.

How can they enforce such a plan? Keep every mutant in their homes? They don’t have the man power for that. Logan added.

They would be counting on that, Amaris added. As soon as somebody steps out of line, they will demonstrate their forces and make an example of them. It’s easy to control the masses when you base your work off of fear.

Like Senator Kelly did. Jean replied. She then looked over at Charles, wondering what he had been thinking. Do you think the assassin was working alone, Professor?

Charles sighed a little before looking over at Jean. The only way to find out is for us to find him. At least before the authorities do. I’ve been using Cerebro to track him, but it’s difficult.

Logan looked at him puzzled. Why?

His moves are erratic. I can’t pin him down to one location long enough before he moves again. He took in a deep breath, then looking between Jean and Ororo. Storm, Jean, I have a set of coordinates. I want you to go there and see what you can find. Please, take the Black Bird and try to bring him in to us.

Ororo and Jean looked at each other, giving a simple nod.

The team split up as the two women left the room first, headed to go get ready for their recon mission. Amaris, may I have a word? he asked.

Logan looked toward his daughter. She gave Logan a thumbs up before walking over one of the seats. Scott and Logan both left the room. I should go help the girls get ready. he spoke, taking a step toward the staircase.

Logan was quick to grab his upper arm, causing the man to turn around and look at the other. We’ve got something to talk about, pal.

Scott shook his arm, freeing himself from Logan’s grasp. I don’t have any business with you, Logan, and I plan on keeping it that way.

Logan shook his head before resting his hands on his hips. You see, you’re kinda already in my business, so that’s not an option for you. he spoke coldly. You don’t like me. I’m fine with that. Everybody else in the world doesn’t like me. That works for me. But the last thing I need is for my daughter, who I’ve only known for three weeks and I would murder for her, to defend me and my existence to somebody like you who wouldn’t be able to function with a pair of glasses. You’re a glorified blind person, and you're over here shitting on animal mutants. Got to say Scott, thats fucked up.

Scott kept a solid, thin lipped facade as Logan tore into him. You will never understand what it feels like. Being responsible for your friends, protecting them with your very life, only to watch them interact with the one thing that will kill them.

Logan’s lips twisted. I’m sorry, is Storm not leaving to track down an attempted killer? Did Amaris, who risked her hide going to the train station to find Rogue, not give her all in a whim of hoping to help your ungrateful ass?

You think you have all of the answers? Scott asked coldly. Please, by all means, with your twenty years of memories and knowledge, you think you can lead the group? Be my guest.

Logan sneered at him. The next time you have something snippy to say about me, say it to my face. Logan then walked past Scott, shoulder checking the man as he headed down the stairs. He needed a puff from his cigar, something to take the edge off.

As he approached the foyer area, he saw Storm, causing him to change his course. He walked up to her, stuffing his hands in his pockets. Need a hand with anything? he asked her.

She smiled looking up at him, then shaking her head. I think Jean and I have it all under control here. Her eyes then widened, holding a singular finger up. Actually, yes. There is one thing we could use some help with.

Name it, Darlin’

Storm hummed a little, approving of the little pet name he used. We need a babysitter.

Logan rolled his eyes before looking back down at her. What are you talking about?

Jean and I are heading to Boston to find the mutant who attacked the president. Charles and Scott are going to visit Magneto and see what he knows about it. We can’t just leave the kids here unsupervised.

He tilted his head from side to side. Amaris is going to be here. She’s a staff member.

Storm giggled a little. One teacher in charge of nearly eighty ward’s? I don’t like those odds. She approached Logan, placing a hand on his chest. His eyes narrowed a little at her as she closed the distance between him, his hands instantly finding her waist. Do it for me, please?

Logan grumbled a little. Well, since you asked so nicely… maybe I will.

I’ll take it as a yes. She reached up, pressing a quick kiss to his lips, something Logan returned all too eagerly. Storm then walked away from Logan, waving at him before heading to the elevator. He watched her as she left, starting to think that Xavier’s school isn’t so bad after all.

So, did you enjoy the museum of natural history? Amaris asked him, sneaking up on him.

Logan was a little startled by her presence, though still welcoming of it. You see one sack of bones, you’ve seen them all. he commented. He then gestured between her and the staircase. You in trouble with your boss, your team leader, or Charles? he asked her, wondering what their conversation had been about.

She drew her lips into a thin line, stuffing her hands in her pockets as she looked down briefly. Guess you could say all three. she responded looking up at him.

Mari! Pietro called, casually walking up to her and Logan. Perfect timing. he spoke, then placing his hands on her shoulders and standing behind her, using her as a shield.

A man could be heard speaking rounding the corner. reviens ici, espèce de diable d'argent Gambit called, then spotting Pietro standing behind Amaris.

Because of her height, she stood only shoulder tall compared to all of the men around her. Logan was on edge, eyeing the hands of the silver haired man on his daughters shoulder. Outside, now. Logan called, freeing Amaris from his grip and forcing her to stand behind him. He stared them both down as he kept one of his hands on Amaris while using the other to point at the door.

The four adults all filed out of the foyer area and walked out to the main court yard. Logan had let go of his daughter at this point, though he made sure to stand just to the side enough so she hadn’t been blocked, keeping her away from the men. He pointed at Pietro, a vein in his forehead nearly popping out. I don’t like you, bub. What the hell are you doing here?

Pietro had been nervous in Logan’s company, unsure of how he would react. I came for Amaris’ hel-

Excuse me? she quipped.

He sighed a little, closing his eyes before speaking again. I came for the X-Men’s help. he spoke, correcting himself.

Logan’s eyes shifted from Pietro to the other man he didn’t know. Who the hell are you?

Remy put his cards back in his pocket. Remy Lebeau, le diable blanc.

Logan shifted between the two, craning his neck to the side to crack the joint. Why were you chasing him down?

It’s a simple misunder-

I wasn’t talking to you, fly boy. Logan snipped back at Pietro.

Gambit looked at Logan. I saw this couyon snooping around Mara’s room. I found him heading out of it, acting funny. I was only looking out for her, mon ami. His eyes then shifted over to Amaris.

She looked at Gambit, feeling grateful he had been looking out for her, though as her eyes darted over to Pietro, her brows furrowed together. Seriously?

I was just putting the flowers in your room. I wanted to make sure you at least had them in there.

Flowers, huh? Logan asked. Sure those couldn’t have just been sat next to the door, or given to her in person?

I threw them back in his face, when he entered the mansion while you were on the field trip. Amaris explained.

Logan turned back to look at Amaris. He could hear her heart the strongest, how it fluttered when the red haired man spoke and how it pounded when Pietro spoke. Is he bothering you? Logan asked.

She looked from Pietro up to her father. She didn’t rely on adults to make her choices or to defend her. She was still trying to get used to having a father, her blood father back in her life. Charles was her father in the emotional and stable upbringing she had. Logan was gone, though not of his own choices as they had learned previously. She brought her right hand up as she spoke, running her thumb over the thin pads of her fingers. Yes… and as much as I would love to kick him out of here, which i’m still half tempted to she spoke staring at her ex, He has reasons to believe that Stryker took his sister.

Logan watched her. The name flashed images in his mind, prints xrays that displayed metal bones, the soldiers on the mountain that attacked him. The same one that proclaimed they worked for him as he took Amaris’ bone claws. His jaw clenched as he turned around. Do you know what they did to her on that mountain? he roared at Pietro, taking a step closer to her. Maybe I should break one of your legs so you’ll know a fraction of what happened to my daughter up there.

Dad, she protested.

No, Amaris. I watched this scum talk to the shop keeper after you left her. He stalked you in Calgary, he just so happened to follow you to the cabin right before Stryker’s boys could attack you. Now, here he is less than a week later at Xavier’s asking for help? Giving you flowers? Snooping in your room?

Gambit watched the interaction, smirking the whole time. Don’t forget the part where he grabbed Mara and kissed her when she was pushing him away. He chuckled a little, clearing his throat. I should have done more than just pull him off of her.

Logan looked from Gambit back to Pietro. Amaris could hear the low grumbling in his chest before the distinct snikt of his metallic claws were unsheathed. Amaris watched in slow motion as Logan charged at Pietro before a blue and silver line filled the spot where he stood, dissipating quickly down the driveway and past the gate. Amaris huffed, crossing her arms. You coward! she yelled, then kicked a rock into one of the bushes, balling her hands into fists.

Logan turned back to Amaris, relaxing his hands as the six adamantium blades slowly retracted into his arms. Did he hurt you? He asked her, his eyes scanning over her face.

No, she replied clearly. Remy pulled him away. I should have let him kick him out.

Logan’s attention turned back to Remy. The other man stood motionless as Logan observed him. He didn’t know the man, not having met him until now, nor could he ignore how level he sounded when he spoke about the incident from earlier. Or how the beating of his heart never faltered when he spoke, indicating everything he spoke had been true. Do you know anything about him?

Gambit shook his head. Aside from his feeble attempts to woo Mara, and the sickening amount of cologne he was wearing; No. I don’t know anything about him.

Amaris could sense a shift in Logan. He was still on edge, and she needed to help him. We can trust Remy. she told him, walking up to Logan’s side. Her brown-hazel eyes looked down to her father’s hand, seeing how it trembled a little. Hearing how quickly he had been breathing was another indicator to his confusion of the situation and how he was processing it. Amaris decided to reach for his wrist, her hand slowly and gently wrapping around his wrist. Logan looked from Gambit down to his wrist, seeing how Amaris had reached out for him. His breathing slowed down as he then met her eyes with his green-hazel eyes. It’s okay, she whispered.

Logan had struggled being on his own for so long, what had been only twenty one years of life that he had remembered clearly. Struggling with discovering that he had more parts of him physically living on the same continent. Struggling with wanting to go back to Alberta and pick up where he left off at figuring out his next move to make money. Staying still and complacent.

Then there was a new beginning in front of him. One with his daughter, whom he had twenty-one years of catching up to do with. A beginning in New York where he could be in a safe place full of other people like him, filled with mutants who were not afraid to use their talents and learn how to control them. A beginning with a team who wanted to help mutants and humans alike all in order to protect their way of living. To be able to not just survive from day to day, but to live.

It’s okay he echoed as Amaris then wrapped both her arms around him, pressing the side of her face into his chest, listening as his heart beat slowed. His arms wrapped around her, one of his hands sinking up to the back of her head and cradling her to him. It’s okay.

The students had retreated to their rooms for the night. Scott and Charles had travelled to see Erik while Jean and Storm went to Boston to find the mutant they believed was responsible for the attack on the president. Logan stirred in his sleep, seeing a room with a strange table in the middle surrounded by raw concrete walls and a viewing gallery. Men could be heard cheering as corks were popping on bottles of alcohol. The sound of a guttural animal screaming drowned out their voices, along with the hail of bullets and guns firing. The searing pain in his hands woke him up, the last thing he saw was a blinding light through a door as he ran to it.

Logan woke up panting as he bolted up in the bed, his hands gripping the sheets. A few beads of sweat littered his forehead and chest, which now clung to the ribbed tank top he wore. He swung his legs off of the bed, running his hands through his hair as the cool night air filtered into his room from the open window. As he caught his breath, he grunted, standing up. Every night was filled with nightmares, little windows into his past. More of these windows presented after he read the journal, which now lays on the nightstand next to the bed.

He stood up, needing to sort through some of the feelings he had with a smoke and a cold beer. He slipped his boots on before leaving his room, walking down the hallway. The mansion had been silent, eerily silent. Every step he made even sounded like a muted thud against the hardwood floors. The kids were asleep, or talking lowly amongst themselves. He had heard the sound of a television playing. At first he thought it had been left on by one of the kids, though as he approached the room, he heard the channels flipping through some of the infomercials. Logan leaned against the threshold, crossing his arms as he observed a boy watching the tv. He watched as the boy would blink, causing the channel to change. Can’t Sleep? the kid asked Logan, never looking away from the tv.

Logan smirked a little before responding, How could you tell, kid?

The boy looked over at Logan from the side of the couch. You’re awake.

Logan nodded, finding his response humorous. How about you?

A soft voice chimed in. Jones doesn’t sleep. Amaris spoke, holding a blanket in one hand and a small bowl of popcorn in the other. She walked around the couch, handing the child the snack and then covering him up. He’s a great listener when I’m up late grading papers.

Thank you, Miss Amaris. he replied. She then walked out of the room, heading back toward the kitchen.

Logan followed her. Something keeping you up? he asked.

Amaris looked up at him, then shrugged her shoulders. The thought of my ex snooping around my bedroom kinda puts sleeping in there feel creepy. she admitted, then taking the corner into the kitchen where she saw Bobby eating a late night snack as well.

Logan looked at the teen boy, grunting a little. Doesn’t anybody sleep in this school?

Bobby dipped his spoon back into the container of ice cream. Guess not. he replied.

Logan opened up the fridge, looking around. Got any beer?

Bobby looked up at him, laughing a little. This is a school. Full of minors.

Logan shut the door, rolling his eyes. Is there anything else to drink aside from chocolate milk?

There should be some soda in the cabinet over there. Amaris pointed at with a knife she was using to slice an apple.

Logan walked over to it, grabbing one of the glass bottles. He easily popped the cap off of it, setting it on the counter. He then eyed Bobby before holding the glass over to him. Bobby chuckled before taking the bottle, blowing cold air into the drink. Logan watched as ice trails formed on the outside of the glass, making the liquid the perfect cold temperature to drink. Thanks, kid.

He then looked over at Amaris. She had been dressed in work out clothes, jogger like pants and a long zip up jacket. Her hair was in two long braids, wrapped in an orange wrap starting from her ear lobes and reaching down to her hair ties. What do you plan on doing?

I’m going to the gym. Might as well use this energy for something productive. she spoke before cleaning her knife and setting it down in the dish rack. Be easy on him, Bobby. She joked, winking at him before leaving the room.

Logan watched as she left before taking a swig from the glass bottle. Miss Amaris is a good person. She just has a hard time asking and accepting help. Bobby spoke up, watching as the older man shifted his gaze back to him.

What do you mean?

Bobby reached for another spoonful of ice cream. I started school here right before she became our English teacher. That was when that Peter guy dumped her. She closed herself off for a while. She threw herself into the gym, working out a lot, going down to the danger room and flight simulators and putting in hours there, mostly keeping to herself.

Logan leaned against the counter as Bobby spoke, watching him. Has she always been like this? he asked.

Mostly, I would say. The better person to ask would be Scott. He looks out for her the most, secondly to Storm. he set the spoon down, looking over at the man.

Logan knew that Storm was very nurturing of the students at the school, and to hear it even reached as far as his daughter made him feel good on the inside, adding embers to his fire. Though Scott hadn’t been the same kind man that the others discussed he was. Your parents sent you here? To mutant school? Logan quizzed.

He watched as Bobby’s smile faded, his tune changing suddenly. He swallowed hard before responding. Actually, they think I’m at prep school. Miss Amaris and Dr. Grey came to talk with my parents, it was Dr. Grey who told them this was a prep school.

Logan gave a quick nod, thinking about his words. Well, I guess lots of prep schools have their own dorms and large campuses.

Bobby chuckled in response. What about jets and superheroes?

Logan narrowed one eye. You got a point there. he took another drink. Why tell your parents this was a prep school instead of a mutant academy?

It’s complicated. You and Rogue, huh? Bobby nodded in response as Logan took another swig from his bottle. How do you two…

Bobby leaned back in his seat, shaking his head. We’re figuring that out.

While the two men spoke in the kitchen, an unknown threat began to enter the mansion. Jones had been the first to notice as he left the media room. He found two men dressed in tactical gear entering the mansion, their faces covered in various shades of green and black pain. The soldier then pointed a gun at him, shooting three needles filled with tranquilizers, knocking the boy out. The thud from his body had pricked Logan’s ears. He set his glass down, standing up taller. What’s wrong? Bobby asked him.

Logan urged him to remain quite as he slowly stalked around a corner. Bobby had watched as Logan walked around the kitchen, heading out of a side door. He stood up wondering what had been happening. About a minute later, Logan reentered the kitchen, though he had wrapped his arms around a soldier who had entered the kitchen, weapon drawn at the teen boy. You picked the wrong house, bub. Logan stated.

Only a few seconds later, the mansion had been alerted to danger by the super sonic screech of the student known as Theresa Cassidy. Bobby ducked down, covering his ears as glass began to break. The soldier began firing his gun as Logan yelled at the sudden sound of the girl's scream.

Everybody else had woken up as well, including Gambit who was resting in an empty bedroom. He was quick to jump up, grabbing his deck of cards from his side table and the staff he had leaning against the door.

Amaris had covered her ears, kneeling next to a rack of weights as the glass began to shatter. Then the screaming stopped. She stood up, instantly running out of the gym. Her students were in danger, and she was coming for blood.

Logan had tossed the soldier against the fridge before plunging his claws into the man's chest, disposing of him. Stay there. He instructed Bobby before walking out of the kitchen. He spotted a group of soldiers in the main corridor. Using his claws, he covered the first soldier's mouth with one hand before killing him, doing the same for the next three soldiers. Hearing their teammates fall, one of the soldiers turned around and saw Logan. He shot the tranquilisers at him, though this didn’t have the same effect as Logan easily powered through the sedation effects and killed the other two soldiers.

Amaris entered the main corridor, spotting her father and the fallen soldiers. I’m going to get the students out of here. She spoke, unsheathing the claws of her left hand, making her toward the student dorms.

Logan followed behind her, ready to take on more soldiers. The young girl snaked up the stairs, pausing on the top stair as she heard footsteps in the room next to her. She followed the wall closely, controlling her breathing as she rounded the corner. There had been a soldier who just entered one of the bedrooms. She quickly entered, kicking in one of his knees before staging him in the neck, then pushing him down to the ground. There had been a group of teenage girls huddled together. Amaris looked up at them, slowing her breathing again. Come on girls. We need to get to the tunnels.

Amaris stood over the corpse, guiding the girls around it and out of the room. She had heard more gunshots as they left the room before a big crash could be heard. She watched as a man’s body fell to the floor before watching a taller man walk through the opening in the wall, holding a child. Peter? This was perfect. Head toward the tunnels, I’ll cover for you.

Peter nodded, then called for the children to follow him. Amaris and Logan had worked in tandem, taking care of the soldiers who followed the children through the school. Amaris peered down a side hall, seeing a group of children being cornered. She quickly made her way down the hall, charging at the soldiers. She had been shot with the tranquilisers, though they did not have an effect on her, as she was easily able to push them out of the open window. Go find Peter, go to the tunnels. Go, now!

Mara! Gambit called, spotting her in the hallway. He ran toward her, Amaris spotting him and meeting him halfway. The two wrapped their arms around each other, Amaris careful not to accidentally stab Gambit. You need to leave.

Not until all of the children are out of here. She said, letting go of him as a soldier rounded the corner. Gambit was quick to respond, throwing a supercharged playing card at him, watching as the man’s vest exploded and sent him flying. She nodded, turning around to face him. Not bad, Cajun. She hummed.

Gambit smirked looking down at her. Not bad yourself, ange.

Amaris grabbed his hand, then started to lead him down the hallway. She paused before reaching a corner, making sure to leave an arms length between her and the corner edge. She listened closely as she heard somebody approach. She sucked in a deep breath she rounded the corner, claws bore. She then froze, seeing his silver-blond hair looking down at her. Forgive me. Pietro whispered. In a flash to Amaris and Gambit, but in a very short amount of time for Pietro, he had placed mutant power blocking devices around their necks, then zip tying Gambit’s hands together behind his back. He then moved to Amaris, zip tying her hands in front of her.

A soldier grabbed Gambit, injecting him with the stunning medication. Amaris watched as he sank to the floor. She then looked back at Pietro, feeling the anger filled tears begin to brim in her eyes. Why, Pietro?

He brought a hand up to her face, running his thumb over her cheek. He took pity on her, leaning down and pressing a kiss to her hair and then to her forehead. I hope you’ll forgive me, Princessa.

Meanwhile, Logan had managed to find Bobby, Rogue, and John Aldrich running away from the soldiers. He managed to keep them safe, getting them to the entrance of the tunnel. He shut the door, ensuring they would escape safely as he heard more boots colliding with the floor. He looked up as soldiers pointed weapons at him. You wanna shoot something? Then, shoot me! he growled, releasing his claws again.

Don’t shoot! a man commanded, standing in the shadow of the men as he slowly crept up to the light. Don’t shoot! Logan watched the silhouette of the man as he walked up the hallway, taunting him. Wolverine? I can’t believe it!

The man walked far enough up the hallway that Logan could finally see his face. This is the last place on Earth I would expect to find you. Must say, it’s astonishing to see Xavier house animals such as yourself. He sounded rather confident as he came to a halt nearly ten feet in front of Logan. Though, you are quite a unique animal. Just not a rare one.

Logan then heard the sound of a woman grunting as she had been dragged in by two other soldiers, Pietro escorting them as they stood next to Stryker’s side. I had always wondered what happened to that little ball of sunshine you adored. You would never shut up about getting back home to your girls. It was annoying how after everything I ever offered you was never enough to leave them behind you. I guess that’s why Kayla’s dead and you never saw this little one again. William had grabbed Amaris’ chin, forcing her to look at him, gritting her teeth in the process. You look just like your mother. He clicked his tongue, then looked over at Logan.

Who are you? Logan asked, his claws sinking back into his arms.

William smirked, letting go of Amaris. Come now, Wolverine. Don’t you remember? He asked, chuckling slightly. He then turned to Amaris, looking at her hands. Don’t worry your darling little head, child. Soon, I’ll make you into what he never wanted you to be. Stryker turned back to face Logan. A true monster.

A cold wall of ice began to form in the hallway, separating Logan from the group of soldiers. Logan yelled, trying to push at the wall. Bobby had come back with Rogue and John to make sure Logan would escape safely. Logan turned back to look at the kids. I have to save her! he yelled at them.

He’ll kill us all if we don’t leave. Rogue pleaded.

That includes you, Bobby added.

Logan looked back at the wall again, seeing their forms through the ice. After a moment, he turned around, entering the tunnel and shutting the door behind them. We can get to the garage through here. Bobby said, leading the group of four through the tunnels.

It didn’t take long for them to find the garage, still left untouched by the soldiers. They entered the first car they saw, which Bobby stated had been Scott’s car. Logan used one of his claws, using it to start the car. Rogue sat in the front passenger seat as Bobby and John entered the back seat. Logan floored the car, racing him and the children out of the mansion as quickly as he could. Where’s Dr. Grey and Storm? Rogue asked as Logan began driving down the winding road.

Boston, Logan replied, gripping the steering wheel tight as his knuckles turned white.

My parents live in Boston, Bobby spoke, half hopeful and half ashamed.

Good, that’s where we’re going. Logan stated, shifting the car again. He wished he could have stayed behind at the mansion, found a way to save his daughter, found a way to make sure the kids were safe, and figured out what Stryker wanted. He breathed heavily as he turned onto the highway. He needed to save his daughter.

She saved him already, just by showing him love and taking him in when he proved time and time again he wasn’t worth having around. Now, Stryker had her, and it was all his fault.

Taglist here: (message me if you want to be added.)

[nelllover]

i have a very weird question that i would love to hear your take on. in a au where lorelai & chris got married and died in a car crash, what made emily & richard to raise rory as their own daughter, what her relationship with jess would be like? and mostly with her grandparents?

Ooh, that's interesting.

So in this au, you would have to take into count that Rory would have been raised by Lorelai and Chris (not sure if we're talking about them dying when she's a baby or when she's like 10 or something) and I think that in itself would change Rory a lot. Not having Chris in her life was a big thing for Rory growing up, and unknowingly shaped her and her views on relationships a lot.

I'm not sure in what way being raised by Emily and Richard would affect Rory (obv it would I just don't think it would mean that she'd become all mean and spoiled but then what?) I feel like in this au she wouldn't feel the pressure to make up for "ruining Lorelai's future" but obviously with her parents dead (I'm going off the assumption that Rory knows that she's their grandaughter for now) she would feel a kind of pressure to live up to their memory (and she'd probably blame herself to some degree for their death bc this is Rory we're talking about)

Now there are two options 1: Rory tries so badly to live up to Lorelai that she starts to become her (as we know in canon Richard and Emily both saw Rory as the daughter they never had who they wished Lorelai was and Rory being the people pleaser that she is would 100% let them) but becoming Lorelai means realizing that the life that her parents planned for her isn't what she wants and then comes rebelling against them (honestly rebelling doesn't sound like teenage Rory that much but teens with dead parents are known for doing just that so I think it works) and what rhymes with rebelling better than getting a bf your parents hates and that's where Jess could come in now in this au I have no idea how they could meet seeing as obviously Rory would be living in Hartford but idk maybe she wants to visit the cute town close to home or something or they meet at a concert? I'm not sure that's up to you!

Now I have two ideas for what way they could get together either it's love at first sight and all that cute shit (boring but cute) bc without her bond with Lorelai her and Jess's relationship probably would've happened quicker OR (and that's the one I like more) they meet become friends and fake date Rory itches a plan that she knows will make Emily and Richard mad aka date the cute guy that is everything that they hate. (honestly, this is just bc they're aren't enough fake dating lit au's)

Now option 2: Rory stays in the perfect daughter role (and is slowly having a nervous breakdown but hey what's new?) she's probably dating someone handpicked by Emily a Chris2.0 if you will (so basically Logan) and is wildly unhappy but again she's a people pleaser so she'd never say. in this version, I think Rory would be a little less aware of her privilege and when she meets Jess she would probably come off as some spoiled little rich girl and after spending so much with Emily she would probably be judgemental of him too (and the meet ugly ensues) and slowly but surely they would realize that they're not so different become friends fall in love and all that!

Now seeing as this Rory would be at her peek people pleaser attitude it would be even harder to break up with her bf and to go against her mother's opinion (and as we know if there is anyone that dislikes Jess more than Lorelai it's Emily) but in this case, surprisingly I think Richard would be of great help while also having ridiculously high expectations of Rory he always had a soft spot for her and I think after losing his daughter that soft spot would only grow and seeing her miserable he would try his best to help her in changing Emily's mind! (plus I always thought that Richard would have loved Jess now granted when I think that I'm talking s6 Jess and not before but still!)

ok now on to just her relationship with Richard and Emily so far I've been going off the assumption that she knew who her real parents were but if she doesn't that obv had on a new layer to it does she even know about Lorelai's existence (does she see her as some big sister that she never got to know and nobody dares to talk about) or does she not even know that? I think her relationship with both would still be pretty similar to the one in the first situation just maybe without her giving herself the same crazy amount of pressure to be just like Lorelai. Emily would probably try her best to be more relaxed (without much success but still) I definitely think that if Lorelai died that young both Emily and Richard would feel guilty for it somehow and this would result in them sheltering Rory as best as they could (which is obviously not the way to raise a kid) which would result in her being very non-self-aware and well sheltered.

I'm gonna stop the post here but I honestly still have so many thoughts about this so just tell me if you want more bc I gladly will<3

[missmvrder]

Everything she was, everything she did had been carefully designed and crafted to seem easy and effortless. Walking in heels? Easy. Making friends? Effortless. Leaving town and leaving behind the love of her life? Fucking hard and soul-wrenching. But that was only because it was better to make it look that way. Otherwise, Gill could think her heart wasn't really in it, could try to convince her to stay. And God, if he asked her just enough, Elena would stay and ruin both of them. This way, at least, it was only her she was destroying. Her need for love and adoration, to get out of the shadow of her perfect sister was all she wanted and as naive as she thought, the only way it could be done, in her mind, was by leaving town. It wasn't that Gill didn't love her enough, didn't show it enough, it was that she didn't love herself enough, didn't trust herself enough. Elena thought her love was empty and worthless and that Gill would be much better without her. And then it was easy and effortless to con her way through New York and fool herself into thinking it was what she wanted. A nonchalant shrug and wave of the hand was all Elena gave in answer to his comment about the town being boring and him not having to say that.

Now, his next words did sting a little but she knew she had no rights to feel that way. Was he saying he never saw a future with her anyway and that her leaving had been the thing to do? Even if it was, it didn't make hearing it any easier. Still, she was relieved to hear him say it. Elena had never asked for new from Gill whenever she spoke to her sister, the man some sort of elephant in the room she refused to address. To know he hadn't settled down made her heart beat too fast. "Clay and Jolene divorced?" There was genuine shock in her at that statement. Last she heard of them, they were the picture perfect of what soulmates were. If these two didn't make it, what chances did anyone else stood? She was curious as to what happened but prying was not the thing to do, not at the moment. "That one I didn't expect. But I did he hear some of Logan's exploits," she said with half a smile. That part her sister had been more than happy to gossip on. Elena always shut it down quickly, any reminders of what she left behind, even if only through the man's extended family, was painful. "And what will you do with all that free time now?" From what she remembered, Logan's father was not easy on his son and she didn't doubt he would have many challenges. "What am I saying, if you haven't change, you'll be right there to help your cousin." There was a certain fondness in her voice, one she hadn't hear from herself in a long time. And there was some hope to it too, hope that the man before her hadn't change since they last spoke.

Elena didn't know if anyone truly missed her, at least in the way she made it sound and those who wished for her return only did because she knew too much and they wanted something from her. She doubted anyone truly did out of affection for her but that was not something she was willing to tell anyone. "They know my sister is my priority right now and that I won't leave until she has settle down into motherhood. Hopefully it won't be too long but in the meantime, I'll be right here." Was there something more to her words? Even she herself didn't know.

Gill would be lying if he said that there wasn't a bit of a stinging feeling in his heart to be face to face with the woman he once believed was the one for him. When Elena had first left it took a lot of out Gill to be able to continue with everyday life. It had taken him some time to be able to pull himself out of the dark mindset , but when he had he told himself that he wouldn't allow any other woman hurt him like that again. It had been the reason why he hasn't had anything serious since their pair's relationship. Gill listened to the way that she spoke and it definitely sounded like she has no plans on sticking around for too long. Which had him telling himself to not go out of his way and try to get close with her again because she'd just be leaving again. " What can I say? This town has always been too boring , right? " Gill knew it had been unfair to throw the femme's words she once used as an excuse to leave back into her face. Maybe he isn't over things like he thought he was. " I'm sorry ... I shouldn't have said that. " God , why did she have him both wanting to hate her but still wanting to love her at the same time?

" Well if it makes you feel any better other than my niece that my parents have raised for Bethany there hasn't been anymore grandchildren. I just guess us Harrington children don't know how to pick people we see ourselves having a family with. " Gill knows that he is not getting any younger. It is the main excuse that his folks seem to like to use whenever they question him or his older brother about when the two plan to have children. The only woman that he had ever envisioned a future with had ran off to live a new life , and talking with her about it now wasn't giving him the best feeling. Than again who likes talking about a future they once desired to have but lost? " Clay is out there making his own name for himself and seems to be doing well from the last time I spoke to him. Minus the whole divorce from Jolene. Now that was something no one saw coming. We could be here all day talking about the mess Logan has made for himself , but he is moving back. So that should be interesting. " Part of him is curious to know how much information she knew about things that have happened in town or mainly his bloodline , but he didn't dare to ask. " I only really go over if he is really stuck and needs the extra hand , but with Logan's return I doubt I will be needed much. He is taking over for my uncle. " If he were to be on the ranch once the other male got home it would more for the two to bond than actual work. That is how it has always been for the two cousins.

Gill hates listening to her speak about how much she is enjoying her life in the city and how she can't wait to go back. Yet he knew that it is best for him to respond with happiness for her. Even if it isn't completely true. " I am sure everyone just loves you and is counting down for your return. " Hating the idea that she'd be going back to others that miss her when he has been missing her for years and is only going to get to see her for a short period of time. How is that fair? People who have none her less than he has get to go such a short period without her while he has to go however long she is gone again for before visiting again.

[literatikoo]

Lane Kim deserved better

I mentioned a couple of weeks ago that I would only write Lane Kim meta when I am very very angry because I need to be powered by spite and petty energy to unravel exactly how much of a disservice this show was to Lane and by extension any Asian kid with a similar life. And, well, it's happening now, so buckle up kids, this is going to be a loooong ride because I have a lot to say.

Before we start on the negative aspects, the show got a lot of things about Lane right, which is why I care so much about her character. Yes, ASP obviously didn't know how to write a POC experience and it's seen in the way some very harmful stereotypes were propagated (the tiger mom trope, Mrs Kim's religious beliefs, the depiction of the Kim extended family etc) but at the same time Lane was beautifully written as a character, unlike her plot which left much to be desired. Lane Kim was an Asian girl with rock n roll dreams who had an extremely fraught relationship with her mother and had to fight for even a semblance of independence. And I hate to say it but a lot of daughters of Asian households are forced to hide a part of themselves from their families, so Lane's story was authentic.

Not only was Lane amazing as an individual, she was also a great friend. She was the only one who was really in Rory's corner; she never judged her and supported all of Rory's relationships (my favourite example of this is when she barely tolerated Jess in S2/3 and then did a complete 180 like 5 episodes later, all because Rory decided to finally accept she liked him). Lane never pointed out what Rory was doing wrong not because she was afraid of doing so but because the two of them had been friends for years and Lane believed that Rory would figure it out one day. Lane shows this unconditional kindness not only to Rory but to everyone. She takes in her Korean cousin and teaches her to have fun even when she's afraid that Mrs Kim has replaced her, she lets Gil be in the band because she empathises with him, she takes care of the band and prevents it from breaking up multiple times. And these are only a few examples of Lane being the kindest character on GG.

One of the best things in Gilmore Girls is that the most unproblematic, amazing guy is given to Lane. Dave Rygalski is the best love interest on the show hands down (Sorry to my boy Jess but Dave was LEAGUES ahead of him at 17) and Lane definitely deserved someone like that. Their story was adorable and I would have loved for them to be endgame. However, what grates me is that when I see people talking about Lane "deserving better," it's usually about Dave vs Zach. When Lane actually deserved better as a WHOLE and not only in terms of love interests. I always thought it made more sense for her to end up alone at the end of the og series. Because Lane was a person who craved independence and she was not going to get that while tied to some guy (even if that guy is boyfriend extraordinaire, Dave Rygalski). It's even worse when we see that Lane is the only female character on the show to be treated this way. Rory rejects marriage for her career while Lane ends up with marriage as her storyline. Lorelai and Luke get back together but their relationship is still left open ended, though arguably it would've made more sense if they got married when Lane and Zach did. Paris gets into Harvard Medical school and gets a great relationship, similarly Sookie gets the family she wanted and continues to be amazing at her job. But Lane... god Lane is the only one without an open ending, without any space for speculation of where her life might lead her. Not only did they marry her off, they also gave her a terrible first time and twins, effectively locking her to Stars Hollow. The show even cut down all hope of her being a rock n roll mom as one of her S7 storylines is choosing the kids over going on tour with Zach. She doesn't get to be her own person for more than ONE season; she's stuck with being a daughter and then a wife and then a mother.

Something else that angers me about Lane's storyline is that we never really get to see how badly her relationship with her mom affects her. Don't get me wrong, I adore Mrs Kim's redemption arc and I think it was beautifully juxtaposed to Lorelai and Rory's crumbling relationship, but having a mother like that is hard. Not only did Lane have to hide 90% of her personality from Mrs Kim but she also lived with the fact that one day she might have to choose between her dreams and her mother. In the end, Mrs Kim makes that choice for her and deals with it by kicking Lane out in S4, and yet we never really see how that negatively affects Lane. Hell, Jess acts like a broody teen for two seasons, Rory wastes six months of her life away at the DAR and they both come out of it successfully. Lane gets kicked out, figures out her own living conditions, gets a job, works insanely hard for her band and... ends up having to give her dreams up completely.

Lane and Paris shared a lot of similarities too, even if they both had different friendships with Rory. They both came from terrible families and looked to Lorelai as a mother figure, they both cared deeply for Rory, and they were both incredibly passionate about their careers. Paris made calendars and flashcards and went crazy studying for both pre med and pre law. Lane was a walking, talking music encyclopaedia, she bought CDs obsessively and organised them by genre under her floorboards, she taught herself to play the drums and then found a band to play for. And yet... only Paris becomes successful in the end, whereas Lane takes over Kim's antiques. Lane was still a musician in AYITL and she can be rock n roll even with kids but this is all hypothetical and we never see it on the show.

There is a lot of terrible, lazy writing on the show and a lot of characters get ruined because of it but with Lane, her character stays the same, they just ruin everything else for her. I think she'll be an amazing mom and will probably make her best out of doing music casually. But the writers also took something so special and destroyed it just because Lane stopped being as important to the plot as she was in seasons 1-3. Lane and Rory drifting a little after Rory leaves for Yale makes perfect sense, that's just how relationships are, always changing. And yet as Lane's importance to Rory decreased so did her importance to the writers.

Lane wasn't the kind of character that needed character development or a redeeming character arc- she was never a bad person and nothing about her had to be fixed, unlike Jess or even Paris. All she really needed was for her dreams to come true because for the first 4 seasons her dreams were the biggest fixture of her personality. Like how Jess needed to overcome his trauma and Rory needed to figure out where she fit in and Paris needed to become a girlboss, Lane needed to realise her dreams because that's where her arc was leading her. But it just didn't happen. Instead, Lane becomes 2-dimensional; a large part of her screentime is taken up by Zach problems, her dreams fall flat and she becomes tied to Stars Hollow for the rest of her life. Not to mention we see less of Lane in favour of Logan and the dickhead posse.

This is not me hating on all the other characters I've mentioned in this meta, I'm just pointing out the lack of respect the writers have for Lane in comparison to all these other people who fulfilled the role they were made for. Why would you write Lane to have all these dreams and make her struggle so hard for 4 seasons just to smash them to pieces? And why is it that one of the only POC characters on this show is treated like this?

And you can't tell me the writers didn't know what they were doing, not when this is a direct quote from Lane in S7:

"It was such a small window -- a peephole, really. For years, I was this repressed kid, and then there was the briefest of windows. And then -- slam. All of a sudden, I'm this overburdened mother. I barely got to do it, Zach. I barely got the chance to be a person."

[nevermindirah]

can you recommend me some of your favorite book of nile fics?

CAN I. Anon, I have read every single fic in the AO3 Booker/Nile tag with the exception of a handful that will trigger me. I read my faves over and over again. We're currently at 303 works in the tag, and a handful of them are Joe/Nicky fics with "if you squint" BoN (I still read them, I can't help myself) but the vast majority of them are AMAZING. Fandom is full of kind and talented people, holy shit.

if you want a slow burn — you're in luck because this ship SPECIALIZES in slow burn!

First, the triumvirate of Book of Nile Classics. These were the first long fics for this ship and they're all so unique given they share basically the exact same premise, that Nile and Booker get to know each other slowly through run-ins spread out over years of his exile.

Five Times Booker Broke His Exile and the One Time He Did Not by @sphinx81: The one where they keep running into each other on ops, with the angsty middle chapter where Booker gets deep in his self-hate and calls Nile a clueless child and Nile reasonably tells him to go fuck himself and doesn't speak to him for years.

everywhere on earth you go (you're gonna have me) by nondz (pinkjook): The one with the buddy system. This is the only BoN fic that has a podfic as far as I'm aware! You can listen to it over and over and over again! The reader's voice is so soothing! [Podfic] everywhere on earth you go (you're gonna have me) by sallysparrow017

The Last Man on Earth by Survivah: The one where Booker doesn't show up in London when his exile's up, so Nile tracks him down, they get stuck in a broken elevator, and she gives him a medium sell.

Any Port in Storm by CypressSunn: Nile gives up her evac spot so a dad with kids can escape a blizzard that's on its way in rural Canada, and Booker stays behind with her, because Nile may know her shit about surviving in the desert but she doesn't know anywhere near what Booker knows about freezing to death. If you really want to up the angst on this one, first read a mausoleum fit for me by @spectralarchers for (a really interesting take on Booker's mortal life and) a visceral, detailed exploration of exactly how shitty Booker's experience was of starving and freezing on the Russian campaign.

If everything I do has got a hole in it (then everything you do has got a hold on me) by AnnieTheMouse: Nile will take over for Andy, but not just yet. First she's gonna be a little irresponsible, enjoy herself a little bit, sow her wild oats. If one of her hookups happens to also be fucking Booker, what about it?

Part of the Union by GlassRose: This is a newer take on the Book of Nile Classics genre where Nile and Booker run into each other over the years. Best friends to lovers, facilitated by a Team Baby union contract. Featuring stunning art by albymangroves, my absolute favorite fanartist from Captain America fandom.

Bring the World Back Into Tune by @mprosperossprite: Technically an AU, but 2 Old 2 Guard will make AUs of all of these, right? Hades and Persephone magical realism elements on top of a gorgeous, nuanced analysis of what it means, in practice, in such a complicated and fucked-up world, to "do what we think is right". Star-crossed, spanning years and continents, lives not permanently ruined but much blood shed. (Hi I originally joined Tumblr because of the Veronica Mars movie anybody else see the Logan/Veronica parallels??)

Announcing Your Place in the World of Things by @mprosperossprite: The soulmate goose AU. Yeah you read that right! I'm putting this here and not in the AU category because it's my list and I make the rules. Some people have soulmates, and those people get a daemon-type friend who's a goose so your goose can lead you to your soulmate. This closely follows movie canon and answers questions like, what if our elderly friends had soulmate geese with them in Goussainville? (Mouse over the author's username and peep her icon! Look how sweet chibi-Nile is with her soulmate goose Tigris! Look, anon, look!!)

Wish You Were Here by @aimmyarrowshigh: The latest entry in the Book of Nile Classics genre, this time starting with a postcard. Part I is up now and Part II is coming soon. Bookmark for later if you want a satisfying ending, or go read it right now if you want a deliciously WHAT emotional cliffhanger. (It's so good! I recommend it! Also waaaaaaaaaaaaaaah c'mon you're gonna leave us hanging on THAT??)

I'm also gonna include my own here, because I'm really proud of it and whatever it's my list: I See Your Eyes Seek a Distant Shore. Nile becomes the guard's leader, moves to London on her own to adjust to immortal life, develops a long-term plan for how exactly they're going to do what they think is right, and gets a shit ton of emotional support from the guard and Copley and several OCs and a certain exiled Frenchman who's dealing with his shit by getting a PhD in trauma studies. Check it out if you like politics and long footnotes and porn with feelings!

if you want an AU

The Beautiful Game by @victimhood: Elite footballers AU! This fic lives in my head rent-free to the extent that I have headcanons about the in-universe RPF fandom for these characters. Nile is a USWNT and Barça champion who had to retire early due to a worsening chronic illness, and she moves to Milan for a sportscasting job just as a new player gets traded from Copley's Liverpool to Andy's Inter Milan. How will Booker mesh with his new teammates, especially the team captain with the murder eyes? How will Nile rebuild her life after having to stop playing the game she loves? And why does Yooker keep trending on social media??

if you do take a thief by @morallygreywaren: Clue(do) AU! Six strangers (or are they?) are blackmailed into a dinner party. This fic masterfully gives equal airtime to all 3 ships in the middle of a damn murder mystery, and NILE'S DAD IS ALIVE IN THIS ONE, I REPEAT, NILE'S DAD IS ALIVE. And the author has a follow-up planned!

A General Librarian by @sweetlyenchains: Booker and his sons live in a magical manor house with a sentient library. Nile is a retired general who agrees to marry a widower sight unseen for *handwave* reasons, and she's not thrilled to be some old man's wife but it'll be fine. And then she meets the library. And then she meets its caretaker.

Les Petits Monstres by @winterequinoxx: The original gym AU. Nile gets to know the single dad of her adorable tiny martial arts students. The cutest of kid fics and the source of widely-used fanon for Jean Pierre's brothers' names.

Rhymes with Shook Her by @lady-writes: Booker the Happy Hooker! Nile's a stressed grad student who books a sex worker to get her out of her head, and you'll never guess what happens next 😏😏

The Kids Are All Right by @takethisnight-wrapitaroundme: The teachers AU where the students gossip incessantly about the English teacher's painfully obvious years-long crush on Ms. Freeman, and a fateful school dance where a last-minute chaperone switch-out and a teenager's smartphone change everything.

Geborgen by liadan14: Nile is sent by the CIA to take in a priority target. She makes a different call. This is a BoN-focused continuation of a primarily Joe/Nicky series that gives lovely attention to all 3 main pairings over the course of the series. Most of the commenters are there seemingly exclusively for the Joe/Nicky, and the author seems to really appreciate love for the BoN sections, so consider giving some BoN-specific love! Political and angsty and mysterious and hopeful and SO FUCKING HOT.

Cross Promotion by @rileywrites: The YouTubers AU! Slowest of slow burns. Work in progress with slow updates recently, but if the author never returns to this I think the latest chapter still makes for a very satisfying ending-ish thing.

For I Am Bound and You Are Free by EnglishAsSheIsSpoke: Selkie AU. In an alternate timeline with different countries and wars, Nile moves to a remote Scottish island in the early 1900s and joins the found family who maintains the lighthouse.

Eye Candy vs Soul Food by @lady-writes: The Princess and the Frog-inspired reincarnation AU. Short and sweet and angsty and romantic and mysterious and UGH it's so good!

Songs Written in Blood: A Nightingale's Flight by @winterequinoxx: The roaring nineteen-twenties speakeasy AU. A serial murderer is targeting talented Black people and the extraordinarily talented singer at Andy's bar is next on the list. Will the one cop who isn't a piece of shit be able to protect her? And what kinds of intimate situations might they find themselves in as the plot unfolds??

if you want porn

honey doesn't just catch flies by @queermermaids: The original honeypot fic. Nile gets back from a mission and Booker reminds her that she's home 😏😏

Take the Risk by @kyra-bane: I'm proud to say this is a result of my Kinktober request! (Almost) caught in the act. (Abortive) porn with feelings. Found family feels. This fic is a lap dance and secondhand embarrassment and a warm hug all in one sexy and hilarious lil package!

Show me somethin' natural by @highlightcity159: Nile has stretch marks and Booker would like to lick them. Leisurely we're-on-vacation established-relationship sex.

Almost Familiar by @takethisnight-wrapitaroundme: Nile's trying to pick someone up in a bar but nobody's sparking her interest, she's like a hundred years old and all these people are so young. Then the bartender hands her a drink from an admirer across the room. You'll never guess who it is or what happens next 😏😏

and still my heart has wings by allandmore99: "Booker is a good house husband and comes to visit publishing executive Nile on her lunch break."

ain't even done with the night by ourdarkspirits: MISSION FIC. Evening wear, posing as a couple, high stakes, close quarters, a heart-pounding mission followed by heart-pounding feelings followed by, well, you can guess 😏😏

With the One I Love by @takethisnight-wrapitaroundme: THIRTY ONE completely different smutty, smutty fics, one for every day of March. Tone and context and kinks and warnings vary wildly, there's something for everyone in this smorgasbord of porn!

Don't//Speak by @lady-writes: This fic is not for everyone — read the tags/warnings (which I contributed to as beta!) before you read. Nile and Booker explore kink. Andy, Quynh, Joe, and Nicky come home a lot earlier than they said they would.

Dido Burns by @mprosperossprite: If Nile wants an orgasm, she has to keep reading. Inspired by a certain WHAT THE FUCK DUDE Matthias Schoenaerts insta post that I can't find the link to right now.

And another two of my own: problem solved it's dissolved, a gym AU where they hook up and later find out Nile is Booker's new coworker. Graphic depiction of pegging if you're into that. 😏 And you have the right to lose control, my mission fic meets friends to Domme/sub lovers Big Bang contribution, complete with a sexy BoN playlist and 10 (yeah you read that right, TEN) different kink scenes. (Quarantine is hard of a slut, I'm coping, ok?!)

if you want angst

The Comforting Arms of Home by @highlightcity159: Nile leads her first mission, it gets a little rough for her but they make it out just fine, and people who are not Nile have just a whole fucking lot of feelings about the mission getting rough for her. Apologies are owed. Apologies are made.

Honeypot Missions Aren't So Sweet by redlionspride: In which Booker makes out with the mark and Nile has a lot of feelings about it. What, will they have to use their words?

Save Yourself and Confess, also by redlionspride: In which a building collapses with Nile, Booker, and a half-dozen kidnapped children still inside. Whump and its aftercare.

if you want fluff

The House Husband Interludes by @highlightcity159: Delicious little established-relationship slices of life seen through Nile and Joe's friendship.

Love and Tresses by @sphinx81: The fluffiest fluffy bathrobe of fics that I would literally wrap myself up in like a blanket if I could. Booker helps Nile with her hair.

You're my river running wild by @energievie: Nile and Booker road trip from Tijuana to Vancouver. The most established of established relationships is even more adorable when you see them interacting with strangers on the road.

While we're at it, the entire Gooey series by @energievie is Grade A Fluff!

2117, Revisited by @lady-writes: An absolutely stunning take on Booker and Nile's wedding. I had the absolute pleasure of helping out as Jewish wedding traditions resource for this and I cried at the finished product. A modern English interpretation of the traditional Sheva Brachot (seven wedding blessings) interspersed with the thoughts and feelings and mortal-family heirlooms the wedding couple and their immortal family bring to their chuppah.

[thisaccisdead]

montreal - roman hurt/comfort

pairing: this was written to all be platonic prinxiety, but can definitely be interpreted romantically !

warnings: unconventional self harm, non-graphic descriptions of wounds/injury

summary: a post-POF roman hurt/comfort fic in january 2021? yes <3

word count: 3.2k

notes: large portions of this were salvaged from one (1) night last summer at 4am when i was having a . time. the rest has been mainly recently written before i go to bed, with some extra bits added during my history classes B)) also shout out to [REDACTED]. u may not read this but if u do, i hope u know who u are & ilu

Virgil had been trying to calm himself down for the better part of an hour, as soon as they got back from the wedding fiasco; and he was doing a relatively okay job. Considering the circumstances, at least. Or so he thought, when he registered a spike in Thomas’s anxiety. This only served to make Virgil more anxious, because he had thought he had been doing well—until, he realized it wasn’t anxiety, not exactly, not fully—and it wasn’t coming from him.

Once he'd figured that out, it wasn't hard to trace the feeling to the imagination. He paused at the door. If this was where the strongest negative emotions were coming from, he already knew which side this was about. And could he really be surprised? Roman had wanted that callback for so long. Even at the court case, even when Roman gave Thomas his sentence, Virgil knew it killed him. And Virgil didn't do anything. Because he was so fucking scared of Thomas being bad, or of Janus winning, or something, and now whatever was going on was his fault, and--

And now was not the time for these thoughts. He breathed in. He opened the door.

Immediately, he was coughing out soot, heat burned his cheeks, his eyes blurred with protective tears forming against the smoke. It was hard to see, let alone process, what was happening. Then, he caught sight of the Dragon Witch. And he caught sight of—

“Roman!” Virgil choked on the yell, coughing again.

Obviously Roman couldn’t hear him from the distance, especially considering the brutal roar of the creature. Adrenaline kicked in, and as Virgil began to sprint towards the prince, he took in the entirety of the scene with alarm. Roman was...fighting, sure, except that Virgil had seen him fight before, and this... wasn’t right. Roman bested manticore-chimeras like it was a breeze, he HAD bested the Dragon Witch herself in every form she took, “just for training.” He always moved like he was in a ballet, not a battle, like it was more for show than challenge, and now...

Virgil watched Roman fall to a hard swish of the creature’s tail, and stay there. He almost expected the Dragon Witch to take mercy, or at least, to accept an early victory. But he watched her rear back, raise a taloned hand, the magma-red in her throat glowing brighter and brighter—just as Virgil got close enough to let fight win over flight.

Virgil crashed into Roman; they rolled just far enough that the swipe of claws only ripped the edge of Virgil’s jacket.

Immediate danger out of the way, Virgil clenched his eyes tight, trying to do it how Logan taught him. He found something that didn’t make sense--the grass. The grass was dry, therefore it should have been burning, but it wasn’t. He took that foothold to dispel all the fantastical elements of the scene, Dragon Witch and all her carnage blinking from existence. The new calm of the scene was jarring.

That just left a great big field, Virgil, and one absolute dumbass.

"What the fuck, Princey?!"

Virgil’s voice was distorted with stress, and Roman stared up at him wide-eyed, unsure—even terrified in a way that hurt. Virgil quickly pushed himself up so he wasn't pinning the other. Roman tried to copy this movement, only to groan, start coughing, and fall back again.

“Shit, I—“ Virgil looked at his hands and found red on them, looked at Roman and saw the color painting his chest. “I thought I dispelled all the imaginary stuff, why—?“

“Left brain sides can only dispel so much of what right brain sides feel,” Roman said, voice rough and thin and upsettingly casual, “Since they feel so real to me, you can’t get rid of them.”

“They feel…? Christ, ok, you need a medical kit, uhm—“ Virgil closed his eyes again; he was notoriously shitty at summoning things, and he had to concentrate for this—

“That’s ok; I’ve got it,” Roman said, letting out a quiet hiss as he propped himself up on one arm, and summoned the medical kit with the other, “You can go now.”

Virgil gaped at him in disbelief. When Roman attempted to stand up, and Virgil could no longer deny he wasn’t joking, he exclaimed, “Like Hell am I going, idiot!”

Roman just stared at him, and Virgil cursed under his breath. “Ok ok, let’s just... we should do this in the bathroom, uhm—“

Virgil awkwardly clambered over to Roman again, taking his hand, so he could blink them over together. He knew it would probably be more comfortable for Roman to sink in and out, but considering Virgil wasn’t practiced at that, he wasn’t going to risk screwing it up.

They apparated into the bathtub, and Virgil scrambled up, taking the med kit from Roman's hands.

Ok, ok, now Virgil just had to remember that one time Logan lectured them all on “Side Safety.” He took a shaky breath and washed his hands quickly, before turning back to Roman. He allowed himself to fully assess the prince this time and… Jesus. He was slumped against the back of the tub, having given up his attempts at composure while he thought Virgil wasn’t looking. His litany of scrapes, cuts, bruising, his shallow breathing, and--most of all--the wet, red patch slowly growing on his shirt, sparked renewed panic in Virgil.

“Ok, fuck, ok--let’s do this,” Virgil said, mostly to himself, as he knelt down by Roman to undo his already tattered shirt and take a wet towel to his chest. He had to suck in a breath at the sight of the jagged wound, a nauseous feeling catching up to him.

“You’ve already done a lot, you know,” Roman insisted. “You can--”

“If you tell me to go, Princey, I swear I’ll make these wounds worse myself,” he said, not meaning it in the slightest, which he would assume Roman knew--but the way Roman flinched and shut his mouth told a different story. “Shit, I didn’t mean that. Of course I didn’t mean that!”

Roman glanced away, and Virgil reached to cup his cheek, an instinct he didn’t know he had. Luckily, he caught himself in time to retract his hand. They both avoided eye contact for a second; Virgil cleared his throat; and he reached for the bottle of hydrogen peroxide before pausing. He vaguely recalled Logan mentioning how strong alcohols would only cause more harm, and they should just stick to mild soap instead. He gave the cut a longer look-over—it was certainly not a pretty sight, but probably not as bad as it looked. It was large, but not too deep. Plus, as sides, it would heal itself without needing anything like stitches or professional medical work. The past scars littering Roman’s body were proof of that. Actually--had he always had this many scars? Virgil squinted. How often did he do this?

Virgil finished cleansing and bandaging the wound to the best of his ability, with little talk beyond the occasional, soft “sorry” at Roman’s winces. When he had finished, he gave Roman his hoodie (an action the Prince was too tired to take much notice of), since summoning a new shirt seemed like a waste of whatever energy he had left.

“Ok, Princey, all done. Uhm, are you—how, how are you?” Virgil mentally kicked himself.

A small, bitter smile tugged at Roman’s lips for just a moment. He opened his mouth and then closed it, and finally shrugged. “Thank you for your help.”

It hurt, Virgil realized. Roman’s quiet voice, where near-shouting was his usual speech. His unkempt hair sticking to his forehead, where it was usually styled to be very lightly and intentionally ruffled. The bags beneath his eyes where there was usually concealer. All of it hurt.

Virgil sucked in a breath. “Look, I’m sorry if I’m being annoying, but I hope you know there’s absolutely no way I’m leaving yet.”

“Virgil,” Roman almost said it as a whine, which was closer to his usual style, so Virgil considered it progress.

“Roman,” Virgil deadpanned back.

Roman huffed. “Maybe I need space to really explore my feelings, and you’re actually being a terrible friend right now,” he argued.

“Uh-huh, well being a terrible friend is always my favorite, so,” Virgil leaned down, fumbling slightly as he picked Roman up bridal style, “We’re gonna get you to bed, and you can explore your feelings by sleeping.”

“Great, now you’re damsel-in-distressing me,” Roman said sarcastically, but he leaned his head into Virgil’s chest as he did so, which kind of ruined his point.

“Yeah, yeah. Act more like Megara next time, and maybe it’ll be different.”

•••

Roman groaned upon waking up. His whole body ached, but mainly it was focused around a sharper pain in his chest. He let his eyes flutter open, only to find Virgil staring at him from his desk.

“Ah,” Roman uttered, a jumble of memories from the past few hours returning. They felt foggy and mildly icky, but mainly the pain in them was the numb kind of pain, the tired kind. Really, it was indistinguishable from the dull ache of his bruises and cuts.

“Yeah,” Virgil said, as though he understood, even though he couldn’t possibly. “Uh, wanna talk about it?”

It was clear Virgil felt awkward asking the question. It was unclear whether that was due to his tendency to be embarrassed by everything he said, or—far more likely—that he wanted to stop babying a stupid prince, and just go about his business.

Roman sat up, suppressing a wince as best he could. “Do you want to hear about it?”

“Of course I do.” Virgil said it without an ounce of hesitation. Roman’s breath caught.

“Oh.” Roman shifted slightly over, and Virgil took a seat by him on the bed. “Okay. Uhm. I don’t know, I just—I messed up.” What else was new?

“...What did you mess up?” Virgil asked, with an inkling of suspicion, like he knew what this was about. But it wasn’t that; it wasn’t the callback—that was over and done and dead. Roman had created so many fantasies, so many crazy scenarios where they could somehow still make it in that stupid movie, and it had always filled him with hope or crushing pain or something, but as of this afternoon? He didn’t even care. It didn’t matter.

So, Roman ignored the question, and instead commented, “Janus got accepted.”

“What the fuck.”

Roman observed Virgil’s stricken expression like an unsettling kind of mirror of himself when—

My name is Janus.

“Yeah,” Roman sighed, “I didn’t take it so well either.”

Virgil looked at him for a long moment, seeming to go through several series of emotions, before he was able to ask, “...What happened?”

Roman inhaled sharply. “I was wrong about being wrong about the wedding. Patton was also wrong; Janus was right, and then Patton was right because he wasn’t a total asshole to Janus, and I’m evil; Thomas hates me; whatever, you get it.”

He thought he would break down, saying it, but he felt oddly… fine. He sat, staring at the same spot as he was before, absentmindedly annoyed at the way his bandages itched. The normalcy of the situation almost made it worse. This sucked. This wasn’t even bad.This was the worst he had ever felt.

“Oook,” Virgil said, clearly not knowing where to start, “I—you—what do you mean: Thomas hates you?”

“Thought that one was self-explanatory.”

“He can’t hate you,” Virgil said with a laughable amount of conviction. “You’re still his… y’know.. goals. Desires. Hopes. Whatever. Just because this one didn’t go… perfectly, doesn’t mean you won’t keep—“ he struggled to find the phrasing for a moment— “...fighting, uh, valiantly for Thomas’s dreams!” he attempted at the encouragement with a weak smile.

Roman just shook his head. “No. I don’t know what he wants.”

Virgil’s smile dropped into confusion. “But… you are his wants.”

“That’s kind of the problem.”

Virgil seemed at a loss, and Roman felt like an asshole. Here he was trying to help him, and Roman couldn’t even be bothered to put on a smile to dismiss him from the duty.

“Please go,” Roman attempted weakly when he couldn’t find a more convincing argument in himself. He was meant to be an actor, but he knew he couldn’t hide the fact that he wanted him to stay, of course he did, so badly. He hoped Virgil would just quit with the chivalry and go despite that.

Virgil sighed deeply and pinched the bridge of his nose. “Shit, I'm going about this all wrong.”

Roman knew it probably wasn’t really him Virgil was mad at, but it was hard not to shrink away anyway.

“Look, Roman—“ Virgil turned to him, looked at him seriously, took his hands in his— “To be honest? I don’t care what happened. I don’t care who was right or wrong—I mean, we all know I’ve been in the wrong more than my fair share. It doesn’t change how I feel about you.”

Roman didn’t miss the ambiguity of the end statement. “But… look, you don’t get it. When you mess up, you’re still you. You’re still...,” Roman gestured vaguely, which upset his bandages, and when he looked down at himself, he took note of the black/purple hoodie he was wearing. He melted slightly. This was exactly the point he was trying to make, “You’re still... y’know. Important.”

“Wh—? Of course you’re important, Ro. You’re creativity—“

“Thomas has two of those.”

Virgil looked at him like he was stupid. “Right, as if you’re anything like Remus.”

Roman’s lip quivered at that, and he had to look away, which was so stupid. And suddenly he felt all of the embarrassment at once—of this situation, of everything that had happened before, of the way he was about to cry, in front of Virgil, after he said that, which must look so—

“Roman?”

A hand was on his cheek, softly turning his face towards Virgil’s, though Roman still refused to meet his eyes.

Virgil cursed to himself under his breath. “Shit, this is exactly what I was trying not to say.” He sighed, and Roman hesitantly looked up at him. “Look. Even if you weren’t creativity, if you weren’t hopes or dreams or any of it—if you were a completely pointless side, which you aren’t, but if you were—I wouldn’t care. What I care about is that you’re... Roman. That you bother me until I sing Disney with you, that when you put your heart into something, you do it to a stupid amount, that you make Thomas take trashy buzzfeed soulmate quizzes when he’s stressed, and that you fucking try so hard for everything, even when I’m being a little bitch about it,” he paused. With the hand on Roman’s cheek, he traced the line of a scar down his jaw. It was one of the ones Roman usually made sure to put an illusion over, he noted offhandedly. “I care, because you’re my best friend.”

“Don’t say that,” Roman choked out. He couldn’t handle it if it was a lie, and part of him couldn’t manage hearing it as anything but exactly that. “Just—just—“

“Oh, Princey..”

Virgil held him as he broke. Roman didn’t know how long they sat like that as he let everything wash over him for a final time, let it all truly sink in at long last. He took heaving, messy sobs, no doubt ruining Virgil’s shirt in the process—he was quiet, though. He shook silently, save a couple choked breaths, in the other’s arms--that was a habit he had taught himself long ago.

When Roman had tired himself out, when all that was left was the pain in chest, (which was also suddenly duller—he was healing fast, even for a side—) he pulled back from the embrace. Virgil didn’t move by much, kept them so their fingers were laced together, as they sat staring at each other.

“Uhm. Thanks,” Roman gave a shaky smile, “You really—uh... I... I said some stupid stuff, huh?”

Virgil hesitated before he spoke, as if he knew he shouldn’t ask this right now, but needed to anyway. “...Roman, why’d you go to the Imagination?”

Roman felt ice stab at his chest upon the question. He didn’t want to do this. They had already talked about so much that he shouldn’t have gotten into; this was meant to be the part where they either parted or watched a stupid movie. And this, out of everything, was the conversation he most needed to avoid.

“Uh—I mean, to let off steam?” Roman gave a laugh as best he could. “Obviously, it didn’t go to plan—“

“Didn’t it?”

Roman’s face fell immediately. He struggled to come up with an answer, and even if he had had one, he didn’t think the sound would come out. This was enough of an answer in itself

“Shit,” Virgil breathed. Roman couldn’t help but be mildly annoyed by his surprise—clearly he had already known, he didn’t have to make it a big deal now.

“I… Princey—Roman…” Virgil looked him up and down, and Roman wanted to curl up and hide. “...how many times?”

“Not many,” Roman mumbled. Virgil must have known he was pushing the subject too far, because he just frowned and said,

“OK. I mean...it’s not OK, obviously, but you already know that, I just—“ he sighed. “Just… can you talk to me? Instead? Please? When you feel like… that.”

“Yeah, that sounds good,” Roman responded hastily, wanting an out from this topic.

Virgil gave him a look. “I’m serious. I mean—look, you don’t even have to talk about it if you don’t want. Just, come to me first, yeah?”

Roman’s face burned; he was embarrassed; he wanted to shrug this whole thing off, or roll his eyes, or maybe scream in annoyance. But the rational part of him knew Virgil was right. “OK,” he agreed softly, “...Thanks. For everything.”

Virgil looked surprised, and then flustered, and then waved off the earnest reply. “I mean, it wasn’t--I didn’t--it’s not like I did anything really--”

“You did.”

Virgil’s face softened. “Yeah, well... you’d’ve done the same for me. You... have done the same for me.”

Roman smiled gently at him. “By the way, Virge--” He hesitated. He was about to sound like a real dumbass if Virgil had only been saying this stuff for comfort’s sake. But making a fool of himself was becoming a theme for him anyway, so he continued, “You’re my best friend too.”

I love you.

In the same beats Roman thought it, Virgil squeezed his hand lightly 3 times. A breath passed between them. An understanding. That Roman couldn’t say it out loud, and Virgil wouldn’t.

Instead, Virgil fell back across the bed, bringing Roman with him in the motion. Roman let out a startled gasp and elbowed him lightly. “Hey! I’m injured, that could have been a fatal impact for me!” he whined.

Virgil snorted. “Yeah, yeah, OK. So, do you wanna watch a stupid movie, or what?”

[vuulpecula]

God, she was terrified. Even admitting it didn't help. In truth, it made it worse. What if she did something to mess it up? What if it ruined their friendship and she lost him from her life? What if it changed things in the field, if they ever found themselves back there. He was her Achilles heel, though perhaps, he always had been. When first they met, in the dirt and chaos, she had done everything not to leave him behind--including running into the fray with little to no thought for herself.

Resting her hand on his, leaning into his touch, Fox listened with wet eyes to his words. So honest and true that there was no way she could disbelieve them even if part of her told her it was a lie. Who could ever want or even love her? Slowly, she leaned forward and pressed another kiss to Logan's lips. Their fate was sealed. If they did not act on it, it would always be there between them, the elephant in the room, but if they did act....well, they could see where it went. "I think...I think I'm ready to give this a try then. If you are."

@ssolessurvivor

Sweet Fox, so careful with her words, for they held power. Logan always enjoyed listening to her whenever she spoke, even all those times she was out in the field with him...she always managed to be his calm in the storm. Even now, while she was scared, in a manner of speaking, she used such grace in telling him exactly what he needs to hear so he can adapt best for her. So he can better understand what's going on in that big, beautiful brain of hers. Even as his thumb traces her chin there, gently rubbing back and forth but not too hard, he offers a timid smile, thinking through what he wants to say.

"Fear in a sense of intimate change is normal, natural. Fox...I've been blessed by some universal energy with you, having you in my life multiple times and watching you, your bravery in the face of death and decay, and seeing you nurture those on the brink back to health." He lost his train of thought for a precious moment as he gazes into her eyes, faltering for the right words before he nods and recollects himself. "What we have, what we've built, I don't think it's capable of being lost by something we both want, even if it's intimidating. But...I can't escape the way I feel about you, and I don't want to."

@vuulpecula

[binniedeactivated]

𝐝𝐢𝐥𝐟!𝐲𝐞𝐨𝐧𝐣𝐮𝐧. || 🌪💦 (1.5)

[ m.list ]

➦ 𝐏𝐀𝐈𝐑𝐈𝐍𝐆 | 𝐝𝐢𝐥𝐟!𝐲𝐞𝐨𝐧𝐣𝐮𝐧 𝐱 𝐏𝐎𝐂 𝐟𝐞𝐦!𝐠𝐢𝐫𝐥

➦ 𝐆𝐄𝐍𝐑𝐄 | 𝐬𝐭𝐫𝐮𝐠𝐠𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐟𝐚𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫, 𝐬𝐦𝐮𝐭 𝐚𝐮

➦ 𝐖/𝐂 | 3k

➦  𝐒𝐘𝐍𝐎𝐏𝐒𝐈𝐒  | 𝐈𝐧 𝐰𝐡𝐢𝐜𝐡 𝐤𝐢𝐧𝐝𝐞𝐫𝐠𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐞𝐧  𝐭𝐞𝐚𝐜𝐡𝐞𝐫,  𝐚𝐝𝐫𝐢𝐚𝐧𝐚 𝐜𝐚𝐧'𝐭 𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐢𝐬𝐭 𝐡𝐞𝐫  𝐬𝐭𝐮𝐝𝐞𝐧𝐭'𝐬  𝐟𝐚𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫.

➦ 𝐖𝐀𝐑𝐍𝐈𝐍𝐆𝐒 | angst, smut

POC = person of color

yeonjun waited. he was trying to think of different ways he could address the situation but there was no other way he could think of, besides get angry. he didn’t want to get angry especially since what happened last time. he didn’t want myla or even daniel to hear them arguing and he especially didn’t want to wake up logan. but there was no way he was going to leave this situation unaddressed. he needed to say something even if it ruined them. he kisses a sleeping logan on his forehead, tucking him inside his crib and covering him with his fuzzy blanket to ensure warmth. like clockwork as soon as he turned off his light and shut the door behind him he could hear the front door downstairs opening, indicating that leah was home.

and just like always she took her shoes off at the door and went straight upstairs to the bedroom where yeonjun was. she didn’t say a word which always pissed yeonjun off. it didn’t seem like they were married anymore it seemed as though they were roommates and he hated that. especially when it seemed that way in front of the kids. he watched her go to the closet to undress and look for a change of clothes, ignoring the fact that yeonjun was sitting there waiting for her to speak. he was done waiting though. he was just going to take matters into his own hands. “so? is there something you want to tell me?”. he starts. she grabs a pair of sweatpants from her drawer. “what are you talking about yeonjun?”. he threw the condom wrapper to the middle of the bed for her to see. anxiety flooded her veins.”what is that?”. yeonjun shakes his head in disbelief. “don’t play stupid with me. whose condom is that? because it sure as hell isn’t mine”. leah swallows. “it isn’t mine either”. he tilts his head. “then whose is it? daniel’s? because he’s only in the fourth grade and he doesn’t have any money to buy it so stop being a fucking liar and just tell me the truth”.

“I’m telling you the truth. you need to calm down!”.

“don’t tell me what I need to do. you need to do a lot of things. you can start by just telling me that you’re fucking someone else. go ahead I’m a grown man I can take it”.

“oh please. nobody has time for this shit yeonjun. every time I walk in the house you find something new to argue with me about”.

“every time you walk in the house -- you mean every single night after everything is said and done? after I cook dinner, clean, do laundry, put the kids to bed here you come walking in the door like you’ve had the longest day ever I don’t even remember the last time you’ve even told your kids goodnight”.

“you’re the one that suggested I started working again remember? now you’re getting mad at my hours and how hard I work. it’s my job yeonjun”.

“so your job just cancels out you being a mom all together? your job is more important than being around?”.

she ignores him, getting into bed and angrily throwing the blanket over her shoulder while facing the opposite direction. “you know what yeonjun? if this is all we’re going to do then why don’t you just fucking divorce me. you’re obviously not pleased with anything I do”.

“and then what? raise our kids in two separate homes? going to court for custody battles and child support and all that crazy ass mess I’m not doing that. my kids don’t deserve that. we need to communicate”.

“how long have we been communicating yeonjun? it’s been like this for almost a year look where communicating has gotten us. it’s always something new to argue about”.

“because you’re a liar leah.  and you don’t want to admit a damn thing. if you can start comfortably telling me about your feelings then there would be nothing to argue about. do you even want me? be honest”.

she adjusts the blankets over herself, shutting her eyes. “I’m going to sleep yeonjun”.

yeonjun rolls his eyes, flicking the condom wrapper off the bed. “of course you are. whenever I confront you it’s always the perfect time for you to sleep”. she continued to maintain her silence hoping he would be quiet somewhere in between. and eventually he did. she was free to drift off and think about things other than the failing marriage at hand.

adriana holds her index finger to her lips while her class was in a straight line at the door. well, sort of in a straight line. the line looked a little dysfunctional and out of place, which is why she was standing in front of them giving them the silent expression to calm them down. “guys. guys before we go anywhere we need to make sure we’re silent because there are other classes still working. if we’re too loud we might lose our chance to go to the book fair today”. upon hearing that, that threat was enough for the small children to rush and stand perfectly in line putting an imaginary zipper on their lips. while she guided them down the hallway to their music class myla began to dig her hands in her pockets, feeling nothing but space on it’s insides. her heart began to sink and her mind started to race. she could’ve sworn. she could’ve sworn she asked her father for money this morning. she reached her hand into her back pockets to check but felt her ears getting hot when she realized there was nothing in those either. upon the entry way to the music classroom myla approaches adriana with tears rimming her eyes in distress. “ms. A I don’t have my money!”. she pouts with trembling lips. “you mean for the book fair?”. myla nods her head, “I can’t find it I really want to buy books”. adriana grabs the nearby tissues at the door and began softly wiping her face, “don’t worry we’re going to the book fair later on today. I’ll call your dad to see if he can bring in some money for you alright?”. myla thanks her and gives her a small hug hoping that her father could give it to her on time. “hurry to class myla”. adriana encourages, leaving myla scurrying into the music classroom with a closing door.

by the time adriana arrives back inside her classroom she was startled a little at the sound of faint movement. she wasn’t expecting yeonjun to be there looking for her. he seemed quite annoyed with her the other day after the incident so she was kind of nervous to speak to him. all her nerves went away though once she locked eyes with him and he gave her a gentle smile. “hey I forgot to give myla her money this morning for the book fair. I know she’s probably freaking out over it”. adriana smiles a little, “i was just coming in here to call you about it. she was crying and everything. she’s going to be so happy when she finds out”. yeonjun hands her an envelope with cash and adriana takes it hesitantly, yearning to address something before he disappeared. “thank you. I’ll give it back to her once the kids get back from music class. and um-- yeonjun I want to apologize for the other day. with these kids there are new issues arising everyday and i try to relieve the situation as best as possible and for some reason I didn’t think about even calling you”. yeonjun nods. “it’s alright I just get a little anxious when stuff like that happens to them. I just want to be aware. if I came off a little rude I apologize about that”. the warm smile he held at the end of every sentence made adriana blush like she was sixteen again. her eyes were elsewhere when he approached her, lifting her chin up with his hand so he could see her beautiful face clearly. once their lips aligned there was no turning back from it.

with the doors locked and shutters down yeonjun lifts her onto the desk, encasing her in the sloppiest of kisses while her arms clung around his neck in need. it felt normal, the sex between them both became the norm in whatever relationship they established. adriana wasn’t as half as embarrassed as she was the first time. instead she didn’t mind showing just how much she needed and wanted yeonjun in that moment, allowing her hand to fall to the appendage of his jeans and unbuckles them as fast as she possibly could. something in his chest swelled when adriana wrapped her hands around his hardened length and stroked him to full arousal. his hand cupped the underside of her jawline while he kissed her, allowing his tongue to roam the inside of her hot mouth. it was something about hearing yeonjun groan that pooled moisture into her panties. his groans were husky and dark, filled with nothing but lust and need. each time one escaped his throat it was more elongated than the last. the vibrations of his mouth set her body aflutter, she dug her tongue into his mouth in response exchanging saliva and rutting her hips against his leg. his fingers swept along the front of her panties until he stuck his fingers behind the elastic of them, rubbing soft circles into the swollen organ at the apex of her thighs. she began to twitch at his touch, having it been awhile since she got touched by him and was now craving it more than ever before. it took nothing for his fingers to become sticky and slick with her arousal. now she had vibrations of her own meeting his and creating a harmony of moans that only the both of them would be able to comprehend. she twists her hand up and down his length simultaneously pumping him, he felt himself rocking his hips into her hand until he felt her gushing with slick. he wanted more. he gripped her moving wrist and put her movement to a halt, whispering in between kisses. “wait a minute. let me fill you”.

his voice was soft and sincere, he maintained his mindless kisses while he reached up her skirt and dragged her panties down her thighs and finally over her ankles onto the floor beneath them. he aligned himself with her hole, teasing the head of it along her sticky folds before he actually pushes himself in, sending a sharp whine sputtering from adriana’s throat. yeonjun closes his eyes swiftly at the warm feeling of her channel clenching around his length. he too, held his mouth open with chuffs of air escaping it. their eyes were fixated on each other’s refusing to let this moment of conjoining go to waste. staring into his eyes while he was pumping himself inside of her was like another way of appreciating him and assuring him that it all felt too good for her to handle, especially since she could barely get a sound out without becoming winded at the feeling. and staring into hers was like appreciating art in it’s purest form. her gorgeous face stunned and her arousal setting a fire ablaze in his belly. he curls his fingers over the edge of the desk for support, rocking his hips inside of her while her legs were wrapped around his waist. her lips were moving against his neck but they weren’t doing much since every time he moved she’d gasp and whine. he hastened his pace and it satisfied yeonjun really, to hear her cursing softly with her head swarmed in pleasure because of him. the more he drove into her the faster the knick knacks and objects on the desk rattled against one another, adding to the sinful sounds adriana was already making beneath him. the symphony of noises spurred him on wards, making him wanting to hear more of them.

he plunges deeper, without a care in the world for who could possibly hear. he hoped anyone nearby had enough noises going on in one ear to where they couldn’t hear the breathless moans and rocking desk in the other. his strokes were rapid and by now adriana was just trying to keep herself afloat in the midst of his aggression. each time his hips slammed into her she could’ve sworn she heard another object clash from the desk to the ground. she was too far in her blissful trance to care. his cold metal necklace swept across her chest while he leans down to soak up the noises she couldn’t contain. despite the speed of his thrusts his mouth was moving lethargically against hers, appreciating the softness of her lips and how lost they made him feel each time he touched them. her body alone was like a vacation to him. her eyes, her smile, her lips, her sex-- he didn’t have to worry about anything else coming to mind when she was around. her nails clawed into his shoulder blades as another stapler went crashing down on the floor beside them, probably now broken but none of that was adriana’s business at the moment. her body was trembling, a hot feeling surged through her veins and spread through the circumference of her neck making her convulse. her tiny moans and needy noises went directly into the curvature of his neck. it felt as though a star was bursting inside of her, an overwhelming sensation rippled through her body as the head of his length touched her spot over and over again until she was secreting down her thighs and his. “fuckkk”. yeonjun breathes winded, having to fuck through her gush of a mess so he could cum too.

adriana didn’t want to seem clingy while they were finally dressing themselves but in a way she felt closer to yeonjun. she wanted more of him and not just in a sexual way. after her last relationship she promised herself that she wouldn’t take chances with any men for a while but yeonjun seemed different. so different. only, she didn’t know how to strike a good enough conversation to indicate that she wanted to take things further. buckling his jeans and fixing his now wrinkled shirt yeonjun took a deep breath and spoke softly finally executing his thoughts. “adriana before I leave I want your number. if that’s alright with you”. before she felt herself get excited she calmed down thinking that maybe, this could be him using her as a booty call. she didn’t want to get her hopes up. “yes that’s fine, i don’t mind that”. she takes a pen and writes her digits down on a sticky note and hands it to him.

yeonjun takes another deep breath. “and um- my kids are spending the night with my parents on friday night. I was wondering if maybe--you were free you’d want to go out?”. adriana bites her lips and yeonjun could tell she was thinking. he quickly speaks up. “not to have sex or anything. unless that’s what you want but i guess I’m trying to ask you on a date? do you want to go on a date with me? it’s okay for you to say no. it’s no pressure I was just wondering”. adriana laughs at his nervousness. she thought she was the pathetic one for always getting nervous around him and now here he was, a fidgeting mess. “yes yeonjun. I’d love to go on a date with you”. he smiles. “wait really?”. she throws her arms in the air. “yeah why not? why are you so shocked?”. well, yeonjun realized it’s been a while since a real woman was actually into him. of course he didn’t want to admit that to adriana. he shook his head instead. “I don’t know I guess I just wasn’t expecting you to say yes. so maybe I can pick you up at your place at like 8 maybe? I can text you the details”. adriana chuckles at how awkward he was about it. “yes 8 is fine. you’re more than welcome to text me. now go to work yeonjun”. yeonjun laughs realizing he was making a fool out of himself. he turned to leave. “okay I’ll leave. I’ll text you”. adriana waves. “please do!”. if and only if, adriana’s door shutters weren’t up yeonjun probably would’ve done a happy dance in the hallway if he could.

[a-small-batch-of-dragons]

Goodnight

Prompts: TODAY IS LESBIAN DAY WE NEED WLW SIDES - anon (who is correct)

Hi, I just wanna say I love how you writing is a perfect blend of angst and fluff.

If you want, could you write a story of Remus (or Janus) comforting Logan after a nightmare. No pressure.💚 - anon (who is also correct)

I mean we gotta appreciate the lesbians

Read on Ao3

Warnings: literally this thing is so fluffy imma use it as a pillow

Pairings: introloceit, implied background dlampr

Word Count: 1437

 Just because she’s Logic doesn’t mean she doesn’t get nightmares.

Logan’s footsteps are silent save for the few creaks in the floorboards. Despite the fact that they are decidedly not physical, it seems the laws of physics have no trouble extending to a metaphysical level. She keeps her eyes out for anyone who might be awake. She has to keep them safe, they have to—

 They’ve just got to be safe.

 She rounds the corner into the Dark Sides’ living room and pauses. Remus—Remus isn’t here. Remus is always here. She doesn’t sleep, not like the rest of them do.

 Logan feels her blood run cold.

 Remus. Where is Remus?

 She breaks into a run, looking for the one light under her door, under Virgil’s door, under anyone’s door. She rounds the corner and—

 Janus’s door is cracked, a soft glow spilling into the hallway. As she edges closer, she hears a faint tapping coming from inside.

 She hesitates, then reaches out and knocks twice.

 The tapping stops.

 “Come in.”

 Breathing a sigh of relief, Logan pushes the door open to see Janus sitting at her desk. She looks up and smiles softly. 

 “Hi, sweetie,” she murmurs, “what’re you doing awake?”

 “I could ask you the same question.” She glances at the door. “May I come in?”

 “Of course, sweetie, come in. Sit down.”

 Logan glances one more time at the hallway. Janus catches it and frowns.

 “What’s wrong, sweetie, did you hear something?”

 “No, I’m alright, I just—“ she swallows— “haven’t seen Remus.”

 “I’m in here too, Pocket Protector.”

 Logan’s head jerks around. Janus gestures to the bed and sure enough, there’s Remus, her legs kicked up behind her. She waves.

 “Get over here, Lolo,” she calls, “sit down. Jan-Jan’s gonna be protective since you’re up so late.”

 “You’re both up late too,” Logan mumbles as she does as bid, closing the door with a soft click and perching awkwardly on the end of the bed. Janus frowns, turning around.

 “Did you want something?”

 “Huh? Oh no, I’m perfectly alright.”

 Janus hisses gently.

 Logan pushes her glasses further up her nose. “May I ask what you’re working on?”

 Janus and Remus exchange a glance before Janus sighs. “A plan for a new test Remus wants to do. Hopefully, it should increase effectiveness and control the reverse-osmosis-torque factor.” She frowns at Logan when there’s no response. She waits for a second before standing and coming to crouch in front of her “Alright, what’s happened?”

 “What?” Logan blinks. “Nothing, nothing, everything’s fine.”

 Janus raises an eyebrow.

 “Mmm, what the hell is reverse-osmosis-torque factor?”

 Logan’s mouth opens and closes soundlessly. Remus huffs and scoots a little closer.

 Janus softens, reaching up to fix Logan’s glasses. “Why did you come in the middle of the night?”

 “You’re still awake too!”

 “Insomniacs, sweetie. Why did you close the door?”

 Logan stutters into silence, mouth trying to form words. Janus stands, reaching to gently cup Logan’s cheek. “Sweetie, what happened?”

 “…you won’t believe me.”

 Before she can blink, Remus is sprawled across her lap, toying idly with the hem of her nightshirt. Janus sits on the bed next to her, still cupping her face, another hand stretching out to turn off the computer.

 “Lies are my job, Logan,” she murmurs, “I’ll believe you.”

 “I had a nightmare.”

 She waits for her to laugh. Nothing except an encouraging tap under her chin.

 “It was…bad.”

 “What happened,” Remus asks quietly, “can you tell us, Lolo?”

 She swallows heavily. “I couldn’t remember who you, or Patton, or Roman, or Virgil, or—or Remus were. You—I didn’t know what to do, you—”

 Janus lets out a soft noise as she swallows again.

 “…you didn’t remember me either.”

 “Oh, sweetie,” Janus murmurs, pulling Logan’s head into the crook of her neck, “shh, we remember you, of course we remember you, you’re so important, sweetie.”

 “You’re not going anywhere, Lolo.” Remus turns over to plant her face in her tummy. “You’re ours. You’re never getting away.”

 Despite everything, the corner of Logan’s mouth quirks up. “What did I do to deserve this?”

 “You’re you,” Remus says simply, “that’s enough.”

 Before Logan can respond to that—or even work out how—Remus rolls off and starts tugging her hand. “Come on.”

 “Where are we going?”

 “You’re gonna sleep, Lolo, and we’re gonna take care of you.”

 “What about—“ she gestures toward the computer.

 “Mindless scrolling, Logan,” Janus says softly, “now come on.”

 Logan lets Remus tug her up, only to squeak in surprise when she suddenly has an armful of green.

 “What are you doing?”

 “I’m hugging you, you big doof.” She looks up at her, placing her chin flat on her chest. “You look like you need a hug.”

 “What are you gonna do, just cuddle me all night?” Remus nods. “N-no, you don’t have to, I’ll be alright—“

 “You don’t have to do that, baby girl,” Remus says, still trying to get Logan to lie down.

 “Let us take care of you, sweetie.” Janus does up behind her to wrap more arms around the two of them.

 Logan knows when she’s outnumbered. As Janus goes to turn the light off, she lets Remus pull back the covers and snuggle into bed near the wall. She lies down next to her, trying to get comfortable in the darkness.

 Only for Janus to try to lie down on top of her.

 “Janus, I—ah! You’re squishing me!” She’s met with a chuckle as Janus’s weight settles atop her. “Get off me!”

 “You’re in my spot, sweetie.” She slings one leg over hers so they’re flush. “You move.”

 “I cannot move with you on top of me!” She pushes lightly at her chest to demonstrate. In the dim light, she sees her grin turned wicked.

 “Really?” Her hands begin to slowly trail up and down her sides. “You can’t move? At all? Mind if I test that?”

 Her eyes widened. “Don’t.”

 “Too late.” She smirks and starts tickling her, smiling as she starts to giggle and squirm, trying to get away. “Seems like you can move fairly well to me.”

 “St-stop! Pl-please stop—no!”

 “But your laugh is so cute, giggle bug,” Remus says, the traitor. As her giggles turn silent, Janus kneads her sides one last time before stopping, leaning down to press a kiss to her forehead.

 “You okay, sweetie?”

 “No…more. Please?”

 Janus chuckles and runs her hand over her stomach. “Want to move out of my spot?”

 She pushes herself up, giving Logan room to roll out of the way before collapsing back down. The second she lies down, she wraps her arms around Logan’s waist, pushes her legs between her, laying her head on her chest.

 “Are you certain this is not an excuse to cuddle me?”

 Janus lifts her head up, running a hand through Logan’s hair. “Why did you come to me, sweetie?”

 At Logan’s silence, Remus chuckles and snuggles against Logan’s shoulder. “She gotcha. Now she’s not gonna let you go for a week.”

 That…doesn’t sound like the worst possible outcome.

 Remus smirks. “You know you’ve just given me the green light to protectively cuddle you at any time, right?”

 Janus plants an exaggerated kiss on her forehead, hushing her whine of protest. “You love it, sweetie. Don’t pretend you don’t.”

 “So do you.”

 “Of course.” Janus winks. “Just don’t ruin my reputation.”

 The room quiets. Remus drifts off first, whistling snores in Logan’s ear. The noise itself isn’t enough to keep her awake, but she stays doggedly alert, her eyes opening every few seconds.

 Will the nightmare come back? What if they realize that it’s true, that they don’t need me? What if this makes them decide they don’t want me anymore?

 “Sweetie,” Janus whispers, moving up to tuck Logan’s head under her chin, “shh. That’s not true, you know it isn’t. We love you, sweetie, you’re important to us.”

 In her sleep, Remus grabs onto her, turning her face into her shoulder.

 Oh.

 Oh.

 “Go to sleep, sweetie,” Janus soothes, running her hand through Logan’s hair, “we’ll be here when you wake up.”

 The hand in her hair is doing wonders to send her right to sleep. She opens her mouth to clumsily mumble: “thank you.”

 “Of course, sweetie. Now goodnight.”

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[catxsnow]

INTERRUPTED G.L.

Request: May i request a gar imagine where they keep trying to have their 'first time' but they keep getting interrupted by other titans. you don't have to write smut if you're not comfortable im just here for the the fluff + the titans reaction to the morning after for bonus because i feel like that would be so funny to write.

Warning: mentions of s.e.x. 

A/N: This was so cute to right! I love writing for Gar 

Word Count: 3.3k

Gar Logan was one of a kind.

He was the kind of person that could make you smile on your worst days. The only one who seemed to truly care when you needed to talk to someone. And most importantly, he was the one person in this world that you would die for. Over and over again.

You would do anything for him, repeatedly if he asked. Make him supper every night? Of course. Train with him? Every day. Fall asleep in his arms at night? You couldn't sleep without him. Have sex with him? As much as you wanted to, every time you went for it, someone got in the way.

It was frustrating how many times you got interrupted and soon you were about to do it whether or not someone in the team needed you. Each and every time you and Gar got some time alone, someone was always there to interrupt you.

Gar was a shy person, everyone knew that. He was awkward when it came to PDA and he frankly, had no idea what the hell he was doing half the time. Lucky for him, you could help along the way. He learned from you and to be honest, you learned a few things from his as well. You guys had molded into the perfect couple.

Dick wasn't happy to see the two of you dating. He knew how messy it could get to date teammates but there was also nothing that he could do to stop you. So, as he watched you from a far, he also reminded you to be careful. And you were, just maybe not in the sense that he told you to.

The first time you were interrupted was partially been your own fault. You knew that the Titans were busy with trying to take down their latest enemy and yet you still deemed it a good time to finally have your first time with Gar. It was relatively early in the evening but you couldn't stop the feeling running through your core.

You had barely gotten your shirt off when Dick came knocking at your door to say that the two of you were needed and to suit up. As disappointed as you were, you couldn't be mad at him for needing you and your boyfriend for a mission. So, reluctantly, you geared up and headed out while Gar tried to hide his rather obvious boner.

You didn't think that anyone on the team noticed that you were in the middle of something during that mission. Besides you being a little extra frustrated, it seemed that you and Gar was just hanging out. Dick didn't have an ounce of guilt in him - but he would have if he had known the truth.

By the time that you got back home, you passed out as soon as your head hit the pillow. Gar went to sleep that night dreaming of you.  

The second time that you found your night ruined was by Rachel. Gar had stupidly forgot to lock his door and Rachel found herself barging in when he didn't answer the knock on his door. Gar was hovered of you, lips attacking your neck and shirt completely off. He was better than you - nothing but your underwear and the blankets to cover you.

Rachel screeched just about as loudly as the door slammed. She wasn't expecting to walk in on that - in fact she thought you were out of the tower for the night. Rachel nearly ran down the hall trying to get the images of her two best friends out of her head. In public, the two of you never showed any PDA  to the point that she sometimes forgot you were actually dating.

Gar huffed in annoyance and rolled down beside you. His heart was racing from the experience and he couldn't help but the bright red blush that covered his face. He stared up at the ceiling and tried to get rid of his frustration at Rachel - he was really looking forward to finally having the time to have sex with you.

Never in his life was he so disappointed and embarrassed at the same time. Having his closet friend barge in on him on his almost first time didn't exactly get him riled up to keep going.

"'s a cute look for you," You teased him, poking at the redness in his cheeks and neck. He found himself blushing lots with you, and every time you couldn't help but admire him even more. Gar rolled his eyes and rummaged for two random shirt, one for himself and the other for you. "Rachel ruin the mood for you?"

"Did it not ruin it for you?" Gar jokingly scoffed at you. He watched you pull his shirt over your head and then crawl out of his bed. You knew what you were doing to him - swaying your hips as you walked by, bending down real slow as you picked up a pair of his sweats off the floor. His red face became even brighter as you pulled his pants up your legs. "I don't think that's gonna help."

"Can't say I didn't try," you winked at him. Walking by his mirror, your just barely got a glance at your neck. Faint bruises covered your skin - not dark enough to be obvious to anyone not paying attention but just enough to remind you that you were once again so close. "Never would have guessed you were a hickey kinda guy. Maybe it's the tiger in you."

"If it were the tiger in me I think you'd have a lot more damage," Gar joked. He laid flat against his bed and waited for you to join him. You flopped down on the opposite side of the bed and tilted you head to face him. "You've got pretty eyes."

"And you're a sap," You grinned, lightly smacking his chest. "Movie?"

"Sure," Gar quickly agreed. He loved movie nights with you. Warm blankets, you cuddled into his side, and nothing but happiness in his heart. "I'd say popcorn too but I'm too afraid to accidentally run into Rachel out there."

"There's my brave boyfriend I know and love."

><

The third time that you got interrupted was probably to most infuriating time. Jason, of all people had to be the one nagging at your door that he needed your help. You hoped that he would go away if you just ignored him, but he still didn't give up.

"I can hear you in there, (Y/N)," Jason knocked once more on  the door. You were straddling Gar, hands on his bare chest  and eyes squeezed shut in hopes that he would leave. It was no use. You wouldn't have been so mad if the two of you had already had sex at one point in your relationship - but it seemed like you never got the chance.

It had taken you so long to get Gar confident enough to be wanting to do it. This wasn't your first rodeo, but it was his. And as much as you wanted to make it special for him, it seemed like your time got more limited as the weeks went on. It wasn't just his first time, it was yours together - you wanted it to be romantic.

"You think he's gonna leave?" you whispered. Gar shook his head. With a sigh, you rolled off of him and plucked your clothes from the floor to halfheartedly put them back on to answer the door. Gar stumbled to do the same. Your hair was a mess and you were sure your shirt was on backwards but you honestly didn't care anymore.

You unlocked your door and whipped it open. Jason was standing with his fist raised and ready to knock again. He was taken aback by your appearance. Messy clothes, anger in your eyes - you were not pleased to see him. And you weren't. At all.

"What, Jason?" You snapped at him. This better be good for him to come knocking on your day. This time you really thought that you and Gar were going to make it through the night without anyone getting in your way. Apparently, you were mistaken. Again.

"Can I borrow your Led Zeppelin record?" Jason asked. You could swear that you felt your eye twitch with anger and steam coming out of your ears. You were beyond furious that he interrupted you and Gar just to borrow some stupid record of yours. Fucking Jason Todd.

Your hands clenched into fists at your side and the rest of your body was tense. It wasn't Jason saw Gar sheepishly sitting on the edge of your bed did he realize he made a mistake. You were ready to lost your shit at him for this, and you would have too if it wasn't for Gar.

He joined you at the door and placed a hand on your lower back under your shirt. His touch washed away your anger - at least some of it. "Hey, Jay," Gar smiled. You couldn't understand why he was able to keep his calm so easily, this affected him just as much if not more.

With a huff, you stalked to the corner of your room to find the record that he was talking about. You were tempted to smash it right in front of him just to leave him without the satisfaction, however it was one of your favourites too. Instead, you smacked it onto his chest and slammed the door in his face.

That should have been a big enough hint that you were furious at him.

"UGH!" you groaned as you plopped down on your bed. Limbs spread out on your messy sheets and disappointment rolling off you like waves. You were more horny than you ever have been in your whole life and yet you couldn't bring yourself to go back to what you were doing. This was a whole new kind of sexual frustration.

"Is this god giving us a sign?" You grabbed the pillow you weren't laying on and smashed it against your face. Gar chuckled at you and removed the pillow to kiss you. "Why? I just! Ugh! I'm so angry right now I can't even decide what I want to be angry about!"

"You're adorable when you're angry," Gar flirted. You glared up at him which only enticed a laugh. Usually, the sound of his laughter always brought a smile to your face, this time it just made you more frustrated with everything going on. You snatched the pillow out of his hands and hit him across the chest with it.

Gar raised his eyebrows at your outburst. He darted for the other pillow on your bed and smacked you back. He knew that this meant for him - a full out war. If there was one thing that you took seriously it was pillow fights. You never lost a single one and Gar had been the unfortunate loser every time.

"I take it back!" He cowered away from your raised pillow. You narrowed your eyes at him but slowly lowered your weapon. "You're angry already I don't want you to release it all out on me."

"Wanna go train?" You countered.

"At midnight? No!" Gar shook his head, bewildered that you wanted to go work up a sweat this late at night. It was one way to get your frustration at Jason out. You could already imagine that the punching bag was his face. "I'm ready to go to bed. And don't you dare say you're too angry to sleep."

"I'm angry enough to kick you out."

"No, you're not."

"No, I'm not."

><

Gar knew if that if the two of you got interrupted one more time, you might literally kill someone.

So, he did what any wise boyfriend would do and warned everyone on the team that if anyone knocked on your door that night, it better be because of the end of the world and nothing less of it. Though he never stated why, he was sure that the team all understood what his plan was for the night.

It was a few days after your last incident with Kori - a completely embarrassing story that you or Gar never wanted to think about ever again. That by far, had to have been the worse experience that you ever had within the tower and you hoped that Kori would never bring it up ever.

Gar had the night planned out in his head. With no one to bother the two of you, he hoped the night would go smoothly. After all your failed tries, it had to. All he had to do was wait for you to get back to the tower.

It felt like hours that he was lounging around in your room for you to come back. He went from playing some of your records to snooping around to looking at old pictures of you and your family. Time seemed so slow and when he finally heard the creak of your door open up he couldn't hide his grin.

"Holy shit, Gar!" you grabbed onto your chest. You had no idea that he'd be in your room. You draped your coat over your chair and dropped down to your bed. It had been a long day and there was nothing more that you wanted to do than to spend time with your boyfriend. "What are you doing in here? Creeping?"

Gar never answered your question but simply strolled over to your door and turned the lock. You raised an eyebrow at the sound - the only time you ever locked your door was when clothes came off. "I'm not sure if I'm ready to be disappointed with another interruption again."

"It's not gonna happen," Gar promised you. You sat up on your bed with a weary look. It was four times now that you had gotten your night caught off, a fifth time would only mean that you were nothing but bad luck. However, Gar's confidence in the two of you being left alone sparked an excitement through you.

You reached out to snatch his hand and tugged him onto the bed with you. Without even giving him a second to adjust, your lips were on his. Gar savored this kiss with you - the gentleness of your touch being dominated by eagerness. You wanted this night more than anything.

Gar was nervous - of course he was nervous. This was his first time and he didn't want to disappoint you. He knew that you would never be upset by him, no matter how the night went on his behalf. You wanted this night to be for him, not for yourself. But after all this time, you needed his touch just as much as he needed yours.

His fingertips danced along your skin and under your shirt. He was always so gentle with you; as if you were made a glass and a single harsh touch would shatter you. You didn't waste time to tug off his shirt, breaking your kiss for only a moment before coming together again.

Gar pulled you off the bed just enough to pull of your sweater and everything underneath it. Cold air dusted across your bare chest and enticed a shiver through you.

"This is usually about the time someone comes in, you sure that it's not gonna happen?" You joked. Gar's lips trailed down your neck, nipping and sucking as he mad his way to his desired destination.

"I'm sure," Gar promised. He left a more pressured bite right against your pulse point and you couldn't help but moan at the feeling. You could feel him smile against your skin, happy that he was the one causing you this pleasure.

"Last chance, if someone walks into this room after this I'm not stopping for them."

Gar only unbuttoned your jeans in response.

><

"So, uh, fun night?"

You were never embarrassed about someone else knowing you had sex. Your friends used to harass you but they never got a reaction out of you. Even now, when your won teammates knew exactly what you and your boyfriend had done the night before, you felt no ounce of sheepishness. You couldn't say the same about Gar.

Last night had been perfect. Not a single person tried to get you for something and Gar had been amazing. You wanted to relieve that night over and over again. You didn't have a single disappointment and you were sure that Gar felt the same way.

He could see why you were so mad every time you got interrupted. He was missing out on so much all this time.

The next morning, the two of you strolled out of your room with painfully obvious signs of what had happened. Dark bruises covered your neck and you had his shirt from the previous day hanging on your shoulders. Gar's hair was a mess and no amount of brushing would tame it down.

Gar tried to sneak back to his room to shower but the second that he stepped out in the hall, Jason was passing by and ushered the two of you to breakfast. He could not wait to see the amount of teasing that you guys were about to get from everyone else. So, the two of you were seated in your normal spots as Rachel finished cooking for everyone.

Jason sat across the table from you and only smirked at your glare. Rose looked between the two of you. She opened her mouth to speak but then decided against it. It was finally Rachel that spoke up and asked about your night.

You cleared your throat before answering. "Um, yep. Just uh, chill."

"Mhmm," Dick nodded to your answer. He sat on the other side of you and stared directly at your neck while you avoided his gaze. Quickly, he raised his arm to flick one of your hickey's. "Chill night, huh?"

"Ow!" you hissed in pain. Without thinking, you kicked him from under the table, which only proved even more that you were lying - not that anyone needed more proof. "Stop being such, such a dick! I'm a grown adult too, you know."

"And the kids are suddenly all grown up," Kori joined in on the teasing. Everyone was aware of her... relationship, with Dick. She was in no position to tease you about having sex with a teammate. 

"You've literally known us for less than a year," Gar pointed out after shoving a forkful of food in his mouth. "And you're not that much older than us."

"Yeah, we'll next time go to Gar's room and bother Rachel," Jason complained. He was pretty sure he nearly busted his eardrums from how loud his headphones were last night. There was still ringing in his ears. Gar's face flushed red and the comment and Rachel had to point it out to make it worse.

"Guy's stop bugging Gar," you rolled your eyes to their teasing. Your hand searched for his under the table and as soon as you found it you interlocked fingers. The last thing you wanted was for him to feel uncomfortable and then have to wait another long time before having sex again - this wait was far too long already.

"Young love," Rachel sighed.

"Well, thanks for breakfast Rach, I gotta shower," You stood up from your chair and looked around at everyone. The hickies that Dick had just made fun of reflected perfectly in the sunlight for everyone to see. Gar sat at the table with his head in his hands as everyone stared at him. 

As much as you hated that everyone interrupted you at least once, being with Gar was well worth the wait. He was nothing but perfect with you, and that’s all that mattered. 

"And I also just want to say I fucking hate you all, if you ever knock on my door again expect a punch to the face."

[silhouetteincolor]

Begin again (Part 2)

Pairing: Logan x MC

Book: Choices: Ride or Die (~4 years later)

Word Count: ~2173

Summary: Ellie Wheeler is back home after four years. Roman Bright, the billionaire she stole from while working with the MPC, tracked her down and coerced her into meddling with her dad's last case as a detective. She now has to dive back into her old life and choose whether to help Roman get away with his, or face his threats and forget about her freedom (and possibly her dad's). Can she really escape her past unscathed? Maybe, but the real question is: does she want to?

Author’s Note: Written for @rodappreciationweek from last year. To anyone reading, sorry it took me so long to continue this series (5 months!) but I promise I will see it through. I hope you enjoy it and happy new year :)

Part 1 is here and I recommend listening to this playlist while reading :) Tagging @monstercyclops (sorry it's been a long while)

Chapter Two: Home, Sweet Home

Ellie's graduation felt empty. Obviously, she was proud of herself and her dad was too. The very first twice-valedictorian and summa cum laude graduate in the family. Riya and Darius were able to make it too. A few new friends she made throughout college were cheering for her. Even Jesse showed, but Ellie couldn't really introduce him for obvious reasons. But not everyone she cared for was able to be there, sharing this milestone with her.

The commencement speaker, a big shot judge, kept going on about all the great things that were to come and all the responsibility this generation has. Ellie sighed at the less than motivating prospect of working for the next 50 years until she's so tired, it'll be a miracle she can wake up and get out of bed. But she was still a couple of decades too young to be so pessimistic about her future and quality of her life. And the huge grin on her dad's face almost made her smile too.

She found a small apartment she could afford with the money she made from racing, but soon a couple of months had passed and she was struggling to decide what to do. She could do an internship, or continue her studies, or get a job. Except none of those really seemed that exciting. In fact, the beginning of adulthood wasn't particularly exciting either. You'd think it should be different from school, but really, it's just an extension of it.

Racing took her mind off of these thoughts but she knew she'd have to make a choice eventually. As if 23 is old enough to have your life figured out. But then, everything came to a halt when Roman Bright showed up in her city and pretty much coerced her into doing his –almost certainly illegal– bidding. And, oh yeah, there was Mona too. Whom Ellie hadn't seen or heard of since she left her at the doors of a hospital, bleeding out and about to be arrested. Mona was very clear she didn't want Ellie to contact her, but still, it sucked that this was their reunion.

They hadn't really exchanged more than a couple of sentences yet, but they needed to talk things out. Traitor wasn't a word Ellie would use to describe Mona, not after she took a literal bullet for her. There had to be an explanation. She had little time to go back to her apartment and pack a light suitcase before rushing to the airport. Jesse went to say goodbye to her.

"I still think this is the stupidest idea you've ever had, Wheeler. And you have plenty of those". Jesse was certainly trying –and failing– to put on a brave face. Cracking jokes and laughing to lighten his worry and Ellie's. "I don't get why you can't tell your dad-"

"No way. He's the reason I'm even doing this. If he found out, he would-" Ellie said abruptly and rubbed her eyes, they were puffy and irritated from crying and barely sleeping the night before. This was her mess, her past mistakes coming back to bite her in the ass, and only she had the responsibility to make things right –or ruin them for good–.

"I just don't want to put him in even more danger. Besides, he's retiring. The last thing I want is to drag him into my shit again."

Neither wanted to say anything else, but there was an understanding that passed between them. Ellie's mind was set and, so far, no one has ever been successful at changing it.

"I don't know when I'll see you again, Jess."

"Hey, at least you think there will be a next time. I like your confidence."

"Jerk." They hugged it out and stayed that way for a minute.

"See you around, Wheeler." Jesse gave her one last look and mock saluted her like a soldier. Then he walked away. It was time to go home.

***

Standing on her doorway, everything seemed to catch up to her. Was she really going down this path again? In a way, now she had more to lose. Above all, her freedom. Because she couldn't run back to dad and let him fix everything again. She wasn't a kid anymore, and this wasn't street racing either. One misstep and she could land herself in jail, for real this time. Four years ago, she let herself get whisked away and into a whirlwind of way-over-her-head events. A high school girl playing the part of a grownup, and a career criminal at that. She had to make this work, it was her chance to help her dad, instead of the other way around. Just a couple of days or a week, tops, and she'd be back in the east coast to resume her life.

Although she still had her keys, she'd feel wrong using them. So, she rang the doorbell instead. There was a loud sound, like a chair suddenly being dragged. Ellie heard footsteps approaching and not two seconds later, her dad opened the door and greeted her with a bone-crushing hug.

"Ellie, you're here. I told you to text me when you landed, I would've gone to pick you up." Mr. Wheeler was beaming. He had changed little in the last couple of years. Sure, time had wrinkled his forehead further, but he did frown a lot. He also looked slightly hunched and had the faintest of dark circles under his eyes. It was probably a good thing he was retiring in a couple of weeks. He could finally rest for a while. Although, knowing him, Ellie was sure he wouldn't stay put too long.

"Hi, dad." She sheepishly patted his back. Since her time with the MPC, they had found a way to trust each other again, but the truth is Ellie always felt that a wall had been built between them. It was as if their renewed relationship was hanging by a thread, and Ellie had come home carrying razor-sharp secrets.

"Come in, come in. How are you? Was the flight nice?" He bombarded her with questions, most of which Ellie had no clear answer for. "Is the internship going good? Are you sure it's okay to take a couple of days?" Yeah, about that, Ellie told her dad she had scored a very prestigious internship working for a pharmaceutical corporation. A lie, of course, but she bragged about it being so very exclusive; she couldn't really share many details. Confidentiality agreement and all. Bull-shit.

"Flight was good. And the internship is going great, I can miss a few days. It's not like I'm a lead chemist or anything." She bit her cheek on the inside, she hated lying to her dad, but anything was better than confessing to spending all her time street racing and doing stunts.

"Yet, but give yourself a few years and you'll be leading the projects yourself." He assured her with a smile so sincere it pained Ellie to look at him. He was so proud of her.

They went inside and Mr. Wheeler insisted on carrying her suitcase up to her old room. He then promised to make her the Ellie Special, a Belgian waffle he used to cook for her on her birthday and special occasions. She thanked him and said she'd be down in a bit.

Her room was exactly the same as she left it the day she jumped on her Chateaux Panther and drove it all the way to Langston. It was a freaky sight, the room and her belongings hadn't matched Ellie's personality in a long time. The wallpaper was a lilac shade and her bed was littered with plushie toys and a single teddy bear. The old Langston flag was still hung on the wall. A reminder of everything she had worked so hard for. The mirror on her vanity set had a couple of photos tucked on the edges of the frame. One of her mom and one of her and Riya and Darius at the diner they used to go to study. Her hands wandered over the drawer's handle to open it. Various makeup items, nail polish, an old notebook and other stuff; but on top of it all was her mom's bracelet, a silver chain adorned with several hearts. Next to it was a photo strip of her and Logan. The one they took on her graduation party. Ellie hadn't thought of him in a while. Even after seeing Mona, it was like part of her was trying to push his memory away. She closed the drawer abruptly. She lifted the heavy suitcase and tossed it on the bed, changed clothes and headed downstairs.

The kitchen smelt amazing; her dad had always been a great cook, even if work often kept him from home. Ellie sat at the table and soon Mr. Wheeler served her a plate with a couple of stacked fluffy waffles, some strawberries, blueberries and a little whipped cream to top it all. She took a generous bite and whispered to herself.

"Oh my god, I've missed this." Whenever she tried to make them, they just didn't taste as good. Her dad joined her on the table and they both dug in. If only she were here just to have breakfast and spend quality time with him... but she had a job to do. First up, she had to drill her dad for information on his latest case.

"So, how's the retirement party planning going?" Ellie would start slow; she couldn't let Detective Wheeler feel like he was being interrogated.

"It's ready to go. Margaret pretty much took care of everything, you remember her?"

"Yeah, I think so. That was nice of her. Especially with all the work you're still doing." Ellie arched a brow and pointed towards a set of papers and folders scattered on the living room. "You're supposed to take it easy, dad." Mr. Wheeler laughed wholeheartedly; no doubt Ellie had his well-being in mind.

"I am taking it easy, sweetie. But it's my last case, I really want to close it, you know." Oh, but she knew all about it. An investigation into Roman Bright, business tycoon and prime suspect of running a guy off the road and putting him in a coma. The billionaire told her all about it and what he needed her for: obstructing the case. Something only the detective's daughter could achieve on a short-term deadline. Another crime to add to Ellie's record.

I hear you have some experience in that department. Haven't you, miss Wheeler? Roman's taunting words were still on her head.

"Oh, anything interesting?" Ellie hoped she wasn't being too obvious.

"A little. Some spoiled rich kid who thinks he can get away with daddy's money." Mr. Wheeler scowled at the thought of him, and Ellie considered that was a too generous description for Roman. "Can you believe he tried to bribe an officer? It boils my blood, the entitlement... But you don't have to hear about all this. I'm sure it'll be over soon." He made a face and shushed Ellie. If she asked him anything else, he would be suspicious for sure.

"Well, I hope you get him, dad. Preferably soon, so you can go on that vacation you have planned." She was being honest, she really hoped things would work out for the best, but that wasn't likely. If Detective Wheeler put Roman behind bars, surely he'd come through with all his threats; but if he walked free, that meant Ellie will have successfully gotten away with betraying her dad, again.

"Don't worry, sweetie, I will. Cancún can wait a little bit." They both laughed.

Ellie looked down on her now empty plate. Her phone buzzed in her pocket. It was time to meet her newest partners in crime. They agreed they needed to "talk next steps", whatever god-forsaken thing that meant. Although she dreaded spending time with Roman, she had a pending conversation with Mona, and boy did she have a lot to answer for.

"I'm meeting some friends for coffee, to catch up." Another lie. Ellie wouldn't admit it out loud, but lying had become second nature to her, and she hated herself for it. "I'll be back in a while."

"Oh, sure thing. Have a good time, kiddo." He sounded disappointed but it was better not to press the subject. The last thing she needed was him asking her the questions. No, it was what he said. "My bad, not my kiddo anymore, eh?"

"I guess not." Ellie tried to smile, but her glistening eyes told a different story.

She got into her rental car, a very boring silver sedan, and took out her phone, where she had an address. She put on a brave face and drove through tears and sweaty palms like she knew what she has heading towards, but her heart was breaking inside. It never stopped breaking, throughout these past few years. Ever since she left home and the crew behind.

[thesimperiuscurse]

I'm asking ALL OF THEM for Mako. But also want to say that I really appreciate the sink picture being your header now lmfao. If Mako gets asked by someone then I switch to Misha

Poor Damien got dethroned by a sink. Time to spill Mako’s love life! It’s something that isn’t meant to be a secret but just doesn’t really get brought up in the story, because if I write every detail of the character backstories, the chapters will be infinite. Spoilers ahead for Chapter 11.

a — how does your muse show affection? 

Before he met Eva, he knew nothing of physical (non-sexual) affection, being more of an Acts of Service type. Back then he and Misha weren’t close enough just yet to share the affection they do now. As a result, his love language has developed almost entirely from Eva’s cuddling and her small, mindless touches. He’s slowly learning to return that affection, especially now that they’re in a romantic relationship. It’s subtle, no grand gestures or declarations, just existing peacefully together. 

b — does your muse like flowers? which ones are their favourite?

He loves flowers. Since he was a little kid his favourite thing to do was wander around the estate gardens, and later Tokyo, just to gaze at flowers and curl up among their sunlit perfumes. There’s something about the delicate beauty and quiet life and resilience of flowers that captures his fascination. Sakura blossoms are his favourite.  

c — does your muse like chocolate? which one is their favourite?

He can’t... eat... chocolate... 

d — what is your muse’s ideal date? where / who with / etc?

Mako liked dressing up and going to very expensive restaurants, but he doesn’t think of dates anymore, because Vicky ruined the romantics of it for him. 

e — does your muse like hugs? what are their hugs like?

Not before Eva. Sometimes his baby niece Chiharu hugs him when he carries her around but that doesn’t really count. It took him completely off guard when Eva just ran up to him at regionals and hugged him. It was at this moment he discovered he likes hugs, and these two have been snuggling ever since. 

f — is your muse good at flirting? how do they flirt?

He’s never flirted with anyone in terms of pick up lines, flattering, etc. He knows he’s sexy as fuck physically very attractive and his reputation is a powerful magnet, so it’s always people coming up to him and flirting. If he’s interested then his body language will show it. 

g  — is your muse good at gift - giving or do they struggle to get it right?

Due to relationship expectations he bought many expensive things for Victoria (mostly diamond jewellery), but the only true gift he’s ever given is to Misha for his 18th birthday, which was a collection of books and so quite thoughtful. His perspective of money is extremely warped compared to normal people, though, so if he ever was to get his partner something, he would need to consult Misha about it.

h  — is your muse quick or slow to give their heart away?

He falls in love very easily with anyone who shows him a bit of kindness (the reason why he stayed with Vicky and her unpleasant behaviour). However he is very quiet about it, and worries needlessly about whether his feelings are returned, so with Eva she’s been the one to initiate everything in their relationship so far. 

i  — does your muse find ‘i love you’ easy or hard to say?

Mako used to think it as something precious and special, as the truest expression of love. He would exchange it quite often and easily with Vicky in goodnights and goodbyes. Of course, she used this trust to her advantage for an ulterior motive. He realised that the words were just that—words, able to be uttered without feeling. Now it is tainted, and it’s likely he won’t ever be able to say it again. 

k  — is your muse a good kisser? why / why not?

Yes. Hoe. Also, his first boyfriend (Zephyr, his real name being Laurence Atlas) taught him a great deal about pleasure so credit to him, I guess.

l — who does your muse love? 

m  — how does your muse reconcile after arguments or fights?

He rarely gets into arguments because 1) he tries to avoid conflict by calming situations down and 2) who’s brave enough to challenge him? The answer to that is his partner, but they haven’t gotten into any fights yet as a couple so we shall have to see. 

o  — does your muse have a way with words?

Not really. He’s charismatic in his elegant, gentleman way, but his way of assembling words is logical. His crush on Eva rendered him shy and flustered in front of her so his ability to be a smooth talker is nonexistent. Luckily for him, Eva is also blunt so they just talk to each other in a straight-forward manner, or without words at all. 

p  — what does your muse look for in a partner? looks / personality?

Traditionally, his criteria for whoever he hooks up with is just beauty. Thanks to his work, he’s always surrounded by beautiful people, *cough* Damien. Partner wise... he wasn’t looking. Eva just burst into his life and he found that he loves her everything. 

q  — would your muse ask the big question or expect their partner to?

In his situation, technically it would be his parents who are going to be asking :/ 

r —  is your muse a romantic or a cynic?

Hopeless romantic. Because of the way he grew up, the classic depiction of romance is wonderfully appealing to him. What little he’s seen of romance in media makes his heart yearn. His traditional perception of love somewhat contradicts his sexuality, and of course now, he’s also a cynic. 

s  — did your muse have a childhood sweetheart?

No, the only kids he talked to during his childhood were his cousins. 

t — does your muse believe in true love?

Yes. Just not for him. 

u  — has your muse had their heart broken?

Yes, and it ceaselessly bothers Misha. 

w — would your muse get married? why / why not?

His opinion on marriage is neutral. He really likes the idea of a beautiful wedding (*cough* multi-million dollar wedding) and wishes for it have been brewing in the back of his mind for years. The concept of marrying for true love is just something that has never seemed real for him, so at the same time, he’s worried about the many years after the wedding, if his wife will even like his company. 

x — does your muse use / like pet names?

No, he’s really not verbally affectionate anymore. Eva will fight him if he tries to call her one anyway. 

y — does your muse get protective easily?

He is very protective of the two people he loves. He knows Eva can defend herself perfectly well, so in a way he’s more protective of Misha, who is more vulnerable. He’s not physically defensive because while he’s strong, he’s non-violent and can’t fight for shit, but there’s power in his position in society that has potential to cause far more damage than physical scars. At the moment he relies on people’s fear of this (see: Logan) rather than actually wielding it.