|
|
Part 18
Noticing the sun setting, Logan put down the ropes he had been hauling and when he saw all the men disappear into the mess hall, decided to join them. Victor followed Logan in and sat with him, not talking, but wanting to. He wanted to open up to Logan so much about their relationship in the past. That would wait for bunk hours though.
Looking around, Logan sized up all the men, wondering if anyone heard what happened down in their little storage room. They had been pretty loud, but they weren’t near any of the communal bunk rooms or anywhere daily maintenance seemed to be done, so they could hope it went… unnoticed. Mark sat on the opposite side of the mess hall, trying not to look at them.
Specifically looking for Mark, Logan wanted to see if he was checking either of them out and trying to get a scent off him. If there was a smell of anything that Logan could pinpoint off of Mark, it was anger. That's what he looked too, but he looked very quiet about it. He sat by himself at a table full of men. He was probably the loudest source of anger smell in the room. "Hey, Logan, leave the kid alone," Victor admonished, trying to get his attention.
“Why's he pissed?” Logan’s blue eyes narrowed at the boy, not even looking at Creed.
"Logan... he was the one who was moppin' up the blood from yer poke. He probably thinks yer abusive," he chuckled.
Finally looking at Victor, Logan raised his eyebrow sarcastically. “I'm abusive?”
Victor raised his hands in defense. "I didn't say you were, man. I said that's probably what he thought."
Grumbling, Logan said, “Did you tell him we were in a relationship?” Taking a bite of soggy asparagus, he glared at the kid.
Looking at his plate, Creed said, "I told 'im we were... but that we weren't havin' sex yet." Which of course had been true—until about four hours ago.
Rolling his eyes, Logan said, “Right....” Grumbling Logan said so quietly only Victor could have heard it, “An' he was hopin' ta fill that void, wasn' he?”
"Probably," he smiled and he leaned very slightly toward Logan. Logan now filled the void perfectly. "Er... he wanted ta be the void that got filled, I dunno," he smirked.
Immediately reacting, putting his fist up under Creed’s chin... Logan realized that he couldn’t pop his claws into Creed’s skull with all of these people around... and staring. Slowly, he took his hand away and tried to settle down, glaring at anyone who was still looking.
"Chill out, Logan," he admonished. "I ain't even lookin' at that kid any more." And he wasn't. There was actually no fresh arousal on Victor.
Flaring his nostrils at him a little, Logan got his drift, then got up from the table. He couldn’t eat with all these people staring at him. Victor ate after Logan had left. Once it was clear that Logan was gone, Mark came over to Victor and asked, "Are you okay?"
"I'm fine, kid. Don't worry about me." It's you, I'd be worried about, but he didn't say that.
"What about your friend?" Victor ate as Mark talked, but responded. "We moved our relationship up a notch."
"So... you're having sex now?" he asked quietly.
Victor nodded. "I'm sure there's somebody on this ship that wants ya, kid. Don't worry." I know that the Cajun could just have anyone o' these guys any time he wanted.
Mark looked down. He nodded and rose from the table.
After he had finished with his food Victor went down to the cabin. He brought some leftovers down to Logan since Logan didn't get to eat all of his food. He knew they would both need all the energy they could get. Down in the little storage room, Logan was doing sit-ups and pushups and other sorts of exercises even though he had been working out all day.
"Hey, Logan."
Sniffing a little, Logan could smell him, the food and the boy. “You didn't bring him with ya, did ya?”
Victor paused at that question. "What? Why would I have?"
“Cause yer a bleedin' heart.”
"What—you thought that I'd bring him down here fer a threesome?" he asked incredulously.
Scowling at him a little, Logan lifted himself up onto the top bunk. “I was thinkin' more along the lines of a cuddle....”
"Yeah, well, the thought didn't even cross my mind, got that?" Well, actually the thought had crossed his mind as soon as he saw the boy on the ship, but he had never seriously entertained it.
Grumbling, Logan accused, “Liar...” He wished there was a legitimate shower in this place; he reeked of man-sweat.
"So the thought crossed my mind. It's not like I thought it was really possible, Logan." Victor stepped over to the bunks and looked at Logan. "You know I love you... don't ya?" he asked, sounding a little worried.
Feeling his guts squeeze up when he said that, for some reason it hit Logan really hit deep. Laying down and looking at him and trying not show how it affected him, Logan said, “Yeah. I suppose.”
Victor reached up to touch Logan's face gently. He could tell that Logan felt like he needed to be alone, but he really wanted to cuddle him. The fact that he suggested it earlier meant he was at least thinking about it. Eyes closing when Creed touched him, Logan felt guilty because he was so mad about Remy, but Victor felt so ... homey and safe and tender. He grumbled at Creed just to put up some resistance. Victor almost smiled at Logan's grumble, but he kept stroking his face because he loved to feel it so much. His hands moved to his hair and then down to his neck, just caressing him all over.
Curling against the bed a little, Logan licked his lips before saying, “Go to bed. We gotta work hard tomorrow.”
"Okay," he said softly and leaned in to plant a kiss on Logan’s lips before ducking under to his bunk. He kind of hoped that Logan didn't crush the bed because he'd be crushing Victor beneath him on his way to the floor. He got under his covers and tried to sleep, listening to Logan's breathing. They hadn't been able to sleep together on any other ships, either, so he was used to going to sleep without him... but the emotional distance he was experiencing with Logan made the situation very different.
Shifting around, Logan knew he wouldn’t sleep all night, but tried to be quiet, just staring at the ceiling. His hands were folded behind his head, and he listened to the shifting sounds on the ship.
Mark snuck around the ship late at night, although he wasn't really—tip-toeing or anything. He just couldn't sleep. He found himself down at their room several times, wanting to go in and see them sleeping, but unable to actually gather the courage to go in or knock or anything. He was not as quite as Gambit in his sneaking, so Logan heard him easily.
When he got near again, Logan just barked out, “What izzit, kid?”
Mark started and froze. How did Logan know he was there? The smell of fear permeated the space beyond the door. "I'm s-sorry," he stuttered. "I didn't mean to wake you."
Sitting up, Logan said, “Y' can come in.”
Trembling, Mark's hand gripped the metal door and opened it and he stepped in gingerly. He didn't turn on the light, he just stood there, really embarrassed and really scared. He didn't even know what he wanted to say to them... he just wanted—something he couldn't have.
Watching him, Logan could see damn well in the dark. “Can't sleep?”
Shaking his head, Mark made a small affirmative sound. "I guess I'm just... not used to it yet."
Nodding, Logan said, “Ships'll throw ya.” Letting his legs hang down over the bed, Logan leaned on his knees, looking at the boy. “Why you sniffin' round outside our door? Hopin' ta hear somethin’?”
Mark made a small squeak that was barely audible in surprise at the accusation. "No, I just... found myself there... I don't really know why." He liked them. Both of them. He was dead scared of Logan now, but he still felt the attraction to him and was sure that he knew why Victor was attracted to him.
Smelling his desire, Logan pulled the blanket over his lap because of it. “You remind me a’ ... an old friend a mine...” His heart tugged a little at the thought of Remy. Oh, my darling Remy... he shouldn't have brought it up and changed topics. “Your first time on a ship?”
"Yeah... what was this friend... like?" he asked softly.
Shaking his head, Logan wasn’t going to talk about him with Mark. “Ferget I mentioned it.” Scratching his chin on his shoulder, Logan asked, “What brought ya ta seafarin’?”
"It was a good way to explore the world and be able to support myself. I figured that since I've never been away from the United States that I should go and see what everybody was talking about." Mark was grateful that Logan was willing to talk to him. He needed the distraction.
Nodding, Logan said, “Yeah....” He had seen a helluva lot of the world. “Where ya from?”
"Upstate New York," he said.
“Really?” he grinned. “I'm from New York... Kinda.”
"Oh, yeah? Which part?" he asked, starting to smile and relax a little.
“Westchester.” Logan saw him relaxing, and didn’t know what to think of that.
Mark laughed. "What's a rich man doing on a cargo ship?"
Shaking his head, Logan said, “I'mma squatter. Not rich.”
"Ah," he said with his grin fading only very slowly. "My family's around Canadargo Lake."
Chuckling, Logan asked, “Disappointed I'm not some rich stowaway?”
"What would I do with a rich stowaway?" Rich people were untouchable.
“What would you do with a poor one?”
"Make friends," he smiled, flashing his teeth.
Smirking in that sharky, predatory way, Logan asked, “With abusive, violent bastards?”
Mark looked away, his smile instantly gone and the smell of fear starting to fill the room again. "Victor's not... mad at you, so... I shouldn't be either, right?" he asked.
“Why would you be mad at me even if Creed was?”
"I... I don't know what your relationship is like... but I know that... people can still love each other... when they hurt each other." His voice cracked several times and he felt like he was going to start crying. His father had beaten his mother and he for years, always saying how sorry he was and how much he loved them after every beating. He believed in his father’s love... still did.... but his father still hit his mother.
“Well... We're a little different...” or are we? Oh, God, I don't know.... Logan looked away.
"Different? You mean like how Victor can heal his wounds, so that makes it okay for you to hurt him?" He didn't know where that came from. He was sorry he said it as soon as the words came out of his mouth. "I’m sorry," he said. "I... don't have a right to judge you."
Grinding his teeth a little, Logan kinda wanted to skewer him. “Especially when you don't have any idea what the fuck yer talkin’ about.”
Mark's stomach twisted. "I'm sorry," he said quietly again.
“Hey... I don't know what yer lookin’ for, but I know ya won't find it here... Sorry....” He actually did sound remotely sorry. Thinking if the kid knew even the smallest bit about Logan’s history with Creed, it would blow his mind beyond repair.
Breathing shallow, part of Mark wanted to bolt from the room, but the other part of him was cemented to the floor. His feet felt so heavy...
Raising his eyebrow at him, Logan said, “Don't pass out, kid, all right?” Hopping off the bunk, Logan landed with a way too heavy 'thunk' and approached him. “Didn't mean ta scare ya, ok?” The boy reeked of fear.
Knees becoming weak Mark he collapsed when Logan was within arm's reach of him. He was shaking like a leaf. Closing his arms around the boy, oh, lord he sort of felt like Remy—Logan said, “Hey... C'mon...” and dragged him over to the bottom bunk with Creed. Kind of pushing him out of the way, he gently settled Mark next to him. “Whassa matter?” he asked, putting his hand on Mark’s forehead.
Mark’s forehead felt really cool and a little clammy. "I don't... I don't know," he shuttered. He just felt so... scared for some reason. He didn't know if he was scared of Logan... or scared of never seeing either of them again, or if he was afraid of something entirely different....
Petting his forehead, Logan whispered, “Calm down... Calm down, kiddo....” Going into that daddy I'll-take-care-of-you mode, Logan curled his arms around him so he was sort of in his lap. There was not much room on the bunk. “Creed, I know yer awake, scoot.” He jabbed him with his hip. Victor moved over and turned to face them, starting to pet the boy softly too, but he stayed quiet.
Suddenly very choked up Logan wondered if this was what it was like with Anchius…. Did we cuddle up like this and pet him when he had nightmares...? Suddenly Logan’s eyes got a little wet, and he had an emotional memory of what happened being deeply struck by it.
"I... I'm sorry," Mark said and leaned into Logan. He felt so nice that he never wanted to move.
“S'okay, kid.” Looking over his shoulder at Creed, Logan’s heart was beating double time, needing to be grounded. Victor reached out a hand to caress Logan gently and comfortingly. Eyes skittering over Creed’s face, Logan reached back to sink a hand into his hair and pull him into a soft kiss. Victor felt like moaning, but he stifled it and just felt the reverberation of the kiss wash throughout his body.
Sighing against his lips, Logan felt like if he opened his eyes he would be in Sparta and they boy in his arms would have long golden hair... so he didn’t open them for a long time. Mark's heartbeat picked up as he heard the kiss and sensed the bodies over him converge. His groin filled with blood on its own—not like he had ever asked it to be attracted to men.
Struck with the sharp scent of arousal, Logan’s eyes snapped open and he looked down at Mark. “Hey, kid... You feelin' better?”
Mark was still feeling weak and lightheaded. His heart was beating like a rabbit’s and that only made the problem with his head worse. "N—not really," he stuttered again. He might actually clarify it as being worse. He really shouldn't be there, he told himself, but he couldn't move either. What was he going to do? He tried to move, but his muscles felt so weak... he had that feverish feeling when muscles were ticklish and weak and soar all at once.
Sighing, Logan said, “Well, all right then... You want me ta carry you ta yer bunk?” When Mark didn’t respond, Logan prodded, “What's wrong?” Looking over his shoulder at Creed, he asked, “What’s wrong with him?”
Mark was torn. He didn't want to leave, but he really should.... Victor smelled the kid and listened to his heartbeat. "Kid's really scared," he assessed. "What's wrong, Mark?" he asked. Mark shook his head.
"I don't know...." I just feel like I'll shatter into a million pieces if I leave this room. He was struck with that realization and his breath was ripped from him. Why? Why was it so important to stay? They didn't want him here!
"Mark?" Victor asked concerned when the boy stopped breathing.
“You scared of us? We're not gonna hurt ya...” Logan assured, petting his hair and his forehead.
"I..." he couldn't tell them that he was scared to leave the room—they’d think he was just trying to get attention. Was he? He didn't feel so scared of them... especially not Victor. "I don't know what's going on with me," he said more scared now of what was happening to him than what he was afraid of before. This had happened to him a couple of times before when he was younger. It happened when he got to high school a couple of times. He was really scared to come home and didn't want to leave the school and so ran around for hours trying to avoid it. When he finally got home, he had found that something awful had happened each time. His cat Oliver had died—beaten by his father. His uncle had died...
Sighing, “Well... You can stay here ‘til ya calm down... I'll... leave ya with Creed...” Logan crawled over Mark to get off of the bunk. He suspected he may be part of the problem, since Mark typically stank of fear around him. Easily lifting himself onto the top bunk, Mark spoke up.
"Logan—it's not you…."
“What is it, then?” He was on the bunk again, arms crossed behind his head.
Swallowing, Mark was trying to wrack his brain for how to explain it. "I... I've only gotten this feeling.... when something terrible was about to happen...." He started shaking from the implications of it. The implication that something terrible was about to happen... the implication... that he might be like Victor—he might be a mutant! His stomach sank. Suddenly the fire alarm went off on the ship—loud bells and red lights, making all sorts of noise.
“Oh, fuck.” Logan hopped off the bed. “That mean we got breached?” Logan asked as he got dressed.
Victor got up instantly. "Stay here, Mark," he told him, and patted him on the shoulder before leaving with Logan. Men were running in their skivvies all over the ship frantically. Some were carrying fire extinguishers.
Lifting his eyebrow, Logan said, “Fire.” He could smell it and headed right toward it, grabbing up blankets as he followed the smoke. They got to the scene of the fire and men were struggling with a door that was locked from the inside. "Get that door open!" cried the captain. "Men are trapped in there!"
"Logan," Victor said and cleared a way for them to the door through the crowd of men that wanted to help. Reaching out, Logan grabbed the knob, and could feel his flesh burn down to the bone, the metal was so hot but he threw his shoulder against it, feeling that singe as well. Logan didn’t want to take out his claws until the last minute.
"Logan!" Victor cried as the door was sturdy against Logan’s assault and he started scratching at the hinges with his claws, but he couldn't get as much depth as Logan could with his—they were a lot longer as pointed out earlier.
Huffing, aggravated, Logan let out the three long prongs and drove them into the door, easily cutting of the hinges and removing the door. Reaching in he started dragging people out. “Get the fire, Creed,” he instructed handing him one of the wet blankets he brought.
"Stay back!" Victor shouted to the men behind them. There was going to be lots of smoke. Victor grabbed a fire extinguisher from a nearby crew member and ran through the hole Logan created. He tried to see through he smoke, but there was an awful lot of it. He started spraying at the glowing parts, which created more smoke. He coughed through it, but tried to ignore the sting in his lungs. It would go away. There was an entire bunk on fire and he coated it with CO2. There were a couple of other places that were on fire and he got them, blankets had spread the fire to the other bunks....
There were a few men on the floor, all unconscious. After the fire was out, Victor grabbed two of them and left the rest for Logan and the other men that were trailing in after them. "Make a hole!" he shouted as he carried them out into the fresh aired corridor.
Logan helped Creed carry out bodies. He found a fellow stuck behind a bunk, and grabbed the searing hot metal lifting it off of him. He had enormous, bloody wounds on his hands, and managed to drag the sailor out despite them.
Victor was huffing and hacking after carrying out the men and went back into the smoking room to check for more people. Logan was covered in the black of the smoke and the red of his own blood, spitting it up through damaged lungs that were readily healing. Shaking off the hands that said he shouldn't go back in there, that he would die and what good would that do, Logan found the boat cat hiding in a nook and grabbed her, smuggling her to safety.
Doing a last check to make sure no one was in there Victor came out hacking up half a lung. The men who were burned were carried off and the two heroes were both being given pats on their backs. Growling with a completely damaged throat, “Everybody upstairs... This place needs ta... air out... UP!” Logan shouted and waited until everyone had gone then went into a corner and coughed up a good few gobs of blood.
"You okay?" Creed asked Logan rubbing his back a little.
Blood coming out of his nose, Logan could already feel himself healing. “Yeah... We're fucked, though....” They saw my claws and our healing.
"Yer an X-Man... wasn't it supposed ta be worth it to ya?"
“We're in the middle of the fuckin' ocean!! Where the hell are we gonna go?? You want to walk to Europe on the ocean bed?!”
"We're out at sea, Logan. Unless we committed a crime, and even if we did, the worst they can legally do is put us in the brig. I don't think they're gonna dump us off the ship."
Walking right up to his barrel chest, Logan looked right up at him. “We're mutants. We've done worse than commit a crime....” Victor looked down at the deck and had nothing to say. He supposed Logan was right...
Leaning up on his tiptoes, Logan gave Creed a soft kiss. “C'mon. Let’s go get our sentence....” Logan started up the stairs. Victor nodded and sighed, following Logan up to the top deck to get some fresh air. Once they reached the top of the deck, most of the men steered clear of them, giving odd looks. Refusing to look at them, Logan just stood there by the railing.
"Well, do you wanna go see the captain?" Victor asked voice still gruff from the smoke inhalation.
“Why would I?” He noticed none of the sailors would look at him and he looked around for Mark to make sure he was okay.
"You sounded like ya had a death wish," he said.
“There's a difference between that and just bein’ downright stupid.”
"I'm gonna go check on Mark then. He should still be in our bunk, if the kid did like I told 'im,” but he didn’t move from Logan’s side.
Leaning into Creed slightly, Logan asked, “Whaddya make a him?”
"I dunno... maybe... could he be like us?" he asked.
Grinning a little, Logan had thought of that, too. “He's in love with ya, too.” He went down into their cabin and walked over to Mark. “You ok?” Mark trembled a nod.
Touching his shoulder, Logan asked, “You... You knew, didn't you?” he meant about he and Creed being mutants.
"I didn't know anything!" he shouted in self defense, curling up a little.
Taking his hand away from Mark, Logan backed off, grumbling at Creed. “You talk to him...” and he went to find the ship cat, making sure she was ok. His pride was wounded a little.
Victor went over and sat beside Mark. "Hey... you doin' all right?" he asked him, rubbing his back.
"I didn't know, Victor. I swear. I just get this feeling and—maybe I just make bad things happen...."
"You stop that!" Victor shouted a little harsher than he probably should have. "Ya don't make things happen, kid. Yer... yer probably just... sensitive ta that sorta thing." Logan could hear them. He wanted to get away, but just pet the kitty who seemed to really like him. "Look, kid... there's a place you can go if you are like... Logan an' me. They'll take care of ya there...."
Looking over his shoulder at the door, Logan pet the kitty... you are not inviting him to the X-mansion, are you? Logan smirked at Creed, shocked at how different he was.
"I... no offense, Victor, but I... I admire you for who you are and the things you can do... but I don't want to be like you."
"I don't think anybody does, kid. People wanna fit in... we just don't happen to."
"What... what happened?" he asked. He had stayed in the bunk, like Victor had told him to.
Coming back into the bedroom with the cat, Logan watched Mark to see how he reacted to his presence—if he spooked him. Mark seemed fine. Looking down at the little kitty in his arms, Logan rocked her gently. “Sorry ta kill the conversation.”
Mark and Victor looked up at him. "That's okay. Was just gonna tell Mark what we did."
“What did we do?”
"We broke out the guys who were in the fire..."
“Oh! That! Yeah... We did that....”
Victor nodded. "Most of 'em are gonna be fine with some smoke inhalation treatment, I think."
Logan certainly hoped he wasn’t trying to impress him or anything... naaahhh.... “And I saved the cat.” Lifting her up, Logan showed Mark the relatively unharmed cat.
"You... went into a burning room?" Mark asked looking at Logan and the cat in awe.
“Fire's got nothin' on us.” Petting the kitty, Logan went and sat next to Creed.
Mark leaned over across Victor to Logan and gave him a hug. "I'm glad you're all right." Victor smiled at Logan and Mark. Wondering if they were just going to hide down in their bunks for the rest of the trip with Mark, Victor hoped people forgot about them.
“So… Logan said breaking the hug and petting the cat. “You think the captain's gonna boot us?”
"I dunno, Logan. I haven't said so much as two words to 'im. What do you think?"
“Never can tell. Surprised he ain't come ta see us, yet.”
"He's probably worryin' about the men that got hurt. He'll come lookin' for us. One way or another."
Nodding, Logan leaned back against the bunk. “Can ya sleep? Either a ya?”
"I don't know. Mark?" Mark looked at Victor and nodded.
"Should I go?" he asked.
Licking his teeth, Logan noticed that the cat was asleep in his arms.
"Logan?" Victor asked.
“Yeah?” he closed his eyes, head against the wall.
"Mark should go back to his bunk, right?" he asked for confirmation.
“If he wants ta.” Logan understood the kid could be scared shitless and want to stay with Creed.... He crawled out from under the bunk, and one handedly pulled himself up to his.
Feeling that Logan probably wanted him out of their hair... even though he was still feeling the residual adrenaline from the fear coursing through him earlier Mark got onto his shaky legs and left after hugging Victor good night. He went to his bunk room... only to find that there was DANGER tape all across the entrance. Mark went pale. What if he had stayed in there...? He might have been killed! Shocked, he wandered back to Logan and Victor's room and knocked on the door, not knowing what else to do.
"Yeah?" Victor called.
"C-can I... come in?" he asked at the door.
Grinning a little in the dark, Logan had a feeling he'd be back once he realized he gave up an opportunity to snuggle with Creed. Victor hopped up to get the door. Mark stepped inside and stood to the side of the door with his hands folded in front of him. "C... can I stay here tonight... it was—it was my bunk...." Mark looked like he might cry. All of his things were in there. All of his savings, his pictures, his clothes. He wondered if there was anything in there that was salvageable, but he probably wouldn’t know that until tomorrow… if it wasn’t all stolen by then.
Sitting up, Logan said, “Shit, that was yer room?”
Mark nodded. It was obviously shared with several other people, but his bunk was in there.
"What if I had been in there?" he asked, his voice cracking.
Huffing, Logan muttered under his breath, “Then we wouldn't have to explain why you were in our room when the fire started.” Logan wasn’t really peeved, but he realized that was going to be an issue.
"Shh, ya weren't, so calm down," Victor said and hugged Mark, glaring at Logan. And I thought I was supposed ta be the insensitive one.
"Will they think I'm a mutant because I avoided the fire?" he asked, horrified.
“Nah.” They just might think you started it. “You may not even be one... Ya could just be....” Logan tapped his head, “Psychic.”
"Isn't that... isn’t that being a—" he asked.
"Not really," Victor answered.
“’Sides, we could just say we were up late playin’... poker.” Grinning, Logan decided that wouldn’t cause a scandal. “Unless... gamblin’s illegal on this craft....”
"I... I don't know." Mark was a little rattled still. "Can I just... sleep on the floor or something?" he asked.
"Nah, you can have my bunk. I'll sleep on the floor," Victor offered.
“Oh, shut up. You can get up here...”
"Uh, Logan... maybe you an' I should sleep on the bottom bunk." They were both really heavy and if the bunk collapsed, he didn't want to be squishing poor Mark.
Chuckling, Logan said, “Ok...” and got off the bed, careful to not disturb the sleeping kitty. “Up ya go, kid...” He crawled into the bottom bunk.
Mark snuggled up on the top bunk and nuzzled into the covers. Victor smiled at him and then headed into the bunk with Logan.
He looked just like Remy like that, Victor thought. Softly, Logan said, “Yer smitten.”
"Am not," he shot back.
“Yer not? Ya sure?”
"Not with him anyway," he said snuggling into Logan.
Grunting, Logan said, “An' since when're you so fuckin’ soft?”
"So I got a soft spot fer the kid. Big deal," he grumbled under his breath. He hoped that Mark couldn't hear what they were talking about.
“Ya gotta soft spot fer a lotta kids... The Creed I know woulda sat back an’ had some popcorn, watchin’ those sailors burn up....” Logan wasn’t keeping his voice too quiet.
Mark's bunk creaked as he curled up when he heard Logan say that. He didn't like the thought of Victor being that mean. It occurred to him that he really didn't know the man at all. Victor glared at Logan and turned over away from him. He didn't want to talk to him if he was going to string him out in front of Mark.
“Hey... Creed….” Lowering his voice again, Logan thought that he didn't mean for Mark to hear. “Hey.” Prodding him with his Kitty-less arm, Logan said, “Don't get sensitive on me, now....”
Victor growled and shifted in bed trying to ignore Logan enough to sleep. Leaning over, Logan bit on his shoulder. “Lighten up.” He nibbled Creed’s ear. Victor whimpered and turned back over at Logan’s nibbles. He just melted when he did that! He opened his arms and hugged Logan to him, squeezing him.
Curling up in his arms with the kitty between them, Logan tried to fall into sleep. Mark was unable to sleep for a while, but he eventually did fall asleep with the tire from the adrenaline rush tugging at his consciousness.
Gently knocking on Remy’s door, Peter wanted to make sure he was all right. Remy drug himself out of bed and answered his door, his heart a little shocked to find Peter standing in front of it. “Mornin’,” he grumbled. “Help y’?” he asked him.
Totally affronted at the coldness of his welcome, Peter tried to hide the hurt. “Um… I wanted to see that you were all right.”
“Peter, I—“ I’m not sure I’m ever gon’ be all right, he finished to himself. He sighed and figured that they should at least talk about it. He didn’t want to hurt Peter, so he opened the door further. “C’mon in,” he said sadly. He didn’t know what was going to happen in the next few minutes… he didn’t have anything to say to him but he knew that he felt really bad. His shields had taken a beating last night and had healed over by morning. That’s why he needed them.
Softly, Peter said, “If you do not wish to talk to me, Remy, I will not make you.” He stayed outside the door.
“Non, I wanna talk to y’, Peter… I jus’ don’ know what to say. So… if y’ could bear wid me, I’d appreciate it.”
Swallowing, Peter went in anyway. “I have a very good idea of what you are going to say…” and quite frankly, I do not want to hear it.
Remy closed the door behind him. “I… feel really bad about yesterday… still. I’m really sorry, Peter. I shouldda been t’inkin’ an’ I wasn’.” He went over to Peter and put a hand on his arm, gently.
Nodding, Peter said, “I know.” He didn’t want to get dumped. “I will leave you now.” Peter patted Remy’s hand. Remy squeezed his arm so he wouldn’t leave.
“Peter…”
Feeling a little frustrated, Peter said, “Yes?” and tried to remain polite, but if he started the ‘you’re a really good guy’ bullshit, he was leaving.
“I know I’m gon’ run int’ de same problem again… because I like you… I don’ wanna stop—“ I jus’ really need to keep it outta de public eye. He didn’t know what Peter would do if he said that though.
“But you have to. I understand.” Taking his hand, Peter kissed it so he would know he still cared about him. “Have a good day.” Opening the door, he was leaving, but Remy stepped to the door and put his hand over Peter’s.
“Do you want to stop?” he asked, wanting to search his eyes, but searching his face because his eyes weren’t available.
Looking away from him so he wouldn’t see what was in his eyes, Peter said, “Of course I don’t, but I respect your wishes.”
“Did y’ hear m’ wish?” he asked perplexed.
“… I thought it remained unspoken,” for which I am thankful.
“Oh, well dat’s de problem den.” His hand slid up Peter’s arm and to his face. Remy was about as tall as Peter, so he easily reached his face and pulled him in to a kiss.
Breath picking up, Peter kissed back, his arms clenching around Remy’s waist. He was crazy for Remy and cradled him close. The kiss was of a relatively tongueless type, but it was passionate nevertheless. Leaning away from Peter Remy looked at his face. “I’m sorry dat I was so upset… an’ dat it looked like I was upset at y’… I wasn’ upset at you.”
Stroking a finger down Remy’s cheek, he said, “I thought you didn’t want me…”
“It still… hurts, but dat ain’ gonna last very long.” Neider is did relationship, Le Beau, he told himself. He squelched the feeling that he was still leading Peter on and led Peter away from the door instead, their destination the bed.
Following him, Peter was still a little baffled. “You are still in love with Logan,” he observed.
Remy nodded. “Oui. Logan is very special to me. But… I know how you feel… an’ I’m attracted t’ you… If y’ don’ wan’ dis t’ happen any more, I understand….”
“But he is going to return, Remy… What then?”
I jus’ tought I could solve bot’ our problems for a little while… “I told y’, Peter. Were y’ listenin’?” I’m not leavin’ Logan. I said dat dis would be temporary. If y’ can’ deal wid anythin’ on dat scale, den it’s better dat we not start dis again at all.” He sounded a little confused.
Swallowing, Peter said shamefully, “I would have you any way I could get you.”
Remy felt really bad at the shame in Peter’s voice. “Peter… can we tink of dis as more of a ‘friends wit’ benefits’ relationship? Or would dat…?” What are y’ tinkin’, Le Beau?? Y’ gon’ hurt him no matter what y’ try ta do or how y’ try t’ arrange dis relationship! Y’ not bein’ fair t’ him by even offerin’. “I jus’ waned t’ help,” he choked out.
“To help? To help who, Remy?”
“To help you,” he said emphatically. “I know what it’s like… t’ have somebody y’ wan’ more dan anythin’. I know de tings y’ willin’ t’ do f’ dat person…” His thoughts filled with Rogue at that moment. “Y tell y’self if y’ could just have dat person… y’ could be happy.” But is it a lie, Le Beau? An’ what happens when y’ can’t be wit’ dem any more? “It hurts when y’ can’ have dem any more… after havein’ been able to… so I’m gon’ leave de decision up t’ you, Peter….”
Shaking his head, Peter said, “I do not accept sexual charity.” Rising from the bed, a little offended, even thoug he said he would take him any way he could get him, prostitution was just not cool. Remy leaned his head back on the wall with a thud. Was it charity? He thought it was ultimately selfish of himself to offer, not charitable.
“Y’ got a weird definition o’ Charity,” he commented, but didn’t stop him from leaving.
Turning back to him, Peter said, “You said nothing of wanting me, Remy…” or if he did, Peter hadn’t heard it through all the self-conscious thought that was going through his head.
Remy chuckled to himself. “I said dat I dat I like you an’ I said dat I’m attracted t’ you. Is dat not wantin’ y’?” He splayed his legs invitingly on the bed, his boxers showcasing his package nicely in the relaxed position.
Swallowing, Peter looked at Remy, so lovely all splayed out on his bed, he wanted to leap on him and kiss him all over and lick him and have his wicked way with him... Metaling up, Peter said quietly, “I'll think about it....” and he rose again to go. Remy was left kind of breathless on the bed, he had been holding it not knowing.
Marching out of the room, Peter needed to wank, needed to cry, needed to think... or better yet, not think.... He went into his bedroom, shutting and locking the door behind him.
Sighing, Remy dragged himself out of bed to go meet with Emma like was planned yesterday. She wanted to check in with him.
Curled up against Creed's enormous chest, Logan’s mind was somewhere else completely... remembering back in the days of Sparta, of knowing Creed and loving him entirely. He wrapped his arms around Victor’s neck, eyes still closed, and started kissing him sleepily, speaking in Ancient Greek. “<Wake up... kiss me...>”
Creed was so there! He wrapped his arms around Logan and kissed him passionately, but gently.
"<Mornin', love,>" he whispered against his lips.
Muttering between kisses, still in Ancient Greek, Logan said, “<We have time... before training... with Anchius....>”
Victor's eyes widened and his heart almost stopped. How did he know they used to train with Anchuis when he was grown? Victor's breath slowed and he started trembling. "<Yeah, love.... we have time,>"
Eyes still closed, only slightly awake, Logan kissed him wetly, saying, “<So make love to me already.>”
Covertly moving the covers over them so Mark wouldn't be able to peek down accidentally and see them, Victor didn't want to disturb the memory and started to kiss Logan and get him out of what little clothing he had. The cat was shoved from between them and she went and curled under the bunk. He went down under the covers and started making love to Logan's morning hardness.
Growling, pretty loudly at that, since Logan thought they were in a small, humble home not so far from the beaches, he stretched, curling his toes and growled again. With his eyes still closed, Logan wondered why Anchius hadn't come in already with good morning kisses.
Victor's mouth was suddenly up to Logan’s ear. "<Sshh, love. You'll wake Anchius,>" Victor said.
Turning and kissing him, Logan grinned, “<I don't think he'll mind...>” Kissing him deeply, Logan pushed on Creed’s shoulders to get him back on his cock.
Victor crept down under the covers and started sucking and licking at Logan. Logan growled happily, opening his legs for Victor and started working his hips against him. “Gonna be tight.…” he grinned a little. “Even after last night.” Where Logan was in his head, they had a bit of a sex marathon last night. Of course Victor would know that he would have healed already. He mostly just said that to turn him on.
Victor growled and sucked harder on Logan, not really intending to take him that morning. Growling, Logan wrapped a leg around Victor and stroked his back a little, working his hips up into him, feeling really blissed out. He reached down and sunk his fingers into Victor’s hair, muttering, still in Ancient Greek. “<I love your big dick...>”
No, you don't, Logan... you just used to... You'd be really mad at me if I took you like this.... He didn't know if he was going to be able to follow through on his intent of not taking Logan this morning, but he was going to try. For one thing, he didn't have any lubricant handy. They used to use the cum from whoever came first, but he wasn't planning on leaving any of Logan's delicious cum.
Rocking against the mattress, Logan’s mind made it feel like a bunch of pillows, making the stale air of the hull smell like nearby sea and the hum of the ocean outside the ship sound like a quick jog away from the beach. “Grrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr.............” he snarled a little, legs locking around Victor and pulling his hair a bit. “<Good... Lover...>”
Sucking harder at the name he used to call Victor, he slid up and down him fast, hoping that Logan would be able to hold onto the memory of this moment when he finally came to himself. Logan started sincerely trying to pull Victor off. “<No... Stop... I'm going to—>” he threw his head back and arched up, coming into Victor’s mouth, letting out a pretty difficult-to-ignore roar.
Mark flinched on the top bunk and shook the bed. He had been awake—he knew what was happening. He had tried to sleep through it, but had been unable to. Logan was just too loud. Victor swallowed Logan's cream and slid up him gingerly to give a light kiss on his cheek, if he were still amenable.
Finally opening his eyes a little, Logan looked at him, panting hard. He was still a little blurry from sleep. “<What's wrong?>” Victor stunk of apprehension and he didn't bang Logan through the floorboards... something was up.
Victor was surprised that Logan didn't come to himself and start looking at him with hate. He always saw a trace of it in his eyes. "<You awake?>" he asked in Ancient Greek.
Smiling slightly, Logan said, “<Yeah... what's wrong?>” He wrenched his fist off of the metal "headboard" and stroked Victor’s face.
"<Nothing.... what are you planning on doing today?>" he asked, hoping to trigger more memories for Logan. He knew that these dream-like times were the best way to draw out memories. Logan furrowed his brow at Victor like he was an idiot. “<Same thing we always do... Look, you want anything?>” he asked, kissing him wetly and deeply so he would know what kind of thing Logan was talking about that Victor might be wanting. “<Because, if not, I want to sleep some more.>”
"<Tell me what we do,>" he said gently.
Blinking at him, thinking his lover had lost it, Logan turned over and pressed his back against him, pulling Victor’s arm over him like it was a blanket. “<Looks like we both could use more sleep...>”
"<Please, Locrus. Tell me what we're going to do today?>" he asked in Greek. Mark listened to the conversation, curled up tightly. He didn't recognize any of the words, but he could tell they had been exchanging words of passion and now were less passionate, but equally as comfortable.
Sighing heavily, Logan rolled his eyes. “<Training Anchius, going to the market, listening to Agamemnon speak and then coming back here and screwing ‘til we pass out. Now go to bed.>” He smacked him in the head with a pillow for being obnoxious, then curled up and started to doze.
Victor hugged Logan as he slept and tried to keep his heartbeat under control. He was happy that Logan was starting to remember these things. He was almost worried that if he let Logan sleep he might forget all of this... "Logan?" he said in English. "I need you to wake up."
Blinking a little... Logan thought, that didn't make any sense... did it? No.... then how do I know what it means...? He suddenly sat up so fast he hit his head on the top bunk again, almost falling out of bed. “Aw, shit!” He was pretty dizzy and wobbled even though he was sitting down. Completely disoriented, he thought he might throw up.
"Logan?" Victor asked and reached for him, hoping to comfort him through the disorientation.
"You all right?"
Breathing fast, he managed to get up and wobble over to the tiny sink in the little storage-utility area. “Yeah...” He went to the sink, leaned over it, and started splashing his face with cold water. Mark looked concerned at Logan and then peaked over the edge of the bed at Victor. Victor put a finger over his mouth asking Mark to be quiet, and Mark lay back down on his bed pretending to be asleep. Victor sat up on the edge of the bunk and watched Logan finish up at the sink.
Finally stopping, Logan leaning over the sink, supporting himself. “I... shit... I was... I was somewhere else….” Obviously. “Sorry.” He shook his head, trying to clear it.
"Mark, you wanna go get some breakfast?" Victor asked the young man. Mark nodded and quietly left the room, casting a concerned glance at Logan on his way out. Victor looked back at Logan and said, "You wanna tell me about it? See what you remember?"
“No.” He stood upright and got a towel to dry his face. He wasn’t going to let there be any further discussion on this.
Victor nodded. "What should I do next time?" he asked. Logan was obviously mad about this.
Shaking his head, not mad, he said, “I don’t know.” He really didn’t. He was a bit freaked out about it and leaned against the wall, drying his hands. “Thanks for the blowjob.”
Victor would have smiled, but he didn't have it in him at that moment. "Any time," he said, sincerely, but with a hint of sadness.
Smirking at him, he asked, “Mark freaked out?” He could smell a bit of him left in the room.
"I dunno. He definitely heard what happened this mornin'.... I think he might have been a little freaked out by your spaz attack more though." Victor got up and stepped over to Logan wanting to hold him. He knew that they couldn’t really go anywhere at the moment... not after what happened last night with the fire.
Looking up at him, his lip curled. “Spaz attack!? That was just a start!” He was a little offended.
Victor smiled. "So sensitive." He had been teasing Logan. It was a bit of a hard start though if he bumped his head on the top bunk. His arms itched to have Logan in them, but they were still by his sides.
Scoffing, Logan shoved Victor harder than he needed to, to get by and sat on the bunk again. “Suppose we should wait down here for the captain? Or just pretend nothin's happened?”
"I figure we just act like nothin' happened and hope they forget about it." He hoped that Mark would be able to tell them how the crew was reacting. "Why y' mad at me this time, Logan?"
Looking up, Logan said, “... I'm not mad at you.” He got up and put on his jeans, going to go up and go to work as usual.
"Yeah, right," he commented sarcastically under his breath. He stuck on some clothes and got ready to follow him.
Standing up straight, Logan glared at him. “I'm not. But if ya keep doubtin’ my word, I will be.”
"Logan..." he sighed. He wanted to tell Logan that his actions spoke louder than his words, but decided to let it go. He nodded and headed out with him.
Loving the feel of the cold, biting ocean air on his face, Logan blinked around and noticed everyone on the entire ship had been staring at them since they came up the stairs and onto the deck. “Huh.”
"We gonna try ta get food, or do you wanna let it go?" he asked quietly.
Logan had that familiar reaction of hatred towards judgmental people. “No. I'm hungry. C'mon.” He started marching toward the mess hall.
Victor followed Logan to the mess hall and stood by his side as they entered. The captain was there with the men, although he was not eating. Standing, he started clapping and the other sailors looked to the doorway and started clapping with him. In a few moments the entire hall was filled with a loud cacophony.
Wincing against the sound, Logan wished he could turn the heightened senses off, and just stared at everybody. He was a bit flummoxed, pressing back into Victor partly because he was blocking the door while he kind of wanted to get away from the noise and partly for comfort. Victor didn't know what to do really. He clasped Logan's shoulder and looked at the captain with a grimace. The captain stepped over to them and Victor leaned over to shake the outstretched hand. The clapping started to die down and he relaxed a little more. "You saved the lives of my crew members. I can't thank you enough. We were too late for one soul, but for the others, they and the rest of the men have expressed their gratitude."
Logan felt a pang of guilt that one died... he didn't know that and slumped a little... but managed a small smile for the captain, equally bolstered by their tolerance and thankfulness.
“Sorry... that we weren't in time for him," Victor muttered. He knew he spoke for Logan too.
"It couldn't be helped," the captain said. He had been the one who was smoking in his bunk before he fell asleep according to the other men in the room who had woken up.
“Ah...” He looked around at everyone staring at them again, not meaning to sound ungrateful, but he was a little uncomfortable with all this attention focused on him. “Can we eat?”
The captain smiled and said, "Of course. Good work last night, gentleman," he said and extended his hand to Logan. "Please," he said gesturing toward the food isle and everyone went back to normal eating around their tables. There were still men looking at the two of them, and some of them were not good looks, but most of them were looks of approval. Victor went and got grub, trying to ignore the looks that he got.
Shaking the captain’s hand congenially Logan followed Victor, skin crawling at the eyes on him. He muttered so only Victor could hear it. “Not what I was expecting.…” He looked around for Mark, wanting to make sure he was all right.
Mark was sitting at a table and glanced over at the two of them and gave a brittle smile. Swallowing, Logan muttered again to Victor, “Suppose he's freaked out.”
Victor tried to ignore the look of hurt in Mark's eyes. "He probably is a little." He didn't know what to do about him really.
Sighing, he went over to sit with him. “Hey.” He scooted over to make room for Creed. “Didn't freak you out too bad this mornin’, did I?”
"I...." Mark stuttered. "It's okay, Logan. I asked to stay in your room after all." What should I have expected?
Chewing on a carrot stick, Logan watched him closely, wondering what the hell he thought happened. “I got memory problems. Sometimes I get startled by what I remember.” That was all he was sayin’.
"Memory—?" What has that got to do with sex? "Okay," he said, not understanding what Logan was talking about, but not willing to press further. "It's okay, really," he said. Logan looked over at Creed for help. "I'm glad you're all right," Mark said sincerely, looking at Logan with a longing in his eyes he hadn't expected.
Victor shrugged at Logan. Blinking at him, Logan saw that longing and immediately thought of Remy, and lowered his eyes back to his food, hunching over a little.
"He'll be all right, kid. You sleep okay?" Victor asked conversationally. Mark nodded and kept eating. Although he didn't really think that the way he was awakened helped the quality of his sleep.
Huffing, Logan didn’t know what to do with this kid, so he ate until his plate was empty then rose and went back into the kitchen where he had dish duty, not waiting for Creed.
Mark asked with concerned eyes, "Do you think Logan doesn't like me?"
Victor looked at him and smiled a little secretively. "No, I think he likes you too much. It's our friend—" he stopped himself. "His friend, back in New York. He looks just like you."
"Then.... he misses this friend...."
"Yeah," Victor said a little sadly.
Mark nodded and finished, cleaning up and heading out to the deck to help out. Victor finished last and headed into the dish pit and went to help Logan. Scrubbing away at the dishes, alone in the kitchen, Logan was not looking forward to cleaning those huge soup vats.
Looking up at Victor when he came in, he asked, “You talk to the kid?”
"A little. He's worried ya don't like him," he said with the hint of a smirk.
“...... He's lustin' after me, Creed, I can't stand it.” Victor nodded. Looking up again, he said, “Suppose this mornin' didn't help, huh? “
Victor nodded. "Logan... I can’t help it if yer damn gorgeous," he huffed, annoyed.
Starting to chuckle throatily, Logan said, “Shaddup, Creed.” He was sort of flattered, but mostly thought he was just stupid. Or maybe not so much stupid as projecting his attraction to Logan. “Kid's just lookin' for a daddy.…”
"Well, he's definitely lookin' fer somethin'?" He didn't think he was looking so much for a father figure... but then again he could be wrong. Maybe he was just too attracted to him to see that. The problem was that he liked the kid. And he knew that his time with Logan was... limited. His heart knew it in a way he wasn't sure how to describe.
Logan could smell the way Victor reacted to him. “You want him.”
"I'm sorry, Logan," he said. And he was. He didn't want to want the boy... but he did.
Shaking his head, Logan threw the towel on the counter and dried his hands on his pants. “I'mma smoke.” He needed to get away from him so he didn’t accidentally push some claws through his heart.
Victor stayed inside the dish pit and kept working. He started to mop up and around the kitchen.
Going out onto the deck of the boat, Logan lit up a cigar. Taking long drags, letting it burn in his lungs, Logan wondered if he should just turn a blind eye if Victor ended up fucking that kid... but what would that do? Could I trust Creed to not tear him apart? Or lose his mind? Does it mean he doesn't need me? That I can go back to Remy?
Victor was thinking about that too. How much did he like the kid? How much did he love Logan? He knew that if Logan were to tell him that he wanted to be with him forever again that he would tell Mark to go take a hike. But if... if Logan were going to leave him.... He didn't want to keep thinking about that. He tried to think about work.
Suddenly Logan was very... very... depressed. Running a hand over his forehead, Logan remembered this morning... remembered what it was like with Creed for all those years... remembered how heart-poundingly, poetically in love they were. Leaning back against the cabin, Logan let his head thunk against the steel wall and folded his arms against the cold wind, thinking this was unbefuckinglievable... Logan was letting his eyes wander over the deck.
Victor had similar, but not quite so eloquently put thoughts about the believability of the situation. He watched Logan's smoke trail past the window of the kitchen. He sighed and went back down to the cabin.
Hearing him go, Logan didn’t know what to say to him quite yet. He watched Mark across the deck, and noted that he really was beautiful. Mark shot Victor a glance as he passed him on his way below deck, but he didn't follow him.
Catching Logan looking at him Mark stared at Logan smoking. Trying to smile Logan waved a little. Mark smiled back a little tentatively at first, then brightly, flashing lots of teeth, just like Remy's smile. Smile fading a little and his eyes widening, Logan’s heart picked up... god, he looked just like him sometimes... and when the wind wasn't blowing his scent toward him, Mark could have been him. Staring at him Logan’s gaze held a bit of longing and heartbreak.
Mark stepped over to him and asked, "Almost done for the day?" He figured the captain would give them a pass for a few days work for their performance.
Letting out a breath he didn't realize he was holding, Logan said, “Ah... no... Just takin’ a break.” Blinking a little when he heard him speak without a Cajun twang, Logan dropped his head a little and swallowed. He was suddenly very aware they were tucked in an alcove where no one could see them.
Mark continued to smile. He felt like he could use a break too, since he was feeling rather exhausted from the intense burst of work and lack of good sleep, but he was not a smoker. He relaxed beside Logan. Resisting the urge to lean over and smell him, maybe lick his neck to just assure himself he wasn’t Remy, Logan asked, “What duty you on today?”
"Ropes and decks," he said letting out a deep breath.
Nodding, Logan said, “That's tough work.” He said it just to say something that wasn't about how much his lover wanted to fuck Mark, even after he blew Logan this morning. He kept his temper in check.
Mark laughed. "Yeah, but I like it. I think I'm still getting used to all this rocking more than I'm getting used to the physical labor." He searched Logan's eyes for what he felt.
Unable to look at him because he looked too much like Remy Logan wanted Remy so much. He bet Mark even felt like Remy when his legs were opened wide and Logan was pushing his— “Uh… yeah.” Stop thinking like that! “I should go back... I'm sure Creed left some dishes fer me ta do....”
Asking out of the blue, "Logan?" Mark looked at the departing back with concern.
“Yeah?” he stopped before heading back inside.
"This... man that I look like... you love him?" he asked quietly, but loud enough to be heard over the rushing of the sea.
Throat squeezing up, Logan managed to strangle out, “Yeah.”
"Then why are you with Victor?" he asked, with a voice that was starting to choke up. He didn't understand any of this... and he felt so close to both of these men that were nearly strangers.
Looking at him with his black hair getting blown into his blue eyes, Logan said, “...Because he needs me.” He looked away, saying quietly, “An' cause I love him, too....” He was sort of relieved to be able to express that to someone.
Mark looked at him oddly, but nodded. "I'm sorry." You must feel torn. "I won't... pry anymore." He turned away from Logan and went back to cleaning the decks.
Grabbing his elbow, Logan pulled him back. “Hey....” Letting go in case he squeezed too hard, Logan asked, “Why... Why d' you want us so bad?”
Taken aback for a moment, the ghost of a smile crept over Mark’s face. "You're both so handsome...." He paused. He found that he wanted to tell Logan everything. "And... I feel this connection to you both... I don't know what it is, Logan." He started feeling emotional again. "I feel pulled to you...."
“Huh,” he commented eyeing him, thinking that was a little creepy. He muttered, “We're not... we're not good people, Mark.”
"You think I don't know that with how you put holes in him like it was a smack and—and what you said about Victor last night?"
Stomping out the last of his cigar, Logan asked, “And ya need further warnin’?” He thought it was sort of obvious they were the type of people Mark should stay away from.
"You think I want to feel these things?" he asked harshly.
Shaking his head at him, Logan thought there couldn't be a worse time for someone to try to shoulder in on his relationship with Creed. He sighed. “Yer causin’ a fuck of a mess, ya know that....”
Jumping back in shock, Logan's words burned Mark. "I'm sorry," he whispered and fled off the deck.
Slumping, Logan moaned, “Shit,” and kicked the cabin in frustration, marching off to the slop pit, giving some dishes so thorough a scrubbing the non-stick surfaces rubbed off.
Mark went down to his cabin to see if he couldn't help with the cleanup of it since he didn't want to be above deck.
Peter had been avoiding Remy, since whenever he saw him, his heart started hurting…. Sneaking down into the kitchen again, Peter thought that if anyone asked him about his wounds this time, he might just tell them. He went about gardening to keep mind off things, after breakfast, using all this time away from Remy to harden his heart against him.... Who did he think he was, anyway? Did he think he was some great saint for feeding Peter scraps? That it was enough reason for Piotr to worship him in gratitude?
Remy tried to stay away from Peter too and was working hard down in the Danger Room and with Emma. Emma nearly slapped him upside the head a million times though for not concentrating. He couldn't stop thinking about Logan... and then he couldn't stop thinking about Peter. He was about to damn himself six ways from Sunday when Emma told him to just get out. He did and went to find Hank so he could observe him for DR practice.
Sitting in his lab, Hank was going through an old scrapbook he had kept full of X-Men clippings.
"Hey, Hank. Got time t' watch me blow tings up?" he asked casually.
Looking up with a smile, hanks aid, “Of course!” Holding the scrapbook up for him to see, he asked, “Remember this?” pointing to a cutting of the time Storm sneezed and accidentally shot a lightening bolt straight into the middle of Central Park. “I don't think they ever figured out what caused it.” Settling his glasses on his nose, he continued, “From what I hear there are still some cults that want to get the spot declared a religious monument.”
Remy chuckled at it. He hadn't seen her for a couple of days... she was probably off saving something, he smirked. "A religious monument, hunh?" Remy had to fight to contain his laughter.
“Yes. Here it reads, ‘The Pope remains skeptical.’ I highlighted it.” because that's just funny.
"Yeah, I'd be too, if god didn' warn me 'bout dat." He looked away from the book and down at his hands that felt like they were practically sizzling. "I really need t' get in de Danger Room, so I'll see y' in dere, oui?" he said heading out.
“Oh, I'll come with you!” Hank lumbered behind Remy. “Having another energy build up?”
"Ouai...." he mumbled as he headed out with Hank by his side.
Nodding, Hank would mention it would help if Remy got laid, but didn’t want to be that insensitive with Logan not there and all. “Then a Danger Room session will be very good for you... How many are you having a day?”
"Danger Room sessions?" he asked.
“Yes.”
"Dis de second one t'day," he commented, actually a little worried about that. Normally one DR session would be plenty for him....
“That's to be expected. It will take a while before your system regulates to its new condition. How much are you eating?”
"What I can," Remy grumbled and strode to the DR doors to punch in his code. "I ain' been feelin' much like eatin'... wit Logan gone," he said as the doors opened for him.
Hank nodded. “That is understandable, Remy, however the more you eat the better. Your body is burning twice as much energy as it normally does and it's going to need twice as much fuel to keep going.”
"Hank, I can’t eat twice as much as I normally do! Dat amoun' a food won' fit in m' stomach," he objected.
“Aren't you getting hungry more than usual?”
Remy nodded, looking at the floor. "My stomach feels empty... but I... feel like I can' keep anythin' down...."
Putting a paw on his shoulder, Hank said, “For now, lets get you working out before you combust. Afterwards, I think we should discuss how we're going to get you through this as painlessly as possible. Agreed?”
Remy nodded and strode through he doors before he started blowing things up that he wasn't supposed to. He told the computer which program to run and waited for his attackers to appear.
Monitoring him closely, Hank kept tabs on his pulse, concerned for his welfare.
Remy started the program and felt like he was going to blow the house up. That was another reason he didn't want to eat too much... and a reason he didn't want to tell Hank.... He was afraid he would blow up the entire mansion!
Holding his face in his paws, Hank watched Remy... that is a lot of power Remy was wielding, there....
A horde of robots that were attacking him all at once were closing in. He was taking care of them as they showed up, but there were a lot of them. He was after all, at an advanced level. They started throwing small projectiles at him that he couldn't possibly keep track of and so crouched defensively and surrounded himself with a dome shield of kinetic energy that disintegrated things as they passed through it, so he was showered with dust. With the shield up, Remy was able to concentrate on the robots beyond it and blow them to smithereens.
“Oh, my stars and garters....” That kinetic shield was mighty impressive, and Hank started taking notes and becoming hyper aware of his readings, modifying the Danger Room constantly to make sure it wouldn’t overpower him.
Careful to not let Remy exhaust himself, Hank’s tongue was sticking out of the side of his mouth in concentration. He made sure to stop the program before there was any real danger to him.
Breathing hard by the time he was done Remy was actually feeling rather light headed. He collapsed to his knees. Shutting the program down Hank came down with a bottle of water for him and a towel. “Are you all right, my friend?” Remy nodded with his eyes half open. He felt so tired.... and like he could eat a horse, but he wasn't going to let himself. He'd blow up half the continent if he did.
Taking the offered water gratefully though, Remy toweled off his sweat soaked and dirt smudged face. He wondered how long they had been in the Danger Room for.
Crouching down beside him, Hank said, “Take your time. Don't stand up too quickly.” He was there with a paw on his back in case Remy were to tip over. Remy breathed in deeply, trying to banish the darkness that threatened to take him right then and there. Of course, if he let it, then it would just mean a trip to the Med Lab and he didn't want to have to wake up there. After he got himself together, he started to get up slowly.
"What a workout, oui?" he commented.
Right there with him, supporting him if he need it, Hank said, “Yes. Generally, I object so someone exerting themselves as you have, but with all the energy stored up inside you, I thought it safer for you to spend it here rather than... well... sneezing and blowing up Central Park.”
Remy chuckled. "Yeah, dat'd be a cryin' shame." Wouldn’ wanna upstage de weader goddess. He lifted himself up and hoped that he could get to his room and rest before having to talk with Hank about his eating habits, but didn't think he was going to get to be that slick with the stunt he just pulled. He was also mildly curious what "this" he was going to try and get Remy through as painlessly as possible.
“Were you planning on showering first? Or were you sent on doing us in with your somewhat pungent aroma?”
"Non... I take a shower... up in my room," he said, not wanting to have to remember what happened in the locker showers with Peter the other day.
Nodding, Hank said, “Very well... I will help you mount the stairs....” Helping him stagger out into the hall, he directed them to the grand staircase.
"I got 'em, Hank," he said, although he was still struggling to not support himself on Hank. He did feel awfully tired. If he wasn't careful, he was going to fall asleep in the shower. He smiled at the thought though. That would be nice.
Coming down the stairs, Peter had one of ‘Ro's overgrown flowers in his hands that he was going to plant outside so it could get even bigger, and stopped in the middle of the stair upon seeing Remy. “Ah... Remy... Hello....”
Remy didn't look at Peter and with renewed strength headed up the stairs, breaking away from Hank. He got up to his room and shut the door behind him quickly. He didn't need to see Peter right now. He still felt like he was oscillating between being angry, offended and... needy… guilty. He shed his clothes quickly and headed toward the shower.
Startled, Peter was prepared to have to brush off Remy’s demeaning advances, not get... brushed off in turn. The hurt showed obviously on his face.
Hank sighed. “Ahhh... Piotr....” he said patting his paws together gently. “Give him time... He is going through a major upset at the moment... He's not behaving rationally.”
Nodding stiffly, Peter didn’t want Hank to see him cry, and hurried down and outside to dig in the dirt.
Heaves another heavy breath, Hank ran a paw over his face. “Oh my god.” He could not believe the Beast was actually in the middle of all this, and wished it was someone else, but no one could choose their burdens, could they? Plodding up the stairs to Remy's room, Hank knocked. “Don't think you're getting out of this, young man!”
Remy showered slowly, letting the water massage and sooth his muscles. Hank could hear the shower in the small bathroom. Folding his arms, he said, “And the loveable Beast is foiled again.” Marching downstairs Hank was going to reminisce about the fond times with his scrap book.
Sighing Remy turned off the shower, even though he didn't want to. He got out and got dressed, hoping to go down stairs and eat... maybe an apple or something to quench his hunger then go talk to Hank. He had after all promised.
Curling his toes happily, Hank suspected Remy would crash out for a few hours.
After the apple, he headed down to the Med Lab and saw Hank with his book again and smiled charmingly. "Remy smell much better now," he said. He was in civvies.
Peering up at him, Hank cried, “Behold! The Cajun, awake and well! How are you feeling?” Scooting over to make room on my couch, he patted a place next to him.
"Still bit tired." And hungry, he grumbled, but that problem was self inflicted and he was going to guard that secret for as long as he could... although he wasn't sure how much he’d be able to guard during the course of this... discussion. Remy sat and waited for Hank to start yapping at him.
“I bet you're hungry as well,” he guessed and rose, going to his mini-fridge and started pulling out sandwich makings. I spend way too much time down here. “So tell me how you've been sleeping.”
Remy tried to ignore the food Hank was getting out. "Okay, I guess. I mean..." It's harder wit' Logan gone.... "I get restless sometimes, but dat usually goes away 'bout three in de mornin'."
“How did you sleep when Logan was here?” Finishing with one sandwich, Hank started on another.
"Well... I slept better... but he ain' 'xactly gon' be back fer a month er three...."
Nodding, Hank said, “Is that your main source of anxiety, Remy?” Coming back with a plate full of ham and turkey and cheese sandwiches, he set it on Remy’s lap.
"Anxiety?? What anxiety?" he asked offended.
Raising an eyebrow, Hank asked, “Oh... So you're not at all... uptight about anything?” Nothing that would make you snap at the ever-loveable beast?
"W—I... Hank... Everythin' dat happened wit' Logan an' Creed... seein' what I did... it upset me." He was looking at the floor.
Nodding, Hank sat next to him, bumping his knee to remind him to eat. “I suspect that this may be the source of your... discomfort. Will you talk with me about it?”
Remy sighed. "Y' tink m' physical... imbalance has somethin’ ta do wit' m' mindset?"
“Indoubitably. That is what the sympathetic brain functions are known to react to. It is the same system that gives you butterflies when you're nervous and makes you lightheaded when you're happy. It can very well make your energy levels go haywire, especially while they're already adapting to the rejuvenation of your healing factor.” Sipping from his teacup Hank waited for Remy’s response.
Grimacing, Remy nodded. "Logan called de oder day..."
“Did he?” he asked nudging Remy’s foot. “Eat, Remy, I have been known to force feed people.”
Remy jerked and stepped away from the food, setting it on the table beside the couch as if it were dangerous. "I ate, Hank," he assured.
“Eat more. You may tell me about the phone call after.”
"Hank... I can't..." He looked scared. He didn't want to get more energy than he needed at a time. He was dangerous if he did.
Very casually, Hank said, “Remy, who is your doctor?”
"Y—you..."
“And who knows what is best for you?” Remy growled internally at that. That was the kind of mentality Sinister used to connive his way into getting people to do what he wanted, the manipulative bastard. He really tried not to see Hank that way.
"Hank, I'll blow somethin' up when I don' mean to! Dis is why I had m' powers shortened t' begin wid," he stated sternly.
“Remy,” Hank said equally stern, even a little miffed. “You are going to be producing these levels of energy until your body regulates, whether you want it to or not. So, either it is going to start burning up things you need as fuel, or it is going to burn up the food you put in yourself. Which sounds healthier?”
"But... what if I can't control it, Hank?" He did control it last time his powers reached this level, but he was always flirting with explosions.
“You can control it just fine, Remy. As long as you let it run its course, exercise regularly and keep your anxiety to a minimum.”
"Like I control m' anxiety," he grumbled sarcastically.
“Control it, no, but express it, yes. It's called catharsis.” He wasn’t a psychologist but really liked pretending to be one sometimes. “Tell me about this phone call.” or maybe I'm just a gossip.
"He... said dat... he would be comin' back... in maybe two or three months.... He also said dat he wouldn' ask about our time away...."
Face falling a little, Hank asked, “What do you mean, he wouldn't ask?”
"He wouldn' ask... 'f I was wit' anybody." Remy's voice was quiet and full of emotion.
Heart sinking a little at that, Hank had thought that there might have actually been something wonderful there. “Ah... Do you plan on taking this opportunity....?” He saw that weirdness with Piotr in the hall, and had heard rumors and insinuations from Scott.
"I... started to. I don' know, Hank. I mean... he's off wit' Creed...." I'm pretty sure dey're sleepin' t'geder as we speak. His voice echoed his anger.
Nodding, Hank assessed, “It upsets you that they're together.”
"Wouldn't it upset you!???" Remy was sure that the only reason that he wasn't crackling with energy was because he hadn't eaten hardly anything.
Nodding, Hank was pretty sure the reason Remy was not crackling with energy was that he spent a healthy part of it. “If it upsets you so, why did you tell him to go with Creed?” he asked very softly, very non-confrontational.
"I didn't. I gave him a choice."
Nodding, Hank observed, “And yet he is coming back to you?”
"He... I know he felt torn... I know how he feels about me... I just... also know how he feels 'bout Creed." Remy poked at the food in front of him, still not feeling like eating.
“Hmmm...” Rubbing his chin, Hank said, “Have you considered sex with someone else?” Oh, my stars and garters, Hank hoped Remy didn’t mistake that for a come-on.
Remy nodded and felt his stomach clench. He feared that it was a come on from Hank, but he wasn't feeling like he could even take Peter up on his offer now. He felt so bounced around emotionally. He felt a wash of shame that he had considered it too.
Smiling a little, Hank clarified, “I have no desire to get into bed with you, Remy... but I do believe some sexual activity might help you relieve some of this energy... even if it is...” ahem, “a solo venture.”
Remy blinked at that. "Oh…." Well, that was probably a good idea then.
Smiling gently at him, Hank said, “I would not recommend another relationship at this juncture... Usually they cause even more stress than they relieve.”
It had been a while since he had to resort to that, but he didn't know if he felt... good enough about himself in order to go and take a partner, even say a one-night-stand from a bar. Remy nodded. No relationship—good idea. He breathed deeply and tried to concentrate on the food in front of him on the table. Maybe he could eat something....
Not saying anything for fear of disturbing Remy’s food-ward-ly intent, Hank waited. The smell of the turkey made him salivate and he took a tentative bite from the sandwich. Hank cheered on the inside, sipping his tea casually, pretending his attention wasn't focused solely on whether or not Remy ate that sandwich. Remy let out a sigh and kept eating, like he couldn't stop once he started. Victory!!!
Although, when he finished the first sandwich, he was reluctant to go onto the next. “Keep eating… or you will offend the chef.” Remy looked at the other sandwich and leaned back.
"Gimme a minute?" he asked. He wanted to make sure he wasn't eating too much. He was after all, just about to go to bed and it couldn't be good for his bed if he charged it in his sleep. So... no relationship, hunh? he thought, rolling it all about in his head.
Smirking, Hanks aid, “Of course. Would you like some tea?” He was making a fresh pot, and asked conversationally, “Might I ask what caused you to go storming off upon seeing Piotr on the stair?” He was trying to discover all of Remy’s triggers.
Wonder if I should still plan on goin' ta New York... "He... was de person I almost... y' know," he said, as if the blank should be obvious.
“Mmmmm....” Nodding, Hank thought that was going to cause quite a stir, and could Remy have picked a worse candidate!? “Have you made any efforts to make peace with one another?”
Remy shrugged. "It's all kinda up in de air."
“It would be best if we were to eliminate as many triggers as possible, Remy... the more triggers you have, the less control you'll have. Perhaps a mediation with Piotr might be in order.”
"I'll go talk to him," he said getting up. He didn't need mediation. That was for people who couldn't handle their own problems and needed somebody to baby-sit them in order to get anywhere.
“Remy!” Making him stop, Hank said, “Be careful. If you get riled up again, a power surge will follow and you need to be in the appropriate state to deal with it should it occur.”
Nodding, Remy assured, "I'll be careful, Hank. Promise," he said as he left the Med Lab.
Sighing, Hank alerted Emma of the situation in case she had to zonk somebody. **Thank you, Henry. I'll keep an eye on him.**
Remy went off to find Peter. He checked outside.
Outside, Peter was gardening, still fucking wounded by Remy’s reaction to him earlier. Remy stepped up to Peter and said quietly, "Hi," and waited to be lashed out at.
He knew he'd been rude and that wasn't the way he wanted it... he just felt so guilty about everything....
KSHINK! Peter metaled up, but other than that, was perfectly calm, still not rising to face him. “Hello.”
Dead giveaway dat he's upset. Okay, Le Beau, apologize! Remy watched him playing in the dirt and said, "Sorry 'bout earlier... all o' earlier, actually. What y' been tinkin' since last night?" he asked.
Pushing his metalic hands in the dark soil, Peter packed the flower gently but thoroughly. “You know the answer, trovarisch.”
"I... know de general subject... but I was hopin' y'd decided dat y' didn' wanna—explore," he said quietly.
“I have. Now leave me be.” I have not, of course, you cruel, vicious, heartless bastard, but he was not about to let his heart get trounced by him.
"Kay," he said with a sinking stomach and fought the sensation all the way to his room. He would have gone out, except that he was too tired to do much of anything but sleep. Maybe he would go out later and see if he couldn't... relieve some tension. That or he would stay in and try it the way Hank had described. He flopped onto his bed and tried to banish all the guilt from all the different sides. He felt his shield walls being eroded from the inside and wondered if this wasn't what happened to his old shields.
Only letting his tears fall when Remy was halfway to the boathouse, Peter rubbed them away with his now-flesh hands, getting dirt all over his face.
********