The ultimate in awkwardness, Logan stared in-between Rogue and Susan, desperate to say something to break the painfully tense silence. For the time being, all he managed to do was quickly let go of Susan’s wrists and step back to an appropriate distance from the woman. Rogue gave him a challenging glare that was already making him feel guilty. Susan, on the other hand seemed amused, lifting her cigarette to take a slow drag from the diminishing stick, eyes upon Rogue.
In response, Rogue’s eyes slowly slid upon Susan and narrowed. Smirking, the woman placed a hand on one tilted hip. “Am I supposed to be intimidated?” she drawled towards Rogue, sending a stream of smoke her way.
A small snarl crossed Rogue’s lips and Logan immediately tensed up. Goading the angry young woman was not the best thing to do at the moment. “Yeah,” she replied, “Cause I’m tellin’ you now. Leave Logan alone. He’s not interested.”
“I think he can be the one to decide that,” replied Susan with a disdainful chuckle, turning her eyes upon Logan.
A frown quickly contracted his eyebrows, “You actually think I’d pick you?” asked Logan as he stared at Susan.
“Oh, surely it’s no contest,” replied Susan, casting a glance over Rogue’s form.
Rogue’s eyes flared and Logan quickly began moving towards her in case of any sudden motions. “Stop it, Susan,” he said warningly, frown still in place. He made to rest a hand on Rogue’s shoulder, to both reassure her and hold her back. But she furiously shrugged him off, blazing glare fixated on Susan.
“You’re nothin’ but a common slut who ain’t used to being told ‘no’,” growled Rogue, now trying to step round Logan who was doing his hardest to separate the pair, for Susan had flicked away her cigarette stub and was now stalking forward. Her smile had vanished.
“Says the lil’ girl who probably thinks she’s bagged herself a real catch.” Susan let out a disdainful snort, “Sorry sweetheart, but he’s only after one thing.”
Rogue’s hands gripped the back of Logan’s shirt and tried to shove him aside. “Oh, is he really?!” she exclaimed, eyes momentarily flashing black. Her fingernails accidentally began digging into the man’s back in her haste to move him.
The door from the bar opened, and Albert stopped dead in the doorway as he stared at the scene before him. His ever-cheerful smile slid off his face, stunned. “What’s goin’ on?” he asked, expression blank.
“Nothin’,” replied Susan haughtily, eyes glaring at Rogue and Logan. Turning on her considerably high heel, she exited through the side door and could be heard storming up the staircase. The room was left in a ringing silence as Rogue stared daggers at the door Susan had exited through, still clutching to Logan’s shirt like her life depended on it. Without a word, she grabbed Logan’s beer off of the table, downed the contents and turned with a crazed look in her eye.
“Are you alright?” Albert asked, now staring at Rogue.
“Fine,” she said stiffly, wiping her mouth with the back of her hand. “Can I have a beer, please?”
Albert blinked at both Logan and Rogue for a moment. “Er..” he said helplessly. “Ok.. don’t drink out in the bar though, alright? Drink in ‘ere.” Rogue nodded her head quickly, now wringing her hands as she moved to sit down at the table once more. Logan glanced towards Albert who backed out of the room to fetch Rogue’s drink. Left alone, Logan crouched down besides her quietly, watching her face with a cautious expression.
“Marie?”
“Don’t.”
Logan sighed, rubbing a hand over his face, “Marie..” he tried again.
“I said don’t,” she replied abruptly, eyes snapping upon him.
At this point, Albert returned, leaving a bottle of beer in front of Rogue. Without a word, he backed out again, as though fearful Rogue might turn and shout at him next. Rogue tried her hardest to gratefully smile at him, but it turned into a weak grimace and she soon gave up, snatching the bottle up off the table and drinking from it. Logan watched her take a sizeable gulp from the beer, holding back on his desire to take it off her. She was in a temper and needed a drink. After all, that was all he ever did when he got in a bad mood. He left the silence for as long as he dared, by which point the beer bottle was empty and Rogue was sat staring at the opposite wall in silence. “Did you hear what I said to her?”
“Yeah, I heard.”
“So.. now you’re mad at me?”
“I’m mad at her.”
Logan glanced downward. “Oh.. well, just as long as you know, I meant what I said. I ain’t gonna let no one screw things up for us, alright?” Rogue made a quiet noise in response, as though she wasn’t entirely listening. Logan’s head lifted to see her standing, rather unsteadily at that. Now he realised that her downing two bottles of strong beer in quick succession wasn’t a good way to end the evening. “Ok..” muttered Logan quietly, rising to his feet as Rogue began to show signs of tottering away from him. “I think we need that room now.”
“I’m fine,” announced Rogue, who almost tripped over her chair as she tried to make her way to the bar. Logan suspected she was on the look out for another beer, so he firmly took hold of her arm and steered her through to the bar. Albert only had to take one glance before he sighed to himself, then throwing a key towards Logan. Catching it, he proceeded to guide her back through the bar quietly, exiting out into the snowy car park. “It’s your fault,” mumbled Rogue as she walked along. “I wouldn’t feel the need to drink if it wasn’t for you.”
“Yeah, it’s my fault,” replied Logan automatically, at the moment fully concentrating on getting her across the ice without falling over, which was relatively difficult when she wasn’t concentrating on where she was putting her feet. Eventually, he reached the door of one of the accommodation houses, jamming the key into the lock as he balanced Rogue on one arm. She was becoming increasingly unhelpful, for her legs appeared to have given up on supporting her weight any longer. Easing her inside, the door was closed behind them, the darkness being permeated as the nearby light switch was flicked and the room was bathed in a soft glow.
Slipping free from Logan, Rogue made her way to the door of the en-suite. “I’m goin’ to have a shower,” she declared, swinging round the doorframe with an uncharacteristic titter.
Following, Logan eyed her, “You can’t go in the shower in that state. You’ll fall over.”
“I’m perfectly fine,” Rogue replied, disappearing into the bathroom and promptly shutting the door behind her. Logan was left staring at the painted wood and so admitted defeat. He trudged towards the bed against the wall, flopping down on his back and securing his arms behind his head. Boots were kicked off in the process, enabling him to stretch out comfortably. It wasn’t long before the sound of running water clanked through the pipes, and Logan could only hope the shower might freshen her up a little. Either way, he hoped she’d be able to get a decent night’s rest after the evening’s negative events.
In all honesty, he hadn’t considered Susan’s reaction to him returning to Athabasca with Rogue on his arm. Whilst she continued to prove she wanted nothing more from him than a night of sex, Logan hadn’t expected her to prove quite so difficult to shake off. Perhaps she had grown used to his company, and the almost traditional evening that followed every time they met up together in the past. But Logan was determined to change that for Marie. Still, he couldn’t help but curse the way Susan knew how to work him. There was no guessing game where she was involved, she could almost read the desires on his mind and would always be happy to fulfil said fantasies. But tonight, he had not wanted any of that and felt the uncomfortable guilt in the bottom of his stomach at how his defences had been so poor to the woman’s advances.
Eyes stared unseeingly at the ceiling, entranced in his thoughts so deeply that he did not hear Rogue exit the bathroom. When his attention was eventually broken from his musings, his gaze lowered to watch Rogue stood at the dresser clad in naught but a bath towel, brushing her hair slowly. For a moment, that was all that happened, him watching her. With a quiet creak of the bed, he stood to his feet, of which travelled silently across the floor towards her. Coming up behind her shorter form, his arms wrapped slowly about her waist, pulling her against him. He leant his head down the side of her face, nuzzling her for a moment. “I’m sorry about earlier,” he whispered.
She leaned back against his chest comfortably, drawing out a slow sigh. “It’s alright. She’s just irritated that she ain’t gettin’ any tonight.”
“Well, I wouldn’t want to with her.”
Rogue leant her head back slowly. “No, I know,” she said quietly, then turning in his arms to face him. “Because that’s what I’m for, isn’t it?” She grinned to herself as she witnessed a tentative expression cross his face, of which rendered him silent. Reaching up on tiptoe, she kissed those close, bemused lips.
“You know that could be interpreted in several ways,” he responded, his smirk pressed against her lips.
A mischievous little chuckle sounded from her, easing her head back from him just a little so she could gaze up into his face. “I know,” she replied teasingly.
But Logan began to feel uncomfortable. He stepped back gently, trying to offer her a small smile. “You ought to get some rest, kid. You didn’t have a lot of sleep last night.” He retreated towards the bed, sitting down on the end. The mattress sunk slightly, as did he shoulders, a hand lifting to rub his forehead awkwardly. Susan’s words had come back to haunt him. ‘Pickin’ up some stray fourteen-year-old and then takin’ her back to your bed. Some folk would disagree with that.’ But Logan’s own words replied in his head as they did then. ‘She’s eighteen.’
But, did that necessarily make it all right?
He glanced across the room to see Rogue stood watching him, expression confused and rather uncertain. “Y’gonna put some clothes on, then?” he asked, watching, as she stood still wrapped in her towel.
But Rogue had her own plans. Towel remaining equipped; she advanced towards him. She wasn’t sure what was fuelling her current thoughts. Was it the beer she had just consumed so readily, or the burning desire to prove that Logan had no need for women like Susan? Or was it in fact that ever-looming presence in the back of her mind that always goaded her behaviour and dared her to do more to satisfy it’s varying lusts of blood and more.
She realised it was likely to be all three.
Seating herself besides him, she smiled slowly, leaning against his side. “No,” she replied, amused to see a speechless expression come over him.
However, Logan was still suffering with his own debate. It was all too easy to accept her advances. He had never really considered such a moment like this one; always sure it would be a while before Rogue herself ever breached such a stage. Deep down, maybe he had been hoping it wouldn’t arrive. Perhaps he was fearful, for it would be the ultimate in convincing him that Marie was not the stranded runaway he picked up in Laughlin City anymore. That unnerved him somehow, as though it was his fault she had grown up so fast.
He couldn’t help but stare at her though, as her eyes remained fixated on his in return. Watching him, wanting him. “You’re drunk,” he argued pointlessly.
Rogue scoffed, “No I’m not. It was two beers. I’m in a clear state of mind.”
“Yeah, but is it your own?” murmured Logan quietly. There was a moment’s hesitation before he plunged onward. “I’ve seen it, Marie, behind your eyes. I recognise it.” This was something else he felt he was to be blamed for. He turned towards her, staring at her, as though trying to assess the gaze that bore into his. “I know what it’s like,” he whispered, “but you gotta let yourself stay in control.”
Rogue stared at him fearfully, “You can tell.. ?”
“I can see it,” he said softly, lifting a hand to slowly cup her cheek, gazing down into the eyes he had seen the traces of Wolverine linger behind. “It makes sense. It seems Stryker inadvertently affected you..” He exhaled a low sigh, “This is all my fault. If I hadn’t have touched you..”
“Then I would be dead,” Rogue stated simply, eyes not moving from his face. “Logan, having this inside my head is a small price to pay for my life.”
But Logan shook his head slowly, “You don’t understand,” he said softly. “It’s dangerous, what if it gets worse?” Eyes lifted back upon hers, “This is part of the reason why so many times.. I wish I was dead.”
“No,” Rogue breathed, the word easily tumbling from her lips as she leaned forward to cling onto him tightly, as though his words had been a statement of a decision he had made. Logan closed his eyes as he held her against him, as ever careful towards her skin’s mutation. He knew one slip of his power’s concentration and it’d spell trouble for both of them. “We can get through this, Logan.”
“But, I’ve pulled you down with me,” he murmured sadly into her neck. “Brought you to the same horrific level..”
“No,” she continued to utter against his shoulder, words barely above a whisper. “That would imply we’ve been apart.. but I’ve always been with you Logan. Always on your level, always..”
“It’s not a good place to be.”
Rogue pulled back slowly, gazing at him, “There’s no place else I’d rather be.”
“What hope is there if we’re both like this? Both infected?”
She slowly rested her forehead against his, a quiet sigh now being heard. “It binds us, Logan. It means we understand each other more than we’ll ever understand ourselves. We’ll get through it, if you can handle me being a little more bad tempered.”
Logan chuckled weakly at this, giving her a squeeze. “I can handle any tantrum you throw at me,” he responded in a teasing manner.
“Can you handle this?” Rogue responded quickly, baring a wicked grin before she dived forward with every intention to catch him by surprise. Lips crushed together, the unpredicted motion earning her a moment’s waver of power before Logan’s healing factor was able to kick into gear to hold back against her destructive force. His interest already piqued by Susan’s earlier toying, he easily welcomed the kiss despite his previous hesitations. This had to be confirmation; there was no going back now. Especially not if the same force in the back of her mind was as eager as his own. That indeed seemed to be the driving force for both of them, despite the warnings he had only just spoken of. It seemed hypocritical to give into Wolverine’s desires now, but if it was a shared acceptance it didn’t seem quite so bad.
The fiery kiss had gone deeper than their previous - a stolen, unexpected moment in Rogue’s bedroom. That seemed so long ago, for so much had happened since. And yet, here she was now, in his arms, clad in naught but a bath towel. At least, until he felt the material slip away and he could hardly dare to glance downward to see if the sensation had been a figment of his over active imagination.
It most certainly hadn’t and he peered back into her face to see a smirk spread. But Rogue knew what she doing, all she had needed was a nudge of confidence and recent events had given her that. Finding his voice, Logan spoke; tone lower than usual. “Y’sure?” that was all he could manage.
Confirmation came in the form of another kiss, her hands snaking towards his chest to form a grip on the front of his attire. Logan didn’t speak, keeping his lips sealed against hers for as long as possible until she tugged his vest top up and over his head. It was nothing she hadn’t seen before, but fingers roamed the thick muscles with clear delight at their new reign of freedom. Palms secured about his nape, squeezing against his flesh firmly as both explored the bared skin of their upper torsos.
Carefully, he supported her back, turning to lower her down onto the soft material of the bed covers. Astridng her smaller form, he was cautious as to not administer any unnecessary weight upon her. Kiss was continued with renewed vigour, drawn out of slowly for just a moment, as Logan lifted his head to gaze down at her. Fingers lifted to slowly stroke damp locks back from her face, momentarily entwined in the ivory streaks. Fingers then delved into her hair to support the back of her head, leaning down to resume their kiss with matched passion.
Initial actions had been experimentation, cautious and not too forward. But soon enough, both of them found it hard to not slip into the animalistic control that had sunk its claws into each of them since their first kiss. Together they gave into those desires, and allowed the darkness they shared to carry them and ensure that tonight, not only would they claim each other, but themselves.
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