Jean had gone to Muir Island, there were a few oddities to her behaviour that had begun to worry everyone. Marie had been down for her scan and health check when Jean had asked a question that had sent Logan into a rage. She’d been preparing a syringe at the time and Logan hadn’t suspected anything until she’d brought it closer. His sense of smell had caught the odd scent and he’d stopped Jean, it had been a cocktail of drugs. God knows what they would have done to Marie or the baby but he’d had to be restrained by Marie or he would have killed her. Her question had floored them both, “It’s not as if you're going to be capable of touching it anyway Rogue, it’d be better if we used it as a specimen to test the genetic theories on. Don’t you think so?”
Marie had pulled Logan out of the room, keeping their eyes glued on her as they left, when they were outside Marie had contacted Xavier via the intercom in the hallway. He’d told them both to get out of there as soon as possible and he’d come and handle it personally.
Jean had been taken away by Scott and Xavier, Peiter had even gone with them as security. Logan couldn’t trust himself around her not after the comment about their baby, Marie had been too upset to even go to the med bay to have her scan completed. So Hank had come upto their room, a small hand held scanner with him, Marie had settled when she’d seen Hank. Burying herself in his fur and crying as she described what Jean had said to them both, Logan had seen the hatred in Hank’s gaze, scenting the need for him to hurt something. Pulling his attention back to Marie Hank had calmed her, settled her down on their bed and begun the procedure. Logan had held Marie’s hand as the small scanner passed over the now proud bump that sat in her belly, asking Marie to hold the small screen Hank made sure they could all see the picture on it. The little body was still forming but the spine was now visible as a string of pearls and Marie was ecstatic her smile infectious as it ran around them all.
The rest of her health check was done swiftly and calmly, Hank took the notes back downstairs and left them together. Marie was still a little shaken and Logan didn’t want to leave her still worrying about the baby, but the question she came out with knocked him out of the ball park.
“Hank misses you doesn’t he?” Moving so he could look directly into her eyes Logan saw that they were glazed over, touching her skin and stroking the soft flesh of her cheek he answered her.
“I don’t know he hasn’t spoken to me since you came down to the ‘motel’.”
It was what he’d called the quarantine area, he’d ended up spending more time in there than he’d wanted to but it had kept Marie safe. An odd look passed her face as she thought about what he’d said.
“You mean he hasn’t talked to you at all?” Her concern for Hank peaking his interest.
“Why?” She shifted around to get more comfortable and nestled into his arms, her scent was confused but determined.
“Well before he brought me down to see you he told me that you’d talked and that he’d asked you to relieve him of your promise. That he couldn’t ask you to do anything that would harm us or the baby, that’s when he told me he’d given my care over to Jean.”
She felt Logan stiffen under her and she turned to see Logan’s face, a darkness was covering it and she knew then that Hank hadn’t told him. “He didn’t tell you did he? He didn’t tell you he’d talked to me about this, about your promise or giving my care over to Jean.” Trying to keep his voice even Logan answered her.
“No he didn’t.” the question of ‘why’ running rampant through his mind, trying to find a reason. Logan knew that Hank loved him and he’d never hurt Marie, but why didn’t he tell him that he’d talked to Marie?
Lost in thought he didn’t hear Marie until she repeated herself, “Why don’t you go see if Hank’s okay with taking over again Logan, I prefer him to care for us anyway. Go see when my next appointment is, me and the kid here are having a nap and I’m warm enough as it is so shoo.” She pushed Logan out from under her and snuggled down into the still warm covers, he watched her make herself comfortable just gazing at her when she spoke again. “If you don’t move soon buster I’m going to kick you down the damn stairs, we need a decent doctor with his mind on the game plan Logan so go see what’s eating the Doc.” Just before he left she added, “Don’t forget sugar Jubilee is taking me out later so we’ll probably be gone when you finish sorting your stuff out. I know how much the world of lowlife’s needs its leader.”
The last comment was said with a smile as she knew it was his self-defence class that afternoon, he made sure the kids knew how to fight dirty. That meant knocking a few heads once in a while, but most of them understood it was in their best interests. Not everyone fought to rules and they had to be prepared for it. Smiling he shut the door and left Marie to sleep, she seemed to need more these past couple of weeks, although when she was awake he’d been hard pressed to keep up with her desires lately. Any thoughts about her not being able to handle Wolverine had been well and truly squashed, he just hoped he could keep up with her.
Passing the large windows that overlooked the gardens Logan could see the trees in their new glory, fresh green was everywhere, flowers had erupted and filled the whole school with pleasant scent that made Logan’s mind soothe. Late April was a good time for his other class to start, the survival class, warm enough to stay outside, but cold enough to make the kids understand why they were here. He’d talk to Xavier when he got back, thinking about the reason why Xavier had gone in the first place made him quicken his pace. He needed to talk to Hank and find out exactly what he’d said to Marie.
The medical bay was empty when he got there, the notes had been put away and there was no sign of Hank. A little annoyed Logan went on the offensive and tried every place he could think of, but drew a blank. Standing outside the kitchen door he saw Bobby playing football on the field with several others and he called out. “HEY FREEZER BURN!” Bobby smiled at the comment and answered.
“YEAH WHAT ‘OLD MAN’? WHAT’S UP LOST YOUR WALKING STICKS AGAIN?” A slow grin spread across Logan’s face as he remembered the time Bobby had caught him using a stick to support himself as he’d healed, when he’d fallen about fifty feet out of a tree.
“YEAH, GOT TO FIND HANK, YOU SEEN HIM?” Bobby thought a moment and nodded in the direction of the sports hall.
“SAW THE DOC ABOUT FIVE MINUTES AGO, SEEMED IN A HURRY.” Logan just smiled as he saw the ball heading Bobby’s way and Bobby hadn’t noticed it. Keeping Bobby’s attention diverted Logan watched as the pass hit Bobby square on, several other players diving on him, crushing Bobby under a pile of limbs. Laughing to himself Logan left the cursing and fighting behind him and went to find Hank.
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He found Hank in the therapy room, stretching and shifting his large frame, noticing the twitches of pain that ran through him as Hank moved his large shoulders. Seeing several lines running across his broad back, his fur covering them for the most part but the scent of healing flesh was being wafted to him. Hank bent at the waist and Logan could see the marks that covered the lower half of his body as he stretched. Fur parted where the scars were healing up, they weren’t fresh some were at least a week old. The strong scent of pine oil was in the air and he watched as Hank sank into the therapy tub, knowing that Hank was trying to ease the pain of the wounds on him. The question that was riding high in his mind was how he’d gotten them in the first place, Logan left without making a sound. Hank would never know he’d been there, time to ask a few questions.
Kurt was in the kitchen when Logan went in, his blue tail twitching as he read the paper on the table. Ororo was sat with a cup of coffee still recovering from the shock of seeing Jean escorted away by Peiter, helping himself to a mug he rested against the counter top and waited. Kurt broke first, looking at Logan’s thoughtful face. Whenever Logan was quiet someone always asked him what was wrong because they knew if they didn’t, he’d sulk until someone did. “What’s troubling you Logan? You look as if the world has just landed on you.” Seeing a small smile on Ororo’s face, he knew she was glad Kurt had made the first move, there was only so much grumpy Logan Ororo could take.
“Hank’s acting weird.” That got Ororo’s attention and she looked at Logan as he drank his coffee.
“What do you mean Logan? How has he been acting?”
“He avoids me, barely speaks to anyone, and we don’t see him much at dinner and as for the weekends no one sees him at all.” Kurt smiled and put the paper flat on the table top.
“Ah well that mystery I can solve for you Logan, he goes into the city. Spends some time there I believe, the Professor has several places there and Hank probably just wants to get away from everyone.” His tail swung lazily from side to side as he met Ororo’s gaze, “It’s not as if we all don’t need a break sometimes, even if it’s just to be normal for a few hours.” The tension level in the room was beginning to make Logan twitchy, draining his mug he put it in the sink, deciding on his course of action. He’d tackle Xavier when he returned that evening, now he had a class to torture.
“Thanks, see you both later I’ve got a class to put through the wringer.” Ororo laughed as he left the room making his way to the gym, her comment reaching his ears.
“And he thinks Hank’s acting weird!”
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Logan had been waiting in Xavier’s office for nearly an hour when he felt the silent summons come from Xavier, calling him to the kitchen. Pushing out of the leather chair he’d been sat in he wondered why Xavier even had an office when most conversations seemed to take place in places other than his office. Walking down to the kitchen he could scent the rest of the school, the kids were fed and it was their own few hours of freedom before the curfew of dorms. Scenting the good whiskey as he entered Logan saw a greyness in Xavier’s skin he hadn’t noticed before. Sat in the darkened kitchen, the only lights on were the ones under the cabinets making everything feel a little unreal.
Sitting down across from Xavier, Logan saw the tiredness etched across Xavier’s face, the look of regret in his eyes. Taking the pre-offered glass from the table top Logan spoke to him, “It wasn’t your fault Chuck, she had everyone fooled even me.” Charles looked up at the use of his name, Logan didn’t call him Chuck often, usually when he was trying to open up to him when Logan had something on his mind.
“Jean has a lot of thinking to do, her gifts have expanded but her moral control hasn’t. At the moment she’s a danger to herself and others, I’m just ashamed I didn’t see it sooner.” Sipping the warm amber liquid Logan couldn’t help but be reminded of Hank’s eyes, they were the same colour. Flicking his gaze at Xavier he decided to go for honesty, he’d expect nothing less from him.
“I’m not here because of Jean Chuck and you know it. I want to talk about Hank.” Xavier’s face softened a little and he took a small sip of the heady liquid himself, finally finding Logan’s gaze when he was ready to see it. The questions Logan had were at the front of his mind and he couldn’t help but see them.
“Hank has asked me not to divulge his activities to anyone Logan, you know how much I respect personal privacy. He has his own life as well as what he does here.” Logan nodded, he understood that.
“But what if I told you he’s being injured, I saw the marks myself. He’s been beaten Chuck, the wounds aren’t fresh, at least a week old. Whatever he’s been doing he’s been doing this for a while and I need to know who, where and why.” The intensity in his stare made Charles blink, Logan wouldn’t be palmed off here he had to know something and it was a compromise, he had to tell him something or Logan would do something himself.
“Hank is using an apartment in the city, he usually stays over the weekend but now that Jean has gone he said he’d only be using it on Saturday evening. If you want to know what Hank is doing I suggest you follow him and ask him yourself.” Logan looked at the open honesty in his face and saw nothing but the truth there, Xavier knew what Hank was doing but he couldn’t tell Logan. If it was something that could harm the children or the school he’d have put a stop to it already, the thing was Xavier let people make their own mistakes even if it nearly killed them. This was one of these lessons and he knew that Xavier had just used him to pull Hank out of the situation he’d gotten himself into.
“You want me to find him don’t you?” Xavier didn’t answer him, he just smiled as Logan worked it out. “You know he’s hurting don’t you but unless he asks your hands are tied aren’t they?” Xavier just smiled at Logan and drank a little more. “Fuck. When did you get so fucking sneaky?”
“When I found out my teacher was willing to sell me to gain a new car Logan.” The openness of the statement almost took his breath away, “After that you tend to let people go their own way until they need a push in the right direction, just that my hand is never seen on the tiller.” The weight of Xavier’s words settled on Logan and he knew how hard it must be to keep his mind out of everyone’s business and keep things going.
“Glad your on our side Chuck, I don’t think I could match your chess game.” Smiling Xavier just looked at Logan’s hands.
“You don’t have to Logan, all you have to be is yourself.” Nodding he took the advice onboard and drained his glass leaving it in the sink. Looking back at the small man sat in his chair Logan smiled as he replied.
“I think that’s something we can both rely on Chuck. I’ll let you know how it turns out.” Xavier nodded and raised his glass to Logan as he retreated feeling a little better now he’d managed to sort out another problem without getting involved. Sometimes he felt a little guilty about using Logan like this but Charles knew Logan understood the role he’d given him. Charles knew how much they both needed the other and he understood the difficulty of Rogue as well but it was too important to all of them to just drift apart. Charles just hoped Logan had a broad mind, smiling to himself as he recalled a stray thought he’d picked up from Hank the other day.
He’d never seen Hank as a submissive, but then who knew that he liked leather, mind you the uniforms must have given someone a clue. Smiling to himself he drained his glass and waited for the night to fall properly, then he could rest after the hard day of seeing his best pupil collapse around herself. At least Logan was self-sufficient, he didn’t really need any of them but he stayed because he knew they needed him, even him he always slept better knowing that Logan was there. Although he’d never admit of course it’d give Logan such an ego he’d be sure it’d take on physical form and they’d have two Logan’s to deal with. Smiling at the thought Charles drained his glass and made his way out of the kitchen.
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Logan had used his own bike this time, Hank didn’t know it as he didn’t bring it out often enough for people to recognise it. The low slung bike made it easy for him to travel long distance comfortably and quietly, the deep blue-black of the tank seemed to blend into shadows. The whole bike just oozed personality, his personality, small powerful and deadly, at the moment he watching the building where Hank had driven them to. He’d parked around the back so not to frighten anyone who saw him but the whole city seemed to be full of mutants now. Since the registration act had been squashed again people felt more comfortable being themselves, New York wasn’t known for its liberal attitude but they knew about minorities and the trouble that could escalate if they felt hard done to. So people changed and attitudes had mellowed somewhat in the city but not everywhere and Logan needed to know exactly what Hank had gotten himself involved in.
It was warm here in the city and he’d been waiting for an hour when he’d caught sight of Hank, dressed in a large coat and hat to hide his fur. He was making good time and Logan had to prowl the bike ahead of him to keep up, using his skills he kept Hank in sight but kept himself hidden. When Hank went into a building he looked at the frontage, it was a nondescript concrete and steel edifice about ten stories high. Parking up the bike and locking it down Logan went to the small plate next to the double doors, in a heavy script the brass plate read ‘Blue – Private Members Only’. Shrugging his leather over his shoulders, Logan smiled and went inside the bronzed glass doors.
The smell of leather and polish met his nose as he entered the elaborate foyer, a large walnut desk ran the entire length of it. A couple of men turned their heads toward him already sizing up his clothing and finding him deficient, smiling coldly he walked upto the desk as one of the uniformed men spoke. “I’m afraid this is a members only club sir, you can only come in here if you have an invitation if you aren’t a member.” The scent of Hank was everywhere and he’d been upset as he’d passed through here, now some idiot was trying to stop him from finding out what exactly Hank had gotten himself into. Ignoring the man entirely Logan just followed the scent trail toward the lift, hearing a phone being lifted and a conversation about a ‘difficult client at the foyer’ Logan waited.
Sure enough a couple of wannabe tough guys walked out from behind the walnut desk, one was holding a small metal baton, the other nothing but his hands. “If you’d like to accompany us sir?” They made nice with the smiles but Logan knew they wanted to hurt him, he’d been wound up all day and Logan hoped they’d make the first move. They didn’t disappoint him, the one with the baton swung low for his knees and Logan side-stepped pulling his friend into the blow instead. Quickly disarming him Logan punched the open handed man and he fell like a stone, the two men behind the desk quickly reassessed him and one made his way over to Logan. Handing him a small key the shine of delight in the mans eyes made Logan suspicious, even more so when he spoke his tone all smiles now. “Please accept our apologies Sir, we had no idea you were here to work this evening. You’ll find the rest of the party on the third floor, just use your key in the lift Sir and you’ll be taken there directly.”
The scent of arousal was almost dripping off the guy and Logan growled his displeasure at him being so close to him, snatching the key from his hand the man quickly lowered his gaze and backed off. Needing to stamp his authority further Logan growled out, “Next time I’ll kill em, got it?” The other man behind the desk nodded furiously, his eyes never leaving the bodies on the floor, pushing the lift button the doors slid open noiselessly. Stepping inside he could still scent Hank in the small confined space, his body had been pumping adrenaline hard. Seeing the two men talk to each other as the lift doors closed he caught part of it before he was enclosed. “We’ll be lucky if we keep this job after that, you know how touchy they get with the talent,” the one who gave him the key smiled and answered back. “Well I don’t care as long as I’d get to feel just one of those punches.” More confused than ever Logan just slid the key into the waiting slot and hoped Hank was okay.
The lift doors slid open to reveal a large open room, obviously bigger than the actual frontage. Logan assessed the room quickly before he stepped out, people were everywhere, drinks in hand it looked and felt like one of Chucks fundraisers. The only oddness about the whole place was the scent of anticipation and desire that ran through the entire room. Men and women mingled equally, Logan scanned for Hank’s large frame, trying to find him in the room of mingled scents. Each breath making his whole body itch, the sexual tension flooding his senses, stifling a low growl he almost snapped the key he still held in his hand.
Closing his eyes for a second to compose his emotions, locking down Wolverine who thought this place was perfect, so many willing bodies around. When he opened his eyes again there was a woman stood in front of him, she didn’t do anything for a few seconds then she offered him the back of her hand. Not in a human gesture but an animal one, narrowing his eyes he took in her scent without touching her, Vanilla mixed with a light feminine scent, her own pheromone. She didn’t need anything else he’d be able to recognise her anywhere now. Her hair was long and styled, heaped upon her head in a style he’d seen in several old victorian photographs, her clothing was old and Logan noticed she was the only woman completely covered, even her hands. Her eyes were a shade of blue that spoke of winter and ice in the weak sun, when she smiled Logan expected himself to bow for some reason. She exuded a confidence that he’d rarely seen in women, she knew exactly who she was and where she was and where she was, was in control.
Clearing his throat Logan scanned the room again before settling his gaze on her, she hadn’t moved at all, as if she knew what he expected of her. “I’m looking for someone.” Her voice when she answered him took him back, English and soft spoken she didn’t move her gaze from his eyes as she answered him.
“Yes I thought you would be.” Moving confidently she walked to the side of him and slid her arm through his, the dress she wore rustled as she moved. Her old fashioned boots showing a little of their age as she walked across the carpeted floor, bringing Logan with her. The crowd parted for them both, Logan noticed the men were sending him all sorts of scowls when they saw who he with. Passing one man Logan could feel the rage burning from him, making himself ready to fight he didn’t need to when she just stopped and looked the man directly in the eye. She didn’t speak, her face only showed some kind of distaste and the man calmed immediately, backing off and lowering his gaze mumbling apologies. She stopped in the centre of the room, turning to Logan she spoke, “I apologise for his behaviour, he’s still undergoing his training and his mistress isn’t around. He tends to fixate on me when she isn’t around.”
The words made sense in Logan’s head and he went back to the days he’d been on the fight circuit, New Orleans and the brothels. He was in a brothel, but one of a different type altogether. Seeing the truth run across his face she smiled and continued her journey through the room speaking to him as she moved. “We are an exclusive club and people do send their partners here, although I must admit we are getting more and more of the Mutant community.”
Logan snapped his attention to her face looking for a sign of deceit, he found none, she stopped and looked at him, both of them next to a set of double doors at the far end of the room. “I’m not a mutant and no I don’t know who or what you are, only that you’re here for someone you love and care about.” Her gloved fingers brushed over the leather of his coat, sliding inside the leather for a second pulling out a deep blue black hair, the colour showing up against the cream of her gloves. Her eyes lowered as she twirled the long hair in her fingers, finally meeting Logan’s gaze when she felt him calm down. “I was wondering when someone would come for him, he doesn’t belong here and although many of my customers love him I will not be responsible for his death.”
The anger in Logan spiked and she quickly soothed him, “Not physically of course, although I’m sure he could take much, much more than he asks of us. Just that his spirit is dying, as if he’s wanting us to kill something inside him, something he can’t do himself.” She looked deep into Logan and he knew she could read him like a book, taking in everything he was in a second. Smiling she took his arm again and walked them through the double doors, “You’ll understand in a few moments, especially when you see who he chose to hurt him.”
They walked through into a section of rooms, interconnected and screened off from each other, each one had some type of bondage in it. Slowing down for Logan she let him look and see the ‘training’ taking place, the room was bare except for a single chair. A man was strapped to it, leather bindings on his thighs, calves, ankles, waist and chest. His arms were above his head tied to a rope and pulley system, completely naked he had a ball gag in his mouth and blinkers covering his eyes. With the man was another player, completely dressed in rubber they were sexless no outward clue to their status was visible. Even Logan had trouble figuring out the scent of the player, finally deciding on female, looking at the woman on his arm he quirked an eyebrow.
She answered his unvoiced question, “Shadow teaches restraint, many of our clients feel the need to know the right holds and techniques. It’s a popular class.” Looking at the man in the chair flinch as the rubber woman grazed her hand down his thighs, pinching and stroking the skin, scenting the building frustration from the man. The amount in the room telling him that he’d been there for at least two hours but his skin had yet to purple or chafe with the restraints that held him. As they left the doorway she spoke the answer to his question, “Shadow is a master, they never have any bruises or marks. She prides herself on her work. Where we’re heading to now is a different matter entirely. Everyone who comes this way signs a waver, including our mutual friend.” At the mention of Hank Logan stopped in his tracks, anger spiking when he remembered the wounds he’d seen on Hank’s body.
“Your telling me that the wounds I saw on him were self inflicted? I fucking doubt it lady!” She released his arm and looked at him with all seriousness, her manner calm and untroubled by the rage she saw in Logan.
“Of course not, your friend wished to be trained and we trained him as to his requirements. As we do to all our customers, we give them what they need.” Logan moved closer to her, putting his hand around her throat and squeezing it gently, just enough to close off some of her airway but not to crush it entirely. Speaking slowly as the anger burned through him, losing ground to Wolverine who was finding the whole place a candy store of pain and sex. Opening doors in himself he never knew existed, looking at her eyes and seeing her just still, no fear no change in scent at all. Suddenly ashamed Logan let her go, forcing the words out through a growl that finally made her eyes widen.
“Take me to him, NOW!” She smiled, lowering her eyes in a submissive gesture, her long skirts rustling as she moved ahead of him a faint smile on her lips.
Passing through the scenes out of a warped sex manual Logan found his mind taking notes as they passed each vista. A couple separated by a thin membrane of rubber, managing to touch every little piece of each other seeing the excitement in their movements as each one slid across the tight surface. Touching feeling the heat of the other body but never actually sensing the others skin. Seeing himself and Marie in there if he hadn’t managed to get his body into line or her into controlling the switch in her head. The thought of Marie naked under him was enough to make his jeans tighten as they moved further into the house.
The next room was bare apart from a barbers chair, strapped in was someone who could have given Sabretooth a run for his money. Covered entirely in dark hair, the two men who were working on him were as smooth as a baby’s behind, not one piece of hair on them, even eyelashes had gone. All of them were fully aroused, the breathing Logan heard was rasping and spoke of their mutual excitement. One of the men who was in the process of shaving their friend looked up and noticed Logan. A spike of excitement drifted his way and Logan bared his teeth to the man, a low growl sounding out and echoing around the room. Quickly she guided them both out of the room, all three sets of eyes watching them leave, the scent of shaving foam tickling his nose.
The next room was covered in straw, a path was clear between the two sides of the room, on each side were a variety of people, some male some female all dressed in harness, blinkers and saddle. They stood or sat with bells on the harnesses and chains hitching them to the walls, the whole room looked like a stable for human horses. Feeling Logan slow his guide stopped in front of the last on the row before they left, picking up a carrot from a rack she broke it in half and held it out flat on her palm. The huge man who for all intent and purpose was a horse bent his head and took the offered treat gently, his naked body twitching with obvious delight at being picked out by her. Seeing Logan watching her she gently touched the ‘horse’s’ flank, watching as his body reacted to her touch, his penis swiftly engorged as she stroked his side. When she removed her hand Logan caught the sigh that left the ‘horse’ turning her back on him she led Logan out of the ‘stables’, but before they shut the door she turned and called back.
“Peter give Thunder a good lunging will you, he’s a little restless. Maybe you can give him to Cassandra afterward, she enjoys a good ride.” Shutting the door on the room Logan felt a little out of it, people paid to be treated like animals while he struggled to keep his bestial nature under control. That they could express their darkness made Logan angry but he knew Wolverine didn’t just want to fuck, he wanted to kill, wanted to maim.
Logan needed to release the stress inside, the corridor they were in was a muted red, deep red everywhere and he could scent the pain in the air. Hank was in here he could smell him, the deep rich scent that pulled at his base self, the scent that made Wolverine howl with it’s closeness. His mate was here and he was hurting, he followed her form down the long corridor, desire mingling with the anger he felt. They passed several doors, stopping at one near the end, she turned to face him, her face calm and quiet. “Your friend is behind this door, you must remember that we have done nothing he hasn’t asked us to do. We have provided him with everything he’s asked us to,” her eyebrow peaked at the last bit of information.
“The room is sealed and you can only watch from this side, it’s not something a lot of my customers do but there are some who prefer to watch instead of participate. Your friend has been a favourite in the past two months he’s been here.” As if on cue a door opened to their right and a couple dressed in formal attire walked out, they took a look at them both and almost walked toward them when Logan smelled something coming from them both, recognition. A confused look crossed their faces and they made their way to a different room, opening the door and their excitement peaking at what they saw behind it. A look of familiarity crossing the man’s face before he shut the door, turning to the woman stood quietly next to him his question being answered before he said it.
“They’ve seen you before, that’s why. Everything you need to know is behind that door. I’ll be back in an hour, please help yourself to whatever you find in there, all I ask is that you don’t disturb him until he’s finished. After all this is his last session here, his membership will be revoked after this evening, he’ll receive a letter tomorrow at the address he furnished us with.” With that she left him outside the door, stopping halfway down the corridor she added, “Don’t judge him, he was trying to solve the problem only he didn’t think it through enough. Please take him home after I come and collect you his nights fee has already been credited back to him. I’m not what you think Logan, I only give them what they ask for.”
With that she turned away and glided away like a dream his mind only realising what she’d said when she’d gone. She knew his name, how the hell did she know his name? Looking at the door in front of him he had to find out what Hank was doing to himself. Understanding on some level that he had a part to play in the reason Hank was here and for that alone he had to know.
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Inside the room was a wall of glass, it covered the entire length of the room, a few plush chairs a table with a Tantalus of fine spirits sat within a sea of deep carpet. But it was the scene on the other side of the glass that made his heart break into pieces. Hank tied down to the floor in a kneeling position while an exact copy of himself beat him, seeing the sweat dripping from the forehead of the man who was playing him. The silence that filled the room almost crushing his heart, seeing the copy speak but not hearing him, seeing Hank wince at the words that were forced into his sensitive ears. Knowing how much a shout hurt he looked for a way to hear what was being said.
The plain room on the other side of the glass was concrete block, there was no comfort no respite in that room. Chains and instruments hung from the walls, one or two of them Logan recognised, the patterns of Hank’s wounds bearing testament to their use on him. Searching for a way to hear his eyes lit upon a small black box next to the glass wall. Walking over he flicked the switch and the whole conversation on the other side of the glass flooded the room.
“Whatever made you think I’d ever waste my time on you? You’re nothing, a fuck-up, a random twist that should have been killed at birth!” The Logan copy gripped Hank’s sensitive fur behind his ear and pulled hard, hearing the small intake of breath as the pain went through him. Watching as his copy whispered into Hank’s ear, “I’d kill you but you’re not worth the sweat it’d take to do it.” Giving Hank a vicious kick to the kidneys Logan felt his hands tense as he saw the man hadn’t pulled the blow, seeing Hank’s large canines appear as he growled in pain. Hunching over to protect his damaged side Hank watched the Logan copy pace round him, listening to his words of hate, “Got to get you trained boy! Make you learn where you belong, make you understand properly, finally once and for all,” punctuating the sentence with a punch to the side of Hanks head. “Dumb fucker, maybe you’ll learn this time, when I brand it into you.”
With that the Logan copy moved away from Hank, but Logan couldn’t tear his eyes away from Hank’s face. His gentle face was covered in tears, their tracks in his dark fur obvious seeing the words form the ones he wouldn’t say to the tormentor, to the one he’d put in his place. ‘I can’t.’ Seeing the Logan copy shrug off his shirt and shoes, undressing in the room, seeing Hank’s eyes follow each movement and then close tightly, as if to shut out the memory of his body. A stream of whispers coming from Hank so soft the other man couldn’t hear him but Logan could and they tore him apart as he listened to them. “Logan, no Logan, please don’t touch me, touch me, don’t make me want you, not again. I can’t have you, show me you don’t want me, please help me, show me it’s wrong.”
The copy must have heard this before because he answered Hank, now stripped to the waist he looked almost the same as he did. Just a little less defined but then he didn’t pull around an extra two hundred pounds of metal inside. “Oh I’ll show you alright after we’ve had some fun first.” He even had his tone right and Logan wondered if it was a shapeshifter, if Hank had provided them with a recording of his voice to train with. Bringing himself up to Hanks face, he pulled the large head up by the scalp resting Hanks chin in his other hand near the waist of his jeans. “You want me don’t you?” The words were so like Logan’s own, his breath slowing as he heard Hank’s reply, knowing he wouldn’t, couldn’t lie. The answer cutting into Logan as he heard the reply, “Yes.” The copy of him grunting in satisfaction and turning away to the wall of instruments, noticing that his copy was already aroused by the thought of harming Hank.
Flaring his own nose trying to pick up the scent in the room but only flooding his nose with the scent of the room he was in. The scents of at least fifteen different people had watched this in here, this scene of degradation, excited at the prospect of seeing a beast tamed by a man who was barely human himself. Sickened Logan threw himself away from the glass and hid in a chair, trying to keep his mind away from the view in front of him but a part of him needing to know the outcome of this.
Tears formed but he wouldn’t allow them freedom, he was to blame for this, he’d driven Hank here to this, to be beaten, to rid himself of something that Logan felt was natural. The guilt Hank carried because of the words he’d spoken to him when they’d been together, that he loved him, that Logan needed his touch. The only person he could be vulnerable with, who understood the depth of his need but Hank couldn’t cope with the emotions. The sense of cheating on Rogue of lying to her, so much so he’d given over her care to Jean, even though he knew she wasn’t herself that he’d trusted Jean to be professional.
The day he’d seen him in the gym soaking in the therapy room, pine oil in open wounds would sting like nothing on earth. Hank had been punishing himself for not seeing the truth in Jean, the thought that he’d left him to his own version of this made the tears spill over. She’d been right Hank didn’t belong here he was dying by degrees, letting them take more and more of him until there would be nothing left but a shell.
Looking at Hank bound by chain to the floor he could see the scars now that littered his body, they were small shallow but numerous. Enough to make his body scream with the pain, knowing how sensitive his fur was, how much he tried to keep himself covered when he was tense or upset. Now he knew why, his fur would have revealed the new partings in it, the new scars. Looking at his double Logan saw he had his jeans open Hank’s eyes were burning as he looked over the copy. He wanted him so badly and his own body was beginning to react to the almost naked Logan in the room with him, seeing the tension build in his shoulders as he pulled against the chains.
The low growl coming from Hank making Logan’s own body warm to the sound, the other quickly reacting to the sound and smashing Hank across the side of the head with a closed fist. Shouting loud into his ears, “DID I SAY YOU COULD SPEAK?!! DID I?” The blow had sent Hank onto his hands, making him shake his head like a dog trying to clear it, all the tension had left him. He didn’t try to fight back the only sign Hank was still with it was the tell tale rising of his chest and the sound of his cries. His double came back over to Hank and pulled out his erect penis, shifting his hand along the length he watched as Hank kept his body lowered and eyes averted as his double played with himself. “You even blink in my direction and I’ll make you wish you’d never been born Blue Boy!” The growl an almost perfect copy of his own, seeing Hank’s nose flaring as he took in the scent of the man in front of him, the excitement building in him no matter how hard he tried to control it.
Seeing Hank’s own member beginning to swell an evil smile lodged itself on his face, his tone cold and distant. “You never fucking learn do you? Let’s see if we can short that nose of yours shall we?” Releasing his erection the copy walked to the wall and pulled off a small bottle of something, spraying it into a cloth mask. Hank was already trying to hide his nose from the scent, burying his head down into the floor but his copy didn’t give Hank any respite. Pulling his head up hard he shoved the soaked rag into his face, holding it still over his nose. Logan heard the sound of Hank choking and the tears running down his face as whatever it was burned his senses dull.
Logan was numb, Hank had come here of his own volition to solve a problem, one that he’d believed he could cure this way. He knew how Hank would see it, it was aversion therapy, take something you love to do and make it so horrendous you never think about it again. So he’d found someone to be his version of ‘Logan’, to hurt him, to beat the love out of him, to treat him so badly that any thoughts of love or kindness would be crushed instantly. Looking at his watch he realised nearly an hour had gone by, he’d been watching Hank suffer for nearly an hour at his hands. Inside even the Wolverine had been disgusted at the level of hatred levelled at Hank, that he’d asked to be treated like this, to be ‘taught’.
The door opened behind him and the woman quietly shut the door behind her, her gaze riveted to the glass wall. Logan followed her gaze and watched as the copy finished himself off, in full view of Hank but his eyes were on the floor, tears dropping to the cold concrete. The whisper so quiet he almost missed it, when he heard what Hank said he wished he had, “I can’t do this, can’t forget. Oh god let me die.” The copy used Hank’s fur to wipe himself clean and left him alone chained to the floor, like an animal awaiting slaughter.
She turned to Logan and her eyes were sparkling with tears, “He says that everytime Logan, yet he comes back every week and the treatment he asks for is worse than the last.” His dark gaze found hers and she didn’t recoil from him but met it head on, “He told me you might come, he even gave us enough of a description for Anton to play you. A very talented actor Anton, not a mutant just gifted if you were wondering.”
“How do you know what he said?” He knew she couldn’t hear what Hank had said and he wanted to know how she knew.
“Lip reading, one of my many talents,” she smiled and turned back to the large bulk of Hank sitting despondent on the floor. “Usually he waits for a while before he returns to beat him, leaving your friend a chance to think it’s over, that he has respite. A fallacy of course, he knows it as well as Anton but you have a choice. You could take Anton’s place if you so wish, unchain him and take him home. Or you could sit and watch the rest of the things he had planned for himself,” her eyes telling him exactly what Hank had planned for the remainder. “Its not every day I get a waiver for ‘Right of Attorney’ signed.” She turned her face back to the shuddering form on the concrete floor, totally broken now, cries audible to them both. “It’s your choice.”
She waited for Logan to make up his mind, but if she was as good as she made herself out to be then she already knew his decision. Pushing out of the chair he took a look at her seeing someone who would make a formidable enemy if she ever had the unfortunate timing to run across his path. Smiling she walked over to the door and opened it wide her voice almost eerie as she echoed the same thought he had, “I think we’d be evenly matched Logan don’t you? I may not have all your abilities but I know the human heart better than anyone alive. Do say hello to Charles for me, I haven’t seen him for a few years and I used to enjoy our conversations in the summer house.”
Somehow he wasn’t surprised that Charles knew her, they seemed to match each other in an odd kind of way, he didn’t answer her he only walked out of the room into the deep red of the corridor. “Take me to him.” She didn’t say anything, all she did was turn to the left and go down to the last door. Opening it wide she led Logan down a plain corridor turning left again at the turn, she gave Logan the view of the backside of things. He could see Anton from where he was, Logan almost pushed her aside and went for him, her voice cut through to him and brought him back to his senses.
“Anton does what the client asks for Logan nothing more, your friend asked to be treated this way. Making their way toward Anton Logan watched as he turned and saw them both approaching. The almost look of relief on his face was something that Logan hadn’t expected.
“Madam.” His tone was much lighter, southern states if he had to place it, a lilt to it that he couldn’t place. She smiled at Anton and waved at the door they were stood in front of.
“You can go Anton, our client’s friend will take over your duties. Please go and ready yourself for room six, there’s people waiting.” Anton nodded and quickly walked down the row, opening the door to room six then opening the door opposite. “There are changing rooms opposite each viewing room, it gives the artists somewhere to relax in while the clients get ‘ready’ for them.”
She looked at Logan and studied his face, knowing she was taking in everything about him, the hurt he was feeling, the anguish he felt, the whole love he had for the man in the room to their left. “If you love him as much as you seem to, show him. The room is yours until you’re done with it and the viewing door is locked, teach him what he needs to learn Logan, not what he believes he knows.” With that she left him, leaving him alone with his decisions, that he could unchain him, pick him up and take him home.
Or he could use the time, use the place he’d hurt himself in, take his place, show him how much he cared, how much he’d take on for him. The thought of Hank being beaten every time he’d come here, cut and abused by someone who looked like him, no wonder Hank had avoided him everytime at the school. The ‘therapy’ had been working, he couldn’t look at Logan without thinking about the hurt he’d been given at his hands, even if it wasn’t him in reality. A thought came unbidden into his mind, what if he’d been wrong about Hank’s anger, that it was directed at him and not at Jean that day. Taking the doorknob in his hands the only way to find out was behind that door, shrugging off his leather and overshirt he dropped them outside the door. Knowing that Hank’s sense of smell would be out for a while he could act the other guy, be the person Hank thought was coming back. Taking a deep breath he stepped inside.
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Hank was still hunched over when Logan walked into the room, the whole place stank of pain and lemon. Lemon Oil, strong and burning into his own sinus drowned out nearly everything else in the room. Looking around he saw the keys to the chains that held Hank to the floor, they were hanging on the wall next to a wicked looking whip. Reaching out to grasp them he caught the smell of Hank’s blood on the leather, fingering the strips he saw the metal woven through the fine sinew. This would cut as it flayed and Hank had been beaten with it, anger rose in his throat and it sounded out in the room, a long low growl that reverberated through the air to Hank’s ears. Seeing Hank move a little he grabbed the keys and stalked over to him, undoing the back chains first and unsnapping the iron manacles around his ankles. Throwing them aside, pulling Hank’s unresisting form until he had him free but even then he didn’t move. Preferring to stay still on the floor, head bowed waiting for the blows to start again, getting angry with him he pushed Hank over sending him into the glass wall. Making it rattle with the force of it, stripping his own clothes he was soon naked. Throwing his boots at Hanks head and seeing the man hardly duck through the tears that were filling his eyes.
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Author's Chapter Notes:
Jean shows her true colours, Marie talks to Logan about her natal care and Hank gives Logan a show he'll never forget.
WARNING - Sexual content BDSM/Violence.
WARNING - Sexual content BDSM/Violence.