AN: This story is being co-written with Urd85613.
We thank you for reading as well as your patience as this is not only a story with multiple chapters but multiple installments. This is taken from past as well as more recent events from the 616 universe. So again please read and review. We appreciate your eyes.
Ororo looked out the window of her attic loft as the rain continued to fall. Kurt's funeral was fresh in her mind. During the service she tried her mightiest not to weep as grey clouds grew darker above the mourners. Her tears just like the raindrops threatened to spill but she had to contain herself at least until the service was over. But the moment she was able to retreat to her room the rain hadn't ceased.
Wolverine had left promptly after Kurt was buried, riding off on his Harley cursing anyone who tried to speak to him on his way out into areas known to only the feral mutant, leaving Ororo to hurt on her own. Remy tried to stop by and be there for his best friend. He loathed seeing her in such a mood but he wasn't as close to Kurt as she was. Yes, he was also sadden a friend and fellow in arms had passed but it just wasn't the same for him as it was for her. So he did what he knew best after knowing Ororo for so long. He left her be, knowing she would reemerge like a flower from the soil after a storm. Kurt, you have no idea how much I miss you...
A knock at her door snapped her melancholy musings. She was a bit surprised when she saw that it was Scott poking his head in. She attempted to muster her best smile though it was unconvincing and she knew it. "What can I do for you Scott?"
"I uh... I was just checking in on you. It's been raining nonstop for four days now, since Kurt's funeral in fact. I just... I know you were good friends with him."
"Yes. I'm sorry for the weather. If you'd prefer it to be sunny-"
"No, Ororo. I'd prefer you to let it out. I know you're grieving like many of us. I just don't want you to feel alone." He placed a gentle hand on her right shoulder. "What Kurt did was noble. We always knew what comes with the job we do but he knowingly gave his life to protect Hope. He gave it for the hope of mutantkind."
Ororo nodded in agreement saying, "We cannot let his death go in vein, Scott."
"No, we can't. You know as well as anyone that he believed in the dream. We can see that it's fulfilled. Together." He brushed a lengthy snowy lock away from her cheek before placing a gentle kiss on it.
Ororo took his hand in hers and gave it a squeeze. "You are right. We must focus on our future." She gave Scott one last hug before he left. She had realized then how alone she felt. Feeling his arms around her, body pressed against hers was comforting but there was something else that lingered much like his touch on her. She just couldn't place it. She decided to get some rest. The rain still continued throughout the night.
Kurt's loss did seem to spark change. At least it had for Ororo. She realized time was such a precious thing. Ororo felt over the years divided by wife and queen duties she hadn't spent enough of it with the ones that truly mattered to her, like Kurt. That made it too important to waste on a marriage that wasn't working, hadn't been for a long time and maybe never did. It took some time to make the decision but once it was made Ororo immediately took off for New York on her own power, wanting the extra time to think of exactly what to say…
Ororo landed in front of the walk up apartment her husband was staying in while he gave Daredevil a break from Hell's Kitchen and as he put it "reclaim his manhood," due to his power loss. It hit the queen she didn't have a key to her own king's place. "Not that I need one," she huffed taking out her lock picks.
Finding the it empty Ororo sat and waited, returning a few texts, including one from Scott.
Scott: Got your messages about needing to take off. I wouldn't want to pry. I just wanted to make sure you were…well as ok as can be expected and to let you know I'm here if you need anything.
Ororo: Thank you, I just need to clean house so to speak. I thank you for your concern.
It's more than I have received from T'challa, Ororo thought as the former Black Panther walked through the door.
"Ororo? Oh, forgive me love the memorial!"
Ororo had honestly forgotten that she asked him to come for support that moment. That didn't stop T'challa from trying to cover his tail or Ororo from being angry now. "I meant to go but the then I got word King Pin was sending a huge drug shipment to-"
"And that also precluded you from calling me after." Her was interruption clip and cool. "Not to mention…Goddess I really needed you."
"You are very strong, independent woman my love. I knew you would get through it and you did," he retorted trying to sound soothing as he approached her.
She turned from him, closing her eyes to keep from shedding tears."Of course you can stand on your own two feet liebe, but that does not mean you should have to. Reach out, lean, let me, others stand tall for you every now and then." Those were Kurt's words to Ororo the night she tried in vein to hold back her tears and the rain after Jean's funeral. Lost in the memory, for a moment the arms wrapping around her were not smooth and hulking but more lean and furry. Ah…you stood up all night just watching me cry and postponed a mission the whole day.
Opening her eyes the words Ororo came there to say poured out, "T'challa I…wish to annual the marriage."
"What?" he gasped holding her by the shoulders. "For what reason? Is it something I've done?"
It was rather the things he hadn't done but Ororo felt it was pointless to get into such details. She was sure she was done and nothing could make her feel otherwise. "Well, not completely… It's just that Kurt's death made me realize that I want to devote my time to the mutant cause and bettering mutant kind."
Completely dropping the fact Ororo wished to end things, or not caring T'challa jumped into an old agreement between the couple. "I don't know why you bother with the X-Men. I've said many times to just join the Avengers full time and make a real difference, for the whole world not just your own kind."
"I do with the X-Men. And I intend on making more of one. Kurt's death-"
"People die Ororo. Everyone does. It's legacies that live on," he stated as if that was the final word on the matter, but of course it wasn't.
"I plan for Kurt's to live on far after I have left this earth for the sake of mutant kind and thus aiding all of humanity!" Ororo spat in declaration.
He dropped her shoulders, stepping away with a huffed, "Fine Ororo. Try and better your kind. I don't know why it matters so much."
"Because it has always been my dream since joining the X-Men," she shook her head not believing how much he never understood.I guess I shouldn't be surprised. He may love his Avengers now but he did only join to spy on them at the start. "I joined with Kurt and it was his dream too. He was my friend. They all are my family and Scott's holding it all together by a very thin thread. He needs me. My family needs me." Ororo's sad pleading eyes searched his honey browns, wishing for his understanding.
But he confirmed he never would. "What of me, Ororo? I am your husband."
"You were my husband. Goodbye T'Challa."
Ororo flew back home to Utopia sorrowful but with clearer skies than she would have thought. When she walked into to the kitchen of the X-Men base Ororo discovered she had not been the only one intent on making changes.
"Emma I will always be grateful to you," Ororo heard Scott soothingly say. "After Jean died, rebuilding the X-men here; I couldn't have done it alone. But…" He tugged the lock at the back of his rust colored head as if trying to will the words to come out. "At the end of the day I don't even think we want the same things."
After all what's the point in all this if in the end it's just for power? The chance to make the life I couldn't for Nathan or Rachel matters more. Scott knew given his life and responsibilities children probably weren't in the cards but he remembered that hopeful feeling he used to carry around on the matter when Jean still drew breath. To stay with Emma he knew in part was giving up that hope. Emma made that more than clear that babies were not up to her liking. "Take an honest look at us. Where is this really going?"
Emma stopped indignantly drumming her manicured nails on the counter. Scott could see the fire burning in her icy blue stare. He knew she was hurt and for that he was more sorry than words could ever say. He also knew she wouldn't be letting him see an inch of it. "I don't know Scott but I can assure you, you will be going nowhere good without me." With that Emma stormed past Ororo, stone cold as if none of it had phased her.
Ororo continued to step cautiously into the kitchen. "Is now a bad time?"
"No, I guess not." Scott sighed while slumping in his seat as Ororo went about putting a kettle on the stove.
"Another fight with Emma?" She hoped it was alright to ask because she didn't know what else to say.
"Yeah, our last actually. I just broke up with her."
"Really? I am sorry to hear that," Ororo said as neutrally as she could muster.
"No you aren't," he replied half jokingly.
The corner of her lips curled. "I've never been too fond of Emma, no but if she made you happy-"
"She did once but in the long run this is for the best. We just have different ideals," he shrugged.
Ororo nodded as she poured the steaming liquid into two mugs. "I know what you mean. I had the same problem with T'Challa."
"How did you fix things?" Scott inquired.
"I... I didn't. I actually also just ended things with him as well," she remorsefully informed Scott as she sat down next to him at the kitchen table, sliding a green mug towards him.
"I'm sorry, 'Ro. What brought it on?"
"Like you said, ideals. Also I have just been so focused on things here with the X-Men and he in New York with the Avengers. We just didn't have time for each other." There was also a little voice inside Ororo that said had they truly meant more to each other they both would have made the time, would have built a life together instead of apart. Not that we needed to be together every minute of the day, or even everyday for that matter. But Ororo had come to see hers was more of arrangement than a marriage. After all how can you just go for so long without the one who is suppose to be the love of your life without be phased by it as we had?
It wasn't like she was hiding these facts. Ororo just didn't think Scott needed to hear that there had been something missing all along and it regretfully took her all this time to pick up and act on it. She sighed, "It's frustrating being with someone when you aren't on the same page."
"I know exactly what you mean. It's hard when you are doing so much and can't depend on the person closest to you," he concurred.
"I want you to know I am here for you, Scott as well as the X-Men. When times become difficult I want you to know you can lean on me," she affirmed as she reached across and gave his hand a squeeze, Kurt's words to her from so long ago echoing in her head.
"Thank you, Ororo. I really appreciate that," he smiled from over the rim before taking a sip. A questioning brow rose above his sunglasses.
"Jasmine," she supplied with a smile.
The smell reminded Scott of Ororo's greenhouse in New York at this time of year and that made him smile, until he remembered that she didn't have one here on Utopia. That's not right, he thought to himself. Ororo without a garden seemed like April without rain. Scott was sure it was just a lack of time to start. Have to see what we could do about that, if I can ever find the time myself.
The two didn't say much while they drank their tea. In truth not much needed to be said. In the moment the comfort that their mere presences gave the two friends was more than enough.