I started this one a while back and kind of abandoned it. I went back and read it and saw some glaring errors along with some easy fixes. I decided to run through the whole thing and do some major tune ups. I'll be doing it one chapter at a time. I have no idea if anyone has been following this story but I needed to fix it for me. I knew I could do this story justice and felt obligated to improve this story as my writing has evolved.
Rogue sat in front of the TV brushing the white streak of hair away from her face. The story on the cure for mutants continued on the news channel. Rogue knew about the cure. A little to well. She had only gone to the stupid clinic for Bobby and all he cared about was stupid Kitty just because he could touch her. But thanks to Magneto most of the cure was gone. She was now on the right side of the fight for mutants. She knew mutants didn't need to be cured.
Pyro leaned over the back of Rogue's chair. "Why are you watching that crap? It's not like you're going to do it again." He grabbed the remote from the arm of the couch and flipped the TV off.
"Of course not," she said looking down at her ungloved hands. "I'm fine just as I am. I can't believe I was ever cured."
"You weren't cured. You know there was nothing to 's nothing wrong with you."
"Of course I am. You know it's just media hype. Soon everyone will realize that mutants are perfect just the way we are."
Pyro slid onto the couch next to Rogue and slid his arm around her waist. She jumped at first her heart racing then she remembered. She closed her eyes and leaned her head onto his shoulder. Ever since she had come to Magneto for help he had helped her control her powers. She could now channel her powers internally, so she could touch people for long periods of time without hurting them. That is as long as she kept her emotions in check. She looked up at Pyro who was running his thumb over her upper arm looking down at her smiling. As long as she kept her emotions in check, she thought, as her heart started racing.
…
Rogue lay on her back staring at the ceiling. She should have been asleep hours ago, but for the last week every time she closed her eyes she thought about Bobby. He might have abandoned her because he couldn't touch her but he had always tried to understand. Pyro had always understood her without trying. He seemed to be able to look into her mind and see exactly when she needed to be left alone or comforted. She rolled over and closed her eyes when she heard the door slide open. Who would be in her room this late?"
"Rogue? Are you awake?" She heard the door slide shut as she sat up quickly squinting through the darkness.
Her eyes finally adjusted as she saw the lanky figure walk towards her bed slowly. "Pyro?" she said squinting to be sure. "What are you doing here?"
"I had to see you Rogue." he said sitting on the edge of her bed staring out the window. "When we were talking I wanted to say something." He glanced over at her but quickly turned back the other way. "We've been together for a while but sometimes-"
"Sometimes you wish we could do more." she said pulling her knees into herself resting her chin on her knees as she stared at the silhouettes of her feet.
"Why do you think that's-" said Pyro his head snapping around to look at her
"It's the same thing Bobby said to me the night before I left." she said turning to face the wall her knee pressing into her cheek as her eyes burned. She should have known. Girls as messed up as her never got happy endings. She felt the bed shift and expected to hear the door slide open again. Instead she felt Pyro's hand cup her face and turn her to him. She had to think quickly to keep from hurting him and the look in his eyes knocked the breath out of her chest.
"I'm not like Bobby." he said his voice hard. "You know that. That's all he wanted." His voice softened as he stroked her face. "I want you for who you are not what I can get from you."
Rogue pulled back searching his eyes. "You do?"
"Yeah I do." he said smiling at her "That's all I wanted to say. That I'm really happy I found you and that you tolerate me." She smiled too laughing slightly and he joined her. Rogue dropped her knees and leaned into Pyro wrapping her arms around his shoulder. He turned into her and held her waist. She looked up and their eyes locked.
Pyro leaned forward and kissed Rogue gently. Her breath caught and she closed her eyes and focused on her powers intently and leaned into his kiss. He pushed her hair away from her face and she slid her arms over his chest. He gasped and pulled away. "I'm sorry, did I hurt you?" She said her heart racing as she waited for him to start gasping for air.
"No," He said smiling as he bit his lip and studied her face. "I've just wanted to do that for so long."
"Oh..." She leaned in and kissed him again softly. "Well so have-" He grabbed the back of her hair and pulled her closer. She leaned back pulling away from him. Pyro ran his fingers through her hair. "Pyro." Rogue sighed as she turned to the side trying to pull her lips away. He pushed his face towards hers grabbing onto her face with his other hand. "Pyro." Rogue said her spine stiffening. His hands slid down her waist as he started to lay her down. "Pyro!"She cried pushing him back. He stumbled back a few steps from the bed winded but gazing at her his eyes full of a hunger that simultaneously terrified and exhilarated her." You know I would love to-" And he advanced forward again grinning "But," she said holding up a hand to stop him "I'm just worried that I'll lose it and hurt you."
"I'm not worried." Said Pyro leaning in for another kiss. Rogue enjoyed this kiss for a moment then turned her face away gasping for air.
"Pyro," she said gripping his arms looking his straight in the eyes. "You know I'm not as strong as I'd like to be. If I get too..." She looked between the two of them and her blood pounded in her ears. "Too distracted," she said breathing deeply to calm down. "I lose focus and hurt people."
"So are you saying that we can't be together?" he said his eyes darkening.
"No," she said shaking her head frantically. She turned his face into hers holding his focus. "I'm just saying we have to be more careful."
"Ok." He said nodding and she dropped her hands exhaling in relief. "I believe you." Pyro leaned in and kissed her gently on the cheek. "I'll see you tomorrow Rogue." He turned and walked to the door. She watched him go and fell onto her back pulling her sheets around her smiling. She closed her eyes touching her mouth with her index finger still tasting him on her lips. She fell asleep easily, Pyro the only guy on her mind.
…
When she first awoke Rogue kept her eyes shut relishing the memory of her talk with Pyro. Finally Rogue rolled over and opened her eyes. She jumped when she saw Mystique was sitting across the room in her armchair leaning back with her lithe limbs spread across the arms of the gray fabric. "What are you-" she said sitting up clutching her sheets around her.
"It's about time you woke up." Said Mystique idly checking her nails. "Magneto would like to see you. Now." She stood and slid out the door in one fluid motion.
Rogue dressed haphazardly and ran down the hallway to Magneto's office. He was sitting behind his iron desk looking calm as always."Rogue you've decided to join us." He said his voice sounding slightly amused.
As Rogue glanced around to avoid his gaze she saw Pyro sitting in an iron chair that matched the desk. He was leaning forward his blond streaked hair hiding his pale face. "Why is Pyro here?" said Rogue her heart jumping.
"I believe last night he visited your room." said Magneto steepling his fingers together. Rogue's stomach simultaneously sunk and twisted and she knew. Magneto was going to kick her out, she just knew it. She couldn't leave this place. The only place she'd ever been truly accepted, where she had started to feel in control of his own life. She couldn't leave Pyro, not now.
"Not to worry. Neither of you is being punished. I believe he left your room when you claimed your lack of focus would harm him. Is this true?" He said inclining his head toward Rogue.
"It- it is true." Rogue said collapsing into a chair. "I'm sorry. It won't happen again."
"That's right. You're not going to be limited by your emotions again." Magneto lifted his hand and the two iron chairs flexed and melded into a large bench. Pyro and Rogue slid and slammed into each other. "Sorry." mumbled Rogue rubbing her shoulder as she glanced up at Pyro.
"It's ok." he said pushing a piece of hair back from her face. His hand lingered by her face. Her brown eyes flicked up to his and she bit her lip smiling. Magneto cleared his throat and the two sprang apart.
"It seems as if Pyro can touch you without hurting him. I've seen you two around this place."
Rogue turned red at the mention of her relationship with Pyro by her mentor. She glanced up at Magneto wondering when he would finally dismiss her.
"Now Rogue what I would like you to do is focus as much as you possibly can," Rogue closed her eyes, "While Pyro touches you."
Rogue's eyes sprung open. "While he- what?" She looked over at Pyro and was grateful to see he looked equally shocked.
"It's the only way to ensure that your emotions truly won't affect your powers." said Magneto leaning back in his chair his hands pressed into the desk.
"But why do we have to- Here? While you're watching? Now?"
"Of course not! Goodness, no. Instead of the sessions you spent with me you'll spend them with him. You and Pyro can go practice now."
Rogue stood her mind reeling as she left the office Pyro close behind her. Not only did she get to spend time with her boyfriend it was considered practice for her powers.
"Did you say boyfriend?" said Pyro looking up at her as they shuffled down the hallway.
"I didn't mean to say it out loud, but yeah I did." She said looking up and blushing
"So where do you think we should practice?"
"So suddenly you become all eager to do your homework?"
"Just call me Mr. Academic." Rogue laughed and blushed again. "Really though, where should we practice?"
"How about the lounge on the third floor? It's got a great view of the grounds." Said Rogue tucking her white streak behind her ear.
"Ok, I just have to get some breakfast and then I'll meet you there at 9."
"See you at 9 then." he leaned in and kissed her on the cheek. "Bye." he said running towards his room.
Rogue ran but not to the dining hall. If she was going to see Pyro again she would be wearing something better then the grungy sweatpants she had on now.
…
Rogue sat on the couch of the lounge finger combing her hair in the reflection of the window. She hoped that the traces of makeup she had carefully applied weren't too obvious. She wanted to look better then usual without looking like she was trying to look different. When she heard the door open she turned and there was Pyro. He had also changed since this morning. "Hi." Said Rogue turning red.
"Hi." said Pyro turning redder then her. He sat on the opposite side of the couch. Rogue couldn't shake the feeling off a bad date with her father in the next room. She knew Magneto could, and probably was watching them now. Rogue glanced up at Pyro but as soon as she caught his gaze she looked down again biting her lip. He began to slide over to her, his arm inching around her shoulders as he looked out the window. Rogue focused as she leaned into him glancing up at his face.
When he looked down and caught her glance he didn't look away. Instead he leaned in kissed her as softly as possible. Rogue sighed and returned the soft kiss resting her hand on his chest. She could feel his heart pounding and wondered if he could feel hers as his hand slid up her neck to cup her face. Pyro stroked the side of her face with his fingertips that sent a shiver down Rogue's spine. She slid her hands up around his neck as he grabbed her back and pulled her closer.
She tried to push away but Pyro pulled her back kissing her more fiercely then she could remember, entangling his hands in her hair. She pushed against his chest trying to separate herself from his lips as she felt her skin start to burn but Pyro didn't move away. Rogue turned her face away gasping and finally pushed him away. He looked up and despite himself was grinning as she sat gasping for breath. "I'm sorry." he said approaching her but she held up her hands to keep him back. "I don't know why I did that. I've just wanted to be with you for so long I couldn't-"
"Well in a few seconds you were going to be really sorry." she said suddenly twisting her fingers together feeling naked without her gloves. "I could have killed you. Do you not realize that?"
"I do realize that." he said. "So just calm down and we'll be more careful." He leaned towards her ready to slide back next to her but she slid away.
"Is that all that matters to you? Just that you can touch me?" She shouted standing from the seat. "Because if that's what you think then-"
"Rogue, you know that's not true. I just want to help you. Ok?" Pyro stood and enveloped her stroking her hair. She started to pull away again but he held her in place stroking her back comfortingly. Slowly she started to relax, letting herself start to calm down.
"I'm sorry," she said closing her eyes. "I'm just so scared you'll realize one day that I'll never be completely safe and you'll leave me like..." She looked up at him then buried her face in his chest as his hand ran up her back.
"I'm not like Bobby." he said puling her into him kissing the top of her head. "He ran off at the first sign of trouble. I'm going to help you through whatever you have to go through. I know things aren't going to be easy but I'm going to be here with you."
"Pyro..." Rogue loving that that was all she needed to say before he kissed her on the forehead. She looked into his gray eyes then kissed him wrapping her arms around him. Pyro kissed up her neck and jaw to her mouth. Rogue leaned back into the wall Pyro following her back. He braced his hand over her in a way that made her feel protected not trapped.
"Marie!' a new voice shouted sprinting into the room, "Thank god I found- John?"
Rogue looked over Pyro's arm and all the wind was knocked from her chest as she slipped down the wall. It was Bobby.
"What are you doing here -how did you find me?" she said as Pyro turned around shielding her from Bobby.
"Storm used Cerebro." Bobby said looking confusedly between Pyro and Rogue. "Come on we need to get out of here."
"Well she's just fine so you can go now." said Pyro as he glared at Bobby.
"Why are here with- Were you just kiss- what is going on?" said Bobby.
"Here's what's going on Bobby." said Rogue stepping out from behind Pyro even as he gripped her arm. "First you left me because you couldn't touch me to be with that doe eyed bitch Kitty, then when I gave up my powers for you so finally could be together, you criticized me for getting cured, telling me that I'm not the girl you wanted which is bullshit because you were done with me before I even got cured. And right now I'm finally on the right side for mutants with someone who actually cares about me, not what he can get from me." She finished, her chest heaving as she finally screamed everything she had wanted to tell him after she had left.
"Marie, you don't know what you're saying. John and Magneto have been brainwashing you to believe this stuff. I need to get you out of here." he reached out for her hand.
"No, I'm staying here with Pyro." said Rogue holding tightly on to him.
"Look Marie just because John's your new boyfriend doesn't mean that you have to join his side."
"Ok believe it or not I didn't join Pyro's side because he's my boyfriend I joined because it's the right side to be on for mutants. And stop calling me Marie my name is Rogue." She said coldly.
"Mari- Rogue look just come with me and we'll use Cerebro to figure out what's wrong with you." Bobby said reaching for her hand again.
"Why don't you just get it already Bobby?" said Pyro stepping in front of Rogue again. "Nothing is wrong with her and nothing needs to be fixed. You didn't understand it when she got cured and you don't understand now. She's fine where she is and she's staying with me."
"He doesn't care about you. That's just what Magneto told him to say, now come on." Bobby said reaching for Rogue.
"NO!" said Rogue as Bobby latched onto her wrist. He gasped and fell back his eyes rolling back. He slammed his head against the wall and crumpled to the floor. He lay on the floor twitching and unconscious.
"What did you do?" said John trying not to smile as he bent over Bobby.
"I don't kn-know." said Rogue stepping backwards. She hit the wall and sunk down to the floor pulling her hands into herself. "What should we do?" said Rogue dropping to her knees gingerly looking over him. "Pyro I don't know if- Can you see if he's okay?"
Pyro knelt next to her roughly grabbing Bobby's wrist then letting it fall back to the floor. "There's still a pulse." he said standing up his foot scuffing Bobby's shoulder as he did.
"Pyro!" she said. "If he's here..." she looked at him her eyes wide.
"It means other X-Men are on the way." He said "For you."
"I guess so." she said looking down at Bobby.
"And they still don't know the cure wore off judging by the way Bobby grabbed you." he said watching her concerned face in confusion.
"Should we go tell Magneto?" She said looking down at Bobby again.
"No need." said Magneto and they both jumped. "I'll have Mystique take care of him. You two can continue practicing in another room. Pyro nodded at him and stood but Rogue stayed on her knees looking over Bobby.
"What do you mean take care of him?" she said instantly feeling at the look on Pyro's face as he turned around.
"Why do you care?" hissed Pyro. "After what he did to you." He said quietly as he pulled her to her feet.
"We're just going to interrogate him. Find out why he is here and how he got past our security. Now go with Pyro." He gestured at the door and Pyro pulled her out the door before Rogue could speak again.