Title: The Joy and the Pain
Rating: K+
Disclaimer: I don't own X-men or "Rodeo" by Garth Brooks
Note: I came across this song and thought I'd get a kick out of imagining Logan as a Rodeo man.
She knew it was time again. He wasn't going to hang around this joint forever. He was ready, ready to be moving on once again.
His eyes are cold and restless
His wounds have almost healed
And she'd give half of Texas
Just to change the way he feels
She knows his love's in Tulsa
And she knows he's gonna go
Well it ain't no woman flesh and blood
It's that damned old rodeo
Rodeo. That seer pounding of testosterone driven determination lured him back every time.
Well it's bulls and blood
It's dust and mud
It's the roar of a Sunday crowd
It's the white in his knuckles
The gold in the buckle
He'll win the next go 'round
It's boots and chaps
It's cowboy hats
It's spurs and latigo
It's the ropes and the reins
And the joy and the pain
And they call the thing rodeo
She knew he wouldn't really get hurt, but she couldn't help but worry. Every time he won people grew more and more suspicious. Technically he was cheating, but she knew he didn't care. It released the animal in him for a moment in time without hurting anyone. Well, maybe the bull.
She does her best to hold him
When his love comes to call
But his need for it controls him
And her back's against the wall
And it's So long girl I'll see you
When it's time for him to go
You know the woman wants her cowboy
Like he wants his rodeo
They lasted to long. Rodeo's. They pulled him away more and more, but she couldn't stop him. Really she tried. And it killed her a little more each time he went away.
Well it's bulls and blood
It's dust and mud
It's the roar of a Sunday crowd
It's the white in his knuckles
The gold in the buckle
He'll win the next go 'round
It's boots and chaps
It's cowboy hats
It's spurs and latigo
It's the ropes and the reins
And the joy and the pain
And they call the thing rodeo
She sighed as she watched him pack his bags muttering to himself. She'd beg him once more, he'd kiss her on the head and he'd leave again. And she would wait holding onto his dog tags and praying he wouldn't get caught this time. It was after all illegal for mutant to participate.
It'll drive a cowboy crazy
It'll drive the man insane
And he'll sell off everything he owns
Just to pay to play the game
And a broken home and some broken bones
Is all he'll have to show
For all the years that he spent chasin'
This dream they call rodeo
Logan straighten his body and zipped the last of the bag shut. He smiled sadly at her small form huddled against the front door as a tiny roadblock.
"I don't want you to go." She said her voice already showing the desperate sense of loss she felt swelling within her.
Well it's bulls and blood
It's dust and mud
It's the roar of a Sunday crowd
It's the white in his knuckles
The gold in the buckle
He'll win the next go 'round
It's boots and chaps
It's cowboy hats
It's spurs and latigo
It's the ropes and the reins
And the joy and the pain
And they call the thing rodeo
He smiled again at her then walked over and kissed her forehead, nudging her out of the way. He slipped on out into the bright sun and he was on his way.
Marie fought the tears that threatened to leave, determined she wouldn't cry this time.
It's the broncs and the blood
It's the steers and the mud
And they call the thing rodeo
As she watched him ride off into the sunset, away from her. She whispered her only prayer after him.
"Be careful." And with that, the tears fell.
Love it? Hate it? Should I continue it? Let me know! REVIEW! Please.
Aslan
