Southern Comfort
Southern Comfort
Hello my dear Reader, and thank you for taking time out to read my little story. This is my first fan-fic, and I'm anxious to know how I've done. So please let me know what you think.
Why the hell can't Ah sleep?! Rogue growled softly in her head, knowing anything verbal would wake her two temperamental roommates. She'd learned that last time she hadn't been able to sleep. Jubilee threatened to ban her from the room for a month if she ever pulled that again. And so the young mutant lay silently fuming, rolling over to look at the alarm clock on the nightstand. 3:37 glared back, laughing at her inability to sleep. Well, Ah've tried everythang else, might as well see if some warm milk will help.
Managing to escape her room without disturbing Jubes and Kitty, she had almost reached the kitchen when something caught her attention. Cigar smoke, despite the fact that smoking was against the mansion's rules. Such blatant disregard could only mean one thing. Logan was home. Following the scent she walked into the sunroom, stopping to allow her eyes to adjust. It had been some time since Liberty Island, and yet she still possessed some of his abilities. His heightened senses being foremost, followed by his 'devil-may-care' attitude. She walked in and sat beside him, moving slowly so she wouldn't startle him. It was never a good thing to surprise the Wolverine; she'd learned that one from experience.
"Nice ta have ya home sugah." Rogue drawled with a grin.
A minute ticked by with no response. No 'hey kid' or 'shouldn't you be in bed?' Nothing; like she wasn't even there. There were no lights on down here; he'd always complained that they hurt his eyes. But the giant bay window between the bookcases let in enough light to see him. In a moment she realized something was very wrong.
His eyes were hooded and bloodshot, but it wasn't from the cigar, or the half-empty bottle of whisky that dangled from his fingers. Logan usually looked scruffy, that was his thing, but now…it looked as if he hadn't slept, bathed, or eaten in weeks. "Logan?" She asked, now touching his arm. The mutant beside her jumped, as if finally realizing she was there.
"Hey kid, shouldn't you be in bed?" He asked, giving her a slight grin.
"Couldn't sleep, damn nightmares."
"Mine?" Worried now that he'd disrupted her life yet again.
"No, don't worry. This time it was one of mine." Rogue assured him.
"So what's wrong?"
"Nothin'" He lied quickly, not meeting her eyes.
The young mutant sighed, not believing him. "Logan, don't give me that. Ah know better. Ya don't sit in the dark at three a.m. with a bottle of whisky unless somethangs wrong." He didn't say anything, not wanting her to know what he'd done. "You've been in mah head for over a year sugah, there ain't a whole lot Ah ain't seen." Still he didn't say anything, so she tried a different tactic.
Reaching up slowly Rogue ran her fingers through his hair, gently scratching his scalp. This was their little secret, something no one else knew, not even the Professor. It was the one thing that could calm the Wolverine, not matter how berserk he was. He visibly relaxed, eyelids drifting closed as she continued. She leaned over and took the bottle from him, placing it on the table in front of them. It would only be a few more moments before he told her what had happened.
Logan loved and hated that she was the only one who could calm him like this, no matter what. Being his friend usually shortened your life by a considerable amount, and she knew that. But still she stayed anyway, not caring what everyone thought. And soon enough, he spoke. "I was followin' a lead Chuck gave me about a new Weapon X facility down in Mexico. They was just settin' up when I got there, Chuck's info was up ta date for once. Course they tried ta capture me, so I did what I do best. Went berserk and cleaned the place out. Few captives they hadn't got to helped out, mostly makin sure the place was trashed. Got every bastard in there… all except the head rat. So I went huntin', figured he'd still be there, gloatin over his success. Guess I missed the memo 'bout 'bring your family to work day'…wife and three kids, hadn't done anything…" he didn't finish, didn't have to. Rogue remained silent, there was nothing to say. So she continued scratching, hoping to relax him some more.
After a few moments she spoke up. "Can…can I see them?" She asked, looking at his hands. Logan jumped again, but this time for a different reason. No one had ever, ever, asked him to see his claws. Because despite their words, they were still afraid of him, afraid of what he could do. Even the Wolverine in his head, who was pissed that he was depressed about at good hunt, stopped growling at her request. He sat there thinking it over before making a decision. Slowly he extended a claw from his right hand, watching the moonlight play across its metallic surface. As he did Rogue removed her hand from his hair, inching towards the blade. She glanced at the man beside her, making sure it was okay. He nodded, knowing what she wanted "Just don't cut yerself." Taking his hand Marie pulled it into her lap, hesitantly touching the claw, making sure to stay away from the edge and only stroke the flat. Logan had gone ridged at her touch, not moving lest he hurt her. As she examined his claw, he studied her, thanking who ever was up there listening that she'd come into his life. Marie was the only one who could keep him sane, keep him human, and above all keep the Wolverine at bay.
Suddenly he retracted the claw, before pulling her into his lap and burying his face in her neck. She had jumped at his actions, thankful she'd gained control over her skin. Once more her hands found their way into his hair as the sobs shook him. Morning would find them curled up together under a blanket, and before breakfast the rumours would start flying, spread by student and teacher alike. Though the teachers would deny anything, and attempt to stop them. But Rogue didn't care what anyone thought of her, Logan was ready to bust some heads and make everyone stop. As long as she and Logan were still friends, the rest of the mansion could go to hell for she cared.
Please let me know what you think. Even flames are welcome.
Thanks for reading!
Katyra