Title: Eavesdropping Sneaks are Charming Things
Author: Miasen
Pairing: Pyro/Rogue (better known as RYRO!)
Rating: M, eventually.
Disclaimer: Yeah, still own absolutely nothing… I'm just playing with the characters!
A/N: So, my first Ryro story. I've had loads of fun writing this! It started as a one-shot, but now I have an estimate of five chapters. Enjoy, and please leave a review so I'll know if this is a pairing I should write more of in the future or not.
Chapter One: Restless Arsonist
John Allerdyce tossed about in bed, groaning and kicking at his sheets. Sleep didn't seem to want to come to him tonight like so many nights lately. The bed creaked violently at each turn of his body, and that just made it even more difficult to fall asleep.
In the end he gave up, pulled off the sheets completely and scrambled out of bed. He glared down at the small bed in contempt. He hated it so badly; there was just no way to get a good night's sleep on it. He missed the bed he had had back at Xavier's place. That had been a comfy bed. All soft and warm and…un-squeaky.
John sighed and turned around, putting his back to the bed. There was no way he would get any sleep, and the room was too depressing to stay in awake. All shiny metal everywhere. Nothing that could catch fire whatsoever, and where was the fun in that?
John shut the door to his room and headed down the hallway of Magneto's hideout where he had spent the majority of his time since he had left his old teammates and friends at Xavier's. Most of the time he was happy with that decision, staying with the Brotherhood had taught him so much. He had improved, being able to use his powers just how he wanted to, no restrictions whatsoever. Just being able to do what he wanted (at least most of the time) and not follow an endless list of rules and restrictions, made it all worth leaving the mansion. John had never been a fan of rules or authorities.
But he'd give the mansion that, the comfort was better there. And the food was definitely way tastier. And the girls weren't all bad either.
John smirked to himself as he stepped out of the hideout. Yeah, the mansion had some pretty nice girls. Kitty, Jubilee, Rogue—oh yeah, he probably missed that even more than his old bed. There were girls at the hideout too, but they were so…rugged. Nothing but tattoos and grim faces. Or tattoos on grim faces. And they never seemed to care much about John, no matter how many advances he made. In the end he just gave up on them. He poured his attention towards his work and training, and if he got too needy he had his trusty right hand. It was always there when he needed it, ready for action.
High above John could see the moon, slowly creeping over the sky. Judging by its position it was getting very late, but John didn't care. He didn't have curfew, he could stay up however goddamned late he wanted to.
He stuck his hands in his pockets and felt the metallic square he always kept there. He pulled out the Zippo and flipped it open. The small flame flickered in the breeze, and he cupped his hand around it, pulling it into his palm. Once he had control over it it wouldn't be extinguished by some faint wind. He could make it grow or shrink at his will, could manipulate it to do pretty much whatever he wanted. Yeah, some stupid wind could do nothing when Pyro controlled it.
As he looked at the flame that burned in his palm it wasn't flickering anymore, it was burning brightly, strongly. John smiled and closed his hand around it, quenching it in an instant.
Putting his Zippo back into his pocket he set off down the forest road. He just needed to stretch his legs, do something other than stay in that metal box that Magneto had constructed underground. They hadn't been on a mission in ages, nothing big ever since Alcatraz. There had been the occasional small thing: go fetch that mutant, go torch that building; but Magneto didn't seem to want to do anything big until he had gotten his power back, and with the rate that was going in it wouldn't be for years. But hey, as long as the old man got his powers back before he croaked that was probably all he needed. John had no idea how it had been to live like a homo sapiens for weeks and weeks, but he had seen the look on Magneto's face as he came back and announced that his powers were returning. He looked like a kid on Christmas morning.
John came to one of the cars that were parked not far from the hideout. They had a small collection for the use of the Brotherhood whenever they had business to attend to. John gave it a moment's thought, and then he went over to the nearest car and opened the door. The keys were standing in the ignition like they always were. There was no one around for miles except the Brotherhood, so there were no car thieves to worry about.
John slid into the driver's seat, turned on the car and started off down the road that led towards civilisation. He had no idea where he wanted to go, he just wanted to go somewhere, do something, meet someone.
Some hours later he found himself driving through the familiar area of Salem Center where he had spent so much of his time before, either hanging out at the arcade or diner with Bobby, Peter and the other guys. He hadn't been here ever since he left the X-Men, but the place hadn't changed much. There were a couple of new house erected outside the town centre, but otherwise it seemed the same. The diner, where he now ate what would probably qualify as breakfast given the time of the day, looked and smelled just the same. He even thought it was the same woman working behind the counter.
He ate his meal in silence, trying to figure out just why he had ended up here. Maybe his longing for a good bed had been influencing his subconscious more than he had thought? He should probably get back to the hideout, just turn around and drive back, but now that he was in the neighbourhood… It was kind of tempting to go and visit old places. So, the X-Men would probably kick his ass if they saw him, after all, they were enemies now, but no one needed to know if he came back did they? He just wanted a little peak, just to show himself that he had made the right choice and that he really didn't want to go back to them. Shut himself up so he'd get a good night's sleep again. He wasn't fooling himself, it wasn't just the crappy bed's fault that he wasn't getting any sleep, it was all his mind creating problems. He'd spent a long time at the mansion, it was only natural that he missed it at some point wasn't it?
"Fuck all of this," he muttered and pushed away his plate with leftovers from his meal and threw some money on the table before he left the diner. He got back to his car and sat down in the driver's seat again, but didn't turn on the ignition. He just sat there, his hands on the wheel, gripping it tightly. His knuckles were turning white and his shoulders tense. For a while he just sat there, doing or saying nothing. His mind however, was not quiet or calm at all. It was spinning. He couldn't see why he couldn't just turn around and leave and forget all about the mansion, but there was some part of him screaming out now. He wanted to see it, one final time. He had no idea that the last time he saw it would be his last, had no idea in what direction his life would turn after fleeing the mansion and then meeting Magneto and Mystique. Maybe he just wanted closure or something girly like that. God, he was so pathetic.
His fist connected with the steering wheel suddenly, and it hit the horn, sending a loud honk into the otherwise quiet morning. He removed his hand and the sound stopped instantly. He pulled a hand through his hair and looked out the windows. For a moment he hesitated, then, without thinking anymore about it, he opened the door and started down the road, abandoning the car on the sidewalk. It didn't take long till he left the town centre and got into the residential area of town. At the end of the street, by itself, he knew that the mansion lay behind tall fences he couldn't climb, at least not without getting noticed. But behind the mansion there was a forest, and that was not fenced off.
John followed the road until he could see the mansion in the distance, then he stepped off the main road, walked between two houses and stepped into the forest. The rest of the way towards the mansion he followed the forest, walking silently in the shadows of the large trees.
It didn't take long till he could see the familiar building that housed Xavier's School for Gifted Youngsters through the trees. He snuck closer.
The garden that surrounded the mansion and edged on the forest was massive, and he was closing in on the very farthest corner of it now. He knew that the chance of anyone hanging out there was slim; it was too far away from the basketball court, so he took his chance and snuck closer, until there were just a few trees between him and the garden. He could see the mansion now, if he peered around the trees. It too was just as he remembered. He wasn't sure what he was expecting, but maybe just a small hint that months and months had passed since last he saw it? But no, it was just as he remembered it.
He leaned against the trunk of one particularly large leafy tree and crossed his arms across his chest.
"So, what now," he mumbled, annoyed with himself for coming here in the first place. He really had no idea what he wanted. It wasn't like he could just come up to them and say he wanted to visit. And why should he care about hanging in the bushes and watching the place? Now that would get old soon.
He did as he always did when he got bored and pulled out his Zippo. Then he closed his eyes for a moment, just listening to the sound of his lighter as he opened and shut it. Whenever he wasn't on a mission for Magneto he preferred to leave his wrist igniters at home and stick to bringing his trusty old Zippo. He'd had it for years, it was a part of him, and even if the wrist igniters might be more convenient he still preferred his Zippo.
Faint in the distance he heard the familiar sounds from the mansion. The shouting of kids, occasional explosions or other sounds of mutant teens trying out their powers to the annoyance of the teachers. John knew all about that, he had no idea how many of the rooms in the mansion that had scorch marks on the walls or roof courtesy of himself.
His lips crooked into a small smile. He certainly had some good memories from this place, he couldn't deny that. He and Bobby had their moments of mischief, at least until Rogue came into the picture. Then Bobby was all about impressing her, and obviously he thought the way to do that was to be the good guy.
But, even if the guy was an idiot around Rogue John couldn't say he blamed him. Rogue seemed to have quite the effect on guys. Maybe it was the whole untouchable thing. Guys always wanted what they couldn't get. A bit of danger and excitement in life.
But then she had apparently taken the cure, and was no longer a danger. But she was still hot though.
John smirked. Yeah, Rogue was maybe the hottest girl at the mansion. They way she talked, her drawl growing heavier when she was excited; her eyes; her lips; her… Oh yeah, she had more than the danger parts going. Bobby had scored the jackpot with her. It had always annoyed John that Bobby had beaten him to her. John had tried in the beginning, but Bobby always thwarted his attempts at getting her attention, making John seem like a fool.
John's thoughts were interrupted by a pair of voice nearing. He stepped further into the shadow and slinked behind a tree, pressing his back up against the rough bark of it. He kept as quiet as he could as the voice came closer to where he was hiding.
It didn't take long before he could make out the owners of the two voices. Both feminine, but so utterly different. Jubilee was easily recognised on the way words poured out of her accompanied with a constant smacking of gum. The other voice was nothing like Jubilee's, and so much more interesting. Rogue. John smiled to himself and listening to the two girls, just because he didn't have anything else to do. And, well, he'd always wanted to know what girls talked about when they were alone.
Rogue pushed her white stripe of hair behind her ear and sighed. "I don't really want to talk about it."
"Aw, come on! That's what I'm for you know. Friends are made to talk to when you have boy problems. Spill it!" Jubilee said eagerly.
"It's nothing really. It's just that I had a small fight with Bobby again."
"A small fight? Girl, half the mansion heard you two going at it."
Rogue lowered her face to the ground and tried not to blush. When she and Bobby fought they always seemed to forget that they were living in a house filled with other people. She hated that it was impossible to keep anything secret there. She wanted to scream at Bobby, and she would prefer it if no one else heard it.
"Aw, lighten up. Everyone fights, it's no biggie. What was it this time?"
Rogue shrugged and kicked at a tuft of grass. "Just stuff. I don't even remember."
"Rogue, I know you've been with Bobby a long time and all, but maybe it's time to rethink this relationship? It seems like all the two of you ever do is fight these days. Why bother? There's plenty of fish in the sea ya know," Jubilee said with a wink.
Rogue rolled her eyes. "Yeah, you should know. You're always out fishing aren't you?"
"Well, have you ever looked around yourself? There are plenty of hot guys around. Can't blame a girl for keeping her eyes open and enjoy the view, maybe trying for a little more. I mean, have you ever been to a Danger Room session with Piotr? In that tight leather suit… Talk about tall, dark and handsome! Or, you know, if you prefer the more scruffy type there is always Logan. Even if he is kinda old. But, hey, when has that ever stopped anyone? Mmmm… Or, there's Warren. Handsome, loaded with money and constantly brooding. Yeah, to be the girl to make him to talk, or you know, even smile." Jubilee had a blissful smile on her face, and for a moment she didn't say anything. She was probably lost in daydreams, and Rogue did not want to know what they involved, it was bound to be something dirty, probably starring Jubilee and all the aforementioned guys.
Rogue was about to snap her fingers to get Jubilee to snap out of it before she started drooling, when the younger girl's eyes lit up. "Oh, and you remember John right? Too bad he left huh? You were friends with him right? Could have become something else. There's just something about the bad guy huh? Being all rebel-ly and all." Jubilee smirked and nudged Rogue in the ribs.
Rogue sighed and turned away from Jubilee, looking back at the mansion. Jubilee could keep her daydreaming to herself, at least for the moment. She was still involved with Bobby, and even if she doubted that the relationship had any future it didn't mean she was up to gossiping about other guys just yet. Even if Jubilee had a few good points. There was just something with guys in tight leather uniforms that was very appealing.
"Mmm… I can't wait for my next Danger Room sess—" Jubilee was interrupted by her cell phone and it's eerily cheery ring tone. Rogue saw her fish it up and press it to her ear before she turned away again, looking out over the forest. They had been out walking in the garden and somehow ended up in the very back. She never hung out here. It was nothing but bushes and trees, far away from where everyone else was. Kind of nice actually, to get away from everyone. Well, everyone other than Jubilee at least, but she was getting good at tuning out her. Jubilee could keep herself company by her chatting for a long time before she realised Rogue wasn't paying attention.
Rogue sat down on the grass, tilting her head back and letting the warming rays of the sun fall on her face. She was glad she didn't need to cover herself up with clothes like she had before. Having to use gloves and scarves now in the middle of summer would be murder. She much preferred the loose knee-length skirt and the sleeveless top she was wearing now. There were times she had regretted taking the cure, this was not one of them. It had been a year and a half ago now, and for most of the time it had all been great. At times she felt useless, like when the rest of the X-Men went on a mission and left her at home in charge of the mansion, but for the remainder of the time things was like before, except for the fact that her touch was no longer deadly. She took classes like the others, trained hand-to-hand combat, hung out. For the most life was good.
Except that lately she and Bobby had been going through a rough time. They had been together for ages, and had enjoyed the fact that they could touch very much after Rogue got the cure, but then things had dwindled off. They fought all the time, mostly over nothing, and it was getting old very soon. Rogue missed how they used to have it, when she was still in love with him. Now she wasn't sure she even liked him half the time. Maybe it really was time to move on for the both of them, to quit before things got too bad.
Rogue suddenly felt a hand on her shoulder and jumped slightly. She had forgotten where she was for a moment, too caught up in her thoughts. It wasn't like it was the first time that happened.
She peered up and saw Jubilee standing with the phone in her hand.
"I got to go," Jubilee whispered and pointed to the phone. "It's Theresa, she is having guy problems. And, like the good friend she is, she actually talks to me about them."
Jubilee was grinning, so Rogue wasn't too offended by it. "You just go, I think I'll stay here and just soak up on some sun." She smiled to show that it was okay, and Jubilee nodded and pressed her phone to her ear again.
"I'm coming in a sec, Theresa, don't go anywhere," she said into it. With a nod in Rogue's direction she then started off back towards the mansion.
Rogue lay back on the grass and closed her eyes. As she heard Jubilee's voice vanishing she let out a content sigh and folded her hands under her head. She loved her friend dearly, but sometimes it could get a little too much.
For a while she just laid there and enjoyed the sun. The only sounds she could hear were a faint murmur from the mansion, as well as the few sounds that came from the forest, winds ruffling through leaves and birds chirping. Maybe she should come back here more often. It seemed like a good place to find some peace and quiet, something that was nice when you lived in a house filled with people.
Suddenly a shadow fell over Rogue's face. She opened her eyes and expected to see a cloud covering the sun, but saw no such thing. What she saw was unexpected, to put it mildly. She sat up abruptly and scrambled to her feet, her jaw dropping and eyes widening.
"John?!"