Title: That Which Defines

Pairings: Kitty/Pyro

Rating: PG

Disclaimer: I don't own anything.

Author's Notes: X-Men Movieverse; written for the prompt: "fire"

xxx

Kitty shivered and inched a little closer to the dying fire.

"Sit too close to the fire and you might get burned." As he spoke Pyro sat beside her, not touching, but close enough to sense her chill. He waved a hand and the fire revived. "Better?"

"Better." She answered quietly, her eyes downcast. They sat in silence a moment watching the flames. Kitty shifted in place, her wrists felt raw in their restraints. Pyro leaned over and took her hands, Kitty flinched at the touch but still didn't meet his eyes. He adjusted the fit on the restraints. They were specially made to dampen mutation, another device the Brotherhood had appropriated from the humans. Kitty glanced over to the trees where Magneto and Mystique stood, speaking quietly. "Why are you with them?"

"They do what's necessary to protect what matters." He spoke with pride. Kitty turned on him, lifting her cuffed hands into his face.

"This is necessary?" She demanded angrily.

"If..." Pyro flushed slightly under her glare and turned away. "You would tell them where we are."

"Yeah, I would." Kitty answered loudly, her anger giving her courage. "And then we would stop you."

"Shh!" Pyro implored, grabbing her hands and pushing them down into her lap. He knew both Magneto and Mystique were aware of what was going on by the fire. Pyro had convinced Magneto to leave Kitty awake and under his care, but he knew Mystique at least thought it was a bad idea. He nodded toward Magneto to signal he had the situation under control and only when certain the older man was convinced did he return his attention to Kitty. "Look, I can keep you safe but you can't make trouble." He felt her tense with anger and tightened his grip on her hands. Kitty looked down at their hands, intertwined in her lap. Pyro's hands were warm and though his grasp was tight, it was also tender.

Looking up she asked quietly, "Why are you protecting me?" Their eyes met.

"You matter." His voice was raw. He held her gaze a moment longer then dropped her hands and moved to the other side of the fire. Kitty watched him through the flames.

Sit too close to the fire and you might get burned.

xxx

A/N: Should I continue?