Resurrected by an Angel
Things were changing so fast, Kadaj barely had time to think. The next morning, Layla and Zara took Kadaj for one last "family" shopping trip before he was picked up to go to Xavier's School for Gifted Students. Layla decided, as a sort of going away gift, she would spare no expense on Kadaj. The day was cool, with the air being misty and damp, yet not too humid. The side cafés and shops looked cozy and inviting, so the three of them departed early in the morning and Layla already had the entire schedule set.
The yellow taxi that Layla had hailed quickly and quietly brought them to Amour Clandestine, a French café close to a few shops of Kadaj's interest, whereupon arriving they purchased three mocha cappuccinos and sat silently chuckling at the morning comics. A relative hotspot for young love, and young lovers, Amour Clandestine was once the favorite haunt of Layla as a young woman, and was the location for the first time she had ever met Professor Xavier, himself much younger as well. Occasionally she would revisit the café, and the owners, as well as their children, would welcome her readily as if she were an old friend. Today, she thought it proper that from now on, Kadaj's life should only be filled with fond memories and lots of love. Heaven knows, he never really had a childhood, and Layla was determined that he should find at least someway to enjoy his last hours with Zara. They seemed like such good friends. And while Layla knew they weren't interested at all in each other like that, she knew that throughout life, it was rare to find that friend that stayed your friend through thick and thin.
Zara revisited the counter to purchase a couple baguettes, for which the café was famous for, and as they silently sat there eating them, Kadaj felt puzzled as to what was going to happen before he went to the school.
"Aunt Layla," he began without hesitation, "What's going on today? Where are we headed?"
"I've decided you need more clothes for your wardrobe before you appear at Xavier's school," replied Layla, "And before you deny it, I did see your suitcase. Just remember that."
Kadaj chuckled, "I know you saw the suitcase, Zara told me as much. However, my taste is, how shall we put it, kind of…"
"Eclectic?" Layla said with some humor, "Well, I am sure my designer can fill your needs, he is very versatile."
"Designer?!?!" Kadaj asked suddenly.
"Yes, you don't think I shop anywhere do you," asked Layla with a twinkle in her eye, "And neither will you. As soon as we finish here, we will go to his studio, and he will have everything ready for you when we arrive. I have long been one of his patrons, as you would call it, and he seemed immensely grateful to hear that you would be taking down some of his gothic collection, which are quite diverse and unique. He has ventured into every branch of design, and I am sure you will enjoy his style and designs."
Kadaj was overwhelmed. New clothes, new school, new friends hopefully, and hopefully, new relationships. Quickly finishing his baguette and cappuccino, Kadaj followed Layla and Zara through ivy filled alleyways to the studio of one Pierre Rogez. Kadaj realized he was starting over, and Layla and Zara were helping him do that. Grateful yet once more to his beloved friend and her aunt, he silently vowed that he would eventually find some way to repay them for the wonders they had worked thus far. But for now, it was time to meet the designer.
Pierre Rogez was an odd man, French in the purist sense of the word, but kind and forgiving, unlike many of the designers of the area. He took an immediate liking to Kadaj, not only because Layla was the one that brought his attention to the young man, but because he sensed in him a true appreciation for style and taste that he often did not find in similar young men. Within three hours, Kadaj had filled three suitcases with various purchases and was quite happy with the way the day was going. Soon, he realized, he needed to be back to meet the Professor and officially meet everyone in the mansion.
Layla then proceeded to fill Kadaj in on the fact that she and Zara would be dropping him off at the mansion, as it was a place Layla was prone to visit to bring gifts to the young students within its walls. That same hour, they began to pull through a pair of beautiful wrought iron gates leading to the school. As they got out, Xavier was on hand with handful of people who immediately frightened Kadaj. His body started shaking, his vision started blurring, and his mind started playing flashbacks of the violence of his previous home.
"Kadaj, are you alright?" Zara asked with alarm.
Kadaj all of a sudden, turned to bolt, and a strange woman was in his way. She was a beautiful woman, even Kadaj could admit that. Her mocha colored skin and breathtaking snow white hair struck immediate awe into anyone meeting her. But it was her large, almond colored eyes that struck Kadaj with an intensity he had never felt before. She seemed to say that he would be alright, to trust her, that she would be his friend. So trusting himself to someone for the first time since his parents, he let himself go almost limp in her arms and she held him close as he began to weep.
"Kadaj," began the Professor, "I understand that you have been through a lot of things nobody ever wants someone to experience, let alone someone young like you. However, if you will let us, we can help you to make some real and trusted friends in addition to the two you have. We can help you understand your powers, which I can tell even now, are immense. And perhaps you can convince yourself to become part of our rather large family."
"I would like that," Kadaj admitted, "Please, introduce me."
"The woman with you now, her name is Ororo Munroe, otherwise known as Storm," started the Professor, "This is Dr. Jean Grey and her husband, Scott Summers, known as Cyclops."
As he continued, he introduced Kadaj to Pyslocke/Betsy Braddock, Wolverine/Logan, Rogue/Marie, Iceman/Bobby, Beast/Hank Mccoy, Nightcrawler/Kurt. Each one in turn shook his hand and welcomed him to the mansion. Xavier began talking yet again.
"Because we determined that you have one last year of school left, we will have you enrolled in our classes," explained the Professor, "You will, in the long run, learn a lot more than you would in a normal school. We will put you through battle sequences and similar modes of action in our simulated battle room known as the Danger Room. We have many other mutants here that you will meet and interact with on a normal basis. Right now, we have a room available for you, a small dorm, and even though we prefer that rooms be shared to conserve space, you are a bit older than most of our students, so we will give you the space and privacy you deserve. Perhaps Storm could show you to your room, after which you can unpack, and join us for dinner."
"That sounds like fun," replied Kadaj, "Where are Layla and Zara going to be?"
"They will be joining us as well," replied Xavier.
As Storm led Kadaj into the mansion, he was shocked at the richness of it, the splendor in which these kids lived, and yet nothing was damaged or broken. Storm related to him the layout of the mansion, was Kadaj was able to memorize, his powers enhanced his memory and knowledge of the world around him, so it was quite easy. When they stopped in front of a door, Storm unlocked it, opened the door, and led him into the room.
"Kadaj dear," she began, "I don't know what you have been through, but I will be here if you ever need to talk, my room Is right across the hall. The rest of the X-Men are down the hall to the left. Next to you room is Angel's room, you will meet him at dinner and he knows of your coming."
"Angel?" asked Kadaj, "What is his mutation?"
"You will see for yourself then," she responded slightly amused, "Oh, and, just so you know, given that we are mutants, any other differences in likes, dislikes, sexual preferences, or anything of that nature are accepted here. And before you panic, I give this speech to every new one. Angel looked the same way when I first met him and told him that, so maybe you two will have something in common. See you at dinner."
Leaving a startled, but relieved Kadaj in his room to unpack, she proceed to join Layla and Zara in the kitchen downstairs. Kadaj proceeded to unpack, getting ready to settle into his new home. The room was sparse, but well furnished. A rather low bed, beautiful mahogany wood floors, a small closet, and a small adjoining bathroom completed the unexpected accommodations. Kadaj was stunned. There was no way this was possible, how could something this nice be his. He didn't deserve this. But if they were going to give it, then he would take it. He set about making the apartment more like him and to his surprise and no small wonder, found a bedspread and comforter like his old one in the closet and then realized these people must really be serious about this. Could he really let a family into his life? He was scared, he didn't want to be hurt, he didn't want to be hit. Could there be so many people out there who were nice, who were willing to actually love him, could he find someone for himself that would love him and hold him forever and never let go? As his mind went over these endless array of thoughts, he began to put away his clothes and to prepare his room. He was nervous about dinner. How should he dress, where should he sit, and what should he wear? Almost in a constant fret about everything caused him to totally ignore his surroundings for the present moment, so much so that he totally did not hear the person that entered his room and who was silently watching him pace in front of his window. This person quietly leaned against the floor to ceiling bookshelf, watching with sparking eyes and constant amusement, his own thoughts running through his head.
Despite the amusing situation, he had to confess he thought Kadaj was damn hot. But something stopped him, he found, or rather saw, in Kadaj, something else. Something that was bleeding, someone hurt. This person was not someone who was merely good looking. There was more than that. And beneath that exterior that was silently put up so that all anyone ever saw was the rebellious Goth, someone who shirked those who were over him, was the broken person inside. He coughed low and once, and when Kadaj turned around in a sudden, swift, and instant movement, all Warren saw was abject terror, fear, and hurt. This boy had been hurt something fierce, and if Warren trusted his own feelings, hurt to his core. The boy's violent words immediately got his attention.
"Who the freaking hell are you?" Kadaj asked accusingly.
Warren was stunned with the venom with which Kadaj delivered the words.
"I am so sorry," Warren apologized, truly sorry for once in his life, "I really meant to get your attention when I first came in, I was told you would be arriving, and I just arrived. I was running to my room next door to get changed for dinner and Ororo told me when I got here, that you were in your room. I knocked, and the door was open slightly, so I walked in. Please don't get mad. I just spent the weekend with my dad yelling at me, I didn't mean to cause any harm. Forget I even came in," he finished rather suddenly, almost in tears, and quickly ran out of the room.
Kadaj felt like breaking down and weeping right there and now. How could he be so callous to, someone who merely was standing there just watching him. Against his very nature, he was able to follow Warren out the door and into Warren's… door. Knocking quickly and letting himself in, he couldn't find him, who was he, how could he have done this to someone. Running toward the bathroom, he found the beautiful young man soaking wet, sitting on the floor of his glass encased shower. How could he have done this to him? How could he have sank so low?
"I am so sorry," Kadaj began, "I didn't mean to flip, I was just scared. Oh God, please forgive me, please tell me I can be your friend?"
By this time, Kadaj was kneeling down in front of Warren, completely soaked through by the lukewarm water in the shower. As Warren looked slowly up at Kadaj's gradually soaking body, he began to get hard at the skin tight shirt now soaked and almost plastered onto Kadaj's agile frame. The boy made him go weak, he felt his breathing hitch as the tears ran down his face. Despite the almost carefree, nonchalant attitude he so often showed to everyone around, he couldn't help but let Kadaj see the hurt person in him, the one who was scared to love. There was nothing to say, not that he was in a very good condition to say anything. He had to do something.
Kadaj was breathless, and shaking with fright. Something in this boy made him want to, no, ther was no way someone this beautiful could be like him, it never went this way. All of a sudden, Kadaj felt a pair of lips meet his own, warm, sweet and light, they took his breath right out of him. This boy was kissing him, and at first not sure, Kadaj kissed back with a passion, with a seductive allure that Warren immediately found to his liking. The warm water was running in streams around both their bodies, when Warren suddenly pulled away with fear in his eyes.
"I'm sorry," he immediately apologized, "I shouldn't have, I don't know what you are thinking. You probably hate me, please forgive me!"
"What?!" Kadaj asked somewhat astonished, "How could I be mad at you, I kissed too! You are beautiful, and I never thought it possible that I would be able to find someone even close to you to like me. Who are you and what is your name, please, let us start over completely. Beginning with that kiss…"
Warren almost fainted with pure happiness and said, "My name is Warren, my codename is Angel and I am a member of the X-Men. I know only that your name is Kadaj, and that you are new. But I want to find out everything about you."
"Angel?" began Kadaj, "What is your mutant ability? It can't be, can it?"
Sheepishly smiling, Warren slowly, almost seductively, unbuttoned the shirt snaps, and raised his pure white wings into the air. Pure white and somewhat drenched because of the water, they were still magnificent in Kadaj's eyes, and beautiful and, almost holy. And through the smear of Kadaj's eyeliner, Angel saw beauty, a darker, almost powerful form of it, as opposed to his almost assumed period of holiness because of his appearance. How true his thoughts of Kadaj's power would prove to be, as well of his inner beauty.
"They are beautiful," crooned Kadaj, as he silently, gently stroked Angel's one wing, causing him to moan with passion, and quickly told Kadaj how sensitive his wings were.
Realizing they were still on the tile floor of the shower, Angel said they should probably get ready for dinner, and so saying, he swept Kadaj's thin light body up into his arms, carrying him into his bedroom. To both boys, a powerful urge to kiss and embrace and love filled them from head to toe. Standing once more on his own, Kadaj leaned in to Angel's lips, kissing him full and unabashedly, and sliding his slender hands around to hold Angel's cute ass in his own hands. Angel thrust forward, creating a strong amount of friction, meanwhile nibbling on Kadaj's lips, forcing Kadaj to breathe heavy. Realizing in the same moment that they would be late for dinner, both silently agreed through looking at the other face, they would see each other privately later. Warm, and feeling loved truly for the first time in their lives, both boys rushed to prepare themselves and relieve their passion aroused bodies. Angel was determined to be everything for this boy, while Kadaj was hoping to find someone who would never hurt him. Thoughts of each other filled their minds, and with smiles on their faces, they, after quickly realizing how much the other meant to each other in such a short time, strolled hand in hand to the dining room for dinner.