Chapter 2: Fade out

The next morning was awkward-and not just because they were huddled into the recently cleaned up kitchen. It was breakfast time at the brotherhood house, but unlike usual, no one was talking. Pietro was barely eating, and Lance refused to stop staring. They hadn't spoken, and Toad and Freddy cringed everytime Pietro wiped at his nose or sniffled.

Eventually the speedster stands up, rolling his eyes "Jesus Christ-you all act like I'm dying." He puts his dishes on the counter and marches into the living room, the boys staring after him.

Lance gets up then-the other two happy to let him deal with the problem at hand. The staring continues. He wants Pietro to just come out with it "So...yer alright then?"

Pietro nods, scratching absently at his arm "I'd be better if you'd stop staring." He glares at the three of them; Todd and Fred mumbling concerns and heading upstairs.

"I need to know what's going on." Lance doesn't flinch when the glare shifts solely to him.

"This again-look, I don't know. I dunno what caused it-and too bad if that's not good enough!"

Lance sighs, watching Pietro wrap his hands around himself "...Alright-ok..." He brushes hair out of his face and takes in the boy next to him.

He'd dreampt about him last night, all white and gasping-but not in lust. In terror. In pain. Then the boy had just exploded into light. His own screaming woke him. Lance didn't know what to think of it, but it was making him really uneasy. He wa determined to not let anything happen to Pietro. He maybe sorta liked him...kind of.

It was an odd thought-having a crush on an arrogant, annoying, cocky bastard. Even more odd that Kitty had to point it out to him. Point out that it was obvious; with how protective he is, and how he's always watching him.

The thoughts make him shiver. Pietro makes him shiver-the boy look so cold, like ice, yet the urge to touch him is ever present.

He watches the speed demon get up off the sofa, wavering, clutching at his head "You ok?" Lance readies himself to catch him, but the quivering stops.

"Fine...need to run." He speeds off before the older boy can complain

Toad and Fred slink back into the hall "Is he gone?"

Lance was grating on his nerves. He felt fine-fine enough to act calm and like his usual self at least. Something was happening, he could feel the tickles in his veins, something changing inside him. Damn magnetism messing with him.

Like he was gonna tell them that though. Having Lance worrying was bad enough; Lance rarely worried. Got upset and anxious? Yes, totally. But worried? And over HIM of all people? he supposes he's not the only one changing.

He also supposes he should actually pay attention to where he's running.

Slowing to a stop, he finds himself in one of Bayville's pleasant little parks. He nonchalantly moves out of the immediate area when he catches a glimpse of a few X-dorks. He definitely didn't need those snobs coming across him-alone and in a weakened state. In this condition he's easily lose a fight.

Because in truth, these...'side effects' had started long before the previous night. The nose bleeds were fairly rare, but headaches, and blackouts were much more common. And they were seriously starting to get annoying.

Vulnerable is not a word in his dictionary.

Pietro's legs wobble, and he takes a seat on a nearby bench, breathing deeply. He barely registers a familiar voice calling his name-darkness already closing in.

AN: uh whoops?

Sorry that this hasn't updated 8I i figured i would have toooonnns of time to work on it and then...English happened...(i hate english.) so ya, my two weeks off for xmas starts TOMORROW which means this might just update a bit more!(yay?)

also thank you to anyone(everyone?) who's given this fic the time of day, i'm very surprised :3