Memories
Prompt: Zinnia (Thoughts of Friends
Timeframe: Post Season 1. Sequel to Pink Carnation
Jean finally grows tired of his begging and lets him in to see Kitty. He clutches the zinnias Ororo has given him to give to Kitty. The stems freeze over at the tips and he angers at himself. 'Control,' Bobby grumbles mentally. 'Control yourself.'
He opens the door to the med bay to see Kitty asleep in her hospital bed. She looks frail against the crisp white sheets. He squeezes his blue-green eyes shut, the image of a far too delicate Kitty Pryde tattooed to his eyelids. It is a disturbing image. She had known she was too sick to go out, but her stubborn streak had kicked in and a reluctant Scott had allowed her to suit up.
And now her condition is worse.
Iceman takes a seat at Kitty's bedside. He sets the flowers on the nightstand and takes her hand in both of his own cool ones. "Kit," he whispers.
Even after the disastrous past year, his heart still breaks to see her so helpless. He still cares about her.
Kitty stirs in her bed and opens her big blue eyes. "Bobby." She gives him a smile, a smile he does not deserve after the way he has treated her. The smile shatters what remnants of a heart he has left. It makes Bobby want to throw himself into her arms and beg for forgiveness. "I hear you're quite the hero," Kitty murmurs.
"I owed you one, after last year." His voice is stiff. He doesn't sound like himself.
"Oh, Bobby. You don't owe me anything." Her hand gives one of his a gentle squeeze, and he knows she's not mad at him. She should be mad, he thinks. He has completely ignored her for the past year, and he's seen the sting of rejection in her eyes too many times to count. She shouldn't be mad. She should be livid.
"Yes, I did," Bobby insists. "I owed you."
Kitty lets the comment slide. She notices the flowers Bobby has placed on the table. "Pretty. What's the occasion?" She has a curious look on her face that he recognizes. It's nice to have something to count on, Bobby muses. Kitty hasn't changed.
He attempts a smile. "It's a peace offering. Storm told me they mean you're thinking about friends. If…if we are still friends, I mean." Bobby ducks his head, shame staining his face.
"I'd like to be. I thought you didn't like me anymore. Because of Lorna." Kitty lets out a gasp as soon as the words are out of her mouth. "Bobby, I am so, so sorry," she says in a rush. "Really I am. I should have known not to mention it. You know it's not like that." Her expression is panicked.
Bobby takes his hands out of Kitty's grasp and cups her face. "It is not your fault, Kitty. And I'm sorry I ever blamed you. Jean told me how you wanted to go back. But you could have died if you had. I…I couldn't handle it if I lost both of you."
"Lorna loved you, Bobby. I know she did."
"And I loved her. I always will. But pushing you away was wrong, and I'm sorry. Can we please be friends again? I've missed you." It's the truth. He has missed Kitty, missed the solid warmth she has always provided him with, missed the easy smile that frequently graces her face.
"I've missed you too," she murmurs. Then she yawns. He feels guilt at keeping her from her rest.
Bobby smiles again. "Go back to sleep. Jean will kill me if she finds out I woke you up. She says you need your rest."
Kitty settles down amongst her pillows once more. "Dr. Drake. Who would have thought?" She laughs, and he knows she's only teasing. "Will you stay with me?"
He nods. "Of course."
Shadowcat falls asleep almost instantly. Bobby sighs and brushes hair out of her face. "Kit," he whispers, "I'm so glad we are still friends."
