Disclaimer: I don't own X-men...just Noah and his family :]
For Every Action
When the car pulled up to the front of the mansion, Storm instructed the boys to get to bed so John could have time to show Noah around the school the next day. The boys agreed and made their way up to their room, laughing at some more of George's ridiculous jokes courtesy of Noah. When they entered the room, Noah walked over to his dresser and changed into a pair of shorts and fell down on his bed.
"Hey, Noah." John started as he began to change his own clothes.
"Yes John?" Noah had a book suspended above him so he could read it with out holding it.
"Thanks." John's eyes stayed fixed on his clothes as he said this.
"I'm not sure why, but you're welcome."
"I don't think I've ever sat down to a family dinner kind of thing." John was changing with his back to Noah. Noah had released the book and set it aside.
"Anytime John." Was all Noah said before reaching over and turning off his lamp. "Sweet dreams."
"Yeah," John responded with a somber voice, "you too."
– – –
The next morning John showed Noah around the grounds and pointed out where all of his classes would be before they met up with Rogue and Bobby in the rec-room for a mini-movie marathon. Bobby and Rogue had the popcorn and were waiting for the others to join them. Noah and John sat side by side on the couch with Noah next to Rogue. She handed Noah a bowl of popcorn and said with a smirk. "Sorry sugar, you two'll just have t' share."
Noah gave her a return glance before he noticed Kitty walking in with a large, obviously muscular teen behind her. "Hey John." He whispered.
"Yeah."
"I didn't think Mutant High had a football team."
"Uh, we don't. What makes you say that?"
"The linebacker sitting with Kitty over there." Noah's eyes widened as he subtly motioned to the huge teen chatting with Bobby.
"That's Pitor," John laughed, "A.K.A. Colossus. He's Bobby's room mate."
Just then he looked over and Noah caught his attention. "Hey, I'm Noah." He smiled.
"Oh, hey! I'm Pete, good to meet you." Noah instantly noticed .that his voice was proportionate to his size.
Pete went to sit near Kitty as Rogue demanded silence for the DVD menu screen. Horror movies. Noah was glad they were doing this during the day. Horror got to him easily and he had an unusual reaction to it on top of that. As soon as the movie began, he grabbed John's hand tightly for comfort, but couldn't take his eyes off the screen.
"Um Noah," John whispered in his ear.
"What?" Noah whispered back still unable to take his wide eyes off the screen in front of them.
"You're cutting off the circulation to my fingers." John cringed.
"Sorry." He released his grip slightly but maintained his hold.
John could feel the blush start on the back of his neck. Rogue and Kitty laughed at the girl in the movie who was running into obvious danger and Noah scooted closer to John as she was caught by the monster. Why was he doing this? John was trying to resist the contact out of respect for Noah. He could feel their breathing synchronize and just began to relax when Noah whispered in his ear.
"I should have asked."
"What?" John said a bit startled, luckily on cue with the monster. He was met with a chorus of "Sh!" from the other movie watchers. "What?" He mouthed irritably.
"About using you as a guard rail." He muttered a slight smirk on his lips. He was still transfixed by the movie.
John just chuckled as the blush on the back of his neck reached around front. Kitty, who had been reaching for popcorn, looked up and caught John's eye. She looked away again, back to the movie, but now she was watching it with a smirk. John had always had the feeling she knew about him. They'd never said anything to one another about it though. His blush instantly covered his whole face as he caught her looking at him again. She almost burst into laughter but managed to contain herself. John was almost overwhelmed with embarrassment now. As soon as the movie was over, he pulled his hand out of Noah's grip slowly and then gladly got up to change the disc before anyone could have a good look at his face. Pete got up and started talking to Noah about working out, so John decided to sit next to Kitty until he came back.
"Alright the time has come," He started with crossed arms and typical scowl, "I'm gay."
"I know."
"And."
"I don't care."
"And."
"Nor have I said anything to anyone."
"And."
"Nor will I say anything to anyone until you've had a chance to first."
"And" This last remark was accompanied by a lowering in John's defenses as he dropped his arms and relaxed his face slightly.
"OK, so how hot do you find the new kid? And what was the whole moment back there?" She spoke quickly and quietly but with much enthusiasm
"He's my room mate," he said, "and I told him the other day. He didn't care."
"Well some guys are cool like that, but with him, I think it's safe to say it's more than he's just cool with it." She glanced over at Noah and Pete.
John shook his head at her and went to get up and claim his seat again but before he had a chance to get up and move, Rogue called for silence again and started the second movie. John watched as Noah asked permission before subtly grabbing Pete's hand and becoming transfixed in the movie once again. Pete didn't seem to care and was simply watching the movie along with him.
"See that?" Kitty whispered. "That's how the cool with it kind of guys act during a situation like this. Explain the anxiety, make it subtle, and don't cross any lines."
"He was being subtle with me." John whispered in return.
"Yes, but for an entirely different reason dear."
"If you say so," John got up and offered to get more popcorn and drinks. Everyone said they were fine so he went to the bathroom instead. He needed a minute to clear his head. It was amazing how fast things had changed since Noah's arrival. He'd been caught with Bobby, finally fought with him about whatever it was they had together, made a new friend, and made another friendship closer. All of those things had to do with his new roommate. He splashed a bit of water on his face and swung back into the rec room just to let them know he was going to lay down for a bit. There was a bit of protest from the crowd, but everyone had been so sucked into the movie he managed to make his escape without it being too awkward.
Up in his room, John promptly fell on his bed. He had never been comfortable with change, not to mention rapid change. He steadied his breathing and got to his feet, walking over to the window and using a combination of his lighter and his powers to light a cigarette. He took several drags off of the cigarette, releasing them in an upward direction. He flicked the end of it out the window and with a thought, caused the whole thing to completely burn up.
His eyes remained fixed on a section of flowers that were visible from his open window as his mind wandered for a moment. Thoughts of Bobby and Noah swirled incoherently through his head before he snapped back to reality. Leaving the window open he returned to his bed and pulled out a small group of books. After a small internal debate he chose to reread Angels and Demons.
Through reading John was able to escape everything: Noah, Bobby, and his own thoughts. Immersing himself in a fictional world, he began to read faster and faster. With no sense of time to accompany him, it wasn't very long before the sun had set. He stood, book in hand, and sat at his desk, smoking another cigarette with transfixed eyes. He closed the window and returned to his bed reading violently now before abruptly coming to the end of the line and slamming the book shut.
*Knock-Knock*
John jumped a little as Noah entered the room. "Hey," Noah spoke softly as he came into the room and began changing his clothes, "feeling any better?"
"Yeah," John said a little surprise in his voice "I am."
"Great, well I was hoping that you'd want to come with me then." Noah's smirk energized John slightly.
"Where would we be going?"
"The Mall. Pete invited Kitty and me and they asked me to invite you."
"Bobby and Rogue?"
"Will not be coming."
"Who's gonna drive us this late in the day?"
"Pete." Noah's smirk was becoming more mischievous. "Yes?"
John hesitated for moment even though he knew his answer already. "Alright."
– – –
Noah smiled as he looked down three levels to the ground floor of the open air atrium. Pete came up on his left and smiled to him as he handed Noah a cone of chocolate ice cream.
"So," Pete started, "where did our friends go?"
Noah chuckled as he motioned in the two directions. John was sitting at the cafe entrance to the bookstore, devouring a novel he'd only just purchased. Kitty was enthusiastically examining a few sweaters one level below them.
"Ah," Pete acknowledged, "so Kitty and Rogue have some fairly interesting theories about you, ya know."
"Is that so?" Noah spoke in between licks of his ice cream. "For example?"
"Well, they think you're rich."
"Yeah, that's only half true. I come from money but I do not posses any money."
"They think you're good looking."
"Well that's a matter of opinion."
"They also think you're gay."
Silence fell between them for a moment as both of them turned their attentions to their ice cream. Pete was the first to break the silence.
"You know I don't care right?"
"Well then, yes I am," Noah spoke softly and seemed almost shy for once, "but please don't tell anyone. I don't like people to know that about me before they know me."
"I can understand that." Pete said with a knowing smirk. It was true that as a mutant Pete was able to relate to Noah's request more than most others would. "May I ask a question?"
"Yes." Noah's eyes met Pete's for the first time during their conversation and suddenly Noah's muscles seemed to melt as he relaxed in the presence of the other teen's strength.
"I'd like to kiss you," Pete said without blinking, "to see what it feels like."
"That's not really a question." Noah's voice trembled slightly as Pete moved in closer.
"Oh," Pete licked his lips briefly, "may I kiss you?"
Noah hesitated for a moment before saying, "Sure, but maybe we-", but Pete closed the distance between heir lips before he could finish his thought.
Noah felt his body shudder as the strong teen wrapped his large arms around his waist and pulled him in. Pete slid his tongue into Noah's mouth, catching him slightly off guard and causing Noah to pull back. Pete went to kiss at his neck when Noah told him to stop.
"No Pete, listen." Noah looked out into the atrium as a small bustle of noise was forming somewhere above them. Not good. Instinctively Noah looked for John, who was standing in the door way of the book store. "Go get Kitty." Pete took off to get the girl as John joined Noah.
"What's going on?" John asked, following the other boy's gaze to the upper levels of the mall trying to find the source of the noise.
"I don't know," Noah was interrupted by a few screams and shouts of terror.
A man was standing on the metal railing of the fifth level, apparently ready to jump. By his side was a small boy tugging at his pants and begging him to come down. The man closed his eyes and allowed himself to fall forward, causing most on lookers to scream and cry for help. Noah quickly threw his hands in the direction of the man. A small burst of energy could be seen rippling through the air before it hit the man, causing his fall to slow just enough for the others to react.
Colossus donned his armor and grabbed Kitty who he promptly threw at the falling man. She quickly embraced him as their fall began to pick up in speed. Several on lookers, panicked and fled the area as Kitty and the suicidal man vanished through the floor. The three teens stared intently at the point where Kitty and the man had vanished, waiting for something before John yelled loud enough for Pete to hear him as well.
"There's basement parking!"
The three all headed for the stairs. There were three parking levels so each of them took one. Pete made it all the way to the bottom floor to find Kitty lightly limping toward their car.
She smirked and sarcastically said "Damn basements, they always throw off my judgment."
Pete let out nervous laughter before disarming himself, getting behind the wheel of the car, and peeling out of the spot. He picked the other two up on his way out of the parking structure. Once all of them were in the car, they began to ask if everyone was alright and shout ecstatically at how cohesively they'd reacted. Half way through the ride home the satellite radio cut off and began to recall the incident at the mall as an act of mutant terrorism. There was even a sound bite from the small boy, who was revealed to be the suicidal man's son, which sounded prematurely cut off so that the only thing he said was that he was "Scared."
After the major details had been covered they began a debate about mutant registration, to which Kitty responded by switching off the radio and turning to the others in the car.
"So what exactly are we going to tell the Professor?"
– – –
Author Notes: Once again I'd like to give a big round of applause to Spiras Stargate for her excellent beta reading. Thanks babe ;]
