Authors notes: Happy 2013 everybody! Hope all of you have had a good start to the New Year. So were back and running again. I'm really excited for these next three chapters and can't wait to hear what you guys think. Thank you to all of you who are still reading. As always your reviews and pm's welcomed.
Special thanks to: ShadowedDancer who is so kind as to beta this story for me. Beanie McChimp, what ever you end up reading she has probably read at least three different version of it. And BBFree for the idea for the second half of this chapter. It was exactly what the story needed.
Chapter nine: Kisses and Misunderstandings
Kurt knew Remy was right. He should just call Ororo and ask her to come over. Not only did he really want to see her, but he had also been worried about her all day. He didn't know what was going on between her and Scott, other than she didn't look at all pleased to be going to see him.
Yet some how he didn't feel like he could just call her for no reason. He looked around the room trying to think of something. His eyes landed on to her beautiful flower arrangement. Looking at them now, Kurt recalled all the times he would sit in Ororo's greenhouse during the winter months as she tended to her plants. It had been the prefect place to go when both of them were feeling restless and it was too cold to be outside. Kurt had always felt much honored to be one of the few who received entrance into her sanctuary.
Ok, now I'm just being silly. If she would let me into her private space surely a phone call and invitation is not too much.
"Good evening Kurt"
"Hallo Ororo, I hope this evening finds you well."
"I'm doing alright, and you?"
"Oh I'm fine. Nein, that is lie. I am not fine. I feel like these walls are closing in on me. I was wondering if you might bless me with your company for a little while and distract me away from my thoughts of escape?" Maybe I should have talked to her for five minutes first before jumping on her like that, or at least asked her if she had plans? "Unless, of course, you have plans. I would understand."
"Actually, I was just on my way to see a friend, but I was about to turn around because it felt rude to invite myself over."
"I can't imagine anyone would not be please to see you Ororo. You should go ahead, I guess I will talk to you tomorrow." Kurt was about to hang up when he heard shouting from the phone.
"Kurt!"
"Uh, yes Ororo?"
"Would you please just open the window?"
His eyes shot over to the window and there she was. She got me good; I was really not excepting that. Judging by the cheeky expression on her face, Kurt guessed she knew it too. With the moon shining above her, Ororo appeared as if her hair was glowing. The winds that held her up blew strands of radiant tresses every which way around her so that her whole body seemed to be illuminated. He knew some would say it was impossible, but his heart skipped a beat at the sight of her.
Kurt hit the button for the window. In one cool breeze, the room filled up with her scent and presence. She had obviously been trying to relax before deciding to come over. Now her body sported lounge attire - black yoga pants and a gray camisole. In her hands she carried pink slippers, a bottle of wine and one glass.
Putting the bottle and glass down next to the couch, she placed the slippers on her feet and then made herself comfortable on the couch.
"So we are sharing a glass tonight my frau?"
"No, we are surely not Mr. Wagner," she told him dryly as she poured herself a healthy glass. "Trust me when I say I need this after my day. Unlike some friends, I will not undermined your recovery."
"Oh," he winced. "How did you find out?"
"Tell Logan if he is going to bother to wait till I'm gone, then the very least he can do is not dump the evidence in the trash. I saw the cans right on top as I left this afternoon."
"Well schöne, he probably figured you wouldn't find it and if you did, he would not be here to incur your wrath."
"Some best friend, was he not worried you might receive my wrath instead?"
"He knows you find me far too adorable and charming to turn your full rage upon me. One devilish smile, a witty come back and I would only get about half your rage." He tossed his curls back before flashing her an exquisitely brilliant smile.
He was right of course, she really couldn't recall ever being truly mad at him. How could I ever be upset at him for more than five minutes with a smile like that? "You give yourself far too little credit, for I shall give you absolutely none of my rage."
Kurt's face lite up in triumph and he stuck a hand out to ask her for the glass. But before any words left his mouth, Ororo added, "and I shall still give you none of the wine either."
"Oh my dearest, how you wound me. Don't you know a little wine is good for the heart," he begged.
Kurt's plea fell on deaf ears for she ignored him completely as she took her first sip. He couldn't help but notice there was something very elegant in the way her statuesque physique stretched crossed the couch. Like a queen surveying her lands from a throne. "You know Ororo, if I can't have any wine I could do with the pleasure of you sitting next to me."
Her almond shape eyes did a loop while she sighed, "I suppose it's not fair for me to be so comfortable while you're stuck in that bed." Without spilling a single drop, Ororo got up from the couch. She sashayed over to the end of his bed, sitting with her legs crossed. "Even now?," she asked.
"Ja" he happily replied as he scooted next to her.
"Good then, but you still don't get any of the wine." Ororo asked how the rest of his day went and as Kurt replied, he began to notice the worn look on her face. It was clear to him that whatever had happened with Scott today, it took a chunk out of her.
"So my frau, how did the rest of your day go?" Kurt tried to be casual about it, but they both knew what he was getting at.
"It went," she replied in a huff. With her eyes half closed, Ororo skimmed the rim of her glass with one delicate finger. She felt remorseful when she looked back up and found Kurt's sour face. Ororo understood what he was feeling without the need for words. She had felt the exact same way with Remy in the elevator this morning. "Please do not take it as insult; it is no way a reflection of my trust in you. Right now the most important thing is your recovery. I'm afraid you'll going make a big hypocrite out of me if I start doing what I just told Scott and Logan not to do."
"I am not talking about the bigger picture liebe. I just want to talk about you."
"Unfortunately my issues with Scott are tied to the big picture of things."
"Knowing doesn't mean I'm involved and truly Ororo, if anyone is going to tell me just what went down in the most balanced way, it's you."
"I'm sure there are those who would disagree with you on that."
"Ororo, if you don't tell me something I am just going to have to google it. That's still a thing right?" Determined to have his way, Kurt started to gently poke her with his tail till he was able to get at a ticklish spot over her ribs.
"Haha, quit it!" Ororo yelped as she swatted the offending appendage away. "Yes, it's still a thing! And yes, I'll tell you if that's what you want - only not tonight, ok? I really did just come over to see you."
"Ok, liebe," he begrudgingly replied.
"Thank you my friend, and promise it's just between us. This way no one can chew me out later."
"As if I would let them, and I really doubt you would either."
"You do seem to be pretty good at battling on my behalf. I must be careful or I could get use to it and let you do it more often."
"With pleasure my frau, anytime. I will be fine with you catching me up on the entire drama over time, if that makes things easier for you." He looked at her face, which was now slightly covered by her hair. It dawned on him how long it had been since he felt the silkiness of her hair under his fingertips. No sooner did he move his hand an inch towards her, she tucked the hair back herself. Argh, too slow, but the evening is still young.
They continued to talk about him, eventually Kurt mentioning how stir crazy he felt. He didn't honestly think he could take staying for as long as Hank suggested He considered signing himself out by the end of the week.
Ororo was not one for using her feminine wiles to get her way very often. This time she was not above buttering up Kurt. The thought that he would leave too soon and possibly come to harm filled her with great dread. Ororo reached a lissome hand to caress Kurt's cheek. It was like a balm that instantly started to relieve his frustration. Ever the pro, she had given him just the perfect amount of pout in her lips before softly requesting, "Please don't."
Why did I think she would play fair? Kurt whined in his mind, but not truly complaining. "Why?" he asked as Ororo batted her fanned out lashes at him. Kurt knew he would give in no matter what her answer would be.
In a honeyed voice she told him, "Because I would worry about you. If anything happened to you…" Ororo couldn't seem to finish the thought. The sight of her shaking her white tresses back and forth reminded Kurt of falling snow. "So please..."
What can I say? She could ask me for the moon on a string right now and I'm sure I'd be off to find a rocket. "Ok Ororo, you win as always. I'll stay."
A look of relief came over her features and he was glad to have pleased her, especially a second later when she threw her arms tightly around him. "Oh thank you so much," she sighed. "That makes me feel so much better. "
Wrapping one arm around her and stroking her hair with the other, he told her "It's worth staying stuck in this room if it eases your mind my frau."
"Just because you are ,
"I mean that is, if you don't mind the company and all. I promise to come and help you whittle away the time."
As good as felt to be enveloped in her warmth and scent, he gently pulled out of the embrace. "Ororo, you have done more then enough for me. I will not let you put your life on hold to babysit me."
"It's not babysitting Kurt. It's spending time with a friend. A friend I happen to really enjoy spending time with. If my life is on hold, it's not your doing, it's my own. Before you woke up I had already taken a leave of absence from the team. I allowed for them to call upon me if they felt my particular skills could be of use or it was an emergency. But after Scott drove me so crazy today, I have official withdrawn from the team."
"Ach du lieber…! I saw you were upset when you left this afternoon, but I had no idea." Noticing her small frown, Kurt reached over and gave her a reassuring pat on the hand. "I know you do not wish to speak of it, but I'm sure your reasons were good ones."
Ororo sighed and took a moment to appreciate how Kurt always seemed to give her the benefit of the doubt. She hoped that she truly lived up to that kind of trust. "Thank you, I wish Scott felt the same way. You'll actually be doing me a favor. I think some time to stay in one spot and relax is exactly what I need, but you know me. If I try it on my own I'll be worked involved in something way before I'm ready or want to. Besides, if I'm enjoying myself then Remy will finally feel it's ok to leave and go patch things up with Anna."
Kurt really couldn't believe she was actually offering up her free time to him like this. Who am I to look a gift horse in the mouth? "What would we do?"
"I have no idea, but I'm sure between the two of us we can think of something. At the very least you can confirm for Emma how utterly boring I am."
"You know that's not true"
"Well let's see, shall we?"
Kurt acted like he was thinking her idea over then smirked at her. "Ok, wunderbar, I'll take your deal. I will stay put for now and you may keep me company."
"Oh so I may keep you company?" She asked pretending to sound insulted. "I didn't realize I was such a nuisance. Maybe I should go." Ororo tried to rise to her feet but Kurt's prehensile tail pulled her down and she fell back into his open arms.
They both laughed together for a few seconds. Once the laughter died down, they just sat there for what seemed like eternity to Ororo. She could feel Kurt's heart beating wildly against her back and hers felt like it was working harder then usual as well. "Uh, Kurt, were you were saying something?"
She regretted asking the instant his warm breath hit just above an ear. His accent was a little heaver right now, and while she found it very pleasant sounding, it also had her whole left side tingling. "I was saying before you so rudely interrupted, that I will stay put and you shall keep me company. Only on two conditions."
"And those would be?"
"One, that you stay for a while longer tonight and talk with me - really talk with me, about you, and a little about what I've missed."
"And two?" Now feeling his tail release her from its grip, Ororo immediately made herself stand up and turn around to face him.
"Two, is this my frau…" Before Ororo could protest, the blue devil had plucked the wine glass out of her hand.
So the deal was made. Ororo stayed and split a little more then half the bottle of wine with Kurt. While they drank, she filled him in on some of the things he had missed. However, more then she had really meant to, Ororo talked about herself - what had happened with T'challa and why she felt the need to take a break. She also confessed how these last few months had her doubting herself at every turn. Ororo wished she could blame the wine for her loose tongue. Unfortunately, she knew better. It was just Kurt. Normally, if Ororo ever let her walls down, it was always a consciousness choice unless she was completely out of control. With Kurt it had always been different, and this night was no exception. It always made her nervous how natural it felt with him. That she sometimes had left herself so unguarded was unsettling to Ororo, even with one she trusted as she did him.
As much as it worried her, she couldn't deny it felt good to share her burdens. Kurt's eyes never held judgments, his words always honest yet kind. So when Ororo left Kurt's room that night, it had been with a much lighter heart and with thoughts looking forward to spending the next couple of days with him.
What in the world they really had been doing over the last few days, Remy had not a clue. Any time Remy asked Ororo about it she gave the same basic answers - talked, ate, read, and watched TV. He didn't really buy it. It all seemed so mundane considering how ridiculously happy and content the pair had been looking. What really stunned Remy was when she mentioned that they had napped.
"You, napped?" Remy looked on at Ororo in disbelief while he washed the breakfast dishes.
"Yes, I believe that's what I said," Ororo replied, taking a dish out his hand to dry.
"But Stormy, you just don't do naps, remember? Those were the words out you're pretty mouth the last time you be sick."
"Well I guess what I should have said was I don't do them because I have never been able to. No matter how tired, I can never just zone out for a few hours in the middle of the day."
"So hanging out in a room tired you out enough to nap uh?" Remy sprayed Ororo lightly with the nozzle. He let his voice drop to a more seductive tone as he started to tease. "Oh Stormy, there definitely be something you not sharing with Remy about what goes on in that room."
"Cheeky", she swatted him on the rear with the dishrag before walking away, leaving him to finish by himself. "It wasn't about being tired. It was about being relaxed."
"Well pardon moi. How did Monsieur Wagner get you to relax?"
Ororo glowered at her best friend before going about her business of getting ready to leave. "No matter what I say you're just going to turn it into something dirty." With one good slam of her front door, she was on her way to see Kurt again.
"You're not jealous. You're not jealous," Remy mumbled to himself over and over as he put away the dishes. No you're not jealous, you're just bothered, bothered that she hasn't been home except to eat breakfast and even today you had to bribe her with bacon or she just would have taken something over to Kurt. You're bothered because Ororo is keeping stuff from you, things she is probably sharing with him. Mostly you're bothered that in the whole time since you been back, you haven't made her smile as much as she has in the last few days. You're also a little bothered that your own relationship is at a standstill.
Remy had wanted to talk to Ororo about Anna. Only that would require Ororo and him to be in the same room, or for her to pick up the phone. Finally having enough, Remy decided that if the wind rider would not come to him, he would go to her. He wanted to see what those two where doing and maybe steal his best friend for lunch.
When he got to Kurt's room, Remy found they had left the door open and the couple that Kitty had loving dubbed Kuroro was looking over a bunch of brochures spread out on Kurt's bed. He decided to hold back and see what all the fuss was about.
"Oh look, this is the one I was telling you about. I wasn't really sure you'd like it though it's a little over the top."
"Kurt no, that's perfect! It's just what I want; I hope they're not all booked up yet."
"It's still early enough. I'm sure you can get a room."
"I'm so excited; we're going to have blast. Remy is never going to believe I'm doing this!"
That little weather witch! I ask her, no beg her, to come away with me and she gives me a hundred and one reasons why we can't. Now it's ok to go away with him just like that!
"Do you want to go ahead and book online right now Ororo?"
"It says here that if I call the front desk I can book rooms, dinner, and get show tickets all at once. I'll go out into the hall where the reception is better."
"Ok, liebe," Kurt took Ororo hands and kissed them as she got up to leave. She sucked her teeth at him, but Remy could see the pink on her cheeks as she stepped out into the hall.
"Warm in there, uh Chere?"
"Remy," Ororo gasped in surprise as she stuffed the brochure she was carrying in her pocket. "Uh, is every thing ok?"
"Just fine Stormy, you seem to be having so much fun I thought and come see what all the fuss was about. Then Remy take his favorite gal pal to lunch."
"I'm sorry scoundrel, Kurt and I were about to order something in. How about tomorrow, or we could do dinner?"
Remy couldn't believe she was really blowing him off. Inside he felt angry, hurt and confused. It was all so whelming and complicated when all he wanted was for things to be simple. Then the thought occurred to Remy how simple his life might be if he could make her blush the way Kurt had just now. A permanent spot in my best friends life, a lot less drama and no more getting my heart broken. It could be a bad idea, but I've had worse.
Remy sauntered up close to his best friend and asked, "Hey Stormy, how come Remy don't ever see you blush?"
Miss Munroe considered the question before bluntly stating, "That's because blushing is for school girls and prudes, of whom I am neither."
Remy find it hard to believe that she is not aware that she been doing at least a few time, but if that's how Ororo wants to play it, Remy can go along. In his trademark velvety tone he told her, "Oh, I bet you would if maybe you had something to blush about."
Ororo was intrigued by Remy's comment, although in no way concerned by the flirtatious nature of his tone. "Ok scoundrel. I'll bite. Like what?"
"Like this." The Cajun grabbed Ororo by her waist with one hand and dug a hand through the back of her hair with the other. Remy could see confusion surface on her face as his lips descended on hers.
"Liebe are ready to order…" So that's what it means to die a thousand tiny little deaths. It had been the first time since Kurt came back from the dead that he wished he were still dead, or was hoping that maybe he was in another one of Mephisto's illusions. With a heavy heart, Kurt decided to go back inside before he did something to embarrass himself.
Although Ororo had not pushed Remy away, she also had not made any reciprocating movements whatsoever. In fact, Remy was sure she brought a chill to her lips as his own felt numb. He pulled back and put Ororo down.
Ororo stared at him blankly for a few seconds before regaining her regal composure and pointed a finger towards the staircase. She remained completely silent till they were both inside with the door closed behind them. "Goddess Remy, what the hell was that!"
"I know it's been a while chere, but surely you remember what a kiss is?" Remy casually tossed at her. His boyish smile did nothing to ease the bewildered expression on Ororo's face.
"Remy Etienne LeBeau, you know perfectly well that's not what I meant. Why in the world did you kiss me?"
"I don't know," he shrugged.
There was a certain wistful look Remy would get in his red on black eyes every once in a while. It was always a mark that Ororo had done or said something to remind the Cajun of that twelve-year-old girl he found. Right now, Remy was the one who looked like a twelve-year-old with his hands shoved in his pockets, head and shoulders slumped and topped off with a face that screamed he knew he had done wrong.
What is going on? He's been acting a little strange for a few days now. Maybe it's more than a little that I haven't exactly been around to know. Ororo thought about breakfast that morning. Coupled with his actions now, things became very clear.
"Are you jealous of all the time I've been spending with Kurt?" When he just twisted his lips while shuffling a deck of cards she had her answer. "Scoundrel, please tell me how it even makes sense that you feel our friendship is threatened so you try to make out with me?"
"It seemed like an idea at the time." Ororo would note that he never said a good idea. "Just figure it be a way to always be in your life. Come on chere, don't you ever think things just might be easier this way?"
"Exactly how would you always be in my life when all my romantic entanglements either go nowhere or crash and burn?"
"Now Stormy, we've been over this-"
"Remy, no matter how many times you say it's not true; I'm simply bad at those kind or relationships. For instance, I don't like to be number two. Not to male pride and for sure not to another woman. You and I both know your heart belongs to Anna." Ororo grabbed her best friend by his scruffy chin and gave him a mocking grin. "You didn't even put any really effort into that kiss. I always thought that if Remy LeBeau ever really kissed me, the very mountains might quake."
This brought a smile back to her loveable rogue. "So you thought about that, have you chere?"
"I'm trying to throw you a bone here and point out that maybe you're as lonely as I was before you came back. I think maybe it's time you head back and work things out with Anna. For you, and not because I want you gone."
"Hmm…not even a gust of wind uh? But that doesn't mean things will ever work out with Anna."
"Well, they won't if you stay here. Even if the first two things I said weren't true, how could I ever risk losing my brother just to gain a lover?"
"Frère?"
"Yes!" Ororo shouted at Remy incredulously. "At least that's how I always thought we both saw it. Remy, in my whole life you're the very first person who ever helped me with no agenda." Ororo felt her eyes becoming watery recalling the memory of how the lovable tramp came into her life. "I will always be grateful to Charles, but even he had a team he needed help saving and a cause he wanted me to fight for. You never wanted a thing. You could never know what that means to me. No one could ever replace you in my heart be them friend, lover, or husband.
Remy felt like the biggest heel, but also very grateful that the momentary loss of his mind hadn't seemed to permanently damage anything. "Famille, I guess that word gets tossed around so much with the X-men Remy never really thought about what it meant for us. I'm so sorry Stormy, Remy messed up big time."
"It's ok" Ororo reassured him while they hugged. "I remember feeling jealous of you and Anna a time or two. Here, I was going to wait, but I think now is as good a time as any."
"A plane ticket to Vegas for three months from now?"
"That's right. In three months me, you, Vegas and a poker torment. Team tournament grand prize is only 50,000, but I don't really care so long as we win."
Remy loved the idea and was already on board, but still asked, "And what brought this on?"
"I mentioned to Kurt that I felt bad not going away with you when you asked, and the other day he showed me an article about the tournament." Remy caught the tiny twinkle that appeared in Ororo eyes when she said Kurt's name and it confirmed that he wouldn't have had a prayer even if he had really wanted it. "So I got to thinking, when's the last time we got all dress up and walked into a room liked we owned it, just for fun."
Her voice held the promise of mischief and Remy couldn't help the wolfish smile that came over him. "Too long for my taste chere."
"Mine as well. We must make sure to find some way to thank Kurt. He has been helping to plan our trip. I registered yesterday and today he found this fabulous new hotel that's entirely themed off The Rat Pack. He thought you might get a kick out of that."
Remy LeBeau, right next to the word swamp rat be your picture. Here I was worrying about Kurt taken her from me and he really just given me that brash and playful Stormy back.
Ororo sent Remy on his way promising that the whole incident would be forgotten. That felt totally random and crazy. Thank the bright lady I get to have lunch with a sane person. She entered the room to find all the lights off and shades closed. "Kurt, is everything ok? I thought we were ordering lunch."
"I was not feeling well so I thought I would try to lie down for a while." His voice was flat, matter of fact, and so un-Kurt like Ororo instantly felt something was wrong.
"Oh I'm sorry, are the nightmares getting worst?" When Ororo mentioned napping to Remy, she wasn't really referring to herself. It was Kurt who did the sleeping as he was being plagued by nightmares. She had tried to get him to open up about the dreams, but every time she brought it up, he seemed so shaken she didn't want to push.
She went over to him with open arms. Still feeling raw from what he had seen, Kurt moved to avoid her touch. Despite how much he craved it, Kurt wouldn't allow himself to hope anymore. Being stuck in the hospital the last few days had been wonderful. He'd never spent so much time alone with her all at once. Other people came to visit here and there, but for the most part, it had been just the two of them. He felt sorry for those who would never get to know how funny or laid back she could be once one got through her intimidating facade. Kurt couldn't recall a time he had smiled so much or felt so content. His favorite moments where the little glimpses he got that told him perhaps her feelings for him were becoming more than friendship. Now that he knew the truth, it would hurt too much to be around her. Kurt wished now more then ever that he didn't have night vision so he couldn't see her tender expression.
If he let her, right now Ororo would put his head in her lap and twirl his curls between her skillful fingers while she hummed him a tune, keeping the nightmares that plagued him at bay. The temptation to let her comfort him was too great. What's the point of keeping Ororo from her happiness just to postpone my misery?
"Maybe you should just go." He quickly spat out in frustration.
Ororo was baffled by his abruptness. "Kurt, is there something wrong? Have I done something to offend you?"
"Ha, why on earth would you say that Ororo? You have done nothing but be there for me at every turn - comforting, enchanting, a breath of fresh air in this stale room. No, you have been an absolutely unwavering friend." Kurt felt the hollowness in his own voice as the word friend sunk like a stone in his throat.
"If that's the case then why-"
"I told you my...Ororo, I'm going to rest. I don't need you to take a nap and I don't need you to coddle me when I'm positive there are others you would rather spend your time with."
Kurt caught the wounded look in her eyes and he began to feel immense guilt. Truly, she had done nothing to deserve his harshness. It was not her fault she had feelings for someone else. "Kurt I already told you-"
"Ja, that your schedule is wide open. Enough, my health is on the mend. I do not need anymore of your pity. Like I said, you should just go."
He was relieved that she quickly replaced her pained look with one of contempt. "How silly of me, I thought I was here because you wanted me to be, because I wanted to. You know what? Forget it. It was my mistake - one I promise you won't happen again."
Ororo grabbed her things and left without saying another word. As much as it crushed him, Kurt forced himself to watch. Memorizing every detail of her gorgeous veiled faced, he believed this was to be the last time he would ever look upon her in person before his time was up.
End of chapter…
I hope you find the first chapter back a good one. Chapter ten is simply titled making up.
Kurt to English
Nein/ no
Hallo / Hello
Schöne/ beautiful
Ja/ yes
Frau/ lady
Liebe/ love
Ach du lieber…! Oh my dear…!
Remy to English
Frère/ brother check
Famille/ family
