Picture This
Hot damn, pictures. She sent pictures.
Charles had sent him one of Marie at graduation, but it was a picture taken from a distance, not just of her, but one with all the other graduates and she had been covered from head to toe in a black gown. Not that he didn't appreciate the gesture, but still... it just wasn't the same as having a picture of just her. Turning his attention back to the screen, Logan read the titles and grinned around the cigar in his teeth.
[Rogue on Jubes's Couch aka 'Refusing to Show the Girls']
[Rogue's Favorite Dress aka 'My Eclectic Chica']
[Rogue Thinking of You aka 'Bedroom Eyes']
Logan was amused.
Heh. She's right. Jubilee is definitely disturbed.
Never one for being patient, he bypassed the other two and went right for, 'Rogue Thinking of You aka Bedroom Eyes'. His eyes widened as he stared at the picture.
Goddamn.
She certainly hadn't looked like that when he left.
'Course, that's probably a good thing.
A slow smile spread over his face. She was beautiful, graceful, sexy... and by no stretch of the imagination could she be considered a 'girl'. Oh, no. She was all woman. His woman.
That's right, bub. Hot as fuck and all mine.
The smile got bigger - and more feral.
He was unable to stop himself from reaching out and stroking the screen with a single fingertip.
Soon, darlin'.
Logan clicked on the next one, still chuckling softly at the title.
Arms crossed on the couch, lookin' serious. Whole lotta skin showin' in that one. Just a tank top and jeans. Not lookin' real happy 'bout her picture being taken. I hear ya, darlin'. I don't like it much either. You in fronta a camera - always a good thing, though. Always.
Logan nodded absently to himself as he clicked on the last one.
Damn.
She was the only woman he'd ever known who could look sexy and innocent at the same time. He liked the dress, liked it a lot. She looked soft. Not so much in a physical way - although there was that - it was more like soft in an emotional way.
Everyone always assumed that because he was a hard man who lived a hard life that hardness was all he ever wanted to have. They never considered even for an instant that big badass Wolverine might want something soft, something gentle in his life. Was it really so hard to comprehend? Just because he had a more animalistic side, just because he liked to fight and fuck didn't mean he didn't dream about softer things like any other man.
While he had plenty of hot erotic thoughts about Marie, they weren't what got him through the nights when the nightmares threatened to consume him. Those nights he longed for her softness. He imagined resting his head on her breast, his arms wrapped tightly around her, as he listened to the steady beat of her heart and the slow even rhythm of her breathing. He dreamed of her small hands gently stroking his back as she whispered soothing things and held him tightly in the darkness. Those were the images that sustained him.
With her he didn't have to be the Wolverine. He could just be a man, just be Logan. She understood, better than anyone, that he had weaknesses the same as any other man. It was ok for her to see him that way. He knew instinctively she wouldn't think less of him for it. Those nights he imagined losing himself in her, giving himself over into her care, letting her be strong for them both. He wasn't a superhero. He was just a man. A man that felt pain and fear and loneliness just as deeply as any other man.
Nobody but Marie had ever seen that in him. She'd seen it right from the beginning. She hadn't been in his truck five minutes before she'd just gone ahead and asked if it hurt when the claws came out.
Not five damn minutes.
In fifteen years, she was the only one who had ever asked. His answer had astounded him. It just slipped right out. Every time. So, there it was, out there. Just like that. Fifteen years of silent pain and then, there it was. She'd just given him this sad knowing look. No questions. No apologies. No pity. Just understanding and acceptance. Logan smiled into the darkness, eternally grateful for whatever reasons fate had chosen to put Marie in his path.
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(Email)
Rogue,
Morning, darlin'. Glad you're back safe. Thanks for sending the pictures. You're just as beautiful to me on the outside as you are on the inside. I imagined you lots of times but... damn. You're soft and sexy and hot as hell.
[I hope you like them. Maybe they'll make it a little easier to imagine slipping off that robe?]
Baby, if it gets any easier I'm gonna have to throw myself into the nearest snow bank to keep the cabin from going up in flames. Heh.
I do wonder though, what exactly you were thinking in the one she called 'Rogue Thinking of You'. I know that according to the rules of our little game I can't ask a question like that without answering it myself... But I'm not exactly sure in this case you'd wanna hear what I was thinking when I saw that picture. Heh. Just giving you fair warning. Your call.
L
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(Email)
Hey sugar,
I'm glad you liked my pictures. I've got to confess I was more than a little nervous about sending them. It seems a little silly now though, considering your reaction. *grin*
[I do wonder though, what exactly you were thinking in the one she called 'Rogue Thinking of You'.]
Well... You wrote me this in a previous email.
[I'm having a beer so that's what I'd taste like. Well, my mouth anyway. You'll have to use your imagination for the rest.]
I think perhaps I might have been using that imagination of mine a little... but then again, there were a lotta thoughts floating around in my head just then (surrounding that particular subject). Why limit myself to just one? And you should know that I have one hell of an imagination. I think it's pretty safe to say I covered every inch of you. Some inches got covered more than once. If you're gonna do something, do it well, right? ;)
[I know that according to the rules of our little game I can't ask a question without answering it myself... But I'm not exactly sure in this case you'd wanna hear what I was thinking when I saw that picture.]
Rules are rules, sunshine. I'm waiting.
Rogue
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(Email)
Rogue,
Honest to god, woman. I swear you're trying to kill me. Wallowing in a snow bank for that amount of time just can't be good for a man. Heh. I love that you think about me like that. That you want that. I want that too, with you.
[And you should know that I have one hell of an imagination. I think it's pretty safe to say I covered every inch. Some inches got covered more than once. If you're gonna do something, do it well, right?]
Do you have any idea what reading that did to me? On second thought, don't answer that. I bet you knew exactly what it was gonna do. I gotta tell you though, turnabout is fair play, darlin'.
[Rules are rules, sunshine. I'm waiting.]
Well, baby, typically I ain't one to play by the rules, but I'll make an exception for you. I was thinking you're beautiful. I was wondering what that beautiful face would look like flushed and damp with your head thrown back and your eyes squeezed shut while those lush full lips panted against my throat. That's how it would be. The sweetness of your mouth still drying on my skin. My mouth on you. Your body under mine. All in. All of me. Just like you said. One smooth stroke.
That's not all of it, but I'm sure that wicked imagination of yours can do the rest of it justice. In fact, I'm counting on it.
L
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Logan hit enter, smiling at the thought of Marie reading what he'd just written. His smile faded. He needed to write to Charles. He'd been putting off the inevitable long enough. He was going to be coming back soon and it would be better if Charles was prepared.
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(Email)
Charles,
In your last email you asked how my end of the search was going. It isn't. Even though I had the whole damn winter to work on it, I haven't found anything worthwhile. I spent a lotta time sifting through what I already knew, and still nothing. Whoever they were, they knew what they were doing. Makes you wonder if they were so goddamn perfect how the fuck I ever got away. The way I figure it, they already fucked up once because here I am. It can't be the only mistake they ever made.
I've got a few more weeks here, but I'll be heading out soon. I figured I'd take you up on that offer to stay a while at the school. There are some things I found I need to talk over with you that I don't want sent out over the internet. Take care of the kid and tell her she doesn't have to move outta my room. I'll just take a different one.
L
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(Email)
Logan,
I trust this email finds you well. It has been some time since we have heard from you. Since our last correspondence, I regret to say I have had little luck turning up any new leads. I will, of course, continue to use everything at my disposal to continue the search. You are correct. Given what we know about the magnitude of the experiments, the odds are in your favor. It is impossible to cover up something that extensive. It is human nature to err. Considering the number of people who must have been involved, someone, somewhere must have made a mistake and I intend to find it. Time is in our favor, is it not?
As always, you are more than welcome. Our door is always open to you. As difficult as I may find it, I feel as though there are a few things you should be made aware of before you arrive. Although it is not my place, I feel it necessary to tell you that Rogue has met someone. They have been corresponding via email for some time. She is happier than I have ever seen her. I believe she is quite in love with her young man. While I do not pretend to understand the relationship the two of you share, there was a time I thought perhaps there was something more than friendship between you. I would not have you walk into the situation blindly.
- Charles
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(Email)
Charles,
I appreciate the heads-up. Expect me in a few weeks. I'm glad the kid found someone. She deserves to be happy.
L
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(Email)
L,
Hey, sugar. Hmm... I liked your 'picture' thoughts. At least you've moved beyond giving out those back massages when you're in bed with a woman. *grin* Haha :) Sorry, you really are just too much fun to tease.
[That's not all of it, but I'm sure that wicked imagination of yours can do the rest of it justice. In fact, I'm counting on it.]
Well, I'd say it's a safe bet that I have a hell of a lot more inside my head that one might imagine. Think you can handle it?
Rogue
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(Email)
Rogue,
I can handle anything you can dish out, darlin'.
L
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(Email)
L,
Can you, now? Pretty cocky for a man that's been doing nothing but just 'handling' himself for the last few months. Haha ;) Like my momma used to say, if you can't run with the big dogs, stay on the porch, sugar.
Rogue
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(Email)
Rogue,
Goddamn, darlin'. I love your fire. And yes, I can handle myself just fine. The real question is, can you? And no offense to your momma, but we already covered that one... Lone wolves don't run with a pack.
L
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(Email)
L,
But you aren't a lone wolf any more. You have me.
Rogue
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(Email)
Rogue,
I do have you, darlin'. I do. I just want to make sure. I know I asked you before if this was a game. You told me no. I need to know, baby, is this real for you? Because I won't be snow bound forever.
L
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Her answer came almost immediately.
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(Email)
L,
Oh, yes. You're as real to me as anyone. More so, I think because you're the only one who's ever taken the time to get to truly get to know me. The 'me' I hide from the world. The things you make me feel are real. What I feel for you is real. Never doubt that.
I know you won't be snow bound forever. What then?
Rogue
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(Email)
Rogue,
That's the easy part, darlin'. The only thing keeping me from you is the snow. It will be a few weeks yet, but when I can get out, I will. Do you want me to come?
L
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(Email)
L,
Don't tease me. Don't say it unless you really, really mean it.
Rogue
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(Email)
Rogue,
I ain't teasing. Do you want me to come?
L
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(Email)
L,
Oh, sugar, yes. Of course I want you to come. No typing. No clicking of keys. No disconnections. No interruptions. Just you and me. I close my eyes and imagine holding you close, feeling your warm body against mine, hearing your heart beat. Talking without words. Yes, please come.
I ran across this poem today and thought of you. No author, no title... just words. From my heart to yours.
There is no wine like the kisses of his mouth,
No draught sweeter than his lips.
Take me to your bed, my beloved;
There let us drink together.
Rogue
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