Author's Note: Sorry for the delay – I'm having the issue of not wanting to rush too fast into things but any kind of slow build up I write is too boring. So – let's just rush headlong into the next plot! Also – No-one stuck up for the ice idiot so I guess you all want him to suffer a while longer? Makes my life easier. Oh – and eh...a few of you have been commenting on my choice of whether John end up with Bobby or Jamie – that's gonna be down to you guys. And so far...by the way...Jamie's winning...

Chapter Eighteen: I'm Bored

Multiple Man wandered into the small lounge room, smiling as he found Pyro sitting curled up on the sofa, apparently sound asleep. Sitting down next to the smaller mutant, he reached out and brushed some of the hair from the pyrokinetic's face, his smile widening as Pyro screwed up his nose, his arm twitching as if thinking about batting Multiple Man's hand away. A slight frown played at the multiplying mutant's brow as he ran his fingers softly over the stitched up gash on his forehead.

"Ahem."

Multiple Man sat back quickly and snapped his head towards the door. Mystique just raised an eyebrow, a slight smirk playing at her lips. Multiple Man sat back casually, trying to regain his composure.

"Sleeps a lot, doesn't he?" he commented, glancing briefly at the fire mutant. Mystique's amused expression disappeared as she wandered over to stand behind Pyro, gently pulling at his hair to look at the wound.

"A side effect of the head trauma," she frowned before smiling ever so slightly as Pyro wriggled about, grumbling incoherently. She waiting until he settled again before she continued. "He is getting better though."

Multiple Man nodded slowly, trying not to frown too much.

"So what exactly happened?"

Mystique scowled.

"Magneto pitted him against one of the X-Men they call the Iceman" her lips curled disdainfully. "Pyro lost."

"That's Bobby Drake, right?"

Mystique raised an eyebrow.

"Yeah..." she frowned slightly. "Pyro talked about Bobby?"

"No..." the other mutant sighed quietly. "Pyro was sent to burn down a clinic. He came back in the worst mood – the red head said it was because he saw this Iceman guy."

"He saw him before Alcatraz?" Mystique's frown deepened as she stroked the fire mutant's hair, causing him to stir. The pyrokinetic had obviously omitted a few choice moments when he had recalled the events between her cure and his hospital breakout. She pursed her lips thoughtfully as Pyro blearily opened his eyes, looking first at Multiple Man before tilting his head back to look at the shapeshifter behind him.

"What?" he grumbled, frowning as he sat up, rubbing his eyes wearily.

"Nothing," Mystique replied quickly. "Multiple Man – Magneto would like to see you in the kitchen. He needs some help finishing off the new base."

Multiple Man nodded and stood, allowing Mystique to take his place on the sofa. Although he never moved his head, Pyro's eyes followed the multiplying mutant out of the room.

"Why do we need a new base anyway?" he grumbled, turning his attention back to Mystique. "I like this place."

"Being underground – especially under all that metal – helps keep out any unwanted psychics," Mystique raised an eyebrow pointedly.

"But the professor and Jean are both dead. And the underground base was always fucking cold."

"Was it? I never noticed," Mystique leaned back, crossing her legs casually, a small smile playing on her lips. "So...did I do good?"

"What?" Pyro looked at her, utterly baffled.

"Multiple Man. I did promise to take you back a man..."

Pyro scowled heavily.

"And I keep telling you I'm not interested! The last thing I need is another guy messing up my head."

"I think he already is messing up your head."

Pyro turned an un-amused look on the other mutant.

"What the hell are you, a closet psychic?" he muttered. Mystique just looked back at him with a patient, understanding, slightly mischievous smile until the fire mutant relented. He sighed heavily as he bowed his head, unable to resist a little smile of his own. "Look... he's a good guy, I'm just... I'm just not wanting anything like that just now."

"Why not? Where's the harm?" Mystique couldn't help but let a hint of disdain enter her voice. "Is it because of that silly little ice mutant?"

Pyro bit his lip as he looked up at the shapeshifter, offering her a feeble shrug.

"I don't know," he admitted quietly.

Mystique nodded slowly.

"But you and Jamie do get along...right?"

Pyro let out a small laugh.

"Like I said...he's a good guy," he bowed his head to cover up the blush that he felt creeping up his cheeks, although he was pretty sure the shapeshifter would see it anyway. "We had a laugh."

Mystique looked at the pyrokinetic briefly before standing up, deciding quickly that pursuing the conversation would not be beneficial.

"Come on then, time to get you training again," she held out a hand to help the other mutant to his feet. "Let's go burn stuff."

--- --- --- --- ---

John sighed tiredly as he made his way down the corridor towards the bathroom. It had been a long day – his head was throbbing. A shower and an early night seemed to be the best course of action. He was so distracted by his thoughts he didn't notice the bathroom door open and Multiple Man step out in a cloud of steam, barely covered by just a towel.

"Oh...sorry...I..." the younger mutant stumbled back, averting his eyes nervously. Jamie just laughed and tied the towel more securely round his waist.

"Nothing you haven't seen before," he smiled, making his way past the fire mutant towards his own room. John bit his lip, unable to resist a glance at the retreating mutant. With a small shake of his head, he disappeared into the bathroom. Now his head really hurt…

--- --- --- --- ---

… …

… …

… …

… …

Silence.

Jamie couldn't help but smile as he lay back on his bed – not a single voice to be heard. Perhaps he wasn't going crazy after all. The chance to get out and duplicate had obviously done his poor brain some good. A frown spread quickly onto his face however as the silence continued. He didn't like silence. He wasn't used to it being so quiet.

The sound of the door next to his opening and shutting soon brought the smile back to his face. He rolled his head leisurely to the side and listened as John stomped about his bedroom. A quiet laugh escaped Jamie's lips as he rolled out of bed, remembering just how beneficial a visit to the fire mutant had been last time he was bored. He quickly made his way out of his own room, knocking on John's door.

"Just a minute!" Jamie smirked at the idea of just bursting in while the fire mutant was obviously in a state of undress from his shower, but somehow he resisted. "Ok – come in!"

Jamie eased into the room, raising an eyebrow as he found the fire mutant standing back to him, casually raking through his clothes, wearing only a pair of trousers. Perhaps he was expecting Mystique? He stood briefly and just admired the other mutant, a few small fireballs dancing around the room casting a soft, flickering light over his bare back…

"Hey John."

The pyrokinetic spun round sharply, his eyes widening slightly as he found the multiplying mutant standing barely a couple of feet away. The fireballs careered dangerously around the fire mutant before he reached out his hand and brought them back under control. He had definitely been expecting Mystique.

"Hey…Jamie…" the smaller mutant flustered slightly as he ran a hand through his still wet hair. "What you wanting?"

Jamie smirked and moved to close the gap between the two.

"I'm bored…" he whispered, his eyes sparkling mischievously as he leant forward and slipped his hands onto John's waist. John's eyes widened further still as he ducked out of the way, raising his hands to Jamie's chest to keep him at arms length.

"That was a one time thing," John stood as tall as he could, trying to meet the other mutant with a level gaze. Jamie raised an eyebrow, unconvinced.

"But why? The way I remember it…" he ran his hands up the fire mutant's sides, smiling as John shivered slightly. "You enjoyed yourself…"

John closed his eyes briefly and shook his head, again trying to push the taller mutant away.

"That's not the point…" John took a deep breath and looked up at Jamie determinedly. "Look…I don't revisit past exploits."

"Give me one good reason why not?" Jamie leant dangerously close to John's face, and again the fire mutant had to look away, not trusting his eyes to agree with his mouth.

"It just feels too much like a commitment," the fire mutant muttered, trying once again to pull away, but Jamie held him tightly.

"No commitment," he said, frowning slightly, surprised at how much he disliked saying that. "Just a couple of guys…" he leant forward and managed to plant his lips on John's neck, smiling as he coaxed a soft moan from the fire mutant. "…making the most of each other's company…"

"Jamie, don't…" John pleaded, although he knew it was not at all convincing. The other mutant grudgingly pulled away, holding the smaller mutant gently but securely as he leant forward and rested their foreheads together.

"Go on then…tell me to go…" he said slowly, his voice low and hoarse. "…and I'll go."

John bit his lip as he looked up into the other mutant's bright blue eyes, knowing full well he didn't want Jamie to go anywhere. Throwing his arms around his neck, he pulled the taller mutant down into a deep, passionate kiss that Jamie happily returned. Guiding him backwards towards his bed, John pushed the taller mutant down, pulling off Jamie's T-shirt as he clambered onto his lap.

"Mmmmm…I forgot you were a bossy little fucker…" Jamie smirked, running his hands up and down the fire mutant's bare back. He let out a soft moan as John's lips found a sensitive spot on his neck. The pyrokinetic laughed, running his lips up to the other mutant's ear.

"I'm just getting started…"

--- --- --- --- ---

The two mutants rolled apart, desperately trying to catch their breath. A smile played at Jamie's lips as he rolled back to face the smaller mutant. John glanced up at him quickly from behind his floppy blonde hair before instantly averting his gaze, a slightly sheepish, bashful look coming over the fire mutant's face. Jamie's smile widened and he bit his lip to suppress a laugh. He just wanted to reach over and brush some of that stray hair away from those vibrant brown eyes and pull the pyrokinetic closer...

Well what do you know – maybe he was more than just a fuck.

Jamie gave a slight shake of the head. This was not the time to be hearing his little voices...

Told you that you just wanted to hold him...

I don't know...

Oh he is so adorable...

Fucking faggot...

Jamie rolled quickly in the other direction and climbed out of the bed, clutching at his head as he desperately tried to focus. John cast his eyes to the side but did not actually turn to look as the other mutant quickly dressed and left the room. The fire mutant gave a small sigh as he bit his lip, shaking his head slightly. Of course Jamie was just going to leave. Again. No commitment. Hell – it had been John's suggestion. The pyrokinetic frowned heavily at the empty feeling building up in him. Rolling over onto his side, John pulled his blanket tightly around himself, suddenly feeling very cold...and very alone...