Pairings: Pepper & Tony, Venom & Eddie, Steve & Loki (explicit), Gambit & Rogue

Explicit Content: Body Painting, light Wax Play, Anal Sex

Warning: Contains spoilers for Venom

When Tony walks into the living room, he sees Pepper staring at her tablet, a cup of coffee in her hand, while Nicholas watches cartoons on the tv. "Please tell me you aren't working. We said no work on Saturdays."

Disbelief hushes her tone. "Carlton Drake is dead."

"Carlton Drake? The Elon Musk wannabe?" He tries to look over her shoulder. "Does this have anything to do with his rocket blowing up?"

"Turns out he was in it."

"He was in it? Was he supposed to be? I thought it was an unmanned flight."

"Apparently not."

"I'm surprised it was him," Tony says. "He usually left the hard work to his underlings. At least that's what I've heard. He's lucky it happened on a Friday night."

Pepper gives him a disapproving look. "Lucky?"

"The company I mean. The stock price may not tank if they can get in front of it." He looks at her surprised she hadn't thought the same thing. Then he realizes she probably had. "He was really in that ship?" he asks to smooth over the blip of discomfort.

"Yeah." Noticing him tense, she touches his arm. "Are you okay?"

"Just…" Fucking space. "They have no idea what's out there. If he had been in New York during the invasion, he wouldn't have been in such a hurry to go to space."

"You'd think. But some men think they're untouchable." She takes his hand. "Like you used to."

"I haven't thought that way in a long time. Do they know what happened?"

"No. They're gathering the wreckage to see if they can figure it out."

"Did he have any family? Wife? Kids? Husband? Dog?"

"No, not that anyone knows about," Pepper answers. "It's so sad." She leans against Tony wanting to feel his warmth.

"It is." He gently takes the tablet away from her and sets it on the table. "We should go to the beach. I can call up Rhodey and Rae and see if they have plans."

Nicholas turns to them. "And Marika?"

"I don't know," Tony teases. "She may have other plans."

"She doesn't," he insists.

Pepper assures him, "We'll invite her, too."

"Thanks, Mama." He turns back to his cartoons.

"What?" Tony asks when Pepper gives him a pointed look. "It was just a little fun. I was gonna tell him."

"You better call now."

"Okay. Okay," he says as he gets up. "I need some coffee first."

xxx

Scott Lang lies in bed reading The Color Purple. He cries without shame as he takes in the words, the emotion.

Of course that's when the doorbell rings.

He wipes his eyes as he tries to remember if he's expecting company. Maybe it's Loki. After folding down the corner of the page, he goes to see who it is. "Coming!"

It is not Loki.

Scott narrows his eyes as he tries to remember the man in front of him. "You're the reporter, right? Boyfriend of my lawyer."

"Ex boyfriend," the man says. He looks a bit scruffy, like he hasn't slept or maybe slept in his clothes. "Eddie Brock."

"Right. How are you?"

"I'm pretty good all things considered. You? Looks like you've been crying."

He wipes his eyes again. "Yeah. Sad book. Come in. I'm surprised to see you. Can I get you some tea? Coffee?"

"Coffee would be great." He looks around. "Nice place."

"Thanks. Kitchen's this way." Scott gestures before heading toward it. He wipes his cheeks again just in case they're still wet. "Sorry it didn't work out between you and, uh," he snaps his fingers, "Anne." He's proud of himself for remembering.

"Thanks."

He grabs a mug, turns on the coffee machine, puts coffee in his re-usable pod, and puts that in the machine. "Do you take cream or sugar?"

"No. Thanks."

The coffee maker is loud as it heats up the water then streams through the cup and into the mug. Scott waits for it to finish. "I've got cookies."

"Just the coffee," Eddie says. He gives a small smile of thanks when the mug is handed to him. He smells it first. Then he takes a drink.

Scott leads him to the dinner table where they both sit. He waits what he feels like a reasonable-bordering-on-uncomfortable time before asking, "Is there something I can help you with? You got a security problem?"

Eddie rubs his forehead. "You could call it that." He gathers his thoughts. "You were one of those Avengers, right?"

"Uh, kind of?" He wrinkles his nose. "It was more of a Secret Avengers / ex-Avengers thing. But, I mean, I did fight alongside Captain America. Not to brag or anything."

Leg bouncing up and down, he asks, "Hulk wasn't one of them, was he?"

"Afraid not. I heard a lot of stories about him though. Why do you ask?"

He takes another gulp of coffee. "Something…happened to me a few days ago. I thought maybe he'd… I don't know."

"What happened?" He leans in. "Did you turn into a rage monster?"

Licking his lips, he considers the words. "Turn is not exactly the right word."

"What is the right word?" Scott prompts.

"Don't be scared, okay?"

"Okay." He's 75% sure he's going to be scared. He ends up being about 30% scared and 30% disgusted when he sees black goo seep then pour out of the reporter, covering the man completely. A mouth seems to swallow the man's head from behind. It takes a moment for Scott to be able to speak. "I don't think that's how Dr. Banner changes into the Hulk."

"Told you," says the black gooey creature with the huge mouth full of sharp teeth. His voice is deep but breathy.

Scott is pretty sure he isn't talking to him. But that's not what makes him say, "I'm starting to think I should be scared." It's the teeth that make him say it.

"I promised Eddie I wouldn't eat you."

"Great. I feel so much safer now." That is a definite exaggeration. "So you and Eddie are different…beings?"

"Yes. I am Venom," the creature replies.

"Nice to meet you. So how did…?" He points at him but moves his finger back and forth a few times.

"I travelled from space. Found Eddie. He is mine now."

"Yours?"

"Yes." He turns his head slightly. Then as suddenly as it appeared, the black goo seems to slurp back into Eddie's body.

Scott stares at him in amazement. "Wow."

"Yeah."

"That's really from space?"

"Yeah." He gulps down some coffee.

"Definitely not like Hulk. Hulk came from a gamma radiation accident. Not space."

"Yeah but they share the same body like Venom and I do. Thought maybe he might have some tips."

"He's not even on Earth right now," Scott tells him. "I could maybe get a message to him, but I don't know if he'll want to come down what with the Sokovia Accords."

It's clear from Eddie's face he hadn't thought about the Sokovia Accords. "Shit." He runs a hand through his hair. "Hadn't considered that." He shakes his head. "Nah. I'm not gonna sign 'em."

"Are you sure?"

"I don't plan on doing any super-heroing," he explains. "I just thought Hulk might have some pointers on how to deal with a symbiote living with you."

"Hulk isn't a symbiote."

"Huh. You don't happen to know anyone who is, do you?"

"Not off the top of my head."

"Eh, this was always gonna be a longshot," Eddie says with a shrug.

"Sorry I couldn't be more help." Scott offers, "I can maybe introduce you to Bruce's ex. He might have some pointers or something. I don't know. He's a mutant."

"He? Huh." He hadn't known Hulk's alter ego was gay. "Nah," he decides. "That's okay. Venom and me are figuring it out. I've laid out some ground rules, and so far he's following 'em."

"Don't come out when people are around. That sort of thing?"

"Yeah. Only hurt bad people. Only eat really bad people."

"Eat?"

"Just kidding." He smiles. "Kind of. He likes tater tots and chocolate. But I'm trying to expand his horizons to other things."

"Chicken nuggets are usually a big hit. And pizza." There's a pause. "And you're really okay?"

"I am. It was rough goin' the first couple of days, but we've gotten used to each other now." There's a smile he used to get when thinking of Anne. "Can't imagine my life without him now." He scratches the back of his head. "Truth is, my life was a mess before he showed up. Now we're getting it together. We feel…good."

"That's great, man. Really great. And you're still reporting?"

"Yeah. I just posted a story about Carlton Drake."

Scott is surprised. "The CEO that blew up in the rocket?"

"One and the same. He was doing experiments on homeless people."

"Geez." A thought comes to him. "Your friend didn't eat him, did he?"

"What? No." He says again, "No. He was alive in the rocket."

"Okay. Wait. How do you…" He stops himself from asking the question. "You know what? Never mind. I'm glad things are working out."

"Thanks. Hey, how are you? How has house arrest been?" Eddie asks.

"I get a little stir crazy sometimes. Helps when Cassie comes over. Cassie is my daughter," Scott reminds him. "It also helps that you can pretty much get anything and everything delivered now."

"Yeah. Not much longer though, right?"

"Two months, four days, and," he checks his watch, "about 11 hours and 22 minutes give or take depending on when they actually take the monitor off. Not that I'm counting."

"Of course not. Why would you?" Eddie replies. "The closer it is, the harder it must get."

"Yeah. I hate that. But I can do it. For Cassie," he says while nodding.

"She still think you hung the moon?"

He beams. "She's the one who hung the moon. Best thing I've ever done. She did get me a trophy a little while back. Wanna see it?"

"Sure." Eddie thought he and Anne would have kids someday. They never made it passed getting engaged. Now she is happy with someone else, and he has Venom. He's actually okay with that now.

xxx

Remy LeBeau never thought it would be this difficult to get out of getting married. This meeting with Bella Donna's brother Julien was supposed to be about brainstorming how they could prevent a marriage from happening. Neither man wants it to happen. But somewhere along the way, Julien decided that Remy's desire to get out of the marriage was disrespectful to his sister. "Wouldn't it be more disrespectful of me to marry her if I don't love her?"

"So you don't love her."

"That's what I been sayin'." He's trying really hard not to get upset.

"Why?" Julien asks. "She not good enough for you?"

"Opposite. She too good." He's not above telling people what they want to hear. "She deserves someone better."

"True that."

"So what are we gonna do?" He presses. "Do we gotta convince her or your daddy?" He really hopes it isn't both.

"If we can convince Belle, Daddy won't be able to say no," Julien tells him.

"Bon. How we do that?"

Julien considers. "We get her mad at you."

"She been plenty mad at me lots of times. How this time gonna be different?" Remy asks. "Be easier to find her a new beau."

"That could work."

"I'll leave that to you then seein' as how she's your sister." Hand in his pocket, he runs his fingers along the sides of his cards. "I'll be out of town for a while."

That catches Julien's attention. "Job?"

"Wouldn't you like to know," Remy replies. "I'll be back soon enough."

"You sure I can't just kill you?"

"You do, and I swear I'll haunt you the rest of your days." He suspects Julien might try to kill him anyway. It's not the reason he's leaving New Orleans, but it makes it easier to do so. "I'll expect to hear your plan when I return." He leaves, heads for home. He needs to make sure his cat has food and water before heading north.

Marlene Dietrich greets him with a series of meows.

"You're here." He pets her. "I'm gonna be gone a few days. You know the drill. No wild parties while I'm gone." He scratches her under the chin.

She has other plans, crawling into his bag as he packs.

"Marlene, you wanna come with me, girl?" He scoops her up and holds her against his chest. "Not sure you'll like it where I'm goin'. Not sure I'm gonna like it." He kisses the top of her head before setting her on the floor. "Don't worry. I'll probably be back sooner than I like."

xxx

One of Vali's favorite things about Earth is being carried on Pietro's back as he races around. He's never gone so fast. It's fun and kind of scary.

"I need rest now," Pietro says. He's pretty sure they're in the northernmost part of the Philippines. He sets Vali down. "Did you bring oranges like I asked?"

He digs in his backpack and pulls out four oranges. "Here you go."

"Thank you. You are a good boy." He immediately peels one.

Vali watches him. He knows Pietro is a twin like him, that he didn't become fast until pretty recently, that he lost his parents at a young age. "Did you have to go to school after your parents died?"

"I did. Then the school was destroyed. We learned outside after that. Nice in summer. Cold in winter."

"You had to go to school in summer?"

"Sometimes. But even out of school we never stop learning. That is what Wanda says."

"Do you agree?" He didn't always agree with Narfi.

"Not always. And I hate admitting when she's right," he says with a wink. "But in that she is right. The stuff we learn outside of school is more important in my opinion. Well, besides reading and writing. Maybe some maths." He looks at the boy. "You must have learned many things on that planet."

"Sakaar," he supplies. "I learned a lot about power – who has it, how they use it."

"Those can be dangerous lessons. We do not want to be like those who only use power for themselves. Then we become them." He scowls. "And I will never be like Stark," he vows.

"I will never be like the Grandmaster," Vali says in the same tone.

Pietro holds out his fist and nods when Vali bumps it with his own. "We are better than them. Proud. Heroes."

"Heroes." He frowns. "I'm not a hero. If I were, I would have freed all the slaves on Sakaar."

"We have limits," Pietro reminds him. "I could not save everyone in Sokovia. Wanda could not save everyone in Laos. Steve says no one can. I believe him. He's Captain America after all. Well, was. He's better now. Nomad. A hero for everyone, not just America."

"I believe him, too." He tries to look on the good side. "We did start a revolution before we left."

"There you go," Pietro says with a laugh. "That is something."

"Yeah."

"Must have been strange going from prince to slave and back again."

"I don't feel like a prince. Were you a prince?"

"Only in my mother's eyes," he replies. "I've never been a slave either. Except to hunger."

"Being a prince is much better."

"No surprise there." He eats another wedge of orange.

"No. But I like it here, not having to be either. I just wish…"

"Your brother was here?"

Vali nods.

"Helena says your uncle is with him, and someday you will be reunited. You know this with certainty. I envy that."

"You do?" Vali has a hard time believing that.

"I do. You see, I do not know if I will see my parents again. I do not know where they are," Pietro tells him. "I almost died once. It was after I got my power, when Ultron tried to destroy Sokovia. We were trying to get people out." He pulls the last two wedges apart. "Wanda tells me she couldn't feel me. She thought I was dead." He looks at the wedge in his right hand. "I did not see my parents."

"What did you see?"

"Nothing." He finishes his orange and peels another.

"How come Wanda can do magic but you can't?"

"No idea. But our powers are suited to us. How does it feel to have a brother who is a horse?"

"Fun. He used to let us ride him when Grandfather didn't need him. He'd go fast. Not as fast as you though."

"Ah. Now we know how you got your love for speed." Pietro points at him.

"Are you going to marry Helena?"

Eyebrows and a blink are the only evidence of surprise at the question. "Probably not."

"Why not? Don't you love her?"

"Yes. But I will get old and die before she gets even a single wrinkle. That is not a good thing."

"You could become Asgardian like Step Da," Vali suggests.

"I don't think I'd qualify. Besides, I like being me as I am." He pops an orange wedge into his mouth. He chews, swallows. "Did Helena ask you to ask me about that?"

"No. I was just wondering. Do you think she'd be mad at your answer?"

"She'd be hurt probably. I don't know about mad." He shrugs. "We haven't really talked about the future. Though I did meet her mother." He gives an exaggerated shiver that makes Vali laugh. "Formidable."

xxx

Loki lies face-down on the bed. He's naked of course. There are no covers, just the feel of the brush Steve is using to paint his back. The bristles are stiff, scratching his skin. The candles fill the room with the scent of vanilla and citrus. There is a mirror places strategically so that he can watch Steve as he paints. "Enjoying yourself?"

A smile appears on his lips. "I am. Kinda sad this is gonna all wash off though."

"You'll get to wash is off me at least."

"That's true."

"And you can take pictures before you do."

"I can. I'll have to do it before I mess it up."

"Are you planning on messing it up?"

"Your ass is too tempting not to," Steve tells him.

"Thank you. Yours is pretty spectacular, too. Even when it's covered by boxers." He blows him a kiss through the mirror.

"Thanks, Kitten."

"What are you painting?"

Steve has a really strong urge to say "your back" but stops himself. "A sunrise."

"A sunrise. How very optimistic of you," Loki says.

"I like sunrises."

"I prefer sunsets. You don't have to get up at an unseemly hour to enjoy one."

"That's what makes sunrises special. Not everyone gets to see them." He kisses Loki's shoulder then continues painting.

"You're going to have to make this more painful or erotic when you're ready to fuck me."

"Maybe I just want to suck you off. Or maybe," he bends down close to his husband's ear, "I'll just talk to you until you come."

"You could try. Might take a very long time. Pietro & Vali will be back before then."

"I'm surprised they aren't back now," Steve replies. "But Clint promised to keep Vali occupied until we came down. Still not sure we should be letting him teach him archery."

"If you're this protective of Vali, how are you going to be with our children?"

"The same." He adds, "I think. But that won't be for a long while. Unless…"

"Unless we somehow get rid of the Sokovia Accords sooner?" Loki asks.

"Yeah. That's what I meant. Having a kid while we're in hiding would be a bad idea." He adds blue to his brush and keeps painting.

"It would certainly make it difficult. Though I wouldn't mind practicing for when we are ready to conceive." It's his attempt at steering the conversation back to sexy things.

"Oh yeah? One of us is going to need a vagina then."

Loki doesn't know if Steve intentionally avoided saying 'woman', but he is pleasantly surprised all the same. It makes him love his husband more. "Well if I'm to be the one who will be carrying, I suppose I'll need to be the one with the vagina."

"That means I'll need to be the one with the penis. When we're practicing," he adds.

"And when we're not practicing?"

"Then it won't matter what combination of genitalia we have. Two dicks. Two vaginas. One of each. So long as I get to have you."

Yes, Loki likes this conversation much better. "Those could be some interesting combinations. We've never role-played as women before."

"Any women in particular?" Steve asks.

"Hmm." He tries to think of fictional women first. "Mina Harker and Lucy?" It's been a long while since they've done any Dracula role-playing. "Perhaps Elsa and the dark-haired tribeswoman? I can't remember her name."

"Well then that's out."

"Daphne and Velma?" None of these spark his imagination. "Perhaps Cleopatra and a servant."

"I'm sure we can come up with something," Steve says as he blends the colors on Loki's back. He takes a moment to look at his work. Setting the brush aside, he takes the candle that has been burning on the nightstand. He tips it seven times, dotting Loki's upper back with white splotches on the blue sky.

Loki hisses and grunts at the heat. It didn't come without warning, but he had forgotten just how hot the wax would be. "Well that was exhilarating."

"Was it? Do you need more?"

"It gave my cock a wiggle. If you want more than that, then yes."

"Just a wiggle, huh?" He places his hand on the bed between Loki's legs and slides it beneath him. "Feels like a little more than a wiggle."

"Now it is thanks to that man-handling." He grinds down into Steve's touch. "You handle me so well."

"Good thing, too. Wouldn't want you getting bored. That never ends well." He leans down and bites the firm ass.

Green eyes close to better feel the teeth digging into his flesh. "Are we moving into stage two?"

"Thought this was stage three," Steve replies before licking along Loki's crack.

"Whatever stage, it is very enjoyable." He feels the rush of blood to his cock making it swell with need.

"Let me get a picture of this before I mess it up." He slides his hand free, silently chuckling at the groan of annoyance from Loki. "It'll just be a moment."

"Tell me when you've gotten it."

There's a pause, longer than Loki would like. The growing anticipation starts veering into frustration as his cock presses against the bed.

"I've got it."

Loki lifts his ass off the bed, swaying it in what he believes is a seductive manner. He reaches behind, giving it a slap before rubbing his palm over it. "What do I have to do to get you in here."

It's working. Steve's eyes dilate with arousal. He gets off the bed and stands where his husband can see him and the definite tenting in the white boxers. He pulls them down to where just a hint of his pubic hair can be seen at the waistband.

He licks his lips at the sight. "You do know how to drag on the anticipation."

"I know how important it is to you, Kitten."

"This kitten wants to play now. Show me. Show me what you're going to fuck me with. Show me what you're going to use to make me scream your name."

Steve yanks down on the white material. The elastic band scratches over his erection before it's freed. The boxers pool at his feet.

"You are glorious, my Darling. Touch me. Take me. Use me."

He grabs the lube and slathers some on his cock using long strokes. His eyes shift to Loki.

"I swear I could watch you masturbate and come without ever being touched so long as you look at me like that while you're doing it."

"Maybe we'll try that another time. Right now, I want your ass."

"Take it. Take it hard." He tries to relax his body, but the anticipation has his muscles humming.

Steve gets onto the bed, positioning himself at the ass being offered to him. Spreading Loki's cheeks, he uses the tip of his tongue to rim over the tight anus.

"Fuck. Just… Please…"

"Please? Now I know you need it."

"I do."

"Like this?" He presses the pad of his thumb against the anus.

"More. You know how I need it."

"I do." He rubs Loki's ass, gives it a couple of slaps, and pulls it wide before thrusting into him.

"Fuck! Yes!" The intrusion is painful but accompanied by that most intimate pleasure. "Oh, Steve."

Steve barely moves his pelvis, giving three miniscule thrusts before pulling almost completely out. Then he rams into him, their bodies meeting in a satisfying slap. He varies his motions. A small circular motion is followed by a hard push then a slow wave before he gives three quick thrusts then returns to a slow drag out.

Loki grasps his pillow in his hands. He hates being kept guessing like this, hates the interplay between rough and gentle moves. And that's why he loves being treated like this. He gets off on the frustration, the need that never seems to be met. "Steve, please," he gasps.

He can only sustain it for so long until his own body needs more. But he tries to keep at it at least until he feels Loki's trying to get more. Then he thrusts with more and more force, picking up speed and friction that makes his muscles tense and the gentleness completely disappear from his movements. He has his own needs after all. "Don't. You. Dare. Come. Be-fore. Me," he says, each syllable punctuating a hard thrust.

Long fingers dig into the pillow as Loki does his best to obey. But then Steve hits is prostate, and it's all he can do to hold on.

"Now," Steve calls when his orgasm hits.

Loki's immediately follows.

There is a long moment of bliss. Steve pulls out slowly and helps lower Loki's hips onto the bed. "You okay?" he asks as he strokes the dark hair.

"I'm perfect. You?"

"Same." He kisses his husband's cheek. "I'll get you cleaned up."

"Don't. Well, do, but do it in the shower."

"You got it." Steve gets off the bed. He picks Loki up and carries him to the bathroom for a nice long shower.

xxx

The sun is setting into the ocean. Pepper is sitting in a fancy camp chair. If she shields her eyes, she can see the Nicholas and Tony at the water's edge. It's a nice way to end the day.

Beside her, Rhodey is keeping an eye on his wife and child in the ocean.

"I keep thinking about Carlton Drake," she tells him. "Dying in that rocket. Knowing you and Tony fly around in your own person rockets."

"It's different," Rhodey assures her. "Tony is a better engineer for one thing."

"Doesn't make it any less frightening." She rubs the goosebumps springing up on her arms. She tells herself it's from the ocean breeze but knows that's probably a lie. "I don't know how Rae copes every time you go out in that suit."

"Probably the same way she did whenever I was deployed. She tells me it helps to talk about it with others who are going through the same thing. Maybe you and she should have a girl's day. Pardon me. Woman's day."

Amused, Pepper wonders if Rae has corrected him on that before. "Maybe. We've talked about it before. And we're both glad you two aren't wearing the suits as often."

"You can thank the U.N. for that." He sees movement in the water. "Looks like they're finally coming in."

"At least Marika hasn't decided to take up surfing."

"If she does, I'm going to accidentally let her watch Jaws."

"Accidentally?"

"Yep." Rhodey looks at her. "Tony said you two were thinking about having another baby."

"We are," she confirms. "I don't think we're going to be actively pursuing it though. I'm probably just going to get off birth control and see what happens."

"That's brave."

"Not really. But I figure if it happens it was meant to be."

"Tony is okay with that?" he asks.

Pepper nods. "He's mellowed since..." She glances at his legs.

His voice is steady, almost emotionless when he finishes, "Since I got shot out of the sky while chasing our friends and becoming paralyzed?"

"I was going to say 'your accident', but yes."

"I think it's probably more Nicholas than me."

"Maybe." She asks, "Have you and Rae thought about having another baby?"

"We've thought about it. But we can barely handle this one. She runs circles around us. Not just literally either. Her negotiation skills are scary," he says. "I swear she could negotiate the next nuclear deal and come out on top."

That makes Pepper laugh. "That good, huh?"

"We came this close to adopting a dog," he tells her with a gesture. "Instead we pushed back her bed time by half an hour. I'm convinced that's what she wanted all along. She's tough."

"Sounds like it. Nicholas doesn't have to negotiate. He just asks Tony."

"Tony is a softy," Rhodey agrees. "But he's a great dad."

"He really is." Her eyes find them again, her husband and son. She loves them with her whole heart.

"This is the part where you tell me I'm a great dad, too."

Pepper opens her mouth to reply.

"Daddy!" Marika yells as she runs out of the water. "Did you see? Did you see?"

"I did." He leans over to get her towel out of the bag. "You were amazing."

She walks closer and gets wrapped in her towel. "I like the waves," she says as she dries her face with the corner of it.

"Better than bubbles?"

She stills as she considers it. Her face scrunches up. It's obviously a very hard choice. "Yes," she decides. "The waves are more fun. But the sky is going to be even better," she decides.

Pepper looks at Rhodey. "The sky?"

"Marika has decided she wants to join the Air Force like me."

"Yep," the little girl confirms. "I'm going to fly like daddy and Uncle Tony and Colonel Danvers. She's Captain Marvel," she tells Pepper. "But I'm not gonna fly like Captain Marvel. I'm gonna fly airplanes like she used to."

"That sounds like a much better option," Pepper replies. "So you don't want to be a doctor like your mommy?"

"Nope. I'm going to fly."

The thought gives her an uncomfortable knot in her stomach and makes her wonder how she'd react if Nicholas ever made the same declaration. She hides it as best she can and instead smiles at the girl in front of her and says, "I'm sure you will."

xxx

Remy looks at the shiny brass sign on the side of the pillar from his rental car. 'Xavier's School for Gifted Youngsters' is written on it. Now that he's here, he's even more nervous than before. He rolls down the window and presses the button next to the speaker.

"Yes?" a voice prompts.

"Hi. I'm lookin' for Rogue. She one of the teachers here."

"I know who Rogue is. Is she expecting you?"

"No," he admits. "No, she is not. But I'm still lookin' for her."

"And you are?"

He considers lying or trying to be vague. In the end, he answers, "Remy LeBeau."

"Hang on a moment."

He rests his elbow on the door and his head against his fingertips. This might be the shortest trip ever.

No. Even if she refuses to see him today, he'll come back tomorrow and the day after that and the day after that until she will see him.

His fingers drum against his skull as he waits. He also fiddles with the radio and the temperature controls and inspects the interior of the car including the glove box and

"Remy LeBeau, you have some nerve comin' here."

He can't help but smile. "It's good to hear your voice even if it's yellin' at me."

"Oh I haven't even started yellin'."

"Does that mean you'll talk to me?"

"No it does not. You can turn right back around and go right back under the rock you crawled out from," she tells him.

"I can turn around, but I'll just be back tomorrow," he warns her.

"You do, and I'll turn you away again."

"I'll just be back the next day. Wouldn't it be better if you just saw me today and got it over with?"

"Fine. Talk."

"I ain't gonna talk like this."

"Well that's your choice."

"I brought you some beignets." If this doesn't work, he'll leave for the day.

"Beignets? From New Orleans?"

"You know it. Got 'em before headin' to the airport."

"Fine. But you ain't stayin' long." As she talks, the gate starts to swing open.

"See you soon." He puts the car in 'drive' and follows the now-unobstructed driveway toward the school.

The building is impressive. It looks more like a manor house than a school. Remy parks the car in front of the building. He leaves everything in the car except the bag of beignets, his cell phone, and the keys. He puts a hand in the pocket of his long brown coat to feel the deck of cards he keeps there, sliding his fingers along the edges. He slowly walks up the steps trying not to feel daunted by the grandeur. No, not the grandeur. He's from New Orleans. He's used to old grandeur. It's the feel of North-Eastern intellectualism. The Yankees he's met tend to look down their noses at him. Makes them easier to con, but it still messes with his ego. He can't help but wonder how Rogue can live here. Maybe it's different inside.

The door opens before he gets to the top step. Rogue steps out and leans against the doorframe. "Those the beignets?"

He hands her the white paper bag. "Half a dozen in there for you." He'd forgotten how pretty she was, particularly with that fire in her eyes and her jaw set like that.

She takes it and looks inside. They're covered in powdered sugar and smell like heaven. "Thank you." She steps back inside. "We can talk in the library."

"Fancy." He walks into the house and discovers it's as pretentious on the inside as it is on the outside. "You really live here?"

"I do."

A new voice interrupts. "Thought I smelled fried bread and thief."

Remy turns. His heart jumps with apprehension, but he plays it cool. "Logan. Didn't know you'd be here."

He moseys over to where Rogue is. "Now you know." His eyes move to the white bag. "At least now I know why you let this Cajun in."

"I'll let you have one after he leaves," Rogue promises.

"Want me to stay?"

She shakes her head. "I can handle 'im."

"Okay." He glares at Gambit. "You try anything, and I'll rip you to shreds."

Remy holds his hands up. "All I want is to talk, explain things."

"Come on then," Rogue says. "Let's get this over with." She leads him to the library. "Logan is serious you know."

"Logan is always serious," he replies. "Too serious if you ask me."

"I didn't." She takes a seat, putting her feet beneath her on the chair. The bag of beignets rests on her lap. "You lied to me."

This is where he'd normally try to talk around it and explain how it wasn't really a lie, but he knows that won't work with her. "I'm sorry. I should've told you the truth. Thing is, I didn't expect to fall for you so hard."

"How many times have you said that to a girl?"

"This is the only time I've meant it."

That doesn't even warrant an eye roll.

"I messed up," he admits. "Truth is the arrangement was made when I was a child. It wasn't somethin' I ever wanted. I was fine with it, because I never expected to meet someone like you."

She's not falling for any bullshit. "Someone like me?"

"I don't have the words. Anything I say wouldn't even come close to how amazing you are."

She wants to believe him. Who wouldn't? But she feels the need to protect herself first. "So you can say pretty words to all the other girls, but not me?"

"Pretty words were enough for them. You're so much more." He takes a breath. "I don't expect you to take me back. I was wrong. I was stupid. And you deserve someone much, much better than me."

"Then why are you here?" she demands.

"I needed you to understand. I didn't tell you about the engagement, because I don't consider myself engaged. I don't love her. I don't even like her."

"Does she know that?"

"I haven't exactly kept it secret. And her brother, he agree with me. Before I come here, we were trying to figure out how to call off the engagement."

"Normal people would just tell the other person they no longer wanna get hitched and are breakin' up with them," Rogue tells him.

"We ain't normal people. I wish we were. First time I ever have." He reaches out to take her hand, but she pulls back. "I know I don't have a shot with you. I wish I did, but I know I hurt you too bad." He pulls out his cards and starts playing with them. "All I'm askin' is to stay friends. You don't even have to forgive me. I just don't want a life without you in it in some way. Even if it's just text messages. I'd be satisfied with just text messages."

"Would you?"

"No," he admits. "But I'll take what I can get."

Rogue studies him for a moment. He's as handsome as ever. And the way he looks at her gives her goosebumps. "You hurt me."

"I know. I'm real sorry, chêre. You deserve better. I'm gonna try to be better for you."

"How am I supposed to believe you, Remy?"

"I'll earn your trust back," he promises. "Whatever I gotta to."

"Never lie to be again."

He'd think she was joking if she didn't look so serious. "Never?"

"Not unless our lives are in danger," she tells him.

"So when you ask me how you look in something…"

"You tell me the truth even if I don't want to hear it."

"Pretty sure that'd put my life in danger."

Her eyes narrow. "Your life's about to be in danger right now."

Remy raises his hands in surrender, the deck of cards in his left hand. "Fine. I won't lie to you unless our lives are in danger," he promises.

"Then I guess we can be friends."

"And you'll start answering my texts again?"

"I'll have to unblock you first."

"I promise to send you cat pictures if you do."

Rogue's face softens. "How is Marlene Dietrich?"

"Oh, you know, demands to be pet. Walks all over me." He cuts his cards one-handed. "Typical cat."

"Is someone takin' care of her while you're here?" It's easier to talk about the cat than asking about the betrothed.

"Marlene can take care of herself." When she appears worried, he adds, "I left her some extra food. She'll be fine. I swear there's at least half a dozen restaurants that feed her, too."

"Bet she likes you best."

"I'm a means to an end. That's all right with me." He looks at her. "If that's all I end up bein' for you, I'll be alright with that, too."

"That's not what I do."

"Not even for beignets?"

She smiles in spite of herself. "Maybe for these. Or some really good fried okra."

"I'll remember that for next time," he tells her.

"I don't think they'll travel well." She looks at him, at his too-handsome face and the cards he keeps playing with. "Looks like you survived just fine without me textin' you."

"Surviving is what I do. Didn't like it none though."

"Me, neither," she admits.

"You doin' okay? Any more flashes of that woman?"

"It comes less and less. Professor X has been helpin' me. You should meet 'im. He's real smart," she tells him. "Maybe he can figure out a way to get you un-betrothed."

Normally he'd say no, but things aren't normal. His life hasn't been normal, his flavor of normal, since he met her. "I'll take any help I can get."

A/N: Hope you liked the introduction of Venom. I wanted to see Scott's reaction to him. Not sure if he'll play a part in my Infinity War, but I figured it'd be nice to have him available if I decided I wanted to use him. I'll be interpreting Ant-Man and the Wasp before doing Infinity War since the MCU timeline has them happening at about the same time.

Has it really been a year since most of the world shut down? I hope you all are healthy and safe. Until next time…