Chapter 4

Runaway

Another thing Scott had figured out about Lance in the 2 weeks they'd been "hanging out" was that Lance cared.

Like genuinely cared about the other members of his team. He had and would do anything to protect and look out for them.

And the Brotherhood weren't losers like the X-men assumed. Just abandoned abused kids.

And since Lance worked many jobs baby sitting the brother hood Was high on the to do list. Making sure they stayed out of mischief was priority.

Scott noted that each had a vice that they dealt with on a regular.

Lance despised being belittled by any and all adult figures, and definitly didn't like being touchy feely with others.

Wanda should have been obvious, but Scott still missed it. The bathroom door had gotten stuck trapping the Scarlet Witch inside. She was screaming and pounding on the door while the others hid far down the hall. When he did get it open she screamed at him with tears in her eyesl to be faster next time! She yelled and raged for hours after. Wanda didn't like being trapped in small spaces.

He fixed the handle that day, to avoid further incident.

Fred was bad with jokes. It was better to be as direct with him as possible. Saying the wrong thing would make Fred angry weather you meant it or not. If he felt like he was being laughed at or insulted, you'd feel pain.

Todd liked attention. Weather wanted or unwanted and would take things to the extreme to get it as Scott had learned only moments before breaking up yet another fight between him self and Wanda. Little frog definitley couldn't take a hint.

Pietro was far worse than all the others. For he didn't know when to stop once he'd started something. Picking on the others and flinging insults that usually left Scott to deal with the fall out. And he could come up with million and one things to say to insult you too. Anything and everything.

Scott was taking lessons from the white haired teen but would never dream of telling him that. his head was big enough.

Wanda was easiest to get along with and dispite her sheltered upbringing she seemed to understand the most about what was happening with Jean.

And she was secretly funny too. That was a plus.

"You know you hang around Lance long enough, you might start act cool." She simpered, Scott smiled.

"Didn't seem to work for any of the others, so I doubt it." he retorted and she laughed out loud.

"Awwe thats cute. Trying to be insulting. " She tousled his hair and giggled evily. He just shook his head. It was getting late and he knew he would have to get home soon. Lance would be working his security job late into the night and there was no need to hang around.

"I should head home." he sighed standing up. A burst of wind rushed into the room and Pietro appeared and Scott knew there would be an insult.

"What's the point in that. Aren't you more popular around here these days than at home with Red?"

Scott made a hard face at the other teen a retort ready but another cut in.

"That's right yo. And how the hell are you gonna score with lance if you keep running off at night fool. That's just bad sense." Todd said bouncing lightly and Wanda and Fred nodded also.

He felt foolish for a moment. Realizing that they had all found a common outlet for each of their vices. His and Lance's theoretical relationship.

"Lance and I aren't screwing and I have to go." He said hurriedly. Hearing a chorused YET! on his way to his car.

He drove with the top down and the radio off. Wind blowing around him.

He'd slept with Jean. It was nice. Lots of warm fuzzy feelings and loveyness and all that.

But what would it be like to sleep with Lance?

He reasoned that it would be as incredible as the the other boy himself.

But he closed those thoughts off as he pulled up to the mansion. It was just before 11. Right before curfew and he cursed himself quietly. He should have made sure he was just over like Lance had told him.

Curse his goody goody ways. He crept in quietly with silent steps and easy breaths.

Halting all movements at the hushed whispers in the kitchen.

"Jean, you are going to have to tell Scott the truth! Im an instructor here. I cant keep lying for you." It was Storms voice and she sounded angry. He rolled his eyes and leaned against the wall to listen to the hushed conversation. What could Jean say to this?

"I know. And I've tried a million times and more. I just dont want to hurt him Auroro. If there was just one thing wrong with him it would be easy. But he's perfect." The red head was whining slightly, as if she'd had this conversation already and it was getting old for her.

"Has it dawned on you that he may be whilling to let you go with out a fight. That maybe he loves you so much he'd hand you over to Logan with no hard feelings. No because as of right now you only care for yourself. And in the end your going to end up hurting them both and their realationship with each other. Now im not asking you anymore. Your making a mistake Jean you need to sort it out because Im done."

Scott smiled slightly and the mothering tone of the Weather Witch.

5 minutes later he was back at the kitchen with a bag slung over his shoulder. He could see the white haired woman sitting at the bar eating a tub of ice cream. Ben and Jerry, her secret stress relief on nights like these there was no doubt.

"I know your standing there Scott Summers. Dont you know its in bad taste to linger in door ways." She said with a slight hum.

"I was just on my way out actually."

Her head popped up a suspicious look present. She eyed the bag on his shoulder and then sighed. "Alright. I'll bite, where exactly do you think your going after curfew and with your things packed?" She asked.

"I. . . need to get away for a while. Week. Maybe two. Just away." He stated. His now longer bangs hanging a shadow over his shades.

He could see concern, guilt and resolution all at once. And he knew that she would let him go.

"Ill cover for you I suppose. But you owe me." She smiled and he let out a sigh of relief of his own.

He walked over and kissed her sofly on the cheek. And then set back for the garage.

He didn't speak to Jean before he left and he didn't let his foot off the gas until the Boarding house was in sight.

It seemed that the others had took off either to their rooms or out to make mischeif. It didn't matter to Scott. He was to tired and annoyed to care.

Lance wouldn't be back around for another hour or more so he layed down on the uncomfortable couch and drifted off to sleep.

He was shook rudley awake an undetermined amount of time later but the house was dark.

"What are you doing sleeping on the ratty as couch Scott. You know you had curfew like 2 hours ago. Dude this is not what I meant by fashionably late." Lance teased looking tired but still happy to see him, insult him. Which ever.

"1, don't dude me. 2, I did go home. And lastly i'm staying here for a bit. I thought the bag would be obvious, but oops I forgot your a bit thick." He snarked back and Lance laugh happily and quietly.

"I love it when you use that biting sarcasm on me. Why did ever fight again. Oh thats right. Your insufferable goody goodyness. Come on." Lance stood and started for the stairs. And Scott following curiously was a step behind him.

"I wont make you sleep on the couch thats criminal all on its own and im not "That" evil". I guess you can sleep in here with me for tonight. And we'll figure out something for you tomorrow."

Scott couldn't help but notice that while the other sounded confident in sharing his space that he was uneasy.

Scott had never seen the others room before. It was just something that hadn't happened until tonight. It was probably the smallest of all the others with a bed and night stand. The bed was made with a mis matched set of sheets and blankets and there was a slightly overflowing basket of dirty laundry in the corner. Otherwise it was a pretty normal room for a guy. Old posters of rock n roll bands and Scott smiled at the one Of KISS. Lances favorite band.

"Well If it will make you sleep easier I'll crash on the floor?" Scott suggested. He pulled off his shirt and dug through his bag, back turned.

"Don't make me hurt you boy scout." the other answered in light voice.

Deciding to forgo the shirt he stood and pull on his pajama pants, while Lance seemed to not care if the other was there or not stripping to his boxers and climbing beneath the blankets with a tired yawn. And For a moment

Scott could see the tiredness. Clicking out the light he climbed into the bed with the other. Placing his shades on the table beside him.

They were asleep as soon as their heads hit the pillows.

Lance woke with a start many hours later. Shouts from the others filling the house. He sighed softly at the position he was currently in. Scott was pressed against his back an arm slung over his waist. How he could still be sleeping through the noise Lance would never know. But it was nice either way. He'd need to come up with an excuse to keep him in his room, there was no doubt about that.

He shifted slighty to get up and realised his mistake as the other groaned slightly. Why? Because Lance had shifted and pressed his backside against something long and hard.

The Rock tumbler blushed from head to toe and snorted, pressing a hand over his face to hide his smile and to prevent himself from laughing at the akwardness of it all. Bacause holy cow.

Scott groaned realizing himself the precarious position he was in and pulled off the other to retrieve his shades. He sat up and looked at the other who had rolled his face into the pillows.

"Ok. Ill bite. Whats up with you?" he asked dumbly and the other sat straight up. Scott always saw in red. But the others cheeks and down his chest were quite the bright red and he looked embarassed to put it lightly. Scott rose his eyebrows, "Well?"

"Why didn't you tell me you were packing like mad heat." The long haired boy asked and Scott looked at him oddly for a moment unsure of the question. Then it dawned on him and the snorted and hopped up to get dressed.

"I didn't realise that size would matter to you." he answer evenly.

"Size always matters boy scout. Holy shit." The other began dressing even as he spoke and Scott felt a spike of something though he didn't know what it was.

He approached the other silently from behind and wrapped his arms around him speaking directly into the others ear.

"So you like that, huh?" He murmered in a soft voice and the other let out a soft groan.

Then he pulled back just as quickly as he'd moved in smiling at the others dazed look.

A new and interesting development indeed.