Author's Note: Well now, things are definitely getting interesting around here, aren't they? We're coming down to the end, everybody; whether you love this story or think I'm just nuts, it's almost over. I'm hoping you enjoyed the ride.
Replies:
Sera Luanma: I'm glad that you're enjoying the unusual pairings in the story. This fic started out really as a favor to Lord R, who wanted to see a threesome between Kurt, Pietro, and Lance; it just sort of took on a life of its own after Day of Reckoning. Hopefully, it will remain as satisfying to my fans until the end, and not become tedious or drawn out. Keep reading!
Psychodelic Barfly: I'm glad you still love me, sweetie! I hope you like this chapter as much as you liked The Second Order Of Business; you'll prolly just yell at me for the elf being there, too, but I can live. And I know you're just loving the other little ficcy I sent you… ::evil grin:: And thanks for the advice on those pesky error popups; I was about to tear out my hair, and I don't think R would like me bald.
me: Of course Wolverine is whipped over Kitty; they couldn't very well have him whipped over Jubilee like the FOX show when she's not even a main character in the series! They're ignoring the dynamic between he and Jean, too, which is prolly because she's underage in Evo. As far as your questions about Evan are concerned, I'm drawing from elements already established in the fanfic world as well as the series to write the interpersonal dynamics in this story. Basically, this means that I agree with the fandom's assesment that Evan and Pietro have a romantic/sexual history, just like I agree that Lance and Pietro have a serious thing going. Allow me to give you a quick rundown of who's playing for which team, at least as things stand in my story:
Straight: Todd, Fred, Scott, Jean, Kitty
Bisexual: Lance, Kurt, Rogue
Gay (or Lesbian): Pietro, Evan, Wanda
I hope this answers your questions, and that you like these last few chapters.
batE: You're alive!!!!! I'm so honored that you came out of your shell to review my fic! ::happy squealing:: I just can't express how glad I am that you like my story. As for the polyamory research, have fun! If you have any questions, e-mail me; I've done some research of my own into the mechanics for a few other stories, just like I've done with the Roma. Please let me know if there's anything I can do to help you with whatever it is you're going through. I've been in some pretty deep blue funks in my life; even contemplated suicide a couple of times. I might not know exactly what you're feeling, but I know what it's like to be burned out on your life. ::hugs:: Here's hoping my story will provide you with a little entertainment. And Psycho B finally wrote Ch. 29!!!! Go read it! ::shoos::
Disclaimer: This story takes place after "Day of Reckoning". It is erotica, and therefore is not for the eyes of those under 18 or easily offended by sexual situations, homo- or hetero-. X-men: Evolution is the property of the WB, Marvel comics, and several people that I'm probably forgetting. You can't sue me! I don't have any money anyway, so it wouldn't do you any good. :-P There are also random songfic elements to this story; the songs used (plus a few others for good measure) are listed below and belong to their respective artists and recording companies. If you do not have these songs or have never heard them, Audio Galaxy is a free peer-to-peer mp3 site where they can likely be downloaded. I especially recommend the songs by Anathema, Godgory, Linkin' Park, Depeche Mode, Poe and Nickelback as theme music for Wanda.
Comments, questions, and favorable reviews are encouraged. Criticisms that are phrased civilly will be taken under advisement. Flames will be fueled with napalm and returned, causing the offending keyboard to melt internally and be unable to manufacture any further unchivalrous nonsense. You have been warned.
Recommended Musical Accompaniment: Play the Game- Motorhead
It Doesn't Even Matter- Linkin' Park
Angry Johnny- Poe
Blasphemous Rumors- Depeche Mode
Dogma- KMFDM
How You Remind Me- Nickelback
Torpedoes- MDFMK
Empty- Anathema
Conspiracy of Silence- Godgory
Last Note of Freedom- David Coverdale
Nothing Else Matters- Metallica
Can I Touch You… There- Michael Bolton
To The Moon and Back- Savage Garden
Aftermath: Chapter Nine
By Lady Eternal
The evening wind whispered through the trees as Wanda stood out on her balcony, breathing in the night. It had been years since she'd had the opportunity, and she relished the chance now. She wished that Rogue was here to share the moment, but that would come in time. She could afford to be patient. A soft knock at her door barely registered. Come in, Brother.
Pietro stepped inside, walking out to the balcony. Are you all right, Sister?
I've discovered what was trying to get my attention. Now I must simply wait. How did things go with Lance and Kurt?
We've been cuddling and talking all day. It's been really nice, being with Lance like that again… and Kurt just makes it better.
Then you understand?
Finally. What… what are we going to do? Stay here? Wander?
We should stay here for a little while, I think. Rogue and Kurt both have dear friends here that they will not likely want to leave behind, and their loyalty to Xavier is strong. But neither do I want to live in this mansion. Xavier has no understanding of the Roma; it would be best, perhaps, to simply build a pair of caravans and live in them on the property. That way, if it becomes necessary to leave quickly, we have the means to do so.
So it is Rogue. I thought as much. But can you truly get around her powers?
I already have.
A ripple of surprise went through Pietro. When? How?
Today. It was fairly easy, actually.
But how, Sister? I know you were able to bind Magneto's power back there on the skyscraper, but…
I did not bind her power, Brother. That would leave her almost totally defenseless. I simply gave her something of greater strength than my life force to appease that power.
What?
Wanda smiled softly, leaning on the balcony wall and gazing at the starlight flickering across the surface of the Bay. My heart.
Pietro smiled wryly. You're not telling me everything.
Of course I'm not. I can't be giving away all my secrets. Reaching out, she drew him into a gentle embrace. You should go back to them. I'm sure they miss you already.
Yeah… I know. I miss you, too, though.
I know you do. It'll be all right, Brother. Once the newness wears off with our lovers, we'll find a way to fit together again. It's to be expected, after all; we're not identical, but we are twins. Just because we don't share a one doesn't mean we aren't supposed to be together. Sometimes, I think that's why Magneto fought so hard to separate us.
What do you mean?
Sometimes, I think that he might be a dominant himself: an identical dominant, only the Nazis killed his submissive. It would explain a great many things; it wouldn't make them forgivable, but it would explain them.
Pietro couldn't help agreeing with her. It gave him a distinct moment of pause, thinking of his father being a minus-one dominant: living solely for revenge on those he blamed for the death of his submissive, until that thirst for revenge utterly consumed him. In a flash, he was hugging Wanda close again, clinging tightly and resting his head on her shoulder. I love you, Sister. I couldn't bear it if anything happened to you.
I know, Brother. I love you, too. Now go; be happy with them. We have time now.
Okay. Giving her a gentle kiss on the cheek, Pietro released her and left. Only Kurt could have gotten to the room faster, but Pietro was more than glad to see Lance still tucked contentedly in the nest with Kurt. Slipping inside, he was instantly scooped into the center of a warm snuggle. "You guys miss me or something?"
"You bet we did," Lance replied, nestling close. "Is your sister okay?"
"She's fine." Pietro sighed softly. "I just… it's been a long time since I had her near me; so long that I'd forgotten how soothing her presence really is. I think my father might even have been repressing those feelings while I was under his control." A shiver passed through him, and he was automatically cuddled by Lance and Kurt. "It's weird: I feel like I've just woken up from a really heinous dream."
"It's okay, liebschon," Kurt soothed. "We are here for you."
Pietro smiled softly. "I love you," he whispered to both of them. The soft declaration earned him a deep, warm kiss from Lance even as Kurt snuggled closer, his lips brushing softly over the curve of Pietro's neck. Pietro let out a soft little cry, squirming a bit as his hypersensitive body reacted sharply to their gentle attentions. Kurt was caressing him from behind, his soft fur whispering against his flesh like a bolt of new silk, while Lance gently suckled on his lower lip, his fingers laced into his snowy hair.
It didn't take long for the two of them to undress him; not that Pietro was fighting them. Pietro was tugging at Lance's clothes just as eagerly, his hips alternately wriggling against Kurt's and Lance's. Lance's hands were just as nimble at a distance; helping Kurt to discard what little clothing he wore as well… Soft lips… the brush of silken fur across his back, his hips, his legs… Pietro tried to breathe, but all he could seem to do was moan. His body writhed helplessly under their tender assault, one hand digging into Lance's shoulder while the other reached mindlessly for Kurt… And then he was rolled… tender, callused hands turning him to face Kurt… molding and caressing every part of his body even as legs almost as powerful as his wrapped around his waist… He tried to remember, to gather his mind, but all he could seem to catch were moments…
It was too easy. Lance had wanted to wait, to draw the moment out, but He had been too long without Pietro in his arms, and the sight of Kurt writhing under Pietro's attentions was too potent to resist. With a grace born of love and experience, Lance slid between those taut, rounded cheeks, one arm around Pietro's chest and the other reaching out to touch Kurt. A long, low moan burst from Pietro's lips and he followed Lance's motion, sliding up into Kurt and earning a high-pitched cry from the elf.
For a space of heartbeats, the trio hovered as they were. Lance clung to both of them, savoring the feel of soft fur beneath his fingers and deep warmth sheathing him. Slowly, almost as tentatively as the first time he'd ever made love to a man, he flexed his hips inside Pietro. Pietro gasped and arched back against him; Kurt tightened his legs around Pietro's waist as the pressure inside him waned. But then it returned as Pietro arched away from Lance's withdrawl, and Kurt's head fell back as though his neck could no longer support it.
Long, slow, deep: none of the boys were in a hurry to reach a climax. Lance and Pietro were learning each other again, finding where Kurt fit in, absorbing the feel of one another's embrace. Their passions ebbed and flowed like the tide as they clung to one another, each responding to the others' needs… and then Pietro felt something stir… bonds growing, formed by love and the magic of his people, braiding them together so tightly that not even death would truly part them… Pietro gasped, feeling the startlement of his lovers, panicking for a moment in the face of power he hadn't felt in years…
It's all right, Brother, came Wanda's voice in his mind, soothing his fears.
Pietro let go, reaching out along the web of flowering vines that were weaving themselves between he and Lance and Kurt, soothing their uncertainties and drawing them deeper into the binding… Pietro could see the tendrils curling around them, meshing together, budding as their passion grew and heightening their passions in return… the exchange was a dizzying high… Pietro could see the buds growing heavy, almost in bloom… almost…
They burst open, the flood of sensation over the bonds rippling through each of them. Kurt burrowed into Pietro even as Lance's arms tightened around them, all three succumbing to the tide…
Exhausted and overwhelmed, all three just curled into one another inside the nest. Lance clung to both of them, feeling them both nestle into him, his mind lingering in the overpowering sense of 'one-ness' that their bonds had created. There was Pietro, with his devil-may-care passion, his sweet and tender side that he usually kept hidden, his zest and his boyish charm and his mischevious blue eyes. And then there was Kurt, with his innocence, his artless abandon, his elfin deviousness and his yearning for hearth and home. They were both there, at the touch of a thought; both responded instantly, touching his mind with their own… Lance broke down and wept.
As quickly as they could without causing each other harm, Pietro and Kurt disengaged and shifted, both nestling against Lance in hopes of soothing his distress. There were no words… Lance reached out and touched them with his relief, the almost crushing resurgence of hope that he might actually be loved in his life… Neither Kurt nor Pietro noticed that they too wept as they cuddled against their rock-tumbler, love and acceptance and comfort flowing between the three of them in a healing embrace. Before he knew it, Lance was sleeping; his elf and his speedster snuggled safely in his arms.
God… I don't know if you exist or not, but if I'm dreaming… please don't let me wake up.
A/N: I know this is a little shorter than some of my other chapters, but this seemed like a good point to take a break. ::winks:: At least I didn't leave you hanging this time.