Okay, here goes! My first Evo fan fic! It turned out a bit longer than I expected so I've cut it into three parts.
Disclaimer - I don't own X Men Evolution, or any of the characters in it. If I did, I would be a heck of a lot richer, there would be no Jean Grey and a hell of a lot more Nightcrawler! (just kidding!) ^^
The Lonely Ones:
Sitting on the grass underneath a tree, there was nothing to suggest there was anything remarkable about the two freshmen. Kitty Pryde and Kurt Wagner sat close together in the shade, savouring the brief time of freedom before their next class. It was a warm day, and the dappled tree leaves did little to take the edge off the heat. Kurt pulled weakly at the front of his shirt, beads of sweat gathering on his pale brow.
"Does it have to be so hot?" he groaned "I feel about ready to melt!"
Kitty, engrossed in the book that she was reading, didn't look up. "Its not that bad."
The dark haired boy arched an eyebrow and glanced at his companion. Unlike him, she seemed perfectly comfortable in the soaring summer temperature, although she had removed her usual pink cardigan and left it folded on the ground beside her.
"Yes, well you aren't covered in fur. Trust me, it changes things."
He paused to take a gulp from his soda. Even that was warm. He looked up at the sky, hoping to see some clouds moving in, but was disappointed by a clear blue horizon. Dejected, he gave a heavy sigh and turned to Kitty again.
"Have you done the assignment for History yet?"
The girl gave committal murmur and turned a page.
"If not.I thought that maybe we could work on it together, tonight?" Kurt watched her reaction hopefully.
She frowned and shook her head. "Sorry Kurt, Jean promised that she would take me down the mall tonight. Maybe tomorrow, okay?"
He was about to point out that the assignment was due in that day, but decided against it. He didn't want to badger her.
She just needs time Kurt.she'll come through.
Yeah, great advice Jean. Kitty might not cringe when he walked into a room anymore, but she certainly wasn't about to be his Prom date.
Not that he blamed her.
Running a hand over his exposed forearm he could feel the silky bristle of his hidden blue fur. Holographics might change his face, but, deep down, he knew that it was just an illusion. He wasn't just a normal kid with floppy hair and baggy pants. He was a freak, and she knew it.
Clearing his throat, he tried to engage her interest again. "So what are you reading?" he asked, prodding the book, "I mean, what could possibly be more interesting than me?"
Kitty gave an exasperated groan and flicked her ponytail over her shoulder, glossy lips pulling together in a pout of annoyance. "For your information, Kurt Wagner, this is a really good book and I'm, like, totally getting in to it. Or," she added pointedly "at least I was."
Not quite the response that he had been hoping for. Holding up his hands in mock surrender, the young mutant tried to salvage the situation before she got in a mood with him. For all of her sweet valley-girl image, he knew from experience how dangerous a stressed out Kitty could be.
"Sorry, sorry. Didn't mean to put you off your reading."
She shook her head and stared intently at the page she was reading.
Kurt glanced at the cover of the book. Pride and Prejudice. He dimly remembered it as some kind of old English romance.not his kind of thing at all. He would have said so, but the frown of concentration on his friend's face told him not to try.
Taking another swig from his soda can, he leaned back against the tree trunk, squinting his eyes against the glare of the sun. His dark eyes wandered listlessly over the crowds of kids before resting on a familiar figure in green. Rogue was standing alone, arms folded across her chest. She seemed as desperate for lunch break to finish as he was.
Raising his arm in a wave, Kurt grinned. "Hey Rogue! Over here!"
The pale skinned girl turned, startled at the sound of his voice. She frowned uncertainly, apparently hesitant to join them, before crossing the grassy lawn to approach them.
Lowering his voice, Kurt glanced at Kitty. "Hey, you don't mind her sitting here do you?" He knew that the two weren't exactly the best of friends - in fact, Rogue didn't seem to be on close terms with any of the Institute kids. He was worried, knowing what it was like to be alone. He didn't want Rogue to feel that way.
Kitty shrugged, not looking up. "Whatever."
The other girl came to stand beside them. She was obviously as uncomfortable as Kurt in the thick summer heat. Her white forehead was beaded with sweat and her dark hair hung limp and lifeless.
"Hey Rogue," Kurt greeted brightly "How's it going?"
The gothic beauty leaned against the tree and looked down at him. "Ah, fine," she drawled "Kinda hot I guess." Noticing the other girl, she gave a nod. "Hey Kitty."
Kitty glanced briefly up from her book. She gave a quick, cold smile of acknowledgment before returning to her story.
Kurt shifted, embarrassed by her rudeness. He watched the newcomer closely as she lowered her gaze to the ground, feeling Kitty's indifference. He wanted to make a joke, but couldn't think of anything to say. A heavy silence seemed inevitable.
Apparently nothing could make Kitty put that damned book down.
"Heads up!"
A familiar voice hollered across the lawn. Kurt looked up in time to see a soccer ball curve across the playing field. It soared through the air like a cannonball, arched downwards, and smashed in the middle of a group of seated cheerleaders. The girls squealed in surprise as soda cans went flying everywhere. There was a chaotic scramble as the long legged seniors clawed over each other in an attempt to get away.
Kurt frowned and shook his head in confusion. "What the."
Beside him, Rogue snorted. "Do you really need to ask?" She pointed a gloved hand to where a group of boys stood in the shade. The brotherhood. A triumphant Lance sauntered towards Todd, who slapped him a high-five.
She shook her head wearily. "Lance. That guy is such a creep."
Kurt was about to agree with her when he whirled around in surprise. Sitting next to him, Kitty was hiding a giggle behind her hand.
Rogue frowned in disgust. "What are you laughing at?"
The other girl continued to giggle, wide blue eyes blinking innocently, book closed and discarded beside her. After a moment, she noticed her friend's incredulous stares. Her laugher stopped abruptly. "What?!"
Rogue rested one hand on her hip. "Don't tell me you think that shakedown over there is funny?" Kitty rolled her eyes. "Oh, big deal. Its not like he did it on purpose"
"Looked pretty purposeful to me." Kurt muttered doubtfully.
"Well, at least he's got a sense of humour - which is more than I can say for you guys. You're so uptight sometimes, it was, like, just a joke."
The former brotherhood mutant raised a sardonic eyebrow. "Yeah, and I bet those girls over there thought he was just hilarious."
Kitty pouted angrily and picked up her book and cardigan. Standing tall, she hugged them both tightly to her chest. "Whatever. Just forget it, I'm going." Kurt made as if to get to his feet but Kitty dismissed him with a wave of her hand. "I'll see you in class, Nightcrawler." Checking her watch, she turned and stalked away.
Kurt watched silently as she moved away from the tree. Something had tightened in his chest and it made it difficult for him to breathe. He swallowed, trying to make the strange sensation go away.
Rogue gave a frustrated groan and sat down heavily next to him. "Is she always like that, or is it just when I'm around?"
He tried to grin, but it was a weak gesture. Giving up, he sighed and shrugged. "Right now, I'm starting to think that it has more to do with me."
The gothic beauty frowned thoughtfully, pulling a handful of grass from the ground. "Why? I thought that you two were buds?"
"Sometimes. I don't know."
He felt her eyes watching him closely. "She's really getting to you, isn't she."
Kurt wrinkled his nose. "Kitty? No, why would she?"
There was a short silence. A whisper of a summer breeze wafted through the tree leaves, making his raven coloured hair shift, strands falling across his lowered eyes. Rogue observed him without speaking. This was a side to Kurt that few got to see. Kurt Wagner.party dude and resident joker - that was what everybody thought of him. But Rogue knew different. Underneath all the gags, he was just as lost and alone as she was.
Maybe even more so.
And strangely, she felt a kind of connection to him. No, more than that.an affinity. They were both on their own, no matter what anybody else said. She felt a kind of responsibility towards him, a need to protect him. Heck, it wasn't that long ago that she had almost killed him.and yet he was the one who always went out of his way to make her feel wanted. In her own way, deep down in some hidden part of her soul, she really did care about this strange blue kid.
"Want to talk about it?"
Kurt studied his feet intently for a moment. His eyes were far away from her then, in some dark and lonely place. Rogue knew; she had been there enough times herself.
He turned suddenly, and faced her. "Do you think I'm a freak?"
The girl was taken back for a moment. It was a direct question, even from Kurt. "No, I don't. At least, no more than the rest of us."
He thought about her answer for a moment and then turned to look away again. "Maybe that's why Mystique abandoned me," he said quietly "Because of what I am."
"What you are," Rogue told him firmly "Is a real nice guy. And that's the truth."
He smiled at that, but it was a small, sad smile.
"Thanks Rogue."
She was silent for a moment and then frowned. "Kurt, what's wrong?"
He opened his mouth to say something but was cut off by the ringing of a bell. It was the end of lunch break. All around the school grounds, kids began to move reluctantly towards the doors, thinking in dread of the classes that they had that afternoon.
Kurt stood and dusted the grass from his baggy trousers. He gave a tired shrug. "Well.I guess its time to get back to the grindstone. I'll see you after school maybe."
He was about to move away when he felt a gloved hand tighten around his wrist. Whirling around he found Rogue standing beside him.
"Forget class. Lets go hang out or something."
The young boy blinked in confusion. "Cut class? Are you crazy? I've got Anderson for math next, he'd kill me!"
"Ah, come on. I'm a teenage delinquent, remember?"
"Well, I'm not."
She raised an eyebrow and pouted her darkly stained lips. "Funny, I always took you for someone who wasn't afraid to walk on the wild side." Spreading her hands in a gesture of helplessness, she turned and began to walk away. "Alright, I guess I'll just have to spend the afternoon by myself.all on my lonesome."
He watched her doubtfully. "You'll cut class by yourself?"
She cast him a long look over her shoulder, "Looks that way. Don't worry about me though, you run along.enjoy your math."
She had walked about five paces when she heard him run up alongside her.
"Alright, I'll come too. But the professor really will not be happy if he finds out."
Rogue smiled -grateful that he was coming with her. "Then lets get inside before anybody sees us." Kurt rolled his eyes. "Hiding from teachers in a school. Oh yeah, great idea, we're sure not to get caught that way."
"Trust me, I've done this before."
The two mutants hurried to get inside the school building with the rest of the students. Passing through the open doors, Kurt gave Rogue a sidelong look.
"That, I have no doubt of."
Disclaimer - I don't own X Men Evolution, or any of the characters in it. If I did, I would be a heck of a lot richer, there would be no Jean Grey and a hell of a lot more Nightcrawler! (just kidding!) ^^
The Lonely Ones:
Sitting on the grass underneath a tree, there was nothing to suggest there was anything remarkable about the two freshmen. Kitty Pryde and Kurt Wagner sat close together in the shade, savouring the brief time of freedom before their next class. It was a warm day, and the dappled tree leaves did little to take the edge off the heat. Kurt pulled weakly at the front of his shirt, beads of sweat gathering on his pale brow.
"Does it have to be so hot?" he groaned "I feel about ready to melt!"
Kitty, engrossed in the book that she was reading, didn't look up. "Its not that bad."
The dark haired boy arched an eyebrow and glanced at his companion. Unlike him, she seemed perfectly comfortable in the soaring summer temperature, although she had removed her usual pink cardigan and left it folded on the ground beside her.
"Yes, well you aren't covered in fur. Trust me, it changes things."
He paused to take a gulp from his soda. Even that was warm. He looked up at the sky, hoping to see some clouds moving in, but was disappointed by a clear blue horizon. Dejected, he gave a heavy sigh and turned to Kitty again.
"Have you done the assignment for History yet?"
The girl gave committal murmur and turned a page.
"If not.I thought that maybe we could work on it together, tonight?" Kurt watched her reaction hopefully.
She frowned and shook her head. "Sorry Kurt, Jean promised that she would take me down the mall tonight. Maybe tomorrow, okay?"
He was about to point out that the assignment was due in that day, but decided against it. He didn't want to badger her.
She just needs time Kurt.she'll come through.
Yeah, great advice Jean. Kitty might not cringe when he walked into a room anymore, but she certainly wasn't about to be his Prom date.
Not that he blamed her.
Running a hand over his exposed forearm he could feel the silky bristle of his hidden blue fur. Holographics might change his face, but, deep down, he knew that it was just an illusion. He wasn't just a normal kid with floppy hair and baggy pants. He was a freak, and she knew it.
Clearing his throat, he tried to engage her interest again. "So what are you reading?" he asked, prodding the book, "I mean, what could possibly be more interesting than me?"
Kitty gave an exasperated groan and flicked her ponytail over her shoulder, glossy lips pulling together in a pout of annoyance. "For your information, Kurt Wagner, this is a really good book and I'm, like, totally getting in to it. Or," she added pointedly "at least I was."
Not quite the response that he had been hoping for. Holding up his hands in mock surrender, the young mutant tried to salvage the situation before she got in a mood with him. For all of her sweet valley-girl image, he knew from experience how dangerous a stressed out Kitty could be.
"Sorry, sorry. Didn't mean to put you off your reading."
She shook her head and stared intently at the page she was reading.
Kurt glanced at the cover of the book. Pride and Prejudice. He dimly remembered it as some kind of old English romance.not his kind of thing at all. He would have said so, but the frown of concentration on his friend's face told him not to try.
Taking another swig from his soda can, he leaned back against the tree trunk, squinting his eyes against the glare of the sun. His dark eyes wandered listlessly over the crowds of kids before resting on a familiar figure in green. Rogue was standing alone, arms folded across her chest. She seemed as desperate for lunch break to finish as he was.
Raising his arm in a wave, Kurt grinned. "Hey Rogue! Over here!"
The pale skinned girl turned, startled at the sound of his voice. She frowned uncertainly, apparently hesitant to join them, before crossing the grassy lawn to approach them.
Lowering his voice, Kurt glanced at Kitty. "Hey, you don't mind her sitting here do you?" He knew that the two weren't exactly the best of friends - in fact, Rogue didn't seem to be on close terms with any of the Institute kids. He was worried, knowing what it was like to be alone. He didn't want Rogue to feel that way.
Kitty shrugged, not looking up. "Whatever."
The other girl came to stand beside them. She was obviously as uncomfortable as Kurt in the thick summer heat. Her white forehead was beaded with sweat and her dark hair hung limp and lifeless.
"Hey Rogue," Kurt greeted brightly "How's it going?"
The gothic beauty leaned against the tree and looked down at him. "Ah, fine," she drawled "Kinda hot I guess." Noticing the other girl, she gave a nod. "Hey Kitty."
Kitty glanced briefly up from her book. She gave a quick, cold smile of acknowledgment before returning to her story.
Kurt shifted, embarrassed by her rudeness. He watched the newcomer closely as she lowered her gaze to the ground, feeling Kitty's indifference. He wanted to make a joke, but couldn't think of anything to say. A heavy silence seemed inevitable.
Apparently nothing could make Kitty put that damned book down.
"Heads up!"
A familiar voice hollered across the lawn. Kurt looked up in time to see a soccer ball curve across the playing field. It soared through the air like a cannonball, arched downwards, and smashed in the middle of a group of seated cheerleaders. The girls squealed in surprise as soda cans went flying everywhere. There was a chaotic scramble as the long legged seniors clawed over each other in an attempt to get away.
Kurt frowned and shook his head in confusion. "What the."
Beside him, Rogue snorted. "Do you really need to ask?" She pointed a gloved hand to where a group of boys stood in the shade. The brotherhood. A triumphant Lance sauntered towards Todd, who slapped him a high-five.
She shook her head wearily. "Lance. That guy is such a creep."
Kurt was about to agree with her when he whirled around in surprise. Sitting next to him, Kitty was hiding a giggle behind her hand.
Rogue frowned in disgust. "What are you laughing at?"
The other girl continued to giggle, wide blue eyes blinking innocently, book closed and discarded beside her. After a moment, she noticed her friend's incredulous stares. Her laugher stopped abruptly. "What?!"
Rogue rested one hand on her hip. "Don't tell me you think that shakedown over there is funny?" Kitty rolled her eyes. "Oh, big deal. Its not like he did it on purpose"
"Looked pretty purposeful to me." Kurt muttered doubtfully.
"Well, at least he's got a sense of humour - which is more than I can say for you guys. You're so uptight sometimes, it was, like, just a joke."
The former brotherhood mutant raised a sardonic eyebrow. "Yeah, and I bet those girls over there thought he was just hilarious."
Kitty pouted angrily and picked up her book and cardigan. Standing tall, she hugged them both tightly to her chest. "Whatever. Just forget it, I'm going." Kurt made as if to get to his feet but Kitty dismissed him with a wave of her hand. "I'll see you in class, Nightcrawler." Checking her watch, she turned and stalked away.
Kurt watched silently as she moved away from the tree. Something had tightened in his chest and it made it difficult for him to breathe. He swallowed, trying to make the strange sensation go away.
Rogue gave a frustrated groan and sat down heavily next to him. "Is she always like that, or is it just when I'm around?"
He tried to grin, but it was a weak gesture. Giving up, he sighed and shrugged. "Right now, I'm starting to think that it has more to do with me."
The gothic beauty frowned thoughtfully, pulling a handful of grass from the ground. "Why? I thought that you two were buds?"
"Sometimes. I don't know."
He felt her eyes watching him closely. "She's really getting to you, isn't she."
Kurt wrinkled his nose. "Kitty? No, why would she?"
There was a short silence. A whisper of a summer breeze wafted through the tree leaves, making his raven coloured hair shift, strands falling across his lowered eyes. Rogue observed him without speaking. This was a side to Kurt that few got to see. Kurt Wagner.party dude and resident joker - that was what everybody thought of him. But Rogue knew different. Underneath all the gags, he was just as lost and alone as she was.
Maybe even more so.
And strangely, she felt a kind of connection to him. No, more than that.an affinity. They were both on their own, no matter what anybody else said. She felt a kind of responsibility towards him, a need to protect him. Heck, it wasn't that long ago that she had almost killed him.and yet he was the one who always went out of his way to make her feel wanted. In her own way, deep down in some hidden part of her soul, she really did care about this strange blue kid.
"Want to talk about it?"
Kurt studied his feet intently for a moment. His eyes were far away from her then, in some dark and lonely place. Rogue knew; she had been there enough times herself.
He turned suddenly, and faced her. "Do you think I'm a freak?"
The girl was taken back for a moment. It was a direct question, even from Kurt. "No, I don't. At least, no more than the rest of us."
He thought about her answer for a moment and then turned to look away again. "Maybe that's why Mystique abandoned me," he said quietly "Because of what I am."
"What you are," Rogue told him firmly "Is a real nice guy. And that's the truth."
He smiled at that, but it was a small, sad smile.
"Thanks Rogue."
She was silent for a moment and then frowned. "Kurt, what's wrong?"
He opened his mouth to say something but was cut off by the ringing of a bell. It was the end of lunch break. All around the school grounds, kids began to move reluctantly towards the doors, thinking in dread of the classes that they had that afternoon.
Kurt stood and dusted the grass from his baggy trousers. He gave a tired shrug. "Well.I guess its time to get back to the grindstone. I'll see you after school maybe."
He was about to move away when he felt a gloved hand tighten around his wrist. Whirling around he found Rogue standing beside him.
"Forget class. Lets go hang out or something."
The young boy blinked in confusion. "Cut class? Are you crazy? I've got Anderson for math next, he'd kill me!"
"Ah, come on. I'm a teenage delinquent, remember?"
"Well, I'm not."
She raised an eyebrow and pouted her darkly stained lips. "Funny, I always took you for someone who wasn't afraid to walk on the wild side." Spreading her hands in a gesture of helplessness, she turned and began to walk away. "Alright, I guess I'll just have to spend the afternoon by myself.all on my lonesome."
He watched her doubtfully. "You'll cut class by yourself?"
She cast him a long look over her shoulder, "Looks that way. Don't worry about me though, you run along.enjoy your math."
She had walked about five paces when she heard him run up alongside her.
"Alright, I'll come too. But the professor really will not be happy if he finds out."
Rogue smiled -grateful that he was coming with her. "Then lets get inside before anybody sees us." Kurt rolled his eyes. "Hiding from teachers in a school. Oh yeah, great idea, we're sure not to get caught that way."
"Trust me, I've done this before."
The two mutants hurried to get inside the school building with the rest of the students. Passing through the open doors, Kurt gave Rogue a sidelong look.
"That, I have no doubt of."