A/N: -_- Take A Bow still not working with me... ::thwaps Todd over the head:: I *will* get it done, dammit. For now- this. ::cough:: Anyways- implied sex this chapter! ^_^ Nothing graphic... Mostly because I'm lazy. Sorry. Oh! Aaaand... A little Todd/Kurt. Mostly because I wanted it. ::grin::
~*~
After The Applause Dies Down
by Wolfie
~Forget The Words That You Thought You Knew~
Pietro and Todd were both asleep when Lance got home from work. It was some ungodly hour of the morning that neither of them ever really cared to see. When the oldest mutant walked into the room, he paused, smiling slightly at the snowy haired teenager, stretched languidly across the rumpled bed, his blankets once again barely keeping him decent. Todd didn't look nearly as comfortable as Pietro, slumped down in an awkward position in the chair that had taken up residence at the speedster's bedside, one foot resting on the matress near Pietro's hip.
"Todd," Lance gave the younger boy a gently shake, and he immediately jerked awake, looking up at the rock tumbler through bleary, sleepy eyes, "Go on to bed," Todd yawned and nodded, standing up slowly.
"Thanks, yo," He mumbled, heading for the door. But as he reached it, he stopped and turned, "Hey, Lance? You should think about lettin' him go back to school, y'know?" It was Lance's turn to nod, watching as Todd left, closing the door behind himself. Without another word, he slipped out of his jeans, and his t-shirt, and crawled into bed with the slumbering speed demon, sighing to himself as Pietro curled against him.
~*~
The next day seemed to pass slowly. Fred stayed home, with Pietro, while Lance and Todd went to school. It wasn't that Pietro didn't count Fred as a friend, or anything- it was just... They didn't have much to talk about. He couldn't tease him, like he teased Todd. And he certainly couldn't *jump* him, like he'd do if it were Lance keeping him company. So, Pietro wound up reading. Every single book he owned, he read. Until finally, the other two returned home.
Todd came hopping in with a few pizzas- occasion unknown, but no one was going to argue- and Lance followed with two six-packs of beer tucked under his arm. The first thing Pietro went for was the beer, accompanied by a cry of something along the lines of "Alcohol! GimmeGimmeGimme!!" and then a huge grin as Lance handed him a can.
"What's all this for, anyway?" Fred finally asked, after most of the pizza, and *all* of the beer was gone. Todd grinned. Lance shrugged.
"We figured we'd have a little celebration..." The rock-tumbler replied, finishing off the tiny bit of Budwiser left in his can. Pietro tilted his head.
"Celebration? What are we celebrating?"
"Your return to school, yo. Duh," It took a moment for the information to register, but as soon as it did, Pietro's features brightened greatly- what could only be described as a 100-watt smile spreading across his face.
"You mean it?! ReallyReallyReally?!" He threw his arms around Lance, who was sitting on the bed beside him, and let out an excited squeal, "ThankyousomuchyouhavenoideahowboredIwasgetting!!" He pressed a wet kiss to Lance's lips, lingering on the taste of alcohol and pepperoni, before breaking away to return to his rapid babbling, "OhmyfuckinggodIloveyouIcan'twaittogetoutofthisbed!"
"Did he just..." Fred was blinking in confusion, wondering if he was hallucinating. Surely Lance hadn't just let Pietro kiss him. After all, Lance was with *Kitty*... Wasn't he? Or had he missed something?
"I knew somethin' was up from the first time we caught them snugglin'!" Todd announced, pointing at the two on the bed. Pietro looked up innocently, and Lance glared. Fred was still trying to work out just what the hell was going on.
"What are you talking about?" Pietro asked, maintaining his innocence, "I just thought that- in celebration- a round of casual sex would be in order. You two in?" It only took a split second for both Todd and Fred to get out of the room, leaving Pietro grinning and very self-satisfied. Lance raised an eyebrow.
"That was a bit low," The younger teen shrugged, leaning in for another, slightly less than chaste kiss.
"Maybe. But it got them out. And now we can have a nice, *long* celebration fuck," Lance's eyebrow twitched upward again.
"Isn't that moving kinda fast? We only just got *together* the night before last..."
"And? What? You don't want me?"
"I didn't *say* that."
"Then what's the problem?" The brunette groaned, rubbing his forehead. It seemed to him like he got *way* more headaches than usual, lately... Pietro was staring at him, pouting, arms folded over his chest, obviously trying to figure out just what was going through his mind. And his hormones were in the process of complaining that there was *anything* going through his mind at all.
"You're... you're emotionally- and probably mentally- unstable. I just... don't think it's a good idea. That's all," Sky coloured eyes narrowed dangerously.
"Don't think it's a good idea," Pietro mocked, "Well, you've got fucked logic, Lance. I'm not some weepy-PMS ridden female. I'm capable of getting laid without any *emotional* attatchment," He shoved himself away from the older teen, right out glaring now.
"Yeah, well maybe I don't wanna have sex if it's just gonna be another one of your stupid conquests," A low growl spilled from Pietro's lips, and a moment later, his palm hit Lance directly in the cheek, surprising him, to say the least.
"God! You're so fucking insensitive!! Just get the hell out!!" He pointed to the door, and with an indignant grunt, Lance removed himself from the bed.
"Fine! I fucking *will*!" The foundation of the house trembled as Lance stormed out of the room, slamming the door behind himself- not hearing the muffled sob that came from within a second later.
~*~
It was well after midnight when Pietro's bedroom door was opened again. Inside, it was dark, only a single shaft of light shone in from the hall, obscured by the figure standing there. Slowly, almost as if he were afraid, Lance crossed the room, sat down carefully on the edge of Pietro's mattress, and laid a gentle hand on the slumbering teen's tearstained cheek.
"I thought I told you not to listen to me when I start being an ass?" He whispered, stroking the soft, cool flesh, "I went and made you cry again. Fuck. And I'm supposed to helping you get *better*? Tch. You'd be better off with Daniels helping you..."
"Mm... but then I wouldn't have the luxury of your company..." Lance blinked, then frowned.
"Brat," He said, flicking Pietro in the forehead, tenderness forgotten, "You're awake," Full lips curled into a smirk, and sapphire eyes opened slowly, staring up at the older boy sitting on his bed.
"You're quite the observationist, aren't you?" Lance moved to flick him again, but he caught the rock tumbler's wrist. His smirk faded as he continued to stare up at Lance, his mask falling away and revealing the pain in his eyes. An unspoken agreement passed between them, and they met each other half way, crushing their lips together in a bruising kiss.
"Promise me you'll get better," The brunette breathed as they broke apart, locking his gaze again with Pietro's, "Promise," A faint nod, another kiss- not so rough this time.
"Promise me... Promise me you won't leave," Lance didn't completely understand- but he was sure he would, eventually. Some day, he'd get it. Until then, he'd just nod, catch Pietro's lips again, and hope to wash away the snowy haired mutant's pain, heal his wounds. A soft moan rose up from between them, Lance shifting to straddle Pietro's hips, supporting himself with one hand while the other wound itself into Pietro's hair, holding him close.
Their actions became desperate, needy- lips and teeth and tongues meshing into a flurry of small nips and and light caresses. Pietro's nimble fingers made quick work of Lance's belt and jeans, then moved to divest himself of the only article of clothing he was wearing. It was then, that he realized his ankles were still bound. He forced himself to break their kiss- in desperate need of oxygen, anyway- and push Lance away, just a bit.
"Untie my ankles. We can't do it like this," Lance nodded and then, was almost immediately at the opposite end of the bed, tugging at one, over-knotted rope.
~*~
Todd winced slightly at the full-throated scream that echoed through the house, fingers digging into the armrest of the couch as Fred grabbed the remote control and turned the telelvision up, even louder than it already was. Finally, he'd had enough, and he stood, heading for the door. Fred gave him an odd look, questioning without saying a word.
"Fuck it, man. I'm out of here," He said, grabbing a sweatshirt from the closet, "I don't wanna spend my Friday night listenin' to *that*."
"Later," Came Fred's reply, television volume increasing agan. Todd growled and then stepped out, into the crisp night air, pulling his sweatshirt over his head. He looked around, glaring at everything within his field of vision. He didn't think it was possible, but Pietro was louder than any of the girls the speed demon *used* to bring home. In a way, it made Todd wish for the 'good ole days'. He spared a final glance back at the house, up to the only lit window on the second floor, and then grumbled to himself as he walked away.
"Fuckin' hormone driven idiots... Like I wanna listen to their homemade porn..." He realized that he was talking to himself, but at that point, he didn't much care, "I dunno how Fred can stand it... Pietro's a fuckin' *screamer*, for fuck's sake! What a pain in the ass..." In his grumbling, he didn't realize where he was going, until he arrived. The park was empty- good thing, since it was about 3am. No one on the basketball court, or on the small playground, with the sandbox and the swings. No one sitting on the benches. He didn't even see anyone making out behind the bushes.
With a very loud sigh, he flopped himself down on the grass, stretching out on his back and staring up at the inky night sky. He'd managed to get away from all the noise, but... now what? There wasn't else around, and even if there were, they'd probably be picking on him. Like that prick Duncan, and his stupid jock friends... There was *no* appreciation for the Toad.
"Vhat are you doing out here?"
Todd started, then tipped his head back, to look above him- where the voice had come from. Not to his surprise, he was staring at a rather upside-down Kurt Wagner. He scoffed and sat up, back to the other teen.
"I could ask you the same," Kurt took a seat beside him, leaning back on his elbows and staring up at the sky, as he had been not long before.
"Ja, you could... But I asked you first," Todd wrinkled his nose. That was kindergarten reasoning right there. Another scoff, and then a slight sigh.
"I had to get out of the house... Pietro an'..." He trailed off, not so sure the pair would want any of the X-Geeks to know that particular bit of information.
"Vhat?"
"Pietro's suddenly very... religious..." He decided to say, instead, smirking at his own spark of cleverness. Kurt seemed confused, and out of the corner of his eye, Todd could tell that the older teen was staring at him, head tilted to one side. He nodded slightly, "Yeah... You shoulda heard him. 'Oh God... Oh God! OhGodOhGodOhGod!'" At this, the fuzzy mutant broke into laughter, completely on the same train of thought, now. And Todd couldn't help but laugh with him.
"I see," Kurt said, after he was able to speak again, "Vith Lance, ja?" The younger teen nearly choked, turning to stare at Kurt with wide eyes. He only received a small shrug in reply before Kurt was gazing skyward again.
"Woah- wait a second, yo. How did you-"
"Kitty told me. Vell, Kitty said that Lance *liked* Pietro... I just kinda figured..." Todd nodded vaguely, trying to regain his breathing as his shock washed away. They sat for a while, in silence. Todd found he didn't want as badly as he'd thought to strangle the boy beside him, and apparently, the feeling was mutual- since he was still alive, and all. Maybe Pietro *was* right... He doubted it, but there was always a small possibility.
"So... why are *you* out here?" Todd asked, some time later, giving Kurt a short glance.
"Just bored, I guess... There's nothing to *do*, though," Another nod from the younger teen, another moment of silence.
"We could go get shit-faced..." Kurt blinked, then took on a rather incredulous look.
"Ve could *vhat*?"
"Y'know- get drunk?"
"Oh. I... I dunno..."
"Scared?"
"No!" Todd grinned, then got to his feet, extending a hand to Kurt.
"Then come on! We got some extra beer in the fridge- Lance hid it, so that Pietro wouldn't get *too* smashed," Kurt cautiously accepted the hand, letting the brown haired boy help him up.
"I guess... I have to be home before six, though. Or the Professor vill know I vas gone," Todd shrugged, stuffed his hands into his pockets, and started for home.
"No problem. Just don't pass out," The German rolled his eyes.
"'Don't pass out' he says..."
~tbc~
Whee!! Longest chapter yet!! (I was checking, and the first four chapters were *way* too short. I'll try to make them longer! Promise!!) Review now and I'll get the next chapter to you asap! Ta~
~*~
After The Applause Dies Down
by Wolfie
~Forget The Words That You Thought You Knew~
Pietro and Todd were both asleep when Lance got home from work. It was some ungodly hour of the morning that neither of them ever really cared to see. When the oldest mutant walked into the room, he paused, smiling slightly at the snowy haired teenager, stretched languidly across the rumpled bed, his blankets once again barely keeping him decent. Todd didn't look nearly as comfortable as Pietro, slumped down in an awkward position in the chair that had taken up residence at the speedster's bedside, one foot resting on the matress near Pietro's hip.
"Todd," Lance gave the younger boy a gently shake, and he immediately jerked awake, looking up at the rock tumbler through bleary, sleepy eyes, "Go on to bed," Todd yawned and nodded, standing up slowly.
"Thanks, yo," He mumbled, heading for the door. But as he reached it, he stopped and turned, "Hey, Lance? You should think about lettin' him go back to school, y'know?" It was Lance's turn to nod, watching as Todd left, closing the door behind himself. Without another word, he slipped out of his jeans, and his t-shirt, and crawled into bed with the slumbering speed demon, sighing to himself as Pietro curled against him.
~*~
The next day seemed to pass slowly. Fred stayed home, with Pietro, while Lance and Todd went to school. It wasn't that Pietro didn't count Fred as a friend, or anything- it was just... They didn't have much to talk about. He couldn't tease him, like he teased Todd. And he certainly couldn't *jump* him, like he'd do if it were Lance keeping him company. So, Pietro wound up reading. Every single book he owned, he read. Until finally, the other two returned home.
Todd came hopping in with a few pizzas- occasion unknown, but no one was going to argue- and Lance followed with two six-packs of beer tucked under his arm. The first thing Pietro went for was the beer, accompanied by a cry of something along the lines of "Alcohol! GimmeGimmeGimme!!" and then a huge grin as Lance handed him a can.
"What's all this for, anyway?" Fred finally asked, after most of the pizza, and *all* of the beer was gone. Todd grinned. Lance shrugged.
"We figured we'd have a little celebration..." The rock-tumbler replied, finishing off the tiny bit of Budwiser left in his can. Pietro tilted his head.
"Celebration? What are we celebrating?"
"Your return to school, yo. Duh," It took a moment for the information to register, but as soon as it did, Pietro's features brightened greatly- what could only be described as a 100-watt smile spreading across his face.
"You mean it?! ReallyReallyReally?!" He threw his arms around Lance, who was sitting on the bed beside him, and let out an excited squeal, "ThankyousomuchyouhavenoideahowboredIwasgetting!!" He pressed a wet kiss to Lance's lips, lingering on the taste of alcohol and pepperoni, before breaking away to return to his rapid babbling, "OhmyfuckinggodIloveyouIcan'twaittogetoutofthisbed!"
"Did he just..." Fred was blinking in confusion, wondering if he was hallucinating. Surely Lance hadn't just let Pietro kiss him. After all, Lance was with *Kitty*... Wasn't he? Or had he missed something?
"I knew somethin' was up from the first time we caught them snugglin'!" Todd announced, pointing at the two on the bed. Pietro looked up innocently, and Lance glared. Fred was still trying to work out just what the hell was going on.
"What are you talking about?" Pietro asked, maintaining his innocence, "I just thought that- in celebration- a round of casual sex would be in order. You two in?" It only took a split second for both Todd and Fred to get out of the room, leaving Pietro grinning and very self-satisfied. Lance raised an eyebrow.
"That was a bit low," The younger teen shrugged, leaning in for another, slightly less than chaste kiss.
"Maybe. But it got them out. And now we can have a nice, *long* celebration fuck," Lance's eyebrow twitched upward again.
"Isn't that moving kinda fast? We only just got *together* the night before last..."
"And? What? You don't want me?"
"I didn't *say* that."
"Then what's the problem?" The brunette groaned, rubbing his forehead. It seemed to him like he got *way* more headaches than usual, lately... Pietro was staring at him, pouting, arms folded over his chest, obviously trying to figure out just what was going through his mind. And his hormones were in the process of complaining that there was *anything* going through his mind at all.
"You're... you're emotionally- and probably mentally- unstable. I just... don't think it's a good idea. That's all," Sky coloured eyes narrowed dangerously.
"Don't think it's a good idea," Pietro mocked, "Well, you've got fucked logic, Lance. I'm not some weepy-PMS ridden female. I'm capable of getting laid without any *emotional* attatchment," He shoved himself away from the older teen, right out glaring now.
"Yeah, well maybe I don't wanna have sex if it's just gonna be another one of your stupid conquests," A low growl spilled from Pietro's lips, and a moment later, his palm hit Lance directly in the cheek, surprising him, to say the least.
"God! You're so fucking insensitive!! Just get the hell out!!" He pointed to the door, and with an indignant grunt, Lance removed himself from the bed.
"Fine! I fucking *will*!" The foundation of the house trembled as Lance stormed out of the room, slamming the door behind himself- not hearing the muffled sob that came from within a second later.
~*~
It was well after midnight when Pietro's bedroom door was opened again. Inside, it was dark, only a single shaft of light shone in from the hall, obscured by the figure standing there. Slowly, almost as if he were afraid, Lance crossed the room, sat down carefully on the edge of Pietro's mattress, and laid a gentle hand on the slumbering teen's tearstained cheek.
"I thought I told you not to listen to me when I start being an ass?" He whispered, stroking the soft, cool flesh, "I went and made you cry again. Fuck. And I'm supposed to helping you get *better*? Tch. You'd be better off with Daniels helping you..."
"Mm... but then I wouldn't have the luxury of your company..." Lance blinked, then frowned.
"Brat," He said, flicking Pietro in the forehead, tenderness forgotten, "You're awake," Full lips curled into a smirk, and sapphire eyes opened slowly, staring up at the older boy sitting on his bed.
"You're quite the observationist, aren't you?" Lance moved to flick him again, but he caught the rock tumbler's wrist. His smirk faded as he continued to stare up at Lance, his mask falling away and revealing the pain in his eyes. An unspoken agreement passed between them, and they met each other half way, crushing their lips together in a bruising kiss.
"Promise me you'll get better," The brunette breathed as they broke apart, locking his gaze again with Pietro's, "Promise," A faint nod, another kiss- not so rough this time.
"Promise me... Promise me you won't leave," Lance didn't completely understand- but he was sure he would, eventually. Some day, he'd get it. Until then, he'd just nod, catch Pietro's lips again, and hope to wash away the snowy haired mutant's pain, heal his wounds. A soft moan rose up from between them, Lance shifting to straddle Pietro's hips, supporting himself with one hand while the other wound itself into Pietro's hair, holding him close.
Their actions became desperate, needy- lips and teeth and tongues meshing into a flurry of small nips and and light caresses. Pietro's nimble fingers made quick work of Lance's belt and jeans, then moved to divest himself of the only article of clothing he was wearing. It was then, that he realized his ankles were still bound. He forced himself to break their kiss- in desperate need of oxygen, anyway- and push Lance away, just a bit.
"Untie my ankles. We can't do it like this," Lance nodded and then, was almost immediately at the opposite end of the bed, tugging at one, over-knotted rope.
~*~
Todd winced slightly at the full-throated scream that echoed through the house, fingers digging into the armrest of the couch as Fred grabbed the remote control and turned the telelvision up, even louder than it already was. Finally, he'd had enough, and he stood, heading for the door. Fred gave him an odd look, questioning without saying a word.
"Fuck it, man. I'm out of here," He said, grabbing a sweatshirt from the closet, "I don't wanna spend my Friday night listenin' to *that*."
"Later," Came Fred's reply, television volume increasing agan. Todd growled and then stepped out, into the crisp night air, pulling his sweatshirt over his head. He looked around, glaring at everything within his field of vision. He didn't think it was possible, but Pietro was louder than any of the girls the speed demon *used* to bring home. In a way, it made Todd wish for the 'good ole days'. He spared a final glance back at the house, up to the only lit window on the second floor, and then grumbled to himself as he walked away.
"Fuckin' hormone driven idiots... Like I wanna listen to their homemade porn..." He realized that he was talking to himself, but at that point, he didn't much care, "I dunno how Fred can stand it... Pietro's a fuckin' *screamer*, for fuck's sake! What a pain in the ass..." In his grumbling, he didn't realize where he was going, until he arrived. The park was empty- good thing, since it was about 3am. No one on the basketball court, or on the small playground, with the sandbox and the swings. No one sitting on the benches. He didn't even see anyone making out behind the bushes.
With a very loud sigh, he flopped himself down on the grass, stretching out on his back and staring up at the inky night sky. He'd managed to get away from all the noise, but... now what? There wasn't else around, and even if there were, they'd probably be picking on him. Like that prick Duncan, and his stupid jock friends... There was *no* appreciation for the Toad.
"Vhat are you doing out here?"
Todd started, then tipped his head back, to look above him- where the voice had come from. Not to his surprise, he was staring at a rather upside-down Kurt Wagner. He scoffed and sat up, back to the other teen.
"I could ask you the same," Kurt took a seat beside him, leaning back on his elbows and staring up at the sky, as he had been not long before.
"Ja, you could... But I asked you first," Todd wrinkled his nose. That was kindergarten reasoning right there. Another scoff, and then a slight sigh.
"I had to get out of the house... Pietro an'..." He trailed off, not so sure the pair would want any of the X-Geeks to know that particular bit of information.
"Vhat?"
"Pietro's suddenly very... religious..." He decided to say, instead, smirking at his own spark of cleverness. Kurt seemed confused, and out of the corner of his eye, Todd could tell that the older teen was staring at him, head tilted to one side. He nodded slightly, "Yeah... You shoulda heard him. 'Oh God... Oh God! OhGodOhGodOhGod!'" At this, the fuzzy mutant broke into laughter, completely on the same train of thought, now. And Todd couldn't help but laugh with him.
"I see," Kurt said, after he was able to speak again, "Vith Lance, ja?" The younger teen nearly choked, turning to stare at Kurt with wide eyes. He only received a small shrug in reply before Kurt was gazing skyward again.
"Woah- wait a second, yo. How did you-"
"Kitty told me. Vell, Kitty said that Lance *liked* Pietro... I just kinda figured..." Todd nodded vaguely, trying to regain his breathing as his shock washed away. They sat for a while, in silence. Todd found he didn't want as badly as he'd thought to strangle the boy beside him, and apparently, the feeling was mutual- since he was still alive, and all. Maybe Pietro *was* right... He doubted it, but there was always a small possibility.
"So... why are *you* out here?" Todd asked, some time later, giving Kurt a short glance.
"Just bored, I guess... There's nothing to *do*, though," Another nod from the younger teen, another moment of silence.
"We could go get shit-faced..." Kurt blinked, then took on a rather incredulous look.
"Ve could *vhat*?"
"Y'know- get drunk?"
"Oh. I... I dunno..."
"Scared?"
"No!" Todd grinned, then got to his feet, extending a hand to Kurt.
"Then come on! We got some extra beer in the fridge- Lance hid it, so that Pietro wouldn't get *too* smashed," Kurt cautiously accepted the hand, letting the brown haired boy help him up.
"I guess... I have to be home before six, though. Or the Professor vill know I vas gone," Todd shrugged, stuffed his hands into his pockets, and started for home.
"No problem. Just don't pass out," The German rolled his eyes.
"'Don't pass out' he says..."
~tbc~
Whee!! Longest chapter yet!! (I was checking, and the first four chapters were *way* too short. I'll try to make them longer! Promise!!) Review now and I'll get the next chapter to you asap! Ta~