Chapter 3: Night #1
Rogue, Lance and their 'son' made their way to their new 'castle' as Lance had put it. Rogue and Lance had already gotten what little things they had to get out of their dorm rooms then the happy family went straight their new home in the small, two stories, 3-bed room, 1 bath, house that was behind the college, Lance helped Ben get his things out of Lance's jeep. Rogue went up to the door, which had the huge number 2 on it, and unlocked it with the key that they had received earlier. She slowly went inside and looked around the first room, the living room. It was fully furnished and had a TV. Rogue smiled as she walked further into the house. On the coffee table, she saw some instructions and a FAQ about the house along with the rules about living in the house.
"Hey Rogue, why don't you make yourself useful and cook something?" Lance asked harshly as he walked in the door right before Ben. If it hadn't been for the happy look on Ben's face, Rogue would have given Lance a large portion of her mind… but right now, she just glared at Lance and shook her head in a warning fashion. Lance looked down at Ben. "Come on, kid. Let's check this place out!" Lance said and he raced Ben up the stairs while carrying the two small suitcases. Rogue just rolled her eyes and followed them.
"I guess this is your room, kid." Lance said as he looked around at the little boy's room. It had toys and a cowboy theme going on all around the room. Lance set the suitcase down on the floor for Ben, who was occupied by looking around at the inside of his new room. "Heh… kids…" Lance said as he turned around and walked down the hall. He stopped when he saw two doors: one to his left and one to his right. "Hmph. This one's mine." He said as he looked at both of them, and then picked the one on the same side as Ben.
"Whate'er…" Rogue said and sighed. She set her things down in her room, but she didn't unpack. Instead, Rogue walked back to Ben's room and watched him look around at all of the things that were now his. "How do ya like yer new room, sugah?" Rogue asked Ben. Ben looked up from the small collection of cowboy and Indian figures and smiled.
"I love it, mommy!" Ben said and smiled. Rogue couldn't help but to smile. She would never get used to being called 'Mommy', but it was something she liked. Rogue sighed as she heard footsteps behind her and she knew what was coming so she thought she should take the offensive. "What do you want?"
"What?! I didn't even say anything!" Lance said angrily. Ben looked up from the toys over at his 'parents'. Rogue and Lance both felt a ping of guilt, but they both put on a smile for Ben. Lance looked over at Rogue. "So, when's dinner?" Lance asked innocently, as if it was a normal question.
"Come wit' meh!" Rogue growled as she took Lance's hand roughly with her gloved one and led him down the stairs before he could protest. Before he knew it, he was being pushed towards the stove. "It's ready once ya cook it." Rogue said and sat down at the table. Ben had followed the two and now hid himself near the doorway to the kitchen. He watched his parents.
"Wha….? Huh?" Lance asked as he looked around.
"Teach said there was food in the cabinets and fridge. Cook or you ain't eatin'!" Rogue said and glared at Lance.
"You're forgetting who has the keys to the jeep outside!" Lance said and glared at Rogue. Rogue merely responded by taking off one of her gloves. Lance turned as white as a ghost. Soft laughter could be heard from the door way and both of the 'adults' looked to find Ben standing in the doorway, laughing. Lance smiled wider than Rogue did as he had to laugh along with him.
"Hey, kid, have you been listening to us?" Lance asked and crossed his arms across his chest. Ben walked into the kitchen and nodded.
"You two are funny!" Ben said. "You're afraid of mommy's glove!!" Ben giggled and Rogue quickly put her glove back on. She patted her lap.
"Ben, wouldya like ta see daddy cook dinner?" Rogue asked as she smirked evilly at Lance. Ben nodded and hopped on Rogue's lap.
~
"Mmmmm! 'manda, That vas a vonderful dinner." Kurt said as he cleared his plate. Amanda and Ginger both laughed.
"Kurt, that was take out!" Amanda laughed and shook her head.
"Vat? Zat vazn't you're cooking? You tricked me!" Kurt said, playing around with Amanda. Ginger continued to giggle.
"Kurt-papa?" Ginger asked as she got up and walked over to her 'papa'. Kurt looked down at her as he threw the trash and wrappers away. Kurt suddenly became very nervous as she tugged on his over shirt. "Why do you talk like that?"
"Like vat?" Kurt asked, not expecting that to be her question.
"Vike ziz!" Ginger said and giggled again. She tugged on his over shirt again.
"Oh! Right! Vell, I'm from Germany… Zat iz a place very far away from here!" Kurt said and smiled down at Ginger… Until she began to play around with his over shirt. Kurt didn't want her to feel what his legs felt like.. he didn't want to scare her! He didn't need to be exposed as a monster to this little, cheerful girl! He pulled on his over shirt. "Ok, zat iz enough, Ginger-daughter!" Kurt said. They had come up with these names for each other much to Ginger's pleasure.
"But Kurt-papa! It's fuzzy!" Ginger giggled. Kurt gulped and just tried to laugh along with Ginger. Amanda sensed Kurt's uneasiness.
"Um, Ginger? Why don't you go to your room and get ready for bed, ok?" Amanda asked.
"Aw, Amanda-mama, do I have to? Kurt-papa, do I have to?" Ginger whined.
"Ah, I know… but I vill read you a bed time story, promise!" Kurt said and Ginger brightened up. She hurried up stairs to get ready for bed and to pick out a bedtime story.
"Kurt," Amanda said as she stood up and looked at him, "what's wrong with you?"
"Vat do you mean?" Kurt asked innocently.
"You're avoiding Ginger! You barely touch her!" Amanda said, but did not yell. She was upset, though.
"Uh….. ah." Kurt sighed. He looked down at his watch. "Amanda, I vant to show you zomething. But you 'ave to promise not to tell anyone, avright?" Kurt asked and Amanda walked over to him.
"Of course, Kurt." Amanda said gently and smiled at him. Kurt took a deep breath in.
"Just don't run avay…." Kurt said and turned off his image inducer. The real Kurt Wagner stood in front of Amanda. He looked down at the floor with a sad look. "I vill understand if you vish to keep your distance from me, Amanda…" Kurt said sadly.
"Did I ever tell you that blue was my favorite color?" Amanda asked as she smiled into Kurt's eyes. "I think you still look as handsome as ever…" Amanda said and held one of his three fingered hands. "Now I know… And I'll keep your secret. You don't have to worry about that, Kurt." Amanda said. "Come on, let's go tuck Ginger in," Amanda said and grabbed Kurt's hand to lead him up stairs.
"Vat?? You're not disturbed by the blue and fuzzy-ness?" Kurt asked in a depressed voice as he turned his image inducer back on.
"Of course not, silly… You're still you…" Amanda said as they neared Ginger's room. She smiled back at him.
"Amanda-mama! I found a book!" Ginger said when she heard her 'mama's' voice from outside her room. Kurt and Amanda walked into Ginger's room, which had an airplane and choo-choo train theme.
~
The happy residence in house number 4 was just trying to kill the silence. Wanda and Todd had tried nearly everything to get Sean to talk to them about ANYTHING… but all the boy wanted was to be left alone. The kid didn't even want to eat dinner with them! Wanda and Todd were miserable… Wanda more so than Todd. Wanda was pacing in the living room when Todd came down stairs, defeated.
"Any luck?" Wanda asked Todd. He shook his head and she threw her hands up in a fit. "Why can't we get through to him?"
"Now Sugar plum, give the boy some time.. ya read the folder an' stuff wit me… he's been through a lot o' foster families since his parents died in the fire! He's had some trouble fittin' in, yo?" Todd said and sat down on the couch.
"…." Wanda didn't say anything as she looked down in thought. Todd was actually right.
"So, sweedums, while we have some 'we' time, why dun ya sit right here next ta me and we can snuggle?" Todd asked hopefully. He smiled brightly and blinked as if he was asking a simple question like what do you want to eat for dinner.
"Ahhh!" Wanda yelled in frustration. "I'll be in my room!" Wanda said as she turned towards the stairs. She saw a wisp of long brown hair and dark clothes run around the corner of the stairs. Sean had been watching and listening to both Wanda and Todd secretly. Wanda smirked to herself and walked up the stairs. She paused before walking past Sean's room.
"It's alright, Sean. You're welcome to come down at any time or knock at my door at any time of the day or night." Wanda said quietly. She knew that Sean was there and listening. Wanda continued to walk towards her room. This was beginning to be too much for her. Where did that come from?! Her 'motherly' instincts were coming out naturally with out any control…
Hours later, Wanda had fallen asleep on her bed, but the two boys of the house where up. Sean had locked his door… again… and Todd was sitting right outside it.
"…what happened then?" Sean asked.
"Wut could I do, yanno? I ran! An' I jumped the fence and ran straight back home, yo!" Todd said, finishing a story about one of his earlier day street fights.
"…you just let him win?"
"Of course not! I had already won, yo. Remember the argument? Wull dat's what the fight was all 'bout! An' since he wanted ta bring in his buddies, that just proved me right, yo!" Todd said.
"…"
"Sean, you still awake?" Todd asked through the door.
"…." Todd could hear nothing but the sound of a slow breathing. He smiled to himself and took out a hairpin. He picked the lock on Sean's door and found the boy curled up in a ball on the floor. Todd smiled down at the boy and picked him up, then set him on the bed. Todd looked around in Sean's room. It had pictures of blue lions all around the walls and the toys were mostly that of animals. Todd then turned around and walked out of Sean's room, leaving the door open. Todd knew that Wanda didn't expect him to do anything… let alone anything right. But this is how he was going to prove himself to his snookums! He was going to prove to her that he could be a serious father! In the six years that Todd and Wanda had known each other, Todd had always been a screw up in front of Wanda. Always being distracted by trying to impress her instead on his safety or the well being of others. But this is what Todd was good at! He was in school to become a therapist… not only to help those that he can relate to, but also to help a certain witch…
~
"Mommy! Mommy! Wake up!" Hayli said as she shook Kitty's arm. Hayli was panicked and very scared. "Mommy! Wake up, please!! Please, wake up!!" Hayli cried. Kitty slowly woke up, but when she realized who was shaking her, she nearly jumped out of bed. Kitty turned on her lamp to see Hayli's tear stricken face.
"Hayli, what's wrong, honey?" Kitty asked. Today had been a wonderful day to Kitty! They, as in, Pietro, Kitty and Hayli, played with the toys in Hayli's room for about an hour straight! Then Pietro had to leave, much to Hayli's displeasure. Pietro didn't say where he was going because he was in front of Hayli… but Kitty knew. Kitty knew that he was seeing those other girls… those sluts! 'Whoa, Kitty, calm down… I don't care about Pietro, remember? Then…?' Kitty thought as she held Hayli in her arms and tried to calm down the crying girl. The two had really bonded earlier when Kitty was trying to make dinner for the two of them… but she failed and Hayli ended up showing Kitty what to do!! Of course they ended up going out for take-out Chinese food, but they had fun none-the-less.
"It's daddy! He's still not back and there's a monster down stairs!" Hayli cried into Kitty's shoulder. Hayli was really scared! Kitty picked the shaken little girl up in her arms and rocked her back and forth as Kitty began to walk towards the down stairs.
"I'm sure that IS daddy just getting a mid-night snack…" Kitty said but she silently hoped that it really was a burglar or monster. She had no idea what condition Pietro would be in if he came in this late.. it was nearly 1 in the morning! When Kitty was half way to the stairs, she realized that Hayli had fallen asleep in her arms so Kitty turned back around and went into Hayli's room. Kitty set Hayli down on her bed and tucked her in. Kitty suddenly frowned as she phased through the floor and landed in the kitchen. She looked around and saw Pietro going through the refrigerator.
"Pietro! Where have you been??" Kitty asked and put her hands on her hips. Pietro stood up straight and ran a hand down his face, as if trying to loosen his features… but that didn't work. He looked back at Kitty with a serious and dreadful look that no one should see on Pietro Maximoff's face.
"What do you care?" Pietro asked. He was serious. He WASN'T playing around or being cool… this was a different side of Pietro Maximoff that very few ever got to see. Pietro got himself a glass of cold water and began to make his way back upstairs.
"Because I…." Kitty stopped herself. No. She didn't care about him! He was nothing but a brotherhood boy! "Because Hayli needed you!" Kitty said as she followed him closely. "Is-is that a hicky on your neck?" Kitty asked as she looked at him. "How irresponsible! Pietro, where were you?? Just how many girls did you 'score' with tonight, hmmm?? I hope you grow up you… you hood!" Kitty said and Pietro stopped dead in his tracks. He turned and looked at Kitty with a dangerous glare that seemed to run in his blood.
"Listen, Katherine, you don't know me. You don't know who I am or what I believe in! You don't know the first thing about me, Katherine!" Pietro slurred Kitty's name every time he spoke it, "Why don't you go talk on the phone or something." Pietro said and disappeared into his room, leaving Kitty stunned. She had never seen Pietro like that before! It was like he was a different person, almost. Kitty, still confused, walked back into her room. She felt guilty about what she had said to Pietro… but it was too late for that. He IS 22 years old… he's an adult… so why does Kitty think that she can just tell him what to do? 'Because I know what's best for him and it's… OH! Why do I care??' Kitty thought to herself.
Meanwhile, Pietro sat down on his bed holding his head. He couldn't take this. Sure, he was popular with the ladies…. But just how many of them liked him for who he was? With that thought branded into Pietro's mind, he could barely stand to look at any of them. But that's when he put on his mask. The mask that protected him from being hurt by the truth… the mask that told the girls that he didn't care what they thought about him, only if he could get them or not… but once he got them, he couldn't bring himself to keep them. That's why he had very rarely ever gone out on a date with the same girl twice. He had never had a girl, because in reality, no girl would have him…. And that was nearly too much for Pietro to bear.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
A/N: Yes.. I know.. a little Pietro angst there… but I have to put in foreshadowing, yanno!!! The next chappie will be up real soon, yo!
--AJ
Rogue, Lance and their 'son' made their way to their new 'castle' as Lance had put it. Rogue and Lance had already gotten what little things they had to get out of their dorm rooms then the happy family went straight their new home in the small, two stories, 3-bed room, 1 bath, house that was behind the college, Lance helped Ben get his things out of Lance's jeep. Rogue went up to the door, which had the huge number 2 on it, and unlocked it with the key that they had received earlier. She slowly went inside and looked around the first room, the living room. It was fully furnished and had a TV. Rogue smiled as she walked further into the house. On the coffee table, she saw some instructions and a FAQ about the house along with the rules about living in the house.
"Hey Rogue, why don't you make yourself useful and cook something?" Lance asked harshly as he walked in the door right before Ben. If it hadn't been for the happy look on Ben's face, Rogue would have given Lance a large portion of her mind… but right now, she just glared at Lance and shook her head in a warning fashion. Lance looked down at Ben. "Come on, kid. Let's check this place out!" Lance said and he raced Ben up the stairs while carrying the two small suitcases. Rogue just rolled her eyes and followed them.
"I guess this is your room, kid." Lance said as he looked around at the little boy's room. It had toys and a cowboy theme going on all around the room. Lance set the suitcase down on the floor for Ben, who was occupied by looking around at the inside of his new room. "Heh… kids…" Lance said as he turned around and walked down the hall. He stopped when he saw two doors: one to his left and one to his right. "Hmph. This one's mine." He said as he looked at both of them, and then picked the one on the same side as Ben.
"Whate'er…" Rogue said and sighed. She set her things down in her room, but she didn't unpack. Instead, Rogue walked back to Ben's room and watched him look around at all of the things that were now his. "How do ya like yer new room, sugah?" Rogue asked Ben. Ben looked up from the small collection of cowboy and Indian figures and smiled.
"I love it, mommy!" Ben said and smiled. Rogue couldn't help but to smile. She would never get used to being called 'Mommy', but it was something she liked. Rogue sighed as she heard footsteps behind her and she knew what was coming so she thought she should take the offensive. "What do you want?"
"What?! I didn't even say anything!" Lance said angrily. Ben looked up from the toys over at his 'parents'. Rogue and Lance both felt a ping of guilt, but they both put on a smile for Ben. Lance looked over at Rogue. "So, when's dinner?" Lance asked innocently, as if it was a normal question.
"Come wit' meh!" Rogue growled as she took Lance's hand roughly with her gloved one and led him down the stairs before he could protest. Before he knew it, he was being pushed towards the stove. "It's ready once ya cook it." Rogue said and sat down at the table. Ben had followed the two and now hid himself near the doorway to the kitchen. He watched his parents.
"Wha….? Huh?" Lance asked as he looked around.
"Teach said there was food in the cabinets and fridge. Cook or you ain't eatin'!" Rogue said and glared at Lance.
"You're forgetting who has the keys to the jeep outside!" Lance said and glared at Rogue. Rogue merely responded by taking off one of her gloves. Lance turned as white as a ghost. Soft laughter could be heard from the door way and both of the 'adults' looked to find Ben standing in the doorway, laughing. Lance smiled wider than Rogue did as he had to laugh along with him.
"Hey, kid, have you been listening to us?" Lance asked and crossed his arms across his chest. Ben walked into the kitchen and nodded.
"You two are funny!" Ben said. "You're afraid of mommy's glove!!" Ben giggled and Rogue quickly put her glove back on. She patted her lap.
"Ben, wouldya like ta see daddy cook dinner?" Rogue asked as she smirked evilly at Lance. Ben nodded and hopped on Rogue's lap.
~
"Mmmmm! 'manda, That vas a vonderful dinner." Kurt said as he cleared his plate. Amanda and Ginger both laughed.
"Kurt, that was take out!" Amanda laughed and shook her head.
"Vat? Zat vazn't you're cooking? You tricked me!" Kurt said, playing around with Amanda. Ginger continued to giggle.
"Kurt-papa?" Ginger asked as she got up and walked over to her 'papa'. Kurt looked down at her as he threw the trash and wrappers away. Kurt suddenly became very nervous as she tugged on his over shirt. "Why do you talk like that?"
"Like vat?" Kurt asked, not expecting that to be her question.
"Vike ziz!" Ginger said and giggled again. She tugged on his over shirt again.
"Oh! Right! Vell, I'm from Germany… Zat iz a place very far away from here!" Kurt said and smiled down at Ginger… Until she began to play around with his over shirt. Kurt didn't want her to feel what his legs felt like.. he didn't want to scare her! He didn't need to be exposed as a monster to this little, cheerful girl! He pulled on his over shirt. "Ok, zat iz enough, Ginger-daughter!" Kurt said. They had come up with these names for each other much to Ginger's pleasure.
"But Kurt-papa! It's fuzzy!" Ginger giggled. Kurt gulped and just tried to laugh along with Ginger. Amanda sensed Kurt's uneasiness.
"Um, Ginger? Why don't you go to your room and get ready for bed, ok?" Amanda asked.
"Aw, Amanda-mama, do I have to? Kurt-papa, do I have to?" Ginger whined.
"Ah, I know… but I vill read you a bed time story, promise!" Kurt said and Ginger brightened up. She hurried up stairs to get ready for bed and to pick out a bedtime story.
"Kurt," Amanda said as she stood up and looked at him, "what's wrong with you?"
"Vat do you mean?" Kurt asked innocently.
"You're avoiding Ginger! You barely touch her!" Amanda said, but did not yell. She was upset, though.
"Uh….. ah." Kurt sighed. He looked down at his watch. "Amanda, I vant to show you zomething. But you 'ave to promise not to tell anyone, avright?" Kurt asked and Amanda walked over to him.
"Of course, Kurt." Amanda said gently and smiled at him. Kurt took a deep breath in.
"Just don't run avay…." Kurt said and turned off his image inducer. The real Kurt Wagner stood in front of Amanda. He looked down at the floor with a sad look. "I vill understand if you vish to keep your distance from me, Amanda…" Kurt said sadly.
"Did I ever tell you that blue was my favorite color?" Amanda asked as she smiled into Kurt's eyes. "I think you still look as handsome as ever…" Amanda said and held one of his three fingered hands. "Now I know… And I'll keep your secret. You don't have to worry about that, Kurt." Amanda said. "Come on, let's go tuck Ginger in," Amanda said and grabbed Kurt's hand to lead him up stairs.
"Vat?? You're not disturbed by the blue and fuzzy-ness?" Kurt asked in a depressed voice as he turned his image inducer back on.
"Of course not, silly… You're still you…" Amanda said as they neared Ginger's room. She smiled back at him.
"Amanda-mama! I found a book!" Ginger said when she heard her 'mama's' voice from outside her room. Kurt and Amanda walked into Ginger's room, which had an airplane and choo-choo train theme.
~
The happy residence in house number 4 was just trying to kill the silence. Wanda and Todd had tried nearly everything to get Sean to talk to them about ANYTHING… but all the boy wanted was to be left alone. The kid didn't even want to eat dinner with them! Wanda and Todd were miserable… Wanda more so than Todd. Wanda was pacing in the living room when Todd came down stairs, defeated.
"Any luck?" Wanda asked Todd. He shook his head and she threw her hands up in a fit. "Why can't we get through to him?"
"Now Sugar plum, give the boy some time.. ya read the folder an' stuff wit me… he's been through a lot o' foster families since his parents died in the fire! He's had some trouble fittin' in, yo?" Todd said and sat down on the couch.
"…." Wanda didn't say anything as she looked down in thought. Todd was actually right.
"So, sweedums, while we have some 'we' time, why dun ya sit right here next ta me and we can snuggle?" Todd asked hopefully. He smiled brightly and blinked as if he was asking a simple question like what do you want to eat for dinner.
"Ahhh!" Wanda yelled in frustration. "I'll be in my room!" Wanda said as she turned towards the stairs. She saw a wisp of long brown hair and dark clothes run around the corner of the stairs. Sean had been watching and listening to both Wanda and Todd secretly. Wanda smirked to herself and walked up the stairs. She paused before walking past Sean's room.
"It's alright, Sean. You're welcome to come down at any time or knock at my door at any time of the day or night." Wanda said quietly. She knew that Sean was there and listening. Wanda continued to walk towards her room. This was beginning to be too much for her. Where did that come from?! Her 'motherly' instincts were coming out naturally with out any control…
Hours later, Wanda had fallen asleep on her bed, but the two boys of the house where up. Sean had locked his door… again… and Todd was sitting right outside it.
"…what happened then?" Sean asked.
"Wut could I do, yanno? I ran! An' I jumped the fence and ran straight back home, yo!" Todd said, finishing a story about one of his earlier day street fights.
"…you just let him win?"
"Of course not! I had already won, yo. Remember the argument? Wull dat's what the fight was all 'bout! An' since he wanted ta bring in his buddies, that just proved me right, yo!" Todd said.
"…"
"Sean, you still awake?" Todd asked through the door.
"…." Todd could hear nothing but the sound of a slow breathing. He smiled to himself and took out a hairpin. He picked the lock on Sean's door and found the boy curled up in a ball on the floor. Todd smiled down at the boy and picked him up, then set him on the bed. Todd looked around in Sean's room. It had pictures of blue lions all around the walls and the toys were mostly that of animals. Todd then turned around and walked out of Sean's room, leaving the door open. Todd knew that Wanda didn't expect him to do anything… let alone anything right. But this is how he was going to prove himself to his snookums! He was going to prove to her that he could be a serious father! In the six years that Todd and Wanda had known each other, Todd had always been a screw up in front of Wanda. Always being distracted by trying to impress her instead on his safety or the well being of others. But this is what Todd was good at! He was in school to become a therapist… not only to help those that he can relate to, but also to help a certain witch…
~
"Mommy! Mommy! Wake up!" Hayli said as she shook Kitty's arm. Hayli was panicked and very scared. "Mommy! Wake up, please!! Please, wake up!!" Hayli cried. Kitty slowly woke up, but when she realized who was shaking her, she nearly jumped out of bed. Kitty turned on her lamp to see Hayli's tear stricken face.
"Hayli, what's wrong, honey?" Kitty asked. Today had been a wonderful day to Kitty! They, as in, Pietro, Kitty and Hayli, played with the toys in Hayli's room for about an hour straight! Then Pietro had to leave, much to Hayli's displeasure. Pietro didn't say where he was going because he was in front of Hayli… but Kitty knew. Kitty knew that he was seeing those other girls… those sluts! 'Whoa, Kitty, calm down… I don't care about Pietro, remember? Then…?' Kitty thought as she held Hayli in her arms and tried to calm down the crying girl. The two had really bonded earlier when Kitty was trying to make dinner for the two of them… but she failed and Hayli ended up showing Kitty what to do!! Of course they ended up going out for take-out Chinese food, but they had fun none-the-less.
"It's daddy! He's still not back and there's a monster down stairs!" Hayli cried into Kitty's shoulder. Hayli was really scared! Kitty picked the shaken little girl up in her arms and rocked her back and forth as Kitty began to walk towards the down stairs.
"I'm sure that IS daddy just getting a mid-night snack…" Kitty said but she silently hoped that it really was a burglar or monster. She had no idea what condition Pietro would be in if he came in this late.. it was nearly 1 in the morning! When Kitty was half way to the stairs, she realized that Hayli had fallen asleep in her arms so Kitty turned back around and went into Hayli's room. Kitty set Hayli down on her bed and tucked her in. Kitty suddenly frowned as she phased through the floor and landed in the kitchen. She looked around and saw Pietro going through the refrigerator.
"Pietro! Where have you been??" Kitty asked and put her hands on her hips. Pietro stood up straight and ran a hand down his face, as if trying to loosen his features… but that didn't work. He looked back at Kitty with a serious and dreadful look that no one should see on Pietro Maximoff's face.
"What do you care?" Pietro asked. He was serious. He WASN'T playing around or being cool… this was a different side of Pietro Maximoff that very few ever got to see. Pietro got himself a glass of cold water and began to make his way back upstairs.
"Because I…." Kitty stopped herself. No. She didn't care about him! He was nothing but a brotherhood boy! "Because Hayli needed you!" Kitty said as she followed him closely. "Is-is that a hicky on your neck?" Kitty asked as she looked at him. "How irresponsible! Pietro, where were you?? Just how many girls did you 'score' with tonight, hmmm?? I hope you grow up you… you hood!" Kitty said and Pietro stopped dead in his tracks. He turned and looked at Kitty with a dangerous glare that seemed to run in his blood.
"Listen, Katherine, you don't know me. You don't know who I am or what I believe in! You don't know the first thing about me, Katherine!" Pietro slurred Kitty's name every time he spoke it, "Why don't you go talk on the phone or something." Pietro said and disappeared into his room, leaving Kitty stunned. She had never seen Pietro like that before! It was like he was a different person, almost. Kitty, still confused, walked back into her room. She felt guilty about what she had said to Pietro… but it was too late for that. He IS 22 years old… he's an adult… so why does Kitty think that she can just tell him what to do? 'Because I know what's best for him and it's… OH! Why do I care??' Kitty thought to herself.
Meanwhile, Pietro sat down on his bed holding his head. He couldn't take this. Sure, he was popular with the ladies…. But just how many of them liked him for who he was? With that thought branded into Pietro's mind, he could barely stand to look at any of them. But that's when he put on his mask. The mask that protected him from being hurt by the truth… the mask that told the girls that he didn't care what they thought about him, only if he could get them or not… but once he got them, he couldn't bring himself to keep them. That's why he had very rarely ever gone out on a date with the same girl twice. He had never had a girl, because in reality, no girl would have him…. And that was nearly too much for Pietro to bear.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
A/N: Yes.. I know.. a little Pietro angst there… but I have to put in foreshadowing, yanno!!! The next chappie will be up real soon, yo!
--AJ
