Scott gently brushed a lock of hair from Kurt's face, reveling in the stimulating sensation of soft fur beneath his fingertips. "We'll find a way to heal you Kurt, I promise." Kurt's fur was damp with sweat and he moaned and twisted fitfully, caught in fevered dreams. "Do you know how cute you are? I don't think you do, really. I know you always say things like, 'Chicks dig the fuzzy dude' but you're so sensitive about your natural appearance. And you shouldn't be. You're beautiful. Really, I could stare at you forever and never tire of it. With your lovely violet fur. It is violet to me you know, since I only see things of red, I can't help but wonder what it would be like to be able to see your fur in it's proper shade of blue." Scott sighed and leaned back in the chair. "I think I'm in love with you." he chuckled humorlessly, I know you think I'm in love with Jean, but I'm not, and she knows it. Our 'relationship' is just a smoke screen we cooked up when we were young, it's easier for people to understand than of we were just friends. Though I still don't like Duncan, he's not good enough for her. She know's I'm gay, so does the Professor, and probably Storm and Logan, you never know with those two. And I'm not afraid of the people at schools reaction anymore. In fact the only reason to continue the pretense is you. I don't want you to find out how much I care about you. I know you look up to me, I'm like an older brother to you. And I do not want to mess that up. And I won't. But please," his voice broke with emotion, "please get better, I can't lose you." He put his head in his hands, " I can't."

*****

"Hey Pietro, did you go grocery shopping yet?" Lance strode into the house and looked around, "Pietro?" He took another step forward and his foot connected with something soft. It was Pietro, sprawled bonelessly on the floor. "What the?" he bent over Pietro's prone form. "Pie? Why are you sleeping on the floor?" He reached out and touched Pietro's shoulder, making him roll over on his back with a quiet moan. "What happened?"

"Hhhh." Pietro murmured, clearing his and trying to speak.

"Never mind, He touched his forehead, "you're burning up, we're going to the hospital."

Pietro shook his head weakly.

"Yes, I'm taking you to the hospital, you shouldn't be sick, I'm not taking any chances."

Pietro shook his head again and licked his lips, "Institute."

"What?"

"Institute." He repeated, voice hoarse.

"You want me to take you to the institute?"

Pietro nodded.

Lance shrugged, his face showing his confusion clearly, "Ok, just let me leave Toad a note and I'll take you to the institute, though I don't know why you'd want to go there."

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Pietro: gak that first part was sappy

Darkdancer: Thank you

Pietro:AndwhywasIsoweakallofasudden?Doesn'tmakesense

Darkdancer: SLOW.....down. you were weak because it adds to the story. Now shuddup, your fluffy scene with Lance is coming soon

Pietro: Ick, he so doesn't deserve me. And why do so many of you slash writers make me all girly?

Darkdancer: Well, you are all girly

Pietro: Am not!

Darkdancer: whatever

Pietro: I'm not!

Darkdancer: Pietro, you watch soap operas

Pietro: So? I get bored easily