Later in the evening, when Rogue finally opens the door to emerge from her room, St. John is standing across from it in his own doorway, looking lost and anxious. Before she can say anything or even react, he blurts out:
"I'm sorry! I didn't mean it like that, but I can see how you'd TAKE it like that, an' I really would NEVER mean to offend you, an' - "
Rogue holds up her hand, managing a weak smile.
"'S okay. Not yer fault. Ah'm just bein' sensitive today. Don' feel bad."
St. John still looks slightly ill.
"Well, um, I'm still sorry. Y'know?"
"Ah know."
He shifts awkwardly from foot to foot and stuffs his hands into his pockets.
"Well, do ya wanna come in? I've got some coloring books and sixty-four brilliant Crayolas. For you, I'll even try to stay inside the lines."
Her smile falters slightly.
"Thanks, but...there's somethin' ah gotta do raght now. Maybe later?"
He cocks his head, staring at her quizzically.
"Sure..."
Rogue brushes past him down the hall, setting off to give someone a last chance.
***
No one in the house, at least no one Rogue talks to regularly, has seen the basement. The door always seems to be closed, and it's almost inconceivable that anyone would ever open it other than Sabertooth; Magneto isn't seen upstairs at all, and when his son is spotted, it's usually in the form of a flash or gust of wind. No, the door stays shut, and the mystery of what goes on behind it is one that nobody in wants to solve.
At the moment, Rogue is standing directly in front of it.
Her arms are crossed defiantly, brow furrowed in a scowl that hasn't been normal for several weeks, months. She makes no effort to TOUCH the door, or even stand very close to it, but she's staring at it all the same. And that's enough.
It's only a matter of minutes before there's a tugging at her arm, and she's being pulled so fast that she starts to gasp. But before her lungs can be filled, the trip is over. Looking down at her, hands on his hips, is Pietro. His own frown mirrors hers.
"What do you think you're doing?!" he hisses.
Still in mild shock, Rogue looks around; they're standing in the shadows of the yard.
"Well?" he demands. "Are you just looking for a reaction? Believe me, you DON'T want to make my father mad!"
She focuses on him.
"What're ya doin' in the basement?"
His head whips back in surprise.
"What - "
"Tell me."
"I can't."
"What's he have planned fer us?" she goes on, without missing a beat.
"You - "
"Are we gonna have a choice when we fahnd out?"
"Rogue..."
"Why did ya betray us?"
Silence. After a few beats, the breeze picks up and leaves rustle.
"I didn't betray anyone," Pietro answers finally.
"Ya set us up."
"Yeah," he sighs, looking weary. "But the real betrayal would've been a son turning against his father."
"But...but..." she stammers. "Don't ya CARE?"
He stares at her quizzically.
"About who?" he asks with genuine confusion.
She can't help but feel hurt.
"Well, 'bout the rest of the Brotherhood...an' me, maybe."
"Oh." He crosses his arms. "No, of course not. I never cared. Not about them. But you...well, you were different. You've ALWAYS been different."
She sighs.
"So were ya."
"We're not the same as them. Not the same as the X-Geeks either, or the others here." For the first time in a while, there's passion in his voice. "We're different, and it's GOOD."
"But can we survive on our own, bein' different?"
"Well, no." He runs his hand through his hair, fidgety. "But that's where my father comes in. It's going to be PERFECT, Rogue. The world, I mean, when his vision's come to pass. That's why I don't understand why you'd even WANT to go back, why you'd want to FIGHT it."
Her frown deepens.
"Ya think his vision's perfect 'cause it leads to yer own power."
"But it leads to yours too. To ALL mutants, really, but especially the ones who help bring it to pass." He waves a hand in the direction of the house. "Everyone here, including you."
"And ah'm not given a chance ta decide whether ah want it or not." She touches the draining collar around her neck.
He looks away, shame-faced.
"You'll thank us later."
"Ah don't think so. Just go back ta yer all-mighty father, okay?"
She turns away and begins to walk towards the place she's started to think of as home.
"You think I'm just doing this for just HIM?!" Pietro screams from behind. "I BELIEVE in his vision, Rogue, and someday so will YOU! You'll SEE it!"
She doesn't turn back.
***
When she walks into the kitchen a minute or so later, Rogue stumbles upon Evan. Oddly, he's alone, free from both Fred and Remy. He stares down at his black plastic microwavable plate and stabs a limp, bright orange carrot. She watches him, hovering along the outside of the room. After a deep breath, she steps into the brightness of artificial light.
"Hi Spyke," she says.
He looks up at her, surprised by the sudden voice.
"Oh, hey Rogue. What's up?"
"Not much."
She walks over to him, leaning against the counter.
"Y'know, we haven't talked in a long tahm..."
To be continued...
**Long Author's Note:
Girl number 1 - I know I'm not writing Gambit as he's usually portrayed, but I like to think my version's a breath of fresh air from all the OOC Romy fics around. I hope other people think so too.
Monkey Chan - Uh, you're welcome! I have to confess that I've read very little Evo fanfiction in the past few months; I have no idea what kind of trends have emerged and whatnot. I was unaware that St. John slash fics have turned up. And you're giving me credit for that, and I feel beyond honored.
I do tend to lean towards Rietro, at least in the past. It just makes sense to me, seeing as there was a Magneto/Rogue thing in the comics. Picking it up in Evo would be impossible, so it's natural to pass on the male role to the closest person possible - his son. Is this going to become Rietro? Well, you be the judge with this chapter. Will there be ANY real romance? I thought so, and I've stated as much in previous chapters, but now I'm not sure. We'll see how it goes.
amber-goddess - This review makes me feel giddy, seeing as I'm a fan of "The Lonely Ones." (Which you need to update soon, by the way.) There's nothing more fulfilling than having a writer you respect compliment you. Thanks. :)
The single greatest Acolytes story? Wow. That makes me feel...I don't know. Really really good is the best way I can describe it. Also, one great thing about writing this fic is that I've found others who aren't into the whole Romy scene. I mean, I'm sure there are plenty of excellent fics of that pairing, but...eh. Not my thing. It's good to know I'm not alone in the world.
St. John liking Piotr? Wow, never thought of that! It's very possible. I mean, Piotr ain't bad looking, and is a pretty nice guy...exotic with that accent, artistic...I could see it! I'm not sure, though. I need to think about it. If he does have a crush on him, it's not definitely not serious.
...well, finally updated again, though I certainly did better than previous months. This time I credit my job as the reason for the lateness. I work six days a week at Knotts Berry Farm (a Southern California amusement park other than Disneyland, and manufacturer of fine jam) as a Ride Operator in Camp Snoopy, and I'm just TIRED a lot. I want to update on SBS's birthday (July 16), though, so I've got to do better.
Speaking of which, if anyone wants to give SBS birthday presents of fanart, SBS-inspired ficlets or drabbles, money orders made out to its author, et cetera, PLEASE do! I'd adore it and love you forever.
Oh, and I have a livejournal now. I'm under the delusion that people would like to know what I think sometimes, so I encourage people to visit it. Also, new SBS chapters will be posted there first from now on.
http://www.livejournal.com/users/mizzmarvel/
'Til next time!
"I'm sorry! I didn't mean it like that, but I can see how you'd TAKE it like that, an' I really would NEVER mean to offend you, an' - "
Rogue holds up her hand, managing a weak smile.
"'S okay. Not yer fault. Ah'm just bein' sensitive today. Don' feel bad."
St. John still looks slightly ill.
"Well, um, I'm still sorry. Y'know?"
"Ah know."
He shifts awkwardly from foot to foot and stuffs his hands into his pockets.
"Well, do ya wanna come in? I've got some coloring books and sixty-four brilliant Crayolas. For you, I'll even try to stay inside the lines."
Her smile falters slightly.
"Thanks, but...there's somethin' ah gotta do raght now. Maybe later?"
He cocks his head, staring at her quizzically.
"Sure..."
Rogue brushes past him down the hall, setting off to give someone a last chance.
***
No one in the house, at least no one Rogue talks to regularly, has seen the basement. The door always seems to be closed, and it's almost inconceivable that anyone would ever open it other than Sabertooth; Magneto isn't seen upstairs at all, and when his son is spotted, it's usually in the form of a flash or gust of wind. No, the door stays shut, and the mystery of what goes on behind it is one that nobody in wants to solve.
At the moment, Rogue is standing directly in front of it.
Her arms are crossed defiantly, brow furrowed in a scowl that hasn't been normal for several weeks, months. She makes no effort to TOUCH the door, or even stand very close to it, but she's staring at it all the same. And that's enough.
It's only a matter of minutes before there's a tugging at her arm, and she's being pulled so fast that she starts to gasp. But before her lungs can be filled, the trip is over. Looking down at her, hands on his hips, is Pietro. His own frown mirrors hers.
"What do you think you're doing?!" he hisses.
Still in mild shock, Rogue looks around; they're standing in the shadows of the yard.
"Well?" he demands. "Are you just looking for a reaction? Believe me, you DON'T want to make my father mad!"
She focuses on him.
"What're ya doin' in the basement?"
His head whips back in surprise.
"What - "
"Tell me."
"I can't."
"What's he have planned fer us?" she goes on, without missing a beat.
"You - "
"Are we gonna have a choice when we fahnd out?"
"Rogue..."
"Why did ya betray us?"
Silence. After a few beats, the breeze picks up and leaves rustle.
"I didn't betray anyone," Pietro answers finally.
"Ya set us up."
"Yeah," he sighs, looking weary. "But the real betrayal would've been a son turning against his father."
"But...but..." she stammers. "Don't ya CARE?"
He stares at her quizzically.
"About who?" he asks with genuine confusion.
She can't help but feel hurt.
"Well, 'bout the rest of the Brotherhood...an' me, maybe."
"Oh." He crosses his arms. "No, of course not. I never cared. Not about them. But you...well, you were different. You've ALWAYS been different."
She sighs.
"So were ya."
"We're not the same as them. Not the same as the X-Geeks either, or the others here." For the first time in a while, there's passion in his voice. "We're different, and it's GOOD."
"But can we survive on our own, bein' different?"
"Well, no." He runs his hand through his hair, fidgety. "But that's where my father comes in. It's going to be PERFECT, Rogue. The world, I mean, when his vision's come to pass. That's why I don't understand why you'd even WANT to go back, why you'd want to FIGHT it."
Her frown deepens.
"Ya think his vision's perfect 'cause it leads to yer own power."
"But it leads to yours too. To ALL mutants, really, but especially the ones who help bring it to pass." He waves a hand in the direction of the house. "Everyone here, including you."
"And ah'm not given a chance ta decide whether ah want it or not." She touches the draining collar around her neck.
He looks away, shame-faced.
"You'll thank us later."
"Ah don't think so. Just go back ta yer all-mighty father, okay?"
She turns away and begins to walk towards the place she's started to think of as home.
"You think I'm just doing this for just HIM?!" Pietro screams from behind. "I BELIEVE in his vision, Rogue, and someday so will YOU! You'll SEE it!"
She doesn't turn back.
***
When she walks into the kitchen a minute or so later, Rogue stumbles upon Evan. Oddly, he's alone, free from both Fred and Remy. He stares down at his black plastic microwavable plate and stabs a limp, bright orange carrot. She watches him, hovering along the outside of the room. After a deep breath, she steps into the brightness of artificial light.
"Hi Spyke," she says.
He looks up at her, surprised by the sudden voice.
"Oh, hey Rogue. What's up?"
"Not much."
She walks over to him, leaning against the counter.
"Y'know, we haven't talked in a long tahm..."
To be continued...
**Long Author's Note:
Girl number 1 - I know I'm not writing Gambit as he's usually portrayed, but I like to think my version's a breath of fresh air from all the OOC Romy fics around. I hope other people think so too.
Monkey Chan - Uh, you're welcome! I have to confess that I've read very little Evo fanfiction in the past few months; I have no idea what kind of trends have emerged and whatnot. I was unaware that St. John slash fics have turned up. And you're giving me credit for that, and I feel beyond honored.
I do tend to lean towards Rietro, at least in the past. It just makes sense to me, seeing as there was a Magneto/Rogue thing in the comics. Picking it up in Evo would be impossible, so it's natural to pass on the male role to the closest person possible - his son. Is this going to become Rietro? Well, you be the judge with this chapter. Will there be ANY real romance? I thought so, and I've stated as much in previous chapters, but now I'm not sure. We'll see how it goes.
amber-goddess - This review makes me feel giddy, seeing as I'm a fan of "The Lonely Ones." (Which you need to update soon, by the way.) There's nothing more fulfilling than having a writer you respect compliment you. Thanks. :)
The single greatest Acolytes story? Wow. That makes me feel...I don't know. Really really good is the best way I can describe it. Also, one great thing about writing this fic is that I've found others who aren't into the whole Romy scene. I mean, I'm sure there are plenty of excellent fics of that pairing, but...eh. Not my thing. It's good to know I'm not alone in the world.
St. John liking Piotr? Wow, never thought of that! It's very possible. I mean, Piotr ain't bad looking, and is a pretty nice guy...exotic with that accent, artistic...I could see it! I'm not sure, though. I need to think about it. If he does have a crush on him, it's not definitely not serious.
...well, finally updated again, though I certainly did better than previous months. This time I credit my job as the reason for the lateness. I work six days a week at Knotts Berry Farm (a Southern California amusement park other than Disneyland, and manufacturer of fine jam) as a Ride Operator in Camp Snoopy, and I'm just TIRED a lot. I want to update on SBS's birthday (July 16), though, so I've got to do better.
Speaking of which, if anyone wants to give SBS birthday presents of fanart, SBS-inspired ficlets or drabbles, money orders made out to its author, et cetera, PLEASE do! I'd adore it and love you forever.
Oh, and I have a livejournal now. I'm under the delusion that people would like to know what I think sometimes, so I encourage people to visit it. Also, new SBS chapters will be posted there first from now on.
http://www.livejournal.com/users/mizzmarvel/
'Til next time!