AN: A big thanks to all my reviewers, especially Dark and Sapphire Dreamer, but thanks to everyone.
-Ry: 1. Roberto's powers make little to no sense whatsoever. I realized that lighting up couldn't give off heat, but maybe Remy didn't know that? Maybe he was just being careful. I don't really know. 2. I also have no clue where the "Gambit is an empath" idea originated, but it's a popular one.I just go with it, because it works so well.
-Sapphire: No plans for Magneto yet, but we'll see. Hmmm. . . now I'll have to think about it.

Chapter 8

John slid off the couch and onto the floor behind me. I didn't acknowledge him. He pulled me back so that I lay against his chest. I simply curled up and let him pet me. For once, it didn't calm me down. John tipped my face up and kissed each of my temples. I didn't move. None of this helped. I was too far gone for him to pull me back. I felt used and manipulated.

"I'll always come back for you," John whispered, "I swear."

I didn't reply or move. I was still crying, but it had slowed a substantial amount. I had admitted that I trust him and then he'd used me moments later. I attempted to stay calm but knew it wasn't happening.

"I'm sorry-" he started.

"You used my emotions to get what you wanted!" I accused, roughly.

John stayed quiet but rocked us a little. I stayed still. I didn't want to hear his attempt at redemption or receive his sympathy. I just wanted to get away from him, but my dependent side wouldn't let me leave his touch. I calmed down a little and looked up at John. There were unshed tearsin his eyes. I instantly realized that he was feeling guilty and had realized what he'd done to me. I leaned against his cheek trying to show my affection through touch. John propped his head on mine and pulled me closer. I reveled in the quick change in mood.

"I didn't realize-" he started.

"I know. You would never hurt me," I whispered back, needing to hear it as much as he did.

"Never," he affirmed, tucking me in tighter.

I let him hold me and buried my face in his shoulder. John kissed the top of my head. I fell still again. John rocked us again. After many minutes like this, John's concern began to show through again. "Roberto?"

"'M still here," I whispered.

"Just making sure you were okay," he returned.

"Never better. . . well, maybe a little."

"I love you."

"And I-" I started but stopped with a sharp gasp. John stiffened and pulled me back so I could look at him. I put my right hand on my side, where the sudden pain had come from. John touched my hand too. He pulled it away and we both stared at the blood-covered fingers.

"Shit," John whispered, making quick work of getting me on my side so he could examine the damage. He slid his nimble fingers over my side before telling me what was wrong, "You've broken open an old wound. It looks like you stretched the scab too far."

"Probably when I fell," I added, without thinking.

John flinched and whispered, "Probably."

I leaned up, asking for a kiss. John smiled a little and indulged me. He pulled back, leaving me breathless. Then he rose to his feet and left me on the floor. I watched him go into the bathroom and return with a bandage. He sealed up my side carefully and gently. I loosely wrapped an arm around his shoulders and let him be in control as always.

"Better?" he asked.

"I know something we can do that'll make it even better," I smiled as seductively as I could.

John's eyes widened. I looked at him innocently. He laughed.

"Are you sure?" he pressed.

"Just take me to the bed," I told him.

John scooped me into his arms and rose to his feet. Then he carefully led me to his bedroom. He pushed me back on the bed and easily straddled my hips. I set my hands on his shoulders.

"You sure you can handle this?" he asked.

I smiled. "Totally, just watch the bruises, Sparky."

John kissed me gently. I ran my hands through his hair. He pulled back and nipped at my jaw. I caressed his cheek and held his gaze. "Then you're going to get it now, Sunny."

He tugged my shirt over my head and began to explore the bruises that covered my body with his fingers and lips. I just laid back and let him do what he was the best at doing. John ghosted his fingers over my stomach. I gasped at the small tickle; John looked up at me and smiled. I sent him a fake glare and lightly kicked at his legs. He quickly maneuvered off me.

I rolled onto my good side and looked over at him. "What's wrong?"

"Nothing, kid," he replied.

"You didn't call me Sunny. Something's wrong."

"I call you kid more often than that."

"But not at a time like this. You're feeling guilty about earlier?"

John didn't reply.

I kissed his cheek. "Don't."

"I let my anger toward Magneto get in the way."

"Don't worry about it. You were right anyway."

"I was?"

"As much as it hurt to hear, you were right. Aside from the obvious, in a couple months this will relationship will become statutory rape. Now I don't care and you don't, but Magneto can use it against us."

"Not to mention the whole, 'if you don't join me, I'll hurt John' aspect." His voice was riddled with pain and sadness. "I'm bad news for you, kid."

"No, you're the best thing to ever happen to me."

"How can you live with me?"

"It's more like I can't live without you, John. I need you. I adore you." That was the closest I'd come to telling him I loved him.

He looked at me sadly. "I've just been screwing everything up since you got here."

I looked down, hurt by the message I heard in his words. I whispered, "I didn't know where else to go."

"Oh, I didn't mean-" He reached out to touch me, but all I saw was his arm coming at me from my peripheral vision. I flinched and raised my arms to protect myself. I realized too late what I had done. John got up and headed into the living room.

"John!" I called after him, incredibly upset now. If he heard me, he didn't show it.

I rose clumsily to my feet and followed after him. I leaned heavily on the door frame as dizziness threatened to overwhelm me again. John sat in the recliner, bent over with the heels of his hands pressed to his eyes. I headed over toward him but sat on the floor a few yards in front of him. I wasn't going to surprise him by touching him. I just watched him attempt to calm down and waited for him to acknowledge my presence.

"Come 'ere, 'Berto," he whispered without looking up. I slid up until I was at his feet. He peeked down at me. "No, I mean come up here."

He sat up as I rose to my feet. I was nervous about what was going to happen. I climbed uncertainly onto his lap so that I was still facing him. John lightly set his hands on my hips. I looked at him, confused and a little scared.

"I'm sorry, John. I wasn't completely in my head and I saw your arm coming toward me-"

"Shush," John cut me off. "I should've known you weren't all there yet. I'd just scared you again. I knew you'd be out of your head from earlier and my comment."

I looked down, "I should've known it was just you. If I hadn't-"

"Shut up, Roberto."

I looked up at him. He sounded angry, but I could see the fear and sadness on his features. He caught my wrists roughly and held on like they were his only means of safety.

"Not everything that goes wrong is your fault," he told me seriously. "I can screw up too, you know. I was so excited that you were here, so scared of the reason behind it, and so worried about everything. I don't know what to do in situations like this. I honestly don't know how I can save you: from yourself, from society, from Magneto, and even from me."

I wanted to interject, but John had made it clear that I shouldn't. He released my wrists and cupped my face gently. I leaned into his touch as I tossed around everything he'd just said.

"I trust you completely," John continued. "You admitted that you trust me some too. I've told you so many times that I could never hurt you and yet I do hurt you. I just don't realize it because you won't tell me. Berto, if something I do or say scares you, please tell me. I don't want you to be scared of me. I don't want to think that I can scare you into a panic attack or something."

He slid his hands down me until the rested on my thighs.

"Our relationship has problems," he pressed on. "We both know that, but you can't blame yourself for every little thing. Some of them are my fault and some are outside sources. We can get through all of the hurdles, if you want to, but I'm gonna need your help to do it and you're gonna need mine. I can't leave you behind. I just can't let you clear my hurdles by yourself, just like I won't let you clear your own alone. I'm here for you. I love you."

I leaned forward and kissed him lightly. "And I think it's time you shut up."

TBC