Chapter 10

I awoke slowly the next morning and was glad to feel John's arms still around my waist. His grip had loosened some, but he was still there. I leaned my head a bit to see if he was awake yet. He wasn't, so I settled back down and waited happily.

Mere minutes later, I felt him beginning to stir. I carefully rolled over to face him just as his eyes opened. His grip tightened instinctively before he remembered what was going on.

"Morning, sleepyhead," he whispered even as he yawned.

I just smiled and dragged him into a long, sweet kiss. I felt John's surprise, but he quickly relaxed. I retreated a bit but dropped another quick peck on his lips before pulling back all the way.

"What was that for?" he whispered.

"For still being here when I woke up," I replied.

"But I-" he attempted. "When- Oh man, I have never stayed the whole time, have I?"

I shook my head, "But now that I know you can..."

He smirked, "This means you'll have to sleep with me more often."

I gave him another kiss before asking the one question I didn't really want to have to think about yet: "When am I supposed to go back to the Institute?"

I saw the hesitation and regret. "This afternoon. You have school tomorrow, you know."

I burrowed against him and didn't say anything. John stroked my hair absently. Even that offhand gesture seemed to radiate so much love and affection. I finally understood how much he cared about me.

"Are you hungry?" he asked.

"Extremely."

"Well, come on. Get up then."

I grumbled as he threw off the blanket and got up. I slowly climbed to my feet and stretched a bit just because I knew John would enjoy the view. We quickly got dressed and headed into the other room. He grabbed some cereal while I waited in the living room. We quickly ate the food before sprawling out on the couch. He lay against the back and I lay in front of him.

He pushed a stray hair out of my face and quietly asked, "Did you mean what you said last night?"

"When?" I pressed.

"When you" -he looked away- "You said you loved me."

I caught his chin and forced him to look at me again. "Yes," I told him seriously. "I was so busy trying to keep from having my heart broken that I hadn't even realized I'd all ready given it away.

I saw a flicker of love cross his eyes before he could hide it. I ran my thumb over the bruise I'd left on his throat the night before. He shuddered faintly and kissed me. This love thing was really making sense now.

There was a knock on the adjoining door. I paused in anticipation, but my lover just ran his hand over my stomach. I moved into his touch and heard another knock on the door. John didn't seem to hear it as he wrapped his top arm around my lower back. I smiled at the attention. The knocking subsided.

"I think they gave up on us," he whispered.

"Yeah, they probably think we're a lost cause," I returned, jokingly.

"Or still asleep," he added.

"Hope it wasn't anything too important."

"We'd know if it was."

"Oh?"

"The door would be glowing."

I smiled, even as I wondered if he was serious or not. We lay there for a long time, just holding and talking. It was an entirely new concept for us to just be normal lovers. I really liked it.

Finally he let me go. "We should get up."

"Why?"

"Because I want to make sure you are all right before I let you go."

"I'm fine," I huffed.

"I just want to be sure." Concern tinted his voice.

I reluctantly climbed to my feet as he sat up. He checked the injury on my side before having me run through a few katas. I finished the last movement before turning to him. "No blood, no real pain, no problems."

"No real pain?"

"I'm a little sore. That's all."

"I still want your doctor to look you over."

"I know, you overprotective fireball."

"You like it." He smirked; I looked down. I really did like being protected. He came over to me and dropped a kiss on my forehead. "Food?"

"Food," I confirmed.

"Guys?"

"Their food."

He chuckled, "Sick of the basics?"

"No, I just don't want to pass up the opportunity to have real food. You never know what you'll get at the Institute."

He pulled me over to the adjoining door before knocking. As soon as the knob turned, John pushed me into the wall and practically attacked my mouth. I heard the door open, but my attention was elsewhere. He dipped his tongue into my mouth to show a passionate side I'd rarely seen before now. I fought for some sort of control, even though I knew it was hopeless.

John pulled back sharply with an "Ow!"

I looked at him in surprise and curiosity as he let go of me. He rubbed the back of his head as if it hurt. Piotr was grinning from the doorway. I tried to even out my breathing again.

"A knock is an all clear, homme," Remy smirked from behind him. I couldn't hold back the laugh.

"We just want food," John tried.

"Real food," I added.

"We knew you would come when you're stomachs were empty," Piotr amended, stepping aside to let us into their room.

I smiled at him gratefully before crossing the threshold. John tried to follow me, but Remy stopped him. "No makin' out in our room, d'accord?"

John smirked but nodded. "Sure thing."

"Don't want to be thinking about us every time you come in here?" I asked.

Piotr nodded, "Exactly."

Remy just headed to their kitchen area and started cooking. I settled on a bar stool to watch. John stood behind me with one arm slung carelessly around my waist. Piotr began to get out dishes.

"Are you going to be here again next weekend?" Piotr asked.

I tipped my head back to look at John; he just smirked. "Yeah, probably."

"But not for the same reason," my lover amended. "You're going to be more careful, right?"

He was threatening me again. I could tell by his tone. Remy paused in his cooking to glance at me. "Of course."

Remy glanced at John before turning back to our food. I shifted uncomfortably at the odd silence. My stomach suddenly growled. Piotr chuckled. Remy laughed before quickly dishing out some food. I smiled. John released me to sit on the next stool. Everything felt so... normal.

TBC