Disclaimer: I do not own any of the X-Men movie characters.
Title: Unforgivable Sinners
By: Cmdr. Gabe E.
Note: This fanfiction occurs entirely in the X-Men movie-verse . Characters' unspoken thoughts are enclosed in .
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SKETTY24 = Thanks for the review =D!!!! Hmmm...I don't want to spoil the plot for you...But let's just say that once the "past sequence" begins, this fanfic is about to come to an end x.x! So yeah, the past sequence happens near the end of the fanfic. I'm still not sure how to really end this though...Hmmmmmm... ponders .
Anyway, sorry if I'm throwing Stryker into the plot again...But I believe it would be better to give this "new"/"young" Stryker some screen time (I hope all the L/S fans out there won't mind. lol).
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Chapter 47: Living paradox
Yuriko gave out a small groan as she slowly opened her eyes. She expected to find herself on the floor, but she found herself wrapped in his arms instead. She couldn't believe how safe and warm she felt in his embrace. His strong arms wrapped around her body, cradling her close to him. She could feel his broad, solid body pressing against her own slender physique, as he held her, not letting her fall. She could even feel his chest slowly moving up and down and as he breathed. She didn't know why, but she felt so helpless, so fragile in his arms...as if her defenses have all shattered on purpose.
He saw her eyes open and felt relieved that she was alright. "Don't push yourself too hard." He whispered with a smile. Yuriko looked up to him and saw a gentle smile on his face. For the past fourteen years, Stryker's past self had done nothing but pull her down to the level of a mindless puppet. But a short while ago, when she was about to fall, he saved her. He didn't let her fall. Instead, he pulled her up.
Then she suddenly realized that she was still in his arms, and she quickly pulled away. She didn't want to be that close to him. When she agreed to spend the night with him, she didn't even think that she would end up wrapped in his arms. But then, she also didn't expect that she would like him as much as she did now.
She wasn't even supposed to like him in the first place. That wasn't a part of her original plan. She was only supposed to talk to him and listen to him like he begged her to. But now, she found herself staring into his youthful blue eyes as if she didn't want him to leave...now she was the one who wanted him to stay. But whether she liked it or not, he would soon leave her as he did, many, many decades ago. Why did he even have to come back? Why now? Why couldn't he stay?
Stryker felt a little embarrassed when Yuriko suddenly pulled away from him. It was like she wanted to detangle herself from his arms in a hurry. Though he really couldn't blame her...he did hold her too close and far longer than he should have. She probably felt uncomfortable feeling him so physically close to her like that. But when she fell limply into his arms, he just had the urge to hold her, to protect her and keep her safe. He felt as if he owed her that, after all those years of hurting her.
He straightened himself and ran his fingers through his hair in an effort to look unruffled. He was thinking of apologizing about what just happened, but he didn't want to bring up another negative topic that could ruin their last night together. After all, when he caught her and held her close to him, his intentions were purely for her well-being. He just wanted to help her as a friend.
"Maybe you should go back to bed." There was concern in his voice. "I know you have those healing abilities of yours," He shook a finger at her. "but you really don't look that good to me right now." He said in a rather joking way, with a smirk on his lips.
Then the smirk on his face faded as he looked at her with concerned eyes. "Honestly, Yuriko...You should rest. You almost collapsed just a while ago." He sounded really worried, and the troubled expression on his face showed it.
Yuriko couldn't help but smile as she looked back at him. He really was concerned about her. She could tell it by the look on his face and the sound of his voice. This man was definitely the exact opposite of the Stryker she once knew. While the mutant-hating William Stryker cared for no one but himself, this new Stryker seemed to care more about the people around him. How could that Stryer and this Stryker be one and the same person? They were exactly different entities. He was like a living paradox of himself.
She stepped towards him and gently placed a hand on his chest. "William...Don't worry. I'm fine." She said with a big smile on her face. "Trust me...I'm tougher than I look." She arched an eyebrow and smiled in a taunting way.
Stryker raised his eyebrows and abruptly nodded in agreement. "I know. Believe me...I know." He said with a chuckle. Then he shrugged and smiled at her. "So, uh, do you want me to get you something? A cold glass of water? Something to eat? Anything?"
She smiled and gently moved her hands to the collar of his shirt. A gentle laugh escaped from her lips as she fixed his collar. "I have two hands and two feet...and I can walk." She looked up at him with her eyebrows raised and a wide smile on her lips. "You really don't have to worry about me, William. I can do things for myself, okay?" She straightened his collar for the last time and moved her hands back down to her sides. She was still amazed at how completely different he was. If they had met before, and he was who he was now, they really could have been friends --- very good friends.
"Okay." He said, nodding his head. "But if you really need anything..."
"I know..." She smiled and gently poked him on the chest. "I'll go to you."
They both looked at each other and laughed quietly. Their eyes continued to stare into one another as gentle laughter escaped from their lips. Both of them felt somewhat stupid because they were giggling at nothing, but in reality, they were laughing because they unknowingly enjoyed each other's laughter and each other's company.
They were laughing simply because they were happy to be there, standing in front of each other like two friends who hadn't seen each other for a very long time. Sometimes, people don't need logical reasons to do the things they do. Sometimes, people do what they do because they embrace what they see and what they feel...not what they think.
She suddenly remembered Stryker say something about food. Then she realized that she hadn't eaten the entire day. The last time she had filled herself was when she and Stryker took the plane to the White House. And at this point in time, she could really feel her hunger due to the empty, grumbling pit in her stomach.
She looked down and placed her hand over her grumbling midsection. It was her first time to feel it grumble like that...and in a way, she liked the feeling. It was another proof that she was alive...that she was still human. Ever since she bit and swallowed that first piece of grape, her body yearned for nothing but real food. And now, she felt hunger like she had never felt it before. She definitely had to get something to eat soon.
She looked at Stryker. "William?" She asked softly.
Stryker looked back at her with an attentive look on his face. "Yes?" He asked.
"Have you eaten already?" She asked curiously.
He smiled and chuckled. "You could say that." He said as he nodded his head.
He remembered eating with Bobby and Rogue. He actually found them quite nice, until Bobby decided to surprise him with his 'chilling' mutant powers. As for Rogue, she seemed like a very nice young woman. She looked at him with fearful, watchful eyes, but she treated him with respect. In a way, he admired those two. Despite the fact that he had tried to kill them before, they still invited him to eat with them. They were like two sheep inviting a wolf to dinner. They gave him a place in their table, offered him food to eat, and water to drink.
"Oh. So you've already eaten." She said with a smile. "Because I'm really very hungry right now..." She emphasized the word 'very'. "I haven't eaten anything since this morning, and I thought that, well, maybe you'd want to join me for a little late night dinner. But since you've already eaten, then I guess I'll just ask Logan to..."
He suddenly grabbed her hand. "No!" He shouted. "I'd love to join you!" He said eagerly. Hearing Logan's name sparked a fire in him. He wouldn't let Logan take her away from him, now that him and Yuriko were finally in good terms. Then his eyes opened wide when he realized that he was holding her hand. He immediately let go of it and smiled with an embarrassed look on his face. Then he breathed in and straightened himself. "What I was, uh, trying to say, is that I would really love to join you for dinner. That is if, um, your invitation still stands."
Yuriko smiled as she looked at him. She couldn't deny how young and innocent he looked right now. They were technically of the same age, but the youthful vigor and enthusiasm in his eyes almost made him appear as young as her.
"Yes. My invitation still stands." She nodded with a gentle smile on her lips.
Stryker smiled and clasped his hands together. "Great! I mean, that's good. Thank you. After all, I do know where the kitchen is, so I could get us there in no time." He said with a huge smile on his face. He wanted to spend as much time with her as he could.
"Then lead the way, Mr. Stryker." She said, smiling at him. She couldn't believe that they were actually going to have dinner...together! And she was practically the one who asked him to accompany her too. She really didn't expect any of this to happen. But since it was already happening, then she might as well play along while it lasted.
Stryker walked to the door and opened it. He stepped outside and Yuriko soon followed after him, closing the door behind her. "So, where to now?" She asked.
He placed his hands in his pockets and walked down the hallway. "First, we go to the elevator." He said as he turned his head to look at her.
She quickly walked to his side and followed him. There they were again, walking side by side like they had always done for the past fourteen years. She found it quite odd that she had willingly walked to his right side, where she used to walk back when she was Lady Deathstrike. Though now, things were completely different. She wasn't Lady Deathstrike and he wasn't that William Stryker anymore. While some things still stayed the same between them, everything else was new and different.
She looked at him from the corner of her eye and saw him walking beside her, with his unkempt shirt and his hands in his pockets. He looked so calm and relaxed. Then she looked at herself and saw herself wearing a snug tanktop and a beige pair of shorts.
She smiled...a happy, gentle smile. Both of them really looked so different from their former counterparts. Gone were their formal suits, documents and suitcases. Gone were the mind-control drugs and the constant mutant-hunting. Now, they were just two ordinary people who were going to have a good, late night dinner together.
Then she remembered Logan. She wondered if he was still in Jean's room. She wanted to know if he was okay. When she left him, he looked like he was about to break down and weep. Logan didn't seem like the kind of person who'd cry over someone's death. He had seen so many deaths in his life that it was only just a consequence to him...a product of someone's actions, the price to pay for life. But Jean was someone he loved, and he had all the right in the world to mourn for her passing.
God, she missed Logan. She remembered walking down the same hallway with him and she missed everything about him. She missed the feeling of his hand holding hers, she missed the sound of his voice, the feeling of her hand against his cheek. She missed how he would tell her stories about the mansion and stories about his life as a wanderer.
In a way, she felt like she was cheating on Stryker. She was with him, walking by his side, and yet her mind was with Logan. Her mind thought of nothing but Logan and everything that she had done with him that night. She thought of their walk around the mansion, the sunset, the swimming pool, the broken kiss, his arms around her body, sitting beside him on the pool as they talked about life and stars.
Then her head suddenly perked up as the elevator door in front of her opened. She didn't even realize that they already reached the elevator. Perhaps she was thinking about Logan too much. They both stepped inside and Stryker pressed the button for the first floor. The elevator door closed and they descended to the lower level.
Title: Unforgivable Sinners
By: Cmdr. Gabe E.
Note: This fanfiction occurs entirely in the X-Men movie-verse . Characters' unspoken thoughts are enclosed in .
= = = = = = = = = = = = = =
SKETTY24 = Thanks for the review =D!!!! Hmmm...I don't want to spoil the plot for you...But let's just say that once the "past sequence" begins, this fanfic is about to come to an end x.x! So yeah, the past sequence happens near the end of the fanfic. I'm still not sure how to really end this though...Hmmmmmm... ponders .
Anyway, sorry if I'm throwing Stryker into the plot again...But I believe it would be better to give this "new"/"young" Stryker some screen time (I hope all the L/S fans out there won't mind. lol).
= = = = = = = = = = = = = =
Chapter 47: Living paradox
Yuriko gave out a small groan as she slowly opened her eyes. She expected to find herself on the floor, but she found herself wrapped in his arms instead. She couldn't believe how safe and warm she felt in his embrace. His strong arms wrapped around her body, cradling her close to him. She could feel his broad, solid body pressing against her own slender physique, as he held her, not letting her fall. She could even feel his chest slowly moving up and down and as he breathed. She didn't know why, but she felt so helpless, so fragile in his arms...as if her defenses have all shattered on purpose.
He saw her eyes open and felt relieved that she was alright. "Don't push yourself too hard." He whispered with a smile. Yuriko looked up to him and saw a gentle smile on his face. For the past fourteen years, Stryker's past self had done nothing but pull her down to the level of a mindless puppet. But a short while ago, when she was about to fall, he saved her. He didn't let her fall. Instead, he pulled her up.
Then she suddenly realized that she was still in his arms, and she quickly pulled away. She didn't want to be that close to him. When she agreed to spend the night with him, she didn't even think that she would end up wrapped in his arms. But then, she also didn't expect that she would like him as much as she did now.
She wasn't even supposed to like him in the first place. That wasn't a part of her original plan. She was only supposed to talk to him and listen to him like he begged her to. But now, she found herself staring into his youthful blue eyes as if she didn't want him to leave...now she was the one who wanted him to stay. But whether she liked it or not, he would soon leave her as he did, many, many decades ago. Why did he even have to come back? Why now? Why couldn't he stay?
Stryker felt a little embarrassed when Yuriko suddenly pulled away from him. It was like she wanted to detangle herself from his arms in a hurry. Though he really couldn't blame her...he did hold her too close and far longer than he should have. She probably felt uncomfortable feeling him so physically close to her like that. But when she fell limply into his arms, he just had the urge to hold her, to protect her and keep her safe. He felt as if he owed her that, after all those years of hurting her.
He straightened himself and ran his fingers through his hair in an effort to look unruffled. He was thinking of apologizing about what just happened, but he didn't want to bring up another negative topic that could ruin their last night together. After all, when he caught her and held her close to him, his intentions were purely for her well-being. He just wanted to help her as a friend.
"Maybe you should go back to bed." There was concern in his voice. "I know you have those healing abilities of yours," He shook a finger at her. "but you really don't look that good to me right now." He said in a rather joking way, with a smirk on his lips.
Then the smirk on his face faded as he looked at her with concerned eyes. "Honestly, Yuriko...You should rest. You almost collapsed just a while ago." He sounded really worried, and the troubled expression on his face showed it.
Yuriko couldn't help but smile as she looked back at him. He really was concerned about her. She could tell it by the look on his face and the sound of his voice. This man was definitely the exact opposite of the Stryker she once knew. While the mutant-hating William Stryker cared for no one but himself, this new Stryker seemed to care more about the people around him. How could that Stryer and this Stryker be one and the same person? They were exactly different entities. He was like a living paradox of himself.
She stepped towards him and gently placed a hand on his chest. "William...Don't worry. I'm fine." She said with a big smile on her face. "Trust me...I'm tougher than I look." She arched an eyebrow and smiled in a taunting way.
Stryker raised his eyebrows and abruptly nodded in agreement. "I know. Believe me...I know." He said with a chuckle. Then he shrugged and smiled at her. "So, uh, do you want me to get you something? A cold glass of water? Something to eat? Anything?"
She smiled and gently moved her hands to the collar of his shirt. A gentle laugh escaped from her lips as she fixed his collar. "I have two hands and two feet...and I can walk." She looked up at him with her eyebrows raised and a wide smile on her lips. "You really don't have to worry about me, William. I can do things for myself, okay?" She straightened his collar for the last time and moved her hands back down to her sides. She was still amazed at how completely different he was. If they had met before, and he was who he was now, they really could have been friends --- very good friends.
"Okay." He said, nodding his head. "But if you really need anything..."
"I know..." She smiled and gently poked him on the chest. "I'll go to you."
They both looked at each other and laughed quietly. Their eyes continued to stare into one another as gentle laughter escaped from their lips. Both of them felt somewhat stupid because they were giggling at nothing, but in reality, they were laughing because they unknowingly enjoyed each other's laughter and each other's company.
They were laughing simply because they were happy to be there, standing in front of each other like two friends who hadn't seen each other for a very long time. Sometimes, people don't need logical reasons to do the things they do. Sometimes, people do what they do because they embrace what they see and what they feel...not what they think.
She suddenly remembered Stryker say something about food. Then she realized that she hadn't eaten the entire day. The last time she had filled herself was when she and Stryker took the plane to the White House. And at this point in time, she could really feel her hunger due to the empty, grumbling pit in her stomach.
She looked down and placed her hand over her grumbling midsection. It was her first time to feel it grumble like that...and in a way, she liked the feeling. It was another proof that she was alive...that she was still human. Ever since she bit and swallowed that first piece of grape, her body yearned for nothing but real food. And now, she felt hunger like she had never felt it before. She definitely had to get something to eat soon.
She looked at Stryker. "William?" She asked softly.
Stryker looked back at her with an attentive look on his face. "Yes?" He asked.
"Have you eaten already?" She asked curiously.
He smiled and chuckled. "You could say that." He said as he nodded his head.
He remembered eating with Bobby and Rogue. He actually found them quite nice, until Bobby decided to surprise him with his 'chilling' mutant powers. As for Rogue, she seemed like a very nice young woman. She looked at him with fearful, watchful eyes, but she treated him with respect. In a way, he admired those two. Despite the fact that he had tried to kill them before, they still invited him to eat with them. They were like two sheep inviting a wolf to dinner. They gave him a place in their table, offered him food to eat, and water to drink.
"Oh. So you've already eaten." She said with a smile. "Because I'm really very hungry right now..." She emphasized the word 'very'. "I haven't eaten anything since this morning, and I thought that, well, maybe you'd want to join me for a little late night dinner. But since you've already eaten, then I guess I'll just ask Logan to..."
He suddenly grabbed her hand. "No!" He shouted. "I'd love to join you!" He said eagerly. Hearing Logan's name sparked a fire in him. He wouldn't let Logan take her away from him, now that him and Yuriko were finally in good terms. Then his eyes opened wide when he realized that he was holding her hand. He immediately let go of it and smiled with an embarrassed look on his face. Then he breathed in and straightened himself. "What I was, uh, trying to say, is that I would really love to join you for dinner. That is if, um, your invitation still stands."
Yuriko smiled as she looked at him. She couldn't deny how young and innocent he looked right now. They were technically of the same age, but the youthful vigor and enthusiasm in his eyes almost made him appear as young as her.
"Yes. My invitation still stands." She nodded with a gentle smile on her lips.
Stryker smiled and clasped his hands together. "Great! I mean, that's good. Thank you. After all, I do know where the kitchen is, so I could get us there in no time." He said with a huge smile on his face. He wanted to spend as much time with her as he could.
"Then lead the way, Mr. Stryker." She said, smiling at him. She couldn't believe that they were actually going to have dinner...together! And she was practically the one who asked him to accompany her too. She really didn't expect any of this to happen. But since it was already happening, then she might as well play along while it lasted.
Stryker walked to the door and opened it. He stepped outside and Yuriko soon followed after him, closing the door behind her. "So, where to now?" She asked.
He placed his hands in his pockets and walked down the hallway. "First, we go to the elevator." He said as he turned his head to look at her.
She quickly walked to his side and followed him. There they were again, walking side by side like they had always done for the past fourteen years. She found it quite odd that she had willingly walked to his right side, where she used to walk back when she was Lady Deathstrike. Though now, things were completely different. She wasn't Lady Deathstrike and he wasn't that William Stryker anymore. While some things still stayed the same between them, everything else was new and different.
She looked at him from the corner of her eye and saw him walking beside her, with his unkempt shirt and his hands in his pockets. He looked so calm and relaxed. Then she looked at herself and saw herself wearing a snug tanktop and a beige pair of shorts.
She smiled...a happy, gentle smile. Both of them really looked so different from their former counterparts. Gone were their formal suits, documents and suitcases. Gone were the mind-control drugs and the constant mutant-hunting. Now, they were just two ordinary people who were going to have a good, late night dinner together.
Then she remembered Logan. She wondered if he was still in Jean's room. She wanted to know if he was okay. When she left him, he looked like he was about to break down and weep. Logan didn't seem like the kind of person who'd cry over someone's death. He had seen so many deaths in his life that it was only just a consequence to him...a product of someone's actions, the price to pay for life. But Jean was someone he loved, and he had all the right in the world to mourn for her passing.
God, she missed Logan. She remembered walking down the same hallway with him and she missed everything about him. She missed the feeling of his hand holding hers, she missed the sound of his voice, the feeling of her hand against his cheek. She missed how he would tell her stories about the mansion and stories about his life as a wanderer.
In a way, she felt like she was cheating on Stryker. She was with him, walking by his side, and yet her mind was with Logan. Her mind thought of nothing but Logan and everything that she had done with him that night. She thought of their walk around the mansion, the sunset, the swimming pool, the broken kiss, his arms around her body, sitting beside him on the pool as they talked about life and stars.
Then her head suddenly perked up as the elevator door in front of her opened. She didn't even realize that they already reached the elevator. Perhaps she was thinking about Logan too much. They both stepped inside and Stryker pressed the button for the first floor. The elevator door closed and they descended to the lower level.