Chapter Ten
Everybody stared, jaws dropping open in shock as Beast walked casually into the kitchen and took a seat at his normal place for breakfast. He didn't seem to notice the stares directed at him or, more likely, was doing a good job of ignoring them. The shocked grins began slowly to turn to amused smiles, although most of the students tried to keep their expressions under control, their lips still twitched upwards.
Finally Hank looked up from setting food onto his plate and gazed around at all the faces staring intently at him. He cocked his head to the side and raised an eyebrow.
"Is there a problem?" he asked innocently. "Have I got something in my teeth?"
There was silence for a moment, which Xavier decided to break. "Hank, you do realize that you're, well, pink?" he put forth cautiously. Even he was having a hard time keeping his expression schooled.
Hank neatly folded a napkin onto his lap and looked back up at them. "Ah, well you see, I figured that we already had enough blue mutants around and that it was time for a change."
"Pink?" Ray snorted, trying to stifle his laughter. Others around the table were doing the same.
"Not just any pink, my friends. Glow in the dark neon pink." That was it, everyone burst into laughter, even Xavier couldn't stop himself from chuckling at the sight of Beast. Beast took it all in stride, not seeming at all concerned. As the laughter finally died down, he turned his gaze to Roberto who sat at the end of the table. The seats beside and across from him, usually taken by Kurt and Bobby, were empty. "I am assuming that you know something about this, Roberto?"
Forcing his smile down, Roberto answered, pointing towards the hall outside the kitchen. "They're hiding in the hall."
Twin squeaks came from said hall and Kurt jumped around the corner, pointing an accusatory finger at Roberto. "You traitor!" One great bound took Beast across the room and before Kurt had the chance to react Beast had him by the back of his shirt.
"I do believe we have some talking to do about pranks." Hank looked over at Bobby who was slowly backing away, hands raised in surrender. "Bobby," Hank said in a warning tone.
"Don't just stand there, help me!" Kurt pleaded.
Bobby shook his head and turned to sprint down the hallway. "Every prankster for himself, man." He had barely gotten two steps when Scott, just coming down for breakfast, tripped him with a conveniently placed leg. He grinned down at Bobby who glared back up at him.
"Payback, Drake," was all he said as way of explanation.
A moment later and Xavier was in the hall as well. Amusement was gone and replaced with a stern look. Both Bobby and Kurt swallowed convulsively.
"I believe that these pranks have gone on for long enough."
Bobby and Kurt exchanged worried looks. "What are you going to do?" Kurt put forth cautiously.
Xavier shook his head. "We will discuss it after school."
They both nodded and Bobby finally got to his feet. Xavier and Hank left to head back to the dinning room and continue with breakfast. Once they were gone Bobby glared over at Scott.
"I can't believe that you just betrayed one of your own. I'm ashamed."
Scott's only response was to raise an eyebrow before shaking his head and walking to the dinning room to join the others. Bobby turned to Kurt, eyes widening when he saw the death glare that was aimed his way.
"What?"
"I told you this would be going too far but did you listen to me?" Bobby scratched at the back of his neck and tried to form an answer. "No, you did not."
"Yeah but it was fun, you gotta admit it."
"But who knows what the Professor is going to do to us now."
"We will survive and come out fighting like we always do."
"You're insane you know that?"
"Proud of it." Kurt grinned and shook his head. Bobby walked up to him, wrapping both arms around him. "You know you love it."
"Love you," Kurt said vaguely cautiously and waited to see Bobby's response. It was not quite what he would have hoped.
Bobby smiled softly at him and leaned forward to kiss Kurt lightly. "Lets go and enjoy our last day of freedom."
Kurt could only nod, trying to hide his disappointment and follow as Bobby headed for the dinning room.
#
Of course it's kind of hard to enjoy one's last day of freedom when half of that day is spent in a place were you don't really want to be.
The morning seemed to go by surprisingly quickly, at least in Bobby's opinion. The fact that he had nothing on his mind but Kurt had most likely helped with that. Three hours of school and he hadn't heard one word of what his teachers had said.
He couldn't get his mind off the other night with Kurt. It had been awkward and they had been nervous but it had been absolutely perfect. And now this morning Kurt had said that he loved him. Things couldn't possibly be more perfect and Bobby wanted to show just how much he loved Kurt with more than simple words.
By the time lunch rolled around, he knew exactly what he wanted to do to show Kurt just how much he meant to him. He still needed advice though and decided to seek out Roberto.
It didn't take long, he found Roberto at his locker putting his books away just after the bell rang. Bobby nearly bounded up to him. He could see the look of fear on Roberto's face a mile away.
"Please tell me that you don't have anymore pranks planned," Roberto nearly pleaded.
Bobby looked innocent. "Weeeell…"
Roberto shook his head and took a step back. "Leave me out of it."
"Oh don't worry so much. I have no intentions of pulling any pranks for at least two weeks." Roberto could only shake his head at Bobby. "Actually I wanted your advice and help."
Roberto couldn't help his curiosity. "Help with what?"
"I wanted to do something for Kurt. Get him something to show that we're together and I love him type thing. Like a ring, you know? Only not a ring 'cause that wouldn't really work too good."
Roberto contemplated that. "That's actually a good idea. I'm surprised at you Bobby."
Bobby mock glared at him. "I do have them occasionally."
"What do you need my help with exactly?"
"Help me pick something out."
"Don't you have to go right home to talk with the Professor after school?"
Bobby sighed drastically. "Yes, which is why we have to go now."
"Alright."
Bobby grinned and clapped him on the back, knocking Roberto off balance slightly. "Thanks, man."
Roberto shut his locker door and the two began to move through the throng of students that crowded the halls and towards the exit. Once they were outside and heading down the sidewalk towards town, Bobby spoke again.
"Won't Remy wonder where you've gone?"
Roberto shrugged and shook his head. "Nah, he had some class work to catch up on anyway."
Bobby nodded. "Looks like it's just you and me then!"
Roberto gave him a dubious look. "What about Kurt? Won't he miss you?"
"Without a doubt." Roberto rolled his eyes. "But he can't come anyway because this is supposed to be a surprise. Not much surprise if he's there when we pick it out." Roberto only nodded and stayed silent, falling into thought. The silence only lasted about five minutes. "What are you thinking about?"
"Remy."
"Now there's a shocker." Roberto's glare was serious and Bobby sobered. "What about Remy?"
"I think he still thinks that I'm going to walk out on him. You have a good idea. Maybe I could give something to Remy, show him that I really am planning on sticking around."
"Sounds good. We'll spend the rest of the afternoon buying gifts for our boyfriends." Bobby flashed another grin.
Roberto raised an eyebrow. "And what about school."
"What about school?"
"While you may not care about how much trouble you will get into-"
"Only because I can't really get into any more."
Roberto continued as if Bobby hadn't spoken. "I would like to be able to actually get out of the mansion sometime this month."
"Fine. We'll only spend the lunch hour present buying then." Roberto nodded in agreement. "So… How's Remy doing anyway?"
Roberto shrugged. "He's okay." Bobby didn't need to say the words for Roberto to know exactly what he was talking about.
"If you would tell me and Kurt exactly what's going on, or maybe the Professor, we could find a way to help."
"I know, but you're already helping by being friends. And I promised not to say anything to anyone."
Bobby sighed but nodded. "I guess I get that." Roberto gave him a grateful look and Bobby knew enough to let it drop at that.
#
Remy was just stepping out of his class, finished his work earlier than he had thought, when a not so happy looking Kurt quite literally popped up in front of him. He let out a not too manly cry and stumbled back.
"Kurt! Y' got t' stop doin' dat, homme."
"I need to talk with you." He didn't give Remy a chance to respond, just grabbed onto his arm and teleported again. Remy looked around at where they reappeared, a little baffled. They were in the parking lot of the school by Scott's car.
"We couldn' have just walked here?" He meant it jokingly but Kurt didn't seem to find any humor and only shook his head slightly. Remy frowned. "What's de matter?"
Kurt sighed. "Earlier today… I told Bobby that I loved him. But he never said anything back."
Remy smiled slightly at him. "Just 'cause he don' say don' mean that he doesn' feel it."
"Do you think that he does?"
"Don' know, ain't for me t' say anyway. Mais when he look at y'…" He let the thought trail off and shrugged slightly. "He'll say it back when he's ready." Kurt looked hopeful. "He cares about y' Kurt, y' don' gotta doubt dat."
Kurt smiled sheepishly. "I guess I just needed a pep talk."
"Don' worry, need a lot of dose myself."
Kurt looked slightly worried. "Roberto loves you, you know."
Remy nodded. "Je sais, mais for how long?" Kurt's concern deepened but the bell rang and Remy swiftly turned the conversation. "Better get t' class. Wouldn't want t' have t' stay late." He turned and began to walk off, leaving Kurt to looking worriedly after him.
#
Roberto knocked almost nervously on Remy's door. School had been out for about an hour now but he hadn't had the chance to see Remy afterwards. He was unsure if he should be going to Remy's house, didn't want to risk getting his dad mad at him. But he had to see Remy, had to see his reaction to what he got.
He felt a wave of relief when Remy answered the door. "Hey, Rems."
Remy looked surprised for a moment before happiness took over and he smiled. "Hey."
"I have a surprise for you."
Remy perked up slightly. "Really?"
"Mmhmm, come with me for a bit and I'll show it to you."
Remy smiled and nodded, slipping out the door. "Show me."
"Not here." Amused at Remy's eagerness, Roberto took his hand and began to lead him down the street. Remy seemed happy enough to follow.
"What is it?"
Roberto looked back over his shoulder and gave him a chastising look. "It would take all the fun out of it if I just told you." Remy pouted and Roberto chuckled, leading him into the park that was nearby.
He found a bench away from any of the other park dwellers and sat down. Remy sat next to him with a curious expression. Roberto took both of his hands and tried to look in to his eyes, hard since Remy was wearing his ever-present sunglasses. He smiled slightly and was happy to see that Remy smiled back.
"I love you, you know."
Remy swallowed and nodded. "Je sais."
"And I would never ever leave you." Remy looked down and Roberto reached a hand to his chin to tilt his head back up. "I meant it."
Remy nodded slightly, not entirely convinced. Not one to be put off, Roberto took his hand away and reached into his pocket, coming up with a small jewelry box. Remy tilted his head slightly.
"Y' got me a ring?"
Roberto sighed. "Take the surprise out of it why don't you?" He was smiling though. He opened the box to reveal a simple silver band. Nothing fancy, he was sure that Remy wouldn't have liked that. Just a symbol to show that he wasn't going to walk away. He waited nervously to see Remy's reaction.
"Y' did dis for me?" He sounded almost awed.
"Of course I did. Remy, I love you."
He took the ring from the box and held it out for Remy. Remy took it from him in near reverence, gazing at it before looking back up at Roberto.
"I got one for myself too." He held up his hand to show Remy the matching band. "You don't have to wear it if you don't want to though."
Remy shook his head and smiled. "Cher, of course I want t' wear it." He slipped it onto his finger to prove this. "T'ank y'." He leaned forward and brushed his lips lightly against Roberto's. Roberto knew that he was probably beaming at him like an idiot. "I gotta get back home t'ough."
Roberto nodded, somewhat reluctantly. "I'll see you at school tomorrow?"
"Oui, at lunch." He gave Roberto's hand a quick squeeze before standing to head back to his place. Roberto watched him go, hoping that he would no longer think that Roberto was going to leave. Or at least not as often.
#
Kurt was lounging in the rec room, playing a half hearted game on the playstation when Bobby walked in, grinning from ear to ear. The grin faded though when he saw the dour mood that Kurt was obviously in. He frowned and walked over to sit next to him.
"What's up?"
Kurt shrugged and tried to look casual. He gestured at the screen. "You want to play?"
Bobby shook his head and shifted closer. "Don't change the subject. What's up?"
Kurt gave him a warning glare. "Nothing."
"You can talk to me."
"You're pushing."
Bobby sighed. "Fine. When you're ready you can talk to me. Until then I have something that might make you feel a bit better."
Kurt paused the game and turned to look fully at him, curious despite himself. Bobby reached into his pocket and pulled something out. He kept his hand closed around it though so that Kurt couldn't see what it was. Bobby could see the frustration on his face at not knowing and smiled.
"I wanted to tell you something but I wanted to tell you proper." He opened his fist and let a silver chain dangle from it, with a simple silver 'D' hanging from it. Kurt looked at it curiously. "The 'D' is Drake. I got one to with a 'W'. I love you, Kurt."
Kurt could only stare back at him absolutely incredulous. Bobby waved a hand in front of his face, grinning. Kurt seemed to rouse, gave Bobby a most winning smile and practically threw himself at him, pushing Bobby back onto the couch and kissing him hard. Bobby wouldn't have been able to complain if he'd wanted to. A moment later and Kurt was teleporting them up to Bobby's room.
