Tales of A Kitten
The looming Russian always frightened her a little. It was like Kurt when he'd first come to the institute. Staring at her, following her and a ridiculous part of his mind told her that he was actually wanting her.
That was such an alien thought to her that she shook her head derisively. She knew how others viewed her, empty headed, not capable of anything. Then she viewed their shock when her report card came home with barely veiled amusement.
She knew what it was to be…well wanted but not in the way that the Russian shadow did. Kurt had wanted her, seeing her friendship as so much more then she'd wished but he'd got Amanda and they were engaged. She was to be the maid of honour.
And then there was Lance, he had wanted her too but his want was merely lust. He liked the idea of Kitty, he had even loved the idea but he had never loved her.
Both had openly displayed their affections to her, with tokens and sweet words. But the Shadow hadn't. He'd just stared at her with this blank look as if…the phrase seemed a novelty in her mind.
If he didn't think he was good enough for her.
What a strange thing, to think that you weren't worthy of someone. And she had begun to thought the very same of him. When her shadow had arrived to the institute as an X Man he had seemed perfect.
Quiet, tall, dark, handsome, a sexy accent and he could draw. And he thought himself not good enough for her!
Whether or not she was right about his feelings, he still was frightening; he just loomed over her, her tiny frame dwarfed. If he declared his intentions openly she could handle it. But he had to sit diagonal from her at the dinner table, not across and he stared nonetheless.
He had to be on the opposite team in simulations, yet he still protected her whether or not he was supposed to. And there was the time with the kitchen.
He could also cook! Can you believe it? He can cook, a sensitive guy that could cook and seemed interested in her. She had walked into the kitchen and he was there, sampling a thick soup that wafted heavenly scents that made her sure that meat was in there.
"What's in that?" She had asked, her voice tentative. Not sure if he would reply, he rarely did when she asked a question be it directly of him or a general one.
But he did answer. "Vegetables, some mushrooms, noodles." He replied in that deep yet comforting tone that now she looked back sent shivers down her spine.
Good shivers, not the ones that caused from Kurt's appearance or Lance pressurising her. Shivers like when your friends throw a birthday party or when someone gives you something you'd been wanting but never told anyone.
"No meat?" She asked, her voice suspicious. It wasn't as if people hadn't tried before to get her to eat meat. Whether they thought it better for her or merely for a prank to get her to taste something she disliked.
"Nein" He replied, not cold as he always sounded but somewhat eager to make her understand he wouldn't want her to be tricked.
"It smells brilliant. Can I try some?" She'd asked and he'd nodded, handing a bowl over before walking out of the kitchen.
"Hey! Don't you want some?" She'd asked and he'd stopped as if surprised she'd noticed him.
"It is for you…Katya" He'd said and rested a hand on her shoulder and left. She looked into the pot he'd been stirring. There was only enough for one person.
She left her own hand on that spot on her shoulder for a long time.