CHAPTER 5: RELAXATION
Vince knew where he was, and he didn't want to be here not again. He was strapped down onto the cold metal table, chained down and couldn't move, couldn't use his powers. He was prying to God to get him out of this, the last time he was here he nearly went insane. He nearly lost his mind to the torture that had happened to him.
The place was dark the smell of fire and ash was in the air in the cold stone area that looked like it came from the worst old style torture chamber in history. There were many torture devices around but he was looking up at his tormentor. There it was, this beast of the man with a metal mask that never spoke.
He heard laughing that damn laughing of Selene in the background. He knew she was dead but he was too afraid. He never liked to show fear and now he was feeling it right down to his bones. He knew what was going to happen, just like the last time.
This mental monster would tare his flesh off, it would re-grow and then it would start all over again. They had nearly broken his mind with this when he was lost in that artificial nightmare. Only Emma managed to get him out in time but he didn't know if she would this time. The monster there with foul breath and smell had a nasty looking dagger and Vince knew what would happen.
He was going to get his heart cut out again. 'Please not this…not again…God please no…Emma help! Anyone!' He silently pleaded since his mouth was gagged. The knife was over his bare chest and he knew it was going to cut into his chest. It would reach in and take his heart out but then he'd be healed and it would start over.
The blade had just pierced his skin the blood started to flow as Vince cried out.
The next moment Vince sat up, he wasn't sure if he screamed or not. His heart was hammering his ears drowning out every other sound. He looked around to see the darkness there but feeling the sheets there and the soft bed was a little confusing.
He blinked a few times and when he felt something touch him he jumped to and turned to see a familiar figure there in the dark. As dark as it was his eyes were adjusting and he knew who it was, by now he could hear past his heart hammering and heard her voice.
"Vincent it's okay darling, you're safe," Emma said softly as she got closer to him. In the moonlight she could see the look in his eyes, the fear and torment in them. She quickly took him into her arms and held him close to her. She felt everything he was feeling all the fear, the pain and under it all the anger at what happened.
He wrapped his arms around her holding her for comfort. Emma laid them back onto the bed holding him and trying to comfort him. She hated the mark left on him on all of them by that ordeal, what's worse was how much of a kind man he was and he didn't deserve this. He was such a good man and didn't deserve to be haunted by his past like this.
She was tempted to wipe out those horrible memories in his mind just erase them from it. But she couldn't do that she couldn't violate his mind like that no matter what. She loved him too much to betray him like that. But she was so tempted to, to just take away all the horrible memories and block out the nightmares to give him some peace in life.
But she couldn't all she could do was just comfort him like when he did when she had one of her own nightmares. She held his body next to hers feeling him hold her back knowing that he was making sure not to hold too tightly. With his strength she knew he could break her in half, it was also why he was very careful when they were intimate. He was always afraid of hurting someone with his strength but she didn't care at this moment about that all she cared was helping her husband through this.
It took an hour for him to fall back asleep and not one word had been said in that time, they didn't need words.
In the morning Emma woke up first which was rare and decided to let him sleep. She went to take a shower and freshen up and the usual morning routine. But first a trip to the toilet thanks to her damn morning sickness. She really hated this part, she was only in her eighth week and to her 'joy' she knew that it lasted up to the fourteenth to sixteenth.
After that she ordered a breakfast and put on a robe as she finished up with a few things. She was thinking about what to do for the rest of the day hoping to take his mind off things when the bellhop came to the door with a tray of food. Her stomach was really hungry at the moment and she was craving. Plus she did notice the young man looking at her cleavage and for once she was actually annoyed.
It was strange sensation since most of the time she would have used that but now she just didn't like it as much and actually gave the man one of her icy cold glares. He had the decently to look away from her and of course got no tip.
After he was gone she sat down to think, 'What was that? I've never felt like that before.'
She was deeply thinking if being married was changing her, sure she'd never think of cheating on her husband. But then again she was also an expecting mother too so maybe that was part of it. Was she getting self conscious in her pregnancy? 'Oh hell for all I know those fucking hormones are acting up again. You know I love the idea of being able to have children but the process can be such an annoyance.'
She was brought out of her thoughts when Vincent walked in, he looked like he just woke up but she went up to him. She rested her hands on his chest over his own robe. "Hey how are you feeling?"
"Better…thanks Emma." He said making a small smile but she knew how he got when after he had a nightmare. He tried to cover it all up but inside he would be depressed and angry, normally he would meditate for a bit or something to help take his mind off things.
Emma sighed trying to think of a way to get him out of his depression, 'Well let's see…Sex usually works wonders but I think we overdid it last night I still ach so that's out.' She could try just doing it in their minds but she also wanted to get out there today. Maybe a nice relaxing day would help the both of them out.
"Well come on then, let's eat then you can shower and shave and we can go out." She said kissing him on the cheek.
Vince raised and eyebrow and ran a hand over his stubble, "I was thinking of letting it grow."
Emma placed a hand on her hip and looked at him, "Vincent darling I love you but there is no way I'm letting you grow some disgusting beard. You look much better without one as well, plus if you ever want sex again you'll keep that face nice and smooth just the way I like it."
That actually managed to get a grin out of him. She smiled a bit seeing that hoping that maybe this day wouldn't be so hard to get him to relax as she had feared. But her stomach growled telling her to start eating now. Well she was eating for two now, plus that bacon did look extra delicious.
-Xavier Mansion-
Ororo was taking care of her garden as usual, she was in jeans and a tank top shirt that she liked to use since she didn't want to get her dresses dirty. But she loved her gardening, she had a link to the planet and to all life in a way. Her plants made her feel better and more relaxed.
She was also now not doing it alone as a young girl of fifteen was next to her helping out. Laura Logan was her name now or X23 or just X in the battlefield. Her tanned skin and green eyes that held the same look as her 'father's' only now they weren't as hardened.
She had let her hair grown out a bit again so it was now flowing down her back, Ororo was sure it was because her own hair was very long. Laura liked to mimic a few people in certain ways here or there that she was close to at times. Mainly when no one was looking but she had caught some of it, mainly she had the same mannerisms as Logan.
Although at the moment she was liking spending time with the older woman, in fact she had recently agreed to become her adopted mother and for the first time in her life she had a real family. Laura was still learning what it meant to be part of a family but so far she liked it.
Logan and her got along very well most of the time since they were basically the same, she enjoyed going into the Danger Room with him and she had an interests in bikes. He was teaching her all about them now.
With Ororo she had this calming influence and she just felt herself relax around her. The woman had so much warmth and love in her that the young woman didn't mind her as her mother now, in fact when she pictured a mother all she thought of was Ororo now.
Storm looked over at the young girl with a smile, "So have you thought more about what we talked about?"
The younger girl got a scowl on her face that looked a lot like Logan's and she nearly laughed seeing it, "I still don't want to."
"You need to learn to get out into the world more dear."
"I can do that here! I don't see why I have to go to some stupid high school…besides from what I heard it's not that great a place and I don't know if I can stand being in small rooms with so many strange people." She stated to her what she had learned. Ororo had thought that maybe Laura would benefit from a more normal schooling experience but so far the girl was just as stubborn as her father.
They had been thinking about how to persuade her since making her do anything was a lot of work and they just knew if they did force her she'd be kicking and screaming. Ororo sighed, 'Who knew motherhood was so difficult?'
'Well at least with Emma expecting maybe the two of us should know first hand how it will be. Maybe I should talk to Vivian more about this,' Her sister Vi had more experience with motherhood then she did and anything would help. Although the fact that Laura was nearly Evan's age when he showed up didn't go well for her given what happened to him.
"Well…Just think on it please?"
The young girl let out a small growl and nodded, "Fine…But I like my studies with Beast and Sage…I'm more…comfortable around them."
Ororo knew that she was being tutored by those two and she didn't mind at all. It's just that she wanted more normal experiences. She sighed thinking that maybe this was a lost cause, although she and Logan were going on a date tonight maybe she could talk to him then about this and see what his thoughts were.
Over by the lawn the other were having a nice game to just have some fun. Basically it was just what they called mutant ball. Mainly they had a ball on hand this time a football and the point was mainly to get from on goal to the other. The rules were simple, powers were allowed but you had to be careful with them.
There had been a few accidents over the years but they were better at keeping the damage to themselves and to the lawn intact. Logan always got angry when there were holes, scorch marks or anything else happened to it.
Roberto had the ball at the moment, while he was in his transformed state in the air. He was nearly to the goal when Sam flew at him and managed to snatch it away from him. Sam was wearing some goggles now when he flew it just helped him to see where he was going. Especially when he tried to land like now as he managed to land on his feet.
'Cool Ah didn't fall this time,' He grinned to himself but he didn't notice someone running up to him and tackling him. He fell onto his back and the ball was lost. "Hey what the-" He stopped to see who it was, Tabitha the blond bombshell (in more ways the one he knew) was over him.
"Got'cha Sammy boy," She grinned at him, although they were dating Sam did his best not to try and steal a glance at her cleavage which was pretty close to his face, not to mention the openness of the top of the shirt gave him a nice clear view.
He was raised better then that but boy was he tempted. "What's a matter? Cat got your tongue?" She grinned seeing his slightly flustered face, she had to admit that he really looked to cute when he blushed.
"Uh…s-shouldn't we be gettin' back to the g-game?" He tried to get out seeing her grinning down at him and becoming painfully away of what parts of her body were pressed up against his own.
"Awww…I guess so," She gave him a pout and then quickly changed her face and gave him a deep kiss, "There, that's for luck lover boy." She laughed as she got up and ran off to the others. Sam just laid there for a bit before his brain started working again and he managed to move his body again.
The others were having a nice time as well. Bobby was ice sliding with the ball at the moment but being tackled by an army of Jamie's stopped him cold in his tracks. He was reaching for the ball under the dog pile when a red wolf ran by and picked it up. "Hey! Damn it, okay Jamie you're girlfriend got the ball already get yourself and you clones off me."
The game went on like that for pretty much for an hour no one was really keeping score at the moment anyway since it was just for fun. But after the last goal was made everyone was looking a little tired at the moment. Although their bodies were burning from the exercise they all wore smiles as a few were joking around.
"Okay I think we can use a bit of a breather," Roberto said who was panting as well as the others. He saw no objects around either so maybe a small break was good. Besides Logan made it painfully clear that the training would start up soon and with school find time to just enjoy themselves wouldn't be easy.
Amara looked down as her clothing, "Gods I'm going to need a shower after this."
August was next to her and got a look in her eye, "Want some help with that lover?" She said silently a hand going to Amara's lower back and then down to her butt gently. The princess blushed a bit trying to give her a stern look although somewhat failing.
"God get a room you two!" Tabitha laughed seeing the two of them.
"I'm working on it," August said back getting another laugh out of the blond as Amara smiled and shook her head. She was glad that August and Tabitha were getting to be close friends. She liked the idea of her girlfriend and her best friend being close.
"Okay now are you a bad influence on Tabby or is the the bad influence on you?" Amara joked at the slightly talker girl.
August gave a fake thinking face with a finger on her chin, "Hmmmm…I'd say a mutual corruption is acceptable."
Magma had to smile as she looked at her, "You know this is good…I like seeing you this way."
"What way?" She blinked not sure what she was getting at.
"Happy," she replied simply wrapping an arm around her waist, "You kind of had this…darkness in you all the time. Now not so much…I like it, you really seem a lot happier lately and it looks good on you."
August was silent a moment as she thought about it. She was happy for once in her life, her evil bitch of a mother was dead finally, she wasn't being hunted anymore, she had a real home and friends and love for the first time in her life. She had truly found a place for herself in the world. "Yeah…I guess I am happy."
She smiled back at Amara with warmth in her eyes and Amara leaned up and kissed her softly. "Well come one, let's get back to the game…then if you're really good…maybe I'll let you wash my back." She winked to her and ran off.
-Wanda's Room-
Wanda was in her room, which of course had changed over the past two years. At first there hadn't been much except for what she had brought with her from the Brotherhood house. Which wasn't much looking back on it, just two cases of stuff and that was it.
Now she had some posters up in her room, painted it a nice dark red too to make it more her own space. More clothing but still in the goth way. Although she did own only two dresses and she only wore one at the wedding and another for when Kurt liked to take her out to a fancy dinner.
There was a computer and a stereo that was a gift from Xavier to help her both in her studies and to relax in her new home. She had started her own music collection as well after she started to listen to it again. Yes her room had changed a lot and she liked it. Although there were pieces of clothing here and there, it wasn't too bad it just wasn't neat like most of the people here.
Living in the Brotherhood place kind of rubbed off on her a bit although Kurt always found it amusing that she was a little messy. He kept his room nice and neat and she even let him help her clean up once. The sight of his embarrassed face when he found one of her bras was still funny. Well now it was back then they were still just friends and she had quickly snatched it away from him as he kept on apologizing so fast it was hard to tell what he was saying.
Now though they didn't have that problem. At the moment her room was still a bit of a mess but there were more of her clothing on the ground now and some that weren't hers. Those like the boxers, pants and shirt were Kurt's.
Because at the moment neither one of them needed or wanted them for they wanted to enjoy each other like lovers only could. Wanda was on her back eyes closed making small pants and grunts as she just enjoyed this moment with her boyfriend.
She felt his fur all along her skin the soft velvet felt so nice rubbing up against her. She heard the spring of the mattress sing out as they moved and thankfully she moved the bed from the wall. They had nearly broke the wall with the headboard banging against it, now it was just missing the wall and she put something between the walls and the legs of the bed so it wouldn't move.
Wanda didn't want to annoy anyone with their lovemaking again. Since Jubilee's room was next to hers she didn't want to give the Asian girl another restless night as she had gotten in Wanda's face about that the next morning.
Wanda her and legs wrapped around the waist of her lover as one of his hands was on her ass the other on her shoulder, his tail was stroking her thigh. Her own hands were on his shoulders as she listened to him groan and speak in German.
She didn't know what he was saying but it sounded great to her. Soon they picked up the pace as Kurt's urgent movements told her he was getting close to finishing. So she matched his pace hoping that they would climax together. She actually hoped they could prolong this, it had taken Kurt a long time to get over what Selene had done to him.
She had shared what had happened to her in the asylum with him, sure it wasn't the best thing to have in common but she did help with his pain. And Kurt was the only man that she had willingly took to her bed, he made her feel beautiful and loved. When they were together like this the outside world melted away and it was just them.
Soon Kurt's movements became erratic and with three final movements he cried out her name into her shoulder as his tensed up. Wanda gasped as her body feeling this climaxed, the blissful sensation washed over her as she held him tight.
They just laid there panting for a moment but soon Kurt got off most likely to get rid of the condom. They always used safe sex since given what happened to Emma they all knew it could happen. Wanda just laid in bed with a small smile her eyes closed as she ran a hand over her body. "I'm going to miss these little moments while you're still in school."
She felt the bed shift as he came back and they cuddled up against each other. She opened her eyes and saw those golden eyes so full of warmth and kindness. "Ja, vell I'll be zhinking about you all ze time vhile zhere."
He had on this playful grin on his face and she had to smile at it. Kurt always made her smile, he had been her first friend here and as they got closer she fell in love with him. They had been through so much and now it just seemed perfect. "Yeah well at least while I'm here I can keep Laura and Rogue company at least."
"Still not sure vhat to do vith your life?"
Wanda sighed and buried her face into his warm chest as he stoked her hair. "I don't have a clue…Maybe this year off will help put things into perspective for me…But I do know one thing, I want you there in my future."
He kissed her head as he held her his tail wrapping around her leg, "Me too, I love you Vanda. After Amanda and me broke up…I zhought I vould never feel zhat same joy and love in life again. Thanks for proving me wrong."
She smiled as she closed her eyes hearing him breath and his heart, "I love you too fuzzy, thank you for showing me what love is."
They sat in the quiet just enjoying each other before Wanda spoke up again, "So…do you think you're parents will like me? I know I'm not the wholesome girl next door type."
Fact was she was actually scared, her Wanda Maximoff the Scarlet Witch scared of a German couple that she had never met. Mystique was different they had a mutual respect for each other and had known each other for over a year. But this was something totally different and she really wanted to make a good impression.
These people were very important to Kurt and so they were important to her. "Don't vorry so much, besides vhy can't get avay for a few more veeks I vas told…I'm just more worried about…vell you know…"
"World War three with both your mothers in the same room?" She offered him and the deep sigh she got was all she needed to know. "Don't worry about it Kurt I'm sure things won't get too bad. Besides you'll have me and Rogue to back you up at least."
"Thanks I just hope zhings go vell…"
She lifted her head and looked at him, "Hey let's just not think about it okay? I want to enjoy this moment and any we can get before the school season starts."
Kurt's worry started to leave him and he looked into those beautiful blue eyes of hers, "Ja, zhat sounds a lot better."
"You know it, just listen to me Kurt can I'm hardly wrong," She kissed him gently on the lips as the two young adults just started to relax and enjoy the rest of the day together.
NEXT UP CHAPTER 6: FAMILY REUNION
I know what you're thinking and no, not Kurt's family that is going to visit. It's Wandas' father and brother.