Stargazer

by The Dark Zodiac

Disclaimer: I don't own the X-Men or any of that jazz.

Author Notes: As promised, chapter 4 because chapter 3 was on the shorter side. I hope you're all enjoying the progression of their relationship and the story thus far. As always, reviews are much appreciated because all writers need some feedback! On to chapter 4!

Chapter IV: Promise

Rhys had been at the school for two months and had gained an even greater grip on his telepathy and telekinesis. His other power still flared up every once in a while, but no one ever got hurt and they only lasted a few minutes until he regained control. He was quickly accept by his fellow X-Men and his relationship with Peter took some interesting turns since they'd first met. Nothing had really happened between them, but they both felt an unspoken vibe that kept them bound closer than the others.

Rhys had been listening to music and watching Peter paint in his room when they got a telepathic message from the Professor.

Zodian. You and Colossus meet Storm and Iceman and proceed to the danger room.

Sure, Professor.

"Shall we?" Rhys asked as he sat up on Peter's and flung his headphones off.

"Just when I get started…"

"Oh, there'll be plenty of time for painting after a danger room training session. Now let's go."

They made their way to the elevator and found Bobby and Ororo already waiting with the Professor, in addition to Scott and Jean.

"What's up, Professor?" Bobby asked.

"Just a little impromptu training session. With recent reports of Sentinels operating outside of government control, you're never too prepared. Well, let's get started."

"Are Scott and Jean coming too?" Storm asked.

"They'll be watching with me from here."

Storm, Iceman, Colossus and Zodian entered the danger room and waited anxiously for the simulation to begin. In the blink of an eye, the room transformed to a smoldering war zone where numerous Sentinels patrolled. Storm quickly took the lead and used enormous bolts of lightning to slice through the Sentinels like butter. Iceman froze the giant robots in place and then drove enormous ice spikes through their heads. Colossus tore through their legs and, once crashing to the ground, tore through the rest of their metal bodies. Zodian used his telekinesis to tear the Sentinels limb from limb and then used the limbs to disable surrounding Sentinels.

"Zodian! Look out!" Storm suddenly screamed as steel tentacles shot out of a Sentinel's hands.

"Ugh," he moaned as the Sentinel hoisted him into and he struggled against it.

Zodian's eyes switched between the normal brown and glowing white as he tried to break free of the robot's grasp.

"Professor! He's gonna lose it again! Stop the simulation!"

"Wait, Scott," Jean interrupted. "I'm trying to get into his mind."

Zodian's eyes remained the glowing white color as tendrillical energy surrounded him and began to expand, taking the form of two enormous wings and a flowing cape. The steel tentacle dissolved as the energy touched it and soon the giant robot lay in pieces on the ground, though Zodian remained suspended in the air. More Sentinels surrounded him, but were quickly diced into spare parts with the raise of Zodian's hand.

"Professor!" Scott yelled.

"I…can't reach him! His powers are so immense."

Zodian descended to the ground and slowly began to make his way towards the other X-Men.

X-Men! You must stop him!

Iceman tried to capture him in a wave of ice, but Zodian easily diverted the ice and knocked him across the room. Storm almost conjured enough wind to send Colossus flying, but Zodian seemed to ignore the violent gusts, instead using his wings to blow the wind right back at her. Colossus caught her in his arms before she slammed into the wall and then quickly changed into his steel form to confront Zodian, who was making his way to Pete's direction that very moment.

"Rhys! I know you can hear me and I know you don't want to hurt me!"

"Yes I do!" he said, in the same sinister voice he and Jean had heard on the X-Jet.

"No! You don't! Rhys! Please! It's Peter."

Zodian stopped and stared hard at the Russian as more energy began to flow from his body, but then suddenly receded, along with the wings and cape. Rhys just stood blankly for a moment until Pete put his hands on his shoulders.

"Pete…help me," he said as he collapsed into the Russian's arms.

Pete, get him to the med lab.

A few hours later, Rhys woke up in a bed watched over by Peter. He had a throbbing pain in his head and squinted because the lights stung his eyes. When Peter saw these signs of life, he leapt out of his chair to check on Rhys.

"Rhys! Are you okay?"

"My head is killing me. What…oh God! Are Bobby and Ororo okay?"

"Yeah. I think they were more shocked than physically injured."

"I can't do this, Pete. What if this happens on a mission? I nearly took out the danger room!"

"Rhys, you just have to relax. We'll talk to the Professor later. I'm sure he'll know what to do about your powers," he reassured.

"Pete," he whispered as he tried to choke back tears, but soon the tears slowly dripped from the sides of his eyes. "I…I don't want to hurt anyone…"

Pete leaned down and slid his arms around Rhys' shaking body.

"Shhh. You'll be fine, Rhys Just relax."

It wasn't until his arms were firmly secured around the Russian that he noticed black markings and symbols all over his arms. He pulled away from Pete in horror as he examined the inexplicable markings, which looked like a weird mix of tribal tattoos and familiar looking ciphers.

"Pete…what's happening to me?"

"I…I don't know."

"Please…don't leave."

"I'm not going anywhere, Rhys. I promise."

Rhys looked Pete directly in the eyes and slid his arm around the Russian once again.

"Pete…"

It's impossible to say which one instigated the kiss because something in both of their brains clicked at the exact same second, though their reasons may have been different. Or maybe they both read the undeniable need for it in each other's eyes. It could've even been Fate. Regardless of what was responsible for it, Peter and Rhys shared their first kiss under the halogen lights of the medical bay. It only lasted for a few moments, but somewhere deep inside each of them, they realized this affirmed a slew of unspoken mutual feelings they'd had since they met.

"Rhys…I…I'm sorry I don't know what came over me…"

"Pete, it's okay. What's there to be sorry about?"

"I've just…I never…"

"You don't have to explain, Pete, really. I mean…did you like it?"

"Wha…uh…yeah."

"You don't have to be ashamed. Forget about what other people think. It's your life and you have every right to be happy."

"How do you know what other people….never mind."

"Psychic, remember? Plus when I peaked inside your mind on the X-Jet I found a few things you try to keep buried deep down. Sorry about that."

"Under the circumstances, it's forgivable. So…now what?"

Rhys smiled as he leaned in and pressed his lips against Pete's once more. Before much else could happen, Rhys sensed Jean coming and broke their kiss just in time.

"How you feeling, Rhys?" she asked as the door slid closed behind her.

"I have a really bad headache, but fine besides that."

"I take it Pete's been keeping an eye on you."

"Yeah," he mumbled as he blushed.

"Well, when you're feeling better, the Professor would like to talk with you."

"Am…I in trouble?"

"Not at all, Rhys. He'd just like to try and work with you to get your powers under control. I mean, we've had glimpses of your powers before, but in the danger room today…you tore apart the Sentinels like they were nothing and flung Iceman and Storm aside like they were rag dolls."

"I…I'm sorry."

"You don't have to apologize. You have power that could save thousands of lives; you just need…a little more control over it. You just need time."

"Jean," Peter chimed in. "Maybe another time."

"I'll see the two of you later," she said with a smile before hurrying off.

"Jean seems a little stressed," Pete observed.

"Look! Those markings. They're…gone," Rhys said as he examined his arms once again. "I'm scared, Pete. I can't shake this feeling that something bad is coming."

Pete slid his arms around Rhys and held him close for a moment before whispering, "I won't let anything happen to you."

"Just don't leave me."

"I won't. I promise."

End Chapter IV: Promise

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