Stargazer

by The Dark Zodiac

Disclaimer: I don't own the X-Men. THEY OWN ME! Just kidding. Oh, how I'm losing my mind.

Author Notes: None really. Thanks for the reviews so far and I'm glad you seem to be enjoying the saga of Piotr and Rhys. I'm almost done writing the rest of the story, so updates should flow pretty smoothly once it's all done. And I'm already outlining a little sequelish story about Rhys, Pete, and his parents. Should be a good time for all. 5 points goes to the first person who can name the singer of 'Get Together.' Anyway, R&R please!

Chapter V: Get Together

"Really, it's quite alright, Rhys," the Professor assured him as he levitated a bottle of water to him. "You're not the first person to ravage the danger room, and I doubt you'll be the last."

"I just…I feel so bad. I attacked people that I care for! I feel like I've failed."

"Don't be so hard on yourself. Everyone thinks very highly of you, especially Peter."

"Sometimes I forget I'm not the only psychic on the planet."

"Now who said I read your mind? Anyway, Hank's been doing some research on the symbols which appeared on your arms."

"Did he find anything?"

"It appears the symbols correspond to the signs and constellations of the Zodiac, but that's all he has right now. I'll keep you posted on his findings. And we'll begin our sessions next week, if that's okay with you."

"Yeah. Thanks, Professor."

Rhys left the Professor's study and hurried back to his room. Even though Bobby and Ororo said they were fine, Rhys was still embarrassed for what had happened and wanted to avoid them for the rest of the day. He still didn't know what to do about Pete because he did have a crush on the Russian, but at the same time, he didn't want to rush into things and have someone get hurt in the end. All he wanted was to put on his iPod and stare out the window for a while. Or maybe write. He needed to do something to keep his mind from exploding and since he'd slept most of the day away in the med lab, the fact that the clock was teetering on midnight didn't even register.

Rhys curled up on his bed as soothing music filled his ears and his gaze drifted from twinkling star to twinkling star. As he lost himself in the endless night sky, he suddenly had the impulse to go outside, but not just outside, up to the roof. Without much hesitation he pushed his window open and levitated himself with his telekinesis, but as he was about to float out the window, there was a knock at his door.

"Come in."

"I take it I didn't wake you," Pete said with a smile as he entered the room. "Where are you going?"

"I just had this sudden urge to go to the roof. I've been inside all day."

"Oh. Well, I'll let you go then."

"Wait. Did you have something in mind when you knocked on my door?"

"I was gonna ask if you wanted to watch a movie or something."

"Sure. What movie?"

"I was hoping you'd have a suggestion."

"Have you seen Mean Girls?"

"It sounds like a porn."

"Whoa. It's only one of the best movies ever. It's like…Clueless for the next generation."

"Clueless?"

"How late do you want to stay awake?"

Rhys and Peter set themselves up in the den of the mansion and popped in Mean Girls before getting comfortable on the sofa, though Rhys took the liberty of propping a pillow against Pete's side. Pete didn't seem to mind.

"Okay, I have to tell you something before we start the movie," Rhys said, turning to Pete.

"What?"

"I have a really bad habit of falling asleep when I watch movies outside of a movie theater setting."

"Oh. Uh…"

"Feel free to wake me up if I do pass out."

"Sure."

Within half an hour, Rhys had gone from stretched across the sofa to curled up against the pillow next to Pete, fast asleep. Lost in thought, his gaze rested on Rhys leaning against him and he didn't notice Jean walk into the room.

"Good movie. Sorry if I interrupted something."

"Don't worry about it Jean. He's passed out anyway."

"He's had a rough day."

"Yeah. He's worried. He's upset. He's also embarrassed about what happened."

"If he pulls that power out on the Brotherhood, we might be out of a job," she said with a sympathetic smile. "So, are you two an item, if you don't mind my asking?"

"I…don't know. I mean, I've never dated anyone before and I haven't felt like this since…""

"Logan?"

"…Yes. "

Jean smiled as she put a hand on his shoulder. "I don't have to be psychic to see Rhys' feelings are mutual. Anyway, I'll let you get back to your movie. Night Pete."

"Goodnight, Jean."

When the credits rolled, Pete turned the television off and carried Rhys back to his room. As he pulled the covers over him, Rhys began to shift.

"Mmm. Pete?" he moaned, still half asleep.

"Yes?"

"I slept through it, didn't I?"

"Yeah."

"Sorry."

"It's okay. Now get some sleep. I'll see you in the morning."

"Don't leave. Please."

"Uh…"

"Mmmm. Please," Rhys begged again as he fought sleep long enough for the Russian to answer.

Pete was a little hesitant, especially because Rhys was asking while he was half asleep and he'd never spent the night with anyone before. What if he did something wrong? Was there anything that could be done wrong? He was also embarrassed because even though he was a year older than Rhys, he'd had little experience with relationships and being physical while Rhys had had a boyfriend when he was a sophomore in high school.

"Fine. Just move over a little bit."

Pete slid under the covers and Rhys wasted no time curling up against the Russian, who was still a bit hesitant about the arrangement.

"Pete," Rhys whispered in the same sleepy voice, "just relax. Don't be so…tense. I'm not made of glass. You're not gonna shatter me."

Pete turned to look at Rhys whose eyes were now wide open and staring at him. They found themselves locked in eye contact; neither of them was willing to break it. Pete decided he was being given a chance to make a move and it took every ounce of his will to shut up the tiny voice inside his head that tried to convince him of some other course of action. He slid his arms around Rhys and pressed his lips gently against his companion's. Rhys didn't miss a beat, almost as if he'd been waiting for it all night long, and pulled Pete closer to deepen the kiss. After a few minutes of intense mouth-to-mouth, they parted lips and though Rhys drifted into slumber, Pete remained awake for a bit as he thought about everything that led up to this and everything that was to come.

In another part of the Mansion, Professor Xavier and Hank were sipping tea and discussing some of the symbols that appeared on Rhys' body.

"It's very stranger because the symbols correlate to recent star charts," Hank said as he slid the Professor some notes.

"I fear what we're seeing is more than just latent powers manifesting themselves, Hank. While he was unconscious I tried to get into his mind."

"What did you find?"

"There was something…elusive."

"Do you think he's bipolar?"

"I believe it may be a separate entity entirely, one whose power we haven't even seen the half of. These incidents have been progressively becoming more and more violent."

"Do you think it's gonna get worse?"

"I'm certain of it and I think the symbols are clues of some sort. I'm going to sleep on this. Have a good night, Hank."

"You too, Professor."

End Chapter V: Get Together

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