Stargazer

by The Dark Zodiac

Disclaimer: I don't own le X-Men. But if I did…

Author Notes: Welcome to the next chapter! I can't believe it's number six already! I hope you're enjoying it thus far! Reviews are always appreciated!

Chapter VI: Holding Out For A Hero

When Rhys woke up the next morning, he was still wrapped in Pete's arms, which were probably numb from being in the same position all night. He slid out of bed to go to the bathroom and when he returned, Pete was still in the same position. For someone who could turn to metal, he sure slept like a log. Instead of getting back into bed, Rhys flipped open his laptop to reply to Reeny's latest email. Being part of the X-Men was like finding a missing piece of himself, but he also missed Renny terribly and was always excited when he saw one of her emails in his inbox.

After a few minutes, he noticed Pete starting to stir and opened the shades to let some light in.

"Morning Pete."

"Mmmmm."

"Sleep well?"

"Mmmhmm," he moaned as he turned away from the light.

"I'm gonna grab a shower," Rhys said as he walked to the door, stopping to give Pete a peck on the cheek before leaving the room.

After a relaxing shower, during which the events from the night hours replayed repeatedly, he returned to the room only to find Pete still sleeping. Rhys decided there really was no other course of action he could take; Pete awoke as he was lifted into the air and gave Rhys the evil eye as he fell back onto it.

"You're lucky I didn't turn to steel."

"Because then there'd be a huge hole leading into the subbasement."

"There are other ways to wake someone besides violently."

"But violently is more fun. Plus I wanted to wake you up before I went to the danger room."

"You're going back to the danger room already?"

"Relax lightning rod," Rhys quipped with a smirk. "I'm just gonna hone my telekinesis a little bit. You're more than welcome to join if you want, though since it's been quiet lately you might want to do some painting."

Pete smiled and Rhys settled down on the bed next to him.

"I really like you, Pete," he admitted candidly. "I've kinda been harboring a crush since we met. This might seem blunt, but I mean…after what happened last night…God I feel like I'm 10 years old right now."

"I like you too, Rhys. A lot. I just…I've never been with anyone before. Not a relationship. Nothing. I…don't know what to do."

"There's no set of rules on how to start or keep a relationship, Pete. You just do what feels right."

Pete took in the fresh scent of soap on Rhys as he pulled him in for a brief kiss.

"You're a quick study," Rhys said with a devilish smile. "Now I've got to get to the danger room before Jean gives me a headache."

"I'll be there after I shower."

"See ya!"

Cyclops controlled the simulation from the control room while Zodian and Jean used their telekinesis to solve various puzzles and disable an assortment of enemies ranging from anti-mutant protestors to Sentinels. Halfway through the session, Colossus joined Cyclops in the control room.

"How's Zodian doing?"

"He seems to be fine today, though this is a low stress simulation. Wanna join 'em?"

"Are you sure?"

Cyclops pressed a button to activate the intercom to make an announcement, "Zodian. Jean. You're getting some reinforcement."

Colossus entered the room just as Cyclops added a few more Sentinels to the simulation, in which they had to fend off the mutant-hunting robots while getting some civilians to safety. Jean kept the bystanders shielded from robotic debris while Colossus and Zodian turned the giant robots into smoldering remnants. After tearing the legs out from the last Sentinel, the Russian turned to Zodian and gave him the thumbs up. Seconds later, another robot landed while his back was turned.

"Colossus!" Zodian yelled as he ran toward the steel powerhouse.

Without even thinking, Zodian dashed towards the giant robot and, using his telekinesis, flung himself into the machines mechanical chest. Colossus and Jean both yelled Zodian's name, to which he responded by popping out of the Sentinel's head and levitating above the hulking machine before it crashed to the floor.

"I'm like Athena," he proudly stated as he descended to the floor.

"Huh?" Colossus asked with a raised eyebrow.

"Never mind. How'd we do, Cyke?"

"Fantastic. Come up to the control room."

After Scott replayed some of the finer moments from the simulation, Rhys accompanied Pete to his room so he could watch the Russian paint. Instead he ended up passing out on his bed with his headphones on while Pete stole glances of him between brushstrokes. It wasn't exactly the nicest of days out, so he didn't mind spending the day painting, especially with Rhys curled up on his bed.

About an hour passed and Pete noticed Rhys starting to wriggle around in the bed, but instead of a waking squirm, it looked like he was having a nightmare. He then noticed the black symbols forming on his arms and started shaking him awake.

"Rhys! Wake up!"

"Pete," he moaned in a voice which sounded like he was on the verge of tears. "Help me."

"What do can I do? Rhys! How can I help you?"

Suddenly Rhys opened his eyes, which were white with energy, and looked up at Pete menacingly. Pete quickly turned to steel and held Rhys down.

"Rhys! Look at me! I know you can hear me! You have to fight it, Rhys!"

Pete could feel the energy emanating from Rhys' body as he held him down and tried to snap him out of it. Items around the room began to levitate, including the bed they were on.

"RHYS!" he screamed as he tightened his grip on the boy.

Rhys' eyes turned back to their normal dark brown and everything in the room slammed back to the ground; Rhys fainted and Pete brought him to the med lab.

"I'm sorry to interrupt you. Professor, Pete," Hank apologized as he entered the med lab. "I found something interesting when I was looking over the symbols described."

"Ah, yes. Please, what have you discovered?"

"Look," he said as he handed Xavier a few papers. "Like I said before, the symbols on his body correspond with current star charts. The areas where they appeared today correspond with the star charts from today. It looks like…some kind of countdown."

"Interesting…"

"Also, there's going to be a solar eclipse in the coming weeks. Have you had any luck tapping into his mind?"

"Pete, please excuse Hank and I," Xavier said as they left the lab. Once they were out of earshot of Pete, "Hank…there's something of terrible power within Rhys. Something malevolent. To be quite honest, I'm shocked he's been able to suppress it this long, but I'll chalk that up to his immense mental prowess. I'm afraid something unpleasant will occur on the day of the eclipse."

"What can we do?"

"We'll see how he is in the next few days and I'll do my best to think of something besides…"

"…killing him."

"I pray it doesn't come to that."

"We'll think of something, Professor."

Back in the med lab, Rhys had woken up and was talking to Pete.

"I'm sorry, Pete. I dreamt I was just…losing control again."

"Your powers just flared up. No one got hurt. Just relax."

"I don't want to relax. I'm not tired. What time is it?"

"Whoa, after 9."

"Time flies when you're passed out. I'm gonna go to my room. Come by later, okay Pete?"

"Sure."

Rhys went to his room, but didn't stay long; instead he opted levitate to the roof and meditate under the stars. He wondered what the stars were trying to tell him and what was going on with him. After 20 minutes, he entered a deep trance and felt completely free of everything. That was when he saw the figure, a darkly clad figure in a flowing cape with enormous wings.

Who…who are you?

I'm the Malevolent Angel of the Light and Dark Energies of the Universe. I'm the Stargazer.

Are you…whatever's inside of me?

Soon I will be free of you.

Why do you want to hurt the people I love?

Why do you ask questions to which there are no answers?

Why?

Soon…

The figure began to fade even as Rhys beckoned it to return and soon it was gone; Rhys slowly emerged from his trance-like state and sensed that Pete was reading the note he'd left for him on his bed.

I'm on the roof, Pete. I'm coming down now.

Rhys slipped into the window and found Pete sitting on his bed. They slid their arms around each other and kissed as they got comfortable on the bed.

"Rhys…are you okay?"

"Well, when you take into account there's a malevolent entity in me, I'd say I'm handling things pretty well."

They slid under the covers and started another intense session of making out. Soon they were pulling each other's shirts and pants off and later that night, Pete learned how one's mouth could be used to make his partner achieve an orgasm. Pete inhaled the salty scent of Rhys' breath as they kissed again, deeply sliding their tongues into each other's mouths.

"Not bad for a first time, Pete," Rhys said as he nestled into the crook of the Russian's arm.

"Thanks."

They lay there in each other's arms for a while, not tired enough to fall asleep, though not bold enough to make another move. That is, until Pete turned to Rhys and kissed him again.

"Rhys….I…I love you."

"I love you too, Pete," Rhys replied with a smile. Then, after a pause, "And thank you."

"For what?"

"For staying with me after everything that's been going on. It's probably not the easiest thing to deal with."

"I don't care about your powers flaring up. I care about you and I'll do all I can to protect you."

"My hero."

They kissed again and pulled the covers over their heads.

End Chapter VI: Holding Out For A Hero

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