Okay, I know you guys are wondering about why I'm doing this one shot when I should be working on my two major stories. And your probably thinking that I might be procrastinating, that I'm using this to "feel out the waters", that I'm getting something off my chest-

The matter is, point blank and simple, that two reviewers, who I find extremely devoted writers and encouraging readers have given this idea and a request. These two are god-of-second-chance and mcc1089. God-of-second-chance wanted to see some fluffy action between X23 and Toad and mcc089 wanted to something based on their relationship, so I created this.

Plus, I was tired of not seeing any other X23/Toad stories.

The story is kept within the parameters of the main story, Capoeira de Toad, and is like a little one-shot, off-shot. So I hope you enjoy.


X23's Winter Solace

Snow covered the small hills and pathways of the Bayville Park, the small lake and river frozen over. The ice was strong enough that those that wanted could skate on the ice and the paths were cleared to allowed people walking space, the carefree falling of the snowflakes creating a loving atmosphere.

The clone of Wolverine, X23, smiled shyly as she walked hand in hand with Todd Tolansky from her school. She couldn't believe that they had kept the relationship a secret for three months, knowing what people would say and do if they found out about them.

They glanced at each other as one and X23 blushed as Todd drew her closer and wrapped an arm around her, the green mutant dress lighter than her but strangely warmer than her. So there he was, clad in jeans, sneakers, a long sleeved shirt and a hooded sweatshirt while she wore boots, pants, a shirt and a snow jacket.

His new haircut, a spiked up rogue look for his green hair, even was opposite to her long black hair, a braid draping down the side of her face.

"I do like the new hair cut, makes you look even cuter." She said, making Todd blush as she drifted closer to him. "It'll also make the Capoeira training easier, I imagine."

"Thanks X. Can you can tell I did it?" He asked curiously, self-consciously running his hand through the spikes

"You did?" X23 asked incredulously, laughing at his embarrassed face and reassured him. "It looks fine, darling. I never would have guessed you did it."

"I guess I got a few surprises left for you then." Todd said mysteriously, the two falling into a comfortable silence again with only the sounds of the snow rustling and crunching

As they climbed the small bridge that over went the river, the two love struck teenagers stopped and watched the ice skaters. Todd released her hand for a moment, rubbing them together to restore warmth, so X23 leaned on the railing

X23 smiled a bit wider as a pair of arms encircled around her; the boy's head rested carefully on her shoulder, his hot breaths rolling down her neck and chest. They were pulled flush together as they stood on a bridge overlooking a frozen river in the park, Todd's lips smiling against her slightly chilled body.

It was surprising that after weeks and weeks of hugs and tender cuddles that he would still leave her breathless.

"It's beautiful, yo." Todd said softly in her ear, X23 smiling as his arms shifted to hold her hands as well. "A beauty that is paled in comparison to you, however; a lily flower immune to frost of winter and time, X."

X23 blushed, glancing at him before leaning her head on the side of his. Todd turned his head to face her, placing a soft kiss on her slightly frosted cheek.

Todd had surprised her when they initially started dating; treating her with such kindness and respect that X23 often wondered if she really was dating the same Brotherhood member known as Toad.

But in her eyes he would never be repulsive, as everyone else thought. Todd was tendering her when she was uncertain about trying anything new with him, patient when X23 wanted to understand why he did things the way he did them and firm in all their arguments and spats.

But more importantly, he didn't see her as the clone of Wolverine. He never did. Todd saw her as Laura Logan, the daughter of Logan, the Wolverine. All the other kids in the X-Mansion treated her like she was Wolverine and were always smelling of a little underling of fear. This wasn't the case with all of the kids but the vast majority mad eht feeling seem like everyone.

"I think the sweet talking is coming out again, Todd." X23 said, turning to him and rubbing her nose to his. "Good thing that I have a soft spot for that stuff."

"Hey, I'll just tell you the truth. I know that it's the best way to avoid the wrath of Laura Logan, yo." Todd said playfully, chuckling at her look of mock outrage.

"Todd, you're trying to avoid me?" She said in a fake threateningly voice, turning in his arm and placing her hands on her hips as she narrowed her eyes.

Todd raised an eyebrow to her and folded his arms over his chest, his smile ever consistent. Over the months she got to know Todd and finally date him, Todd had demonstrated that he was fearless of her and any power she wielded; hell, many a time when she really was angry, he had been unflinching before her.

Then again, he had seen much worse, as she found out.

X23 turned around and walked a bit huffily away before putting her plan into action, listening as Todd walked after her uncertainly. Spinning on her toes, X23 lunged at her boyfriend and tackled him head on. Todd and X23 were unable to stop laughing as they slid down the bridge, the snow crunching as they rolled in the snow.

Todd lay on his back while X23 was latched around his waist, the clone looking up at him with a mischievous smile. She then, slowly and taunting, crawled up his chest and lowered her legs and hips down onto his, slowly making rolling hips from side to side.

Todd only then notice that she was leaning on his arms, X23 slowly lowering herself down to his ear; she knew full well that he was strong enough to free himself but would yet.

"Are you trying to avoid me, Todd?" She asked softly in his ear, biting the earlobe tauntingly.

Todd groaned, the clone grinning when she felt his arms wiggling with his muscles. She knew him too well.

Todd lifted his head and his lips found her neck, gently nabbing a soft part of her neck with his teeth. A breath of frost was sharply exhaled, X23's eyes squeezing shut as he hands tightened around his arms. Apparently, he knew her too well as well.

"Only when you start avoiding me, love." Todd said, his voice deep and incredibly soft suddenly. "Sound fair, yo?"

Todd bucked his hips and X23 found herself lying on her back, her leg on either side of the amphibious mutant's waist. Her hands were no longer holding his arms but held above her head, his free hand supporting him above her. X23's breathing increased as Todd continued up her neck; the marks from his teeth already starting heal, regret apparent on her face.

She actually wouldn't have minded if Todd left a mark on her, from any of their previous fraternizations. Some of them innocent enough, others not so….But at least he would have left a mark on her, like she had on him so many times before.

That was she had let him braid her hair and never undid it. It was his mark on her, a sign she was his.

Todd carefully laid butterfly kisses up her neck and made his girlfriend wonder if it really was winter of summer, the frosty cold of the snow lost to blistering heat she was feeling. Her body instinctively arched up to him as he went higher and breaths suddenly became heavier and heavier.

"S-sure…" X23 said softly and stuttering.

"What was that?"

Todd tortuously went to the base of her neck and breathed up the soft skin, X23 unsuccessfully suppressed a moan. Todd lifted his head away, his hand releasing her hands from the snow. X23 looked up at him as he held himself above her, smiling sweetly and tenderly at her that her heart melt like butter.

X23 softly kissed Todd on the lips, the amphibious mutant responding the moment she made contact with his lips. Her cold cupped his face and X23 deepened the kiss, their bodies rolling to the side. Todd's right hand held the back of her neck while his left hand rest in the small of her back, his legs surrounding hers in a protective state.

Tentatively, X23 broke away from her boyfriend, flushed and breathless. Looking up into his amber eyes, X23 giggled and buried her face into his neck. Todd softly kissed the roof of her head before resting his chin on her hair.

"Hey, Todd?" X23 asked, burrowing her face deep in sweatshirt.

"Mm? What's up, X?" Todd's head removed itself from her head, snowflakes fluttering down over his eyes.

"I still have to do some Christmas shopping…" She said as she lifted her head and traced her finger around his heart. "I was hoping you could give me a hand."

"No problem, yo." Todd said as he looked down at her, playing with a braid he personally had woven in. "We could even get some lunch as well."

X23 giggled, Todd's appetite and eating habits something of endless amusement to her. He could eat all the food in a fast food strip and still be hungry. If he ate flies or any other creatures, however, he would full in five minutes.

He was hilarious with his odd humor in his own right, but his appetite was often her source of endless amusement.

"Okay, but in a few minutes?" She asked, resting her head on his shoulder. "I don't want…I just want to…"

"We can stay here for a minute or two if you want, X." Todd said as he held her close. "I'm not complaining, yo."

It would several minutes before they decided to get out of the snow and make their way to the mall.


Thank you for reading all, I hope everyone liked this and I hope to hear from your reviews.

One thing I should mention is that I will look over this in about four to five months and I will definitely add more to the story. So, keep an ear and an eye out for this.

Again, thanks for reading and please review.

-Lin