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(This fic was first uploaded on 05/08/2020. After I read it this next morning, I realized it needed to be reworked, so I pulled less than 1 day after posting. My reviewer Little Red Dove hadn't reviewed yet, so I thought screw it, I'm re-posting this chapter. Thanks for understanding!)
Chapter Twenty-Two:
Dinner had been an interesting affair, Magneto found. He had tried his best to ignore the occasional sideways glance from Charles and he hoped no one else noticed the displeased look Rogue keep giving Wolverine. The conversation between the others had been light and insignificant. He had greatly enjoyed the food, considering it had been his first full meal for the day.
Thankfully, dinner was over soon enough and neither he nor Rogue were scheduled to help in the kitchen that evening. He rose, ready to leave as swiftly and discreetly as possible. A quick nod from Rogue told him they were of the same mind. He made his way towards the exit as the normal chatter of the household filled the room; a welcomed distraction.
"Magnus, could we speak for a moment?" he heard Charles call out.
Of course, Charles couldn't leave it alone. He turned to face his friend and found Rogue was standing in front of him, both of them so close to the door, yet so far away from the quiet evening they had planned.
"Charles, we have a lot of papers to grade and only tonight to get the work done," Rogue said, her tone causal, and her intent far more serious. He wasn't the only one who caught her use of his first name. Curiosity causes some in the room to cease their conversation and turn their attention towards his friends. He noticed Wolverine, in particular, let out an amused grunt at the exchange. Charles eyes were on Rogue, narrowed in displeasure.
"Yes, Rogue," he said pointedly, "I understand that," he started to say with stifled ire in his voice.
"Great," she said with false glee, as her hand moved behind her back. "Thank you for being so understanding," she said, her voice dripping with sarcasm, as she gestured to the door. He understood her meaning.
"However," Charles started to say, distracted as Magneto used his abilities to the door opened behind them, securing their escape route.
"Yeah, really appreciate it," she said interrupting him, she signaled him again as she took a step backwards. Her tone wasn't helping matters in the slightest. Why on earth was it up to him to be diplomatic?
"Charles, I'm aware we need to finish our conversation from yesterday. However, I did not complete as much during the week, as I had intended. Rogue has offered her help with the brunt of the tests, as my teaching assistant," Magneto explained. "Very kind of her, actually," he said as he turned slightly towards the door. "We can speak tomorrow, perhaps," he offered, attempting to appease his friend.
Charles paused as he held the bridge of nose, no doubt attempting to keep his anger in check. Rogue seized the moment to turn around. She met his eyes for a split second. This time there was no question what her gaze meant; she wanted him to end the conversation immediately. Charles let out a sigh, opening his eyes, as Rogue walked past him.
"After breakfast, Magnus," Charles dictated firmly.
"Very well," Magneto confirmed with a nod, keeping the disdain from his voice. "Have a pleasant evening everyone," he said civilly.
"Good night, Charles," Rogue called out from behind him. He could practically see steam coming out of Charles ears. He gave his friend an apologetic look before turning and putting his hand on Rogue's shoulder.
"Now is not the time," he whispered firmly as he gave her a gentle nudge. They exited the room.
"Good night, Rogue," he heard Charles bellow before he closed the door behind them.
"Was that absolutely necessary?" Magneto asked as they entered his bedroom.
"He would have taken up your entire night," Rogue said defensively.
"Yes, he certainly would have. Nevertheless, our aim was to avoid inciting his anger, was it not?" he said with a raised eyebrow as he made his way to his desk.
"That's what you said this morning," she said as she sat down on the bed.
"What were you attempting to achieve then?" he asked. She didn't answer him. "That remark of yours had the exact opposite effect. You must have known how he was going to react, publicly asserting your equality in such a manner," he said.
"Yeah, I did," she said.
"Rogue, why intentionally enrage him?" he asked.
"I'm losing control of the competitive environment and it's pissing me off," she exclaimed as she let herself fall back on the bed.
"What?" he laughed. Of all the things she could have said, that was by far the last thing he expected to hear.
"Yeah, that's fair, I guess. Laugh it up, Eisenhardt. This ain't gonna happen a lot," she said.
"I'll relish the opportunity then," he said, still chucking. "All of this has to do with your plan, I suppose," he guessed as his laughter died down.
"Yeah, and it's starting to go wrong," she confirmed. "I just- I thought I'd have more time," she said.
"More time for what, Rogue?" he asked curiously.
"For you to get to know me," she said.
"Really?" he asked surprised.
"I know, I've told you this before," she pointed out. He considered that for a moment.
"Ah, yes, Rogue one-oh-one," he recalled from their previous conversation.
"I thought, you'd have a better handle on your feeling for me before he found out about us. That was the plan, anyhow. I've been able to keep Logan from saying anything since he found out about the stalking," she said.
"When was that?" he asked.
"That second time you watched me. Once I was sure you were," she answered.
"Over a year. That's rather impressive," he remarked.
"Logan jumped at the chance to talk about it," she said annoyed.
"Hence, you were relying on secrecy to control the competitive environment. First Wolverine's, then mine. Manipulating the situation ensured you would be free to act without interference. However, the situation has gone awry," he surmised.
"I still had this little glimmer of hope that things could stay on track. I thought, maybe, just maybe, if Charles could go one fucking meal without trying to separate us, things would be okay," she said.
"His intention wasn't necessary to-" he started to say in Charles defense.
"Yes, it was," Rogue said strongly. "He saw the two of us leaving together and tried to stop it. I was pissed. I wanted him to be pissed too," she said.
"That was rather vindictive of you," he said with a smirk.
"You're one to talk," she said with a laugh as she sat up. He chuckled in turn. "I ain't sure what to do next," she said.
"Talk to me. Perhaps I can help," he said.
"You know this is your fault, right?" she asked. He felt the urge to apologize, but refrained from doing do. "Look, Max, I know this is stressful for you, but you did promise me," she said
"It was not my intention to break my word. I apologize," he said finally.
"Thank you. I accept your apology," she said.
"How very gracious of you," he said dryly. She let out a short laugh at his tone. "Where do we go from here?" he asked.
"We kinda make a big deal about grading the tests. We should probably do that," she said as she stood up.
"That isn't what I wished to discussed," he said as she walked over to him.
"I know," she said, holding her hand out, her meaning clear. "Those papers ain't gonna grade themselves," she pointed out. He relented, handing her half the stack. "Thank you," she said before returning to the bed.
He turned back to the desk, for the moment, letting the topic lie. They did have work to do.
Around midnight, he put down his last test, finally finished with the task. He turned to look over at her, she was sitting up against the some pillows at the head of the bed. Her eyes fixed on the page in front of her.
"Rogue?" he asked. She blinked a few times before looking up at him. "I'll finish up, if you like," he offered.
"I'm done," she said, before picking up her pile. He stood up and took the tests from her, returning them to his desk. He considered sitting on the bed briefly, but decided against it. They were far more likely to speak if he kept a little distance between them. He took his chair and turned it towards the bed.
"When did you finish?" he asked as he sat down.
"About an hour ago," she answered. He raised any eyebrow at that. "Sorry, I didn't take more of 'em. I needed to think," she said. He decided to let the manipulation go. She didn't have to offer him her help at all. It didn't matter if she didn't help as much as she could have. He was far more curious if she had made an alterations to her plan.
"This strategy of yours, is it truly worth all this hassle?" he asked.
"Is a relationship with you, worth putting effort into?" she rephrased. "Yes, absolutely," she said immediately. "The mind games are- it's not just that's there fun. There's more to it than that."
"Oh?" he asked.
"If I explained it might not work," she said.
"What might not work?" he asked.
"If I stopped with all the riddles, and just told you the answer, what all of this is leading up to, you wouldn't be able to accept it," she said.
"Why not?" he said.
"Emotionally, you ain't there yet. You're really confused about how you feel about me," she said.
"Our predicament eludes me, my dear. Frankly, I aware our dynamic isn't exactly healthy. The circumstances that brought us together certainly weren't normal," he said.
"When have you ever you done anything normally?" she asked with a grin.
"Fair point," he smirked. "Truthfully, you have far more cause to object to our relationship than I do. I'm willing to overlook it, if you are," he said.
"You know I don't wanna stop this anytime soon," she said. He nodded.
"On the other hand, there's Charles. He's concerned about me," he said.
"This is what I wanted to avoid. Only way to get him to back off, is if you convince him you don't need protecting," she said.
"That's ridiculous. I don't need protecting," he said strongly.
"Tell that to him," she exclaimed. "He's noticed you're vulnerable with me cause we actually talk about shit," she said.
"I enjoy discussing my past with you," he said.
"I know," she said.
"I've told this to him," he said.
"He's jealous," Rogue pointed out annoyed.
"No, that's not-" he cut himself off and took a moment to consider her words. He's eyes widen in realization. "How did I not see that?" he asked himself.
"Sleep deprivation," Rogue answered with a smirk.
"The most likely culprit," he agreed with a nod. She snickered at that. "Putting Charles aside for a moment, I have my own apprehensions," he said. "Your unwillingness to answer particular questions, for example. The mind games, mostly," he said.
"I've been thinking about that," she said.
"And?" he asked.
"I know I gave you shit this morning about that thought you had, destroying the institute. It's just- you have so much power. When things stop going your way, you start asking yourself, why the hell I am not using any of it."
"That's true enough," he said with an appreciated chuckled. "I'm aware of the danger I pose. I'd wager, that's part of my appeal. Is it not, Rogue?" he asked as he stared at her. He watched her shiver under his gaze.
"Yeah, it's part of it," she said with a grin. His eyes snapped to her legs as she pressed them together, creating friction to a certain part of her body.
'Remember why you sat over here,' he reminded himself as he forced his gaze back to her eyes. They were finally getting somewhere. "You mentioned fantasizing about me," he said.
"Yeah," she answered.
"Where did those fantasies come from? What was their basis?" he asked. "My memories?" he guessed.
"Some of them put some ideas in my head," she answered vaguely, blushing. "I like what I like," she shrugged. "Does it matter where it came from?" she asked in a strange bout of shyness, her age showing. It wasn't sure if it was genuine or another attempt to sway the conversation. Either way, he was going to press the issue.
"Your strategy's goal is through my understanding of you, to better know my own mind, yes?" he asked. She nodded. "Then answer the question, please," he said. He watched her take a deep breath.
"Of all the people I've absorbed, who are not my parents, you're the most- I don't know- worldly," she explained timidly.
"Go on," he encouraged.
"For the longest time, I didn't-" she said turning her gaze away from his, the blush on her face incredibly prominent. "I didn't think I would ever get control over my powers. I'd given up on having a boyfriend or even trying to date someone. But I still- I wanted to- but I- I didn't know how too," she said.
"I thought as much," he said.
"It was so frustrating. It's not like I could get a book or look up how. Everything's way too monitored around here. If I tried, someone would have found the search history," she said.
"It's perfectly understandable to use the means within your control to acquire a new skill," he said.
"Even when that skill is-" she started to ask.
"My dear, after all we've done together, we're beyond shame," he said. She smiled at that before taking a breath. "That's when you came across my memories?" he speculated.
"Pretty much," she answered.
"Which ones, in particular, caught your interest?" he smirked.
"Haven't I answered enough questions today?" she said her feet fidgeting on the floor.
"Rogue, please," he said. It was like pulling teeth, with her. She hesitated again. "Just one," he said. "Just tell me about one of the memories and we'l leave it at that," he offered.
"Okay- okay," she said before sighing. "Do you remember when Astra let you suspend her from the ceiling?" she asked.
"I believe that happened more than once," he said.
"Hmm, you were in some kind of mood that day 'cause you didn't really wanna have sex," she expanded. "You were starting to get frustrated with her, cause you wanted to work on the genetic mapping. She needed to teach you the really detailed parts of it, but she kept procrastinating," she explained.
"There was work to be done," he said dismissively, looking away from her as as he attempted to recall the moment in question.
"It was towards the end of that whole Evil Scientists with Benefits thing you two were doing," she said.
A distinct image of Astra entered his mind, she was stripped naked as he had lifted her into the air. He had used metal to trap her limbs against the cold dome above her.
"She kept holding off on teaching you, cause she knew you were gonna abandon her once you didn't need her anymore," Rogue said. He blinked, pushing back the image as he refocused on Rogue.
"Astra wasn't aware of that," he said.
"Yeah, she definitely was. Why do you think she kept wanting to have sex all of the time?" she asked.
"Because she was a nymphomaniac," he said disparaging.
"No, sugar," she said shaking her head. "She knew you didn't like her as much as she liked you. That was like half your dynamic. She had knowledge that you wanted and knew you'd keep her around as long as she was benefiting you. When stalling stopped working, she tried to make herself useful in other ways," she said.
"Is that why?" he started to ask. "Is that why she insisted on cooking that evening?" he asked.
"Yes," she said strongly.
"Ah," he said with a newfound understanding. Rogue smirked at that. "We'll gotten off topic," he said.
"Well, that's-" she started to say.
"You're not getting off that easy, dear. We agreed to one explanation and I will have it," he said. She rolled her eyes at that. "I recall the memory. What excited you about it? Suspension?" he asked.
"Bondage in general. You were wearing your uniform that time. She couldn't touch you and cause of the gloves there wasn't any skin to skin contact. You two didn't even have sex. You just made her come," she said.
"Oh I see now. Was that the first time you realized that was possible?" he asked.
"All the movies start off with kissing," she shrugged. He nodded.
"You coveted submission as a means of freedom from your powers," he stated.
"Yeah," she said, her blush returning.
"It's perfectly rational for you to have developed this particular fetish," he said.
"I-" she started to say before sighing. "I know that, Max," she said. "I don't have a problem with where I am. It's just hard to talk about where it came from," she said.
"What part does fear play?" he asked.
"That's more difficult for me to answer," she said. "Really," she added quickly. "I ain't avoiding your question. I'm still working through it," she said. He stared at her a moment.
"Alright, dear, I believe you," he said to appease her. "Explain what you can. We'll extrapolate the rest together," he instructed. She looked away from him a moment. It seemed she was composing her thoughts.
"I'm not afraid of you, exactly. You're logical," she said.
"I would hope so," he smiled, which she returned in kind.
"What I mean is- Yeah, you've done horrible things, but you don't get off on it."
"I'm not cruel for cruelty's sake," he added. She nodded.
"You always have a justification," she said strongly.
"How does this relate to us?" he asked.
"Well- when you were stalking me, I was afraid of you finding out, not 'cause you would want to hurt me, but 'cause you would've felt justified in doing whatever's necessary to keep being Magneto," she said.
"The difference is subtle, but nevertheless there," he said.
"Yes," she said.
"That begs the question, do you trust me?" he asked.
"Yes and no," she replied. "I trust that you and I can enjoy this relationship as long as it doesn't interfere with you being Magneto. The thing is, after Apocalypse, you're not sure if the world needs Magneto right now. That's why you agreed to teach here," she stated.
"You were also a factor," he added, "but yes. You said it perfectly this morning. It's only a matter of time before someone forces my hand," he said.
"I know," she said sadly.
He couldn't help by smile at her understanding. A question crept into his mind.
"If those events do come to pass, would you consider-" he started to ask as her eyes widened.
"Please don't ask me if I would go with you. I can't answer that," she said suddenly. Curiously, there was fear in her voice.
"We're never discussed your ideology, have we, my dear?" he asked as he studied her. "Allow me to rectify that oversight. You've recognized how I've justified my past actions, why they were necessary," he started.
"Just 'cause I understand you, doesn't mean I agree with you," she said.
"I recall you held no qualms with my disposal of- What did you call them? - scum of the earth Nazi's?" he asked with a smirk.
"They committed genocide- over six million people murdered. Including, your entire family. Yeah, I didn't see a problem with you evening the score a little. Hell, you worked with the CIA a couple of times. They paid you to hunt Nazis," she pointed out.
"Murdered is justifiable if it's one's career path?" he asked.
"No- that's not what I'm-" she started to say fluttered, before cutting herself off. "Just 'cause I get why you would do something, doesn't mean I could do it myself," she said.
"You accede with Charles' point of view then?" he asked.
"I didn't say that," she said.
"Then, what are your principles on the matter of human-mutant relations?" he asked.
"It's been a really long day, Max," she started to say.
"Rogue, I've allowed numerous manipulations of yours to go unanswered today. This will not be one of them," he said emphatically.
"Fine," she huffed. "I don't want to answer that," she said directly.
"Why are you frightened of this question?" he asked.
"I'm not. I'm afraid of what you'll try to do with the answer," she blurted out.
"What on earth does-" he started to ask before it hit him. He stood up and took a moment to rake a hand through his hair.
"Shit," he heard her mutter. He looked down at her, her face was turned away from him, tears forming in her eyes.
"You don't believe in Charles' dream, do you?" he asked.
"It ain't that simple," she said, her voice low.
"It's a yes or no question, my dear," he said as he took a step toward her.
"No, it's not," she said firmly, finally looking up at him. "What the x-men do, it'll gonna help," she said as she stood up. "It's already helping," she insisted. "We're paving the way, setting an example, for other cities to base their laws around," she said.
"It won't be enough to stop the bigotry and violence," he said sadly as he walked up to her. She winced at his approach and he watched her stop herself from backing away from him. "It's only a matter of time," he said again as he put his hands on her shoulders. He gently pulled her closer to him, his hand moved to the small of her back, as he pressed her quivering body against his. He moved his right hand under her chin and lifted his gaze to his. "You see that, don't you?" he asked as he stared down into her eyes, searching.
"Shit," she muttered, her lips quivering. That was all the confirmation he needed. A smirk came to his face before he leaned down and kissed her. She melted into the kiss, even as her body trembled against him.
"I understand now, the part that fear plays in all this. A fear, I'd like to point out, you understood prior to this conversation," he said, catching her in another lie. She turned her eyes away from his again, in lieu of an answer. He titled her head up, forcing her gaze to his.
"Okay, yes, I lied. Can you blame me?" she asked.
"No, of course, not," he said.
"The last thing I wanted to do was give you this kinda ammo to use against me," she asked.
"A rather significant caliber," he agreed. "Does Charles know?" he asked.
"No one does. I've never talked about any of this out loud before. They can't find out. None of 'em will understand," she said.
Suddenly, something shifted between them. Earlier this morning he would have said she held all of the cards. Now, however, he held real power, the ability to destroy her place among the X-Men. Not with threats or force, but with a simple conversation. With one mere disclosure she would no where to turn but to him.
"I know, I know, my girl," he said. She stared up at him, scanning his gaze before sighing.
"Max, I'm tired. Can we please call it a night?" she asked.
"Alright, we could both use the sleep," he said. He kissed her again before releasing his hold on her. She backed away from him slowly. She closed her eyes, taking a deep breath. "Good night," he said as he opened the door.
"Good night," she said quietly before leaving.
Okay! Another chapter completed! Please let me know your thought!
Little Red Dove: I'm glad you liked it! :)
