Eight
Logan woke up alone, with Ororo's scent still heavy in the air. He rolled over in bed, planting his face in the pillow she'd been sleeping on and inhaling deeply with a grin. It was nice being back home and no longer feeling sick as a dog. He sat up, energized from the great sleep he'd had, and pulled a hand through his unruly hair before climbing out of bed.
Hearing a faint sound from his big floor-to-ceiling windows, Logan glanced toward them and grinned crookedly as Ororo floated elegantly inside as she used her control over the wind to blow them open further.
"Mornin'," he rumbled, his early morning voice rough from disuse.
She smiled warmly at him, her bare feet delicately touching the floor and positioning her within arms reach. "Good morning, Logan." Ororo surprised him then by planting a hand on his chest, the other on his shoulder as she leaned in to give him a brief kiss on his rough cheek.
As she stepped back, Logan stared into her brilliant blue eyes, mesmerized and a little confused. His heart thudded in his chest as he inexplicably felt like an adolescent with a crush in her presence. "So…is this a thing now?" he blurted what was on his mind.
She tilted her head. "Is what a thing now, Logan?"
He gestured between them. "Us."
Ororo's elegant eyebrows lifted as she paused. "Do you want it to be?"
He gave her a scrutinizing look and answered her question with the same. "Do you want it to be?"
Sighing in exasperation, she smiled gently. "Logan."
He blinked just once and stopped playing games, looking her dead in the eye. "Yes," he rumbled huskily.
Ororo's smile brightened. "I would like that very much as well." She paused, then glanced away regrettably. "Now, I hate to leave at just this moment, but I really should get back to my room to shower and dress for the day. It's much later in the morning than I thought it was and I have much to do."
Logan nodded with understanding, glancing back at the clock on his bedside table. He was surprised to see that it was after nine. The kids were already long gone, having left for their first day back to school after the long weekend.
"Wait." He grasped Ororo's hand as she went to walk passed him, gently spinning her around and drawing her into his arms where he kissed her soundly and passionately. Logan was even so bold as to dip her, eliciting a shocked laugh.
She was still laughing at his playfulness when he stood her back upright. One hand remained on his shoulder, savoring the contact. Then she sniffed deliberately and patted him on the chest with a teasing wink. "I think you'd better have that shower now Logan."
He snorted and chuckled lowly with a crooked grin. "Yeah, I think you're right, darlin'." Remembering that he was just in his boxers, Logan figured he better get moving before Ororo really noticed the effect she had on him. Walking toward his bathroom as casually as possible, he waved back at her. "Meet'cha downstairs for breakfast in thirty?"
Ororo nodded. "I'd like that."
.
As Ororo entered the kitchen she found Logan already there, sitting at the table and eating voraciously. She knew the amount of food he was consuming was to compensate for his overworked healing factor, but it was still a sight to see with his plate piled high as he shoveled food into his mouth. She smiled softly when she noticed he'd made a plate for her as well, though thankfully with a much smaller amount of food. He knew what she liked; a butter croissant, some fresh fruit and scrambled eggs made up her own breakfast.
"You didn't cook all of this, did you?" she asked while taking the seat beside him. He'd even made her tea.
Logan swallowed his current mouthful and shook his head. "Nah. Leftovers from the kids' breakfast this mornin'."
When she noticed that he was only drinking coffee, Ororo got up to retrieve a bottle of water and some orange juice. She put both down in front of him. "Charles suggested you drink plenty of fluids once you woke up. I was supposed to make sure you hydrated last night and I forgot. The coffee just won't do. So drink up."
"'Ro, I'm fine," Logan insisted, still eyeing the juice and water she'd placed in front of him. "Healing factor, remember?"
She sighed and nudged the glass of O.J. closer to his hand. "Yes, but your healing factor does not replace lost fluids, so drink."
Logan huffed and rolled his eyes, then swiftly downed the glass of juice. She poured him another. He gave her a mock glare that she promptly ignored, and drank the second glass much slower between mouthfuls of more food.
"What?" he asked after a few minutes, noticing her staring.
Ororo smiled and sipped at her tea. "I am just glad that you are feeling better."
"Hm." Logan grunted and slowed down eating a little as he reached for the newspaper.
She knew he tried to hide it, but Ororo could tell that Logan liked it when she was concerned about him. It was nice knowing that someone cared about you, she thought, and probably a very important thing for a person like Logan who literally had no one to give a damn about his wellbeing before the X-Men. He would never admit to it, but that part didn't bother Ororo in the slightest.
.
After breakfast Ororo and Logan reluctantly parted ways to get to their tasks for the day. Logan headed out to the garage to sort through the camping gear from their rafting trip and put everything back in its proper place while Ororo got started on some overdue laundry. Logan still hadn't quite processed what had happened between him and Ororo just yet, but he felt like it had been the right move to push things forward. They'd been dancing around each other for quite some time now, a close friendship formed between them through years of fighting alongside one another in the field, and harmless flirting here and there. They had a good relationship, and Logan felt like going another step further would only strengthen what had been there just below the surface all along.
Logan was hosing down the X-Van in front of the garage when he noticed Ororo out of the corner of his eye. He turned and flashed a crooked grin as she sauntered toward him, smiling warmly. Stopping what he was doing so he didn't accidently spray her, Logan set the hose down and leaned one hand against the van. "Hey, 'Ro."
Ororo's expressive eyes revealed some anticipation, as did her scent. "Logan, could I speak to you for a moment?" She paused briefly, eyes momentarily shifting away from him. "About us?"
His brows furrowed faintly and he nodded, motioning toward the work bench by the wall and pushing a stool toward her as he sat on another. "Of course, darlin'. What's on yer mind?" Logan didn't let his anxiety show, but he was worried she was second-guessing their decision to pursue a romantic relationship.
She scooted her stool closer to him so that their knees were touching and reached for his hands, holding them together between her own. With a reassuring smile, Ororo rubbed her thumbs over his knuckles. "I would just like us to take things slow, Logan, if that's alright. It has been quite some time since I have been in a relationship and I do not want to rush things. I care for you a great deal, and I am certain those feelings will not change, but I also know you are accustomed to your time alone and I can appreciate that, so I do not wish to smother you."
Processing her words, relieved that she hadn't changed her mind about them, Logan nodded dumbly for a moment, just staring into her eyes.
"Logan?" she prompted softly, squeezing his hands.
He cleared his throat and blinked to clear his mind, offering a nod and crooked grin. "Of course we can take things slow, darlin'. With my mixed up memories, I can't even remember the last time I was in any kind o' lasting relationship."
She shook her head, embarrassed, putting one hand to her forehead. "Oh, Logan, I'm sorry. This must be even more difficult for you than it is for me."
"Nah," he dismissed easily, grinning at her. "I don't think anythin' between you an' me's ever been difficult. That's what I love about ya. You got a wild nature, 'Ro. I think that's somethin' we got in common. I've never been able to talk to anyone the way I can talk ta you."
Ororo gave him a genuine smile at his sincerity, her blue eyes alight with warmth and adoration. "We are two sides of the same coin, Logan." She stood up then, pulling him with her, and leaned into him for a kiss.
Logan snaked his arms around her waist, holding her tight as he deepened the kiss. When they broke for air, Ororo was still smiling at him, her hand resting against his cheek.
"Should we tell the children?" she asked softly.
He grunted dismissively with a faint smirk, not letting her go. "Nah. They're smart kids. They'll figure it out."
Ororo laughed softly as he leaned in for another kiss.
.
"Ah, Logan, there you are," Professor Xavier called out as he wheeled into the gym.
Logan put down the weights he was curling and swiveled on the bench to face the man. "Here I am, Chuck. What's up?"
The Professor stopped beside the bench and gave Logan a serious look. "How are you feeling?"
"Fine," he answered swiftly and automatically. It wasn't a lie this time, though it was usually his standard response no matter what.
"I am pleased to hear that, Logan," Charles said with a small smile. "A few of the students were quite worried about you, so if you get a chance to see Kitty and Rogue when they return from school?"
He cleared his throat uncomfortably. For reasons he couldn't explain those two in particular were rather fond of him. Logan nodded and resumed with his bicep curls. "Sure, Chuck. Anythin' else?"
Xavier smiled again and swiveled his chair around. "No, that will be all."
Logan continued with his workout once the Professor had gone, and by the time he was finished and had showered, the kids were all coming back from school. Keeping to his word, he'd found Rogue and Kitty—studying in the library and snacking in the kitchen respectively—giving them each tangible proof that he was completely fine. Rogue had given him a slight nod and small smile, while Kitty had practically launched herself at him, wrapping her arms around his neck in a huge hug. Logan had just been grateful that none of the other students had been around to see how easily he became a sap when faced with a puppy-eyed teenaged girl.
.
"I have something to confess," Ororo whispered softly with a nervous laugh as she and Logan were lying together in her bed later that night, just holding each other.
"Hn? What's that?" he murmured, lightly stroking her shoulder as she lay curled against his chest.
She bit down on her lower lip. "Yesterday morning I accidently stumbled upon you dressing by the river."
"I knew it!" Logan exclaimed, propping himself up on his elbows and barking out a laugh. "I coulda sworn I'd smelled ya nearby, but at the time jus' thought my mind was playin' tricks on me."
Ororo let out a girlish laugh and flushed, smiling bashfully as she rose up slightly from his chest. She shrugged.
"Didja get a good peak?" he teased, leering at her playfully.
"Only of your very nice backside," Ororo admitted with a teasing smile.
"Ha!" Logan snorted and lay back down, pulling her back against his chest. "So…" he began after a moment, a devilish tone in his low voice, "When do I get my peak?"
"Logan!" Ororo laughed, smacking at his chest.
"What?" He chuckled, feigning innocence.
The vibration rumbled against her cheek, and Ororo squeezed at his ribs as she refused to answer, preferring to keep him guessing. "Go to sleep, Logan," she commanded with a smile.
"Hmph. A'right, a'right."
.
