A/N- Sorry, again, for the wait, loves. The next chapter just needed a lot of tweaking here and there before I felt it was right. And then I got hit by writer's block and couldn't think of two sentences to string together to save my life.

I have done something in this chapter I promised my sister I wouldn't. And I'm sooo sorry but my 'ways' got into my head due to a song and I'm sorry, it happened and it won't go away. So, here it is. No flames allowed. I've warned you. Please enjoy and review. But no flames.

Enjoy. Lots of love, Sai-Chan (who runs before you start to read and hides in her closet with a tennis racket).

Lance sat and stared up at his ceiling aimlessly. The world of the Boarding House was quite, thanks to the sudden departure of the twins and Tolansky. However, that also meant there was nothing going on to keep his mind of the still-hadn't-called-yet Kitty and the always-on-his-mind Brit.

He couldn't believe that after everything they'd been through together, Kitty had dropped him that fast without so much as a blink. Yes, he'd promised himself he wouldn't fret over it any more but he really couldn't help it. He'd put so much effort into getting her to like him, so much damn effort. Then he'd been changed into a woman and bam, it was over. True, it was a lot to ask a heterosexual girl to date another female. But it wasn't like he'd be a female forever. As soon as that machine was fixed, he'd be normal. Where would that put the two of them?

On the other hand, Xavier had said the circumstances of his change had turned him into a lesbian. And who had he run into on his first day as such? A gorgeous, playful lesbian who thought he was something else. Sure, she didn't know the truth, but that wouldn't last very long. Toad had up and told Wally everything four minutes after they met and they were the very essence of a happy couple. Did that mean Lance wanted to be a happy couple with Brit instead? What would that mean when he was changed back into a boy?

" I need help," he moaned, flopping down on his mattress with a sigh of defeat. For the past week he'd been plagued with questions about the two and what would or wouldn't happen when he was changed back. He didn't know if he could take Kitty back and he wasn't positive if Brit would have him.

Twitching at his always terrible luck with relationships, he swung himself off the bed and left his dreary room to seek company with the only other person in the house: Fred. He found him in his own room, lifting weights and staring at the ceiling with conviction. At first, they were silent, acting as though the other wasn't there. Then Lance trooped in and sat down on the floor directly next to his teammate.

" What?" Fred grunted out, his voice still managing to be calm.

" Girl problems. About Kitty and Brit,"

" Go with Brit,"

" I haven't even told ya what the problem was!" Lance barked, slightly offended. Fred rolled his eyes, heaving the weights up with his toned arms and causing his chest to bounce against the sports bra.

" Well?"

" I don't know what to do when I change back,"

" Stay with Brit,"

" We're not even dating, dammit!!!" Lance's anger shook the ground slightly, his brown eyes pulling back into his sockets. Two thuds echoed before Fred grabbed his shirt and shook the earth tumbler out of the trance that had almost made it's way to his finger tips and into the floor.

" Don't wreck my room," Fred warned as Lance coughed, " And my advice is the same as any of the others. Go with Brit. Kitty was always a bad match for ya anyways,"

" Toad told me that too. Said it was best it ended so soon,"

" He's right,"

" What does that retard know about relationships?" Lance spat out. Although his tone was harsh, he couldn't hide the way his eyes darted to the left to avoid eye contact, " He's never had a girlfriend,"

" Picked up a nice boyfriend pretty fast, though, didn't he? For being a retard, and all," Fred reminded, dabbing his face with a cloth. Lance narrowed his eyes.

" When'd you get so smart?"

" Doesn't take half a brain to know you suck at love. We've been sayin' that forever,"

" All of you are assholes, that's what you are,"

" Why don't you give Kitty a call then?"

" Because... she... won't... answer... fuck you, Freddy," the tumbler jerked away, but made no move to leave his chosen spot. Fred, annoyance creeping up his spine, picked up the phone and dialed a number. Panic shook Lance and he whipped back around, his face contorted with fear, " DON'T CALL HER!!!!"

" I'm not," he answered as he handed the phone to Lance, " You're calling Brit," the smile on his face was so wicked it would've made Mystique proud.

" Wha-" just as he uttered that, the phone clicked on and Brit's voice floated up, asking who was there, " Um... hey. It's me... Avalanche,"

" Avalanche! Hey, girl, how you been? What's up?" she sounded truly amazing, even over the phone, and Lance felt himself starting to melt. He muttered something about just wondering what she was up to, " I'm over at my cousin's. Jeff. He's a mechanic. Didn't you say you wanted to have someone take a look under your hood?"

" Uh, yeah," he was surprised she'd remembered such a little detail. Nevertheless, it was a nice change from Kitty's usual cold shoulder and one-sided mind set.

" Why don't you and Dukes come on by? She around?"

" Yeah," Lance felt a little bit of heat rise to his face, the kind he felt when jealous. Why did Brit want Fred to tag along? She was supposed to be interested in him, " I'll see if she's available,"

" Don't say it like that, hot stuff. Jeff says he'd like to meet her. Something about her being his type," Brit's voice was playfully injured, as if sensing anger from the tumbler hurt her. That thought put a smile back on Lance's face.

" Sure, sure. We'll be right on over,"

" Those twins and that short chick around? I've been dying to meet those people. See if all the stories are true,"

" Just left, as a matter of fact. The twins went for coffee and Tolansky was snagged by her boyfriend. Why?" his voice went harsh once more, " You interested?"

" From what you've told me, they ain't my type,"

" Am I?"

" Why don't you tell me your first name, Alvers, and we'll find out,"

" Don't you like my nickname?"

" Avalanche is a little too mysterious for my taste, babe. But I'm looking forward to see that rockin bod of yours. Dress sexy for me," Brit gave a little roar. Lance shuddered on instinct, Fred arched an eyebrow, " Here's the address," he wrote it on a spare sheet of paper, " See you soon,"

" Bye," Lance hung up the phone and grinned over at a smug looking Fred, " Wanna go meet someone who says you're his type?"

" Huh?"

Toad's face couldn't have been redder as he sat in the diner in front of Wally as said boyfriend ordered them sodas and a basket of fires 'to share'. He felt like everyone was staring at him because of his skimpy outfit. Never before in his entire life had he felt so revealed. He never left he house unless ninety percent of his skin was covered by clothing, yet there he was, in his pajamas in the middle of a restaurant because he had issues fighting Wally. He'd barely had time to snag his shoes on the porch so they would be served when they reached the place. Why he was being allowed to sit there when he looked like a whore was beyond him, but he was.

" Don't look so embarrassed, Toad. You have great legs," Wally assured him, grinning slyly. Toad's head slammed into the table as he groaned and mumbled inaudibly into the plastic, " Doesn't it hurt when you do that?"

" No, not really. My skin's kinda tough..." he said, looking up through his bangs at the redhead in front of him, " I don't feel pain the way others do,"

" Like how?"

" It doesn't really sting or nothin'. Kinda um... a sudden shock an' then a dull feelin' that fades fast... I don't get bruises often,"

" So... you have invulnerability?"

" I guess sos,"

" That's so cool!" Wally grasped his webbed hands as he said it, " What kinda things can you survive?"

" I fell of the roof an' wuzz fine. Stuff like that," Toad wasn't sure why, but he got an eerie feeling when he talked about it. In the back of his mind, a red flag shot up. His instincts sensed danger.

" You must be a great fighter and all," he was informed just as the food was dropped off. Toad shrugged, finally sitting up and casually drawing his hands away from the boy. Wally didn't seem to notice. He was far too busy munching on the fires, which made Toad gag a little, " You don't like?"

" No,"

" Do you really eat bugs?"

" Does that freak ya out or somethin'?" a tense feeling formed in the pit of Toad's stomach. Would this be the thing that finally turned the ever accepting, ever loving Wally against him? Would this be the final straw? Despite his previous apprehensive feelings, he knew he definitely didn't want this sweet boy to abandon him like everyone else did.

" No. I love everything about you, my lil toady," Wally reached forward and caressed the blushing Toad's cheek, the grin wolfish again.

Fear fluttered underneath the warm feeling inside Toad's body.

The Jeep came to a stop outside a suburban house on the outskirts of the city of Bayville. The mailbox read 'Cit', which Brit had informed Lance was her cousin's last name. Figuring they were in the right place, he pulled into the driveway behind a sports car with it's top down, which he assumed was Jeff's. They climbed out and strolled up to the front and rang the doorbell. Each were nervous about the people who were inside, both pulling at their unusually tight shirts.

" Hey there, babe," Brit cooed as she opened the door and swung her hip into Lance's stomach. He coughed but smiled at the lovely girl standing there, " Jeff's waiting inside Dukes. The living room,"

" Thanks," Fred saluted Lance sarcastically as he went inside. Brit shut the door behind him and leaned in close to the rock tumbler.

" You gonna tell me your real name, Avalanche?" her breath came out whispery and hot, like steam on a hot summer's day. Somewhat like that day, in fact. Lance backed up and she went with him.

" Guess,"

" You look you've got a strong name. Something strange, maybe," he shook his head as they moved backwards, suddenly holding hands, " American?" he nodded and they bumped into the sports car, " Sexual?"

" Not particularly,"

" You sure?" she spoke into his mouth as he took in a breath of her perfume. He tasted her. Vanilla and peppermint in one sensational candied breath, rolling along his tongue.

Lance and Brit kissed without chastity. There was nothing building to it. They grabbed the other's face and plunged their tongues inside, desperate to explore the other. Brit's hands wrapped around his long hair and gripped tight, forcing his head back. One of his hands rubbed her neck gently, the other found her lower back and shoved her body closer to his. Wetness formed between his legs as her curves squished against his own. Their breasts pushed together, allowing for one of Brit's legs to squeeze between his. Their tongues ran over the others' as their bodies melted into one, sweat and perfume of vanilla and peppermint as the heat.

They fell backwards and into the backseat of the sports car without ever breaking the embrace.

Inside, Fred nervously stepped into the living room. A well built man was standing there, looking foreign even though this was his house. Jeff Cit was a brunette with a kind smile and a snake tattoo on his upper left arm. His short hair slightly curled around his happy hazel eyes, which lit up when Fred introduced himself as simply 'Dukes'.

" Aw, the Dukes I've heard so much about. Hi, I'm Jeff," he strolled across the room and they shook hands awkwardly, " Please, have a seat. Want a beer? Soda, maybe. Brit said you'd just gotten out of high school. Eighteen?"

" Seventeen. And I'll just have water," he thickly said, not sure if this was how he supposed to feel. He was taken by the way Jeff looked and knew he was bound to like guys thanks to the transformation. Yet, he couldn't help but be nervous and curious.

" Here you are," Jeff had opened up a cooler and produced an icy bottle. Fred took it, " You're pretty, Dukes,"

" Um... thanks," he blushed, wishing he had something to tell him if everything was going okay.

" I don't know what my cousin told you, but I really am a nice guy," Jeff gave a laugh that made Fred's heart beat a bit faster. A smile crossed both their faces, " And I'm not old, either, if that's what she said. I'm only twenty two,"

" I'm just a little nervous,"

" That's okay. I understand. It's not like we have to date or anything. I just wanted to meet you, is all. Get to know you," he sounded shy when he said it, as though he hoped they could have some time to talk. Fred swallowed, but fought the urge to go searching for his leader.

" Yeah, okay, let's talk,"

Toad waited by the door as Wally went and paid for their meal. In all honesty, he was starving. He'd spent the whole time staring at his boyfriend as he ate those fires and had nothing to eat himself. He'd drowned himself in sugary soda, which made him feel a bit ill, but he couldn't deny that he was hungry. He hadn't eaten anything all day and that fact sort of bothered him. If there was one thing that drove him crazy, it was feeling hungry.

While he waited what seemed like an eternity, he scanned the doorway for anything with more then four legs. A spider was building it's web outside, a fat black one. Without really thinking about it, he left the diner and snatched it up. He put it in his mouth and bit down on it's crunchy outside, savoring the ooze as it filled his mouth.

" Wow. You really do eat bugs," came a voice directly behind him.

" Oh, shit!" he shrieked, spinning around and hitting whoever it was in the side. Wally bent double in a gasp, " Oh shit! Wally! I'ma sos sorry! Ya scared me! I didn't hear the door open!"

" S'okay..." he choked out, waving him off and standing up. The look on his face momentarily looked vicious, then was replaced by a hauntingly friendly smile, " You eat bugs for real, then? That's kinda cute,"

" Cute?" Toad questioned, tilting his head. Outside his control, his eyes flashed red in anger. Wally gaped, mouth wide open, " Wha'?"

" Your eyes! They changed colors just now! To red! Do it again!"

" Um... it's not really a... controlled gift... it justs happens, yo,"

" But why?"

" When... um... I'm... mad..."

Wally stared in disbelief, which slightly bothered Toad. Those blue eyes were just so wide and shocked. It wasn't the type of face he usually got, one that appeared to be hiding pain. Sensing this, Toad laughed a little. Nothing changed and a sinking feeling dragged the nervous laughter into nonexistence. He knew he'd blown it and felt a nearly hysterical urge to fix it.

" I ain't mad at chu, Wally!" he rushed to say, grabbing hold of his boyfriend's arms, " It just... kinda... bothers me that nothin' I do annoys ya. Iz weird an' that makes me mad cause I don't understand,"

" There's nothing to understand, Toad. I love you. I love you for who you are, inside and out," Wally assured him, pulling the webbed hands off him and squeezing tight. Toad glanced at the hands, " Am I hurting you?"

" No, I alrea-"

Wham.

Wally's hand flew across Toad's face with such force a sharp tinge of pain shot up the mutant's cheek. He stared at the terribly cruel blue eyes in that screwed up face, one hand lightly touching the swelling area on his face. His body was shaking, tears were in his eyes, but his voice was gone. Those eyes stole the fighter he was inside, whisked away the Todd Tolansky who would've screamed and knocked his head off for daring to touch him like that. Instead, tears rolled down his face and he quivered feebly, touching the spot that throbbed.

" Did that hurt?! Did it?!" Wally shouted down at him, clenching his fists at his sides. Toad felt his head move up and down, " Remember that the next time those eyes of yours turn red!!"

" I th-th-thought my eyes were l-lovely,"

Wally gave him the hardest stare in the world, his hands inching up to strike again. Toad gulped and cowered pitifully against the air, crouching down slightly on reaction. The hardness disappeared and was replaced by a smile warmer then the sun right as Wally gave him a tender hug. The mutant shook through the whole ordeal as his boyfriend stroked his hair and gave him the kind face with that coy smile like a predator's.

" They are," he whispered, placing a hand on either side of Toad's face. His thumb pushed into the bruise, causing fresh pain, " I love you,"

Toad whimpered, agony washing over him as Wally kissed him for the first time. Tears flowed down his cheeks, his arms hanging limply at his sides as his boyfriend's eyes closed and he forced his tongue inside. The kiss made Toad want to retch and he silently sobbed throughout the entire thing, feeling one of Wally's hands groping his ass. He'd never felt so violated and loved at the same time. He didn't know what to do and his head was fuzzy with warmth and fear.

All he did was stand there and cry to no one but himself.