Disclaimer: I don't own X-men or any of its characters. I do not own Shakespeare. I DO own Noah and his family...that's it though...

The New Mutant

John Allerdyce sat on his bed in the Xavier mansion, reading 'A Mid-Summer's Night Dream' for what had to be the hundredth time. It was just as appealing this time, as it had been the first time he had read the Shakespearean play. He was nearing the finale and just as he started reading Puck's last monologue, a loud knock on the door broke the mood.

With an angry sigh and slight growl, John placed the book face down and glared at the door. "What?"

The door opened to reveal Scott Summers, "John, I'd like you to meet Noah Grayson." His tone was even but stern. He usually reserved it only for the trouble making students, which meant the angry sigh and the growl hadn't gone unnoticed.

The boy who walked into the room was almost as tall as Scott, making him taller than John by at least a foot. He wore beige cowboy boots, tight fitting wrangler jeans that showed off his impressive legs, a large Texas shaped belt buckle, and a well fitting flannel plaid shirt that had yellows, greens, and oranges. His eyes were shaded by aviator sunglasses while his dark blonde hair formed an in-style faux-hawk.

John stared for a moment at the well dressed guy in front of him, before he noticed he was holding an average size rolling suit-case. His eyes flew to meet Summers', trying to object but he was cut off, and by the even yet stern voice, "He's you're new room mate. I want you to show him around. And John, try not to scare this one." With that Scott left and closed the door behind him.

Noah walked up to the bed and extended his hand to John. "Hi, I'm Noah. It's a real pleasure to meet you." Noah's voice didn't quite match his slim physique. It was a big voice that didn't hide his excitement well. John seemed speechless for a moment before throwing a full glare in Noah's direction and pointedly ignoring the outstretched hand.

"Why don't you unpack or something." He gestured to the bed across from his before picking his book back up again.

"Oh! I love 'A Mid-Summer's Night Dream'. Where are you right now?" Noah wore a smile that seemed like it would never give up.

John's glare only softened slightly as he grumbled "Puck's last lines. Now if you don't mind."

Noah turned to the bed behind him. He took off his shades and set them on the top of his head almost making it look like the tip of his faux-hawk were the nose his glasses sat upon. His eyes were closed as he spoke to the room around him.

"If we shadows have offended,
Think but this, and all is mended,
That you have but slumber'd here
While these visions did appear."

John's gaze slowly shifted to the back of the other boy's head as he spoke. Noah turned to face John and opened his eyes, revealing the emerald pools of color that threatened to drown him as he continued, speaking in cadence and acting out each line as if he were Puck.

"And this weak and idle theme,
No more yielding but a dream,
Gentles, do not reprehend:
if you pardon, we will mend:
And, as I am an honest Puck,
If we have unearned luck
Now to 'scape the serpent's tongue,
We will make amends ere long;
Else the Puck a liar call;
So, good night unto you all.
Give me your hands, if we be friends,
And Robin shall restore amends."

As he finished the quote, he offered John his hand to shake again. This time he returned the gesture with a smirk before Noah turned away and began to unpack. John allowed himself to stare as Noah bent over to reach something. The kid filled out his jeans well.

"That's my favorite play; I think I've read it at least a hundred times." Noah said.

Realizing his expression probably held a bit too much admiration, John quickly replaced it with annoyance, before Noah turned back around. He thought about how to approach the situation just right.

"So, you're a," redneck? Obviously not, "Texan?"

"Did the belt buckle give it away?" Noah stifled a laugh as he spoke.

"Duh. That and the whole boots with shades look."

"Well, I'm proud of being Texan," he smirked, "So, what can you do?"

"You mean my mutation?"

"No. I want to know how much you can bench. Yes, your mutation."

John reached for his lighter on the nightstand. He flipped it open and stared at the flame for a moment before pulling the fire into his hand, making a small ball that lit the room slightly. The flames undulated in his hand, spiraling and twisting forward. He pulled it back over his palm and let it burn there, holing it in place. Noah's face had 'impressed' written all over it. "I showed you mine, now you show me yours." The smirk on his face made him seem even more arrogant that normal.

Noah raised his hands and flexed his fingers out like he was pushing something in the direction of the flames. John seemed surprised as the flames stopped moving. He tried but couldn't gain control of them. Noah quickly made a flicking motion at the ball of fire and it fell into John's lap. Noah laughed as the shorter boy panicked and started patting out the flames furiously, forgetting for a moment that he could control them. Pulling what was left of the fire off his bed; John formed the flames into a ball again and threw it at Noah. The other boy 'caught' the flames again, before giving John a look and flicking them back again. This time, before they hit the floor, John made the fire spiral into his hand and disappear. Noah realized that John looked upset and started laughing, louder this time. "So are you gonna show me around or what?"

"Why should I after you pulled a stunt like that?" John was standing now and seemed vary angry.

"I'm sorry if I upset you, but you asked for a show."

"Not at my expense, I didn't."

"Well how about this, what's your favorite food?"

"Why?" John's brow arched in suspicion.

"Let me make it up to you, just show me the kitchen and I'll make you're favorite meal. It's getting close to dinner anyway, and I'm hungry."

John thought for a moment, and then smirked as he asked. "Can you make chicken cordon bleu?"

"Yes, but I'm sure if that's really your favorite you'd know it takes hours to make." There was a playful tone in his voice. "For real John, I'm trying to be a nice new room mate here."

"Fine, what about Fettuccine Alfredo?"

– – –

"What smells good?" Bobby asked as he walked into the kitchen with Rogue not far behind him. John was already sitting at the counter, watching Noah cook.

"Fettuccine Alfredo, do you guys want some?" Noah had always loved to cook, especially for others; he believed it was the best way to break the ice.

"Sure! I'm Rogue did you just move in?" Rouge extended a gloved hand and smiled brightly. She was always happy to meet new people, especially attractive new people.

"Yeah," without meaning to, his Texas twang got stronger in the presence of her Mississippi accent, "I'm Noah."

"Bobby," John's usual smirk seemed different in the presence of his friends, "give him a cold one."

"What?" Noah's expression had turned from a genuine smile to a nervous one.

"John stop freaking him out. I'm Bobby." As Booby shook Noah's hand he froze it, startling the new mutant.

"Hey!" Noah jerked his hand back, rubbing it slightly. "Cool. No pun intended."

The teens shared a laugh and continued with the formal introductions and typical getting to know you questions while Noah finished cooking. They sat down at the table after Noah provided each of them with a plate full of pasta and chunks of chicken, bathed in white cream sauce. John had received more than the others, earning Noah a real smile from the usually angry teen.

"So who's with whom?" Noah's question seemed to have an obvious answer to the others.

"Well Bobby and I are together." Rogue clarified. "Why? Who'd you think was with whom?"

"I'm sorry." Noah gave a side glance at John as he spoke. "I just wanted to make sure."

After taking a fork full of food John smiled and turned to Noah. "Dude, it's all good as long as you cook like this all the time."

"Mhmm!" was Bobby's reply as he ate the food.

"Where'd you learn to cook like this?" Rogue asked.

"Well since my Dad travels all the time I had to learn to cook my own meals. I started getting picky about what chemicals and fat went into my body so I just started making everything from scratch. Now I can't stop cooking. I'll cook for you guys anytime you want something. Just make sure the ingredients are in the kitchen first." Noah smirked as he watched John enjoy his favorite a little too much.

"Didn't you say you have a step-mom though?" Bobby's question earned him a kick in the leg from Rogue. "What? He did."

"My Dad married her last year. My parents split when I was a few months old, then my mother died shortly after that." Noah's voice didn't waver, didn't have a solemn tone, he just said it as though it was nothing. "I never knew her, so I guess it doesn't really bother me, ya know?"

"I get it." Rogue chimed in, obviously interested in the story.

"That's kind of messed up though, that your Dad divorced her right before she died." This time Bobby was the one to do the kicking, as John's remark was obviously off-par. "Sorry."

"No it's fine, people think that all the time. Truth is no one knew she was going to die." This time his voice was softer and he seemed to be thinking about something far away as he placed a small portion of food in his mouth and began to chew slowly.

"I'm sorry; John can be a real ass sometimes." Rogue shot him a dirty look before placing a gloved hand on Noah's bare one. "You gonna be ok?"

"Rogue." Noah's eyes seemed fixed on her hand.

"Yes, hon?"

"Why are you wearing gloves?"

She withdrew her hand back into the safety of her lap and took in a labored breath before slowly answering. "That's...my mutation...if I touch you, directly, I can steal your life force and if you're a mutant that means your powers too." Now Rogue seemed lost in thought. Noah reached out and placed a hand on her covered shoulder and squeezed lightly.

"Hey," she looked up at him as Bobby and John watched with caution in their eyes, "give us a smile, it suits you better." A slight wink earned Noah a gradual but wide grin from the girl. "For real though, I made dinner, so I'm not cleaning it up." He quickly stood with his hands in the air as he received objections from his new friends.

"No fair! This was supposed to be an apology meal for me, remember?" John yelled.

"Hey! I wouldn't have accepted this if I new it came with conditions!" Rogue joined in.

"I'm with Rogue. Wait, what did you do to John?" Bobby asked. The room shifted and John stood, getting even louder.

"Zip it Grayson! I know where you sleep!"

"I scared him!" Noah laughed hysterically while Rogue and Bobby tried not to let their smiles show.

"You're dead!" John yelled as he threw a fork at the boy. Noah froze the fork in mid air, earning shock from Bobby and Rogue as he sprinted out of the room and harms way. John jumped over the table and quickly followed. He chased the new mutant down the hallway and out the main entrance before they both collapsed in the garden closest to the door. Both panted heavily, hands placed on their knees for balance. The first to catch his breath was John as he stood up and pulled out a pack of cigarettes.

"You smoke?" He asked, offering one to Noah.

"Oh thank God!" Noah sighed in relief. "I haven't had one since they picked me up at 2!"

John gave him a cigarette with a little reluctance and an amount of surprise. "I wouldn't have pegged you as a smoker Grayson."

"Since I was 13, my dad caught me once and made me chain smoke a whole pack. I guess he thought that would make me hate cigarettes; instead it just made me more of an addict."

"Do you think they're cleaning up after you?"

"I hope so, besides I already put the leftovers in the fridge and soapy water in the pot. Got a light?"

"You need to ask?" John held his lit Zippo out for the other boy. Instead of taking it from him, Noah leaned forward, lighting the cigarette with the flames still in John's control. John lingered for a moment before lighting his own cigarette.

"Is this place really all that great?" Noah wasn't looking at John, but his question hung in the air the same as the thick smoke coming from the two. The barely lit sky darkened quickly and filled up with twinkling stars.

"I don't know. It's better than what I've had before." John's expression was blank. "Why?"

"I don't know. I kinda miss home already I guess. Although it's nice to be making new friends."

John smiled lightly and they continued their cigarette in silence. When they were done, John showed Noah where to hide his cigarette butts before leading him back to their room. Once inside the two boys striped down to their underwear and slid into their beds.

"Good night John." Noah spoke softly, before turning over. "Sweet dreams."

"Night Noah." John drifted to sleep with only one thought in his mind.

If we shadows have offended,
Think but this, and all is mended,
That you have but slumber'd here
While these visions did appear.

– – –

Author Notes: A big thank you to Spiras Stargate for being an amazing Beta Reader!