Androids and Bad Boys
Storm groaned at the sound of her stomach growling. She didn't want to leave her room. There was too much of a chance of running into Remy, and at the moment, she couldn't handle anymore humiliation. Ororo had a tough hide, but she had been dealt some heavy blows within the past month or so, and she'd hate herself if she became reduced to a teary depressed Lifetime t.v. stereotype over a guy, even if he was indescribably good looking and infinitely charming.
She sighed. If she were honest with herself, she'd admit that she wanted to talk to Scott. She needed to talk to him. Even though he detested her company, Cyclops was her most valued confidant. He always did listen to whatever she had to say when she came to him. He managed to shove logic and insults and the occasional statistic into whatever advice he gave her, but he always did manage to help and seem genuinely concerned about her well being, try as he did to hide it.
She laughed quietly to herself, recalling a time when he told her a joke that he had recently heard. It was a motorcycle bit and flew completely over her head, but he split his sides telling it, and that made her crack a grin. She could count on one hand the amount of times that she had heard him laugh. But she prided herself in knowing that all of those times he did, they were alone. She wondered if she was the only one who even knew what Scott's laugh sounded like.
Growl
"Shut up!" She snapped before exhaling heavily. She gave up her stubborn streak, resolving just to get a quick snack from the kitchen, there wasn't too much of a chance of her running into the nameless Cajun if she just went right there and back.
-break-
Scott hummed his annoyance seeing a smudge on one of his rearview mirrors. He leaned over and squinted at it, trying to identify the stain: dainty fingerprints.
"Storm." He grumbled, pulling out the linen cloth he used to clean his glasses. His eyebrows creased. She hadn't barged in on him in two days. He had been glad to have a break from her for a while after she had asked him to embrace her two nights ago, but he was beginning to feel a sense of loneliness without her rambling on endlessly in his ear. For whatever reason, the lack of disturbance was making him uncomfortable.
"Maybe she finally got Remy to accept her advances." He thought to himself. He pursed his lips, thinking about the smug Cajun. It would certainly be an ego boost for Gambit if he had claim over Storm; more reason to walk around with girls pining over him like he was the best thing since sliced bread. Everything about Remy annoyed him, even more so since Ororo began to show interest in him. He couldn't for the life of him understand her logic. Remy never did stick to one lady acquaintance for longer than three months-even that was a stretch. He'd only end up destroying her self esteem, and he would have to be the one to pick up the pieces. He didn't realize how firmly he was rubbing the mirror until it broke off of the motorcycle, sending glass shattering on the floor. He threw his head back, holding back as best as he could; he constantly had to remind himself that profanity was beneath him.
"Perfect." He sighed. He'd have to go back to the auto shop for a new rearview mirror.
He stood, figuring he had nothing else to do. He may as well go down to put the order in for it now.
-break-
Storm reached up and opened the snack cabinet in the kitchen, looking for her honey granola bars. She sighed heavily when she finally did locate them.
"They would be at the very top." She braced herself on the counter, hoisting herself up on her knees. She hated climbing on the counter tops. It made her feel like a kid. Reaching up, she tried, again, to grab the box of granola bars, but her fingertips only managed to push them even further from her.
She was ready to give up, but was frightened to death when she felt arms coil around her, before lifting her up and gently placing her onto the ground. She looked up, seeing a smirking Remy. Her stomach jumped at the very sight of him. She couldn't for the life of her understand why he was so good looking. He handed her the box, hardly having to reach for it. She tried her best to not smile when he handed it to her. He held her in his gaze, and she found herself nearly frozen. Somehow, though, she managed to straighten herself up, strolling confidently out of the kitchen.
Scott looked at Ororo quizzically, seeing her walk out of the kitchen. It looked like she was holding her breath. He had been debating on whether or not to ask her to accompany him to the autoshop. Now would be as good a time as any.
"Oh, Scott! Hi!" Storm practically yelled to him. He cocked an eyebrow. She sounded relieved to see him. He assumed she must have missed his presence as well. He nodded to her. "I was looking for you, come on let's go." She said, placing her arm around his.
"What are you doing?" he whispered lowly to her, figuring she was up to something. He had always hated arm linking-or any other display of affection. It made him uncomfortable.
"Just play along 'till we're outside." She whispered back before laughing loudly, making sure Remy heard her.
"How was that funny?"
"Shut up and laugh!" She hissed. Scott grumbled before chuckling along with her.
Once they were outside Scott quickly pulled his arm away from Storm's. "May I have an explanation, now?" He asked.
"Remy was in there, I had to find a way out before things got...awkward."
"Hmm. And I was your way out," he shrugged. "I'm guessing you're hungry, too." He nodded to the box of granola bars behind her back, "You know, if you're really this adamant about avoiding Remy, you could've asked me to bring you something."
Storm clicked her tongue. "Right, so I'd have the joy of listening to you say 'No, Storm, absolutely not, blah blah nuh nuh' whatever big words you'd use to say that I was being ridiculous."
"'Ridiculous' works, actually, I probably would've used that. And I don't sound like that," he responded to her imitation of him, "So are you hungry or not?"
"Why? Are you gonna feed me?" She asked, smiling.
"I'm not gonna do anything." He sighed, rolling his eyes. "But if you'd like, I could take you to get something."
"Why?" She asked slowly. She could feel her eyes narrowing at him.
"Are you hungry or not, Storm?" He asked more impatiently, "You can lie if you want, but your stomach hasn't stopped making noise since we've been out here."
"I'm starving," She admitted, "But offering to take me for food...that isn't like you."
"Well, since you're determined to rob my offer of virtually all cordiality, fine." he sighed, "I was going to the autoshop to order a new rearview mirror for my Augusta, which was broken because of your constant need to touch my things. Then I was going to pick something up after. If I take you with me, it not only saves me gas, but also your inevitable whining...at least about food, anyway." He sighed, waiting for the backlash from Ororo before she stormed back inside. He was surprised to hear her laugh.
"There he is. Okay, let's go!" She said before prancing past him to the car. He rolled his eyes, shoving his hands in his pockets before following her.
-break-
Storm sat as quietly as she could the entire ride, which was not saying much at all. She could see Scott's grip on the wheel tightening everytime she changed the radio station or asked how long it would take before they got to Al's.
"Do you not like this song?"
"I loathe this song." He answered.
"Well, God, Scott! What would you rather listen to, since my taste in music obviously sucks?"
"I didn't say that, you did." He said, snatching his gaze from the road to her, "And since you ask, I'd much rather listen to the engine."
Storm wrinkled her forehead, not understanding what he'd meant, "Is that a band or something? What station?"
Scott sighed and shook his head, completely unable to hide the laughter in his face, "No, Storm. I mean the car engine. As in: no radio."
"Oh, okay." She complied, turning it off. She glanced at him sideways, the few seconds of silence being too much for her, "...Do you want me to sing?"
"Do you want me to dump you in the street?"
"Why do you keep moving that?" She asked, ignoring his retaliation. He looked down, trying to find whatever it was she was talking about.
"Moving what?" He asked back. Storm pointed to his hand, which was on the gear shaft.
"That."
Scott looked again, and narrowed his eyes at her. He had trouble believing that she was serious. "It's the gear shaft. I shift gears with it...this is a stick shift." He said, his disbelief growing with every attempt to answer her. She shrugged, looking out of the window.
"I don't know too much about cars." She sighed.
"Yeah, but, you don't know what a stick is?" He grinned. She smiled at him, shaking her head, "Wow." He trailed. She sat quietly, gazing at the passing buildings and trees. Scott could sense her growing bored and felt extremely bothered. "Do you want to see something cool?" Storm eyed him curiously.
"Depends," She asked, "Are you gonna show it to me?" Scott flared his nostrils and smirked.
"Sit back."
Storm had hardly anytime to react before Scott shifted gears and stepped on the gas, pushing one hundred in seconds on the empty backroad. She was being pushed back into the chair and was about to yell for him to stop when he shifted gears again, slamming on the breaks and sending the car spinning the car wildly. She screamed and shut her eyes, fearing for her life while Scott laughed wildly before the car finally stopped.
"It's no fun with your eyes closed, Storm." He scolded. She managed to peel them open in time to see him grinning wickedly before repeating his driving stunt in reverse, sending her stomach into her throat. She screamed, grabbing the dashboard when he sent the car whirling again and did not let go until they had reached a stop.
"Cool, huh?" He asked, watching her place a hand on her chest.
"Yeah..." She breathed, "Awesome."
Scott grinned, watching her regain herself before accelerating again at a reasonable speed. "We're almost there."
-break-
Storm found herself in awe when they entered the auto mechanic shop. It was an assault to the senses, seeing sparks flying from rusty car engines, hearing the whizzing and whirring of auto tools, smelling paint and sweat and rust and metal. It was oddly thrilling for her.
"I'm going to go talk to Al for a few minutes. Try to not touch anything, please..." Scott turned to her when she didn't answer him. He chuckled when he saw her still marveling at her surroundings, "Storm."
"Okay, I won't," she answered, leaving him to his business to wander. He looked after her for a while before making his way to the the payment counter.
"Hey! Scotty, my boy, what brings you here?" Al greeted Cyclops warmly as he always did. Scott smiled in return, leaning on the counter with his elbows.
"How's business?"
"Wonderful, now that you are back!" The robust man nearly shouted in his heavy accent, "Starting another project so soon?"
"Um, no, actually," he answered, more than a little embarassed, "I actually need a new left mirror for the Augusta."
His gaze dropped to the floor when he saw the surprise in Al"s expression, "It wasn't defective?" he asked.
"No, it wasn't," he answered. The shame of his clumsiness was pulsating through him. He had never been so careless. He definitely had never broken anything before in his life before that morning, and it irritated him, "I broke it. I was... distracted."
"Wowuh!" Al ceased his questioning when Ororo's exploring caught both of their attention. Scott sighed. Of course she'd touched something by now. Needless to say she had every male in the establishment baffled by her behavior, and mesmerized at her looks.
"This was your distraction, eh?" Al asked, nodding toward her, and all too sure of the answer. He smirked at the young man's flustered state.
"Yes," he answered, "That's Storm."
"This is the Storm?" The mechanic asked in astonishment, "The one you tell me about?"
"No, no, Al," Scott answered, "It's just 'Storm'. There's no 'the'. Why do you keep putting a 'the' in there-"
"Hey! What's up, I heard my name," the goddess interrupted them, approaching the counter.
"Nothing, just-" Scott started, he groaned when Al spoke over him.
"This is the Storm! How lovely to meet you, my darling girl!" he exclaimed. Storm smiled confusedly as he took her hands in his and kissed them.
"Nice to meet you, too!" She answered, shrugging at Scott. He ran a hand over his face, wishing he could melt into the floor.
"Scott tells, everyday he comes here to my shop, tells me about you! And now I finally meet you! I see why he speaks of you now!" he added, laughing suggestively.
"Does he, really?" Storm asked, cocking an eyebrow at Cyclops. Scott reached out to her, grabbing her wrist and placing his free hand on the small of her back, pulling her away from the man and escorting her quickly to the door.
"Great, so you'll put that order in for the mirror, then?" he asked quickly over his shoulder as they walked, "Thanks very much, I'll see you around, Al," he said, pushing Storm out of the door before he could answer him.
-break-
Scott sat frustrated in the car as he and Ororo made their way back to the mansion. She had a grin plastered on her face the size of New York, and he knew it was only a matter of time before she-
"So you talk about me to your autoshop buddies, huh?" She asked.
"Did you decide what you wanted to eat?" he asked, ignoring her. She glanced at him sideways and he scoffed at her.
"Al said you talk about me every time you come up there," she commented innocently, looking out of the window.
He exhaled deeply, taking his eyes off of the road to look her in her eyes.
"Storm."
"Hmm?" she perked up, turning in the seat to face him.
"Look... if you want Burger King, you had better tell me now before we pass it, because I'm not turning around."
Storm's mouth dropped and her perkiness left her immediately at his statement, and she turned back around in her seat, huffing and folding her arms.
Scott watched her as she pouted and smirked, turning the radio on for her.
TBC