Weakness
Part VIII
Multiple Man stood in the doorway, watching thoughtfully as the fire mutant within flicked his lighter open and shut, glaring into the space in front of him. The older mutant sighed quietly, thinking back to his earlier conversation with Mystique. Maybe it wouldn't be so bad to have a heart to heart with him…
"You wanting something?"
The multiplying mutant jumped slightly before cursing himself silently. He hadn't realised Pyro had seen him.
"No," he shrugged casually although he figured it was probably a moot gesture. The fire mutant scowled.
"Good," he muttered. "I thought you were gonna do something stupid like suggest swimming lessons again."
A slight frown pulled on Multiple Man's brow as he regarded the younger mutant. Closing his eyes briefly he shook his head at himself for being such an idiot. Slowly and silently he made his way forward, sitting down on the sofa next to Pyro. The fire mutant gave him a suspicious sideways glance but neither turned to fully look at him nor spoke to him. Finally it was Multiple Man who spoke.
"You remember that day Magneto sent us to shut down that research facility upstate?"
Pyro frowned slightly.
"Yeah…"
"And you remember how I took us some really long way back down the stairs and through the corridors to get to the other building instead of just going across the bridge thing between them?"
"Yeah you seemed to think we'd missed something or…something…" Pyro waved a hand dismissively. Multiple Man inhaled deeply.
"I lied. I'm scared of heights."
Pyro turned to look at him sharply.
"You're what?" he frowned slightly. "Don't be stupid."
"I'm telling you the truth!" the older mutant looked at him sincerely.
Still Pyro shook his head.
"That bridge wasn't that high."
"It was high enough!" Multiple Man replied defensively, instinctively crossing his arms. Pyro's eyes widened slightly.
"You're being serious?"
Multiple Man laughed dryly.
"Not something I joke about."
The fire mutant's frown returned.
"Why are you telling me?"
Multiple Man shrugged slightly.
"No reason," he stood up slowly, stretching leisurely and silently leaving the room.