Weakness
Part IX
Pyro paused in front of the doorway, closing his eyes briefly. With a muttered curse he turned to retreat but a little voice in his head stopped him.
Coward.
The fire mutant took a deep breath, clenching his fists by his side and making his way determinedly through the door. His confidence faded slightly as the smell of chlorine hit his nose, the sound of the lapping water greeting his ears…
Multiple Man looked up, giving a little start as he found Pyro standing by the poolside. For a moment their eyes met, neither moving nor saying anything. Quickly the fire mutant broke the deadlock, making his way slowly towards the ladder, climbing into the water even slower. Multiple Man made his way as calmly as he could towards him.
"Hey," he greeted casually. Pyro gave a simple nod but the multiplying mutant caught the anxious glance around him. "What brings you here?"
The fire mutant shrugged absently.
"Figured I'd give it another go," he replied quietly before turning his fiery brown eyes on Multiple Man, pointing a finger at him in warning. "Don't you dare drop me again."
Multiple Man couldn't help but smile.
"Scouts honour," he stood up straight and gave a salute, the water dripping down off his bare chest. Pyro tore his eyes away from said chest to look up dubiously.
"I refuse to believe they ever let you into Scouts."
Multiple Man smirked.
"They let me in…for a couple of weeks," he moved forward, pausing as the fire mutant flinched. "It's ok…I really promise not to drop you this time."
Pyro took a deep breath, trying not to show his apprehension as the multiplying mutant started forward again.
"You know – if I'm doing this you really should go climb a sky scraper or something," he muttered. Multiple Man laughed quietly, a gesture which instantly put the fire mutant at ease. He moved forward slowly, wrapping his arms around the smaller mutant pulling him closer into a hold which held no signs of teaching him to swim.
"Only if you come up and hold my hand…"