A/N: obviously not mine. Belongs to Marvel and such. I, like many others I'm sure, wish the X-Men (and a few of the Brotherhood) were mine, but I don't see it happening. *le sigh* oh well. Enjoy the next chapter of this my usually fluffy and sometimes angsty Logurt slash. Heh heh…Logurt. Sorry, it sounds funny. Like some off brand yogurt. Only this is better…much better. Ok, enough of my senseless rambling.
Logan watched on in mild amusement as Kurt struggled to remove his muddy, soaked, cold clothes before he got to his room. Unfortunately, they were stiff with mud, and difficult to work with. He managed to get himself twisted in his shirt, unable to see, and thus banged into the wall and landed on his ass…hard.
"Not that you're not doing a great job or anything elf, but, d'you need a hand?" Logan asked. Kurt, head covered by his shirt, arms stuck above his head, nodded, body language conveying his frustration and discomfiture. "Hold still," Logan set down the six pack, and grabbed the t-shirt, pulling it up and over Kurt's head. Kurt drew his breath in a sharp hiss as his pointed ears were chaffed and his hair was pulled and his tail lashed like an irate alley cat's. "Sorry," Logan handed him his shirt. "Nien, not your fault," Kurt got uneasily to his feet, wrapping his arms across his thin chest. He was shivering and his teeth were chattering. He clutched his shirt in his tail as he padded beside Logan down the hall. Neither Kurt nor surprisingly Logan noticed Kitty dropping back through the floor where she'd been spying.
"Well? What happened?" Rogue asked impatiently. Kitty landed on the couch and turned to sit facing her. Bobby slumped in the arm chair near them, thinking maybe he should expand his circle of friends. He was hanging out with the girls far too much and was near desperate for male companionship as long as it didn't include conversations and speculation on the sex life of two of the older mutants in the mansion. He almost missed Johnny. He at least would be able to be counted on for a derisive sneer and a scathing remark about how ridiculous that was. Ok, true, Bobby was beginning to think it was possible but did they have to talk about it every single minute of every single day?!?
"Weeelll…" Kitty drawled, "Quite a bit happened." She dangled that in front of Rogue, trying to get across how useful she was being. "And? C'mon Kitty. No way they just walked away to their own rooms," Rogue answered. "Ok, so poor Kurt was trying to get out of his shirt on his way to his room, except he was having trouble. I mean, it was all covered in mud right? He ended up banging into a wall and landing sprawled on the floor at Logan's feet. Logan's just looking at him, with this sort of amused, almost…well, I want to say affectionate, but, it's Logan, but whatever… look on his face. And he offers him some help. And then helped Kurt out of his shirt, accidentally hurting his ears. Also, I wanna add, despite being really on the skinny side, Kurt's got a nice chest. However, I'll bet pretty soon that'll be the property of Wolverine." "Definitely. Oh, it's so cute!" Over in the chair, Bobby groaned, earning him a glare from the two girls.
"Bobby, you don't have to agree with us, but could you at least try not to be Captain Bring Down?" Kitty asked. "Why? Someone's got to keep you two from going too far and do something drastic to those two. They don't need you two butting into whatever they've got starting here," Bobby said cynically. "We wouldn't do anything drastic!" Kitty blurted out, at the same time Rogue asked "And why don't they need us butting in?" Bobby sighed and sat up, leaning forward a bit. "They don't need you butting in because they're older than us, and I think they know what to do. Plus, haven't they been through enough? What if you end up making things worse? And of course you wouldn't do anything drastic like phasing through the floor to watch them," he said sarcastically, one eye brow raised. The two girls looked at each other. "I suppose we didn't really think of that, did we?" "No. damn, I hate when he's right." Bobby grinned triumphantly.
Kurt continued to shiver violently as he walked down the hall. Now that he was shirtless, he was well aware of how cold the mansion was. Logan watched him out of the corner of his eye as he nearly tied himself in knots trying to wrap his arms around himself for warmth. Eventually, he took pity on him. "Here, I'll take your shirt down to the laundry room, you get yourself warmed up before you get sick," he snatched the shirt from Kurt's tail. "D-danke Logan," he stammered. "Don't mention it," Logan answered gruffly, and still soaked and muddy, turned and left him standing there, looking after him in puzzlement.
"Whatcha doing?" Kitty popped out of the wall, nearly tripping Logan up. "Going to the laundry room to toss Kurt's stuff in," Logan told her, wary of the bright grin on her face. That usually foretold mayhem, and he was just not in the mood. "Why do you have it?" she asked. "He couldn't do it himself, it was stiff with mud." "And he couldn't return the favor?" Kitty critically eyed Logan's wet clothes and muddy boots. "Don't you have someone else to annoy?" Logan growled. "Maybe," she swept her brunette hair from her eyes and dropped through the floor. Logan shook his head, his gut twisting the slightest bit at the insinuations she made. Sometimes that girl was wise beyond her years, and not shy at all about sharing it.
Only when he realized how very alone he was in the hallway did Kurt come to his senses and 'port into his new room. He couldn't help it, he was perplexed and the tiniest bit intrigued about Logan's change in demeanor towards him. He hadn't seemed to like him when they first met in Boston, and definitely wasn't thrilled to be sharing a room upon his return. Plus, it was no secret that Logan had cared deeply about Ms. Grey, and if he'd been able to teleport, maybe if he'd tried harder, he could have saved her for him. He had every reason to dislike him, and yet here he was, being very nice to him. It was enough to confuse anyone.
His pants hit the bathroom tile with a wet slap, to be tossed in the wash later. The water was turned up as hot as he could stand it, and he stepped in, gasping at the heat. He'd been given plenty of fluffy white towels and soap and shampoos, which he made good use of, scrubbing until he felt raw and clean. But no longer muddy. Kurt wrapped a towel around his waist, the white startling against his dark blue skin. His room was so empty, so lonely. There was no Logan stretched on his bed, cigar held between his lips as he searched for something halfway decent on the small TV in his room. But Logan was just down the hall, and he was free to visit. If…if he wanted. And if Logan wanted him to and didn't mind. Thus reassured, he went out into his room, going into the closet for pajamas.
Kurt dressed in flannel pants striped vertically in shades of blue with a hole for his tail and a white t-shirt before gathering up his wet clothes. He crept down the hall, pants hanging loosely from his hand. He passed Logan's room, and couldn't help a glance in. He jerked to a halt, eyes widening to the size of dinner plates. The Wolverine was clearly fresh from a shower, water still dripping from his hair, and he was strolling out of his bathroom completely and utterly naked. Kurt swallowed thickly, suddenly feeling incredibly warm as his eyes unconsciously raked over the other mutant's body. His mind kicked into overdrive with a jolt, and he mentally cursed himself. 'Get out of here idiot, before he notices you and slices you into pieces!' Thankfully, his mind didn't add that Logan had probably already smelled him, and was well aware of his presence, thus saving him further embarrassment as he fumbled away and disappeared in a burst of blue smoke.
Logan was all too aware of the other mutant's presence outside his bedroom, having heard his footsteps, then his increased breathing and heart rate. And the scent of brimstone and sulfur as he vanished was a dead giveaway. He smirked. He hadn't planned for that to happen, he really hadn't, but he couldn't help but laugh at the side effects. Poor elf hadn't known what to do. He chuckled to himself as he slipped into a pair of grey sweatpants. Normally, he wouldn't bother with the pants, but his time in the school had broken him to pajamas. What if something happened and he needed to charge out of his room, claws at the ready? Not a good thing to have happen in a mansion full of kids. Hell, Kurt would probably die of shock or something, judging from his reaction to just seeing a glimpse of him. And then Storm would be pissed at him, and he didn't need that. Plus, he'd feel bad.
He lay back on his bed, cradling his head in his folded arms. The storm continued trying to rage outside, but it was tapering off to the occasional roll of thunder and flicker of lightning. Logan shut his eyes, thinking of catching some sleep. But of course that was too much to ask. No, the minute he was relaxed, all the little doubts he'd kept well in check wormed their way to the forefront of his mind, making him toss and turn restlessly. What if he wasn't interested? What if he scared him off? What if…what if… what if chased around and around his head, until, with a frustrated snarl he tossed back the sheets and sat up, flicking on the TV, though he knew there was nothing worth watching. Didn't matter, it was a distraction, which was what he needed.
A branch, snapped from a tree and tossed about in the storm, smacked into Kurt's window, right in front of his face. He'd fallen asleep, hanging from the bar there by his tail. He swung up and over to land on his feet, stretching and yawning. His hammock was his goal, where he could curl up and go back to sleep, but something made him think of his pants down in the dryer. He didn't want to forget them down there, plus they'd be pleasantly warm still. Quiet as a mouse, he padded down the stairs to the dryer, clutching the warm pants to his chest. They even smelled good.
Pale light caught Kurt's attention as he passed Logan's room. The other man was glaring at his television as though it had said something to offend him. If it knew what was good for it, it would watch out. Those claws could cause it irreparable damage. "I know you're there elf," Logan growled without looking at him, making Kurt jump out of his skin. Heat rushed up his face as he peeked in, grinning embarrassedly. "I vas just getting my pants. I'll go," he gave a slight wave and started to back away. "You don't have to go. You want to sit an' have a beer?" Logan asked. Kurt bit at his lip, but nodded, and shuffled in. "Here," Logan tossed him a can, which Kurt deftly caught and opened with the spade of his tail. Foam erupted out, to be quickly slurped away. Logan watched him from the corner of his eye, as he drank and hiccupped.
"No offense meant or anything Logan, but this beer is piss," Kurt crushed the empty can with his tail. "Well, when you're used to drinking that fancy imported stuff you drink, everything is piss. But this is piss I happen to like, and can afford," Logan retorted. A slow grin spread across Kurt's face, and he stifled a giggle. Logan looked puzzled for a moment, before realization dawned. "That's not what I meant, and you know it," he grumbled. "You said you drink piss," Kurt chortled, "and liked it!" "You drank it too," Logan said.
That made Kurt pause, and stare at his empty, compacted can. "Gotcha," Logan smirked. "Point taken," Kurt sulked, kicking his can and sending it skittering across the floor. "So we're both sitting here, past midnight, drinking piss that's trying to be beer," he said eventually. "Looks like," Logan laced his fingers and raised his arms above his head, cracking his knuckles and loosening the kinks in his shoulders at the same time. Kurt winced at the loud popping sound, "You know it's not good for your joints, doing that." Logan gave him a look, one dark brow raised. "You're kidding, right?" "Oh, right. It is late after all," Kurt said, as though that explained everything. "It's barely past midnight." Kurt glanced at Logan's alarm clock. "Logan, you're alarm clock is stuck on 12:10. It hasn't moved since I got in here. That's what happens when you slam your fist on it every morning," he handed it to Logan, who looked between him and the clock. "Damn it! How late is it then?" Before he could say anything else, Kurt was gone and back. "It's a bit after two in the morning." Logan shook his head; it didn't feel like that late. He chucked his beer can to join Kurt's noticing as he did that the elf was looking exceedingly tired, unable to keep his eyes open, his head lolling to the side as he drifted off.
"Should get back to your own bed elf, you look exhausted." Kurt shook his head, "I'm only a little tired. And I don't have a bed, I have a hammock. I'm not sure vhy I have a hammock, I liked the air mattress in here. But Storm was nice enough to design my room, the least I can do is stay there." "You actually liked the air mattress?" "Ja," Kurt answered, mildly puzzled. "Why the hell did you like that thing?" "Vell, I had company here, and it was bouncy, and the nicest bed I'd slept on in a while. I had to make my own bed in Boston." Logan looked thoughtful for a few moments, "Well, if you ever want a place to get away, you can come stay on it again. I don't care."
Kurt watched him, head cocked to the side, looking like a curious cat, while his tail waved lazily back and forth. "Do you like me Logan?" "…Yeah. I wouldn't be inviting you in for a beer if I didn't, would I?" "No, I suppose not. But, you didn't at first, did you?" "What the hell gave you that idea?" Logan turned to fully face him, brows drawn together. Kurt bit his lip, wondering why in the world he was bringing this up, why he was ruining the peace they had. But he had an answer to his own question; because he felt there was more to it, and could feel the tension in the peace vibrating along his spine down to the tip of his tail. "Vhat gave me that idea was that you seemed harsh towards me when we first met, and since then, well, I am, or vas, the intruder in your room. It was understandable for you to not like me for that. But Miss Rogue said you were just like that some times."
Logan couldn't help but groan inwardly. Rogue was in on this somehow? No doubt she saw right through him, being able to practically read his mind at times, and was leading this along. Fortunately for her, he didn't mind where he was being led to; otherwise he'd have something to say to her. He looked up, and saw Kurt still looking at him, and realized he should probably say something. Problem was, he didn't know what he should say. The silence stretched thin, with Kurt staring at him, eyes seeming to glow in the dark. Logan met his gaze, having no issue with the quiet, but noticing the other mutant was starting to fidget uncomfortably, his tail thumping against the floor.
"So?" Kurt finally broke the silence.
"So what?" Logan answered. He could play coy; it would buy him some time while he tried to get control of the situation. "Vhat do you mean 'so vhat'?" "I meant what I said." "And said what you meant?" Kurt asked, forgetting his annoyance momentarily in favor of quoting one of his favorite children books from the library. "An elephant's faithful one hundred percent. Real cute Dr. Seuss," Logan rolled his eyes. Kurt gave a slight bow, his face turning serious once more. "Vhat I meant, is vas Miss Rogue right? It's nothing personal? You don't hate me?" "Haven't we been through this? No, I don't hate you. I like you just fine. Satisfied?"
"How much do you like me?"
Kurt drew in a quick breath; he had no idea what made him say that. He covered his mouth with his hands, and took one quick glance at Logan, who saw how wide his eyes were, before staring resolutely at the floor. Logan was equally surprised at the elf's boldness, but better at concealing it. However, even more surprising was the fact that he hadn't 'ported away yet. Typically, that was his reflex when shocked or embarrassed, or…well, anything really. "Why do you want to know?" "I don't, never mind, forget I said anything," Kurt babbled, drawing his knees up to his chest. Unfortunately he couldn't even blame it on the alcohol, since it was weak, not nearly strong enough to get him to the state of inebriation where he would ramble and slur his words. His head fell forward, resting on his knees, and he let out a little groan at his own…idiocy. That was a good word for it. He stood, and made for the door.
"Where're you going?" Logan asked, sitting up. "My room. To sleep. It is late after all. Gute nacht Logan," Kurt was out the door as quickly as he could go without looking like he was running away with his tail between his legs. As soon as he was in the safety of his room, he curled up in his hammock, wishing the rocking of it would lull him to sleep and turn off his brain, which kept replaying that lapse in judgment over and over. He'd just gone and ruined the tenuous friendship he had with Logan, all because he thought he'd felt something. He was lucky Logan hadn't unsheathed his claws and turned him into mince meat.
Kurt squeezed his eyes shut, willing himself to sleep, but knowing it wouldn't work. He was too…jittery from the adrenaline pumping through his veins. But he could try, because he knew if he didn't get sleep, Storm would notice, and ask about him, and he didn't want to accidentally tell her what had just happened. And he would; he couldn't lie to Storm. And Logan would not appreciate it.
Logan stared up at his ceiling, watching the shadows fade as the sun rose. He was thankful he didn't have classes to teach, or time in the danger room, since he was getting another sleepless night. A lack of sleep didn't bother him as much as it probably should, but it wasn't like he showed it. When the shadows were finally chased away, he swung himself out of bed, showered, dressed, and went out for breakfast. Rogue and Bobby were there, perched at the table, enjoying a lazy Sunday breakfast. He ignored them in favor of a mug of coffee, black this morning.
"Morning Logan," Rogue said, once he'd downed half his mug. "Morning kid," he answered, finishing his coffee and going for another cup with milk and sugar this time. "You look tired," Bobby said hesitantly, hoping he didn't annoy him. Logan fixed him with a hard stare before shrugging it off. "A bit, yeah." "Late night?" Rogue asked, fighting off the urge to smirk and wink. "Couldn't sleep," Logan answered shortly. Rogue backed off, unable to stop the grin now. It faded though when she looked at the door, forcing Bobby to turn in his seat and see what caused the change in her demeanor.
Kurt stood in the doorway, licking his lips timidly. His gaze flicked to Logan, who wasn't paying him any mind, to the two students. Rogue gave him an empathetic look, while Bobby merely looked bewildered. "Good morning Kurt," Rogue greeted him, breaking the awkward tension. "Guten Morgen Miss Rogue," Kurt padded in, joining them at the table. Rogue sighed, rolling her eyes. "How many times I gotta tell ya sugar, to just call me Rogue?" "At least once more, as always," Kurt smiled shyly, quoting from Pirates of the Caribbean, which he had watched with the students once on a day ruined by sleet. Logan raised an eye brow, but didn't say anything. He was studiously ignoring Kurt, not out of spite, but to see what Kurt did about it. The elf would have to eventually.
Rogue watched as Logan finished his coffee, rinsed out his mug, and strolled out without a word. She chanced a look at Kurt, who hung his head, and patted his hand gently. After a minute, she got up and left. Bobby had an idea of where she was going. "You all right?" he asked Kurt, who nodded and pushed back from the table. He went over to the fridge, rummaged around for a moment, and then 'ported away. Bobby looked around the empty kitchen and sighed heavily. "Never a dull moment at mutant high."
Kurt appeared just down the path from the barn. The horses didn't like it much when he 'ported directly into his midst, and tended to let their displeasure be known with high pitched snorts and stamping hooves. Idly juggling a few slices of apples in the air, he stepped into the barn, inhaling the sweet, musty scent of horses and hay and well tended leather tack. The horses nickered softly, pleased to see him and the snacks he brought. Kurt grinned and offered a few slices, but keeping the bulk for his particular favorite, a dappled grey pony by the name of Rhys. Rhys's ears perked up, and he strained against the stall, begging for apple and a friendly pat on the head.
The apple was greedily eaten, after which the pony lay back down on his bed of hay. Kurt dropped down to join him, and leaned against the stall door. He often sat and talked to Rhys, who, though he obviously couldn't talk, was a good listener, and made Kurt feel better. He could tell the pony anything, and he wouldn't tell a soul, or judge him. He only waited expectantly for Kurt to start talking, most times in German, and both were soothed by it.
"Guten tag Rhys," Kurt finally said, reaching out to stroke the velvet nose. Rhys whinnied, nuzzling Kurt's hand, asking for more petting, offering his ears to be scratched. That was how it always started. When Kurt was ready, he would talk, and Rhys would listen contentedly. "Why did I do it Rhys? It was such a mistake." Rhys looked at him, blinking his brown eyes and flicking an ear. Kurt took that to mean he was asking what he'd done. "I ruined my friendship with Logan. You know how I've told you that we became friends eventually, but that there felt like a charge sometimes? Well, I was stupid and asked if he liked me. I wasn't sure you see, since he always seems so gruff and unapproachable. To be true, he invited me for a ride on his motorcycle, which was terrifying, but he could've just been doing it out of some sort of obligation. He said he liked me enough, but then I didn't think, and asked him just how much he did," Kurt paused, covering his face with his hands. Rhys rubbed his nose against Kurt's hands, earning a small smile from him.
"I suppose I'll tell you what happened after that. He just looked at me as if I'd grown a second head. I lost my nerve, and left, like a coward," Kurt continued, voice thick with self loathing. "I don't know why I did it. He probably hates me now, for even…assuming that…something…it doesn't matter. He's ignoring me, I'm terribly confused, and will have to be on the lookout from here on out for him to quit biding his time and cut me to ribbons." Rhys flicked his ears once more before laying down his head and falling asleep. "Some help you are," Kurt mumbled, scratching between the pony's ears before getting up and leaving.
"What's up with you and Kurt?" Rogue's voice came suddenly out of the quiet, startling Logan and making him hit his head hard under the motorcycle he'd been working on. Cursing, he sat up and glared at her. "What the hell are you talking about?" he demanded once the pain was gone. "Yesterday you two were going out for beer on Professor Summers's bike, today he looks terrified to be in the same room as you,'' she answered, staring him down with hands on her hips. "What makes you think I had something to do with that?" "I'm not stupid Logan," Rogue answered. He snorted, rolling his eyes and going back to working on the bike. But Rogue was not so easily gotten rid of. She went to the other side of the bike and crouched down so she could see him. "You're pushing your luck darlin'," he muttered, reaching for a screwdriver. Rogue held it out to him, but snatched it away when he went to grab it. "Look, I didn't do anything. He wants to be afraid and jumping at his own shadow, let him." "But Logan…" "No buts kid, now go on, enjoy your Sunday and leave me alone." "Fine," Rogue stomped off, but not before kicking a half full oil can into his shin.
He would have liked to stay in the garage all night, working on the bike and not having to deal with Rogue glaring at him and Kurt's hesitant glances. However, the bike was almost finished, hours had passed, and Storm was likely to show up at any moment, insisting he needed to eat dinner.
"Logan. Time for dinner. Have you seen Kurt?" "What makes you think I've seen him? He's not my responsibility. I'm not his keeper, he wants to skip dinner that's his choice," Logan snapped, wiping his hands on a semi oily rag and stalking out of the garage. Storm looked after him, utterly confused. She passed Rogue on her way into the dining room. "Rogue, you wouldn't happen to-'' "Stubborn, thick in the head Canucklehead," Rogue fumed, brushing past Storm without acknowledging her. Storm shook her head and followed, deciding it would be best if she just left it alone. Besides, she could always ask Charles to clue her in.
A/N: I don't suppose I could persuade you to review despite the rather abrupt ending there, could I? pretty please? Also, the italics where Kurt's talking to the pony, that's supposed to be in German. Just, y'know, FYI.