A/N: I would like to start by saying thanks so much for the reviews. Seriously. I mean, it was really awesome to sign on and see lots of reviews, all nice and such. Thanks. And now, one with the next chapter, which I'd like to add, takes place a while after the last one. Not a lot of time has passed, but some. Couple weeks at most.
Snap!
"Damn!"
A broken stick of charcoal flew across Logan's room, skidding into the wall. He tore the piece of paper from the sketch book lying on his lap, shredded it a little for good measure, and tossed it over his shoulder. It bounced off Kurt's shoulder to land with its fellows on the floor. Kurt, from where he lay on Logan's bed, twitched, his eyes blinking open.
"Logan? Vhat're you doing?" he asked sleepily, sitting up and rubbing his eyes. The sheets spilled around his waist as he swung his legs over the side of the bed.
"Trying to sketch," Logan muttered sullenly. "It's pathetic; I can give these kids great lessons on art, but I try to do anything myself, and it doesn't look good."
"I doubt that," Kurt gently eased the sketch book from Logan's grip, and picked up one of the pieces of charcoal with his tail. "Do you mind?" he asked, holding it out to Logan. A single claw slid out, and sharpened the stick to a point. "Danke."
Kurt loosely held the charcoal with his tail tip while he contemplated the work Logan had started. He stretched out along the bed, tilting his head to the side while the blankets slid to the floor and just barely covered up that he wasn't wearing pajamas. The charcoal flipped through the air from his tail to be caught without Kurt even looking, and was soon flying over the paper. Logan watched in amusement, one eyebrow raised and a smirk on his lips. Dust settled on the sheets and along Kurt's dark skin, between the fine scars and there was a black smudge on both his cheek and his tail. The stick of charcoal was substantially diminished by the time it was set on the floor.
Logan picked up the sketchbook as Kurt slid it across the floor to him. "Impressive elf," he nodded appreciatively. Kurt had taken his vague attempts at shading and lines and turned them into a view of the campus from the attic window, of the trees and the fountain, a glimpse of the basket ball court. "You got all that from what I did?"
"Ja. It's what I saw. You see it too, yes?" "Hard not to. Actually," Logan trailed off, getting easily to his feet. He rummaged through the desk until he found a thumb tack in the back corner of a drawer. He then tore off the page of the sketchbook Kurt had drawn on and tacked it to the wall right above his bed.
"Have to change the sheets now. And seems like we're both in need of a shower. Sound like a plan?" he gazed down at Kurt, who rolled onto his back, stretching languorously. "Well, yes, but I am rather comfortable. Perhaps in an hour or so," he burrowed under the blankets until just the tops of his ears were visible. "Oh no. It's time to get up elf. Don't make me drag you by the tail."
A muffled response came from the blankets, a response which sounded suspiciously like "You wouldn't dare." Grinning wickedly, Logan's hand shot under the blankets and wrapped around Kurt's tail. Using brute strength, he dragged the struggling teleporter off the bed and towards the bathroom. Surprisingly, Kurt didn't even try to 'port away; no doubt he knew it wouldn't work and that Logan would find him anyway. Not to mention, he wasn't wearing anything. And wouldn't that look wonderful, porting naked throughout the mansion with Logan hot on his trail? What would Storm say?
Sharing a shower was normally an exercise in contortionism between the two. Between Logan's broad shoulders, and Kurt's tail, what might've been an intimate moment usually dissolved into one of them, typically Kurt, nursing a bruise or two from banging into the bar on the wall which held washcloths and a caddy of shampoo and soap. However, this shower, was made particularly difficult in that Kurt wasn't too keen on cooperating and getting out of the way, seeing as he didn't appreciate his tail being pulled. It was already tender, and would be for quite some time.
"C'mon elf, you know I didn't mean for it to hurt," Logan said, reaching to turn off the water. He shook out his hair, sending droplets flying. Kurt snorted in answer, also giving his head a shake to dry it. He stepped carefully out of the shower, trying not to wince as his backside protested. "You want me to make it better?" Logan was suddenly very close into Kurt's personal space, one large hand sliding down his back to rest at the base of his tail. "Vould be nice," Kurt groaned softly, leaning back against Logan. "It's the-'' Whatever Kurt had been about to say was cut short as Logan lifted his head sharply, nostrils flaring.
"Here." Kurt was handed a towel. "Might wanna put that on. We're about to get company," Logan wrapped his own dark red threadbare towel around his waist and let his hand hover over the doorknob. Kurt had just knotted his fluffy white towel around his waist when Logan pulled the door open. Storm stepped back quick, her hand dropping.
"I hate when you do that," she grumbled.
"Maybe you shouldn't breathe so loud then," Logan edged around her and padded to his dresser. Clothes hung over the sides of the drawers and lay in a small pile at the base of it. Storm shot a glare at his back while he rummaged for a shirt and jeans. "Is anything of mine in there?" Kurt asked. "Don't think so. Just a sec," Logan pulled up a pair of jeans that he never wore, cut a hole in the back, and threw them at him. Kurt looked at him skeptically; they were going to be far too big, but fine. "Guten morgen Storm," he said as he closed the bathroom door. She waved while she turned her back to Logan changing.
"What's up 'Ro?"
"I've got a class today in the Danger Room with Rogue, Bobby, Kitty, and Peter," she started.
"And?"
"And I'm supposed to work with Scott." A vaguely uncomfortable silence punctuated that announcement, filled only by Kurt strolling out, holding the indeed too big jeans up and going to his room for a shirt.
"What do you want me to do? Go haul him out of his room by the scruff of the neck?"
"He's rather good at that," Kurt called before disappearing through the door.
"What?" Storm looked back toward Logan, who was fully dressed now.
"Elf's still a bit sore with me for dragging him by his tail to the bathroom this morning. Anyway, you want me to get Slim or what?"
Pushing away any mental images the mention of dragging Kurt by his tail conjured up; Storm perched on Logan's bed and looked up at him. "No, but I was wondering if you'd sub for him? Please? You don't have class today."
"Yeah, alright. When?"
"About an hour. Thanks Logan," Storm pushed herself from the bed and made her way out.
Kurt appeared a split second later, the scent of brimstone momentarily overwhelming the smell of soap. In an effort to counteract the tightly belted baggy jeans, he'd chosen an impossibly tight white shirt; a shirt rather similar to the one Logan was sporting. Logan looked at himself, in his own jeans and shirt and back at Kurt.
"You didn't do that on purpose did you?" "Nein. Vhat did Storm want?" "Well, since Slim's still moping in his room, she asked me to fill in for him and help her with a Danger Room session. Although Chuck would say it'd be good for him to get out," Logan shook his head unenthusiastically. Kurt glanced down, unsure of what to say. He and Logan hadn't spoken about Miss Grey, Jean, and truth be told he was almost afraid to bring it up. Better to let sleeping dogs lie probably.
An hour later found Kurt rather bored and wandering the mansion with tail dragging. Logan had left to assist in the Danger Room, and he couldn't find anyone to keep company with. Most of the children were either out with plans or doing homework, and a few of his young friends were with Logan and Storm. Nevertheless, it was a beautiful day, not one that should be wasted, so he got himself a few granola bars and a bottle of water, and 'ported out to the largest tree on the grounds to watch the clouds and enjoy the sun. The wind ruffled his hair as he swung up into the higher branches, finally finding a spot where they intersected, forming a sort of seat. Here he settled, leaning back and gazing contentedly at the bits of sky he could see. The rocking of the branches and the wind lulled him after a time, and Kurt soon found himself drifting into a cat nap. After all, he reasoned, Logan could find him easily.
Raindrops, fat and freezing cold woke Kurt with a start. "Was?" he mumbled, looking to the sky. It was clear still, but for one large dark cloud that was, oddly enough, moving against the wind. Common sense told him Logan was very near to becoming a, as he put it, crispy critter. Perhaps…no, Logan could look after himself. Then again, just a peek, to make sure that no one got caught in the crossfire. He leapt to the ground, sliding in the mud puddle that was starting to form around the tree. "Wundervoll," he sighed, the mud sticking to the hem of his pants. He vanished into the air, reappearing on the stairs in the mansion just in time to see Scott slamming down the hall and Logan aiming a certain rude hand gesture at his back.
"You smell like wet dog, Blue," Logan leaned against the wall, looking up at him. "Yes, well, I'm sure I have you to thank for that," Kurt jumped over the banister. "What makes you think it was my fault 'Ro got angry?" Amber eyes narrowed at him, and a dark indigo eyebrow rose marginally.
"Quit lookin' at me like that. Not my fault she doesn't like the way I teach tactical skills." "Of course not. How could I think that?" Kurt rolled his eyes before nodding towards where Scott had retreated and looking questioningly back at Logan.
"Slim's just being a dick," Logan slid down the wall and sat cross-legged, ignoring the kids that were milling about.
"Was?"
"He hasn't gotten over everything, and also took exception to…well ta us really. Seems to think I'm disrespecting Jeannie's memory or something stupid. I told him the Jean I knew wouldn't want me whining and complaining and not being happy. He got even more pissy and took off. Which means we don't have his bike until he gets back." Kurt patted his shoulder sympathetically, knowing it was Logan's preferred method of travel as opposed to the one he offered.
"Vhy do you and he always seem to be in a…" Kurt paused to think of the appropriate word. "Pissing contest?"
Kitty's head appeared out of the wall above them. "It's because they're both alpha males. Too much testosterone too close and pent up all the time leads to tension, which leads to them always being on wrong look away from a knockdown, drag out fight," she explained cheerily. "Myself, I think it'd be good for them to beat each other up. Clear the air ya know? Plus, there's a betting pool with all the kids as to who'd win."
"Who'd you bet on Pryde?" Logan titled back his head to see her.
"You of course. You're bigger than Professor Summers, and you could heal anything. But don't tell him, he'll fail me." With that, she ducked back through the wall.
"She has a point," Kurt said after a while. "Not just that you would win, but that it might settle things between you."
"Only thing that's gonna settle Slim is if I'd never come here," Logan muttered sourly. With a heavy sigh he pushed himself to his feet. Kurt followed suit, stretching. He spared a glance at Logan, who was still looking decidedly glum.
"If it makes you feel better, I am happy you're here," Kurt slid his arm around Logan's.
"Yeah? Sure you're not just saying that?" Logan looked sideways at him.
"Definitely not. Come, we'll go spar in the gym and you can take out your frustrations there. Unless of course you are afraid to go against me?" Kurt's lips pulled back, baring his teeth in a wicked smile.
"Hope you're hungry elf. I'm about to make you eat your words."
Kurt sprang from the wall and tucked himself into a roll to land behind Logan. As a result, Logan had to turn quickly and brace himself, watching the other man as he smirked at him.
"I thought you said I vas going to eat mein words?" he called mockingly.
"You won't stand still!" Logan retorted, clenching his fists.
"My apologies, liebchen, next time I'll just stand here and let you tackle me."
He did too, and was unable to suppress an "Oomf!" as Logan landed hard atop him. The Wolverine was grinning triumphantly, barely breathing hard.
"Gotcha. And what's 'liebchen' mean?"
Kurt chuckled and before Logan could react, slid his legs up and planted his feet on Logan's chest. "Look it up for yourself," he grunted and pushed Logan off him. His partner landed flat on his back, lifting his head up and blinking in surprise. Kurt 'ported and landed crouched on Logan's chest, tail flicking back and forth.
"I think now I have got you. Feeling better?" Kurt got off him and offered him a hand up. Logan twisted his head to the side, his neck giving a satisfying pop. He repeated the process in the opposite direction, and then flexed his hands.
"I'm feeling better, yeah. Screw Slim right? I dunno why I let him get to me earlier," Logan shook his head. He wrapped his arm around Kurt's waist, leading him out. "I don't know about you, but I could go for a beer."
"Is there any in the school?" Kurt asked, seriously doubting the Professor would allow it to be kept in stock around the kids.
"I've got my ways Kurt. C'mon," Logan detached himself from Kurt and set off at a jog, knowing he'd be followed. Kurt easily caught up to him, bounding on hands and feet to keep pace. Which he thought he was doing well at, until Logan turned suddenly down a corridor he was unfamiliar with and disappeared through a side door. Kurt screeched to a stop and considered the door. Being unsure of where it led to, he didn't want to just open it. But…Logan had, and nothing too bad had happened. Thusly reassured, Kurt opened the door and nearly tripped down the stairs just inside.
Logan was half in a small, previously locked freezer when Kurt peered down. He quickly 'ported and crouched on the edge of the freezer, leaning on Logan for balance.
"Mein Gott," he murmured. Inside were dozens of six packs of various beers. Some were in bottles, some in cans, and some even in those mini-kegs. "Where did you get so many? And does the Professor know?"
"Well, he is a telepath Blue, kind of hard to keep any secrets from him. As to how, that's for me to know. Now, pick your poison," Logan gestured to the beers. Kurt grabbed one in each hand and another in his tail. Carefully, so as not to shake the beers too much, they went back upstairs and to Logan's room. Where the rest of the evening was spent with Kurt curled up on Logan's lap minus the odd trip down for more beer, and the pile of empty cans grew steadily larger.
"You couldn't check the damned weather report?"
"I did! It said clear skies!"
"Does that look like clear skies?!" Logan gestured with his soaked sketchbook to the stormy weather. On cue lightning forked across the sky. Kitty took a menacing step towards him.
"It's not my fault it rained! You're the teacher, you could've said we stayed inside!"
"That's enough!" Bobby stepped between them, his hands ice cold. Peter grabbed the back of their shirts and kept them apart. "I want you both to play nice, or Pete's going to put you both in time out." Kitty and Logan shot him equal looks of pure venom, which still managed to make him step back despite their hair hanging in wet strands in their faces. Kitty sunk through the floor and Logan jerked himself free of Peter's grip and stormed off.
"Oh, I don't envy Kurt right about now," Bobby sighed. Rogue slipped her gloved hand into his, tugging him along for lunch. "C'mon Bobby, don't worry about it. Anyone can calm down an angry Wolverine, it'll be Kurt. Trust me."
Logan found Kurt half in the cabinet, munching on a granola bar and stuffing another three in his pocket and clutching another in his tail. He glanced quickly at Logan, back into the cabinet and then whipped around to stare wide eyed back at him. Then promptly tumbled from the counter.
"I vasn't going to eat them all, I vas…I vas going to share," he stammered.
"Uh-huh," Logan smirked, shaking his hair out of his face.
"I vas!" Kurt insisted. But still tucked the granola bars deeper into his pockets. "You're soaking wet," he added, throwing away a wrapper.
"Thanks to a certain kid who can walk through walls but can't read the weather report," Logan answered, surly once more.
"Zhat vasn't Katzchen, liebchen. zhat vas Storm. She's in with the Professor," Kurt said over his shoulder. He trailed after Logan as the other man took off towards the Professor's study.
"You still didn't tell me what liebchen means. How do I know it's not an insult?"
"Vould I insult you?" Kurt grinned playfully at him. The look on Logan's face was answer enough. "You would me Logan. But if you must know, it is not an insult. More a term of endearment. Rather like you calling me Elf. Just as no one else calls me zhat, so no one else calls you liebchen. Besides, didn't I say to look it up for yourself?" With a laugh, Kurt leapt ahead of Logan and beat him to the study.
The pair came in at the tail end of what looked like a serious discussion. Charles, Storm, and a newcomer who was covered in blue fur and had a mane like a lion all turned to look at Kurt and Logan, who were still suppressing laughter from racing. Charles and Storm looked amused, particularly to see Logan bounding through the mansion with Kurt like an overexcited pup, while the newcomer looked more startled.
"Logan, what happened to you?" Storm asked, noting his bedraggled appearance.
"Damndest thing 'Ro. Freak downpour, which is weird considering Pryde swears she checked the weather and it was supposed to be clear today. You owe me a new sketchbook," Logan pushed his still damp hair from his face and turned to face the other man across the room. "Who's the furball?"
The "furball" visibly bristled, but answered politely enough, extending his hand for Logan. "Henry McCoy, Secretary for Mutant Affairs."
"Oh, yeah, the secretary," Logan snorted, making the title sound like a curse. Kurt looked over at him, wondering what was causing the hostility. Fortunately, Charles interrupted and did his best to deflect the direction the conversation was taking.
"Hank, this is Logan-''
"The Wolverine. I hear you're quite the animal," Henry cut in.
"Look who's talking," Logan retorted, almost grinning. Kurt rolled his eyes; he would never voice his opinion, but this might've been a case of the pot calling the kettle black…and he had the bruises and teeth marks to prove it. He caught the glimmer of a smile on the Professor's face, and realized he'd just picked up on that. Muffling an embarrassed squeak, Kurt quickly thought of anything else and turned his gaze to the ceiling.
With a mildly worried glance to Kurt, Storm resumed the conversation from before he and Logan had entered. "Magneto's not going to be happy. He's going to come for Mystique."
"You caught her? Hope your prison's made of plastic," Logan chimed in.
Hank ignored him. "Mystique is the least of our problems right now," he started. "There's been a new development, funded by Warren Worthington II. They're calling it a cure."
"A cure? For what?" Kurt asked. He leaned over Logan's shoulder, watching the proceedings intently.
"For mutants. It suppresses the gene that causes mutations," Hank explained.
Before Kurt could respond, Storm spoke up, livid at the idea. She almost missed the news story that was giving more information. Just as she asked aloud who would want such a cure, Rogue burst in, looking hesitantly excited. Her accent leaked through as she asked if it was true.
"No, they can't cure us. There's nothing to cure, nothing's wrong with us," Storm insisted. Rogue frowned, and Logan spared her a glance. He didn't need to be a telepath to see that she was thinking of the cure. But there was nothing he could do, he wasn't her father. The conversation dwindled, and Storm followed Rogue out.
"Are you coming?" Kurt stopped at the door, looking at Logan.
"You go on ahead elf, I'll catch up."
Kurt shrugged and padded down the hall.
"Yes Logan?" Charles asked, sensing the Canadian wanted to talk about something.
"Yeah, quick question. You wouldn't be able to tell me what liebchen means, would ya?"
Kurt was on his third granola bar by the time Logan strolled in and tossed himself on the bed next to him.
"You're gonna ruin your dinner if you keep eating those. You're also starting to smell like horse chow," he leaned over Kurt and inhaled. "Yeah, you smell like oats."
"At least I don't smell like wet dog right now," Kurt countered.
"Touché...liebchen," Logan flashed him a sly grin.
"You asked the Professor, didn't you? Logan, that's cheating!"
"Is not! Anyway, what d'you think about this cure thing?"
Kurt curled up close to Logan, his tail tracing lazy figure eights in the air. "I don't think I'd ever take it myself, though I can see why some might consider it. Some have it very badly don't they? I suppose there are some who would say I have it bad, being blue and having a tail and everything. But, I am rather attached to my tail," he chuckled. Logan was as well, but Kurt wasn't done, so he let him continue.
"I'm not sure how I feel about Mr. McCoy though. He gave me an odd look when we were there."
"Well, you're both blue," Logan snickered.
"Not like that, hirnlos(1)," Kurt smacked Logan in the back of the head. "It vas more as though he knew me, and couldn't remember and was trying to. It vas unnerving."
"I wouldn't worry too much about it. He's in with the government, probably gives looks like that to a lot of people. It's most likely habit by now," Logan answered breezily. "Anyway, enough about the cure and everything. Want to stay here for the night?"
Kurt didn't have it in him to tell Logan he'd been the one to bring up the cure in the first place and instead stretched up to place a light kiss along his jaw line.
"I would like nothing better than to stay here all night."
Hirnlos, it means brainless.
A/N: so, sorry it took so long. Also, thanks to Kaber for the tip about formatting. I'm trying to work on it, not just here but in all fics. Again, it ended sorta fluffy, but at least now we're getting to the plot. Obviously, it's happening in X3, so next up, I think, is the return of Jean. How will this affect Logan and Kurt's oh so cute relationship? Stay tuned.