Chapter 3

In the morning following the passionate but interrupted afternoon, Todd felt that something was not right. He knew it connected with Lance and Pietro, so he watched them carefully. The rock-tumbler seemed to be only interested in the cup of coffee he was holding and speedster was running around (not a big surprise), in the purpose known only to him. They didn't spoke much.

"Odd," thought Todd. "They usually argue about something from the moment they get up."

Then Pietro zipped to the chair next to amphibian boy. He was looking somewhat distracted, shuffling through the bunch of papers he hold. And on the side of his neck…

"Man, you got a hickey, yo!" said Todd.

But then something really strange happened. Pietro was a known ladies man, so it was expected that he will mention him and Julie/Martha/Susie/Ann/Pick-Any-Other-Name making out in janitor's closet. Instead, he blushed, covering his throat and mumbled something about it "not being a hickey at all". Then he ran out of the house.

"Where did he go, yo?"

"School probably," said Lance, his voice little higher than usual. "We should go to."

-------------------------------------

In school, they acted even weirder. Lance never looked directly at Pietro, and speedster didn't come closer to him than three feet.

"I'm gonna get to the bottom of that!" thought Todd and hopped off to the X-Geeks, knowing, that Lance spoke to them yesterday.

"Hey, Summers, wait up, yo!"

"What do you want Toad?" Scott lifted his hand to the ruby glasses.

"Nothin'. Just wanted to know what's up with Lance."

"Why don't you ask him."

"I know he spoke to you guys, what did he say?"

"That is none of your business," growled the X-Man.

"All right, all right, I'm gone," Todd run away before he got his ass kicked.

-------------------------------------

"You know, we might have to tell someone."

"Why?"

"Would be nice to have someone covering our backs, just in case. And besides, we could go out together, not worrying the rest of them coming along."

Lance gazed into the space. Pietro was right, in a way.

"Fine. But there is not way in hell, I'm going to tell that to Todd."

"Never thought about telling him."

"And I guess Fred is not an option."

"True, he's definitely not the sharpest tool in the shed, he might blab it out to someone. But I'm not all that fond of breaking the news to Wanda, either."

"It's her or no one."

Pietro sighed heavily.

"OK. But you'll have to be there with me."

With that, pale boy turned around, making sure that nobody was nearby, and placed small kiss on the corner of Lance's lips. The older boy wrapped his arms around him, holding him tight. They sat in silence, their thoughts running around different things. Pietro was obviously worried what his sister would say, and that worried Lance. But it was speedster's idea, he just went along. As the bell rung, announcing the end of lunch break, Lance said:

"I just hope she doesn't hex us into different dimention or something."

Laughter relived the pressure somehow and now in good moods, they headed towards the school building.

-------------------------------------

"Guys, you hit the road. I've got something to do in town," said Lance to the three teenagers waiting next to his car.

"Oh, man! Not again!" whinnied Todd as Lance drove off.

"See you later, slime ball. Have a nice walk."

With that Pietro dashed away. Ten seconds later he caught up with Lance and jumped into the jeep.

"That is just freaky," said rock-tumbler.

"It was your idea."

They kept normal small talk, simply to distract themselves from what they were about to do. Lance turned on the boarding's house driveway, last time looking at Pietro.

"You sure, you want to do this?"

Pietro, with determined look on his face, nodded.

"Here we go..."

-------------------------------------

Todd and Fred were half way home, when they noticed Pietro's "favorite" X-Jerk, Evan.

"Hm, they were once friends, maybe he'll know something," thought Todd.

"Daniels, what's up?"

"What do you want?"

"What's with the hostility, man! Is it kill the toad day? We just got a question, yo."

"Fine."

"Ya' know what's going on with Pietro?"

"Why should I?"

"You used to be friends, yo. And besides he's acting weird."

"Weird?"

"Yeah. He's got a hickey..."

"He dated half of the school."

"...but he says that's not hickey."

"OK, that is weird."

"And something is with Lance too. What did he say to ya' yesterday?"

"Well, he kinda dumped Kitty."

Todd could almost hear his jaw hitting the floor. Lance left his Pretty-Kitty?

"Why?"

"He didn't say. You should see her face though. All the 'like' and 'totally' were so crowded in her throat, they couldn't get through."

"Hm. You sure you know nothing more?"

"Positive. But I'll let you know if I find something out."

"Yeah, you do that."

-------------------------------------

"YOU WHAT?"

As expected, Wanda didn't take the news very well. Pietro was glad, that Lance was standing next to him, otherwise he'd already be in Mexico.

"We just thought you should know," said Pietro into the floor.

Wanda stared at them in disbelief. At first, she thought they're making fun of her. Then, she thought they want to annoy her. But now... She simply couldn't believe it, until she saw Lance taking her brother's hand and giving it comforting squeeze. Shadow of the smile passed by Pietro's face when he though Wanda wasn't looking. But she was. And she saw that it was no joke. She exhaled loudly and said:

"I'm sorry."

Now both boys were looking at her, like she had two heads.

"I though you were making fun of me."

"Why would we?"

"I don't know."

Silence. Then they both started:

"Listen, Wanda..."

"Look, Pietro..."

"I'm sorry, you go first."

"I just wanted to say, that I'll keep it a secret if you want."

"Thanks."

Wanda smiled weakly as Lance and Pietro left her room. Few minutes later she heard the front door closing and car driving off. Now, she had to make up some story for Todd and Fred.

-------------------------------------

"Wanda took it better than I thought she would," said Lance, while looking for their seats in the cinema.

"In the beginning I thought she'd tear us apart."

They sat down in the back row, watching first commercials appearing on the screen. Suddenly Pietro groaned. Lance looked where the speedster was looking and froze. Evan Daniels, Scott Summers and Kurt Wagner were climbing up the stairs in their direction. It took all of rock-tumbler's will, not to shake the building down. But the X-Geeks didn't take any notice of the pair.

"This is way to close for my liking," murmured Lance.

"Just ignore them."

Rock-tumbler felt warm lips caressing his cheeks, but he didn't leave Summers and his pals out of his sight. At least for the first five minutes. When Pietro's hand slid under his shirt, he closed his eyes, enjoying the feeling. In the next seconds, his mouth was caught in gentle kiss. He could feel himself melting into speedster's touch. By now, whoever was sitting in the middle rows was the last thing on his mind. When Pietro kissed him again, he responded, making kiss more vigorous. Next thing he knew, Pietro was cuddled into his chest and he was watching scenes flickering through the screen.

A/N: Please, please, give me some feedback! (it keeps me motivated) Thanks