A/N: Updated in time for the holiday weekend. This shouldn't have taken so long but I was focused on other fics. It's better that I wrote it in 2023 though, trust me.

In Your Blood

Chapter 5

Rogue's 2nd Reaction / Response

Reaction

For your information, I didn't notice the frustration. You can blame my dick for the oversight. Guys don't notice girly things like that. That's an attribute in which men are always going to disappoint the opposite sex. On that, you can trust me one hundred percent.

Rogue rolled her eyes and tapped her finger on the desk as anger started building.

I bet I could get someone to remove the Boston shit from my memory, but then I wouldn't remember that my own teammate betrayed me. Since you seem to have forgotten, the men and women in blue with badges and guns at the Drake's would've killed us. Instead of receiving a "thank you" I was neutralized. That stung more than any flame ever could. Don't get me started on Bobby's brother but I'd assume that was the ultimate betrayal that day—ratted out by your own flesh and blood. By the one person that you've known your whole life. Yikes.

She scoffed. 'You should be thanking me, John. No one got hurt or deceased.' Her grip tightened a fraction or two then she made a mental note to talk to Bobby. A lot happened that day and something huge took place that she regrettably overlooked. But he didn't. He just left.

Isn't there anyone else you can talk to about your problems? I can't help you; I'll only make them worse. I do, however, find it interesting that you don't want Xavier tinkering in that packed head of yours. I know that option came across your mind at some point or another.

Rogue tilted her head thoughtfully. He had a point but when her pen glides over the paper, second-guessing is off the table and anything goes.

Xavier was always trying to hold me back. Yes, fire destroys, but it also cleanses. He couldn't mold me into the soldier he envisioned. To him, I was a failure. I saw it in his eyes every damn day I was there. Magneto lets us embrace our powers. How are you supposed to control something if you never let it out and get the chance to try? I've learned a lot since joining The Brotherhood. I don't want to give anything away—you'll have to witness my accomplishments in person—but I know my limitations. However, my never-ending goal is to keep challenging myself and push beyond them. When that happens—note: I said when, not if—watch out.

Startled by rapping on her door, she put her hand to her chest. "Go away." Footsteps retreated and she exhaled to shake off the nerves.

With your logic, the reason I use my power is to prove that I'm what? A big-shot? I don't see why I have to hide the only good gift I was ever given. I can't explain how it makes me feel (and I shouldn't have to); however, it just might be better than jerking off.

Her heart broke a little as he was more than just a human flamethrower. He didn't know his worth and it pained her. But the sorrow didn't linger and was replaced by repulsion. She rolled her eyes as her face twisted in disgust, quickly moving on to read the rest. The red fingerprint was noticed immediately when she unfolded the letter earlier but she ignored it until now.

I blame you for this. I don't know how you do it, but you seem to always find a way to inflict pain upon me. No hard feelings, Cupcake; I'd rather feel pain than nothing at all.

She let out a snort. 'A little dramatic, John, no?'

I'll never forget the day you betrayed me. I can't. I can't because I keep a newspaper clipping of that fateful day on my wall. I smirk at it every morning knowing I'm where I want to be and who I am.

'Sounds more to me like pride than resentment...'

Can you say the same, Rogue?

She blinked. It was easy to skip and overlook.

Well, can you?

She groaned in annoyance, brows knitting together, clearly baited and backed into a corner, pinned with no exit. 'I'm going to have to answer this or he'll call me out for ignoring the question—a question that he asked twice—which would automatically give him the satisfaction he's got me figured out to a T.'

Response

Rogue tapped the pen to her lips three times while she processed his words. When she tilted her frame into a writing position, she tucked a loose lock of hair behind her ear. As soon as the ballpoint of the pen was pressed to the paper, the ink flowed from start to finish, never faltering.

First of all, don't blame me for a minuscule paper cut. So beneath you. And if you ever call me Cupcake again I'll borrow Bobby's power and use it to do something you're going to hate. Don't test me, Allerdyce!

No one got hurt that day in Boston—besides your ego. Murdering law enforcement doesn't get swept under a rug—they work nonstop to catch the perpetrator. You attacked them, but because of me, they didn't need to plan a funeral for anyone. You're welcome. If I didn't dampen your power would you have stopped or kept hurling fire? You know as well as I do, which. And I don't even need to delve deep into my subconscious to consult your imprint. Actually, he talks to me, but that's a different story.

You keep that news clipping because it's like a trophy. An achievement. You don't need it. Or is it a crutch, unknowingly? Chew on that!

It's not a shock to anyone at the mansion that I'm not comfortable in my own skin, but it's not like I was given a choice if I wanted to absorb the life force of anyone I make skin-to-skin contact with. You'd tell me to embrace it. But it's not that simple. It really isn't. It's funny, well, not really, that I can walk among humans without receiving double-take glances unlike others with exterior mutations, but I know my skin is toxic where I have to cover it up, always having to be cautious. It's not liberating and I can't escape.

Honestly, I don't know where I want to be because no matter where I am...

I'm imprisoned.