"Honestly, chica. You aren't missing that much. Really." Jubilee was emphatic.

"That's because you can do it whenever you want." Marie's voice was testy and her tone was a little sharp. She loved Jubes, but sometimes she was better in small doses. They were both making an effort these days, though they hadn't quite recaptured the easy camaraderie they'd shared before she'd taken the Cure.

Jubilee understood her desire to touch and be touched, but she still felt betrayed by Marie's desire to suppress her mutation, as if the act of doing so was some kind of personal attack or political statement. Still, they were trying, and Jubilee was nothing if not entertaining.

"The grass is always greener? Come on. Half the time they shove it down your throat and it's all you can do to breathe and keep from gagging."

Logan made a face. He hadn't meant to eavesdrop. He thought he was safe on the edge of the quad, under a tree where he was blissfully smoking a nice cigar, but damn if their voices didn't carry on the still afternoon air. Especially that little yellow one. Christ, she was annoying. Like some kind of deranged pixie on speed.

He knew Marie talked with her friends like this sometimes, but he sure as hell didn't want a front row seat. While the idea of Jubilee having sex didn't bother him, the idea of her advising Marie on the subject sure as hell did. What the fuck? Talk about the blind leading the blind. He stood up and turned to go, eyeing Marie's open window with a black scowl.

"I dunno, Jubes. I've always been pretty curious about that kind of sex."

Logan's steps slowed, his sensitive ears listening more intently now. He hadn't expected to hear that come out of her mouth.

"Curious as in...?"

"Well, I think maybe with the wrong person it could be like you said. But I think with the right person, it could be good. A way to really connect, you know, emotionally. Plus I just think it's hot."

Jesus fuck.

"Emotionally? Like they're even thinking just then?"

"Maybe."

She sounded defensive now.

"That's definitely a fantasy, chica."

"It's a kiss I could give, Jubes." That admission was soft, but had some real steel underneath.

Goddamn kid was killing him. She really was.

"Ah. The latex. Gotcha. Puts a whole new spin on the safe sex thing, huh?"

"I guess."

"Word to the wise: flavored is the way to go there. The others taste like ass." She stopped and giggled. "Not, you know, actual ass...but spermicide is just icky. No bueno. Trust!"

"Jubes," Marie chided, half horrified and half amused.

Jubilee ignored her. "Seriously! You can't get your sexy mojo on if you're cringing at the taste and trying not to hurl. Major mood killer. You also shouldn't have to do that just because it's, like, the last strawberry left at the deadly skin buffet, you know?"

Logan winced.

"It's not a have-to. It's a want-to. Something I think about probably far too much."

Christ. He should walk away. He should walk away right now.

"Roguey, you big perve!"

"Pot kettle black, sweetie. You're the one who was giving me tips, remember?"

Marie was laughing a little now. That was better. It was easier for him to think about that than her longing for—

Logan shoved that thought away violently, but it was far too late. The image of Marie on her knees with his hands buried in her long, silky hair was burned into his mind.

"Right. About that. Younger guys are definitely at a disadvantage there. Most of them don't know what they're doing and the ones who do are still too excited about having an actual girl that close to their dick to last."

"Not a problem. You know I like older men."

Jubilee snorted. "I know. But you definitely want a younger guy for your first time, Roguey."

"Is that right?"

Logan's lips twitched in amusement. That was Marie's sarcastic warning voice. The one that said she was about half a minute away from giving Jubilee one hell of a smackdown.

"Sure. The older ones can usually only get it up once a night, and if they've been drinking they can't get it up at all. Whiskey dick. They'll pretend they're hot for you in the morning, but that's just them waking up hard because they have to pee. The young ones, though… they can go hard — all night long — even after you've had your mouth all over them..."

There was a long silence.

"Chica?"

"Sounds... good." Marie's voice was strangely flat.

"Oh my God. Are you actually tearing up?"

"Just shut it for a while, huh?"

"Sorry, girl. I was just—"

"I know. Let's just drop it, okay?"

"Sure."

Logan melted away into the trees. Surprise and titillation had given way to something deeper as Marie's unexpected tears betrayed a deep longing for intimacy and touch.

They occasionally spoke candidly about sex, but it had never been like that. She'd never shown him that raw nerve. He didn't think she'd meant to show it to her friend, either.

His heart felt heavy.

Sometimes it felt like he was a thousand years old.

And sometimes it felt like time was standing still.

Up next: In the Air Tonight. Marie owes Logan a little chat about a certain erotic subject. The Wolverine isn't in the mood to be put off any longer...