A/N: (Please Note: I've changed the timeline from a month to a few months. I've also tweaked the first two chapters.) Thanks to those reading & reviewing, following, adding to favorites, etc.

FW Wandering – Bucket is totally leeching off someone's Internet, that's for sure. Why pay when you can get it for free?

In Your Blood

Chapter 4

Pyro's 2nd Reaction / Response

Reaction

As soon as Pyro entered his bedroom, he tossed his training gear to the side and then plopped himself into an uncomfortable metal chair by his desk, which was also metal. From the start, he was told that all furniture had to be metal and that it was non-negotiable. He didn't care. Nothing else mattered to him, but shelter and a soft mattress. He often wondered if his chair was as uncomfortable as the Iron Throne made out of surrendered enemy swords from the novel series: The Song of Fire and Ice.

Pyro noticed the envelope he was somewhat ignoring for the past three days and picked it up. Popping open a pocket knife, he slid it through the shorter side of the envelope, shaking it once. A single sheet of stamps fell onto his lap while part of the letter hung out of the opening. Pyro pulled out the letter, unfolded it, and began to read . . .

Penmanship is going to hell thanks to the Internet. To be honest, I kind of miss writing an old traditional letter. Can't you see the frustration in my scripture? If not, it's there.

He immediately snorted and then rolled his eyes.

I can't believe you're still harping about what happened in Boston like a bitch. Yes, I called you a bitch. Deal with it! Hell, like I really wanted to add your memories and thoughts to the others I've gathered. It's getting crowded in there and I'm not sure how to handle it. I thought about crossing out the previous sentence, but I've decided against it because it's therapeutic for me and nothing else. Go ahead and scoff. You don't know what it's like. No one does.

Pyro scoffed during the first part of the paragraph. Before he made the final decision to leave . . . that was the incident that confirmed he was doing what was best for him. As he read on he wondered, 'Why is she confessing this to me of all people?'

Xavier wants what Magneto wants. They're just going about it differently. It's human nature to be fearful of the unknown and Magneto is justifying their fears. The Brotherhood is inadvertently speeding up ideas on how to 'fix the mutant problem'. The group you are a part of gives the public reason to believe that ALL mutants are terrorists. You know . . . it all boils down to that one bad seed effect. Power is a drug and you're high on it. You use yours often. The reason is simple… because you can. I was amused by it at first since most mutants don't, but then I realized… they don't because they don't feel like they have anything to prove.

You do.

Pyro let out a deep sigh and shook his head from side to side in disagreement. A sudden sharp pain caused him to wince and breathe out an obscenity as the knife—he'd forgotten about holding—fell to the floor. Slowly, a single trail of blood traveled down his left index finger. Instead of attending to the wound, Pyro watched the crimson liquid. 'Yes, there will be blood on my hands. Already is.'

Careful not to stain the letter, he refolded it and slid it back into the envelope. Pyro pulled open the last drawer and placed the envelope behind the first one that he received from her. He pulled out a blank piece of paper before using his leg to close the drawer.

Response

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.

I bet I could get someone to remove the Boston shit from my memory bank, 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.

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.

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.

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.

Pyro pressed his stained index finger against the paper and drew an arrow pointing to the red fingerprint. At the end of the arrow, he wrote: 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.

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.

Can you say the same, Rogue?

Well, can you?