O-o-O-o-O-o-O-o-O Disclaimer O-o-O-o-O-o-O-o-O
X-Men Evolution and it's Characters do not belong to me. I'm writing this for pure fun and selfish reasons; those being that I want to see all my crack ships do very very naughty things ;)
O-o-O-o-O-o-O-o-O AN O-o-O-o-O-o-O-o-O
Hi all! Hope you're all doing well! Here I am with your next update! Hope the wait didn't seem too long.
Many thanks to Clamchick (Haha there's definitely more to the romy story but you'll still have to wait a bit for it XD You don't have to wait much longer dear! Here is your Blackout at the Beach) and MisdirectionSmoothie.
Welp, let's find out what Amara is screaming about shall we? I hope you guys enjoy this chapter :)
O-o-O-o-O-o-O-o-O Chapter 10 O-o-O-o-O-o-O-o-O
Wanda cursed as she made her way through the house feeling around the walls for the light switches. Any that she came across with did not work.
After another curse, light finally shone in her direction. John had turned on the flash light on his phone and was waiting for her to lead the way.
"Where the hell is everyone?" She mumbled.
"Maybe we should try calling out?" He remarked and scared the hell out of her when he yelled, "Hello? Are you mates there?" She didn't have time to scold him as someone answered back, 'Out front!'. "Guess they're out front," he mumbled while she glared at him.
They made their way to the front and when they arrived they saw that they were the last to get there. Pietro, Roberto and Jubilee had their phones out too, lighting up the porch.
"What happened?" she asked.
"Looks like the lights went out."
"I thought I heard a yell."
Jubilee rubbed her hand on Amara's back as she pursed her lips in an embarrassed way.
"Nightmare decided to show up as soon as the lights went out and scared the fuck out of her." Wanda turned to her stepsister who had a towel wrapped around her body while petting the black cat that roamed the area.
"I'm sorry for worrying you guys!"
"It's fine, at least everyone is ok. Did you check the breakers?" Wanda turned to Pietro who nodded.
"It's not that, I think the power just went out."
"Fuck."
"Do you guys keep candles or flashlights?" Remy asked, while eyeing the cat with interest.
"We have a backup generator. I don't know why it didn't click on," Pietro answered, looking perplexed.
"We took it camping a few months ago. I don't think they've been back since then," Anna answered.
"Well we can probably find a flashlight but I don't think that'll be enough," Pietro remarked.
"Let's go to the store and see what we find," Remy remarked, taking his eyes off the black cat.
"You going to change?"
"Je ne sais pas (I don't know), you think I'll get a discount if I go like this?" He smirked, making the sapphire eyed male shake his head and nudge him towards the house.
"If you're not out in five minutes I'm leaving without you."
"I can't see! It's not like I have pockets here," the Cajun responded after the threat. John chuckled but handed him his phone.
"I'll go with you guys," Roberto mumbled and made his way towards the garage where the boys had parked the jeep.
"Guess the rest of us are waiting," Laura stated and made a move to go inside. Jubilee grabbed onto her arm.
"Maybe we should wait out here. The moon is giving off some light."
"We have phones," Laura responded, trying to make her way inside. "Plus we should look around and see if we find any candles."
"But..."
"I'll stay out here," Ray remarked, taking a seat on the porch rail and looking towards Roberto who was patiently waiting for Pietro and Remy.
Remy came out a minute later and handed John his phone back, putting the flash light on his own phone. "You coming?"
"Nah, I'll stay in case the sheilas need protection."
At the comment multiple girls scoffed and commented back saying that he should definitely leave. He ignored them and walked into the beach house having a few followers, still complaining.
"Well, we'll be right back, " Pietro told the ones who decided to stay outside.
Amara nodded and followed their figures as they walked to the garage, her gaze staying on the shadow that had been there the longest. They all then watched the vehicle drive away.
When it was long gone Amara looked over to Jubilee, surprised that she had yet to speak. Her brown orbs were looking at the moon with a pensive expression. Ray was also looking pretty thoughtful but his eyes were straight ahead.
"So where were you when the lights went out?" She's asked, breaking the silence between them.
Ray reached into his pockets and took out his little black box bringing it to his lips. The sound of his exhale was the only sound before Jubilee finally said, "We were still out on the quads...why were you ready to get back on?"
"No way! She answered quickly and laughed, breaking the somewhat tense filled air.
O-o-O-o-O-o-O-o-O
"I spy with my little blue eyes something that is black..."
"The whole fucken room mon ami," Remy answered in an annoyed tone.
"Damn mate! You're good," John answered before moving on to the next thing he spied. Most of them groaned and there were even a few pillows thrown in his direction. "Alright alright," he yelled, his Australian accent coming out thick. "I guess we're wanting to play something else."
"No one is wanting to play anything, you just started talking to yourself," Pietro told him, making a few of the others chuckle.
At the moment they had all squeezed themselves into the living room. When the others had returned from the store they had brought multiple candles and a few flashlights. They had decided to save the flashlights for when people wanted to walk either to the restroom or the kitchen, leaving the living room filled with dimmed lights thanks to the small flames.
Pietro and Wanda were sitting at the mini bar on stools, their bodies facing the others who were sprawled around the room randomly. John was on the floor, his gaze to the ceiling with a foot on the center coffee table. The long couch was a few feet away from him and Anna was hogging most of it as she laid with a blanket covering her up. Laura was sitting against said couch with her legs straight in front of her.
Jubilee, who had a jawbreaker in her mouth, sat next to Amara. They were on the loveseat, both sharing a blanket as well with Amara leaning her head on her friend's shoulder. She has seemed pretty out of it since the lights had gone out. Remy had chosen the lazy boy chair, opposite the long couch. Roberto had chosen a corner in the room and Ray was at the mini bar as well but had chosen to stand leaning against the counter.
"Come on! Let's play something! You're all being creepily quiet."
"Actually I believe it's called chilling and you're just loud," Ray answered.
"Fine, fine whatever! We're stuck in this darkness together, we might as well do something!"
"We can't play anything in the dark."
"Sure we can, there's spin the bottle, I mean that would probably be better in the dark in case you think that the person you have to kiss isn't a good looker," John joked.
"None of us want to puke when we have to kiss you," Anna remarked.
"Not to mention we're not 13," Laura added.
"Truth or dare?"
"I just said none of us are 13."
"But..."
"Amende, shut up. I'll play with you."
John smirked at Remy, "truth or dare?"
"...truth..."
"Fuck, marry, kill choices from this room only."
Multiple eyes turned to the Cajun who looked up at the ceiling in a pensive manner as if he was thinking hard before looking down to scan the room. He's eyes lingering on the side opposing him. "I'll fuck myself, I'll marry any of the tattooist for free ink and I'll kill you for making me play this game."
"Harsh mate, alright you ask someone now."
Remy fixed the Aussie with the hard stare, "Scarlet Witch, truth or dare?" At hearing the stage name the blue eye Aussie wasn't smirking anymore.
"I never said I was playing your guys stupid ass game."
"Aw, come on, you're a gracious host. Humor us."
"Fuck You."
"I think we already established that I'm fucking myself, thanks anyway." The sapphire eyes narrowed at the auburn hair male who was smirking mischievously at the ceiling. "But alright if you're too chicken to play I guess I'll ask..."
"Dare."
"Oh you do want to play. Cool, I've heard a rumor that you've lost your singing touch. Why don't you belch something out for us?"
"Whoever you've been talking to is an asshole," her sapphire eyes narrowed at the silver haired man sitting next to her. He didn't pay it any mind though, finger tips at his lips looking deep in thought.
"Asshole is a harsh word."
Wanda found her mouth parting to speak but before she could a voice said, "Drop it."
All eyes except Laura's because that would have put her in an awkward position turned to the long couch. Anna's eyes were glinting dangerously at the Cajun, "Pick someone else..."
Remy grinned and shifted in the lazy boy to sit straighter up, "Do you want to play Rogue?"
Her dark colored lips pressed together before parting but before she could answer. They all froze as a melodic voice filled the room.
"Dead promises. Games you play will kill your dreams. I'm still here where you belong, stop running from the truth...Dead promises, I can't change what you believe, promises mean everything...life won't look back for you…"
The room stayed silent for a few seconds after Wanda was done. Jubilee's eyes were wide, sure she had heard her sing along with the stereo but, everyone sounds good along with music and the original voice singing a song. She hadn't expected Wanda's voice to be so powerful on it's own. Not only that but the room was suddenly filled with tension, multiple parties in the room knowing that the words she decided to sing were being directed at someone specifically.
"Do you all have code names?"
Jubilee turned sideways to glance at Amara. Leave it to her to not read the room, but thankfully the question seemed to ease everyone over and better yet stopped the dangerous game of truth and dare.
"It's not called a code name, it's a stage name," Pietro corrected.
"Alright, well do you all have stage names?"
The echoed answer due to the combination of answers was "yes".
"How are your code- stage names picked?"
"And what are they?" Jubilee added, I think I've actually only heard of a few of you using them with each other."
"They usually represent the individual," it was Remy who answered.
"How does Gambit represent you?" Jubilee asked, remembering that that's what Anna always called him.
"A gambit is a risk...I'm the ultimate risk," he answered and winked at her.
Jubilee felt her lips curl upwards at the charming gesture. Damn he was good, he was the total risk for heartbreak for sure.
"You're the ultimate risk for an std," Wanda called out from her seat at the barstool.
Before he had a chance to respond, someone else spoke. "I like fire, there's nothing else to say..." John ran his hand on his tattooed arm gingerly. Jubilee recalled the first introduction with him, Wanda had called him Pyro.
"I'm the official twenty third member of the X-men," Laura remarked, pulling their attention from the older males. At the words, the tattoo Jubilee has been wondering about made perfect sense.
There was a snigger at this, "You couldn't come up with anything cooler? "
Her hazel green eyes narrowed at the Aussie who decided to speak, "I debated Talon which would work really well for the thoughts of the things I'd like to do to you right now but lucky for you I'm proud of being part of something that big, that's why I chose that name."
"At least until Logan retires. He's already said he wants you to take over his name."
"I don't know about that, Wolverine seems like big boots to fill."
Anna nodded before saying, "I think Rogue is self explanatory." Jubilee remembered her words about being the black sheep of her family and just from seeing her performances she seemed to be the black sheep of her x family as well.
The younger girls nodded before Laura turned to the corner of the room, "Sunspot."
"I choose that name cause I'm dark and I'm cool." Roberto laughed as he got puzzled looks, "You guys have never googled what a sunspot was? For shame."
"Your stage name isn't cool enough to google," Laura retorted.
"I guess but at least it doesn't sound like porn name either." Laura made to get up but Anna held her arm and kept her in place.
Roberto grinned at the fact that she couldn't come to him but turned to the younger girl's expression turning somewhat somber when he looked at the dark skinned girl, "I chose it cause I like the sun and it sounded cool. Nine inch nails has a song called that too and it just sounded badass." After he was done speaking all eyes turned to the bar where the last three individuals were.
"Red has always been my favorite color and I've always been into Wiccan and pagan things so it seemed that Scarlet Witch was the best way to go." Wanda remarked as her eyes went to her twin.
"Quicksilver was my nickname in track because of my hair and I was their fastest runner. It stuck and eventually the nickname stuck with me even after school and when we started the Acolytes so at this point it feels like it's always been a part of me."
Ray shrugged, "Berzerker is my stage name cause it's what I wanted it to be."
There were multiple groans in the room. "There's always gotta be one person who avoids the question! Didn't expect it to be you though mate," John called out.
Ray's mouth opened but the lights in the room flickered making everyone freeze and look up at the ceiling.
"False alarm," Pietro remarked. "Where were we?" He added.
Ray's mouth parted again and he said, "I spy with my eyes something that is orange."
"Fire!" John exclaimed loudly and excitedly, making more groans escape some of them . "Alright my turn! I spy with my little blue eyes something that is..."
"Sloppy save."
Ray looked over his shoulder to see Wanda swirling the straw of her drink.
"Hmm?"
"I get that you like being the private one and all but if you wanted to get out of answering the question couldn't you have gone a different direction?"
Ray smirked, "John's the easiest person to distract into something else. It's one of the fun things about him..."
Wanda rolled her eyes but looked in the direction of the orange haired male. His lips curled upwards, being content at the moment by the childish game. Happy that something at the moment was distracting him from their talk earlier.
O-o-O-o-O-o-O-o-O
After people got tired of John's obvious guesses of 'I spy' there had been an idea thrown out that since they were in the dark, telling scary stories would be the next best fitting thing to do.
Amara and Jubilee had objected to it but had lost the vote. They had stayed in the room and listened to stories about hooks, demons and ghosts, something that they would regret when it was time to go to bed.
Jubilee looked to the other side of her shared room to see that Amara had finally fallen asleep. She herself was finally getting sleepy, after telling herself over and over again that someone with a hook was not hiding under her bed, but all the restless moving around had made her bladder go back into normal mode and now she found herself having to go to the bathroom before finally really going to sleep.
She sighed to herself but made her way up, thankful for the socks she was wearing because she knew the cold wooden floor would have made her want to pee even more. She tipped-toed to the door to not wake up her friend and slowly opened the door. Perfect! It didn't even creak.
She didn't close it completely behind her so she wouldn't make noise on her way back. Thankfully they had chosen the room in front of the restroom when they had picked their room so she didn't have to go far. Her hand grabbed on to the knob and turned. The door opened with a squeak and she took a step inside only to freeze and freak out when she noticed that there was somebody already in there.
Not giving herself the chance to see who it was or what they were doing she mumbled a crazed, "I'm sorry" and shut the door. The door opened a few seconds after not giving her time to get away from the embarrassing situation which only got worse when she looked at a familiar dark tank top. The blue and white rays of lighting on the left arm alerted her of who it was immediately and slowly her eyes rose letting chocolate orbs meet with the cool steel.
"I'm so sorry...I didn't think anyone would be in there..."
"It's fine, I couldn't sleep. Our room is pretty humid so I just wanted to dab some water and see if that would help..."
"Oh..." her eyes studied his broad shoulders. Water drops dripped onto them from his hair. "Hopefully it helps."
"Yeah..."
Her eyes rose back up to meet his and she found herself subconsciously biting her bottom lip before, "Hey...about before..."
She didn't get a chance to finish. His hand went to the back of her neck and pulled her close. His lips pressed into hers with a lot more pressure than earlier that day and soon she felt her lips part and his tongue snuck in taking the opportunity of the opening.
Her tongue was definitely not a stranger to this type of activity and proved it by swirling against his. Her hands had ended up against his chest and as the kiss continued she found them traveling up but before she could wrap them around his neck a click of a door broke them apart. Jubilee looked sideways to see which door was opening and when she turned to look back at him he was gone.
She stared at the opened bathroom door in surprise wondering how he had left so fast.
"Jubilee?"
She turned to the southern drawl, "Anna...hey, I'm just up cause I needed to go to the bathroom..."
"You too huh? Go ahead, I can wait." The southern girl folded her hands in front of her chest and for a moment Jubilee decided to look over the older girl's sleepwear. It was a long hunter green shirt that went past her knees but as if not to get cold she wore long socks, something Jubilee only noticed because when Anna had crossed her arms it made the shirt rise letting the smallest trace of her pale thigh show.
"Oh no...I already went, you caught me getting out of the bathroom...ha...ha...hah...uh well I'll see you in the morning! Good night!" She mumbled rapidly and walked back into the room she was sharing with Amara. She waited a bit to hear the click of the door, it took a minute or so but she finally heard it and when she did she let out the breath she wasn't aware she had been holding.
She stood there for a bit, waiting for the door click signaling that Anna was leaving the restroom to be heard but after a few minutes she gave up and went to the bed. She would listen for the sound at least comfortably. As she did, two fingertips went to her lips and pressed, mimicking the pressure she had felt from Ray's kiss.
It didn't compare. His mouth had been so warm, so inviting. His body had been so taunt against her smaller frame...she found her eyes closing as she replayed the scene in her head. Eventually they led to a whole different type of fantasy and she fell asleep with those thoughts, never having heard that click she had been expecting.
O-o-O-o-O-o-O-o-O Next Morning O-o-O-o-O-o-O-o-O
Jubilee woke up to find herself alone again. Amara's side of the bed was nice and tidy, reminding her that she should probably make her bed too since they would be leaving later that day.
After making sure that her own side was ready for when they decided to leave, Jubilee made her way downstairs and found her best friend in the kitchen. Her face was looking out the window looking in the distance and she was so focused on whatever it was she was looking at that she didn't notice her sneaking up behind her until she asked, "What are we looking at?"
Amara jumped, making her shoulder smack into the Asian girl, "Don't do that!" She yelled when she controlled her heart rate.
"Sorry! I thought you heard me! Who's outside?" She asked afterwards and moved closer to the window to see who she was staring at. There were three silhouettes on the beach putting down the volleyball court. "Oh, of course you're looking outside," Jubilee teased with a smile.
"Shut up," Amara crossed her arms in front of her chest.
Something about the expression made Jubilee stop smiling, "Hey, is everything ok? I feel like you've been weird since the lights went out last night..."
"I'm fine. The swim and the quad rides just tired me out...and then with the lights going out I was out of sorts."
"Mhmmkay." After the answer Jubilee tapped her foot on the floor as a nervous tick. The action made Amara look at her curiously.
"Are you ok?"
"Yeah why?"
"You're doing your nervous tic thing, like when you have something you want to tell me."
"Damn it! Why am I so obvious?"
"I don't know but I'm not complaining, what is it?"
"I think I got myself into a situation last night."
"Last night? When? I was with you almost the whole time."
"Keyword almost."
Amara looked deep in thought, "When we left to change?"
"Yeah..."
"What kind of situation?"
"A...:" Jubilee paused trying to think of the right words she wanted to say, "beneficial friends kind of situation."
"What kind of situation is that?" Amara asked, looking confused.
"Sounds like a fuck buddy type." The new voice that spoke made them both jump and turn. "I have to say you keep surprising me," Anna walked over to a cabinet and took out a styrofoam cup. She then walked over to a coffee pot and poured some of the black liquid inside. "So who's the guy?" While she waited for the answer she went to the fridge to pour herself some creamer.
Jubilee opened and closed her mouth like a fish out of water. Leave it to her to start this conversation where just about anyone could walk in.
"Your hesitation in answering leads me to believe that it's someone here..."
Jubilee finally found her voice after a few more seconds, "I wouldn't say fuck buddies is the correct term. I mean there was just a kiss and an insinuation of nothing serious but the word fuck was never said!" Anna perked a brow as the younger Asian girl turned away suddenly shy.
"Wait wait...friends with benefits!?" Amara asked, moving closer to her friend and whispering. "I was with you all day yesterday when did you have time to put yourself in this type of situation?"
"I don't know! I mean I do know but my mouth was talking before my brain was thinking!"
Anna watched the younger girls go back and forth for a bit before letting a small cough out, making them aware that she was in fact still there.
"Oh right...uh can't I just give you a hint?" The southern girl shrugged, "his name starts with an R..."
The emerald eyes suddenly narrowed, "R?" She asked.
Jubilee felt the air between them suddenly tense, nope it definitely had not been a good idea to talk about this out loud. "I mean I think I got myself in the situation but I could be totally wro..."
"Hey! Finally found life, Anna where is..."
Jubilee stopped talking as someone else entered the kitchen. He stopped talking as well, noticing that the southern girl wasn't alone as he had previously thought when he had caught a glimpse of her from the hallway. "Oh...good morning."
"Hi..." Jubilee answered while Amara greeted with a good morning as well.
Anna turned to face the newcomer but when it was apparent that he had forgotten what he had been planning to ask her, making her look between them and breaking the silence, "Ray...did you need something?"
At the sound of his name the six foot male turned back to the southerner. "Uh. Yeah, have you seen any of the others? It just got up and it was a ghost town upstairs."
"Pietro and Wanda went to grab us breakfast so no one has to cook since we're all leaving today. As far as the others I see some idiots outside trying to put away the canopy."
"Alright, cool, I guess I'll just go see if they need any help."
Anna nodded and watched him turn back to the younger girls, give a small nod in their direction and leave without another word. Once he was gone, Jubilee let her breath out and quickly turned to her.
"Uh..."
"Well at least it's Ray..."
"Who else could it have been?" Jubilee asked, thinking it had been obvious from the beginning.
Anna shrugged, "Roberto starts with an R too."
"Oh you're right! I didn't think about that..."
Anna looked outside the window to see Ray going towards the other boys, "It could have been worse," she murmured before turning to leave.
"Wait, are you going to..."
"Don't worry, I won't tell anyone."
"...You're not going to try and talk me out of it either?"
This made Anna turn to face her again. She seemed deep in thought before shaking her head, "No, we only live once. If it's what you want, go for it," her eyes went back to look outside, "Ray's a good guy so he'll take care of you even if it is just for fun. Only real advice I can give you is that if you want to keep it hush hush to not talk about it in public," she nudged her head to the side to show that the door was still open, "and to make sure you really want to go through with it. You guys work together so if it goes wrong you'll still have to be around each other you know what I mean? Other than that, have fun and be safe."
With that she started making her way back out the door disappearing into the hallway. When she was gone Amara and Jubilee looked at each other before Amara scared the hell out of Jubilee by squealing excitedly. "What happened? We were only apart for five minutes yesterday. Ok, ok, it was more than that but still how did you put yourself into this predicament?"
"I don't even know!" Jubilee answered and went closer to her to start whispering. "I mean one minute we were just talking and then there was a kiss and then we went back to talking and I made a stupid ballsy comment and then went I went to the bathroom in the middle of the night there was another kiss! Amara what the hell am I doing?"
"If you don't know, how am I supposed to know?" Amara whispered back and turned to look out the window to look at the tall boy. "Wait...that guy that you were talking about a few days ago...it was Ray!?"
"Let's not back track please, I need to think ahead!" Jubilee whined and looked out the windows as well.
They both stared in silence before jumping as a loud "Hey!" And a bang on the counter echoed around the room.
"Jumpy jumpy." They both turned to see Laura watching them curiously. "What are we looking at that is so interesting?" She asked and walked towards them to see the boys finishing up. "Oh...so should I be planning a wedding or what?"
"What?" Both girls shouted out.
"For who?" Jubilee asked nervously, suddenly wondering if Laura had heard them talking too.
"For Amara and Berto. I hear that he's giving you private lessons now," she wiggled her brows.
Amara managed to turn red but Jubilee noticed that her smile didn't quite reach her eyes, "It's not like that," she looked away from both of them but before either could question her anymore the sound of the front door opening and closing echoed through the otherwise quiet space making them all look towards the hallway that connected them.
Pietro and Wanda were soon in their vision both holding Ihop bags. "Alright, first come first serve if we run out of shit, too bad," Wanda stated, putting her bags on the counter. At the words the three girls made their way to them to start rummaging through the bags deciding that the conversation they were having wasn't good enough to skp their meal.
O-o-O-o-O-o-O-o-O
Laura yawned and stretched her hands out in the air. She had just finished eating breakfast and instead of waiting for everyone else to finish, she had made her way outside to stare at the clear sky. There were already talks about what they would be doing next before they headed back to the city and their normal lives but before she joined them for that conversation she found the need to be alone with her thoughts. Thoughts about a certain silver haired, sapphire eyed individual with softer lips than she would have imagined.
The thing about life though was that it rarely gave you what you wanted so she only had a few minutes to herself before she heard the door behind her open and close. She waited for the trespasser to greet her but was surprised when they didn't say anything. Instead they walked over to stand beside her and admired the scene before them.
She didn't turn to them directly but her eyes moved sideways to glimpse them through her peripherals and she found herself smiling sarcastically because of course the world would send her the person she was thinking about instead of any one else to distract her.
It would be more than a minute later when the silence would finally be broken, "It's beautiful..."
She finally did turn to him, her expression unimpressed by the sentence, "Please don't turn it around and say you're talking about me when I agree."
Pietro laughed and turned to her as well, "Conceited much? I was actually referring to the scenery. It's too bad we're leaving…"
"Oh...oh...well ok, and yeah I guess but the cool thing is that you own this place so I mean you can come whenever you want if you really think about it."
"I could but it wouldn't be the same, there'd be something missing…" Laura found herself having to look away from the intense gaze he was giving her. "Hey…" Her breath hitched in her throat and she felt her heart pounding, "...I need to apologize about last night."
That had not been what she was expecting to hear, "You do?" she asked, the surprise evident in her tone.
"Of course, we had a conversation a few weeks ago over dinner where we made our boundaries clear and last night I stepped over that line."
Laura's mouth parted to speak but before she had a chance to say anything the door to the beach house opened and all the boys walked out.
"Are you ready to head out?" Remy asked, passing them as he headed for the stairs on the porch.
"Yup," Pietro answered, moving his gaze to them.
"We'll see you back at home Laura," Roberto stated, bumping his shoulder with hers.
"You guys are heading out?"
"To town for a while but Wanda made it sound as if you guys would be gone by the time we get back, see you then and have a safe trip back," Ray responded and squeezed her shoulder in farewell.
"You guys too," she found herself answering but not watching them leave, her eyes instead on the silver haired male who finally turned back to her.
He smiled at her, but she was easily able to see that it wasn't his usual genuine smile. If anything she would have to say it was the smile he used when speaking to bands about show times and dates, it was his business smile. Now that the others were out of ear shot he continued their conversation, "Not sure what was up with me last night but I assure it won't happen again. I'll message you when we get back and I will check my schedule to see when you're available to rehearse."
Laura couldn't find words so she nodded in acknowledgment. After waiting a minute Pietro nodded and turned his body away to start to head over to the others who were already waiting for him inside the jeep. The low goodbye he had mumbled to her didn't process until the jeep was no longer there and she stayed there watching where it had been.
Her trance was finally broken when she felt weight on the rail besides her making her turn. Wanda looked at her with a curious stare, "Want to get some sun before we head out?"
"Sure…" she answered and smiled before looking at the sky. Supposedly sun exposure helps release serotonin, maybe that would help with the sudden low feeling she was having.
O-o-O-o-O-o-O-o-O
Jubilee found that the drive back home was a quiet one. After breakfast the two groups had separated. The girls chose to sunbathe (except for Anna who hid under a beach umbrella), getting in the last of the sun that they could get while the boys went for a run in town. By the time they were packed and ready to go the boys hadn't returned so they had gone their separate ways without any goodbyes.
At the thought of them, those haunting steel blue eyes came to mind and she found herself pressing her lips together. The more she thought about it the more ridiculous it sounded. She couldn't be in a friends with benefits situation with Ray! What would he see in her?
His words about finding her attractive decided to come floating around her mind at the moment. Damn her good memory. If she was in this position though it was totally her fault. She had opened her big fat mouth and said she wasn't looking for anything serious either. Which was not a lie, I mean how could she start something serious when she wasn't going to be around very long?
Especially with someone who didn't want a relationship? Then again maybe she should consider what Anna had said about the fact that they work together. Oh god she was getting a headache! She needed to stop thinking about this at least for the moment.
As if one cue the car stopped and she realized that they actually had gotten home. Well at least to Anna and Wanda mansion home.
"We're here," Wanda stated and when she didn't get an answer she turned to the back seat. "You guys all look super dead."
Anna turned towards them too and locked eyes with her, "It was a long weekend. They probably have a lot on their minds," with that she opened the passenger door, got out and stretched.
Everyone followed her lead and after a few thank you hugs and farewells she found herself in another car.
Unlike when Laura had picked them up, she was actually driving carefully. "Did you guys enjoy your weekend?"
"Yeah", was the mutual answer.
"Cool, well thanks for coming. Sorry we got party crashed, might have been better if it was just us girls...then again I'm sure it wasn't all bad, but don't worry I won't tell your parents," she winked at Amara through the rear view near making the dark skinned girl give a small smile.
When they arrived at the house Amara's parents were already waiting for them outside. Luckily Laura had decided to travel back in comfort and wore sweats and a zipped up hoodie. They said their goodbyes to each other and soon the duo was climbing up the stairs.
"You want to change and grab something to eat? Your mom said dinner was ready."
"No, I'm not really hungry. I think I just want to change and take a nap for a bit."
"Oh...alright. Did you want to watch a movie when you wake up?"
"Yeah, we can do that."
"Kay, just come get me."
"I will."
"Hey Amara..." Jubilee called out to her friend, making her stop her trek towards her room. "You ok? You've seemed a bit down since last night."
"I'm ok, nothing a nap in my own bed won't make better," she offered her a smile before closing the door to her room.
Once inside Amara inspected the wall farthest away from her. Her mother had installed shelves years ago, her trophies from her past pageants were showcasing on it, glittering beautifully at her. She walked towards the center of the room and stood in front of her vanity mirror. Her hands went to her waist, feeling the side of her curves. 'It was working', she thought to herself before walking towards her bed.
But she had to do better. She probably ate a little too much this weekend...she's had to up her cardio this week.
She laid down and not too long after she felt her phone vibrate. Her head turned towards it to see Roberto's name followed by a sun emoji. She didn't bother opening it and closed her eyes, letting sleep take her.
O-o-O-o-O-o-O-o-O
Wanda gently applied Hex cream on her tattooed arm, her fingers brushed the clear lotion in gentle circles around the orange flames. As she was finishing there was a knock at her door and she made a small hum letting the person at the other side know it was ok to enter.
Anna let herself in and acting as if it was her own room made it to the bed dropping herself on it. "Hey."
"Hey," was the answer from her sister as she inspected her work "Is Pietro home yet?"
"No, but I don't think he'll be long. Crystal is dropping Luna off tonight."
"Hmm..."
"I'm pretty sure he's coming home solo either way. There weren't any bikes or cars in the garage that aren't our own."
Sapphire eyes turned to the emerged green, annoyance in them at the implication. Having lived with her for so long the younger girl went un-phased by the glare.
"Want to talk about it?"
"Talk about what?"
"Whatever happened between you and the flame lover?"
"What makes you think anything happened?"
"You're taking care of your arm."
"I always take care of my tattoos."
"You do," Anna agreed, "but I can tell when it means more." There was silence as an answer so she decided to poke, "Did you talk?"
"Briefly."
"Well?"
"Well what?"
"Fuck, you're being difficult. What was said?"
"Nothing unexpected, that he's changed and he's better..."
"He does look it and from what I've heard it's true. Still going to classes once a week even though he doesn't have to, no matter what city they're in."
Wanda looked at her suspiciously, "Where are you getting your information?"
"I have a spy on the inside."
"You're using Pete."
"Using is the wrong word, we're friends." Wanda perked a brow making Anna roll her eyes, "Gross, just friends."
"Gross? Piotr is a catch, plus he's definitely the best out of the bunch."
"He's not my type," Anna answered, paying with her necklace.
Wanda thought about it, "what is your type nowadays? You haven't really dated in a while now...who was the last boyfriend?"
"Cody."
"That's right, the blond! He wasn't bad looking either. For a time preppy, stick up your butt was your type too huh?"
Anna groaned, "Can you not remind me of my crush on Scott? That was a long time ago, thank god."
"I'll take that crush then the one you had on..."
"ANYWAY...I didn't come in here to talk about my love life. I'm here to talk about yours."
"I already told you what was said, nothing unexpected."
"You told me what he said, the question now is what did you say in return?"
"...nothing unexpected. It won't work out." Anna stayed silent for a few seconds before Wanda added, "Do you remember that night?"
"Which one? The first time or the second?"
"...I suppose both. You know the first time I was surprised, shocked and confused, but that second time...I was scared to death and then I was mad."
"..."
"I don't plan to ever feel that way again. So no it wouldn't work out."
"You still love him."
"You forgot to make your voice high to form it as a question."
"It wasn't a question..." Anna answered, watching through her peripherals. "If you didn't, you would have had that tattoo removed." Wanda's hand was now pressed against her heart. "But..." Anna sat up, "If you want him to leave you alone and he doesn't, let me know and I'll kick his ass." Wanda gave a small hybrid of a laugh and scoff at that.
"You don't think I can take him?" Anna asked defensively. "Cause I can take all of them."
"All four acolytes?"
"Yeah."
"My dad would just love that. His poster boys beaten black and blue. You need to stop training with Wolverine so much, at this rate you'll just be killing anyone for any reason. Thanks either way but if I need to, I can kick his ass myself."
Anna shrugged, "Well if you need help..."
Wanda nodded, "Thanks. On another sore topic did you get a chance to talk to Gambit."
Anna's eyes moved to her sharply, "About?"
"Your performance together." Anna grabbed a pillow and put it over her face. "I'll take that as a no."
She lifted it a bit so her voice wouldn't be muffled, "I'm still hoping you'll do it with me."
"Don't hold your breath," Wanda answered and proceeded to push the pillow into her face.
O-o-O-o-O-o-O-o-O
Ray walked towards their apartment complex, Roberto drifting behind him at a slow pace. When they reached the door the tall boy looked back at him waiting for him.
"What's your deal?"
"What?" Roberto asked as he looked down at his phone.
"You've looked distracted all day. You didn't even flirt with any of the girls at the pier."
"Oh...none of them were that cute anyway," he responded, not even looking up from the phone.
Ray frowned but didn't bother saying anything else as he opened the door to their apartment. Roberto followed but his eyes were glued to his screen as if hoping that somehow he would summon Amara to answer the three messages he had already sent her. After nothing happened he sighed and put his phone in his pocket. This was bad.
He was not the type of guy to be wishing for a text. He was not the type to be stressed over no contact, but here he was, his brain running a thousand miles an hour trying to find a way to make things better...with a girl who wasn't his girlfriend, a girl he wasn't even dating, a girl who was just a friend.
'Fuck'. He thought to himself, why did he have to open his big fucken mouth? A memory of darkness and hunger pains suddenly filled his head. Oh that's right, that's why. Before his head could keep going over the situation he bumped into Ray who had stopped walking unannounced.
"Hey, what the hell..." Roberto started but stopped seeing the way he was looking very focused in front of him. He side-stepped to see Laura sitting in the dimmed living room, a white paper in her hand and a serious expression on her face. "Who died?" He asked, trying to break the tension only to get elbowed.
"Hey..." Ray started, "what's up?"
"Tabby's gone," Laura answered and wagged the paper in the air. "She uh...says that she feels that she's been really moody lately because she didn't know how to tell us that she was moving out with Bobby and that um...all of us being gone this weekend made it a lot easier for her to go ahead and go. She's of course staying a member of the X-dolls and she'll see us soon."
"Damn," Roberto commented after some silence.
"That's great for her." Laura and Roberto both turned to Ray simultaneously . "I think she was due for a change, and if this will make her happy, I'm happy for her."
"Yeah," Laura agreed, still sounding somewhat deflated. Ray watched her, she didn't like people leaving, unlike him, he was used to people not sticking around.
"So...what should we turn her room into? A gym or a game room?"
Ray elbowed his Brazilian friend again, "Read the room Berto."
"Sorry."
Ray opened his mouth to scold him some more but stopped at feeling a vibration in his pocket. He grabbed his phone and took a look at the name on the screen with a perked brow wondering why he was getting this call. They had literally been together all day…
Roberto looked over his shoulder, "Well, what are you waiting for, answer it…"
"Hello?"
"Hey, I need your help…"
O-o-O-o-O-o-O-o-O
"Want to come in for coffee?"
"As long as you mean coffee and not coffee. I've told you I don't swing that way."
Blue eyes rolled but didn't say anything while he opened the door to the hotel room. The Cajun man followed without adding anything else, apparently his Aussie companion was not in the mood for jokes at the moment.
He soon got comfortable in a chair and inspected the room. It was similar to his own room. Couch, tv, coffee machine with a little kitchen and a door that led to a queen sized bed, well at least in his case, and an opposing door that led to the restroom. The furniture and frames were modern, Eric didn't mind spending the money to keep them in style.
While on the road they usually shared a two bedroom hotel room but while in Bayville they had both opted out of that situation with Remy's room being just a few doors down.
"So, I'm guessing it went south?"
"What?"
"Your talk with the Scarlet Witch." John gave him an inquiring look, making Remy roll his eyes, "It doesn't take a rocket scientist to know that you were together. You arrived together when the lights went out. You want to talk about it or are you offering me coffee just so we can stay up playing video games?"
John put a cup of coffee in front of him. Traveling together had given both the knowledge of knowing how they liked their drinks. John topped off the mug with Bailey's Irish Cream.
"She pretty much told me no."
"Hmm..."
"She said she doesn't want to do it again. Worry about me when I'm so far away."
"Can't say I blame her, I personally don't think you looked great on that hospital bed either."
"It was an accident," John started defensively.
"Je suis (I know), mais (but) let's be honest accidental overdoses happen a lot in our profession. So you think it's fair to have her here hoping it won't happen again?"
"It won't happen again, I'm clean, you know it. I don't even drink anymore."
"I know, but I'm with you a lot more than she is."
"She can come with me, we know that wouldn't be an issue."
"But it is an issue, you're both pursuing your dreams and hers is here. Scarlet Ink is doing really well. She can't leave it, she won't."
John frowned, Remy was the laid back charmer of their band. He had a sense of humor when it came to his jokes, at least more than Petey, but ever so often he had his moments of seriousness. When he was, surprisingly enough, the voice of reason. He hated this part of him, mostly because he was always right.
They remained silent for a few minutes. Each taking a sip of their cups.
After a while Remy started getting tired of the silence and brought out a deck of cards and started to shuffle them, "So what's the next move? Get a plane ticket and go down under?"
"Nah, I still have to stay here for Nocturnal Madness, plus...I'm not letting it end this way."
Remy sighed and shook his head, "Good luck, you should know by now how stubborn that family can be."
"I have a month...there's time for change," his right hand went to his tattooed arm and gripped at the laughing skull engulfed in flames. "I might just need a little help…"
Remy perked a brow at him, an action that was missed as John grabbed for his phone and tapped on it multiple times. After a few seconds, the phone was up at his ear and Remy heard the familiar "hello" at the other side."
"Hey, I need your help…"
O-o-O-o-O-o-O-o-O
Pietro looked in his rear view mirror. The back seat had suddenly gotten quiet and as he peered back there his suspicions were confirmed, Luna was sound asleep. Usually Crystal liked to drop her off but considering he had been driving around town dropping off the guys he had called her up and let her know he would pick her up himself.
She had agreed and met him at the door in a revealing outfit that in his younger days would have driven him up the wall. However, as he had told a dark skinned, temperamental midget, he no longer felt that type of way for the beautiful blonde bombshell. She was the mother of his child and unfortunately for her, that was all he was planning for her to be for the foreseeable future.
He parked the car outside the house in the roundabout deciding that he could always move it to the car garage later. Right now his first priority was to get Luna into a nice warm bed. Luna stirred as he picked her up but did not awaken. Pietro made his way quickly into the house and was pleasantly surprised that no one was around so he made a beeline to his room uninterrupted.
He placed her on his bed making sure that she was covered before taking a seat at the edge wondering what he should do with the rest of his night until she woke up to play some more before knocking out for real.
After some deliberation he decided to do what he was best at lately, work. He walked over to his desk, opening a drawer to take out a binder. In it were the scheduled times he had already discussed with some of the artists performing in Nocturnal Madness. A lot of them had already reached out to him asking for rehearsal time and then of course there were some lagers who he still needed to speak to.
His stepsister was on the top of that list, something he needed to talk to her about. He was on a list himself but at least not that one, he had picked a time frame for him and Laura's performance, what they had yet to discuss was what type of song they were planning to go with.
At the thought of her name, her face came to mind. There had been something in her expression right before they parted ways when he had apologized for kissing her the night before that he couldn't name but made his chest ache all the same.
He closed his eyes and focused on the feeling, letting the realization that it had finally happened process in his mind. What had finally happened?
He had shared a lip lock with Laura Kinney. Something he had been fantasizing about on and off for the last nine months or so, and he couldn't say he was disappointed.
This crush he had on the short member of the X-men has come very unexpected to him. He could still remember the first time he had been introduced to her when she had barely joined the rival band when he himself was an Acolyte. That had been more than a year and a half ago.
He hadn't been very impressed and though she was a pretty girl he hadn't been overly attracted to her because sadly for him he did have a type and she wasn't it. He preferred the long legged blondes like that of his ex.
Something that had caught his attention early on was that she was fierce, especially when she let that monster she had inside out through the microphone. So he hadn't wanted to date her right off the bat but he had to say he had respect for her very early on.
It wasn't until he had to give up the Acolytes that he ended up getting to know her off the stage. Wanda had recruited her early on when she had opened Scarlet Ink and since he had started the Hg Lounge at around that same time they managed to interlock more frequently and though she didn't look it at first glance, the girl was fun to be around.
They were somewhat of opposites which could be said was part of the attraction. Her past made her low maintenance which was different from the girls he was used to . It took some time for him to really notice her as more than just an X-men but now that he had she was there occupying space in his brain rent free.
It was funny how the brain worked that way. How certain little things could make such a big difference in the way you saw someone.
He put his thoughts on a pause as he skimmed through a few discs, selecting five out of the bunch. He then put one in the DVD player and after pressing the button on the control the image of the stage at the Mercury lounge appeared on the screen. An electric type of rock beat started and a midnight haired girl appeared at center stage with a microphone in hand.
He puckered his lips and released them as the show started and she began to sing.
O-o-O-o-O-o-O-o-O TBC O-o-O-o-O-o-O-o-O
Slower paced chapter, at least compared to the last one. This one covers more of the cause and effect of actions and words from the last one. Not too much interaction between any of them either :P But let's go over where the ships stand now.
Jubilay- They kissed again! In the middle of the night at that ;) Well again, we're left with the idea that Jubilee put herself in a friends with benefits position with Ray but we have not gotten confirmation just yet. These two would have to talk for that ;)
Amarto- No contact or conversation between these two this time around. Roberto is a sad boi because he's being ignored and Amara seems pretty exhausted.
Romy- No interaction either. Things we found out in this chapter: Rogue must have a small bladder cause she gets up in the middle of the night to pee and Remy was weirdly enough the voice of reason with John understanding and explaining to him he is getting turned down.
Xietro- he apologized for kissing her! What a gentleman...who some people probably want to smack. She wasn't too ecstatic about it either. Anyhoo, kudos to them for being the only other couple to interact in this chapter.
Jonda- Well he said he's not giving up and has decided to ask for some help. I guess we'll see how that goes. I love that Anna threw it in Wanda's face that if she didn't feel anything for John she would have already gotten rid of her tattoo.
I have commissioned a few wonderful artist in the last month so if you want to see art these lovey ships go ahead and check out my Tumblr: xietroqueen
Well that's all folks! No music used in this chapter. Hope to hear your thoughts or theories of where we are going with this story. Also heads up we are getting closer to the reason why this story is M rated ;) Take care you guys and I'll see you all in September.
-UHW