O-o-O-o-O-o-O-o-O AN O-o-O-o-O-o-O-o-O
Happy May you guys! I am back with another flashback chapter so hope you're ready to get some more background on some of our fave's!
As always I want to start by sending some love to Clamchick (I love making Anna swim in De Nile XD The first draft I wrote of that chapter had it be diff versions of Robin Hood but I changed it to be the Disney Version. Glad you're enjoying our walk to the past), Book Of Lilith, Couplest and Guest (There's def a reason that Rogue is being the way she is in regards to her relationship with Remy, you'll just have to stay tuned to see why :D) for reviewing!
I hope you guys enjoy this chapter and drop a review! See you at the end of it ;)
O-o-O-o-O-o-O-o-O Chapter 18 O-o-O-o-O-o-O-o-O
O-o-O-o-O-o-O-o-O 2 Years Later O-o-O-o-O-o-O-o-O
"How was everyone's day?"
There were multiple answers of good, fine and ok making the white haired male nod. "Good. Pietro, have you picked your class schedule for the next semester? I want to get an idea of what type of work schedule to arrange for you."
Pietro played with the carrots on his plate before looking in front of him sharing a look with his twin who perked a brow at him. Giving him the silent comment of 'its now or never'.
"I…was actually thinking of taking some time off to focus on my music."
The answer made the older man stop eating and give his son an intense stare, "What?"
Not backing down from the intimidating tone Pietro repeated himself earning him a "No" in response which then promoted his reply of, "I'm not really asking. With what I have saved up I can take time off school to see where that leads. I'll still be able to work part time for you but I'd like to do something that I actually want to do in my spare time."
The tension in the room spiked up and it almost seemed like everyone stopped breathing. After a bit Eric opened his mouth and Wanda could easily tell it was going to be an answer her twin wouldn't like so she decided it was a good time to drop her own bomb.
"I applied for an apprenticeship at the tattoo shop I work at and she accepted."
Eric looked between both his children's slacked jawed. His mouth opened and closed like a fish out of water before deciding to remain silent for a few minutes. When he finally did speak he asked, "Does anyone else have something interesting to add to that…"
"I got one of those job things you guys wanted me to get. I start in two weeks."
Raven perked both brows, having this be the first time she's heard anything about it. "What will you be doing?"
"Cashier at the auto shop downtown."
Anna watched her mother's nose scrunch in distaste but didn't say anything. She had been pushing the younger ones to get a job to learn responsibility and get a taste of getting their own hard earned money, especially with them starting their Senior year. Telling her she didn't like what she had found would be a contradiction and she didn't want to have this fight especially considering how tense the room already was.
"Ok…" she finally muttered before turning to the last teen at the table.
Kurt shared her gaze before shrugging, "Don't look at me, I'm just eating."
The rest of dinner was silent. Raven and Eric eventually found themselves alone with Anna and Kurt going upstairs to finish their homework, Pietro leaving for band practice and Wanda going to work.
"What do you want to do?"
Eric stayed silent for a few seconds, "Let's wait and see what happens. It's just a phase…"
"Hmm, I thought both their dye jobs and fashion sense were phases too."
Eric sighed, that was an understatement. Both Anna and Wanda's wardrobe has indeed gotten darker over the years and Wanda had already tainted herself with ink since she had started at the tattoo shop. Guess that was the thing about them turning eighteen, there were things you really couldn't stop anymore.
"Fighting with them will be a bigger headache than it's worth. Let us let them do what they want, both those endeavors are easier said than done."
"So we're going to be supportive?"
"Yes, if they fail at least they can't blame it on me." He was pensive before adding, "You know what, I'll go a little further and if it's something he's still wanting to do in a few months, I'll introduce him to the music connections I have."
Raven nodded and watched her husband who looked lost in thought and for a moment wondered where they would find themselves in a few months.
O-o-O-o-O-o-O-o-O A Few Months Later O-o-O-o-O-o-O-o-O
"Well, what did you think?"
"He's a star. There's definitely potential."
Eric's eyebrows rose in interest, "I guess it's good to know that all those lessons weren't for nothing."
"There is a problem though." Eric tilted his head to the side waiting for Jason to continue. "Pietro is really good, the rest of them are decent at best. It will take a long time to get them where they need to be and by the way your son speaks he's wanting to sky rocket to the top."
"What are your thoughts?"
"With your money it would be easy to buy the spot at the top but If he wants to do this on his own and at the speed he wants to…I'd have to say replacing the others would be your best bet."
Eric frowned at this, "l don't think he'll like that but at the same time he doesn't know how to slow down…"
Jason nodded. "Well there's definitely something there and I'll be happy to manage it when you get it situated. I do have a question, the video tapes you sent had two girls but they weren't at the meeting…"
"My daughters."
"They have talent too."
Eric shook his head, "My oldest isn't interested in going this career path. She wants to be a tattooist. Anna is finishing her senior year and I don't think Raven would appreciate me throwing these types of ideas at her. It's enough that one of them is serious about it."
"Can't be that bad of an idea if you called me."
"That's what I get for putting my foot in my mouth. And just to clarify, you don't think any of the others would be worth it?"
Jason looked pensive for a moment before looking down at Eric's picture of the band. After a moment he pointed at one of them, "This one I would say shows more promise than the others."
Eric eyed the individual before nodding, "I'll talk to Pietro about it and get back to you."
Jason nodded and started making his way out of the office, before going too far he stopped and turned, "If he decides to build a new team, I have someone in mind for drums. Someone you know actually…"
"Who's that?"
"Creed, he just got back from touring and has reached out to me. He's not too happy with his current arrangement, so it might be a good opportunity to put a well known name out there with him."
Eric nodded again, "I'll keep you updated."
O-o-O-o-O-o-O-o-O
"That's such bullshit!"
"Calm down yo…" Todd Tolansky remarked as he watched Pietro push one of the drums making it wobble and almost hit the floor.
"So they want to replace all of us? " Fred Dukes asked.
Pietro looked at Fred before turning his attention to the opposite side of the room where a grinning orange haired boy sat. His eyes somewhat narrowed, noticing that he wasn't even paying attention.
St. John was sitting on a couch, head tilted up with his blue eyes on his twin as she cupped his chin from her standing position. Her thumb poked at his goatee probably suggesting that he trim it off, their most popular argument. His response was to kiss the digit.
Pietro rolled his eyes and coughed, catching both their attention, "Wanda what are you even doing here?"
"I thought I was a member of the Brotherhood?"
"You said you didn't care if we ever got signed?"
"I said I didn't care to get famous this way, you already know what I want to do," her eyes narrowed at him.
Lance Alvers rolled his eyes, "What are you guys fighting over? You just said it's not happening."
"I didn't say it was impossible, it's just a lot of work and I need to know you guys are in it if I'm going to fight for it…"
They all exchanged glances before smiles began to erupt from most of them.
O-o-O-o-O-o-O-o-O A Few Months Later O-o-O-o-O-o-O-o-O
"It's not going well. We've been at it a few months now and there's been no change, no improvement. If anything, things are just getting worse."
"Hey! We've booked a few gigs with local venues."
"You have but you don't work on new songs, many times practices are canceled due to members not showing. It's a circus and if you're wanting to be serious about this it's not showing," Jason replied, making the silver haired young adult glare at him.
Eric perked a brow looking from one to the other. Before he could comment Pietro's arms crossed in front of his chest, "Well they all have lives. Lance just started dating a new girl, he's love struck." He remarked as an excuse even though he had started seeing someone when he decided to get serious about this and he was making time for both just fine. He momentarily thought about the long legged blond he was going out with.
"That's part of the problem, if you're serious about this type of career path it becomes your life. I said it from the very beginning, there's potential but you have to be motivated. You have to want it. You're the only one who wants it, Pietro, you and St. John."
"Sounds like this isn't worth the investment." The room became silent at the words. Pietro didn't know how to counteract his fathers words. After a big pause he added, "Would it be a horrible idea to rethink this and go with the original plan to switch out members."
Pietro didn't like it but at the same time he couldn't do much about it. Jason was making good points and he wasn't sure he could win this fight, not this time.
"You're saying they have potential but that it's taking a bit to build them up. The main problem is Pietro is always in a rush, right?" All eyes turned to the only female in the room. Raven hopped off Eric's desk, "and of course Jason, all your efforts need to go towards the breadwinner."
The short man nodded agreeing with the statement.
Raven turned to glance between Eric and Pietro. "I'll take them." The expression on the men turned to confused ones. "I'm reaching at straws, but you don't want to try a different avenue because you feel like you're betraying them or leaving them behind. You don't want to leave them without someone looking out for them but in reality Pietro, you need to look after your own future but if that's what you're concerned about, I'll take care of it. I have some free time to play agent now that I don't have to be too involved with all your kid's school activities."
"You'd do that?" Pietro asked somewhat surprised.
She shrugged, "We're keeping the name."
There was silence for a few minutes before he snapped out of his shock, "I guess I'll call a band meeting and just…see how that goes."
"I think this concludes this meeting," Eric remarked when no one else added anything to Pietro's last words. Raven nodded and the three adults watched the silver haired boy leave.
When he was gone Eric turned to Jason, "Is Creed still available?"
"I'll make the call." With that he too left leaving the two parents alone.
When he was sure they were alone and there weren't going to be any interruptions Eric turned to her, "Where did that come from?"
"You're the one who wanted us to be supportive in the first place. Plus all the money we've blown on this endeavor we might as well get something back if Jason really thinks the investment is worth it with the right people."
"Seems like you have things in mind."
"I do," Raven went back to take a seat on the corner of his desk, "I'll manage the Brotherhood and you and Jason can manage the new group. In the end everything will really just come back to the Lensherr name. I suggest you create the label yourself and cut out any middle man," as she finished she looked over her shoulder to look at her husband.
The way the light was hitting the room made his figure get lost in shadow but could see his lips curled upwards making her smile in return. It was one of her best ideas as of yet.
O-o-O-o-O-o-O-o-O
Ororo Munroe watched and listened intently to the conversation between her husband and the Cajun entrepreneur before her eyes went to the building behind them. Their mechanic shop had been next door to the pawn shop for years now but she had never paid too much attention to it before.
"Would you like to go in and take a look?"
"Yeah, you coming, Ro?"
"No, It's ok I'll stay out here and keep Remy company."
The men nodded and proceeded on walking inside the building. She watched them until they disappeared before turning around to look at the tall Cajun boy, or she supposed he was a young man now, who was admiring some of the bikes outside the shop.
"How is New Orleans treating you?" She asked while making her way to him.
He looked up to smile at her before turning his attention back to the bike, "Good, it's wild compared to here but I never get bored."
"It never seemed like you were bored here either," she responded with a small teasing tone in her voice as memories of young girls coming by on a regular basis to see him as he worked next door.
He smirked at the answer but didn't comment on it, instead changing the subject to the building. "So you guys are really thinking about buying the building?"
She nodded, "Logan's been working a lot with one of his good friends and he's gotten him interested in a lot of teen community work and both realized that there's not enough safe avenues for our youth so they think they can make this into a safe space for them.
"Any ideas on what you guys would make it?"
Ororo nodded, "Something to keep young people like yourself busy and out of trouble. Logan's thinking maybe a gym." Remy nodded, "It was good timing that your dad decided to sell. What brought that on anyway?"
Remy shrugged, "He's been traveling less since we moved back home. I don't think he realized how much he missed being in New Orleans so I think coming this far out to deal with the business was getting annoying."
She nodded but before she could say anything else both adult males came back out of the building and made their way to them.
"How is it?"
"It's huge, a lot bigger than it looks," Logan answered. "Hard to believe that it was just a pawn shop with all that space."
Jean Luc Lebeau smirked and shared a glance with his son before answering, "There's time we have big merchandise. What do you think?"
Logan nodded, "Let's go inside and talk digits."
Jean Luc nodded and they made their way towards the auto shop lobby. Ororo and Remy followed but as they made their way into Logan's office they remained in the lobby.
"How long are you staying in town?"
"That I know of until the deal is done. He would have come alone but since it's summer I decided to pass on the summer semester and tag along."
"Well even if Logan takes it off his hands with the loans and the paperwork that has to be dealt with you're probably looking at a few weeks. Did Henri come too?"
Remy shook his head, "He's in love and couldn't bear leaving her even to keep me company," he rolled his eyes.
She laughed at the antic, "you know you'll probably be in a similar situation one day."
"Dieu, I hope not. He's pussy-whipped…oops…pardon my French."
"You're not a kid anymore," she answered with a smile but shook her head either way.
He grinned, "he's happy though planning to pop the question soon," Remy shrugged
Ororo nodded, "I'm very happy for him. Are you still singing? I remember your father was still adamant in keeping you in choir."
"You're bringing up the worst things," he muttered and blushed at the memory.
She laughed yet again, "You've been gone for a few years but the pawn shop has been there as long as this auto shop. I watched you grow up, it's easy retaining memories of when you were just a small mischievous little devil."
He shook his head, "Well it's not choir anymore but I am in a band. Just something to do in my down time…"
"Oh yeah?"
"Oui, we call ourselves the thieves guild."
"That's an odd name."
"We'll we're out there stealing the attention from other local bands and stealing the hearts of many belle femme's."
Ororo nodded, "Well if you're going to stay awhile and need to find a way to stay entertained…" she walked behind the counter and rummaged through a drawer eventually taking out a pamphlet and handing it to him.
His eyes scanned the large letterings at the top, 'Auditions'
"They're holding singing auditions for a music group we sponsor. It doesn't require a long term commitment so you don't have to worry about the fact that you won't be staying long. Again something to help with boredom."
Remy skimmed the contents of the small booklet. There were multiple adverts of different bands on the cover . His lips parted to comment on it but before he could say anything a small ding alerted them that someone had just walked into the shop.
"Hold on a minute, I don't know where my nephew Evan went…let me take care of this customer…"
Remy nodded and moved away from the counter to take a look at the surroundings. Multiple pictures of bikes and cars littered the lobby. He was busy admiring a picture of a Harley Davison when his attention got pulled away as someone addressed him.
"Lebeau?" He turned to the familiar masculine tone to see a familiar face.
"Matthews."
"It is you! Hey man! What's going on? I thought you had gone back to Cajun country?"
Remy nodded, "I did. I'm just back into town with my dad for business."
"How long are you gonna be?"
"Not sure," Duncan Matthews nodded, "How have you been?" Remy asked and eyed the blond haired boy noticing that he wore a sweater with the community college name on it.
"Good! Living it up."
"Are you still playing?" he asked and nodded towards his sweater.
"Hell yeah! No better way to get aggression out than by slamming someone to the ground you know? You?"
"Non, I gave it up with the move. Made music my hobby."
"Nice, you in a band?" Remy nodded, making the blond boy nod back with an impressed expression on his face. "Sure that means you get enough tail to share." Remy's mouth opened but before he could respond to the remark he heard his father and Logan's voice as the door to the office opened.
"I gotta go homme, nice catching up with you."
"Yeah, you too...hey if you're going to be in town long, hit me up. I have the deets on the most popular parties with the hottest college chicks…" as he spoke he grabbed a brochure and started scribbling on it, handing it to the auburn hair male. "A musician like you wouldn't have any trouble leaving alone if you know what I mean."
Remy nodded and looked at the phone number. "Sure, I'll let you know how long I'm planning to be in town…" he then pocketed the brochure and walked away towards his father.
O-o-O-o-O-o-O-o-O
In all honesty Remy hadn't actually planned to text Duncan. It just so happened that his dad had a business dinner that he had invited him to but he wasn't really in the mood to listen to the politics in 'honest' pawn shop chains. So he had messaged the blond male and he was currently surrounded by swaying bodies, cups in the air, loud music and strobing lights.
As he walked around plenty of girls looked his way, most of them blonde. He ended up staying away from those girls, not that they weren't pretty but he had just ended things with an intense blond and he was not planning to get himself in that type of trouble, at least not so soon. He quickly shook the vision of Belladonna out of his mind as Duncan yelled something at him.
"Oh hey, let me introduce you to my buddy, this is actually his party so he'll definitely be able to point us in the right direction to all the hunnies…" Remy nodded but didn't say anything as they approached another blond male, unlike Duncan who had a short clean cut haircut, this guy had long straight locks that went past his shoulders.
"Longshot! Hey!"
"Hey! You made it!"
"Yeah! This is my friend Remy!" Duncan pointed a thumb next to himself.
The blond nodded, studying him closely. "You boys enjoying the party."
"Just got here a few minutes ago, we were hoping you could point us in the right direction and we'll start having real fun," Duncan winked.
"They're beauties all around. Just stay away from the one that I just found. She's fucken hot and I'm going to enjoy breaking her in. I think this upcoming semester is her first so you boys know she's fresh…Oh hey, here she comes now…babe! Babe come over here and let me introduce you to some friends…"
The girl he was calling to must have headed towards them because Remy saw bodies part to make a path. His eyes widened a fraction when his eyes landed on white bangs that connected to brown. Her purple stained lips were curled upwards but the smile somewhat faltered as their eyes met.
"This is…"
Remy found his lips parting, the A of the name he wanted to say escaping but overpowered by her loud, "Marian."
"Marian," the male being referred to as Longshot repeated. "Well You guys enjoy your night, we'll see you around," he remarked putting his arm over her shoulder and walking the girl away but not before turning back to them and winking.
Remy's head tilted to the side and he watched them move away, lips in a straight line.
O-o-O-o-O-o-O-o-O
Thirty minutes later Remy found himself talking to a raven haired girl, blue eyes and big smile. He smiled back and nodded and tried to pay attention to make sure that he spoke when he needed to but ever so often his eyes would wander the room not finding what he was looking for.
It would be another fifteen minutes before a big commotion grabbed both their attention and made them turn to the partying of bodies as a very angry looking Longshot made his way through the crowd.
"Where the fuck did she go?" He yelled and it was then that Remy noticed that he was drenched in what he could only assume was beer by the smell.
"Who?" Duncan suddenly appeared out of nowhere.
"Marian that bitch…"
"What happened?!"
Whatever explanation he mumbled was ignored as Remy found himself looking around the room again.
"I want her found!"
"Sorry petite…looks like my services are needed," he found himself whispering to the girl.
"Can I find you later?" she asked, batting her lashes at him.
"Sure…"
O-o-O-o-O-o-O-o-O
Anna cursed, who's great idea had it been to go to a frat party for some unknown fraternity. Elizabeth's that's who! Alright, alright, it had actually been hers and she had just persuaded the purple haired Brit to go but still, she could have been harder to convince.
Oh shit! Elizabeth. She had left her alone at that party. Well not really alone, last she had seen her she was cozying up with a cute blond guy, but if she was going to look for her she was not going to find her. Worse yet, she couldn't even call her or text her to let her know. She looked down at her phone and shook it, making liquid drip out of the charging port.
But it couldn't be helped. She definitely wasn't planning to stick around after kicking that guy in the balls and spilling his beer all over him and unfortunately her phone.
She gave her phone a last shake before pocketing it and looking around at the unknown area. Why had the idea of
a party on the outskirts of town been so appealing in the first place? Oh yeah because the chances of meeting anyone she knew were low which opened up the possibility of going out and getting really hammered. That however didn't mean that she was ok with getting felt up by the first asshole who thought he could. She had been down for the make out session but that hadn't been an "ok" for him to put his hand up her skirt, a lesson that hopefully she taught him well for future endeavors.
She smirked at herself before it quickly disappeared as she was reminded of her current situation. No ride, no phone and a very long walk. She sighed to herself before noticing that her surrounding area had suddenly gotten brighter, it took her a moment to realize that they were headlights behind her and worse yet they were slowing as they approached her.
Shit was that guy that pissed off with her that he had actually decided to drive around looking for her?
The car stopped when it reached her and her eyes sought out the figure inside but the windows were tinted dark enough that she just made out an outline. The window eventually rolled down.
"Need a ride Maid Marian?"
Her eyes widened in a similar fashion as when she saw him earlier. So it was him after all. In her somewhat buzzed state earlier she had convinced herself that she was seeing things, Longshot had pretty much sobered her up and here he still was.
Remy Lebeau.
Her eyes looked away from him to look at the road ahead. At this rate she was still a good thirty minute walk away from her side of town and even if she reached a pay phone or found someone to borrow a phone from, Wanda had a date night with John, she probably had her phone off. Kurt and Pietro could be a possibility but neither male would be happy when she explained what happened. Sometimes your first puppy crush was the best option, she told herself before looking back to him and grabbing for the door handle.
Once she was buckled in and the car started moving again she mumbled a "Merci beaucoup."
Something that made his eyebrows go up, "You kept up with it…Anna-Marie."
"It's Anna, and it was easy credits, Professor Lebeau."
He smirked at the answer. It was an odd feeling, being in their close vicinity knowing there was a time gap from the last time they had ever seen each other yet some of their dynamic hadn't changed. Her face and body features were a very easy indicator that three years had indeed passed.
"You still at the same house?"
"Yeah."
"Is that where I'm dropping you off?"
"Yeah that's fine, that guy killed my mood so home sounds nice." At the words his eyes narrowed before glazing over her. Reading the unasked question she rolled her eyes and crossed a leg over the other and did the same with her arms. "Believe me, he got it worse than I did."
"Hmm…" he answered.
After a few minutes of an awkward silence she found herself asking, "So what are you doing here?"
"You talking about the party or town?"
She shrugged, "Whichever you want to answer I suppose."
"I was told there would be some belle college Femmes. On m'a menti..." (I was lied to). She wasn't sure why the answer bothered her but her lips twitched downward, "clearly not everyone there was in college."
Her head snapped towards him to see that he was giving her a pointed look, "I'm in college…next month." He smiled at the answer and shook his head, moving his gaze back to the road causing hers to move to look out the window. After a bit his voice interrupted the low growling tones coming from his stereo.
"Mon pere is in town on business and I decided to tag along."
"Not enough frat parties in the Big Easy?"
He found himself smirking, "There's always parties in the Big Easy, sometimes it's nice to get away from your typical type of party I suppose."
"Hmm…"
"I see the hair wasn't a phase." Her eyes went to her reflection to eye the snow while bangs. She felt her cheeks get warm as she recalled the blonde ones she started with. "The white looks really good, C'est unique."
"Thanks."
"How's your frère?"
"He hasn't changed so he's still annoying."
He laughed out loud and the rest of the drive went off in a comfortable silence as they both enjoyed the sound of the piano and Marilyn Manson voice. When he finally came to a stop he did in front of the gates instead of making his way inside the driveway.
"Um, thanks for the ride. I guess it's a happy coincidence that you happened to be in town at that party."
"Saved you from a long walk didn't it?"
She nodded, "It was nice seeing you…"
"You too, à bientôt Anna"
"Bye," she got out of the car and headed towards the house, not bothering to look back to see if he had driven off yet while also trying to pretend that she didn't recognize the familiar flutters in her stomach.
Seconds later she found herself walking slowly and half dazed into the house. Her heart was beating at a rate she didn't like but she was telling herself that it definitely didn't have anything to do with her crush on the Cajun during her freshman year. There had been three years of radio silence and there was no way her heart was pounding the way that it was because of that.
If anything it probably had to do with the fact that the three years has been really good to him in the look department. Not that Remy hadn't been good looking before but he had definitely grown more into his features. His hair had grown past his chin, and his chin had grown a bit of stubble itself. The biggest change would be on his body, she didn't allow herself to ogle for too long but his tight shirt had outlined the hard lines of muscles.
Yes, Remy Lebeau was still fucken fine as fuck.
She took a deep breath in and released it slowly. She needed to stop, her body was being a hormonal mess and it was for nothing. He was only in town for a bit and even at that, this was probably the only time she was going to ever see him again. She tried shaking the thought off and made to go up towards her room but got momentarily distracted by sound coming from the living room.
Once she arrived she found John sitting at the end of the couch, one leg on floor the other at a weird angle on the couch. Wanda was sitting comfortably and right at home in between his legs, her back leaning against his chest.
"Hey, you're home early…"
Damn it. She has been spotted before making a quiet get away.
"Hey, yeah the party wasn't as fun as I thought it would be. I thought you two were going to the movies."
"We went but the one we wanted to watch was sold out so we just came back here." Anna nodded and both girls stared at each other for a few seconds, Wanda tilted her head to the side after a bit and asked, "Anything exciting happen?"
Damn, she needed to get better at not projecting. Anna thought to herself before shaking her head, "Other than my phone going to shit no."
"What happened to your phone?"
"Long story for another time. I'm going to shower and watch some tv. See you guys later…"
Sapphire orbs followed her figure until she was gone. She was broken out of her trance when a pair of soft lips made contact with her temple. "Do you want to go after her luv…"
"No," Wanda let her body relax and fall deeper into him. "If it's important she'll talk to me about it later."
"You sure?" He asked again and placed another chaste kiss on her skin, this time a little lower on the area behind her ear making goosebumps pop up on her arms. His hand which had been holding hers slid up her side fanning out once it reached her breast.
"I'm sure, but stop doing that. My dad's home and you know you're not allowed to be up in my room."
"Oh I know," he responded and placed a kiss on her neck while one of his fingers circled the center of her mound.
"If you get caught, you're going to be dead." She warned but moved her head back into the crook of his neck giving him more access.
He laughed and placed a last kiss towards the bottom where her neck and shoulder met and let his hand go back to the side to hold hers. "You work tomorrow? We can always go back to my place."
"I changed my work schedule, remember? I'm trying to get my apprenticeship out of the way so Agatha is letting me work six days."
"Oh yeah, I remember now. That sounds exhausting."
She gave a small shrug, "We do what we need to right?"
He nodded and processed in resting his chin on the top of her head, "When are you guys holding the auditions?"
"Sunday."
"Shit that's my day off, do you have to go?"
"Considering I'm one out of two right now I think I should be there. It's only in the morning though so I'll be yours for the rest of the day."
"Hmm, I guess that works."
"What should we plan?"
"I don't know. I'll just meet you at your place and we'll see where it goes from there…"
"Oh I think I know where it might go," He murmured and nuzzled his face into her neck.
She laughed and her free hand went upwards so that her fingers went into his hair. The moment was cut short though when a cough sounded off a few feet away from them. Both looked and John got up so fast that the action caused Wanda to go from his lap to half her body hanging off the couch with her hands supporting her so that she wouldn't fall onto the floor.
"Hey boss."
Eric perked a brow before moving his gaze to his daughter who was trying to pull herself upright on the couch. "St. John, I'm glad to see you here, has Jason called you?"
"No."
"He needs you and Pietro at the theater tomorrow to help set up the instruments for the auditions."
"What time?"
"10am."
"I'll be there."
"Good. I'm retiring now, I'll see you both tomorrow."
"Night," Wanda called out. When he was gone she glared at her boyfriend, "You dropped me, I should kick your ass."
"Well he was here, earlier you said I shouldn't get caught!"
"We've been dating for three years now, I think he knows you're my boyfriend. What I meant earlier was for him to not catch you feeling me up, you're not going to shock anyone by kissing me…"
"Oh…" She rolled her eyes at him but the frown she wore turned into a straight line as he leaned forward towards her and kissed the tip of her nose. "Sorry."
"I guess I can forgive you," she muttered before allowing him to kiss her again and eventually letting him move her back into the position they were in to keep watching the movie.
O-o-O-o-O-o-O-o-O
"Don't bother, I killed it!"
Remy followed the figure of the red headed man who didn't look much older than him until he was out of the door. He pursed his lips as he took the brochure Ororo had given him out. He thought the auditions didn't start until eleven and had originally thought he was super early being there at ten thirty but it seemed the auditions were already going on. He walked forward and into the theater room to see a short dark haired man speaking to a tall silver haired boy.
"He was good, I liked him."
"He came off too intense."
"We can't be too picky, we didn't get a lot of good candidates."
"I really liked the Russian guy, he was a little stoic but he was good."
"I already have him down for a call back next week. Stoic isn't a bad thing, when we build your guys characters there's always a role of the mysterious quiet guy." The short man turned with papers in hands and that's when he spotted him. "Oh…did we have one more?" He whispered to the silver haired male making him turn.
The younger male tilted his head and stared at him, probably thinking the same thing Remy was thinking, he was vaguely familiar. "I thought we were done," he finally answered.
"No matter, we can fit one more in since we haven't cleaned up. Where is John?"
"Went to take a leak."
"We'll just have to watch this on our own without him. Hi there! We're running short of time so we'll do introductions after this, go ahead and get on the stage, at this time all spots are open so go for whatever instrument you'd like…"
Remy looked at them oddly before turning his attention to the stage, "Uh…alright." He answered and made his way up while thinking this was the oddest way to audition for a band. They were either in a hurry or they did not think he had any talent by just looking at him.
On the stage he saw that all instruments were laid out ready to be used. He automatically went for the guitar and noticed that the microphone was nearby as well.
"Do you have a song in mind?"
"Yeah, no worries I can work with this…" He found himself answering and noticing again that the silver haired one was watching him with a curious expression. Putting it out of mind he took a deep breath and his fingers started strumming the strings on the guitar to the song he knew both individuals would recognize immediately, it was a classic after all. After about a minute on the instrument he took a few steps forward and let his lips hover above the microphone and began to sing:
"There's a lady who's sure all that glitters is gold and she's buying a stairway to heaven...When she gets there she knows, if the stores are all closed With a word she can get what she came for...Ooh, ooh, and she's buying a stairway to heaven…"
When he was done with the song he was happy to see that both gentlemen were watching him with awed expressions. He guessed they hadn't been expecting him to sing and play the guitar at the same time. Before either could speak a word though there was clapping from the other side of the room and an orange haired male started making their way towards the theater stage.
"Remy Lebeau."
"Allerdyce. Small world," Remy remarked and smiled while putting the guitar back in its place.
"You know him?" Pietro asked when John stopped his stroll next to him and Remy made his way off the stage.
"You should too, somewhat anyway, you're the ones that shared a school," he answered and both waited for the Cajun to join them off the stage. "Remy Lebeau, he was the MVP for your football team at the Institute."
At the words Pietro suddenly got a memory back of Anna and Kurt with their heads in French books with an older teen watching them while shuffling a deck of cards, "Holy shit. You were Kurt and Anna's tutor!"
Remy nodded at the words and in a flash he remembered the twins that had always been around his French pupils.
"What are you doing here? Thought you were going to take New Orleans by storm," John remarked with a friendly nod.
"I am, just deciding to bring the action here for a while. You?"
"I'm in the band. Guitar and bass," he nodded towards Pietro, "vocals and the main man behind it."
"Nice," Remy remarked and nodded. "How did I do?"
"I'd say pretty good, you left my manager speechless," He tilted his towards Jason who was looking at him as if he was stars truck.
"We're doing call backs next week and I'm pretty sure Jason here would love to see you back if you're available."
"Yeah, I should still be here," Remy answered.
Pietro nodded and then seemed to think about it, "Actually, what are you doing now? Do you have time so we can talk and you can tell me about your skills. You're in a band right?"
"How did you know?"
"After seeing someone play I think you just get a sense of it."
Remy nodded at the explanation, "Yeah, I don't have any plans."
"Great, you coming?" Pietro asked John, "Or are you meeting Wanda?"
"I don't think she was expecting me to be this early so I have some time. We need to get some things together before the X-geeks come in though, they're holding auditions too."
Pietro scoffed, "I'm not worried about them."
"X-geeks? Remy asked, perking a brow, "They the discount X-men or what?"
"No…they are the X-men."
"…" Remy paused and looked between both guys, "Oh…then who the hell did I just audition for?" He laughed, "I got suggested to audition for the X-men."
John laughed and shook his head, "Damn. you're that good and we're going to have to give you up?"
"The hell we are," Pietro answered. "Hey, just go to eat with us and listen to what we have to say and if you don't like it you can always come back and audition for them. You'll be a shoe in, they take anyone."
Before Remy could answer Jason coughed making the boys turn to him, "Before you take off there's a few things we need to discuss, Pietro."
Pietro nodded and turned back to them, "I'll be back, don't let him leave!" Pietro instructed John who nodded but when he was gone he turned back to the taller boy.
"You can go if you want."
Remy shrugged, "I have nowhere to be and technically if I want to audition for the X-men this is where I'd have to be anyway. So what's the difference between the bands anyway?"
John shrugged, "Honestly the sounds. Also they have a bazillion members whereas we're thinking of just being a five man crew."
Remy nodded and his lips parted but before he could say anything both boys were distracted by someone walking in and Remy's brows lifted in surprise. It really was a small fucken world. Then again he was in Bayville now.
"Holy shit, you're really doing it then?"
At the words Anna turned to them, noticing them for the first time and started walking towards them. "I told you guys, I'm not having anything to do with the Brotherhood with my mom in charge. I do this shit for fun and she'll suck all the fun out of it."
He shook his head before looking back at Remy, "Oh hey, you remember…"
"Remy."
"Anna-Marie."
"It's…"
"Anna," He finished for her with a smirk.
"Alright, so you do remember him."
"Yeah," she answered, deciding to leave out that they had already seen each other within the last 72 hours.
"So you guys are…" Remy looked between them, sensing the familiarity between them.
Anna rolled her eyes at the insinuation, "Ex-band members," she remarked.
"And I'm banging her fine ass sister."
"I'm going to tell her you said that."
"No don't! She'll hit me."
"I know," Anna answered, "Anyway, why are you here?"
Remy felt the deja vu of the question but before he could form an answer John beat him to it, "Well we're holding…"
"I know why you're here John," Anna interrupted him and moved her gaze to Remy.
He still didn't get a chance to answer as the orange haired male opened his mouth , "Pretty sure he's the newest member of the Acolytes."
"Guess that might make us band rivals, if the X-men take me anyway…"
The door opposite then opened and Remy was surprised to see Logan enter along with a man in a wheelchair and a man with dark bluish hair.
"I better go. I guess I'll see you around…"
"You will?" Remy asked, perking a brow. Anna didn't answer and walked away towards the new adults that had just entered.
When she was out of earshot, John answered the question he had asked, "Practices are at Pietro's house, they built a studio in the back of the house so that's where band meetings are."
Remy nodded and John continued the conversation, though if Remy was going to be honest, if he was asked to repeat the conversation he would have not been able to. His eyes stayed on the southern girl who was now having a conversation with Logan.
Five minutes later his attention was going in between John who had become quite the talker in the last three years and the stage where Anna was now at the center with a microphone in front of her. As the music started he felt the air leave his lungs.
"Turn her over...a candle is lit I see through her. Blow it out and save all her ashes for me…"
"Well they're going to keep her…"
/Curse me sold her
the poison that runs its course through her.
Pale white skin with strawberry gashes all over all over/
Remy looked away to see that Pietro had rejoined them, "Cause they take anyone?" he threw his earlier words back at him.
/Watch me fault her
You're living like a disaster/
"Cause both my sisters are bad asses. It's just too bad that neither is serious about it enough or else I would have taken them," he responded. "Come on, let's get out of here." With those words he turned and started making his way out. John followed right away and after a last glance Remy followed as well, Anna's voice echoing as they went.
/She said kill me faster
with strawberry gashes all over/
O-o-O-o-O-o-O-o-O
"It's dark.."
Charles Xavier nodded at Hanks McCoys observation, before he had a chance to comment Logan gave a grunt. "Isn't that what makes the X-men special? The variety of personality in our talent."
After the words Anna's curse echoed in the room making him wince while Charles smiled.
"You're right, we could use something a little more different on the roster though I do believe we'll keep the amount of vulgarity and dark theme to a minimum. "
"That's if she decides to accept that offer," Hank added, making the other two males nod. "But yes, I think she's definitely a diamond in the rough…"
O-o-O-o-O-o-O-o-O
Wanda turned away from the tv to face the doorway when the sound of it opening sounded throughout the small
apartment belonging to St. John. A few minutes later her orange haired boyfriend came into view.
"You're late," she remarked, eyes narrowing.
He smirked and bent his body forward to place a kiss on her lips which even though she seemed annoyed she accepted. "Sorry, band business ended up going longer than I thought it would. How was your morning?"
"Good, I got some exciting news from Agatha."
"Hmm?"
"She's going to let me start working on live canvases!
"Wow, you're ready to work with people?"
"Mhmm…"
"I'm happy for you love, so how do you determine who you work on?"
"Well…the first few people have to be volunteers…"
At the words she gave him a look, the looks she gave him when she wanted something from him and it was the same look he could never say no to. "You want me to be your guinea pig?" He asked in faux shock. After a few seconds though he smiled and sat beside her on the couch, "Well I'm your everything else anyway so sure I guess."
"Really?"
He nodded, "I should start racking some tattoos for my new rock look anyway."
Wanda settled her head in his lap using him as a pillow, "How did the auditions go anyway?"
"Good, there were some hopefuls. Actually your brother and I had brunch with one of them. Remy Lebeau." The name rang a bell but Wanda couldn't quite place it, not until he added, "you remember your sister's French tutor?"
At the words the memory of her first amateur tattoo came to mind. A flicker of Anna's face came and went and she found herself saying, "I thought he moved out of state for school."
"He's back in town for a few weeks ."
"A few weeks? Then how is he supposed to be a new member?"
"Pietro's trying to convince him to stay, they were actually still talking when I left so I guess we'll see how it goes."
"Hmm..."
"What's up?" He noticed her thoughtful expression.
"Nothing," she blinked and she started looking at his arm before her hands started reaching out to them, "So what should we do to you?" She asked.
He smirked at the question, "Oh, you can do a lot to me, especially since we're at my place."
She rolled her eyes and gave him a slight smack, "I meant tattoo wise…" after a few minutes of silence with him staring at her with a goofy smile she added, "but yes I guess we can also discuss that too…"
His blue eyes dilated and his hand grabbed on to one of hers placing it back at her side before releasing it. That same hand then slid down her hip before caressing her thigh and crossing, placing his hand in between her legs. He watched her chest arch upwards as he slid a finger across her slit, the wetness already seeping through.
His goofy smile was replaced with a much sexier grin with the knowledge that they weren't going to be discussing anything, at least not for a few hours.
O-o-O-o-O-o-O-o-O TBC O-o-O-o-O-o-O-o-O
And there you have it, the start of The Acolytes! Again, I had a lot of fun with this chapter and just building the connections between half of the gang. There was an Elizabeth mention! I really wanted to squeeze her in here with Warren but it's hard with everything going on with the mains so Name Drops will have to do…
Jubilay- MIA
Amarto- MIA
Romy- And they meet again! Anna has just finished her High School years and is already getting in trouble as she goes looking for College parties (even though she is still too young to drink! She is def trouble) and lucky for her, her first hardcore puppy crush happens to be in the vicinity to be a knight in shining armor! There was a call back to the fact that she likes Robin Hood (and he remembers) and yeah…subtle attraction and interest are at play…
Xietro- MIA
Jonda- They are so sweet and touchy feely! Such a change to how they're acting in the present. Ah…love… ;)
The next chapter will be the last in flashback territory and we are skipping some time again. Prepare yourselves for some angst and the beginning of a certain secret affair (I know some of you are dying to find out more about that :P) Remy wowed Pietro and Jason with Led Zeppelin's, "Stairway to Heaven" and Anna scared the X-men with Jack Off Jill's "Strawberry Gashes."
Thanks for reading and I'll see you guys next time. Also if you're interested in art of these five beautiful ships make sure to check out my tumblr XietroQueen cause I've spent a lot of money on these precious babies and I don't regret it ;) Bye now!
-Hexy