Inked

by untouchable hexing witch

Jubilee needs a summer job before starting her college life. As an aspiring artists to be the idea of a tattoo shop isn't so bad. With the perk of having good looking co workers with interesting tattoo's that maybe have interesting stories to go with them, why not? [Jubilay][Amarto][Romy][Xietro][Jonda] [AU No Powers] In shorter Words: The X-men Evo Tattoo AU no one asked for.

26. At Arm's Length

O-o-O-o-O-o-O-o-O Disclaimer O-o-O-o-O-o-O-o-O

X-Men Evolution and its 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

Here I am! Hope everyone is doing well and having a good spring. My May has been crazy and busy with a Music Festival, wedding and even a quincenera so safe to say my writing time has been limited, you're all just lucky I had this chapter written for a while and it just needed some editing ;)

Many thanks to Clamchick (Believe me I broke my own heart with Amara. I love that Ray is the first one out of the two figuring it out. Yay! Glad I'm writing the deeper intimate feel well enough that you're catching it ;) Jealous not Jealous Rogue is fun and I'm hoping to squeeze her in more) who keeps me going.

I probably won't update next month. If you've followed any of my works before you know that I always start dragging at the end. Endings are hard guys! But who knows, maybe I'll surprise myself and maybe my loser (affectionate term) dog will stop being so clingy so I can spend more time at my PC. Either way I hope this chapter is enjoyed!

O-o-O-o-O-o-O-o-O Chapter 26 O-o-O-o-O-o-O-o-O

Laura's nose scrunched as the smell of cigarettes suddenly invaded all her senses. The air itself seemed to be heavy with wisps of it and she looked around carefully not sure of where to go.

When Pietro had told her that they were going to a bar she had made sure to bring an outfit to dress the part. Her thigh high boots went just below her drop dead tattoos. Her shorts fit her snuggly and were dark blue in color going nicely along with the open-back black top that was tied at her neck.

It was odd to look the part but feel so out of place, but she blamed it on the fact she was millions of miles away from home.

Pietro on the other hand, looked nothing like the part in his light blue jeans, white button up and gray jacket. His attitude and stroll though were filled with confidence that more than made up for it.

Surprisingly enough, he was the one to make the first move. His hand went to hers lacing his fingers in between her own and soon they were moving through people stopping at an empty pool table. His hand went into his jeans and he took out some cash.

"Why don't you get this table ready for us and I'll go get our drinks…what do you want?"

"Uh…why don't you get me a platinum bud light…"

He nodded and went off leaving her alone to take care of setting up the pool table. As she worked her eyes stayed trained on the silver haired male. She watched him tap on the counter as he waited to be noticed and when they did his lips parted to ask for their drinks. The bartender nodded and moved to turn around and get the drinks ready but before they could finish the act she watched Pietro lean further in towards the counter catching the attendant's attention again. The bartender paused at the words being said to him, the expression on his face serious and curious at the same time. His mouth opened to respond before turning around to finish the drinks.

A minute later Pietro was walking back towards her with the drinks in hand. He set them at a table next to the pool table they were occupying and when he was done she waited for him to tell her what that had been about but he did not mention it.

"Go ahead and break."

She eyed him for a few seconds before nodding. "So, how exactly do you know that Sabretooth is going to show up here? It looks like a regular bar to me," she asked as she bent forward and eyed the solid ball with the number 1 on it.

Pietro turned to the yellow and orange bar logo hanging on the back wall, the words 'El Tigre' shone bright and at the center of the word Tigre, there was what looked like blond fur protruding out, "Cause it's his bar. We're in Edmonton, Canada…this is his hometown."

He made this comment as she went for the strike, the words causing a sudden stutter making the cue hit the white ball at the side instead of dead center. The balls scattered all over the place, none of them going into any of the pockets, "But I googled him earlier. It says that no one really knows where he's from!"

"In bands there tends to always be a mysterious lone wolf type, that no one knows anything about,"' Pietro answered with a grin, "guess it's a good thing we have connections. For now let's just play as we wait." After the words he made his move making a ball fall into a pocket. "I have solids…" he remarked before going for another ball and making it in. He turned to her with a smirk, "I can give you pointers…"

The next ball did not go in. She walked around the table trying to find a good angel for a striped ball and ended up at a corner, eyeing a ball at the opposite side. Her thrust was swift and hard, the cue ball made a direct hit and the ball was in the pocket seconds later.

"I think I'll be ok," she finally answered his invitation and did another walk around the table. His sapphire eyes followed her, and watched as she stopped beside him. He couldn't help but watch her bend in front of him, the material of her shorts rising up her skin a small inch but it was enough to make him want to touch her. It didn't help that her whole back was bare to him either.

His attention was pulled back to the table as he heard the sound of not just one ball but two go in simultaneously. She stood up straight and turned around to face him, a feat that had her head tilting up with their height difference.

"Ps. I'm kind of good at this."

His grin widened and his head moved down till the point that the small hairs at the tip of his nose were practically touching hers, "I know…"

He then pulled back and walked around looking at the green table top, "I used to watch you…" his comment was very casual and when he looked up after putting a ball in he found her staring at him in curious confusion. "When you used to go out and play with Anna, at that one bar downtown…"

"Fury's Shield? That was ages ago! It was when I had just joined the X-Men."

He nodded and went for another ball, "Yeah, it's when you used to dye your hair blue. I always thought it looked cool…" he missed and when he turned towards her he found her zoned out looking at the green cloth of the table.

She could see it clearly, her and Anna laughing gleefully as they took sips from their beer secretly provided by their fake ids. She had just joined the band and had instantly felt a connection with the two toned hair girl who was making the best of making her feel welcomed in the large group of girls and boys.

Maybe illegally drinking wasn't the right way but it seemed to be something they both enjoyed.

She could easily see herself turning to look among the patrons, wondering if any of them knew they didn't belong and that's when her eyes would catch the corner table. The young woman's face would be turned away looking at the male beside her but she had seen her around enough that she could picture the blue eyes perfectly. Her blond hair shined in the enclosed space and there was an air of sexuality rolling off her. She was what people her age would definitely call a milf.

And if that's what she was then the partner next to her would also be considered a Dilf. His sapphire eyes would be staring back when she turned to him and the only thought going through her mind was that it wasn't weird, he was checking in on his step sister.

Much like Anna's voice had done back in the day to make her look away from the couple, Pietro's voice was clear and loud next to her, "it's your turn."

She blinked a few times before nodding and finding her next target, "that's right…" she finally answered, "you and Crystal would go there often."

He nodded in confirmation and he watched her continue playing. "We we're on our last legs at that time. Faking it to look like we were happy, trying to make it work for Luna but deep down we knew it was over. In all honesty I don't know how long we would have been together if she didn't get pregnant. It happened early on, she was already a few months without either of us knowing when I started trying to build up the Brotherhood before starting the Acolytes."

"It was always meant to happen like that," she remarked, making his eyes widened as she tilted her head to the table telling him it was his turn. Seeing the unasked question in his expression she smiled and added, "Well, can you imagine a world without Luna?"

The answer was quick and without hesitation. He went for his next ball, missing it. As she watched him she eyed his forearm, his pale white skin looked smooth and soft.

"You know…" she started and bent down for her next shot, "We haven't talked about that birthday gift you had offered me before. Were you for real about that?"

He watched the ball drop into the middle pocket, "I offered that when we were just friends, no reason for me to back out of it now that we're actually a thing."

"Wouldn't that be a good reason to back out? You got what you wanted."

"Nah, that'd be a false pretense. Plus it wasn't just about finally getting a date. When I said that I wanted you to do it I also meant that I liked your work, if I'm going to get something done I'd like it to be you. So I guess it's ironic that an X-men is going to eventually do my Brotherhood tattoo."

"…" she didn't reply. He wasn't sure if it was because she was so focused on the 8 ball or because she was purposely ignoring him but either way they both stayed quiet and watched as she made a quick hit and the black ball went in.

The game was over and like she had said she was good.

"Congratulations, should we go again?" He asked as he leaned on his cue pole. She didn't answer him but put her pole on the table and then walked over to him, surprising him when she took his pole from him and also placed it on the table.

She then grabbed his arms and flipped them over so his forearms were exposed. "Let's check my schedule when I get back, if you're ready."

"Really?"

"Yeah, I think I have something in mind you'll really like."

"Alright," taking advantage that her arms were on his he flipped them around so he was holding her. "By the way…I hadn't had a chance to tell you that you look fucking hot." He pulled her forwards so that their bodies collided.

"Oh yeah?" He nodded and let his arms envelop her waist instead. "Well I haven't had a chance to tell you that if nothing comes from this I'll believe this was just a ploy to get me miles away from home so you can have sexy time."

"Why would I do that if we can have sexy time in your room like always?"

"Because we're so far away and I don't have any roommates…" she stood up on her tiptoes and wrapped her arms around his neck, letting their noses touch, "Which means that I can be loud cause I don't really care if strangers hear me…"

"Oh…oooh," he answered, a wide grin forming on his face before closing the gap between them.

The kiss started slow, a sweet peck but his mouth had a different idea of what type of kiss he wanted it to be and his tongue pressed itself between her lips. She didn't fight the action and soon his tongue was exploring every crevice of her mouth before settling against her own. His body moved closer to her causing the back of her thighs to press against the pool table before she started to feel the small lift as he picked her up. Before things could get any steamer and he could sit her on the table like he had planned, they heard the sound of someone clearing their throats making them break apart.

Ever so slowly he set her down so her feet were back on the ground and they both turned to the side to see the bartender he had been speaking to earlier.

"Mr. Creed will see you now, please follow me."

Pietro shared a look with the short girl before him before releasing her and following the man, not forgetting their beer in the process. They were both led through a door that went to a hallway and a few turns and some stairs later they came upon another door.

The man didn't open it, instead he motioned for them to enter before turning and going back the way he had come.

The couple shared a look again before Pietro opened the door and let himself in. He waited for Laura to follow before closing the door and both took a moment to look at the surroundings.

There were a few couches with a TV in front of it, a mini bar at a corner and a pool table at the center. At the table was a tall man, his muscular frame made him look wide and thick and the long blond hair Laura had seen in many videos unruly and wild was in a tight long braid.

"I don't usually take visitors but how am I supposed to say no to Magnetos brat?" he asked as he hit the cue to a ball. There were already multiple balls scattered on its surface top, this game had been going on for a while. .

"Victor," Pietro greeted, walking deeper inside the room.

"Quicksilver, how are you? How's your club doing?"

"Good, good," Pietro answered and went into conversation. Laura watched them in silence, looking from one to the other not being able to help but notice the air of comradery between them.

After Pietro's answer Victor nodded acknowledging the responses before the amber eyes turned to her. "And who's this? Isn't that a little too much beer for such a small body?" He asked, eyes landing on her drink.

Her head tilted to the side and both males watched her bring the cup to her mouth. Her head then slowly started tilting back, the golden liquid disappearing more and more as it moved along with her.

When she was done she set the empty glass on the mini bar counter and walked to him, ignoring the surprised yet impressed expression on his face.

"My name is Laura Kinney…" her hand went to her back pocket where the picture of him and her mother suddenly felt as if it could burn a hole through the fabric. She pulled it out with such a fast movement that the lanyard keychain that had been in the same pocket came with it, both items dropping on the green top in front of the large blond.

His eyes widened as he looked at the picture of himself. They went back to normal and even narrowed a fraction as his attention went to the lanyard keychain and then he paused to look at the tattoo on her wrist.

"You're Sarah's kid. What can I do for you?"

"I think you're my father."

The room got quiet and then the large man surprised the other too by breaking the silence with a loud belly aching laugh that seemed to even shake the frames in the room as he continued.

Laura's eyes narrowed as she watched him and Pietro moved to stand beside her.

When Sabretooth finally calmed down he smirked, "Sorry kid, but I very much doubt that."

Laura's eyes narrowed a fraction more, "I've had her past looked into, you're the only tie that comes up before she moved away from Bayvi…"

A growl escaped his throat interrupting her, "Oh you don't have to remind me that we were tight, let's just say we weren't as tight as I had originally thought. She cheated on me and dropped me, then disappeared from the picture completely."

Laura's eyes widened at this new information before studying him carefully, not sure whether to believe him or not. After a moment she asked, "Can you…do you have a name?"

His smirk reappeared, "I do, but in all honesty it seems like you won't need a proper introduction." A brow perked at the statement. "There's a reason I don't visit Bayville unless I have to…it's a small city and things don't go well when we collide."

Pietro processed the information carefully and suddenly memories of being with the Acolytes came to him. Many of the practices they had were in fact in the studio in his backyard, but now that he recalled, Sabretooth never showed, at least not physically. Instead his dad would allow him to join them virtually, having all the money anyone could hope for meant that they had the resources to make it happen. A lot of the venues they played at were outside of Bayville and now if he really thought about it he had to admit that the Acolytes as a group had never performed at the Mercury Lounge. If the information he was giving them was correct that meant, Laura's father resided in Bayville.

The air was tense as the young pair waited for the name drop.

After a bit Victor tilted towards her, "You keep his mark close…" his eyes went back to the lanyard. "And it looks like you've branded yourself with the organization he co-owns, X-men."

Laura's hand unconsciously went to her wrist before her eyes dropped to her keychain. The lettering on it seemed bolder and larger than they had ever looked before. The words on it said, "Logan's Training Room" with a big circled x and the words repeated themselves on the material on both sides.

After some time with no one speaking Sabretooth went to hit a ball into a pocket. "I have no problem doing one of those stupid kits if you really want to cross me out. Just have it sent to the bar."

"How are you so sure I'm not yours?"

The quietness in her voice made the amber eyes go back to her, her eyebrows were scrunched inwards and her small fists were at the side of her body. He looked her up and down and his nose scrunched in as if he could smell her.

"I don't look that dumb when I'm mad…" he responded calmly, his eyes going back to the table, "and…you didn't get either of our heights."

Laura's eyes lost their tension at the words and she looked back at the picture of her mom. In it her mom's height was at his shoulder and the man before her was massive.

"Why don't you two go back upstairs and have a pitcher of beer, on the house."

Laura didn't bother turning back to the man, her eyes staying on the picture but she eventually felt Pietro's hand on hers dragging her away.

O-o-O-o-O-o-O-o-O

Pietro walked into the dark hotel room and let his keys and wallet fall onto the drawer countertop before looking for a light switch.

Suffice to say they hadn't stayed for the free pitcher of beer. Laura hadn't said much about the encounter, staying quiet and in her thoughts so he didn't necessarily believe she was in the mood to drink. So he had decided to head back to their hotel. He'd order food for them and they could just stay in bed and cuddle until she was ready to discuss it.

He turned around to tell her his plans and was surprised to see that she was actually right behind him. Before he knew what was happening one of her hands was on the back of his neck bringing him down to her level. Her lips were hot and heavy on him while her free hand played with the buttons on his shirt.

He responded to her kiss before slowly pulling away, "Hey wait… that was some heavy news…I'm not sure this is the right time fo…"

"Pietro," he stopped talking. "I don't like the way I feel right now, so make me feel something else. Please."

Pietro swallowed hard, he wasn't sure he had ever heard that word come out from the vixen before him. She let her grip on him go, letting her hand slide off his body sensationally before walking away from him towards the bed.

Her hands raised and were at the back of her neck, in a swift pull of one if the strings on her shirt the knot fell apart and she pulled the dark material away from her chest. When she turned around her hands were crossed into an x hiding her aspects.

"Unless…you're not that curious about how your name sounds being moaned from my lips."

He blinked and his iris were already a fraction larger. He mentally cursed at himself acknowledging that Laura had just added herself to the list of people he couldn't say no to and with that last thought in mind he started taking off his jacket as he made his way towards her.

O-o-O-o-O-o-O-o-O Sunday O-o-O-o-O-o-O-o-O

Wanda heard the click of the front door opening. Being curious to see if it was Anna who had messaged her earlier that she had ideas of their outfits for Nocturnal Madness, she made her way towards the entrance. Instead of meeting green she met identical blue to her own.

"Hey, the romantic getaway is over already?" She perked an eyebrow in question before turning to the limbs hanging over his shoulder.

"It was more of a one day thing, plus it's my turn with this little terror."

Wanda's lips turned upwards into a soft smile as she eyed the blond girl draped over his shoulder, "she looks pretty pooped out."

"Yeah I had to go to the lounge to check up on yesterday's numbers and inventory. Laura watched and played with her for a bit and then Todd and the boys kept her occupied while I did some work. Pretty sure they're as beat as she is with all the running they did around the tables."

"Sounds like she had fun."

"Yeah, I'll probably take her to the park tomorrow, get her to get more of that energy out and maybe we'll catch a movie at the theater too."

Wanda nodded and watched as her twin started making his way past her. Before they could go far something caught her attention and she grabbed onto the little hand that was hanging by Pietro's shoulder.

He stopped mid step and looked over his shoulder to see what had caught her attention. Her sapphire eyes were on his daughter's arm inspecting the black lines of the paint that had been used on her pale skin. "Gambit and Pyro were there too…and she said she wanted to be just like her uncle John so…I might have borrowed some of your temporary paints."

She nodded, eyes staying on the black flames, "I did buy them for her…who drew it?"

"…he did."

"It needs help."

"Yeah, well I doubt anyone but the original artist can make a good replica."

"Hmm…" Wanda responded and gently put the small arm backs against his shoulder. "You planning on coming back down after you put her to bed?"

"Nah, I didn't get much sleep last night so I might as well call it early."

"Gross."

"Oh, I don't know about that. You know you have a really talented frien…" Pietro did not finish the sentence as he got pushed forward.

"GOODNIGHT!" Wanda urged. He laughed but managed to get an arm up and waved.

When he was gone from sight Wanda looked back down at her phone. It was 10pm, if Anna wasn't home yet there was a chance she wasn't going to be there anytime soon.

'I guess she can tell me her idea's later,' she thought to herself before making her way upstairs towards her bedroom, trying not to think about Luna's tatted arm.

O-o-O-o-O-o-O-o-O Monday O-o-O-o-O-o-O-o-O

Jubilee twisted in bed. The movement caused her face to tilt in a new way which just happened to be right in front of her window causing sunshine to illuminate her face also causing a groan to escape her lips as she was assaulted by the sunrays waking her up in the process.

Her eyes blinked repeatedly trying to get used to the light before giving up completely and rolling so that she was out of the sun's way.

She really needed to invest in the curtains Ray had in his room. As soon as the thought made it through her head she wished it hadn't, it was a reminder that she hadn't seen the tall male much the last few days. It was also a reminder that she had been satisfying her own needs since then too. The thought itself shouldn't have made her feel the low feeling she was feeling now. She had satisfied herself while living with Amara plenty of times, sure maybe her appetite for it wasn't as strong as it was nowadays but there was no reason for that small teeny tiny thought to be making her sad.

She sighed and let her hand go to her bedside table tapping around at the surface until she found her phone. When she checked the time her eyes widened and she sat up straight.

No wonder it was so bright out. It was noon! Her legs went to the side to get off the bed and a few minutes later she was up and walking around the apartment finding it odd that it was so quiet.

Then again it was Monday. Roberto and Laura worked their full shifts at the training room. Ray on the other hand should have been around and had taken the habit of including her in whatever activity he was up to on their mutual days off, but after a quick sweep of the apartment she found no sign of life. She sat on the couch for a few minutes trying to think of what she could do while trying to ignore the small little part of her that was disappointed that he didn't take her with him wherever he went.

She eventually decided to drown the feeling in food and went to the kitchen. Deciding that she didn't want to put that much effort into her breakfast/lunch she took a hot pocket from the freezer and went to put it in the microwave when she found something inside.

There was a plate of French toast with scrambled eggs and bacon. The powdered sugar at the center of the toast was a capitalized J making it obvious that it was meant for her.

The sweet gesture should have made her feel better, but in the end that feeling inside her chest increased and elevated. She closed the microwave door a little harsher than intended as she put a timer on and kept ignoring that feeling inside of her, the feeling her heart kept trying to translate into longing but her mind kept bypassing.

O-o-O-o-O-o-O-o-O

Ray took a deep hit of his vape, holding it for a few seconds longer than usual and then slowly released it, letting his cheeks sink inward allowing circles to form instead of just letting it all out in a big puff of smoke.

It had been a tough day. Actually if he was being honest with himself it had been a couple of tough days. In the last week he had found himself avoiding his Asian coworker/roommate whenever he could. Of course he couldn't get away with doing that while at work but he at least made sure not to be alone with her and it was safe to say that it was all taking a toll on him.

His shoulders and arms were heavy and achy, whether it was from going to Logan's training room for hours at a time right now or the invisible weight of missing the dark haired girl he wasn't sure. Or more like he was in denial about it because though it was the latter he wasn't planning to say it out loud.

"I don't know if I should be surprised to see you awake or not."

"I think the answer is not…Nocturnal is just around the corner and there's a lot to do."

"That's true. I heard about your little secret." Ray froze for a moment, the word 'secret' rushing dread through his veins as he turned to his best friend. "Scott's not going to be happy about it," she added with a small grin.

He relaxed at the addition, "Can't tell me anything if it has the Professors blessing. So…I'm guessing that's one of the perks of dating the guy at the top, you get all the gossip?"

Laura rolled her eyes, "Well when you say it like that it doesn't sound as fun knowing." Ray smirked and took a hit of his vape. "How's it going?"

"Fine, there's a lot going on and so many bodies on the stage at the same time but I guess I'm kind of used to that. What I'm not used to is all the moving around they're going to be doing. It's going to be a wild performance for sure."

"Sounds like it from how Pietro explained it. When we got back Sunday this huge ass robotic face thing arrived at the Lounge so if looks is anything to go by it seems like it'll be an interesting performance for sure."

"The Sentinel came in? No wonder he moved up tomorrow's practice, he probably wants to set it up and see how it's going to look."

"What the fuck is a Sentinel?"

"Nevermind, don't worry about it. It's just something that goes with the theme we're doing. Anyway, why are you up?"

Laura's mouth closed for a moment and the realization that the last week had been such a whirlwind that she hadn't really had a chance to talk to him about the progress she had made sunk in. It was odd that they lived and worked together but they seemed to be missing each other when they had a free moment to catch up. She paused for a few seconds before her lips finally parted.

"Jessica Jones found a lead." His eyes widened at the statement, when he didn't say anything she continued, "she was able to find a long time ex boyfriend my mother had before she left Bayville. His name is Victor Creed."

The name sounded familiar to Ray but he couldn't pinpoint it. Laura waited for the reaction but when it didn't come she added, "he's the Acolytes drummer."

The image of the hairy blonde Acolyte came to mind and eyes widened even more than should have been possible, "Your mom and Sabretooth!?"

"There's pictures and everything."

"...well…is he?"

"I went to Canada to ask."

"You what? Is that where you and Pietro went this weekend?"

"Yeah…"

"And?"

"And he's adamant he's not. He was pretty cooperative about the whole thing, I should be expecting a DNA kit any day now."

"…how do you feel about that?

"I'm not sure yet."

"You're going to keep at it if he's right?"

"…if he's right and he's not my father…he pointed me into another lead."

"Why do you look like that?" Ray watched the younger girl carefully. The lines on her face had gotten tight as she went deep in thought.

"Because, I'm not sure what I'm going to do if he's right."

"That's what has you up?"

"Yeah…you?"

Ray paused, taking a hit of the vape and blowing it out, this time in a big puff of smoke. "Can't sleep…guess it might just be the excitement of it all."

"Hmm…mhmm," she responded absentmindedly and they both sat in silence for a while, both of their minds going to different people but similar shades of black and yellow.

O-o-O-o-O-o-O-o-O Tuesday O-o-O-o-O-o-O-o-O

"Alright! I'll see most of you next week. For those interested in weight training don't forget that I teach a class Thursday mornings."

Amara watched most of the class filter out while she made herself comfortable on the floor to stretch getting ready for her one on one session. To her surprise Rahne sat beside her.

"Are you sticking around?" She asked.

The Scottish girl grinned at the question, "Only for a bit so don't worry your pretty little head, you'll still have him all to yourself."

Amara couldn't help the heat that spread on her face, "What? That's not what I meant. You just never stay afterwards you can definitely stay, we don't do…"

Rahne laughed at the reaction before the smirk turned into a genuine smile, "You are so cute…no wonder he lik…"

"What are you still doing here?" Roberto had finished talking to one of the athletes who had been asking a question and was now hovering above them, eyes somewhat slanted as he looked at the green eyed girl.

"Sam said you had something for him and forgot that we didn't have practice today. Said to just grab it for him since I was seeing you."

"I see…alright hold up."

Both girls watched him walk to a corner of the room where his bag was.

"So, from what I've heard you have something going on this weekend, a contest or something right?"

The heat returned to Amara's face, "Oh, yeah. Something like that."

Rahen nodded and started getting up as Roberto started making his way back to them with something in his hands.

"Thank you very much," she took the item and turned back to her, "I'm sure you'll do great, good luck. I'll see you guys next week…"

"Technically sooner, we have practice tomorrow," Robert responded, looking unamused.

"Such a smart ass. See you soon," she gave a small wave and was out of the room in no time. Roberto and Amara watched until she was gone and the click of the door closing echoed in the otherwise quiet room.

"How did Rahne know about my pageant?"

Roberto's eyes widened a fraction at the question before going back to normal. His lips started to curl into a small smile, "The other's have become curious about you. You're around a lot. You know with Jubilee who might as well be considered an honorary member of the X-dolls at this point since she goes to practices and even helps as a body double. Laura, Anna and Rahne never fail to say nice things about you when questions arise so eventually I think it got brought up that we have these one on ones and what they're for and ya…I think the pageant eventually got brought up. Is that ok?"

Amara's lips parted and closed a few times as an internal debate ran through her head. The memory of being hesitant to tell Laura and Wanda on their initial meetings coming to mind. She had always thought this one detail of her life made her seem shallow and childish so the idea that it was knowledge to a lot of people made her a little uncomfortable but then the memory of those girls along with the good luck Rahne had given her and how supportive Roberto had been over the last few weeks made her realize that there was nothing to be embarrassed about. All these people and the ones that they surrounded themselves with saw her for her and not some bimbo.

"…Yeah, it's ok."

He nodded and studied her closely before reaching a hand out to her to help her up, "So for today I was thinking we could do something fun?"

"Fun? What do you mean? I thought maybe we could do a little more kickboxing to clean up my form and then I could show you my routine for the pageant," her hand reached up to him and in a swift pull she was up.

"From all the messaging we did this weekend it sounds like you've been overworking yourself with it. You know every move to a tee, right?" She nodded. "Then let's use today as a rest day. Your mom's going to be riding you hard enough over it the next few days."

"…That's true. I guess I kind of just wanted you to see it but Jubilee can always show you a video, I mean if she goes, I haven't asked her y…"

"What are you talking about? I don't need to see it on video, I'll see it live."

Both her eyes widened in surprise "You're going to go?"

"Of course. I told you I would, so why wouldn't I?"

They stared at each other for a few seconds, the blush on her cheeks giving her a beautiful glow that Roberto couldn't look away from. After a bit she slightly shook her head and looked away, slowly his hand slipped out of her grip.

"I don't know, I guess I just assumed that maybe you would be working or you'd have something more interesting to do."

"I'm getting my shift covered. I'll be there."

Amara nodded and hesitantly glanced back at him. His eyes were still on her watching her with a warm and intense gaze making her face and body feel so hot she felt like she would self combust. She pressed her lips together before they opened, "So, what type of fun did you have in mind?"

He smiled and shrugged, "Thought we could just put some different types of music on and freestyle. You know, minimal thinking and just going with the flow. I have this app that's like a DJ, you add songs to it and it'll pick random parts of the song so we'll never know what's coming up. You down?"

"Yeah, I am," she replied with a smile and then hastily watched him get to work adding songs into the app.

The next hour went in a blur. The room filled with multiple types of music ranging from different languages, eras, beats and Amara's joyful laughter which never seemed to die down. Especially when a reggaetón song started in which Amara stopped her dance moves to watch the dark skinned boy use his fist as a microphone, feet moving side to side as he lip synced to her.

Eventually through his small skit he made his way to her letting his fist uncurl to take a hold of her hand and started guiding it up into the air.

"Nuh-uh, I have no idea how to dance to this."

"Lucky for you there's not much to it except moving your hips, and I've watched you dance samba so I know you know how to do that. Only big difference is that samba makes you move at a fast pace. This music makes you slow it down…" as he said the words his hips swayed slowly from one side to the other, his legs bending slightly at every sway and straightening out at every step. "You're pretty much mimicking my moves but your movement is more like…" on his next sway his hip dropped to a semi squat before coming back up and making a sharp move to the left before repeating the action but this time his hips moving to the right. "The girl version is a lot sharper and obvious whereas the guy's move is more of a…" his hips went back to the first movement but he didn't say the word though they both seemed to be thinking about it.

Thrust. The guy's movements were more of a small thrust of the hips and it took Amara a few seconds after thinking the word that she realized she was still very much watching Roberto's lower body. Her lips pursed into themselves as she felt herself get hot again and she looked away to his chest losing herself in the burgundy color of his top.

She let her body move on its own accord, letting them try and mimic Roberto's previous movement and she must have been doing it correctly because he did not speak as the song continued. When he did it was when a slower more sensual song started, "Eventually you can add other steps to this…" to prove his point he moved a foot forward, the movement of his hips propelling his whole body forward before he repeated the movement taking the step back. "And eventually when you get that down you can move wherever you want…"

In seconds she couldn't quite register he was right in front of her, both their hips swaying in opposite tandem. Weirdly enough even though their bodies were moving in different directions it felt as if it was the right away as they stayed in sync and met at the center. Their connected hands were still raised above their heads, the gap that had been between them closed making the forearms press against each other.

It wasn't until Amara felt their shoulders bumping into each other that she suddenly felt the heaviness of the warm haze that had surrounded them. Her heart beat seemed to be racing as she looked into his brown eyes, they seemed so close and after getting her fill of them her gaze moved downward. His lips were parted as he quietly murmured the song that was playing to himself.

"What does it say?"

"Hmm?"

"The song," she clarified and moved her head up to meet his eyes but while she had been looking down she had failed to see that his face had moved in closer to her. The tips of their noses skimmed and they both froze.

"Ohhh... I'm still here…I can't stop thinking about you...I don't know about you...I can't go on like this…Alone, without you…" he paused at every line pausing along with the song, translating it as it went. "It's something supernatural...I can't stop loving you...I can't go on like this anymore…alone, without you…"

His head tilted at the last word and their noses met again, this time pressing into each other as the gap between them started to close.

Amara closed her eyes and waited to feel the warm pressure against her lips but it never came. Instead her eyes snapped open and her head tilted to the side as she heard, "Oh Roberto…you're still in here. I thought the room would be empty since your class was over."

"Hey Storm! Uh yeah it's been over for a bit but we're hanging out here…did you need the room?"

Amara's lips went up into a shy smile as the white haired women she saw often at the front desk looked her over before glancing at Roberto who had somehow put a foot of space between them.

"No, you guys are fine I just came in here to put up the new training challenge Logan made for you guys. You can continue…"

"Alright," by now the song had changed to something upbeat and when Amara turned back to Roberto he was moving erratically, stepping side to side with one hand up in front of his chest and the other tapping the air as if it was a hammer. "And some of these songs are fast and fun to choreograph…"

She then watched his head tilt back, his arms doing a similar movement and going behind his shoulders to go into a shimmy movement that made his arms go side and side behind him before he got back up straight up and moved from one side to the other.

Amara watched him surprised, having a hard time following his movements. She had been so focused on watching him that she hadn't noticed that the older woman stopped beside her.

"By your expression I have a feeling that this was not where you were…" Amara turned to her eyes, going wide at the fact that she had snuck up on her and the white haired woman smiled at her. "Sorry if I interrupted something…I'm Ororo Munroe," she brought a hand up towards her.

Amara returned the smile and shook her head, her hand going up to meet hers. "You didn't. I'm Amara Aquilla, it's nice to meet you."

"I've seen you around a lot. How have you been enjoying the kickboxing class?"

"I have. It's fun and the staff has been very nice and welcoming. It's always nerve racking trying something new but it's been a very easy transition."

"I'm happy to hear that. Though I must warn you that some of them have way too much energy…" as she made the comment her gaze went back to Roberto who was now doing a new routine for a new song as he avoided looking at them.

Amara followed her gaze, the smile still on her face, "It's ok…it's kind of endearing really…" the older woman let a small chuckle out and they both continued watching the Brazilian boy who appeared to not know what to do with himself now.

O-o-O-o-O-o-O-o-O

Jubilee's eyes stayed on the top of her pencil as she shaded in her drawing. There were no clients at the moment and since it was so quiet, Ray and Roberto had taken the opportunity to go on their breaks, Laura was rehearsing with Pietro and Wanda was off leaving her alone.

She took a break from her shading to look at the drawing as a whole, wondering if she did the piece justice to her memory. She flipped her pencil to use the eraser, getting some spots where she went out of the lines before blowing the small pink wisps away before wiping a hand over it to make sure she got everything. Once she was satisfied her body leaned back forward and she started darkening the shade of the lightning bolts.

She was so into it she didn't realize she wasn't alone anymore until she heard, "You've had a sudden change happen in your life?"

Her face went up to look over the counter, her eyes wide with surprise not having expected the Cajun drawl or the red om black eyed. "What?" she asked, trying not to look away from the unusual eyes. He was around a lot of the time but in all honestly the number of times she had seen him wearing the devilish contacts had been limited.

"Sudden change, that's the most common interpretation of the tower card. Well that and new beginnings."

'Sudden change', Jubilee thought to herself trying to will the thought that no sex was a pretty sudden change. Before she had a chance to comment on the question there was movement behind the tall Cajun and from behind him appeared a familiar pale face. Anna maneuvered herself around him to take a look at her drawing, studying it carefully.

"New beginnings? How do you get that? It looks like a pretty dark setting. Lightning hitting a tower?"

"Another interpretation of it is destruction and crisis but with her aura and personality I wouldn't reach for that interpretation. New beginnings comes from the destruction of the tower, it leads to a fresh start."

Both southerners looked away from the drawing to look at her as if waiting for a confirmation or which interpretation was correct. Her eyes went from one to the other and she felt her face get warm as the curious gazes stayed on her. Instead of answering though, when her lips parted it was to comment, "Seeing you two together is a little bit of a surprise."

Bath southerners blinked before turning to look at each other. Seeing the position they were in they both took a step away from each other, "We bumped into each other out front. I came to find Wanda."

"And I was just coming in through here to get to the Lounge."

"Wanda's off today," Jubilee answered, feeling horrible at putting them on the spot but happy that they were no longer questioning her. As an afterthought to make sure the topic didn't go back to the original question, she flipped a page on her notepad hiding the tower from sight.

"Oh I know but I assumed she would come over here to check on you guys before meeting me at the lounge since we have practice. I see that I was way off so I guess I better go look for her over there…" she answered and slowly started to back away. "I'll see you later, Jubilee."

"Bye," she responded back and watched her leave, noticing she wasn't the only one watching her go.

When she was gone Remy turned his attention back to her looking back down at the notepad perking a brow at the new design. "A crow? Maybe you do have a dark side."

Before she had a chance to reply, footsteps were heard in the hallway and soon Ray and Roberto's voices filled the air. Jubilee closed her notepad, completely hiding the crow she had drawn out of sight and smiled as they neared.

"Remy, hey," Roberto greeted fist bumping the taller male as they approached. "What are you doing here?"

The Cajun's fist made contact with his while his head nodded to Ray in greeting as the steel blue eyes went from his figure to the petite one across the counter. "Came in this way to get to the lounge. You know you guys aren't supposed to leave pretty girls alone."

"I don't know, she looks cute and innocent but she can hold her own," Roberto answered walking away to head through the door leading to the back.

Remy grinned at the comment before walking backwards putting space between him and the counter. "In a place like this, that's usually the case." His hand went up and tapped Ray on the shoulder while walking at a weird angle heading for the hallway. "I'll see you next door later…"

There was a nod while Remy turned his attention back to Jubilee, "Lighten up on the dark themes non? Beautiful work though…"

And just as silently and quickly as he appeared he was gone leaving a curious looking Ray. "Dark themes?"

She looked away to open her notebook, lifting it up to show him the picture. "I drew myself as a vampire. I think I look pretty good…"

The steel orbs went to the page, slowly gazing over the design. She was leaning on a wall hands up in the air above her head as her body arched away from it. Her eyes were completely bloodshot, a smirk playing on her lips with two fangs propelling outwards. She wore her yellow coat on top of a black romper, her signature pink glasses on her head

It looked just like her, except for her black hair which was cut in a short pixie style.

"It is, you're a cu…" before he could finish his sentence his eyes went to Roberto who was now making his way towards the younger girl to take a look. "…cool vampire."

Her eyes connected with his for a brief second before he started making his way through the door towards the back to his station. Not glancing at her again as she mumbled a low, "Thanks."

O-o-O-o-O-o-O-o-O Wednesday O-o-O-o-O-o-O-o-O

Pietro finished looking over the estimate for all the food and beverages that would be needed for Nocturnal Madness when he heard a soft knock on the door of his office. His eyes darted to the time trying to guess who it could be. It was 3pm on a Wicked Wednesday and to his knowledge none of the performing artists that night had brought up any complaints the day prior when he had confirmed. He did have a meeting but it wouldn't be for a few more minutes and she was always a punctual, right on time type of person so it couldn't be her.

"Come in."

The door creaked open and his eyes brightened at seeing the familiar dark brown locks and hazel green eyes.

"Hey," he greeted happily as if it was the first time seeing her that day, even though he had spent lunch with her and Luna before he dropped off the small girl at the house with Kurt. "Missed me that much already?" He teased.

"I wish it was just that," she lifted a FedEx envelope while making her way to him.

He eyed the folder carefully when she handed it to him. His initial thought was that Wanda had asked her to bring it over but after seeing his girlfriend's name on it it became very clear what it was.

"Will you open it for me?"

He tapped on the white surface of the cardboard paper, "I mean, I can but are you sure you don't want to?"

She stayed motionless for a few seconds before shaking her head, "No."

He waited a moment before nodding. Even though he had music playing on in the background, it felt like the only noise in the room was the sound of the envelope being ripped open at the end and soon it was followed up with the shuffling of papers.

Laura watched his eyes move from side to side as he read the papers contents. She watched his Adam's apple move as he did a hard swallow before his eyes went back to her. Before he had a chance to speak she beat him to it, "It's not a match."

He shook his head, "It's not." She gave a slow nod and he frowned, "I'm sorry."

"It's fine. I'm not surprised. He really seemed confident about it so it makes sense that he was right."

Pietro nodded and his eyes went to the yellow and black keychain poking out of her pocket, the only word visible at the way it was hanging being 'Logan'. "Have you spoken to..."

"No."

He waited to see if she would add on something to the answer. When she didn't, he added, "Why not?"

She smiled a fake smile, "And say what, 'Hey someone who seems to hate you says you're my daddy, want to take a spin so we can get checked?'"

"Alright, maybe not quite like that," he remarked dryly and put the papers down before reaching out to her to pull her towards him. "But I'm sure you'll find a way to bring it up, when you're ready for it."

"Yeah…"

"…you alright?"

She nodded and let her chin tilt up to kiss the edge of his jaw. She repeated the action but allowed her lips to go lower to his pulse point emitting a low hum from him at the action. "Have you ever done it here?"

The question almost made him choke on his own saliva and when he looked down at her a smirk graced her features. "No."

"Do you want to?"

His lips twitched upwards into a smirk of their own and he let his head tilt down until their noses bumped, "I would love to but…" before he could say anything the door to the office flew open.

"Oh god my eyes, I'll be back in five minutes."

Laura looked over her shoulder to catch a glimpse of red before the door shut again.

"…I have a meeting with Wanda and I doubt we can do very much in five minutes."

"...A lot can be done in five minutes."

"Alright that's true but, what I want to do with you will take a lot more than five minutes."

Her lips went into a pout, "Fine, fine."

"I'll see you tonight for that movie marathon your promised Luna."

She gave his chest a smack with both her hands pushing him back a little, "I will be there," she then turned to start heading out but before she could go far his hand was on her wrist and he gave a pull bringing her back into him.

"I changed my mind, we can make out for the next three minutes."

She smirked at him and didn't verbally reply, instead she closed the gap between them and let her lips do all the talking.

O-o-O-o-O-o-O-o-O

Wanda looked over the financial report that she had reviewed with Pietro. During their meeting he had proposed a reward for all the participants of Nocturnal Madness. It was a good idea but going through with it meant that they would be closing the Mercury Lounge and Scarlet Ink the day after the event and considering that Scarlet Ink would already be closed the day of since more than half the staff was performing it would be a big hit on her monthly production goal.

She blinked multiple times hoping that the numbers would magically change even going as far as waving a hand in front of the paper as if she could magically change them but they stayed the same. Guess she didn't have secret powers, she thought to herself and then quickly tried to ignore the thought as it proved that she was spending too much time on a certain someone's literature.

She blinked repeatedly again, this time trying to get that person out of her head and deciding that she needed a distraction. She looked up and away from the paper wondering why it was so quiet around her. Sure she was deep in her thoughts but she should have still been able to hear the others as background static, unless they had all left and she was alone.

As she focused more on her surroundings the beat of the song playing on their speakers came to life.

/We could be more, don't you run away

We could be happier this way/

When she looked around she saw that she was definitely not alone. Actually, it was a full house. It just appeared that like her, everyone was lost in their own heads. Jubilee was at her tattoo station, absentmindedly restocking her materials since she had taken over the counter to finish reviewing the report. Ray was at the printer seeming to prepare a sketch but as she watched him he stayed motionless for more than thirty seconds which told her that he wasn't really there. Laura was at her station putting barriers on her chairs and instruments but having known her for a long time now Wanda could easily see the distracted expression on her face. The only educated guess she had for it was that she was still stupefied by her brother's kisses.

Roberto was the only one that seemed half present as his body swayed to the song with his lips moving as he silently sang along making her pay more attention to the lyrics.

/You could do more, don't you run away

We could be happier/

And that's when it hit her that all the songs that day had been soft songs...love songs to be more accurate. She eyed all of them carefully again before tilting her head, "Alright, so which one of you is in their feels?"

The question made all of them break out or whatever spell they were in to turn and stare at her. The answer came in a singing voice that joined in with the song echoing the otherwise silent room.

"Could I make it more clear? Could I give you more time? Did I say enough or did I say too much?"

Wanda perked an eyebrow at Roberto who was now smiling as he repeated the verse, his shoulder still swaying as he closed his eyes and brought a hand out dramatically to his heart. "You guys actually let him put this love station on?"

"We didn't let him do anything, it's your rule that whatever comes out of the fish bowl gets played and well…this is what came out of the fish bowl," Laura answered as she put the barrier tape down to watch Roberto's dramatic little dance. "You know, you're singing that song with a little too much confidence. Did you finally confess?"

The question made the Brazilian male stop singing to turn and glare at the dark skinned girl who smirked in return. "What? Do you really think no one else in this room is aware of your crush? Or are you mad because I'm bringing it up and the answer is a no?"

"No, I haven't specifically formed it into words."

"Then I would say you haven't said enough or too much," Laura teased. Roberto's glare intensified but before he had a chance to say anything someone else spoke.

"Sometimes actions speak louder than words."

/Let me in, let me wonder/

All eyes went across the room. Jubilee was now at Ray's station, her back was facing them as she eyed the different pictures on his wall. After a few seconds she turned to the side, opened the container that held his ink cups and dropped some more filling it to the top before turning to face the brown eyed boy. "And I think your actions have said quite a bit."

"You think so?"

/Let me worry where you've been/

"I know so, but I think sometimes feelings are scary and it's easy to ignore the signs when you're afraid to get hurt." The room became quiet once again and even though she was trying her hardest to not turn in Ray's direction her body was a tortuous thing and soon her gaze met with steel orbs.

/Let me in, you can find me

When you find me we begin/

"Did someone die? I don't think I've ever been in here with all of you so quiet."

All eyes went to the counter, Wanda tuning the slowest recognizing the accent immediately. "How sad would it be if someone had died?"

"You're here, that's all that would matter."

/We could be more, don't you run away

We could be happier this way/

The room got quiet again until Roberto cleared his throat, breaking them out of the stare. Wanda followed with a throat clear of her own before asking, "Did you need something?"

"Quicksilver needs Berzerker," John turned to look at Ray, "Electricity fence test, you're up."

Ray nodded and looked to Wanda who nodded as well giving him the ok to go. He moved away from the printer passing his own station sparing Jubilee a small glance as he went. When he passed through the door he didn't bother waiting for Pyro who stayed in place watching the scarlet cladded female in the room.

"I'll guess we'll leave you guys to your somber atmosphere…" When she didn't bother turning to him he turned to the others nodded and mumbled a 'see you'.

/Could I make it more clear?

Could I give you more time?

Wanda did eventually turn when she knew he was long gone. When she turned back to the others who were still watching her she jumped off the desk with her report still in hand. "Alright, let's get back to work. Roberto…change the station."

Roberto didn't give a verbal reply but did as he was asked, sharing a look with Laura as he went. She then turned to give the same glance to Jubilee but she found the brown haired girl in front of the printer picking up the sketch that Ray had been waiting for.

Her eyes glossed over the thin page that was littered with multiple small prints. Stars, hearts, moons and small symbols she couldn't recognize but had a gothic element to them. The one that caught her attention the most though, was one that had lines that scattered in all directions. Half of the lines were covered in a light blue color while the other was shaded in a grayish blue, with small dots going down the center. It was a firework and she found herself unable to move away from it long after the soft music had turned into a deep growl.

/Did I say enough

Or maybe I.../

O-o-O-o-O-o-O-o-O Thursday O-o-O-o-O-o-O-o-O

Wanda made her way backstage towards the hallway in between Scarlet Ink and the Hg lounge. She needed a smoke. She had felt that it was a bad idea to stay and watch the other rehearsals after Anna and herself had finished one run through of their song. She had had a few drinks and was feeling good though and even though Anna had opted to head home she found herself staying and keeping Laura company as they both watched Pietro throw commands at the other bands while they went through their own rehearsals.

She knew everything on stage was a fabrication. It was all fake and make believe. Everyone was playing a part to showcase the words of the song they were performing but the way Malice had slid her hand up John's arm, especially his tattooed arm had her seeing fucken red.

She needed a smoke and she needed it badly. She made her way outside the back door and tapped her pocket checking for her keys. She pulled them out to look at the black circular case attached to it. Everyone always assumed it was a flashlight and she never corrected them, but in reality the small cylinder case held her emergency cigarettes and by emergency she meant that she smoked one maybe once a month if that. Actually now that she thought about it she couldn't remember the last time she had filled up the five stick container and with that thought in mind she started unscrewing the top. Luck was on her side, there was one left. She put the small cylinder to her lips and started to tap at her pockets looking for her lighter.

"Fucken great," she mumbled to herself looking to the side and feeling her back pocket.

Out of thin air a flame appeared before her and touched the tip of her cigarette. She froze in place while it lit up, her sapphire eyes going to and then narrowing at her savior.

As soon as it was lit he took a step away from her. John had always mentioned that he was as quiet as a thief but this was the first time she had gotten to experience it first hand. She supposed she shouldn't be too surprised by the excellence in sneakiness, he had been fucking with her step sister for a months now.

Remy grinned and chuckled at her expression. "You're welcome."

She puffed in the smoke and exhaled remembering she was smoking for a different reason than the situation going on between Anna and the man standing a few feet away from her. "Where did you come from?"

"I was taking a smoke break at the corner of the building. Wasn't expecting company so when I heard the door I came to check and found you needing some assistance," he remarked in a charming manner.

She rolled her eyes at him, she would not be charmed by this devil.

He studied her expression carefully and he laughed again. "Wow, you really hate me don't you?" She ignored the question to take a puff of her cigarette and slowly exhaled it. After a few seconds of her ignoring him and the question he added, "Is it because I couldn't stop him?"

The question surprised her and she turned to face him. His irritating grin was replaced by a seldom expression and unwillingly her eyebrows softened as the memory of his worried expression the day she had gone to hospital flashed in her mind. She swallowed hard and looked away.

This time she was only silent for a few seconds before her voice broke the quiet, "No, those were his choices."

"Then tell me, what choices have I made that make you look at me like that?"

Her eyebrows frowned inward and she side-eyed him, "You don't think fooling around with my sister warrants that?"

"John made his choices and Anna is making her own," was the counter.

She rolled her eyes. "You both are so stupid. You think you're just playing with each other's bodies and it doesn't mean shit but sex rarely means nothing. Even more so when there's history…you may not know it but she used to really like you in school." She took a puff and blew it out.

Remy mimicked the movement, "I knew about her crush back then." Wanda's eyes widened a fraction and her face slightly tilted towards him. He shrugged, "It wasn't hard to figure out. There weren't many girls that didn't, but the real clue came in the fact that she is who she is. Her attitude and attire didn't really scream school spirit and yet she made it to all my games…"

"You knew and you still thought this was a good idea?" she shook her head disbelieving and looked away from him.

"I don't know if anyone who ever gets themselves in these situations ever thinks it's a good idea, but nonetheless it happened. What I think is funny is that even though you now know what's happening you didn't get the whole story."

"As in what?"

"Your attitude is coming from the fact that you think I'm playing Anna right? Playboy Gambit is just preparing her for heartache, mais the reality is…I've asked out your sister plenty of times for real…and she prefers to keep things this way. So maybe you shouldn't be quick to jump to assumptions about who is going to be heartbroken at the end of all of this."

Wanda's eyes widened and she fully turned to look at him. Before her scarlet lips could form any words the back door opened and they were no longer alone.

"Thought this would be where I'd find you, though I thought I'd find you alone…"

Wanda took a last puff of the cigarette before stretching her hand out to the newcomer, handing the small object to them as she blew the smoke out the opposite direction. "I was just leaving," she murmured and went to go past them to go back inside. Before closing the door she glanced over her shoulder, Gambit was leaning against the wall, his face tilted upwards towards the sky, eyes shut and breathing out smoke. John's eyes hadn't left her form from the moment he appeared and kept his curious gaze towards her even as the door shut and the two shades of blue disconnected.

"What happened?"

The question made Remy lazily open his eyes to see John looking at the half smoked cigarette. He shrugged, "Probably said something I shouldn't have, mais, it looks like you're getting a second hand kiss from it," he tilted his chin towards him.

John eyebrows scrunched inwards in confusion, wondering what it could have been Remy said but noticing that he had been vague about it he knew he wouldn't be getting a straight answer. He let his gaze down to the cigarette, noticing the red marks around the butt, without saying anything he brought it up to his lips and inhaled.

O-o-O-o-O-o-O-o-O

Anna eyed the red and black dress carefully. It was perfect, from the black elbow gloves that would hide Wanda's favorite tattoo (though she knew her sister would never admit to it) to the corset top, the laces crisscrossing beautifully under the breast.

This was the winner. All she had to do now was look for her own costume and they would be golden for Nocturnal Madness.

The emerald orbs looked away from the web page to eye the second web page she had opened. Her gaze was met with red on black that felt like they were looking straight into her soul. The beat of the song was hard but his voice accompanied it beautifully.

Remy Lebeau, or she supposed she should be saying Gambit at the moment had a talent. He was confident, assertive, charming and those eyes were incredibly hypnotizing.

Her nether lips pulsed at the thought as memories of times he'd worn then while he drilled into her came to mind. Fuck he was so hot, and she was in so much fucken trouble. She bit her lip and momentarily regretted not staying with Wanda and Laura earlier at the lounge, he had texted her that after his last set with the Horseman he was free and they could go back to his place but she couldn't. There was work to be done and she needed to focus on not getting distracted, at least not until she had the wardrobe situation handled and yet thoughts of his hands on her started to creep in…

Before her thoughts could get too far away from her she heard the soft knock on her door. Without looking away from her monitor she called out for whoever it was to come in.

Her door creaked open and she expected whoever it was to speak but when it was quiet for far too long she looked over her shoulder to find Wanda standing still. The sapphire orbs were looking past her to her monitor.

"Oh hey, perfect. I found your outfit for Nocturnal Madness."

There was a pregnant pause before the red lips parted, the words that went past them having nothing to do with the wardrobe comment, "Remy Lebeau wants to date you."

"…" It was Anna's turn to be quiet. As they had their small stare off the music seemed to grow louder, Anna wasn't sure if it was because everything got deadly quiet or the fact that the song had gone into Remy's solo growl. After a bit the southern girl swallowed, "What in the world convinced you to have a civil conversation with Gambit?" She finally asked and looked away to look at the monitor where the red on black eyes gazed at her as the words, "I am what you've made me... lies!" seemed to echo throughout the room.

"Chance occurrence. Is it true?"

"Why does it matter?" Anna threw a glance over her shoulder to stare at the dual colored haired girl, her red tips seeming more vibrant than usual.

"I guess in all reality it doesn't, I just didn't know you had it in you to fuck someone one and continue to let them catch feels, because obviously if he wants to date you I would assume he has those for you."

Anna's eyes widened a fraction before going back to a nonchalant expression. "Gambit doesn't know what he's really feeling. He doesn't see the big picture cause he's too busy addicted to the sex for him to see what's real," after the words Anna got up from her desk and walked over to her bed letting herself drop on it.

After a few seconds of silence Wanda walked over to her and dropped beside her. "What's the big picture?"

"That he's a big time Rockstar that's barely getting started. He has so much drive and passion to write and create…he's literally just getting started. There's so many people he's still going to meet and be around with, he'll eventually get tired of talking to me and waiting for our meetups…he'll easily find someone else."

"Well it's been 8 months and it doesn't seem like he's tired yet. I feel like that's a long time, especially like you said, he is around a lot of people all the time."

"8 months? Did he do that math?"

"…"

"…Hmm…so you've been chatting up both Acolytes."

"It's been longer than that?"

Anna pursed her lips, hesitating to be honest but considering the fact the memories were fresh from a few weeks ago she answered with, "Since that first day you caught Pyro."

"What? From when you guys went out together while I stayed at the hotel taking care of St. John?"

"Pretty much, yeah."

Wanda's mouth stayed parted in surprise. They both stayed quiet for a few minutes and when the silence was finally broken it was her that asked, "So is it really just sex, on your part?"

Anna moved her head to the side to look into the sapphire eyes. "It doesn't matter, it wouldn't work out even if it wasn't."

"Because of what you just said, about the big picture?"

"That, and well…you know. I learned a lot from what happened between you and John. Long distance doesn't always work out, no matter how strong the feelings are. If it didn't work out for you guys where he was completely devoted to you, why would I think he would fare any better?"

Wanda didn't reply to that. Instead she looked away to look back at the ceiling. "I can't believe you two have been fucking longer than a year now. What the hell happened that day that turned 'we've know each other forever' into 'so let's fuck'. Like what the hell?"

Anna smirked and looked away. "You know there's always been an attraction on my part. He's always been funny and charming…we just never hung out on our own before. I was with Cody for a while and he was never really single. Anytime we were at bars and stuff it was as rivals from opposing bands you know? But that night, we were drinking and everything was just…easy…smooth…it just felt…"

Wanda turned back to her stepsister at the pause to see a soft look she had never really seen from her before.

"…anyway, that night I was screwed from the moment we sang karaoke together. If watching him perform on stage is magical I can't even begin to describe what it felt like singing alongside him."

"What song did you guys do?"

"Manifesto by Harakiri for the Sky," she answered without missing a beat.

"That's not a romantic song."

"It didn't have to be. That night, he just instilled in me…," she paused again, seconds later shaking her head and adding on, "Nevermind. Maybe I just got love drunk off his scream…it's powerful." After the words the scream itself echoed in the room as a different Acolytes song played in the background. Anna cleared her throat, " I don't know, maybe it's one of those things that you just had to be there…"

Silence enveloped the room and soon Wanda's thoughts went back to a previous statement she had made to the girl besides her. They had been in the same spot weeks prior reminiscing about how they had entangled themselves with the Acolytes. The events that led to where they were now.

Instead of bringing it up again she sat up, "So you found me an outfit?"

The question made Anna mimic the movement, "Yea! It's perfect," after the answer she quickly moved to the monitor. Her eyes briefly stayed on the new music video playing, Gambit's mouth was hovering over a microphone as the others played the soft notes around him. She closed the browser as the camera went to a close up of the red on black eyes and enlarged the Amazon page.

"Here it is…"

Wanda nodded as she started talking about the color and the pattern out loud, but any words being said went in through one ear and out the other as she processed all the information she had just received.

O-o-O-o-O-o-O-o-O

John woke with a start as he heard banging on the door to his hotel room. He had fallen asleep on the couch letting The Floor is Lava playing in the background so at the moment he sat up to make sure he wasn't hearing things and that there was someone actually knocking at the door.

After processing that it wasn't a dream he got up and walked over to the door expecting to see Remy because who else would be bothering him at 1am in the morning.

Once the door opened a blur of black and red walked right past him and he felt his heart beat race as the beauty before him started pacing from side to side. He then pinched himself to reassure himself that she was in fact real.

When he felt the small ache on his skin he rubbed at the spot and watched her for a few seconds. "What's wrong?"

"He likes her, he really likes her." His head tilted to the side as he pondered who the he and the her in the scenario were. "And she fucken likes him too but she's to stubborn to say so she just cocks it up to fucking…" ah that's who she was talking about. "…but it's not and now that I have that knowledge I don't know what to do with it."

He watched her pace a few more steps before finally getting in front of her and stopping her in place. "Hey stop, stop…you're working yourself up. Sit," he grabbed her forearm and stepped towards the couch, surprised and relieved that she didn't fight him on it. As she sat, her legs moved from side to side showing the anxiousness still running through her veins and he momentarily thought back to earlier that night when he had seen Remy and her outside the lounge.

'Probably said something I shouldn't have'

"So what's going on?"

"Their fucking around and there's feelings on both sides."

"…isn't that good? I thought you didn't like it because you were under the impression that Remy was just fucking around."

"That is why I didn't like it!"

"Then what's the problem?"

"He asked her out…and she said no."

"Wait, what?"

"He asked her out and she said no," she repeated.

"Why?"

"I don't know some stupid shit that's just giving me a headache," at the words a hand went up to her head and her eyes narrowed as if even the light itself was bothering her at the moment.

John watched her in silence for a minute before he scooted over to the end of the couch. Her eyes followed him and after he sat motionless for a few seconds his expression turned expectant. They held the staring contest for a minute before the throbbing at her temples intensified and she gave into a habit that she wished would have disappeared along with her feelings.

"Close your eyes."

She did as he asked the moment her head hit the material of his shorts. She swallowed hard as fingers ran through her raven locks and eventually felt fingertips digging into her skull, putting pressure in the right spots alleviating the pulses that were causing her teeth to grind together.

He worked in silence. The fingers of one hand were rough against her scalp while the other hand smoothed over and grabbed in between black silk locks. She didn't know how much time had passed when he finally did speak, but she frowned at the realization that the throbbing was completely gone and all that was left was the pleasurable feeling of comfort from his touch.

He did always know how to make this better.

"He admitted it to you? That it was more?"

"Yea…he said he's asked her out, multiple times."

"Hmm…and she told you she liked him too?"

"...not exactly."

"So, she said she didn't like him?"

"Not exactly."

"Then what did she say?"

"She said it doesn't matter, which just makes the answer obvious."

"But she knows he likes her, so if she feels the same, why not just go for it?"

Wanda's eyes slowly opened at the question. "Fear." The sapphire orbs stared into the whiteness of the ceiling, momentarily getting lost in the reflective light it spread. "She thinks he's meant for greatness and that he'll forget her along the way…that no matter what they are both feeling it won't be enough to conquer the distance. She's afraid they'll become…us."

Sapphire met Cerulean.

His hand froze in her hair but it seemed as if time itself had frozen over as both of them stayed motionless and held their breath, neither confident enough to say anything in regard to the revelation. After a minute that stretched out like an eternity Wanda blinked and the moment was gone.

"I should go…" she sat, the action causing his fingers to slip in between her locks of hair. "I'm sorry for disturbing you…" she got up off the couch and started making her way towards the door, ignoring the soft whisper of her name. "I don't even know why I ca…" she didn't finish her sentence, her feet stopping a few feet from the door, her eyes widening at what she found by the exit.

The drawings she had gifted him hung around the door frame. The picture of his scarlet queen at the center of the door at eye's view.

"I uh…like them to be the last thing I look at before I go out into the world." He had followed her and stopped his stroll beside her. "Kind of like a motivator to be the best that I can be, you know? Actually…" he closed his eyes and let a breath out of his nose, "now that I said that out loud it sounds so stu…"

He didn't get a chance to finish the sentence. The taste of strawberries overloaded his senses in a much more potent way than the cigarette he had had earlier had given him. Her hand on the nape of his neck was so light that he didn't register it was there until it slowly slid away to his shoulder, eventually going down his arm until she was no longer touching him.

When his eyes opened again her eyes were on his lips, a frown curving her plump lips. "I need to go…"

She turned to walk away from him but stopped mid step as his hand wrapped around her wrist making her glance over her shoulder. "Wanda…"

"I'm sorry, that shouldn't have happened."

"Why?"

"...Cause I'm not doing that again…" at the words a mental image of Anna came to mind and she realized that she could relate to that unspoken fear her sister had much more than she would ever admit out loud. "I have to go…" she repeated and with a small shake of her hand he released her without a fight.

It wasn't until the door clicked closed that John let the whispered, 'Good Night' pass his lips as his eyes stayed on the image of the woman cladded in red at the center of his door.

O-o-O-o-O-o-O-o-O TBC O-o-O-o-O-o-O-o-O

I think this was a heavy Wanda chapter, which I didn't mind at all but I only noticed it while I was editing it lol. She was in a scene with all the mains :) Anyhoo…

Jubilay- Haha, hints of Jubilay but no actual interaction. They're just mopey missing each other but having too much pride to acknowledge XD

Amarto- Roberto is just the sweetest. I kind of loved writing him get weird and awkward when Storm catches them XD

Romy- Dun dun duuuun...so it is revealed in this chapter that Remy actually asked Rogue out for reals and she keeps rejecting him. I really liked writing the interaction between him and Wanda and even just the talk between Anna and Wanda because I think Anna's fears are valid. She knows Remy's a catch and it's nice that he has his attention on her but she also grew up watching John love Wanda so much and they're not together now. It's an interesting dynamic, I guess you'll have to wait to see what I'm going to do with it unless…you wanna guess?

Xietro- I enjoyed writing the interaction with Victor a lot, making him call Pietro a brat was fun and just such a nice opposite of Logan's 'kid'. The pool scene was cute and hints that there was a mutual attraction from the start. Him opening the envelope for her was very sweet. It's really funny that they're the most stable cause usually I write them as my problematic ship XD

Jonda- and we finally have a present kiss! And SHE is the one that initiated it! I love writing all the small details about how he knows her so well, like massaging her scalp and brushing through her hair knowing that that's what would calm her down. His deviation to her is so real and it's definitely crumbling her walls down. Umm…I also liked that indirect kiss with the cigarette but yeah, we're definitely seeing progress here…too bad we already know that they're going to be leaving soon after Nocturnal Madness is done ;)

The song used in this chapter was Too Much by Pale. I really liked this song and I think it relates to all the ships cause at least one person in all of them is running away from the other but they could really all be happier if they were just honest.

Announcement: I have a new fic out, Misery Business, it's Jubilay, it has smut and I've had fun working on it last month so I hope you give it a read!

Anyhoo, that's all from me for now. See you guys next time :)

-UHW