Chapter One: Out of the Shadows
The Xavier Institute for Gifted Youngsters hummed with life. Laughter and shouts echoed down the hallways, a mix of excitement and frustration as students grappled with everything from quantum mechanics to mastering their mutant abilities. But here, on the school's quieter side, Logan found something much rarer: peace.
Well, almost.
"Logan, if you're gonna stand there scowling like that, at least make yourself useful and hand me the damn toolbox," Faith called from under the hood of a battered jeep.
Logan leaned against the garage doorframe, arms crossed and lips twitching with amusement. "You're the one who insisted on teaching Kaya to drive. What'd you think would happen?"
Faith slid out from under the jeep, grease streaked across her cheek and fire in her eyes. "What I thought," she said, brushing a stray strand of hair from her face, "was that she'd stall in the parking lot, not take out three garbage cans and nearly launch us into the lake."
Logan chuckled, reaching over to grab the toolbox and set it down beside her. "You're lucky she didn't try phasing through the engine to fix it. Trust me, I've seen weirder."
Faith rolled her eyes but couldn't suppress the grin tugging at her lips. She looked up at him, her expression softening. "And yet, somehow, you're still here."
Logan's smirk faltered, replaced by something quieter, more serious. "Guess you give me a reason to be."
The words hung in the air between them, charged and unspoken. Faith's breath hitched, her heart stumbling over itself at the way his gravelly voice softened when he looked at her like that—like she was something rare, worth staying for.
"You're such a sap," she said, her tone light but her voice betraying the warmth bubbling inside her.
Logan huffed a laugh. "Don't tell anyone. Gotta keep my reputation intact."
The Morning Routine
Later, as the sun crept over the horizon, Faith found herself in the kitchen, nursing a cup of coffee. Logan joined her, his presence as steady and unassuming as the morning itself.
"Early start?" he asked, grabbing his own mug and pouring black coffee.
"Kids have a danger room session at eight," Faith replied, her voice still rough with sleep. "Figured I'd get a head start on the day."
Logan leaned against the counter, watching her as she sipped. "You're good with them. Better than I ever was."
Faith snorted. "You're plenty good with them, Logan. In your own… 'gruff woodsman who secretly cares' kind of way."
"That what they're callin' me now?"
"Just me," she admitted, smiling over the rim of her mug.
Logan chuckled, shaking his head. But there was no mistaking the way his eyes softened when they lingered on her, a quiet admiration that made her pulse quicken.
"You make this place better, Faith," he said after a moment, his voice low.
Faith blinked, caught off guard by the sudden sincerity. "Logan, I—"
Whatever she was about to say was interrupted by the sound of pounding feet. Jonah barreled into the kitchen, out of breath and looking panicked.
"Mr. Logan! Ms. Faith! Kaya's on the roof again, and she's, uh… experimenting."
Logan sighed heavily, already heading toward the door. "What is it with these kids and roofs?"
Faith laughed, following close behind. "I blame you for this one."
A Spark Amid the Chaos
By the time they reached the roof, Kaya was mid-flight—or at least her version of it, a series of awkward leaps punctuated by bursts of flame from her hands.
"Hey!" Logan barked, his voice cutting through the commotion.
Kaya yelped, landing with a stumble and quickly extinguishing the flames. "Uh, hey, Mr. Logan. Ms. Faith. Just… testing my limits?"
"Testing your limits on the ground isn't exciting enough for you?" Faith said, crossing her arms but keeping her tone light.
Kaya grinned sheepishly. "You always say we should think outside the box."
Logan pinched the bridge of his nose, muttering something under his breath. Faith stepped forward, crouching slightly to meet Kaya's gaze.
"Thinking outside the box is great," she said gently, "but let's not set the box—or yourself—on fire, okay?"
Kaya nodded, her expression contrite. "Got it. Sorry."
As the girl climbed back through the roof hatch, Logan watched Faith with something close to awe.
"You're somethin' else," he said, his voice quiet.
Faith straightened, brushing dust from her hands. "You've mentioned."
Logan chuckled, stepping closer. His gaze held hers, the teasing edge melting into something deeper. "Don't think I'll ever stop sayin' it."
Faith's breath caught as he reached for her hand, his calloused fingers brushing hers. The moment stretched, filled with a quiet intensity that neither seemed willing to break.
"You're not so bad yourself, Logan," she said softly, her voice steady despite the way her heart raced.
He smirked, leaning just slightly closer. "Careful, darlin'. Might start thinkin' you like havin' me around."
Faith tilted her head, a playful smile tugging at her lips. "Maybe I do."
The admission hung in the air, and Logan's smirk faded, replaced by a rare, vulnerable sincerity.
"Good," he murmured. "'Cause I'm not goin' anywhere."
Faith's smile widened, her hand tightening slightly in his. "Guess you're stuck with me, then."
Logan's low chuckle was the only answer she needed.
The Calm Before
The day stretched on, filled with the usual chaos of lessons, training sessions, and the endless surprises that came with life at Xavier's. But through it all, Faith and Logan found moments—stolen glances, shared laughter, and the quiet understanding that came with standing side by side.
Whatever storms lay ahead, one thing was certain: together, they'd weather them all.