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He checked his duffle bag, making sure he wouldn’t have to go looking for it after a rough turn. When it was well secured on the back of Cyke’s bike, he let a low laugh come out.
Both the Professor and Scott had warned him he couldn’t escape his responsibilities as an X Man and a teacher anymore – an ultimatum that included him spending the first month of winter at the school, helping decorate the halls, placing the Christmas tree in the middle of the living room and acting all cheery and jolly. Running away on One Eye’s Harley wouldn’t only make the Boyscout go ballistic, it would piss off Charles too. The old man was decades younger than him, yet Logan saw him as the father figure he couldn’t remember if he ever had. Ragging him was one of the things he loved to do and apparently was something Xavier was pretty aware of given how he never complained to him after Logan decided to return from his escapades.
He straightened and put some thought to it. Charles and everyone else always asked him to give their festive activities a chance and, truth be told, he’d been very tempted the past couple of years to give in. Besides, running away was starting to become tedious.
He looked at the elevator doors while his mind travelled all the way up to the kitchen.
The Mansion’s kitchen was Rogue’s holy ground, the place where she created magic that made every child and adult in the school drool from anticipation.
He pictured her wearing her black tights combined with one of those spaghetti strap tops she used to put on when she cooked. “To be more comfortable,” she always said. Logan grunted in pleasure when he remembered how much skin was exposed and how the muscles waved under it as she gathered her hair up in a loose knot that let some strands tickle the back of her neck.
He scolded when he realized where his mind was dragging him , not for the first time. Christmas and New Year’s Eve never looked so intimidating ever since she had become legal, filled out and begun to cherish the results of intense training and brutal fighting by wearing clothes that gave away too much. No way he’d have a good time if he had to spend the entire time snarling at his dick to behave.
He took his thoughts out of the dirt and considered the talk he'd had an hour ago with Chuck and Laser Boy.
Fuck that. His way of enjoying cold winter nights had nothing to do with old fat guys dressed in red, reindeers with flashy noses and midgets with pointy ears dressed like cabbage.
He absentmindedly patted his jacket’s left pocket where his friends and his lighter were stashed. He wasn’t sure where he was heading yet, but he knew it was going to be a long ride and a decent cigar would ease the cold and the solitude some.
“Really, sugar? You runnin’? Again?”
Logan whirled around surprised he’d been so into his thoughts that hadn’t heard her. Then again, her skills were growing more and more and she occasionally managed to approach without his nose and ears knowing until she was too close. He was getting too comfortable around her, too safe. Another good reason he had to ride the hell out of here.
He cursed inwardly for stalling. Usually he was curt and thrifty, managing to sneak outside the gates too fast for the rest to realize before it was too late. He wasn’t sure why it took him so much longer to get ready this time, but he sure as hell wasn’t going to sit here and find out why.
Rogue sashayed to him as her ankle boots’ heels carried a tune and her hands were resting in her worn jeans’ back pockets. She was wearing a green top and her hair was down. Apparently her kitchen duties hadn’t started yet; or had finished sooner than he’d expected.
What fuckin’ difference does it make? He pulled himself together when he saw the way Rogue stared at him.
“Ahhh…sorry, darlin’. What was that?”
She tilted her head and her expression took that foxy look she was carrying the past couple of years. Shit.
“You runnin’ again?” This time it was slower, with some Southern flavor added.
He leaned on the bike, trying to act as breezy as she.
“Sweetheart, that line has gotten older than me. Perhaps it’s time to try something new.”
“Funny; I was about to suggest the exact same thing…‘sweetheart’.”
Logan gave her another once-over. Hair waving around to the wind’s whims. Eyes dyed in determined brown. Red full lips curving upwards.
His gaze travelled lower and stopped on her covered breasts. The cold coming from the gap between the garage’s door and the floor created a chill that made her nipples stand up prideful. No bra. Her covered breasts weren’t so covered after all. She’d come well equipped – pun intended.
Fuck.
Rogue followed where his attention had been for the past two minutes.
She smiled inwardly. Good. It’s working after all. The cold she was probably going to catch was worth it.
“So,” she started. “Since we both agree that is time to try new things, how about you take your dufflebag back to your room and join us for Christmas preparations?”
His eyes narrowed. “One Eye hung his balls on the Christmas tree and couldn’t come down here to stop me himself?”
Rogue laughed and raised her hands to a surrender gesture. “Easy, sugar. I’m on your side. I told them you weren’t going to stay no matter what point we were going to make, but they insisted I give it a shot. For some reason they think I can crack your tin heart enough for the Christmas Spirit to barge in and possess you.
“That so?” He gifted her with a warm grin he only saved for her.
“Is it working?”
“I gotta admit the incentive is pretty tempting, darlin’.” His eyes went back on her cleavage, and a feral brow went up in appreciation.
“Does that mean you’ll take your stuff and follow me back to the dorms before I die from pneumonia?” she brought him back to their debate.
“I’ll heal you.”
She sighed tiredly. “Logan; I’m down here freezing my nipples off so you can keep your ass in the school for the Holidays. In or out?”
He was still considering it, when Rogue decided she had enough of the cold and took out the big guns.
“Come now, sugar. You’re gonna let the untouchable girl spend another lonely Holiday fest without having one person willing to risk get close to her?”
“Spare me the ‘control of my skin is outta my reach’ drama, kid. You’ve been riding your mutation ever since you’ve been legal to drink.” Which also meant she wasn’t a kid anymore either.
Shit.
His face fell and Rogue saw the disappointment in his eyes. He still wasn’t over the fact she’d been passed the girl who’d snuck inside his trailer.
After her 21st birthday there’d been some turbulence between them when she’d announced to him she was putting on the leather suit. It was around that time he’d become much more pressuring and rigorous about her training. Snarling orders and yelling the times she wasn’t fully committed had become a daily grind. There’d also been some death glares whenever John, Pete or some other guy at school made a pass at her and an actual ‘snikt’ when Bobby decided he didn’t want to wait any longer until she was ready. Gaining control of her skin was one thing; giving her body to a man was a whole other story.
Realizing their mood was turning as blue as her fingernails, she steered the conversation back on topic.
“Ok, there might not be any risk of me being as stuffed as the turkey with other people’s psyche anymore, but you’re still the only one who won’t mind if my mutation pump accidentally takes a jigger of you in.”
“Hell of a metaphor, darlin’,” he smirked.
Rogue placed a hand on her hip impatiently. “Playing games with you is the highlight of my day, sugar, but the sun has set hours ago and I don’t have all night. What’s it gonna be? You’re gonna do a favor to the one person that tolerates you to stay and enjoy Christmas with us?”
He’d already made up his mind once she’d come down here, but a little more teasing wouldn’t hurt. He felt like an asshole keeping her there given how she was shivering, but it was a rare case lately to get her alone and pin each other like that without any indiscreet eyes coming their way; plus, he’d make up to her for it the following days.
“What do I get?”
“What do you want?”
“What do you offer?”
She sighed again, but this time it was accompanied by a grin.
“Good time with good friends in a pleasant environment, and a Christmas dinner you’ll never forget.”
“All I can eat?”
“Oh, yeah. All you can drink too.”
“I get to smoke?”
“Not in front of the kids.”
“I ain’t singin’ or dancin’ or trying to act all cheery and jolly,” he groused.
“Sugar, trust me; no one wants to see that.”
“Hell, darlin’, that’s a helluva tempting offer you got there.” He ran a hand over his muttonchops and his eyes went back to her breasts. “If I can have all that while enjoying the view, you’ve got yourself a deal.”
She rolled her eyes, but she couldn’t hold back the smile of triumph. “You’re hopeless,” she muttered and walked away.
Logan snickered and grabbed the dufflebag at the same time he chewed on a cigar. Maybe Christmas with the X Men wouldn’t be such a bad case after all.
……
Rogue was lying on her bed trying to rest before she began to prepare for New Year’s Eve.
As exhausted as she was for playing a major part in making this year’s Holidays the best for everyone in the Mansion, she couldn’t regret it given all the joy and satisfaction she took from the kids’ and the adults’ reactions about Christmas dinner decoration and meal.
She snorted when she remembered Logan giving her a hard time by sneaking inside the kitchen and stealing food while she was trying to bring everything together.
“Keep the goddamn Grinch of Christmas out of my kitchen!” she’d yelled exasperated, when she’d caught him from the corner of her eye snatching the bowl with the cookie dough.
Her mood grew serious when she recalled exchanging gifts and her hand went reflexively up to her neck where a silver pendant was now resting on her chest.
She’d been staring and gaping at her gift when she’d first opened it, trying to wrap her mind around the fact that he’d managed to find a pendant like the one she’d described to him a long time ago her Nana used to wear that was considered a family heirloom.
Her smile came back at Logan’s flabbergasted face when he’d found his Christmas present waiting for him in the garage.
“So you won’t have to steal Scott’s bike again,” she’d told him. “I know that riding your own bike won’t be as fun, given you won’t be ticking him off by riding his, but since this Christmas you’re trying all kinds of new things maybe you can be innovative by coming up with another way of getting his hackles up.”
After throwing a fit at her for throwing her money away he rewarded her with a tight hug that ended in a swift smell of her hair and a strong kiss.
Rogue snickered. This guy had the most bizarre ways of showing gratitude and affection.
At least after that it was easier for her to convince him to give a chance at the New Year’s Eve event too.
“Come now, sugar; you’ve stayed and held my hand through Christmas; can’t you just put up with me for New Year’s too, so I won’t have to sit in a corner hoping for someone to chaperone me for the night?”
Logan had mumbled something incomprehensive, before giving another ultimatum. “I ain’t wearing any goddamn suit!”
“Don’t worry, sugar; no one’s asking you to.”
“Knock, knock!”
Jubilee’s shrieky voice broke Rogue’s reverie as her friend’s head appeared from the open door.
“Jubes, how many times do I have to tell you to knock before you come in?”
“I made the noise, chica!” she complained.
“How about your knuckles impact on the wood to make the noise and wait until I say ‘come in’?”
“Whoa, someone’s grumpy!” she pouted.
“And she has every right to be, given how you entered her personal space, Jubilee.”
Rogue was surprised to hear Jean’s voice coming from the hall. She gently pushed Jubilee in and offered an apologetic smile.
“I’m sorry about that, Rogue. Perhaps it would be better if me or Storm had knocked.”
“No, no it’s fine,” Rogue rushed to say. “Well, it’s not fine given how many times I’ve chided Jubes about that bad habit of hers, but you know what I mean. Come on in. Did you say Storm is here too?”
“Among others,” Ororo’s gentle tone was followed by her and Kitty coming in.
Rogue realized belatedly that, like other Magi baring gifts, all four women were carrying something. Jubilee held a shoe box, Jean was holding an opulent box like one those expensive boutique stores used, Storm had brought in all her hairdressing equipment and Kitty had brought her professional makeup box.
Rogue was looking from one woman to the other puzzled. “What’s all this?”
“This is how you’re gonna be the fairest one of all when the New Year’s Eve’s party begins,” Jean spoke first.
“Whoa there, chica.” Jubilee held a hand up. “Yeah, she’s gorgeous and yeah, we’re gonna make her look even more gorgeous tonight, but we all know who’s gonna be the star of the party.” She completed her sentence with her hand pointing up and down to herself, as Kitty rolled her eyes and Storm with Jean pressed their lips in an effort not to laugh.
Rogue huffed to jibe her friend, but then her frown deepened. “Why should I look my best especially tonight? You guys never cared about that the previous years.”
“Well first of all, you always looked amazing,” Kitty jumped in, “so you didn’t really need our help. But, this year you have a date and it’s our duty to make sure you’ll secure a second one before we welcome the New Year.”
“Wait, what? What date? It’s just me trying to keep Logan here for the Holidays, just like you all asked me to!” Rogue exclaimed.
“Rogue, honey,” Storm looked at her like she was a naïve child. “You know how much we all love you, but this cat and mouse game between you and Logan is stretching too far and honestly, we’re starting to get tired of it.”
“What cat and mouse game?” Rogue’s protest made Jean and ‘Ro exchange a knowing look. “Look, I appreciate that, but you got it all wrong-”
“Yes, yes, we have, now come, let’s get you ready, the clock is ticking,” Jean rushed her with a wave, and gestured at Kitty to close the door.
“Jean,” Rogue started again, but Jean shushed her.
“Honey, I know you want to be in denial because it’s safer than allowing yourself to believe there’s more than just a friendship there, but believe me, we wouldn’t make you go through all this trouble if we weren’t sure about the outcome. You’re an adult now. No reason for him to wait anymore, no reason for you to hesitate. Now; I know you have a wonderful taste in clothing, but I hope you won’t mind me for taking the initiative to buy you a dress for tonight. When I saw it I felt it would match you perfectly and I honestly think you’re gonna look amazing in it. So; what do you say?”
Rogue looked at her friends and their enthusiastic expectations and felt her eyes becoming watery. Even if the night didn’t turn out as they expected, and as she hoped, she still had plenty of love coming from so many people.
She took in a deep breath and straightened her shoulders. “Let’s get me ready. Hunting season just opened.”
……
Logan cursed under his breath as he looked at his shirts and jeans in his closet. He’d told Marie he wasn’t gonna wear any suit after he’d promised her to stay and escort her to the ball, event, party, whatever the fuck that was, but he didn’t want to embarrass her by landing there like he’d just came back from one of the shitty titty bars he traditionally spent those days at.
He scratched his jaw, not sure what to do. Maybe he should just go to her room and tell her how sorry he was that he couldn’t be by her side after all, but that sounded like a major dick move – especially after all the trouble the kid had gone through to make him feel comfortable and enjoy the festivities. Not to mention the gift she’d given him.
That bike must’ve cost her a fortune. Shit. No one had ever done anything like that for him before.
His heart twitched when he remembered the anticipation her face held when she asked him if he liked it. Hell, giving him a scooter for kids would be a perfect gift.
At the thought of scooter, his mind flew at One Eye trying to keep him out of Marie’s way while she was preparing the Christmas dinner. His smirk was feral. The way she shrieked and threatened him everytime he was sliding into the kitchen to grab something to munch on was adorable. The towel she threw at him, finding the back of his head though, wasn’t.
He’d given her the Wolverine eye, but as expected, she didn’t even flinch.
“Don’t look at me like that, you’re lucky this wasn’t a frying pan!” she’d hissed with that sexy Southern drawl he got out of her everytime he was riling her up, and his feral smirk turned into a deep throaty laugh.
His hearing informed him about the upcoming callers and shoved those rare happy memories in a place kept only for him.
“Logan? May we come in?” Charles’ voice was accompanied by a gentle knock.
“Go ahead,” he called, not sure what to expect. He sure as hell wasn’t going to put up with a good behavior lecture.
The Professor came in followed by Hank holding a clothes hanger with a tuxedo on. Logan’s nose scrunched up. What the fuck is this?
“This is a tuxedo, Logan,” Charles spoke to him like he was retarded, earning him a growl. “And I would appreciate it if you didn’t project your preferable vocabulary so openly.”
“You came here on your own, Chuck,” he groused. “And don’t tell me you suddenly can’t block others’ thoughts.”
“Not when they’re this loud,” he pointed out, and then calmed his expression to continue. “Anyway, Henry and I had the suspicion that you probably wouldn’t have appropriate attire for tonight, so we took the initiative to choose a decent suit for you. You will discover that it is your size and hopefully you’ll wear it without putting too much resistance.”
“And why would I do that?” Both Charles and Hank could hear the challenge in his voice. Hank chose to hit the nail on the head right away.
“For the lovely young lady’s sake who has been nothing but eager to make your decision to remain at the school for the Holidays the right one.”
“That’s a low blow, Blue,” Logan hissed.
“And a quite effective one,” Hank agreed. “That’s why I used it so amenably. We don’t have time to lose, my boy. Put on the tuxedo and go escort dear Rogue downstairs. It’s almost time for the reception to begin. We do not wish to make everyone wait for us, do we?”
“Don’t we?” Logan crossed his arms in front of his chest. Furball was right, but he wasn’t going down without a fight. A small one at least.
Charles willed his chair closer. “Logan; I know that staying here during Christmas was a Herculean task on your behalf and celebrating New Year is exceeding your endurance, but I’d like to believe that given how we all tried to make it as painless as possible for you, we deserve some kind of recognition about it – especially Rogue. So, how about you put your legendary grief tolerance to the test and put on this tuxedo without causing extra commotion?”
Logan was staring at him like he’d grown a second head. “You’re kidding, right?”
“Of course,” Charles said plainly, earning another pissed growl. “But, I was very serious about the fact that Rogue deserves a better attitude than this.”
Logan sucked in a breath. The old man and blue man were right. The kid deserved better. Hell, she deserved the best, and that wasn’t him. But, he could at least put on his best behavior and that penguin suit and try not to embarrass her.
“Fine,” he stretched his hand at Hank, who passed him the hanger.
“Thank you, Logan,” the Professor smiled, and led his chair to the door. “We’ll see you downstairs in a while.”
“I ain’t doin’ any dancin’ though – just so you know!” Logan snarled.
The Professor answered without looking back. “Trust me, my friend, none of us wants to witness such ‘spectacle’…”
His response was met by a bark of laughter from Beast and a snarl from the Wolverine.
……
“I gotta admit, kid, that has been a helluva week.”
Logan's comment was met with an almost hysterical laughter from Rogue. It was close to dawn and most of the residents had gone to sleep an hour ago. Logan had offered Rogue to take a walk around the gardens and now they were strolling side by side, him carrying his tuxedo’s jacket with one hand behind his shoulder and his shirt’s first three buttons open and Rogue holding an emerald green shawl around her shoulders.
“Does that mean you don’t regret wasting your time by celebrating with us?” she teased.
“No time spent with you is time wasted, kid,” he muttered, and dragged a smoke from his cigar.
“Really, sugar? You’re still trying to ‘kid’ me after seeing me in this dress?”
The dress Jean had picked for her was an emerald green that left one shoulder and one thigh exposed enough for a man to plea for more. It was also tight enough to leave little to the imagination and as the beautiful telepath had predicted, Rogue was a mega hit in it. So much, that Logan’s claws almost made a guest appearance when Remy showed too much of his appreciation for the dress.
“I ain’t kid-ding you, darlin’,” he jested.
“Good to know,” her red lips upturned shyly.
“You cold?” Before she was able to answer, Logan put his cigar on his mouth and swiftly placed his jacket over her shoulders. Her grin became a bright smile.
“Who knew that this tuxedo would turn you into a gentleman?” she teased again.
“Only for you, baby.”
She abruptly stopped and squeezed her shawl until it wrinkled. Logan fretted.
“Marie? What’s wrong?”
Her brown eyes were like quick sand, sucking him in.
“Don’t play games with me, Logan.”
The pain behind the words shook him.
“I ain’t playing, Marie.”
“Then what’s this?”
“This?” He seemed to think about it. “This is us, baby. Us realizing what others have been trying to make my thick skull get for some time now. This is the real deal. You and me, Marie.”
She was searching his face, trying to see if this was for real, when he found a way to make her believe it.
“Dance with me.”
“What?”
Her dumbfound question became a gasp when he reached out a hand.
“Dance with me, Marie. Please?”
His voice’s gentleness undid her.
“You don’t dance, Logan,” she whispered.
“That’s right; I don’t.”
He threw the cigar away and took her hands softly. He placed them on his shoulders and pulled her closer. Slowly, he began to move in a silent tune, carrying her with him.
Marie leaned on him and his arms closed her in. She shut her eyes and allowed herself to let this – whatever “this” was – take them wherever they were destined to.
After a while, he carefully pulled her away and made her look at him, look at what had been laying dormant for them to build up the courage to let it find its way out to the world.
They leaned into a kiss that deepened until the first rays of light forced them to break it off.
“Happy New Year, baby,” Marie whispered.
“I’ll make sure of that, darlin’.” Logan promised.