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A nearly empty whiskey bottle was drawn to Logan's lips as he sat slumped in his favorite booth at Harry's bar. He'd made a strategic retreat away from the mansion when the room, their room, had gotten too quiet. Now, trying to drink himself into a blissful stupor, Logan was ready to admit defeat.
"Stupid mutant healin' factor," he groused under his breath. "Another bottle," Logan growled at the waitress as she passed by. There might not be enough alcohol in the whole bar to get him drunk, but maybe it would blur the vision of Remy walking out the door.
The Argument Two days Before:
"Logan, I've been through dis wit ya a million times!"
Remy's voice rose from his side of the double room they shared as they rehashed the same conversation from previous solo missions too many to count. Enough was enough and Remy couldn't take it anymore. The 'riot act' (as Remy had taken to calling it) was always delivered under the carefully disguised guise of concern, teamwork and yadda yadda whatever else Logan could come up with. So why did it always make Remy feel like a teenager trying to get Dad to part with the car keys?
"Listen Cajun," Logan replied. "I ain't saying you can't handle yerself. I just think may-be it'd be wise to have some backup. You know in case."
"If Remy needed backup da Professor he'd have said," the Cajun bitched lapsing into third person. He couldn't help himself. It was an old trait that he'd never quite been able to shake, especially when he was angry.
"Remy don need no help and he be plenty sick of dis mother hen bullshit!" He complained angrily stuffing the rest of his gear in his pack.
"Remy tell ya homme ya ain't da only one dat can get da job done. Jus cause ya an old man don mean ya know everything."
Logan rose off the bed ready to deliver more words of reason but Remy stopped him, "Ya got ta come ta grips with dis mec," Remy told him sternly. "Remy been handlin his own since Remy learned ta pick his first pocket an if dat hurts yer pride well too bad."
"Damn hot headed Cajun," Logan growled stunned at the rebuke. "Don't sound like it's MY pride that's in question. Ya too stubborn to know what's good for ya."
"Well ain't dat da pot calling da kettle black," Remy huffed. He slung his pack over his shoulder and jerked open the door between their shared room, "Remy's an X-man jus like you homme an if ya can't respect dat an keep coddlin' him like Jubilee an da rest, well Remy done."
Logan's knuckles cracked as he clenched them at his sides, "Fine Cajun," he snarled. "You go it alone but if ya get in over that swelled head of yers it won't be me bailing yer hide out!"
Remy gave Logan a hard stare, mouth set in a grim line and his red eyes flickered dangerously, before slamming his way out into the hall leaving a heavy crackle of energy in his wake.
Logan held on to his anger using it to ground him even as the energy Remy left behind caused his hair to stand on end and ran along his skin like too much static from a dryer.
"Goddammitt!" Logan swore and buried his claws in the wall beside him. He'd never seen Remy so pissed before.
Logan pulled his claws out, "Well looks like I'm gonna have to fix that,' he thought glumly. He sunk back onto the bed already thinking back through the things they'd said.
Remy didn't think Logan respected him and that stung. Did Remy really think this was all about his own ego?
Logan knew Remy was more than capable of taking care of himself. The kid was special. It wasn't just his mutant abilities, having run the thieves guild for awhile before joining the X-men permanently, Remy had connections all over the world. They all knew if you needed something done quick and quiet, Gambit was your man.
"Doesn't mean I gotta like it," Logan grumbled to himself.
It just seemed that more and more Logan didn't WANT Remy off on his own and that feeling had resulted in the overprotective mother hen nagging.
Well it finally backfired spectacularly and now Remy was threatening to walk away. Was he THAT serious?
Couldn't Remy see that Logan just wanted him safe? Couldn't Remy see that Logan cared and that he just couldn't express it properly?
As the rambling thoughts began to connect and Logan began to comprehend them a bit better, he came to the realization that it didn't sound like he was thinking of a 'friend' anymore but that Remy had become something much more.
It felt like someone had dumped a bucket of ice water over him, instantly jarring Logan into a panic of motion.
"That isn't what this is," Logan thought desperately as he paced the room. "Me an the Cajun jus been through a lot s'all. Of course I'd be a little more protective of him."
"But it's not the same is it?" Some piece of his treacherous mind reminded him. You don't look at him the same as the others do you? You don't think about them the same way especially when..."
"SHUT UP!" Logan barked into the empty room then felt incredibly stupid. There was no one there to argue with; no one but himself. The room hung heavy with silence as if mocking him and Logan slammed the door as he left heading for the Danger Room.
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Hank McCoy considered himself a patient man (beast) but, after two days of complaints from Scott and several others within the Mansion, he was finally forced to admit that something was indeed bothering Wolverine.
"As the only current medical professional here at the Mansion Logan, I must insist that you find another outlet for whatever is bothering you," Hank's voice called through the intercom system into the Danger Room. He had stopped the current simulation and Logan had cursed an impressive litany of verbiage suitable to make any hardened sailor blush.
"Ain't nothin' botherin' me Blue so mind yer own business and let me get back to it!" Logan shouted back at Hank behind the observation glass.
"Logan my friend you've been holed up in this room nearly two days straight," Hank continued. "I know from others that you've at least stopped to eat and sleep maybe twice in all that time and while that is somewhat satisfactory; do us all a favor and either go talk to Xavier or get off the grounds for a while. But the Danger Room is now off limits to you."
"Sonofa..." Logan cursed.
"Your call Logan," Hank said resolutely. "Shall I let Xavier know you're coming up?"
"No!" Logan barked sharply. "I got it Blue." He then replied a little less heated, "I'll get outa everybody's hair for a bit." He dragged a hand through his hair and over his face still agitated and turned to make his way out of the room.
"My door is open as well if you prefer to talk later" Hank said to the other man's retreating back.
"Yeah yeah, Blue I hear ya," Logan replied with a halfhearted wave.
Hank sighed once Logan was gone, "I certainly hope Remy gets back soon. I don't know how much more grumpy Canadian the rest of us can take."
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Remy eased back on the throttle of his bike and pulled to the side of the road. Another half hour and he'd be back at the Mansion. Taking out his cell he debated whether calling again was a good idea; as many times as he'd checked in over the last week he'd never once been able to speak to Logan. Remy wasn't angry anymore, just still hurt and confused. Honestly, he just wanted to talk to the other man to see how the grumpy old cuss was even if Logan was still pissed.
Remy highly doubted that was the case; he and Logan had been through fights before. Not quite like this one but, Remy was betting the past few days had given them both the space they needed to hash it out once they saw each other again.
And if not, Remy also wanted to know if Logan was still being pissy should he bunk in with Oroho or take one of the other empty rooms on her floor for a few days until Logan felt civil enough to talk.
Remy dialed and listened while the phone rang; he was about to hang up when someone finally picked up on the fifth ring.
"Xavier's home for gifted students," a familiar voice greeted him.
"Hank dat you?" Remy asked cheerfully.
"Remy! What a surprise!" Hank replied. "Everything alright? Are you on your way home yet?"
"Mais Oui," Remy said. "Everything's fine. I'm actually jus a few miles from home. I was wonderin' if I could speak ta Logan maybe?"
Hank sighed, "I'm sorry Remy but Logan's not here at the moment thankfully," he admitted.
"Pourquoi?" Remy asked worriedly. "Something wrong wit him Hank?"
"No no!" Hank rushed to assure Remy. "He's just out probably if I had to guess at Harry's. It's just...Logan has been..." there was a long pause. "Difficult since you've been gone."
"Ah medre. Désolé Hank." Remy apologized. "Remy an da mec we had a bit of a rowe before Remy left. Sound like Logan probably still plenty angry den eh?"
"I don't know if I'd say he's angry Remy," Hank mused. "More like he's been trying to avoid thinking. We had to ban him from the Danger Room to keep him from overworking the simulator."
"Mon dieu," Remy sighed his brows furrowing. "Merci for da info Hank. Guess Remy head home an move ma stuff across from Stormie. Best ta keep outa Logan's way for a while then."
"On the contrary Remy," Hank replied. "I may not know what your argument was about but I suspect the sooner you talk to Logan the better."
Remy could hear in Hank's tone that there was something the Blue-furred doctor wasn't saying but decided not to press it. "Oui Hank, Remy go find Logan we hash it out an den go from there."
"Excellent notion my boy," Hank replied sounding pleased. "We'll look forward to seeing you at home soon."
After saying goodbye, Remy started his bike and turned around; hopefully Hank was right and he'd find Logan at Harry's a few miles down the road.
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Logan was on his third bottle of whiskey and his fifth beer in what was shaping up to be the longest week of his life. Harry had joked when the rumpled Canadian had entered for the fifth night in a row, "Can't think of anything other than a woman that would make a man spend this many nights away from home."
"If only it was that simple bub," Logan had grunted before taking his usual booth in the corner.
Alcohol wouldn't do him any good but it was nice to 'act normal' Logan mused as the waitress brought over the usual. Hank had made it clear he was disrupting the Mansion and Logan would be damned if he was gonna get all 'touchy feely with his sensitive side' with Chuck. The Cajun was bound to be home in a couple more days and they'd bitch it out then.
More like Logan had some explaining to do was more accurate. The long days with no where to go but into his own head had brought the stoic Canuck to an alarmingly complicated conclusion; he was in love with Remy.
Didn't matter how many times he tried to analyze it or rationalize the thoughts, emotions or memories; it all came back to the same results and that scared Logan like no other thing in his life ever had.
"No wonder Hank wanted me to talk to Xavier," Logan mused bitterly draining the last of his beer.
Love didn't touch Logan without tragedy being far behind. It was one of the reasons why he kept people at arms length as much as possible.
Logan turned up the bottle of whiskey to his lips ignoring the glass the waitress had left behind. It might not make him forget, but the familiar burn of the liquid washing down his throat gave him something else to focus on besides his tumultuous feelings for the moment.
===============
Remy headed into Harry's after finding Logan's bike in the lot. He spied Logan sitting alone in their favorite corner booth. Harry made his way over to the Cajun with a bottle of Remy's favorite cayenne Bourbon.
"Ah merci Harry you sure know how ta make dis Cajun feel welcome," Remy said.
"Glad to finally see you again Lebeau," Harry replied. "That old cuss has been plenty sour the last few nights he's been here. He's always in a better mood when you're around. Tips better too," Harry laughed with a wink.
Remy chuckled with him, "Tell Ange Remy leave her a peace offerin' for puttin' up wit him da last few days."
Remy took his bottle and headed for the booth. The other man never even looked up at the Cajun's approach so Remy cleared his throat to get Logan's attention.
"Hey Mec," Remy said jovially. "Dis seat taken?"
Logan looked up and to Remy's relief the consternated expression on the gruff Canadian seemed to morph slightly into something a little more relaxed.
"May as well take a load off," Logan told him amicably. "Ya look like ya could use a rest."
"Merci," Remy replied dropping onto the leather cushioned seat. "Been ridin' all day. Dis Cajun well an truly glad ta finally be able ta relax a bit."
"Ya been back to the mansion yet?" Logan inquired trying to sound nonchalant. He sure as Hell didn't want Remy running into Hank (or anyone else) before he got a chance to clear up their 'misunderstanding'.
Remy shook his head, "Non. Remy needed a drink. Weren't in no hurry. Da Professor he get ma report in da morning after Remy get rid of da road dust an get some sleep."
Remy knew Logan was fishing but chose to ignore it. Besides, Hank had said they needed to talk but Remy didn't need to tell Logan that. It would just make the big man more close lipped about whatever was bothering him. If there was one thing Remy had learned being around Logan for so long was that Logan hated having his business bantered about.
Logan nodded stiffly seemingly appeased by Remy's answer and they fell into easy chit chat both skirting around the obvious. It was something Remy knew Logan hated. They talked about his mission a bit and the last few days goings on till Remy had enough.
"I can't," Remy confessed holding up his hands in surrender. "No more mon ami. Dis Cajun done had enough of da knitt'n circle gossip. Let's go play pool."
Remy grabbed up what was left of his bottle laid down a couple of twenties on the table and headed to the back room of the bar.
Logan followed him tossing quite a few bills on the table on top of Remy's already generous tip and proceeded to gather the pool balls together while Remy sank a few coins into the ancient juke box Harry also kept back there.
Logan kept an eye on the Cajun over the length of the pool table. He was glad that Remy had put an end to the mindless prattle they'd been having. Logan detested small talk but he'd been stalling not sure of how to broach the subject of their argument.
Remy as usual, was a little more blunt, "Ok homme," the lean Arcadian said tossing Logan a stick. "We play one game. Remy wins, ya tell him why ya pick a fight da other day. If ya win Remy move his stuff up across da hall from Stormy an leave ya be D'accord?"
Logan rolled his eyes. "Shut yer yap Gumbo and break," he growled good naturedly. "Ain't no need for ya to move out. Unless ya still mad that is."
Remy eyed the other man carefully, "Stopped being mad about a hour after I left. Not gonna lie; still a little confused s'all," he admitted then focused on the collection of balls at the far end of the table. He took his shot and the cue ball clattered into the pile scattering them in all directions sinking...nothing.
"Ah medre," Remy sighed walking back to his drink. "Dis is da reason Remy stick ta cards."
Logan snorted and crossed over to where Remy stood. "Ya suck at this game kid," Logan said. "And yet, ya still chose to bet. Think ya might want to revise yer terms?" Logan inquired a small grin on his lips.
Remy lit up a clove, Was Logan trying to FLIRT with him? He thought warily. "Well seein' as how ya say Remy ain't got ta move out; what is it ya want if ya win Mec?" He asked curiously. "Don't change what Remy wants."
"How bout we discuss that after I win," Logan offered cryptically. "I'll even give ya one more shot after that terrible break."
That got him a raised eyebrow and suspicious side-eye from the Cajun. Remy shrugged out of his leather duster and tossed it over an empty bar stool. Remy nodded, "D'accord. Ya got ma attention now mon ami."
Remy brushed past Logan and lined up his shot. He sank three balls in rapid succession then gazed at his friend with a smirk, "Remy don't like ta lose," he told him slyly.
"Enjoy your moment Lebeau," Logan replied his voice pitched low and husky and Remy felt the prickling of goosebumps all along his skin. His pupils dilated and his charm power stirred in reaction all because of that voice and he missed his next shot spectacularly causing the cue ball to fly off the table and come to a rolling stop at Logan's feet.
"I believe that's a scratch," Logan tsked picking the ball up off the floor. "My turn Rems."
"Looks like," Remy agreed, Oh so now we're using nicknames? He inclined his head toward the bar. "Remy gonna get another beer. Ya want one?"
Logan nodded giving Remy a mischievous grin, "Now yer doing something useful rather than just standing there looking pretty." He teased.
Remy cheerfully gave him the finger as he headed to get their beers and Logan's deep chuckle followed him, "Don't go threatening me with a good time Cajun."
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Remy's thoughts were a whirlwind as he waited on Harry to get their beers. Logan's demeanor only added to the confusion he'd felt over the last few days and it certainly didn't look like he was gonna get any answers now since he'd chosen to bargain them away on a bet. "Win some lose some," Remy thought but couldn't find it in him to be glum about it. Logan looked happy to spend time with him and had called him 'pretty'.
It was a sobering realization one Remy had hoped would happen for a couple years now. Was Logan finally seeing Remy as more than just a 'friend'? More than just one more 'kid' he had to protect and cluck over? Maybe Logan had finally realized Remy could take care of himself and could take care of Logan too and not just as teammates but in everything.
The Cajun's musing were cut off as Harry finally returned with the beers and the waitress Ange waltzed over and gave Remy a quick peck on the cheek in thanks for his as she put it, "the generous contribution to her suffering".
Returning to Logan, he found the scruffy Canadian leaned back on a bar stool puffing on a cigar. The pool table was cleared of Logan's balls and the eight waited patiently.
"I waited till ya got back for that one," Logan told him amused at the frown on Gambit's face as the Cajun handed him his beer.
"Well go on then," Remy huffed lightly. "May as well make it official."
"Tell ya what Cajun," Logan drawled as he pointed to the left corner pocket and lined up his shot. "We get back to the Mansion I'll answer yer questions but then ya still pay up, deal?"
Remy watched the eight roll slowly toward the pocket and as it fell with a thunk he turned to Logan, "Ya know Remy never welches on a bet homme."
"Then grab yer coat Gumbo," Logan told him draining his beer.
===============
When they made it back to the Mansion it was well past one o'clock in the morning. All was quiet as the two climbed the stairs to their room. Once inside, Logan rummaged through the mini-fridge and tossed Remy another beer then took a seat in the recliner in the corner.
Remy sat on the covered chest at the end of Logan's bed across from the other man. A bed that Remy noticed looked barely slept in.
"Jus you an me now Logan," Remy said in a hushed voice. "Ya gonna answer my question from earlier? Dis ain't da first time you an Remy fight over ma solo jobs. So ya may-be wanna tell Remy why?"
Logan took a long pull off his beer and studied Remy's serious face. Why did it take me so long to realize how beautiful he is? He wondered. No wonder I act like a complete ass when he's gone. I can't stand ta be away from him.
Getting no immediate response, Remy tilted his head to set his beer bottle on the floor and the long sweep of Auburn tresses fell across his face.
He heard a hitch in Logan's breathing and turned his attention back to the older man intently watching his every movement.
Remy's lips turned up into a small flirty smirk. "Well...if ya don't want ta talk about dat," Remy mused aloud. "May-be ya tell dis Cajun what it is ya want for winning our bet?"
Logan hummed softly, it sounded suspiciously like a purr and Remy's charm power stirred once again in response like it had in the bar.
Something in Logan's voice was directly influencing Remy's mutant ability. Logan has been acting different since I showed up at Harry's. He pondered. He's more relaxed than I've ever seen him. I wish da crafty ole cuss jus tell Remy what's going on already.
Logan could see the wheels in the Cajun's head turning so fast it was a wonder he didn't have smoke coming out of his ears. He knew it was driving Remy crazy. So Logan decided he'd waited long enough and it was time to tell the other man how he felt.
Logan left the chair and grabbed Remy's arm pulling the lanky Arcadian up to face him. Remy blinked in confusion until Logan's fingers brushed into his hair gently and Remy felt the lightest touch of Logan's lips against his own. Oh la vanche! Remy thought in disbelief.
It was over in an instant but Remy's skin felt set ablaze and as Logan pulled away, Remy surged forward claiming Logan's lips again hungrily.
They landed against the wall a tangled mess, Logan's hands gripping Remy's hips and Remy's clinging firmly to Logan's hair.
Logan moaned and licked into Remy's mouth again hoisting the Cajun so that his legs could wrap around Logan's waist. He wasted no time walking them backwards toward the bed and lowered them both onto it.
Remy hissed as Logan latched onto his throat and those large powerful hands slid under Remy's shirt to caress his chest.
"Logan," Remy sighed arching against him when Logan's fingers teased over his nipples causing them to harden instantly.
"Want you Rem," Logan whispered against Remy's ear. "Not jus cause of some bet either." He pulled Remy's shirt over his head and threw it to the floor. Then sat back straddling Remy to remove his own.
Remy watched Logan through half-lidded eyes. His heart swelled at the sight of the other man's bare chest. All that rippling power right there in front of him and Remy itched to touch.
Reaching out, Remy splayed his long fingers across Logan's skin and the big man above him closed his eyes and hummed contentedly. "Ya have no idea how long Remy wait for ya ta say dat cher," he confessed softly.
Logan rolled to side and stretched out beside Remy gathering him into his arms. He placed a tender kiss to Remy's temple. "I'm sorry ya had ta leave angry at me. I'm no good at telling people I love how I feel. Thought may-be this time you'd finally had enough of this old man," he confessed.
"Logan we known each other a long time," Remy began gently tracing lazy circles on the other man's chest soothingly. "Never once did Remy ever think about leaving ya for good. Ya may be the most frustrating man on da planet sometimes but Remy love ya all da same. Ya stuck wit me mon coeur."
Logan rolled Remy onto his back and captured his lips once more. Remy surrendered eagerly fingers slipping back into the older man's scruffy hair and wrapping his long legs around Logan's waist.
The man atop him moaned and broke their kiss, "How bout I give ya a proper 'welcome home' Rem?" Logan asked his hands roaming the wiry Cajun's body.
"Mais oui," Remy moaned shuddering as Logan's touch awakened his charm fully. He heard Logan inhale sharply, felt the pressure of Logan's growing arousal against his own and Remy arched chasing the friction between their bodies.
Logan emitted a low growl, his eyes slipping closed as he lost himself in the sensation of Remy rutting against him. At this rate neither of them were going to last long but Logan couldn't find it in him to be too irritable about it. After all they had the rest of the night and if he had any say possibly most of the next morning as well.
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There was a hesitant knock at their door sometime around one o'clock that afternoon. Xavier had asked Scott to check in with Remy and ask when he'd be coming down for a debriefing. The door opened slightly and Scott was met by Logan's ever present scowl.
"What is it slim?" Logan asked gruffly opening the door a little wider.
"The Professor wants to know when Remy's going to come down to his office. It's been almost a whole day since he's been back. He should have gone to see him first thing Logan," Scott griped.
"Tell da Professor Remy be down in an hour Scott," the Cajun's voice pulled both the other men's attention away from glaring at each other. Remy stood half covered, towel wrapped around his waist leaning against the doorway to their shared en suite bathroom. "Remy never got his shower last night." He came walking gracefully over to Logan and draped his arms around him. "C'mon mon amore," Remy purred. "Ya promised ta join me."
Scott went scarlet and quickly pulled back into the hall but not before seeing Logan brush a kiss against Gambit's lips.
"One hour Gambit!" Scott shouted as Logan pushed the door shut in his face. Scott heard a slight scuffle then Logan's rumbling laugh as the Cajun yelped in surprise. He shook his head but couldn't help the tiny smile that crept across his face. "Bout damn time," he thought as he walked down the hall.