just_muse_me | 7.7.5 Less of a Stranger
7.7.5. Less of a Stranger
Co-written with canmakeufeel & strips4u
[Follows ALL HERE]
It was about mid-morning and Remy was still in bed. That was only a fact because he basically growled at Hank when he came to try and get him up for more physiotherapy. Yesterday Remy had been determined and pushed himself to the limit with the attempts of walking and strengthening his legs. Today? Today was his birthday and he wanted to be left alone. His muscles felt like he'd walked a hundred miles and the only glimmer in the dark room (he didn't want the curtains opened either) was the 'rocket' that sat on his nightstand, which was a birthday gift from his young friend, Jacob, and was nothing more than used toilet rolls glued together with tinfoil wrapped around it and a smiley face drawn on the top. Still, Remy was going with a rocket, because clearly that is what it was (if you squinted, tilted your head and rubbed your eyes a few times).
It was the only birthday gift he had so far, so it meant a lot, especially considering the fact Hank had told him the boy had taken most of the previous afternoon making it.
He tucked his hands under his pillows and curled up on his side. The top of his head was the only thing visible beyond the lump of bed covers and beneath that, he only had on a pair of checked pyjama pants which he had no plan to change out of all day. Maybe all week. As far as he was concerned, his birthday was going to pass in an unconscious oblivion.
Madison James was no stranger to being stared at, but she could do without the staring involving whispers and the stares being more like accusatory looks. Guess she and Flynn were more famous than she'd bargained. It wasn't like they hadn't been to Xavier's before, but last time it had been different. Last time it had been as Remy's concerned lovers. Now they were his exes here to try and get him back. She glanced at Flynn over her shoulder and her lips quirked into a small smile. They were strong enough to do this. Right?
She led the way to the elevators with the plastic cake box held firmly in her hands. It hadn't been easy finding a decent ice cream cake. Most of them were decorated with sprinkles and cartoon characters, but eventually she and Flynn had found the perfect one.
Madison wore a pair of comfortable pinstripe pants and a t-shirt, dressing down for her and Flynn's planned bed-in. It wasn't pyjamas, but it was close. As they stepped off onto Remy's new floor she looked at Flynn again. Maybe Hank had been nice to them downstairs but she could almost imagine him watching them now on some secret surveillance cameras, ready to come drag them away if they hurt Remy.
Flynn's arm was wrapped around Maddy's waist and he gave her a small squeeze of reassurance. This was the part where they had to hope Remy's door wasn't locked. Flynn was hoping it was open in case the Cajun needed urgent help... at least, that would've been the safe option and he decided Hank would realise that. His hand went to the doorknob and he turned it lightly without knocking. If Remy was wanking, more treats for them. By the time they had stepped into the room, Remy's sleepy eyes were on them, but before he had a chance to react, Flynn rounded the bed and slipped into it behind Remy and tucked his arm carefully around the Cajun's stomach, pressing a kiss to the side of his throat.
Remy was actually too shocked to react at first. He reflexively put his hand on Flynn's arm and tried to look over his shoulder at him but his muscles protested and he whimpered with a small frown of frustration. His red eyes turned instead to Madison, uncertain of really what to say by now.
Maddy set the cake down on the bedside table and slipped into the bed next to Remy and Flynn. She smiled as she returned the Cajun's gaze and reached out to stroke his cheek before she kissed his lips. "Happy birthday, Gorgeous." She placed her hand on top of Remy's where it covered Flynn's; the three of them connected again. "We love you." She reached her other hand out so it draped over Remy's shoulder and she could touch Flynn. "And we brought ice cream cake."
Flynn realised at this point that he was holding his breath waiting for, not only a reaction from Remy, but for him to scream at them and kick them out. That sweet Cajun body felt warm and soft in the cocoon of bed covers. The bare chest and cotton pyjama pants were just a bonus. Remy's butt was pressed against Flynn's leg with Maddy's fingers brushing against his arm and it just felt right. This was how it was supposed to be.
Remy was silent, still. Time seemed to tick over for close to a minute before he spoke. He couldn't deny it, this felt so nice after days and days of being alone and trying to think of nothing but regaining the use of his legs. After the first day or so, he had tried not to think about Maddy and Flynn. It always failed, of course, but it made Remy forceful and determined in the therapy with Hank often telling him to take his time and stop during the sessions. "I don't get it," he mumbled. "You didn't want me there."
"Of course we did, Gorgeous," Madison replied softly. She couldn't deny that she was more than okay being pressed back up against Remy again. Like Flynn she was equally enjoying those cotton pyjama pants of his. She wriggled to get her shoes off and out of the bed. There was a soft thud as they hit the floor and she made herself comfortable against him again.
It really was how it was supposed to be. She tried not to think about her thigh pressed up against his as she focused on getting him to understand. "We always did, and always will. We just... we needed to vent. To just get out the negative thoughts so that we could have the energy to continue. And don't take that the wrong way. Taking care of anyone is draining. I was exhausted when I was taking care of Flynn, but that didn't mean I didn't want to take care of him."
Flynn raised himself up a little so he could meet Remy's eyes. "Remy, I didn't mean what I was saying in the context I think you heard it, love. I'd been feeling off for days and I was worried about you, especially after you tried to walk. I felt like I was basically useless to you and I was also feeling that weird sense in my gut that if I slow down too long, the cancer will catch up with me. None of it was you and you weren't a burden. I just felt like I wasn't giving you what you needed. I thought Maddy on her own would do a far better job than just me on my own and... I'm so sorry, love. I never wanted you to feel or think for a moment I didn't want you or love you... that we didn't, because we do. More than you could realise right now."
Remy listened closely and then looked between them both. He let out a soft breath and put his hand up to briefly rub at his eyes before it went back to Flynn's arm. "Then Maddy said she didn't want me without you," he had to point out softly. "I wasn't going to stick around when whatever it was we had was lost... or maybe not even there to start with."
Her gaze flicked between both of men as Maddy licked at her lips. "I thought I'd be too selfish if I just let Flynn walk away so he could leave me with you," she explained. "There's no way I could give you up, Remy. I just think it's better with all three of us. I just don't want Flynn to walk away any more than I'd want you to."
She blinked rapidly to stop any tears from appearing in her eyes. "We missed you so much it hurt."
Flynn nodded and rested his chin on Remy's shoulder. "We didn't even sleep in your spot on the bed," he told him and curled his finger in Remy's curly hair.
Remy wet his lips and nodded just a little. "I missed you both too," he finally admitted.
Maddy brushed a kiss against his cheek before she brushed one against Flynn's shoulder and rest her head back down on the pillow. "Come home, Remy. Any home. Just pick an apartment, and it's home." She bit her lip briefly. "We're also willing to stay here if you feel like this is where you need to be."
"I'd prefer mine," Remy said quietly. If only for the fact the toilet was closer at his place than Maddy and Flynn's. The last thing he wanted was anymore near misses. "Maybe you could... stay more permanently?" Getting the words out almost choked up in his throat. It felt odd to be suggesting that but only because he'd never, in his life, asked anyone to move in with him. He was also still wary about the situation and scared.
Flynn's eyebrows shot up and he caught Maddy's gaze over Remy's shoulder. He didn't trust himself to say anything that would be anything beyond. 'Holy fucking shitballs!' but his eyes clearly screamed 'Did he just say what I think he did?!'
Maddy caught Flynn's look and she grinned at both of them before her hand slipped a little lower to rest on Flynn's hip and her arm against Remy's waist. "All pyjama tops get thrown out since we really don't need too many layers on when there's three of us warming the bed, and we'll need an entire room to be the walk in closet considering how many clothes we have between us."
She couldn't believe Remy had just asked them to move in with him, but who was she to argue? This was their chance. It was a big step, but one she was willing to take, and one that she assumed Flynn was too given his expression.
Hank is an NPC and this not binding on any Hank muses.
Word Count | 1,743
Co-written with canmakeufeel & strips4u
[Follows ALL HERE]
It was about mid-morning and Remy was still in bed. That was only a fact because he basically growled at Hank when he came to try and get him up for more physiotherapy. Yesterday Remy had been determined and pushed himself to the limit with the attempts of walking and strengthening his legs. Today? Today was his birthday and he wanted to be left alone. His muscles felt like he'd walked a hundred miles and the only glimmer in the dark room (he didn't want the curtains opened either) was the 'rocket' that sat on his nightstand, which was a birthday gift from his young friend, Jacob, and was nothing more than used toilet rolls glued together with tinfoil wrapped around it and a smiley face drawn on the top. Still, Remy was going with a rocket, because clearly that is what it was (if you squinted, tilted your head and rubbed your eyes a few times).
It was the only birthday gift he had so far, so it meant a lot, especially considering the fact Hank had told him the boy had taken most of the previous afternoon making it.
He tucked his hands under his pillows and curled up on his side. The top of his head was the only thing visible beyond the lump of bed covers and beneath that, he only had on a pair of checked pyjama pants which he had no plan to change out of all day. Maybe all week. As far as he was concerned, his birthday was going to pass in an unconscious oblivion.
Madison James was no stranger to being stared at, but she could do without the staring involving whispers and the stares being more like accusatory looks. Guess she and Flynn were more famous than she'd bargained. It wasn't like they hadn't been to Xavier's before, but last time it had been different. Last time it had been as Remy's concerned lovers. Now they were his exes here to try and get him back. She glanced at Flynn over her shoulder and her lips quirked into a small smile. They were strong enough to do this. Right?
She led the way to the elevators with the plastic cake box held firmly in her hands. It hadn't been easy finding a decent ice cream cake. Most of them were decorated with sprinkles and cartoon characters, but eventually she and Flynn had found the perfect one.
Madison wore a pair of comfortable pinstripe pants and a t-shirt, dressing down for her and Flynn's planned bed-in. It wasn't pyjamas, but it was close. As they stepped off onto Remy's new floor she looked at Flynn again. Maybe Hank had been nice to them downstairs but she could almost imagine him watching them now on some secret surveillance cameras, ready to come drag them away if they hurt Remy.
Flynn's arm was wrapped around Maddy's waist and he gave her a small squeeze of reassurance. This was the part where they had to hope Remy's door wasn't locked. Flynn was hoping it was open in case the Cajun needed urgent help... at least, that would've been the safe option and he decided Hank would realise that. His hand went to the doorknob and he turned it lightly without knocking. If Remy was wanking, more treats for them. By the time they had stepped into the room, Remy's sleepy eyes were on them, but before he had a chance to react, Flynn rounded the bed and slipped into it behind Remy and tucked his arm carefully around the Cajun's stomach, pressing a kiss to the side of his throat.
Remy was actually too shocked to react at first. He reflexively put his hand on Flynn's arm and tried to look over his shoulder at him but his muscles protested and he whimpered with a small frown of frustration. His red eyes turned instead to Madison, uncertain of really what to say by now.
Maddy set the cake down on the bedside table and slipped into the bed next to Remy and Flynn. She smiled as she returned the Cajun's gaze and reached out to stroke his cheek before she kissed his lips. "Happy birthday, Gorgeous." She placed her hand on top of Remy's where it covered Flynn's; the three of them connected again. "We love you." She reached her other hand out so it draped over Remy's shoulder and she could touch Flynn. "And we brought ice cream cake."
Flynn realised at this point that he was holding his breath waiting for, not only a reaction from Remy, but for him to scream at them and kick them out. That sweet Cajun body felt warm and soft in the cocoon of bed covers. The bare chest and cotton pyjama pants were just a bonus. Remy's butt was pressed against Flynn's leg with Maddy's fingers brushing against his arm and it just felt right. This was how it was supposed to be.
Remy was silent, still. Time seemed to tick over for close to a minute before he spoke. He couldn't deny it, this felt so nice after days and days of being alone and trying to think of nothing but regaining the use of his legs. After the first day or so, he had tried not to think about Maddy and Flynn. It always failed, of course, but it made Remy forceful and determined in the therapy with Hank often telling him to take his time and stop during the sessions. "I don't get it," he mumbled. "You didn't want me there."
"Of course we did, Gorgeous," Madison replied softly. She couldn't deny that she was more than okay being pressed back up against Remy again. Like Flynn she was equally enjoying those cotton pyjama pants of his. She wriggled to get her shoes off and out of the bed. There was a soft thud as they hit the floor and she made herself comfortable against him again.
It really was how it was supposed to be. She tried not to think about her thigh pressed up against his as she focused on getting him to understand. "We always did, and always will. We just... we needed to vent. To just get out the negative thoughts so that we could have the energy to continue. And don't take that the wrong way. Taking care of anyone is draining. I was exhausted when I was taking care of Flynn, but that didn't mean I didn't want to take care of him."
Flynn raised himself up a little so he could meet Remy's eyes. "Remy, I didn't mean what I was saying in the context I think you heard it, love. I'd been feeling off for days and I was worried about you, especially after you tried to walk. I felt like I was basically useless to you and I was also feeling that weird sense in my gut that if I slow down too long, the cancer will catch up with me. None of it was you and you weren't a burden. I just felt like I wasn't giving you what you needed. I thought Maddy on her own would do a far better job than just me on my own and... I'm so sorry, love. I never wanted you to feel or think for a moment I didn't want you or love you... that we didn't, because we do. More than you could realise right now."
Remy listened closely and then looked between them both. He let out a soft breath and put his hand up to briefly rub at his eyes before it went back to Flynn's arm. "Then Maddy said she didn't want me without you," he had to point out softly. "I wasn't going to stick around when whatever it was we had was lost... or maybe not even there to start with."
Her gaze flicked between both of men as Maddy licked at her lips. "I thought I'd be too selfish if I just let Flynn walk away so he could leave me with you," she explained. "There's no way I could give you up, Remy. I just think it's better with all three of us. I just don't want Flynn to walk away any more than I'd want you to."
She blinked rapidly to stop any tears from appearing in her eyes. "We missed you so much it hurt."
Flynn nodded and rested his chin on Remy's shoulder. "We didn't even sleep in your spot on the bed," he told him and curled his finger in Remy's curly hair.
Remy wet his lips and nodded just a little. "I missed you both too," he finally admitted.
Maddy brushed a kiss against his cheek before she brushed one against Flynn's shoulder and rest her head back down on the pillow. "Come home, Remy. Any home. Just pick an apartment, and it's home." She bit her lip briefly. "We're also willing to stay here if you feel like this is where you need to be."
"I'd prefer mine," Remy said quietly. If only for the fact the toilet was closer at his place than Maddy and Flynn's. The last thing he wanted was anymore near misses. "Maybe you could... stay more permanently?" Getting the words out almost choked up in his throat. It felt odd to be suggesting that but only because he'd never, in his life, asked anyone to move in with him. He was also still wary about the situation and scared.
Flynn's eyebrows shot up and he caught Maddy's gaze over Remy's shoulder. He didn't trust himself to say anything that would be anything beyond. 'Holy fucking shitballs!' but his eyes clearly screamed 'Did he just say what I think he did?!'
Maddy caught Flynn's look and she grinned at both of them before her hand slipped a little lower to rest on Flynn's hip and her arm against Remy's waist. "All pyjama tops get thrown out since we really don't need too many layers on when there's three of us warming the bed, and we'll need an entire room to be the walk in closet considering how many clothes we have between us."
She couldn't believe Remy had just asked them to move in with him, but who was she to argue? This was their chance. It was a big step, but one she was willing to take, and one that she assumed Flynn was too given his expression.
Hank is an NPC and this not binding on any Hank muses.
Word Count | 1,743