All About Us
Title: All About Us
Author: fenris91
Pairing: St. John/Bobby, various others
Rating: R
Summary: John obsesses over Bobby, his own sense of style and the situation with the Friends of Humanity.
Author's Note: No, my Pyro muse didn't die. I got sick so I had to wait a bit. Chapter 9 was a long time coming for me because I really wanted to play this angle about Pyro. Chapter 10 features verses "From Pent Up Aching Rivers" by Walt Whitman. Enjoy!
The Story Thus Far: (Part 1) (Part 2) (Part 3) (Part 4)
Disclaimer: Marvel owns these characters. This is a not for profit work.
I drove all night to get to you
Is that alright?
I drove all night
Crept in your room
Woke you from your sleep
To make love to you
Is that alright?
I drove all night
Cyndi Lauper "I Drove All Night"
9: Moving, Shaking And Burning
Even when we've had it with each other and are on the brink of killing, my time that I shared with you feels more important to my total existence than helping people, being a good son, or an upstanding citizen, boyfriend...all of it. I want back in Johnny. Bring me back in now. Please.
Not giving in to hatred is hard. Same thing with always remembering the happiness in our lives instead of the evil we get surrounded by. It takes great strength and must be called upon repeatedly almost every day, sad to say. I think I lost it somewhere along the way.
John was lying in his bed alone, touching his lips with his hand. A scant twelve hours before, he had just kissed his best friend. A week or two before that he was stalking an enemy...who wasn't exactly an enemy though he did think Bobby was a First Class Chump at times. John didn't know what to do. This was a relationship now, and it made him uneasy. He tossed and turned. He didn't think he was ready to open up to Bobby again after nearly being pushed over the side for Rogue. Then again, this was Bobby the only guy he felt truly comfortable with. All the more reason not to want to screw it up.
There's one person I should probably be telling this to and he's not lying here with...Goddammit, one day in and I'm already lonely? Moron.
But Johnny already felt he couldn't make it on his own in this matter. Many times in his sordid, painful life as a mutant he felt he could take care of himself as long as he still had his flames burning. Many times though his power couldn't help him through some situations, mainly interacting with other people (in a non-threatening way).
Hey, I could be writing these feelings down in my scrapbook and take them out when I need them for a story!
John got up and went to his computer and put in a certain disk. It was a just a bunch of haphazard files with all of his thoughts, feelings and in-progress stories, some only one page long. This sort of material would be a bloggers wet dream but John was too guarded of his privacy to put his scrapbook online. Comes with the territory of not having privacy for a certain while, now he treasures it. After writing down his fears and unease he decided to cheer himself up by surfing the Internet porno houses. But as he went online he noticed he got an e-mail from Avalanche.
Mutant town hall meeting this week! Can I come over and discuss some preliminaries? I come bearing some hot new battle outfits! ---Dominic
Battle outfits? Is this a town hall meeting or a posse? I wouldn't be surprised if it's both.
John wrote back saying it was okay. However John noticed the date of the town hall meeting and realized there was no way Bobby could come down from Berkeley and skip his classes for this event.
Great, I guess I'll just have to go with Avalanche then. Maybe I'll try and invite Kyle if he's not too busy. I wonder if any of the Brotherhood would show up? I hope not, otherwise it'll be "What the hell happened to you Pyro?" I'm already not looking forward to that conversation with Bobby-boy.
The next day, Avalanche was at the door holding a black suitcase.
"Before we have some fun, I think you should turn on the news." He said seriously. John nodded and they both went inside the house. On the news there was a report of a riot outside a church when some mutants tried to enter the congregation. What seemed to be the hang up was that the majority of the congregation belonged to or sympathized with the Friends of Humanity.
"That's not all. Violence and hate crimes against mutants has gone up significantly in the days leading up to the Friends Rally that will be happening next weekend."
"So did you get a job involving these people then?"
"Nah, I figure I'd just run a surveillance check on them first before we make a move. Course we could as so-called law abiding citizens just wait it out and let the X-Men handle this."
"Hn, they would just talk them to death first then do damage control once someone gets killed. I think the Friends deserve a first strike, personally."
"Well this meeting that's taking place will pretty much address all the issues at stake."
"Who's leading this meeting?"
"Pietro Maximoff" At that, John literally slid off the couch. "You okay, John?"
"Yeah, I'm okay." He said getting back on the couch.
"That gonna be a problem?"
"Nah, just complicates things a bit." Like, hey Quicksilver guess who my daddy was? Same as yours, neat huh? John thought a bit sourly. "So, what is it that you wanted to show me?" Dominic's eyes lit up as he opened the rather bulky suitcase. Inside he held up a dark grey leather suit and helmet.
"This is for me. I have the helmet in case things start to implode and I don't get hit on the head."
"Practical and stylish." John said impressed.
"Thanks. Now, for you Pyro. I saw something like this in Fashion Week in New York last month. I think it really matches your personality and I made sure to get your favorite colors." Dominic was all smiles as John picked up the other costume in the suitcase....
Outside there was a female jogger and a elderly man walking a dog.
"Good afternoon!"
"Hi there, how's everything?"
"Oh good..."
"ARE YOU OUT OF YOUR FUCKING MIND???" came John's roaring voice as a blast of flame shot a hole through the roof of his house. A small tremor could be felt in the area. On the sidewalk the two bystanders took off though as if they had better things to do. Inside the house John was seeing red. Literally. The battle costume was a garish bright red and yellow jump suit with a mask. John was currently trying to set Avalanche on fire but the earth shifter was using the costume as a shield. Dominic wasn't sure if that was making the situation better or worse.
"You don't like it." He said flatly.
"I'LL BE THE FUCKING LAUGHINGSTOCK OF THE MUTANT COMMUNITY!!"
"What makes you think you're not already?" One thing about Dominic, he loves playing with fire. Why else would he hang out with Pyro on a daily basis? Of course, now he was shielding himself from more flames.
"What is up with that outfit?" John yelled almost going full blast on the offending garment.
"It's flame retardant!"
"Retardant is right!" John then stopped his lighter and left the room for the kitchen. Dominic got up warily only to see John come out of the kitchen waving a chef's knife looking righteously pissed. Whether or not he was going to slash up the costume or slash up him, Avalanche couldn't say so he simply began to use his power to make the earth tremble and hard. "Stand still, you pussy!" John grumbled as he fell flat on his ass. Suddenly a small dry patch of the ceiling fell on top of John's head. It didn't hurt but the dust did cause him to sneeze.
"That's why I have the helmet. Listen, I'll see you at the meeting when your blood pressure is down. And you're not, you know, foaming at the mouth." Dominic got his costume and made a hasty retreat outside. Then he poked his head back in. "Feel free to keep the outfit. It's free!" Which was promptly responded to by a fireball and made Dominic shut the door before it could reach him. John was livid but when he saw patches of flames all around in the living room he promptly dismissed the fire. And people wonder why I chose not to have any friends.
The television was still on. It showed an anti-mutant rally near Los Angeles with the Friends of Humanity marching in their military style uniforms almost clashing with a counter demonstration of mutants and mutant sympathizers. It was a live broadcast.
Hmm, I better get involved. Somebody might not get hurt.
John was feeling petty, mean, and wanted to hurt somebody. And he wanted to inflict a lot of punishment before the day was over. He drove all the way to the area in Los Angeles in record time and slowly made his way on a roof in a nearby building. He surveyed the area and noticed the chaos on the street below. The LAPD SWAT team were slowly being called in to separate the colorful crowd of protesters versus the beret wearing FOH. One little fireball is all it would take to make this place erupt into pure anarchy and make Pyro's day better. He lit his lighter then formed the fireball in his hands. He was about to drop it when his cell phone rang.
"Shit." He held the fireball in one hand and opened his cell which had a text message from Bobby.
MISS YOU LOTS. HOW ABOUT DINNER SOMETIME FRIDAY?---BOBBY
John growled a bit then dismissed his fireball real quick. After several expletives ran through his head John decided to head back home. But before he turned away he noticed on a couple of roofs over a strange yet imposing sight. Sabretooth clad in his brown leathers and fur with his long hair cascading down past his shoulders looking at the scene below. Also notable was the fact that he was with two other people. One, a delicate looking teenage girl with creamy lilac skin and long pink hair who was sitting carefree on the edge of the building and the other a young man rough looking with rags for clothes and wrapped up in many chains and wearing a spiked dog collar to boot! He was laying on the roof on his back sunning himself.
What the fuck is all this about?
But before John could think about it anymore he heard the sound of helicopters which was his cue to take off running.
10: I Drove All Night
Needless to say, it was a very rough week for John. Between dodging the cops just in case, late night sessions of writing (No writer's block, thank god) and trying to investigate both the Friends of Humanity not to mention Sabretooth's reappearance along with his new group now. And he still hasn't talked to Bobby all week! The day of the mutant town hall meeting was finally upon him and he wasn't entirely looking forward to the affair. He wondered why he was having second thoughts about attending then he realized it might be the fact he's getting involved in a Major Event and he remembered how well it turned out the last time he was involved in one of those. He dressed in a dark grey long sleeved shirt and khaki's in the attempt to look non-threatening. He saw the horrendous costume on the floor and stuffed it in the back of the closet. For some reason he didn't destroy it or throw it away. He heard a knock on his door and after checking the coast is clear or not went to the front door and saw it was Kyle.
"Hey."
"Hey, is now a good time?"
"Sure man, come on in."
"Thanks." Kyle made his way in the little house and saw the unwashed scorch marks from John's mad fury earlier that week. "What pissed you off so much?"
"Doesn't really matter. What did you need?"
"I need some advice."
"Oh, I'll try my best."
"Thank you." Both guys sat on John's very battered couch. Kyle pretended not to notice John incinerating a stray rat that scurried across the floor.
"So, where's your boy?"
"At his grandpa's house right now."
"Well, what's the problem?"
"Have you ever been in love?"
"I don't normally regard love as a problem."Unless his name is Bobby Drake.
"I know you write about it a lot. So maybe you have many different experiences with the subject?" Kyle asked hopefully. John sat back on the couch and had a thoughtful expression.
"You have to keep in mind what's good for one person might not be the best for your situation."
"And the fact I'm coming to you for advice is a warning sign too." Kyle joked quietly.
"Like, WHATEVER." John grunted. Why is everyone picking on me this week? John thought which was completely off the mark but he could never handle personal criticism.
"So have you ever been in love?" Kyle asked a bit more emphatically. John still relaxed on the couch but idly caressed his own lips with his fingers.
"Yeah, a few times. They all hurt brutally."
"As evidenced by our Wings of Desire/Wuthering Heights double feature movie night. God, that hurt so much that..."
"You never want to do that again. So I've heard from you many times."
"I watch movies to make myself happy you know!"
"Who is it?"
"Um, this person doesn't know yet."
"Someone I know?"
"Well, maybe. Said person made national headlines."
"Unrequited?"
"Dancing around the subject."
"I see."
"This person...alright, fine ...this guy...is working towards this really important goal, and I don't wanna mess it up for him by dropping this in his lap."
"Fuck that, if you want him really bad go for it."
"Knew you were going to say something like that. You always give in to your own self."
"Right, so you probably only came here to have me tell you what to do."
"I was hoping you could surprise me."
"I'm not going to the mutant town hall meeting that's happening in a few hours."
"Okay, that's a surprise. What's on your mind Allerdyce?"
"I'm not sure if I want to get back into Mutant Affairs again. I might see some old people I know and...I don't know. I have this feeling something very serious is going to begin." John sighed. He hated it, but his survival instincts were very reliable in this regard. Kyle straightened up. He knew John and more importantly he knew Pyro as well. He cared for both equally.
"Something like Stryker or Phoenix bad?" Kyle asked remembering some of the stories John told him and Dominic.
"Not sure if it's going to be that destructive but seeing these very violent bouts of anti-mutant resistance I'm worried we're going to have a civil war."
"You're very up to the minute on current events. Ever thought of being a photo journalist? CNN and Fox are recruiting all the time and you can take care of yourself pretty good."
"Yeah, not to mention I got a criminal record the size of Antarctica." John put his feet on the coffee table. "Your situation sounds a lot like love. Though personally I feel it's more about concern than real love."John then appraised Kyle thoughtfully. Kyle was an ordinary looking guy, young looking even at 22 (he looked 14) had blonde hair shaggy, shoulder length and brown eyes. Pyro helped him out of a messy situation involving some very intolerant bigots (and of course ended up with someone getting fried) and Kyle just stuck around him never minding the occasional flare up. Kyle did think there was something wrong with John's head due to his patented merciless raging at even little things but he never said anything to him about it.
"It is love, I think. It's just not being said."Kyle replied. Love that dare not speak its own name. I thought we're all past that now. John thought but then it's not like he had anything he was personally willing to declare either.
"I have places to go now. Maybe we can catch up on this later alright?" John said getting up. Kyle nodded as he got up too.
"Did you need any help involving the Friends of Humanity?"
"No, it's cool!" I hope I don't drag anyone else into this if I can help it. That includes Bobby.
Both John and Kyle went on their way. John decided to visit Bobby even though he'd arrive near his place at around evening time. When the town hall meeting took place and John wasn't there he'd got a cell phone call from Dominic.
"Aw, come on Johnny you still can't be that angry!"
"I am, but that's not the reason I'm gunning down the freeway now."
"Oh, why?"
"I'm seeing someone. And isn't it rude to be calling when people are talking?"
"We're on an intermission. Quicksilver and Scarlet Witch are pretty hot. I think we might be gearing up for a counter demonstration at the Friends Rally. Are you going to that at least?"
"I really don't know. It would be pretty awkward to see both of them."
"They're real interested in seeing you, knowing how close you were to their father." At that John almost swerved off the freeway. Dominic heard a bunch of swearing and blaring horns. And possibly the rushing sound of a plume of flames. "You okay Johnny?"
"Er, I think so. Listen I'll call you back tomorrow. Right now I really have to focus on other people."
"Can't believe you're holding out on me Allerdyce! You of all people having a sweetheart!"
"Goodbye Petros!" John grumbled as he turned off the phone. Despite all the legislation against phone calls in the car no one ever stopped him before. John drove through the mass of cars and green and yellow signs on the California Freeway.
We were forced to be adults before childhood was figured out. Me, running from place to place. You with the X-Men. I think the time we had together made things better even if it was just us fooling around bullshitting the day away.
Hi, I'm Bobby!
So?
Um...I'm a mutant! Neat huh?
Am I supposed be impressed?
Remember that time on your birthday, when we did everything you wanted to? The whole nine yards, cutting class, eating all that junk food, me listening to your life story up in your room until late the next day?
What about it?
You don't remember what I told you that night.
You're so bad Johnny!
Pfft, Whatever.
I mean it. I really hope to get as strong as you one of these days.
The way you go through life, I think that will happen sooner than you think.
I hope so. So did you have a good day today Johnny?
Yes, I did. Thanks, really appreciated it.
You know, I had a very good day too. Possibly better than any of my own birthdays.
Cause you don't party well, I can fix that though.
Not really, I just...fuck I spent it with somebody I really like.
Same.
I really wish I had met you sooner though. Maybe things wouldn't have been so rough for you.
Things happen for a reason. People come and go.
Well, I have to go, I'll see you tomorrow.
Nah, you don't need to do that.
Excuse me?
I'm not letting you go back tonight, so get used to it.
Heh. Alrighty then.
In spite of John's forward manner the time they spent on the beach was the first time he ever touched Bobby intimately though he'd be lying if he ever said the thought never occurred to him at all. I didn't wanna be one of those men who gets lonely the minute he can't see the person he loves most. It happened though. Even before Alkali Lake he felt like that. It wasn't just Rogue who intruded in on his private life with Bobby, it felt like the entire mansion was encroaching in on his territory. And yes, even back then in the "Straight and Narrow" world Bobby Drake was still his territory.
Men who are in love. I guess that's why I like writing about that so much. I wanted it to happen to me so badly. Even if I'm at a disadvantage or it will hurt. Or end.
"Hark close and still what I now whisper to you, I love you. O you entirely possess me. O that you and I escape from the rest and go utterly off, free and lawless. Two hawks in the air, two fishes in the sea not more lawless then we." John spoke aloud as he passed by some cars. The passionate, romantic life he always wanted to lead would start soon. He could hardly wait. Only fire made him this outright giddy. "O I willingly stake all for you. O let me be lost if it must be so! O you and I? What is it to us what the rest do or think? What is all else to us? Only that we enjoy each other and exhaust each other if it must be so." John nearly sang out in happiness.
At the end of a long journey after many miles and many verses of Walt Whitman later he found himself in Berkeley, California. His pure unadulterated euphoria was only minutely dulled by having to look at the map every so often to find Bobby's apartment building. It was late and very dark when he found what he was looking for. Unfortunately, on the stairs of said apartment there was a lively scene of Bobby, Piotr, Kitty, Marie, Logan and some other people he didn't recognize sitting out having some beers and possibly some barbecue. He very deliberately drove past but didn't stop. Bobby recognized the car though and bolted into his house. John now wandering aimlessly through city in a surprisingly deep haze noticed his cell phone got a text message.
[WHAT'S WRONG?]
John pulled over the side and composed himself. He didn't even try and pretend Bobby didn't know that he drove past.
[I WANTED TO SPEND THE NIGHT WITH YOU]
There was an agonizing half hour wait where he got himself something to eat and some whiskey and cigarettes but he didn't once leave town because he knew Bobby would respond. And even if he didn't he would stay and wait for him anyway. Even if it pissed him off and he got mad, for Bobby he would stay and wait at least this once. Then he got a response.
[YES, I WANT THAT TOO]
(TBC)
Author: fenris91
Pairing: St. John/Bobby, various others
Rating: R
Summary: John obsesses over Bobby, his own sense of style and the situation with the Friends of Humanity.
Author's Note: No, my Pyro muse didn't die. I got sick so I had to wait a bit. Chapter 9 was a long time coming for me because I really wanted to play this angle about Pyro. Chapter 10 features verses "From Pent Up Aching Rivers" by Walt Whitman. Enjoy!
The Story Thus Far: (Part 1) (Part 2) (Part 3) (Part 4)
Disclaimer: Marvel owns these characters. This is a not for profit work.
I drove all night to get to you
Is that alright?
I drove all night
Crept in your room
Woke you from your sleep
To make love to you
Is that alright?
I drove all night
Cyndi Lauper "I Drove All Night"
9: Moving, Shaking And Burning
Even when we've had it with each other and are on the brink of killing, my time that I shared with you feels more important to my total existence than helping people, being a good son, or an upstanding citizen, boyfriend...all of it. I want back in Johnny. Bring me back in now. Please.
Not giving in to hatred is hard. Same thing with always remembering the happiness in our lives instead of the evil we get surrounded by. It takes great strength and must be called upon repeatedly almost every day, sad to say. I think I lost it somewhere along the way.
John was lying in his bed alone, touching his lips with his hand. A scant twelve hours before, he had just kissed his best friend. A week or two before that he was stalking an enemy...who wasn't exactly an enemy though he did think Bobby was a First Class Chump at times. John didn't know what to do. This was a relationship now, and it made him uneasy. He tossed and turned. He didn't think he was ready to open up to Bobby again after nearly being pushed over the side for Rogue. Then again, this was Bobby the only guy he felt truly comfortable with. All the more reason not to want to screw it up.
There's one person I should probably be telling this to and he's not lying here with...Goddammit, one day in and I'm already lonely? Moron.
But Johnny already felt he couldn't make it on his own in this matter. Many times in his sordid, painful life as a mutant he felt he could take care of himself as long as he still had his flames burning. Many times though his power couldn't help him through some situations, mainly interacting with other people (in a non-threatening way).
Hey, I could be writing these feelings down in my scrapbook and take them out when I need them for a story!
John got up and went to his computer and put in a certain disk. It was a just a bunch of haphazard files with all of his thoughts, feelings and in-progress stories, some only one page long. This sort of material would be a bloggers wet dream but John was too guarded of his privacy to put his scrapbook online. Comes with the territory of not having privacy for a certain while, now he treasures it. After writing down his fears and unease he decided to cheer himself up by surfing the Internet porno houses. But as he went online he noticed he got an e-mail from Avalanche.
Mutant town hall meeting this week! Can I come over and discuss some preliminaries? I come bearing some hot new battle outfits! ---Dominic
Battle outfits? Is this a town hall meeting or a posse? I wouldn't be surprised if it's both.
John wrote back saying it was okay. However John noticed the date of the town hall meeting and realized there was no way Bobby could come down from Berkeley and skip his classes for this event.
Great, I guess I'll just have to go with Avalanche then. Maybe I'll try and invite Kyle if he's not too busy. I wonder if any of the Brotherhood would show up? I hope not, otherwise it'll be "What the hell happened to you Pyro?" I'm already not looking forward to that conversation with Bobby-boy.
The next day, Avalanche was at the door holding a black suitcase.
"Before we have some fun, I think you should turn on the news." He said seriously. John nodded and they both went inside the house. On the news there was a report of a riot outside a church when some mutants tried to enter the congregation. What seemed to be the hang up was that the majority of the congregation belonged to or sympathized with the Friends of Humanity.
"That's not all. Violence and hate crimes against mutants has gone up significantly in the days leading up to the Friends Rally that will be happening next weekend."
"So did you get a job involving these people then?"
"Nah, I figure I'd just run a surveillance check on them first before we make a move. Course we could as so-called law abiding citizens just wait it out and let the X-Men handle this."
"Hn, they would just talk them to death first then do damage control once someone gets killed. I think the Friends deserve a first strike, personally."
"Well this meeting that's taking place will pretty much address all the issues at stake."
"Who's leading this meeting?"
"Pietro Maximoff" At that, John literally slid off the couch. "You okay, John?"
"Yeah, I'm okay." He said getting back on the couch.
"That gonna be a problem?"
"Nah, just complicates things a bit." Like, hey Quicksilver guess who my daddy was? Same as yours, neat huh? John thought a bit sourly. "So, what is it that you wanted to show me?" Dominic's eyes lit up as he opened the rather bulky suitcase. Inside he held up a dark grey leather suit and helmet.
"This is for me. I have the helmet in case things start to implode and I don't get hit on the head."
"Practical and stylish." John said impressed.
"Thanks. Now, for you Pyro. I saw something like this in Fashion Week in New York last month. I think it really matches your personality and I made sure to get your favorite colors." Dominic was all smiles as John picked up the other costume in the suitcase....
Outside there was a female jogger and a elderly man walking a dog.
"Good afternoon!"
"Hi there, how's everything?"
"Oh good..."
"ARE YOU OUT OF YOUR FUCKING MIND???" came John's roaring voice as a blast of flame shot a hole through the roof of his house. A small tremor could be felt in the area. On the sidewalk the two bystanders took off though as if they had better things to do. Inside the house John was seeing red. Literally. The battle costume was a garish bright red and yellow jump suit with a mask. John was currently trying to set Avalanche on fire but the earth shifter was using the costume as a shield. Dominic wasn't sure if that was making the situation better or worse.
"You don't like it." He said flatly.
"I'LL BE THE FUCKING LAUGHINGSTOCK OF THE MUTANT COMMUNITY!!"
"What makes you think you're not already?" One thing about Dominic, he loves playing with fire. Why else would he hang out with Pyro on a daily basis? Of course, now he was shielding himself from more flames.
"What is up with that outfit?" John yelled almost going full blast on the offending garment.
"It's flame retardant!"
"Retardant is right!" John then stopped his lighter and left the room for the kitchen. Dominic got up warily only to see John come out of the kitchen waving a chef's knife looking righteously pissed. Whether or not he was going to slash up the costume or slash up him, Avalanche couldn't say so he simply began to use his power to make the earth tremble and hard. "Stand still, you pussy!" John grumbled as he fell flat on his ass. Suddenly a small dry patch of the ceiling fell on top of John's head. It didn't hurt but the dust did cause him to sneeze.
"That's why I have the helmet. Listen, I'll see you at the meeting when your blood pressure is down. And you're not, you know, foaming at the mouth." Dominic got his costume and made a hasty retreat outside. Then he poked his head back in. "Feel free to keep the outfit. It's free!" Which was promptly responded to by a fireball and made Dominic shut the door before it could reach him. John was livid but when he saw patches of flames all around in the living room he promptly dismissed the fire. And people wonder why I chose not to have any friends.
The television was still on. It showed an anti-mutant rally near Los Angeles with the Friends of Humanity marching in their military style uniforms almost clashing with a counter demonstration of mutants and mutant sympathizers. It was a live broadcast.
Hmm, I better get involved. Somebody might not get hurt.
John was feeling petty, mean, and wanted to hurt somebody. And he wanted to inflict a lot of punishment before the day was over. He drove all the way to the area in Los Angeles in record time and slowly made his way on a roof in a nearby building. He surveyed the area and noticed the chaos on the street below. The LAPD SWAT team were slowly being called in to separate the colorful crowd of protesters versus the beret wearing FOH. One little fireball is all it would take to make this place erupt into pure anarchy and make Pyro's day better. He lit his lighter then formed the fireball in his hands. He was about to drop it when his cell phone rang.
"Shit." He held the fireball in one hand and opened his cell which had a text message from Bobby.
MISS YOU LOTS. HOW ABOUT DINNER SOMETIME FRIDAY?---BOBBY
John growled a bit then dismissed his fireball real quick. After several expletives ran through his head John decided to head back home. But before he turned away he noticed on a couple of roofs over a strange yet imposing sight. Sabretooth clad in his brown leathers and fur with his long hair cascading down past his shoulders looking at the scene below. Also notable was the fact that he was with two other people. One, a delicate looking teenage girl with creamy lilac skin and long pink hair who was sitting carefree on the edge of the building and the other a young man rough looking with rags for clothes and wrapped up in many chains and wearing a spiked dog collar to boot! He was laying on the roof on his back sunning himself.
What the fuck is all this about?
But before John could think about it anymore he heard the sound of helicopters which was his cue to take off running.
10: I Drove All Night
Needless to say, it was a very rough week for John. Between dodging the cops just in case, late night sessions of writing (No writer's block, thank god) and trying to investigate both the Friends of Humanity not to mention Sabretooth's reappearance along with his new group now. And he still hasn't talked to Bobby all week! The day of the mutant town hall meeting was finally upon him and he wasn't entirely looking forward to the affair. He wondered why he was having second thoughts about attending then he realized it might be the fact he's getting involved in a Major Event and he remembered how well it turned out the last time he was involved in one of those. He dressed in a dark grey long sleeved shirt and khaki's in the attempt to look non-threatening. He saw the horrendous costume on the floor and stuffed it in the back of the closet. For some reason he didn't destroy it or throw it away. He heard a knock on his door and after checking the coast is clear or not went to the front door and saw it was Kyle.
"Hey."
"Hey, is now a good time?"
"Sure man, come on in."
"Thanks." Kyle made his way in the little house and saw the unwashed scorch marks from John's mad fury earlier that week. "What pissed you off so much?"
"Doesn't really matter. What did you need?"
"I need some advice."
"Oh, I'll try my best."
"Thank you." Both guys sat on John's very battered couch. Kyle pretended not to notice John incinerating a stray rat that scurried across the floor.
"So, where's your boy?"
"At his grandpa's house right now."
"Well, what's the problem?"
"Have you ever been in love?"
"I don't normally regard love as a problem."Unless his name is Bobby Drake.
"I know you write about it a lot. So maybe you have many different experiences with the subject?" Kyle asked hopefully. John sat back on the couch and had a thoughtful expression.
"You have to keep in mind what's good for one person might not be the best for your situation."
"And the fact I'm coming to you for advice is a warning sign too." Kyle joked quietly.
"Like, WHATEVER." John grunted. Why is everyone picking on me this week? John thought which was completely off the mark but he could never handle personal criticism.
"So have you ever been in love?" Kyle asked a bit more emphatically. John still relaxed on the couch but idly caressed his own lips with his fingers.
"Yeah, a few times. They all hurt brutally."
"As evidenced by our Wings of Desire/Wuthering Heights double feature movie night. God, that hurt so much that..."
"You never want to do that again. So I've heard from you many times."
"I watch movies to make myself happy you know!"
"Who is it?"
"Um, this person doesn't know yet."
"Someone I know?"
"Well, maybe. Said person made national headlines."
"Unrequited?"
"Dancing around the subject."
"I see."
"This person...alright, fine ...this guy...is working towards this really important goal, and I don't wanna mess it up for him by dropping this in his lap."
"Fuck that, if you want him really bad go for it."
"Knew you were going to say something like that. You always give in to your own self."
"Right, so you probably only came here to have me tell you what to do."
"I was hoping you could surprise me."
"I'm not going to the mutant town hall meeting that's happening in a few hours."
"Okay, that's a surprise. What's on your mind Allerdyce?"
"I'm not sure if I want to get back into Mutant Affairs again. I might see some old people I know and...I don't know. I have this feeling something very serious is going to begin." John sighed. He hated it, but his survival instincts were very reliable in this regard. Kyle straightened up. He knew John and more importantly he knew Pyro as well. He cared for both equally.
"Something like Stryker or Phoenix bad?" Kyle asked remembering some of the stories John told him and Dominic.
"Not sure if it's going to be that destructive but seeing these very violent bouts of anti-mutant resistance I'm worried we're going to have a civil war."
"You're very up to the minute on current events. Ever thought of being a photo journalist? CNN and Fox are recruiting all the time and you can take care of yourself pretty good."
"Yeah, not to mention I got a criminal record the size of Antarctica." John put his feet on the coffee table. "Your situation sounds a lot like love. Though personally I feel it's more about concern than real love."John then appraised Kyle thoughtfully. Kyle was an ordinary looking guy, young looking even at 22 (he looked 14) had blonde hair shaggy, shoulder length and brown eyes. Pyro helped him out of a messy situation involving some very intolerant bigots (and of course ended up with someone getting fried) and Kyle just stuck around him never minding the occasional flare up. Kyle did think there was something wrong with John's head due to his patented merciless raging at even little things but he never said anything to him about it.
"It is love, I think. It's just not being said."Kyle replied. Love that dare not speak its own name. I thought we're all past that now. John thought but then it's not like he had anything he was personally willing to declare either.
"I have places to go now. Maybe we can catch up on this later alright?" John said getting up. Kyle nodded as he got up too.
"Did you need any help involving the Friends of Humanity?"
"No, it's cool!" I hope I don't drag anyone else into this if I can help it. That includes Bobby.
Both John and Kyle went on their way. John decided to visit Bobby even though he'd arrive near his place at around evening time. When the town hall meeting took place and John wasn't there he'd got a cell phone call from Dominic.
"Aw, come on Johnny you still can't be that angry!"
"I am, but that's not the reason I'm gunning down the freeway now."
"Oh, why?"
"I'm seeing someone. And isn't it rude to be calling when people are talking?"
"We're on an intermission. Quicksilver and Scarlet Witch are pretty hot. I think we might be gearing up for a counter demonstration at the Friends Rally. Are you going to that at least?"
"I really don't know. It would be pretty awkward to see both of them."
"They're real interested in seeing you, knowing how close you were to their father." At that John almost swerved off the freeway. Dominic heard a bunch of swearing and blaring horns. And possibly the rushing sound of a plume of flames. "You okay Johnny?"
"Er, I think so. Listen I'll call you back tomorrow. Right now I really have to focus on other people."
"Can't believe you're holding out on me Allerdyce! You of all people having a sweetheart!"
"Goodbye Petros!" John grumbled as he turned off the phone. Despite all the legislation against phone calls in the car no one ever stopped him before. John drove through the mass of cars and green and yellow signs on the California Freeway.
We were forced to be adults before childhood was figured out. Me, running from place to place. You with the X-Men. I think the time we had together made things better even if it was just us fooling around bullshitting the day away.
Hi, I'm Bobby!
So?
Um...I'm a mutant! Neat huh?
Am I supposed be impressed?
Remember that time on your birthday, when we did everything you wanted to? The whole nine yards, cutting class, eating all that junk food, me listening to your life story up in your room until late the next day?
What about it?
You don't remember what I told you that night.
You're so bad Johnny!
Pfft, Whatever.
I mean it. I really hope to get as strong as you one of these days.
The way you go through life, I think that will happen sooner than you think.
I hope so. So did you have a good day today Johnny?
Yes, I did. Thanks, really appreciated it.
You know, I had a very good day too. Possibly better than any of my own birthdays.
Cause you don't party well, I can fix that though.
Not really, I just...fuck I spent it with somebody I really like.
Same.
I really wish I had met you sooner though. Maybe things wouldn't have been so rough for you.
Things happen for a reason. People come and go.
Well, I have to go, I'll see you tomorrow.
Nah, you don't need to do that.
Excuse me?
I'm not letting you go back tonight, so get used to it.
Heh. Alrighty then.
In spite of John's forward manner the time they spent on the beach was the first time he ever touched Bobby intimately though he'd be lying if he ever said the thought never occurred to him at all. I didn't wanna be one of those men who gets lonely the minute he can't see the person he loves most. It happened though. Even before Alkali Lake he felt like that. It wasn't just Rogue who intruded in on his private life with Bobby, it felt like the entire mansion was encroaching in on his territory. And yes, even back then in the "Straight and Narrow" world Bobby Drake was still his territory.
Men who are in love. I guess that's why I like writing about that so much. I wanted it to happen to me so badly. Even if I'm at a disadvantage or it will hurt. Or end.
"Hark close and still what I now whisper to you, I love you. O you entirely possess me. O that you and I escape from the rest and go utterly off, free and lawless. Two hawks in the air, two fishes in the sea not more lawless then we." John spoke aloud as he passed by some cars. The passionate, romantic life he always wanted to lead would start soon. He could hardly wait. Only fire made him this outright giddy. "O I willingly stake all for you. O let me be lost if it must be so! O you and I? What is it to us what the rest do or think? What is all else to us? Only that we enjoy each other and exhaust each other if it must be so." John nearly sang out in happiness.
At the end of a long journey after many miles and many verses of Walt Whitman later he found himself in Berkeley, California. His pure unadulterated euphoria was only minutely dulled by having to look at the map every so often to find Bobby's apartment building. It was late and very dark when he found what he was looking for. Unfortunately, on the stairs of said apartment there was a lively scene of Bobby, Piotr, Kitty, Marie, Logan and some other people he didn't recognize sitting out having some beers and possibly some barbecue. He very deliberately drove past but didn't stop. Bobby recognized the car though and bolted into his house. John now wandering aimlessly through city in a surprisingly deep haze noticed his cell phone got a text message.
[WHAT'S WRONG?]
John pulled over the side and composed himself. He didn't even try and pretend Bobby didn't know that he drove past.
[I WANTED TO SPEND THE NIGHT WITH YOU]
There was an agonizing half hour wait where he got himself something to eat and some whiskey and cigarettes but he didn't once leave town because he knew Bobby would respond. And even if he didn't he would stay and wait for him anyway. Even if it pissed him off and he got mad, for Bobby he would stay and wait at least this once. Then he got a response.
[YES, I WANT THAT TOO]
(TBC)