[RP with Summers_Grey and TM_Rogue]
OOC: Written with Summers_grey and TM_Rogue. This takes place prior to Pyro's attack.
Magneto has a chance-encounter with Rachel while shopping. Things turn a bit tense, and then Rachel learns something Magneto would rather she didn't know and tells Rogue. Magneto and Rogue fight, then come to a tentative decision.
Erik was out doing the shopping. He didn't trust Avalanche or Mesmero to buy things edible for normal people, and with Pyro--otherwise engaged--he decided to take care of it himself while Anna was still sleeping. He went to one of the larger outdoor markets, which required some clever maneuvering of cars in order to park (this was one of those times he was grateful to have the power that he did), but it was a rather nice to do something as mindless as shopping.
He wasn't sleeping much, lately. Three to four hours at a time, mostly. It seemed as if he had too many things weighing for his attention to spare the time to actually sleep.
The Cause. His children--though he had high hopes, as it were, for Lorna--and the Brotherhood. Anna, and his continual impatience to have her at his side as both lover and soldier. Pyro's burgeoning relationship with Doug Ramsey. Anna's psychotic best friend, and the continual mess of her relationship with Nathaniel Essex. Which wouldn't cause him a moment's thought, really, if it were not for the fact Anna seemed to be dragged into their conflict on a continual basis.
And this insanity with SHIELD's fifty-state initiative.
Erik added some fresh produce to his cart. This often was forgotten, when he sent Pyro, and replaced with soda or unfathomable gel-like packets of things called "Fruit Snax", which Pyro told him was "better than fresh fruit, because it didn't go bad."
Which was, of course, because they had no actual fruit.
Rachel levitated Anna's favorite ice cream into Magneto's cart. "Don't forget that, or Anna'll take it out of your hide."
Erik tensed, then turned to look at Rachel. She was wearing jeans, what had to have been one of Essex's shirts--it was far too big for her--a leather jacket, gloves, and a scarf. Her hair was loose and she looked relaxed. Happy. It was inconceivable to Erik how being with that monster made her anything remotely close to happy. "Rachel. Hello. Yes, I had intended to get that last. So it did not melt, you know." He looked around. "Is Essex with you? I haven't heard anyone screaming from the sight of him, so I surmise he is not."
Rachel blinked. "I thought I'd say hello, Erik. I guess I won't. Is Anna with you? She knows how to be polite."
"She is not. She's still sleeping. Rather tuckered out, after being attacked and thrown against a wall by your psychotic boyfriend," Erik snapped. His lack of sleep and his concern over Anna made inane pleasantries nearly impossible. "And if you ask me, occasionally she is far too polite. I am hoping she will learn to have a better sense of self-preservation in the future, where she does not go rushing headlong into danger for no apparent reason."
"He was saving her life, moron!"
"From you," Erik answered hotly. "You'll excuse me if I don't see that as heroic." He closed his eyes briefly. "Rachel, I have no particular reason to dislike you on principle. But you are giving me plenty of reason when you continually involve someone very dear to me in the histrionics that make up your ill-fated relationship." He fixed her with his usual autocratic stare, his voice low and disapproving. "I may be on the end of the spectrum when it comes to ideology from your parents, but I cannot imagine this is any way to honor them by taking up with that disgusting monster. Would you like to know what we used to call him, in Auschwitz?"
"I know all of that," Rachel said. "How many times were you involved in killing my mother, shithead? Go to hell. I can get you a ticket."
"I'll just bet you can," Erik said, tired. "I never killed your mother, Rachel." He sighed. "You are an extraordinary powerful, talented young woman. I just cannot understand why you would willingly take up with someone like Essex, who cannot mean you anything but harm. The man bribed children with candy for their blood, Rachel. I shudder to think what it is he wants from you, and what he's giving you in order to get it. Whatever it is, I'm sure you can find it somewhere else without quite so many strings attached."
It was the strings attached that caught at Rachel. "Nathaniel isn't asking for anyt-" she started, and then saw, something? A glimpse of something. Anna and Erik looking at a blueprint, Anna grabbing a president or something. Things Anna hadn't done. Rachel knew she hadn't.
So what was Rachel looking at?
"Nathaniel isn't asking for anything," she said, alert to Erik's surface thoughts. No helmet, no defenses. He was tired. Angry. "He doesn't have any plans for me, he is interested in working on the questions of mutant births. He wants to work with SHIELD, to help people. He doesn't want anything from me."
"Trust me, Rachel. He wants something from you. I just hope you get out before you figure out what it is. Regardless, I would have you leave Rogue out of your private little tragedy." His mouth twisted. "And the moment I believe Nathaniel Essex wants to help people, you will find me granting wishes and popping out of a bottle," he said between his teeth. Perhaps Rachel would move to wherever it was they were sending Essex, and then once Rogue was in London, there would be less opportunities for them to see each other.
Perhaps Rachel could just be Anna's pen friend.
"It's pen pal, fuckwit," Rachel snarled. "And I heard that. And now Anna will too. Your cunning little plan. Fuck her and recruit her?" Rachel grabbed Erik with the Phoenix's talons and shook him, a terrier with a rather large rat. "You would play on that? On her want for touch?"
Rachel shoved all the customers out of the supermarket, not thinking how this looked, or how it would play in the press. "If I ever hear you say one more word about how Nathaniel is a monster," Rachel blew a hole in the roof and levitated them out of the building, trailing fire and ash. "If I hear that again, I will end you."
Rachel let him go and tore off for Nathaniel's house.
*ANNA!*
Rogue groaned, shifting on the bed before realizing she was alone. *What's wrong, Ray?* She sat up, hoping her friend was okay. If Sinister had done something...well, what honestly could she do? She'd figure something out.
*Anna honey I am so sorry, I ran into Magneto at the store and he is using you, Anna, I saw it in his head! He's a bastard and I did not kill him but he is using you!*
Rogue blinked, processing that and twisted the sheet around her body as she got up, collecting her clothes. *Could you clarify that please?*
Rachel stopped her flight and hovered, thinking. *We were arguing about Nathaniel. About whether Nathaniel is using me for some purpose. And I saw in Magneto's head, he was thinking about his plans for you. About how you would help with some kidnapping scheme, and there was some killing of guards? And maybe it was a President of some country? And you were stealing information from the guy? So I dug into his head. And, Anna, this --*
Rachel took a deep breath. *I saw in his head, hon, that this was his plan from the start. To have sex with you and get you to like him, to use how much you miss touch against you. To make you dependent on him. His thinks of your wanting touch as a weakness and your power as an asset for the Brotherhood. Anna . . . *
*No.* Rogue shook her head, tugging on her clothes. *He...but...* She was finding it very hard to remember to breathe, replaying her meeting with Erik all those months ago in the seasonal department of Lord and Taylor. *I'm...I'm such a damn fool.* Rogue laced up her boots and growled, taking hold of the metallic spheres on the bedside table and throwing them, her anger growing when they didn't shatter like she wanted. *A damn fool.*
She packed her bag and started down the stairs, intent on confronting him and then leaving. *Thank you, Rachel. At least someone I know is honest.* She sank down into one of the chairs in the foyer and waited, impatiently trying to remove the damn bracelet from her hand. It wouldn't cooperate.
Rachel turned towards Anna. *I -- I can find you. Do you want me to come get you? Or I can go hit him a few more times?*
Rogue smiled at that. *Thanks, babe but I...I need to do this myself.* She nearly cheered when she finally got the bracelet off.
Erik came through the door two seconds later, the groceries forgotten. He'd levitated home. "I see you've spoken to Rachel," he said, taking in the sight of Anna in the foyer, looking absolutely furious.
"You bastard," she replied, throwing the bracelet at him. "You arrogant, fucking bastard." She couldn't think of anything else to say, her focus on keeping the tears held back.
"Before you decide to try and kill me, can we please discuss this like rational adults?" He waved the bracelet away, laying it gently on the chair.
"Why the hell would I listen to another lie coming out of your mouth?" She grabbed her bag and moved past him, looking back over her shoulder as she reached the door. "Congratulations, Eri--Magneto. You wanted me to break, well I did. Became some stupid love sick fool." She turned back to the door, wrenching it open. No more. She wiped furiously at her tears. She wouldn't give him the satisfaction of seeing her cry.
"I'm in love with you," he said simply, quietly. "Everything Rachel told you was true. I began this relationship with you to recruit you. I believed then, as I do know, that you belong here. With me. With the Brotherhood. I used my knowledge of you to my advantage. I have never lied, about my attraction to you. I am not lying now."
She shook her head, hands balling into fists at her sides. "You can't say things like that," she murmured, hiccupping. She shut her eyes, trying to keep herself from crying harder. She turned back to him. "Why the hell should I believe a word you say? Maybe this is just more lies to recruit me."
"Touch me, if you don't believe me. Anna, I want you with me. As my soldier, my lover. I have forgotten, in these past years, that there is more to life than just the Cause and this bloody war. But I never intended to fall in love with you." He raked a hand through his hair, unsure what to say. "My life has been dedicated to one thing for a great many years. I have sacrificed everything--my relationship with my children, with Charles--in the pursuit of my goals. I never thought it possible, to be honest, to be happy with anyone as Erik. I have been Magneto for so long, that is all I thought I could be, anymore." He turned away from her, and hardened his voice. "I understand if you wish to leave me. I will let you go. You will never suffer at my hands, Rogue, not while I have breath in my body. No matter on which side you fight."
Rogue gave a chocked sob, wrapping her arms around her body. "Why...how...I don't know what to do." She shut her eyes, leaning against the door. "You're..." She hiccupped again, feeling herself crumble inside as she slid down the door, pressing her face into her knees. She hugged herself tightly, sobbing uncontrollably. She didn't know what to do. She had a feeling she should be leaving. Walking away from this mess of a relationship and never looking back. But she couldn't. She couldn't even bring herself to leave the damn house.
Erik turned slowly, his voice quiet when he spoke. "I never meant to hurt you, Anna. I should have remembered, that I have no place for these types of relationships in my life. No matter how much I may happen to want them. I will take you somewhere, if you wish it. To Rachel. Whatever you want." He saw the bracelet lying on the chair and felt a hot twist of anger in his stomach. There were days he wondered if everything he was giving up--was it worth it? Would it be, in the end?
He leaned down and smoothed her hair back, ungloved. He wanted her to understand. "I have never been afraid of you, as deadly as I know you are."
She sobbed harder and reached out, wrapping her arms around his neck and buried her head in his shoulder. She didn't know how he could think that he couldn't have both, his Cause and a life. Hadn't they proved over the last few months that he could? "You do to deserve to have relationships, Erik," she whispered, her voice hoarse. She shook against him, trying to stop her tears and hiccups. "I don't know what to do." She pressed her face into his shoulder, breathing in his scent, tightening her grip on him. "I should leave."
Rogue shook her head adamantly. "I don't want to," she growled, sure her grip was becoming painful. "I don't know what to do." She pushed herself back and glared at him, angry and hurt and frustrated. "How could you?" she screamed, pummeling her fists against his chest, gasping for air. Tears clouded her vision and she collapsed against him. She cried harder, hiccuping violently. "I don't want to go. Let me stay. Please let me stay."
It took her a moment to realize she'd said that out loud and closed her eyes, fearful of his response, ashamed that she wasn't pushing him away.
"I think," he said carefully, "That we should go upstairs and finish this conversation." He picked her up, and went upstairs, her luggage and the bracelet following him. Once they were in his bedroom, he sat her down amongst the rumpled sheets of the bed and smoothed her hair off her flushed face. "You know who I am, Anna. I do what I think I must. It does not mean I feel good about it, necessarily." He pressed a kiss to her brow, shielded by her hair. "You do not have to go. But I want you to know. I will never stop wanting you at my side, fighting with us."
"I can't do that, Erik." She curled up on her side, looking at him through her hair. "I can't betray everyone I love and join you." Because that was what it would be. Her betraying the X-Men, her friends. "Ain't gonna betray you either." She frowned, scooting closer to the edge of the bed, wanting to be near him. "I ain't sure how this is gonna work. All I can do is take this a day at a time." Tucking her hands under her chin, she sighed. "I'm so afraid Jean or somebody'll try and pry what I know about you from my mind."
She looked back up at him, feeling entirely too vulnerable. "You didn't...Lord and Taylor. That was a coincidence, right?" she asked, biting her lip. "Wasn't it?"
"Yes. That was indeed a coincidence. I was really there to purchase a scarf." He sighed. "I know this is not easy. But I think it is easier, now, that you know the truth. Surely you did not think I would not welcome your loyalty to the Brotherhood?"
"I kinda got the impression that you wouldn't mind me joining." Rogue averted her gaze, staring at the closed door. "Should have known the reason you even entered into this was cause you wanted to recruit me." She gave a nervous laugh, closing her eyes when it turned into a chocked sob. "You must think I'm awful naive."
"Not at all. I just think, Anna, that you tend to think the best of everyone and did not realize the lengths to which I will go, to do what I think must be done." He winced. "I realize how that sounds. But I think it is time to be honest. I want you. As my lover, as my soldier." He pulled her closer. "I will respect your wishes, as I have been doing, and we need speak no more about this." His mouth quirked. "But if you would be so kind as to tell Rachel that you have forgiven me--if you have--I would appreciate it."
"Ain't all that sure there's really anything to forgive." She sat up and shrugged. "You were just being yourself. Can't blame you for that. Wouldn't be right. Ain't really my style either." Rogue concentrated and sent Rachel a quick message. *Everything's fine. I'll explain when I come back.* Hopefully that would appease her friend. She looked back at Erik and smiled. "And you wouldn't want me as a soldier, Erik. I ain't very good at taking orders."
"I have ways of working around that. You would hardly be my first headstrong soldier." He stood up. "I am afraid I left all the groceries at the store." He kept the details of the girl's rather dramatic attack to himself. "Do you wish to go back to sleep? Or else, we can go and obtain some breakfast. I can shop later." He thought about Pyro, and the attack on the Friends of Humanity building. "I will understand, Anna, if this is...too much for you. I won't be happy about it, but I meant what I said. I won't ever raise a hand against you."
"Life is difficult, Erik." She wrapped her arms around him and pressed her face into his chest. "How about we go and get breakfast and then I help ya shop?" She drew back, looking up at him. "I won't ever raise a hand against you either, Erik. Things are gonna get...uglier before they finally, well. I don't think my relationship with you is ever gonna be easy. Where's the fun in that?" She stood up, raking a hand through her hair. She was definitely going to need to wash her face, pretty sure she looked like a walking disaster. "Though...I wouldn't mind not having to deal with no matter what I do being some kind of betrayal."
"The only person to whom you can truly be loyal," he said quietly, "Is yourself." Erik stood up and embraced her. "I am going to wait for you downstairs. I have a few...phone calls, to make. Come find me when you are ready, and we shall go to breakfast."
Rogue nodded and headed to the bathroom, stopping as she reached the doorway. "Who are you--never mind. Probably better if I don't know who you're calling." She gave a rueful smile and continued her trek, taking her time to wash her face and restyle her hair. To allow herself a few moments to think, to replay what had happened. She had a feeling she should be angry, hurt. Ready to tear him apart, limb by limb. Bracing her hands against the sink, she stared at her reflection.
She loved him and he loved her. Why couldn't it be that simple? Because you're an X-Man and he's Magneto. It's anything but simple. She sighed and gathered her purse, intent on meeting him downstairs. She'd have plenty of time to reflect on their relationship when she was back at X-Corps with Rachel.
Magneto has a chance-encounter with Rachel while shopping. Things turn a bit tense, and then Rachel learns something Magneto would rather she didn't know and tells Rogue. Magneto and Rogue fight, then come to a tentative decision.
Erik was out doing the shopping. He didn't trust Avalanche or Mesmero to buy things edible for normal people, and with Pyro--otherwise engaged--he decided to take care of it himself while Anna was still sleeping. He went to one of the larger outdoor markets, which required some clever maneuvering of cars in order to park (this was one of those times he was grateful to have the power that he did), but it was a rather nice to do something as mindless as shopping.
He wasn't sleeping much, lately. Three to four hours at a time, mostly. It seemed as if he had too many things weighing for his attention to spare the time to actually sleep.
The Cause. His children--though he had high hopes, as it were, for Lorna--and the Brotherhood. Anna, and his continual impatience to have her at his side as both lover and soldier. Pyro's burgeoning relationship with Doug Ramsey. Anna's psychotic best friend, and the continual mess of her relationship with Nathaniel Essex. Which wouldn't cause him a moment's thought, really, if it were not for the fact Anna seemed to be dragged into their conflict on a continual basis.
And this insanity with SHIELD's fifty-state initiative.
Erik added some fresh produce to his cart. This often was forgotten, when he sent Pyro, and replaced with soda or unfathomable gel-like packets of things called "Fruit Snax", which Pyro told him was "better than fresh fruit, because it didn't go bad."
Which was, of course, because they had no actual fruit.
Rachel levitated Anna's favorite ice cream into Magneto's cart. "Don't forget that, or Anna'll take it out of your hide."
Erik tensed, then turned to look at Rachel. She was wearing jeans, what had to have been one of Essex's shirts--it was far too big for her--a leather jacket, gloves, and a scarf. Her hair was loose and she looked relaxed. Happy. It was inconceivable to Erik how being with that monster made her anything remotely close to happy. "Rachel. Hello. Yes, I had intended to get that last. So it did not melt, you know." He looked around. "Is Essex with you? I haven't heard anyone screaming from the sight of him, so I surmise he is not."
Rachel blinked. "I thought I'd say hello, Erik. I guess I won't. Is Anna with you? She knows how to be polite."
"She is not. She's still sleeping. Rather tuckered out, after being attacked and thrown against a wall by your psychotic boyfriend," Erik snapped. His lack of sleep and his concern over Anna made inane pleasantries nearly impossible. "And if you ask me, occasionally she is far too polite. I am hoping she will learn to have a better sense of self-preservation in the future, where she does not go rushing headlong into danger for no apparent reason."
"He was saving her life, moron!"
"From you," Erik answered hotly. "You'll excuse me if I don't see that as heroic." He closed his eyes briefly. "Rachel, I have no particular reason to dislike you on principle. But you are giving me plenty of reason when you continually involve someone very dear to me in the histrionics that make up your ill-fated relationship." He fixed her with his usual autocratic stare, his voice low and disapproving. "I may be on the end of the spectrum when it comes to ideology from your parents, but I cannot imagine this is any way to honor them by taking up with that disgusting monster. Would you like to know what we used to call him, in Auschwitz?"
"I know all of that," Rachel said. "How many times were you involved in killing my mother, shithead? Go to hell. I can get you a ticket."
"I'll just bet you can," Erik said, tired. "I never killed your mother, Rachel." He sighed. "You are an extraordinary powerful, talented young woman. I just cannot understand why you would willingly take up with someone like Essex, who cannot mean you anything but harm. The man bribed children with candy for their blood, Rachel. I shudder to think what it is he wants from you, and what he's giving you in order to get it. Whatever it is, I'm sure you can find it somewhere else without quite so many strings attached."
It was the strings attached that caught at Rachel. "Nathaniel isn't asking for anyt-" she started, and then saw, something? A glimpse of something. Anna and Erik looking at a blueprint, Anna grabbing a president or something. Things Anna hadn't done. Rachel knew she hadn't.
So what was Rachel looking at?
"Nathaniel isn't asking for anything," she said, alert to Erik's surface thoughts. No helmet, no defenses. He was tired. Angry. "He doesn't have any plans for me, he is interested in working on the questions of mutant births. He wants to work with SHIELD, to help people. He doesn't want anything from me."
"Trust me, Rachel. He wants something from you. I just hope you get out before you figure out what it is. Regardless, I would have you leave Rogue out of your private little tragedy." His mouth twisted. "And the moment I believe Nathaniel Essex wants to help people, you will find me granting wishes and popping out of a bottle," he said between his teeth. Perhaps Rachel would move to wherever it was they were sending Essex, and then once Rogue was in London, there would be less opportunities for them to see each other.
Perhaps Rachel could just be Anna's pen friend.
"It's pen pal, fuckwit," Rachel snarled. "And I heard that. And now Anna will too. Your cunning little plan. Fuck her and recruit her?" Rachel grabbed Erik with the Phoenix's talons and shook him, a terrier with a rather large rat. "You would play on that? On her want for touch?"
Rachel shoved all the customers out of the supermarket, not thinking how this looked, or how it would play in the press. "If I ever hear you say one more word about how Nathaniel is a monster," Rachel blew a hole in the roof and levitated them out of the building, trailing fire and ash. "If I hear that again, I will end you."
Rachel let him go and tore off for Nathaniel's house.
*ANNA!*
Rogue groaned, shifting on the bed before realizing she was alone. *What's wrong, Ray?* She sat up, hoping her friend was okay. If Sinister had done something...well, what honestly could she do? She'd figure something out.
*Anna honey I am so sorry, I ran into Magneto at the store and he is using you, Anna, I saw it in his head! He's a bastard and I did not kill him but he is using you!*
Rogue blinked, processing that and twisted the sheet around her body as she got up, collecting her clothes. *Could you clarify that please?*
Rachel stopped her flight and hovered, thinking. *We were arguing about Nathaniel. About whether Nathaniel is using me for some purpose. And I saw in Magneto's head, he was thinking about his plans for you. About how you would help with some kidnapping scheme, and there was some killing of guards? And maybe it was a President of some country? And you were stealing information from the guy? So I dug into his head. And, Anna, this --*
Rachel took a deep breath. *I saw in his head, hon, that this was his plan from the start. To have sex with you and get you to like him, to use how much you miss touch against you. To make you dependent on him. His thinks of your wanting touch as a weakness and your power as an asset for the Brotherhood. Anna . . . *
*No.* Rogue shook her head, tugging on her clothes. *He...but...* She was finding it very hard to remember to breathe, replaying her meeting with Erik all those months ago in the seasonal department of Lord and Taylor. *I'm...I'm such a damn fool.* Rogue laced up her boots and growled, taking hold of the metallic spheres on the bedside table and throwing them, her anger growing when they didn't shatter like she wanted. *A damn fool.*
She packed her bag and started down the stairs, intent on confronting him and then leaving. *Thank you, Rachel. At least someone I know is honest.* She sank down into one of the chairs in the foyer and waited, impatiently trying to remove the damn bracelet from her hand. It wouldn't cooperate.
Rachel turned towards Anna. *I -- I can find you. Do you want me to come get you? Or I can go hit him a few more times?*
Rogue smiled at that. *Thanks, babe but I...I need to do this myself.* She nearly cheered when she finally got the bracelet off.
Erik came through the door two seconds later, the groceries forgotten. He'd levitated home. "I see you've spoken to Rachel," he said, taking in the sight of Anna in the foyer, looking absolutely furious.
"You bastard," she replied, throwing the bracelet at him. "You arrogant, fucking bastard." She couldn't think of anything else to say, her focus on keeping the tears held back.
"Before you decide to try and kill me, can we please discuss this like rational adults?" He waved the bracelet away, laying it gently on the chair.
"Why the hell would I listen to another lie coming out of your mouth?" She grabbed her bag and moved past him, looking back over her shoulder as she reached the door. "Congratulations, Eri--Magneto. You wanted me to break, well I did. Became some stupid love sick fool." She turned back to the door, wrenching it open. No more. She wiped furiously at her tears. She wouldn't give him the satisfaction of seeing her cry.
"I'm in love with you," he said simply, quietly. "Everything Rachel told you was true. I began this relationship with you to recruit you. I believed then, as I do know, that you belong here. With me. With the Brotherhood. I used my knowledge of you to my advantage. I have never lied, about my attraction to you. I am not lying now."
She shook her head, hands balling into fists at her sides. "You can't say things like that," she murmured, hiccupping. She shut her eyes, trying to keep herself from crying harder. She turned back to him. "Why the hell should I believe a word you say? Maybe this is just more lies to recruit me."
"Touch me, if you don't believe me. Anna, I want you with me. As my soldier, my lover. I have forgotten, in these past years, that there is more to life than just the Cause and this bloody war. But I never intended to fall in love with you." He raked a hand through his hair, unsure what to say. "My life has been dedicated to one thing for a great many years. I have sacrificed everything--my relationship with my children, with Charles--in the pursuit of my goals. I never thought it possible, to be honest, to be happy with anyone as Erik. I have been Magneto for so long, that is all I thought I could be, anymore." He turned away from her, and hardened his voice. "I understand if you wish to leave me. I will let you go. You will never suffer at my hands, Rogue, not while I have breath in my body. No matter on which side you fight."
Rogue gave a chocked sob, wrapping her arms around her body. "Why...how...I don't know what to do." She shut her eyes, leaning against the door. "You're..." She hiccupped again, feeling herself crumble inside as she slid down the door, pressing her face into her knees. She hugged herself tightly, sobbing uncontrollably. She didn't know what to do. She had a feeling she should be leaving. Walking away from this mess of a relationship and never looking back. But she couldn't. She couldn't even bring herself to leave the damn house.
Erik turned slowly, his voice quiet when he spoke. "I never meant to hurt you, Anna. I should have remembered, that I have no place for these types of relationships in my life. No matter how much I may happen to want them. I will take you somewhere, if you wish it. To Rachel. Whatever you want." He saw the bracelet lying on the chair and felt a hot twist of anger in his stomach. There were days he wondered if everything he was giving up--was it worth it? Would it be, in the end?
He leaned down and smoothed her hair back, ungloved. He wanted her to understand. "I have never been afraid of you, as deadly as I know you are."
She sobbed harder and reached out, wrapping her arms around his neck and buried her head in his shoulder. She didn't know how he could think that he couldn't have both, his Cause and a life. Hadn't they proved over the last few months that he could? "You do to deserve to have relationships, Erik," she whispered, her voice hoarse. She shook against him, trying to stop her tears and hiccups. "I don't know what to do." She pressed her face into his shoulder, breathing in his scent, tightening her grip on him. "I should leave."
Rogue shook her head adamantly. "I don't want to," she growled, sure her grip was becoming painful. "I don't know what to do." She pushed herself back and glared at him, angry and hurt and frustrated. "How could you?" she screamed, pummeling her fists against his chest, gasping for air. Tears clouded her vision and she collapsed against him. She cried harder, hiccuping violently. "I don't want to go. Let me stay. Please let me stay."
It took her a moment to realize she'd said that out loud and closed her eyes, fearful of his response, ashamed that she wasn't pushing him away.
"I think," he said carefully, "That we should go upstairs and finish this conversation." He picked her up, and went upstairs, her luggage and the bracelet following him. Once they were in his bedroom, he sat her down amongst the rumpled sheets of the bed and smoothed her hair off her flushed face. "You know who I am, Anna. I do what I think I must. It does not mean I feel good about it, necessarily." He pressed a kiss to her brow, shielded by her hair. "You do not have to go. But I want you to know. I will never stop wanting you at my side, fighting with us."
"I can't do that, Erik." She curled up on her side, looking at him through her hair. "I can't betray everyone I love and join you." Because that was what it would be. Her betraying the X-Men, her friends. "Ain't gonna betray you either." She frowned, scooting closer to the edge of the bed, wanting to be near him. "I ain't sure how this is gonna work. All I can do is take this a day at a time." Tucking her hands under her chin, she sighed. "I'm so afraid Jean or somebody'll try and pry what I know about you from my mind."
She looked back up at him, feeling entirely too vulnerable. "You didn't...Lord and Taylor. That was a coincidence, right?" she asked, biting her lip. "Wasn't it?"
"Yes. That was indeed a coincidence. I was really there to purchase a scarf." He sighed. "I know this is not easy. But I think it is easier, now, that you know the truth. Surely you did not think I would not welcome your loyalty to the Brotherhood?"
"I kinda got the impression that you wouldn't mind me joining." Rogue averted her gaze, staring at the closed door. "Should have known the reason you even entered into this was cause you wanted to recruit me." She gave a nervous laugh, closing her eyes when it turned into a chocked sob. "You must think I'm awful naive."
"Not at all. I just think, Anna, that you tend to think the best of everyone and did not realize the lengths to which I will go, to do what I think must be done." He winced. "I realize how that sounds. But I think it is time to be honest. I want you. As my lover, as my soldier." He pulled her closer. "I will respect your wishes, as I have been doing, and we need speak no more about this." His mouth quirked. "But if you would be so kind as to tell Rachel that you have forgiven me--if you have--I would appreciate it."
"Ain't all that sure there's really anything to forgive." She sat up and shrugged. "You were just being yourself. Can't blame you for that. Wouldn't be right. Ain't really my style either." Rogue concentrated and sent Rachel a quick message. *Everything's fine. I'll explain when I come back.* Hopefully that would appease her friend. She looked back at Erik and smiled. "And you wouldn't want me as a soldier, Erik. I ain't very good at taking orders."
"I have ways of working around that. You would hardly be my first headstrong soldier." He stood up. "I am afraid I left all the groceries at the store." He kept the details of the girl's rather dramatic attack to himself. "Do you wish to go back to sleep? Or else, we can go and obtain some breakfast. I can shop later." He thought about Pyro, and the attack on the Friends of Humanity building. "I will understand, Anna, if this is...too much for you. I won't be happy about it, but I meant what I said. I won't ever raise a hand against you."
"Life is difficult, Erik." She wrapped her arms around him and pressed her face into his chest. "How about we go and get breakfast and then I help ya shop?" She drew back, looking up at him. "I won't ever raise a hand against you either, Erik. Things are gonna get...uglier before they finally, well. I don't think my relationship with you is ever gonna be easy. Where's the fun in that?" She stood up, raking a hand through her hair. She was definitely going to need to wash her face, pretty sure she looked like a walking disaster. "Though...I wouldn't mind not having to deal with no matter what I do being some kind of betrayal."
"The only person to whom you can truly be loyal," he said quietly, "Is yourself." Erik stood up and embraced her. "I am going to wait for you downstairs. I have a few...phone calls, to make. Come find me when you are ready, and we shall go to breakfast."
Rogue nodded and headed to the bathroom, stopping as she reached the doorway. "Who are you--never mind. Probably better if I don't know who you're calling." She gave a rueful smile and continued her trek, taking her time to wash her face and restyle her hair. To allow herself a few moments to think, to replay what had happened. She had a feeling she should be angry, hurt. Ready to tear him apart, limb by limb. Bracing her hands against the sink, she stared at her reflection.
She loved him and he loved her. Why couldn't it be that simple? Because you're an X-Man and he's Magneto. It's anything but simple. She sighed and gathered her purse, intent on meeting him downstairs. She'd have plenty of time to reflect on their relationship when she was back at X-Corps with Rachel.