Pretending

AHH, HOLY SHIT IT'S BEEN ALMOST A YEAR SINCE I UPDATED THIS?
God, I am sorry you guys, but here you go. D: Probably one of my fav chapters. Thank you so much for all the reviews. ;;

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Kurt finally had his arm sling off and resisted the urge to itch at where it was through the spandex he wore. He sighed, shifting his weight between his feet in nervousness. He had mixed feelings about starting training again. He glanced at everyone around him, eyes resting on Logan last. He didn't know exactly what was going on and hoped he'd be briefed a little more before actually entering the danger room.

Logan smirked as Kurt looked at him. "Welcome back, Elf," he growled lowly. "Ready to get back into the swing of things?"

"Don't be too hard on him, Logan," Scott called out. "Remember what Dr McCoy--"

"Yeah, yeah," Logan interrupted, rolling his eyes.

Kurt swallowed nervously at the smirk, throwing his gaze over to Scott. He smiled lightly, but put on bravado giving a shrug. "Let’s just... get it over with."

"Considering you're newly back and these kids have had it pretty easy since you've been away--" Logan’s voice was drowned suddenly in a barrage of disbelief before he raised it to a snarl, "--I could make it harder if you like," he said, not continuing until there was silence once more. "Sentinels. Program six-one-oh. You should remember this one, Blue."

He looked up as the terrain started to shift around them becoming a rich forest landscape, which was promptly shattered by a giant metallic foot.

Kurt's eyes widened a little and he crouched down, springing up into a tree easily as the rest of the mutants scattered as well.

Scott turned, half paying attention to Kurt's movements, half watching the others.

"Jean! See if you can get that things attention!" he yelled the order, surprised that he was consciously using the others to get the robot away from Kurt. "Spyke, you can move fast when you have to, so move it." He raised a hand to his visor in an attempt to target the thing's sensor system. He was unprepared for the robot to slash out half the forest, including the tree Kurt was perched in, uprooting it as easily as a daisy.

Kurt quickly 'ported down to the ground and froze his gaze on the sentinel, wracking his brain to remember the real objective of this simulation. Defeat it? Just survive for a certain amount of time? When he remembered, he almost doubled over in laughter. Right. Save the basket of kittens in the ditch behind the sentinel. Now he remembered-- the one he'd changed on Logan months before in a prank-- and had been made to clean up the whole house for a week because of it.

Scott turned around, eyes narrowing as he scanned for Kurt. "Kurt! What are you doing?!" he yelled. "Don't just sit there! MOVE!" The other was a perfectly bright speck of blue against a brown and grey and green background. "Kitty! Get over to Kurt and see if he's injured! Spyke--"

"Way ahead of you, man!" Evan called back, taking a running leap at the sentinel.

Jean lifted him telepathically, turning him into a flying missile that the sentinel dutifully followed.

Kitty nodded and rushed over to Kurt, phasing through a couple trees to get their quicker. "Are you--"

Kurt looked at her and grinned, grabbing her wrist and 'porting them past the sentinel. He let go and picked up the basket of kittens, handing them over to Kitty. "Katzchen for the Katzchen," he said, winking.

She rolled her eyes. "And?"

"And just run them over there," he said, pointing to a marked area. "I'll go back and help them until then." Then he ported back, landing on top of the sentinel and pushing a spike in further.

Kitty rose an eyebrow but then just ran across the field.

Both hands raised as she tried to keep Evan floating, Jean shifted to stand beside Scott. "Want to key me in to what the hell Kitty's doing?" she called over the noise, trying not to watch as Scott let his hand drop from his visor.

Seeing Kurt now on the robot he turned to scan for Kitty. "What the--" he cut himself off. "Bring Evan down," he ordered.

"But he's--"

"Now, Jean. Kurt's on that thing; we can't afford hitting him," he snapped.

Jean nodded and did as she was told, lowering Evan rapidly as her telekinesis started to give way.

Kurt frowned a little as Evan was lowered, but his mind was quickly off that as the sentinel’s arm came up to hit him. He jumped out of the way, 'porting to another part of it and reaching in a hole a spike made to tug at some wires.

A couple beeps sounded in succession as Kitty finally got to the marked point, the session ending. Kurt grinned and laughed, porting over to Kitty and giving her a hug.

"Kittens?" Scott asked incredulously as he and the rest of the team walked over. "We had to rescue kittens?"

Logan smirked and pushed away from where he was leaning against the wall. "Yeah," he said, clapping Kurt heavily on the shoulder with a broad smirk. "Nice to see at least one of you has their heads screwed on straight; shame that it's the only one of you who ain't been in the field for weeks."

He shook his head. "Kitty, good defense as usual but remember to be more alert. Spyke, your aim's off. I want you doing target practice after school every night for three weeks. Jean, your telekinesis was shoddy-- practice harder. Summers... you're concentrating on only one member of the team too hard. We'll talk later." Logan turned away after a hard stare. "Break for half an hour an' then we'll try something harder," he growled.

Scott swore under his breath as the others filed out.

Kurt smiled widely, but it fell slowly from the other lectures until it was barely there-- mind wandering a little to wonder where Rogue was and why she still wouldn't talk with him even after a week. He slipped his hand into Scott's, squeezing it gently and widening his smile a little. "Sorry Scott," he muttered, referring to not telling about the objective when he'd figured it out.

Scott shook his head, unable to return the gesture. "Not your fault." He forced a smile.

"Logan would say you acted on prerogative," he murmured, running his free hand over the back of his neck before a genuine smile found its way onto his face. "Kittens?" he asked Kurt with a raised eyebrow.

His smile turned sheepish. "Uh, yeah... You know that sentinel program we all got our asses handed to us months before? It wasn't that hard before... uh. Before I messed with it." He gave a small shrug, trying to look unfazed. "I changed it to this, but Logan found it and turned it up and... yeah," he finished explaining.

Scott covered his face with a hand and shook his head, trying very hard not to laugh. "Yeah... I did wonder why you were cleaning the house for so long," he sniggered before trying to look serious, "You should have dressed the sentinel in one of Logan’s old outfits."

His smile slid away as he looked at Kurt. "I think I've got one hell of a lecture coming up," he said with a sigh, reaching out to stroke his fingers over Kurt's cheek.

He blushed a little and leaned into the touch. Kurt let out a sigh and nodded, catching his other hand as well. "Scott, I appreciate it but... you don't have to play protector. It's just going to hold me back, you know-- I don't need to feel any more different. When we're fighting we're just part of a team-- Cyclops and Nightcrawler." He paused, smiling a little. "Save Scott and Kurt for the bedroom, okay?"

Scott’s expression bordered on stubborn as he looked down at the smaller boy before logic won out. "Anything you say," he said, shaking his head a little helplessly.

Kurt laughed quietly and leaned up to kiss him. "Don't say that or I might take it seriously," he said with a wink.

Scott smirked, an arm snaking around Kurt's waist. "Take it anyway you want," he whispered, leaning down to kiss him, running his tongue across Kurt's lower lip. "So is this Kurt or Nightcrawler I'm currently molesting?" he teased.

Kurt grinned and kissed back, nipping gently at his tongue. He wrapped his arms around Scott's neck, pushing closer. "Mmm, who do you want it to be?"

"Cheat," he murmured around the kiss, sliding both hands down to Kurt's ass and lifting him off the floor to a height that would much better accommodate a real good kiss; that and it mean Scott got to grope his lovers ass.

"You like it," Kurt whispered before dipping his tongue into his mouth. He wiggled a little before locking his legs around Scott's waist and his tail wrapping around an arm.

"Does it show that much?" Scott smirked, trying to kill the insane urge to laugh. They were standing practically in the doorway of the danger room, where anyone could see them. "Jesus," he whispered before his tongue flickered against Kurt's, hands squeezing reflexively.

He made a sound which sounded like a mix between a purr and growl as he nipped at Scott's lips, deepening the kiss. Hey-- if they were alone for the moment, better make use of it.

Any urge to laugh quickly faded from Scott's mind at the sudden depth of the kiss. Breaking it, he trailed kisses up Kurt's jaw and down his neck, suckling at the tender flesh there as he stumbled the few steps to find a wall. Pressing Kurt against it, he ground his hips forward, leaning in to kiss him once more.

Kurt moaned softly and closed his eyes. He rolled his hips forward, catching Scott's lips eagerly in another kiss.

"We--" Scott was cut off by the kiss, unsure which one of them had started it. "We--" he groaned harshly, his hips grinding into Kurt's, "We--" He pulled away from the kiss, eyes clenched shut as he shook his head, trying to get some of the blood back to it. "We gotta stop or I'll fuck you right here, right now," he growled, lowering his head to where he'd tugged Kurt's collar down, finding a defined collarbone to kiss and bite.

Kurt shivered and rested his head back against the wall, chest rising and falling rapidly. "Then," he broke off with a moan, hips jerking forward again. "Then either... move or... or get on with it," he mumbled, not really caring at the moment where they were.

"W-why is it my choice, huh?" Scott asked, laughing breathlessly as he reached between them, finding the bulge at Kurt's crotch and massaging it teasingly even as his hips continued to grind forward, desperate for friction. "Kurt," he moaned softly.

He chuckled softly, turning into another moan-- god, spandex does not mix with erections. Nope. "B-because you're... you're the responsible one," he managed to say.

"R-responsible?" Scott ground out, kissing a trail up the curve of Kurt's throat, stopping to whisper heatedly in his ear, "How responsible would it be to just rip you out of that uniform and fuck you against the danger room wall?"

"Not responsible at all, considerin' you're supposed to be playing team leader," Logan said, leaning against the doorframe right beside them, smirking a little. "Enjoyin' yourselves?"

Kurt froze and if Scott wasn't holding him up he would've fallen to the floor. He blushed brightly, wiggling a little in Scott's grasp. Well, this was helping him get turned off quickly enough.

"Fuck."

The explicative slipped past Scott before he had a chance to stop it. Still panting and blushing brightly, he didn't dare look at Logan’s expression. "Jesus, I-- we--" he spluttered until Wolverine raised a hand.

"Obviously I ain't workin you two hard enough, leaving you with left over energy. I still want that word with you, Cyke. Five minutes," he sniggered walking off.

Scott groaned in embarrassment and let his forehead rest against Kurt's shoulder. "I think that was possibly the most embarrassing experience of my life," he muttered, carefully setting Kurt back down.

Once Kurt was back on his own feet, he couldn't help but start laughing. Yeah, it was embarrassing, but it was refreshing with how Logan reacted to them-- at least one person wasn't uncomfortable about it.

Scott looked at Kurt, trying to appear irritated but unable to keep away a grin as he playfully punched his shoulder. "Oh, laugh it up, fuzz ball, it's not your ear that’s gonna get chewed off."

Kurt stuck his tongue out at him before playfully pushing him. "Yeah, well, I'm just special."

"I would say something witty, clever, and slightly dirty but I've got to go get talked at by Logan," Scott said, running a hand through his hair before leaning down to kiss Kurt. "Maybe we could carry on later?" he whispered, smirking before turning to walk away. He tensed all over as he spotted Rogue walking towards him.

"Kurt in there?" she asked shortly, nodding to the danger room behind him.

"Yeah... Be nice," Scott said firmly.

Rogue narrowed her eyes at him. "Get fucked," she snapped back, shouldering him roughly.

"Would have if Logan hadn't walked in," Scott muttered before heading off.

Rogue strode into the room. "Hey," she said softly.

Kurt whirled around, eyes widening a little before he forced nonchalance. "Uh, hi," he said back, taking a step forward. "What's up?"

Rogue folded her arms in unconscious self defense. "The ceilin', the sky, birds... Occasionally..." She trailed off. "Look, Ah wanted to... There's-- Ah didn't mean--" she sighed heavily, blowing a strand of white hair away from her face as her gaze trailed on the ground. "Ah thought there was a training session now?" she mumbled.

He smiled softly, heart lifting a little-- though he'd have liked a proper apology, it'd do-- and moved over to her. "We're having another one in a couple minutes. You didn't miss much, don't worry."

"Ain't worried and Ah ain't stickin' round for the next session. If Ah've missed one..." she trailed off smiling a little before it faded, hating her conscience for making her do this. "Look, Ah really am sorry. Ah'm sure Toad is... is very... nice... once you get to know him," she said, trying not to pull a face.

Kurt grinned lightly and put an arm over her shoulders. "He is, if his pride doesn't get in the way." His grin faded to a smile. "Hey-- I'm sure Logan won't mind too much. He can only make it so much difficult and I think Scott and I have pushed that already," he said with a small shrug.

"His pride? Good lord, no wonder you two get on," she teased, before frowning a little. "You and Scott?" she asked curiously, "or do Ah not wanna know?"

He stuck his tongue out at her and playfully bumped against her. His gaze flickered away for a second and he grinned sheepishly. "Uh... probably not."

Rogue's curiosity flared up and she opened her mouth to ask but quickly closed it at the sheepish look on Kurt's face before bumping him back. "You’re disgusting sometimes, bro."

He blushed, but grinned wider anyway. "Oh, come on. You liked him at one point, too, remember?" His grin widened even more, eyes sparkling. "Or is your mind too wrapped up in the Cajun to remember?" he asked, teasing.

"Oh, hell no!" Rogue yelped, half laughing as she shoved him away. "Don'cha dare turn this on me an' Ah never said Ah liked him, alright?" she said, ignoring her own blush.

Kurt just laughed, his tail whipping back and forth playfully. "Because that blush doesn't speak for you," he said sarcastically, and then started singing, "Rogue and Gambit, sitting in a tree..."

"Ah swear Kurt, can it or Ah'll tell your boyfriend some embarrassing secrets of yours. An' 'sides, Gambit is interested in anythin' with legs so," she shrugged, a flash of genuine worry flitting across her face.

He stopped singing, raising an eyebrow and pulling her into a one-armed hug. "Yeah, okay. Which is why he's always drawn to you when he could pair up against or with anyone else." He smirked lightly.

Rogue returned the hug, pushing her hair back behind her ear in an attempt to hide her expression. "You forgot the part where he always tries to blow me up too. Some guys say it with flowers, Gambit says it with explosions?" she asked with a raised eyebrow. "Forget it, Kurt, it ain't gonna happen." She shrugged, trying to be nonchalant about it. "Besides, Ah kinda like torturin' Summers an' Toad at every available opportunity," she added with a half smile.

Kurt pouted slightly, moving his tail to poke at her side. "You better be careful, or they'll run away then I'll have to hurt you." He stuck out his tongue.

"Ya really think they'd run away if Ah tried hard enough?" she asked, mock hopefully.

He blew a razzberry at her and tugged lightly at her hair. "Don't you dare, sis," he said, but was still smiling.

"Ow, hey!" she pulled his tail in retaliation, grinning at him. "Think I can get Summers to cry?" she teased, moving out of his reach just in case.

Kurt yelped, pouting a little. "That hurt!" he whined, though his voice still sounded upbeat. He rolled his eyes. "Ja, of course-- just by glaring at him. But that's beside the point."

"Hell, Ah didn't know he was that much of a wuss." She smirked, tapping her chin thoughtfully. "Maybe Ah should give it a go," she said, knowing that she'd never be able to glare at Summers again without thinking of that. "Talkin' of goin Ah'd best get out of here before--"

"Rogue," Logan growled as he led the team back into the danger room. "Where the hell have you been? Get changed and get your ass in here."

Rogue groaned, punching Kurt's shoulder. "That's your fault," she murmured before trotting out.

Scott smiled a little, seeing Kurt looking happier. "Alright?" he asked Kurt quietly as he moved over, his face a little flushed and pointedly not looking over at Wolverine.

Kurt just grinned, holding back laughter. He quirked an eyebrow and glanced at Logan quickly before back to Scott, wanting to ask him what they talked about but figured that should be saved for later. But he just nodded, grin falling into an easy smile. "Yeah, I'm good."

Scott smiled opening his mouth to reply but was interrupted by Logan.

"Now that your glorious leader's got his head on a little straighter, why don't we try something a little harder?" Logan smirked, keying in the program. "Objective is not to get tagged and reach the target; there," he pointed to a podium that looked like it was miles away as a robot loaded with orange paint pellets hovered overhead. "Soon as you guys cross the red line that thing's gonna hone in on you," He said sternly. "It's gonna take all your team skills to get past it."

Kurt chewed his lip, bouncing lightly on the balls of his feet and waiting for Rogue to hurry up so they could start. He really hated these types of sessions-- it tested his control and fight-or-flight reflexes to not just 'port over himself and wait for the others. He shot a quick look at Logan before turning to survey the landscape again as the other team mates readied themselves.

Rogue strode back in with a scowl, arms folded as she took her place with the rest of the team.

"Considering you feel like this is an optional thing, Rogue, I'm feelin generous so you'll have three minutes for the others to fill you in before you start," he smirked as Rogues scowl hardened.

"You'd better have a plan," she shot to Scott.

Kurt sighed and turned his attention back to the others. "Rogue, don't snap at him." Before waiting for an answer, he started explaining, "Okay, so we're basically playing Death Paintball, ja? Don't get hit and make it to the marker."

Scott cleared his throat of the laughter that wanted out before looking up. "This is a lot easier than Logan made it seem. Kurt, think you could teleport us one by one to that podium?" he asked quickly as their three minutes were rapidly running out.

Kurt frowned a little and shook his head. "Not if you don't want me to pass out by the end. It's too much in succession. Besides, I don't think this session is really just for me."

"Yes, I hadn't forgotten. Alright, if you take Rogue that leaves the rest of us to fight our way there. No problem. Spyke, Logan said you needed to work on your aim, take out some of those gun barrels, if you can--"

"'If'?"

Scott glared at Spyke until Evan's smirk fell away. "Jean, could you knock that thing off balance? Keep it concentrating on aiming. Kitty, eyes open, I want you phasing as much as possible. Everyone clear?" he asked.

Kurt nodded. "Alright, but if you guys start to bomb, I'll go back and help," he said, teasing with a grin. He felt like he was taking it a bit too easy, but knew he should ease in.

Kitty nodded, eyeing the shooter warily, praying she could keep phasing the whole way through.

A klaxon sounded and Spyke was first to cross the red line.

Scott reached out quickly, grabbing Kurt's arm and dragging him behind a rock using it as cover. "I don't know that Kitty can do it for this long. I'll need you to come back for her," he said, watching as Spyke took out one of the gun barrels, smiling a little. After the humiliation of the last session everyone was working hard.

Kurt blinked, nodding once the words registered. "Alright. You just go out there and get going," he said, stealing a quick kiss before 'porting away. He appeared next to Rogue and grabbed her arm. "All aboard!" he yelled with a grin and wink, 'porting her onto the platform-- hoping that Logan wouldn't consider it cheating. He looked out across the way carefully searching for anyone in trouble.

Scott smiled, shaking his head at his lover's devil may care attitude before moving out into the line of fire, raising his hand to his visor.

Spyke’s eyes were narrowed as he concentrated on his aim, throwing everything he had at the machine.

Jean was starting to grit her teeth as she concentrated on keeping the machine off balance. She swayed, standing on the peak of a rock as her telekinesis gave out a moment. Scott saw her starting to fall and the machine took aim. He yelled a warning as he ran towards her, shoving her roughly out of the way and sending them both tumbling, him landing on top of her as a paintball splattered on his back. He smiled down at Jean a moment before standing up.

"Move it already!" he said, pushing her. "Kitty and Spyke are nearly there."

Kurt held back the need to 'port over to Scott, his eyes narrowing a little. His stomach flip-flopped and he felt silly realizing it as jealousy. Quickly he turned his gaze to the others, cringing as Spyke almost accidentally tripped Kitty.

She turned on him, glaring fiercely and opening her mouth to yell at him.

Kurt's eyes widened when two of the machines aimed for them and he quickly 'ported over, grabbing both of their shoulders and disappearing again with them in tow, the machines hitting each other instead. Back on the raised platform, he gasped, feeling like his stomach had been punched-- he'd never liked porting more than two people but hadn't tried it since before the attack; obviously still not ready for it or more yet.

Jean grabbed Scott's hand. "Come on, everyone else is there," she yelled out, wincing as the machine whirled through her telekinesis.

"Jean, I'm hit, go," he said back even as his fingers wound into hers. He was dragged along, looking up in time to see Kurt 'porting with the other two, seeing him looking like he was in pain... Scott started to drag Jean along, lifting her onto the podium before following up, not caring as the klaxon went off once more as he headed to Kurt. "Hey," he murmured and reached out to him. "Way to go."

He glanced up at Scott and managed a smile as he leaned against him.

Kitty blushed a little and glanced away from them, yelling at Spyke forgotten from her mind.

"Something to say, Kitty?" Scott asked calmly as he wrapped his arms around Kurt. The scenery faded around them and Scott ignored Jean's glare and Spyke's leering, contemplating carrying him as Logan walked in, applauding.

"Better. A little better. Now, we'll re-set the program an' try to keep Cyke alive this time--"

"No," Scott said firmly. "That's enough for today. Kurt can't port any more, Jean's exhausted, Spyke’s hands are shaking, and Kitty looks flushed," he listed. The two glared at each other for a few long moments before Logan gave in with a shrug. "I want everyone back here tomorrow afternoon. We've got a lot to catch up on."

Kurt sighed softly and pulled himself together, though didn't pull away from Scott. He felt the looks but tried his best to ignore them.

Kitty fidgeted a little before moving off the platform and headed out the room to go get changed and cleaned up.

"Hey, Kitty, wait up!" Rogue called, rolling her eyes skyward before winking at Kurt and following Kitty out.

"Spyke, you're drooling," Scott said as he started to lead Kurt out. "Are you okay? That was one hell of a 'port," he murmured in concerned tones, any idea that he wasn't supposed to be paying extra attention to Kurt flying out the window.

Kurt nodded slowly, letting himself be led out. "Yeah, I'm okay. Just need some food and a little rest," he said, putting on a small grin.

"Rest?" Scott sighed, teasing even as worry really started to set in. "Bang goes the idea of picking up where we left off," he murmured, leading the way to the kitchen. Waiting until they were out of sight of the others, he picked Kurt up bridal-style, humming a wedding march as he grinned.

Kurt let out a high pitched squeak and instantly wrapped his arms around Scott's neck, clinging to him. He pouted lightly. "Don't do that," he muttered, but wasn't really angry. "Or at least warn me."

"Kurt, I'm going to pick you up," Scott said, pausing in his step before nuzzling the warm crook of Kurt's neck affectionately. "You shouldn't have done that," he said sternly as he carried on, walking into the kitchen and seating Kurt on one of the chairs.

Kurt smiled widely and quickly kissed his nose, letting go so he could sit down comfortably. He shrugged a little. "They were both going to get hit and probably not even notice," he said, grinning a little. "I had to do something. And I told you that I'd go back if I needed to."

Scott pursed his lips and shook his head, turning away to fix something for Kurt to eat. "They should've learned not to bicker in the middle of a battle by now," he said firmly. "Kitty’s a little flighty and Evan's temper is almost as quick as Logan’s." He frowned, handing Kurt a sandwich. "And your heart gets in the way. I... I don't want to see you hurt because of it," he said softly. "If that was real... what if you'd ported a fraction too soon? Or worse, too late?"

Kurt rolled his eyes, sighing again before taking a bite from the sandwich. "But it wasn't and we're all fine. Besides, during real battles they know how to behave. They focus better."

"At the moment," Scott stressed, sitting down opposite him with a glass of milk. "Why can't I ever win an argument with you?" he asked with a sigh.

He grinned and swallowed another bite of food. "Because I'm always right. Duh," Kurt said, now teasing. He laughed and stuffed the rest of the sandwich into his mouth, not caring if it looked gross-- he was hungry, damnit!

Scott nearly choked on his milk, trying not to laugh. "Ew! Kurt!" he whined around a cough. "I gotta kiss that mouth."

Kurt just kicked him lightly under the table, not able to say anything or make a face when he was chewing.

"Ow," Scott leant down, rubbing his shin and hiding a grin, wondering just when Kurt had become so utterly cute.

"Did someone say something about kissing?" Evan smirked as he walked through the doorway.

Kurt swallowed the food with minimal difficulty and glanced over to the doorway. He rolled his eyes a little and turned back to Scott, not saying anything.

"Not now, Evan," Scott said tiredly, reaching under his glasses to pinch the bridge of his nose.

"I didn't say anything." Spyke smiled as he sauntered over to the fridge, fishing out can of soda. "So what kept you two during break? Or was that what you were talking about?" he asked, eyes narrowing a little as Scott's ears went red.

Kurt sighed and muttered something to himself before looking back over at Evan. "Yes, Evan, we were kissing during the break. We kiss, we make out, and we’ve even had sex. Woo hoo, right?" he said, snapping. "Any more questions, please keep them to yourself."

Scott looked at Kurt in sheer surprise, the little outburst totally out of character. a grin hovered around his face as he watched Spyke raise his hands.

"Whoa, whoa, whoa, defensive or what? Just curious, Kurt; just curious." He winked at Scott "Good luck handling him, man." He laughed before looking at Kurt. "That 'porting you did today, man, that was cool. Uh, thanks," he said honestly, the usual obnoxious note gone from his voice.

Kurt calmed down enough and gave a half shrug, a small smile pulling at his lips. "It wasn't anything I haven't done before."

"Naw, but after the beatin' you took--" Evan grunted as Scott's elbow landed heavily in his ribs even though Cyclops wasn't actually looking at him. "--er, I mean, it was just impressive, you know?"

Scott smiled a little. "Please don't encourage him, Spyke. I'm trying to convince him not to risk his life, not the other way round," he said.

"Psh. Kurt can handle himself, right Blue?" Evan looked at Kurt for backup.

He smiled more, laughing a little. "Well, yeah. That's what I've been trying to say to him. But he's just too protective," he said, teasing Scott.

"Tell me about it," Spyke said and rolled his eyes, earning a playful shove from Scott.

"I am not over protective," he growled, trying to hide a grin. "You two just have hidden death wishes."

Spyke smirked, raising an eyebrow. "Yeah, right, thanks for that, Mama Cyclops. Have you had the 'you could have died' lecture yet?" he asked Kurt with a grin.

Kurt just laughed more and nodded. "Of course! I think I get it twice daily now. Who hasn't, though? It's his mother hen showing through," he said, winking at Scott.

"What is this? Gang up on Scott day?" he complained, planting his elbows firmly on his knees and putting his face in his hands in mock sulk.

"Twice a day? Man, do I sympathize with you," he said to Kurt, genuinely looking it before a grin broke out and he nudged Scott. "C’mon, Cyke, at least I haven't told him your most embarrassing nickname."

His face light up with a huge grin, looking at Evan now. "Tell me!" he yelled out, tail flicking back and forth. "Pleeeaaase?"

"Evan!" Scott leaped out of his seat, aiming for the other boy. "Don't you dare!"

Spyke laughed, ducking under the attack. "Well, it's not so much the nickname as more the way he got it," he said with a huge grin before one of Scott's hands clapped over his mouth.

"And it's not important or something that Kurt needs to know about. At all, really. Remember, Evan, I know where you live and I think Logan owes me a few favours, got it?" he asked with a grin.

Evan nodded, watching Scott move away before mouthing silently at Kurt that he'd tell him later.

Kurt pouted at Scott, gaze flickering over to Evan and he nodded just a bit. "Well, if I can't know your nickname, Scott, you'll just have to make me another sandwich. And more mayo this time," he said, smirking.

Scott pulled a face and shook his head a little, moving to do as he was asked. "I am but your humble servant, master," he shot back sarcastically.

"I'll go away if you make me one too," Evan said, moving over to Kurt as nonchalantly as he could manage.

"You're as bad as each other," Scott sighed.

Kurt laughed, shrugging lightly. "But you would be so bored without us, Cyke," he said while glancing over at Evan.

"Bored? Coping without having to deal with two suicidal kids?" Scott snorted, shaking his head as he concentrated.

Evan kept half an eye on Cyclops as he leant down to whisper in Kurt's ear. "His nickname was Frenchie," he said quickly, his lips accidentally brushing Kurt's ear. "Turns out our friend had a thing for our French teacher; we caught him, er, thinking deeply about it while reciting French phrases." Evan stood up quickly, leaning against the counter as Scott turned round and thrust a sandwich at him, placing the other one carefully in front of Kurt.

"What are you looking so innocent for?" Scott asked Spyke.

Kurt shivered a little, but then pursed his lips tightly together, trying to hold back laughter-- though a couple snickers and snorts escaped. He glanced away, knowing if he looked at either of them he'd burst out in laughter, and took a big bite of the sandwich to further stifle the laughter.

Evan shrugged before turning towards the door and walking out, even though his shoulders were shaking.

Scott stared at him before looking back at Kurt and watching his odd behavior. "EVAN!" he roared as realization struck, darting out of his chair.

Spyke bolted. "Later, Kurt!" he called over his shoulder.

Scott stood just outside the doorway, bright red and sputtering. "Everyone’s gonna know you wear girls panties, Evan!" he yelled after him before walking back into the kitchen. "Don’t," he said to Kurt as he sat down. "Just don’t."

Kurt had his arms on the table, head buried in them and his shoulders shaking in laughter. When he calmed down enough, he glanced up, a huge grin still on his face. "Does he really," he asked, then added, "F-Frenchie?" He started laughing again.

"Not that I know of," Scott said, blushing so hard he thought his visor would crack. He folded his arms stubbornly as he watched Kurt laugh, caught between embarrassment and wanting to laugh with him. "You are never seeing me naked again," he said sulkily.

Kurt snorted lightly, absently wiping at his eyes to brush away any tears from the laughter. "Okay. Yeah, I'm sure that promise will last all of ten minutes," he said, still grinning widely.

Scott stole some of Kurt's sandwich, sticking his tongue out. "Like you've never been caught in a compromising situation," he said. "And if the promise doesn't stick, it'll be your fault."

He acted offended before standing up and turning to him. He grinned and shrugged, saying, "I can live with that." He quickly kissed him, taking back his stolen sandwich before taking a chance and 'porting away, leaving him in the kitchen.

Scott laughed softly once Kurt was gone, focusing on the lingering feel of Kurt's kiss before worry started to settle in. Kurt had just ported after all that effort in the Danger Room. He stood up quickly and left the kitchen, following Kurt's leave and starting to look for him.