One More Kiss For The Road

Ok next chapter up i hope you guys enjoy and always a million thankyou’s to my wonderful beta noxlumen.

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Chapter 12

Pietro woke to the sound of the alarm clock beeping. He weakly leaned over to switch it off, lying back in his place as blessed silence once more filled the room. Every day had hurt more and this morning was no exception. He lay there, his entire being aching and in pain as he listened to the other boys in the house move about, fighting over the bathroom, over their breakfasts and anything else they could think of to fight about. After a little while he heard Lance shouting at him, telling him to get a move on, they were ready to leave. He waited and heard Lance shout for him again. When he was met with no response he must have realised something was wrong and came back up the stairs. He opened Pietro’s bedroom door, poking his head thought the gap.

“Pietro, we’re gonna be late for school. Why aren’t you up? Are you still sick?” Lance asked, concerned as Pietro lay there under the covers in the same position he’d been in for the last half hour.

“I’m not going.” Pietro said, his eyes closed so Lance couldn’t see the pain there. He heard Lance shuffle over and he felt Lance’s warm calloused hand rest on his forehead.

“You’re still not running a fever. It’s been nearly a week though. Maybe we should get you to a doctor.” Lance said, unsure, not really knowing what to do.

“I don’t need a doctor. I’ll be fine. I just want to stay in bed. Go to school. I’ll be ok, I just need to sleep.” Pietro said in a monotone, just wanting Lance to go away. Lance pursed his lips as he stood back up, preparing to leave, trusting Pietro to know what was good for himself.

“Ok, if that’s what you think is best. I’ll let the school know you’re not coming in. I’ll see you later, I guess.” Lance said leaving the room and running downstairs to the car, telling Toad and Blob Pietro wasn’t up to coming with them today as he drove off.

Pietro gratefully heard the slam of the front door as Lance left. He opened his eyes, staring sightlessly at the ceiling, unmoving. He didn’t have the strength or the will to move. He hadn’t been able to make himself get up for school. He just couldn’t face it seeing Kurt. Every day hurt too much, even if their contact was at a minimum.

By silent but mutual agreement, they had gone back to sitting away from each other in all their classes. They hadn’t spoken a word to each other since the breakup. God, had it really only been Monday night that they said goodbye? It was only Friday now, not even five full days had passed but it felt like an eternity, every moment filled with agony, loss, and regret.

Suddenly he remembered it was the fourteenth. Today Valentine’s Day! He felt tears spill down his cheeks. He didn’t know how he had forgotten. The school had posters up everywhere for the dance they were having tonight. The rest of the Brotherhood would be going, mostly so Lance could try his luck with Kitty yet again. Pietro wasn’t going though. He wasn’t going to move from this spot.

He wondered if Kurt would go. What would he and Kurt be doing if they had still been together? He felt the pain rob him of breath as he mused. They probably would have attended then snuck off early to find a quiet spot all to themselves. Pietro might have told Kurt he loved him tonight if he had been able to summon the courage. Whatever they would have done they would have been happy. He hated himself for not telling Kurt the truth that day, for not admitting the love he felt, for his own cowardice. He was dying inside, the pain too much to fight anymore as he lay there and just let it take him.

Kurt went through his morning routine in a fog as he showered and completed his other morning rituals. He came back to his room. If he hadn’t felt so miserable, he would have smiled at the clothes laid out neatly on his bed waiting for him by Rogue. She was the only person who wasn’t upset with him after the foul mood he’d been in for the last week.

He knew he wasn’t being fair. None of them deserved his vile temper, except maybe Evan! Kurt didn’t feel the slightest bit of guilt there, but the others didn’t deserve it. He remembered guiltily how he had screamed obscenities at Kitty the day before, making her cry. He’d tracked her down and apologised but she hadn’t risked coming near him since. In a way, he was glad. He wanted to be left alone. He couldn’t stand the others fawning over his supposed illness. He just hurt too much to be polite, each day hurting worse than the one before, introducing him to new realms of pain.

He missed Pietro so much. He sat more times than he could count with his phone in his hands, trying to stop himself from ringing Pietro just to hear the sound of the other boy’s voice. He didn’t understand how it could hurt this much when it wasn’t love. He’d thought he had been ready for the pain, prepared for it, but he hadn’t been and he wasn’t sure how much longer he was going to be able to stand it before he broke apart completely. He was holding on by a thread and he knew it.

He reluctantly pulled on the trousers Rogue had picked out for him. She’d taken to picking out his clothes every morning. This morning’s selection was a pair of black combats with zippers everywhere teamed with a thin studded black leather belt and a deep wine coloured ¾ length t-shirt a Celtic pattern in black going down the arms and sides.

He winced as he did up the button, the trousers not nearly as form fitting as they had been when he and Rogue bought them. He hadn’t been eating and it showed, his already lean frame starting to look gaunt. His muscles were thrown into even sharper relief than before. In just under a week his fast metabolism had shown its disapproval of his sketchy diet by consuming every last bit of spare fat on his body, not that he’d had much to spare to begin with.

He knew without his hologram people would be able to see his ribs clearly. His muscles would be the next thing to go as his body ran out of fat stores to feed itself with. He knew the others were worried. They had noticed his deteriorating appearance and had been trying to get him to eat. He’d nearly managed a whole sandwich the night before as even Logan had become concerned and had practically force fed him, leaning over his shoulder and glaring as he watched every bite Kurt took, growling every time it looked like Kurt was going to push the sandwich away. The food had lain in his stomach afterwards like a slug, weighing him down even further.

He’d stopped porting, trying to conserve what little energy he had. He knew he had to shape up or he was going to end up killing himself. Kurt slowly put on the rest of his clothes and accessories before going downstairs, bypassing the dining room, deciding he didn’t want Logan forcing anymore food down his throat as he went to the garage and sat in Scott's car, waiting dejectedly for the others to finish breakfast and come out.

Kurt was curious when he walked past the principal’s office on his way to his locker to get his books for his first class of the day and saw Lance in there talking to the secretary. He couldn’t have got into trouble this early in the day, could he? Kurt wondered and stood by the door, listening carefully, his sensitive hearing picking up every word as he heard Lance explaining that Pietro was sick and wouldn’t be coming in today. He felt his heart aching at the mention of Pietro. He wondered if the other boy was actually sick as he continued down the hall way, trying to ignore the explosion of pink and red that covered the walls, heart and streamers everywhere as the school had decorated for Valentine’s Day.

He’d been dreading today ever since he and Pietro broke up. He hadn’t been able to forget it was coming as he had been forced to listen to his friends discussing the dance later tonight, who they were going with and what they would wear, the girls giggling in groups and dropping hints to the boys that they wanted to ask them to the dance. He’d know it was going to be torture coming in today and he was right as everywhere he looked there were happy couples kissing and exchanging cards and gifts. It was a completely fake commercial holiday made up by the card and candy companies, Kurt thought bitterly, conveniently forgetting that he had been looking forward to said fake holiday until he lost Pietro. Now though, every kissing couple and garishly coloured heart broke his just a little bit more.

He’d only just arrived and already he was exhausted with the effort of keeping up appearances. He glared meanly at the few girls who were foolish enough to approach him, hinting heavily that they wanted him to ask them to the dance. Each time one approached he was coming closer and closer to cracking and telling them in no uncertain terms to ‘fuck off!’ each one causing a fresh flare of gut wrenching pain as he was reminded over and over that the only one he wanted to go with was Pietro and he couldn’t.

He heaved a sigh of relief as he reached his locker. He spun the lock and blinked owlishly as a large pile of cards spilled out onto the floor at his feet. Once upon a time this would have delighted and amused him. Now it just left him empty inside as he bent down, gathering the many cards in his arms to put them back in his locker, resisting the urge to throw them in the trash.

“Woah, bro, nice haul. Wish I had gotten this many.” Evan walked up behind Kurt, placing his arm companionably around Kurt’s shoulders, obviously hoping Kurt’s bad mood had finally lifted. The fur on the back of Kurt’s neck stood on end, his hackles rising as he violently shrugged off his once friend’s touch.

“You vant zhem? Here, zhey are all yours.” Kurt snapped, shoving the mound of cards into Evan’s arms before grabbing his books and slamming his locker shut, stalking off down the hallway, not once looking back at Evan’s shocked face as he grumbled irritably under his breath in German, damning everything under the sun, most especially himself as he made his way to class.

Thankfully he had calmed down a bit by the time lunch came around, his anger replaced by a desperate melancholy. He walked out of class to find Kitty and Rogue waiting for him. They both gave him wide smiles. He forced himself to smile back. It was good of Kitty to wait for him, especially considering the way he had snapped at her. He felt guilty. She had said she had forgiven him but he still felt bad about it.

“Hi, we thought that yah could use an escort tah lunch today. Evan says yah were kinda upset earlier. Must be hard having all these girls chase after yah.” Rogue said teasingly, hoping to finally break through the pissy mood Kurt had been in for days now. She knew it sucked to be sick but Kurt had been acting really out of the character. She really hoped he got better soon.

“Danke, Rogue, Kitty. I could use zhe two of you to protect me. You know how chicks can not resist zhe fuzzy dude.” Kurt said, trying to assuage the worry in his friends eyes with some of his old humour. It obviously worked as the two girls smiled wider, pleased by the brief glimpse of the old Kurt. Each girl looped an arm through one of his, escorting him down the corridor as they began to chatter happily, encouraged by the first sign of their fuzzy friends usual humour in nearly a week.

Kitty complained about how boneheaded Lance was being, how he hadn’t even asked her to the dance but had just assumed she would be going with him. She would have said no just to teach him a lesson if anyone else had asked her. Rogue offered to go stag with her but Kitty waved her off, saying that maybe Lance had something special planned to make up for it. Kurt was skeptical. Lance was a Neanderthal. He honestly didn’t know what Kitty saw in the guy. Everyone but her seemed to know Lance was only after some booty but Kitty was oblivious.

Kurt didn’t like the way the older boy looked at her sometimes, as if she was a possession. He shook his head looking at the floor. There was no point saying anything. Kitty had been warned by pretty much everyone that Lance was bad news but she seemed to think that there was something more to him than what people saw. Maybe she was right, after all, hadn’t he seen things in Pietro that nobody else had? Everyone else thought he was an arrogant, vain, self serving hoodlum but Kurt knew better. He knew how sweet Pietro could be, how most of the sarcasm and the arrogance was a defence mechanism. Kurt looked up as he felt the two girls stiffen and stop walking, letting go of his arms.

“Adam?” Rogue asked in surprise as the Goth boy walked straight up to them. Kurt regarded the friendly expression on the older boys face suspiciously. He hadn’t seen Adam since the guy had felt him up in the cafeteria five days previously and he didn’t like the smile the guy was giving him. Despite everything that had happened, the look was almost predatory.

“Hi Rogue, Kitty, Kurt…” Adam said, nodding at each of them briefly before settling his gaze back on Kurt. Kurt shifted awkwardly as Adam continued to regard him, giving him an obvious once over, the gleam in his eyes telling Kurt that he was pleased with what he saw.

“What do yah want Adam?” Rogue said, breaking the silence, her voice hard, seeing the way the way the guy was looking at her blue friend and the way Kurt was shifting nervously.

“I just wanted to apologise for the other day. I’m sorry Kurt, I guess I was a bit forward and I wanted to ask you if you would go to tonight’s dance with me.” Adam said smiling, giving Kurt a hungry look through veiled eyes. Kurt seethed at the insincere apology. Rogue stepped in, saving Kurt from answering.

“What is wrong with yah. Kurt’s not gay. Why can’t yah see that?” Rogue almost shouted, her annoyance rising as Adam didn’t even deign to look at her. Adam sniffed haughtily, sparing Rogue a brief glance before resettling his eyes on Kurt in a way that made Kurt’s fur bristle.

“Why don’t you let Kurt answer for himself?” Adam suggested sarcastically, the arrogant look on his face suggesting he genuinely believed Kurt was going to say yes.

“Rogue said all you needed to hear. I am not interested.” Kurt spat through gritted teeth. A brief look of shock crossed Adams face before settling into annoyance.

“I’ve never been wrong about this kind of thing before. Maybe its time you stepped out of de Nile. You wanted it, I know you did.” Adam remarked arrogantly. Kurt was gobsmacked. Just where the hell did this guy get off? So yeah, Kurt was gay and he was hiding it but that was his business and even if he did come out he wouldn’t want Adam touching him. The only hands he wanted on him like that were Pietro’s. He stood there seething with anger as he heard Rogue start shouting.

“Who tha hell do yah think yah are? Kurt’s straight. He doesn’t want anything like that, especially not from you!” she yelled. Adam didn’t take his eyes off Kurt as he answered her.

“I think he does. Maybe he just needs a little encouragement.” Adam stated before abruptly reaching for Kurt, grabbing him and pulling him forward. Kurt felt it as one of Adams arms wrapped around his back pulling him close, his other hand groping his ass, using it to force Kurt’s body to his. Kurt heard Rogue and Kitty’s outraged gasps before Adams mouth forced itself on his, an insistent tongue trying to push through his tightly clenched lips. It made him feel sick, nothing like Pietro’s kisses. Every inch of his body was screaming in outrage and disgust.

Kurt felt a white hot wave of fury engulf him. He put his hands on Adams chest, pushing him forcefully away. He saw Rogue moving to help him out the corner of his eye, but before she could get close or Adam could recover Kurt put all his considerable strength into throwing a fist straight into Adams face, enjoying the satisfying cracking sound that let him know he’d broken the guys nose as Adam flew backwards to the floor from the force of Kurt’s punch.

Adam was howling in pain on the floor as Kurt turned to his two friends noticing their shocked expressions, the slight quirk of approval tugging the corner of Rogue’s mouth assuring him that he hadn’t over reacted and suddenly it hit him. He really didn’t want Adam’s hands on him or anyone else’s. He only wanted Pietro!

He’d been wrong when he said that he could get out of his and Pietro’s relationship before it was too late and he fell in love. It had already been too late when he suggested it. He had already fallen, he loved Pietro! He was totally head over heels in love with Pietro and it was tearing him apart to stay away. It was like a lightning bolt had struck his mind. Every day the pain of their separation had just kept getting worse. He’d been dying inside. He couldn’t take the pain. It was too much. He loved Pietro!

He gazed at his two friends. He loved them, he loved all his friends at the mansion, but not nearly as much as he loved Pietro and he knew, just knew that despite how much the Professor had done for him and how much he loved his friends, if it came to a choice between them and Pietro, he would always choose Pietro.

It was a revelation. He felt like he was truly seeing things clearly for the first time ever. He loved Pietro and he couldn’t be without him. He didn’t care anymore if the others found out and rejected him. It would hurt but it was nothing compared to the agony he’d spent the last few days slowly being eaten alive by. He needed Pietro. He had to get to him now. He needed to tell him how he felt. Even if Pietro didn’t feel the same he had to tell him. He’d never be able to forgive himself if he didn’t. Even if Pietro wouldn’t take him back, the idea breaking his heart anew, he had to try. He had to tell him.

“I have to go. I’m sorry.” Kurt whispered to his friends before running away down the hall, ignoring their shouts to come back. He let his powers out, seeing the Brotherhood house and Pietro’s form huddled in bed. As he rounded the corner, seeing the corridor deserted, he ported, turning off his holowatch as he did so, wanting to face Pietro as himself no matter what happened.

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Ooh im such a git to leave it there mwhahahahaha (thats my evil laugh by the way, seriously i have a great evil laugh) sorry but you’ll just have to wait for the next chapter to see the our two lovely boys reunited, i promise to curb my cruelty and get straight to work on it.