Unchained Instinct ( Complete)

Chapter 14

Kurt’s knees threatened to buckle on him and he gasped in a deep breath, finally remembering to breathe. Conversation swirled all around him, but none of it made sense. A wash of relief flooded over him and Kurt felt a hand on his arm helping him over to a chair.

He looked up to see Gambit smiling down at him and Rogue giving the Cajun a little shove away so she could get closer.

“Ya okay, bro? Somebody get him somethin’ ta drink!”

“Kurt,” his mother’s sweet voice wafted over him, soothing his left over anxiety. “It’s all right. I know that was difficult for you.” She stroked his hair and Kurt felt silly sitting there as if something terrible had just happened.

Something terrible could have happened though and that was what he was reacting to, the sense of relief that Mystique had actually kept her promise and not told his parents about him and Logan.

“I’m all right, Mama. I’m...just in shock she didn’t cause more trouble is all.”

“Shocked ‘bout right,” Gambit said. “The boy’s got ma respect if he can get Mystique to act civil like.”

Kurt glanced around and found Logan standing back with his arms crossed against his chest. His lover’s gaze softened and Logan gave him a wink and the slightest of smiles. Kurt’s heart lightened. Logan approved of his handling of Mystique...well, as much as Logan was going to approve, considering what Logan wanted to do to her.

And what would Logan do if he knew Mystique had spied on them, had watched them make love?

Kurt closed his eyes, memories of his conversation with Mystique coming back to him. He had been born a normal child. Normal. But then, what did that mean to him now? He had no memories of those two months as a baby...as normal.

“Kurt.” The Professor’s voice made Kurt open his eyes again. “You did well, lad..”

“Thank you, Professor.”

“Raven isn’t an easy one to handle, but you did so and that’s something to be proud of.”

Kurt met Professor Xavier’s gaze and the Professor read his thoughts with ease. After a moment, Kurt looked away and heard the Professor sigh.

“She told you then.”

Kurt nodded. “Yes, enough.”

Patting Kurt’s hand, the Professor sighed once again. “All right. Well.” He rolled back away from Kurt and looked up at the expectant crowd. “There is still plenty of food and drink. Let’s not let this little interruption disrupt our celebration. Mystique is gone. Enjoy yourselves.”

“Yeah, right,” Kurt heard Rogue mutter.

“Aw, come on, cherie,” Gambit said. “Don’t let that ol’ wet hen Mystique ruin a perfectly good party. Let’s get some dessert. Ah think ah saw key lime pie.”

Kurt grinned up at Rogue and she grinned back and shrugged and let Gambit pull her towards the dessert table.

The Professor had Kurt’s parents aside, talking to them earnestly and Kurt let out a sigh of relief to have a little space. Logan knelt down beside him filling up that space again in a pleasant sort of way.

“Ya okay, elf? Sorry I didn’t get to ya fast enough. Mystique’s pretty cagey.”

“I’m fine, really, Logan. Thank you for not taking her baiting remark and making a scene. She was trying to make you look bad in front of my parents you know.”

“Yeah, I know. She just really knows how to dig her claws in, that’s all. How’d ya manage to keep her under control?”

Kurt shrugged. “We...talked, got some things off our chests. She told me I was born normal...that Magneto injected me with something that activated my X gene.”

“Ya believe her?”

Kurt looked into Logan’s eyes. “Yes, I believe she was telling me the truth. She was reluctant to tell me because Magneto threatened her if she did.”

“What else did she say?”

Kurt looked away. “Later, Logan. Some things...you won’t like. Now’s not the time.”

A growl rumbled in Logan’s throat.

“Calm down,” Kurt said, putting a hand on Logan’s arm. “Relax. I promise, we’ll talk later. Tonight, after the party, I’ll “pop” over to your room.”

Logan stared hard at him then finally nodded. “Okay, elf. I’d better go make the rounds. Don’t want to appear to be spendin’ too much time with ya.”

“After tomorrow, it won’t matter,” Kurt offered in reply.

“Yeah, tomorrow.” Logan stood and smoothed his pants legs absently. “We’ll see what happens then.”

The rest of the evening dragged out and Kurt felt like doing anything but celebrating. He smiled and laughed and the feeling a badger was eating its way out of his stomach kept him from enjoying the many delectable foods the catering staff provided for the party.

When finally everyone had eaten and drank enough, the party slowly dissolved. He kissed his mother and father goodnight then turned to watch Rogue walk Gambit to the door. Her body language belied her uninterested expression, but Gambit smiled and kissed her gloved hand and murmured his goodnights.

Cassie was also leaving just then and Hank walked her to the door and out. A smile came over Kurt.

Go for it, Hank.

Rogue shut the door on Gambit and turned to see Kurt watching her. “How did it go with you and Gambit, Rogue?” Kurt asked.

Rogue gave a shrug then grinned and took Kurt’s arm, heading them up the stairs. “He’s somethin’. Ah don’t know what yet, but definitely somethin’.”

“He’s good looking,” Kurt replied.

Rogue shrugged again. “Yeah, Ah guess and he’s got that Cajun accent which is kinda romantic.”

“So? You going to see him again?”

“Maybe. He’s definitely lookin’ for a new direction in his life.”

They stopped outside Rogue’s room. “Maybe he could be one of us,” Kurt mused. “He has skills. His mutation could be useful in a fight. And he’d lighten up the mood around here.”

Rogue made a face. “Maybe too much for Logan’s tastes.”

“Oh, don’t worry about Logan. He’s just protective of you. Once he sees Gambit means well, he’ll come around. Trust me.”

“Well, if anybody knows Logan, it’s you, bro. Goodnight. And...uh...good luck tomorrow.” She crossed her fingers and gave him a wink.

The weight of the day bore down on Kurt, but he’d promised to talk to Logan and he’d keep his promise. Locking his bedroom door behind him, Kurt took a deep breath and teleported to Logan’s room.

Logan wasn’t surprised to see him, had obviously been waiting for him. They met halfway and Logan drew Kurt into strong arms, holding on tight. Hands ran over Kurt’s hair and back, hand sliding down to stroke the base of his tail.

Their lips met and Kurt felt that swell of emotion wash over him, his body tingling with attraction and need. The kiss deepened until Kurt felt as if the world had disappeared, leaving them alone in a universe made just for them.

Finally, he gently pushed back, putting a little distance between their bodies. Logan’s breath was ragged with desire, but with an effort, Logan backed off and they settled onto the end of the bed with Logan’s arm around Kurt’s waist.

“Okay, elf. What happened? What did the wicked witch tell ya?”

“Besides that I was born a normal child and Magneto did this to me?”

Logan smiled. “Yeah, besides that...as if that wasn’t enough.”

“I don’t know, Logan...she says she knows your past. She thinks you are using me.”

“I know she thinks that or we wouldn’t be havin’ so much trouble with her. But how she know my past when I can’t even remember most of it?”

Kurt offered Logan a shrug and couldn’t bring himself to meet Logan’s gaze. “I don’t know. She said...you were a different man then.”

Logan’s fingers touched Kurt’s chin and lifted, forcing his gaze back up to Logan’s. “Whatdya think of that? What if I was...different...maybe did things I wouldn’t be proud of now?”

“What is in the past doesn’t change how I feel about you. I love you. I won’t stop loving you because of what she says.”

Logan nodded and let his hand fall away from Kurt’s face. “Anything else?”

Kurt hesitated, unsure still if he should tell Logan about Mystique’s spying. The grip on his chin returned, firm and unyielding.

“There is somethin’ else,” Logan said. “Spit it out, elf.”

With a difficult swallow, Kurt said, “she spied on us. She...followed us the other night...to the inn and the cabin beside the stream.”

“What?” Logan’s tone had gone deadly.

“She...she saw us from up in a tree. She was a bird and she watched through a part in the curtain. She watched us...make love.”

Logan’s eyes sparked and grew cold, gaze going distant and hard. “That sick bitch,” he spat out. “That’s about as low it goes. Damn her.”

“I wasn’t sure if I should tell you,” Kurt injected, reaching up to pull Logan’s steely grip from his face. “Now I wish I hadn’t.”

“No. Ya did the right thing.” Logan turned his gaze back to Kurt and reached up to stroke Kurt’s cheek with a restrained touch. “She’s gonna pay for that, elf. Nobody gets away with that kinda crap with me.”

“Logan, don’t----”

“Don’t what? Don’t do anything? You’re talkin’ to the wrong guy if ya think I’ll let this drop.”

Kurt let out a sigh. “Okay. But right now I just need to deal with my parents so please hold off with Mystique. Please?”

Logan stared into Kurt’s eyes and a nod came reluctantly. “Yeah, okay. One thing at a time.”