Unchained Instinct ( Complete)

Chapter 16

The designs on the ceiling hadn’t changed over the course of an hour, Kurt staring up without moving, his mind trying to blank out the last fateful conversation with his parents. But the words came back over and over again, sin...blasphemy. He saw in his mind’s eye, his mother’s tears and his father’s look of betrayal. The finality of their parting tore at Kurt’s heart, ripping at it with sharp claws of regret and fear...and shame?

No. He had no reason to feel shameful. His love for Logan was real. God would not allow him to fall in love with a man if loving a man was wrong.

Yet doubt fought for a place within him, doubt that he was right and they were wrong. What if?

No. He would not doubt this love. He had already made his choice and now his parents would have to decide if they would accept his relationship with Logan or turn away from him forever.

Please Mama. Please Papa. You don’t have to approve. Just accept my right to choose.

Finally, Kurt turned on his side, the long sleepless night before weighing on him now. He closed his eyes and still the images of his parents would not leave him alone, first the happiness of yesterday when he’d graduated Magna Cum Laude from high school and then that awful look of betrayal this morning.

With a sigh, Kurt buried his face in the pillow, trying to block out the memory. So much of his life lately he wanted to blot out, erase from his mind. But then he remember how Logan felt not knowing his past and Kurt sighed again and turned his face to breathe.

Dreams came as sleep overtook him, confusing dreams of his parents and Mystique then the hated dreams he hadn’t had in a month, of rape and torture and Sabertooth’s malevolent grin coming towards him, clawed hands reaching for him.

“Hey. Hey, sweetheart. Easy now.”

Kurt started awake, his breath thick in his throat. Logan leaned over him, hands soothingly stroking his arms.

“Ya awake, elf?”

“I’m...awake.” Kurt sat up and sniffed and ran his fingers back through his hair, pushing it from his face. “I...guess I was dreaming.”

“From the looks of it, I think you were havin’ a nightmare.”

Kurt glanced away out the window and saw the sun on the edge of setting. “Yes, a nightmare.”

“The usual?”

Kurt nodded. “And more. My parents and Mystique.”

Logan shifted, his expression uncomfortable. “Ya know, I can’t tell ya how sorry I am about how things went today.”

“I know. It’s not your fault. I knew it would be like this. They are very religious people and they trust the Church no matter what. They will never approve of us, Logan.”

“But they might come to accept us.”

“I can only hope so. I feel as if my heart has been pulled out of my chest and twisted into a knot.”

Logan reached for him and Kurt settled into Logan’s embrace, soaking up the comfort of arms around him. A kiss caressed his hair and ear, but not in a sensual way, just loving and comforting.

“I came to tell ya dinner was ready,” Logan said. “You feel up to eating somethin’? I know you haven’t eaten all day.”

“I suppose I should though I don’t feel very hungry.”

“Ororo fixed fried chicken,” Logan replied in an enticing tone.

“I love Ororo’s chicken.”

“That’s why I talked her into fixin’ it. So, come on and eat or she’ll never do nothin’ I ask again.”

Kurt turned Logan’s face to his and pressed his lips to Logan’s. “Thank you,” he said once they’d parted.

“For what? Gettin’ your parents mad at you?”

“No. For loving me.”

A grin stole across Logan’s face. “No thanks needed. It’s my pleasure, elf.”