It Might Be Him

DISCLAIMER: THE X-MEN DO NOT BELONG TO ME. THEY ARE THE PROPERTY OF MARVEL COMICS AND 20th CENTURY FOX. THE ONLY CHARACTERS THAT ARE MINE, ARE THE TOWN'S PEOPLE IN THE STORY. NO MONEY EXCHANGED, JUST
FOR FUN.

Sitting down at the counter of a "mom and pop" diner, Logan knocked on the counter and asked the passing boy for a cup of coffee. As the cup was set in front of him, he took the opportunity to glance about the server. Reaching for the sugar, he noticed the nametag on the black dress shirt; Remy. Fitting name for such a handsome young man, Logan thought. Eyeing the boy's features, he wondered if he was single and then promptly dismissed the notion with another glance at his beautiful face. A grin quirked on his lips as he noted there was no ring on his finger.

It was a warm Spring day in the middle of the Louisiana town but, to Logan, it felt warmer as if he were standing next to a hot stove.

Two waitresses began to tease Remy about his "dating scene" and managed to get a laugh out of a few customers, on Remy's behalf. The teasings went on until an older woman, possibly the manager, stepped in.

"Hey Remy, any plans for Saturday, or are you just gonna go solo?" A waitress about Remy's height with curly blonde hair done up in a messy bun, asked and smiled to her friend before glancing back at Remy. She looked to be a bit older than the other girl but younger than Remy. Hanging onto Remy's shoulder, she kissed his cheek before noticing Logan's eye.

Remmers, I don't have a date fer Saturday. Maybe we could have fun....?" A brunette, a few inches shorter than the blonde spoke up and snapped him on the backside with her half-damp towel. She was a pretty girl but Logan could tell that she didn't have very many dates in high school.

"Now now girls, leave him alone. I'm sure the customers don't need to hear about Remy's private dealings." She patted Remy on the back as he stood at the register, ringing customers up before they left. Grabbing a pot of fresh coffee, she filled Logan's cup and winked at him, noting his eyes hadn't left Remy's face. Leaning forward, she whisperd to him. "He's single." Replacng the pot to the burner, the woman asked Remy if he would do a few chores before leaving.

Remy only nodded and went quietly about his chores, not making eye contact with anyone.

The few times Remy had passed him, Logan caught the soft scent of baby powder and Old Spice after shave. Taking in the rest of the boy's appearance, Logan also caught the older woman's eyes watching him, on several occasions. He noted Remy's longish hair in a loose ponytail, and the thin form underneath black pants and shirt that seemed a size or two too big. It was the eyes that had caught Logan's attention, blood red on abyss blackness. Brilliant, he thought. His third cup of coffee was spent glancing over a menu and pretending to be interested in the selection of pies in order to get Remy to say something. Succeeding as he ordered the piece of pie that Remy had commented to another customer as being his favourite, he thanked the boy as the plate was placed in front of him.

When he was ready to check out and leave, Remy was also getting ready to leave. It was well after dark and Logan had been next to the only customer in the diner. As the older woman rang him up, he looked through the window to the kitchen and watched Remy dragging two heavy bags of rubbish to the back door. "The kid don't say much, does he?" His eyes met with the woman's golden ones and waited for both his change and an answer.

She was a smaller woman, shorter than Logan, but undoubtably able to hold her own in a fight. Brushing back loose strands of salt and pepper hair, she turned her head to see the object that had caught Logan's eye. "Dat boy, his family was poor an' not all of de kids were able to go to school. Remy's de younges' an' also de shyest 'round new people. Now, he's all alone so, de girls make fun o' him but, dey don't mean anyt'in bad. Mebbe, m'sieur, he needs a...... friend.... no?" She kept her voice low so that only she and Logan were in the conversation. "De boy work tomorrow, durin lunch. Why not come in an' ask about de fish special." Another wink from her was hint enough that she had been aware of why Logan was staring at Remy all evening.

He smiled and gave a short nod while placing his change into his billfold. Walking out the door, he wondered if Remy was already on his way home or waiting for a ride from someone. Picking up what seemed to be the sound of a fight, Logan followed the trail of shouts and finally a car speeding off into the night. He sniffed, blood was thick in the air as well as the baby powder and after shave the young man had been fragranced with. Running to the back of the building and cautiously making his way over to the big dumpster, his eyes caught a figure lying half unconscious in front of it. He knelt beside the figure and rolled him from the left side to his back and gasped as he recognised who it was. "Hang on, kid. I'm gonna get you to a hospital." Logan started to gingerly lift the kid to his feet but stopped as Remy protested.

"Non. S'ok, m'sieur. Remy's okay. Dey jus' punch Remy a few times, s'ok." A whisper was all that would come out between pained grunts and moans. Once on his feet, his hand rubbed the back of his head as he swayed in slight dizziness. "Merci, homme. Remy can make it home. Bon soir, sir." Pushing away from Logan's help, Remy took two steps and was immediately back in the man's arms as a sudden wave of nauseating dizziness came over him. Lifting a hand to the corner of his mouth, he found the small cut stung as he wiped a trickle of blood away.

Catching the young man and letting him rest against his chest, Logan corrected him. "Uh, no. I think I'd better get you back inside and maybe have your lady friend take a look at ya."

Remy turned his head away from him and whispered an embarrassed "Non."

Logan sighed, inhaling the young man's scent and nodded in understanding that Remy wanted to keep what little pride he had left. "Okay. My jeep's around the corner, would you let me take you back to my hotel room and clean you up?"

Remy was silent for a long while, weighing his options before finally nodding in response and letting the older man help him to his feet and over to the Jeep. He was placed in the passenger seat and waited for the driver to get in. He knew there would be a lot of questions for him to answer, and he dreaded it.

***********************

It wasn't a long drive from diner to motel but, it was long enough for Remy to get tired of sitting down. Pulling into the parking space in front of the room, he was helped out of the Jeep and into the room to lie on the bed while Logan went to wet a cloth and clean him up. He flinched at the ice cube that rubbed lightly on the left corner of his mouth, his eyes never leaving Logan's face.

"Wanna tell me why you were attacked, or is it none of my business?" Logan asked, innocently.

Remy blinked sheepishly and looked away. "S'not'ing, m'sieur."

Clearing his throat, Logan wasn't believing him. "Okay, you don't have to tell me. But, if this happens again, you should really think about seein a doctor."

Nodding, Remy once again stared at Logan and quietly tried to figure the man out. "Dey were two..... friends..... o' Remy's family. Ne'r did like Remy too much an' when dey find somet'in out 'bout Remy, dey show Remy how dey feel." His left hand rubbed at his stomach as he groaned and flinched at the ice cube still at the corner of his mouth. He couldn't tell a total stranger the real reason as to why he was attacked.

"Friends of whoever's wouldn't beat family up for no reason." Logan stopped a moment and found himself looking down at him, wondering what the secret was, and how many others knew.

"Ya don' know Remy's family, m'sieur." Remy sat up and stared at Logan.

Logan sat with his back to Remy but had turned his head to the right to look at him. Holding the small foam cup of ice, he thought he had overstepped his bounds and made the young man uncomfortable. "Sorry, I uh--"

Remy hurried the speech along by shifting his body back along the headboard. "Non. Not your fault. I need t' go home, m'sieur."

"Logan."

"Logan." Remy repeated. "Have work tomorrow. Inez get upset if Remy's late." Pulling his legs out from behind Logan and sliding off the bed, Remy stood up and started for the door. "Merci for de care and de ice. If y'r in town tomorrow, Remy give ya lunch,..... on de house...." He stopped at the door and lingered there for a moment, not turning back to look at the man still sitting on the bed.

Nodding and staring at the metal air system in front of him, Logan thought of what was to come next. He stood and rubbed the back of his neck with his free hand, thinking of what to say. "Yea, sure. Uh, thanks....? Look, kid, it's none of my business what those guys did to ya but something tells me that you don't want to be in the middle of it. Right? I mean, yer perfectly welcome to keep yer vises a secret. I was just tryin to help. Night, kid."

Remy paused from moving. Closing his eyes and inhaling the scent of the man behind him, he sighed and turned around. "Dey found out what Remy is. Remy's a mutant and a...." Not finishing for lack of a polite term or knowing what this man would say or do, Remy fidgited nervously.

Logan tilted his head and leaned forward to hear the rest of the sentence. "..and a-- ....what?"

"Not'ing. It's no' important." Remy shook his head and waved away the conversation. He reached for the doorknob and turned it, opening the door a few inches, the door was shut and Logan was in front of him and staring at him.

"It is if they hurt you for it." Logan was firm but caring enough to be completely interested in what Remy had to say.

Remy blushed. He was speechless and feeling warm at the closeness of the man. "I uh-.... I t'ink it's time to go home. Pardon, m'sieur." He took a step forward, hoping Logan would move for him to leave but was shocked to have Logan step into him and plant his lips firmly on Remy's. He stood there, in shock of what was happening. It was meant to be a deep kiss, if Remy hadn't have been in a state of shock.

When the kiss ended, Logan pulled back and waited for Remy to answer. "That's it, isn't it? That's the secret your friends found out." Running his top front teeth over his bottom lip, Logan knew he was right. He had caught the inaudible whimper that escaped through Remy's strange eyes. A closer look at the young man told him Remy was in a panic over what had just happened. "Look Remy, I didn' mean ta scare you but, if that was the secret, you didn't have to say it."

Swallowing the lump in his throat but not answering, Remy excused himself and left the room. The entire way home, Remy could think of nothing more than Logan's kiss. He hadn't figured Logan would be a man to like other men, let alone him, but the kiss proved him wrong. Or, was Logan making fun of him by pretending he was? Logan wasn't a model of beauty but, he looked much better than most men in the town. So, was the kiss from Logan serious, or a joke? All that aside, how did he figure out Remy's secret? Thinking about everything, Remy hadn't realised that he now stood on the front porch to his small shack. It was only two miles from Logan's motel to his house, and he had walked the whole way back but wasn't tired in the least.

He lay on his bed, thinking. Hands behind his head and still in his work clothes, Remy stared at the ceiling and thought of nothing but Logan and the kiss. He closed his eyes and pictured himself back on Logan's bed, with the brawny man staring down at him. His clothing was gone, as was Logan's. He lay on his back, letting Logan run a hand over his taut stomach and down to his hardening manhood. He moaned quietly in his sleep as his own hand traveled the path the dream Logan was. The dream continued with Logan's tongue running the legnth of Remy's erection.

A gasp.

His body arched up off the bed before settling back down and "hmmm-ing" in pleasant numbness.

Rolling over, a ringing started from the bedside table. Fumbling for the snooze button and hitting it twice, he realised it wasn't the alarm. Lifting his head up off of the pillow, he opened his eyes and stared at the red numbers on the clock. The ringing continued. Remy lift the receiver to the cordless, white phone that sat beside the alarm, and spoke, groggily. "Hello?"

"Remy, cher....? You're an hour late, boy. You comin to work, today? Or, did you an' dat man spend de night together?" Inez asked in a low voice. She wasn't one to judge Remy for who he was. Inez liked him, though he was too quiet and kept to himself alot, she treated him like a son she didn't have.

His eyes opened widely as he focused on the time. He had never been late before and he hated upsetting Inez. "Ah, oui madam. I'm comin. I be dere soon." He hung up and hurried to get ready before running out the door and down the road to work. It was only a 15 minute walk to work but running, it took him 10. Opening the door, out of breath, he waited for two elderly ladies to leave before he hurried inside and back into the kitchen to clock in. "Sorry, Inez. Remy overslept." Bowing his head as Inez stood beside the timeclock and shook her head.

"I know, cher. You just hurry an' get out dere, lunch crowd's comin." She smiled and patted his shoulder as she left the room.

Logan didn't show up at the diner until after 1 PM. Taking his place at the bar, he asked a short young lady with red hair for a cup of coffee. He had brought in a newspaper and opened it to the Sports section to read. His ears picked up the sound of the porcelain cup on the counter and someone pouring coffee but the paper obstructed the view of the server. "Thanks."

"Welcome." Came the answer from the sultry voice of the young Cajun. Remy smiled and waited for Logan to drop the newspaper before he began to blush as Logan smiled back.

Inez emerged from the kitchen with a tray of plates for a table behind Logan but stopped to say hi to Logan and wink at Remy. "Hey baby, welcome back!" She patted his back on the way back from delivering food and stopped beside him to whisper in his ear. "You an' de boy have fun last night, no?"

Logan only smirked and glanced from her to Remy as he was at the other end of the counter, helping a couple that had just walked in.

The blonde waitress decided to go on break, now that Remy was at work. She sat down a few chairs down from Logan and snacked on a few Twizzlers she had brought in a baggie, from home. She stared at Logan through the corner of her eye and quirked a crooked grin as Remy passed and smiled at Logan. "Hey Remy, you goin to the dance, Saturday?" With her elbows on the counter and her hips moving the stool from side to side, she bit into one end of the red Twizzler and chewed it.

Remy came to a stop in front of her and blushed. "Uh.... I'm not goin. Can' dance dat good."

She was a few inches shorter than him so, she stood on her tiptoes, leaning over the counter and whispered into his ear. "Or, maybe you prefer takin my brother, eh?" A smile illuminated her face as he had blushed a deeper red, dropped his smile he was wearing and excused himself into the kitchen. Her giggles became laughs as she rushed over to her friend who was just getting to work for her shift, and told her about it. With her arm around her friend, and them both walking back inside, they were met by an angry Inez.

Inez met them at the kitchen door with folded arms and a crossed look on her face while shaking her head. "Leave dat boy alone. He don't need no more of you two to make his life a Hell. One more word, an' de both of you is gonna work double time for de next month. Comprende vouz?" Inez didn't really mind an occassional joke or a laugh, if it didn't offend or hurt anyone. Remy was one person she was serious about joking around. She knew some about his past but, more about his "talents" as she called them. It killed her to see him enjoy his birthdays and holidays alone. Perhaps that was why she took to Logan's noticing Remy so much?

Nodding their heads in affirmation, the girls left Remy alone for the rest of the day but, quietly giggled back and forth about it to each other.

After work, Logan was waiting for Remy in the parkinglot. Leaning against the passenger side door of the Jeep, he inhaled the scent of food and tiredness that accompanied Remy. Waiting for the youth to stop in front of him, Logan smiled and pushed away from the door to talk to him. "You mind if I ask you to get a bite to eat with me?" He knew it was a longshot, afterall, he had just met the kid the day before and now he was asking for dinner.

Remy shook his head and added calmly, "Not hungry. Sides, I got chores to do at home."

Logan nodded, almost disappointed at the answer.

"But, uh... we could order some pizza err.. somet'in.....? Den you can tell Remy bout how you know his secret, no?"

Nodding and smiling. "Sounds good. Hop in."

*********************

Remy's shack was next to run down, and the inside wasn't any better. Off to the left was a kitchen with the sink cluttered with used pots and pans and plates, while to the right was a curtain for a door that Logan was sure contained the bedroom. In front was a table with two chairs at either side, and past that was a darkened room that was sure to be the small bathroom. Wooden floors and only desk lamps placed in certain corners of the room to give just the right amount of dim light, helped the situation but not by much.

Logan didn't see a television or stereo, just a big box full of books, mostly romance novels and a few detective ones. "You like to read?" He asked as Remy had ducked behind the curtain to change clothes. Walking over to the box that was placed ever so fondly beside the bedroom entrance, he picked up a romance book of a woman huddling at the feet of a brawny looking man wearing only tight pants and a cowboy hat.

"Dey're my sister's but, I read a few. Too poor to buy a t.v. and de radio broke last month." Remy called as he removed his dress shirt and slipped his favourite purple "I need a permanent vacation." T-shirt on. Pulling off his pants, he was asked a question that he could barely understand. Grabbing a pair of black sweatpants but not putting them on, he walked over to the curtain and pushed it aside. The shirt was long enough to cover his manhood but short enough for him to know not to bend over. "Y' say somet'in?"

Logan stood at the sink and turned around to see his host. "I uh-- um-- I asked if you needed any help. Dishes and stuff." This was his host? The same young man he had been lead home by? Logan took a moment to stare at his young host and notice the differences between the young handsome waiter at the diner, and Remy, at home. The long hair was down and cascaded around his shoulders, he was thin but still healthy and looked immensely hot wearing only the T-shirt. Logan was feeling a bit overdressed and very warm under the collar. Clearing his throat, he thought it best to turn his attention back to the dishes in the sink. "You live her alone?"

"Oui." Remy answered as he pulled his sweatpants on. "S' quiet an' nice. 'Cept when de wind blows de dust around." The shack Remy lived in was located at the edge of a thick woods, along a gravel road with only a few neighbours around him.

Logan nodded. "Sounds cozy. How long ya been here?"

"Moved here jus' after Remy turn 19. Bout 6 years ago." Remy came to stand beside Logan at the sink. "You movin to round here?"

"Nah, just passin through."

"Oh." Remy sighed and picked up a pan and brush to start washing the dishes.

Logan helped Remy do the dishes in silence before they ordered a pizza. They talked while they waited and Remy gave him the nickel tour of the house. Logan sat down on the end of the bed and watched as Remy piled dirty clothes into a small plastic green hamper, in the closet. The bedroom was neat and the bed was made.

Remy leaned against a small 6 drawer dresser with a big square mirror with rounded ends and stared at Logan. He knew what he wanted to do but thought against it. He had wanted to close the distance between them and push Logan back onto the bed, covering him in kisses. "Ya just go from town ta town? Ya work dat way?" He had been confused by what Logan said about "passing through". It interested him and charmed him as he had never even been out of the town.

"Yea, I work when I can find work, other than that, I travel. Been nearly everywhere in Canada. Tryin my luck here. You ever been anywhere?" Logan stared back, completely taken in by the young man.

"Non. Remy's only been here. Too stupid ta read a map." Hanging his head in shame, Remy felt relief when the pizzaboy knocked on the door.

They spent a few hours eating and talking before Logan announced that he should get going so that Remy could get some sleep. "Listen, I don't have to go anywhere anytime soon but, I was thinking about wanderin up to Kentucky and doin some fishin there. Why don't you come with me?"

Remy's eyes opened widely. He had wanted to travel and see other places in the country but lacked the fundamentals of getting there. "Can't. Remy has ta work, an' no money. Mebbe you can come back an' tell Remy 'bout yer travels, eh?" He leaned against the front door, not really wanting Logan to go but knowing he would never get to sleep if he didn't.

Logan nodded and stepped closer. "Probably right. You might distract me from workin and a few other people. I'd have no choice but to leave you in the motel room and keep you all to myself." He smiled.

"You uh... you like Remy, Logan?" A shakey tone and a hopeful stare into the man's eyes.

Smirking and thinking of something cute to say, Logan answered. "Yea, you're okay."

Smiling as he realised it was a joke, Remy took a step forward and kissed him. "Ya like when Remy....... does dat, cher?"

"Mmm." Logan moaned and kissed him back, reaching a hand around and cupping a firm mound of Remy's bottom. Continuing the kiss, Logan pressed his hips against Remy's and whispered in his ear. "Is this what you need?"

Eventhough he was a virgin, Remy nodded, lost in extacy. He gasped and fell back against the door as Logan began kissing his way down the side of Remy's neck while slowly pushing up the T-shirt. As Logan's hands were now pushing down his sweatpants and briefs, Remy felt it best to tell Logan that he had never done anything like this before. "Logan...? Log- unh... Logan...." It took both of his arms and most of his stregnth to push the man away from him. "Ah... Remy's not good at dis, cher."

Looking up as he knelt in front of Remy, Logan smiled and nodded in understanding. "Okay. I'll be gentle and go slow." And he did. Logan lay Remy down on the bed and for the most part, only licked and teased Remy until the young Cajun begged for him to take it further. With a simple smile and the ease of molasses, he did and let the innocent foreplay drag on for more than an hour.

***********************

The next morning they woke up in each other's arms, tangled in the sheets. Remy lay with his head on Logan's right shoulder while Logan lay on his back with his arms around Remy. Logan was awake first and noticed the sun shining through the thin pink sheet over the window. Nudging Remy, he asked quietly. "Don't you gotta work today?"

Remy moaned sleepily. "Non. Remy has de day off on Fridays." Inhaling deeply and sighing as he snuggled deeper into Logan's shoulder, he groaned in pain as it hurt to move.

"It'll hurt for a few days but it's only temporary." Kissing the top of Remy's head, Logan closed his eyes and fell back asleep for a few hours more.

It was afternoon when they finally rolled out of bed and got dressed. Remy sat on the bed and tied his tennis shoes while Logan leaned against the doorframe, fully dressed, and watched. "Why don't you come with me?"

"Where ya goin?"

"To Kentucky. C'mon, I bet Inez would let ya have like a few weeks off for some fun."

Remy stopped and thought for a moment. "Uhh..... Non... I have to work. De rent's due an' Remy just can' leave."

Kneeling in front of Remy, Logan braced his hands on either side of the thin body. "Remy, you won't get anywhere in life by standin behind a counter, watchin people live your dreams for ya."

Remy sighed. "I'll t'ink about it. Okay?"

Logan nodded.

**********************

Saturday night came soon and Remy found himself standing outside of a big, crowded barn waiting for Logan to show up. Inez had stood beside him and even offered him a glass of soda. Remy was only becoming more worried. He hadn't seen the man at the diner or even at home. With no note or phone call, Remy was getting worried. He worried that he had scared Logan off or that Logan had figured Remy was a waste of time. He sighed, brokenly. "I t'ink I scare him, Inez."

"No baby. A man like dat, Logan's a good man. Inez know he cares for you, Remy. But, do you care for him?" Standing beside him and rubbing his back, Inez followed Remy's stare down the long dirt road and prayed for the man to show up.

As the evening passed, the dance was half over and Remy had gotten tired of standing so he and Inez sat on lawn chairs and continued to talk and stare down the road. "He wants ta take Remy wit' him, chere. Don' wan' ta stay here but, can' jus' leave jus' like dat." He snapped his fingers and jumped at the sound they made.

"What'd he say about dat?"

"He say Remy can' live life from behind a counter. Dat Remy's dreams are slippin away." Remy hung his head and sighed.

Inez nodded. "So, why don' you get goin and live Remy's life....?" She smiled and nodded to an old Jeep that was making it's way down the road.

Remy looked to her and then to the Jeep, standing up in disbelief as the Jeep stopped in front of them. He smiled and blushed as Logan got out and came toward them, scooping Remy up into his arms and kissing him square on the lips. Pulling away from the kiss, Remy looked back at Inez. "But, what about Remy's house? Can' just leave, chere."

"Inez says she'll pay the rent with the money we'll send her. Stay a few weeks, then move on and eventually come back." His arms were still around Remy's waist and his mouth nipped at Remy's ear.

"Go, Remy. Be young, and in love. Ya deserve it, boy." Inez smiled and pushed the two gently back to the Jeep, giving Remy strict orders to send her mail telling all about their adventures.

As Logan pulled out of the space he had parked in, Remy turned around in his seat and waved, calling back that he would write and send pictures. But, most of all, he told her thank you for believing in him.


The End