thequeenoffools

[thequeenoffools]

Family that preys together

CHAPTER 1

(3/3/20)

PG 13

LAURA POV

I try to be calm.

I try to be collected. I try- with everything within my might- to be clinical.

It’s easier than it seems- given my upbringing.

But.... things have gotten more complicated.

I am not an experiment. I am not a number.

I am a person. I person who loves and is loved. I am capable of this.

I am worthy of this.

He is also worthy of this.

Word gets around in our hero circles.

Especially when it comes to my family.

Gabby and I were not at all surprised to see there was some tape of a sexual nature floating around with our brother involved.

Daken just seems like the type for it.

I wouldn’t have batted an eye if Bobby hadn’t told me that it seemed... off.

I had - and still have- no desire to see my brother naked. Or see what he does in his spare time.

But the tape... the tape was..... unwarranted.

Daken of course- played dumb. He said he was acting.

Daken’s pride is something of legend. He won’t admit he’s hurt.

He won’t admit he’s hurt sober- that is.

So I waited. I knew it was only a matter of time.

I backed off- respectively kept my distance- waiting for him to slip up.

Waiting for just the slightest reason to get involved.

To learn the truth.

A few stakeouts at some clubs, a few hushed words into the ears of lustful bouncers, a few talks with our parental figure to try and figure out just who this person was. How it was connected.

Logan seemed curious as to why I wanted to know so much about that particular period of his life. Of Daken’s life.

I said as much as I could without him wanting to get involved.

Daken is wary of my assistance. Logan’s he would flat out reject. I learned more about Daken’s little secret. More about the people who controlled him. My blood boiled.

I am not a possession- I will not let my brother be a possession either.

Daken likes to think he’s self sufficient. That he can take care of himself with no assistance whatsoever. He is wrong. Everyone needs someone. Even if they can’t talk to that person.

I put Daken’s friends on the case. Told them to press him.

Johnny Storm was quite helpful. He told me that I was right- he also suspected after a very revealing chat with a drugged Daken that the tape was not at all consensual.

I went digging.

I’m good at digging.

Further more- I’m good at helping people who cannot help themselves.

And punishing abusers.

My brother gives little thought to the glaring fact that he was mistreated.

He mentioned it to Logan- drunk as usual- but he wasn’t being honest.

His master is of little importance to me.

The man can hurt no one. Not anymore. He is a figment of memory in the minds and lives of those he ruined- but nothing more.

His ‘associate’- the one who so kindly visited my brother? Is more of a threat. A very real threat. A very tangible threat. And if someone is tangible- it can be punished.

And that man- that monster? Needs punished.

Eventually Logan got wind of the tape. He recognized the man in it. He said he’d worked with him before. He gave me some name. A code name of some sort. He said- for Daken to have reacted like he did- he must have known him for some years.

Which my mind interpreted as ‘he’s done this before’. Daken went limp. I’ve seen girls, in my past, do the same when confronted with certain men. Men who’d hurt them before. It’s a natural reaction that can occur when something is beaten into someone. I had a similar reaction to certain people in my past.

I am aware that Daken’s ‘training’ took place when he was young. And he is much older than I am.

He’s had more time to... dwell on it. He’s had more time to learn. After seeing the tape- which I told him not to watch- Logan insisted on confronting Daken.

I assume because he was attempting to ‘help’. I do not need his inference. I had to tell him bits and pieces of my plan to get him to back down.

Daken is simply not ready for Logan interaction at this point. We’ve had many talks about it.

I politely told Logan this. To not force it. Daken’s done much self improvement. I think Logan will honestly be surprised when they do interact. IF he doesn’t force it.

Daken insists that nothing’s wrong.

But he’s having nightmares. He’s using more heavily. He’s... paranoid.

I extended an invitation to him to stay with Gabby and I. For comfort.

To my surprise, he accepted.

He’s been on my couch for several weeks now.

I see him at his least guarded. And I want nothing more than to help him.

We are siblings. He was there when I had no one. I tried to ease his suffering then, and I will do so now.

Tonight, Gabby and I left him at home. Claiming we needed ‘girl time’. I’m not sure what constitutes as ‘girl time’ but he accepted the excuse and went about his business.

It’s left Gabby and I time to do what we “Wolverines” do best- hunt. And avenge.

I tracked his ‘partner’ as he called him to a club.

A club where he can easily prey on others- like he did my brother. I can’t allow this to stand.

I leave Gabby in the car with Jonathan- the two of them seemingly pleased with the fast food we picked up on the way to the club.

I made myself out to be what the man will be looking for- an easy target.

It’s not hard, given my past work. I know what men like. I know how they function. I know the despicable things they are capable of when they see something they like.

He liked my brother. We share at least somewhat of a resemblance. Something maybe he’ll subtly pick up on but not be able to label right out.

That works in my favor. I hike my skirt up just an inch more before pulling the tank top to a more... desirable location. The bouncer gives me no grief. He leers at me and then lets me through the doors. The club is dark and my senses are easily overpowered by the stench of alcohol and body odor.

The club consists of two levels- the first being composed of a dance floor, a bar, and a seating area. The second being a level that wraps around the first, overlooking the dance floor where others can

spy on the people below. I’m not surprised to see my mark at the top. He is a predator. He’s picking his prey carefully. My job is now to become that prey.

I go to the bar, ordering shots of water in a shot glass- for appearances. I make a show of knocking them back- adjusting my behavior accordingly.

A small glance up reveals that I’ve gained his attention. He locks eyes with me before moving from his spot on the railing.

What this man fails to realize at this point is that he is not the predator in the room. He thinks he’s untouchable. His time with his ‘master’ only emboldening him in this belief.

I turn back to the bar and order another shot- whiskey this time so he can smell the alcohol on me. To make the effect stronger, I swirl my finger in the cup and place some of the liquid on my person- like you would a perfume. Unnoticeably, of course.

The man is behind me in minutes.

He’s tall, well built, and unattractive by every sense of the word. Small eyes glinting with malice.

He slides into the seat next to me, ordering himself a whiskey as well.

“You’re a pretty thing,” He says, making eye contact with me. “What’s a pretty thing like you doing here by herself?”

Ah. So it begins.

“My friends left me,” I giggle-which I loathe- to add to the effect.

“Oh yea?” The man smiles. “Looking for some new friends then?”

I smile. “I could use the company.”

He nods. “I’d be happy to keep you company tonight. This place can be a little rough. Wouldn’t want you to get hurt.”

Of course. He’s throwing me off balance- so he thinks. Offering protection when he no doubt wishes me ill.

We talk about my ‘friends’ in detail. I describe some of my most attractive female friends- all of which are safely at home and away from this monster.

He smiles and asks if he can go meet them. That speeds my time line up a small bit- but alls well that ends well. I agree to take him to my friend's house- under the provision that he lets me drive. There is at no point during this that I will let him get any sort of upper hand. He agrees- following me out the car where Gabby and Jonathan are waiting. He seems... off-put by the presence of a child- but recovers in minutes. Asks if she’s my daughter. He smells aroused.

Confirming my belief that he has no care how old his victims are. I know Gabby smells it as well. I say she’s my sister. And very friendly. Gabby looks at me knowingly. She knows why we’re here. She knows this is the man. She also knows I would do nothing to endanger her.

I put Gabby up front with me, putting the man in the back with Jonathan. A little hint- as far as the animal goes- as to who he’s dealing with. Gabby even tells him that Jonathan is a wolverine. It doesn’t seem to raise suspicions.

I drive him to the warehouse that we’ve prepared. He still doesn’t seem nervous.

When I pull out front I admit that I’ve lied to him. We’re having a party in the warehouse and needed some male company.

To that- he seems overjoyed.

“It’s okay, doll,” He says. “I can liven up your party.”

As we’re exiting the car, he puts his hand on Gabby’s shoulder. Asks if she’s ever drunk before.

Gabby smiles and says she’s willing to try anything once.

Her eyes reveal something else- he stupidly ignores it.

The warehouse is pitch black as we enter- just as it should be.

I call out to my ‘friends’ and tell Gabby to turn on the lights.

When she does, I’m standing by the door to the warehouse- the only exit- and locking it.

Now- now he seems worried.

In front of him is a chair. A simple chair. In front of the chair is a computer set up on a small wooden table.

“Have a seat,” I tell him, coldly.

“I think I’m gonna go,” He says, rubbing the back of his head.

“Before the party?” I ask in mock awe.

He frowns. “Look bitch- I don’t know how you think you are- but I’m a very important guy. Whatever this is- if you don’t let me go- I’m gonna have to hurt ya.”

“Oh, we wouldn’t want that.” I slide my claws from my knuckles- putting them at his throat. “Have a seat,” I repeat.

He swallows. “You’re... one of Logan’s.... aren’t ya?” He says, taking a step forward. “Yes,” I say simply.

“Healing factor?” He asks. “Yes.”

“Didn’t know he had a daughter,” The man says, stepping towards the chair. “Good to know.” He nods to Gabby. “She his too?”

Gabby nods.

He takes a seat. “You bitches don’t know who you’re messing with,” He chuckles. “I’m an important man.”

“Yes,” I agree. “You’re an enforcer.”

He smiles. “So you know me.”

“I know you,” I agree. “I know who you worked for.”

“WORK for,” He corrects. “He’s still around... and hurting me is a direct assault on him.... there will be retaliation.”

“I’m not scared,” I say simply. “If your master wants to confront me, he’ll have to do it in person.” The man snorts. “Don’t think he won’t.” I smirk. “Call him, then.” The man’s face goes blank. “Excuse me?”

“If you work for him- call him. Tell him you’re captured. Tell him to come save you.” The man swallows loudly. “It doesn’t work like that,” He says after a few long moments of silence.

“Then,” I walk over and lean down, getting in his personal space, “You’re not as important as you think you are.”

I know his master is contained. He doesn’t know that people know that.

I only know because Logan knows. I don’t even think Daken knows.

“What do you want?” The man asks.

I walk over to the computer. “Gabby? Restrain him,” I say over my shoulder.

Before he can react, Gabby as him effectively tied to the chair. Moving quickly just as we practiced.

I start the video. A few seconds in, he looks away. “Can’t stand your own cinematography?” I ask smugly. “He asked for it,” He says quietly. “He asked... for that?” I point to the screen just as blood sprays. “We go way back,” He says. “I was just following orders.”

“You seemed to really enjoy your ‘orders’,” I say coldly.

“He’s a fucking traitor,” The man says crassly. “He gets what he deserves,” He smirks. “And don’t think this is the first time he’s gotten it.”

I nod. “I’m aware. How long have you been doling out his ‘punishments’?” The man exhales slowly. “How old is he?” “Seventy-five,” Gabby answers, crossing her arms. “Bout.... sixty-seven years,” He says matter of factly.

“I see.”

I can see Gabby doing the math on her fingers.

“He’s always been a bit.... disobedient,” He says cooly.

“Seeing as he was a child when you started.... I can imagine that’s the truth,” I lean down again. “But my brother wasn’t disobeying any orders that night. He didn’t have any orders that night.”

“He’s a traitor,” The man growls. “He doesn’t have to disobey orders anymore to get punishments. If he runs into any of us- he’ll get more of the same. Maybe worse. Be grateful- I coulda flat out killed him.”

“How many of you are there?” I ask calmly. “More than you can imagine,” He says, locking eyes with me. “Let me go.”

“I would love to let you go,” I say. “You’re a vile person and I take no pleasure from your company.”

“So.....” he cocks his head the side.

“So... you hurt my brother,” I say. “You tortured him and you raped him. He won’t say this bothers him- you’ve beaten it into his head that hits is not a problem. It’s a fact of a life.” I pause. “This is not a fact of life. People are not punished like this.”

“He’s a traitor!” The man snarls. “And he’s got his bitch sister’s doing his dirty work??? Oh, you won’t believe what we’re going to do to him now,” He chuckles. “His life’s as good as over.”

“Because of you and your ‘master’ he never had one, to begin with,” I say.

 “Well he can kiss it goodbye,” He says. “And you and your little sister- too.”

“Hmm....” I go to the computer and stop the footage- mostly because I can’t bear to hear any more of my brother’s brutal assault. “You are a regenerator?” I ask.

He nods. “So obviously torturing you won’t do any good,” I say.

He smiles. “Nope.”

“And killing you would be satisfying.... but put me on your level,” I say.

“Would you look at that,” He says. “You’re out of options.”

I go to the table and retrieve my phone, sending a quick text message. “Gabby, Rachel is at the door,” I say. “Would you mind letting her in?”

Gabby smiles and goes to the door, opening it and greeting our fellow x-men with glee. Rachel enters in full x-men gear- red leather hugging her every curve. I’ve always found her quite attractive. Just like Logan finds her mother- I suppose. “This is Ms. Grey,” I introduce. “She’s a telepath.”

“Is that so?” The man says, looking her over.

“I can’t make you feel regret for what you’ve done,” I say. “But.... she can.”

He snorts again. “Oh yea?”

“See- we’ve visited Daken,” I say. “And we’ve taken a little look around his head while he was sleeping... we know just how your little encounter made him feel.”

“Oh yea?” He repeats- less smug this time.

I nod. “Ms. Grey is going to make you suffer just the way he did,” I say, restarting the video. “Play by play,” I say. “Blow by blow. Inch. By. Inch.”

He shakes his head. “I was under orders,” He says quickly. “It wasn’t personal!” “It seems pretty personal,” Gabby says.

The video is vile. My brother is beaten, torn to shreds, bleed, and then raped. Anyone can see that he was not ‘asking for it’.

Rachel makes swift work of reducing the man to a wailing mess. It’s almost scary to watch. Almost. Part of me finds it quite satisfying.

When the tape ends, the man is slumped forward in the chair. “Call your people off,” I say, lifting his chin with my finger. “Tell them that if ANYONE- anyone WHOSOEVER- touches my brother- there will be consequences.”

The man nods.

“Also... you should know that our father is aware of your little movie,” I say. “And he will also have ‘words’ with you.”

He groans.

“OR,” Rachel says, removing her hand from his forehead. “You can submit the tape to SHIELD, tell them of your involvement with Romulus, and go to jail.” She leans forward and whispers. “And Logan is PISSED. Honestly? I’d take the jail time.”

He nods. “I’ll do it,” He says. “I’ll do it. I’m sorry. Call Logan off. I’ll go to jail.” Rachel grins. “Pretty sure he followed me here, however,” She says simply. “You might have to

deal with him anyway.” I turn to her. “He followed you?” I say. “I told you not to bring anyone.”

“You met your old man?” She chuckles. “You don’t TELL Logan anything. It’s like talking to a wall.”

As if he could hear us- and he probably could through that door- the door opens. Logan’s wearing black. he intends to get bloody. “Jesus Christ!” The man on the chair groans. “I’m sorry- alright?? I’m sorry.” “You weren’t sorry when you hurt Daken,” I say.

“Yea? Well, I’m sorry now,” He says in a panic.

“Of course,” Rachel says with a nod. “Everyone’s sorry when a pissed off Wolverine comes for them.”

Logan hangs in the door. “Gabby, Rachel- go home,” He says. He’s letting me stay. I wonder what he’s up to exactly. Rachel looks at me as if for permission.

“Daken is at home,” I say. “Please take Gabby to him. He’ll watch her.”

Rachel nods. “Come on short stuff,” She says in a friendly manner. “The adults apparently have some more business to attend to.”

Apparently. Logan approaches the man as Gabby and Rachel are leaving- thankfully with no fighting. “Lackey,” He says to the man. He hangs his head. “Your kid asked for it,” He says. “He betrayed-“ “He didn’t betray shit,” Logan growls. “Romulus left him.”

“Left him?” The man snorts. “LEFT HIM? Oh no- little Daken is the most ungrateful brat we ever raised. Walking around like he knows shit. Walking around like he just gets to up and leave. You can NEVER leave. You serve or you die. Your boy knew the rules,” He says.

Logan nods. “Sure, sure,” He says, extending his claws. “How fasts your regeneration?” He asks. The man swallows. “No point in telling you,” He says. “You’re gonna lop it off anyway.” Logan nods. “Yea- I am.” “Lop what off exactly?” I ask.

Logan points to the man's hands. “He’s got tattoos,” He says. “And a ring he always wears.”

Ah.

I’m not sure I see his reasoning...

“I’mma take his hands,” Logan says.

“Oh-“

“And his dick,” He adds.

The man closes his eyes. “Do your worst,” He hisses. “The boys dead. He’s as good as dead. We’ll never stop coming for him. We’ll never back down. We’ll-“

Logan holds his hand up to cut the man off. “Go call your brother,” He says, turning to me when the man is silent.

“Why?”

Logan just looks at me. “Go call him,” He says. “Tell him that you need him to come to the school.”

“Ah..... That is a terrible idea,” I say. “He’s at my apartment- he’s safe.”

“Don’t matter if he’s safe or not,” Logan says. “We gotta get him to give a statement.”

“He won’t-“

“We’ll get it telepathically,” Logan assures me. “He won’t have to say anything out loud.”

“Logan-“

“We also need names and faces of all of these bastards.”

The man in the chair is staring at his feet.

“What for?” I ask curiously.

Logan smirks. “We’re goin’ hunting,” He says.

I’ve never heard a better statement. “I’ll call him,” I agree.

Logan nods. “Then call SHIELD to come pick this bastard up,” He looks at him carefully. “Tell ‘em they’re gonna need a medic.”

“Oh god,” The man groans. I’m happy to hear that noise.

I nod. “I’ll be back,” As I’m heading out the door, I can hear the man pleas falling on deaf ears. Soon the pleas turn to sobbing. Then the sobbing turns to screams.

While someone’s pain-filled screams of agony are not typical sounds of joy- I relish every single one of them.

[thequeenoffools]

If I said parenting would be easy-  I lied (and I’m not sorry)

CHAPTER 1 (posted 3/3/20)

PG

There are a million things you worry about as a parent. Especially a parent to a young child. Especially a young mutant child.

Sure there are normal things like.. “what if they get hurt”, “What if they get sick” etc etc. Then there’s abnormal shit like “what if they get abducted by a government program”.

As a mutant- it happens more than you’d think it does. On that topic- you can trust me. I’ve had more than enough personal experience.

Thing is- I don’t want to see that happen as a parent. No parent of a mutant does. Especially if that parent spends their life working for ‘the cause’ and ‘saving the world’. Codewords for putting on spandex, fighting the military/police/government, and other people in spandex.

It’s a pretty cool gig. Let’s you meet all kinds of people. Then... well... shit settles down. Shit settles and you start worrying about munchkins. Which on its own is scary as hell.

Parenting? It’s terrifying. See everything’s good when you’re getting married. She loves you-you love her. It’s good. It’s great.

...Until around year two of marriage. That’s when the ‘b’ word comes up.

Maybe she talked to her friends. Maybe she saw a diaper commercial. Who the fuck knows?

Any way you slice it- the idea is now in her head.

And when the ‘baby’ idea gets in a woman’s head? Fuck is she determined. So, she waits. And waits. And waits.

And then she pounces.

“Darling... Kurt and Wanda are having a baby.” She says, looking all sexy- in her underwear at that. That’s entrapment right there.

But that’s old news. Kurt’s my best friend. I’ve known he and Wanda were trying for about a year now. We were all overjoyed when he announced that they conceived.

“Wouldn’t it be lovely if little Tj had a friend to play with?” Yup. That’s how it went.

The “Tj needed a friend’ excuse held up well with Mrs. Wagner. Who in turn told her husband to convince me.

He talked to me- which was really us sitting around with a beer in mostly silence.

Fun night.

She waited until after I ‘talked’ with him. Asked if I changed my mind.

Nope. Told her I shouldn’t be reproducing.

She did some stuff that night that kinda... swayed me. And then... then came the alcohol.

I was drinking- she was drinking- I got sentimental. Drunk Logan thought a baby was a great idea! Drunk Itsu did not help him come to reason. So, the pair of drunks went at it.

Cue the next morning. She’s hungover. I’m fine. We talk it out in greater detail. Then- Kurt and Wanda start doing baby things.

Itsu is so excited. She helps with the nursery, she helps to buy the clothes, she plans the baby shower.

She wants a baby, so, so, so badly.

Thing is- I saw how happy my friends were. I saw how much want she had for a little boy or girl for us to raise. I still had my reservations... but ya know the saying ‘happy wife happy life’?

Itsu really, really, really wanted a baby. For months she told me she wanted a baby. It’s not like we didn’t have the cash. Being a superhero is slightly lucrative. Plus, as a teacher- even if she just works at the institute- she makes a good little bit of coin herself. Wanda gets very, very, pregnant. Like huge. Seven months pregnant to be exact. Itsu was so, so, so excited for them. In that time frame- Scott and Jeanie announced that THEY were having a baby. That?

That was my wife’s final straw. Itsu’s eyes were daring me to say ‘no’. So I didn’t.

I caved. “Alright dear, let’s make a baby.” Were my exact words.

I figured Kurt and Wanda had been trying for about a year... and god knows his line produces a hell of a lot of babies- it would take a while for Itsu to actually get pregnant. A year or two? Time for us to really adjust to the idea.

I’d come to her way of thinking. A little baby would be fun... especially if it was with her. I couldn’t think of a woman I wanted to have a kid with more than Itsu. A little boy or girl to teach. To love. A piece of me and her. It’s not a bad idea.

It’s not like anyone could say we were rushing things- either. So, we started trying.

Itsu did everything she was supposed to do to ensure fertility.

It was a lot of work on her part. In the meantime- I got to enjoy making a baby. It was great. Sex four or five times a day. She’s turned on more, she’s receptive, she’s having fun- it was great.

Two months in- lo and behold she’s pregnant.

I freaked out a little. To be honest- so did she.

We wanted a baby- yea. But we didn’t expect it to happen so fast. We sat at the doctor’s office in shock.

Then we snapped out of it. We celebrated with all of our friends and family members.

Then- it started.

The pregnancy crazy- is what Scott called it. Slim said all women got that way. And that I was lucky my pregnant wife couldn’t read my mind and get pissed about shit I hadn’t even said.

Think he was talking about his own experience there. The pregnancy crazy is a unique thing.

You want to prevent it- but she’s so fucking cute when she’s pregnant, barefooted, and yelling over something stupid. It usually went like this.

3 AM - “Logan I want French fries”

French fries? At 3 AM? I was well stocked. But NOOOOO- they had to be from McDonald’s. That’s the craving part.

She won’t sleep until she gets her fries.

McDonald’s is pretty much open 24/7. It wouldn’t have been a big deal- except it was three in the fucking morning and I’d just got back from a mission in Romania.

But she and our boy- we’d recently found out what the baby was- wanted French fries. So I get my ass in the car, get her fries, come home.

“This is good but it would be better with a frosty.” She said.

Guess what’s closed at 3 AM? Wendy’s. Guess where the only place in the WORLD is that sells frosty’s? Wendy’s.

I improvised. Woke Ice Cube up- had him make her something. He was like seventeen at the time. Couldn’t get a girlfriend to save his life. Couldn’t understand the unique brand of crazy they hold.

Three years later- we kinda figured out why that was. Really shoulda seen that one coming. The ice cream wasn’t as good as a frosty- but it went over okay. Way better than expected.

The pregnancy progresses. Baby boy is taking up so much space. They’re saying this is easily a ten-pound baby. Which started to make Itsu a little nervous- if we’re being honest. Wanda and Jean assured her that the labor was painful- but she would get killer drugs.

We’re near the end and the crazy was upped about five notches. I’m talking maximum hormone endured crazy. I make one little comment about how big she’s gotten- bam. Hit in the face with a flip-flop. Repeatedly.

I got in trouble for saying I made a baby. Told that I did not ‘make a baby’ I made half of a baby. She was doing all the work.

Guess I couldn’t argue with that.

She always apologized after. My sweet wife wasn’t capable of holding a real grudge.

The delivery day gets here- baby’s fine. Mommy’s fine.

We look at our tiny bundle of joy with a sense of awe..and fear.

Little Akihiro came into the world screaming.

Four years now and he hasn’t stopped.

We’re raising him as best as we can- given the circumstances. Kid’s got a personality a mile wide.

He hangs out with Tj- his buddy in crime. A lot like her daddy is for me.

Kurt joked around and said something about marriage. Wanda hit him upside the head and told him not to put that on kids.

IF our lines ever do mix- it’ll be those two. We had to learn A LOT about things we couldn’t begin to understand.

I now know that you can’t leave a wet diaper on a kid, potty training a boy is really hard, and as a parent, you will never eat anything that isn’t from a happy meal or chicken in the shape of something else. (Aki seems to prefer dinosaurs. Don’t know what the difference is- but fuck will he let you know it’s not the same)

In our four years of parenting, I got another kid. A clone. Itsu loved her instantly. There was no way she was going anywhere but with us.

They were going to destroy her. We... couldn’t let them. She was a little one-year-old. The shit they’d already done was horrific. I wasn’t going to tell Itsu until I made up my mind- but Fury (who I think was kinda rooting for the

kid) ‘accidentally’ sent my wife a picture. She was instantly in love.

She said that we had the money, we had the room, and we had enough space in our lives for a poor little girl. So I went to visit where they had the kid- and she was so vibrant. Even after all they put her through. Even at such a young age.

She came home with us that day.

Itsu didn’t even wait for the ink on the adoption papers to dry before picking her up and toting her off to her new life. She’s five now. Laura- our little Laura. Love her to death. She’s a little trooper.

She doesn’t remember much of what happened to her. Thank god.

She just knows that her daddy took her away from somewhere bad and gave her a mommy and a brother.

I didn’t explain it that way- those are Itsu’s words.

Laura and Akihiro are one year apart. And because she’s a clone- there’s no way of denying she’s part of my family. She looks a lot like me. Which makes Itsu love her even more. Even if she had another mother.

Itsu was just made for shit like that. At the same time during those precious few years- Jeanie got pregnant again, Rogue got pregnant (god we don’t know how that happened), and Wanda got pregnant but lost the baby.

Babies are literally everywhere. The x-men are family orientated more than ever.

Fuck even Bobby was talking about adopting with his “Boyfriend”- code word for ‘fiancée’ that ‘no one’ knows about.

Most of us ‘x-parents’ were going through the same shit.

And by shit, I mean ‘x-women getting pregnant’. These women are naturally strong and trained in like fifty million types of hand to hand combat. Try telling a pregnant Rogue that she can’t have the last of the ice cream. Or a pregnant Jean that she can’t take up the bathroom for five hours. You know what you get? Punched. You get punched.

Ororo moved away to Wakanda. T’challa was ‘smitten’ as soon as he laid eyes on her. Think they’re having a kid- now that I think about it.

And I think.. it was a girl. Yea. It’s a girl. We’ve got a trip planned to go see her when the baby gets here. So how do you balance raising a kid and saving the world?

It helps that Itsu is amazing. Truly amazing. She takes care of the home front when I can’t. It’s a lot to put on her... but she handles it well.

She doesn’t get to leave the house much.

And until the kids are in school- she really won’t get to have much of a job. That’s her decision- not mine. I let her do what she thought would be right for her. Her not getting out of the house is a shame though. I love it when we go out

In fact, it’s what lead me to take her to a Gala with me tonight. A night out for her away from the munchkins.

I hate going to these things but Chuck insists that at least one team be there. I drew the short straw.

Some fancy event with everyone dressed up in some stuffy opera house like thing watching a boring play and seeing some shitty art.

Bores the hell out of me. Not as much as the talking afterward, though.

Putting a face on the leading mutant team. Giving the people something they can positively relate to. (Chuck’s words)

Remy and Rogue are here somewhere. I don’t know where.

Knowing them? A night out without their little one? They have a two-year-old. You can bet they’ve snuck away to some random corner of the place to have at it. I offered the same to Itsu. She just raised her eyebrow and smiled.

I don’t think it was a ‘no’ necessarily. But... we’ll have to see. We were talking to this random guy- more her doing the talking than I was. I didn’t know who he was. He commented on how lovely my wife was. I thanked him, she smiled, we did what we were supposed to do. By all intents and purposes, I was on my best behavior.

Even when I saw Remy sneaking off to the parking lot with his very intoxicated wife. I wanted to join but noooo. I stayed. God knows someone had to.

Random guy struck up a conversation with her- asked if she had any kids.

I guess that’s a normal thing to ask a woman in her early thirties. I don’t know. It’s not like you can tell she’s had kids. She’s as fit as ever.

Itsu is so proud of our kids. She told him, quite happily, that we had two. Two amazing little miracles.

The man was all smiles. Said he’d recently become a grandfather and that there was no gift greater than children.

He obviously didn’t see when my ‘gift’ threw my phone in the toilet this morning and ran off giggling.

Whatever. Chuck wheels over and greets the man. Turns out he’s some kind of Prime Minister. Go figure. He’s looking at investing funding in the school- big deal. He asks if he can meet with Itsu and me over dinner to discuss it.

We were happy- we sealed the deal. It was as good as done. We of course agreed. However, as we’re parting, he says “And bring the little ones.” We had a shared moment of sheer panic.

Our kids?

Not well behaved.

Not even decently behaved.

Nowhere near Prime Minister level.

But he’d already walked away.

I turned to Itsu and said we could tell him they were both sick.

She agreed.

Chuck- on the other hand- said we had to bring the kids. The only reason the man was really interested was that we were a family. He liked that. We needed the ‘miracles’.

Fuck.

The dinner is set for two days from now.

And we are royally fucked.

“We’ll bribe them,” Itsu says, gripping my arm as we walk down the many, many concrete steps in front of the building. (Which is some ugly color of red that I can’t begin to identify.)

She’s dressed beautifully in a black silk gown that has a slit up the side that nearly reaches her hip. Strapless, low cut- all of my favorite things. Her hairs pinned up high on her head- which is amazing considering how long it is. At night I like to run my fingers through it. She usually lets Laura brush it before bed- god only knows why- but it’s one of the girl’s favorite things to do.

“Yea?” I pat her hand on my arm. “With what?” I made it a point to not dress as fancy as she did.

One- because I hate these things, and two- because Slim told me to so I have to do the opposite of what he told me.

They’re just lucky I’m not wearing jeans. “Anything.” She says. “Anything their hearts desire.” Her voice is calm and soothing. She’s got a plan. I know that sound anywhere.

“Pretty sure that’s world domination- babe,” I smirk. “Or candy. Who knows with those two?” Itsu sighs and closes her eyes.

“I can’t imagine Aki as a dictator.” She says, carefully reaching the last step. She didn't wear her heels tonight because it makes her a lot taller than me. I didn't mind but... she did. Whatever.

They're her feet. “He’s got too short of an attention span and too much love for his mommy.” I have to chuckle. “Laura could do it,” I say. Itsu nods. “Laura could do it.” Our girl could definitely be running shit some day.

Not that Aki couldn’t... but she likes she said- the boy’s got a very, very, VERY short attention span. I think he’d find it kinda boring. We walk back to our car, stewing on what we’re going to do.

The car is not what we started off with. It's more 'sensible'. Meaning 'boring and slow'. A journey? Who wants to drive a journey?

“We’ll make a list of acceptable things.” She says finally, buckling her seatbelt in our Dodge. She immediately kicks off her flats and pulls her feet under her in the seat. She can only be fancy for so long. I love that about her. “And they’ll follow the list.”

Yea.. that'll happen.

“Aki can’t follow simple directions.” I laugh, pulling out of the crowded parking lot. “How’s he going to follow a list?”

“We’ll bribe him.” She repeats. "There's got to be something he'll behave for."

I laugh again. "Let's see... toys? No. Candy? Not really. We have some luck with pancakes- but he won't eat them that late in the day...."

"We'll find something." She assures. "We have to start with him. Laura will follow suit."

“Hmm.... he’ll be easier than Laura,” I say in thought.

“Laura can be bribed with enough money,” Itsu says.

It’s true. Our girl has a thing for cash. She never uses it on anything- just hoards it. Like a tiny ferocious little dragon.

“So... bribing the kids,” I say. “That’s our plan?” “That’s our plan.” She nods. “No way that can backfire.” I laugh, taking her hand and holding it while I pull out into the road. “Have some faith.” She smiles radiantly. “The kids might surprise you.” I hope so. I doubt it- but I hope so. “You ever thought of making another?” I ask. “Getting a redo?” She shakes her head. “15 hours of labor with Aki. And I’ve still got stretch marks.”

“Barely.” I snort. She glares at me.

“Bribe the children.” She says, still glaring. “We get through an hour-long dinner, say we have to put them to bed, secure funding for the school and call it a night.”

I nod. “Sounds good, babe.”

She returns my nod. “God,” she says. “I won’t be sleeping tonight. I'm so nervous.”

“That makes two of us.” I joke.

She smirks. “Whatever will we do with all this alone adult time?”

I kiss her hand. “I can think of a few things.”

She can bet after all this kid talk we’ll be using a rubber. One Aki is more than enough. Add in one Laura to the mix and well.... it gets a little messy.

Wouldn’t trade it for the world, though. My life was pretty shitty before they came along. I wouldn’t go back if you paid me. That doesn’t mean the dinner’s not going to suck- it is. But... we’ll figure something out. We always do.

[thequeenoffools]

The price of Belonging

Chapter 1- 3/3/20

pg 13

There’s not a scent or sound I can attribute to my time in the shadows.

There’s not an image I can convey.

There’s no soundtrack- no song, no instrument, no refrain. Not even a tune.

The feelings are there though- under my fingertips. Running their ghost fingers over my flesh at the most inopportune times.

Bloodstains on cotton, cum stains on silk, the grit and filth of dirty footprints of some shithole village in some poor village in a far off Asian country that is not my own in my shower. The feeling of blood racing down my scalp- the feeling of someone's hands on me- both good and bad. The pleasure, the pain.

No place, no time, no second of my life- my entire life- was more thrilling than when I was with him.

To think he cared. To think he could grow to love me. If I were stronger. If I were smarter. If I were braver. If I were more...like him.

All the years of blood and sweat and tears and screams sent into the void- all of it- staring me back in the face. Daring me to forget. Daring me to move on. Daring me to try.

Turning my back on him... for however briefly- was the worst mistake of my life. He knows that. He has to know that. He was there- I was with him- and he was gone. Stolen. The kill should have been mine.

But Logan knew I wouldn’t do it.

California was about me finding myself- my own self. But it went down in flames. I was not who I was pretending to be.

The apocalypse brat- same story.

Once again doing things for a man who cannot show me the affection I seem to crave. Such wonderful male role models I’ve had in my life. Such wonderful examples of sanity. A beast and a narcissist. A sociopath. A psychopath. A megalomaniac. An abuser. And the father I could never have.

The father who even though I swear I want nothing to do with- I keep coming back to. Like tonguing a sore on the inside of your cheek- you know it’s there, you know it will hurt, yet you are unable to stop.

I was never meant to be on my own. In truth- I don’t know how to.

Everything he taught me- every bloodstain, every tear, every shattered bone, and torn cartilage- staring me in the face. Daring me to live.

The man who I wanted to love me more than anything- I didn’t care how. He could want me as a son. He could want me as a lover. He could want me as anything- I would have taken it.

He didn’t though.

He wanted a tool. A weapon.

Something that can be used against my father.

Something that could be used and then tossed.

Hands wiped clean.

My life was nothing to him.

All the whispered encouragements. All the soul-shattering beatings. Every bruise and fracture- crying out for his approval.

I never got it. Never even once.

All I wanted was to be seen as something of value. All I wanted was to be wanted. I would have done anything for him.

But the truth had to come out. Logan had to interfere and prove to me the side I was on was wrong. He couldn’t let me have this. He couldn’t... he couldn’t let me be. The him I was. The him I could have been. The him I am now- it’s not good enough for either of

them.

Two trips to the afterlife, family ‘scuffs’, loss of lovers, making friends, losing friends, finding a home, losing a home... moving from place to place to place. Love me. Someone. Look at me. Love me. Take me. Make me yours. Shape me. Mold me.

Nothing is the same. I couldn’t exist in his world forever. Part of me knew that.

He had an expiration date for everyone who was under his employ. Mine would have come sooner or later. My stupidity and childishness just brought it about sooner.

I wake in my five-star hotel room- with its complementary champagne and it’s high rise views- sweat-drenched. Over and over I dream of him. In the shadows. In my home. At his side.

Years and years spent pining for a man who did not love me. Who couldn’t love me. Who in his own fucked up way- just didn’t know how to. That’s giving him too much credit. He knew how. He just refused to.

To me- at any rate.

There were others in my upbringing. People he would toss me aside for in favor of spending my treasured moment with him for a backstabbing cold pleasurable moment with them.

Stay and train- Daken. If your bones don’t break- you’re not doing it hard enough. If you don’t bleed- how can you learn?

Recite. What did you see? What did you hear? What did you... what did you... what did you... recite. Repeat. Believe me. My word is your word. You speak when I tell you to- when I grant you the words. Recite. Recite. Recite.

He never wanted me. He wanted the me he was making. 60 years of work gone down the shower drain. All with the blood and- There’s a knock on the door, I hear it over the running water. I zone back into the moment. My head's always fucked after sex here lately.

“Be out in a minute!” I call, running a hand through my hair to get the shampoo out of it. It's been sitting there for long enough.

I face the shower head- the 'shower' is large enough for four grown men- since there's only two who use it- you could say it's a little spacey.

Gray tiles on the floor, brown tiles on the wall. A stainless steel showerhead that has five different settings, surrounded by an opaque shower curtain that always smells clean and fresh.

My toiletries are on the side of the shower in a metal shower wrack. Johnny keeps his on the floor of the shower next to the drain. Even though I've offered time and again to share the space.

It's not my space- after all. He's a gracious host for letting me use it.

The door to the bathroom opens. “Hey.” Johnny sits on the closed lid of the toilet.

The bathroom itself is rather large. All of the fixtures have an odd shine to them- Reed made them all fireproof. It's barely noticeable to the untrained eye. The floors are the same gray tiles from the shower and the sink is marble- or looks like marble. It's not actual marble. Johnny says he's 'not that fancy'.

I pull the curtain and smile. “Want to join?”

“In your post-sex shower?” Johnny raises an eyebrow. “I thought that was ‘don’t bother me Johnny’ time.”

I tilt my head to the side, letting the water run down my shoulders, soap curling along the lines of my tattoo and falling to my feet.

“If you know you’re not welcome- why are you here?” I ask.

“One,” He smiles. “It’s my bathroom. Two? I heard you whimpering.”

I glare at him. “I was not,” I say in disgust. "I do not whimper."

“Not in the shower.” He says before nodding his head to the open bathroom door. “In the bed.”

“I make noises during sex,” I say, closing the shower curtain and crossing my arms over my chest- holding myself. I'm hoping to stop this conversation in its tracks.

“Not those noises, you don’t.” He says. “What’s up?”

“Nothing.” I glance over to where I know him to be. “Just a noise.”

“Wonder why we stopped so abruptly?” He asks.

I look up at the ceiling. “No. But you’re going to tell me anyway- so get it over with.”

I hear him stand up a second before the shower curtain is slowly pulled back. “This is the second time you’ve cried during sex.” He says.

“I don’t ‘cry’, Johnny.”

He looks at me quizzically. “Oh, yea? Cause you were crying. And you’re holding yourself pretty tight in there.”

I lick my lip, in nervousness, but I’m trying to play it off as ‘sexy’. He reaches over and turns the water off. “I know what Fury asked you.” He says more seriously. That makes me go completely still.

“I know what it means to you.” He says. “No, You don’t,” I whisper.

“I know it hurts you.” He says. “You cry when you think of him during sex... and it’s happened twice within the last week- which is when Fury contacted you about heading down there.”

“Congratulations.” I murmur. “You’ve solved the case, Sherlock.” “You don’t have to see him,” Johnny says. “You’re not obligated. You can say ‘no’.” I weigh out my next sentence.

Before I can say anything, Johnny’s climbed into the shower behind me, wrapping his arms around me and holding me against his heat. “You are stronger than you give yourself credit for.” He says. “And that? That says something.” He kisses the side of my head. “But I’m not going to fuck you when you’re reliving some traumatic memory. If you have something like this going on- I want you to talk to me.” He says, squeezing me.

“Johnny..” “I know your moods.” He says. “Two years? Yea. I got the Daken game down pact.” I find myself smiling.

“And I know that every year we’ve been together and every year we’ve known each other- at this time of year- November- during the first two weeks- you’re more upset than usual. You hide in your apartment,” he kisses me again, “or you go out of town, so you can be alone. You don’t let people touch you. You don’t talk to anyone. You don’t react when we call you. You don’t take missions. You don’t spend any money.....”

I’m quiet before asking, “And?”

“And... now Romulus is saying he wants to talk to you. You. The first person he’s asked for after saying nothing for two years to anyone in a maximum maximum maximum security prison. Two years- he says nothing. Then at the beginning of his week- this November week... he asks for you.” Johnny kisses my shoulder. “What happened in November?” He asks.

I think about not telling him but... “It’s my birthday,” I say quietly. “The whole two weeks?” He asks. I turn and glare at him. “No Johnny. It didn’t take two weeks for me to be born.”

He nuzzles my neck. “Okay, so it’s your birthday.” He says. “On which day?” “.... The sixth.” I tell him, leaning more firmly into his hold. “So the first through the fourteenth is spent... celebrating you?” He asks. “Something like that.” I go quiet, thinking.

My birthday has never been ‘celebrated’. If anything I felt like he was punishing me for being born. Bringing up all my mistakes from the past year so I would be aware of what not to do in the year that followed. Endless torture and beatings for two weeks straight. No sleep. No food. No anything. Just him and I locked in his 'dungeon' as he made me feel like shit.

Normally people feel good about their birthdays.

Mine makes me nervous and uneasy.

Johnny holds me tightly. “You’re shaking.” He whispers.

I have to steel myself, calm my nerves.

“I’m fine,” I say.

“I’d feel better if you came and laid down with me.” He says. “Just so I can be sure.”

That makes me smile.

“I’ve got a plane to catch,” I say.

“Hmm... Nah.” He says.

I turn around and stare at him- taking him in for signs of joking. “What?”

He shakes his head. “Nah.” He says. “We’re celebrating your birthday. All fourteen days.” He smiles.

I try to hide my smile. “I really need to be going.” “I’ll rub your back.” He offers. “Johnny..” “Cook you breakfast.”

I just stare at him.

“Do all kinds of lovey-dovey couple shit you swear you hate but I know you really don’t.” he grins.

I sigh. “I’ve got to go, Jonathan,” I tell him. “I’ll see you when I get back- I promise.”

He gets down on his knees- which is awkward seeing as we’re both naked. “Then I want to do this now.” He says. “Especially now that I know it’s your birthday weeks.”

My heart stops beating. “Johnny-“ He takes my hand. “Stay.” He says. “With me. For always.” “You are not proposing to me, naked, in your shower, on my birthday,” I say.

“I had a whole night worked out.” He said. “But you were crying during sex and you were so upset that... well...” he shrugs. “I love you. You know I love you. I know you love me. Let’s get married.” He says. “Officially. Wedding with our friends and family-“ he stops. “Well... friends.” He catches his mistake. “Cake. Music. Shit like that. Let’s do it.”

My heart is in my throat. This is honestly something no one’s ever done to me before.

“What do you think?” He asks, a little nervously.

“I think...”

“There’s no pressure.” He says. “But I’m crazy about you. You know I am. I’d do anything for you. I want to spend as much time with you as humanly possible.”

74 years and this is the first time anyone’s asked to marry me. “You don’t want me,” I say. “Not forever. Why would you? I’m-“ “Amazing.” He says. “Moody.” I correct. “And-“ “Beautiful.” “Arrogant.” I keep going. “And-“ “Funny.” “Snarky.” “Wonderful.” He adds. “And cold.” “Warming up by the day.” He says with a smile. “And I have so much baggage-“ “Baggage? You have designer baggage.” He says. “It’s a completely different type of baggage.” I have to admit I’m smiling. “Stay.” He kisses my hand. “With me. For always.”

“Johnny- you don’t want to do this,” I tell him.

He kisses my hand, then my wrist, then my arm.

“I’ve never wanted anything more in my life.” He says certainly.

“You deserve someone who’s not... me,” I tell him. “Someone you can have kids with, and have a big wedding with, and who your family approves of, and who’s not... well... me.”

“We can have kids,” Johnny says. “We can have fifty kids. We can have a courthouse wedding for all I care. My family loves you-you're just too stubborn to accept it.” He looks me in the eyes. “And there is no one on EARTH I would rather do this with than you.”

We’re quiet for a moment. “So there’s someone in space?” I say quietly.

Johnny laughs. “No. Not in space, not in another galaxy, not in another dimension- you. Right here, in this room. You, sir.”

I watch him for a long moment. His smile, his bright blonde hair, his.... earnestness. Johnny’s the one person in my life who I know without a doubt has no ulterior motives for liking me. For... loving me.

“Stay.” He repeats. “I’ll get a ring, you can keep your last name, you can keep everything we have now. It’s just going to be legal. Nothing changes.”

I... all these years.... and I’ve never thought about it. I’ve dared to dream when I was younger that I would find someone who loved me enough to take me away from my life- it just never happened.

“Johnny-“

“I love you so much.” He says. “And I’ll love you even if you say no.” He smiles. “I just want you to know how much you mean to me.” He kisses my hand again. “Baggage and all.”

My mind races with thoughts- both negative and positive.

I love him. I do- there’s no denying it. Johnny’s gotten past every mask and wall I put up. He’s jumped every hurdle, his navigated every storm, he’s held my hand through every dark and bloody moment.

He gets off his knees. “You don’t have to answer now.” He says, kissing me on my cheek. “Just... come back to bed?” He asks with a smile.

I nod. He gets out of the shower and walks to the door. I have so many emotions going on- it’s hard to tell which one will come out on top. I love him. He loves me. I’m nowhere near as fucked up as I used to be.

I could have a good life.

Or... he could get tired of me. I could get hurt. I could get used. I could get-

But he’s Johnny. He wouldn’t hurt me. He wouldn’t use me. He wouldn’t-

“Johnny?” I call out to him.

“Yea?”

I swallow down my fears. “Yes,” I say.

“Yes?” He repeats. “Yes?”

“Yes.”

“Yes??” He laughs. “Awesome! I mean- yes. Yea. Great. That’s awesome.” He comes back to the shower and pulls me into his arms- pulling me out.

“Watch out!” I laugh as he tips us sideways on accident and we fall to the floor. “You said yes.” He grins, goofily. I kiss him. “Don’t make me regret it.” “You won’t- I promise.” He kisses me again.

“Good.”