Tough Love |Closed to MusicianKane|

[NekoMata]

Visual​

Dawn rose on a cold winter morning, the soft golden light rising on the suburban area of Westchester county. The soft sound of a sprinkler system could be heard somewhere on one of the massive lawns that surrounded the fenced in property of the large estate. The entirety of the property belonged to Xavier's School for Gifted Children, better known as the Xavier Academy. The academy was home to a number of Mutants of varying ages and offered to both teach and train them. The goal was to provide more members for the XMen, a team of mutants dedicated to protecting humanity from dangerous mutants as well as foster better human-mutant relations.

The main part of the estate was the large mansion that served as both school and dormitories. In one of the smaller single rooms at the back of the house the sound of running water could be heard. Soon enough the water cut off and moments later the door to the bathroom swung open. From the bathroom a woman with short auburn hair, broken by a soft white bang, emerged wrapped in a thick green towel.

Rogue had been awake since three that morning. It was not unusual for her to be up, she had trouble sleeping as it was, and adjusting to a new place was understandably difficult. Rouge had only been at the Academy for a month, and even now she still doubted the wisdom of deciding to come here. Pulling out the duffle bag she had yet to unpack she sorted through it for some clothes, thinking back on the past month.

Two months prior Rogue had been working with her adoptive mother, a mutant named Mystique for the Brotherhood, criminal mutants determined to solidify mutant kinds dominance over humanity. Rogue had been with Mystique and the Brotherhood since she was much younger, but it was only recently that she had begun to take part in the groups work. It was during this time that she first came face to face with the XMen and their leader Professor Charles Xavier. It had been Xavier who had first reached out to Rogue, offering her a home and place to train her powers and put them to good use. So far it felt like nothing but a waste of time.

Even in a home full of mutants she still felt out of place. Much like her lack of sleep she blamed that on her powers. Sighing she fastened her boots, before pulling her gloves on. Rogue's power was the ability to drain the abilities, personality, memories, and energy of anyone who made skin to skin contact with her. Because of that she had to keep her skin covered at all times and of course there was the fear.

Since the day she had arrived she had been aware of the fearful or disdainful looks she got from most of the other students and even a few of the teachers. No one trusted a girl who had not only once been a criminal but could kill someone and steal their powers simply by touching them. Sighing she headed out of her room and through the quiet hallways. It was only six o'clock and classes wouldn't start for the next three or four hours. Still there was on place she could go this early.

Descending to the mansions lower levels she headed to the off limits West Wing. Unlike many of the students Rogue was permitted access to the West Wing, or more specifically the Danger Room, when ever she felt the need to use it. It was there that she headed now, tapping in her personal code the door slid open. Even at this hour she was sure she would find the person she was looking for; the one person who didn't look at her with fear or pity.

"Logan...?"

 

[musicankane]

Logan was a man with a long and dark past. A history filled with violence and pain. A past he couldn't much remember before a certain point. Not much more than flickers even then. Anything after Weapon X was a haze, though he sometimes dreamt of wars past, World War 1 and 2, the cold war, every once in a while he would see himself in the civil war. Some might call it dreams but Logan knew better. He had lived a long time thanks to his mutant power.

Mutant. That's was he was, though some would rather call him an animal. Despite having his memory wipwiped when the government decided to put unbreakable metal on his bones and fuck his memory, Logan knew he was the product of a life of violence and pain.

Even now at four in the morning he was a whirlwind of violence. The danger room threw everything at him in the former of combat ready battle bots. The claws that burst from Logan's knuckles made short work of the Droid holograms it was the dodging of the laser cannons on the ceiling that where the hassle.

Yeah even after an unaturally long life, Logan was still fighting. Thought for the first time in his life, he was fighting for a reason, a reason a guy could get behind. Sure Xavier could be a full of himself dickbag but at least he was leading the chargeneral in a revolution of rights.

Sadly mutants were still fighting to be seen as equals, much like the blacks of the 50's. Mankind was having a hard time accepting mutants, Martin Luther King couldn't shoot laser beams out of his eyes after all. Oh well.

Logan was about to take on the final set of Droid when the program shivered and then terminated itself as the outer door opened revealing a young beautiful woman.

He straightened and glanced back toward her, knowing who it was just by her sscent and the fact that no one would dare bother him during training. No one but Rogue.

"Still can't sleep kid?" He asked moving to a wall where he had stashed a towel to wipe the sweat off his shit less body.

 

[NekoMata]

"Can I ever... But you're one to talk darlin... You sleep less than a owl during lemming season..."

The females voice came in the form of a soft and distinctintly southern drawl. Though she had not lived in the South since she was much younger the accent and syntax had never faded...nor did her love of colorful euphemisms. Despite her more...alternative...choice of appearance Rogue was still a Southern Belle through and through. Resting on hand on her leather clad hip the woman leaned her slender form against the wall, one boot clad foot resting flat on its surface. Almost absently nimble digits reached up to brush a stray strand of silvery white hair aside.

A wry smile curved purple tinted lips as Rogue watched Logan towel himself off. He knew her well enough by now to know about her issue...the endless nightmares and memories that seemed to weave themselves together when she slept. She was certain that he could tell that the dark rings around here eyes were only partially due to her makeup. Out of all the people she had met so far, he was the only one she ever seemed to get along with, mostly because he was the only one who talked to her other than the Professor. Canting her head to the side as she spoke she moved away from the wall and towards the center of the room. As she walked she gently rotated her neck and shoulder, joints popping slightly.

"Anyway... Mind if we do a lil training sugar...? I could use the workout..."

 

[musicankane]

"Nightmares...." Logan muttered as he nodded. He knew all about nightmares. Dreams of blood and war never ending. He shook his head and looked at the girl. He had been teaching her how to fight, she was taking to it quickly. It was a welcome distraction for them both, just to move their bodies and take out agression with their pasts

Logan had been taking the training easy on her though. Her mutant power wasn't much help in a fight, though Logan knew she would make an amazing spy if she wasn't so squeamish about her power. Not that he blamed her.

He lowered himself into a squat and balled his fists. "Fine Rogue. For training today I want you to try to knock me on my ass. Let's see if that combat technique is sticking." He smirked. Knowing she didn't have super strength nor any physical invulnerability meant Logan couldn't fight back much, but it also meant she would have to use skill to get him down.

"If you get me within ten minutes I'll take you to breakfast." He teased.

 

[NekoMata]

"My my...someone's as confident as a dog is a sheep pen... I'll try not to hurt you too bad darlin..."

Rogue chuckled softly as she stood in front of him, tugging her gloves to make sure they were on securely. Had he issued such a challenge to her a few months ago she would have feared for her life. But now. Now she had the power to face him if not the confidence. She was more than aware that the during morning sessions they had spent training together he had been taking it easy on her. Not that she was complaining. After all the mornings in the Danger Room were one of the few things at the Academy she looked forward to. Of course she had other training classes during the day, but those she either skipped or hung to the back doing only the bare minimum. The other students were already frightened enough of her as it is.

"Now y'all keep your claws to yourself if you please... I wouldn't want to get all scratched up before you take me to breakfast..."

Cracking her knuckles the female shifted into a fighting stance, her weight evenly distributed. She had ten minutes to take him down. Focusing her mind she decided to put what the Professor had been teaching her to use. As a result of her abilities when Rogue fully absorbed a person their memories, skills, and powers all formed a sort of sub-persona in her head. Before, anytime she attempted to rely on this sub-persona she would lose control, being taken over by it. But in the past month she had learned to keep control and now was as good a time as any to put that control to the test.

Reaching in to that part of her Rogue almost felt the mental shift as her mind kicked into to overdrive. The enhanced strength and physical resistance was the first to come, traits that were always active but that she payed very little attention to. Next came the tactical mindset, a quick analysis of various lethal and non-lethal ways to handle the task at hand. A faint flicker of a memory, blonde hair and sunshine, flashed in her mind but was quickly shoved away. She had no time for guilt.

Settling on a tactic Rouge grinned. Quickly she shifted her weight to her left leg, her body position changing as ran towards Logan. At first it seemed like she was simply intending to rush him. However at the last second she slid, her slender frame passing easily between his legs. Rolling into a handspring as she reached the other side she spun on her palms, snapping a swift kick to his back. She tried her best to only use enough energy to knock him into the wall as she had not yet fully developed an idea of her own physical strength. But even so she doubted she could do any permanent damage with his healing factor.

 

[musicankane]

Wolverine had taught Rogue comcombat tactics over the past few weeks. Not to mention all the memories she might be digging through from Danvers. He knew better than to think she would run straight at him. When she slid between his legs he tensed for a moment fearing she would kick him in the balls, which is what he would have done if it had been him.

Instead she kicked him in the back sending him staggering forward, stumbling as he fought for balance. He felt a disk in his spine pop into place as he spun toward her. He leapt at her as she tried getting to her feet. The kick had shifted her legs off ready and she didn't have time to react as he landed with his knee into her stomach.

What he loved best about sparing with rogue was the fact that he couldn't really hurt her. Sure he could toss her around and bang her into shit, but other than maybe knock the wind from her lungs he didn't have the power to hurt her. Not that he wanted too of course.

It meant that he could go at her as hard as he could and never fear causing her harm. It was a shame Rogue couldn't touch people because with her durability she would be an amazing girl to fuck like a beast.

Almost instantly after he landed on her, Logan leapt away. He had to use a hit and run strategy with her because she had the power to simply toss his ass through the room like he was nothing more than a baseball.

 

[NekoMata]

Rogue had barely regained her balance before her Seventh Sense kicked in. She was barely able to get her arm up in time to block part of the knee that Logan had aimed for her stomach. Her arm pressed back into her abdomen, the area of her forearm that stood between him and her core stinging from the blow. For a moment she realized just how lucky she was to be so durable, otherwise that block might have been enough to snap her bones. Instead she simply slid back a few feet. She had almost forgotten just how tough the adamantium that made up his skeleton was.

Shaking her arm a bit she shifted back into her stance watching as he jumped away to put some distance between them. She had seen Logan fight before so she knew how fast and agile he was and how tough. She could try to catch him off guard but his senses were pretty sharp so the chance of her successfully surprising him were pretty low. She had gotten in one unexpected move already, she doubted she'd be able to land a second blow. But what if she didn't need to make contact.

With the new plan forming in her mind she grinned. Dropping her hands to her sides she ran towards him once again, closing the space between the two of them quickly. When she was finally within striking range she shifted stance, putting her weight on her right leg and using her momentum to snap a spinning kick at his chest. However she had measured the movement, knowing it would come up just short of hitting him. As her foot landed again she felt the energy build in her hands with a single blast she aimed a burst of concussive energy at his chest, tossing him across the room.

 

[musicankane]

Logan grunted as he dodged Rogue's second kick, only to have her swing a concussive blast into him. He felt the rush of air flying past himself as the force sent him sailing through the air. He was helpless mid-air, unable to do anything except twist. But that was all he needed to do. He got his legs out behind him, landing on the wall almost as if he could stick to it like Spider-man, with a roar he pushed off, reversing that energy in a moment and sending himself flying back toward Rogue with lightning speed.

For a second he almost popped his claws, almost letting the instincts driving him into a killing frenzy. He instead slammed his fist into her chest, lifting her up into the air briefly before slamming her into the ground hard enough that the damn floor shook. He smirked as he looked down at her, "I love a girl that can fight. Who taught you that shit?" He teased, holding his palm on her chest just above the swells of her firm, full breasts, holding her to the floor.

Of course Rogue was letting him do it, she could lift him with a single hand if she wanted to. But limiting strength was only fair in a sparing match, no fun when you knew you could end the fight in moments should you push hard enough. Not that Logan was an easy man to kill, or stop, it was all about limits.

He bent down and leaned his face really close to hers, knowing she wouldn't dare push up at him for fear of her skin touching his. "Tell you what kid. I'm hungry and I wouldn't mind the company. Why don't we just go get food anyway? My treat."

 

[NekoMata]

Rogue cursed softly as he shot of the wall and back towards her. He was pretty goddamned prepared it seemed. Just as the green energy of another blast flared into existence around her hands she felt his fists slam into her chest, glad that it was just that and not his claws. Her feet left the ground for a moment before her back slammed back into the ground. She could feel the shock travel through her frame, the pain minimal but still there. As he pinned her to the floor Rogue huffed a breath, blowing her hair back from from her eyes.

"Damn darlin... I like to play rough but that was like being run over by a bull..."

Laughing lightly the woman glance back at the wall, where a timer was counting down the final two minutes of the ten minute count. Of course Logan had offered to give her the prize either way but she wouldn't feel right unless she earned it. How else was she going to be able to gloat about it later. Reaching up she rested her glove clad hands on his shoulders.

Lean legs slid up around his waists and tightened slightly around it. With a single movement she lifted him with her legs flipping him over her and depositing him none to gently flat on his back on the ground. Chuckling she glanced down at him as she straddled his waist. The alarm flashed a few times emitting a soft beep to signal that time had indeed run out.

"Breakfast...?"

 

[musicankane]

Logan chuckled as he looked up at the pretty young girl on his waist. His skull rang a little from the impact of her flip but it faded quickly. "Might wanna be careful sitting on a man like that. Pretty little thing like you is bound to cause a reaction you might not like." He told her, his eyes uncontrollably roaming over her body. It really wasn't fair that she couldn't touch anyone without killing them. That body of hers could drive a man to drink, not being able to touch it.

Wolverine shook his head and rolled her off of him with a buck of his hips, "Alright girl, get off of me you smell like a sweaty Canadian." He rose to his feet and looked at her. He made a show of sniffing the air and frowned, "Aww shit, never mind I guess that's me."

He moved toward the exit of the danger room and waved over his shoulder, "I'll meet you out front in fifteen minutes. Gotta wash up." He told her.

 

[NekoMata]

Rogue shook her head a bit at his comment, a faint smile playing on her lips. Still when he bucked her off she stood easily, absently tubbing her still slightly sore chest with a hand. As he sniffed she covered her mouth with her hand a soft laugh escaping her. So far Logan was one of the onl people who had heard her laugh, or seen her smile for that matter. Usually she was more reserved, but that was because she was always worried about someone judging her or worse. But with him she felt comfortable, maybe even safe. Brushing her hair from her eyes she shoved the thought aside. It didn't matter either way. He was her teacher after all and the two only got along so well because of their similarly darkened pasts. Besides it wasn't like she could ever touch him anyway.

Still she couldn't help but let her eyes trail over his sweaty form as he stood in front of her. He was muscular and admittedly very attractive even if he was much much older than her. From all the time they spent training she also knew just how powerful and aggressive he was. For a moment her mind flashed back to how it had felt to be pinned beneath his powerful frame. As her mind began to drift she shook her head a bit, rubbing the back of her neck as she fought back the urge to blush.

"Well I'm glad you're a gentleman then... See you in fifteen...and remember darlin you should never keep a lady waiting... Especially if that lady can blast your ass half way across the property..."

As she spoke she slipped past him and out the door, heading up the hallway. She waved over her shoulder absently as she headed away. Vaguely she felt a slight pressure at the base of her skull that seemed to be spreading slightly behind her eyes. She sighed softly. A headache was just what she needed.

 

[musicankane]

Wolverine showered quickly, scrubbing himself with a special bar of soap that he had made for him. He was a gruff guy, and often times he smelt like a gruff guy so he had a custom soap shop make him some extra strong soaps to clean himself with so that he could smell like a normal man for a while and not gag everyone he walked past. Of course he could never tell if his stronger man scent was just because he could smell like a bloodhound and was over estemating how well other people could smell him.

Bobby Drake often told him he smelt like a wet dog, but that was because Bobby was an asshole.

Either way Logan washed up and dressed in his usual casual standard. A flannel button up shirt that barely remained buttoned on his broad chest, and dark blue jeans. He topped it off with a black leather belt and a dark brown cowboy hat. He looked very Canadian, or from Texas. Perfect.

He headed downstairs expecting to find that Rogue was not yet waiting for him. Woman after all, always had to make a man wait. To his surprise she was not only there, but looked to have been there for some time.

He spread his hands wide and shook his head, "Was my shower really that long?" He asked her with a smirk. "Before you say anything know that I couldn't bare the thought of going into public with you smelling like a werewolf."

 

[NekoMata]

Rogue looked up as Logan approached, pushing off of the wall with one hand. She hadn't been waiting for to long to be honest, no more than five or ten minutes. She would have gotten there a bit later but on her way to her room from the Danger Room she had run in to Scott. As always the man had a way of irking her, this time attempting to lecture her on her lack of attendance and effort in most of her classes. After two minutes of his rant Rogue had enough and literally jumped out of a nearby open window. Of she hadn't gotten the hang of her flying talent the jump from the third story probably would have ended a bit more painfully. But anything was better than being nagged at.

"No worries darlin... Besides I kinda like the way you smell... It's more like the woods than a dog smell..."

Rogue chuckled softly folding her arms beneath her chest. She thought it was kind of cute that he was frequently so worried about his smell. She was starting to think it was just his sense of smell getting to him, after all she had never really smelled more from him than a sort of earthy scent that got a bit heavier when he was sweaty. It was oddly soothing to her because in a way it reminded her of her home.

"Shall we get going... I'm trying to avoid Scott jawing at me until my brain melts... He nags like an ornery mother hen..."

 

[musicankane]

Wolverine wanted to snarl at the mention of Scott's name. Though he could respect the guy as a leader and teammate, something about Scott just rubbed everyone the wrong way. Everyone except Jean. It was like having a giant stick in the mud all the fucking time around you. You'd think a guy that got to fuck the shit out of a hottie like JEan Grey would at least be a little less uptight.

"That guy is wound tighter than a guitar string. His intentions are good, but he comes across like the world's biggest douchebag." Logan snorted and walked past Rogue out the front of the mansion. "Come on I think I smell some bacon with my name on it."

He took her out to his jeep and opened the door for her. He drove downstate a little ways. Enough to get them both far enough away from the mansion to feel like they had escaped. Logan had a favorite little breakfast house diner in Birmingham, New York.

Once they were seat in Logan's usual booth he smiled across the table at Rogue. "Get whatever you like, but take my advice and stay away from the decaf. Shit's probably older than me."

 

[NekoMata]

Rogue followed behind Logan as they left the mansion, making their way across the property before finally exiting out of the gate. As she hopped in the car she uttered a soft slow exhale. Nothing ever felt better than ditching the Academy for a while. Sure she was paranoid being around humans, but all we ha to do then was make sure no one accidentally touched her. With her face the only skin exposed that shouldn't be to hard a task. Outside of the Academy no one knew who she was, what she could do, and for a little wild she could just pretend to be normal.

Eventually they stopped at a small and rather quaint breakfast diner. Following Logan inside she slid into the booth just across from him. Her gaze went first out the window, a habit she'd picked up from Mystique, before turning back to him. Picking up the menu she glanced at it absently. Her headache felt like it was getting worse. Probably the lack of sleep getting to her.

"I don't believe in Decaf... I want bacon but I swear if y'all try to touch it I'll put a fork in you..."

 

[musicankane]

Logan grinned and raised a hand, "I wouldn't dream of it Rogue." The waitress came by stinking of coffee, and stale toast to take their orders. She gave Rogue a dirty look before smiling brightly at Logan. The waitresses loved Logan probably because he looked tough enough to protect them from the truck drivers should things get crazy in here. Plus he was a good tipper.

Logan ordered, Rogue ordered and the waitress disappeared only to reappear with drinks.

Logan took a big sniff of his coffee, letting it fill him and overpower even his nose. He smiled and leaned back in the booth. "This is what it's all about. Good coffee, good food, and pretty company." He said looking at Rogue with a smile.

Then he sighed and leaned forward again. "So when you leaving the mansion Rogue?" She blinked at him and he continued, "Look it doesn't take much to see how uncomfortable you are there, the Xavier thing isn't for everyone and no one will hate you for leaving. For what it's worth though, I think it would be worth sticking it out. Ignore Scott and talk with Xavier, if anyone can figure out a way to help you control the powers and the memories it's him. Together he and Hank can solve just about anything. It just may take some time. You feel me?"

 

[NekoMata]

Rogue sat back in her seat, her gaze going out the window as they waited for their food and coffee. When the waitress returned with the strong scented brew Rogue barely glanced at the woman, not in the mood to be death glared at for the second time. Reaching out she grabbed her coffee, barely feeling the warmth of the mug through the leather of her gloves. Adding sugar to her coffee, she was stirring the steaming liquid when Logan surprised her with his inquiry. She glanced up for a moment before setting her spoon down and gazing out the window.

"To be honest darlin I haven't even made up my mind... I mean the Professor has been helping me with learning to control the memories...but there's only so much he can do without going in my head... Y'all know I'm not letting anyone in there... Besides I'm about as cut out for playing good as a wolf at being a vegetarian... No matter how much of a positive spin y'all want to put on it my power is essentially to kill people and take everything they ever were..."

Turning back she took a sip of her coffee before simply cradling the mug in her hands. She had come to terms with her powers over the years, after all there was nothing she could do to get rid of them. Living with them was hard enough as it was. Never being able to touch anyone or even get close to anyone because they always feared what she could do.

"But I don't really have that much of a choice... I don't think y'all understand what coming to y'all side meant... I walked away from the Brotherhood...from Mystique... They'll hold on to that tighter than a bulldog... I don't know about y'all bit I'm not of a mind to be hunted... Besides...for now I'd prefer to be hated to being alone..."

 

[musicankane]

Logan listened to the sorrow in her voice, as if she had resigned to being a defeated little girl. It made him angry especially when she was smarter than that. He lifted his hand and reached for hers. He cupped his hands around hers and looked her in the eyes.

"You think that's what your power is for?" He asked her, "To kill? So tell me then what use are guns? Do you think police officers are evil because they have the tools to do so? How about these?" He pulled a hand away and held up his fist, then let his three metal claws burst forth. "Do these make me evil?"

He put the claws away and sat back. "Rogue no matter how sorry you feel, or how dangerous think you are, I have you beat a thousand to one. I've spend multiple lifetimes killing people, some for a reason true, others because I couldn't control my rage."

He leaned forward again and looked into her eyes. "You think I am evil? Listen I know you feel alone, but I've been there darlin', I've been there a million times over. There is hope, you can change and you can atone for things you think you've done."

He leaned back as the food was set down between them. "If anyone gives you shit, stand up to them, fuck Cyclops kick him in the dick so he can't brag about fucking that red head anymore."

 

[NekoMata]

"I'm glad at least one of us is able to look at the situation optimistically..."

Rogue smiled faintly as she took another sip of her coffee. Absently shoving a gloved hand through her hair she pushed her bang from her face, leaning back in her seat as she did so. Sitting her coffee back down she glanced out the window once more. Logan could spout off as mic as he wanted about the way she saw her powers, but no matter how much of a positive light he or anyone else tried to put on it she was not so naive. She had long come to terms with what her powers did. No matter how much she desired to be anything else her powers defined her as a killer, reluctant or not. She couldn't even have normal contact with people because the moment she made physical contact with anyone the chance that she would kill them was high. It was an inescapable fact.

"Ah but it don't matter a lick either way... You're the first person I've gotten along with like this is a while... So long as you've got my back darlin' I think I can manage to stick around..."

This time her smile was genuine as she rested her arms in front of her on the table. Sure Logan was gruff and temperamental, but for all his flaws and faults he was the only one who didn't treat her differently.