![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
Entry tags:
Fic: Through the Fire (Magneto/Rogue, comicverse)
Title: Through the Fire
Author:![[livejournal.com profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/external/lj-userinfo.gif)
willowaus
Character/Pairing: Magneto/Rogue
Verse: 616, after Uncanny X-Men 275 but before X-Men (2cnd series) #1
Rating: M
Word Count: 2,559
Summary: Rogue's lessons with Magneto progress and take a turn she didn't expect. Sequel to Heaven
A/N: Many thanks tosionnain for looking this over. :)
Rogue awoke to the alarm sounding and bolted upright, blinking blearily. "Are we under attack?" she asked, watching as Erik allowed his uniform to mold to his skin. She pulled the sheet tight around her body, flushing as she realized she was still naked. Put yourself together.
"Your rescue team, I believe." His helmet glided over to him and she pursed her lips, trying to wrap her mind around that, as he placed it on his head. "I suggest you dress."
"I don't understand why you think they are coming to get me, Erik." She pulled on her clothes and followed him out of the room. "I've kept up with my transmissions. They promised they wouldn't come unless they believed I was in danger."
She was pulled forward and he ran his hand down her back, causing her to shiver. "And that is the problem, Rogue. They believe you are in danger," he informed her, and waved his hand, the alarms stopping. He continued through the base, stopping in his office and motioned for her to take a seat as he continued to stand, staring at the doorway. She silently obeyed, unsure what he was expecting to happen, tensing at the distinct sound of Wolverine's claws unsheathing.
Magneto waved his hand and the door slid open, revealing Wolverine, Cyclops and Xavier. "There is no need for such theatrics, Wolverine," Magneto stated, and Rogue watched as her friend tried to move forward but was unable, growling angrily.
"Erik," she admonished, placing a hand on his arm, sighing as the others were allowed to enter.
"I am not allowed to come and visit and old friend?" Xavier asked, stopping a few feet from them, his attention solely on Magneto. Cyclops stood beside him, mouth tight and she knew he didn't want to be here. Wolverine looked as though he was ready to gut Erik.
Magneto's eyes narrowed and he crossed his arms. "Desist with the act, Charles. You have come to take Rogue home." He turned, looking down at her. "I am not forcing you to stay, am I, my dear?"
"No." She looked at the others. "He ain't."
"You are manipulating her." Xavier still wasn't looking at her.
"He is not," Rogue protested, balling her fists in her lap.
"Darlin', you don't know what you're saying," Wolverine interrupted, taking a step towards her before he was unable to move again.
"I know perfectly well what I'm sayin', Logan." She frowned, shaking her head in annoyance. This was ridiculous.
"He is using your greatest need against you," Xavier stated, and she turned towards him, narrowing her eyes in anger.
"He ain't the one trying to make me choose what I want or forcing me to do something," she replied, unable to believe they were doing this. "That'd be you. I didn't ask for any of your help. I've been keeping up with my calls. I wasn't in any danger. Y'all said you would let me make my own decisions. This ain't doing that."
"I believe you should leave now, Charles." Magneto placed his hand on her shoddier, gently squeezing it. Wolverine growled, eyes narrowing dangerously.
"We ain't going without Rogue," Wolverine stated, looking at her.
"Yeah, y'all are, Logan," she interrupted, and stood, walking over to him. "I'm a big girl. I'll come back to the mansion when I'm good and ready."
He stared intently at her. "What happened to calling it home?"
"What happened to you trusting me?" Rogue replied, shaking her head, wanting them to see how they were treating her like a child, that all they were doing was pushing her away.
"Rogue," Xavier said, his voice eerily calm and she turned to look at him. "You are not in the right state of mind to make this decision."
"What gives you the right to say if I am or not?" she countered, taking a step backwards, wanting to feel Erik nearby.
"It is time for you to leave, Charles," Magneto stated, motioning the door open. "You may do so of your own volition or I shall help. Either way, you are no longer welcome aboard." His arm slipped around Rogue's waist, pulling her close.
"Get your hands off her," Wolverine growled, unsheathing his claws and pointing them at Magneto.
Rogue placed her hand over Magneto's and shook her head. "I'll come back when I'm ready, Logan. Don't force me to choose." She gave a tentative smile, silently urging him to understand. "You know I don't do well with ultimatums."
Wolverine didn't move, gaze locked with hers for a few moments before nodding. "Let's go."
"That's not your call, Wolverine," Cyclops stated, finally speaking.
"No, but it is mine." Magneto motioned with his hand, sending the three of them forward and crashing through the station.
"Erik!" Rogue cried out, eyes widening as he stepped forward, sending her backwards and sealing the room behind him as he exited. "Damn it." She growled and slammed into the door, effectively breaking it and flew through the base, trying to find them.
She made it to the hanger bay and glared as she spotted him outside in space, sending the X-Jet back towards Earth. "That was stupid," she informed him, as he entered the base, closing the bay doors. She really wanted to tear that damn helmet off of his head. "You had no justifiable reason to force them to leave."
"This is my home, Rogue. I will do as I see fit," he stated, looking down at her. She hated that she couldn't see his expression.
"And basically throwing them out the door seemed like a good idea to you?" She shook her head, sighing exasperatedly. "All you've done is provoke them."
"You were free to leave with them. I am not forcing you to stay." His voice was hard and she placed her hand on his arm.
"Erik, god, you are such a stubborn man." She leaned into him, wrapping her arms around him. "I ain't leaving." Not yet.
"Not yet," he murmured, rubbing a hand down her back. "You will though, Rogue. Once you have seen who I am."
Rogue shook her head, looking up at him. "Erik. I know who you are. I've seen what you have done. You are Magneto. I know that."
He looked down at her, his expression barely visible in the shadows of his helmet. "Do you?"
"You were Magneto when you ran the school, sugah," Rogue replied, shrugging.
"No." He shook his head, entire body stiffening. "That was a facade. I was weak."
"Erik..." Her eyes widened at that, unable to believe he'd thought that. "That wasn't weak."
"The New Mutants were devastated. Doug Ramsey was killed." He disentangled himself from her embrace and began walking back through the hallway.
"That wasn't your fault," she countered, and started after him, quickening her pace in order to keep up.
"I will not sit by as countless more of our kind die."
"What do you plan on doing then?" Rogue reached out, placing a hand on his arm in an attempt to calm him. "Full scale war? A revolt? All that'll do is kill countless mutants."
He stilled and she shivered at the intensity of his gaze. "The sacrifice of a few for the greater good."
"That's crap, Erik." She shook her head, unable to understand.
"That is war."
"We ain't at war!" she protested, stamping her foot for added effect.
He grasped her shoulders, shaking her. "How can you be so blind? The Friends of Humanity, Graydon Creed, Genosha..." She stiffened at the mention of that country, eyes widening in silent terror. "What is wrong?" he asked, his voice gentle.
"Nothing," she replied, pulling away from him and started back down the hallway.
"You are lying." Erik followed her, catching her arm and whirling her around to face him.
She refused to look at him. "I don't want to talk about it."
"What happened to you in Genosha?" He grabbed her chin, tilting her head up and she averted her gaze not wanting to see his face.
"Nothing. I got out. I'm fine." She nodded, repeating the words in her mind, desperate to remember that she was no longer the Genoshan's captive.
"What did they do?" he demanded, his voice hard.
Rogue shrugged out of his grip, crossing her arms defensively. "I don't remember much. Carol kind of took over. Got me out."
"What did they do?" he asked again, his eyes narrowed and she didn't like the silent rage she saw there.
"Logan and I were there. Captive." She didn't want to say anymore.
"Captive?" His hand grasped her chin, lifting her head. She wasn't sure when she'd averted her gaze.
"They got a little...a little rough. A little touchy-feely." She pulled away from him, trying not to tremble.
He balled his hands into fists. "And you ask me why I think we are at war."
"They are one nation," she countered, shaking her head.
"And one is far too many," he replied, stepping towards her.
She didn't like his dark expression and stepped back, hitting the wall. "Erik, you're scaring me."
"Perhaps you should have left with them," he informed her, eyes narrowing dangerously.
"No." She shook her head, placing her hands gently on his chest.
"Do you know what I would like to do to them?" He asked, tracing a gloved finger down her cheek. "To those humans." There was so much disgust in his voice as he said that word. It made her shiver, stomach churning.
"Erik..." She didn't know what to say, torn between his hardened expression and his gentle touch.
"I will not allow the camps to come into existence again. For my people to be led to the slaughter." He sneered, though not at her. It was as though he was remembering something. She had a feeling he was.
"So you'll simply kill countless innocent people?" she asked, tugging his helmet off. She wanted to see his eyes clearly.
"No one is innocent, Rogue." He stilled her movement, lowering the helmet to the floor, hand slowly tracing down her throat.
"Children are," she countered, hands once again on his shoulders.
"A casualty of war."
She shuddered at that, looking down. "How can you be so cold?"
"That is the way of war, Rogue. I did not make the rules." He sounded tired and she traced the skin around his eyes, frowning at the exhaustion she saw there.
"No, but that doesn't mean you can't be better than the rest of them," she argued, keeping her voice calm.
"I tried to do so and all that allowed for was blood on my hands." His expression darkened, touch becoming slightly rougher.
"You ever think you should have tried harder?" She tried to make that light but had a feeling she failed.
He sighed, pressing his forehead to hers. "This is a circular argument."
"You are a stubborn ass," she whispered, wrapping her arms around him in a silent show of support.
"I would love for you to be right, Rogue," he murmured, against her hair. "Our people need a leader, Rogue."
"And what's to say you're that man?" she argued, pulling back from him, wanting to see his face.
"What says that I am not?" He tugged her back to him, wrapping his arm around her waist and squeezing her gently. "I will do what I must in order for our people to survive. It is best you realize that now."
Rogue bit her lip, not wanting to think about the methods he was use, knowing she needed to. "Erik...I." She pushed herself away from him again, unable to think with him so close. "Hurting others can't be the answer. It just can't."
"Then tell me what I should do, Rogue," he demanded, grasping her hands in his gloved ones. "Charles' way did not work. We have already discussed that. What would you have me do?"
"I don't know," she replied, looking wildly up at him. "But war can't be it, Erik." She tried to move away from him but he pressed her back against the wall. If she truly wanted to, she knew she could use her strength, but she resisted.
"You do not want it to be." His hand was in her hair again, slowly caressing, his voice hypnotic. "There is no other way. You must realize that."
"No." She shook her head adamantly. "There has to be another way. The Professor..."
"Charles is a fool." His expression hardened. "Peace can only come after war, after victory. Not before."
"No." She maneuvered herself past him, pleased he didn't follow her and made her way to her room. Sitting down on the bed, she stared out at the Earth below, uncertain what she was supposed to do. She did not agree with him and hated that parts of what he said made sense. That only scared her, forcing her to remember Xavier's earlier assessment that Magneto was trying to indoctrinate her. She didn't think he was doing so on purpose, it was just so much a part of him. Frowning, she laid back on the bed and closed her eyes, knowing this was only going to get harder, whatever this was.
Staring up at the ceiling she frowned, wanting her certainty back in Xavier's dream, wanting her world of absolutes. She couldn't see everything in black and white, everything was a shade of gray now and she had no clue which path she was supposed to take. Being with Erik meant she was also with Magneto. She didn't know how that had escaped her until now. It meant that she would need to determine a way to deal with this issue, with his fixation on mutant rights. She didn't have any idea how she would do so. War wasn't something she was willing to stand behind. Killing people, innocent people, she couldn't wrap her brain around that becoming necessary.
She tried to understand his reasoning, she knew his experience in Auschwitz gave him a different perspective but--she shook her head, punching the pillow angrily beneath her. "No."
There was a knock on her door and she sat up. "You can come in, Erik," she murmured, smoothing back her hair.
The door slid open and she was pleased to see he was no longer wearing his uniform. "When do you wish to return?" he asked, his expression guarded.
"Huh?" Rogue sighed and stood, wrapping her arms around him and rested her head against his chest. "Erik. Just cause I'm frustrated doesn't mean I want to leave." He was still tense beneath her, arms at his sides and she pulled back. "Unless you want me to leave." She nodded, looking away from him, forcing herself not to cry. "Right." She turned, intent on getting her bag. Of course.
He grasped her arm, tugging her back to face him and pulled her close, resting his head on top of hers. "We'll make this work," she told him, pressing her face into his chest. Magneto didn't respond, merely caressed her hair, holding her close. "Somehow. We can."
Author:
willowausCharacter/Pairing: Magneto/Rogue
Verse: 616, after Uncanny X-Men 275 but before X-Men (2cnd series) #1
Rating: M
Word Count: 2,559
Summary: Rogue's lessons with Magneto progress and take a turn she didn't expect. Sequel to Heaven
A/N: Many thanks to
sionnain for looking this over. :)Rogue awoke to the alarm sounding and bolted upright, blinking blearily. "Are we under attack?" she asked, watching as Erik allowed his uniform to mold to his skin. She pulled the sheet tight around her body, flushing as she realized she was still naked. Put yourself together.
"Your rescue team, I believe." His helmet glided over to him and she pursed her lips, trying to wrap her mind around that, as he placed it on his head. "I suggest you dress."
"I don't understand why you think they are coming to get me, Erik." She pulled on her clothes and followed him out of the room. "I've kept up with my transmissions. They promised they wouldn't come unless they believed I was in danger."
She was pulled forward and he ran his hand down her back, causing her to shiver. "And that is the problem, Rogue. They believe you are in danger," he informed her, and waved his hand, the alarms stopping. He continued through the base, stopping in his office and motioned for her to take a seat as he continued to stand, staring at the doorway. She silently obeyed, unsure what he was expecting to happen, tensing at the distinct sound of Wolverine's claws unsheathing.
Magneto waved his hand and the door slid open, revealing Wolverine, Cyclops and Xavier. "There is no need for such theatrics, Wolverine," Magneto stated, and Rogue watched as her friend tried to move forward but was unable, growling angrily.
"Erik," she admonished, placing a hand on his arm, sighing as the others were allowed to enter.
"I am not allowed to come and visit and old friend?" Xavier asked, stopping a few feet from them, his attention solely on Magneto. Cyclops stood beside him, mouth tight and she knew he didn't want to be here. Wolverine looked as though he was ready to gut Erik.
Magneto's eyes narrowed and he crossed his arms. "Desist with the act, Charles. You have come to take Rogue home." He turned, looking down at her. "I am not forcing you to stay, am I, my dear?"
"No." She looked at the others. "He ain't."
"You are manipulating her." Xavier still wasn't looking at her.
"He is not," Rogue protested, balling her fists in her lap.
"Darlin', you don't know what you're saying," Wolverine interrupted, taking a step towards her before he was unable to move again.
"I know perfectly well what I'm sayin', Logan." She frowned, shaking her head in annoyance. This was ridiculous.
"He is using your greatest need against you," Xavier stated, and she turned towards him, narrowing her eyes in anger.
"He ain't the one trying to make me choose what I want or forcing me to do something," she replied, unable to believe they were doing this. "That'd be you. I didn't ask for any of your help. I've been keeping up with my calls. I wasn't in any danger. Y'all said you would let me make my own decisions. This ain't doing that."
"I believe you should leave now, Charles." Magneto placed his hand on her shoddier, gently squeezing it. Wolverine growled, eyes narrowing dangerously.
"We ain't going without Rogue," Wolverine stated, looking at her.
"Yeah, y'all are, Logan," she interrupted, and stood, walking over to him. "I'm a big girl. I'll come back to the mansion when I'm good and ready."
He stared intently at her. "What happened to calling it home?"
"What happened to you trusting me?" Rogue replied, shaking her head, wanting them to see how they were treating her like a child, that all they were doing was pushing her away.
"Rogue," Xavier said, his voice eerily calm and she turned to look at him. "You are not in the right state of mind to make this decision."
"What gives you the right to say if I am or not?" she countered, taking a step backwards, wanting to feel Erik nearby.
"It is time for you to leave, Charles," Magneto stated, motioning the door open. "You may do so of your own volition or I shall help. Either way, you are no longer welcome aboard." His arm slipped around Rogue's waist, pulling her close.
"Get your hands off her," Wolverine growled, unsheathing his claws and pointing them at Magneto.
Rogue placed her hand over Magneto's and shook her head. "I'll come back when I'm ready, Logan. Don't force me to choose." She gave a tentative smile, silently urging him to understand. "You know I don't do well with ultimatums."
Wolverine didn't move, gaze locked with hers for a few moments before nodding. "Let's go."
"That's not your call, Wolverine," Cyclops stated, finally speaking.
"No, but it is mine." Magneto motioned with his hand, sending the three of them forward and crashing through the station.
"Erik!" Rogue cried out, eyes widening as he stepped forward, sending her backwards and sealing the room behind him as he exited. "Damn it." She growled and slammed into the door, effectively breaking it and flew through the base, trying to find them.
She made it to the hanger bay and glared as she spotted him outside in space, sending the X-Jet back towards Earth. "That was stupid," she informed him, as he entered the base, closing the bay doors. She really wanted to tear that damn helmet off of his head. "You had no justifiable reason to force them to leave."
"This is my home, Rogue. I will do as I see fit," he stated, looking down at her. She hated that she couldn't see his expression.
"And basically throwing them out the door seemed like a good idea to you?" She shook her head, sighing exasperatedly. "All you've done is provoke them."
"You were free to leave with them. I am not forcing you to stay." His voice was hard and she placed her hand on his arm.
"Erik, god, you are such a stubborn man." She leaned into him, wrapping her arms around him. "I ain't leaving." Not yet.
"Not yet," he murmured, rubbing a hand down her back. "You will though, Rogue. Once you have seen who I am."
Rogue shook her head, looking up at him. "Erik. I know who you are. I've seen what you have done. You are Magneto. I know that."
He looked down at her, his expression barely visible in the shadows of his helmet. "Do you?"
"You were Magneto when you ran the school, sugah," Rogue replied, shrugging.
"No." He shook his head, entire body stiffening. "That was a facade. I was weak."
"Erik..." Her eyes widened at that, unable to believe he'd thought that. "That wasn't weak."
"The New Mutants were devastated. Doug Ramsey was killed." He disentangled himself from her embrace and began walking back through the hallway.
"That wasn't your fault," she countered, and started after him, quickening her pace in order to keep up.
"I will not sit by as countless more of our kind die."
"What do you plan on doing then?" Rogue reached out, placing a hand on his arm in an attempt to calm him. "Full scale war? A revolt? All that'll do is kill countless mutants."
He stilled and she shivered at the intensity of his gaze. "The sacrifice of a few for the greater good."
"That's crap, Erik." She shook her head, unable to understand.
"That is war."
"We ain't at war!" she protested, stamping her foot for added effect.
He grasped her shoulders, shaking her. "How can you be so blind? The Friends of Humanity, Graydon Creed, Genosha..." She stiffened at the mention of that country, eyes widening in silent terror. "What is wrong?" he asked, his voice gentle.
"Nothing," she replied, pulling away from him and started back down the hallway.
"You are lying." Erik followed her, catching her arm and whirling her around to face him.
She refused to look at him. "I don't want to talk about it."
"What happened to you in Genosha?" He grabbed her chin, tilting her head up and she averted her gaze not wanting to see his face.
"Nothing. I got out. I'm fine." She nodded, repeating the words in her mind, desperate to remember that she was no longer the Genoshan's captive.
"What did they do?" he demanded, his voice hard.
Rogue shrugged out of his grip, crossing her arms defensively. "I don't remember much. Carol kind of took over. Got me out."
"What did they do?" he asked again, his eyes narrowed and she didn't like the silent rage she saw there.
"Logan and I were there. Captive." She didn't want to say anymore.
"Captive?" His hand grasped her chin, lifting her head. She wasn't sure when she'd averted her gaze.
"They got a little...a little rough. A little touchy-feely." She pulled away from him, trying not to tremble.
He balled his hands into fists. "And you ask me why I think we are at war."
"They are one nation," she countered, shaking her head.
"And one is far too many," he replied, stepping towards her.
She didn't like his dark expression and stepped back, hitting the wall. "Erik, you're scaring me."
"Perhaps you should have left with them," he informed her, eyes narrowing dangerously.
"No." She shook her head, placing her hands gently on his chest.
"Do you know what I would like to do to them?" He asked, tracing a gloved finger down her cheek. "To those humans." There was so much disgust in his voice as he said that word. It made her shiver, stomach churning.
"Erik..." She didn't know what to say, torn between his hardened expression and his gentle touch.
"I will not allow the camps to come into existence again. For my people to be led to the slaughter." He sneered, though not at her. It was as though he was remembering something. She had a feeling he was.
"So you'll simply kill countless innocent people?" she asked, tugging his helmet off. She wanted to see his eyes clearly.
"No one is innocent, Rogue." He stilled her movement, lowering the helmet to the floor, hand slowly tracing down her throat.
"Children are," she countered, hands once again on his shoulders.
"A casualty of war."
She shuddered at that, looking down. "How can you be so cold?"
"That is the way of war, Rogue. I did not make the rules." He sounded tired and she traced the skin around his eyes, frowning at the exhaustion she saw there.
"No, but that doesn't mean you can't be better than the rest of them," she argued, keeping her voice calm.
"I tried to do so and all that allowed for was blood on my hands." His expression darkened, touch becoming slightly rougher.
"You ever think you should have tried harder?" She tried to make that light but had a feeling she failed.
He sighed, pressing his forehead to hers. "This is a circular argument."
"You are a stubborn ass," she whispered, wrapping her arms around him in a silent show of support.
"I would love for you to be right, Rogue," he murmured, against her hair. "Our people need a leader, Rogue."
"And what's to say you're that man?" she argued, pulling back from him, wanting to see his face.
"What says that I am not?" He tugged her back to him, wrapping his arm around her waist and squeezing her gently. "I will do what I must in order for our people to survive. It is best you realize that now."
Rogue bit her lip, not wanting to think about the methods he was use, knowing she needed to. "Erik...I." She pushed herself away from him again, unable to think with him so close. "Hurting others can't be the answer. It just can't."
"Then tell me what I should do, Rogue," he demanded, grasping her hands in his gloved ones. "Charles' way did not work. We have already discussed that. What would you have me do?"
"I don't know," she replied, looking wildly up at him. "But war can't be it, Erik." She tried to move away from him but he pressed her back against the wall. If she truly wanted to, she knew she could use her strength, but she resisted.
"You do not want it to be." His hand was in her hair again, slowly caressing, his voice hypnotic. "There is no other way. You must realize that."
"No." She shook her head adamantly. "There has to be another way. The Professor..."
"Charles is a fool." His expression hardened. "Peace can only come after war, after victory. Not before."
"No." She maneuvered herself past him, pleased he didn't follow her and made her way to her room. Sitting down on the bed, she stared out at the Earth below, uncertain what she was supposed to do. She did not agree with him and hated that parts of what he said made sense. That only scared her, forcing her to remember Xavier's earlier assessment that Magneto was trying to indoctrinate her. She didn't think he was doing so on purpose, it was just so much a part of him. Frowning, she laid back on the bed and closed her eyes, knowing this was only going to get harder, whatever this was.
Staring up at the ceiling she frowned, wanting her certainty back in Xavier's dream, wanting her world of absolutes. She couldn't see everything in black and white, everything was a shade of gray now and she had no clue which path she was supposed to take. Being with Erik meant she was also with Magneto. She didn't know how that had escaped her until now. It meant that she would need to determine a way to deal with this issue, with his fixation on mutant rights. She didn't have any idea how she would do so. War wasn't something she was willing to stand behind. Killing people, innocent people, she couldn't wrap her brain around that becoming necessary.
She tried to understand his reasoning, she knew his experience in Auschwitz gave him a different perspective but--she shook her head, punching the pillow angrily beneath her. "No."
There was a knock on her door and she sat up. "You can come in, Erik," she murmured, smoothing back her hair.
The door slid open and she was pleased to see he was no longer wearing his uniform. "When do you wish to return?" he asked, his expression guarded.
"Huh?" Rogue sighed and stood, wrapping her arms around him and rested her head against his chest. "Erik. Just cause I'm frustrated doesn't mean I want to leave." He was still tense beneath her, arms at his sides and she pulled back. "Unless you want me to leave." She nodded, looking away from him, forcing herself not to cry. "Right." She turned, intent on getting her bag. Of course.
He grasped her arm, tugging her back to face him and pulled her close, resting his head on top of hers. "We'll make this work," she told him, pressing her face into his chest. Magneto didn't respond, merely caressed her hair, holding her close. "Somehow. We can."
no subject
I am constantly waiting for the next one of these, you know. :)
no subject
And yay, I'm glad you are and the next part shall not be long. I hope. If my brain decides to work and let me write it.