Fic: House of Leaves 2/?

[willowaus]

Title: House of Leaves, 2/?
Author: willowaus
Pairing: Magneto/Rogue, eventually Avalanche/Pyro
Verse: My Adaptation movieverse
Rating: R
Summary: Rogue learns to deal with the constant changes in her life with the Brotherhood.

A/N: Thanks so much to sionnain for beta-ing this. :D



“I didn’t mean to tell you like I did,” Rogue muttered as she stepped into the kitchen.

Pyro looked at her, holding a mug in his shaking hands. He shrugged, an indifferent expression on his face as he slid onto stool. She sat down beside him, absently tracing lines on the metal table as she watched him. “A bullet broke through the ice wall,” Rogue told him.

“He always thought his power would protect him,” Pyro snapped, slamming the mug down. Coffee splashed over the sides, burning his hand.

“He was making an escape route for us,” she continued, reaching a gloved hand out towards him.

Pyro shook his head, wrenching his arm away before she could touch it. “He was trying to play hero!” he yelled, throwing the mug across the room.

It shattered as it hit the wall. The two looked at one another with wide eyes, neither believing what he had done. “That was Mystique’s favorite mug,” Rogue whispered anxiously.

“Maybe we should leave,” Pyro suggested, quickly standing up.

“Shouldn’t we clean up?” she asked as he pulled her towards the door.

“Are you kidding? It’s her day to cook breakfast, we should get as far away from here as fast as we can,” he replied and they hurried down the hallway, slinking out onto one of the balconies.

Rogue leaned against the stone barrier, looking down at the ocean below. Pyro stood beside her and lit a cigarette. He held it out, offering it to her. She shook her head. “Erik doesn’t like the taste,” she replied, ignoring the annoying smirk on Pyro’s face.

“You used to hate him,” Pyro said, flicking ashes over the side.

“I used to hate a lot of things,” she said, bumping against him.

“Yeah,” he replied, taking a long drag. “I never saw you joining up with us.”

“I did,” she whispered, letting her hair fall in her face. “After Liberty Island, he was so strong in my head, it took a lot of energy not to run away and break him out of his plastic prison. I was convinced he was right, which scared me even more then lusting after Jean Grey.”

“Well, she was hot,” Pyro admitted.

Rogue rolled her eyes. “Whatever,” she replied, turning to look at him, a wicked grin on her face. “She wasn’t your type.”

He looked over at her, blowing smoke into her face. “Damn it,” she said, scrunching her face in disgust.

“You shouldn’t tease,” Pyro replied, turning away.

She took the cigarette and threw it, smiling as it fluttered to the ocean below. “You trying to pick a fight?” he asked, glaring playfully at her.

“I could take you down in a heartbeat,” she replied, grinning at him.

“Is that a challenge?” he asked, grinning back.

“Rogue,” Avalanche interrupted and the two turned towards the doorway. “Magneto is looking for you.”

Pyro made a kissy face at her and she elbowed him in the ribs before walking away. “Thanks,” she told Avalanche and turned back to Pyro. “You okay?”

He shrugged. “He’ll be fine,” Avalanche assured her, walking towards Pyro.

Rogue smirked, giving a low whistle before quickly leaving. She had no desire to see how efficient Pyro had become with manipulating his flames.

xxx

“You wanted to see…” Rogue said, her voice trailing off as she took in the scene before her.

Paige was throwing anything she could get her hands on. Mystique and Callisto were attempting to get close to the girl and Rogue watched as they both grabbed the child’s arms to restrain her. The only problem was that Paige’s skin slid off in their grip and she moved freely away from them, picking up books and hurling them towards the others. Magneto stood beside his desk, watching the child’s display with irritation and amazement. Rogue could see that his irritation was beginning to become more prominent.

“Paige!” Rogue cried, moving towards the girl, dodging the globe.

The girl stopped and turned towards her, blue eyes wild and glistening with tears. She ran towards Rogue, beating balled fists against her stomach. “You let him die!” Paige screamed, tears streaming down her face.

Rogue closed her eyes and took a deep breath, fighting back the urge to turn and run. Paige needs me to be the strong one, she reminded herself and dropped to her knees in front of the girl. “He saved my life,” Rogue whispered, clasping the girl’s hands gently with her own.

Paige trembled at that, her eyes widening in fear. “I don’t want you to go anymore,” she said, shaking her head.

“Go?” Rogue asked, releasing the girl’s hands.

“It could have been you,” Paige said, her lower lip trembling. She buried her head in Rogue’s neck, wrapping her arms around Rogue’s neck. “I don’t want you to die,” she whispered.

Rogue held her close, gently brushing Paige’s hair. “Paige,” she began, pulling her back so she could see her. “I’m doing this for you. I don’t want you to be in a camp, or endure what the others have.”

“I don’t care,” Paige replied, stamping her feet angrily. “I won’t let you go.”

Rogue smiled sadly and brushed stray strands of hair from the girl’s face. “I don’t think you have a say in that,” she whispered.

“I could take him,” Paige said, glaring at Magneto.

“I kind of like him in one piece,” Rogue replied, smiling tenderly.

Mystique snorted and Rogue glared at her before turning her attention back to Paige. “I don’t want you to die,” Paige repeated, giving her a pitiful look.

“Nor do I,” Rogue replied, brushing the tears from her face. “Paige, I need to help the other mutants that are--”

“No!” Paige screamed. “They need to take care of themselves!”

“That is enough,” Magneto said, walking towards them. He waved his hand, dismissing Mystique and Callisto, who exited the room.

Paige glared at him. “I hate you,” Paige said, crossing her arms across her chest, the gesture reminding Rogue of herself.

“I do not doubt that,” Magneto replied, standing beside Rogue.

“You don’t care if she dies!” Paige said, scowling at him. “Not if she’s helping your stupid cause.”

His eyes narrowed in anger and Rogue sighed. “Paige,” she began.

“He doesn’t,” Paige interrupted, wrapping her arms around Rogue. “I do!”

“Honey,” Rogue said, hugging her tightly. “I made the decision to join the Brotherhood. I know what can happen.”

Paige shook her head. “Would you rather we were with Xavier?” Rogue asked and the girl quickly shook her head again.

“No,” Paige replied, shaking.

“Why not?” Rogue prodded.

“We weren’t safe,” Paige said, tears welling up in her eyes.

“Are we safe here?” Rogue continued.

“I am,” Paige said, tears running down her face.

“So am I,” Rogue replied, brushing the girl’s cheek. “I’m safer here than I would be anywhere else.”

Paige nodded, wrapping her arms around Rogue. “I know,” she sniffled, burying her head in Rogue’s neck.

“What do you need to say,” Rogue prompted, watching the girl look at Magneto.

“I’m sorry,” she told him. “I know you don’t want her to die.”

“No, I do not,” Magneto replied, his gaze traveling briefly over Rogue.

“I’ll clean up the mess I made,” Paige said, looking in shock at what she had done.

“Yes, you will,” he said, crossing his arms at his chest.

Paige hugged Rogue and then walked towards the mess. Rogue stepped forward, intent on helping her. Magneto placed a hand on her arm, stopping her. “Leave her,” he instructed, steering her towards the door.

Rogue sighed. She did make the mess, she reasoned, following him out of the room. As the door closed, he pulled her into a tight embrace. “What was that for?” she asked as he released her.

He traced one of her white strands and cocked his head to the side. “You have training,” Magneto stated and walked away.

She watched him, shaking her head in confusion, before descending the stairs, muttering to herself.

xxx

“Let’s watch a movie!” Sam exclaimed, plopping down on the floor in front of the TV.

“My Little Pony!” Paige yelled, landing beside her brother and grabbing a handful of popcorn from the bowl.

“No,” Sam and Rusty groaned in unison.

“You can watch it later,” Rogue told Paige, sitting down beside Magneto on the couch.

“The ponies can talk,” Paige said, looking at Magneto. “They’re mutant ponies.”

“No they aren’t,” Sam said, scowling. “They’re annoying ponies.”

Paige stuck her tongue out at him and Rogue put a hand in front of her mouth to hide her smile. “What are we watching?” she asked, looking over at Pyro.

“Lethal Weapon II,” he replied, turning his attention back to the screen.

A reporter appeared on the screen, interrupting the movie. “Senator Douglass of Maine narrowly escaped with his life this evening when a mutant attacked him in his home,” the reporter began. Everyone tensed as they watched.

“The mutant known as Charles Xavier had escaped from a convoy transporting dangerous mutants five months ago,” the reporter continued.

Paige gasped, turning to look at Rogue. “Silence,” Magneto demanded, rising to his feet.

“He was shot by one of Senator Douglass’ guards and died in route to St. Anne’s hospital,” the reporter said, “Senator Douglass and his family are unharmed.”

“He’s dead?” Pyro asked, blinking as he looked at the screen.

“How could they kill the Professor?” Rusty asked, looking at the adults. “Wouldn’t he sense it?”

“Douglass was a friend of Charles’,” Magneto replied, his eyes narrowed as he looked at the screen.

“I warned him!” he continued, clenching his fists at his side. “How could you be so naïve?” He glared at the picture of Xavier on the screen and turned on his heel.

The door was torn open and the children shrieked at the sound. Rogue stood, starting to go after him before she was frozen in place. She sighed and turned back to the others, knowing he wouldn’t want anyone near him. Sitting back down on the couch, she let Paige curl up in her lap, brushing the girl’s hair as they continued to stare in disbelief at the television.

xxx

Magneto didn’t come down for training that afternoon. When he didn’t show up for dinner, Rogue was beginning to worry. By the crease in the blue mutant’s brow, Rogue could tell that Mystique was as well. “You have clean up duty,” Mystique reminded Rogue as she rose from the table.

Rogue nodded, watching the others file out. She bit her lip anxiously as Mystique left the room. “He’ll be…” Pyro began, piling up plates.

“He won’t be fine,” Rogue said, grabbing glasses and stomping off towards the kitchen.

The two began washing and drying in silence. Mystique entered the room, holding a hand to her face. “He threw a paperweight at me!” Mystique scowled, shaking her head as she walked towards the freezer. She retrieved a bag of peas and placed it on the side of her face.

Rogue and Pyro exchanged a look and watched as Mystique left the room, muttering to herself. They quickly washed the rest of the dishes and Rogue looked anxiously at the clock as they finished. Pyro slipped out of the kitchen, mumbling something about Avalanche and she smiled briefly as she watched him leave.

Slowly, she started towards Magneto’s wing of the fortress, ascending the stairs at an agonizingly sluggish pace. She blanched as she saw the paperweight in the middle of the hallway. Taking a deep breath, she continued walking, stopping in front of the study. She cringed as she heard the sound of things crashing into the walls. Her hand hovered at the door, gathering the courage to knock on it. She touched her face, wondering if her presence would also be greeted by a flying paperweight.

She knocked on the door, steeling herself for his response. The door was wrenched from the wall and she stepped back, hoping she didn’t look as frightened as she felt. “Yes?” Magneto asked, his voice hard.

She peered into the room, trying to locate him. “Is there something you need, Rogue?” he continued.

“I just wanted to see how you were--” she said, jumping as the paperweight flew by her as it entered the room.

“Go away,” he ordered and the door slammed shut.

She trembled as she looked at the door, the fury in his demeanor scaring her. She backed away from the study and looked anxiously at their bedroom door. What if he doesn’t want me there right now, either? She pondered, not wanting to be on the receiving end of his wrath.

She descended the stairs and walked towards the children’s wing, stopping outside her old room. Paige made sure no one else used the room, even though the girl slept in the room next to it now. Rogue opened the door and crawled onto the bed. She laid her head down on the pillow and curled her body, pulling the covers over her.

Slowly, she drifted to sleep.

She awoke a few hours later, struggling against the person on top of her. Her eyes flew open and she screamed, trying to buck whoever it was off. She stopped fighting when she saw Magneto’s blue eyes gazing down at her. “Erik?” she asked, moving her hand up to touch his face.

He grasped her hands, pulling them roughly above her head and secured them there with his power. His hands moved to her pants, quickly removing them along with her panties. His fingers sought out her clit, harshly rubbing it before plunging two fingers into her. His mouth descended on hers as his fingers quickened their pace before sliding out of her.

She gasped as his mouth left hers, his tongue tracing lines down her neck before he rose above her. She felt her hands release and looked curiously at him, unsure what he meant to do. His gaze locked with hers and she cried out as he entered her, thrusting furiously. She grasped his shoulders, eyes closing, submitting to his will. He came hard, leaning his head against her forehead, his eyes shut. She felt him release her grip on his shoulders and she brought her hands to either side of his face, gently stroking it. He slid out of her and rolled to the other side of the bed, pulling her with him.

She curled up against him, laying her head on his chest. He wrapped his arm around her and stared at the ceiling, gently caressing her back. Slowly, she drifted to sleep against him, straining to stay awake as he whispered ‘I do love you’ in her ear.