Title: Hold fast that which is good

Author: Morgana (morganalebeau@yahoo.com)

Website: http://www.oocities.org/morganalebeau/

Rating: NC-17

Pairing/main characters: Gambit/Angel, Iceman/original character

Series/Sequel: sequel to Heaven sent

Summary: Remy and Warren's love deepens. They also face the challenge of raising a prejudiced 15 years old.

Disclaimer: Gambit and X-Men is (c)copyright of Marvel Comics. No copyright infringement is intended.

Archive/distribution: Yes, just drop me a note telling me where you're archiving it.

Warning: This story deals with the after match of child abuse and rape.

Notes: Story takes place after the trial of Gambit. In this story, Remy and Corsair never met and Scott never mentioned Gambit to his father! Italic depicts thought.

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Hold fast that which is good

By Morgana

 

Chapter One

Until I met Remy, I didn't know what love was about. I thought I knew. Betsy and I seemed so right for each other, that I never wondered *why*. In hindsight, I realize we were the perfect match because we were both self-centred and egocentric.
Remy taught me everything I know about love. I never realized how rewarding it was to *give* love, to *give* pleasure and to care for another person that deeply. Betsy and I never gave; we took from each other what we wanted. But Remy's love opened my eyes.
Warren Kenneth Worthington the Third fell in love with a Cajun thief, a man whom I always despised. But when he saved my life in New Orleans he altered my life irreversibly. I can never go back to being the arrogant playboy that I used to be.
I like to think that I've become a better person because of Remy. When we met, Remy was in a lot of emotional pain and when I realized that he was in love with me, I ran. I ran as hard as I could, but love never let me go.
In the months that we've been together, I've seen Remy cry when nightmares tormented his sleep. I've seen him laugh when our mutual teasing reached new creative heights and I've witnessed how Remy lost himself in our lovemaking.
Trusting me enough to make love was extremely hard on Rem. His experiences with the Antiquary (thank God the bastard's dead!) and later when he lived on the streets, made him very afraid of intimacy. We face his fears together and Remy still hasn't overcame all of them. We talk about those fears when another nightmare caught him off guard in his sleep.
We've got communication down and that's probably what makes this relationship work. We talk about our fears, our pain, but we also discuss our hope and love. In the beginning we tried to hide our real feelings because we were afraid to hurt the other. But we quickly realized that being honest could save our love. It's important that we address his fears, his nightmares, because it ensures Remy that we're working through his past *together*. He doesn't have to do this alone.
Most of his nightmares are about the Antiquary and the abuse Remy suffered at the sorcerer's hands. It always takes a lot of coaxing and reassurances on my part before Remy allows me to hold him. When he's in such an emotional state, my touch reminds him of the Antiquary's. At nights like those I wish I were a telepath so I could erase those horrible memories from his mind. But I doubt he'd let me do that. Those terrifying experiences made Remy the man he's today, my lover.
And Remy's the best lover I've ever had. He's incredibly considerate and always puts my needs first. Remy will take all the time he needs to make love to me. He'll never rush things or ignore my needs? for two reasons. The Antiquary hurt Remy really bad and my Cajun lover would never forgive himself should he hurt me in that same way. The second reason is his empathy. He knows what I want, what I need.
Now I've got to admit to something I *should* feel ashamed of, but I don't. I use Remy's empathy consciously to steer our lovemaking. There are things that Remy's uncomfortable with when we're making love and I don't want him to do those things. So I send him thoughts and images of the things I want him to do that I know he's comfortable with.
One of the things Remy's terribly uncomfortable with is going down on me and although he has offered to do it, I refused. I know that the Antiquary forced Remy to go down on him when Remy was only a small child. From what Remy told me he lived with that bastard until he was 7 or 8. I can't imagine how horrific that time must have been on him.
So I'll never urge him to go down on me. Don't get me wrong. I'd probably die from ecstasy should Remy ever work up the courage to make me come in that way, but I'll never push him. Our love life is the best I ever had, and it doesn't matter that I'm the bottom in this relationship.
That surprised me the most, I guess, the fact that I enjoy feeling Remy inside me. I've always been the ladies man. I've always been on top of the game, but with Remy I can surrender. Remy never wanted to be on top, but it's the only way for him to make love to me that intimately.
I tried to relax him enough so he'd enjoy me rimming him. I love it when he does that to me. It's one of the things that make me plea, make me beg for more and Remy's really talented. That tongue of his is divine. I once tried to repay that favor, but Remy grew completely motionless. Remy'd locked out my presence and I needed long minutes to bring him back from that dark hiding place inside his mind.
We'll continue to work through his fears. Together we can beat the demons that haunt him. Remy lets me in, lets me fight at his side and I love him for trusting me like that. Now that we're on our honeymoon, I'm sure more of his demons will raise their ugly heads. Ah, but maybe I've been reading too many of the books that Jean-Luc gave me on child abuse, but I can't shake the feeling that we still need to deal with some major issues.

Warren smiled at his lover, who was tucked away beneath his arms.
"Are you comfortable, love?" Warren caressed a lock of golden hair. The golden locks had appeared when Remy had realized that his charm was in fact a healing power. Warren loved the gold on black eyes and the golden strands of hair.
"Oui, mon amour," Remy whispered blissfully. "Tell me where we're goin'?" So far Warren had insisted their destination stayed a secret. Remy had tried hard to make Warren give in, but had failed.
Remy still couldn't believe that they really were on their honeymoon. Warren had chosen Venice to start their honeymoon and Remy hadn't objected, only expressing his hope they'd visit Paris as well. Of course Warren had given in. Remy had learned to wrap his lover around his little finger.
"Not yet, love." Warren leaned in closer and pressed a gentle kiss on Remy's brow. "It's a surprise." Remy sighed deeply, trying to pretend annoyance, but Warren knew him too well to be fooled. "I'll never forget how gorgeous you looked when you spoke your vows."
Remy's eyes closed as he mentally replayed their commitment ceremony. Although they'd committed to each other when they'd still been in Ireland, they'd wanted a more official ceremony. Opening his eyes, they locked on the ring he was wearing. Warren had given him a Claddagh ring, and Remy cherished the gift deeply. Remy stole a glance at Warren's finger. His lover wore a similar ring.
The gondola moved slowly over the water and Remy looked up at the setting sun. It was almost evening and the reflected rays of the sun made the water look like liquid gold.
"Je t'aime, Ange," Remy whispered in a sudden emotional tone. At times it still baffled Remy that Warren wanted him. He'd tested Warren's patience and love countless times when they'd lived in Ireland and Warren had come through every time. Why want damaged goods like moi? Warren knows what de Antiquary did to me. In bed, he can' even take me 'cause I'm 'fraid of relivin' de abuse. And den dere are de times dat I freak out on him 'cause he touches me in a way dat I associate wit' bein' touched by de Antiquary. And yet, Warren was at his side, had promised to love him until death would part them.
Warren sensed Remy's melancholy and opted for distraction. "Do you think Bobby and Nick will want a commitment ceremony in time? Or what about Jean-Luc and Logan? Can you imagine them exchanging vows?"
Remy chuckled softly, as ancient palazzo's passed them by. "Bobby and Nick? Oui? Mais Père and Logan? Mebbe in time." Remy rested the back of his head on Warren's shoulder. Warren's arms were tightly wrapped around his waist and contentedly, Remy sighed. "Remember when we first met in N'awlings? De assassins had shot y' and I wanted to save mon ange's life."
Warren only remembered too vividly that he'd scolded Remy when he'd regained consciousness, calling Remy a traitor and looking at him with disgust. Then another memory pushed away the first. "I nearly died when you shielded me from those daggers."
Remy's hand rested against Warren's chest and the Cajun felt how his lover's heart sped up. "Was dat when y' realized y' loved me?" Remy would never grow tired of listening to Warren's voice. Sometimes he instigated these talks just to hear Warren confess his love again.
"I didn't realize it at that time," Warren replied thoughtfully. "I wasn't ready to admit that I loved a man. It hit me later when I talked to Bobby. Suddenly I found myself rushing back to New Orleans, hoping that I'd find you there."
Remy nodded against Warren's chest. "Y' weren't de only one who didn' want to admit to bein' in love."
"Rem?" Curiously, Warren cupped Remy's chin in his hand and waited for the Cajun to lock eyes with him.
"I've been t'inkin' 'bout it," Remy admitted. "I must have been in love wit' y' 'fore findin' y' in N'awlings. Didn' want to admit it eit'er," he said reluctantly. Warren had always fascinated Remy. Although Remy'd known that Warren was a mutant, he'd always hoped that part of Warren was really angelic. And only days ago, Remy'd found out that he possessed an angel's soul himself.
Warren decided not to go there. Discussing this further would lead them to addressing Rogue and Warren knew that Remy hadn't dealt with her betrayal yet. Thankfully, they'd arrived at their destination and Warren pulled Remy to his feet as the gondola came to a stop.
"Cher?" Surprised, Remy wondered why they'd stopped.
"This is the Palazzo Duodo. It's basically a hotel, but I own it and we'll have it to ourselves this weekend. There won't be any other guests." Warren thoroughly enjoyed the expression in Remy's eyes. "Let's move, love." Wolvie, who'd been half asleep at their feet, left the gondola first.
Remy followed Warren, wondering what else his lover was up to.
///
"Cher, c'est magnifique!" Remy really loved the hotel's antique interior. "Didn' know y' owned hotels in Venice!" Impressed, Remy caught Warren's eyes. His lover had cancelled all reservations, offering the original guests a free vacation at a later date to make up for the inconvenience.
Warren took hold of Remy's hand and rubbed its knuckles. "There's an exhibit on contemporary art in a nearby gallery. Do you want to check it out this evening?" He'd planned several activities, which he hoped would interest his lover. "We can go out for dinner first."
"Y're spoilin' me rotten," Remy whispered softly, as the maid closed the door behind them. They'd arrived at their suite and Remy stared at the heavenly four-poster-bed with satin sheets. Wolvie immediately headed for one of the comfortable couches in the living area and went back to sleep.
"I love spoiling you, love," Warren replied in a gentle tone and folded an arm around Remy's waist. "Are you happy?" Making Remy happy was the most important thing in his life. In former days Warren had only worried about his own happiness, and his lover had come second. Things had certainly changed.
"Oui, I'm happy, cher," Remy sighed and leaned in close enough to claim Warren's lips. The hesitant kiss quickly progressed in to an expression of pure love and affection.
Warren couldn't help growing aroused and thrust weakly against his lover's groin. "You drive me crazy, Remy," he admitted in a hoarse tone.
"Let me take care of y'," he offered. Remy pulled Warren towards the bed and pushed him on to his back. Straddling his lover's hips, Remy returned to kissing Warren's lips.
Warren's hand slipped down to caress the bulge he expected to find in Remy's trousers, but found none. Remy wasn't erect at all. "What's going on, love?" Making love would never be 'normal' for them and Warren had accepted that when they'd gotten together. Every time they endeavoured to make love, Remy fought his demons all over again. Warren admired Remy's determination to overcome his troubled past, but Warren also knew that the Cajun pushed himself to do things he wasn't ready for.
"Want to make y' come," Remy breathed.
But the dark, hooded eyes gave the Cajun away and Warren gently took hold of Remy's talented hands, which had found a way passed the waistband of his briefs. "We don't have to make love when you're not in the mood, Rem. It's okay to say no."
Remy froze. "Mais I want to do dis for y'."
"You don't have to get me off because I've got a hard-on, Rem. I'm not a horny teenager. This should be about love, not lust, remember?" In the early days, Remy had tried to use sex to keep Warren close because the Cajun had been afraid of being deserted. "Why don't we cuddle? You know how much I love to cuddle."
"I'm sorry, cher," Remy whispered and rested his body on Warren's, allowing his lover to bury him in a warm hug. His face rested on Warren's chest and Remy concentrated on his lover's breathing. "Don' know why I did dat."
"Do you really want to make love?"
"Wanted to make y' come."
"Why?" Warren waited for Remy to cock his head so they could make eye contact. It looked like they were going to have one of *those* talks again. "We made love only yesterday and it was beautiful."
"Mais y' never get to be on top!" Remy suddenly blurted out. Horrified at what he'd just admitted to, he closed his eyes, wishing he'd never spoken those words aloud.
Warren sighed, realizing his suspicions had been right all along. "You feel guilty," he stated determinedly.
"Oui," Remy confessed softly. "Y' can' even take me 'cause?"
"Say it, love," Warren didn't want any unspoken fears between them. Holding his lover close, he tried to radiate calm and love, knowing that Remy's empathy would pick up on it. "It's okay to say it."
"'cause de Antiquary messed wit' my mind," Remy said in a bitter tone. "It ain't fair."
Warren's fingers tangled in Remy's hair. "Go on, love, tell me." They were getting closer to the heart of the matter and he already knew what Remy would say next.
"It ain't fair dat y' have to be on de receivin' end all de time. Want y' to enjoy it too." Remy averted his eyes. This had been haunting him since they'd first made love. Every time they had sex, he ended up on top, taking Warren.
Warren chose his next words carefully. "When we make love that way, what do you sense from me, empathy wise?"
Remy trembled in Warren's arms. "Love?" He'd made sure that Warren wasn't in any pain when he took his lover, but? "We should be able to reverse roles."
"Rem, listen, love," Warren said firmly and his hands clutched Remy's head, making sure his lover listened closely. "I love it when you take me. I love it when you're inside me. It makes me feel incredible close to you. I make love to you because I want to express my feelings for you. I don't say yes because I feel like I have to. It's my choice, love." Closely studying Remy's eyes, Warren realized that he wasn't getting through to the Cajun.
"Mais, I remember how it felt, bein' on de bottom and? I'm sure y' would rat'er be on top," Remy whispered his fear, his doubts. The fact that Warren was still holding him tight ensured Remy that his lover understood.
"Rem, even if we never make love in *that particular way*, I won't leave you. I understand where you're coming from and why you're scared to be taken." Warren wished he knew the words that would make Remy understand. "There are so many ways to make love. Please don't think you're failing me."
"Mais I want y' to take me!" Remy whispered in an emotional tone. His empathy told him that Warren's words mirrored his lover's feelings, but? "Y' used to be on top all de time wit' de ladies?"
Warren sighed, exasperated. "Rem, this is obviously very important to you. Please realize that I love you and that it doesn't matter to me whether I get to penetrate you or not. I can make love to you without being inside you. I'm so happy right now, holding you in my arms. Having you close and feeling you is all I need."
Remy realized that Warren was completely sincere. It didn't bother Warren that there were limitations to what they could do in bed, but it did bother him. "Would y' help me to make dat step?" Pressing his lips on Warren's brow, Remy tried to communicate that he'd gotten the message. "I want to work on dis."
"Why don't you try working on it yourself first? Without me present there would be a lot less pressure on you." Warren saw Remy's confused expression. "Why not try to touch yourself in that way? I know it frightens you to lose control. Why not explore your body that way privately? Then, when you feel comfortable you could try and share it with me? If you want to do this, we'll have to take small steps."
Enthusiastically, Remy nodded his head. "I can do dat, mon amour." Why hadn't he thought of it himself? "What 'bout y'?" Warren was still hard and Remy suddenly felt incredibly insecure. Warren had gone down on him several times, but Remy had been unable to do the same for Warren. The act reminded him too much of being abused by the Antiquary.
"You've got talented fingers, love," Warren hinted. "They were doing a great job." He could tell Remy wanted to pleasure him, but Warren felt reluctant to go ahead with it. Remy had to realize that there were times when holding each other was more than sufficient.
"Cher," Remy whispered and his right hand pushed down Warren's jeans. "I love de way y' look when y' come." It was the truth. Warren had this incredible lost and adoring look on his face when he hit orgasm.
Warren let Remy decide, after all, this was their honeymoon. "I'm so incredibly lucky to have you, Rem," he whispered and sighed as his lover's fingers curled around his erection. "Kiss me, love." Warren arched his back and claimed Remy's lips. He'd love to bring Remy to orgasm too, but the Cajun wasn't aroused, so Warren concentrated on sparkling the passion that was hiding inside Remy. Spreading his legs to give Remy easier access, Warren bucked against his lover's hand. "Feels so good, Rem. You're the only one who can make me lose my mind." His hands caressed Remy's face and hair.
Warren's soft fingers made Remy tremble. He slowly stroked Warren's slippery cock, taking his time and concentrating on putting all the love he felt for Warren in his ministrations. "Je t'aime, mon amour," Remy whispered and covered Warren's body with his, while keeping up the stimulation.
"I love you too, Cajun," Warren whispered and tensed up as Remy's fingers teased against the head of his erection. One fingertip probed against his slit and Warren thrust involuntarily. Warren gently grabbed the back of Remy's neck and pulled the Cajun close enough to brush Remy's lips. "We're making love now," he breathed into Remy's mouth.
Remy swallowed hard. "I wish I could give y' more, cher."
"This is all I need," Warren assured him. His body tensed up as he approached orgasm. "One finger, Rem, please? I'm so close?"
Remy nodded his head, and pressed one slick finger against his lover's entrance. He didn't let it slip inside yet. Remy was content to massage the outer ring of muscle for now, relaxing Warren completely.
"Oh, Rem," Warren moaned and arched his hips. "You don't know how good this feels," he whispered as the tip of Remy's finger made it inside his body. The sensation drove him over the edge and he came hard in Remy's hand. "Please push," he begged, riding that first wave of orgasm.
Remy obeyed, still puzzled at how having a finger inserted in his body could make Warren lose it so completely. Remy only remembered the pain and shame from his childhood that had accompanied the invasion. Opening his shields hesitantly, he tried to focus on Warren's pleasure and Remy shared Warren's ecstasy. Warren was pushing down, trying to take in more of Remy's finger and the Cajun's eyes grew big, feeling the waves of ecstasy that washed through Warren. Would he feel the same way if he asked Warren to push one finger inside his body? Did he own the courage to find out?
"I love you so much it sometimes frightens me," Warren confessed in the heat of the moment. "I can't envision life without you, Rem."
Remy had never heard a more passionate declaration of love. Warren was still trembling, riding out his orgasm and was utterly incapable of hiding his feelings. Those feelings hit Remy full force, seeping into his very soul. A single tear escaped Remy's eyes. "Can' live wit'out y', mon amour. Never leave me."
Remy used the sheet to clean Warren up and then rolled his lover on top of his body. "Please hold me?"
Warren nodded his head. He'd hoped to find Remy erect after the Cajun had experienced his orgasm, but Warren's fingers only encountered a limp cock. Remy was really worried about their love life. "It was perfect," Warren assured his lover. "Don't fret, love."
Remy closed his eyes and groaned as Warren's lips descended on to his eyelids, kissing them and teasing his eye lashes. "Ange?"
Warren continued to shower his lover with tender kisses. He brushed Remy's closed eyes and then claimed his lover's luscious lips. "Feel me?" he asked softly. "Feel my love for you? Let me in?"
"Shields are open," Remy mumbled lost and felt how his cock woke up, suddenly interested in Warren's probing strokes.
Delighted, Warren noticed the semi-hard cock that pushed against the confines of Remy's jeans. "Is this okay with you?" Warren asked softly, seeking permission before going further.
"Oui," Remy moaned as Warren's hands unbuttoned his shirt. He opened his eyes and found that Warren had released his wings. "Y're magnifique," Remy mumbled, quickly losing himself in the passion that Warren's mind radiated.
Warren pushed Remy's shirt back and licked his lips, finding erect nipples beneath his fingertips. "Just try to enjoy this, love." Remy tensed a little, but Warren didn't feel discouraged. His tongue lavished one hard nipple and his fingers gently rubbed the other neglected one. "You're beautiful, Rem."
Remy snorted a little at that. "Y' need glasses, cher." How could Warren pretend not to see the numerous scars that disfigured his body?
"You're perfect," Warren continued in a seductive tone, as his lips left a trail of kisses down Remy's stomach. His fingers unzipped Remy's jeans and pulled down the jeans and briefs. Yes, Remy was hard. Feeling excited, Warren stroked Remy's erection exploratory. "I want to taste you, love." Warren remembered the first time he'd licked Remy's cock. The Cajun had almost had a panic attack, because it had sent Remy's thoughts back to the Antiquary's rooms. Warren had grown used to telling Remy what he'd do next and the panic attacks had disappeared.
Remy quavered violently as Warren's tongue slid over the head of his erection. When Warren had first gone down on him, Remy had been afraid that his lover would end up loathing him for allowing this to happen. But Warren had really taken to this particular activity and Remy had let go of some of his apprehension.
Warren let his fingers slide down his lover's length and then caressed Remy's perineum. A delightful moan escaped Remy and Warren smiled contentedly. In the beginning, this caress had freaked Remy out. Now the Cajun could relax in to it.
His lips closed over Remy's cock and his tongue swirled around the tip of his lover's erection. Remy bucked hard and Warren relaxed his throat, preparing himself to take in his lover's length.
Remy cried out as Warren swallowed more of him. Involuntarily, his hips arched and he thrust wildly in to the warm and wet mouth that surrounded him. I want to do dis for Ange, too. Remy felt guilty for not returning this favor. A moment later, all thoughts stopped running around in circles, as Warren suckled his erection. Remy called out his lover's name and buried his hands in the satin sheets, clawing the fabric. "Mon amour? please? so close?"
"Do you want to take that next step, love?" Warren asked, momentarily releasing his lover's throbbing cock. Maybe if he drove Remy mad with passion, his lover would be able to do away with some of his fears. "I won't hurt you, Rem. Never." His agile fingers slowly stroked Remy's cock, and one fingertip pressed against his lover's perineum. "Do you trust me?"
Remy's eyes flashed open and locked with Warren. Did his lover know what he was asking? How much the idea of being penetrated scared him? But then he remembered the way Warren had felt when Remy had pushed that one finger inside. It was just a finger and Warren would stop if he said so. "Oui," he whispered in a tiny tone.
Remy's erection returned to semi-erect state in his hand and Warren recognized the fear in his lover's eyes. "Please trust me, Rem." Warren whispered before his lips closed over Remy's cock again. He teased the organ and suckled it. Remy's cock quickly retained its former hardness.
With one practiced move, Warren uncovered the lube he'd unpacked earlier. He refused to take any chances and covered his index finger with a generous amount of Wet. Then, he simply rested his fingertip against Remy's puckered opening. "Tell me how it feels," Warren instructed, pressing a kiss on the tip of Remy's cock. Slowly pumping his lover, Warren locked eyes with Remy.
"Slippery," Remy mumbled surprised. "What are y' doin', cher?" It felt like Warren was massaging his entrance, never inserting his finger.
"Relaxing your muscles. Worked for me the first time you took me, love." Warren lay down on his side, pulling Remy close to him. "Hey, look at me, Rem."
Remy opened his eyes again and blushed. "I feel?"
"Exposed? Vulnerable?" Warren supplied and carefully probed the tightness of Remy's outer muscle. "Want to stop?" Remy was tense, but was obviously working on relaxing his body. "It's okay to say no, remember?"
"Non, I don' want to stop," Remy whispered. His breath came in spurts. Warren was still pumping his shaft and Remy moaned, realizing how close he was to completion, even in spite of that one finger that was slowly pressing inside. "Cher, I'm scared."
"I know, Rem, I know." Warren's finger froze, only his fingertip was buried inside Remy's body. "Does this hurt?"
"Non," Remy panted, as Warren increased the speed of his strokes. "Doesn' feel uncomfortable."
"Good, do you want me to continue? You're about to come, Rem and this can make it so much better." Warren held his breath as Remy tried to reach a decision.
"Don' stop. Don' know if I'll ever have de courage 'gain," Remy whispered. If he hadn't been bordering on orgasm, he'd never have given Warren permission.
"Trust me, Rem. Relax. I love you," Warren whispered and carefully massaged the tight passage before pushing in a little deeper. His finger was half way in and he stopped applying pressure. Remy had taken a huge step today and Warren wasn't going to blow it. "You feel? hot," he whispered seductively in to Remy's ear. His lover bucked, thrust into his hand and Warren licked Remy's nipple.
Remy involuntarily pushed down on Warren's finger when orgasm took hold of him. A startled moan flowed through the room, when Warren's finger slid in to the knuckle. Remy shook violently as his lover's fingertip brushed his prostate. His orgasm echoed through his body and Remy felt how his inner muscle contracted around Warren's digit.

"Oh Rem," Warren elbowed himself in to a sitting position and kissed the Cajun passionately. His lover's body trembled fiercely and a wave of hot completion dripped from his fingers. "You're mine, forever," Warren panted in between kisses.
Remy stared in to Warren's eyes, only too well aware of the fact that his orgasm had been much stronger than usual because Warren had inserted that one digit. "An?ge," Remy whispered, spent. "I liked it," he admitted in a broken tone.
"Hey, you're supposed to like it," Warren corrected him. "It's okay to like it." It'd take them a long time to undo the damage the Antiquary had inflicted on Remy. "How does this feel?" Slowly, Warren started to pull back, but on his way out, he massaged his lover's passage.
Tears dripped from Remy's face. Tiny waves of ecstasy still coursed through him and Warren was doing this incredible thing inside his body. It had never felt like this when the Antiquary had penetrated him. It was hard to accept that this intrusion now brought pleasure instead of pain. "Ange? I? I? can'?"
"Hush now," Warren pulled back from Remy's trembling body and wrapped his lover up in a warm embrace. "Try to calm down first and then we'll talk, all right?"
Remy nodded his head and relaxed in to the comfort and warmth of Warren's closeness. Finally, trusting his voice to sound sort of steady again, Remy said, "I expected pain? and bad memories."
"Did I hurt you?" Warren asked concerned.
"Non, y' didn', cher? mais de Antiquary did and every time when y' touch me? *dere*, I feel ashamed."
"You took a great step today. You know that, don't you?" Warren smiled gently. "The last time we tried this, you mentally retreated and it took me a long time to assure you that I wouldn't force you."
"I remember, mon amour," Remy admitted. "Mais? I still feel dirty 'cause of what happened when I was a chile."
"You said it yourself, Rem. You were a child and the Antiquary didn't accept no." Remy cuddled his love closer. They lay facing each other, feeling hot and sticky from their lovemaking. Warren wrapped his legs and arms around Remy's body and studied his lover. "You feel ashamed because it felt good, don't you?"
"De Antiquary always told me dat my charm made him rape me. I know dat was a lie, mais? I shouldn' love de feel of y' inside me. It brought pain back den and I feel like betrayin' myself." Remy worried that this explanation wouldn't make sense to Warren, but his lover gave him a look filled with understanding.
"You've felt like damaged good for a long time, haven't you?" Warren licked the salty sweat from Remy's throat.
"Oui," Remy admitted, surprised that Warren understood. "He made me in to a whore. Didn' père tell y' dat I went to his room one night and?" His words became stuck in his throat.
"That you offered yourself to him?" Warren finished and noticed the sudden fear in Remy's eyes. "He also told me that you did that to test him because you were afraid he was like the Antiquary." The fact that they could discuss this so openly, reassured Warren that they'd be fine in the end. "You know that you're not a whore. You suffered terribly when you were a child and I love the man you've become. I know you can't leave the past behind, but we've got to work on your self-image, love."
Blissfully, Remy leaned in as Warren's fingers caressed his face. "Je t'aime," he whispered sincerely.
Warren smiled. "We'll deal with your past, your fears and your pain. Our love is true. Never doubt that, Rem." Warren tucked Remy's head beneath his chin and simply held his lover close.

 

Chapter Two

Warren snuggled deeper into the embrace and peeked at Remy's smiling face. They'd left Wolvie at the Palazzo to have dinner and visit the art exhibit. They'd even ended up buying two paintings from a contemporary artist and Warren had sent them home. Home was a luxurious villa in Florida, where he planned to take Remy after their honeymoon.
Remy tightened the embrace and rested his chin on Warren's shoulder. Whispering into his lover's ear, Remy said, "Tonight was perfect."
"Yeah, I thought so too," Warren replied smugly and covered Remy's cold hands with his. "Do you want to go flying tonight?" There was a full moon and the view would be stunning.
"Can we do dat? What if dey pick y' up on deir radar?" Remy kissed the top of Warren's head. He felt like living a dream and feared waking up. Life couldn't be this good for Remy LeBeau. Or was that Remy Worthington? He didn't even consider Remy Summers. Warren and he still had to decide on what to do with their last names now that they'd had their commitment ceremony.
"Don't worry about that. Should they pick us up, we'll deal with it then." Warren noticed Remy's thoughtful and distant expression. "Rem?" Had something upset his lover?
"I like Remy Worthington," Remy said without a trace of an accent.
Remy smiled. He'd heard Remy lose the accent and regain it moments later. He was probably in for a lot of surprises! "I like Warren LeBeau too."
Remy returned the smile. "What 'bout Summers?"
Both men shook their head after a moment's thought. "No," they blurted out simultaneously. "At least we agree on that!" Warren added happily.
Remy released a deep sigh. "Dis is heaven, ange," he whispered blissfully. "How long do y' plan on stayin' here?"
"The weekend. Then we'll move on to Athens." Warren fingered a lock of Remy's hair. "Did you hear from Jean-Luc?" They'd taken the laptop along.
"One message, oui. He wishes us a happy honeymoon. Père and Logan are heading for San Francisco."
They'd arrived at their Palazzo and Remy and Warren exited the gondola. "Don' want to go 'side yet," Remy whispered softly.
Warren waited until the gondola had left and then spread his wings. "Get behind me and hold on, love."
Remy clasped his arms around Warren's waist. A moment later they took to the sky. A thousand stars and a full moon guided their path and Remy wondered what he'd done to deserve a lover like Warren.
They flew in silence, neither man speaking their thoughts aloud. Remy loved being airborne and being this close to Warren. He was nestled safely between his lover's soft wings and his head rested on Warren's shoulder. "Don' ever want dis to stop," he admitted unexpectedly.
"I feel the same way, Rem," Warren smiled, something his lover couldn't see. "And once we're back at the Palazzo you'll fall asleep in my arms."
///
They made it back to the Palazzo one hour later and Warren landed carefully at the back of the building. Warren turned around in Remy's embrace, he noticed that Remy's arms were still tightly wrapped around him. "Rem?" In the dark, the gold on black eyes stared back at him.
"Just realizin' how happy I am," Remy said softly. "I don' want to t'ink 'bout what would have happened if y' hadn' come back for me after y' left N'Awlings." There were times that he still couldn't believe that Warren had returned to claim him. "Still remember findin' y' at my bed. I'd dreamed dat y' were back and to actually see y'? Ange?"
"I still feel bad for leaving you in the first place. You'd been injured because you were protecting me and?" As he was reminded of one his first mistakes, Warren looked up apologetically. He vividly remembered that one morning when he'd left to get some groceries without telling Remy. The Cajun had been asleep and it had seemed a sin to wake Remy. There had been an expression of absolute horror in Remy's eyes when they'd made eye contact after he'd returned to their cottage. The Cajun had believed that Warren had left him *again*. Warren had never forgiven himself for putting Remy through that fear.
Remy yawned fatigued. He'd been really tense, hoping that nothing would go wrong during the commitment ceremony and that nervousness was now taking its toll on the Cajun. "Sorry, ange. Don' want to fall 'sleep on y'."
"Come on, love. Let's get some rest." Warren pulled Remy with him and they quickly made their way to their suite. Hopefully the maid had carried out his instructions.
Remy followed Warren inside. One look at the couch told him that Wolvie hadn't moved since they'd left. The canine was still contentedly asleep on the sofa. Remy suspected that Wolvie would make up for his laziness tomorrow and it would be hard to control that bundle of energy once Wolvie had woken up.
A sudden flash of love, emanating from Warren caught Remy's attention and he turned to look at his lover. Warren stood in front of the bed, which was covered in red rose petals. The sweet fragrance almost made Remy dizzy. "Cher?"
"I want to sleep with you in a bed of roses," Warren whispered, feeling very romantic. Something about Remy always woke Warren's romantic feelings and spurted them on.
"Mon amour," Remy whispered shyly. He raised his right hand and pressed his fingers lightly against Warren's lips. "I don' deserve y'."
"Come on, let's take a bath first." They'd taken a quick shower before they'd left for dinner, but Warren now wanted to use the large bathtub in the bathroom.
Wondering if he should expect even more surprises, Remy hesitantly stepped into the bathroom. "Oh, cher. Y' don' have to do dis!" The bathtub was filled with warm water and white rose petals floated on the surface. Why was he this emotional? Remy felt like he could burst out in to tears any moment now.
"Shst, Rem," Warren whispered soothingly and began to undress Remy. "Let's take that bath and then we'll snuggle up in bed."
Remy read between the lines. This was about love, not lust. Warren wasn't trying to talk him into having sex like some of Remy's previous lovers had. No, Warren wanted him to enjoy the attention without having to worry about any sexual favors. "Ange?"
Hearing that one word made Warren smile. He preferred ange above all the other names, above cher, mon amour, Warren.
Remy allowed Warren to remove his clothes and Warren led his lover to the bathtub, telling Remy to slide into the warm water. "I'll join you in a sec."
Remy suddenly found himself emerged in rose scented water and wondered surprised where his clothes had gone. He was naked now, wasn't he? Shaking his head, Remy tried to clear his mind. When Warren joined him, Remy slid closer, wrapping his long legs around his lover from behind. It was an intimate moment, but Remy didn't shy back. "Let me wash y'r hair?" He loved the feel of spun gold between his fingertips.
"Sure." Warren rested his back against Remy's chest, enjoying the feel of those agile fingers washing his hair. His hands massaged Remy's calves. Warren loved it when Remy wrapped himself around him like this. "Rem?"
"Oui?" Remy rinsed Warren's hair and had to struggle to get to the conditioner because Warren's wings were in the way. But he gladly suffered a little discomfort to feel those soft feathers on his skin.
"I own a nice little place in Florida? Would you spend the rest of your life there with me?"
Remy smiled and pressed a kiss at the back of Warren's neck. "As long as we can be toget'her, oui."
"And our friends can visit." Warren cocked his head and looked over his shoulder at Remy. "Don't you want to learn more about Scott?"
Remy shrugged his shoulders and massaged the conditioner into Warren's locks. "I'm still gettin' used to de idea dat he's my brot'er."
"Want if Corsair shows up? Have you ever met him?" Warren turned around in the embrace and sat facing Remy. "Would you like to meet your? biological father?" He hesitated, not knowing what term Remy preferred. Jean-Luc would always be Remy's père and Corsair would never be able to replace the former patriarch.
"Non, I've never met him," Remy admitted and relished the caresses that Warren bestowed on him. "Would like to meet him, oui, mais? I'm not sure I want Corsair to know dat I'm his son."
"Why is that?" Warren grabbed the shampoo and planned on returning the favor. "Turn around, love." Warren waited patiently for Remy to make up his mind, whether to comply or refuse.
Hesitantly, Remy turned around and offered Warren his back. Now that he couldn't see what was going on, he started to feel a little nervous. "What's dere to be proud of for Corsair? He'd find out dat his son's a t'ief."
"Don't put yourself down like that, Rem. I don't like it. You're a great person."
"Y're biased, cher," Remy whispered, as Warren's hands worked their magic, massaging his scalp. Remy soaked up the attention he was getting and felt incredibly relaxed. The fact that Warren had mentioned that they'd go to sleep after the bath worked miracles.
"All done," Warren announced, pleased. "I should get some towels."
"Lemme," Remy offered and practically leaped out of the tub.
"Be careful, Rem," Warren warned, knowing how slippery a wet floor could be.
"Oui, cher? I know?" Remy retrieved a couple of fluffy towels and gestured Warren to get to his feet as well. He wrapped the soft towel around Warren's body and dried his lover's skin. "Why don' y' get into bed? I'll clean up here," he offered.
Warren briefly considered objecting, but saw Remy's desire to please in the gold on black eyes. "Don't take too long, love. I want to fall asleep holding you." Warren left the bathroom and removed the towel before slipping into bed naked. He'd warm the bed for his lover. As he lay there, Warren realized that he wanted to hold Remy really bad. He wanted to spoon up behind his lover and hold Remy through the night. Problem was that Remy couldn't always deal with feeling a body behind him in the dark. Maybe Remy'd feel better if Warren left a light on, or lit a candle?
Wolvie made his way out of the living area into the bedroom and climbed onto the bed. Warren watched it with resigned amusement. The foot end of the bed was Wolvie's territory since that first night. Well, the canine always warmed their feet!
"Rem?" Warren listened closely to the sounds coming out of the bathroom. What was taking Remy this long?
Remy startled hearing Warren's voice. Quickly, he pulled the plug from the bathtub and dried his skin. For one moment he'd considered following up on Warren's advice to explore and to touch himself. Mais it won' work. I'm not 'fraid of touchin' myself in dat way. I can do dat. I only get nervous when it's Warren who wants to touch me *dere*.
Remy quickly cleaned up and joined his lover in the bedroom. He shot Warren a smile when he noticed that Wolvie had claimed part of their bed. The canine had grown attached to both men. Remy had realized that when he'd picked up on strong defensive feelings aimed at Warren. In the beginning Wolvie had only tolerated Warren's presence, but that had changed.
Looking at Warren, Remy's heart thumped loudly in his chest. Warren was lying on his right side and had pushed back the comforter, expecting Remy to lay down behind him. What did ange say? He wanted to fall 'sleep wit' me in his arms? He can only do dat when I'm in front of him, which means? Warren has to spoon up behind me. Remy hoped that waking up in that position wouldn't freak him out. The Antiquary had often sexually assaulted him when he'd been sleeping on his side. Mais I'll try? for ange.
Warren watched curiously as Remy walked to the other side of the bed, and then lay down facing away from him. Hesitantly, Remy pressed closer until they lay spooned against each other. Warren held his breath. Remy was showing him how much the Cajun trusted him. "Are you sure, Rem? I don't want to spook you."
"It's only a small step," Remy whispered nervously as Warren's groin made contact with his buttocks. "Mais I should be ready to take dis step."
Warren draped one leg over Remy's hip and pulled his lover close. As he placed tiny kisses on Remy's back, he felt how his lover began to relax. Warren pulled the comforter back up and tucked them in. "You feel so good in my arms, Rem. Thank you for trusting me." He gave in as Remy's hands grabbed his wrists and pulled them in front of Remy's chest. The Cajun wanted to be hugged tightly and Warren gladly obliged.
"Are you comfortable, love?" Warren thanked the heavens that he wasn't growing aroused. That would certainly make Remy uncomfortable and shatter the enchanted moment.
"Just hold me and don' lemme go," Remy whispered softly. Warren's arms held him tight and he relished his lover's closeness. When the Antiquary had wrapped his arms around him, the old man had only wanted to keep him from fighting back. "I want to have sweet dreams tonight, cher," Remy added fatigued.
"I'll keep the nightmares away," Warren promised.
Slightly annoyed, Wolvie growled, telling the two men that it was time to go to sleep.
Warren felt Remy chuckle in his arms. "He wants us to shut up, Rem."
"Wolvie's gettin' an attitude," Remy sighed. He felt secure and safe in Warren's arms. "Have some sweet dreams too, ange," he mumbled, dozing off.
"You're my life, Remy," Warren whispered before following his lover into the land of dreams. "Don't ever stop loving me."
///
A strangled whimper woke Warren from his blissful sleep. It only took him a second to realize that Remy was having a nightmare. The Cajun was trying to wrestle free of the embrace and Warren immediately let go. Warren studied his whimpering lover and sighed relieved. It wasn't one of those earth-shattering nightmares, at least not yet. He knew what to do.
"Rem, listen to my voice. It's only a nightmare, love." Warren stayed at a distance as long as he didn't know what the nightmare was about. Another tormented whimper left Remy's lips. "Tell me, Rem, what's going on?" Warren took a deep breath and focused on his love for Remy, knowing that subconsciously his lover's empathy would pick up on it. "Rem? Come on, let me help."
"It's cold," Remy whispered, balancing on the edge of waking up. He pulled the comforter close to his body.
Warren sat up and shivered as the cold of the room hit his naked skin. "Wolvie, get off the bed!" Warren commanded and pulled up the satin sheets to wrap them around him.
Indignantly, Wolvie lay down on the floor, watching Remy with concern.
"Rem? I can make you feel warm again, but you'll have to let me get close to you." Warren cautiously crawled a little closer. "We're in Venice, Rem. We fell asleep after taking a bath, do you remember?" Suddenly, gold on black eyes opened. Warren's brow grew knitted, seeing the unshed tears in them. "Rem?"
"I was back on de ice, ange. It was so cold," Remy whispered and moved closer to Warren. "Make de cold go 'way?"
"Oh, you don't have to ask, love!" Warren exclaimed softly and opened his arms. Remy nearly knocked Warren off the bed when the Cajun flung himself into his lover's arms. Warren quickly wrapped them both up in the comforter. "Lay down again, love?" It surprised him that the nightmare hadn't been about the Antiquary. He'd kind of expected that after Remy had allowed him to spoon up behind him.
Warren gently touched Remy's chest, closely observing his lover, but Remy accepted the touch without pulling away from it. "Shst, it was only a nightmare, Rem. I've got you." Warren manoeuvred Remy onto his side, so they were facing each other. Remy snuggled up to him and rested his head against Warren's shoulder. "It's okay, Rem."
"It felt so real," Remy sobbed softly as he let go of his fear now that he was safe in Warren's arms. "Why can' dey leave me 'lone? Don' want to have dese nightmares!"
"Your subconscious is trying to deal with the trauma. You've got to give it time," Warren chided him softly. "You've already improved greatly, Rem. There were times when you couldn't stand me touching you after you'd had a nightmare and look at us now. You've got to be realistic. Dealing with the pain takes time."
Remy blinked watered eyes, but a smile flashed across his features as he glanced at Wolvie. The canine's head rested on the side of the bed and the wolf was obviously trying to find out if he could climb into its old warm space again. "C'mon, Wolvie," Remy encouraged the canine.
Warren stroked Remy's damp hair and realized that his lover was covered in cold sweat. "You want Wolvie to warm our feet again?" he asked, giving Remy the chance to compose himself.
"Oui." Remy waited until Wolvie had made himself comfortable at their feet and then he peeked at Warren. "Did I scare y'?"
"A little," Warren admitted. "I was scared you were going to have a panic attack."
"I didn' dream 'bout? *him*," Remy whispered. If the dream had been about the Antiquary he might have had that panic attack. "Dose nightmares are growin' less."
"That's good." Soothingly, Warren rubbed Remy's back with long strokes. "Do you think that you can go back to sleep now?" If not, he'd stay awake with Remy.
"Ange? Findin' y' here when I wake up? Y' don' know what dat means to me," Remy mumbled barely audible. "Ruin y'r sleep all de time and yet y' stay."
"Oh, Rem," Warren whispered, touched. "You've been there for me too when I had a nightmare about Apocalypse." Warren shivered. "Although? it's been weeks since I had one? I stopped having them after? after you discovered your healing powers."
"Wish I could work dat power on myself in dat way." Feeling tired and melancholy, Remy rubbed his cheek against Warren's chest. "How did I survive de cold?"
"I don't know, love." Warren doubted they'd ever find out. He'd contacted the group of scientists that had found Remy's nearly frozen body, but they'd been unable to supply him with additional information. "Go back to sleep, love? I'll be here when you wake up again, Rem. Wish I had some mutant power that would keep your nightmares at bay."
"Just be here when I wake up," Remy whispered against Warren's chest and surrendered to his lover's warmth, that slowly lured him back into sleep.
"Rem, I'm so sorry," Warren whispered, but Remy never heard those words as he'd fallen asleep again. "I should have gone back to Antarctica to search for you. I'm so sorry I walked out on you." His mistake would haunt him forever.
///
His nose itched and Remy sleepily wondered what was causing it. If he wouldn't know any better, he'd contribute it to the fresh smell of coffee, croissants and marmalade. But why would anyone fix him breakfast in the middle of the night? He'd just gone to sleep, hadn't he?
"Hey, wake up, sleeping beauty," Warren whispered teasingly. "And move over!"
Remy opened one sleepy eye and realized that Warren stood next to the bed with a large tray. "Huh?" Remy whispered confused, but he moved over to the side of the bed, creating space for Warren to lie down. As he opened both eyes, he saw bright sunlight fall into the room. "Ain' it supposed to be night?"
"It's almost noon, Rem and I brought you breakfast." Warren sat upright and placed the tray in between them. "Coffee?"
"Oui," Remy replied softly. "Why ain't dere a clock in dis room?" he wondered surprised.
"Because time doesn't matter on our honeymoon." Warren put a generous amount of marmalade on a croissant, tore off a small piece and offered it to his lover. "Eat something." Warren had already poured their coffee, black and hot.
Still a little dazed, Remy elbowed himself in to a sitting position. "Why didn' y' wake me earlier?" He usually never slept this late!
"You didn't sleep that great," Warren explained. "And I can't wake you when you look like that. You'd wrapped yourself all around me. It took me ten minutes to get out of bed unnoticed!" Warren offered his lover another piece of croissant and followed Remy's questioning look. "Wolvie's outside. There's a garden behind the Palazzo and he's stretching his legs. Yes, I already fed him."
"'bout last night," Remy started hesitantly, "sorry I woke y'."
"Hey, I love being there for you. Don't feel guilty about it." Warren handed Remy the coffee and the Cajun sipped from it.
"C'est bien," Remy commented as the black liquid flowed down his throat. He never felt awake until he'd had some black coffee. "What are y'r plans for today?"
"What would *you* like to do?" Warren returned the question.
"Don' know? As long as y're close, I'm fine."
"What about some sightseeing? We can rent a gondola and cuddle all day long," Warren suggested, a little disconcerted by Remy's lack of energy. Maybe that nightmare still bothered Remy? "Don't I get a good morning kiss any longer?" he whispered teasingly.
That brought a smile to Remy's lips. "Y'll always get a good mornin' kiss!" Remy leaned in closer and claimed Warren's lips. "Je t'aime, cher."
"That's better!" Warren returned the kiss and deepened it. He'd woken up with a raging morning hard-on and had taken care of it himself while fantasizing about Remy.
Remy released Warren's lips and gave his lover an odd look. He felt something in Warren's thoughts that slightly upset him, but he couldn't put his finger on it. "Is somet'in' wrong, ange?"
"Nothing," Warren assured Remy. "Let's finish breakfast and get moving before Wolvie's back."
Remy smiled. "Oui, Wolvie will drag us into de garden to play wit' him all day long."
"Wolvie needs an attitude adjustment!" Warren exclaimed and watched Remy eat another croissant. Thankfully, his lover's appetite was back.
///
"I had a great time today," Warren whispered contentedly and nodded his head. The gondola was taking them back to the Palazzo and Warren felt immensely thankful for having Remy as his life mate. They'd explored the city today and Warren hadn't been surprised to learn that Remy knew a great deal about Venice's history and art. "Tomorrow we'll leave for Athens," he informed Remy.
"How long do y' plan on stayin' on dis honeymoon?" Remy asked amused. The sun was hiding behind some clouds and he suspected it'd start to rain soon.
"For the rest of our lives hopefully," Warren replied blissfully as Remy's fingers tangled in his hair. "And yes, I added Paris to our traveling plans!"
Remy grew quiet, lost in thought. "Ange, do y' ever wonder what our lives would be like if we hadn' met in N'awlings?"
"No, I refuse to think about that," Warren said steadfast and pulled Remy's hand to his lips so he could kiss his lover's fingertips.
"Y're a romantic." Remy quivered as Warren's tongue caressed his fingertips. "Wolvie will be mad at us."
"Let him. He needs to learn that we're in charge." Warren stretched lazily as the Palazzo appeared in front of them. "They should have dinner ready for us."
Remy whispered a 'merci' to the gondolier and followed Warren into the Palazzo. He noticed that something was wrong when he picked up an odd nervousness from the receptionist. "Cher? Somet'in' happened."
Warren took the warning seriously. Addressing the receptionist, he asked, "Do you have any messages for me?"
The man replied in perfect English. "Signore Worthington, you've received a letter, marked urgent." He handed Warren the piece of paper.
Remy moved closer to his lover, as Warren opened the envelope. He read out loud, wanting Remy to know what was going on. "It's from our family lawyer."
# Mister Worthington,
It saddens me to inform you that your brother, Samuel Worthington, died yesterday in a car accident. His son, Jason, was only mildly injured. As you're Jason's only living relative, the judge will probably award you custody of Jason Worthington. Please contact me as soon as possible.
Yours truly,
Vincent Dagarmo. #
"Ange?" Remy kept his shields wide open, trying to detect any shift in emotions emanating from his lover. "I'm so sorry." Remy cursed himself mentally. He didn't even know if Warren and his brother had been close!
"It's okay, Rem. I didn't know my brother that well. Sam never wanted to have anything to do with me." Warren closed the letter and rubbed the bridge of his nose. "Jason should be about 15, I think." He hadn't even dealt with his brother's death yet and now he had to face the possibility of raising his nephew. "I've only seen Jason once, when he was 6."
"Is dere anyt'in' I can do?" Remy offered and waited for Warren to take the initiative. Remy didn't want to impose himself. Warren radiated a small amount of shock, but seemed calm and in control. But sooner or later Remy suspected there would be an emotional outburst.
"No, Rem. We need to wait and find out the judge's decision. Maybe the kid knows a family he's close to and he'll want to live with them, instead of with me." Warren suddenly realized something. "Jason and I are the only Worthingtons right now."
"Y' don' have any ot'er relatives?" Remy inquired concerned as they walked towards their suite.
"No, we're the last."
"Do y' want to go home? I'd understand, cher." Remy didn't really know what to make of Warren's reaction and emotions. Maybe Warren was trying to suppress them? "Don' shut me out, cher?" he asked pleadingly.
"I need a little time," Warren replied. "I'll never shut you out, love. Don't worry about that."
They'd arrived at their room and went inside. Wolvie cornered them at once.
"Why don' y' lie down, cher? I'll take care of Wolvie," Remy offered. It'd give Warren a chance to organize his thoughts.
"Thanks, Rem." Warren placed a single kiss on Remy's brow. "I appreciate it, but don't stay away too long?"
Remy signaled Wolvie to follow him outside and as he closed the door, Remy cast one last glance at Warren, who looked worried and suddenly tired. Yet, his empathy assured Remy that Warren wasn't in any distress. Warren seemed stunned, maybe even a little shocked at the news, but there was no emotional pain. "Will be back soon," Remy promised as he closed the door behind him.
Warren released a deep sigh as he dropped on to the bed. He felt sorry for Jason, but hoped that the judge wouldn't give him custody of the kid. He was still trying to help Remy deal with his past? no way they could raise a 15 year old!

 

Chapter Three

Westchester
Feeling melancholy, Scott stared out over the lake. He'd left the mansion to have some privacy. Although he appreciated Jean and Charles' concern, he wanted to think about Remy and Corsair without being monitored. He had to make some personal decisions and he didn't want to do that while telepaths could peek into his mind.
Right now, he didn't have the means to contact his father. He'd have to wait until Corsair decided to visit Earth. How will he react? He always thought that his youngest son had died and now I have to tell him that Remy's alive. I still can't believe that Sinister staged Remy's death!
Scott also blamed himself for not finding out the truth earlier. Maybe Remy's red on black eyes should have tipped him off. No, I couldn't know. But realizing that didn't make him feel better.
Scott had been sitting on his heels and now rose to his feet. Carefully, he stretched his cramped muscles. How long had he been sitting out here?
A smile formed on his face as he remembered the commitment ceremony. The love in Warren's eyes had been tangible and Remy's gold on black orbs had mirrored Warren's feelings. If someone had told me that Remy and Warren would end up being lovers, I'd have declared them mad. And yet, they compliment each other.
Looking over his shoulder, Scott stared at the mansion. The boathouse was empty again. Rogue had stayed away after Remy hadn't reacted to her touch and Joseph had moved back into the mansion. There was an odd atmosphere in the house. The only bright spot was Bobby. Ever since Storm had accepted that Bobby and Nicholas were lovers, Drake had proudly shown Nick off.
But I still don't have the answers to my questions. When will Corsair return to Earth? Will Remy ever meet our father? I still can't believe that I've got another brother. All this time we fought side by side and I didn't know!
But if he was having trouble accepting this revelation, how was Remy dealing with it? Thankfully, Remy wasn't alone. Warren would support Remy. Scott shivered briefly, feeling immensely grateful that Warren was at Remy's side and not Rogue. Scott and Warren were good friends, they could relate. He found it a lot harder to relate to Rogue. That woman was a mystery to him.
A sudden cold crept through his coat and Scott looked up questioningly. It was a beautiful, warm day, so where was the cold coming from?
"I'm gonna get you!"
Scott smiled as Bobby's warning cut through the air. Drake had frozen the ground and it was snowing heavily. A moment later, Scott discovered that the snow clouds followed Nicholas wherever the young man went. Nick was already covered with a layer of snow, but hadn't surrendered yet.
Amused, Scott watched Bobby chase Nicholas, who had picked up some snow and now threw a snowball at Drake.
"That doesn't scare me!" Bobby called out and ran after Nicholas. He wasn't in his ice form and didn't pay much attention to the ice beneath his feet. "Here I come," Bobby announced and moved in closer on Nick. But Bobby hadn't counted on the ice being slippery beneath him.
Nicholas burst out laughing when Bobby went down on his butt. "The great Iceman!" he roared mischievously. "Can't deal with the ice, Bobby?"
Bobby wanted to object, ice up and show his lover that he could perfectly well deal with ice, but seeing Nicholas this merry Bobby laughed warmly. "I guess I outsmarted myself."
"Did you hurt yourself, darling?" Nicolas inquired worried, as he approached his lover. "Didn't your butt cushion the blow?" A wicked grin flashed across his features.
Bobby staggered to his feet, removing the snow and ice from his coat. "It was a hard landing!" Bobby exclaimed with feigned annoyance.
"Want me to kiss it better?" Nick gave Bobby a wink.
"Now there's an invitation I can't refuse!" Bobby whispered seductively and claimed his lover's right hand. "You can kiss it better once we're in my bed."
Scott shook his head. Bobby's hormones apparently raged and Nicholas was only encouraging Drake! "You can talk dirty in bed, Drake!" Scott called out and thoroughly enjoyed the startled shriek that fled Bobby's lips.
"Scott! I didn't know that you were here too!" Bobby blushed slightly. "I didn't know we had an audience."
"It's okay." Scott smiled reassuringly. Bobby still felt a little insecure, uncertain how his team-members would react to such obvious flirting. Seeing Bobby and Nicholas together was very new to all of them. I might have reacted differently if I hadn't seen how well Remy and Warren worked out. Scott had never suspected some of his team-mates were gay or bi.
"I think I'm going back inside," Scott announced. He'd barely had any time to think about Remy and Corsair. Maybe it was best to face that challenge when Corsair showed up on his doorstep. He shouldn't worry about something he couldn't control. Scott waved good-bye and headed for the mansion.
Bobby exchanged a look with Nicholas, who didn't seem subdued or worried at all. Apparently, Scott's unexpected appearance hadn't upset Nick. "Wanna go back too?"
"Sure, darling." Nicholas locked his amused eyes with Bobby's. "I still have to kiss it better," he announced wickedly. He relished seeing the blush on Bobby's face. Nicholas understood that Bobby tried to hide his insecurity, as Bobby had told him that this was his first gay relationship and that he was afraid to screw things up. Nicholas however, had had boyfriends before. "Come on, darling, let's get moving," Nicholas said eventually. "Although I love the snow I feel terribly cold."
"Want me to warm you?" Bobby offered, trying hard not to stumble over his words.
"Oh yeah." Nicholas pulled Bobby along. "Let's go and get warm!"
///
Venice
Remy softly closed the bedroom door behind him when he made it back from walking Wolvie. He'd left the canine in the living area, after explaining to the wolf that he couldn't sleep in the bed tonight. Warren probably wanted some privacy and having a wolf snore at your feet could be annoying.
He'd stayed out longer than he'd planned, but Wolvie had had so much pent up energy that they'd played for one whole hour. Now that he sneaked over to the bed, Remy wondered how Warren was doing. Warren had switched off the lights and only a few moonbeams illuminated the room.
Focusing his empathy, Remy tried to get an impression of Warren's feelings. He felt like invading Warren's privacy, but his concern urged him on. Sadness, regret and nervous anticipation flowed in to his mind. Warren wasn't in any emotional turmoil yet, but heading that way. "Cher?" Remy whispered softly, knowing Warren was awake.
"Come to bed, Rem," Warren whispered softly. He hadn't realized how lost in thought he'd been until he'd heard Remy's voice.
"Y' want me close? Understand if y' want some time 'lone," Remy offered.
"Please get in to bed and hold me, love. I just want to go to sleep." Warren peeked at Remy, and noticed his lover's concerned expression. "But bear in mind that I'm not the greatest company right now."
"C'est bien, ange. I understand," Remy assured him and stripped quickly. "Where do y' want me?" He now stood naked beside the bed and Warren lay on his right side, facing away from him.
"Get behind me, love, and hold me."
Remy didn't need further encouragement and slipped into bed. He reached out and gathered his lover in his arms. Only now did Remy realize that Warren was still fully clothed. However, his lover felt cold and Remy quickly pulled up the comforter. "Wanna talk 'bout it, ange?"
Warren first wanted to decline, but then realized that talking always seemed to help Remy to better deal with his fears. And it isn't fair to keep Remy in the dark. Suddenly, Warren realized how wonderful it felt to be wrapped up in Remy's arms. The Cajun's head rested on Warren's shoulder and Remy's breath softly caressed the skin of his face. It felt so good to have a strong shoulder to lean on.
Remy waited patiently and didn't push Warren in to talking. He gently kissed the back of his lover's neck and moved until he rested comfortably between the soft wings.
"Lavender," Warren mumbled softly.
"Cher?" Confused, Remy tried to peek at Warren's face.
"You smell of lavender. I don't think you smelled like this before."
"Want to comfort y', ange." Remy shivered briefly. Tante had told him that she'd smelled lavender when he'd tried to comfort her after her nephew's death. "Are y' cataloguin' dese fragrances now?"
"They tell me a lot about how you really feel, Rem. You've got the tendency to keep everything inside."
"Like y' do, cher?"
"No, I want to tell you about Samuel, Sam, but it isn't easy." Warren pressed closer against Remy's pliant body. He loved feeling Remy close behind him. "When Sam and I were small kids we got along just fine."
Remy licked his lips, wondering how to phrase his questions. His empathy told him that Warren wanted to talk about this, but he had to handle this carefully. After pressing another kiss on Warren's soft skin, Remy asked, "Was he y'r younger or older brot'er?"
"Sam's 9 years older? He was my big brother."
"What went wrong?" Remy tightened the embrace and felt Warren relax in his arms. It was good to know that Warren also trusted him with his secrets.
"I got wings," Warren said in a bitter tone. "When Sam realized that I was a mutant he cut off all contact."
"I'm sorry, cher," Remy whispered sincerely.
"I'd hoped that me being a mutant wouldn't matter to Sam because we were brothers, but? I was wrong."
"Y' don' expect family to react like dat," Remy agreed and kissed Warren's locks. "What 'bout y'r dad?" He suddenly realized how little he knew about his lover's past.
"Dad wasn't thrilled, but didn't treat me any different. Dad and I were never close. He was always away on business trips and after mom died he got really distant. But he didn't disown me or banish me from the family home."
"So Sam left?"
"Yes," Warren confirmed. "After I got my degree and returned home, Sam refused to stay any longer. He didn't want to live under the same roof with a mutant." Warren tried to hide his pain, but knew that the attempt was futile. Remy was an empath and surely felt his turmoil.
"And when y'r fat'er died?" Remy asked, concerned.
"Dad had named us his heirs and we had to work together to keep the family fortune safe. But Sam limited the contact to business meetings only."
Remy sighed deeply. He sensed how much this had hurt his lover.
"And then I got this blue skin, courtesy of? Apocalypse. Can you imagine Sam's reaction when he saw me?" Warren's bitterness now was obvious and he trembled in Remy's arms. "I saw the loathing in his eyes."
"I'm so sorry, cher," Remy repeated, unsure what to say. Usually Warren listened to Remy's admissions and not the other way around. Remy remembered holding and comforting Warren only once before. Warren had suffered from a nightmare featuring Apocalypse and later that night, Warren had told Remy about walking out on him during the trial. Their role reversal was disconcerting, but it felt good to be able to be there for Warren. "Now tell me what else's bot'erin' y'." Warren was keeping back.
"Sam's son, Jason."
"Why worry 'bout him?" Remy stroked Warren's shoulders, gently massaging tense muscles.
"I don't know a damn thing about raising a 15 year old!" Warren suddenly exploded. "I'm sure Sam told Jason about his mutant uncle. The kid and I only met once and at that time Jason kept his distance."
"Cher? Lemme tell y' somet'in'," Remy said gently and waited until he had Warren's undivided attention. "Jean-Luc Lebeau didn' know how to raise a mutant and he did a great job? I t'ink."
"Oh, Rem!" Warren turned in Remy's embrace until they were face to face. Warren wrapped Remy's arms around his body again and stared into the gold on black eyes. "I was so feeling sorry for myself that?"
"What I'm tryin' to say, cher, is dat y'd make a great père too." Remy noticed the stunned look on Warren's face. "Y' care. Only dat matters."
"But I'm sure Sam taught Jason to dislike his mutant uncle." Warren looked at Remy apologetically. "And you're still healing. You don't need this."
"Cher," Remy whispered and pressed a gentle kiss on Warren's brow. "I was a mess when père took me in. Jean-Luc didn' know how to handle me, mais he tried and tried hard. I didn' trust him, tried to run 'way 'cause I was 'fraid he'd hurt me like de Antiquary had. He didn' tell y' I fought him at times?" Remy waited for Warren's nod and then continued. "I yelled at him to leave me 'lone. I even scratched his skin open when he tried to bat'e me dat first time. Didn' want to lose my clot'es, dat made me feel vulnerable. Mais Jean-Luc knew dat I needed him and he didn' give up."
"You can't compare yourself to Jason, Rem. Jason's a spoiled brat. Sam always gave Jason what he wanted, even sent Jason to the most expensive boarding schools."
"Sounds to me like dat chile got a lot of material t'ings, mais little amour, cher," Remy pointed out to Warren. "Sounds like y'r brot'er tried to buy Jason's affection." Remy suddenly wondered about something. "What 'bout Jason's mère?"
"She died in childbirth. Jason never knew Maggy." Warren released a deep sigh. "I don't want to talk about this anymore, Rem."
"Ignorin' it won' make it go 'way," Remy said softly and smiled.
"Crazy Cajun," Warren whispered affectionately. "I told you that once, didn't I?"
"I 'ways pay attention." Remy's smile brightened. "Look, ange, we'll deal wit' dis toget'er, non? Y' don' have to do dis 'lone."
Warren now shook his head. "Throwing my own words back at me, huh?"
"Wanna go to sleep or??" Remy wasn't sure what to do next. When one of his former lovers had been upset, he'd let them use his body to distract them, but he couldn't and wouldn't do that now.
"I'm not in the mood for hanky panky," Warren replied, obviously pleased that Remy understood that having sex wouldn't solve anything. "Let's go to sleep? I've got this feeling tomorrow might be an exhausting day."
"Y' should lose de clot'es first," Remy reminded him.
"Yeah, I guess you're right about that." Reluctantly, Warren got out of bed to strip. "Keep my spot warm," he asked Remy.
"Mais of course," Remy whispered and watched Warren take off his clothes. Warren needed a little distraction as his lover was still brooding and Remy quipped, . "Did I ever tell y' how well I can see in de dark?"
Warren released a cry of feigned surprise. He only knew too well, but was more than willing to play the game. "You're peeking."
"Cher," Remy said amused. "Y've got not'in' dat I haven' seen 'fore!" But his amusement quickly changed into confusion when he realized that his cock was waking up. Merde! I can' want dis now! Warren just learned dat he lost his brot'er and I? I can' want dis now! But his body had different ideas and he was growing aroused quickly. Embarrassed, Remy averted his eyes.
Warren noticed the sudden change in his lover's eyes. Also, the unexpected fragrance of lilies alerted him that something had happened. He quickly slipped between the covers and lay down facing Remy. Why was his lover blushing and averting his eyes? Then he noticed another fragrance floating through the room, roses. Remy's aroused! Warren realized, surprised. "Hey, talk to me, love."
"Sorry, cher, don' want dis." Remy shrugged his shoulder apologetically, as he tried to fight his arousal down.
Very carefully, Warren slid one hand beneath the covers. "Rem?" His probing fingers only encountered warm skin and he remembered that Remy had gone to bed naked. "Is this for me?" Warren smiled reassuringly as his fingertips brushed Remy's erection. It didn't happen too often that Remy spontaneously wanted to make love.
"Sorry, cher," Remy whispered. "Dis ain' de right time."
Warren silenced his lover. "Hey, as far as I'm concerned it's always the right time." He wanted to take away the emotional agony that haunted the gold on black eyes. "Can I play with it?" he quipped, hoping to relax his lover. Only moments ago he'd told Remy that he wasn't interested in any hanky panky, but then he'd been afraid that Remy would offer himself for the wrong reasons. But this was different. This was pure. This had nothing to do with manipulation, but everything with true love and attraction.
Remy's eyes grew big. "Play wit' it?"
"What's wrong?" Warren slowly stroked his lover's erection beneath the covers, just intending the caress as a prelude. He wanted to take his time.
Remy struggled to find the right words. "Shouldn' react like dis. Y' just lost y'r brot'er and I lie here wit' a hard-on."
"Rem?" Warren rubbed his thumb across the tip of Remy's cock and the Cajun quavered at the caress. "It means a lot to me that you didn't try to distract me with sex earlier."
"It did cross my mind," Remy admitted and helplessly arched his back.
"But you didn't act on it. Rem? Let me do this for you?" Warren watched his lover's beautiful face and kissed Remy's lips. "You want this and so do I."
"Mais y'?"
Warren felt Remy's probing fingers. "I'm not hard? yet, that's true, but I'd love to give you this, Rem."
Confused, Remy sought out Warren's eyes. His lover was still massaging his hard cock and pre-ejaculate was making his erection slippery. Warren's caress felt even better now. "Don' know how to explain dis," Remy said hesitantly.
"Try," Warren whispered and pressed tiny kisses all over Remy's face. "Tell me."
"When I had a lover," Remy started, uncomfortably, "dey took what dey wanted. I?" The revelation came unexpected. "I made it easy for dem to use me, non?"
Warren nodded his head. "I think so," he whispered and pushed down the comforter so he had access to Remy's bare chest. "I never knew I could have a thing for a man's nipples," he admitted and ran his tongue across Remy's left nipple. "Go on," he said eventually.
"Dey never took de time to make me feel good like y' do," Remy panted. "I just offered myself to dem. I never realized?" Remy's voice trailed off, as Warren closed his lips over his left nipple, nibbling gently. "Cher? I'm gonna come?"
"That's the idea, love," Warren quipped. "I want you to come." Warren moved down Remy's body until he met Remy's weeping erection. "It makes me feel so good when I make you come." He knew how much Remy had suffered in the past and it made him feel special that the Cajun trusted him not to hurt him. "I think I'm going to try that tongue thing."
"Tongue t'in'?" Confused, Remy looked down at his lover. Warren placed Remy's hands on his shoulders and the Cajun caressed his lover's skin. "What are y' gonna do?" He had to know what to expect.
"Can I touch you? there?" Warren gently rubbed his thumb over his lover's entrance.
Remy shivered. "Cher?"
Warren pumped his lover's cock slowly but hard, and the caress drew a whimper from Remy's lips. "Yes or no?"
"Oui," Remy whispered, helplessly. He was too close to orgasm to call Warren back now. Warren was the first lover who'd ever focused so entirely on Remy's needs that it made the Cajun nervous. Warren was so intend to give him pleasure that Remy wondered why Warren was so driven to make him come without wanting any sexual favors in return.
"Thanks, Rem? thanks for trusting me." Warren got to his feet and gently positioned Remy on the right side of the bed. Still lying on his back, Remy's long legs dangled off the bed. Warren kneeled on the floor and placed Remy's legs over his shoulders. That way, he had perfect access to those gorgeous round mounts. "Can I eat you?" Warren noticed the shudder that ran through his lover's body and returned to stroking Remy's hard cock.
"Cher, y' don' have to do dis." Remy felt vulnerable and helpless. Never before had he been the center of his lover's complete attention. Usually, it was the other way around.
"But I want to," Warren said in a pouting tone. "Please?"
Remy released a moan. "Oui, cher." He knew he had to take this step if he truly wanted to overcome his demons. If it hadn't been for Warren's talented fingers, his erection would have faded because of his nervousness. "Cher!" Remy groaned the word when something wet and slippery slithered down his cleft. A soft throbbing started in his cock and Remy buried his fingers in the satin sheets.
Warren smiled. "I guess you like that," Warren whispered mischievously. He'd always thought that doing this would gross him out, but seeing Remy squirm and whimper only motivated to try harder. His tongue connected with warm flesh and slithered inside. Remy jerked and Warren used one hand to steady him. "Easy now," Warren whispered. After first removing his tongue, he thrust it inside again.
"Cher!" Remy's tone was frantic now and he bucked hard.
Warren ignored the outcry and concentrated on driving Remy insane, using his tongue to explore his lover's hidden secrets. Remy's balls trembled beneath his touch and Warren realized that his lover was close. He pulled back and Remy whimpered at the loss. "Come for me, Rem," he whispered and closed his lips over his lover's cock. At the same time he inserted one finger in to the wet passage.
"Mon Dieu!" Remy arched his hips, thrust into Warren's hot mouth and involuntarily he pushed down on to his lover's finger. He forgot to breathe when Warren's fingertip found his prostate. "Cher? please? so close? wanna come? please? Warren?"
Warren listened to Remy's raving and wondered if his lover had ever given himself so completely during their lovemaking. He carefully added another digit and scissored his fingers, making sure he regularly brushed Remy's prostate. Remy was incredibly relaxed and Warren looked up to stare into his lover's dilated pupils.
Remy lost control when a second finger opened him up. Warren sucking him hard drove him over the edge and his cock released his come in short, jerky spurts.
Swallowing everything Remy had to offer, Warren didn't remove his fingers yet, but made sure his fingertips no longer made any contact with Remy's prostate. Spasms coursed through his lover's body and Warren licked Remy's cock clean, before letting the now sated organ slip from his mouth.
Remy only slowly came down from the adrenaline rush and it took him a moment to regulate his breathing. "Cher?" he looked down at his lover with tears in his eyes.
"Two, Rem. You took two fingers. They're still inside you." Warren moved them slightly and watched his lover's reaction. "Tell me how it feels, love?"
"It feels? so good," Remy sobbed softly as unshed tears fled his eyes. "Feels so good?"
Warren nodded his head. "That's the way it's supposed to feel, Rem." Slowly, he pulled back and exited Remy's body. "Sore?"
"Non, don' t'ink so." Remy felt terribly relaxed. "What 'bout y', cher?" He'd completely neglected Warren's needs and felt guilty about that.
Warren grinned a little. "I came with you, love."
"Cher?" Remy didn't understand. He hadn't even touched Warren!
"Making you come, made me come," Warren quipped and smirked. "We're a mess. I should clean us up, love." His own orgasm had taken him by surprise. Yes, he'd grown hard when he'd made Remy come, but usually he needed more direct stimulation to reach orgasm. It had been quite an interesting ride!
"Y've got a drop of come on y'r chin, cher?" Remy felt shy all of a sudden. He couldn't remember any of his lovers coming because they'd focused on him.
"Have you ever tasted yourself, Rem?" Warren collected the droplet onto his index finger and then brought it to Remy's lips. Moving in closer, he claimed his lover's lips possessively.
Remy moaned into Warren's mouth, as he tasted himself. "Merci, cher?" he whispered sincerely. "No one has ever been dis gentle wit' me."
Warren sensed the pain behind those words and nodded his head. "Things have changed, love. Now stay here." Warren slid out of bed and headed for the bathroom. He returned with a wet washcloth and a towel. He'd already cleaned himself up in the bathroom, and as he sat down on the side of the bed, he took in his lover's appearance. "I smell candy? sugar and honey," he said teasingly as he cleaned Remy up. "I love that smell."
Remy allowed the clean up, but then opened his arms and pulled Warren close. "Please cher, want y' close." After a moment's hesitation, Remy pulled Warren on top of his body. Remy wiggled beneath Warren and spread his legs to accommodate his lover.
Surprised that Remy wanted him to cover his body, Warren accepted the invitation and settled down between Remy's thighs. "I love you, Rem." He firmly wrapped Remy's legs around his waist and rested his elbows on either side of Remy's face so he could look at his lover. He loved to rest between Remy's thighs and Warren's cock stirred a little, interested in this development.
Remy sensed the growing arousal and swallowed hard. Being on the bottom like this made him feel uncomfortable, but he wanted Warren to top in the future. It was too damn confusing. "Can we go to sleep, cher?"
Warren understood the hint. "Sure, love." Remy wasn't ready to take another step. "Am I not squashing you?" Warren loved to feel Remy beneath him, but realized it might trigger flashbacks.
"Dis is fine," Remy whispered, overcoming his fears. Warren wouldn't force him. The Antiquary had done that, but Warren would never do that. "I'm tired, ange." Tomorrow would be another long day, especially if they had to return home unexpectedly.
"You smell so good," Warren whispered as he rested his head on Remy's shoulder. Remy wrapped his arms around him and Warren finally relaxed. "You were amazing, love," he mumbled, drifting off in to sleep.
"Non, y' were 'mazin'," Remy corrected a sleeping Warren. "Merci for bein' patient and showin' me true love." His body tingled with the after effects of intense pleasure and it didn't take Remy long to doze off himself.

 

Chapter Four

Remy stirred in his sleep. He'd been peacefully dreaming of flying over Venice's rooftops in Warren's arms, but something had upset his dreams. Peeking open one eye, Remy realized that Warren was the source of the disturbance. Reaching out empathically, Remy probed Warren's feelings.
His lover was in obvious emotional turmoil and Remy wondered whether to tighten his embrace or let Warren go. He'd fallen asleep with Warren in his arms, spooned behind his lover. "Cher? What's wrong?" he whispered, hoping to wake his lover, but Warren was deeply entangled in his nightmare.
At times like these Remy wished he were a telepath as well. Although he sensed Warren's distress, he had no idea how to reach him. He knew what Warren felt, but couldn't access the thoughts or pictures that were upsetting Warren. Remy didn't know how to ease his lover's pain.
"Cher? Ange?" Speaking a little louder this time, Remy grew concerned. Warren wasn't reacting to his voice. Warren struggled in the embrace and Remy immediately released him. Sitting upright, Remy freed Warren's flapping wings. Warren trashed on the bed and Remy's face contorted. "Don' know what to do, ange," he whispered upset.
Acting on instinct, he reached out with one hand and placed it on Warren's shoulder. To Remy's surprise, Warren allowed it. "Please, cher?" Remy was growing worried and even a little frightened. Warren radiated pain and terror and the emotions flowed into Remy's mind now that the Cajun had opened his shields.
"Warren?" Remy tried one last time and closed his eyes, concentrating on sending his lover soothing emotions. "Cher, je t'aime. Please come back to me." He didn't know where Warren's mind had traveled in his sleep, but his lover was surrounded by darkness. He had to try.
///
Warren stared into Apocalypse's face and tried to ignore the filthy laughter that escaped the mutant's lips. Metal wings were attached to his back and he shivered at the malice that Apocalypse radiated. Then another face took shape, pushing away Apocalypse's visage. Cameron Hodge's face appeared instead and Warren felt a sting of betrayal. //Get out of my mind!//
Subconsciously, Warren knew that he was having a nightmare, but he had no means to stop the hellish scenario. Suddenly, he found himself in a hospital room and the doctor in charge inserted a needle beneath his skin. //Oh God, not again!//
He'd been here before. Had woken up from his worst nightmare in this room. His wings had been amputated because of Cameron Hodge's scheming. He'd felt more dead than alive when he'd woken up, only to find his wings gone. //I don't want to be here!// Instinctively, Warren reached out. //REMY!//
///
"Ange!" Remy felt his lover's outcry for help and quickly covered the distance between them. Right now it didn't matter if Warren wanted the physical contact or not, fact was that Remy needed to touch Warren to strengthen the empathic link. Carefully, Remy folded his arms around Warren and pulled his lover in to a sitting position. He had to avoid one of Warren's wings, as his lover was moving about wildly. "I'm here, cher."
But his words didn't seem to reach Warren, and Remy took a deep breath before pushing through Warren's shields. //Le professeur trained dem bien!// Warren, like all X-Men, had considerable shields to keep attackers from acquiring secret information by invading his mind.
Finally inside Warren's mind, Remy mentally gasped. The darkness threatened to consume his lover. Hate and pain made up the blackness and Remy had to counteract all that negativity by focusing on his love for Warren.
"I'm here, cher," Remy repeated, slightly relieved when Warren stopped trashing in his arms. "Will protect y'. Will drive the dark 'way," he vowed passionately.
Remy realized that the darkness was strong because Warren was feeding it. Warren still hadn't completely dealt with certain events from his past and they were gaining on him. "Je t'aime, cher," he whispered and battled despair himself. How could he ever reach his lover when the darkness continued to grow stronger? //Je t'aime, cher!//
Startled, Remy almost pulled away from Warren as his fingertips began to tingle. He'd experienced this phenomena a few times before and it had usually happened when he'd prepared his lover to make love. But this time a golden glow left his fingertips and snaked over on to Warren's fingers, engulfing his lover's hand in golden light. //Mon Dieu, what's dis?//
///
Unexpected warmth invaded the surrounding darkness and Warren clung to the glow. The hospital room faded and instead a golden cloud appeared, protectively wrapping itself around him. It was a magical experience. The emotional warmth was breathtaking and Warren lost himself in the love that surrounded him. //Remy?// Was this his lover's doing? But since when did Remy possess such? power?
The love that embraced him felt extremely powerful and penetrated each hidden corner of his being. Warren unintended held his breath, afraid that when he exhaled, the glow would disappear.
The warmth made him feel safe and images of Apocalypse and Cameron Hodge drifted at the outskirts of the glow, but couldn't penetrate the protective warmth.
Warren's eyes suddenly flashed open as he awoke with a whimper. "Remy?" His lover's brow was knitted with worry. The golden glow surrounded Remy as well and seemed to connect them, making them one. A golden silhouette illuminated their bedroom. "I had a nightmare?" he whispered and cocked his head, suddenly realizing that the golden glow surrounded them completely. An emotional safety blanket had been wrapped around him.
"I couldn' reach y'," Remy mumbled apologetically. "And den dis happened!" Feeling awed at whatever *dis* was, Remy grew silent.
"I feel warm," Warren said eventually, seeing apprehension in Remy's eyes. "I feel? loved?" Warren suddenly realized that Remy's empathy had kicked in big time. Usually, he didn't *feel* Remy this intensely. "I feel?" Warren paused to search for words, "I feel your love for me?"
"Got worried when y' didn' react, ange and? didn' do dis on purpose," Remy said apologetically. "Sorry for invadin' y'r mind like dat. Only excuse I've got is dat I was really worried."
"Rem, I love the way this feels," Warren said impressed. He'd known that Remy loved him deeply, but feeling it was awe-inspiring. "You love me this much? Wow." Warren had forgotten about his nightmares now that this warmth permeated his body and mind.
"Y're not mad wit' me for plungin' into y'r mind like dat?" Remy found that he couldn't release Warren's hand. The glow was keeping their fingers twined together. "Cher? Are we stuck?"
"I don't think so, Rem," Warren said reassuringly, soaking up Remy's love and affection like a sponge. The darkness in his nightmare had been too intimidating and he needed something to battle its memory. "Maybe I'm not ready to let go yet?" he suggested.
Remy's eyes grew big. "Cher, y' don' need *me* to fight y'r nightmares. Y're de strong one."
"Oh, Rem. You're *so* wrong!" Warren exclaimed. "Don't you know that you're my strength? If it hadn't been for you I would have let those assassins murder me. You gave me a reason to live. Do you have any idea how badly I need you?"
Remy blinked. "Need *moi*?" Why did he have a hard time believing that? Warren wasn't the headcase, Remy was!
"Does this work both ways?" Warren inquired interested and twined their fingers tighter. He'd give this a shot.
"Don't know, cher," Remy admitted. "Dis is new to me too." He trembled slightly as the golden glow flashed brightly. "What are y' doin', ange?"
"Sending you my feelings."
Remy gasped at the flood of feelings that suddenly washed over him. Love, affection, adoration, need and trust touched him deeply and Remy's eyes released a single tear. "Dat's beau? souffle-prent," Remy panted softly. "Takes my breat' 'way," he added, seeing Warren's questioning expression.
"I'm ready to let go now, are you?" Warren asked in a teasing tone. Remy finally understood how deep his feelings ran for his Cajun lover.
"Oui," Remy whispered, but his actions proved differently. His fingers refused to let go of Warren's and the golden glow intensified.
"No, you're not," Warren realized and leaned in closer, bringing their hands to his chest, holding them there. He pulled Remy up onto his knees so they were level and could easily look into each other's eyes. Warren leaned forward and rested his forehead against Remy's, never breaking eye contact. "I love you, Rem. You're my life."
Remy's eyes closed briefly. The love that stared back at him was too pure. "Ange." A soft sob escaped Remy.
"Tell me," Warren encouraged his lover.
"No one ever needed me like dis."
"Stupid Cajun," Warren chided him affectionately and he pressed a chaste kiss on his lover's lips. "Want to go to sleep like this?" He wouldn't mind feeling this warmth all night long. "The golden glow is *so* you, Rem!"
Remy actually chuckled, hearing that comment. It was true though. He wasn't ready to let go. That Warren still suffered from nightmares worried Remy. "Gonna hold y'," he whispered and pulled Warren down until they lay spooned. Holding Warren close, Remy buried his face in his lover's locks. One wing closed over him, creating a safe place.
Warren smiled. The glow was still there, proving to him that his lover would keep him safe.
"Will keep de nightmares 'way," Remy promised and this time he knew that he could keep that promise.
"I wish I could do the same thing for you, Rem," Warren whispered, feeling a little sad. But the warm glow made it hard to hold on to the sadness.
"Go to sleep, cher," Remy mumbled soothingly. "No more nightmares, I promise."
Lured in to sleep by his lover's promise and the warmth, Warren closed his eyes and snuggled closer to his lover. He craved feeling Remy's naked skin against his.
"Sleep, mon amour. Will watch over y'." Remy repeated the promise until Warren had fallen asleep. "Je t'aime," he added and realized that Warren thought of Remy as the strong one. //What a joke!//
///
San Francisco
Logan watched as Jean-Luc paced their hotel room. They'd decided to travel the good old USA with some newly bought Harley Davidsons and were heading out tomorrow morning. "What's buggin' ya?"
"Remy," Jean-Luc said without hesitance. "I'm worried about Remy."
"Why? They're on their honeymoon? what could possibly go wrong?" Logan considered his own question and then shook his head. "Don't answer that one." A lot of things could go wrong. Some villains would love to get a piece of Remy and Warren. "Any particular reason why yer worried?" Logan got up from the bed on which he'd been resting and walked over to his lover.
"Just a feeling, cher," Jean-Luc replied thoughtfully. "I can't really explain it, mais dere have been times when I? somehow knew Remy was in trouble and afterwards, my instincts proved right."
"Why don't ya give Remy a call? Or send them an e-mail message? The hotel has Internet access." Logan folded one arm around his lover's waist. Even after spending weeks together, the Cajun master thief still held back, held on to little secrets. Although the trust was there, Jean-Luc was reluctant to share everything with Logan, and hell, he understood Jean-Luc! He had secrets himself!
"You said it yourself, cher. It's deir honeymoon. I don't want to intrude."
"But yer worried." Logan observed Jean-Luc, as the Cajun struggled with himself to reach a decision. "Knowin' Remy, he'll be thrilled to hear from ya."
"Mebbe I'll send a message," Jean-Luc said reluctantly. "I don't know what's wrong with me." Nervously, he moved away from Logan's touch.
"What's goin' on, Cajun?" Logan didn't like this one bit. Jean-Luc had never acted this? upset before.
Jean-Luc locked eyes with Logan, obviously frustrated that he couldn't figure it out himself. "It's driving me insane," he mumbled eventually. "I feel like something terrible is about to happen and I can't stop it."
"Do ya get these 'hunches' often?" Logan inquired, concerned.
"Maddie always thought that I could tell de future," Jean-Luc said and shook his head. "Mais dat's just mumbo jumbo. I always thought dat it was connected to Remy's charm? empathy? magic, whatever you want to call it. We always had dis connection."
Logan carefully considered his answer. "Let's find a computer or a phone." If Jean-Luc was this edgy there had to be a good reason. Something told him that Jean-Luc hadn't stayed the Guild's patriarch without having some extraordinary skills and gifts.
///
Venice
"Good mornin', cher," Remy whispered and placed a kiss on the tip of Warren's nose. He'd sneaked out of bed earlier to get the breakfast tray so they could have breakfast in bed again. "I 'ready walked Wolvie?"
Warren stretched lazily and realized that something warm and heavy covered his feet. Wolvie had climbed onto the bed again and taken his rightful spot. "You're too good to be true, Rem."
Remy smiled shyly. "Coffee or tea?"
"Coffee," Warren said decisively. "Have there been any calls from my lawyer?"
"Not yet, cher." Remy peeked at his lover. "Wanna go home today?"
"I'll call him later and then we'll see. I don't want to break off our honeymoon, love." Warren dipped his finger into the strawberry marmalade and covered Remy's lips with the sweet substance. "I'm hungry," he whispered and pulled Remy down with him. They almost knocked over the tray when Remy settled down beside Warren. Wolvie gave them an indignant stare.
Warren looked deeply into Remy's eyes. "You're blushing!" Warren said teasingly.
"Why are y' lookin' at me like? dat?" Remy whispered nervously and accepted the strawberry that Warren offered him. The kitchen staff had added a plate of various fruits this morning and Remy wondered whether Warren planned on feeding them to him. "Cher?"
"Thank you for last night, Rem," Warren said sincerely. The golden glow was gone now. "Do you have any idea what happened?"
"I was tryin' to reach y'," Remy whispered shyly and obediently ate another strawberry. "Wanna talk 'bout dat nightmare?"
"It was Apocalypse again." Warren didn't want to discuss this. The morning was way to perfect to dwell on nightmares, but he knew Remy well enough to know that his lover wouldn't give in easily. "And Cameron Hodge." Had he ever told Remy about Cameron?
Confused, Remy locked eyes with Warren. "Who?"
"We grew up together. Cameron and I were best friends, but? I never realized that he'd become a mutant hater. When the Marauders damaged my wings?" Warren caught Remy's sharp intake of breath. "Which was *not* your fault, Rem, they could have been saved."
"I don' understand," Remy admitted and frowned. He'd never asked Warren how he'd dealt with losing his wings.
"My wings could have healed," Warren continued and claimed Remy's hand, which he kissed, palm and back. "But Cameron told the doctors to amputate my wings."
"What?" Remy's cry echoed through the room. "Cher, I didn' know?"
Warren gently caressed his lover's shaking hands. "Listen, love."
Remy tried to calm down. He hadn't known that Warren's wings could have been saved.
"Cameron belongs to an organization, the Right, which is determined to destroy all mutants. Our friendship no longer means a thing to him. Not after he found out that I was a mutant." Surprised, Warren gave in as Remy wrapped both arms around him. "It's okay, love," he said reassuringly, smelling the lilies, mixed with lilacs. "None of it was your fault, you should know that by now."
"If only I'd known what Sinister was up to! I'd never have led dem into de tunnels!"
"I believe you, Rem, now calm down." Warren almost regretted telling Remy about Cameron. "I've got my wings back. It's okay, love."
Remy drew in a deep breath. "It's just dat?"
"What?"
"I love y'r wings so much?"
Warren smiled warmly. "And I love you."
"Cher," Remy gasped the word. "I know y' do, mais sometimes it's hard to believe."
"Let's finish breakfast and then I'll make that call to Vincent. Depending on its outcome we can plan the rest of the day, okay?" Warren cupped Remy's chin in the palm of his hand and waited for his lover to meet his glance. "I want to spend the rest of my life with you."
Speechless, Remy just nodded his head.
///
Remy couldn't stand it any longer. Warren had been uncharacteristically quiet all morning and was now trying to reach his family lawyer. "Cher? How y' doin'?"
"Not that great," Warren whispered honestly and then took a deep breath when Vincent, his lawyer, answered the call.
Remy tried not to eavesdrop and moved into the living area, where Wolvie gave him a curious glance. "Hey, Wolvie," Remy said absentmindedly and sat cross-legged next to Wolvie, who rolled onto his back to offer his tummy to Remy.
"Want a tummy rub?" Remy smiled, amused. Wolvie always made him feel good. An animal's mind was very different from a human's, much less complicated, and Remy obliged the canine. His long, agile fingers teasingly rubbed the wolf's tummy. A soft growl escaped Wolvie's throat. "Y' like dat, non?"
Wolvie growled a little harder and Remy continued to rub. It took his mind off Warren's problems, no *their* problems. He'd tried to support Warren, assure his lover that he'd make a good dad, but wasn't that sure of his own qualities to raise a teenager. Would he, Remy LeBeau, make a good père too? He doubted it.
Yes, Jean-Luc had been a good role model. The Cajun master thief had given Remy all he needed and more. Jean-Luc had never held back his love and had always been there for him. But could he do the same thing for a strange 15 years old boy? However, Remy knew he had to try to make this work. Jason had just lost his father and Warren was all the boy had left.
It might take them a while to show Jason that mutants didn't differ that much from 'normal humans', but how would the kid react to finding out that his uncle was gay as well and then being confronted with Remy?
His temples began to throb and a headache set it. Merde, he didn't need this right now! Unexpectedly, arms wrapped themselves around him and the sudden contact made Remy jump to his feet. The gesture brought back memories of the Antiquary, holding him in place. Panting slightly, Remy freed himself of Warren's arms. He fled in to the opposite corner of the living room, creating distance between them.
"Rem?" Startled, Warren backed down. Remy's reaction worried him and the Cajun's eyes were haunted. "Bad memory?" he whispered, hoping he'd pegged down the source of Remy's reaction. His own heart thumped heavily seeing the terror in his lover's eyes.
"Don' do dat when I can' see y'!" Remy choked out eventually. He felt angry and ashamed at the same time. Angry that Warren hadn't given him an advance warning and ashamed because he still needed that warning.
"I'm sorry, Rem. I guess I forgot." Feeling truly remorseful, Warren simply extended his hand, not touching his lover yet. "Please?"
Remy eyed the hand briefly and then clasped his fingers around it. "I'm sorry too, cher." His empathy told him that his reaction scared Warren. "I didn' hear y' come in to de room and? for one terrible moment *he* was back in here."
Warren didn't need to hear the name to know that they were talking about the Antiquary. The bastard would probably never stop haunting Remy completely, though it helped to know that Daimon had dragged the sorcerer to Hell. They'd never heard from the son of Satan again.
"I spooked you?" Warren realized. "Would you give me a hug, Rem?" Warren hoped they could deal with these momentary flashbacks.
Shyly, Remy locked eyes with Warren. How could he ever deny his lover? Slowly, carefully, he took a step closer to Warren and folded his arms around his lover. "I'm 'kay," he whispered, forcing himself to relax now that he held his lover in his arms. "What did Vincent say?" His instincts urged Remy to change the subject matter.
"The judge's going to make a decision this afternoon. Vincent will call me once he knows more."
"Where's y'r nephew now?"
"With Vincent. Kid's very upset."
"Dat's understandable, cher," Remy whispered and cherished the embrace. "I know dis is hard on y'."
"Rem?" Warren broke the embrace, took possession of his lover's right hand and guided Remy to the couch where he sat the Cajun down. "I need to tell you something."
Remy immediately picked up on Warren's nervousness and tensed. Patiently, he gave Warren the time he needed to phrase his thoughts. What was this about? Was it about him freaking out at Warren's touch earlier?
Warren noticed the apprehension in Remy's eyes. "It's about the nightmare I had last night."
Remy didn't want to feel relieved, but he did. "Y' can tell me, cher."
"Some time ago I dated a young lady. I really was in love with Candy," Warren gave Remy a shy look. Discussing former lovers had never been high on his priority list, but he had to get this off his chest. Remy had to know why seeing Cameron Hodge's face in his nightmare had freaked him out.
Remy smiled reassuringly. He didn't know much about Warren's previous lovers.
Warren returned the smile hesitantly. "Candy was the opposite of Bets and really down to Earth. I was seriously considering settling down with her when Cameron Hodge abducted her." Warren had to stop briefly, as memories rushed back into his mind.
Remy remained completely quiet, but squeezed Warren's hand reassuringly. His lover could trust him with every facet of his past.
"Cameron tortured her."
Warren's admission took Remy aback. "Ange?" Surprised, Remy noticed Warren's watering eyes. Obviously, his lover had never really dealt with what had happened to her and Remy sent Warren his love and all the reassurance he could muster that it was okay to go on, that he would be there for Warren.
"I tried to rescue Candy, but realized too late that Cameron had set me up. It was a trap and she died. Cameron killed her." Warren forced back his tears. "When I saw his face in my nightmare last night it all came back."
"Oh, cher. Don' know what to say, 'cept I'm sorry dat happened. Dat must have hurt, still hurt," Remy whispered. He didn't know how to comfort Warren, who had suffered horribly.
"I can handle it," Warren assured Remy and squeezed his lover's hand in silent reply. "I just want you to know what's going on. I don't want to have any secrets from you, Rem."
Remy leaned in closer and enfolded Warren in a tight hug. "I'm so sorry y' had to go t'rough dat, cher."
"Rem?" Warren peeked at his lover, who immediately met his eyes. "Cameron's still out there. Be careful. The bastard's immortal. You can't kill him."
"Y' t'ink he might come after me too?" Remy shivered and stored away this new information.
"I don't know. He has disappeared for now, but please watch your back? Cameron is an obsessed psychotic. He wants what I have, my money, my power and he hates my lovers."
And absurd thought crossed Remy's mind. Would Cameron hate Warren enough to stage his brother's car accident? Non, he dismissed that thought. If that were true it meant that Cameron would have gone after Jason too and the kid was alive and safe.
"What's going on in that head of yours?" Remy's expression puzzled Warren.
Remy swallowed hard. Something else had popped up in his thoughts. "Cher, can it be dat dis Cameron wants y' for himself? If he's dat obsessed wit' y', maybe he's in love wit' y' and really possessive?"
Warren blinked his eyes. "I never thought of that, Rem. As I said earlier, Cameron and I were best friends when we were kids, but I never saw anything that would indicate that he had a crush on me. Cameron hates mutants."
"I wouldn' rule it out, cher," Remy chided Warren gently. "Mebbe dis Cameron doesn' know why he feels de way he feels?"
Warren shrugged his shoulders. "I don't care about his *feelings*. I think that he's no longer capable of having any emotions. All I care about is your safety, Rem."
Remy tightened the embrace and held Warren close. "I'll be careful," he promised passionately.

Go on to Part2

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