Title: Hold fast that which is good 2

Author: Morgana (morganalebeau@yahoo.com)

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

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Hold fast that which is good

By Morgana

 

Chapter Five

Westchester
"Scott?" Bobby frowned disapprovingly as he found Scott sitting in kitchen after midnight. "What are you doing here?" Scott never was in the kitchen at such a late hour! Concerned, he pulled up a chair and straddled it. Ever since they'd worked together to find Remy they'd grown closer.
"I couldn't sleep." Scott nursed his hot milk. "I could ask you the same thing."
"Nick woke up with a growling stomach," Bobby explained, fairly certain that Scott wouldn't make a big deal out of Nick staying the night. "Why can't you sleep?" Bobby urged Scott on, who obviously needed to talk to someone. Maybe Scott preferred to talk to him instead of Jean? Especially if this was connected to Remy.
"I just got the message that Warren's brother died unexpectedly. He leaves behind a 15 years old son." Scott sighed deeply. "Warren wrote that they'll probably have to take care of the kid."
"That was one damn short honeymoon," Bobby said regretfully. "Anything we can do?"
"Warren doesn't think so. He's still waiting for the judge's decision, but wants to return home to attend his brother's funeral." Scott sipped from his hot milk. "This couldn't have happened at a worse time."
Bobby nodded his head. "Are we gonna attend the funeral too?"
"I was thinking of going alone." Scott licked his lips. "Or do you want to come along?"
"You aren't taking Jean along?"
"No, the professor and Jean are in the midst of an experiment and she can't leave." Scott leaned back in his chair and crossed his arms in front of his chest. "You know? I still find it hard to believe that Remy's my brother. Don't get me wrong, I'm thrilled to have another brother," he explained quickly. "But there's something? disconcerting about gaining a brother who's already in his twenties. I wish we could have grown up together."
"Did you have any luck contacting Corsair yet?" Bobby got to his feet and prepared some sandwiches for Nicholas.
"No, I don't know how to reach him." Scott emptied his mug and placed it in the sink. "I'll let you know when we'll leave for the funeral."
"Okay," Bobby whispered and locked eyes with Scott. "Are you worried about Warren and Remy?"
"Not Warren, not really. He's tough. I'm more worried for Remy. He looked fragile when we talked to him in Ireland and later at the commitment ceremony he seemed to have regained some weight, but?"
"Remy's a survivor," Bobby said reassuringly. "You'll see that when we get there." Bobby picked up his plate with sandwiches and headed for the corridor. "Give him a little credit. He's a lot tougher than you think."
Scott hoped that Bobby was right.
///
Venice
"Rem, you've got mail!" Warren looked up at his lover, who sat reading on the sofa. Warren had sent Scott a message to tell him about his brother and had wanted to check his inbox when he noticed Jean-Luc's message.
Uninterested, Remy looked up from his book and locked eyes with Warren. "Who's it from, cher?"
"Your dad." Warren enjoyed seeing the change in Remy's eyes, as a sparkle appeared in them. Warren got up from behind the desk and gestured Remy to take the seat instead. "Go on, answer the man!" He felt a little better now that he'd told Remy about Candy and Cameron Hodge. But something else bothered him; the way Remy had freaked out at his unexpected touch. He had to be more careful in the future.
Remy quickly covered the distance and sat down in front of the screen. Clicking on the message, he said, "Y' don' have to go, cher. I keep no secrets from y'."
"Why don't you read it first?" Warren suggested and made himself comfortable on the couch. Wolvie sneaked closer and dropped his weight unceremoniously on Warren's feet. "What do you think you're doing?" Warren inquired and shook his head as he realized that he expected the canine to actually answer him. Yeah, like Wolvie could talk!
"He wants y' to have warm feet, cher," Remy reminded Warren. Wolvie always fell asleep at the foot end of their bed, serving as an extra quilt. Remy quickly scanned his père's message. "He wants to know if we're fine, ange." Jean-Luc also apologized for disturbing their honeymoon. Remy smiled.
But as he reread the message his merriment faded a little, noticing the worried tone of the message. Quickly, he typed his reply, assuring Jean-Luc that he was fine. Should he also tell his père that Warren's brother had died and that they were heading home soon? He decided against it for now and sent the message, hoping it would reassure Jean-Luc.
"Did y'r lawyer call yet?" Remy moved back to the couch and swallowed hard. Next, he made what he considered a very bold move. He straddled Warren and looked deeply in to his lover's eyes. "We'll leave tomorrow," he realized a little saddened.
"I'm afraid so, Rem. No matter what the judge will decide I want to attend Sam's funeral. It's the least I can do and I want to talk to Jason." Warren saw the regret in Remy's eyes. "I'm sorry, love. I don't want to leave either, but we don't have a choice. Maybe we can come back after we dealt with everything?"
"I'd like dat," Remy admitted, but then grew quiet again. He was struggling emotionally, trying to make a very difficult decision. "Want y' to make love to me."
Puzzled, Warren raised an eyebrow. "Rem, what exactly are you saying?" He was treading on dangerous grounds if he interpreted Remy's request correctly.
"Want y' to take me," Remy confirmed. "I want to take dat step."
"Do you think you're ready for that?" Warren looked thoughtfully at Rem. Yes, his lover had been relaxed enough to let one or two fingers penetrate him the last time they'd made love, but Warren doubted Remy was ready to go all the way. "I don't want you to do anything you're uncomfortable with, Rem."
"Mais I want to do it! I want to enjoy it," Remy said steadfast. "De bastard took dat 'way from me and I want it back!"
Warren still wasn't convinced. "We'll see what happens."
///
"Mon amour," Remy whispered and arched his back as Warren's tongue did incredible things to his throbbing cock. He tried hard not to think about what was to come. Remy had talked for hours, assuring Warren that he really wanted to do this and in the end, Warren had given in.
"Rem, are you sure?" Warren asked one last time as his index finger brushed Remy's prostate. It had taken a lot of time and gentleness to get Remy to relax enough to take two fingers and Warren needed this last conformation that his lover truly wanted this.
"Please take me, ange," Remy whispered, denying how scared he felt. He was on his back, legs spread wide and Warren was kneeling between them. He had to see Warren's face when they finally made love. Had to be sure that it wasn't the Antiquary touching him.
"Lift your hips, love, " Warren instructed after removing his fingers from Remy's warm body. Warren pushed a pillow beneath Remy's hips and slowly lowered his body so he covered Remy's. Carefully monitoring Remy, Warren grabbed the lube again and coated his erection with a generous amount of Wet.
Warren now faced a dilemma. Part of him couldn't wait to make Remy his, to thrust inside that hot passage, but another part urged him to stop.
"Please, cher, make me y'rs. Want dis," Remy said, as he picked up on Warren's reluctance to finally bury himself inside his lover's body. Remy tried to control the tremors that started to rock his body. "Take me!" Warren's weight pressed him down and he fought a rising panic as the blunt head of Warren's cock pressed against his entrance.
Warren carefully positioned himself and took a deep breath. Remy had wrapped his legs around Warren's waist and they didn't leave him much room to manoeuvre. "I'm going to push inside now. Don't worry, love. I won't hurt you. Just try to relax for me?" Warren never broke eye contact and saw the rising panic in the gold on black eyes. "Rem, do you want to stop?" If Remy gave the word, Warren would stop. Remy's nails buried themselves in his flesh as his cock nudged against Remy's entrance, opening his lover up. A groan left Warren's lips as he started to slide inside. He'd died and gone to heaven! "You're doing great, Rem. I love you, you know that, don't you?" Warren held his breath as he pushed passed the tight ring of muscle. He was inside; they'd taken that first step. "Love you, Rem. You?" Warren never got the chance to finish the compliment, as Remy unexpectedly convulsed beneath him.
"Get off!" Images of the Antiquary invaded Remy's mind. He remembered how the bastard had forced him onto his hands and knees and had pushed inside without warning. Feeling a similar invasion, he panicked. Warren's face changed into the Antiquary's visage and Remy reacted instinctively, freeing himself. "Get off!" A terrible agony coursed through him as his lower body exploded with remembered pain. It was happening all over again! Remy lost control and tried to throw off the heavy body that pressed him down.
Remy's shrieks alarmed Warren and he wanted to pull out immediately, but Remy used his long legs to catapult him through the room. Warren slammed hard into the wall. "Rem." His sigh flowed through the bedroom. He should never have given in to Remy's demands! Should have known that Remy wasn't ready to take this step! He should have known better!
"Get off me! Don' touch! Don' want dis!" Remy curled up and snatched the comforter, quickly covering his naked body with it. "Stay 'way?" He shook violently as memories overwhelmed him. It hurt so bad! He never wanted to feel that invasive pain again and had to protect himself.
Warren cautiously made his way back to Remy's side. His left shoulder hurt, but he locked out the throbbing pain. Consoling his lover was way more important. "Rem?" He sat down on the side of the bed, but didn't attempt to touch the Cajun. "Flashback?" His instincts told him what had happened and he blamed himself for causing this pain. He'd been way too eager to take Remy.
"Don'? hurts bad? don' touch?" Remy hid his face behind his arms, pulled his knees up to his chest and crept deeper beneath the comforter. He still shook violently and couldn't get the image of the Antiquary thrusting above him out of his mind.

"I'm not going to touch you, love," Warren assured him. His heart ached in pain, seeing Remy in such agony.
"I keep seein' him," Remy whispered in a panicked tone. "I t'ought? t'ought y' were him." Remy wasn't sure how Warren would react to that revelation and mentally prepared himself for his lover's anger.
"Rem, can you look at me? I won't touch you, but I'd like to see your eyes, please, love?" Warren wasn't above begging. He needed to make contact, *real* contact with Remy.
"Non, can' do dat." Now that the terror was growing less, shame took over. "Did I slam y' into de wall?"
"Don't worry about that. Look at me, Rem?" Remy's body visibly shook beneath the comforter. "Or do you want me to leave?"
"NON!" Remy yelped suddenly. "Don' go!"
"Rem, I'll stay," Warren quickly assured him. He grew aware of a fragrance he'd never smelled before. It was the disgusting smell of rotting flowers and it urged him on. "Rem? Love, look at me!"
Remy peeked at his lover. A wave of love, affection and worry washed over him. "Y' ain' angry?"
"Not with you," Warren assured him. "Rem, we knew this could happen." Warren decided to be completely honest. "Part of this is my fault. I shouldn't have given in. But Remy, you've got to stop pushing yourself like this!"
Remy lowered the comforter slightly. "Mais I feel dat y're mad." Remy regulated his too fast breathing and tried to calm down. He felt like a failure for freaking out on Warren in the midst of making love. He'd really wanted this!
"I'm mad with the Antiquary, what do you think?" Warren regretted his bitter tone. Remy would take it personally and think that bitterness was directed at him. He knew his lover! "Rem, I hate the bastard for what he did to you and I wish I could go to Hell and beat the crap out of him. I never wanted to intentionally hurt someone, but I want to kill him over and over again!"
Remy startled a little at Warren's vehement tone. "Mais it was moi, who? who lost it, slammed y' into de wall." He expected Warren to be irritated, maybe even angry with him.
"Remy." Warren hated to spell it out like this, but had no choice. "You're the victim. You're not to blame for what happened. The Antiquary hurt you. You should be angry with him! Please, don't take it out on yourself. Don't let the bastard win. You've got to accept that you couldn't stop him. He was stronger and you were only a child. Don't direct this anger at yourself, love." Warren raised his hand and placed it next to Remy's, not touching yet, but curled his fingers in invitation.
"I feel dirty," Remy admitted in a choked tone. "I should have done somet'in' to stop him."
"What? What could you have done? How can a small child stop a grown man? Tell me, Rem." Warren fought hard to control his rage aimed at the Antiquary. He had to be calm and in control for Remy.
"Mebbe?" Remy looked up pleadingly. "Don' know, cher." Back then, he hadn't found a way to fight the Antiquary. "De ot'er kids held me down when I fought him."
"Oh, Rem!" Warren wished he could console his lover by showering Remy's face with kisses. Although he knew the basics of what had happened back then, Remy hadn't told him the sordid details. The Cajun was still trying to deal with it on his own. "Can I ask you something, love?"
"Mais oui." Feeling a little reassured, Remy uncurled and moved onto his side so he could better look at Warren's face. However, he continued to clutch the comforter like it was a lifeline.
"Suppose I wouldn't want to go down on you because it makes me feel like I'll choke. Would you want me to go down on you anyway?" Patiently, Warren waited for Remy's answer. He noticed how Remy's fingers sneaked closer and finally curled around his.
"Non, wouldn' want dat," Remy said passionately, momentarily forgetting his own pain. "Would never want y' to do anyt'in' dat made y' uncomfortable."
"You see, Rem, that's why I don't want you to push yourself like this." Warren experimentally squeezed Remy's hand gently. "I told you this before and I'll tell you again. I love you. I don't need to penetrate you to make love to you. I don't want you to do anything that makes you uncomfortable."
During Warren's speech, Remy sat up and Warren smiled reassuringly. His lover still clutched the comforter, but the eyes were lucid again. "Listen Rem, I know it's important that you have control in bed, but I don't feel comfortable doing this. I don't want to be the reason why you have flashbacks. It's obviously way too early to try this. And I'm putting a stop to it."
Remy's heart missed a beat. Was Warren dumping him? Tears threatened to leave his eyes and he forced them back. "What are y' tryin' to say? Are y' kickin' me out of y'r life?"
"You really don't get it, do you?" Warren said stunned. "I'll *never* dump you, Remy! I just don't want to add to your pain. I don't want you to bottom again, do you understand? I'm comfortable with you being on top. Please try to understand, Rem." But Remy's response had told him a lot. His lover was still afraid that he'd eventually desert Remy.
Remy lowered his eyes. He'd completely misunderstood his lover and felt ashamed for not giving Warren any credit. "Sorry, cher."
"Stop being sorry, Rem." Warren got to his feet. It was time for a little distraction. "You promised to cook a Cajun meal each month. It's dinner time and I'm hungry!"
Thankful for the change of subject Remy nodded his head. "Y'll get some Gumbo!"
Warren smiled warmly and released Remy's hand. "Why don't we get dressed? We can't run around naked in the hotel's kitchen!" Remy chuckled softly and Warren felt relieved. Had they mastered this crisis? He turned around to get dressed and gave Remy all the privacy his lover needed to get in to his sweats too.
Remy was relieved when Warren left him alone. He threw off the comforter and quickly slipped into some sweat pants and a long sleeved shirt. Remy sat down on the bed again and stared at his hands. He'd lost control and could have injured Warren badly. Maybe his lover was right and he should stop pushing this, at least for now. Warren seemed very content to make love in other ways and maybe he should try to accept that? But could he do that?
Damn the Antiquary for ruining his life like this. The bastard had taken away his control when he'd been a child, had taken away his ability to enjoy feeling Warren inside him. Suddenly, a rush of rage moved through him and Remy banged his right hand into the head end of the bed.
"Merde!" Remy cursed loudly. When Warren had told him that his lover was angry with the Antiquary, Remy hadn't understood. He'd been too busy directing that anger and the blame at himself, but Warren's words had released some of his own hidden anger. He almost charged the sheets with kinetic energy and barely held back. He had to get that anger back under control. An explosion in here would be disastrous.
"Rem?" Fully clothed, Warren appeared in the doorway and studied his lover. The anger on Remy's face was a welcome sight and he knew what to do. "Put on your socks and shoes. I'll get your coat."
Confused, Remy looked up at Warren. "Why?" Tremors shook his body and Remy tried hard not to fall apart in front of Warren.
"We're going flying and find ourselves a nice deserted place where you can let go of that anger." Warren studied his lover carefully. It was time that Remy let go of some of the pain and rage that had been locked up for too many years.
///
"Well, Rem. We're here," Warren said, pleased and gestured at the deserted pastures. "Want to charge something?" Warren handed his lover a deck of cards.
Remy stared at the cards suspiciously. "Cher, I never?" He always tried hard to control his rage, afraid to hurt someone accidentally.
"Take them," Warren insisted and took hold of Remy's hand. He didn't want to startle his lover unnecessarily and moved slowly. "You know you're angry with him. Remember that night in Ireland when you threw your charged cards into the lake?"
"Oui." Remy accepted the deck of cards and stared at them. "It's true, y' know. I'm angry."
"And you've kept it inside for all these years. It's okay to let go, love."
Remy fumbled the cards in his hand. Warren shouldn't encourage him like this. "*I* messed up, ange. *I* can' deal wit' dis."
"Remy," Warren said softly and pushed a stray lock behind Remy's right ear. His lover didn't flinch and Warren felt encouraged. "You were a child. A small child! He had no right to touch you!" His anger flared as he said those words. "The bastard shouldn't have raped you!"
The card in Remy's hand began to glow. //Ange's right. I was only a chile. I didn' know what was happenin'? I couldn' fight him!// Tears flowed down his cheeks as the emotions refused to be caged any longer. Maybe being an empath was the reason why they'd remained caged for so long. He'd repressed them, had pretended they didn't exist and that they had no right to break loose. "I hate him!"
"Yes, I know you do. I hate him too." Concerned, Warren watched as the kinetic charge continued to build. "You should throw that card before it blows us up, love."
Remy reacted sluggishly and threw the card, which exploded in mid-air.
Worried that it had taken Remy so long to throw the card, Warren asked, "You don't want to blow yourself up, Remy, do you?" When he didn't get an answer, Warren cupped Remy's chin in the palm of his hand, forcing his lover to look up at him. "Do you?"
His mouth had gone dry and Remy stared helplessly into Warren's eyes. "Dere was a time when? when I t'ought like dat."
"Do you still?" Warren held his breath. He'd never expected this admission.
"Non," Remy whispered softly. "Non, don' think like dat any longer. Want to be wit' y', cher and? y're right. I should blame him and not me. I was just a chile, right?"
Remy's pleading eyes locked with his and Warren nodded his head once. "Yes, you were just a child." Fascinated, he watched as the deck of cards began to glow. "Are you ready to let go of some anger?"
"Oui, cher," Remy mumbled and charged the deck with kinetic energy. "He should have kept his hands to himself!"
Warren approved of Remy's sudden vehement tone. "Yeah, that's true."
"I hate him," Remy sobbed as tears of relief and anger fought for dominance. "He?" Remy looked to Warren for support. Saying the words was hard.
"It's okay, Rem. Say it."
"He raped me? and? told me I was to blame," Remy bit his lower lip. "He told me lies." After uttering those last words, he let the cards fly from his fingers and they exploded before hitting the earth.
"Do you feel better?" Warren asked after giving Remy a moment to compose himself. The tremors had weakened and the rivulet of tears was growing less. Daffodils, Warren distinctly smelled daffodils. "Rem?"
"I feel better," Remy said absentmindedly. "Felt liberatin' to say it 'loud." He was focused inward and tried to make sense of what he was feeling. "Would y' hold me?" Remy asked hesitantly.
"Are you sure you can deal with that?" Warren didn't want to repeat past mistakes.
"Oui, cher."
It was the expression in Remy's eyes that convinced Warren that wrapping his arms around his lover was okay. Moving slowly, giving Remy time to adjust to his presence, Warren first folded one and then another arm around Remy's shoulders.
Remy leaned in closer and rested his head against Warren's chest. "Y' really must love me to put up wit' dis." Feeling emotionally drained, Remy drew in a deep breath. "Je t'aime, Warren."
"Crazy Cajun." Remy didn't call him Warren that often and he understood its significance. "I really love you, Remy LeBeau."
"Can we go back to de Palazzo now?" His knees almost gave out on him and Remy clung to Warren for support. He hadn't charged anything in a long time and the sudden kinetic release had drained him. Finally letting out his anger had taken away the rest of his energy.
"Sure, we'll fly back. Hold on, love." Warren placed one hand beneath his lover's knees and his other below Remy's back. Lifting him from the ground, Warren spread his wings and took to the air. As he looked down at Remy, he whispered, "Close your eyes, Rem. I can see you're tired."
"Don' wanna fall 'sleep on y'," Remy objected, but his eyes slipped shut nonetheless. Admitting his anger felt good; liberated that part of him that still felt like the child the Antiquary abused. He felt complete now; like he'd kept the child that he'd once been locked away. All these feelings confused him and he listened to the beating of Warren's wings, which always soothed him.
Warren pulled Remy close to his chest and realized that his lover was falling asleep. He hoped that getting Remy to release some of that anger had been the right thing to do.
///
Warren landed gently at the back of the Palazzo and carried Remy inside. His lover was still soundly asleep and Warren intended to keep it that way. But Remy stirred in his arms and Warren realized his lover was about to wake up. "Stay asleep, love."
Sleepily, Remy opened his eyes and wondered why he was floating in the air. Then he realized that he was in Warren's arms and that his lover was carrying him inside. "Can walk, cher."
"I know that. I just love carrying you like this, Rem." Warren smiled brightly and placed a single kiss on Remy's brow. "Why don't you try to go back to sleep, love?"
"Don' wanna have nightmares," Remy objected, barely audible. His eyes refused to stay open and his head lolled back to rest against Warren's chest. Maybe he didn't have much of a choice.
"Open the door for me?" Warren asked, now that Remy was awake anyway. Remy obeyed and Warren carried his lover into the bedroom. "Your eyes are closing again," he said, slightly amused. "Don't fight it. Your body's trying to tell you something."
Remy curled up and allowed Warren to cover him with the comforter. "Will y' stay close, cher?"
"Sure. I'll be in the living room. I need to make a few calls." He still had to check on the preparations for Sam's funeral and the judge's decision. "Just call me should you need something, love."
"Merci, cher," Remy whispered, already dozing off.
Remy's fingers clawed the comforter and Warren doubted that Remy would go back to sleeping naked at his side in the near future. That was okay with him because he understood. During these last few hours he'd seen how vulnerable Remy was.
"Sleep tight, my angel," Warren whispered and kissed Remy's brow one last time.
///
Warren headed into the living room, picked up the phone and dialed his lawyer's number. Vincent answered at once. "Vince, it's me, Warren. I want an update."
"The judge awarded you custody of Jason. You're his legal guardian now."
Mentally, Warren cursed. "Vince, I don't know a thing about raising a teenager!"
"You're the only family he has left," Vince reminded him.
"Where's Jason now?"
"Back at my place. Jason was in the car when the accident happened. He saw Sam die." Vince took a deep breath. "He'll be a handful."
Warren sat down. He hadn't known that Jason had seen his father die. "Does he know that he'll live with me from now on?"
"I still need to tell him."
Warren heard the cautious tone in Vincent's voice. "Let me guess. The kid hates mutants?"
"Sam passed his dislike of mutants on to his son. Jason won't be thrilled to live with you, but I'll do my best to explain things to him."
"We're leaving for Florida in the morning," Warren informed his lawyer. "We'll attend the funeral and take Jason home with us."
"How does your partner feel about this?" Vincent inquired.
"Remy's not doing that great. Vince, I need you to take care of some things."
"What can I do for you?"
"I want to change my last name to LeBeau. Do you think you can take care of the legalities?"
Vince whistled through the phone. "I'll look in to it. I'll call you once I know more. Do you want to give Remy power of attorney?"
"Yes. I want him to have full access to my bank accounts and I also want him to have authority to decide what to do should I ever get critically injured."
"I'll find a way to organize it," Vince promised. "What do you want me to tell Jason?"
"Tell him that Remy and I'll take care of him." Warren took a deep breath. This would be hard on all three of them. Jason didn't want to live with them, Remy was still battling his demons and he was caught in the middle of it all.

 

Chapter Six

Venice
Warren sat upright in bed and studied Remy, who was still soundly asleep. Remy had fallen asleep after they'd gotten back and hadn't woken since. It pleased Warren that his lover had slept for that many hours undisturbed. He'd expected Remy to suffer from nightmares, but thankfully they'd left him alone.
His fingers gently caressed Remy's locks and Warren sighed. They had to leave in 4 hours and after they had arrived in Florida they would attend Sam's funeral.
"Oh Rem," he whispered softly, careful not wake his lover yet. "What am I going to do with you?" Remy's panicked reaction yesterday had stunned Warren. He'd been fairly confident that Remy had been pushing himself and wasn't ready to be penetrated, but Warren had never expected to be slammed into the wall! Warren made up his mind. He wouldn't allow Remy to bottom again in the near future. Maybe in six months, or a year, when his lover had had some time to get to terms with everything that had happened.
"Ange?"
Remy's sleepy voice pulled Warren from his musings. "Hello there, sleeping beauty," he whispered and placed a gentle kiss on Remy's lips. "How are you feeling today?"
"'Kay," Remy whispered and fully opened his eyes. Everything that had happened last night was kind of blurry, but he clearly remembered throwing Warren off when they'd made love and he still felt bad about that. Yes, Warren had assured him that everything was fine again, but the doubt continued to eat away at him. "Can I ask y' somet'in'?"
"Sure." Warren moved until he was on his side, facing his lover. He was no longer touching Remy, leaving his lover to take the initiative? or not.
"What did y' mean when y' said y' didn' want me to bottom 'gain?" This had been bugging Remy since last night. He didn't want to assume he knew what Warren had meant since he'd misunderstood Warren badly when he'd thought that his lover was dumping him. He'd ask questions instead.
Warren expected that question. "No more pushing yourself for *at least* 6 months. Do we agree on that? You need some time to deal with everything and I need to get over the? fear of hurting you like that again."
Confused, Remy sat up and looked at his lover. "Fear? Y' didn' hurt me."
"Because we tried to make love in that certain way you had a flashback. That? scares me. I don't want to hurt you." Warren leaned into the touch as Remy's fingers caressed his face. "I love you too much to take such risks."
Remy caressed Warren's brow and let his fingers slide into the mane of golden locks. "Y' really don' mind bein' on de receivin' end all de time?" he asked nervously. "I just don' understand how y' can enjoy it."
"Rem, the next time we make love, open your shields completely and try to feel what I feel?" Warren looked Remy in the eyes as he sat up. "When you're inside me, it feels amazing. I feel like being a part of you when we make love."
Shyly, Remy nodded his head. "Merci, cher."
"Now, why don't you take a shower, eat breakfast and get dressed? We've got to leave in 4 hours. We have to be on time for Sam's funeral."
"Mais oui, cher," Remy replied quickly and pushed back the comforter. "I went to bed fully clot'ed?" he realized, surprised.
"Yes, you were asleep when we got back and I didn't know if you'd feel comfortable with me undressing you in your sleep." Warren watched as Remy got to his feet. Remy swayed a little.
Remy considered Warren's words and then walked over to his lover's side of the bed, where he kneeled. Warren looked him in the eyes. "Cher, it wasn' y', y' understand? I? loved de way y' touched me, even? down dere," Remy whispered and a blush spread over his face. "Mais den I saw? his face and? I lost it."
"Me pushing inside triggered it?" Warren opened his arms. Remy quickly moved into them and Warren rested his chin on top of Remy's head.
"'fraid so," Remy mumbled against Warren's chest. "And y' may be right."
"About what?" Warren kissed a strand of Remy's hair.
"Dat I'm not ready yet to? let y' take me," Remy whispered barely audible. "Mebbe y're right and we shouldn' try 'gain for de next few mont's and? I feel relieved dat y' suggested it. Takes 'way de pressure." Remy was afraid to look up and firmly closed his eyes. "Are y' really 'kay wit' dis?"
"More than okay," Warren assured him and soothingly stroked Remy's back. "We're not going to try again for some time. I really think that's the best thing to do."
Remy nodded his head. "Je t'aime, cher. Sorry for bein'?"
"Don't dare to apologize for needing time to recover, love!" Warren said firmly. "You can have all the time you need."
Remy broke the embrace and finally made eye contact with Warren. "Cher, am hungry."
"Want to eat breakfast first and shower later?" Warren suggested and pulled Remy to his feet. "Let's go into the kitchen and plunder it!"
Remy released the breath he'd been holding and followed Warren into the corridor. //Am goin' to be stron' for y' from now on! No more tests, no more breakdowns. Je t'aime, cher!//
///
Florida
"I don't care what the judge says! I refuse to live with him!" Stubbornly, Jayce glared at Vincent. "He's a mutant!"
Exasperated, Vincent tried to talk some sense into the kid. "Listen, Jason?"
"It's Jayce!"
"Listen, Jayce," Vincent tried again. "Warren's a good person. You shouldn't judge without knowing him. You only know what your father told you and Sam was prejudiced."
"Don't talk about my dad like that!" Jayce got to his feet and faced Vincent. His ash blond locks danced on his shoulders and his eyes shot fire. "My dad just died! You could show a little respect!"
"It's the truth," Vincent replied determinedly. "Kid, you know I'm sorry that he died. Sam was a good friend." He'd been Sam's lawyer for years. "But you need someone to look after you."
"I don't *need* anyone!" Jayce glared at Vincent. "You could have given me an allowance so I can take care of myself." Accusation and bitterness colored his tone. He stalked over to the window and straightened out the dark suit he was wearing. They'd leave in a few minutes to attend his father's funeral.
"You know Sam's will," Vincent pointed out to the boy. "You can't get to the money until you're 21. That's 6 more years." Vincent studied Jayce and wondered what was really going on in the kid's head. Jayce showed a lot of anger, but didn't seem to mourn his father's death much. //Which is understandable? in a way.//
Sam had sent Jason to boarding school when the boy had been 5. It had taken Vincent some effort to find a school that was willing to take in a boy that young. Jason had only spent the holidays at home and even then Sam hadn't been around much. It was safe to say that Jason never had a chance to really get to know his father? or his uncle.
"Warren's prepared to look after you." Vincent knew he also had to tell the kid about Remy and was working towards it.
"And after two days he'll send me back to Saint Andrew's, so what's the big deal?" Actually, he wanted to go back to school. At least there he'd get some peace and quiet and maybe, he'd be able to get the picture out of his mind of his father dying strapped to the seat inside the burning Mercedes.
Jayce had really been looking forward to this vacation. His father had promised to take him places, maybe even take him to Europe to introduce him to some business partners and then the accident had happened. His father's screams still echoed in his head. Why had he survived and why did his father have to die? He hadn't known his dad at all! Angrily, Jayce wiped away the tears that spilled from his eyes and he aimed that anger at Vincent instead. "What?"
"I doubt he'll send you back to school that quickly. Warren wants to get to know you."
"Why?" Jayce stalked a little closer. A terrible anger raged deep inside him.
"I know Warren. He'll want to look after you personally."
Jayce raised a questioning eyebrow. "Why would he want to do that? Doesn't he know I can't stand him?" His father had told him about mutants, that they threatened the 'normal' humans and that they had to stop mutants from gaining the upper hand.
Vincent decided to tell Jayce everything. "Warren and Remy just got married. They were on their honeymoon when Sam died and they?"
"Remy," Jayce whispered thoughtfully. "Isn't that a man's name?" His eyes turned into suspicious slits. "Warren's a faggot too?"
"Don't you dare use that word in my presence, Jason Worthington!" Vincent was losing his patience with the kid. He'd been willing to put up with a lot because of the trauma that Jason had suffered, but he couldn't tolerate this. "Warren's in love with a man, that's it. I don't want to hear that word again!"
"A fucking faggot? well, it takes two faggots to fuck," Jayce stated in a malicious tone.
Vincent could only stare at the 15 years old boy. Where had Jason picked up such language? Surely not at the exclusive boarding school where Sam had sent his son.
"Is his bitch a mutie too?" Delighted, Jayce registered the shock on the lawyer's face. Hell, it felt good to get the anger out of his system!
"Go to your room, young man." Vincent was dumbstruck. He didn't have any kids and wasn't sure how to react. "You better not repeat that in front of Warren or Remy. Get the hell out."
If looks could kill, Vincent would have been dead by now. Jayce's eyes possessed a poisonous expression. "This isn't over yet," Jayce announced victoriously as he marched out of the living room. Being honest with himself, he knew he was taking out his anger on the wrong person, but there was no one else around.
He slammed his bedroom door hard behind him and flung himself onto the bed. He hated this room, which wasn't even his. It was just Vincent's guest room and it stung that he'd never had his own room. At school he had to share with the other boys. "All I ever wanted was a home."
And that was the one thing Samuel Worthington had never given his son, a home. Sam had always been traveling, conducting business and had rarely remembered his son. Jayce suspected that his father resented him because his birth had resulted in his mother's death.
Jayce sneaked his hand into his traveling bag and uncovered the only picture he owned of his mother. Margaret had been a beautiful woman and he'd inherited her features and her eyes. Maybe that was why Sam had found it difficult to spend time with him.
Now he was an orphan and an uncle he'd never known had been awarded custody. Rebelling against that decision he clenched his mother's picture in his hand. "I don't need him to look after me. I can take care of myself!" He wasn't going to make things easy on Warren and planned on manipulating his uncle so Warren would sent him back to Saint Andrew's. He wanted Warren out of his life!
Staring at his mother's image, he wondered why he'd reacted so viciously when Vincent had reminded him of the fact that Warren was a mutant. Although his father had tried to install a similar hate in him, Jayce didn't really believe that all mutants were evil. But he'd known better than to openly contradict his father. Sam had been really fanatic when he'd talked about eradicating mutants. His dad had even joined an organization called 'The Right' to support their cause. His father's fanaticism had made him weary and he didn't trust 'The Right' at all.
But the thing that had shocked him most was learning that his uncle was living a male lover, he'd even married the man! Gays made him feel uncomfortable for several reasons. And now he was supposed to live with a gay couple? No way! Never! He'd either find a way to push them apart or to force them to send him back to Saint Andrew's, but he refused to live with them!
"Jayce? It's time to go."
Jayce sighed, hearing Vincent's voice. "I'll be with you in a moment."
"And watch your mouth at the funeral. Show you've got some manners," Vincent instructed, still worried that the boy had been so vicious when he'd learned that Warren loved a man.
"I'll try," Jayce promised as he opened the bedroom door. "After all, it's my father's funeral. I don't want to cause a scene."
Vincent shook his head as the boy descended the stairs. He didn't envy Warren and Remy who'd have to deal with this prejudiced youngster.
///
"Remy!" Scott quickly walked over to his brother, slightly alarmed by the expression in Remy's eyes. Something felt wrong. "Are you okay?" After exchanging a look with Warren, who nodded his approval, Scott pulled Remy aside. "Bobby, go talk to Warren. I need a moment alone with Remy," Scott instructed.
Bobby noticed Remy's paleness too and didn't object. He moved towards Warren who seemed to hold up pretty well. Warren was dressed in black, like Remy, but seemed in a better mental shape. "Warren," Bobby extended his hand. "I'm sorry about your brother."
Warren accepted and shook Bobby's hand, while keeping one eye on Remy and Scott. "Bobby, I didn't expect to see you and Scott here."
"Scott wanted to pay his respects and talk to Remy. Scott's worried." Bobby watched as a number of people he didn't know offered Warren their condolences, which his friend politely accepted.
Softly, Warren replied, "Remy's not doing that great. I wish I could keep him away from all this. He doesn't need it right now."
"That bad?" Surprised, Bobby looked Warren in the eyes. "Aren't you guys working out? I thought?"
"It's not about Remy and me. We're fine. It's his past. Remy? " Warren chose his words carefully, as Bobby didn't know about the Antiquary. "Remy suffered some abuse when he was a child."
"I didn't know that," Bobby admitted and watched Scott and Remy talk. Well, it was Scott who did most of the talking.
"Remy, are you sure you're all right?" Only now that he was up close, Scott noticed the beginning dark circles beneath Remy's eyes. "Are you getting enough sleep?"
Remy cursed privately. He'd always feared that he might have to tell Scott bits and pieces from his youth, but this wasn't the right time to make those revelations. But it didn't seem like Scott would stop asking questions soon. Remy quickly looked at Warren, his eyes begging his lover to give them some privacy.
Warren picked up on it. "Let's move over there." Bobby followed him, and so did the people who still wanted to offer their condolences. Scott and Remy stood alone and no one could eavesdrop on them. Warren continued to watch his lover.
"Scott?" Remy hesitantly placed his hand on his brother's arm to stop Scott from talking. "Need to tell y' somet'in'." Remy quickly made sure that no one was listening in and then continued. "Didn' live wit' Jean-Luc my entire chilehood."
Scott had grown quiet, seeing the serious expression on Remy's face. The black suit only stressed the Cajun's paleness. "Remy, what are you talking about?" He didn't know much about Remy's past, but he saw the pained look on his brother's face and prepared for the worst.
"Before Jean-Luc took me in I lived wit' an? evil man, who? hurt me." Admitting the truth would always be hard on Remy. "De memories came back to haunt me."
"Who is this bastard?" Scott hissed between gritted teeth. The thought that someone had hurt Remy when he'd been a child was unbearable. He was Remy's big brother and should have protected his sibling. It stung even more that he'd never known that Remy had suffered in his youth like that. None of this was in Gambit's file!
"He's?" Remy wondered how to phrase this. Had Daimon killed the Antiquary or was the old sorcerer still alive in Hell? "Out of y'r reach," he said eventually. "He paid for his cruelty," Remy assured Scott.
"Is there something, anything, I can do to help?" Scott desperately wanted to make things up to his brother.
"Means a lot to me dat y'r attendin' de funeral," Remy whispered. "It's good to see a familiar face in dis crowd."
"The service is about to start, love," Warren said after walking over to his lover. He claimed Remy's hand and rubbed his lover's knuckles. "Are you up to it? Otherwise Scott here can?"
"I can deal wit' it," Remy assured him and shook himself from his musings. He focused on the present and asked, "Did y' find Jason yet?"
Scott recognized the name. Jason was Samuel Worthington's son, the kid Remy and Warren were going to take care of. That wouldn't be easy on the two men, who had no experience with raising kids.
"Yes, and he didn't look too happy to see me. He's with Vincent." Warren had kept his distance so far, not wanting to cause a scene at his brother's funeral. He'd address Jason after their guests had departed.
"I still hate dat image inducer," Remy whispered. Warren appeared perfectly normal. The blue skin, which Remy found so exotic, was gone and the magnificent wings had vanished from sight.
Warren gently squeezed Remy's hand. "Let's get moving. We should try to find a place in the front of the church." Warren had wanted to make a remark similar to Remy's. His lover was wearing special contacts so the gold on black eyes wouldn't create a commotion. The brown eyes that stared back at him were completely out of place.
"Would you stay close to Remy?" Warren asked Scott and Bobby who were walking behind them.
"Of course," both men said simultaneously.
///
Jayce closely observed his uncle, who looked *surprisingly* human, but he knew better. He'd once seen his uncle in flight. Yes, Warren Worthington was a mutant. His eyes drifted to the man at his uncle side. //His lover!// Jayce thought, disgusted. //They're even holding hands in church!// Taking in Remy's appearance, Jayce felt slightly envious of the man's good looks, but then reminded himself that the man was gay. He had to be careful around them.
Warren squeezed Remy's hand and Jayce's eyes narrowed. His uncle could show Samuel Worthington some respect by not caressing his lover during this funeral! Enraged, he bit his lower lip and his hands turned into clenched fists.
Suddenly, his uncle's lover's eyes locked with his and Jayce defiantly glared back. //Don't try to play your mind games with me. I know what you are, faggot.// Jayce no longer paid any attention to the priest and simply stared hard at Remy. //You're just after his money. I bet you let uncle Warren fuck you each night! You get onto all fours and in return you live a life in luxury!//
At Saint Andrew's a steady amount of rumors always circulated the dorms. They were about senior students that hit on the younger and more vulnerable ones. He vividly remembered Carl, an 18 years old student, who was always there when the new kids arrived. Jayce shivered, remembering how Carl had seemingly judged the new boys, as if he were picking out his favorite meat at the buffet. Certain rumors refused to die. Most of them were about Carl, who had tried, and on some occasions succeeded, to molest the younger boys. Carl always prided himself on getting the younger kids to go along with his perversities and Jayce and his friends had decided to keep a close eye on the new kids when they arrived.
Jayce had stayed at Saint Andrew's during one of the shorter holidays. His dad had told him to stay at the school, as Sam would be in Europe most of the time. One late evening Jayce had felt like taking a shower before going to bed and he'd headed for the dorm's showers when he'd heard a shriek filled with terror. He'd started to run and soft whimpers had guided his way. When he'd reached the dressing room, he found that Carl had manoeuvred one of the new boys onto his hands and knees. Carl was rubbing the kid's ass and Jayce hadn't hesitated. He'd knocked Carl off his feet and they'd fought. Both had walked away with bruises and black eyes. After Carl had fled, Jayce had returned to the boy, who couldn't have been older than 11 and had tried to calm the kid down.
Later, he'd filed a complaint against Carl and had demanded that the dean looked into the matter. But Carl's dad was a wealthy politician and the man had used his connections to transfer Carl to another school. Later, Jayce had heard that the kid who had been assaulted had dropped all charges. When he'd asked the boy why, the kid had told him that Carl had threatened to finish what he'd started.
And so Jayce's distrust, even hatred of gays was born.
Remy fitted Jayce's profile of a gay who was playing mind games with a straight man. Remy also struck Jayce as an opportunist. Jayce didn't like this Remy one bit and was determined to open his uncle's eyes. Maybe that once the fag was out of the way, his uncle would return to dating girls and in that case, Jayce might reconsider living with Warren. His mind set, he broke eye contact with Remy and concentrated on the priest again.
///
Remy shivered and Warren glanced at his lover. He couldn't really speak up right now, as the priest had requested a moment of silence and he hoped that rubbing Remy's fingers would comfort his lover.
Remy quickly nodded his head to assure Warren that he was fine, but he wasn't. He'd raised his shields to keep out the emotions from the grieving crowd, but found himself unable to shut out one particular person; Jason.
Warren had pointed the boy out to Remy and he'd studied Jason ever since. The boy was about 5 foot 5 and had curly, fair hair. The brown eyes almost looked black. Jason was dressed in a black suit and sat obediently beside Vincent, but the kid's expression unnerved Remy. He sensed an immense amount of anger in the kid's mind. Anger that was mixed with sadness and a strange sense of solitude, which Remy couldn't figure out. Jason seemed alone in this gigantic crowd and Remy wondered what kind of father Samuel Worthington had been.
Jason's anger got to him and he almost felt nauseous. He raised his shields to the maximum and still that terrible anger clawed at his defenses. Remy suddenly felt very apprehensive. Jason would be around for a long time and he better get used to the kid's presence.
///
Finally, the priest told the bearers to carry the casket to its last resting place and the crowd stirred. Warren used that moment to check on his lover. "Remy? You're trembling!"
Remy told Warren a white lie. "It's deir emotions, cher. Too many people." He didn't want Warren to know that it was Jason who was making him this uncomfortable.
"I should have known." Warren chided himself for his thoughtfulness. The fragrance of lilies clung to Remy. Scott and Bobby gave Warren a concerned look, but Warren signaled them that everything was under control.
The crowd followed the priest and came to a stop when the casket was lowered into the earth.
"Ashes to ashes, dust to dust?" were the only words Remy caught, as he sensed Jason's eyes on him. The boy stood next to the grave, eyes narrowed and teeth bared. Remy almost bolted, feeling the hostility in Jason's mind. Why was it aimed at him?
///
"We should get acquainted with Jason," Warren said as the crowd left the graveside. Only Vincent, Jason, Scott, Warren and Remy remained behind.
Bobby left because he wanted to call Nick and he also realized that Scott could handle anything that came their way. //Remy and Scott are brothers. Scott's entitled to stay.//
"Cher? mebbe I should stay here and y' should talk to him first?"
"Remy? You've been trembling all through the funeral, what is it?" Concerned, Warren probed Remy's eyes. //You're keeping back.//
"I can keep an eye on Remy if you want to talk to Jason alone," Scott offered.
"No, let's do this now," Warren said determinedly and nudged Remy forward.
Remy took a deep breath and composed himself. With every step that brought him closer to Jason, the sinister feelings increased. He hoped he wouldn't throw up, as the anger sent his stomach into convulsions.
"Jason? Maybe you remember me? I'm your uncle, Warren." Warren extended his hand. "I'm sorry about your dad."
Jayce considered his next move carefully. He accepted Warren's hand and shook it. He refused to look at his uncle's lover. "Uncle Warren."
"Jason, this is Remy, my life partner." Warren held his breath, seeing the sudden loathing in the kid's eyes.
Remy offered Jason his hand as well, but the boy demonstratively crossed his arms in front of his chest, refusing the contact. Remy cringed, emotionally suffering as Jason's hate slammed into him. What had he done to deserve such anger?
Jayce simply ignored Remy and looked at Warren instead. "I demand you send me back to Saint Andrew's."
Privately, Scott seethed with anger. How did the kid dare to ignore Remy like that?
Warren felt torn between getting angry and feeling sorry for Jason. He didn't want to aggravate the situation now that they were still in public. He'd sort out this mess once they got home. "Why don't we discuss this later? I'm sure you need some time to deal with your father's death."
"I can do that at school," Jayce replied, formally. He refused to live with a gay couple. Maybe if he got Remy out of the picture? The man looked shocked; good.
"Remy and I discussed this and we would like you to stay with us for some time." Warren tried again, but a sinking feeling descended onto his stomach. Jason seemed stubborn and incredibly rude.
"Respectfully, uncle. I don't want to live with you." Jayce remained calm and in control.
"Why's that?" Warren wondered if he wanted to learn the answer. But it was too late. He'd asked the question.
"I refuse to live with you as long as? *he* is there too." Jayce cocked his head and pointed a finger at Remy. "You should know that he's only after your money, uncle."
Remy's heart thumped loudly, hearing those words. "Scott? Get me outta here," he whispered softly. He could no longer handle Jason's negative emotions.
"Sure, Remy. Come on, let's move." Scott pulled Remy along and they walked towards the car park where Warren's chauffeur was waiting to take them home.
"I told you to behave!" Vincent exploded suddenly. He'd waited until Remy was out of hearing range.
Warren stared at his nephew. "What's wrong with you? Remy's family!"
"Your family perhaps, but not mine. He's only after your money!" Jayce felt fairly confident that he'd succeed in tearing their relationship apart. However, he didn't know yet how far he could go with Warren and decided to be careful. "My dad always told me not to trust mutants and look at you. You're a mutant and gay! Guess my old man was right about you. Is *he* a mutant too?"
Warren barely managed to keep his anger in check. "I don't know what's going on with you, but I don't tolerate that kind of prejudiced behavior. You'll apologize to Remy the moment we get home?" Warren turned around to follow Remy, but then reconsidered. "And you're grounded for one week. No TV, no other privileges. You'll stay in your room."
"You're not my dad! You can't do that to me!" Infuriated, Jayce glared at Warren.
"You're right. I'm not your dad, but the judge made me your legal guardian and believe me, right now I wish he'd never made that decision." Warren looked at Vincent. "Do me one more favor? Make sure he gets to the ranch and accompany him to his room?" Vincent nodded and Warren added, "And later on, I wish to talk to you privately."
"Consider it done," Vincent replied and told Jayce to get moving.
Jayce shot Warren a dark, menacing glance. This wasn't over yet!

 

Chapter Seven

Worried, Warren joined Scott and Remy in the parking lot. From the corner of his eye, he caught Jayce's stubborn expression as the boy protested Vincent's order to get into the car. Ignoring the kid for now, Warren headed for his lover.
Remy and Scott stood next to the car and Warren easily noticed the tremors that rocked Remy's body. Jason's rejection and rudeness had hit his lover hard. At times, the empathy must feel like a curse to Remy and Warren was glad he didn't have this particular gift. He wasn't sure he'd be able to deal with it.
Warren didn't understand why Jason had been so rude and obnoxious. He wanted to be really, *really* mad with the kid, but couldn't. Jason had just lost his father and probably felt lost and angry, taking it out on the people closest to him. But it was no excuse to treat Remy like that and he'd talk to the boy later. He didn't tolerate such behavior.
"Rem?" Warren observed his lover for a long moment and then wrapped one arm around the Cajun's waist. "I'm sorry, love. I don't know what got in to Jason."
Remy locked eyes with Warren. Scott's hand still rested on Remy's shoulder and it soothed him to have his brother close. Scott had calmed him down and managed to get him focused again. Without Scott's coaching Remy might have lost control over his emotions. "He's angry, cher. So angry."
"Yes, I realized that too. But why? Why is he so angry with you?"
Remy sighed. "Wish I knew, cher. Ain' a telepat', remember?" Remy felt secure as Scott gently squeezed his shoulder. Scott still surprised him. Remy'd had never really gotten to know Scott Summers and was eager to make up for it. He wanted to spend time with his brother, but now that Jason had appeared on the scene, that would have to wait.
"What are you doing to do? Jason will probably continue to verbally attack Remy," Scott remarked. "I might not be a parent, but I like to think I helped the professor raise some of the younger mutants. Jason's going to make it very hard on the two of you. Why don't you just send him back to school? That's what he wants and it'd solve your problems."
"I'm tempted to do just that," Warren admitted through gritted teeth.
"Non, cher," Remy objected. Now that the car with Jason in it was gaining distance his empathy no longer picked up the kid's anger and Remy released a choked breath. "He's hurtin' for a reason, ange. If we send him back, de anger will continue to grow. It'll poison his mind."
Warren shook his head. "Remy, we should send him back to Saint Andrew's." His first encounter with Jason had discouraged him. Warren wanted to focus on Remy's healing process and this little brat wasn't going to ruin things for them.
"Listen, cher," Remy said firmly and looked into Warren's eyes. "De chile just lost his fat'er and den discovers y've got a male lover. I can't blame him for freakin' out. Give him a chance."
"Remy, he blatantly ignored you, demanded you left!" Warren shook his head in disbelief. Why was his lover defending the brat?
"Ange," Remy whispered. He was in control of his emotions again, but kept his shields up. "He's angry and I'm an easy target. If y' let him get 'way wit' it, he'll pull dis on ot'er people too. Den he'll never learn. We've got to set him straight."
"One week," Warren said determinedly. "I'll give him one week. If he doesn't clean up his act, he's gone."
Remy nodded his head. "D'accord. He exchanged a glance with Scott, who looked at him questioningly. "Scott?" Remy congratulated himself on the fact that he no longer had the tendency to call his brother Cyke. It surprised him that Scott was so supportive and defensive. Remy still remembered the angry expression in Scott's eyes when he'd told his brother about the abuse he'd suffered.
"I hate to say this, but you're probably right, Remy. It looks like the boy needs a firm hand." Scott grew quiet briefly, but his hand didn't leave Remy's shoulder. He'd been able to help his brother and it felt good, but now? "I hate to say this even more, but Bobby and I've got to return to Westchester."
"I understand," Remy assured him, still surprised that Scott had turned up to attend the funeral. Scott seemed to take his brotherly obligations very seriously. "Merci for comin'," Remy said sincerely. "Didn' expect dat."
"Hey, I like to spend time with my baby brother," Scott teased warmly and patted Remy's shoulder before removing his hand. "Call or write? I'd love to stay in touch."
"I will," Remy promised and felt shy, as Scott moved away from them. "Feel like I never really knew him," he admitted to Warren.
"Scott's a good man, once you get to know him. He tends to shut people out," Warren replied. "I guess he lost too many people he cared about."
Remy got into the car and Warren joined him. As the chauffeur started the engine, Warren claimed Remy's hand. "This isn't going to be easy."
"I know dat, cher," Remy sighed. "Wish I knew why he hates me."
"Is that what you sensed? Hate?" Warren covered Remy's hands with his and rubbed them warm. They felt icy cold.
"Was aimed at me, oui, mais dere was somet'in' else too." Thoughtfully, Remy watched how Warren's fingers rubbed his skin. "He feels betrayed and 'lone.
Patiently, Warren waited for Remy to continue, but when his lover remained silent he asked, "And you can relate to that?" Oh, Remy was an open book to him! "Don't make the mistake of comparing yourself to him, Rem. Jason's a spoiled brat."
"Y' told me dat y'r brot'er wasn' really interested in de chile," Remy mused aloud. "Did Jason ever have a home?" He somehow doubted it. "Why is he dat eager to go back to school?" Remy returned the caress and rubbed the skin of Warren's hand.
Warren considered Remy's question carefully. His lover had made a valid point. "I always had the feeling that Sam kept Jason at a distance."
"Why?" Remy leaned back and snuggled closer to Warren, who reacted at once and kissed a lock of his auburn hair.
"Maggie died in childbirth and Sam loved his wife very much. I always felt that Sam never 'forgave' Jason for being the reason that Maggie died, that he blamed Jason for her death. Does that make sense?"
"Y're very observant, cher, and oui, it makes sense." Remy rested his head against Warren's shoulder. "If we're gonna try and help Jason we'll have to go all de way. Can y' do dat, cher? We can' dump him when he starts pushin' back."
"He's already pushing," Warren said, annoyed. "And pushing hard. I'm not sure I've got what it takes to straighten him out."
"Who else's gonna do it den, cher?" Remy looked at Warren and sighed blissfully. "Mais we need to do dis toget'er. He doesn' want me near y', y know dat, don' y'?" As long as they didn't let Jason push them apart, they'd be all right.
"This is going to be hard on you, Rem. Are you sure you can deal with it on top of? everything?" Concerned, Warren held Remy's gaze prisoner.
"I wouldn' have been here if it hadn' been for poppa, cher. We should give Jason a chance. De chile looks like he needs someone."
"You're much too good for this world, Rem," Warren whispered and brushed Remy's lips. "I'll try to deal with him. Try to stay out of it for now?"
"If dat's what y' want, cher." Remy gave in. "Mais don' shut me out."
"I'll never do that," Warren repeated the promise he'd already made a few times. He figured it was time to pique his lover's curiosity a little. "Don't you want to know where we're headed?"
"Mais oui, cher. We're are y' takin' me?" Remy played along, although his mind was still trying to figure out why Jason felt this incredible amount of animosity.
Warren grinned smugly. "Some years ago I bought Honeymoon Island. It was a state park originally, but now I've closed it down for visitors. I've got a ranch there and I planned on taking you there after our honeymoon."
Remy flashed a mischievous smirk. "Honeymoon Island, cher?"
"Hey, I *am* a romantic! I hope you don't get seasick. We'll have to take the boat to get there."
"Kinda secluded, cher?"
"Yes, I wanted to have you all to myself." Warren's grin darkened. "And I won't let Jason ruin it."
///
Jayce glared at the back of the chauffeur's head. He refused to look or talk to Vincent, who was sitting beside him. The lawyer radiated anger and Jayce wondered about his next move. Had he gone to far? Had he been wrong about Remy? No, the man had to be after Warren's money!
"You made one hell of a mistake, boy," Vincent sneered at last. He didn't know Jason that well, but he saw some cracks in the kid's mask. "Remy's a good person."
"He's a gold digger!" Jason stated vehemently.
"And how do you know that?" Vincent wondered if anyone would ever get through to the angry and stubborn boy.
"My dad never told me that Warren liked men. This *person* is playing mind games with my uncle and I won't allow it."
Vincent raised a puzzled eyebrow. Did the boy feel protective of Warren? Uncertain whether to laugh or cry, Vincent said, "Remy isn't a *gold digger*. He's quite wealthy."
"How do you know? Did he tell you that? Why doesn't he show you his cheque book?" Jayce drew in a deep breath. His arms stayed defensively crossed in front of his chest.
"I saw his accounts," Vincent told the kid. "And he doesn't need Warren's money." Warren and Remy had asked him to create a joined account and Remy had given him full access to his bank accounts.
That comment made Jayce look up. Okay, so maybe Remy wasn't after Warren's money, but there had to be some kind of hidden agenda. "Where are you taking me?" he asked curiously. He needed more information if he wanted to make plans.
"Honeymoon Island."
"A fuckin' island?"
"Don't use that word. I'd like to think you've got manners." Vincent was beginning to realize that Jayce wanted to throw him off balance by using that word. It just didn't seem right that a 15 years old boy used it that easily. "It's a beautiful place."
"I want to go back to Saint Andrew's," Jayce stated determinedly and bit his lip. He remained quiet during the rest of the ride.
///
Richmond
Logan dropped onto their bed and let himself fall backwards. They'd been on their bikes for hours and would only stay at this little motel for the night. "Cajun, sit down and get some rest." He watched Jean-Luc closely and wondered about the nervousness in his lover's gestures.
"What's wrong? Are ya still broodin' 'bout Remy?" He didn't like seeing Jean-Luc in such a dark and gloomy mood. No matter how he tried to distract his lover, Jean-Luc returned to brooding.
"Oui," Jean-Luc admitted as he collapsed onto the bed next to Logan. "Can't shake de feeling dat something's wrong."
"Did he answer yer message?"
"He wrote dat everything was fine, mais I know Remy. He won't tell me if he feels it would burden me somehow." Jean-Luc stole a glance over at the laptop.
"Tell the kid that we're comin' to visit," Logan said firmly. "Ya need to convince yerself that he's okay." He dragged his tired body from the bed and collected the laptop, opened it and placed it on Jean-Luc's lap. "Ask him where they are and tell him to expect us to drop by. I refuse to sit here and watch ya go crazy over this."
Jean-Luc's fingertips hesitated to make contact with the keys. "It's deir honeymoon, Logan."
"I don't care and I'm sure Remy won't either once he knows yer drivin' yerself crazy over this." Relieved, Logan watched as Jean-Luc gave in and sent his son a message, asking Remy and Warren if it was okay if they visited shortly. "Feelin' better?" Logan inquired as Jean-Luc closed the laptop again.
"Oui, I think so." Jean-Luc released a deep sigh. He felt tired and emotionally drained.
"Want me to take yer mind off things?" Logan offered. He slipped into position behind Jean-Luc and began to knead his lover's tense shoulders.
"Feels good," Jean-Luc mumbled, relaxed. He closed his eyes and sighed blissfully. Logan's hands worked their magic and he leaned back against his lover's chest.
Logan grinned wickedly. He knew a way to distract Jean-Luc and relax the man completely. "Wanna play?"
Jean-Luc chuckled softly. Those two words had quickly become an invitation to intimacy. "Mais oui." And for once he had no desire to take the lead or to top.
Logan sensed Jean-Luc's weariness and took charge. "Wanna play with the handcuffs?" They had only used them once and back then in Ireland, Jean-Luc had used them on him. Logan felt how shivers ran down Jean-Luc's spine. Letting go of control was still a big issue for Jean-Luc. "Will make it worth yer while," Logan promised and let his tongue slide up Jean-Luc's neck. "Just the thought of seeing ya tied down and at my mercy makes me hard, Cajun." Talking dirty had always worked before!
Jean-Luc gave Logan an appreciative grin. "Bring out de handcuffs, cher and *try* to tie me down."
Logan growled at the promise, which was also a threat. He'd win.
///
Westchester
Nicholas looked up from his book as his computer announced that a new message had arrived. He smiled and headed over to the computer. Hopefully, Bobby had sent him a message.
After he sat down, he scrolled down and his eyes grew worried as he read the sender's addy. Sighing, he opened and read the message. He should have known that his employer would contact him in search of more information. Nicholas paused to formulate his answer.
#Monsieur,
There's little I can add to my last report. Rogue hasn't returned yet and no one seems to know her whereabouts. I'll inform you the moment they find out. Professor Xavier and Jean Grey are conducting an experiment, hoping to find her, but so far it's been fruitless.
There's only one thing worth mentioning. Scott Summers and Robert Drake left Westchester last night to attend the funeral of Warren Worthington's brother, but I suspect Remy already told you about that. From what I've heard, the judge awarded Warren custody of his nephew Jason.
Yours truly,
Nicholas D'Arcy #
He read his message over and sent it. Jean-Luc LeBeau was a hard man to please.
///
Honeymoon Island
"Let's go on board," Warren whispered and kept one arm wrapped around Remy's waist. "Keep your shields up, love."
Remy nodded his head once and hesitantly sought out Jason's form. Vincent and the boy had already boarded and frustration simmered from Jason's brown eyes. But the hatred had lessened and Remy sighed relieved. As long as he kept his shields raised to the maximum he could deal with it. "He looks lost, cher."
Warren bit his lip. He couldn't understand why Remy cared about the arrogant brat. As far as he was concerned, Jason could get his ass kicked back to Saint Andrew's. "What? Do you want to talk to him now?" Warren asked, as Remy moved towards the youngster. "He's not going to acknowledge you." A sinking feeling made his stomach contract nervously. He didn't want Remy to get hurt again.
"Non, cher, not talk."
Suddenly Warren realized Remy's intentions. The empath was trying to make sense of Jason's feelings. "And?" he asked as he joined his lover. Jason stood a few feet away from them and Warren whispered. "What do you sense?"
"Confusion, cher." Remy lifted his hand and smiled as Warren immediately claimed it. "We've got to find a way to get t'rough to him."
"You agreed to let *me* handle this, remember?" But Warren realized that Remy felt drawn to Jason for some obscure reason that he couldn't figure out. If the boy had treated him like Jason had Remy, he would ignore the youngster completely until he'd apologized. Warren exchanged a look with Vincent, who seemed equally worried. Warren tried to catch Jason's gaze and after several long minutes, he succeeded.
///
Jayce glared at them. His stomach did a somersault when he realized that his uncle was holding his male lover, radiating an extreme protectiveness. His conversation with Vincent had made him slightly less certain about Remy's intentions. He'd assumed that the man was after his uncle's money, but if what Vincent had told him was true, Remy didn't need Warren's money at all.
//It doesn't really matter,// he thought determinedly. //I'll make their lives hell, so they won't have a choice but send me back to Saint Andrew's.// The fact that Remy's eyes remained locked on his back began to unnerve Jayce. Why was the man looking at him like that?
///
"Cher? Do me a favor and switch off de image inducer?" Remy made sure that they were alone. Jason and Vincent stood near the railing and the crew was below deck. At the same time, Remy removed his contacts and put them safely away for future use.
"All right," Warren said, slightly confused. "Why?" Remy's brilliant smile stunned Warren, as he looked into gold on black eyes. "Don't wear those contacts ever again."
Remy's smile turned into a smirk as he lovingly took in those white wings and blue skin. "Je t'aime," he whispered softly and pressed a kiss on the back of Warren's hand. Then he waited for Jason to look at them again.
"What do you hope to accomplish?" Warren asked softly and caressed his lover's agile fingers. The fact that Jason hadn't lashed out again after the funeral made him feel hopeful.
"I want him to see us as we really are," Remy said slowly, as Jason peeked at them. The angry glare vanished and big eyes stared back at him. "Bien," Remy whispered pleased.
///
Jayce's eyes grew big and he momentarily forgot to breathe when he looked at his uncle and his lover. Yes, he'd seen Warren's wings before, but somehow they now seemed larger. And then there was this blue skin. He didn't remember that. When had his uncle gained that blue skin? Jayce shivered briefly. His uncle was a mutant all right! But what about his male lover?
As he stared into Remy's eyes, Jayce's breath escaped unintended. //He's got gold on black eyes! He's a mutant too!// Jayce expected Remy to be a mutant, but to see the proof was disconcerting. //Wonder what his mutant power is?// Suddenly, he felt extremely ill at ease. What if the man was a telepath? He'd heard about mind readers.
"I can't help it, but I think Warren's mutation is? special. I think it's beautiful."
Vincent's voice pulled Jayce away from his musings. He didn't have a smart-ass comeback right now. "I didn't know he had blue skin."
"That was sort of an accident," Vincent said hesitantly. He didn't know all the details. Carefully, he monitored Jayce's reactions. The kid's mask was showing cracks all right.
"What about *him*?" Jayce still refused to address Remy properly.
"Remy?" Vincent smiled. "Why don't you ask him yourself?"
"I don't talk to faggots."
Vincent sighed, disappointed. He'd thought that they were making progress. "In that case you shouldn't talk to Warren either."
Hearing that statement, Jayce remained quiet. It was different with Warren, who was family; the only family he had left. His thoughts returned to Remy. No way he'd walk up to the mutant to ask him about his 'gifts'. As far as he was concerned, Remy didn't exist.
///
"Bien?" Warren repeated. "What's bien?"
"He's startin' to doubt. We need to be patient, cher," Remy said, pleased. "Love de way y' look now. Do y' have to switch de image inducer back on?"
"I don't think so. Vincent knows what I look like and Jason had better get used to it." Warren wrapped his other arm around Remy's shoulder too and pulled his lover close to his chest. "How can you stand feeling his hate?"
"Doubt he hates *me*," Remy clarified. "He hates life, which seems terribly unfair right now. He just lost his père and doesn' want to live wit' us."
Warren rested his chin on Remy's shoulder. The Cajun would always be his salvation, his strength. "I love you, Rem."
///
Jayce sulked the entire way to the ranch. The jeeps easily mastered the rough terrain and Jayce tried hard not to bounce around in his seat. Although he was tightly strapped in, he didn't feel safe. His dad had died in the car crash and this reminded him of the way the car had been catapulted over the road. He'd been so terrified.
His father hadn't been dead on impact, but had suffered for some time, hanging in the seatbelt. Jayce, who'd sat in the passenger's seat, had stared in horror as blood flowed from his dad's mouth and ears. Even now, remnants of terror tried to make him panic.
///
In the second jeep, Remy's head jerked up. Jason's emotions were growing darker, gloomier and Remy sensed the panic beneath the surface. "He's scared, cher."
Warren looked up. He'd been staring out of the window. "Who? Jason?"
"Yes, didn' y' tell me dat his père died in a car crash?" Remy locked eyes with Warren.
"Shit," Warren cursed softly. "But he didn't mind being in a car during the first stretch."
"De road's bumpy now, cher. Don' y' wonder what it was like for Jason, locked up in dat car?"
"Do I need to tell the chauffeurs to stop?"
"Non, he won' lose it. He's just scared." Remy reassuringly squeezed Warren's hand. "We're getting' t'rough to him, cher. We can' give up."
"If it means that much to you, Rem, I'll try? hard."
///
"Wolvie!" Remy chuckled, as the canine leapt towards him. The wolf knocked him off his feet in excitement and a long, wet tongue slithered across his face. "Calm down, Wolvie," Remy whispered, taken aback. The animal's relief at seeing him again was overwhelming. Until now he'd never realized just how much the canine had grown attached to him. Remy let the wonderful wave of emotions wash over him. "Missed y' too."
Warren stood behind his lover and grinned broadly. "Someone's glad to see you, Rem." His heart leapt happily as Wolvie continued to wet his lover's face with long swipes of his tongue. "I hope he doesn't plan to greet me in a similar way." Wolvie hadn't even acknowledged him yet. The canine was way too busy licking and nuzzling Remy.
"Wolvie, calm down!" Remy repeated, as two large front paws settled down on his chest, pressing him down onto the earth. Luckily, the soft grass had cushioned his fall.
They'd made arrangements when they'd still been in Venice for Wolvie to go straight to the ranch. Neither of them had judged it wise to take the canine along to the funeral.
"Do y' like it here. Wolvie? Plenty of animals to chase after, mais y'll behave, won' y'?" Remy managed to push Wolvie off and with Warren's help he got back to his feet. Wolvie however, tried to level him again. "Bad Wolvie!"
Suddenly, Remy looked over his shoulder and saw that Jason had halted in his tracks. For the first time since they'd met, the boy seemed to acknowledge his presence. Warren was about to speak up, but Remy signaled his lover to let him do the talking instead. "What is it, petit?"
"But that's a?" Jayce stuttered, taking some steps away from the canine.
Remy was thrilled that Jayce no longer ignored him. He'd use the boy's curiosity to establish some sort of contact. "It's a loup, oui."
"It is a *wolf*!" Jayce exclaimed, quickly translating the word. It was the first time he felt glad he'd taken some French classes. "What's it doing here?" The wolf suddenly seemed to notice him and Jayce froze. The canine had been friendly towards Remy, but how would it act towards him?
Warren silently watched the exchange and felt thrilled. Trust Remy and Wolvie to find a way into the boy's heart!
Remy saw his chance and focused on Wolvie. He couldn't telepathically tell Wolvie to let Jason pet him, but Remy could try to influence the canine. Empathy certainly had its limitations. //Plaît, Wolvie, de petit needs someone.//
Jayce felt fascinated and terrified as the wolf began to sneak towards him. "Shouldn't you keep him on a leash or something? Is he dangerous?" Jayce failed to stop himself from rambling. "Because if he is, I think?" He grew quiet as the wolf pushed his head beneath Jayce's hand.
"He wants to be pet," Remy explained and felt how Warren's hand came to rest at the small of his back. "Y' don' have to be 'fraid of him. Wolvie's a friend."
"Wolvie?" Jayce carefully petted the canine's head and although he was determined to continue to hate Remy, he couldn't help addressing the man. "Why did you give him that name?"
"It's a long story, petit," Remy replied and thought of Logan and Jean-Luc. He hoped they were happy.
"His fur feels softer than I thought." Cautiously, Jayce sat on his heels and stroked the canine's flank. "How did you tame him?"
"I didn'. Wolvie wants to stay wit' us. He can leave whenever he wants," Remy explained and sighed relieved. Yes, things would work out eventually. It'd just take a lot of time and effort. "Wolvie can keep y' company while y'r here," Remy suggested. "Mais mebbe y' want to see y'r room now?"
Warren gestured to one of the maids. "Take him to his room." The girl nodded and went to pick up Jayce's traveling pack, but Vincent was quicker.
Vincent smiled, pleased that Remy had found a way to make contact with the boy. "Come on, kid, let's get moving."
"Can I take him along?" Jayce asked and suddenly realized he'd been talking to Remy the entire time. How had that happened? He loathed the man! He had to pay attention to what he was doing! Jayce was about to walk away from the canine without waiting for Remy's answer, when the wolf tightly grabbed his jacket with his sharp teeth. "What?"
"Wolvie doesn' want to be left 'lone," Remy chuckled. "Go on, Wolvie, it's bien." He sensed the wolf's inner struggle. Remy had just returned and the canine didn't want to leave him so soon. //Mais Jason needs y' more, Wolvie.//
The canine seemed to nod his head and then dragged Jayce after him, using the boy's jacket to pull him along.
"Hey!" Jayce sputtered as the wolf pulled. He considered shrugging out of his jacket, but no, he liked the stubborn wolf!
Remy and Warren watched them leave. "Maybe you're right, Rem. Maybe we can get through to him. You're right. We can't give up on him."
"De petit reminds me of someone," Remy said wickedly as he took hold of Warren's arms, which he wrapped around himself.
"Rem?" Confused, Warren peeked at his lover's eyes.
"Reminds me of one stubborn and arrogant playboy I used to know." He turned around and brushed Warren's lips with his. "Mais y' changed. Y're no longer like dat."
"Well, maybe there's hope for Jason's yet," Warren mumbled mesmerized as he stared in Remy's eyes. "Want to check out our room? You look tired, maybe you want to lie down a bit?"
"Keepin' de shields up tires me," Remy explained in a soft tone and fell into step beside Warren as his lover led him through the corridors. Eventually, Warren halted when they'd reached a mahogany door.
"Close your eyes," Warren softly instructed and turned the key. However, he didn't open the door yet. "Please, close your eyes, love."
Remy was tempted to ask why, but sensed Warren's sincere desire to please him. So he closed his eyes and waited. He heard how the door opened and he barely kept back from peeking through his eyelids, but Warren wanted him to keep his eyes closed, so he did. "What are y' doin', cher?" Remy whispered and was surprised to feel one arm slide beneath his knees and the other around his back. "Ange?"
"Shst," Warren chided him affectionately and lifted Remy in his arms. "I'm going to carry you over the threshold, love."
Remy thought he'd misheard. "Over de t'reshold?"
"We got married and I want this to be our home, so... I'm a traditional guy, sue me!" Warren pressed Remy close to his chest and carried him inside. "You can open your eyes again, Rem."
Feeling incredibly nervous, Remy slowly opened his eyes. He'd never imagined that Warren would want to carry him over the threshold. Warren was such a romantic and it made his heart beat faster.
"What do you think, love?" Warren waited impatiently. He hoped Remy liked the interior and?
"De bed, cher!"
"Yeah, I picked it myself."
"When?" In genuine delight, Remy stared at the big, wooden four-poster bed. It had a canopy made of blue silk, with embroided silver stars and a crescent. "Oh, cher."
Warren placed Remy in the center of the bed and lay down beside him. "I love the canopy," Warren said as he stared at the midnight sky above them.
His raging emotions made it hard for Remy to reply. He elbowed himself into an upright position and locked eyes with Warren. "Feels like I'm flyin' in y'r arms when I'm in dis bed. Sky's so close."
"So you like it?" Warren asked, slightly relieved.
"Love it, cher." Remy leaned in closer and gently kissed his lover's lips.
"Then we're finally home, Rem. I plan on growing old here with you." Warren noticed the tears that unexpectedly left Remy's eyes. "What's wrong, love?
"I'm just so happy, cher. Never been dis happy. *Y'* make me happy."
Warren balanced one of Remy's teardrops on the tip of his finger and then licked it off. "These are tears of happiness then?"
"Oh oui, cher, dey are." Remy firmly nodded his head. "Dis is home."

 

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