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With it being Valentine’s Kyle had wanted to try and ask Ororo on a date. he knew a number of the other students were going to a place called the Haven for some party there. Kyle had gone to find ororo to ask her to a movie but stopped as he spotted her heading for the roof access. The only time since he’d been at the school he’d known people to go up there was flying lessons or to possible find Evan, Hiro or Stephan. Kyle frowned as he figured Stephan was who Ororo was looking for. Kyle sighed and turned back around his shoulders sinking as he considered giving Donovan a call or something to pass the time and not think about the fact Ororo wanted to spend Valentine’s on the roof with Stephan Wagner. She knew about the Haven party but also knew that Stephan wasn’t going so knowing that he now had no plans Ororo approached Stephan in one of his favorite places to traditionally be alone, the roof of the institute. It’d been a rather nice winter with little snow though still a bit cold. She’d made sure to get her jacket and a scarf before heading up to the roof to find him. She had been focused on wanting to find Stephan she’d not noticed Kyle at all.
As she lifted up the hatch to the roof she saw him crouched on the ledge his claws holding the ledge tight and his wings slightly extended just enjoying the winter’s breeze moving through the feathers. He’d gone to the roof to have some quiet. Many of the others were all thinking about what they’d wear and getting ready for this party at the Haven. Valentine’s wasn’t a holiday that Stephan particularly cared for. It was one of those commercial holidays but beyond that it was about being with someone you love and that loves you. And for him that didn’t really seem like it’d be in the cards. He’d been told by a lot of people to not really think like that and always had it pointed out that his dad found his mom so he wasn’t a lost cause. Didn’t seem to sink into others minds that he wasn’t his dad. He looked even less human than his dad being albino with wings, lion like legs and tail not to mention the more barn owl face. Without his HAG he was the definition of a freak in his mind and therefore no one would look at him like that. Even with the HAG he was doubtful he’d ever be looked at that way as the HAG couldn’t disguise that he was albino. So no matter how he looked at it he was viewed as a freak amongst the others. He hung his head a little frowning.
Ororo tilted her head watching the wind ruffle his feathers just a little and his white tail moving ever so slightly. She knew he liked to get down on himself about being different. She didn't see the big deal his wings were incredible, the tail was adorable, and his large owl eyes were so expressive. “Stephan?”, she asked carefully climbing up onto the roof. It may have been a nice winter but it was still a bit icy up on the roof. With the wind blowing he hadn’t heard her call his name. Ororo frowned and looked down as she cautiously moved down the slight incline of the icy roof. “Stephan?!”, she called again getting closer but still he didn’t hear her. She inched her way closer but as she did the wind kicked up more and she lost her footing and started to slide down the roof to the edge. She let out a yell trying to regain balance but she had nothing to hold and slid past Stephan and over the edge. “STEPHAN!”, she yelled managing to grab the gutter to avoid the three story drop. It wasn’t easy to grip the copper gutter with her woolen mittens.
Stephan blinked his large owl eyes as Ororo slid past him.”ORORO!?”, he called ready to go over the edge after her but as he looked he saw she had hold of the gutter. He reached down and grasped both of her forearms firmly with his clawed hands and pulled her up onto the roof falling a little to a more seated position but his clawed feet still holding the ledge. “Ororo? Are you okay? What happened? What are you doing up here? It’s not safe up here unless you have claws or something to grip with.”, he said feeling his heart about to beat out of his chest with fear as he was looking at her trying to make sure she was okay. Ororo was trying to catch her breath she’d been put in life threatening situations in the danger room but this wasn’t a simulation this was real. As soon as she was back onto the roof she hugged him tightly. “Thank you Stephan.”, she said glancing over her shoulder at the edge and then up at him. “Yeah... yes I’m okay I think. I was up here looking for you. I tried to call to you but with the wind you didn’t hear me. So I tried to get over here so you would hear me.”, she explained. “Looking for me? Why? Hold on before you answer let’s go inside so you don’t fall again.”, he suggested. “Agreed.”, Ororo nodded moving to stand up and starting to slip again. Stephan grabbed her to stabilize her. “Here let me help I can grip better.”, he said glancing down to his clawed feet. “Okay.”, Ororo agreed. Stephan kept one arm around her as the turned away from the ledge and he assisted her walking up the slight incline of the icy roof to the access hatch.
Ororo climbed back down first and waited in the hallway for him. Stephan climbed down second closing the hatch behind him and dusted the snow off himself having been up there a while though white snow on his white feathers and fur wasn’t easy to see but it was against his custom jeans and long sleeve ocean blue shirt.”So why were you looking for me?”, he asked. Ororo unwrapped her scarf from around her neck and tucked her mittens into her coat pockets before answering him. “Wanted to see if you you’d come with me tomorrow and hang out.”, she explained. “Tomorrow? Go where?”, he asked his head tilting to the side to be completely parallel with his shoulders and his wide owl eyes blinked at her. Ororo covered her mouth but a small giggle escaped her lips. “What?”, he asked. “Just.. the head tilt… it’s adorable.”, she explained. Stephan laughed a little and tilted his head further like an owl and was nearly looking upside down at her. “Okay… stop I’m losing focus.”, she giggled nudging his arm. Stephan shrugged and tilted his head back to it’s correct position. “Alright so what about tomorrow?”, he asked. “I have a photoshoot in the city and usually mom or dad would go with me but they have plans. And I’m allowed to bring one person with me. And well I want you to be the one, the person that comes with me that is.”, she explained.
“Go with you to the city for a photoshoot? I…”, he said shaking his head a little. “Wouldn’t it make more sense to take like Reine or Aurora?”, he suggested. Ororo frowned unbuttoning her jacket taking it off and resting it over her arms. “I don’t want to take Reine or Aurora. I was told I could ask anyone I wanted. And I wanted to invite you.”, she argued. “But… a photoshoot? I mean what would I even do? Stand there and hold your purse?”, she asked shaking his head. Ororo rolled her eyes. “No Shawn holds my purse, it’s what I pay him for. I like having someone there I can talk to and that can make me smile. Cause seriously having some grouchy man in his forties yelling at me to look this direction or that and have this expression or that just makes me irritable. So I’ve found I do better when I have someone with me. When mom comes she always makes it fun. Dad it’s just funny to watch him stand there all straight face grumpy highlander like. But if I get to bring a friend this time I want to bring you. You always make me smile fluffy.”, she said smiling up at him. Stephan sighed still shaking his head.
The idea of going into a public place like that amongst people in the fashion industry… to be around the ‘beautiful’ people just didn’t sound good. “If you are looking for someone who can make you smile and laugh what about the Kearny twins Hiro and Evan?”, he suggested. “They are a match set I don’t split them up if possible. And as stated I want you not either of them. Come on it’ll be fun. You can see what I do, we can order Shawn around and have him get us coco and whatever we want to eat. Please…”, she asked putting on her pouty face looking up at him with her hazel eyes. The idea of bossing her agent Shawn Bokyin around did have it’s appeal. “Don’t with the pout...ugh... alright alright I’ll go. I don’t think I’ll have fun.”, he sighed giving in. Ororo smiled brightly and leaned up kissing his feathery cheek. “You’ll have fun. So just be ready tomorrow around eight am. Now I need to meet my dad for training.”, she said before heading down the hall for her training. Stephan blinked at the kiss on his cheek but didn’t think anything much of it and watched her leave before heading to his training session in the danger room.
The following morning Stephan had his HAG on he looked like any other guy, except albino with his fair nearly white hair and skin off set by his blue eyes which seemed slightly darker for his complexion. He’d managed to tuck his large wings in so they wouldn’t get in the way, the HAG making them basically invisible to the eye. All his clothes were custom made and had been since birth by Violet Asher though recently he’d started playing around with making his own stuff too. But to the average person he looked to just be wearing a pair of loose fit dark wash jeans, and knit two tone sweater where the upper part from the neck to about halfway down his biceps was black and the rest was cream. The HAG also gave the illusion of him wearing black boots, there weren’t shoes out there that really would fit his clawed feet. He didn’t bother with a jacket as for him it wouldn’t be cold out with all his fur and feathers under the clothes, he did however pull on a black knit cap as he waited for Ororo before looking to the watch of his hag. She’d said eight and it was almost eight. He heard footsteps and looked to the stairs Ororo was racing down the stairs pulling her winter jack on over her white cable knit sweater that she’d paired with a basic pair of jeans and her winter boots. “Right on time.”, he chuckled. “Thank you.”, she said adjusting her purse on her shoulder grabbing the handle of the door and opening it just to run into her agent who was about to knock.
Shawn smiled seeing Ororo and then looked past her with a raised eyebrow at Stephan. “Oh we are bringing a guest today?”, Shawn questioned his Jamaican accent apparent with each word. Stephan rolled his eyes, he’d never cared for Shawn Boykin the man was too much a flirt for his taste. He’d on various occasions witness Shawn trying to flirt with some of the older girls of the school like Nikki and Lauren both who laughed at him. They didn’t even just laugh because they have boyfriends. Stephan smiled a little thinking back to the exchange. Nikki told him she’s a Howlett and unless he wanted his insides on his outside he might want to back off. And how Lauren in her soft voice said if he tried to touch her again he’d see the damage her powers could inflict. “Yes I told you I was going to be bringing a friend. You remember Stephan Wagner.”, Ororo smiled. “Right… Stephan… kid with the wings.”, he nodded having never seen Stephan’s full form. “Yeah wings…”, Stephan said. “Alright well beautiful let’s get going. The car is waiting to take us to the shoot in the city, we’ll stop and grab some breakfast on the drive in. It’s a blustery day so I’ll make sure you have coco.”, Shawn smiled putting an arm around Ororo’s shoulders to lead her to the car. Stephan sighed and started to follow them. Ororo reached back grabbing Stephan’s hand to make sure he was still there. And there was something she liked about touching his fur which the HAG couldn’t hide the feel of. Stephan felt a slight flush on his cheeks at her holding his hand but thankfully it just looked like he was cold more than blushing.
The drive into the city was mostly silent. Shawn was going over her itinerary and some of her upcoming jobs and Stephan just sat silently next to her in the back of the town car eating the breakfast burrito he’d gotten. Ororo ate and nodded listening to Shawn politely. Once they got to the building where the shoot was being held Stephan just tried to avoid running into people. “Alright I’ll be right back I need to go change into the first outfit and have hair and makeup done.”, she said stopping by her dressing room. She handed Shawn her purse. “Here you can hold that. Be nice to my friend and make sure he’s all good.”, she instructed to Shawn before ducking into her dressing room. Stephan held back his laugh at her giving her purse to Shawn to hold. She quickly came out in the first outfit of a pair of skinny black jeans, a white top with a black lace shoulders and back wearing rather high black glitter heels. Stephan watched a bit curious though hanging back as she went to be in front of the cameras.
“Alright sweetie we all know that in a couple days it’s your birthday so we’ll start out with this.”, the photographer said as she was handed a vanilla cupcake with pink frosting and a candle. Ororo laughed. “Aw thank you. Is this a prop or will I get to eat it?”, she asked. “Both. First it’s a prop. Hold it in the palm of your right hand bending forward at your waist with your left hand on your waist and blow out the candle?”, he instructed. oror laughed and did as she was instructed her lips slightly puckering as she blew the candle out with a flood of flash as they took multiple pictures. “Alright take the candle out and we’ll take the cupcake away.”, the photographer instructed. Ororo nodded and took out the candle but got frosting on her fingers so while holding the cupcake in her right hand she brought her left to her lips to lick off the frosting. “Hold that pose!”, the photographer shouted stopped the PA from taking the cupcake and snapped a couple more pictures. “Alright take the cupcake now.”, he instructed. Ororo giggled. “That was at least tasty frosting.”, she smiled. Stephan laughed a little from where he stood. They did a dozen more shots in various poses in that outfit before she was told to go change.
Stephan wasn’t sure what he was doing here, but people were looking at him and he was more than uncomfortable. He followed back to the dressing room. “Ororo…”, he started as she reached the door. She paused and look at him and smiled. “Yeah fluffy?”, she asked. “How long are we going to be here? Cause I’m just not feeling like I should be here.”, he asked. Ororo frowned and little but hugged him. “Hopefully not long. There’s just another outfit and a dress then we can leave.”, she said before ducking back into the changing room to change clothes. She came back out in the second outfit which was a pair of medium washed jeans with slightly rolled cuffs, orange heels, a white tee with black kitties all over and a pink blazer. This time she was given more props and just kind of went with it being playful with the stuff. She put on a pair of oversized yellow sunglasses that even got Stephan to laugh as she made a duckface. They did a few dozen shots in various poses and lights for that outfit before she was told to change to her next outfit.
Stephan was looking at his watch it was already past noon when she walked out in the dress. He looked up from the watch and blinked at the sight. He always knew Ororo was pretty, but he didn’t really consider much in regards to her having a figure. But in that dress it showed she wasn’t exactly a little kid anymore as she was coming into her teens. The dress was a bright shade of pink that came to halfway down her thigh, a similar color but more shinny belt to accent her waist, the neckline was a scoop neck, and the back had a heart cutout positioned just between the shoulder blades and down to just half way on her back and whoever decided on her outfits added silver metallic heels. To go with the theme of the dress she was giving a string of hearts in two shades of pink to work with for the photos. Shawn walked up next to Stephan watching Ororo’s shoot handing Stephan a hot chocolate. “Here kid.”, Shawn offered glancing at Stephan who even at fourteen almost fifteen was about his height. He noticed Stephan looking at Ororo and chuckled. “She’s not going to be a kid for long that one. She’s like her mom developing early, just as stunning as her mom at that age and well her mom is still stunning.”, Shawn smiled.
Stephan coughed and took the hot chocolate glancing at Shawn for a moment trying to not glare. “Ororo was always pretty that’s just genetics.”, Stephan stated sipping the hot chocolate. “Yeah that is is. And she’s just going to get better looking as she gets older. And a beautiful girl like that will end up with a handsome guy.”, Shawn commented. “Yeah probably…”, Stephan said quietly. In his mind he was thinking handsome didn’t really describe him so zero change there. “There’s been calls made of guys in the business around her age wanting to try and set up dates with her. I don’t tell her of course, because that stuff I go to her parents about per the contract. And her dad had made it very clear she’s not allowed to date. I’m guessing that’s a temporary thing but who knows with Duncan that man could mean forever or at least till she’s old enough that she’s an adult and he can’t tell her what to do anymore.”, Shawn laughed a little. Stephan nodded. “Professor Fearbirgh can be an intimidating man. Only a great fool would approach him about dating his daughter, an even bigger fool to think they’d ever get told yes.”, Stephan commented. “Alright we are all wrapped up Ororo.”, the photographer said. “Oh thank god these heels are beautiful but my feet are killing me.”, she smiled relieved as she stepped out of the heels and carried them in her hands in the direction of her dressing room.
“I’ll be back out in a couple minutes. Just need to change into my clothes.”, Ororo said stopping to talk to Stephan and Shawn. “We’ll be right here beautiful.”, Shawn said. Ororo looked at him weird but said nothing taking the hot chocolate cup from Stephan and taking a sip. “Sorry I needed something sugary. I’ll be right back.”, she said handing the cup back to Stephan before heading to her dressing room. “She apparently didn’t realize the cup I’m holding is for her.”, Shawn shrugged. “Yeah apparently.”, Stephan commented sipping his drink some more.He didn’t want to read into her sharing the drink with him, they were friends after all. He looked to his watch. “Geeze it’s already four.”, he sighed shaking his head. Ororo walked back out and took her purse from Shawn. “Here this one is yours.”, Shawn commented handing her the hot chocolate. “Oh...thanks Shawn. Ready to go Stephan?”, she asked linking arms with Stephan. “Yeah I was ready to go hours ago.”, Stephan nodded. “I’m sorry if you didn’t have any fun. I at least liked having you here. Gave me someone to look at and smile at.”, she apologized as they walked out to the car with Shawn behind them. Stephan just smiled, sure he may not have much fun standing there with people looking at him but she apparently had enjoyed having him there.
Billy wasn’t the only Maximoff who’d been planning to pop the question. Tommy had been trying to think of just the right want to ask Lily to marry him. He’d found the ring he just needed to think of the right words and the right place. Billy and proposed on basically a gondola ride on Valentine’s and her twin had been proposed to at a rather nice restaurant with a view of all of Boston and the harbor last summer. He would not let himself get outstaged by his brother and Robbie. He finally found just the right settings, Washington Square Park she loved the fountain and the arch especially in the evening when they were lit up. But he knew he needed help with making this magic, so he enlisted the help of their roommates. They helped him get it all set up just the way he wanted. So in late April while walking through the park in the late evening he hoped to truly surprise her. “This park is always the best at night.”, Lily commented as they walked holding hands. “Yeah. We’ve come here a lot since starting college.”, Tommy agreed. As they walked closer to the fountain the sound of a drum and a piano started to play and then words started with a very familiar voice. “Well, it's a marvelous night for a moondance. With the stars up above in your eyes. A fantabulous night to make romance. 'Neath the cover of April skies. And all the leaves on the trees are blooming. To the sound of the breezes that blow. You know, I'm trying to please to the calling. Of your heartstrings that play soft and low. You know, the night's magic seems to whisper and hush. You know, the soft moonlight seems to shine in your blush.”, Landon’s voice rang out from apparently no where. He’d gotten his band to help him with the surprise for his cousin. Jackson picked up the brass of the song as Gavin and Dan started on guitar and bass.
Lily frozen looking around confused. She knew her cousin’s voice anywhere, just like she knew their song Moondance by Van Morrison even if it was being modified to fit the scene. “Tommy?”, Lily asked looking at him with a raised eyebrow. Tommy just smiled. “Can I just have one more moondance with a-you, my love? Can I just make some more romance with a-you, my love?”, Cora Lee’s voice sang the chorus. “Well, I wanna make love to you tonight. I can't wait 'til the morning has come. You know, I know now the time is just right. And straight into my arms you will run. And when you come, my heart will be waiting. To make sure that you're never alone. There and then, all my dreams will come true, dear. There and then, I will make you my own. And every time I touch you, you just tremble inside. Then I know how much you want me that you can't hide.”, the song continued to play. Lily’s eyes were darting all around trying to find her cousins and Blaze Halo but she still couldn’t place where they were. “Can I just have one more moondance with you, my love? Can I just make some more romance with a-you, my love?”, Cora Lee’s voice joined in again. “Where are they Tommy?”, Lily asked. Tommy shrugged with a smirked. “I don’t know what you are talking about beautiful.”, Tommy teased.
“Well, it's a marvelous night for a moondance. With the stars up above in your eyes. A fantabulous night to make romance. 'Neath the cover of April skies. And all the leaves on the trees are blooming. To the sound of the breezes that blow. You know, I'm trying to please to the calling. Of your heartstrings that play soft and low. You know, the night's magic seems to whisper and hush. You know, the soft moonlight seems to shine in your blush.”, the song played out it seeming to come from all around them. “You do so. You can hear it, Moondance. Landon and Cora Lee are singing our song. So where are they? What are you doing Thomas Peitro Maximoff?”, Lily demanded stopping at the fountain folding her arms across her chest looking at him. “I don’t hear anything, I hear some crickets maybe. Must be in your head.”, Tommy shrugged shaking his head at her. “Can I just have one more moondance with a-you, my love? Can I just make some more romance with a-you, my love?”, the unique grit of Cora lee’s voice surrounded them. “One more moondance with you. In the moonlight. On a magic night. La, la, la, la, la, in the moonlight. On a magic night. Can't I just have one more, moondance with you, my love?”, Landon and Cora Lee both harmonized as the song ended. Lilly furrowed her brow looking at Tommy. “You’re up to something… you know I don’t like surprised Tommy.”, Lily narrowed her eyes at him.
“I know you don’t. Of all people I should know that.”, Tommy defended as lightning started to streak across the sky only above the park. Lily blinked startled for a moment and looked up to the sky. The lightening wasn’t random, Lily knew somewhere Malcolm was part of this. But when her green-yellow eyes looked up to watch the lightening show Tommy zip away to hit a button on the arch that pulled down a white cloth. And as soon as he was back to standing with her off hidden in the shrubbery Rachel hit play of the projector and the lightening stop. Lily turned her attention as she heard her mother’s laughter. “Mom?”, Lily questioned but as she turned there was a young her being pushed on a swing by her mother and her shouting to go higher. Across the bottom words scrolled. ‘Even when you were little you always reached for the heavens.’ Lily sighed a little, she remembered that. Then the video moved to video of Tommy and Billy playing and Tommy fell down and it was Lily who helped him up giving him a hug. Scrolling along the bottom the words said ‘From the start you were always my comfort.’. Lily sighed shaking her head. She had an idea of what Tommy was doing but she watched silently. The video continued showing various moments of their childhood together even the moments that were supposed to have been secret when they had kept their relationship hidden. Then finally the video came to just him and what looked like him sitting in their terrace back at the house.
“We’ve known each other our whole lives. Every good memory I have has you in it. And I want every memory to always have you in it. So do me a favor and turn around.”, Tommy spoke as the video faded to black. The really Tommy had gotten down on one knee and had the ring box open displaying the thin white gold band with a filigree raised design with two small diamonds on either end of the filigree, the center a larger diamond with two small diamonds flanking it. Lily was crying a little from watching the little film. She was mad at herself for crying, she wasn’t an emotional girlie girl. But that...that had really gotten to her. This whole evening had gotten to her. She slowly turned knowing what was coming but was still surprised looking at the ring. “So what do you say beautiful? You’re already my past and present. Be my future?”, Tommy asked with a wide smile. Lily silently nodded her head. “Yes now get up so I can decide if I should kiss you or punch you.”, Lily sighed pulling him up. Tommy chuckled and didn’t let her decide kissing her. “I’ll take the kiss.”, he smiled pulling back putting the ring on her finger. Lily sighed shaking her head. “What am I going to do with you?”, she sighed. “Just keep loving me and we’ll be good.”, he grinned. “Now where are all the others?”, she demanded. Landon chuckled from the darkness stepping into the light holding Rachel’s hand. “Congrats coz.”, Landon smiled. “We all knew she’d say yes.”, Cora Lee teased stepping out with Malcolm. The rest of Blaze Halo stepped out holding their instruments, Mitch carrying a keyboard for the purpose of the piano parts. “Congrats you two.”, they greeted with a smile. Lily sighed shaking her head. “I don’t like surprised, but this one...I like.”, she smiled looking at her family and friends. She had very few perfect moments but this felt like one.
Since shortly after Kyle was sent to the Institute Donovan had petitioned the courts to become his legal guardian in lieu of having any next of kin. It’d been a lot of red tape to get through taking months. Not once had they tried to pull Kyle from the school as forged documents were given from Duncan saying that Kyle had been sent to the institute prior to the death of his parents to help him better control his mutant powers so he would not as easily become a target of persecution. And on the grounds that it was in Kyle’s best interests and his safety given the attack against his family he should remain at the institute out of reach of those who’d killed his parents because of what he is. But finally after nine long months Donovan got the official word that Kyle Fraser is legally his foster son. This was big news and Donovan didn’t want to tell Kyle over the phone. So instead he wanted to go to the states to see Kyle as a surprise. He sat stretched out on the couch at Muir Island after doing his patrol on southern Scotland with his table in his hand as he was looking for flights and hotels to get there. Rose teleported in as she appeared she pulled off her mask with a heavy sigh having just finished fighting a group of COH with Skye outside of London. She’d told Skye to go back to her flat and she’d log the activity into their system. “Donovan what are you doing here?”, she questioned seeing him stretched out still in his uniform minus his mask.
Donovan tilted his head a little to look at her with a smile. “Nice ta see ya too princess. Ah dinna kne dis was a place fer only business. Ah finished mah assignment and instead o just popping back ta mah flat Ah laid down ‘ere. Dat a crime now beautiful?”, he questioned with a smirk. He’d tried to not be too flirty the past months. He’d put it out there that he was interested and she said at the moment she wasn’t interested in anyone. And he knew she got dealt that blow that Merrick did in fact move on with the girl she’d assumed he would. So he was just waiting, giving her space and time. He hadn’t lied when he told her when she was ready he’d be here waiting. Rose shrugged. “No it’s fine. Just figured it’s a Friday night you probably had something to go do. Hang out with your rugby teammates maybe a date. Skye mentioned something about one of the writers at her magazine....Melanie… had asked you to dinner.”, Rose said going to the computer to update her night’s events. Donovan smiled but shook his head going back to looking at his tablet trying to get things booked to go see Kyle. “Ah got better and more important tings ta worry bout dan Melanie looking fer a shag.”, he commented. “What you’re not interested in getting laid?”, Rose asked as she typed. “Depends you offering?”, he smirked tilting his head to look at her. Rose rolled her eyes. “Take dat as a no. But Ah ain’t interested in Melanie even fer a shag. Ah trying ta get mah flig’t and ‘otel booked fer mah trip.”, he shrugged.
Rose stopped typing and looked at him with a raised eyebrow. “Pardon? You didn’t mention taking leave. You didn’t even ask about taking leave. Who’s going to help Ashley cover your zones?”, she asked going into team leader mode. “No Ah dinna mention it. Cause da trip was only just today t’ought o. And Ah sure dat Ashley be fine on her own and dat if she needs backup any o da team would jump ta ‘elp her. And Ah got two weeks before summer practices start fer mah team….oh ya talking bout asking yer permission ta go away fer a bit.”, He chuckled. “Where are you planning to go and why?”, Rose questioned placing her hands on her hips. “Ya kne yer damn sexy in yer kevlar w’en ya standing dere trying ta be all authoritative at me.”, he smirked. Alright so he hadn’t back off that much with flirting, it just was natural to him. Rose rolled her eyes. “Answer the questions Donovan.”, she stated. “Fine. Ah got da paperwork in today from da courts. Kyle is officially mah son, okay dey say ‘foster’ but dinna fash dat part. And Ah dinna want ta tell him over da p’one or skype. Ah wanna tell him in person. Plus Ah kne he still ‘aving a ‘ard time adjusting over dere. So figure Ah go visit wid da good news and maybe c’eer him up.”, Donovan explained. “Wait..you were filling to be his foster parent? And they approved you?”, Rose asked in shock. He hadn’t really mentioned he was doing all that for Kyle. She knew he talked to Kyle and still sent him money but didn’t know he was going this far.
“Don’t sound so surprised Rose. Aye Ah applied ta be his guardian. Da lad got no kin and needs someone ta be listed and ta care fer him. And Aye dey finally approved me. Was a ‘ard sell dat a twenty-two year old rugby player could be a proper parents ta an eleven year old boy. But Ah finally convinced dem.”, Donovan shrugged. “So ya gunna ‘ave a problem wid me flying ta yer stomping ground ta see mah son?”, he questioned. Rose rolled her eyes. “Do you even know how to find the institute?”, she asked folding her arms across her chest. “Dat wat taxis and kin fer. Ya ferget, princess, yer not da only one wid kin across da pond.”, he teased. “Well maybe I planned to go back home to visit my friends and my family. My friend Lily just got engaged to Billy’s cousin back in April. I’d like to see the ring in more than a photograph.”, she countered. “Ooo Ah say Ah going ta America and suddenly yer going too? Ain’t dat serendipity.”, he smirked. “I was just pointing out that two of us leaving could be an issue for the team.”, she stated. “Ah’m going no matter wat. Ah want ta see Kyle and tell him bout da court decision. So ya got two choices, ya go wid me or ya stay put. Dinna fash bout me getting lost over dere. Ah can ask Mah Aunt Sadie, Uncle Colin, or Uncle Iver ta come get me at da airport.”, he shrugged.
Rose sighed, she’d wanted to go home and see her friends and family though at the end of the summer many would be coming to Glasgow for Xavier and Ashley’s wedding. But she wanted to see Kyle too, she did talk to him probably not as often as Donovan it would appear. “Well I’m going to see my friends and family. And I’d like to see Kyle make sure the younger generation of x-men are being nice.”, Rose said. “Okay. So Ah booking now, am Ah adding a second ticket?”, he asked tilting his head back to her again. “Yeah I’ll give you the money for my ticket and don’t worry about a hotel I’ll just stay with my parents or in Manhattan with my friends.”, Rose nodded. “Fair enuff, princess. So two tickets but only one room fer me.”, Donovan shrugged turning his attention back to the app and adding the second ticket before confirming the purchase. “All ordered. Ah ‘eading ‘ome. Nig’t Rose.”, he stated before hitting his teleporter and disappearing from the couch. Rose sighed shaking her head before teleporting back to the cottage.

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With it being Valentine’s Kyle had wanted to try and ask Ororo on a date. he knew a number of the other students were going to a place called the Haven for some party there. Kyle had gone to find ororo to ask her to a movie but stopped as he spotted her heading for the roof access. The only time since he’d been at the school he’d known people to go up there was flying lessons or to possible find Evan, Hiro or Stephan. Kyle frowned as he figured Stephan was who Ororo was looking for. Kyle sighed and turned back around his shoulders sinking as he considered giving Donovan a call or something to pass the time and not think about the fact Ororo wanted to spend Valentine’s on the roof with Stephan Wagner. She knew about the Haven party but also knew that Stephan wasn’t going so knowing that he now had no plans Ororo approached Stephan in one of his favorite places to traditionally be alone, the roof of the institute. It’d been a rather nice winter with little snow though still a bit cold. She’d made sure to get her jacket and a scarf before heading up to the roof to find him. She had been focused on wanting to find Stephan she’d not noticed Kyle at all.
As she lifted up the hatch to the roof she saw him crouched on the ledge his claws holding the ledge tight and his wings slightly extended just enjoying the winter’s breeze moving through the feathers. He’d gone to the roof to have some quiet. Many of the others were all thinking about what they’d wear and getting ready for this party at the Haven. Valentine’s wasn’t a holiday that Stephan particularly cared for. It was one of those commercial holidays but beyond that it was about being with someone you love and that loves you. And for him that didn’t really seem like it’d be in the cards. He’d been told by a lot of people to not really think like that and always had it pointed out that his dad found his mom so he wasn’t a lost cause. Didn’t seem to sink into others minds that he wasn’t his dad. He looked even less human than his dad being albino with wings, lion like legs and tail not to mention the more barn owl face. Without his HAG he was the definition of a freak in his mind and therefore no one would look at him like that. Even with the HAG he was doubtful he’d ever be looked at that way as the HAG couldn’t disguise that he was albino. So no matter how he looked at it he was viewed as a freak amongst the others. He hung his head a little frowning.
Ororo tilted her head watching the wind ruffle his feathers just a little and his white tail moving ever so slightly. She knew he liked to get down on himself about being different. She didn't see the big deal his wings were incredible, the tail was adorable, and his large owl eyes were so expressive. “Stephan?”, she asked carefully climbing up onto the roof. It may have been a nice winter but it was still a bit icy up on the roof. With the wind blowing he hadn’t heard her call his name. Ororo frowned and looked down as she cautiously moved down the slight incline of the icy roof. “Stephan?!”, she called again getting closer but still he didn’t hear her. She inched her way closer but as she did the wind kicked up more and she lost her footing and started to slide down the roof to the edge. She let out a yell trying to regain balance but she had nothing to hold and slid past Stephan and over the edge. “STEPHAN!”, she yelled managing to grab the gutter to avoid the three story drop. It wasn’t easy to grip the copper gutter with her woolen mittens.
Stephan blinked his large owl eyes as Ororo slid past him.”ORORO!?”, he called ready to go over the edge after her but as he looked he saw she had hold of the gutter. He reached down and grasped both of her forearms firmly with his clawed hands and pulled her up onto the roof falling a little to a more seated position but his clawed feet still holding the ledge. “Ororo? Are you okay? What happened? What are you doing up here? It’s not safe up here unless you have claws or something to grip with.”, he said feeling his heart about to beat out of his chest with fear as he was looking at her trying to make sure she was okay. Ororo was trying to catch her breath she’d been put in life threatening situations in the danger room but this wasn’t a simulation this was real. As soon as she was back onto the roof she hugged him tightly. “Thank you Stephan.”, she said glancing over her shoulder at the edge and then up at him. “Yeah... yes I’m okay I think. I was up here looking for you. I tried to call to you but with the wind you didn’t hear me. So I tried to get over here so you would hear me.”, she explained. “Looking for me? Why? Hold on before you answer let’s go inside so you don’t fall again.”, he suggested. “Agreed.”, Ororo nodded moving to stand up and starting to slip again. Stephan grabbed her to stabilize her. “Here let me help I can grip better.”, he said glancing down to his clawed feet. “Okay.”, Ororo agreed. Stephan kept one arm around her as the turned away from the ledge and he assisted her walking up the slight incline of the icy roof to the access hatch.
Ororo climbed back down first and waited in the hallway for him. Stephan climbed down second closing the hatch behind him and dusted the snow off himself having been up there a while though white snow on his white feathers and fur wasn’t easy to see but it was against his custom jeans and long sleeve ocean blue shirt.”So why were you looking for me?”, he asked. Ororo unwrapped her scarf from around her neck and tucked her mittens into her coat pockets before answering him. “Wanted to see if you you’d come with me tomorrow and hang out.”, she explained. “Tomorrow? Go where?”, he asked his head tilting to the side to be completely parallel with his shoulders and his wide owl eyes blinked at her. Ororo covered her mouth but a small giggle escaped her lips. “What?”, he asked. “Just.. the head tilt… it’s adorable.”, she explained. Stephan laughed a little and tilted his head further like an owl and was nearly looking upside down at her. “Okay… stop I’m losing focus.”, she giggled nudging his arm. Stephan shrugged and tilted his head back to it’s correct position. “Alright so what about tomorrow?”, he asked. “I have a photoshoot in the city and usually mom or dad would go with me but they have plans. And I’m allowed to bring one person with me. And well I want you to be the one, the person that comes with me that is.”, she explained.
“Go with you to the city for a photoshoot? I…”, he said shaking his head a little. “Wouldn’t it make more sense to take like Reine or Aurora?”, he suggested. Ororo frowned unbuttoning her jacket taking it off and resting it over her arms. “I don’t want to take Reine or Aurora. I was told I could ask anyone I wanted. And I wanted to invite you.”, she argued. “But… a photoshoot? I mean what would I even do? Stand there and hold your purse?”, she asked shaking his head. Ororo rolled her eyes. “No Shawn holds my purse, it’s what I pay him for. I like having someone there I can talk to and that can make me smile. Cause seriously having some grouchy man in his forties yelling at me to look this direction or that and have this expression or that just makes me irritable. So I’ve found I do better when I have someone with me. When mom comes she always makes it fun. Dad it’s just funny to watch him stand there all straight face grumpy highlander like. But if I get to bring a friend this time I want to bring you. You always make me smile fluffy.”, she said smiling up at him. Stephan sighed still shaking his head.
The idea of going into a public place like that amongst people in the fashion industry… to be around the ‘beautiful’ people just didn’t sound good. “If you are looking for someone who can make you smile and laugh what about the Kearny twins Hiro and Evan?”, he suggested. “They are a match set I don’t split them up if possible. And as stated I want you not either of them. Come on it’ll be fun. You can see what I do, we can order Shawn around and have him get us coco and whatever we want to eat. Please…”, she asked putting on her pouty face looking up at him with her hazel eyes. The idea of bossing her agent Shawn Bokyin around did have it’s appeal. “Don’t with the pout...ugh... alright alright I’ll go. I don’t think I’ll have fun.”, he sighed giving in. Ororo smiled brightly and leaned up kissing his feathery cheek. “You’ll have fun. So just be ready tomorrow around eight am. Now I need to meet my dad for training.”, she said before heading down the hall for her training. Stephan blinked at the kiss on his cheek but didn’t think anything much of it and watched her leave before heading to his training session in the danger room.
The following morning Stephan had his HAG on he looked like any other guy, except albino with his fair nearly white hair and skin off set by his blue eyes which seemed slightly darker for his complexion. He’d managed to tuck his large wings in so they wouldn’t get in the way, the HAG making them basically invisible to the eye. All his clothes were custom made and had been since birth by Violet Asher though recently he’d started playing around with making his own stuff too. But to the average person he looked to just be wearing a pair of loose fit dark wash jeans, and knit two tone sweater where the upper part from the neck to about halfway down his biceps was black and the rest was cream. The HAG also gave the illusion of him wearing black boots, there weren’t shoes out there that really would fit his clawed feet. He didn’t bother with a jacket as for him it wouldn’t be cold out with all his fur and feathers under the clothes, he did however pull on a black knit cap as he waited for Ororo before looking to the watch of his hag. She’d said eight and it was almost eight. He heard footsteps and looked to the stairs Ororo was racing down the stairs pulling her winter jack on over her white cable knit sweater that she’d paired with a basic pair of jeans and her winter boots. “Right on time.”, he chuckled. “Thank you.”, she said adjusting her purse on her shoulder grabbing the handle of the door and opening it just to run into her agent who was about to knock.
Shawn smiled seeing Ororo and then looked past her with a raised eyebrow at Stephan. “Oh we are bringing a guest today?”, Shawn questioned his Jamaican accent apparent with each word. Stephan rolled his eyes, he’d never cared for Shawn Boykin the man was too much a flirt for his taste. He’d on various occasions witness Shawn trying to flirt with some of the older girls of the school like Nikki and Lauren both who laughed at him. They didn’t even just laugh because they have boyfriends. Stephan smiled a little thinking back to the exchange. Nikki told him she’s a Howlett and unless he wanted his insides on his outside he might want to back off. And how Lauren in her soft voice said if he tried to touch her again he’d see the damage her powers could inflict. “Yes I told you I was going to be bringing a friend. You remember Stephan Wagner.”, Ororo smiled. “Right… Stephan… kid with the wings.”, he nodded having never seen Stephan’s full form. “Yeah wings…”, Stephan said. “Alright well beautiful let’s get going. The car is waiting to take us to the shoot in the city, we’ll stop and grab some breakfast on the drive in. It’s a blustery day so I’ll make sure you have coco.”, Shawn smiled putting an arm around Ororo’s shoulders to lead her to the car. Stephan sighed and started to follow them. Ororo reached back grabbing Stephan’s hand to make sure he was still there. And there was something she liked about touching his fur which the HAG couldn’t hide the feel of. Stephan felt a slight flush on his cheeks at her holding his hand but thankfully it just looked like he was cold more than blushing.
The drive into the city was mostly silent. Shawn was going over her itinerary and some of her upcoming jobs and Stephan just sat silently next to her in the back of the town car eating the breakfast burrito he’d gotten. Ororo ate and nodded listening to Shawn politely. Once they got to the building where the shoot was being held Stephan just tried to avoid running into people. “Alright I’ll be right back I need to go change into the first outfit and have hair and makeup done.”, she said stopping by her dressing room. She handed Shawn her purse. “Here you can hold that. Be nice to my friend and make sure he’s all good.”, she instructed to Shawn before ducking into her dressing room. Stephan held back his laugh at her giving her purse to Shawn to hold. She quickly came out in the first outfit of a pair of skinny black jeans, a white top with a black lace shoulders and back wearing rather high black glitter heels. Stephan watched a bit curious though hanging back as she went to be in front of the cameras.
“Alright sweetie we all know that in a couple days it’s your birthday so we’ll start out with this.”, the photographer said as she was handed a vanilla cupcake with pink frosting and a candle. Ororo laughed. “Aw thank you. Is this a prop or will I get to eat it?”, she asked. “Both. First it’s a prop. Hold it in the palm of your right hand bending forward at your waist with your left hand on your waist and blow out the candle?”, he instructed. oror laughed and did as she was instructed her lips slightly puckering as she blew the candle out with a flood of flash as they took multiple pictures. “Alright take the candle out and we’ll take the cupcake away.”, the photographer instructed. Ororo nodded and took out the candle but got frosting on her fingers so while holding the cupcake in her right hand she brought her left to her lips to lick off the frosting. “Hold that pose!”, the photographer shouted stopped the PA from taking the cupcake and snapped a couple more pictures. “Alright take the cupcake now.”, he instructed. Ororo giggled. “That was at least tasty frosting.”, she smiled. Stephan laughed a little from where he stood. They did a dozen more shots in various poses in that outfit before she was told to go change.
Stephan wasn’t sure what he was doing here, but people were looking at him and he was more than uncomfortable. He followed back to the dressing room. “Ororo…”, he started as she reached the door. She paused and look at him and smiled. “Yeah fluffy?”, she asked. “How long are we going to be here? Cause I’m just not feeling like I should be here.”, he asked. Ororo frowned and little but hugged him. “Hopefully not long. There’s just another outfit and a dress then we can leave.”, she said before ducking back into the changing room to change clothes. She came back out in the second outfit which was a pair of medium washed jeans with slightly rolled cuffs, orange heels, a white tee with black kitties all over and a pink blazer. This time she was given more props and just kind of went with it being playful with the stuff. She put on a pair of oversized yellow sunglasses that even got Stephan to laugh as she made a duckface. They did a few dozen shots in various poses and lights for that outfit before she was told to change to her next outfit.
Stephan was looking at his watch it was already past noon when she walked out in the dress. He looked up from the watch and blinked at the sight. He always knew Ororo was pretty, but he didn’t really consider much in regards to her having a figure. But in that dress it showed she wasn’t exactly a little kid anymore as she was coming into her teens. The dress was a bright shade of pink that came to halfway down her thigh, a similar color but more shinny belt to accent her waist, the neckline was a scoop neck, and the back had a heart cutout positioned just between the shoulder blades and down to just half way on her back and whoever decided on her outfits added silver metallic heels. To go with the theme of the dress she was giving a string of hearts in two shades of pink to work with for the photos. Shawn walked up next to Stephan watching Ororo’s shoot handing Stephan a hot chocolate. “Here kid.”, Shawn offered glancing at Stephan who even at fourteen almost fifteen was about his height. He noticed Stephan looking at Ororo and chuckled. “She’s not going to be a kid for long that one. She’s like her mom developing early, just as stunning as her mom at that age and well her mom is still stunning.”, Shawn smiled.
Stephan coughed and took the hot chocolate glancing at Shawn for a moment trying to not glare. “Ororo was always pretty that’s just genetics.”, Stephan stated sipping the hot chocolate. “Yeah that is is. And she’s just going to get better looking as she gets older. And a beautiful girl like that will end up with a handsome guy.”, Shawn commented. “Yeah probably…”, Stephan said quietly. In his mind he was thinking handsome didn’t really describe him so zero change there. “There’s been calls made of guys in the business around her age wanting to try and set up dates with her. I don’t tell her of course, because that stuff I go to her parents about per the contract. And her dad had made it very clear she’s not allowed to date. I’m guessing that’s a temporary thing but who knows with Duncan that man could mean forever or at least till she’s old enough that she’s an adult and he can’t tell her what to do anymore.”, Shawn laughed a little. Stephan nodded. “Professor Fearbirgh can be an intimidating man. Only a great fool would approach him about dating his daughter, an even bigger fool to think they’d ever get told yes.”, Stephan commented. “Alright we are all wrapped up Ororo.”, the photographer said. “Oh thank god these heels are beautiful but my feet are killing me.”, she smiled relieved as she stepped out of the heels and carried them in her hands in the direction of her dressing room.
“I’ll be back out in a couple minutes. Just need to change into my clothes.”, Ororo said stopping to talk to Stephan and Shawn. “We’ll be right here beautiful.”, Shawn said. Ororo looked at him weird but said nothing taking the hot chocolate cup from Stephan and taking a sip. “Sorry I needed something sugary. I’ll be right back.”, she said handing the cup back to Stephan before heading to her dressing room. “She apparently didn’t realize the cup I’m holding is for her.”, Shawn shrugged. “Yeah apparently.”, Stephan commented sipping his drink some more.He didn’t want to read into her sharing the drink with him, they were friends after all. He looked to his watch. “Geeze it’s already four.”, he sighed shaking his head. Ororo walked back out and took her purse from Shawn. “Here this one is yours.”, Shawn commented handing her the hot chocolate. “Oh...thanks Shawn. Ready to go Stephan?”, she asked linking arms with Stephan. “Yeah I was ready to go hours ago.”, Stephan nodded. “I’m sorry if you didn’t have any fun. I at least liked having you here. Gave me someone to look at and smile at.”, she apologized as they walked out to the car with Shawn behind them. Stephan just smiled, sure he may not have much fun standing there with people looking at him but she apparently had enjoyed having him there.
Billy wasn’t the only Maximoff who’d been planning to pop the question. Tommy had been trying to think of just the right want to ask Lily to marry him. He’d found the ring he just needed to think of the right words and the right place. Billy and proposed on basically a gondola ride on Valentine’s and her twin had been proposed to at a rather nice restaurant with a view of all of Boston and the harbor last summer. He would not let himself get outstaged by his brother and Robbie. He finally found just the right settings, Washington Square Park she loved the fountain and the arch especially in the evening when they were lit up. But he knew he needed help with making this magic, so he enlisted the help of their roommates. They helped him get it all set up just the way he wanted. So in late April while walking through the park in the late evening he hoped to truly surprise her. “This park is always the best at night.”, Lily commented as they walked holding hands. “Yeah. We’ve come here a lot since starting college.”, Tommy agreed. As they walked closer to the fountain the sound of a drum and a piano started to play and then words started with a very familiar voice. “Well, it's a marvelous night for a moondance. With the stars up above in your eyes. A fantabulous night to make romance. 'Neath the cover of April skies. And all the leaves on the trees are blooming. To the sound of the breezes that blow. You know, I'm trying to please to the calling. Of your heartstrings that play soft and low. You know, the night's magic seems to whisper and hush. You know, the soft moonlight seems to shine in your blush.”, Landon’s voice rang out from apparently no where. He’d gotten his band to help him with the surprise for his cousin. Jackson picked up the brass of the song as Gavin and Dan started on guitar and bass.
Lily frozen looking around confused. She knew her cousin’s voice anywhere, just like she knew their song Moondance by Van Morrison even if it was being modified to fit the scene. “Tommy?”, Lily asked looking at him with a raised eyebrow. Tommy just smiled. “Can I just have one more moondance with a-you, my love? Can I just make some more romance with a-you, my love?”, Cora Lee’s voice sang the chorus. “Well, I wanna make love to you tonight. I can't wait 'til the morning has come. You know, I know now the time is just right. And straight into my arms you will run. And when you come, my heart will be waiting. To make sure that you're never alone. There and then, all my dreams will come true, dear. There and then, I will make you my own. And every time I touch you, you just tremble inside. Then I know how much you want me that you can't hide.”, the song continued to play. Lily’s eyes were darting all around trying to find her cousins and Blaze Halo but she still couldn’t place where they were. “Can I just have one more moondance with you, my love? Can I just make some more romance with a-you, my love?”, Cora Lee’s voice joined in again. “Where are they Tommy?”, Lily asked. Tommy shrugged with a smirked. “I don’t know what you are talking about beautiful.”, Tommy teased.
“Well, it's a marvelous night for a moondance. With the stars up above in your eyes. A fantabulous night to make romance. 'Neath the cover of April skies. And all the leaves on the trees are blooming. To the sound of the breezes that blow. You know, I'm trying to please to the calling. Of your heartstrings that play soft and low. You know, the night's magic seems to whisper and hush. You know, the soft moonlight seems to shine in your blush.”, the song played out it seeming to come from all around them. “You do so. You can hear it, Moondance. Landon and Cora Lee are singing our song. So where are they? What are you doing Thomas Peitro Maximoff?”, Lily demanded stopping at the fountain folding her arms across her chest looking at him. “I don’t hear anything, I hear some crickets maybe. Must be in your head.”, Tommy shrugged shaking his head at her. “Can I just have one more moondance with a-you, my love? Can I just make some more romance with a-you, my love?”, the unique grit of Cora lee’s voice surrounded them. “One more moondance with you. In the moonlight. On a magic night. La, la, la, la, la, in the moonlight. On a magic night. Can't I just have one more, moondance with you, my love?”, Landon and Cora Lee both harmonized as the song ended. Lilly furrowed her brow looking at Tommy. “You’re up to something… you know I don’t like surprised Tommy.”, Lily narrowed her eyes at him.
“I know you don’t. Of all people I should know that.”, Tommy defended as lightning started to streak across the sky only above the park. Lily blinked startled for a moment and looked up to the sky. The lightening wasn’t random, Lily knew somewhere Malcolm was part of this. But when her green-yellow eyes looked up to watch the lightening show Tommy zip away to hit a button on the arch that pulled down a white cloth. And as soon as he was back to standing with her off hidden in the shrubbery Rachel hit play of the projector and the lightening stop. Lily turned her attention as she heard her mother’s laughter. “Mom?”, Lily questioned but as she turned there was a young her being pushed on a swing by her mother and her shouting to go higher. Across the bottom words scrolled. ‘Even when you were little you always reached for the heavens.’ Lily sighed a little, she remembered that. Then the video moved to video of Tommy and Billy playing and Tommy fell down and it was Lily who helped him up giving him a hug. Scrolling along the bottom the words said ‘From the start you were always my comfort.’. Lily sighed shaking her head. She had an idea of what Tommy was doing but she watched silently. The video continued showing various moments of their childhood together even the moments that were supposed to have been secret when they had kept their relationship hidden. Then finally the video came to just him and what looked like him sitting in their terrace back at the house.
“We’ve known each other our whole lives. Every good memory I have has you in it. And I want every memory to always have you in it. So do me a favor and turn around.”, Tommy spoke as the video faded to black. The really Tommy had gotten down on one knee and had the ring box open displaying the thin white gold band with a filigree raised design with two small diamonds on either end of the filigree, the center a larger diamond with two small diamonds flanking it. Lily was crying a little from watching the little film. She was mad at herself for crying, she wasn’t an emotional girlie girl. But that...that had really gotten to her. This whole evening had gotten to her. She slowly turned knowing what was coming but was still surprised looking at the ring. “So what do you say beautiful? You’re already my past and present. Be my future?”, Tommy asked with a wide smile. Lily silently nodded her head. “Yes now get up so I can decide if I should kiss you or punch you.”, Lily sighed pulling him up. Tommy chuckled and didn’t let her decide kissing her. “I’ll take the kiss.”, he smiled pulling back putting the ring on her finger. Lily sighed shaking her head. “What am I going to do with you?”, she sighed. “Just keep loving me and we’ll be good.”, he grinned. “Now where are all the others?”, she demanded. Landon chuckled from the darkness stepping into the light holding Rachel’s hand. “Congrats coz.”, Landon smiled. “We all knew she’d say yes.”, Cora Lee teased stepping out with Malcolm. The rest of Blaze Halo stepped out holding their instruments, Mitch carrying a keyboard for the purpose of the piano parts. “Congrats you two.”, they greeted with a smile. Lily sighed shaking her head. “I don’t like surprised, but this one...I like.”, she smiled looking at her family and friends. She had very few perfect moments but this felt like one.
Since shortly after Kyle was sent to the Institute Donovan had petitioned the courts to become his legal guardian in lieu of having any next of kin. It’d been a lot of red tape to get through taking months. Not once had they tried to pull Kyle from the school as forged documents were given from Duncan saying that Kyle had been sent to the institute prior to the death of his parents to help him better control his mutant powers so he would not as easily become a target of persecution. And on the grounds that it was in Kyle’s best interests and his safety given the attack against his family he should remain at the institute out of reach of those who’d killed his parents because of what he is. But finally after nine long months Donovan got the official word that Kyle Fraser is legally his foster son. This was big news and Donovan didn’t want to tell Kyle over the phone. So instead he wanted to go to the states to see Kyle as a surprise. He sat stretched out on the couch at Muir Island after doing his patrol on southern Scotland with his table in his hand as he was looking for flights and hotels to get there. Rose teleported in as she appeared she pulled off her mask with a heavy sigh having just finished fighting a group of COH with Skye outside of London. She’d told Skye to go back to her flat and she’d log the activity into their system. “Donovan what are you doing here?”, she questioned seeing him stretched out still in his uniform minus his mask.
Donovan tilted his head a little to look at her with a smile. “Nice ta see ya too princess. Ah dinna kne dis was a place fer only business. Ah finished mah assignment and instead o just popping back ta mah flat Ah laid down ‘ere. Dat a crime now beautiful?”, he questioned with a smirk. He’d tried to not be too flirty the past months. He’d put it out there that he was interested and she said at the moment she wasn’t interested in anyone. And he knew she got dealt that blow that Merrick did in fact move on with the girl she’d assumed he would. So he was just waiting, giving her space and time. He hadn’t lied when he told her when she was ready he’d be here waiting. Rose shrugged. “No it’s fine. Just figured it’s a Friday night you probably had something to go do. Hang out with your rugby teammates maybe a date. Skye mentioned something about one of the writers at her magazine....Melanie… had asked you to dinner.”, Rose said going to the computer to update her night’s events. Donovan smiled but shook his head going back to looking at his tablet trying to get things booked to go see Kyle. “Ah got better and more important tings ta worry bout dan Melanie looking fer a shag.”, he commented. “What you’re not interested in getting laid?”, Rose asked as she typed. “Depends you offering?”, he smirked tilting his head to look at her. Rose rolled her eyes. “Take dat as a no. But Ah ain’t interested in Melanie even fer a shag. Ah trying ta get mah flig’t and ‘otel booked fer mah trip.”, he shrugged.
Rose stopped typing and looked at him with a raised eyebrow. “Pardon? You didn’t mention taking leave. You didn’t even ask about taking leave. Who’s going to help Ashley cover your zones?”, she asked going into team leader mode. “No Ah dinna mention it. Cause da trip was only just today t’ought o. And Ah sure dat Ashley be fine on her own and dat if she needs backup any o da team would jump ta ‘elp her. And Ah got two weeks before summer practices start fer mah team….oh ya talking bout asking yer permission ta go away fer a bit.”, He chuckled. “Where are you planning to go and why?”, Rose questioned placing her hands on her hips. “Ya kne yer damn sexy in yer kevlar w’en ya standing dere trying ta be all authoritative at me.”, he smirked. Alright so he hadn’t back off that much with flirting, it just was natural to him. Rose rolled her eyes. “Answer the questions Donovan.”, she stated. “Fine. Ah got da paperwork in today from da courts. Kyle is officially mah son, okay dey say ‘foster’ but dinna fash dat part. And Ah dinna want ta tell him over da p’one or skype. Ah wanna tell him in person. Plus Ah kne he still ‘aving a ‘ard time adjusting over dere. So figure Ah go visit wid da good news and maybe c’eer him up.”, Donovan explained. “Wait..you were filling to be his foster parent? And they approved you?”, Rose asked in shock. He hadn’t really mentioned he was doing all that for Kyle. She knew he talked to Kyle and still sent him money but didn’t know he was going this far.
“Don’t sound so surprised Rose. Aye Ah applied ta be his guardian. Da lad got no kin and needs someone ta be listed and ta care fer him. And Aye dey finally approved me. Was a ‘ard sell dat a twenty-two year old rugby player could be a proper parents ta an eleven year old boy. But Ah finally convinced dem.”, Donovan shrugged. “So ya gunna ‘ave a problem wid me flying ta yer stomping ground ta see mah son?”, he questioned. Rose rolled her eyes. “Do you even know how to find the institute?”, she asked folding her arms across her chest. “Dat wat taxis and kin fer. Ya ferget, princess, yer not da only one wid kin across da pond.”, he teased. “Well maybe I planned to go back home to visit my friends and my family. My friend Lily just got engaged to Billy’s cousin back in April. I’d like to see the ring in more than a photograph.”, she countered. “Ooo Ah say Ah going ta America and suddenly yer going too? Ain’t dat serendipity.”, he smirked. “I was just pointing out that two of us leaving could be an issue for the team.”, she stated. “Ah’m going no matter wat. Ah want ta see Kyle and tell him bout da court decision. So ya got two choices, ya go wid me or ya stay put. Dinna fash bout me getting lost over dere. Ah can ask Mah Aunt Sadie, Uncle Colin, or Uncle Iver ta come get me at da airport.”, he shrugged.
Rose sighed, she’d wanted to go home and see her friends and family though at the end of the summer many would be coming to Glasgow for Xavier and Ashley’s wedding. But she wanted to see Kyle too, she did talk to him probably not as often as Donovan it would appear. “Well I’m going to see my friends and family. And I’d like to see Kyle make sure the younger generation of x-men are being nice.”, Rose said. “Okay. So Ah booking now, am Ah adding a second ticket?”, he asked tilting his head back to her again. “Yeah I’ll give you the money for my ticket and don’t worry about a hotel I’ll just stay with my parents or in Manhattan with my friends.”, Rose nodded. “Fair enuff, princess. So two tickets but only one room fer me.”, Donovan shrugged turning his attention back to the app and adding the second ticket before confirming the purchase. “All ordered. Ah ‘eading ‘ome. Nig’t Rose.”, he stated before hitting his teleporter and disappearing from the couch. Rose sighed shaking her head before teleporting back to the cottage.