HOME | DD

Description
body div#devskin0 hr { }

It’d been over a month since Landon put his plan into motion. With all the training he was doing the others found it easy to keep up the appearance of not talking to him, since he was rarely seen off campus. And on those rare occasions he did leave the campus there was a tension, mostly between him and the Howlett girls that everyone could sense. Landon didn’t even come to the Draven so Meddling Kids was basically on hiatus. Which that got a number of townies talking. Landon however couldn’t bring himself to not play. So he’d started taking the train into the city with his sax on weekends and playing small jazz and blues clubs. It was his personal time and the only people that ever went with him was occasionally his Aunt Solangel and Uncle Jacob, since Solangel was the person who’d gotten him into enjoying jazz/swing/blues type of music. It was a weird feeling to play without his sister and Rose. But given that he only ever played his drums with them this was even more different. Now he was playing his sax. He was actually starting to enjoy his weekends in the city. So while Landon and his team avoid each other and rumors flew around town behind the walls of the Academy there was speculation if any of the rumors about Landon being on the outs with his friends was true. Fact or fiction Malcolm kept his eyes on his Aunt who was training more and as if preparing herself for a fight. Which got some people in the walls wondering what was going on.
Malcolm heard the whispers as people questioned what his Aunt was up to. And Malcolm happily gave them the inside track. “From what I understand based on my ties at the Haven Aunt Wanda plans to make a move soon against Landon Bryant.”, Malcolm informed Azazel who he had heard pondering what Wanda was up to. Azazel raised an eyebrow. “She wants to go after the child? Why?”, Jillian interjected questioning Malcolm. Malcolm shrugged. “Because he brought Logan back? He forced her into telling all of us what really happened fifteen years ago? Because of him her sons turned against her and half the Bryant-Frost family advocated from being the Academy? Take your pick for a reason. She wants payback and doesn’t care who gets in her way.”, Malcolm explained. “But to single out just one student like that. I mean that kind of play would call the X-Men to action against us and then there’s the Haven to think of”, Illyana interjected joining the conversation Malcolm was having with her in-laws. “The Haven couldn’t get involved, could they?” Nils pondered joining the group. “Landon was born Haven and made the choice to go to the Institute. I’m not sure what the rules state about that. But his dad runs the Haven, and we all know that Crow isn’t the type to sit back and do nothing when someone close to him is in danger.”, Damon interjected. “That’s true he did get the Haven involved when Adien and Blake kidnapped Aislinn, but that was a direct attack against am active Haven member.”, Geri added. “I don’t know. All I know is Aunt Wanda wants Landon Bryant dead and will do whatever she needs to in order for that to happen. Only thing I ponder is should the Academy support this revenge plan that could put us all at great risk.”, Malcolm said leaving it at that walking away from the group of adults.
From that spurned the rumors and the worry about Wanda bring about war with the X-Men and the Haven that they weren’t ready to have all for her own personal revenge. Malcolm was rather happy to report to his cousins that the adults, including his own parents were calling into question Wanda’s motives and ability to lead them. It wasn’t actually all that difficult for Malcolm to ensure that the other Acolytes were unwilling to support Wanda in her desire to terminate Landon. They even called a meeting with her about it and Malcolm made sure to eavesdrop on that. “Who exactly told you that you were allowed to call a meeting?”, Wanda demanded looking at Azazel. “Someone needed to call one. We need to discuss your plans.”, Azazel said his voice firm as he challenged. “Discuss what plan?”, Wanda demanded. “For Landon Bryant.”, Damon spoke up. “What about that little brat is your concern?”, Wanda questioned her dark brown eyes glaring at all the Acolytes in the room. “It’s our concern if you plan to end that boy’s life.”, Lorna spoke up. Malcolm watched through a two way mirror with the other older students and swore his Aunt’s head almost spun like from that movie poltergeist to turn and glare at his mother. “You do not get to question me Lorna. None of you do.”, Wanda said backing her sister up against a wall her hands starting to glow purple. Malcolm glared watching his Aunt go after his mom, the Bryant-Frost sisters who were flanking him in the viewing room stepped away from his as his fists clenched and sparks started to be emitted. Vin rose from his seat and grabbed Wanda’s shoulder and applying pressure pulled her back putting himself between his sister-in-law and his wife. “You put your hands on me!? You dare to touch me Vin?”, Wanda glared. “You will leave my wife alone. You do not get to speak to her that way Wanda. Let’s not forget which of you is the elder siblings.”, Vin said calmly but it was easy to see the storm brewing behind his hazel eyes.
“Wanda, this is what’s got us all concerned. You aren’t acting rational.”, John said hoping to deflect Wanda’s attention from Lorna and Vin. Wanda spun to glare at John. “You have a problem now too John?”, Wanda demanded. “We all have a problem. You want to eliminate one student of the institute. Which sure we don’t mind as much that it’ll bring about a fight with the X-Men. But you pick the boy with ties to the Haven. Do you honestly think that killing this boy will solve anything? That the Haven won’t decide to make his death their problem? Crow will come for you, him and his house will come for all of us.”, Damon stated slamming his hands down on the table. “And we all know that as strong as we are we not in any position to take on the X-Men and the Haven. I know what that one they call Solangel can do.”, Azazel said. “I don’t care. Landon Bryant needs to be ended. If that boy comes to power we are all doomed anyways. The X-Men follow Duncan, but the new generation they follow that boy. He cannot come to power.”, Wanda stated. “You know people think I’m a psycho bitch…and they might be right but I’m not a fucking idiot like you. We aren’t ready for that kind of war yet. Our children still need to grow and train more. The X-Men aren’t weak and if the Haven would side with them….”, Geri said shaking her head. “I will handle Landon Bryant, he’s not any of your concerns.”, Wanda retorted with venom in her tone. “If you choose to go after that boy, you do it alone. No one from the Academy will support this act so win or lose we will no longer support you and wash our hands of you completely.”, Azazel spoke rising from his chair. Wanda looked around the room. “You all feel this way?”, Wanda demanded. She received nods from everyone in the room, even her own sister. “It’s a good thing that this isn’t a democracy. You don’t get to make the decision of what I do or when.”, Wanda said before storming out of the room.
The other Acolytes quietly talking amongst themselves as they left the room. Malcolm unclenched his fists and sat down in a chair. “You alright Mal?”, Emma asked. Malcolm nodded. “Yes I’m fucking peachy keen. My Aunt is a psychopath that because she wants to kill your cousin while my mother and the others are thinking rationally and can see the bigger picture she tried to attack my mom. Suddenly see why my cousins would turn against the bitch.”, Malcolm said his tone oozing with anger. “You going to turn Haven on us next?”, Talia questioned. “Fuck no. I’m just going to make sure that Aunt Wanda is not in power much longer.”, Malcolm said standing up. Talia blinked but grinned. “Oh is that so? You have a plan to over throw her?”, Talia asked. Malcolm pointed to the window to the now empty room. “Who do you think got all our parents questioning her ability to lead? Sure wasn’t the tooth fairy.”, Malcolm said. The others laughed a tad shocked that tried and true Malcolm was turning against his Aunt. “Who knew that you could be so devious.”, Josalyn commented. “I am the grandson of Erik Lehnsherr aren’t I. It’s in the blood.”, Malcolm stated. “We should all head to our dorms it’s almost lights out.”, Malcolm advised checking his watch before walking out. The other shrugged and followed heading to their dorms for the night wondering when Wanda would be over thrown and who would take over. Malcolm sighed and walked to his dorm stopping seeing his mom doing the rounds for lights out. “I’m heading to my room. Night mom.”, Malcolm said. Lorna looked at him and gave him a smile. “Sweet dreams my little Zeus.”, Lorna said. Malcolm smiled and walked into his bedroom letting out a heavy sigh as he closed the door.
“About time you got to your room.”, Cora Lee said stepping out of his closet. Malcolm jumped a little as she suddenly appeared from his closet. “Jesus Christ Cora Lee….”, Malcolm said shaking his head. Cora Lee smirked and walked over to him leaning up on her tiptoes and kissed him. “I’ve been waiting at least twenty minutes. Where were you?”, she asked as she reached past him locking his bedroom door. Malcolm sighed shaking his head. “You really want to get us in trouble don’t you?”, Malcolm asked. “No I just wanted to see you and it’s just after lights out.”, Cora Lee said. “Exactly…”, Malcolm said turning off his bedroom light. Cora Lee softly laughed. “Now I can’t see anything.”, Cora Lee said her eyes trying to adjust to the dark. Malcolm smirked and wrapped his arms around her carefully guiding her over to his bed, knowing the layout of his dorm even in the dark. “Good thing it’s my room and I know my way around.”, Malcolm commented. Cora Lee giggled a little as she felt the bed against her legs and sat down. Malcolm sat down next to her and leaned past her for his nightstand pulling out a small candle he kept setting it on the nightstand and using a match lighting it giving a small soft glow to the room.
“There that better?”, Malcolm asked sitting back up. “Mmm…it’ll do. So where were you?”, Cora Lee asked knowing to keep her voice done. “The Acolytes called a meeting wanting to talk to Aunt Wanda about her plans for your brother. As I told the twins I was able to get the adults to start questioning her. Well me and the older kids watched their meeting through a two way mirror. It didn’t go well for Aunt Wanda. She went after my mom and I really considered breaking through the wall and snapping her neck or at least sending a deadly level of volts into her. But dad stepped in and got her to back away from mom. The meeting ended with the others not willing to support Aunt Wanda and Wanda saying she’d do whatever she wanted. So I’ve done my job for your brother, Aunt Wanda will be alone and have no support from the Academy.”, Malcolm explained. “Wow. Um guess that’s a good thing in regards to them not supporting her. So how about we do something to take your mind off your Aunt and all this crap?”, Cora Lee suggested with that devious Bryant smirk on her lips. Malcolm laughed a little before cupping the right side of her face leaning in kissing her softly at first. Cora Lee smiled into the kiss wrapping her arms around his neck as she deepened the kiss. Malcolm ran his tongue along her lips purposefully sending a tiny shock across her lips as he did. Cora Lee moaned a little enjoying the small shock as she opened her mouth letting her tongue mingle with his, having made sure to put in her plastic tongue ring to avoid unnecessary shocks.
Malcolm let his right hand start to roam down her side to hold her waist as he leaned into her pushing her back onto the bed. He wasn’t sure if this was the right night but right now he had some pent up frustrations and worries that making out with Cora Lee served as a much more fun way of getting those frustrations and worries to go away. Malcolm adjusted so he was mostly laying next to her on the bed. Cora Lee let her one of her hands roam down his back and started up his shirt letting her fingers trace his abs as they kissed. Malcolm felt shivers go down his spine as she ran her hand across his skin and decided to let his right hand move to start going up under her t-shirt rubbing at her soft skin working its way up and under her bra to grasp her left breast and started massaging rubbing circles with his thumb over the nipple. Cora Lee moaned in his mouth arching up closer to him enjoying the touch. Malcolm pulled back from the kiss and brought his left hand from her face and started to pull her shirt up. Cora Lee giggled a little and helped get her shirt off before tugging his shirt off letting both fall to the ground. “You sure about this?”, Malcolm asked. Cora Lee smirked. “I’ll let you know if I decide to stop you.”, Cora Lee answered pulling him back to her wanting his lips again.
Malcolm reached around to her back unclasping her bra getting that off before his hand returned to rubbing at her breast, though this time as his thumb moved in its slow circles tiny shocks were sent from his finger tip to her. Cora Lee moaned again and twitched just slightly rubbing her legs against him in reaction. Malcolm couldn’t help but smile at the way she reacted. He moved from her lip and started kissing at her neck every so often his kiss giving a tiny shock and otherwise he nibbled softly. “Mmmm…Sparky…”, Cora Lee moaned slightly louder than before since his lips weren’t on hers to muffle her. Malcolm paused his kissing, hand still rubbing at her breast. “Shh…not looking to get caught.”, Malcolm teased in a whisper. “I’ll try…”, Cora Lee whispered back. Malcolm smiled and went back to kissing, nibbling and sending little shocks moving lower till he was able to take her other breast into his mouth while still rubbing at the other. Cora Lee bit down on her lower lip trying to muffle her moan as her body arched up and her nails dug a little into his back. Malcolm let his hand slowly move down her stomach little sparks emitting from his index finger as it ran down from her breasts to the top of her jeans. “You sure you’ve never done this type of thing before…”, Cora Lee teased in a soft voice. Malcolm smiled as he switched to suckling at her other breast while his hand started to unbutton and unzip her jeans. He adjusted his weight so he was putting his weight all on his left arm as he stopped to look at her his right hand running along the top of her jeans, his fingers just starting to slip under the band of her underwear. “Cora Lee you are the only girl I’ve done or will do anything like this with.”, Malcolm assured speaking softly.
Cora Lee smiled running her tongue along her bottom lip as she pressed up against his hand not even thinking about what she was doing, just reacting. “Well you seem to have a good idea of what you are doing.”, Cora Lee said softly. “My dad didn’t give a cliffs notes version of the birds and bees. However I’m still nervous as hell getting even this far with you. And otherwise just kind of going on hormones and instinct here.”, Malcolm replied as his hand slipped further down into her underwear. Cora Lee nodded. “Well you have very good instincts…”, Cora Lee teased before her voice trailed off as Malcolm’s fingers started to rub at her labia. “Oh god…”, Cora Lee moaned. Malcolm smirked bring his hand back out of her pants and tried to not laugh at the pout on her lips. He moved to kneel and brought both hands to start pulling her jeans and underwear down and off letting them join the collection of clothes on the floor. He sat back for a moment and looked at her in the soft glow of the one little candle. Cora Lee sat up a little on her elbows feeling a tad self-conscious now being fully naked in his dorm. “What?”, Cora lee asked. Malcolm smiled and ran a hand up her leg enjoying the feel of her soft skin under his touch his, hand stopping at her inner thigh starting to rub a little. “Just..wow. That’s about it. You in general are beautiful and right now with just that candle for light…just wow. So you are sure you want to keep going?”, Malcolm questioned as his fingers slowly inched up her inner thigh. “You are just too sweet…”, Cora Lee said feeling herself blushing. She moaned a little raising her hips a little in anticipation as his fingers started going higher. “I’m sure…”, Cora Lee said nodding.
Malcolm got the confirmation he wanted and started kissing along her legs as his fingers slipped up higher starting to again tease just rubbing at her labia again he could tell between her moaning and that she was moist that she was enjoying what he was doing. Which was a bit reassuring having never done this before. He managed to spread her legs a bit further apart as he kissed along her leg, he could feel her hands brushing his shoulders and in his hair tugging every so often. He let his index finger slip up and inside her which elicited a slightly loud moan. He stopped and looked up from kissing her thigh. “Shh remember. I know being silent isn’t your thing love. But to avoid getting in trouble please try…”, Malcolm requested. Cora Lee nodded a little and bit down on her lip a little trying to make sure she could muffle her moans. Malcolm laughed softly going back to kissing and nibbling at her thigh letting his finger start to move in and out a bit longer before adding a second. As he added his middle finger he looked up and tried to not laugh as he saw on her face how bad she wanted to call out but she was clenching her jaw a soft moan managing to escape her sealed lips. He let the two fingers continue moving in and out of her for a bit longer before removing them and he could hear a soft whimper from behind her closed lips. Her pout only lasted a moment before she realized the fingers were being replaced with his tongue. Cora Lee pulled the pillow from under her head and covered her face with it to muffle her moan. Malcolm let his hands roam back up her body as his tongue worked at trying to please her, which based on the muffled cries from the pillow she had over her face he was successful in that endeavor.
He continued this, sending the occasional tiny shock through her which just made her squirm and the muffled cries sound a little louder, for a long while. He was rather thankful she’d chosen to use the pillow to avoid getting too loud. He didn’t stop till he felt her body starting to shake and her legs tightened on his shoulders and even then he kept going till the shaking stopped and knew he’d brought her to climax. He brought his face back and wiped his face on the back of his hand before kissing her abdomen and moved up to lay down beside her and pulled the pillow from her face. “You alright?”, Malcolm teased. Cora Lee opened her eyes taking a few breaths trying to get her heart rate under control, she’d held the pillow there to contain her cries but he must not have heard the number of times she felt she had yelled his name and pleaded him to take her. She smiled looking up at him as she thought about the fact he took her to climax just not how she’d originally thought he would. “Holy crap Malcolm….”, Cora Lee ended up saying. Malcolm laughed a little shaking his head. “I’ll take that as an endorsement.”, Malcolm teased. Cora Lee nodded and rolled to look at him letting her hand run down his bare chest. “So what about you…”, Cora Lee questioned softly her hand moving lower starting to unfasten his jeans. “Me? Um how far are we going with this?”, Malcolm asked. Cora Lee smiled. “That’s your choice. Option one…”, she said sliding her hand down into his pants and boxers starting to stroke at him. She smiled that very little encouragement seemed needed. “I go down on you. Option two we use the condom I brought.”, Cora Lee finished giving him his options.
Malcolm groaned as her hand went lower and as she reviewed his options. He was going over the options in his mind both sounded good to him. Though trying to think was getting complicated for him as her hand was still down his pants. He reacted and leaned in kissing her not really making it clear which option he was going to choose. Cora Lee started working at getting off his pants when there was a knocking at his door. “Malcolm?”, a soft voice on the other side of the door whispered. Cora Lee froze as did Malcolm both thinking the same thing ‘God fucking damn it’. “Who is it?”, Malcolm called. “It’s Larissa. I had a bad dream and mommy and daddy aren’t in their room.”, Larissa’s soft voice called. Malcolm sighed and looked at Cora Lee. Cora Lee sighed and pulled her hand out of his pants, the mood officially killed. Malcolm quickly got off the bed zipping his pants up and handing clothes to Cora Lee who quickly started getting dressed. “Give me a minute okay, Tsvetok?”, Malcolm called using his Russian nickname of ‘Flower’ for his little sister. Cora Lee stumbled as she was pulling her jeans on and banged her knee on the nightstand and had to cover her mouth to not shout in pain. “Osveshcheniye? Is everything okay? Are there monsters in your room too?”, Larissa asked hearing the thump as she started to trying to open the door. “Osveshcheniye why is the door locked?”, Larissa asked as a green glow came through the keyhole. Malcolm quickly moved to try and keep the door closed knowing she’d just unlocked the door with her powers. Cora Lee moved to run for the closet to hide but the door was pushed open just enough that Larissa slide inside before the weight of her brother closed it.
Larissa blinked her bright green eyes and looked from her brother to Cora Lee in complete confusion. “Osveshcheniye?? Why is there an X-Men in your bedroom?”, Larissa asked keeping her voice soft. Cora Lee had frozen in placed and looked at Malcolm not sure what they were supposed to tell his little sister. Malcolm sighed and knelt down so he was closer to eye level of his 4’ 6” tall ten year old sister and gently placed a hand on her shoulder. “Tsvetok, there are things that I don’t know how well you’ll understand. But I need to know you will not speak of this to anyone and that includes mom and dad. I need you to obseshcheaniye. Do you understand? Can you promise?”, Malcolm said locking his eyes on his little sisters. They shared their mother’s green eyes, but that was their only similarity. Larissa looked like a miniature version of their mother while Malcolm looked like their father with the exception his eyes. Larissa nodded. “Obseshcheaniye. So why is an X-Men in your bedroom?”, Larissa promised. Malcolm sighed and looked over his shoulder to Cora Lee and then back to his sister. “She’s my podruga.”, Malcolm explained. Larissa’s bright eyes went wide as she blinked looking from her brother to Cora Lee and back again. “Podruga?”, Larissa questioned. Cora Lee raised an eyebrow not knowing what they were saying. Malcolm nodded and reach back grabbing Cora Lee’s handing bring her forward. “Da, podruga. YA lyublyu yeye.”, Malcolm assured his little sister. “Lyubov’?”, Larissa questioned. “Da. Remember your obseshcheaniye. You cannot tell anyone about this.”, Malcolm said. “But if it’s lyubov’ why the sneaking?”, Larissa asked. Cora Lee was starting to get an idea of what was being said and crotched down next to Malcolm. “Because your Aunt would not want him with me.”, Cora Lee explained.
Larissa turned her attention to Cora Lee. “Do you lyubov’ my brother?”, Larissa asked. “Um I don’t know what lyubov’ means.”, Cora Lee said looking between the two. “Right, we often mix our English and Russian when we talk. Tsvetok likes how speaking Russian makes everything sound like we are plotting.”, Malcolm said with a smiled. “First off podruga means girlfriend, obseshcheanive means promise, and lyubov’ means love. So when I said ‘Ya lyublyu yeye’ I was telling my sister that I love you.”, Malcolm explained. Cora Lee smiled making a note of those words. Cora Lee nodded. “Yes, I love Malcolm. I wouldn’t risk coming here if I didn’t.”, Cora Lee answered. “Does this mean you will leave us soon Osveshcheniye?”, Larissa asked looking to her brother. Malcolm sighed. “Will you leave us like Tomas and Uil’yam? Are you going to leave us for lyubov’ too?”, Larissa questioned. Cora Lee kind of figured that Tomas was Tommy and Uil’yam was Billy. “What do you know of about why people have left the academy?”, Malcolm asked. “I have ears and people seem to over look me when they speak. They forget I’m not a baby anymore and can understand what’s happening.”, Larissa said folding her arms glaring a little at her brother indigent that he assumed she would be unaware of things. Cora Lee covered her mouth to not giggle having given that look to her brother many times growing up and even recently. “I didn’t mean to oskorblyat’, Tsvetok. I’m your big brother I will always just see you as my mladshaya sestra. I’ve wanted to keep you innocent in some things. But yes eventually I will leave. I can’t keep my otnosheniya hidden forever. However I will not leave while Aunt Wanda is in power.”, Malcolm assured. “She is why you have been talking to the adults more? You want to stop Aunt Wanda from killing her bol’shoy brat?”, Larissa asked. Cora Lee raised an eyebrow not sure what the Russian words were. “That is part of it yes. I do not want our Aunt to kill her brother. And because our Aunt is obsessed with doing so I feel she cannot properly lead us and is a hazard to us all.”, Malcolm explained. Larissa sighed and nodded.
“I don’t want you to leave me Osveshchenive.”, Larissa said hugging her brother tightly. Malcolm sighed and scooped his sister up hugging her as he sat down on the floor and lightly stroked her green hair. “Shh Tsvetok.”, Malcolm cooed kissing the top of her head. “Even if I move out I shall never leave you. You are my mladshaya sestra and I am your bol’shoy brat. No distance will stop that or change that. I will always be here for you, I will always protect you.”, Malcolm assured. “You know that don’t you Tsvetok? I will do anything to keep you safe.”, Malcolm said with a soft sigh kissing the top of his little sister’s head. Cora Lee smiled sitting down just watching the two. They had a larger age gap than her and Landon but it was easy to see how much Larissa meant to Malcolm. It reminded her of her and Landon. When they were little Landon always would be there to comfort her and let her know everything was alright. And she always believed him when he said it would be okay. Larissa nodded sniffling a little.
“I know. But if you leave who will chase away the monsters in my room? Who will I go to when I have a nightmare?”, Larissa questioned. “Oh little Tsvetok. Soon you will be too old to need me to chase away the monsters, and dad will do that if I’m not here. He’s much scarier than I am. And you will still have dad, mom and Kevin here with you and I’ll be a phone call away if you need to talk to me.”, Malcolm assured. Larissa nodded. “Great now I need to go home and hug Landon.”, Cora Lee said shaking her head. Larissa opened her eyes and peeked past the broad chest of her brother to look at Cora Lee confused. “I thought you were mad at your bol’shoy brat.”, Larissa said. Malcolm chuckled. “I am but you’ve reminded me that even when he’s a complete idiot and a jerk he’s my brother and I love him. I shouldn’t take having him for granted.”, Cora Lee explained as she stood up. Malcolm picked up his sister and set her down onto Merrick’s old bed and tucked her into the blankets. “You can sleep in here tonight Tsvetok. And just remember you seriously owe me for what you interrupted.”, Malcolm teased kissing his sister on the forehead before blowing out the candle and getting into his bed. Larissa giggled and curled up falling asleep. Cora Lee smiled watching him. Once Larissa was in the bed she leaned up and kissed Malcolm on his cheek. “I should go before Rose notices I’m not on campus. I’ll see you again soon.”, Cora Lee said. “I lyubov’ you Sparky.”, Cora Lee added with a smirk as she went for the window opening it and holding her hand out for a small metal ball to fly out and expand to a disc that she stepped out onto. Malcolm sighed and watched her head for the window. “YA tozhe tebya lyublyu.”, Malcolm said before she was gone.
At the next training the Maximoff twins let the others all know what their spy told them about the Acolytes not supporting Wanda in her endeavor to go after Landon. Which was rather good news as it meant things were falling into place. Things were even getting better during training the team really starting to come together. Landon felt a bit like old times during his training sessions. His sister was giving him hugs all the time now and Rose wasn’t giving him the same glare anymore. It confused him a little but he wasn’t going to question them deciding to get over what he’d done. In public they were still treating him like he wasn’t even there, which follow the plan but still it hurt. It was actually most difficult when he had to work with Rachel or Lily. Today was one of those days he had to work with Rachel, one of those weekend fully shifts that Landon picked up. Though after work at the shop he was taking a train to the city to play at a jazz club. So after their shift was over Landon was driving Rachel home before he had to catch his train. They didn’t say much since they were technically in public. But Landon knew Rachel kept looking over at him and he kept looking over at her both missing the other so their eyes never meeting. There was a tension between that wasn’t as bad when they had other people around them, but here they were alone in the front of his van and there was no one to deflect the tension. No one around to distract him from thinking about getting her into the back seat again.
If Landon thought he was having a rough life and dealing with an awkward situation he needed to walk a mile in Merrick’s shoes. Malcolm was the only person from the Academy that still talked to him. Sure Malcolm was probably the only actual friend he had, but back when he was Academy he had others that talked to him. Now even his sisters treated him like trash, well at least when other Academy students were around. Merrick didn’t mind and understood it. They were made that he left and also couldn’t lose face and show sympathy to a traitor even if he was their brother. Today however happened to be a rather shitty day indeed for Merrick. He had to let his mom borrow his car since hers was in the shop so that meant walking all the way to Wal-Mart for work and then walking all the way back. Not a big deal. Merrick enjoyed the exercise but as he was walking back to the Haven he came across Talia, Josalyn and Emma. Josalyn and Emma had wanted to just avoid him, but Talia had other ideas. “Hey traitor! Where’s that piece of shit that you call a car?”, Talia called crossing the street with the Bryant-Frosts sisters right behind her. Merrick groaned and stopped walking to look at his sisters then glared at Talia. “Don’t call my 69 GTO a piece of shit, cunt. That is a classic piece of American machinery and I’m still working on restoring it with my dad. As for its location, my mom is using it because her car is in the shop.”, Merrick replied with a low growl. “Oh of course you are letting your mom use your car. Such a momma’s boy aren’t you. Did Mikali or Kisa whichever of the X-men pieces of shit delivered you forget to cut the umbilical cord?”, Talia taunted. Josalyn looked at the corner of her eye at Talia as she started to trash talk in regards to their birth.
Merrick shrugged. “You think calling me a momma’s boy is offensive? You think talking shit about Mikali Hamilton or Kisa Kearney offends me? You can offend me Talia. Nothing you say or do is going to offend me. Because words from a pompous arrogant piece of shit like you roll off my back like water on a duck. So go ahead say whatever you need to as you fail in trying to get a rise out of me. Or are you trying to get a rise from my sisters? Figure having a go at me will show their true nature? Let me clue you in on something about my sisters, all three of them.”, Merrick said indicating for Talia to come closer. “They don’t give a fuck. They are where they want to be and I’m not going to change that and you trying to agitate them by messing with me won’t change that either.”, Merrick whispered to Talia before laughing. “So why don’t you take your demon ass and go back to hell, oh wait I forgot you are the Neyaphem spawn that CAN’T teleport.”, Merrick said with a smirk on his lips. Talia growled baring her fangs and lunged at him tackling Merrick to the ground. “How dare you talk to me like that!”, Talia shouted. “Talia! He’s Haven!”, Emma and Josalyn shouted considering pulling Talia from their brother. Merrick put up his arms as defense. “I’m not going to hit you back Talia. My mom raised me to not hit girls, even the cunts like you.”, Merrick said just taking the beating Talia was dishing out while his sisters tried to think if they should act. Merrick saw them start to move and looked directly at them and shook his head. ‘Stay out of it Emma, both of you. I will not let her bait you into getting tossed out of the Academy when you want to stay’ Merrick thought loud and clear to his younger sister. Emma quickly stopped and grabbed Josalyn’s arm shaking her head for her to stay.
It was this sight of Talia on Merrick punching him while Emma and Josalyn stood back and watched that Landon and Rachel drove past. Landon skidded to a stop. “What’s going on?”, Rachel asked looking back trying to figure out who that was under Talia. Landon said nothing but threw the van into reverse and skidded to a stop along the road side. He quickly unfastened his seatbelt as he jumped out of the van. “GET THE FUCK OFF MY COUSIN YOU DEMONIC BITCH!”, Landon shouted and with a quick movement shoved Talia off Merrick. Talia rolled to the grass off the sidewalk and hissed at Landon. “What is this to you meat sack. Don’t you hate him?”, Talia hissed. Rachel was getting out of the van and started running as she heard the word ‘cousin’. She stopped seeing Merrick on the ground looking beaten and bleed a little. Landon glared at Talia keeping his eyes on her as he reached down offering a hand to Merrick. “I don’t hate him. He’s my blood and I’m not going to stand around and do nothing while he is attacked.”, Landon said. Merrick grumbled not a fan of Landon coming to his rescue but he took Landon’s hand and with a grunt got to his feet. He wiped some blood from his lip before speaking. “She’s not worth it Landon. Just continue going wherever you were headed…”, Merrick started talking then he noticed Rachel was there and Merrick was confused why Rachel was with Landon if they were fighting. “Aww look Merrick needs a knight in shining armor. Shouldn’t he ask permission for your traditional damsel in distress if he can borrow her hero?”, Talia taunted looking to Rachel.
Rachel narrowed her eyes clenching her fists. “What did Merrick ever do to you that you need to attack him?”, Rachel asked. “He breaths that’s enough for me. Much like it’s enough reason to attack you meat sack.”, Talia hissed. Emma and Josalyn moved closer to side with Talia now that Rachel and Landon were getting involved. “Besides aren’t I doing you a bit of a favor by taking this piece of trash out?”, Talia continued to taunt Rachel. Merrick rolled his eyes. “Hey, my cousin isn’t trash. He’s a hell of lot better than you are.”, Landon interjected. “So what this is one haven member that won’t fight back, an X-Men team leader…who if we take out Wanda would probably reward us for, and a useless meat sack against the three of us? I like our odds.”, Talia scoffed. Rachel’s hands balled up into fists she was rather sick of being called useless and then Talia bringing up the whole Wanda wanting to kill Landon thing just got under her skin. Landon noticed Rachel taking a fighting stance like they’d been working on in training and put an arm out to keep Merrick back. “No looks like one of you gets to have your ass handed to you by a Howlett and finally see why that’s a name you should fear.”, Landon said smirking. Merrick and his sisters looked confused while Talia scoffed at the idea. “Which one do you want to fight Rach?”, Landon questioned. “I want her.”, Rachel said pointing to Talia. “You got it. Emma, Josalyn no offense but I don’t trust you as far as I could throw you. This is a one on one fight so you stay out of this dumdums.”, Landon said putting emphasis on the word ‘dumdums’ and his cousins changed into two of the dumdum lollypops falling to the ground. Merrick rushed over and quickly picked them up looking at them. “What the fuck Landon?”, Merrick questioned. “They’ll be fine Merrick. This kept them out of the way because this is between Rachel and Talia at this point.”, Landon explained grabbing Merrick’s arm and taking a few steps away from the two girls.
“What the fuck are you thinking Landon? You’re going to let Rachel go toe to toe with Talia? I’ve trained with Talia I know what she can do. I thought you cared about Rachel…”Merrick questioned as he put the red and yellow dumdums into his shirt pocket to keep his sisters safe. Landon chuckled getting out his phone. “Oh I care a lot about Rachel. I just know what she can do. We need to stand back so we don’t become collateral damage while she makes Talia eat more than just her words.”, Landon said putting the phone into video mode. Talia and Rachel circling each other, Rachel having a stern and very serious expression on her face while Talia seemed to find this all very amusing. “You’re little hero seems to have some misplaced faith in your skills meat sake.”, Talia taunted with a hiss. “Wait you’re filming this!? Are you kidding me Landon? That’s some fucked up shit. And people think I’m the messed up Bryant.”, Merrick said shaking his head watching the two girls circling each other worried about Rachel. Landon smiled. “I just want to document this epic ass kicking Talia is going to get. It’s real sweet that you are worried about Rachel. But trust me from first hand you don’t need to worry about her.”, Landon commented.
Talia snorted and moved in to attack wrapping her tail around Rachel’s leg. Instead of letting Talia take her off balance Rachel did a quick kick of that leg that instead pulled Talia from her feet bringing her hard to the ground Talia’s back slamming against the unforgiving cement of the sidewalk. While Talia had the wind knocked out of her Rachel managed to reach down and bend Talia’s tail enough to get it loose from her leg. Talia howled in pain scrambling back to her feet lunging at Rachel again. “How dare you, you worthless human!”, Talia shouted as she threw a punch at Rachel. Rachel blocked most the punch but it did still make contact just not enough to deter Rachel from the fight as she swung making solid contact with Talia’s jaw causing her to stumble back blood starting to flow from her jaw. Merrick blinked as he watched the fight and glanced to Landon who was standing unfazed filming the fight with a smile. Rachel had Talia on the defense in the fight, favor shifting to Rachel who just from the month and half of additional training with Landon and Logan had taken her intensity up a notch and added some new moves to her repertoire. The two went punch for punch. Rachel blocking most of Talia’s though some still got through. Talia a couple times getting her fangs involved biting Rachel’s arm to escape a choke hold. In the end though Rachel go Talia back to the ground and with a solid hit knocked her out Talia’s head hitting hard against the sidewalk. Rachel managed to get to her feet her nose bloodied and blood dripping from her arm where Talia’s fangs had punctured, but Talia wasn’t getting up it was easy to see in her disguised form that her jaw was possibly broken, as was her nose and she had a black eye. That didn’t really indicate the level of internal damage they couldn’t see.
The fight over Landon turned off his phone and pocketed it. He grabbed the two dumdums from Merrick and set them down near Talia and thought hard about his cousins and without a word Josalyn and Emma were back. “You should get Talia to Damon or Alex.”, Landon instructed walking over and putting Rachel’s arm over his shoulder and his arm around her waist helping her to the van. Merrick stood there confused as his sisters started to pick up Talia. “MERRICK! Get in the damn van!”, Landon ordered. Merrick blinked and quickly went to the van getting into the front seat before he realized he’d just obeyed Landon. Landon helped Rachel up into the front seat causing Merrick to have to move to the center. “Alright let’s get you to Uncle Mikali or Kisa, Tyson.”, Landon teased. “Merrick mind her arm.”, Landon instructed as Rachel leaned against Merrick. Merrick raised an eyebrow and tired to keep Rachel upright. Landon rushed back around to his side of the van and saw Josalyn speed away carrying Talia while Emma started walking back to the Academy. Landon got in and quickly turned the van around to head for the medical center. “You did really good Rachel, just hang on and I’ll get you to Uncle Mikali or Kisa.”, Landon said as he was speeding. Merrick raised an eyebrow. “Okay I’m confused. I thought you two weren’t talking. But you are driving alone in the van together? And why the hell did you stop to help me?”, Merrick questioned. “I was driving her home from work, she still has to deal with me at work. Can’t really be helped. And I stopped because I’m not letting Talia mess with my family.”, Landon explained. “Yeah I only deal with him I have to. I’m still not talking to him.”, Rachel muttered. “Okay I don’t get this. I didn’t think Rachel could be mad at you. What the hell did you do?”, Merrick asked. Landon smirked. “Um let me just put it this way…”, Landon started to say as he pulled into a stop near the front of the clinic. “Don’t make out with cousins within twenty-four hours of each other. It gets messy.”, Landon finished his sentence as he got out of the van.
Merrick blinked a bit shocked to learn that the golden boy Landon had fooled around with both the Howlett girls. It certainly explained a lot including the weird tension that was going on between Landon and the group. Landon opened the passenger door and carefully got Rachel out who struggled to try and get out of his arms to walk. “Hey I let you fight the Demon Princess with no interference, you need to just relax and let me get you inside quickly so we can make sure that there aren’t any internal damage.”, Landon said carrying her in his arms. Rachel let out an annoyed sigh and stopped trying to get him to put her down. Really she wanted down because being held close to him like this was making it really hard to maintain her appearance that dealing with him was a nuance since they were in mixed company. Merrick moved ahead of Landon opening the doors so Landon could easily carry Rachel inside. “Uncle Mikali!? Kisa!?”, Landon called into the facility. Kisa walked out from around the corner hearing someone calling her. “Landon what’s…”, Kisa was about to question what was wrong when she saw Rachel Howlett in his arms. “Bring her back this way.”, Kisa instructed turning calmly leading them to an exam room. “Lay her down on the table and explain to me what happened.”, Kisa instructed. Landon did as he was told taking a step back so Kisa could exam Rachel.
“Came across Talia deciding to pound on my cousin on the roadside. We stopped to intervene. Rachel took offense to some of the stuff Talia had to say and kicked her ass. Though Talia got a few hits in, Rachel won the fight.”, Landon explained. “You let her fight Talia?”, Kisa questioned. “Landon didn’t get much of a choice Misses Kearney. I wanted to fight her.”, Rachel explained. “Still if your father or Uncle knew…”, Kisa said resting her hand on Rachel’s arm assessing her injuries before her healing golden glow transferred from her hand to Rachel’s body. “They’d be damn proud, pardon my language.”, Landon stated. Kisa smiled and softly shook her head. “I suppose that’s true, especially Professor Logan.”, Kisa agreed taking her hands back. “Alright I want you to just lay there a moment longer before trying to sit up.”, Kisa instructed turning to look at Landon but her eyes fell on the larger figure of Merrick that was hovering in the doorway. “Merrick Edward Bryant?”, Kisa exclaimed walking closer and looking up at the young man. Kisa was a bit short only 5’3” and came just over halfway on Merrick’s broad chest. Merrick blinked. “Ma’am?”, Merrick questioned with an arched brow. “I would know those green-yellow eyes anywhere. Just as bright and mischievous looking as the day you were born.”, Kisa commented looking him over. “They are about the only thing that says you are related to Demitri. You’ve got your mother’s hair and that Bryant face. Though I don’t know where the broad shoulders like these came from. Landon and David aren’t all that broad and neither is Demitri.”, Kisa assessed. Merrick looked to Landon for some kind of help. Landon chuckled. “The broad shoulders are from my grandpa Philip Bryant, who’d be Merrick’s great uncle. Dad and I take more after my great grandpa Edward Kilbourn in our frames.”, Landon explained. Kisa shrugged. “That explains in then. So Merrick is very Bryant in appearance.”, Kisa assessed. “That he is Kisa.”, Landon agreed.
Rachel groaned as she moved to sit up and felt a bit dizzy and started to fall back. Landon quickly moved to help her sit up. “Whoa there Rach…”, Landon said. “I’ll be fine Landon.”, Rachel said shrugging him away. Landon sighed and took his hands back. Kisa turned and looked at the two of them and sighed. “Alright well that’s one patient down.”, Kisa said turning her attention back to Merrick. Merrick raised an eyebrow. “What?”, Merrick questioned looking from Kisa to Landon and Rachel. Landon chuckled. “She means you dippy. Just sit down and let Kisa exam you unless of course you have a fear of five foot three inch women.”, Landon said. Merrick narrowed his eyes. “Sit.”, Kisa ordered pointing to a chair. “Yes ma’am.”, Merrick said quickly sitting at her command. Rachel covered her mouth to not giggle at how quickly Merrick followed the command. Merrick looked over at Landon and Rachel glaring a little. Kisa did a quick exam. “You don’t look too bad just some soreness that will go away on its own. No need to heal you. Landon make sure the patients are returned to their homes please.”, Kisa instructed walking out of them room. “Yes ma’am.”, Landon said helping Rachel off the exam table.
“I’m not sitting in the middle again.”, Merrick said walking out to the van. Landon chuckled. “Aw you don’t like sitting between Rachel and I?”, Landon teased. “Fuck no. There’s way too much tension for my animal senses to tolerate.”, Merrick stated. Landon laughed and opened the back of the van. “Fine one of you sit in back the other takes shotgun.”, Landon stated. “I’ll sit in the back.”, Rachel said firmly climbing in the back of the van. It was odd since she rarely sat in the back and now as she sat on the same seat they’d kissed on the memories started to filter back to her. Landon shrugged and closed the back as Merrick got into the front seat. The drive to drop Merrick off at the Haven was a silent one. Landon trying to not look in his rear view at Rachel. Rachel kept her eyes down and noticed Landon’s sax case was in the back of the van and wondered why. But she didn’t want to talk while Merrick was in the van since it would blow their deception. Landon parked in the Haven driveway. Merrick looked into the back at Rachel then looked to Landon. “Um well thanks I guess.”, Merrick said getting out of the van and heading into the house. Landon sighed a little as he pulled out. “Well glad he fully believes you are still mad at me. Or at least mad enough to mostly hate me. You don’t hate me right?”, Landon asked heading for Rachel’s. “No I don’t hate you. I can’t bring myself to hate you. I still like you too much to hate you.”, Rachel admitted leaning forward resting her chin in the back of the front bucket seat. “So why is your sax case back here?”, Rachel asked. Landon smiled. “Because after I drop you I need to catch a train and run as fast as I can to the club to play a gig in the city tonight.”, Landon stated. Rachel blinked and smiled. “You are playing gigs in the city now? Without the band?”, Rachel asked. “It’s a Jazz club. I play my sax with a group of guys I met at a club one night while avoiding everyone here.”, Landon explained. “Hmm you are full of surprises Landon.”, Rachel commented as he pulled into the driveway. Landon turned to look at her their faces inches apart and for the first time in weeks Landon locked eyes on Rachel’s. In an instant the urge to kiss her hit him but he fought it. “Guess I am. See you at training Monday.”, Landon said. Rachel sighed leaning back fighting her own urge to kiss him. “Yeah. See you then.”, Rachel said getting out of the van and watched him pull away.

Description
body div#devskin0 hr { }

It’d been over a month since Landon put his plan into motion. With all the training he was doing the others found it easy to keep up the appearance of not talking to him, since he was rarely seen off campus. And on those rare occasions he did leave the campus there was a tension, mostly between him and the Howlett girls that everyone could sense. Landon didn’t even come to the Draven so Meddling Kids was basically on hiatus. Which that got a number of townies talking. Landon however couldn’t bring himself to not play. So he’d started taking the train into the city with his sax on weekends and playing small jazz and blues clubs. It was his personal time and the only people that ever went with him was occasionally his Aunt Solangel and Uncle Jacob, since Solangel was the person who’d gotten him into enjoying jazz/swing/blues type of music. It was a weird feeling to play without his sister and Rose. But given that he only ever played his drums with them this was even more different. Now he was playing his sax. He was actually starting to enjoy his weekends in the city. So while Landon and his team avoid each other and rumors flew around town behind the walls of the Academy there was speculation if any of the rumors about Landon being on the outs with his friends was true. Fact or fiction Malcolm kept his eyes on his Aunt who was training more and as if preparing herself for a fight. Which got some people in the walls wondering what was going on.
Malcolm heard the whispers as people questioned what his Aunt was up to. And Malcolm happily gave them the inside track. “From what I understand based on my ties at the Haven Aunt Wanda plans to make a move soon against Landon Bryant.”, Malcolm informed Azazel who he had heard pondering what Wanda was up to. Azazel raised an eyebrow. “She wants to go after the child? Why?”, Jillian interjected questioning Malcolm. Malcolm shrugged. “Because he brought Logan back? He forced her into telling all of us what really happened fifteen years ago? Because of him her sons turned against her and half the Bryant-Frost family advocated from being the Academy? Take your pick for a reason. She wants payback and doesn’t care who gets in her way.”, Malcolm explained. “But to single out just one student like that. I mean that kind of play would call the X-Men to action against us and then there’s the Haven to think of”, Illyana interjected joining the conversation Malcolm was having with her in-laws. “The Haven couldn’t get involved, could they?” Nils pondered joining the group. “Landon was born Haven and made the choice to go to the Institute. I’m not sure what the rules state about that. But his dad runs the Haven, and we all know that Crow isn’t the type to sit back and do nothing when someone close to him is in danger.”, Damon interjected. “That’s true he did get the Haven involved when Adien and Blake kidnapped Aislinn, but that was a direct attack against am active Haven member.”, Geri added. “I don’t know. All I know is Aunt Wanda wants Landon Bryant dead and will do whatever she needs to in order for that to happen. Only thing I ponder is should the Academy support this revenge plan that could put us all at great risk.”, Malcolm said leaving it at that walking away from the group of adults.
From that spurned the rumors and the worry about Wanda bring about war with the X-Men and the Haven that they weren’t ready to have all for her own personal revenge. Malcolm was rather happy to report to his cousins that the adults, including his own parents were calling into question Wanda’s motives and ability to lead them. It wasn’t actually all that difficult for Malcolm to ensure that the other Acolytes were unwilling to support Wanda in her desire to terminate Landon. They even called a meeting with her about it and Malcolm made sure to eavesdrop on that. “Who exactly told you that you were allowed to call a meeting?”, Wanda demanded looking at Azazel. “Someone needed to call one. We need to discuss your plans.”, Azazel said his voice firm as he challenged. “Discuss what plan?”, Wanda demanded. “For Landon Bryant.”, Damon spoke up. “What about that little brat is your concern?”, Wanda questioned her dark brown eyes glaring at all the Acolytes in the room. “It’s our concern if you plan to end that boy’s life.”, Lorna spoke up. Malcolm watched through a two way mirror with the other older students and swore his Aunt’s head almost spun like from that movie poltergeist to turn and glare at his mother. “You do not get to question me Lorna. None of you do.”, Wanda said backing her sister up against a wall her hands starting to glow purple. Malcolm glared watching his Aunt go after his mom, the Bryant-Frost sisters who were flanking him in the viewing room stepped away from his as his fists clenched and sparks started to be emitted. Vin rose from his seat and grabbed Wanda’s shoulder and applying pressure pulled her back putting himself between his sister-in-law and his wife. “You put your hands on me!? You dare to touch me Vin?”, Wanda glared. “You will leave my wife alone. You do not get to speak to her that way Wanda. Let’s not forget which of you is the elder siblings.”, Vin said calmly but it was easy to see the storm brewing behind his hazel eyes.
“Wanda, this is what’s got us all concerned. You aren’t acting rational.”, John said hoping to deflect Wanda’s attention from Lorna and Vin. Wanda spun to glare at John. “You have a problem now too John?”, Wanda demanded. “We all have a problem. You want to eliminate one student of the institute. Which sure we don’t mind as much that it’ll bring about a fight with the X-Men. But you pick the boy with ties to the Haven. Do you honestly think that killing this boy will solve anything? That the Haven won’t decide to make his death their problem? Crow will come for you, him and his house will come for all of us.”, Damon stated slamming his hands down on the table. “And we all know that as strong as we are we not in any position to take on the X-Men and the Haven. I know what that one they call Solangel can do.”, Azazel said. “I don’t care. Landon Bryant needs to be ended. If that boy comes to power we are all doomed anyways. The X-Men follow Duncan, but the new generation they follow that boy. He cannot come to power.”, Wanda stated. “You know people think I’m a psycho bitch…and they might be right but I’m not a fucking idiot like you. We aren’t ready for that kind of war yet. Our children still need to grow and train more. The X-Men aren’t weak and if the Haven would side with them….”, Geri said shaking her head. “I will handle Landon Bryant, he’s not any of your concerns.”, Wanda retorted with venom in her tone. “If you choose to go after that boy, you do it alone. No one from the Academy will support this act so win or lose we will no longer support you and wash our hands of you completely.”, Azazel spoke rising from his chair. Wanda looked around the room. “You all feel this way?”, Wanda demanded. She received nods from everyone in the room, even her own sister. “It’s a good thing that this isn’t a democracy. You don’t get to make the decision of what I do or when.”, Wanda said before storming out of the room.
The other Acolytes quietly talking amongst themselves as they left the room. Malcolm unclenched his fists and sat down in a chair. “You alright Mal?”, Emma asked. Malcolm nodded. “Yes I’m fucking peachy keen. My Aunt is a psychopath that because she wants to kill your cousin while my mother and the others are thinking rationally and can see the bigger picture she tried to attack my mom. Suddenly see why my cousins would turn against the bitch.”, Malcolm said his tone oozing with anger. “You going to turn Haven on us next?”, Talia questioned. “Fuck no. I’m just going to make sure that Aunt Wanda is not in power much longer.”, Malcolm said standing up. Talia blinked but grinned. “Oh is that so? You have a plan to over throw her?”, Talia asked. Malcolm pointed to the window to the now empty room. “Who do you think got all our parents questioning her ability to lead? Sure wasn’t the tooth fairy.”, Malcolm said. The others laughed a tad shocked that tried and true Malcolm was turning against his Aunt. “Who knew that you could be so devious.”, Josalyn commented. “I am the grandson of Erik Lehnsherr aren’t I. It’s in the blood.”, Malcolm stated. “We should all head to our dorms it’s almost lights out.”, Malcolm advised checking his watch before walking out. The other shrugged and followed heading to their dorms for the night wondering when Wanda would be over thrown and who would take over. Malcolm sighed and walked to his dorm stopping seeing his mom doing the rounds for lights out. “I’m heading to my room. Night mom.”, Malcolm said. Lorna looked at him and gave him a smile. “Sweet dreams my little Zeus.”, Lorna said. Malcolm smiled and walked into his bedroom letting out a heavy sigh as he closed the door.
“About time you got to your room.”, Cora Lee said stepping out of his closet. Malcolm jumped a little as she suddenly appeared from his closet. “Jesus Christ Cora Lee….”, Malcolm said shaking his head. Cora Lee smirked and walked over to him leaning up on her tiptoes and kissed him. “I’ve been waiting at least twenty minutes. Where were you?”, she asked as she reached past him locking his bedroom door. Malcolm sighed shaking his head. “You really want to get us in trouble don’t you?”, Malcolm asked. “No I just wanted to see you and it’s just after lights out.”, Cora Lee said. “Exactly…”, Malcolm said turning off his bedroom light. Cora Lee softly laughed. “Now I can’t see anything.”, Cora Lee said her eyes trying to adjust to the dark. Malcolm smirked and wrapped his arms around her carefully guiding her over to his bed, knowing the layout of his dorm even in the dark. “Good thing it’s my room and I know my way around.”, Malcolm commented. Cora Lee giggled a little as she felt the bed against her legs and sat down. Malcolm sat down next to her and leaned past her for his nightstand pulling out a small candle he kept setting it on the nightstand and using a match lighting it giving a small soft glow to the room.
“There that better?”, Malcolm asked sitting back up. “Mmm…it’ll do. So where were you?”, Cora Lee asked knowing to keep her voice done. “The Acolytes called a meeting wanting to talk to Aunt Wanda about her plans for your brother. As I told the twins I was able to get the adults to start questioning her. Well me and the older kids watched their meeting through a two way mirror. It didn’t go well for Aunt Wanda. She went after my mom and I really considered breaking through the wall and snapping her neck or at least sending a deadly level of volts into her. But dad stepped in and got her to back away from mom. The meeting ended with the others not willing to support Aunt Wanda and Wanda saying she’d do whatever she wanted. So I’ve done my job for your brother, Aunt Wanda will be alone and have no support from the Academy.”, Malcolm explained. “Wow. Um guess that’s a good thing in regards to them not supporting her. So how about we do something to take your mind off your Aunt and all this crap?”, Cora Lee suggested with that devious Bryant smirk on her lips. Malcolm laughed a little before cupping the right side of her face leaning in kissing her softly at first. Cora Lee smiled into the kiss wrapping her arms around his neck as she deepened the kiss. Malcolm ran his tongue along her lips purposefully sending a tiny shock across her lips as he did. Cora Lee moaned a little enjoying the small shock as she opened her mouth letting her tongue mingle with his, having made sure to put in her plastic tongue ring to avoid unnecessary shocks.
Malcolm let his right hand start to roam down her side to hold her waist as he leaned into her pushing her back onto the bed. He wasn’t sure if this was the right night but right now he had some pent up frustrations and worries that making out with Cora Lee served as a much more fun way of getting those frustrations and worries to go away. Malcolm adjusted so he was mostly laying next to her on the bed. Cora Lee let her one of her hands roam down his back and started up his shirt letting her fingers trace his abs as they kissed. Malcolm felt shivers go down his spine as she ran her hand across his skin and decided to let his right hand move to start going up under her t-shirt rubbing at her soft skin working its way up and under her bra to grasp her left breast and started massaging rubbing circles with his thumb over the nipple. Cora Lee moaned in his mouth arching up closer to him enjoying the touch. Malcolm pulled back from the kiss and brought his left hand from her face and started to pull her shirt up. Cora Lee giggled a little and helped get her shirt off before tugging his shirt off letting both fall to the ground. “You sure about this?”, Malcolm asked. Cora Lee smirked. “I’ll let you know if I decide to stop you.”, Cora Lee answered pulling him back to her wanting his lips again.
Malcolm reached around to her back unclasping her bra getting that off before his hand returned to rubbing at her breast, though this time as his thumb moved in its slow circles tiny shocks were sent from his finger tip to her. Cora Lee moaned again and twitched just slightly rubbing her legs against him in reaction. Malcolm couldn’t help but smile at the way she reacted. He moved from her lip and started kissing at her neck every so often his kiss giving a tiny shock and otherwise he nibbled softly. “Mmmm…Sparky…”, Cora Lee moaned slightly louder than before since his lips weren’t on hers to muffle her. Malcolm paused his kissing, hand still rubbing at her breast. “Shh…not looking to get caught.”, Malcolm teased in a whisper. “I’ll try…”, Cora Lee whispered back. Malcolm smiled and went back to kissing, nibbling and sending little shocks moving lower till he was able to take her other breast into his mouth while still rubbing at the other. Cora Lee bit down on her lower lip trying to muffle her moan as her body arched up and her nails dug a little into his back. Malcolm let his hand slowly move down her stomach little sparks emitting from his index finger as it ran down from her breasts to the top of her jeans. “You sure you’ve never done this type of thing before…”, Cora Lee teased in a soft voice. Malcolm smiled as he switched to suckling at her other breast while his hand started to unbutton and unzip her jeans. He adjusted his weight so he was putting his weight all on his left arm as he stopped to look at her his right hand running along the top of her jeans, his fingers just starting to slip under the band of her underwear. “Cora Lee you are the only girl I’ve done or will do anything like this with.”, Malcolm assured speaking softly.
Cora Lee smiled running her tongue along her bottom lip as she pressed up against his hand not even thinking about what she was doing, just reacting. “Well you seem to have a good idea of what you are doing.”, Cora Lee said softly. “My dad didn’t give a cliffs notes version of the birds and bees. However I’m still nervous as hell getting even this far with you. And otherwise just kind of going on hormones and instinct here.”, Malcolm replied as his hand slipped further down into her underwear. Cora Lee nodded. “Well you have very good instincts…”, Cora Lee teased before her voice trailed off as Malcolm’s fingers started to rub at her labia. “Oh god…”, Cora Lee moaned. Malcolm smirked bring his hand back out of her pants and tried to not laugh at the pout on her lips. He moved to kneel and brought both hands to start pulling her jeans and underwear down and off letting them join the collection of clothes on the floor. He sat back for a moment and looked at her in the soft glow of the one little candle. Cora Lee sat up a little on her elbows feeling a tad self-conscious now being fully naked in his dorm. “What?”, Cora lee asked. Malcolm smiled and ran a hand up her leg enjoying the feel of her soft skin under his touch his, hand stopping at her inner thigh starting to rub a little. “Just..wow. That’s about it. You in general are beautiful and right now with just that candle for light…just wow. So you are sure you want to keep going?”, Malcolm questioned as his fingers slowly inched up her inner thigh. “You are just too sweet…”, Cora Lee said feeling herself blushing. She moaned a little raising her hips a little in anticipation as his fingers started going higher. “I’m sure…”, Cora Lee said nodding.
Malcolm got the confirmation he wanted and started kissing along her legs as his fingers slipped up higher starting to again tease just rubbing at her labia again he could tell between her moaning and that she was moist that she was enjoying what he was doing. Which was a bit reassuring having never done this before. He managed to spread her legs a bit further apart as he kissed along her leg, he could feel her hands brushing his shoulders and in his hair tugging every so often. He let his index finger slip up and inside her which elicited a slightly loud moan. He stopped and looked up from kissing her thigh. “Shh remember. I know being silent isn’t your thing love. But to avoid getting in trouble please try…”, Malcolm requested. Cora Lee nodded a little and bit down on her lip a little trying to make sure she could muffle her moans. Malcolm laughed softly going back to kissing and nibbling at her thigh letting his finger start to move in and out a bit longer before adding a second. As he added his middle finger he looked up and tried to not laugh as he saw on her face how bad she wanted to call out but she was clenching her jaw a soft moan managing to escape her sealed lips. He let the two fingers continue moving in and out of her for a bit longer before removing them and he could hear a soft whimper from behind her closed lips. Her pout only lasted a moment before she realized the fingers were being replaced with his tongue. Cora Lee pulled the pillow from under her head and covered her face with it to muffle her moan. Malcolm let his hands roam back up her body as his tongue worked at trying to please her, which based on the muffled cries from the pillow she had over her face he was successful in that endeavor.
He continued this, sending the occasional tiny shock through her which just made her squirm and the muffled cries sound a little louder, for a long while. He was rather thankful she’d chosen to use the pillow to avoid getting too loud. He didn’t stop till he felt her body starting to shake and her legs tightened on his shoulders and even then he kept going till the shaking stopped and knew he’d brought her to climax. He brought his face back and wiped his face on the back of his hand before kissing her abdomen and moved up to lay down beside her and pulled the pillow from her face. “You alright?”, Malcolm teased. Cora Lee opened her eyes taking a few breaths trying to get her heart rate under control, she’d held the pillow there to contain her cries but he must not have heard the number of times she felt she had yelled his name and pleaded him to take her. She smiled looking up at him as she thought about the fact he took her to climax just not how she’d originally thought he would. “Holy crap Malcolm….”, Cora Lee ended up saying. Malcolm laughed a little shaking his head. “I’ll take that as an endorsement.”, Malcolm teased. Cora Lee nodded and rolled to look at him letting her hand run down his bare chest. “So what about you…”, Cora Lee questioned softly her hand moving lower starting to unfasten his jeans. “Me? Um how far are we going with this?”, Malcolm asked. Cora Lee smiled. “That’s your choice. Option one…”, she said sliding her hand down into his pants and boxers starting to stroke at him. She smiled that very little encouragement seemed needed. “I go down on you. Option two we use the condom I brought.”, Cora Lee finished giving him his options.
Malcolm groaned as her hand went lower and as she reviewed his options. He was going over the options in his mind both sounded good to him. Though trying to think was getting complicated for him as her hand was still down his pants. He reacted and leaned in kissing her not really making it clear which option he was going to choose. Cora Lee started working at getting off his pants when there was a knocking at his door. “Malcolm?”, a soft voice on the other side of the door whispered. Cora Lee froze as did Malcolm both thinking the same thing ‘God fucking damn it’. “Who is it?”, Malcolm called. “It’s Larissa. I had a bad dream and mommy and daddy aren’t in their room.”, Larissa’s soft voice called. Malcolm sighed and looked at Cora Lee. Cora Lee sighed and pulled her hand out of his pants, the mood officially killed. Malcolm quickly got off the bed zipping his pants up and handing clothes to Cora Lee who quickly started getting dressed. “Give me a minute okay, Tsvetok?”, Malcolm called using his Russian nickname of ‘Flower’ for his little sister. Cora Lee stumbled as she was pulling her jeans on and banged her knee on the nightstand and had to cover her mouth to not shout in pain. “Osveshcheniye? Is everything okay? Are there monsters in your room too?”, Larissa asked hearing the thump as she started to trying to open the door. “Osveshcheniye why is the door locked?”, Larissa asked as a green glow came through the keyhole. Malcolm quickly moved to try and keep the door closed knowing she’d just unlocked the door with her powers. Cora Lee moved to run for the closet to hide but the door was pushed open just enough that Larissa slide inside before the weight of her brother closed it.
Larissa blinked her bright green eyes and looked from her brother to Cora Lee in complete confusion. “Osveshcheniye?? Why is there an X-Men in your bedroom?”, Larissa asked keeping her voice soft. Cora Lee had frozen in placed and looked at Malcolm not sure what they were supposed to tell his little sister. Malcolm sighed and knelt down so he was closer to eye level of his 4’ 6” tall ten year old sister and gently placed a hand on her shoulder. “Tsvetok, there are things that I don’t know how well you’ll understand. But I need to know you will not speak of this to anyone and that includes mom and dad. I need you to obseshcheaniye. Do you understand? Can you promise?”, Malcolm said locking his eyes on his little sisters. They shared their mother’s green eyes, but that was their only similarity. Larissa looked like a miniature version of their mother while Malcolm looked like their father with the exception his eyes. Larissa nodded. “Obseshcheaniye. So why is an X-Men in your bedroom?”, Larissa promised. Malcolm sighed and looked over his shoulder to Cora Lee and then back to his sister. “She’s my podruga.”, Malcolm explained. Larissa’s bright eyes went wide as she blinked looking from her brother to Cora Lee and back again. “Podruga?”, Larissa questioned. Cora Lee raised an eyebrow not knowing what they were saying. Malcolm nodded and reach back grabbing Cora Lee’s handing bring her forward. “Da, podruga. YA lyublyu yeye.”, Malcolm assured his little sister. “Lyubov’?”, Larissa questioned. “Da. Remember your obseshcheaniye. You cannot tell anyone about this.”, Malcolm said. “But if it’s lyubov’ why the sneaking?”, Larissa asked. Cora Lee was starting to get an idea of what was being said and crotched down next to Malcolm. “Because your Aunt would not want him with me.”, Cora Lee explained.
Larissa turned her attention to Cora Lee. “Do you lyubov’ my brother?”, Larissa asked. “Um I don’t know what lyubov’ means.”, Cora Lee said looking between the two. “Right, we often mix our English and Russian when we talk. Tsvetok likes how speaking Russian makes everything sound like we are plotting.”, Malcolm said with a smiled. “First off podruga means girlfriend, obseshcheanive means promise, and lyubov’ means love. So when I said ‘Ya lyublyu yeye’ I was telling my sister that I love you.”, Malcolm explained. Cora Lee smiled making a note of those words. Cora Lee nodded. “Yes, I love Malcolm. I wouldn’t risk coming here if I didn’t.”, Cora Lee answered. “Does this mean you will leave us soon Osveshcheniye?”, Larissa asked looking to her brother. Malcolm sighed. “Will you leave us like Tomas and Uil’yam? Are you going to leave us for lyubov’ too?”, Larissa questioned. Cora Lee kind of figured that Tomas was Tommy and Uil’yam was Billy. “What do you know of about why people have left the academy?”, Malcolm asked. “I have ears and people seem to over look me when they speak. They forget I’m not a baby anymore and can understand what’s happening.”, Larissa said folding her arms glaring a little at her brother indigent that he assumed she would be unaware of things. Cora Lee covered her mouth to not giggle having given that look to her brother many times growing up and even recently. “I didn’t mean to oskorblyat’, Tsvetok. I’m your big brother I will always just see you as my mladshaya sestra. I’ve wanted to keep you innocent in some things. But yes eventually I will leave. I can’t keep my otnosheniya hidden forever. However I will not leave while Aunt Wanda is in power.”, Malcolm assured. “She is why you have been talking to the adults more? You want to stop Aunt Wanda from killing her bol’shoy brat?”, Larissa asked. Cora Lee raised an eyebrow not sure what the Russian words were. “That is part of it yes. I do not want our Aunt to kill her brother. And because our Aunt is obsessed with doing so I feel she cannot properly lead us and is a hazard to us all.”, Malcolm explained. Larissa sighed and nodded.
“I don’t want you to leave me Osveshchenive.”, Larissa said hugging her brother tightly. Malcolm sighed and scooped his sister up hugging her as he sat down on the floor and lightly stroked her green hair. “Shh Tsvetok.”, Malcolm cooed kissing the top of her head. “Even if I move out I shall never leave you. You are my mladshaya sestra and I am your bol’shoy brat. No distance will stop that or change that. I will always be here for you, I will always protect you.”, Malcolm assured. “You know that don’t you Tsvetok? I will do anything to keep you safe.”, Malcolm said with a soft sigh kissing the top of his little sister’s head. Cora Lee smiled sitting down just watching the two. They had a larger age gap than her and Landon but it was easy to see how much Larissa meant to Malcolm. It reminded her of her and Landon. When they were little Landon always would be there to comfort her and let her know everything was alright. And she always believed him when he said it would be okay. Larissa nodded sniffling a little.
“I know. But if you leave who will chase away the monsters in my room? Who will I go to when I have a nightmare?”, Larissa questioned. “Oh little Tsvetok. Soon you will be too old to need me to chase away the monsters, and dad will do that if I’m not here. He’s much scarier than I am. And you will still have dad, mom and Kevin here with you and I’ll be a phone call away if you need to talk to me.”, Malcolm assured. Larissa nodded. “Great now I need to go home and hug Landon.”, Cora Lee said shaking her head. Larissa opened her eyes and peeked past the broad chest of her brother to look at Cora Lee confused. “I thought you were mad at your bol’shoy brat.”, Larissa said. Malcolm chuckled. “I am but you’ve reminded me that even when he’s a complete idiot and a jerk he’s my brother and I love him. I shouldn’t take having him for granted.”, Cora Lee explained as she stood up. Malcolm picked up his sister and set her down onto Merrick’s old bed and tucked her into the blankets. “You can sleep in here tonight Tsvetok. And just remember you seriously owe me for what you interrupted.”, Malcolm teased kissing his sister on the forehead before blowing out the candle and getting into his bed. Larissa giggled and curled up falling asleep. Cora Lee smiled watching him. Once Larissa was in the bed she leaned up and kissed Malcolm on his cheek. “I should go before Rose notices I’m not on campus. I’ll see you again soon.”, Cora Lee said. “I lyubov’ you Sparky.”, Cora Lee added with a smirk as she went for the window opening it and holding her hand out for a small metal ball to fly out and expand to a disc that she stepped out onto. Malcolm sighed and watched her head for the window. “YA tozhe tebya lyublyu.”, Malcolm said before she was gone.
At the next training the Maximoff twins let the others all know what their spy told them about the Acolytes not supporting Wanda in her endeavor to go after Landon. Which was rather good news as it meant things were falling into place. Things were even getting better during training the team really starting to come together. Landon felt a bit like old times during his training sessions. His sister was giving him hugs all the time now and Rose wasn’t giving him the same glare anymore. It confused him a little but he wasn’t going to question them deciding to get over what he’d done. In public they were still treating him like he wasn’t even there, which follow the plan but still it hurt. It was actually most difficult when he had to work with Rachel or Lily. Today was one of those days he had to work with Rachel, one of those weekend fully shifts that Landon picked up. Though after work at the shop he was taking a train to the city to play at a jazz club. So after their shift was over Landon was driving Rachel home before he had to catch his train. They didn’t say much since they were technically in public. But Landon knew Rachel kept looking over at him and he kept looking over at her both missing the other so their eyes never meeting. There was a tension between that wasn’t as bad when they had other people around them, but here they were alone in the front of his van and there was no one to deflect the tension. No one around to distract him from thinking about getting her into the back seat again.
If Landon thought he was having a rough life and dealing with an awkward situation he needed to walk a mile in Merrick’s shoes. Malcolm was the only person from the Academy that still talked to him. Sure Malcolm was probably the only actual friend he had, but back when he was Academy he had others that talked to him. Now even his sisters treated him like trash, well at least when other Academy students were around. Merrick didn’t mind and understood it. They were made that he left and also couldn’t lose face and show sympathy to a traitor even if he was their brother. Today however happened to be a rather shitty day indeed for Merrick. He had to let his mom borrow his car since hers was in the shop so that meant walking all the way to Wal-Mart for work and then walking all the way back. Not a big deal. Merrick enjoyed the exercise but as he was walking back to the Haven he came across Talia, Josalyn and Emma. Josalyn and Emma had wanted to just avoid him, but Talia had other ideas. “Hey traitor! Where’s that piece of shit that you call a car?”, Talia called crossing the street with the Bryant-Frosts sisters right behind her. Merrick groaned and stopped walking to look at his sisters then glared at Talia. “Don’t call my 69 GTO a piece of shit, cunt. That is a classic piece of American machinery and I’m still working on restoring it with my dad. As for its location, my mom is using it because her car is in the shop.”, Merrick replied with a low growl. “Oh of course you are letting your mom use your car. Such a momma’s boy aren’t you. Did Mikali or Kisa whichever of the X-men pieces of shit delivered you forget to cut the umbilical cord?”, Talia taunted. Josalyn looked at the corner of her eye at Talia as she started to trash talk in regards to their birth.
Merrick shrugged. “You think calling me a momma’s boy is offensive? You think talking shit about Mikali Hamilton or Kisa Kearney offends me? You can offend me Talia. Nothing you say or do is going to offend me. Because words from a pompous arrogant piece of shit like you roll off my back like water on a duck. So go ahead say whatever you need to as you fail in trying to get a rise out of me. Or are you trying to get a rise from my sisters? Figure having a go at me will show their true nature? Let me clue you in on something about my sisters, all three of them.”, Merrick said indicating for Talia to come closer. “They don’t give a fuck. They are where they want to be and I’m not going to change that and you trying to agitate them by messing with me won’t change that either.”, Merrick whispered to Talia before laughing. “So why don’t you take your demon ass and go back to hell, oh wait I forgot you are the Neyaphem spawn that CAN’T teleport.”, Merrick said with a smirk on his lips. Talia growled baring her fangs and lunged at him tackling Merrick to the ground. “How dare you talk to me like that!”, Talia shouted. “Talia! He’s Haven!”, Emma and Josalyn shouted considering pulling Talia from their brother. Merrick put up his arms as defense. “I’m not going to hit you back Talia. My mom raised me to not hit girls, even the cunts like you.”, Merrick said just taking the beating Talia was dishing out while his sisters tried to think if they should act. Merrick saw them start to move and looked directly at them and shook his head. ‘Stay out of it Emma, both of you. I will not let her bait you into getting tossed out of the Academy when you want to stay’ Merrick thought loud and clear to his younger sister. Emma quickly stopped and grabbed Josalyn’s arm shaking her head for her to stay.
It was this sight of Talia on Merrick punching him while Emma and Josalyn stood back and watched that Landon and Rachel drove past. Landon skidded to a stop. “What’s going on?”, Rachel asked looking back trying to figure out who that was under Talia. Landon said nothing but threw the van into reverse and skidded to a stop along the road side. He quickly unfastened his seatbelt as he jumped out of the van. “GET THE FUCK OFF MY COUSIN YOU DEMONIC BITCH!”, Landon shouted and with a quick movement shoved Talia off Merrick. Talia rolled to the grass off the sidewalk and hissed at Landon. “What is this to you meat sack. Don’t you hate him?”, Talia hissed. Rachel was getting out of the van and started running as she heard the word ‘cousin’. She stopped seeing Merrick on the ground looking beaten and bleed a little. Landon glared at Talia keeping his eyes on her as he reached down offering a hand to Merrick. “I don’t hate him. He’s my blood and I’m not going to stand around and do nothing while he is attacked.”, Landon said. Merrick grumbled not a fan of Landon coming to his rescue but he took Landon’s hand and with a grunt got to his feet. He wiped some blood from his lip before speaking. “She’s not worth it Landon. Just continue going wherever you were headed…”, Merrick started talking then he noticed Rachel was there and Merrick was confused why Rachel was with Landon if they were fighting. “Aww look Merrick needs a knight in shining armor. Shouldn’t he ask permission for your traditional damsel in distress if he can borrow her hero?”, Talia taunted looking to Rachel.
Rachel narrowed her eyes clenching her fists. “What did Merrick ever do to you that you need to attack him?”, Rachel asked. “He breaths that’s enough for me. Much like it’s enough reason to attack you meat sack.”, Talia hissed. Emma and Josalyn moved closer to side with Talia now that Rachel and Landon were getting involved. “Besides aren’t I doing you a bit of a favor by taking this piece of trash out?”, Talia continued to taunt Rachel. Merrick rolled his eyes. “Hey, my cousin isn’t trash. He’s a hell of lot better than you are.”, Landon interjected. “So what this is one haven member that won’t fight back, an X-Men team leader…who if we take out Wanda would probably reward us for, and a useless meat sack against the three of us? I like our odds.”, Talia scoffed. Rachel’s hands balled up into fists she was rather sick of being called useless and then Talia bringing up the whole Wanda wanting to kill Landon thing just got under her skin. Landon noticed Rachel taking a fighting stance like they’d been working on in training and put an arm out to keep Merrick back. “No looks like one of you gets to have your ass handed to you by a Howlett and finally see why that’s a name you should fear.”, Landon said smirking. Merrick and his sisters looked confused while Talia scoffed at the idea. “Which one do you want to fight Rach?”, Landon questioned. “I want her.”, Rachel said pointing to Talia. “You got it. Emma, Josalyn no offense but I don’t trust you as far as I could throw you. This is a one on one fight so you stay out of this dumdums.”, Landon said putting emphasis on the word ‘dumdums’ and his cousins changed into two of the dumdum lollypops falling to the ground. Merrick rushed over and quickly picked them up looking at them. “What the fuck Landon?”, Merrick questioned. “They’ll be fine Merrick. This kept them out of the way because this is between Rachel and Talia at this point.”, Landon explained grabbing Merrick’s arm and taking a few steps away from the two girls.
“What the fuck are you thinking Landon? You’re going to let Rachel go toe to toe with Talia? I’ve trained with Talia I know what she can do. I thought you cared about Rachel…”Merrick questioned as he put the red and yellow dumdums into his shirt pocket to keep his sisters safe. Landon chuckled getting out his phone. “Oh I care a lot about Rachel. I just know what she can do. We need to stand back so we don’t become collateral damage while she makes Talia eat more than just her words.”, Landon said putting the phone into video mode. Talia and Rachel circling each other, Rachel having a stern and very serious expression on her face while Talia seemed to find this all very amusing. “You’re little hero seems to have some misplaced faith in your skills meat sake.”, Talia taunted with a hiss. “Wait you’re filming this!? Are you kidding me Landon? That’s some fucked up shit. And people think I’m the messed up Bryant.”, Merrick said shaking his head watching the two girls circling each other worried about Rachel. Landon smiled. “I just want to document this epic ass kicking Talia is going to get. It’s real sweet that you are worried about Rachel. But trust me from first hand you don’t need to worry about her.”, Landon commented.
Talia snorted and moved in to attack wrapping her tail around Rachel’s leg. Instead of letting Talia take her off balance Rachel did a quick kick of that leg that instead pulled Talia from her feet bringing her hard to the ground Talia’s back slamming against the unforgiving cement of the sidewalk. While Talia had the wind knocked out of her Rachel managed to reach down and bend Talia’s tail enough to get it loose from her leg. Talia howled in pain scrambling back to her feet lunging at Rachel again. “How dare you, you worthless human!”, Talia shouted as she threw a punch at Rachel. Rachel blocked most the punch but it did still make contact just not enough to deter Rachel from the fight as she swung making solid contact with Talia’s jaw causing her to stumble back blood starting to flow from her jaw. Merrick blinked as he watched the fight and glanced to Landon who was standing unfazed filming the fight with a smile. Rachel had Talia on the defense in the fight, favor shifting to Rachel who just from the month and half of additional training with Landon and Logan had taken her intensity up a notch and added some new moves to her repertoire. The two went punch for punch. Rachel blocking most of Talia’s though some still got through. Talia a couple times getting her fangs involved biting Rachel’s arm to escape a choke hold. In the end though Rachel go Talia back to the ground and with a solid hit knocked her out Talia’s head hitting hard against the sidewalk. Rachel managed to get to her feet her nose bloodied and blood dripping from her arm where Talia’s fangs had punctured, but Talia wasn’t getting up it was easy to see in her disguised form that her jaw was possibly broken, as was her nose and she had a black eye. That didn’t really indicate the level of internal damage they couldn’t see.
The fight over Landon turned off his phone and pocketed it. He grabbed the two dumdums from Merrick and set them down near Talia and thought hard about his cousins and without a word Josalyn and Emma were back. “You should get Talia to Damon or Alex.”, Landon instructed walking over and putting Rachel’s arm over his shoulder and his arm around her waist helping her to the van. Merrick stood there confused as his sisters started to pick up Talia. “MERRICK! Get in the damn van!”, Landon ordered. Merrick blinked and quickly went to the van getting into the front seat before he realized he’d just obeyed Landon. Landon helped Rachel up into the front seat causing Merrick to have to move to the center. “Alright let’s get you to Uncle Mikali or Kisa, Tyson.”, Landon teased. “Merrick mind her arm.”, Landon instructed as Rachel leaned against Merrick. Merrick raised an eyebrow and tired to keep Rachel upright. Landon rushed back around to his side of the van and saw Josalyn speed away carrying Talia while Emma started walking back to the Academy. Landon got in and quickly turned the van around to head for the medical center. “You did really good Rachel, just hang on and I’ll get you to Uncle Mikali or Kisa.”, Landon said as he was speeding. Merrick raised an eyebrow. “Okay I’m confused. I thought you two weren’t talking. But you are driving alone in the van together? And why the hell did you stop to help me?”, Merrick questioned. “I was driving her home from work, she still has to deal with me at work. Can’t really be helped. And I stopped because I’m not letting Talia mess with my family.”, Landon explained. “Yeah I only deal with him I have to. I’m still not talking to him.”, Rachel muttered. “Okay I don’t get this. I didn’t think Rachel could be mad at you. What the hell did you do?”, Merrick asked. Landon smirked. “Um let me just put it this way…”, Landon started to say as he pulled into a stop near the front of the clinic. “Don’t make out with cousins within twenty-four hours of each other. It gets messy.”, Landon finished his sentence as he got out of the van.
Merrick blinked a bit shocked to learn that the golden boy Landon had fooled around with both the Howlett girls. It certainly explained a lot including the weird tension that was going on between Landon and the group. Landon opened the passenger door and carefully got Rachel out who struggled to try and get out of his arms to walk. “Hey I let you fight the Demon Princess with no interference, you need to just relax and let me get you inside quickly so we can make sure that there aren’t any internal damage.”, Landon said carrying her in his arms. Rachel let out an annoyed sigh and stopped trying to get him to put her down. Really she wanted down because being held close to him like this was making it really hard to maintain her appearance that dealing with him was a nuance since they were in mixed company. Merrick moved ahead of Landon opening the doors so Landon could easily carry Rachel inside. “Uncle Mikali!? Kisa!?”, Landon called into the facility. Kisa walked out from around the corner hearing someone calling her. “Landon what’s…”, Kisa was about to question what was wrong when she saw Rachel Howlett in his arms. “Bring her back this way.”, Kisa instructed turning calmly leading them to an exam room. “Lay her down on the table and explain to me what happened.”, Kisa instructed. Landon did as he was told taking a step back so Kisa could exam Rachel.
“Came across Talia deciding to pound on my cousin on the roadside. We stopped to intervene. Rachel took offense to some of the stuff Talia had to say and kicked her ass. Though Talia got a few hits in, Rachel won the fight.”, Landon explained. “You let her fight Talia?”, Kisa questioned. “Landon didn’t get much of a choice Misses Kearney. I wanted to fight her.”, Rachel explained. “Still if your father or Uncle knew…”, Kisa said resting her hand on Rachel’s arm assessing her injuries before her healing golden glow transferred from her hand to Rachel’s body. “They’d be damn proud, pardon my language.”, Landon stated. Kisa smiled and softly shook her head. “I suppose that’s true, especially Professor Logan.”, Kisa agreed taking her hands back. “Alright I want you to just lay there a moment longer before trying to sit up.”, Kisa instructed turning to look at Landon but her eyes fell on the larger figure of Merrick that was hovering in the doorway. “Merrick Edward Bryant?”, Kisa exclaimed walking closer and looking up at the young man. Kisa was a bit short only 5’3” and came just over halfway on Merrick’s broad chest. Merrick blinked. “Ma’am?”, Merrick questioned with an arched brow. “I would know those green-yellow eyes anywhere. Just as bright and mischievous looking as the day you were born.”, Kisa commented looking him over. “They are about the only thing that says you are related to Demitri. You’ve got your mother’s hair and that Bryant face. Though I don’t know where the broad shoulders like these came from. Landon and David aren’t all that broad and neither is Demitri.”, Kisa assessed. Merrick looked to Landon for some kind of help. Landon chuckled. “The broad shoulders are from my grandpa Philip Bryant, who’d be Merrick’s great uncle. Dad and I take more after my great grandpa Edward Kilbourn in our frames.”, Landon explained. Kisa shrugged. “That explains in then. So Merrick is very Bryant in appearance.”, Kisa assessed. “That he is Kisa.”, Landon agreed.
Rachel groaned as she moved to sit up and felt a bit dizzy and started to fall back. Landon quickly moved to help her sit up. “Whoa there Rach…”, Landon said. “I’ll be fine Landon.”, Rachel said shrugging him away. Landon sighed and took his hands back. Kisa turned and looked at the two of them and sighed. “Alright well that’s one patient down.”, Kisa said turning her attention back to Merrick. Merrick raised an eyebrow. “What?”, Merrick questioned looking from Kisa to Landon and Rachel. Landon chuckled. “She means you dippy. Just sit down and let Kisa exam you unless of course you have a fear of five foot three inch women.”, Landon said. Merrick narrowed his eyes. “Sit.”, Kisa ordered pointing to a chair. “Yes ma’am.”, Merrick said quickly sitting at her command. Rachel covered her mouth to not giggle at how quickly Merrick followed the command. Merrick looked over at Landon and Rachel glaring a little. Kisa did a quick exam. “You don’t look too bad just some soreness that will go away on its own. No need to heal you. Landon make sure the patients are returned to their homes please.”, Kisa instructed walking out of them room. “Yes ma’am.”, Landon said helping Rachel off the exam table.
“I’m not sitting in the middle again.”, Merrick said walking out to the van. Landon chuckled. “Aw you don’t like sitting between Rachel and I?”, Landon teased. “Fuck no. There’s way too much tension for my animal senses to tolerate.”, Merrick stated. Landon laughed and opened the back of the van. “Fine one of you sit in back the other takes shotgun.”, Landon stated. “I’ll sit in the back.”, Rachel said firmly climbing in the back of the van. It was odd since she rarely sat in the back and now as she sat on the same seat they’d kissed on the memories started to filter back to her. Landon shrugged and closed the back as Merrick got into the front seat. The drive to drop Merrick off at the Haven was a silent one. Landon trying to not look in his rear view at Rachel. Rachel kept her eyes down and noticed Landon’s sax case was in the back of the van and wondered why. But she didn’t want to talk while Merrick was in the van since it would blow their deception. Landon parked in the Haven driveway. Merrick looked into the back at Rachel then looked to Landon. “Um well thanks I guess.”, Merrick said getting out of the van and heading into the house. Landon sighed a little as he pulled out. “Well glad he fully believes you are still mad at me. Or at least mad enough to mostly hate me. You don’t hate me right?”, Landon asked heading for Rachel’s. “No I don’t hate you. I can’t bring myself to hate you. I still like you too much to hate you.”, Rachel admitted leaning forward resting her chin in the back of the front bucket seat. “So why is your sax case back here?”, Rachel asked. Landon smiled. “Because after I drop you I need to catch a train and run as fast as I can to the club to play a gig in the city tonight.”, Landon stated. Rachel blinked and smiled. “You are playing gigs in the city now? Without the band?”, Rachel asked. “It’s a Jazz club. I play my sax with a group of guys I met at a club one night while avoiding everyone here.”, Landon explained. “Hmm you are full of surprises Landon.”, Rachel commented as he pulled into the driveway. Landon turned to look at her their faces inches apart and for the first time in weeks Landon locked eyes on Rachel’s. In an instant the urge to kiss her hit him but he fought it. “Guess I am. See you at training Monday.”, Landon said. Rachel sighed leaning back fighting her own urge to kiss him. “Yeah. See you then.”, Rachel said getting out of the van and watched him pull away.