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Valentines Day arrived and most of the team had plans. Donovan was just going to go on patrol since he didn’t have a date. The team was meeting at the cottage first just to discuss some of the upcoming items from those pages Zoe translated in the fall. Donovan was hoping to maybe talk Rose into going on patrol with him and maybe get something to eat. After all her ‘boyfriend’ was an ocean away so she shouldn’t have plans for the day. “Alright so I just want to make this quick. I know that Billy had something planned for Atif, my nephew is visiting to spend time with Ashley, and Skye probably has to get back to London to be with Mason.”, Rose smiled looking at her team. “Yeah maybe Skye will finally decide that over a month is long enough in her ‘adult’ relationship to sleep with the poor guy.”, Atif teased nudging his cousin. Skye rolled her eyes but smiled. “Maybe Ah will…”, Skye stuck out her tongue. Xavier just chuckled, he hadn’t spent much time around the team still living in Tokyo but he’d come for a visit to spend time with Ashley so they could discuss wedding plans in person as she wanted to show him a location in Scotland for the ceremony. Donovan shook his head as he’d rather not know anything about his twin’s love life.
“Alright anyways. So we know there’s some hits coming up. Ashley and Donovan I’m going to need you two to cover the southern part of Scotland. Atif and Billy will take northern England, then Skye and I will cover southern England.”, Rose explained. “Who will be covering northern Scotland and Wales?”, Xavier asked. “I’ve got help coming from the X-Men on that. Sadria and Colin are going to handle northern Scotland and since they are coming to visit for some diplomatic reasons Hudson and Teresa will handle Wales.”, Rose explained. “Ya telling us dat a King and Queen are gunna be going on missions ta fig’t members of the COH?”, Donovan asked skeptical. “Yes. They were both trained to fight and Teresa still counts herself as an X-Men.”, Rose replied. “But Ah mean do ya tink dey can still ‘ang?”, Donovan asked. Xavier covered his mouth but a small reserved laugh escaped. “Dat funny?”, Donovan asked. “Indeed it is. You understand that Uncle Hudson is a Howlett, he has the Howlett mutation and it more skilled in combat than even Rose. Then Aunt Teresa controls metal and was trained by my grandfather Logan then my grandmother Aurelia. So yes it’s funny that you would think even for a moment that they could not handle some missions.”, Xavier explained. Rose laughed a little as her nephew put Donovan in his place. Donovan shrugged having no way to really argue against that.
As the team were discussing the particulars of their missions none were aware of the taxi that pulled up outside or the visitor that stepped out. Merrick had flown all the way from Bayville, which required him to take plenty of nausea medicine and a dose of elephant tranquilizer that Kisa had prescribed him just to fly. He’d taken a taxi from the airport in London to Rose’s cottage up in Cambridge. He’d wanted to surprise Rose since it was the first Valentine’s Day as a couple. He had brought a dozen of the Rose Irises that Demitri guaranteed would survive the long flight without an issue and his mother had packed a tin of her blondies and double chocolate fudge brownies for Rose. He hadn’t fully regained full color as the nausea medicine hadn’t worked the whole trip and he spent the last part of the flight throwing up. But he’d made sure to use some mouthwash he’d packed when he landed before heading to see Rose. He gave the driver some money shouldering his duffle bag and holding the flowers in his left hand. He took a breath as he looked at the cottage. He could smell Rose inside, he could also smell Ashley, Atif, William, Xavier and two others that were certainly Kearney blood so he assumed that would be Donovan and Skye. He sighed and knocked on the door.
The whole team looked to the door hearing the knock. “Ah’ll get it.”, Skye said jumping up from her seat getting to the door. She blinked looking up, mouth falling open as she recognized Merrick. “Sweet Mother Mary!”, Skye exclaimed. Merrick raised an eyebrow looking at the redhead. “What?”, Merrick asked confused. Rose blinked the scent of Merrick hitting her and hearing his voice. “Merrick??”, she exclaimed. Octopus also smelled him and jumped off her lap bounding for the door with Rose right behind him. Octopus got there first and started to rub against Merrick’s legs. Merrick smiled looking down. “Occy! Hey fuzz ball, miss me?”, Merrick said bending down and scratching Octopus’ on the head. As Octopus rubbed against him purring at the attention Rose stood frozen and just blinked at the sight of Merrick in her doorway. “Merrick? What… how…”, she stuttered. Merrick looked up from Octopus and smiled at Rose. “Hey little wolf. They have these magical things call airplanes. They are horrible but they do the trick.”, Merrick explained standing up and holding out the Rose Irises. “So um… Happy Valentine’s Day.”, he said. The rest of the team had moved to look while Skye just kind of stepped out of the way. Rose couldn’t believe her eyes, he was there, he’d flown on an airplane to see her for Valentines. “Ha...Happy Valentines…”, she said hugging him and kissing him ignoring that they had a room full of onlookers. Donovan rolled his eyes at the PDA. Rose was the one to be slife self conscious about her whole team watching them kissing and pulled back.
“I can’t believe you did this. You hate flying and you traveled this far from Faelan.”, she shook her head smiling. “Says the woman who showed up in my bedroom Christmas morning with a bow on, sadly not the only thing you had on but that was easily fixed.”, he teased with a smirk. Skye chuckled. “Oh Ah like him got a dirty mind and dinna even bot’er wid filtering it fer da team.”, Skye smiling. Rose laughed shaking her head. “Skye…”, she muttered. Merrick smirked and glanced over at Skye. “Me going to Bayville isn’t really out of the ordinary. But you leaving Bayville is. I can’t believe you actually left Faelan.”, Rose said shaking her head. “Our son is fine. Between our parents, Haven members, and Zoe he’s good for the week.”, Merrick smiled. “Our parents? A week? ”, Rose questioned. Merrick nodded. “Yeah a week. I don’t generally take time off from work and well I’m the manager so I get to choose when I take time off. And yes our parents. Obviously mine will watch him along with the others at the Haven, but when It got to your mom I was coming here she kind of asked or well more insisted that they get Faelan for a couple days. If I’ve learned anything in four years it’s that it is better to not protest or argue with a redheaded woman.”, he explained. “And who says you aren’t smart.”, Rose teased.
“So yer staying da week, w’ere ya staying den? And ‘ow dis gonna affect wat we was all just talking bout?”, Donovan asked trying to not discuss Excalibur business in mixed company directly. “Not that is probably matters to you, Donovan, but I do have a hotel room booked that I need to check into. And I’m going to assume you trying to eggshell about something you are referring to the pages of upcoming targets for the COH that my best friend translated for you. My presence won’t be interfering. If Rose has a mission she goes on it. I was raised the same as William over there I know how this works.”, Merrick commented. “Ah understand ya a rat’er skilled fig’ter. Maybe he could be of ‘elp.”, Skye suggested. Rose furrowed her brow at that thought. “I don’t know Skye. Merrick’s not gotten into combat since high school being a Haven member. He might not remember how things go.”, Billy teased. “You really looking to challenge me, William? I know you did training with my cousins and have been training with Rose the last few years. However last time you stepped into the ring with me you limped out.”, Merrick smiled. “William mig’t not be, But Ah’d take mah c’ances.”, Donovan interjected. “Alright enough testosterone. Donovan just back off. Don’t you guys all have things to go do?”, Rose questioned wanting to just end it before a confrontation started.
Atif nodded taking Billy’s hand. “Yeah. Come on guys. Let’s all head out giving these two space. My understanding we don’t want to be around when these two hit the bedroom.”, Atif chuckled. Rose laughed a little shaking her head. “I’ve been dealing with sharing a wall with your bedroom for the last three years so don’t talk Atif.”, she sighed. “It was good to see you Merrick. Come on Xavier let’s head back.”, Ashley said taking Xavier’s hand and hitting the button on her watch disappeared. “Mmm.. verra nice ta meet ya in person. Ya much ‘otter dan yer pictures.”, Skye smiled hitting her button disappearing. “See you two later.”, Billy said heading out the door with Billy. That left just Donovan was was sizing Merrick up trying to figure him out. “You got somewhere else to be Kearney or you planning to just stand there staring at me all fucking day?”, Merrick questioned. “Ah ain’t got plans.”, Donovan shrugged. “Yes you do. You have patrole. Goodbye Donovan.”, Rose said hitting the home button on Donovan’s watch before he could stop her. “There alone at last.”, she smiled. “I like Skye. Her brother I might beat the crap out of before the week is over.”, Merrick commented. Rose rolled her eyes taking the flowers smelling them as she went to the kitchen to get a vase for them. “Donovan just likes to think he’s Alpha is all. Don’t worry about him.”, Rose said. “Yeah well there’s only room for one alpha.”, he commented following her to the kitchen Octopus right behind him.
“Thank you for the flowers. They are beautiful, I’m amazed they survived the flight.”, she said wanting to change the subject. “Demitri’s guarantee they’d make it here. Which also there’s something else that was supposed to survive the flight and it was less about wilting and more about me.”, he said setting his bag down and opening it pulling out a tin that was sealed closed with a note in his mother's handwriting saying ‘For Rose DO NOT EAT MErrick Edward!’. Rose laughed reading the little note as she took the tin. “Your mom knows you so well.”, she laughed growing a claw and cutting the ribbon to open the tin. “Ooooo blondies and double chocolate fudge brownies. I’m impressed you didn’t eat them all.”, she teased looking into the tin of goodies. “Yeah well I had something else I wanted to eat.”, he smirked. Rose laughed a little shaking her head moving around the little island putting her arms around his neck. “Is that so? And what pray tell would that be.”, she teased leaning up kissing him letting her claws scratch at his neck. Merrick growled a little into the kiss turning it and bringing his arms around her picking her up off the ground. He pulled back for a moment from the kiss. “Lets go to your room and I’ll show you instead of tell you.”, He smirked. Rose nodded in agreement pulling him back kissing him again. Merrick didn’t need her to tell him where her room was, he just followed her scent up the stairs and to her room shutting Octopus out of the bedroom.
Billy was glad to get out of the house, he had plans for Atif that night and didn't want to be late. Billy drove them down to the river where the small boats were docked. “Are we going punting?”, Atif asked as they got out of the car. Billy nodded. “Yes. I thought it’s be a nice date for valentines.”, Billy smiled taking Atif’s hand as they walked to the dock at the Quayside Punting Station. Atif smiled shaking his head as they walked, sometimes there were moments over the years that Billy still managed to surprise him with how sweet he could be. Billy helped Atif get into the little boat where a long stem red rose was waiting. Atif smiled carefully sitting down picking up the rose. “You know sometimes I am still surprised at how romantic you cane be Billy.”, Atif smiled looking up from the Rose to Billy. “Glad I’m still able to surprise you, it’s not exactly an easy feat sweetheart.”, Billy smiled getting into the boat to sit next to Atif. Their boatman remained silent, Billy assumed keeping his opinion of his two homosexual passengers to himself. Which Billy was grateful for because he’d have to punch the man for making a remark. Tonight was supposed to be special and he’d rather it not have any negativity
Many would look at Atif and Billy and at first glance try to figure who was the ‘top’ and who was the ‘bottom’. And most would get it wrong. They would look and see Atif who’s taller with the broader build and figure he would be the ‘top’ or more of the ‘guy’ in the relationship. But that wasn’t really the case. Neither answered the question of which was top and which was bottom because well that all depended on the moment. However when they were asked which was the guy and which was the girl they always gave the same answer ‘we are both guys’. Tonight as they covered up with the blanket it was Atif leaning into Billy enjoying the moment. The sun was just going down and little chinese paper lanterns were lighting up along both sides of the river. “This is incredible Billy.”, Atif said quietly enjoying the moment and having Billy’s hand rubbing at his back absentmindedly. “Just like you.”, he answered kissing the top of Atif’s red hair. Atif laughed softly tilting his head to look at Billy and kissed him. “I love you.”, Atif smiled. “I love you too. You mean everything to me, you know that right? I can’t picture my life without you in it.”, Billy smiled. “Yes I know. Just like you are to me. And good because I don’t foresee us not being together.”, Atif said lacing his fingers in Billy’s hand.
“I’m glad you see it that way…”, Billy said moving his arm from around Atif to reach into his jacket pocket. “Atif... you are my end and my beginning. I give you all of me. Will you give me all of you?”, Billy asked opening a ring box revealing a two tone titanium ring with a rounded diamond. Atif had been smiling listening to Billy speak but at the end of it where he sounded like he was proposing he felt his heart stop and then there was a box and a ring. As a soothsayer most would think he could predict such things, but he could never see his own future. Atif covered his mouth with both hands. “Yes...god yes.”, Atif said finally nodding his head. Billy grinned taking the ring out of the box putting it on Atif’s finger kissing him. “I wasn’t really sure proper etiquette and if you buy a ring or not. And well I decided to just buy a ring cause there’s gotta be something to seal the deal.”, Billy explained. “Ring or not I would have said yes. I’ve been with you since high school and I don’t ever not want to be with you. I love you William.”, he said kissing him again. Billy was possibly the happiest he’d been in his life. He was going to get to marry Atif, the man who’d gotten him out from under his mother’s control, the man who he willingly faced his mother to defend. Loving Atif had completely altered the course of his life and Billy couldn’t be any more grateful for that. And the only way he could repay that is to just love Atif for the rest of their lives.
Donovan wasn’t thrilled that he was kicked out by Rose. He griped and grumbled to himself during his patrol. A rational man would have decided that obviously the lass was in love and the lad loved her back so he should just back off and give up. But there was just something about Merrick’s presence in Cambridge that annoyed Donovan. Maybe it was the fact that from what knew of Merrick he didn’t trust the man. Or maybe it was that they were similar in size and part of him wanted to know who was stronger. Which that was a big factor as what Billy had told him about Merrick the guy liked to fight and often won them with a few exceptions such as against his cousin Landon. He’d been told Merrick was supposed to be strong having the ability to not only change into a form of whatever animal he likes but use their natural abilities while in his human form. So between that and Rose being with him Donovan wanted to fight him. To prove which was the stronger man. And maybe prove to Rose who was the better man for her. Maybe sometime this week he’d get his chance to do that. After all seemed a waste for her to be with someone who’s an ocean away not to mention that she won’t be able to grow old with. At least if she had chosen him she wouldn’t have to worry about that, he wouldn’t grow old just like her.
Skye was actually rather nervous about this Valentine’s date with Mason. It was going to be a double date with his best friends Ashton and Tiffany and it was her understand that Tiffany was rather particular about who dated Mason. And that her general bluntness might be a tad worse as she was in her final months of pregnancy due to have their first child in a matter of weeks. The way Mason talked about these people it was a tad scarier than when she had dinner with his parents and sister. So she picked out a sleeveless black and pink floral short flare dress with a square neck and drop waist with pleated details and just a pair of her black heels. She did keep her watch on which might look odd with the other nice jewelry and the dress but Skye refused to go anywhere not wearing the watch now that they were actively helping in more than just the towns they lived in. They needed her she wanted to be ready and able to get there, she even discreetly packed her mask into her purse just in case.
As she was doing a final check that she had everything she heard the knock at her door. “Mason?”, she called. “Yes, it unlocked?”, he asked. “Aye come in handsome.”, she called back grabbing her purse. Mason let himself in just in time to see her walk out of the bedroom. “Wow…”, Mason smiled. Skye laughed a little. “Tanks. Ready ta go ta dinner wid yer mates?”, Skye asked. “Um yes, but I could think of a few things I’d rather do than go to dinner right now.”, he smiled. They’d been seeing each other for nearly two months now and hadn’t gone past making out, and at the moment Mason’s mind was going in a more physical and intimate direction. Skye chuckled. “Aye? And wat mig’t dat be?”, she asked with a raised eyebrow. “Well, we wouldn’t be leaving the flat for starters. And that dress would not be staying on.”, he explained. “Ah canna say Ah’d be against dat plan. ‘Owever ya did tell yer mates we’d meet dem fer dinner. Sooo…”, she replied walking over to him putting her arms around his neck. “We got ta dinner wid yer mates and skip dessert at da restaurant and instead come back ta mah place fer our dessert.”, she suggested giving him a kiss. Yeah almost two months was more than long enough and probably if not for their schedules and her having to randomly race off for Excalibur business she’d have done this weeks ago. Mason nodded a little. “I think we can do that. Lets go and get dinner over with then.”, he said giving her another kiss before taking her hand and heading out of the flat to meet Ashton and Tiffany for dinner.
Tiffany grumbled sitting at the table in her flame colored scoop neck maternity dress, she hadn’t really wanted to go out even if it was Valentine’s Day. She was uncomfortable and Blake was using her bladder as a football. yes she knew Mason wanted them to meet his new girlfriend, but really Tiffany didn’t want to. Unless he was going to announce he was finally dating Adder she didn’t care. Tiffany had read the GQ article and she knew that the girl who Mason talked so highly off and said changed his life and was a large influence on him was Adder. Why he couldn’t just face the fact he was in love with her was beyond her. And she was still annoyed with him for being so cold and distant with Adder as of late. She’d asked him a few times what happened in India that cause him to start acting like this and he wouldn’t tell her. Ashton glanced over to his wife who had said how horrid she felt she looked and smiled reaching over holding her hand. “Mason will be here soon. After dinner we can go home and I’ll even draw you a bath alright?”, he offered. Tiffany smiled a little that at least did sound good. “You better. It’s your devil spawn playing football with my internal organs.”, she teased. Ashton shrugged smiling. “Hey he’s half yours.”, Ashton commented kissing her cheek.
“Aw aren’t you two just adorable.”, Mason teased walking up his arm around Skye’s waist. “Bite me, Mason.”, Tiffany stuck her tongue out. Ashton sighed and stood up being polite. “That’s Ash’s job Tiff.”, Mason teased. Skye just shook her head. “Hello, you must be Skye. I’m Ashton and this is my wife Tiffany.”, Ashton greeted extending a hand to Skye. “I’d get up but that’d take an hour.”, Tiffany said pointing to her protruding belly that separated her and the table. Skye smiled and shook Ashton’s hand. “Nice ta meet ya bot’. Mason ‘as only good tings ta say bout ya. And dinna fash Tiffany, Ah canna blame ya. Mason says yer due verra soon, congratulations on yer barren.”, Skye smiled trying her best to make a good impression. “Well you’re certainly Scottish….”, Tiffany commented glancing to Mason a slightly questionable look on her face. A red haired Scottish girl was not what she’d expected when he said he had a new girlfriend. Mason rolled his eyes at Tiffany pulling a chair out for Skye. “Ah gat’er from yer expression Ah not wat ya expected w’en Mason said he dating someone.”, Skye commented taking a seat. “Well I give you credit for picking that up.”, Tiffany stated. Ashton and Mason both sighed sitting down.
“Please excuse Tiffany she’s generally…”, Ashton started to excuse his wife. “She’s generally just as blunt. Like Ah said Mason told me bout ya bot’. Ah was prepared fer watever mig’t ‘appen. His parents seemed bout as surprised w’en Ah met dem but dey were being all proper not speaking deir mind. Ah Scottish we tend ta just say wat we tinking. And Ah prefer people ta just speak deir minds.”, Skye interrupted Ashton holding a hand up. “So wat bout me dinna ya expect?”, she asked looking to Tiffany. “Beyond the height? All of it. Our Mason has a certain flavor he’s stuck to about ninety-nine percent of the time. At that’s blondes. And British. Like Adder.”, Tiffany said being to the point reaching and sipping her water. Mason shook his head covering his face feeling like this was a bad idea. Skye nodded. “Aye well Ah certainly ain’t blonde nor Britis’. Per’aps Mason ‘as realized dat limiting himself ta just blondes and Brits ain’t making him ‘appy.”, Skye suggested. Mason smirked reaching under the table to lightly place a hand on Skye’s leg. “She’s got a point. Skye’s a rather amazing woman, even if her brother is that git from the Warriors.”, Mason teased. Ashton raised an eyebrow. “Git from the Warriors? Ooo she’s related to the steamroller Donovan Kearney? My apologies in advance but I’m with Mason in my rugby opinion of your brother.”, Ashton smiled.
“Dinna fash. Ah found dat anyone not a Warriors fan ‘as da same opinion of mah brot’er. Ah ‘oping dat w’en Mason meets him he can get past da rugby stuff.”, Skye smiled. “Well if what Rose had to say about him is to be held as true I’m not seeing the opinion changing love.”, Mason smiled squeezing her leg. “Rose?”, Tiffany asked. “She mah university mate. She came down day after we started officially dating ta visit. She’d gone ‘ome to da states fer her ‘oliday and wanted ta s’are wat ‘appened. And Ah was verra excited ta ‘ear it cause she finally started dating da bloke she been sleeping wid since she was sixteen.”, Skye chuckled a little. “Took her that long to land the bloke?”, Tiffany asked. “Took dem bot’ dat long ta just realize dey in love. And well Ah suppose wid da way her lad looks lots of lassies fall fer him.”, Skye smiled. Tiffany raised an eyebrow. “He can’t look that good.”, she argued. “Well ‘old on.”, Skye said getting her phone out. “Ah snapped a picture today. Oh Ah dinna even get to tall ya Mason. W’en Ah was up in Cambridge earlier today w’o s’ould be knocking at da door but her bloke Merrick. Poor lad doesn’t fly well and he flew all da way ‘ere just ta see her fer Valentines. Ain’t dat da sweetest.”, Skye gushed bringing up the picture of Merrick and showing Tiffany.
Mason chuckled. “Wow, all the way from America to visit. Who’s watching his son?”, Mason asked. Tiffany leaned to look at the picture and nodded. “Alright, he’s hot. And son?”, Tiffany questioned. Ashton took a peak since Tiffany didn’t often say ‘hot’ about anyone but him. He snorted a little. Skye laughed and put the phone away. “ya s’ould see him widout a s’irt on. Ah ‘avent seen it in person, but Rose ‘as a picture from some party at a beac’ wid him and some ot’er blokes. And if dey weren’t all taken Ah could ‘ave seen da appeal of America. And aye he’s got a barren, will be one in April. he from a different girl, Merrick was...well before committing ta Rose a bit of a w’ore. But da mot’er gave up da baby dinna want anyting ta do wid him fer being a mutant. So Merrick being mum and dah taking real good care of him. And ta answer yer question mason, Merrick’s parents along wid Rose’s parents are gonna be watching da babe.”, Skye explained. “That’s just horrible…”, Tiffany said rubbing her belly. “I couldn’t ever imagine… giving up your baby. I just... “, Tiffany started to sniffle getting emotional as she continued to protectively and lovingly caress her belly. “Ssshhh.”, Ashton said putting his arm around Tiffany covering her hand with his on her belly. “It’s alright love. Blake won’t ever have to face that kind of hardships that this Merrick’s son has nor ever suffer what Adder did. Blake will have us, he’ll have mason and Adder too.”, Ashton spoke softly trying to calm his wife. “Please don’t cry Tiffany. Like Ash said. Blake’s going to have the pair of you to love him. And He’ll have me and Adder to dote upon him too.”, Mason sighed reaching over to lightly pat Tiffany’s arm.
Tiffany sniffled a little nodding. Skye felt a bit out of place as they spoke about Mason and Adder as if they were a match set. And thens he thought about how Tiffany earlier said he went for blondes, like Adder. Skye’d been wondering what was going on or did go on between Mason and Adder since they started seeing each other. He said they were mates but they hardly speak, like there was some big fight that neither wants to talk about and neither wants to move out and can’t escape each other as they work together. Mason noticed the kind of distant look on Skyes face and leaned back and kissed her cheek. “Adder and I are going to be Blake’s godparents being Tiffany and Ashton’s best mates. Tiffany never had many female friends when we were young, she intimidated them.”, Mason explained. “Not my fault that most girls that we knew in school only tried to talk to me because they wanted to hook up with you or Ashton. And I’m territorial, he wasn’t mine but wasn’t letting some skank around Ashton and you’re like a brother to me so I had to keep them away from you the best I could too.”, Tiffany defended. Skye chuckled. “Ah kne dat struggle. Outside of family Rose da first female friend Ah really got. Ah was da tomboy dat got inta fig’ts growing up and never lost.”, Skye smiled. “I think having super strength is an unfair advantage.”, Mason commented. “Mah powers dinna develop till ah was t’irteen. ya just better remeber bout mah strengt’ before ya tink o doing someting ta piss me off. Cute as ya are, Ah’ll still toss ya all day way to yer flat from mine.”, Skye defended. Tiffany chuckled. “Okay I think I can get along with this one.”, Tiffany smiled.
The rest of the dinner went rather well. Despite herself Tiffany found she liked Skye. She was like her in many ways. Skye had no fear in speaking her mind or putting Mason and even Ashton in their places when she thought their opinion on the subject was wrong. Skye and Masons till didn’t stay for dessert having their own dessert ideas. As they made their way up to her flat Mason hadn’t stopped smiling. “Tiffany actually liked you. I mean I’m not surprised because you're amazing. But Tiffany doesn’t like many people. Adder’s the only other woman I can think of that she has really gotten along with.”, he commented wrapping his arms around her waist as they reached her door. “Yeah well Ah like Tiffany too. ‘Owever, Ah like you more.”, she teased opened the door. “Mmm that’s good, I like you more too.”, he smirked starting to kiss her neck as they walked in tandem into the apartment. Skye flicked the light on and let out a startled yell seeing her twin sleeping on her couch. Donovan startled awake and falling off the couch. “Wat?”, Donovan said looking around. “Um….”, Mason raised an eyebrow looking at Donovan. “Donovan wat yer fool arse doing in mah flat!?”, Skye yelled stepping away from Mason and lifting her brother up by his ear to his feet. “OOOWWWWW…”, Donovan yelled standing up quickly to stop the pain. He may heal but shit still hurt. “Ah ask ya again wat da fook do ya tink yer doing in MAH flat!? Ah dinna tell ya it was okay ta stop in. Ya kne Ah was out wid Mason and if ya ‘ad a brain it’d tell ya logically Ah’d be bring Mason ‘ome wid me being it’s Valentine’s.”, Skye glared at her brother.
“Ah wasn’t tinking bout it. Ah dinna want ta go ta mah flat. Atif and Billy are on deir date. Ashley and Xavier out on deir date. And Rose is entertaining da man-w’ore at da cottage. So Ah turned ta mah twin.”, Donovan explained. Mason just remained silent, this at least proved his theory that Donovan had kissed Rose because he wanted her. “Donovan dat enuff! Ah kne ya fancy Rose but get over it man! She never looked at ya dat way and she in love wid Merrick and da lad’s in love wid her. Move on wid her life. And get da ‘ell outta mah flat cause Ah intend ta entertain mah boyfriend.”, Skye said gripping him by the arm dragging him to the front door. Donovan grumbled and tried to stop from being tossed out. “Ah ‘aven’t even been intraduced.”, Donovan said. “Ah’ll intraduca ya w’en Ah feel like it and ya ain’t interrupting us. Now good nig’t brot’er.”, She said tossing him into the hall and shutting the door. “Ah so sorry bout dat. Ah need ta get mah spare key back from him.”, Skye sighed. Mason nodded. “So Donovan fancies Rose and is feeling put out because the affection’s not returned. Not an easy situation”, Mason nodded. He’d been in that position with Adder, but now he had Skye. Mason pushed any thoughts of Adder aside and smiled grabbing Skye’s wrist pulling her over. “But he’s gone now so we still having dessert?”, he smiled. “Aye…”, Skye smiled kissing him ass he started to unbutton his dress shirt.
She pulled back for a moment. “So Ah got a question fer ya.”, she stated. “Hmm?”, he questioned starting to unzip her dress. “Ya kne Ah’m a telepath. Would ya be against me, only on da surface and fer dis, using a mental link during sex?”, she asked. She didn’t generally get that option as she didn’t tell most guys about her powers. But she had used it a couple times and it was at least better. “Um. I’m not generally a fan of someone in my head. What would be the benefit of this?”, he asked. “Ah wouldn’t be looking too deep inta yer mind. And da benefit is dat we wouldn’t need ta even speak to tell da ot’er wat we like. We’d just kne it. So basically telepathic link sex ya take da passion of sex and ya add to dat cause ya only doing wat gets da ot’er excited. Plus ya can kiss more and we don’t wake mah neighbors.”, she smirked. “Alright, we can try it, love.”, he agreed pulling her back to him kissing her again. Skye set up the telepathic link not going beyond just the surface so that only their thoughts about what they were doing was being shared. During the kiss Mason was pulling her dress down and off her as she was pulling off his shirt, Skye momentarily took a step back just to get a look at him shirtless. ‘Sweet Mother Mary’, she thought and could hear him laughing in her head as he realized he could hear her. He looked her over standing there in her heels and simple blue bra and boyshorts and rubbed his lips together before starting to kiss her again picking her up. She smiled into the kiss hearing her heels fall to the ground as she was lifted up and carried to her bedroom.

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Valentines Day arrived and most of the team had plans. Donovan was just going to go on patrol since he didn’t have a date. The team was meeting at the cottage first just to discuss some of the upcoming items from those pages Zoe translated in the fall. Donovan was hoping to maybe talk Rose into going on patrol with him and maybe get something to eat. After all her ‘boyfriend’ was an ocean away so she shouldn’t have plans for the day. “Alright so I just want to make this quick. I know that Billy had something planned for Atif, my nephew is visiting to spend time with Ashley, and Skye probably has to get back to London to be with Mason.”, Rose smiled looking at her team. “Yeah maybe Skye will finally decide that over a month is long enough in her ‘adult’ relationship to sleep with the poor guy.”, Atif teased nudging his cousin. Skye rolled her eyes but smiled. “Maybe Ah will…”, Skye stuck out her tongue. Xavier just chuckled, he hadn’t spent much time around the team still living in Tokyo but he’d come for a visit to spend time with Ashley so they could discuss wedding plans in person as she wanted to show him a location in Scotland for the ceremony. Donovan shook his head as he’d rather not know anything about his twin’s love life.
“Alright anyways. So we know there’s some hits coming up. Ashley and Donovan I’m going to need you two to cover the southern part of Scotland. Atif and Billy will take northern England, then Skye and I will cover southern England.”, Rose explained. “Who will be covering northern Scotland and Wales?”, Xavier asked. “I’ve got help coming from the X-Men on that. Sadria and Colin are going to handle northern Scotland and since they are coming to visit for some diplomatic reasons Hudson and Teresa will handle Wales.”, Rose explained. “Ya telling us dat a King and Queen are gunna be going on missions ta fig’t members of the COH?”, Donovan asked skeptical. “Yes. They were both trained to fight and Teresa still counts herself as an X-Men.”, Rose replied. “But Ah mean do ya tink dey can still ‘ang?”, Donovan asked. Xavier covered his mouth but a small reserved laugh escaped. “Dat funny?”, Donovan asked. “Indeed it is. You understand that Uncle Hudson is a Howlett, he has the Howlett mutation and it more skilled in combat than even Rose. Then Aunt Teresa controls metal and was trained by my grandfather Logan then my grandmother Aurelia. So yes it’s funny that you would think even for a moment that they could not handle some missions.”, Xavier explained. Rose laughed a little as her nephew put Donovan in his place. Donovan shrugged having no way to really argue against that.
As the team were discussing the particulars of their missions none were aware of the taxi that pulled up outside or the visitor that stepped out. Merrick had flown all the way from Bayville, which required him to take plenty of nausea medicine and a dose of elephant tranquilizer that Kisa had prescribed him just to fly. He’d taken a taxi from the airport in London to Rose’s cottage up in Cambridge. He’d wanted to surprise Rose since it was the first Valentine’s Day as a couple. He had brought a dozen of the Rose Irises that Demitri guaranteed would survive the long flight without an issue and his mother had packed a tin of her blondies and double chocolate fudge brownies for Rose. He hadn’t fully regained full color as the nausea medicine hadn’t worked the whole trip and he spent the last part of the flight throwing up. But he’d made sure to use some mouthwash he’d packed when he landed before heading to see Rose. He gave the driver some money shouldering his duffle bag and holding the flowers in his left hand. He took a breath as he looked at the cottage. He could smell Rose inside, he could also smell Ashley, Atif, William, Xavier and two others that were certainly Kearney blood so he assumed that would be Donovan and Skye. He sighed and knocked on the door.
The whole team looked to the door hearing the knock. “Ah’ll get it.”, Skye said jumping up from her seat getting to the door. She blinked looking up, mouth falling open as she recognized Merrick. “Sweet Mother Mary!”, Skye exclaimed. Merrick raised an eyebrow looking at the redhead. “What?”, Merrick asked confused. Rose blinked the scent of Merrick hitting her and hearing his voice. “Merrick??”, she exclaimed. Octopus also smelled him and jumped off her lap bounding for the door with Rose right behind him. Octopus got there first and started to rub against Merrick’s legs. Merrick smiled looking down. “Occy! Hey fuzz ball, miss me?”, Merrick said bending down and scratching Octopus’ on the head. As Octopus rubbed against him purring at the attention Rose stood frozen and just blinked at the sight of Merrick in her doorway. “Merrick? What… how…”, she stuttered. Merrick looked up from Octopus and smiled at Rose. “Hey little wolf. They have these magical things call airplanes. They are horrible but they do the trick.”, Merrick explained standing up and holding out the Rose Irises. “So um… Happy Valentine’s Day.”, he said. The rest of the team had moved to look while Skye just kind of stepped out of the way. Rose couldn’t believe her eyes, he was there, he’d flown on an airplane to see her for Valentines. “Ha...Happy Valentines…”, she said hugging him and kissing him ignoring that they had a room full of onlookers. Donovan rolled his eyes at the PDA. Rose was the one to be slife self conscious about her whole team watching them kissing and pulled back.
“I can’t believe you did this. You hate flying and you traveled this far from Faelan.”, she shook her head smiling. “Says the woman who showed up in my bedroom Christmas morning with a bow on, sadly not the only thing you had on but that was easily fixed.”, he teased with a smirk. Skye chuckled. “Oh Ah like him got a dirty mind and dinna even bot’er wid filtering it fer da team.”, Skye smiling. Rose laughed shaking her head. “Skye…”, she muttered. Merrick smirked and glanced over at Skye. “Me going to Bayville isn’t really out of the ordinary. But you leaving Bayville is. I can’t believe you actually left Faelan.”, Rose said shaking her head. “Our son is fine. Between our parents, Haven members, and Zoe he’s good for the week.”, Merrick smiled. “Our parents? A week? ”, Rose questioned. Merrick nodded. “Yeah a week. I don’t generally take time off from work and well I’m the manager so I get to choose when I take time off. And yes our parents. Obviously mine will watch him along with the others at the Haven, but when It got to your mom I was coming here she kind of asked or well more insisted that they get Faelan for a couple days. If I’ve learned anything in four years it’s that it is better to not protest or argue with a redheaded woman.”, he explained. “And who says you aren’t smart.”, Rose teased.
“So yer staying da week, w’ere ya staying den? And ‘ow dis gonna affect wat we was all just talking bout?”, Donovan asked trying to not discuss Excalibur business in mixed company directly. “Not that is probably matters to you, Donovan, but I do have a hotel room booked that I need to check into. And I’m going to assume you trying to eggshell about something you are referring to the pages of upcoming targets for the COH that my best friend translated for you. My presence won’t be interfering. If Rose has a mission she goes on it. I was raised the same as William over there I know how this works.”, Merrick commented. “Ah understand ya a rat’er skilled fig’ter. Maybe he could be of ‘elp.”, Skye suggested. Rose furrowed her brow at that thought. “I don’t know Skye. Merrick’s not gotten into combat since high school being a Haven member. He might not remember how things go.”, Billy teased. “You really looking to challenge me, William? I know you did training with my cousins and have been training with Rose the last few years. However last time you stepped into the ring with me you limped out.”, Merrick smiled. “William mig’t not be, But Ah’d take mah c’ances.”, Donovan interjected. “Alright enough testosterone. Donovan just back off. Don’t you guys all have things to go do?”, Rose questioned wanting to just end it before a confrontation started.
Atif nodded taking Billy’s hand. “Yeah. Come on guys. Let’s all head out giving these two space. My understanding we don’t want to be around when these two hit the bedroom.”, Atif chuckled. Rose laughed a little shaking her head. “I’ve been dealing with sharing a wall with your bedroom for the last three years so don’t talk Atif.”, she sighed. “It was good to see you Merrick. Come on Xavier let’s head back.”, Ashley said taking Xavier’s hand and hitting the button on her watch disappeared. “Mmm.. verra nice ta meet ya in person. Ya much ‘otter dan yer pictures.”, Skye smiled hitting her button disappearing. “See you two later.”, Billy said heading out the door with Billy. That left just Donovan was was sizing Merrick up trying to figure him out. “You got somewhere else to be Kearney or you planning to just stand there staring at me all fucking day?”, Merrick questioned. “Ah ain’t got plans.”, Donovan shrugged. “Yes you do. You have patrole. Goodbye Donovan.”, Rose said hitting the home button on Donovan’s watch before he could stop her. “There alone at last.”, she smiled. “I like Skye. Her brother I might beat the crap out of before the week is over.”, Merrick commented. Rose rolled her eyes taking the flowers smelling them as she went to the kitchen to get a vase for them. “Donovan just likes to think he’s Alpha is all. Don’t worry about him.”, Rose said. “Yeah well there’s only room for one alpha.”, he commented following her to the kitchen Octopus right behind him.
“Thank you for the flowers. They are beautiful, I’m amazed they survived the flight.”, she said wanting to change the subject. “Demitri’s guarantee they’d make it here. Which also there’s something else that was supposed to survive the flight and it was less about wilting and more about me.”, he said setting his bag down and opening it pulling out a tin that was sealed closed with a note in his mother's handwriting saying ‘For Rose DO NOT EAT MErrick Edward!’. Rose laughed reading the little note as she took the tin. “Your mom knows you so well.”, she laughed growing a claw and cutting the ribbon to open the tin. “Ooooo blondies and double chocolate fudge brownies. I’m impressed you didn’t eat them all.”, she teased looking into the tin of goodies. “Yeah well I had something else I wanted to eat.”, he smirked. Rose laughed a little shaking her head moving around the little island putting her arms around his neck. “Is that so? And what pray tell would that be.”, she teased leaning up kissing him letting her claws scratch at his neck. Merrick growled a little into the kiss turning it and bringing his arms around her picking her up off the ground. He pulled back for a moment from the kiss. “Lets go to your room and I’ll show you instead of tell you.”, He smirked. Rose nodded in agreement pulling him back kissing him again. Merrick didn’t need her to tell him where her room was, he just followed her scent up the stairs and to her room shutting Octopus out of the bedroom.
Billy was glad to get out of the house, he had plans for Atif that night and didn't want to be late. Billy drove them down to the river where the small boats were docked. “Are we going punting?”, Atif asked as they got out of the car. Billy nodded. “Yes. I thought it’s be a nice date for valentines.”, Billy smiled taking Atif’s hand as they walked to the dock at the Quayside Punting Station. Atif smiled shaking his head as they walked, sometimes there were moments over the years that Billy still managed to surprise him with how sweet he could be. Billy helped Atif get into the little boat where a long stem red rose was waiting. Atif smiled carefully sitting down picking up the rose. “You know sometimes I am still surprised at how romantic you cane be Billy.”, Atif smiled looking up from the Rose to Billy. “Glad I’m still able to surprise you, it’s not exactly an easy feat sweetheart.”, Billy smiled getting into the boat to sit next to Atif. Their boatman remained silent, Billy assumed keeping his opinion of his two homosexual passengers to himself. Which Billy was grateful for because he’d have to punch the man for making a remark. Tonight was supposed to be special and he’d rather it not have any negativity
Many would look at Atif and Billy and at first glance try to figure who was the ‘top’ and who was the ‘bottom’. And most would get it wrong. They would look and see Atif who’s taller with the broader build and figure he would be the ‘top’ or more of the ‘guy’ in the relationship. But that wasn’t really the case. Neither answered the question of which was top and which was bottom because well that all depended on the moment. However when they were asked which was the guy and which was the girl they always gave the same answer ‘we are both guys’. Tonight as they covered up with the blanket it was Atif leaning into Billy enjoying the moment. The sun was just going down and little chinese paper lanterns were lighting up along both sides of the river. “This is incredible Billy.”, Atif said quietly enjoying the moment and having Billy’s hand rubbing at his back absentmindedly. “Just like you.”, he answered kissing the top of Atif’s red hair. Atif laughed softly tilting his head to look at Billy and kissed him. “I love you.”, Atif smiled. “I love you too. You mean everything to me, you know that right? I can’t picture my life without you in it.”, Billy smiled. “Yes I know. Just like you are to me. And good because I don’t foresee us not being together.”, Atif said lacing his fingers in Billy’s hand.
“I’m glad you see it that way…”, Billy said moving his arm from around Atif to reach into his jacket pocket. “Atif... you are my end and my beginning. I give you all of me. Will you give me all of you?”, Billy asked opening a ring box revealing a two tone titanium ring with a rounded diamond. Atif had been smiling listening to Billy speak but at the end of it where he sounded like he was proposing he felt his heart stop and then there was a box and a ring. As a soothsayer most would think he could predict such things, but he could never see his own future. Atif covered his mouth with both hands. “Yes...god yes.”, Atif said finally nodding his head. Billy grinned taking the ring out of the box putting it on Atif’s finger kissing him. “I wasn’t really sure proper etiquette and if you buy a ring or not. And well I decided to just buy a ring cause there’s gotta be something to seal the deal.”, Billy explained. “Ring or not I would have said yes. I’ve been with you since high school and I don’t ever not want to be with you. I love you William.”, he said kissing him again. Billy was possibly the happiest he’d been in his life. He was going to get to marry Atif, the man who’d gotten him out from under his mother’s control, the man who he willingly faced his mother to defend. Loving Atif had completely altered the course of his life and Billy couldn’t be any more grateful for that. And the only way he could repay that is to just love Atif for the rest of their lives.
Donovan wasn’t thrilled that he was kicked out by Rose. He griped and grumbled to himself during his patrol. A rational man would have decided that obviously the lass was in love and the lad loved her back so he should just back off and give up. But there was just something about Merrick’s presence in Cambridge that annoyed Donovan. Maybe it was the fact that from what knew of Merrick he didn’t trust the man. Or maybe it was that they were similar in size and part of him wanted to know who was stronger. Which that was a big factor as what Billy had told him about Merrick the guy liked to fight and often won them with a few exceptions such as against his cousin Landon. He’d been told Merrick was supposed to be strong having the ability to not only change into a form of whatever animal he likes but use their natural abilities while in his human form. So between that and Rose being with him Donovan wanted to fight him. To prove which was the stronger man. And maybe prove to Rose who was the better man for her. Maybe sometime this week he’d get his chance to do that. After all seemed a waste for her to be with someone who’s an ocean away not to mention that she won’t be able to grow old with. At least if she had chosen him she wouldn’t have to worry about that, he wouldn’t grow old just like her.
Skye was actually rather nervous about this Valentine’s date with Mason. It was going to be a double date with his best friends Ashton and Tiffany and it was her understand that Tiffany was rather particular about who dated Mason. And that her general bluntness might be a tad worse as she was in her final months of pregnancy due to have their first child in a matter of weeks. The way Mason talked about these people it was a tad scarier than when she had dinner with his parents and sister. So she picked out a sleeveless black and pink floral short flare dress with a square neck and drop waist with pleated details and just a pair of her black heels. She did keep her watch on which might look odd with the other nice jewelry and the dress but Skye refused to go anywhere not wearing the watch now that they were actively helping in more than just the towns they lived in. They needed her she wanted to be ready and able to get there, she even discreetly packed her mask into her purse just in case.
As she was doing a final check that she had everything she heard the knock at her door. “Mason?”, she called. “Yes, it unlocked?”, he asked. “Aye come in handsome.”, she called back grabbing her purse. Mason let himself in just in time to see her walk out of the bedroom. “Wow…”, Mason smiled. Skye laughed a little. “Tanks. Ready ta go ta dinner wid yer mates?”, Skye asked. “Um yes, but I could think of a few things I’d rather do than go to dinner right now.”, he smiled. They’d been seeing each other for nearly two months now and hadn’t gone past making out, and at the moment Mason’s mind was going in a more physical and intimate direction. Skye chuckled. “Aye? And wat mig’t dat be?”, she asked with a raised eyebrow. “Well, we wouldn’t be leaving the flat for starters. And that dress would not be staying on.”, he explained. “Ah canna say Ah’d be against dat plan. ‘Owever ya did tell yer mates we’d meet dem fer dinner. Sooo…”, she replied walking over to him putting her arms around his neck. “We got ta dinner wid yer mates and skip dessert at da restaurant and instead come back ta mah place fer our dessert.”, she suggested giving him a kiss. Yeah almost two months was more than long enough and probably if not for their schedules and her having to randomly race off for Excalibur business she’d have done this weeks ago. Mason nodded a little. “I think we can do that. Lets go and get dinner over with then.”, he said giving her another kiss before taking her hand and heading out of the flat to meet Ashton and Tiffany for dinner.
Tiffany grumbled sitting at the table in her flame colored scoop neck maternity dress, she hadn’t really wanted to go out even if it was Valentine’s Day. She was uncomfortable and Blake was using her bladder as a football. yes she knew Mason wanted them to meet his new girlfriend, but really Tiffany didn’t want to. Unless he was going to announce he was finally dating Adder she didn’t care. Tiffany had read the GQ article and she knew that the girl who Mason talked so highly off and said changed his life and was a large influence on him was Adder. Why he couldn’t just face the fact he was in love with her was beyond her. And she was still annoyed with him for being so cold and distant with Adder as of late. She’d asked him a few times what happened in India that cause him to start acting like this and he wouldn’t tell her. Ashton glanced over to his wife who had said how horrid she felt she looked and smiled reaching over holding her hand. “Mason will be here soon. After dinner we can go home and I’ll even draw you a bath alright?”, he offered. Tiffany smiled a little that at least did sound good. “You better. It’s your devil spawn playing football with my internal organs.”, she teased. Ashton shrugged smiling. “Hey he’s half yours.”, Ashton commented kissing her cheek.
“Aw aren’t you two just adorable.”, Mason teased walking up his arm around Skye’s waist. “Bite me, Mason.”, Tiffany stuck her tongue out. Ashton sighed and stood up being polite. “That’s Ash’s job Tiff.”, Mason teased. Skye just shook her head. “Hello, you must be Skye. I’m Ashton and this is my wife Tiffany.”, Ashton greeted extending a hand to Skye. “I’d get up but that’d take an hour.”, Tiffany said pointing to her protruding belly that separated her and the table. Skye smiled and shook Ashton’s hand. “Nice ta meet ya bot’. Mason ‘as only good tings ta say bout ya. And dinna fash Tiffany, Ah canna blame ya. Mason says yer due verra soon, congratulations on yer barren.”, Skye smiled trying her best to make a good impression. “Well you’re certainly Scottish….”, Tiffany commented glancing to Mason a slightly questionable look on her face. A red haired Scottish girl was not what she’d expected when he said he had a new girlfriend. Mason rolled his eyes at Tiffany pulling a chair out for Skye. “Ah gat’er from yer expression Ah not wat ya expected w’en Mason said he dating someone.”, Skye commented taking a seat. “Well I give you credit for picking that up.”, Tiffany stated. Ashton and Mason both sighed sitting down.
“Please excuse Tiffany she’s generally…”, Ashton started to excuse his wife. “She’s generally just as blunt. Like Ah said Mason told me bout ya bot’. Ah was prepared fer watever mig’t ‘appen. His parents seemed bout as surprised w’en Ah met dem but dey were being all proper not speaking deir mind. Ah Scottish we tend ta just say wat we tinking. And Ah prefer people ta just speak deir minds.”, Skye interrupted Ashton holding a hand up. “So wat bout me dinna ya expect?”, she asked looking to Tiffany. “Beyond the height? All of it. Our Mason has a certain flavor he’s stuck to about ninety-nine percent of the time. At that’s blondes. And British. Like Adder.”, Tiffany said being to the point reaching and sipping her water. Mason shook his head covering his face feeling like this was a bad idea. Skye nodded. “Aye well Ah certainly ain’t blonde nor Britis’. Per’aps Mason ‘as realized dat limiting himself ta just blondes and Brits ain’t making him ‘appy.”, Skye suggested. Mason smirked reaching under the table to lightly place a hand on Skye’s leg. “She’s got a point. Skye’s a rather amazing woman, even if her brother is that git from the Warriors.”, Mason teased. Ashton raised an eyebrow. “Git from the Warriors? Ooo she’s related to the steamroller Donovan Kearney? My apologies in advance but I’m with Mason in my rugby opinion of your brother.”, Ashton smiled.
“Dinna fash. Ah found dat anyone not a Warriors fan ‘as da same opinion of mah brot’er. Ah ‘oping dat w’en Mason meets him he can get past da rugby stuff.”, Skye smiled. “Well if what Rose had to say about him is to be held as true I’m not seeing the opinion changing love.”, Mason smiled squeezing her leg. “Rose?”, Tiffany asked. “She mah university mate. She came down day after we started officially dating ta visit. She’d gone ‘ome to da states fer her ‘oliday and wanted ta s’are wat ‘appened. And Ah was verra excited ta ‘ear it cause she finally started dating da bloke she been sleeping wid since she was sixteen.”, Skye chuckled a little. “Took her that long to land the bloke?”, Tiffany asked. “Took dem bot’ dat long ta just realize dey in love. And well Ah suppose wid da way her lad looks lots of lassies fall fer him.”, Skye smiled. Tiffany raised an eyebrow. “He can’t look that good.”, she argued. “Well ‘old on.”, Skye said getting her phone out. “Ah snapped a picture today. Oh Ah dinna even get to tall ya Mason. W’en Ah was up in Cambridge earlier today w’o s’ould be knocking at da door but her bloke Merrick. Poor lad doesn’t fly well and he flew all da way ‘ere just ta see her fer Valentines. Ain’t dat da sweetest.”, Skye gushed bringing up the picture of Merrick and showing Tiffany.
Mason chuckled. “Wow, all the way from America to visit. Who’s watching his son?”, Mason asked. Tiffany leaned to look at the picture and nodded. “Alright, he’s hot. And son?”, Tiffany questioned. Ashton took a peak since Tiffany didn’t often say ‘hot’ about anyone but him. He snorted a little. Skye laughed and put the phone away. “ya s’ould see him widout a s’irt on. Ah ‘avent seen it in person, but Rose ‘as a picture from some party at a beac’ wid him and some ot’er blokes. And if dey weren’t all taken Ah could ‘ave seen da appeal of America. And aye he’s got a barren, will be one in April. he from a different girl, Merrick was...well before committing ta Rose a bit of a w’ore. But da mot’er gave up da baby dinna want anyting ta do wid him fer being a mutant. So Merrick being mum and dah taking real good care of him. And ta answer yer question mason, Merrick’s parents along wid Rose’s parents are gonna be watching da babe.”, Skye explained. “That’s just horrible…”, Tiffany said rubbing her belly. “I couldn’t ever imagine… giving up your baby. I just... “, Tiffany started to sniffle getting emotional as she continued to protectively and lovingly caress her belly. “Ssshhh.”, Ashton said putting his arm around Tiffany covering her hand with his on her belly. “It’s alright love. Blake won’t ever have to face that kind of hardships that this Merrick’s son has nor ever suffer what Adder did. Blake will have us, he’ll have mason and Adder too.”, Ashton spoke softly trying to calm his wife. “Please don’t cry Tiffany. Like Ash said. Blake’s going to have the pair of you to love him. And He’ll have me and Adder to dote upon him too.”, Mason sighed reaching over to lightly pat Tiffany’s arm.
Tiffany sniffled a little nodding. Skye felt a bit out of place as they spoke about Mason and Adder as if they were a match set. And thens he thought about how Tiffany earlier said he went for blondes, like Adder. Skye’d been wondering what was going on or did go on between Mason and Adder since they started seeing each other. He said they were mates but they hardly speak, like there was some big fight that neither wants to talk about and neither wants to move out and can’t escape each other as they work together. Mason noticed the kind of distant look on Skyes face and leaned back and kissed her cheek. “Adder and I are going to be Blake’s godparents being Tiffany and Ashton’s best mates. Tiffany never had many female friends when we were young, she intimidated them.”, Mason explained. “Not my fault that most girls that we knew in school only tried to talk to me because they wanted to hook up with you or Ashton. And I’m territorial, he wasn’t mine but wasn’t letting some skank around Ashton and you’re like a brother to me so I had to keep them away from you the best I could too.”, Tiffany defended. Skye chuckled. “Ah kne dat struggle. Outside of family Rose da first female friend Ah really got. Ah was da tomboy dat got inta fig’ts growing up and never lost.”, Skye smiled. “I think having super strength is an unfair advantage.”, Mason commented. “Mah powers dinna develop till ah was t’irteen. ya just better remeber bout mah strengt’ before ya tink o doing someting ta piss me off. Cute as ya are, Ah’ll still toss ya all day way to yer flat from mine.”, Skye defended. Tiffany chuckled. “Okay I think I can get along with this one.”, Tiffany smiled.
The rest of the dinner went rather well. Despite herself Tiffany found she liked Skye. She was like her in many ways. Skye had no fear in speaking her mind or putting Mason and even Ashton in their places when she thought their opinion on the subject was wrong. Skye and Masons till didn’t stay for dessert having their own dessert ideas. As they made their way up to her flat Mason hadn’t stopped smiling. “Tiffany actually liked you. I mean I’m not surprised because you're amazing. But Tiffany doesn’t like many people. Adder’s the only other woman I can think of that she has really gotten along with.”, he commented wrapping his arms around her waist as they reached her door. “Yeah well Ah like Tiffany too. ‘Owever, Ah like you more.”, she teased opened the door. “Mmm that’s good, I like you more too.”, he smirked starting to kiss her neck as they walked in tandem into the apartment. Skye flicked the light on and let out a startled yell seeing her twin sleeping on her couch. Donovan startled awake and falling off the couch. “Wat?”, Donovan said looking around. “Um….”, Mason raised an eyebrow looking at Donovan. “Donovan wat yer fool arse doing in mah flat!?”, Skye yelled stepping away from Mason and lifting her brother up by his ear to his feet. “OOOWWWWW…”, Donovan yelled standing up quickly to stop the pain. He may heal but shit still hurt. “Ah ask ya again wat da fook do ya tink yer doing in MAH flat!? Ah dinna tell ya it was okay ta stop in. Ya kne Ah was out wid Mason and if ya ‘ad a brain it’d tell ya logically Ah’d be bring Mason ‘ome wid me being it’s Valentine’s.”, Skye glared at her brother.
“Ah wasn’t tinking bout it. Ah dinna want ta go ta mah flat. Atif and Billy are on deir date. Ashley and Xavier out on deir date. And Rose is entertaining da man-w’ore at da cottage. So Ah turned ta mah twin.”, Donovan explained. Mason just remained silent, this at least proved his theory that Donovan had kissed Rose because he wanted her. “Donovan dat enuff! Ah kne ya fancy Rose but get over it man! She never looked at ya dat way and she in love wid Merrick and da lad’s in love wid her. Move on wid her life. And get da ‘ell outta mah flat cause Ah intend ta entertain mah boyfriend.”, Skye said gripping him by the arm dragging him to the front door. Donovan grumbled and tried to stop from being tossed out. “Ah ‘aven’t even been intraduced.”, Donovan said. “Ah’ll intraduca ya w’en Ah feel like it and ya ain’t interrupting us. Now good nig’t brot’er.”, She said tossing him into the hall and shutting the door. “Ah so sorry bout dat. Ah need ta get mah spare key back from him.”, Skye sighed. Mason nodded. “So Donovan fancies Rose and is feeling put out because the affection’s not returned. Not an easy situation”, Mason nodded. He’d been in that position with Adder, but now he had Skye. Mason pushed any thoughts of Adder aside and smiled grabbing Skye’s wrist pulling her over. “But he’s gone now so we still having dessert?”, he smiled. “Aye…”, Skye smiled kissing him ass he started to unbutton his dress shirt.
She pulled back for a moment. “So Ah got a question fer ya.”, she stated. “Hmm?”, he questioned starting to unzip her dress. “Ya kne Ah’m a telepath. Would ya be against me, only on da surface and fer dis, using a mental link during sex?”, she asked. She didn’t generally get that option as she didn’t tell most guys about her powers. But she had used it a couple times and it was at least better. “Um. I’m not generally a fan of someone in my head. What would be the benefit of this?”, he asked. “Ah wouldn’t be looking too deep inta yer mind. And da benefit is dat we wouldn’t need ta even speak to tell da ot’er wat we like. We’d just kne it. So basically telepathic link sex ya take da passion of sex and ya add to dat cause ya only doing wat gets da ot’er excited. Plus ya can kiss more and we don’t wake mah neighbors.”, she smirked. “Alright, we can try it, love.”, he agreed pulling her back to him kissing her again. Skye set up the telepathic link not going beyond just the surface so that only their thoughts about what they were doing was being shared. During the kiss Mason was pulling her dress down and off her as she was pulling off his shirt, Skye momentarily took a step back just to get a look at him shirtless. ‘Sweet Mother Mary’, she thought and could hear him laughing in her head as he realized he could hear her. He looked her over standing there in her heels and simple blue bra and boyshorts and rubbed his lips together before starting to kiss her again picking her up. She smiled into the kiss hearing her heels fall to the ground as she was lifted up and carried to her bedroom.