xmutanthigh | [closed log] from injury troubles to girl troubles in one easy step.

Entry tags:

[closed log] from injury troubles to girl troubles in one easy step.

Characters: Iceman, X-23, Rogue, and Julian
Setting: The med lab
Content: Bobby recovers in the med lab after these events and much awkwardness ensues!
Status: Complete

Hank had instructed Bobby to rest and to sleep as much as possible. He’d explained what had happened to him using some remarkably long words and long-winded phrases, and Bobby had managed to interpret it as: “You over-exerted yourself, so you need to take it easy. Once you’re back on your feet you can start experimenting with your powers again, but go slow.”

He’d been made to go to sleep in the med lab and hadn’t yet woken up, though it was already late in the afternoon. He hadn’t seen Laura slip into the room, perch on a chair next to his cot, and watch him, a hint of concern the only discernible expression on her face.

When he finally, blearily emerged from unconsciousness, he still didn’t notice her as he yawned and stretched, eyes still closed. Then he opened his eyes, and the first thing he saw was her unwavering stare. It was unnerving, to say the least.

“Laura!” he exclaimed, startled, scrambling back up to a sitting position. She looked at him impassively, and he felt a little embarrassed at his reaction. “Sorry... I just... didn’t know anyone was here.”

“Hello,” she replied evenly, her expression calm and collected. Her eyes left his momentarily and looked over his bare chest, down to his uninjured leg under the covers. Then her gaze returned to his; she shifted just barely, her hands clutching the seat on either side of her body. “Your ability. That’s a useful development.”

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(OOC: Just throwing him in here a little for the infirmary part. Hehhe. Hank telling Bobby to take it easy. Haha, sorry, couldn't resist after chuckling over the first part about Hank's long-winded speech.)

"Take rest; a field that has rested gives a bountiful crop. Ovid, the Roman poet. Go on, Bobby. Take a nap."

Uh... yeah, I guess it is.

[He shifts a little, getting comfortable against the pillow.]

I'll have to work on it, though. Can't afford to end up back here every time I try it.

[He gives her a small, crooked smile. How long had she been sitting there? ...Should he put on a shirt? He find the whole thing weird, and he can't help recalling his conversation with Ali on their last night in London.

But there's nothing going on between him and Laura. Nothing. Really. Yeah.]

[Funny. Those are just what Laura's thoughts would be, if she bothered entertaining them. If there's one thing Laura is good at, it is control. It is suppressing feelings. Bobby does not like her as she might like him. This is simple. There is a solution: she will not like him anymore. They are only friends. This is not hard.

Except it is. It hurts. She doesn't understand it.]

Training will help.

[He cracks a small smile.]

Oh, no doubt Logan's already planning something gruelling and painful for me.

[That hyper-awareness is back again. We're just friends is what he thinks to himself, sternly, over and over again, like a mantra.

But if that's true, then why does he feel so nervous? Why hasn't his heartbeat returned to normal speed?]

So... have you been waiting here long?

[He is so lame.]

[She is quiet, her stare only interrupted by her blinking. She hears his heart rate, all but smells his nervousness. It is not out of the ordinary--this is what she tells herself. She frequently makes people uncomfortable.]

You have been asleep for four hours and sixteen minutes. I have been here for fifty-three. Hank McCoy told me to wait. He said you had rested long enough.

Oh, okay. Well, as long as you haven't been waiting around for me for too long.

[If Bobby were clued in, he'd realise that he'd just said something kind of stupid again. But he's not, so he doesn't. Instead, he gives her a crooked smile.

Then he blinks because he's not really sure what else to do. Maybe if he takes a few breaks from looking at her, he'll remember that she's Laura, his friend, and it'll make it easier to deal with the fact that this beautiful girl was waiting for him to wake up, and is now watching him intently, making him nervous. He's kind of feeling like he should put on his shirt now. He looks around for it, but it's not at the foot of his bed.]

Have you seen my t-shirt?

[She moves then finally, grabbing a neatly folded shirt from the stacked pile in the cabinet behind her. But she pauses before she gets up, simply stares at him another moment. She wonders what he is thinking, why he is nervous. If it's because--but it's not. She knows better.

The t-shirt's standard issue, from the infirmary. Just as quietly as she had stared, she brings it over to him, holds it out to offer.]

You are nervous. [She says this factually, her eyes guarded against his gaze.] Why?

Oh, you know. I'm just sitting here half-naked while a gorgeous girl hands me my clothes.

[He'd tried to keep his tone light, make a joke of it. But he can't ignore the electric tingle that runs up his arm when his fingers brush hers as he took the shirt. And that tingle lends a deeper edge to his voice, and he's not sure he's really joking any more, because he is half-naked, and she is gorgeous, and for a fleeting moment he imagines pulling her to him and kissing her...

He's glad for the few seconds away from her stare as he pulled the shirt over his head. It's a damn good thing he doesn't blush.]

Hey sugah-- [Rogue enters into the infirmary, a bag with ice cream clutched in one hand, and stops abruptly when she sees Laura already there.] Oh uhm... sorry. I didn't know you were already here, Laura. I can come back.

[In a move that surprises no one, she simply blinks at Bobby's remark, stone-still and expression barely morphing into anything but her usual lost, vacant expression. But it does change, she does react, maybe in ways Bobby cannot see. But in ways she notices--the slight pulling of her lips into a soft frown, the imperceptible widening of her eyes. She breathes in a little too deep, is frozen still by the accidental brush of his fingers.

She hears Rogue's footsteps, and Laura's free hand closes into a white-knuckled fist, her other hovering between them.

It was a joke. He was joking. She is aware she is pretty. This should not stir anything inside of her. Rogue's presence in the room; Bobby's instant reaction to her should not stir anything within her.

Because she smells it: the instant change in his scent. Senses the instant contraction of his muscles, hears the increased tempo of his heart, and sees the dilating of his pupils.

He likes Rogue. He loves Rogue. He does not feel for her what he feels for this girl.

She turns to meet Rogue's gaze, resists the primal urge to extend a claw.]

No. I was just leaving.

Edited 2010-10-27 01:27 (UTC)

[When Rogue enters the room, Bobby's eyebrows shoot up and he smiles.] Hey!

[And then Laura says she's leaving.] Oh, you were? Okay. [Bobby is confused. He feels disappointed that Laura's leaving, but at the same time he's pretty pleased that Rogue's come down to see him. Should he be feeling this disappointed? This pleased?

Yep, he's definitely confused. Because here's Laura, who - okay, he can't deny it any more - he's definitely attracted to. And here's Rogue, who he still has feelings for. And they're both looking at each other, and at him, and he finds this whole situation weird.

Deep breath. Deal with it.

He flashes a small smile at Laura.] Thanks for checking up on me, Laura.

Goodbye, Bobby. [She hardly spares him a glance, because it hurts when her eyes look over to him and catch the pleased look on his face. She looks at the floor as she passes by Rogue, her claws slicing out of her skin only when she steps out into the hall. She makes a beeline for the elevator, the blade of her claw cutting deep into her arm as the doors slide closed.]

OMG LAURA. D:

I just want to hug her! Or, like, smush her and Bobby together or something.

[This entire situation is so damn awkward and Rogue can't help but shift uneasily.] I can't stay long because of class and all but I uhh... [There's something strange about the way Laura's looking at her but she can't quite put her finger on it. So instead, she settles for tossing the ice cream towards Bobby.] Thought you'd probably be going through withdrawal or something.

[Bobby watches Laura walk out, but the second she's out the door his attention's on Rogue. He catches the ice cream and gives her a crooked smile.]

Thanks.

[He looks down at the container and his smile widens when he realises that it's his favourite brand.]

You know me so well.

[Rogue smiles in return.] A girl starts to remember these sort of things after the first dozen or so containers. [She shoved gloved hands into her back jean pockets, nodding towards his leg.] You're doing okay though, yeah?

[He sets down the container on the table by the cot, scratches the back of his neck.] Yeah. Much better now I've slept. Hopefully if this happens again, it'll be easier to put myself back together. As much as I like sleeping all day... it's probably not an option in the middle of a fight. [A wry smile forms on his face.]

Somehow, I don't think the Sentinels are going to let you take a nap break. [There's a dry humour to her voice before she shifts uneasily again, glancing behind her towards the door.] Hey, I'm sorry if I interrupted something or...

What? Oh, you mean with Laura? No, no, you didn't interrupt anything. She was just checking to see if I was okay, I guess.

[Why does he feel slightly panicked? Nothing was happening. Nothing is going on - with Laura or with Rogue.

That thought sobers him a little. There isn't anything going on with him and Rogue any more. His conversation with Ali in London comes rushing back to him: get over her, in her voice, echoing in his head.]

Oh, okay. [A part of her's relieved that she hadn't been interrupting and the other part of her is pretty sure that she'd definitely interrupted something despite what Bobby was saying.

She bites her lip for a moment before offering him a quick smile. The excuse she's about to offer's not a lie but she's glad to escape the impending awkward nonetheless.] Sorry I can't stay longer but I have to run over to campus real quick and turn in a paper before my professor kills me.

Oh. [There's that disappointment again. Stupid girl problems.] Yeah, sure, that's okay. Hope you get it handed in alright.

[He smiles at her because, well, it's nice to know that she still cares about him. Even if it's not that way any more. It gives him hope that maybe one day, when he's finally sorted himself out (and finally gotten over her), they can be friends. Actual friends.]

Thanks for dropping by. And for the ice cream.

You're welcome. I'll uhhh... I'll see you later, sugah. [She flashes him a quick smile before making her own hasty exit and beeline for the elevators, glad to escape from the impending awkwardness.]

[After a few visitors have come and gone, Julian makes his way to Bobby's room, looking a bit uncomfortable, his expression somber and even a bit unsure. He raps his knuckles on the door, meanders in a few steps.]

Hey.

[Bobby's eyes widen in surprise at this new visitor, then immediately narrow.]

Hey...

[He paces in further, steps a few feet from the edge of the bed. He opens his mouth, for a moment he says nothing, reaching to tussle his hair and scratch the back of his head as he pulls the words together. They are sincere, a humble note to them. Not one many ever hear from Julian.]

Look, I... made a bad call. I'm sorry.

[Well, that was unexpected. Bobby can't think of a single time Julian have ever said anything to him that... sincere. He's taken aback, so it takes him a few seconds to respond.]

Yeah, it was a bad call.

[His initial instinct was to chew Julian out about sucking as a teammate. But, looking at him now, it's pretty obvious the guy feels bad, and Bobby knows that in the end, he's not such a bad person to have on the team. He's pretty sure Logan or Emma will have lined Julian up for a thorough talking-to anyway. And Bobby's not really a vindictive person. So he relaxes his posture and shrugs.]

No lasting harm done, though. Apology accepted.

[Yeah, Julian's already given himself a thorough talking-to. He took a chance and didn't stay in the parameters set out. In hindsight, he should have figured out another way. No, they should have. But he nods simply. They've reached an understanding.

He smiles a little then, gestures to Bobby's leg.]

On the bright side, that's pretty awesome, Drake. If it doesn't land you in the infirmary every time. You could say I did you a favor.

[He shoots him a wry look, complete with one raised eyebrow and the hint of a smile.]

I wouldn't go that far.

[He looks down at his leg and moves it a little.]

I'll have to work on it for a while. But yeah. It's awesome.

Never having to lose a limb? [Julian's smirk lingers, he stuffs his hands in his pockets casually.] Yeah, I'd say so.

It's useful. But I'm hoping I won't need to do it too often.

[If there's a bit of a double edge to that comment, Bobby doesn't actually mean for it to be there. It's just the truth - he doesn't want to consistently be in situations where he has to reattach his limbs.]

[Well, who does? But guess what? It's a hazard of the job. Julian raises a brow at his tone for that reason, looks to the ground for a moment. Yeah, he's being all judgey over this, but his poker face is on.] Part of the job, right?

Edited 2010-10-26 15:15 (UTC)

[Bobby resists the urge to roll his eyes. He narrows them a little instead.]

It's not gonna happen a lot if we're doing our jobs right.

[Julian resists the urge to laugh humorlessly like that, manages only a slight sneer in response. He stares Bobby down for a few seconds, his gaze unwavering. Yeah, it's a testosterone thing.]

Not a lot. But accidents happen. Somethings you just can't control. You'd think being an X-man you'd have learned that. [Yeah, he just threw that slap. People have died more or less on Julian's watch and he knows it all too well. He waits a second, lets it seep in.] Right?

[Aaaaand now Bobby remembers why he hates this guy.]

I'm well aware that accidents happen. [Bobby glances deliberately at his leg before turning steely eyes back to Julian. And that time, the bite was intentional.] And thanks, but I don't need you to tell me what I should or shouldn't be aware of as an X-Man.

[Julian doesn't even bother following his gaze, keeps his stare on Bobby's face. He doesn't bother throwing back with what he's thinking: that it wasn't only his fault, no matter how much Bobby's placing the blame. That part of Bobby's orders was to help him with the line, not leave it for Julian to take care of alone. Shit, the guy didn't even send someone to cover himself when he went to help Kitty. So the bite? Doesn't bite that much.]

You feel better, man. [Only it's not very sincere, and Julian stares at him a moment longer before turning towards the door to leave.]

Yeah. Thanks.

[Bobby's sincerity matches Julian's. And he gives into the eye roll as soon as the other boy has left the room.]

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[closed log] from injury troubles to girl troubles in one easy step.

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Who wouldn't be nervous with someone THAT HOT ^ just STARING at them? XD

SOMEONE BLIND, MAYBE :D

OMG. Crystal. I love them and their UST.

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OOC

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I'm going to apologise for my failure at commenting linerally in this thread

LMAO, it's okay! Time's just a big ball of wibbly-wobbly timey-wimey stuff anyway!

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AH MINDY I SUCK. I just realized this was a closed log and Julian wasn't there before. Sorry! D:

LOL IT'S OKAY BECAUSE I THOUGHT LATER "WAIT WHEN IS JULIAN GONNA APOLOGISE" SO IT ALL WORKED OUT!

LOL yay good. I was like "crap, good going." Disobeying the rules~

Re: LOL yay good. I was like "crap, good going." Disobeying the rules~

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I LOVE THEIR ANTAGONISM.

IT'S SO SWEET. LIKE CANDYYYY.

I like it when they hate each other. XD