xmutanthigh | [OPEN POST] NEW BRO'HOOD

[Kevin eyes Logan with a sort of bemused grin of his own -- clearly Logan thinks it's ridiculous that anyone could hurt him. But as invincible as he thinks he is, Kevin can't quite shake the fear he had for the old man in the moment he realized he could've really killed him. If Polaris actually did strip away his adamantium... But, no. Kevin wasn't going to think about that anymore. As far as he was concerned, from now on, the Wolverine was unkillable again. Things worked out, and Kevin was grateful. And maybe a little proud of Logan's praise.

But then... he considers Logan's question, and is surprised by how much it hurts him to finally face the music. Go back to the school? Yeah, well, if he was going to frank -- it sounds like a better life than holing up by himself wherever he can, living off his inheritance until it runs out, and then whatever else would come next. But he can't. He's only just managed to be honest enough with himself to admit that he cares about these people, and with him... well, there's just too much potential for accidents.]

Logan, I wish I could.

[It was the truth. Seems like the truth had been surfacing a lot since John's arrival, which, right now, seems like ages ago when it had only been a couple of days.]

You can.

[Logan knows that look, has worn it himself. The concern, the fear. It is a cross he will have to learn to bear if he's going to survive.]

You think the only way for you to protect the people you care about is to stay away from them, but look. [He nods towards Ali and Jono, huddled close together, their faces etched with deep lines of concern. Beyond them, John leans against a tree, looking bored.] They risked their lives coming here. You know they would do it again in a heartbeat. They would follow you, no matter how far you go or how deep into danger it leads them. They would find you, and try to bring you home. They would fight for you, because that's what it means to be part of this team.

I know it's not easy to be afraid of what you're capable of, to live with the burden of killing people you've loved, knowing one wrong move could mean doing it again. Believe me. It doesn't get easier doing it on your own, even if the risk is less, the ghosts are louder and the guilt weighs heavier without someone around to drown out the memories.

[His eyes bore into Kevin, knowing the desolation his life will be if he forsakes his friends to go it alone.]

[Now Kevin's having a really difficult time keeping his emotions in check. He glances to where Logan indicates, and sees that it's true. That Ali and Jono are looking him with uncertain, timid expressions, and Kevin has to looks down at the ground to compose himself. He's getting a little embarrassed at the fact that he has to work to keep his calm at all. Then he looks back up at Logan, and speaks firmly and confidently.]

You're right. And if that's their way of showing that they care, then my way of showing it has to be to keep my distance. I have to do this, Logan. If I stayed... it would just be selfish. I'm done being selfish. I'm doing this for them.

[And this time, Kevin truly believes it. He's been through too much, and seen so many things in a relatively short amount of time, and is done feeling sorry for himself. Done with the pity and the shame. He's glad he went through that period in his life, though, so that he can look back on it through the prism of experience and know that it's not worth the energy to feel self-pity anymore. Now he doesn't know what he wants for himself anymore -- and Logan's not helping, just making him feel more conflicted -- but he does know that he wants his friends safe. And safe means not with him.]

I appreciate what you're doing, though. [Kevin adds this softly, with less command than his previous words, and looks down as he says it, his guard down and vulnerabilities showing in the form of him forgetting to work on keeping his southern accent hidden. He sighs and wraps his sweater around him tighter as the wind blows a bit harder, and is slightly annoyed that he had to give his jacket to Mystique. Well, he isn't suffering as much as she is, so he doesn't have much to complain about, he supposes.]

[Logan notes all these small tells, the shifting of his eyes, his aversion to looking at Ali and Jono, the slip of Atlanta in his voice. He is quiet, nodding, understanding. And then he speaks, and what he says is almost a surprise, even to him.]

They were wrecks when you were gone, Ford. Blaire turned into a miserable drunk, and Starsmore would just sleep all day. I think he even cut back his eating. I'm not saying you're wrong here, kid, but they suffered more in the weeks you were gone than they ever did with you around.

Look, you don't have to make up your mind right away. [Logan hushes Mystique, his grip around her tightening as she tries to struggle in his arms. She'll have to be dealt with, and soon.] I'm driving back to the state, debrief SHIELD. I want to handle it directly. You can come, take some time to process. I won't try and make your mind up for you, but we can talk about training, about safeguards, precautions. After, if you still wanna bolt, I'll let you. Drive you wherever you want to go myself.

[Now Kevin feels the first twinges of guilt at the mention of Ali and Jono. Logan has no reason to lie -- Kevin supposes that's pretty much the truth. He has a hard time believing, though, that his old friends would break down so hard after he left. Those idiots, he thinks to himself. He figured they might be a bit upset -- perhaps guilty, even, for brushing aside his depression instead of taking it more seriously -- but a miserable drunk? Dropping everything to just sleep? It's ridiculous how they reacted. Kevin realizes... he probably had no idea how much they actually did care about him. He voices these sentiments out loud, scoffing a little and chuckling as he does so to Logan.]

Those idiots.

[And then Kevin perks up just the slightest bit at Logan's offer. It's... so tempting. Kevin actually gives it serious consideration, which could be dangerous. In the end, if the right decision is for him to leave, then delaying that decision will just make it hurt more. But maybe it's because he wants it so much that he's willing to go along with his invitation...]

I'd like that. Thanks. [Kevin addresses Logan with a clear voice again, and a calm expression, to signify his gratitude is sincere.]

Death and destruction, as per usual when it comes to me. [This time, however, Kevin says this with a sly grin. It's not really the time to be joking, but, he doesn't quite know how else to approach the situation right now. Then his expression softens a bit. He remains serious but speaks with a lighter tone.]

I meant what I said to John, before, you know. It was pretty reckless of you guys coming here, especially the way you did, no backup or plan or anything.

[Logan nods, grunting his gruff approval. He glances over at Ali and Jono again, then past them to where Bobby and Julian are conversing tensely.]

I'll need to talk to Iceman. Sort out what to do with Raven, and the rest. Wanna get a rundown of what to expect from Frost when we get back. [He frowns, not looking forward to the White Queen's wrath. He shakes his head.] An earful at least, no doubt.

You should talk to them, Kevin. [He nods over to Ali and Jono.] Reckless idiots or not, you won't get out of here until you do. I'll come and find you when it's time to go.

[Ali blinks at him. It feels like she and Jono will be told their reckless, stupid idiots for the rest of their lives. If she didn't know it to be true, maybe she could find some argument. She knows, though. She knows it was reckless and foolish, she knows something could have happened to her or worse, to Jono, to any of the others.

Ali knows, but she can't find it in her to care. She is reckless, impulsive, has always been. Prudence isn't one of her strength, and in her desperation she had barely considered any of the consequences, except getting Kevin back.

She pulls her coat tighter around her, wanting nothing more than to link arms with Kevin and Jono, so tiny and safe between their massive forms. She smiles, catching just a bit of Kevin's levity. No matter what else, is it good to see him.]

Yeah. This coming form the genius who decided to come join the Brotherhood of Evil Mutants. [She rolls her eyes.] And you keep calling us idiots!

[Kevin doesn't even bother suppressing an eye roll in return. He knows reckless and ask-questions-later is so very Ali, and, well, come on: it's one of the reasons why he likes her so much.]

I know, I know. I'm just... [He heaves a big sigh here, and begins. His words are emphasized by his gloved hands, talking animatedly as he faces two of his best friends for the first time months -- that time in the woods didn't count -- and tries to keep his composure.]

It's just hard for me to believed you'd risk your two dumb asses coming to get me like this. I mean, did I tell you? I actually thought you were on some kind of mission when I saw you guys, dispatched by the X-Men or something, and it was either coincidence or something that you guys had to be in the same place as me. I just couldn't... [Another sigh.] Couldn't really believe that after what I did, in part to keep you guys safe from me, you still managed to put yourselves in so much danger.

[Now Jono interjects with, "Of course we did! We were worried sick about you, you bloody little bastard! You have no idea!" Jono waves frantically too, and this little three-piece band looks like all of its members are about to burst into tears at the drop of a hat if the wrong words are said. Kevin looks at Jono and Ali carefully.]

I didn't know. Really. I thought you might be a little worried, but then get over it.

Well that's just the stupidest thing I've ever heard. [Ali blurts this out, looking at Jono incredulously as if to ask, "Can you believe this kid?"] Kevin, how could you even think that we'd just get over it? You're like family to us. Plus, you broke up the band.

[When Ali gives Jono a look that says, "Can you believe this kid?" he returns it with an expression of his own that reads, "I know, right?"]

Family! Guys. I don't... [Kevin just lets this sentence drift off. What he's thinking to himself is I don't have a family anymore after I killed Dad. Family is just... something that's been taken from him and it's a fact that he's slowly let himself become okay with. Or at least, used to. Now these two are claiming that they are a family and he's not sure how to deal with this.

Jono seems to be able to sense what Kevin is thinking. For once. And so Jono gives him a little push, a little bit of encouragement, by saying, "Come on, Kevin. You're like -- a kid brother to me."

Kevin is startled. He had an inkling earlier that the X-Men might've come to get him, haul him back in, and lecture him about the evils of Magneto's Brotherhood, but... he'd thought it was a matter of pride. And of embarrassment. The X-Men losing one of their own students to the Brotherhood -- that didn't look so great for their image, did it?

But now he is starting to realize that that wasn't it at all. Ali and Jono came for him because of some mushy bullshit about being a family. And Kevin is so touched that he can't think of anything to say but the following.]

Oh, God, Ali. You've broken up twelve Dazzlers. Don't start that shit with me.

[But for the first time in months, Kevin's smiling. And it's genuine.]

Edited 2011-02-28 08:15 (UTC)

Kevvie, that is low. [But Ali's smiling too, now.

She doesn't bother pointing out to Kevin that her only family tried to kill everyone, turn Kevin into a death machine, and choke her to death. The point isn't how crappy or absent their biological families are, but how important this little musical family of theirs is to all of them.]

Anyway, everyone knows you need at least three people to have a band, or else you become a duo like Sam and Mark, and they're fucking shit.

[Jono groans audibly at this, and covers his eyes with his hands. "Ugh, Ali. That's my reference! Furthermore, that's the statement I made to you back in -- well, back when I said we ought to teach Kev the drums!"]

Really? That was your argument for me?

[Kevin crosses his arms and looks at the two of them.]

No. The big one was that horrible metal shit you called art. I thought it was the right thing to do, teaching you something more productive to do with your hands.

[They all start laughing, a little like old times, and when it dies down, Ali shifts a little, impatiently. Looking from Jono to Kevin, taking her hands out of her pockets.]

So, are you still acting all too cool for it, or can I have a fucking hug yet?

[Kevin gives her a wry smile.] I don't like hugs. You think I'm giving you one after you called my industrial art "horrible metal shit"?

[Then Kevin looks at his little so-called family endearingly, and a little bit sadly as he realizes just how much Ali and Jono must've gone through just to come find him. Ali's shivering even as she's taken her hands out of her pockets to embrace him, so Kevin slips off his own protective gloves and gingerly hands them to her.]

Here.

Oh come on, Kev. You like being a drummer way better than that shit anyway and you know it!

[Ali hesitates, noting that Kevin's still without his jacket. Still, she is freezing, and when he waves the gloves at her again she takes them with a smile.]

Thanks.

It's all right. [That's all Kevin gives up for now, though he does take a quick moment to reminisce about how most of the girls at their gigs end up thinking he's either gay or a douchebag for never responding to their advances. Well, tough luck for them; tougher luck for him. And then in response to Ali's thanks, Kevin gives another small grin. Jono looks at Kevin silently with his own gratitude; he'd been worried about Ali not faring so well in the cold, and the two of them hadn't come that well prepared. Fortunately, Kevin's been here for awhile, so he's able to deal.]

I've got a bunch more gloves. I'll be back with them. I'll need another pair, and, Jono, you should take some too.

[Kevin turns to head back towards the cabin that had served as the New Brotherhood's headquarters, and then after taking a few steps, turns to look at them again.] You guys gonna wait up?

Sure.

[Ali pauses then, realizing they still haven't actually confirmed that Kevin's even coming back with them. Plus, the conversation she's just overheard between Kevin and Logan has her feeling uneasy about the whole thing.]

So...does that mean you're coming home, kiddo?

[Kevin frowns; something he hasn't thought about yet was what was going to be in store for him back at the school. Certainly the staff isn't going to pretend nothing happened. They're not going to let him off with a warning, either. So what now?

But, at the very least, he knows in his gut he wants to go home. He's felt loneliness these past few months when he was with the Brotherhood, and other kinds of sadness and longing, and some of the emotions were easily identified. Now he's realizing that one of those was homesickness and you can't really feel that way without a home... he figures. So he thinks he knows where home is supposed to be and even if he's facing some pretty hefty punishments upon going back home, he thinks he's ready for it.

Heh. Maybe if he's lucky they'll just send him to his room without dinner.

Kevin takes another glance over his shoulder.]

I'm coming back here, with a few more pairs of my gloves and maybe somebody else left behind a jacket. [Kevin hugs his arms to his torso and hides his bare hands in his sleeves.]

Then I'm going home.

[Bobby's exhausted and sore - all he wants to do now is go home, crawl into bed, and stay there until he has the mental and physical energy to deal with the aftermath of this mission. But he knows he can't switch off now: they've only just reached the Blackbird and he needs to co-pilot with Kitty. Once they get back, he needs to sit through the de-briefing, give the full field report.

He watches as his team-mates file onto the jet. Kevin is at the back of the group, and as he moves to step past, Bobby holds out a hand to stop him.]

Kevin.

[His proferred hand changes to ice - he's pretty sure Kevin will understand what he means to do, and hopes that he'll accept this one, small gesture.]

[Kevin stops short, and looks at Bobby, team leader. He knows that earning Bobby's trust means earning the trust of the X-Men. Well, at least, in a sense. Kevin had indeed retrieved his gloves, but hadn't pulled them back on yet, and so, reaches out and grasps Bobby's iced hand in a firm handshake.]

Thanks for coming.

[To say that Bobby had known that Kevin would come back would be a lie. But throughout this mission, from the very beginning, he hadn't let himself think about the possibility that he wouldn't. And now, grasping Kevin's hand, seeing him amongst his friends - his family - Bobby feels a wave of relief.

They hadn't failed him. They hadn't failed him like they failed John so many years ago. He was coming home, he was choosing to come home.

So Bobby smiles.]

Welcome back, Kevin.

[Kevin can't stop being surprised today. First he had completely misjudged how strongly his two best friends had felt about him, and how much they wanted him back. Now he's getting a warm, and very real, smile from Bobby Drake. Oh, he knows he's going to get in trouble once he's back, but for now, Kevin lets himself enjoy the moment and tries not to worry too much. He's amongst family now.

Family, he thinks. It must be real, since he's being welcomed as though he's one of their own, and Bobby's giving him a handshake minus gloves. They'll start keeping their distance again soon enough, and warily creep around him instead of how others are just pushed around in crowded hallways, but Kevin... he's going to be okay with it.]

Bobby, you guys... You guys didn't have to come. But you did. And I'm grateful for it.

[Bobby just shakes his head, still with a small smile on his face. He lets go of Kevin's hand and claps him on the shoulder.

Maybe it's true that they didn't have to come. But Bobby's experienced what can happen when you don't go after someone. And this time around there was no real choice about it. They had to come. It was that easy.]

I'm just... glad to have you back.

[Kevin truly is grateful. Without the sudden reappearance of all his friends, it may never have occurred to him to go back. To his real home. He could have just kept doing what he was doing and followed Mystique-as-Magneto blindly (very much so, as he'd been tricked as well as the other Brotherhood members) until something else drastic happened. Or died. Stick around Mystique long enough - or even the real Magneto, as Kevin was fooled to believe for so long - and Kevin surely would have ended up dead. Either by the Brotherhood's own hand or by some careless mistake in one of their missions.

And so maybe, the X-Men all converging here to come get him and bring him to his senses that he belongs with them and not with the Brotherhood... well, it just might have saved his life. They saved his life.

All that's just way too heavy to voice out loud. So Kevin just flashes a grin to Bobby, boards the jet, and pulls on his gloves.]

[OPEN POST] NEW BRO'HOOD

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FOR KEVIN.

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