[OPEN POST] NEW BRO'HOOD

[fireaholic.livejournal.com]

Characters: John, Kevin, Logan, sons a'bitches, anyone feasible.
Setting: Brotherhood HQ, Vermont.
Content: EPIC.
Status: OPEN AND READY.


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IMPORTANT NOTE: REFER HERE before jumping in.

Comments

[canadamantium.livejournal.com]

I knew, kid. [Logan clocks him with a look, one that is at once forgiving and admonishing and amused. As if the very thought of Kevin causing him harm is funny, regardless of how true it is.] It was a good call.

I guess we have something to focus on now, for your training. [He pauses, raising an eyebrow.] That is, if you're ready to come back.

[witheredecay.livejournal.com]

[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.]

[canadamantium.livejournal.com]

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.]

[witheredecay.livejournal.com]

[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.]

[canadamantium.livejournal.com]

[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.

[witheredecay.livejournal.com]

[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.]

[canadamantium.livejournal.com]

[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.