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title: Skin Trade author: april, ein@chaoscontrol.com archive: yes, but let me know. disclaimer: not mine, no money made. rating: r category: slash: wolverine/gambit note from author: nothing explicit. extra-short summary: gambit worries. It was getting dark, Gambit realised. The other mutants had left hours ago after training was over for the whole group. But Gambit had stayed, aloof. He was alone facing the screen that granted observation of the Danger Room. He'd stood watching for hours--Storm and Rogue battling androids; Cyclops fighting against Beast. And Wolverine: Logan against machine, man or mutant. He was still inside. The programme he'd left running was the longest Gambit had ever seen Wolverine fight. He now watched as sweat dropped off his skin like opaque pearls, as his arms went everywhere at once, lashing out at the opponents. Gambit knew of Wolverine's insistence about the programme's difficulty. It wouldn't be a problem, Wolverine had said to Xavier, and someone needs to test something like this. And now he was battling a beast many times his size, with sores for eyes and spider legs with blades instead of fingers. Gambit watched without speaking as Wolverine leaped to attack the creature, going for its eyes and severing as many legs as possible with the sharp blades emerging from the back of his hands. The legs grew back instantly and lashed at him with renewed force. Wolverine's breath came out in gasps, his moves slowing down. But he never stopped. That was Logan, he never quit. Gambit's eyes narrowed as he shuffled his cards and watched Wolverine stumble-- it almost didn't happen and nobody else would have noticed. Gambit glanced at the simulator's timer and winced at the sight of the three remaining minutes. He approached the the glass window that separated him from the Danger Room and pounded on it helplessly. Stop it now, his mind told him as he watched Wolverine fall to his knees, his blood raining down. Gambit's hands flew and his cards found a life of their own, fire and light crashing against the monitors. Inside the Danger Room, the creature faded and Wolverine got to his feet cursing. - What the -- - Nice going, mon ami, said Gambit through tthe speakers. - Did you mess with my routine? - Did I jus' save your life, you mean? Yes, I did. - I didn't ask you to. Wolverine's words cutt the air. His eyes flashed dangerously. - Dose blades, the . . . multiple blades . .. . Gambit trailed off. He'd imagined the creature's limbs around Wolverine, going around his chest and crushing him, draining his breath. And suddenly it was him, Gambit's own arms around Wolverine-- - That's none of your business anyway, Wolveerine was saying. Now play it from where it got cut off. - I won't. Gambit crossed his arms. - Do I have to go up there? Wolverine growleed. Gambit just stared. - Damn you. Wolverine went up to the control room, pushed Gambit aside and frowned at the programming switches. - This should do it. He turned to Gambit. - Push that button when I get back in there. - No. Wolverine glared. - I'll jump in unprepared, then. He walked towards the door, but Gambit was already there, blocking it. - Get out of my way. Now. - No, mon ami, you're not goin' anywhere. - I said, you are not goin' anywhere. Wolverine stared. He saw his own eyes reflected in Gambit's red-black ones, and for a moment he thought he saw something else, something new. He shook his head, unsettled. - I won't let dose . . . things get you. I wwon't let their limbs choke you or their blades cut you. - It won't happen. Wolverine's voice showed his impatience and yet a hint of something else, unknown to him but as logical as his every thought. - It won't--because I will stop you from goiing in there. Gambit's eyes never left Wolverine's as he ran his hand up and down the other man's forearm. - I will stop you, Gambit said slowly. Wolverine didn't speak, he didn't move at all. Gambit leaned in and placed his free hand on the back of Wolverine's neck, bringing his face close to his own. And dis is why, Gambit thought. He lifted his face to Wolverine's and kissed him deeply, kissed him hard. When he broke apart, thinking he'd dreamt the whole thing, it was Wolverine who spoke. - I'd battle you over that thing any day . .. . - We have a deal, mon ami. Let's go. |