𝐓𝐡𝐫𝐨𝐮𝐠𝐡 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐎𝐩𝐭𝐢𝐜 𝐋𝐞𝐧𝐬𝐞𝐬 - 𝐒𝐜𝐨𝐭𝐭 𝐒𝐮𝐦𝐦𝐞𝐫𝐬

𝟐𝟗. 𝑨𝒇𝒕𝒆𝒓𝒎𝒂𝒕𝒉 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝑨𝒇𝒇𝒆𝒄𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏

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As the dust and chaos settled, the battlefield was eerily quiet. The once-mighty island fortress was reduced to rubble, its inhabitants either fleeing or lying still, and the only sounds that remained were the distant cries of the wounded and the soft rustling of the wind. Logan knelt there, holding Jean's lifeless body, the pain in his heart almost too much to bear.

Scott stood nearby, his breath shallow as he cradled Rory in his arms. He had watched the entire scene unfold, the battle between Logan and Jean, the woman he once stood with becoming a force of destruction, and Logan's heartbreaking choice to end it all. Now, all he could do was hold Rory close, hoping against hope that she would wake up, that her strength hadn't been sapped completely.

"Rory..." Scott whispered, his voice breaking as he brushed a strand of hair from her face. Her skin was pale, her breathing shallow, but she was alive. That small mercy kept him grounded, kept him from falling into the same despair that gripped Logan.

Rory's eyes fluttered open, just barely. "Scott..." she murmured, her voice weak.

"I'm here," he said, holding her tighter. "I've got you. It's over."

She tried to smile, but it was more of a grimace. "Did we... win?"

Scott looked over at Logan, still kneeling beside Jean. He didn't have the heart to call it a victory, not when the cost had been so high. "We survived," he finally said. "That's all that matters right now."

Rory nodded weakly, closing her eyes again as exhaustion overtook her. "I'm sorry... I couldn't..."

"Don't," Scott interrupted, his voice firm but gentle. "You did everything you could. You saved us, Rory. You saved me."

Logan finally rose to his feet, his movements slow and deliberate as he laid Jean's body gently on the ground. He turned to face Scott and Rory, his eyes red from tears, but there was a quiet strength in his posture.

"We have to get out of here," Logan said, his voice rough but steady. "This place... there's nothing left."

Scott nodded, his own tears threatening to spill over as he lifted Rory into his arms. "Let's go home."

The remaining X-Men gathered, battered and bruised, but alive. They moved together, supporting each other as they left the ruined island behind. Bobby and Pyro had fought fiercely, their battle a testament to the strength of the younger generation of mutants, but now even they were quiet, their eyes downcast as they followed the others.

As they reached the Blackbird, Scott carefully placed Rory inside, making sure she was comfortable before taking his own seat. He glanced back at Logan, who was the last to board, his eyes lingering on the island one last time.

"Logan..." Scott started, but Logan shook his head.

"There's nothing left to say, Summers," Logan replied, his voice low. "We did what we had to do."

Scott didn't argue. There was no point. He simply nodded, understanding the weight of Logan's words.

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As the Blackbird touched down at the mansion, Scott wasted no time. The others disembarked slowly, worn from the battle, but Scott carried Rory with a sense of urgency, his mind focused on one thing: making sure she was okay.

"Scott, I'm fine," Rory murmured, her voice still weak from exhaustion. She tried to push herself out of his arms, but he held her firmly.

"No," Scott said, his tone leaving no room for argument. "We're getting you checked out. I'm not taking any chances."

Rory sighed, too tired to protest further as Scott carried her through the hallways of the mansion. The lights were dim, and the mansion was eerily quiet, the usual hum of life muted in the aftermath of the battle. As they approached the infirmary, Scott pushed the door open with his shoulder, bringing Rory inside and gently placing her on one of the beds.

"Scott, really," Rory insisted as she watched him fuss over her, pulling out equipment, checking monitors. "I'm okay. Just tired."

Scott's jaw was set, his hands moving with a precision that spoke of his need to be in control, to fix what he could. "You pushed yourself too hard out there," he said, his voice laced with concern. "I need to make sure you're alright."

Rory watched him for a moment, her heart swelling with affection. She could see the tension in his shoulders, the worry etched into his features. He was so serious, so intent on making sure she was safe. It was one of the things she loved about him, but right now, she needed him to see that she was okay—that they were okay.

"Scott," she said softly, reaching out to take his hand. He stilled at her touch, his eyes finally meeting hers. "I'm alright."

He sighed, some of the tension leaving his body as he let her pull him closer. "I just... I can't, Rory. Not after everything that's happened. I need to know you're safe."

Rory pulled him down to sit on the edge of the bed, her fingers brushing his cheek. "I'm safe Scott," she promised, her voice soft but firm. "I'm here, Scott. We're both here."

Scott closed his eyes, leaning into her touch, the warmth of her hand against his skin grounding him. "When I saw you lifeless..." His voice faltered, thick with emotion. "When I heard your death rattle breathing... I thought your soul may leave me for good."

"It didn't," Rory whispered, her breath ghosting against his lips as she leaned closer. "I'm right here. Alive and well, ready to move on with you."

Scott's resolve cracked, his need to control everything slipping away as he pressed his lips to hers, the kiss slow and deep. Rory responded immediately, her fingers threading through his hair, pulling him closer. The intensity of the moment, the fear and relief and love all mingling together, made the kiss more desperate, more urgent.

Scott's hands slid down her sides, gripping her waist as he pulled her against him, the barriers between them crumbling. Rory gasped into his mouth, the sound sending a shiver down Scott's spine as his hands roamed her back, feeling the warmth of her body beneath his fingertips.

Rory arched against him, her body pressing closer, her hands tugging at his shirt. The world outside faded away, leaving only the two of them, a tangle of limbs and breathless whispers.

"Scott..." Rory breathed, breaking the kiss for just a moment to look into his eyes. They were filled with a mix of desire and love, his usual control completely gone. It was just them now, no battles, no fears—just the need to be together, to feel alive.

He kissed her again, this time more tenderly, as if savoring every moment. His hands slipped beneath her shirt, feeling the softness of her skin, the way she trembled under his touch.

Rory's hands were just as eager, exploring the contours of his body, feeling the strength in his muscles, the way he responded to her touch. There was a sense of urgency, a need to be close, to feel every inch of each other, but also a tenderness, a reminder that they were here, together, and that was what mattered most.

"Rory," Scott murmured against her lips, his voice husky. "I love you."

Rory smiled, her heart swelling with the words she had longed to hear. "I love you too, Scott."

He pulled back slightly, just enough to look into her eyes, his thumb brushing across her cheek. "I don't ever want to lose you."

"You won't," Rory promised, pulling him down for another kiss. "We're in this together, remember?"

Scott nodded, his lips capturing hers again, the kiss deepening as they let themselves get lost in each other, the outside world forgotten as they found solace in the warmth of each other's embrace and pleasure.

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