Fervent Feelings

X3 Chapter 16 - You Can't Keep Them All Caged

AU note ~ do we continue this fic into old man Logan btw cuz he kinda....

The distant thud of footsteps vibrates through the floor, rousing me from unconsciousness. I groan, every inch of my body aching as I roll onto my back, squinting against the jarring overhead lights that burn my eyes.

"Oh my god, Y/N!" Ororo's voice trembles as she rushes to my side, dropping to her knees. Her hands hover over me, unsure of what to do first, panic laced in every movement.

"What have you done?" Charles's voice is grim as he wheels into the room, his presence heavy, almost suffocating.

I hear another set of hurried steps, louder, more determined. Logan barges in, pushing past Storm without hesitation, his hands already on me, pulling me to my feet. "I should've come with you," he mutters, shaking his head, guilt flooding his face. "If I'd known this is where—"

"No, Logan. It's fine," I stammer, avoiding his gaze. The guilt of using my powers against him settles in, weighing me down deeply.

Charles's eyes narrow, his expression shifting as if a realization hits him, and he tilts his head forward, staring at me with that unnerving, penetrating look—the Kubrick stare.

My heart skips, and I widen my eyes, instinctively shielding my mind. No... not again. "You're trying to put me to sleep!" My voice cracks, panic clawing its way to the surface as I stagger back from the three of them, my breath coming in shaky bursts.

"Y/N," Charles sighs, his voice gentle but firm, "I just want to keep you and Jean safe."

"Safe?" I spit, my anger boiling over as my fists clench. "But keeping Scott safe is where you drew the line?!" My voice reverberates through the room, sharp and raw. I can sense their fear rising, prickling at the edges of my mind.

A hand grips my shoulder, but before I can think, I whip around, eyes burning as I stare at Logan. "Let me go," I hiss, my voice dark, cold.

Logan, almost in a trance, his usual steady resolve cracking under my influence, slowly removes his hand, his eyes clouded with confusion.

"Y/N, don't do this." Charles's voice is steady, but there's a warning beneath it, a plea. "Be a part of the cause... help humanity. Be an X-Man."

I laugh bitterly, the sound hollow and sharp. "Save your sales pitch for someone else," I snap, my words cut like glass.

Without waiting for another response, I bolt from the room, my footsteps echoing through the cold, metal halls. The adrenaline pulses through my veins as I rush toward the elevator. Get Remy. Get the hell out of here. That's all I can think of. The walls seem to close in, the weight of everything crashing down around me as I slam my fist against the elevator button, desperate to escape the once familial home.

***

Rogue stands in her room, her hands trembling as she stuffs clothes into an old duffel bag. The soft thud of boots coming down the hall makes her freeze, heart pounding in her chest. It must be Logan...

"Chère, what ya thinkin' you doin'?" Remy's voice rolls out like warm honey, a little teasing, a little serious. He leans against the doorframe, arms crossed, eyes studying her closely.

Rogue clenches the zipper on her bag and glares. "What's it look like?" Her Southern drawl drips with defiance. "It's non' your business, stranger." She sighs as his heavy eyes scan her. "I'm leavin'. Goin' to get that cure. Ain't no reason to stay here."

Remy doesn't move, his expression shifting from playful to concerned. "That what you think, huh? That this... this gift of yours is somethin' to run from?" He pushes off the doorframe and steps into the room, his trench coat sweeping around his legs. "You ain't cursed, chérie."