𝖆𝖓𝖎𝖒𝖆 𝖎𝖒𝖒𝖔𝖗𝖙𝖆𝖑𝖊 ━ 𝖑𝖔𝖌𝖆𝖓 𝖍𝖔𝖜𝖑𝖊𝖙𝖙

𝔠𝔥𝔞𝔭𝔱𝔢𝔯 20

That night, Logan and Verena did exactly as they were asked to do—watch the kids. While they did it reluctantly, they did it nonetheless, engaging in a game of Monopoly with some of the older kids in the common room. Logan was stretched out on the couch, with Verena next to him, her legs draped across his lap as he absentmindedly rubbed soft circles on her calves.

It didn't take long for the table and game board to get close to flipping a few times, as Verena began dominating the game with ruthless efficiency. "Anyone ready to give up yet?" she taunted, flicking a hundred-dollar bill in Logan's direction, her stack of money towering over the others.

Logan, pretending to eye her with suspicion, rolled the dice and landed squarely on one of her most expensive properties. "If this wasn't just a game, Vee, I'd have a few words about your 'luck' with the dice."

"Luck?" She grinned, feigning innocence. "Maybe I'm just better at this than you, old man."

Across the table, one of the kids groaned as they reluctantly handed over their last bill to her. "Seriously, Ms. Verena, you've gotta be cheating. I've landed on your hotels every single turn!"

"Kids, kids," Verena said with a shrug, spreading her arms wide. "You know, some people just have that Midas touch. I don't make the rules."

Logan smirked and gave her calves another quick squeeze, the look he gave her equal parts amused and impressed. "You're ruthless, you know that?"

"Somebody's gotta keep these kids on their toes," she replied, tapping one of her hotels dramatically as the next victim reluctantly handed over their money. "Life's full of tough breaks, kiddos. Better get used to it."

A chorus of complaints rose as one of the teens landed on Verena's row of properties, groaning, "Alright, that's it. I'm done! Ms. Verena, you're the worst."

She laughed, raking in the cash with a victorious flourish, then tossing her stack of Monopoly money in the air like confetti. "Bow down to the Monopoly queen!"

Logan chuckled, leaning close enough to mutter, "You know, you'd be a nightmare if this game was for real."

Just then, one of the kids let out an exaggerated sigh. "Okay, fine—but winner has to pick the movie."

"Deal," Verena said, wasting no time as the kids grumbled.

"Fine, but nothing old or boring," one of them muttered, folding their arms.

Logan raised an eyebrow. "Old or boring, huh? Good luck convincing her of that."

Sure enough, Verena leaned back, casually declaring, "As winner of tonight's game, I get to pick, and we're watching My Cousin Vinny. Classic cinema at its finest."

A round of protests erupted from the kids, but Logan silenced them with a raised eyebrow. "Her game, her choice. That's how it works, got it?"

Reluctantly, they all quieted down, settling in with sighs and exaggerated eye rolls as Verena pressed play. She leaned against Logan as the opening credits began, savoring her victory with all the satisfaction of a Monopoly champion.

The kids ended up enjoying the movie that Verena had put on and when it was over, many of the kids went straight to bed, tired from the day. Two of the kids had fallen asleep on the other couch, so Logan and Verena worked together carrying them to bed, much to Logan's protest, but  Verena gave him a look. 

The two X-Men decided to turn in for the night, and soon Verena found herself wrapped securely in Logan's arms as they lay together in his bed. Her head rested on his chest, lulled by the steady, grounding rhythm of his heartbeat. Her fingers traced idle patterns against his skin, while his hand slowly combed through her hair. They didn't speak, simply savoring the warmth and presence of each other in the stillness.