If Yesterday Was Tomorrow [ X-Men ]

Chapter Twenty-Four

They appeared at what Victor hoped they would soon call home. It was a small house of only one floor with a small basement. It was white and red, with a dark roof. There was one main bedroom, a small bedroom they'd planned to use for Kurt, a living room, a bathroom surprisingly large for the size of the house and a simple kitchen. It was small, yes, but extremely cozy.

"Welcome to your new home," Victor whispered to Kurt. The child didn't react, having fallen asleep a few moments prior. Azazel smiled at seeing the two and took out a key from his uniform. He quickly unlocked the front door. They slipped in. It was nighttime here as well, Germany being close to France in terms of time zones.

We'll be safe here, thought Victor. The house was a bit set back from the small German village. That way, they'd have enough privacy to raise Kurt while being close enough to food and others provided by the village.

One of the major setbacks was the mentality of small villages like this one, but the fact that it was so insignificant that no foe would ever find them outweighed the disadvantage. It was a perfect hiding spot.

After Angel's, and now Emma's disappearances, they could take no chance. Victor thought that Emma might had voluntarily disappeared from the public sphere, but they couldn't be sure. Not when she never came back from a supposed meeting with them.

They'd used the money from Shaw's inheritance to buy the house and the things they'd need. Shaw had bequeathed all he owned in four parts: a quarter for each member of the Hellfire Club, and the last quarter separated between whoever in the trio took over the Hellfire Club establishment. As it had been Emma who had did so, Victor and Azazel had received a quarter each of Shaw's fortune and property, which was even larger than Victor would have thought.

However, staying at one of Shaw's mansions would be too risky, as many enemies and people knew of them. So, they'd settled in for this nice little house. It was coincidentally a few hundred miles from one of Shaw's estate, but it was part of the plan: no one would expect them to stay so close to an old base.

Victor held Kurt tight. He was a tiny bit afraid to drop him. He followed Azazel to the living room. Azazel crashed on a couch.

"Damn," said Azazel, "I can't believe it."

Victor just smiled. He sat down beside Azazel and leaned Kurt towards his father. Azazel caressed his little blue hand poking out of the blankets.

"He's so beautiful," Azazel whispered. His expression softened, expressing love.

"Do you want to hold him?" asked Victor, feeling strangely giddy. They were so lucky. They'd both believed that Mystique had found a way to get rid of the baby. To find out that she had kept it all this time, even if they'd been technically searching for her for so long, was an incredible surprise. Such a wonderful surprise...

Azazel didn't nod, but Victor knew very well he was dying to. He handed him the bundle. Azazel's face light up and he smiled. It wasn't a teasing, or menacing smile: it was simply a smile of happiness. Victor felt his heart skip a beat. It was rare that he smiled that way. They always had something to worry about that clouded their happy moods with stress. But now...

"Oh shit," whispered Victor under his breath, suddenly realising something. He put a hand over his mouth in wonder.

"What is it?" asked Azazel.

"Do we have any milk to give him?"

Azazel's eyes widened in surprise, worry destroying his peaceful expression. They hadn't thought this through. They hadn't anything suited for the baby. No clothes, no food, no toys...