l a s t . o f . t h e . r e d . h o t . l o v e r s

Last of the Red Hot Lovers
[by victoria p.]

Rating: PG-13

Summary: "She gives him what he wants when no one else can, knowing someday she will extract payment."

Notes: Thanks as always to Jen, Pete/Melissa, Dot, and Meg. Written for zeelee_penguin, who requested "Mystique, romance novel, hurt (and/or vulnerable)."

Date: March 8, 2004

Raven finds the book in the bathroom. Toad used to read the newspaper on the john and Sabretooth, the racing form. Erik likes to pretend he didn't have the same bodily functions as everyone else, so his choice of reading material is an occasional source of speculation on the rare occasions his underlings are not at each other's throats and instead waste time in idle gossip about anything and everything.

Romance novels, though. That's a new one.

Raven gave up on romance when she was thirteen and driven from her small, unenlightened hometown for being a mutant.

There is no Prince Charming, no happily ever after. There is only power and the will to wield it, and thus create some fleeting semblance of satisfaction. She'd known this before she found Erik, and he has proved it to be true.

Pyro still clings to vestiges of Xavier's dream, so long ago abandoned by Erik, that he now pretends it was never his dream as well. Pyro doesn't say it, but it is easy to see he made his decision based on a romantic disappointment, and his anger is that of a spurned lover, not a man on a crusade for an ideal.

Which is fine by Raven. She has no ideals, herself, and she's willing to use the boy's against him. Erik, on the other hand, has little time or inclination for teen angst and romantic nonsense. Only his own failed romances interest him, and so he dismisses Pyro as weak, if useful.

Erik is not wrong. He rarely is. But Raven has never let an opportunity to consolidate her strength pass by.

And John is so very easy, though he thinks he's a big, tough man now.

She lends a sympathetic ear and he tells her about the school, about his friends; she can hear the longing in his voice, the sadness beneath his pain and anger. Because they chose each other and left him out, and he cannot decide who he hates more -- Rogue for taking Bobby from him, or Bobby for winning Rogue.

She asks him about the book and he blushes. She remembers blushing naturally, but it's been a long, long time. He is writing a novel, he says, about three friends and a love triangle.

He is so transparent that if she still had a conscience, it would have given her a twinge.

The first time she follows him to his room, she morphs into Rogue, and asks him to touch her. She tells him Bobby will never have this, because the girl is untouchable. Only she can give him this.

But there is a hesitation in him, and she realizes she's chosen the wrong one.

The next time, she becomes Bobby. There is naked longing on John's face when she rises to leave, claiming it's been a long day and they both need their rest. But when she leans in to kiss him, he responds eagerly. Even though she cannot mimic the ever-present coolness of Bobby's skin, she sends shivers down John's spine. He is desperate and clumsy, but there is a sweetness to his loving which belies his tough talk and sullen attitude.

She could almost feel sorry for him, when she thinks about how much he still has to learn about love, friendship, loyalty and betrayal. But it's been a long time since she felt sorry for anyone, even herself, so she gives him what he wants when no one else can, knowing someday she will extract payment.

If it ever comes down to a choice between her and Magneto, she's made sure Pyro will choose her.

End

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