… Ororo Munroe (Storm)
Ororo stood with her arms crossed over her chest, posture firm and centered — but her eyes… her eyes didn't blink.
On the main screen of the control room, Aidan's body moved with a precision that bordered on unnatural. Every step he took was like a perfectly placed note in a symphony of combat — and yet, there was something wild underneath it all. A raw instinct humming beneath every rotation, every kick, every subtle flick of his fingers. Like a tamed beast dancing on the threads of an invisible web, while still controlling its own rhythm.
Beside her, Logan remained silent, but she could feel the tension in his jaw, the way his feline eyes tracked every micro-adjustment Aidan made.
Aidan moved like a storm that knew exactly where it wanted to hit. And for Ororo — who was the storm in human form — that was… intriguing.
But there was something else. It wasn't just skill.
He looked like he was hunting. Not his targets — himself.
As if he were chasing a threshold.
"He's pushing himself", Logan muttered, eyes never leaving the screen. "Going past the limit. Kid wants to feel the break."
Ororo nodded slowly. "Yeah. Looks like he's trying to reach something."
Down there, Aidan wasn't training.
He was transcending. He was defying his body, his limits, like every fiber of his being was screaming for more. Like he was searching for the edge inside himself — and jumping in headfirst.
Then it happened. The display flared with a sudden flash — intense, dissonant. Something dark, sharp, so fast the cameras almost missed it.
Ororo leaned forward without meaning to. Something ran down her spine, a chill clashing with the heat rising in her chest.
Onscreen, Aidan raised his face.
And laughed.
It was free, wild, honest. No bravado — just pure euphoria. The laugh of someone who shattered an invisible wall and found an entirely new world on the other side.
Ororo's body reacted instinctively, as if the very air in the room had gotten heavier. The heat between her muscles, the subtle tension in her lips… that was emotion. And something else, something grounded.
Desire? Maybe. But she pushed it down. Not now.
Something had shifted in Aidan. Not just the way he moved — which had become faster, sharper, more brutal — but the way he looked. There was a new spark in his eyes. A raw intensity that felt less like a student in training… and more like a predator mid-hunt.
And just when she thought the storm had peaked…
Came the second flash.
Lilac.
No — purple.
Dense, warped, like it was made of distorted space. A living light that didn't illuminate — it devoured. The room seemed to bend toward the compressed sphere. The digital creatures started vanishing before even being hit.
It was like watching a concept come to life. Like watching the idea of annihilation take form.
The Danger Room trembled. Lights flickered violently. Red alerts blared across every screen.
"Simulation at critical threshold", the AI warned. "Environment compromised. Field reduction recommended."
"Shit…" Logan muttered. "He just dropped something new."
Ororo said nothing for a moment. Her eyes locked on him. Down below, Aidan spun through the air. Hair a mess, body slick with sweat, cursed energy pulsing off him like magic vapor. He landed lightly, that same smile still on his face. His eyes were glowing — not just with power, but with pleasure.
He liked it. Not just the fight — what came from it. What was born inside him.
"This kid's not just a loudmouth", Logan growled, voice rough like he was watching something too dangerous take shape.
Ororo nodded slowly.
For the first time in a long while… she felt uneasy.
Not fear of him — but fear for what might come next. Because at this level of power… Aidan would become a key figure. For better or worse, for mutantkind.
And it would all come down to the choices he made.
… Rogue (Anna Marie)
Rogue leaned against the wall across from the Danger Room door, arms crossed, wearing that classic "I'm fine" expression — though inside, she was anything but. Kitty stood beside her, chatting about some teenage nonsense and rolling her eyes like she was above it all... yet she didn't leave. Rogue noticed. Didn't say anything. Just... noticed.
She appreciated those who stayed. Even in silence.
Almost an hour later, the door opened.
Aidan walked out like he'd just taken a stroll in the park — not like he'd just faced a deadly simulation. Not a hair out of place. Not a drop of sweat.
Too perfect, too annoying. But Rogue didn't look at him.
She looked at Ororo.
Now, she was an open book. Standing tall, blue eyes locked on Aidan. But it wasn't a teacher's gaze. It was... something else. A look Rogue knew all too well. That silent gleam of someone who'd seen more than they should — and liked it.
On the other side, Logan. Jaw clenched, wearing that "not gonna praise you, but I respect it" look. The kind that only showed up when someone truly impressed him.
Bottom line: he'd done something big in there. Again.
Rogue hugged herself tighter, trying to contain the storm brewing inside.
Just like the first time, when he let her touch him, and nothing happened. No stolen memories, no pain... no screams.
Just skin, warmth... touch.
And now he was approaching, of course. All relaxed, as if it were just another morning at your house. As if he had no clue what he stirred around him. As if he didn't know.
She straightened up, boots hitting the metal floor with purpose. Kitty fell silent instantly. The air grew heavier.
"Hey, Aidan", her voice came out steady. Firmer than she felt inside. "We need to talk."
He stopped, flashed that half-smile — the kind that made girls swoon and made her want to punch a wall.
"Knew you'd ambush me. Just didn't expect an audience", he said, glancing at Kitty, who responded with a classic "just observing" shrug.
Rogue kept her eyes locked on his. Intense, infuriating, and ridiculously attractive, to top it off.
"Just answer one thing", she stepped closer. "What are you?"
He didn't reply immediately, just kept staring, curious. Too calm.
Rogue felt anger bubbling. Because he didn't seem worried, or surprised. Just... intrigued. Like she was another puzzle for him to solve.
"Come with me."
She turned and walked off. He followed without a word.
Kitty hesitated, looked between Rogue and Aidan, and made that "this is gonna be bad" face. But she came along. Because even if this mess was Rogue's alone... she knew someone had to be there. In case things went south — which, let's be honest, was likely.
The trio moved through one of the mansion's lesser-used corridors, climbed a staircase that creaked more than it should, and entered a small training room. No one ever used that spot, and that's exactly what Rogue wanted: a place without memories. No audience, no excuses.
She stopped in the center of the room. Arms relaxed, but the air was thick. That kind of silence that screams before shit's erupts.
Then she turned.
"Let me touch you. Again."
Kitty, by the door, widened her eyes but stayed quiet. She knew it wasn't the time to intervene.
Aidan just raised an eyebrow. Like she'd asked for help opening a jar of jelly.
"Sure, go ahead."
And there he was. A step forward, hand extended. Open and vulnerable.
The guy was a warm-skinned enigma with a face that never rushed anything. And that drove Rogue crazy.
Nothing made sense, but she reached out. No gloves, no filter.
Touch. And... nothing. No visions, no voices, no stolen memories. No panic.
Just skin and warmth.
He kept staring, calm. Like this was the most normal thing in the world. And for him, maybe it was.
But for her? It was everything. And that... that broke something inside her. In a good way.
Her fingers trembled, but not from fear. From raw emotion, begging to be released.
"You have no idea what this means to me..."
Her voice came out hoarse, choked. But honest.
"Since my powers kicked in, my life's been a minefield. Can't hug anyone. Can't kiss. Can't even bump into someone without risking sucking out their fucking soul", she tapped her chest, eyes glistening. "And every time it happens, it's like shoving another scream inside. And the screams don't go away."
Kitty took a step forward but stopped when she saw her friend gripping Aidan's hand tightly.
"So I hid. Behind sarcasm. Gloves. A bunch of jokes no one laughs at", she gave a small laugh. "And it worked. For a while. Until you."
Rogue stepped closer. Eyes locked on his, like it was a silent battle.
"You let me touch you. Twice. And I didn't explode. Neither did you. Just... silence. Silence and warm skin. And that... it destroys me."
She took a deep breath. She was at the edge — but she wasn't backing down.
"So… here's my offer."
She let go of his hand. Pulled off one glove, then the other. Bare hands, fully exposed.
"You're going to let me touch you whenever I want. No flinching. No looking at me like I'm a ticking time bomb."
His eyes narrowed slightly, but he still didn't say anything.
"And in return…" Her voice nearly cracked, but she held it steady. "I'll play your game. Be part of your collection. Let you flirt, tease, do whatever it is you do with everyone else."
Kitty's eyes widened, finally breaking the silence.
"Rogue, no! You don't have to sell yourself like this! This is insane— you don't even know who he really is!"
Rogue turned to her, calm. Eyes shining with something that said: don't.
"Kitty, for the first time in my life… I'm choosing this. This is my choice."
She looked back at Aidan.
"So, Quinn? You taking the deal?"
He didn't laugh. No jokes, no charm.
He just looked at her — deeply, like he could see every shattered piece and still… wanted to touch them. Not just physically. He wanted to understand them, feel them, leave a mark.
Rogue's skin prickled, like her body was answering before she could.
Aidan stepped closer, just enough for her to feel his heat again.
"You sure, Rogue?" he asked, voice low — almost intimate. "Because once this happens… there's no going back."
She knew that. It was like stepping into the mouth of a tiger. Like diving into an abyss with her eyes wide open.
But for the first time, the abyss was reaching back.
And it was exactly where she wanted to be.
She nodded — slow and steady.
"I want this. I want to feel alive."
Her heart pounded in her chest. Kitty stayed silent — maybe out of respect, maybe because she knew there was nothing she could say. But Rogue knew — this moment was hers alone.
Aidan raised his hand… and completely ignored her offered hands. Instead, he touched her face. His fingers traced the curve of her cheek — warm, steady, and gentle. Skin to skin. No screaming, no collapse… just contact.
And for the first time… she felt it. A touch that didn't hurt, didn't take.
It only gave.
She closed her eyes, soaking in every bit of it. Like she was etching the memory into her soul — the feeling she should've had all along.
Then he leaned in. No rush, no pressure. His lips met hers in a kiss — sweet, soft, careful. More affection than desire.
It wasn't about owning her. It was about letting her feel alive again.
The kiss didn't last long, but its impact would.
When they pulled apart, Rogue's eyes shimmered — but she was smiling.
She was whole. She was touched…
And she was free.
… Jean Grey
Jean was leaning against the cold hallway wall, but her skin was burning. The chilled metal at her back wasn't enough to cool the heat rising inside her — pulsing under the surface of every thought, every heartbeat.
She was waiting for Aidan. Had been all day. She'd known, somehow, that it would end here. Her mind tried to pretend it was about something noble — a talk, a question.
But her body didn't lie. The way the air around her felt heavier. The way her lips parted without meaning to. The way her eyes kept searching for him down every corridor.
It was desire. Raw and pulsing. And it had only gotten worse because of him.
Scott.
Always watching. Always with those sweet, hollow words masked as concern.
"Are you okay, Jean?"
"Need anything?"
"You seem distant..."
It wasn't care. It was possession. A way to keep her caged in the older version of herself — obedient, kind, predictable.
But that Jean... she was dying. And every gesture from Scott that day — every hand on her shoulder, every veiled interference, every suspicious glance toward Aidan — felt like sparks on gunpowder.
She didn't want concern.
She wanted to be wanted. Taken.
And with Aidan... she would be. She heard it in the way he spoke. Felt it in the weight of his gaze, in the way he walked — so calm, so untouched by the world, while everything about him touched her.
Deeply.
So when she finally heard footsteps at the end of the hallway, Jean's stomach tightened with anticipation — but her heart faltered.
He wasn't alone.
Rogue... was walking beside him, holding his hand.
Skin to skin.
A shiver ran down Jean's spine like something was pulling her out of herself. Her fingers trembled, but she forced herself to stay still.
The world around her grew quieter, like sound itself had shrunk to let this moment exist. She saw it all with cruel clarity — the way Rogue's fingers laced through his. The closeness of their bodies. The calm on her face.
Rogue touched him. And it wasn't just touch... it was more.
Jean should've been happy for her friend — for finally being able to touch someone. But what flared inside her wasn't joy.
It was jealousy... envy.
Rogue looked at her, like she could feel what Jean was feeling. And then... she let go of his hand. Slowly, almost symbolically.
Like she was sharing something precious.
"Don't forget our deal, Sugah", Rogue said softly, meaning layered in every word, before walking off with Kitty without looking back.
Jean stood frozen — and then… he looked at her.
Only at her.
Now it was just the two of them. Her and him. Jean and the reason for the fire inside her.
Her breath hitched, her legs felt heavy, but she didn't move away.
"We need to talk", she said — but it wasn't a talking kind of voice.
It was a breathless whisper of want. A request disguised as words.
And Aidan... smiled to her.