FIC: A New Familiarity (X2, Bobby, Rogue, John)
Title: A New Familiarity
Author: phiremangston
Summary: Bobby and John have always been close, always been opposites in every way. Even the events of their life seem to mirror that.
Recipient: greenet
Request Used: A switch where Bobby is the one who leaves with Magneto and John stays with the X-Men. How and what happens next?
Rating: PG
Spoilers: X1, X2.
Notes: So many thanks to my beta, lilacsigil, who pointed out the spots where my brain decided to die and I couldn't see it. *g* I'm afraid it's not so much what happens next as what led up to Bobby leaving with Magneto. Hope you enjoy it! Warnings for implied child abuse.
“Where are you going?”
“They're treating us like children. I don't know why they think we can't help them. We can.”
Rogue looked pained. “Bobby, they told us to stay here.”
Bobby paused, seeming to hesitate as the ramp of the plane descended. “I can't just do nothing. They need us.”
There was silence for a few seconds as he walked away from them, then a sudden shout. “Bobby!” Shuffling footsteps as John shrugged on a coat and caught up with him. “You can’t go alone.”
“And they need to stop pretending we're useless in this situation. We may just be kids, but we can do things they can't.” John saw that Bobby was serious. Always so serious. And he wasn't used to being excluded from things, which just made his determination to help that much stronger. Nobody liked feeling helpless.
------------------------------------------------
John was used to rejection.
Hell, it was practically his best friend.
But Bobby…Bobby had always been the “Golden Child,” the one who got everything, had everything he could ever want. Grew up in a good family, was popular and well-liked at school by both peers and professors, and had a hot girlfriend.
Sure.
Sometimes John resented him for it. It was like they were yin and yang, and for every little thing Bobby accomplished, John failed or somehow managed to disappoint everyone. But he was practiced at that.
From since before he could even remember, John was always failing, always letting people down, always apologizing.
Until he realized that apologizing wasn’t doing any good.
So he stopped.
But he never stopped failing. He just learned to fail better. Until, finally, he failed so hard he got himself arrested for grand theft auto just to spend a few nights away from those people who dared to call themselves his parents.
That’s when Professor X came to visit him.
That’s when he found out that no matter how much he failed, no matter how many times he messed up, there would still be a place for him. At that school. Even though he never really fit in, he fit in a hell of a lot better than he ever had anywhere else.
And at least he was…
Safe.
It took a long time to learn that feeling.
Even longer to realize that people caring about him wasn’t just a façade; not just a way to make him feel like he could let his guard down so they could kick him yet again.
So John went from having nothing to having…something. Resembling a family. Finally. After all that time.
Yin and yang, baby.
------------------------------------------------
The family picture in the front hallway was perfect.
Disgustingly so.
John felt a pang as he stared at it, waiting for the others to get back from wherever the hell they had gotten off to.
So normal.
Though, he supposed, so not. Not with a mutant in the family. He wasn’t sure about Logan’s motives, bringing them all here. Forcing Bobby “out of the closet,” so to speak, didn’t seem like the best of all possible ideas.
Especially at a time like this.
The political climate was…tenuous, at best, and John knew that Bobby’s parents weren’t exactly on the far left of the spectrum.
He was just about to go and try to convince them all to leave, that maybe they should have at least called first, when the rest of the Drake family came right through the front door, and he found himself rooted to the spot.
Shit.
He had a feeling this wouldn’t go well.
As much as he’d come to terms with his own past, he didn’t exactly want to see it replayed before his eyes, this time starring his best friend. Granted, Bobby’s family wasn’t anything like his. Thank God. But still. There were parallels here he wish he didn’t have to experience all over again.
John leaned against the mantle of the fireplace, flicking his Zippo open and closed. It was a calming habit for him, like someone else might tap their foot anxiously or chew their nails. He realized he was probably obviously distancing himself from the rest of the group, but he didn’t particularly care. Safe distances and all that. He kept one eye on Bobby the whole time. He looked terrified.
He noticed that Bobby’s brother, Ronnie, was more than a little twitchy. And looked far more uncomfortable than Bobby himself did, which was odd. But it was a red flag, and John was pretty well practiced in recognizing those and getting the hell out. But he was here for Bobby. Would be until the end. Which felt like it might be coming soon.
------------------------------------------------
When the police cars arrived to take them away and lock them up for good, John wasn’t surprised.
As he said, he was used to rejection. And betrayal.
So when Rogue grabbed his ankle and sucked his life force in order to save those idiots who were trying to kill them, he didn’t take it too personally. Especially after he realized Logan wasn’t actually dead.
That was kind of awkward, actually.
But Bobby. Oh, Bobby.
The look on his face when he finally understood who called the cops. It was devastating.
That was probably the first time Bobby had been betrayed by anyone, and it had to be by the people he had thought loved him most. That, and seeing Logan shot in the head, right in front of them, then John himself losing it a bit, just for a bit, and Rogue intentionally using her powers against someone else for the first time.
Bobby went through shit that day.
It would be a lot for anyone to process.
------------------------------------------------
Bobby was sitting on the plane, head in his hands. Rogue was off somewhere, probably to find that Nightcrawler dude to thank him for saving her ass, and everyone else was having their “Grown-Ups” talk.
John slouched down next to him, flicking his Zippo. He glanced over.
“You know, they probably just didn’t know how to react. Your brother flipping out is…well, he’ll get over it. You’ll be home for Christmas this year, I’m sure.”
Bobby didn’t look up. “Yeah, I kind of doubt it,” he said to the floor. “Did you see how they looked at me when we left? It was like they had no idea who I was.”
“Their lawn was kind of scorched. Which you can blame me for, by the way.”
“I do.”
They were silent for a while, sitting like that. John hated awkward silences, but there really wasn’t anything he could say to that.
Letting people down again. His specialty.
Five, maybe ten minutes went by. It took every ounce of willpower John had not to make some sort of lewd joke, just to lighten the mood. But he figured it probably wouldn’t make things any better.
Not this time.
“How could Logan do that to me?”
Finally.
“He knew I was going to wait to tell my parents, he knew -“
“He did what he thought he needed to to protect you,” John said softly.
“I don’t need protecting!” Bobby stood up suddenly, pacing to the other side of the plane.
“No, you don’t. But Logan's been around a lot - a lot - longer than we have. I hate to say it, but the guy probably knew what he was doing. I think he was betting on a better reaction from your family, considering...” John didn't finish with considering your family was picture-perfect in every way. He figured it probably wouldn't help matters.
Bobby nodded, keeping his head low as he paced, but John could see the hurt and anger in his eyes. And the betrayal. John knew that look all too well.
And what it could mean.
------------------------------------------------
John wasn’t terribly surprised when he saw that dork who called himself Magneto (who gives himself a weird nickname, anyway?) talking to Bobby in the forest. Bobby’s trust had been broken, so badly, and by so many people in such a short period of time that it shouldn’t have surprised anyone. He was looking for something new.
Something to ease the pain and a way to escape from everything he knew.
Yin and yang.
John didn’t need to escape anymore, and his lack of trust in people simply meant he was going to stick with the most familiar because it was the easiest. Changing sides right now would be too much of a hassle.
But obviously Bobby needed to do what he had to. John didn’t blame him; he understood entirely.
You did what you had to when you were hurt, with no regard for others, so you could heal.
John wanted his best friend to heal.
He just wished he could stay while he did it.
Author: phiremangston
Summary: Bobby and John have always been close, always been opposites in every way. Even the events of their life seem to mirror that.
Recipient: greenet
Request Used: A switch where Bobby is the one who leaves with Magneto and John stays with the X-Men. How and what happens next?
Rating: PG
Spoilers: X1, X2.
Notes: So many thanks to my beta, lilacsigil, who pointed out the spots where my brain decided to die and I couldn't see it. *g* I'm afraid it's not so much what happens next as what led up to Bobby leaving with Magneto. Hope you enjoy it! Warnings for implied child abuse.
“Where are you going?”
“They're treating us like children. I don't know why they think we can't help them. We can.”
Rogue looked pained. “Bobby, they told us to stay here.”
Bobby paused, seeming to hesitate as the ramp of the plane descended. “I can't just do nothing. They need us.”
There was silence for a few seconds as he walked away from them, then a sudden shout. “Bobby!” Shuffling footsteps as John shrugged on a coat and caught up with him. “You can’t go alone.”
“And they need to stop pretending we're useless in this situation. We may just be kids, but we can do things they can't.” John saw that Bobby was serious. Always so serious. And he wasn't used to being excluded from things, which just made his determination to help that much stronger. Nobody liked feeling helpless.
------------------------------------------------
John was used to rejection.
Hell, it was practically his best friend.
But Bobby…Bobby had always been the “Golden Child,” the one who got everything, had everything he could ever want. Grew up in a good family, was popular and well-liked at school by both peers and professors, and had a hot girlfriend.
Sure.
Sometimes John resented him for it. It was like they were yin and yang, and for every little thing Bobby accomplished, John failed or somehow managed to disappoint everyone. But he was practiced at that.
From since before he could even remember, John was always failing, always letting people down, always apologizing.
Until he realized that apologizing wasn’t doing any good.
So he stopped.
But he never stopped failing. He just learned to fail better. Until, finally, he failed so hard he got himself arrested for grand theft auto just to spend a few nights away from those people who dared to call themselves his parents.
That’s when Professor X came to visit him.
That’s when he found out that no matter how much he failed, no matter how many times he messed up, there would still be a place for him. At that school. Even though he never really fit in, he fit in a hell of a lot better than he ever had anywhere else.
And at least he was…
Safe.
It took a long time to learn that feeling.
Even longer to realize that people caring about him wasn’t just a façade; not just a way to make him feel like he could let his guard down so they could kick him yet again.
So John went from having nothing to having…something. Resembling a family. Finally. After all that time.
Yin and yang, baby.
------------------------------------------------
The family picture in the front hallway was perfect.
Disgustingly so.
John felt a pang as he stared at it, waiting for the others to get back from wherever the hell they had gotten off to.
So normal.
Though, he supposed, so not. Not with a mutant in the family. He wasn’t sure about Logan’s motives, bringing them all here. Forcing Bobby “out of the closet,” so to speak, didn’t seem like the best of all possible ideas.
Especially at a time like this.
The political climate was…tenuous, at best, and John knew that Bobby’s parents weren’t exactly on the far left of the spectrum.
He was just about to go and try to convince them all to leave, that maybe they should have at least called first, when the rest of the Drake family came right through the front door, and he found himself rooted to the spot.
Shit.
He had a feeling this wouldn’t go well.
As much as he’d come to terms with his own past, he didn’t exactly want to see it replayed before his eyes, this time starring his best friend. Granted, Bobby’s family wasn’t anything like his. Thank God. But still. There were parallels here he wish he didn’t have to experience all over again.
John leaned against the mantle of the fireplace, flicking his Zippo open and closed. It was a calming habit for him, like someone else might tap their foot anxiously or chew their nails. He realized he was probably obviously distancing himself from the rest of the group, but he didn’t particularly care. Safe distances and all that. He kept one eye on Bobby the whole time. He looked terrified.
He noticed that Bobby’s brother, Ronnie, was more than a little twitchy. And looked far more uncomfortable than Bobby himself did, which was odd. But it was a red flag, and John was pretty well practiced in recognizing those and getting the hell out. But he was here for Bobby. Would be until the end. Which felt like it might be coming soon.
------------------------------------------------
When the police cars arrived to take them away and lock them up for good, John wasn’t surprised.
As he said, he was used to rejection. And betrayal.
So when Rogue grabbed his ankle and sucked his life force in order to save those idiots who were trying to kill them, he didn’t take it too personally. Especially after he realized Logan wasn’t actually dead.
That was kind of awkward, actually.
But Bobby. Oh, Bobby.
The look on his face when he finally understood who called the cops. It was devastating.
That was probably the first time Bobby had been betrayed by anyone, and it had to be by the people he had thought loved him most. That, and seeing Logan shot in the head, right in front of them, then John himself losing it a bit, just for a bit, and Rogue intentionally using her powers against someone else for the first time.
Bobby went through shit that day.
It would be a lot for anyone to process.
------------------------------------------------
Bobby was sitting on the plane, head in his hands. Rogue was off somewhere, probably to find that Nightcrawler dude to thank him for saving her ass, and everyone else was having their “Grown-Ups” talk.
John slouched down next to him, flicking his Zippo. He glanced over.
“You know, they probably just didn’t know how to react. Your brother flipping out is…well, he’ll get over it. You’ll be home for Christmas this year, I’m sure.”
Bobby didn’t look up. “Yeah, I kind of doubt it,” he said to the floor. “Did you see how they looked at me when we left? It was like they had no idea who I was.”
“Their lawn was kind of scorched. Which you can blame me for, by the way.”
“I do.”
They were silent for a while, sitting like that. John hated awkward silences, but there really wasn’t anything he could say to that.
Letting people down again. His specialty.
Five, maybe ten minutes went by. It took every ounce of willpower John had not to make some sort of lewd joke, just to lighten the mood. But he figured it probably wouldn’t make things any better.
Not this time.
“How could Logan do that to me?”
Finally.
“He knew I was going to wait to tell my parents, he knew -“
“He did what he thought he needed to to protect you,” John said softly.
“I don’t need protecting!” Bobby stood up suddenly, pacing to the other side of the plane.
“No, you don’t. But Logan's been around a lot - a lot - longer than we have. I hate to say it, but the guy probably knew what he was doing. I think he was betting on a better reaction from your family, considering...” John didn't finish with considering your family was picture-perfect in every way. He figured it probably wouldn't help matters.
Bobby nodded, keeping his head low as he paced, but John could see the hurt and anger in his eyes. And the betrayal. John knew that look all too well.
And what it could mean.
------------------------------------------------
John wasn’t terribly surprised when he saw that dork who called himself Magneto (who gives himself a weird nickname, anyway?) talking to Bobby in the forest. Bobby’s trust had been broken, so badly, and by so many people in such a short period of time that it shouldn’t have surprised anyone. He was looking for something new.
Something to ease the pain and a way to escape from everything he knew.
Yin and yang.
John didn’t need to escape anymore, and his lack of trust in people simply meant he was going to stick with the most familiar because it was the easiest. Changing sides right now would be too much of a hassle.
But obviously Bobby needed to do what he had to. John didn’t blame him; he understood entirely.
You did what you had to when you were hurt, with no regard for others, so you could heal.
John wanted his best friend to heal.
He just wished he could stay while he did it.