TimeWarp: If we'll ever come full circle, we have to start somewhere...

[just_a_phase]

Some days, she hates being the only true student here, despite what the others are listed as being.

It means she has to do actual schoolwork, and Kitty Pryde does not want to be comparing the various leaders of the Civil Rights movement with specific mutant activists today.

Not that she gets to choose.

Comments

[konocc]

"This is a good plan." He thinks. "And I like the pouncing. Just be aware of the other here." Her pouncing on him in front of the other men in the house tended to end with what was likely good-natured teasing, but it felt uncomfortable.

[just_a_phase]

"...You mean the guy who's been training as an X-Man since he was almost as young as I am now, the one with animal instincts, the guy who was a circus acrobat and takes being light on his feet to a new level, the ever-graceful African goddess, or the telepath who I think secretly spends his hours oiling the wheels of his chair so he can surprise us in two different ways, not just one?"

[konocc]

"I believe I have messed up something in my speech again. I mean to say ' pounce when we are alone.' Being alone here is not always easy."

Even then, he trusts the telepaths, but it's still a little weird.

"Your turn to offer a rule."

[just_a_phase]

"Well, and I kinda have a hard time not teasing you," she admits. "There is that."

She considers for a moment, blinking when she realizes that at some point he had sat down and she had perched on the edge of his lap.

It's...comforting. Which is not the first word she would think would come to mind, but. It is.




"Don't try to protect me in this area just because I'm younger," she says softly, but her tone's also firm.

[konocc]

He looks at her confused. "I do not understand what you mean."

[just_a_phase]

"...Yeah, you...probably don't, and wow, awkward," she observes in a distant sort of voice, pinching the bridge of her nose with the fingers of one hand as she closes her eyes.




"Look. I really don't want, nor, at this moment, need, to know the existent and extent of any sex life you've had with anyone else," she says carefully, having chosen her words quickly but with care.

"And frankly, you don't need to know what experience I may or may not have had with my ex. But don't make assumptions, Piotr. Especially not about what my previous level of experience is or is not.

"And don't assume that you being older somehow means that it's your job to protect me like I'm some weird damsel locked in a tower away from the sight of all men, or whatever. Just...take things as they come with me."

[konocc]

"Protecting you is like the teasing." He thinks this is what she means. Having her on his lap is a distraction, but a good kind. He likes the kissing and having his hands wander over her side. "If what I am doing is making you uncomfortable, you must tell me."

[just_a_phase]

"Uncomfortable?" She half-breathes, half-laughs the word.

"You're joking, right?" Kitty's hands move to cup his face, her lips as close as they can be to his without actually touching.

"This isn't uncomfortable, Peter. This...it kinda just feels...right." She blushes at the statement, but doesn't take it back.

Neither does she move away.

[konocc]

He rolls one shoulder as shrug before kissing her hair. He noticed the homework. "Perhaps I could read to you for your work?"

[just_a_phase]

She can't help giggling at that. "I think that, if you did, I wouldn't actually work." She shifts a little until she's comfortably resting against his chest.

"And I'm okay with that. Just so you know."

[konocc]

Whatever the little sprite has planned sounds like the good kind of surprise. With another shy smile, his picks up the book and hold it in his hands while securing her between his arms. Studying like this is an improvement.

"Chapter 27 - The 1960's..."

[just_a_phase]

She sighs mournfully, relaxing more against him. "Yup. I'm going to have to read this all again later, or fail." There's a beat. "But you can keep reading. If you want."

[konocc]

"I do." He blushes. "I mean, I will keep going."

He clears his throat. "The 1960's saw much in the way of social change and upheaval in American..."