xp_logs | Lorna/Alex, 1 year anniversary

x-polarisstar.livejournal.com posting in

Alex and Lorna go out to celebrate their anniversary and are fluffy. Then an innocent question leads to serious discussion. Lorna tries to explain why she joined the X-men.

As the lights came on in the movie theater and the credits began to roll, Alex stood up and stretched a bit before offering a hand to the beautiful lady beside him, the lady with whom he was celebrating their first anniversary together. "Well, that wasn't so bad...Sappy, but not so bad..."

Lorna brushed her hand over her eyes to brush away any lingering moisture before taking Alex's hand to stand. “You’re such a boy,” she said affectionately, “It was a beautiful story. Noah was so devoted to her.” She wrapped her arms around his waist and rested her head on his shoulder. “You know, Lon and Noah kinda look like a pair of brothers I know.” She grinned at him impishly.

Alex wrapped an arm around her own waist before turning to give her a smirk. "I'm glad I wasn't the only one to notice...was kind of eerie..." He couldn't suppress a shudder, before leading her out of the aisle of seats.

“You’re cuter than Noah though.” She gave him a quick kiss on the cheek. “No beard for one thing.” Out of the corner of her eye, she noticed an older couple smile indulgently in their direction and grinned to herself.

"I tried to grow a beard once...too itchy especially in sea water." Then he gave her a quick kiss, unaware they were being watched, a large smile on his face. "But I'm glad to know that. Also you are so much more beautiful than...what’s her name..." He shook his head, laughing. "And I love you...Happy first anniversary, hun..."

“Allie,” Lorna filled in, “Lucky girl. Surrounded by Summers look-a-likes. Not as lucky as me, of course. I have the real deal.” They ducked through the crowds easily. “Can you believe it’s been a year?” she asked with a sigh.

"Sometimes it seems like forever and then sometimes it feels like only yesterday..." Alex couldn't help but blush at sounding so poetic.

Lorna smiled somewhat sadly, “We’ve been through so much. More than I ever imagined.” Extracting one hand from her grip on his waist, she dug into her purse and pulled out a small gift wrapped box, “I don’t think I could have done it without you. Happy anniversary, love.”

Alex couldn't help but blink. He took the box in the hand that wans't around her waist and looked at it. "What's this hun?" He hadn't been expecting anything, after he'd already surprised her with a batch of Hawaiian flowers earlier.

“Schrödinger’s cat,” she responded, amused, “You won’t know until you open it.”

Alex raised an eyebrow, amused then removed his arm from her waist for a moment to open the small box. His eyes lit up when he saw the high tech watch inside, one that he knew was completely water proof, perfect for a surfer like himself. "This is awesome love. Thank you!" He pulled her against the wall and out of the way of the rushing people, leaning forward to give her a proper thank you kiss.

Lorna returned the kiss enthusiastically, totally unconcerned by the public arena, pulling him close. “I didn’t want to get something totally sappy and I thought that this would be good.”

"It's wonderful. Much more imaginative then my flowers..." He took her hand and headed for the exit again, when the talk about presents came to mind. "Whatever happened to the Christmas present I gave you anyway?"

“I love the flowers.” Lorna defended them automatically. The exotic blooms had touched her and she’d spent several foolish minutes fussing over them when he’d given them to her. The sudden question caught her off-guard. She hadn’t worn his gift since she’d opened it in the medlab during those horrible weeks while he was gone. It had remained in its box in her jewelry case until just a week ago, after Xavier had responded to her email. “It’s with my uniform,” she explained finally.

Alex raised an eyebrow. "Your uniform? But I thought you were a reserve or something..." He left it unfinished, almost afraid of the answer.

This was not how she’d wanted to tell him. She’d been avoiding the issue for a week which probably indicated that she didn’t want to tell him at all. “I was.” She tugged away from him and wrapped her arms around her waist. “I asked Xavier to become full time and he said yes.”

Alex felt like he'd been punched in the chest. He didn't know why, but the thought of Lorna being a full fledged X-men, well...it scared him. He took a step forward, but respected her space and didn't reach out for her. "But...why?"

Lorna glanced around the rapidly emptying theatre lobby and shook her head, “Not here. Please.”

He looked around too, having forgotten where they were. Alex nodded, then took her hand. "Come on, I have a reservation for us at this little Greek restuarant that I think you'll enjoy.."

Lorna nodded and let him pull her out. She remained silent through the cab ride, worrying at the bracelet she was wearing. It wasn't until they pulled up outside the restaurant that she spoke. "Eros?”

Alex nodded. "Yeah Scott brought me here once. Wanted to prove there was more to food then just pizza and stuff." He'd been just as quiet and his lower lip suffered for it as he'd played with it the whole way. He paid the driver and led her inside. It wasn't till they were seated that he brought up the subject again. "So...why?" Alex asked softly, almost unsure that he'd said anything at all.

She toyed with her napkin. “Lots of reasons,” she began, “I still don’t believe in fighting but...Alison has been a wreck since her last mission, even if she thinks she’s hiding it. Jamie’s dupe managed to take out half the mansion. You...I nearly lost you.” She took a deep breath and reached out her hand for his, waiting until he’d laced his fingers with hers to go on, “I’m tired of not being about to do something about it. Not being able to protect. Of just being dead-weight.”

With the hand not laced with hers, Alex reached across and cupped one of her cheeks. "Lorna, I don't know where you got that idea, but I never saw you that way and I know no one at the mansion has either. You’re so strong, so powerful..." He paused and looked down, embarrassed from speaking so plainly.

She shook her head, “I’m not. There’s so much more that I’m capable of. Believe me, I don’t want to fight. I want nothing more than a normal life. But I’m not going to get it. So I have to do something so that it’s possible for someone.”

"For who Lorna? The other kids at the mansion? I think we already proved our lives are never going to be normal. For other mutants? In this day and age, one can really only hope they find a place like Xavier's." He stopped short and shook his head. "What am I saying...this is your decision and I'll support you in whatever you do, even if I don't like it."

“For the other kids, yes, if we can. For my kids, if we can’t manage it for this generation. For my children’s kids if it takes that long. I don’t like it either. But I have to do it, no matter how scared I am.” She bowed her head for a moment, hesitating, not sure she should go on. Her last reason wasn’t one she was particularly proud of and definitely not one she’d told anyone thus far. With a shake of her head, she dismissed it. It would remain hers alone.

Alex sighed, sounding defeated. "I'm scared too, scared for you and for Scott. You have no idea how worried I am every time he goes off on a mission, that I'll never see him again. I couldn't bear to lose him again...just like I couldn't bear to lose you..."He shook his head a weak smile on his face. "Selfish I know...but I can't help it. But if this is what you want...I'll do anything I can to help you."

She stood and moved to his side, kneeling next to him, clinging to his hands, “I’m sorry. I didn’t want to hurt you. I just...I need you to be here for me. You’re what holds me together.”

He shook his head. "Don't be sorry, you didn't know. And I will be...I promise." He leaned down and kissed her gently. "For as long as you need me, I'll be there."

Cut text credit: Lao Tzu

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