It was beautiful. Like a prom, or at least, what proms looked like on TV. This was just a “Formal,” but the effect was the same. Streamers of silver curled from the ceiling, catching the light and scattering sparkles across the room, like fallen stars just for us – us mutants.
I loved dances, or the idea of them anyway. This was my first, and I couldn’t help but glance over at Logan, brooding in his corner. Even with his signature scowl, the new suit I’d convinced him to buy looked incredible. I was pretty sure he only agreed to avoid my nagging and the imagined disappointment of Jean seeing him in jeans at a formal event.
“You know it’s not a Prom,” he’d grumbled for the tenth time as I tried on yet another dress.
“Shush, let me have this. Okay…” I checked myself in the mirror, the silver fabric flowing around me.
“Well?”
Nerves fluttered. This dress felt different from the others Logan had dismissed. Especially the pink one – his near-laughter when I’d emerged was scarring. Logan rarely showed emotion beyond his default scowl, so any reaction was memorable. But this dress… it felt right.
“Any day now,” he drawled, impatient. I could practically see the eyeroll behind the curtain.
“If you don’t pick something I swear I’m go-“
I yanked the curtain back, maybe too fast. Nerves surged as I faced him, fingers laced behind my back. His eyes traveled down me, face impassive as ever. I fought the urge to hide, to retreat to the dressing room and jeans. Sweat prickled my skin. Why the silence?
“So? Get on with the sarcasm, let’s get out of here…” I mumbled, anxious.
His eyebrow arched – there it was.
“You look beautiful,” he said, eyes meeting mine as I tried to hide behind my hair. I stared back, shocked. A blush warmed my face as he offered a rare, soft smile. What was happening?
Did Logan just call me beautiful?
“I-?”
“Don’t look so surprised.”
“I’m just-“
He stood, slinging his suit bag over his shoulder. “C’mon Cinderella, ball’s waiting.”
The memory brought a smile as I touched the shimmering dress fabric.
“Alright everyone! Couple more bangers then we’re slowing things down.”
I looked at my classmates, my fellow mutants. Still a strange concept. For so long, I’d been alone, the only “me” I knew. Discovering my psychokinesis and telepathy led to my parents… well, expulsion. “Devil’s child,” they’d called me. In rural Alabama, anything beyond livestock handling was witchcraft. My mind-reading ability terrified them, and frankly, me too. Their constant hatred, their disgust, was deafening. Silence was my desperate attempt to survive, but parental hatred is unbearable. So, I left. After subtly encouraging our cattle to dismantle their ranch. Petty? Maybe. Regrets? None.
Logan found me the next day in the woods. Classic, right? I was lost, and my parents, or rather, the whole town, would be spreading tales of my “curse.” But Logan… he knew. He just saw me. Safety radiated from him, and I didn’t question it. Initially, he was intimidating, not exactly kind. Even his compliments sounded like insults. But traveling together, we opened up. Mentor, then endearing grump, then friend. Introducing me to Professor Xavier, Logan even smiled – a genuine smile. That’s when I knew: family found, and a soft spot carved into Wolverine’s gruff exterior.
“Aren’t you gonna dance?”
Logan’s arched brow. I smiled, shaking my head. “Watching’s fine. You look handsome,” I teased.
“Yeah, yeah,” he waved it off.
“So what’s wrong? You’ve been hyped for weeks.”
I laughed. “I know.”
He huffed. “So? Dance or what?”
Shyly, “I don’t… know who to dance with.” My gaze drifted across the room to him.
He glanced down. “What about-?”
I cut him off. “No. He’s…” I saw Peter, a silver blur, with her again. Competing with a tall, blonde precognitive? Impossible. She sees the future, she wouldn’t waste time, especially on love. “He’s with Gina.”
Logan followed my gaze, then back to me.
“Besides,” I laughed softly, “What boy wants a girl like me?”
“Andy?”
The blonde boy turned, bright blue eyes searching for my voice. My heart leaped. Andy. My Andy.
Months since I’d seen him, since “I love you,” the day before I… vanished.
His eyes found mine, and he froze. “(Y/N)?” A whisper, confusion twisting his face.
I nodded, wanting to move closer, but fear held me back.
Did he know?
“You left,” he said, voice cutting through the diner’s hum. I breathed in, nodding, holding my breath, fingers locked, eyes glued to his.
“I know. I’m… sorry I didn’t tell you,” I mumbled. I started to step forward, but he recoiled, almost jumped back, eyes cautious, like I was a threat. My throat tightened.
“Your mom and dad… they said… something happened to you.”
I watched, heart pounding, waiting.
“How come you never told me?” he accused, hurt and disgust in his voice. His words stung.
“I-I wanted to-“
“You- You’re a freak- you’re… the devil,” he spat, disbelief and disgust in every word. I blinked, surprised. No expectations, but… hearing him say it. His words had always been kind, lovely, butterflies and melting hearts. Now, cold fear.
“No, no, Andy, I promise, I’m-“
“Did you mess with my mind?”
“No! Andy, please listen-“
“Don’t bullshit me, (Y/N)! I know what you are! You’re one of those freaks- those monsters!”
“No, Andy, please,” My throat closed, tears welling. He distanced himself as if I were poisonous.
“Andy-“ I reached, gasping as he lunged, grabbing my wrist, grip painful. I shrank back, looking up at eyes once kind and loving, now blazing with hatred, staring daggers.
“You devil- you monster. You fucked with my mind, didn’t you?”
I gasped, tears streaming, silent shock.
“Hey!” A booming voice echoed. Logan. Heavy steps crossed the diner. None other than Wolverine.
“Get the fuck off of her,” he growled. Andy’s fierce expression melted to fear. Hand still gripping my wrist, now terror, not malice.
“I said get the fuck off of her!” Logan yelled, tearing Andy’s hand away. Andy’s eyes widened as Logan stood between us, blocking my view of my first love.
“You ever touch her, or even come near her again,” claws extended. I jumped back, still not used to them. “I cut your goddamn hands off.”
I peeked around Logan, Andy watching, shocked, unsure. “You want a preview?” Logan yelled. Andy shook his head, breathing hard, turned, and fled through the glass door. Logan watched until the door screeched shut, figure fading into the night.
Frozen, I watched Logan turn back, claws retracting with a metallic zing. His hard gaze met mine. Before I could speak, a gunshot shattered the diner. Glass exploded as a bullet ripped through the entrance. I screamed, ducking, hands over my head, waiting for more. Glancing up at Logan, blood bloomed on his plaid shirt. His face contorted in fury, turning back around. Andy, outside, eyes blazing, silver handgun pointed at Logan.
“Logan-“ I cried, scrambling up as he charged. I grabbed his arm, holding him back, a vision of him tearing Andy apart flashed through my mind – damn telepathy. As I stood, Logan pulled me down, shielding me as Andy fired again. I screamed, Logan’s arms around me, whispering to stay down, eyes softening momentarily before hardening again towards Andy.
Bullets ripped through the diner as Logan advanced. Andy yelled, screamed, calling him every name imaginable. Andy’s “stay back” became more anguished. Paralyzed, I couldn’t run, couldn’t stop them.
“I said stay back, you beast!” Andy screamed, gun clicking empty. I shook my head, closing my eyes.
“You broke the wrong girl’s heart, bud,” Logan growled. Heart stopped at the grating sound of claws. I pushed up, searching through glass and debris for Logan and Andy. Heart pounding, I found them, facing off. Cold sweat, I knew I could do something.
Andy’s gun fell. Logan’s claws retracted reluctantly. Logan’s fierce gaze snapped to me, dark eyes watching, resisting my psychokinesis. I shook my head, calmly as I could.
“What the hell!” Andy yelled, breath fast, paralyzed, hands stuck out. Furious, he stared at me. “What did you do, you bitch!”
“Hey!” Logan snapped, warning. I stopped him. He looked back, “(Y/N), what the hell?”
Taking a breath, I turned on my heel, glass crunching underfoot, towards them, eyes stinging with tears. Andy, my first love.
“Stay away from me, you-“
“Think the word’s ‘mutant’?” I scorned, walking slowly, heavy breath, hard stare, watery, furious eyes. “I loved you.”
He blinked, reluctant glance away.
“And you told me you loved me. Remember, Andy?” I waited.
He stared, brows furrowed, trying to escape my gaze. “I… That was before-“
“Before I was a mutant?” I mocked, eyebrow raised, Logan’s influence showing. “Newsflash, Andy,” I spat, pushing him, still frozen, against the chest. “I’ve always been me. Like it or not – you loved a mutant. And a mutant… a mutant loved you back,” I breathed, truth heavy.
He stared. “I could never love a thing like you.”
I blinked, breath hitched, stepped back.
A fist smashed into his face. I gasped, releasing him from paralysis as Logan stood over Andy’s fallen form. Shocked, I watched Logan look back.
“Let him off way too easy,” he grunted. Speechless, swirling emotions, I stared at Andy’s unconscious body. Logan before me, staring down as I wrapped my arms around myself. Then, his arms around me. He held me.
Furious at myself… for what? Life was tragedy after tragedy, and I’d hurt no one. I grabbed Logan’s shirt, burying myself in his chest.
“Come on,” Logan spoke softly, frustration still there, but a new empathy. I looked up, sniffing, wiping my face with my sleeve.
“Guilt’ll hurt him more, living with it.” He looked at me, a quick touch under my chin. Boot nudging Andy’s body aside. “We gotta move.”
He walked towards the woods, the “easier path,” less suspicion on mutants there. But I think it was for solitude. Quiet. Guilt for disrupting his routine sometimes. I tried to talk less, he annoyed easily. But selfishly grateful he found me. Never said it, but… family now. Dad I never had. Die of embarrassment before admitting that to Wolverine.
“First off, you talking ‘bout that Kentucky shithead? (Y/N), don’t let his crap get to you, hear me?” Hard stare, I nodded, locked gaze. “Different crowd now, (Y/N),” he gestured to rowdy boys by the drinks flask. “Not that I wouldn’t still kick any of these enhanced shitheads’ asses.”
Soft laugh, I looked for Peter, silver glory across the room. God, perfect. But Andy’s words echoed:
“I could never love a thing like you.”
Quick shake of my head, Logan’s advice, shake it off. Focus on the music, not Gina’s golden hair as Peter spun her.
“Hey! Peter!” I called, running to him outside Close Quarters Combat class. Hiding excitement, cassette up my sleeve. He smiled.
“Man, you’re slow,” he teased, smile melting my heart.
Laughing, rolling eyes. “Yeah, normal person takes 20 seconds from stairs to Logan’s?”
He laughed, pulling headphones down. I bounced, waiting for him to guess.
“What?” He laughed, eyes playful at my bouncing.
“Guess what came yesterday?” I squealed, arm pressed to chest. His eyes widened at my hands.
“No.”
“Yes!”
Brand new Stevie Nicks “Wild Heart” tape, waved it in his face.
“Stevie!” Excited yell. He laughed, watching me hold it up, then handing it to him. He grabbed it eagerly, finger tracing the plastic, tracklist.
“Stand Back, Wild Heart… shit! Tom Petty duet!” He smiled, opening the case, unclipping his walkman.
“I know! Dying to show you! Arrived yesterday afternoon, looked everywhere!” I smiled as he handed me his Jim Croce tape. Heart skipped holding it. He’d risk a bullet for this… letting me hold it… felt special.
Logan’s irritated voice called us in as Peter put the tape in his walkman. Walking in beside Peter, Logan raised a brow. I shrugged, hiding my smile, skipping next to Peter. Surprise, we sat together on the bleachers. Heart in stomach, butterflies, hiding excitement.
“Put it away, Maximoff,” Logan called as Peter lent me a headphone. Glared at Logan, apathetic stare back.
“Listen later,” Peter whispered, headphones back around neck. Nodded, wink from him. Heart nearly exploded.
“Alright, Peter and (Y/N), eyes glued to each other.” Logan called from the floor.
Snapped my head to him, daggers, gesturing us to the floor. Knowing smile. Glared as we went down.
“See if you can do that in combat,” cocky tone. Disbelief, shook my head, Peter stepping in front.
“Get ready, set-“
Looked at Peter, playful smile, crouching, hands ready. Eyes on his feet, ready to trip him as-
“Go!”
Instantly, Peter on the floor.
“Holy!” Breathless Peter on the ground. Triumphant laugh, walked over, hand out to help him up. Logan nodded, class cheered. Back in place, still, eyes on his feet.
“Go!” Logan called.
One step further, then Peter down again. Rolled onto back, ceiling stare, heavy breathing. “What happened to ‘One, Two, Three?’”
Hand out, helped him up. Jumping up, adjusting, playful head tilt. “What’s the matter? Too quick?”
Smile, eyes widening, slow disbelief shake. Jumped, shook himself out, crouching, squinting in concentration.
“Alright, ready slowpoke?” Gruff tease, wink from Logan. Wide eyes, shushing him.
“One, Two, Three- Go!”
World blurred, back of my head hit the blue mat.
On the floor.
Wait.
What..?
Blinked, focused… Peter’s eyes above, playful, triumphant.
Heart quickened, staring, dazed. Tried to move, froze. Looked down, his chest… under him. Up at him again, face close… world blurring. Breath gone, eyes watching with sincerity I’d never…
“Well, apparently these two have a different definition of ‘Close Quarters.’” Logan’s playful jeer (for him). Gasped, looked at class, giggling, chuckling. Peter crawled off. Propped myself up, his hand helping. Grabbed it, he pulled me up, landing slightly against his chest.
“You two want a room?”
Pulled away from Peter, embarrassed. Glared at Logan, barely managed it, Peter’s hands, eyes… everything… swirling dizzyingly.
“Alright, good job you two. Tie. (Y/N) best two out of three. Maximoff, stay. Gina, you’re up.”
Breath hitched. Frozen, watching golden goddess Gina stand up, runway walk to the mats. Gym mats, her runway. Watched Peter straighten, staring at Gina… hair flicked, psychic energy ball in her palm.
As they fought, heart quickened, slowed… quickened, slowed. Gorgeous together. Dodging, graceful movements against each other’s powers. Beautiful.
“Got ya,” Peter smirked, behind Gina, holding her hand. Head turned, smirk back, yell, energy to her back, throwing him off, ready for next attack. Peter up, smiled, charged – Gina’s hand on his wrist before he touched her. Pulled him forward, smiling, energy blast. Peter caught on, tripping her before she grabbed him – selfish smile. Logan caught me watching Peter’s tripping streak, arms crossed, brow raised. Shrugged, crossed mine, watched Gina struggle.
Gina figured him out, floor again and again. “I win,” honeyed voice, holding Peter down. Blonde hair brushing his face, kneeling above him. Looked away, heart pained.
“Great job, Gina. Peter – out. Sidney, your turn, against Gina.”
Peter back to bleachers, smiled at him. Nodded, light smile back, turned to Gina’s new round. Peeking glances as he watched her move. Ballet, not fight. Beautiful. And she was beautiful. And he watched her being beautiful. And I had a new cassette.
“Come on.”
Looked up, Logan standing, adjusting coat. Raised brow.
Hand out. “Didn’t spend hours finding that dress for nothing, did you?”
Heart swelled, staring up at Logan. Grin spread across my face, witnessing chivalry, especially directed at me. Soft laugh, gently placed hand in his palm, helped me up.
“Join me for a dance, Miss (Y/L/N)?” Brow raised.
Heart warmed at the words. Gazed up, “Honored, Logan.”
He led me to the floor, arm linked. Students watching, scrutinizing me alongside Logan. “Professor Logan,” “The Wolverine.” Understandably, girls had opinions on our relationship. He was, undeniably, the most handsome mutant, man in general, ever seen. Once walked in on female mutants crowding his classroom after school, “help” with “restraining” skills. Teased him for months. Proximity to Logan made it harder for classmates to approach me. Often, sadly, jealousy. Five minutes with him, they’d know how infuriating he could be.
Except tonight. Couldn’t contain my smile as Logan led us near center floor.
“Little ballad for the lovebirds.”
Small laugh, stared up at Logan, rolling eyes as he put hands around me. Right hand in his left, other on my waist, left hand on his shoulder.
“Blue Moon” played, tears almost pricked my eyes as Logan swayed us.
Blue Moon
You saw me standing alone
Without a dream in my heart
Without a love of my own
Logan looked down, soft smile, delicate waltz. Blinked up, heart and eyes overflowing with gratefulness, love. Closed eyes, pressed against his chest, Ella Fitzgerald’s soft, safe voice around us.
You know just what I was there for
You heard me saying a prayer for
Someone I really could care for
Hugged him, swayed, dancing at our pace. Two wanderers, misfits, comfort together. Breath shook as Logan held me tenderly, dancing with me… never imagined, with or without Logan. But here I was, in my closest person’s arms, dancing, smiling (trying not to cry too hard). Simply happy.
Blue Moon
Now I’m no longer alone
Without a dream in my heart
Without a love of my own
“Hey.”
Looked up, into his soft expression. Freeze this moment. Happy, safe. He stared, hand wiping a tear. Laugh, embarrassed, rolled eyes, another tear for Logan to catch.
“Stop crying, scare off Quicksilver over there.” Smirk, glancing behind me. Blinked, brow raised. Spent too much time with him, eyebrow raise, my habit now. He turned us, Peter at the floor’s edge, watching. Eyes glimmering in starlight glow, swaying, staring directly. Logan’s hands pulled back, hand taking mine, leading me to Peter.
Heart in throat, closer, closer. Tried to pull back, “Logan, he’s with Gina,” nervous whisper. Confused stare down.
Nodding to group across the floor, “So are they.” Looked around him, Gina laughing with boys by refreshments. Brow raised – dammit.
“Peter,” Logan spoke, snapping attention back. Tentative stare up at Peter, bright stare down. Headphones fiddling in hands, soft grin. Logan brought me forward, hand to Peter’s, internal scream.
Peter took my hand, dazzling smile. Nearly fainted, managed a smile back, blush rising.
“You two ‘gifted youngsters’ have fun,” Logan smirked, turning away. Quickly back, look at me, then Peter. “You make her cry, hell to pay, got it?”
Peter stared back, slightly fazed, suddenly militant. “Yes sir,” straight posture. Logan stomped away, relief from Peter. Laugh.
“Dude’s intense,” he joked. Playful nod. He stared, shaking head slightly as I stood before him. Face already flushed, flushed more.
“You… look… beautiful.” Slowly, eye contact. Then… flickered to my lips, I bit my lip then, staring back.
“You look quite handsome yourself,” nervous voice, level best I could, awe-struck features. Especially silver hair in starlight. Bright smile, glanced down, hand behind head, then back to pocket. He was a star.
“You know, never listened to the album, the cassette.” Walkman, headphones pulled out, another pair from pocket.
Surprise, “Two headphones?”
Nodded, plugging each set into double chord. “Adapter. Two chords at once. Thought we could, you know, full experience, listen together.”
Stared up, stomach twisting, soft nod. “Awesome,” breathed, warm smile. Watched me, offered a set, eagerly accepted, quickly over ears as he pressed play. Heart raced as “The Wild Heart” flowed through orange earpieces.
One so young… so changed
Should not be left alone
Two… in love… should confess
And not be left alone
Heart swelled, Stevie’s voice, magic from the cassette in Peter’s hand, between us. Gasping, held back, didn’t look up.
You’ve had time… come around
Will you please make up your mind
Heart leaped to throat, fidgeting with headphone chord, twisting, twirling.
Make it easy for me
I been lonely baby
Fingers tangled, nervously untangling. Quick breath as Peter’s hands untangled the chord. Stared up, heart thumping, lyrics lingering, heart-swelling, truthful. Peter looked down. Stevie sang unsaid words. Words I’d replayed, invalidated, thinking Gina’s perfect future claimed Peter’s love.
Stared up, legs trembling, shaking as his hands came to my waist.
Fever goes higher what can you do?
He looked down, heart nearly exploded. Wild heart. Couldn’t stand it. Tiptoes, arms around his neck, brought him to me – but before I moved, his arms around my waist, pressing me closer, lips to mine, soft kiss at first, then… then. Head spun, arms around his neck, legs melting as his mouth took mine.
Blame it on the angels
Where are the reasons
Don’t blame it on our wild hearts
Wild heart wild heart wild heart
“Finally,” he breathed between kisses. Arms tighter, looked up, blushing. Breathed, pulled him back, didn’t want it to end… ever. Walkman shoved in pocket, grabbing me, pulling closer, if possible. Hand to my head, pulling headphones down, eyes locked on mine. Took his off then, slowly… soft smile settling as world dizzied, blurred, trapped in our world.
“No idea how long I’ve waited to do that.” Whispered, electricity through me.
Bubbling joy spread across my face, staring back up. “Mm… think I might.”
Bashful smile, glanced at dance floor. Nodded, handing him headphones, joined the party. Our world expanding across starlit space. Quick glance around, looking for Logan as Peter pulled me into his arms. Music started, looked back at Peter, heart swelling at his gaze. Undeniable blush, tried to turn away, fingers under my chin, turning me back, soft, content smile.
As we danced, melted further into Peter’s arms… surprised how easily… comfortable I felt. Almost, like in Logan’s arms.
“What is it?” Peter spoke, fingers on my back. Blinked up, surprised he noticed my distraction. Smiled back.
“Just thinking… never thought this would happen. Dancing… like this. With you.”
Playful smile, suddenly on a hill, overlooking the tent, blue and gold lights swirling wildly inside, moonlight around us. Breathed in surprise, grassy earth underfoot, dazed stare up at Peter. Bright, excited expression, headphones out again, one on my head, other on his. Closer, walkman in my hand, his hand over mine, magic box of melodies intertwined.
“Think we need better than Lou Gramm for first dance,” smile, thumb above play. “Wild Heart” swirling, our world again. Heart raced, looked up, feet swaying, nervous, heartwarming smiles.
Song ended, Peter kissed me softly. Breath gone, barely pulled back, already on the dance floor. Laugh, looked up, grabbing his lapels to steady myself.
“Sorry – they started playing our favorite!”
Listened, melody growing, eyes widening, gasped, excited smile up at him.
“I, I will be king,” playful sing, smiling down. “And you?” Waist tenderly grabbed, “You will be Queen.”
Free, joyful laugh boomed. Unreal feeling. Here, with Peter, dancing, laughing with my people… my family.
“We can be heroes, just for one day!” everyone sang around us. Peter pulled me into arms, lifting, spinning, shouting Bowie’s words. Tears down cheeks, mouth sore from smiling. Jumped, danced, heart overflowing.
“Hey!” Logan called over noise. Turned, bright smile up, threw myself at him, big hug.
Pulled back, red hair beside him, Professor Jean. Eyes widened, back to Logan, excited brows. “Professor Jean! Stunning!” Admiring her dress. Logan looked down, cautious. Quick glance back at him, proud brow. See, told you she’d like the suit. He rolled eyes.
“And you look dazzling,” she smiled, wink at Peter. “Surely Mr. Maximoff knows he’s dancing with the prettiest girl in the room.” Blushed, looked up at Peter, bashful stare down. Heart flipped.
“Took you long enough, Quicky,” Logan teased.
Rolled eyes at him. “So, Jean, what do you think of Logan’s suit?”
