As night settled over the mansion, a calm quiet filled the air. In their shared dorm, Scott and Rory prepared for bed, their movements slow and subdued after the day's harrowing events. Scott, always vigilant, kept his emotions in check, but the tension between them was palpable.

Rory, sensing his unease, finished changing and approached the bed where Scott sat, lost in thought. She sat beside him, the mattress dipping slightly under her weight.

"Scott," she began softly, her voice tender but firm. "I want to see your eyes."

Scott's heart skipped a beat. He turned to her, his expression a mixture of fear and disbelief. "Rory, no," he said, shaking his head. "You know I can't control it... I could hurt you."

"You won't," she insisted, placing a reassuring hand on his arm. "I can control it with my powers. Just for a moment. Please, Scott, trust me."

His hesitation was evident. The thought of losing control, of harming her, terrified him more than anything, especially after the day's events. But Rory's eyes held a determination he couldn't ignore, a quiet strength that urged him to believe in her, in them.

Taking a deep breath, Scott finally nodded. "Okay," he whispered, his voice trembling slightly. "But just for a second."

Rory smiled gently, her heart swelling with affection for the man she loved. She closed her eyes, focusing her energy, and when she opened them again, she met Scott's gaze, her powers creating a protective barrier that she knew would hold.

With slow, deliberate movements, Scott reached up and removed his visor, revealing his eyes to her for the first time. They were a brilliant, intense red, glowing with an energy that was both powerful and beautiful. Rory felt a rush of emotion, overwhelmed by the trust he was placing in her.

For a brief moment, they simply stared at each other, the connection between them deepening in ways words could never express. And then, as if drawn together by an invisible force, their lips met in a passionate kiss, the world around them fading away. She wrapped her hands around his neck, letting him grab ahold of her waist as she let him take over her mouth completely.

His hands traveled up her sides grabbing at her nightwear and rolling on top of her, prepared to show her how much he cared for her.

. ݁₊ ⊹ . ݁˖ . ݁

The morning light filtered through the curtains, casting a soft, golden hue over the room. The mansion was still quiet, the world outside just beginning to stir awake. Rory blinked against the light, slowly coming to consciousness. The warmth of the bed and the comforting presence beside her made her want to stay cocooned in this peaceful moment forever. Her eyes softly fluttered open to find Scott lying on his back, and Rory curled up beside him, resting her head on his bare chest. The steady rhythm of his heartbeat was comforting, grounding her in the present.

Scott was still asleep, his breathing deep and even. Rory smiled softly, turning her head to look at him. His expression was relaxed, the tension that usually lined his features gone in sleep. She reached out, her fingers lightly brushing over his chest, feeling the steady rise and fall with each breath.

The previous night's emotions were still fresh in her mind—the intensity of Scott's fear of losing her, the way he had finally let his guard down, showing her just how much he cared, and the pleasure he had given her. It had been a powerful reminder of the bond they shared, one that went beyond the battles they fought and the dangers they faced.

Rory shifted slightly, careful not to wake him as she propped herself up on one elbow. She gazed at him, her heart swelling with affection. She had seen Scott in so many different lights—strong and determined in battle, tender and protective in their private moments—but there was something special about this quiet, vulnerable side of him.

As if sensing her gaze, Scott stirred, his eyes slowly fluttering open. For a moment, he seemed disoriented, but then his gaze found hers through his glasses, and a small, sleepy smile tugged at the corners of his lips.

"Morning," he murmured, his voice husky from sleep.

"Morning," Rory replied, her smile matching his. "Did you sleep well?"

Scott nodded, reaching up to gently tuck a strand of hair behind her ear. "Better than I have in a while," he admitted. "You?"

"The same," Rory said, leaning down to press a soft kiss to his lips. "I could get used to waking up like this."

Scott's smile widened, and he wrapped an arm around her, pulling her closer. "So could I," he said, his voice warm with contentment.

They lay there for a few more moments, simply enjoying the comfort of each other's presence. The outside world and its problems could wait—this was their time, a precious reprieve from the chaos that seemed to follow them wherever they went.

Eventually, Rory sighed, resting her head on Scott's shoulder. "We should probably get up," she said, though she made no move to leave the bed.

Scott chuckled softly, running his fingers through her hair. "Yeah, we probably should," he agreed, though he didn't seem any more eager to move than she was.

But as much as they wanted to stay wrapped up in this peaceful morning, they both knew that their responsibilities awaited them. 

With a reluctant sigh, Scott finally shifted, gently pulling away from Rory to sit up. "Alright," he said, running a hand through his hair. "Let's face the day."

Rory smiled, sitting up beside him. "Together," she said, reaching for his hand.

Scott squeezed her hand, nodding. "Always."

. ݁₊ ⊹ . ݁˖ . ݁

The sun was higher in the sky when Scott and Rory finally left their room, making their way through the halls of the mansion. The early morning peace had given way to the familiar buzz of activity. Students and teachers moved about, some heading to classes, others catching up after the previous day's events. Despite the calm exterior, there was an underlying tension—everyone knew that their respite was only temporary.

As they rounded a corner, they spotted Daisy, Bobby, and Rogue talking near the entrance to one of the common rooms. Daisy, ever the lively one, was animatedly gesturing as she spoke, while Bobby leaned against the wall, listening with a smile. Rogue stood a bit apart, her arms crossed, but there was a warmth in her eyes that hadn't been there the day before.

When the trio noticed Scott and Rory approaching, Daisy waved enthusiastically. "Hey, you two! Finally decided to join the land of the living?" she teased with a grin.

Scott rolled his eyes good-naturedly, but there was a small smile on his lips. "Morning, Daisy," he greeted, then nodded to Bobby and Rogue. "Everyone doing okay?"

Bobby nodded, pushing off the wall to stand straighter. "Yeah, we're good. Just catching up after all the craziness yesterday."

Rogue gave a small nod, her gaze lingering on Rory. "You guys alright?" she asked, her Southern accent tinged with concern.

Rory exchanged a glance with Scott before nodding. "We're fine," she assured them. "Just needed some time to recharge, you know?"

"Tell me about it," Daisy said, her expression sobering slightly. "Yesterday was... intense."

"That's one way to put it," Bobby added with a wry smile. "But hey, we made it through."

Scott's hand found Rory's, giving it a reassuring squeeze. "We did," he agreed, his voice steady. "But we've still got a lot of work to do."

Daisy's eyes flicked between Scott and Rory, picking up on the subtle exchange. She opened her mouth to say something, then seemed to think better of it, instead giving them a supportive smile. "Well, whatever comes next, we've got each other's backs," she said. "That's what matters."

Rogue nodded, a determined glint in her eyes. "We stick together. That's how we'll get through this."

The small group fell into a comfortable silence, each of them reflecting on the truth of Rogue's words. The bond between them had been forged in fire—trials that had tested them individually and as a team. And though the future was uncertain, they knew they could rely on each other.

After a moment, Scott cleared his throat, breaking the silence. "Alright, let's get moving. There's a briefing in the Danger Room in half an hour."

Bobby groaned, though there was a playful glint in his eyes. "No rest for the weary, huh?"

Daisy chuckled, nudging him with her elbow. "Come on, Bobby. You know you love it."

As they all began walking together, heading towards the Danger Room, Rory fell into step beside Rogue. "How are you holding up?" Rory asked quietly.

Rogue shrugged, but there was a softness to her expression that hadn't been there before. "I'm okay. Still trying to wrap my head around everything, but... I'm getting there."

Rory nodded, understanding all too well. "If you ever need to talk, I'm here."

Rogue glanced at her, a small smile tugging at her lips. "Thanks, Rory. That means a lot."

Scott, who had been walking just ahead, slowed his pace slightly to fall in beside them. He gave Rogue a nod of acknowledgment, then glanced at Rory, his expression unreadable. "Ready for whatever comes next?" he asked her, his voice low.

Rory met his gaze, a sense of resolve settling over her. "As ready as I'll ever be," she replied.