When Darkness Turns to Light

Posted on Mon Nov 27th, 2023 @ 6:07pm by Scott Summers & Aurora Summers

4,519 words; about a 23 minute read

Mission: Episode 3: X-Tra Ecclesiam
Location: X-Mansion | various
Timeline: August 19th, 1990 - During and after the party

Aurora had drifted away from the party feeling something of a square peg in a round hole, she focused her senses on finding Scott. Having been in his mind enough times, it was easy to locate him, as she followed the sense she had down to the basement and the wine cellar. Walking in, she was surprised to find him drowning his sorrows in a bottle of wine.

“Scott? Are you alright?” She walked across to him, pulling the dressing gown she had on over her bikini around herself to keep her warm.

A quiet sniffle cut off a series of sobs. "No, Aurora. I'm not." Scott wiped his eyes as best he could and replaced his glasses. His eyes looked puffy despite the obscuring ruby-quartz lenses. "I'm about as far away from alright as can be."

Walking over to him Aurora gently placed her hand on his. “This is all my fault, I’m so sorry, Scott!” She gently wiped away his tears. “Tell me what I can do to make this better. If you want me to go, I’ll go.”

"What the hell are you talking about?" Scott looked up at her in shame and disgrace. "You haven't done anything to me. I've done it to myself."

“It didn’t help having me encouraging you, though, did it?” Aurora sighed. “Don’t do this to yourself Scott, you’re better than this. Our baby needs you to be someone he or she can look up to.”

"Add our baby to the list then," Scott said. "I've already failed you. Like I failed them." He started wheezing in attempts to hold back his sobs. "I thought I left them for dead. I came to terms with that. But they're not dead. They're out there somewhere." He pointed up toward the pool. "Bobby is back and he isn't broken! He's the same Bobby I've always known! A little rest and relaxation and he's good as new!"

His voice rose in pitch to a near shriek. The shallow, wheezing breath of his mouth nearly made him hyperventilate. He dropped to his hands and knees.

"The others.. Alex... I left them... I let them down... I'm here and they're waiting for me to find them and I haven't! It should be all of them up there with Bobby right now! I've failed everyone!" He punched the ground and gave in to the sobs he'd tried to hide when Aurora first entered.

“Scott, stop it!” Aurora hugged him as best as she could. “Do you think you can save anyone like this? They need you to help find them, Scott, just like you did Bobby. They need all of us. You have to hold it together, they need you...she needs you.” Aurora hated to say it. “Jean needs you.”

Despite her smaller frame compared to his, Scott clung to Aurora like a lifeline and wept at her words. He'd been holding it back against the wine-induced cracks, but as before, during the first night when she had come to him, Scott wept against her. "I tried...so hard... I failed... everyone."

Aurora held onto her love, giving him solace and comfort to let out his emotions. “Has Bobby said that? Has he shown any anger towards you?” She shook her head. “You saved him, you saved us both, you’ll save the others too, Scott, just you wait and see.” She continued to hold onto him, letting him release all his pain.

"I haven't talked to him..." Scott admitted, hiding his face in her shoulder. "How could I? If any of the others came back, how could I face them? I can't even face Professor Xavier..." ~I can't even face you right now~

“Yes, you can.” Aurora gently lifted Scott’s chin so he was looking at her through his glasses. “I would tell you to take your glasses off, but my abilities aren’t stable right now. You know how I feel about you, that’s why I said yes when you asked me to marry you. I know things are complicated right now, Scott, but we’ll get through this...together.”

He was drunk. He was angry. He hated himself. He wanted to give up. Eye contact with her, though, pulled him out of the eternal hell of the past that would not let him go and gave him a glimpse into a future without grief, without pain, without fear or doubt. Could he believe it to be true? He had to. There was no other choice.

"I'm a mess..." His voice had evened out. Even his facial expression had changed, like he'd woken up from a bad dream. "Inside and out." There were three empty bottles of wine at his feet. "We've got a mission tomorrow... what was I thinking?" He tried to stand to his feet and wobbled. "Whoa..."

“Let me help...” Aurora offered some support. “Everyone is at the party, we need to get you sobered up. Let’s go get you some coffee, and some food in that stomach of yours.”

"No..." Scott shook his head. "I need to flush it out. Water. Lots of water. Maybe the sauna. There's a jetted tub in there."

Aurora nodded. “Okay, let’s go there then.” Helping support Scott as best as she could they headed for the sauna and hot tub. It took a little longer than Aurora liked but they arrived without being seen by anyone.

After a few steps, Scott managed to keep his feet under him so that Aurora wouldn't have to shoulder his bulk. She still helped him keep balance, though, which prevented a tumble or two. The sauna would take a moment to get steamy but the jets on the tub in the center of the floor activated instantly. Scott nearly collapsed into the water and let himself lean against the edge while the jets did their work.

"Thank you," he said with a sigh. "You didn't have to help me down here. You could've left me alone and checked on me later. And I wouldn't have blamed you if you had." He took a deeper breath and this time released it with a soft groan of satisfaction. "Like Jade did..."

“Jade?” Aurora looked at Scott concernedly. “Does she know about us? And for reference I’m never going to leave you alone Scott, I’m your fiancée remember?” She smiled. “I would join you, but I don’t think saunas are suitable for pregnant women.”

"The jets probably aren't safe but the steam might do you good," Scott said. He draped a cloth over his bare face and set himself in for the long haul. "Up to you." Taking another calming breath, he finally started to feel a little better. "Jade knows. She downright confronted me. We didn't call her Bloodhound for no reason. She said she could smell the pregnancy hormones in your bloodstream as soon as she returned. Now she wants to examine you in the morning."

Aurora nodded. “Okay, well I guess that’s good in some ways. My abilities are already being affected so I need advice anyway. In the meantime I’d like to join you, if you can manage without the jets that is.” She smiled as she slipped out of her gown, leaving just her bikini.

"Okay." Scott let out a weary chuckle and fumbled with the jet controls, then removed the washcloth and put his glasses back on. No currents, lower temperature, still comfortable. By then, Aurora was descending into the hot tub. While Scott had seen her unclothed, there was something about the way she descended into the tub in her swimwear that made his breath catch. The bounce of her hair, among other things, along with the kindly look on her face edged by faint worry lines, all on top of he ever-present glimmer in her eyes whenever she looked at him... "Uh. Wow."

“I take it you approve of the bikini then?” Aurora grinned. “I thought you might. I know not everyone is going to like it when our secret comes out, but I’m hoping they’ll come round. Any luck with the wedding venue search?”

Scott nodded his semi-drunken head. "Yeah." He realized she'd asked two questions. "Um, to both." He had to close his eyes to jog his memory. "There's, uh, a few down in the City." By which he meant New York City. "The one with the least paperwork still requires ID and so on. Do you have one?"

“Erm...I think so, it’s an old ID from when I was with my last foster family but it should suffice. They let me use their surname for adoption so it’s a legal document. I want us to get married the sooner, the better.” She grinned. “How are you doing? Sobering up?”

"I think so," Scott said, "because I'm starting to hurt all over. I think I need some water." There was a miniature water dispenser at the edge of the tub. Scott rinsed out the metallic tumblers on top of it with fresh water before pouring a glass for himself and Aurora. "This is meant for coming down from training sessions and workouts, but it works just as well for... bad choices." He handed one to Aurora before downing his water in one long gulp. "Ah..." He poured another for himself to sip on before settling back in to soak. "That definitely hit the spot."

Aurora sipped her water before relaxing back with Scott. “Are you still sure you’re happy to get married? I don’t want to appear to anyone that I’ve railroaded you into marrying me. I know how people think.” She was worried that he’d give her an answer she didn’t want to hear.

"People are going to think what they think," Scott said flatly. "We've done everything backwards, so I can't say as I blame them. I'm already haunted by the thought of letting everyone down. At this point, I just want to do the right thing and be my own judge." He gave her hand a weak squeeze. "You make me feel right. Our baby is only evidence of that. No matter how it might look, this is the path we're on and I'm going to see it through."

Aurora nodded. “I’m sorry I must sound like I’m questioning every little thing, I guess I’m just insecure. You’re my first serious relationship, the only man I’ve ever made love with, and yet I know you’re the one I want to spend my life with. I want to be a good mother as well, and I will be.” She smiled before leaning in for a loving kiss.

Being in the liminal state between drunk and sober, having a lukewarm soak to strain the toxins out of his body so he wasn't a sweaty wretch, Scott wasn't in a position to accept or deny the kiss. But he relished it anyway. He braced the side of her head with his hand to better return her kiss. "You can question whatever you want," he said. "I'll be here to answer."

Aurora nodded. “Enough questions for now, let’s just let you sober up.” She smiled excitedly. “I don’t suppose any of those chapels are open tonight? I don’t think anyone would miss us while they’re all at Bobby’s party.” She gave him a wry smile. “Feel free to stop me if I’m getting too carried away here!”

The question made him giggle. An honest to goodness giggle. With the hydration making the worst of the early onset hangover pass, Scott was free to let himself go and laugh for no reason. "I don't think I'm okay to drive, beautiful."

Aurora nodded. “That’s true, and I guess you being sober would be best.” She tried not to look disappointed. “The Professor will try and talk us both out of it, that’s what worries me the most.”

"Then we'll do it as soon as we get back from Boston," Scott suggested. "That way there's nothing to argue."

Aurora nodded and smiled. “Agreed!” The feeling of fear in the pit of her stomach subsided. “Ohhh... there’s something I want you to help me with, I err...I need to learn to swim.” She gave him an embarrassed look. “Connor almost threw me in the pool earlier, and it’s made me realise I need to learn, and sooner rather than later.”

"There's a small lap pool on the other side of the hallway there," Scott said. "I can help you with that." He pondered aloud. "Really that needs to be something we do for the whole team."

Aurora nodded. “Everyone should know that I can’t swim, if we were ever faced with something happening on, or near water, then they’d need to know not to choose me. I’d endanger other people. That’s why I plan to learn as soon as possible.”

"You're a fast learner," Scott said with a grin, "so I think you'd do just fine."

Aurora nodded. “Thank you. Will you be there with the team tomorrow, or are you coordinating from here?”

"All hands on deck tomorrow," Scott said. "Not a show of force exactly. There's still strength in numbers. The world needs to see the X-Men."

Aurora nodded. “Good. I was hoping you’d be there with us. To say I’m nervous about my first time in the field as part of the team is an understatement! I know I’ve trained for this, but it’s still a scary thought.”

"With any luck, we'll just be glorified cheerleaders in the face of bigots." Scott smiled affectionately at her nervousness. "Just stay alert and flash that grin at anyone particularly foul-mouthed. They hate that." His face turned pensive. "And trust your instincts. If something feels wrong, it probably is. Jean had a way of sniffing out trouble before it happened." He didn't mean to compare them. Truth be told, he barely noticed. He just breezed by it. "Trust yourself and your team. That's all there is to it."

Aurora nodded. “I’ll do my best, I’m finding my abilities to be somewhat awkward to control at the moment. I think it’s got something to do with the pregnancy hormones, as Connor said.” She shrugged her shoulders. “I don’t need to be showing signs of weakness, or lack of control while in public. Still if I’ve got you there, I’ll be able to focus on you and keep my composure.”

"Don't focus on me," Scott said. "Focus on your surroundings. That way you will be better poised to respond should the situation call for it." His tone wasn't exactly stern but it was matter of fact and direct. The old Cyclops voice had briefly shone through. "Sorry. Old habits."

“No, it’s okay.” Aurora nodded. “You’re my senior here as well as my fiancé, you’re here to teach me and help me learn.” She smiled a wry smile. “Seriously, though. If I step out of line or I’m doing something wrong, tell me. When we’re out in the field we have to concentrate on that. You’re right to correct me.”

"Oh, I think you're already quite capable," Scott said. "You just needed a little guidance." It was true. He'd seen her in action and she didn't wait to be told what to do. She just did it. "Cameron is likely to be calling the shots, though. I'll be there for familiarity. Now Bobby, too, I imagine."

Aurora nodded. “In that case I’ll do my best to make you proud.” She moved closer cuddling up next to Scott. “I could get used to this you know, we’ll have to try sharing a bath sometime.” She grinned playfully.

"I don't see anyone else around..." Scott returned her playful expression. Technically he'd only pulled off his shirt and pants before half climbing, half falling into the hot tub. He was only wearing his boxer briefs. "Might as well make this one."

Aurora grinned playfully. “Well in that case...” she moved about under the water before tossing out her bikini bottoms, followed by the top. “So much better.”

A woozy grin came over Scott's face as he removed his boxer briefs as well. "Smart and beautiful," he crooned. "I never stood a chance, did I?" A series of chuckles preceded a kiss.

Aurora returned the kiss with love and passion. “Maybe, Maybe not,” she smiled a wry smile. “All I know is you’re the one for me.”

Returning her passion for passion, Scott hummed with delight at the sudden turn. It wasn't along ago he was cursing the day he was born. Now he was feeling right as rain. How did she do it? Still half gone from the wine, he pressed his lips against her more firmly than usual. His coordination left a little something to be desired.

Aurora didn’t mind one little bit. Scott made her feel what she’d always dreamed of, to be loved and desired by the man of her dreams, and Scott was most definitely that man. She returned the kiss just as hard, feeding off the emotion and desire he was putting out. She knew Scott wouldn’t hurt her, not intentionally.

The intensity rose to a fever pitch. "I want to have you here and now," Scott whispered as he kissed along her left ear. "But I don't even think I can stand up straight."

“Who says you have to stand?” Aurora replied somewhat breathlessly at the intensity of their passion. “Let me do the work...” She smiled a wry smile.

"Yes... ma'am..." Scott could barely get the words out. There was no resisting her even when he wasn't intoxicated. Here and now, she would have her way with him and all he could do was enjoy it. There was attraction and then there was connection. This was the second. Even without his full bearings, Scott could feel something binding them together, like a force greater than themselves. And he surrendered to it without any resistance. in fact, he found himself hungering for what only she had to offer. His hands followed the motions of her body once she climbed atop him.

Aurora was as wrapped up in Scott as he was in her, his emotions fed back through her senses as she let her ‘walls’ down so Scott could feel what she was feeling. She vocalised just how he made her feel as she took control.

Merging in mind as well as body felt like the first time every time. But tonight was different in another way. Scott was being almost totally passive. The most he could do was stare into Aurora's eyes and lightly caress her curves as the rhythm of her body allowed. Even that was tame.

For so many years, Scott devoted his life to training and strategizing and fighting the good fight. He had grown from a weak orphan to a man of action. Now the man with the plan was without one. He was going one step at a time. Right now, with Aurora, there was nothing in the entire world except the next gyration. And then the next. And the next after that. Scott was out of control in every way. And he found he loved it.

"I love you!" he belted out, his voice cracking in a falsetto. The declaration was unplanned but Scott had no regrets. It felt good to be out of control.

Aurora gave Scott a surprised look, his declaration of love was unexpected but welcome. “I love you too!” She picked up the pace letting herself go as wild as Scott was feeling. It was amazing to experience something so deep and meaningful with Scott, she wanted to make this as magical for Scott as it was for her.

"Take me," Scott said with an ecstatic whimper. "Take me, all that I am." His face contorted into a grimace of pure pleasure which wrenched out the words once more. "I love you, Aurora!"

Aurora smiled as she enjoyed Scott for all that he had to give, crying out his name over and over again as they made passionate, almost frenzied love. She didn’t stop until she was nearly exhausted.

After Aurora had claimed his essence in every aspect, Scott held her tightly and refused to let go. Peace such as he had never known filled him through their embrace. "I'll never let you go," he whispered. "Never let me go."

“Never my love, I promise.” Aurora held Scott the feeling of peace and belonging she felt from being with him told her that she’d found her soul mate. “I love you, Scott Summers.”

The effects of the wine, the soak, and yet another night of passion proved to much for Scott. His arms clutched Aurora tightly like a child's lovey while he succumbed to unconsciousness. Aurora's words turned his breathing soft and steady.

Aurora hoped no one else would come down looking for some alone time, she wanted to let Scott get some rest but here wasn’t the best place. “Scott...Scott, wake up. We can’t stay here.”

"Wh-what? Hm?" Scott began to stir with a bit of confusion. Water. Warm body. Intimate configuration. Aurora? Jean? Where was he? "What happened? Something wrong?"

Aurora could sense, let alone hear, the confusion that Scott was feeling. “It’s me. Aurora. Nothing's wrong, my love, you just fell asleep. We can’t sleep here. We need to get out of the water.”

"Oh...hm...yeah." Cognizance began to return along with the memory of the evening. Bad memories that soon turned very good. He smiled a dopey smile while his body continued to flush the excess alcohol. "You take good care of me." His voice held an airy lilt. "I like it when you kiss me. When you ride me. When you touch my mind and burn the dark away." His eyes closed for a second too long and his head rolled back. "Always comes... back..." He trailed off as sleep tried to claim him again.

Aurora couldn’t really blame Scott, given the amount of alcohol he’d consumed, his body needed to sleep it off. “Scott...you have to wake up!...please.” She gave him a gentle shake. “Scott, we need to get out of the water.”

"...but you always come back too," Scott said, picking up where he'd trailed off. The growing urgency in Aurora's voice finally snapped him out of it. "Wow... How long was I out? Did anyone else come down here?"

Aurora shook her head. “No, it was just a brief few minutes. I didn’t want us getting caught like this.” She smiled. “How’s about we get you back to your room? I’ll willingly stay if you want the company, or if you think it’s too risky I’ll wait until after we’re married.”

"We've got a mission tomorrow." Scott pulled himself out of the clutches of the warm water and managed to stand up without much wobble in his legs. He'd forgotten that he was unclothed, though, which gave Aurora an eyeful. "Oh ... right. Pants..." He looked around for where he'd left them.

Aurora grinned a wry grin before telekinetically moving Scott’s underwear to him. “There you go, handsome.” She sat giving him a dreamy-eyed look before standing out of the pool to put her bikini back on.

Getting dressed together like a couple of teenagers sneaking around the Professor's back pulled up old memories for Scott. This wasn't ideal. He needed to be better. He would be better. "Just as soon as we get back from Boston," he repeated while pulling his clothes on. "We'll put everything to rights."

Aurora nodded. “I know we will. We’ll show the Professor how serious we are. Maybe we’ll be able to have a service, or a party with everyone here once things settle down.”

"Like asking for forgiveness instead of permission?" Scott let out a wry chuckle. "Aurora, that might be your best idea yet."

“I’m not used to asking for either.” Aurora grinned. “On the streets my abilities came in handy for taking things without being seen. I didn’t need permission, and there was no one to ask forgiveness from.”

"Well, now you do," Scott said. "We'll do right by everyone as best we can. But, first thing's first..." He gave her a parting kiss. "We do right by each other."

Aurora returned the kiss before nodding. “After Boston tomorrow, we’ll do just that. We both need sleep ready for tomorrow so just cuddling for tonight?”

If Scott knew Bobby, the party would go as long as it could. So long as nobody got into any trouble, nobody would likely be the wiser. "I think we could get away with that for tonight."

“Wonderful!” Aurora smiled as she picked up her over bikini dressing gown and put it on. “Let’s go while we’ve got chance to get there without being seen.”

Scott led Aurora to one of the high-speed transit tubes. Pressed together, fitting two people in a space designed for one, they rode the line up to the second floor of the Mansion.

“I’ll leave your room early in the morning, less chance of being spotted leaving that way.” Aurora smiled. “Can’t be seen running about in my bikini then. As for you next time you’re feeling so low, just call me I’ll be there for you.”

The time was rapidly drawing to a close where Scott could no longer say that would not be a good idea. He nodded. "Alright, Aurora. I will."

Nodding as they quickly made their way to Scott’s room, Aurora waited for Scott to enter first before following inside. “Whew! I’m glad we made here unnoticed. I think we could both use some sleep.” She stifled a yawn as she headed straight for the bedroom.

"No doubt." Scott stripped off his clothes and flung them at the hamper before falling onto his bed. "I'm beat." He left plenty of room for Aurora. As a tall man, he preferred sleeping on a California King mattress.

Aurora removed her still damp bikini and gown hanging them up to dry, before quickly drying herself off and sliding into bed with Scott. “You’re not the only one. Let’s get some well earned sleep.” She smiled before giving him a kiss goodnight.

Had Scott been awake, he would have returned it. But he was already breathing heavy, sleep finally claiming him for the night. With any luck, he would be in better form the next day when their mission counted on it.

Cuddling up, Aurora closed her eyes and was soon fast asleep, happy in the knowledge that she was safely in Scott’s embrace.

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