Mutatis Mutandis

Summary: Maybe he should just give up on being sure when it comes to John.

John sighs, and sits down beside Bobby on the porch. He smells faintly of charcoal and cigarette smoke. They don’t say anything for a while; Bobby’s still reeling from the realization that John is actually here, sitting beside him instead of a million miles away or six feet under or... who knows where.

In the months after John left and Jean died, Bobby had entertained many fantasies about John’s contrite return. Depending on the day, some would end with him kissing John and some would end with Bobby punching him.

None, however, began with a fifteen year gap and awkward silence.

Many years after X2, John walks back into the mansion and back into Bobby Drake's life. A warming but unsentimental reunion story about just how much they haven't changed in the intervening time.

Hospitality

Summary: Bobby gets a letter that sends him on a personal quest.

He looked down at the envelope again.

The outside had nothing but Bobby's name scrawled over a type-written sticker with the school's address. Inside, a simple note:

In the event of my death, I, John Allerdyce, bequeath all of my earthly possessions to Bobby Drake.

The key had been taped to the bottom with the motel's name written next to it. The Lucky 7. Of course John would rent room thirteen at a place called Lucky 7.

"This is stupid," he said to the door. "I haven't even talked to him in ten years. He just did this out of spite."

Ten years later, some things have changed for Bobby Drake and others not so much. I really like the characterisation in this, plausibly extrapolating from the boys they were when we last saw them to the men they've grown into.

The Key

Summary: Bobby is having issues with John's lighter.

“What the hell are you doing? Trying to burn the school down?” Bobby's voice is dry and raspy, and he snaps more from exhaustion than real concern. He hopes.

“Relax.” St. John’s voice sounds wide-awake, and Bobby honestly does not want to think about what St. John’s doing that alert at this hour. Or yeah, he really does, but not now. No, definitely not now. Later, in the shower, with soap, would a much better time.

“Relax this,” and he doesn’t even have to try hard. Doesn’t really have to try at all. Just one small breath and --

“You froze my fire. I can’t believe you froze my fucking fire.”

“Believe it.”

John won't stop playing with his lighter. Bobby can't stop staring at Johnny - or freezing their bedroom by accident. Wackiness ensues. Bobby and John are such boys in this story, and it's funny and sweet and sexy.

(While he doesn't appear anywhere in this series, I can never read it without imagining that the Professor is sitting in his office overhearing Bobby's thoughts through all this and facepalming in an epic fashion. I think this is probably just me, though.)

Freeze Out

Applying Heat

Liquify

Melt

Flux

Mercury Rising