When the Sun Goes Down

When the Sun Goes Down

Disclaimer: Characters mentioned are used without permission and are trademarks of Marvel Characters, Inc. I do not own them and am simply borrowing for my purposes. Please don't sue.

He found her sitting on the hill that overlooked what was left of the Xavier Institute. She was cross-legged with her eyes shut, head tilting toward the sun. When he got closer, she smiled and popped one eye open to look at him. "You just gonna stand there all night, Hayseed?" she teased, pulling her knees together and resting her arms on top of them. "Or are you gonna get over here, already?"

With a laugh, he took a seat beside her. "Subtlety always was your strong suit," he said, stretching his long legs out before him and leaning back on his hands. "'S what I like about you, y'know."

Dani chuckled, resting her head on her arms as they watched the sun dip behind the trees silently. "Remember when we were the only students here?" she asked when it had all but disappeared.

A warm smile spread on Sam's face as he basked in the fading glow before them. "It seemed like the world was simpler then." He pushed himself up, throwing his arm around her shoulder with a sigh. "But I suppose it never really was."

"Disappearing families, demon teammates, the Hellfire Club, Doug…" she ignored the way her eyes still prickled at the mention of him--it was probably just the sun, anyway--and leaned into him. "But at least we knew all the names of our friends and enemies. These days--these kids…"

Sam gave her shoulder a squeeze. "The kids'll be fine. Being a mutant might make them grow up a bit faster'n most but you'll show 'em the way."

Sniggering lightly, she closed her eyes. The red sky was a bit too ominous just then. "Why not? We paved it, after all."

"That we did," he agreed with a laugh of his own. "Might still be a bit rocky in a few places, though."

Dani tilted her head so she could see Sam's face, framed by purple and pink clouds. "Well, then I guess they'll have to stumble every once in a while. Just like we did."

With another warm chortle, he hugged her a little tighter. "And they'll have you to pick them up again." He grinned down at her. "Probably look a mite prettier doin' it, too, than ol' Mags ever did."

Snorting, Dani shook her head. "That your version of a compliment, Guthrie? Because it leaves a lot to be desired." She looked out again as the last glimmers of sunlight were finally receding behind the trees. "Lila's got her work cut out."

"Hey," Sam objected, poking her in the side, "don't make me teach you a lesson, Teacher Lady."

She let out a loud, "Ha!" and tickled him right back. "As if you could."

Reaching around her, he grabbed her waist. "Ooh, now you're askin' for it, girl…"

Dani didn't struggle, though. Instead, she fixed him with a serious look. "It's going to be all right, isn't it?" she asked, eyes full of sincerity.

"As long as you're doing what's right for you, it can't ever be wrong," he replied, pulling her into a backward sort of hug.

Frowning, she twisted so she could see his face again. "But what if I'm not sure what that is?"

Sam smiled at her. "You'll figure it out." He tilted his head forehead forward so they were touching. "You always do."

She was quiet for a moment, biting the edge of her lip. Then her face broke out in a grin and she kissed him on the cheek. "I know," she told him, standing up and offering him a hand. "It's just nice to hear it aloud sometimes."

Taking her hand, he let her pull him up. Without warning, he pulled her into a headlock. "Brat."

"Ooh!" she struggled, poking him in the side in protest. "You stupid redneck, you just wait 'til I get my hands on you!"

Sam grinned, dragging her off into the night as she continued to threaten him. They might not be the students anymore but that didn't mean they had to be grown up all the time…