Chapter One Jono's Point of View
Little known fact at the X Mansion: Kurt Wagner, affectionately known as Nightcrawler, sleepwalks. I know, I know, kind of a shock. Yer wouldn't look at him and say, "That chap sleepwalks." But what's even more of a shock is yer waking up in the middle of the night ter find him standing by yer bed like a zombie. Really, let's think about this fer a second: yer in yer room, lightly sleeping and something--that same part of yer brain that secretly knows when yer being watched, I guess--pulls yer awake. And there, standing at the foot of yer bed is a dark figure. Not just dark, but a yellow-eyed, pointy-eared, prehensile-tailed dark figure. Looming. While yer were sleeping. It scares the bloody hell outter yer. Needless ter say, I jumped outter bed. Of course, I didn't know what ter do. I'd heard yer weren't supposed ter wake them, so I left him there ter get Dr. McCoy. When I returned with the good doctor--who was pleasantly concerned ("No one in the mansion has had somnaambulism before," he said like a giddy schoolgirl)--Wagner had sat down on me bed. The doc apologized fer the scare and led Wagner back ter his room. I didn't say anything ter Wagner the next day, thinking it might be embarrassing fer him. But he acted like nothing ever happened in the first place. I guess he didn't remember it, but I didn't care anyway. It was over and doen with, even if it had been a bit creepy. I was ready ter forget about it. Unfortunately, Wagner was not. It happened again the next night. I was restless. I had been laying in bed fer at least three hours and sleep would not take me. I stared at the shadows on my wall, memorizing their patterns. My body was tired but my mind refused ter give in. As usual, my self-loathing and loneliness washed over me. I htought of everything...my life before the bandages, my life at the Academy, Angelo, Gayle, Paige.... So many thought tumbling over each other and sleep was not one of them. I was so wrapped up in me thoughts I didn't hear the door open. I just...suddenly felt a presence. I reached over and turned on the lamp by my bed. And sure enough, there he was, standing by the foot of me bed, staring at me with his yellow eyes. I sighed a soft inward sigh and sat up. Was this gonner happen every night? Why was he coming ter my room? The mansion was HUGE and smoehow he'd ended up in my room two nights in a row. Curious. Since I couldn't sleep anyway, I decided ter take a good look at him. His short dark hair was ruffled from sleep and the only thing he was wearing was a pair of light grey cotton shorts. His tail, which normally twitched around him, was hanging lifeless behind him. He was thin and graceful, but all his grace was gone right now. From the first time I met Wagner, I was fascinated with him. There was something so innocent ter him. I mean, yeah, he looks like a blue demon, but his personality is soft and comforting, and he's such a gentleman. I'd only talked ter him a handful of times, mostly just hellos and good days. I wanted ter talk ter him more, but my insecurities always flared whenever he came around. After Paige, I did a lot of soul-searching. I came ter the conclusion (after many sleepless nights, mind yer) that I was attracted ter both sexes. Why limit meself? If I could find comfort--both physical and emotional--from the same sex, why should I shun it? Before I left the Academy ter come here,  I confided in Angelo that I was bi, which was the hardest thing I'd ever had ter do. Ange understood me more'n anyone, but I wasn't sure he'd understand this. Ter my great relief, he did. Very well. So well, in fact, that we messed around fer a while. But we'd decided that our friendship was too precious. We were like brothers. And we left it at that. But I didn't need any soul-searching ter know that I was attracted ter this small blue man before me. I'd only been at the mansion fer a couple weeks, but the first time I'd talked ter Wagner I'd had a strong fantasy of running me hands down his bare chest ter see if that fur of his was as soft as it looked. It'd been so strong, in fact, that I worried if I'd projected it ter him. But he never gave me a dirty look or said anything ter me. Now he was standing in front o'me, not really aware of what was going on. I could live my fantasy, run my hands over his chest.... I shook my head, willing the thought away. That was the last thing I should be doing. I stood from the bed and debated whether I should get Dr. McCoy again. Mayber I could just lead Wagner back ter his room like the doc did last night.... *Er, Kurt,* I said, walking closer ter him. I stopped myself before I touched him. Did I really want him ter leave? No, but I couldn't be greedy. *Nightcrawler,* I said, reaching up and touching his naked shoulder lightly. A pleasant heat spread down my arm, making me gasp. His fur was softer than anything in me fantasies. It was very short, like velvet, but not as rough. Soft, so soft. He took a deep breath and blinked several times. I stood back from him, watching as confusion twisted his thin, handsome face. He looked down at himself, realizing that he was standing and not in his bed. He mumbled something in German and his big yellow eyes met mine. "Mein Gott, vere am I?" he asked, still disoriented. I 'smiled'. *Yer in me room, mate,* I told him softly. He narrowed his eyes suspiciously and took a step back, his tail twitching. I realized with a start that he must ahve thought I brought him here. *Yer were sleepwalking,* I added quickly. He relaxed a bit, but not much. "Sleep...valking?" he asked, running a hand through his hair. I nodded, suddenly feeling awkward.
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