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When the late Logan was spotted again in the wild the mansion devolved into chaos. No one knew what to think until out of everyone Colossus had answers. He said this was a different Logan from a different universe and he was here now because (out of everyone it could have been) Deadpool brought him.
Deadpool, an insane merc who took damn near any job he could and enjoyed it. Why Colossus thought he was a friend or even somewhat worthy of being an X-Man was beyond them.
They didn't pay much attention knowing Logan would find his way home like he always did. He really was like a stray cat. He comes back for food and shelter and to help when they really need it. It's nice even if they wished he'd stay longer.
The thing is he didn't come back to them, and no one knew what to do. Sightings kept happening and Logan was always with Deadpool, and no one knew what to think about it. Then THEN Colossus came back one day with a young lady who looked so much like Logan it hurt. She introduced herself as Laura Howlett and chaos reigned once again.
She was so much like Logan, it hurt the same mannerisms, behavior, tendencies and lurking in the same places Logan once did. The first time they saw the claws, Jean almost cried.
Laura could be found with Yukio and Ellie the most and eventually Rogue once she got up the courage to talk to her. Laura didn't seem to like the other X-Men, and no one could figure out why. Rogue too had started distancing herself and it just made everything worse.
Rogue started referring to herself as Laura's sister and the first time Storm heard it she had to leave. Scott asked her about Logan, and she had been dismissive just saying he was fine with Wade.
Wade or Deadpool (why is it always Deadpool why did he have to be in the middle of all of this) the same Wade she talked about with a smile on her face and a laugh on her tongue. Wade who she told stories about and who she so obviously cared deeply about. Wade who she slipped up and called Pop once.
Scott wanted to be mad but couldn't bring himself to be.
It all came to a head when shit went sideways, and they needed major backup. Laura had pulled out a phone and started speaking quickly. Not long later and out of seemingly nowhere Logan and Deadpool appeared with a few people in tow. Seeing Logan again in person even across a battlefield felt like a punch to the gut.
Logan had made himself known with a roar as he tackled the creature that was about to strike Laura. Deadpool was right behind him covering his back. They proceeded to fight in such unison it was mesmerizing to watch. They anticipated each other perfectly covering where the other would leave open.
It was a level of teamwork even the X-Men couldn't manage. Laura fell in with the three other strangers while the other two worked together and occasionally jumped in with Deadpool.
Eventually once the fight was over Logan had gone over to Laura and the others to check on all of them but specifically Laura. A small group had formed with Colossus, Ellie, and Yukio joining the new people. They all seemed to know each other and it confused the other X-Men greatly.
A few took their leave, others stayed to chat, and the X-Men couldn't help but observe them like they were some kind of attraction at the zoo. Logan looked…. good like really good. He looked healthy in a way he never had before, even his eyes looked less sunken and haunted.
He leaned against Deadpool with an arm around Laura and he was smiling SMILING! This was something novel. He never looked this happy and relaxed. He didn't look like he was being haunted by some unknowable thing or like the fate of the world rested on his shoulders.
He ruffled Laura’s hair, and she growled at him and he just…laughed. It was a sound they had never heard before, and it was like a stab to the gut.
Jean and Scott stepped forward the others close behind. Logan and Laura perked up and glanced at them, Laura with distrust and Logan with absent-mindedness like he couldn't care less.
Deadpool was the one to address them, “Ah the noble heroes have come to give they’re thanks to us.” Logan and Laura snorted as Yukio giggled and Ellie hid a smile. “Deadpool.” Scott acknowledged cooly. Logan scowled as Laura sneered. “They aren't happy to see me, are they?” Deadpool asked the open air and Scott felt distinctly uncomfortable.
“Logan, you haven't come back to the mansion.” Jean was the one to speak next and Logan looked at her genuinely confused. “Why would I?” He asked and it caused the X-Men to glance at one another in confusion.
“Because you're an X-Man.” Jean said patiently. Logan scoffed at that, “No I'm not I'm a merc, vigilante at best. I want nothing to do with the X-Men.” He said this in a tone that would imply they were stupid for even considering it.
“What do you mean Logan you were always an X-Man you're not some mercenary? You're a hero.” Storm spoke up next, sounding genuinely upset.
Logan took an intimidating step forward with a clear sneer on his face. “Who are you to tell me who I am? I'm not a hero, maybe you're Logan was, but that's not me, I'm not him . I work with Wade doing jobs that makes me a merc.”
“Any version of Logan is a hero.” Storm shoots right back and Deadpool steps forward placing a hand on Logan's shoulder to ground him. Logan leans into the touch to everyone's surprise as he gives the X-Men a once over yet again.
“You talk about your Logan like you know him.” Logan points out and it sounds like a trap. Jean shoots back, “Because we do.” Logan raises an eyebrow at her.
“What was his favorite color?” Logan asks without missing a beat.
The bear trap was sprung as Jean fumbled for an answer.
“Ooh pick me pick me I know!” Deadpool cried. Logan gave them a moment to answer but no one could. “Go ahead Wade.” Logan told the mutate with so much affection it nearly killed Jean on the spot. She remembered when he would look at and talk to her like that how much she enjoyed it.
“Red.” Wade said with a smile so clear it was visible through the mask. Logan nodded his agreement and it felt like an Ice cold bucket of water was dumped over the X-Men as the true meaning of the question and their inability to answer really hit. Logan was telling them without so many words they never knew their version of him let alone this new one.
“Do I need to continue?” Logan drawled and Jean mutely shook her head. Deadpool giggled delightedly. “Don't any of you worry your silly little heads peanut is safe and sound at my apartment living the dream.”
Logan rolled his eyes at that notion but didn't correct it, not really. Logan then took it upon himself to leave without looking back, the others scattering as well while Laura followed her father. “Come on love.” Logan calls at Deadpool who seems to puff up in pride and a whole new wave of horror falls over the X-Men.
Deadpool calls back to Logan saying he'll be right there before turning back to the still gathered X-Men. Suddenly Deadpool changes, he seems to loom larger and feels suddenly so much more dangerous. He pulls off his mask and the intensely manic eyes flick between them.
“He isn't yours; you lost your chance with your Logan. He isn't a replacement for you to throw away and mistreat using only when you need him once again. He's mine in every sense of the word and I intend to never let him go. Not until he says to get lost, or the heat death of the universe kills us if it can.”
He takes a shaky breath, eyes wild.
“I treat him better than you ever did, and he is still learning how to accept affection and love. It's such a foreign concept to him because no one has ever shown him it before. You won't fuck this up for him or I'll kill you all. That's not a threat, that's a promise.”
Deadpool spins on his heel and shouts, “Oh honey badger I'm on my way.” As he skips toward where Logan disappeared off to.
All the X-Men could do was stare and reconsider everything they'd ever done. and soon came to realize they had never cared for Logan, not in the way he seemed to care for them.