Chapter Text
Rictor was back on his feet in a week. He returned to his apartment and set things back in order. His landlady had been worried sick about him, having checked on the apartment after hearing the commotion and the yelling (apparently Cable and Star had not been quiet when they had retrieved him), and she had found the pool of blood on the floor, but no Rictor. There had been a police search for both Rictor and the man who had done this to him, which Rictor had to put a stop to. He could not have people tracing this back to the X-Men. That would not be good for anybody.
Within a day of his return, a letter arrived from Longshot, apologizing on behalf of the team for Wolverine’s actions. Apparently two and two had been put together, and they were very sorry that Wolverine had decided to enact his revenge that night. Rictor wrote back to Longshot via email, letters were a bit old fashioned, and he was fairly sure that Xavier’s group only used them because they were more dramatic. He told Longshot not to worry, that he would not be pressing charges, and that he held no grudges for the time being.
In other realms of Rictor’s life, things were going very well. Shatterstar had been devoted to him and his wellbeing the entire time. He was a very attentive caregiver, despite Rictor’s best efforts to be independent in his recovery. This might also have stemmed from their new and nervous status as lovers. It was not much. Nothing super sentimental or romantic. Stolen kisses in hallways, a gentle tug at the hands, laying in bed together in the apartment, although they had their own rooms. It was things like that that made their relationship.
One night, as they were laying in bed and Shatterstar was massaging his back gently, Rictor voiced something that had been on his mind throughout his recovery process. “What if, hear me out, we quit our jobs. Quit being bounty hunters. Just became… people.” He turned to look at Shatterstar.
Shatterstar furrowed his eyebrows. “What do you mean, Ric? I’m not sure I follow. We’re people no matter our profession. Or is this a metaphor.” He sighed. “I don’t even know what I would do if not for hunting people for Cable. I have no talents outside of the art of war. I can barely work the toaster competently.”
Rictor massaged the space between his eyes gently. This was going to be a long conversation, he could already tell. “I’ve always wanted to live a normal, domestic life. The kind of life that’s out of reach for most mutants. I’ve never had a shot at that, at least not until I met you.” He looked up at his boyfriend. “I want to live that life with you.”
“I would… I would like that. I just. I’m not sure I can. The future is a nerve-wracking place for me. I do not know what I will do in a future where I do not fight. I’ve never done anything else…” He looked downcast. “But I think that as long as I am with you, everything will be okay. Right?”
“That’s… That’s a lot of faith to have in someone recovering from being beaten up by Wolverine. But yes, I will do my best to make sure we are both okay. Unlike you, I do have abilities outside of being a fighter. I can make sure we are safe and secure. You don’t need to worry, ‘Star.” He kissed his forehead gently, rubbing a thumb across the side of Shatterstar’s face. God, he was gorgeous. The dim light cast on him by the bedside lamp brought out the sharp, high cheekbones and the glowing white eye, and his, well, everything. He looked perfect. Rictor had never given much thought to the idea of having a dream man, but now that he knew and loved Shatterstar, he knew he had one.
“You’re looking at me funny, Ric. Why’s that?” Shatterstar cocked his head like a curious puppy. The motion amused Rictor to no end and he had to hide a smile.
“You’re just that pretty, ‘Star. I can’t help but look at you a little funny. I think you’re even better looking than Chris Pratt and John Mulaney combined.” He said, listing the only two male celebrities Shatterstar seemed to care about. His alien boyfriend sure loved comedians and comical characters. Although, as he said it, he realized that that combination was not a favorable one.
“That’s very flattering…” Shatterstar hummed as he rested his head on Rictor’s back and laid down on top of him. If he had been any heavier, it would have been agonizing for Rictor’s still recovering body, but his hollow bones made him a fairly light burden.
The next morning, the two of them drove to the X-Force base to give back their uniforms and announce their resignation. Cable was not there, however. Just Domino.
“Neena, where’s Cable?” Rictor looked around the halls, as if he was expecting Cable to pop out of the walls. “I thought he never left this place.”
“It’s not like he’s a cave troll, Julio. He’s just out doing… Actually, I’m not quite sure what he’s doing. I’m pretty sure he’s conducting business, but for all I know he’s at a strip club.” She chuckled, shaking her head. “What do you need him for? I see you have your gear. We didn’t notify you of any missions.”
“We quit.” Shatterstar spoke up, startling Rictor. He had thought Shatterstar had wandered off, having not heard his partner’s footsteps. Sometimes he forgot how quiet the other man could be.
“Excuse me?” Domino looked at Rictor, her gaze piercing right through him. He gulped.
“What he said. We quit. I want to explore the joys of the simple, non-violent life with Shatterstar.” Rictor linked arms with Shatterstar and grinned up at him. Shatterstar smiled back at him.
“Don’t tell me…” She put her head in her hands. “My two best mercenaries have fallen in love, and now they want to explore the joys of the simple life. You can’t do this to me! Not on the one day Cable isn’t around! Julio!!” She groaned, shaking him gently, which he permitted only by virtue of the fact she was Domino.
Julio rolled his eyes and shook her off him after a couple shakes. “I’m sorry, Dom. But I’m tired of the hunting and the killing and all of that. I want a normal life. My kind of people- our kind of people, we rarely get this chance. But I have this ability to live a normal, stable life with someone I love. Would you really deny me that?” He looked her in the eye, and he knew her answer instantly.
“No. Of course not. I just- I’m sad to see you go, Julio. You’re a good employee, and a better man. I wish you and Shatterstar the best.” She turned to Shatterstar who was standing defensively at Rictor’s side. “I hope you take care of this guy. If I hear anything about you treating Rictor wrong, I’m coming for you.” She hugged Rictor. “It’s been good.”
Rictor accepted the hug, knowing that Domino rarely showed a softer side, and that she was embracing him was a big deal. He was going to miss working with her. She was a reliable person, a good person, and for a while, she had been the closest he had had to a friend.
They left the building, Shatterstar still holding his swords. He had gotten permission to keep them from her. “No one else has the powers that would make them useful.” She had reasoned. “Keep them, for all I care.”
Shatterstar smiled at Rictor as they climbed into the car. “So, where to next?”
“Wherever you want to go, ‘Star. As long as I’m with you, I’m happy.” He leaned in and kissed Shatterstar. “This is the start of a new chapter, and I couldn’t be happier.”