X-Force: Beyond Omega

[Night]

The team sat around a big crackling fire camp that Jubilee had set up. Nearby, a barbecue grill and the air was filled with the smell of cooking meat, seafood, and veggies. Aron was in charge of the grill, flipping burgers like a pro.

"I didn't know you could cook," Kitty said, gazing at the nicely grilled steaks. Her mouth was already salivating, just from the smell.

"There's a lot you don't know about me," Aron replied, winking at her.

Betsy, now back in casual clothes and glowing faintly with residual energy, leaned against a driftwood log with a relaxed posture. "Well, I'm hungry as hell after all that training. If the food tastes half as good as this smells, I'll be impressed."

Jubilee sat cross-legged on a blanket nearby, toasting marshmallows over the fire. She glanced at Betsy and grinned. "You were badass earlier. Splitting the ocean? That's some anime-level stuff."

Betsy smirked, her pride evident. "Just wait. That was only a taste of what I can do now."

Jean rolled her eyes playfully as she handed out plates. "Let's not start measuring power levels. This isn't a competition."

"Yeah, because you're still at the top, huh?" Kitty teased, sticking her tongue out at Jean.

"Jealous much?" Jean shot back with a raised eyebrow, earning laughter from the group.

Pietro zipped in and out of the circle, stealing bites of food from everyone's plates before they could react. "Gotta admit, this is some of the best downtime we've had in ages," he said, leaning on Wanda, who gave him a withering glare for pilfering her food.

"Try that again, and I'll hex you into next week," she threatened, though there was a hint of a smile tugging at her lips.

"Can't catch me," Pietro quipped, vanishing in a blur.

Goldy barked excitedly, wagging his tail as Jubilee tossed him a piece of grilled chicken. "Good boy, Goldy!"

As the night wore on, the team fell into easy conversation, laughter ringing out across the beach. Aron finally joined the circle with a plate piled high with food.

"Alright, everyone, dig in," he said, sitting down next to Jean, who immediately stole a fry from his plate.

"Hey!"

"Sharing is caring," she said with a smirk, popping it into her mouth.

Betsy watched the exchange with a small smile, though her thoughts wandered. She felt a weird pain in her heart, seeing Jean and Aron. Their little playful conversation hurt her a bit. The memory of that day when she kissed him after losing the bet flashed before her eyes. But she quickly suppressed all that feeling in her heart and just acted normal.

"To new beginnings," Wanda said, raising her soda can in a toast.

"To badass power-ups!" Jubilee added.

"And to the best barbeque I've ever had," Pietro chimed in, earning groans from everyone.

They all raised their drinks, the clinking of glasses and cans sealing the moment.

The group fell into easy chatter as they ate, their earlier worries and rivalries forgotten for the moment. Jubilee recounted an embarrassing story about a mission gone wrong, causing everyone to burst into laughter. Pietro tried—and failed—to eat five hot dogs in under a minute, much to Wanda's amusement.

As night fell, Aron materialized a guitar. He started strumming a few chords, the melodic sound joining the rhythm of the waves.

"You didn't tell us you played," Kitty said, leaning forward with interest.

"I never got a chance," Aron said with a wink. He played a soft tune, his voice low and melodic as he sang a song of adventure from his past life that he used to hear all the time. The group listened in silence, the firelight reflecting in their eyes.

When the song ended, there was a moment of quiet before Wanda broke it with a small clap. "Alright, I'll admit it, that was a good song. You're not just a show-off. You've got some actual talent."

"I'll take that as a compliment," Aron said, grinning.

The group relaxed more as Aron put down his guitar.

Jean grabbed a deck of cards from her bag. "Alright, let's settle this once and for all," she declared, shuffling the cards like a pro. "Who's the reigning champ of beach poker?"

"Not you, that's for sure," Jubilee teased, stretching out on her blanket.

"I don't know," Betsy said, her tone light as she grabbed her plate and sat closer to the group. "I feel like tonight's my night."

"Only because you're glowing—literally," Kitty joked, earning a chuckle from Betsy.

As everyone gathered around to play, Aron leaned toward Kitty, lowering his voice. "What do you say we duck out for a bit? I could use some quieter company."

Kitty raised a brow, but her lips curved into a sly smile. "Quieter? Are you saying I'm better company than a hyperactive speedster and a firecracker who keeps roasting marshmallows?"

"Just maybe," Aron replied with a grin, standing up and offering her a hand.

Kitty glanced at the group, who were too busy bantering over card rules to notice. She slipped her hand into Aron's and let him help her up. "Lead the way, grill master."

The two of them walked along the beach; the flames were receding behind them, growing dimmer and dimmer as they walked toward the water's edge. The night was cool but not cold, with a gentle breeze carrying the salty tang of the ocean. The moon hung low; its pale light cast a silver path across the rippling waves.

They walked hand in hand in comfortable silence, enjoying each other's company along the water. Eventually, Aron pulled Kitty closer and wrapped an arm around her waist. She smiled up at him, resting her head on his shoulder and twining her fingers in his.

"This feels... nice." She murmured.

"Sorry for making you worried even though I promised not to do that again," He said softly, looking at the sky.

"You did nothing wrong. So, don't apologize. I was worried, yeah, a little bit. But I know you. I know your strength. I believe in you and your conviction, but I was a little jealous of Jean. She got to spend too much time with you," Kitty admitted, blushing a bit.

Aron turned her around gently and faced her with an earnest expression, locking their eyes together, and said, "Thank you. I... uh..." He trailed off and then cupped her cheek, placing a chaste kiss on her lips, which she accepted willingly. The kiss was slow and sensual, filled with passion, their lips and tongues dancing in sync as the tension rose.

Kitty deepened the kiss, letting out soft whimpers as his lips captured hers again and again, the heat pooling inside her like liquid fire. Her heart rate increased as her desire increased, and she felt a need unlike any she had ever experienced before. Aron continued to explore her mouth, savoring the sweet and delicious taste. She returned his embrace eagerly, her arms encircling him, pulling herself closer, reveling in the feel of his body pressed against hers.

He grabbed her waist and pulled her up in his arms. Her legs wrapped around his torso. Without a pause, her lips went back to the kiss with more fervor and passion than earlier. Kitty wanted more, more, more. She let her mind go and gave herself freely, wanting only to enjoy this moment. She felt his hand on her butt, squeezing it firmly. And it made her melt.

Then she realized something. He was starting to carry her to a safer area while continuing to hold the kiss with his wonderful lips.

After a long and satisfying walk along the beach, they finally broke their kiss, a small trail of saliva dripping between their lips. Their breathing was heavy, and their hearts were beating rapidly.

"I want you, Aron. Make me yours tonight," Kitty said, gasping for breath, her face flushed, pupils dilated with arousal.

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[14 advance chapters] [No double billing] 

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