Chapter 125
Snow sifted softly through the air, faint against the lanterns strung up in Sunfire's ancestral estate. For one night, war and worry were put aside. The X-Men laughed around the long lacquered table, plates stacked with food that seemed endless.
Banshee raised a glass, cheeks flushed. "To survival, lads and lasses. And to friends—old and new!"
Nightcrawler perched upside down from a wooden beam, tail curling as he clinked his glass against Thunderbird's from above. "And to Christmas cheer, ja? Even halfway around the world!"
Thunderbird grunted, smirking. "Didn't think I'd spend Christmas with blue devils and iron men. But hell, I'll take it."
Colossus sat quieter, staring into his cup of warm sake. His voice rumbled low. "Christmas… in my home, my little sister would decorate tree. Katya would always make sure my hands were sticky with sap before gifts. I… miss them."
Storm leaned closer, her hand brushing his arm gently. "You carry them with you, Piotr. Tonight, when you smile, when you laugh… they are here too."
Colossus's stern face softened. He raised his glass. "To family. Near… and far."
The clinking was loud and warm. Cyclops even cracked a faint smile as he leaned back.
Meanwhile, Logan slipped away from the circle of light, coat pulled over his shoulders. The cold air bit, but he welcomed it. He followed the faint sound of a flute, knowing exactly where it would lead.
Mariko Yashida sat in the garden pavilion, snow catching on her hair like silver dust. She looked up, startled when his boots crunched on the gravel.
"You move like a ghost," she said, a hint of a smile.
Logan chuckled, scratching the back of his neck. "Sorry, darlin'. Old habits. Hard to turn 'em off."
He pulled something from his pocket—awkward, like it weighed more than adamantium. A single chrysanthemum, its petals still fresh despite the winter air. He held it out, clumsy but sincere.
"Merry Christmas, Mariko. Don't got much to give. But figured this… fit."
Her eyes widened, softening. She took the flower, bowing slightly. "It is beautiful. And unexpected… from such a fierce warrior."
Logan shrugged, gaze dropping. "Got claws, yeah. But doesn't mean I can't try bein' gentle once in a while."
For a long moment, they stood in silence, the snow falling between them. Logan's rough hand brushed hers briefly as he turned back toward the laughter inside.
Don't get used to this side of me, darlin'. It don't last.
---
Morning came sharp and cold. The X-Men bustled through the estate, packing their meager belongings, bantering through fatigue.
Banshee folded a scarf. "Never thought I'd get used to tatami mats. My back'll miss 'em, sure as hell."
Nightcrawler perched on a suitcase, tail flicking. "Ja, but your snoring? No one will miss that."
"Snoring?!" Banshee squawked, indignant.
The laughter was cut by the sliding door opening. Sunfire stepped in, formal, his face carved from stone.
"I will not go with you."
The room stilled. Cyclops lowered his visor-clad eyes. "What are you talking about?"
Sunfire's voice carried the weight of decision. "Japan is my home. My land needs me. Moses Magnum showed us how fragile peace is. I will not abandon it again. Not while it can suffer."
Silence stretched. Storm finally nodded, voice soft. "Then you have chosen the harder path. And for that, I honor you."
One by one, the team approached. Colossus clasped his hand firmly. Nightcrawler hugged him quick and fierce. Banshee clapped his shoulder. Thunderbird grunted approval.
Logan sat against the wall, bottle in hand. He tipped it Sunfire's way. "See you later, fire chicken."
Sunfire's eyes narrowed, but he smirked. He snatched the bottle, downed the rest in a single gulp, then slammed it back into Logan's hand. "I don't want to see you again, hairy monkey."
For a moment, both men stared—and then the corner of Logan's mouth curled. Sunfire mirrored it. A warrior's farewell.
The car rumbled at the gate. The X-Men climbed aboard, waving. Mariko stood at a distance, silent in her garden, eyes following Logan until the car vanished down the road.
Sunfire remained on the steps, arms folded, the snow falling around him. Alone now, but unshaken.