A Bond Can Face the Cold Part I
“I’ll wait.”
You smile to yourself as the cold pierced your watering eyes; his accent will never go away and it’s so endearing that it makes you want to cry right then and there.
Those were the last words that reached you through the horribly static prone reception, his voice a quiet sigh over the line as you imagined the sad dip of his brow. He’d always been so expressive and although the bond was newly formed, you could swear to it that you felt his aching over the thousands of miles now separating the two of you. A dull pain clawed at the back of your head, but you ignored it, busy trying to shove your phone back into the pocket of your thick coat. Snow drifted down from the heavens, tiny white fluffs sticking to your (H/L),(H/C) hair as you surveyed your surroundings. The North Pole was cold, frigid, and felt more like home than you had ever admitted to yourself before. Earning the grant to resume your studies of the wild life had been your dream- was still very much what you wanted to do for the rest of your days- and then he came into your life, bringing warmth and heat. What had you done to deserve someone so loving? So kind?
Piotr is, by every sense of the word, amazing. It was still a shock to you that after so many years with your tattoo being dormant, that it would suddenly run deep into your skin as if it had been waiting and finally had its time to shine. Your tattoo was more than the usual full name, in fact, it was split across your body. His name was written with its true Russian alphabet (although you left out the days you spent wondering if it was gibberish) along the left side of your ankle while the English equivalent gently kissed at the right. Two names of the same person, a perfect representation of what he embodied. He was more than just a mere man, and to you, he was the kindest soul you had ever had the chance to meet.
Shivering underneath even the thickest of layers that you had, you began to make the trek back to camp. The signal there was beyond terrible so you had walked a few yards until it was sufficient enough to make a call that could survive longer than five minutes. Hearing Piotr’s voice brought back a warmth that even the cold could not defeat. It meant the world to you that he respected your wishes and let you wander thousands of miles away from home. You had heard of plenty of bonded people who would not let their soul mate out of their site, let alone on a train or plane. God forbid a bonded left their other half at home and crossed a state line or border. But Piotre was different- he understood. As a member of the X-Men, he had no idea when he would ever meet his other half and with the imminent danger that he is always in, he was unsure that it would be possible to keep you safe if you were ever to meet. But when it happened, when you first buried your face into his neck, terrified out of your wits, he came to the realization that you were terrified for him and not for yourself. And there was nothing he could do to stop you or your strong will.
“Dr. (L/N), come here! The sensors are picking up a new heat signature.” Your assistant called once your sweater clad figure came into view. His voice reached you over the blaring flurry of snow, flakes descending upon you with nowhere to run. You take your time stepping through the white wilderness, a smile full of childlike glee touching your features at the news. Three weeks had passed since your arrival and the crew had since doubled their efforts in finding a form of life to track before measuring the snow drifts.
“Do we have a read on the species?” You asked once you were close enough to be heard, stepping into the makeshift station as your crew moved about, writing up notes and projections. You pushed back your hood and faced the cold, eyes intent and calculating as you peered at the readings over a subordinates shoulder.
“A polar bear, and there seems to be something else out there. It’s too soon to tell.” With a nod of approval, you began to make calculations in your head.
“Stay on top of it, Myers. We need to know what that is and if we’ll have to move elsewhere.” It would be hell if your team had to pack up and move location, but if it were something unsafe, such as an unmarked blizzard or storm of some sort, you had to protect them above all else. Shuffling about the circumference of the area until you rounded back to your own desk and equipment, you slowly lowered yourself into the frigid seat. The weather was only going to get worse, you knew that much without having to use your own powers, but you were determined to weather the night until you could successfully measure the snow. Perhaps that is another reason you had always been drawn to the cold, your body had the uncanny ability to adapt to anything, even starvation. Cold became your friend when others would not, became your solstice when you were forced to hide away deep under your skin. You liked it, reveled in it, let the cold seep into your bones until it was a part of you. Professor still isn’t sure what that meant, what your abilities truly are, you had yet to be tested because Piotr was afraid something bad would happen to you in the process, but you knew that this cold all around you could be manageable.
“Myers, tell Straford to get back here in twenty from his location. The weather is going to be bad in a few hours and I don’t want him out there longer than he needs to be. Set up a safety lock to activate in twenty five.”
“Understood, Dr.” Myers (Or Daniel, but he preferred Myers) called over the slightly howling wind, raising a hand and speaking into his wrist. You had modified almost all of the electronics used and made sure to have walkie talkies installed in almost all of your clothing while increasing the signal to account for the potential distance that could separate you from your team. You were their leader; where you pointed, they would be sure to follow. It had been that way since your college days with the both of them and the almost irrational Claudette (Leia) who was taking a nap instead of looking over your radar. You shook your head and let her rest in peace, inspecting the radar yourself insead. There were three blinking dots clustered together, one a few meters out, and another that was slowly but sure passing your encampment at a perpendicular angle. It must be the polar bear, you thought to yourself, as you watched Straford’s small blinking blip slowly move closer as the howling began. Your skin broke out into goosebumps, a new sensation that didn’t usually happen, and there’s this budding tension that you try to ignore. Something in the swell of your stomach is churning, a warning or sign; something is going to go wrong. You try to disregard the terror spewing in your gut, focusing instead on the blinking lights along the screen. Straford is closing in on the encampment and you feel relief at knowing that he’s alright-
Before your radar lights up like a Christmas tree. Rising to your feet, you study over the new movement markers, all in small clusters that are fast approaching. It’s too deep into the night to pack up all of the supplies and equipment, the sun having been gone for hours on end, and even if you were fast enough, the next safe location wasn’t close enough to readily make the trek.
“Myers, start the lockdown now, that’s an order.” You said as you turned on your heel, already pulling up your hoodie. There was no way Straford would be able to make it back in time at his pace, and with the various blinking lights- you needed him back now. The only way to make sure he would survive would be to go and retrieve him yourself.
“(Y/L/N)-” Myers started as he spun around to see your retreating figure. “(Y/N)? You can’t- where are you going? We have to figure out where all of these signatures came from! Straford is almost here! You can’t go out there!”
“I have to, Myers! Just start the lockdown. I’ll be back soon.” You tightened your hood and headed for the entrance to your makeshift home, The moment the titanium doors shut behind you, the wind snaps at your figure, hitting you with a biting cold that you quickly adapt to. You brave the wind, stepping carefully over the frozen ground. You were sure there were no ice patches before you, but you could never be too sure. With slow, but sure steps, you squinted through the flurries and tried to see Straford in his blindingly red winter coat, the flaps holding reflective properties to be more distinguishable against the white snow. You stared out across the dark horizon for this marker, a sliver of fear zipping up your spine as each second ticked past. You could put on a brave show for your subordinates, but deep down, you were afraid for them. After a few more seconds of searching for Straford, you catch a glimpse of him, trekking back with his arms wrapped around himself. You make your way towards him, calling out his name over the deafening sound of the wind. He looks up, face pale and eyes seemingly gaunt, as if the few hours spent outside had somehow filled him with fear.
“Thank God, Straford! We have to get back. Lockdown started.” He gives a firm nod of his head, lips blue and quivering as he silently fell into step with you, beginning to walk even faster. You surveyed the area as you walked, curious about the sudden blips that had appeared on your radar. There seemed to be nothing there. Had it only been a type of flux? No. Your equipment was sound; new and with modifications that even the professor had looked into just for you. If there was something out there, maybe you couldn’t see it.
The pair of you make it back to base a minute before lockdown completes, the titanium steel doors, windows, and roofing locking in all 4 occupants safe and tight.
“(Y/L/N).” Straford turns to face you as he pulled down his hood, lips still tinged blue as he fought to catch his breath. His fear was palpable, piercing the air and putting everyone on edge. Claudette sat awake, yawning, and blinking away the sleep from her eyes as she scratched at the back of her head.
“Did you see the polar bear, Straford? Is that what took your ass so long?” Myers joked goodnaturedly, the left corner of his mouth upturning in a lopsided smile. When Straford stayed quiet, Myers smile slowly fell, “Dude, are you alright? Did something happen out there?” Straford pauses, tries to catch everyone’s eyes, but fear has him shivering worse than the cold. He lips at his chapped lips a few times, teeth chattering before he builds up the courage to speak. It’s something no one is prepared for.
“We need to leave. T-T-There’s… s-some thing o-o-out there- We-” His hushed voice grows silent as a small noise emits from one of your machines. It’s a receiver for the electromagnetic device your crew member had spent the last hours setting up. It was to help keep track of the heat signatures that would appear on your radar and emit a sound when they were close to your lab. A polar bear had been see plenty of times, it wouldn’t scare any of you if one came sniffing around the titanium steel, but the look on Straford’s face speaks of something you had not seen before.
“Yosef, what are you talking about? We’re in the middle of the arctic. There is nowhere to go at this time of night and lockdown has already been in effect. We can’t leave.” Myers pointed out, a furrow of confusion ridden deep into his forehead. You stared past him at the radar, at the still blinking lights.
You’re scared. Even then, you can’t let it show. You were chosen to lead the crew and as a leader, you couldn’t show your fear.
“Tell me what you saw. Myers, go back to your post and keep watch over the radar. I don’t like where this is going and we need to be better informed before making any decisions. Claudette, get up and… make us coffee or something. You sitting is making me anxious.” You ended offhandedly without looking at the other female, who managed a grim smile and nod of compliance without so much as one word of defiance. It was rare that she ever listened to orders, but even she could tell that she would have to give up her nonchalant attitude in the face of a crisis.
“I was s-s-setting up the m-magnets… o-one by one.. But each time I m-moved on, something would p-push it over like it w-weighed nothing. Even a polar b-bear couldn’t just knock that o-over, (Y/N). It’s impossible. I re-traced my steps back to the first m-magnet and that’s when I saw it.. A m-monster.. made of i-ice and snow. It was u-unreal. It didn’t even n-notice me, but it was h-heading in your direction. I saw it after M-Myers alerted me to c-come back, but my mic died. I-” His voice swallowed back down his throat as the radar screech loudly in the background, the blaring noise almost deafening in what used to be tranquil silence. Claudette’s fingers are wrapped around a pot, nearly moments from filling it with the limited water; before she can press the spout, her digits tremble to the point of dropping the pot. The electric device tumbled to the floor with a thud as the beeping of the radar dies in an instant.
It’s quiet save for the roaring of the snow and your heart palpitating in your ears. You can feel goosebumps ravage your arm under your thick coat, the sensation of fear so heavy that you wobble on your feet. Myers is quick to step closer to steady you, realization dawning on him that this is no drill or joke. Something dangerous is out there and you’re all in danger-
“(Y/N), what do we do?” W-What can we do?” Your lips part, your brain twisting into endless loops of information and ideas, all searching for a way to help them escape even if it cost you your life. Before you can voice any of them, the screeching begins.Your breath slowly fans out as you try to take in a deep breath, your chest suddenly feeling tight as all of the air grew hollow.
Why is it … going … dark?
“(Y/N)!”