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An incomplete list of things Rogue hates about Krakoa: she has to interact with Kevin MacTaggert.
It is by far not the worst thing about Krakoa, but she definitely does not like it. Doesn’t like that Kevin just showed up and now he’s essentially free to do as he pleases.
She’s seen what happens when he does as he pleases. Historically it hasn’t ended well.
Historically it ends with death . Burnt out, discarded bodies strewn about like litter as the man-child goes about his mission of causing pain.
It ends with Kevin hurting children. It ends with Kevin hurting her brother. Hurting Erik.
It ends with Kevin trying to kill her .
And here the council’s gone and given 20% of the power over death to Kevin Mac-fucking-Taggert.
To say that she’s pissed is perhaps an understatement.
It’s usually not too bad as long as Kevin keeps to himself, which is pretty typical. Ninety-five percent of Kevin’s socialization is directly work related and work occupies at least seventy-five percent of his day.
Sometimes Kevin tries to socialize, usually with the other members of The Five or Legion. The Five can handle themselves and Legion is usually the one approaching Kevin so there’s no real reason for Rogue to worry.
Today though. Today Kevin is laughing at something Bobby said. It’s weird, she’s not sure she’s ever heard him laugh in a way that wasn’t cruel. Nevertheless she doesn’t like it and storms over with the intention of ‘saving’ her friend.
“Bobby, we need to get going.”
He turns to look at her confused. “Oh hey Rogue…I thought we were hanging out on Saturday …it’s Tuesday.”
“She’s just mad that we’re getting along.” Kevin says dismissively. “Apparently there’s only room on this island for one parasite.”
Bobby frowns. “I like to poke fun as much as the next guy, but that was too far. Rogue wouldn’t call you a parasite-”
With no hesitation Kevin says, “yes she would,” at the same time that Rogue says, “ oh yes , I would.”
Bobby sighs defeated. “ Anyway , I was going to ask Kevin if he wanted to grab drinks with us on Saturday.”
“ He would not .” Rogue says firmly.
“I’d actually love to.” Kevin says, trying his hardest for an even tone of voice. “Would be nice to spend time with people my own age for once.”
Rogue groans and mutters, “how many times do we have to tell Bobby, ‘don’t be nice to strays, they’ll follow you home.’”
Bobby turns his frown to her. “He’s not a stray, he’s an X-Man.”
“Not an X-Man.” Rogue counters. “The Five aren’t X-Men, they’re just The Five.”
Bobby rolls his eyes. “He’s one of us now Rogue, and he hasn’t tried to kill anyone in ages-”
Rogue glares at him. “Yeah, well one of the last people he tried to kill was me .”
“Excuse me for defending myself against someone wearing the uniform of the people that imprisoned and had previously killed me. The next time the X-Men decide I need to die I’ll be sure not to fight you in particular. How about that?”
Rogue scoffs and Bobby shifts awkwardly from foot to foot. “We work with other people that have tried to kill us before…and he’s honestly been pretty nice to me…”
“You’re just saying that because you know your jokes are bad and he actually laughed at them.” Rogue responds quickly.
Kevin’s brows furrow. “It was a story and it was actually funny. I’m not in the habit of pity laughing.”
“No, you just laugh at suffering.” Rogue spits.
“And also stories about Bobby getting drunk and serenading the Red Queen with a Jimmy Buffet song. It’s objectively funny.”
Bobby looks like he wants to intervene but says nothing even as Rogue fumes beside him. “Stop acting like a person. People don’t do what you’ve done.”
Bobby frowns and turns to stare at her while Kevin just makes eye contact. “Yes well, when all you know is being treated as subhuman eventually you forget what being human is like. But don’t sit there on a high horse, I’ve always been told that friends don’t sleep with their friends’ fathers’- or is Polaris not your friend anymore like she was back when you lived with my mother?”
Bobby’s eyes widen and he takes an awkward step back, clearing the space between the two angry mutants. “I’m uh… I’m gonna go see if Kate needs anything.”
Kevin glances fleetingly at Iceman’s retreating form and thinks a withering, ‘ traitor.’
Rogue is staring him down when he looks back up and he’s tempted almost to plead his case. To explain that being part of The Five has given him a chance not just at acceptance but also for redemption . Wants to say that he can’t change his mutation and what it’s wrought but he can bring the dead back to life here and now. But he can’t give her the satisfaction. Can’t let himself appear or feel weak, just has to keep moving. Be an X-Man, to be strong, calculated, capable, cruel .
To be like Rogue. Especially the parts of her she won’t admit to.
He has to stay dangerous and volatile. It’s the only way to ensure they’re on equal footing. Rogue apparently thinks the same, but she has something he doesn’t-someone to protect.
“Stay away from him.”
“Bobby approached me . I keep to myself if you haven’t noticed. I’m used to isolation, Rogue. Remember?”
“You should have stayed in there.” She spits. “We’d all be better off.”
“Right, yes, how could I forget. The benevolent heroine who blindly agrees with my mother that I’m not worthy of living based on the parasitic nature of my mutation. I wonder what’ll happen when they turn on you ? I hope I’m still around to watch.”
“I’ll drain you, see how much you like it.”
“I’ve been used as a power source before Rogue.” Kevin says smugly. “I found it freeing. Go ahead, take your fill.”
She storms away, following Bobby across the courtyard and Kevin sighs sadly to himself, “I never asked for this anyway.”