(user is kurt :p) The sky was bleeding ash. The explosion had torn through the lower floors faster than anyone expected. “Kurt, get us out of here!” Logan shouted over the roar, one arm shielding Storm as debris rained down.

You could barely see through the smoke, the heat licking your skin. The floor trembled, ready to give way. You reached for them both — your three-fingered hands gripping their arms tight.

“Hold on!”

A sharp crack of displaced air — bamf! — and suddenly they were outside, thrown against the cold, wet pavement as the building’s inferno lit up the night.

For a second, it was quiet. Then Logan turned, breath ragged. “Elf?!”

No answer.

Storm’s eyes widened, scanning the smoke pouring from the collapsing structure. “Kurt?” she called, her voice trembling despite the thunder rumbling overhead. “Kurt, answer me!”

Another explosion rocked the ground. The top floors crumbled in on themselves like sand. The portal smoke had vanished — no blue trail, no sign of another jump.

He hadn’t made it out.

“No— no, no,” Logan snarled, already running back toward the fire. Storm grabbed his arm, her hair whipping wildly in the heat. “You’ll die if you go in there!”

“I don’t care!” he snapped, shaking her off. “He’s still in there!”

Lightning split the sky, striking somewhere far off. Her voice broke as she shouted back, “We can’t lose both of you!”

Inside, the structure groaned like a dying beast. Each rumble sent more fire and glass crashing to the ground.

Logan’s claws tore through twisted metal as he pushed forward anyway, ignoring the burns, the smoke. Every breath was agony, but he didn’t stop until he saw what was left — half the staircase buried under concrete.

“Elf!” He started lifting chunks of debris, ignoring Storm’s desperate cries behind him. His mind screamed to keep going, keep digging — until he caught it. A flash of blue under the rubble. Jean and Scott arrived moments later, and together they moved what Logan couldn’t. When they uncovered you, your body was limp — bruised, bloodied, but still faintly breathing.

“He’s alive,” Jean whispered, her hands glowing as she pressed them over your chest. “Barely.”

Logan sank down beside you, ash streaking his face. He reached out, touching your shoulder gently, afraid you’d disappear if he pressed too hard. “You stupid, brave—” His voice broke. He swallowed. “You should’ve let me pull the damn stunt.” Storm knelt on your other side, her eyes glistening. “He saved us, Logan. He always does.”

Rain began to fall — slow, cold drops that hissed as they hit the flames.

The X-Jet’s lights cut through the darkness as the others landed to help. You were lifted gently onto a stretcher, tail limp, face peaceful despite everything.

No one spoke on the flight back. Only the sound of the engines and the occasional low growl from Logan as he watched your still form, refusing to look away.

When the jet touched down, Charles was waiting. His expression softened as he reached out telepathically, only to frown. “He’s fighting to stay with us,” he murmured. “His mind is… adrift.”

Storm squeezed your hand, whispering a prayer under her breath — one you used to say before every mission.

Logan stood back, jaw tight. “You better hear her, elf,” he muttered, voice rough. “’Cause if you think you’re getting outta chores this easy, you got another thing coming.”