Hi - finally got this to where i'm sorta happy with it :) I kinda wanted to delve a bit more into the troubles, but then we would have had a not ministory and would have had a LOOOOng story and no one wants that. 

Also - sidenote  - anyone else going to New York Comic Con next month? This girl will be there all weekend. 

Anyhoo....... w/o further ado.. 

____________

The sky was a dull mix of gray and slate, lighting every now and then with the electricity that swam amongst the clouds.

He stared out the window watching the waves crash in the distance at the base of what looked to be a damaged lighthouse. It was early, especially for him, but he always seemed to wake early when he was in a foreign place, so that was to be expected. He'd actually slept better than he had in awhile, regardless of his early rise. 

He knew he really needed to stop dragging his feet and get on the road as another storm looked to be headed their way, but after the many miles he'd driven the day before he was having trouble willing himself to get back in that car again.

He could hear the quiet boom of distant thunder and had to laugh as his stomach echoed with a similar grumble. He took that as his cue to actually get up and do something, like find the breakfast part of this cozy little bed and breakfast..

He showered and dressed and made his way out and down the narrow stairway.

---

"Sleep well?" The young man he'd spoken to the night before about renting the room looked rather awake for the early hour, but Scott rather liked that he was so cheerful despite the gloominess on the other side of the windows.

"Like a rock, actually. I was worried the noise would keep me awake, but I was out like a light."

The freak hailstorm had come out of nowhere as he drove along the dark, empty road headed for home. It forced him to seek shelter in the small town. He still hadn't had a chance to inspect his car for damage, but it's not like it was anything special anyway. The hail had been so large, so loud, he'd worried that his windshield would shatter in on him if he didn't get off the road. It was turning out to be for the best anyway. He'd been extremely tired and Lord only knows what would have happened had he forced himself to drive the remaining four hours home.

"The beds are really comfy if I do say so myself." The man smiled, his teeth looking unnaturally white against his dark complexion. "If you're hungry, breakfast will be served on the back patio. Don't worry, it's enclosed so you won't get rained on if it decides to start coming down again.

He thanked him again before heading out to the patio. It was empty save one man reading a newspaper and sipping coffee from a mug that had a large mustache printed on the side. He was about to sit at a table alone, but the man looked up at him with a smile. "Storm survivor?"

He nodded. "You too?"

The man folded his newspaper and shook his head as he motioned to the seat in front of him which Scott took.  "My house was damaged a few months ago when a tornado blew through. I've been staying here until the renovations are done. It's a nice place."

"Tornado? Hail? Does that kind of stuff happen often?"

The man shrugged, not really seeming that phased by it. "Every now and then. Haven's not exactly known for sunshine and blue skies." He laughed a bit, deep voice filling the space.

"Haven. So that's where I am."

The man nodded. "I'm Avi."

"Scott." He shook the offered hand.

"Well, I hope you enjoy your stay in our little town, Scott."

They fell into easy conversation as they ate their breakfast and were later joined by the young receptionist, who he learned was named Kevin. He added a bit of humor and wit to their chatter.

Three cups of coffee later and they finally went their separate ways. He headed outside to finally check on his car and was pleased that while there were a few large dents and dings, the car was mostly unharmed.

His mind was telling him to go get his stuff and get the hell home, but the scenery, the interesting architecture, gave him the urge to explore. What would it hurt to take a look around? Maybe he'd find something interesting? Perhaps a gift for his mom for her birthday coming up. Maybe he'd find the man of his dreams? Hey, y'never know.

He smiled at his thoughts. He was an optimist, sometimes to a fault. It drove his friends crazy, but he couldn't help himself. He loved new experiences, new places, new people. What is life if not an adventure?

So he set out and began to walk around, taking in the sights and searching for something that would catch his eye.

_

"You look lost."

The voice shook him from his thoughts. He turned towards it's origin and was greeted by a very sweet looking young woman. "Oh, I'm not lost, just wandering I guess." He laughed.

"That sounds almost worse." She giggled as she moved down the sidewalk a few steps closer. "You're not from around here are you."

He shook his head. "Just passing through."

She nodded. "So, wanderer, did you want me to point you in any direction? Looking for anything specific?"

He laughed a bit. "Just looking, I guess. Anything special I should know about? Anything interesting?"

"A few things. C'mon, I'll show you around. I'm Kirstie by the way."

"Scott."

"Ok, Scott, so that way is the harbor..."

They walked for awhile and talked about all kinds of things as she showed him anything that was halfway interesting (at least in her opinion.) There didn't seem to be many touristy places, but there were a few gift shops that they spent some time goofing around in.

They were strolling through nearly empty park in the center of town when he spotted a lone man sitting on a bench staring out into nothing. He was dressed in all black and sat stone still, perfectly postured on the wooden seat. Even from across the park Scott could see that he looked sad.

"You should stay away from him." Kirstie's voice broke through his thoughts once more and he realized he'd stopped completely to stare.

He turned his gaze away from the man and faced his new companion. Her ever-present smile had disappeared as she looked at the motionless figure.

"Why? Is he dangerous or something?" His eyes looked back out at the pensive figure.

"He's just... not very personable." She looked up at him with a frown.

"He seems lonely." He had a sudden want to go over and hug him, to try to make him smile.

"He likes it that way. He doesn't have any friends and that's exactly how he wants it."

If Scott didn't know any better he would have sworn he saw the man's chin dip just a bit lower, eyes moving to the ground.

"That seems rather dismal."

"Yeah, well... he's different."

"Different?"

"Just keep your distance, trust me."

He nodded and followed the girl when she started off again. He could hear her still chattering away, happy tone back once again, but he couldn't seem to take his eyes off of the mysterious stranger. He kept his gaze locked on him until he felt a drop of water on the tip of his nose and looked up at the sky.

Kirstie grabbed his hand and tugged him along as the sky opened up and the rain began to fall.
__

Kirstie was a colorful character and he found himself laughing more than anything when he was with her. He decided that he very much liked her company and accepted her invitation to have lunch at a small bar called The Grey Gull. If nothing else about this town was special, the food certainly was. Everything he ate was delectable and he found himself eating to the point of being uncomfortable, but it was sooooo good.

After lunch Kirstie had to get to work, but they exchanged numbers and emails so that they could keep in touch after he left.

He was left to his own devices once more and decided to head back out on his own once again. The rain had thankfully let up to a light drizzle, but it didn't bother him either way. It was just water.

He probably should have chosen a different path in order to see a different part of town, but he found himself walking past that same park and felt his heart speed up just a bit when he saw that the mysterious man was still seated in the same spot.  

He chewed on the inside of his cheek, watching the angular side profile. He debated with himself whether he should or shouldn't, but it was short lived and before he knew it he was standing right next to the bench.

He sat down on the vacant space next to the intriguing stranger and looked straight ahead. 

...

....

"You should really get inside. It's getting chilly out."

"It's just rain." The man's voice was slightly higher than expected, but somehow it seemed to suit him.

"Yeah, but won't you get sick?"

The man shook his head, eyes still vacant. "It doesn't really matter."

Scott turned to face him then, not understanding how someone could sound so completely hollow.

"Of course it matters."

The man gave a sardonic laugh. "You don't even know me."

"No, but I want to."

All jest, even cynical, left the stranger's face and it was stone once more. "No, you really don't."

"I really do." Even Scott was surprised by his own bold actions. He wasn't shy by any means, but usually he wasn't this forward.

He felt a sense of accomplishment when he noticed the twitch of the man's lips, his fingers beginning to curl and uncurl, but he didn't respond.

"What's your name?"

Again, no answer.

"I'm Scott." He watched the bottom lip roll beneath his teeth. "Look, I'm not even from around here, so anything you tell me doesn't really matter, right? I'm leaving in a few hours anyway. What could it hurt to tell me your name?"

The man hesitated, long eyelashes capturing Scott's attention as he blinked a few times.  

"Please?" He watched the tip of a tongue dart out to wet the man's lips and found his own following suit as he stared.

"Mitch."

He smiled. "Mitch, I like it. So what's so special about this spot?"

More hesitation, but this time he got an answer. "I used to come here with my mother. She liked to watch the birds. We always fed them and she would sing to them... every day. I asked her once why anyone would want to sing to birds, I mean they can sing to themselves, but she said when the birds were happy, the world was happy. They're all gone now, the birds. They don't come here anymore."

"Maybe they migrated,"

"They know she's gone. She was the reason they came and now she's gone."

Scott felt his heart sink as he realized what he meant. He made a face as the rain began to pour again, the sudden chill in the air raising goosebumps along his skin.

Still he refused to move.

They sat in silence for a bit, the rain pelting down on them. Mitch nearly jumped out of his skin as a hand slid over his.

"I lost my dad two years ago. He was riding his motorcycle when he was hit by a truck. Hit and run."

For the first time Mitch turned to face him. Scott felt his heart flutter as he looked into almond colored eyes.

The brunette nodded, squeezing his hand a bit in something akin to solidarity. "Someone ran a red light and hit them straight on. My mom was killed instantly, but my dad held on for a bit longer. At least I got to tell him goodbye."

He caressed the skin of Mitch's much smaller hand with his thumb in an effort to try and comfort him, but really how do you comfort someone who lost not one, but both parents. He couldn't even begin to fathom.

"Is that why you push people away?" He was cautious, Kirstie's voice replaying in his thoughts, but trying to understand all the same.

Mitch just watched him for a moment but eventually shook his head. "You should have listened to her advice. You should stay away from me."

"I don't think so. I like not staying away."

"I'm dangerous, Scott."

"You don't look dangerous."

"Looks can be deceiving."

"I'm a big boy, I think I can handle myself."

His entire face fell, eyes sad once again as he turned to look straight ahead. "I don't want to hurt you." His voice was small, fragile.

"How would you hurt me."

"Goodbye, Scott."

They sat in silence for awhile longer until it was very clear that Mitch was done talking. He didn't want to leave him out there in the rain by himself. He really just wanted to take care of him, make sure he was safe, but he couldn't force the man to do anything he didn't want to.

He got to his feet again, putting a hand on his shoulder and giving it a comforting squeeze before he finally walked away, the rain beating down on him, soaking him to the bone.

__

A few hours, a shower and a change of clothes later and he was starting to feel like a human again. He couldn't seem to get Mitch off of his mind and every time he had finally decided it was time to move on and leave the little town of Haven, he would make a last minute excuse to stay just a bit longer. The rainstorm had finally come to an end and he took that as his cue to start exploring once more.

After buying some homemade sweets and a few other bits and baubles at some quaint little shops, he found himself in a place that specialized in hand blown glass. He stared in awe and wonder at the fragile pieces that were more intricate, more beautiful than any glass pieces he'd ever seen before. They were breathtaking. He found himself purchasing quite a bit more than he'd anticipated, but he just couldn't bring himself to leave some of them behind.

He was just about to walk out the door when something else caught his eye. He stopped to look and after a few moments returned to the counter to make another purchase.

_

The sky was beginning to darken as the hours passed and the sun made her way towards the horizon. He was mildly surprised to find that Mitch still hadn't moved from his spot on his bench the entire day.

He almost expected it when the man didn't acknowledge him when he sat himself next to him again.

"The rain stopped."

"For now."

"I got you something."

Mitch's eyebrows slid down then up as he turned to look at Scott. "Why?"

Instead of answering he simply held out the small box and Mitch took it with his usual hesitation. After a moment of just holding it, his long fingers began to undo the ribbon around it and, with a bit of wariness, opened it.  He removed the two tiny glass birds from their cushioned places and set them in his hand to inspect them.

"They're beautiful, but why?"

Scott squirmed a bit under those eyes again. If he offended him then he could leave and never see him again, but something inside of him didn't like that thought one bit.

"Because..  when the birds are happy, the world is happy."

He felt his heart warm as the corners of those full lips turned upwards and he finally got his first hint of a smile.

"That's why. So I could see you smile."

There it was... a full smile that revealed adorable dimples and bright white teeth. He was obsessed with it.

"You're beautiful." He hadn't thought that one through, but there it was. He couldn't take it back now, and it was most certainly the truth.

Mitch turned his eyes to the birds in his hand again, cheeks turning a sweet rosy pink. He seemed conflicted on so many levels.

"Come have dinner with me."

Those eyes met his again and he made a silent wish that they would never look away.

 "C'mon, you've been out here all day. You've got to eat some time." 

"Why? Is this pity or some kind of joke?"

Scott laughed. "No, not even close. I just want to have a nice dinner with a gorgeous man and have some nice conversation. You can even choose the place and I'll buy."

There was that pretty blush again and Scott's eyes couldn't get enough of it. He could see there was still an internal battle going on in Mitch's head, but he remained hopeful. It was all he could do, really.

"Alright, but you're probably making a really big mistake."

"Somehow I really doubt it." He smiled and watched as Mitch tucked the two colorful glass birds back into their box.

Scott waited until he was done before he stood and held out a hand to help him up. Mitch was so shy and adorable. He could barely keep himself from tugging him into his arms and giving him a big bear hug.

"Did you maybe want to go change first? You've been out in the rain all day. I just don't want you to be uncomfortable."

"Um, if you don't mind? I don't live far and it's on the way to the place I have in mind for dinner?"

He gave a nod of his head and was glad that Mitch didn't pull his hand away from his own as they began their walk. "Looks like the sky is starting to clear up. We might be able to actually see some stars tonight."

Mitch blushed again for no apparent reason and began to worry at his lip. Scott could feel his fingers tense in his hand ever so slightly.

"I'm sure we will."

_____

Mitch was absolutely amazing. He'd finally relaxed a bit as they ate their dinner. The little restaurant he had decided on was a small place, but the food was amazing, just like it was all over this town. There weren't that many other people there, but the handful that were all seemed to be staring at Mitch like he was an alien with purple skin and neon pink hair. Scott couldn't figure out what their problem was, but if Mitch was happy to ignore them then so was he.

"I could listen to you laugh for hours." He grinned at Mitch who rolled his eyes, but his smile grew just the same.

"You're sweet."

"I'm honest. Will you take a walk with me?"

"Sure."

Scott paid the check and they stepped outside into the cool night air. "I guess we spent longer talking than I realized."

"You were right, you can see the stars." Mitch looked up to the sky.

Scott smiled, but he didn't look up. He was too busy being mesmerized by the beautiful man at his side. Mitch caught him and shook his head with a grin, but it slowly slid down his lips.

"Everything ok?"

"Can we walk down by the beach?" He gave a small nod.

"Anything you want, Mitchie."

He forced a small smile to try and appease the blonde, but there was a worried tension around his eyes and that sadness looked like it was threatening to return.

Scott took his hand in his again, giving it a reassuring squeeze before they set off. The wind began to pick up a bit as they made their way down the sand, watching the waves crash against the rocks ahead.

"Do you see that lighthouse?"

Scott nodded. "Quite the conversation piece. What happened to it?" It looked like there had been a fire and the entire top third was black and ruined.

"It was struck by lightening."

"Wow. Wonder what the odds were of THAT happening."

 Mitch stopped walking then, looking anxious and upset. 

"Did I say something?" He was worried he'd put his foot in his mouth unintentionally. He had quite the reputation for that.

The shorter man stared out at the lighthouse, thoughts very far away and Scott knew this wasn't about him.

"It was my fault."

"What was your fault?"

"I caused it. The lighthouse... I did that.

Scott shot him a look. "What, do you shoot lightning from your fingertips?"

He looked so scared and sad at the same time. He seemed to shrink with the weight of whatever he was about to share. 

"No, but I can do this... " He looked out at the ocean and a couple of storm clouds began to rapidly form out in the distance. Scott nearly jumped straight out of his shoes when the brightest shock of lightning lit up the sky. 

Things were quiet as Mitch waited for Scott to run, to condemn him, but Scott was simply trying to wrap his head around all of it.

"How did you-"

"I don't know. It started after my parents died. It took me ages to put two and two together. By that time I'd already accidentally killed two people."

Scott reached for his hand again, but he jerked it away and wrapped his arms around his middle as if to protect him from his own truth. The clouds out at sea began to darken and multiply.

"One was an old fisherman who got caught in a tornado I'd created right after I found out about the crash. The other was some homeless woman who was in the lighthouse when it was struck and caught fire after my dad passed. I didn't mean to, I didn't even know I was doing it." His bottom lip trembled and as he closed his eyes, the tears beginning to fall, two waterspouts began to take form along the horizon. "I'm a murderer and a freak."

......

Scott could honestly say he had never been more surprised in his life. This wasn't just some weird quirk, this was an actual ... very serious, very unique ... thing. It was all really confusing, but he knew that no matter what was going on or what had happened, Mitch wasn't a murderer and he certainly wasn't a freak.  He pulled the smaller man against him, holding him close just like he'd been wanting to earlier. "No, you're wrong. You're not."

"I'm sorry. I told you you should stay away from me. I don't want to hurt you." Mitch had buried his face in his chest and clung to him.

"Then you won't. You didn't murder anyone. You didn't know, it was an accident."

"It's my fault. It's all my fault."

"Shhhh, look at me." He waited and then repeated his words until those eyes looked up into his. He gave him a smile. "Listen to me. You're not a bad person. If you were you wouldn't be so upset about all of it. You're not a freak, you're amazing. You're special. I knew it the first time I laid eyes on you."

"I don't really know how to control it. I'm dangerous."

"Of course you know how to control it. You created that out there just to show me what you can do. You gave me the stars didn't you?"

"I don't know how to make it stop."

"Yes you do. Try."

"I can't."

"You can." His heart was pounding in his chest. The wind began to drastically pick up as the clouds were rolling angrily closer to shore.  

Mitch looked into his eyes, his own terrified and so incredibly vulnerable.

"Go ahead. You can do this." He released Mitch, but took hold of his hand to help keep him grounded.

The scared man looked out at the sky, trying to concentrate but losing faith as seconds passed and nothing was happening. "I can't!"

"You can, just try."

He stared out at the horizon again, trying to figure out how undo what he'd already done, but nothing he did seemed to work. His breath hitched a bit as Scott leaned in close to whisper in his ear. "Just see it going away, see it in your mind and make it happen. Show me the stars again."

He felt himself relax as he looked out at the quite spectacular white water spouts that seemed to glow in the moonlight that was still visible. He imagined them being sucked back up into the clouds and sure enough as he imagined it, he saw it happen before him. He envisioned the clouds shrinking in on themselves until they were nothing and then the sky was clear and the rushing wind died down to a pleasant breeze.

He let out the breath he hadn't realized he'd been holding and looked over at Scott who was looking down at him, so incredibly proud.

"How did you know?"

"I didn't, but you seem like the kind of guy who can do anything once he puts his mind to it." He swept his fingers over his forehead, pushing brown hair back into place. "Plus I saw X-Men." He grinned. "Storm's such a badass... like you." 

Mitch just stared at him in a bit of disbelief. He couldn't believe Scott was wasn't disgusted and trying to get as far away as he could from Haven and it's resident freak. Those blue eyes stayed on him, crinkling in the corners as he smiled brightly. He was quiet for a moment, but then was up on his toes pressing his mouth to Scott's in an almost desperate fashion. The taller man smiled against his lips and pulled him closer, parting those lips with his own and delving inside.

Minutes passed and they finally parted. Scott kissed the top of his head as he rest his forehead on his chest. He was content to just hold him.

"So that hail storm last night..."

Mitch didn't answer right away and Scott closed his eyes enjoying the sounds of the ocean and the feel of the warm body in his arms. 

"I was lonely. I'm too dangerous to ever really be with anyone. I'm sorry if it damaged your car. I guess I'm sorry you had to spend money on a place to stay too."

Scott tightened his hold around him.

"You're not dangerous. You're flawless and beautiful and strong."

"You barely know me." Mitch laughed a bit, tightening his own arms around Scott.

"I know, but I want to know more. I want to know it all. That hail storm has been quite the blessing in disguise so far. I found great food, loads of souvenirs and the most gorgeous man I've ever seen."

Mitch pulled back to look at him and roll his eyes. Scott kissed him sweetly again, mentally acknowledging the fact that he was slowly becoming addicted to this... and him.

"I don't want you to go." He buried his face in Scott's shirt once again. 

Lips pressed into brown hair. "I don't want to go either, but I have to. I have classes to get back to. I'll stay tonight and leave tomorrow. Will you stay with me? We don't have to do anything, I just really want to hold you for awhile, and maybe talk? That sounds really forward and creepy doesn't it. I didn't mean to it... I just... really want to." 

It began to sprinkle again.

"Hey... don't cry." Scott pulled away enough that he could see his face again and kissed each cheek as tears slid down them.

"All of this just to lose you before I even get a chance to have you."

"Just because I have to leave tomorrow doesn't mean I'm leaving for good. You honestly think you're getting rid of me that easy?" He smiled.

Mitch chewed on his lip. "You're coming back?"

"Now that I've found you, I don't think I can stand the thought of staying away." He tightened his hold around him.

Mitch's smile cleared up the rain again and Scott kissed him again.

"Y'know, I think my mom could do it too, the weather thing. It never rained when we were in the park. She always loved going there. It made her happy. I always thought it was strange when dad would just say she went there to get away from her trouble. I guess he really meant her trouble."

"So you're saying when she was happy, the sky was happy?" 

Mitch laughed that musical laugh again. "I guess." 

"So, sounds like all we need to do is find something that makes you happy." 

"I don't think we have look far." 

Scott kissed those lips once more. 

__

Scott did leave the next morning, but not before lots of kisses and hugs and all contact information had been exchanged. The sky was overcast, but otherwise it remained dry. Mitch had been the strong one as they parted ways and he ended up being the one with tears sliding down his cheeks as he drove away from the man who could bring out the stars.

Their time apart was full of video chats, phone calls and emails. They helped ease the ache, but it just was never really enough.

Thankfully it was Scott's final semester so graduation was only 5 weeks away. Those weeks seemed to drag on and even though his friends joked about his mystery love, he continued to mark off the days on his calendar until he could hold him in his arms again. He didn't care that he'd only known him for less than a day, he knew that he was head over heels for that man and no one would ever be able to convince him otherwise. 

Finally the day arrived and the moment his last class was over he wasted no time hopping right into his already packed car and heading back to Haven.

It was a gorgeous day out, the sun bright, the sky the same color as his eyes.  

There were people scattered all throughout the park, enjoying the beautiful weather, except for one area that was empty save one lonely figure on a park bench. He made his way over slowly.

His heart swelled and his chest filled with warmth as he heard an incredibly beautiful voice singing softly into the breeze. He couldn't stop his own smile when he spotted the two glass birds sitting in the man's hands.

"When the birds are happy, the world is happy." He whispered into his ear and was met with the most beautiful smile before he ended up with his arms full of excited Mitch. 

Neither had ever been happier.