Title: You used to be the one that we looked up to.
Series: X-Men.
Rating: T
Pairing/Characters: Ensemble. Scott, Emma, and Charles are luminaries.
Disclaimer: Own nothing.
Notes: Post Shi-Ar and Blinded by the Light; Pre Torn.
Summary: Charles picks a very poor time to try and patch things up with Scott.
---
The ceremony ended thirty-seven minutes ago. Since then he stood, eyes downward protected by the shackles he would otherwise curse. Right hand placed on the cold granite headstone. Silent.
A slight wave of tension passed through his body, quickly dissipating as she took his hand.
Emma squeezed his hand reassuringly. Knowing this was not the time for words; just silence, understanding, and if he would let her, comfort.
---
"Scott."
A single voice cut through the clutter of hushed whispers between those gathered. A voice that was once a great calming influence in his life; that helped to center him; helped keep him in control… A voice that now made him tense, a little queasy, and hearing it here, now, built a silent rage within him that was threatening to be released… again.
His jaw locking into place was his only response.
"Scott." His estranged mentor tried again. "We need to talk… You need to understa--"
Emma's eyes narrowed as she turned toward Charles. Her telepathic voice was sharp and cold as she bit off every word.
/Stop. Not. Here. Not. Now./ Her eyes returned to the headstone as she continued. /This is neither the time nor the place… /
Undeterred Charles took a step forward before feeling a heavy hand placed on his left shoulder, while a few feet away to his right the unmistakable sound of adamantium claws unsheathing from their housing.
"Not now Charlie." Logan spoke first before Hank applied light pressure to Charles's shoulder to get him to turn and face him.
"Perhaps… this can wait until some other time?" Quietly as Hank spoke some of those gathered, teachers and students alike, filtered around forming a wall between master and pupil. Charles's eyebrow rose.
/Is this your doing Emma?/
/No dear./ Emma replied as she stroked Scott's arm and leaned her head on his shoulder. /They are just showing some loyalty to the leader of our race. Quite honorable I admit. You could learn something from it./
/Don't presume to lecture me White Queen./
/Gabriel. Rachel and Alexander out in space… Christopher. Now Nathan… I'm surprised you only have a black eye./
Scott raises her hand and kisses it softly before releasing it. Turning around he takes a step forward placing a hand on Julian's shoulder.
"Julian… Sooraya…." His voice is soft, but filled with something… promise perhaps. The line breaks. Sooraya nods lightly and Julian offers him a polite smile with a pat on the shoulder. Two more steps and he's staring into Xavier's eyes.
Silence.
---
Scott holds his head up high as he and Emma walk past Charles and towards the mansion. Xavier started to follow them but is cut off as Peter steps in front of him.
"Where are they going?" Xavier asked, watching while Emma catches up with Scott; taking his hand as they head into the garage.
Kitty slid her arm around Peter's waist as the crowd started to dissipate.
"I'd guess…" Kitty started, finding the professors eyes. "That he's going to apologize… to Maddie."
"Sounds about right…" Logan put his arm over Charles's shoulder as the last stragglers were heading back towards the mansion. "So… Beer?"
"Sure…" Charles trailed off. He was home, surrounded by his children. But there was something strange. An odd feeling this time… Tense, a little queasy and… well. He had always assumed that when he handed over the torch, it would be on his own terms.
Kids and Heroes.
(Asitiswhenitwas)
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