Goodbye? Part 1
Although he'd told Hank that they'd see her again, Charles was surprised to see his sister so soon after the Whitehouse. It was merely the day after when she'd turned up on his doorstep with Logan safely in her custody under the guise of William Stryker Jr. after explaining how he'd been found, she (now wearing her usual blue scales) helped bring him down to the new infirmary that had been added ever since the mansion's conversion into a school.
While Hank was getting their new patient settled, Charles tried to talk to his sister, but felt a wave of panic when she had seemingly vanished. Wheeling out of the infirmary, the mutant carried on down the hallway and reached the foyer, relieved to see that she hadn't yet left, although she was halfway to the door. He knew he needed to say something, and found that the words came naturally.
"Raven." He called, thankful that the woman stopped. Taking a steadying breath, he began what he knew would undoubtedly be one of the hardest conversations of his life. "I understand now, why you left. You and I walk two different paths, and whilst I wish that wasn't the case those are the facts."
"I never told you enough when we were little, but…I'm not ashamed of you or your true form. I couldn't care less if you were pink with green spots." He said honestly, which got a small laugh out of Raven as she turned to face him. Making sure they had eye contact, he carried on.
"You've grown into a beautiful young woman, and I am truly sorry that I made you hide, but I did so with the sole intention of keeping you safe, and yes ," he held up a hand to stop her protest "I know that wasn't my choice to make, and I cannot apologise to you enough."
"I know you have to go, and I also know I have no right to ask you this, but…promise me that you'll visit? You may find this difficult to believe, but I still love you, and I still see you as my sister. I understand perfectly if you say no-" he was cut off, as a pair of blue arms were thrown over his shoulders in the first hug between them for years. There was a pause, before he returned the gesture fully.
"I…I love you too Charles. And yeah, I get why you did what you did," she took in a deep breath before adding in a whisper "I forgive you."
Nothing else needed to be said. The two stayed in that position for a few moments, each caught up in their own memories of the other. To Raven's surprise, Charles was the one who loosened his arms first, and she took her queue to let go. She was still crouched down in front of the chair (a sight that she knew she would always feel a pang of regret over), and looked at her brother, with neither acknowledging the tears in the other's eyes. She leaned forward to give him a kiss on the forehead, before standing up and moving to the door at a slow pace.
Once she was there, she looked over her shoulder at the telepath.
"See you around, brother dear" she quipped, and turned to leave.
"Goodbye… Mystique."
She paused at the handle, before looking back at the man with a soft, teary smile, which he copied. She knew what it must've cost Charles to call her that, and it reminded her why she loved him in the first place. With a grateful nod, they locked eyes for one last time, before she opened the door and walked away.
However this time, without the sense of finality.
A/N: End of part 1 guys, the next chapter is a scene between Charles and Logan. Thanks for reading, and feel free to leave a review telling me what you thought.