I know, I know. I have a too many things going on at once. But hey, I couldn't get his idea out of my head. So I put it up. Let me know.
"Professor, we need a beautician," Jean walked into his office, a student by her side. The girls hair was a mess of yellow and orange, an obvious miscalcutaion while lightening.
He sighed.
"This is the third girl this week. If we had one on staff, even for a few days a week, we could avoid situations like this."
He nodded his head. Jean dismissed the girl with a smile before coming to sit in the chair by him.
"I don't want to overstep, but I think I may know someone who could help us out with situation."
The Professor looked at her.
"Now that I've breached the subject, what if the same person who came to do hair also taught some classes? Makeup, nails, something for the female student body? We have shop classes, automotive and physical education for the boys, but what about the girls?"
Charles looked at her, a small smile playing on his lips.
"The woman you are thinking of, she is licensed in the state of New York?"
"As a cosmetologist, makeup artist and cosmetology instructor. She's extremely talented and is mutant friendly."
"Food for thought Jean," he smiled, knowing she was right. An on staff beautician would assure the students looked their best at all times, which would boost self confidence in the student body, and cost considerably less then what it did currently to have them all taken care of. There were not many mutant friendly salon's in the area.
"I'll set up the meet," Jean smiled.
New York City-
It was past ten when I finally got to sit down. A wedding party of fifteen had blew in like a hurricane, the bride a was a nervous girl with delusions of looking like Angelina Jolie for her big day. I didn't have the heart to tell her that makeup can do wonders, but it can only take you so far. But at the end of it all, she looked ravishing and was pleased. So pleased in fact, that she wanted me to accompany her to the wedding on stand by. Unfortunately for her, I do that very rarely, so I sent not one but all three of my assistants, who were over the moon for the opportunity.
I plopped my feet up on the reception desk as I scanned through the photos of todays work. That curl could have been just a smidge higher...
"Do you always critique yourself?" I heard a smooth male voice and sat up quickly. Coming through the door was a handsome older gentleman in a wheelchair and a woman with vibrant red hair. It took me a moment to place her. She was a client.
"Miss Grey," I smiled, walking forward on my sore feet. Never wear new heels in a salon. Even if they were Louboutin stilettos. "It's a pleasure to see you again. What can I do for you?"
It didn't matter how late it was, how tired I was, customer service had to be on point at all times. That's how successful businesses were built.
"This is Professor Charles Xavier, he runs the Charles Xavier School for Gifted Youngsters."
"It's a pleasure to meet you Professor," I smiled and extended my hand to him.
"I am terribly sorry about the lateness of the hour, but I come with a propistion for you," he smiled as he took my hand.
"A propisition?" My mind raced to try and figure out what kind of propisition this man could possibly offer me. We weren't in similar fields...
"I have an entire school full of children in deserate need of your services," he laughed gently. "I was wondering if you would consider becoming the on staff beautician."
For the first time in a long time I was sort of...stunned. It took hard work to claw my way up into the top 100 salon's in New York City. Harder still to be one that serviced all people, mutant or otherwise. I had to eat a a lot of shit because of it, but right is right. And doing what is right is rarely easy.
"What would the hours be?"
Jean smiled, her face beguiling her happiness.
"Flexible. But I believe before any more is to be discussed you should visit the mansion, meet the children. I can show you where you would be operating, and we can discuss the more trivial details."
I nodded, still in a sort of daze. I worked 14 hour days as it was, and now I was going to take on this. Why? I knew the answer, of course. I had the skills, the knowledge, the repuation and the prestige to back this sort of an endeavor. And what good was all of that if I didn't use for something that mattered? Sure slinigng eighty dollar hair cuts was great, getting editorials in magazines and online blogs was good. But did it really matter? Nope.
"When would you like me to visit?" I asked, moving around the desk and waking up the computer to look at my schedule.
"At your earliest convience," he smiled. I opened my tab to see that I was booked solid for weeks, as I knew I would be. But there was a silver lining. I kept my books open on Saturdays for wedding parties and such, and my earliest Sunday appointments weren't until after eleven.
"I could drive up friday night after I finish here, get a room for the night and be free all saturday, if that's agreeable?"
He looked at me, his brown eyes boring into mine.
"It is most agreeable, but do not worry about the room. Please, stay in the mansion, I have plenty of space."
"I could never put you out like that..." I began to argue.
"Nonsense. It's my pleasure."
"Thank you," I smiled as I grabbed one of my personal cards from behind the desk. "Here's my card, it has my personal cell number and my emial on it, if you need to reach me for any reason."
I walked around the desk to give it to him. He studied it for a moment before placing it inside his tailored suit pocket.
"Thank you very much Miss Rose."
"Yes, thank you so much!" Jean came forward and embraced me. I smiled and hugged her back, use to clients and all manner of people touching and hugging me.
"I will see you this Friday," I smiled at her as she released me.
Friday night-
I had a long drive ahead of me, tired from work and relationship issues. I shook my head as my phone rang, for a fifth time. I wasn't even out of the city yet.
"I'm driving right now Matt, I'll call you when I get to the school."
"You've worked every Saturday for the last three years and now your suddenly taking a day off to run to some private school upstate. That's what you want me to believe?"
"It's a job offer, we discussed it. I'll be back Sunday."
"Where are you staying?" he asked after a few silent moments.
"Professor Xavier offered me a room at the school for the night."
He snorted.
"Of course he did. Next thing you know it'll be..."
"Matt, enough. The man is in a wheelchair and twice my age."
"I'm still not comfortable with you going out there, all alone."
"I asked if you wanted to come with me."
"You know I'm working all weekend!"
"Look, it's dark and I need to focus on the roads. I'll call you once I get settled in."
"Alright. Drive safe."
"I love you."
"Love you back."
I hung up and mentally screamed. Three years of this and I was almost to my end of my rope. I looked down at my engagement ring, the happy feeling I use to get when I glimpsed it no longer there.
I found the driveway, finally. It was late, almost one in the morning. I hoped someone was still awake. I drove slowly up the narrow, winding drive. A set of gates had me stopping my Jaguar, wondering if I need to get out and press a button? Or did I call? But before I could do anything, the gate swung open. I drove forward slowly, a hard thing to do in a car this fast. Soon I could see the mansion and I almost couldn't focus on driving. Even in the dead of night, it was a sight to behold. I crept up, wondering where I was supposed to park, when the doors opened and Jean and a man came out. I came to a stop in front of the doors, leaving my engine running as I rolled down my window.
"Where should I park?" I asked.
"Right there is fine. No one else comes up on the weekends."
I nodded and cut the engine. I got out carefully, knowing there was gravel beneath my heels and my dress was short. I walked around to grab my bag out of the passenger side. I had just shut the door when a man appeared and took my bag from me. I turned to thank him and stared for a moment. He was wearing glasses on his eyes, but not like I had ever seen. Well, besides on Star Trek. Geordi La Forge had a visor like that. Sort of.
"Maisy, this is Scott," Jean came around to introduce us.
"It's nice to meet you Scott," I smiled, trying to make up for my previous rudeness.
"You too. Let's get inside, it's going to rain any minunte now."
I nodded, clicking the button on my fob to lock my car.
"I'm sorry it's so late," I apologized.
"You actaully got here sooner than we thought," Scott smiled.
"Fast car," I grinned.
"That an F type R coupe?" he asked.
"It is indeed."
He smiled.
"Expensive?"
"It's the most expensive thing I've ever bought."
I walked behind them as they gave me a quick run down of the mansion.
"The children usually sleep in on the weekends, unless they are enrolled in one of the extra courses. Otherwise the hallways are bussling from 7 to 8:59."
We went up a flight of stairs and when we reached the top we went left.
"Student rooms are to the right. Teacher apartments are on the left. We share a kitchen, it's just through there. But each apartment has a private bathroom."
I nodded, it was well designed, as far as the layout went.
"The first door is Ororo, across is Kurt. This is me and Scott, Logan is there. Hank is in the last one and you are across from him. The corridor at the end goes around and there are more teacher apartments that way as well. We take turns supervising the weekends here. This is our block's weekend."
I nodded, trying to be courteous of the people sleeping. We arrived at my door and Scott punched in a number on the key pad. A mechanical whir sounded and then the door opened.
"The code to your room is 1883, if you can't remember it just come find me," he smiled as he walked inside. He flicked on a light switch and I was surprised by how spacious the room was. Spartan in it's décor, but it was uninhabited.
"Through the first door is the bedroom, the second is the bathroom. Coffee perks at 6 am in the kitchen up here."
Jean smiled at me.
"I'm an early riser, so whenever your awake, I'll be in the Professor's study. One of the children will be able to direct you."
"Thank you very much," I smiled feeling overwhelmingly tired all of a sudden.
"We'll leave you to it, if you need anything, don't hesitate to ask," Scott grabbed the doorknob and with a nod closed it. I sighed, kicking off my heels. I lugged my bag over to the table and flopped it down. I unzipped it, searching for my pajamas and bathroom things.
6:32 am
I bolted awake with a start, unsure of what woke me. I listened carefully, but I heard nothing. I sighed. I leaned over and grabbed my phone off the nightstand, waking it up to see the time. 6:32. I had slept for a little over five hours. I noticed two new messages, both from Matt. The first one was a picture of my empty side of the bed, with a little sad face. The next one, delivered three hours later, said,
I can never sleep when you're gone.
I found a small smile spreading on my face in spite of myself. Then it dropped. What did that say about me then, that I slept like a baby? I groaned and flopped my head back down on the pillows. After several sleepless minutes I decided it was a fruitless endeavor and got up. It would take me a little while to get ready anyways.
"Charles."
The man in the wheelchair turned to see his long time friend Hank, standing in the doorway.
"Yes Hank?" he asked, but his smile fell quickly. "What is it?"
"I believe we have a problem," he began, tenting his fingers together as he paced back and forth. "As I retired to my room for the evening, I came upon a...rather intriguing scent. Palpable."
Charles watched him carefully, for his old friend was acting rather out of sorts. His usually clear blue eyes clouded. His breathing was slightly labored.
"Who is the new woman in the school?" he asked.
"Maisy Rose, she is the salon owner whom we wish to hire."
"She must leave immediately Charles! This instant!"
Maisy's POV-
"This is where we all eat breakfast," she chirped happily. I had a feeling I was nowhere near where I actually wanted to be. The girl I had stopped this morning looked at me with large, violet eyes. She wanted to know if I was a movie star. I liked her immediately. And then one girl grew into two and then three. Soon I had a small little herd around me.
"Are you the hair lady Jean was telling us about?" a small girl with patchy scales asked me.
"I believe I am," I smiled.
"I don't have any hair..." she replied sadly. I stopped to kneal down by her, she couldn't have been more than 7 or 8 at the most.
"I do makeup and nails as well," I smiled at her, taking her little partially scaled hand in mine. She had five, sharp little black nails.
She giggled and I shot her a wink.
"I think pink would look perfect on your fingers."
"I love pink!" she exclaimed, her eyes widening. I saw her pink shoes and assumed.
"Maisy!" I heard Jean's voice and stood up. "There you are, we need to go."
"Go?" I asked, perplexed.
"Girls, back to your rooms, now."
The girls didn't say a word, but they all quickly paired up and ran off. I watched as children filtered out of all the rooms around me, all quickly headed for the stairs.
"Is something wrong?" I asked, the sudden silence making the little hairs on the back of my neck stand up.
She opened her mouth to speak but instead her eyes just went wide. I turned my head to look behind me, it was instinctual. Standing less than three feet away from me, was a...blue.. man? Mutant. He was smartly dressed, black pressed slacks, white button down shirt, black suit jacket.
"Hello," I smiled, unsure of what else to do.
"Maisy," I turned my attention back to Jean. Standing next to her was Scott and two other men I didn't know. "Hank is having some trouble with his self control."
I looked back to the blue man, Hank, his name was. His chest was rising and falling rapidly. When our eyes met, he let out a growl.
I gasped and took a step back, but that brought out a snarl, his teeth bared at me. I dropped my eyes to the ground. I remember learning somewhere that eye contact was sometimes considered a challenge to some animals. I certainly had no interest in challening this man. He was much larger than my 5'4 stature, even in four inch heels.
"Clever," he rumbled out, his voice deep and gravely.
"If I have done something to upset you, I am very sorry," I whispered, my eyes still on the ground. His black shiny loafers stepped into my vision. I watched as a blue hand moved under my chin to tip my head up. I kept my eyes down.
"Look at me my dear," he rumbled, his voice not as rough as it had been a moment ago. I took in a deep, shaky breath before I lifted my eyes to meet his. He gave me a small smile.
"I am sorry if I have frightened you," he smiled. "It was not my intention."
I nodded, as much as I could anyways, with his hand still beneath my chin. He startled me by taking a step closer.
"Indulge me a moment longer," he spoke before leaning in and placing his face in the crook of my neck. I felt his nose first, as he pressed it firmly to my soft skin and inhaled deeply. A small noise came up from his chest, a softer growl.
I was doing my best to not panic.
"Hank stop!" I heard Jean's voice.
"Jean, you know what the Professor said."
"She's terrified!"
Jean was right. My hands were slightly shaking, my knees felt like jello. All of a sudden pain exploded in my neck. I screamed in fear and tried to dislodge him from me. There was yelling and growling and then a high pitched ringing came, drowing out everything else. The room around me became dim and my eyes rolled into the back of my head, darkness swallowing me.
Hank's POV-
He watched her as she slept on the examination table. Her slender, supple figure curled into herself on her left side. He sighed, reaching out a hand to caress her pale arm, noting the lack of freckles. She sighed when he did so, her luscious, burgandy painted lips parting some. How could such a small noise effect him so? After he had cleansed and bandaged her neck wound, he drew blood. Several tests later and he was still left with nothing to show her. How could he make her believe, if he had no evidence to show her?
"How are you?" Jean walked in, a smile plastered on her face. But he could tell she was upset. It was in the small lines around her eyes, the tightness in her lips.
"I believe I should be asking you that," I never looked up from her. Her long velvety black lashes fluttering some before settling down. She was dreaming.
"She's engaged," Jean came to stand on the other side of the table, closer to her than I was truly comfortable with. Which was nonsense, Jean was no threat to me for her affections. I glanced down to the simple engagement ring on her left hand. I had examined it extensively.
"I am aware," I replied. "If I had control over this part of me, do you believe I would chose a woman who loved another? That I would put myself and her into this position?"
"Of course not," Jean sighed.
"Then why bring it up?" I felt anger biting at me again.
"Because I don't think you are seeing reason."
I laughed.
"There is nothing reasonable about this. It is a compulsion, an obsession. For the rest of my life I will seek her out, I will strive to mate with her, protect her. There is nothing either of us can do about it."
Her heart rate began to slowly rise, her breathing picking up. She was waking up.
Maisy's POV-
There was a soreness in my neck, so I brought my hand up to where the pain seemed to be coming from. I felt a bandage there and was momentarily confused. I opened my eyes slowly, blinking several times against the harsh lights above me. When my eyes adjusted, I saw the blue man. Hank. He smiled down at me, his eyes kind. He was the one who attacked me. Wasn't he? Jean came closer to smile down at me. What was going on?
"How long was I out for?" I asked, trying to sit up. Hank slipped a warm hand behind my neck to help me. I got a small bit of head rush, but that was probably from laying down for so long.
"Four hours. How do you feel?" Hank asked me.
"A little light headed. What's going on? Did you...attack me?"
"I suppose I did," Hank mumbled as he turned from me to the small tray besdie him. I looked over to Jean, who masked her face quickly with a smile.
"The professor would like to speak to both of you, as soon as you are able," Jean's brown eyes looked sad to me.
I swung my legs over and scooted to the edge of the bed. I hopped down, regretting it immediately. The world swam and I leaned back against the bed for a moment.
"Are you alright Maisy?" Jean put her hands on my upper arms. I nodded, the world slowing down and then stopping again.
"As soon as I get my shoes on, I'll be one hundred percent."
She laughed, releasing my arms.
"I don't know how you can walk in those things," she grabbed my black stilletos from a nearby table. I slipped them on and sighed.
"I'm so use to them that it feels weird without them."
I glanced around the room and caught a glimpse of myself in the mirror. My mouth fell open in horror.
"Oh..." I walked over quickly. My makeup was smeared by my right eye, my hair had gone limp. It was a sight. I quickly fixed it the best I could. I pushed my hair up a few times, creating volume. At least the loose curls had stayed. That would have been a terrible first impression for the students. I glanced down at the rest of my clothes. My pale ripped skinny jeans were fine, and I couldn't see anything on my black asymmetrical sweater. But that's when my eyes fell on the bandage. I grabbed my long molasses colored hair and brought it over my shoulder, to hide the bandage. Just then a growl responded in the room. I turned my head to see Hank walking towards me. I froze, snapping my eyes to the ground. He brushed my hair from my shoulder so it fell down my back.
"Please do not cover this," he gently touched my bandage. I nodded my head, bringing my eyes up to meet his. He was handsome, not in the traditional sense of course. My phone ringing snapped me out of my thoughts and tore my gaze away from those blue eyes of his.
Jean handed it to me and I smiled. It was Matt.
"Where the fuck have you been? I've been calling you all morning!" I sighed, where did I begin?
"There was..." and then I stopped. If I told him he would freak out and demand I come home. I agreed to meet with Charles and Jean about helping at the school, this was just a minor set back. "I was in meetings all morning Matt."
"Yeah, what were they about?" he snapped.
"Well I got a tour of the school, met some of the students..."
"That took all morning?"
"It's a big place."
"Alright. I'm on the way up to Andy's cabin for a few nights. I'll be back Wednesday or Thursday."
"I thought you worked all weekend?"
"I got off," he sighed. "You should know that Angie is going to be there."
I felt my blood ignite.
"You're going knowing she's going to be there?"
"It was one time Maisy."
"If I remember correctly that one time lasted for months. You promised me you wouldn't.." I felt tears threatening to come.
"Maisy, she's still my friend. I'm not going to avoid her."
"Go. Have a great time, enjoy Angie."
I hung up and closed my eyes, trying to reign it in. I wasn't alone, I couldn't have a break down now. It took me several minutes to get control over my emotions but I finally got it. My phone rang and rang. I turned it to silent before looking up.
"Should we go and meet with the Professor?" I asked.
"If you need a few minutes Maisy, we can wait."
I shook my head.
"I'm alright," I smiled.
"If you're sure," Jean didn't seem convinced. Truth be told, there was a storm brewing inside my head.
I followed behind her as she led the way, not recognizing any of these halls. She was talking as we walked, so I was forced out of my mind and to pay attention to what she was saying.
"This area is off limit to the students, unless they have a medical emergency."
"Are you the doctor here?" I asked, turning my head around to see the blue man.
"I am Doctor Hank McCoy," he smiled down at me.
I nodded and offered him my hand as we walked.
"Maisy Rose Grimshaw."
"You use your middle name as your last name?" Jean asked, looking over her shoulder.
"Maisy Rose sounds better then Maisy Grimshaw. Has a prettier ring to it."
Jean nodded her head.
"Are you English?"
"Immigrated to the United States when I was 13."
"You still have a slight accent."
I smiled.
"Here you are, the professor is just inside."
I nodded and stepped forward, but Hank beat me. He knocked once and then opened the door for me, stepping aside to let me in.
"Thank you," I smiled as I entered.
"Maisy, you seem to be in good spirits," the professor nodded his head at me from behind his beautiful wooden desk.
"Have a seat, both of you," He indicated the comfy chairs in front of his desk. Hank moved quicker than me and pulled mine out for me. I smiled and thanked him once again.
"How is her wound Hank?"
"Healing nicely," he responded.
"Good. Maisy, I have asked you and Hank here to discuss the ramifications of this mornings events."
"Charles thought it best for us to discuss it together," Hank nodded at me.
"What's this about?" I asked, confused now. At first I thought we were just going to discuss Hank's behavior and his attack on me. But this felt different.
"Hank," Charles looked to the blue furred doctor. I looked to him as well, and he sighed.
"Maisy, my behavior towards you this morning was completely uncouth and for that I apologize. Alas, there are some things in my nature that I do not have control over. For instance, my bodies reaction to yours. Your very prescence sends me into a frenzy."
I looked into his blue eyes and saw he was telling the truth, but I still didn't understand.
"If my prescence upsets you, I can lea..."
"No."
It was a very firm no. I didn't even finish my sentence.
"I guess I am confused then. If me being here gets you so angry that you bite me, then why wouldn't you want me to go?"
Hank smiled and then laughed. I glanced to Chalres to see him shaking his head, a small smile on his lips.
"I do not become angry when you are around Maisy. I...how does one say this without sounding brash?"
"His mutation is animal based Maisy," Charles picked up. "And the baser side of him, the animal side, has reacted to something in you. Which is why he bit you."
"The bite means something, yes? I see you glance at it," I asked Hank.
He smiled.
"Hank has marked you as his. The bite tells others to stay away by carrying a small amount of his scent."
I let that sink in for a moment. And while I desperately wanted to over react, I kept my cool.
"What does that mean for me? For us? I have a fiance."
Hank closed his eyes, nodding.
"Perhaps we take it one day at a time," Charles nodded sadly.
I nodded.
"Is there anything I should or should not do? Anything I need to know?"
"Hank will no doubt be extremely territorial and protective."
I nodded. But if I was not around often, how could he possibly be those things? My mind skipped down a hundred different paths. He marked me as his, others would stay away. Did the mark mean we were a couple? Would it hurt him if I refused to go along with this?
"Does this mark make us a couple?" I asked him. He lifted his blue head to look at me.
"I will not force you into anything Maisy."
"That's not what I asked Hank."
"I will not be with anyone else," he mumbled. "I am bound to you, and you alone for the rest of my life."
That was...heartbreaking. I felt tears prick my eyes.
"I am sorry Hank," I wiped my eyes carefully.
"Hank, perhaps Maisy and I should speak alone."
Hank looked at the professor and then to me.
"She will be safe with me my old friend."
Hank nodded once before getting up and leaving.
"There are some things I feel you should know. Hank is a very well respected man in our community. He is intelligent, kind and hard working. For the majority of his life he has managed to keep that side of him under control, until this morning. You have woken his beast."
"I didn't mean too..." I tried to explain that whatever I did, I did it unknowingly.
"It is no one's fault. It simply is. Hank has marked you as his. You are his to protect, to care for, to mate with."
"Mate with? As in," but I didn't finish the sentence. The professor was nodding his head.
"Indeed. But Hank would never force you, let me make that perfectly clear. He will never hurt you."
I nodded. I could only think of calling bear, my number two at the salon. His real name was Oliver, but his mutation...well we didn't call him bear for nothing.
"You work with a feral?"
"A what? Wait..I was thinking that. I never said it out loud."
He smiled.
"My mutation is telepathy," he smiled.
"That makes sense," I nodded.
"Your coworker," Charles brought our conversation back to Oliver. "Is a feral, yes?"
"What is a feral?"
"An mutant with animal tendencies."
"Oh, yes. We call him bear because when he's angry he lets out a roar that sounds like a big kodiak bear."
"Why do you wish to call him so badly?"
"I want to ask him about marking and mating. It's not that I don't believe you, I just feel like you might be holding back on me."
Charles smiled.
"I believe a break is in order. After you've finished with your call, please return to my office. We can continue this conversation at that time."
I got to my feet, pulling my phone out of my back pocket.
"Maisy," I turned back to look at the professor.
"There is a very high chance that Hank will be waiting for you outside that door."
I nodded and opened the door. I didn't see Hank, I looked back at him and shrugged. He gave me a knowing smile. I closed the heavy wooden door and quick dialed bear. He answered after two rings.
"Hey lamb."
"Hey. Can you talk?"
"Give me a second."
I walked with the phone to my ear, looking for a way outside. I skipped down the stairs and found the front door.
"Alright, I'm back. What's up lamb?"
I sighed. I told him everything that happened.
"Shit. Alright. Where'd he mark you?"
"Where my shoulder and neck meet, on the left side."
"Showy bastard. How are you handling all of this? How is Matt?"
I snorted.
"Matt called me this morning to tell me he was going to a friends cabin for a few days."
"Good. Gives you some time to figure this out."
"Angie is going to be there as well."
"What? Maisy are you alright?"
"I think this is it," I felt tears spiking in my eyes."
"You know I don't like him, never have."
That made me laugh.
"Bright side, you have a mate."
"I don't know what that means bear."
"It means no matter what happens, you'll have somebody in your corner. Of course, I'll always be in your corner too. But in a less sexually active way."
"You are terrible," I laughed.
"I can't wait to meet him. When are you coming home?"
"I'm driving back tonight. Can you call the locksmith we use for the shop and have him switch out my locks for me?"
"That was fast. Can do. I'll leave the new set here at the salon."
"You're the best. How's everything else going?"
"Good. Mrs. Calwell visited again today. She also brought more Church of Humanity brochures."
"Did you toss her out?"
"Yup. I kept the brochures though, I needed more newspaper for my birds cage anyway."
I smiled at that.
"Alright, I'll see you tonight."
"Bye lamb."
I hit the end button and then sighed. My diamond caught the sun and I quickly took it off. I should feel worse about this, but I didn't. I felt, better. Like a weight had been lifted off of me.
"Am I correct in believing your engagement is off?"
I turned to see Hank standing with his hands in his pockets.
"You are."
"If this has anything to do with me marking you, I want to express my deepest apologizies."
"No worries Hank, this has been a long time coming."
He nodded and walked closer to me.
"You seem to be handling all of this rather well," he spoke after some time in silence.
"I think it's because I am not entirely sure what is happening."
He laughed.
"I believe I am in a similar place."
He stood next to me, his body stiff.
"Do I make you nervous?" I asked, curious about the stiffness of his walk.
"No my dear. I feel a cacophony of things when around you, but nervous is not one of them."
"Good, good."
"I can tell you are nervous around me."
"How?"
"I can smell it on you."
"You can smell that?"
He nodded.
"What else can you smell?" I asked, now curious.
He turned to look at me.
"A great multitude of things."
I nodded, realizing that was probably a personal question.
"After I meet with Charles about the future salon in the school, I need to go back to the city."
He nodded.
"I will accompany you."
"I'm going to break it off with my fiance, I'm not so sure you being there is a great idea."
"You are my mate. And with your mark so fresh, there is little I can do."
"Alright."
"Are you always so agreeable?"
"No. But I am trying to be considerate of the situation you and I find ourselves in. I will strive to be honest with you, if you promise to do the same with me."
He smiled.
"Allow me to walk you in."
Xmen POV-
"Seems ta be taking it well," Logan watched from the professor's window as Maisy and Hank talked near her car.
"She is," the professor's smiled. "She has great patience and excellent reasoning abilities. I believe it will not take as long as everyone thinks."
"You think she'll accept the whole 'mate' thing?" Scott didn't sound convinced. "I mean, have you seen her fiance? Jean and I looked him up on Facebook. He's not exactly ugly."
"He is attractive," Jean put in. "But he doesn't seem to treat he well."
"This is out of our hands. What happens now is between Hank and Maisy."
Logan laughed.
"If they're here when 'things happen' between them, we're all going to know."
"Logan!" Jean tried to scold him but ended up smiling.
"Blue butt is holding back something fierce. When he finally blows it's coming out in one of two ways. Violence, or passion. My money is on the last one. Especially with little miss hot stuff out there."
