Thanks to everyone who's enjoyed this story so far and reviewed! 3
XXX
Don't Have Kittens
Chapter 3
XXX
"What are you doing? Don't wake them up!"
Alex stirs as he hears whispers. He pressed back against the warm furry body holding him.
"I'm not." He hears Sean huff but the other teen seemed to be trying not to laugh. "Just want to take a picture."
Alex opened his eyes at that just as the flash went off. "Hey!"
"Ah! Raven did it!" Sean jumped back with his camera before running out of the room.
"Sean!" Raven tried to smack him on the way out. She looked back at Alex before she looked up at the ceiling with a small smile. "We were worried when we saw your room."
"Huh?" Alex looked down noticing the duvet had fallen, he quickly pulled it back covering himself with a blush. "Obviously I'm alright you can go now."
"Don't screw things up." She pointed at him teasingly before leaving. "You guys missed breakfast, Sean's making lunch so you might as well stay in bed."
"Thanks." Alex huffed lying back down. He looked over at Hank who was still snoring lightly. He was thankful the other mutant must have gotten up and at least wiped them off some time that night so there wasn't any embarrassing evidence.
"Nn sleep." Hank huffed nuzzling Alex's shoulder. Alex honestly couldn't remember the last time that Hank really slept in, he smiled lifting a hand and running it through the fur on his head.
"You can sleep I have to go kill Sean." He murmured tugging on an ear lightly before getting out of the bed and borrowing some clean clothes from Hank. Who knew what kind of condition his were in? Hank made a whiny noise before covering himself up with the blankets and moving so he took up the whole bed. Alex snickered before heading towards the kitchen to his victim.
Who was currently looking at a Polaroid with Erik. Alex flushed.
"You think they were making up or fighting with those bite marks?" Sean teased.
"A little of both, probably." Erik smirked over at Alex who suddenly wished he had grabbed a shirt with a collar.
"Gimme that." Alex yanked it away from Sean before stuffing it into his pocket without looking at it.
"Hey that's mine." Sean pouted. "Best picture I've taken yet."
"Take classes." Erik murmured behind him causing Sean to pout more.
"You're lucky I don't bust you for taking a picture of us sleeping." Alex hits Sean lightly on the back of his head before swinging an arm around the red-heads shoulders. He smirked, "Unless this is your way of telling us you were interested in a little …" He made a hand gesture.
"Not in the kitchen please." Alex looked up to see Charles blushing.
"No thanks, really. I like dames." Sean elbowed Alex in the side sliding away from him quickly. "But thanks … I think?"
"How are you feeling Alex?" Alex noticed Charles eyes stayed on his neck for a few seconds before meeting his eyes with a small smile.
"Good thanks, I'm sorry about the room." Alex glared at the floor. "I wouldn't mind moving to the bunk-"
"Out of the question." Charles put a hand on Alex's shoulder before leading him out of the kitchen. The skinny man turned back for a second. "Erik, please make sure that Sean doesn't poison us all."
"Too bad cooking isn't his mutant ability." Alex smiled over at Charles who chuckled.
"I think what he has fits him better." Charles moved them until they were in the study. "Just like your power fits you. It's a part of you."
"But I can't control it all the time." Alex crossed his arms sitting when the other mutant led him to a chair. Charles sat at the one across from him.
"Even I have problems controlling my powers still." Charles crossed his legs. "It takes time and practice. And your body is going through some changes right now."
"You haven't killed anybody because you couldn't control your powers." Alex clenched his fists at his sides. Suddenly feeling angry at himself. "You know right? How many peop-"
"I do." Charles interrupted. "But that is why I want to start this school so we can help other people like us. So we can learn together how to control our powers. And you are still a part of it."
"What if I destroy this place?" Alex was looking at the floor unable to meet his gaze. "What if I hurt someone or worse?"
"You won't." Charles smiled. "We are here to help you Alex, we're not against you."
"You and Hank seem so sure of me." Alex mumbled looking up running a hand through his hair. "I'm not used to that."
"Used to what?" Charles asked him raising an eyebrow.
"People have expectations of me. Not sure if I'm going to live up to it." Alex answered honestly.
"You will." Charles smiled with a laugh. "Now about your room." Alex fidgeted nervously.
"Seriously the bunker is perf-"
"No its not." Charles waved his hand. "The problem isn't that you're dangerous to those around you Alex, the problem is you need to work on control and even then you need to understand that there is very little control when it comes to what he dream about."
"But-"
Charles held up a hand. "You've been here for months and nothing has happened before. Everything that was harmed can easily be replaced. Don't punish yourself over this."
"Professor." Alex sighed.
"If you need to be punished then you can start by cleaning up the room and finding what is still in working condition." Charles held up a finger before Alex could respond. "But that truly isn't what I brought you in here to talk about."
"Oh." Alex looked at him surprised, "Umm …"
"Other mutants." Charles smiled. "A newspaper printed a very interesting article about a young man and I was wondering if you wouldn't mind going with Erik? It's just a few hours from here."
"What about you?" Alex asked nervously.
"I have somewhat political things to deal with if I truly want to start a school." Charles smirked. "Will you?"
"I … guess." Alex still didn't understand why Charles was asking him instead of Sean or Raven. Hank probably wouldn't want to go at all.
"Thanks, I'll let Erik know. You'll be leaving on Friday." Charles stood up clapping his hands. "And now time for lunch that is of course if Sean has made something edible."
"Gee whiz, you start a small fire trying to make a grilled cheese sandwich and you never live it down." Sean scoffed at the doorway. "Lunch is served Professor-doesn't-trust-me-with-a-spoon."
"Sean I had to replace half of my kitchen."
XXX
"Hank." The furry mutant felt a warm hand run through the fur on his back. "Hank are you hibernating?"
He opened his eyes at that. "Hnn?"
Alex laughed kneeling beside the bed; he kept his hand moving on Hank's back. "You should probably try to hold that off for, I don't know … five more months?"
"What time is it?" Hank asked groggily sitting up. It was dark outside. "Did I sleep for a whole day?"
"Two actually." Alex moved onto the bed and lied down beside Hank. "Apparently you aren't taking care of yourself mister. Practice what you preach man." At the other mutant's look he chuckled. "Charles told us to leave you be but then Sean and I have a bet on whether or not you were hibernating so … I thought I should come wake you up."
"What did you win?" Hank asked lying back down and nuzzling the side of Alex's face.
"He has to do your laundry." Alex smirked and Hank realized the other teen was wearing his clothes. Everything inside him liked the look of Alex in his clothes. He leaned forward kissing the side of the blonde's mouth. "Well I didn't have very much left."
"Wait, where did you sleep last night?"
"Here." Alex started playing with the fur on Hank's neck earning a purr. "You were seriously out."
"Apparently." Hank laughed closing his eyes and enjoying the feel of Alex's fingers. "My favorite color is green."
"Okay random why?" Alex snorted pulling his hands away.
"Getting to know each other." Hank ducked his head, lowering his ears embarrassed. Alex smiled crossing his arms behind his head.
"Mine's red but it might be changing." He nudged Hank with his foot.
"To what?" Hank asked slightly confused.
"Blue." Alex blushed slightly at how cheesy that probably was. Hank leaned forward giving him a slow, long, gentle kiss. Alex hummed in appreciation.
"I'm allergic to shellfish." Hank mumbled when he pulled away.
"I like surfing." Alex kissed Hank's forehead as the other teen trailed kisses down his jaw to his neck.
"I almost drowned once in a swimming pool." Hank kissed Alex's chest. He could feel the other's warm breath through his shirt.
"What? When?" Alex's breath hitched as Hank pulled his shirt up and started kissing his stomach.
"College. I was taking a short cut to class and got knocked in. My schoolbag was weighed down but I didn't want to let it go." Hank laughs lightly. "There were some hard to find medical journals in there."
"That really sucks." Alex laughed a little breathless. "I don't know how to ride a bike."
"Really?" Hank looked up a little surprised.
"Didn't have someone to teach me." Alex shrugs like it doesn't matter now, it had mattered then though.
"I was raised by nuns." They're staring in each other's eyes now. Hanks large hands holding onto Alex's sides.
"Really?" He asks skeptically because he really hadn't seen that one coming.
"Yes at St. Mary's Orphanage." Hank doesn't really talk about it much but he figures if they're sharing things …
"You're an orphan too?" Alex sits up but frowns when Hank shakes his head, "But then why were you there?"
"I was deformed." Hank is sitting up now. "My mother dropped me off at their doorstep." He pauses not meeting Alex's face. "I don't know who my parents were but … and the Nuns knew no one was ever going to adopt me. No one wants a strange or deformed child."
Alex feels like he just got punched. He should be punched. The things he had said to Hank before … "Hank."
"At least they don't have to deal with me like this." Hank laughs but there's no amusement in it. Alex feels like a complete idiot and a jerk. He grabs onto Hank's pulling him forward and kissing him hard, their teeth knock together but Alex holds onto him tightly, kissing him until he needs air.
"I am a complete moron." He says breathlessly, trying to be apologetic but then Hank is laughing.
"I thought we were trying to tell each other new facts. I knew that one." He chuckles some more.
"Hey." Alex flushes hotly pulling Hank's ear a little harder than necessary but then Hank growls and has his hands pinned above his head. Alex tugs at his arms but the hold is pretty tight and Hank's kissing him again so he stops fighting it and settles for trying to bite the other teen's tongue earning a few chuckles.
Then there's a low rumbling noise that causes both teens to stop. They both stare at each other for a moment.
"I am really hungry." Hank finally says putting his head on Alex's shoulder causing the teen to laugh. And maybe it isn't really that funny but it takes him a while to stop. He gasping and grinning like a fool holding to Hank who's looking at him like he's a little crazy.
Which he might be.
XXX
Hank really liked when Alex wore his clothes.
He liked watching Alex put on his clothes and vice versa.
"Oh my God." Hank's ears perked up at the complete dread in the tone. He looked up from his book to see Alex looking at his stomach in a pair of Hank's trousers but they were still unbuckled.
"What's wrong?" Hank got up from his desk walking over.
"I'm pregnant." Alex looked over at Hank as if he just now realized it. Hank's ears fell a little.
"You have been for a while … "
"No I mean … I'm …" Alex moved his hands to try and buckle the pants but they were rather tight. "I'm going to get really fat!"
Hank couldn't help but grin moving forward and unbuckling the pants and placing his hand gently over the small bulge. Alex looked at him confused but the other mutant kissed the side of his mouth. "You did know that was going to happen right? And it's not fat." Hank pushed Alex gently so his back hit the dresser and leaned forward to kiss his neck.
"Well I knew it happened to pregnant chicks but I didn't think it would …" Alex closed his eyes and hummed when Hank licked down his adams-apple. "Hank … you really like this don't you?"
"I do." Hank moves to look him in the eye. "A lot. Do you want to know why?"
"Hmm." Alex leans back resting his head on the dresser, exposing his neck. "Just confused."
"Can't have that." Hank chuckles kissing Alex's neck. "You make really horrible faces when you're confused."
"Shut up, I'm sexy all the time." Alex flushes embarrassed.
"I like this because." Hanks tongue dips to taste some skin. "It means that you're healthy. That the baby is healthy. That things are progressing normally." His palm is still resting gently and warm over Alex's stomach. The other teen shivers. He moves his other hand to touch Alex's lower back.
"I still don't get it." Alex huffs a little breathless, his hands are now holding on to Hank's shoulders.
"You will." Hank finally kisses him again, licking the inside of his mouth. Alex groans a little annoyed.
"Dude, you have to get hot and bothered now? I have to leave in like-"
"Five minutes ago." A deep amused voice comes from the doorway. Alex blushes trying to push Hank away lightly but the other teen doesn't move as if he wants to block Alex's exposed skin from view.
"Can I borrow a pair of pants?" He finally manages to squeak just causing Erik's amused grin to turn into a full smirk. "Hank's don't fit anymore." Which really Alex suddenly realizes is a little unfair that Hank could still fit into his skinny-boy clothes after his transformation.
"Sure, try to finish this before I get back." Erik taps the door twice then makes a small gesture with his hand and the door closes without the other man touching the knob.
Hank pulls away as soon as the door is closed as if he suddenly decided to be embarrassed. "Sorry." Alex crosses his arms.
"What was that?" Alex smirked turning around to open the dresser and grab a shirt. He paused when warm hands gently held his sides. "Hank?"
"I'm sorry." Hank kissed the back of his neck. Alex sighed.
"What's going on in that bozo brain of yours?" Alex waited until Hank pulled away to put the shirt on. There was a knock at the door.
"Decent?" Erik chuckled outside the door.
Alex flushed stomping over to the door and pulling it open. Erik looked at him amused handing him the pants.
"Good luck with the new mutant." Hank was there giving Alex a pat on the back before passing Erik and going down the hall.
"Uh … thanks?" Alex looked at Erick confused.
"Don't ask me, he's your geliebte." Erik shrugged.
"I don't even know what that means!" Alex shut the door annoyed before quickly changing pants. He grabbed a belt thankful that Erik was still a little larger than him but he made sure not to tighten too much, surely if it was too tight it could be bad for the baby.
Alex made a note to ask Hank about it later... and to ask him about what was going on. At least he had those thoughts to help occupy the drive because unsurprisingly if Charles wasn't around, Erik was a pretty quiet guy.
"So are you and Charles … you know?" Alex waved his hands with an invisible suggestion. Annoyingly the only answer he got was a raised eyebrow and a small chuckle. Alex huffed resting his head against the cool window and watching the scenery go by.
They finally stopped right outside of a small town which Alex couldn't remember ever hearing of.
"Here?" Alex asked wondering why they were at a park. "We're going hiking?"
"You'll see." Eric finally handed Alex the newspaper article he had been asking for the first half of their ride. Alex was getting the feeling Erik liked picking on him. He looked at the article. There was a little boy with his dad and a set of cameras. Alex followed behind Erik as they started the trail and he read down.
"One of these bird watchers is a mutant or something?" Alex looked at Erik incredulously.
"Look at the pictures." Erik slowed down so they were walking beside each other. Alex looked at the pictures of birds that won some sort of award or something stupid. He huffed.
"Dude, are you taking me out here to kill me because I'm pretty sure Hank will be pissed."
Erik actually let out a laugh at that, Alex smirked a little proud of himself. The older man leaned over pointing at a picture of a small blue bird but he was pointing at the corner of the page. Alex leaned forward looking closer. There was something sitting on a tree-
"Alex." Erik grabbed his shoulder but spoke quietly. Alex looked at him surprised before looking around … he didn't see anything. "Stay on the trail and keep going, I'll meet up with you." Erik nudged him forward before moving off the path and going into the woods.
Alex sighed watching him go for a moment before moving ahead. Were they looking for another mutant or hunting for one? He found himself hoping Erik didn't have any weapons on him … unless Alex was the weapon …
He shook his head. They wouldn't use him like that. Charles wouldn't definitely so he would have faith that Erik wouldn't either. It wasn't that he didn't trust the older man … because he did. Erik was kind of cool and definitely not as dorky as Charles but there was something that rubbed Alex the wrong way. He sighed stopping when the path split.
"Great." Alex put the pictures in his pocket before looking down both paths. He squinted, was there a fence? He went left and after a little while he came up to a fence and on the inside was a large factory, it was Sunday so none of the workers were there.
"Worthington Industries." Alex read the title on the side of the building. This was a pretty weird place for a factory. There was a snapping sound behind him.
Alex quickly turned around putting a hand over his stomach. He looked around but there wasn't anything there. "Erik?"
No one answered.
He looked down and saw a white feather laying on the path in front of him. He looked around again, that definitely hadn't been there before. "Hello?"
There was another snap to his right but when he looked over there wasn't anything there. "I swear to God Erik if that's you I'm going to melt your face off. I don't think Charles likes you just for your mind!" He wrapped his arms around himself. It was getting too cold to stay outside too long, he should have brought a heavier jacket.
Looked like it would snow soon.
Alex kicked a rock into the woods before going back down the path, maybe if he went right this time.
"Happy Birthday to me." He grumbled kicking another rock. Okay so sure it was his birthday. And yeah he had kind of figured that Charles or Hank would have known that having seen his files and everything but it wasn't like he had ever really celebrated it much before … so why should he now?
He had a blurry memory with cake and a couple of candles, there were other people there … another boy but Alex had given up a long time ago trying to remember those people. His family. Whoever they were.
He kicked another rock, this one caught air and went up into the branches.
"Ow!"
Alex froze.
He took a few steps forward looking up at the branches where his rock had gone. There was a shirtless guy sitting on one of the branches.
A shirtless dude with wings.
"Please don't scream."
He had to be a little younger than Sean. Alex looked up at him. The boy had blonde hair but more of all the most beautiful white wings. It took Alex a second to realize he was probably staring stupidly.
"Sorry I hit you with the rock." He shrugged, shivering slightly. "I didn't think anyone was up there."
"You … you're not scared of me?" The kid, dude, angel or whatever was looking down at Alex amazed. A small smile gracing his lips.
"Should I be scared of you?" Alex smirked up at him. "I've seen some scarier looking guys before."
The kids wings fluttered and suddenly he was on the ground standing in front of Alex. He was about a head shorter. "You're the first person that hasn't screamed … almost all of them do, or pass out. Father doesn't like it when I go outside." Alex frowned when the kid ducked his head.
"Why not? Dude why aren't you flying?" Alex laughed. "I would fly if I had wings."
"Why aren't you scared?" The boy crossed his arms before shivering, his wings moving around him like a blanket.
"I'm a mutant too." Alex grinned. "Like you … except not like you. Um, my friend could explain it better." Alex looked around for Erik. "He's a mutant too …"
"A mutant?" The kid turned his head before looking sadly at the ground. "I should go home."
"No wait," Alex stopped himself from touching the blonde kid when he flinched. "I'm not here to hurt you, you see … there's a school well there will be a school and it's for kids like us and-"
"I need to go." The kid looked uncomfortable. "My father can't see you. He-he doesn't like mutants. You should go. I shouldn't be outside …"
"Kid wait." Everything was screaming at Alex to keep this kid away from his father. "Why don't you let me meet your dad?"
"He's angry." The kid looked up at him. "He doesn't like me. He doesn't like mutants and if you really are one you should find your friend and leave."
"Here at least take this." Alex was suddenly thankful that Erik had a pen in the pocket of his pants as he pulled out the article on the birds, on the blue bird's chest he wrote out the address for the school. "Here … if you ever need a place to stay. Seriously, there's this guy Charles who's a total nerd but he's a mutant too and he's pretty cool. There's a girl Raven who can change what she looks like and there's a boy named Sean who can also fly! Oh and there's Hank and he's big blue and furry and he might look scary but he's a softy and really smart. The point is that there are more mutants."
"What can you do?" The boy looked down at the address.
"I … I can shoot energy out of my body but I can't show you, it's really dangerous." Alex scratched his head. "I'm Alex by the way."
"Warren Kenneth Worthington the Third." The boy held out his hand politely. Alex took it with a grin. "It was nice to meet you Alex but I'm not allowed out and you should keep this … if father found out there were more mutants I wouldn't want to think about it." The boy held out the article to him and Alex finally noticed some small bruises on his wrists.
"Seriously. Keep it." Alex didn't take the address back. "And you should join us."
"I can't." Warren looked down at the ground. "I'm sorry." There was a snap of a twig in the woods. Warren jumped before looking around. "I've got to go." Alex almost jumped back when the wings spread and then the boy was gone.
"Alex!" Erik was running up to him a little breathless. "Was that him?"
"No just an angel asking which way to nearest burger joint." Alex rolled his eyes shoving his hands into his pockets. "Where were you? He's not coming."
"I thought it would be easier to meet him one on one … " Erik shrugged. "What did he say?"
"I think his dad abuses him because he's a mutant." Alex glared at the ground. "He didn't want him finding out that there were more of us so he left." He kicked a rock but then there was a strong hand on the back of his neck leading him down the path.
"We'll figure something out." Erik sighed, "And if his father is abusing him for being a mutant then you should know I'm not above kidnapping."
Alex laughed a little sadly at that. "I never thought you would be."
XXX
When they got back to the mansion Alex was bombarded with a surprise party.
Apparently the reason Erik had been so quiet was because he didn't really trust himself to not telling Alex when the blonde looked so miserable.
It was small, ridiculous and a bit tacky but he wouldn't have changed a thing. Except for maybe the pregnant thing because Hank wouldn't let him drink anything but Alex supposed he could after the baby was born.
It was his first real birthday party
With his first real group of friends.
He told them about Warren and his beautiful wings and all of them wished he would get there sooner.
"Alex." Charles pulled him to the side for a moment. "I hope you don't mind but I did see what you saw on the young Warren." Charles looked serious so Alex didn't argue. "Erik and I are going to go visit his father tomorrow and see if we can get him here."
Alex grinned. "Professor."
"Charles please, and honestly you all are more like annoying younger siblings than students." Charles teased with a smile. "How has your birthday party been?"
"Best one so far." Alex ducked his head embarrassed. "Thanks, really. Thank you."
"No need, now I do believe Hank is nervously waiting for your attentions." Charles nodded behind Alex before ducking back into the room with Raven, Sean and Erik. Alex turned around to see Hank leaning against the window at the far end of the hallway. He was drawing in the fogged up glass.
"It's snowing." Hank smiled at him when he got closer.
"Really?" Alex looked out to see the large flakes falling to the ground. "A little early isn't it?"
"Not for the north." Hank leaned against him lightly. "Happy Birthday."
"You've known this whole time?" Alex gave him a sideways glance.
"I'm good at keeping secrets." Hank huffed amused.
"I've never had a birthday party … that I can really remember." Alex admitted a little embarrassed.
"Well I got you something but uh, you have to promise me not to use it until after the baby is born." Hank grabbed Alex's hand looking him in the eyes.
"Okay?" Hank's ears went back. "Okay okay I promise!"
"Not like you could anyway if it's snowing already." Hank was suddenly pulling him down the hall and to the front door . "It's outside in the shed."
"If this is your way of getting me outside for some hanky … you're doing it right." Alex laughed when Hank ducked his head. He grabbed his jacket and gloves. He paused looking at the gloves for a second. "There were yours weren't they?"
"They're yours now." Hank was looking at the floor shifting like he was embarrassed. Alex smirked giving him a quick kiss.
"I know you could handle the cold but shouldn't you put a coat on?" Alex ran his now gloved hands through Hank's fur on his arms.
"Won't know until we try." Hank was holding his hand again and pulling him outside. The both shivered at the temperature change before walking around the building towards the shed. They waved at the others through the window and laughed when Sean realized it was snowing and ran out of the room.
"What is it?" Alex asked excitedly as they got closer.
"A pony." Hank snorted and Alex hit him on the shoulder.
"Smart ass."
"True." Hank chuckled before they got to the shed. He quickly opened the door. "Now this is probably stupid but-"
"Shut up." Alex looked wide-eyed at the blue bicycle sitting in the shed.
"I thought about putting a bow on it." Hank admitted.
"Did you build this yourself?" Alex walked in touching the handlebars.
"I had some time." Hank mumbled. "Thought I could teach you … you know in the spring."
"Only you would give me something I couldn't use right away." Alex smirked at him.
"Well you could but I don't think it would be a good ide-"
"Shut up." Alex walked over a kissed him lightly on the lips. "And thank you, I will need lessons this spring."
"I'll try to go slow so you can understand." Hank teased.
"I'm going to get you a surf board and see how good you are at that." Alex elbowed him in the sides. "Gelartig"
"What?" Hank pulled away from him to look at him confused.
"I don't know, Erik called you something in German … I can't remember how to say it." Alex blushed embarrassed.
"I think you just called me gel or gelatinous." Hank chuckled. "But my German is a bit sketchy."
"How many languages can you speak?" Alex looked at him surprised.
"Um, including English? Seven but before I came here I was in the middle of learning Mandarin." Hank moved to close the shed but stopped sniffing the air.
"Hank?" Alex shivered wrapping his arms around himself.
"Go inside." Hank sniffed the air again before looking at Alex. "Please."
"But-"
"Go get Erik." Hank took a few steps forward. "And a first aid kit … I smell blood."
"Hank!" Alex kicked the snow when the other teen ran off faster than he could keep up with. He turned around jogging back to the house; luckily it seemed they were having a snow ball fight in the front. He ducked as Sean sent one his way.
"Where's Hank?" Raven looked up after dodging a snowball from Charles. Everyone stopped looking at Alex.
"I think he smelled something funny and he ran that way and told me to get Erik and a first aid kit." Alex pointed in the direction Hank ran. Erik was about to head that direction but Charles grabbed his arm.
"Wait." He put his hand to his head like he did when he was using his powers. "He's on his way back, Raven, go get the first aid. Sean go make sure the fire is going in the first bedroom on the right. Alex go grab as many blankets you can carry and bring them there." He moved his hand away grabbing Erik.
Raven and Sean ran past Alex making him realize he had a job to do as well. He ran into the mansion trying to remember where he had found linens accidentally one time he and Hank had snuck off. He opened a couple of doors before finding it and grabbing as many as he could. He ran back and up the stairs to the room Sean was in making a fire. It was one of the few rooms with its own fire place and obviously hadn't been used in a long time. Charles was pulling off the dusty sheets and grabbing clean ones from Alex's pile and throwing them over the bed.
"Got him!" Alex jumped and scrambled to get out of the way as Hank carried in the shivering form of Warren Kenneth Worthington the Third. Alex stared wide-eyed noticing the new bruises on the kid's body and a decent gash on his back.
"Lay him on his stomach." Erik was trying to be gentle with the kid's wings but they were spread out and sticking out awkwardly. "Gently!"
"Can you get some warm water?" Charles was touching his shoulder now looking at him worried. Alex nodded quickly before backing out of the room and running down the stairs to the kitchen. He grabbed the largest pot he could find before turning the water on and running it until it warmed up.
What was going on? Why was Warren here? Had he flown here? Did his dad do that to him? Alex shook his head pulling the pot away full with water. He hissed as he tried to carry it without spilling as fast as he could and back up the stairs. Raven was there now but watching with a hand over her mouth as Charles and Sean tried to keep the wings out of the way.
"Water! Good!" Hank grabbed the pot from his hands taking it over to the bed and dabbing a cloth in it before he started cleaning the large gash on the back. Erik was tending to some of the smaller wounds.
"Hank do you know anything about wings?" Charles was standing on the bed now holding onto one of them.
"I … I don't know. I'm not a vet." Hank answered worriedly.
Alex stared wide-eyed, he wanted to ask if he could help but nothing came out when he opened his mouth. Raven left the room on a mission to get something Alex didn't hear. He looked back and Hank was still washing the blood away.
"Alex come here for a second." Alex jumped as his name was called and quickly went over to Hank who was holding a red cloth against the kids back. "Okay I need you to hold this here, I can't do anything while Raven is getting my tools and I need to check for other wounds."
Alex nodded moving to hold the cloth. Hank moved to the kids feet with another cloth wiping them and checking them for wounds. Alex winced every time he caught site of a harsh bruise but found himself mesmerized with watching Hank work.
His large body moving smooth and graceful as he tenderly checked Warren for more injuries. Lifting his sides and then moving quickly to check the other sides. Alex wondered if that's how Hank looked when he worked on all his patients.
"Okay there doesn't seem to be anything on his front so we can leave him like this now, Charles? Sean? Can you keep those wings up?" He looked up at them as they nodded. "Okay good."
"Here you go!" Raven came in with a small box handing it to Hank. Alex moved his hand when Hank motioned him to and watched amazed as he gave the kid stitches closing him up, he put bandages over them and then wrapped up anything he could get to.
"Alright we're going to turn him over so he can be on his back but let's let his wings stretch out on either side of the bed." Hank moved to the kids head and Erik went to his feet. They eventually got him lying on his back, and Raven got some extra pillows so he was a little more elevated. His wings stretched out on either side of the bed, Alex was amazed with how large they were. They hadn't seemed so big when the kid had them closed around him.
The room was pretty warm now and Alex realized he was sweating. He was still wearing his jacket and gloves. He quickly yanked them off throwing them in the hallway before returning his attentions to watching Hank take care of Warren. Raven took all the soiled cloth away and Sean disappeared taking everyone's winter clothes.
"Alex you should get to bed." Charles was beside him now looking slightly worried. Alex blinked before shaking his head. He wanted to stay up with Hank.
"I don't think there's anything internal …" Hank was talking to Erik with a low tone. "I wish we could take him to a real hospital but …"
"You've done what you can." Erik put a hand on his shoulder.
"Let's get those blankets on him, he's still shivering." Hank sighed obviously not satisfied with himself. Alex couldn't help but feel amazed at that, how did Hank not see how amazing he was? He probably just saved that kid's life. He was so … calm, collected … not the nervous twitchy kid Alex usually associated with the blue beast.
"You should go to bed, I'll stay with him." Charles was with Hank now who shook his head.
"No its alright. If something happens I should be right here."
"Hank I will wake you up if anything happens." Charles was pushing the other teen away from the bed. "Besides I don't think he'll go to sleep without you." Alex blushed when they looked at him. Hank seemed surprised he was still there.
"Alright … I-I guess." Hank walked over to Alex sheepishly. "You need to go to bed."
"C'mon then." Alex sighed tiredly leaving the room being followed closely behind by Hank. Alex honestly didn't want to leave Warren either but he knew if Charles would be there then it would be alright. Erik was probably going to stay too. When they got into the room he just shrugged off all his clothes and climbed into bed, exhausted and Hank followed suit.
"That's the boy you met today?" Hank finally asked when they had settled together. It was spoken low and softly as if he thought Alex might have fallen asleep already. Alex moved his hands so he could start messing with the one Hank had on his chest. He pushed back slightly enjoying the warmth of Hank behind him.
"Is he going to be okay?" Alex ran his fingers over Hank's palm.
"I hope so, I wish we had a more experienced doctor." Hank pressed his face against the back of Alex's neck.
"You did a good job." Alex winced at his words, not sure if that's what Hank needed to hear. "I mean if Charles didn't think you could do it I don't think he would have …"
Hank didn't reply, he kissed the back of Alex's neck gently before pulling his hand free and settling it on Alex stomach. Alex sighed, he was so tired.
"This kind of stress isn't good for you." Hank suddenly pulled Alex closer to him. Alex froze before slowly putting his hand over Hank's on his stomach. Right. Baby. Stress probably wasn't good. "I'll look you over in the morning … just get some rest."
Alex sighed closing his eyes feeling Hank breath against his back. He wondered when he was going to start remembering that he was pregnant … or if he would ever feel … better about it.
XXX
TBC
