Jean Grey
You flex your fingers as you reach into the hat and pick the first scrap of paper that catches your eye. As you bring it out and slowly open it, one thought runs through your head.
'Please let it be who I hope it is, please let it be who I hope it is, please let it be who I hope it is...'
With the scrap of paper now open, you see the name written upon it, and with truly lovely handwriting, at that. It reads: Jean Grey. It seems you'll be spending some time with your crush after all...
You're just about to announce who you'd picked when Wade, growing impatient, looks over your shoulder and chuckles, "Hey, Jean, you're up! (Y/n) picked you!" He calls out with a hand on either side of his mouth.
You look to the crowd of fellow X-Men, and just in time to see them part. And stood there is your dear Jean Grey herself. She is wearing a green jacket, a cute yellow sundress and a matching pair of yellow flats. Her lovely, long red hair flowing down her back, her enchanting green eyes lock with yours as she sees you.
A warm smile pulls at the corners of her lips as she approaches you. A warmth builds within your being.
"Hi, (Y/n)." She greets you.
"H-Hi, Jeannie." You reply, matching her smile.
You have know Jean since day one. Literally. Way, way back when Professor Xavier recruited the original X-Men, you were among them. You stood alongside, Scott, Warren, Hank, Bobby and of course, Jean who at the time was codenamed Marvel Girl. Her kindness, loving nature and big heart won you over and you became friends.
Since then you've harboured feelings for the telepathic/telekinetic woman. Due to her powers, you've made it a habit to hide your feelings mentally, mostly by not thinking at all or thinking about random things in an attempt to throw her off, just in case. To this day you maintain your very close bond with Jean, even though you wish to be more...
"So are you two just gonna give each other the googly eyes all night?" Kurt asks as he opens the closet door, "Come on, the closet awaits, lovebirds!" He gestures for you both to enter with his usual dramatic flair.
A warmth spreads to your cheeks. Looking to Jean you see she too is somewhat bashful, but smiling at you nonetheless. This prompts you to do the same as you both head inside the dark space.
This could be the moment you've dreamt of for so very, very long.
With a click, the closet door closes and locks, shutting out most of the room's light. Say for the small amount coming from underneath the door, just enough illumination to see each other's outlines as you both stand near the door. Within arm's reach of each other.
"Well," You start with a shrug, "here we are."
"Yes, we are." Jean replies.
"The two of us."
"Yep. You and I."
"In the closet."
"In the dark."
The two of you make eye contact before sharing an awkward smile and chuckle.
"So shall we continue pointing out the obvious, or actually play the game?" Jean offers.
"Play the game, I say. Definitely play the game."
Despite how well you both get along, there has indeed been strong romantic tension between the two of you. It often builds when the two of you are in the same room together, things seem to spontaneously build to the point of confession and reciprocation... only for something to interrupt the moment.
Now that the two of you are alone, the golden opportunity may present itself and not be interrupted. That said there is the matter of time at hand, the clock has been ticking from the moment the door closed.
"Listen, Jean, there's something I want to tell you, but..."
"But what? It's okay, you can tell me anything. Anything at all, I'm listening." Jean asks, her tone and eyes radiating concern as she takes your hands in hers. Her touch is gentle and soothing, putting you at ease. Her emerald green eyes seem to glow as they radiate the same feeling conveyed by her touch.
'I'm not entirely sure, but I think she's putting her psychology degree to good use here.' You note.
"We don't have much time. Seven minutes just isn't enough to explain everything so..." You take her hands and place them on the sides of your head, her fingertips on the sides of your temple. Her touch making you blush slightly, "So see for yourself, Jean."
"(Y/n), are you sure about this?" Jean asks, somewhat bewildered by your forwardness. A long time back, when you two met, she reassured you that she would never read your mind without permission; deeming it a massive invasion of privacy. You even told her that if you had something to say to her, you would tell her.
"I am. I trust you." You answer with a warm smile.
You place the thoughts you have of her, your feelings to the forefront of your mind. Making them easier to be seen. Which seems counter-intuitive because Jean's telepathic prowess rivals that of Professor Xavier's.
"Okay then." Jean says with a nod.
Jean closes her eyes and focuses her mind, her telepathic powers allowing her to see into your mind.
She sees it. She sees it all. Every memory where you've smiled at each other, hugged and comforted each other. Moments where you've wanted so badly to bare your feelings, to embrace each other and connect lips. The hope that upon sharing your feelings, she would reciprocate you.
The Red-headed Telepath sees you admiration for her idealistic drive towards human and mutant equality, something you both share; Professor Charles Xavier's dream. The massive amount of admiration and respect you've garnered for her over the years, how you value her opinion highly. Your liking of her 'wild side' becomes apparent, that side of her that loves excitement, danger and pushing rules.
Jean sees how you developed a crush on her when you first met. That you harboured that crush for a long time, until it developed into the unquestionable affection and love it is now.
Finally, she sees your worry and outright fear of her rejecting your feelings.
By the time Jean finishes reading through your mind you are unaware of how much time has gone by, you are half expecting the door to open when you open your eyes. Jean soon opens hers, too, her hands now removed from your head. Your smile is a shy one, you're worried she might reject you right here and now. Unaware of the smile growing on Jean's lips...
'What's the use? There's no way Jean feels the same way about me as I feel about her. For all I know, I've probably destroyed our long friendship.'
"So, now you know." You sigh as you look to the floor. Feeling defeated until... Jean places her hands on your shoulders, soft yet deliberate.
"I do."
"I love you. Now you know, whether you feel the same way or not, at least you know."
"You can look at me, you know."
Your eyes meet hers. Beautiful pools of green looking straight into yours, a soft, adoring expression conveyed from them as she smiles at you.
"I love you too."
"Y-You do?! I-I..." You stutter to make a coherent sentence but do manage to do so after calming yourself, "That's wonderful. This might be a stupid question where do we go from here?"
"Well, we did say we'd play the game..." Jean giggles, her smile now wider.
"Oh, right..."
Innocently your lips connect with hers in a firm and affectionate embrace. One of her hands slides up to the back of your neck and feels soothing upon your skin, the kiss deepens as the two of you relax into each other, all the while your own hands take hold of her hips.
Your heart pounds in your ears, heat rising to your face. You feel that same heat rising from Jean's soft cheeks.
When breath is needed, you both slowly pull apart but keep within each other's arms. Now just close enough to see each other more clearly in the dark space that is the closet.
"I've wanted to do that for years. So many years." You comment with a smile, your lungs still without much breath.
"Me too..." Jean whispers, just as breathless as you are.
You notice that the closet door hasn't opened yet. A pleasant surprise, you still have some time to spend with your dear Jean.
"Huh. I guess we still have some time left in here." You state.
For the briefest of moments while Jean regains her breath, you see a spark within her eyes. Almost like a fire... One set ablaze by passion. Her eyebrow perks upwards in a mischievous gesture.
"Good~"
THUD!
To your complete surprise, Jean shoves you against the closet door. Her hands deep in your hair, fingers grasping firmly, holding you close to her body. Her lips ravishing yours like an animal. Years upon years of pent up romantic and sexual tension burst forth from behind gigantic walls.
Instinctively your hands find themselves around her waist and bringing her even closer to you, your whole bodies touching. Your mouths open, her tongue meets yours in a feverish and heated dance, eliciting moans of pleasure. Part of you expected Jean's wild side to show itself, but not in this capacity. It's surprising but not unwelcome.
Both of you are so lost in the throes of passion that you don't hear the sound of the closet door being unlocked...
Suddenly you feel your body falling backwards as the closet door opens abruptly, your bodies fall to the ground. A loud mixed chorus of laughter and wolf whistles can be heard filling the room. The back of your head meets the wooden floor, but not too hard, it still hurts though as your hand covers the back of your head.
Initially embarrassed by the reaction of her fellow X-Men, Jean draws her attention to you the moment she hears your pained wince.
"Oh my god, (Y/n), are you okay?" Worry springs to her face and coats her voice as she stands back up. She gently helps you to your feet, Remy and Kurt assisting in the effort.
"You okay?" Remy asks, rubbing your shoulder.
"Speak to us!" Kurt asks, very concerned for your well-being.
"Ouch..." You answer.
Jean gently feels the back of your head and her fingers lightly touch the growing bump there. You wince again.
"Ow!"
"Sorry, (Y/n). Looks like you'll need a cold compress." The Mutant codenamed Phoenix concludes, "I'll just go get you one."
Kurt's eyes light up, an idea has sprung to his mind, "Worry not, my friends," he declares, "I shall return with one momentarily."
BAMF!
A puff of sulphur and The Incredible Nightcrawler teleports away. The smell hist you all quite hard.
"Whoa! Who ate the beans, eggs and sprouts?" Wade jokes as he wafts the smell towards Logan.
"Had fun in there, huh?" Remy asks with a coy smile on his face.
"Yeah... I'd say so." You answer with a smile while looking to Jean, who returns the expression.
"Looks like things we're getting hot in there. Heh, get it? 'Cos she's the Phoenix and things were getting sexy and... Ah, never mind. I thought it was funny." Wade says.
BAMF!
Kurt reappears and hands Jean a bag of frozen peas, "Here you go."
Jean thanks him politely while you send him a nod and a smile in gratitude. Your dear Jean presses the cold bag to the lump on your head and instantly feel relieved, you sigh and relax.
=== Extended Ending ===
After your turn in the closet, yourself and Jean decide to claim an unused table. Kurt and Wade join you soon afterwards. From here you can see Remy continuing his role in the game.
"Are you sure you're all right?"
"Yes, Jean." You answer all the while keeping the bag of frozen peas pressed to the bump on your head, "I'll be fine. I mean, come on, you're the one looking after me. I'm in good hands."
Jean smiles at you and kisses your cheek.
"How's the bump?" Kurt asks, "Still hurting? If you would like I could go and get another bag of frozen vegetables? I think I saw a bag of carrots in there, if you think it would help?"
"It's okay, Kurt, I'm fine. The swelling should go down soon. And hey, I guess it's true what they say."
"What's that?" Everyone asks.
"Love hurts."
Saying this makes Kurt sigh in annoyance and pinch his nose. Jean merely pats you on the shoulder and gives you a small smile, a pitiful one at that.
'Tough crowd...'
"Hey hey hey, I'll handle the puns around here, dude." Wade interjects in annoyance, "Especially the bad ones. Wait..."
The End.
I wanted to make sure I got this one right seen as Jean Grey is one of my favourite X-Characters. And I hope I conveyed that in this ending. I love her personality, her powers and the Phoenix Force just fascinates me. ...And she's a redhead. Which is a nice bonus. :D
Comments and feedback are always appreciated.
See you all soon. :)
