Jean had never been much of a risk taker, especially for decisions involving other people.
Most of the time, she blamed it on her uncanny ability to read thoughts, which made her weigh the pros and cons of whatever choice she had to make. Afterwards, she'd usually take the less troublesome route. For instance, during her seventh year of staying in the mansion, she'd often receive invitations from the girls to go to the mall, yet after some internal deliberation, she'd decline. Never mind the fact that Jean actually aspired to have friends, but after sensing their initial hesitance coupled with fear in taking her along, she decided it was better if it stayed that way. She wanted to tell them that there was nothing to be afraid of, but who was she kidding, really?
Professor Xavier had already lectured her regarding the moral principles of possessing telepathic abilities, and while she understood that she shouldn't breach into other people's private thoughts without consent, sometimes, she just could not help it. Ironically, the thing that had been her source of anxiety had developed into something that lessened her unease at times, because it helped her know what to expect. It didn't help too that she possessed something which may one day spiral out of control if she didn't keep it in check, though it most likely was another reason why she preferred staying within her comfort zone.
Of course, she only released the psychic blocks that prevented her from hearing thoughts when she found it necessary. . .
And fine, she admitted, sometimes whenever she was bored too. Things have changed after the battle with En Sabah Nur, including how she perceived a lot of stuff. She lightened up significantly after she spending more time with her newly-discovered friends who taught her how to be more open-minded to ideas that she may not have given a second thought before.
Such as nosing around the love lives of people in the mansion.
When given opportunity, she'd update her friends about the latest happenings regarding those two students that Peter caught almost kissing by the rooftop, or when she was feeling dauntless enough, the unspoken tension between Hank and Raven. It was something the professor would surely frown upon if he discovered it — she made sure, of course, not to step too much out of her boundaries — but hey, it was a form of entertainment for them too and it kept their minds off of other things.
Of course, living amongst people who had extraordinary gifts like her meant she was aware that some were immune to her rather intrusive abilities.
Included were telepaths like her who could create psychic mind shields, such as the professor, although out of high respect she had never really attempted to consciously wander into his mind without permission.
There were some she'd rather not read out of her own choice, such as that student who had nothing on his mind but eat whatever just so he could spew acid that could pretty much melt anything, or that kid across the hall who only thought of the bugs he controlled, or that other one who had slugs in his body (Granted, it could be quite useful since it could digest anything in his path but it still gave her goosebumps nonetheless).
There were special cases too, like Magneto, who possessed a helmet which could resist telepathic attacks — she knew he never wore it around the mansion for a reason so out of her personal judgment (and respect perhaps) she made sure not to go over his mind. There was Peter as well, whose thoughts were too blurry to read due to his rapid brain waves. It wasn't impossible to go over his head, though she needed to have conscious, impenetrable effort to actually survive in the strong whirlpool residing in his head.
Perhaps, it was also one of the reasons why she was intrigued with him, since she couldn't predict what was going through his head. Most of the time, she felt like she was taking a risk whenever she was dealing with him. Which wasn't really bad actually, since it gave her a sense of thrill which she wasn't used to.
That day, she took a gamble.
The previous day, the professor invited her to accompany him to the public library of New York, where he'd hand off a copy of his thesis in mutation. After learning that he left Hank in charge of the mansion while they were gone, she immediately looked for Peter, telling him he should join them to pass his remaining requirements for college, which was only blocks away from the library.
The gamble was that he had no idea who would be accompanying them, so she did not know how he'd react. Jean wasn't sure herself initially but she predicted it after knowing that Raven was still in her diplomatic trip somewhere in Europe.
As soon as they arrived at the garage, where the professor and the "mystery person" were waiting beside the car, she swore Peter gave off an aura, which, if it could manifest itself physically, wanted to embrace her so tight she did not know if it was out of sheer gratitude or out of indignation, wanting to actually strangle her. Maybe it was both.
The first few minutes of the car ride was quiet, the sounds of the radio along with the blast of air conditioning the only things that filled out the atmosphere. In the course of it, she kept on mentally apologizing to Peter for not telling him, though he brushed it off, saying he didn't mind. He was avoiding her gaze though, so she knew he was thinking otherwise.
The professor was the first one to break the silence, probably noticing the tension. "The two of you are awfully quiet."
Before she could think of a way to tell him that nothing was wrong, it was Peter who unexpectedly responded.
"Wait. Sorry, but he's seriously the driver?" Peter said, pointing at the person beside Charles in the front, "I mean, no offense, dude, but aren't you pretty much a wanted terrorist? Is it a great idea to have you out in the open like this?"
"That's what I told Charles too," Erik replied in a rather tired tone.
"Funny, Erik, because you keep on insisting in leaving the mansion anyway. We're just having it your way," the professor replied. It surprised her that he actually revealed the information in front of them. "Actually, we do not really have much of a choice. Both Hank and Raven are unavailable. I cannot exactly drive. Can you, Peter?"
Peter shrugged. "I know the basics, but no practice at all. I never saw the point in learning to drive when I can travel way faster using my own legs. How 'bout you, Jean?"
It somehow relieved her that he was facing her again, since it meant that she was probably forgiven already. "I haven't had the chance to learn. I left my parents' home when was young, after all."
Erik chuckled. "Perhaps it should be mandatory to have driving lessons in your curriculum now, Charles. Especially if these two are going to be in-charge of your little school in the near future. You, Hank, and Raven aren't getting any younger."
Peter let out an amused snort. "You'd seriously let me drive, though?"
"Maybe if you've proven you're responsible enough, young man." He looked briefly at Peter before and glancing at Erik. "Since you suggested it, would you consider staying with us a longer time and perhaps spearhead those driving lessons?"
There was silence at first, and Jean realized that she wasn't the only one anticipating a positive response from him, taking a glance at Peter who was clenching and unclenching his fists nervously.
To their disappointment, Erik shook his head briefly, seemingly dismissing the notion with a hollow laugh. "There are others more qualified for that, old friend."
There was silence once more, but Jean was aware that their teachers were most likely exchanging messages telepathically, judging from the glances that they gave each other from time to time. Since they were doing it, she might as well talk to Peter too.
"Are you alright?"
"Yeah," he replied without looking away from the window, "I should probably enjoy this last few moments with him. Might not happen again, ever."
"You know you possess something that could possibly change that."
He gazed away from the window to look at her solemnly, and she could only mirror it back to him.
"Peter, right?" Erik's voice interrupted their exchange. "I hear our first stop is the university you're applying for. What course are you taking?"
He blinked at first, probably as surprised as she was since he actually initiated the conversation. "I, uh, applied for a degree in physical education, although I'm honestly not sure if they'd consider me in the program since it's recorded in high school documents that I got banned from participating in sports events. Coz you know, mutant and all."
"I'm confident you'll get in," Charles commented, "Thankfully, the views regarding mutants have shifted after almost a decade. I'm really happy that you considered studying again, Peter."
From the rearview mirror, she saw how a smile made its way on Erik's face. "That's a brave decision on your part. Your parents must be proud of you."
She flinched at his remark, and she couldn't help but glance at Peter, who she swore, smiled even for a brief moment.
Soon enough, they arrived at the city college. As their vehicle came to a stop, the professor had decided that he and Erik would wait for them in the car, since it was less risky for the latter too. After making sure he had the necessary documents, Jean and Peter made their way to the entrance, and as soon as the car was out of sight, he took in a deep breath and exhaled.
"Damn it, Jean, you could've at least warned me," he said, and then mumbled something fast and incoherent — the words she could only make out were "would've" and "if I didn't like you."
Jean scratched her head, confused, but laughed anyway. "I'm sorry. I was afraid you wouldn't agree if you knew."
He made a gesture as if he wanted to pinch the sides of her face so hard before letting his arms fall in defeat. "But yeah, looking at it the other way, thanks to your ingenuity, at least I get to spend more time with him. I appreciate that."
He gave her a genuine smile, which she gave back as her face likewise felt warm.
They made their way around the halls, searching for the registrar's office. On the way, Jean borrowed his documents and curiously scanned his papers.
"'Pietro,'" she read slowly, letting the foreign name roll on her tongue, "Maximoff?"
Peter nodded as he glanced at the signs they passed by. "Yeah, that's my birth name. My mom decided to change my name when we migrated here. Said it'll help me fit in. Though with my natural hair color, that would be the least they'd notice."
Jean looked at him sadly. For people to judge just from the outer appearance. . . "Sorry, I couldn't imagine how it must've been for you."
"Nah. It's alright," he replied coolly, "In the end, I decided to embrace whatever nicknames they called me. 'Quicksilver' actually sounds pretty neat, you know. I'm actually amazed they gave me a diploma. Teachers probably just want things to be done with me."
Jean gathered the documents and placed it back inside the envelope before handing it to him. "You know, I have to agree with Mr. Lehnsherr on how brave you are for choosing this, despite knowing that you're immersing yourself in this world again."
"To be honest, I'm in the point of my life where I don't give a shit on what they say about me. I'm actually more worried about surviving the boring-ass lectures," he said, as they took a turn towards one of the halls where the office was finally located, "Since you mention it, you're pretty brave yourself since you'll be in college too."
"Not exactly," she admitted, "I'm pretty eager for the lectures, but not with the social environment. It's pretty nerve-wrecking, just thinking about it."
Peter snorted. "Looks like we have opposite problems. Man, our powers suck big time, right?"
Jean couldn't agree more. "Tell me about it."
Eventually, Peter submitted his papers and learned of his fate. The scores on his admission test were within the standards of the school, though he had to wait for a few days to know whether or not he got a slot for the program that he liked. On their way back, he told her that was good enough for him, and she was actually happy. She silently hoped everything else would go smoothly for him.
The rest of their walk out of the building had been conversations about trivial things, but as they neared the exit, something in his voice shifted when he called her out.
"Jean."
"Yeah?"
"If . . . I tell him," he said in an unusual slow manner, as if he was uncertain, "it still doesn't guarantee that it'd change his mind."
Jean looked at him first, startled with the change of his tone, before reaching for his hand, squeezing it briefly in solace. "What matters is that you know you tried. Isn't that much better compared to living in constant regret that you didn't at the very least, try?"
He nodded hesitantly as she released her hand, and they made their way back to the car. Their next stop was the library, and this time, it was her and the professor that needed to go.
If there was something else that she discovered Peter was doing a fair job at, it was masking his current emotions.
"Wait, is it a good idea to leave the two of us, here, in the car?" he said in a bewildered tone that did not match the last he used with her, "I mean, I don't have any mind control shenanigans like the two of you! Like how do I trick authorities into thinking that I'm not actually with Magneto?"
"Relax, Peter," the professor said as Jean helped him out on his wheelchair, "I created a barrier that wouldn't let anyone see the two of you. As long as neither of you go out of the car, the two of you should be fine."
Erik took a deep breath, probably as stressed as Peter was. "Just make sure you don't take long, Charles."
"Of course. Now make yourselves comfortable while we're gone," the professor said, turning his wheels while gesturing Jean to follow him.
"Is it really a good idea to leave the two of them?" Jean asked her mentor as they entered the building.
"The two of them have a lot to talk about," he replied, waving at one of the librarians, "The parking lot is the least ideal place for it, but given the circumstances, I'm confident it shall suffice."
Jean had never actually conversed with the professor regarding Peter's parentage before, but since they possessed the same ability, she had a unique relationship with the professor in such a way that sometimes, they did not have to verbally confirm what they know. It wasn't a surprise for her that he knew too.
"You are fond of him, aren't you?" he said suddenly, as he handed the book towards the lady behind the counter.
It shouldn't surprise her too, but the warmth around her cheeks spread like wildfire. "It's no use lying to you, professor."
He chuckled. "I knew it the moment I saw the two of you holding hands."
Jean felt her heart skip a beat. "Professor! It's not —"
He laughed out loud this time.
"I am just teasing you, Jean," he said. Still, she blushed, but likewise chuckled along.
As they waited for the return of the librarian, the professor urged her to go through wide selection of books which she could borrow for the time being. The books, judging from scanning them briefly, were definitely interesting, though she couldn't bring herself to focus on the parchments in front of her.
"I hope things would turn out better for the two of them," she commented on their way out. She looked at the car and saw the two safe in the car. Thankfully, the professor's barrier was flawless, and the authorities did not take any notice.
"Yes, but there's only so much we could do, for the people we love." Jean noticed that the professor had an unreadable expression on his eyes. "In the end, the decision lies on them."
She pondered on his words until they reached the car, where the two awaited. Jean did not know what to expect when she saw them again; there were neither tears nor laughter. The expressions on their faces were pretty much the same as they left them.
As the car started once more, on the way back to the mansion, Jean couldn't resist asking him. "How was it?"
Peter looked at her, responding back mentally, "We had a long talk. But no revelations."
He didn't elaborate further, but it was enough for her to know. "I see."
Once again, the only thing heard in the car were the speakers of the radio, and it went on until they reached the estate.
"Say Jean," Charles said as he sat on the wheelchair once more, "could you accompany me to my office? I have something to tell you."
With the look on his eyes, he did not have to tell her what his real intentions were. She nodded immediately, walking away as they left the two in the garage.
From behind, she heard Peter's voice, but she couldn't make out what he was saying. Soon enough, she and the professor were riding the elevator, and before the doors completely shut close, she was graced with a glimpse of the father and son sharing an embrace.
She didn't need words to know what had transpired between them, and looking at the professor, she knew they shared the same thoughts.
At least, for the first time in her life, she was proud that the risk she took was worthwhile.