Scott, age 18

Scott sat in Storm's garden on the stone bench- the one that hadn't been destroyed in the blast. It had been another horrible day at school- teachers sneering at them, students giving them dirty looks… Jean had been kicked off the basketball team. Technically, she'd been asked to leave, but she would have just been benched the rest of the season had she not quit. And then the things the students were saying about his children and Maddie. He acted like it didn't bother him, but hearing his soon-to-be-wife being called a mutant whore… Scott wiped at his face, glad that there were still trees were surrounding him and no one could see him.

It was hard. The X-Men had lost several members after the news came out- mostly New Recruits. The remaining students all looked to Scott to keep them going. Scott had no one to lean on. Maddie was going through enough with being pregnant, Jean was dealing with Warren refusing to tell his parents he was a mutant and therefore refusing to spend time with her, and then the others… They were the oldest ones in the X-Men, the seniors. There truly was no one for him to confide in.

"Hey. Maddie said you went for a walk around the grounds." Scott looked away, ashamed. Chris sat on the bench beside him and put a hand on his back. "Rough day?" Scott nodded. "Wanna talk about it?"

"No sir," Scott whispered hoarsely. Chris sighed and clasped his hands together, resting his elbows on his knees.

"I can't know what you're going through, son. I've never been treated differently. But I'm here to listen and not judge. I'd happily sit with any of your team, but you're my son, Scott. You don't have to pretend to be anything but my child when you're with me."

"Everyone is looking at me like I have the answers. I don't, Dad. I'm…" Scott took off his glasses and wiped his face. He put his glasses back on and sniffed. "I hate this. And I know I made a mistake with Maddie, and I know there's no changing what happened, but they're calling her the whore of the Institute. And I can't even stand up for her because then I'm setting a bad example, and-"

"Have you told any of your teachers?" Scott scoffed.

"The teachers are participating in it." Chris narrowed his eyes.

"Would you like for me to call the school board? This is discriminatory and bullying. We were given assurances that you kids would be safe there-"

"There's no point. We're mutants, Dad. No one cares about us." Chris put his arm around Scott and pulled his head to his chest.

"I'm sure it's a small percentage of people who feel this way. It just feels like everyone because this is such a small city." Scott breathed in Chris' scent. It was as comforting now as it was when he was a child.

"I just wasn't expecting it to be this bad," he finally admitted. "And I didn't think this would fall on me, too. I'm tired, Dad. I'm just physically and mentally exhausted, but I feel like I don't have a choice about this." Chris sighed and rested his chin on Scott's head.

"I love you. I'm sorry you feel like this, son. I wish… If I'd never taken you boys on that damn trip, I doubt this would be happening." Scott just shrugged.

"We'll never know. Dad?"

"Yeah, kid?"

"You promise you don't think any different about us?" Chris tightened his hold on his son.

"You and your brothers have extraordinary gifts, Scott. So what if that means you can emit optic blasts? I still see you as my baby boy. I see you as the happy child who grinned at the thought of flying with me. I see my little boy who was always so happy to help his mom. Special powers or no, you will always be my boy."

"What if we weren't your kids?" Scott asked, picking at the lint on his pants leg.

"Then I'd see mutants as people with abilities I don't have- just like musicians, athletes, artists… And I'd likely be envious of said abilities. I know it's hard right now, Scott, and I doubt it's what you want to hear, but just think of the future you're paving for mutants who haven't even been born now. Who knows? By the time the twins are your age, things could be better for them and they'd have you and your team to thank."

"Doesn't mean I want to be part of this shit now."

"Watch your language, son. But I understand-"

"You don't, Dad. You don't know what it's like to not even be able to walk into the school without at least ten death threats every day." Scott's breathing hitched. "My friends… They won't even look at me now, Daddy. I just feel alone." Chris felt his heart ache at his son's distress.

"I would take it for you if I could, Scotty."

"Can you just… can't you homeschool us?" Chris couldn't help the chuckle. Scott pushed away from him and gave him a look of betrayal.

"I'm sorry, son. It's just… You asked me that on your first day of kindergarten, too. Thirteen years, and not that much has changed."

"I think a lot has changed," Scott frowned. Chris put a hand on the back of Scott's neck.

"What can I do?"

"There's nothing you can do." Scott took a deep breath and stood. "I've got stuff I'm supposed to be doing. I should get to it."

"Actually, I cleared your schedule for the rest of the evening. I'd like for you and your brothers to-"

"I'm busy." Chris stood and put a gentle hand on Scott's arm.

"I'm sorry you're hurting, son. I'm sorry you feel the weight on your shoulders. I wish I could say it gets better- I wish I knew the future and could tell you when it'll get better. I'm sorry. But I'm here for you. If you need to yell or scream or cry, I'm here to listen. You know I won't see you as less of a man or a leader. You're safe, Scott." Scott nodded and hugged Chris, resting his head on Chris' shoulder.

"It hurts, Dad." Chris wrapped his arms around Scott and rested his hand on his head.

"I know, kiddo." Chris continued to hold Scott until Scott sniffed and pulled away, wiping under his glasses.

"Thanks," he blushed.

"It's what I'm here for," Chris told him with a small smile. "I love you. And any time you need a hug, you know I'm available to you. I'll completely rearrange my whole schedule for you."

"I really appreciate it," Scott said sincerely. "Thanks for not…" he ran a hand through his hair. "Thanks for not seeing me as a kid about this." Chris frowned.

"Scott… This is some intense stuff you're going through. Any man could crumble under it. The fact that you're allowing me to comfort you says more about you as a man than your age or situations. It's not a sign of weakness to ask for help, you know."

"You don't."

"But I did when I was your age and had a family to care for. I had to lay down my pride and accept help from my parents to keep you fed and safe. And your grandpa… He never saw me as less of a man for that, either. It started repairing our relationship, and I was able to be there for him after his first heart attack. He had to lay down a lot more of his pride for that." Scott nodded.

"I'll try to remember to come to you when it gets hard again."

"I'll be here." Chris kissed Scott's forehead and put a hand on Scott's cheek, gently rubbing Scott's face with his thumb. "I love you."

"Love you, too, Dad. And really… Thank you."