Genesis of a Legend
Disclaimer: I don't own these characters. Marvel does.
Chapter 3
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Jean
The first time I heard Scott having a nightmare it startled me. I sensed it from my room, down the hall. He was projecting.
There was a beautiful Asian girl at a dance…the inside of a men's bathroom…pure red…a gaping hole in the bathroom wall…the dark streets….tripping and stumbling onto the hard pavement…
I quickly blocked it, and scurried down the hall to his room. The door was locked, and I could hear him tossing and turning inside. I tripped the lock, and entered. I climbed up on his bed next to him and tried to gently rouse him from his nightmare. He had me concerned; I couldn't pull him out easily. But I didn't want him to hurt himself.
I tapped his side, trying to pull him free of its hold. He was so muscular, and I found myself staring at his bare chest. I had never fallen so quickly for anyone before. There was something about Scott… And he seemed to be feeling the same way which excited me a bit.
Still unable to pull him out, I went back into his nightmare.
A man loomed over a huddling figure…a belt lashed out…The man opened his coat to reveal a naked body…
Scott snapped straight up, breathing heavily. He was moist with sweat.
"Are you okay?"
His head whipped around toward me, but he paused to check his glasses before opening his eyes.
"Sorry, I didn't mean to scare you."
He nodded.
"I sensed your nightmare. You were projecting it."
Scott had a stricken look on his face.
"I shielded it out, and came down here to pull you out of it. I was having a really hard time waking you up."
He was shaking. I felt so bad for him. This nightmare upset him so much, and I didn't like to see him like that. It was similar to when I first met him.
"I went back into your nightmare to try to pull you back, but you woke up before I could."
"How much did you see?"
His voice was shaky.
"Not that much. Just snippets of images. I'm sorry. I didn't mean to intrude, I was just concerned."
"It's okay."
"Are you?"
"Huh?"
"Okay?"
Scott hesitated. "I'm fine."
"You don't look fine."
"I have nightmares. I'm used to it."
He curled up his knees to his chest. I reached out to rub his back and he jumped.
"Relax."
"Sorry. Nightmares just make me jittery."
I tugged on his arm, and pulled him down on my lap. Gently, I ran my hands up and down his side. His skin was so soft. I love touching it. We sat there silently for almost a half hour. I was content to just pet him.
"You asleep?" I whispered.
"No. I don't usually go back to sleep after a nightmare."
"You just stay up?"
"Yeah."
"It's only 3am!"
"I
know."
"Scott…"
"I
do this all the time, Jean.
I frowned. I couldn't leave him to lie
awake. I just couldn't. I cared too much about him.
"Let me help you fall asleep."
"I can't. I don't want to have another nightmare."
"I could probably help with that."
Scott sat up and looked at me. "I appreciate the offer, Jean, but…" he paused, trying to decide how to explain himself. "I don't want to upset you. You don't need to see these images."
"You don't either."
"I can't help it!"
"Scott…"
I felt bad that he was so frustrated, but I was frustrated too. I really wanted to help him, but he refused to let me. We were at an impasse. Scott curled his knees up to his chest, and laid his head on them. This was killing em. I wanted so badly to just hold him and make everything all better, but I knew I couldn't. I made a decision.
"Fine. I'll just stay and keep you company."
Scott's head shot up.
"I can't in good conscience leave you here, so I'll stay up with you."
"Jean…"
"What do you want to do?"
"Jean…"
"We could watch a movie, or…"
"Jean!"
I looked straight at him.
"What?"
"You need to sleep…"
"So do you."
"…go to bed."
We stared off at each other again.
"Jean, I…" he faltered, and flopped back onto his pillow. He was so attractive lying there in just his boxer shorts. I lay beside him. We didn't speak for a while. I grabbed his hand.
"I just care about you."
He turned to face me. "I know."
"Let
me stay."
He didn't say anything. I traced random
patterns on his arm with my pointer.
"Scott, please."
"I'm just scared, I guess."
"Of the nightmares?"
"Of my eyes."
I pulled his chin up so our eyes were on level.
"I trust you."
"I wish I had that much confidence in myself."
"You've been sleeping in those glasses for a month now. Have they ever slipped?"
Scott shook his head. He didn't look convinced. I reached out and wrapped my arms around his shoulders, pulling him closer. He nestled the rest of the way in. That was a good sign.
"You win. I'm exhausted."
Finally! I squeezed him tightly. He seemed calmer now. I kissed his forehead, and continued to stroke his back until finally drifting off to sleep.
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