X-Men-First Class: Rise or Fall
Chapter Three
Author's Word: Thanks so much to everyone for the feedback. It is greatly appreciated during the process known as writing.
After lunch, Raven managed to steal herself away long enough to take up space at the window seat in her bedroom. She soon became lost in her copy of Pride and Prejudice. As if sensing something, she gazed out of her large window in time to see Hank taking another lap around the grounds. Putting her book to the side for now, Raven changed into sweats and sneakers before hurrying downstairs.
Hank stopped off for a brief cool down by the stone bench in the front of the house. He had just finished his fifth lap in under ten minutes. After his initial sessions with Charles, he found it easier bit by bit to release the firm grip he had on his inner creature, although he knew he still had a ways to go there.
"Going my way?"
The young man looked up and grinned at the sight of Raven jogging up to him. "I hope so," he replied, slightly breathless but part of that had to do with the unexpected sight of his present company.
"I just hope I can keep up," the girl said meaningfully. "How are your times?"
"Five in about eight and a half minutes," Hank calculated. "Charles needed to take a quick break."
Raven aimed her glance downward at his well-endowed bare feet. "He has a lot of catching up to do to compete with these."
As she made a move to touch his much loathed lower appendages, Hank found himself wanting to take off in another run. However, the ever delightful appearance of Alex next made him lose his chance.
"Better be careful, Raven. You might catch something."
Rolling her eyes, Raven stood. "Well, if it isn't Baby Steps. Don't get a complex, though. I'm sure plenty of guys with little feet go on to reproduce."
Hank let off a snort at that.
Alex glared and walked up closer on him. "Oh, you think that's funny? Like a clown, Bozo?"
"You know, Alex, you really are a jerk," Hank stated flat out, having become fully perturbed by the thin teen a lot sooner than usual. "How about instead of pointing out the flaws in others you work on a few of your own?"
"Sounds like a plan to me," Raven tacked on.
Ignoring the girl entirely, Alex countered, "If you have a problem with me, why don't you make something out of it?"
Raven could not believe him. Ever since they met, Alex had been a smart aleck pain but lately he had taken it to whole new levels, especially as far as Hank was concerned. Though she had to admit that it was nice to finally see the more than able shy scientist taking a stand at last, the whole scene still unnerved her.
Unbeknownst to the three of them, Erik had walked up several seconds prior. However, he remained standing in silent observance.
At seeing Alex's hands starting to flash red, Raven put a grip on his right arm. "Okay, Alex, that is enough," she ordered.
"Mind your business," Alex snapped suddenly. He jerked his arm back in such a strong motion, he caused her to take a fall backwards.
Surprise overcame the two young men present but Hank shook his off almost immediately and yanked Alex by the throat. The firm squeeze he gave him next caused the smaller teenager to flail as Hank pulled him up off his feet.
"You think that's funny?" the irate Hank growled.
"Hank, no!" Raven exclaimed, getting to her feet.
Erik quickly approached them as Charles also raced up.
Deciding to ask for explanation later, Charles took hold of the strangling arm and demanded, "Hank, let go of him. Now, Hank!"
Dropping Alex suddenly, Hank ground out, "He. Hurt. Her."
"I'm fine, Hank," Raven insisted, trying to sooth him. "I swear."
"I'm sorry," Alex said, gasping for air. "It was an accident. I didn't know what I was doing."
The quiet Erik spoke next. "It would not have happened at all had you not been egging on this confrontation."
"Hank, inside," Charles instructed. "We need to have a conversation."
Raven could easily guess her brother's intentions. "Charles, it wasn't his fault."
Trust me, Charles whispered carefully into her mind.
That was all it took for the girl to surrender her protest.
"You're coming with me." Erik helped Alex up then started guiding him towards the side of the house.
Feeling all of his previous rage completely subside, Hank followed after Charles unquestioningly. He only paused long enough to share a brief gaze with Raven; worry evident in her disguised hazel eyes. Much like her, Hank also had a fairly good idea what Charles had in mind. Despite being an acting instructor and possessing a Harvard degree from the age of fifteen, Hank saw no reason to try to plead his case.
What case did he truly have, anyway? For the first time since he could remember, he had not thought, only reacted. The reaction had been the worst possible. He could have easily crushed Alex back there. The moment he saw Raven go down, every wall he had ever put up to retain stability had come tearing down and the destruction had very nearly been one of his own kind. He knew very well that Alex held no high opinion of him but Hank had never entertained any true musings of harming him.
Now, as he headed into the very soundproof library with Charles, he knew he had no one but himself to blame for the impending punishment that lay ahead. He had been there, front and center, when Charles and Erik took time to explain how the household would run, including rules and the consequences of breaking them. Being an instructor gave him no leeway. In fact, by behaving the way he had he deserved a far harsher treatment than any of the youngsters.
While Hank stood before him, Charles took his usual stance; head up and hands in pockets. However, his countenance showed no signs of humor, only a firm resolve.
"Hank," he began slowly.
"Please, Charles," Hank cut in. "I don't mean to interrupt you. I just have to say this." He let go of a breath before continuing. "What I did back there was wrong. There are no excuses. I lost control and I became dangerous and for that I am so sorry. It will never happen again. I only hope this situation hasn't caused you to lose complete trust in me and I promise you that I will work to regain every bit that I've lost. You can count on that."
Charles nodded deeply, taking the younger man's words in before issuing a response. "Henry, I trust you with my life, the lives of everyone here, and most certainky that of my sister. There is no trust lost here. No disappointment to be found. That's what you can count on."
As the relief welled up in his eyes, Hank cleared his throat before saying, "Thank you, Charles."
"We are not like most individuals," Charles went on. "With these unique abilities constantly present, we are all going to have our slip ups. I certainly had one of my own back at CIA. I had no business revealing your identity as a mutant."
"Charles, I forgave you a long time ago for that," Hank reminded him.
"Oh, I know. It's not even a question of that," the telepath assured. "The point is I made a mistake. Just like you did back there with Alex. I also know that was not an abrupt attack on your part. Alex has been spurring this for quite some time with his remarks. I'm honestly surprised you've been able to hold things in for this long."
"It hasn't been easy," Hank admitted. "But the minute Raven went to the ground, I saw red. Then I felt like someone else completely."
Charles nodded understandingly. "You still have an internal battle taking place. We will work it out together. You're here for far more than our scientific expert, Hank."
"I appreciate that," he spoke softly, trying to contain the emotion he currently felt.
"Now," Charles' tone edged slightly, "about your hand around Alex's throat- I believe a few additional sessions devoted to channeling your anger should suffice. Because if a situation like this occurs again, Hank, I'm afraid leniency will not be an option."
"I understand completely," Hank pledged.
Charles gestured with his head towards the double doors. "Go on and show Raven that you're very much still alive."
The scientist gave him a most appreciative and thrilled expression before heading out in search of her.
Although he had not disclosed it, Charles had overheard a great deal of Hank's inner chastisement, mostly due to how loud and booming the thoughts had come off. Without a doubt Hank understood what he'd done was wrong and made no excuses for himself. After hearing the sincerity he'd spoken, Charles knew no further punishment would be necessary. Not this time.
IIIIIII
Erik led the way into the study, shutting the door with his ability once Alex was fully inside. Both had been quiet going into the house, mostly due to Alex being too busy rubbing his throat.
"Let me see." Alex looked up at Erik and after a second removed his hand. Erik got in close. There was a circle of redness but otherwise no damage appeared done. "I think you'll survive to torment another day. Of course, after this experience I'm not so sure you'll want to."
Alex looked at him with annoyance. "You do realize I was on the choked end, right?"
"Yes," Erik answered matter-of-factly. "And do you realize that I saw that entire display long before Hank reached out for you?" This information clearly caught the young man off-guard. "You have been nothing short of an irritating little bully since our arrival here."
"Oh, come on, Erik. I have not been bullying anyone," Alex defended himself.
"Only Hank, whom you've sought out as a target," Erik said. "For the longest time, I thought he was the weaker one for allowing it to happen for so long. Now I see I was wrong. It took every ounce of strength he had to keep from knocking you into the next hemisphere. Before he even came at you, Raven only interfered because you were ready to attack him first but you turned it around on her."
Suddenly finding his sneakers absolutely fascinating, Alex said softly, "I never meant to hurt her. I wouldn't."
Erik gave his cheek a tap, getting the teen's eyes back up. "Why did you escalate all of this?"
Alex let loose a groan before speaking. "It's just-" He suddenly raised a hand. "Forget it. This is a waste of time."
"I asked you a question," Erik said with an icy resolve. "Answer me, now."
"It's hard being around guys like that, okay?" Alex finally confessed. "I mean, Hank is like seven feet tall or something. He has an Ivy League degree or twenty when I'm barely scraping through this GED deal. He has a power that doesn't kill on contact. Raven's completely into him. I just wanted to knock him down a peg. I know I took it too far."
Erik leaned against the edge of the desk in the room with his arms folded, listening to every word. "So because he is highly gifted and worked hard for everything he has, you decided to make an enemy out of him? I would feign surprise but countries have gone to war over far larger stupidity. Here's my next question." He eyed the boy point blank. "Are you stupid yourself or just completely blind?"
He came back with a confused, "What?"
"Alex, you are an extremely powerful mutant, who no mortal man would dare to face by the cover of darkness," Erik pointed out to him. "You're not exactly short yourself- that would be Charles." Alex let off a faint chuckle at that. "And you came into this world with society's beloved blonde hair and blue eyes so I know you don't have enough female troubles to warrant complaint. And you are going to obtain that GED, even if I have to take it upon myself and keep you strapped to a chair with your eyelids taped open while going through the history of literature and mathematics' on a nightly basis."
Feeling sincerely moved, Alex responded, "Thanks, Erik," then paused for a moment, "I think."
"We are the next phase of humanity, Alex," Erik emphasized, getting closer upon him. "We have an entire world out there that we must face one day. If we make enemies out of each other for ridiculous reasons then there is no chance of our survival."
"You're right," Alex knew. "I don't know what I was thinking. I'm an idiot. I admit it."
"No," Erik disagreed, "it's far worse than that. You're a teenager."
"They really need to work on the cure for that," Alex quipped.
Folding his arms again, Erik surmised, "So I take it that the tension you've been letting off during training goes hand and hand with this inferiority you've been feeling in regards to Hank?"
"Somewhat," Alex answered faintly. "I know I've been doing better but what if I'd hurt Raven out there? Or Joey or the others? If I screw up, there might not be a second chance."
"Why haven't you come to talk to one of us about these feelings of doubt?"
"Having a spot of tea with you and Charles and talking about my weaknesses is not my idea of a fun downtime."
"To acknowledge and admit weakness is strength," Erik told him. "If you hold onto this long enough it will consume you. Take that from someone who knows."
"I'm not like you, Erik. You don't have to act strong. You just are."
The metal wielder thought to himself, Strong enough to nearly kill myself while attempting to raise a submarine, only to be rescued at the last possible moment by an irritating yet somehow endearing little man.
"I never want you to make the rash errors in judgment that I have, Alex," the older mutant said. "You need to learn to trust those around you and let go of all this."
Alex admitted with defeat, "I don't think I can." He grunted deeply as he felt his entire body move involuntarily.
Before he realized what was happening, he found himself pinned cheek down against the solid oak desk. He tried to stand but his belt buckle had him trapped; the same with his left hand, which he wore his watch on.
"What are you doing?" Alex demanded, squirming. "Let me up!"
"In a moment," Erik replied, taking a stand directly behind the young man.
"Alex, when I first arrived here I was filled with untold anger. I allowed Charles to look into my mind and find a happier time. That was the first time I'd shed tears in years and it allowed me to let go of things I hadn't realized I was hanging onto. You're better than these negative emotions clouding you. I can help you but you're going to have to trust me."
Despite how difficult it was for him to do that, with anyone, Alex knew something had to give. How could he be there for anyone if he couldn't even get a grip? As best he could, he let off a nod.
Not having any sort of implement immediately handy, Erik knew he would have to make good use of his hand. He brought it up then down hard against the younger male's jean clad behind. Unsure if the grunt that sounded was from Alex's current confinement or the swat, Erik chose to proceed, delivering punishing smack after smack. At the twelfth mark, he could distinctly here Alex's slightly hitched breathing.
However, the boy was still holding back and not wanting to drag this out for longer than absolutely necessary, Erik came back at him with five consecutive strikes all aimed for the thighs. The newfound pain caused Alex to kick his legs out in protest but the movement proved useless as Erik went on.
Alex berated himself as he felt the tears begin to escape him then come out in full force. Far more than just the physical pain taking place had brought him to it. Every dark thing he had been holding onto, as if like a twisted security blanket, started to shut down, slowly losing their power over him. He remembered Charles' words once about controlling his abilities and not letting them control him. The same had to be true for his thought process as well.
When the boy went limp and began to cry openly, Erik knew his point had been made and he fully released his hold on him. Alex remained in place, though, just crying it out. Erik put a hand to his back, taking in the youth's trembling.
As he finally began to stand, Erik took a step back; braced for any reaction he might exhibit.
With a tear streaked face, Alex turned to look at him. After a stare off that lasted several seconds, the teen leaned forward and rested against Erik's shoulder. The older one placed his hand to the quivering back again, partly because it seemed as if Alex would tumble over if he did not hold onto him.
"Erik?" he managed to speak.
"Yes?" The elder's voice held a gentle calm.
"You were right." Alex gave a swipe to his extra moisturized eyes with the back of his wrist. "Chicks do love me." He pulled back, his familiar smirk in place.
Biting back a chuckle, Erik said, "As well they should." That was Alex; always willing to suppress difficulty or embarrassment with any good-natured humor. "Are you all right?"
Wincing silently, the boy replied, "I don't think they'll need to operate." He raised blue eyes up at his instructor. "Thanks, Erik. For everything."
Giving his own wrist a rub, Erik said, "I thank you for the sore hand."
"Well, my butt hurts," Alex countered. "I guess we're even."
Erik then reminded him, "You know you'll need to face Hank eventually."
"It's a big house. That could take days." Off Erik's look, he sighed. "I'll talk to him. He's right. I was being a jerk."
"I know this is the moment I'm supposed to come back at you with heartfelt reassurance to the contrary but I've never seen much value in unnecessary falsehoods." A smile tugged at his chiseled features at Alex's dejected grimace. "Go wash your face. I'll check on you a little later."
"Okay," Alex complied. He left out and once he made it safely to the nearest bathroom and shut the door, he rubbed his behind fiercely, rethinking his previous "no need to operate" comment.
IIIIIII
Between the anxiety she felt on behalf of her friend and biting her point finger nail down to just about a nub, Raven wondered exactly how she was able to retain her blonde haired form with her nerves at the present time. When she first saw Hank grab Alex's throat, for the briefest second before she intervened, she felt an intense emotional aura for the normally calm and collected scientist who had only reacted so harshly over her. Alex had been a little prick for long enough that Hank had probably developed immunities towards it. He had only lunged at him for one reason; her.
"Raven?"
The petitioned girl looked up and felt instant elation at who headed her way. "Oh, Hank." She took his rather large hands when he got close enough. "I'm so sorry about all of this. Are you all right?"
"I am perfectly fine," Hank assured her.
Raven studied his face for a moment, not seeing so much as a red fleck in his eye. "Did Charles—?"
"No, no," Hank responded immediately. "He didn't. Not that I wouldn't have deserved it if he had." She sighed with relief. "And you have nothing to be sorry about. You were probably the only one out here who did nothing wrong."
"I was the one who made you go after him," Raven pointed out. "You usually handle situations like that so well and I just made you have a meltdown."
"You're worth melting down over," Hank told her. "Intentionally or not, no one knocks my girl around like a ragdoll."
Despite herself, Raven felt her mouth drop open slightly. "Your girl?" she echoed.
Oh dear God, I did say that out loud he realized.
Losing a bit of his previous bravado, Hank cleared his throat and shifted his eyes nervously. "You know how I feel? Don't you?"
She nodded, corners of her mouth perking up. "There is no doubt in my mind. What about you? Do you know how I feel?"
"I sure hope so," Hank replied, holding her hands a little tighter. "Raven, tomorrow night there's going to be a Shakespeare reading in the park. I thought we could have an early dinner together then attend. But if you don't want to or if that's not your sort of thing, I'll completely understand."
Raven smiled dreamily at him. "A real date? Hank, that sounds wonderful."
The brown haired man grinned at her. "Really?"
Her response was to wrap her arms around him.
Hank held her closely as she nestled into his neck. For the first time in so long he did not feel like a deformed monstrosity. In that moment, he felt like the guy who had a special evening ahead with the most amazing girl he had ever met.