X-Men-First Class: Rise or Fall
Chapter Thirty One
Author's Word: Thanks so much for the feedback, guys! I wanted to have this posted way earlier, but extreme exhaustion prevented that. Working every night and day has prevented me from visiting my Fitness Center! Tears! Ahhhhhhhh— Anyway, enjoy!
Readying her tongue for another sweet piece of French toast, Raven let off an ecstatic moan as Hank glided the fork into her mouth. Although the girl had initially protested to starting with a seven AM day, the combination of Hank and morning treats gave her the necessary reprieve.
"Good?" Hank asked, holding the fork out for her again.
"Mmm," Raven responded, closing her eyes in delight. "You've been holding back on me."
Hank confessed, "I'm afraid I've allowed myself to become spoiled off of your fine cuisine. French toast happens to be among the five items I can create in the kitchen without a complete and utter catastrophe."
Raven leaned back in her seat, gazing up at the bright blue sky. "This is nice."
"I know," Hank agreed, regarding her with adulation in his eyes. "Would you be up for a drive into the city? Charles gave me full use of the Cadillac."
"Really?" Raven responded then looked to reconsider it. "I don't know. Unbelievable good looks, genius, mild cooking ability— if we go out among people some tramp might try to steal you from me."
"Disproving Einstein's theory of relativity would be a simpler feat," Hank said. He came over to get into closer proximity to her face. "Would you like to slap a dog collar on me?"
"Ooh," Raven reacted excitedly. "It'd match mine perfectly." She tapped two fingers against the raven bird necklace he had given her on Christmas then kissed him.
IIIIIII
Entering the kitchen together, the two headmasters stopped in their tracks at the chaos their eyes met with. Sean hovered over the stove, stirring some sort or smoking boiling substance. Alex tried to use the waffle-maker but the soupiness dripping from the silver device indicated he had been less than successful. Becky and Joey sat at the small table, loading an insane amount of sugar onto their cornflakes. The only one who did not appear disastrous proved to be Frank, who calmly stood beside Sean at the stove, frying bacon.
"What the devil is going on in here?" Charles wanted to know.
"Raven ran away," Joey reported.
"And she stole Hank," Becky tacked on.
The young professor had to keep a groan inside as the recollection that his sister would be off enjoying herself without the need to cook hit him.
"Don't worry," Sean assured. "Everything is under control."
"Sean, I keep telling you, no one wants your Irish oatmeal," Alex said, trying to wipe off the waffle-maker.
"Why do you all gawk at my oatmeal?" Sean asked in exasperation. "Frank, you should be bothered. It's your heritage, too."
"Sorry, but my heritage only makes stuff that doesn't smell like that," Frank replied. "Who wants bacon?"
"Trying to kill me, boychick?" Erik came up behind him.
"Oh, right," Frank remembered. "You're still Jewish."
"Joey, Becky, what have I told you two about so much sugar?" Charles pulled the bowl away that contained the white substance.
"But you add sugar to fruit," Becky brought up.
"Not enough for a mouthful of cavities." Charles held a hand up to Erik before the older man could refute that statement. "Silence."
Joey looked over. "Uncle Erik?" His eyes turned beseeching. "Could we have latkes, please?"
Frank grinned at that. "Yeah, yeah! Please?"
The five children gathered around the suddenly defenseless metal wielder.
"All right, all right," Erik gave in. "Enough. Outside, all of you. Give me room to work."
As the boys trotted out, Becky glanced up at Erik. "Smiley faces, please."
"Whatever madam wishes." Erik kissed her cheek. "Go on and keep the blokes in line."
Becky turned and went out through the sliding glass doors.
Erik sighed lightheartedly as he began to gather ingredients. "Demanding little urchins."
"You're the one who brought the addiction of potato cakes into their lives," Charles felt the need to remind him. He slid Frank's fried bacon onto a serving platter.
"So, where have the doves flown off to?" Erik asked.
Charles responded, "Just to a few spots around Los Angeles. I'm sure they'll telephone if they run into any trouble."
Hank had given him a general idea of where he and Raven would be spending their time. By the two being so much older than the others, not to mention more reliable, Charles had not felt the need to probe too hard. Of course, he also knew that wherever the pair ended up, being in their particular romantic stage would result in nothing short of sheer bliss.
IIIIIII
A school of clownfish seemed to dance by Raven. As the orange and white fish went along their way, she thought all they needed was a teeny tiny underwater school bus. Hank stroked through the water not far from her, studying a silver butterfly goodeid. The long bodied fish seemed to look back at the scientist with an equal level of fascination.
Hank gasped slightly, unleashing an array of bubbles from his mouthpiece. He peered back over his shoulder to see that Raven had decided to fondle his feet. Hank had rented the diving equipment the other day as a surprise, but even the biggest pair of flippers had not been big enough to fit him. Of course, he had no use for flippers as his own unique feet acted better under the water.
Noticing something, Hank connected gloved hands with Raven. They swam over a couple yards before coming upon the breathtaking coral reef. Raven gazed in awe over the colorful underwater city. At the presence of the two huge dark bodies, many of the fish scattered or ran for the safety of their own homes. Hank and Raven deduced that them there equated to King Kong and Godzilla for the small ocean life critters.
After taking in the scenery for a few more minutes, the two reemerged. They removed their mouthpieces the moment they reached the surface.
"That was incredible!" Raven exclaimed.
"I know," Hank concurred. "I'm so glad you enjoyed it."
"I wouldn't have missed this for the world," Raven told him.
They climbed back inside their small boat and started unzipping the scuba costumes down to their regular swimsuits.
"I love being able to share this with you, Raven," Hank said, having to do some maneuvering to get his casual clothes back on. "It becomes increasingly difficult to get across the exquisiteness of science in the world around us. Well, Charles and Erik understand, but they're not—" He carefully readjusted his glasses after putting on his shirt. "They're not you. No one is."
Raven buttoned up her shorts and took her necklace out of the side pocket she had left it in before going under. "I think there's a huge number who would be grateful for that." She picked up her black and white panda t-shirt. "I'll never get over that reef. Have you ever seen anything more beautiful?"
"Yes." Hank put hands to her shoulders, freezing her mid-change. "Actually." He gave a kiss to her blue lips. As they slowly divided, his forehead stayed pressed against hers. "I was thinking about lunch at the Brown Derby. Interested?"
"As long as you're there, I could eat at the soup kitchen," Raven replied. She morphed back into her preferred human form. "Just no fish."
Hank laughed softly. "Agreed."
After they were fully clothed again, they returned the boat along with the diving equipment. They got the Cadillac out of parking while Raven reviewed the enormous foldable map that just screamed tourist to point out directions for him.
"Right or left? Raven?" Hank looked to his girlfriend, who practically hung out of the window, enthralled by Hollywood. "Raven?"
"What?" The young woman arched her head back slightly. "Sorry, but I swear everything's changed the last few years. Just check out these sights."
Getting a nice view of Raven's rear while she stretched out of the car, Hank thought, I am.
"It's all very… magnificent." Hank managed to take his eyes off the attractive rump and put them back on the road ahead. "Now, right or left?"
Raven lowered back into her passenger seat to look at the map again. "Left…" She pointed sheepishly. "About two blocks back that way."
Hank stopped in order to go around the block. "Poor navigators don't receive dessert I'm afraid."
The mutated blonde appeared horrified then reached over to grab his earlobe with her teeth. The move proved stimulating beyond measure and Hank had to pull over into an alley before A, a ten car pileup occurred or B, they were arrested for indecent exposure while fully clothed.
"Forgive me?" Raven wanted to know in-between nibbles.
"No," Hank said as the feast on his ear continued.
Raven kissed along the side of his face. "Now?"
"Hmm…" The talented young researcher strongly reconsidered his position. "Possibly. Okay, most certainly."
Picking her map back up, Raven said, "Ready."
They made it to the Brown Derby in less than ten minutes and by another higher up blessing, managed to get into a booth. Raven not only received dessert, but somehow convinced Hank it would be fun to order that first. He agreed under the clause that they must never tell the kids.
"What is it?" Hank asked when Raven popped up suddenly.
She said, "I could have sworn I just saw Charlton Heston."
"Raven, those frequent celebrity sightings here are mythical at best," Hank dismissed. "That guy was not—" He jumped out of his seat as well. "Audrey Hepburn! I can die happy now."
Putting a hand on her hip, Raven turned to him. "I can help you with that."
Hank played with his glasses nervously then spotted their waiter. "Oh, look. The food's here."
Raven immediately forgot her temporary irritation as the spaghetti with piles upon piles of meat sauce came into contact with their table.
IIIIIII
Pushing Joey off as gently as he could, Alex left the eight-year-old to dog-paddle the six feet of space between himself and Erik. They had been out there for a little over twenty minutes and Alex found teaching the kid to swim felt similar to teaching a toddler how to walk, except with water.
"That's it, Kangaroo," Erik guided. "Keep your head up."
"Uncle Erik, are real kangaroos born knowing how to swim?" Joey wondered.
"No." Erik enveloped him in his arms. "But according to your cartoons, they're able to hold their own in a boxing match and frequently pass for giant mice."
"All right, Joe," Alex said. "Come on. Remember how fast you learned to ride your bike. This is practically a cakewalk next to that."
Charles stepped out from the kitchen and stopped to watch the three of them. "Has anyone seen the others?"
"Rebecca went in some time ago," Erik told him, keeping his eyes on the fledgling swimmer.
"Last time I saw Frank and Sean, they were smacking each other senseless with some plywood they found up the beach," Alex reported.
Keeping his head up, Joey came out of the water and went to stand before Charles. "Daddy, come swimming with us. Please?"
"I'm afraid Daddy's not quite in the mood for swimming, little one." Charles gave a tickle to the exposed stomach on the little boy, making him giggle. "You stay out here and have fun with Alex and your Uncle Erik." The Professor started back for the inside.
"That's cute," Alex remarked then received a questioningly look from Erik. "Joey calling Charles Daddy. Most guys would be turned off from kids that aren't theirs trying to claim them. Charles is so far out."
"Yes," Erik spoke, mostly to himself. "And quite the lucky man." He could not stop a slight ping of envy he felt in that moment.
Charles sensed his adolescent protégé towards the living room and headed for that area of the house. She leaned over the coffee table with a fashion doll in each hand.
Becky looked up at him, appearing guilty for a moment. "I'm sorry, Charles. I know you don't want us to have toys in here."
"Don't concern yourself, Princess," Charles reassured. He came over and sat near her on the floor. "I know you always clean up after yourself. Now, tell me. Why aren't you out with everyone else?"
"Raven's not here to braid my hair up the right way. I don't want it to get wet and frizzy."
"Perhaps I could give it a try." Charles used his fingers to comb through her curls. It did not take long for him to become very confused. "Do braids involve three sections or four? Perhaps two…"
"Three," Becky told him. "You have to do it tight or it'll come loose."
"Right." Charles concentrated on the task before him as he spoke. "I know it's difficult for you sometimes. When Raven isn't home you become lost in a sea of boys."
"I love the boys," the little girl said sincerely. "But they never want to sit and play quiet stuff, except marbles."
"Quiet as in Ken and Barbie here." Charles used a spare pinky to indicate the dolls. "Am I right?"
Becky tensed a bit as he tightened her hair. "Yes, but it's okay. What kind of boy plays with dolls, anyway?"
"I'm afraid I've been known to a time or two." The news caused a dropped mouth from Becky, which made Charles chuckle. "When Raven and I were younger, all it took was a well-placed pair of sad eyes to make me attend everything from tea parties to teddy bear weddings. You'll keep that between the two of us I trust?"
"Oh, I promise," Becky guaranteed.
"Wonderful. Now, what do you think of your hair?" He picked her up and brought her over to the nearest wall mirror.
Becky turned her head sideways to attempt to see every angle. Charles had created a braid for sure; a large fluffy braid that proved quite tight. Of course, the appearance did not matter to her with Erik being outside to make sure no one dared laugh at her.
"Thank you, Charles." Becky kissed his cheek.
"You're always welcome, Princess." Charles stood her up then watched her skip out to go play.
The man went back to the coffee table, taking up the abandoned dolls in each of his hands. It amazed him how well the brunette male seemed to fit so well with the golden haired female. They looked completely made for each other. Then the brilliant Professor remembered that the toy company had in fact created them for each other.
IIIIIII
As the salty water sprayed around them, Raven yelled out in joy with arms spread out triumphantly. She had reverted to her natural form when they had made it out far enough. Hank stopped the speedboat off on a strip of sandy land they happened upon.
"Fortune smiles on us," he commented, helping them both out of the boat. "Alone at last." They met in a kiss that nearly left them both melted into the sand under their feet.
"Perfect place for dessert," Raven said when they were able to breathe again.
"You want more sugar?" Hank asked in amazement.
The girl chose to answer him by pulling her t-shirt up and over her head before dropping it without a care. The stripping brought out great inner sensations in Hank and he almost swore when reality hit him.
"Raven," he said when she made a move to take off her bathing suit top next. "What… what exactly do you think I brought you out here for?"
Her eyes flickered with embarrassment as her hands stilled. "I know we didn't exactly talk about this, but I just thought that since we came all the way out here— when are we ever going to get another chance like this?" She moved in to try to kiss him.
Hank stepped back, but took her hands in his. "Raven, this was never my intent. I wasn't trying to lure you into isolation. Well, yes, I was but to talk and be together without interruption."
Raven responded by changing back into the blonde haired, hazel eyed creature regular people knew her as. "Is this better?"
"Raven—"
"I'll look like anyone you want me to be, Hank," Raven said desperately, taking her hands back to press against his chest. "It doesn't matter to me. I just want to be with you."
Completely taken aback, Hank snapped, "Raven!" then softened once he got her full attention. "What has come over you?"
Without a word, she turned from him and took off in a sudden sprint. She gasped when Hank naturally proved faster and practically instantly appeared to block her path.
"Do not run off from me." The statement blended together as a soft command as well. "Tell me what's wrong."
Raven shook her head. "It was a mistake, okay? Forget it."
"That's out of the question," Hank informed her. "I want you to talk to me right now. You'll look like anyone I want you to be? You just want to be with me?"
Raven tugged at her hair, ready to rip it right out. "I've pictured myself naked in front of you so many times and I can never imagine a scenario where you're not disgusted by what you see."
"Raven, we worked through this months ago," Hank reminded her. "I kissed you in your natural form multiple times today alone."
"I know!" she practically shouted. "But full on, full body, I have to wonder if you can handle that."
Hank came over her, bringing his arms around her upper body. "Do you wonder if I can handle it or if you yourself can?" She gazed up at him with shock. "This seems to be a battle you're fighting entirely with yourself."
Taking that in, Raven carefully pulled out of his hold. She walked over to the edge of the beach and stared down at her reflection in the crystal clear water.
"Is it wrong that this is the girl I want to be for you? And for me?"
Hank came up behind her. "It is if it costs you your sense of self-worth. I love you, Raven and I also respect you. When it's time for us to move onto this step, I want it to be in the right way. The proper way."
"I understand." She gripped his hand when it touched down on her shoulder. "I'm sorry about this. Please don't think any less of me."
"Doomed to be together, remember?"
"Always."
IIIIIII
Erik walked through the downstairs hall, attempting to towel dry his hair free from the never ending supply of sand they had. He stopped outside of the living room, taking in the scene of Charles in an armchair with a sleeping Joey. Despite the child's closed eyes, Charles continued whispering the tale from the storybook he held into the young ears.
"Asleep already?" Erik came in. "It's barely nine."
"Someone had quite the full day." Charles maneuvered carefully to hand Joey over into the older man's arms. He watched Erik go to the couch and lay with the boy securely on his chest. Charles smiled. "Someone also loves his Uncle Erik."
Erik rubbed Joey's back up and down. "Not as much as he loves his Daddy. But that's only good taste." He looked to Charles. "Haven't seen much of you today."
Charles held the book up. "Lost in literature I'm afraid."
"Children's Fairytales?" Erik read the title. "Gripping, I'm sure."
"Quite actually," Charles responded. "Although I'm sure most of these would cause the Brothers Grimm to suffer from many giggling spells." He opened the book and ran a finger along a random page. "Wicked queens getting their just desserts. Dragons slain. A man and a woman falling in love at first sight and—"
"Living happily ever after," Erik concluded. "Yes, Becky is quite fond of Snow White, though I believe there is something to be said about an adolescent girl going off with an unknown young man who seemingly appears out of nowhere at her deathbed, but I digress."
"I suppose such stories are nothing more than idealistic snippets for you," Charles deduced.
"Usually yes, but I can appreciate their appeal. I was in love once." At the look of astonishment that appeared on Charles' face, Erik said, "I know. I don't believe it either. It was quite a long time ago, but for whatever its worth, it did happen."
"You're full of surprises, brother. Who was she?"
"She was… everything for me at one point. Then our paths divided nearly as quickly as they crossed."
I know the feeling, Charles concurred mentally.
"I suppose the best endings are contained entirely inside fiction," the telepath said.
"Not always." Erik stood up, keeping a strong lock on Joey. "Reality has a few things here and there to offer. How else could a dragon like me cradle an angelic little prince?"
"You're not a dragon," Charles told him. "You, sir, are a knight."
"So proclaims the king," Erik said in turn. "I'll take the Kangaroo to his bed."
"Much appreciated."
Once left alone in the living room again, Charles looked at the storybook before sitting it down on the table. He got up and went to see about the rest of his children.
IIIIIII
The quick stop off lasted for several hours, but still proved not nearly enough for Hank and Raven. The young mutant couple lay out together on the shore, gazing up at the twinkling stars through the palm trees.
"Where do you see yourself a year from now?" Raven asked suddenly.
Hank scoffed. "A pretty futile question, don't you think? If someone would have presented me with that last year, I never would have guessed that I'd end up in a world surrounded by others like myself."
"Forget a year," Raven said. "One night can change your whole life." Thoughts from her own past reiterated that for her.
"If I had my way, though," Hank went on, "in a year I see you and me."
"And?" Raven prompted.
"And what more do we need?" Hank rolled over to kiss her. "And I hate to interrupt this," he arched his head back, "we still need to return the boat. If we leave now, we'll make it back long before curfew." Raven whimpered helplessly and attempted to claw at him. "Again, if I had my way this moment would never end."
Hank stood up and kept his hand out. Once he helped Raven up, she began to work his neck with her tongue.
"Raven, I know what you're doing," Hank said, trying to resist. "It won't work this time. We are not coming home late. Your brothers trust us. Not to mention the fact that I'd rather not be grounded for the duration of our stay here."
Sour face in place, Raven gave up and followed him out into the boat.
Preparing to start up the water vehicle, Hank could not take his eyes off the crossed-arm girl. "No pouting, please."
"Hmph!" Her lips puckered out further.
"Miss Xavier," Hank inched over closer upon her, "I said stop pouting."
"No."
"So be it." Hank looked as if to kiss her, but snatched her up with one arm the moment she closed her eyes.
The instant his free hand swatted her shorts covered behind, she let off an indignant but incredibly feminine shriek. She wiggled, but made no overly vigorous jerks to be let up.
"Ow, ow!" she cried out, though she felt no real pain. "Shouldn't you read me my rights before the brutality?"
"Distracted while navigating," Hank recounted, continuing the extremely mild onslaught. "Taking five minutes longer to wake up after the agreed upon time this morning. Thinking I would be disgusted by making love to you." He gave off a slightly firmer swat at that. "Excessive pouting. And the fact that this particular end of you is unjustly cute."
"Great, go ahead and kiss that part of me. Ow!" Raven kicked one foot. "Don't spank it harder, honey!" Once he allowed her up, she rested hands against his shoulders and glared at him accusatorily. "You're a beast, Hank McCoy. And I love you for it."
Hank hugged her. "Ready to go home?"
She replied, "I'll go anywhere with you."
IIIIIII
Finished with the last button of his pajama shirt, Hank started to go for his bed but stopped his pace at the knock that came to his door. Judging by the pitch of the rap, he had one guess as to who it could be. Despite the long stretch of time they had just spent together, Hank could not hide his jollity.
He opened the door. "Hi," he greeted his visitor.
"Hi," Raven returned. "I just wanted to say good night. Becca must have had another nightmare because she's camped out in Erik's room."
Hank thought about that then propositioned her with, "Raven? Could you stay with me tonight? Just to sleep? I'm not ready to say good night yet."
She turned a wide grin on him. "Neither am I." She came in and closed the door.
Allowing her to climb into the single bed first, Hank stopped to take off his glasses and fold them neatly onto the night table. He got in beside his girlfriend. Cuddling proved non-optional in the small bed, but of course, neither of them minded at all.
"Raven?" Hank asked worriedly. "I didn't hurt you tonight, did I?"
"Of course not," she said. "It stung, but that was sort of the point, right? And I'm betting you've wanted to do that about as long I've waited to play with your feet openly."
"I have," Hank admitted. "I just never want to come off as an oppressor seeking to cause you harm for his own gratification."
"You gratify me more often than you think," Raven said with a tease to her voice. "Besides," she propped herself up by her elbow, "that's who I like you to be. That's who I need you to be. This take-charge alpha male. It's in you, Hank. Don't be afraid to let it out once in a while."
"There's a force of nature in me, too, Raven," Hank reminded her. "One that's still primitive."
"I know." She smiled again. "I'm glad I got to meet him tonight. Here's hoping you let him out more often."
Hank smiled back before taking her fully into his arms.
Sometime soon, every single day they shared together would end this way. Hank could bet Midas' fortune on that.