Disclaimer- I don't own the X-Men. They belong to Marvel Comics.

Mutant High Episode 3- "Shades of Red"

Chapter 6

Scott peered inside the green tinted windows, muddled brown by the red of his glasses. Everyone inside looked like they were sleeping with their eyes open, frozen in the midst of their everyday activities. Dr. Xavier sat in front of the Farmer's Market, eyes closed in deep concentration.

In the sky above, Ororo floated on the wind, casting heavy fog over the area. Using the air as a tool for flight was a trick she had recently mastered, and given her personality, she'd take any opportunity she could find in order to show off.

"I wish I could fly," Bobby lamented to Rogue, as the two sat on the sidewalk, watching Ororo summon the wind beneath her.

"I don't wish you could fly," Rogue told him. "You'd kill yourself."

"Not true."

"You've managed to nearly kill yourself a million times firmly planted on the ground, you little shit."

While the two friends continued their good natured bickering, Jean and Remy waited across the parking lot, both drained of energy. The now charred and blackened remains of Remy's car were scattered over the crushed asphalt.

"It seemed like a good idea at the time," Remy lamented. He put his cigarette between his lips and inhaled deeply.

Jean didn't want to tell him, but she agreed. Part of her had wanted more than anything to throw the car in Wanda's direction and watch her burn like a witch at the stake. Jean had been rational, she'd kept her cool. It was what Emma had trained her to do—to keep her focus. But Jean hated Wanda Maximoff. And standing amidst the aftermath of their little war, she wondered if maybe Remy was right—that impulse was what should have led them.

She watched as Scott surveyed the scene through his sunglasses, a dark, brilliant red color—like the blazing bolts of power that Wanda used as her weapon. The color was striking, but Scott's eyes were barely visible beneath. She'd never see his eyes again.

"We have to move this somehow," She said to Remy, who seemed to be equally distracted.

"Yeah," he agreed, though it was clear he wasn't paying attention. He snapped back to reality, focusing his attentions on Jean as another wisp of smoke escaped from his mouth.

"Yeah. But… how? And where?"

Jean stood there, stumped.

"I have no idea. We're so fucked."

And then, unexpectedly, Remy hugged her.

"Then we're fucked. We'll deal."

Jean stood there, not hugging him back. She wasn't quite sure how to react. So she did nothing, until Remy pulled away.

"I think we should dismantle it into smaller pieces, get rid of it that way.

Jean nodded, still slightly awestruck. "Good idea."

Remy smiled at her. "I'm going to go get Scott. His lasers… they can probably break it up real good, right?"

"Yeah. Probably."

Jean watched as Remy ran over to Scott. She wasn't going to stop him, there was no reason to.

"Hey," Remy opened as he ran up to Scott. Scott turned, his eyes catching Remy's. Remy's eyes had always been red. They looked no different now. One thing that stayed the same.

"Hey," Scott offered in return. It seemed like an eternity that the two of them stood there, as awkwardly as the day they'd met.

"Nice day for a nap outside," said a voice hovering above Scott. His eyes snapped open, fluttering shut again in response to the brilliant sun hanging above. Squinting, he looked up.

The guy seemed like trouble, Scott thought. The type of person he probably would have nothing to do with, for the most part. Tight, plaid pants, studded belt, safety pins as earrings and a cigarette dangling between his fingers.

"Yeah," Scott agreed, unsure of how to react. Anything could happen.

"Scott, right?" The guy asked. Scott nodded, and the guy continued. "I'm Remy. We had math together last year."

Scott nodded again, but couldn't remember the guy for the life of him. Judging from his appearance, he probably attended class once a week, and for that one class, he probably sat in the back and slept the whole time.

"Listen. You seem like a really cool guy. Chill and shit." Remy lowered himself onto the grass while Scott propped himself up on his elbows.

"I'd like to get to know you better."

Scott was perplexed. "Why?"His voice was raspy, and he choked slightly as the word came out.

"Honestly?" Remy waited. Scott started him directly in his eyes. They were red. Probably contacts.

"I think you are so hot. You are probably the hottest guy I've ever seen."

Scott felt the color rush into his face. He wanted to pull away, and break contact, but he couldn't. His gaze was glued to Remy's.

"R-really?"

"Yeah. I want to get to know you, because all I know right now is that you are a beautiful, beautiful boy."

Remy reached up, lightly brushing his fingers against Scott's face. Scott could feel eyes from around the field on the two of them, but he didn't dare look.

"Indulge me."

"What are you doing this weekend?" Scott whispered.

Remy grabbed Scott and hugged him tight, burying his face into his boyfriend's shoulder.

"I love you, man," Remy gasped.

Scott was taken aback by Remy's sudden burst of affection. "I love you too. What's up?"

And Remy didn't say anything. He simply held Scott tighter and tighter, hoping nobody could see him weep.

Jean tried not to pay attention, but she couldn't. Remy's thoughts seeped into her head uncontrollably.

He hated Wanda more than anything. Hated her for what she did to Scott. And it was only now that Remy was beginning to grasp that this was permanent, that the red gate between's Scott's eyes and the rest of the world could never be removed.

At the same time, Remy was finally grasping that nothing he did to Wanda could change that fact.

Jean pressed her finger into the corner of her eye, wiping the tear that was beginning to swell. Watching Scott and Remy together had always made her feel so far away. But at that moment, she felt closer to Remy than she ever had. He had realized hating Wanda wouldn't solve his problems.

Jean had realized that hating Remy wouldn't solve hers, either.