Disclaimer: all characters belonging to Sky High and Xmen are not mine. I am only borrowing them.
Warning: Profanity, Violence
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Chapter 11
Somewhere in Sky High, students were still chattering in the cafeteria. But it was all quiet and solemn in the sick bay situated in the corner Sky High. Almost everyone had left.
"You could go home this afternoon too," said Michael cheerfully trying to brighten up the atmosphere, filling in the last medical records.
Will finally gave an exaggerated shrug, making no eye contact. "I don't care."
Despite his recent tantrum with his friends, the boy had otherwise made a fine recovery – physically.
It was a different story with the mental side of things. He hadn't been eating too much. His hair was messed around his head. His lips were always pursed in a thin line like he was always angry and bitter – which didn't suit the innocent face of the boy.
From what seemed like sadness – has been transformed into hard unforgiving anger. Anger at others – or himself.
He was concerned. The boy's emotions seem… erratic… and unstable. In contrast to what he has heard about the boy from his teachers. Yet it was not in his best interests to leave him to brood here.
Michael decided then he would contact his parents. To tell them to take special care with their son. He was like a rubber band stretch taut – about to snap.
---
Inside his home after work, Steve rubbed his face in fatigue. He sighed.
"Thank you doctor," he said and quickly pressed the 'stop call' button of the handheld phone.
Too hard.
The phone snapped in half. The loud crack echoed around the room.
"Steve!" came Josie's alarmed voice.
When she discovered him, her husband was turned away from her and staring out the window.
He was silent. But Josie could feel the concern and frustration coming out of him like waves.
Slowly, she approached him gently and placed her hand on his muscular shoulder.
"Steve," Josie repeated her hand stroking him tenderly. "It's about Will?"
He did not reply. Being the supposedly strong man he was, he couldn't acknowledge the pain that he felt… even though Josie knew some part of him was aching to release it.
Finally, he just said softly, "I… love him."
To Josie's relief, Steve turned and embraced her. Burying his face in her shoulder, he filled himself with her presence and her strength.
Even he wanted and appreciated a moment of comfort sometimes.
---
That night at dinner, Steve and Josie glanced at each other, their concern about their son's mood clear in their eyes.
"So Will," said Steve, trying to start a conversion. "How was school?"
Will just picked at his food - not answering.
"Will, your father is trying to talk to you," said Josie, in her stern but motherly voice.
Will shrugged but he could not contain his boiling anger. He finally spoke but the words came out harsh. "Why would you care, dad?".
Then as if something seized him, he shattered his dinner plate with his knife. The sound of glass shattering rang around the room.
"Will!" said Steve, anger flashing dangerously in his eyes.
"Answer the question!" he was shouting. "You guys are almost never home these days. Sure, you are heroes - but only saving everyone else."
"Will that's not true! We do care about you," said a bewildered Josie, trying to calm things down. "And that's not an appropriate way to talk to your father."
Will said beginning to leave the table. "Quite frankly. I. Don't. Fucking. Care."
Steve winced inwardly but tried to take control of the situation.
"Will, inner sanctum, now," he commanded.
Will scowled. He ignored them and turned to leave the house.
"Will come back here," Steve ordered.
No response.
Will had kept walking. One step. Two steps. Three steps.
Only five more steps to the door.
"I said, come back here!" Steve's voice was louder now.
"No," Will said quietly and rebelliously. A hint of desperation could be heard in his voice.
Then Will grabbed a coat and dashed towards the door.
"Will!" said Steve. Pushing his chair back, he dashed after his son.
"Steve!" said a worried Josie. "Don't be too harsh!"
Will was streaking towards the door when Steve grabbed his wrist and spun him around to shake him roughly by the shoulders.
"You are not just going to run away you hear me?" said Steve firmly. "That's enough."
Silence. The sound of the two of them breathing was like thunder in Steve's ears…
Will suddenly looked up with a glint in his eye.
The next thing he knew, Steve felt pain in his stomach where his son punched him. Despite the pain, Steve held Will with an iron grip. He decided he would force his son to remain – if he had to.
"Since you don't want to go the inner sanctum," Steve said. "It'll just have to be your room."
Will crumpled as Steve kicked his son's shins and stomach. Despite his son's cries and struggle, Steve held his son tightly while he carried him up the stairs.
Checking that the window was closed, he kicked the door of the bedroom shut.
"Sit down," Steve ordered.
Will responded by dashing to the window.
"Will!"
Suddenly, Will found himself shoved onto his own bed, physically pinned down by his father – and his dad looking into his eyes.
"Will, you better listen to me," said Steve above him with a lethal edge in his voice.
Will's arms gripped Steve's hard and pushed. His eyes were darting around frantically - still looking for a way of escape. But Steve held on.
Just.
"Don't make me," whispered the pained but deadly serious voice of his father, his breath near Will's face.
Will's eyes glinted.
With pure hatred.
"I hate you," he yelled.
Suddenly, Will landed a powerful and quick punch to his father's chest, causing his father to gasp.
In a flash, his father raise his arm - about to bring it down for a sharp slap.
"No!" cried Will, suddenly throwing his hands over his face.
My father… he has never hit me…yet just then…With wide open eyes locked onto his father, Will's breaths shortened and became more shallow and rapid.
What have I done? What have I become? He thought as he felt tears form in his eyes.
For a few moments, the two simply locked eyes with one another.
But Will suddenly turned his face away.
Steve felt his son's body relax as he surrendered. A few moments passed and Steve allowed his son to roll over to sit on the side of his bed. Will put his head in his hands.
Silence.
Then sniffing.
"D-dad," said Will suddenly. "I-I'm…"
He was trying so hard to apologise but his words couldn't come out in his torrent of emotions.
"I know…" said Steve and embraced his son.
As salty tears filled his eyes, Will's regret crushed all the anger in him.
Steve pulled back and placed his hand on Will's face. Suddenly, Will wondered how he could have doubted his parents' love for him and tears began to spill from his eyes.
Staring into his son's tear-filled eyes made Steve's heart lurch inside. Watching someone he loved weeping made him weak. Yet he tried to comfort Will. "Son, we aren't superhumans either. Of course, we lose sometimes. We don't win every time…"
Then Steve felt a stab of pain inside as he remembered the accident last night. That time, the victim had died.
His son just hid his face on his dad's shoulder, sobbing and crying, not having to be the strong one for once.
"Will," said Steve slowly, rocking gently. "Just remember…the most important thing, for all of life, and in this world for that matter… is love.
"The most important thing was that you cared about Warren. Even though you couldn't help him the way you wanted.
"That's the attitude your mother and I take. It's what keeps us going. We don't know if we'll win the battles either. But we try."
Gradually, Will's sobs blended into even steady breathing. As Steve felt his son's heart beating beside his own, he said, "Will, I… love you."
Finally, Will's tear-streaked face turned upwards to make eye contact with his father.With sincere eyes, he whispered, "I… I love you too."
A wave of happiness and relief exploded inside Steve. Without realizing it, his eyes were becoming moist too.
And both of them just sat there - hugging and rocking each other.
