There is a big tension at the U.S. embassy in Paris today. First, two not so unknown blue mutants show up and then they claim to be the only beings in the world who know where one of the most wanted men in world is. Mystique can understand why the ambassador is sitting there in front of her with his jaw dropped.
"Are you serious?" Mister Thomas, the ambassador, asks.
"Yes." Mystique replies, remaining calm.
"But," Hank throws in, "we will only share what we know if you accept the following conditions; First, you let US catch him and you won't interfere our plan in any way. Your only task will be to imprison or do whatever you want to do with him. And secondly, you will destroy every file you have ever created on mutants in front of our eyes. Do you accept this?"
The man looks a bit puzzled. "There's also another thing. You have to sign a paper that you have agreed to our conditions. And..." Mystique's look wanders to Hank and back to the man, "You will have to be a mutant supporter after we delivered Magneto to you. That means that you will need to support the idea to give us mutants a voice in the American government and I want this wonderful man next to me to be this voice."
Hank, who cannot believe what he has just heard, turns to Mystique with a shocked look. He wants to say something but he doesn't know what. Mister Thomas is surprised as well. Other people usually only want money. "So, what do you say?"Mystique asks out loud in confidence, shooting him a piercing look.
The ambassador takes a few deep breaths and exchanges a few looks with the white haired man who seems to be confused like him. "Miss Mystique, mister...er..."
"Beast"
"Uh yeah... your conditions are not so easy to fulfil than you think."
"Either you try to fulfil them or we leave." Mystique snaps back.
"We could try but what is exactly our task in that case?"
"Your only task is to fulfil our conditions and to take further care of Magneto. We're only here to discuss and to deliver."
"So... if we accept your conditions, you will deliver him to us?"
"Yes." Both answer on unison.
Thomas leans forward and rests his elbows on his table. "How do WE know that we can trust you?"
Mystique and Hank exchange a look. "How do you know that you can't? Is it because we look different or is it because you remember us from the last time you have seen us here in Paris?" Mystique asks but Thomas remains silent, studying their faces. "We were once friends of Magneto but this changed as he tried to kill us and our beloved ones multiple times. He is not only an enemy for humanity but also for mutantity. We are also interested in living in peace but we cannot reach this goal while Magneto is still out there. I hope you understand this, Mister Thomas." she continues.
"I can understand this pretty well but you also need to understand our side. Mutants have been a danger for us for decades so it's not easy to trust you so fast."
"But don't forget that there are always two parties. What do you think about calling your boss in Washington and discussing this affair with him?" Hank suggests. The ambassador leans back in his chair and looks at the white haired guy again.
"If you know where he is, why don't you just catch and kill him? Why do you want the government in this affair?"
"Because killing is illegal, Mister Thomas, isn't it?" Mystique says mockingly with a grin on her face. The ambassador raises an eyebrow. Is it this hard to believe that mutants are honest people, too?
"Okay. I will see what I can do and I will tell you tomorrow morning what my superiors think about your offer." Hank turns to Mystique, who is studying Thomas, and waits for her reaction.
"Agreed. See you tomorrow, Mister Thomas." She smiles and stands up to shake his hand. "We will be here at nine o'clock then. Goodbye." Mystique leaves his burreau with a smile on her face and Hank follows her quietly.
The guards at the embassy are starring at them with disgust but it does not bother them since they know that they are a step further in their master plot.
Once outside of the building, Hank searches for his syringe in his jacket but he cannot find it. "By stars and garters!" he curses angrily while rumbling through all of his pockets.
"It's okay if you've forgotten your serum at the hotel. Come on, we will go back there." Mystique assures him while entwining her fingers in his. She does not shift into another skin neither to make Hank feel more comfortable in his. Hank looks at her with sad eyes but he does not seem to be bothered further. Maybe, he's making progress with his image hatred.
On their way back to their hotel, every pair of eyes are glued to the two blue beings. It doesn't bother Mystique but Hank. "Don't pay attention to them. They are just jealous." she whispers to make him feel better. Hank smiles at her. It's an honest smile not a painful one.
_
Back in their small hotel room, Hank doesn't rush to get his serum; he just sits on his bed instead and takes his shoes off, freeing his squeezed toes. "So, we have everything ready. What next?" Hank wants to know. Mystique looks at him questioningly. "I don't know. We should not get to the next point before the government assures us that they are behind us. So... maybe we should think about what we will do if they won't help us or make a clear plan on how to strike or even get some weapons."
"Where do you want to get weapons from?"
"I have my tricks. That's why I'm called Mystique, you know."
"Sorry, I forgot."Hank giggles, "But do you know what we should do before doing all this? Call Charles. I think that he has a right to know what is going on."
Mystique's face falls. "Yes, you're right. But can we relax a little first? I have the feeling that we are just coming in and go out, like, all the time." Mystique lies down on her bed and turns to Hank, who nods in response.
There's this silence again but this time they are looking at each other and not avoiding each other, another progress. Mystique admires the person who is sitting opposite to her. Her heart is beating a little faster at his sight. He has opened up fast and this is a good sign because it means that he is feeling better, too. Both smile at each other. It's such a tranquil moment, Mystique wants to freeze it but unfortunately this is not her mutation.
"Mystique? Why do you want me to represent mutants in the government?" Hank asks in a low and shaking voice.
"You are the smartest of all mutants I know. I have the feeling that every mutant would feel well represented if a guy like you is the one who gives them a voice."Mystique replies smiling. It's not a lie. Hank would be the best one to represent mutantkind in politics because he is smart and skilled. Humans might also get a better impression of their kind if they see that one of them is a universal genius with a golden heart.
"I think that Charles would be the better man for this job." Hank's gaze falls to the floor.
"But I want you. Charles is more of a father or teacher but you are an educated strategist with a lot of strength. The humans would be happy if they had you."
"Humans would never take me serious. Doesn't matter how educated I am, I will always be hated."
"But you must fight against it, Hank! You need to fight!" Mystique sits up and takes his furry hands in hers, "I know that you can fight because I saw it multiple times. Hiding and trying to discuss from time to time will never be enough. You need to prove those humans that you, the amazing Beast, cannot be beaten and you don't care about them or their hate. They only want to break you with their hate but you need to prove them that you are unbreakable."
"Mutant and proud, huh?" Hank's lips turn into a sad smile.
"Yes. Never forget it."
"Thank you, Mystique. You are a good friend." Hank caress her hands and shows her a wider smile but Mystique is kind of bothered by the word 'friend'. She gives his hands a small kiss, trying to make him realise that there is more than friendship between them. At least, she hopes that there's still more.
"Do you still want to relax?", Hank rather whispers.
"Yes, you don't?"
"I'm not complaining. As kid I always wanted to visit Paris and to relax here. So..." Mystique laughs.
"Me too. Charles always wanted to take me here but we never had time."
"Then... we should enjoy the short time we are here."
Mystique closes the distance between them and leans forward, almost touching his lips again. "Maybe we should come here once this trouble is over and spend a vacation... just you and me." Mystique whispers in a seductive tone before she kisses Hank once again. It became a real challenge not to kiss him.
Hank breaks the kiss as Mystique wanted to deepen it. "Did I do something wrong? Tell me!" Mystique wants to know, her voice low in a worried tone.
"It's just... I can't do this." Hank replies, letting go of her hands. He lies down on his bed with his eyes directed at the ceiling. "Mystique, I can't do this."
"What? Hunt Erik? Tell me what is bothering you!" she almost shouts.
"No, this here. Us... kissing, holding hands and looking at each other like there is no other person in this world. It is bothering me." He puts his palms over his eyes, covering his face completely.
Mystique is just confused. "Why? Will your girlfriend kill me if she finds this out?"
"No... it's just..." Hank takes a deep breath but does not reveal his face, "I thought that I am over you. It looks like I am not and this means that I will become the empty body again after you will leave me because I will miss being so close to you. I don't want this. So, if you want to be a true friend don't play with my feelings and let your desires for romance out on someone else. I won't mind."
This confession hit her hard. "Hank, I am sorry if you really think that." Mystique's voice is trembling, "I am not doing this because I am horny or something. I never did and I will never do."
"It's okay... just stop." he whispers. The pain became prominent like never before.
Mystique's heart breaks and she lets a tear fall down her cheek. Hank turns to face the window, showing her his back. Why does he shield himself like this?
Mystique kind of felt that Hank still had romantic feelings for her because her kisses had a strong effect on him. The only thing that confuses her is the fact that he does not want to give into his feelings. She has sent him signals, so he shall know that she likes him in this way, too, and they can take the next step in their relationship. But he does not believe her as it seems. It's relatable because she has changed so much and it's long ago since they were this close. It is not easy to forget all these things that have happened just after a few kisses but it feels like that she can. She can forget about all these negative memories because their kisses make her happy and they feel so right, like they are natural.
"Do you know why people kiss? They kiss because they have deep feelings for each other and they want to show it." Mystique weeps, "I wanted to show my feelings for you."
Hank doesn't react and Mystique's heart shatters.
She stands up from the bed because she needs to wash her face from the tears. There is no worse feeling in the world than having tears drying on your face and no one in the world has such a strong effect on her like Hank. His cold behaviour hurts her. "Hank, you mean a lot to me." she whispers before she disappears in the bathroom. Still no reaction of him. It's hopeless.
Mystique washes her face, not daring to look at her reflection in the mirror. It looks devastating for sure. She does not know if she shall enter the bedroom again or just stay here. Staying is most likely better for both of them, she thinks.
Hank knocks on the door, hesitating a little. Mystique opens the door and sees Hank standing there with a little smile on his face. "Hank, I..." Mystique tries to justify herself but she doesn't get the chance to finish her sentence because Hank grabs her cheeks and presses his lips against hers in a passionate kiss.