#hank green ty for the tip !

[justabunchofdragons]

emotionally mature goals: realising that you're going to be depressed soon because you had too much positive neurotransmitter activity and jotting it down so you don't absolutely lose your mind

[rosecoloreddesire]

My Devil In Disguise pt. 2 (Elvis)

Beale Street Surprises; Chapter 2 

Pairing: Austin!Elvis x OC, Elvis x OC

Note: Hi guys! Thank you so much for the love on the first chapter! And thanks to those who gave me some tips too! Y’all are so sweet! Enjoy chapter 2! 

Read Chapter One Here!

Read Chapter Three Here!

Warnings: inaccuracies about Elvis or Elvis Movie (I’m trying y’all),swearing, yelling, mentions of sex in later chapters, smut in later chapters, dark undertones possibly, Colonel Tom Parker.

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"Oh, do you think they'll remember me, Mister Presley? It's been years!" Elvis stood behind Annalise tying the big white bow in her red hair. He looked at her in the mirror and scoffed. Annalise pouted her rose colored lips. She pointed her mascara wand at him in warning. 

"Darlin, You were Annalise Snow. They must've thought your daddy was gonna have your head. I think your friends would ‘member a girl like that." She sighed as Elvis placed her necklace around her neck. Except that wasn't the necklace she was wearing the night before. Her cross necklace is replaced with a soft pink heart locket. She gasped as the cold settled onto her skin.

"You’re kiddin’? Where did you get this? It's so pretty." She settled her hand on it, feeling the grooves between her fingers. Elvis played with the strands of her hair beneath her bow, grinning ear to ear. 

"It's my mama's but I told her that I-I had someone special to put it on." He whispers the words upon the nape of her neck. His lips barely graced her skin.

"Wow. You didn't have to. I-I love it. Thank you so much. You’ve been too kind to me over all of this mess. I’m supposed to be helpin’ you get that new jacket." Her breathing seemed to quicken as his hands stayed massaging along her neck and shoulders. Elvis stood directly behind her to meet her eyes in the mirror.

"It looks amazin' on you, sweetheart," His southern drawl deepened. A chill ran down her spine," I got the jacket back but- you know wow. Lord, I thought you looked smokin' in that blue the night we met but wow this burgundy number looks divine!" Elvis chuckles as Annalise smooths her dress down as she stands. Her skin more than likely matching her lips now. 

"You flatter me, Mister Presley. Thank you for helping me with my hair. You didn't have to. I know I’m a guest but-" She fixes the dark green jacket on his shoulders trying to avoid his gaze.

"It's Elvis, Doll! Yeah, you are my guest, little lady. I gotta make sure you’re still enjoyin’ yourself! Let's see what's for breakfast before we head out! " He grabs her hand and pulls her to the kitchen to see Gladys at the stove. The aroma of home cooking drifted through the small kitchen.

"Eggs and bacon sound good to y'all? I also put some coke bottles in a bag for the trip to the pier! Your daddy should have already put it in your trunk!" She seemed to almost squeal with delight at Annalise. She proceeded to talk Annalise's ear off about the trip today. Vernon set up the table and pulled Annalise's chair out for her.

"Always gotta be nice to the ladies, Elvis," Elvis rolled his eyes at his father, "That's how I got your mama! Be a gentleman, boy!" He chuckled and grasped Elvis' shoulders shaking him back and forth lightly. Elvis started to laugh and push him away.  The two boys finally started their breakfast as Gladys and Annalise were finishing.

"I really haven't gone anywhere other than a carnival since following around my daddy. My brother and I would sneak out to try to get away from the lights and rides but it always seemed too far from our grasp, ya know?." Gladys rubs her back and offers her a small smile.  Annalise soon found herself growing weary of how her brother Jimmie was without her. Was he being treated the same with her gone? Or was daddy happy to finally have the only son he wanted? Annalise was born from her mother's first marriage to a man from Memphis. Annalise didn't know much about her real daddy as her mama got married to Hank when she was three. All her life, Hank Snow was her daddy but not right now! She was her own person and she was going to become the star she always wished to be.

"Well, I hope the pier is what you've always wanted it to be! Y'all kids have fun now! Be home in time for dinner, Elvis!!" Gladys kissed Elvis on the cheek while he nodded. He grabbed his keys and took Annalise's hand as they walked to the truck.

"You told her we were going to the pier? Elvis, you know how I feel about lyin'! Your mama was so nice and she even packed some of the trunk for us with your daddy!" She folded her arms as she got into the passenger seat. Her lips drawing into a pout. 

"If she knew we were going to Beale Street she'd tell me to go to the pier anyway! Tells me I hang out there too often! Mama tells me I need to focus on my job and not the music right now. She really wants me to just focus on me and not the others around me. I-I just wanna take care of my family." He sighed straightening his shoulders. 

"Have you not told her fully about this big recording deal at RCA? Mister Presley," He looks at the map in her lap averting his gaze from her," Elvis Presley! You turn this truck around and we go tell her!" She pulls the map from his view and he huffs, rubbing his bottom lip with his finger.

"Jokes on you darlin'. I don't need that map," The truck revs to life as he steps on the gas passing by building after building," I'll tell my mama. Colonel told ‘em they have to sign some things anyway. I'm just nervous is all. What if this record deal don't work out, Doll? This is my dream but it feels like I'm teeterin' on the edge of it." He sighs and leans back in his seat a little.

"Well, I'll make sure you don't fall, Mister Presley. We’re gonna fly together. I'm here for the ride remember. We already talked to Mr. Phillips. He understood why you were leavin'." He smiles taking her hand in his. Annalise tries to ignore the heat of his palm against hers.

"Thanks, baby. Hey, you do know I'm not the only one recording at RCA ,right?" Annalise's posture straightened and she turned slowly to look at him.

"You did not! I could barely sing Amazing Grace in front of an audience on the Louisiana Hayride without wantin' to cry! RCA?! I could just cry now!" She huffed and placed her head in her hand looking out the window as they made their way to their destination.

"Come on, Annalise! This could be our big break! You tellin' me you're chicken?" He gets out of the car as Anna feels like she wants to melt into the seat.

"I am not chicken, Presley. I'm just not as talented as you are I me-"

"You ain't nothin' but a hound dog!" A woman sitting on the windowsill of Club Hardy interrupts her. Annalise feels her heart flutter as the women continues to sing. The amount of people passing by Anna makes her feel dizzy. Her dreams at night were becoming real. She stood there but soon a familiar voice broke her out of her daze. She whipped around to see the man she met all those years ago.

"B.B! Hey, it's me Annalise," she waves frantically leaving Elvis stunned behind her," Blue's Boy! hiya!" She finally stood in front of the snickering man who lifted her into his arms and spun her.

"My little Annalise Snow!! I knew you'd come back soon! How's my favorite Snow?" B.B twirled her around, singing as she giggled. Elvis shyly made his way towards the pair. 

“I’m so good now that I see you!! C’mon! Get over here, Mister Presley! Usually he ain’t that shy!” 

"Hey, ain't you that Elvis Presley fella? That song you made with Sun Records was great! You should be hittin' RCA next, boy?" Elvis felt like he needed to be pinched. His crush knew the biggest artist of their time?

"U-Um yeah, I mean, I'm hopin' to get some music recognized around here, ya know? I-I've always looked up to you a-and I've always wanted to see the inside of Club Handy, ya know?" Elvis felt like he was shaking tremendously as he spoke. Annalise was confused but that poor girl was sheltered as all hell. How would she know her friend was THE B.B. King?

"How about you and your lady friend come in now? We're just opening up for the day!  I'd love to have y'all see the magic!" Annalise took Elvis' hand and ran behind B.B as he lead them to he doors.

"Annalise, I think you may have to pinch me. I-I can't believe this." Elvis gripped her hand harshly. Annalise placed her hand on his cheek and smiled.

"C'mon!  Put a little pep in your step! Soon enough your name is gonna be lights, Mister Presley."

--------------------------------

"You gotta stop movin', kid. The mic keeps pickin' it up." The producer rolled his eyes starting another take for the single.

"If I can't move, I can't sing." He spoke into the mic softly.

"What is he doing? We paid for this?" The guys behind the recording were astonished.

"Please just let him do what he's doin' I promise you'll never hear anythin' better! he'll go straight to number one!  He's been workin' so hard on 'Heart Break Hotel!"

"Miss Snow, we can do anythin' like that for you. Are we recordin' a church song with you?"

"Ummm no. I'm not under my daddy no more. I ain't-." She waved the producers down and made her way to Elvis and embraced him.

“Hey, how did I do?”

"This is gonna be a number one album, Mister Presley! I promise you! You did such a good job! Your mama's gonna be so happy!" Annalise just about started jumping in excitement.

"T-Thank ya. I was shakin' like a leaf down here. I'm glad you're here with me." He caressed her cheek and she smiled.

"Now time to leave I know a great-"

"How about she sings Fever? I wanna hear you sing that so bad, please baby. I promise we'll get to writin' songs together soon." Annalise nods and smiles. Elvis was willing to halt his own writing for her? She needed to be pinched. I mean she had already seen Beale Street, THE B.B King bought her a new dress, and now she was recording at RCA? Her daddy be damned!

"Is it alright if I hold your guitar, Mister Presley? I-I know it’s not needed for the song but I um just wanted to. I uh have always wanted to hold it. Ya know, like a good luck charm?" Elvis took the strap and set it on her shoulders. He grinned  as she squealed touching the strings.

"Anything that is mine is yours, darlin'. Now sing your little heart out, treasure." Annalise nodded and waited for the go ahead from the producer. It was like nothing she ever felt before. Her heart fluttered and her body moved on it's own. She felt alive. 

She would hum Elvis' songs in her motel room when she was alone. It had already felt forbidden then but singing them out loud and in front of him? She felt like she was on Cloud Nine. Elvis felt like he was in Heaven. Watchin' her sing his music was like a arrow from Cupid's bow shot him.

"That's a wrap for the day you guys! Great job!" Annalise thanked the producers and gave them hugs while the pair walked out of the booth. They made their way to Elvis' truck and both giggled as they stared at each other.

"You did amazing, Mister Presley! Seeing you record those songs was the bees knees! You've never looked so-" She clamped her hand over mouth and felt the heat rising to her already red cheeks.

"Wow, darlin'. One recordin' at RCA and you've already lost your pure filter? Maybe I'll have to take you here more often." Elvis snickers and sends a wink her way. She shakes her head.

"I-I'm sorry. That was just like nothin' I ever felt before! I-I felt like I was born anew! Do you think we could go back to Beale Street soon to tell Mister King?" She felt like her skin was afire. She didn't know she was anymore. She felt so real like she actually could exist in Elvis' world.

"And just think, darlin'. This is just the beginning we're gonna be stars. We could finally be in pictures like you've always dreamed." He placed his hand over hers and they both felt time stop. Annalise thought it's now or never. This boy has changed her life in a matter of hours, days, and would change it for years to come. Maybe it was to early as her nerves began to tremor through her body.

"E-Elvis...I-I want to let you-" Elvis shushed her and took her hand to his lips.

"I need to kiss you right now, treasure. Or I may just die right 'ere." Annalise's eyes widen and she nods enthusiastically. Elvis smirks, his hand finding it's way through her red hair. he pulls her slightly forward. Their lips finally meet and Annalise thinks Cloud Nine had been passed.  The searing hot desire she felt when she first saw Elvis perform and wiggle, seemed to crash through her once again. They pull away for a brief moment.

"I-I was gonna say that I wanted to let you know that I liked you." She smiled mindlessly. Her eyes never leaving his lips.

"Well, I think you know my answer, baby. Like you said earlier we're on this ride together. Now lets get home, little mama." Stealing one last kiss before smiling to himself. the truck roars to life and they were off to rest. Little did they know Colonel Tom Parker would be waiting for them at the Lauderdale Courts. Offering them everything they could ever want. Elvis had already signed away his life to him...now he wanted to make sure he had Annalise’s. 

“Elvis! How was RCA, my boy? Was it what you always imagined?” He patted the raven haired boy on the back. Annalise tried to sneak on past the pair but as always she failed to get far enough. 

“Annalise! How was recordin’ without the daddy? I can’t wait to hear the single!” Vernon gave her a big hug while she stood frozen in place. Even when she was on the road with Penelope she feared her best friends father. There was an aura of distain around him whenever she saw him. 

“U-Uh it was great, Mr. Presley. I-I’m a bit tired. I’m gonna go get some shut eye th-” 

“You recorded at RCA too, Miss Snow? Well, you’ll need a manager as well! I could very much have the future Presley duo on my hands!” He laughed loudly making Annalise flinch. 

“Future Presley duo? What are you talkin’ about, Colonel?” Elvis looked confused as Annalise tried to get out of the conversation. 

“Well, Miss Snow has always had a crush on Mister Elvis here! I just thought maybe y’all would become THE it couple of Hollywood!” Annalise felt like she wanted to just bury herself under the ground now. She couldn’t help but hope for what had just come out of the Colonel’s loud mouth anyway. Colonel looked at her, smiling. Though that smile always seemed to feel...off.  Elvis took her hand and bent down to whisper in her ear. 

“Go to sleep, baby. I’ll give ‘im hell for ya. I gotta talk about some things with the family,” He kissed her head and made sure his father was distracting Colonel with his ramblings,” Good night. I’ll be in bed in a minute. I promise.” A quick kiss sent Annalise right to the bedroom after it finished. 

She shut the door and stared at the wall next to it. She could still hear Mr. Parker’s voice through the wall. Something about a car and something about a house fit for a king. Annalise felt so small in the already small bedroom. Who the hell did she think she was? She shared two kisses with Elvis Presley. Finally tasting the forbidden fruit and Lord knows she isn’t ashamed. That’s when a sudden panic filled her bones and it’s like her daddy always said. 

“Don’t write your soul to the Devil.,” She looked at herself in the mirror before changing her clothes,” Lord...I think I’m the Devil.” She whispers closing the last button of one of Elvis’ shirt on her pale skin. The door creaked and she made eye contact with Elvis just like the morning before. 

“Darlin, you really are a sin to stare at.” 

[corie-the-writer]

Come As You Are - Prologue

Prologue ---

Four Years Ago --

Hannah Walker stood behind the bar with her book displayed out in front of her as she was waiting for the beer and liquor to be delivered to the strip club that she had currently worked at. The dark haired woman had never in a million years pictured herself as a stripper or bartender at night while she attended college through the day to get her final credits to earn her bachelor's degree. When her parents had passed away almost two years ago, she had put her college life on hold, not having enough credits to graduate with the rest of her class. She could have blamed anyone under the sun for the circumstances that life had thrown at her, but she knew that it would do no good. She took time to grieve the loss of her family, while working at a small coffee shop to make ends meet while she coped with this new life that was thrown at her. 

That is where she met Tamila, who had told her that her boyfriend managed the strip club, and told her that she would be a good fit because of her dark hair, piercing green eyes and curved but slender body. Hannah had laughed off the compliment but when she had went home she had been curious as to how much a dancer could make in a night. 

She had a few bills that she couldn't catch up on due to the cost of college. She had thought about transferring colleges to finish up her credits, but she would have to spend longer finishing out her work if she had decided to transfer and Hannah did not want to chance losing any of her earned credits. 

The next time she had spoke to Tamila, she had sat the spunky redheaded woman down and told her about her situation, wondering if her boyfriend would be willing to work with her and Tamila had agreed to speak to Tyrone. She was surprised that Tamilia had shot a quick text to her boyfriend, and he had agreed to sit down and talk to the woman later that evening. 

Once Hannah had sat down with Tyrone, she was extremely grateful that the man had agreed to hire her as a bartender at first, knowing that the tips would be hers out right, that she would be paid under the table so it would not effect her chances of becoming a teacher once she was able to graduate from college. Hannah had never been more thankful for the understanding and compassion they had shown to her. 

"Girl...you about done with that college shit?" Hannah heard the familiar voice of Tiffany, a dancer who was a lot to handle majority of the time. 

"I have final exams coming up in about a month. Hopefully then I can graduate." Hannah explained as Tiffany plopped herself in a chair, "Need something to drink?" Hannah questioned politely. 

"Nah sweetie, I'm good." Tiffany answered, "Have you seen Brittany anywhere?" Tiffany questioned as she looked to her nails, "She was suppose to meet early to go over a dance routine." 

"No, I haven't seen her." Hannah glanced to the blonde woman and then turned her attention back to the book in front of her. 

At first, when Hannah had started working, there were a few girls that felt extremely threatened according to Tamilia, so they were incredibly catty towards her, but after a while, most of the women had grown to like the dark haired woman. A couple of the women had even taught Hannah how to dance so she could make a little extra cash a couple of nights a week which had helped her catch up on bills, and was now able to live comfortably without worrying. 

"Are you dancing tonight or bartending?" Tiffany questioned. 

"Just bartending." Hannah replied not taking her eyes off the book as she answered, completely missing Tyrone and two unfamiliar faces walking into the bar room. 

"Tiffany. Hannah." Tyrone spoke. 

Hannah still didn't bother taking her eyes off the book as she greeted her friend, "Hey Ty...still waiting on the delivery." Hannah stated as she flipped the page. 

"She's got final exams coming up..." Tyrone's explanation had the woman lifting her head and noticed the older gentleman with silver hair and piercing blue eyes, noticing the police badge displayed on his hip, and then the other man who was African American and rather tall, with the same badge on display, "These men have some questions for you, don't be a hassle Tiffany." Tyrone explained, "I'm gonna go call everyone in..." Tyrone added and Hannah furrowed her eyebrows at the sight of Tyrone's face noticing that something was extremely wrong. 

"I'm Sargent Hank Voight, this is Detective Kevin Atwater..." The older man introduced himself and his co-worker. 

"I'm Hannah..." Hannah spoke gently, looking down to her book to mark the page before shutting it and looking to the Sargent, "Is everything okay?" Hannah questioned. 

"We were wondering when the last time Brittany Lincoln was seen?" Hank questioned as the Detective took Tiffany a few feet away at a table. 

"Uhm..." Hannah thought for a moment, "I wasn't here last night, but I think she was scheduled to work, so the last time I saw her was Wednesday evening." Hannah explained, "Is she okay?" Hannah questioned quietly.

"Unfortunately no. She was murdered last night." 

"Oh my god..." Hannah frowned deeply. 

"Has there been anyone who has shown particular interest in Brittney while she has been here? Has she mentioned anything about a boyfriend, problems she was having with someone?" Hank questioned. 

Hank Voight had been under a lot of stress with three murdered women who had ties to local strip clubs that had shown up across Chicago within the last week. The bodies had been tortured and assaulted, so Voight realized quickly there was a serial killer on the loose and he needed to get ahead of the person doing this. He had split the team to check all three backgrounds of the women, and when he walked into Links Club, he did not expect to see the dark haired woman behind the bar studying. He especially did not expect to stumble over her beauty and the instant pull he had towards her. 

The man noticed that the woman was wearing a pair of jeans and a white t-shirt with her dark hair tied into a messy bun on the top of her head. He had to clear his throat for a moment when Hannah began to speak again. 

"No, I wasn't really that close with her to know details of her personal life. She was sort of private when it came to that stuff, not wanting to mix work with her personal life." Hannah cringed when Tiffany began to sob, feeling like she wasn't close enough with Brittany to have that sort of reaction, "Brittany hung out with Tamila a lot I think and a new girl that just started here, uhm..Candace." Hannah pointed out, "They might know more than I do about any of that." 

Hank gave a nod in understanding, jotting down the names that Hannah had given to him, "Has there been any issues here at work?" Hank questioned. 

"I mean not that I've noticed. Tyrone tries to keep me at the bar as much as he can unless one of the girls doesn't show up, but I haven't seen anything out of the ordinary and no one has really said anything." Hannah explained trying to think back of the past couple of weeks. 

"If you can think of anything else, please, don't hestiate to call." Hank stated, handing her his business card and taking a pen from the bar counter and scribbling down his personal cell phone number on the back. 

Hank wasn't quite sure what had possessed him to write down his personal number, but he had decided to just go with it as he excused himself to speak with Tyrone in his office. 

Hannah looked to the card and slipped the paper into her back pocket. Her mind was replaying every night she had worked, wondering if she had overlooked something. It was hard to tell because the bouncers were extremely good on keeping the women protected from men who had drank too much and got a little too handsy, then she remembered that she had taken the trash out and saw Brittany in an argument with a new bouncer that was around their age. Making her way out from behind the bar, Hannah headed towards Tyrone's office. 

"Look, we have reason to believe that there is a serial killer targeting dancers. We've had three  women's bodies come up within the past week." Hannah frowned at Voight's voice and gently knocked on the door. 

"What is it Hannah?" Tyrone questioned as the woman opened the door a little. 

"I uh...I just remembered I saw Brittany and that new bouncer arguing outside Wednesday night." Hannah explained looking to Voight, "I didn't think anything of it because Brittany gets a little crabby the later it gets, but I just found it odd because he's sort of distant and cold, unlike the other guys." Hannah stated. 

"Can you get me any information you have on file of this guy?" Hank questioned to Tyrone. 

"Yeah, absolutely." Tyrone answered opening his desk drawer, "He is suppose to be at work tonight." Tyrone replied handing Voight the file. 

"Look, we are going to have to people a couple of people undercover here. We have zero leads on what this person's motives are, what their next move is going to be." Hank explained and Tyrone nodded his head in understanding. 

"Whatever you guys need, we are more than willing to help as much as we can." Tyrone stated. 

Hannah stood awkwardly for a moment, realizing the severity of the situation that was happening in Chicago, feeling so badly about the women who lost their lives. What she didn't realize was how much her life would be changing moving forward now that Hank Voight had entered her life.

[gerec]

Fantasy AU - Charles/Jean

So I started a number of fics that I never finished in time for Rare Pairs Fest, which I’m sort of bummed about because I liked the prompts a lot and the ideas that were starting to form; I just couldn’t quite find the motivation to get them to completion ugh. But I’ve decided to post what I have written of these stories so far, in the hopes that sending it out into wide world might get the Muse excited about picking them up again lol.

Pairing: Jean/Charles, implied Erik/Charles, implied Erik/Raven Warning: Non graphic (non sexual) violence towards an underage character 

@lachatblanche‘s Prompt: Charles and Jean have always had a very special relationship, ever since she was young. No matter what happened or who passed in and out of their lives, that bond has always remained strong and unbroken.

Nothing has ever come between them. And, if Jean has her way, nothing ever will ...

Note: The tenses are a little wonky here but it would all get cleaned up in a final edit if I wrote more. :D

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Green, they say, is a fitting choice for a bride, representing harmony, and renewal, and the freshness of Spring.

Blue, they say, is an apt pick for the soon-to-be-Queen, to rule at the King’s side bathed in his colors. 

Instead it’s the color red that Jean chooses for this long awaited day, the hue of blood, and of fire, and the sacrifices made along the way.

x

Jean understood that she had a different life once, with a mother and father who loved her, and who did their best to dote on their only daughter. Theirs was a poor but relatively happy existence, in a mud-caked village with a long forgotten name. She could still recall vague snippets of their life together on that farm; her father tending the sheep while her mother worked the loom, and days spent growing herbs and tomatoes in their tiny garden.

And then one day, her powers came, and everything she’d ever known changed in an instant.

“Those are good memories, Jean,” Charles had told her once, after she woke up in tears, crying desperately for parents who were long gone and buried. “It’s alright to hold on to them, and leave the other ones behind.”

But she would never let herself forget, even if she could; the weird angle of her mother’s broken neck, her limp body thrown clear of their overturned cart. Her father’s tear stained face as he cried out to the heavens, calling Jean ‘a wretched witch’ for killing his beloved wife. The villagers’ mocking words as they dragged her eight year old self, kicking and screaming to the pyre, tying her to the stake.

Her father turning away without a word, as they set the wood beneath her ablaze.  

She had called out for him then, and also for God; for someone, please anyone, to save her from a horrific fate. Instead they all stood by and did nothing, too afraid to show a little girl either mercy or restraint. It was their hatred, and their terror that stoked the sleeping fire at her core, unleashing the devastation that would engulf everything in its wake.  

They found her alone and unharmed on top of the pyre, and the entire village around her reduced to nothing but ashes.

It was his face that she saw when she first opened her eyes, and his brilliant mind that reached out to welcome her in. He looked upon Jean with tender kindness and care, without the judgement of those who had known her all her young life. The relief she felt brought fresh tears to her eyes, for no one – not even her own parents – ever understood what she was, or loved her as he did without fear or reservation.

Don’t be afraid, Jean, he said in her head, as strong arms cradled her gently against his breastplate. I’ve got you now, darling girl, and I promise you’ll be safe. No one will ever hurt you again, I swear it.  

Please, she answered, and it was so easy talking this way, without the wasteful inaccuracy of the spoken word. Can I go with you, wherever you live? They don’t want me here…and my father…

Can’t hurt you anymore, he said, his inner voice rough with feeling, brimming with such hurt and anger for the evils of men. She knew that his name was Charles, and he was searching for more people like them, with special gifts that were unappreciated, and often misunderstood. I would have you stay with me as long as you wish, he whispered in her head. Be my family, Jean, and I’ll be there for you, always.

I’ll stay with you forever, Jean vowed, with every fiber of her being. I’ll always be by your side.

x

She finds him awake in his room late into the night, bottles tipped over on the table and strewn carelessly on the floor. He’s been crying, his eyes rimmed red and shot through with blood, body huddled in a ball on his four poster bed. Jean wants to weep too, seeing him suffer like this, watching him crumble under the weight of such utter betrayal.

It’s a relief that he doesn’t realize the truth of it; that it was three people and not two, that has hurt and deceived him.

“How could this have happened?” Charles asks, eyeing the bottle in his hand, speaking not to Jean but to the quiet of his half empty quarters. “Why didn’t I see it when it was right in front of me?”

Once, he would have seen clearly through Jean’s calm exterior, plucking the gnawing guilt from her thoughts as easily as ripe fruit from a tree. He would see both the conflict and the shame, and catch the barest hint of remorse, hidden behind a wall of steadfast determination. He would see the motive behind all of Jean’s lies and machinations, and know that she did it for him; to protect him from those who would do him the most harm.

“Shh,” Jean says instead, folding him tenderly into her arms, a reversal of roles to the many nights he held her close and chased away the bad dreams. “It wasn’t your fault, Charles. Never yours.”

“I just can’t believe—” He shudders as Jean rubs his back soothingly, resting his head in the crook of her neck. “My sister…and Erik…how could they, Jean? Why?”

His mind is a maelstrom of confusion and pain, his shields non-existent – safe in the presence of the only one left he can trust. There are others of course, like Hank and Ororo, and even the Summers brothers Alex and Scott; but none he loves as he’s always loved Jean, who shares both his vision for peace and his formidable power.      

“I have no answer for you,” she says, because she knows he doesn’t truly want one, no matter his words. “And certainly none that will make things right.” She strokes his hair from his forehead and kisses him gently, and lays them both carefully onto the bed. “But you still have me, Charles, and I swear to you – I’ll never leave you, not now. Not ever.”

He smiles, and brushes her cheek with his fingers, and does not stop when she takes his hand and presses it against her breast.

“You’re so very beautiful, my darling girl,” he murmurs, stroking her long auburn hair, eyes filled with an ocean of unearned grief and pain. “We mustn’t. It’s not right,” he adds, after Jean kisses him, slowly, gently, coaxing his mouth open as he lies helpless in her embrace.

But Charles is drunk, and Jean is a girl no longer, and everything that happens next is as inevitable as the sunrise.