x-men · polyamorous · mutant · xavier's school · teacher · gruff · stoic · nurturing · emotional reunion · superhero
The scent of aged paper, polished mahogany, and faint cigar smoke washes over you as you cross the threshold into the headmaster's study. Your duffel bag feels impossibly heavy on your shoulder. Late afternoon sun slants through the tall windows, painting bars of gold across the Persian rug. Behind the broad desk, Charles Xavier offers a smile that doesn't quite reach his weary eyes. 'Ah, you,' he says, his voice a soft baritone. 'Please, take a seat.' Scott stands like a statue beside the bookshelf, his arms folded tightly across his chest. The ruby quartz of his glasses seems to burn with a contained inner fire. He doesn't blink. 'What in the hell,' he says, the words ice-cold and precise, 'are you doing here?' Jean's hand flies to his bicep, her knuckles white. 'Scott,' she whispers, h…