We Live Forever

Chapter 18: Goodbye, my love

Crimson's POV:

The tremor in Hank's hand has increased a noticeable amount. I give it a reassuring squeeze and watch him in the corner of my eye. 

Both of Hank's parents sit down at the table and look expectantly at Hank. He finally breaks the awkward silence. 

"Mom, Dad, this is my wife Crimson."

"Crimson? As in the color? That's hardly a refined name..."

I shallow the myriad of curse words that wish to escape my mouth and instead give a polite nod and smile. 

"Henry, you were just about to tell us where you have been."

"Was I?"

I nearly spat out my overpriced wine in shock over my husband's boldness. 

"Yes, Henry, you were."

The firm tone of Norton McCoy was enough to strike fear into our hearts. Hank sighed and started to explain himself.

"I work at a school-"

"A school? Not a university?"

"That is correct. A school for mutant children-"

"WHAT!?" Both of his parents exclaimed rising from their seats. 

"I use my talents to help mutant children."

"You associate yourselves with those monsters!?"

"They're children!"

"They're monsters! Just like you!"

I reached my boiling point and rose from my seat, pulling Hank up with me. 

"You have no right to speak to my husband that way," I spoke trying to not let my fear slip into my voice. 

"Oh, shut up you whore"

I felt Hank's hand grow in my hand and frankly, I didn't exactly want to stop him. 

"Don't you fucking dare," Hank practically growled, enunciating each word. 

"Don't speak to your mother like that."

"We go and work at this school and we help these innocent, scared, little kids who are terrified of themselves. TERRIFIED of what they can do. And we help them, we guide them, we make sure that we're the only ones who can get hurt by these kids."

This information seemed to catch them off guard. An expression momentarily crossed their faces. Care? Concern? Pity? Fear? Whatever it was Hank didn't notice it. He continued to steamroll them with words that had clearly been building up for quite a long time. 

"What the fuck do you do? Help the fucking government? Build weapons of fucking war? Don't act like you're a saint when you have the blood of thousands of innocent people coating your hands!"

"Get the hell out of this house Henry, and take that bitch with you."

"No."

"Do you want me to call the cops on you?"

"You wouldn't do that. Me in prison would ruin your perfect reputation."

"They can always take your wife."

"Crimson is a McCoy."

"So you're just giving away our name to any slut who gives you some attention Henry, is that it?"

Big mistake. Hank gave in and fully transformed into his beast form. His parents screamed and backed up until they were flat against the wall. 

"Only you could find a way to become more of a monster."