Imagine Book 2

Control and Release- Scott Summers (X-Men 2000)

Fem Y/N

The late afternoon sun cast long shadows through the windows of Xavier's School for Gifted Youngsters, painting golden stripes across empty hallways that still echoed with the day's lessons. Scott Summers stood in his classroom, methodically erasing equations from the whiteboard. Physics wasn't always the most exciting subject for young mutants eager to master their powers, but he took pride in teaching them the foundations of how the world worked – especially since understanding physics often helped them better control their abilities.

Control. His thoughts drifted to Y/N, as they often did these days. She taught Psychology and Meditation three doors down, helping students understand their minds and emotions – particularly crucial for those whose powers were tied to their mental state. Her own mutation, the ability to tap into a feral state of consciousness, made her uniquely qualified. Scott had watched her demonstrate it once during a training session: the way her eyes had shifted, movements becoming fluid and predatory, yet never losing that essential spark of humanity that made her her.

What amazed him most wasn't the raw power she commanded in that state, but rather how seamlessly she could slip in and out of it. Unlike his own mutation, which required constant vigilance and mechanical assistance to contain, she had achieved mastery through pure mental discipline. It was beautiful to watch, like a dance between civilization and wilderness, reason and instinct.

Finishing with the whiteboard, Scott gathered his papers and stepped into the hall. As he passed by the meditation garden, movement caught his eye through the glass doors. Y/N sat cross-legged on a cushion in the centre of the space, her back straight, hands resting loosely in her lap. The setting sun highlighted copper and gold threads in her hair, and her expression was one of perfect serenity.

He didn't mean to stare, but found himself frozen in place, watching the slow rise and fall of her breathing. She was so still, yet he could sense the power contained within that stillness – like a calm lake that could, at any moment, transform into a raging storm.

Without opening her eyes, Y/N's lips curved into a slight smile. "You know," she said, her voice carrying clearly through the glass, "you could join me instead of just watching."

Scott felt heat rise to his cheeks, grateful not for the first time that his eyes were hidden behind his visor. He hesitated only a moment before sliding open the door and stepping into the garden. The air was different here – cooler, heavy with the scent of herbs and flowers that the students tended as part of their meditation practice.

"I don't want to interrupt," he said, but Y/N shook her head.

"You're not interrupting anything. Besides," she opened her eyes, fixing him with a knowing look, "you could use this. I can practically feel the tension radiating off you sometimes, Scott."

He chuckled softly. "That obvious, huh?"

"To someone who specializes in reading mental and emotional states? Yes." She patted the cushion next to her. "Sit. Let me help."

Scott lowered himself onto the cushion and placed the papers he was going to grade beside him, feeling somewhat awkward. He was used to being in control, to leading, to knowing exactly what to do next. This was Y/N's domain.

"Close your eyes," she instructed.

"I can't—" he started automatically, but she cut him off gently.

"Yes, you can. Nothing can happen to you in here, we're safe, there's no threats. You know this, Scott. That's the anxiety talking – the need to maintain control even when it's not necessary." Her voice was soft but firm. "Trust me."