Beauty and the Bozo

Part 3

More months passed, and Hank was fully positive of two things. 1. He had found a way to give Alex his sight back, and 2. Henry Phillip McCoy (codename: Beast) was completely head over heels in love with Alexander Summers (codename: Havok).

After all this time, he still couldn't believe how much one person meant to him. Alex may not be a genius like himself or Charles, but he had his own intelligence that was just as unique as he was. His attitude and ability to see the world without actual sight also drew Hank to the blind man. He made Hank feel alive again in a way that he hadn't been since his parent's car accident. But what really surprised Hank about all of this was that Alex felt the same way. Alex, who could be friends with anyone, chose Hank of all people. It made him feel special. The good kind of special, not the "special" way he was treated by bullies throughout his life before his bulky transformation.

It had only been six months since he first met Alex, but he knew he never wanted to be without him ever again. He'd talked with Logan about that, and he explained he felt like that because that was the animal in him being released. "When I first saw Scott, I felt this sort of draw to him," Logan explained. "It took a lot of talks with the Professor and a lot of time in order for me to accept that I was attracted to Scott. After that, it was fine. You have to make peace with your animalistic side, Hank. Otherwise, one day, it'll become your only side. Like Sabretooth. You do not want to be like him."

And it took a lot of talking (mostly with Raven) and some scientific journals about the idea ("shut up, Sean, they are not diares!") for him to find his peace with that. And he had... for the most part. Hank smiled slightly as he entered the clinic. Today was the day he would be showing Alec his findings. According to the information he had gathered, it would only take a four-hour surgery in order to completely fix Alex's sight. "Hello, Alec," Hank greeted once he entered the office.

"Good morning, Hank. You brought the data?" Alec asked.

"Of course. I want you to check it over before we prepare for the operation," Hank says.

"Okay then. Let's get started," Alec says, smiling.

Three hours and two hungry scientists later, both Hank and Alec came to the conclusion that the operation would take place tomorrow. Hank felt pride that Alex would be able to see the world by tomorrow afternoon. He was also nervous about Alex's reaction to his blue form. Alex had said many times that he didn't care about Hank's appearance (and touched him as often as possible to prove this), but saying it was different than actually seeing. "You did it, Hank," Alec said, clapping Beast on the shoulder.

Hank casually shrugs off the praise. "We did it, Alec. The progress of medical science, much like the construction of a great cathedral, is the work of many hands. And I would hold your praises until the treatment has proven effective on humans."

Alec laughed. "Whatever you say, my friend. Should we go tell the patient the good news?"

Hank nodded in agreement, though perhaps he did so too quickly because Alec gave him an odd look. He looked away, not wanting to embarrass himself. "Yes. Alex should hear the good news." They were quiet as they left the office and headed over to Alex's room.

When Dr. Bolson opened the door, Alex was sitting in his corner listening to music. Like always, he paused in his "jam session" when the door opened. He took off his headphones. "Hello?"

"Its Dr. Bolson, Alex."

"Hey, Doc. Is Hank with you?" Alex asked immediately.

Hank blushed slightly at the question. "I thought you could smell my aftershave," he quipped.

Alex smiled. "Hey, bozo." Alex stood up and walked towards the sound of Hank's voice. The doctor managed to move forward quickly before Alex could trip over anything. Sometimes the blonde made really stupid decisions. He was only a step away when Alex managed to find the one freakin' crack in the room and trip over it, falling into Hank's chest. Hank didn't mind the extra weight leaning against him, only concerned about Alex's safety. "Wow," Alex said, lifting his face from Hank's chest, "you're really firm." Hank blushes more, feeling the heat radiate off his face. Alex's hands are planted firmly on his chest, looking up at Hank even though he can't see him.

"The experiments were a success," Hank blurts, "We can probably perform the procedure tomorrow."

Alex stares at him with sightless eyes. "What?"

"You'll be able to see again, Alex," Hank murmurs, stroking soothing hands up and down Alex's back. "You can see Scott again, see Dr. Bolson... see me."

Alex reached up to touch Hank's furry cheek. "I can't wait to see you," Alex murmurs.

Hank leaned into the touch. "You may not be so glad once you see the beast," he responds.

Alex shakes his head. "How many times do I have to tell you, I don't care what you look like. Once I can see again, I can't wait to prove it to you."

Hank was about to respond when an explosion shook the building. Alec went to go investigate when Hank had a feeling that this was not about the patients, but the doctors— more specifically, Hank. "Alec, shut the door." When the door opened, red smoke poured in. Hank quickly shut the door, pulling Alec from it, trying to get him to breathe non-toxic air.

"What is it?" Alex asked urgently as Hank walked Alec to the other side of the room, opening the window. "Hank, tell me what the hell is going on!"

Hank ignored Alex's questions, picking the mutant up bridal-style. "Its alright; I'm right here," he soothed, moving to the window and jumping out.

Alex rolled his sightless eyes. "Thanks for the reassurance, Bigfoot." Hank smiled a little, knowing Alex was alright. He set him down, jumping back through the window to collect Alec. "Hank?" he heard Alex call. "Hank?!" again, just as he landed. He reached out for the other mutant, breathing a sigh of relief when he touched familiar fur. "You're alright."

"I'm alright. The important thing is that you are too," Hank replies before picking up Alex again.

Alex goes easily, seemingly melting into Hank's chest. "You really like showing off your strength, don't you tough guy?" he asks Hank, enjoying the warm feeling of Hank's heat seeping into his own.

Hank smiles at the gest. "Only with you, Alex," he mutters, keeping it quiet enough so the other can't hear him. He starts jogging towards the front of the building, going slow so Alec could keep up with him. When they reached the front, he found the culprits behind the attack: Friends of Humanity, with its leader guiding them, Graydon Creed. He wanted to snarl at the anti-mutant hater. He made the most ferocious mutants look like the most peaceful humans.

"There he is! Henry McCoy, President Kelly's favorite mutant, holding a human boy!" Yes, because you discriminate me for my looks but not my sexual orientation, Hank thought, irked. "Get his filth away from him!" His followers all shouted in agreement as the FOH soldiers came forward, planning on attacking Hank.

Hank, not wanting to be responsible for Alex getting harmed, set him down next to Alec. "Get him out of here!" Hank told Alec, turning back towards the crowd.

"No, Hank, don't! Please, I don't want you to get hurt," Alex pleaded, reaching to grab onto Hank's arm. Hank shrugged him off, and Alex was lead away by Alec.

Now that the person he cared about was safe, Hank turned back to the mutant-hating crowd. Mutant! one of the crowd members shouted. "Yes, I am. Perhaps you self-appointed social engineers don't realize the crucial role mutation plays in species evolution." Get him! another protester yelled. The men rushed him, and Hank let his animal instincts set in, picking up the first two men by their shirts. "I'm sorry, gentlemen, your anger at the inexorable alienation of late twentieth century attitudes is sadly misdirected." The two men looked terrified as he threw them into the others, knocking them back onto the grass.

Suddenly sirens wailed through the air. "The cops!" yelled one of the men Hank threw. Suddenly they all scrambled from the scene as fire and police trucks pulled up. Hank looked back to the clinic. This is why I shouldn't have left the mansion, Hank thought sadly as he ran away. He went to an abandoned building a few blocks from the clinic, hiding there until he was sure it was safe to return to the mansion. Forgive me, Alex, Hank thought sadly.