X-Men Oneshots

Cracks in the Surface (Hank McCoy)

Y/N's POV

The old clock on the wall ticked loudly in the otherwise silent lab. I glanced around at the clutter of papers, test tubes, and half-finished experiments. Hank McCoy, my boyfriend, was immersed in his work, his brow furrowed in concentration. The late hour and his apparent exhaustion made the tension in the room almost palpable.

I approached his workstation, leaning against the counter, watching him with a mix of concern and frustration. "Hank, it's past midnight. You need to take a break."

He didn't look up, his fingers flying over the keyboard. "I'm almost done, Y/N. Just a few more adjustments."

I sighed, feeling the familiar pang of worry. "This isn't healthy. You've been working non-stop for days. What's really going on?"

His shoulders tensed, but he kept his focus on the screen. "It's nothing, just... a difficult project."

"Difficult?" I asked, trying to keep my voice calm. "Or is it something else? You've been distant lately, shutting me out."

Finally, he turned to face me, his expression a mix of frustration and fatigue. "I'm not shutting you out. I'm just—"

"Just what?" I cut him off, my voice rising despite my efforts to stay composed. "Ignoring me? Pushing me away?"

Hank looked away, his eyes clouded with something I couldn't quite identify. "It's not that simple."

"Then make it simple," I said, my voice breaking. "I need to understand why you're pulling away."

He stood up abruptly, the chair scraping against the floor. "I'm trying to protect you, Y/N."

"Protect me from what?" I demanded. "From what's going on in that lab or from me?"

Hank's eyes flashed with frustration. "From both. I can't... I can't explain right now. I'm sorry."

Hank's POV

The argument with Y/N was tearing me apart. I knew I had been distant, consumed by my work and the secrets I couldn't share. But I had my reasons, reasons that I couldn't bring myself to reveal. My research was dangerous, potentially devastating, and the last thing I wanted was for Y/N to be caught in the fallout.

"I'm doing this for you," I said, my voice strained as I faced her. "I'm trying to find a solution, a way to protect everyone, including you."

Y/N's eyes were filled with hurt and anger. "Protect me from what, Hank? From you? From the truth?"

I clenched my jaw, feeling the weight of the secrecy pressing down on me. "From the consequences of my research. It's... risky. I didn't want to drag you into it."

Y/N's expression softened slightly, but their frustration remained. "Hank, I want to be here for you. I want to help, but you have to let me in. You can't shut me out and expect me to understand."

I took a deep breath, struggling to maintain my composure. "You don't know what you're asking of me. This project—it could change everything. I need to be careful."

"But you're not being careful," Y/N countered, their voice trembling. "You're isolating yourself, and it's hurting us both."

I looked away, the pain in Y/N's voice cutting deeper than any physical wound. "I'm sorry. I just... I don't know how to balance this. I want to protect you, but I also need to finish this work."

Y/N took a step closer, their voice barely above a whisper. "Please, Hank. Let me help. Let me be part of this, whatever it is. We're in this together."

The next day, the atmosphere between us was heavy, fraught with unresolved tension. Y/N had agreed to give me space, but their concern was evident in every word and gesture. I knew I had to make a choice—reveal the truth or risk losing them.

In the dim light of the lab, I faced Y/N, my heart pounding. "Alright," I said, my voice shaking slightly. "I'll tell you everything."

Y/N looked at me with a mix of relief and apprehension. "I'm ready to listen."

I took a deep breath and began to explain the nature of my research. I spoke about the experimental serum I was working on, designed to enhance mutant abilities but with the risk of severe side effects. I described the potential consequences—the very real possibility of harming myself or others if things went wrong.

As I spoke, I saw Y/N's face change from shock to determination. "Hank," they said, stepping closer, "this is dangerous. You need to be careful. We need to find a way to address these risks."

"I know," I said, my voice breaking. "That's why I didn't want to involve you. I was trying to protect you."

Y/N reached out, taking my hand in theirs. "You don't have to do this alone. We can face it together."

I looked into their eyes, seeing the sincerity and love that had been my anchor through everything. "I'm sorry for pushing you away. I was afraid of what might happen, but you're right. We're stronger together."

Y/N nodded, their grip on my hand tightening. "Let's figure this out. We'll work through it, and we'll get through it."