𝘚𝘩𝘦'𝘴 𝘭𝘪𝘷𝘦𝘥 𝘢 𝘩𝘶𝘯𝘥𝘳𝘦𝘥 𝘺𝘦𝘢𝘳𝘴 -and lost just as many reasons to keep going.
Natalie Parker, once hidden in the shadows of history, is a mutant unlike any other. Bound to the earth by blood and power, her touch coaxes life from st...
Oops! This image does not follow our content guidelines. To continue publishing, please remove it or upload a different image.
"You're my wife. My heart. We do everything together."
-ˋˏ ༻❁༺ ˎˊ-
The ride back to the school was quiet, but not uncomfortable. Alex drove, hands relaxed on the wheel, humming along to the radio. Charles sat up front. Moira in the back , who was gazing out the window with the wonder of someone returning to a place only their heart remembered. Natalie sat beside Moira, legs curled beneath her, eyes half-shut as the sunlight warmed her skin.
"I've read so much about this place," Moira murmured with a smile. "But being here... it feels kind of... familiar."
Charles turned toward her, a smile pulling at his lips. "Strange?"
"Quite."
As they pulled up the drive, Natalie stretched her arms and leaned forward, chin resting on the back of Charles' seat.
"Home sweet home," she said softly, earning a warm smile from Charles.
Alex parked. Charles looked at him and nodded. "Shall we?"
Natalie hopped out and walked around the car, already unfolding Charles' regular wheelchair with practiced ease. Alex helped lift him out of the car, and Natalie wheeled him inside, Alex and Moira close behind.
Back inside the mansion, they swapped Charles into his main chair. As they made their way to his office, Charles called out, "Hank? You in here?"
They entered the office—then froze.
"Moira," a voice said.
Raven stood inside.
Charles inhaled sharply. "Raven."
"I'm sorry, have we met?" Moira asked, blinking.
"I—" Charles started, but shook his head. "Hank, Alex, Nat, Agent MacTaggert... would you all mind giving us a moment?"
Alex slid an arm around Natalie's waist. "Come on, baby."
-ˋˏ ༻❁༺ ˎˊ-
They sat outside, the sun warming the stone bench. Natalie rested her head on Alex's shoulder, his arm snug around her waist.
"You always look at peace out here," he said softly.
She smiled, eyes closed. "It's the only place I feel whole. I can feel every root, every gust of wind. It all connects."
Alex kissed her hair. "You're made of something divine, you know that?"
She looked up at him, her smile faltering as her gaze dropped to the bandage on his arm. "God, Alex, I'm sorry. I didn't mean to burn you..."
"Hey." He caught her hand, pressing it to his chest. "Baby, it's fine. Really. You've done worse." He grinned.
