Halex/McSummers Prompts

Chapter Thirty Eight

Chapter Thirty Eight:

"I should've told you back then, but I didn't want you to leave." -Hank McCoy

Alex sighs as he steps out of the car and stares at the mansion. It's been so long since he last been here. Just the sight wants him to turn and run the other way. He will always know it was his home after he was freed from prison but this place is in his past now. He doesn't want to visit the past again, too many memories that are too bitter and some good that he doesn't want to remember anymore.

"Alex, are we here? Why have we stopped?" Scott asks still in the passenger seat.

Right, this isn't about him. This is about Scott, his younger brother. "Don't worry Scott. We're here, let me help you." He says as he opens the door for him and gently guides him to the front door. Each step as him feeling more and more anxious but he reminds himself this was for Scott. It doesn't matter what he thinks, it matters that Scott gets the help he needs.

There is a lot more people than he remembers. People Scott's age and Alex was internally grateful that at least Scott can make friends with mutants who are more his age. Alex wasn't planning on staying once he gets Scott settled.

No, he was going to go back to his shitty apartment and be alone like he should be. It was safer for people and for himself. Plagued with flashbacks from Vietnam and nightmares when he was young and back in prison. Waking up violently with his chest glowing red and covered in sweat. He had stopped sleeping in shirts, too many were being burnt to a crisp and he couldn't afford buying new ones each week.

"Are you sure this is a good idea?" Scott asks nervously. Alex grips tighter onto his brother's shoulders as he forces a smile onto his face even though their was a blindfold over Scott's eyes. "Yeah, trust me Charles will help you. He helped me with my mutation, he can help with yours." He reassures his brother and he curses as he tries to remember the way to Charles office.

His memories are still blurry. Not sure what memories are real and what are fake.

"Alex?" The blond stops when he hears his name as he turns to see Hank in his normal form. His old form, what the hell happened to Beast? "Hank? What happened to Beast?" He asks and ignores the ache that forms in his chest as he avoids eye contact with the brunet. He can't look at him, not anymore. He doesn't want his heart fooled again and to be played with again. "Oh, I uh figured out how to change back. It's only temporarily but it helps from scaring the younger kids."

"Bullshit." He snaps before guiding his brother the rest of the way to Charles office. "Who was that?" Scott asks, god why is his younger brother so nosy? "No one important." He says, hoping his brother hasn't already figured it out. "Right." Scott says knowing his older brother was lying but letting it slide. Thankfully his brother knew better than to pressure him into telling the truth.

"And here we are, now warning you Charles is a telepath and he doesn't know how to stay out of your head so tell him to keep out of your head and he will listen." Alex warns before knocking onto the door. The door opens and another student walks out of the office before Charles called them in. "Alex, it's been such a long time." Charles says smiling as he wheels over to where they are.

"Sorry it took me so long to come visit." He says as he kneels down to accept Charles hug. He could tell the man was displeased with the fact that Alex wasn't staying but Alex knew he understood. "You are always welcomed here. Your old room is still here when you decide to stay." He remind the blond and Alex avoids his eyes as he mentally block Charles from going through his thoughts.

"Now, tell me who this young man is." He says and Alex gently grabs Scott's shoulder. "This is my younger brother Scott. He has the same mutation as me but it comes out of his eyes instead." Alex supplies. "Hi, it's great to meet you." Scott says and Charles chuckles as he shakes his head. "Don't worry, I won't go into your thoughts. I need your permission to." He says and Alex smiles. "Now how about you take a seat, we have a lot to talk about. Alex, I believe Hank is outside waiting for you." The man says and Alex grits his jaw as he lets out a breath and give him a nod.