...
Third Person P.O.V.
"You are full of shit, Eidolon." Jubilee says with a laugh "No way that is normal."
"Yep, especially that rolling thing." Jean also laughs "I'm dizzy just by imagining the centrifugal force and how to maneuver."
Standing in front of the residents of the X-Mansion, Eidolon shakes his head disappointingly. He is already out of Spyke's body. "Your lack of faith is disturbing."
"Okay, Darth Vader…" Kitty scoffs
"I'm telling you all that is possible." Eidolon stands his ground. "It's extreme, but possible. Especially when you consider that in the future, technology will be able to help us with enhancements, for example. Serums, support devices… The future versions of yourselves are stronger than you guys can imagine. But you will only reach that level if you put a lot of effort into that."
"Then do me next." Kitty challenges, curious to see what Eidolon can do with her body.
"I already taught you some tricks, remember? The right frequency to attack someone's inner ear and how to use intangibility with weapons." Eidolon says, and to illustrate that, suddenly, he has a stick in his hand that he points at Spyke.
Very slowly, he stabs Spyke, and the teen meta simply put his forearm to defend himself, but the stick went through his forearm and touched Spyke's torso. He showcases how her attacks can be indefensible.
"See? With experience, you will become untouchable, and if you are willing, you can even pull someone's heart from their body." The hero shrugs and puts the stick away
"I don't know if I want to do that last part."
"Whatever, what I'm trying to say is that your guy's mind can also be hindering your potential. You say that what I did is impossible, but I just did it." He remembered how Emma Frost used Iceman's powers better than the man himself. "Before deciding that something is impossible, try it first. Sometimes is only impossible in your head." The hero taps his index finger on his temple
"I still think you are full of bullshit." Jubilee exclaims "So are you saying that my little fireworks can what? One day, have the power of a nuke or something? Haha" She laughs at the absurdity of what she just said.
But Eidolon didn't laugh. "Yes."
"...bullshit."
"I'm saying… Your power indeed has the potential to detonate matter at the subatomic level.". The hero nods seriously.
"..." Jubilee's jaws fall.
Eidolon is also not lying; he remembers that Gambit and Jubilee's seemingly simple explosive powers have a lot of potential.
"I mean, not safe to try for now… One of my worries is that, while we are in this period of transition to the day everyone will be a meta, many mets are born without good control and defenses over their own powers. So, do not try for now, but I would advise studying it till the day I can make the serum available." Eidolon then turns to Hank McCoy "You guys do experiments to discover the principles behind your powers, right? You all should put it in the syllabus."
"We indeed studied the origin and principles of all the students' powers, but we have limited resources. When everyone is so unique, it's impossible to have the necessary equipment to understand everything." The Beast sighs "And let's not talk about the more abstract abilities."
"Hmm~" Eidolon holds his chin between his fingers. "Maybe I can help you all with that. Developing an all-purpose analyzing machine or something like that…"
He can do it by himself, but that is not a solution.
"Let's move to your lab, Dr. McCoy. I will give you one of my Meta-Watches, it is a provisional name by the way, while you let me see the files of the students… I can write some information that I noticed."
"That would be excellent."
....
A talk between intelligent people who are willing to listen is always satisfactory. Eidolon and the Beast discussed both the students of the institutes and the possible routes of development that the metas would one day trail.
"Support items?" Dr. McCoy asks curiously
"Yes, a piece of technology that can help a meta to surpass the detriments of their abilities, or even enhance their powers and increase the applications." Eidolon explains "It's like a wheelchair, but specific to every user."
"Like both your Meta-Watch and the one Kurt uses to cast a hologram over his body?"
"Well, more or less… This example of yours is more about conveniently hiding and looking like a human. It goes beyond that, in its simplest application, it would increase the quality of life of a meta… In extreme cases, it would help them in battle. Clothes made of Unstable Molecule Fabric are the more common example."
"Those are indeed incredibly convenient." Dr. McCoy nods "It helps a lot with people with transformation powers."
"A good example of a support item that can be used in battle is the flamethrower that Pyro uses. It's a good way to bypass the limitation of his pyrokinetic abilities." Eidolon points out
"Because he can't create his own fire, right?"
"Yes. Another good example of a support item is Cyclops' visor." Eidolon continues "As much as I would like to distribute the meta-watch to everyone to solve the issue of 'detrimental uncontrollable powers'… You can understand my worries, right? So using those band-aids is the next best thing. And obviously, if we can do things that can increase the battle power of the metas too… All the better. The world is dangerous."
"I can't argue with that logic. Are you suggesting…" Hank McCoy doesn't need to complete his question.
"You and Xavier are the only ones that I can safely say would do this work without a hidden agenda. Eventually, we can bring Magneto's too, maybe even other great minds… But I was thinking about you guys starting to help beyond the Institute. Your students will eventually graduate, right? Will you help stop when they leave this place?"
"Of course not. We would still give our full support, but we really didn't put that much thought into that. Each case is too specific for any consideration to be discussed so soon." Hank explains "We are thinking about a 'wait and see' approach."
"I understand. You guys also have a full plate, I know." Eidolon nods. Few adults to take care of such a large student body. "But now that Magneto stopped with his schemes, and with my help, won't you guys think about expanding? Maybe helping the people in Meta Town. That place can be the next home of a lot of your students, you know?"
"You are absolutely right… No offense, but I heard not-so-flattering things about that neighborhood." Hank says with a sigh "An influx of well-educated and capable individuals will help with the development."
"That is exactly what I was thinking. I'm even organizing to subsidize the education of some of the residents."
"Really? That will make waves…"
"I know. A group of metas going to College, mixing with the 'normal people', it will be a huge step in the ideal future I imagine."
"It will be like Ruby Bridges. The ostracized group entered the space where they are shunned." Hank says with some amazement
"I want to believe that it will be much easier, but yes. Especially with metas with discerning features. People need to start to get used to seeing them all the time… Not only as heroes, but in everyday life." Eidolon says with conviction.
"An ambitious step, but necessary. Eventually, it was bound to happen… But you know, the Professor and I never dared to dream that happen so soon. If it ever happened." The Beast laughs with his eyes distant "I guess you sped up the process, Eidolon."
"That is my job, no more hiding, Hank." Eidolon addresses the doctor with more familiarity "Including you… Don't you think is time the brilliant Dr. Hank McCoy returns from his time away?"
"..." The blue furry man hesitates. He then looks at the watch for a moment before looking straight at Eidolon. "I guess it is indeed time… And not only because now I can go back to looking average. Do you think a three-piece suit would go well with my blue fur?" he asks with amusement flickering in his eyes.
Eidolon laughs "I think it would be very eye-catching. By the way, I am planning a trip where you will not need a three-piece suit… A prehistoric jungle."
...
The hero left Hank McCoy's laboratory, but didn't he leave the right way? He expands his senses to search for two people; luckily, he found the two together in the kitchen.
A Blink away, and he appears on the strange scene of some of the "X-Girls" coughing and wheezing.
"..." He only needs one second of his detective skills to understand the situation.
Dirty dishes in the sink, a half-filled baking pan, mouths full, discarded cupcakes…
"So… Who cooked the biohazard?" Eidolon asks
"Kitty…" Jubilee says while rinsing her mouth at the sink.
"Ah c'mon, it can't be that bad. Eidolon, try it, please." The brown-haired girl offers him some cupcakes that in a plate.
"I would not recommend that." Rogue says
"Kitty can't cook to save her life." Paige shakes her head
"I've eaten better on Limbo." Illyana puts a cupcake away in disgust.
"Don't worry, I'm immune to poison." Eidolon doesn't hesitate to take a cupcake.
"How is he gonna eat?" Jubilee asks, confused, after all, Eidolon never removes his mask. The girls watched with great focus as his black half mask opened in a zig-zagging line, simulating sharp teeth, and Eidolon simply tossed the whole cupcake inside.
For some reason is completely black and no one can see or distinguish anything inside before he closed the "jaw mask" as fast as he opened it.
"Hmm…" He chews with an emotionless noise.
"Damn, dude. I respect you even more now." Jubilee comments after seeing Eidolon simply eat the whole thing in one go.
"So… How is it?" Kitty asks with an unsure expression
"How do you want your answer?" Eidolon asks calmly, not a hint of what he is thinking showing on his face.
"Be honest. I can take it." Kitty says immediately
"Okay… It's bad." He does not sugarcoat it.
"Damn…"
"It is what we are saying…"
"Really?" Kitty looks sad, but Eidolon doesn't try to console or cheer her up.
"Yes, it's bad. I can see that you made a lot of small mistakes that added to this failure… the butter, no sugar in the frosting, and a lot of it on the dough, it's undercooked on the inside too…"
"Oh…" Kitty looks downcast
"Do you want my help? I still have some time…" Eidolon suggests. He is direct and blunt till he is almost rude, but not because he is cruel, au contraire, he is kind enough to always help those who are willing to accept it.
"Really?" Kitty's eyes light up.
"Of course. Go on, remake it, I will be here to correct your mistakes." Eidolon suggests. Then he used his Restoration power and made the cupcakes go back to becoming ingredients
"Now this is a convenient power…" Jean says, impressed
"Right? One of my top ten favorites." He says. He went to Jojo Part 4 basically because of the stand power of Crazy Diamond.
...…
Eidolon did three things at the same time.
While he instructed Kitty in the kitchen, he was also passing some "homework" to Illyana. Telling the younger girls exercises and ways to practice, promising to take her somewhere to showcase her growth.
He also addresses Rogue.
"I hold it for some because I believe in your potential, Rogue. Especially after you absorbed some of my skills." Eidolon shows her a sleek watch.
"Is this?" Rogue's eyes widen. Not only hers, all the girls also focused on the watch on Eidolon's hand. Rogue wanted it, but she was a little embarrassed to ask.
"Yes, but first… Show me your Zetsu."
Eidolon explained Nen to her once, so she easily went and shut down her aura, even without understanding why.
"Go on, touch me…" He extends his arm to her. His suit disappears around his forearm.
"..." Knowing that she would not be able to hurt him in any way with her powers, Rogue complies and removes her gloves before touching Eidolon's muscular forearm. Trying too hard not to act strange.
"As expected, your power is much weaker, almost harmless." Eidolon smiles
"What? Really?" Rogue's green eyes widen in shock
"Yes. Your aura and lifeforce are linked with your power, controlling it, you control your power. So completely shutting down your aurora, the 'leeching' for other people's lifeforce also stops… Obviously is still a physical and biological power. Your skin still has suction power, but to a very minor degree… You will need much better control over your own body and power to turn off your meta-ability completely, Rogue." Eidolon explains his theory, which was just proved right. "The opposite is equally true, by the way. If you flare your aura with Ren, you probably will absorb other people much faster, maybe even being able to insta K.O. even someone like Hulk, Thor, or me, if you really get good at it."
"I really can't see myself doing that…" Rogue says with a self-deprecating laugh
Eidolon sighs and grabs her hand. "You guys really need to stop being like that… You need to let your imagination go wild and then try to keep up with that. If you can't visualize yourself doing something, you are literally failing from the start, and you will become a self-fulfilling prophecy."
The hero then gently puts the black watch around Rogue's wrist. The design was something that would go well with her gothic aesthetic. "Sorry for holding it for so long… I wanted you to grow in your own and see it, you know? See that you are capable of this growth. Don't give up now that you have an easy way." When he first met Rogue, she was a pessimist emo girl, half of her own words were self-pity, and most of her actions denounced how she thought her life was miserable and hopeless.
She thought that she would never be able to touch anyone without killing them, a cruel, eternal punishment that she wouldn't be able to escape. Now is different.
Eidolon's influence changed her. Now he is confident that she can stand on her own two feet.
"Test." He suddenly says and shoves Rogue's hand on Kitty's face
"Kyah!" The brown-haired girl recoils in surprise and fright. "Hm? Oh… Nothing happened… Rogue! Your hands are cold!" Kitty shouts such nonsensical, sudden lines, but it makes complete sense to everyone. Then she jumped Rogue and hugged her friend tightly and without worries for the first time.
The other girls quickly piled up around their goth friend, who looked equally overwhelmed and emotional, still not used to the human touch.
Eidolon watches the touching scene with a little smile; it's for those things that he is here, in this world. "Not gonna join them?" He turns to ask Illyana, the only one who is not participating in the group hug.
"No, that is cringe." She crosses her arms, making Eidolon roll his eyes and grab her head to pull her in aheadlock, his other hand messing her hair.
"Sometimes being cringe is being happy. Don't force yourself to act cool at the price of your happiness." He says while she struggles
"GET-OFF!" She shouts while trying to bite him, but he ignores her gremlin antics, only releasing Illyana when he embarrassed her enough. It's on his right.
"Okay-okay, little imp." He laughs at her disheveled hair. Eidolon also noticed that the emotions of the group of girls subsided a little, so he interrupted "Well, time for me to go… Remove the cupcakes from the oven in ten minutes, Kitty."
"Already? Won't you wait for them to get ready?" Kitty asks, disappointed
"Sorry…" Eidolon mutters apologetically
"Eidolon, wait…" Rogue suddenly says, untangling herself from the group of girls "I want to speak with you about something."
"Now?" The hero pauses
"Yes…" Rogue nods uncharacteristically seriously. The girls around noticed that, and the most perceptible ones started showing a face of shock.
"Fine then… I heard Spyke, I can hear you." Eidolon shrugs "I guess you want to talk in private, too."
"Yes, but is nothing like Spyke's…" Rogue continues with an incredibly serious and stiff expression, her hands tightening with nervousness.
"Okay, let's talk in the garden." Eidolon opens a portal and walks through it, Rogue following him with purposeful and intense steps.
After theta re gone, the shock slowly washes off.
"Okay… is she really gonna do what I think she is about to do?" Kitty says, her eyes still wide in shock.
"I… think so…" Jean answers with hesitation in her voice.
"That… that…" Jubilee doesn't know what to say
"She is gonna be rejected." Illyana says flatly.
....
In the garden, Rogue and Eidolon stop at an isolated place, still visible from the mansion but far enough that not one would listen. Only maybe if they really put an effort into that, that is why Eidolon made sure to use his powers to suppress their voices.
"So… what is it?" Eidolon asks calmly, standing in front of Rogue.
'You know exactly what it is.' Nemesis whispers in his mind. Even if he didn't want to, his senses are showing the signs as clear as day.
But he will play oblivious till he hears it from her mouth and then… He sighs in his mind but keeps a calm and patient expression.
"Ah… Hm, eh…" Rogue looks like she has something stuck in her mouth. She tries to say it, but it doesn't want to come out, then she gets more nervous because of her stuttering, then more nervous because she is wasting more time… A vicious cycle of embarrassment is forming, but Eidolon stops it.
"Calm down, Rogue." He says soothingly "Nothing to be ashamed here. You can tell me anything, or not… I don't mind. If is something personal…" He gives her a way out.
Rogue doesn't take it, though… his words appear to ignite a fire of determination inside her. She has been poorly hiding this crush on him for a long time. Burying it for so many reasons… Giving excuse after excuse to never show it.
She thought eventually it would go away, that it was a weak, silly thing born on her because he is the one immune to her powers. Unfortunately, it did not diminish with time…
And for a long time, watching many other women approaching him while she simply stayed on the sidelines started hurting too much. Half of it because of jealousy and half because of self-deprecation.
She called herself a coward; everyone at least can jokingly flirt with him or speak in friendly terms… It ends now. She will stop being a coward today.
"Eidolon… Ah want t' tell ya somethin'…" She says, once again, after a sigh, more to recover her bearings, her accent slipping thickly from her lips
"..." He stays silent.
After some more seconds of shaky green eyes and jumping heartbeats, Rogue finally says "I love ya. Really love… romantically!" She blurts out, breathing hard, looking at him for any sign. When she saw his eyebrows raise, her courage vanished, and she avoided eye contact. "Do ya wanna b-be… go out?" Her tone gets soft.
She doesn't dare to look at his face, afraid of seeing the rejection even before he answers her verbally.
Hector decides to gently grab her hand, and Rogue looks at him after the physical contact.
"Let's take a seat, Rogue." he says while taking her to a stone bench
"Oh mah god... Yer'e gonna reject me." She blurts out in a trance while sitting beside him
"Anna Marie… Calm down." He smiles at her, using her real name. "Things are more complicated than that… At the end of this talk, you will be the one rejecting me." He ends with a strange chuckle.
"?"
She looks confused, but it seems he was successful in calming her.
"Aaah~ From where to start?" Eidolon sighs softly while looking at the garden. "Maybe by responding to your question…"
He turns to look at her with gentle eyes. Rogue suddenly gets self-conscious. They are standing so close that she can smell him, and he is still holding her hand!
"But first…" Eidolon raises a finger with some humor and then pokes it behind them
"Argh!" Illyana's pained voice echoes
"There… Seriously, that girl… Next visit, I'm gonna increase the training." He shakes her head helplessly.
Rogue smiles a little at the interaction, still a little embarrassed, and tries not to think that maybe Illyana is right now telling the others what is happening here.
'But it's pretty obvious…' She thinks and forces herself to calm down.
"Well, let me give you an answer…" Eidolon restarts the conversation, making Rogue gulp nervously "The simple answer, Anna Marie… is that I would love to go out with you." He says without leaving a shadow of doubt in his tone, his hand squeezing hers while his thumb caresses her skin.
"!!" Rogue almost chokes on air.
That is her dream man right here responding to her feelings, her blush-that was present since the start of this whole thing- intensified tenfold. It's too good to be true… that is what her pessimistic side whispers in the back of her mind.
And it seems that this side is right because Eidolon continues "...but…"
"But…?" She parrots
He hesitates before sighing and saying "You are honest with me about your feelings, so I will answer in kind. I have a secret, Rogue. I don't dare to say that it is embarrassing because I would never be embarrassed by that, but… It's not something that I announce to the world… I keep it private…"
"..." This time is her turn to wait for him to say what he needs to say.
"The truth is that I'm already in a relationship… A very complicated relationship." Eidolon finally says
"What? Ya already have a gal??" Rogue exclaims, shocked.
"Haah~ That the issue… It's more than one gal." Eidolon admits,
"..." Her dark lips open in shock, seeing his bashful expression
"You are honest, so I will be… Do you remember some months ago when I had a little talk with Kitty? Very casual thing… I talked about the female attention that I was receiving, and some women that kind of cornered me…"
"I remember… She said ya was suffering from success…" Rogue says, her eyes vacant, remembering this past talk while trying to assimilate this talk in the present.
"Well, a lot happened after that day… I couldn't choose one. I was happy in letting things stay as they are, but… This option appeared… of not having to choose, and I decided to take it. At least try to make everyone happy." He shrugs
"So ya is now datin' multiple women." Rogue says slowly
"Yes." Eidolon nods "Not gonna lie, I thought you would already slapped me and called me a pig at this point." He chuckles
"I… I… I'm still processin' it." Rogue says.
The situation is so strange that she doesn't know how to react. Maybe if it were only one woman, she would be hurt and angry that she lost the chance, but this? She is really overwhelmed by the revelation.
"Well, it can look bad from an outside perspective, but I really cherish and love my girlfriends. They are willing to share. Because of my powers and abilities, I can make it work. I personally think that it is better than if I kept rejecting all of them or choosing only one… even if it is in the initial stages. I think it will last." Eidolon tries to explain "I was surprised how easily women accept sharing me… there's even a lot in… I don't know, 'waiting' is not the right word, but is something close. Expecting me to add them to this… harem."
"Wow…" It's all Rogue was able to say
"Yeah, 'wow'... That is the situation, Rogue. A lot is going on. Theoretically, there's no reason to reject you… But my relationship is not something that anyone can accept, and I can't impose it on you. You will also not want to enter this mess." he laughs and pats her hand with the finality of a man closing a deal, saying goodbye.
She felt her heart tighten while he stood up, his gaze not showing a hint of any negative emotion. He was still looking at her kindly, expressing that it's nothing personal, just… the circumstances.
"Goo-" He was about to say his goodbyes in the same tone that he always says when she interrupts him.
"What if ah accept it??" She suddenly says, standing up fast
"..." Eidolon's expression immediately changed after hearing her words. Not a happy one, or even a surprised expression. He becomes serious. "Rogue…" he shakes his head
"What? I think we can try…" She says weakly
"And I think you are being hasty." Eidolon grabs both of her hands and looks at her eyes. "Anna Marie, believe in me when I say a part of me really wants to say yes, but… It would not be fair to you."
"..."
"Let's be honest… My relationship is not fair to my girls; that is why I do everything in my power to make them happy. It would be even more unfair to you because of your circumstances. You are starved for human contact, Rogue, and I appeared as the only possible candidate to be your partner. I can't abuse this fact to trap you in a relationship, while you didn't have the chance to live without the threat of being alone forever hanging over your head. It would be like I was taking advantage of you, of your fragility." He says in a mature voice, still holding her hands. "I don't want to do that. I care for you."
"..." Rogue can't deny his words completely. She wished she could, but her crush started because of that fact "I want ya." She finally replies, but her voice wavers.
Eidolon chuckles again. "And continuing with my honesty…" He approaches and whispers in her ear with a deep voice. "I want you too."
"!!!" Her blush goes nuclear; she would have fallen backward if he were not holding her hands
He laughs in amusement at her reaction. "I don't know why the surprise… You are great! Beautiful, with a nice personality, a goth… I like goths, I admit." He jokes, making her blush even more. "I can't believe my luck that you have feelings for me…And that's why I can't date you now. You haven't thought this through, Rogue. You can find someone better, someone who can give you what you deserve… Even if we go forward with it, it can leave some resentment for the future, something that will only appear when you become more mature."
Rogue is not a summon bound to Hector eternally. His chosen path of love is not something anyone can accept, especially a woman with modern standards.
"We are both too new at this, Rogue. You have no experience in normal love, and I'm exploring unknown territory with whatever I'm doing… Do you really want to do it? Can you go for it? Can you imagine your man with other women?" He asks
"I…" Her hesitation is all the answer he needs.
"It's okay… I'm the villain here. The pervert who can promise his heart to only one woman." He gives her a self-deprecating laugh
"..." Rogue is still in some kind of shock…
The revelation that Eidolon has multiple girlfriends is probably the last thing she expected to discover when she decided to confess. In truth, it still hasn't sunk yet… Her feelings are incredibly complicated.
There is some anger, some relief because he didn't really reject her, some disgust, and some "maybe"... Whatever is going through her head, she can't make up her mind now. She needs time to think; he is right in rejecting her.
"I understand…" She finally nods, a little absentmindedly "Can ah hug ya?" She asks, not even processing the words before they leave her mouth. Maybe she just wanted something, some sort of consolation prize from all of this… Or maybe she wants to test how it feels…
"Of course." Eidolon says and opens her arms to her; she immediately presses her body against his. "I hope we can continue being friends, Rogue. Thank you for liking me."
"Uhm." She says, her arms around his torso, her hands trying to cover the most of his back as they can, her face pressed against his chest and neck.
It feels… good. This is the man she fantasized about a lot, and now she is in his arms. She wanted to stay like this forever… She is so close, so close to having him… But at the same time, he is so distant, and with a lot of obstacles in the shape of the women who get to him first.
Eventually, the hug lasted long enough that Rogue got embarrassed, so she separated from him, but in a burst of courage that if someone asked her she would not be able to explain, she suddenly lunged forward and kissed his mask, right where his lips would be.
It was just a quick peck, but enough to surprise the hero.
"Eh… Ahm… Bye." And she ran
"...bye." he says after some time, his voice being carried by the wind and reaching her ears even after she put some distance between them. She even heard his last sigh before he disappeared into the sky.
....
When Rogue suddenly entered the mansion, she saw her friends hanging around suspiciously, trying too hard to act normal, like they were not spying.
"..." Her eyes narrow watching that. "You guys are so nosy…"
Like on cue, all the girls approach.
"How did it go?"
"Do you want to cry?"
"He doesn't deserve you anyway…"
"Here, have a cupcake."
She accepts the cupcake offered by Kitty and simply rolls her eyes.
Seeing her casual actions, they frown…
"Wait… Did… Did you two really start… doing…?" Paige can't even finish her question, her voice trembling.
Rogue sighs "No, as you have guessed, I was rejected." She says while chewing the cupcake "Oh, that is good now."
"....." The girls look between themselves
"Rogue… Are you okay?" Jean asks while looking at the pale meta girl intensely
"You are not coping, right?" Kitty also looks worried
"Did he hurt you? If you want, we can go kick Eidolon's ass…" Jubilee suggests, joking to cheer her up.
"I… I don't know. I'm better than I expected I would be." Rogue says after thinking for a little "The talk is good, very mature… he has his reasons to turn me down."
"Reasons?" Jean asks
"..." Rogue thinks for a little while about whether she should reveal the fact that Eidolon has multiple girls, but decides against it. "Not my place to tell." She doesn't even know how to feel about it yet; better not create any friction or misunderstanding.
She trusts Eidolon not to be a sleazy guy who plays with women. He didn't do it with her… He had the chance, he had her putty on his arms… And he dealt with the situation maturely, as a gentleman.
"It was a really mature talk… he heard me seriously and turned me down gently. Even said that I'm his type." Rogue laughs a little bashfully, and with a hint of bragging in her tone "Ah think I'm a lil' sad, but othah emotions are in overwhelmin' it… Especially… relief. I'm feelin' light. I'm glad ah had th' courage t' say it." 'To say to him…' Her voice gets heavy with emotion as her accent gets equally heavier, but she doesn't cry or anything.
The biggest fear of anyone who bares their hearts and feelings to their loved ones is to be humiliated, laughed at, or be heartbroken… Nothing of that happened with Rogue.
"I like the right guy…" She finally says with a distant gaze, nodding to herself and hands on her hips "Unfortunately… it's complicated…" She sighs and walks past her friends. "I'm going to my room to listen to some emo music. I think it will hit different now."
"....." The girls watch as she walks away, still showing very strange expressions.
"She looks… eh, different to you guys, too?" Kitty is the first to say something.
"She is absolutely more mature." Jean nods
"Right? All grown up!" Jubilee exclaims, still surprised that their introverted friend just talked what she just talked.
"Confessing to Eidolon does that? I think I will be next…" Paige half-jokes
"I guess the experience taught her something." Jean shrugs
"She got a boost on EQ." Kitty looks impressed. "Well, I'm gonna hang out with her just in case…" And she follows Rogue
"Well, that was anti-climactic." Illyana scoffs and walks away
"You just wanted to see Rogue crying, Mean girl." Jubilee shoots at the younger girl.
"I don't want that, it would just be a consequence…"
The girls dispersed, but Jean remained in place with an indecipherable expression.
...…..
Baxter Building
Jenniffer Walters, Janet Van Dyne, and Natasha Romannof went to visit Susan Storm after hearing the news of what happened with Namor. All of them come to check on Susan, worried about the almost sexual kidnapping.
Black Widow unofficially also comes to get some information, but that doesn't exclude the fact that he can show worry over her fellow hero and sister-in-arms during the Invasion of New York.
"You know… It's fucked up and all that, but I'm pretty sure one day someone will use this as an inspiration to write some smut book with you as the main character, Sue." She-Hulk jokes to lighten the mood.
All the girls are sitting on a U-shaped couch around a small table filled with drinks.
"Jennifer…" Janet shakes her head at the green giantess. "Have some tact."
"What is the issue? She already told that it's alright… We should laugh at this shitshow and at the clown who orchestrated that. Seriously? A Speedo in the middle of New York?" Jennifer defends herself
"It's horrible that this is not all really strange to happen in New York… Yesterday I saw a guy teaching rats some tricks and a woman wrapped in tinfoil, like a tight dress, walking like it's normal…" Janet almost facepalm
"And I thought heroes in Spandex would be the weirdest things in this city." Natasha jokes
"I love New York." Jennifer raises her glass to cheer "I think I will take the subway one of those days… I miss that strangeness sometimes. It feels like home…"
"You will be the center of attention…" Janet deadpans
"A hulk in the New York Subway? This can only go well…" Natasha also gives Jean a sarcastic smile
"That is my cousin that you are thinking of. I would only occupy two seats." Jennifer points out. "Anyway, let's go back to the focus… So, Sue, are you really okay? Just say the world, and we will go underwater to kick that guy in the balls."
"Girls, I'm really alright." Susan says with a fond smile, happy that her friends had her back "I'm not even angry with Namor… Maybe that is how they do things down there. No harm was done. Everything ended well, so it's okay."
"Uggghhh!!" Jennifer exaggerated a groan, even dramatically sprawling herself on the couch and raising her face to the ceiling, "You are too goddamn nice!!! People are gonna take advantage of you at this point…"
"Jen is right. You should break some bones of the next that try something like that… you know, to pass a message."
"I agree." Janet gives her approval
"I'm not naive." Susan rolls her eyes "I just prefer not to see people unilaterally by their bad actions… Eidolon talked about it, you know? Like when he said that he prefers to 'consider that people do bad things by incompetence and stupidity instead of malice' and that 'people are more than their bad decisions'."
"Eidolon is Eidolon." Janet scoffs
"If someone wrongs me, I will answer in kind." Natasha also says
"From the two times I met him, one was positive and the second was negative… So I'm neutral. Namor is not a villain, just egocentric apparently… And old-fashioned in a bad way. "
"Oh my gosh, don't tell me that you liked the way he approached you!!" Jennifer suddenly exclaims, abruptly leaning close
"What? No! He made the completely wrong move!" Susan exclaims, shocked by the accusation. "No chances!"
"Well, there are women who are into that… Mr. Seaman should have done his research. He is not even ugly, and he even has a nice body. If only he were not an asshole." Jennifer scoffs
"Maybe Susan here was not impressed by the wet pecs of the King of the Ocean because her eyes are glued to other pecs…" Natasha says, smirking behind her glass
"Oooooohhh~" Janet and Jen put oil in the fire with their teasing face
"Wh-What?" What are you talking about?" Susan makes the mistake of stuttering.
"Ah, please, girl~ Shut the fuck up!" Jennifer sassily moves her head. "The guy came to save you! Someone is absolutely writing a book about the love triangle!"
"Or quartet…" Janet whispers
"So what if he saved me? It is what he does… He is kind to everyone." Susan protests
"He is not kind to me." Natasha scoffs
"That is because you try to spy on him."
"Guilty as charged." Natasha raises her hands in surrender
"And Susan, please~ You can admit… girl to gill… Go on. Say it, your heart skipped a beat when he appeared all gallant to save you." Jennifer gives her a conspiratorial smile
"Well, I mean… it was nice… But nothing more than that." Susan says slowly, measuring her words. "Sorry for not being a cliche story, Jen. It was just a professional assistance… He would do that for anyone. You will not catch me getting all flustered by what I know has no deep meaning."
"Probably not to me." Black Widow repeats herself "And I have here something to refute your words."
Natasha pulls out her phone and, after opening a video, she pauses at some moment to show it to them.
"OH-MY-FUCKING-GOD!!!" Jennifer is the first to react "SUSAN???" She turns to the woman who is almost activating her invisibility to hide her face.
Janet stares at the phone with a knowing smirk. " 'Not flustered' she said. Girl, those eyes are literally broadcasting what is going on in your mind… And it is not 'professional'."
"You are probably imagining a whole future together with him…" Natasha smirks.
"....." Susan Storm really starts flickering in and out of her invisibility.
The video is paused with invisible Womand and Eidolon side by side talking, the exact moment the hero reached behind his head to fix his man-bun. Susan is staring at him intently, mouth half-opened, blue eyes laser-focused on him, face a little shy and downward, while her pupils look up at him.
"Man… This is so 'teenager girl staring at her crush talking' that I'm almost getting second-hand embarrassment," Janet says
"Well, can't blame Little Sue here… look at this pose." Jennifer grabs the phone to take a better look. "It's like he is flexing, but I know he is not; he is just that naturally shredded. I want to lick those abs. And he has muscles on his ribs..."
"Jennifer, control yourself." Susan admonishes
"Don't blame me, I'm on a dry streak." Jennifer says, before she realizes something, and smirked "Oh, I'm sorry… Did you get jealous of the way I talked about your man?"
"He is not my man!" Susan sounds exasperated
"Yet! C'mon, girl, make your move. Even the internet thinks that you two would be great together." Janet says
"Oh my god, you saw those posts, huh?" Susan facepalms
"Jennifer sent me them". Janet points at the green woman
"It was too funny not to share." She-Hulk shrugs. "Did you see that porn? You can make it a reality." She says like a life coach giving great advice
"JENNN!!"
"Hehe, it's funny to think that Eidolon may be listening to us." Natasha says casually, but her real object is to embarrass Susan.
Janet catches that and adds "He doesn't even need to go that far… he has super-senses, he probably heard her heartbeat increase, saw her pupils dilate, the healing of her parts increasing…" She smirks
"STOP!" Susan is cringing now "I'm gonna drown myself…"
"Be careful with the ocean, there are predators there." Natasha says. "But I guess you can always call your man to save you."
"Ughh."
....
Space Station
The target of the girl talk happening on the Baxter Building is sighing for the uptenth time.
Hector lies sprawled on his chair, eyes dead…
"Ugh… Not only was the Gacha shitty, but I refused one of my goth childhood crushes…" He says, pain evident in his voice "Life really has its ups and downs…"
"You can't get mad for the results of your choices." Nemesis says, head appearing from his chest "And you should've just
"Yes, I can." He points out "And the truth is that making a relationship with Rogue under those circumstances would be a recipe for disaster."
"You say that and keep multiple women happy. One more would not hurt…" Nemesis says "You could have treated her like a little experiment. You like doing those, right?"
"First, it's different from my girls that I bring here. There's a relationship that can't be replicated by anyone in this world. Second, that would be an asshole move… Rogue doesn't deserve that. I choose her happiness over my gratification."
"Maybe she would be happy with you."
"Probably yes, but is too soon." Hector stands up. "The truth is that it is hard for me to trust the women from this world, too many examples in my head… I know that is not healthy, and I'm doing therapy with Harly, but I can't help it. There are steps that I need to take before I really commit to someone around here. Steps that I could skip with the ones that came from the Essence." He explains while walking through the Space Station.
"While you are showing off using that sucker body, I discreetly checked the girls… You are really a ladykiller. You can have everyone with different degrees of difficulty, even the white-haired one. Everyone has some attraction for you."
"That is nothing new… I'm hot." Hector says, not even bragging. It's just a fact. "Attraction is great, it's the foundation-I had a talk with Pamela about it- but again… The Essence allowed me to cheat in more ways than simply getting strong. Relationship progress fast, the inherent trust and complicity that comes from it can't be easily replicated… The women of this world need to be more than pretty faces and my childhood crushes so that I can really love them as a person and not as a character."
That is the root of how he treats the Marvel girls. He is able to antagonize incredibly hot women, even attacking them because of that. He does not drool at them also because of that. He can put the horniness aside and create some genuine human-to-human relationship with them and see where things go from there.
Sometimes, a good friendship will remain just that, a good friendship, like his friendship with Natasha and Kitty, which he predicts will not develop into anything romantic.
Sometimes will go down the wrong path, and enmity will be born, like with Amora and her sister Lorelei.
Sometimes can start blooming into something more, like with Rogue and, surprisingly, Emma Frost. And to a greater degree… Mary Jane
What he likes about it is that it feels genuine in this world that was once fictional. They are real people, and the fact is hammered on his head with every contact.
He is still incredibly surprised-and maybe a little happy-how things are going with Emma Frost and Mary Jane. The seductress, manipulative villain, is now a co-parent and a friend; the flirting is becoming natural and a pleasant part of their routine.
And he doesn't even need to talk about Mary Jane.
"I'm not wrong in letting things take a natural course…" Hector says with conviction. "I can, indeed, use my meta-knowledge, my good looks, my powers, and whatever more to seduce almost everyone, but it would be cheap and maybe worthless."
"You say that, but you still haven't touched a lot of your summoned girls." Nemesis says
"Oh, you are gonna get it, Nemesis. Make no mistake." Hector says casually
"!!" She almost blushed in surprise
"You, Chun-Li, Amélie, Juri, Raven… All of you are gonna get it." He repeats "But if you guys, I can make the development be genuine, I will at least make the relationship genuine, the best I can. When we are in sync… You are gonna get it. Sometimes it clicks fast, like with Harley, sometimes it will take longer, but all of you who are genuinely interested in me are gonna get it. I'm trying to make it as genuine as possible… It's hard, but I want at least some connection before we discover each other's genitals."
"Booooring~" Nemesis says
Hector rolls his eyes. "Whatever, with you guys I have time and the certainty that I can make things right eventually."
"So you take us for granted…"
"No. I had this same talk with Shego." He says "It's not like that… It's just that things are still very new. I'm still going through trial and error, treating each of you based on your own individuality… as people."
"..."
This shut Nemesis up; the living up just received a "doki doki" moment from Hector's protagonist expertise that can say things that hit deep casually. He didn't assimilate Yuuki Rito and Aijou Rentaro for nothing."
"We are here."
Hector arrives at a sealed double door that opens after a three-step verification. Inside, there's a sterilized room with giant shelves, but instead of books, there are big rectangular and transparent containers, inside one would be able to see people in suspended animation, frozen like Han Solo.
"Bring me Subject S-01." Hector says
"Are you finally gonna start experimenting with those wastes of space, Master? " GLaDOS is the one that answers, a giant robotic arm dislodged from the ceiling before grabbing one of the people and bringing them to Hector.
"No…The opposite, really…" hector says while looking down on the unconscious form of Remy LeBeau, also famously known as Gambit. "I'm gonna release him."
"Release? That doesn't compute. There is no release in my database. Are you gonna release him from the confines of his flesh? Extract his consciousness?" GLaDOS asks
"Stop that, I know exactly what I mean… This dude is not that bad, I checked his memories." Hector would not release him just because he likes Gambit as a character. "He has a cool power and the potential to turn his life around… he deserves a second chance. He was also one of my favorite characters in Marvel vs Capcom, but Cyclops was too… I was like 6, it didn't hold much weight now."
Hector materializes a card in his hand before it shines brightly into a ruby light. "It can be considered a thanks for the power I copied…" One alteration later, and the card starts shining white. Using his perk to customize the visual of the powers, he likes to keep it as a theme and make the power his.
"Well, but if you asked the main reason is because Rogue…" He makes the card disintegrate before looking down on Gambit. "This… is Rogue's destined partner(maybe)."
"Are you gonna release a rival?" Nemesis asks, strangely
"I'm not proud to admit that I thought about killing and being done with it. He even gave me a reason by working on Sinister, but I'm trying to be better than that." Hector chuckles darkly "This is like the tests that you like so much, GLaDOS."
"It looks like a completely meaningless test." The AI answers sassily.
"Ah, it has a meaning… This is an ultimate test for Destiny and Rogue, beyond being a moment of growth for me. You know? I stayed a little longer and watched Rogue mature a little after the confession… She is becoming the confident southern belle with long and curly brown hair that she is meant to be… the problem is… well… Marvel is a promiscuous place… Gambit is her soulmate, but Magneto? Ugh"
After a shudder of disgust, Hector continues "I still have my prejudice against the women from here, so let's give her the chance and opportunity to do everything she can do… even the bad. Even what will kill her as a future interest to me… It's okay, there are infinite Rogues out there in the Multiverse."
"You are testing her love for you…" Nemesis accuses
"It is a crush born from the fact I'm the only one that can touch her… let's see how she acts when she has many more suitors. If her love was so trivial that it could so easily move targets… Then I'm not interested," hector says with finality, there's even a little ruthlessness in his eyes. "Hehe, look at me talking like I'm some sort of big prize… In a few words, I will just let her live her life, be a person… Let's see how things develop. It can be disappointing or exciting… I will accept whatever outcome."
"All of this could be avoided if you simply sweep her off her feet and love her now, and keep her." Cortana, who was silent most of the time finally, says something.
Hector chuckles again "Can I confess something? Rogue is not the only one who needs to have her love tested… The truth is… I don't love Rogue." Hector admits calmly
"..."
"It's just a crush. That is the truth… I want to love Rogue, but that love can't be born easily like this; it will go away equally easily. I want her to stay loyal to the crush she has on me a little longer, to let it bloom in love and make me love her too…
Saeko says that I have a lot of love to give, and Harley says that I tend to reciprocate love with love easily… " Hector pushes Gambit on a portal somewhere on Earth. "Obviously, I will continue to be her friend and treat her well. I will not simply go away and expect her to like me for nothing, I'm not an idiot."
"I think you are an idiot." Nemesis says "Way to overcomplicate things.
"Love is complicated… I believe if this little seed survives the tribulations and truly blooms, Rogue will truly be an amazing partner and wife. I'm taking her seriously here. I respect him this much. I do not want to just date her and maybe break up later if things go wrong, I'm thinking about a full-life commitment here."
"And what if it fails and you lose her forever?" Nemesis asks to provoke him "What if she falls in the arms of this Gambit, be soulmates, and moves on from you. Imagine they marry, kissing, fucking…
Hector starts walking away, his expression unchanged. "It is what it is…" he shrugs
...
"Said that, I'm still pissed and need to kill something." Hector didn't walk far before saying those words
"Then go to hell… Literally, I mean. Hit a randomizer in the portal coordinates and go kill some demons, or fall into a succubus pit and release all that anger by fucking." Nemesis suggests with a lascivious tone.
"You and the succubus pit again." Hector rolls his eyes. "But you are kinda right. That fucking continent I was exploring has no intelligent demon life, I need to explore more, and it will take decades if I don't risk a little more."
"Oh, I can bet you that you are gonna fall into some woman's lap, your luck is simply too ridiculous."
"..." Hector doesn't take the bet because he is also not 100% sure that it would not be the case. He knows himself. "Whatever, I just want to fall into some demon creature nest and kill everything…"
...…..
Later in Hell, after already randomly teleporting while using a clone body, Hector is showing the most deadpan face in the history of dead faces beneath his helmet.
"...before anything, let me ask… What kind of demon are you?" Hector asks the first demon that he met when he appeared in Hell.
"Me? I'm a succubus, why?" Satana Hellstrom answers with a tilt of her head, looking curiously at this intruder.
"....." The sigh that he releases is loud.
.....
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