POV: Logan
I don't regret it.
Not the feeling. And definitely not what I did with Jean.
As for what Scott thinks? I never cared. And honestly, I still don't.
The real problem is Jean.
It's always been Jean.
She's incredible. Even with all the problems and pressure, she finds a way to move forward… to keep smiling.
But she cares too much.
???: "Did you hear? The school's favorite couple broke up!"
???: "Wait—Jean and Scott?"
???: "Bingo! Apparently Professor Jean was seeing Instructor Logan behind Scott's back!"
???: "No way. Seriously?! Tell me everything—don't skip the detai—"
Sometimes having senses dozens of times sharper than a normal human's is a pain.
But that's the least of my problems right now.
I don't know who started it or who ran their mouth first, but now it's all anyone talks about.
Hell, the team probably knows more about what's going on than I do.
Right about now, I'd trade a lot for a cold beer and a TV.
Who am I kidding?
I just want to talk to Jean. Try to contain this mess without ripping someone's throat out.
???: "I never liked that guy! Knew he was trouble from the day he showed up!"
???: "Right?! I had a feeling he'd screw something up—just didn't think it'd be this bad!"
Yeah.
Logan: "Grrr…"
This is going to be hard.
____________________________________________
POV: Xavier
Peace.
At certain moments in my life, I've wondered whether that word was ever truly attainable—even for a fleeting instant.
No wars. No fights. No government agents hunting our kind like animals.
At one point—after founding this school… after creating the X-Men…
I believed I had taken a small step toward that dream.
A tiny, fragile step.
But a step nonetheless.
And now?
Look at us.
Whispering behind each other's backs. Judging based on shapeless gossip. No proof. Only poison.
The things I have heard—through spoken word or through thought—about Logan being nothing more than a pervert and a coward…
About Jean being some sort of… Prostitute. Staying with Scott out of convenience.
About Scott not being man enough to satisfy his own partner…
It makes me question—
Is peace even possible?
Is it truly likely that our race will ever know peace… even briefly?
As I ask myself that, I turn my gaze toward Jean, seated beside me in my office.
"I will not judge you. Nor will I crucify you for what you did. I only wish to understand… why. Did Scott ever mistreat you? Ignore you? Harm you in any way?"
Jean turns her head toward me.
And I cannot decipher her expression.
Fear? Sadness? Anger? Shame? Doubt?
Unlike Scott, Jean has always been… harder to predict.
Those who live among minds—who hear and shape thoughts daily—are difficult to fully comprehend.
But I want to understand.
Why ruin something that, from the outside, seemed stable?
And even if it wasn't… why not end it first? Close that chapter properly?
Scott had his flaws.
Arrogant. Impulsive. Rash.
But he was a good young man. A good man, overall. His heart was pointed in the right direction.
If she had asked for a breakup, I believe he would have accepted it.
He would have twisted himself up inside over it… but eventually, he would have moved forward.
At least, I believe so.
She looks at me, and says.
"I… don't know. It was… something in the heat of the moment. I think."
"Haa…"
A sigh escapes me.
And I do not know what to do with that answer.
Jean is still… numb.
And that worries me.
Because when reality truly settles in—when she fully understands what has happened—
I do not know whether she will explode… or withdraw entirely.
And both outcomes are… troubling, to say the least.
I have fought so much. Sacrificed so much. For a better future—for all of us.
I look out the window and sigh again.
If I must fight a little longer… if I must do something I dislike… for the sake of our future—
Perhaps I will.
I look at Jean, and for what feels like the thousandth time today, I sigh.
Scott… perhaps I am being unfair to you.
But I have no choice.
Perhaps this is not the right decision—and I am certain it is not—
But sometimes, what is right is not what is best for everyone.
Maybe he will understand my perspective.
Maybe he will understand that I needed to extinguish the flames somehow.
But deep down…
I know he won't.
____________________________________________
POV: Scott
My first day of "training" with Wong wasn't exactly a success.
Considering I blacked out for most of it and only woke up around five P.M
Of course, the bastard didn't miss the opportunity to show up the moment I opened my eyes.
"Because of your little… loss of control, the library will remain closed for several days. As punishment, you will be working there. Perhaps then you will learn its importance."
Incredible, right?
I get beaten, humiliated, blackmailed—
And now I get involuntary labor.
Under the supervision of the guy who beat the shit of me!
Maybe agreeing to come here in the first place was the worst decision I've made since landing in this cursed world.
And as I look at the Ancient One standing in front of me—
Wearing That same irritating smile on her face—
I realize…
It probably was.