Aaron Hale

“Okay well let’s unpack that,” Alaska suggested after listening to him. “You’ve said things along the lines of ‘I guess’, ‘I don’t know’ and ‘I think’ a lot there. So you don’t know for certain if your actions made the other feel this way. And wanna know how you can know for certain? By talking to them. Talk to this friend of yours,” she advised. “It seems like so far you’ve just been filling in the blanks for him out of fear or nerves– but you’re just going to make things harder for yourself like that. The only way you’ll know where you two stand and what’s going on in his mind is if you ask him. Maybe you didn’t fuck up things like you think you did.”

“Well I can replace them with ‘I’m pretty fucking certain’ then given he was so upset with me if you like.” Aaron answered sounding a little bit frustrated with the conversation but he knew it was more that he was frustrated with himself. “Look, this is exactly the reason why I don’t bother with people. Somewhere down the line I just end up in some big mess that I manage to create. It’s not worth it. People always end up hurt.”

“Yeah, I did. After I found out that my parents had disowned him rather than him just leaving like they told me,” Lola then nodded, “Yeah, I told him. I mean, it was kind of a minor detail in the middle of my whole story of how I ended up here but I did tell him,” She continued to grin at him, “I do, I really do,” She paused, “You’re a lot nicer than your tough exterior leads people to believe you know. Thank you,” She said again.

“I suppose. Big thing to drop out of though.” Because it would have been hard to go back to that if it was something she enjoyed. He doubted Logan would have been too impressed that he was the reason for that change at the very least. A scoff seemed to unintentionally leave him when Lola commented on him being nice than his exterior showed. “Don’t know about that... most people would disagree but you’re a kid and you’re Logan’s sister. I’d never hear the end of it if I insulted you.” Okay, not entirely the truth, or rather it was but it wasn’t the reason he was being nice to her. After what they had both been through, he felt like he didn’t want to add to that. She was nice enough and gave him no reason to be mean towards her.

“You sound pretty cocky for someone who hasn’t even tried my idea.” Alexandria spoke after throwing her hands up then back down. “Do you even want to get us out of here?” 

“You know you could do exactly the same? Why does it suddenly fall to me to attempt to open this?” When she asked if he really wanted to get out, he could help but let out a sound that almost resembled a growl as he muttered a response. “Me yes. Tempted to leave you in here though...”

“I don’t like talking about my past either,” she replied, sympathetic of how he was feeling. “But is somebody forcing you to? Because that sort of stuff should surface naturally when you feel comfortable. You shouldn’t feel like you have to,” Alaska added. “Is there someone forcing you to, or do you feel like you want to talk about it with someone?”

“It’s not...” Aaron paused, giving a heavy sigh as he considered how to put what he wanted to say. It was rare he took much time to think about his comments before making them. “A friend has shared a lot of their life with me and when they found out I had powers and that I used to be a hero, they weren’t happy that I’d not trusted them with it I guess. He never forced me but I don’t know... I didn’t really think about it at the time because I don’t talk about it with anyone. I did what I always do; I just brushed it off when he’d made a comment back in the beginning and then it never really came up again until recently. But no, I don’t really want to talk about it with anyone, much as I trust him and now I think I might have just fucked up somehow.”

“Please tell me how being quieter will solve things. Is the door on some noise lock or something?” Alex asked with a raise of her eyebrows. “You could easily punch through the brick wall, your hands would heal, easy.” 

“Well it will stop me from having a headache for a start.” Aaron muttered, resisting the urge to punch something right now because she made it tempting. “I might be able to punch it and heal but I don’t have superhuman strength.” Came the slow, slightly irritated response. 

“Well I kinda dropped out to go find my brother so… perhaps it was for the best?” Lola said and laughed a little. She smiled up at the other, listening intently and making mental notes of everything he said. She nodded eagerly, “I absolutely will. Thanks so much, Aaron! I really appreciate this!”

“You dropped out to find your brother...” Aaron spoke slowly, almost as if he was trying to process what the girl had said. “That’s pretty dramatic. Does Logan know?” He asked after a moment because he wasn’t sure how the blonde would feel about that. “And you’re welcome... He deserves to be happy and if you really care about him and want a relationship with him then he deserves a good family.”

Logan had let the warm water beat down on his back, calming himself down and trying his best to keep his emotions at bay and dissociate himself from the situation he was currently in, he could have a crisis once he was at home but right now he needed to not act any differently to what he normally would when with the other. After emerging from the bathroom he moved to sit next to the other, pushing his wet hair from his face. “It’s okay, Aaron. Like you said, it’s not people’s business and you can choose to share with me what you want to share.” He commented with a shrug. “And yes I have access to files at HQ but it doesn’t mean I’m going to go looking you up to find out about your past, I’d rather you tell me about it when you’re ready to. If you’re ever ready to. Same with you speaking about things, if you didn’t want me to follow up with questions, I wouldn’t. Simple as that.” He continued. “You should know by now that people prying into personal business is a pet peeve of mine.” Logan let out a small sigh and nodded, “I’ve noticed, but it’s okay. You don’t have to spill all your secrets to me, I just would like it if you were comfortable enough with me to talk about things if you ever wanted to.”

“It’s not that I particularly mind you knowing or I wouldn’t suggest you go and look it up but I never feel comfortable speaking about it so where possible I avoid it.” That much was definitely true. It was one of the reason’s he’d stopped being a hero. It was easier pretend like things were fine if he didn’t have to relive it regularly or have people look at him with pity. “And I know...” He assured Logan when the other man told him he wouldn’t have pried in his business. Reaching out he let his hand rest on the others knee for a moment before he pulled it back, not wanting to have the other man uncomfortable right now with actions that would perhaps be seen as too intimate. “I didn’t know that in the beginning but I’ve known that for a long time now. It’s not that I don’t trust you Logan or I wouldn’t spend time with you but it’s me that struggles with my past, not with how you would react or treat it. That’s why I don’t talk about it.”

“I don’t mind it too much because I enjoy your honesty and transparency. Fake people are the ones who just grind my gears. I’ve dealt enough with those,” Alaska admitted with a little roll of her eyes at the thought of people she’d encountered in her past. Or even what she used to be like. “I mean… it’s how people get to know one another. How we make friends, meet lovers– what’s so wrong with that?” Al asked with a light tilt of her head. “I mean sure, who you are now matters most. But if someone really cares they might ask to see how you got from one place to the other, how you grew as a human being– you know?”

“Maybe...” Aaron conceded after a moment, though he didn’t look all that happy about it. “But I don’t like talking about my past. I don’t talk about all that with any of my family so why would I do it with someone else.” He would much rather concentrate on his future though he wasn’t entirely sure what that entailed right now. He was at a point where he was perhaps struggling to fit what he wanted around what he’d allow himself to have.

“I’m the bratty child?” She repeated, “You’re the one having a hissy fit. I just want to get out of here, that makes me a bratty child?” Alexandria then said. “How about you try and get these doors open then? Since you’re so invincible if anything goes wrong you’ll be fine,” 

“Bingo.” Aaron stated simply. “You’re whining about something that neither of us can fix and making the situation even more intolerable. If you were quiet we could get through this a whole lot easier.” He rolled his eyes when she suggested he attempted to get the doors open. “That isn’t the problem. In fact the doors usually open easily but if we are not on a level then all we’ll be met with is a brick wall and I can’t get us through that.” 

“I know that. There’s gotta be a new normal. I mean after everything we’ve been through as individuals and then the whole powers thing and…” Lola took a deep breath and then sighed, “Yeah, it’s gonna take some adjustment,” She paused, laughing awkwardly, “I can’t believe I was studying to be a doctor before. I don’t know if I would have done so well with all the worrying. Or maybe it only got worse recently. I can’t tell for sure.”

“Decided being a doctor wasn’t for you?” He asked after a moment, figuring they might as well make small talk given their situation. He also didn’t completely hate talking to Lola either. She was sweet enough actually and kind of reminded him of his own sister... though his was probably a little more blunt, like him. “Look, I I’m not an expert on stuff like this but one thing I’ve learned about Logan is he is very caring and forgiving. Just... I dunno... spend time with him when you can and just get to know him, find out what he likes and work with that. You could get him those little pastries from the coffee shop that they do.” He described the type along with the coffee the blond drank. “They are his favorites and that’d be a start. He’s also a sucker for animals so a cat or dog cafe if you can find one nearby would probably work for bonding time.” Aaron attempted to offer in support.

“Nah. You hate pretty much everyone so getting an opinion from you doesn’t count,” she teased, giving him a playful nudge. “Do you know why you piss off just about everyone? For starters it’s because you seem so pissed off all the time,” Alaska pointed out a little more seriously. “While first impressions shouldn’t be everything, they still make an impact. And well… you don’t give off the friendliest first impression.”

“Honestly I don’t really care what people think of me. I do my job well and I keep to myself for the most part. If you matter to me, I keep you around. That’s about as complicated as it gets with me so it’s pretty clear who I value and who I don’t.” He stated simply. If anything he felt like it was a good thing that there was no confusion there. “But why do people have to make it more complicated and want to know your life’s story? Who you are now should be all that matters.” He appeared to grumble more than anything.

“That’s almost worried me more to be quite honest with you,” Alaska snorted softly. “Yeah I can see why that is. You’re just a little trouble magnet– aren’t you?”

“You’re a liar. You don’t care what I think really. Not about that anyway.” Aaron said in response. He knew that Alaska was aware if he’d actually thought badly of her that he’d have told her by now. “And I’m a something magnet... yeah.” He agreed with a slight nod of his head. “I piss of just about everyone and normally that’s not an issue. Learning that I do it even when I don’t mean to these days.”

“What would you say is the craziest part of me then, hmm? Answer wisely,” she couldn’t help but tease him with a wiggle of her eyebrows. “Alright, alright,” Alaska nodded before heading in.

“There isn’t an answer that isn’t going to get me hit here so I am going to plead the fifth.” Aaron answered, following the woman into the building and shaking off a little. “Although staying silent also usually gets me in the shit too apparently.”

I don’t see why it’s anyone’s business, Logan wasn’t sure why those words made him flinch so much and yet he felt stung by them, did the other just really see him as anyone. A person he could fool around with, but would never truly open up to him the way he had to the other. “We don’t exactly just have random conversations though, do we.” He spoke, a defensive tone to his voice. “You were a hero, weren’t you? I had thought that maybe you were, things you’ve said or done, especially when at HQ.” He had started to put pieces together, but he could never get the whole picture until now. “Not important. Right. Of course.” That stung too, he felt a lump in the back of his throat, part of his brain telling him he should have just gone home earlier and he wouldn’t be in this position with the other yet again. “I asked about you having powers, you shrugged me off.” He stood and cleared his throat, grabbing the clothes the other had given him. “I think I’ll take that shower now.” He needed to get away from Aaron, even if it was just for ten minutes, he needed to compose himself before he made a fool out of himself.

When the other disappeared into the bathroom, Aaron let out a slight sound of frustration. He could tell that the way he’d worded it didn’t impress Logan. It wasn’t as though he’d meant to hurt him but Aaron was just... well he was who he was and being adept at these kind of things wasn’t his forte. Making some hot drinks, Aaron changed into some sweatpants and a t-shirt before settling down on the couch, slight anxiety flooding through him as he ran a hand through his hair. When the blonde finally reappeared, he motioned to the seat next to him. “Come sit down.” Truth was Aaron wasn’t all that sure where to start all this but perhaps he could at least try. 

“Look, I wasn’t intentionally trying to deceive you, Logan. I just... don’t talk about my past with anyone. Not even my family really bring it up.” He spoke honestly. “And I didn’t think not mentioning my powers would be that much of a big deal given with powers come questions. Questions I’m not really ready to answer out loud.” Letting out a little sigh, he rubbed the bridge of his nose for a moment before returning his attention to Logan. “But I can answer some things if you have questions. The rest I suggest you look up yourself. You have access to the HQ files I’m sure. You could look me up if you want.” It was Aaron giving him permission to learn about him if he wanted. It wasn’t something he offered normally and another reason why he never told people who worked in the Institute.  “But yes, I was a hero. I guess I was good at it. I have the ability to heal... and resurrect.” He added the last bit more hesitantly but he felt that keeping that a secret now wouldn’t be wise. He’d find out sooner or later after all. “I think you’ve worked out by now that I’m not very good about talking about... well anything really. My feelings in particular. I never meant that to affect you but I should have realised. I’m sorry.”

“Close my-.. I didn’t think it was you telling me to go to sleep, I thought it was some cheesy pick up line and I was going to question who I was talking to for a second.” Logan commented, yet he still did as the other said. He felt Aaron’s fingers in his hair and then a warm hand placed to his cheek along with a sturdy one against his hand. He wanted to open his eyes, to see what the other was doing, but he knew Aaron would only berate him for doing so and this seemed like a rather intimate moment to be too much of an ass. He felt a small tingle in his hand, his body started to feel revitalized as though someone was charging him up and giving him back the energy he had lost. When the other pulled back he opened his eyes and watched the other. “You son of a bitch.” Was the only thing that came out of his mouth, “You can’t just casually dismiss this like it’s nothing, you have abilities-… Why have you never told me before, or more so why didn’t you tell me what they were.” 

An eyebrow quirked when Logan cursed him out, popping what was left of the biscuit into his mouth to finish it before he answered the blonde, though he did send a non-committal shrug of his shoulders. “I don’t normally use them so there is no need to bring them up. It’s not really something I just shove into a random conversation. I don’t see why it’s anyone’s business.” Aaron explained as he looked at the man. “Left that life behind me a long time ago.” It wasn’t that he didn’t use them when necessary of course but it wasn’t as though he was a hero. “It didn’t really seem all that important where we are concerned. You’ve never needed me to help you and you just never asked.”

“Thanks.” Logan commented, taking the refreshments from the other and not hesitating to drain the glass before breaking off pieces of biscuit to eat. “Unless you want to give me some sort of magical energy boost, I’m not sure there is much you can do.” He chuckled, “I’m just not used to using my powers, takes a moment for me to configure my surroundings and regain my strength.”

Sharing his energy wasn’t something that Aaron often did, mainly because when he’d been a Hero, he’d needed it to perform his own tasks but it didn’t mean it wasn’t possible with his power. “Close your eyes.” He instructed in a straight forward manner. “And no, that’s not my way of telling you that you should sleep off the fatigue... not that it’s a bad idea.” 

When the other male followed his instructions, Aaron briefly let his fingers brush back a couple of strands of the others thick blonde hair off his face in an affectionate manner. Something about Logan made him unable to resist the small actions despite himself. One hand coming to cup his cheek, Aaron placed their other palms together. Focusing his power, he began to feel the build up of energy travelling through his body, working its way to where he needed it and transferring over through their joined limbs. It was less of a visual power like some but more a physical feeling as he felt the heat build in his palms accompanied by a tingling feeling. When he felt like the other man had enough to feel back to normal, he pulled back, stealing a biscuit himself, taking a bite as he stood up and tossed the clothes at Logan again. “So the shower?”

“Poor ol’ Aaron, stuck with his crazy cousin that talks to animals,” Alaska teased, picking up on that sliver of a smirk rather proudly. When it came to Aaron, that was considered a success for her.

“You say that like that’s the crazy part of you. If anything, that’s probably the most normal part.” He stated a moment later, shaking his head a little softly. “Get in before we get completely soaked.”