Mutant And Proud

Steve took a step back, his hands coming up in a defensive way. “No, no. I wasn’t… inviting you back to my car, that’s - that’s dangerous, ma’am,” he admitted. For her, more than him. Not that he was underestimating her. He didn’t know this lady, she could be a black belt in some form of fighting. He wasn’t going to try and go up against her. But, if it were any other guy besides him, he definitely wouldn’t suggest going to a car with a stranger.

When the card was pressed into his hand, he eyed it for a moment before nodding. “Um, yeah. I’ll bring it. Just go up there and rest, take the weight off it. I’m sure it hurts,” he guessed. “I’ll be there in ten. Do you need anything else? Orange juice, perhaps? Vitamin C is good for bruising.”

      “Just bring the first aid kit, there’s room service here.” Raven turned, picking her bag up and trying not to limp away to the elevator. Hopefully the man had good pain killers, the woman hadn’t planned on actually pushing her leg so like a fool, didn’t bring any of her own.

      Her hotel room wasn’t very far, and dropping her suitcase just on the floor, Raven just flopped onto the bed. Oh she had to be one of the only ones who went for a vacation and ended up running into Captain America of all people.. Should she even tell Erik? Let the Brotherhood know about this? Irene would have her head if she knew she was working..

Steve was quick to nod at the words. “I should, yes, I’m very sorry. I’ll be sure to pay better attention in the future,” he found himself promising her, lips managing to spread out into a smile, even throughout his worry and guilt. She was already hurt and he’d gone and nearly ran her into the ground. It was completely his bad and he wasn’t going to forget that easily.

“Your bike? Ouch, I hope it isn’t too bad?” he questioned. “If you’d like, I’ve got a first aid kit in my car, I can take a look at it and see if it’s anything worth worrying about?” 

      “I’m not going out to your car with you.” Raven couldn’t help but just flat out say. Even though she knew this was Captain America, what lone woman in their right mind would follow a strange man out to his car? That was just common sense! However, even though it was a risk for him to really see what really happened to her leg.. The thought of getting something for the pain was just too tempting.

      “Bring your first aid kit to my room,” As if that wasn’t any worst than being alone with a stranger and his car.. “I want to take my weight off it. Plus, there’s a sink so you can wash your hands.”

After the Ultron business, Steve took to keeping himself busy with mission after mission. Rebuilding SHIELD was quite the job, and if taking some of that pressure off them kept him occupied, he wasn’t about to occupy. He knew he should have been back at the base training the recruits, but it was hard these days to keep himself planted.

Simple intel missions were like a small vacation to him. And, while he used to never think he needed a break, he definitely did. He was feeling the pressure, maybe it was all of his emotions bottled inside taking it’s toll, he wasn’t sure, but he decided a good night’s rest was what he needed.

After getting the recordings and pictures he needed, Steve stopped at the nearest hotel. He could easily call for a pick-up now, but he wasn’t going to get that easy night he wanted back home. He turned into a hotel and decided he’d stay there for a night (maybe two). As he walked inside, he was checking his phone for any updates, hardly paying attention until he near ran into a young woman. Stumbling just for a moment, he regained his balance and eyed her with an apologetic look.

“I’m very sorry, I wasn’t paying…” Steve began, strolling off with his words. “Are you alright?” he asked, noting the sign of discomfort when weight was put on one leg.

      Having just turned around to leave the front desk and head to her room, Raven was just outright body slammed by some stranger! Thankfully she only wobbled a bit on her feet, mainly due to the fact that her leg was indeed wounded and could not brace the impact as well as she normally did. She did not fall though, and that was what mattered as she turned to quickly face the man. At first she was angry and was going to snap, but she quicken changed that plan of attack. This was not a normal random guy. This was.. 

❖ name: Raven Darkhölme ❖ nickname(s): Many ❖ alias: The most notable, Mystique ❖ alignment: Call her what you may, but she is saving mutant lives. ❖ affiliation: The Brotherhood ❖ birthdate & age: Even though she can not recall the month she was born in at this point, she knows she was born around the 1810′s. ❖ zodiac sign: Unknown ❖ species: Mutant ❖ gender: Female, but shapeshifter  ❖ pronouns: She/her, but again, shapeshifter ❖ romantic orientation: Demiromantic ❖ sexual orientation: Bisexual

“As it always should.” A smile came at that, bias or not it was simply nice to know his vision continued even after he no longer did; it was how he’d always wanted it to be, students thriving together for as long as possible because god knows he’d never had a place like that, nor had Raven or plenty of other mutants. 

A small sigh passed, “The 80’s, so I assume it has been some time then…-i’m happy to know you’re still around.” He cared for her, in many ways she was the only family he’d had…the only family that hadn’t ever truly left him in one way or another and he always had a hope that she would live on far past him. 

He gave it a thought before he shook his head. “Perhaps you can offer me a small tour around the city first, i’d like to see just how much everything has changed.” There was always curiosity that came with time travel, it couldn’t be helped and as long as he happened to be careful..then it didn’t matter too much. 

      “The 80′s? That explains this.” She ruffled his hair with a hand before taking it back, a smile upon her face as the now mussed up Charles. Oh, that never got old. Even more so that his hair was a lot longer than it used to be. ...Or, was going to be. 

      “I’m always around, dear Charles. You should know how hard it is to get rid of me,” Raven hummed before gesturing at Charles’s chair. “Would you like to be pushed? I wouldn’t want to lose you in the crowds.” Plus, she was pretty sure she could push him faster than however fast his chair back in the 80′s went. That was the sort of detail she didn’t really pay attention to, so she could be wrong on that part. ...But, still. Her point with not wanting to lose him still stood.

“Raven.” It came with a tone of relief, perhaps she was older now but it was nice to see someone he cared for…someone familiar. It was why a smile came and fell from his lips. He wished he had answers, ones that pinpointed the reason he had been brought here; even accidentally meant someone had to have had a hand in it and it would be that same individual that could send him back. 

He let her words sit with him for a moment, he’d already discovered the fact he was dead in this future but there was something about the repetition of it that meant it was finally beginning to resonate with him even if he did not outwardly wish to say so. 

A nod passed, “Yes and frightfully a long way from the time I am supposed to be in..-I assume this has happened with other individuals too?” it was typically telling on the reasoning behind something regarding just how many people were being brought from one time or another. 

      “Your school is still standing. Full of students, as always.” Including her own children, but she wouldn’t mention that. She wasn’t even sure this Charles knew about them, and if he didn’t.. Well, it wouldn’t be easy getting out of explaining the mess that her family life was. 

      “What year was it last? The 70′s? 80′s?” She rested her hands on her hips, watching the man in the chair closely. Erik was quite fond of this mutant, and thanks to that and the fact they often ended up in fights against one another.. Well, Raven tended to know quite a bit of information. It helped a lot when sneaking into the school.

“It would do good,” Kurt disagreed softly. In that moment, he wanted nothing more than to understand his mother, to know where she was coming from. It most likely would not shift his viewpoints, but her justifications could make a world of difference. To know she truly meant good would change everything. 

At Raven’s words, Kurt’s jaw dropped. Rogue was his sister? During her time at the mansion, the two of them had always gotten along. In fact, before she left, they had begun to form quite a bond. And all that time, she was his sister. Not only had he gained a mother, but a sibling as well. He was glad he was sitting down. “Did…did she know who I was?” He could not deny the small sting that accompanying the revelation. Why had she gotten to grow up with Raven? Why not him?

His eyebrows furrowed. “What sort of things?” Kurt asked hesitantly, unsure if he wanted to know the answer. At the mention of Mystique’s partner, a question that had been lingering in the back of his head since the beginning of their conversation burrowed it’s way to the front of his mind, demanding to be asked. “This partner…are they also my parent? My father?” He questioned timidly, yellow eyes turning downcast for a moment. 

      “If you believe it would be good, then I will share with you my side of things.” Oh, he was quite naïve, but Raven wouldn’t complain. At least, not when it was working towards her advantage. She might actually get her son back after all these years, she had been waiting for this day for so long.. 

      “No, I never told her about you. She did find out that I had a child before her, but that was it. And if she did see anything about you when she absorbs my powers, she did not make that known to Irene and I.” And it was pretty hard to sneak anything past between the pair of them. 

“Okay…” Kurt replied slowly, carefully. The whole breaking in thing still did not bode well with the young mutant, but he let it pass for the moment. Leaving would do nothing and at least with him there he could make sure nothing happened…right? And an undeniable part of him wanted to hear what Raven said. Wanted to see the good in the one they call Mystique, to try to understand all she does and has done. 

Eyes roaming between Raven and the house, he brought his knees up to his chest. “The majority of stories are not what one would call…favorable,” Kurt agreed in an even tone. “We are taught to coexist peacefully.” Unlike you was left unsaid. The words came out easily, concepts and phrases that he had heard time and time again since arriving to the school. Always a peaceful and hopeful soul, he had grasped onto the ideals firmly. 

A look of confusion crossed Kurt’s face. “Ja, I know—knew Rogue. Why?” He titled his head, heart rate picking up. Did his mother have something to do with her sudden departure? Dark thoughts raced through his head, but he went with a less accusatory question. “Do you know why she left?” 

      “I can tell you my side of the stories, but I doubt that would do much good.” If she was in Kurt’s position she wouldn’t trust a thing she was being told. Who knew what was lies or fact? If the story got changed to make the other person turn out more favourable? There was so many things that could easily be said and be held out as if they were truths.

      “Yes, I know why she left.” And in order not to let her boy panic, Raven quickly went on to explain things. “She’s my daughter. Your sister. ..Adopted. My partner and I took her in after finding her on the streets.” Raven paused, giving the boy some time to understand what was being said. “Right now, Rogue is currently back home with her other mother.” And with that last statement, she awaited Kurt’s response to all of that, finding out that he was not Raven’s only child. Not only that, but Rogue was his sister through Raven. Sure she was adopted, but she was still his sister in the end.

Nodding his head, Kurt struggled with the thoughts that swirled through his head. He wanted to wholeheartedly trust his mother, but part of him told him he should teleport away that very moment. Mystique had killed people. His mother had killed people. Many people, if all the stories he had heard were true. And her words did not exactly deny them. In the past. Did that mean she had changed?

The young mutant followed after Raven, yellow eyes widening as she shifted once again. “Are we breaking in?” he whispered, although already knowing the answer deep down. Jean would not be happy…nobody at the school would. Kurt felt an odd feeling pass through him. Did the staff know of his parentage? Would they look at him differently if they did know? 

“Tea?” Kurt repeated, snapping out of his thoughts. “Ja. Sure.” He hesitantly sat down on the couch, tail swaying anxiously. His eyes followed her form, trying to remember the warmth he had felt only minutes earlier. He didn’t doubt her words were true, that she meant him no harm, but he couldn’t deny that the truth of her identity changed things. “Are…are the stories true?” 

      “They never notice. The owners merely return to find less dust and sometimes food in their fridge no longer expiring.” Yes, they were breaking in, but she did not want Kurt to feel bad for joining her on this. He was such a good boy, and even if such a simple thing did not bother her... Well, Kurt was a different story. She had to be more careful with him than she had to be around Rogue. 

      Moving to the kitchen, Raven went ahead to put on the kettle while she got out some tea bags she bought herself. [They were a gift from Irene] “I’m afraid to say, most are true. At least, the ones the X-Men tell.” With the water heating up, Raven went back over to sit with Kurt. She made sure to give him space, the air feeling tense and heavy between them now that Kurt could put a name to his mother’s face. “Back in the professor’s day, anyways. I do not know how it is now. I just know there was no sugar coating or twisted words from his day.” Back when Rogue was there.. Did he know about Rogue being hers? Raven knew most of the teachers did, but the students..?

“Ja,” Kurt replied immediately, no hesitation. The school was one of the best things that had ever happened to the blue mutant. Everyone was so friendly and he truly felt like he had a place there. The circus he had grown up in was fine…until it wasn’t. And even during the best periods there, he had to watch his back. “They treat me very well.”

At the prospect of answers, Kurt perked up. Yet, part of him feared what his mother would say. What was the expression…ignorance is bliss. But he would not live without knowing his past any longer. With a look of resolve, he gave a small nod. 

At the name Mystique, the teenager froze. A shapeshifter mutant…a blue shapeshifter mutant. He had been so caught up in their resemblance and connection that the prospect had not even crossed his mind. Despite not having having much TV access growing up, her name could often be heard around the halls of the mansion. Mystique was his mother. He attempted to slow his breathing which had rapidly picked up. How had he not connected the pieces? 

“Mystique…” He repeated, reeling as all the stories he had heard about her came flashing through his mind. How her way was wrong, flawed. A terrorist to many. “I do not know what to say…” Kurt mumbled after a moment before nodding numbly when she suggested they move away from the bodies. He let her guide the way in a daze. 

      “I knew you would be safe there.” Ok, maybe it was Irene who said Kurt would be safe at the school, like what they did with Rogue.. but still! Raven had input too. Plus, she did most of the leg work.. So she got some credit.

      “I would never hurt you, Kurt. I know I did monstrous things in the past, but I will never bring any harm nor trouble to you.” With a gentle hand, she placed it against Kurt’s shoulder and started to lead him along. She was currently crashing at someone else’s place, which wasn’t really new for Mystique. The woman was already stealing their faces, so why not use their houses when they weren’t around? Beside, she rarely left it in a mess. No one ever really found out. 

Logan was close to putting a hole straight through the wall at her backside. This was amusing for her? Then, he would really give her something to laugh at. Shoving her against the side of the building was only a momentary display of his strength, his innermost frustration, but he gnashed his teeth together into an animalistic snarl. She didn’t want to test his temper— or did she? Nothing much phased the ever elusive Mystique, to be honest. But he could sure as hell take her.

She was quite right about him having a delayed response at discovering her true identity, which only stoked the flames of anger tearing through him. There’s nothing trustworthy about her; naturally, he refuses to believe that Magneto hasn’t sent her. Even so, no matter who her Master is, Logan has been without one for some time now, and he’s never going back to serving the selfish, egotistical will of others. “You listen to me, darlin’, I got no problem gettin’ rid of people who get in my way,” he growls venomously through clenched teeth. However, making Mystique actually listen was doubtful at best. He wasn’t interested in killing her, though; or he would’ve done it by now. Mostly she’s just a bad devil over his shoulder, pesky and never knowing when to give up. 

Mystique attempts to wrap her persuasion up in a thoughtful claim to be fighting for the greater good. As if he hasn’t heard that line before. These people… like her, like Stryker… they only ever want to take from Logan, as if he’s not just hanging on by a single thread left of his sanity. As comfortable with violence as he is, he knows this feral nature makes him a true monster; but he’s not going to get caught up fighting for the wrong side again. Movements similar to that of a slithering snake, she slips from his grasp and he lets her, undeniably staggered by her bold mentioning of Rogue. If there was someone he would immediately go running to face off with the Brotherhood for, it would be Marie. And how did Mystique know that exactly? Was she using Rogue for information, or was it a wild guess on her part, trying to draw another emotional reaction out of Logan?

Confused, and partly hurt light brown eyes studied Mystique for the truth. “You’re gonna use her, just like how you wanna use me,” snarling, he feels the flesh between his knuckles rip open, slowly exposing adamantium claws. “If she gets killed on one of your little missions, then what? You assholes don’t give a shit about the ‘greater good’; Magneto wants to start a war and you’ll go on doin’ whatever he wants ya to. Well, count me fuckin’ out.” His pride won’t let him show how much he cared that Rogue was gone, into the hands of manipulators, killers, and criminals. Told himself that he couldn’t, and shouldn’t, do anything about the situation. She had free will, and wished to be far away from the X-Mansion. Fair enough.

      “Even monsters have hearts, Logan. However she is a weakness to you as she is to me, I know you can not do anything about this little bit of knowledge.” Mystique smirked, a hand resting on her own hip before going on with a wave of her other hand. “You should really be thanking me, you know. Giving you permission to see my little girl and all...” 

      “If harm comes to her, it’ll be on your head too. I am giving you the means to help protect her, keep an eye on her.. Yet here you are, saying no. You’re going to allow Rogue to walk into a place I can not follow? Maybe allow her to go with some other untrustworthy member of the Brotherhood?” Mystique knew she was tending on thin ice, at any moments those claws could impale her and then there would be no more. She knew how much pain she could take, and a stab from the Wolverine was enough to break her form and return to being blue and a freak. The people here wouldn’t help, let alone Logan of all people.        Hopefully he just cared for her daughter as much as she did. It was of course dirty of her to use Rogue in such a way, but.. Mystique meant well. For Rogue. Who else would make a better protector?

      Plus, there was the bonus of a job well done.

The delicate palm against the side of his face, brushing down to his beard, was patronizing and exasperating at best. A bad feeling rested in his gut; what kind of nonsense did she consider business? He’s not going to ask. He’s going to tell her to fuck off, emphasize how intimidating he could be, and then, vanish from here without a trace. He has to look over his shoulder constantly when on his travels, but she’s messing with an animal she’s not ready to face head on. No one usually is.

Claws.

She knows who he is, what he is. These games of hers would end, whether violently or not. There’s no way she’s just some innocent woman, those kinds didn’t approach or attempt to provoke the Wolverine. Nostrils flare as he captures her scent, allows it to engrave deeply into his senses. It’s familiar, and he wants to attach a name to the feminine aroma, his jaw clenching whilst hazel flecks heatedly glare against her backside. The realization hits him after several passing moments, and she’s already out the door, but he’s faster than her. Long-legged strides allow him to catch up, her room key shoved into his pocket. However, they’re not going to make it to her room. Did she think he was that fucking naive, that he would honestly corner himself in her presence?

That fucking Mystique. She’s pushed her luck with him a few times before, and he can’t deny that when it comes to trickery and sharp cunning, she remains one of the Brotherhood’s best. Still, fuck that.

“You think this is funny?” Logan’s shaking, resentment crackling within his body, veins practically popping out and rippling beneath his taut skin. He turns her around with an aggressive pull on her shoulder, grabs her by the upper arms, and swiftly turns to slam her back against the nearest wall. “Yeah, I’m thinkin’ about diggin’ my claws into somethin’ right now. How many times are you gonna try to fuck with me, Mystique? Did Magneto send ya?”

      Even though the force Logan used to slam her into the wall hurt, Mystique did not allow pain to show. She merely let out a laugh, not at all fighting back against the brute that had her cornered. [Which could be a bit worrying, it was Mystique after all.]

      “Oh this is more than amusing more than anything. I was wondering when you were going to realize who I was, Logan. Your nose is normally sharper than this.” Still, that would not discourage her from the task at hand. She didn’t buy a drink for the man for nothing.        “Do you know how long I had been in there? I’m pretty sure I even shape shifted in front of you.” That wasn’t true, but might as well keep getting under Logan’s skin..       -Wait, no. She had a mission to get to. The shape shifter wasn’t here for chit-chat. 

      “Now, now. Magneto didn’t send me, I came here myself. Your gifts can benefit the Brotherhood more than they are being used at the school. Don’t you miss it? Ripping into things? Getting rid of the humans who dare bring pain and death to our kind?” She started, yellow eyes locked onto his. “It’ll all be for the greater good, we have no one else quite like you at our services. You can even return back to the little school once you are done.”

Logan arched a thick brow at her. Not many women surprised him with bold statements like hers, however, he didn’t need her to pay for his drink. It suggested something that would surely end up causing him a grave headache. “Don’t call me honey,” he grumbles, hunching slightly over the counter top as another whiskey comes sliding over his way. Well, if she was going to pay for just this round, he supposed it wouldn’t be too much trouble. His lips touch the rim of the glass as he contemplates exactly how he wants to answer her. He’s wandering, so he’s sure as hell not telling her shit about where he’s coming from. 

Already inviting him to her room? “Then maybe you should head back there, with one of these other drunk fucks,” the statement came out harsher than intended, but he’s noticed her flirting around the other guys from before, and senses a game here. Logan doesn’t entertain games. He swiftly drains his glass, but she’s bound to realize that the liquor has no affect on his body and judgement. To be honest, she was too pretty to be around the intoxicated scum that plagued this bar, but everyone has their story, right?

“I’m not lookin’ for any company, if you ain’t notice.”

      Of course the Wolverine had to make this hard for her. It would be so much easier to lure him to bed, get him to be helpless and start making demands instead of just.. playing games like this. Maybe she should have just drugged his drink? Taken the easy route out..       However, Mystique knew that was not the way one built trust. Well, try to built trust. She needed to get on Logan’s good side, help get him over to the better cause..        “Thinking highly of yourself, aren’t you? I’m not seeking that kind of company,” She laughed, gently stroking the side of his face. “Sorry handsome, I’m here seeking a different kind of business.”

      Standing to her feet, Mystique straighten her dress out before placing a room key on the bar. “Come see me, this isn’t a matter that the public should hear.” Before she went to take her leave, she leaned in as if she was going to kiss him. Instead, she merely whispered.        “Think about how good it’ll feel to dig your claws into something..”