H A V O K

“I don’t particularly appreciate how cryptic everyone is being.”

"you know, at risk of sounding even remotely suspicious – i have no idea what you're talking about."

“I don’t think anything is as simple as you’re making it seem. It’s not cut and dry.”

"you know, group consensus hasn't been looking great after that, well – incident in times square. but i'm sure you already knew that."

“I do not care what Emma Frost said. She does not speak for all of Krakoa.”

"and you do? come on, ororo – let's not say things we don't mean."

“No, really, keep going. I’m sure my face is screaming I’m interested in your problems.” 

"if you're gonna be of no help, like negative help, i strongly recommend you leave."

"You need to calm yourself down, Alex." A gentle telepathic push was sent in the other man's direction as Charles raised his brows. "Everyone is upset about what happened, I understand that. But yelling at me isn't going to change any of it."

alex can feel charles' presence worming its way into his mind, is powerless to stop it, but he's calmed down significantly now and for that, he is thankful. "sorry– professor," he shakes his head, sheepish expression present on his face.

“See, we’re not all bad, are we?”

"i don't know if implying anyone of us is bad is necessarily advancing the cause," he let out a curt laugh.

“My father is dead and he’s not coming back. If there’s ever a time to not give me shit, it’s right now.”

alex holds up both hands in a gesture of surrender, "hey, easy –- you of all people should know i come in peace." there's a bottle of some shitty whiskey in his hand and he lifts it with a shrug, "besides, i come bearing gifts."

The flames on his fingertips immediately fizzled out, and Johnny recoiled to hold his hands behind his back as the other guy raised his voice. “Who pissed in your cereal? I was just showing you.”

"sorry, man. just – not a good time, you know?"

“you’re the one who walked right through my stuff and kicked all my nice piles all over the place!” rocket had been snarling and yelling about it for at least two minutes now. was it his fault that he decided to start putting together a new gun in the middle of a common area? probably. but now it was everyone’s problem. “do you have eyes? do you see things? maybe you can watch where you’re freaking going next time you peabrain!”

"counterpoint, ever heard of – i don't know, a work bench?" the parts littering the space around them had given alex the smallest tinge of regret, of shame at his own actions, but the moment the creature opened his mouth, it all went away. “you know what, i don’t have time for this.”

Harris Dickinson for Esquire Singapore

[ ! ] content warning: blood, bruises, drinking, injuries, kissing, nudity, nsfw, smoking, violence, war.