my wildflower

“No, no- I want to do it.” Bennett insisted. “I like having a project to work on! The more time consuming and intricate, the better.” He assured her, grinning as he thought on how much work he could put into making Dakota a map. It really was an exciting prospect. There were so many mathematical elements. His grin faded, becoming warm and affectionate. “Speaking from experience, everything gets better when Celestia is in your life.” As far as he was concerned, that was a scientific fact. He fell silent for a moment, enjoying the sound of just Dakota and Bennett being echoed back to him. He wasn’t sure he had ever really heard anything like it before, the sentiment was incredibly welcome. He felt like just Bennett right now, sitting beneath the stars. It was incredibly rare that his temper disappeared entirely, that the burning anger and frustration in the back of his mind ever dulled. But right now, it may as well be gone, he may as well be a regular eighteen year old boy, sitting and watching the sunset with a friend. He sighed quietly, feeling entirely at ease. “Then I guess we might be here for a while.” He said, pulling his bag towards him and placing it down on the grass behind where he was sitting, lowering himself to the floor until he was on his back, staring up at the night sky. “You can have my wish if you like… all I really need is good company and I have that right now.”

“Well, I’ll consider myself lucky then,” she says with a genuine smile on her face. She sat back against the bench looking up at the deep purple and pink sky. It was silent, the noises only coming from the buzz of fireflies, and the gentle wind that moved the grass and ruffled the leaves on the trees. “I guess we will. I usually lay here until the sun’s completely gone and I can’t take the mosquitos any longer,” she says turning her head to look at the boy where he laid on the ground gazing up at the stars. “If you like doing this... I’m usually here well every night unless I have homework or something else. So if you’re ever lonely... it would be really fun to have someone else around for once.” she offered. “So... tell me more about you Bennett. Your birthday... your favorite color. Your favorite shirt in your closet? Just the normal things that just Dakota and just Bennett would talk about in a normal conversation. I figured if we’re going to be friends we might want to know more things like that for each other.” 

Bennett couldn’t hide his excitement when Dakota took him up on his offer. She didn’t know him well enough to realise his map was going to be proportionally accurate and include perhaps an unnecessary amount of detail. But it was another project for him to work on, a time consuming one. Not only that, it would genuinely be useful, it could help somebody which only made the idea more appealing. “It might take me a few days but I promise I’ll get it to you as soon as I can.” He assured her. A frown creased his brow and he chewed quietly on his bottom lip. He wasn’t sure what he could say to comfort her because he felt the same way about the things he could do. “I’m sorry you feel that way- I really am.” He admitted. “I wish I knew what to say but… I’d just be repeating things people have said to me and I never listen to them so…” He laughed quietly, a soft self-deprecating sound. “You don’t need to explain if you don’t want to. You haven’t asked me any questions so I’m not about to ask you any. Sometimes it’s nice just to be seen without everything else? Isn’t it? I can just be Bennett and you can just be Dakota. No abnormal parents or abnormal abilities and abnormal superhero training schools… we can just sit here for now. I don’t mind.”

“It’s really no problem, Bennett. I’m not in a super rush or anything like that... honestly, I’ve just been contemplating whether I went to class again this week. But we’ll see about that. Maybe tomorrow will be better.” she admitted taking in a deep breath. She chuckled at his words, nodding along. “I’m not really so much as asking for advice, I’m merely just speaking my thoughts out aloud. It’s no one’s burden but my own. And I hope over time now that I have a friend.. well two friends- that things will get better for me.” At least she shut the cover of her book, putting it away in the bag that sat at her side. The sunset was beginning to disappear behind the hills and left in its wake was a dark purple and blue-black sky scattered with stars. It was nice to be in a space that was so unaffected by light pollution just like home. “Just Dakota and Bennett.” she echoed, lost in her thoughts for a few moments. When had she ever just been Dakota? “That’d be nice. Thanks. I heard that if you stay long enough you’ll occasionally catch a glimpse of a shooting star. Maybe a wish for some luck is what we could both use.”

Bennett frowned. Despite his initial trouble he had found a way to be comfortable with his new situation, not comfortable enough to relax entirely but comfortable enough for him to get the eight hours of sleep his routine called for. Clearly Dakota  hadn’t reached the same level yet, he wondered if she ever would. He desperately wanted to help her. “I can draw you a map if you like… that’s a genuine offer.” He added, aware his words sounded a little like he was teasing her. Glancing back up at the sky, now an even mix of deep purple and pink, he couldn’t agree more with his new friend. It really was a beautiful place to sit and watch the sun disappear. 

He only turned back to face her when he sensed her hesitance, he could definitely understand that. He wasn’t proud of what he was able to do, he didn’t think he ever would be. His mutations only managed to make his life infinitely more difficult, and maybe one day he could use his abilities to help people, but it wasn’t manageable. There was always a risk of hurting people which terrified him more than he would ever admit. “I know what you mean.” He murmured, needing her to know that, despite their difference in circumstance, he understood how she felt to a degree. Perhaps more than most. “I don’t exactly want to broadcast what’s wrong with me…” He faltered, realising how his words could be taken. “Not that there’s anything wrong with you, that isn’t what I meant. I just… I’m sorry, that sounded really bad, didn’t it?” He couldn’t hide his guilt, maybe Cel was right and he needed to start learning to filter himself. “You- you don’t need to thank me.” He insisted. “Especially not after that comment. I just… I want you to know you’re not alone, that’s all. “It might feel like it sometimes but you’re not.” 

She couldn’t help but smile at his offer, “Sure that’d be great. At least that way I won’t get lost on my way to classes this week as bad as I did last week.” she says sheepishly. She looked back up at the sky, enjoying how quiet it was here on the campus, and in a way she supposed it did remind her like home if even a little bit. This would probably become her daily routine, because there was something pretty calming about the beginning and ending her days by watching the sky’s colors change as the day began and end. She looked up at Bennett, silently wondering if maybe fate had just put them on each other’s paths for a reason- if only for them to have someone to relate to with what they currently were going through. “No, no you’re fine, honestly. I haven’t really shown anyone my abilities yet... but I’m in espionage classes and I know I’ll have to sooner or later. And I’m just worried what people will say, you know?” she says softly. “ I hope that one day... maybe sometime soon I’ll be able to really explain what it is I do. I’m sure you’re curious about it seeing as I haven’t exactly given you any hints.”

“I don’t.” Bennett assured Dakota. “I don’t judge you for feeling like this.” He shook his head, biting down on his bottom lip as he considered how he was adjusting. “Do you know what I did when I first got here?” He asked her, despite knowing she couldn’t answer the question. “I was so terrified of being so out of control, I couldn’t sleep until I explored every building and memorised the layout, I could probably draw up blueprints now if I needed to.” He laughed quietly, realising how much more ridiculous it sounded to admit out loud. “Then I spent two days in the workshop, sometimes taking parts up to my dorm room so that I could build my bots there instead. I was too nervous to sit alone with my thoughts so I… distracted myself. I’m not adjusting well, I’m not sure anybody is. It’s just… we don’t tell people about memorising layouts and refusing to give ourselves time to think. That kind of thing doesn’t really come up in conversation… aside from this conversation, which maybe disproves what I’m trying to say, but you know what I mean. I mean- I hope you know what I mean…” He knew he was rambling, but he wasn’t always very good with emotion. “I feel the same way.” He admitted, offering her a grim smile. “I’m not sure how I’m expected to help my world. I have a vague idea but… Cel isn’t going to like it.” He sighed, pushing his hair back away from his face. “We can be impostors together.” He teased, pulling her into a hug the moment she gave him permission to. He wasn’t always the best with words, he wasn’t like Celestia who always knew exactly what to say to make a person feel better. But he knew sometimes a hug could be equally as effective. He always craved affection when he was down. After a brief moment, he withdrew, keeping an arm around her shoulder and moving closer to where she was sitting so that they could both watch the remainder of the sunlight disappear. “It’s okay to be scared…” He said, his voice barely louder than a whisper. “It really is…”

“I didn’t sleep the first few nights either,” she admitted with a whisper. “ I just sat curled up in that little alcove in my room, with a blanket, looking out over campus. I thought maybe if I stayed up long enough, I’d exhaust myself. Turns out that wasn’t the case. I haven’t been getting more than 3 or 4 hours of sleep here.” She couldn’t help but chuckle at his admittance. “Well, maybe you can give me a rundown of this blasted campus then. I haven’t got a clue where anything is and I’m always wandering around here. I know this spot though. It’s got the best views of the sunrise and sunset.” She thinks back to how upon arriving and coming into her own room, she’d been relieved that it seemed to have everything she could've wanted in a room. With a few dollars well spent, she got somethings from the little store on campus to help transform it to feel more of her own. It was comfortable, sure. But it wasn’t her bedroom back at her house, with its big windows, and the smell of her mother’s favorite candles drifting in through the cracks under the door- or the thunderous thud of her Dad’s feet as he climbed the stairs. It was too quiet there and she hated it. 

“I just... freeze up when I even think about showing people what my abilities are. It’s just not something I’m used to just showing off you know? Maybe in a one on one with a teacher but... no just casually flinging it around.” she admitted. She felt herself relax in his embrace, sniffling some when he said they could be together in feeling like they were faking all of this. It was a relief hearing that someone else was struggling, amidst a constant reminder of kids who knew how to handle their abilities and proudly flaunted them when she lived in a world where hiding was the better option. When they at least withdrew, her eyes were still puffy, but the blue in her eyes were shining a tad bit brighter than they had before. Like a tiny bit of the storm in her heart had been scraped away. “Thanks, Bennett. For all of this.”

Beaming, Celestia smiled at the girl with a gleeful expression. “That means so much to me!,” she said, her cheeks warming with happiness. “I’m so glad that you’re glad to meet me! I’m glad to meet you!,” she gushed. “But if you’re too quiet, then maybe we’re perfect. Like ying and yang! Or is it yin and yang… Oh, I dunno. I never get it right, but oh well,” se said, shrugging it off. A big smile still rested on her face. “And history is more important than anything!,” she insisted, nodding quickly. “It’s why we are who we are, so of course it all still counts.” A giggle passed her lips. “My history involves floating through the sky over Santorini when I was five… there’s still an urban legend about the Little Kite Girl,” she said, holding a hand over her lips as she snickered. “I think so, too,” she gushed, nodding in agreement over their parents. “I think they would, too!,” she gushed. “My mom always joked about our red thumbs, instead of green! You seem to have one of your own, too!,” she gushed, remarking on the other girl’s abilities with plants. 

Dakota couldn’t help but feel the contagious happiness that this girl basically oozed. It wasn’t that she wasn’t a positive person, because she liked to think she was. But lately, with the way she was feeling as she’d settled into life living there, learning more about her abilities each day, but also feeling a little lonely had its effects on her. “Yin and yang, you’ve got it,” she says with a smile, watching as Celestia moved her hands over the plants manipulating them to stand upright, and if her eyes were correct, shine just a little bit brighter. “That’s really cool.” she says with a laugh, “I can’t imagine your mother’s reaction when she went looking for you. My history was when I well accidentally shapeshifted into another student when I was playing hide and seek with my Mom and Dad. I was 6.” she says with a shy smile. “That’s fitting, seeing as she’s the Scarlet Witch. I suppose that means we have blue thumbs then since that’s what my parents normally look like.” Just in that instance, she’d shared something about herself she hadn’t told anyone, about her skin tone, or her abilities, and it felt... good. 

“Oh, well then, Dakota, it’s an honor!,” she gushed, a big smile on her face. “I think I’ve met a million people, but I feel sorry for most of them. I’ve been told I talk too much,” she said with a shrug. “But that just…” She paused, pulling a clump of weeds out of the ground for the sake of a point. “Weeds the bad ones out!” Celestia laughed, her hands glowing red as she used her powers to tuck her hair behind her ear. “Mama was an Avenger for, like, two seconds. But when she lost Pietro… she moved to Greece instead, and here we are!” A frown crossed her face. “But it’s silly for people to think that’s all there is.” She listened to her talk about her parents, a big smile on her face as the other girl talked. “That sounds amazing! Wow, they sound really, truly great!” Pushing her focus back on the plants for a moment, red magic coursing between her fingers as she repaired another stem. “My mom never really worked, she did a few things here and there with the Avengers again, but mostly she just tried to keep my boyfriend and I from kissing behind closed doors for too long!” 

“Well thank you. I’m glad you’re the first person I’ve met- it would be awfully awkward if the person I met ended up being an absolute nightmare,” she admits with a smile. “I don’t think so. I mean I’ve only known you about 5 minutes, so I guess we’ll see on that one. I don’t mind though. I get told I can be too quiet.” she admitted. She followed Celestia’s example, beginning to bull the weeds that grew in clusters around the plants, setting them to a side in a neat pile as they lightly chattered. She wasn’t surprised that the girl’s personality would find her around a lot of people, considering it seemed like she had the whole social butterfly thing down to a science. “Well she still was one, right? That still counts. My Mom and Dad technically not part of the X-Men anymore but it’s still a part of her history ya’know? It’s part of who they are now Either way it sounds like our Mom’s would’ve liked each other I think. Especially if she knows that your Mom has a love for plants like mine does.” 

Bennett laughed. He had never been to a public school, but if they were anything like the ones portrayed in the tv shows he watched with Celestia then he could only begin imagine. “McCoy is nice.” He agreed, offering her a smile when she mentioned Raven’s surname, his eyes shining with amusement. “You’re right, I don’t think Darkholme would have allowed you to fly under the radar.” He glanced down when she placed a hand against his arm, strangely comforted by the contact. “He does.” He said quietly. “He really does… both of my parents are incredible. I didn’t think I would miss them this much but I’ve never really been away from them before.”  He knew his mom and dad had good reason to be overprotective. But aside from going to school every day, spending the occasional night at Wanda’s, staying with his Uncle Tony for a weekend or two, and taking care of the house when his parents left for a business trip, he hadn’t technically been away from them. There had certainly never been more than a phone call separating them, nothing like this. “I don’t think there’s an age limit for missing family.” He said, his voice gentle as he tried to reassure her. “If Dad has taught me anything it’s that… no matter what you’re feeling, it’s valid just because you’re feeling it, you know? You need to respect your emotions, you can’t just… say they’re childish and brush them off, that’s only going to hurt you.”  A frown creased his brow as he listened to her talk about how she felt trapped. So far he had done everything he could to avoid that feeling. But he had been unable to combat the feeling of being out of place. “I have.” He admitted, a sad smile tugging at his lips. “Everybody here has… these amazing abilities that they can learn how to control and use- things they should be proud of having. And then… there’s me. A science nerd with a bad temper and a genetic mutation he could trigger if he loses control. I’ve seen my dad struggle, I don’t want that for myself. I’ve spent my entire life repressing what makes me different. But if I don’t have that… then why am I here? What else do I really have to offer? It’s like… the ultimate Impostor Syndrome.” It was his turn to reach out and put a hand on her arm, an attempt to lend her the same level of consideration she had initially gifted him. “I don’t think that’s selfish. But this isn’t forever… you’ll go home one day. And I know that’s scary too for a million different reasons, but you aren’t stuck here. Can I-” He faltered, feeling suddenly very awkward. “Can I hug you? I don’t want to- not without asking, I know some people don’t like it but - I feel like you might need a hug.” 

Dakota’s had been great, honestly. She lived in a rather nice house, one just next to the main building of Charles Xavier’s school, still within the compound but not quite living together with its students. She’d always had someone to play with, sure they might’ve been teenagers or college student aged, and as a little kid, she’d spent more time sitting in her father’s labs as he worked or with her mother’s combat lessons. And she was learning it all then, absorbing what they said and practicing while playing. They had made sure she could handle her abilities like she could handle anything at school. But just like modern education sometimes didn’t quite cover everything, her parents limited what she did to avoid her becoming a danger to herself, and by result everyone at the School. She was always with her parents and ate her meals with one of both of them every day. Sleepovers were just nights spent with Emma Frost or Storm. Or even Jean and Scott. There were other children thereof other XMen, and she’d had playdates with them too. But as she’d gotten older and gone to school and they were spending more time figuring out their abilities, they became less and less likely to speak with her, because what could they possibly have in common with the girl who was playing pretend?

“I know,” she said tearfully, rubbing her eyes, only for them to become blurry with tears again.” I just don’t want people to judge me for feeling like this. It just seems like everyone else is adjusting nicely.. or at least that’s how it seems. I just can’t shake this feeling that this will all blow up in my face. Like they brought the wrong kid here when they could’ve brought kids from the School. I mean I have a genetic mutation that is just... a regular part of my DNA. I wouldn’t call what I have powers- it’s just who I am. I’m not special like these heroes.” Dakota looked up at Bennett and nodded, “Imposter Syndrome. That’s exactly how I feel.” she let her chin fall into the palm of her hand again, sniffling. She felt Bennett’s hand on her arm and she looked up. “Sure. Thanks for asking,” she said before turning in her seat to wrap her arms around the boy.

Bennett wasn’t surprised to hear of Dakota’s involvement with the institute. In his own world Raven and Hank were said to be close friends with Charles Xavier. Though he was surprised to hear she had attended a regular school. Maybe it was for the same reasons his parents had sent him to a school with Celestia. It would be interesting to know. He smiled sadly, understanding her inability to bring people home. “I went to a private school.” He admitted. “Paid for by my Uncle Tony. Partially because Mom and Dad wanted the best education for me, partially because they were worried about what the media would say if I suddenly showed up in a public school. They do everything they can to avoid attention. I couldn’t bring people home either… my surname was enough for people to ask questions. After that it would have just been… asking for trouble.” He looked up at her, shocked by her statement. For a moment, he held her gaze, struggling to comprehend the fact that she was being entirely serious. And then he was blinking tears from his eyes, laughing quietly at his inability to control his emotions. “I’m sorry,” he murmured, brushing them away with his sleeve. “I’m just not used to people being kind, I think they forget he’s a person, you know? Thank you… for saying that.” He took a moment to compose himself, listening quietly and nodding when Dakota told him Hank was a doctor, he could only assume it was the same in his timeline. “That makes sense.” He admitted. “Dad used to be a doctor… way back. They probably have a lot in common, huh?” His smile faded when he noticed his new friend was crying, a frown creasing his brow as he watched her, wondering again whether a hug would be a good idea. “It will get better.” He assured her. “You have us now, an irritating dynamic duo. By us I mean Cel and myself… obviously.” 

Dakota was surprised. She often forgot that she wouldn’t be the only person who would’ve lived a life that was more private that some. While she wished she’d been like other kids who had gotten to live in houses, within the suburbs, going to football games late at night and going back to friend’s houses for sleepovers- she didn’t really have that chance. So maybe she could trust him a little more and be honest, rather than shielding so much.  “Must’ve been nice. I went to public school. They were... an interesting bunch.. to say the least.” she admitted with a small laugh. “My last name didn’t seem to be a problem. People didn’t know my parent’s last names and I went by McCoy on papers for school because it was a very average last name. Well.. at least more average than McCoy-Darkholme.” she explained. She put a hand out resting it on his arm and patted it gently. “It’s alright. I can tell he means a lot to you. Or else you wouldn’t have gotten worked up.”

 Even though she’s in tears, it’s nice to have a conversation about her parents with someone who missed their own and maybe was struggling a bit too. “ I feel a bit like a little kid if I’m honest. It’s like I know I’m too old to be feeling like this because I went to college and everything and I didn’t see my parents for that year except for holidays and what not but just... this is so different. I can’t call them or anything.” she can feel a sob in her throat and she’s quiet for a minute, turning her face away as she tries to calm herself. “I just feel ao trapped here, and I’m just lonely all the time. It’s like I can be in a room full of people, in the dining hall, or just here around campus, and I’ll still feel like I’m alone. Have you ever felt like that? And It just makes me keep away from people even more because I don’t want to mess up their day if I’m in a shit mood. I don’t mean to sound ungrateful for the chance to be here to make a difference for my life back home but just... I’m miserable here. And I’m just really having a hard time accepting everything because I don’t want to be here. I just want to be at home. And it might sound selfish but that’s how I feel.”

Bennett frowned, upset by Dakota’s admission. He had been struggling to feel as though he belonged in the academy but that was very different to feeling uncomfortable with who he was as a person. He couldn’t begin to imagine how much hurt she was feeling, he wanted to take it all away. Nobody deserved that. “Is there a reason?” He asked quietly. “Were people cruel to you?” He ducked his head at the mention of his father’s moniker, not wanting to see her reaction. It was very possible she wouldn’t care, but it was also very possible she was doing what so many people did, searching him for any sign of the monster Bruce Banner was infamous for harbouring. “That’s him.” He admitted, nodding quietly to himself, only looking up again when she told him who her parents were. He knew of Mystique and Beast, though from what a few people had told him Mutants were much more publicly known in timelines outside of his own. “Your dad, is he a scientist? I’m sure my dad admires his work… in our world, at least.” Watching her carefully, he could see her expression falter, and he longed to comfort her. He just didn’t know how. He couldn’t hug her without her permission, and it felt too strange to ask. “I don’t think that sounds awful.” He said, his voice barely louder than a whisper. “I think that makes perfect sense given the circumstance.” Glancing briefly back up at the sunset, it wasn’t long before he was looking back to her, holding her gaze, hoping she would be able to sense his sincerity. “I hope it helped.” He murmured, smiling gently. “I don’t fit in here either. Everybody here is learning to control their abilities… I’ve spent my entire life learning how to repress my genetic mutation. But forget that… you have me, and you have Cel. We’re your friends now, okay? We’ll sign adoption papers if we have to.” He teased. “You don’t always have to fit it, there are people who will appreciate you regardless… Cel taught me that.”

“I grew up at the Charles Xavier School for Mutants.” she said in one breath. “My parents lived there after being really found by Charles Xavier, and he taught them to perfect their skills, and to protect them from the normal world… who deemed them dangerous. I grew up there, running around the campus like my own personal playground. I went to normal school through, but I didn’t make many friends once people realized I couldn’t ever seem to invite them to my house because it would be dangerous for everyone.” she tucked a stray hair behind her ear. Dakota can see her words have possibly struck a nerve. She knew what it was like to be judged because of who your parents were. “He’s a legend,” she says, at last, a small smile on her face. “He’s making the best of what he has and he doesn’t let people bother him. Us mutants… think he’s a big inspiration to grow into your abilities.” she gave him a reassuring smile. “Dad’s a doctor, but they’re scientists I suppose,” she said quietly. resting her chin on the palm of her hand she listened to him speak. The way Bennett held her gaze and spoke to her, she could tell that he really cared. “I grew up being taught to hide it and I was terrified of my powers…and it scared me when I realized I had them.” she wiped away tears with one hand. “Thanks, Bennett. I just hope it gets better from here. It has to.”

“Oh, is that so? That’s such a shame,” she said, a pout on her face. “I’ve been throwing mudpies at my mother since I was 2, don’t think I ever grew out of it,” she said with a giggle. “Yes! Pietro! Was he… was he alive in your… world?,” she asked, her shoulders perking up. “My middle name is Pietra, actually! I never met him, but he sounded phenomenal,” she said, sighing wistfully. “Mystique and Beast…,” Celestia repeated, trying to place the names before remembering a conversation about them in passing. “What? No way! That is so amazing!,” she gushed. “What are they like? I’m sure that’s so exciting!!” 

“To be honest... I haven’t really met anyone else besides you,” she says her cheeks red from embarrassment. How pathetic did she sound to this girl? She was really making a great first impression. “Pietro! Yes, he was, so is your Mom,” she says with a smile. “They’re a cool pair, always up to something,” she explained with a fond smile, remembering reading articles and such back home. “Yeah. I’m glad you know who they are. It’s like people here forget not everyone here has a parent who’s ... um an Avenger.” brushing off her hands of the dirt she took a deep breath. “Well Mum does social work now, mainly because she’s interested but also because she can be around kids who are also mutants, and help them get situated at a safe place, or if they’re old enough, they can come straight to Charles Xavier’s School.. that’s where I lived with my parents. And my Dad’s a doctor. He mainly works at the School though, keeping track of all the mutants. Like our own personal health care provider.” 

Bennett could see that Dakota was fighting some form of internal battle. Maybe he had overstepped his mark. He opened his mouth to apologise but she answered his question before he could. To his relief, she didn’t sound upset. “It’s not a bad thing, I didn’t mean it to sound like… I don’t know.” He admitted, hoping she would understand he didn’t mean anything by it. Raising his eyebrows when she asked him who his father was, he made himself comfortable, leaning back on his hands so that he could observe the sunset. “Dr. Banner.” He said quietly. “I don’t know who he is in your universe, but in mine it’s… it’s a whole thing.” Turning to look back at her, he offered her a warm smile. “Who are your parents?” He asked, his smile only growing at the mention of Cel. “The luckiest.” He agreed, shifting his weight to free a hand so that he could take hers, shaking it gently. “It’s nice to meet you too. Do you mind if I ask why you’re sitting out here alone? It’s a beautiful sunset but… aren’t you lonely?” 

   “It’s alright, really. You’re not.. wrong I’m used to being invisible. Or at least acting like I am. I’m used to keeping my head down... not attracting attention to myself. Funny that I’m at school meant to train superheroes when I can’t even feel comfortable in my own skin.” It was true, and it had a double meaning. She walked around looking like this normal girl when she knew that without a second thought she could phase back to her true form and people would probably just learn to ignore her then too. “The Hulk.” she nods, knowing who he was. In her reality he’d been labeled as a bit of a nightmare to the normal world. But to her family, being seen as different wasn’t anything new. After all, they’d all come from that world that had pushed them aside because of their mutations. “Mystique and Beast.” she says with sigh, “Or Raven and Hank, as everyone else calls them. We’re mutants.” she turned her book up side down, to hold the page and shrugged. She chewed her lip because his voice sounded so concerned and well, she was having a hard time. She could practically feel her bottom lip wobbling, if only slightly. “Well...,” she sucked in a deep breath, “this probably sounds fucking awful but... I just.. I don’t have any friends. Or family here for that matter. I’m used to being ignored so I figured maybe the sunset would make me feel better.” she laughed, a bitter, wet sounding noise and she could feel her eyes welling with tears. “I just miss my parents and my friends. Not really fitting in here all that well.” 

Bennett didn’t miss the way Dakota turned to look behind her when he first spoke. He recognised the gesture, it was one he sometimes used himself. “You’re used to being invisible, huh?” He asked, his eyes shining with amusement. Maybe it was an unfair assumption but it felt lighthearted enough, and it allowed him to open up a conversation. “Me too.” He admitted. “It’s hard not to go unnoticed when your girlfriend has more energy than anybody else in the room.” He couldn’t help the affection that leeched into his voice at the mention of Celestia, as he thought back on every time she had accidentally made herself the centre of attention. She could light up a room without even realising it, but he noticed. He always noticed. It was one of the many things he loved about her. “Though when people figure out who my dad is it turns out they can’t stop noticing me. It’s like they’re all just… waiting for to me explode, or something.” He dropped his bag down beside her, lowering himself to the grass. “I’m Bennett, by the way. Celestia’s boyfriend, she really seems to like you.” 

Dakota couldn’t help but feel a fire of defensiveness as he asked her if she was used to being invisible. She wasn’t invisible. She’d seen invisible. She could make herself invisible at will if she felt like it. Who was this guy anyway? “No! No I-...” her voice lowered and she looked down at her book. “Maybe..... yes.” she said with a sigh looking up at the boy. When he admitted her was too she raised her eyebrows. Shy people didn’t tend to just outright introduce themselves like he just had. He listened to her speak about his girlfriend and it made her smile, because if anyone could talk about their girlfriend like that then he must be a decent guy. “Who’s your father then? Most people are surprised to hear who my parents are. So I suppose I feel you there, in a way.” she admitted with a smile. “Oh! Yes, Celestia’s very sweet. You’re a lucky boy. It’s nice to meet you. I’m Dakota.” she says holding out a hand to shake his.

It was no secret Celestia found it much easier to make friends than he did. At this point Bennett strongly suspected every person in the school knew her name. But he was far more comfortable in her shadow. Socialising wasn’t difficult for him, he simply didn’t crave it. He was more than content to make friends without approaching people, without forcing a conversation. That being said, he liked to think in spite of his logical brain, he could see when somebody needed approaching. When somebody might be looking for comfort. Watching Dakota now, a girl who Cel had mentioned in passing, she looked sad. Or at the very least, uncomfortable. He had only been on the way to his dorm room, and with no plans for the evening, he diverted his route, crossing the greenery lining the building, making his way over to where she was sitting. The sun was beginning to set, washing the building in beautiful tones of pink and orange. He could certainly see why she had chosen to spend her time here. “Hi.” He said awkwardly, smiling as he finally reached her. “I’m sorry, you might want to be alone and I promise I won’t be offended if that’s the case. But you- you looked like you could use some company.” @itsdakota​

Dakota practically pulling her own hair out. With classes starting soon now that everyone was fully settled, she couldn’t help but feel discouraged. She didn’t have any siblings there at the school with her, there was no Raven or Hank here from a different reality that would make her feel a little better, no siblings from other realities either. So far the most interaction she’d had was the nice lady at the dining hall when she would ask for the nut-free menu, the janitors in the library, and Celestia who she kept running into across campus. She had to remember to ask her for her number so maybe they could talk other than the few minute conversations they had in passing. She was sure she looked miserable, but she was- and it was making it hard to keep a neutral expression when she wasn’t feeling her best. All she wanted to do was read her book, then go back to her room and curl up in her bed until she fell asleep, and then restart that misery all over again. She lifted her head when she realized the boy standing near her was speaking. Was there someone next to her, or behind her? She turned her head to check and was surprised when she realized, oh. He was talking to her. “Hi,” she said quietly, s a small smile on her face. “Sure, yeah company is always welcome.” she motioned to the empty bench beside her.

“Oh! That’s how my mother and I spent so much of our time together, too,” she gushed, beaming up at the other girl. “I’m trying to bring these lilies back to life,” she said, staring at the lily in question with heavy focus as she moved her hands, red magic radiating from her fingers and lifting the lily back upright. She smiled, satisfied with her work, before turning back to the girl who introduced herself as Dakota. “Pleased to meet you, too!,” Celestia gushed. “Oh, of course,” she said, sliding her hair over her shoulder. “Wanda Maximoff, uh… Scarlet Witch, is what some people call her. And my dad was some hunk on the beaches of Santorini. Nothing spectacular!,” she said with a giggle. “And you?”

“That’s cool, you’re probably the first person I’ve met who actually enjoys getting their hands dirty with plants and whatnot,” she says beginning to scoop mulch over the flowers that she began to heal to their former glory. Her eyes widened at the trick, her curiosity spiking. Just who was this girl’s parent? Hearing the name Maximoff she grinned. “Yeah! I know about her, my mother always talked about her and her brother. Pietro right?” Tucking her hair behind an ear, her face burned with nerves as she spoke, “Raven Darkholme and Hank McCoy or uh... Mystique and Beast.. they were part of the X-Men? We’re mutants.” This was probably the first time she’d revealed her parentage and ability to do something out of the ordinary to anyone else. She only hoped the girl would take it well.

“You wanted to help?,” she asked, a big smile spreading across her face with joy. “Really? Oh! Well then, that’s so sweet of you!” She adjusted her flower-shaped sunglasses to get a better view of the girl. “Thank you! I was working on this for the longest time and then that buffoon…” She paused to glare off in the distance. “Ruined it all. So yes! I’d love some help! Have a seat!” She shifted to the left, leaving room for the redhead. “I’m Celestia, by the way! It’s so lovely to meet you!” 

“Yeah, I used to help my Mom with the garden outside of our house every spring, and sometimes we’d grow pumpkins in the fall. So I like to think I’m kind of acquainted with gardens and flowers and such,” she said setting down her things to the side so they wouldn’t get covered in dirt. “I’m terribly sorry on behalf of those other idiots. Some people just don’t know how to appreciate natural beauty.” she squatted beside the girl, offering her hand. “Pleased to meet you! I’m Dakota. If you don’t mind me asking, who are you, parents? I’ve been asking pretty much everyone I meet at this school.”

closed starter for @itsdakota​

Finally, Celestia had found where to volunteer her ten hours. The gardens needed maintaining, and few things brought her the joy that watching plants flourish under her care. She recalled crying over the fact that she had to eat plants because she loved them so much. Distinctly, she remembered saying she wished she could just live off of photosynthesis instead. So, when a large, clumsy buffoon of a boy ran over her perfectly perfect roses, it took everything in her not to trip him with a wave of her hand. Instead, she went back to painstakingly repairing the broken petals and damaged stems. When a shadow caught her eye, she looked up frantically. “Oh please don’t step on these - I’m still bringing them back!” 

Dakota hummed to herself, a blanket tucked under her arm and her bookbag across her back. She was planning on lounging near the cute little garden by the dorms because being outside around nature always seemed to help her relax and unwind a little. She felt like she’d been on high alert since she’d left with Stephen Strange a little while ago, and hadn’t properly made friends yet. Being on her own was a lonely existence and she was thankful that classes were going to be beginning soon. She slowed her space when she saw a girl sitting beside what looked like a patch of ruined roses. That’s when she noticed the girl kneeling there was speaking to her. “I wasn’t going to, don’t worry. I was actually going to ask if you wanted any help?”