From Ashes to Victory

“What can I get you?”

“Hmm... What do you recommend?” Jean asked, not wanting to fully admit she was still new to places like these.

 ’ ya alright there, RED? ‘ 

she seemed to have snapped back as she let one word escape her lips, but logan could sense that she was feeling tense. must’ve really been a bad day. 

’ ya don’t drink often, do ya? anyway, look LADY, if ya don’t feel like tellin’ me about yer crappy day, THEN DON’T. i ain’t forcin’ ya to do anythin’, sweetheart. but the offer’s still on the table, i’ve listened to a bunch of fuckin’ sad stories from sappy customers before. ’ 

he looked back at her, trying to not look too intimidating or scary as he took the glass from her and filled it with bourbon, before handing it back to her. he noticed that this time, she had a smile on her face. she seemed like a nice gal, after all. 

logan turned his back to the woman and grabbed a glass and a bottle from the shelf. he cocked a brow when heard the woman say ‘please’, which wasn’t something his customers usually said. he handed her drink over and leaned in slightly closer. 

JEAN GREY | PHOENIX 

Age: 27 Occupation: School councilor  Status: Undeclared Mutant Abilities: Telepathy & Phoenix Force

Jean Grey lived an ordinary life till the age of ten, when she witnessed the death of her best friend. It caused her telepathy to awaken, and with none to understand her situation, her life spiraled downwards from there.

Constantly hearing voices in her head and unable to shut them off, Jean became known as the ‘special child’. She was an outcast in school and regularly met up with a psychiatrist to ‘fix her problem’. It was only after her telekinesis began to show that her parents found she was actually a mutant and the therapy sessions came to an end.

With this new found knowledge, and none to counsel with, it was up to Jean to understand and control her powers on her own. It was difficult to say the least, but her parents were supportive all the way and soon enough, Jean regained the balance in her life.

As a sign of a fresh new start, she transferred schools. This time, however, she decided it was best to keep her mutation on low-key. It seemed to be a good choice as it helped Jean blend in with her fellow peers more easily and make friends at last–something the lone girl wished she’d have again.

Though she had trouble blocking out most of the other people’s minds, high school and college ended without a hitch, and Jean successfully landed herself a job as a school counselor.

There was even food and his hair, noticing something warm dripping down, and close to his visors, making him shiver. He noticed Jean laughing as he turned his head to look at her, a bit confused yes, but deeply relieved that she wasn’t mad or angry or even screaming at him. She was just… taking it with humor.

He looked at Jean when he swiped the food off his shoulder, before she leaned in, cupping his face as she pressed her lips against his. Scott’s hand instantly traveled to her waist, leaning closer as he kissed her back, a sweet, tender and long kiss. His fingers absentmindedly traced the line of her cheekbones so gently and lightly, letting himself melt into the kiss and the touch of her hands.

His cheeks turned a darker shade of red, as he let the kiss linger a bit longer, not even realizing when he felt himself out of breath, until he parted his lips from hers, his breath coming in short, quick ones, eyes now focusing on hers before he took a lock of her hair and placed it behind her ear, resting his forehead against hers.

"God, I love you" he said in a deep voice, nuzzling his nose with hers, his fingertips tracing her cheekbone, and slowly drawing her jawline and neck, before he took a deep breath and simply looked at her.

It was only after several seconds that the thought fully registered in her mind and the idea of it surprised her greatly. Jean never believed there’d be a day where she’d fantasize of her carnal desires, much less do so whilst kissing Scott in such an innocent and pure way. He was loving her the way she always wanted a man to love her. Any more than this would have had her bolting out the door in a flash. The telepath wasn’t ready for that, yet she had the backbone to even think of such a thing. Jean mentally shook her head and ended her train of thought. The ginger wanted to take things slow and easy. There was no need for rush anyway. So she focused back on her lover, and right then, he’d said those three special words that sent her heart aflutter. Really, Scott was the ideal man and lover, flaws and all.

“I know.” Jean replied coyly with a small, playful smile, and dusted pink cheeks. Her breath hitched as his fingered skimmed down her neck and she softly sighed when he stopped.

Her eyes started down at his hand then up at him, at simply red. Oh what she would give to see what laid beneath those ruby quartz.

The telepath steadily slid her fingers from his cheek to the temple of his glasses. She was tempted to simply remove them—it would’ve been so easy to—but of course, that’d be quite the idiotic move and suicide, so she instead continued upward to thread her fingers through his hair, noticing not for the first time how damn soft it was and absently wondering what he uses to achieve said softness. Obviously, she wasn’t going to ask, and instead brought her focus back to the mess in front of them.

“We need to clear this place up.” Jean sighed and stood up, dusting her dress with her hands before giving Scott a mischievous smile. “Though you should know I’m not letting you off the hook just yet. I’m expecting you’ll find a way to make it up to me for all my hard work.” And winked teasingly.

He tried thinking of how it could be possible that she was there. She couldn’t have snuck up on him that easily, he would’ve recognized her scent right away, and yet even as of the moment, he still couldn’t smell her naturally sweet scent in the pub. Am I hallucinating? "This beer is startin’ t’ get t’ me. Never thought I’d ever get drunk. ‘Specially not drunk ‘nough t’ start hallucinatin’." He murmured before turning back and ordering another shot.

But just then did Jean’s words sink in. “No, I’ve got a thing for a redhead. Jus’ one.” He corrected quietly, not wanting to draw attention to him talking to what he thought was an alcohol-induced hallucination. “Sure would be the right choice, huh? To sleep with someone else and jus’ get over Jeannie. But it ain’t gon’ be that easy. I didn’t jus’ want to get in her pants. Well, at first I did. Then I spent more time with her, I realized she wasn’t the kinda girl who ya can just have a one night stand with. She’s a keeper.” He explained, before turning his gaze back to Jean.

His eyes wandered over her, from head to toe as he tried his best to memorize his features, thinking that he wouldn’t be seeing her anytime soon. “Still as beautiful as always.” Logan whispered soft enough that only he could hear, and for one second he forgot about Jean being with Scott, and he imagined how different things would be if she chose him. He snapped back from his thoughts and heard her speak. “…Someone’s jealous.” He teased with a sad smile.

Jean stared at her with narrowed eyes and furrowed brows. She’d have called that expression as simply observing but some would call it downright glaring. The ginger would most certainly deny the latter. At hearing Logan’s teasing remark she folded her arms and looked the other way, “I am not. I mean, yes she’s beautiful and she probably has almost everyone’s eyes on her, but I’m not jealous. I only need one man to keep looking at me and as long as he is, I have no reason to be.”

Jean took a few steps towards him and leaned by the counter. “You’re not hallucinating, Logan. Though you should know I’m not entirely here either. I’m using Cerebro. Sort of borrowed it to contact you.” She turned to face him properly and looked back into those striking blues. How long has it been since she’d faced him properly, since she’d seen him this close up? It felt like forever, and it was her turn to give him a sad smile.

The time never came though, not when he was younger, and more important things came upon him. The leadership of the X-Men, himself graduating, becoming a teacher, helping the Professor, rescuing mutants. So many things had happened, that didn’t give him a chance to sit down with Jean and talk. And talk with no fears or worries, except the one of losing her in a chance of scaring her away. Maybe that had been the reason why he never spoke before. But now, he was so glad he had acted impulsively, and said those three words to her out loud, and kissed her.

Things couldn’t have turned out for the better. “I love you because you brought this feeling in me I didn’t thought was possible. I came to this world, to this mansion so confused, and lost, and sad, and lonely. And then you came and tried so hard to be my friend. You understood me, you accepted me as I was. A mutant who can’t even control his own powers” he said with a laugh as he shook his head at himself. “But you didn’t care, you gave me a smile and you made it so easy for me to let you in” he said, and before anything, he leaned a little closer to her to give her a kiss when she said she loved him.

But things turned terribly wrong as the moment he leaned in, the weight of the table went nuts, and the tablecloth, the cutlery, the plates, the food the wine, it all went to the floor, along with him, and out of a reflex, he didn’t let go of Jean’s hand any second, resulting in both, on the floor, covered in food and wine. “I’m so sorry” said Scott after he sat up and made sure Jean was okay. “I’m so sorry, I ruined it” he said, looking at the floor.

As he moved in closer, she met him halfway. Her eyelids slid down and her heart slowly began to pick up in its pace till she felt the table wobble beneath her elbows. Her eyes quickly snapped back open but before she could do anything both her and Scott and everything else crashed onto the floor.

Jean’s head buzzed for a second at the sudden incident that had her now lying on the floor and after several beats she brought herself to sit up straight. The redhead took in the mess around her.

The plates and glasses were sprawled on the ground, some cracked but not broken—lucky enough—and some of the food had landed on her lap. She stared at it hard before covering her face with her hands. The redhead’s shoulders shook and she dipped her head low. Scott started to apologize and she let the held-in giggles slip from her throat till finally she burst out laughing.

“Oh gosh. That was totally unexpected.” She chuckled, wiping a tear from her eye, and when the laughter fully subsided she looked at him and shook her head. “No, it’s fine. You didn’t. Besides,” Jean took a cabbage leaf from her lap and flicked it away. “It would only be ruined if leave things just like that.” She spotted a bit of food on his shoulder and leaned closer towards him, sweeping it off with the back of her hand.

“So, I think we should continue where we left off.” The redhead said playfully and raised her hands up to cup his face. She pressed her lips against his in a soft, tender kiss.

He pulled out her chair and waited for her to sit before taking his place in front of her, looking down at his plate of food, and closing his eyes as he inhaled the smell deeply. He felt his mouth water already, his stomach growling loudly. He wouldn’t admit, but the apple he had been eating while grading papers was probably his lunch and the only thing he had eaten after breakfast.

"I swear that if this tastes as amazing as it looks, I’m gonna start thinking you’re trying to steal my place as the best cook in this house. Not like Glenn counts or anything" he said with a laugh, reaching for her hand across the table, holding it tenderly, starting a soothing motion with his thumb on the back of her hand.

“A gentleman as always.” The redhead commented when he pulled out the chair and she sat down. She carefully watched him regard the food and softly chuckled as she heard his stomach growl. “They do say that to the hungry man, no bread is bad, so if it does taste ‘amazing’, we can thank it to your hunger. Also, remind me tomorrow to give you a lecture on eating regularly.” Jean said in a joking tone, though they both knew she would. Especially since it was regarding Scott’s health.

She twirled her food around idly with her fork, listening to Scott speak with a fond smile before laughing and nodding. “Glenn’s a different case entirely. Well, it certainly is a compliment to be considered a rival against your culinary skills but I’m pretty sure cooking would only be a one-time thing for me. Heaven knows what might happen if you leave me along in a kitchen for too long.”

Jean titled her head to the side and simply gazed at him as he captured her hand with his own. She turned her hand to properly hold his and her eyes fell down to it. “You know, before, I couldn’t see us any more than friends. I thought our relationship back then was as good as it’d get between us, but now… now I couldn’t imagine being any more happier. You’re just perfect and I can’t even see why you love me but I thank the stars you do.” The redhead looked back up at him with a tender, loving smile and she mouthed the words: I love you.

A part of Logan whispered, “Hit on her. I bet she’d be all over ya.” He considered it. The woman looked oddly alike Jean. And since Jean was already taken, he thought that this one could be a pretty good option. But he shook it off and swallowed his drink, feeling the tingling sensation move from his tongue down to his throat. I don’t want no other. I want the real deal. I want Jean. It’s her, or nothin’. He thought to himself.

So carefully, she picked up the helmet and placed it on her head. She closed her eyes and took in another deep breath. Charles didn't know of what she was doing and the idea of using Cerebro all secretively even without telling Scott gave Jean a sense of rebellion she had never aquainted herself to before. It brewed excitement and her heart began to pound harder as she concentrated on searching for Logan.

It took quite a bit of effort but in the end she found him in a pub with a glass of alcohol by his side. Curiously, she gave a brief scan of the room. This was the sort of place that made her feel chills. The men looked intimidating and ready for a fight while the women were all dolled up and practically displaying themselves around. 

Jean glanced at Logan and saw him staring thoughtfully at something. She followed his eyes and corrected herself. Someone. And a beautiful someone at that, who coincidentally enough, had red hair as well. Her eyes started between the man and the woman and she felt her stomach twist. "So you've got a thing for redhead's." Jean said flatly, giving herself a more solid form that only Logan could see and be able to hear. She stood just a few spaces behind him and titled her head to the side. Her eyes were locked on the other woman. "That would actually make a lot of sense. But I gotta tell you though, I don't think that's her real hair color."