he does not remember much of his childhood. he’s been told he’s blocked most of it out of his memory. perhaps that is for the best. he does not remember his birth family. he was placed into foster care as a very young child, with a name he hated and a body he despised.

he was adopted when he was ten. before he came out. before he realized why he hated himself so much. before he started to transition. before he manifested his powers. he was adopted by raven darkholme. to this day, he still doesn’t understand why she took him in. he doesn’t really ask at this point. 

in middle school was when things started to change. the soft spoken and reclusive child became angry and started to lash out. at his classmates in school, at his teachers, and his new family. something was wrong-- he wasn’t normally like this. 

it took a year of researching on his own to discover what the problem was and how to identify it. when he was twelve, he started to broach the subject of not feeling...... right within his body. he didn’t want to be raven’s daughter. he wanted to be her son. he wanted to be a brother. he didn’t know what he expected her reaction to be... but her support surprised and overwhelmed him. 

he chose his name when he was twelve and a half. rafael. he started hormone therapy when he was fourteen. and right in between there, his powers started to manifest. 

at first, it started as an itchy back. rafael wrote it off as nothing. and then it turned into back aches. he tried to tough it out. when it became agonizing, that’s when he sought out help. little nubs were growing out of his shoulder blades, causing lightning hot pain where it grew. it was then it was discovered what his powers were. 

avian physiology. 

rafael’s wings grew slowly, but surely. there was no way to hide his powers. no way to mask the fact that he’s a mutant. in the beginning when the wings were small, sure. but now? and through high school? not a chance. 

and through high school, rafael met his best friend. naomi dane-summers. he and naomi just seemed to click. and in high school, they decided to give it a try dating.

it didn’t work out.

but that was okay-- because they were much better as friends than as romantic partners. rafael would give up the world for her and would do anything for her.