The Leader

Professor Scott Summers. Brother, Leader, X-man. 27.

[ombra-and-demonio]

@opticxblast

“So I fly into LA, check into the hotel, call the kids family, meet up with them two days later, and come back with the kid?” Al thumbed through the small folder of information Scott had given him. When he joined the team, he thought there was a lot more action when missions came, but mostly Al had be placed on pick up or recon missions. “Too easy. Any chance I could use one of those open days to visit my in-laws?” Al smiled at his team leader

[opticxblast-blog]

Scott walked beside Al, nodding in between his words. “That’s right. Bring the pamphlets with you and make sure you reiterate he’ll be in good hands. And let’s hope he doesn’t get flight sickness.” Scott looked over to the young man with a small smile. “Now you know I’d never deny that. Is everything okay? Do you need more time? I can have Kitty meet you at the airport?”

[itsalicewickedmcgee]

Alice let out a laugh. “Alright, sure. But after you read it, I’ve promised Kitty, Kurt, and the Professor they can read over it. I’ll be honest, it’s still kinda surreal that I’m even working on my Master’s.” 

[opticxblast-blog]

“I’m glad I’m first.” He replied teasingly. “You know, I’m really glad you still talk to Kurt and the Professor. And I’m not surprised at all. You know I’ve always thought you were incredibly smart. I’m really proud of you, Alice.” 

[astromeched]

“Hey, he was a dumpster diver when I found him, it’s his bad habit.” Warren grinned as he leaned over to wrap his arms around the canine as he approached, “But I mean look at his face. It had me sold the minute he walked up to me.” Just on cue, Duke then darted his pink tongue over his muzzle after letting out a soft yawn. Scratching his dog behind the ear, Warren then looked over towards Scott  as he opened the card. “Five hundred bucks? You got to be kidding me, I didn’t know Jeannie had doe like that.” Letting Duke slip from his hold, Warren then pointed him into the direction of the present. “Okay, now this is the one thing that you are already to tear up. Kind of.” 

[opticxblast-blog]

Scott chuckled and pet the top of Duke’s head. “Well, I don’t mind it. It’s cute.” He nodded at Warren’s comment. “Neither did I but that’s more than generous. It’s great how things have turned around for all of us and we’re just in a better place with Jean now.” He watched as Duke tore of a piece of gift wrap. “And there he goes!” Scott pulled the tag from the giant gift and passed it to Warren. “Oh. This is from Kitty.” He moved to the edge of the couch to assist his dog with the unwrapping and grinned widely when he realized what it was. “An entertainment center. Whoa, there’s a lot of gadgets in this thing; blueray, bluetooth...amazing. Come look at this thing, War.”

[astromeched]

Feigning reluctance, Warren plopped down onto the couch just as a familiar jiggling entered the room. “Well it looks like you at least got Duke’s attention.” He mused as the malinos trotted into the living room and over towards the pile for presents, “You think he’d be able to open some of the presents of my behalf?” Grinning lightly Warren then looked down at the envelope in his hand. “From Jeannie? Really? Well let’s see what it is.”

[opticxblast-blog]

“Duke just loves the gift wrap. He’s spoiled.” Scott laughed at Warren’s words. “Don’t be lazy. The sooner we get these out of the living room the better for both of us and we can finally have friends over.” He pressed a kiss against Warren’s temple and took the envelope back to open it. “Ah let’s see.” He cleared his throat. “To the newlyweds.” Scott grinned and opened the card. “Dear Slim and War, here’s two a lifetime of love. Don’t spend it all in one place.” He took the check that was sitting in the card and passed it over to Warren. “$500.00. Wow. That’s...very generous of her.” He gave it to Warren and began dragging a fairly large gift towards them. “Alright,Duke! Time to help us out!” 

[itsalicewickedmcgee]

“Yeah, no. While it may be great so far, it’s not finished yet. You can see it when it is finished.” 

[opticxblast-blog]

Scott made himself comfortable on her couch and chuckled. “Alright, alright. But I better be the first person that sees it.”

[itsalicewickedmcgee]

“Ahhhh, don’t touch that. My dissertation is in that and if you mess with it, I willl kill you.” She kept a firm hand on her bag. 

[opticxblast-blog]

“Oh come on! I want to see it! I bet its pretty great.” 

[astromeched]

“ — Well I certainly wasn’t  planning at staring at them forever, it’s just I was focused on other things, like finding out a way to not deal with the whole  present sorting deal.” 

[opticxblast-blog]

Scott laughed and pulled Warren towards him on the couch. “It’s now or never. Come on, let’s start opening some of these envelopes.” He pressed a kiss against his husband’s temple before passing him a bright purple envelope. “That’s from Jean.” 

[opticxblast-blog]

@heraldflyboy

“At some point we’re going to have to unwrap our wedding presents, War. Though they do decorate the living area nicely.”

[unleashhavok]

It’s would have easier to just keep walking. He could have just pretended that he was so angry that he just couldn’t hear Scott over the blood rushing in his ears. But then what would that make him? The one that always walked away? Damn. He couldn’t be that kind of man forever. Not if he wanted to become someone respectable. It wasn’t like he could just walk away from his own brother either. he had gone threw hell and back trying to find him once and even though they were arguing now, he wasn’t going to throw everything away. He’d be damned before that happened. 

Faltering to a stop, Alex heaved a sighed before turning back. Granted it as hesitant. Each time Scott took a step forward, he took another step away. “Just cut the crap, Scott, for God’s sake.” How did he managed to always seem so composed? It made Alex even more agitated. What he wanted the most was to be pushed back. He understood combat, fighting, push, push back, yell, scream, melt, run, he couldn’t grapple with passive aggressiveness. Even after living through the institute and training here in the academy, he was still acting like that kid that got himself into more street fights then he was worth, even Steve had called him out on that. “You can’t go ahead and say you don’t like the Avengers as an entirety. Stark in particular. Still won’t change the fact that I’m staying here. But you can say that.” Raking his fingers through his hair, Alex squeezed his eyes shut. “Just — Just say it Scott. Freaking just say what’s really bothering you, ‘cause if you don’t, I’m not going to feel better until I scorch something.” 

[opticxblast-blog]

People always got on his case when it came to Scott and feelings. They tell him to show how he feels more often and for him, it was always easier said than done. It was his MO. Sure it got him nowhere a lot of the time but it was safe for him.  He prided himself in being like his father-rigid and straight-forward. He had his weakness, of course. There was his husband, his best friends and the love he felt for his brothers was unconditional no matter how much they fought.  Gabriel never took sides. It was a ridiculous notion to even think he’d have to but Scott was more hurt than anything and perhaps that was what Alex wanted from him. Perhaps that was what this was all about.

He felt the weight of the world lifted the moment Alex stopped. Not like he’d walk away forever but he did walk away long enough. He had seen Alex leave way too many times even if they were in intervals. He’d never forget Kitty delivering the news every time he did it. It was exhausting but he imagined whatever Alex was going through was even worse. Scott never thought he was better than his younger sibling but he knew that feeling existed somewhere deep down inside for Alex and maybe there was resentment because of it. God how he hated that. This was never meant to be a competition. He kept his calm despite knowing what Alex truly wanted from him. “I told you Steve and I are friends. I have no problem with Clint or Bruce. Natasha and I are on good terms too. Tony and I disagree when it comes to a lot of things but hate is a strong word. I don’t hate the Avengers. I can’t hate the people that helped me fight five years ago or the people that took my brother in. I can’t. I don’t agree with some of their views. I especially don’t like how Tony expresses himself. SHIELD is my real issue here but…” He sighed. “You’re a part of that world now and I have to respect it. What’s really bothering me is that you felt you couldn’t confide in me. You’ve always felt like this burden to me no matter how much I’ve tried to tell you that you aren’t. You aren’t, Alex. What bothers me is that I’ve missed you all this time. Times when I needed you to help Gabe with something, times when I just felt alone or hell, times when I just wanted my brother around to talk to. You just left. I was just getting to know you again before you left. I just…I want to put it all past us. I want to move forward. It’s part of the reason that I’m here. If the institute wasn’t for you then that’s fine. I’m glad you’ve found your place here and no that’s not sarcasm.” He took a deep breath and closed his eyes. “I had come up with the what I thought would be the right thing to say to you if I ever saw you again and I had planned an entire speech that ended with me asking you to never leave again. To promise you’d never do it but that would be selfish and that would be treating this like some juvenile situation. We can’t pinky swear our way out of this one and I don’t expect us to. I just want us to respect each other as brothers and as best friends. Everything else can fall into place and if you need to spread your wings and go somewhere again, tell me. You have every right to because you’re your own person. You’re a man. But don’t shut me out. It’s all I’ve ever asked of you and Gabriel.”

[evgni]

Stand By Me (1986)

[unleashhavok]

He was take aback by his brother’s words, eyes widening slightly as he had just been slapped. It felt a lot like it. The tone of the other’s voice, sharp and precise, almost like a bite. Now that was just… unfair. At least it was he now. Could Scott have just acknowledge the positive in something for just this once? No. No, of course not. That was just how Scott was. He was the oldest, the smartest, the leader. It must have meant that he always knew what was the best course of action, knew what other people had to do with their lives. The all knowing Scott Summers. Ha! Why did he even bother?

Dropping his hand back down to his side, Alex took a reflexive step back. “Oh, no. No. Don’t you do that to me.” He hook his head, “You’re seriously gonna start that shit right here? Right now? Christ, Scott, does every always have to be my fault? Or are you actually just spiteful?” He just couldn’t believe it. Here he was, trying to do something. Which was more then what Alex could recall Scott doing. Even through everything; Alex showed up to the wedding, he smiled and only said loving things when asked about his brother, he set down some of himself when he decided to come to Scott’s door… And this was what he got?  “At least I came and found you. Just like I found you the last time before that. I’m not gonna stand here and be the bad guy just to help you feel more self righteous about this.” 

Alex tore his eyes away from his reflection in Scott’s sunglasses as he adjusted his jacket roughly again his frame. “You know, what? The reason you didn’t see me for so long was because I was away with Cap on training the majority of the time you were here.” He turned on his heel sharply as he began stalking down the hallway, “Just go back home. I’d hate to keep you in a place you hate so much.” 

[opticxblast-blog]

He was hurt.And when he was hurt he said things he didn’t mean. It was just how he and Alex were. He had just gained his brother before he decided to go on his way. Charles had counseled him on understanding Alex’s motives and how he was the type to go at the beat of his own drum. Of course, rigid Scott never got that. It was the reasoning why very little people actually liked him. He knew that to be true and it didn’t really faze him anymore but he would be lying if he said he didn’t wish he was more like his brother. 

He let out a tired sigh and dropped his features in defeat. He certainly didn’t want things to be this way during his stay. “I didn’t come on a job.” He admitted. “Sure, Charles and Tony asked a million times and Steve did too.” He called out to Alex in hopes that his brother would stop. Scott inched up a bit more.”I came because I wanted to see you. And when I didn’t, it was frightening. This whole thing has been terrifying as hell, Alex. I lose you, I gain you, I lose you again and...” He took a deep breath. “It’s not about me though. I’m glad you’re working side by side with Steve. He’s a good friend of mine. And I’m glad you’re happy here. I don’t hate it here. I’m just getting to learn the ropes. It’s outside my comfort zone.” He confessed.”And I can’t possibly hate a place where both my brothers reside. What kind of person would I be? I--I apologize for my abruptness. I was rude and it was uncalled for. You’re doing good things here with SHIELD and I’m very proud of you. Not like you need me to be. You’ve become your own man, Alex and for that...well, that’s wonderful.”

[unleashhavok]

Alex drummed his fingers against the stem of his jeans at the faint sound of footsteps approaching the door. Damn. Damn. Maybe if he turn down the hall now he could still make it —  Too late. Straightening his back, Alex stayed rooted where he stood when then door flung open. There was no way he could run with tail between his legs when Scott was staring right at him. Not for a second time at least. It took every fiber of his being to do so, but he stayed put, standing tall and stoic. Speaking was hard for Alex. Admitting guilt was even more of an impossible task. Suppression was the only coping method he knew, the one that he had discovered on his own because their was no one there to run and cry to before everything.

Swallow lightly, Alex bobbed his head up and down in a weak nod. “Yeah.”  Alexander. It never really appealed to his ear when someone called him by his proper name. It was almost never used under good situations. All of which made it a good indicator for him to now when he had royal just screwed up. “They told me that I’d find you here… So here I am. ” 

Damn Scott and his formalities. It was already hard enough having to drag himself down the hallway and too his brother’s front door — the properness just irked him. “Uh, I—” Rubbing the back of his neck, Alex lifted his shoulder in a pathetic shrug, “I’m— I don’t know if that’s a good idea.” Espcially not since the last time they occupied the same room, it was almost lit on fire.

[opticxblast-blog]

Scott studied his brother behind his ruby shades using them as a bit of a crutch. Alex wouldn’t be able to truly see how fazed Scott felt by his presence. He had heard that his brother had shown to his wedding but Scott wanted more than that. He was supposed to be the best man along with Gabriel. It all felt so wrong. 

“So you came to see for yourself?” He didn’t mean for the venomous tone to slip. It just did. “I’ve been here for a couple of months but I haven’t seen you around. Warren and I moved into an apartment so we don’t have to stay here. So that could be it.” Or perhaps Scott was also avoiding him. “The others...Bobby, Kitty and Connor are moving in sometime tonight. Charles sent them here. Stark requested them. You seem...happy here. How is the life of an Avenger?” He wanted to be happy with his brother but the way his departure was handled wasn’t exactly to his liking. Certain words were exchanged. “Have you seen Gabriel? He’s been attending AU. The campus isn’t that big. I’m sure you’ve bumped into him.” There was the venom again. It was the curse of being a Summers. Warren would have smacked him by now.

“I was actually on my way home but I’ll be teaching here now. Do you still teach?”

[unleashhavok]

So it looked liked the rumors were true; two factions who weren’t really fans of eachother but shared a common goal, the X-men and the Avengers, were coming together. Stark had officiated it and appointed himself head of the operation. Which meant in layman terms — it was all set in stone. Alex had known what that meant. It meant Charles had sent over some of his best and brightest to represent the X-men and that brought a twinge of anxiety to Alex. 

The thought of facing the X-men made Alex’s stomach twist. When he left… it wasn’t without leaving a fallout in his wake. It was just one of his specialties he supposed, ruining things he touched and running when he couldn’t handle it. There were arguments. Yelling and shouting. Things were melted and shattered. It was bad. Real bad. 

With all that said, Alex had no idea what had possessed him to drag himself down to the quarters were the X-men had assigned to be staying. Maybe it was guilt. Or maybe he was just that stupid. He wasn’t sure. There was just something that would let him rest if he wasn’t the one that made the first attempt at contact. Perhaps if he got lucky was just going to end up finding Warren and then he could leave a message and bail with a clean conscious.

Arriving at the door, Alex pressed his lips into a flat line as he tapped his knuckles again the wood of the door, “Hello? Scott? You in there?” 

@opticxblast

[opticxblast-blog]

Scott wasn’t staying at the Avengers University. No way. He decided he’d spend as much time as he was needed for his students and not for Stark. Despite already being at the school for quite some time, he had managed to miss a few people. One being his own brother. Never did he think he’d end up so distant from Alex. He and Gabriel had grown closer and he could tell his youngest brother felt torn between him and Alex. It was a mess and even with Warren trying to fix it by inviting Alex to their wedding, it was already too late. Damage had been done, things had been said. It wasn’t that Scott chose the X-men over his brother it was that Alex chose to leave and this time for good.  

The one thing that did make him feel at ease about the transition was that he’d be able to live in Manhattan with his husband and that Katherine Pryde would be joining the staff at AU. His long time friend would help with his current confusion but it would probably add to the tension between him and Alex.

Lost in his thought, he hadn’t realized someone was knocking his door at first. Scott closed his agenda and stood up to open the door of the elaborate bedroom he’d never sleep in and felt the immediate sting when his eyes were laid on his brother. “Alexander...” he cleared his throat. “Come in. Hello.” Formalities with his own flesh and blood. Who knew this day would come? 

[itsalicewickedmcgee]

“There you are. Ok, we should probably go into your office because I’m going to need an computer to show you the full etent of shit I got. But the short story is I broke into Keller Robotics HQ and guess what? Everything on the news about the Sentinels is a fucking lie. And I’ve got audio and video to prove it.” 

[opticxblast-blog]

Scott arched a brow, eyes widening slowly as Alice revealed more of what she had been up to.”You did what?” The tone in his voice was mostly of concern for her. He figured everything was a lie and knew it all seemed suspicious but he didn’t want to go against Charles. “Alice, tell me what you found. We’ll talk about you breaking in afterwards.” She was an adult, not much younger than he was and if that’s what she wanted to do then fine but he did care for her and would hate it if something would have happened to her. 

[opticxblast-blog]

@itsalicewickedmcgee

“Hey, Alice...I heard you were looking for me. What’s going on? I have been meaning to speak to you too but I couldn’t find you earlier.” 

[pricksilvcr-blog]

Pietro could think of many ways to describe his father ———But ‘concerned’ wasn’t typically one of them. He let it slide, with little more than a wry smirk; sparing himself the lecture he was sure he’d get, should he voice that thought. “ You know, you’re a lot less boring, when you’re not in ‘professor-mode.’ I’m just saying. Being this tightly wound doesn’t suit you. ” He stood his ground; maintaining that questioning, not-quite-condescending gaze, as he just looked at the older man, until Scott broke the silence between them. “ You do? ” He frowned for a moment, as though recalling something— Damn. That pack had been his—? He’d pondered the thought, grabbed another pack from his bedroom and replaced it, in the hopes that Scott didn’t remember exactly where in the fridge he’d left his Pepsi— all within a moment, or two, of him wrapping up his sentence. He’d even remembered to pick up the pizza, again, from where he’d temporarily set it down. Schooling his features into something - mostly - impassive, Pietro nodded. Heh. He’ll never know— Maybe. “ Sure, man….Hey. So, you know you do room checks while people are asleep? Isn’t that a major violation of privacy? ”

[opticxblast-blog]

“And you’re a lot less unruly when you’re not in ‘rebellious mode’. I’m just saying.” Scott chuckled. “But I’ll keep that in mind and try not to be too Professor--y. At least for the summer. Fair?” 

Scott hadn’t realized Pietro had gone anywhere when they were both in the kitchen. He opened the fridge, eyebrow arching when he spotted the six pack on the third row and not the second. “Kitty’s been reorganizing again.”He mumbled and pulled out two cans--one for him and one for his pupil before sitting across from the silver haired boy. “So,was it at least worth it? Where’d you go of to this time time?” He rolled up his sleeve and opened up the pizza box. It smelled amazing. 

[themarkedprofessor]

“Guests are guests, you could entertain them for hours and they still will find a reason to keep you from your plans.” Connor smirked at the man before returning to his visual intake of the gardens. The vibrancy of the flora was the perfect inspiration for the small story he was writing about the young woman with the chestnut eyes. “Very welcoming, I must say. The students I have met so far are very respectful and the faculty you have assembled is absolutely remarkable. I was very much unaware of how many of our people still pursued a continued education with all of the events of recent as well as mankind’s perversion think we should all be in spandex or prison suits, with no middle ground of acceptance.”

[opticxblast-blog]

Scott sighed as the new Professor finished his sentence. “Well, you have a point unfortunately but that is the foundation of the school--to find a safe haven for these children and to provide them with the education they deserve. Eventually, Professor Xavier would love to integrate. It’s been a dream of his for a long time now and perhaps if we come out of all this above water, we might just achieve it. Integration is key. Although we are told everyday we are accepted and the world is open for us to explore,we’re also told the opposite in the same breath. It’s supposed to be a post prejudiced society but I’m afraid it’s all a farce. Our job is to give these children the hope that we’ll eventually reach global acceptance.”