October Fic Mix- Day 20
Flufftober (Fake Relationship) [x Hank McCoy (Beast)]
Hank ran his hands over his face, gently pressing in on his eyes as he exhaled deeply. Yet another televised Senate Gala where he would inevitably be hounded about his love life- or lack thereof- once more. Perhaps he could ask a favor of...
No, sadly his collages in the X-men and Avengers were quite busy and likely wouldn't be capable of flying to him. That left Hank in the worst possible situation. While he could certainly find any lovely lady or strapping man who found him attractive enough to pretend to be his partner for an evening, that carried a heavy risk of potentially back-firing on him. Most likely encouraging an unhealthy attachment or instilling a sense of false hope in the individual he approached.
If he were to attempt this sort of operation, Hank had to be meticulous about the person he asked. He had to be sure he could trust the individual in question.
But who did he know in his current vicinity that fit that description?
A soft bell chime broke through Hank's mental malaise, watching as you approached the counter of the quiet café he had been spiraling in the corner of. He had to tear his eyes away before you turned to open space. How could he have completely forgotten the fact you were also in the area? You undoubtedly matched the exact criteria Hank would need for this endeavor.
Now he just needed to speak up and ask. You were a newer member of the X-men, but still someone Hank respected and felt he could trust. And hope he wasn't asking too much...
Turning to the rest of what you thought was a completely empty café, you scanned for who could be staring at you. You frowned as the only other person was Dr. McCoy- who you knew he wouldn't stare at you, at least not intentionally. Maybe you were just being paranoid, you still weren't quite comfortable being a known X-men and mutant. But you weren't going to be rude...
"Hello Dr. McCoy." You smiled politely as you walked over, "What brings you here?"
"Ah- good morning [Name]." He seemed a little distracted, had you interrupted him? "I'm merely relaxing between senate meetings, contemplating the upcoming Gala."
"Oh? Uh... what are you um... contemplating?"
Hank's gentle smile as he gestured at the empty seat opposite him was rather reassuring, "I seem to be in a bit of a bind. How familiar are you with the proceedings?"
"Are... are you talking about the interview, red carpet stuff?" You sat without a second thought, "I uh... don't really keep up with that kinda stuff. ...But I do know about it. Why do you ask?"
"I do hope I'm not asking too much with this." He waved his large hands in small circles above his tea- awkwardly, "But I would like to avoid a particular set of questions and assumptions this year. And to that end I would like to ask you to accompany me to the event this year."
"Uh... I..." You scratched behind your ear.
"It isn't a serious nor pressing issue." Hank panicked slightly, ears turning pink, "If you aren't comfortable with this, I understand completely. I would be honored if you would- as well as more than prepared to assist in anything you may feel you need it."
"It uh... I don't really think I'd be the best person for this kind of thing. Maybe Ororo or Emma would be-" You frowned slightly, "Actually I think Ororo is on that cruise she was excited for... But I mean, Emma would probably be more able to like- carry herself in a way that wouldn't make more problems for you. Yeah?"
Hank rubbed the back of his neck, "I do believe you're selling yourself short [Name]. I have the upmost faith in your abilities and I would gladly coach you if that would help ease your worries."
"I... I can. Sure." The one thing you had a weakness for was genuine support, "When is this again?"
The nervous tension you felt could power New York for 3 years straight as you held onto Hank's arm. Cameras were everywhere, bright lights flashing in your face, and all you could think about was how to escape the situation. But you were going to keep your word, the past few weeks you'd spent with Dr. McCoy was messing with your head.
You'd learned a lot of things about him, least helpful and most distracting of which was how attractive you found him. This was supposed to be a fake situation, you were just here as a favor to a team mate you respected. Not an actual date or relationship. But here you were silently spiraling over a problem you made up yourself.
"Dr. McCoy! Dr. McCoy!" A woman with a massive grin and tiny microphone rushed up, pointing the fluffy end right at the two of you, "Can I get a few questions?"
"Of course." He stopped, stepping so you would be visible to the camera tailing her.
You tried to stay as detached, not really paying the least bit of attention to the interviewer. Until the lady nearly shoved the microphone up your nose.
"Mmm." You jerked back slightly, instantly glancing up at Dr. McCoy.
He leaned down slightly to whisper in your ear, "She asked what the brand of your outfit was."
"Oh!" You gasped briefly, "Um, this is from Prada."
"I see." Her eyes glittered as if she was somehow hunting you for sport, "And how did you and Dr. McCoy first meet and fall in love?"
Clearing your throat in a vain attempt to not blush, "Well, we first met through the X-men of course. But uh... I'd rather not answer the last part."
Hank wasn't quite expecting these questions to be directed at you. That was the one blind spot he hadn't considered. Though as the interviewer continued to pressure you, he moved his arm between the two of you to shield you from the pestering.
"I do believe my dear [Name] has made themselves clear." He slowly guided you past the woman, "Please refrain from pressing the issue any further."
"Oh! Of course Dr. McCoy!" The woman backed off instantly, "Thank you for your time."
You couldn't really think clearly for a few seconds. Just moving where Hank was pushing you toward. The way he said "my dearest [Name]" left you flustered beyond reason, a shell of a person with no coherent thought behind your eyes.
"I do apologize for that [Name]." He murmured as you walked into the main room, "I should have known, or at least considered, you would also be asked these invasive questions. Thankfully there won't be any more interviewers. Only other senators and their partners, but I assure you I can handle that."
"I- it's fine." You breathed back, "I just, I didn't think I'd be asked anything at all. But I think I can handle it since there won't be cameras. I think the cameras made it worse."
"Very well." Hank couldn't have possibly known how rubbing small circles across your back would affect you, "Please don't hesitant to squeeze my hand if you are getting overwhelmed. I don't mind stepping in should you need it."
You nodded as you tried to swallow your nerves and feelings. Maybe you should have backed out a little or done something to temper yourself when you first started catching feelings for Hank. He was just too sweet and amazing and you knew he didn't want a proper relationship to come out of this. But you only had to endure a few more hours of this.
The rest of the evening went far, far smoother than the walk to the entrance. None of the senators gave you a second word after shaking your hand. You couldn't care less, though Hank was a little miffed on your behalf. He truly thought his colleagues were being unbelievably rude for ignoring their partners as well as you when it came to the various talking points. Though he found a sense of relief and comfort in gently caressing your back and shoulder, enjoying the soft warmth of keeping you close.
As if he were falling victim to the very mentality he was concerned of invoking in the first place.
There was an odd sense of melancholy as Hank parked in the lot of your hotel. Neither of you wanted to break the silence beyond the opening of door as you both stepped out of the car.
"Ah," Hank followed you up the front door of the hotel, "I do appreciate your assistance tonight [Name]. You looked extremely charming this evening."
"Uh- um... thanks." You stuttered, "I uh, it was- well nice isn't the right word but it wasn't a bad experience either."
His hands were so warm and fuzzy, wrapped around yours as he lifted your hand to place a small kiss to your knuckles. The way you two blushed at one another could have been mistaken for a war of attrition, but also made everything much clearer- and more difficult to actually speak.
"Ah- I." Hank coughed a little, "If I may be so bold, [Name], I do believe I've developed feelings for you. It wasn't my intention, I assure you, but if... if you wouldn't mind... Ah-um. What I mean is...-"
"I feel the same." You blurted in a hurried way, "I uh- I was worried it was just me being weird again. But I uh... I mean we could, maybe talk about this. Yeah?"
"Of- of course!" His hand gently squeezed yours, "I would love to discuss this further. Though... given how frazzled we seem to be at the moment, perhaps it would be best to ...ah... allow these feelings to settle first?"
You looked up into his sparkly blue, gold flecked eyes and just barely managed to nod. Melting under his soft gaze and warm smile, worsened as he pressed another tender peck to your knuckles. There was a very tiny chance of you getting any sleep when you felt like you were on cloud nine.
