(no subject)

[bluespells.livejournal.com]

Boy, bar, several pieces of lined paper and a scowl.

He needs to figure out who to write notes to, and how to say what he needs to say.

Judging by the collection of balled-up papers nearby? It's not going well.

Comments

[cutting_edgex23]

She looks a little hesitant.

"You have been home?"

[bluespells.livejournal.com]

"Not yet. You?"

[cutting_edgex23]

"Yes."

Beat.

"I came back."

As if that was not evident.

[bluespells.livejournal.com]

"Were things not good at home?"

[cutting_edgex23]

X considers how to answer this.

Then--

"No. The Institute was destroyed."

[bluespells.livejournal.com]

Billy's eyes go wide. "The Xavier Institute?"

[cutting_edgex23]

"Yes."

X's expression and tone are perfectly blank.

"The Professor is dead. And Caliban."

[bluespells.livejournal.com]

Billy's expression is one of dispair. He has never been to the Institute. He doesn't know the people.

But Charles Xavier's message is one that has been important to him.

[cutting_edgex23]

"The X-men are disbanded."

Beat.

"I am living here. Now."

[bluespells.livejournal.com]

"It's good you have somewhere to stay."

This is -- how could the X-Men be disbanded? There have always been X-men. Like there had always been Avengers.

[cutting_edgex23]

"Yes."

X can agree with that.

Then--

"Everyone else does, too. At home. It is okay."

[bluespells.livejournal.com]

"Okay. If you need somewhere to crash back on Earth, there's a werehouse with beds. In Manhattan."

[cutting_edgex23]

"I will remember."

Beat.

"Thank you."

This next pause is longer. And then--

"I am looking for an apartment. In California."

[bluespells.livejournal.com]

"That's a long way away. Do you have friends out there?"

[cutting_edgex23]

"No."

X's reply is simple.

"But I have been there before. I like it."

[bluespells.livejournal.com]

"You'll make friends." Probably. He's kind of socially awkward himself.

[cutting_edgex23]

X offers a one-shouldered shrug.

"I have friends here."

Beat.

"It is easier."

[bluespells.livejournal.com]

"I think it's harder, sometimes," He says, thinking of Xaldin and Jay.

[cutting_edgex23]

X frowns, just a little.

"I do not understand."

People are not afraid of her here.

[bluespells.livejournal.com]

"Just. People from our world understand things better."

[cutting_edgex23]

Cue X's blank look.

"I do not--"

Beat.

"There are people like me. Here."

X is very bad at explaining things.

[bluespells.livejournal.com]

"...mutants?"

Yeah, he doesn't get it.

[cutting_edgex23]

"Weapons."

X clarifies.

"And experiments. It is okay."

[bluespells.livejournal.com]

"--oh." He shrugs. He still doesn't understand.

[cutting_edgex23]

"They are not afraid of me."

It's the best she can do.