Chapter Text
Scott couldn't breathe.
This was the longest he had been apart from Alex since he arrived at the school.
The longest he hadn't felt his hand on his shoulder, heard his annoying yet calming voice, and saw Alex's eyes following him across the field. The longest time he felt completely unsafe since Alex found him.
For all of his complaining, Alex was Scott's lifeline. He was the one person Scott trusted with no hesitation.
Alex, his big brother.
Alex, his best friend.
Alex, his hero.
Alex, his protector.
Alex, whom his parents forbade him from speaking about after he vanished 4 years ago.
Alex, whom Scott cried for as he was tied down in a lab after his parents had ordered his kidnapping, had sent him out to die because he was tainted.
Alex, The guy who played with him, chased him around the house and helped him with homework. The one who saved him from that hellhole, and brought him here, and hadn't let Scott out of his sight since.
Alex, who was now god knows where, trying to save other kids from the hands of labs who treated them like animals.
Look, it's not like Scott doesn't want his brother to help those kids; he does. He gets sick as soon as he starts to think about the labs and the cell, the screams of the new kids, and the soft cries of those who were there longer, their spirits already broken.
He will never forget. Scott made his peace with that, knowing he would wake up screaming for the rest of his life, feeling like he was yet again chained to the bed, unable to move. Unable to do anything about the cold, or bandage his bleeding wounds. Completely and utterly alone.
But whenever he woke up, Alex was there. He had his brother to hold him, to hold his face like he was the most precious thing in the world, and wipe his tears. He could openly sob into his brother's shoulder, clinging to him like a child, while Alex would hug him back with the same force, not letting go.
And now he was not here, and he might not come back. And Scott, despite the facade of the angsty teenager who does not give a damm, was fucking terrified.
And He couldn't fucking breathe.
How depressing, he thought. To had survived all he had, just to die alone in his room, unable to inhale or stop crying just because his big brother was busy.
Pathetic.
A knock on his bedroom door pulled Scott away from his spiraling thoughts. It could have been a student who got a bit lost on the way to his room, tho Scott doubted that since his room was in the teacher's section, right by Alex's.
He tried to steady his breath as he got up to unlock the door, finding Professor Xeviar sitting at his doorstep.
"Professor," He swallowed anxiously "Did I miss a class? I apologize, I thought-"
"You are not in any trouble, Mr. Summers," the professor reassured him. "I merely wanted to make sure you are alright."
"I am fine"
The Professor simply lifted one eyebrow.
Damm telepath. Fuck.
"I am... a bit concerned for my brother, sir," Scott admited and then hurried to add "Of course I know it's important what you do here, and I won't ever get in the way, but-"
"Scott," The Professor stopped him with a sad smile. "I am not angry."
"You are not?"
"Not at all. May I come in?"
Scott didn't think he had much of a choice, considering it was the professor's own home, but he nodded and cleared the way for him to roll into the room.
The room was still bare, apart from a few pictures Alex got for him and the flowers Jane picked for him yesterday (Were they even allowed to do that? Will Charles be mad? Oh shit-)
"You are allowed to pick flowers," The professor said, interrupting his train of thought. "Miss Gray seems to enjoy your company very much."
Fucking telepath.
"And I enjoy hers."
"So I've noticed," The professor smiled at him. "I am glad you have found yourself a friend here. And just between us, I am glad Miss Gray has found you as well."
"Thank you, sir," Scott stared at the floor.
"You are welcome, Scott."
They both stopped talking for a moment until Mr. Xeviar broke the silence. "I apologize for the invasion of your privacy. I promise you that I had no intention of reading your mind, but I couldn't help but feel how scared you are."
Scott's cheeks heated with embarrassment.
"I just want you to know..." the professor hesitated momentarily. "I want you to know that you are not alone in here. Even when your brother isn't here, you are not alone."
Scott nodded briefly, not meeting his eyes.
"Scott," Charles rolled a bit closer to him. "I need you to know that this school is filled to the brim with people who care for you. And while I know you don't trust us-" He raised his hand to stop Scott's apology. "And you have every right not to, I will continue to try and prove it to you no matter what."
With that, the professor turned to leave the room when Scott spoke. "Sir?"
"Yes, Scott?"
"I was wondering, uh, if you can check on Alex for me," He admitted, looking at the ground.
"I'm afraid I cannot, dear," Charles said with an unfortunate expression. "He is undercover out there, and where he is stationed exist some serious protections against mutants. One's even I cannot breach."
"Oh"
"Your brother is going to be all right, Scott," Charles said, reaching his hand to hold Scott's own. "I have known him for a long time now, and I can promise you all he cares about is coming back to you."
"Then why did he leave?" Scott blurted out, unable to stop himself.
"Because he wants to save more kids from the fate you were forced into. He cares about all kids, especia-"
"No, not now," Scott cut him off. "Why did he leave me with them?"
And just like that, Charles understood.
"He was afraid, Scott. He did not know how to control his powers, and-"
"Never mind," Scott fought the tears that came to his eyes. "It doesn' matter"
"It does to him," Charles said gently. "You are, without a doubt, the most important thing in his life. He loves you so much, Scott, there is no need for telepathy to know how proud he is of you."
"Yeah," Scott snorted. "Proud of the kid that can't be apart from his brother for three days without having a damm panic attack? What is there to be proud of?"
"You have been through a very traumatic experience, Scott. You are allowed to-"
"Forget it," he cut him off yet again. "I'm bein' stupid."
Charles gave Scott a sad smile before rolling towards the door, where he stopped and turned to him. "You are allowed to be afraid. And you are allowed to be angry. But I need you to know, Scott, that your brother loves you more than anything. I had the pleasure of fighting and teaching by his side for years, and the only times I saw him truly happy were when he talked about you."
And with that, the professor rolled away, humming to himself as he went.