Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

They thought it would be easy to find a gang of mutants in New York. They thought children with abilities such as theirs would make a stink and even the news in a city like this.

"I remember the boy being here." Charles said, arms crossed as he examined the room and its unsavory occupants.

Men smoking and drinking themselves to an early grave. Shady folk making deals and hustling money. Boisterous laughing coming from the pool table.

Erik doesn't say anything just looks around as Charles subtly scanned the people in the room.

A few of them paused, twitching in their actions.

Charles stopped at one man.

He was shuffling cards with an easy smile on his face.

"That's the boy?"

"Uh, no. But he's seen him, and rather recently too."

Erik nods and pulls up a chair to the table and sits.

"H-hey, I was, -"

"No you were leaving."

The drunk man dealing with the cards guy stands and leaves.

"'Ey, excuse moi, but I was just in the middl' of sometin."

Erik smirks, "And now you're not."

The man smirks and leans back, feet on the table. He holds one card between his fingers.

"Now 'ow can I 'elp you monsieurs?"

Charles smiles and leans forward so his elbow rests on the table, he places his hands so his index finger touches his temple and the rest of his hand is curled around his mouth.

We're here looking for a boy.

The man falls forward, cringing and holding his head in his hand.

Have you seen him recently?

Charles implants the idea of the boy, scrawny, young.

Red glasses.

The man's face shuts down as he steals himself.

"'Nd what could two fine gent'eman such as yourselves 'ant 'ith a boy?"

It's a loaded question and Charles grimaces slightly.

"I want to help them. Offer them shelter and protection."

"Them?"

Charles smiles, sees his eyes, the way little barely there sparks flicker as he plays with the cards in his hands.

"Yes, Scott and the gang of children he protects. Very noble of him."

Charles leans back.

"If you need a place to stay we can offer that to you also."

The man smiles as images of a mansion, large and pristine fills his head, people - mutants - training their special abilities. It's a sanctuary, for people like them.

The man smirks and tilts his head up, red irises flash in their black background.

"It sounds good and 'ou two 'ook 'ike nice men.

"I didn' know abou' the ot'ers, just Scott. 'E comes ta me, not vice versa, we meet at tis address."

The man writes it on a piece of paper and a pen he pulls from inside his coat.

"Meet 'us tere at six."

He slides it over.

"Thank you, and please believe me when I say we only have Scott's best interest at heart, so please cancel the surprise attack, Remy. You play- no win poker. You must know I'm being sincere."

"'t's Gambit," Remy frowns, "And I 'ave a feelin' I'd lose agai'st you, monsieur."

Remy smirks then and tilts his hat over his long dark hair.

"I worry 'bout 'im ya know? 'E's so young. That's why if 'e agrees ta go wit' I'll go 'ith, if just to che'k it out."

Charles smiles as they stand to leave.

"As you wish."

Scott Summers was doing the traditional bump and grab, a thing he'd picked up after almost a year on the streets. It wasn't the most honorable thing but he did what he to.

After scoring three wallets he runs into an empty alleyway to see what he found.

Two were useless, filled with pictures. The next had a dollar.

Scott smiled as he pocketed the money and dropped he wallets, kicking them into a corner with some old newspapers.

It was enough for some milk and bread, maybe even some chocolate and a soda.

The winds whipped past his face as he made his way back to others. It was getting cold, he'd have to start working towards getting some coats and blankets and maybe some extra just in case Kitty or even he gets sick.

He'd see if Gambit has anything for him and then maybe Jack. Of course if that doesn't work there are always ... Other unsavory options.

Scott shivers.

In the meantime, he has a meeting at six and some hungry kids to feed.

Groceries in hand Scott makes his way back to the temporary shelter they were currently staying in. Bobby grabbed the food from him and looked through the paper bag.

"Did'ya get any sweets?"

Scott smiled, "Ya, got some hard candies."

Bobby grinned, "Sweet."

Ororo came over and looked over the bag, her silver hair was getting longer than it used to be, really starting to curl as it reached her chin.

Her piercing gaze scanned him over. She always seems to know when he's been doing something less than legal.

"Hey, Ro, I'm fine."

Sighing she seems to give up and smiles at him.

"Scott!" Little Kitty runs over and hugs him.

Piotr follows quickly, holding her ragged stuffed bear, one of the few things she had when Piotr found her.

Scott scans his group of runaways and castoffs. It's amazing they found each other and have survived for as long as they had.

"Hey Kitty, what's wrong?"

Kitty pouts at him, tears drying on her face, "Piotr, ripped my bear!"

Piotr pouts, something the sturdy boy manages to make look absolutely pathetic and sad.

"I am sorry, Китти."

Scott sighs and takes the ripped bear from Piotr's large hands.

"Don't worry Kitty, I'll fix it tomorrow."

She stops crying and stares at him, eyes wide and innocent, "You promise?"

Scott smiles tiredly, "Ya squirt, I promise."

Kitty giggles and phases through him to see what Bobby has.

Piotr shuffles guilty, "If, can help?"

Scott sighs, the boy's broken English makes it difficult to get him a job, even if he can pass as older.

"Can I help, Peter."

Piotr flushes, "да, can I help?"

Scott ruffles his hair. Piotr is a good kid, helps take care of Kitty, even though they're almost the same age.

"No, I've got it Peter."

Peter nods and then rushes after Kitty.

Scott watches as they each take a piece of the sweet from Bobby. The extra cents from his purchase are loose in his pocket. He thinks that they'll be enough to get the thread and needle they'll need but he was going to put it into getting the new coats that they sorely need.

Sighing he turns to see Ororo still watching.

He smiles, "Don't worry, it'll be alright."

Ororo narrows her eyes but nods and turns to join the others. Scott smiles at her back. Seeing how much trust she puts in him and knowing her past, Scott really appreciates it.

Standing and stretching he looks at the others, "Hey where's Warren?"

Ororo looks over, "He said something about visiting his father."

Scott nods.

Warren ran away after his father freaked over his wings. Warren went back one time after the group when Scott was sick to get some money for a doctor. His father expressed that he still loved him but was extremely harsh over the wings. Whenever Warren needs something though he'll go to his father.

He only does it in extreme situations.

He must have been noticing the cold too.

Scott goes over to get his candy, thinking about how he wishes Warren could go home.

As much as he likes Warren and as much as he helps, Scott wishes that he didn't have to worry about him. That he could just know that he was safe.

Turning to the cheap clock that they had he saw that it was getting close to six. Oh well at least that made one less sandwich to make tonight.

"Who wants something to eat?"

Kitty and Bobby both cheer. Scott laughs.

Looking around the alleyway where he usually meets Gambit, Scott walks down as quietly as he can. Getting mugged would help nothing.

"Scott? Boy?"

Scott turns, smiling to see Gambit.

"Hey Gambit, good to see ya-"

He stops and frowns, seeing the two men with him.

Hello Scott, we've been looking for you.

Chapter Text

Telepath. Like Jack.

"Gambit?"

"'Ey boy, I brought som' men who 'ant to ta'k ta ya."

Scott crosses his arms and keeps the entrance to the street in view.

"I'm listening."

The man who radiates friendliness and warmth with red cheeks and a bright smile takes a step forward, arm extended.

"Hello, my name is Charles."

Scott flinches back and Charles drops his hand and clears his throat, for some reason obviously flustered.

"Right sorry, well how are you? As I said me and my friend," Charles gestures to the man standing next to Gambit, looking gruff like one of Jack's high up associates, "Erik, have been looking for you."

"You were the one in my -"

Charles interrupts beaming, "Ah, head yes, I was. I'm a -"

Scott narrows his eyes, "Telepath, you're a telepath."

Erik snickers silently and strides so he's closer to Charles.

Charles flushes and clears his throat again, "Well yes, right you've had a run in before and I understand if you don't trust me, but we came looking for you."

Scott sizes the men up, Erik, who Scott is sure also has a 'special ability'. He doesn't seem to be invincible or packing heat though so he's sure he can handle him. Taking a breath he works on shutting his forethoughts to nothing and focuses on the feeling of the man poking around.

'Stop. Get out.'

The man winces but does as was asked of him and then marvels at Scott.

"Fascinating, absolutely fascinating."

Scott smirks, "I have my tricks.

"So, you were looking for me, got a job or something?"

"Or something," Charles frowns, "we want to offer you and your friends an invi -"

Scott jerks, "Wait what, friends?"

"Ay, apparent'y you've been ho'ding out on me."

Scott hunches over himself, "How do you know that?"

Erik straightens and slowly approaches.

"If you would just let him finish Charles would tell you that we're opening an institute for children with 'special gifts' and a sanctuary with opportunities and help for adults of the similar ilk."

Pausing Erik gauges Scott's reaction, looking just a little pleased with his apparent interest.

"My friend picked up on your distressed, if unintentional cry for help. We also noted several young mutants in very close range.

"It was apparent what was happening and we are offering you a home, offering all of them a home even if they aren't mutant."

Scott is very still, mind processing the information.

A safe home. Somewhere where he wouldn't have to worry about feeding Kitty and Piotr. Where he didn't have to worry about anyone getting sick or freezing to death. Where he didn't have to worry about Ororo or Kitty or even Piotr getting picked up off the streets by a predator.

They would be safe.

But...

"How do I know you're telling the truth?"

Erik smiles, "Suspicion like that makes for good leaders."

Scott scowls.

Charles clears his throat once again.

"Well Erik, I wasn't being entirely honest with how Scott got my attention. Yes, I heard a mental cry for help but I was already looking for him."

Scott reeled back from the kind looking man.

"B-but why?"

Charles smiled softly at him, looking excited and placating and entirely too content.

"You brother Alex Summers asked me to look for you."

Scott jerks as if he'd been slapped.

"Alex is dead."

Charles shakes his head and reaches out with his mind, offering images of his brother, older and happy if a little gruff looking. Scott's mind wrap around these thoughts with a cracked psyche, pulling them in consuming them like he's a man in a desert who found a tall glass of water.

"Alex..." Scott whimpers, clutching his and sinking to his knees.

Surprisingly it's not Charles who first goes to him or even Erik who's still staring in disbelief and even a little anger at Charles. It's Gambit.

"Ah, ma chérie, as muc' as I appreciate you'r' compan' ah, think you shou'd find your brot'er."

Scott bites his lip and nods, "Okay."

Scott walks back slowly to the group, he doesn't know how to convince the others or even himself it'll be okay. He doesn't know where his responsibilities lie, if he has to give up one or the other. His brother or his family.

He thinks about, mulls over the possibility of being scorned by Ororo, rebuffed by Bobby, being begged by Kitty.

But his brother. His brother is his last family member. His brother who used, from what he can remember, helped teach him to play baseball. Who used to hold his hand as they walked onto a plane that, flames on the parachute, his mother's eyes as she tied them together, his parent's last goodbyes -

'We love you -

"Scott?"

Scott sobs. He wonders when he had sunk to the ground and when he had started crying, arms crossed over his face to an almost suffocating degree, a trick he had learned in the orphanage to muffle and hide it.

"W-Warren?"

Warren's handsome face, haloed by blonde hair is staring down at him.

"Scott, you're crying."

Scott flushes and wipes away some of the snot and tears from his face.

"I just - you never cry."

That wasn't true, but Scott tried his hardest not to cry in front of Kitty or Piotr. He needed to be strong for them and they helped him be strong.

He would give up his brother for them.

"Warren."

"Right, sorry."

Warren kneels down and grabs Scott gently by his forearm, helping him stand.

Rubbing at his face one last time, Scott turns the conversation, "So how did the visit with your father go?"

Warren shifts uneasily as they slowly make their way to the others, "It was fine, good even."

Scott gives an honest smile, "That's good, Warren. Great even."

Warren grins back and shakes his head, "Ya."

It's quiet for moment, silence impregnating the atmosphere around them as they ignore the hustle and bustle of the city.

"I think he wants me to return home."

Scott stops and turns, it's everything he could hope for Warren but it leaves a thickness in his throat and tear at his heart, "That's really great Warren, you'd be safe."

Warren has a heartbroken look in his eyes, "Scott, -"

Scott stops him, "I'd miss you, but you'd be safe and that would make me happy."

Warren sighs, "I'd worry about you guys."

Scott smiles the smile of an adult with a broken heart knowing it's for the best, "But we wouldn't have to worry about you."

Warren looks down and nods.

They continue on their walk, holding each others arms tightly.

They're greeted with stares and hugs and Scott is sure Ororo knows he was crying even though his face has to be clear by now. He has enough experience to look calm and collected.

Bobby's watching him too though and it's strange, it's like they all know he's hiding something, even Warren is starting to look at him differently.

Maybe it's just the way he's fidgeting or maybe it's just his imagination.

Clearing his throat in a similar manner to Charles, the comparison making him cringe, he looks to Kitty and Piotr.

"Hey, you two, why don't you go listen to the radio for a bit?"

Kitty brightens and beyond his composure, even Piotr seems excited. He never lets them listen to the radio past eight.

Bobby stands to join them but Scott grabs his sleeve.

Looking at the older Warren and slightly younger Ororo and Bobby, Scott says, "We need to talk."

They sit next to him on the pile of blankets and an old, torn, and dirty in ways that make Scott regret ever finding it, mattress that makes up their sleeping area.

"I was approached today when I went to see Gambit."

Scott has told them about Gambit and even a little about Jack, but only Ororo knows what else he does. Warren and Bobby might have an inkling but they never confronted him about it or talked about it in front of him so he takes his blessings where he can in their hoped ignorance.

They nod faithfully, ears open.

"There were two men with him."

Ororo does a quick scan and eyes his grazed hands and red cheeks.

He smiles at her, "They didn't ruff me up, Ro.

"They offered me - us, you, Kitty, Piotr - a place at their school."

Ororo's eyebrows shoot up. Warren, the oldest in the group, furrows his brow questioningly.

Bobby asks, "So what, tell them to back off. They don't want us."

Warren makes a small consensus of agreement.

Scott breaths in sharply, "No but they do.

"It's a school for people like us. W-with 'special abilities'."

"What?" Warren asks.

It doesn't seem possible, no one ever wants them, at least nothing for good as Scott has attested too.

"It's not too far," Scott isn't sure how he knows this but he has an inkling it had to do with that telepath, "just a two hour drive. Three maybe four tops."

Ororo finally speaks up, "Scott, you seem to be seriously considering this. Why?"

Scott grins shakingly at her, she always gets right to the point and he appreciates, usually.

He breathes through his nose and it sniffles. He adjusts his glasses and rubs his eyes.

They're all watching him and Scott's crying quietly, tears falling slowly.

He takes a deep breath, "M-my br-brother is staying there."

They're eyes all widen.

Ororo approaches him, wraps her skinny, dark arms around him, the thin silvery hair growing sparsely blurs as the tears really start to come.

"I-I th-thought h-he was de-dead."

She clutches him closer so Scott can feel the static she tends to radiate, jumping along his arms and nose.

"I thought he was dead." he whispers.

Chapter Text

"Do you think he'll come back?" Erik asks honestly.

They set up another meeting for the next day, Gambit deciding to keep an eye on them offered them a place to stay.

They refused.

Gambit then followed them to their hotel and got - broke in - the room across from them. He was also joining them tomorrow.

Charles, who was currently laying back on the bed, hummed.

"Hm, yes, I'm quite positive of it."

Erik shifts so his head is tilted to a skeptical angle and his arms are crossed.

"How can you be so sure of it?"

Charles opens one stunningly blue eye to peer at him.

"I am absolutely, one-hundred percent sure that Scott will come to us tomorrow because we now offer him the two things he needs, darling."

"Oh and what's that?"

Charles closes his lid slowly as a sly smile stretches across his face.

"Love and security."

Gambit was calling any contacts he thought could help. Pulling any strings he could puppet. Folding his chips in for favors owed.

He wasn't sure if he should be disappointed or amazed at the lack of what was found and what he did find.

Most people couldn't find anything on the two men except a few rumors about the CIA and Cuba, both very alarming prospects for young Scott and even Gambit himself.

But then he asked about an Alex Summers. One of his 'friends' was able to pull up a file. He was incarcerated for an 'unexplainable' accident that he was 'somehow' involved in that resulted in the death of a known murderer. At the time, even with his youth he had been considered dangerous enough to be placed in an adult facility and then solitary until he was released to the government. He was then the charge of Charles Xavier until he recently turned eighteen.

Gambit shook his head.

"Boy, Ah don't kno' wha' you've got'en yourself 'n."

He was just glad that the institute had at least checked out.

Scott had fallen asleep, the excitement of the day running him ragged and exhausted.

"We should do it." Ororo says to Bobby and Warren.

Warren looks down guiltily and Bobby huffs.

"Are you crazy?" he almost shouts.

Ororo glares at him when Scott twitches in his sleep.

Bobby scowls and hisses, "It was his rule to trust no one and now he want us to move to some - some school? So - so what? He can see his stupid fucking brother who he didn't even know was alive until an hour ago?"

Ororo sighs, "I know, but he believed his whole family burned to death."

She looks up at him, eyes sad and hopeful, "Now he has a chance. A chance that extends to us."

Sighing, she shifts so Scott is cradled in her arms, "Do you know what he does for us?"

Bobby sighs, "He makes sure we all have a chance to be better when we're older."

He huffs, it's a lecture Scott tends to give them whenever they (Bobby) start to edge towards jobs on the less than legal side.

Ororo nods, "He wants us to have a future, Bobby. One he believes is not available to him."

Bobby crosses his arms, "I don't get why, we're all freaks. We'll never have normal lives."

Ororo sighs, "He's giving us a chance."

Looking down at Scott she runs her slender hand through his hair.

"He does things that I do not think I would have the strength to survive."

Bobby looks down in guilt, thinking of all the times Scott came back bruised and bloody.

"What he's given up for us," Ororo continues, "what's been taken from him."

Bobby swallows, tries not to think of what else Scott does when he comes home with suddenly enough money to fix whatever crisis is happening that month. When he has that pained almost smile that's so goddamned heartbreaking.

"He shouldn't have to go through that." Warren says quietly from the corner he was huddling in as Ororo and Bobby argued, trying to be as small as you could possibly be with a hunched back.

Bobby nods in agreement.

"Is it agreed then? We will go?"

Bobby and Warren look at her.

Bobby nods again.

Warren hesitates. His father wants him back. He'd be safe.

Scott groans in his sleep and cuddles closer to Storm.

"Ya." he whispers.

His father could wait.

Groaning, Warren cracks his neck and out of his ragged trench coat. Wings, spreading past his arm length, flutter as he stretches them, much to Kitty's delight who runs back in the room at the feathery rustle.

It wasn't like he didn't have his own mode of transportation.

Alex Summers was currently not a happy camper.

"Hey Bozo," he groan out, "why did we have to get up so early?"

Hank rolls his eyes and swings out of the tree he was climbing.

"Because, Alex, Mr. Xavier is expecting us perform at our best at all times."

Alex huffs as he finishes last rep of sit-ups.

Raven is already done and starting on her laps, practicing morphing while she's moving. She's actually doing pretty well until one of turns out to be wearing high-heels.

High heels and gravel apparently don't mix. Huh, who knew.

"I know but did we really have to get up at six?"

Hank smirks, "What, you didn't have an early wake up call in prison?"

Alex scowls, "Sorry, no one really bothered the kid in solitary."

Hank sighs rearing himself up to be the bigger man, "Look, I'm sorry, but this is important to Charles and I'd now he'll be proud if we keep it up."

Alex raises and brow and crosses his arms.

"Enough to let us through a party?"

Raven laughs at him in the background as she does her third lap.

Hank smirks, "Sure Alex."

Alex stretches a bit and grabs his water bottle, not quite ready to leave the shade of the trees.

"So... What is old brain doing anyway?"

Hank gives him an exasperated look at 'old brain'.

Alex grins.

"He' going to recruit a group of young mutants in New York."

Alex's grin turns shark like, "Fresh meat?"

Hank rolls his eyes and starts to climb back on his tree, "Ya Alex, sure, fresh meat.

"Oh and you might want to start on your laps, Raven seems to be done."

Alex turns and sees Raven walking towards them, Sean already starting on his laps.

Alex groans but jogs off to join him.

Chapter Text

Chapter Text

Chapter Text

Alex lays on one of the newly changed beds, it was starting to darken outside, the sun setting pleasantly on the grassy yard.

Closing his eyes he can't help but feel a curl of hope.

Would Scott be one of those five children?

Sighing Alex sits up, he doesn't know why he keeps hoping for Scott to be like him. Why can't he just want Scott to be normal? To have recovered from his head injury and be normal with a family who loves him like a son?

It would be so good for him but, Alex can't help but wish his life to be as hard as his had been, to need him as much as Alex feels like he needs him. For them to be okay together.

Watching the large, winding driveway he sees a car's silhouette grow in the distance.

Sitting up abruptly like puppet whose strings have been pulled, he shouts, "They're here!"

They meet outside. Raven is holding slightly burnt brownies and Sean is trying to keep a grip on the toys he dug up and even some shiny new ones he bought. They're all excited, because these kids will be one the first in a new generation of mutants - of students.

Charles and Erik get out and open the doors to the Volkswagen like their chauffeurs.

Kids fall out like marbles from a bag. They have grime on their cheeks and tangles in their hair. The two youngest, a girl and a stout boy run out first, one following the other. Another boy with red glasses, somewhere in his early teenage years, if not late pre-pubescent, says something and they fall in behind him. Two older children, an angelic looking older boy and a girl with white hair that shines like lightning, surround them like how mothers crowd children in the face of suspicious characters. Another boy who looks like he's about to follow the younger's examples of running around stands near the boy with glasses, looking to him for directions.

Raven looks seconds away from squealing and is almost buzzing in place.

The boy with the red glasses, turns his head to Charles and Erik as a man with hair that falls in organised waves steps out too. He wears sunglasses and has stubble, a hat on top his head completes the look of a hustler better found in a bar.

Alex looks over the group, his eyes falling back to the supposed leader, the boy with the brown hair and glasses.

He looks achingly familiar and when Charles point at Alex, a blindingly happy look on his face, he just knows.

"Scott!"

Scott looks at the congregation of people standing in front of the mansion. Everything looks so perfect but he know people like this, like him and Ororo and Bobby. They're dangerous and powerful and will use that to their advantage if possible.

Scott's not just talking about mutants.

They all tumble out when the doors open, Kitty and Piotr immediately starting a restless game of chase. Scott ends it, if things are as good as promised then this benediction will allow for plenty of tag and chase.

Right now, even though everyone's safe and no one is attacking, Scott can't help but think about how he could take down the people in front of him. What they can do. They're all here for a reason afterall.

Looking to Charles, the soft-man, desperation begins to claw at his throat.

"A-alex?" he says, tripping over his words in his desperation. The man with flushed cheeks and blue eyes points and whispers, "Over there."

Alex has broad shoulders not quite like dad but his looks - he looks like what Scott remembers of Katherine Summers.

Blonde hair and her face shape, the nose is more masculine but -

"Scott!" he screams.

Scott wants to run forward but he's stuck, he stumbles back a bit, Ororo's hand finds his shoulder.

He turns to look at her, shock and surprise wrecking his face.

"Is it him?" she asks.

He nods and the man is standing in front of him, hands taking Ororo's place as she pushes him forward.

Alex embraces him, holds him close and Scott can feel him shake. The hug constricts his ribs and makes it hard to breath but it's not like he could anyway.

"Alex." he says.

Alex is trembling and Scott feels something wet on his shoulder.

Scott feels his own tears build up, pressing hard against his eyes and his throat tightens. Alex releases him and Scott looks up at the familiar face.

They don't talk and Scott coughs, he doesn't want to break down like this man - his brother - in front of him. Steeling himself, he turns.

He has people he needs to take care of.

They haven't eaten since early afternoon and the sun was beginning to set. They're looking horribly thin and dirty compared to the professor and the his people.

He looks up at the professor. "Sir, do you have anything to eat? Or a place we can wash?" His voice strains with emotion and forced manners but he has no time for such a thing as exhaustion or family until he can get his scrappy charges in soft sheets.

Then he'll deal with the man looking lost and sad behind him.

Charles looks confused and Erik sighs.

"Yes, of course," the man Scott almost flinches at when he approaches, "come with me."

They're seated at a long table, the seats more filled than they've ever been.

Kitty stuffs her face with the warm bread and soup while Piotr picks his apart. Ororo takes measured bites while Bobby follows Kitty's example. Warren takes bites but his main concern is the others, an example set by Scott as he makes sure Kitty and Piotr's plates get wiped clean.

Raven's brownies lay as a centerpiece and on the opposite side of the table Charles sits with Alex and Hank.

Gambit had grabbed some bread and a beer and went for a 'walk' with Erik.

Charles smile is strained, he watches as Alex sits like pointer dog, tense and almost leering at Scott. Hank is examining them, looking over for injuries.

The telepath sighs. This wasn't going to be easy.

Chapter Text

"Is this necessary?" Scott asks. His 'little ducklings' - as Raven dubbed them - stand behind him, the silver-haired girl and the angel boy crowding next to him.

Hank looks at him from over a clip board. He raises an eyebrow and glances at Charles.

"Uh, well... Yes. It is." he says, cheeks red.

Scott crosses his arms and Hank thinks his eyes are looking between them. Hank sighs. These kids needed help, but they were going to be trouble. More trouble then when Hank and the others had been brought together for the first time.

Sometimes Hank questioned the professors planning skills.

Erik, from his ever helpful position of leaning against the doorway with arms crossed and smirking finally decides to speak up. "Any information you give to us, we will gladly return the favor."

Scott tilts his head toward the man - considering this option. He shrugs, forcing himself to relax but Hank is smart. He recognizes the way his shoulders are still too bunched up; the way he tries to make sure that he's in between the others and Hank and Charles; his eyes seem to remain on Erik. It's reminds Hank almost painfully of Alex.

"Fine." he says, the word coming out roughly, "but whatever tests you do, I want to be there to supervise."

He turns to his group, back hunched protectively, "Don't let them get you alone okay? Piotr stay with Kitty and if they bring you here, or anywhere that looks like a lab don't let them do anything until I'm there. Okay?"

They all nod and the youngest boy grips the hand of the youngest girl tightly.

Sighing Scott turns, "Where do we start?"

Erik go to stand in front of him, "Well, I have the feeling you'll want the advantage so why don't you start?"

Scott tilts his head again, overgrown, dirty brown hair shifting. He nods.

"Okay, I want to know what each of you can do. I want to know who's strong, who's smart, and who's powerful."

Erik's smirk grows and he looks to Hank who looks shocked and a little put off.

"We, of course expect that information back."

Scott frowns, "We're just kids, why not let us have the advantage?"

His voice has an odd tone to it that sounds less questioning and more manipulative.

"This is our home. And don't think for a minute that I assume your just kids."

Scott huffs and bristles, and Charles sighs internally, "Scott, part of the reason we wanted you here was so we can help you learn to use your powers appropriately."

Scott raises his chin defiantly but doesn't disagree.

Charles was worried. Scott has of yet to talk to his brother. Alex himself has been quiet and almost, well, moping.

This wasn't how he expected this to go. He didn't expect all the children to crowd in one bed or stick together like they were afraid if they lost sight of each other they would never see each other again. He can't help but wonder what happened to them on the streets.

He has a feeling he won't find out for a long time; if ever.

Scott thinks over what he's been told by Hank. It was unnerving.

Hank's mutation itself wasn't that unnerving, however the man's genius and scientific background was extremely unsettling. Even worse was the woman. Being able to change her form perfectly absolutely frightened him. The red-headed man wasn't as alarming but his ability to take to the skies put Warren at risk. Eric's made him uneasy because of Piotr, however it wasn't the mutation but the man that alarmed Scott.

Then there was Charles. That man seemed good-natured but many people did. Honestly, Scott wanted to put as much distance between the telepath and himself. Unfortunately Charles seemed to be a bit of a push-over with their demands and so far had mostly looked after their well being. Scott would use this to his advantage.

Alex was a different story. His mutation was dangerous, especially if it was like Scott's. Scott was sure that in his group, Alex was the most destructive; like how Scott was the most in his group. He would have to make sure that if it came down to a fight between the mutant gangs to keep Alex and Charles away from his charges.

The thing that concerned him more than the mutations were the people. Individually, besides Charles and Alex, the older group stood little to no chance against Scott's, especially when their objective is fleeing and not fighting. However working together, with their experience and training, Scott was worried. Also they were unpredictable.

Scott mentally reviewed the risks that he had brought upon his makeshift family by bringing them here. Being experimented on; being taken advantage of; Warren never returning home; Kitty and Piotr being hurt; Ororo being abused; Bobby being forced to grow up even more than he had.

No, he could not allow any of that to happen. At the first sign of trouble he would start the exodus from this house, being sure to burn it to the ground and leaving no one to tail after them.

First he would find out what these men wanted with children. Their prerogative couldn't possibly be this 'well meaning' bull crap Charles kept spewing with starry eyed determination. At least, it couldn't be Eric's.

Eric didn't seem like the type of man who did things to help anyone but himself.

A small part of Scott wanted this to be true. No - a large part wanted it to be so. Unfortunately, for the sake of the people he cared about he couldn't allow himself to be blinded by it.

Maybe later, if things turn out to be okay he could let Piotr and Kitty and Bobby play as much as they want, and look forward to guaranteed food and soft beds and warm houses and coats.

But Scott wouldn't let them be taken off guard, no matter what.

Alex came to mind but Scott pushed it out - now wasn't the time.

Chapter Text

Scott's snapped out if his concerns by the intensity of Charles' and Hank's stares.

"So ..." Charles breaches the topic carefully, "I believe Erik put out that this was more of a quid pro quo situation."

Scott glares at said man who is standing - seemingly disinterested - with his arms crossed. The man notices his look and smirks. A strange look is in his eyes and Scott swears Bobby was freezing him from the inside out.

What no it's not supposed to-

He stops himself from making his alarm thoughts distressed enough to be detected by the telepath. Of course Charles is already looking confused and worried.

Scott clears his dry throat, but before he can say anything a rustling sound of feathers can be heard.

He doesn't have to turn to see Warren's coat on the ground.

"Oh," the self proclaimed professor says, "Oh my."

Hank takes an extreme interest in Warren's wings.

"Fascinating. Absolutely fascinating!" The monkey man exclaimed as he was slowly drawn to the feathery appendages.

When he reached out to touch Warren flinched back and Scott angrily pulled Warren into his designated safety area - behind himself and away from the adults.

Scott doesn't say anything but his lip is curled to a surprising ferocity, his hand on his glasses. Hank unknowingly mimics Warren as he flinches back.

"I'm sorry!" He blubbers, "it's just amazing! Wings on a human! I wonder if they're avian like. Can you fly?"

Scott forces himself to drop his hand and relax out of his offensive position. He needed to keep a cool head for this.

Hank trails off his blabbering as he sees how uncomfortable and to some degree, scared, the children are.

Charles steps in between the rising tension, although he looks unsure of how to continue.

Erik intervenes, "How about this, if all works out well you'll be staying here long enough that us finding out is inevitable. So how about you begin, at least, by telling us anyone who is potentially dangerous and out of control."

Scott shifts his weight between his feet, giving the proposal thought, before he nods. He doesn't know what to tell them exactly so he decides to gloss over the details.

"I can't take my glasses off." He throws out first, it'll keep the attention on him even though now it's just a matter of time before his glasses are off his face.

Ororo made a shocked noise like she had been about to gasp but choked it off. Scott didn't talk about his glasses. He didn't talk about his ability. Ever.

She was the only who had ever seen him use it. No one else knew.

The sudden tension in the group of children didn't pass by the professor or Erik.

Erik stood up straight and stalked over to stand in front of Scott.

"I'm sure that's enough for one day Charles. I'd like to talk to Scott in private, if that's all right."

Charles makes a noise of protest but Erik raises a hand calmly, "It is inevitable with their long term stay we'll find out eventually.

Charles nods.

Scott's skin crawls and he feels like he's been dunked in cold water, something that happened repeatedly long ago in one of the many places he doesn't want to think about.

"Alright," he says quietly in a small voice.

Clearing his throat, he turns to his charges and Ororo gives him an extremely worried look and Warren seems ashamed and Bobby's face is red with anger.

"Go." He says quietly before turning back to Erik.

He follows the man silently.

They came to a room with a bed. The bed is plush with uncomfortable looking blankets and embroidered decorative pillows.

Erik sits on the edge of the four post bed and looks at Scott with a blank expression.

Oh...

Scott's hands are starting to shake so he clenches his fists until they're white knuckled. He refuses to speak first and he refuses to look Erik in the eye.

The silence stretches on and then Erik sighs and spread his legs open and it's obvious to Scott that it's an invitation. He swallows and allows himself one full body shiver in this suddenly surreal world. He thinks of nothing when he strides stiffly and crouches slightly in front of Erik so the man's crotch is in front of his eyes. Shakily he reaches out with one hand.

A fingers grabs him by his shoulder and forces him to stand straight.

"Stop." Erik says simply, closing the space between his legs.

Scott looks in wonder at Erik.

"I don't want this from you. I don't think anyone here will want this from you."

Scott takes a minute to let the words sink in before he really starts shaking.

"Then what," he says hysterically, voice wavering, "What do you people want?"

Erik looks at him with dull eyes before he starts rolling up his long sleeved shirt. Scott stares at what's revealed to him.

214782

Scott stared at them for a moment in confusion.

"I was a kid when the Holocaust started." Erik begins.

Scott freezes up and painfully follows the lines of numbers tattooed on the man.

"My mother was killed in front of me and I was experimented on and tortured for my mutation by a mutant named Sebastian Shaw."

Reaching forward Erik grips the child's shoulder, hard. He needs to get his point across.

"I will do anything, anything, to prevent other mutants, especially children, from experiencing the pain I felt."

Erik eyes Scott desperately, "I think you of all people should know."

Scott by this point is shaking, mind stuttering in thought.

This man, he thinks, he know's what it's like.

Maybe better than I do.

Something slips down his face and he doesn't know when his eyes got so watery and when the tears started to roll down but he finds himself crying.

He wants to say something but sorry never really helped anyone. Instead he looks up at Erik, feeling uncomfortable having a man who knows what it's like to be held captive by his mutation. His face clams up until he can't feel the tears when he thinks about his own experience.

At least know he knows that this man is the mostdangerous out of all the group.

And - maybe one that Scott can understand more than any of them.

"It's motive alone which gives character to the actions of men."

- Jean de la Bruyere