「 The Professor & I 」VOLUME II

(217) Where It Belongs

Lynn's POV

Scott winked at me cheekily as he straightened his posture again and I simply chuckled. Smacking my lips in disbelief, I consciously contained the urge to roll my eyes as I admired his mischief that suddenly resembled so much of his brother.

"Stop fooling around and suit up, Summers," I teased playfully and he laughed, intending to push me back to the ward but I swiftly took the joystick, successfully dodging his unwarranted assistance.

"Lynn, I know you're not really in the mood for food, but I've made you something anyway," Jean, already fully decked in her sleek uniform, courteously informed and a faint aroma of baked cod dispersed around the room as she pushed in an elegant metallic trolley topped with two sets of silver cloches, stowing it just by Charles' bed.

"In case he wakes while we're gone, at least you two can have dinner together," Jean elaborated with a blatant smirk as she slipped her arm around my shoulders and raised her eyebrows in a hinting fashion when Logan defiantly barged in with Storm nervously chasing his back.

"You actually go outside in these things?" Logan denounced critically, scrutinising the sophisticated leatherette apparel that fitted him to a tee.

Bearing a simplified version of the Xavier School's logo, which was merely a cross within a circle that could hardly be traced back to the academy, engraved on its belt and onto the pins embellishing both ends of the collar, the robust material was specifically designed, and now improved, to withstand a selected range of ammunition, in addition to bullets, with the overall dark scheme accented only on the seams in personalized hues, providing further stealth for the team.

"What would you prefer? Yellow spandex?" I confronted sarcastically as I planted an image of the original rendition curated by Hank decades ago.

"Wow, that's disgusting," Logan remarked with an exaggerated expression of repulsion as the girls giggled.

"Then I think we're all set," Scott announced confidently, strutting in dressed in his suave combat attire and battle visor, but the ladies did not seem to share his spiritedness as they gazed down at me with slightly needy looks.

"I can't go with you, Storm. Not like that," I declined delicately, gesturing to my vulnerable trauma-ridden body.

"I've seen you fight, Lynn. Your disabilities don't compromise you or the mission," Storm argued with a tone full of generosity as she showered me with the honourable compliment.

"But my heart will," I admitted calmly and shifted my forlorn gaze towards Charles.

"And for now, it needs to stay here, where it belongs. With him," I confessed, intertwining our fingers as I took his hand, and Storm nodded, giving me a heartfelt smile.

"You're sure you'll be fine?" Jean probed, pacing up to my other side.

"Yes. You take care," I urged kindly.

"I will. Don't worry about us," Jean reassured, guiding my gaze to the other smiles surrounding me.

"I'm not," I asserted, smirking in satisfaction towards Scott who reciprocated a similar expression.

"Jean, listen. Logan doesn't fly well. Take care of him, alright?" I whispered in a hushed tone and she willingly nodded.

"And look out for metal detectors. Good luck," I articulated sincerely and Jean pecked a friendly kiss to my cheek.

"And try to have some fun. Your brother claims it helps with the stress," I advised jovially and Scott chuckled happily before steadily leading the squad towards the hangar.