「 The Professor & I 」VOLUME II

(281) Under the Weather

Charles' POV

Practically as Raven exited the room, Lynn succumbed to all the demanding forces of her ailments and her valiantly jovial front completely crumbled into debilitated pile on my legs. She panted acutely, seemingly catching the uncountable breaths she missed whilst performing a rather convincing masquerade to underrate her own condition.

"Slow down, Lynn. Just calm down," I soothed softly, delicately stroking her hair.

Contrary to my expectations, her body quickly tensed and her master hand frantically reached for the covers, almost clawing her nails through the fluffy quilt as she shivered uncontrollably.

"What's wrong, love? Are you cold?" I probed anxiously and hurriedly draped the sheets over her as she failed to really lug the heavy covers from their original positions.

Meekly nodding, Lynn blurted several faint whimpers as her body vibrated in a severe quiver that persevered even under the plush duvet. Meticulously, I tucked the stuffed linen snugly around her slim frame and with the secure cocoon of heat, her trembling eventually saw the light of ceasing, albeit at a very gradual pace.

"Can I get you anything? Something warm maybe? Oats, porridge, or maybe a soup?" I offered in an amicable tone, smiling at her kindly, as I combed away the stray locks interfering with the splendor of her face.

"I'm fine," Lynn replied feebly, cringing in slight discomfort, as her breathings continued at an erratic and accelerated rhythm.

"You should go downstairs and join them. I suppose you haven't had anything to eat all morning," she mumbled in a pleading tone but all the pain that tormented her virtually ripped her of the ability to even maintain her eyes open.

"I'm fine," I insisted cordially and a gentle arc slithered onto her lips as she presumably recognized my purposeful tease.

"But they won't be, if they don't get to see either of us," she argued in a weak but resolute tone, gazing at me with her eyes thin as a line, and I was transiently silenced by the incredible standards of her inherent thoughtfulness.

"Don't worry about me, Charles. I'll just be here sleeping," Lynn affirmed but the way her exhausted accent slurred her words was certainly more disturbing than persuasive.

"I promise, I won't wet the bed," she casually joked and I reflexively chuckled, smacking my lips in disbelief at her peculiar choice of humour.

"I'll call you if I need anything, alright?" Lynn reassured sluggishly.

"Would you at least let me watch you fall asleep?" I appealed courteously.

"You know I hate for you to see me like this," Lynn confided, utter reluctance beaming from her sheepish tone and unsettled expression.

"Please, Charles. I'll be just fine," Lynn reiterated adamantly, almost like she was eager for me to leave, but it was only understandable that she detested to haunt me with the sight of her difficult situation.

"That's a promise, Mrs. Xavier," I taunted cheekily and, in pure fun, flicked her nose, but it seemed to have brought her more irritation than amusement as evidenced by the grimace that rapidly developed on her face.

"I'm sorry," I whispered, carefully leaning forward as I tenderly caressed her face and delicately pecked her lips that spiritlessly reciprocated the favor.

"I love you, Lynn. I'll see you in a bit," I conveyed quietly and she mustered a small smile as I rose from her bedside.

Although my last view of her was distressingly a face contorted under a dolorous frown, I strived to keep my concerns at bay and diligently braved a collected front as I calmly strolled down the corridors.

Raven had conscientiously retrieved the platters she singlehandedly polished off but neither was I complaining that she excelled in not wasting any of Jubilee's earnest efforts nor disagreeing with her cooperative initiative to clear the dishes.

Whilst my appetite was still not piqued despite the citrus beverage consumed earlier, I advanced towards the dining hall nonetheless, hoping to satisfy the young and troubled ones.

Casually trudging into the grand arena, I inevitably attracted the attention of all the students and teachers packed in the lavish space but fortunately, the ambience that was initially rather jolly with the whole massacre saga behind us did not rapidly diminish.

Their appalled stares were brief and genuinely merry smiles still lingered on most of their faces even though my atypical entrance had readily marked an end to their chirpy conversations.

Kurt was definitely the most starkly overwhelmed, with a dramatically dropped jaw that resembled too much of Raven, as Storm courteously explained to him the miracles of our circumstances. Scott was absent from their table, escorting Raven back to Washington in our jet, whilst Jean and Jubilee merely looked at me with a pair of compassionate gazes.

The other children and teens gathered in their usual cliques, staring at me with gratified grins. It did not take a telepath to read that they were relieved to finally see me, though the succor was only partial when I was spotted alone and in an uncommon form.

"Is everyone enjoying breakfast?" I addressed gleefully and the kids spontaneously cheered, nodding with an explosion of absolute exuberance.

"Perfect!" I remarked proudly but an awkward serenity followed as their opulent exhilaration dwindled away into the fine summer's air.

"I understand that I've promised all of you a feast," I conveyed in a solemn tone and seriousness bled into the vast chamber like the gloom that shed when the sun was eclipsed by the moon.

"But I'm afraid, it might have to be delayed," I announced but despite my tactfulness, I spied progressively increasing numbers of thwarted expressions.

"I really don't mean to disappoint but Lynn, she's..." I swiftly clarified but paused with mild hesitation as I struggled to sieve out appropriate vocabulary to reveal her plight discreetly.

"She's a little under the weather, recently," I ultimately muttered and anxiety sprouted amongst my audience like daisies blooming over the pastures.

"And I'm sure you want her to be fit so that she can have a good time celebrating with all of you, right?" I resolved in a sincere tone, expectantly awaiting response.

Tentatively, I skimmed my eyes over the youthful bunch and was thoroughly pleased when I noticed the sea of unavoidably disgruntled faces moderate bit by bit into generously forgiving expressions, spreading happiness around the area almost like it was contagious.

"We will wait for her, Professor," Peter asserted firmly, standing from the crowd.

"Thank you. She'll be glad to hear that," I commented, flashing him an appreciating smile, as his peers roared in a rapturous applause.

"Alright, sorry to have interrupted your meal. Dig in, everyone," I urged contentedly and eyes were immediately withdrawn from me, darting back to bacon and eggs, as I roamed towards the adult bench.

A little under the weather? Jean cheekily joked as she gained my eye contact and I shot her a strict glare to which she simply popped out her tongue in defiance that mirrored her husband's.

"How is she?" Jubilee enquired in a hushed tone, peering up at me, as I arrived between her and Jean.

"Getting better, I think. She's cooling down," I answered, smiling optimistically.

"Jubilee, I'd like to borrow some ingredients for Lynn's soup. Would that be alright?" I sought politely.

"It's not a problem at all, Professor. Please, go ahead," Jubilee endorsed graciously.

"Thank you. If you guys need anything, I'll be in the kitchen," I informed, shifting my gaze towards Jean.

"And will you check on her once I'm done with her feeding?" I requested and she smirked in delight.

"I'm right at your service," Jean flaunted, faking a demure curtsy from her seat, and I playfully ruffled her bright red tresses before heading out to my destination.