GENRE: fluff
WARNINGS: pls don't go off with strangers in real life.
NOTES: this is super long (9000+ words so sorry if there's errors). also it's a request from Finola4 who wanted an alex prom imagine <33 there's gonna be a part 2!! so hype that here <33

also for the sake of this imagine, alex (19/20) is 2 years older than scott (17/18). reader is 18/19. ororo is also school age. the movies fucked with their ages so . . . so can i lmao.

_______________

When your powers were first developing, you couldn't attend your first year of high school. You had to start a year later than any of the friends you'd had in middle school, and you soon felt yourself become isolated from everyone - - including your family. When they finally thought it was okay to send you to school, your started. It didn't stop a flare up almost causing you to blow up the school gym, causing you to be expelled almost immediately.

You transferred to Xavier's School for Gifted Youngsters in junior year, upon your parents discovering it. They spent hours pouring over phones, and doing research to help you - but you knew they were frightened of you. Neither of them were mutants, and your powers weren't expected in the slightest. Your mutation was stronger than you thought they probably liked, and you could understand why it scared them, because it scared you, too. You never wanted to hurt anyone, but you were destructive, and you didn't know how to control yourself.

Charles helped you like no one in your life ever could before. He showed you how linked your powers were to your emotions, and in turn, how to control both of them simultaneously. Despite this, you decidedly didn't use your mutation unless you explicitly had to. Charles has to respect you, and didn't push you as you made your way through your schooling career without much drama.

You avoided anything that would get you caught up in a situation that escalated, and honestly, avoided most people in general. You weren't a loner per se; but you only really spoke to your classmates when you had to - and you kept very few personal friends. It took a lot of effort to juggle keeping your feelings in cheque, getting good grades, sleeping, and socializing/having friends. Besides that: being a year older than most your classmates almost made you feel disconnected to them in some way, like there was something about you that just didn't fit into place.

In all honestly - you didn't mind being alone, because it was how you had been since your mutation finally settled in.

You often spoke to Jean, but her friends overwhelmed you. Her telepathy helped her to read you like others usually couldn't, because you kept your emotions to your chest. That didn't mean you didn't feel them - it's just that you only showed it to some people, when it felt right. You were beginning to get used to Scott, Peter, and Jubilee. They were all very high-maintenance, social people - but you understood them after a while. You knew that having them around was definitely a good thing, but it definitely didn't feel natural. You hadn't really made friends since you were a kid, never mind after everything went to shit.

At the end of the year, you finally seemed to have joined their group officially, and were constantly being asked to go out places when you never had before. You were being dragged to the mall, and on car rides, and to Jubilee's room. You wished you could be begrudging, but there was something about those people that really made you feel warm and good. Like you were appreciated for the first time. Like you could show more emotions, and take more risks.

They didn't mind that you were a little different: a little guarded, and not the one to talk in a crowd. They embraced you like no one ever had before.

Just before senior year was when you met Alex. You were home for the Summer, enjoying the last few days before you were supposed to start your toughest year of school yet. You loved coming back to your old neighborhood, where you could walk along the familiar streets and find a place to day dream. More often than not, you'd stop by the local gas station for a snack, and to say hello to the poor clerk behind the counter. You swore he'd been working there for as long as you could remember.

Making your way through the aisles, you grabbed what packets you wanted, listening to the hum of the old fridges keeping the drinks cold. It always had an ambience that felt out of time; like it could be the middle of the night, or the morning. The same tiles were getting darker every year, and the bright white lights still gave your mom a headache - but you'd gotten used to it. You were raised on it since you moved there, after all.

You were just finishing pouring yourself a Slurpee from the machine, securing the cap on so that you could finally go and pay for it. That's when you nearly knocked into him. Before you could move much, his hands reached out to brace you, stopping your drink from spilling over the two of you unceremoniously.

"Jeez, watch out!" The man distinctively yelped, letting go of you once you'd steadied.

You couldn't seem to reply, eyes wide as you took in the man in front of you. He was taller than you, with long brown hair and pretty eyes. He seemed to have a better grasp on the situation, his lips titled upwards with a humored expression.

"That dye is a bitch to get out of clothes! Be glad I saved you," He remarked, seemingly trying to break the ice due to how startled you had been, not saying a word. His voice was deep, and you recognized his accent to be from around where you were. He certainly pulled it off a lot better than the boys you'd known growing up.

You looked down at the cup in your hand, and then back up to him, blinking away your bewilderment, only to realize that he was quite handsome. And charming. You cracked a smile, chuckling at his remark, "Yeah, I guess. Thanks for that."

"No problem," He tilted his head, blue eyes twinkling as he looked at you. "To be fair, I wasn't really looking either," He admitted in a lowered tone, leaning forward and dipping his head as if it were a secret.

You could help but laugh. Lately, you'd been allowing yourself to express your emotions more openly. Something about being back home, knowing everything you'd learnt from Charles; it felt liberating. Like you didn't have to be afraid of being the town freak anymore. Like you could just walk around, and show what you felt on your face. Feel whatever you wanted to without the fear of destroying everything and everyone around you.

"Well, I know why I was so distracted," You lifted your Slurpee up to show him, "What's your excuse?" You teased, not sure why you felt so confident to say it to a stranger. Perhaps because he was about your age, and seemed local. You didn't really think you'd ever see him again, anyways.

He raised his eyebrows in reply, seemingly surprised by your overt confidence. His lips, however, tilted into a crooked grin, "Maybe I meant to bump into you . . ." His hands slipped into his pockets, and he shrugged nonchalantly, "You don't know."

You rolled your eyes, feeling your cheeks heat up at his forwardness despite yourself. "Do you often bump into the people you want to talk to?" You asked rhetorically, winding him up slightly.

"Only the prettiest ones," He admitted, clearly amused, but seemed to be serious for the most part.

You could feel yourself blushing, and you looked away from him as you took in his words. Your heart was suddenly thumping, and you were acutely aware that your frozen drink was beginning to melt in your hand.

"I'm kidding. It really was an accident," He laughed, and the sound made you peer back up at him with a growing smile. "Not the part about you being pretty, though," He added, "Thats still true."

You shook your head at his blatant flirting, but couldn't really bring yourself to mind. There was something about it that felt like the perfect low stakes situation to talk to someone like him. It had never really happened to you before, but you found him to be quite sweet in temperament. He looked like he meant what he said. Of course, he could be fooling you - but you didn't think you care as of right then. If he was, then you could just walk a couple blocks and be back home, in your comfy bed watching movies on the tiny TV your dad got you to mind your time.

You checked the clock on the wall, hung up behind the counter where the cigarettes were. You had four hours before your friend was meeting up with you (she was the only one that ever really contacted you from your old high school), and you were planning to blow off the time in the gas station parking lot, or the park nearby. "You got a couple hours to spare?" You pried, meeting his eyes, which seemed to hold a small bit of mischief.

"For you? Sure," He laughed, scratching the back of his neck awkwardly, like he hadn't actually expected you to rebut like you did. He wasn't as confident with girls as he was letting on - never mind someone as pretty as you. He was mildly surprised he hadn't messed it up by then.

"Meet you out front?"

_____________

Your eyes were on the gravel as you waited outside the store, back pressed against the brick, basking in the afternoon sun. When you heard the familiar bell on top of the door ring, you looked up to see him again. He pushed his hair out of his face with one hand, a packet in the other as he spotted you lingering.

Before he made his way over to you, he stopped at his car, depositing the items he was buying for later. You weren't sure at all if he had some place to be, but you supposed he wouldn't have agreed to hang around if he did. As he walked toward you, you couldn't help but smile, watching as his eyes drifted up to meet yours again, mirroring you. His sunglasses were pushed up, keeping this long hair from being in his eyes - but some strands fell in his face defiantly. He was pretty.

"Hey, loverboy," You greeted, standing up from where you were leaning so that you could meet him half way. He seemed vaguely delighted by your new nickname for him.

"It's Alex," He corrected with a low laugh, "But you can call me what you like, I guess." The man shrugged, hands finding the pockets of his jacket in what you were already noticing as a habit of his.

"Okay, well, I'm (Y/n)," You introduced kindly, holding out your hand for him to shake. Alex peered down at it with a certain curiosity, but shook it nonetheless. His skin was warm, and you wished you could let your hand linger for a second more when you pulled apart, "Do you want to walk to the park? It's just around the corner - promise."

"Yeah. . . I guess so. Lead the way?" He furrowed his eyebrows in reply, and you nodded - - falling into step with him as you began to make your way to your location. It must have been only a few steps, before you felt the need to fill the momentary silence. Not that it was uncomfortable - - you'd just become more talkative lately. Less afraid to ask questions, or muse out loud

"So, what were you at Gerry's for?" You queried curiously, peering over at his handsome profile.

"I'm just back from college for the Summer," He shrugged slightly, "Which means I have to drive to the store whenever my punk brother wants something," The boy chuckled, revealing to you that he wasn't too mad about the situation, and probably loved his brother like anyone would. Just bluffing, mostly.

"Oh, so you're old, huh?" You asked, internally weighing whether he really was your age like you assumed. A part of you was waiting with baited breath for some reason.

"Only a sophomore as of next year," He divulged, blue eyes flickering over you for a second, scuffing his boot against the gravel sidewalk, "Are you young?"

"I'm supposed to be a freshman," You admitted, nodding as you took in the fact that the two of you were a year apart at maximum. Despite this, you found him to be more attractive than the boys back at school - - like he was a little more mature, and inadvertently exactly who you didn't know you were searching for.

He appeared confused, opting to ask you instead of assuming "But you aren't?" Something about Alex was eating up everything he could find out about you. He was drawn to you with insatiable sense of curiosity. Like he just deeply wanted to be close to you for some reason.

"No . . . it's complicated," You could help but let out a soft sigh, unable to think about your younger years without putting up some kind of mental blockade. It'd had to become so normalized when you were young. Dealing with unimaginable power from such an early age.

Your mutation was combustion: for many years, your own bodies cells would betray you - - expanding until they all culminated in an explosive with enough energetic force to explode a 2 bedroom house in a good neighborhood. Afterwards, you'd be fine - - except for the recovery period, which usually consisted of a couple of days being unconscious, followed by a tough few weeks of rehabilitation. Luckily, you hadn't had an episode in over a year, and for once - - you weren't concerned about it happening again.

"Trust me . . ." Alex paused, and you don't think he noticed that you were staring at his expression quite ardently. His gaze met yours for a brief moment of understanding, "I know a lot about complicated."

There was a part of you that felt comforted that he'd also had his own struggles to deal with; or so he implied. At the very least, you felt brave enough to ask your next question - - hoping that he wasn't secretly an anti-mutant bigot (which was unfortunately quite common in almost every state).

" . . . Do you know any mutants?" You pried hesitantly, as if wondering aloud.

"Personally? Yes. I'd say so," He answered honestly, without questioning why you'd asked at all, simply open to divulging something a little too close to the truth than what he usually would.

He didn't know if you, or a family member were a mutant - - but he had to stay guarded. Letting anyone know about his genes usually backed him into a corner. Either he'd mess up and hurt them down the line, or they'd be too scared to stick around in the first place. He didn't want either of those scenarios with you, if he could help it.

"I'm not anti-mutant, if that's what you're asking," He informed lowly, stealing a glance at you as you neared the park he knew you were talking about. Seeing you breath a subtle sigh or relief let him know that you were on his side of the cause: and for that he was greatful, feeling a slight weight off his shoulders that he didn't know was there.

"Oh, well. I'm one, too . . ." You admitted, voice suddenly soft as if you weren't used to admitting it (which was true, outside of Xavier's School), "and I had a really tough time in the year between middle and high school. I couldn't start my freshman year on time, so I stayed back a grade. I would've graduated by now if it weren't for the fact that I almost blew my old house up daily for almost a year and a half-"

"You don't do that still, right? The blowing up thing?" He raised an eyebrow, and you noted a slight amusement behind his eyes that told you he was teasing, rather than genuinely concerned. Your stomach bubbled with butterflies for some reason, an unintentional smile matching his.

"No. Why, are you scared?" You enquired, pausing as the two of you had reached the railing surrounding the small green area, fitted with a wooden children's play set, some swings, and a worn out round-a-bout. It was littered with tall trees, bursting bright green in all their glory beneath the Summer sun.

You were glad your drink was icey, taking a sip of the sugary slush that you could feel when it traveled its way down your throat. Your eyes watched him, but he was too distracted noticing the goosebumps that sprung across your skin because of the cold.

He loved that you had the guts to tease him, "Of you? Not even a little bit."

_________

Alex finally chose to move closer, leaning back on his one elbow so that his face was slightly closer to yours. A strand of hair fell unknowingly from its place, and he didn't seem to notice it as much as you did - - gaze adoring, admittedly. How close you were wasn't lost on you, his body radiating heat that felt like it could happily engluf you.

"Is that so?" He asked, coming off more as an amused grunt as he looked over to you, blue eyes meeting yours with an almost familiar twinkle. You liked it when he teased you, despite the way you couldn't help but turn pink.

Especially when he was now only inches from you, pausing as his vision flickered over your face, subconsciously enraptured by the way you looked in that second. Seemingly committing it all to memory when he knew it'd end sooner or later. The tree spilled dappled light against your skin, illuminating the colour of your eyes as they met his fleetingly.

For a beat, both of you just breathed slowly, and you found yourself reaching out toward him. Your fingertips brushed the strands of hair that had fallen, pushing it aside so that you could view his face properly.

As if only noticing your tender movement a minute later, your face immediately filled with a bright pink, across the bridge of your nose and your cheeks. "S-Sorry," You whispered, not able to bring yourself to talk as your hand stayed in its place, frozen with something akin to shock.

You felt his fingers curl around your forearm, firm and somehow warm as he guided your hand to rest against the side of his cheek, cupping it gently as his hand slipped up to cover yours. It was slightly bold, but no more forward than what you had done. Your heart was thumping in your chest, your lips betraying you as they parted breathlessly, and you couldn't bring yourself to say anything - - completely dumbfounded, and lost in the way he looked at you.

"It's okay," He assured, voice kind and deep, and making you feel dizzy. Both of you felt the inevitable magnetism toward each other as you leaned in.

More suddenly than you'd like, you were ripped away from each other by the honking of a car horn. You whipped your head around in the direction of the sound, almost immediately spotting your friends beat up red car. You remembered when she was begging her dad to fix it up for her 16th after it had begun to rust away in the garage - - and now, she was leaning out the window with a huge smile, her copper hair gleaming in the sun as she hollered you over.

For a second, you felt your heart sink at your lost moment, and the realization that you'd be going filled him with an immediate disappointment. You told him you'd be back, heading over to talk to your lift for a second, making her scrounge around in the car, until you were making your way back over to Alex with a shy smile.

"

I might be able to meet you here tomorrow, but if not, then here," You leaned toward him, fingers brushing his forearm as you turned it over. Uncapping the marker you'd procured with your teeth, you proceeded to scrawl down your land-line number. You figured it'd be better than nothing; even if it might mean that one of your family members had to pick up, and take his number down for you to call later.

In the mean time, he was watching your actions ardently - - enjoying your slight grip on him as the felt tip marked his skin. He didn't know why, but he found the smallest things you did wildly attractive, not minding that you caught him staring when you looked back up at him through long lashes, blushes at his attention (along with your own actions). He thought pink looked beautiful on you.

"I'll be here," Alex promised, low and meaningful in a way that made your heart thump at his conviction. How much he wanted to actually see you again.

"See you tomorrow, loverboy," You smiled, holding back a laugh as you pressed a hand to his shoulder, leveraging yourself to leave a kiss against his cheek before you knew what you were doing.

Not long afterwards, your friend was hooting her car horn, and you were separating. His hand brushed yours as you pulled away, giving each other one last greeting before he was watching you leave just as quickly as he had met you. Hair shining in the glorious afternoon sun, ducking into the passenger seat with a twinkling smile, rolling your eyes as your friend teased your for your interaction with him.

He was left staring at the asphalt for a few minutes after Cassie's car had already peeled off the sidewalk. His hand drifted to his cheek, ghosting the place where he'd felt yours lips as if remembering the feeling.

Tonight wasn't too soon to call, right?

___________

The next day, he was itching to see you - - but he knew he couldn't get his hopes up, and that you said you might not be able to come back, but he had to believe you would.

When he got home, Scott had his hands in the kitchen sink, doing the dishes that Alex was supposed to because he was out buying snacks.

"What took you so long?" Scott grumbled, peering over his shoulder at his brother that was placing a bag down on the counter.

An absent smile littered his face, and he shrugged off-handedly despite his slightly elated demeanor, "Nothing."

Almost immediately, Scott noticed something was up, turning around and grabbing a dish towel to dry his hands on. "What the Hell is up with you?" He asked, amusement clear in his voice. He'd never seen his brother so. . . giddy?

That all seemed to evaporate when Alex absently pushed his sleeve up to look at the number you'd left behind. The last four digits were smudged. Illegible by all means. If he wanted to get to you he'd either have to call a couple of thousand numbers - - or he had to hope that you turned up the next day.

That's the reason why he sat in the park almost all day. His stomach pulled in knots as the slushee he'd bought melted into a watery, sugary mess. He shouldn't have felt so hopeless, but he kind of was. He knew there could have been a million reasons why you hadn't returned.

But you at least expected him to call you if you hadn't. That was the back up. And he'd so gloriously fucked it up in a way that'd be stuck in his head for months as the biggest mistake he'd ever made.

You, on the other hand, were stuck in a car, taking the long ride back to school. Your parents had surprised you with a last minute family road trip. You couldn't blame them, especially not when you wouldn't be seeing them for months soon. And according to your mom, they'd been planning it for a while.

All you could do was longingly watching the scenery go by the window, wishing you could've said goodbye to him one more time. Hoping upon hoping that he'd call.

____

By the time you got back to school, and really fell into it, you wished you could say Alex had left your mind. You'd called home, asking if anyone had left their number, or quiried about you. After the first week you stopped mentioning it - - especially when your dad started questioning who you were waiting for. Part of you felt really let down, but another knew that it must have been like that for a reason. Either he'd chosen not to get in toych, or there was some other mix up.

He always lingered in your mind, but you had to admit that with senior year, you had a lot more to worry about than usual. You spent your time preparing, and learning, and mostly feeling frazzled for the entire first semester. When it was finally coming to a close, the last thing you were thinking about was the boy you'd met so fleetingly that day. Sure, in quiet moments you wished you'd somehow gotten more contact with him - - wondered why he didn't call, or if you'd missed him for some other reason. Wishing you had gone back the next day so, so badly.

But then again, the couple of hours you spent together were practically perfect, and you were more than okay leaving it like that.

When your first break in the school year came, you were staying put at the Mansion. Your parents worked together, and were out of town on a big project during the first week of your holidays. You didn't mind staying - especially when there were less people, and you got to enjoy your time with the friends that were left behind: wandering the grounds, staying up and watching movies on the old television that Charles had put in the common room, and just generally being quite peaceful. You could bare to be away from your family for one more week, knowing you'd be going back to your home state soon anyways.

Many of the people at Xavier's school were orphaned, or lived too far to go back home every holiday. You'd never really been in that position, so staying behind as everyone left was a weird experience for you. You mainly stuck to your dorm room, which you shared with Ororo, who wouldn't be leaving either. She was excited to have you around, because the two of you were pretty good friends, and she appreciated the company.

It was pretty weird to have no one around when you were used to being with others - particularly other people you liked. She'd even begrudgingly admit she missed you whenever you returned from a holiday break usually.

"Yeah, Charles doesn't really care what we do during the holidays. You'd be surprised by what I've gotten away with," Ororo told you, mischief in her dark eyes - something you'd grown accustomed to the closer you became as friends. Something you also loved about her entirely.

The two of you kept busy, chatting and reading in your room as people dragged their luggage through the hallways, being fetched by a rally of cars that appeared all along the drive way for the first one or two days. In the time that passed, you couldn't help but let your mind drift back to the boy you spent that one day with. You'd always thought that you'd meet him again some time sooner or later, in the same gas station, or maybe at the park waiting for you just like you'd left him.

You couldn't help but be a little bit hopeless - and you let yourself be. There wasn't much harm in it until you found your way back home. There was no real guarantee that you ever really would see him, anyways. Never mind that he was single, and thinking of you as much as you were with him. You were allowed to let your mind wonder.

Ororo noticed that you were distracted, and you hated how intuitive she was when it came to your emotions. Then again, it was also the reason she was your best friend. You told her off-handedly about him, and she was naturally curious. You'd been roommates the entire time either of you were at Xavier's, and she'd never seen you distracted by a boy.

You told her that you weren't distracted one bit, but she made an expression like she didn't believe you.

______________

"You know that girl I told you about when I came home last Summer? The one who's number I lost?" Alex swallowed a sudden lump in his throat, glued to the stoned pathway as his brother stopped in his tracks beside him.

"Yeah, you were going crazy over her! What ever happened?" Scott asked curiously, eyebrows furrowing as he stuffed his hands in his jean pockets - - decidedly not commenting on how random the topic seemed. Trying to read Alex's expression proved difficult, but Scott knew something was up with the way he began to shake slightly, shifting his weight nervously.

"Um . . ." His blue eyes found his brother, avoiding looking in the direction of what had so totally shocked him into stopping any thoughts or plans he had before. "She's kind of . . . over there right now," Alex admitted gruffly, clearing his throat in hopes of not giving away too much of what he was feeling, despite how terrible he knew he was doing.

In a moment of courage (or perhaps weakness), his gaze drifted over to take another glimpse of you. He felt like all the air had left his lungs, and his body was filled with a warm glow. You looked so beautiful. So perfect, and radiant, and everything he remembered you to be and more. Sitting beneath an oak, concentrated on the words of a novel that was obscured by your grasp. Your hand tucking a strand of hair being your ear as a subconscious smile fell to your lips.

Alex was so fond, he didn't know what to do with himself. He'd never felt like this about anyone, let alone someone he was only seeing for a second time now. But he couldn't help it when you were all he seemed to remember in quiet moments, and he thought that those memories were all he'd have with you.

But now. . . well, you were right there. And he'd be damned if he didn't keep you around for good this time.

"What?" Scott asked aloud, beffudled as he followed the other boy's vision, trying to latch onto who he thought it was, of all the students milling around the garden, "Are you sure?" He squinted.

"It's her," Alex sighed out, as if a weight had been lifted from his shoulders. He couldn't rip his eyes away from you, trying to capture every second of those moments - - and it was now unmistakable who he was unabashedly staring at, "Beneath the tree - - that's her, Scott. Trust me."

"(Y/n)?" Scott felt your name tumble from his lips in disbelief and confusion. For some reason, he didn't expect you more than anyone else. Sure, you were pretty. And, Gosh, you were funny - - but Scott never thought you'd give him the time of day (being a year older, and admittedly a little cooler than him). Come to think of it, that seemed to align with Alex pretty perfectly, "I didn't even know she lived in the same state as us," Scott admitted finally, dumbfounded.

"You're an idiot," Alex rolled his eyes at his younger sibling, not believing that he could spend all that time with you, and not pick up on something so tangential.

"Hey! I am n-"

"Shut up and introduce me to her," Alex cut him off, sending his brother a borderline pleading look that should've made his sibling know immediately how serious he was. Alex wasn't vulnerable in front of just anyone.

Scott scoffed, crossing his arms in front of his chest at his brother, "But you already know her!"

"It doesn't matter! I can't just barge in randomly," Alex ran a hand through his hair, subconsciously taking glances in your direction as his head jumbled with thoughts. Ideas on what he could possibly do to make it up to you, and have the tenacity to go over there.

"But didn't you do that the first time you met her?" Scott furrowed his brow, genuinely confused as he recalled the story he had heard a few weeks before. Didn't Alex literally knock into you?

"Scott I swear to God-"

"Okay! Okay!" The younger of the two conceded, motioning his hands out in front of him for the other boy to calm down, "I'll do it. But you owe me. . ."

_______

"Hey, (Y/n)!" You heard the familiar voice of your friend, Scott, yell. You would've thought he'd gone home by then, but you supposed not, peering up from the pages of your tattered book to look at his approaching figure.

Upon seeing who he was with, you were definitively speechless. The boy you had been thinking about so much recently, was right in front of you like a premonition. He held a wry, slightly embarrassed smile, hands stuffed in his jacket pockets just like they always were, as the two of them stopped in front of you. You couldn't help but stand up, putting your book down on the bench, offering them a suddenly timid smile in return.

Alex was just like you remembered him, though it hadn't been that long. He was incredibly handsome, and just meeting his eyes for the first time in a while had your pulse sky-rocketing. His long brown hair framing his face, dappled by the afternoon light filtering through the trees. Just like it had been in the park.

"I heard you met my brother," Scott remarked, holding the other boy's shoulder in reference, "I didn't know you guys knew each other."

You once again experience emotional whiplash, looking between your close friend, and Alex. You'd always known that Scott lived in the same state as you, but you moved there when you were a kid, and you always assumed you just stayed on opposite ends of it. There was no way you and him were that close to each other, and just missed it.

However; evidently, you were wrong. And the most unlikely of situations was unfolding in front of you.

You chuckled nervously, and Alex couldn't help but admire the sound anyways. Seeing you again was like a breathe of fresh air, and he couldn't help but let himself grin slightly. "We don't, really. We've only met once," You told him honestly, and Scott couldn't help but laugh at your reply.

"I mean, you're not wrong," Alex remarked with humor in his tone, his eyes momentarily drifting over you, taking you in from up close for the first time with a warm feeling. "But I'm glad I found you again," He added pointedly, tilting his head slightly as he gauged your reaction to his words. He couldn't help but be obligated to tell you that, given how often he'd been dreaming about you for the past couple of weeks. Trying to sit through lectures was Hell when all he could think about was you.

His voice was just as comforting as ever, deep and gentle as he spoke. You found yourself embarrassed that you were thinking something like that right in front of one of your close friends. You were completely flushed by his words, your cheeks pink as you replied, "Thanks."

Scott couldn't help but roll his eyes at the two of you, neither of you seeming to care that he was there at all - - gazes stuck to each other like superglue. He'd never really seen either of you like that, and he wasn't exactly enjoying himself being the third wheel to it. "Listen, I'm gonna go say goodbye to Jean. See you later, right?" He asked his brother momentarily.

Alex nodded, looking over at the other boy for the first time since they'd arrived in front of you, "Yeah, sure. I'm gonna visit Charles, anyways. I'll find you later."

You observed them, still perplexed that they could ever be related. You'd always thought that Scott was cute, but you're never thought he'd be a brother to someone like Alex. Before you could get him to stay as the buffer between the two of you, Scott was leaving with a wave and a greeting goodbye to both of you.

Having Alex's attention solely on you was something that you weren't at all expecting when you woke up that morning. He held a small, fond smile, looking down at you with admiration clear in his blue eyes despite the fact that you weren't sure how you looked.

"I was starting to think I'd never see you again," He mused honestly, shaking his head, making his hair fall in his face slightly. You belatedly thought about reaching up to move it like you'd done once before.

"I would've never thought it'd be here," You added, trailing off slightly as you looked at him through your lashes. He suddenly felt the same breathlessness he had when he caught sight of you again. "Are you a mutant, too?" You pried, curiously.

All those months ago, you'd admitted to him that most of your problems were caused by your genes. He didn't say a word relating to it, but seemed to offer you empathy and understanding about your situation. Maybe it was just because Scott was like you - but then again, why would he be meeting with Charles, then?

You had no idea how similar your stories were to each other.

Alex sighed, running a hand through his hair as his vision fell from yours, seemingly sheepish at your question, "I try not to tell anyone. It gets me in trouble."

Your eyebrows drew together. You were mad that he hadn't told you when you had admitted it to him; but then again, what could you expect when you were practically strangers? Instead, you decided to feel empathy for him, knowing that his mutation most likely got him in situations quite like your own. Your lips parted to speak, but he cut you off, taking a half step closer.

"I wish I did. I've been kicking myself ever since . . . because you probably understand better than anyone . . ." He told you, voice lowered as he was beginning to remember that you weren't the only two people around. Alex was sure he could be entranced by you just talking to him, tunnel-visioned in a way that only you could cause.

You weighed up his words, and you couldn't help but smile at his perceived genuineness, "That's okay," You promised him, "You can make it up to me."

"I'll try my hardest," He told you honestly, grinning down at your wide, beautiful eyes, "By the time I got home, four of the digits were smudged. And when I came back the next day -"

"I wasn't there. . ." You finished for him, guilt evident in your words despite the fact that you couldn't have changed it either way, "I'm sorry"

"You have nothing to apologize for," He informed gently.

______

Once Alex officially left to go back to University, and you headed back home, he managed to keep his promise.

Even though you were separate, it never really felt like it in the beginning. He never failed to answer when you called, and the two of you would talk for hours - - much to the annoyance of your parents who received the telephone bill. Neither of them could really be mad when you were doing better than ever.

Being at Xavier's and learning to control your abilities, and mature as a person really helped your relationship with your mom and dad. You were more present, you were more positive; you even got out of the house, and helped them out with tasks more. In between lengthy chats over the line with multiple of your friends (which they didn't know mostly meant Alex), of course. They were happy to see you happy, more than anything.

You weren't sure at what point you started communicating with Alex more than your school friends - - but he was surprisingly easy to talk to. Just like he was on the first day you met him. The two of you could go on for hours, wasting the time away as you made each other laugh, and found out little details about one another that nobody else really knew. And despite it all, you never ran out of stuff to say.

When your own vacation eventually ended, you made your way back to the mansion. At this point, you didn't have to worry about communicating with friends when they were right there in your classes. You got lost in more projects and tests, but never once did you stop your newly established nightly conversation with him. Whether it was just for a couple of minutes, or both of you could manage to fit in a half a days worth of nonsensical catching up. It all depended on the time you had on the few telephones you had access to at school.

After a few weeks, you'd grown pretty attached to those moments with him. Times were you could just breath, and decompress, and listen to him talk about his day. Ramble on about whatever was on your mind because you knew he would listen. You were building a steady fondness towards him. His breathy laugh over the phone, the way he hummed to tell you that he was listening, the way he teased you like it was second nature, and the way he said your name.

For him, it was the one thing he looked forward to every day. The only time that he didn't have classes scheduled, and the moment he worked around to make sure it was free for you (which you didn't know anything about). He could sit there for hours just hearing you speak. A little smile drawn on to his face, shoulders relaxing as you gushed about your new favourite thing. Hearing you say goodnight before he fell asleep, and all he could think about was you. It might have been a little torturous to not see you, but those moments gave him appeasement. He often found himself on the verge of a breakdown, but knowing he'd hear you in a half hour made it worth it to carry on.

"(Y/N)?" He asked, tone worn out but endlessly hopeful that it'd be you. His workload was kicking his ass, and the only solace he could see from it was you.

"Yeah, it's me," You smiled, and he could practically see it, "How've you been?" It was an innocent question, but it was how you started all your interactions. The fact that you genuinely seemed to care about him was something that drove him crazy. You were always so kind, and nurturing when he was at his worst. You'd always look out for him - - or anyone for that matter. Because you knew what it was like to be in a shitty situation with no guiding light.

"Um. . . I'm okay," He decided on saying, knowing that the truth was too much for him to explain in that moment. Sure he was stressed, but for now, you were out-weighing all of that.

"You sure?" You asked, tone sincere and unjudging like he was used to from you. His chest swelled with a feeling he always seemed to get around you. Even through a telephone line.

"Yeah, I really am," He conceded, letting a smile drift to his face at the thought of you, "It's nice to hear your voice."

You didn't know what had made you do it, but that day, as you were ending the conversation, you paused for a beat after saying goodbye, letting slip three words that seemed to come out naturally.

"Love you, Alex."

As soon as you'd said it, you were slightly mortified. But you didn't take it back for a second, knowing that he wasn't the type to make it a big deal.

On his side, his mouth was slightly ajar in wordlessness. His heart was pummeling against his ribcage at the thought of those words being true. Outwardly, he would never let you know how badly he wanted it.

"Love? Isn't it a bit soon for that, sweetheart?" He joked, though the name felt right when he gave it to you.

You were flushed, and flustered, and your stomach was filled to the brim with butterflies - - but that didn't mean you were backing down. "Well I do love you! We're friends, aren't we? I'm not not gonna tell Ororo I love her. Friendship love is good, too," You informed, the conviction in your tone making him let out a pleased laugh that sent an unconscious shiver down your spine.

"I guess you're right." Unfortunately, he just didn't know if he meant it in the same platonic way when he replied: "I love you too, (Y/N)."

Safe to say you could barely sleep that evening, despite being the one that brought it up anyway. It's true that you told Ororo, Jean, and even Scott that you loved them all the time - - but you didn't get this same feeling when they answered back. Hearing the tone of their voice and wishing it meant so much more.

Oh, the both of you were so totally screwed.

________

Usually, you scheduled your calls for the same time every day. You dailed him, since you were using one of the landlines in the common room, and you didn't want just anyone to pick up if he called when you weren't there.

No matter how often you did it, you still got a nervous feeling in your stomach every time you spoke with him. Maybe it was just butterflies, but you couldn't bare to acknowledge that as you heard the dailling tones.

There was a click, and then a shuffling sound before you heard his familiar, deep voice: "(Y/N)?" He asked, and there was something about the way he said your name that made you dizzy. In reality, he had just woken up from an afternoon nap he'd taken after a tiring lecture - - almost ignoring the ringing before he remembered who was on the other end. Screw it, he'd answer you at any time of the day. Even if his tone was still riddled with a gruff sleepiness that he didn't know you adored.

You unintentionally curled around the receiver, pressing in closer so that you could hear his slow breathing as he shifted to sit up between his sheets. Something in you longing to see what he looked like with bed-head, eyelashes fluttering as he blinked himself awake.. If you closed your eyes you could almost be there, in a way. "Hey, Alex. Did you just wake up?" you asked, more teasing than accusatory as you heard him chuckle on the other end.

"Maybe. What's it to you, angel?" Alex rebutted, and you could almost hear the smile on his face when he did - - too tired to hold back the small term of endearment that slipped through the cracks.

You were so endlessly luck that he couldn't see the way you immediately flushed at his words, cheeks filling with a gentle pink as you laughed slightly. "How are you?" You quiried, changing the subject.

"Besides being overworked. . . pretty good," He admitted, letting out a low groan as he stretched his muscles out, his feet hitting the cold floor of the dorm room as he tried to pictured you on the other side. Smiling, excited hopefully. He missed seeing you face to face, even with the short time you'd known each other. "Better now that you finally called," He admitted, no apparent humour in his tone, which only made your stomach tumble with butterflies even more, knowing it was genuine.

You were chewing on your bottom lip at the sounds he made, laughing unintentionally nervously in reply, "Thanks, Al."

"My pleasure. And how have you been?" He pried, ruffling a hand through his hair at the thought of how much he'd missed of you. All your little habits and doings that he wasn't privy to, because he was stuck on the other side of the country. He wished he could see you all the time. When he started admitting that to himself was anyone's guess.

"I'm okay," You shrugged even though you knew he couldn't see it. In actuality, you had been pretty stressed lately. On top of all the work you had to finish, and finals coming up - - you had the dance to think about. The stupid senior prom that Charles had so lovingly given you. You knew you should've been excited like some of your friends - - but the thought of finding a date made you feel sick. You felt so out of place already, and doing something so cliché almost made you feel a little childish. Like you'd already out-grown it before you'd even had it.

Maybe you could just go with your friends. Maybe that'd stop you from thinking about the person you really wished would take you.

"Why do I feel like you're lying?" Alex laughed lowly, catching your bluff almost immediately. Of course he did. Because he was so insufferably perfect. On the other end, he just wanted to make you happy. To take away the little waver in your voice when you were unsure.

"Because you've got a good ear," you huffed, letting a slight laugh escape you at the predicament, "It's just something dumb - - you don't have to worry about it."

"Oh, c'mon - - what is it?" You could almost hear him pouting. Could almost see the encouraging gleam in his gaze, "Maybe I can help. . ."

"I don't think so, Alex."

"Just tell me."

"Fine. It's just... Xavier is putting on a prom - - and it's in like three weeks, and I still don't have anyone to go with. . ."

The thought of you not having a date already bewildered him. The fact that it even worried you, too. You didn't seem the type: though he could understand why it was important. Despite himself, he couldn't help but tease you anyways, "You're right. That is lame."

"Alex!" You whined slightly, and his heart picked up pace at the sound. So filled to the brim with fondness at the way his name formed in your mouth.

"I'm kidding!" He assured in return, listening to the soft, yet shaky sigh you let out - - not sure what brought him to say his next words, but entirely sure he wouldn't regret them - - not one bit, "And, hey, If you really need one, I'll be your date."

If you thought you felt warm before, you'd never been hotter. Adrenaline seemed to shoot through your veins at the concept, lips parted as you couldn't bring yourself to find a reply. After a second of dead line, you sputtered a quick: "Oh, you don't have to!" You were afraid that his offer was only cementing every feeling you had about him. Cherishing that he really seemed to care about you.

"I know," He assured immediately, words adamant in a way that made your thoughts rush and your lip draw between your teeth to hold a grin from bursting out across your face.

"Oh," You remarked, quiet and sweet as ever as he listened for your reply, "Thanks, Alex. I'd actually really like that."

"Oh?" You could practically hear his smug smile through the phone, "Think of it as rectification for losing your number before."

"You know I didn't mind, Alex. I thought something like that happened anyways..." "And besides... I got you back anyways, didn't I?"

"Yeah... you got me," "M' glad I found you again. I think I would've lost my mind if I could never talk to you again."

It was your turn to have a giddy smile evident in your words, "Alex! You're making me blush," You laughed unintentionally, cursing yourself for feeling how easily he affected your. For how much you felt for him.

His hand ran over his face at the thought, swallowing a lump in his throat as he imagined you just like that. Kicking himself that you weren't right across from him so that he could reach out and touch you, "It's okay - - I like it when you blush," He confessed, not much regretting it when he knew you liked the little compliments he'd give you. He'd pay to see your reaction up close.

"Thank you... and, um, I'm glad we found each other, too," You admitted softly, timid because you could practically feel your heart beating in your throat, "And you'll be a great date! I know it."

Your conviction caused a slight, flattered chuckle to erupt from him, which you secretly admired. You'd always loved his laugh, the way his blue eyes crinkled in a rare image. "Thanks, sweetheart. I know you'll be the prettiest girl there," He joked, although he knew it was the truth. And he hoped you would realize it, too.

You found yourself subconsciously gripping at a throw pillow wrapped in your arms, trying to ignore the way your hands shook and your stomach churned at his words. "Okay, now you're just trying to butter me up," You giggled slightly, hiding it behind the material of your sleeve, but it did nothing to stop Alex from yearning at how endearing it was. "What do you want, Alex?" You accused.

"Oh, what? So I can't compliment a friend, hm?" He pried, falling back against the sheets as the long chord of the phone pulled more taught, staring up at the ceiling dreamily.

"Sure you can, I just know you better than that," You informed truthfully.

"Well, there's no alterior motive this time. I just want to make sure you enjoy it... you deserve it," He spoke, register just above a whisper, but you could hear him perfectly.

That was it. The moment you realized you were absolutely head over heels for Alex Summers, and you couldn't deny it any longer. Not even if you tried.

Without much thought, the words slipped from you in an excited burst, wanting him to know how much you appreciated him as a friend, even if you could never have him in the way you wanted: "I could literally kiss you right now."

There's silence for a second, and neither of you know what to do. Alex wanted to say yes. He wanted to scream it from the rooftops. He wanted to drive across country just to make it happen. His heart was thumping, and his lips parted to speak - - but he was floored like he always was with you. Like he couldn't bare to disagree because everything in his body said otherwise.

You, on the other hand, were dying inside. Maybe eloquence wasn't usually your thing anyways; but this was a new sort of fuck up for you. Especially when you'd just come to terms with how much you liked him. This was not the opportune time for any of that to come tumbling out.

Alex cleared his throat, startling you slightly from your anxious thoughts. You stumbled in reply.

"I mean, it's just that I've been really stressed, and-"

"It's okay, doofus. I know what you meant," Alex cut you off, letting out a low laugh at how flustered you sounded. He couldn't bare it anymore. He had to do something about this, before it killed him. He needed you to know how much he liked you.

You were just about to apologize again, when you heard the door to the common room creak open. Another student popped their head in, signaling for you to finish up on the phone so that they could use it. It wasn't unusual, but it wasn't exactly opportune for you, either.

"Oh, um - - Alex," You caught his attention with the shift in your voice, "I gotta go, okay? Mel needs time to call home."

"Yeah, sure," He told you, hoping that his disappointment didn't bleed into his tone. He never wanted to make you feel guilty. "Talk to your tomorrow?" Alex confirmed, despite knowing that you called every day without fail, unless you said otherwise.

"Yeah," You smiled, "Talk to you tomorrow, loverboy."

You knew he was rolling his eyes at the nickname, though you didn't know how much it made him blush. Ever since you'd started calling him that, he couldn't get it out of his head. It's all he ever heard on loop. And this time was no different to the others, except now he'd become more conscious about it. The fact that he wanted you to call him all kinds of pet names.

Breath slightly hitched, he wondered how he'd ever fall asleep tonight with the nap he just had, and the looming thought of you, "Bye, (Y/N)."

"Bye, Al. I love you."

"Love you, too."