"So, any at-risk mutants and enhanced individuals under 18 will be placed in your care Mr. Xavier, while mutants over this age who attack, or harm civilians will be placed on under SHIELD examination until a decision can be reached. If you fail to rehabilitate the minors into your controlled school environment, we'll have to take them into custody," Tony Stark announced, tapping his papers lightly against the smooth, black glass table. The room was a little tense, with the X-men on one side and Avengers on the other. Tony Stark most notably sat in the middle on the opposite side of Charles, looking like the person (Y/N) had always seen on tv. Next to him sat multiple people, (Y/N) recognised Captain Marvel and Bruce Banner, along with Hawkeye who stood towards the back of the room. With them, sat the current head of SHIELD, Quake she called herself. On her side of the table sat Charles, Hank, Rogue and of course her father. It was quite a formal event considering the way she usually interacted with people, especially compared to how she talked to students.
"Yes, we'll trial this method we've agreed on for the next two months. I'm pleased we've come to an agreement without many troubles," Charles nodded softly, giving all the members of the meeting a warm smile.
"Yeah, we're just lucky kitty there didn't cause us anymore trouble," Tony huffed, tapping his papers on the desk as casually as he could. (Y/N) felt the hairs on the back of her neck stand up, it was obvious who he was talking about, her father wasn't the most favourable mutant in the public's eye and Tony Stark was clearly taking a jab at him. She placed her (s/c) hand softly on his own hairy one, feeling the beginnings of his claw poke through and cut her fingers. She hissed quietly in reply, pulling away to inspect the damage. Logan sat straight, rigidness taking over his form as the adamantium retracted back into his hands.
"Mr Stark, no disrespect but learn how to hold your tongue," Quake instructed, her hair swishing as she shook her head in disapproval. (Y/N) watched as the scarlet liquid fell down her finger, slowly creating a trail down her smooth skin.
"I think we should head our separate ways for today, we'll schedule a follow-up for further issues tomorrow," Bruce announced to the group, each member nodding earnestly before standing and heading their own ways. (Y/N) walked out quietly, her steps lightly gracing the ground beneath her as she made her way outside of the building, her brain calling for fresh air. Pushing the glass doors open quietly, she carefully tried not to get her blood everywhere. She looked up earnestly at the sky, before letting out a sigh at seeing the greyness consuming the usual brightness. How was she meant to help herself like this? Her (e/c) scanned the horizon, looking for any inkling of sunlight to slip through their fluffy prison. As if the world had heard her thoughts, a little ahead of her the clouds opened for a second, with sunlight drifting through. Holding her cut finger out, blood still clinging to any skin it could, the sunlight bent and moved downwards, as if being sucked down. The beam moved from reflecting straight down in the midday sun, to instead shining on (Y/N)'s finger. Her finger sparkled softly as she absorbed the sunlight, her cut sealing seamlessly, her skin softer, firm and clear. Letting out a soft smile, the sun beam moved once again to its proper position, the clouds overtaking its warmth. She closed her eyes, taking in the moment as she breathed softly. There wasn't much nature around her in the sprawling cityscape, but just being able to smell fresh air was enough to calm her down. Would her soulmate enjoy nature all? Would they even be accepting of her mutation? She hadn't even considered it until this point, but what if they were anti-mutant, against everything she was. Her mind suddenly clouded with doubt. What if they were much younger than her? Or the same age and was put off by her young appearance and attitude? Could she even be herself around them?
(Y/N) was snapped from her thoughts at the sound of a pocket lighter along with a rough inhale, causing her (e/c) eyes to open once more, taking in her surroundings.
"You know that causes lung cancer, right?" She chastised, raising an eyebrow at her father casually smoking a large Cuban cigar next to her. She coughed slightly at the artificial and poisonous odour. Logan simply shrugged, his shoulders already much more relaxed than what they had been inside.
"Funny, it sounds like you forget I can just heal," Logan reasoned, puffing out a long line of smoke from his lips. The two stood quietly for a moment, relaxing in the silent company they could easily share. Moments like these weren't as rare as they used to be, and (Y/N) was beyond grateful for that. Being able to see her dad, it was something that wasn't an option when she was young. But at the same time, spending time with him wasn't something she always craved anymore. She was grown up now, yes much later than many of her friends, but she was hoping to spread her wings and fly. Every moment she was either with Charles or Logan, sheltered from the world outside the mansion and missions. They hadn't meant to, but her mutation was something useful, something governments could use, so they had to protect her. Her flower shop was only the first step, but now she had to be her own person, capable of protecting herself.
"Am I going to be a good soulmate?" (Y/N) asked doubtfully, turning to face her father, concern pulling at every inch of her face. Logan hardly turned to look at her, taking another puff of his cigar before opening his mouth once again.
"If your performance as a daughter has anything to say about it, your soulmate won't deserve you," Logan put simply, hardly any consideration put into his statement. (Y/N)'s eyes took a glimmer to them, looking up hopefully at her father, her most prominent male figure in her life so far.
"Do you really mean that?" She asked, a confidence trying to take over her voice. Logan lowered his cigar, finally meeting her eyes. They shared a look for a moment, before a small smile took over his lips, the biggest one she had probably ever seen from him.
"Squirt, you're the best thing that's ever happened to me. I know it didn't seem like it at first, and I had to learn this fact for myself anyways. But I'm grateful every day, that no matter what kind of man I am, what I've done in my past, or what I'm going to do, that someone thought I deserved someone as wonderful as you as my daughter. It's that simple kid," He spoke crisply, stretching his arm out to place his hand on (Y/N)'s shoulder. It was weighty and warm, but the gesture itself along with the words made all the difference. Without thinking she shot herself into his arms, wrapping her arms as far around his broad back as she could. With a plop the cigar fell from his hand as he held his arms up still, unsure how to respond. (Y/N) could care less however, taking in his warmth and the feeling of being with her dad. Yeah, she was excited to be her own person, but it would never detract from the love she felt for her dad. Her wonderful, powerful and loving dad who did anything for her.
"I love you dad," She spoke softly, feeling tears stinging in the corners of her eyes as she simply embraced him. Slowly, she felt his arms come around her back too, pulling her in tightly in their family embrace.
"Yeah, love you too (Y/N)," He huffed, pulling away to pat her head softly. The two simply smiled, pulling away slightly as they heard the doors open. Rogue stood there, looking out at her sister and father figure. Both had been so wonderful to her, and (Y/N) had greatly appreciated having someone so close to her in a way that Storm couldn't be.
"Hey (Y/N), the girls wanted to discuss something inside quickly, I came to get you," She informed, tucking her white strand of hair behind her ear, the one (Y/N) had attempted to heal many times to no avail. A failure those attempts were, something (Y/N) wasn't too fond of. She nodded briskly in reply, not even needing to say goodbye to her father. They didn't need to anymore, she was her own person, and knew her dad would always love her. She followed Rogue, her own steps light in contrast to Rogue's heavily boot-clad feet. Finally finding themselves back inside the mostly cold concrete building, (Y/N) came face to face with both Quake and Captain Marvel, two very intimidating women. She froze almost in place, the younger women all giving her looks of admiration as she came to face them.
"I hear you're Thorn? The kickass mutant who's been attending all those climate marches?" Captain Marvel asked first, clearly already knowing her alter-ego and her recent appearances in public. (Y/N) flushed a little at the mention of this, and although the blonde had said it with nothing but admiration, she felt like she had exposed herself. To be fair though, although she was scared to go at first, her passion for the planet had already caused a few more trees to show up in the city.
"Yeah, that's me. I didn't realise I was such a big deal among the big leagues of superheros," She replied, rubbing the back of her already vermillion neck. Quake only shook her head, a grin finding its way to her previously stoic face.
"Are you kidding me? Growing up as a teen you were my idol! You were so kind to civilians and cared for them more than taking down the villain. I just couldn't believe the woman under the costume was someone so young, especially with how long you've been around," Quake commented, her eyes finding (Y/N)'s (e/c) ones, respect expressed clearly between the two of them.
(Y/N) couldn't believe what she had heard, shocked at these two women, one the head of powerful organisation, the other possibly the most powerful person, much less woman in the entire world. Something swelled inside her, something quiet and almost a little unknown for her. This simple gesture of pulling her aside, complimenting her on simply being herself, and fighting for what she loved. She always had confidence in moments when needed, when gracefully protecting and fighting for others, or when she was among others who passionately cried out for their planet, or even when she taught the students, she could always show her best self. But when she just herself, just (Y/N) Howlett on her own, vulnerable to strangers, she hadn't trusted herself at all. But now, knowing these people had not only loved her but respected her, either as a child or now as an adult, was the push she needed. The push to believe in herself, because others already believed in her. She reflected on the conversation she just had with her father, and the unconditional support she got from him, even after their dark times. She knew it now, looking at Quake, Captain Marvel and Rogue, that she had a bigger reach than she thought. And of course, she was going to use this to spread good wherever she went. Finally coming out of her thoughts that felt hour-long, but was merely two seconds, she let out one of her beautiful, warm grins.
"Thank you so much guys. You have no idea how much that means to me. I admire you both as well, constantly saving the planet or universe, and believing in yourself. It's a quality I strive to have. This has honestly been one of the best experiences I've ever had, especially with other superheroes," (Y/N) praised, the words falling off her tongue seamlessly. It was strange to her, since she hadn't even known these women long, but in a world where everything about superheroes was televised, she felt she only knew them even more than before.
~*~
Getting home to the mansion that night, she could sense the emotion from earlier that day settling in her stomach again. She held her head just that slightly bit higher, her steps still light but with a bit more firmness to them, a meaning with each stride she took. Pulling her covers over herself, she thought about all that had happened, the conversation with Charles, her dad, and especially the girls. She only hoped her soulmate would be as kind as all those she had spoken to today, or at least nicer than Tony Stark. Sleep took over her mind, with only thoughts of her potential soulmate swimming around her consciousness.
Word Count: 2180
Status: Unedited