POV: Scott
"…I beg your pardon?"
"I want to take a vacation."
The key is simplicity. Don't say too much. Don't say too little.
I just need to convince the bald telepath to let me walk out of here unsupervised.
I don't need luggage. I don't need clothes.
I just need to leave.
"Why take a vacation… so suddenly?"
Alright. Time to stay in character. Don't screw this up.
"It's no secret. The team doesn't listen to me—no matter the reason. I'm sure you've noticed."
He stays silent for a moment, and I pray—truly pray—that he's just thinking about what I said… and not casually browsing through my brain.
"I have noticed the… tension between you and the others lately. But I'm certain it will pass. There's no need to take such drastic measures."
Oh, that's not enough for you?
Fine. I'll raise the stakes.
"There's also… the situation between Jean and me."
A small test. Just to make sure I'm not about to completely ruin everything.
"Of course. I believe nearly everyone knows about you two. Congratulations on three years, by the way."
Yeah. I definitely have no idea what point in the timeline this is. But that's a problem for later.
"I'm not sure I should accept those congratulations… I think only one of us was truly one hundred percent committed."
He frowns slightly.
"What do you mean? Oh. Please tell me this isn't what I think it is…"
Yes. Yes. So that might have happened here.
Now let's just hope it was Logan.
"Yeah. It is. I found out today. And let me tell you… being cheated on feels awful."
A shadow crosses his face.
"I'm very sorry, Scott. Truly. I never imagined… that Jean would do such a thing."
"Apparently, I wasn't enough for her. Not that it matters now."
"I may be asking too much… but… with whom?"
"Isn't it obvious? Logan."
"…Logan."
He mutters it under his breath, but I still catch it.
And I swear—I have never been so happy to be cheated on in my entire life.
Thanks, Wolverine.
"I understand that after something like this, you might not feel… comfortable staying here. I'll ask Kurt to help you pack—"
What? Help? In this mansion where practically anyone could kill me?
No, thank you.
"That won't be necessary, Professor. I'll handle it myself. I just need to… keep my mind busy."
"I understand. Scott… how long do you intend to be away?"
"Two months at least. Three at most."
"…Very well. And Scott?"
"Yes?"
"Come back soon. Even if no one says it, you are still a pillar for them."
A pillar? Sure.
Good luck with that, Professor. Because I'm not planning to come back.
Not a chance.
I don't dwell on his words. I don't reflect on any of it.
I just stand up and head back to Scott's room.
_________________________________________
POV: Xavier
Damn it.
I like to believe I'm not a man given to swearing or complaining—but this time, I make an exception.
Jean. Cheating on Scott. With Logan?
The absurdity of those words still makes me question whether what Scott said is true.
But…
He wasn't lying.
I promised I wouldn't read his mind. And I didn't.
Scott has never been particularly difficult to read.
It was clear he didn't want to speak about it. Clear that he wanted nothing more than to leave.
And anyone with the slightest awareness knows that Logan has always been… gentler around Jean.
But to this extent?
…Sigh.
I usually avoid interfering in the personal matters of my students and my team.
But this time, I may not have a choice.
After all, it only takes a single crack…
For the entire wall to come crashing down.