20 Eat, pray, live

Obligatory Disclaimer : I do not own anything (except maybe OC characters) all characters, places, worlds, universes…etc mentioned here belong to their respective owners and/or companies.

This is purely a work of fiction. Not meant to offend or incite, but to entertain and (maybe) inspire.

*.*.*.*.*.*.*

EAT, PRAY, LIVE

*.*.*.*.*.*

'The kid is an enigma' thought agent Brand. She sat at her desk, a glass of slowly swirling bourbon in her hand, the thin orange glow of the exotic cigarette stick locked between her lips illuminated her features in a soft light as she comfortably leaned back into her chair, her feet up on the desk. She was thinking of Break-World and that had led her to thinking about the person who had put an end to it.

He was just a teen, barely an adult by her standards. So young yet so ruthless.

Ruthless. That was what it was without sugar coating it, what they did to Break-World was evil, but it was necessary. In her line of work, hard choices needed to be made and they needed to be made fast. What she never expected was for him to so easily take as many lives as he did without even expressing proper guilt as fit for a person of his age. Like his girlfriend did.

No, he just went in there, killed fourteen billion aliens and chalked it up to a necessary action — which it was, she wouldn't deny. But no child wet behind the ears as he was should pull it off so easily. Brand wasn't looking a gift horse in the mouth or being needlessly ungrateful, she knew he did it to protect their home, their planet, but she couldn't stop some repressed thoughts from surfacing. What experiences could make a person jaded to taking such a number of lives.

Sure, when he came to the ship after pulling an extinction level event with changed eyes and a sad tone, it was a tad bit relieving. She was expecting him to break down in tears and tell her how devastating it felt – she wasn't the right type of person to comfort others, she'd never been good at getting that intimate. But still she'd tried to ease him into talking, but he relented, asking for a smoke instead.

Hah, what a kid.

She would've assumed that he was a clinical psychopath, but she's met psychopaths and that kid wasn't one. He was human, no, he was more than that. She had to admit he was built of sterner stuff. It takes more than just power to do what he did.

She could understand why people would be scared of mutants. you'd think them human until you saw first hand of what they were capable. Some welcomed that, some misunderstood it, others abhorred out of jealousy and some feared it for its capacity. When you truly face someone who can put the fear of god into you with a wave of their hands, you're bound to have certain emotions.

His eyes. She recalled. They weren't the same after that. They were in pain, like something was burning at his soul, but they were also free. He's an enigma. She repeated again.

He'd make the perfect operative. She admitted. He had a relentless vest of seeing things through when engaged in a mission and also the flexibility to adapt to a situation. While watching out for those he was involved with. And if she was ever in a tight spot on the field, he was someone she'd trust to have her back.

With a soft puff, Abigail Brand exhaled the smoke from her lungs, downing her entire glass of alcohol as she extinguished the cigarette stick filled with extremely exotic materials which actually benefited her physiology rather than harmed it.

Peace in our time. Was the thought in her mind as she exited her office.

*.*.*.*.*

I want to know more about him. Hisako, told herself. I want to really know him. But he won't let people in. To Hisako, Robert Drake was an outgoing introvert. He was the type of guy that attracted people to his side even when he tried to hide it. He had a mysterious aura about him that made you just want to get closer to him, even when he'd like to be alone. He was akin to a moth's flame. A star shining in low light, he drew your eyes.

She'd know, his absence could be felt and everyone back at the mansion wanted him back.

Some to associate with his fame, some because they genuinely missed him, others, because he made them feel safe. Hisako didn't mean that the X-Men didn't make them feel safe, they tried their best always, that was a fact. But the core X-Men had to go on missions, meaning they weren't always around. Leaving the wards to fend for themselves back in the mansion, sure they had other staff there with them, but it was an unsaid truth that they'd be unable to stop the real bad guys with just them, and even when they managed to, it wasn't without a cost, that cost being the lives of your friends. Maybe if the prof was around things would be different. But he's been missing since after the Genosha Decimation.

Drake had his flaws, even he admitted to that. But he also became a type of icon for them, the teens and kids who were unable to fully relate to the adults. He became something they aspired to be.

How couldn't they; when he went on to refreeze the polar ice caps, when he'd filter out pollution from the ocean at the appeal of marine-activists, when governments hired him to create rivers and lakes in arid desert regions and how he'd donate 90% of what he earned to the X-mansion and other organizations.

When he'd surprise the kids at orphanages and hospitals, building ice sculptures of them that fought for their entertainment or the small scale amusement parks that'd freeze their butts off even as they laughed. It showed them that mutants didn't have to be feared and discriminated against. It wasn't like he achieved world peace between humans and mutants. But his actions became a catalyst for the betterment of their image and it was beginning to become very evident.

Hisako found herself smiling.

It meant that kids like her could also do something similar – something to make the world a little bit better in their little bit ways that didn't always have to involve fighting.

She wonders how it is to deal with that responsibility Drake has. Because in the eyes of most, his actions represent those of his race. And every good side came with a bad. All it'd take would be one mistake and it might all come crashing down, maybe she was just needlessly being grim.

Drake wasn't a saint. Hisako knew. Drake had his demons and his edges. He wasn't afraid or squirmish about getting bloody. In the first week he came to the mansion he got into a fight with Hellion and then proceeded to break Hellion's fingers and nose. Drake was violent like that. Sometimes he'd hold back and sometimes he wouldn't.

To Hisako, that was part of Robert's charm. When he's pissed, he retaliates at those considered to be the enemy. He'd speak up for himself and any other person who stood with him. Hisako was one of the people who felt safe around Drake. She knew that he would defend them, no matter the enemy or their numbers. He'd put a permanent end to whoever wanted to take their lives.

It takes her back to the memory of how she began to become infatuated with him. When she was knocked out cold by the green alien that attacked the mansion. It was Drake who came to her rescue.

Well, it was actually his ice clone. She corrected. The freezing cold of its crystalline body had jolted her awake as it pried her out of the wreckage she was buried under. Putting her in a bridal carry as it took her to safety, it allowed her to see him engage the alien in close combat and then kick its ass.

Now that I think of it, he does have an unhealthy attraction to using medieval type weapons. She smiled, Another thing I know about him.

*.*.*.*.*

I don't understand Robert Drake. Thinks Mindee, as her fingers slide on the crystal piano, creating a soothing music.

She knows how he feels about her. He knows how she feels about him. But the past events have left her questioning what exactly that is.

He is as cold as the ice he creates. Drake, has a muted regard for the lives he takes. It is a jaded response. As though he has seen too many bodies to care anymore, as though he has taken enough lives to even barely feel anything from taking another. He has little guilt.

He is warm. It is contradictory but true. Drake, can be loving and kind, so kind you'd never believe he's able to take a life. He showed her love so pure and warm that it leaves her feeling as though she was in the embrace of an angel. An angel soaked in blood.

She misses a key, the symphony is broken. I loved him. She stares down at the cartoonish image engraved on the crystal key's surface. She smiles as she reminisces, fighting back tears of pain. This was why she never wanted relationships in the first place, from what she's seen they never end in happiness. I understand now how Ms Grey felt. But she had been the one to end it in the first place. She needed space, she needed time to think. To figure out some answers. And when she does, she'll confront him.

Ping! That was her phone. She reaches for it and clicks on the message notification.

Robbie: Goodnight and sweet dreams snowflake. I know we aren't together anymore, but you're still my friend. So, don't miss me too much.

She can't help the radiant smile blossoming on her face. She taps on the keyboard and sends her reply.

Robbie: Goodnight and sweet dreams snowflake. I know we aren't together anymore, but you're still my friend. So, don't miss me too much.

Mindee: Fuck off, cassanova.

Ping!

Robbie: Goodnight and sweet dreams snowflake. I know we aren't together anymore, but you're still my friend. So, don't miss me too much.

Mindee: Fuck off, cassanova :)

Robbie: On it Bosslady! \\(^^)/

"Haha!" She laughs, bringing the phone closer to her chest. Her spirits are uplifted and it infects her music. A symphony of joy fills the room, her mind reliving those valuable memories as her fingers blur on the piano keyboard.

*.*.*.*.*

Indra holds the phone up to his ear. His eyes squinted, his heart strong and ready to unleash its rage.

"Hello" The voice says.

"Bro! You are a TRAITOR!!" Indra yells at the top of his voice. He hears Robbie winch over the phone and it pleases him.

"The hell, Indra, you tryna burst my eardrums?"

"I hope to do more than that"

"hahaha, I missed you too bro. I'm sorry it took so long to reach out to you"

"Oh! Now I'm your bro?! You're just remembering me now!? After they dumped your ass!"

"Damn bro that was cold. I said I was sorry"

"…."

"C'mon Indra, we're bros for life. You know I'll never forget that"

"Yeah whatever."

"Hey, I got you something from space too."

"Really??" Indra asked vibrantly.

"Dude, I told you, you're my bro, I wouldn't be a good brother if I forgot to do that."

"Ok, ok, I forgive you, and I did miss you too." Indra made an effort at sounding over tired as he sighed, trying his hardest to keep the delight inside him from spilling into his voice.

"Hahah. there's my bro. Don't worry I had it posted so you'll get it in the morning."

"Thanks, bro." He expressed his gratitude.

"Hey, how are things going. You finally confess to that girl you liked?"

"Yep! I took your advice and went at it with all my heart...She rejected!"

"Pfftt—Aww, so ehem! sorry. Don't worry Indi there are many more girls out there."

"You laughed didn't you"

"What! No way! I just choked on this uh..this water, yeah water."

"Yeah, I got a new roommate now, he's not as cool as you are though but – Shut up Dave! It's true – but he's a good guy, oh! We also have a new..." Indra continued his conversation, excitedly chatting away with his brother late into the night.

*.*.*.*.*

Ring!Ring!Ring! Ring!Ring!Ring! Ring!Ring!Rin--Slam! "Hello!" Madeline Drake, made no effort to hide the discontent in her voice as she answered the phone. She was too busy getting mad at whoever had the audacity to call her phone at 12am.

"...Hi mom, it's me, Robbie." It was a voice she'd remember anywhere in the world. The voice of the baby she'd raise for the past sixteen years. "Louis, oh my baby, we've been missing you so much"

"I've been missing you guys too. I promise to visit soon, I've just not had enough free time on my hands. Mom, could you put the phone on speaker, I'd like for dad to hear this too."

"Oh, of course honey." She said, nudging her groaning husband awake, he cracked his tired eyes open and then back close. "I swear to God, William if you don't wake up right this moment!" Madeline Drake threatened.

"Ugh I'm up woman!" William, sluggishly sat upright, propping his back against the pillow. "What is it?" he asked.

"Our son's on the phone, he has something to --"

"Bobby? Why didn't you say so sooner!" He cut her off, finally snapping awake.

Over the line, Robert Louis Drake, smiled. For all their faults they are good parents. He admitted.

"Dad, Mom, I miss you so, so much. And before you ask me, yes I've been doing fine, everyone's been treating me right, I've made new friends, and I do make sure to pray every night before I sleep too."

"Oh, my sweet little boy is so grown up now. Me and your father have seen you on the news and all the good you've been doing."

"Yeah boy, we are very proud of you. You be careful of overworking yourself, you're just a kid, my kid, and you have a whole lot of life before you. Keep your eyes straight boy, and come visit your mom, she misses you"

The blue eyed teen, ran his hand through the white bushy strands of hair. A warmth spreading through his soul as he communicated with parents of the body he now occupied. Steeling himself he began to speak. "I will dad. And I want to tell you both, that I'm sorry for the abrupt way I left, I ah, could've informed you beforehand. But what I want to say is that, I love you both, I appreciate you very much. you're the best parents I could've ever asked for. I know it wasn't easy raising my stubborn ass, and it must have been even harder watching me just up and leave like that. Just know that I always keep both of you in mind. And if I've been ever ungrateful, I'm sorry. I just love you very much. I know, I'm droning on, I had this speech planned but I lost it, so this is all coming straight from the heart. I love you, mom. I love you too dad. I am grateful for all you've done for me. I couldn't have asked for better parents, I'm proud to have you as mine."

"..." the line was silent save for the quiet sobs of Madeline Drake. The words of her son touching her heart. The hand of her husband rubbing up and down her back, soothing her. She stared at him and saw that his eyes were red and watery. 'What? it's just dust' He mouthed at her inquisitive gaze. Smiles bloomed on their faces.

"Son," William Drake, vocalized for the first time in a long time. "I and your mom, are really proud of you. And we love you too. Yeah you can be a handful, but you're our handful. We couldn't have asked for any other son that the one we have in you.

"Louis, you're so grown up now. you'll never stop being mommy's angel, no matter what the world says. We love you so, so, sooo much, more than you know. You just keep making us proud. And be strong for us."

"Y-Yeah. I uh, – sniff erhm ehem – will. I'll let you guys get your sleep now. You can call me anytime on this number ok. Bye now. Stay safe."

"You too son, your ma and I will keep you in our prayers. Bye now."

"we love you!" Madeline added.

beep! The call ended.

"My boy is a man now, Maddie"

"Now he's your boy"

"Give me a break woman… this is one of those moments that makes me realize that all we went through has been worth it."

"I know darling, I know." She nodded, gripping her husband's hand. "How about we try making a daughter this time."

The smile on her husband's face threatened to split his face apart. "Babe, you read my mind"

"Oh, you know how to make a gal feel sexy" Madeline whispered, leaning in to kiss her husband as the air between them got heated.

*.*.*.*.*

I love you too Mom and Dad. Even when I don't say it as much as I should. I still do. I love you too my readers (yes, I'm sappy like that) I wouldn't be out here writing if it wasn't for you. This one is dedicated to all of you.

C'mon people, let's appreciate all those we love and cherish in our lives. Could be a sibling, a friend, a pet, or even an item(i see you freaky ones;). Just say thank you and love you. They'll feel it and appreciate it. Spread love.

Please, remember to wash your hands and stay safe, follow the Corvid-19 precautionary directives and stay alive. We will beat this shit and come out on top, because HUMANITY, FUCK YEAH!

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This marks the end of the first volume. 20 official chapters in total, Wow! We came a long way guys. I'm not crying, the wind is just making my eyes watery. Thank you all.

And thank you to you my patrons, your support has done more than you can imagine. May the lord bless you all, amen.

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