Johnny POV
These powers? Man, they're really freakin' cool. We're waiting for our ride to… wherever these spandex people are dragging me, and I'm messing around, making little green constructs out of stuff I see. Cars, footballs, you name it. Then I spot her.
Laura. Sitting there, staring off into space like she's brooding for an album cover.
Perfect.
I grin, whip up a glowing bouquet of flowers, and strut over with all the natural swag that's made me the heartbreak legend of West Coast High.
"Hello, pretty lady. A small thank-you gift, from me to you," I say with a bow, holding the flowers out like I'm Prince Charming.
She takes them. My heart skips. Progress!
Then she chucks them on the ground and walks away without even looking at me.
Most guys would be crushed. Me? Nah. I live for the challenge. I love when they play hard to get.
That's when I feel it the hairy trolls glare. I glance over to see the guy in the flannel, claws-for-hands, scowling at me like I just stole his beer.
So, naturally, I do the responsible, mature thing.
I make a big glowing hand out of my powers… and flip him the bird.
The dude actually starts getting up, claws twitching. Oh boy. But then the girl with the gloves grabs his arm before he can murder me on the spot. I just wink at him.
Nice try, wannabe cowboy.
"Ready up, our ride is here," Cyclops says.
And I swear, I look up and see an actual jet landing like it's straight out of a movie. These people have a jet. A billion-dollar sci-fi plane. My jaw drops.
"Holy crap," I mutter. "What's their budget? Do we get paid for this gig? That would be nice. I mean, I'm already rich, but hey more money is more money."
We head up the ramp, and I make sure to plop down right next to Laura.
So there I am, sitting next to her on the jet. The claws, the hair, the whole silent-mystery-girl vibe. She's practically begging me to talk to her.
I lean in, hit her with my trademark grin.
"So… Laura, right? First of all, ten outta ten on the whole dramatic brooding thing. You pulled it off way better than Cyclops here. Respect."
Nothing. She stares forward like I don't even exist. Which, honestly, just makes me wanna push harder.
"You know, we'd make a killer power couple. The beautiful badass with claws and the devastatingly handsome guy with green superpowers? That's a comic book cover right there."
Still nothing.
I drum my fingers on the seat, conjure up a little glowing heart in my palm, and let it float between us. "I can already see the headlines: Claw Girl and The Johnny Saving the World and Breaking Hearts."
She doesn't even glance at it. Ice cold.
So, naturally, I double down.
"I mean, come on, you saved me back there. That's basically fate. You're the hero, I'm the star athlete-turned-mutant heartthrob. It's like Romeo and Juliet, but with more violence and abs."
That's when she finally reacts. She turns her head, very slowly, and just stares at me. There it is jackpot she's breaking.
Instead, she punches me in the face.
Lights out.
Timeskip
Johnny POV
Uh… my head.
I blink my eyes open, and what do I see? The second most beautiful woman I have ever seen. Gorgeous red hair, eyes that could kill me or save me. But hey, let's get priorities straight because Laura's still number one.
"Hello, beautiful," I croak, flashing my best grin. "What's your name?"
She turns, raises an eyebrow, and says flatly, "Married."
I smirk. "No one has to know."
I even throw in a wink. She actually smiles, but before I can ride the wave of my victory…..
I clutch my head and spin around to see wild Mike in human form himself, Logan, looming over me.
(A.N: Whoever gets that reference gets a cookie 🍪)
"Say another word, brat, and I swear….."
I don't even let him finish. I lift my hand and conjure big, glowing green letters in the air:
GO FUCK YOURSELF
He snarls and grabs me by the collar, and I'm about to unleash something really clever when a calm voice cuts through the tension.
"Enough, Logan."
Everyone freezes.
Rolling into the room is a bald man in a wheelchair, radiating calm like he owns the whole place. His eyes lock on me like he's reading my soul. Which, honestly, is rude because I keep my soul private.
"Sorry about him," the man says smoothly. "My name is Charles Xavier. This woman here is Jean Grey. And you've already met Logan."
He launches into this whole speech about family, belonging, gifts, purpose, yadda yadda. I'm nodding along, making all the right faces. But truth? I'm only half-listening. The other half of my brain is running plays:
Flowers again? No, too soon. Maybe food because chicks dig food. Or a dramatic rescue? I could stage one, that'd impress her. Or maybe…..
"…and so you'll always have a place here," Xavier finishes.
Crap. I totally missed the middle. But I flash my smile again and lean back.
"Man, I was staying anyway," I say, waving him off. "I got unfinished business."
Jean raises a eyebrow and says "Unfinished business?" I wink at her "You had your chance beautiful but another has my heart." I get up and says "So where's my room?"
Timeskip
Logan POV
The brat finally left. I let out a long breath and look at Chuck.
"I don't know why you want that arrogant little shit here."
Charles chuckles, the bastard always reading me like a book. "Are you sure it's his attitude, Logan? Or the way he looks at Laura?"
Damn him. Chuck always knows. He's right. I hate the way that kid looks at her. Normally I wouldn't care, but this is different. Jean pats my shoulder. "Don't worry, Logan. Laura can handle herself."
I snarl low and nod. Chuck grows serious. "Jean, what can you infer from his abilities?"
Jean moves to the console, fingers flying. "Omega, almost certainly. His only limitation is imagination. He can create contracts from that green aura. He can harden it, amplify blows; I'm seeing enhanced musculature on top of the aura's force. He can double or triple the damage of a strike."
Chuck's face tightens. "We're lucky we found him before Magneto did." Jean and I both nod.
"Look after him," Charles says, turning to Jean.
Jean raises an eyebrow. "Why me?"
"Because beneath that arrogant bravado is a lonely kid. He needs someone to keep him steady. I think you can do that."
Jean doesn't refuse. Chuck wheels away, leaving a quiet in the room that smells like ozone and adrenaline.
I pull my jacket tighter and give one last warning. "Keep him away from Laura or I'll kill him."
Jean laughs softly, but I'm not joking.