“Are you going to tell me what’s wrong Scott, or am I just going to have to read your mind?”Jean’s words broke Scott Summers free from his thoughts, returning him to one of the mansion’s various parlour rooms. The two of them were alone sat on a cushioned bay window seat, looking out over the mansion’s grounds. It was late afternoon outside, yet due to the time of year, the sun was already beginning to set, painting the skyline into a beautiful tapestry of oranges and blues. Yet for the young mutant, this was an entirely different sight, his ruby quartz glasses soaking everything with a deep tinge of red. Such a sight would have appeared incredibly alien to most people, although in the last few years such a thing was Scott’s new life. It was normal.
Jean was perched opposite him in the bay window, legs crossed, a large book resting in her lap. The two often sat like this; Jean with a book in her hands, and Scott binging through episodes of House of Cards or other like-minded shows. Not talking to one another, just enjoying each other’s company in silence, save for the sound of the tv in the background. However now she was looking directly at him.
Following her gaze, he moved his eyes down to the cushion he was clutching in his hands. Absentmindedly he had been picking one of its tassels to pieces, with a pile of thread forming all over his legs.
“That obvious, huh?” She giggled as Scott moved quickly to brush his legs clean.
“I mean, either that or I missed a memo from the Professor about him wanting to redecorate.” Making her voice softer, she rested her hand reassuringly onto his arm.
“Is it Pietro again?”Scott shifted uncomfortably as she said their teammate’s name. It was a touchy subject for him. Scott had been arguing with the professor for months, trying to convince him to let them head out into the field to do some good. Magneto’s arrival seemed to finally change Charles’ mind, yet instead of Scott being at the helm of the newly formed squad, it had been Quicksilver. And it was very clear that the two did not see eye to eye on a great many things.
“I just… I just still don’t get why he’s in charge. The guy’s basically a budget Flash.”“You do have to admit that the guy does know how to lead a team.““Only because his dad is basically G.I. Joe with magnet powers. His nursey was probably Magneto’s old briefing room.”The two erupted into laughter, both unable to cope with the image forming into their minds However this was soon short-lived as the sound of the television caught both of their attention. Images of a protect, interluded with shots of rioting individuals flashed across the screen, the anchor man’s voice echoing over them.
“A peaceful protect led by the mutant community has once against erupted into riots in downtown Manhattan this afternoon, once again prompting discussions about what many refer to as, The Mutant Problem. Senator Kelley gave the following statement.”
From his seat, Scott’s laughter died out, with anger washing over his face.
“I’m not watching this.” Scott declared as he arched forward, preparing to rise from his spot. Instantly Jean pulled him back down, stopping him.
“Let me.”With a flick of her hand, the television’s remoted lifted from its place on the coffee table in the centre of the room and glided towards them. Grabbing it out of the air, she pressed the relevant button, putting the room back into silence. The two looked at one another, the reassuring smile upon Jean’s face calming Scott down. The two stared at each other for several seconds, before Scott finally broke.
“That is without a doubt, the most impressive thing you have ever done!” Scott jested, as he moved forward wrapping his arms around his girlfriend.
“Oh, shut up you.” She laughed as Scott came in for an embrace, pulling him down to her, the rest of her words becoming lost against his mouth.
“Come on Summers, at least give her a chance to breathe.”The two of them broke apart instantly, throwing each other to separate ends of the bay window, both of their faces now as red as Scott’s glasses. The look on Pietro Maximoff’s face as he stood there before them was that of a kid on Christmas morning.
“What do you want Pietro?” Scott demanded as he adjusted his shades, moving his body so his posture was more physically imposing than of someone who had just been caught out unexpectantly. Pietro didn’t seem to care and just continued to smirk.
“We’ve got a mission. Father and the Professor want us all suited up in the briefing room in five.” Before either Scott or Jean could issue a response, the white-haired teenager vanished into a silver blur, the whooshing of air echoing.
“What an absolute…” Scott began to curse as the two jumped to their feet, only for Pietro to appear before them once more, this time in his costume.
“By the way, if we’re talking budget superheroes, pretty sure that Superman was shooting lasers out of his eyes first!” Giving Jean a wink, and a short salute to Scott, the speedster disappeared once more.
“They’re optic blasts, for gods sake!” 
