[h1][b][i][color=MediumSpringGreen][center]James Kingston[/center][/color][/i][/b][/h1]
[center][img]https://i.postimg.cc/MKVmbk8X/image.png[/img][/center]
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[center][color=MediumSpringGreen][b]Location[/b][/color]: Emma Frost Memorial Hospital - Terrigen Ward
[color=MediumSpringGreen][b]Skills[/b][/color]: Omega Level Healing[/center]

[color=MediumSpringGreen]“Fuck, I love you.”[/color] James rested his head on Casper’s shoulder as laughter shook him at the familiar pandemonium around them. It wasn’t appropriate, not with the oncoming storm Sapphire’s fate would release and the confusion and fear and frustration that lingered in those who had just awoken (and those who’d had the dubious pleasure of returning early), but James couldn’t help it. The immediate threats of bodily injury, the haywire powers, the absurdity of the conversation- the familiarity left James feeling light and giddy, a respite from the turmoil that’d plagued him for months, and while he knew it wouldn’t last, he’d savour every second of relief he could snatch away. But he’d lingered in one place long enough and he forced himself to unwind from Casper. Everyone else needed some help to get back on their feet, especially if there was going to be a ceremony.

What a joy.

Still, James couldn’t help but take one last look at Casper―he could feel the dopey smile on his face but Casper was up and alive and breathing so he couldn’t really bring himself to care―before forcing his attention to the others. [color=MediumSpringGreen]“Sapphire… Sapphire didn’t make it, guys.”[/color] James sighed, starting the rounds as he explained so he could get everyone on their feet in a timely manner. He stopped at Veil’s side first, taking her hand in his and letting his healing factor seep over. [color=MediumSpringGreen]“Whatever she did took too much out of her. She gave her life to save us. I’m sorry.”[/color] James explained sympathetically, giving her hand a squeeze once he’d finished soothing away the after effects of their long sleep.

He moved on to the next person, Callie. It wasn’t that he was running away from the situation, it was just that... He wasn’t ready to handle processing what Sapphire did. He already had enough on his plate, enough stress, enough guilt, enough [i]anger[/i], that Sapphire’s sacrifice was going to have to wait second for him to regain his mental footing. Focusing on it too much right now would break the fragile peace he’d managed to find and he desperately needed that right now. So no, he wasn’t running away. He was making a tactical retreat. 

[color=MediumSpringGreen]“It’s good to see you up again.”[/color] James said, taking Callie’s hand in the same way he had with Veil and letting his healing factor ease away the aches. Every person healed let him breathe a little easier, let him relax a little more. He felt guilty that he was feeling a little better. After all, someone [i]died[/i] and that was the only reason they’d all survived but he needed it. After this past five months, after the awful retaliation that Sunshine [i]blamed herself[/i], after the nightmares and the creeping insomnia, he fucking needed it. 

Max was the next one James reached and he took a moment to collect himself as wetness prickled the corner of his eyes.  [color=MediumSpringGreen] “Can you believe we got into this mess together and we’ve somehow still managed to make it through with each other?”[/color] James chuckled, thinking back to what felt like a lifetime ago as they used the sewers to flee the cops. He grabbed Max’s hand as he had the other two, syncing up to the heartbeat of his friend. [color=MediumSpringGreen]“I don’t think ending up in a mutant safe haven was on my becoming a fugitive bingo card.”[/color]