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Ed needed answers. It was driving him a little insane. Max knew something about Ed’s future and had tried to play it off. Ed probably would have let it go, except for the tombstone thing. There was no way Max didn’t know how Ed was going to die. Ed didn’t even want to know the actual way he died, he needed a timeline. Was it months from now? Or years? Would he have time to deal with his family? He didn’t know. That was the issue. 

Ed had given it a couple of days, but now had been long enough and the itching fear and uncertainty needed something to drive it away. He went looking for Max. Max should be at the house and things were mostly quiet right now, which probably meant it wouldn’t be long before all chaos broke out. If Ed waited then he’d never get the answers. 

Max had been restless the days after the events on the Asteroid. Having gone back home to New Orleans several times but leaving all the same in equal measure. It was hard to look at his husband, his son, when he felt like such an abject failure. He'd lost so many mutants because [i]he[/i] wasn't strong enough. A part of him wondered if he should've gone back to Strange's, to finish his training there. But he could train here, have more scenarios than the magic back at the Sanctum could offer (not like they were too far off from each other should he need to stop by). 

So Max had headed to the danger room, pulling up scenarios in which he could both practice on his portals while also being able to use his magic to take down enemies and get rid of the pent up frustration growing inside of him. He knew the X-men didn't wear the uniform anymore, but he still felt it was nice to have it while training. Wearing the classic blue and yellow colors along with a yellow duster over top of it. Magic was emanating from his hands as he fired off another blast, knocking a hologram into a wall.

It took Ed longer than he might have expected. The Danger Room was not where he thought Max would go, but when he finally ended up there he saw Max running a scenario. Max looked a little silly in the blue and yellow uniform, those colors were wild together. Ed entered the Danger room, throwing up a shield as he did to prevent errant magic from hitting him. 

[color=d19f6a]”Max, we need to talk.”[/color] He said, his voice stern. Trying to approach this situation like he would if he were talking to one of his cousins. 

Max didn't think, didn't hesitate, he whipped around and a blast went flying towards Ed, hitting harmlessly against his shield. Thankfully Ed was a smarter man than he was. He thought ahead. His eyes went wide as he ran towards Ed apologizing the whole way. [Color=aba400]”Oh my god, I'm so sorry! I thought you were one of the simulations! I- agh hold on. Danger Room, End Simulation.”[/color] He demanded as he was weaving between enemies and bystanders to make his way over towards Ed. He could feel the sterner in his voice, making Max stop a few feet away from him, worried about what he might say. [Color=aba400]”Uh, yeah. Sure. What do you need?”[/color] His tone was wavering, nervous as his words were hit with a vocal fry.

Ed let his shield drop. Thankful he had thought to do that. [color=d19f6a]”My tombstone. Your reaction when you saw me. We’ve met before. I don’t want to know how.”[/color] Ed held up his hand. [color=d19f6a]”I just need an idea of how much time I have. There are things that I need to resolve.”[/color] The family issues would take time. There was a chance that if there wasn’t enough time Ed would have to leave the X-men sooner rather than later to deal with those issues. In the end though, how much of it mattered? Going home meant taking up his position as the heir apparent to the family. If he didn’t his cousin would. When he died his cousin would still end up as head of the family. Unless he could get the family codes changed to allow women to become the head of the family, which he likely wouldn’t be able to do while his grandfather lived. 

Max instantly locked up as Ed began to speak. Rubbing the nape of his neck as he looked away uncomfortably. He was glad Ed didn't want any specifics, though he still wasn't sure how he felt about the line of questioning. Either way, he couldn't meet his eyes. [Color=aba400]”I don't know. I won't lie to you, and I'll try to answer any questions you have as best as I can but. I can't exactly say how much time you have. When we met, or rather, when we will meet, I won't know you. I won't recognize your face, your name, your voice. You'll be a stranger to me. But for me that time has already passed. So it's difficult to say how long you will have…”[/color] Max chuckled to himself as he looked off to Ed's left. [Color=aba400]”I'm starting to see why River kept a journal to cross reference.”[/color]

A coil of tension in Ed tightened as Max explained what was held in Ed’s future, Max’s past. Of course they had met out of order. He smiled and tried to chuckle at the Doctor Who reference, but it wasn’t there. His limbs seemed too weak to hold him, he swayed a little but kept his feet under him. 

[color=d19f6a]”I didn’t know you, when you came here. But you knew me. As far as you were concerned we had met and I had died. The day will come when you don’t know me. That day will mark my end, my impending...”[/color] Ed trailed off. Death had come for so many in his life. Most of his family. He wasn’t afraid of it, not really. He just wasn’t ready. Ed sighed and under his breath said, [color=d19f6a]”I’m not ready.”[/color] He closed his eyes and then set his shoulders against the future. 

[color=d19f6a]”So be it. We all know we will die one day. I just happen to have a better idea than most. Maybe I’ll have enough time to finish what needs to be done, maybe not. But most people never even have the chance to try. When that day comes, that you do not know me. I will do my best to be kind to you about it.”[/color] Ed starts to turn to leave, but pauses mid-turn and says, [color=d19f6a]”Do I go honorably? Or have I fallen?”[/color]

Max couldn't help but feel a pang of guilt for all of this. He was a walking reminder of Ed's future, and soon one day he would be the Harbinger of Death for him. But his heart broke for him. He stepped up towards him, slinging one arm around Ed's shoulders and giving him a tight squeeze. [Color=aba400]”I have only ever known you to be kind and honorable. A true knight who would do anything to shield those around him from harm. I don't think you could fall even if you tried.”[/color] He let go of Ed and moved before him, halting his steps before leaning against the nearest wall. [Color=aba400]”I may not know exactly when, but I can tell you you have time. You age gracefully by the way, and you seemed to have lived a full life. If you wish…”[/color]

Max stopped, his eyes scanning Ed's features and body searching for signs of things he had seen back then. Letting out an awkward sigh. [Color=aba400]”I can offer you one last clue as to mark the occasion. At the very least a bit of advice in the event that it happens more than once.”[/color]

Some of the tension released. There was time. And as far as Max knew the edge of darkness that had been there since the trip to the other world had not won. Had not brought him down. Really, the person standing before him barely knew him. He frowned at the comment about it happening ‘more than once.’ Ed had had no intention of finding out more than necessary from Max. But he was intrigued now. 

[color=d19f6a]”What is that?”[/color] He raised an eyebrow, curious about what advice, or clue, that Max had to offer for him. 

[Color=aba400]”Well, I assume you don't have a kid at the moment right?”[/color] Max said as he spied the ringless finger on Ed's hand. [Color=aba400]”One day, or perhaps many times over many days, your daughter will gift you a candied bracelet. The day that she does, make sure to hug her tight and tell her how much you love her. It may very well be the last chance you have for a very long time.”[/color] Max pressed his shoulders against the wall, pushing himself off of it as he placed his hands into his pockets. [Color=aba400]”That's all I know. The only clues I have as to put a time to it. After that, it's anyone's guess. Man, I hate time travel. Never can seem to get things in the right order.”[/color]

Ed shakes his head at Max’s question. No children. But he will have a daughter. A girl to carry the legacy. He’d make sure she got the chance to. All the more reason now to make sure the family rules changed. He bound Max’s words up into a promise to that child. Fear coiling with it, because he knew that he wouldn’t get to raise her if she was so young to have a candy bracelet. 

[color=d19f6a]”Thank you, Max.”[/color] Ed said. [color=d19f6a]”That reassures me of a lot of my fears. I have things to do now. Good luck with your practice.”[/color] Ed heads for the exit. 

It felt as if a weight had been lifted off his shoulders. Hearing Ed thank him, though it felt weird to be thanked for delivering the news of one's death. As Ed began to leave, Max tried to lighten the mood a bit more, not knowing what ‘things’ Ed needed doing. [Color=aba400]”So, does this mean I get to call you Daddy? Or not yet?”[/color] He said with a grin [color=aba400]”Just kidding, Ben would kill me if I did that. But uh, good luck with your things. Let me know if you need any help with them.”[/color]

Ed froze for a moment trying to understand what Max was insinuating, but then Max mentioned Ben. He nodded, [color=d19f6a]”Yeah, I don’t know about that.”[/color] He smiled. [color=d19f6a]”And unfortunately I don’t think you can help with it. I need to deal with family matters. I may have a few years yet, but these are issues that if left to their own devices mean someone who would cause havoc in the family would be taking over as the head of it. I cannot abide for him to be my grandfather’s successor.”[/color] Ed saw no reason to not be honest with Max about it.  

Max shrugged. He didn't know Ed's family Save for Madalyne, and even then he knew next to nothing about the matters he spoke of. [Color=aba400]”Offers always on the table. I know a wicked reality warper, aaand I've been known to bend things a little myself.”[/color]

Ed raises his eyebrow again. Fully facing Max. [color=d19f6a]”I’ve experienced reality warping by going to a different universe. What did you do?”[/color] 

[Color=aba400]”Made my own personal galaxy inside my bedroom with a breathable atmosphere. But that was just because I liked the aesthetic of it all. Always been a big space kid.”[/color]

[color=d19f6a]”Yeah, that’s uh...I’m good on space at this point. I’ve seen enough of it. I do not want any more.”[/color] Ed shakes his head. His shoulders have released some of the tension, but he is still wound up. 

[Color=aba400]”Yeah…”[/color] Max said with a thousand yard stare as he looked past Ed into nothingness. The feelings of those mutants minds brushing up against his once more. His hands clenched inside his coat pockets as his lips tightened. [Color=aba400]”On second thought. I uh…I have to go.”[/color] He said as he began to walk hurriedly past Ed.

Ed watches as Max starts to leave. What can he say? [color=d19f6a]”Max...”[/color] He starts. [color=d19f6a]”It’s the ones we can’t save that hurt the most.”[/color] He thinks of his sister. He thinks of Iris. 

Max shut his eyes, hit tears streaming down now. [Color=aba400]”There's too many of those going around lately. I just…I need some time.”[/color]

[color=d19f6a]”I know.”[/color] Ed says letting Max leave. It doesn’t feel right. Max needs someone, but even with the tension between them released there is history there that Ed doesn’t fully understand. He can’t be the one to help Max. Not from this.