The night before Cuba

It wasn't supposed to be like this. Not at all.

Everything was going well. Sean was now flying with his abilities, Alex had more control over his energy blasts (thanks to the targeting matrix Hank and Charles had devised), and the potency of Erik's control over metal was reaching profound levels. They were ready to fight, and not too soon as tomorrow they had to fly to be in Cuba to foil Shaw's plans to start World War Three.

And yet, even in the middle of all this, Hank had found the time to perfect the serum that would cure he and Raven's non human features, and yet leave their mutant abilities intact. He had been so pleased and had rushed to find Raven, to share with her the fulfillment of both of their dreams. To be normal.

And what had she done? Rejected it.

"Should we have to hide?" She asked when he offered the serum. Shaking his head, he ignored her question and pulled out his dose of the serum.

"Hank, don't!" She beged him. "You’re beautiful Hank. Everything you are, you are perfect. Look at all of us. Look at all we’ve achieved this week. All we will achieve. We are different. We shouldn’t be trying to fit into society. Society should aspire to be more like us." She shifted then, to her natural blue form and smiled. Hopeful, though he didn't see it. "Mutant and proud."

His breathing became erratic from the torment in his heart. His dream, the dream he had clung to so long, was here now and she was trying to take it from him. Didn't she see? They would never fit in as they were. His tone is cold as his tongue speaks without him. "It behooves me to tell you, that even if we save the world tomorrow and mutants are accepted into society, my feet and your natural blue form will never be deemed beautiful."

Stung, she shifted back to her human form.

"You...you look beautiful now," he said, trying to heal the damage his words had caused, but tears pooling in her eyes. "We need this cure." He repeated, begging.

He looked into her eyes for a few moments longer before standing and leaving, shaking his head. She just didn't understand.

Man or Beast?

He's done all he can. The Blackbird is fueled and prepared for flight, the flight suits delivered and now he only had to wait; and to face his thoughts. One can only work so long before the work is done and you are again left with yourself. Sunrise was an hour or so away and he was alone at the hanger. He couldn't stand the echoes of sound within the hanger so he gave into his new instincts and climbed to the hanger's roof.

I am such an fool!

The night sky was very clear with no cloud cover and while the evening was a tad chill, his fur kept him warm

I'm a monster.

There's Pleiades and Ursa Major and there's the North Star.

AN ANIMAL!

Libra. Sagittarius. Orion. Where's Draco...there. A sigh escapes him and he sits giving up his charade. Truly one can't hide from one's self. You are always there. Am I an animal, a monster?

Oh God, how could I have said those things to Raven? I'm such an idiot!

Fur and claws yes but he still had thumbs.

Monkeys and apes have thumbs.

He still had thoughts, still reasoned.

I owe her an apology.

The sun rose behind him and he looked to see his shadow grow. It stretched, distorted by the angle of light. He cocked his head to one side studying it, remembering an old metaphor from his philosophy studies.

I've always been a freak, scared to show myself. Hiding rather than facing the world.

Below he heard them enter; Erik and Charles, Alex and Sean, Moria and Raven. Suddenly he wanted, no needed to see Raven. Now more than ever. He stood with one fluid motion, stopping to stare at his shadow again before turning to leave the cave he had made of his life. He was through looking at the shadows.

After Cuba

Hank paced the tight cabin onboard the USS Essex and fought to keep his anger in check. Yet another new thing for him, this anger. He was used to being in control of his anger, but ever since the transformation, his emotions have seemed too big, too raw. Damn you and your mutant "superiority", Erik! He thought. And damn this cabin.

Pacing when you are angry and wound up wasn't very rewarding when you could only manage a few steps before needing to turn around. The joys of life aboard an aircraft carrier. Still, it was better than being stared at or being confined to the brig. And damn you Raven for leaving us! For leaving me.

Sighing, Hank stopped and sat on the bunk, anger draining at the thought of Raven and her betrayal of both Charles and himself. How could she leave like that? Didn't they matter to her?