Author's Note:
Before you all start showering compliments or shouting, make sure you read the chapter fully.
...
2010, New York — Evening
A sleek blue 2010 Chevrolet Camaro SS, one of the most iconic cars of its time, made its way toward the Carter Residence. The engine purred with restrained power, a low growl that turned heads as it cruised smoothly through the evening streets.
It's polished chrome wheels gleamed under the flickering fluorescent streetlights, reflecting the city's pulse in each spin. The paint job shimmered like liquid metal, every contour of the muscle car highlighting the craftsmanship and raw attitude that made it a favorite among car enthusiasts.
Inside sat two breathtaking women in their twenties. One had fiery red hair, calm and graceful — Jean Grey. The other had auburn hair with a distinct white streak, a bold glint in her eye — Anna Marie, better known as Rogue.
Jean sighed, her hand on the wheel as she eased into the spot. "Diana's definitely a demigod," she muttered. "She learned everything we did in years... in months. She's practically at our level now."
Anna smirked. "Took us weeks to explain modern slang to her, but now she's quoting memes like she invented the internet. Girl's a freakin' natural. Remember when she threatened the HR guy with a spear because she thought his 'evaluation' was a challenge to her authority?"
Both women chuckled and she continued. "Though I still can't believe she thought coffee machines were alien tech."
They both laughed softly again and enjoying the ride home.
Sure, they could've just opened a portal and teleported home. But after the thrill of portals wore off, they had become... boring. Riding in a car, watching the streets, feeling the wind — that was still human and still fun.
"Can you believe it's been a year already?" Anna asked while her eyes on the passing skyline. "Immune+ completely changed the game."
Jean leaned back in her seat. "Yeah... It's wiping out diseases left and right. Half the pharmacies are already shutting down."
She paused, then added with a light chuckle, "A bit tragic for the business world, but we did give people a better way. Can't blame them for choosing health."
Anna nodded in agreement. "Still… I've got a feeling Susan might be next."
Jean blinked. "Joining the Carter constellation? Oh, for sure. I've seen it coming for months. I mean, can you blame her? Ethan Carter is the only guy who could make Death herself blush like a teen girl crushing on her favorite pop star."
Anna burst out laughing. "I know, right? I still remember the day Didi just flat-out said she liked Ethan and wanted to date him. I was like — what the hell?! Death?! Seriously?!"
Jean smirked. "Not like we can talk. We fell first."
Anna lifted her fingers playfully and started counting. "Hot mutant chick who can absorb powers? Check.
A fiery redhead Phoenix Force anchor? Double check.
Demigoddess from another universe who's a comic book character in our world and the one he used to fanboy over. Triple check.
Now literal Death joins the party?
At this rate, Gaia herself might knock on our door asking Ethan to marry her."
Jean wheezed with laughter. "Or worse — Ethan might jump universes and charm the creator god of some other realm."
Anna stared at her for a beat. "...Damn. I didn't even think of that."
Jean shook her head with a chuckle. "Doesn't matter who shows up — his love for us won't change."
Anna smirked. "That's why I haven't killed him. Otherwise, I'd have sucked him dry and left him a husk."
Jean snorted. "With your powers? Good luck."
Anna winked. "Who said anything about powers? I got other ways, baby."
---
**Carter Residence**
The car rolled into the underground garage of the Carter Residence. Its engine purred like a well-fed beast as it came to a stop, the headlights dimming with a soft hum.
The car doors opened, and Jean and Anna stepped out, heels clicking softly against the concrete. Jean locked the car with a flick of her wrist.
"Still weird, though," she muttered. "Why'd Ethan call us over so seriously through telepathy? He sounded… tense."
Anna nodded, her tone equally serious. "He said it's about our future. Something important."
Earlier, Ethan had contacted both of them telepathically and asked them to come home—urgently. With Diana now fully trained and overseeing Aeon Biotech's management, the two had handed things over and made their way back.
But the moment they stepped inside, something felt off.
The house was dark... Quiet... Eerily quiet.
A strange aura pulsed through the air.
Jean and Anna exchanged a glance.
Anna instinctively raised her hand, attempting a spell—but her magic fizzled out like a dying sparkler. "My magic's not working," she whispered.
Jean tried next. Still nothing.
"Magic's being blocked," Jean whispered. "But only inside."
Jean tried to access the Phoenix Force—only to find a wall. "Something's blocking me," she whispered. "Be careful."
Anna muttered grimly, "This feels… wrong. Maybe Gaia did show up to steal our man."
Jean's brow furrowed and raised her hand, igniting a flame casting flickering light across the entry hall.
The moment they stepped forward — everything vanished.
The house dissolved. The floor, walls, and ceiling disintegrated into an endless void. They floated in the blackness of space, surrounded by stars and spinning planets and... infinite emptiness.
"What the hell ?... ETHAN!" Anna shouted, her voice echoing in the void. "If this is some kind of prank, I swear I'll smack that handsome face of yours into into orbit!"
Jean's breathing quickened. She tried again to reach out — nothing.
"Don't bother. He's not here."
A voice came from above.
They turned to see a towering silhouette descend from above. A being made of starlight and shadow, his body dotted with galaxies, eyes glowing white. Slowly, he shrank down to their height.
Jean's voice was calm but cold. "Who... are you?"
The figure raised his hands. "I am the one who exists outside of time and space. A being without a name... eternal, incomprehensible. I am... a Celestial Sepian."
Jean's eyes widened slightly, then narrowed.
Anna rolled her eyes. "Cool story, spaceman. Where the hell is Ethan?"
The being said without emotion. "He violated the cosmic order. I confronted him and He was warned but didn't listen. So he was... removed."
Their hearts stopped.
Anna's eyes widened and shook her head violently.. "...No. No, that's not possible. You're lying!"
"I do not lie. I am the truth. Ethan Carter broke the rules of existence. And for that, he paid the price."
Anna snapped. "Liar!" her scream split the silence as she launched forward, fists ablaze with fury. She swung with everything she had, but the being effortlessly dodged. Again. And again.
Tears streaked down her cheeks as she kept swinging.
"Stop dodging and Fight back!" she screamed. "I'LL KILL YOU MYSELF EVEN IF IT ENDS THE UNIVERSE!"
Tears streamed down her face. She was shaking with rage and pain.
Then — a cry, loud and fierce — echoed across the stars.
A brilliant phoenix burst into flame behind them, wings stretching across galaxies.
The Celestial Sepian was momentarily distracted—
WHAM!
A punch from Anna connected, sending him flying through the star-filled void.
Anna turned to Jean, panting. "Jean…"
But the Sepian returned, completely unscathed.
"What rule did he even break?!" Anna demanded, launching forward again.
The being didn't retaliate. Instead, he said softly, "He loved you both… more than his own life."
Anna's fist stopped just inches from his face, her tears now falling freely. "W-What?"
"He loved you more than his life."
Behind them, Jean stood in her full Phoenix form, eyes blazing like burning suns. "ENOUGH!" she roared. "If you don't explain yourself right now, I'll burn your sorry ass into nothingness."
Anna turned and confused. "Jean?"
Then came a familiar voice behind them. Familiar. Warm. The one they both knew too well. "I'm sorry... I didn't think it would go this far."
Anna turned slowly and her breath caught.
The celestial being began to shift — starlight fading into flesh. The Sepian's form morph—into a man with blonde hair and blue eyes. It was Ethan Carter with a soft, guilty smile.
Anna's eyes filled with tears. Relief. Rage. Joy. Love. Fear. All at once. She rushed to him, checking him with trembling hands. "Are you okay? Are you hurt?"
He smiled. "I'm fine, Anna—"
SLAP!
"WHAT KIND OF SICK GAME WAS THIS?!" she screamed.
Jean landed beside her, still glowing, her tone cold. "You'd better have a damn good explanation, Carter."
Ethan exhaled slowly, stepping back as his expression turned serious. "I do."
The stars around them shimmered, still echoing with the remnants of cosmic tension. Ethan's expression shifted into something solemn.
He took a breath, "I'm sorry for scaring you both like that," he said softly, "but I needed to convey a message—clearly."
Jean's Phoenix aura flickered and settled. She eyed him, her breathing still tense, but her fists lowered.
"What message?" she asked, voice quieter now.
Ethan looked at both of them with a gaze filled with depth neither had seen before.
"That even if a situation like that ever truly arises… if I have to stand before a being of that level, I'd still love you both more, no matter the cost. I'd face anything. Everything."
Jean blinked, confused. Anna frowned, her lips parting slightly.
"What are you talking about?" Anna asked.
The space around them suddenly shimmered—then shifted. Stars and planets faded into a glowing film of memories. Projected in the air were vivid images—moments from Ethan's perspective.
Their first meeting at Xavier's School.
Their awkward conversations in the library. The laughter during combat training. Laughing in the gardens. Late-night conversations on the rooftops.
Movie nights with popcorn disasters. Their first dates. The soft confessions. The fights. The reconciliations. The kisses.
Time spent apart… time spent together.
They turned to face the memories as they flickered past like constellations. Each one was glowing with emotion—unfiltered affection.
They watched in silence, overwhelmed by the cascade of emotion that poured from the very memories Ethan had cherished.
"You two are," Ethan said slowly, "the most incredible women I've ever met in my entire lifetime. I didn't think I could even like anyone this much… let alone love. And yet here we are."
He turned to face them fully… and slowly dropped down on one knee.
"I thank you for loving a boring and stupid guy like me."
Anna and Jean froze. Their eyes widened.
In each of his hands, a box appeared—flicked open with a gentle gesture. In his left, a crimson ring gleamed like a ruby fire—Jean's. In his right, a vibrant emerald sparkled with gentle energy—Anna's.
"I know, after the ten years we've spent together… I want more. All of it. An eternity with you. That crazy stunt I pulled earlier?" He chuckled nervously. "It was my own dumb way of saying—I'll face any power, any god, any cosmic force if it means I get to love you."
He took a deep breath and looked up into their stunned, tear-filled eyes.
"So I ask you—two of the most beautiful, powerful, and wonderful people I've ever known…"
His voice trembled. "Jean Grey. Anna Marie. Will you marry me?"
For a second—just a second—they couldn't breathe. Their hearts stopped.
Then came the tears.
"Yes," Jean choked out.
"Yes!" Anna echoed with a trembling smile.
Both of them dropped to their knees, hugging him tightly. Tears streamed freely as they buried their faces into his shoulders, holding him as if afraid he'd vanish again.
Jean whispered into his ear, still hugging him tightly, "But don't you ever pull a stunt like that again…"
Anna pulled back slightly, her eyes narrowed but sparkling. "Yeah… because next time, I'll rip your pretty face off."
Ethan chuckled weakly, "I'm really, really sorry for scaring you like that. I didn't like doing it either… I never wanted to hurt you—just... surprise you. In a good way."
They smiled through the tears as he gently slipped the rings onto their fingers.
But then...
WHAM!
Two fists crashed into Ethan's face at once—Jean's glowing with Phoenix flames and Anna's packed with raw southern strength. The punch created a ripple of shockwaves, breaking the illusion around them.
The cosmic space shattered.
Suddenly, they were back in their living room, the lights back on, the furniture rumbling from the aftershock.
Ethan was on the ground with blood trickling from his nose. "Okay… I expected that." he murmured, dazed.
"YOU DESERVED THAT," Jean said with fire still flickering in her eyes.
Behind the two furious women, a voice casually rang out.
"I warned him," said a calm figure now entering through a golden portal. The Ancient One stepped forward, her expression half amusement, half exasperation. "But this crazy disciple of mine didn't listen. Said he wanted to create a moment you'd never forget."
Anna's eyes widened. "Wait, what?! You helped him?!"
The Ancient One raised her hands in surrender. "I advised against it. He practically begged me."
"I didn't beg!" Ethan called from the floor, before he sat up. "I… politely insisted."
"Liar," Jean and Anna both snapped at the same time.
"I'm sorry, okay?! I knew you'd get hurt for this. But someone told me that sometimes, love needs a practical display."
Jean glared. "Who the hell told you that?"
Ethan hesitated. Scooted back slightly. "…Wong. It was Wong."
"Wong?!" Anna yelled, rage rising again.
"I told him I wanted to show you both how much I loved you, and I gave him ideas! But he rejected all of them and said, 'Make it unforgettable.' He said I needed something more 'cinematic' and memorable. So… I thought of this."
"And you thought this was a good idea?" Jean raised her hand.
WHAM!
Anna didn't wait—she punched him again, sending him tumbling a few feet across the room.
The Ancient One sighed, muttering, "To be honest, that wasn't—"
Ethan gave her a pleading look from the floor. She stopped mid-sentence and shook her head.
"why did you help him?" Jean asked, crossing her arms.
The Ancient One looked away. "Honestly…"
She paused. Then sighed.
Anna glared at him before crossing her arms and said firmly, "As punishment for that little stunt—you're not allowed to touch us until the wedding."
Ethan's face went pale. "What?! No! That's—no, no, no! Kill me instead!"
Jean's smirk was wicked. "Oh, we could kill you. But I think this is better."
"I'll talk to Diana and Didi," Anna said before brushing her hair back. "We'll make sure they don't let you touch them either."
Ethan's face fell in horror. "I'm sorry! I'm so sorry, Anna! Jean! You can't do this to me!"
"Shut it," they both said in unison.
Their matching smirks sent a shiver down his spine.
"We're off to plan our wedding," Jean added sweetly. "And maybe have a little chat with Wong."
"Just a little," Anna said with an eerie grin.
They left through the front door, laughing and talking about dresses, colors, and venues.
As they vanished from view, the Ancient One turned to Ethan. "So… you threw Wong under the bus, huh? If anything happens to him, I want you to find a new librarian."
Ethan wiped his nose before chuckling nervously. "They won't go that far… right?"
She just stared at him.
He gulped. "Okay. Yeah. They might."
He then groaned. 'Wong… wherever you are, I hope you've got a backup plan.'
She stepped toward the portal again, pausing.
"Was it really necessary to scare them like that?"
Ethan's eyes dropped.
"I know it was stupid. Probably the dumbest one I've ever had. But… it had a purpose." He looked up. "There are beings out there who can wipe Earth out just by sneezing. We're in a time of peace—and they've both let their guards down."
"Anna had stopped using her powers. She wasn't looking to grow stronger anymore. And Jean… she could've fully merged with the Phoenix Force by now, but she hadn't fully tried. Sure, she'd made some progress—but not enough to face who's out there."
"I've already talked to them," Ethan said, clenching his fist, frustration simmering beneath his calm tone. "But they're not putting in the effort."
He looked out the window, voice low but firm. "I can protect them. Hell, I could even bring them back if the worst happened… But that doesn't mean I want to see them get hurt or to be weak."
His jaw tightened. "They're strong—don't get me wrong. But they're not ready. And if something happens… if I'm not there to save them... I want them to be able to save themselves."
The Ancient One nodded slowly. "Peace makes us soft."
Ethan sighed. "And somehow… Jean still caught me. The Phoenix inside me probably betrayed me."
She chuckled. "I still don't approve of this," she said before stepping into the portal.
Ethan tilted his head. "Then why help me?"
She turned back, eyes gleaming. "Because I love a good story," she said. "And this one was... dramatic."
The portal closed with a soft hum, leaving Ethan alone in his destroyed living room.
He sat on the couch and leaned back, "…Totally worth it," he muttered.
------------
Later that night, the news of Ethan's grand proposal to Jean and Anna had already begun to spread among their close circle of friends. The reactions were nothing short of joyous.
When Jean and Anna shared the news with their friends—Kitty Pryde, Angelica Jones, and a few others—they were met with cheers and heartfelt congratulations.
Jean, after sometime, turned to Ethan and casually asked, "What about Diana? You didn't propose to her."
Ethan's face grew calm, thoughtful. "We've only been dating for a short while. I like her—really do. But something like this… it takes time. Real understanding. I want to make sure we both know what we're diving into."
Jean nodded slowly, her expression showing both acceptance and admiration for his maturity before her hand gently squeezing his. Anna smiled supportively.
Even Diana, when told gave him a soft smile. "That's… fair." she had agreed with the sentiment and appreciated Ethan's honesty and patience.
But that night, Ethan suffered a different kind of torment—the punishment the girls had agreed on: no touching, no intimacy until the wedding.
And it was absolute hell.
---
A few days later, wedding preparations began in full swing. Set for the following month, it quickly became a buzz of activity. Jean took the lead on the floral arrangements, Anna obsessively reviewed the guest list, and Ethan… well, Ethan tried not to look miserable every time he caught a glimpse of bare shoulders or felt a brush of skin and had to walk away like a monk.
Now, under the warm light of a casual-looking restaurant tucked away in the heart of the city, Ethan sat at a corner table across from Susan Storm.
(Insert image of Susan Storm.)
They were sharing lunch after finalizing the details of their project—one designed to help mutants suppress or better control their external mutations. It was in its final development phase and already hailed as revolutionary.
Ethan picked at his food and let out a long, tired sigh.
Susan raised an eyebrow over her coffee. "Don't sigh. You deserve every ounce of suffering you're going through after that ridiculous stunt."
He groaned, leaning back in his chair. "I get that, I do. But it's been days, and I can't sleep properly. I keep rolling over like they'll be there. And they're not. It's getting harder to sleep at night without them."
Susan chuckled softly. "You should be grateful they even agreed to your proposal. If it were me? I'd have thrown you out the nearest window."
He chuckled softly, then grew thoughtful. "You wouldn't. You're too good for that. You'd make a perfect wife."
Susan paused mid-chew. "Excuse me?" she asked with a playful glare.
"I mean it," he said with a shrug. "You'd make a perfect wife for any man."
Susan blinked at him, slightly caught off guard. "Why do you say that?"
Ethan leaned forward, sincerity clear in his eyes. "Because you're the glue holding the Fantastic Four together. Reed's lost in his lab half the time, Johnny is... well, Johnny, and Ben has his moods. But you? You hold everything together. You're patient. Kind. Strong. Understanding. Always level-headed. And beautiful. Anyone would be lucky to have you. You've got everything. And the best part? You don't need to prove it to anyone."
A light blush crept across her cheeks as she looked down at her drink, smiling softly. "Don't over-praise me, Ethan."
"Nonsense," he said quickly. "Even I would have—"
He stopped himself mid-sentence, realization hitting him. "I'm sorry. That came out wrong."
Susan shook her head gently. "Don't apologize. I didn't mind it."
She gave him a teasing look. "Honestly, I should be worried maybe you're courting me now because your girls aren't letting you near them."
He chuckled but then turned serious. His voice dropped to a sincere tone that carried more weight.
"Susan… I'm not saying this to flatter or flirt. I'm being honest. You are one of—if not the—best women out there. Any guy would be lucky to have you in his life. Including me."
Susan was silent for a moment. The air between them softened into a shared understanding—not romantic, not awkward, but a space of mutual respect. A quiet moment that said more than words ever could.
Susan didn't break it immediately. She only smiled gently and said, "Thank you… that means more than you know."
And then, she smiled and raised her glass of wine. "Well, let's drink to surviving your punishment, Mr. Carter."
He clinked his glass against hers with a grin. "I'll need all the luck I can get."
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Author's Note:
So… how's the chapter?
I'll be honest—since I don't have any real dating experience, some parts might have come off a little awkward or off the mark. 😅
I actually borrowed the idea from a friend's hilariously weird proposal attempt and tried to make it fit the story.
Let me know what you think—honest feedback and reviews helps me grow!