The quiet of the library was broken by the sound of footsteps.
Aiden didn't look up from his book immediately, though he had already noticed the presence approaching him. The faint rustle of clothing, the soft scuff of shoes—it was familiar by now.
> "Oh? Why are you here?"
The voice confirmed his suspicion. It was Jean Grey.
She walked between the rows of tall shelves, her fiery red hair gleaming faintly in the lamplight. Her small nose scrunched as she shot him a look that was half annoyance, half embarrassment.
> "Hmph. This library isn't just yours, you know."
She plucked a random book from a shelf and sat across from him at the table, opening it with exaggerated seriousness. Her eyes flicked to the page, then quickly back up at Aiden. Then back down. Then up again.
Aiden smirked faintly but didn't comment. He turned another page of his book, fully absorbed in its contents.
For several minutes, the only sounds were the rustle, rustle of turning pages.
Jean's lips pouted. His calm focus was infuriating. She wanted him to notice her, to react somehow, but he gave her nothing. Finally, with a soft huff, she glanced back at her own book.
Almost instantly, her expression twisted. The page was covered in dense terminology, equations, and scientific jargon she didn't understand. Her head spun just trying to make sense of it.
She peeked at the titles stacked in front of Aiden—advanced physics, molecular biology, theoretical chemistry. Books far beyond the curriculum of children their age.
> He's studying things like this?
A spark of curiosity flared in her. She memorized the titles quietly, planning to try them herself later. Though she doubted she could get far, the determination not to fall behind tugged at her pride.
With some reluctance, she set aside the incomprehensible book she'd taken and chose one more suited to her level. Still, her eyes wandered every few minutes, sneaking glances at Aiden, who remained perfectly at ease, surrounded by books that floated gently in the air, their pages flipping as though moved by invisible hands.
Hours passed without either of them realizing.
Then, at the same moment, a familiar voice brushed across their minds, soft and patient.
> "Aiden, Jean, it's time for dinner. You can continue tomorrow."
Charles Xavier's voice.
Both children jumped slightly, startled by the sudden intrusion of thought. They lifted their heads in unison, blinking at one another. Outside the library windows, the sky had darkened, dusk having slipped into night without them noticing.
The instant Aiden relaxed his focus, his stomach let out a loud growl.
"Pfft—"
Jean burst into laughter, covering her mouth. But before she could tease him, her own belly rumbled even louder.
Her face went crimson.
"Hahaha!" Aiden leaned back, laughing openly, his shoulders shaking.
Jean's small fists balled at her sides, and she smacked him lightly on the arm.
> "What are you laughing at? Hmph, let's just go eat!"
Flustered, she snapped her book shut and hurried from the library, her face still bright red.
Aiden chuckled to himself, shaking his head. With a small wave of his hand, the stack of books around him floated up, gliding neatly back to their shelves. Then he followed after her.
---
By the time he entered the dining hall, the room was buzzing with chatter. Dozens of students crowded the tables, their voices overlapping in waves.
It didn't take him long to spot Jean—she was in the same spot as the previous evening. More surprising, though, was that she waved at him, a small smile tugging at her lips.
When he reached the table, he noticed the food. In front of Jean sat two trays. One was her own portion. The other was piled high, stacked like a small mountain of dishes clearly meant for him.
Aiden raised an eyebrow, his lips twitching.
> So that's it… my image as a glutton is already set in stone.
He sighed inwardly but didn't refuse. Without hesitation, he sat down across from her and began to eat heartily.
Jean rested her chin on her hand, watching as he devoured the food with quiet satisfaction. The sight drew an involuntary smile from her.
When at last he finished, Aiden leaned back with a groan, his stomach uncomfortably full.
> "I ate too much…"
He stood slowly, deciding to walk it off. The gardens outside were quiet and spacious, perfect for digestion. He strolled toward them, and, as expected, Jean followed at his side.
He didn't say anything like "Why are you following me?" Instead, he matched her pace, and the two talked as they walked through the moonlit garden paths.
---
Meanwhile, in the headmaster's office, Charles and Hank stood near the window, observing the pair from a distance.
Hank chuckled softly.
> "It seems Aiden and Jean are getting along well."
Outside, Jean playfully nudged Aiden's shoulder, her laughter carrying faintly through the night air. Her eyes were bright, her expression lighter than either man had seen in some time.
Charles's gaze softened.
> "Yes. That is a good thing. Jean… she carries too much inside. Her powers are immense, but her heart is fragile. If she finds someone to lean on, someone who makes her smile like that, it could ease the burden."
Hank folded his arms, his face thoughtful.
> "I'll be honest, Charles—I don't fully agree with the choice to seal her memories. Suppressing pain doesn't erase it. It festers. Sometimes, it's better to guide than to block. You know the saying: an unhappy childhood requires a lifetime to heal."
Charles's eyes flickered with something like regret.
> "I know. But Jean is still too young to bear such scars. She deserves a chance to live as a child, even if only for a little while. When the time is right—when Aiden grows stronger, strong enough for her to rely on—then I will consider unlocking the seals. For now, this is the safest path."
Hank studied his friend for a long moment, then sighed.
> "As long as you're certain you can control it."
Charles didn't answer directly. Instead, his attention returned to the garden, where the two children now sat beneath a great tree.
The office phone rang just then, breaking the silence. Charles turned, picked it up.
> "This is Xavier's School for Gifted Youngsters."
---
Outside, Aiden and Jean leaned against the grass beneath the large tree, gazing at the vast night sky above them. Stars glittered like rivers of silver light across the heavens.
Jean's lips parted in awe.
> "It's so beautiful…"
Aiden nodded, though at that moment, a loud hiccup escaped his mouth mid-sentence.
Jean froze. Then she glared.
The magic of the moment evaporated instantly.
Aiden raised his hands in mock innocence.
> "Hey, don't look at me like that. You were the one who gave me enough food for three people. I couldn't waste it."
Her cheeks puffed, her eyes narrowing. But she didn't retort. She only turned her head away, trying to hide the small smile tugging at her lips.
After a while, the heavy feeling of overeating faded. Aiden sat up, stretching his hand toward the stone path nearby.
A small rock lifted into the air, hovering unsteadily. Sweat beaded on his forehead as he concentrated, making the rock move in deliberate arcs, up and down, left and right.
Jean blinked.
> "What are you doing?"
Aiden's lips pressed together as he focused.
> "Exercising my ability. Telekinesis needs training, just like muscles. The more you push, the stronger you become."
Jean tilted her head in confusion.
> "Training? Powers… need training?"
Before he could answer, a ripple of energy burst beside him.
Countless stones lifted from the path, hundreds of them rising into the air. Each one was larger than the single stone Aiden had been straining over. They hovered effortlessly, swirling in a graceful orbit.
Jean smiled innocently, lowering her hand.
Aiden stared, speechless. His own stone clattered back to the ground. He collapsed onto the grass with wide, dead-fish eyes, utterly defeated.
> "…I think I just lost my will to live."
Jean blinked, puzzled.
> "What's wrong?" She poked his arm.
Aiden groaned dramatically.
> "Nothing. I just want some peace…"
Jean laughed softly, her voice light and warm.
And beneath the stars, the two young mutants sat side by side—one frustrated, one amused—yet bound by the first threads of a friendship that would one day shape the future.
Ãdvåñçé çhàptêr àvàilàble óñ pàtreøn (Gk31)