[Through this conversation, Cable is still deciding how much he wants to say. The deeper he gets into it, the more he feels that obscuring the truth isn't the honourable thing to do. It's not really protecting Scott from anything, it's just shirking responsibility.]
This isn't my mutation. [He gestures vaguely to his left side. The most visibly ravaged side.]
It's a disease without a cure. Must've figured the future was the safer option.
[It's absolutely more complicated than that, but if he gets too granular they'll be here all day.]
I'm assuming you'd find this more convincing if I had your powers.
[And he cannot give Scott that certainty, but he can make a discarded beer can float idly between them. Hopefully that paints a picture for him.]
[ Scott's still skeptical, and it's evident by the way his expression doesn't change much. He frowns a bit more when Cable tells him he'd be more convinced if the man have his powers. Look, that's how one knows they're a Summers. Alex has a similar powerset as him, even though the blasts shoot from elsewhere.
This skepticism nearly vanishes from his features when Cable levitates a discarded beer can. His eyebrows shoot up and he's not only emotionally taken aback, but also physically.
He watches that can float for a good moment or two before he turns back to Cable. ] How could this...?
[ Be possible, are the words he's not able to say. Normally, he can form words. But this is just beyond his imagination now. Learning he and Jean died (or will die) back home is one thing, but learning they had a son in some alternate timeline? And here he thought he can't be shocked anymore. ]
[ Scott takes in everything Cable has to say with an increasing shock. He still hasn't fully processed the fact that Cable here might actually be his son, but to know more of its details is truly outlandish to him. ]
What? Jean has a clone?
[ Now that's something he'd have to fully sit on because that's just outrageous and something he'd never thought possible. It's not even about the science of cloning, but Jean? Of all people? ]
Look, these are all sounding very damn weird. I- [ He swears he can form better words than this. ] How?
[ He's not glossing over the fact Cable mentions he always makes it out, but his brain is still on the I'm Your Son Train. ]
[Sometimes the best response is no response. It's Cable's usual default. Unfortunately, there are times in a man's life when he needs to continue plowing through an uncomfortable conversation.
Cable's hands are fastened on his lap, nervous.]
Jean has a clone. [Jean. Not mom. Not his mother.]
She died another time, as far as I know. Too soon then, too. Someone wanted her to pass on her DNA, so they made it happen.
[He leans back against the bench, his head cocks lazily to the side when he answers.]
There was a theory that you and her would make a mutant powerful enough to end Apocalypse.
[ All of this is genuinely hard to accept. Even with that display if telekinesis, it's still Cable's word against his own doubts. It's like being confronted by overwhelming evidence that counters everything you've believed in.
To be fair, though, people wanting their DNA isn't new. Laura acquiring Logan's comes to mind. And while he doesn't like what Logan has gone through, the guy has been a test subject for as long as he can remember. For this to happen to Jean, as well... Scott has no words.
What he has words for, though, are to those last few things Cable mentioned. ]
Apocalypse? [ First time he's heard of whatever this is. Doesn't like the sound of it one bit. ] So that mutant... that's you? [ Who will end whatever this is. ]
[ Scott watches Cable stand while speaking, gaze turning to the offered hand before him. A minute ago he's still reeling from finding out he and Jean are dead back home, having spent more than a month wallowing in his own sorrow, and now, before him, is a son he never got to know. Never even thought of conceiving. It stings to remember that he and Jean talked about possibly settling down once, after a particularly passionate night, just to have that get taken away from both of them, only to manifest in a way he never even imagined.
Yes, this is a lot to take in. A lot of things he can't quite fix. And for a man who thrives in putting things in order, he feels out of depth here. Like a fever dream he'd probably wake up from anytime soon. But it's not. This is his reality now, and as stubborn as he is, Scott firmly knows this same hardheadedness will help him process this in due time.
For now, he takes that hand with his own, firm and yet also fond. His other hand lifts up to rest on Cable's shoulder, touching his own flesh and blood. It feels surreal, and yet somehow, he can feel it. For a brief ten seconds of time, Scott just takes this in, staring at this fifty year old man who's actually his son, trying to find the blueprint of the boy he never got to raise.
A sharp breath he lets go, a small smile, and a soft nod. ] I'd like to get to know you more, too.
[ Because that's what a good father should aim to do, no matter their discrepancy in age.
You're not done yet. What a good sentiment. What a good reason for his son to tell him about all this. He's grateful. And while this place might be far from ideal, it's home for now. ]
You okay with that? This is still a lot to take in, but. I'm trying.
[The moment Scott's hand touches his shoulder, he feels like a little boy instead of the grown-ass man that he is. He shifts uncomfortably, which he thinks is unbecoming of a man his age. Still, there's a hopeful little flutter in his chest because the idea of working alongside Scott is exciting for him. Something he wanted for a long time.
It's enough to allow himself to be optimistic instead of cynical about their circumstances. If he's being lured into a trap, the bait is pretty effective. But he's stuck in this place anyway, so he'll cross that bridge when he comes to it.
He nods, looking down and away before back up at Scott's face.]
[ Retracting his hand from Cable's shoulder, Scott can't help the small chuckle that leaves his lips. This is still so surreal to him, but at least, he can take this one day at a time. Process this when he gets back home even if he had to stare at his ceiling for a bit. ]
That's fair. We can do it some other time.
[ He smiles, one of the rare ones he can give right now, as his gaze never leaves his son's face. ] Whenever you're ready, you have my number.
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This isn't my mutation. [He gestures vaguely to his left side. The most visibly ravaged side.]
It's a disease without a cure. Must've figured the future was the safer option.
[It's absolutely more complicated than that, but if he gets too granular they'll be here all day.]
I'm assuming you'd find this more convincing if I had your powers.
[And he cannot give Scott that certainty, but he can make a discarded beer can float idly between them. Hopefully that paints a picture for him.]
no subject
This skepticism nearly vanishes from his features when Cable levitates a discarded beer can. His eyebrows shoot up and he's not only emotionally taken aback, but also physically.
He watches that can float for a good moment or two before he turns back to Cable. ] How could this...?
[ Be possible, are the words he's not able to say. Normally, he can form words. But this is just beyond his imagination now. Learning he and Jean died (or will die) back home is one thing, but learning they had a son in some alternate timeline? And here he thought he can't be shocked anymore. ]
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You've got good genetics. So does Jean.
[And if he were a more jovial person, maybe it would sound like he's making a joke about being attractive. Instead he sounds clinical.]
My mother isn't Jean. She's a clone of hers. [It brings him absolutely no relief to rip the rest of the bandaid off. It all feels a little surreal.
He's careful to meet Scott's eyes, sincere.]
All I heard when I grew up were stories about both of you. All of you. [Charles. Logan. Storm.]
Plenty of them sounded like you didn't make it out. But you always did. That's what you do.
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What? Jean has a clone?
[ Now that's something he'd have to fully sit on because that's just outrageous and something he'd never thought possible. It's not even about the science of cloning, but Jean? Of all people? ]
Look, these are all sounding very damn weird. I- [ He swears he can form better words than this. ] How?
[ He's not glossing over the fact Cable mentions he always makes it out, but his brain is still on the I'm Your Son Train. ]
no subject
Cable's hands are fastened on his lap, nervous.]
Jean has a clone. [Jean. Not mom. Not his mother.]
She died another time, as far as I know. Too soon then, too. Someone wanted her to pass on her DNA, so they made it happen.
[He leans back against the bench, his head cocks lazily to the side when he answers.]
There was a theory that you and her would make a mutant powerful enough to end Apocalypse.
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To be fair, though, people wanting their DNA isn't new. Laura acquiring Logan's comes to mind. And while he doesn't like what Logan has gone through, the guy has been a test subject for as long as he can remember. For this to happen to Jean, as well... Scott has no words.
What he has words for, though, are to those last few things Cable mentioned. ]
Apocalypse? [ First time he's heard of whatever this is. Doesn't like the sound of it one bit. ] So that mutant... that's you? [ Who will end whatever this is. ]
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He just nods.]
I'm aware that this is a lot to take in. [It's kind of like he's trying to be conciliatory but he's not actually sure how.]
I was in a mind to keep it from you, thought it wouldn't do you much good to know. [He shrugs, pushing himself up to stand finally.]
Now I think it's better for you if you know, you're not done yet.
[He offers his flesh hand forward, Scott can shake it if he wants.]
And if we have to be here. [He sort of starts and stops himself before pushing himself through it.]
I'd like it if we could work together.
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Yes, this is a lot to take in. A lot of things he can't quite fix. And for a man who thrives in putting things in order, he feels out of depth here. Like a fever dream he'd probably wake up from anytime soon. But it's not. This is his reality now, and as stubborn as he is, Scott firmly knows this same hardheadedness will help him process this in due time.
For now, he takes that hand with his own, firm and yet also fond. His other hand lifts up to rest on Cable's shoulder, touching his own flesh and blood. It feels surreal, and yet somehow, he can feel it. For a brief ten seconds of time, Scott just takes this in, staring at this fifty year old man who's actually his son, trying to find the blueprint of the boy he never got to raise.
A sharp breath he lets go, a small smile, and a soft nod. ] I'd like to get to know you more, too.
[ Because that's what a good father should aim to do, no matter their discrepancy in age.
You're not done yet. What a good sentiment. What a good reason for his son to tell him about all this. He's grateful. And while this place might be far from ideal, it's home for now. ]
You okay with that? This is still a lot to take in, but. I'm trying.
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It's enough to allow himself to be optimistic instead of cynical about their circumstances. If he's being lured into a trap, the bait is pretty effective. But he's stuck in this place anyway, so he'll cross that bridge when he comes to it.
He nods, looking down and away before back up at Scott's face.]
Yeah, I'm okay with it.
[He pauses, adding:]
Now's not a good time. [He's talked out.]
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That's fair. We can do it some other time.
[ He smiles, one of the rare ones he can give right now, as his gaze never leaves his son's face. ] Whenever you're ready, you have my number.