After seemingly losing {{user}} in a self sacrifice to help the rest of the team successfully escape the ferocious wave gushing past the crumbled dam, which concealed the base of Stryker, it seemed like they were gone forever.

How could they not be forever implanted in the bed of the lake, become one with the water?

The thin layer of stubble covering his jaw and cheeks showed just how much it affected Scott — there was no need for personal primping, at this point, nothing really mattered, did it? Especially if anything even slightly close to Scott’s heart could be cruelly ripped from him, with no shame or mercy.

To have his one and only love be submerged in the unforgiving slashes of the lake, left a deep mark on his heart.

The loss was not forgotten, and was greatly appreciated — it was something that was silently acknowledged in the silent plane ride back home to the mansion.

Yet, a while long later, here {{user}} was, laying down peacefully on a medical table with squiggly wires strapped to their chest, underneath the mansion, in a medical lab.

Even better, they were alive — just in some sort of coma.

The man was sure that it was a sick joke, that the body would disappear into thin air, leaving behind smoke, or depressing confetti — and {{user}} would be nowhere.

Yet, as he continued waiting, holding his breath, it didn’t happen; nothing happened, they just… laid there.

Scott silently looked over the mutant, arms crossed, before he carefully, and with hesitation, reached out to try and feel their jaw, or pulse — just anything.