An Unexpected Proposal

The morning sun crept timidly through the curtains of Jean's room in Ethan's house, painting faint streaks of light across the cluttered space. Clothes lay strewn over a chair, a half-empty glass of water sat on the nightstand, and the bed was a mess of tangled sheets.

Jean sat hunched in the center of it, cocooned in a thick blanket that she clutched tightly around her shoulders. Her red hair was a mess, and dark circles loomed under her eyes. She hadn't slept a wink. The memories of the previous night played on an endless loop in her mind — not just what she saw, but what she did.

The images from last night were burned into her mind. She had watched Ethan and Anna together. Not by accident. Not innocently. She had stayed, transfixed, and worse—her hand had wandered. She touched herself, and she knew they had seen her. Every second of it.

A part of her wanted to run away and never show her face again.

Then came a knock. Soft. Followed by the door creaking open before Jean could even answer.

"Morning," Anna's voice rang out.

Jean froze. Her heart almost stopped and her eyes widened.

Anna stepped into the room casually, her hair tied in a loose bun, her face is fresh and bright. She also had relaxed smile.

"You look like you've seen a ghost," Anna joked as her tone is lighthearted as she stepped in further.

Jean's mouth opened, but no words came out.

Anna looked around, then added with a little shrug, "Well, you should freshen up. I've ordered breakfast since, let's be honest, neither of us can cook to save our lives."

Jean blinked. Was she really ignoring everything? Was she pretending last night didn't happen?

Anna continued, sitting on the edge of the bed. "Ethan's off visiting the Ancient One. Something about doing magic in different way."

Jean swallowed hard. "Y-You… you're not mad?"

Anna tilted her head. "About what?"

Jean hesitated. Her lips trembled. "You saw me last night... didn't you?"

Anna let out a soft chuckle, standing up. "Oh, I saw you. Ethan did too."

Jean immediately turned red, pulling the blanket tighter. "I-I didn't mean to—I just—"

Anna raised a hand gently. "Relax. Breathe. I'm not here to scold you or make things worse."

Jean blinked, confused. "Then... what are you here for?"

"To eat breakfast with a friend," Anna said simply, walking toward the door. "Freshen up. I'll be downstairs."

Jean just sat there for a moment, heart pounding in her chest, trying to process the surreal kindness in Anna's words.

She then exhaled a shaky breath she hadn't realized she'd been holding. Anna wasn't bringing it up. Maybe she'd decided to pretend last night never happened, to spare them both the awkwardness. The thought brought a flicker of relief, loosening the knot in Jean's chest. "Thanks," she mumbled, managing a weak smile. "I'll be down in a bit."

Once Anna left, Jean dragged herself out of bed, the blanket trailing behind her like a lifeline. She shuffled to the bathroom, splashing cold water on her face in an attempt to wash away the fatigue and embarrassment clinging to her.

After a long, cold splash of water to her face and brushing her teeth and changing into a fresh sweater and jeans, she headed downstairs, the faint smell of coffee and pastries guiding her to the kitchen.

Anna had already set the table—a spread of croissants, fruit, and steaming mugs waited for them.

"Finally," Anna grinned. "Thought you might climb out the window."

Jean smiled sheepishly. "I considered it."

They sat together, a quiet calm settling in. Jean poured herself water and took a small sip.

Anna took a bite of her croissant and, with a nonchalant tone, asked, "So... you enjoy the show last night?"

Jean choked, the water going down the wrong way as she coughed and gasped. "W-What?!"

Anna smirked. "Come on, Jean. Don't act like I can't see it. You like Ethan."

Jean looked flustered. "I-I don't—I mean... I—"

"You do. It's okay," Anna interrupted gently. "It's not like you planned it. I could see it in your eyes for weeks now. And honestly? Ethan knows too. He just didn't know what to do about it."

Jean's shoulders slumped, the fight draining out of her. There was no point in pretending anymore. "Okay, fine," she sighed, staring down at her plate. "Yes, I like him. But I don't want to mess things up between you two. You're perfect together, and I'd never—"

Anna cut her off with a chuckle, waving a hand dismissively. "Relax, Jean. It's okay to have a crush. Ethan's… well, he's Ethan. Hard not to like him, right?"

Jean sighed as the tension in her shoulders loosening just a bit. "Thank you... for not hating me."

Anna gave a soft chuckle. "Why would I hate you for having feelings? It's Ethan. The guy's built like a god and kind as hell. I'd be more surprised if you didn't fall for him."

Jean gave a small smile, still unsure how to feel. Then, Anna leaned back with a mischievous twinkle in her eye. "So... wanna share him?"

Jean's jaw dropped as she spit piece of strawberry, "What?!"

Anna laughed before dodging the bite of food Jean nearly spit across the table. "You heard me."

Jean blinked in disbelief. "Are you serious? Did you hit your head or something?!"

Instead, Anna laughed—a full, hearty sound that filled the room. "Nope, still sane. Just say yes instead of being so dramatic about it."

Jean shook her head, bewildered. "I don't understand. What are you even talking about?"

Anna's expression softened, and she leaned back before folding her hands on the table. "Okay, let me explain," she said as her tone shifting to something more serious. "You know how I've got some of Anissa's memories rattling around in my head, right? Viltrumite stuff. Well, it's given me a new perspective. Where she's from, relationships aren't always one-on-one. Sharing a partner—it's not weird to them. It's about trust, connection, sometimes even strategy."

Jean stared at her, trying to process the words. "So… you're saying you wouldn't mind if I—if we—"

"If you and I both dated Ethan, yeah," Anna finished for her before nodding.

Jean was speechless. "And Ethan... he's okay with this?"

"I talked to him this morning," Anna said softly. "He was shocked, sure. But deep down, he feels the same way. He likes you too, Jean and finds you attractive. He just didn't want to hurt me. Or you."

Jean reached out with her mind, gently probing Anna's surface thoughts. There was no deception. No resentment. Just warmth and sincerity.

Anna noticed and smiled. "Told you. No joke. No trap. I trust you, Jean. And I trust Ethan."

Jean sat back, trying to process it all. "This is... a lot."

"It is," Anna agreed. "But it's also a chance. For all of us. I know it's unconventional. But look around us. Aliens exist. Magic exists. This world is insane. Who says love can't be just as crazy?"

Jean let out a breathless laugh. "You make a weird amount of sense."

Anna grinned as the two women ate in relative silence for a while, occasionally glancing at each other, both unsure and yet more relaxed than before.

Finally, as they cleaned up, Jean hesitated. Then, with a small smile, she said, "Okay. I'll do it. I'll share Ethan with you."

Anna's face lit up with a wide, genuine smile breaking across it. "Really? That's awesome, Jean!" She stepped closer as her eyes twinkling with mischief again. "You know, Ethan's a beast in bed. Together, we might actually stand a chance at wearing him out."

Jean's face went scarlet, the vivid memory of last night flashing through her mind—Ethan's strength, Anna's gasps. She managed an awkward smile, ducking her head. "Uh, yeah. Maybe," she mumbled, her voice barely audible over Anna's laughter.

"Come on," Anna said, nudging her playfully as they finished the dishes. "We'll figure it out together. Teamwork makes the dream work, right?"

Jean chuckled despite herself, a mix of nerves and excitement bubbling up. "Right," she agreed, glancing at Anna with a shy grin.

.....

Inside an unremarkable office, tucked away in a nondescript building, a man with a striking presence sat at his desk. He wore a sharp black suit, his gaze cold and calculating, with a single eye patch adding to his mysterious allure. In one hand, he casually sipped his coffee, the aroma mixing with the sterile air of the room.

A knock on the door broke the silence. "Come in," he commanded without looking up.

The door creaked open and a subordinate stepped in. "Director Fury, we have received the data on the destruction of Sinister's base," the man announced with a slim folder tucked under his arm.

Fury set his mug down with a soft clink, his one good eye narrowing as he gestured to the desk. "Let's see it, Coulson."

Coulson handed over the documents, a thin stack of reports stamped with classified markings.

Fury flipped through them, his fingers moving with practiced precision as he skimmed the details: the X-Men's involvement, the chaotic clash with Mr. Sinister, the wreckage left in their wake. It was a familiar story—mutants tearing through threats with raw power—but one name leaped off the page, unfamiliar yet striking: Ethan Carter.

Fury paused as his brow furrowing as he read further. According to the intel, this Ethan Carter was a newcomer with abilities that mirrored Storm's weather manipulation—summoning tempests and bending the elements to his will—coupled with a rare mastery of fire manipulation. The report speculated he could rise to Omega-class status in the future, a designation reserved for mutants with high potential.

He looked up at Coulson, his expression unreadable but intense. "This Ethan Carter," he said, tapping the name with a finger. "Weather and fire control, huh? Sounds like a walking disaster waiting to happen. What's his deal?"

Coulson shifted his weight before clasping his hands behind his back. "Not much on him yet, sir. He's new to the scene—popped up before the Sinister operation. The X-Men brought him in, but we don't have a full profile. His powers are volatile, though. If he's got Omega potential, that's a game-changer."

Fury leaned back, steepling his fingers as he processed the information. "Nice work digging this up, Coulson," he said, "I want you to get me everything you can on him—background, affiliations, the works. Set up surveillance too. If the kid got potential we need to be careful. I don't want another Magneto or Shaw slipping through our fingers."

Coulson nodded, "Will do, Director. I'll have a team on it by the end of the day."

As Colson left to carry out his orders, Fury returned his attention to the documents.

He was determined to find any leverage on the emerging threat and to neutralize potential chaos before it could erupt. The future of mutant relations—and perhaps global stability—might well depend on keeping this powerful new player in check. Not only him but others also.

...

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