"Don't even think about it!"
No matter how much Jean struggled, Peter didn't loosen his grip in the slightest. His expression remained calm, almost indifferent, as he held her firmly in his arms. Every attempt she made to break free only made her more aware of his strength—his unyielding dominance—and the warmth that seemed to seep straight into her bones.
"You… I'm much older than you."
Realizing force wouldn't work, Jean softened her approach, trying to reason with him instead.
"I like older women," Peter replied without hesitation. "Or should I say… maybe 'aunt'? That's fine too. I don't mind. Age is just a number—it doesn't stop how I feel about you."
He lifted his chin slightly, looking completely unashamed—almost proud of how outrageous he sounded.
"Other people will mind," Jean said helplessly. "You can't live your life under everyone's judgment. You should find someone your own age… like Wanda."
Peter scoffed.
"Our life has nothing to do with anyone else. Wanda is Wanda. You are you. I'm not giving up either of you, so you might as well stop trying."
He flashed a wide grin—shameless, confident, utterly incorrigible.
And yet—
The fire in his eyes was real.
So intense that Jean froze for a moment.
A strange warmth rose in her chest as memories from that dream world resurfaced—the emotions, the closeness, the connection they had shared.
For a fleeting second—
She hesitated.
But then—
Everything changed.
…
From the ground nearby, several figures finally began to stir.
The X-Men—who had been knocked out—were waking up one by one.
Wolverine was the first to rise.
Cyclops followed shortly after.
And then—
As if fate itself had a twisted sense of humor—
Scott looked up.
"Jean!"
Relief filled his voice at first.
But the next second—
It shattered.
"Jean…?"
Confusion. Shock. Disbelief.
He had just woken up, worried sick about her—
Only to find her in another man's arms.
Somewhere, it felt like a metaphorical green light had just descended from the skies… landing squarely on his head.
"System… how much would it cost to sacrifice something and get a green hat?"
Peter casually thought to himself.
He was pretty sure he still had a few dollars in his pocket. Buying a hat shouldn't be a problem.
And this one—
He was definitely putting on Scott's head.
Properly.
Like a dunk straight out of an NBA highlight.
Jean, however, looked extremely awkward.
Just moments ago, she had been on the verge of giving in.
But now—
With her actual boyfriend standing right there—
She didn't know what to say.
What was she supposed to do?
Tell him—
"Scott, I've always seen you as a brother"?
"We grew up together, so it's just family affection, not love"?
"I couldn't even bring myself to kiss you—didn't that clue you in?"
…Yeah.
If she said that, Scott might just rip off his visor and blast the planet in half out of sheer emotional devastation.
"Let go… for now," Jean whispered near Peter's ear.
"No."
Peter huffed lightly.
Not only did he refuse—
He tightened his arms around her even more.
What had been a careful hold before now became firm and possessive, as if declaring ownership right in front of Scott.
And that—
Was the final straw.
"Let go of Jean, you brat—who the hell do you think you are—"
Scott didn't get to finish.
An invisible force wrapped around him instantly, locking his body in place. Even his mouth was sealed, reduced to muffled sounds.
"Mm! Mm!"
"He's saying 'kiss her,'" Peter said with a grin.
Scott's eyes widened in fury—
Though, of course, no one could actually see them behind the visor.
Jean's expression grew complicated.
Seeing Scott restrained so easily…
Seeing Peter's overwhelming control…
And then—
Feeling the lingering emotions from that dream.
The truth became harder to ignore.
Her gaze shifted.
Back to Peter.
Those eyes—
Burning like fire.
Warm. Intense. Irresistible.
More people were waking up around them, groans and movement filling the air.
But Jean's heart—
Was settling.
Choosing.
Her eyes softened, then ignited with a heat that could melt steel.
"I'm sorry, Scott."
She turned to him.
To the man who had grown up with her.
Fought beside her.
Shared years of life together.
And yet—
Was no longer the one she chose.
"Mm! MM!!"
Scott struggled violently.
Emotions surged wildly within him.
To prevent any accidents—
Peter snapped his fingers.
Thud.
Scott—who had just managed to get back up—
Collapsed again.
Unconscious.
"Honestly, this is better for him," Peter said lightly, offering Jean a small smile.
What he didn't say out loud—
Was what he truly meant.
There was no way he'd tolerate another man harboring feelings for his woman.
Unless—
That man stopped having those feelings altogether.
Changing someone's preferences…
Was far more merciful than killing them.
Right?
Peter nodded inwardly, fully convinced by his own reasoning.
Jean didn't ask what he had done.
At this point—
Her past had already begun to fade.
Her mind—
Was filled with only one person.
Looking at the youthful face in front of her, something inside her ignited completely.
She had always been rational.
Composed.
Controlled.
But now—
She felt like a girl in her first love.
Reckless.
Unrestrained.
And finally—
She stopped resisting.
Instead, she wrapped her arms around Peter—
Returning his passion with her own burning intensity.
The sound of waves suddenly crashed against the shore.
Out of place.
Intrusive.
At the same time—
The distant thrum of helicopter blades filled the sky.
The battle had ended.
And now—
Humanity was arriving.
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T/N:
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