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[ Steve's laugh is contagious enough that Alex also chuckles. But wow, Steve, can't believe Peter's catching strays here. Somewhere within the fae realm, Peter sneezes. ]

What's up with all these bug-themed superheroes you guys have? [ Alex laughs some more. ] Next you'll tell me about Ladybug-Man or Moth-man or something.

I don't know. Just seems to be a theme. [ He shrugs and looks a little proud that he made Alex laugh so much. That's a good sign. ]

Moth-Man sounds pretty dangerous. He'd eat through all the clothes.

[ Steve's on a roll because Alex also laughs at that joke, remembering the party they just had. ]

Now that's an ability I wouldn't want to have, even if I'd be able to fly. [ He takes another sip of his beer once his laughter dies down a little. ]

You sure those are the only two bug-themed superheroes you guys have? I saw Spider-Man's also in the groupchat.

I mean, there's Scott's girlfriend. Wasp. But I think that's just because she flies. I don't think it has anything to do with actual insects.

[ Those are the ones that come to mind immediately. ]

Three isn't that many, I don't think.

Ant-Man's girlfriend's called Wasp. Guess it runs in the bug family.

[ Alex is having a field day with these names. He's still chuckling a bit before he ultimately stops. ]

But yeah, I think three's fine. All this bug talk reminds me of a mutant I knew before. Her name was Angel and she can spread wings like a dragonfly that's usually tatooed on her back.

Wow, that sounds beautiful.

[ The artist in him really likes the imagery. Maybe what he's imagining in his mind isn't the same as reality but that's fine. ]

My... friend has a few magical tattoos from this place. They give him some minor magic powers. [ He's been up close and personal with those tattoos recently. ] I wonder if the fairies there could do the same thing for someone.

[ Alex smiles, agreeing that Angel's mutation is really beautiful. Too bad they didn't get enough ~~screen~~time together before everything fell apart. ]

Sounds great for your friend. [ A beat. ] Been hanging out near that tattoo shop, too, thinking if I should get one. Maybe this is my sign to have one. Just haven't figured out what design I should get.

[ Again he taps his sketchbook with a finger. ] I could sketch out a few ideas for you. I did that with my friend too. We talked about what he'd like and I did a few quick ideas.

Unless you'd rather trust a professional tattoo artist and not a guy mostly trained in illustration and oil painting.

[ Alex shakes his head. ] Nah, I trust you. I feel like it'd be even more special if it's from a friend than someone else here.

[ Then, because he can't help but tease - ] You accept a kiss as payment?

[ While rolling his eyes he's also blushing about it. ] Friends don't have to pay for art. I'm happy to do it for free.

[ He doesn't know how to explain the complicated mess his personal life became after that party so he's not going to. ]

I'm better at black and white sketches right now. The head of my court took my red-green color vision and I'm still relearning how to tell the two colors apart.

[ Alex likes that blush on Steve's face. It really suits him. Also tells him that his teasing's successful. ] Alright, alright. Thanks in advance, big guy.

[ His amusement dies down, though, upon hearing how Steve's color vision has been taken from him. Alex frowns. ]

Sorry to hear that. I'm good with whatever sketch you can make, as long as it's not uncomfortable for you.

You do need to give me an idea of what you want for a tattoo and I can sketch something up. Unless you have no idea what you want. [ Steve can think of a few things he might design for Alex but he'd like to hear his ideas. ]

I was born color-blind and was an artist back then so it's just adjusting. And it hasn't stopped my art any while I've been here. [ Nothing but work really stops him from doing art. ]

That's the thing that's keeping me from getting one, I guess. Can't decide what I want, so I think I'd leave it up to you. [ Maybe when he sees Steve's designs, he'd be able to get a clearer idea of what he wants as a tattoo. Kind of like a jumping off point. To be fair, he thinks he'd like the designs Steve would come up with. ]

If that's the case, then I'm honored to have an artist like you design my tattoo.

[ Steve flips open his sketchbook to a blank page. He pulls a piece of charcoal from a belt pouch. ] Well, tell me more about yourself and I'll figure something out. Not sure you really want a tattoo that says "good kisser even when intoxicated".

[ Because what else he knows about Alex, his time at war, his death, those don't make good tattoos either. Unless he's looking for some sort of momento mori. ]

You know, that's not a bad tattoo design. [ Alex laughs at his own teasing. He almost adds something where he's making of fun of his own death, but he decides against it. ]

What do you wanna know? And how much time do you have? 'Cause I really don't know where to start. Kind of a simple guy who happens to have powers that can cause massive damage. Which is why they called me Havok.

Sorta like your codename, Captain Irish.

Is that what you want to be called? [ Seems like a very aggressive name for a nice guy. ] The serum didn't give me America powers. The name doesn't have to fit the powers. You could call yourself something else.

[ The other questions get a shrug. ] I'm here for dinner as long as you want to talk. It's not like either of us has a job to get back to. And there's not currently a crisis that needs us.

I got used to it. It's fine. [ Alex replies, but his smile diminishes. It's been a tough road to self-acceptance. He pauses for a bit, almost lost in thought, before continuing. ]

I mean, my powers are destructive. There was a time in my life where I willingly went to solitary confinement because I ended up hurting people. It's my way of... not wanting to hurt anyone anymore. Better I'm hidden, tucked away. [ His tone's a bit distant, if not also his expression, as if Alex is seeing into that particular memory of his. As if he's almost relieving them. ]

Charles and Erik found me and then helped me control my powers. I wouldn't know what I'd call myself. Never really thought about it. [ He pauses, frowning. ] For a while I'm scared of who I am, of what I can do. I'm not anymore, of course. I eventually learned how to use my powers to help and not just destroy, that's why I signed up to fight the war.

[ Alex pauses again, but his lips carefully tug up into a faint, if not wistful, smile. ] I wanted to help 'cause I know if I have these powers, it's for that purpose, and not to hurt.

[ Steve is, oddly, reminded of Bucky. Who put himself on ice just to keep from hurting anyone else. It's a noble choice even though it also feels unfair. But the right thing isn't always the easiest thing. ]

We've got plenty of people to look out for here. And powers like yours are helpful. [ Steve starts to sketch something like a sunflare. Helpful. Destructive. Distant. He's just following what he feels is a good fit. ]

Erik helped me with my court magic when it first happened. He's a good teacher.

[ Alex watches Steve begin to sketch. At first, he's curious what it might be, but decides he'll just wait until Steve's finished. ]

We do, and I intend to help whenever I can. [ Especially with the recent events that happened. ]

But yeah, Erik's a good teacher. Sometimes I find his methods better than Charles when it comes to teaching. [ Like when he pushed Banshee. That was fun. ] But they're both good.

[ Steve doesn't mind if Alex watches. He sketches in public all the time. People can watch. People can see. Art is meant to be shared. ]

I didn't get to know Charles well while he was here. He seemed nice. Wise. [ He had only two conversations with Charles before the man left. Steve thought he was really nice and a little too smart. ]

Shame. I think you would've really liked him. He's a natural leader, like you.

[ If Steve doesn't mind, then Alex will continue to watch him sketch. He hasn't been around artists far too often, so this is always something that piques both his interest and curiosity. Steve's a natural, though, and he can tell the man's skill just by looking. ]

Gave us all wayward mutants a home, literally. A sense of community we never got before knowing him.

From what Erik's told me, I think I would like him too.

[ The sunburst is starting to take shape as it curls around something not yet clear but something. ]

That's... that's what the Avengers are for me. A home I didn't have when I first woke up in 2012.

[ A soft, fond smile forms on Alex's lips. ]

Yeah, I can tell you guys are close. That's me with my fellow mutants back home.

[ His blue eyes soften as well as he watches Steve continue with his sketch. ] I'm glad you have a home in them.

Yeah, me too.

[ He pauses in his sketching for a moment, thinking about the choices people tell him he made. It doesn't sound good in comparison to this idea of home.

He shakes his head to snap himself out of it. ] Anyway, point is, I think we as a group can make a home here too. Not a perfect one but it's better than going alone or fighting among ourselves because of a difference of opinions.

I agree. In my case, this is the only home I have now, so like someone wise told me at a party, I'd have to take risks. Learn to live.

[ Alex pauses a little, his smile broadening. ] It'd do us all a favor if we don't fight among ourselves, especially when some of the fae here is out to get to us. [ He says this last sentence a bit quieter knowing where they are. ]

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