James took a moment to collect himself, biting back a nasty retort in the face of Max's colleagues. He understood the panic, but Max knew damn well why the X-men weren't an acceptable topic here, why joining them was such a debated decision. His heart
broke at the fear in his husband's voice and James stepped between him and the portal, the three stepping through put on the back burner for a moment. Casper always came first.
“Casper, babes, can you go get the emergency bags from the room? I swapped out Danni's clothes last month so they're not the old ones but if you want any of your products, I figured you'd know better what you like.” James spoke evenly, leaning in to press a kiss against Casper's cheek and laughing a little as Danni grabbed Casper's robe.
“And then think about where you want to go. We could do a beach trip - we've haven't taken the kids on a proper one yet. What do you think, Ben?” Casper was frozen in place, his skin clammy with a sheer layer of sweat already gathering. His mind was divided, tumultuous memories playing all at once - and as Max approached him, reaching out to take his hand, Casper flinched. He stepped backwards, just out of Max’s reach. He didn’t move away from James though, as James moved between him and the portal.
But even seeing his husband in front of him wasn’t enough to shake the darkness from swirling around in his mind.
”I… the bags?” He was having trouble focusing, even on the sweet press of James’ lips to his cheek, or his son grabbing onto his robe.
Ben was more focused. He narrowed his eyes, not angry at Max, but angry at the fact that Max was about to place himself in harm’s way. But he knew he wouldn’t be able to argue Max out of it - and Ben knew that he couldn’t go too, that someone had to stay with Dorian to protect him… and James could probably use the help, given how much Casper was shutting down. “I think the beach would be good. Maybe Thailand.” He then glanced at Casper again. They’d need to keep an eye on him.
Guilt rushed through Max as he watched Casper take a step back. He thought he could separate his home life from his time with the X-men, but it was clear that at some point they'd intermingle, and he didn't expect it to happen like this. He looked back at Annie, nodding as he tried to figure out how best to handle this new situation with Casper slipping.
”Penguin, that sounds like a wonderful idea. I forget not everyone spent their lives on the run with supplies at hand, so why don't all of you go grab what you need and we can meet back in 10 minutes or so?” He felt Jaclyn's hand reached his shoulder, trying to calm him down and plead for him to be more level headed. He hadn't realized it till then, but his heart was racing. The potential threat to his family has spiraled him out, much like Casper was doing now. He heard as Lance mentioned how they had no plan or idea on where she even was, and it clicked to him he hadn't verbalized a single thing.
”Sorry everyone. In all my panic I forgot to mention I have a lead…or two. Mary and I met in New Orleans, along with Gambit and what has been assumed to be her alternate personality,Chrysi. There's a place called the Thieves Guild, if she's contacted Gambit it could be that part of her has regressed back to that time, or there's some form of safety there I don't know. There's another mutant in New Orleans that would know of its whereabouts a bit better, coincidentally one I may need to Shephard out of here as well if she's up to it. Some of you may know her as Renegade. And if that lead dries out, we have several casters here than can locate her I'm varying ways with the Mystic Arts, myself included.” Max closed the gap between himself as Ben, reaching to hold his hand as his fingertips grazed the side of Bens. One hand gently squeezing his sons cheek as he looked Ben in the eyes and spoke softly.
”I'm sorry, I'm sorry for all of this. I got so worried I leapt without thinking knowing damn well I can't fly…If you guys need anything, anything at all while I'm fighting this, don't hesitate to call me. I'm only a Portal away.”Ben closed his hand around Max’s, holding his lover’s fingers for a moment - and perhaps the last one they’d ever have. “Don’t worry about us. James and I can handle this. Focus on… focus on coming back, okay? And if
you need back up… I’m here.”
Damn, James needed to get Casper out fast.
“Yeah, the bags. Just in case we had to move on the fly again, you remember? Come in, let's head to the bedroom and grab them.” James gently urged Casper to turn around, and started herding him away from the portal and the people pouring through.
Casper hesitated for a moment, before nodding numbly. He was normally so talkative, so chatty, so vibrant - but as he opened his mouth to speak, the words didn’t come to him. He let himself be turned away from the portal, from the X-Men - tried to will himself to feel the soft fur of his robes, to just feel his body. He couldn’t though - couldn’t control his breathing, his heart rate, his mind. All he could do was shuffle forward slowly, heading in the direction of his and James’ bedroom.
“I can handle both the kids for a while if you need me to, guys.” James offered. God knew James wouldn't be able to stay behind if Casper was throwing himself head first into danger and he certainly wouldn't begrudge Ben his opportunity.
“Just help me get Dorian settled when we cross over and you can zip right back.” James normally wouldn't have an issue getting everything together for everyone but he'd need to get Casper comfortable first so that he wouldn't bolt as soon as he took his eyes off the man.
“And whenever you all finish dealing with this, I'll be happy to come and patch you up. Just don't come back here.” James offered a strained smile to three guests.
”How did I get so lucky to have a husband like you? And your five as family?” Max said with a bit of a sigh as he smiled warmly towards Ben. He made his way over towards a nearby broom closet located within the hall and opened the door. He ran his fingers along the edge of the frame until a second portal appeared, this time to the lovely beaches of Thailand. Max closed the closet door and looked back towards his husband.
”Tell James and Casper this is their way out. When you guys are ready, take this closet door to Thailand, have fun, and don't worry about me. I always make it back in enough pieces for James to fix me up. Till then…” Max made his way back towards his original portal and looked at the two that had crossed as well as those behind the gateway.
”When you make it through we're going this way, through my portion of the house. Don't need any X-men going through the Kingston Side of the household.” He said as he directed everyone to go the exact opposite side of where he'd placed the second portal.