Chapter 18

18

XAVIER

D espite the balmy summer night, a comforting warmth wafted out from behind the blue door. It came laced with the smell of baked goods, every part of it whispering of home, of comfort, echoes of happiness from days long gone.

"Hello?"

My eyes caught up with the rest of my senses, taking in the woman before me.

Gray-haired, a fair golden complexion, and warm brown eyes twinkling along with a friendly smile. She was the queen of warmth, her aura radiant, special. I could already see why Roman loved her so much.

"Are you alright?" she asked, pulling her white cardigan around her small body.

I still hadn't answered her. "Hello. I'm here to…" Where did I even begin? "I'm here to speak with you and your grandson." Not the best of openings. "I'm sorry for disturbing you at this late hour."

"Who are you?"

"My name is Xavier."

She closed the door a few inches, her warmth cooling. "And what do you want with us?"

"I—"

"Who is it?" A familiar and slightly tired voice came from behind her.

My limbs turned to stone, my fear spiking. Suddenly, I didn't want to meddle in the past. This was Roman's history, his story to share with me in his own words.

"A man called Xavier," June Gold called back. "Know him?"

"Who?" Footsteps approached.

But what else was there for me to do? If I didn't try this, there would be no Roman of the past, and no Roman of the future. The longer this went on, the more at risk everything became. Who knew what would happen to the main timeline, the world, and the universe.

You have to be strong.

You have to return to him.

"I'm from the future," I said, deciding to be honest. "I?—"

The sixteen year-old version of Roman appeared, stepping off a set of carpeted stairs in shorts and a T-shirt. No artful stubble on his boyish face, his black hair fluffy and free of silver streaks.

"Xavier?" he questioned after a yawn.

Such an odd sight to see him so young like this. My brain further confirmed I was inside a different time period. One I couldn't wait to be free of.

"Here he is," June said.

Roman's amber eyes fell on me, his forehead immediately creasing. "What the fuck?"

"Language!" his grandmother reprimanded.

"Sorry." He approached on his bare feet, squinting his eyes. "This is so weird."

"What is?" June asked.

"I just…" He came up right behind her. "I just dreamed of this guy."

"You did?" I asked.

His left eyebrow cocked. "Yeah. Stand back, Grandma." Synth magic ignited across his hands. "Get ready to call the ADU."

As calm as the surface of a pond, June answered with, "Right you are."

"Step aside," Roman added. "I'll blast the shit out of him."

"Who are you talking to?"

"You, Grandma."

"I'll give you a minute for that to sink in."

He scowled at me, then bit his bottom lip. "Oh. Shit. I mean, sugar. Sorry."

She rolled her eyes at me. "Kids."

Regardless of the circumstances, they were adorable together.

"Don't smile!" Roman snapped at me.

"I'm not here to hurt you," I finally spoke, holding up my hands. "I'm from the future. I know you in that time, Roman. That might be why you dreamed of me."

"You were walking down a street," he said. "That's it. Worst dream ever."

June removed a handkerchief from her cardigan sleeve, dabbing at her nose. "This is strange." She still hadn't gone to call the ADU.

"And complete bollocks," Roman interjected.

"One more swear word out of you and there will be no banana bread for a week," June warned.

Roman paled at that, deflating somewhat. "Sorry."

His grandmother put her handkerchief away. "This is a lot to take in, Mr. Xavier."

"I know. I'm so sorry to disturb your evening like this. But the future might be at stake. May I explain?" I had to tell them everything, especially if Roman was having dreams of me.

How would this work? I'd hoped that as soon as teenage Roman saw me, magic would intervene. Maybe my plan required a spell, or physical contact to work. If my plan was an actual possibility.

I might be stuck here, dead and doomed to be trapped in this time forever, unable to move on to become the me of the future.

"Yes, you can," June answered before Roman said no. "But not out here. Come in."

"Grandma, I?—"

"This is my house. I decide who I want inside it."

Roman's expression flitted between chastised and furious. "What if he's a demon?"

"Not all demons want to kill us," she responded. "You know this."

I went to tell her of my true nature but held back. Saving it for when I told my story would be best. I might spoil any chance of getting them on my side.

"I'll make us some tea." June stepped aside, ordering Roman to do the same.

The witch kept his magic active, scarlet energy flickering across his fingers like fire. "One wrong move and I'll fuck you up."

"Knowing the future you, I'll take that as fair warning."

He frowned. "You?—"

"And there goes any banana bread for a week," June interjected.

"Ah, shit!" teenage Roman cried.