17. A Twist of Perspective

Ethan

Ethan woke slowly, awareness seeping in like honey. He luxuriated in the feel of Liam's warm, solid body pressed against his, the firefighter's head pillowed on his chest. A smile tugged at Ethan's lips as memories of the previous night washed over him - passionate kisses, wandering hands, the exquisite slide of skin on skin. Making love with Liam had been everything Ethan had fantasized about and more.

As if sensing Ethan's gaze, Liam stirred. Sleepy blue eyes blinked open, crinkling at the corners as a matching smile spread across Liam's face.

"Morning," Ethan murmured, voice husky with satisfaction. He dropped a kiss to the top of Liam's head. "Sleep well?"

Liam hummed contentedly, nuzzling into Ethan's neck. "Best sleep of my life. I could get used to waking up like this."

"That's the plan, sweetheart," Ethan replied, heart swelling with affection. He tightened his arms around Liam, marveling at how perfectly they fit together, like two puzzle pieces finally snapping into place.

They dozed for a little while longer, trading lazy kisses and gentle caresses. But eventually, the demands of the day could no longer be ignored. With great reluctance, Ethan extracted himself from Liam's embrace and climbed out of bed.

"How about some breakfast?" he suggested, pulling on a pair of low-slung sweatpants. "I make a mean omelet."

Liam stretched languidly, the sheet slipping down to reveal a tantalizing expanse of toned chest. Ethan's mouth went dry at the sight, desire punching low in his gut.

"Sounds perfect," Liam replied with a grin, as if he knew exactly what effect he was having on Ethan. The little minx.

They moved around each other easily in Ethan's spacious kitchen, shoulders brushing and fingers grazing as they prepared breakfast together. It felt so natural, so domestic, like they'd been doing this for years instead of hours.

As Ethan plated up the omelets, Liam poured them each a cup of coffee. He took a sip and let out an appreciative moan that went straight to Ethan's cock.

"Damn, that's good coffee," Liam praised, leaning against the counter. "Is this another one of your secret talents, along with crime fighting and cooking?"

"I'm a man of many talents," Ethan replied with a cocky grin. Then, because he couldn't resist, he leaned in and stole a coffee-flavored kiss.

They ate breakfast on the balcony, enjoying the view of the city skyline and the closeness of each other's company. A comfortable silence stretched between them, broken only by the clink of cutlery and the occasional contented sigh.

As Ethan watched Liam, the firefighter's face limned in the golden morning light, he knew he had never been happier. Whatever this was between them, it was special. Precious. Something to be cherished and protected at all costs.

"Hey, Ethan?" Liam asked suddenly, setting down his fork. "Can I ask you something?"

"Of course," Ethan replied easily. "Anything."

Liam hesitated, worrying his bottom lip between his teeth. It was fucking adorable, and Ethan was so gone for this man it wasn't even funny.

"Why tarot?" Liam finally asked, curiosity bright in his eyes. "I mean, I know our mutant abilities aren't always specific, but it seems like an odd choice for a vigilante."

Ethan huffed a fond laugh. He should have known Liam's inquisitive mind wouldn't let that detail slide.

"Well, my power is psychic projection," he explained, leaning back in his chair. "Basically, I can manifest constructs with my mind - weapons, shields, illusions, you name it."

Liam's eyes widened in understanding. "So the tarot is just a focus for your abilities, a way to give them structure."

"Exactly," Ethan confirmed with an approving nod. "I could project anything, but the tarot has always resonated with me. My mother was a reader, you see. Some of my earliest memories are of sitting on her lap while she told fortunes for the neighbors."

A wistful smile tugged at Ethan's lips as he lost himself in the memory. He could almost smell the incense, almost feel the worn velvet of his mother's skirt beneath his fingers.

"Anyway," he continued, shaking off the melancholy, "when my powers manifested, it just felt right to incorporate the tarot. It gives me a framework to work within, and honestly? It looks pretty fucking badass."

Liam snorted, rolling his eyes fondly. "Of course you'd say that, you dramatic bastard."

Ethan flashed him a roguish wink. "You love it, admit it."

"I admit nothing," Liam retorted primly. But the twinkle in his eyes and the quirk of his lips gave him away.

They fell quiet for a moment, content to simply bask in each other's presence. But eventually, the specter of the upcoming meeting with Dr. Novak intruded on their peaceful little bubble.

"So," Ethan said, taking a fortifying sip of coffee. "About this meeting today. I know we need to keep an open mind, but I can't help feeling a little uneasy."

Liam sighed, running a hand through his sleep-mussed hair. "I know what you mean. It's hard to trust anyone in this whole fucked up situation. But I think Zoe and Marcus are right. We need to at least hear Dr. Novak out, see what she has to say."

Ethan nodded, conceding the point. "You're right. We can't judge her until we have all the facts. And if she really is a victim in all this, then she deserves our help and compassion."

"Look at you, being all mature and shit," Liam teased, eyes sparkling with mirth. "I think I'm a good influence on you."

"Oh, is that so?" Ethan challenged, arching a brow. "Well then, by all means, feel free to keep influencing me. Thoroughly and repeatedly."

He punctuated the innuendo with a salacious once-over, gaze dragging over Liam's body like a physical caress. Liam shivered, pupils dilating with unmistakable desire.

"Don't tempt me," the fireman warned, voice dropping to a honeyed purr. "Or we'll never make it to that meeting."

"And that would be terrible, because…?" Ethan countered, only half joking. Faced with the prospect of spending the day in bed with Liam, unraveling the mystery of Dr. Novak didn't seem nearly so pressing.

Liam, ever the responsible one, just shook his head with a rueful smile. "Come on, horn dog. Time to put your game face on. We've got a conspiracy to unravel and a doctor to interrogate."

Ethan heaved a put-upon sigh, but obediently stood and began clearing the breakfast dishes. "Fine, but I expect a reward for my good behavior later. Something involving you, me, and a distinct lack of clothing."

"Play your cards right, and I think that can be arranged," Liam replied with a smirk, laying a smacking kiss on Ethan's cheek as he passed by with the empty coffee mugs.

It was a struggle for Ethan to keep his mind on track after that, but he managed. Barely. They got ready quickly, the banter flowing easily between them even as the gravity of the situation pressed close.

* * *

They pulled up to the nondescript office building where the meeting was set to take place, Ethan felt a flicker of unease skitter down his spine. He glanced over at Liam, saw the same mix of anticipation and apprehension reflected in the firefighter's blue eyes.

"Well, this is it," Ethan said, aiming for levity and falling just short. "Time to see if the good doctor is on the level, or if we're walking into a trap."

Liam reached over and squeezed Ethan's hand, the simple gesture grounding and reassuring. "Hey, whatever happens in there, we've got each other's backs. Right?"

Ethan brought their joined hands to his lips, brushing a kiss across Liam's knuckles. "Damn right we do. You and me against the world, sweetheart."

They allowed themselves one more moment of connection, foreheads pressed together and breaths mingling, before straightening up and slipping into their respective roles. Ethan donned his trademark cocky smirk, while Liam's face settled into a mask of cool professionalism.

Game faces firmly in place, they exited the car and made their way into the building. The receptionist directed them to a small conference room on the third floor, where Dr. Novak was already waiting.

She rose to greet them as they entered, a polite smile on her face. Ethan noted that she was younger than he'd expected, with sharp, intelligent eyes and an air of quiet authority.

"Mr. Hawke, Mr. Roy," she said warmly, shaking each of their hands in turn. "Thank you for agreeing to meet with me. I know this situation is…delicate, to say the least."

"That's putting it mildly," Liam replied, a hint of skepticism coloring his tone. "But we're here to listen, Dr. Novak. So why don't you start by telling us your side of the story?"

Dr. Novak nodded, gesturing for them to take a seat at the table. As they settled in, Ethan couldn't shake the feeling that something was off about her. It wasn't anything overt, just a subtle undercurrent of wrongness that set his teeth on edge.

"First, let me clarify one thing," Dr. Novak began, folding her hands primly on the table. "Contrary to what you may have heard, I am not a mutant myself. My interest in mutant genetics is purely scientific."

Ethan and Liam exchanged a surprised glance. That little tidbit went against everything they'd assumed about the doctor's motivations.

"Well, fuck me sideways," Ethan drawled, leaning back in his chair with affected nonchalance. "And here I thought you were one of us, fighting the good fight from the inside."

Dr. Novak's smile turned brittle at the edges. "I assure you, Mr. Hawke, my commitment to mutant rights is no less strong for my lack of an M-gene. But I understand your skepticism. Lord knows I've given you little reason to trust me, given my association with Genexis."

"About that," Liam interjected, leaning forward intently. "How exactly did you get involved with a company like Genexis in the first place? And what was your role in the experimentation on mutants?"

Dr. Novak sighed, a heavy, weary sound. "It's a long and complicated story, but I'll do my best to explain. When I first joined Genexis, it was as a research scientist working on gene therapies for chronic illnesses. The work was challenging but rewarding, and I truly believed we were making a difference."

She paused, taking a sip of water from the glass in front of her. Ethan watched her closely, trying to gauge her sincerity.

"Over time, however, I began to notice irregularities in some of the projects I was assigned to. Discrepancies in the data, unexplained gaps in the records. I started asking questions, and that's when I stumbled upon the truth about Genexis's real agenda."

"Which was?" Ethan prompted, impatient to get to the point.

Dr. Novak met his gaze unflinchingly. "The study and exploitation of mutant abilities. Genexis had been secretly experimenting on mutants for years, trying to isolate the genetic factors that gave rise to their powers. They believed that by understanding the mutant genome, they could unlock the key to human potential."

Liam made a disgusted noise in the back of his throat. "And let me guess, they didn't give a damn about the mutants they were using as guinea pigs in the process."

"No, they didn't," Dr. Novak agreed grimly. "The test subjects were seen as expendable, their lives and well-being secondary to the pursuit of scientific knowledge. When I found out what was really going on, I was horrified. I wanted to blow the whistle right then and there."

Ethan cocked his head, sensing a ‘but' coming. "So why didn't you? What made you decide to stay and become complicit in their sick little science fair?"

Dr. Novak's expression turned haunted, her eyes distant. "Because I thought I could do more good from the inside. I convinced myself that by staying, I could mitigate the worst of the abuses, maybe even steer the research in a more ethical direction. I thought I was strong enough to play double agent, to work within the system to change it for the better."

She laughed then, a harsh, bitter sound. "I was naive, and arrogant. I see that now. All I did was provide a veneer of legitimacy to their atrocities, a smokescreen for them to hide behind. And in the process, I became just as guilty as the rest of them."

Ethan studied her closely, trying to reconcile the genuine remorse he saw in her eyes with the nagging sense of wrongness that still prickled at his senses. Beside him, Liam shifted in his seat, clearly struggling with the same conflicting feelings.

"Alright, Dr. Novak," Ethan said, leaning forward with his elbows on the table. "Let's say we buy your little sob story about being an unwitting pawn in Genexis's game. That still doesn't explain why you stayed with the company for so long, even after you discovered what they were really up to."

He fixed her with a penetrating stare, watching for any flicker of deception or evasion. "You're a smart woman, a gifted scientist. You must have known that the work you were doing, however well-intentioned, was causing real harm to real people. Mutants who trusted you, who put their lives in your hands."

Dr. Novak flinched as if struck, her composure cracking for just a moment. "You're right, Mr. Hawke. I did know, on some level, that what we were doing was wrong. But I convinced myself that the ends justified the means, that the potential benefits of our research outweighed the individual costs."

She looked down at her hands, twisting them together in a nervous gesture. "I was arrogant, and blind. I believed that I could control the direction of the experiments, that I could steer us towards a greater understanding of mutant abilities without crossing ethical lines. But the truth is, those lines were blurred from the very beginning."

Ethan sat back, a grim sense of satisfaction warring with a grudging spark of empathy. He knew all too well the seductive allure of power, the way it could make you believe you were untouchable, invincible. But he also knew the bitter taste of regret, the weight of choices that could never be unmade.

"I understand the desire to push the boundaries of science," he said at last, his voice carefully neutral. "To unlock the secrets of the mutant genome and find ways to harness our abilities for the greater good. But at what cost, Dr. Novak? How many lives are you willing to sacrifice on the altar of progress?"

Liam, who had been listening intently, chose that moment to interject. "I don't think it's quite that simple, Ethan," he said, shooting his partner a meaningful look. "As a mutant myself, I know how desperate we can be for answers, for solutions to the challenges we face every day."

He turned to Dr. Novak, his expression open and compassionate. "I'm not excusing what you did, or the part you played in Genexis's crimes. But I do understand the impulse, the desire to use your skills and knowledge to help our people. Even if your methods were misguided, I believe your intentions were good."

Dr. Novak looked up at Liam with gratitude shining in her eyes, even as Ethan scoffed in disbelief. "Intentions don't mean shit, Liam," he argued, his temper starting to fray. "You know what they say about the road to hell, right? Paved with good fucking intentions."

Liam shot him a quelling look, a silent plea for patience and understanding. "I know that, Ethan. But I also know that the world isn't as black and white as you like to pretend it is. There are shades of gray, nuances and complexities that we can't just ignore because they're inconvenient."

Ethan opened his mouth to retort, but Dr. Novak cut him off with a raised hand. "Please, gentlemen. I appreciate your perspectives, but arguing semantics won't change what's already been done. All I can do now is try to make amends, to use what I know to help you bring Genexis to justice."

She took a deep breath, seeming to steel herself for what came next. "The truth is, I wasn't just a passive observer in their experiments. I was an active participant, a lead researcher on some of their most sensitive projects."

Ethan felt his blood run cold, his worst suspicions confirmed. "What kind of projects?" he asked, his voice deceptively soft.

Dr. Novak closed her eyes, as if blocking out a painful memory. "Gene-splicing, DNA manipulation, attempts to artificially induce mutations in baseline human subjects. We were trying to isolate the M-gene, to find a way to activate it on demand."

She opened her eyes, meeting Ethan's gaze with a haunted expression. "Some of the test subjects didn't survive the process. Others were left permanently disfigured, or driven mad by the strain on their minds and bodies. And those were the lucky ones."

Ethan felt bile rise in the back of his throat, horror and disgust churning in his gut. "Jesus fucking Christ," he breathed, running a hand over his face. "You were playing God, tampering with the very building blocks of life. How could you justify that, even to yourself?"

Dr. Novak flinched again, tears welling in her eyes. "I can't," she whispered, her voice cracking. "Not anymore. I've seen the error of my ways, the arrogance and hubris that led me down this path. And I will spend the rest of my life trying to atone for what I've done, even if it means sacrificing my own freedom, my own future."

Liam reached out and laid a hand on her arm, a small gesture of comfort and solidarity. "We appreciate your candor, Dr. Novak," he said gently. "And we'll do everything we can to make sure your information is used to bring Genexis down, once and for all."

He glanced over at Ethan, a silent question in his eyes. Ethan sighed, feeling the weight of responsibility settle heavy on his shoulders. As much as he wanted to condemn Dr. Novak, to write her off as just another monster in a lab coat, he knew it wasn't that simple.

She was a victim too, in her own way. A victim of her own ambition, her own misguided ideals. And if they were going to have any hope of unraveling this conspiracy, they needed her on their side.

"Alright, Dr. Novak," he said at last, his voice gruff but not unkind. "You've given us a lot to think about, and even more to investigate. But if you're serious about helping us take down Genexis, then we're willing to work with you."

He leaned forward, fixing her with an intense stare. "But let me be clear. If I get even a hint that you're double-crossing us, or holding back information that could save lives? All bets are off, and I'll personally make sure you rot in a cell for the rest of your miserable existence. Understand?"

Dr. Novak nodded frantically, fear and relief warring in her expression. "I understand, Mr. Hawke. You have my word, and my full cooperation. I only want to make things right, however I can."

The ride back to Ethan's penthouse was filled with a heavy, contemplative silence. Ethan could practically hear the gears turning in Liam's head as the firefighter stared out the window, his brow furrowed in thought.

"Penny for your thoughts, sweetheart," Ethan said at last, breaking the stillness with his trademark drawl. "You look like you're trying to solve the mysteries of the universe over there."

Liam glanced over at him, a wry smile tugging at the corners of his mouth. "Just trying to wrap my head around everything we learned today," he admitted, running a hand through his hair. "I can't decide if Dr. Novak is a victim or a villain in all this. Maybe a little of both."

Ethan hummed thoughtfully, tapping his fingers against the steering wheel. "I know what you mean. On the one hand, she seems genuinely remorseful for her part in Genexis's fuckery. But on the other hand, she still made the choice to stay with them, even after she knew what they were doing. That's not exactly the mark of an innocent bystander."

Liam sighed, his expression conflicted. "I get that, Ethan. But I also know how easy it is to get caught up in something bigger than yourself, to convince yourself that you're doing the right thing even when all the evidence points to the contrary. Especially when you're a mutant, desperate for answers and acceptance."

Ethan glanced over at his partner, feeling a swell of affection and understanding. Liam's empathy, his ability to see the shades of gray in even the most black-and-white situations, was one of the things Ethan loved most about him.

"You're right, babe," he said softly, reaching over to give Liam's knee a reassuring squeeze. "And that's why we make such a good team. You keep me from going off the rails with my righteous fury, and I keep you from getting too lost in the weeds of moral ambiguity."

Liam chuckled, covering Ethan's hand with his own. "A regular dynamic duo, huh? The cynic and the idealist, fighting crime and making the world a better place, one morally gray scientist at a time."

Ethan grinned, feeling some of the tension drain from his shoulders. Leave it to Liam to find the humor in even the most dire of situations.

"Speaking of our good doctor," he said, sobering slightly, "did you notice anything off about her story? Any inconsistencies or red flags that set your spidey senses tingling?"

Liam frowned, considering. "Not anything specific, no. But there were a few moments where her body language seemed…I don't know, evasive? Like she was holding something back, or not telling us the whole truth."

Ethan nodded grimly, his own suspicions confirmed. "I noticed that too. And call me paranoid, but I don't think it's just garden-variety guilt or shame. I think there's more to her involvement with Genexis than she's letting on, something deeper and darker than just a misguided attempt at playing both sides."

"You think she's dangerous?" Liam asked, his voice low and serious.

Ethan shrugged, a humorless smile twisting his lips. "I think anyone who's willing to experiment on innocent people, to play God with the very building blocks of life, has the potential to be dangerous. And I think we'd be idiots to take Dr. Novak at face value, no matter how convincing her sob story might be."

Liam blew out a breath, leaning his head back against the seat. "Fuck. Just when I thought this case couldn't get any more complicated, we get thrown another curveball. Remind me again why we signed up for this hero gig?"

Ethan chuckled, bringing Liam's hand to his lips for a quick, affectionate kiss. "Because we're gluttons for punishment, sweetheart. And because someone's gotta stand up for the little guy, even when the little guy is a genetically-enhanced super-being with the power to level a city block."

Liam snorted, shaking his head fondly. "You're ridiculous, you know that? But you're also not wrong. As much as I hate to admit it, we're in this for the long haul, aren't we?"

"Afraid so, babe," Ethan confirmed, pulling into the underground garage of his building. "But hey, there's nobody I'd rather have by my side as we wade through this clusterfuck of a conspiracy. You're my rock, Liam. My anchor in the storm."

Liam's eyes softened, a tender smile spreading across his face. "And you're mine, Ethan. My partner, in every sense of the word. I couldn't do this without you, any of it."

Ethan felt his heart skip a beat, a rush of emotion clogging his throat. He still wasn't used to this, to the raw, unguarded moments of vulnerability that Liam seemed to draw out of him without even trying.

But he was learning to embrace it, to let himself feel the depth and breadth of his love for this incredible, infuriating, utterly irreplaceable man.

They made their way up to the penthouse in comfortable silence, the events of the day settling over them like a heavy, contemplative shroud. As they stepped inside, shedding jackets and kicking off shoes, Ethan couldn't help but marvel at how much had changed in such a short time.

It was terrifying and exhilarating all at once, the knowledge that he was no longer alone in this fight. That he had someone to lean on, to trust with his deepest fears and his wildest dreams.