Chapter 092 – Bleecker Street

[2009 – August]

Sitting opposite her love on a small table outside a homey little cafe on one of New York's less busy streets, Jean couldn't help but smile as she watched the tiny little owl eat its breakfast alongside the both of them.

Elijah had prepared Arya's food before he had brought them here so that they could enjoy a change of scenery during their early meal, something, she knew in her heart, he had only done because he knew that she would find joy in it.

It wasn't that her love wasn't interested in a change of scenery but Elijah enjoyed peace and quiet far more than he enjoyed the busy streets of New York, even though he loved watching the city from above, the vibrant life and organized chaos seemingly attracting his attention, his deep green eyes sparkling when observing its beauty.

Jean herself on the other hand loved spending time in places with many people, even though she wasn't against basking in the intimate silence and peace she could only share with Elijah when they were alone, his presence enough to wash away any other desires and wishes that she might have.

Naturally, this was because her abilities had never allowed her to enjoy the hustle and bustle that came with being surrounded by other people during shopping trips or trips to amusement parks, as the unrelenting stream of thoughts rushing into her mind would have caused her to break down and most likely lose control over her powers.

Elijah's presence though had changed so much in her life, and she wanted to experience what had been kept from her now that her love shielded her mind from being ravaged by foreign thoughts, while she was also learning to do the same on her own from Emma.

Looking at her love as he sat there, quietly drinking his tea while gazing at her with those gentle green eyes, his handsome features framed by his wild black locks, his long muscular legs clad in some simple grey slacks, and his broad shoulders covered by a black long-sleeved button-down shirt.

He exuded an aura of calm and quiet strength, though Jean felt as if his presence was wrapped around her like a warm embrace, shielding her from wind and rain.

She herself couldn't quite understand how the simple presence of another human being could cause warmth and comfort to flood her mind and heart with such intensity, feeling as if she didn't have to be scared of anything just because Elijah was at her side.

Jean knew that her love was just a young man himself, barely a few months older than her, though there was something inside her that just believed that even if the sky fell apart, Elijah would hold it up.

It wasn't dependence that made her feel this way though, even though Jean would not hesitate to admit that she depended on Elijah a great deal.

He just had this 'strength' about him, something she had never seen in anyone else.

It was a strength that didn't account for his incredibly powerful mutant abilities but instead came entirely from within Elijah himself. She saw it in the way he moved and lived and even breathed, this innate sense of purpose and determination shining in the depth of his beautiful eyes.

Smiling gently as she took a sip of her juice, love and tenderness illuminated her lively green eyes while a slight breeze made her flaming hair flutter in the morning sun, the white lace short-sleeved body suit hugging the contours of her upper body and the loose light-blue jeans sitting on the enticing curves of her hips.

"If you continue to look at me with such eyes, I don't think we will be able to keep to our plans for the day, my love.", Elijah voiced out with a slightly strained smile, his eyes burning up with intense desire for just a moment as he did so.

A smile raising the corners of her rosy lips, Jean quickly hid it behind the glass of juice in her hand as she replied while lowering her gaze with a slight blush on her smooth cheeks.

"I promise nothing.", she countered quietly, her eyes settling on the baby bird that practically followed Elijah around everywhere.

Unable to stop herself, Jean ever so slowly extended her hand over the table until she finally reached the tiny owl, her fingers brushing gently over Arya's feathers while Elijah looked at her sneaky actions with a smile of his own.

Barely three days had passed since the baby bird had found its way into their lives, and Jean hadn't been able to pet and spoil the adorable little thing like she had wanted from the moment that she had first laid eyes on Arya, as the tiny owl didn't let anyone beside Elijah touch her.

Finally able to brush over her soft feathers, Jean fought hard to suppress her victorious outcry as she just focused on petting the little bird while it enjoyed its meal, subconsciously pressing its tiny body against her gentle fingers, which caused Jean's eyes to light up in joy.

Suddenly though Arya seemed to have sensed that something was wrong as she hopped to the side and quickly hid near Elijah's arm.

Jean knew that the tiny owl was much smarter than it should be, but the look of shock and betrayal as Arya stared at the hand that had just brushed over her soft feathers, yet didn't belong to Elijah, was still a surprise for her and she couldn't help but let out a peal of laughter.

"Hu hu hu!", Arya scolded fiercely while pressing herself against Elijah's arm, seemingly protesting Jean's giggle.

"Alright, alright.", Elijah interjected with a smile threatening to draw up the corners of his lips, "Jean didn't mean anything bad and she was very gentle, was she not?"

He calmed down the small avian while brushing over Arya's little wings and head, and as if understanding him the tiny owl stopped her scolding while leaning into his touch, though her eyes still displayed hesitation and suspicion as she looked at Jean.

Jean knew that Elijah had created a link between himself and the small owl with his Self-Creation, but seeing them communicate so intimately was still an incredible sight, not to mention also too damn adorable.

It was a few minutes later when all three of them had finished their breakfast when Elijah placed the tiny bird back into his breast pocket, which he had to fill with a piece of fabric, as it was too deep for Arya to poke her head out otherwise.

They left the small cafe and walked down the block towards their destination while Jean couldn't help herself from placing her hand in Elijah's, intertwining their fingers, her other hand holding onto his forearm intimately.

It wasn't a long walk though as they reached 177A Bleecker Street in no time, a bald African-American man already standing at the door to greet them.

"Greetings, Mr. Frost. Welcome, to the New York Sanctum.", he said with a clear and deep voice, before turning his gaze to Jean, "And welcome too, Miss Grey. My name is Daniel Drumm, Master of the Mystic Arts of Kamar-Taj and the protector of the New York Sanctum, and it is my honor to welcome the host of the Phoenix Force as a guest of the order."

"The Ancient One is expecting you.", he ended with a calm smile.