(no subject)
Written for karrenia_rune
Title: Father Figure
Fandom: Mutant X
Rating: PG13
Summary: Jesse comes to terms with his greatest vulnerability
Betas: Thanks to D for her help
Father Figure
Jesse Kilmartin can alter his DNA, allowing him to manipulate the density of his body's molecular structure so that he is able to pass through solid matter by passing his atoms through the spaces between the atoms of the object through which he is moving. In other words, he can walk through walls...
When Jesse becomes super-dense he can crush and destroy almost anything without getting hurt. It also allows him to fall from a high altitude, withstand incredible g-forces and live through getting shot, stabbed or even electrocuted. In other words he’s like Superman...
You might think Jesse could withstand anything, but you’d be wrong, because Jesse Kilmartin is too trusting, almost to the point of appearing naive. No matter how many times he’s been proven wrong, Jesse still believes in the best in people - always giving the benefit of the doubt. This was never more evident than when he spoke of his father.
Noah Kilmartin is a master manipulator, only interested in his son’s usefulness to him. Jesse was just a tool to him - a means to achieving his own goals. He had Jesse created to his specifications, from the color of his eyes to his elemental powers... just a tool for him to use.
Despite all of this Jesse believed his father was a good man, a hero even, who was always there for him. Jesse was deep in denial, repressing the real memories - the truth of whom his father was - by creating the father he would want in his mind.
...
“Hey Dad!” Jesse smiled as he watched his father approach. “I ordered us a large with everything. It should be up in a minute.”
It was the day after the father-son martial art’s tournament and Jesse and his dad had finished a respectable second. They were celebrating today by having their favorite pizza at Giorgio’s - the large with every topping imaginable.
“That’s great, kid!” Noah said as he shook his son’s hand. “I see you got the jumbo-pop as well.” The man said with a smile as he took the seat opposite his son. “Enjoy this because we’re back to training tomorrow.”
“Aw, Dad...” The young man pouted.
“Don’t ‘aw dad’ me young man. We came in second yesterday. Do you want to come in second next time?” The serious words were tempered by a smile.
“No sir!” Jesse said with a mock salute.
Just at that moment the pizza arrived and the two dug in, laughing and joking until all the slices were gone.
...
“Has anybody seen Jesse?” Shalimar asked her fellow mutants.
Emma looked up at the blonde and frowned. “You know, now that you mention it, I haven’t seen him since breakfast.”
“Yeah, he’s probably hiding out since Adam wants us to do a clean up.” Brennan added.
Shalimar gave Brennan a look and turned to Emma. “He was supposed to be helping me test that new fitness program. It’s not like him to miss fiddling with a computer.”
“He has been spending a lot of time in the dojo lately. Maybe he’s there and doesn’t realize what time it is.” Emma said as she stood to head for the dojo with Shalimar in tow.
As they approached the dojo, Jesse was just coming out. “Hey guys, what’s up?” He asked with a huge smile on his face.
Shalimar just gave him a look, crossed her arms and started taping her foot. “What time is it?” she asked the now confused young man.
“Um, two-twenty?” He replied as he tried to figure out what had Shal so pissed. Then it dawned on him. “Oh shit Shal, I’m so sorry! I totally spaced... the fit-trac testing.”
“Right in one!” Shal laughed as she chucked the young man on the shoulder. “I’ll overlook your tardiness this one time, but you owe me.”
“Yeah, sure, no problem!” Jesse agreed as he quickly made his way to the lab.
Brennan just laughed and walked away, but Emma was getting some strange vibes from Jesse. She decided to take a walk in the dojo and try to read any residual emotions there. As she entered the room, she was immediately assaulted by a feeling of joy. That shouldn’t really cause her to be concerned, it’s just that the dojo is used for training and joy is not usually the strongest emotion after a session.
Later that night Emma was reading in the living room when Jesse entered. “Hey Jesse, what up?”
“Not much. How’s things with you?” Jesse asked as he took a seat across from her.
“Can’t complain.” She said then added quickly “I was wondering what program you were running in the dojo this morning.” Emma sensed an immediate sense of panic that was quickly covered.
“Uh, nothing special, just some drills.” He really didn’t want to reveal what he was actually doing, as it was personal. But he truly hated lying to Emma - to anyone for that matter - and so he decided to share. “That’s not quite true...” He paused, gathering his thoughts. “You remember me talking about my father, how I used to believe he was such a great man?” At Emma’s nod he continued. “I’d spent so much time building up this perfect father figure and giving anyone who said anything different such grief that it’s been hard for me to resolve his true nature.” Jesse brushed his fingers through his hair and let out a breath. “I’ve been running those made-up memories in the dojo - picking them apart to prove to myself that they were really not true.” He laughed bitterly. “I guess I’m still not quite able to believe that my dad was such a creep.”
Emma reached out with her powers to give him a sense of calm. “Hey, it’s understandable and I think it’s smart to try and disassemble those made up memories to prove they were not real.” She knew he wouldn’t agree to it but she had to offer. “I can help with that you know.”
Jesse smiled brightly at the brunette. “I know, and I appreciate that, but this is something I need to do on my own. I got myself into this mess so it has to be me that gets out of it.” Jesse though for a moment before adding. “I’d really appreciate it if you didn’t mention this to anyone.”
“Of course I won’t, but just remember, now that I do know, you can talk to me about it whenever you need to.” Emma assured him.
“Thanks.” There was an awkward pause and then Jesse stood to leave. “Good night, Em.”
“Night Jess.”
Jesse Kilmartin was standing up for himself and taking back his life. He was no longer going to live in denial of whom his father was and he was finally admitting that the father he fabricated was just that - a pseudo-dad created to appease his need for acceptance by a man that didn’t deserve his affection. Jesse Kilmartin was finally healing from the only wounds his superhuman body could sustain.
Fini
Title: Father Figure
Fandom: Mutant X
Rating: PG13
Summary: Jesse comes to terms with his greatest vulnerability
Betas: Thanks to D for her help
Father Figure
Jesse Kilmartin can alter his DNA, allowing him to manipulate the density of his body's molecular structure so that he is able to pass through solid matter by passing his atoms through the spaces between the atoms of the object through which he is moving. In other words, he can walk through walls...
When Jesse becomes super-dense he can crush and destroy almost anything without getting hurt. It also allows him to fall from a high altitude, withstand incredible g-forces and live through getting shot, stabbed or even electrocuted. In other words he’s like Superman...
You might think Jesse could withstand anything, but you’d be wrong, because Jesse Kilmartin is too trusting, almost to the point of appearing naive. No matter how many times he’s been proven wrong, Jesse still believes in the best in people - always giving the benefit of the doubt. This was never more evident than when he spoke of his father.
Noah Kilmartin is a master manipulator, only interested in his son’s usefulness to him. Jesse was just a tool to him - a means to achieving his own goals. He had Jesse created to his specifications, from the color of his eyes to his elemental powers... just a tool for him to use.
Despite all of this Jesse believed his father was a good man, a hero even, who was always there for him. Jesse was deep in denial, repressing the real memories - the truth of whom his father was - by creating the father he would want in his mind.
...
“Hey Dad!” Jesse smiled as he watched his father approach. “I ordered us a large with everything. It should be up in a minute.”
It was the day after the father-son martial art’s tournament and Jesse and his dad had finished a respectable second. They were celebrating today by having their favorite pizza at Giorgio’s - the large with every topping imaginable.
“That’s great, kid!” Noah said as he shook his son’s hand. “I see you got the jumbo-pop as well.” The man said with a smile as he took the seat opposite his son. “Enjoy this because we’re back to training tomorrow.”
“Aw, Dad...” The young man pouted.
“Don’t ‘aw dad’ me young man. We came in second yesterday. Do you want to come in second next time?” The serious words were tempered by a smile.
“No sir!” Jesse said with a mock salute.
Just at that moment the pizza arrived and the two dug in, laughing and joking until all the slices were gone.
...
“Has anybody seen Jesse?” Shalimar asked her fellow mutants.
Emma looked up at the blonde and frowned. “You know, now that you mention it, I haven’t seen him since breakfast.”
“Yeah, he’s probably hiding out since Adam wants us to do a clean up.” Brennan added.
Shalimar gave Brennan a look and turned to Emma. “He was supposed to be helping me test that new fitness program. It’s not like him to miss fiddling with a computer.”
“He has been spending a lot of time in the dojo lately. Maybe he’s there and doesn’t realize what time it is.” Emma said as she stood to head for the dojo with Shalimar in tow.
As they approached the dojo, Jesse was just coming out. “Hey guys, what’s up?” He asked with a huge smile on his face.
Shalimar just gave him a look, crossed her arms and started taping her foot. “What time is it?” she asked the now confused young man.
“Um, two-twenty?” He replied as he tried to figure out what had Shal so pissed. Then it dawned on him. “Oh shit Shal, I’m so sorry! I totally spaced... the fit-trac testing.”
“Right in one!” Shal laughed as she chucked the young man on the shoulder. “I’ll overlook your tardiness this one time, but you owe me.”
“Yeah, sure, no problem!” Jesse agreed as he quickly made his way to the lab.
Brennan just laughed and walked away, but Emma was getting some strange vibes from Jesse. She decided to take a walk in the dojo and try to read any residual emotions there. As she entered the room, she was immediately assaulted by a feeling of joy. That shouldn’t really cause her to be concerned, it’s just that the dojo is used for training and joy is not usually the strongest emotion after a session.
Later that night Emma was reading in the living room when Jesse entered. “Hey Jesse, what up?”
“Not much. How’s things with you?” Jesse asked as he took a seat across from her.
“Can’t complain.” She said then added quickly “I was wondering what program you were running in the dojo this morning.” Emma sensed an immediate sense of panic that was quickly covered.
“Uh, nothing special, just some drills.” He really didn’t want to reveal what he was actually doing, as it was personal. But he truly hated lying to Emma - to anyone for that matter - and so he decided to share. “That’s not quite true...” He paused, gathering his thoughts. “You remember me talking about my father, how I used to believe he was such a great man?” At Emma’s nod he continued. “I’d spent so much time building up this perfect father figure and giving anyone who said anything different such grief that it’s been hard for me to resolve his true nature.” Jesse brushed his fingers through his hair and let out a breath. “I’ve been running those made-up memories in the dojo - picking them apart to prove to myself that they were really not true.” He laughed bitterly. “I guess I’m still not quite able to believe that my dad was such a creep.”
Emma reached out with her powers to give him a sense of calm. “Hey, it’s understandable and I think it’s smart to try and disassemble those made up memories to prove they were not real.” She knew he wouldn’t agree to it but she had to offer. “I can help with that you know.”
Jesse smiled brightly at the brunette. “I know, and I appreciate that, but this is something I need to do on my own. I got myself into this mess so it has to be me that gets out of it.” Jesse though for a moment before adding. “I’d really appreciate it if you didn’t mention this to anyone.”
“Of course I won’t, but just remember, now that I do know, you can talk to me about it whenever you need to.” Emma assured him.
“Thanks.” There was an awkward pause and then Jesse stood to leave. “Good night, Em.”
“Night Jess.”
Jesse Kilmartin was standing up for himself and taking back his life. He was no longer going to live in denial of whom his father was and he was finally admitting that the father he fabricated was just that - a pseudo-dad created to appease his need for acceptance by a man that didn’t deserve his affection. Jesse Kilmartin was finally healing from the only wounds his superhuman body could sustain.
Fini