Warren walked to the full length mirror inside his parents' closet and looked at himself. He didn't like what he saw. Underneath his long overcoat were small feathered wings, enough to be hidden but that didn't mean they were erased. They were apart of Warren since college.
During his first few years in college Warren noticed changes within himself. He thought he was sick which led him to seeing his personal physician. Warren was personally distraught to learn the moment he was a mutant. One of society's outcasts; he wasn't prepared for this life or what the world was going to do to him if they found out. His doctor told him for his safety that he had to keep it a secret, even from his family. Warren had even gone as far as to consider amputation upon his hollow bones. His physician said it would require a complex procedure, as a side effect Warren's spinal cord would be affected in the process. The risk was too great.
Warren clenched his teeth while immersing in the memory. It was a strange time to be what he was given his status position in his family. How could anyone accept him now that he has become what society feared the most? The unknown. Over time his wings grew until he reached adulthood. Warren grabbed his forehead for not going through with the procedure when he had the chance. His doctor told him once his mutation was in full form, it would near impossible to try surgery on the wings. Though hollow and narrow, shaped like a bird's, they would be strong, like a set of teeth. Removing them will be an eternal choice. They would do permanent damage to his back skeletal area and he knew he didn't want that.
When they first grew they hurt, the pain spread throughout his entire body. He felt sweat forming as hot and cold tremors erupted, like he was passing a fever. He shivered nonstop until they finally ceased growing. Warren felt his back inside his dress shirt and suit jacket. The memory of those moments still haunted him as he tore himself away from the mirror. His body felt almost numb to the amount of tears he shed during that time. He told himself he wasn't going to relive that pain anymore.
The longer he stared the more he hated what he saw, it was hopeless. His father wasn't going to ever accept him and neither was anyone else for that matter. His mother explained to him that feeling this way was not going to be the end; he would see the light of day the more he grew into who he is. Warren didn't believe that logic, so much has happened in such a short amount of time. Not having to go outside and reveal who he really was had never felt harder for him.
"Warren, are you here sweetheart?" Warren turned to the angelic voice, smiling sadly at his mother dressed to elegance looking at him in a sympathetic manner.
"Yes, I'm sorry. Is he mad?" Warren asked, assuming his mother knew what he meant by referring to "he."
She shook her head, walking inside the room and closing the door behind her gently. "He was asking for you."
Warren took a deep breath and paced around the room, trying to see if there was anything he could preoccupy himself with. He knew stalling would anger his father but part of him didn't care. Having to pretend to be normal for the sake of the Worthington name, Warren had no desire to uphold its legacy. Having it already rest on his shoulders was weighted enough. Warren bared that burden more than he ever wanted; his father never let him forget the name. Image, reputation and status were the only valid pillars to his father. And Warren would see none of it if people knew who he really was.
"Tell him I will be there, I just need a moment to collect myself." He said as his mother came to his side, touching his back gently.
Warren looked at her, watching her face grow somber then turn to worry. He hated seeing his mother this way and most of all, hated that he was the reason behind her distress. She didn't deserve to feel this way.
He pulled her in his arms, embracing any concern and anxiety she felt for him. If he knew the secret to make all of her pain go away he wouldn't hesitate to use it. His mom was thrust into all of his problems, his father wasn't helping anyone, but the least Warren could do was make his mother feel safe. She was the only person who truly loved him, mutant and all. Everything Warren hated about himself, his mother made him feel loved and cared for.
"I understand how you feel. I know he won't change his ways. Maybe deep down your father still loves you; I wish things were different Angel."
Warren smiled as he moved his tears away but they refuse to listen as they fell from the corners of his eyes. He blinked several times before wiping the spots where they fell and masked the emotion building on his voice. He prayed his emotions wouldn't get the better of him, he needed to stay strong; he had to for his mother.
"We both can't change him mother. He will do whatever he wants to do. I'm trying to accept that. Sometimes it's too hard for me. But I don't want you to worry for me. I am OK, I can't put you through any more of this, and you're the only one who cares about me; that means everything."
Kathryn pulled away to look her son in the eye as she spoke. "I said nothing will change, nothing has changed. You are still my son; you're still a beautiful man in everything you do. I believe you can do anything you put your heart into. Soon, I know it, soon you will find someone who will see everything you are and love you unconditionally. I mean that my son, my Angel."
Warren's face flushed slightly as she repeated the term of endearment. "I don't know what the future holds for me. I just don't want you to suffer for anything that happens to me. Father and I will never see eye to eye. I'll be nuisance to the name, I know it. If you're feeling pain in any way I know I can't bear it, it doesn't matter if I find someone just like you, knowing you're hurt for any reason will ruin me inside. I can't have that happen because I need you here with me."
Kathryn kissed his forehead, leaning hers onto his. "You worry too much about me my sweet boy. Someone needs to care for you more than me. I am fine, your father is probably going to remain uneasy but I can't have my only child feeling the way he does. It breaks me to see you in pain, I feel like I'm dying with you and I honestly need you to take care of yourself, you do too much for me. Life is more than just being selfless Warren. You deserve your happiness and I believe you will receive it one day."
Warren took both his mother's hands, kissing them as she smiled at him sincerely. "You're my happiness. Nothing will change that."
Kathryn kissed his cheek, giving him a strong hug before slowly letting go. "Do you need a minute longer? Take your time."
Warren smiled, pulling the tie on his freshly pressed designer suit. He almost hesitated to ask her but his heart gave out when she gave him a lingering tender look.
"Can I ask for 20 minutes?"
"Is something the matter?" She asked with worry to her tone.
He shook his head, began taking off his jacket and loosened his tie as he stared outside his window for a moment.
"I want to fly."
Kathryn leaned close to his ear, whispering inside, "Go on my son, your father will just have to understand."
Warren moved outside to the balcony window looking outside, closing his eyes at the sunset that was disappearing by the seconds from view.
He removed his tie, letting it dangle over his neck; he could feel his wings begin to twist in anticipation for the open air. It was so beautiful, it was begging him to take flight and all he wanted to do was listen to the calling.
"He has to; this is what I was meant to do. What if I could use this? Whatever this is that I have—what if I was given this for a reason? Do you think the world would be scared if I tried to help them? If I showed them who I really am?" Warren asked, leaning over the railing as he felt his mother come near his side.
Kathryn observed him for a few moments, taking in the man she had grown to love from the moment he came into her life. The bond between was too strong a hold, she couldn't imagine her world without him, seeing him so strong, so powerful with ideas, it made her proud to trust him in whatever he chose to do with his life.
"In time they will accept you like I have; they will see you aren't a threat to them the more you show them a better world. Most of us could benefit from doing more. You were made for doing this Warren; I believe it with all my heart." She said, taking his hand, holding it like she has many times before.
Warren swallowed his fear of the outside world. He shook every notion his father ever gave him that he wasn't worth more in life, living this way, being a mutant, can it really change from here on? His mother seemed adamant on proving him worthy but his insecurity had been strong since he first discovered his abilities.
A gust of wind blew over his face and he felt as if he had his answer. He looked at his mother with pride before stripping off his shirt and tie, unloosening the harness allowing his wings access to finally breathe. He stretched them out to made sure they still were alive. Being pinned down constantly he worried they were too bent for flight but he knew they were as strong as his will to use them.
He faced his mother as she waited to see what he would do. She nodded, moving to give him space as he took a deep breath before walking to the balcony. He observed the the height above, he knew it well while he turned to his mother, smiling.
"Tell father not to worry about me. I'm learning to live with everything life gives me. I owe everything that's good in me to you, for making me this way. I don't feel so alone anymore." He admitted, taking more deep breaths.
Kathryn smiled as she thought of the girl she met the other day in the hotel. The one that reminded her so much of Warren, it was a shame she said their goodbyes, she would have wanted the girl to meet her son.
"Soon you will realize you won't feel so alone, even if I'm not around. I can promise you there is somebody out there going through exactly what you are, and they will understand you. I feel it."
Warren took in what his mother said, slightly smiling upon the idea that there is someone somewhere just like him, a mutant. Someone struggling with life and whether to keep living it. Wishful thinking was his best conclusion, his mother was his only comfort now. It was just her and the open skies.
He looked out, noticing the entire sky covered in navy blue night time. "It's always so beautiful, the sky at this time, if I could do this every night of my life then I would feel more confident in myself and what I can really offer the world. I know it's almost silly, but I feel like my purpose is worth more than I think it is."
"It's not silly my Angel. It's real and honest, you are always more than what you think."
"Perhaps you're right. You should stand back, I'll return soon." He said, preparing himself like he did the last time he took flight. He stared back at his mother before standing straight on the railing keeping his balance. "I carry you with me everywhere I go and I will never stop. You are my angel, I'm doing this for you, every time."
Kathryn beamed a bright smile as Warren expertly jumped off the railing, stopping mid-air as his wings supported his body in stagnant flight. He faced the sky, letting his wings raise his higher and higher until he felt complete aerial wonder.432Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAafaVxvLJS
