OOC: Continued from the classroom thread.

Zeke placed his half-drank water bottle into his coat pocket and then linked arms with Severity. "Yeah, sometimes people can take stuff weird... but I'm not usually one of those people. I just get frustrated with those who have no respect... you know what I mean? I'm glad you're not like that..."

Leading her away from the classroom, he headed down the hall and through a few corridors. When they reached the door, he unlinked and opened the door with his right hand, while motioning outside with his left... "After you, Evie." He smiled.

"Yeah, can't stand those people, they get on my nerves. Just wanna punch them sometimes, but no! Punching people doesn't always give good results." She chuckled before he opened the door for her. "Ah, why, thank you."

When she walked out of the doors and into the outside, if that makes sense, she turned back to Zeke to speak again. "So any particular reason why we went outside? Just 'cause of the swings?" She smiled again before moving over to the swings and sitting down on one after flicking a leaf from it. When she sat down, she sighed, as if it was quite relaxing, brought back quite a few memories, though.

Zeke chuckled too. "Mmmhmmm... I know what you mean. But like you said, violence isn't always the answer. Being a mutant brings that idea to the forefront. I've found that with much power comes much responsibility, and so I've tried to learn to live that way in my life." He followed her out the door, and was stunned byu the brilliant sunlight which hit him square in the face. The birds all around were chirping, and the smell was like the smell of amazing lillies. It was incredible out here.

Zeke closed his eyes and let his other sense take control. He enjoyed being out here sometimes. A lot of people went through life and missed the simple things like this. When Evie questioned his reasons for being outside, he opened his eyes and stared deep into hers. "For starters, look around... feel around... sense around. Isn't the nature world amazing?" Then he motioned over to the swings, never once letting his eyes wander from hers, "The swings are a big part of it too. Their relaxing and fun, and so I'd rather enjoy that with you than stand in hallway..." He chuckled.

He felt so peaceful around her. Everything bad in his world faded away, and everything good stood out fantastically. Right then and there, Zeke realized this girl was more than just another mutant at the mansion. This was a friend who could drastically change his life for the better. After Nightdream he had thought nothing would ever be good again, but when he found Evie he knew he thought wrong. This girl, in a way, completed who he was. While these thoughts rushed through his head, he just stared at her and smiled.

"I hate it when people think like that, think that we should never get angry because heaven forbid if a mutant throws a temper tantrum. So what are they gonna do? Drug us so we're so happy that we'll never cause any bad stuff? People can be just as reckless without powers, like driving, especially drunk driving, that's a lot of power that you can take someone's life from. You don't need a mutation to be considered 'dangerous' and the good mutants seem to be better than the good humans because they're trying to proove that they're good." She paused and rewound the rant in her mind before decided...no, that didn't make any sense. "Wow, sorry, just ranting, hope that made sense." She blushed before looking down.

When he mentioned how beautiful it was to be outside and how they should appreciate it, she smiled and the blush faded. "I guess I've been so busy looking at stuff inside to make sure..." She paused as she quickly searched for something to cover up that last sentence. She trusted Zeke, but stating that she was afraid of her sociopath father would be pushing it, just a little bit. "Um...well, I dunno where I was going with that." She sighed, the oldest one, but it still worked, on occasion. However, her cover-up was only able to mask the statement with a thin sheet, but not her facial expression as she frowned and looked at her toes. "Point is...that I don't really look around me too much and I don't really appreciate how great it is out here until I really have the time, or until someone reminds me. So thanks." She smiled as her eyes raised and met up with his.

Ezekiel just listened as she talked... just listened. He nodded a few times, and listened. This girl is amazing... His mind kept playing over and over. He truly thought this girl was the greatest he had met in a long time... since Nightdream. Can't go there... He told himself, Can't think of Beth at a time like this... not now... not ever... He allowed himself to refocus on Evie and heard the last part of her statement about making sense. He smiled and replied, "Yes, that makes total sense." He walked over the lawn, and led her to a swing, then sat in it gently and waited for her to sit.

Then she started to talk about how busy she was. Zeke truly felt sorry for her. When you're running so much that you can't stop and enjoy life... that's when you're in trouble. He remembered the numerous times in his life, especially recently, where he had done the exact same thing. He was so happy that he could remember to slow down now, and with this person at his side.

When she said the words, 'to make sure...' and paused, Zeke could sense something was wrong. Her facial expression had changed and she was becoming a little uncomfortable. Sitting beside her, he could tell something was not right at all. Maybe he should lighten the mood? Maybe he would be pushing it though? No... he decided to try. As she tried to backtrack and explain that that she didn't know where she was going with her statement, Zeke just knowlingly smiled and said, "It's fine, I understand Evie. We're very much alike."

He listened to her next statement intently and gazed into her eyes when they shot up toward his. He just smiled at her. "Your welcome. Anytime." For about ten seconds he just held the gaze, and then slowly started to speak. "Maybe we can talk about something more important and light hearted?" He still held the gaze, "Evie, you mean a lot to me, and I like you a lot. You're one of the very few people I trust on this campus. You're an awesome friend and you make me laugh. I like that." He paused. Just come out and say it Zeke... just say it. Abruptly he spoke, "I think I'm falling in love with you." His facial expressions were now very serious, but still smiling.

After sitting next to Zeke, a sigh of relief overwhelmed her as she saw that he did not question her pause. Then again, after feeling so comfortable around him, she would not have minded telling him about her dad that much, it still pained Evie to mention her dad, but Zeke was one of the very few that she would trust with her painful memories. She smiled in return as a way of saying 'thanks for leaving it at that', yet in a kind way.

When Zeke then stated that he felt comfortable around her, she couldn't help herself, she blushed...again. She felt the same about him and it showed in her gentle facial expression. Then the word 'love' rang in her ears. Zeke was falling in love with Evie? But, this can't happen to me, I thought I would never fall in love or have someone fall in love with me. I'm too different, too unloved, too unwanted. She thought, her mind raced along with her heart. "I have a feeling, but I don't know what love is so is it love? But it's something, and it's something strong. Is it love?" She asked out of honesty as she looked into his eyes. Evie was too naive for her age, uneducated in love.

Zeke could see she was relieved that he had left her past alone. He typically would have been the type to try and bring out that kind of thing in people. But he could tell that it was a place of huge insecurity for Evie, so he treaded very lightly in the area. He didn't want to make it harder on her than it was.

He saw her blush and just smiled back. Her feelings were obvious on her face... he thought. Maybe that had not been the best move? Oh well... what was done, was done. He oculdn't change what he had said, only move ahead with what he had. Which was love...

"Feelings you say? You are young Evie, and so am I. Perhaps you are too young for love? Perhaps not. When you experience love, you will know it is love. If you love me... you will know it deep down, although on the surface you may not. Search deep, and you will find yourself. It takes but a moment, but lasts for a lifetime." He paused. "What do you think? What do you see in that heart of yours." He gently nodded his head, as he kept gazing at her.

((I am SOOOO sorry! I have been in New York! It was a surprise!))

Evie closed her eyes and, well, searched herself. Words can't describe how she felt, but if the feeling had to be put on paper, I guess it would say something along the lines of 'her heart took flight, like a bird set free', but that's the poetic version. What Evie felt was deeper and more controlling. "I guess it is love. Is it supposed to feel like my heart is gonna burst outta my chest? 'Cause that's pretty much how it feels right now."

Evie blushed again and lowered her head and her eyes before bringing only her eyes to meet with his. She felt sort of ashamed because she really did not know how love felt and he did and she didn't know how to react at that time, but he did. It made her feel as though she was behind in times, like he was the better one in this growing relationship because he knew how to work in a relationship and I mean, mean it and get deep. Evie wasn't used to that, but she admired it.

He watched her close her eyes, and in that brief moment he stole a second to close his own. It felt good to be here, away from the chaos of normal life. Just sitting here with an amazing girl at his side. Discussing love instead of war. There was peace here, and he loved it. Much rather be here than in a battle somewhere... or running from something for that matter.

Then, he opened his eyes and saw her. In that moment he felt lighter than air. Her eyes closed, her thoughts deep. He could see there was something here. Right here. Between these two souls there was a connection. He listened as she spoke about the feelings in herself. Then he chuckled quitely without losing his gentle smile, "You feel like you're gonna' burst eh? That's love if ever I heard it."

He saw her blush and gave off a bit of a blush himself. "Don't worry about it. I can see that you've never really been in a relationship before. That's okay... I can help you through it. I don't have very much experience myself. Maybe it's better that way? We can learn together..." He kept smiling.

Then he became a little more serious, "Here's the catch Evie. If we begin some sort of relationship, you may have to accept a little heat. After all, a girl going with the professor is going to lead to a little heat. I also want to make absolutely certain this is waht you want. If you don't, please tell me now. But if you're willing to face the tide of this school's thoughts on us... then I want to face them by your side."

He grabbed her hand and held it with both of his. "So what do you say, will you learn about all of this with me?"

Evie sighed in relief when he reassured her that it was love. She had always heard that love was so hard to come by, but that didn't seem to stop them in this situation. Then again, there was always 'love at first sight'. Evie never did believe in that, she used to think that love had to bloom over a period of months, but now she reconsidered. After all, she was in love and she did not have a 'blooming' relationship with him, well, it was just begining.

"Heat? I can handle heat. I don't really see what the big deal is, you're not an old professor and I'm not that young of a student. I mean, if anyone wants to give me crap, then that's what they choose, I've already chosen my path. It's sitting right in front of me and holding my hand." She smiled, looking deeply into his eyes. She had taken crap from people before, what's a little more stress? Not very much considering how the good now weighs out the bad. And the good is Glare.

Fallen leaves around the new couple began to rise. It was an opposite effect that Evie was creating without knowing it. Usually, when she is upset, things are pulled down and occasionally, sucked into the Earth some. But she was emotionally happy and excited, so her powers reacted in an opposite manner, even though she did not recognize it.

Ezekiel was very happy in this moment. More happy then he could remember being in a long time. Maybe the most happy he had ever been in his entire life. And the reason was the young mutant seated beside him and clasped hand in hand with him. He couldn't think of any other place he'd rather be than beside her. He truly loved this girl.

"I know you can handle it. You're a very strong young woman." He chuckled as she made her statement about her path, "If you choose me as your path, then I choose you as mine. As long as I have life, I will love you Evie. You are my path now... no one or no thing can change that."

He let go of her hand and then gently slipped his arm around her shoulders. This was incredible how fast it had happened between them. But then again, there were more strange things that had happened in his life right? His mutation for example. But by far, this was the most amazing experience he had ever had. He had loved Beth as a sister. He loved Evie as himself. He would do anything for this girl.

He glanced around them and saw the leaves starting to waver and then move upward. He hadn't even bothered to ask what her mutation was, but now he knew. She could manipulate the gravity of things. Incredible. In awe he watched as they floated upwards. He turned back and gazed into her eyes, and then realized that she wasn't even aware. No matter...

"So now what?" He kept looking into her deep eyes. The most beautiful eyes he had ever seen. Fascinating yellow eyes. "Where do we go from here?"

Evie smiled with a slight bit of puzzlement on her smile. What now? She had been in relationships, but none as deep as this, so she did not treat them like relationships. They were more of acquatinces with privaleges...or so her old friend called it. She shrugged while still smiling and looked down for just a moment.

Then, with out warning, she blushed, leaned forward, and kissed him, right on the lips. Her face went rouge in color as soon as her lips touched his and the leaves had skyrocketed up to the sky before her emotions released them. Evie moved back from him and was slightly startled by all of the random falling leaves, she did not know she had made them fly up so high, so she didn't know why they were falling. Maybe it was his power? Whatever it was, she didn't care, she was so happy at that time and no question puzzled her.

Zeke watched her intensely as she pondered the events of the past few moments. Her eyes. There was something about her eyes that simply had him fascinated. It was their color, and he knew it. He had never seen yellow eyes before, and he thought perhaps they were the most beautiful eyes he had ever seen in his life.

He was definitely taken back when she leaned over and kissed him. He hadn't really expected her to be so forward, and although he didn't mind, he was caught off guard. So, he just sat there and accepted her kiss. Then, as she sat back, he watched as the leaves came floating down. She had amazing abilities, based on her emotions partly he guessed.

He turned back to her and just smiled. He was blushing too... probably red-er than he had been in a long time. But he didn't mind... because he was here with her. Then he realized that she hadn't quite answered his question. Where to from here? He thought about it himself, and he thought he might know the answer. But no, wouldn't she think it much too fast to make their relationship official under national laws? He thought so, so he said nothing. If that's what she wanted now, she would say something about it.

So he just stared into her eyes. "You have the most beautiful eyes... you know that?"

She blushed again, no one had ever complimented her abnormal eyes. Most people thought that they were ugly and annoying and would not look her in the eyes when they spoke with her, if they ever did. "You think? You know, you're the first person to ever tell me that."

She smiled again and her shoe laces began to rise. Out of curiousity, she looked down and blushed again. "Sorry! Have I been making things float this whole time?" She asked as she attempted to make her shoelaces flat before giving up and accepting that this was based off of her emotions and it wouldn't go away until she stopped blushing. So she moved back up into his arm and smiled again.

A chuckle. "Really? Am I really the first to ever tell you that? That's really strange. I would think I would have been late. I'm mad at myself for not make the remark earlier. I do really believe they are the most beautiful eyes I have ever seen." He smiled and gazed at her.

As she spoke about the floating, he laughed good naturedly. "Yep, you've been doing that for a while I think. No problem... I think it's cool. You have an amazing talent." He leaned back in the seat and squeezed her shoulder affectionately with his hand. He loved this girl.

"Severity, I don't really like to show off, but I do want to explain about myself. Watch my eyes." He gazed at her, without even looking away for a second, and raised his hand, creating a small round chunk of sulfur about an inch wide. He did it only so she could observe his eyes. She was probably the first person ever to see it, but as his power was utilized, his eyes shimmered greenish-yellow, with a mystical hue. He chuckled and then dissolved the small sulfuric circle with his mind.

After settling down a little more, and pulling her closer, he spoke once more. He was happy, but he needed to talk to her about himself, "Evie, before I came here, I was lost. My best friend in the world died in my arms only hours before I entered this school as a teacher. I tell you this to be honest. I am by my very nature... dangerous. If you stick with me, I will always protect you, but it will be hard. There will be danger. People around this globe want me dead... because they hate me for being part Jewish."

He took a deep breath. Should he? Wasn't this all happening so fast? He had once thought love at first sight was unreal, but now he knew it was very real. This girl was the girl he wanted to love forever... for the rest of his life. He wanted this girl by his side for the rest of his life. The laws had changed. Younger girls could now marry... and age wasn't a factor in this relationship. His parents had met and married a week later with an amazing relationship in the years that followed... why couldn't Zeke follow in their footsteps?

He fingered the ring in his pocket. Nightdream's ring. She ahd given it to him, only moments before her death. Her dreams told him this was the right call, and a slight vision came over him. Beth telling him to move forward. Telling him that this is what he needed. Female support... love.

After gazing off for a moment, he took the ring from his pocket and turned to face Evie. "I love you Evie. I don't know you very well... but well enough to know that you are the woman I want to spend the rest of my life with..." he paused and got down on one knee. A simple chat on the swing had turned into a life changing moment.

"Will you marry me Evie? Will you love me forever, as I love you? It won't be easy, but I promise I would and will do anything for you. I would die for you... but more importantly, I want to live for you." He smiled and waited for her reply.