Prompt: Raven's first boyfriend and Charles responding angrily and Raven couldn't understand why he's mad. The story deviates slightly from the prompt, but I hope you enjoy anyway. It's written in a 5 times format. Well, 4 times Charles gets jealous/angry and 1 time he doesn't.

Disclaimer: I own nothing of X-Men or these characters nor do I make a profit.

Raven smoothed the skirt over her legs, her body humming with the anticipation of her first date. The black dress had a short skirt but was modest nonetheless, not wanting to draw undue attention to herself, or rather, give Charles a heart attack. There was no shortage of men vying for her attention, but for all their flirtation not one of them had actually asked her out. Andrew was sweet like Charles, but she wasn't really interested in him beyond friendship. Perhaps she should've said as much, but she was just too excited that he had even asked.

Besides, there was really only one man whose attention she was after. Her hope was that if she started dating, Charles would no longer see her as a child but as a young woman. The women he flirted with at the bars could all be her sisters. What did they have that she didn't? Well, she knew it had nothing to do with her appearance and everything to do with who she was in his life – who he made her.

Studying her reflection in the full length mirror, her blonde hair changed to the more familiar red; smooth, pale white skin became blue and scaled. She shifted from human to mutant and back again, wondering if she would ever be accepted for who she was – no longer bearing the burden of having to hide. Charles accepted her to a point, but lately, though, it seemed her mutation was more a distraction for him than it used to be.

It left her feeling even more isolated and alone when he had been the only one who ever truly accepted and cared for her. Who else could she talk to about this who would understand? She had always thought it was going to be the two of them against the world. She assumed the natural progression would lead them to become a couple, accepting and loving each other when no one else would.

But it was becoming painfully apparent that he would only ever see her as his sister, as a friend – 'his charge' and nothing more. Releasing a heavy sigh, she shifted back to the blonde hair and white skin she was growing to despise. With one last glance in the mirror, she turned off her light and left her room.

"How do I look?" she asked, entering the room. Charles scribbled away on a pad of paper, tirelessly working on his thesis.

"Hm?" He looked up briefly, than doing a double take, his eyes travelled the length of her body. For a moment, he looked at her the way he looked at all those other girls and her smile widened, hoping her little scheme had worked. But then clearing his throat, he shifted in the leather chair and continued writing.

"You look lovely. What's the occasion?" he asked nonchalantly, not lifting his eyes from the page.

"I have a date…" she announced, disappointed at the sudden shift in his reaction.

"You have a…what?" He dropped the pen, reclining in his chair, and with the way he stared at her, Raven wished more than ever that she could read his mind. Her smile faded, trying to discern if it was anger or disgust that filled his eyes.

"A date, you know…with a guy." She replied, a biting edge of sarcasm in her voice.

"Yes, I know..." he rolled his eyes with an exasperated sigh, "Why?" The question made her pause. Did she need a reason to go on a date?

"Because…he asked me?" she replied, sounding more like a question than an answer.

"He asked you?" he repeated incredulously, as though a man asking her out was too absurd a notion for him to grasp. "And if he asks for a kiss or to have sex with you are you going to do it just because he asked?"

"Charles?!" She was hurt more than angry at his harsh words, confused where this behavior was coming from. He blinked at her, a more familiar softness and warmth returning to his brown eyes.

"Forgive me, Raven; that was uncalled for." He raked a hand through his hair, scratching his scalp and looking at a loss. "I just…I don't recall giving you permission to go on a date. You didn't even ask me…"

"I didn't think I needed to." His eye brows raised with a smile, laughing slightly.

"I'm responsible for you and your safety, Raven; of course you need to ask me."

"I thought you'd be, I don't know, happy for me or something." Something akin to guilt flashed his eyes and she seized the opportunity. "So can I go?"

"Who is he?"

"A guy from school…" she said, deciding that Charles didn't need to know that he was senior.

"You're only sixteen Raven, you don't need to be thinking about boys and relationships right now."

"Then why do you bring all those girls home when you should be focusing on your thesis?" she challenged smugly.

"Raven…" he began, interrupted by a knock on the door.

"That's him…" Raven rushed to the door, hoping if she got there first Charles wouldn't stop her. "Don't wait up for us."

"I absolutely will wait up…" he said, trailing hot on her heels. "I want you home at nine,"

"Eleven."

"Nine."

"Eleven…" She opened the door before Charles could argue further. "Hi…"

"Hey…" Andrew greeted, his eyes sweeping appreciatively up and down her body. "You look beautiful."

"Thank you." He flashed her a bright smile, stepping over the threshold. Raven was trying to push him back out the door to make a hasty exit when Charles cleared his throat. She stopped, smiling to her brother. "Charles, this is Andrew; Andrew, this is my brother Charles…"

"It's nice to meet you, man." Andrew held out his hand and Raven knew by the subtle movement of Charles' fingers against his temple that he was reading the boys mind. She glared at him, silently pleading with him to be civil.

"Nice to meet you." Charles forced a tight smile as they shook hands. "Have her home at ten please and not a minute later."

"Charles…"

"Not a minute later or I will come looking for you." There was an obstinate glare in his eyes and Raven knew better than to argue with him.

"Don't worry; I will have her home on time."

"Good man." As they released their hands, Raven ushered her date out the door. "Have a good time…" he added grudgingly.

"We will…" she smiled mischievously, closing the door behind them.

"Your brother is kind of intense."

"Yea, sometimes he's more of a father. He's very protective of me."

"I can see that."

The restaurant he took her to was extravagant, he obviously came from money like Charles did. Andrew took the liberty of ordering for her, and Raven politely bit her tongue. They were the youngest couple in the room; the glares from the older couples and business men, though not disapproving, made Raven feel even more self-conscious. For once, she was actually grateful for her human disguise, shuddering to think what would happen were she in her natural form.

She focused on the handsome face of her date to distract from her discomfort. His pale skin contrasted sharply to his jet black hair and vibrant green eyes. Here was a man who was carefree, who knew little of what it meant to struggle. His passion for life was obvious, seeing only a bright future paved with endless possibilities before him. As Andrew talked on and on about his family and all his accomplishments, she still couldn't help but wish that it was Charles sitting across from her.

While Andrew may have been the more traditional definition of handsome, she was ever more attracted to Charles. She didn't care that Andrew was taller with a more athletic body. Charles' gentleness and humility, his compassion for others and unique ability to empathize made him especially handsome. His boyish charm was endearing and it wasn't surprising that he had no problem picking up women – even while using that ridiculous pick up line.

As the night dragged on at alarming slowness, the more her brother's behavior bothered her. She had been so excited; all this was done in hopes that he would see her as someone beautiful and desirable and worthy to be pursued. Yet everything in his words and actions indicated that the thought of anyone dating her – of desiring her – was absurd. His words cut straight to her heart leaving her feeling uglier than her blue skin, red hair and yellow eyes.

It was confusing, making her even more angry as she thought about it. If he was allowed to date any number of women, or just bring them all home for just one night, then she should be allowed to date anyone she chose. Charles had been her guardian ever since he found her and maybe she'd become a little too comfortable in allowing him to always take care of everything.

In hindsight, perhaps she should've stayed home, but now she was trying to prove a point. Asserting her independence and not allowing Charles to control her life was worth an evening with a dull, arrogant, completely self-absorbed human.

The pendulum swung back and forth; Charles watched the seconds tick by in the old grandfather clock – his thesis long forgotten on his desk. The dishes were washed and put away, the living room organized, cleaned and dusted – seeking anything that would occupy his mind to pass the time. The clock would strike ten any moment and Raven was still not home. They had been gone over two hours, and his mind raced through all the scenarios of where she was, or rather, what they were doing.

It happened overnight, it seemed. Yesterday they were children and today she is sixteen and starting to date. He felt blindsided – completely unprepared for the sudden change in their routine. Of course he was happy for her, all he wants is her happiness – which is why his behavior baffled him. The words he said clearly shocked and upset her – he shocked and upset himself.

It wasn't even her behavior he was worried about. The boy didn't seem to have any violent or sexual intentions, which is why he let her go. But her exposure to the world had been somewhat limited due to his protective inclinations. She was by no means naïve about the world they lived in. Quite the contrary, she knew only too well the horrors this world was full of. He couldn't help but fear that he somehow set her up to be an easy target for more manipulative men.

This was Raven… he reminded himself again; she was more responsible and mature then most adults he knew. He had nothing to worry about.

The clock chimed repeatedly as the minute hand struck ten, interrupting his thoughts. Charles already had his shoes on and heading for the door, he pulled his leather jacket around his shoulders. As he reached for the doorknob, Raven's laughter echoed through the hall. Sighing in relief, he kicked off his shoes, re-hung his coat and returned to the couch, pretending to study. They lingered outside the door, their voices low and Charles strained to hear them.

Rather than try to listen in, Charles again read the boys mind. He wanted a kiss, and upon hearing Raven's polite decline, Charles sent the boy away before he could pressure her. There was a moment of silence as he waited before Raven entered the apartment, casting a suspicious glare his way.

"Raven..." he said calmly with a smile as if he hadn't been pacing around all night, worried out of his mind. A thin line spread on her lips, a forced gesture of civility on her way to her bedroom.

"Did you have fun?" he asked after her, expecting that she would've sat beside him and talked his ear off, giving him all the details.

"It was fine…" came her curt reply, closing her bedroom door with a soft click. Charles buried his face in his hands, chiding himself as he rubbed his eyes in aggravation. After the way he treated her tonight, who could blame her if she never wanted to speak to him again. He considered knocking on her door and apologizing for his brash behavior. Instead he picked up his book and tried once more to study, now that Raven was home safe.

"Busy?" she asked quietly, exiting the bathroom. She'd already changed out of her dress and into her pajamas, shifting back into her blue skin.

"Not too busy for you." He smiled, patting the spot next to him. She moved to the couch, but sat on the opposite end. The distance she put between them bothered him in a way he couldn't describe; it irked him like a small pebble in his shoe.

"So, how was your first date?" he asked again, filling the silence.

"I told you it was fine." She replied in a huff. Raven didn't look happy at all, not nearly as happy as she was just before their little spat. He wanted desperately to read her mind, if only to know for himself what she was feeling – to ensure that nothing had happened. But a promise was a promise.

"Where did you go?" he persisted when she still hadn't answered.

"Dinner...we were going to see a movie, but there wasn't time for both." She said, accusation burning in her eyes. But before he could reply, she continued, "Charles, can we talk?" she asked, finally turning to face him.

"Of course, you know you can talk to me about anything." He closed his book and held it in his lap, giving her his full attention.

"Did I do something wrong?" she asked bluntly. He would've laughed but for the confused and serious glare in her eyes. Even if his words were harsh, they came from a place of love and the desire to keep her safe. She did know that, didn't she?

"No, not at all. Why would you even think that?" she shrugged, averting her eyes to some obscure spot on the floor.

"The way you acted tonight…"

"Yes, I'm sorry about that. You just caught me off guard, Raven; perhaps I overreacted."

"Perhaps?" a wry smile formed on her lips.

"I just worry about you…"

"I'm not a child anymore, Charles. I can take care of myself, you know…"

"I know." He whispered, only too aware of the truth in her words. They couldn't stay children forever, and not that he wanted to, but he wished that he could've slowed time – to make it last just a little longer.

"And for future reference, don't read the minds of my dates. You've promised to never read my mind, please extend that promise to anyone I happen to bring home."

"Fine. The next time a boy asks you out, please ask my permission before you agree?" She rolled her eyes in exasperation.

"Fine…" she mumbled, playfully hitting him with a pillow as she curled up against his side, resting her head on his shoulder. Instinctively, he wanted to drape his arm across her shoulders, hugging her closer to his side. But he stretched his arm straight out on the couch, not allowing himself to hold her.

"Will you read to me? I'm exhausted."

"I can't, I need to study for my thesis and thanks to your antics I haven't touched a book all night."

"So read your thesis, it always sends me right off…" Charles didn't skip a beat and started reading the familiar passage yet again. Though he'd never admit it out loud, these were his favorite moments. They were few and far between, but he treasured the feel of her snuggled against him. Were he able, he would stop the world around them, freezing time in this moment.

o0o0o

His arm stretched out beside her and Raven couldn't help but wish that he would wrap it around her, holding her tightly against him. But she knew he wouldn't. Raven closed her eyes, his soft, accented voice soothed something deep inside her. It was a comfort to all her insecurity, anger, and fear. She clung to it, snuggling closer. If ever there was a place that she called home – a place she felt safe – this was it.

I hope you enjoyed it. Feel free to review – constructive criticism always welcome :))