Location: Xavier's Institute for Higher Learning
Westchester, New York
Luca stood in front of the Xavier's Institute, his heart racing as he gazed up at the grand, stately building. The heavy stone pillars and gothic architecture were intimidating, but what caught people's attention was the striking figure standing at the front door.
Luca was undeniably different.
At 5 feet tall, he was smaller than most of the students who had already arrived at the mansion. His body was surprisingly curvy for a boy, with smooth lines and an almost delicate frame, enhanced by the fit, form-hugging clothes he wore. His oversized hoodie was pale pink, adorned with cute embroidered patterns of little cats and flowers along the sleeves. The bottom hem was cut off slightly unevenly, giving it a playful, frayed edge. His black skinny jeans had little cat paw prints on the knees, and his black boots with chunky soles completed his look.
His hair, though, was the feature that drew the most attention. It was white with soft pink highlights at the tips—like the ends were kissed by the glow of a setting sun. It was styled in a messy, somewhat windblown manner that only made it look more effortless. His cat-like eyes gleamed a bright, almost unnatural yellow, an attribute that made him appear even more mystical and otherworldly. It wasn't just his appearance—Luca exuded an aura of innocence, with expressions so pure and unguarded they seemed to pull people in. Whether he was looking shyly down at his feet or gazing out with curiosity, there was an undeniable charm to him, a warmth and fragility that made it hard for anyone—especially girls—to resist him.
Luca shifted his weight nervously, glancing down at the door handle, before he pushed it open.
Inside the Mansion
As Luca stepped into the Xavier Institute, his eyes immediately found themselves drawn to the warmth and comfort of the mansion's interior. The building itself was huge, and the hallway stretched before him like an unknown path. The air was tinged with the subtle scent of something earthy and ancient, like books and the soft musk of age. The sound of distant conversations echoed from down the hall.
He tugged the sleeves of his hoodie nervously as he walked forward, keeping his head low to avoid any awkward stares. His features might be cute in a way, but that also meant he often caught people's attention in ways that made him feel more exposed than he liked.
"Welcome to the Institute."
A calm, soothing voice cut through his thoughts. He looked up to see Professor Charles Xavier in his wheelchair, a warm smile lighting up his face. The professor's presence was kind, but there was an air of authority around him, a man who had seen the future and was shaping it with his hands.
"You must be Luca. I'm Professor Xavier. It's a pleasure to finally meet you."
Luca gave a small, sheepish smile and nodded. "Yeah… that's me." His voice was soft and slightly melodic, almost like he was afraid of disturbing the peaceful atmosphere of the mansion.
Professor Xavier studied Luca for a moment, his eyes gliding over the young boy's appearance. Luca wasn't at all what the Professor had expected. His delicate frame, his soft white and pink hair, the unmistakable innocence in his wide eyes—it was a contrast to what one might imagine of someone with such an intense legacy.
"Let me show you around," Professor Xavier said, nodding toward the hallway. "We'll start with the common area. Many of the students should be there."
The Common Room
Luca hesitated slightly but followed Professor Xavier into the spacious common room. The first thing Luca noticed were the students who had gathered together, chatting and eating snacks. Kitty Pryde and Bobby Drake were sitting on the couch, laughing over something they were watching on the TV. Nearby, Jean Grey and Cyclops were in deep conversation, their serious expressions contrasting with the relaxed vibe of the room.
However, it wasn't long before Luca's appearance drew attention.
When Rogue saw him enter, she stopped mid-sentence, her eyes wide. Her gaze lingered a moment too long before she blinked, clearly flustered by something that she couldn't quite place. She shot a glance at Jean, who raised an eyebrow in response.
Meanwhile, Kitty and Bobby were both looking over at Luca with obvious curiosity, unable to hide the surprised looks on their faces.
Luca shuffled in quietly, his eyes scanning the room. He didn't mean to cause a scene, but it seemed impossible to avoid. There was a certain delicate energy around him, an aura that seemed to draw attention effortlessly.
Kitty was the first to approach. Her eyes twinkled mischievously as she flashed him a grin. "Hey, you must be Luca, right? You're, like, adorable."
Luca blushed immediately, his yellow cat-like eyes dropping to the floor. His face felt hot, and his voice came out barely a whisper. "Uh, thanks..."
Kitty tilted her head, grinning widely. "No problem. You should totally hang with us." She nodded toward Bobby, who was already motioning for Luca to join them. But before Luca could respond, Jean Grey's voice cut through the moment.
"Be careful, Kitty," Jean teased with a raised brow. "I think you might break him."
Kitty only winked back at Jean. "Nah, I think he can handle it."
Jean laughed softly, but there was a certain depth in her eyes that suggested she was sensing something about Luca that was more than just his appearance.
Luca felt the weight of everyone's gaze, but it was the sharp look from Logan that made him nervous. The older mutant stood across the room, arms crossed, leaning against the wall, watching. Luca didn't know what to make of it—his father's presence was always something that left him uneasy. Despite the fact that they were both mutants, Logan's cold, distant demeanor made him feel invisible, as though he were just a shadow in his father's world.
"Your father's not here, kid," Wolverine muttered under his breath as he caught Luca's eye, his voice low but undeniably heavy.
Luca stiffened, his shoulders tensing. "I know," he muttered back, feeling that old knot of confusion in his chest.
The silence between them was heavy, but soon enough, Storm entered the room, her regal presence breaking the tension. Ororo Munroe, or Storm, was a striking figure in her own right—tall, powerful, and graceful in a way that seemed to blend strength with beauty.
"You must be Luca," Storm said, her voice soft but commanding. She gave him a warm, welcoming smile. "We're happy to have you here."
Luca smiled faintly, his nervousness still apparent but relieved by Storm's warmth. "Thank you," he whispered.
The First Encounter with the Girls
Later that afternoon, as Luca wandered the hallways, trying to get used to his new surroundings, he couldn't help but overhear snippets of conversations between the girls—Kitty, Jean, and Rogue—who were clearly intrigued by him.
"Did you see him?" Kitty whispered, her voice barely audible. "He's, like, the cutest thing I've ever seen."
Rogue laughed softly. "You mean he's not the tough guy you were expecting, huh?"
Jean smiled knowingly. "There's something about him… something almost... otherworldly. You can tell he's had a tough life, though. I think that makes him even more... compelling."
Kitty giggled. "I think I might like him better than Logan already."
Luca couldn't help but feel both flattered and nervous at their attention. He was definitely not used to being the center of attention in this way, especially from the girls. And yet, there was something about his innocent expressions and shy demeanor that seemed irresistible to them. He wasn't sure what it was—but it was clear that his presence had already begun to stir things up at the Institute.