Earth Two, Metro City
Scott stood still as Maxwell looped the silk tie around his collar as his father's fingers deftly secured the knot with the ease of a man who had done this a thousand times before. But Scott wasn't focused on the tie — no, his attention was locked on something else entirely.
Maxwell was staring at him.
But not in the way Scott had grown used to — not with that cold, calculating scrutiny, nor with the weight of disapproval that had long since carved itself into the deepest parts of his soul. No. This was different.
There was something else in his eyes.
Something Scott had never been given the privilege to see.
Love.
Even if this was an alternate Earth, an alternate Maxwell McQueen, it was still the first time Scott had ever experienced this side of his father.
He had never even thought it existed.
