With the mess cleaned up and the failure noted in his computer journals, Hank returned to his research. Of course, there were other projects to work on, machines to design or fix, theories to ponder, training sessions in the Danger Room to attend, missions in which to participate, a world to save on a weekly basis… Oh, yes, and eating and sleeping went in there, somewhere, too.
The life of an X-Man was so distracting, Hank didn't even notice his uniform and harness had grown snug until over a month later. He was getting dressed in his room when he noticed the difference in fit, and a glance down revealed that his abdomen was no longer quite as defined as it had been, now more of a soft slab of shaggy blue fur. He poked at it with a finger, and could still feel the muscle underneath. “A simple fluctuation in weight,” he commented to himself. “Nothing to be concerned about. I’ll just be sure to do another set of overhead crunches every day.”
Over the next month, Hank would sometimes actually remember to do those extra crunches, but with all the other issues needing to be dealt with, that little bit of softness practically fell right out his memory. It wasn't until he was walking by Logan in the hallway that it was brought to the forefront again.
“Lettin’ yerself go a bit there, aren't ya Hank? Oughta lay off the Twinkies, bub.”
Hank stopped for a moment and blinked down, looking himself over. Stars and garters, he did have a belly, didn’t he? Practically a paunch! He pinched a thick inch of it, making a face. He was naturally overweight by frame alone, but he’d never let himself go quite this far...
View Portfolio
Visit Notebook
Send Gift Points
Awards
Badges
Send Email
Community Newsfeed
General Discussion
Sponsored Items
Book of Trinkets
Static Items
Books
Groups
Interactive Stories
Audio
Campfire Creatives
Community Notes
Crossword Puzzles
Documents
Folders
Images
In & Outs
Madlibs
Photo Albums
Polls
Product Reviews
Quizzes
Survey Forms
Web Pages
Word Searches
