The Relationship:
* Mother Figure: Mystique is Nightcrawler's adoptive mother. Their relationship is deeply bonded, with Mystique raising Nightcrawler as her own son.
* Mentor: Mystique taught Nightcrawler many things, including fighting, survival, and how to use his powers. This creates a strong mentorship bond between them.
* Protectiveness: Mystique is incredibly protective of Nightcrawler, often going to great lengths to defend him. She sees him as her own, and his well-being is paramount to her.
* A Different Kind of Family: Nightcrawler, being a mutant, grew up ostracized. Mystique, also a mutant, understood this feeling, offering him a place to belong and a sense of family. This bond, though not romantic, is deeply familial and meaningful.
Romantic Implications:
* Ambiguous: While there have been instances of implied sexual tension between them, the comics rarely explicitly portray a romantic relationship.
* Unconventional: Given Mystique's shapeshifting abilities and their familial bond, a romantic relationship between them would raise many ethical and unconventional questions.
* Fan Interpretation: Some fans interpret their relationship as romantic, focusing on moments of intimacy and affection. However, this is often speculative and not explicitly confirmed by the writers.
Key Moments:
* Early Issues: In early X-Men comics, Mystique is presented as more of a villain, while Nightcrawler is a hero. Their relationship is mostly adversarial, and romantic implications are absent.
* "Days of Future Past": In this landmark storyline, Mystique and Nightcrawler work together, but the focus is on their shared mission and their bond as family.
* "Age of Apocalypse": In this alternate reality, Mystique and Nightcrawler have a more complex relationship, with hints of romantic tension. However, this is not canon.
Conclusion:
While Mystique and Nightcrawler share a deep and meaningful bond, it's not a typical romantic relationship. Their connection is more familial and protective, with elements of mentorship and shared experiences. Whether their relationship could be considered romantic is left to interpretation.