This is the last part of this particular Cherik AU Fic (I so need a name now, so I can put it all together, edit and get it fully posted).
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Quick Author’s Note: Yes I know Magneto had Wanda and Peter … I’m going with really bad plot hole from hell that Days of Future Past had that didn’t include Wanda … just go with it.
Timestamp #2: Unexpected Arrival (Set three years after Cuba)
The ended up sending Erik to talk to Austin, for some reason the two got a long, something no one had expected. Charles was the only one, who knew why Erik took to Austin – he reminded him of his father, who was soft spoken, polite and willing to help anyone who asked. It helped that Austin had planted a small rose bush, Edie’s favorite, in honor of Edie and Jakob Leshnerr.
So it was Erik who explained they would need to move the Rose Garden.
And moved it they did.
It was a good work out for everyone, despite having blisters for days afterwards.
It was a rare moment when Charles hated Erik’s mutation as he sat on one of the benches and used his powers to make a few of the shovels dig holes. When Alex asked why he wasn’t ‘working out’, Erik coughed and rubbed his chest.
Charles wasn’t sure if he had wanted to glare or laugh.
The hot bath Erik ran for him that night made up for everything.
During the first year, they made the East Wing into dormitories, and the West Wing into classrooms, and the staff area. While the East Ball Room, was working towards becoming a student hangout, and West Ball Room – the fact there were two Ballrooms had Erik eyerolling at the extravagance – would become the dining room.
At the moment, they were still small enough to fit in the actual dining room, which Erik was sure in time would end up being a Staff Room.
The underground was taking the most time to convert, as they had to manipulate permits and plans to get them passed. Charles and Erik vetted construction works, and after the jobs were done, they barely remembered the school.
The Danger Room had been expanded and equipped, there were secondary features that Hank was working on, but they were in the early stages. The labs were finished, and Cerebro was up and running.
The first mind Charles had latched onto was a young boy named Peter Maximoff. He had latched onto the fast moving mind instantly, something about it called to him.
It wasn’t until he met the small child he realized why. When he tracked Erik, by reaching out and touching his mind, there was a brightness there that always pulled Charles in. He saw something similar in the young boy.
It was confirmed when the boy’s mother, stared at Erik in shock. The two talked quietly in the kitchen, while Charles tried to watch the boy. His mutation was already starting to showcase, and his mom was having a hard time keeping up.
They agreed after some arguing, cursing, and intense stares between Erik and Charles that they would help Peter control his speed while at home, and then during the summer break he could come to the School, to learn more.
Erik hated leaving his son, but knew his mother loved her boy dearly, she was just tired. Which after spending one weekend with the kid, he could understand. And as Charles pointed out they were in no way equipped to handle kids.
Not yet.
Which had influenced Sean in ways they hadn’t expected.
After meeting Peter, Sean decided he wanted to go to University, get a degree in Education. He pointed out, that there will be more kids in the future, and someone needed to be able to handle them. Charles was enthusiastic about the idea, and made sure that his expenses would be paid.
Sean started to attend classes at a local college, to get used to being in a classroom, and then with Hanks’ help applied to a variety of colleges around the country. Erik watched Charles beam with pride, when Sean was accepted into five different Universities.
Charles strategically didn’t point out Erik’s rush of proud Papa feelings.
When he decided to go to University of Southern California, Alex came to Erik, and asked about security. Sean was still a mutant, and would be far from home. Erik nodded, and made sure that Azazael would pop in from time to time. They would work out a few more arrangements and safe guards before he left, at the moment they still had a few months before school started in the fall.
Right now Sean was getting a crash course in a hyper active nine year old.
Charles leaned against Erik, watching Sean in his updated flight suit, following Peter around the property. “I get tired watching them.”
“Mary deserves the cruise you sent her on.” He tracked his son, by the metal pieces he sewed into his clothing.
“She told me he’s better at slowing down to act normal. The kids don’t tease him as much for the hair, now that they think it’s cool, especially as he’s calling himself Quicksilver.” He laid his head on Erik’s shoulder, still knowing he gets riled on the fact his son was bullied for being different.
“I guess we should thank Darwin for that.” Armando was great with Peter, and helped the kid handle the bullies. Erik’s advice was to smack them down, teach them not to mess with a Lehnsherr. Armando rolled his eyes while Charles scoffed. Darwin showed him how to make his physical mutation cool, by giving himself a cool nickname.
And it worked.
Which proved to Erik just how fickle humans were. “How’s our two teenagers doing?”
Despite finding over a dozen mutants over the past years, not many wanted to leave their home. A few had come for the summer or a couple of months, learned how to control their mutation and then left. This was the first year they actually had two full time students.
Charles had recruited Petra from the foster care system. Darwin had helped, by using his connections, having been raised in the system. Charles convinced her foster parents to let her come to the school, and be educated.
They were happy to get rid of her.
When they discovered she could manipulate the earth around her, they thought Austin was going to adopt the girl instantly. Though the way she took to Helen and Austin, she still may end up with adopted parents over time.
Mimic had made a grand entrance.
The Brotherhood had found Calvin Rankin in one of the labs. Hank was still trying to go through the files to figure out what they did to the boy.
Azazael had dropped him off with Charles, stating they had one shape shifter, they didn’t need a second, then left. When he tried to ‘mimic’ Erik one morning, Charles only blinked and had the kid sit down so they could talk.
It took a while for him to adjust to living with other mutants, as he kept mimicking their abilities, but only for short times. Erik was the one who finally sat the kid down, and told him to be himself, not someone else.
“They are both doing well, taking to their studies. At the moment, Petra’s working with Hank, for obvious reasons she’s interested in geology, so it’s a learning curve for both of them. We’re going to have to think of diversify our program. It can’t just be Hank and I teaching.” Charles moved back into their bedroom, followed by Erik.
“I can teach languages.” Erik closed the door behind them. “That would be about it, unless you want to put Nazi Hunting on the curriculum.”
Charles’ gave him a look, which turned contemplative. “Though talking about your experience may be good … ” He felt the rush of anger. “Darling, you don’t have to talk about what Shaw did to you.”
“I will teach them to fight so they don’t end up in the hands of a Shaw or the government. You know the Brotherhood took down another lab, just last week.”
He sighed, slumping into one of the high back chairs. “Yeah and it pains me that the mutants they find are either dead or so scared they want nothing to do with any of us, the school or the brotherhood.”
“You thought we would have more students by now.” Erik sat on the coffee table, hands resting on Charles’ knees.
“I did, but I understand why we don’t.” He gave his lover a half smile. “We’ve seen what’s going down in the South. FBI Agents have been murdered for daring to investigate lynching’s. They are killing people just because they’re black and want equal rights.”
“Yet you still believe they’ll be fine with Mutants. Ones that look like a devil, or a telepath who can read their minds.”
“Yes.” Charles held his gaze. “I believe we all can get along. Look at Alex and Armando, they are best friends, like brothers.”
“Have you talked to Darwin and asked about his experiences as a black man?” He gave Charles a look. “Do you see how people react when they see my tattoo?”
He nodded, tears in his eyes as he sat up and took Erik’s face in his hand kissing him deeply. “We have to learn to find a way past skin color, religion, sexuality. We have to, Erik. I promised you a world that would accept us all.”
Erik shifted, until he was seated in the chair, with Charles in his lap. “You gave me that world, Charles.” He held him close giving him comfort knowing the news reports coming out of Alabama was upsetting him. “You gave me a home, filled with laughter, love and acceptance. I never thought I would have that.”
“Maybe you were right.” Charles laid his head on Erik’s shoulder. “Maybe all this is for nothing.”
“I am right, humans will hunt us down and try to kill us. It’s their way. They have to find something to fight against to prove their superior. The irony will be when they ignore skin color, religion, and sexuality, so they can hunt down the dude with a tail.” He was honest to a fault. “But you are also right, education will change people. Look at Austin and Helen, they educated themselves and now practically have adopted everyone in the building. And let’s not forget your good doctor.”
“How is Dr. McKellan?” Charles asked knowing Erik had gone into town to see him for his checkup.
“He’s good.” He kissed the top of Charles’ head, settling in the chair enjoying the time they had together. “You should know he yelled at me.”
“Told you he would.” He sat up and looked at his lover. “How bad?”
“He wants me to gain ten more pounds.” Erik sighed, it wasn’t as if he wasn’t trying. Helen was a good cook, and had done an amazing job working with Erik to write down all of his childhood recipes.
“That means food.” Charles stood, and headed for the door. “I’ll go see if Helen can fix a sandwich, you stay here.”
Erik half fought letting Charles go, until his stomach grumbled. His lover gave him a look, and then slid off his lap, making his way to the kitchen. He leaned back in the chair, sighing softly. It wasn’t like he didn’t try to gain more weight, he just wasn’t always hungry and with all the work he’d been putting in with Hank in building the underground he was burning through his energy and the reserves.
Let alone trying to keep up with Peter.
God help him, if Charles found out that he had been running a small fever, and the doctor had given him some antibiotics. Gregory had glared at him for at least five minutes, ignoring Erik’s own glare.
‘You need more rest.’ He argued.
‘I’ll rest when I’m dead.’ Erik gave him a vicious smirk.
‘Yeah and how will Charles feel about that?’ Gregory knew he won that argument.
‘Well someone has to make sure Charles and his school stays safe.’ He argued back.
‘Eat. Sleep.’ He refused to argue with him. ‘If you don’t gain the weight by next checkup. I’m telling Charles. Or worse Helen.’
Erik admired the doctor’s evil streak.
He would take his pills after lunch, and will eat everything on the plate just to make Charles happy. It will be dinner, that will be the problem as he wouldn’t likely be hungry. Well sneaking the food to Peter is always a plan, that kid needed the extra everything.
He startled when Azazel popped into the room, it was rare the teleporter appeared in their bedroom. He did it once, regretted it ever since. He wasn’t sure who was more horrified, Charles for being caught riding Erik, or Azazel for interrupting. Though the teleporters comment about the extra two inches had only confused Charles, and Erik refused to say anything.
“What are you doing here?” He asked concerned. “We weren’t supposed to meet until next week.”
“Change of plans.” Azazel hesitated, then looked at Erik directly. “This place takes all mutants?”
“Yes, you know that.” He knew something was wrong. Azazel seemed hesitant, upset even. “Did you find someone?”
“Not necessarily found, but needs more stability.” He glanced around. “I just want to make sure they’ll be accepted.”
“Unless this mutant plans to hurt Charles, then they will be accepted.” Erik assured him, only to startle when he disappeared again. He was ready to call out for Charles when Azazel appeared again, this time with a nine month old mutant baby. “Azazel…”
“His name is Kurt.” He handed him over to Erik, then took off the diaper bag and set it on the floor. “He’s my son.”
Erik looked at the little one in his arms, who was happily sucking on his tail. The dark purple skin was beautiful, and the small smile was captivating. “He’s beautiful Azazel.”
“He can’t stay with us. It’s too dangerous. We took care of him, so he could be weaned.” He laid his hand on the child’s head, kissing the top of it. “He’s got my abilities.”
He settled the little one on his hips. “You didn’t pick him up?” Erik stared at Azazel intently, who was smiling at Erik’s unintentional rocking of the little one. “Who’s his mother?” The shifty eyes were enough. “Oh dear God. Really? Raven? Is she okay with this?”
“We agreed that Charles and you are the best options to raise him.” He sighed, clearly upset he was leaving his son, yet knowing it was the right thing.
“Emma must have been pissed.” He looked down at the little one, seeing more of Raven in him now that he knew Kurt’s full parentage. “And I can’t believe you didn’t tell us.”
“She was worried what Charles would say.” Azazel shrugged.
“I’m sure he would’ve lectured both of you on the use of birth control, for one.” Erik shook his head. “But he would’ve been supportive.”
“That’s what she was afraid of.”
“More like she was afraid he would lock her in her room until she had the baby.” He shook his head. “How did you handle this?”
“Her abilities let her cover the pregnancy all the way up to when she gave birth.” Azazel explained. “Emma grounded her completely until we decided what to do with Kurt, since The Brotherhood wasn’t a babysitting service.”
“Sounds like Emma.” He frowned when Kurt started fussing.
Azazel grabbed a bottle from the bag, and handed it to Erik. “He’s easy going, but doesn’t like loud noises, he will poof.”
“We’re not equipped to deal with babies.” He pointed out, giving the little one a bottle. He had never though he would hold a baby in his arms again, not after losing Magda and Anya all those years ago.
“You’re a natural.” Azazel smiled at his friend.
“I had a daughter a long time ago.”
The teleporter closed his eyes, feeling the pain in the statement. “I am sorry my friend.”
“He won’t be able to go out in the world.” Erik glanced at Azazel. “Not until he can learn to control the teleportation and get out of bad situations.”
“Which is why he is safest with you.” Azazel cupped his sons head, and gave him one last kiss on the forehead. “I trust him with you, as you are his Godfather.” Erik gave him a look, but couldn’t hide the small smile. “Besides you have experience with the rugrats around here, dad.”
“Oh fuck off.”
And with that Azazel poofed out of the room.
Now he just had to go tell Charles they were parents again.
He looked down at Kurt, letting him finish his bottle, before wiping his mouth and then holding him up to his shoulder, patting his back. He got smacked in the face with his tail, that was going to be a new challenge.
“Let’s go say hi to Uncle Charles.”
Kurt burped then giggled.
He found not just Charles but the whole gang in the kitchen, working up a huge lunch. Obviously someone had informed the kids about Erik’s need for more food. He stepped into the kitchen, bouncing Kurt lightly. His eyes were wide as he was taking in all the new sights, it was likely the only thing keeping him awake. After being fed, burped and cuddled the little one was likely itching for a nap.
It was Armando that saw them first.
He stared at Erik and Kurt for a few moments, blinking.
“What the hell is that?”
“Dude.” Armando glared at Alex. “Rude much?”
“What else was I supposed to say? Last I checked Erik didn’t have a purple baby. His kid is out running laps that would make Formula One drivers cry in envy.” Alex waved his hands at Erik, then towards the outside, where they could hear Sean chasing Peter.
“Darling?” Charles set the plate of sandwich meat down on the table. “Who is this cutey?”
“This is Kurt.” He held him out for Charles to get a better look at him. “Azazel dropped him off, there’s a bag up in our room, and he promised to bring more stuff by.”
Charles’ expression was questioning. <<Did they find him?>>
“Congrat’s Charles it’s a nephew.” He handed over Kurt to his Uncle. “Meet your Uncle Charles.”
“Fuck.” Alex covered his mouth with his hand.
“Alex!” Darwin smacked him, eyeing Hank who couldn’t keep his eyes off the baby. “Hank…”
He waved them off. “I’m fine. I mean… He’s cute.” He walked over to the shocked Charles who was now holding the baby, and put out his finger, smiling when the baby took it instantly. “It’s fascinating that with Azazel being naturally red and Raven, blue that their baby is actually purple.” He glanced at Erik. “With the tale I’m guessing he takes more after Papa.”
“Azazel stated he’s already showing signs of teleportation.” Erik took the baby back from Charles who had a look that was mixed of adoration and fear. “We’ll have to baby proof the house.”
“Sean is going to freak.”
“Why didn’t she tell me?” Charles asked suddenly. “I would’ve been there for her. She could’ve stayed her and had the baby in a safe environment, not some warehouse!”
“I doubt she had it in…”
“They were both irresponsible!” He fumed slightly, then looked at the three boys in the kitchen. “This is why I talked adamantly about birth control.”
They all nodded.
“I just can’t believe she didn’t tell me. It’s okay for her to run off be a bad ass, get pregnant, and then dump it on us.” He looked at Erik who was rocking Kurt asleep. “We’re not prepared for children let alone a baby.”
“We weren’t prepared for the other kids either.” Erik motioned towards the three boys.
“You’re okay with this?” He admired Erik’s natural ability with the baby. Charles had no idea how to handle children, let alone a baby. He had been reading everything he could on child development, but was not prepared for an infant.
“Where else is he going to go? This is what you wanted Charles a safe haven for Mutants. Look at him, he’s not going to be safe at the local park, school or nursery.” Erik hushed as Kurt got agitated with his raised voice. “We’re just taking in younger ones more quickly.”
“Do we know how to take care of babies?” Hank asked, it was a legit question.
“I had a daughter…” He hesitated swallowing down the pain that came anytime he thought of his family.
<<Darling. I know about them. You had a nightmare when you were sick.>>
<<I loved them.>>
<<I know. She was beautiful, they both were.>>
“I’m sorry man.” It didn’t take much to realize what had happened to Erik’s family. Armando gave him a smile. “Well I guess you can give us some lessons. And Sean will just need to send his notes home, so we can figure this out.”
“What if we hurt him?” Alex asked worried. “I’m still not in full control.”
“Have you hurt Peter?” Erik asked.
“No…Oh yeah okay.” He moved around the table, laid his hand on the back of the sleeping infant’s head. “He is cute. Oh look at him suck on his tail.”
The room was filled with awes.
“Okay then first up.” Charles clapped his hands, then cringed when Kurt woke up. “Don’t do that. Armando go into town, stop by Helen and Austin, I know it’s their day off, but see if she can help you find baby stuff.” He nodded and left, just as Kurt started crying. “Hank, Alex clean out the room next to ours, we’ll need to make a nursery.” They ran off. Charles glanced at Erik who was no working to calm the little one down. “What do you need me to do?”
“Here.” He put Kurt back in his arm, flipped the towel on to his shoulder. “Just hold him, rock a bit and tell him about genetics. It will put him fast to sleep.”
Charles glared, but started doing exactly what Erik said. In time he started walking around, talking about genes and cells. He sat at the table, fixed a sandwich and ate it, knowing he was going to need the energy to deal with Charles and the baby.
Their lives had once again changed for the good.
Sneak Peek: Okay this was supposed to be up for Evil Author Day – but well time ran away with me. So I’m adding it here. A quick look of the sequel to this story …. if you’ve seen Days of Future Past you’ll know somewhat where this is going – if not. Enjoy the ride
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The Blackbird landed at the base of the Chinese Temple, hidden deep inside the mountains. It was a good hideaway. Bobby had done a good job getting the rest of the team secured away from the sentinels.
The ramp lowered to reveal Bobby waiting for them. Charles gave him a nod, and walked down the ramp, with Hank and Mystique right behind him. Logan and Storm followed them out of the jet and into the temple, where Kitty and the others were waiting for them.
They were so few now.
His dreams of a school destroyed by hatred.
“Professor?” Kitty smiled at him, as she took a seat. “We called you here because we might have a plan.”
“To stop the Sentinels.” Bobby added to the conversation.
“At this rate, anything is an option.” Hank snorted, his voice low and gravely with age. His blue fur rippled under the uniform, the only thing they all still held onto.
Mystique smirked over at him, she opened her mouth to comment about Erik’s crazy plans, but shut it, when Charles gave her a dark look.
“What is the plan?” He asked the young Mutants.
“We’ve been staying one step ahead of the Sentinels by tricking them with allusions – basically they are fighting us in the past. When they get to Kitty, we disappear to where we are located giving us more time to escape.”
“I think I could use the same abilities to send someone back.” She took a deep breath. “I know no one talks about, the time before the Sentinels. But maybe, if we knew the time to go …”
“1973.” Hank said without thought. “It wasn’t when it all started, but that was when Trask Industries got the Sentinel program approved.”
“Trask’s labs had been targeted by the Brotherhood.” Mystique continued Hank’s memories. “He had been experimenting on Mutants for years, but it wasn’t until then the company got the approval…”
“How did he get it?” Bobby asked, never sure about how this whole thing had started. He had been trained by Charles since he was a boy, parents not wanting a Mutant for a son. As long as he had known there never had been peace between Humans and Mutants.
“I killed him.” Mystique answered. “And from that moment, the war began.”
“It just didn’t start until ten years later when the first Sentinels appeared.” Charles glanced at his sister, she still looked as young and beautiful as those days back before Cuba, before the Brotherhood. “Do you think this would work?” He looked at Kitty, she was one of his brightest.
“It could, it’s just that I’ve never done it for that long or far.” She glanced around the last of their unit. “We would need someone who was there, but I don’t know how it would affect the person being sent back.”
“I’ll do it.” Logan stepped up. “I was around at the time, plus with my abilities.” He gnawed on his cigar, giving them a shug. “I should be able to handle it.”
Hank looked at Mystique, then both glanced at Charles.
“It might not be like you think it is.” The Professor chuckled humorlessly.
“OH I remember the seventies Chuck. Lava Lamps, free love, the war … it was a different time.” Logan gave the Professor as smirk, who gave him a rare smile in return.
“You will need to go to Westchester, find the Xavier School for the Gifted.” Now that was a name Charles hadn’t thought about in a long time.
“It’s in the same location where the headquarters were located.” Hank explained quickly.
Logan nodded. “It was a school before ?”
“Yes.” Charles gave a side eye to both mutants before they said anything more. “Logan, I’m not the same man I am now.”
“No one is, bub.” He put out his cigar, then settled on top of the stone altar, he felt like he was going to be the living sacrifice. Maybe he was.
“I’m not kidding Logan. I was very different then. I was naïve and so stupid.” He closed his eyes trying not to think about that time. “I will be difficult to deal with.”
“Oh fuck it Charles.” Mystique looked at Logan, right before Kitty settled at his head. “Convince Erik. He’s the one you’ll need to convince.”
He frowned at the two of them.
“Hell just tell him Charles’ life is in danger and he will listen to you.” Hank added, his hand wrapped around the metal Star of David in his pocket.
“That’s enough.”
“No, it’s not.” Mystique glared at her brother. “I realized I fucked up back then, but if we’re going to fix this, you’re not going to be the one to do it, not you from back then. He needs Erik.”
“Who the fuck is Erik?” Logan asked.
“The reason for everything.” Charles answered sadly.
***
Logan woke up to the sight of a lava lamp.
God he hated the fucking 70’s.
Excellent! Much longer read than I anticipated, but really good! Cute purple baby FTW!!
Oh, very nice!