***
Erik followed Charles up to their rooms. He could tell his lover, was upset over everything Logan had told them. Part of him wasn’t surprised, that the humans used Mutants own DNA against them, irony that it was Mystique’s wasn’t lost on him.
And typical humans, they didn’t know how to put the genie back into the bottle once they created their Sentinels. It was one thing to kill the freaks, lock them up in concentrations camps, treat them like animals, but to have the Sentinels turn against humans, who could have mutants … well fate had a lovely sense of irony.
He paused outside their rooms, noticing instantly Kurt was in the corner watching them intently. He knelt down, letting the young mutant run into his arms. “What’s wrong?”
“Big man is scary.”
“True.” Logan was formidable, and had it was obvious he had been through hell, but really wanted to do what was right. Why else would someone volunteer to time travel back to convince a naive Charles that he had to go to war. “But he is a good guy, besides you can just poof away.”
He smiled with all his teeth. “I can go farther now, and take someone with me. Peter and I zapped to …”
Kurt’s eyes went wide as he shut his mouth.
“We’ll deal with that particular incident later, right now go find Peter and stay close to Hank.” Erik kissed him the top of his head, smiling when he poofed out of the hallway.
“They grow up so fast.” Charles leaned against the door jam smiling softly at the moment. “I can’t imagine putting him into battle.”
“He would go.” Erik stood, reaching out to Charles.
“We can’t send children into war, Erik!” He shook his head, the longer locks getting into his face.
“Yet we have.” He argued, arms sweeping back towards the empty house. A house that should have more kids in it, but the war had scattered them to the wind. “Alex is out there fighting, in a human’s war. How many kids came home in boxes Charles? Not just our mutant brothers and sisters, but humans? I was twelve in the camps, Dr. Gregory was barely an adult when he landed on the beaches. War is started by adults and fought by our children.”
Charles looked at him, always amazed at the passion that still burned through his veins. “How could we let this happen?”
“I would like to point out, I actually didn’t start it.” The glare yet smirk was what he had been aiming for.
Charles reached out, hand resting just above the scar on Erik’s chest. “It scares me.”
“Liebling.” He reached out pulling him close, kissing him softly before tucking him under his chin. “I’m still here.”
“I don’t know what I would do without you.” Charles held him tightly, not wanting to let go. The very idea that they would see a war of this magnitude, shattered his undying hope that the world would be a better place. That humans and mutants would find some form of peace, even if it was just to leave each other alone.
“Well you don’t have to.” He kissed the top of his head, running a soothing hand down his back. “I’m here and I’m not going anywhere.”
Charles leaned back, then pulled Erik into a heated kiss. “Don’t leave me.”
He gave him another passionate kiss, before stepping back as much as he wanted to push Charles onto the bed, and remind him how very much alive he was, they had priorities. “Let’s fix Mystiques fuck up, deal with Trask, and save the world.”
***
“Hi.”
Logan startled at the soft voice next to him. He looked down to see a Mutant child staring at him intently. He couldn’t remember the last time he saw a kid, let alone one not being trained for battle.
“Who are you?” He couldn’t help the small smile. To see such innocence, something he thought had been destroyed.
“Kurt.” He gave a toothy smile in return. “Are you friends with my Vater?”
“Vater?” Logan had no idea what that meant.
“It’s German for father.” Peter leaned against the door, taking in the burly man. The one who upset Uncle Charles, and pissed off dad. But then, it didn’t take much to piss dad off, usually someone just had to upset Uncle Charles. “Erik, the angry one.”
“He’s your father?” He looked down at the young child, not seeing the connection.
“Yes and no.” Quicksilver stepped away from the door, getting closer to his brother. He wasn’t quite sure if he trusted the guy yet. “Erik’s my father, but he’s raising Kurt here along with Charles, so in theory … yes he’s Vater. Though Charles is Uncle Charles, as Kurt’s mother is actually Charles’ sister.”
“Erik slept with Charles’ sister?”
“She wished.” Peter shrugged, not really wanting to get to far into the family drama. “She stole Erik’s ‘I’m pissed at the world mojo’ and began a crusade against everything. A kid didn’t quite fit into the lifestyle.”
“And since this is a school, she dropped him off.” He was kinda following along, but the kid talked so fast he was having a hard time keeping up.
“It was Kurt’s actual dad, he knew the little one here would be safe here.” He waved his hand around Kurt, as the tail wiggled behind him. “He doesn’t fit in with most daycares.”
“What is he?”
“A Mutant.”
Logan took a deep breath, and pinched his nose trying not to get pissed. He wasn’t used to dealing with teenagers. Bobby and Kitty never acted like teenagers, they had already seen too much war. And Rogue … he didn’t want to think about her.
“He’s a teleporter.” Hank’s voice broke through his frustration. “His father is also a Teleporter, his mother a shapeshifter. Peter, here has the ability for super speed.”
“And Erik?” Logan glanced over to Beast, not sure how this small dweeb became one of the most fiercest of generals.
“Shouldn’t you know that?” Hank asked frowning. “As they sent you back here, to save the world and everything.”
He hesitated not sure if he should mention, that he actually had no idea who the hell Erik was, nor did he recognize the kids. Logan glanced at the young boy, who looked to be barely seven. “Hey kid, let me give you one good piece of advice.”
Peter moved closer to his brother.
“What is it?” He asked filled with the curiosity of a child
“Don’t stay and fight. Teleport the hell away from all this shit.” Logan squatted down, focusing on the youngin’. “You’re too young to see any the horrors this world as to offer.”
Kurt stepped forward, his three clawed hand resting on Logan’s cheek. “Peace be with you, Mr. Logan.” He smiled then started to leave, before turning back. “I pray for peace, but I will fight at my Vater’s side.”
“As do I.” Peter gave him a look. “So want to tell us why you don’t recognize us? I might not be to rememberable, but my little bro is very noticable.”
Logan stood ignoring the obvious question, by asking another. “Who’s his mother?”
“Mystique.” Hank watched as Logan stalked out of the room.
Excellent! Nice moments between characters, set with philosophy and the harsh nature of reality. Great way to mix fiction and fact. So enjoying this series!