It had been six months since the incident in DC, and they were still recuperating. Erik couldn’t go far, without Charles glued to him. Dr. Gregory had showed up soon after they arrived home, to give everyone a check up, then proceeded to yell at Erik for ten minutes about his blood pressure, and taking care of himself, pointing out in exasperation that he was still underweight, which set Charles off on a ‘feed Erik’ frenzy.
He swore the doctor did it on purpose.
Helen and Austin came home after a month long anniversary cruise, wondering what the hell had happened. Charles had to tell Austin, about the loss of Janus and Angel. The gardner nodded, then proceeded to clear a section of the garden for a memorial – he found the one spot where there was a constant breeze in honor of his friend.
“I never asked my older self what happened to them.” Charles stated as they walked along the gardens, a dusting of snow on the ground. “I hope they never lived to see that world.”
“Lets hope none of us do.” Erik was wrapped in a coat, with a scarf. “Hank has some new ideas for the next uniforms, and a training facility. We won this battle, but there will be more Trasks and governments that agree with him.”
“We’ll be prepared.” He tucked his arm into Erik’s as they headed back to the house, to find Logan waiting for them. “You’re leaving?”
“I appreciate the help Chuck, but it’s time I move on.” Logan had woken up to a war zone. He had no idea how he got there, or the three guys who seemed to know him. The hippie offered him a place to stay. He had no better place to go, so he took them up on their offer.
He had let himself relax the past months, learning from Charles, or the Professor as he took to calling him. He was naive but adorable. Erik on the other hand, got most of it right. Secretly he was hoping the Professor was right in the end.
“Logan.” Charles stepped up to him, and took his hand. “This is your home. You can come back anytime.”
“Thanks, bub.” He looked between the two of them. “I hope this school works out, I think us Mutants will need it.”
“When its time, come back teach the kids some history.” Erik gave him a small smirk.
“Speaking of, how’s your kids, still grounded?” Logan settled onto the bike that Darwin had procured for him.
“For another ten years.” Erik laughed lightly, neither of them were happy, but they took it with ease.
He was actually very proud of them, and they knew it. But they were still to young to be fighting, and he really hoped Charles was right and they never had to, but that didn’t mean he wouldn’t train them.
“How are you keeping a teleporter and kid who can run to another state and back before you blink grounded?” Logan had wondered about that, and as far as he could tell the kids hadn’t left the School.
“Erik has a metal band on both of them, he would know if they left the area.” Charles held Erik close to him. “We allow some liencies as their mutation needs space, and they are growing boys and need to flex their skills.”
He chuckled, then started up the bike. “Take care of theses kids you got coming, Chuck.”
“We will.” They watched as the Mutant left through the front gates and disappeared. “You think we’ll see him again?”
“Yes.” Erik was confident one day an amnesiac Logan will wander back through their gates. Hopefully this time, they will give him a home and not a war. He glanced down at Charles, who was smiling brightly at him. His cheeks were pink from the cold, and he couldn’t help but to lean over and kiss him on the nose. “You’re cold.”
“Which means your likely frozen solid, inside we go. Helen has some matzo ball soup ready.” He dragged Erik into the house, settling him at the table before practically sitting in his lap.
<<Liebling I can feed myself>>
<<Sorry>>
He went to move, but was held by Erik.
<<Didn’t say to move.>>
<<Sap.>>
He kissed Erik deeply, before sliding to the seat next to him.
“Do you have to do that at the table?” Alex gave them a mock glare, grinning at his parents. Despite the fact his own parents, suddenly were speaking to him and letting him see his younger brother, Scott – Erik and Charles will always be his parents. “Think of us children, who have to watch such a loving display.”
Erik snorted as he dug into the food. “How did the recruiting go?”
Alex had taken up the recruiting duties, traveling with Armando around the country. He was sure they were getting hassled in variety parts of the country, but the two of them could handle it.
“Good. We’ve signed up two kids for Spring, and at least half a dozen for next year. And that was only going to a third of the States. I’m sure we’ll pick up more, on the next trip. Looks like you’re going to get your wish.” He glanced over to Charles, who was grinning.
The past six months had been interesting to say the least. They had inquires about the school, and those who were looking for trouble were quietly sent away by Charles with a few well placed thoughts.
Hank was working on building more of the underground, adding a larger training facility, and conspiring with Magneto. At the moment no one was sure if that was good or bad yet.
They had decided not to take any kids for the rest of the year, they all need time to heal and come to terms with everything that happened.
No one was surprised when Erik came down sick after the incident in DC, as much energy he had used to hold the Sentinels, let alone the final pull of elements from the ground. So far no one had talked about that particular incident. Charles was waiting for the right time for the two of them to have a long conversation. The amount of power, Erik showcased was beyond anything he had seen and he was curious to see how far he could go.
Azazel started spending more time with Kurt, training his son on how to teleport further distances and know what he was getting into. There was no word on Mystique and there was a silent agreement not to ask.
How Mutants were being seen by humans was a mixed bag, but then no one expected full acceptance. On some days they were heroes, on other days the villains. There were calls for testing, registration, after all – good American kids could be going to school with these ‘freaks’. While others were reaching out, asking for information, and trying to build a community.
Erik was skeptic, but he was basking in Charles’ delight.
The Brotherhood was still active, and hunting down the last of Trasks laboratories. They were still gathering Intel and watching for ‘unauthorized’ government sanctioned programs for Mutants.
“So how does it feel to be the hero of the Mutant world?” Alex smirked over at dad. The one person, out of all them, that was the least likely to be anyone’s hero, was now the poster child for Mutant Rights. “Everyone we talked to, asked about you. Wanting to know more about the Mutant Protector.”
“I’m sure, as many asked if their kids were safe with a gay jew.” Erik gave him a pointed look, knowing exactly how people thought.
The papers had been filled with articles about who he was, or who they thought he was. They had discovered his family name, dug up his records from Poland. It was one of the rare times, Charles was willing to let him destroy things. The Xavier lawyers had a grand time getting those records sealed, and the pictures of his parents out of the newspapers.
From that came the KKK, using Erik as proof the Jews were out to destroy them.
And don’t even get him started on the moral society who lost their collective minds, when they realized he was talking about a man in his speech. Let alone the open kiss between two men on live television.
“You likely advanced the rights for many underprivileged, Darling. As did Armando and Alex. All over the world, kids and mutants, saw people like them saving the world.”
Charles looked around the whole table, at his family.
Alex was older, wiser, and calmer. Not the hot headed kid they had once knew. Armando had a new strength about him, secure in his position and who he was, not just as a black man but also as a Mutant. Hank was confident as the geek and the Beast, learning to be both. Sean though still quiet was now the teacher and had found something in himself, that he likely wouldn’t have if it hadn’t been for the school. All four of their boys had grown up. They were men now, no longer the teenagers he had strived to help. He was quite proud of them all, and was looking forward to seeing them prosper.
Peter was becoming a young adult, a bright young man who had a future. Kurt, wasn’t fearful of who he was or what he looked like, he had truly embraced the ideals of helping and protecting others despite how they treated him.
And then there was Erik.
He had been angry and scared when they met. Charles really had thought, he would lose Erik to his anger, and almost did – but something happened on that beach. The love Erik held for him outweighed his hatred of humans. He may never know why Erik made the decision that Charles’ life was more important, but he’ll never forget it. And he will spend his life, making sure Erik knew he was loved and as important to Charles.
And now a decade later, Erik was the inspiration of a new generation. He gave them a voice, a hero to look up to, something to fight for.
“I’m not that naive to ignore there will be problems. Humans have hang ups on color, religion, sex, and now mutants. But what you did was show the world that we can live together. That we will survive, and we will fight. Some will admire you, and others will hate you. You’re just upset that you can’t take over the world now.”
“Maybe I’ll just run for President.” Erik teased him, taking his hand and kissing his fingers. “You can be the First Husband.”
“We would have to get married first.”
“I’m up for it.”
“Did he just propose at breakfast?” Hank glanced over to his brothers. “That was far from romantic?”
<<Darling.>> Charles didn’t care that he teared up, nor that he was about to pounce on his ‘husband’ at the breakfast table.
<<I mean it Liebling, not sure how it would work, or if we even can, but I would marry you.>>
“Hate to break it to you. Charles would have to run for President as he’s the American, you would be the First Husband.” Armando smiled at the two. who were so lost in each other.
“I’m so claiming Flower Girl!” Peter smiled brightly. “I think it would be awesome. Even if it’s not legit, who cares. Party!”
“I can see the Political Campaign now. President Xavier, says be nice or he lets loose his husband!” Sean teased the two for them, smiling brightly at them. He didn’t care that technically he was in his late twenties and now a teacher, there was something about seeing those two and feeling like a kid again. “They would be a handsome couple, probably when over the country by being adorable – well Charles would be adorable, Erik would growl at anyone who didn’t think Charles was adorable, which would make him adorable.”
“I’m not running for President!” Charles glanced around the table, smiling at their antics. “We’ll save that for the next generation.”
“Peter is going to have to give me grandkids, ’cause he is not Presidential material.” Erik glanced at his son who was bouncing in his seat. “And Kurt makes a more adorable Flower girl, you can be the ring bearer.”
“I’m good with it!” He paused, as his dad’s words caught up with him. “Wait… did I just get insulted.” He paused, chuckled and stuffed more food into his mouth. “Accurate. And we all know Kurt is a future Priest, so that’s out.”
Kurt just shrugged and continued eating his breakfast. “I would make a good Priest.”
Erik just stared at Charles, who was trying not to laugh. “I blame you entirely for all of this.”
“I’m good with it.” He kissed him softly.
“By the way did anyone notice the article, stating Trask is being tried at the Haag Court. It would seem your comment about Nazi’s getting their due, came true.” Hank held out the paper to Erik, who snatched it reading the article. “They are trying him for Human Right Violations.” Hank knew Erik, would love the irony.
Erik read through the article, snorting at the rhetorical. “Trask has some good lawyers. His main defense is that he couldn’t be tried against Human Rights Violation as Mutants aren’t human, but animals and it’s okay to experiment on animals for science and to better enhance the world for humans. If he gets out of this, I’m letting Mystique kill him. After we make sure there is no Sentinels around.”
Charles took the paper out of his hand. “Progress, darling. He’s going on trial. That would’ve never happened ten years ago.”
“Or even last year.” Alex pointed out. “And did you know that Veterans Affairs is opening a Mutant section. They’ve asked me, and a few other soldiers to come talk to them about needs for Mutant Vets.”
Charles’ smile brightened. “This is good! We are making a difference.”
“Make sure to take back up, and Azazel needs to know where you are so he can get you out.” Erik gave him a pointed look, ignoring Charles.
They all paused when the doorbell rang. “Last time that rang, a Mutant showed up from the future wanting us to save the world.” Hank stood up and headed for the door. “If it’s another Mutant from the future, we’re busy this weekend.”
“He’s adorable when he’s being snarky.” Alex got up to follow him, just in case, then stopped in his track. “Oh this isn’t going to be good.”
“Hello, my name is Moira, Moira Taggart.” The woman standing at the door, was holding the hand of a four year old boy. “I was told this was a safe place for Mutants. My son…” She looked down at the young boy. “Kevin, he’s a Mutant.”
“Irony is a bitch.” Alex muttered as he turned and left Hank at the door to go get Charles.
He knew exactly how it was going to play out, except it didn’t. He hadn’t expected Erik to actually take the kid while letting Charles deal with Moria who seemed familiar yet very confused by her surroundings.
A couple of hours later, Charles found Sean and Erik on the floor playing with the little one. He leaned against the door jam, watching the one man in the world who should be yelling, playing peek-a-boo. “Are we prepared to take them this small?” He asked genuinely.
At the moment Darwin was giving her a tour of the facilities, everyone agreed he was the best suited as he only had good memories of her, and wasn’t here for the dramatic confrontation that led to Erik almost bleeding out.
“We raised Kurt since he was nine months old.” Erik pointed out, as the little one crawled into his lap.
“My degree is in Early Childhood Studies.” Sean added into the conversation. “Well my Masters is in Elementary Education, but the Phd is in Early Childhood. I’ve already started working with Hank to prep a Pre-school type classroom that has a door attached to an enclosed playground. Austin is working on adding safe plants.”
“Are we taking him full time?” Erik asked not sure how he was feeling about this particular situation. The irony that Moria had a son, who was a Mutant wasn’t lost on him. The fact she showed up to seek help for him didn’t upset him, if she just wanted to drop him off, that did.
“No. She wants to learn more about Mutants and how to handle him. He’s not in school yet, and the manifestations are not disruptive. She’s not sure about when he gets older, and the fact she tried to ask about ‘curing’ him, makes me hesitant not to take him, yet at the same time…”
“He doesn’t need to be cured, and if that’s what she thinks you can do. Then she can leave this darling little one, and fuck off.” Erik bounced the boy in his lap, making him giggle. “I’m not sure what his Mutation is, no offense but is she sure he’s a Mutant or maybe something else?”
“We would need to watch parents who are dropping kids off who have disorders and not Mutants.”
“We’ll take them if they do.” Charles said with a firmness. “In theory they are just as much a Mutant as any of us. Might need more teachers though.”
“Honey, you’re going to need more teachers.” Erik stood, settling the boy in Sean’s lap who yawned and decided that was a good place for a nap. “Let her bring him by so she can learn to handle him, and when he’s older – he can stay. But I will not deal with her, nor will I tolerate any parent asking us to cure their kids.”
“I agree completely.” He slipped his arms around Erik. “So it looks like we’re going to run a school.”
Erik kissed the top of his head, holding him close. “I can’t wait.”
Love that Erik and Charles are still all over each other even all those years on from the start. Nice round up and round off, showing the characters growing and learning, and the conversations are very real without being forced. Really great story and awesome work.
Charles for President!!!
Now, how about Apocalypse? *feeds mutant bunnies*
Well you’re just going to have to wait until Friday for the … epilogue *evil smirk*