Tag: Afternoon Fic

Title: A Single Shot
Author: Bj Jones
Rating: R
Summary: He should have felt the pain on impact, but he couldn’t. Shaw had stolen that from him, right along with pleasure.
Author’s Note: Edited version of the Afternoon Fic

***

Link to Fic

Part One

Part Thirteen

***

Erik had been out for five days.

It was the longest five days of Charles’ life, and he thought the previous days they had spent in Cuba were bad.

Erik developed a fever the following day, just like the doctor predicted.  It was two days of tense emotions throughout the house.  Charles knew he is feelings were bleeding into the others, and worked hard to keep his shields up, before violence sprung up at the dinner table.

The doctor had kicked him out of Erik’s room, stating he would send someone for him if something came up.  So Charles went to his old room, took a shower, got dressed and faced the day.

With Raven’s help they were able to find a portion of the original staff, and hire them back on.  A few of them had only blinked at the new inhabitants, and went along their duties.  There were two he had wiped their memories and sent them on their way.

The cook, Helen, had taken to Azazael instantly.  When he brought back spices from around the world, she claimed him as her and and sent him on shopping trips.  When she was told that Erik was Jewish she made sure to add Kosher foods to her lists.  At the moment though she was concerned to keep everyone else fed, including the nice doctor who seemed to randomly appear.

The gardener, Austen, who ironically was the Helen’s husband, started fixing the back gardens.  Charles found him one day on the terrace, looking out over the greens.  He leaned up against the railing, and asked if he was okay.

‘I’m fine, sir.’  He gave him a bright smile.  ‘I know it’s been a few years since we’ve taken care of this place, but I could’ve sworn the dish was facing East.’

Charles wasn’t sure if he wanted to laugh or cry, he found himself doing both.  Austin, just handed him an old rag, and asked if he wanted to put in new rose bushes in the East Garden.  Charles wiped his tears and gave him a nod.

‘It’s good to be back, sir.’  He patted him on the shoulder.

‘I’m going to start a school, for …’ He paused for a moment, figuring how to put it.

‘Gifted children?’  Austin gave him a sly smile.  ‘That will be good, sir.  Be nice to have the house filled with a purpose.’

‘You and Helen have always been kind.’  Charles reached out and felt that there was no malice or deceit from Austin, he was genuinely happy to be back in his beloved gardens.

‘Do you think that nice you man, with the winds could come out.’  He asked as he grabbed his shears and began to head for the some of the more unruly bushes.  ‘I could use some help sweeping up the leaves.’

Charles only nodded, and went to look for Janus, who was shocked and delighted that a human would ask for him to use his powers.  ‘Maybe they aren’t all bad.’

He felt as if that was a win.

Hank was happy to say that it looked as if Angel’s injured wing was healing, but he wasn’t sure how long it would take or if it would hold her weight, when fully healed.  She agreed to stay put, let Hank study her, plus help out where she could.

Sean had smiled and welcomed her back, it had taken Alex a few more days, but he eventually came around.

Charles slept in Erik’s room, usually on the couch.  He just wanted to be close to him, feel his presence.  The few times he reached out mentally, he found himself stuck in fevered nightmares.  He tried to sooth him as much as possible, but found himself either shoved out or he had to pull himself out of Erik’s night terrors.  He woke on many occasions with tears running down his cheeks, after seeing some of the horrors.

Including the death of Erik’s wife and child.

He had no idea Erik had at one point settled down and tried for a normal life.  Only to lose them, to human’s fears, which added to his pain and rage.  Charles’ heart ached for him.  The fact that Erik was willing to stay with him, and help build a school, was a major step in healing.  It wasn’t going to be an easy journey, but he knew they were better together.  Though he would likely have to stop him from implementing some outrageous security measures …

And if Charles was honest with himself he had his own issues and insecurities.  Erik was the only person, who let Charles in his head, which is why, when he had put on the helmet, it had been so devastating.

“You should rest in a real bed.”

Charles sat up, wiping his cheeks, giving the doctor a tight smile.  He liked the guy, he had a wicked sense of humor, and didn’t take shit from anyone, including Raven who had tried to shock him by turning into his wife.  The doctor had raised one eyebrow and pointed out he was kidnapped by the devil, nothing shocked him after that.

Azazael had beamed.

“I want to be nearby, in case he wakes up disoriented and starts bending the light fixtures.”

When Charles had explained Erik’s mutation, Gregory had paled.  It took him a few moments, and a glass of scotch to tell Charles the story. When they had liberated one of the camps, there was a story, which most had thought was myth, about the gates of Auschwitz that had been bent to the will of a child…

‘I tried to help, but so many were sick and dying.’  He downed the second glass of scotch.  ‘For many years I had nightmares about the beaches and the camps, but over the years with love of my wife and kids, it started to ease.  Then one day I was in the ER and this young woman had brought her kid in, the little one had an ear ache.  The nurse was being rude to her, I demanded to know what was going on, and realized instantly she was being treated differently because she was Jewish.  The numbers were visible just below her sleeve.  It had been ten years since I help liberate those camps, and some ignorant nurse was treating them like they were second class citizens because they were Jewish.  I don’t understand people.’

‘Yet here you are.’ Charles pointed out.  ‘Kidnapped by the devil, helping a man who could bring down this house if he wanted, and having scotch with another who could read your mind.’

He set his glass down.  ‘I’ve seen doctors be condescending to fellow doctors just because their black.  I won’t even comment about how many women have asked for my ‘help’.  We don’t talk about how anyone who doesn’t live a normal lifestyle is treated.’  He paused and looked at Charles, a hopeful smile on his face.  ‘Then again, I know of a clinic that helps women in difficult circumstances, I graduated Medical School with a talented black man, who went to his home state of Georgia to open a medical office, and I’ve been training a nice young man who happens to have blue fur how to be a doctor, despite the fact he has more degrees than I do.’

Charles laughed.

‘I actually am looking forward to meeting your Erik.’

‘He’ll piss you off in five seconds.’

‘I’m sure he will.’  Gregory was looking forward to it.

After that they usually talked for an hour, before Azazael took the good doctor home.  The Teleporter stated he liked the doctor’s wife, she was feisty.  The first time he popped into their kitchen, she pulled a knife on him.  She still wasn’t sure about Azazael, but she at least stopped pulling a knife.

“He’s been coming around more.”  Gregory informed him, as he settled on the chair across from Charles.  “He was awake for a few moments this morning, and a bit more this afternoon.  I’ve eased up on the pain meds, hopefully by morning he will fully wake.”

“No pens in the wall?”  Charles asked slightly shocked.

“I wouldn’t say that.  I’ve lost two so far.  I’m now using a pencil, and a legal pad instead of a clipboard.”  He shrugged, laughing lightly.

“How is he honestly?”

“He’s healing.  You’ll need to keep an eye on the incision to make sure there aren’t any more infections.  He will have a weakness in his lungs, but with good exercise and making sure he keeps his chest warm in the winter, he should be fine.  Only thing I would be cautious of – is when you open this school, if the kids get sick, keep Erik away from them.  A cold won’t kill him, but it will hit him hard.”

“And how about the damage he did to himself.”

“He will have a nasty scar, but I hate to say it will just be one more in his vast collection.”  Gregory shook his head, not wanting to know how he got a portion of them.  “The bones will heal in time, no lifting of anything over five pounds, be careful of lifting his arms over his shoulders, and if anyone gets a cold in the next few months isolate them.  Over all if he follows directions, eats well, does his exercises he’ll be back to his healthy self in six months, in a year it would be like it never happened, just the residue affects.”

“Residue affects, being staying warm in the winter, and avoid sick kids.”

“Which is good advice for anyone.”  The doctor patted Charles on the shoulder.  “Now from what you’ve told me about him, you’ll have to watch him like a hawk.  He’ll push the envelope, any chance he gets.”

“Oh not this time he won’t.”  His eyes narrowed as he glanced over at his sleeping lover.

The day Erik woke up was the day the manor got a surprise visitor.

Part One

Part Twelve

***

“Oh God.”  Raven’s hand went over her mouth as she stared at the bloody aftermath.  “He pulled out …”

Alex turned to Moira eyes flashing with rage, he could feel the energy building up within him.

Wind began to whip around all of them, as Janus calmly twisted his hands, making each tornado grow, eyes focused on one person.

“Stop.”

Everything and everyone froze.

There was a partial red glow surrounding Alex.

Sean’s hair was pushed sideways, as tears streamed down his face, mouth half open.

Raven was partially turned away, hand reaching for Charles.

Charles stepped in front of Moira.  “Why?”

Read more“Afternoon Fic: Cherik AU (Part 13)”

First Chapter: Part 1

Previous Chapter: Part 11

***

“Do you really love him?”  Raven asked leaning against the kitchen counter.  “I mean he can be violent.”

“Yes.”  He turned and studied her.  “He’s also gentle, deep down, well mostly to me.”  Charles smirked slightly.  “Raven, I’ve seen what Shaw did to him, and the fact he’s as sane as he is, is astounding.  Erik needs to deal with the rage, and I’m willing to help him find his serenity, but it’s going …”

<<MOM!!>>

Charles cringed.  His hand moved up to his forehead as Alex’s voice slammed into his mind.

<<CHARLES!>>

He blinked focusing on Alex, pushing in to find out what was going on.  He saw enough to know it was bad.

“Fuck!” He jumped up and ran for the stairs, Raven only a few steps behind him.  By the time he got to the right corridor, all hell was breaking loose.

Angel and Sean were flanking Alex, all three standing in front of Erik, who was in a shouting match with Moira.  Charles’ could feel Erik’s powers moving through the hallway, the lamps were bending to his will, every metal tray was vibrating, doors were rattling as pins were being pulled out of the hinges.

<<Erik NO!>>

He hit a block wall, hard enough that he actually blinked and looked at Erik to make sure he wasn’t wearing that damn helmet.

<<Erik!>>

“Moira this isn’t a good time …” Raven stepped next to her, taking her arm to pull her away.

“It’s as good as time as any!” She pulled out of her grasp.  “He has to answer my questions?”

“It’s been a week since he’s been shot!”  Sean stared at her in frustration and shock.  “The man is barely standing.”

“He seems perfectly fine to me.”  She glared over them at Erik.  “You were going to kill those innocent…”

“Innocent?!”  He snapped at her. “Innocent.  No soldier is innocent!”

“They were following orders!”  Hands on her hips she held her ground refusing to be intimidated.

“So where the Nazis when they shoved my father into the gas chamber, along with millions of my people!”  He growled.  “The moment you put on a uniform you don’t get to claim innocence.”

<<She’s no different, Charles.  This is what you don’t want to see.>>

“So you get to be judge and jury!”  Moira stepped closer, only to have Alex step away from Erik to block her.

“You may have missed the part where they were going to kill all of us.”  Alex waved his hand around the hallway.  “Every single one of us, just because we were different.  We saved their lives from Shaw and they were going to kill us – get rid of the freaks so they can rest easier.”

<<Please darling, I’ll make her leave.  I need you to calm down.  You’re hurting yourself.>>

“You were just collateral damage.” Angel added arms crossed over her chest.

“It gives him no right to turn the missiles back on them!”  She threw her hand out pointing towards Erik.

“Eye for an eye.”  A new voice popped into the fight.

A few turned to see Janus walking into the area, Hank not far behind him.

McCoy ignored everyone and made his way through the line of defense to get to Erik.  He growled low in his throat.  “Calm down all of you.”  He reached out taking Erik’s wrist, cursing when he felt his heart rate skyrocketing.  “Out.  Every single one of you.”

“NO!”  Moira held her ground.  “He has to be accountable.”

<<Who’s next Charles?  At the moment she’s after me.  She’s afraid of me.  My power.  Who’s next?  Azazael?  Raven? Which of the kids will she fear next?  I’m only the beginning.>>

“You shot him!”  Raven pointed out, she looked to Charles who was staring at Erik.  She couldn’t help but wonder if they were arguing via telepathy.

<<You have to trust me.>>

“He was going to kill innocents.”

“They were going to kill us.”

<<You’re the only one that I do trust.>>

“We’re all culpable!”  Charles snapped, they all turned and looked at him.  “I am, for not realizing the true threat Shaw was.  Erik is, for putting on that damn helmet.  Moira you shot at a man who manipulates metal…”

“I paid my price.”  Erik snarled hand clutched over his chest hating the weakness he was showcasing.  “You refused to see the same mistakes the damn soldiers were making.  You shot at me with Charles in the line of fire.  You shot at an innocent.  If I had deflected that bullet like I had intended to it would’ve hit Charles.”

Everyone turned back towards Charles, who only had eyes for Erik.

<<Darling…>>

<<I would do anything to protect you, Liebling.>>

“I couldn’t let that happen.  But what did you do?  You continued shooting. Like those innocent soldiers, who were shooting weapons of mass destruction at an island filled with other humans, but who cares, right, they were just Cubans.”

Hank moved behind Erik, not liking the sudden paleness he was seeing.  “We’re done here.”

“Everyone out…”  Charles took a step towards Erik, Sean moving out of his way.

“What were you even planning?”  Angel asked.  “Erik supposed to be on bed rest for weeks. Recovering is going to take months…”

“He needs to be brought in.  Detained and questioned.”

“You mean to lock him up?”  Sean asked bewildered. “But he’s our teammate.  He saved us from Shaw …”

“He’s dangerous!”

“You take him.”  Alex pulled back his shoulders, he could feel Angel’s wings vibrating next to him.  “You take us.”

<<No.  I will not allow her to take our children.>>

Sean looked at her in shock and pain.  “I thought you were our friend.”

<<Erik.  I will…>>

It was Beast that first realized the metal in the hallway stopped moving.  His hand tightened on Erik’s wrist, the other moving around his waist, prepping for the man to faint.  His blood pressure was too high, and body was about to give out.

<<I promised to protect you.  The school.  These kids. I can’t do that in a weakened state.  I need full use of my powers.>>

Raven grabbed Moira’s arm pulling her away from everyone else.  She could feel Janus’ whirlwinds, and had no doubt he was ready to use them.  She couldn’t help but think about the irony of the moment – Moira had done the one thing no one that possible.  She proved Erik’s point.  If she, who had worked with them, was willing to lock one of them up, who was next?

“ERIK NO!” Charles screamed as he reached out to his lover, pushing past Sean in haste.

Hank frowned at Charles’ frantic expression, and then he heard it … the sound of metal hitting the floor.  Followed by a second, third … with a growl he pulled Erik closer, using his larger paws to hold him up.

A cry of agonizing pain echoed through the hall, halting everyone in their tracks.  They all turned, staring in shock horror as a bloody wire was pulled from Erik’s chest and landed on the wooden floor.

Blood flowed through Hank’s fingers, as he yelled for Azazael.  In a flash the teleporter appeared grabbed patient and doctor and was gone.

Leaving behind 8 metal staples, 2 broken wires, and a pool of blood.

Part 10

***

Alex had snuck down the hallway and into the room, when he saw Raven stalking into the kitchen after her brother.  No one wanted to get in the middle of that sibling argument.  He slipped into the furthest bedroom, and gave Hank a half smile.

“How is he?”  He glanced over to the resting Erik in the chair.  Like the others, the shock of seeing their teammate coming back from the hospital hit home.  He was recovering from a gunshot wound.

“Resting at the moment.  I don’t like how high his blood pressure is.”  Hank frowned right down some notes in the medical files.  “We have to keep him calm.”  Alex’s snort was pretty much what the other mutant was thinking.  “Look lets be frank.”  He looked at the younger man.  “He’s got metal staples and wires in his chest… think about that.”

Alex frowned not quite understanding why that was important.  Then he realized what Erik’s mutation was.  “Damn.”

“He lashes out when pissed and also in fear, so if feels threatened.”  Hank ran a hand through his blue fur.

“He’ll use his power and it will pull on the healing wounds.  Yeah, got it.  Keep dad calm, which why haven’t we tied him to Charles?”

Hank chuckled.  “He has to deal with Raven.”

“If you two could whisper quieter some of us could get more sleep.”  Erik opened his eyes groggily glaring at the two of them.  “And I’m not your father.”

Alex gave him a smile and moved closer taking a seat on the coffee table.  “How you feeling?”

“Like I’ve been shot.”  He gave him an annoyed look.

Summers at least looked a bit embarrassed.  “Raven and Charles are having it out, so I figured I would keep you company.”

Erik shifted, cringing when his hand gave out from under him.  Alex held out his hand, giving Erik the leverage he needed to shift until he was sitting up.  He took a few breathes, trying to will the pain down.

Hank eyed the two of them, tempted to pull the oxygen tank over, but Erik seemed to settle down.  “I’m going to see about getting some of these scripts filled, Alex make sure he drinks more water and takes his pills in an hour.”

They watched as Hank left, then turned and looked at each other.

“Good he’s gone you can break me out.”

Alex held out his hands, shaking his head. “He’ll kill me.  And if he didn’t the disappointed look mom would give me, would just want me to kill myself.”

“Charles isn’t that scary.”

He gave him a look.

“Yeah okay, he does have the ‘I’m very disappointed look down’.”  Erik’s smirk, was enough to scare Alex even more.  “I’m not asking you to help me rob a bank, just walk over to the balcony.  I haven’t seen daylight or been outside in over a week.”

“Well that may have something to do with getting shot.”  Alex stood and held out both his hands, letting Erik use him as leverage to stand.  He easily shifted, taking a portion of the older man’s weight staying still until he was settled on his feet.  “You got this?”

He ignored the pain, instead taking a small step forward.  It was humiliating having Alex help him, like he was an old man, but at the moment he was grateful it was him and not the others.  Alex got the need to stand on your own, how showing weakness wasn’t an option.

It took ten minutes to get across the room, and onto the balcony.  Erik leaned against the balcony railing, taking in the fresh air.  He was sweating profusely and his body was shaking slightly, but damn the fresh air felt good.

“I can get the need for fresh air.”  Alex leaned his back against the railing keeping an eye on the patient.  He knew who would take the brunt of Charles’ anger if Erik was to fall and injure himself further.  He saw what happened on that beach, the desperation and fear had bled to all of them.

It was something none of them wanted to talk about.

But it was something Alex would never forget.

He felt Charles’ anguish.

It was when he knew that whatever was going on between the two men wasn’t a fling or scratching an itch.  That he understood.  You don’t spend time in prison, even juvenile prison and not get that.  His heart ached for Charles, and he was willing to do anything to fix it.  Thankfully Azazael stepped in and actually did do something, while the rest of them had just sat there like morons.

“So now what?”  He glanced over to the older man.  “I mean Shaw’s dead, which despite all the bluster, is a good thing.”

“I’m actually not sure.”  Erik answered shockingly honest.  “I’ve spent twenty years hunting that man down.  Hell for a moment there I probably would’ve taken over his organization.  He had some points, we are superior to humans and they will come after us.”

“But now?” He asked.

“Getting shot changed a few things.”  He looked over at Alex.  “It’s going to take me months to heal, and that is me likely pushing the envelope every chance I get.  I don’t have the energy to take over the world, at least not at the moment.”

He laughed, knowing full well Erik wasn’t kidding.

“So you’re playing house husband to Charles.”  Alex gave him a look, he knew Erik wasn’t a man to sit around and do nothing.

“He wants to open a school.”  Erik shifted until he was standing more upright, hands resting on the railing.  “And he should.  He’s right we need a place to hide.  A place where our kind will be safe, where they can learn to use their powers, to protect themselves and yes even others.  I know how out of control I was when I was a kid, I had spoons attached to me everywhere I went.”  Alex snorted.  “We don’t need humans using kids who can’t control their powers as an excuse to lock kids up.”

“So the world domination is on hold.”

“Don’t doubt for a second I wouldn’t bring the world to it’s knees if they ever came after Charles and his dreams of a school.”  Erik’s tone was dark and held conviction that gave Alex no doubt he would.  “So I’m going to do what Charles will hate, and make sure his school is protected.  There will need to be systems set up, surveillance in and around the school, and enough of a threat that if anyone shows up trying to bring harm to any of his kids, they’ll regret their life choices.”

“I can help you with that.”  Alex shifted sideways taking in Erik’s profile.  “Not every mutant is also going to appreciate Charles.”

“No.  Some will have had experiences with humans and will not like Charles’s naïve idealism.”  He agreed glancing at Alex.  “We need that.  You and me. We know what humans will do to us, hell we’ve seen what they do to their own kind.   We also have to watch out for other Shaws.  Mutants using mutants for their own gain, it’s not right.  And I hate to say I could’ve gone further down that path in my own extreme idealism.”

“You two balance each other.”

“I’m still not your dad.”  He gave him a dark glare.

“Sure thing, dad.”  Alex patted him on the shoulder.  “Want to go back inside?”

“How about a small walk around the hallway, then you can dump me in my chair and I’ll likely sleep like an old man for a few hours, and Charles will never know about the escape.”

Alex held out his arm, waiting patiently until Erik took it grumbling in German as he leaned against the younger mutant.  They made their way back into the room, and then out the door.

The coast was clear.

There was no need to talk as they made their way down the corridor, to the stairs.  Alex gave him a pointed look – they weren’t going down the stairs.  He knew exhaustion most be setting in, when Erik didn’t even contemplate it, just turned around to head back to his room.

They were almost home free.

When footsteps were heard coming up the stairs.

As they both turned, Alex knew instantly it wasn’t Hank or Charles.

He wouldn’t be that lucky.

Standing at the top of the stairs, was Moira.  Which meant only one thing, she was on her way to Erik’s room, as he was the only one staying in the section of the Mansion.

Alex stepped in front of Erik, ready to defend his friend.  As he mentally screamed for Charles, the light fixtures on the walls began to shake and bend.

“Fuck.”

Part One

Part Two

Part Three

Part Four

Part Five

Part Six

Part Seven

Part Eight

Part Nine

***

The two siblings stared at each other, neither quite sure what to say.  Charles wasn’t going to apologize for being with Erik, or for putting him first at this moment.  He wasn’t even sure what Raven was pissed about, and he had promised her years ago he would stay out of her head.

He sighed, took a few steps away from the door and waved his hand at her.  “Just say what’s on your mind.  Whatever it is, you’re practically vibrating to let it out.”

“You’re fucking Erik!”

“That is what you’re upset over?”  He shook his head in confusion.  “Yes, though I wouldn’t put it that crass.  We became lovers when we were recruiting other Mutants.  He’s got a beautiful mind, it calls to me.”

“So you’re doing it for his brain.”

“Well he’s also quite handsome.”  Still not sure exactly where this was going.

“What about all the girls?”

“What about them?”  Charles sighed, feeling a headache coming on.  He really hadn’t recovered from the stress of the past week.

“You flirted with them!”  As if that explained everything.

“Yes, ’cause flirting with a man, would get you arrested if you’re lucky, and in some areas killed.”  He glared at her like she was an idiot.  “I’ve always been like this, Raven.  I don’t care what the package is, male or female.  But I’m not stupid to flaunt it.”

“So, basically you’re a slut.”

“Well if that’s how you want to think of me.”  His voice rose, not appreciating his relationship with Erik being cheapened or any of his relationships cheapened to such a level.  “I like people.  But I don’t fuck everyone I flirt with.”  He emphasized the word just to make a point.  “What is really the problem here Raven.  That I’m Queer?  That it’s Erik?  Or that you didn’t know?”

“How could you not tell me?”

“It’s not like you gave me a lot of options.”  He stepped back, and turned to head down the hallway.  “I need tea to deal with this, and I don’t want your screaming to wake up Erik.”

“Oh, yes precious Erik.”

Raven actually took a step back at the power she suddenly felt coming off of her brother.  Charles turned – eyes narrowed, hand moving up to his forehead.  He took a calm breath, relaxed and then in a tone, she had never heard from him.

“You can be pissed at me Raven.  You can call me a slut.  You can rant and rave about how everything I’ve done has been wrong.  But I will not tolerate you attacking Erik at this moment.” He held up his hand stopping her retort.  “I know Erik isn’t perfect.  He has a lot of anger in him, and a lot of pain.  And some very extremist point of views.  I am not excusing or even agreeing with some of his actions, but I am starting to understand some of them.  But he’s recovering from a bullet wound to the chest!” He snapped, hand gesturing to his heart.  “Because he stepped in front of it to save me.  So, bitch at me.  Yell at me.  Hell, hit me.  But do not drag Erik into our fights because you’re upset he decided to fuck me instead of you.”

And with that he turned and stalked to the kitchen.  He had the kettle filled and on the stove, a cup on the counter, by the time she caught up with him.

“How did you know I made a move on him?”  She demanded, eyes narrowed.

“I didn’t read it in your mind if that’s what you’re getting pissy about.”  He put the teabag into the cup before turning to face her.  “He told me.  What do you think I was grabbing a bottle of champagne out of the fridge for when you confronted me in this very kitchen?”

“Moira.”

He stared at her incredulously.  “Really?  Whatever bloody hell gave you that impression?”

“She’s cute.”

“She’s technically was our boss or liaison.  She wasn’t even here most of the time.  I’m not even sure what’s going on with the CIA at the moment, and really don’t care.”  He grabbed the screaming kettle and poured the hot water, he poured in some sugar and milk, and with a sigh he turned back around, leaned against the counter holding his cup, while steeping the bag.  “Okay so you’re pissed you didn’t know Erik and I are in a relationship.  That’s cleared up, so what are still annoyed with.”

She glared at him.

“I’m not reading your mind!”  He snapped.  “But you’re very loud right now Raven, and I can feel you anger, you’re practically seething in it.”

“You do realize you almost killed Moira.”

“Yes.”  His shoulders slumped, it wasn’t his finest moment.  He strained the bag and tossed it in the sink, he was stalling and he knew it.  “I was angry my lover was dying in my arms, and there was nothing I could do.”

“It was his fault.”  She crossed her arms across his chest.  “He was going to kill all those people.”

“Actually he wasn’t.”

She startled at Charles softer voice.  He almost sounded disappointed.  Well he should be, Erik had betrayed all of them.

“How do you know?”  She demanded, pushing the issue.

“Because unlike everyone, he lets me in his head.”  He sipped his tea, and then took a seat at the table.  “What happened on the beach was a fuck up on everyone’s part.  Mine.  Erik.  The CIA.  Moira.  The Russians.  You can blame Erik, but reality it was the humans who fired at us, willing to kill anyone on that beach or beyond.”  He gave her a look, forcing her to stay silent.  “I’m not agreeing with what Erik did, nor do I think that all humans are evil.  This past week I’ve had to look at myself and my own beliefs.  I can’t be this naïve.  I want to open a school, bring our kind here to teach give them a safe place.  But I also need to protect them.  Erik sees the beauty in all mutations.  He thinks you’re gorgeous in your natural form, and would fight to allow you to be yourself.  While I preached that we should get along with humans, yet tell you to hide.  Neither of us is right nor wrong.”

“You balance each other.”  She sat across from him, suddenly talking with her brother.

“Yes.”  He smiled at her.  “I love him.  I know he loves me, but he’s had a hard life filled with pain.  We will never agree on what the right thing to do, but I think we can learn to listen to each other.  My fault was that I didn’t really listen to what he was saying about Shaw, his fault was he never looked beyond Shaw.”

“And now?”  Raven couldn’t help but wonder.

“Now I’m going to help him heal, and then we’ll likely fight over exactly how to build a school.  Alex, Sean and Hank will snicker behind our backs.  You will likely in time take his side.  But in the end I’m hoping we’ll all find our way.”

Raven reached over and took his hand.  “I’ll back you on occasion.”

“Thank you my dear.”  He chuckled and took another sip of his tea.  “Is this when we hug and make-up.”

Raven got out of her seat, and moved around the table to settled next to her brother pulling him into her arms.  “You’ve always protected me.”

“It’s time I let you grow up.”

“I am grown up.  It’s time you figured that out.”  She kissed him on the forehead. “He hurts you I kill him.”

Charles held her tightly, and then let her go.  “So catch me up on everything else.”

“We need a staff or something.”  She sat back down, giving her brother a look.  “Janus is the only one who can cook, and it’s not that spectacular.  And Charles, I’m living with mostly boys, they don’t clean up after themselves.”

“I’ll yell at the children, and see if we can bring back some of our original staff.  They dealt with us as kids, so maybe Hank in blue fur wouldn’t be too shocking.”  He finished his tea and washed the cup out.  “Is Janus out shopping?”

“He’s looking for Kosher foods.  I think Azazael is helping.”

Charles knew that tone, and he felt the rush of arousal from his sister.  He turned on his heel and looked at his sister with wide eyes.

“What?”  She gave him a pointed look.

“You and Azazael?”

“You really can’t bitch.”  She stood up from her seat, giving him a wink.  “By the way, you do have one major thing to deal with.”

He sighed, and it had to be soon.  The last thing he wanted or needed was for Moira to confront Erik.  He admired her, she was strong, willful, and fought her way through a man’s world.  He wouldn’t put it past her to take Erik head on, but what she didn’t realize – Erik didn’t care that she shot him, he was pissed she shot at him with Charles in the line of fire.  If she confronted him, he would see it as a threat to Charles, and that would not end well for her.

Part One

Part Two

Part Three

Part Four

Part Five

Part Six

Part Seven

Part Eight

***

He knew he couldn’t hide forever.

No matter what his inner six year old wanted.

Hank had returned with some soup, bread and fruit to get Erik to eat.  He scarfed it down, but then promptly fell back to sleep.  It was going to be the cycle for the next week or so.  They needed to get more food in him, and start him exercising – even if it was just to walk to the bathroom.

He had every intention of getting off the bed, taking a quick shower and face the children, but instead woke up with Erik warm against his side, and the sun shining through the window.  For a moment he thought it was that morning … the morning they left for Cuba.

Charles instantly noticed Erik was having difficulties breathing.  He shifted them, making sure he was sitting up, before placing the oxygen mask back over his mouth.   He sent a mental note to Hank, startling the boy awake, he apologized then asked if he could come to the room, with food so Erik could take his medications.

He knew Erik was tired and struggling, since he didn’t bitch at being helped out of the bed and to the bathroom.  The first time he had done this, Erik had argued with him saying he could take care of himself and didn’t need Charles holding his dick while he pissed.

‘It’s not like I haven’t had your dick in my hand before!’  Charles snarked at him. ‘It’s been in my mouth and ass, so holding it while you piss is not all that troublesome!’

Erik had snorted trying not to laugh as it hurt as much as everything else.  In the end, he’d given up letting Charles help.  He knew how difficult that was for Erik.

Once he got Erik settled onto the toilet, he prepped the shower, stripping out of his own clothes.  At least at home he could get into the shower with Erik.  The hospital had too many people coming and going, and the stall was too small.

The room began to fill with steam, as he stripped Erik out of his clothes.  He still couldn’t lift his arms over his head, so the button down sleep shirts would have to do for a while longer.  Charles steadied him while he got into the shower, both sighing at the feel of water against their skin.

He didn’t like how thin Erik had become, the man had an unnatural slim waist, and now he could see his hip bones, and he was pretty sure the image wasn’t sitting well with Erik either – too many bad memories.

Charles took his time in washing Erik’s hair and softly sponging him down.  At one point Erik looked down at him while Charles’ was on his knees, and smirked. “Such a wasted moment.”

Charles smiled, as his hands slid up his thighs, then gripped his hips.  He leaned forward kissing each hip, before leaning his forward against Erik’s stomach.  He didn’t realize he was crying until he felt Erik’s hands in his hair and soft voice in his head.

<<I’m still here Liebling.  I’m not that easy to get rid of.>>

<<I should be taking care of you, not bawling my eyes out in the shower.>>

<<Stand up so I can hold you.>>

Charles wiped away the tears along with the water.   He gave Erik a small smile, who pulled him into his arms, holding him close.  The two took comfort in each other, until the water started turning cold.  With a flick of his wrist Erik turned the water off, cringing slightly.

“Don’t do that.” Charles laid a hand on his chest, eyes on the dark staples against the pale skin.  “It’s only for a while longer.”

“It’s driving me to distraction.”  Erik growled.  “Think how it would be not to use yours.”

“There are times my friend, that would be a blessing.”  He moved them out of the shower, grabbing a towel to dry them off.  “But I can understand.”

By the time they got out of the shower, and back into the bedroom Erik had to admit he felt better, he was now hungry and tired.

Hank had replaced the oxygen tank, and made up the bed to some degree.  He motioned towards the chair, where a tray was set with breakfast.  “I figured you would want to sit up and eat, feel a bit more human.”

Erik was going to make a snarky retort, but Charles pinched his arm as he helped him over to the chair, then gave him a look as he sat down.  “Thank You, Hank.”

“That hurt didn’t it.”  The younger mutant smirked, eyes filled with mirth.

“I’ll train you yet.” Erik gave Hank a half smile as he picked up the fork and dug into the eggs, he was really hungry.  He ignored Hank and Charles talking quietly as he finished off the toast, potatoes and grapefruit.  Without stopping the conversation, Charles handed him his medications along with a glass of water.  By the time he finished, he leaned back in the chair, head resting against the back feeling suddenly drowsy.

“Do you want to nap in the chair?”  Charles whispered softly next to him.  “I can wake you up in an hour, we can take a small walk in the garden, get you some exercise.”

“I feel like the family pet.”

“Only if I start petting you.”

“Could you, there are a few places I wouldn’t mind a rub…”

“Stop!”  Hank glared at the two of them.  “Charles you need to deal with Raven, she’s stalking the halls.  Let Erik rest, besides the kids are getting antsy to see him.”

Erik groaned and sunk further into the chair, he paused for a moment thinking back to the day before.  “Did Alex call me dad?”

“See, I told you they were our kids, darling.”  He kissed Erik on the forehead then stood up, smoothed down his shirt and made for the door.  He opened it with a flair of dramatic, and watched as Raven, stopped in the middle of the hall to face her brother.

He turned back around and took one last look at those he loved.  “For those of us who about to die, we salute thee.”  Charles held his head high as he stepped out of the room, to face his destiny.

The door slammed shut behind him.

“Better him than me.”  Erik muttered, as his eyes drifted shut, sleep claimed him once again.

“Amen.”  Hank couldn’t agree more, he was pretty sure it was safer in the room with a pissed of Magneto, than dealing with Raven at the moment.

Part One

Part Two

Part Three

Part Four

Part Five

Part Six

Part Seven

***

Charles never felt so exhausted in his life.

Erik was resting, finally.  He had made sure the pillows were fluffed and there were enough to keep the older man sitting up, yet comfortable enough to sleep.  The oxygen mask was resting against his chest at the moment, in case it was needed.

Erik’s breathing was labored, but at the moment calm.

Charles sighed as he moved off the bed, and made his way to the en-suite bathroom.  He looked at the mirror, and cringed.  He looked like he had aged ten years in the past week, with the rate things were going he would be bald by the time he was forty.

He splashed some water on his face, took a few more calming breathes of his own, before making his way back into the bedroom.

Hank was standing just inside the bedroom door.

Charles gave him a warm smile, as he made his way to the dropped bags.

Seeing Erik in so much pain seconds after leaving the hospital had terrified him.  Realizing why he was pissed and hurting, had angered him.  He knew that coming back to New York, and dealing with everyone wasn’t going to be easy.  But he hadn’t figured it would explode seconds they returned, he had hoped for a few hours at least.

“How’s he doing?”  Hank asked voice soft and low.

“Asleep.”  Charles glanced back at Erik, he couldn’t help the small smile.  “They gave him a sedative before he was discharged, lucky it’s kicking in now.  He’ll need food, meds, and probably another shot in a few hours.”

He dug through the duffle bag and pulled out the bag of medications and wad of instructions and handed them over to Hank.  “We’ll need to get some of these prescriptions refilled.”  Charles paused.  “Any means necessary.”

One of Hank’s eyebrows shot up, but he didn’t say anything.  He continued reading the chart and paperwork.  “He’s got metal in his chest?”  He looked up shocked, eyes wide.  “That’s not going to end well.”

“Nope.”  He agreed humorlessly.  “When he uses his powers it pulls on the staples and wire.”

“Yeah so seeing the person who shot you five seconds into recovery didn’t go well.”  Hank kept looking through paperwork.  “We’ve got some nice areas in the garden that would help with the exercises.  Doubt he’ll be up to his five mile morning runs, but a walk to the balcony could be good.”

“Give me the rundown of what’s going on.” Charles sat down on one of the chairs, waving a hand at Hank.  “Don’t sugar coat it.”

Hank dropped his hands and looked at his friend.  “What bad news would you like first?”

“The one that won’t make me screech.”  He sighed falling further into the chair exhausted.

“Well everyone knows you two are lovers.”  Hank shrugged, figured that was the less troublesome.  “Alex’s taking to calling you two mom and dad.”

Charles’ snorted. “I’m going to take a while guess here, and say I’m mom.”

Hank didn’t have to answer that question.  “Raven is livid I’m not quite sure exactly what’s pissing her off, but I’m guessing all of the above.”

Charles didn’t want to know what A through D were exactly, but he was sure he was going to find out in about an hour.

Unless he could hide in Erik’s room for the next ten years.

“Everyone’s leery of Angel, which is understandable.  Azazael has seemed to settle, but isn’t here often.  Janus stays close to Angel, but I have to admit he’s helped out around here, including going for food and doing odd things.  He seems to try to fit in, yet not.”

He waved his hand for Hank to continue when he paused, he knew what was coming next.

“Moira isn’t happy.  She’s feeling part prisoner other part warden.  Alex and Sean have been cool towards her, but nothing outright.  I’m not sure what to do about any of it truthfully.”

“And you?”  He asked gazing intently at his friend.  The fact Hank was still with fur, meant he was working something out for himself or at least hadn’t had time to figure out how to get the ‘beast’ back under control.

“I’m not sure.”  Hank shrugged.  “We did what we set out to do.  Shaw’s dead.  I’m not sure how, nor do I really want to know.  We’ve stopped World War Three, but the US and Russia are eyeing each other like two rabid dogs.  Cuba is caught in the middle, and well it’s like nothing happened yet everything has changed.  As for Erik, it wasn’t until I just saw him that made me realize how bad that moment was.  He took a bullet for you, so I’m grateful, but he wouldn’t have been shot if he hadn’t taken control of the missiles, but if he hadn’t we and Cuba would be ash.”

“That is a good recap of this fuck up.”

“Did he intend to kill those soldiers?”  He asked quietly, glancing at the bed.

“No.”  Charles sat up, resting his head on his hands.  “I saw it in his mind, oh he wanted to, but also knew not to … saying a soldier was just doing his duty doesn’t work on him considering his past, but he also knew most those soldiers didn’t have a choice in what was going on.  In the end I think he wanted to make a point.”

If the damn helmet hadn’t been on, he would’ve have been able to sense what Erik was up to.

<<You should’ve trusted me.>>

Charles looked over at the bed to see that Erik was awake, and probably had been through most of the conversation.

<<You should’ve trusted me!  You didn’t the moment you put on that helmet!>>

Erik sighed, shifting slightly on the bed.

<<Don’t you dare move and pull on your incision you asshole.>>

He snorted.

<<I didn’t want you stopping me from killing Shaw, and you know you would have if you could, no matter the high ground you take when using your power.>>

Charles’ eyes narrowed.  <<It was always your decision.>>

<<Cute you think that.>> He was fully awake, staring directly at Charles.  <<That decision was taken from me the moment he shot my mother.>>

<<You could’ve been the better man.>>  He argued getting annoyed with himself for having this argument when Erik should be resting.

<<But I’m not.  That’s what you don’t get Charles.  I’m not.>>

“You are!”  He stood up, stalking over to the bed and then onto it.  “You are and will always be better than Shaw.  You are not the monster you think you are.”

“I think Hank there would disagree with you.”  He motioned towards the other mutant.

Charles glanced behind him, to see Hank looking between them.  His blue paw moved up to scratch at the back of his neck.  “I think we are all monsters in our own minds.”

Both blinked at the younger mutant.  “You’re not a monster, Hank.”  Charles shifted to move to his friend.

“I’m not?”  He looked down at his body to see a ‘Beast’.

“No.”  Erik added his voice in with Charles.  “I know a monster when I see one, and you Hank are far from it.  Annoying, yes.  But to geeky to be one.”

Charles glared at him, only to focus back on Hank who was snickering.  “You don’t even like me.”

“No Hank, I don’t like that you don’t like your mutation.”  Erik shrugged only to cringe in pain.  “I thought the feet were odd, but useful. Still better than the humans.  Now you’re amazing, and you hate yourself.”

Hank growled. “Don’t make me like you.”

Erik laughed, which led to coughing.  Charles moved next to him, supporting him as he worked to breathe, in the end Hank moved and shoved the oxygen mask over his mouth.

Hank ignored both of them, as he checked Erik’s pulse, not happy that it was high.  “You need to rest, and no arguing internally or externally.”  He gave a small glare at Charles.  “You want to stay in here with him?  I can get your stuff from your room.”

Charles nodded, it would pointless to act like he was going to stay in his own room.  “There’s a list of dietary needs, make sure someone gets groceries.”  He paused glancing at Erik, he could feel him falling back to sleep.  “The food needs to be Kosher.”

“I’ll send Janus, he’s been really good about shopping.”  Hank nodded again, and then moved for the door.  “He’s not really a monster.”

“I know.”

“I know you don’t want to hear this, but I’m okay with him killing Shaw.”  Hank looked down, not wanting to see Charles disapproval.  “I couldn’t think of any way to keep him alive without him hurting others.  That and he stole Angel and killed Darwin.”

“She made her own decision.”  Charles pointed out, and that was yet another thing he had to deal with.

“Yeah, but we all make mistakes.”  He glanced at Erik, gave Charles a shrug then left the room.

“When did our kids grow up?”  Charles wondered out loud.

“They’re your kids, Charles.”  Erik pulled the mask down, giving him a look.

“Oh no, darling.  You helped me find them, they’re ours.”  He put the mask back on him, then shifted until he was sitting against the headboard, and pulled Erik close.  Only after a moment of hesitation, Erik relaxed and rested his head on Charles’ shoulder, drifting back to sleep.