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XMFC/Toy Soldier
Mar. 14th, 2016 09:11 pmWhen Alex says he wants to talk to him, Erik takes him out into the grounds and sits him down first. He already knows he won't like what the boy has to say, but it's Alex who needs to sit down for this. There's a fine tremor running through him as he finally starts to speak.
"I'm joining the army."
Erik listens, trying not to let his reaction show in his face. It's understandable, he thinks, with his natural athleticism, his love of order, and Erik's own past showcased before him. Erik does not like it, but he does not detest the idea either.
Charles, however...
Alex is not asking permission. It is a done deal - without consulting them, or Darwin, or anyone at all. Erik does not chastise him, because he guesses the reason for his secrecy - he did not want to be dissuaded by the Professor's reaction. By the thoughts and feelings of his family.
"Will you...I mean, the Professor..."
Erik's eyes narrow. "You will face down a hail of bullets, but not him?"
Alex looks a little sheepish at that. "I don't know what to say," he mumbles.
"I will tell him," Erik agrees. "But you must tell the others."
Agreeing all too readily, Alex holds Erik in a tight embrace before finally releasing him.
As if going to his death, Erik returns to the house, knowing he is about to break Charles' heart.
"I'm joining the army."
Erik listens, trying not to let his reaction show in his face. It's understandable, he thinks, with his natural athleticism, his love of order, and Erik's own past showcased before him. Erik does not like it, but he does not detest the idea either.
Charles, however...
Alex is not asking permission. It is a done deal - without consulting them, or Darwin, or anyone at all. Erik does not chastise him, because he guesses the reason for his secrecy - he did not want to be dissuaded by the Professor's reaction. By the thoughts and feelings of his family.
"Will you...I mean, the Professor..."
Erik's eyes narrow. "You will face down a hail of bullets, but not him?"
Alex looks a little sheepish at that. "I don't know what to say," he mumbles.
"I will tell him," Erik agrees. "But you must tell the others."
Agreeing all too readily, Alex holds Erik in a tight embrace before finally releasing him.
As if going to his death, Erik returns to the house, knowing he is about to break Charles' heart.
XMFC/Where's Scott?
Sep. 22nd, 2014 09:26 pmThe fire is roaring in the grate, the drawing room an insulated haven from the chilly expanse of the mansion. Despite Hank and Alex's experiments with capturing Havok power, the old building remains draughty and difficult to warm.
However, Erik is perfectly content. He is sitting on the sofa, Charles sprawled across his lap in a position that would've been completely impossible only a few months ago. He rests his elbow on the arm of the sofa, a book of philosophy open but it's his lover who holds his attention, his hand softly caressing his hair.
Charles has never looked more content, more relaxed. The only sting in the tail is that Erik cannot feel his happiness, one step removed from the intimacy they once shared.
However, Erik is perfectly content. He is sitting on the sofa, Charles sprawled across his lap in a position that would've been completely impossible only a few months ago. He rests his elbow on the arm of the sofa, a book of philosophy open but it's his lover who holds his attention, his hand softly caressing his hair.
Charles has never looked more content, more relaxed. The only sting in the tail is that Erik cannot feel his happiness, one step removed from the intimacy they once shared.
XMFC/Adapt to survive
Jun. 14th, 2014 10:29 pmErik and Raven appear in the middle of the hall, holding hands with Azazel, Riptide and Angel.
//Charles// Erik renews their connection immediately. //Gather everyone in the drawing room. We have urgent news.//
//Charles// Erik renews their connection immediately. //Gather everyone in the drawing room. We have urgent news.//
XMFC/Return of the King
Apr. 21st, 2014 09:46 pmIt is June before he returns to American shores.
He has been on the run for weeks, barely pausing for breath, increasing his bruises and his body count. He has no time to send even the briefest note, as his last target flees to New York and Erik pursues him relentlessly.
He tracks him down in Brooklyn, a couple of blocks from where he once hid from Charles. That seems a lifetime ago now, as he stalks the Nazi scum down dark alleys until finally confronting him in the street.
The scum does not die easily. Erik has another couple of slashes to add to his patchwork of new scars before he finally breaks the man's neck and leaves his body in the gutter for the rats to eat.
He knows he should take the night to recover, to patch his wounds and return home in the morning. But the thought of waiting another moment when Charles is so close, when his family and his friends and his home is within reach.
He hitches a lift in a lorry bound for Westchester, like he did to return home after Emma tortured him. But it is summer now and the grass is dewy not laden with snow. He scales the wall nearest to their bedroom, not wanting to trigger the proximity alarms he armed himself.
The trellis outside the window is thick with roses, but he finds a foothold. He is exhausted, his clothes filthy and stained with blood - his and others' - but he feels his spirits soar. As he unlocks their bedroom window, Erik clambers through it and lands heavily at the foot of their bed.
Without saying a word, Erik stumbles towards the bed, lifts the covers and slides in next to his lover.
Home.
He has been on the run for weeks, barely pausing for breath, increasing his bruises and his body count. He has no time to send even the briefest note, as his last target flees to New York and Erik pursues him relentlessly.
He tracks him down in Brooklyn, a couple of blocks from where he once hid from Charles. That seems a lifetime ago now, as he stalks the Nazi scum down dark alleys until finally confronting him in the street.
The scum does not die easily. Erik has another couple of slashes to add to his patchwork of new scars before he finally breaks the man's neck and leaves his body in the gutter for the rats to eat.
He knows he should take the night to recover, to patch his wounds and return home in the morning. But the thought of waiting another moment when Charles is so close, when his family and his friends and his home is within reach.
He hitches a lift in a lorry bound for Westchester, like he did to return home after Emma tortured him. But it is summer now and the grass is dewy not laden with snow. He scales the wall nearest to their bedroom, not wanting to trigger the proximity alarms he armed himself.
The trellis outside the window is thick with roses, but he finds a foothold. He is exhausted, his clothes filthy and stained with blood - his and others' - but he feels his spirits soar. As he unlocks their bedroom window, Erik clambers through it and lands heavily at the foot of their bed.
Without saying a word, Erik stumbles towards the bed, lifts the covers and slides in next to his lover.
Home.
XMFC/Postcards Home
Apr. 15th, 2014 09:43 pm
January 1964
Dear mausi,
Thank you for your letters. This is the first chance I have had to reply. I hope you are looking after everyone, especially your Daddy.
I will write again at my next stop.
Papa
xx
XMFC/We'll meet again
Jan. 23rd, 2014 10:29 pmIn the end, they hardly needed persuading.
Erik strolled onto the base, broke into Stryker's office and greeted him as he returned from lunch. He explained that the school was under his protection and he was prepared to come to an agreement to avoid more of Stryker's men ending up in the infirmary - or worse.
There would be no more incursions. There would be no experiments. But Erik was prepared to eliminate the last of the Nazi threat from the planet in exchange for Stryker staying the Hell away from his family and the school.
The unspoken threat that Erik could reach Stryker and his son at any time of the day or night helped his cause, no doubt, but Stryker signed the deal without more than a phone call.
Erik would leave for Europe the next day. But, first, he had to say goodbye.
Erik strolled onto the base, broke into Stryker's office and greeted him as he returned from lunch. He explained that the school was under his protection and he was prepared to come to an agreement to avoid more of Stryker's men ending up in the infirmary - or worse.
There would be no more incursions. There would be no experiments. But Erik was prepared to eliminate the last of the Nazi threat from the planet in exchange for Stryker staying the Hell away from his family and the school.
The unspoken threat that Erik could reach Stryker and his son at any time of the day or night helped his cause, no doubt, but Stryker signed the deal without more than a phone call.
Erik would leave for Europe the next day. But, first, he had to say goodbye.
XMFC/Spectres in the Attic
Jan. 10th, 2014 09:46 pmThe boys hauled the tree in about midday and, after lunch, Erik is sent up into the attic to start retrieving the Christmas decorations.
He climbs up the rickety ladder, torch between his teeth, and coughs as the dust fills the air. He throws the first couple of boxes down to the boys, who scamper off to deliver the goodies to a waiting Scott and Charles.
Erik turns to the next box, and trips. He turns to glare at the culprit - and his blood runs cold. With trembling hands, Erik lifts the dull metallic helmet and stares into the emptiness.
He sees Charles' face. He is crying. He doesn't understand why he has to die.
His mother. She is crying. She doesn't understand that she is going to die. "Alles ist gut."
The world is coming apart, the screws worming their way out, the knives trembling.
But the plastic gun is unwavering. It is pointed at his lover's head, his mother's.
It fires.
Erik screams.
He climbs up the rickety ladder, torch between his teeth, and coughs as the dust fills the air. He throws the first couple of boxes down to the boys, who scamper off to deliver the goodies to a waiting Scott and Charles.
Erik turns to the next box, and trips. He turns to glare at the culprit - and his blood runs cold. With trembling hands, Erik lifts the dull metallic helmet and stares into the emptiness.
He sees Charles' face. He is crying. He doesn't understand why he has to die.
His mother. She is crying. She doesn't understand that she is going to die. "Alles ist gut."
The world is coming apart, the screws worming their way out, the knives trembling.
But the plastic gun is unwavering. It is pointed at his lover's head, his mother's.
It fires.
Erik screams.
XMFC/While the cat's away...
Jan. 4th, 2014 09:54 pmErik has decided that Charles' wealth should be exploited in the pursuit of festivities this winter.
Every morning, he wakes before Charles and thanks the God he doesn't quite believe in for his lover's forgiveness. So, this year, he is determined to make Hannukah and Christmas as special as he possibly can.
He brings Charles' breakfast in bed on the first Sunday in December and kisses him.
"I'm taking the boys out to find a tree," he says. "We should be back tomorrow morning."
Every morning, he wakes before Charles and thanks the God he doesn't quite believe in for his lover's forgiveness. So, this year, he is determined to make Hannukah and Christmas as special as he possibly can.
He brings Charles' breakfast in bed on the first Sunday in December and kisses him.
"I'm taking the boys out to find a tree," he says. "We should be back tomorrow morning."
XMFC/Down and Out
Nov. 25th, 2013 10:40 pmErik remembers New York vividly. He has been to the city many times, as man and boy, hunter and prey.
He has stayed in the best hotels Manhattan has to offer, but he is most at home on the streets. Among the homeless and destitute, he feels more at ease than he ever has in university libraries or officious banks. These are his people: the disenfranchised and dispossessed.
Erik knows, at heart, he is a soldier, a killer. He has been deluding himself that he was tamed, a housecat, a man fit to be a companion - a father.
No more.
The illusion has shattered and he knows now he is a man who would rather see the love of his life murdered than survive in captivity. He could not suffer to see Charles suffer, so he preferred to snuff out his life.
Even days later the thought makes him sick. Erik pulls his old greasy coat closer around him, the disguise for which he traded his leather jacket. He has some money in his pocket for food, but his bike is stashed where no one can find it and he doesn't know if he can bear to look at it again.
He can't bear to be reminded of what he's thrown away by reverting to nature.
He has stayed in the best hotels Manhattan has to offer, but he is most at home on the streets. Among the homeless and destitute, he feels more at ease than he ever has in university libraries or officious banks. These are his people: the disenfranchised and dispossessed.
Erik knows, at heart, he is a soldier, a killer. He has been deluding himself that he was tamed, a housecat, a man fit to be a companion - a father.
No more.
The illusion has shattered and he knows now he is a man who would rather see the love of his life murdered than survive in captivity. He could not suffer to see Charles suffer, so he preferred to snuff out his life.
Even days later the thought makes him sick. Erik pulls his old greasy coat closer around him, the disguise for which he traded his leather jacket. He has some money in his pocket for food, but his bike is stashed where no one can find it and he doesn't know if he can bear to look at it again.
He can't bear to be reminded of what he's thrown away by reverting to nature.
XMFC/Count to three
Nov. 2nd, 2013 12:14 amThe children are out terrorising the good people of Westchester with their Hallowe'en costumes (and some mutations proudly strutted). Erik, however, is determined to enjoy time alone with his future husband.
After dinner, with the fire dying in the grate, and both of them resting together on the sofa, Erik can't remember a time when he was more contented. He almost wishes Scott was there, but his little boy is enjoying himself, running around town dressed as a superhero.
He doesn't want to move, not really, but he stripped the bed in the morning (chocolate sauce everywhere - again) and he has yet to make it. There's no point getting a pliant amorous Charles upstairs without any sheets to debauch him on.
"I am going to make the bed," he declares. "And then...I am coming for you."
After dinner, with the fire dying in the grate, and both of them resting together on the sofa, Erik can't remember a time when he was more contented. He almost wishes Scott was there, but his little boy is enjoying himself, running around town dressed as a superhero.
He doesn't want to move, not really, but he stripped the bed in the morning (chocolate sauce everywhere - again) and he has yet to make it. There's no point getting a pliant amorous Charles upstairs without any sheets to debauch him on.
"I am going to make the bed," he declares. "And then...I am coming for you."
XMFC/Knight's Move
Aug. 14th, 2013 09:54 pmWhen Erik first heard about the school camping trip, he felt this was an excellent way for them all to get some fresh air and a piece of the Great Outdoors.
Then Alex had pointed out that they couldn't use a compass around him. And Raven gestured at Charles' still-unwieldy chair. And Scott jumped off his Daddy's lap and declared he was definitely going to share a tent with his big brother.
It had all gone downhill from there.
Despite his misgivings, Erik had persuaded Charles that Alex, Raven and Sean could manage a couple of nights under canvas with the school children - and their son. Hank decided he was going to lock himself in the basement and perfect his latest Cerebro reworking.
And Charles and Erik had the weekend to themselves.
Then Alex had pointed out that they couldn't use a compass around him. And Raven gestured at Charles' still-unwieldy chair. And Scott jumped off his Daddy's lap and declared he was definitely going to share a tent with his big brother.
It had all gone downhill from there.
Despite his misgivings, Erik had persuaded Charles that Alex, Raven and Sean could manage a couple of nights under canvas with the school children - and their son. Hank decided he was going to lock himself in the basement and perfect his latest Cerebro reworking.
And Charles and Erik had the weekend to themselves.
XMFC/Prick us, do we not bleed?
Apr. 20th, 2013 10:54 pmIt has been 107 days since Erik Lensherr last saw sunlight. On a beach in Cuba, when he had come to stop a war and then almost found his army. And lost Charles.
He has been tortured before. Schmitt - Shaw - was an expert in torment and pain. Erik is not afraid of torture.
The first days are almost comical. They come at him with all manner of knives and he laughs at them, wounds them, kills them. It takes them six whole days to realise that metal will never harm him.
Apart from the bullet that pierced his thigh. The wound was allowed to fester, the fever raging, and Erik felt washed out and weakened by his battle against the infection. He prayed hard that he had not told them anything about Charles and the children when he was under fever.
Between bouts of pain, Erik thinks about Charles. He wonders if he's safe, thriving. If he's founded his school and found more mutants. And sometimes, when he's at his weakest, he wonders if Charles ever thinks of him.
Scarred, burned and starved, Erik waits in darkness for respite and for freedom. And hopes never to see Charles Xavier again.
He has been tortured before. Schmitt - Shaw - was an expert in torment and pain. Erik is not afraid of torture.
The first days are almost comical. They come at him with all manner of knives and he laughs at them, wounds them, kills them. It takes them six whole days to realise that metal will never harm him.
Apart from the bullet that pierced his thigh. The wound was allowed to fester, the fever raging, and Erik felt washed out and weakened by his battle against the infection. He prayed hard that he had not told them anything about Charles and the children when he was under fever.
Between bouts of pain, Erik thinks about Charles. He wonders if he's safe, thriving. If he's founded his school and found more mutants. And sometimes, when he's at his weakest, he wonders if Charles ever thinks of him.
Scarred, burned and starved, Erik waits in darkness for respite and for freedom. And hopes never to see Charles Xavier again.
XMFC/They will pay
Mar. 19th, 2013 09:04 pmHe doesn't want it to end like this.
"Erik, you said yourself we're the better men. It's time to prove it."
Erik has always believed that - but from Charles' lips, it sounds desperate. Weak.
He cannot afford to listen to his lover now.
"There are thousands of men on those ships. They're just following orders."
Something inside him snaps. And it dawns on him with perfect clarity that Charles never really understood him at all.
"I've been at the mercy of men just following orders."
He turns to look into Charles' eyes, make him see - really see. "Never again"
And he sends the missiles flying back to the ships.
Erik's not expecting Charles to barrel into him and knock him down. He knows every line of Charles' body, but this is different. Wrong. So very wrong.
And then that pathetic woman starts shooting at him.
All he can think about is the missiles. And the gun. And Charles...
Erik glances at his lover.
Searing pain cripples him and he goes down to his knees, white hot metal through the meat of his thigh. In an instant, the crushed bullet is in his hand and he keels over in the blood-stained sand.
"Erik, you said yourself we're the better men. It's time to prove it."
Erik has always believed that - but from Charles' lips, it sounds desperate. Weak.
He cannot afford to listen to his lover now.
"There are thousands of men on those ships. They're just following orders."
Something inside him snaps. And it dawns on him with perfect clarity that Charles never really understood him at all.
"I've been at the mercy of men just following orders."
He turns to look into Charles' eyes, make him see - really see. "Never again"
And he sends the missiles flying back to the ships.
Erik's not expecting Charles to barrel into him and knock him down. He knows every line of Charles' body, but this is different. Wrong. So very wrong.
And then that pathetic woman starts shooting at him.
All he can think about is the missiles. And the gun. And Charles...
Erik glances at his lover.
Searing pain cripples him and he goes down to his knees, white hot metal through the meat of his thigh. In an instant, the crushed bullet is in his hand and he keels over in the blood-stained sand.
XMFC/Scott's First Menorah
Jul. 25th, 2012 08:08 pmAs the sun threatens to set before dinner on December 10th, Erik carries Scott through the school on his shoulders towards the drawing room.
"Do I get to light the candle?" Scott asks eagerly and Erik smiles.
"Well, it is my responsibility, mausi, but I will let you share it. Tomorrow, you may light one with Daddy and, the day after that, you may light one all by yourself."
"Can Alex light one with the Havok fire?" Scott asks innocently and Erik imagines the look of horror on Charles' face should they suggest it.
"Maybe," is what he says, pushing open the drawing room door.
"Do I get to light the candle?" Scott asks eagerly and Erik smiles.
"Well, it is my responsibility, mausi, but I will let you share it. Tomorrow, you may light one with Daddy and, the day after that, you may light one all by yourself."
"Can Alex light one with the Havok fire?" Scott asks innocently and Erik imagines the look of horror on Charles' face should they suggest it.
"Maybe," is what he says, pushing open the drawing room door.
XMFC/A Cage Worthy of Houdini
Jul. 16th, 2012 09:01 pmIt is dusk when Erik stirs, feeling murky-headed and drained. Slowly, the events of yesterday filter back in and he gently probes at the bandaged wound in his side.
Realising that he has lain in bed too long - without knowing whether Charles is well or whether the school is adequately protected without him - Erik slowly turns onto his side to start the painful journey to upright.
On the bedside table, there is a full jug of water with glass, prescription painkillers, and a note in Charles' familiar scrawl: DON'T GET UP! Cxx
Scowling, Erik decides to ignore Charles' cosseting and slowly pushes himself to a sit. He is going to get out of bed if it kills him.
Realising that he has lain in bed too long - without knowing whether Charles is well or whether the school is adequately protected without him - Erik slowly turns onto his side to start the painful journey to upright.
On the bedside table, there is a full jug of water with glass, prescription painkillers, and a note in Charles' familiar scrawl: DON'T GET UP! Cxx
Scowling, Erik decides to ignore Charles' cosseting and slowly pushes himself to a sit. He is going to get out of bed if it kills him.
XMFC/The School for Untrained Targets
Jun. 28th, 2012 09:13 pmAfter a long day, Erik sits in the drawing room with a glass of whiskey, waiting for Charles to finish his paperwork.
Christmas is almost upon them and the school is in festive mood, children preparing to go home for the holidays in less than a week. The mansion is resplendent in tinsel and holly, though Erik has banned mistletoe. The teenagers need no encouragement.
He drains his glass - and frowns. Something is wrong.
Then, he recognises it - the perimeter fence has been breached.
Erik gets to his feet and opens his mind to Charles. //The fence has been breaches behind the rose garden. I'm going to investigate//
Christmas is almost upon them and the school is in festive mood, children preparing to go home for the holidays in less than a week. The mansion is resplendent in tinsel and holly, though Erik has banned mistletoe. The teenagers need no encouragement.
He drains his glass - and frowns. Something is wrong.
Then, he recognises it - the perimeter fence has been breached.
Erik gets to his feet and opens his mind to Charles. //The fence has been breaches behind the rose garden. I'm going to investigate//
Scott wakes when his bedroom door opens, light from a torch streaking across his blankets.
"Papa?" he asks sleepily, looking at his Mickey Mouse alarm clock. If the big hand is at the five and the little hand is at the two, it's too early for breakfast.
"It's all right, mausi," Papa says, shutting the door and crossing the room to sit on the edge of Scott's bed. "We're going away for the weekend with Daddy. He has to stay for breakfast with the other children and then he'll join us in our cabin."
"Now?" Scott says, rubbing at his eyes.
"Right now. Before the traffic gets bad, hmm? Bring your favourite teddy and I'll pack your clothes." Papa put some clothes in a bag while Scott found Beasty the Blue Teddy.
"Are we going to say goodbye now?" he asks, pulling on his blue dressing gown. Papa says he can sleep in the car on the way.
"It's a surprise for Daddy. We'll call him tomorrow and tell him to join us!" Papa smiles and Scott smiles back. He likes it when Papa smiles like that.
"He'll be really surprised!" Scott says and claps his hands together.
"I'll carry you to the car but you must be very quiet," Papa says and Scott puts his finger on his lips as Papa carries him through the dark house to the garage. It's very exciting, he thinks, and Daddy will be so surprised!
Scott loves surprises.
"Papa?" he asks sleepily, looking at his Mickey Mouse alarm clock. If the big hand is at the five and the little hand is at the two, it's too early for breakfast.
"It's all right, mausi," Papa says, shutting the door and crossing the room to sit on the edge of Scott's bed. "We're going away for the weekend with Daddy. He has to stay for breakfast with the other children and then he'll join us in our cabin."
"Now?" Scott says, rubbing at his eyes.
"Right now. Before the traffic gets bad, hmm? Bring your favourite teddy and I'll pack your clothes." Papa put some clothes in a bag while Scott found Beasty the Blue Teddy.
"Are we going to say goodbye now?" he asks, pulling on his blue dressing gown. Papa says he can sleep in the car on the way.
"It's a surprise for Daddy. We'll call him tomorrow and tell him to join us!" Papa smiles and Scott smiles back. He likes it when Papa smiles like that.
"He'll be really surprised!" Scott says and claps his hands together.
"I'll carry you to the car but you must be very quiet," Papa says and Scott puts his finger on his lips as Papa carries him through the dark house to the garage. It's very exciting, he thinks, and Daddy will be so surprised!
Scott loves surprises.
It comes to him suddenly, late at night, as he watches Charles sleeping: he wants to marry this man.
At first, the feeling is strange, alien - and absurd. He and Charles are living in sin - a sin that, were they to be discovered, would result in hard labour or lengthy imprisonment. Not that Erik would ever let that happen - he would die before he would let them take Charles.
He's never been a man to think of marriage, commitment. Not until Charles. Not until they adopted their son. But now he can't envisage his life without him and, while he cannot stand before a rabbi and declare it, he can make sure Charles knows exactly how he feels.
Despite the children's complete lack of understanding of the tradition, Erik starts the arrangements for a Bonfire Night celebration - and starts making plans of his own for the big night.
On November 5th, Erik wakes and feels sick. He has never felt so anxious. Today is the day.
At first, the feeling is strange, alien - and absurd. He and Charles are living in sin - a sin that, were they to be discovered, would result in hard labour or lengthy imprisonment. Not that Erik would ever let that happen - he would die before he would let them take Charles.
He's never been a man to think of marriage, commitment. Not until Charles. Not until they adopted their son. But now he can't envisage his life without him and, while he cannot stand before a rabbi and declare it, he can make sure Charles knows exactly how he feels.
Despite the children's complete lack of understanding of the tradition, Erik starts the arrangements for a Bonfire Night celebration - and starts making plans of his own for the big night.
On November 5th, Erik wakes and feels sick. He has never felt so anxious. Today is the day.
XMFC/Make your move
Feb. 29th, 2012 09:31 pmErik is seething with anger when he leaves, barely saying a word to James or the tenth and eleventh graders as he gets behind the wheel of the minibus.
However, the further he gets from the mansion, the more he realises the consequences of what he's done. His relationship with Charles is over. Scott no longer has two parents. He's lost everything.
It's all he can do to tersely ask the children to start their assignment, sending them to collect samples for James' project. James politely tries to ask what's wrong, but Erik brushes him off, preferring to brood alone.
He tries to call the mansion from the camp site, but when Raven answers the phone, she says she hasn't seen Charles all day. When Erik begs her to find him, she coolly tells him that Charles doesn't want to talk to him and hangs up.
James and him work together to produce a serviceable meal for the children before they are safely packed off to their tents. Erik stares into the fire. The dancing flames remind him of the warmth of Charles' mind - he doesn't remember feeling so cold for a long time.
"Anything I can do to help?" James says, sitting down by the fire and handing him a beer. Their shoulders brush and Erik feels a little warmer.
"No, nothing," he says quietly and takes a large gulp of beer. It's German, good quality, and Erik wonders where James got it.
"Do you want to talk about it?" James leans closer and Erik sighs. His eyes are blue - like Charles', and Erik frowns. He doesn't want to be reminded of what he's lost.
"We had a fight." James nods, listening. Erik sighs. "I'm not sure he'll take me back."
James lays a sympathetic hand on his arm. "If he doesn't trust you, maybe it's not worth it."
Erik struggles to think of a world where being with Charles wouldn't be worth any hardship.
And then James kisses him.
For a moment, Erik is too stunned to move. Then he pushes James away hard, sending him sprawling. "You..."
James brushes off the dust and smirks. "So, you want to play rough? I thought as much. Charles doesn't get that, does he?"
Erik's voice shakes. "Charles...was right. About you. About everything."
James leans towards him again. "You could do so much better than him, Erik!"
Erik sees red. He pummels James into the ground. But the Englishman is surprisingly scrappy, catching Erik's cheek with a mean right hook.
But Erik is anger and revenge, thinking of what James could've cost him, and he doesn't stop until James is lying stunned and bleeding in the dirt. "Leave and never return," he says, seething.
At first light, James is gone and Erik has a throbbing black eye. He makes breakfast calmly, ignoring the children's whispers, before packing up and putting them all back on the bus.
It's time to go home.
However, the further he gets from the mansion, the more he realises the consequences of what he's done. His relationship with Charles is over. Scott no longer has two parents. He's lost everything.
It's all he can do to tersely ask the children to start their assignment, sending them to collect samples for James' project. James politely tries to ask what's wrong, but Erik brushes him off, preferring to brood alone.
He tries to call the mansion from the camp site, but when Raven answers the phone, she says she hasn't seen Charles all day. When Erik begs her to find him, she coolly tells him that Charles doesn't want to talk to him and hangs up.
James and him work together to produce a serviceable meal for the children before they are safely packed off to their tents. Erik stares into the fire. The dancing flames remind him of the warmth of Charles' mind - he doesn't remember feeling so cold for a long time.
"Anything I can do to help?" James says, sitting down by the fire and handing him a beer. Their shoulders brush and Erik feels a little warmer.
"No, nothing," he says quietly and takes a large gulp of beer. It's German, good quality, and Erik wonders where James got it.
"Do you want to talk about it?" James leans closer and Erik sighs. His eyes are blue - like Charles', and Erik frowns. He doesn't want to be reminded of what he's lost.
"We had a fight." James nods, listening. Erik sighs. "I'm not sure he'll take me back."
James lays a sympathetic hand on his arm. "If he doesn't trust you, maybe it's not worth it."
Erik struggles to think of a world where being with Charles wouldn't be worth any hardship.
And then James kisses him.
For a moment, Erik is too stunned to move. Then he pushes James away hard, sending him sprawling. "You..."
James brushes off the dust and smirks. "So, you want to play rough? I thought as much. Charles doesn't get that, does he?"
Erik's voice shakes. "Charles...was right. About you. About everything."
James leans towards him again. "You could do so much better than him, Erik!"
Erik sees red. He pummels James into the ground. But the Englishman is surprisingly scrappy, catching Erik's cheek with a mean right hook.
But Erik is anger and revenge, thinking of what James could've cost him, and he doesn't stop until James is lying stunned and bleeding in the dirt. "Leave and never return," he says, seething.
At first light, James is gone and Erik has a throbbing black eye. He makes breakfast calmly, ignoring the children's whispers, before packing up and putting them all back on the bus.
It's time to go home.
