XMFC/Toy Soldier

[diecastking]

When 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.

Comments

[diecastking]

"Even my wanderlust eventually burned away," Erik says, and it is almost the truth.

He has a fiancé and a child now. His desires to run, and maim, and kill are somewhat muted.

[guideshapelead]

"We'll take a very boring, non-lethal holiday," Charles promises with the first hint of a smile.

"When all this is settled."

[diecastking]

"Can you bear to leave your students for even a moment?" Erik teases lightly.

[guideshapelead]

"We give them vacations," Charles points out. "It seems only fair we should have one, too."

Hank, Sean and Raven combined should be able to look after those that choose not to return to their families during the school holidays. Charles frowns once more as he realises he has to remove Alex from his mental list of responsible adults at the school.

[diecastking]

Erik raises Charles' hand to his lips.

"Whatever you want," he says, "I will give you."