XMFC/After School Special

[diecastking]

The first day of school is chaos.

Breakfast is a riot but Alex somehow gets the teeming hoards toast and cereal before class. Erik has a free first period, so he runs around the grounds and showers before his first lesson of the day: Seventh Grade (or First Form, as Charles insists on calling it).

The eleven-year-olds are somewhat in awe of him as he draws a map of Europe on the blackboard and starts laying out the alliances preceding World War I. Charles has given him free rein to choose his curriculum and he has a penchant for modern history. There won't be much Mayflower in his teachings.

After a strong cup of coffee, Erik teaches the Eleventh Grade about the economics behind the Wall Street Crash. He doesn't have a chance to catch Charles at lunch before he meets with his House. These are the students that he's supposed to see for two hours per week and coach through their powers. He'd already decided that he would have the field behind the orchard for this purpose.

The House of Silver (he would not listen when Alex said that silver wasn't a real colour) is comprised of students from all years with differing abilities. After learning their names and what they believed of their power, Erik goes through some basic exercises with them, sounding out how much control they have and how at ease they are with their abilities.

"Mr Lensherr," one of the children - a boy called Tommy - asks nervously, "what can you do?"

Which leads to Erik twirling the satellite dish like a ballerina and several rounds of applause. Embarrassing. Also, exhausting. He's getting too old for this.

He doesn't see Charles at dinner either but he finally flees to the quiet of the drawing room, just resting his eyes for a second.

Comments

[guideshapelead]

Charles is already in the drawing room, on their sofa with his eyes closed, fighting his Professor stereotype by... having fallen asleep. It had been a busy day for him, too, jumping straight into Tenth Grade genetics before spending the next period touring the school, making sure all the other classes were running smoothly, that all the children seemed settled into their new school. The rest of the morning was then spent starting his one-to-one sessions. By lunchtime, he was sure he was missing a good amount of his eyebrows from little fire-breathing Liam, and a greater amount of his hearing from Annie's glass-shattering screams.

After lunch, he joins Sean and his Green house for their afternoon of training. The youngest of his teaching staff had felt more than a little apprehensive about suddenly being responsible for a mass of teenagers, but as it had turned out, he'd managed them all quite splendidly.

Still, by the time dinner was over, Charles felt like he could easily sleep for a week. And that's what he's setting about doing right now, against his will.

[diecastking]

It seems the sofa is already occupied.

Erik smiles and insinuates himself in the space between the sofa back and Charles' side. //Dornröschen//

[guideshapelead]

Closer to dozing than truly asleep, Charles stirs at the movement and whisper of a voice.

"Erik?" He mumbles, eyes slowly blinking open. "I must have... dozed off. For a second."

[diecastking]

Erik laughs against Charles' ear.

"Busy day, liebe?"

[guideshapelead]

"I suppose so, yes," Charles smiles, definitely not about to complain about the day he's had. Even if his ears are still ringing slightly.

"A good day. And you?"

[diecastking]

Erik considers. "Yes. A good day. I taught them of the beginnings of World War One and the Wall Street Crash. And then I met the House of Silver."

[guideshapelead]

"Any near death experiences I need to know about?" Charles chuckles, thinking back to the boy - Peter - who had gone a little too far trying to impress his new housemates with his powers of levitation. Having floated himself up into the rafters of the attic room they'd been using, he'd then become paralysed with fear and refused to get himself down again.

[diecastking]

Erik places a finger to his lips.

"What happens in training stays in training," he says mysteriously. Of course, nothing more dramatic than a scraped knee had occurred but he doesn't want to set a precedent.

[guideshapelead]

"I'm meant to be the headmaster of this school!" Charles protests, twisting his waist to try and get a better look at Erik.

"I have a duty of... care! To know these things!"

[diecastking]

Erik calmly closes his eyes and settles himself against Charles' shoulder.

"Mm. And the children won't trust me if I tell you everything that happens."

[guideshapelead]

//You're just winding me up// Charles switches to their silent communication as he feels Erik settle.

//You know I could find out whatever I wanted to in a second//

[diecastking]

//But you won't, because you trust me// Erik thinks, not for one minute believing that Charles would take the information from him.

But it wouldn't be any fun without a few risks.

[guideshapelead]

//Of course. But I could// Charles smiles, turning his head to nestle closer against his lover.

//I missed you today//

[diecastking]

//I didn't see you at mealtimes. Did you eat?// Erik makes sure his voice sounds firm across their connection. He takes Charles health very seriously.

[guideshapelead]

//Yes// Charles promises, reaching for one of Erik's hand and guiding it around his middle.

//Three square meals today, I promise//

[diecastking]

Erik allows himself to be manoeuvred, pleasantly relaxed.

//Tea is not a meal, Charles//

[guideshapelead]

//I ate, I promise// Charles laughs, trusting that Erik is just continuing to tease.

//Drank tea, too//

[diecastking]

//You're very attractive when you're drinking tea, Charles// Erik smiles against the skin of his lover's neck. //You close your eyes like a satisfied cat and lick your lips//

[guideshapelead]

//Oh?// Charles laughs, amusement bubbling between them.

//Then I think, perhaps, I need another cup//

[diecastking]

"I don't need tea to find you attractive," Erik murmurs, kissing a line up Charles' neck.

[guideshapelead]

//Well, maybe I just want tea// Charles counters, though the way he tilts his head back against Erik's shoulder makes it quite clear that he doesn't want his partner going anywhere.

[diecastking]

Erik clicks the door locked with a stray thought, as he runs his hand up under Charles' shirt.

//Maybe I should fetch you some then?// Erik asks, with no intention of moving.

[guideshapelead]

//Go on then// Charles answers back, lips twisting in a smirk. He knows Erik wouldn't leave this sofa for anything short of a life or death situation.

[diecastking]

Erik debates actually leaving the sofa to continue the ruse but decides Charles' collarbone is far more interesting.

//Metal tea service// he counters //That's what we need//

[guideshapelead]

Charles pulls a face at that, letting out a quiet noise of disapproval.

//That would make the tea taste awful//