XMFC/Make your move

[diecastking]

Erik 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.

Comments

[guideshapelead]

Charles hears the bus pull up in front of the house, feels the thrum of so many young minds, far earlier than he'd been expecting. He thought he'd have had a plan by now, for what to say to Erik, how to go from here. Instead, he's not really thought much of anything at all.

But he can stay here, in his office, for the rest of the day. He doesn't have to show his face, just because the kids are back. It's a weekend after all.

[diecastking]

Erik tears through the mansion, his mind unconsciously seeking out Charles: study.

He rips the door open, breaking the lock, and stands before him, breathing heavily.

He doesn't know what to say.

[guideshapelead]

Charles is surprised by Erik's loud and violent appearance, not expecting to see him. Still, he hides his irritation, refusing to look up from the work he's not touched all day.

"I haven't changed my mind."

[diecastking]

Erik rushes forward and plants his hands on the desk.

"You were right. James wanted me and I was blind and moronic."

[guideshapelead]

Charles looks up at the sudden slam of hands on his desk, eyes widening in surprise at the sight of Erik's face.

"I tried to tell you," Charles sighs. "Just as I've been telling you that you should take him up on his offer."

[diecastking]

Erik's voice is calm and level as he speaks.

"I beat him to a bloody pathetic pulp and I threw him out of our school."

[guideshapelead]

"Why?" Charles truly doesn't understand.

"He'd be better for you, than me."

[diecastking]

Erik circles the desk and kneels in front of his lover, begging him to understand.

"Because I love you. Because you're the father of my son and you're the one with the power to dream. You pulled me out of my darkest place and welcomed me home. And I have hurt you and I am a terrible, destroyed man. But you love me. How could I ask for anything more?"

[guideshapelead]

Charles fights the flutter in his chest at Erik's words, reminding himself that all of that is in the past now. No matter how much Erik flatters him, that doesn't change his mind.

"You could ask for a lover who can walk at your side. Who can do all those things that you so enjoy. Running, dancing, just walking. You could ask for someone like you."

[diecastking]

Erik struggles to continue his anger and his sorrow.

"Do you think any of that truly matters to me? I would cut off my own legs to be with you. I would rather die than leave you. I cannot live without you, Charles. Please."

[guideshapelead]

"Why?" Charles looks honestly confused.

"He's better than me."

[diecastking]

"He is a disgusting excuse for a mutant," Erik spits. "He tried to tell me the same thing - that you weren't worth my time. And he crawled in the dirt like he deserved."

[guideshapelead]

"I just... I don't understand," Charles can't let himself hope, not yet.

"He's better for you. Far better."

[diecastking]

"And where was he when I was drowning, chasing a submarine? When Emma left me bleeding and broken? Did he rescue a little boy and make him our son?"

Erik's voice drops. "Did he believe in me when everyone else thought I was a monster?"

[guideshapelead]

"He didn't know you then," Charles shrugs.

"I'm sure he would have."

[diecastking]

Erik wants to shake his lover, but he can see that his efforts are useless.

"I hate James. I have thrown him out of our home because he tried to destroy what we have. However, if you are just as determined, Charles, then I see no reason to stay here."

[guideshapelead]

"Erik..."

Charles doesn't want them to be over. That's the last thing he wants. But he just can't get beyond the thought that he's not good enough for Erik.

"I want to be good enough for you."

[diecastking]

Erik smiles at him sadly.

"It's funny, Charles," he says softly, "but I have always wondered when you would come to your senses and leave me."

[guideshapelead]

"Erik, please," Charles can't look at him any more. He doesn't know how else he can make Erik understand that he's doing this because he deserves better. It's nothing to do with him coming to his senses. He just wants the best for the man he loves.

And that isn't him.

[diecastking]

"I thought I would die fighting," Erik continues, staring out of Charles' window.

"I thought I would be alone forever. And then you found me. I did my best to ruin you and still you came back. You gave me everything. It's only fair you take it away."

[guideshapelead]

"Please, Erik, don't..." Charles can't stand to hear the other man's words, head dropping forward into his hands.

"I just want you to be happy."

[diecastking]

Erik can't look at him.

"I am happy with you," Erik says, hurting. "It is my fault for not telling you every day how happy you make me."

[guideshapelead]

"James would have made you happier," Charles can't help but feel as though they're going around in circles.

"He wouldn't have been the burden I am."

[diecastking]

Erik is torn between rage and misery.

"You have never been nor will you ever be a burden to me. I have never found anyone more attractive. I never loved someone before you."

[guideshapelead]

"And since?"

He can't believe he's all that much fun to live with these days, with his chair and his fits and his obsessional dedication to the school.