XMFC/We'll meet again

[diecastking]

In 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.

Comments

[guideshapelead]

Charles knows where Erik's been, and he cannot help but be on edge as he waits for his lover to return safely to him. When he senses the presence if Erik's mind at the perimeter fence, late that evening, the relief he feels is close to overwhelming.

Opening the front doors of the mansion, he waits to see his lover back, safe and sound.

[diecastking]

Erik can feel the elation and relief of Charles' mind, but tries his best to shield his own feelings.

All too soon he will have to break his lover's heart, even with the best intentions.

But for now, he leans down to kiss Charles and accept his welcome home, the news burning on his tongue to be free.

[guideshapelead]

"I was worried I'd seen the last of you," Charles admits against Erik's lips, holding onto him for longer than he normally would before letting him stand.

"I'm glad you're home."

[diecastking]

Erik shrugs. He had never feared for his life for a moment, not surrounded by so much metal.

"They are more afraid of me that I am them," he says dismissively. "That is why they listened."

[guideshapelead]

Charles moves away from the door to let Erik past, trying his best to nudge him in the direction of their drawing room.

"Tell me what happened."

[diecastking]

Only once they are safe behind the drawing room door, away from prying eyes and eager ears, does Erik start his tale.

He leaves nothing out, explaining clearly what they offered and what he promised in return.

"I will leave tomorrow," he says.

[guideshapelead]

"Tomorrow?" Charles feels as though his heart has stopped, for a moment, his stomach leaden and throat dry.

"So soon, Erik?"

[diecastking]

"We must not give them time to change their minds," Erik says firmly, but he is not immune to the waves of strong emotion rolling off his lover.

"I...I wish there was another way."

[guideshapelead]

Charles is still sad and bitter about Erik's plan to become a puppet of the government, though he's learnt to silence and shield his protests. His lover is as stubborn as he is, and Charles knows well enough that he will not be swayed.

"I know you do," he concedes. "That doesn't mean I won't miss you."

[diecastking]

"I will be home as soon as I can," Erik says, knowing he cannot promise any such return or tell his lover when it might be.

He is a soldier going to war. They both know how it will likely end.

[guideshapelead]

"I wish I could believe you," Charles sighs, voice so quiet it's almost as if he doesn't mean to speak out loud at all. He will not stop Erik, but like his lover, he knows better than to assume this is just a short vacation.

[diecastking]

Erik leans in to reach for Charles' cheek.

"I intend to marry you, Charles Xavier. I will not allow this mission to make me break that vow."

[guideshapelead]

"Then..." don't go is on Charles' lips, but he stops himself. There is no point saying such things.

"...be safe. And swift."

[diecastking]

Erik hears the words in his mind as loud as if Charles had shouted them and he shuts his eyes against the sick terror feeling in his stomach that doesn't belong to him.

"I don't want to go," he murmurs, though part of Erik knows that isn't entirely true.

He has to remember everything that is good about home, and why he gave up murder as an occupation. He must have one last taste.

[guideshapelead]

"You do," Charles knows, and understands as well as he's ever been able to.

"Just come back to me, Erik, safe and sound. That's all I can ask for."

[diecastking]

Erik rests his forehead against Charles', sad and tired and sick of his own soul. He does want to kill those who made his parents suffer, made him suffer. But the last thing he wants is to cause Charles pain.

"I want that too," he whispers.

[guideshapelead]

Splaying his fingers out over Erik's cheeks. Charles lets their foreheads continue to rest together.

"Don't be too long gone. I'll miss you."

[diecastking]

"I'll write," Erik says, on a whim, though he has no idea how he'll achieve such a feat. The last thing on his mind will be postage stamps.

"I don't know how long it will take," he confesses. "With the targets they have named...perhaps a year."

[guideshapelead]

A year is a horrendously long time, longer than Charles had been imagining, and he knows he fails in hiding his anguish from his face and his mind.

"What will you tell the boys?" He asks, to try and change the subject, keep the conversation going. He will not fight Erik on this, he knows he will not win.

[diecastking]

Erik feels Charles' despair, and moves away from their intimate embrace to pace the room, tense and anxious.

"The truth, of course," he says. He has never lied to them. "Baby Scott will not understand the whole of it, but he must know it all."

[guideshapelead]

"Have a care, Erik..." Charles frowns. He wants his lover to do what is best for him, whatever will return his serenity to him. But he must think of Scott, as well, and he is not so sure that the truth is always the best policy.

"He cries when you leave for the weekend with the boys. He won't cope with knowing how long you're leaving for this time. A year is an eternity when you're as young as he is."

[diecastking]

"And have him wait at the window every night?"

In truth, Erik doesn't know what to do for the best. He remembers desperately hoping to see him mother again. And then he saw her - saw her shot dead.

[guideshapelead]

"You think I won't be doing any different?" Charles points out, remark more cutting than he had intended.

"I will wait at the window, Erik. You cannot expect our son not to do the same."

[diecastking]

Erik rubs at his forehead, wishing the pain would disappear from his heart.

"I am doing this so that you can live your lives, without fear," he says, trying to make Charles understand. "What use is it if you will not live?"

[guideshapelead]

"Would you carry on, in my place?" Charles asks pointedly. He understands what Erik is trying to say, but these things are always easier said than done. How is he supposed to go on living, when the greatest part of his life is gone?