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]

"Can I write you letters?" Scott asks, hopefully. His Daddy and his brother have been teaching him how to write his name. He's sure a letter can't be that much harder.

[diecastking]

"Of course you can, mausi," Erik lies smoothly. He will leave no forwarding address, but the child can write all he wants.

He wants to promise postcards in return, but he has no idea if that is feasible. It hadn't exactly been an issue the last time he played soldier.

[guideshapelead]

"We'll write them together," Charles promises, reaching out across the bed and stroking a gentle hand over the little boy's head.

"We can both write to Papa."

[diecastking]

Scott nods and, despite his fear and his sorrow, he is exhausted by his crying. The little boy closes his eyes and Erik lies beside him until he is sure his brave Baby Scott is sleeping.

[guideshapelead]

"Night night, little one," Charles leans in close and gives Scott a gentle goodnight kiss, before tactfully moving himself away towards the door, giving Erik a moment alone with his sleeping son.

[diecastking]

Erik kisses his son's forehead, refusing to allow a single tear to escape his closed eyes. He knows he may never see his little boy again, but he has to have hope of a return - else, what is it all for?

Eventually, he moves away and joins his lover at the door, unable to meet his eyes.

[guideshapelead]

//Come to bed, Erik// Charles suggests, reaching for his hand and holding it for a moment in his own.

//I want my time alone with you, now//

[diecastking]

Erik simply nods, led like a lamb to their bedroom. This will be the last time he sleeps here for many months. If the night will grant him sleep.

[guideshapelead]

Charles is as sad as Erik must be, but he doesn't want their last night to be spent lying in silence, sleepless and staring at the moonlight's path across the ceiling. He pulls his fiancé to him once the door is closed behind them, pulling him down into his lap.

[diecastking]

Erik sinks into Charles' lap, leaning in to rest his forehead against his lover's.

"I have broken all my promises."

[guideshapelead]

"You couldn't expect everybody to be happy with your decisions," Charles sighs. He's not happy either, but he understands that that will not affect his lover's choice to go.

"But they will understand, sooner or later. You must do what you feel is right, love."

[diecastking]

"I want to keep you safe," he tells Charles, and for the first time, he considers not going. Staying instead to defend their home from the onslaught that is coming.

[guideshapelead]

//I know you do// Charles presses his lips to Erik's cheek, cradling him in his arms.

//I know you do this for all of us//

[diecastking]

Erik kisses Charles' lips and, in that moment, he knows he has to go.

Charles and Scott and their family is worth any price.

[guideshapelead]

//Let's go to bed, Erik// Charles suggests as they kiss, and they both know he doesn't mean to sleep.

//One last time.//

[diecastking]

Erik kisses his fiancé like a drowning man.

//Yes. Please.//

[guideshapelead]

//Help me// Charles suggests, in a rare moment of letting himself be anything but completely independent. Tonight, Erik can do as he pleases with him.

[diecastking]

Erik slides from Charles' lap and carefully lifts him into his arms.

He lays him on the bed reverently, like a delicate prize, before removing his jumper.

[guideshapelead]

"I could use Cerebro," Charles thinks out loud as he lies back and lets Erik undress him as he sees fit.

"To find you. Talk to you. The range is increasing all the time."

[diecastking]

Erik makes short work of Charles' shirt and trousers. "That may not be safe."

[guideshapelead]

"The Government can't hear our thoughts," Charles reasons as he reaches up, starting to return the favour and pull Erik's top from his trousers.

[diecastking]

"You may distract me in the field," Erik says, sharply. He places a hand over Charles', stilling it. "You cannot do that, Charles."

[guideshapelead]

Charles looks up at Erik, and considers fighting him on this one. With everything that Erik is demanding of him, he can't see how the occasional telepathic conversation can be so very terrible.

But he chooses to bite his tongue and back down. No more fighting, he can't bear it.

[diecastking]

Erik lies down beside Charles, his bare skin brushing his lover's.

"You were not made to be a soldier's wife," he says, but it's not quite teasing.

[guideshapelead]

"I wasn't meant to be anybody's wife," Charles points out.

"But no, I do not want to be a soldier's husband. But you cannot choose who you fall in love with."