XMFC/Adapt to survive

[diecastking]

Erik and Raven appear in the middle of the hall, holding hands with Azazel, Riptide and Angel.

//Charles// Erik renews their connection immediately. //Gather everyone in the drawing room. We have urgent news.//

Comments

[diecastking]

Given that Sean, Raven and Hank are all occupying corners of the room, Erik doesn't think one more will hurt.

//Please. We're all here.//

[guideshapelead]

Charles makes his way up to Alex's room, knocking politely before coming in.

"How is he?" he asks, looking at the prone form on the bed.

[diecastking]

To everyone's surprise, Darwin shifts from his position in Alex's lap and clears his throat.

"Better," he rasps.

[guideshapelead]

Charles can feel the pain and anguish in Darwin's mind, but he knows better than to comment on it. If the man would put up a brave face, then he will play along.

Moving closer to the bed, Charles offers him a smile. "It's good to have you back with us, Darwin."

[diecastking]

Alex presses a glass of water into Darwin's hand and he drinks eagerly, before passing it back.

"You found me," Darwin marvels, though Erik privately feels he has every right to be angry that they didn't find him sooner.

[guideshapelead]

Charles thinks along the same lines as Erik.

"My apologies that it has taken us so long. I'm afraid we all thought you hadn't survived Shaw's attack," Charles explains.

"We should have looked sooner," Alex frowns.

[diecastking]

"It's cool," Darwin says, putting a hand on Alex's knee. "I'm here, aren't I?"

It is far from that but Erik thinks it's time to give the young men some privacy.

"Darwin needs to rest," he prompts.

[guideshapelead]

"Yes," Charles agrees, though he is still not sure that Alex should have sole responsibility for the other man's recovery.

"Perhaps we should all let Darwin sleep, for a while."

[diecastking]

Raven, Hank and Sean all shuffle to the door - with Raven stopping to give their restored friend a brief hug.

Alex, however, shows no signs of leaving him room.

"Come on, Charles," Erik nudges.

[guideshapelead]

"He needs to rest, Alex," Charles says, pointedly, before letting Erik bustle him out of the room.

"Hank would be better suited for Darwin's bedside," he continues to push once out of earshot. "I appreciate Alex feels responsible, but he cannot sit there for days on end."

[diecastking]

"Since when have you let that logic stop you?" Erik says, chiding but amused. "Alex is just as stubborn."

[guideshapelead]

"I'm your fiancé," Charles points out. "And I am headmaster. I have a personal responsibility for everybody under this roof. Alex has no responsibility for Darwin."

[diecastking]

"I'm not sure he sees it that way," Erik remarks.

"Perhaps I should make dinner tonight?"

[guideshapelead]

"I would offer to help," Charles says politely, "but I imagine you'd rather I didn't."

He has the decency to look sheepish.

[diecastking]

"You can help Scott lay the table," Erik teases, already moving downstairs. "Alex will not forgive us ruining his kitchen."

[guideshapelead]

"I have only caused one fire since this school started!" Charles declares, thinking this a feat to be proud of despite the fact that nobody else has caused any fires at all whilst trying to cook themselves a meal.

"I think that's a major step forwards, personally."

[diecastking]

"By the end of the year, you may manage cheese on toast - bringing you on par with Baby Scott."

Erik finds Charles' lack of cooking skill hilarious, long past the stage where it reminds him of the vast chasm between their upbringings.

[guideshapelead]

"Can he do that on his own, already?" Charles looks shocked.

"Isn't that... dangerous?"

[diecastking]

"With supervision," Erik says, not at all concerned. The things he had learned by five years old would shock his coddled professor to his bones.

They reach the kitchen and Erik inspects the fridge, removing the plate of mince and pondering what to do with it.