XMFC/Where's Scott?

[diecastking]

The fire is roaring in the grate, the drawing room an insulated haven from the chilly expanse of the mansion. Despite Hank and Alex's experiments with capturing Havok power, the old building remains draughty and difficult to warm.

However, Erik is perfectly content. He is sitting on the sofa, Charles sprawled across his lap in a position that would've been completely impossible only a few months ago. He rests his elbow on the arm of the sofa, a book of philosophy open but it's his lover who holds his attention, his hand softly caressing his hair.

Charles has never looked more content, more relaxed. The only sting in the tail is that Erik cannot feel his happiness, one step removed from the intimacy they once shared.

Comments

[diecastking]

Erik wants to leap to his feet and marshal the others to search, but he must stay with Charles.

Scott clutches his dolls close to his chest and peers out of the tree. He doesn't really remember how he got up here and he can't see a way down in the dark.

//I can see the house. All the lights are on.// He squints into the darkness. //And I can see Banshee's targets all smashed up on the grass.//

[guideshapelead]

//Shout, Scott// Charles suggests as he passes on the location to Erik.

//Loudly, so people can hear you. Alex is looking for you, and Raven and Hank.//

[diecastking]

Scott does as he's told, shouting at the top of his lungs for his brother and his aunt and uncles.

It's Alex who comes running, staring up at the tree like he's seen a ghost. "And how the- how did you get up there?"

[guideshapelead]

Charles breaks away from Scott's mind once he knows he's been found, lying still on the sofa with one arm over his eyes.

"He's safe. I need the proper medication now."

[diecastking]

Erik stares down at him.

"Hank says this medication replaces the other. You cannot have both."

[guideshapelead]

"Then I want the first one back," Charles complains.

"I can't move my legs. The whole house is screaming in my head."

[diecastking]

"You cannot take another dose until this one wears off," Erik insists. If he had his way, Charles would never take it ever again.

"And you can control your powers, if you train again. You have controlled them for years."

[guideshapelead]

"Can I walk again if I train?" Charles snaps.

"I don't feel well." He feels hot and cold, as though he has a fever, though he had not been feeling ill half an hour previously. It's a reaction to the drugs, or lack thereof, he knows, rather than any sort of flu or temperature.

[diecastking]

Erik moves away. "I will fetch Hank. And then I will put our son to bed."

[guideshapelead]

"Don't leave me..." Charles begs as Erik moves away. It's like the beach all over again, the loss of sensation in his legs like the first time, leaving him terrified and vulnerable.

[diecastking]

"Charles, I must go to Scott." Erik hates to choose between his lover and his son, but he must do it tonight.

"I will be back as soon as I can. And I'm still right here." He reaches out to touch the side of Charles' head.

[guideshapelead]

Charles nods but says nothing, letting Erik go. For his part, he can do nothing but stay exactly where he is, unable to move, listening to the screaming in his mind.

[diecastking]

Erik reaches out towards Charles' mind as he walks further away, but it feels uncertain, as if the connection is straining through a dense cloud.

//Right here//

[guideshapelead]

Left alone, Charles tries to breathe and calm his mind, though it's an almost impossible task when he feels so desperately ill for want of his original medication, and so ridiculously child-like for the loss of his legs yet again. It's all he can do not to scream and throw a tantrum as he waits for someone to come to his aid.

[diecastking]

Erik runs into Hank and the kids in the hall.

"Charles needs your assistance in the drawing room," he tells Hank, before sweeping Scott out of Alex's arms and into his own.

"You understand that you scared everyone, yes? You must tell us when you go outside."

[guideshapelead]

"Sorry Papa," Scott stares resolutely at his feet. "I didn't see that it got dark. I was just playing."

[diecastking]

Erik kisses Scott's forehead.

"Come say goodnight to Daddy and then you can take supper in bed."

[guideshapelead]

Hank is paying close attention to Charles as Erik and Scott appear, and he quickly shakes his head, not wanting Scott too close.

"Your Daddy's not feeling well," he warns.

[diecastking]

"Wave to Daddy from here," Erik says, standing well back.

"Goodnight Daddy," Scott says, holding up his hand. "I'm sorry I got lost."

[guideshapelead]

"It's okay, Scott. Good night," Charles answers, though he's unable to twist himself into a position to see his little boy.

"Sleep well."

[diecastking]

Scott blows Charles a kiss, before Erik carries his away.

He feels like he's tormenting his lover, keeping him from what he desires, but why can't Charles see that his mutant powers are what makes him great? That it's what makes him a better man?

[guideshapelead]

Hank is waiting for Erik when he returns from putting Scott to bed, drawing him aside before he makes it back into the drawing room.

"i'm afraid I have some less than wonderful news."

[diecastking]

"What is it? Is Charles all right?"

Erik immediately tries to move past Hank to find his lover.

[guideshapelead]

"He's fine," Hank holds out a hand to Erik's chest to stop him. "Or he will be. The... the original medication he was on. The one that blocked his power, but gave him his legs. The component I've removed in the new version... it appears it was highly addictive. The Professor is experiencing the first symptoms of withdrawal."

Hank looks suitably apologetic. "I cannot let him go back to it, now. It's too dangerous."

[diecastking]

Erik forces down the anger he feels - against Hank, against the world - and brings himself back to the moment.

"What about his legs? Can you do anything?"