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.

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[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?"

[guideshapelead]

Hank shakes his head.

"I'll keep experimenting, but don't get your hopes up. That's the compound that blocked his ability. The addictive one."

[diecastking]

Erik closes his eyes in frustration.

"He is not in his right mind," he tells himself, more than Hank. "He will understand when he is better."

[guideshapelead]

"It'll get worse before it gets better," Hank warns, before looking Erik up and down, trying to decide whether he's the kind of person who might have experienced withdrawal first-hand, or seen it up close.

"You know how withdrawal goes."

[diecastking]

Erik nods tersely. He lived on the streets of NYC as a teenager - he has seen withdrawal up close and personal, even started to feel some of it himself. That's when he'd got out.

"I can take care of it."

[guideshapelead]

Hank nods again.

"Come and find me if you need me," he offers, before leaving Erik to be with his fiancé.

[diecastking]

Erik enters the drawing room and immediately locks the door behind him.

"Charles?" he asks. "Were you listening?"

[guideshapelead]

"I can't not listen," Charles complains. "I can hear the whole house as though you're all screaming in my ear."

[diecastking]

"Then you heard what Hank said," Erik continues, his voice level.

"About the drug and its effects."

[guideshapelead]

Charles nods. He doesn't want to say anything out loud that might be taken as an agreement with Hank's suggestion. He's too busy struggling to come to terms with the idea that the drug that gave him back his legs has been taken away from him.

[diecastking]

"Hank will not synthesise any more of the serum, Charles," Erik says firmly. "We will have to get you through this without it."

[guideshapelead]

"I don't feel well," Charles complains and tries to turn his back, though with his legs back to dead weights he only truly succeeds in shifting his shoulders.