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 shakes his head. He feels hot and cold and more than a little sick. Food is the last thing on his mind.

"Water, maybe."

[diecastking]

Erik fetches a glass of water and hands it to Charles, letting him drink before he considers moving him onto the bed.

"Hank will need to keep an eye on you."

[guideshapelead]

"He knows where to find me," Charles doesn't argue. If he is to be made helpless again, then there is no point in fighting the inevitable.

[diecastking]

"You need to rest until the drug is out of your system," Erik insists. "After that, you are your own man, Charles."

He carefully eases away the arm of the chair and waits again for Charles to invite his help, never presuming.

[guideshapelead]

Charles does not ask for help, nor does he move, eyes closed as he grips the glass of water to him. He will sleep where he sits, if he is not given an alternative, too tired and ill to find the effort even to ask for assistance.

[diecastking]

Erik makes sure Charles has a firm grip on the glass before carefully sliding him over onto the better.

His legs have regained some of their mass, so he is heavier than Erik remembers, but were it not for that, this would be just like when he first came home. After running from his failures.

[guideshapelead]

Handing the glass off to Erik, Charles struggles pathetically to get himself beneath the covers, not even attempting to try and undress himself. He's too cold to lose any layers, even if they're not appropriate for getting into bed.

[diecastking]

Erik merely loosens Charles' belt and removes it under his power, not wanting to intrude on his lover's physical space.

"I'll fetch tea," he suggests. It is the only thing to soothe Charles in a wild temper.

[guideshapelead]

Charles doesn't answer, giving up on his pointless fight with the bedclothes. He remembers, well enough, how to manipulate himself and his environment without the use of his legs, but he is too proud to stoop to such lows. He would rather suffer.

[diecastking]

Erik directs the teachers to organise the children and settle them down before bedtime. He leaves the school in Raven's hands, unsure how long Charles' illness will last.

He brings the tea tray up to their bedroom, with Earl Grey and shortbread biscuits.

[guideshapelead]

Charles is exactly where Erik had left him, on top of the covers with his head on the pillows, staring blankly up at the ceiling.

"You're worried. And angry. Raven's just worried. Scott's dreaming about his soldiers, and Alex is planning next week's meals," he rattles off when Erik comes back into the room.

"I can hear it all. Whether I want to, or not."

[diecastking]

"You can control it," Erik reminds him. "The point between rage and serenity. But I fear, for once, you are too much rage."

[guideshapelead]

"There is no serenity with this noise in my head," Charles groans, choosing not to point out that the ache in his limbs (or at least those he can still feel) is not helping his mood much, either.

[diecastking]

Erik takes a deep breath and tries to find his ocean of calm, deep at the back of his anxious mind.

"Reach to me," he offers.

[guideshapelead]

"I'm not training with you now," Charles answers, not even trying. He feels to wretched for that amount of effort.

[diecastking]

Erik closes his eyes and takes a breath. He pictures a vast library, filled to the brim with books and two cosy armchairs for them to rest. He smiles as he brings the image to life, a place they have wandered using Charles' powers many times before.

[guideshapelead]

Whilst Charles is out of practice, his ability to shield and filter offline, he cannot help but be bombarded by the force of the image Erik sends his way. His head is filled with their library, blotting out all other thoughts for a moment, and a small smile finally passes his lips.

[diecastking]

Erik opens his eyes and they are in the library, sitting across from each other with a mountain of unread books between them.

Silently, he reaches out for Charles' hand, inviting him to stay.

[guideshapelead]

"This... this is my ability, not yours," Charles looks started to find himself so immersed in Erik's mind.

"This is your mind you've brought me in to."

[diecastking]

"This is our space," Erik counters. "It is your ability that has formed it."

[guideshapelead]

The pretend, telepathic library comforts Charles, reminding him of the good things about his ability, the things he is capable of. It drowns out the rest of the noise in his head, too, though it does little to hide his physical suffering.

"It's cold," he complains, despite the heat from the fireplace that feels as real as if they were really there.

[diecastking]

Erik moves to Charles chair and draws him into his arms, wondering if his physical body is reacting in a similar way. "I'm here."

[guideshapelead]

Charles rests his head against Erik's chest, closing his eyes and letting himself be held. A few tears escape him then, though he cries silently in the hope Erik will not notice.

[diecastking]

As close as they are in body and mind, Erik cannot help but notice the tears, though he says nothing.

"I'm here," he repeats.

[guideshapelead]

Charles doesn't know where to begin explaining to Erik how he feels. How, when his powers first manifested, they came slowly and he learnt to control them as they grew, so he was never overwhelmed in the way he is now. Or how he had thought he would never have to experience life in a wheelchair again, how he had ended his jog with Alex earlier with a "same time tomorrow".

Then he realises he doesn't have to explain, Erik so deep in his mind that he must already know.