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]

"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.

[diecastking]

Erik feels his lover's pain and tries to contain it, holding him close and letting the pain and frustration wash over them.

He thinks about Charles at this strongest and his most capable - using his powers, using his wheelchair, and the best times they have shared.

[guideshapelead]

Charles lets Erik's thoughts in - has little choice in the matter - though they do little to encourage him. The lever of prowess that his lover imagines he feels must be years away from being re-achieved.

[diecastking]

"Together, we are strong," Erik murmurs against Charles' ear. "Only together."

[guideshapelead]

"I fear I am the weak link, Erik..." Charles sighs.

"No matter how kind you are."

[diecastking]

"Think on all I have done," Erik says, the images rising unbidden to the forefront of his mind: the beach, Emma Frost's betrayal, running to New York, playing assassin across the globe.

"You did not abandon me over so many sins. Do you really think I would cast you aside so easily?"

[guideshapelead]

Charles sighs again, and chooses not to answer the question.

"I am tired, Erik."

[diecastking]

"Then sleep. I am here."

Erik waits for Charles to decide, the library suddenly brittle around them, as if a small puff of air could fracture the dream.

[guideshapelead]

As the library pales, the rest of the thoughts of the household come back, making Charles wince. Once more, he focuses on the library, bringing it back into its full glory, but the concentration required needs him to stay awake. He finds himself at an impasse.

[diecastking]

Erik reaches out to his lover, withdrawing from the library, pressing his hands against Charles' skin.

"I am here."

[guideshapelead]

Thrown from his library once more, Charles has nowhere left to hide but in Erik's arms. Curling into him as best he can manage, he trembles in his embrace, face buried against his lover's skin as if that alone can block out the voices from his head.

[diecastking]

"Walls," Erik nudges, out loud, trying to remember Charles' basic training for him on protecting himself from telepaths. "Time to rebuild, liebe."

[guideshapelead]

"I don't feel well," Charles complains for what feels like the thousandth time. He hasn't the energy, physical or mental, to start any sort of training now.

[diecastking]

"This is as easy as breathing for you," Erik reminds him. "You have merely forgotten. Come now, Charles."

[guideshapelead]

But Charles just moans and trembles in Erik's arms, skin goose-pimpled and clammy to his lover's touch.