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 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.

[diecastking]

Erik draws his lover down under their blankets, holding him close.

"We'll get through this," he tells him.

[guideshapelead]

"I just..." Charles moans pathetically.

"One more needle. I could... I could fight it better, if I had it just one more time."

[diecastking]

"No, Charles," Erik says, his voice steel. "No more."

[guideshapelead]

"To help me sleep..." Charles doesn't see the problem in that. Not if he promises to leave it be from then on.

[diecastking]

"No, Charles," Erik says, softly. "It will ruin you. You cannot go back."

[guideshapelead]

Charles thumps his fists against Erik's chest in impotent frustration, the blows light as a feather in his current state.

"You torture me."

[diecastking]

Erik says nothing. He has known torture. He wishes he could bear this for Charles, struggle through it for him, but he cannot.

"It will pass."

[guideshapelead]

"If it doesn't kill me..." Charles allows himself a bit of melodrama in his current state. He feels like death, after all.

[diecastking]

"I would not allow it," Erik declares solemnly, wrapping Charles up in his blankets more securely.

[guideshapelead]

"I know..." Charles sighs.

"Forgive me."

[diecastking]

Erik holds Charles close. "Try to sleep. I'll be right here."

[guideshapelead]

Falling silent, Charles eventually does slip into a fitful sleep, punctuated by fever dreams and hallucinations. He wakes regularly, feeling more unwell every time, aching and shaking and sick to his stomach.

[diecastking]

Erik cuddles Charles close to him, watching over him throughout the night.

[guideshapelead]

When Charles next wakes long enough to be aware of the fact, early morning light is filtering in through the window.

Pressing himself further into Erik's embrace, he moans piteously.