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 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.

[diecastking]

Erik has not slept.

He has been considering his options, how to spare Charles the worst, but he has drawn a consistent blank.

He wishes Hank had never found the damn drug in the first place.

"Hush, liebe. Let me bring you water."

[guideshapelead]

Charles doesn't want water. The only thing he wants is the drug that will take all of this pain from him, but he knows now that Erik will not let him have it. So he cries into Erik's chest and clings to him, the only thing he has left.

[diecastking]

Erik presses the glass to Charles' lips anyway, urging him to drink.

"Calm your mind."

[guideshapelead]

Charles takes a few unsteady sips, more dribbling down his chin than he gets in his mouth, making him cough.

"Am I dying?" he asks when the coughing subsides.

[diecastking]

"No," Erik says firmly. "You are not dying. You are merely sick from this drug you took. It will pass."

[guideshapelead]

"Is there nothing I can take...?" Charles shivers. "Medicine?"

[diecastking]

"I can send for Hank," Erik says, already shifting away from his lover. "And fetch you something to eat."

[guideshapelead]

"No food..." Charles moans at once. He feels sick enough as it is.

"Please, no food."

[diecastking]

"Toast," Erik insists. "And perhaps black tea. I'll be back soon enough."

He tries to leave their bed without jarring Charles, tangled in the sweat-soaked bedclothes.

[guideshapelead]

Charles doesn't answer, groaning instead as Erik leaves him.

He will not eat, no matter what anyone says.

[diecastking]

Erik bats away the children's concerns but shares a significant look with Hank as he fetches tea and toast for them both.

He hangs back as Hank starts his examination of Charles, commenting on how pale he is and offering another dose of the new medication.

[guideshapelead]

Charles accepts the medication, hoping it will take the edge off his sufferings even if it isn't what he truly wants. He listens as Hank tells him to eat and drink, nodding in the right places, until finally he's left alone with Erik once more.

"I'll take the tea," he offers a compromise.

[diecastking]

Hoping the tea will give him appetite for more, Erik dutifully pours it in silence and eats his own toast. He cannot bear to see food wasted, not even to encourage Charles to eat more.

[guideshapelead]

Charles sips at the cup, grimacing at the pain in his tender stomach. But at least it stays down, and eventually he does start to look at the plate of toast.

[diecastking]

Erik nudges the plate towards him wordlessly and sips his tea. He does not comment on Charles' improvement, for fear his lover will grumpily contradict him.

[guideshapelead]

Slowly, Charles reaches for the toast and nibbles at the corner. It has grown cold and soggy, but he doesn't complain.

He only manages a corner before he pushes the plate away, unable to eat any more.

[diecastking]

Erik doesn't push, leaving the toast for the time being, and pouring Charles another cup of tea.

"We could go outside later," he offers.

[guideshapelead]

"Maybe," Charles gives his non-committal response. He's already exhausted all over again.

"I think I might just... go back to sleep."

[diecastking]

"I'll be here when you wake up," Erik assures him. "I'm not leaving you, Charles."

[guideshapelead]

"I know," Charles sighs, closing his eyes and letting Erik envelop him once more.

"I know."