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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[diecastking]

Erik maintains his shark-like grin.

"I'm sure you are quite capable, Charles."

[guideshapelead]

"Erik..." Charles groans, starting to tire of the game they are playing.

"I've not been out of bed for days. Please?"

[diecastking]

But Erik is equally as stubborn.

"If you don't push yourself, how will you find your limits?"

[guideshapelead]

"Erik..."

Charles rolls slowly towards the edge of the bed, but the sight of his chair fills him with shame and dread. "You are being cruel, now."

[diecastking]

Erik hides his feelings at being thought cruel.

"I am merely being optimistic. Isn't that how you've always wished me to be?"

[guideshapelead]

"I've wished a great many things, Erik," Charles talks to the wall, refusing to look back at his lover.

"Most have already been taken away from me."

[diecastking]

Despite his own role in Charles' hardships, Erik has never been able to raise much sympathy for his lover's plight. He lost his innocence, his father and his mother, and an entire generation of his people.

"You have your family, and your school. You have your great mind."

[guideshapelead]

"All I wanted was some help," Charles sighs, somewhat cowed.

"Was that too much to ask?"

[diecastking]

"Do I help you by keeping you coddled like a child?" Erik says sharply, on the verge of losing his temper.

"I believe you capable. What better help can I give?"

[guideshapelead]

"I'll fall," Charles eyes the gap between bed and chair dubiously.

"I haven't done this in a long while."

[diecastking]

"I am here," Erik says, more gently. "I would never let you fall."

[guideshapelead]

Charles continues to look dubious, but does slowly reach out for the arm of his chair. His arms shake, with nerves more than physical strain, as he slowly edges himself closer to the edge of the bed.

[diecastking]

Erik waits, the fibres of metal in Charles' pyjamas calling to him, but he does not move.

Charles must do this for himself.

[guideshapelead]

Charles tumbles gracelessly into his chair, his old strength lacking from his arms and allowing for a graceful transfer. There will be new bruises on his thighs in a few hours, but at least he has managed to get himself out of his bed.

[diecastking]

Erik places his hands around the chair handles and wheels Charles towards the bathroom.

"Well done," he says quietly.

[guideshapelead]

Charles doesn't respond, doesn't feel that he should be praised for something that had once come so simply. All he wants is his promised bath and then, maybe, if he's left alone...

He could always make his own way to Hank's lab.

[diecastking]

Erik leaves Charles to undress as he runs the bath for him, pouring a generous amount of lavender oil into the water.

"Scott is looking forward to seeing you."

[guideshapelead]

"What did you tell him?" Charles wonders as he strips away his pyjama shirt, revealing a body gone too thin, too fast.

"Is he... okay?"

[diecastking]

"He thinks you are ill," Erik says, not having the heart to remind Charles that their little boy is all too used to their absences from school life.

[guideshapelead]

"Tell him I am feeling better?" Charles requests as he struggles to remove his pyjama bottoms. He will find his way back to his drug at some point soon, and then he will be himself once more.

[diecastking]

"You can tell him yourself over lunch," Erik nudges gently. "He has drawn you a picture."

[guideshapelead]

Charles still feels far from hungry, but he smiles and nods anyway. Erik seems to be in a better mood, the more he says the things he wants to hear, and acts in the way Erik wants him to.

"That bath, first."

[diecastking]

Erik finishes running the bath and, without comment, lifts Charles from his chair and into the water.

"Do you need anything?"

[guideshapelead]

Charles shakes his head, eyes closing as he sinks down into the water. He still remembers well enough taking a bath with his legs lost to him, and his arms hold the sides instinctually to keep him from submerging beneath the surface entirely.

"Just let me know when you don't think I smell any more."

[diecastking]

"I have a few errands about the house. You will call me, when you done?"

Erik doesn't like to leave Charles, but he wants to encourage him to occupy his own time.