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]

"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.

[guideshapelead]

//As I always did// Charles promises, showing that he has some control again over his mutant ability.

To himself, he thinks that all he truly needs is the ability to get himself out from the bath. Then he could make it to Hank's laboratory whilst Erik ran his chores, none the wiser.

[diecastking]

Erik smiles, pleased that Charles is once more sharing his headspace, even if it is much weaker than before.

//I love you//

[guideshapelead]

//I love you// Charles answers in turn, before silencing his mind. He will never get his hands back on his medication if Erik will not leave him be.

[diecastking]

Erik finds the detachment strange but leaves Charles to bathe in private.

He only has a few students to see before the promised hour where he will instruct Scott in German. He has no idea why the child wants to learn, but he is all too eager to teach his son something of his heritage.

[guideshapelead]

Charles does not wait long after Erik leaves him to drain the water from the bath. Muscle memory kicking in, he manages to get himself back into his chair, back to the bedroom and dressed in his clothes. By then, every muscle in his upper body was trembling with his exertion, but he forced himself to carry on.

Finally ready, he moves to the door of the bedroom, opening it and heading out into the corridor for the first time in a long while.

[diecastking]

Sitting with Scott, Erik realises that more than half an hour has passed since he left Charles in the bath.

//Liebe?// he calls, reaching for him through their connection //Are you ready?//

[guideshapelead]

Just about to reach the lift down to the basement, Charles curses to himself as he hears Erik in his head.

//Not quite// he stalls for time, unable to find a lie without warning.

[diecastking]

Erik feels something strange in Charles' words, but it must be because he is unused to their connection being restored.

//Take your time//

[guideshapelead]

Entering the lift, Charles tries to keep his thoughts to himself as he pushes the button for the basement.

The lift starts to move, carrying Charles closer to his goal. Until it stops, the doors opening right into the corridor where Hank stands, waiting.

[diecastking]

"It's good to see you up, Professor," Hanks says. "Do you need something?"