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FILL - The Kids Are Alright - 2b/?

[anonymous]

“And what about you?” Charles asked, leaning one hip against the piano and tucking his hands into his pockets. “What keeps you and your lovely children in hearth and home?”

“I,” Erik ducked his head, embarrassed as always. “I’m a sculptor. Metal, mostly.”

“You must be very good to afford such a home,” Charles said, curiosity in his tone. “Would I know your work?”

“I sell under a pseudonym,” Erik said, shrugging. “I do well enough.”

“You’re going to make me find this out on my own, aren’t you?” Charles asked, eyes sparking with amusement.

“That’s - I wasn’t -” Erik stumbled over his words.

“Excellent! I do enjoy a challenge,” Charles said, reaching a hand out and squeezing Erik’s shoulder. “I think I’ll enjoy this one very much.”

Charles bounced out of the room and Erik stared, bewildered, after him

“It is far to early in the morning for this,” Erik said, following him after a moment. Wanda and Pietro were good enough to allow him to sleep on weekends, fixing their own cereal and peacefully watching cartoons until at least ten. This was not supposed to be interrupted by handsome men needing help with pianos.

--

By mid-morning Erik had found himself roped into carrying box upon box into the house for Raven whilst Charles supervised the men outside. Charles had set up a small portable TV in the front room and Wanda and Pietro, still in their pyjamas, were curled up together in front of it. It was an act of consideration Erik wasn’t used to people making for his children and if it had warmed his heart a little more to Charles then that wasn’t entirely his fault.

“I’m taking you all for lunch, by the way,” Charles said as he handed Erik the fifth box marked ‘Library’.

“Sorry?” Erik looked at Charles with confusion. He’d been allowed a moment to change into some more hard-wearing clothes but he wasn’t entirely sure he was completely awake.

“It’s the least I can do for ruining your morning,” Charles said with another easy smile. “It will go some of the way to repaying your kindness.”

“Oh,” Erik said, blinking. Kind was never a label he’d become accustomed to people using for him. “Thank you.”

“Don’t even consider mentioning it,” Charles said, shaking his head, a note of sadness briefly in his tone. “As I said - it’s the least I can do.”

Erik had only met one person in his life who read him as easily as Charles. It had taken Magda years and Charles moments.