Fic : Healing is a process - chapter 6
Pairing:Charles/Erik
Rating:T
Warnings: AU
Summary:This is a response to an lj prompt about Erik being hurt as Shaw flung him to the pipes and the effects of it all. It will be Charles/Erik. Prompt can be found here: 1stclass-kink.livejournal.com/4418.html
Disclaimer: I do not own.
Beta: Arcana Major
The week passed, slowly but calmly.
Having been released just a day after he was admitted, Charles had made it clear that he intended to be by Erik's side until the magnetokinetic was cleared to leave the hospital and return home. He had proceeded to spend almost every waking hour in Erik's room; playing chess, talking or simply reading in a comfortable silence. By unspoken agreement, they avoided conversations which could lead to subjects they didn't yet feel comfortable discussing.
The others would come by occasionally, some more than others. Raven was a daily visitor, as was Moira. Sean would swing by accompanied by Alex but neither of them would stay for more than a few minutes. Erik had always made Sean feel nervous and that had only gotten worse due to the recent events, even Alex was a bit uneasy knowing that the magnetokinetic had killed a man. Hank would avoid daytime visits altogether, fearing that he would attract attention; stopping his visits completely once it had become clear that Erik was no longer in danger.
Erik found himself enjoying Raven's visits in particular. She would talk about Charles's childhood, about incidents with his telepathy or simply mischievous achievements of her brother's. Charles would protest and a kind of bickering would ensue. To Erik, who had been deprived of this kind of warmth and intimacy for so long, these kind of moments were both enjoyable and painful. As soon as his thoughts started to wander towards darker places, Charles would look at him and the darkness would dispel.
Charles was content during that week. Erik was a difficult patient, there was no doubt about that, three days after his hospitalization he had started making demands to be released. However, the two men seemed to have settled back into their usual relationship. It wasn't perfect, many things were still left unsaid but Charles was willing to put it aside for the simple fact that Erik was there, in front of him. There would come a time when they would have to talk but for the time being they were willing to take things slowly for now.
The outside world was abuzz with conflicting reports surrounding the events of the conflict between the American and Russian fleets that had resulted into both parties ordering a combined missile strike against an apparently empty beach. Diplomats were running around trying to make sense of the situation and alleviate the tensions that had arisen between Cuba and those two countries.
But whatever was going on in the world outside didn't seem to be of much concern to the mutants at present. They were happy to deny the existence of any world outside the hospital doors for the moment. Content for the time being in this semblance of peace, reluctant to open a can of worms they didn't feel confident they could handle right now.
No one from the CIA had bothered them, possibly thinking they were dead. Investigations could not be conducted on the island yet to ascertain the facts, due to the political heat and Moira had neglected to inform her superiors that she was still alive. So life seemed to continue in relative calm for the human and the band of mutants. At least, that was, until Moira dropped by the hospital, the afternoon before Erik was scheduled to be discharged.
oOo
As usual she opened the door to find both men present; sitting on Erik's bed, a chess board between them. Both of them focused on the game in front of them.
"Hello Moira," Charles greeted, not looking away from the board.
The telepath reach out and moved his queen, before saying "Check".
This game must have started some time ago, Moira noted as she saw an assortment of pieces having already been taken by both sides.
Erik withdrew his king from the reach of Charles' queen before looking at the man sitting opposite him and giving him a grin, "I am very determined to win this one Charles."
"Then you should try a little harder," the telepath replied with a mischievous expression.
Moira had resisted the urge to roll her eyes, before she approached them and sat down on an empty chair near them.
"I wanted to talk to you," she said.
" Of course Moira, what is it?" Charles asked absentmindedly.
Erik didn't make any indication he registered her presence. Though they had made some progress in the past few days, his dislike towards her hadn't completely disappeared. Moira wasn't bothered by that, she knew Erik had a lot of issues and with good reason.
"I 've decided to go back to the CIA," she stated.
Her statement had an immediate effect as both men turned to look at her, forgetting about their game. Charles simply looked surprised while Erik displayed a mix of surprise and suspicion.
"What brought this on Moira?" the telepath enquired.
"I understand that you have been preoccupied the past few days but there are things that must be done, sooner rather than later," her tone remained professional as she spoke.
"Things like what?" Erik asked, narrowed blue eyes studying her carefully.
"The CIA knows about you and from the accounts of the events they may have already made the connection between mutants and the events that took place at the beach. Even if they haven't yet initiated a full investigation, it won't be long before the they do. If that happens, it'll be in our best interests to have someone on the inside could that can sidetrack it," Moira explained.
Erik seemed thoughtful, Charles however shook his head.
"That may not be a good idea," he said, "Not that I don't agree, that eventually something will have to be done about this but how would you explain your survival?"
"Are you certain about this Moira? Not that I don't agree, eventually something will have to be done about this but it may not be the best idea. But this means you would be choosing sides between us and the government. You could be abandoning everything you have worked for, " Charles asked, looking straight into her eyes.
"I want to help you Charles, all of you," said Moira her face set, "they may not act immediately if they think that you have all been killed but they know now and they will start looking. You have said it yourself that the mutations have accelerated, with every new generation there will be a larger number of mutants born."
"She is right Charles," Erik stated, earning a surprised look from Moira.
The telepath turned to look at his friend.
'I know she is, but we shouldn't involve her.'
The magnetokinetic gave him a questioning look , 'What could you do? Erase her memories?'
Charles remained silent.
'You could?' surprise evident in Erik's voice.
'Yes,' the telepath almost sounded apprehensive as he replied.
Erik was uncertain if he should feel fear or awe in light of this revelation. He had known Charles was powerful, much more so than Emma Frost, but he hadn't suspected that he could exert that much power over the mind. His eyes lit up in admiration as he looked at Charles as if it was the first time he was truly seeing him.
'Stop that,' came the embarrassed voice of his telepathic friend. At least the apprehension was gone and a hint of relief floated through their connection.
Of course Charles would be reluctant to reveal that part of himself, to Erik or to anyone else. Perhaps to Erik even more, especially after the insistence of the magnetokinetic for the telepath to stay out of his mind. The helmet incident had aggravated the situation and even though Erik tried to encourage Charles to use his abilities with him, he didn't feel completely at ease with it and the telepath could have felt it.
'I am sorry Charles, I just never realized that-'
'That my abilities were so powerful.'
There was a certain bitterness in those words and Erik really wanted to ask why, but he knew now was not a good time.
Charles just shrugged it off, as if it was not important, before speaking again, 'I do not like using that part of my abilities but..."
'Then don't, it is her decision," the magnetokinetic replied.
'She could have been killed because of us."
'It is still her choice, you shouldn't deny her that,' Erik told his friend.
'But-'
'Look Charles, I know you and I know that you will regret doing this, so don't. We will find another way,' the magnetokinetic stated, trying to sound as certain as he could.
He really understood that it would cost Charles if he were to lose Moira like that and just as much as the telepath wanted to protect Moira, Erik wanted to protect Charles even more. The fact that the telepath would have to, potentially, use this particular ability against other people soon was something that would be necessary and unavoidable. He could easily see himself insisting on it if it was to protect his people from everyone who tried to harm them.
'I know,' the telepath whispered in his mind and Erik realized that he must have been projecting his thoughts unwittingly as he got caught up in them.
'We can do this Charles, together,' the magnetokinetic's voice was filled with confidence.
There was a pause.
'Thank you Erik,' Charles let his relief wash over the other man.
It was what he needed to hear, this way it became certain that his friend would stay and he would stand by him in the effort to protect the people like them. Charles would have done it without Erik because he should, but now with him he felt more confident.
'We will have to plan,' the telepath said.
'Then we'll plan,' Erik replied.
"You know you could try including those of us who don't possess superpowers into the conversation," Moira said, yanking them back to reality.
Charles had the decency to look a little embarrassed, Erik on the other didn't seem at all bothered by it.
"I'm sorry Moira," the telepath told her, looking at her now with a certain confidence and something else she couldn't really place.
She brushed off his apology with a smile, "That's okay, I am almost used to it."
That was not completely true. There were times when the two men would have entire conversations like this, not often though, but it always made her uncomfortable how at ease they seemed with each other. She envied the closeness they shared.
"You are correct Moira, we will have to get ahead of this soon but I think it would be best if he held off for a while, at least until we go back to Westchester," Charles said, looking very serious, "There will be things we'll have to plan for."
Erik gave a nod of agreement.
Moira looked pensive for a moment, "Very well Charles, we will do this your way."
She got up from her chair, "I've got to leave now, I have an appointment, but I'll come back tomorrow."
At that she really thought she heard Erik grunt, while Charles simply gave her a smile.
After Moira's departure, the room was plunged into silence. The telepath seemed lost in his thoughts, his gaze fixed on the wall but not seeing anything. Erik's eyes were studying him, noting the worry lines on his forehead. He reached out after a few moments and touched his friend's shoulder, breaking his focus.
Charles blinked, "Sorry, got a bit caught up."
"If you keep doing that you will end up losing," the magnetokinetic told him, grinning teasingly, trying to relieve the tension.
The mischievous smile returned to the telepath's face, "I wouldn't bet on it my friend," he replied as he moved one of his knights on the chess board, overtaking a pawn.
Erik smiled, he did like a challenge after all.
Just like that, the two men, returned to their game. They would start planning soon, they couldn't escape reality for long. There were things to be done and decisions to be made, but for now they would indulge in this small amusement and the company of each other.
Rating:T
Warnings: AU
Summary:This is a response to an lj prompt about Erik being hurt as Shaw flung him to the pipes and the effects of it all. It will be Charles/Erik. Prompt can be found here: 1stclass-kink.livejournal.com/4418.html
Disclaimer: I do not own.
Beta: Arcana Major
The week passed, slowly but calmly.
Having been released just a day after he was admitted, Charles had made it clear that he intended to be by Erik's side until the magnetokinetic was cleared to leave the hospital and return home. He had proceeded to spend almost every waking hour in Erik's room; playing chess, talking or simply reading in a comfortable silence. By unspoken agreement, they avoided conversations which could lead to subjects they didn't yet feel comfortable discussing.
The others would come by occasionally, some more than others. Raven was a daily visitor, as was Moira. Sean would swing by accompanied by Alex but neither of them would stay for more than a few minutes. Erik had always made Sean feel nervous and that had only gotten worse due to the recent events, even Alex was a bit uneasy knowing that the magnetokinetic had killed a man. Hank would avoid daytime visits altogether, fearing that he would attract attention; stopping his visits completely once it had become clear that Erik was no longer in danger.
Erik found himself enjoying Raven's visits in particular. She would talk about Charles's childhood, about incidents with his telepathy or simply mischievous achievements of her brother's. Charles would protest and a kind of bickering would ensue. To Erik, who had been deprived of this kind of warmth and intimacy for so long, these kind of moments were both enjoyable and painful. As soon as his thoughts started to wander towards darker places, Charles would look at him and the darkness would dispel.
Charles was content during that week. Erik was a difficult patient, there was no doubt about that, three days after his hospitalization he had started making demands to be released. However, the two men seemed to have settled back into their usual relationship. It wasn't perfect, many things were still left unsaid but Charles was willing to put it aside for the simple fact that Erik was there, in front of him. There would come a time when they would have to talk but for the time being they were willing to take things slowly for now.
The outside world was abuzz with conflicting reports surrounding the events of the conflict between the American and Russian fleets that had resulted into both parties ordering a combined missile strike against an apparently empty beach. Diplomats were running around trying to make sense of the situation and alleviate the tensions that had arisen between Cuba and those two countries.
But whatever was going on in the world outside didn't seem to be of much concern to the mutants at present. They were happy to deny the existence of any world outside the hospital doors for the moment. Content for the time being in this semblance of peace, reluctant to open a can of worms they didn't feel confident they could handle right now.
No one from the CIA had bothered them, possibly thinking they were dead. Investigations could not be conducted on the island yet to ascertain the facts, due to the political heat and Moira had neglected to inform her superiors that she was still alive. So life seemed to continue in relative calm for the human and the band of mutants. At least, that was, until Moira dropped by the hospital, the afternoon before Erik was scheduled to be discharged.
oOo
As usual she opened the door to find both men present; sitting on Erik's bed, a chess board between them. Both of them focused on the game in front of them.
"Hello Moira," Charles greeted, not looking away from the board.
The telepath reach out and moved his queen, before saying "Check".
This game must have started some time ago, Moira noted as she saw an assortment of pieces having already been taken by both sides.
Erik withdrew his king from the reach of Charles' queen before looking at the man sitting opposite him and giving him a grin, "I am very determined to win this one Charles."
"Then you should try a little harder," the telepath replied with a mischievous expression.
Moira had resisted the urge to roll her eyes, before she approached them and sat down on an empty chair near them.
"I wanted to talk to you," she said.
" Of course Moira, what is it?" Charles asked absentmindedly.
Erik didn't make any indication he registered her presence. Though they had made some progress in the past few days, his dislike towards her hadn't completely disappeared. Moira wasn't bothered by that, she knew Erik had a lot of issues and with good reason.
"I 've decided to go back to the CIA," she stated.
Her statement had an immediate effect as both men turned to look at her, forgetting about their game. Charles simply looked surprised while Erik displayed a mix of surprise and suspicion.
"What brought this on Moira?" the telepath enquired.
"I understand that you have been preoccupied the past few days but there are things that must be done, sooner rather than later," her tone remained professional as she spoke.
"Things like what?" Erik asked, narrowed blue eyes studying her carefully.
"The CIA knows about you and from the accounts of the events they may have already made the connection between mutants and the events that took place at the beach. Even if they haven't yet initiated a full investigation, it won't be long before the they do. If that happens, it'll be in our best interests to have someone on the inside could that can sidetrack it," Moira explained.
Erik seemed thoughtful, Charles however shook his head.
"That may not be a good idea," he said, "Not that I don't agree, that eventually something will have to be done about this but how would you explain your survival?"
"Are you certain about this Moira? Not that I don't agree, eventually something will have to be done about this but it may not be the best idea. But this means you would be choosing sides between us and the government. You could be abandoning everything you have worked for, " Charles asked, looking straight into her eyes.
"I want to help you Charles, all of you," said Moira her face set, "they may not act immediately if they think that you have all been killed but they know now and they will start looking. You have said it yourself that the mutations have accelerated, with every new generation there will be a larger number of mutants born."
"She is right Charles," Erik stated, earning a surprised look from Moira.
The telepath turned to look at his friend.
'I know she is, but we shouldn't involve her.'
The magnetokinetic gave him a questioning look , 'What could you do? Erase her memories?'
Charles remained silent.
'You could?' surprise evident in Erik's voice.
'Yes,' the telepath almost sounded apprehensive as he replied.
Erik was uncertain if he should feel fear or awe in light of this revelation. He had known Charles was powerful, much more so than Emma Frost, but he hadn't suspected that he could exert that much power over the mind. His eyes lit up in admiration as he looked at Charles as if it was the first time he was truly seeing him.
'Stop that,' came the embarrassed voice of his telepathic friend. At least the apprehension was gone and a hint of relief floated through their connection.
Of course Charles would be reluctant to reveal that part of himself, to Erik or to anyone else. Perhaps to Erik even more, especially after the insistence of the magnetokinetic for the telepath to stay out of his mind. The helmet incident had aggravated the situation and even though Erik tried to encourage Charles to use his abilities with him, he didn't feel completely at ease with it and the telepath could have felt it.
'I am sorry Charles, I just never realized that-'
'That my abilities were so powerful.'
There was a certain bitterness in those words and Erik really wanted to ask why, but he knew now was not a good time.
Charles just shrugged it off, as if it was not important, before speaking again, 'I do not like using that part of my abilities but..."
'Then don't, it is her decision," the magnetokinetic replied.
'She could have been killed because of us."
'It is still her choice, you shouldn't deny her that,' Erik told his friend.
'But-'
'Look Charles, I know you and I know that you will regret doing this, so don't. We will find another way,' the magnetokinetic stated, trying to sound as certain as he could.
He really understood that it would cost Charles if he were to lose Moira like that and just as much as the telepath wanted to protect Moira, Erik wanted to protect Charles even more. The fact that the telepath would have to, potentially, use this particular ability against other people soon was something that would be necessary and unavoidable. He could easily see himself insisting on it if it was to protect his people from everyone who tried to harm them.
'I know,' the telepath whispered in his mind and Erik realized that he must have been projecting his thoughts unwittingly as he got caught up in them.
'We can do this Charles, together,' the magnetokinetic's voice was filled with confidence.
There was a pause.
'Thank you Erik,' Charles let his relief wash over the other man.
It was what he needed to hear, this way it became certain that his friend would stay and he would stand by him in the effort to protect the people like them. Charles would have done it without Erik because he should, but now with him he felt more confident.
'We will have to plan,' the telepath said.
'Then we'll plan,' Erik replied.
"You know you could try including those of us who don't possess superpowers into the conversation," Moira said, yanking them back to reality.
Charles had the decency to look a little embarrassed, Erik on the other didn't seem at all bothered by it.
"I'm sorry Moira," the telepath told her, looking at her now with a certain confidence and something else she couldn't really place.
She brushed off his apology with a smile, "That's okay, I am almost used to it."
That was not completely true. There were times when the two men would have entire conversations like this, not often though, but it always made her uncomfortable how at ease they seemed with each other. She envied the closeness they shared.
"You are correct Moira, we will have to get ahead of this soon but I think it would be best if he held off for a while, at least until we go back to Westchester," Charles said, looking very serious, "There will be things we'll have to plan for."
Erik gave a nod of agreement.
Moira looked pensive for a moment, "Very well Charles, we will do this your way."
She got up from her chair, "I've got to leave now, I have an appointment, but I'll come back tomorrow."
At that she really thought she heard Erik grunt, while Charles simply gave her a smile.
After Moira's departure, the room was plunged into silence. The telepath seemed lost in his thoughts, his gaze fixed on the wall but not seeing anything. Erik's eyes were studying him, noting the worry lines on his forehead. He reached out after a few moments and touched his friend's shoulder, breaking his focus.
Charles blinked, "Sorry, got a bit caught up."
"If you keep doing that you will end up losing," the magnetokinetic told him, grinning teasingly, trying to relieve the tension.
The mischievous smile returned to the telepath's face, "I wouldn't bet on it my friend," he replied as he moved one of his knights on the chess board, overtaking a pawn.
Erik smiled, he did like a challenge after all.
Just like that, the two men, returned to their game. They would start planning soon, they couldn't escape reality for long. There were things to be done and decisions to be made, but for now they would indulge in this small amusement and the company of each other.