Fic: An Edge of Darkness 13/?
TITLE: An Edge of Darkness, part 13
sequel to Shadowside
AUTHORs: Macx and elfin
SERIES: Shadowside
RATING: NC-17
DISCLAIMER: None of the characters belong to us, sadly. They are owned by people with a lot more money :)
FEEDBACK: Loved
SUMMARY: Charles can't let go of the unknown, so incredibly powerful mutant who nearly killed Erik. He's determined to find out who she/he/it is. But curiosity has a hefty price...
All previous chapters and stories in this series can be found archived here: http://archiveofourown.org/series/9878
“Only one more time, Erik,” Charles said, voice level and serious. And so damnably calm. “After that I’ll cut them off.”
“Can you?”
His partner looked thoughtful. “There might be a way. I could block out their way of contacting me, though that would also partially blind me in a telepathic sense. Their way of communication is rather unique, so I hope that closing down that… link… won’t hinder me.”
Erik stared at him, eyes narrowed. “You’re not going to cripple yourself because of them!” he exploded.
Charles weathered the emotional storm. “It might be the only way.”
“It’s what we’re training for!”
“They are strong…”
“Fuck them, Charles! I’m not going to let you blind yourself because of these brats!”
Charles reached out, physically as well as mentally, trying to calm the irate man. Erik let him, holding on to the soft presence that could be sharp and deadly if Charles wanted it to be.
“I’ll contact them. On my own terms, with my own demands. One last time. If they don’t accept my help then, I’ll let them go.”
Gray eyes bore into blue ones, daring him to lie, to obfuscate, to make half-hearted promises.
Charles wasn’t lying. He would let this go - after one last attempt.
“I’ll be there,” Erik said darkly.
As his shield, his protection, and Charles wouldn’t be able to convince him otherwise.
::They might attack you::
“They already have! You’re not doing this alone ever again!”
It was a vow, an oath, and Erik would keep it.
“Erik, we have trained, yes, but this is…”
“I’m doing it, Charles.”
The telepath pinched the bridge of his nose. “To reach the kind of control you have over your own abilities you trained for all your life, Erik. Doing what you want to do, after just a few months, could wipe your mind. I can’t…”
“You have no say in it, Xavier,” he retorted coldly.
“Actually, I do.”
Erik felt the anchor line come to life, the strength of Charles’ presence flooring him. He stumbled, legs catching on the edge of the sofa and he fell onto it, a hand flying to his head.
“What are you doing?!” he managed.
Blue eyes burned, determined and strong and so unlike the Charles everyone usually knew.
“Push me back, Erik.”
The presence was overwhelming.
“Push.”
He tried. It was impossible. It was like…
… back in the sub, staring at the man he hated.
Metal enclosed him. His weapon, his ability. But he was unable to use it. Every push was used against him, tenfold.
A metal beam across his chest, Erik fighting to breathe.
Staring into those cold eyes.
Hatred flowing through him.
Shaw would never get him back. Never.
NEVER!
With a cry he flung whatever he had at the invasion of his mind, heard something break, felt something waver, and then there was his cry of pain as the wave collapsed over him and he was curling up on the sofa, tears running down his face.
Someone was there with him, touching him, warm and gentle and taking away the pain and fear.
Erik felt open and raw, like Charles had torn everything he was to pieces and left it for him to pick up.
::They can do that:: Charles said softly in his mind, his fingers chasing away the lingering pain as they caressed his skin. ::Even stronger, more vicious. You aren’t ready, Erik::
Gray eyes burned with a hatred that wasn’t directed at Charles, only at the threat he was facing, at the memories of another time, and his own failures.
“I can’t ever be ready,” he managed, sounding rough and broken. “I’m not a telepath!”
“You’re my shield.” Charles coaxed him to lay against him and Erik gladly fell into the embrace, still shaky and so terribly worn. “I know you can defend me. But so can I. I’m not helpless, Erik.”
“But I am.”
“I didn’t say that. You are my anchor and as such more powerful than anyone else who isn’t a born telepath. But they are fascinated by the connection we share and they will look for you if you catch their attention.”
“I already did,” he snarled. “They nearly killed me.”
“Which is why I won’t let that happen again.” Charles kissed his hair, one hand drawing aimless pattern over Erik’s stomach.
Erik silently thought over the words, replayed what had happened in his mind. Finally his resolution stood.
“Teach me.”
Charles stiffened. “What?”
He sat up, facing the slightly paler-than-normal telepath. “Teach me,” he repeated. A feral grin spread over Erik’s face. “You showed me what you can do. Now show me what I can do about it.”
Xavier sighed. “That wasn’t the plan, Erik.”
He laughed. “Of course not. But you said you know everything about me, Charles. You should have known that showing me a weakness won’t stop me.”
“Well, yes…”
He grinned more. “Then show me how to push back. Show me how to defend myself.”
“You can’t master telepathic defenses without being one, Erik.”
“But I can learn how to last for a while, how to function until I can strike at my enemy.”
“They are not…”
He clamped a hand over the full lips. “They hurt you, Charles. They can hurt me. I won’t sit back and let them do it. Teach me.”
The intense expression in the blue eyes had him nearly drown. Charles was everywhere, not just physically present but also in his mind; deep and simply there, forever linked, a solid, known factor.
It was dangerous.
One thought and he would be gone, his mind wiped, his very life over.
::I would never intentionally harm you:: Charles murmured.
Erik’s hand fell away from the reddened lips. “I know. I trust you.”
::Then trust me that you can never be ready for them::
Erik fought down his anger at the words. He didn’t like being vulnerable, at a disadvantage, but there were mutations out there that he couldn’t face and win against. Like telepaths. Emma Frost had been in his head once; it had been agonizing. She had dredged up an old pain, thrown his torture back at him, had shown him how weak and useless he was. He had been on his knees, his head close to exploding, at her mercy…
Charles smiled slightly as he caught those thoughts. “I would never do this, Erik. Never.”
“I know. But I’m vulnerable.”
“We all are. My mind is my weapon, but physically… I’m no match for you.”
Like years ago, at the beach, tackling him and getting a fist into his face for his effort. Erik was physically a lot stronger.
“You can take over a mind.”
“And it exposes me to attacks from others. No one is perfect. Not even you.” Charles smiled more. “And neither are the twins. Their minds have fused together into one, but they hide because they fear human contact. It pains them. I believe they are so hyper-receptive, anyone else but their respective sibling will bring them to their knees.”
Erik filed that information away for later evaluation.
“Teach me,” he repeated. “Give me a few pointers on how to shield me while I protect you.”
Because I will defend you, no matter what. I’d die for you.
Charles’ expression was torn and he was visibly fighting with that revelation. Of course he had known. Sword and shield. They were both to the other, Erik would protect and he would fight. Charles was no less inclined to risk it all for his partner.
::Charles:: Erik thought directly at his lover. ::It’s the only way. You know it. You know me.::
It got him that infinitely sad and accepting look. ::It will be painful, Erik::
He smiled humorlessly, darkly. “I know pain, Charles.”
And that, sadly, was true, too.
“But it will be me inflicting it.”
He disentangled himself from his lover, settling over the seated man and leaning down for a hard, invasive kiss. He poured everything into it, his love, his trust, his soul.
Yes, it would hurt. Yes, it would be Charles doing it. Yes, he would suffer. But this was for Charles. It was for them. It wasn’t a madman torturing him.
::Shaw inflicted pain to unlock your gift…:: Charles sounded broken, fearful.
“No, no, no,” he breathed between kisses, pushing Charles down, underneath him, wanting him so much. “Never like that. You’re not like him.”
The tears in the blue eyes were heartbreaking. And Erik knew with certainty that he would see them again because Charles wore his heart on his sleeve sometimes, would suffer as much as his anchor would.
“You’re not like him,” Erik repeated, looking at Charles. “I know it for a fact. I’ll know it throughout training. Won’t hate you,” he added, catching a fleeting thought snippet. “I can’t ever hate you.”
Charles’ fingers were running over his face, like mapping every fraction of an inch, carding into his hair, running along one ear. His expression was so intense, like all he did was feel. There was a sensuous brush over his temple and Erik thought he felt small sparkles run over his skin.
The most powerful telepath on this whole damned planet, looking at him as if he was the most precious thing in this world, haunted and afraid of what he could do. Of what Erik would see and what he might kick lose. He knew his past; like Charles. He knew the pain that lurked there, the horror, the loss. It was all there, ready to be released should anyone just delve deeply.
The twins would.
“Charles,” he murmured.
The fingers stilled. The eyes were impossibly wide, the blue shrinking to a mere circle around the black.
“Forgive me,” Charles whispered.
And the avalanche rushed toward him. Erik had a fraction of a second to lurch away, then he was bombarded by a strong telepathic mind that was heading straight for him, heading at his most inner self, aiming for his soul.
He screamed in denial, throwing up his hands. He had no presence inside his head, he wasn’t physically there, but if he had learned one thing from Charles, it was that everything was possible. He felt his powers react, felt metal sing to him and he reached out, using every weapon he had.
His attack was countered and he reeled back, surrounded by the other mind, a psychic force that was like a tornado about to go tenfold its power. It was there, everywhere, waiting, taunting, razor-sharp and unstoppable.
And it moved in.
Again Erik attacked, but again he was pushed back, every punch he threw absorbed into the mind.
Emotions teased him. Memories of long ago. Eating away at his mind, his sanity, weakening him more and more.
The camps.
The cold and the hunger.
The loss. The smell of death and seeing death. Seeing…
“MAMA!”
The gaunt face of his mother, her dark eyes filled with so much love and hope and trust and serenity. Her suffering paled in comparison to what he saw in her eyes. Unbroken, wanting him to live…
And the sound of a gunshot. Her gray dress stained with blood.
The rage. The boundless rage.
He screamed and lashed at the storm, but his pain was simply the entrance for the other mind, finally reaching its goal. He felt it in his soul, his thoughts, breathing with him.
And then there was only the room.
Harsh breathing.
Sobs tearing from his throat and deep within him something shuddered and whimpered and curled up. A child. Him. He felt a warm embrace, right down to his innermost self. He fell into those arms, shaking and weak and fraying at the edges.
Nothing could have prepared him for this. Nothing at all. Emma Frost’s touch had been like a spring rain compared to…
::Erik::
He drew in ragged, wet breaths. Became aware of his fingers tangled in a now very distorted sweater vest. His face was buried against Charles’ chest and he was crying, the vest wet with his tears.
Strong fingers ran through his hair, soothing and calm, taking the pain away. He let his lover push the memories back, calm the waves of emotional upheaval, and after a long, long time he raised his head.
What he saw were a pair of troubled blue eyes in a too pale face. Charles looked terrified; horrified.
“I shouldn’t have.”
Erik felt weak and drained, but not too bad. “You did everything right,” he murmured.
And then he saw the room.
Or what was left of it.
“Hell!” he exclaimed, sitting up so abruptly he felt dizzy. “What the fuck…?!”
It was a mess. Everything was… broken. The metal was bent out of shape in everything that contained more than an ounce of it. What wasn’t stuck in the walls was in the ceiling. The door knob looked molten, effectively shutting the door. The hinges were no better.
“You reacted physically,” Charles told him calmly.
He ran an eye over the room, then turned to his lover, checking him for injuries. Aside from looking disheveled and pale and like he would topple over at the slightest breeze, there was no mark on him. He hadn’t hurt him.
Erik fell against the back of the couch, pressing the balls of his hands into his eyes. “Shit, you’re good,” he laughed harshly.
“I’d prefer not to see it as a positive trait.”
Erik lowered his hands, looking at the telepath. “Are you kidding me, Charles? This was… indescribable! I didn’t know…”
“It’s nothing I’m proud of being able to do,” the other man snapped, then closed his eyes and buried his head in his hands. ::Forgive me, my friend::
::Nothing to forgive:: Erik rubbed his forehead, sharp eyes on Charles. “So, Professor, what did I do wrong?”
Charles looked up, a thin smile on his pale lips. “You thought in physical terms.” He made a careless gesture that encompassed the whole room. “You used your abilities against an enemy that was only in your head. What you need to learn is to create this in your head.”
“But I’m not a telepath.”
“No.”
“And you can teach me?”
Charles exhaled softly. “In time. Maybe. I never did before.”
Erik smiled darkly. “There’s a first time for everything.”
It was how it all started.
The students learned to give the training facilities a wide berth whenever the Professor and Erik were there, training. In the beginning Alex had joked that it was probably just a front for hot sex. Raven had slapped him over the head for it.
They soon discovered it was a lot more. It took everything out of the two men, especially Charles who had never before used his abilities to hurt, to call up nightmares and nightterrors, invading another mind like a bulldozer. Whenever he had influenced someone, it had been a gentle invasion, minimal discomfort, and never a trace.
What they were training for was the opposite.
If Charles had feared that the revelation just how powerful he was would push Erik away, he was wrong. The expression in Erik’s eyes was one of wonder and admiration and an intense love. While he was usually too wasted to enjoy even a quick blow job, the days after were a different matter. A few times Charles was almost late for his classes and the children exchanged knowing looks.
“Oh please,” he muttered, slightly flustered, when those looks became pointed.
But Erik learned. Slowly. He would never be as strong as he was in the physical world, but he was finally getting the hang of projecting what he knew he could do with metal to the mind world.
When he first managed to strike out and Charles retreated, it was like a gold medal feeling. He was insanely proud; as was Charles. The second time was like a rush. The next he couldn’t stop himself from kissing his ‘attacker’.
“Now, Erik, that’s not…”
He shut him up effectively.
tbc...
sequel to Shadowside
AUTHORs: Macx and elfin
SERIES: Shadowside
RATING: NC-17
DISCLAIMER: None of the characters belong to us, sadly. They are owned by people with a lot more money :)
FEEDBACK: Loved
SUMMARY: Charles can't let go of the unknown, so incredibly powerful mutant who nearly killed Erik. He's determined to find out who she/he/it is. But curiosity has a hefty price...
All previous chapters and stories in this series can be found archived here: http://archiveofourown.org/series/9878
“Only one more time, Erik,” Charles said, voice level and serious. And so damnably calm. “After that I’ll cut them off.”
“Can you?”
His partner looked thoughtful. “There might be a way. I could block out their way of contacting me, though that would also partially blind me in a telepathic sense. Their way of communication is rather unique, so I hope that closing down that… link… won’t hinder me.”
Erik stared at him, eyes narrowed. “You’re not going to cripple yourself because of them!” he exploded.
Charles weathered the emotional storm. “It might be the only way.”
“It’s what we’re training for!”
“They are strong…”
“Fuck them, Charles! I’m not going to let you blind yourself because of these brats!”
Charles reached out, physically as well as mentally, trying to calm the irate man. Erik let him, holding on to the soft presence that could be sharp and deadly if Charles wanted it to be.
“I’ll contact them. On my own terms, with my own demands. One last time. If they don’t accept my help then, I’ll let them go.”
Gray eyes bore into blue ones, daring him to lie, to obfuscate, to make half-hearted promises.
Charles wasn’t lying. He would let this go - after one last attempt.
“I’ll be there,” Erik said darkly.
As his shield, his protection, and Charles wouldn’t be able to convince him otherwise.
::They might attack you::
“They already have! You’re not doing this alone ever again!”
It was a vow, an oath, and Erik would keep it.
“Erik, we have trained, yes, but this is…”
“I’m doing it, Charles.”
The telepath pinched the bridge of his nose. “To reach the kind of control you have over your own abilities you trained for all your life, Erik. Doing what you want to do, after just a few months, could wipe your mind. I can’t…”
“You have no say in it, Xavier,” he retorted coldly.
“Actually, I do.”
Erik felt the anchor line come to life, the strength of Charles’ presence flooring him. He stumbled, legs catching on the edge of the sofa and he fell onto it, a hand flying to his head.
“What are you doing?!” he managed.
Blue eyes burned, determined and strong and so unlike the Charles everyone usually knew.
“Push me back, Erik.”
The presence was overwhelming.
“Push.”
He tried. It was impossible. It was like…
… back in the sub, staring at the man he hated.
Metal enclosed him. His weapon, his ability. But he was unable to use it. Every push was used against him, tenfold.
A metal beam across his chest, Erik fighting to breathe.
Staring into those cold eyes.
Hatred flowing through him.
Shaw would never get him back. Never.
NEVER!
With a cry he flung whatever he had at the invasion of his mind, heard something break, felt something waver, and then there was his cry of pain as the wave collapsed over him and he was curling up on the sofa, tears running down his face.
Someone was there with him, touching him, warm and gentle and taking away the pain and fear.
Erik felt open and raw, like Charles had torn everything he was to pieces and left it for him to pick up.
::They can do that:: Charles said softly in his mind, his fingers chasing away the lingering pain as they caressed his skin. ::Even stronger, more vicious. You aren’t ready, Erik::
Gray eyes burned with a hatred that wasn’t directed at Charles, only at the threat he was facing, at the memories of another time, and his own failures.
“I can’t ever be ready,” he managed, sounding rough and broken. “I’m not a telepath!”
“You’re my shield.” Charles coaxed him to lay against him and Erik gladly fell into the embrace, still shaky and so terribly worn. “I know you can defend me. But so can I. I’m not helpless, Erik.”
“But I am.”
“I didn’t say that. You are my anchor and as such more powerful than anyone else who isn’t a born telepath. But they are fascinated by the connection we share and they will look for you if you catch their attention.”
“I already did,” he snarled. “They nearly killed me.”
“Which is why I won’t let that happen again.” Charles kissed his hair, one hand drawing aimless pattern over Erik’s stomach.
Erik silently thought over the words, replayed what had happened in his mind. Finally his resolution stood.
“Teach me.”
Charles stiffened. “What?”
He sat up, facing the slightly paler-than-normal telepath. “Teach me,” he repeated. A feral grin spread over Erik’s face. “You showed me what you can do. Now show me what I can do about it.”
Xavier sighed. “That wasn’t the plan, Erik.”
He laughed. “Of course not. But you said you know everything about me, Charles. You should have known that showing me a weakness won’t stop me.”
“Well, yes…”
He grinned more. “Then show me how to push back. Show me how to defend myself.”
“You can’t master telepathic defenses without being one, Erik.”
“But I can learn how to last for a while, how to function until I can strike at my enemy.”
“They are not…”
He clamped a hand over the full lips. “They hurt you, Charles. They can hurt me. I won’t sit back and let them do it. Teach me.”
The intense expression in the blue eyes had him nearly drown. Charles was everywhere, not just physically present but also in his mind; deep and simply there, forever linked, a solid, known factor.
It was dangerous.
One thought and he would be gone, his mind wiped, his very life over.
::I would never intentionally harm you:: Charles murmured.
Erik’s hand fell away from the reddened lips. “I know. I trust you.”
::Then trust me that you can never be ready for them::
Erik fought down his anger at the words. He didn’t like being vulnerable, at a disadvantage, but there were mutations out there that he couldn’t face and win against. Like telepaths. Emma Frost had been in his head once; it had been agonizing. She had dredged up an old pain, thrown his torture back at him, had shown him how weak and useless he was. He had been on his knees, his head close to exploding, at her mercy…
Charles smiled slightly as he caught those thoughts. “I would never do this, Erik. Never.”
“I know. But I’m vulnerable.”
“We all are. My mind is my weapon, but physically… I’m no match for you.”
Like years ago, at the beach, tackling him and getting a fist into his face for his effort. Erik was physically a lot stronger.
“You can take over a mind.”
“And it exposes me to attacks from others. No one is perfect. Not even you.” Charles smiled more. “And neither are the twins. Their minds have fused together into one, but they hide because they fear human contact. It pains them. I believe they are so hyper-receptive, anyone else but their respective sibling will bring them to their knees.”
Erik filed that information away for later evaluation.
“Teach me,” he repeated. “Give me a few pointers on how to shield me while I protect you.”
Because I will defend you, no matter what. I’d die for you.
Charles’ expression was torn and he was visibly fighting with that revelation. Of course he had known. Sword and shield. They were both to the other, Erik would protect and he would fight. Charles was no less inclined to risk it all for his partner.
::Charles:: Erik thought directly at his lover. ::It’s the only way. You know it. You know me.::
It got him that infinitely sad and accepting look. ::It will be painful, Erik::
He smiled humorlessly, darkly. “I know pain, Charles.”
And that, sadly, was true, too.
“But it will be me inflicting it.”
He disentangled himself from his lover, settling over the seated man and leaning down for a hard, invasive kiss. He poured everything into it, his love, his trust, his soul.
Yes, it would hurt. Yes, it would be Charles doing it. Yes, he would suffer. But this was for Charles. It was for them. It wasn’t a madman torturing him.
::Shaw inflicted pain to unlock your gift…:: Charles sounded broken, fearful.
“No, no, no,” he breathed between kisses, pushing Charles down, underneath him, wanting him so much. “Never like that. You’re not like him.”
The tears in the blue eyes were heartbreaking. And Erik knew with certainty that he would see them again because Charles wore his heart on his sleeve sometimes, would suffer as much as his anchor would.
“You’re not like him,” Erik repeated, looking at Charles. “I know it for a fact. I’ll know it throughout training. Won’t hate you,” he added, catching a fleeting thought snippet. “I can’t ever hate you.”
Charles’ fingers were running over his face, like mapping every fraction of an inch, carding into his hair, running along one ear. His expression was so intense, like all he did was feel. There was a sensuous brush over his temple and Erik thought he felt small sparkles run over his skin.
The most powerful telepath on this whole damned planet, looking at him as if he was the most precious thing in this world, haunted and afraid of what he could do. Of what Erik would see and what he might kick lose. He knew his past; like Charles. He knew the pain that lurked there, the horror, the loss. It was all there, ready to be released should anyone just delve deeply.
The twins would.
“Charles,” he murmured.
The fingers stilled. The eyes were impossibly wide, the blue shrinking to a mere circle around the black.
“Forgive me,” Charles whispered.
And the avalanche rushed toward him. Erik had a fraction of a second to lurch away, then he was bombarded by a strong telepathic mind that was heading straight for him, heading at his most inner self, aiming for his soul.
He screamed in denial, throwing up his hands. He had no presence inside his head, he wasn’t physically there, but if he had learned one thing from Charles, it was that everything was possible. He felt his powers react, felt metal sing to him and he reached out, using every weapon he had.
His attack was countered and he reeled back, surrounded by the other mind, a psychic force that was like a tornado about to go tenfold its power. It was there, everywhere, waiting, taunting, razor-sharp and unstoppable.
And it moved in.
Again Erik attacked, but again he was pushed back, every punch he threw absorbed into the mind.
Emotions teased him. Memories of long ago. Eating away at his mind, his sanity, weakening him more and more.
The camps.
The cold and the hunger.
The loss. The smell of death and seeing death. Seeing…
“MAMA!”
The gaunt face of his mother, her dark eyes filled with so much love and hope and trust and serenity. Her suffering paled in comparison to what he saw in her eyes. Unbroken, wanting him to live…
And the sound of a gunshot. Her gray dress stained with blood.
The rage. The boundless rage.
He screamed and lashed at the storm, but his pain was simply the entrance for the other mind, finally reaching its goal. He felt it in his soul, his thoughts, breathing with him.
And then there was only the room.
Harsh breathing.
Sobs tearing from his throat and deep within him something shuddered and whimpered and curled up. A child. Him. He felt a warm embrace, right down to his innermost self. He fell into those arms, shaking and weak and fraying at the edges.
Nothing could have prepared him for this. Nothing at all. Emma Frost’s touch had been like a spring rain compared to…
::Erik::
He drew in ragged, wet breaths. Became aware of his fingers tangled in a now very distorted sweater vest. His face was buried against Charles’ chest and he was crying, the vest wet with his tears.
Strong fingers ran through his hair, soothing and calm, taking the pain away. He let his lover push the memories back, calm the waves of emotional upheaval, and after a long, long time he raised his head.
What he saw were a pair of troubled blue eyes in a too pale face. Charles looked terrified; horrified.
“I shouldn’t have.”
Erik felt weak and drained, but not too bad. “You did everything right,” he murmured.
And then he saw the room.
Or what was left of it.
“Hell!” he exclaimed, sitting up so abruptly he felt dizzy. “What the fuck…?!”
It was a mess. Everything was… broken. The metal was bent out of shape in everything that contained more than an ounce of it. What wasn’t stuck in the walls was in the ceiling. The door knob looked molten, effectively shutting the door. The hinges were no better.
“You reacted physically,” Charles told him calmly.
He ran an eye over the room, then turned to his lover, checking him for injuries. Aside from looking disheveled and pale and like he would topple over at the slightest breeze, there was no mark on him. He hadn’t hurt him.
Erik fell against the back of the couch, pressing the balls of his hands into his eyes. “Shit, you’re good,” he laughed harshly.
“I’d prefer not to see it as a positive trait.”
Erik lowered his hands, looking at the telepath. “Are you kidding me, Charles? This was… indescribable! I didn’t know…”
“It’s nothing I’m proud of being able to do,” the other man snapped, then closed his eyes and buried his head in his hands. ::Forgive me, my friend::
::Nothing to forgive:: Erik rubbed his forehead, sharp eyes on Charles. “So, Professor, what did I do wrong?”
Charles looked up, a thin smile on his pale lips. “You thought in physical terms.” He made a careless gesture that encompassed the whole room. “You used your abilities against an enemy that was only in your head. What you need to learn is to create this in your head.”
“But I’m not a telepath.”
“No.”
“And you can teach me?”
Charles exhaled softly. “In time. Maybe. I never did before.”
Erik smiled darkly. “There’s a first time for everything.”
It was how it all started.
The students learned to give the training facilities a wide berth whenever the Professor and Erik were there, training. In the beginning Alex had joked that it was probably just a front for hot sex. Raven had slapped him over the head for it.
They soon discovered it was a lot more. It took everything out of the two men, especially Charles who had never before used his abilities to hurt, to call up nightmares and nightterrors, invading another mind like a bulldozer. Whenever he had influenced someone, it had been a gentle invasion, minimal discomfort, and never a trace.
What they were training for was the opposite.
If Charles had feared that the revelation just how powerful he was would push Erik away, he was wrong. The expression in Erik’s eyes was one of wonder and admiration and an intense love. While he was usually too wasted to enjoy even a quick blow job, the days after were a different matter. A few times Charles was almost late for his classes and the children exchanged knowing looks.
“Oh please,” he muttered, slightly flustered, when those looks became pointed.
But Erik learned. Slowly. He would never be as strong as he was in the physical world, but he was finally getting the hang of projecting what he knew he could do with metal to the mind world.
When he first managed to strike out and Charles retreated, it was like a gold medal feeling. He was insanely proud; as was Charles. The second time was like a rush. The next he couldn’t stop himself from kissing his ‘attacker’.
“Now, Erik, that’s not…”
He shut him up effectively.
tbc...