Words Will Bring Us Together Act One [X-Men: First Class]
Title: Words: Act One [1/2]
Summary: Through words they all try to rebuild what was lost.
Rating: PG-13
Pairing: Erik/Charles, Hank/Mystique
Words & Warnings: ~5400 | Post-Canon
Disclaimer: Belongs to Marvel and Fox.
Notes: Originally written for this prompt at 1stclass_kink. Stil a WiP, though this first act is complete.
i.
Beast,
Please don’t try to find us, we don’t have to fight. I’m asking someone else to post this letter for me because you really mustn’t come after us. I just I want to know if Charles is okay, he’s my oldest friend.
I know that things didn’t end well and I’m sorry that you couldn’t understand why I wanted to leave. Magneto’s ideas, his beliefs, they make so much more sense to me than Charles’. Why should we have to hide, Beast, when we are beautiful exactly the way we are?
Magneto’s plans are big and daring, he’s going to change the world, and I want to be a part of that. Charles could never understand. I thought you did. I thought you might have Magneto trusts that I can make decisions for myself, he believes in me. I wish Charles could have done that.
A letter sent to this address will find it’s way to me. Please, I want to know if Charles is okay. It might calm Magn Just because I’m not there doesn’t mean I’m not going to worry about him.
Your friend,
Mystique
The letter is postmarked Rio and the return address is very obviously Brazilian. Hank turns the envelope over in his hands and notes that the handwriting on the address is not Raven’s; there’s more warmth in the way she writes, a messiness that is one of her ways of rebelling against Charles.
Sean had grinned at him when he gave him the letter, making sly comments about Hank having his very own girl from Ipanema. Hank hadn’t known the handwriting and now he knows why, Raven obviously doesn’t want Charles to know she’s writing to him.
He pulls a pen and paper out of his desk and gazes out into the grounds. He can see Charles and Alex, watching Sean spiral through the air overhead, laughing, he thinks, by the way their shoulders are moving.
How is Charles? Hank bends his head and writes, wondering if he should mention how many times Charles has assured them Erik will come back.
ii.
Raven,
I am also sorry. I should have been more aware of your changing beliefs. I understand, now, how much it must have hurt you when I implied said that your human form was beautiful. Your natural form is beautiful too and I’m sorry that I ever said otherwise.
I am honestly quite horrified by the thought of what my serum may have done to you. If it has accelerated my mutation so strongly I don’t like to think what it may have done to some with a molecular structure that is already in flux. I am glad you made the right decision, Raven, and I’m sorry I tried to pressure you.
Charles is here at the mansion, with Sean and Alex too (he sent Moira away, I’m not sure what he did I think he may have taken her memories of the mansion, to keep us safe). There is no easy way to tell you this so I shall just write it out as plainly as I can: the bullet that Erik deflected into Charles’ back caused a lot of damage to his spinal chord. It’s resulted in a paralysis of his legs. Charles can’t walk, Raven, he now uses a wheelchair.
It hasn’t changed him at all, though I have seen him become angry with Alex when Alex assumes he needs help. Alex knows better than to push Charles’ chair, now, and I am attempting to build him a motorised chair to make moving around the grounds simpler. Charles is still training us. I think he wants to find more people like us but he isn’t sure how to start.
Sean and Alex have regressed, I think. Alex teases me almost constantly and Sean’s jokes have become even worse than the already were. I do my best to rise above Alex’s words, I know that it is because he’s hurting too. Neither of them can understand why you left, why Erik left, and they’re taking it out on me. (Don’t worry, though, something about my advanced mutation has made it much easier for me to ignore them.)
Charles speaks of Erik often I think Charles misses both of you but he doesn’t talk about it very often. Sometimes I think he is certain you are both simply taking an extended vacation and will be home any moment.
Please keep writing to me, Raven, I promise I won’t try to find you if you keep writing. I just want to know that you’re safe - those other mutants seemed dangerous.
Your friend always,
Hank McCoy
Mystique traces her fingers over Beast’s signature and pictures him; sitting in his study (or would he be in his lab, rebuilt after the mess he’d made of it) and writing. She wonders if it’s difficult for him to hold a pen now or if his hands are just as dexterous as they were.
Magneto is brooding in a corner of the café, idly stirring his coffee over and over again without thinking (and without his hands). He broods most of the time, now, and though Mystique can’t deny that it suits him - it makes for an oppressive atmosphere. Mystique stays by him, though, while Emma and Angel make Riptide shop with them. This is the only place she feels comfortable.
With Emma not nearby Mystique can admit to herself what she’s been thinking: Magneto misses Charles. They had disagreed with each other a lot, she knows that, but she also remembers how they had pushed each other to be better. Charles had always smiled a lot, as long as she had known him, but when Magneto was around the smiles had increased and she hadn’t honestly known what to make of that.
She tries to imagine a Charles who cannot walk, who cannot stand, but it’s difficult. It doesn’t fit with her memory of him. She knows she should tell Magneto, that despite everything he would want to know, but she’s afraid of what it might do to him. She knows he blames himself and MacTaggart equally (and she also knows that she blames him, can’t stop herself from blaming him) and it would tear him up to know that he was responsible.
Maybe she’ll keep it to herself for now and keep writing to Beast. When there’s some better news she can share she will - and maybe it’ll raise some of the clouds that are hanging over Magneto’s head.
--
iii.
Beast,
I can’t even imagine Charles in a wheelchair. All I have is an image of him being really impatient. Is he driving everyone mad? I can see that being something that would happen. I’m glad he’s okay, though. I thought he might have I thought something worse might have happened.
I know I should tell Magneto he frets I can tell that he still cares about Charles even though he refuses to talk about it. I’m afraid he might do something stupid of what might happen if I tell him. He might try to find Agent MacTaggart and there’s no way we’re ready to fight them. Even with Ms Frost.
I don’t like Emma very much, actually. I don’t think she has the same respect for people’s minds that Charles does. I know what it feels like when someone pokes about in your head and I can feel her at the edges all the time. She knows I don’t trust her and I think she’s going to try to use that against me some day.
I liked hearing about Banshee and Havok. I never really thought I’d miss them but I do. There’s not a lot of fun when you’re on the run. It would be better with y
Magneto is also talking about finding other mutants. Emma says she knows a few people through the Hellfire Club. (MacTaggart had no idea just how far these guys can reach, by the way.) I think he wants to find them before Charles does. Guess you’ve got a race on your hands.
I’ve put in a postcard from where we were three days ago. The sun is too hot down here and I have to remember to make sure my human form has tanned skin or I get strange looks. Emma always looks the same no matter what - I don’t know where she finds the time. Magneto has us almost constantly on the move.
We’re going somewhere Riptide I don’t really know where we’re going anymore. Magneto just keeps moving when he’s not brooding because I think he’s afraid Charles is chasing him. I keep telling him Charles isn’t that sort of man but I don’t think he believes me. I think it’s because he can’t wear the helmet in public, people ask too many questions.
Take care, Beast, and take care of my brother Charles. I miss you all.
Mystique
The postmark is still Brazilian but Hank doesn’t recognise the city. He goes into Charles’ library and finds it in an atlas, trying to picture Raven with sun-darkened skin. He misses her too. He’s not at all ashamed to admit that the school could very much do with a female presence.
Charles has been on and off the telephone all day, attempting secure supplies for Hank to build a new version of Cerebro. Now that Hank knows Erik is also looking for mutants he’s going to move the project to the head of queue.
Dimly heard detonations tell him Alex is practicing with the new suit Hank built him when they returned from Cuba. Sean will probably be watching him - he likes setting Alex inventive challenges.
Hank, I need some specifications, Charles’ voice creeps into his head. It’s not something Hank thinks he’s ever going to grow used to. He’s sets the letter aside, propping the postcard up against his mug, and grabs his folded Cerebro blueprints.
iv.
An extract from the diaries of Charles Xavier
- it frustrates me because I know Erik is a good man. I could see that from the first time I touched his mind. When Erik allowed me to access deeper memories; to see the happy and innocent boy he was so many years ago, it broke my heart to think of such innocence being shattered by a man like Shaw.
I’d always been aware, of course, from Erik’s memories, that Shaw was a cruel man but it wasn’t until I was able to briefly see inside his mind that I understood the full scope of the man’s sadistic nature. He pushed that innocent child Erik used to be until he became a weapon that eventually even he couldn’t control. It’s horrifying to think of.
What truly pains me, however, is that I can see echoes of this in Erik. Or, at least, I could when Erik allowed me in. I didn’t recognise it as such until I heard Shaw’s thoughts, still marvelling at his creation even as Erik was murdering him, but the correlations are there.
How I wish I knew where Erik is. I am certain that if I had more time I could temper these impulses and bring the man I know Erik to truly be out into the light. The thought of never seeing him again I hope for the world’s sake that Raven has enough light inside of her to be a good influence upon him.
I continue my efforts towards training Alex and Sean -
v.
Extract from a CIA wiretap [originally monitoring an unrelated case]
Xavier: Hello? Is there anyone there?
Lehnsherr: Are you looking for me, Charles?
Xavier: Erik! I -
Lehnsherr: Mystique told me it was unlikely but I don’t believe her.
Xavier: Is he alright, Erik? Is she well? I have done so poorly by her -
Lehnsherr: She enjoys the sun, Charles, you should have taken her to the seaside more often.
Xavier: I’m not - I won’t look for you, Erik. You know where I am, you know you are always welcome here, my friend.
Lehnsherr: Friend. You use that word so easily, Charles, despite everything I have done.
Xavier: You will always be my friend. Nothing you say or do will change that.
Lehnsherr: How can you be so certain?
Xavier: Because I know you. Erik - this isn’t the way -
Lehnsherr: Goodbye, Charles. Say hello to the children for me.
Xavier: Erik, please…
[dial tone]
Xavier: Come back.
--
vi.
Hi Raven!
This is Sean. Don’t be too hacked off at Hank - I don’t think he meant to leave your letter lying around. He also probably didn’t expect me to be poking around in his lab. I wouldn’t normally but I was desperate for some chips and Hank’s started hording food now that he’s all blue and furry. His appetite has gotten HUGE.
I told Alex that you were okay and he started smiling again. He’s been way serious since Darwin and it got worse when Erik and Charles split up you guys left. It doesn’t help, I guess, that he’s still afraid of himself. I guess he saw the stuff that Erik did and is afraid that he could do something like that one day.
Your brother pretty much is driving everyone crazy around here. He keeps saying we have to eat better and train more and now he’s determined to start teaching us, like, properly. I was really bad at school, Raven, and now Charles is set on fixing that. Sometimes it’s totally uncool having a telepath around.
All I’m saying is things were a lot easier when he was obsessing over Erik
Alex wants to write something so I’ll say bye. Take care of yourself, Raven, you were cool.
Raven,
Don’t listen to what Sean says - I’m not afraid of anything. I’m just worried about my kid brother. I told you about him, remember? I want to write to my family but Charles says I should wait until I’m better with my powers and my other “issues” - seriously, why did he become a professor of genetics? He acts like a shrink most of the time.
I just wanted to tell you that Hank’s getting a lot better. He was really bummed out by everything that happened with you but it’s made him better now. He’s not hiding anymore. It’s kinda cool, actually, when we go for runs around the grounds he jumps up into trees and does all these crazy tricks. It’s totally cool.
Sean says I’ve got to stop now because Charles has given him the rest of the mail to go and post. So be safe, Raven, and write to us as well - looks like you’re going to cool places.
Alex
Mystique can’t stop herself from laughing as she reads the letter whilst propped up on her bed. It’s nice to be in a proper hotel, with running water and soft beds. Emma’s rolling in it and has finally managed to convince Magneto that they can run in style. Mystique’s fairly certain Emma’s never slept rough in her life - not when she can convince people to let her in with nothing more than a moment’s concentration.
It horrifies Mystique a little - the complete lack of respect Emma has for anyone’s privacy and she’s more than glad that Charles had spent so much time teaching her tricks for keeping telepaths out of her head. She doesn’t want Emma to know that she’s in contact with the mansion.
The hotel seems to have agreed with Magneto as well. The brooding, at least, is at a minimum and normally only comes on when Emma casually mentions Charles. Mystique has a feeling that Emma is testing Magneto’s responses, trying to figure out what Mystique already knows.
She knew the moment she saw them together, saw the way Charles looked at Magneto. He wasn’t simply enraptured with Magneto’s power and ability - it was everything about him. Mystique had seen the way Charles looked at the few women he’d loved over the years - this had been a more fervent version of that. Charles had always struggled with his sexuality the way Mystique struggled with her physical identity - a complete product of his upbringing. Oxford had mitigated some of that, impossible not to when Charles was surrounded by men raised in the finest British public schools - Mystique had hoped Magneto would be able to push him a little further, into accepting that he liked men as much as he liked women.
A lot of hopes had been dashed on that Cuban beach.
vii.
An unsent letter found amongst Erik Lensherr’s belongings
Dear Charles My dear friend Freund Ami
Charles
I have been trying for many days to find the words I need to explain myself I shouldn’t have to explain myself to you. I wouldn’t, I believe, you know me too well because you stole into my because you wouldn’t even ask me to. I think I know you that well.
You forgive too easily I wouldn’t be surprised if you never forgave me, but even less so if you did. Why did you I could always feel your trust, your faith in me how could you believe in me after what you had seen I wonder if it hurts you that you were wrong.
You must have always known that I shared beliefs with Shaw how could I not, he made me but then, maybe you weren’t lying when you said you would never enter my mind without permission again. Your honesty is one of the things I l something I will always admire, even though I know it will surely be your downfall.
There is no place for honest men in war. It is a war, Charles, even though you refuse to see it. Everything I do now - I do to prove this to you. If only you would join me we could I don’t want to rule the world, as Shaw did, I just want to make it safe for us for our people.
I never wanted to leave you I would have done anything for I should have been more aware, I never meant to hurt you
If I had said the words would you have come with me? Here they are
The letter is torn and incomplete, signs of frustration evident
viii.
Raven,
I have news! I told you that we were intending to rebuild Cerebro we completed and that’s going well. But that isn’t the news - when we were testing the connections Charles had a sudden and intense burst of what he calls psychic noise. He found the thoughts of another mutant and he recognised them.
Darwin is alive, Raven! I’m so excited I’m using exclamation marks in the same way Sean does but I simply don’t care. Darwin’s alive. It’s incredible. Alex went with Charles to find him, the signal came from Virginia, and Sean’s been flying around outside for the entire time they’ve been gone. No birds live near the mansion now
Do you know what this means? It means that Darwin’s mutation is even more powerful than we could have imagined. You remember that Charles and Erik approached that other mutant, the one that told them to fuck off the one Charles suspected may have had a healing factor, well this blows that right out of the water. Something like this means Darwin could live forever, can you imagine that? Can you imagine what we could do for humanity by studying him
Sean’s offered to post this for me so I will finish here. I just thought you should know.
Hank
“How long have you been in contact with Beast?” Magneto asks, gripping the sheet of paper in his hand.
“I - not very long,” Mystique says, her hair nervously flickering between blonde and red. Magneto’s eyes fix on her hair and she makes a conscious effort to control herself.
“Why would you endanger us like this?” Magneto asks, eyes sliding back to hers. “If they complete Cerebro they could use these letters to find us.”
“I don’t think Ha - Beast has told Charles,” Mystique says, shaking her head. “And, not to be rude, but my brother isn’t like you, Magneto, he doesn’t break into people’s rooms to threaten them until they give up their secrets.”
“No - he can simply steal into their minds -”
“Don’t - don’t start that again, please. It’s not like that,” Mystique interrupts. “He asks permission. Unlike some people I can think of.”
“I can hear that, darling,” Emma’s voice comes from outside of Mystique’s door. Magneto had banished her there when Mystique revealed the letter. “You don’t think very flattering thoughts.”
Witch, Mystique throws out. Emma laughs.
“We will talk about this further in the morning,” Magneto says, gathering up the other letters.
“Are you - going to read them all?” Mystique asks as Magneto turns toward the door. He pauses and nods. “Magneto - Erik - there’s something you have to know first. About Charles.”
She isn’t prepared for the way Magneto looks at her. It only hardens her resolve to find a way to bring them back together.
ix.
A postcard found on Charles Xavier’s desk, worn as if well-handled
I’m sorry.
--
x.
Banshee, Havok,
It was really good to hear from you guys - I’ll tell Beast not to be too mad at you. Your letter made me laugh which is something we don’t really do a lot of here. I wish I could tell you where I can’t tell you where we are but it’s hot in a way I’ve never really experience before. It’s making Magneto even more irritable than normal. Emma keeps pretty much teasing him about Charles It’s not fun.
That teleporter, Azazel, he’s pretty good for moving around. He’s also surprisingly funny - you guys would probably get along with him. Riptide doesn’t really talk a lot not like you, Banshee and sometimes I forget that he talks at all. Angel teases him about it and he doesn’t really react. I guess he’s pretty cool, really.
She’s pretty angry at Her wings are healing, Havok, but she was hurt bad. I don’t think she’ll be very friendly the next time you meet. If we ever come back to America.
By the way, Havok - have you thought of telling Charles what you told me? That you’re pretty sure Scott’s a mutant too? He might be more likely to do something about it if he knows that. Just don’t let him manipulate
Both of you don’t worry about Charles trying teach you - he did become a professor for a reason. Don’t ever tell him I I’ll say this for him - he’s always been pretty good at teaching and he’s knows a lot of stuff. Give him a chance.
Mystique
Alex reads the letter over Sean’s shoulder, feeling a stab of worry at seeing Scott’s name. He hasn’t really said anything to Sean or Hank about it - but he’s worried about a lot of the stuff he told Raven before she left. If Erik ever realises that being a mutant runs in his family… He tries to shut that feeling down before it gets too big, he can’t deal with Charles looking at him all sorry for him all the time, but God help the world if Erik finds out about Gabriel
Even Alex is afraid of Gabriel. And Gabriel would like Erik.
“She’s probably still having way more fun than us,” Sean says, dropping the letter onto the table. He looks over his shoulder at Alex and frowns. “Hey, Alex, are you with me?”
“Uh - yeah, sorry,” Alex shakes head and pushes his memories of his older brother further back into his head. “More fun. Probably.”
“You are even less with it than usual, man,” Sean shakes his head slowly. “Maybe you should go and see Darwin - that normally brings you back to the living.”
“Yeah, I think I will,” Alex says absently, pushing away from the couch. “Later.”
“Yeah, later,” Sean says behind him.
Alex has been spending a lot of time with Darwin since he and Charles brought him back. Hank’s pretty sure it’s only a matter of time before Darwin comes back to himself but he still encourages everyone to sit with him as much as possible.
No-one’s in the makeshift infirmary Hank’s building when Alex gets there and the screen is pulled around Darwin’s bed. Darwin had reformed himself into some kind of ‘impenetrable material’, Hank had said, but all Alex could think was that Darwin made a good-looking statue. Not that he was thinking about him like that.
“You know,” Alex says when he sits down, touching a hand briefly to Darwin’s cold skin. “I wasn’t really like you guys, the ones who thought they were the only mutants, I always knew I wasn’t alone.”
Darwin says nothing back, of course, and sometimes it’s hard to remember what Charles told him; that Darwin is inside that shell, somewhere, hurting. Alex blames himself for not realising, for not thinking that Darwin would survive.
“It wasn’t a good thing for me,” Alex continues, resting his chin on his hand. “My brother, Gabriel, who I never told you guys about - he’s…scary. He’s at least as powerful as Charles or Erik and I just - I hope he never finds us. He’s bad news.”
Alex hasn’t told Charles about Gabriel. He’s also almost certain that Charles hasn’t looked inside his head and found him. He intends to keep it that way.
xi.
Witness statement about a runaway teenager from the father.
About a week ago a man called Charles Xavier came to our house and offered a place at his new school to my daughter. He called it a school for gifted students. When I asked what he knew about Alison’s schooling he told me that she was a very admirable student with an obvious talent. I was pleased to hear this but Alison wasn’t.
Xavier asked if he could have some time alone with Alison so I left them together in the room. I left the door open a bit in case Alison was troubled by this man. They had a conversation in quiet tones that I couldn’t hear. There was a flash of light and suddenly Alison was shouting at Xavier to leave.
When I ran back into the room Alison was surrounded by this strange shapes of light, like the images left on in your eyes when you press your hands against them, and she was still shouting. Xavier left without too much fuss though he did exhort me to talk to Alison about what had happened.
Alison didn’t want to talk about it but she did say that Xavier was one of those mutants the newspapers have been talking about. I told her I was sorry that I let one of those disgusting creatures into our house. Alison started to cry and took herself to bed without any supper.
When I tried checking on her in the morning she was gone.
Xavier had dark hair and blues. He spoke with an English accent and was in a wheelchair. He was dressed in a grey suit.
Signed
Carter Blaire
xii.
Beast,
I was so happy to hear about Darwin that Emma could hear it. I’m really sorry but now Magneto knows that I’m writing to you. He didn’t say anything about stopping me and then he took the letters away. I’m writing this now because I don’t know what he’s going to say about it in the morning.
You should’ve seen his face when I told him about Charles. I can’t be certain because I hadn’t really noticed before but the end of the bed frame in my room here was bent completely out of shape by the time I finished. He’s really so obvious about Emma’s been asking a lot of questions about Charles and for a moment after I told Magneto I really thought he was going to hurt her.
I don’t think these people Emma wants us to meet are going to be good for Magneto. Don’t get me wrong I believe in what Magneto wants and you were there on the beach, you saw what the humans were going to do to us, but I don’t think that’s what Emma and the others want. She likes goading Magneto too much Half of the reason I’m here is because I’m still hoping that Charles will realise that Magneto is right. It would be better if they were together could work together. We’re not the enemies, Beast.
If you can, please get Charles to at least think about what Magneto’s said. We’ve seen the America papers and he doesn’t like what he’s seeing. You must be able to see it too, Beast. I’m really scared for you guys. It feels like something bad is coming.
Be safe, Mystique
Hank tucks the letter into his pocket as he pads through the mansion toward Charles’ study. He has a feeling that Mystique was trying to warn him that Erik is going to do something dangerous and, even though Hank feels guilty about hiding the letters, he knows he has to warn him.
Charles’ is study is empty, the radio playing quietly to itself in one corner, and Hank should’ve remembered that Charles is with Alison today, probably training her whilst subtly consoling her over her father’s actions.
Hank remembers Alison showing up in the middle of the night, her eyes tear-stained, with a story of being driven out of her home when her father realised she must be a mutant. Charles had welcomed her in and offered to smooth things over with her father, which had made Hank shiver (sometimes Charles has more in common with Erik’s more ruthless methods than he realises), but Alison had refused. Let him always know it was his fault.
Hank turns back toward the door with a sigh, wondering where Charles would take Alison to train, when something catches his eye. There’s a colourful array of postcards spread around the room, many of them on the desk, and Hank breathes a sigh of relief. Obviously Raven has been sending Charles cards in an effort to ease his worry - hopefully that means Charles won’t be angry with him about hiding her letters.
Curiosity makes Hank pick up the one nearest; it shows a typically bright South American scene (Raven thinks she’s hiding where she is but she’s honestly not trying very hard, which is enough to tell Hank that she wants to come home more than she will admit) but the words on the back are not typical at all.
The words I’m sorry in Erik’s neat script, a hand that had clearly been taught to write in a different language entirely, unmistakable to someone with Hank’s eyes. Hank nearly drops the postcard in surprise. Then he registers the radio.
“- in New York today. The attackers, believed to be mutants, repelled an assault by twenty-five seasoned FBI agents with one-fifth of their number. The Mayor has condemn the action - calling for the New York senate to begin legislation over the matter -”
It’s too late.
xiii.
Scrap of a newspaper article found amongst Charles Xavier’s belongings
A suspected act of mutant aggression was carried out in New York today during a FBI raid on a suspected Communist faction, The Hellfire Club.
At six o’clock this morning the FBI entered the premises of The Hellfire Club, 840 Fifth Avenue, after several months of observation. It was believed to be the source of seditious pamphlets being circulated throughout Manhattan after the Cuban Missile Crisis was ended.
Instead of finding Communist Party members the FBI agents were attacked by a group of super-powered individuals, all of whom are believed to be part of the newly revealed mutant race. Witnesses reported a man in a helmet that broke the FBI agents’ guns in half and a woman made of diamonds who could throw men across the street.
There were further reports of a man with red skin who could appear in one place and then another within seconds and a man who appeared to be able to create tornados with his hands. Reports of the incident become muddled after this point, listing the arrivals of aliens and dinosaurs amongst the combatants. Is this yet another mutant power to fear? When these illusions disappeared the entire Hellfire Club building had been evacuated and the mutants had vanished.
The Mayor’s office issued a statement condemning the behaviour of these people, citing the destruction the battle had caused as reason enough to consider making mutantism illegal in the city.
The FBI -
Torn from the New York Times with the following written across the top:
Do you see they way they see us, Charles? Even when we defend ourselves without bloodshed they condemn us.
Act One [2/2]
Summary: Through words they all try to rebuild what was lost.
Rating: PG-13
Pairing: Erik/Charles, Hank/Mystique
Words & Warnings: ~5400 | Post-Canon
Disclaimer: Belongs to Marvel and Fox.
Notes: Originally written for this prompt at 1stclass_kink. Stil a WiP, though this first act is complete.
i.
Beast,
Please don’t try to find us, we don’t have to fight. I’m asking someone else to post this letter for me because you really mustn’t come after us. I just I want to know if Charles is okay, he’s my oldest friend.
I know that things didn’t end well and I’m sorry that you couldn’t understand why I wanted to leave. Magneto’s ideas, his beliefs, they make so much more sense to me than Charles’. Why should we have to hide, Beast, when we are beautiful exactly the way we are?
Magneto’s plans are big and daring, he’s going to change the world, and I want to be a part of that. Charles could never understand. I thought you did. I thought you might have Magneto trusts that I can make decisions for myself, he believes in me. I wish Charles could have done that.
A letter sent to this address will find it’s way to me. Please, I want to know if Charles is okay. It might calm Magn Just because I’m not there doesn’t mean I’m not going to worry about him.
Your friend,
Mystique
The letter is postmarked Rio and the return address is very obviously Brazilian. Hank turns the envelope over in his hands and notes that the handwriting on the address is not Raven’s; there’s more warmth in the way she writes, a messiness that is one of her ways of rebelling against Charles.
Sean had grinned at him when he gave him the letter, making sly comments about Hank having his very own girl from Ipanema. Hank hadn’t known the handwriting and now he knows why, Raven obviously doesn’t want Charles to know she’s writing to him.
He pulls a pen and paper out of his desk and gazes out into the grounds. He can see Charles and Alex, watching Sean spiral through the air overhead, laughing, he thinks, by the way their shoulders are moving.
How is Charles? Hank bends his head and writes, wondering if he should mention how many times Charles has assured them Erik will come back.
ii.
Raven,
I am also sorry. I should have been more aware of your changing beliefs. I understand, now, how much it must have hurt you when I implied said that your human form was beautiful. Your natural form is beautiful too and I’m sorry that I ever said otherwise.
I am honestly quite horrified by the thought of what my serum may have done to you. If it has accelerated my mutation so strongly I don’t like to think what it may have done to some with a molecular structure that is already in flux. I am glad you made the right decision, Raven, and I’m sorry I tried to pressure you.
Charles is here at the mansion, with Sean and Alex too (he sent Moira away, I’m not sure what he did I think he may have taken her memories of the mansion, to keep us safe). There is no easy way to tell you this so I shall just write it out as plainly as I can: the bullet that Erik deflected into Charles’ back caused a lot of damage to his spinal chord. It’s resulted in a paralysis of his legs. Charles can’t walk, Raven, he now uses a wheelchair.
It hasn’t changed him at all, though I have seen him become angry with Alex when Alex assumes he needs help. Alex knows better than to push Charles’ chair, now, and I am attempting to build him a motorised chair to make moving around the grounds simpler. Charles is still training us. I think he wants to find more people like us but he isn’t sure how to start.
Sean and Alex have regressed, I think. Alex teases me almost constantly and Sean’s jokes have become even worse than the already were. I do my best to rise above Alex’s words, I know that it is because he’s hurting too. Neither of them can understand why you left, why Erik left, and they’re taking it out on me. (Don’t worry, though, something about my advanced mutation has made it much easier for me to ignore them.)
Charles speaks of Erik often I think Charles misses both of you but he doesn’t talk about it very often. Sometimes I think he is certain you are both simply taking an extended vacation and will be home any moment.
Please keep writing to me, Raven, I promise I won’t try to find you if you keep writing. I just want to know that you’re safe - those other mutants seemed dangerous.
Your friend always,
Hank McCoy
Mystique traces her fingers over Beast’s signature and pictures him; sitting in his study (or would he be in his lab, rebuilt after the mess he’d made of it) and writing. She wonders if it’s difficult for him to hold a pen now or if his hands are just as dexterous as they were.
Magneto is brooding in a corner of the café, idly stirring his coffee over and over again without thinking (and without his hands). He broods most of the time, now, and though Mystique can’t deny that it suits him - it makes for an oppressive atmosphere. Mystique stays by him, though, while Emma and Angel make Riptide shop with them. This is the only place she feels comfortable.
With Emma not nearby Mystique can admit to herself what she’s been thinking: Magneto misses Charles. They had disagreed with each other a lot, she knows that, but she also remembers how they had pushed each other to be better. Charles had always smiled a lot, as long as she had known him, but when Magneto was around the smiles had increased and she hadn’t honestly known what to make of that.
She tries to imagine a Charles who cannot walk, who cannot stand, but it’s difficult. It doesn’t fit with her memory of him. She knows she should tell Magneto, that despite everything he would want to know, but she’s afraid of what it might do to him. She knows he blames himself and MacTaggart equally (and she also knows that she blames him, can’t stop herself from blaming him) and it would tear him up to know that he was responsible.
Maybe she’ll keep it to herself for now and keep writing to Beast. When there’s some better news she can share she will - and maybe it’ll raise some of the clouds that are hanging over Magneto’s head.
--
iii.
Beast,
I can’t even imagine Charles in a wheelchair. All I have is an image of him being really impatient. Is he driving everyone mad? I can see that being something that would happen. I’m glad he’s okay, though. I thought he might have I thought something worse might have happened.
I know I should tell Magneto he frets I can tell that he still cares about Charles even though he refuses to talk about it. I’m afraid he might do something stupid of what might happen if I tell him. He might try to find Agent MacTaggart and there’s no way we’re ready to fight them. Even with Ms Frost.
I don’t like Emma very much, actually. I don’t think she has the same respect for people’s minds that Charles does. I know what it feels like when someone pokes about in your head and I can feel her at the edges all the time. She knows I don’t trust her and I think she’s going to try to use that against me some day.
I liked hearing about Banshee and Havok. I never really thought I’d miss them but I do. There’s not a lot of fun when you’re on the run. It would be better with y
Magneto is also talking about finding other mutants. Emma says she knows a few people through the Hellfire Club. (MacTaggart had no idea just how far these guys can reach, by the way.) I think he wants to find them before Charles does. Guess you’ve got a race on your hands.
I’ve put in a postcard from where we were three days ago. The sun is too hot down here and I have to remember to make sure my human form has tanned skin or I get strange looks. Emma always looks the same no matter what - I don’t know where she finds the time. Magneto has us almost constantly on the move.
We’re going somewhere Riptide I don’t really know where we’re going anymore. Magneto just keeps moving when he’s not brooding because I think he’s afraid Charles is chasing him. I keep telling him Charles isn’t that sort of man but I don’t think he believes me. I think it’s because he can’t wear the helmet in public, people ask too many questions.
Take care, Beast, and take care of my brother Charles. I miss you all.
Mystique
The postmark is still Brazilian but Hank doesn’t recognise the city. He goes into Charles’ library and finds it in an atlas, trying to picture Raven with sun-darkened skin. He misses her too. He’s not at all ashamed to admit that the school could very much do with a female presence.
Charles has been on and off the telephone all day, attempting secure supplies for Hank to build a new version of Cerebro. Now that Hank knows Erik is also looking for mutants he’s going to move the project to the head of queue.
Dimly heard detonations tell him Alex is practicing with the new suit Hank built him when they returned from Cuba. Sean will probably be watching him - he likes setting Alex inventive challenges.
Hank, I need some specifications, Charles’ voice creeps into his head. It’s not something Hank thinks he’s ever going to grow used to. He’s sets the letter aside, propping the postcard up against his mug, and grabs his folded Cerebro blueprints.
iv.
An extract from the diaries of Charles Xavier
- it frustrates me because I know Erik is a good man. I could see that from the first time I touched his mind. When Erik allowed me to access deeper memories; to see the happy and innocent boy he was so many years ago, it broke my heart to think of such innocence being shattered by a man like Shaw.
I’d always been aware, of course, from Erik’s memories, that Shaw was a cruel man but it wasn’t until I was able to briefly see inside his mind that I understood the full scope of the man’s sadistic nature. He pushed that innocent child Erik used to be until he became a weapon that eventually even he couldn’t control. It’s horrifying to think of.
What truly pains me, however, is that I can see echoes of this in Erik. Or, at least, I could when Erik allowed me in. I didn’t recognise it as such until I heard Shaw’s thoughts, still marvelling at his creation even as Erik was murdering him, but the correlations are there.
How I wish I knew where Erik is. I am certain that if I had more time I could temper these impulses and bring the man I know Erik to truly be out into the light. The thought of never seeing him again I hope for the world’s sake that Raven has enough light inside of her to be a good influence upon him.
I continue my efforts towards training Alex and Sean -
v.
Extract from a CIA wiretap [originally monitoring an unrelated case]
Xavier: Hello? Is there anyone there?
Lehnsherr: Are you looking for me, Charles?
Xavier: Erik! I -
Lehnsherr: Mystique told me it was unlikely but I don’t believe her.
Xavier: Is he alright, Erik? Is she well? I have done so poorly by her -
Lehnsherr: She enjoys the sun, Charles, you should have taken her to the seaside more often.
Xavier: I’m not - I won’t look for you, Erik. You know where I am, you know you are always welcome here, my friend.
Lehnsherr: Friend. You use that word so easily, Charles, despite everything I have done.
Xavier: You will always be my friend. Nothing you say or do will change that.
Lehnsherr: How can you be so certain?
Xavier: Because I know you. Erik - this isn’t the way -
Lehnsherr: Goodbye, Charles. Say hello to the children for me.
Xavier: Erik, please…
[dial tone]
Xavier: Come back.
--
vi.
Hi Raven!
This is Sean. Don’t be too hacked off at Hank - I don’t think he meant to leave your letter lying around. He also probably didn’t expect me to be poking around in his lab. I wouldn’t normally but I was desperate for some chips and Hank’s started hording food now that he’s all blue and furry. His appetite has gotten HUGE.
I told Alex that you were okay and he started smiling again. He’s been way serious since Darwin and it got worse when Erik and Charles split up you guys left. It doesn’t help, I guess, that he’s still afraid of himself. I guess he saw the stuff that Erik did and is afraid that he could do something like that one day.
Your brother pretty much is driving everyone crazy around here. He keeps saying we have to eat better and train more and now he’s determined to start teaching us, like, properly. I was really bad at school, Raven, and now Charles is set on fixing that. Sometimes it’s totally uncool having a telepath around.
All I’m saying is things were a lot easier when he was obsessing over Erik
Alex wants to write something so I’ll say bye. Take care of yourself, Raven, you were cool.
Raven,
Don’t listen to what Sean says - I’m not afraid of anything. I’m just worried about my kid brother. I told you about him, remember? I want to write to my family but Charles says I should wait until I’m better with my powers and my other “issues” - seriously, why did he become a professor of genetics? He acts like a shrink most of the time.
I just wanted to tell you that Hank’s getting a lot better. He was really bummed out by everything that happened with you but it’s made him better now. He’s not hiding anymore. It’s kinda cool, actually, when we go for runs around the grounds he jumps up into trees and does all these crazy tricks. It’s totally cool.
Sean says I’ve got to stop now because Charles has given him the rest of the mail to go and post. So be safe, Raven, and write to us as well - looks like you’re going to cool places.
Alex
Mystique can’t stop herself from laughing as she reads the letter whilst propped up on her bed. It’s nice to be in a proper hotel, with running water and soft beds. Emma’s rolling in it and has finally managed to convince Magneto that they can run in style. Mystique’s fairly certain Emma’s never slept rough in her life - not when she can convince people to let her in with nothing more than a moment’s concentration.
It horrifies Mystique a little - the complete lack of respect Emma has for anyone’s privacy and she’s more than glad that Charles had spent so much time teaching her tricks for keeping telepaths out of her head. She doesn’t want Emma to know that she’s in contact with the mansion.
The hotel seems to have agreed with Magneto as well. The brooding, at least, is at a minimum and normally only comes on when Emma casually mentions Charles. Mystique has a feeling that Emma is testing Magneto’s responses, trying to figure out what Mystique already knows.
She knew the moment she saw them together, saw the way Charles looked at Magneto. He wasn’t simply enraptured with Magneto’s power and ability - it was everything about him. Mystique had seen the way Charles looked at the few women he’d loved over the years - this had been a more fervent version of that. Charles had always struggled with his sexuality the way Mystique struggled with her physical identity - a complete product of his upbringing. Oxford had mitigated some of that, impossible not to when Charles was surrounded by men raised in the finest British public schools - Mystique had hoped Magneto would be able to push him a little further, into accepting that he liked men as much as he liked women.
A lot of hopes had been dashed on that Cuban beach.
vii.
An unsent letter found amongst Erik Lensherr’s belongings
Dear Charles My dear friend Freund Ami
Charles
I have been trying for many days to find the words I need to explain myself I shouldn’t have to explain myself to you. I wouldn’t, I believe, you know me too well because you stole into my because you wouldn’t even ask me to. I think I know you that well.
You forgive too easily I wouldn’t be surprised if you never forgave me, but even less so if you did. Why did you I could always feel your trust, your faith in me how could you believe in me after what you had seen I wonder if it hurts you that you were wrong.
You must have always known that I shared beliefs with Shaw how could I not, he made me but then, maybe you weren’t lying when you said you would never enter my mind without permission again. Your honesty is one of the things I l something I will always admire, even though I know it will surely be your downfall.
There is no place for honest men in war. It is a war, Charles, even though you refuse to see it. Everything I do now - I do to prove this to you. If only you would join me we could I don’t want to rule the world, as Shaw did, I just want to make it safe for us for our people.
I never wanted to leave you I would have done anything for I should have been more aware, I never meant to hurt you
If I had said the words would you have come with me? Here they are
The letter is torn and incomplete, signs of frustration evident
viii.
Raven,
I have news! I told you that we were intending to rebuild Cerebro we completed and that’s going well. But that isn’t the news - when we were testing the connections Charles had a sudden and intense burst of what he calls psychic noise. He found the thoughts of another mutant and he recognised them.
Darwin is alive, Raven! I’m so excited I’m using exclamation marks in the same way Sean does but I simply don’t care. Darwin’s alive. It’s incredible. Alex went with Charles to find him, the signal came from Virginia, and Sean’s been flying around outside for the entire time they’ve been gone. No birds live near the mansion now
Do you know what this means? It means that Darwin’s mutation is even more powerful than we could have imagined. You remember that Charles and Erik approached that other mutant, the one that told them to fuck off the one Charles suspected may have had a healing factor, well this blows that right out of the water. Something like this means Darwin could live forever, can you imagine that? Can you imagine what we could do for humanity by studying him
Sean’s offered to post this for me so I will finish here. I just thought you should know.
Hank
“How long have you been in contact with Beast?” Magneto asks, gripping the sheet of paper in his hand.
“I - not very long,” Mystique says, her hair nervously flickering between blonde and red. Magneto’s eyes fix on her hair and she makes a conscious effort to control herself.
“Why would you endanger us like this?” Magneto asks, eyes sliding back to hers. “If they complete Cerebro they could use these letters to find us.”
“I don’t think Ha - Beast has told Charles,” Mystique says, shaking her head. “And, not to be rude, but my brother isn’t like you, Magneto, he doesn’t break into people’s rooms to threaten them until they give up their secrets.”
“No - he can simply steal into their minds -”
“Don’t - don’t start that again, please. It’s not like that,” Mystique interrupts. “He asks permission. Unlike some people I can think of.”
“I can hear that, darling,” Emma’s voice comes from outside of Mystique’s door. Magneto had banished her there when Mystique revealed the letter. “You don’t think very flattering thoughts.”
Witch, Mystique throws out. Emma laughs.
“We will talk about this further in the morning,” Magneto says, gathering up the other letters.
“Are you - going to read them all?” Mystique asks as Magneto turns toward the door. He pauses and nods. “Magneto - Erik - there’s something you have to know first. About Charles.”
She isn’t prepared for the way Magneto looks at her. It only hardens her resolve to find a way to bring them back together.
ix.
A postcard found on Charles Xavier’s desk, worn as if well-handled
I’m sorry.
--
x.
Banshee, Havok,
It was really good to hear from you guys - I’ll tell Beast not to be too mad at you. Your letter made me laugh which is something we don’t really do a lot of here. I wish I could tell you where I can’t tell you where we are but it’s hot in a way I’ve never really experience before. It’s making Magneto even more irritable than normal. Emma keeps pretty much teasing him about Charles It’s not fun.
That teleporter, Azazel, he’s pretty good for moving around. He’s also surprisingly funny - you guys would probably get along with him. Riptide doesn’t really talk a lot not like you, Banshee and sometimes I forget that he talks at all. Angel teases him about it and he doesn’t really react. I guess he’s pretty cool, really.
She’s pretty angry at Her wings are healing, Havok, but she was hurt bad. I don’t think she’ll be very friendly the next time you meet. If we ever come back to America.
By the way, Havok - have you thought of telling Charles what you told me? That you’re pretty sure Scott’s a mutant too? He might be more likely to do something about it if he knows that. Just don’t let him manipulate
Both of you don’t worry about Charles trying teach you - he did become a professor for a reason. Don’t ever tell him I I’ll say this for him - he’s always been pretty good at teaching and he’s knows a lot of stuff. Give him a chance.
Mystique
Alex reads the letter over Sean’s shoulder, feeling a stab of worry at seeing Scott’s name. He hasn’t really said anything to Sean or Hank about it - but he’s worried about a lot of the stuff he told Raven before she left. If Erik ever realises that being a mutant runs in his family… He tries to shut that feeling down before it gets too big, he can’t deal with Charles looking at him all sorry for him all the time, but God help the world if Erik finds out about Gabriel
Even Alex is afraid of Gabriel. And Gabriel would like Erik.
“She’s probably still having way more fun than us,” Sean says, dropping the letter onto the table. He looks over his shoulder at Alex and frowns. “Hey, Alex, are you with me?”
“Uh - yeah, sorry,” Alex shakes head and pushes his memories of his older brother further back into his head. “More fun. Probably.”
“You are even less with it than usual, man,” Sean shakes his head slowly. “Maybe you should go and see Darwin - that normally brings you back to the living.”
“Yeah, I think I will,” Alex says absently, pushing away from the couch. “Later.”
“Yeah, later,” Sean says behind him.
Alex has been spending a lot of time with Darwin since he and Charles brought him back. Hank’s pretty sure it’s only a matter of time before Darwin comes back to himself but he still encourages everyone to sit with him as much as possible.
No-one’s in the makeshift infirmary Hank’s building when Alex gets there and the screen is pulled around Darwin’s bed. Darwin had reformed himself into some kind of ‘impenetrable material’, Hank had said, but all Alex could think was that Darwin made a good-looking statue. Not that he was thinking about him like that.
“You know,” Alex says when he sits down, touching a hand briefly to Darwin’s cold skin. “I wasn’t really like you guys, the ones who thought they were the only mutants, I always knew I wasn’t alone.”
Darwin says nothing back, of course, and sometimes it’s hard to remember what Charles told him; that Darwin is inside that shell, somewhere, hurting. Alex blames himself for not realising, for not thinking that Darwin would survive.
“It wasn’t a good thing for me,” Alex continues, resting his chin on his hand. “My brother, Gabriel, who I never told you guys about - he’s…scary. He’s at least as powerful as Charles or Erik and I just - I hope he never finds us. He’s bad news.”
Alex hasn’t told Charles about Gabriel. He’s also almost certain that Charles hasn’t looked inside his head and found him. He intends to keep it that way.
xi.
Witness statement about a runaway teenager from the father.
About a week ago a man called Charles Xavier came to our house and offered a place at his new school to my daughter. He called it a school for gifted students. When I asked what he knew about Alison’s schooling he told me that she was a very admirable student with an obvious talent. I was pleased to hear this but Alison wasn’t.
Xavier asked if he could have some time alone with Alison so I left them together in the room. I left the door open a bit in case Alison was troubled by this man. They had a conversation in quiet tones that I couldn’t hear. There was a flash of light and suddenly Alison was shouting at Xavier to leave.
When I ran back into the room Alison was surrounded by this strange shapes of light, like the images left on in your eyes when you press your hands against them, and she was still shouting. Xavier left without too much fuss though he did exhort me to talk to Alison about what had happened.
Alison didn’t want to talk about it but she did say that Xavier was one of those mutants the newspapers have been talking about. I told her I was sorry that I let one of those disgusting creatures into our house. Alison started to cry and took herself to bed without any supper.
When I tried checking on her in the morning she was gone.
Xavier had dark hair and blues. He spoke with an English accent and was in a wheelchair. He was dressed in a grey suit.
Signed
Carter Blaire
xii.
Beast,
I was so happy to hear about Darwin that Emma could hear it. I’m really sorry but now Magneto knows that I’m writing to you. He didn’t say anything about stopping me and then he took the letters away. I’m writing this now because I don’t know what he’s going to say about it in the morning.
You should’ve seen his face when I told him about Charles. I can’t be certain because I hadn’t really noticed before but the end of the bed frame in my room here was bent completely out of shape by the time I finished. He’s really so obvious about Emma’s been asking a lot of questions about Charles and for a moment after I told Magneto I really thought he was going to hurt her.
I don’t think these people Emma wants us to meet are going to be good for Magneto. Don’t get me wrong I believe in what Magneto wants and you were there on the beach, you saw what the humans were going to do to us, but I don’t think that’s what Emma and the others want. She likes goading Magneto too much Half of the reason I’m here is because I’m still hoping that Charles will realise that Magneto is right. It would be better if they were together could work together. We’re not the enemies, Beast.
If you can, please get Charles to at least think about what Magneto’s said. We’ve seen the America papers and he doesn’t like what he’s seeing. You must be able to see it too, Beast. I’m really scared for you guys. It feels like something bad is coming.
Be safe, Mystique
Hank tucks the letter into his pocket as he pads through the mansion toward Charles’ study. He has a feeling that Mystique was trying to warn him that Erik is going to do something dangerous and, even though Hank feels guilty about hiding the letters, he knows he has to warn him.
Charles’ is study is empty, the radio playing quietly to itself in one corner, and Hank should’ve remembered that Charles is with Alison today, probably training her whilst subtly consoling her over her father’s actions.
Hank remembers Alison showing up in the middle of the night, her eyes tear-stained, with a story of being driven out of her home when her father realised she must be a mutant. Charles had welcomed her in and offered to smooth things over with her father, which had made Hank shiver (sometimes Charles has more in common with Erik’s more ruthless methods than he realises), but Alison had refused. Let him always know it was his fault.
Hank turns back toward the door with a sigh, wondering where Charles would take Alison to train, when something catches his eye. There’s a colourful array of postcards spread around the room, many of them on the desk, and Hank breathes a sigh of relief. Obviously Raven has been sending Charles cards in an effort to ease his worry - hopefully that means Charles won’t be angry with him about hiding her letters.
Curiosity makes Hank pick up the one nearest; it shows a typically bright South American scene (Raven thinks she’s hiding where she is but she’s honestly not trying very hard, which is enough to tell Hank that she wants to come home more than she will admit) but the words on the back are not typical at all.
The words I’m sorry in Erik’s neat script, a hand that had clearly been taught to write in a different language entirely, unmistakable to someone with Hank’s eyes. Hank nearly drops the postcard in surprise. Then he registers the radio.
“- in New York today. The attackers, believed to be mutants, repelled an assault by twenty-five seasoned FBI agents with one-fifth of their number. The Mayor has condemn the action - calling for the New York senate to begin legislation over the matter -”
It’s too late.
xiii.
Scrap of a newspaper article found amongst Charles Xavier’s belongings
A suspected act of mutant aggression was carried out in New York today during a FBI raid on a suspected Communist faction, The Hellfire Club.
At six o’clock this morning the FBI entered the premises of The Hellfire Club, 840 Fifth Avenue, after several months of observation. It was believed to be the source of seditious pamphlets being circulated throughout Manhattan after the Cuban Missile Crisis was ended.
Instead of finding Communist Party members the FBI agents were attacked by a group of super-powered individuals, all of whom are believed to be part of the newly revealed mutant race. Witnesses reported a man in a helmet that broke the FBI agents’ guns in half and a woman made of diamonds who could throw men across the street.
There were further reports of a man with red skin who could appear in one place and then another within seconds and a man who appeared to be able to create tornados with his hands. Reports of the incident become muddled after this point, listing the arrivals of aliens and dinosaurs amongst the combatants. Is this yet another mutant power to fear? When these illusions disappeared the entire Hellfire Club building had been evacuated and the mutants had vanished.
The Mayor’s office issued a statement condemning the behaviour of these people, citing the destruction the battle had caused as reason enough to consider making mutantism illegal in the city.
The FBI -
Torn from the New York Times with the following written across the top:
Do you see they way they see us, Charles? Even when we defend ourselves without bloodshed they condemn us.
Act One [2/2]