"The trade"
Title: The trade
Fandom: X-Men: First Class
Pairing: Erik/Charles (kind of)
Genre: Alternate Universe
Rating: PG-13
Warnings: Forced marriage? A little at least.
Word Count: 758
Summary: Charles always admired Erik.
Disclaimer: I don't own anything, least of all copyright to these guys.
Author's note: Fill for au_bingo for the prompt "Apprenticeship".
Charles sits on the steps to the workshop looking at Erik’s back, the man’s muscles flexing as he raises the hand with a hammer once and again. Erik got really good in fixing sword and what not and Charles is pretty sure that his father debates giving his practice over to his young apprentice one day. Not that Charles would mind. He has no idea about how to even start work on anything and he probably would break himself in half if he actually tried to lift one of the hammers his father and Erik use to work metal with.
It would also mean that Erik stays with them for much longer time than his apprenticeship requires him to, and Charles is more than okay with that. He might just have a tiny, little crush on the other man, but it’s mostly harmless. He doesn’t even approach him all that often, just- looks. He talked with older man enough to know that he’s intelligent and full of useful knowledge, unlike Charles himself who knows only what he read in his books. It’s not really his fault, since he’s more or less forbidden from going out of the mansion, but it still rankles that he won’t be able to see more of the world than what he can observe from his window.
He knows it’s for his own safety. Their family fortune is famous across the kingdom and he wouldn’t be able to protect himself even if he wanted to, thin and wane as he is. He would be easy target for kidnapping or even assassination so it’s really better that he leaves outside world for others. It doesn’t mean that he has to like it. In comparison to him, Erik is wandered through the lands of three kingdoms, learning various trades that would help him get by in the world. He’s muscled and tanned and Charles feels more than inadequate when he looks in the mirror in the evenings and sees his thin limbs and pale skin. How could someone like Erik ever see Charles as anything else than a child, a son of employer that he has to suffer some time with?
The thought is as depressing as when he first had it, and it almost makes him get up and leave. He’s used to it by now though so he only sighs heavily and stays in place. He can at least watch if nothing else. His father passes him with a pat to the head and he frowns at being treated so much like a little child. He’s never going to get anyone’s eye, especially Erik’s, if he’s constantly reminded how inexperienced and young he is. He doesn’t listen much to the conversation in the main chamber, focused as he is on his own thoughts so the call of his own name startles him rather badly.
He walks down the stars with trepidation and it grows even more when he sees pinches expression on Erik’s face. Is it possible that father decided to not leave him the practice? Surely, he’s not going to give it to Charles, it would collapse on itself after few days only. When he hears the news he can only gape at his parent who clearly lost few of his marbles. Now he understands why this face on Erik. He winces at the implication and nods at his father.
He doesn’t mind being married to Erik if it means the man would get the trade he so rightfully deserves. It’s not like Charles has anyone else and he did wanted to get closer to his father’s apprentice for some time. Maybe not that close so fast, but it’s not like he can chose anything in his life, why would that be different. He looks back shyly at Erik and sees that mere irritation transformed into outright anger and his heart sinks. It doesn’t seem that the man wants to be wed to him. It stings a little, but Charles can’t say he doesn’t understand. What does he have to offer to someone worldly like Erik?
The marriage is quick and it’s soon and it doesn’t change anything. Charles has a shiny new name to add to his own and Erik has a practice waiting for him when he finishes his apprenticeship. Nothing more changed. He tries to pretend it doesn’t hurt, but it’s hard when laying in a cold bed at night and knowing that even though he has a husband now he still won’t know the warmth of other person’s love.
Fandom: X-Men: First Class
Pairing: Erik/Charles (kind of)
Genre: Alternate Universe
Rating: PG-13
Warnings: Forced marriage? A little at least.
Word Count: 758
Summary: Charles always admired Erik.
Disclaimer: I don't own anything, least of all copyright to these guys.
Author's note: Fill for au_bingo for the prompt "Apprenticeship".
Charles sits on the steps to the workshop looking at Erik’s back, the man’s muscles flexing as he raises the hand with a hammer once and again. Erik got really good in fixing sword and what not and Charles is pretty sure that his father debates giving his practice over to his young apprentice one day. Not that Charles would mind. He has no idea about how to even start work on anything and he probably would break himself in half if he actually tried to lift one of the hammers his father and Erik use to work metal with.
It would also mean that Erik stays with them for much longer time than his apprenticeship requires him to, and Charles is more than okay with that. He might just have a tiny, little crush on the other man, but it’s mostly harmless. He doesn’t even approach him all that often, just- looks. He talked with older man enough to know that he’s intelligent and full of useful knowledge, unlike Charles himself who knows only what he read in his books. It’s not really his fault, since he’s more or less forbidden from going out of the mansion, but it still rankles that he won’t be able to see more of the world than what he can observe from his window.
He knows it’s for his own safety. Their family fortune is famous across the kingdom and he wouldn’t be able to protect himself even if he wanted to, thin and wane as he is. He would be easy target for kidnapping or even assassination so it’s really better that he leaves outside world for others. It doesn’t mean that he has to like it. In comparison to him, Erik is wandered through the lands of three kingdoms, learning various trades that would help him get by in the world. He’s muscled and tanned and Charles feels more than inadequate when he looks in the mirror in the evenings and sees his thin limbs and pale skin. How could someone like Erik ever see Charles as anything else than a child, a son of employer that he has to suffer some time with?
The thought is as depressing as when he first had it, and it almost makes him get up and leave. He’s used to it by now though so he only sighs heavily and stays in place. He can at least watch if nothing else. His father passes him with a pat to the head and he frowns at being treated so much like a little child. He’s never going to get anyone’s eye, especially Erik’s, if he’s constantly reminded how inexperienced and young he is. He doesn’t listen much to the conversation in the main chamber, focused as he is on his own thoughts so the call of his own name startles him rather badly.
He walks down the stars with trepidation and it grows even more when he sees pinches expression on Erik’s face. Is it possible that father decided to not leave him the practice? Surely, he’s not going to give it to Charles, it would collapse on itself after few days only. When he hears the news he can only gape at his parent who clearly lost few of his marbles. Now he understands why this face on Erik. He winces at the implication and nods at his father.
He doesn’t mind being married to Erik if it means the man would get the trade he so rightfully deserves. It’s not like Charles has anyone else and he did wanted to get closer to his father’s apprentice for some time. Maybe not that close so fast, but it’s not like he can chose anything in his life, why would that be different. He looks back shyly at Erik and sees that mere irritation transformed into outright anger and his heart sinks. It doesn’t seem that the man wants to be wed to him. It stings a little, but Charles can’t say he doesn’t understand. What does he have to offer to someone worldly like Erik?
The marriage is quick and it’s soon and it doesn’t change anything. Charles has a shiny new name to add to his own and Erik has a practice waiting for him when he finishes his apprenticeship. Nothing more changed. He tries to pretend it doesn’t hurt, but it’s hard when laying in a cold bed at night and knowing that even though he has a husband now he still won’t know the warmth of other person’s love.