XMen Big Bang: Nothing kills more than to know (Part Three)
Title: Nothing kills more than to know
Pairing: Charles Xavier/Adam Lambert/Erik Lehnsherr, background Rictor/Gav (Shatterstar)
Rating: NC-17
Word count: ~21000
Summary: Sequel to The more things change. It had been more than year since Erik had been gone. Gone from Charles’ mind, from his home and from his bed, but never from his thoughts.
A year after the beach, Charles has the school up and running, welcoming new students with Adam at his side. Erik has never been far from his mind, but lately he's been closer than ever, clear images of Erik coming to the mansion flashing in Charles' mind. What does Erik want, after all this time? Charles' doesn't know, but together with Adam, Hank and the new students, he has to be ready for anything, as much as it might hurt.
Notes: Written for the xmenbigbang. Title taken from Adam Lambert's Can't let you go. This is mainly in the XMFC verse, however there are a few added characters from the comics verse. Ororo (Storm), Rictor, and Monet St Croix are fairly clear, and I've also introduced Shatterstar, who I've called Gav, taking his name from one of his aliases, Gavandra Seven. Rictor and Shatterstar have a great relationship in the comics, and I couldn't resist bringing it over! If you're not a comic fan, don't worry! I don't think there's anything in here that would be confusing, and I've certainly taken creative liberties with the characters' histories. The same can be said for those of you who may not be Adam Lambert fans. You don't need to know anything about him other than what I've included, and I think he could be read as an OMC without much trouble.
As always, I need to thank my beta janesgravity, but I need to thank her even more than usual! I needed to be dug out from more than one pile of my own melodrama during the writing of this, and if it wasn't for her, I'd still be buried! Thanks also goes to Acey who provided a much needed third set of eyes! <3
And finally, thanks to vertrauen for providing me with a lovely fan mix to go with this story!
After that, Erik felt like an entirely different atmosphere had taken over the mansion. The last of the tension he’d felt from the children had vanished when they saw how he’d helped Gav, and it seemed that the others finally believed that Erik was really on their team. Even Hank wished him a gruff good morning when he came into the kitchen, and accepted the cup of strong coffee that Erik passed him with a tight smile. It was small, but it was farther than Erik had expected to get with Hank, and he welcomed it.
Nearly a week after the incident with Gav, Adam stepped up to Erik after a lesson and pulled him aside, his fingers gentle and firm all at once on Erik’s arms. “Hey, so, can you come to the study after dinner tonight? I want to talk to you.” Adam’s eyes were soft around the edges and a smile was playing at his lips, and Erik felt a little swell of hope deep in his gut, a feeling he for once didn’t tamp down, letting it spread warmly through his belly. He nodded, telling Adam that of course he’d be there, and went through the rest of his day mechanically, ticking of one task after another until the sun finally started to drop behind the horizon and Charles’ voice rang out in his head calling them all to dinner.
The meal was like it always was, loud and chaotic and wonderful, everyone talking over each other and kicking each other under the table, every story becoming more and more elaborate as it travelled around the table. Even Erik, who’d started off the meal pushing his food around his plate nervously had joined in, his tale of Alex nearly blowing up the entire east wing of the house even causing Hank to crack a smile that disappeared almost as quickly as Erik spotted it, but he counted it as a victory regardless. One by one the children filtered off, to watch television, to listen to the radio, and in no cases, to do their homework. Alex and Sean went outside to play basketball until the sun went down, and Hank looked back and forth between Erik, Charles and Adam awkwardly for a few long moments before excusing himself to his lab to continue rebuilding Cerebro.
Adam stood, briefly smiling at Charles before turning to Erik. “So, care to join me for a drink?”
“Of course.” Erik was pleased that his voice was only a little rough, and he stood, following Adam to the door of the dining room before pausing to look back at Charles. “Is Charles not joining us?”
“Not yet, my friend. I’m going to leave you to it for now.” Charles wiped his hands on his napkin and smiled easily at them, pushing himself away from the table and towards the door. “I believe I’ll go see what’s on television, they do hate it when I join them.”
Erik stepped aside to allow Charles to pass, and watched him nearly his entire trip down the hall until he felt Adam’s fingers brush his arm and looked up to meet his eyes, crinkled with a hint of amusement. “Come on.”
The study would probably feel stuffy to most other people, but Erik had such memories of it that it felt warm and comfortable as he settled into the stiff leather couch, drink already beginning to sweat in his hand. To his surprise, Adam sat on the couch next to him, folding his long legs under him with the kind of ease in his own body that Erik envied. Adam took a sip of his own drink, wincing as he always did at the first sharp burn of Charles’ best scotch sliding down his throat.
“I wanted to tell you I really appreciate what you did with Gav. I don’t know what you said to him, but thank you. Charles and I...we still don’t know what he’s been through, but he obviously found someone to relate to in you.”
Erik drained his glass in one swallow, but kept the glass in his hand for something to hang onto. “Gav’s a good kid, but he’s dealt with more than even he’ll probably ever know. I know what it’s like to be unsure of your own identity, and he has support I never did. He’ll be alright.” He looked down into his empty glass, tilting it to distort the view of his fingers through it. “If I’m being honest, I surprised myself in that moment. I very much doubt I would have given him good advice before...” Erik waved his hand around, gesturing broadly, and Adam nodded.
Adam reached out and caught Erik’s hand, wrapping his fingers gently around his wrist. “I know. That’s why I wanted to talk to you. I’m not apologizing for the way I’ve treated you, because you deserved every single thing I’ve said or done for what you did to us.” His eyes flicked sideways for a moment, and Erik heard the unspoken to Charles as loudly as if Adam had shouted it. He opened his mouth to respond, but Adam’s fingers tightened on his wrist and he kept quiet, letting him continue.
“But I do think you’ve shown that you’re trying, trying to make up for it, and I see why Charles wanted to give you a second chance. I do think you deserve it.” Adam drained his glass and set it down, licking his lips and smiling, letting go of Erik’s wrist and settling back against the arm of the couch. “While we’re being honest, can I ask you one question?”
“Of course, anything.” Erik set his own glass down and turned to face Adam, folding one leg underneath him and threading his fingers together.
“Do you really see this life interesting you forever? Could you give up your beliefs and your mission for ours? For Charles’?” There was no malice on Adam’s face, nothing but genuine curiosity, and Erik answered with honesty.
He shook his head, not breaking eye contact with Adam. “Honestly, I don’t believe that I can. As much as I dearly wish to have Charles and you by my side in my journey, I don’t believe that is part of the plan.” Erik smiled, just a little sadly and reached out to brush his fingers over the back of Adam’s hand. “We’re very different, and I would never ask you to give up your beliefs to join me, if the day comes when I have to go. But for now, I do feel like I belong here, and I do believe that this school will be more valuable than even Charles yet knows, and I am honoured to be part of it.”
Adam nodded, and was quiet for a few moments, his brow furrowing as he thought. When he looked back to Erik’s eyes, he was smiling, and he turned his hand under Erik’s touch to slide their fingers together. “I thought that’s what you’d say, thanks for being honest with me.” He slid forward on the couch, shifting until his leg was pressed against Erik’s, his thumb rubbing gentle circles in the back of Erik’s hand. “I am glad you came back, Erik. I missed you. Charles missed you. If it’s only for now, I want to make the most of having you back.”
Even with as long as he’d been gone, Erik would never not recognize the tone in Adam’s voice, the kind of rumble that made deep purple flash around Adam’s head when he was less controlled. Erik was silent for a moment, waiting for the catch, when he felt Charles in his mind, knowing that he was in Adam’s as well and had probably been listening the whole time. Well, are you coming? I would like to make the most of for now as well. Erik felt a laugh ripple through his chest, deep and cleansing and joyful and he managed to nod, letting Adam pull him up off the sofa, pressing their bodies close as they walked. Erik had never been good at living in the moment, but tonight he was going to try harder than he ever had.
When Adam pushed open the door to Charles’ bedroom, Erik was struck with a wave of memories. The time he’d pushed Charles back up against the windows and they’d made love, even though the windows faced the back yard where there was always training happening. The bookshelves in the corner that were still broken from the time he’d hoisted Adam up onto them and their powers had gotten out of control, lights sparking around them and the metallic screech of screws spinning in their places filling the air until books starting crashing to the floor, the shelves following, only Erik’s arms keeping Adam from falling with them. Erik eyes finally settled on Charles, already in the bed, reclining against the pillows, and he couldn’t help but notice all the unfamiliar things.
Charles’ chair was wheeled up close to the bed, and Erik noticed the careful way the pillows were positioned behind his back, helping him to sit more easily. There were pill bottles laid out on the night stand, more than he would have expected, and a black bag the likes of which he’d only ever seen a doctor carry. His powers told him there were metal implements inside the bag, but he stopped short of trying to trace the shapes, somewhere between not wanting to pry and not wanting to know, the reality of Charles’ condition washing over him, his breath catching in his throat as he looked up to Charles’ face, the soft, knowing smile he recognized so well settled comfortably on his lips.
“I don’t need to be in your mind you know what you’re thinking, Erik, and you needn’t be thinking it. I am quite well, despite the obvious.” Charles waved his hand dismissively at his chair and then his smile widened, and he beckoned them forward. “I see your talk went well. I was certainly hoping that it would.”
The last of the knot that had lived curled up in Erik’s belly since the moment he’d driven up to the mansion those months ago unfurled at Charles’ words, at the familiar teasing and slightly raunchy tone in Charles’ voice. Erik felt Adam’s hand on the small of his back, firm enough to push him forward and he went willingly, closing the distance between himself and the bed, letting Charles’ hand take his own when he got there. Charles tugged him down until he was sitting on the edge of the bed, and Erik closed the rest of the gap, bending down to take Charles’ lips in a gentle kiss of ‘hello, love, I’ve missed you’. Charles’ hand slid up Erik’s arm and over his back to move up and tangle in his hair, tugging Erik even closer into a deeper, dirtier kiss. Erik groaned as Charles’ tongue slid over his own even as his mind pressed against Erik’s, the feeling of Charles’ words in his head more than welcome.
I’ve had months to say hello to you, Erik, there is so much more I wish to say.
Erik let Charles pull him even closer, Charles’ hands sliding eagerly over Erik’s back, tugging his shirt up out of his trousers even as Erik felt the bed dip next to him. Adam’s hands joined Charles’ on his back, sliding lower as Adam pressed a wet kiss to the nape of Erik’s neck, his hands moving around to work open Erik’s belt until he could slide his trousers down his legs. A soft curse left Adam’s lips when Erik’s trousers got caught on his shoes, and Erik started to laugh until Adam bent to sink his teeth into soft flesh of Erik’s thigh as he tugged off Erik’s shoes, his trousers and boxers finally falling to the floor. Adam kissed and nipped his way back up Erik’s thigh and over the curve of his ass, pausing to swirl his tongue through the dip at the base of Erik’s spine, sending a shiver through his body.
Erik’s head was already spinning from the sensations, Charles’ mouth on his and his body pressed against Erik’s, Adam’s tongue teasing over all the sensitive spots on his back that Erik had forgotten he even had. He managed to get his hands to cooperate with his brain and he slid them over Charles’ body, feeling the newly defined muscles in his arms and shoulders, sliding down over his chest to brush over his nipples, starting a little when Charles’ gasped, his body arching sharply up against Erik’s hands.
Adam’s breath was warm against Erik’s back as he chuckled, speaking as Charles panted under Erik’s touch. “Yeah, that’s kind of new. If you use your mouth he can come from just that.”
“Really, now?” Erik smirked, his eyes glinting as his hands pushed Charles’ shirt up and over his head, Charles’ cheeks coloured bright pink as he dropped his hands back to tangle in Erik’s hair.
“Don’t I get to have any secrets?” Charles tried for light and teasing, but it came out throaty as Erik bent his head to lave his tongue over Charles’ nipple, the flesh pebbling dark and rosy as Charles’ groaned, his hand tightening enough in Erik’s hair to hurt.
Erik kept up his gentle torture, alternating between light flicking and long licks until Charles’ was nearly quivering beneath him, and he felt Adam move away, heard the sound of clothing hitting the floor. When he tore his mouth away from Charles’ sensitive flesh for a moment, he saw Adam’s long body stretched out next him, a flush spreading over his chest, his hand lazily fisting his cock as he watched them with a smile.
“Don’t let me stop you, I’ve missed watching you together. You’re both beautiful.” He reached out with his free hand to brush a sweat dampened curl from Charles’ forehead, looking at him so soft and loving that Erik’s breath caught in his throat and he had to reach out until Adam met him halfway, their mouths meeting and fitting together like they were meant to be.
Adam tasted sweet and spicy like he always had, his teeth scraping over Erik’s lip in a way that no one else could ever match. Erik groaned into his mouth, a result of the kiss and of Charles’ hands sliding down his back, one snaking around to stroke over his cock, pressing just hard enough to make Erik’s gut clench. Adam deepened the kiss quickly, kissing until they were both breathless and then pulling back, his eyes bright and a little wild as he pushed at Erik’s shoulder, guiding him until he got the hint and dropped his head back to Charles.
Erik brushed a kiss over Charles’ lips, just deep enough to share Adam’s taste with them before moving lower, kissing and biting his way along Charles’ jaw and then his throat, finding all the spots that made Charles gasp and sigh and writhe underneath him. He let his hands wander even lower, brushing over Charles’ nipples briefly, stroking over his arms and hands, sweeping low over his belly to shove Charles’ pants down, thankful he had already dressed for bed, the elastic waist of his sweatpants about as much as Erik’s eager fingers could handle. When the last of Charles’ clothes fell to the floor, Erik began kissing a path past Charles’ throat, reaching out into his mind as he laved his tongue over Charles’ collarbones.
What’s okay, Charles? What can you...what can I do? What do you want? Erik didn’t know how to phrase what he wanted to know, how to ask what Charles could feel. He found a particularly tender spot at the edge of Charles’ collarbone and worried it between his teeth while Charles’ panted, even the words filtering into Erik’s mind sounding breathy.
If you let me in, you can do anything. Your hands, your mouth, your thoughts, that’s all I need. Charles let out a shaky moan when Erik closed his lips around his nipple, and Erik answered it, his hips stuttering, his cock sliding over Charles’ hip, leaving a shining smear behind.
Erik scrapped his teeth over Charles’ nipple, his hand sliding down Charles’ body to cup his cock, hard and already wet when he rubbed his fingers over the head. He opened his mind and pushed what he was feeling to Charles, letting him feel how hard and silky his own cock was, how hot his skin was under Erik’s mouth. Charles’ next moan was muffled, and Erik groaned when he looked up to see Adam and Charles kissing, uncoordinated and messy as Charles’ panted. He had one hand in Erik’s hair and the other skated up Adam’s back to tangle in his hair, holding both men close to him.
When Erik laved a hot path between Charles’ nipples, Adam’s hand rubbed warm and heavy over Charles’ chest, his fingers teasing at the nipple Erik’s mouth had just left behind. Charles’ hand gripped tighter into Erik’s hair, his mind filling with more, the taste of Adam’s mouth on his tongue as Charles’ powers started to slip.
That’s right, Charles, let go. Erik kept swirling his tongue around and around Charles’ nipple, pausing to bite and suck in a pattern even a telepath couldn’t guess. He stroked Charles’ cock firm and slow, swirling his thumb over the wet head and telling Charles’ just go much he was enjoying it. Love to see you like this, panting and desperate. Can you feel how hard your cock is in my hand? God, I’ve missed it Charles, missed you so much.
Charles tossed his head back hard, Adam pulling away just in time, bending back down to suck kisses to Charles’ throat. Little gasps and moans were spilling from Charles’ lips even as he spoke to Erik in his head, his words there barely more coherent. Missed you too, Erik, more. More, please, Erik, please.
Erik obliged more than willingly; there would be time for teasing later. He redoubled his efforts, his fist stroking Charles’ cock faster, sucking harder on Charles’ nipples even as Adam sucked a deep mark into the tender spot on Charles’ collarbone, kissing path over to Charles’ shoulder. Charles was moaning nearly constantly now, his thoughts filling Erik’s head in a jumble that made Erik’s heart race and his breath come in shaky gasps. He tried to watch as Adam kissed down Charles’ arm, teeth scraping over the soft skin on the inside, nipping at the bend of his elbow and soothing the sting with his tongue.
When Charles’ orgasm started to build, Erik could feel it in his own head and his own body, the familiar fuzzy-edged pleasure building in his gut as Charles’ muscles tightened and his shoulders arched off the bed. He could feel Charles trying to hold back, see the way the tendons in his neck stood out as he panted and gasped, trying to stop the waves that were barrelling down on him. Erik watched as Adam moved back up to Charles’ face, pressing his lips to Charles’ ear and speaking soft and low enough that Erik couldn’t hear. He could, however, see the flush that spread even brighter across Charles’ cheeks, could feel the sudden swell of lust spill over into his own brain and he wished deeply that he could hear Adam’s words.
Erik sucked Charles’ nipple into his mouth, biting down hard on the over-sensitive flesh as he twisted his wrist on Charles’ cock, and Charles’ came with a hoarse cry. His come spilled hot over Erik’s fingers, and Erik stroked him through it, laving his tongue gently over Charles’ abused nipple as he milked every last drop out of Charles’ cock. Erik’s mind was assaulted with Charles’ thoughts, a chaotic medley of yes, Erik, Adam, please, more making Erik groan loudly, his cock twitching against Charles’ hip. Erik lifted his hand to his mouth, sighing as he started licking his fingers clean, only getting one clean before he felt strong fingers wrapping around his wrist and pulling his hand forward.
Adam’s eyes were dark when Erik caught them, and they fluttered shut when he took Erik’s slick fingers into his mouth, swirling his tongue around the digits far more than was necessary just to clean them. Adam opened his eyes when he turned Erik’s hand to lave over his palm, and Erik had to bite his lip to quell the sudden surge of lust in his gut.
“Erik.” Charles’ voice was thick, and when Erik turned to look at him he looked as wrecked as he sounded. His hair fell on his forehead in damp curls, his cheeks flushed and his lips bitten cherry-red, and Erik reached out to twine one of those curls around his finger before Charles pulled him down into a deep kiss. Erik plunged his tongue into Charles’ mouth and knew that Charles was tasting himself, and the thought made him rock his hips down against Charles’, the remains of Charles’ orgasm smearing over Erik’s skin. Charles slid his hands down Erik’s sides, one sneaking around to wrap around Erik’s cock and stroke lightly, just enough to have Erik gasping against Charles’ mouth.
I want to watch you with Adam. Since...there are things we have been missing. The silence in Erik’s mind was sudden, but soon Charles continued, sending Erik images to match the words. That he has been missing. Erik’s mind filled with images that he didn’t even know Charles had; he and Adam that day they’d destroyed the shelves, the first time they’d been together as three, when Charles had been inside Adam’s head as Erik fucked him. Erik was beginning to feel overwhelmed, his breath coming fast and shallow, forgetting just what it was like to be in bed with Charles Xavier.
He nodded, his cheek rubbing over Charles’, feeling the hint of stubble that was just starting to grow. Yes, yes, I want that too, so much.
“I can tell that you two are talking about me, care to include me in the conversation?” Adam was grinning, sprawled back on his back with his legs spread easily, a hand working slow and gentle over his cock as he watched Charles and Erik. The calmness of his posture was betrayed by the mottled flush spread over his chest and the way his eyes fluttered shut just a little when his thumb rubbed over the head of his cock. Erik may have been overwhelmed, but at least Adam was there with him.
Erik pressed one last kiss to Charles’ lips and then climbed off of him, moving to settle in easily between Adam’s legs. He bent to put his lips to Adam’s ear, letting his voice rumble deeply in his chest the way he knew Adam loved. “I’m going to fuck you. Charles wants that, do you?”
A shiver ran through Adam’s body, and he wrapped his arms and legs around Erik, pulling him close until their cocks bumped together. They sighed in unison, and Adam’s voice came soft and breathy when he spoke. “Oh God, yes, fuck me, please.”
Never one who needed to be told twice, Erik reached out a hand and slid the bedside drawer open, glad to find that Charles as still a creature of habit. Adam fumbled out a hand and grabbed the lube, and soon Erik was rubbing two slick fingers over Adam’s hole, one pushing in slow and deep. A groan fell from Adam’s lips as his back arched, his body welcoming Erik’s finger easily, hips rocking into the intrusion. Erik had missed this, missed the hot clench of another body around his fingers, especially of Adam’s body. He’d missed the little noises that Adam made when he pushed in a second finger and then a third, greedy, impatient noises that managed to sound so sweet and so filthy all at once.
The bed dipped next to him, Charles shifting until he was closer to Adam, rolled up onto one elbow. He locked eyes with Erik and slid a hand down Adam’s body to join Erik’s where it was still working between Adam’s legs. He slid the tip of his finger around the rim of Adam’s hole, feeling where it was stretched tight around the press of Erik’s fingers, and slowly he worked his finger in alongside Erik’s, Adam letting out an eager whine, his legs falling impossibly wider. One of Adam’s hands gripped tight into the bedspread, the other flailing until it found Charles’ head, gripping into his hair and pulling him down into a wet and clumsy kiss, more teeth and panting than anything gentle.
Together they worked Adam with four fingers, a slick, deep slide. Adam groaned into Charles’ mouth when they twisted their fingers just right, a cloud of gold bursting in the air. Erik couldn’t help but reach his free hand out to try and touch the lights, and he imagined he could feel the colour tickling over his palm, even though he knew that was impossible. He felt Charles’ finger slide out of Adam’s body and trace around his hole again, and then Charles’ voice was in his head, as needy as if it was own body that had just had four fingers buried knuckle deep in it. Now, Erik, now. Erik wondered if Charles was inside Adam’s head, using his power to feel things his body wouldn’t let him anymore, and the thought of it made Erik’s cock twitch against his belly, his gut clenching with lust and so much more.
He pulled his fingers slowly from Adam, soothing him with a stroke to his thigh when Adam whimpered at the loss. Erik slicked himself up quickly and settled between Adam’s legs, his heart threatening to thump out of his chest as he gripped his fingers into Adam’s hips and pushed forward. He couldn’t help the deep groan that rumbled out of his throat as he slid home, bottoming out easily on the first thrust, Adam’s body welcoming him like he belonged. Erik tried to still himself, to slow down and make it last, but Adam’s long legs wrapped tight around his hips and urged him forward, heels digging into Erik’s ass hard enough to threaten bruises.
“Hard, please Erik, harder.” Adam rocked his hips up to meet Erik’s thrusts, and Erik happily obliged him, fucking in hard and fast. Erik had thought that when they came together again it would be gentle and maybe even tender, but now his skin burned for it, and he couldn’t have slowed down if his life depending on it. Beneath him, Adam was moaning and crying out, begging for more, and Erik bent over his body as far as he could, scraping his teeth across Adam’s lips and beckoning him into a kiss. As their lips crashed together, Erik felt Charles’ hand slide down his arm, tangling their fingers together where Erik was gripping Adam’s hip, and when he pulled breathlessly away from Adam’s lips, Charles was there. His face was flushed, his eyes glassy and lips wet, and Erik’s hips stuttered as he caught Charles’ eye, leaning in to kiss him, softer than he’d kissed Adam, but no less passionate.
Erik pulled back, panting, and slowed his thrusts, pushing in deep and staying buried in Adam’s body for a long as he could, drawing throaty moans from Adam with every roll of his hips. He could feel Charles in his head, a heavy presence that was almost vibrating with need, and he knew that Adam was close, knew that Charles was too, that he was feeling the phantom sensation of being fucked deep by Erik thanks to his powers. Erik could feel his own orgasm building, coming on slow and then sudden when Adam clamped down around him, rocking his hips up until Erik slid impossibly deeper. A strangled cry escaped Erik’s lips and he tried to hold back, but then Adam’s hands were on his back, nails digging in hard and dragging him down to kiss him, teeth clacking together and Erik was gone. He shouted into Adam’s mouth, pushing deep into Adam as he came, his come flooding hot and slick around his cock.
He let himself slump against Adam’s front and realized he was still hard, Adam’s cock pressing against his belly, leaving a damp trail. He pulled himself regretfully from Adam’s body and was about to reach a shaking hand to wrap around Adam’s cock when he felt Charles’ in his mind, his voice firm. No, no, let me.
Charles pushed an image into Erik’s head, his voice reedy when he spoke. “Can you help me?”
It took a few moments and a few misplaced elbows, but soon Adam was backwards on the bed, on his hands and knees facing Charles’ feet. Erik helped Charles sit up higher against the pillows, his stomach doing a flip as he watched Charles’ fingers dig into Adam’s hips and pull him even closer. Charles ran a sure finger around the reddened rim of Adam’s hole, Erik’s come glistening on the edges when Charles slipped his finger just inside. He pulled on the rim, letting a drop of Erik’s come escape and leaned forward to lap it away, a strangled groan ripping from Adam’s chest at the motion.
Adam’s cock was bobbing against his belly, hard and shiny-wet at the tip, and Erik was torn between wanting to stay at the head of the bed and watch what Charles was doing, and wanting to move down to kiss Adam through it, stroke him fast and hard like he knew Adam loved. He settled for a bit of both, moving up the bed to capture lips just as Charles buried two fingers and his tongue deep in Adam’s ass, the moan that Erik swallowed sounding nearly pained. They kissed until Adam was breathless and panting, and then Erik pulled back, wrapping his hand around Adam’s cock and stroking in time with the thrusting of Charles’ fingers in Adam’s ass.
Charles was making obscene noises, and when he pulled away to steal a breath, Erik could see his face shiny and wet, smeared with lube and Erik’s come. A grin crept onto Charles’ face and he licked his lips exaggeratedly, letting his eyes flutter shut like he was tasting some delicious dessert. Erik groaned, mostly in frustration that his cock wasn’t ready for another round yet, but then Charles dove back in and Adam’s moans easily overpowered Erik’s.
Adam was rocking back and forth, pushing against Charles’ tongue and fingers and fucking into Erik’s fist, his arms starting to shake where they were holding him up. Erik moved his fist faster, rubbing his thumb over Adam’s leaking slit and moved back to Adam’s head to press his lips to Adam’s ear. “You’re so gorgeous like his, perfect even. You were made for this, for us, Adam. Weren’t you? Did you miss this like I did?” He nipped gently at Adam’s earlobe, sucking the abused flesh into his mouth briefly before continuing. “I missed having my cock in you and I can’t wait to do it again. Maybe even tonight. Could you do it again tonight? For me and for Charles? He always loved watching you get fucked. Even now with his mouth on you, he’s cleaning you out and getting you ready to go again, does it feel good, Adam?”
Erik’s words and Charles’ fingers and tongue finally pushed Adam over the edge, everything coming together at once. Charles’ had three fingers buried in Adam’s ass, pressing them deep while his tongue teased between then and around the stretched rim, nothing left to taste but Adam, all of Erik’s come licked away. Erik’s breath was hot and his words were filthy, and his hand was perfect. Adam opened his mouth on a silent moan and came so hard his elbows gave way, his come spurting out over Erik’s fingers and dripping to pool on Charles’ belly. He shivered when Charles pulled his fingers out, and he would’ve collapsed completely to the bed if Erik hadn’t grabbed him, pulling him up to lay along one side of him, Charles on the other. This had never been Erik’s favourite part of their nights together, the crashing down from the high and the stillness, but tonight he wanted, maybe needed, to feel them against him, warm and real.
The three of them lay like that for a long time, legs and hands tangled together, soft, lazy kisses pressed to whatever skin they could reach with a minimum of effort. The silence was actually wonderful, the first time in months that Erik had actually stopped thinking and felt like he could really breathe. He twined his fingers through the damp curls on Charles’ forehead, smoothing over the unwrinkled skin, pleased to see that Charles was at peace too, a hard task for someone who spent every moment hearing the thoughts of everyone around them. As usual, it was Adam who broke the silence, even his love of afterglow not strong enough to overcome his dislike of prolonged silence, no matter how comfortable.
“Erik, are you...staying? It’s getting late and we should probably...” Adam gestured in the direction of the bathroom, and it occurred to Erik that getting ready for bed probably meant more than a quick round with a toothbrush nowadays.
“Well, I don’t have any clothes here, so I should probably...” Erik started to sit up, but he’d barely made it upright before Charles caught his wrist and held him with a raised eyebrow.
“There are still some of your things in the dresser, my friend, you are more than welcome to stay. If you’d like, you can shower first, my evening routine can wait a few minutes.” Charles smiled easily, letting Erik know he was off the hook if he wanted to remain unknowing on the details.
Erik was quiet for a moment, but then returned Charles’ smile, speaking gently. “What exactly does your routine entail?”
Adam was the one that answered the question, allowing Charles the same kind of out that Erik had just received, leaning over to rest his chin on Erik’s shoulder. “Well, it always ends with a big bubble bath. And I know that the tub can hold three.”
Erik felt more than saw Adam’s grin, and Charles’ cocked his head at Adam in think, returning the grin. “Well, in that case, I think I’ll stay.”
After that night, Erik moved out of the hotel and back into the mansion, into the room next to Charles’ he’d always stayed in. He rarely slept alone, but even with the lightness he’d felt since being welcomed back into Charles’ and Adam’s life, there were still moments where he needed solitude, to sit with his own thoughts and no one else’s. Remarkably little else changed around the mansion, which both surprised and pleased Erik. He hadn’t known how the children would react to his moving in and to the relationship, but true to their teenage nature, since it didn’t directly affect them, they mostly shrugged it off. He’d gotten a grinning thumbs up from Gav the first morning that he’d joined them for breakfast in his pajamas, and Monet raised a perfectly groomed eyebrow when he bent down to brush a kiss over Adam’s forehead, but besides that, it was business as usual. At least, as usual as business can be in a boarding school for mutants.
It was a few weeks after Erik had moved back in when Hank came rushing into the kitchen, breathing hard and his face flushed with excitement. His eyes were sparkling they only did when he’d made a big advance or a discovery, and he was near breathless when he finally spoke.
“Cerebro. It’s ready. It’s finally ready!”
Hank led Erik, Charles and Adam down below the mansion to a bunker, following a long hallway lined with flickering lights. The bunker was in a state of disrepair, but when they reached the end of the hall they were faced with a shiny metal door, and when it slid open Erik actually lost his breath. The room on the other side of the door was huge and perfectly round, with a platform jutting out into the middle. At the end of the platform was a set-up much like they’d had at the facility, a control panel with all sorts of dials and knobs Erik didn’t pretend to understand, and the all too familiar helmet.
Charles’ excitement was starting to bubble over as he wheeled himself down the platform, and Erik reached out to grab Adam’s hand, squeezing it as Charles’ lifted the helmet onto his head with shaking hands. Adam’s eyes were wide and round, and Erik remembered that he’d never seen this before, has never experienced this aspect of what Charles could do.
Erik kept his voice low so as not to disturb Hank as he started turning the dials, a mechanical hum filling the air as Charles’ eyes fell shut and a furrow formed in his brow. “It’s amazing, Adam, what he can do. He can change the world, right from where he sits. He doesn’t even know how much.”
The machine started spitting out the familiar roll of paper, nothing but line after line of locations. To anyone else it would look like gibberish, but to Erik, to Charles and now to Adam, it looked like potential, like promise. Each number was another mutant, another student they could bring to the school and help them, teach them how to use their powers and not be ashamed of who they were. Each number was one more person who could help mutants become accepted and not feared, to take their rightful place in society. Adam leaned to rest his head on Erik’s shoulder as he watched Charles work, rubbing his thumb over the back of Erik’s hand. “We can change the world too, you know. Because we know him.”
Erik nodded, not knowing exactly how to respond. He wanted to change the world, just like Charles did, and for now their missions were parallel, but each of them knew that would not always be the case. One day their paths would diverge and Erik would have to leave to pursue his, while Charles and Adam stayed to pursue theirs. Erik couldn’t pretend to know who’s path history would look back on as being the correct one, but for now, he was happy living in the moment. Adam was right about one thing, of course, it all came back to Charles. And Erik knew even as he stood here grasping Adam’s hand and watching Charles’ beautiful mind at work, that he too would always come back to Charles, for better or for worse. It may not be forever, but nothing was, not really, and Erik had learned long ago to cling to the things you love while you have them. Erik squeezed Adam’s hand until he looked up at him, and smiled, and in Adam’s answering easy grin, he found everything he needed to know, at least for the moment.
Part One
Part Two
Pairing: Charles Xavier/Adam Lambert/Erik Lehnsherr, background Rictor/Gav (Shatterstar)
Rating: NC-17
Word count: ~21000
Summary: Sequel to The more things change. It had been more than year since Erik had been gone. Gone from Charles’ mind, from his home and from his bed, but never from his thoughts.
A year after the beach, Charles has the school up and running, welcoming new students with Adam at his side. Erik has never been far from his mind, but lately he's been closer than ever, clear images of Erik coming to the mansion flashing in Charles' mind. What does Erik want, after all this time? Charles' doesn't know, but together with Adam, Hank and the new students, he has to be ready for anything, as much as it might hurt.
Notes: Written for the xmenbigbang. Title taken from Adam Lambert's Can't let you go. This is mainly in the XMFC verse, however there are a few added characters from the comics verse. Ororo (Storm), Rictor, and Monet St Croix are fairly clear, and I've also introduced Shatterstar, who I've called Gav, taking his name from one of his aliases, Gavandra Seven. Rictor and Shatterstar have a great relationship in the comics, and I couldn't resist bringing it over! If you're not a comic fan, don't worry! I don't think there's anything in here that would be confusing, and I've certainly taken creative liberties with the characters' histories. The same can be said for those of you who may not be Adam Lambert fans. You don't need to know anything about him other than what I've included, and I think he could be read as an OMC without much trouble.
As always, I need to thank my beta janesgravity, but I need to thank her even more than usual! I needed to be dug out from more than one pile of my own melodrama during the writing of this, and if it wasn't for her, I'd still be buried! Thanks also goes to Acey who provided a much needed third set of eyes! <3
And finally, thanks to vertrauen for providing me with a lovely fan mix to go with this story!
After that, Erik felt like an entirely different atmosphere had taken over the mansion. The last of the tension he’d felt from the children had vanished when they saw how he’d helped Gav, and it seemed that the others finally believed that Erik was really on their team. Even Hank wished him a gruff good morning when he came into the kitchen, and accepted the cup of strong coffee that Erik passed him with a tight smile. It was small, but it was farther than Erik had expected to get with Hank, and he welcomed it.
Nearly a week after the incident with Gav, Adam stepped up to Erik after a lesson and pulled him aside, his fingers gentle and firm all at once on Erik’s arms. “Hey, so, can you come to the study after dinner tonight? I want to talk to you.” Adam’s eyes were soft around the edges and a smile was playing at his lips, and Erik felt a little swell of hope deep in his gut, a feeling he for once didn’t tamp down, letting it spread warmly through his belly. He nodded, telling Adam that of course he’d be there, and went through the rest of his day mechanically, ticking of one task after another until the sun finally started to drop behind the horizon and Charles’ voice rang out in his head calling them all to dinner.
The meal was like it always was, loud and chaotic and wonderful, everyone talking over each other and kicking each other under the table, every story becoming more and more elaborate as it travelled around the table. Even Erik, who’d started off the meal pushing his food around his plate nervously had joined in, his tale of Alex nearly blowing up the entire east wing of the house even causing Hank to crack a smile that disappeared almost as quickly as Erik spotted it, but he counted it as a victory regardless. One by one the children filtered off, to watch television, to listen to the radio, and in no cases, to do their homework. Alex and Sean went outside to play basketball until the sun went down, and Hank looked back and forth between Erik, Charles and Adam awkwardly for a few long moments before excusing himself to his lab to continue rebuilding Cerebro.
Adam stood, briefly smiling at Charles before turning to Erik. “So, care to join me for a drink?”
“Of course.” Erik was pleased that his voice was only a little rough, and he stood, following Adam to the door of the dining room before pausing to look back at Charles. “Is Charles not joining us?”
“Not yet, my friend. I’m going to leave you to it for now.” Charles wiped his hands on his napkin and smiled easily at them, pushing himself away from the table and towards the door. “I believe I’ll go see what’s on television, they do hate it when I join them.”
Erik stepped aside to allow Charles to pass, and watched him nearly his entire trip down the hall until he felt Adam’s fingers brush his arm and looked up to meet his eyes, crinkled with a hint of amusement. “Come on.”
The study would probably feel stuffy to most other people, but Erik had such memories of it that it felt warm and comfortable as he settled into the stiff leather couch, drink already beginning to sweat in his hand. To his surprise, Adam sat on the couch next to him, folding his long legs under him with the kind of ease in his own body that Erik envied. Adam took a sip of his own drink, wincing as he always did at the first sharp burn of Charles’ best scotch sliding down his throat.
“I wanted to tell you I really appreciate what you did with Gav. I don’t know what you said to him, but thank you. Charles and I...we still don’t know what he’s been through, but he obviously found someone to relate to in you.”
Erik drained his glass in one swallow, but kept the glass in his hand for something to hang onto. “Gav’s a good kid, but he’s dealt with more than even he’ll probably ever know. I know what it’s like to be unsure of your own identity, and he has support I never did. He’ll be alright.” He looked down into his empty glass, tilting it to distort the view of his fingers through it. “If I’m being honest, I surprised myself in that moment. I very much doubt I would have given him good advice before...” Erik waved his hand around, gesturing broadly, and Adam nodded.
Adam reached out and caught Erik’s hand, wrapping his fingers gently around his wrist. “I know. That’s why I wanted to talk to you. I’m not apologizing for the way I’ve treated you, because you deserved every single thing I’ve said or done for what you did to us.” His eyes flicked sideways for a moment, and Erik heard the unspoken to Charles as loudly as if Adam had shouted it. He opened his mouth to respond, but Adam’s fingers tightened on his wrist and he kept quiet, letting him continue.
“But I do think you’ve shown that you’re trying, trying to make up for it, and I see why Charles wanted to give you a second chance. I do think you deserve it.” Adam drained his glass and set it down, licking his lips and smiling, letting go of Erik’s wrist and settling back against the arm of the couch. “While we’re being honest, can I ask you one question?”
“Of course, anything.” Erik set his own glass down and turned to face Adam, folding one leg underneath him and threading his fingers together.
“Do you really see this life interesting you forever? Could you give up your beliefs and your mission for ours? For Charles’?” There was no malice on Adam’s face, nothing but genuine curiosity, and Erik answered with honesty.
He shook his head, not breaking eye contact with Adam. “Honestly, I don’t believe that I can. As much as I dearly wish to have Charles and you by my side in my journey, I don’t believe that is part of the plan.” Erik smiled, just a little sadly and reached out to brush his fingers over the back of Adam’s hand. “We’re very different, and I would never ask you to give up your beliefs to join me, if the day comes when I have to go. But for now, I do feel like I belong here, and I do believe that this school will be more valuable than even Charles yet knows, and I am honoured to be part of it.”
Adam nodded, and was quiet for a few moments, his brow furrowing as he thought. When he looked back to Erik’s eyes, he was smiling, and he turned his hand under Erik’s touch to slide their fingers together. “I thought that’s what you’d say, thanks for being honest with me.” He slid forward on the couch, shifting until his leg was pressed against Erik’s, his thumb rubbing gentle circles in the back of Erik’s hand. “I am glad you came back, Erik. I missed you. Charles missed you. If it’s only for now, I want to make the most of having you back.”
Even with as long as he’d been gone, Erik would never not recognize the tone in Adam’s voice, the kind of rumble that made deep purple flash around Adam’s head when he was less controlled. Erik was silent for a moment, waiting for the catch, when he felt Charles in his mind, knowing that he was in Adam’s as well and had probably been listening the whole time. Well, are you coming? I would like to make the most of for now as well. Erik felt a laugh ripple through his chest, deep and cleansing and joyful and he managed to nod, letting Adam pull him up off the sofa, pressing their bodies close as they walked. Erik had never been good at living in the moment, but tonight he was going to try harder than he ever had.
When Adam pushed open the door to Charles’ bedroom, Erik was struck with a wave of memories. The time he’d pushed Charles back up against the windows and they’d made love, even though the windows faced the back yard where there was always training happening. The bookshelves in the corner that were still broken from the time he’d hoisted Adam up onto them and their powers had gotten out of control, lights sparking around them and the metallic screech of screws spinning in their places filling the air until books starting crashing to the floor, the shelves following, only Erik’s arms keeping Adam from falling with them. Erik eyes finally settled on Charles, already in the bed, reclining against the pillows, and he couldn’t help but notice all the unfamiliar things.
Charles’ chair was wheeled up close to the bed, and Erik noticed the careful way the pillows were positioned behind his back, helping him to sit more easily. There were pill bottles laid out on the night stand, more than he would have expected, and a black bag the likes of which he’d only ever seen a doctor carry. His powers told him there were metal implements inside the bag, but he stopped short of trying to trace the shapes, somewhere between not wanting to pry and not wanting to know, the reality of Charles’ condition washing over him, his breath catching in his throat as he looked up to Charles’ face, the soft, knowing smile he recognized so well settled comfortably on his lips.
“I don’t need to be in your mind you know what you’re thinking, Erik, and you needn’t be thinking it. I am quite well, despite the obvious.” Charles waved his hand dismissively at his chair and then his smile widened, and he beckoned them forward. “I see your talk went well. I was certainly hoping that it would.”
The last of the knot that had lived curled up in Erik’s belly since the moment he’d driven up to the mansion those months ago unfurled at Charles’ words, at the familiar teasing and slightly raunchy tone in Charles’ voice. Erik felt Adam’s hand on the small of his back, firm enough to push him forward and he went willingly, closing the distance between himself and the bed, letting Charles’ hand take his own when he got there. Charles tugged him down until he was sitting on the edge of the bed, and Erik closed the rest of the gap, bending down to take Charles’ lips in a gentle kiss of ‘hello, love, I’ve missed you’. Charles’ hand slid up Erik’s arm and over his back to move up and tangle in his hair, tugging Erik even closer into a deeper, dirtier kiss. Erik groaned as Charles’ tongue slid over his own even as his mind pressed against Erik’s, the feeling of Charles’ words in his head more than welcome.
I’ve had months to say hello to you, Erik, there is so much more I wish to say.
Erik let Charles pull him even closer, Charles’ hands sliding eagerly over Erik’s back, tugging his shirt up out of his trousers even as Erik felt the bed dip next to him. Adam’s hands joined Charles’ on his back, sliding lower as Adam pressed a wet kiss to the nape of Erik’s neck, his hands moving around to work open Erik’s belt until he could slide his trousers down his legs. A soft curse left Adam’s lips when Erik’s trousers got caught on his shoes, and Erik started to laugh until Adam bent to sink his teeth into soft flesh of Erik’s thigh as he tugged off Erik’s shoes, his trousers and boxers finally falling to the floor. Adam kissed and nipped his way back up Erik’s thigh and over the curve of his ass, pausing to swirl his tongue through the dip at the base of Erik’s spine, sending a shiver through his body.
Erik’s head was already spinning from the sensations, Charles’ mouth on his and his body pressed against Erik’s, Adam’s tongue teasing over all the sensitive spots on his back that Erik had forgotten he even had. He managed to get his hands to cooperate with his brain and he slid them over Charles’ body, feeling the newly defined muscles in his arms and shoulders, sliding down over his chest to brush over his nipples, starting a little when Charles’ gasped, his body arching sharply up against Erik’s hands.
Adam’s breath was warm against Erik’s back as he chuckled, speaking as Charles panted under Erik’s touch. “Yeah, that’s kind of new. If you use your mouth he can come from just that.”
“Really, now?” Erik smirked, his eyes glinting as his hands pushed Charles’ shirt up and over his head, Charles’ cheeks coloured bright pink as he dropped his hands back to tangle in Erik’s hair.
“Don’t I get to have any secrets?” Charles tried for light and teasing, but it came out throaty as Erik bent his head to lave his tongue over Charles’ nipple, the flesh pebbling dark and rosy as Charles’ groaned, his hand tightening enough in Erik’s hair to hurt.
Erik kept up his gentle torture, alternating between light flicking and long licks until Charles’ was nearly quivering beneath him, and he felt Adam move away, heard the sound of clothing hitting the floor. When he tore his mouth away from Charles’ sensitive flesh for a moment, he saw Adam’s long body stretched out next him, a flush spreading over his chest, his hand lazily fisting his cock as he watched them with a smile.
“Don’t let me stop you, I’ve missed watching you together. You’re both beautiful.” He reached out with his free hand to brush a sweat dampened curl from Charles’ forehead, looking at him so soft and loving that Erik’s breath caught in his throat and he had to reach out until Adam met him halfway, their mouths meeting and fitting together like they were meant to be.
Adam tasted sweet and spicy like he always had, his teeth scraping over Erik’s lip in a way that no one else could ever match. Erik groaned into his mouth, a result of the kiss and of Charles’ hands sliding down his back, one snaking around to stroke over his cock, pressing just hard enough to make Erik’s gut clench. Adam deepened the kiss quickly, kissing until they were both breathless and then pulling back, his eyes bright and a little wild as he pushed at Erik’s shoulder, guiding him until he got the hint and dropped his head back to Charles.
Erik brushed a kiss over Charles’ lips, just deep enough to share Adam’s taste with them before moving lower, kissing and biting his way along Charles’ jaw and then his throat, finding all the spots that made Charles gasp and sigh and writhe underneath him. He let his hands wander even lower, brushing over Charles’ nipples briefly, stroking over his arms and hands, sweeping low over his belly to shove Charles’ pants down, thankful he had already dressed for bed, the elastic waist of his sweatpants about as much as Erik’s eager fingers could handle. When the last of Charles’ clothes fell to the floor, Erik began kissing a path past Charles’ throat, reaching out into his mind as he laved his tongue over Charles’ collarbones.
What’s okay, Charles? What can you...what can I do? What do you want? Erik didn’t know how to phrase what he wanted to know, how to ask what Charles could feel. He found a particularly tender spot at the edge of Charles’ collarbone and worried it between his teeth while Charles’ panted, even the words filtering into Erik’s mind sounding breathy.
If you let me in, you can do anything. Your hands, your mouth, your thoughts, that’s all I need. Charles let out a shaky moan when Erik closed his lips around his nipple, and Erik answered it, his hips stuttering, his cock sliding over Charles’ hip, leaving a shining smear behind.
Erik scrapped his teeth over Charles’ nipple, his hand sliding down Charles’ body to cup his cock, hard and already wet when he rubbed his fingers over the head. He opened his mind and pushed what he was feeling to Charles, letting him feel how hard and silky his own cock was, how hot his skin was under Erik’s mouth. Charles’ next moan was muffled, and Erik groaned when he looked up to see Adam and Charles kissing, uncoordinated and messy as Charles’ panted. He had one hand in Erik’s hair and the other skated up Adam’s back to tangle in his hair, holding both men close to him.
When Erik laved a hot path between Charles’ nipples, Adam’s hand rubbed warm and heavy over Charles’ chest, his fingers teasing at the nipple Erik’s mouth had just left behind. Charles’ hand gripped tighter into Erik’s hair, his mind filling with more, the taste of Adam’s mouth on his tongue as Charles’ powers started to slip.
That’s right, Charles, let go. Erik kept swirling his tongue around and around Charles’ nipple, pausing to bite and suck in a pattern even a telepath couldn’t guess. He stroked Charles’ cock firm and slow, swirling his thumb over the wet head and telling Charles’ just go much he was enjoying it. Love to see you like this, panting and desperate. Can you feel how hard your cock is in my hand? God, I’ve missed it Charles, missed you so much.
Charles tossed his head back hard, Adam pulling away just in time, bending back down to suck kisses to Charles’ throat. Little gasps and moans were spilling from Charles’ lips even as he spoke to Erik in his head, his words there barely more coherent. Missed you too, Erik, more. More, please, Erik, please.
Erik obliged more than willingly; there would be time for teasing later. He redoubled his efforts, his fist stroking Charles’ cock faster, sucking harder on Charles’ nipples even as Adam sucked a deep mark into the tender spot on Charles’ collarbone, kissing path over to Charles’ shoulder. Charles was moaning nearly constantly now, his thoughts filling Erik’s head in a jumble that made Erik’s heart race and his breath come in shaky gasps. He tried to watch as Adam kissed down Charles’ arm, teeth scraping over the soft skin on the inside, nipping at the bend of his elbow and soothing the sting with his tongue.
When Charles’ orgasm started to build, Erik could feel it in his own head and his own body, the familiar fuzzy-edged pleasure building in his gut as Charles’ muscles tightened and his shoulders arched off the bed. He could feel Charles trying to hold back, see the way the tendons in his neck stood out as he panted and gasped, trying to stop the waves that were barrelling down on him. Erik watched as Adam moved back up to Charles’ face, pressing his lips to Charles’ ear and speaking soft and low enough that Erik couldn’t hear. He could, however, see the flush that spread even brighter across Charles’ cheeks, could feel the sudden swell of lust spill over into his own brain and he wished deeply that he could hear Adam’s words.
Erik sucked Charles’ nipple into his mouth, biting down hard on the over-sensitive flesh as he twisted his wrist on Charles’ cock, and Charles’ came with a hoarse cry. His come spilled hot over Erik’s fingers, and Erik stroked him through it, laving his tongue gently over Charles’ abused nipple as he milked every last drop out of Charles’ cock. Erik’s mind was assaulted with Charles’ thoughts, a chaotic medley of yes, Erik, Adam, please, more making Erik groan loudly, his cock twitching against Charles’ hip. Erik lifted his hand to his mouth, sighing as he started licking his fingers clean, only getting one clean before he felt strong fingers wrapping around his wrist and pulling his hand forward.
Adam’s eyes were dark when Erik caught them, and they fluttered shut when he took Erik’s slick fingers into his mouth, swirling his tongue around the digits far more than was necessary just to clean them. Adam opened his eyes when he turned Erik’s hand to lave over his palm, and Erik had to bite his lip to quell the sudden surge of lust in his gut.
“Erik.” Charles’ voice was thick, and when Erik turned to look at him he looked as wrecked as he sounded. His hair fell on his forehead in damp curls, his cheeks flushed and his lips bitten cherry-red, and Erik reached out to twine one of those curls around his finger before Charles pulled him down into a deep kiss. Erik plunged his tongue into Charles’ mouth and knew that Charles was tasting himself, and the thought made him rock his hips down against Charles’, the remains of Charles’ orgasm smearing over Erik’s skin. Charles slid his hands down Erik’s sides, one sneaking around to wrap around Erik’s cock and stroke lightly, just enough to have Erik gasping against Charles’ mouth.
I want to watch you with Adam. Since...there are things we have been missing. The silence in Erik’s mind was sudden, but soon Charles continued, sending Erik images to match the words. That he has been missing. Erik’s mind filled with images that he didn’t even know Charles had; he and Adam that day they’d destroyed the shelves, the first time they’d been together as three, when Charles had been inside Adam’s head as Erik fucked him. Erik was beginning to feel overwhelmed, his breath coming fast and shallow, forgetting just what it was like to be in bed with Charles Xavier.
He nodded, his cheek rubbing over Charles’, feeling the hint of stubble that was just starting to grow. Yes, yes, I want that too, so much.
“I can tell that you two are talking about me, care to include me in the conversation?” Adam was grinning, sprawled back on his back with his legs spread easily, a hand working slow and gentle over his cock as he watched Charles and Erik. The calmness of his posture was betrayed by the mottled flush spread over his chest and the way his eyes fluttered shut just a little when his thumb rubbed over the head of his cock. Erik may have been overwhelmed, but at least Adam was there with him.
Erik pressed one last kiss to Charles’ lips and then climbed off of him, moving to settle in easily between Adam’s legs. He bent to put his lips to Adam’s ear, letting his voice rumble deeply in his chest the way he knew Adam loved. “I’m going to fuck you. Charles wants that, do you?”
A shiver ran through Adam’s body, and he wrapped his arms and legs around Erik, pulling him close until their cocks bumped together. They sighed in unison, and Adam’s voice came soft and breathy when he spoke. “Oh God, yes, fuck me, please.”
Never one who needed to be told twice, Erik reached out a hand and slid the bedside drawer open, glad to find that Charles as still a creature of habit. Adam fumbled out a hand and grabbed the lube, and soon Erik was rubbing two slick fingers over Adam’s hole, one pushing in slow and deep. A groan fell from Adam’s lips as his back arched, his body welcoming Erik’s finger easily, hips rocking into the intrusion. Erik had missed this, missed the hot clench of another body around his fingers, especially of Adam’s body. He’d missed the little noises that Adam made when he pushed in a second finger and then a third, greedy, impatient noises that managed to sound so sweet and so filthy all at once.
The bed dipped next to him, Charles shifting until he was closer to Adam, rolled up onto one elbow. He locked eyes with Erik and slid a hand down Adam’s body to join Erik’s where it was still working between Adam’s legs. He slid the tip of his finger around the rim of Adam’s hole, feeling where it was stretched tight around the press of Erik’s fingers, and slowly he worked his finger in alongside Erik’s, Adam letting out an eager whine, his legs falling impossibly wider. One of Adam’s hands gripped tight into the bedspread, the other flailing until it found Charles’ head, gripping into his hair and pulling him down into a wet and clumsy kiss, more teeth and panting than anything gentle.
Together they worked Adam with four fingers, a slick, deep slide. Adam groaned into Charles’ mouth when they twisted their fingers just right, a cloud of gold bursting in the air. Erik couldn’t help but reach his free hand out to try and touch the lights, and he imagined he could feel the colour tickling over his palm, even though he knew that was impossible. He felt Charles’ finger slide out of Adam’s body and trace around his hole again, and then Charles’ voice was in his head, as needy as if it was own body that had just had four fingers buried knuckle deep in it. Now, Erik, now. Erik wondered if Charles was inside Adam’s head, using his power to feel things his body wouldn’t let him anymore, and the thought of it made Erik’s cock twitch against his belly, his gut clenching with lust and so much more.
He pulled his fingers slowly from Adam, soothing him with a stroke to his thigh when Adam whimpered at the loss. Erik slicked himself up quickly and settled between Adam’s legs, his heart threatening to thump out of his chest as he gripped his fingers into Adam’s hips and pushed forward. He couldn’t help the deep groan that rumbled out of his throat as he slid home, bottoming out easily on the first thrust, Adam’s body welcoming him like he belonged. Erik tried to still himself, to slow down and make it last, but Adam’s long legs wrapped tight around his hips and urged him forward, heels digging into Erik’s ass hard enough to threaten bruises.
“Hard, please Erik, harder.” Adam rocked his hips up to meet Erik’s thrusts, and Erik happily obliged him, fucking in hard and fast. Erik had thought that when they came together again it would be gentle and maybe even tender, but now his skin burned for it, and he couldn’t have slowed down if his life depending on it. Beneath him, Adam was moaning and crying out, begging for more, and Erik bent over his body as far as he could, scraping his teeth across Adam’s lips and beckoning him into a kiss. As their lips crashed together, Erik felt Charles’ hand slide down his arm, tangling their fingers together where Erik was gripping Adam’s hip, and when he pulled breathlessly away from Adam’s lips, Charles was there. His face was flushed, his eyes glassy and lips wet, and Erik’s hips stuttered as he caught Charles’ eye, leaning in to kiss him, softer than he’d kissed Adam, but no less passionate.
Erik pulled back, panting, and slowed his thrusts, pushing in deep and staying buried in Adam’s body for a long as he could, drawing throaty moans from Adam with every roll of his hips. He could feel Charles in his head, a heavy presence that was almost vibrating with need, and he knew that Adam was close, knew that Charles was too, that he was feeling the phantom sensation of being fucked deep by Erik thanks to his powers. Erik could feel his own orgasm building, coming on slow and then sudden when Adam clamped down around him, rocking his hips up until Erik slid impossibly deeper. A strangled cry escaped Erik’s lips and he tried to hold back, but then Adam’s hands were on his back, nails digging in hard and dragging him down to kiss him, teeth clacking together and Erik was gone. He shouted into Adam’s mouth, pushing deep into Adam as he came, his come flooding hot and slick around his cock.
He let himself slump against Adam’s front and realized he was still hard, Adam’s cock pressing against his belly, leaving a damp trail. He pulled himself regretfully from Adam’s body and was about to reach a shaking hand to wrap around Adam’s cock when he felt Charles’ in his mind, his voice firm. No, no, let me.
Charles pushed an image into Erik’s head, his voice reedy when he spoke. “Can you help me?”
It took a few moments and a few misplaced elbows, but soon Adam was backwards on the bed, on his hands and knees facing Charles’ feet. Erik helped Charles sit up higher against the pillows, his stomach doing a flip as he watched Charles’ fingers dig into Adam’s hips and pull him even closer. Charles ran a sure finger around the reddened rim of Adam’s hole, Erik’s come glistening on the edges when Charles slipped his finger just inside. He pulled on the rim, letting a drop of Erik’s come escape and leaned forward to lap it away, a strangled groan ripping from Adam’s chest at the motion.
Adam’s cock was bobbing against his belly, hard and shiny-wet at the tip, and Erik was torn between wanting to stay at the head of the bed and watch what Charles was doing, and wanting to move down to kiss Adam through it, stroke him fast and hard like he knew Adam loved. He settled for a bit of both, moving up the bed to capture lips just as Charles buried two fingers and his tongue deep in Adam’s ass, the moan that Erik swallowed sounding nearly pained. They kissed until Adam was breathless and panting, and then Erik pulled back, wrapping his hand around Adam’s cock and stroking in time with the thrusting of Charles’ fingers in Adam’s ass.
Charles was making obscene noises, and when he pulled away to steal a breath, Erik could see his face shiny and wet, smeared with lube and Erik’s come. A grin crept onto Charles’ face and he licked his lips exaggeratedly, letting his eyes flutter shut like he was tasting some delicious dessert. Erik groaned, mostly in frustration that his cock wasn’t ready for another round yet, but then Charles dove back in and Adam’s moans easily overpowered Erik’s.
Adam was rocking back and forth, pushing against Charles’ tongue and fingers and fucking into Erik’s fist, his arms starting to shake where they were holding him up. Erik moved his fist faster, rubbing his thumb over Adam’s leaking slit and moved back to Adam’s head to press his lips to Adam’s ear. “You’re so gorgeous like his, perfect even. You were made for this, for us, Adam. Weren’t you? Did you miss this like I did?” He nipped gently at Adam’s earlobe, sucking the abused flesh into his mouth briefly before continuing. “I missed having my cock in you and I can’t wait to do it again. Maybe even tonight. Could you do it again tonight? For me and for Charles? He always loved watching you get fucked. Even now with his mouth on you, he’s cleaning you out and getting you ready to go again, does it feel good, Adam?”
Erik’s words and Charles’ fingers and tongue finally pushed Adam over the edge, everything coming together at once. Charles’ had three fingers buried in Adam’s ass, pressing them deep while his tongue teased between then and around the stretched rim, nothing left to taste but Adam, all of Erik’s come licked away. Erik’s breath was hot and his words were filthy, and his hand was perfect. Adam opened his mouth on a silent moan and came so hard his elbows gave way, his come spurting out over Erik’s fingers and dripping to pool on Charles’ belly. He shivered when Charles pulled his fingers out, and he would’ve collapsed completely to the bed if Erik hadn’t grabbed him, pulling him up to lay along one side of him, Charles on the other. This had never been Erik’s favourite part of their nights together, the crashing down from the high and the stillness, but tonight he wanted, maybe needed, to feel them against him, warm and real.
The three of them lay like that for a long time, legs and hands tangled together, soft, lazy kisses pressed to whatever skin they could reach with a minimum of effort. The silence was actually wonderful, the first time in months that Erik had actually stopped thinking and felt like he could really breathe. He twined his fingers through the damp curls on Charles’ forehead, smoothing over the unwrinkled skin, pleased to see that Charles was at peace too, a hard task for someone who spent every moment hearing the thoughts of everyone around them. As usual, it was Adam who broke the silence, even his love of afterglow not strong enough to overcome his dislike of prolonged silence, no matter how comfortable.
“Erik, are you...staying? It’s getting late and we should probably...” Adam gestured in the direction of the bathroom, and it occurred to Erik that getting ready for bed probably meant more than a quick round with a toothbrush nowadays.
“Well, I don’t have any clothes here, so I should probably...” Erik started to sit up, but he’d barely made it upright before Charles caught his wrist and held him with a raised eyebrow.
“There are still some of your things in the dresser, my friend, you are more than welcome to stay. If you’d like, you can shower first, my evening routine can wait a few minutes.” Charles smiled easily, letting Erik know he was off the hook if he wanted to remain unknowing on the details.
Erik was quiet for a moment, but then returned Charles’ smile, speaking gently. “What exactly does your routine entail?”
Adam was the one that answered the question, allowing Charles the same kind of out that Erik had just received, leaning over to rest his chin on Erik’s shoulder. “Well, it always ends with a big bubble bath. And I know that the tub can hold three.”
Erik felt more than saw Adam’s grin, and Charles’ cocked his head at Adam in think, returning the grin. “Well, in that case, I think I’ll stay.”
After that night, Erik moved out of the hotel and back into the mansion, into the room next to Charles’ he’d always stayed in. He rarely slept alone, but even with the lightness he’d felt since being welcomed back into Charles’ and Adam’s life, there were still moments where he needed solitude, to sit with his own thoughts and no one else’s. Remarkably little else changed around the mansion, which both surprised and pleased Erik. He hadn’t known how the children would react to his moving in and to the relationship, but true to their teenage nature, since it didn’t directly affect them, they mostly shrugged it off. He’d gotten a grinning thumbs up from Gav the first morning that he’d joined them for breakfast in his pajamas, and Monet raised a perfectly groomed eyebrow when he bent down to brush a kiss over Adam’s forehead, but besides that, it was business as usual. At least, as usual as business can be in a boarding school for mutants.
It was a few weeks after Erik had moved back in when Hank came rushing into the kitchen, breathing hard and his face flushed with excitement. His eyes were sparkling they only did when he’d made a big advance or a discovery, and he was near breathless when he finally spoke.
“Cerebro. It’s ready. It’s finally ready!”
Hank led Erik, Charles and Adam down below the mansion to a bunker, following a long hallway lined with flickering lights. The bunker was in a state of disrepair, but when they reached the end of the hall they were faced with a shiny metal door, and when it slid open Erik actually lost his breath. The room on the other side of the door was huge and perfectly round, with a platform jutting out into the middle. At the end of the platform was a set-up much like they’d had at the facility, a control panel with all sorts of dials and knobs Erik didn’t pretend to understand, and the all too familiar helmet.
Charles’ excitement was starting to bubble over as he wheeled himself down the platform, and Erik reached out to grab Adam’s hand, squeezing it as Charles’ lifted the helmet onto his head with shaking hands. Adam’s eyes were wide and round, and Erik remembered that he’d never seen this before, has never experienced this aspect of what Charles could do.
Erik kept his voice low so as not to disturb Hank as he started turning the dials, a mechanical hum filling the air as Charles’ eyes fell shut and a furrow formed in his brow. “It’s amazing, Adam, what he can do. He can change the world, right from where he sits. He doesn’t even know how much.”
The machine started spitting out the familiar roll of paper, nothing but line after line of locations. To anyone else it would look like gibberish, but to Erik, to Charles and now to Adam, it looked like potential, like promise. Each number was another mutant, another student they could bring to the school and help them, teach them how to use their powers and not be ashamed of who they were. Each number was one more person who could help mutants become accepted and not feared, to take their rightful place in society. Adam leaned to rest his head on Erik’s shoulder as he watched Charles work, rubbing his thumb over the back of Erik’s hand. “We can change the world too, you know. Because we know him.”
Erik nodded, not knowing exactly how to respond. He wanted to change the world, just like Charles did, and for now their missions were parallel, but each of them knew that would not always be the case. One day their paths would diverge and Erik would have to leave to pursue his, while Charles and Adam stayed to pursue theirs. Erik couldn’t pretend to know who’s path history would look back on as being the correct one, but for now, he was happy living in the moment. Adam was right about one thing, of course, it all came back to Charles. And Erik knew even as he stood here grasping Adam’s hand and watching Charles’ beautiful mind at work, that he too would always come back to Charles, for better or for worse. It may not be forever, but nothing was, not really, and Erik had learned long ago to cling to the things you love while you have them. Erik squeezed Adam’s hand until he looked up at him, and smiled, and in Adam’s answering easy grin, he found everything he needed to know, at least for the moment.
Part One
Part Two