Fic : Healing is a process - chapter 3
Pairing:Charles/Erik
Rating:T
Warnings: AU
Summary:This is a response to an lj prompt about Erik being hurt as Shaw flung him to the pipes and the effects of it all. It will be Charles/Erik. Prompt can be found here: 1stclass-kink.livejournal.com/4418.html
Now beta-ed by Arcana Major
.
oOo
.
The worst part of it all was the waiting. Not knowing what was going on and simply sitting in one of the uncomfortable chairs of the waiting room, fearing the worst and hoping for the best.
Raven hadn't seen her brother so out of it before. He had sat down and not moved from the moment they had gotten there. She had assumed that he was reaching for Erik with his mind, taking whatever assurance he could that the other man was alive. To everything else, Charles was oblivious.
Even when the nurse had come to get Erik's information, Charles hadn't reacted. He hadn't even looked up. Thankfully Moira had been able and willing to fill out the necessary documents. Raven was grateful to her for her clear-headedness and determination. It had been Moira that had gotten both doctors to come with her, using a very authoritative tone, she had stared them down and made them comply. Briefly the shapeshifter had wondered if that was something that had come from the CIA training. In any case she couldn't help but admire the older woman.
As they all sat around, near one another, Raven, in her usual blonde disguise, let her eyes wonder to the rest of their group. Hank had come back wearing a hood and gloves, trying to hide his animalistic characteristics and his blue fur. Alex sat opposite her and was looking at the floor, a solemn expression on his face. Sean was now seated but would get up at intervals and pace up and down. Moira was sitting near Charles, hands crossed in front of her, her left index finger gently tapping her right arm.
Azazel, Riptide and Angel had disappeared but nobody had noticed or seemed to particularly care about their departure. Not with what was going on and the anxiety over Erik.
Her eyes fell again on her brother. Charles was completely still, head supported by his right hand and a faraway gaze. His eyes were pools of worry and concentration. Raven was worried by this. She had suspected that he had become very close to Erik, especially given the fact that they had known each other for such a short time, but this reaction was too intense. She could literally feel concern and anxiety radiate from Charles's stiff posture.
Charles, could you be...?
Before the thought even had the opportunity to form in her mind, she was pulled back to reality as a nurse approached them. She took a brief look at the chart she had with her before addressing them.
"Family and friends of Erik Lensherr?" she asked.
That attracted everyone's attention, even Charles's.
"Yes," he looked at her.
"He's is still in surgery and has suffered severe blood loss. He will need a transfusion."
The news brought new agitation in the group.
"Does any of you have O blood type or B-?"the woman enquired.
Silence reigned for a moment as they looked at each other. Then a hesitant hand was raised.
"I do. My blood type is O."
Suddenly everyone's focus shifted to Sean, who had uttered those words with a hint of timidity and determination.
As the nurse nodded, the others smiled at the young man. Alex even squeezed his shoulder, while Charles gave him a grateful look.
She looked at Sean,"Very well mister...?"
"Cassidy."
"Ok, you will have to come with me." she said almost absent-mindedly as she scribbled down something on the chart.
"Oh, and if there is anyone else willing to donate blood...the hospital is always in need of blood."
"Yes of course." Moira spoke as the others nodded their agreement eagerly.
"Follow me then."
Charles made a move to follow them but was stopped on his heals by Moira's penetrating gaze.
"No, not you, "she told him in a tone that left no room for disagreement. Charles looked at her in surprise.
"You have been through a lot today. Last thing we need is for you to faint from blood loss," she explained in a tone that Raven recognized. She had used it herself when Charles was being overly excited or reckless. It was a blend between motherly and sisterly.
Charles needed reminding sometimes that helping others is nice and good but you have to take care of yourself first in order to be in a position to help others. Raven loved that side of him, the altruism and the hope. The tendency to see the best in others and ignore the rest. But it worried her as well. In a sense it was Charles's greatest strength and weakness. That kind of open-heartedness, the readiness to embrace the entire world, could break him if he was ever betrayed. Which was why Raven was determined to protect him from himself if need be and she was happy to find an ally in Moira.
"Moira is right Charles, you shouldn't overexert yourself," as she spoke tenderly to her brother, letting her concern for him reach him, she gently touched his hand. "Sit here with Hank and we will be back soon."
He hesitated for a moment.
"Yes. Ok," he said tiredly.
That earned him a smile from both women.
"Shall we?" the nurse cut in, a hint of impatience coloring her voice.
As they turned and left, Charles returned to his seat. Hank let out a sigh before moving to the seat next to the older man.
"Professor..." his voice trailed away as he tried to find the right words.
"Professor, Erik will be okay. He is very resilient."
"I know...I know firsthand all he has gone through and still survived, despite all the odds," Charles said looking at his hands. His voice cracking a bit with emotion.
I know. I just can't help thinking about it.
What Charles couldn't put into words was the weird feeling he had had before the battle. He had spent last night and turning, trying to come to terms with Erik's declaration about killing Shaw. He had expected something to happen, though he hadn't known precisely what. Something that would put a dent in his and Erik's relationship. Charles had suspected that revenge would not be what Erik imagined and feared how that would affect his friend. It was entirely possible that Erik would close himself off and even go to extremes. Then Charles would lose him. But losing him like that, though it would hurt, was nothing compared to the thought of Erik dying.
The thought of losing Erik tore at his heart. The relationship that bound them together was more than the immediate connection they had established. They complimented each other, respected each other and disagreed with each other. Charles had never felt happier than those days they had spent together on those recruitment missions. They were best friends. Yet somehow, the term didn't seem to do justice to what existed between them. He really couldn't specify the reason his feelings were so strong when it came to the magnetokinetic.
He had been surprised and now was a little concerned by this realization. If Azazel hadn't immediately agreed to help them off the island, the telepath wasn't sure how he would have reacted. Never before had he been so glad for the self control he had developed so diligently throughout the years. But it appeared that Erik's wellbeing was sufficient reason to push him as far as being tempted to break his own rules.
I need him.
The thought came to the surface unexpectedly. Charles felt himself blink in surprise. It was true though. Somewhere, somehow in the past months Erik had become indispensable. The more he had gotten to know him, the more entranced by the man he became. Erik was complex and exciting and he was like air to Charles.
Necessary.
Once again, seeking assurance he dived into his friends mind. He couldn't get a specific read but at least he was still there. A weak presence. But at least Erik was still there.
Hank didn't make another effort to speak and the two men sat in silence, waiting for the rest of the team to return and for news on Erik's condition.
.
oOo
.
Two hours passed since Erik was ushered to the OR.
The wait was gnawing at everyone's nerves. Raven had fallen asleep on Hank's shoulder. The intensity of the day and the sheer physical exhaustion, coupled with blood loss, was taking its toll.
Moira was on her third coffee as Alex and Sean returned from the cafeteria and handed a cup filled with water to Charles.
"Professor, we thought you could use some," Alex said.
Charles took it, giving the boys a smile but was distracted as the doctor walked in the room.
Everyone's focus was immediately on him.
Charles got up. Moira moved to his side.
"Your friend is now stable. He has some contusions to the upper body, some cracked ribs and a broken one. His most severe injury was a result of the broken rib, that had nicked his lung and heart."
"B-but now he's ok? He is going to be ok?" Raven and Charles asked at the same time, hopeful and desperate to be assured that the worst was over.
The doctor gave them a smile in understanding. "We will keep him for a 48 hour observation to be sure he doesn't start bleeding internally again. Barring any complications he will be able to leave the hospital in a week."
"However," assumed his most serious posture and tone, "his injury was severe and we almost lost him twice at the table. These kind of injuries require an extensive period of recuperation. He will be on antibiotics and painkillers for at least a month and he will have to be very careful not to overexert himself."
It would be catastrophic if the tear in his heart reopens.
Charles blanched a bit at the thought he heard from the doctor.
"Don't worry, we will make sure he takes it easy," the telepath assured him. For the first time since the battle with Shaw he let himself smile earnestly.
As the doctor left them, Charles noticed smiles and hugs going all around the team and quickly he felt enveloped in one himself.
"You see Charles, he is going to be okay," Raven assured him.
"Yeah," he replied, leaning in the hug.
It seemed like ages had passed since he had last breathed freely. He took a deep breath and let himself relax.
That was the last thing he knew as he felt himself fall, enveloped by impenetrable darkness.
Voices were calling out to him.
Then nothing.
.
oOoTBCoOo
Rating:T
Warnings: AU
Summary:This is a response to an lj prompt about Erik being hurt as Shaw flung him to the pipes and the effects of it all. It will be Charles/Erik. Prompt can be found here: 1stclass-kink.livejournal.com/4418.html
Now beta-ed by Arcana Major
.
oOo
.
The worst part of it all was the waiting. Not knowing what was going on and simply sitting in one of the uncomfortable chairs of the waiting room, fearing the worst and hoping for the best.
Raven hadn't seen her brother so out of it before. He had sat down and not moved from the moment they had gotten there. She had assumed that he was reaching for Erik with his mind, taking whatever assurance he could that the other man was alive. To everything else, Charles was oblivious.
Even when the nurse had come to get Erik's information, Charles hadn't reacted. He hadn't even looked up. Thankfully Moira had been able and willing to fill out the necessary documents. Raven was grateful to her for her clear-headedness and determination. It had been Moira that had gotten both doctors to come with her, using a very authoritative tone, she had stared them down and made them comply. Briefly the shapeshifter had wondered if that was something that had come from the CIA training. In any case she couldn't help but admire the older woman.
As they all sat around, near one another, Raven, in her usual blonde disguise, let her eyes wonder to the rest of their group. Hank had come back wearing a hood and gloves, trying to hide his animalistic characteristics and his blue fur. Alex sat opposite her and was looking at the floor, a solemn expression on his face. Sean was now seated but would get up at intervals and pace up and down. Moira was sitting near Charles, hands crossed in front of her, her left index finger gently tapping her right arm.
Azazel, Riptide and Angel had disappeared but nobody had noticed or seemed to particularly care about their departure. Not with what was going on and the anxiety over Erik.
Her eyes fell again on her brother. Charles was completely still, head supported by his right hand and a faraway gaze. His eyes were pools of worry and concentration. Raven was worried by this. She had suspected that he had become very close to Erik, especially given the fact that they had known each other for such a short time, but this reaction was too intense. She could literally feel concern and anxiety radiate from Charles's stiff posture.
Charles, could you be...?
Before the thought even had the opportunity to form in her mind, she was pulled back to reality as a nurse approached them. She took a brief look at the chart she had with her before addressing them.
"Family and friends of Erik Lensherr?" she asked.
That attracted everyone's attention, even Charles's.
"Yes," he looked at her.
"He's is still in surgery and has suffered severe blood loss. He will need a transfusion."
The news brought new agitation in the group.
"Does any of you have O blood type or B-?"the woman enquired.
Silence reigned for a moment as they looked at each other. Then a hesitant hand was raised.
"I do. My blood type is O."
Suddenly everyone's focus shifted to Sean, who had uttered those words with a hint of timidity and determination.
As the nurse nodded, the others smiled at the young man. Alex even squeezed his shoulder, while Charles gave him a grateful look.
She looked at Sean,"Very well mister...?"
"Cassidy."
"Ok, you will have to come with me." she said almost absent-mindedly as she scribbled down something on the chart.
"Oh, and if there is anyone else willing to donate blood...the hospital is always in need of blood."
"Yes of course." Moira spoke as the others nodded their agreement eagerly.
"Follow me then."
Charles made a move to follow them but was stopped on his heals by Moira's penetrating gaze.
"No, not you, "she told him in a tone that left no room for disagreement. Charles looked at her in surprise.
"You have been through a lot today. Last thing we need is for you to faint from blood loss," she explained in a tone that Raven recognized. She had used it herself when Charles was being overly excited or reckless. It was a blend between motherly and sisterly.
Charles needed reminding sometimes that helping others is nice and good but you have to take care of yourself first in order to be in a position to help others. Raven loved that side of him, the altruism and the hope. The tendency to see the best in others and ignore the rest. But it worried her as well. In a sense it was Charles's greatest strength and weakness. That kind of open-heartedness, the readiness to embrace the entire world, could break him if he was ever betrayed. Which was why Raven was determined to protect him from himself if need be and she was happy to find an ally in Moira.
"Moira is right Charles, you shouldn't overexert yourself," as she spoke tenderly to her brother, letting her concern for him reach him, she gently touched his hand. "Sit here with Hank and we will be back soon."
He hesitated for a moment.
"Yes. Ok," he said tiredly.
That earned him a smile from both women.
"Shall we?" the nurse cut in, a hint of impatience coloring her voice.
As they turned and left, Charles returned to his seat. Hank let out a sigh before moving to the seat next to the older man.
"Professor..." his voice trailed away as he tried to find the right words.
"Professor, Erik will be okay. He is very resilient."
"I know...I know firsthand all he has gone through and still survived, despite all the odds," Charles said looking at his hands. His voice cracking a bit with emotion.
I know. I just can't help thinking about it.
What Charles couldn't put into words was the weird feeling he had had before the battle. He had spent last night and turning, trying to come to terms with Erik's declaration about killing Shaw. He had expected something to happen, though he hadn't known precisely what. Something that would put a dent in his and Erik's relationship. Charles had suspected that revenge would not be what Erik imagined and feared how that would affect his friend. It was entirely possible that Erik would close himself off and even go to extremes. Then Charles would lose him. But losing him like that, though it would hurt, was nothing compared to the thought of Erik dying.
The thought of losing Erik tore at his heart. The relationship that bound them together was more than the immediate connection they had established. They complimented each other, respected each other and disagreed with each other. Charles had never felt happier than those days they had spent together on those recruitment missions. They were best friends. Yet somehow, the term didn't seem to do justice to what existed between them. He really couldn't specify the reason his feelings were so strong when it came to the magnetokinetic.
He had been surprised and now was a little concerned by this realization. If Azazel hadn't immediately agreed to help them off the island, the telepath wasn't sure how he would have reacted. Never before had he been so glad for the self control he had developed so diligently throughout the years. But it appeared that Erik's wellbeing was sufficient reason to push him as far as being tempted to break his own rules.
I need him.
The thought came to the surface unexpectedly. Charles felt himself blink in surprise. It was true though. Somewhere, somehow in the past months Erik had become indispensable. The more he had gotten to know him, the more entranced by the man he became. Erik was complex and exciting and he was like air to Charles.
Necessary.
Once again, seeking assurance he dived into his friends mind. He couldn't get a specific read but at least he was still there. A weak presence. But at least Erik was still there.
Hank didn't make another effort to speak and the two men sat in silence, waiting for the rest of the team to return and for news on Erik's condition.
.
oOo
.
Two hours passed since Erik was ushered to the OR.
The wait was gnawing at everyone's nerves. Raven had fallen asleep on Hank's shoulder. The intensity of the day and the sheer physical exhaustion, coupled with blood loss, was taking its toll.
Moira was on her third coffee as Alex and Sean returned from the cafeteria and handed a cup filled with water to Charles.
"Professor, we thought you could use some," Alex said.
Charles took it, giving the boys a smile but was distracted as the doctor walked in the room.
Everyone's focus was immediately on him.
Charles got up. Moira moved to his side.
"Your friend is now stable. He has some contusions to the upper body, some cracked ribs and a broken one. His most severe injury was a result of the broken rib, that had nicked his lung and heart."
"B-but now he's ok? He is going to be ok?" Raven and Charles asked at the same time, hopeful and desperate to be assured that the worst was over.
The doctor gave them a smile in understanding. "We will keep him for a 48 hour observation to be sure he doesn't start bleeding internally again. Barring any complications he will be able to leave the hospital in a week."
"However," assumed his most serious posture and tone, "his injury was severe and we almost lost him twice at the table. These kind of injuries require an extensive period of recuperation. He will be on antibiotics and painkillers for at least a month and he will have to be very careful not to overexert himself."
It would be catastrophic if the tear in his heart reopens.
Charles blanched a bit at the thought he heard from the doctor.
"Don't worry, we will make sure he takes it easy," the telepath assured him. For the first time since the battle with Shaw he let himself smile earnestly.
As the doctor left them, Charles noticed smiles and hugs going all around the team and quickly he felt enveloped in one himself.
"You see Charles, he is going to be okay," Raven assured him.
"Yeah," he replied, leaning in the hug.
It seemed like ages had passed since he had last breathed freely. He took a deep breath and let himself relax.
That was the last thing he knew as he felt himself fall, enveloped by impenetrable darkness.
Voices were calling out to him.
Then nothing.
.
oOoTBCoOo