Fic : Charles/Erik - One moment in time part 3
Rating: T
Genre: AU, Hurt/Comfort, Angst, Slash, Crossover(short of)
Summary: In the aftermath of the events in the X3 movie Erik Lensherr, no longer Magneto, thinks back to everything that has happened until something unexpected happens.
Disclaimer: I do not own.
Beta: MissBubbles
Erik gasped for breath, trying to break through the panic that asphyxia caused. He had felt it before; he knew the intense fear that accompanied the feeling of drowning. He had felt the helplessness before but now he knew how to overcome it. And so he calmed his mind and took another breath and then another. His chest arched upwards, expanding as his lungs filled with oxygen. With each inhalation he felt his muscles relax more and more. Soon he had calmed enough to perceive some of his surroundings even though his eyes were still closed.
He was aware that he was lying down, in a bed that felt too comfortable and soft to be a hospital bed. His entire body felt heavy and a tingling sensation was spreading throughout his limbs. He felt a dull pain in his chest as his lungs expanded and contracted inside his ribcage. His mind was aware but not as sharp as usual. Reluctantly his eyelids fluttered open, his eyes taking in his environment. At first his vision was blurry and the bright light shining through the windows made him blink. It took him several moments to become accustomed to it.
The room was decorated with wooden panels. The windows were wide and the curtains were thick and made of dark red velvet. The bed was carved mahogany, sturdy and comfortable. There was other furniture of a similar style, but what caught his attention was how familiar it all felt. It wasn’t his room, of that he was certain. The moments he had spent there were ingrained into his memory so deeply that he could never forget them. No, this wasn’t his room, but it certainly felt like a room of the Xavier mansion.
There was an IV hanging beside his bed on his right side. From the signs of irritation, he concluded he must have had it attached for a few days at least. He felt groggy, as if he was still half asleep.
Before he had time to make sense of anything else the door was flung open. And there stood Charles, looking surprised and hopeful and young…so very young.
“Charles,” Erik’s voice was hoarse. He was hesitant as the man on the opposite side of the room scrutinized him, blue eyes not quite believing what they were seeing. It lasted for only a second, then the telepath’s eyes widened and his face lit up. His expression was one of pure joy as he moved to Erik’s side. He sat on the bed and wrapped him in a tight embrace.
Erik was caught off guard. He hadn’t expected such a reaction. But he relaxed almost immediately into Charles’s warmth, breathing in the scent of him. It had been so long since he had wrapped his arms around the man he loved. It felt like heaven. It always did when he had the telepath in his arms. He buried his head in the crease of the other man’s shoulder. It was one perfect moment, now he felt like he could breathe again, like a weight had been lifted off his shoulders. In that moment everything was right with the world.
It was Charles who pulled away first. He seemed hesitant but was smiling broadly and in the light of the sun, Erik could swear he had never seen anything so beautiful in his life.
“I’m sorry my friend, I got a bit carried away,” he said, slightly embarrassed. He looked down, his hands fidgeting with the white sheet. Erik had forgotten that he used to do that when he was nervous. He had always found it endearing.
Despite his radiant expression, Charles looked tired. Now that he was so close, Erik could see worry lines around Charles’s mouth and bags under his eyes. He looked as though he hadn’t slept for a few days.
“What…?” Erik croaked, his mouth dry and his voice barely getting out.
Charles took a glass of water from the nightstand.
“I’m sorry my friend, I forgot. Here, this should help.”The telepath leaned closer, extending it towards him.
Erik sat up. His movement was cut short as he winced, a sharp pain in his lower side spread all across his chest. His breath hitched, mostly from the surprise.
Charles looked anxious, “Are you alright? Did you open your stitches?” He asked, placing the glass back on the table. “Let me see,” he pushed Erik back gently and lifted up the simple white T-shirt that covered Erik’s torso. Underneath, a large part of his left side was covered with a bandage.
Now Erik remembered. He had been shot. He had been on a beach in Cuba and Moira had shot him when he tried to destroy the Russian and U.S ships with their own missiles.
The telepath examined the bandage intently for any sign of blood. Once he was certain that there was none, he pulled the white top down and helped Erik into a sitting position. He handed him the water once more and Erik gulped it down. He hadn’t been aware he was so thirsty.
“Better?” Charles asked with a smile, relief radiating from his entire being. His eyes bore into Erik’s, as if searching for something.
Erik nodded, giving Charles a smile, “Much.”
“I’m so happy you’re all right,” the telepath said. A crooked smile made its appearance on his lips but only stayed for a second before a more serious expression took its place, “You’ve been unconscious for a week.”
“A week?” That was a surprise. To Erik it seemed only minutes had passed between now and his encounter with Jean. But he wasn’t bothered by it really. Everything seemed so surreal and just the fact that Charles was right here was enough to make him careless about everything else.
“Yes. The doctors removed the bullet and stopped the bleeding,” the telepath got up and started pacing along the side of the bed. He stopped briefly to look at Erik again, his eyes taking in all of him, as if making sure that he was still there. “But you wouldn’t wake up.” There was a hint of despair at the memory. “I tried to reach you and I couldn’t. There was nothing wrong with you but you wouldn’t open your eyes.” As Charles spoke, his voice became more intense, an outlet to the strong emotions that were battling inside him. Perhaps realizing this, he paused, taking a deep breath. He brought his hand to his forehead, in a movement that seemed like an attempt to calm his own thoughts. Then he spoke again, “So Hank and I thought to bring you back home. Hoping that maybe then…”
Erik nodded, studying the man in front of him closely. His dreams and memories of Charles, while very close to the real thing, were never actually complete. He hadn’t realized that before, but now that he had Charles alive and right in front of him he could see it. Every time he saw his expression shift he marveled at how good it felt to be with him again. He’d thought he had lost any chance of doing this again; of just sitting with him and not fighting or arguing about morals and politics. To just be the two of them, like they had once been. He wondered if the barriers Jean had said she would put in place were the reason Charles couldn’t reach him. It wasn’t important, but for the distress it seemed to have caused the telepath.
“So we’re back at the mansion?” The question seemed to surprise Charles.
“Yes, we’re in a room at the first floor.”
Silence reigned for a few seconds.
I thought I lost you. I was terrified that I had.
Erik heard Charles’s mental voice for the first time in years. The look on the telepath’s face was a testament to the fear and worry he must have felt. It warmed Erik’s heart. No one had ever cared so much for him. Not even Mystique. To feel needed, wanted… it had been such a long time. He had to muster all his willpower to not pull Charles in for a kiss. He longed to touch him, to feel the softness of his skin. He wondered if in this world they already were lovers. Judging by the telepath’s reaction to their embrace he didn’t think so.
I’m here Charles. He whispered into the telepath’s mind, looking intently in his eyes, trying to convey that he was not going anywhere.
Charles must have understood, because he seemed to relax slightly. Then he surprised Erik again by reaching out and taking his hand. It wasn’t a motion of tenderness so much as an attempt to confirm that Erik was indeed there. Charles was seeking reassurance. His telepathy was always harder to block through touch and if something was an illusion, it would be easier to see through it.
Erik wrapped his hand around the telepath’s eagerly, reveling in the feel of skin on skin. It felt like low level electricity running through every neural passageway in his body.
I have missed you so much! He confessed, letting his feelings wash over the telepath.
If Charles was surprised by the intensity of Erik’s emotions he made no indication. He simply smiled.
I have missed you as well my friend.
He had missed those two words: my friend. Only Charles could use them in casual dialogue and truly mean them. Only he was so open hearted that he could entertain the possibility that everyone he met might become his friend. To view everything with such optimism was a power Charles possessed that Erik had never understood, nor wanted. Their differences had always been pronounced. Those differences had brought them together, but they had also pulled them apart. Like the opposite sides of the same coin. They had clashed over theories and morality, but it was reality that had stepped in and separated their paths. When they were called to put theory to action and to do what they believed in, it was then that they could no longer ignore those differences. Both believing that they were striving for a better future, they had taken their respective paths. In the end neither of them had actually found it.
For a moment his mind drifted to the world he had left behind. Were they happy there? Had those that survived the war found peace? He doubted it. A brief respite would follow, before the next big clash. He and Charles were no longer around but others would take their place, of that he was certain.
It was an idle thought. That world was no longer his. Now he was here, with Charles by his side. His power as vibrant as ever, answering to his every call. He could feel every piece of metal in the room, from the door handle to each individual part of the clock that hung on the wall. He had missed his ability. For a few horrific days he had thought he’d lost it forever; that yet another part of him had died.
Now, sitting here with Charles’s hands in his own, it really felt like he had been given a second chance. He finally felt complete and he was determined not to let anything ruin that.
His silence seemed to unnerve Charles, who made a move to retract his hands. Erik stopped him, tightening his grip. He wasn’t ready to let go of that connection yet. Surprise colored Charles’s face, his eyes widening slightly. He gave Erik a questioning look.
“I should go and get Hank, he should-” he mumbled uncomfortably, glancing towards the open door.
“Charles, look at me.” It was a command, but it was spoken softly and the telepath couldn’t help but obey. Erik was no mind reader but he could read people and he knew Charles very well after all these years. Charles couldn’t hide his nervousness, especially as he was currently biting his lower lip. He seemed torn, between happiness and anxiety.
“What’s wrong?”
“Nothing, I just think I should call Hank. He should examine you.”
Erik didn’t see any need in that. He just wanted this moment to go on a little longer. After that he would be able to deal with the world.
But it was not meant to be. He winced as he saw McCoy’s blue form appear in the doorway.
“No need, I’m here,” the resident mutant doctor announced as he walked in, a leather bag in his hand. “Nice to see you conscious,” he said to Erik, giving him a crooked smile, “It’s been a week and we were worried.”
Resisting the urge to snort, Erik simply replied in an even tone: “Yes, I’ve gathered as much.” He couldn’t stop the hint of irony that colored his voice.
“How did you…?” Charles asked McCoy, looking a little puzzled. However, he must have read McCoy’s mind as his confusion cleared almost instantly, “Oh, Raven told you!”
“Yes, she heard you rush down the stairs and guessed that something must have happened and so she came to find me,” McCoy confirmed as he set down his bag and opened it, “She seemed surprised that you hadn’t called me already.”
Erik saw Charles purse his lips before asking, “And where is my lovely sister?”
“Oh,” McCoy shrugged as he begun to arrange medical instruments on the bedside table, “We ran into Riptide when we were coming here from the lab and he told us that Alex had managed to set the patio on fire so…”
“Oh dear,” Charles looked at McCoy quizzically, “I thought his control was improving.”
“It was,” McCoy confirmed. He paused, before sighing, “It appears that a bet with Sean was to blame.”
“I see…” Charles’s voice trailed off, sounding slightly amused by the antics of the younger mutants, “Well, let’s hope that no one was hurt.”
“No one was, but I don’t know the condition that Alex will be in when Raven gets her hands on him,” McCoy commented, the hint of a smile on his face told Erik that he was amused at the prospect. Erik could agree with him on that, it would certainly be entertaining. He had known Mystique for many years, so he was aware of the pains Alex was likely to suffer.
The mention of Riptide surprised him. This implication troubled Erik. It wasn’t something that had happened before. It was obvious that things in this world were different, or at least they were changing and Erik felt that he should be careful if he wanted to preserve some aspects of the future.
“Now let’s see,” McCoy spoke, eyeing Erik carefully.
“I’ve checked the wound. It hasn’t reopened,” Charles hastened to inform.
“Good,” McCoy McCoy reached for a small flashlight. “Now let’s see…” Much to Erik’s annoyance, he shone the light directly into his eyes.
Erik endured as McCoy diligently checked Erik’s breath sounds and reflexes, before taking a vial of blood to analyze. Once he was content he turned to Charles.
“Everything seems normal.” McCoy declared, looking pleased and giving the telepath a smile, before noticing the perplexed expression on Charles’s face.
“I couldn’t hear him,” Charles said, almost mumbling to himself. The telepath looked thoughtful. Meeting McCoy’s eye he continued, “There are still moments when I loose connection with him. As if he’s wearing…”
Charles’s voice trailed away but McCoy nodded in understanding. It took Erik a moment to realize that they meant his helmet. Erik had a viable theory about why it was happening. It was possible that what Jean had done clouded all his memories of the future. So when Erik’s mind got lost in reminiscing, the walls she had built would protect his mind from eavesdroppers; effectively making it invisible to all telepaths. Because if Charles couldn’t read him, it was a safe bet that no one else could.
Hank seemed concerned by the development, his expression thoughtful as he turned to Erik. Being under McCoy’s scrutiny felt uncomfortable. The fierce look of the perplexed scientist always put Erik on alert, even though in this case he knew that McCoy didn’t intend to him harm.
“I don’t know what that may mean, I’ll have to do a little research,” McCoy finally admitted as he tucked his instruments away neatly.
“Do I need this?” Erik motioned to the IV still attached to his hand. He found it irritating and was feeling a strong urge to rip it out.
Luckily he didn’t have to, as McCoy shook his head and proceeded to remove the needle from Erik’s hand. He was careful and precise and no more than a few seconds later, Erik's hand was free.
McCoy turned to Charles who was observing them silently. “I’ll get the blood analyzed and figure out what to do next,” his tone was reassuring, “But as far as I can tell he’s perfectly healthy; healing faster than expected actually.”
Charles nodded, patting McCoy on the shoulder, “Thank you, Hank.”
“It’s good to have you back,” McCoy said and it took a moment for Erik to realize he was talking to him.
“It is good to be back,” he replied, with a slightly predatory smile.
And he means it. This unexpected opportunity, given to him by two extraordinary people is something he would never have imagined. He feels the responsibility that they have imparted to him: to make something better out of his life. And he intends to.
Starting right here; with Charles.
Genre: AU, Hurt/Comfort, Angst, Slash, Crossover(short of)
Summary: In the aftermath of the events in the X3 movie Erik Lensherr, no longer Magneto, thinks back to everything that has happened until something unexpected happens.
Disclaimer: I do not own.
Beta: MissBubbles
Erik gasped for breath, trying to break through the panic that asphyxia caused. He had felt it before; he knew the intense fear that accompanied the feeling of drowning. He had felt the helplessness before but now he knew how to overcome it. And so he calmed his mind and took another breath and then another. His chest arched upwards, expanding as his lungs filled with oxygen. With each inhalation he felt his muscles relax more and more. Soon he had calmed enough to perceive some of his surroundings even though his eyes were still closed.
He was aware that he was lying down, in a bed that felt too comfortable and soft to be a hospital bed. His entire body felt heavy and a tingling sensation was spreading throughout his limbs. He felt a dull pain in his chest as his lungs expanded and contracted inside his ribcage. His mind was aware but not as sharp as usual. Reluctantly his eyelids fluttered open, his eyes taking in his environment. At first his vision was blurry and the bright light shining through the windows made him blink. It took him several moments to become accustomed to it.
The room was decorated with wooden panels. The windows were wide and the curtains were thick and made of dark red velvet. The bed was carved mahogany, sturdy and comfortable. There was other furniture of a similar style, but what caught his attention was how familiar it all felt. It wasn’t his room, of that he was certain. The moments he had spent there were ingrained into his memory so deeply that he could never forget them. No, this wasn’t his room, but it certainly felt like a room of the Xavier mansion.
There was an IV hanging beside his bed on his right side. From the signs of irritation, he concluded he must have had it attached for a few days at least. He felt groggy, as if he was still half asleep.
Before he had time to make sense of anything else the door was flung open. And there stood Charles, looking surprised and hopeful and young…so very young.
“Charles,” Erik’s voice was hoarse. He was hesitant as the man on the opposite side of the room scrutinized him, blue eyes not quite believing what they were seeing. It lasted for only a second, then the telepath’s eyes widened and his face lit up. His expression was one of pure joy as he moved to Erik’s side. He sat on the bed and wrapped him in a tight embrace.
Erik was caught off guard. He hadn’t expected such a reaction. But he relaxed almost immediately into Charles’s warmth, breathing in the scent of him. It had been so long since he had wrapped his arms around the man he loved. It felt like heaven. It always did when he had the telepath in his arms. He buried his head in the crease of the other man’s shoulder. It was one perfect moment, now he felt like he could breathe again, like a weight had been lifted off his shoulders. In that moment everything was right with the world.
It was Charles who pulled away first. He seemed hesitant but was smiling broadly and in the light of the sun, Erik could swear he had never seen anything so beautiful in his life.
“I’m sorry my friend, I got a bit carried away,” he said, slightly embarrassed. He looked down, his hands fidgeting with the white sheet. Erik had forgotten that he used to do that when he was nervous. He had always found it endearing.
Despite his radiant expression, Charles looked tired. Now that he was so close, Erik could see worry lines around Charles’s mouth and bags under his eyes. He looked as though he hadn’t slept for a few days.
“What…?” Erik croaked, his mouth dry and his voice barely getting out.
Charles took a glass of water from the nightstand.
“I’m sorry my friend, I forgot. Here, this should help.”The telepath leaned closer, extending it towards him.
Erik sat up. His movement was cut short as he winced, a sharp pain in his lower side spread all across his chest. His breath hitched, mostly from the surprise.
Charles looked anxious, “Are you alright? Did you open your stitches?” He asked, placing the glass back on the table. “Let me see,” he pushed Erik back gently and lifted up the simple white T-shirt that covered Erik’s torso. Underneath, a large part of his left side was covered with a bandage.
Now Erik remembered. He had been shot. He had been on a beach in Cuba and Moira had shot him when he tried to destroy the Russian and U.S ships with their own missiles.
The telepath examined the bandage intently for any sign of blood. Once he was certain that there was none, he pulled the white top down and helped Erik into a sitting position. He handed him the water once more and Erik gulped it down. He hadn’t been aware he was so thirsty.
“Better?” Charles asked with a smile, relief radiating from his entire being. His eyes bore into Erik’s, as if searching for something.
Erik nodded, giving Charles a smile, “Much.”
“I’m so happy you’re all right,” the telepath said. A crooked smile made its appearance on his lips but only stayed for a second before a more serious expression took its place, “You’ve been unconscious for a week.”
“A week?” That was a surprise. To Erik it seemed only minutes had passed between now and his encounter with Jean. But he wasn’t bothered by it really. Everything seemed so surreal and just the fact that Charles was right here was enough to make him careless about everything else.
“Yes. The doctors removed the bullet and stopped the bleeding,” the telepath got up and started pacing along the side of the bed. He stopped briefly to look at Erik again, his eyes taking in all of him, as if making sure that he was still there. “But you wouldn’t wake up.” There was a hint of despair at the memory. “I tried to reach you and I couldn’t. There was nothing wrong with you but you wouldn’t open your eyes.” As Charles spoke, his voice became more intense, an outlet to the strong emotions that were battling inside him. Perhaps realizing this, he paused, taking a deep breath. He brought his hand to his forehead, in a movement that seemed like an attempt to calm his own thoughts. Then he spoke again, “So Hank and I thought to bring you back home. Hoping that maybe then…”
Erik nodded, studying the man in front of him closely. His dreams and memories of Charles, while very close to the real thing, were never actually complete. He hadn’t realized that before, but now that he had Charles alive and right in front of him he could see it. Every time he saw his expression shift he marveled at how good it felt to be with him again. He’d thought he had lost any chance of doing this again; of just sitting with him and not fighting or arguing about morals and politics. To just be the two of them, like they had once been. He wondered if the barriers Jean had said she would put in place were the reason Charles couldn’t reach him. It wasn’t important, but for the distress it seemed to have caused the telepath.
“So we’re back at the mansion?” The question seemed to surprise Charles.
“Yes, we’re in a room at the first floor.”
Silence reigned for a few seconds.
I thought I lost you. I was terrified that I had.
Erik heard Charles’s mental voice for the first time in years. The look on the telepath’s face was a testament to the fear and worry he must have felt. It warmed Erik’s heart. No one had ever cared so much for him. Not even Mystique. To feel needed, wanted… it had been such a long time. He had to muster all his willpower to not pull Charles in for a kiss. He longed to touch him, to feel the softness of his skin. He wondered if in this world they already were lovers. Judging by the telepath’s reaction to their embrace he didn’t think so.
I’m here Charles. He whispered into the telepath’s mind, looking intently in his eyes, trying to convey that he was not going anywhere.
Charles must have understood, because he seemed to relax slightly. Then he surprised Erik again by reaching out and taking his hand. It wasn’t a motion of tenderness so much as an attempt to confirm that Erik was indeed there. Charles was seeking reassurance. His telepathy was always harder to block through touch and if something was an illusion, it would be easier to see through it.
Erik wrapped his hand around the telepath’s eagerly, reveling in the feel of skin on skin. It felt like low level electricity running through every neural passageway in his body.
I have missed you so much! He confessed, letting his feelings wash over the telepath.
If Charles was surprised by the intensity of Erik’s emotions he made no indication. He simply smiled.
I have missed you as well my friend.
He had missed those two words: my friend. Only Charles could use them in casual dialogue and truly mean them. Only he was so open hearted that he could entertain the possibility that everyone he met might become his friend. To view everything with such optimism was a power Charles possessed that Erik had never understood, nor wanted. Their differences had always been pronounced. Those differences had brought them together, but they had also pulled them apart. Like the opposite sides of the same coin. They had clashed over theories and morality, but it was reality that had stepped in and separated their paths. When they were called to put theory to action and to do what they believed in, it was then that they could no longer ignore those differences. Both believing that they were striving for a better future, they had taken their respective paths. In the end neither of them had actually found it.
For a moment his mind drifted to the world he had left behind. Were they happy there? Had those that survived the war found peace? He doubted it. A brief respite would follow, before the next big clash. He and Charles were no longer around but others would take their place, of that he was certain.
It was an idle thought. That world was no longer his. Now he was here, with Charles by his side. His power as vibrant as ever, answering to his every call. He could feel every piece of metal in the room, from the door handle to each individual part of the clock that hung on the wall. He had missed his ability. For a few horrific days he had thought he’d lost it forever; that yet another part of him had died.
Now, sitting here with Charles’s hands in his own, it really felt like he had been given a second chance. He finally felt complete and he was determined not to let anything ruin that.
His silence seemed to unnerve Charles, who made a move to retract his hands. Erik stopped him, tightening his grip. He wasn’t ready to let go of that connection yet. Surprise colored Charles’s face, his eyes widening slightly. He gave Erik a questioning look.
“I should go and get Hank, he should-” he mumbled uncomfortably, glancing towards the open door.
“Charles, look at me.” It was a command, but it was spoken softly and the telepath couldn’t help but obey. Erik was no mind reader but he could read people and he knew Charles very well after all these years. Charles couldn’t hide his nervousness, especially as he was currently biting his lower lip. He seemed torn, between happiness and anxiety.
“What’s wrong?”
“Nothing, I just think I should call Hank. He should examine you.”
Erik didn’t see any need in that. He just wanted this moment to go on a little longer. After that he would be able to deal with the world.
But it was not meant to be. He winced as he saw McCoy’s blue form appear in the doorway.
“No need, I’m here,” the resident mutant doctor announced as he walked in, a leather bag in his hand. “Nice to see you conscious,” he said to Erik, giving him a crooked smile, “It’s been a week and we were worried.”
Resisting the urge to snort, Erik simply replied in an even tone: “Yes, I’ve gathered as much.” He couldn’t stop the hint of irony that colored his voice.
“How did you…?” Charles asked McCoy, looking a little puzzled. However, he must have read McCoy’s mind as his confusion cleared almost instantly, “Oh, Raven told you!”
“Yes, she heard you rush down the stairs and guessed that something must have happened and so she came to find me,” McCoy confirmed as he set down his bag and opened it, “She seemed surprised that you hadn’t called me already.”
Erik saw Charles purse his lips before asking, “And where is my lovely sister?”
“Oh,” McCoy shrugged as he begun to arrange medical instruments on the bedside table, “We ran into Riptide when we were coming here from the lab and he told us that Alex had managed to set the patio on fire so…”
“Oh dear,” Charles looked at McCoy quizzically, “I thought his control was improving.”
“It was,” McCoy confirmed. He paused, before sighing, “It appears that a bet with Sean was to blame.”
“I see…” Charles’s voice trailed off, sounding slightly amused by the antics of the younger mutants, “Well, let’s hope that no one was hurt.”
“No one was, but I don’t know the condition that Alex will be in when Raven gets her hands on him,” McCoy commented, the hint of a smile on his face told Erik that he was amused at the prospect. Erik could agree with him on that, it would certainly be entertaining. He had known Mystique for many years, so he was aware of the pains Alex was likely to suffer.
The mention of Riptide surprised him. This implication troubled Erik. It wasn’t something that had happened before. It was obvious that things in this world were different, or at least they were changing and Erik felt that he should be careful if he wanted to preserve some aspects of the future.
“Now let’s see,” McCoy spoke, eyeing Erik carefully.
“I’ve checked the wound. It hasn’t reopened,” Charles hastened to inform.
“Good,” McCoy McCoy reached for a small flashlight. “Now let’s see…” Much to Erik’s annoyance, he shone the light directly into his eyes.
Erik endured as McCoy diligently checked Erik’s breath sounds and reflexes, before taking a vial of blood to analyze. Once he was content he turned to Charles.
“Everything seems normal.” McCoy declared, looking pleased and giving the telepath a smile, before noticing the perplexed expression on Charles’s face.
“I couldn’t hear him,” Charles said, almost mumbling to himself. The telepath looked thoughtful. Meeting McCoy’s eye he continued, “There are still moments when I loose connection with him. As if he’s wearing…”
Charles’s voice trailed away but McCoy nodded in understanding. It took Erik a moment to realize that they meant his helmet. Erik had a viable theory about why it was happening. It was possible that what Jean had done clouded all his memories of the future. So when Erik’s mind got lost in reminiscing, the walls she had built would protect his mind from eavesdroppers; effectively making it invisible to all telepaths. Because if Charles couldn’t read him, it was a safe bet that no one else could.
Hank seemed concerned by the development, his expression thoughtful as he turned to Erik. Being under McCoy’s scrutiny felt uncomfortable. The fierce look of the perplexed scientist always put Erik on alert, even though in this case he knew that McCoy didn’t intend to him harm.
“I don’t know what that may mean, I’ll have to do a little research,” McCoy finally admitted as he tucked his instruments away neatly.
“Do I need this?” Erik motioned to the IV still attached to his hand. He found it irritating and was feeling a strong urge to rip it out.
Luckily he didn’t have to, as McCoy shook his head and proceeded to remove the needle from Erik’s hand. He was careful and precise and no more than a few seconds later, Erik's hand was free.
McCoy turned to Charles who was observing them silently. “I’ll get the blood analyzed and figure out what to do next,” his tone was reassuring, “But as far as I can tell he’s perfectly healthy; healing faster than expected actually.”
Charles nodded, patting McCoy on the shoulder, “Thank you, Hank.”
“It’s good to have you back,” McCoy said and it took a moment for Erik to realize he was talking to him.
“It is good to be back,” he replied, with a slightly predatory smile.
And he means it. This unexpected opportunity, given to him by two extraordinary people is something he would never have imagined. He feels the responsibility that they have imparted to him: to make something better out of his life. And he intends to.
Starting right here; with Charles.