I've been watching a heck of a lot of X-Men as of lately. Although my favorites are definitely the First Class and DOFP movies. I'm just drawn to the younger versions of Charles, Erik, and Raven. I'm a huge fan of the Erik/Raven pairing. This is just a little look at the lighter, more humorous side of the team of back then.
Show Me the Goods
Erik strolled into the Xavier mansion after a small training workout. He needed to maximize his capabilities first if he wanted to accomplish his goals. It was safe to say he was making good progress.
As he was about to round the corner to head to his room something in the corner of his eye halted him. There standing, or rather pressed against the wall of the hallway, was none other than the young, blond boy. Alex -or Havok as Raven had informed him prior to this of their code names- seemed to be attempting to be inconspicuous. His back was pressed against the wall while his head was tucked in like a turtle.
He was about to just ignore it and let the children continue being children but he suddenly found himself making his way over to him. In hindsight though he'd definitely blame this on being around the youth for too long. One was bound to rub off on him.
And so with a raised brow he said: "Eavesdropping are we?"
Alex immediately jumped and glared at Erik, his index finger raised to his lips. "Ssshhh! You won't believe what I've just stumbled on man. Come check."
Erik was definitely not doing that. As if he'd resort to such childish antics. And so he turned away to head for his room. "Not interested."
Alex smirked in response. "Are you sure? It's the bozo... and Raven."
Instantly the metal bender halted in his tracks not knowing that the action only fueled to Alex's satisfaction. Erik was no stranger to the constant nicknames (crude remarks) that Alex would use on several occasions. He was also well aware that 'bozo' was always and only aimed at Hank.
So Raven was apparently talking with Hank. Surely it shouldn't bother him. It didn't bother him. Not one bit.
Why would it?
Because he knew of Hank's irritating schoolboy crush on her? Because he found that he just couldn't tolerate the fact that Hank never looked at Raven in the same light when she was in her other form, her true form? Or was it because he just wanted to protect his best friend's sister?
Yes that's it, he rationalized in his head. With that excuse he walked back towards Alex whom had the most agonizing smirk he'd ever seen.
"Heh, I knew that'd get your gears grinding."
"Cut to the chase." He retorted making sure to keep his voice leveled. A part of him wondered how the boy could dare think it was the shape shifter that could make him tick.
"Come, hear this." He whispered motioning for him to join him.
It's as if Erik had forgotten all the dignity he possessed in his room because soon he was also pressed against the wall, his head tucked in like a turtle. He had to make sure. Being as discreet as he could be he poked his head out for a peek.
Goodness how had he resorted to such tactics?
Protecting Charles' sister, he repeated in his head. That was the reason not the preposterous conclusion Alex had reached. Get his gears grinding? Where had he even heard the phrase from?
Once he'd gotten a good glimpse at the two figures he retracted his head back, yes, like a turtle, and frowned. It was them. Raven and... him. Hank's back was facing him while Raven was facing his direction, only she wasn't paying attention to him. She was currently engrossed in her little conversation.
"Your first time? You mean you've never done it before?"
Hank's voice and what he had just said broke his thoughts. To say his interest had just sky rocketed would certainly be an understatement. Against his better judgement he pressed himself just a bit closer to the edge of the wall.
"I know, I know! It's just that I... well you know?"
He heard her voice clearly. Now there was no mistaking it or pretending he'd seen wrong. Her voice held a mixture of hesitance and a bit of shyness.
Were they seriously discussing... that in the middle of the hallway? With such a nonchalance? It just had to be a misunderstanding. Surely they would be much better off doing that somewhere more privately than out in the open. They would know better than that, right?
He glanced at Alex, who seemed completely focused at getting as much info as he could, before sighing.
They should know the walls have ears after all.
"I told you it'd be of interest." Alex murmured with a grin.
Erik narrowed his eyes. Enough was enough. This was a complete invasion of Raven's privacy... and Hank's of course. Right as he'd made the decision to leave and pretend the ordeal had never occurred he'd caught another bit of the disturbing conversation.
"Is that why you came to me Raven?"
Ignoring the silent voice in his head he sneaked a glance at her expression. She was rubbing a hand on her arm, her gaze no longer on Hank's but on the floor appearing very timid.
He fleetingly wondered how she would look with that adorable shy expression of hers when she's in her real form. The thought was immediately cast away like metal when he realized what he'd just imagined.
"You're the expert in this Hank."
Besides him he heard Alex snort.
"Yeah right!" He muttered in a semi-whispered tone before nudging his side rather roughly. "Are you hearing this? It's hilarious. Hank an expert? On what planet?"
Okay. Now Erik was done. This was clearly a private conversation despite the fact that they were having it in plain sight. Though the place was pretty spacious so he didn't necessarily blame them for thinking they were alone. Nonetheless he was done and prepared to head to his room.
Now if only his legs would follow his command.
"I'm a bit nervous. I keep thinking I'll make a mistake. What if I just make a mess of things?"
"You'll be fine!" He laughed warmly. "And besides I'll be walking you through it."
"You're sweet Hank."
Erik was still waiting on those legs of his to respond.
"Um... can I ask you a question?" Hank asked with his usual air of awkwardness he seemed to give out whenever around her.
"Go ahead."
"Well it's not really my business but how come you've never asked Charles? I know you've been with him for a long while."
Erik was now tempted to drag himself to his room. Yes. He knew how overly humorous that would look for any onlookers (Oh the irony!) who'd see him but anything was better than being here. Unfortunately his legs seemed to have other plans. It's as if they were rooted to the ground.
"I could never!" She replied a bit louder than what was necessary. "To be honest the urge was never as big as now. He was always so busy anyways."
"Oh I see. That's understandable. So how do you want to do this?"
She placed a hand to her chin to think, an action that the eavesdroppers missed. "Well I'm usually done with my training before lunch. We can start tomorrow if it's good with you?"
"That's perfect."
"Doesn't it bother you?" Alex suddenly asked.
Erik frowned defensively, feeling slightly self conscious all of a sudden. "Doesn't what bother me?"
"That Hank's being all lovey-dovey with Raven."
"And why would it?" He responded a bit too quickly.
"Dunno. Was just asking I guess. I mean I'd noticed you two behaving a bit weird lately."
Erik paused.
Okay maybe he'd been a bit intrigued by Raven. Maybe he'd been bothered at the way Hank was trying to 'fix' her. And yes, maybe he'd let his gaze linger on her when he thought no one was looking but it didn't mean anything. Or so he told himself.
Had he been that obvious in how he'd carried those aspects out?
No. Impossible.
"You're seeing things." He finally responded.
"Whatever you say," Alex shrugged not fully convinced but dropping it to return to the task at hand.
"Hank I can't thank you enough. I didn't think anyone would bother helping me out with this."
"I'm sure people would kill for the chance to do it especially with a nice, beautiful girl— woman, like you."
A dangerous feeling began bubbling inside of Erik. It felt like— no! It most certainly wasn't that. There was absolutely no way it could be that.
Him jealous? That's a laugh!
Alex frowned beside him. It had just struck him that the bozo had scored. Not even he could score with Raven. Really though, only a blind person wouldn't notice how hot she was so of course he'd tried once or twice to flirt with her. Yet no matter how much he'd try she'd always rebuff his advances. And now he'd been one upped by Hank of all people.
"Hey Hank now that I think about it it'd be a bit embarrassing if were to get caught so how about we meet at night after dinner and all?"
"Alright, that's fine."
"Hopefully we can do this quietly." She laughed heartily. "But I'm sure with me being a novice it'd be anything but that. I hear it can get messy."
"Well if you're trying to add specific toppings. The whip cream and sprinkles are to die for. We can experiment all this later with the goods."
Erik and Alex's jaws were hanging in absolute shock at that. They were flabbergasted by what they had just heard.
Alex coughed awkwardly while pulling at the collar of his shirt. "Is it me or is it suddenly hot in here?"
"I actually have some guidebooks with me." Raven said eagerly as she held them up. "Have a look!"
"Wow these are perfect! We can try all of these methods out."
"I especially like this one," She added as she pointed to a specific page that the two eavesdroppers failed to see. "What do you think?"
"I say we do it."
"I'm glad to hear that. You know if Alex wasn't always such a douche to you I'd invite him in on the fun."
Alex had to bend down, one arm clinging to Erik as he'd almost lost his bearings, and was mortified. He would never, never partake in such an act with those two. Who were they? He didn't even know anymore.
"Oh he's not that bad. In fact I bet Charles would say it'd be a good bonding exercise. Now that I think about it... maybe we could invite him. Perhaps afterwards we can get along much better."
Poor Alex had apparently gone catatonic in Erik's arms, with the older man holding him in one arm and fanning him with the other. He didn't even notice that the voices were getting louder. Closer.
"Maybe once we do it perfectly we can ask Erik if he'd like to join in too," Raven commented now standing next to the two. "And considering the fact that they've both been eavesdropping on us then they must surely be interested."
Erik turned to see both of them standing in plain sight. He quickly shook the zombified Alex off him.
"It... isn't what it seems." He tried lamely. They would never believe him and he knew it. It didn't help that he wore an expression resembling a kid who'd just been caught with their hand in the cookie jar. He felt nothing but shame. He'd just been caught eavesdropping! That was an act so very beneath him and yet he'd done it.
Hank chuckled. "Unfortunately I'm sure Alex would blow the kitchen up if he attempted some baking."
"I'd bake circles over your ass!" Alex barked in defense only for his eyes to widen in realization. "Wait you were talking about baking!?"
Raven furrowed her brows in confusion. "Of course we were talking about baking. What else could we be talking about?"
Erik stood ingesting this newfound knowledge without making a scene like Alex. So it was simply baking they were discussing. He found it strange how he was feeling more relief then shock.
Alex's gaze went downwards to where the book laid comfortably in her arm. He frowned in disbelief and snatched it away from her, then, without even looking, he flipped it open to a random page and dangled it accusingly in her face. "And what do you suppose you're doing with these?"
"They're guidebooks to several different recipes."
"G-Guidebooks?" He repeated before finally eyeing the contents. The pages were decorated with several pictures of sweets and the necessary recipes needed to create them. "R-Right... er, I knew that."
Erik almost facepalmed. As if he wasn't humiliated enough with Alex's antics. The boy was only making it worse.
At their unconvinced glances Alex chuckled nervously before eyeing the watch he didn't have. "Well will you look at the time! Looks like it's time for more training. Got a bunch of mannequins to explode. Later."
Oh sure just ditch him.
He felt their gazes shrinking him as the awkward seconds passed. Finally he found his voice. "Well, if you'll excuse me."
The next day after that shameful encounter he found himself strolling into the kitchen at night and after dinner. No. It wasn't because he knew they'd be there. He was thirsty and it was just simply a coincidence.
He found her by the kitchen counter downing a glass of water. He couldn't help the relief that washed over him when he noticed she was alone.
"Raven."
She jumped, startled by his smooth voice. "Erik? What are you doing here?"
What was he doing there?
"I was thirsty and came for a drink." He answered, the response being more to himself than her. "And you? It's rather late." Of course he knew why she was there.
She sighed. "I was supposed to meet Hank but apparently Charles worked him to the bone today and he's been ordered to rest."
"Aah yes, the baking lesson."
"The thing is I was really looking forward to it."
He narrowed his eyes slightly. "To baking with Hank?"
If he'd said Hank's name with a slight resentment she didn't notice. Instead she looked up at him. "Not exactly. To just learning how to bake. We've all been working so hard and we've all been through so much. I just wanted to do something special for us. I figured we all liked sweets."
So that's what it was all about. She was trying to ease their lives with a kind gesture. It was never about being with Hank. The corner of his lips tilted upwards upon realizing that.
"Now it's looking like a change of plans," her words broke his thoughts. She sighed in disappointment before tossing the plastic cup in the trash. "I guess there's always next time."
He felt something tug at his insides when he took in her posture, her shoulders slumped and her eyes downcast; the disappointment in her tone. It was too much. Before he could even register his own thoughts he suddenly spoke out.
"I know how to bake."
"What?" She paused and eyed him. "You do?"
Of course he didn't.
"Yes."
"I had no idea. I'm not trying to offend you but I just didn't take you for the baking type."
"I can show you if you'd like." He said ignoring her comment.
"Really? You can do that?"
No. No he couldn't. But she was looking at him with such hopeful eyes.
"Yes."
Of course he wouldn't refuse.
In her newfound glee she had almost forgotten about a certain other mutant."But Hank, I told him—"
"He'll understand." He said rather selfishly.
"I guess so... and well he does have a longer training schedule than you given that you're more experienced and what not, so it's convenient. I wouldn't want to trouble him more."
"Then it's settled."
"Are you sure you don't mind? I wouldn't want to be a bother to you."
Erik found himself smiling. He didn't recall her being this concerned with Hank when she'd been asking him for help. "You're never a bother to me Raven."
He noticed her blush. "S-So shall we get started then?"
And she scurried for the materials without allowing him to respond. She placed them on the counter right in front of him. Finally it dawned on him that he had absolutely no idea what he was doing.
But then he felt her gently take a hold of his hand, her timid fingers just barely making contact, and she smiled at him shyly. "Thanks Erik. You're the best."
And just like that the thoughts were cast aside.
Author's Notes
Yeah just a little humor and fluff in one. Don't we all just hate those pesky misunderstandings? Anyway thanks so much for the read. I may just add a part two if you'd like :)