Mind-Control
Erik would never admit it, not in a million years, but he was afraid of Charles. Not Charles, the man. Charles, the man could be hopelessly naïve, prone to moods even. Charles, the man, he could handle.
No, it was Charles, the mutant, he feared. Charles, the power.
His power was so massive, so all-encompassing. Utter and complete control. Erik had come to know Charles as quite the control-freak. Unable to let go of his hold over his sister, able to establish a strong connection with him. From the moment, he had joined Charles, he had wanted to leave at the same time. He nearly had, but Charles had had a point: he could use some friends. Erik had made the pragmatic choice. Reluctantly.
He hid his discomfort with jokes. Jokes about Charles' mind-controlling abilities.
"No helmet. I couldn't disobey you, even if I tried."
"You're a psychic, Charles. You can make me do anything."
But all jokes aside, the helmet had been a salvation of sorts. Finally peace inside his own head, actual rest. Without the helmet, he was ultimately at Charles' mercy, which meant he had to trust him.
Erik could not, not fully. Charles was far too blind.
"Innocent men following orders."
Charles didn't understand. Innocent men following orders didn't exist. Following orders was a choice, just like any other. A determined choice. A choice not to choose. To relinquish power, to hand over decisions.
And so he came and went and generally ended up leaving.
Sometimes he wondered if Charles knew…. Because he never stopped his departure.
"From what I know about you, I am surprised you managed to stay this long."
"Then you know to stay out of my head."
"I won't stop you leaving. I could, but I won't."
And he didn't. Erik was grateful for it. He needed to be free.
"Good luck, Professor."