To those of you waiting on an update to my other story it will come - I am just trying to get the mood right, and this one just wouldn't leave me alone...and follows me reading up a bit on canon...although this is again AU...
Disclaimer - I do not own any of these characters, they belong to Marvel and associates...
Natural Magnetism
Erik/Charles
In summary: The beach divorce occurs because Erik thinks that Charles is in love with Moira. Then he learns that Charles has sent Moira away and wiped her memories...
However when Erik and Raven return to the mansion for answers they learn that the telepath has also left for Europe after receiving news of his step brother's demise...
AU Beach Scene
No...they've betrayed us...they wouldn't...they have... Is all a dazed Charles can think of as he struggles to keep his balance, fighting to keep his mental shields in place after experiencing the strain of Shaw's agonising death.
Erik nods, seeing the confirmation in his eyes. Oh my friend... Charles blinks, fighting back the dizziness. He had been so wrong... He could only watch as Erik, stood tall and strong in the face of their certain death. Utter calmness radiating from his lithe athletic frame as he raised his hand towards the air.
But the shear speed of the numerous missiles he was trying to slow down was pushing the metal kinetic backwards - with nothing to brace himself against.
No... Charles stumbles forwards wrapping his arms around the elder mutant in support. Slowing their backwards motion. Then Erik has them all under his control - and as the missiles stop the weight vanishes. Overbalanced Charles slips, falling to his knees.
Erik's free hand rests against the back of his neck, but can't break his own gaze from the load he is bearing - the bombs - he is forcing back towards their owners.
And Charles is so exhausted he can't even raise his head, blinking at the dots wavering on the scope of his vision. He hears a distant bang - but can't move, weighed down in sudden restraint. His clothing strangely heavy…
With murderous focus Erik releases his grip on the missiles, his raised hand sharply deflects the bullets away, as he steps protectively in front of the exhausted telepath. Staring furiously at the still firing agent, as the missiles detonate harmlessly overhead. With flick of his wrist her necklace begins to strangle her.
In desperation she glances down at Charles, knelt almost in supplication at Erik's side, daring to call his name for help. This only angers Erik further - how dare she after just aiming a gun at them both…
But as her face turns purple, Charles lunges, and they both fall in a tangle of limbs. Erik caught by surprise. "No - Erik - she-" But Erik is furious that Charles will defend her - is choosing her over him…He rolls, pinning the younger man beneath him, and vents his fury, striking him hard. Once across the jaw. Twice when he still struggles. Thle third time finally knocks him out.
Erik gets to his feet then, scowling down at Moira - watching her eyes widen in fear. He ignores her. Not looking back, not turning even when he senses her move, and run to Charles's side.
It's war now. War. He takes those who will follow. Surprisingly Raven is one of those. He feels a powerful satisfaction in that. Charles stole his heart, its only fair he takes something in return...
A week later...
It is with some surprise that Erik learns from Emma Frost of Moira's return to the CIA. Her memory having been wiped.
It could only have been Charles's doing. After everything that had happened - why had the telepath done that? Erik doesn't understand. He needs an explanation, and decides he is getting one. Returning to the mansion with a tentative Raven at his side.
It's strangely quiet, and Raven shakes her head - she can't feel her brother anywhere. The two boys are clearly unprepared when they storm into the kitchen. "Where is Charles?" Erik demands. Alex recovering from his initial shock scowls. "Like we would tell you!" Sean backs against the kitchen worktop eyes wide, watching as the metal implements shake around them.
"Why did he let Moira go?" Raven asks, and Alex blinks at her before frowning. "I don't know."
A quiet sigh at the doorway has everyone turning round. Its Beast. Arms folded quietly across his chest. "I would think that Raven has a right to know." His voice strangely gentle. Alex and Sean flush a deep red at this, and look down. The shapeshifter feels a sense of dread rise within her. "What is it? What's happened?" Erik stills. Metal items hovering in mid motion.
Beast sighs quietly. "I'm sorry - I thought he would have-" Shaking his head. "Charles should have spoken to you - I'm really sorry Raven...Your step-brother is dead."
Absolute silence permeates the room. Raven blinks slow shock creasing her face. "You mean Cain." She finally concludes, her voice strangely neutral. "Cain?" Erik asks in shock. Beast nods. "Yes - I'm sorry. We got the news a day after Cuba…"
A startling snarl erupts from Raven's lips. "Don't be." She addresses Erik. "You know Charles's father died in the war?" At his confirming nod she continues. "Well his mother remarried, with him Kurt Marko brought his son - Cain." Her anger becomes palpable. "Do not be sorry he's dead. His father was bad enough - but Cain...is the reason that Charles died when he was 12. Died - for 3 minutes!" She chokes off suddenly, her voice becoming quiet. "I nearly lost him...And he dares to go to the bloody monsters funeral!" Her voice rising to a sharp roar that fills the room. Sean winces, and Alex stares at her worriedly.
Erik blinks again. "Died?" His green eyes seem to brighten to a lime gold.
"Yes - Cain..." She stills something clicking in her sharp mind. "...Absolutely hated Charles..." Her blue colouring pales. Beast is at her side in an instance but she pushes him away in irritation, looking up at Erik with panic stricken eyes. "He's an idiot - he is such an idiot!" Tears shimmered in her eyes, and Erik caught her then.
"Raven, please calm down…" She slaps him then. The boys freeze in horrored surprise. "ERIK! DONT TELL ME TO CALM DOWN! We have to go and get my idiotic brother now - before its too late!"
Stunned the elder mutant only blinked at her. She growled in frustration. "Cain hated Charles with a murderous passion - haven't I told you he killed him once already? Then there was the fire 2 years later, in which Cain's father died - saving Charles. Perhaps the only good thing he did in his life. But it only fuelled Cain's hatred…" She pinches her nose in a gesture reminiscent of her brother. "Cain left after the fire - and we moved back to England...In fact the first time we returned here was with you guys - after the destruction of the base."
Her gaze sweeps up to regard them all. "Don't any of you think that it's a strange coincidence that a letter should happen to arrive here - for Charles - when this place is still technically empty - stating that Cain is dead…?"
It took a moment for her words to sink in. Then every metal item in the room melted. "It's a trap." Erik realised as Sean yelped - his spoon merging with his soggy cornflakes.
Beast frowned, regarding the mess but it was only a background thought for once as Raven rounded on him. "Where is it? Tell me when did he leave? Tell me…when?"
3 days. Still it took - what 8 hours more to travel to Europe? Then…then he would have had what a day before the funeral - where would he go? Still even all things in consideration - the funeral had been 3 hours ago…a lot could happen in 3 hours...
Raven's heart was pounding as Azazel dropped them in the quiet German town. Night was begining to descend, as she walked into the large churchyard. It did not take long to find it. The newly marked headstone, for one Cain Marko. A large stone, Raven gave a sharp sob as she realised Charles had probably paid for it. There was no sign of a struggle…no clues...was she simply overreacting?
"Excuse me - did you miss the funeral?" Asks a kindly voice, and Raven turns, regarding the kindly looking man. "Err - yes…" She notes in a wavering voice. Just project enough sorrow into it...She ordered herself. The man nods. "Yes - he said there might be a girl with blond hair - about your height."
His gaze took on a sudden predatory gleam. "You were a fool to come here miss - your brother too - if I'm correct - you look just like him…" So Cain hadn't forgotten her…well lucky him…she was going to beat the hell out of him this time… "What have you done with Charles!" She hisses. "Tell me!" He laughs. "Oh right enough miss - but he's already dead - I get to play with you a little longer…" She blinks as he reveals and points the gun at her. Startled enough into letting her true form show itself.
The man jumps - his finger pressing the trigger. But then Erik is there, the bullet harmlessly caught in his outstretched hand. "That was careless Raven." He murmurs softly in her ear, but his hands squeezes her shoulder gently. "Charles will not forgive me or you if you die tonight."
The man was slowly backing away, shaking his head watching as his own gun wrenches itself from his hands - and turns upon him - aiming perfectly over his heart. "He didn't say nothing about you mister - I ain't-" Backing right into Azazel. Yelping in surprise.
"You will tell me where Charles is." Erik stated quietly, letting the trigger click back - the muzzle pressing against the back of the man's neck now. "And if I don't?" The man swallows nervously.
Erik laughs darkly. "I'm sure you can figure it out." The man shivers crying now, "You're probably already too late - the fire will be-" Raven gasps at this. "Fire?" The trigger clicks and the man jumps shaking in fear. "I won't ask again." Erik states calmly.
The flames lick greedily at the burning warehouse. Tears stream down Raven's face, her memories caught back to a similar scene so many years ago…
She caught Azazel's tail at the last moment, she was not being left behind - not when her brother needed her. Erik glowered, as she appeared beside them, but said nothing. Moving now amongst the burning wreckage, casting a shield of energy around them. Smoke was thick and heavily, the air choking with fumes. It was faint - so terribly faint but Raven could sense him…"He's here…"
Something drew her directly towards him. The highest floor...so even if he awoke there would be no escape, wickedly bound against cool metal pipes. Perhaps the only thing keeping him alive in the suffocating heat. He wasn't conscious - didn't appear to be breathing - No! Raven screams - and is pulled fiercely away. She scratched and clawed at the arms holding her. Slowly recognising the red skin pressed against her own. "AZAZEL! Let me the hell go!" She growls.
Erik knelt swiftly, his gaze taking in the blood against the floor, the bruising marking the innocent pale features. The tight bite of metal cutting into his tortured wrists. Too still. He wasn't breathing - pulse fading...
His gloves were instantly discarded, his fingers slipping beneath the torn white shirt, resting over the younger man's heart. Releasing a careful bolt of electrical energy. Once - twice - three times - there -
Charles jolted. Heart racing wildly. Raven stilled. Watching Erik as he bent forwards, forcing air into her brother's chest. An inhaled breath. Sharp exhale - ...Raven…
The weakest brush against her mind…she fought to hold onto it, Charles - Charles - don't go I'm here… But he didn't seem to hear her. Don't come Raven…he wants…
She knew, oh hell she knew. She was going to kill Cain Marko was her bare hands. Rip him limb from limb. She wondered what the low rumble was, before it took her several moments to realise it was herself. She was growling…
Then Erik was rising, Charles cradled in his arms, and the heat, and flames were gone, contrasting sharply against the cool nights air as Azazel transported them out.
He had brought them to the brotherhood's nearest safe house.
Raven I'm sorry - tell Erik… Came the slurred whisper. "Shh - he's here…" She responds, clasping the too warm hand in her own, providing needed contact. Her brother's voice was a dry rasp of sound, oblivious to their presence…"Raven tell Erik - I'm sorry…" Like a mantra over, and over… "Shh…" She murmurs, projecting intense calm. "Charles its alright - we're here now…"
"No…Raven…don't come - its Cain…he-" Struggling feverishly against her restraining hold. "No Raven - he-"
"Charles - Charles its alright - you're safe-" She soothed, tears slipping down her face.
Erik was too enraged to open his mind. Too filled with murderous vengeful fury to risk being near Charles in his vulnerable state. So he took his frustrations out on their captive. Azazel leant casually against the door frame watching. "You will tell me where Cain Marko is." Erik continued, the knives spinning in the air around him. The man swallowed, nervously. "I didn't know I was getting into this - I swear I-" His tearful gaze flickered to the red mutant. "My soul isn't worth anything." A cruel smile crossed Erik's lips. One that sent a shiver up Azazel's spine.
The man's screams were pitifully short.
Raven blinks - opening her eyes. She must have cried herself out. She felt more worn than she had in a long long time. Cain tended to have that effect on people. Looking up she felt her throat tighten in panic - where had her brother gone?
Charles woke to utter darkness. Taking a brief dazed moment to observe his surroundings. He didn't recognise where he was…the last thing he rememberd was - Cain...he leapt to his feet panic stricken - he had to stop him - he was after Raven - his beautiful sister - Cain was -
He ran straight into a solid wall. Or at least that's what it felt like…as his breath was knocked from him...
NonononomustwarnRavennonono He's after Raven again - must stop -
Charles - Breathe - Charles - Calm down…
Cool metal sliding round his mind providing a steadying anchor. Breathe - Charles -
Raven - no - tell Erik - I'm sorry… flames fire heat…Cain's laughing cruel smirk… "Oh, just what fun I am going to have with her Charlie…"
Hot - heat - too warm - choking - send - hot - too hot -
He struggled against the steel grasp, thought he heard her - his Raven - calling out - "Erik? What are you?" Before her presence drew away. No Raven come back …no wait - yes - go away…run…
Raven simply watched dumbfound as Erik caught the panic stricken telepath tightly, wincing at the strength of the projections he was receiving. Something dark, determined flickered across his face, before it vanished. A look that sent shivers down her spine. "Erik what are you?" She asked, but he simply looked at her, seeming unable to speak, and she observed the tears streaming down his face.
Wet…its wet…Wet. Cold. Where…
Shower….be still…
A calm steel voice commanded. His fuzzy mind supplied a vague image of metal sheets dancing in the rain.
You'll get rusty…
A brilliant warm humoured laugh in response. Really?
Mmmm…rusty…metal rusts…warm…you're warm…
Shh…calm yourself…
Metal.
Warm.
Chest - body. His head resting against a warm shoulder. Warm. Metal. Erik.
ErikErikErikErikErikErikErik…
Yes I'm here…
….
Panic stricken, he pulls backwards, eyes shattering open. Something stilling in him he couldn't look away from those metallic green eyes...He was so damned beautiful. Where had that thought come from?
Erik laughs quietly. Wait - they were still both fully clothed. In the shower - fully clothed? What was going on the last thing he remembered was..."So I'll go rusty huh?" Erik crouched contemplatively beside him. Laughing now, precious to see in his handsome features - to long marred with pain.
Erik's breath caught, and Charles wondered for a moment if he was ok…he seemed slightly - hysterical?
"What-" Swallowing against the strange dryness in his throat. "-happened?"
Erik however was staring at him as thought stricken. "You're worrying about me?"
Yes. Why wouldn't he worry about Erik? He always worried about Erik...Erik was…he was…in his head…Damn…he had been projecting…He flushed, but his lips were claimed gently.
"Don't apologise Charles…" Gentle hands tearing away his sodden clothes...
Later Charles wakens against the soft covers of a sprawling bed. Wonder in his eyes as he looks around. Blushing as he spots Erik, watching him with a predatory warmth that sends delightful shivers running through him. He swallows, and Erik is on his feet, capturing his face in warm hands, lips pressing against his own. Before pulling away, and drawing the food laden tray forwards. Charles obliges with the minimum he can stomach. A vague unease pulling at his memories...
He chokes when it hits him what happened. The colour drains from his face. Cain. Cain Marko.
Then Erik is beside him, providing needed strength - he can't break away from. "Shh Charles - its alright…Raven is here…"
"No - Erik - please take her away - you don't understand…" Charles struggles wildly. "He wants to-"
I know I saw - I saw everything Charles.
The younger man stills. Stricken. "Yes. Everything." He repeats, regarding Charles carefully.
"Listen to me very carefully meine leibe...Cain Marko is going to die. An excruciatingly painful death. Raven will be fine. You sent Moira away - and wiped her memories. Why?"
Charles swallows caught off balance, his mind goes blank for a long moment. He wasn't certain how he felt about Erik's declaration. He couldn't analyse it. Not now. That left the question.
"Moira…?"
Erik nods. "Yes, Moira…whom you chose in Cuba..." His voice is a curl of sharp jealousy. Understanding dawns on Charles. He can't believe it. This was all...he scowls. Whacking the elder mutant on the arm. "Ow - Let me go - ow - Moira be damned!" He yells. Shoving the startled metal kinetic backwards, sprawling on top of him. "I never wanted Moira you - you - idiot! I just didn't want you to kill her - and then you go and - and-" Charles broke off, hitting muscled chest. It hurts him more than Erik but he doesn't care. "No - you left - you just - you don't get to play avenging angel - when - "
His wrists are suddenly ensnared, and he is pulled down into a fierce embrace. Shut up Charles. Considering our intimacy earlier - I get to be that yes…considering you love me - yes I know - and you think I don't love you? What the hell do you think I meant when I said I wanted you by my side? As a partner in all things!" His lips gentled, moving to brush the telepath's cheeks, and kissing his tears away.
Ok...so this is the end of part 1... let me know what you think...
It will be a few days before I can update...
