This is a side story to LoverBoyWonder's X-men: First Class AU story "The Stars Burn Bright for Us." which you can find here fanfiction .net/s/7110664/1/The_Stars_Burn_Bright_For_Us
You should really read that before checking this one out, otherwise you won't know what in the world is going on.
This story takes place during the first paragraph in Chapter 10 where the boys land on a planet to refuel and gather supplies for a few hours. Enjoy!
Our Stars
"Request to dock at Gate Six granted." Sean confirmed, listening to Control Tower through his headphones. He pulled the set off and hung it around his neck. "Looks like we've been given clearance to do whatever we want to here. I've never seen docking access given so fast before," Sean commented, his voice laced with awe as he looked back at the empty captain's chair. "Who is this Xavier guy?"
"He's our captain," Erik replied stoically. "What else do you need to know?"
Sean narrowed his gaze at his co-pilot's defense of their singular commander. The captain's odd affection for the stowaway hadn't gone unnoticed by the rest of the ship's crew. The diplomat was so enthralled with Erik, spending whatever free time he had with him, it was almost as though Erik had enchanted their poor captain. Sean really couldn't blame Charles; he could see the appeal of the mysterious older man, with his classically handsome features and not to mention his wit; charming and sharp as barbed wire.
Yes, Sean could see the appeal, he just couldn't understand it. The few times he and Erik had spoken outside the cockpit Sean had felt intimidated by Erik and he wasn't happy about it. Why would the captain befriend someone who didn't play well with others and clearly had an agenda he wasn't willing to share with the rest of the crew?
Sean was well aware that he hadn't come to grips with his own unease with Erik. Erik's excellent piloting skills didn't excuse the fact that Erik had cheated his way onto the ship; whereas Sean had fought and trained and worked hard for years to get gain his position as a starship pilot. In Sean's eyes being able to broad a military starship without drawing attention to himself, while impressive, wasn't enough to give Erik the right to pilot this ship.
Sean had suffered for his love of flying; constantly protecting himself from the teasing of the other cadets about his alien nature, while at the same time, trying to pass demanding exams and gain the notice of flyer recruiters had made Sean strong, he had earned his place as a first rate starship flyer.
What could Erik possible know about the torture Sean had endured at the starship academy or the drive it took him to ignore the prejudice instead of giving in to his baser alien instincts and cause as much pain in them as they caused in him?
Still Sean was the licensed first rate pilot, the one the crew accepted and got along with and that gave him a few allowances. "Deploy the landing gear," Sean ordered Erik, disinclined to reply to his co-pilot's remark.
"Deploying landing gear," Erik repeated with a smirk. He reached up and flipped several switches stationed above his head.
Sean acknowledged the man's confirmation with a nod of his red head and reached forward and grabbed the radio. Sean tuned the device to broadcast through entire ship. "May I have your attention; this is your pilot speaking. We are preparing our descent to the planet. I repeat; we are preparing for landing. Please locate the nearest security seat and immediately strap yourself in." Sean paused and took a breath. "If you are unable to locate a seat, you're probably Hank McCoy lost in the plumbing system; in which case you may turn blue from the cleaning chemicals, but otherwise you'll be fine, buddy."
Sean heard Erik bark out in laughter at the rib against Hank and was more than a little surprised to find himself grinning at the man's response. Perhaps the stowaway was growing on him. He shook his head absently and turned off the radio.
"Alright, let's earn my pay and dock this bird." Sean said, placing both hands on the wheel.
"Sounds like a plan." Erik replied, the smile never leaving his face as he concentrated on his task.
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