Disclaimer: I clearly don't own the characters, because if I did, they would have gotten well past the handshake stage in the movie, if you catch my drift... Nor do I make any money with this, but I just can't resist doing it anyway.
Second disclaimer: As a matter of fact, I don't even own this story; not entirely. Sad, I know. It is an alternate version of (or at least heavily inspired by)
"I Would Wish This Scar" by Cathalin,
who kindly gave me permission to use parts of the original. Chapters 2 through 4 posted here will likely be mostly from there, so feel free to just hop over to LJ and compare. In fact, I recommend you just stop by there anyway, because the work is breathtaking... You can find it at http:/ / cathalin. livejournal. com/ 171370. html; just remove the spaces - sorry for the dodgy format; I didn't manage to include it any other way.
Prologue
The first time Charles Xavier realizes that Erik Lehnsherr is a fascinating man is the first time they meet. Anyone who would rather drown in the icy depths of the Atlantic than let his quarry escape must have a story to tell. But later, as they shrug out of their waterlogged clothes and change into spare Navy uniforms, and he catches a glimpse of Erik's bare arms and the marks that cover them, Charles wonders whether he is ready to hear it.
o~o~o
The first time Erik Lehnsherr realizes that Charles Xavier is in idealistic fool is the first time they meet. There is simply no other explanation when a man doesn't even think twice about diving into the freezing ocean to save a complete stranger.
o~o~o
The first time Charles realizes he's attracted to Erik is on October 22nd, 1962. History will remember that day for the speech Kennedy delivered, and for the barely averted nuclear crisis in the Caribbean. What will stand out in Charles' memory, on the other hand, is what is happening just before that speech, at a small fountain overlooking the gardens of a mansion in Westchester, NY.
It is the day he finds goodness in Erik, and it mesmerises him. But Erik will hear none of it, and Charles is left to ponder...
o~o~o
There is no single time at which Erik realizes he's annoyed by Charles – the feeling just grows continually. Not that he has anything against him personally, but the man's unfailing optimism just sets his teeth on edge every time.
Except on that chilly October morning, when Charles challenges him to move a massive satellite dish at least a mile away. A preposterous idea, needless to say; impossible despite all the raw power he found at Shaw's hands. But then Charles does something to him, meddles in his head, and suddenly the dish turns, and Erik is left to wonder...
