Charles Xavier was an idiot.
Of course Erick would have taken that comment as a threat. The lug was shiftier than any cheating grad student he had ever met. As soon as the words poured from his lips, Erik was out the door. So he drank. He drank himself so silly that he was still being blinded by the soft lights of the mansion. His temples hurt and he was all around irritable.
With everything.
"Hey professor, you're not looking too hot."
"Really? Thank you for the observation, but why not leave finite conclusions to people with a degree."
Hank recoiled. "Uh, professor, I don't think-"
"No, I suppose you don't. That's my job. " Hank stepped back.
Charles immediately regretted lashing out. He opened his mouth in an attempt at contrition, but Hank had turned and was descending on the stairs. Perhaps he would make it up to him by divulging some of his theories and resources to the lad latter. It was too much effort to chase him down and apologize. Way too much with this pounding headache.
He leaned against a window in the hall and watched the grounds below. Too much goddamn pressure was building up behind his eyes. The training was nowhere near done the children were starting to feel the heaviness of impending battle possible world war death he had to contain these fears from everybody and Erik was mad at him.
His friend was upset.
Why the hell was he? That fool was far too sensitive.
It didn't help. He still felt the stab of guilt. The yard came into focus, and speak of the devil, there was Erik, jogging in the morning mist. Charles gulped down an anxious knot that was purely associated with his friend. Perhaps it was the guilt he was feeling. More probable was that it was fear. Even more probable was that it was jealousy.
Of course, those were all lies weren't they?
He smiled bitterly. He was the best liar he had ever known.
Charles Xavier was sentimental.
He insisted that they all have dinner together every night. He smiled fondly at the table as they chatted, and felt warmth spread over his mind.
"Now raven, I've been conducting more tests on your cells, and the results have been remarkable…"
"Damnit bigfoot, why don't you ever talk about anything else?"
"I can't believe you pushed me right off that satellite. It was killer."
"Hank, I agree with Alex, let's talk about something else?"
"I suppose your right; it's a bit heavy for the dinner table I suppose."
"Thankgod."
"Shut up Alex."
"I mean damn, I almost pissed myself. Glad you did it though, fucking awesome flying. Totally cool."
"Glad I could be of service." Erik smiled at Sean.
Charles watched him out of the corner of his eye.
"So, about that pickup line you used on me when we met, that doesn't really work for you, does it?" Moria cut apart her steak.
"You'd be surprised." Raven turned toward them as Alex and Hank argued. "I've seen it in action a dozen times, the girls love it." She averted her eyes from Charles' gaze.
He chuckled halfheartedly. "She's right. I'm not particularly proud of the line, but it has a high success rate. I duck it down to woman loving not only my intelligence, but feeling unique."
"Hmm, I can see that." Moria smiled in a way that Charles couldn't help but love.
"Professor X, a ladies man? That's surprising." Alex leaned back into his chair.
"Nah man, I can see it, it's the accent, chicks dig it."
"Ah I forgot that point. American women especially seem to love my being foreign."
Raven scooted closer to Hank at some point. He flushed madly.
"I guess if I had met you under different circumstances it could've worked."
Sean cackled. Alex's mouth slightly dropped.
"Well thank you Moria. Glad to see someone here can recognize my charms." He looked across the table at Erik.
He was pointedly ignoring him. He's such a drama queen. Even if Charles does deserve it.
"How could I not?" the suggestion in her tone is flattering. And it sends shivers up Charles spine.
"Ah come on, gross. Flirt somewhere else." Raven turns round completely and hypocritically starts flirting with Hank.
"Work it Professor X." Sean looks approving. It doesn't matter though.
Because Erik still won't look at him.
Charles Xavier was restless.
He plowed through the liquor cabinet, noticing that half the bottles had been tampered with. Those damn kids. All they had to do was ask.
He quickly went about the task of preparing a gin and tonic. The number of glasses he drank sank into obscurity. It was inappropriate to get drunk so close to the others. Then again, the peace was so tempting.
For some reason he found himself in the hallway. His feet were dancing an odd jig, zigzagging across the carpet. His vision was a tunnel of focus, leading him down the corridor.
To Erik's room.
Ah, he knew getting drunk was a bad idea.
But he knocked anyway. Why not? It was his chance to apologize. Even if he shouldn't have to and Erik just took things too seriously.
"Charles, what are you doing here?"
"Well, it is my house." There's a silly grin on his face. It makes Erik mad.
"Yes it is. But for the moment these are my private quarters, so if you'll excuse me-"
"I don't think I will." He brushed past Erik and stumbled into his room. He always did like this room. The dark wood and bay windows are breathtaking. "I have something to say, and I think you'll be interested in it."
Erik crossed his arms. Waiting.
It was as close to an invitation as Charles was going to get. "I'm sorry."
Erik looked taken aback.
"I'm sorry for that thoughtless comment last night. I would never read your mind without consent my friend." Charles sat in an arm chair, gravity and alcohol getting the better of him.
"Ah, hell Charles. You're drunk again."
"Very much so."
"I guess it's to be expected."
"It's my worst fault, but one of my most endearing."
"Keep telling yourself that." Erik sat on the edge of his bed, hands intertwined.
"At least drunk I can't read anything."
"What are you talking about?"
"Inebriation dulls my perception. Could only get some fragments out of someone if I'm drunk."
Erik silently processes that, files it away for future exploitation if need be. Old habits and what not.
"I think you should go back to your own room."
"I don't think I can even stand up."
"Try."
"Please do not be coarse with me."
"I'm afraid it's the only way I can be with people."
"Fine, but I'm not moving. You haven't forgiven me yet."
Erik rubs his chin. "It's fine Charles."
Victory. A small one, but victory all the same.
"I guess that's close enough."
"Will you let me get to bed now?"
"By all means, go ahead."
"I was implying you leave."
" 'fraid I can't. Too nauseous."
Erik sighs. He can't win. He slips his turtleneck off and slides on some cotton flannel. Charles watches him, but looks away whenever Erik notices.
"So, you intend on bothering me all night?"
Charles likes the way that sounds. Even if he's construing Erik's true meaning entirely wrong.
"Yes I believe I will. Don't mind me, continue." Erik catches the salacious tint in Charles' manner. It is….unexpected.
"I'm hoping the children loosen themselves up a tad before the big day."
"I think getting serious is best. This is no game."
Charles frowns.
"Don't make that face. They need to be fully prepared to deal with what might come."
"I agree. The entire world will be looking at us after this. It's quite daunting and frankly, I'm worried." He slouches forward. "I just want them to enjoy what little time they have left of this."
"Those required family dinners are a nice touch."
"Yes well, those are actually for my own benefit. I am quite selfish."
"Selfish? Doesn't seem to fit your character."
"I've always wanted to experience what it was like to eat surrounded by conversation and the ones you love." He smiles. "It's very pleasant."
"Until you lose it."
"I'd rather lose it and fondly remember then never know."
"I'd rather not feel pain."
Conversations usually turn serious with Erik. It's predictable and annoying. Something about him can automatically bend the tone of a situation. Perhaps his magnetism?
Charles giggles. Then outright laughs.
The pun is so bad that it's genius to his inebriated mind.
"Why is that funny?" the question is demanding and harsh. It shuts Charles up.
"Oh, no. I didn't mean to laugh at that. I was just thinking about something that was silly."
"Why are you insisting on staying here?"
"I don't want to be a bother-don't say it Erik. I want to spend as much time as I can together."
Erik narrows his eyes.
"You've become a great friend and even though I will still try to convince you otherwise, I know you will go after Shaw. You'll go after him ferociously. And I won't be able to stop you."
Silence.
"That being known between us, I have a nagging fear that our friendship will suffer and change-I don't want it too but, these things happen." Charles rakes back his hair over and over again. It's full of nervousness. Weakness.
"I-I just want to slow the inevitable and drag out our time."
"You're not a cognitive. How would you know that anything you're fearing will occur?"
Charles laughs bitterly. "Experience. Intuition. An oxford education. Call it what you will."
"Paranoia."
"Dear god I hope so."
this is taking me a long time lol, working on a coauthor as well called Faster then the speed of chemo. try it out, and please review