Chapter Three

Steve had the waiter put together a few tables so we could all sit together. I sat in front of Charles, both of us pinned to the wall, while Steve took my other side. Tony, of course sat in front of Steve which put him at Charles side, which angered me a bit. Tony can be a bit touchy. Thor took his seat next to Steve and Bruce sat next to Tony. We all managed to fit. The waiter smiled as he passed out the menus and then retreated to get us utensils and water. At this point, I wasn't hungry.

Normally we were all more than happy to chow down on a juicy burger or some other fattening dish, seeing how Steve never aloud it. But today I felt like a salad. Not only was I not to hungry, but let's face it, even I know I should have stayed in bed. If I eat something greasy, I just might throw it up. And look who's in front of me. Don't want to throw up on him on his first day. Holy cow, it's still only his first day! Well, I'm just glad he's fitting in with my group. Not many people can. We are a very odd group. But all the same I kept my menu on the table as everyone else looked at theirs.

Tony slammed his menu down with a frown and leaned back in his seat. "They don't have what I want." He stated loudly and bluntly.

Without looking up, Steve laughed. "Of course not, this isn't a pizzeria." He closed his menu calmly and placed it back on the table.

Shooting a glare, Tony leaned forward in his seat and rested his elbow onto the table, folding his hands under his chin. "Of course not! There is no dough, no sauce, no mozzarella cheese, and no pepperoni. Why, I would say this is anything but a pizzeria. Do you not know the difference Rogers?" He smiled slyly.

Steve took on the same position as he glared at the man sitting across from him. "Are you trying to mock me Stark?"

Tony pretended to be hurt by the question, pulling back dramatically and placing one hand on his chest. "Me?! Make a mockery of the great Steve Rogers?!" He slammed his fist down onto the table. "Never!"

"Okay guys." Thor interrupted. "Knock it off before this turns more retarded then it is." He tossed his menu at Tony who took it and began piling them.

In truth, Tony and Steve argued more than any two friends. I already knew about Tony's crush on Steve. Actually it was a crush back in high school; the man is in love now. Steve however just took their arguments as a 'that's the way we get along' status. He is clueless about Tony's affection. But every now and again their arguments get old, and at the dinner table, Thor just won't allow it. He likes dinner tables filled with talk and laughter, not arguments. I looked in front of me where Charles sat. He watched the sense with fascination and giggled every now and again when someone, I suspect Tony, said something humorous.

I came to the conclusion that I liked his looks. His chestnut brown hair, the most beautiful blue eyes I've ever seen, those unbelievable rosy red lips, and that soft skin. Charles is a very good looking person. And when he smiled, I could feel those butterflies in my stomach. There's something about him, and I'm determined to find out what it is.

The waiter came and took our orders, and then everyone went off into their own conversations. Thor and Steve chatted about sports. Bruce and Tony spoke of science. I looked at Charles as he played with the salt. "You're going to like the food here." I told him.

He looked up at me and smiled. "You've eaten here before then?" He asked, setting the salt to the side.

I grinned at him as I leaned forward into the seat. "No. But it smells good." We shared a laugh, his laugh being the most beautiful laugh I've ever heard.

Before he could reply, Tony threw his arm over Charles shoulders and smiled. "Tell me Charles, would you be willing to help me with an experiment?" He asked as low as he could, but I heard him anyways.

"No!" I yelled, catching the other members of the table's attention. The groggy feeling I had seemed to intensify as I recalled what had happened to me as I helped Tony with his experiment.

Charles smiled slightly at Tony as everyone stared at the two. "I'm sorry Tony. But after seeing today's events, I'll have to decline." Damn could Charles turn someone down in the nicest way possible or what?

Steve kicked at Tony under the table. "Have you not hurt enough people?" He asked in half a whisper.

Tony turned to look at Steve, retrieving his arm from Charles shoulders. "Technically I've only accidentally hurt one person."

"And one wasn't enough?" Steve questioned, leaning back in his seat and resting his arm on the back of my chair.

"Not nearly. And might I add once more that it was an accident." Tony scratched the back of his head and looked down to the table.

Steve leaned forward in his chair once more. "Technically you've hurt two people. Erik being one, and Clint being the other."

Tony thought for a moment and then nodded. "Oh yeah. How's he recovering?"

Bruce nudged Tony. "We don't know. Natasha doesn't return our calls."

Thor giggled. "Guess we'll just have to wait until he's back in school."

The waiter came over and took our orders, collecting the menus as he left to put our orders in. We all stood quite for a while before Steve continued to press on the matter. "What are you making anyways Stark?" He asked, resting further back into his seat.

There was a gleam in Tony's eyes as he looked up from the straw he was currently playing with. He brought his hand up and moved them around as he explained his dream experiment. "I, Tony Stark, shall revolutionize modern war technology." He stood up and motioned his hands from head to toe. "I shall make a complete suit of armor that will take on all roles of the military. Air force, marines, army, everything!" He took his seat with a smile.

I shook my head at the man. "That's why I got hurt? Cause of your impossible experiment?!"

Shaking his head, Tony folded his hands on the table. "You will find that it is quite possible. I just have to perfect it is all."

"You're insane." Thor said, leaning forward in his seat.

Nodding, Tony smiled even brighter. "That's what makes me a good scientist."

Bruce shook his head and smiled faintly. "It's not fair to call yourself a scientist when you're just a genius Tony."

"You are quite right my friend!" Stark laughed.

The food arrived and I was glad to be paying attention to something else. Rogers made it clear that he was happy with my choice of food and was sure to tell Charles of my 'bad eating habits'. Charles himself was only eating a bowl of soup and crackers. Rogers had a salad and baked potato. Everyone else settled on the greasy food. One bite of my salad and I felt sick to my stomach. The smell of burgers and fries simply added to my nausea. I found myself running to the restroom.

0o0o0o

I woke the next morning to my alarm clock ringing louder than ever. Aiming for it blindly, I managed to shut it off before anyone else woke up. Crawling out of bed was hard. There seemed to be no energy in my body at the current moment. No matter, I had to get up and drag myself down to the showers. After all that was done, I returned to the room to find the new roommate already up and dressed. He must have been up before me, though I hadn't taken the time to look before. "Good morning." I said to him as I sat on my bed and leaned against the wall.

Smiling his bright smile, Charles sat on his own bed and grabbed his shoes. "Good morning, Erik. How are you feeling?" His voice was filled with much concern.

I realized I must have passed out at some point last night from my weakness because I do not remember returning to the dorms. Or finishing my salad. Today seemed like a good day though. After that shower, my body feels as though yesterday never happened. If it's just an affect that a hot shower will rid of then I have to speak to Tony soon. He needs someone to be his test subject as his genius yet crazy mind tries to invent the impossible. And Tony shared this class with Charles. This meant if I was to volunteer myself as his test subject, I'd be able to see Charles more often. Talk to him every day and get to know him more. Then together every day we could walk back to the dorm. Or go to the library. Yeah, he seems like the obvious book type.

I smiled at Charles brightly. "I'm feeling perfect."

Nodding his head, Charles began to gather his belongings. "You gave us all a scare yesterday." He stood straight and I rushed to get my own belongings as he continued to speak. "Steve almost threw Tony from wall to wall."

"If you don't mind me asking, what happened last night?" I really didn't remember, but this was a good moment to spend some time together. "Explain while we walk to breakfast." I shared a grin with him and together we exited the dorm room. I locked the door behind me and we walked toward the elevator.

"Well," Charles began as we waited for our ride, "you rushed off to the bathroom, spent some time in there throwing up, and when Bruce forced the door open, you had fainted." The elevator arrived and together we stepped in. "Steve was really worried and angry."

I was glad we were the only two in the elevator as Charles began to explain the whole Steve almost killing Stark incident. The doors opened on the lobby floor and we exited out into the chilled air. "Lot colder than yesterday." I said more to myself.

Charles nodded and looked me up and down. "Erik, you forgot your coat and scarf." He giggled a bit and began taking off his own scarf. "I get that there's no snow yet. But the temperature can still drop."

He handed me the scarf and I took it with a laugh. "Thanks." I said, just happy to put on the scarf that smelled wonderfully of coffee and peppermint. I shall call it the Charles smell. The walk over to the cafe' was filled with debates on who would win, Steve or Tony. We both decided when it comes down to strength, probably Steve would win. But when it comes to smarts, Tony takes the cake. The guys a case, but he's a genius. I opened the door for Charles and upon entering, the warmth hit us and we sighed at the same time.

"I'll grab us a table." Charles said, heading out to the many tables.

Thankfully there weren't too many people here this morning. I grabbed a quick coffee and stack of pancakes before returning to the table. Charles went to get his breakfast just as Tony ran into the room. He spotted me quickly and sat at the table much to my dislike, but then again, this was the perfect time to speak to him about his test. "Lensherr!" He boasted loudly.
Normally I would mutter under my breath after an experience like last yesterday with Tony, but he was just the person I wanted to see. "Morning Stark."
Tony stopped in his tracks and glared at me. "Alright, who are you?" He asked, reaching for his belt as if he had a gun. He doesn't have a gun, but I wouldn't put it past him to have invented something small but deadly.
Rolling my eyes, I cursed at him a few times until he believed it was me. By this time Charles had joined us at the table and Tony had no choice but to believe it was me. In a really good mood as he puts it. Cause according to him, I never address him so kindly. That's the last time I ever tell him good morning. "Anyways," I said once he had settled down, "I wanted to speak to you about your project."
Nodding, Tony leaned in and folded his hands under his chin. "Now I know Steve has refused for you to continue helping me, but I want to hear it from you."
"I'll do it." Was all I answered before taking a sip of coffee.
Tony frowned and leaned back in his chair. "I understand." He paused, backtracked, and then leaned forward in his chair once more. "Come again?"
With a small laugh, I set my cup down and smiled. "I'll do it."
At this, Tony jumped up and began his celebration. Charles leaned over to be heard, concern on his face. "Are you sure you want to do that?" He looked at Tony and couldn't help but giggle as the man danced around his chair.
With a wave of my hand to brush off the matter, I downed the rest of my cup. "Sure, it's no biggie. I'm used to Tony sending me to the hospital."

Charles laid his hand on mine and smiled. "So long as you're sure. I'd hate another repeat of my first day here."

My smile was all too wide at the fact that his hand rested on my own. When he withdrew I could still feel the warmth of his palms. And it all felt so wrong. I liked it a lot, but there was that nagging again that I just couldn't brush off.

Over the next two weeks, Tony had managed to only hurt me four more times. Steve continued to yell that it was unhealthy and unsafe, urging me to stop. I kept going back though. Not only cause Charles was there, but because I started to see what Tony was making and I became a bit fascinated with it. I couldn't believe it when the thought popped in my head, but I actually put some faith in him. I think he can actually make this thing he speaks of. I even began helping him with some of the engineer work. And as I spent more time with Charles, that unnerving feeling I had left.