Thomas Mayer is an original character created by myself, an individual on the infamous list of Erik. Any resemblance with a real person is not voluntary. My apologies if it is the case.
"Telepathy"
Disclaimer : Harry Potter and X-Men First Class belong to their respective owners.
Here's the new version of this chapter, much more detailed than the pevious one! Enjoy!
ON THE LINE …
Chapter 3 :
Hadrian and Erik spent the entire night talking about their lives. Hadrian even explained the wizarding world without concerning himself with the Statute of the Secrecy. He wouldn't be bothered, the ministry in their immense ego driven stupidity, didn't follow squibs.
Thanks to his explanations about magic, Hadrian could make and take his potions, rendering Erik obviously green with envy by their efficiency! However, even if Hadrian didn't need to stay with Erik any longer, they decided to meet regularly.
At first, things were definitely awkward between them. Strangely kidnapping and murder did not make good foundations for any kind of a relationship. Especially since both of them were not exactly social butterflies.
That's why, their first meeting after Hadrian's rescue was spent in silence; neither knew how to begin a normal conversation. Particularly, since Hadrian was aware of Erik's past, he couldn't really question him about his abilities, for fear of alienating him. In the end, surprisingly, Erik was the one to make the first step.
"How did you discover your abilities?" He asked in a rush, while trying, almost successfully, to keep his nonchalant attitude.
"Oh, I had some of them since my birth, but most of them developed or appeared with puberty." Hadrian answered surprised.
"So... You didn't discovered your talent due to a traumatic event then?" Erik murmured.
"No. Did you?" Hadrian questioned, even if he already knew the answer.
"Yes," was the abrupt end to their first conversation.
Every other day they would meet to talk about everything and nothing. They had the opportunity to discover the depth of their mutation, as it became known as. Indeed, Hadrian, thanks to his work, came in contact with a thesis written by a certain Professor Charles Xavier, the first to ever write about this phenomenon.
They even made a deal. Of course, that conversation did not go easily with individuals such as them...
Erik had just asked if Hadrian would be amenable to help him about telepathy, which prompted Hadrian to make a deal.
"I propose you a deal Erik. I will teach you how to feel when telepathy is used on you and how to organize your mind, in exchange you will let me copy your knowledge of foreign languages."
"My knowledge? What makes you think I'll let you pick something from my brain without a word?" Erik replied incensed.
"What makes you think I need your permission?" was the quick somewhat annoyed come back.
Well, Erik certainly had no answer to that. Once again, he was not in control of the situation. For the first time he realized that Hadrian, despite his previous need of a rescue, was perfectly able to take him down if he wished it.
"Why do you not take whatever you want forcefully? I would probably not feel it, so why bother with this deal?" He demanded disdainfully.
"Because I'd like for us to get to know each other better. You are the only one I know with this difference, and I'd like to create links with someone who can understand my situation." Hadrian softly answered.
Nevertheless, even if Erik was less opposed to the idea than before, he was still not comfortable having someone in his head. "You'll have to be in my mind several times to teach me, no?"
"Indeed." After a pause, he continued, "Maybe you have not realized it yet, but I've already been in you mind." Seeing his companion's closed up face, he hurried, "When I awoke after your rescue, I didn't know who you were or what your intentions toward me were, I had to know. If I had taken these measures, Thomas Mayer would have never been able to kidnap me. Anyway, I'm babbling, but the gist of it is that I've already been in your mind, far enough that I know about all the major events of your life. My point is that, as I won't look deeper, I will not discover anything new."
Taking a deep breath, he added with a defeated air, "It didn't help at all, did it?"
"Actually, it did." Erik answered.
"Really?" was the suspicious response.
"Yes. Now, I know you babble when you're nervous." Erik replied with a smirk on his face which grew seeing his companion's reddening face. Just like that they made their deal.
It was the occasion for both of them to create their little family, even if one of them would never admit it for himself, let alone aloud. Indeed, Erik could spend time with someone without illusions or judgment about him, and Hadrian could talk about their mutations or expose any improvements made in his thesis to someone really interested in his work because it was his own, not because of its interest in the public domain.
Hadrian had wanted to aid Erik in his crusade to destroy his tormentors but the metal bender refused, stating it was his history and he didn't want to inject Hadrian in any of his illegal private affairs.
Their relationship evolved on this vein for a time, they became friends, best friends, but still more, as would be acknowledged later on, although a bit late.
It was on the last day of Hadrian's second year of Potion mastery, and his project had been approved for the final phase of testing towards the mastery. He was giddy with joy, he couldn't wait to announce it to Erik!
Gone to the hidden base, he found him punching a bag of sand with a very good dose of rage but mostly frustration. Spying on his surface thoughts revealed he was angry at himself for getting attached to him.
"Oh..." Hadrian felt rather sad suddenly, the joy from before forgotten... consequently not further exploring his friend's thoughts.
Erik then realized he was not alone in the room anymore, and seeing Hadrian's face, he must have heard his thoughts. "I'm sorry Hadrian... I don't want to... but... I can't help but feel hindered to know someone can be used against me. I... I... couldn't bear...the thought that you would be hurt... because of me..." He added self-consciously.
They stayed like that, standing awkwardly face to face for some time.
"You want to leave, don't you?..." The look at Erik's face was enough to confirm his suspicions. Erik knew then he had passed the stage of getting attached a long time ago, he couldn't bear to see the look of sadness etched on Hadrian's face, especially knowing he was the cause of it. However, he also knew he didn't regret these feelings, a premiere.
"Could we..have just a last day together?" asked Hadrian hesitantly.
A moment of silence "Of course little brother" was the response in German.
The smile that adorned Hadrian's face was worth the courage Erik needed to actually pronounce this sentence aloud.
"Thanks... big brother!"
They did spend a wonderful day together, just enjoying themselves, even if Hadrian was the only one to appreciate the significance of their last day together. Indeed, upon reflexion, he had decided it would be safer for Erik to forget their encounter and closeness, not completely, of course not, he didn't want to lose his big brother totally, as he had come to consider the older man, but to seal it off until they could meet again, only leaving some snippets about his name, his general appearance, or an idea of the feelings involved. Now the remaining question was to know whether he wanted Erik to know about his project or not... speaking of which, he might have had still a choice if he had paid attention to the expressions on his face. He must have appeared quite anxious for Erik had apparently stopped talking a while ago and was searching his face for clues...
"Is there something more than my departure?"
"Well, maybe..." Hadrian answered hesitantly.
"Are you saying or asking?" Erik replied with a grin, making Hadrian laugh.
Then, upon reflexion, he realized someone like Erik wouldn't accept being manipulated, so he explained his intentions, and asked for Erik's input to know what measures to take telepathically wise.
"I'll tell you at the end of the day, all right? I suppose you'll do something to my mind anyway, won't you?"
Hadrian sheepishly replied : "Hm... Yes...? You know me too well! At least to stop any other telepath from picking up information." he added thoughtfully.
Which is why, a short hour after sundown they were facing each other, waiting for the inevitable moment. However, they couldn't keep postponing it, so Erik began, by projecting his thoughts as it seemed a more appropriate way of communication for this difficult and emotional conversation.
"Well... upon reflection, I think the best would be for me to remember you only at your sight and otherwise completely forget our interactions until we meet again – seeing Hadrian's expression, he hurried to explain – I know it may seem harsh but with this solution no one would be able to exploit our relationship as long as we are not in contact anymore."
After some musing on Hadrian's part, he gave his agreement although obviously struggling with the very idea of making the one he considers his big brother forget.
"Very well. I'm not... happy about it, but I can see your arguments, and I understand your reasoning."
Trying to calm himself, he pursued :
"However, I insist that you keep the skills I taught you, in case you come in contact with another telepath before our reunion. We will see each other again... right?"
"Of course Hadrian! I do not want to totally forget you, you know. But it will be safer this way... By the way I agree to keep my little ability to spot a telepathic intrusion, one can never have to many aces up his sleeve."
Knowing he wouldn't be able to make it if he delayed any longer, Hadrian took a deep breath to steel himself, and after a last hug, set to work in order to hide the real memories of their special encounter while replacing them by fabricated ones on the forefront of Erik's mind.
So it was during the night of a banal day of June in Paris that Hadrian erased all conscious remembrance of their relationship. It had been the most excruciating exercise of self-control he had ever made, to lock up his emotions enough as to not be disturbed by them. He was certain a breakdown was in order as soon as he was alone.
He left in the early morning, Erik sleeping on the couch, as he didn't have an explanation for his presence anymore, and didn't that hurt more than anything.
"Good luck Brother..."