Author's Note: Thanks so much to everyone who read and reviewed the previous chapter, including my anoymous reviewers :) It's been a while but here's the next, especially long chapter :) I was smiling and grinning as I read all your reviews over and over again. I have found time to reply them as well :) And for those who have accounts it would help if you leave a signed review so I could reply you as well :) I appreciate all comments, anoymous or not.
Anyway this chapter is like 7k words but I totally do not regret it. Ahhh I really should stop writing so long chapters. And Erik - I can almost swear he's making me a pervert like he is towards Charles...should I up the rating to M, by the way?
Ahem. Anyway I should be posting the X-Men 1st Class version of Charlene and Emmett on my profile, as soon as I manage to get them. Which means they'll look older but still pretty. But for those who prefer the Emmett and Charlene on my profile, you can just picture those :)
Oh and on another note, I do apologize if Logan is out of character - the only thing I know about him is from that scene and what I've read from AU fanfics of First Class involving him. And on a completely random note, I think the song So in Love with Two by Mikaila fits the ErikxCharlesxEmmett love triangle perfectly...doesn't it? Would make an AMV if I could.
Disclaimer: I don't X-Men First Class or its characters.
Being able to be connected to every mind of every mutant in the world was an amazing feeling, like nothing Charles had ever experienced before. He couldn't stop smiling as he slowly accessed minds he had never gotten the opportunity to be aware of before, finding details about the young mutants; their location, occupation, personalities.
Knowledge was indeed power.
"Charles, that's enough."
"Just allow me a few more minutes, Erik." Charles says as Erik frowns at him.
"No." Erik replies and proceeds to uses his mutation to mentally turn off Cerebro, making sure not to hurry the process to avoid the risk of hurting Charles. He stares impatiently at Charles. "We need time to find those mutants, Charles."
Charles stares back at him, then sighs. He shakes his head slightly as Erik removes the contraption off his head, his brown hair slightly messy, then gets up from the chair. "That's a valid point."
"Besides the fact that that machine is draining you of your energy?" Erik asks distastefully as he takes in the tired features of Charles's face.
Charles's smile turns amused. "Didn't you say I was an adorable lab rat the first time I tried using it, Erik?"
"You're going to be a drained lab rat if you continue using it like this." Erik says bluntly.
"I'm fine, Erik." Charles says. He smiles at Erik then brushes past him.
"Let's go search for those mutants, shall we?"
Erik and Charles spend the next few days searching for the mutants Charles had located using Cerebro. They had failed a number of times, as Erik had expected, but to Charles's gladness, had managed to recruit a few interesting mutants whom willingly went back with them to their place of residence.
There were mutants with ordinary lives such as Darwin whom worked as a cab driver, and Sean, whom they had approached while he was on a date with a girl – only to be dumped by her; "I'd rather go out with the fish". Charles and even Erik had not been able to resist smiling in amusement at the poor boy's plight, though Erik's smile was more of an amused smirk. Though, they did get the right mutant – Sean had cleared away all the fish in the aquarium with his supersonic powers, and Charles had already been able to see the potential of Sean's unique power during their first meeting.
There were also mutants whom lived less than ordinary lives but didn't seem to mind. There was Alex, whom was a boy in prison who preferred solitary confinement, and Angel, who was a stripper. Charles had been a little uncomfortable in the strip club as it was his first time entering one, but Erik had seemed completely at ease. Fortunately for Charles, his nervousness had faded away soon enough as he and Erik found amusement in recruiting Angel, complete with perching together on a bed in the strip club with Erik drawling innuendo-filled lines – in Angel's direction of course.
Charles thinks back vaguely to the memory. Erik had been close to him then, but not so close that he was invading his personal space like the other times. Although Erik's words had been rather provocative that he could see Angel thought he was proposing a threesome, Erik had meant it as more or less of a joke. That was good, for nothing happened after Angel left to pack and go with them, though Erik had given him a look that made him feel uncomfortable being on the bed with Erik.
Charles inwardly shakes his head, glancing at Erik who is walking beside him. There was no need to risk his friendship with Erik.
They are on their way to a bar, where their next potential recruit is. Only, this mutant was different from the rest.
"A mutant who is immortal," Erik says, glancing at Charles. His lips quirk. "What do you think he's like?"
"Very experienced in combat, probably." Charles replies, remembering the glimpses of the man's skills and weapons he had caught in his mind.
"A potential ally then," Erik is beginning to look interested. "If he agrees to join."
"We are also providing him with a place where he will be accepted, Erik," Charles reminds him gently, "Not to just recruit him for a battle."
Erik doesn't reply. They have reached the bar, the location of the mutant which Charles had pinpointed. With a slight nod from Charles, they step inside, immediately beginning to assess their surroundings.
"Which one is he?" Erik asks gruffly.
Charles pauses in his stride. He does his classic gesture of telepathy. The mind he searches of is dark and distinct, filled with resentment as he remembers from touching it in Cerebro, and he turns his gaze to a man at the counter. "He's there."
Erik nods and they approach him, and he starts first, "Excuse me, I'm Erik Lensherr."
"Charles Xavier." Charles introduces smoothly from the other side of the man.
The man who is downing beers doesn't even turn. "Go fuck yourselves."
Charles blinks, but Erik seems undeterred. "How would you like to join a battle?"
The man replies gruffly after a moment of silence, as if only to get them away. "Not interested."
Erik frowns and Charles smiles charmingly, stepping forward. "Would you prefer a place of refuge then, Logan?"
"I'm not a fucking refugee." Logan replies, not sounding pleased. "And get the fuck out of my head, telepath. I don't like you in there even if you can't manipulate my thoughts."
Charles's eyes widen and he retreats. "I'm sorry Logan, I wasn't intending to-"
"Why are you apologizing, Charles?" Erik says darkly. He leans close, slamming a hand down onto the counter. "He should be the one saying sorry for even assuming you would manipulate him."
Logan takes a swig of beer, sounding like he's smirking. "Me, sorry? Who do you think I am?"
"Who do you think you're talking to?" Erik growls, his voice low. "I will make sure you suffer if you don't apologize to Charles now."
The metal fixtures in the bar are shaking, alarming the non-mutant occupants of the place. Logan merely smirks, but finally turns to meet Erik's cold eyes. "Protective boyfriend, much?"
"I will admit, you seem to have good taste," Logan says casually as he turns his gaze to the surprised Charles. "I'm not gay, but I could use a good fuck."
Charles feels his cheeks warm at the images in Logan's head; as the mutant recalls fucking various women and thinks descriptions of him which are none too innocent and make him flush.
Then Logan lets out a strangled groan and he knows Erik has snapped. The other man has his fist clenched, a storm of anger and fury in his gray-green eyes as he uses the belt around Logan's waist to crush his body.
"I sense a lot more metal on your body," Erik hisses dangerously. "Of course, we will take this outside as I do not wish to cause a scene."
"Erik, no!" Charles meets Erik's eyes as he communicates to him telepathically, noticing people around them were already staring at them in apprehension. "Don't abuse your powers like this! We're trying to recruit him!"
"You heard what he said about you Charles, and you heard what he thought about you," Erik replies almost casually, and Charles is taken off guard. "He refused to apologize, and he has already rejected our offer."
With those words, Erik grabs Logan's arm. Still squeezing him with his own belt, he drags him off the chair into the fresh air outside. Charles snaps back to reality and follows quickly.
Erik drags Logan into an alleyway, then roughly throws him against the wall. He has not released his control on the metal belt but Logan rebounds and aims a kick at him, which he barely manages to dodge.
By the time Erik's gaze is fixed on Logan, the man has already removed his restricting belt and is charging at him. He strikes out fiercely, and the blow catches Erik in the chest.
Charles's eyes widen as Erik gasps, but manages to swing a heavy fist into Logan's furious face, giving him a bloody nose. Logan's eyes narrow and with a growl, he executes a powerful roundhouse kick which collides with Erik's chin, sending him flying and crashing into the wall.
"Erik!" Charles yells. He rushes to the fallen man's side, placing a hand on his shoulder. "Erik, are you alright?!"
"I'm fine, Charles," Erik growls. He pushes Charles's hand off his shoulder and swiftly rises, prowling forward like an angered predator, swiping his bruised face. "That fucking bastard…"
Logan has taken the time to discard all the metal from his body and he gives Erik a wicked grin. "What, still alive?"
"Fuck you," Erik spits and slams his elbow into Logan's chest, but Logan dodges and Erik is hit by a harsh blow to the neck. He snarls as blood drips and catches the fist headed towards him, but takes the brunt of Logan's other fist to his stomach.
Charles watches in shock as Erik, incensed, begins to strike back at Logan whom has gotten serious. He wants to step in between the two fighting men and curses his own physical inability.
"Stop it, Erik!" He shouts, his loud voice echoing off the walls of the alleyway. "Logan has been training in combat for all his immortal life!"
It is as if Erik hasn't heard him. His dark eyes are filled with anger and battlelust and just as Logan is aiming a fatal blow towards him, he backsteps quickly, out of Logan's reach, and exerts his power without so much as a single movement.
Charles watches, stunned, as metal claws shoot out of Logan's hands, glinting viciously in the dark alleyway. Logan looks surprised as well, but then smirks as he realizes Erik has intentionally pulled out his favorite weapon.
Erik returns his smirk. "Don't look so happy." He raises a hand, and suddenly Logan is pointing the deadly claws towards himself. The sharp edge brushes against his neck, drawing blood.
This has gone too far, Charles thinks in panic as Erik directs Logan to hurt himself, making him thrust his metal claws into the flesh of his other arm. Forcing himself to calm down, he puts his fingers to his temple and concentrates hard on entering Erik's mind.
"Get out of my mind, Charles." Erik says in his mind, resentment and annoyance in his voice. Charles ignores him, reaching into his mind and searching for the point where all Erik's raging emotions were gathered at.
"Erik please, you can't do this," Charles communicates desperately as he sends waves of calmness and reassurance to Erik's rage-filled mind. "Stop this Erik. There is no need to take things so far."
"No." Erik says simply and drives the claws deeper into Logan's arm, causing him to grimace in pain.
"Erik!" Charles's voice is more commanding now, more forceful and firm. "That's enough. Stop this immediately. Release Logan now."
Charles is thankful for his powerful telepathy as Erik hesitates before complying. He releases Logan and the man draws his claws out from his own arm, shooting an angry glare at Erik.
But Charles is already there. He puts himself between the two men. "No Logan," he says bravely as he stands protectively in front of Erik, unaffected by Logan's sharp metal claws inches away from his face. "Erik has already agreed to stop this battle."
"Don't get in my way, pretty boy," Logan growls. He sees Charles raising his fingers and smirks. "Don't even try. I'm immune against telepaths."
Charles stops. He sighs, dropping his hand and looking up at Logan. "I do not understand why you and Erik crave bloodshed so," he says simply. "There are more peaceful ways to resolve a conflict."
"He started it, I merely retaliated in defense." Logan says gruffly.
"Yes, I realize that, Logan, and I would like to apologize on his behalf," Charles rubs his temples. "Will that be enough?"
"I do not apologize Charles-" Erik begins heatedly, but is cut off.
Logan raises an eyebrow as Erik's mouth is open but he is immobile. "What did you do to him?"
"I froze him for a short while," Charles says. He closes his eyes briefly, "I'm sorry Erik, but please let me handle this."
"Charles you-"
Logan grins, darkly amused. "Never thought you were capable of freezing your own boyfriend."
"Erik and I are not in a relationship." Charles says, shaking off the heat rising to his cheeks. He sighs, and crosses his arms. "Let's get back to the point. What else would you request of me as apology for Erik igniting your desire for combat?" He says almost sarcastically.
Logan blinks, then smirks. "I can request anything of you, pretty boy?"
Charles nods. "If I can provide it."
Logan's smirk widens. "Kiss me then." He says.
Charles blinks, uncrossing his arms. But he sees no harm in Logan's request and moves forward, hesitantly reaching up to touch his lips with Logan's. It would not be his first kiss with a man.
However, he hadn't expected Logan to wrap an arm around his waist and pull him close to his muscular body. Charles gasps as Logan claims his mouth roughly, thrusting his tongue into Charles's mouth and hungrily exploring the new taste.
It is only a kiss, but Charles supposes Logan is a really good kisser as he has had more than enough time to practice his skills. He whimpers softly into Logan's mouth, as Logan's rough but clawless hand slides down his waist to cup his ass.
Charles hears himself let out a gasp then inadvertently a near helpless moan as Logan continues kissing him almost violently and Erik's voice is in his head, loud and furious and angry-
He manages to pull himself away from Logan's mouth, breathless and panting. "I think that was quite enough." The unexpectedly intense kiss had distracted his senses and he could feel his control on Erik's raging mind slipping. He inhales, and makes sure it stays intact.
Logan shrugs, though Charles feels uncomfortable as his hand is still on his ass. "Fine." He smirks, shifting his gaze to Erik. "Bet I made him mad, didn't I?"
Charles nods hesitantly. Logan grins in amusement. He releases Charles, much to his relief. "You know, I was half joking about giving me a kiss but it helped that you took it the wrong way."
Charles blinks, feeling slightly embarrassed as Logan turns away. This was one man which his telepathy wouldn't help him to understand.
"I correct my previous statement, you two should go fuck each other instead of yourselves," Logan says casually. He moves to retrieve all his metal then walks away, waving a hand over his shoulder. "You're not a bad peacemaker. Maybe your idea of refuge isn't as stupid as I first thought after all."
Charles doesn't hide the surprise on his expression, and Logan smirks. He turns and meets Charles's eyes. "But I would have to be dead drunk to accept your offer."
Charles blinks, then smiles at Logan. "I suspected as much, Logan." He says acceptingly.
"Right on my hunch that you were a smart one." Logan's lips curve upwards.
With those last words, he leaves, with all his metal back on him. Charles looks at his retreating back before turning to Erik and giving him back control of his body.
He isn't too surprised when Erik lunges towards him, slamming him against the wall. He brings his face close to Charles's, growling, "I cannot believe you."
Charles looks at him with steady blue eyes. "I merely prevented you from doing something rash," he says. "We came here to recruit him, and not pick a fight."
Erik looks at him, and there is something dark swirling in his eyes. "You froze me," he says. "You froze me and let him kiss you. Are you aware of how angry I am right now?"
"There is no need for you to be angry Erik, he did not take advantage of me," Charles says calmly. "It was only a kiss."
He reaches up his hand to remove Erik's hand from his collar but Erik narrows his eyes and slams his hand against the wall. "Only a kiss, Charles?" He says softly.
Charles stares at him, but is prevented from replying as Erik grabs his chin and swiftly forces a kiss upon him. His first instinct is to struggle, and raise his free hand to shove Erik away, but the other man does not budge and it is not long before both his wrists are captured and pinned to the wall with a grip of metal.
While Logan's kiss had been almost violent, Erik's kiss is positively vicious. Charles cannot help but cry out as Erik's teeth catch onto his tongue, biting down on the appendage. He plunges his own tongue deep into Charles's mouth, licking and sucking and plundering as if he wants to taste everything that Charles is, wants to commit it to his memory and then re-taste him over and over again.
There is anger and viciousness and a handful of resentment in Erik's kiss, and Charles is unable to bite his lip to keep a soft whimper from escaping. He is breathless, he knows his cheeks are flushed and there is an uncomfortable weight in his stomach with Erik so close to him, Erik kissing him like he wants to devour him whole. Erik does not kiss like a lover, and Charles can hardly keep up with his pace.
He gasps heavily when Erik finally releases him, catching his breath and staring at Erik with hazy blue eyes. Charles hates the feeling of feeling vulnerable with Erik trapping him against the wall like the last time, with him unable to help realizing how tall and big Erik is compared to him, when he is staring at him with lust in his eyes while pinning him against the alleyway wall.
It is day, but in the alleyway it is dark and Erik's eyes look black and it feels like night to Charles. He feels a sense of apprehension creeping up on him. Although Erik was his friend, Charles knew he was a rough and unpredictable man. The fact that he hadn't said anything to Charles since the first time they kissed didn't help either.
"Was that only a kiss?" Erik asks, his gaze fixed on Charles.
Charles doesn't reply. Erik's lips curl slightly. "If that was only a kiss I am inclined to do more."
This is not Erik, this is something dark controlling him, Charles thinks. The man whom he could consider his equal would not do something like this, would he? No he wouldn't; but that dark anger had always been creeping at the edges of his consciousness. Logan had just brought it to the front of his mind.
Charles tries to read Erik's mind, but to his surprise, it is as blank as the expression on the man's face. He feels a pinch of fear as Erik raises a hand and smiles.
Charles's eyes widen as his belt begins to come undone. He can't use his hands and he tries to kick out at Erik, but the other man is standing too close, his almost amused expression filling his entire vision.
"It's futile, Charles." He says, his voice dark and then kisses him.
Charles gasps against his mouth. This time, Erik kisses him possessively, filling every inch of his mouth and his hands gripping his wrists so tight it is almost painful. He hears the belt drop with a clink to the floor and Erik switches his grip to one hand.
"Erik," Charles says, managing to break away. He stares at Erik with wide eyes. "What are you- ah!"
Charles sees Erik smirk as a spike of pleasure hits him. With a start, he realizes Erik's hand is in his pants, around his cock, and stroking him almost lovingly.
Erik divests of him of his lower garments and before Charles knows it his cock is exposed to the air in the alleyway. His first reaction is to flush, and then gasp loudly as Erik's calloused fingers move to his scrotum.
"E-Erik…" Charles stutters. His mind is telling him this is not right and he wants to push Erik away but he is deterred by the pleasure. He whimpers as Erik gives a harsh tug. "Stop…"
Erik replies by kissing him hard. His fingers begin to move faster on Charles's cock, brushing against the head and cupping his balls. Charles's head hits the wall as he lets out a moan of pleasure. Erik's knees are pressing hard into his thighs and his mouth is hungrily kissing his and oh god his fingers-
"Erik!" Charles cries out, his eyes watering from the pleasure. It has been a long time since he has touched himself and the sudden pleasure is overwhelming with his sensitivity to touch. "Oh god, Erik!"
Charles feels Erik's taut control snap. He hears him growl into his ear and then he is shoved against the wall. His head is spinning and then he hears Erik groan and feels him grind his hard cock against his.
The friction causes Charles to whimper. He is no longer restrained but finds he cannot find it in himself to stop Erik who is thrusting against him now, growling and groaning to Charles's moans, soft whimpers and harsh panting.
There is something painfully intimate and arousing about what they are doing; Charles is aware of so even as he whimpers into Erik's neck. He can feel himself leaking as Erik rubs their cocks together, hissing into his ear.
"Erik," he says breathlessly as he arches against the other man's hard body that is thrusting violently against him. "Erik I-I'm-"
He doesn't get to finish his sentence as he feels that wonderful friction one last time and pleasure fills his mind and then he's moaning and coming against Erik's hard cock.
Charles sees Erik look at him, look at his own come on his stomach. Without removing his gaze from Charles, he retreats, then yanks his cock with his hand and begins to jerk himself off.
Charles is almost aroused again at the sight. Erik does the usually private act as if he has been doing so every day of his life, pumping his cock and growling as he stares into Charles's widened eyes.
Charles cannot avert his gaze from the arousing sight before him. He watches as Erik comes, the hard features of his face twisted by pleasure as he releases into his hand with a low groan that strikes something deep in Charles and he shivers at the primal sound.
Realizing he is staring, Charles finally looks away. He snaps back to action and quickly pulls up his underwear and pants, blushing with heat and arousal and something else as he retrieves his belt from the floor and loops it back through his pants.
What had they done? They had practically humped each other like two animals in heat until he had come. Then he had watched as Erik shamelessly brought himself to completion while never removing that heat-filled gaze from him.
Charles bites his lip, his cheeks flushed red. God, he wasn't even gay. How would he even look at Erik in the eye again after all this, much less communicate with him, especially in front of all their young recruits and Raven?
He knows he is ashamed of himself. He is supposed to be a dignified man, but with that heated look in Erik's eyes and them sharing such a primal sexual activity; he hadn't been able to resist. He hadn't been able to resist the lure of lust that had tugged at his senses; had moaned and whimpered and groaned like a promiscuous whore.
Charles wants to cover his burning face with his hands. But he knows that will not reverse the situation. Instead, he takes a deep breath, turns around and meets Erik's eyes.
"We should go back and get those injuries checked." He says softly, trying to will away the blush from his cheeks.
Erik just looks at him and nods shortly. Charles wonders if he regrets what they had done.
They are silent as Charles applies the antiseptic on the bruise on Erik's chest, not meeting Erik's eyes. He focuses on his job, trying to ignore how the hard muscles of Erik's chest feel under his fingers.
"I think we're done," he says after a while. He withdraws from Erik, disposing of the cotton bud neatly. "It's not a serious injury, but perhaps we should cover the wound just in case."
"There's no need for that." Erik says. Charles looks in his direction and discovers he is already retrieving his shirt from the floor, calloused fingers threading the buttons smoothly. "I've survived injuries worse than this."
"Logan is a brutal fighter." Charles cannot help but point out, still not meeting Erik's eyes. He clears his throat. "But if you're certain…"
He doesn't finish his sentence, turning around to pack up the first aid kit. He had seen the various scars on Erik's body; some small and almost unnoticeable but others ones that looked like they would be prominently there for life. Charles had never seen anyone with so many scars on their body before and the thought that Erik had even allowed him to see them sent a strange feeling into his chest. Charles wonders why Erik had allowed him to tend to him when he had recovered from injuries worse than the ones Logan had given him, likely without medical attention.
He brushes the thought away. It was getting uncomfortable, being in the same room with Erik. He'd thought he knew everything about Erik with his telepathy, but with the recent events, he wasn't quite sure. What he had thought was a close friendship with the other man had seemed to become something he wasn't sure of.
Charles can feel Erik's stare on him, and he is tempted to reach into Erik's mind, tempted to find out what exactly Erik was thinking, why he had done what he did. But he restrains himself, not wanting to abuse his power.
Besides, he wasn't sure he would like what he would find there.
"What are you thinking, Charles?"
Charles. The way Erik said his name sent a little shiver down his spine. Somehow, Erik always made his name sound special, drew attention to it like it was the most important word in any sentence he spoke in his low voice.
"I'm merely considering the option of us putting off finding other mutants for a while," Charles says, his voice steady. "Although your injuries are not serious, a little rest would still be beneficial."
"Charles," he hears Erik say his name. "You're not meeting my eyes. You're not even looking at me."
He pauses. "Are you scared of me?"
Scared? Was he scared of Erik? Charles ponders the notion. The things Erik did surprised him and made him apprehensive, but did they make him afraid of the other man; afraid of his friend?
"No." Charles finds himself saying. He turns around and finally meets Erik's dark eyes. "No, my friend. I am not frightened of you."
My friend. How long had it been since he had last called Erik that? Since he had last acknowledged the friendship between him and Erik?
"I see." Erik says. Charles watches as he rises. He almost tenses as Erik walks towards him, but the other man walks past him, heading to the exit of the room. "We will rest today, if that is what you wish."
And then he is gone and Charles is left alone in the room. He stares at the first aid kit. The passion between them in the alleyway had completely dissipated, leaving behind a somber, dry and even cold mood between him and Erik. He doesn't know whether to be relieved or disappointed.
Charles sighs. He gets to work clearing up, packing up the first aid kit and closing the lid.
"Charlene."
The voice that comes is so sudden that Charles almost starts. He turns, sweeping his gaze around the room. There is no one in sight.
"Charlene? Can you hear me?"
The voice is still there. It is then that Charles realizes it is in his mind. It takes him a moment longer to realize that it sounds like Emmett's voice.
"Emmett…?" he questions hesitantly in a higher voice, the voice of Charlene which he picks out from Emmett's mind.
There is a moment of silence, before Emmett replies, sounding relieved. "Ah, I was correct. You do remember me."
"How did you find me- how did you find my mind?" Charles questions, surprised.
"I'd know your mind anywhere, Charlene," Emmett says in a fond voice. "It's one of the things which drew me to you."
Which drew me to you. Emmett makes the cliché phrase sound so genuine that Charles feels a smile tugging his lips.
"An intelligent, calm and controlled mind," Emmett continues, sounding amused. "I wonder what kinds of thoughts are in there?"
"Emmett…" Charles says warningly but he is already preparing to erect mental barriers.
But Emmett just laughs. "I was joking, Charlene. I did promise I wouldn't read your mind, remember?"
"I can't believe you still remember."
"I remember everything about you," Emmett says softly. "And it seems you do remember me."
"It's been years, Emmett…" Charles whispers. "Why?"
"Why? Honestly speaking, I don't know," Emmett says, and Charles can tell he is telling the truth. "I'm still not quite sure how I fell for you."
For a second, Charles's heart stops. "What?"
"You heard me, Charlene," Emmett speaks seriously. Charles can almost imagine his blue eyes staring at him as he takes a breath. "If you're still interested in me, meet me at the place of our date in an hour."
With that, Charles feels his presence disappear from his mind. Once again, he is left staring at thin air, his confused mind whirling with thoughts.
Charles stands at the same place where he had met Emmett at for their first and only date, waiting. His heart is still beating fast in his chest and it doesn't help that he can feel the stares of people on him.
Charles sighs, resisting the urge to pace to get rid of his nervousness. He also has to resist the urge to tug at the short skirt which he had decided to project to Emmett and himself, not daring to take any chances of Emmett figuring out his true identity.
He'd never thought he would have to cross-dress again.
"Hey babe."
At first he thinks it is Emmett, but remembers Emmett calls him sweetheart. Charles looks up reluctantly, to the face of a smiling man.
The man doesn't look dangerous. He even looks handsome with his spiky brown hair and smiling brown eyes. Charles can see the girls around him staring and pointing at the man, and internally wishes he would approach them instead.
But he senses no dangerous intentions from the man, which is good. Charles smiles politely at the stranger. "Yes?"
"You're pretty," the man reaches his hand out to Charles's cheek, but it is not a threatening gesture. He smiles. "Would you like to be my girlfriend?"
"No thank you." Charles says. He gently removes the man's hand from his cheek.
"Why?" The man doesn't stop him, but he is now frowning slightly.
Charles hesitates. He really cannot sense anything bad from this stranger, and feels a little guilty for disappointing a good person. "Well, because I-"
"She already has a boyfriend," a new voice drawls. "Who is me."
Charles's eyes widen slightly. He turns to look at a man with shoulder length blond hair. He realizes the man is Emmett, who smiles at him and wraps an arm around his waist.
"She's my girl," Emmett says casually, but Charles can hear the possessiveness in his voice. He smiles coldly. "So please leave and go back to your own girlfriend."
The man looks surprised. He opens his mouth to speak, when another voice comes into the scene.
"Rupert!" A young woman with black hair enters the scene, staring at the man with wide but relieved blue eyes. "I found you!"
Charles watches as the woman latches onto the man's arm, looking at him apologetically. "I'm sorry I said such mean things. I know I must have gone too far because you stormed out, it's just that I've been really stressed lately…"
"Tina…"
Tina bites her lip. "Rupert, I know you're a really good person and I probably don't deserve you, but…" she hesitates, before raising her gaze to meet his brown eyes. "I love you, so…please don't leave me."
Charles doesn't know this girl called Tina. He doesn't know her and doubts he has ever met her in his life. But just looking at her say such heartfelt words, just feeling the emotions coming from her, he cannot help but feel sympathy in his heart for the girl.
"Tina…" Rupert says, looking at his girlfriend with soft brown eyes. He places his hand on her cheek, staring into her eyes as if they were in a movie. "I forgive you. I could never leave you, because I…I love you too."
Tina beams, smiling so brightly that Charles smiles slightly at the happiness he feels from her. "I'm so glad, Rupert…" she says softly. "I love you, and I promise I'll try to be worthy of your love too."
"You're always worthy of my love." Rupert smiles at her. He leans down to kiss Tina, to the cheers of the people around them.
"What is this, a romance movie?" Emmett says sarcastically, his arm still around Charles's waist.
Charles looks at him, his lips quirking. "You're the one who told him to go back to his own girlfriend," he says, amusement in his voice. "You wanted to help them, didn't you?"
Emmett blinks, surprised, and Charles relishes in the fact he had managed to catch the other man off guard. Then he smiles, soft and genuine, and Charles feels his heart skip a beat. "You still know me so well."
"Emmett…"
"Excuse me." A voice interrupts politely and they turn their attention to Rupert, who is holding Tina by the waist and smiling at them.
"I'm sorry for interrupting, but I just wanted to thank you for your help." He says, smiling gratefully at Emmett.
"Help? I merely told you to go back to your own girlfriend because you were hitting on mine." Emmett drawls, and Charles almost rolls his eyes.
Rupert blinks, then laughs. "You're right." He says amiably. "But thank you anyway. You must be a mind reader."
Emmett doesn't react to the unexpectedly accurate deduction, just shrugs. "Whatever."
Rupert grins slightly. He then turns his attention to Tina, whom smiles beautifully at him.
"Thank you, kind strangers." She bows lightly to Charles and Emmett, giving them a grateful smile, which turns slightly mischievous with her next words. "Even if you were not intending on helping."
Rupert nods at Charles, smiling apologetically at him. "I'm sorry if I made you feel uncomfortable."
"No, it's alright." Charles smiles back at him. "I am glad you managed to reconcile with your girlfriend."
"Thank you." Rupert says politely, and Charles thinks he has never met anyone so polite before. He watches as Rupert turns to Tina. "Let's go back, Tina."
Tina nods, returning his smile. She smiles at Emmett and Charles one last time before the couple turns and leaves, leaving Charles alone with Emmett.
Charles stares at them. It felt kind of strange, being witness to the workings of a normal couple. They had disagreements, but had made up while declaring their love for each other in the end. They were humans and not mutants; just normal people living normal lives and having cliché but normal problems. They were people of opposite genders whom loved each other. Charles couldn't help but feel a dose of envy. He knew he would never be able to have a life like Rupert and Tina.
"Charlene," Emmett says, interrupting him from his thoughts. He smiles at him with warm blue eyes. "I'm glad you came."
"I couldn't not come." Charles says honestly, averting his gaze.
Emmett smiles at him. "You look gorgeous," he says and sounds like he means it, raising his hand to finger along Charles's long brown strands of hair. "You've grown more beautiful in these years, and your voice…it sounds deeper. You've really matured into a stunning woman."
"You recognized me," Charles says, raising his gaze to meet Emmett's eyes. He had been right to make Charlene's young face look older, her voice a little deeper so she would sound like a grown woman. "I did not recognize you."
Emmett laughs, smirking. "I half expected you not to recognize me," he says languidly, blue eyes filled with mirth. "I look different, don't I?"
Emmett was right – he did look different. Charles looks at his now long blond curls, his amused blue eyes and the angular lines of his face. His body is still slender, but Charles could see that he had developed muscles. He is wearing a white button up shirt, long white pants and a black leather jacket. He was no longer the pretty boy Charles had met all those years ago, but a handsome, grown man.
Emmett smiles at him, a more pronounced version of that winning smile he had given Charles all those years ago, and Charles is embarrassed to feel a blush creep onto his face. He hated to admit it, but Emmett looked hot.
"The girls will love your new look." He blurts out.
Emmett looked amused. "I only want one girl to have that impression," he says smoothly. "And I'm sure you know who that girl is."
Charles feels his face heat up more at Emmett's intense gaze. He mentally hits himself for behaving like the girl Emmett thinks he is. "Y-You're sexy, I guess."
"Sexy, huh?" Emmett's lips curl, his blue eyes shining in amusement and pleasure. "I can deal with that."
Charles flushes as Emmett drawls, and Emmett gives a deep chuckle, his voice deeper and more mature sounding than when Charles had first met him. Charles watches as he retrieves a pair of sunglasses from his pocket, wearing them and shading his eyes.
"Don't worry, I can still see your pretty face," Emmett teases but smiles apologetically. He brushes back a strand of long blond hair which had fallen in front of his face. "I've just been in a really cold place and the sun here is blinding my eyes."
Charles vaguely wonders if Shaw's submarine had ended up in Antarctica. But most of his attention is focused on Emmett and how he looks like a handsome movie star in such casual clothing with his fashionable sunglasses and the sunlight reflecting off his long blond curls…
"We should find a place with better lighting then." He manages to get the words out.
Emmett smiles at him from behind his sunglasses like Charles's image of a movie star and he blushes. "God, get a grip, Xavier!" He mentally reprimands himself, wondering if his cheeks are ever going to return to their normal color. "It's just Emmett Frost!"
"For the record, I think you look cute when you blush." Emmett says, and to Charles's mortification, he finds himself blushing again. Emmett smirks. "Downright adorable."
Charles glares, his cheeks red. "Just shut up, Frost."
Emmett has the audacity to look offended. "Using my last name against me, Charlene?" He asks in mock hurt. "When I don't even know yours?"
"It's Xa-Xanders," Charles quickly corrects, still glowering at Emmett's smug expression. "My full name is Charlene Xanders."
"Charlene Xanders, huh? It kind of fits," Emmett says, smiling. "Though it took me years for you to tell me."
Charles sighs. To his relief, the blush is finally fading from his cheeks. "You don't tell a near stranger your full name, Emmett." He says dryly. "Can we move to another location now? Or shall we continue to stand in this sweltering heat?"
"Touché, Charlene," Emmett teases with an amused grin. He uses his free hand to intertwine his fingers with Charles's, raising his hand and touching it to his lips, leading Charles to realize Emmett had never relinquished his grip on his waist, as Emmett stares at him with warm blue eyes.
"But your wish is my command, sweetheart."
