AN: Chapters 8 and 9 have been radically altered as I wasn't very happy with them, and just couldn't seem to get them right...hence the very long delay in updates...
I advise going back and re-reading or this won't make much sense. The story arc has been expanded from the original 10 chapters to 16 (as usual I couldn't fit everything in...and this has become a bit of a monster...) You'll recognise parts of the original chapter 8 and 9 recycled in the modified version.
Thanks to everyone who has provided reviews, comments, and favourited - all much appreciated, and I hope this lives up to expectations.
CHAPTER 10 - REALISATIONS
"You've been distracted all morning," Emma notes quietly, and Erik looks up at her. The room is empty but for themselves. "How did you manifest?" He asks softly, and she blinks taken aback by the question. "Your mutation - how old were you when you manifested?"
She stiffens, absorbed in painful memories before leaning back against the couch, "Why do you want to know?"
"Mine was forced out of me."
"I know," she responds sympathetically, because of course she had seen when she had tortured him on the Caspartina. "Mine, developed over a number of years. I was 8 when I first realised what my father was doing to the upstairs maid, but it was a few years before my telepathy fully manifested, and with it my diamond form."
"Do you ever fear what you can do?"
"Fear?" She shakes her head. "No, Sebastian gave me that at least." Erik tilts his head, "Why did you stay with him for so long?"
"Debts owed, and he wasn't so bad, to me at least," she sighs, and gestures to the helmet he is wearing. Her eyes widen when he takes it off and asks carefully, "If you had a powerful enough telepath what would you do?" A calculating smile breaks out on Emma's features, "Darling if I had Xavier as my Guide there would be no war."
Erik regards her warily, and she continues, "Shaw was entranced with the idea of creating an instantaneous global communication network, with relay stations of less powerful gifted, all coordinated by a central point." She gives a wry laugh, "Shaw was a fool, it was a good idea but there is no need for such an elaborate system, not with the power that Xavier alone will wield."
At his confused look she sighs, "Akin to the females in the wolf pack Guides have their own equivalent to the Sentinel alpha. Xavier will always fight you, but that is his dual nature. He is a leader in his own right; but he is also a half claimed Guide." She pauses for a long moment to let her point sink across. "If you do not complete your bond, he will suffer for it, unless another stronger Sentinel takes him, and there are plenty who wouldn't hesitate."
Another low hiss of denial escapes Erik before he can stop it. "The irony of it is Charles could smite any of them down with one thought if he so chose. He is your mate, but also your equal." Lehnsherr sighs. "I know this…" She shakes her head, and clasps his shoulders leaning closer. "I don't think you do. Shaw was obsessed with the idea of Charles, not for his own gifts, or even to gain the key to unlocking his own strength - but because of whom he would bring with him. The one who claims the equivalent to the alpha Guide will also gain the allegiance of all Guides."
Hell why settle for one Guide when you can have them all? The metal kinetic blinks in stunned realisation at her open admission, and she smiles wryly at him, leaning closer, the hierarchy of the Guides is not established on just who is the strongest but around the one who will provide the best stability for the pack.
"And what makes you so certain that Charles is this…alpha?" He demands, and she laughs softly, mockingly, "Partly because of who you are dearest, you are more powerful than Shaw ever was, an alpha in your own right, and you will not settle for anything less."
"Partly?" He asks, and she smiles, "and partly because of my own suspicions."
"I could order you to explain." He notes, and she shrugs, "You won't because you like to figure things out for yourself. If you are to keep your position as head of the Brotherhood, you can't allow another to take him. You were there in Russia, think on it. I submitted to him. You have claim on the Sentinels, Charles on the Guides, and together you both can command those of us who aren't yet one or the other."
Erik coughs face reddening as the familiar memories floods through him, bringing with them a heady lust. He can still picture Charles…when he realised just what he was…perfect – and held in his arms on the plane, "How long have you known?" he demands, and she smiles through her diamond form, "Oh, since Russia darling I did so try to encourage you then, and I will for the last time, claim Xavier soon before another of us does so." She pauses before looking back at him, "You should know you've only heightened Charles's allure for those of us yet bound. You've stripped away the veil for all to see him as he truly is, and there are those of us out there who obey no authority but their own."
Unfortunately Erik knew that all too well, and it seemed that he had more to contend with now…not just the Brotherhood. How many mutant groups were there?
He had woken in a small room, plainly furnished with the scents and sounds of India still in his senses, the gypsy woman looking down at him with a grave expression in her dazzling eyes. For a moment he's struck by her likeness to his mother, enough that he pauses when she takes his palm, examining it interestedly as though it holds the secrets to the universe.
"Little Erik Lehnsherr, you've grown since we last met you and I," she had rumbled in a soft, hauntingly familiar cadence. "We've met?" he asks in mesmerised confusion. "Yes, in a place, and a time that is best left to dark memory," she had frowned, before her expression cleared, "But today your future hold a much brighter promise little one…"
He had drawn back his hand then, having had enough of her antics, and he was already losing track of Charles, "I don't believe in fortunes – I make my own destiny." He had risen to his feet when her soft words had stopped him.
"He'll be fine without you. This is something you must let him do alone."
He had turned towards her, cold suspicion in his features.
"Look at you – so quick to judge the worst," she had tutted, and made a motion for him to join her.
"I don't believe in coincidences."
Her smile deepened, as though she were secret to some knowledge that he had yet to possess, "Ah, my little firestarter…amongst the possibility of so many dazzling mutations, is it so difficult to believe that amongst them may be just one able to glimpse possible futures?"
He had hesitated on the threshold, curious, and torn between chasing after the younger telepath. "Ahh…Charles, your thoughts return to him often." She had teased with the knowing smile of older people looking upon young love. In her hands she lifted a very familiar box – and with a pang of anxiety Erik realised his inner pocket was empty. "Do you know what this is?" she asked softly, "They don't make them anymore…they've forgotten how, the monks took their knowledge with them…"
She opened her palm, letting the box rest upon it, "He made this with Talbo you know…"
"You knew him?" Erik had asked unable to help his curiosity.
"Ahh…I knew them all," she had sighed sadly.
"What happened?" Raven asks softly closing the door. He closes his eyes still holding the untouched glass of whisky in his palms. This moment has been coming between them, ever since he returned. "In Tibet," she clarifies before he can even try to procrastinate. "I thought you would find some…peace there." She comes over, and he reaches up, letting her lean against him, a familiar warm grounding presence.
"It didn't work," he answers. "I've gathered that silly," she taps his nose, "Why not?"
"I met someone there…" he pauses gathering his words, "someone you would have liked, he was just like Talbo…"
Charles climbs the Himalayan mountains by foot, to begin his physical journey, and hope to re-find his serenity. Each step is a torturous climb…each an effort to purge Erik's calling voice from his mind, but as he rises, the voice starts to become fainter. He reaches the tibetian temples, and makes his peace with Talbo...exhausted but utterly calm, he unleashes a small tendril of power, and finds his strength as he recalls the exercises the monk used to guide him through, silently mirroring the actions taught.
It takes little time to rebuild the stone shrine from the debris, using his telekinesis to move the heavy blocks back into position, his focus remains pure as he completes the threshold.
'Diversity in all its forms, creation from destruction.'
He wakens to the soft murmur of awed voices, and the stars shining down upon him. For one confused dreamlike moment he believes it is they who are speaking, till he observes the small group of children, camped around him, with wide curious eyes.
"Hello Charles," a taller figure steps forwards with blue eyes as luminescent as his own.
Afterwards it will seem like a dream itself, as they sat beside the small fire, BlueStar explaining of his own gifts, and how he has been protected by the survivors of the massacre. Schmidt didn't only come here looking for information, he came to expand his army.
Charles quietly accepts the bowl of water, purified by BlueStar's gift. A seemingly minor ability on the outstep as compared to more physical gifts…yet how much more valuable. Despite his youthful appearance Charles doubts that the mutant is as young as he appears, there's an ageless wisdom in his eyes.
"You have a choice Charles, here at the cradle of all things the river divides most deeply. You can stay and forget the world, watch the ages pass by, or embrace all that has been in your life, and seek your path, wherever it may take you."
"Would you think me a coward if I stayed?"
BlueStar had smiled then, "You fear what you will become if your full gift is unleashed, but perhaps you should consider the effects if you do not. Should you leave you will not be able to return here again, your actions will affect the lives of many. Your fate will be your own, whichever path you chose – but either way it will remain inevitably tied to the man who follows your steps."
"Erik…" Charles starts in sharp realisation, and BlueStar's hand had reached out, steadying him, "Your warrior has other concerns to distract him for the moment. You are hurt, have been terribly wounded, but you are not the only one in pain…the ability to forgive is the greatest gift of all."
Raven is quiet as he shows her the strange seer, and curls close in his arms. Was it only a few months earlier she was congratulating him on his thesis? It seemed years ago now when it was just the two of them. "You know, I used to think it would be me and you against the world," she sighs.
He looks at her knowingly, "You agree with Erik." She scowls, "I do not." He sighs then, "You do, and I can't blame you for it. You've not been treated kindly-"
"Perhaps not, but I've also not forgotten that Sentinels are mutants…not least of all Schmidt. That BlueStar character needs to update his lines - sounds like mumbo jumbo to me," she points out defiantly. He kisses her hair in amusement, "Perhaps…but I'm not certain I have it in me." She turns, and presses a finger into his chest – "You Charles Xavier saint of mutant kind?" she affects a fainting motion. He sighs, "I don't know if I can ever forgive him…but I don't know if I can let him go either."
Raven quietly brushes his hair, "We'll protect each other, like always, and things will work out…they always do." A determined look fills her features as her brother's eyes begin to close.
He first sees the dossier when Emma places it in front of him.
Proof that the government is already experimenting on mutants. Proof they've known about mutants long before himself and Charles were born. Proof of several indistinct training facilities, and power suppressent technologies.
His first thoughts shift straight to Charles. This is so much deeper than the rift between them, it affects all their people.
He stares up at the gigantic building, aware for the first time just how large and looming it could appear. Once it had felt like the beginnings of a home…now it felt…Oppressive. It was lacking in something he had begun to take for granted…A familiar warmth resting at the edge of his awareness; a pleasant cheerful presence - Charles…
"I have to admit, its impressive," Emma notes cheerfully seeing the outside for the first time, as Azazel loops his tail, and Riptide looks up at the turrets with wide eyes. Feeling slightly foolish Erik lifts the knocker, letting it fall with a loud oppressive clang. Once, twice, three times; before stepping back to wait.
"Perhaps there's no one home?" Riptide murmurs and Emma laughs, "Oh trust me, someone's home." Erik looked up sharply at her words, but she shakes her head wryly. Then the door opened sharply, and they looked up to see the butler frowning down at them. "Ah, Mr Lehnsherr, please come in." The old man said calmly, bearing no hint of their last encounter in his tone, stepping aside to allow them entrance.
"Who is-" Mrs Estha asks, coming down the stairs, she stiffens at the sight of their guests. "Tibson - are you in your right mind? Letting them in here?" The butler shakes his head at her. "Hush. These are Mr Lehnsherr's companions, and they are expected." She stalks off muttering under her breath. Tibson guides them into the main study on the ground floor. "I'm afraid she still hasn't forgiven you for the strangling incident," he explains in a sotto voice.
"Well? You've got my attention."
Erik snaps his gaze up to the source of that voice…Charles…he's standing by the fireplace, and how has he not heard him come in? "You've kept us waiting." He exhales, too startled to contemplate the accusation in his words till the younger man's features twist in annoyance. "You didn't exactly make an appointment."
"Is that how things are these days?" He retorts. "What do you want Erik?" Charles demands. "You," the metal manipulator responds, instinctively, smirking as Charles draws a tired hand over his face, "Try again?"
Erik walks slowly forwards, as though in a dream and takes Charles hand in his own reverently, enjoying the slow flush that crosses those pale cheeks before the younger man draws back. "Always. Meine liebe. I will never stop until you are where you belong – at my side," beneath me, pressed deliciously beneath me.
Sparks fly from his fingers, and crackle up the younger man's skin. He swallows, wrenching back, "Stop. What do you want?" Soberly, Erik invites him into his mind. "I think not," Charles responds automatically, very aware of just how easy it would be to get lost there, caught in the natural magnetism of Erik's mind.
"Charles…look, its easier this way. On my honour," he breathes, and with a frown, the younger man glances to Emma, before looking back at him, and it hurts that Charles will trust her over Erik…but then he reaches up and presses his fingers lightly against Erik's brow.
Don't try anything, he warns quietly before slipping in, and Erik dutifully lays the information out before him. Charles's eyes fly open, shock in his still frame.
That's impressive, you learn quick don't you sugar? Emma grins, and Erik realises from her admiration that this isn't Charles. The telepath isn't in the room, this is just a projection...a very impressive projection. Erik exhales in warm appreciation for the younger man's skill, amazing Charles, he breathes.
Don't push Erik, Emma warns softly, he'll come in his own time.
Erik swallows, he could be patient with some difficulty he managed to step back.
After Erik leaves, Charles shoos the boys away (they are all awed at his astral projection trick) and sinks into the kitchen chair. Raven remains beside him quivering with excitement – she could work the mission and help their people…she could.
Several minutes later she storms out, radiating unhappiness as he refuses to let her place herself in such danger. Unable to confront Erik directly Charles finds himself teetering on the outside of the metal manipulator's old room. Tibson finds him there not long after, still fully dressed and curled up on the bed, his face, and pillow damp from fresh tears.
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