Hey people :) Well, this is the last chapter I'm going to be posting for a while, about 2 weeks or so, since my exams are coming up. So, yeah. Thanks for reading , and for reviewing; hope you enjoy this chapter :)
Disclaimer: I don't own X-Men First Class or its characters.
Charles leans against the bathroom door, cheeks heavily flushed as he forces himself to breathe in and out.
He has to resist the urge to close his eyes – even now, the image of Erik's green eyes full of frustration and desire is imbedded in his mind's eye. He remembers the provocative words which Erik had let out in a low growl, and swallows.
Charles can hear the sound of the water running. He inhales, then draws away from the door. It would not do for him to fall onto Erik when he came out of the bathroom after all. Charles flushes at the image. He had already made one awfully embarrassing blunder- he was sure he would come close to dying of mortification if he were to make another.
Firmly keeping images of Erik's naked, wet body out of his mind, Charles diverts his focus to more important matters in reality- namely, the current situation.
He remembers his dream- no, nightmare. But a nightmare was still a dream. For that was what the horrifying deaths of all the people he cared about had been; merely a terrible dream.
Charles represses the urge to shiver at Shaw's satisfied, sick smile and Emmett's coldly amused gaze. Instead, he searches his mind for what had happened after he had managed to subdue Shaw and his minions. He remembers controlling Azazeal to teleport them to the mansion, remembers feeling drained of all his energy and falling forward onto a concerned Erik…
"Charles."
Charles almost starts at the sound of Erik's voice. He turns around automatically. "Yes…Erik?"
Erik smiles at him with sharp teeth. Charles feels a blush come on as he realizes Erik is dripping wet, the hard muscles of his body all exposed.
The towel that should be around his waist is over his shoulder. Charles's face turns incredibly red and he quickly snaps his gaze away.
"Good gracious Erik, put some clothes on!"
He knows Erik is raising an eyebrow at him. "I just got out of the shower, Charles."
"Well, be a decent man and wrap that towel around your waist now, will you?" Charles counters embarrassedly, resisting the urge to glower at Erik.
"English men…" He hears Erik think. Charles is quite sure Erik is smirking at him in amusement, as his nonchalant voice sounds, "Fine. You can look at me now Charles."
Slowly, Charles brings his gaze back to Erik, letting out a soft sigh of relief. True to his expectation, Erik is smirking at him, the towel now around his waist, and he tries not to stare at the other man's hard chest.
"Like what you see?" Erik smiles, moving forward leisurely.
"Yes-I-I mean no- I mean-" Charles fumbles, blushing at Erik's dark gaze and the sight of his bare, wet chest.
"I-I believe I have to leave." Charles manages to say in a relatively steady voice. His gaze is fixed on an enticing water droplet sliding down Erik's hard chest, ending at his nipple. Charles gulps, tearing his gaze away.
"Leaving so soon, Charles?" Erik asks, voice low and husky.
"Yes- well you see I would like to speak to the children." Charles says, meeting Erik's dark eyes under his dripping wet hair.
He turns away. But before he can take one step forward, he feels Erik's hands land heavily on his shoulders. Charles tenses.
"Not so fast, Charles," Erik says, his warm breath brushing against the nape of Charles's neck. "I believe you owe me for interrupting my private session."
Charles's feels his heart begin to beat faster as Erik presses close to him. He barely manages to hold back a gasp as he feels something hard against his behind.
It does not take long for him to realize it is Erik's erection. Charles feels his face heat up even more as Erik smiles into his hair, his hands coming around him.
"Erik- t-the children…" he stutters, feeling distinctly uncomfortable as Erik holds him in place, pressing his arousal against him.
"The children can wait," Erik is saying huskily into his ear now, and Charles is sure he is smirking. "They don't even know you're awake yet."
"Erik!" Charles cannot withhold a gasp as Erik grinds his erection against him, causing a warm feeling to erupt in his stomach. He feels one of Erik's hands sliding down his back and quickly turns, making sure to keep his gaze on Erik's face.
"Stop this Erik- I don't want this." He says, meeting Erik's dark green eyes. "Release me."
Erik merely gives him a smirk. His hands draw Charles closer, and Charles stiffens as he feels Erik, big and hard, against him. "What makes you think I care about whether you want this or not?" He says casually, but there is clear lust in his eyes. "I want you Charles, and I always get what I want."
Charles swallows, but does not remove his gaze from Erik's lust-filled one. "Because you care about me," he says in a matter of fact tone, as he remembers the worry and concern in Erik's green eyes, how he had looked so angry after he thought he had gone with Shaw.
"You were the one whom brought me in, were you not?" He takes a deep breath. "Erik, I realize I was wrong in thinking you considered me a friend as I do you, but I was not mistaken in thinking- in knowing you care about me- about my well being, about what I think."
It is perhaps the boldest thing he had said to Erik – after he had discovered he did not know everything about the other man, contrary to what he believed. But Charles does not flinch as Erik's eyes narrow.
It is the first time he has revealed to Erik how affected he is.
"And what makes you think that, Charles?"
"The moments we shared together Erik – your words just now about almost losing me to Shaw," Charles says, bravely staring up into Erik's displeased expression. He inhales. "You stopped just now when I told you to, did you not? You told me to get out of the bathroom because you didn't want to lose your control."
He is revealing too much, Charles thinks. He is revealing too much to Erik – showing him that despite everything, he is still able to read him, read his intentions and the meaning behind them. Erik would not like that.
"You are the first person who has ever been able to resist my advances, who has been able to read me so well," Erik is saying, in a low voice tinged with seriousness. Charles can still see the lust in his green eyes, but he can also see it receding, receding slowly. "You are the most frustrating man I have ever met. Do you know that, Charles?"
"And you are the first man who has ever come onto me, so fiercely too," Charles replies, smiling a little wryly. "I believe we're even, Erik. And I would appreciate it if you would release me now."
And Erik does. He lets go of Charles, withdraws from him. Charles smiles appreciatively at him, at his conflicted eyes, then turns away and makes his way to the door. "I'll see you later, Erik. Again, I do apologize for interrupting your shower."
Before Erik can reply, Charles is out of the room, closing the door behind him, leaving Erik alone with his thoughts as the other man had done to him.
It felt like forever since Charles had last walked the halls of the mansion, and he sweeps his gaze around, taking in the various antiques and portraits with appreciative blue eyes. He is only on the third floor of the mansion – Charles supposes Erik had not known where his room was. Charles walks towards the stairs, descending them.
Charles lets his hand slide down the gold railing as he walks down the stairs, remembering how he and Raven had used to slide down the smooth metal when they had been younger, and smaller. He smiles nostalgically at the memory as he recalls the shouting match between him and Raven before the arrival of Shaw.
Immersed in his thoughts, it takes him a few minutes to reach the bottom of the stairs. Charles raises his gaze, finding himself in the living room. He looks around, at the expanse of space – at the old, plush couch just as he remembered it, at the huge television set, at the various ornaments standing, old and dusty but still expensive.
Raven is seated on the old plush couch, which he remembered them sitting on and watching television when they had been kids, her expression forlorn. Charles's eyes soften at the regret in her green eyes, and he moves forward, concocting a plan.
Raven has not noticed his presence. Charles treads softly to the back of the couch, smiling secretively to himself. He reaches his hands towards the unaware Raven, using them to cover her eyes.
Charles hears Raven gasp. His smile widens and he leans towards her, whispering mischievously against her ear. "Guess who, Raven?"
"Charles," she says, and he knows she is smiling, can feel the gladness from her previously somber mind.
Charles grins. He removes his hands from Raven's eyes and she turns her head, smiling at him. "You're awake."
"You're alright." Her mind is saying, overflowing with relief. "Your payback is decades late." She teases him.
"Better late than never, Raven," Charles retorts back good naturedly. He walks around to the front of the couch, "I'm surprised you didn't notice my presence."
Raven bites her lip. Then she stands up, green eyes shimmering. Charles is ready with his arms held out as Raven rushes forward to pull him into a tight hug. He catches his sister in his arms, holding her close to him.
"I'm sorry, I'm so sorry," she sobs softly against his neck. "Because of me, he almost got you – I almost lost you- I shouldn't have-" she chokes.
"It's alright, Raven," Charles says, running a soothing hand along his sister's back as she cries into his neck. He smiles sadly. "It's my fault too. I have been neglecting you. But I didn't want to believe it…because it was you accusing me."
It is only with Raven he can be so open, he thinks. It is only with Raven when he can admit his faults out loud, that while what Alex, what they had done was wrong; they did not have to argue over it; he did not have to lose his temper with her, the one constant in his life.
"I couldn't do anything, just like the last time with that mutant," Raven is saying, regret and guilt in her voice. "I couldn't save you again, couldn't save my own brother. Why am I so weak?"
"You're not weak Raven, even I and Erik couldn't do much to resist," Charles points out, a wry smile on his lips. "Until the end, at least."
"I'm just glad you're safe." He adds, in a softer voice, remembering how he had lost his sister- in the dream which had felt jarringly real.
Raven sniffs, before slowly withdrawing from Charles, staring at him with red-rimmed eyes. "How did you manage…?"
Charles is about to reply, but senses the presences of a few more minds. He turns his head and Raven follows his gaze.
The heavy doors to the mansion open, revealing Hank, Alex and Darwin standing in front of a huge expanse of green. It is Hank who notices him first, and Charles sees his eyes widen behind his spectacles.
"Professor!"
He strides swiftly forward, followed by a surprised Alex and Darwin. Charles blinks as Hank clasps his hands on his shoulders, speaking rapidly, "Are you alright? Are you hurt anywhere? How did you-"
Charles holds up a hand, cutting him off. "One question at a time, Hank."
Hank blinks, then withdraws, looking abashed. "I'm sorry, Professor."
"Never knew you could speak like a bullet train, Bigfoot." Alex says sarcastically. He ignores the glare Hank shoots at him, saying to Charles, "How are you feeling, Professor?"
"I'm fine Alex, thank you." Charles smiles at him, and to his surprise, Alex gives a tentative smile back.
"I'm glad you're alright, Professor," Darwin says from next to Alex, seeming to express the unsaid words of Alex's smile. He smiles, relieved. "Should I go and get Angel and Sean?"
Charles smiles at him. He remembers how in his dream Darwin had been killed by Alex's red, dangerous energy beams, and wonders, as a precaution, if he should advise him against training with Alex.
"I would appreciate that greatly, Darwin."
Charles looks around at the mutants gathered before him. They are all seated at the round table in the dining room, for ease of conversation.
Everyone is present – Darwin, Alex, Hank, Raven, Sean and Angel who had come back from their training, Erik who had come down the stairs just as they had been about to make their way to the dining room, regarding Charles with his dark eyes.
Charles smiles – smiles at everyone around him, the people who he had managed to save. He rests his chin on his hands. "Where should I begin?"
"How did you manage to get away, Charles?" Raven prompts him.
"To be honest? I controlled their minds," Charles says quite bluntly, and feels the surprise around him. He smiles. "Shaw made a mistake when he asked Azazeal to take me away."
"Where did he take you?" Erik asks, voice rough.
"To the top of one of the buildings," Charles replies, turning his gaze to him. "I could see you from there, Erik. I could see you were in Shaw's line of fire."
Erik is silent, but he is still staring at Charles. Charles inhales, then returns his gaze to the rest. "To cut a long story short, I managed to distract Azazeal and gain control of his mind."
"I made him teleport me back to Shaw," Charles says, and here, switches his gaze back to Erik. "I made sure Shaw's guard was down, before I took control of his mind."
There is a silence at Charles's admission – an awed sort of silence. Even Erik is looking at him, impressed.
"Shaw's mind was surprisingly easy to control," Charles says. He clears his throat. "It was probably because he didn't have his telepath with him."
"His telepath?" Hank questions.
Charles nods. "Shaw sent his telepath to Russia." He says shortly.
"You made the mutant teleport you away," Angel says, crossing her arms. She raises an eyebrow. "Why did you do that?"
"Well, I had to modify their memories, Angel," Charles turns to her with a smile. "Or they would just use Azazeal to come back for me…perhaps for some of you as well."
"You mean…you erased their memories?" Sean asks tentatively, eyes wide.
Charles shakes his head. "Not exactly- I merely modified them," he half says, half defends himself. He hesitates. "For instance, I made Shaw believe he had failed in his mission- but he could always come back for me, rather, he will come back for me in the future."
"Why did you do that?" Alex asks, expression twisted in frustration and anger. "Do you want him to come back for you – do you want to be in danger again?"
"Yes Charles, do explain." Erik says, more calm than Alex, but with the same amount of, if not more anger in his dark eyes. "And why did you not take the time to figure out Shaw's location?"
Charles sighs. "I didn't have enough energy, Erik." He says quietly, his blue eyes meeting Erik's angry green ones. He then turns to Alex. "I'm sorry, Alex."
Erik's eyes narrow and he makes a displeased noise while Alex growls. Charles can feel Alex's anxiety, Erik's annoyance yet worry for him, and feels guilt tumbling into his stomach.
Charles bites his lip, as Darwin interjects, "It should be alright, right?" He tries, looking around at everyone. "I mean, we're here now; in the Professor's…house. The enemy doesn't know we're here."
"Wouldn't the mutant who teleported us here know?" Raven asks cautiously.
"There's no need to worry Raven, I am quite sure I erased his memories before I sent him back to the submarine." Charles reassures her.
"That's fine then, isn't it?" Sean pipes up and everyone turns to him. He gives a smile. "I mean, we should be safe- but more importantly, the Professor is safe. So why is everyone looking so gloomy?"
"Because they've realized," Erik replies, moving his intent gaze to Sean, and Charles is slightly surprised when the boy looks back at him unflinchingly. "Because they've now realized what they- what we are up against."
"I know." Sean says, in a more serious tone and Erik doesn't look surprised. He clenches his teeth. "I was useless. I hate that feeling."
"We all were." Hank points out, logically but with a tired tone to his voice. "Especially me."
"No you weren't, Hank," Charles tells him. Hank looks up at him and he smiles. "You rescued Raven from the fire. You saved my sister…thank you."
"You saved everyone else, Professor," Hank says, but there is an embarrassed, pleased smile on his face.
"You were running so fast even fire couldn't catch you," Raven says, turning to Hank with a glimmer in her eyes. She smiles. "I was pretty impressed."
Hank flushes, and mumbles something which Raven seems to catch as the smile on her face widens and she whispers what seems to be a 'thank you' to Hank. Charles smiles.
"We'll have to train," Erik says suddenly, interrupting the moment. Charles turns his gaze to him at the metal bender saying what he had been planning to say. He watches Erik run his hard gaze across the mutants at the table. "Every one of us."
"We've already begun." Alex points out somewhat snidely, and Darwin nods.
Angel smirks. "Sean and I were practicing our aim on each other," she says casually. "It was pretty fun."
"You can fly," Sean grumbles. "You had a clear advantage, Angel."
"I'm afraid Erik's right," Charles says. He smiles at the children. "I'm glad to see you are training yourselves already, but I would like to supervise your training all the same, and come up with a schedule as well." He pauses. "Can I?"
"Of course, Professor," Hank says immediately. He sends a warning glance to Alex. "I'm sure we would be honored."
Alex smirks. "I trust you – to take responsibility."
"What Alex means is that he would be grateful for help on learning how to control his power." Darwin translates with a smile. Charles smiles to see Alex does not disagree.
"Sure Professor." Sean beams, while Angel gives a lazy nod.
"Before you get all excited about exploring their potential, Charles," Erik drawls just as Charles's mind is already working on various methods of training the young mutants. "Do remember we have an appointment today with the CIA."
When Charles blinks at him, Erik adds dryly, "We don't have a mutant who can teleport on our side. We'll need time to get to Russia."
"Oh." Charles says. He blinks again, then inwardly shakes his head. He had almost forgotten about their upcoming endeavor. "That's right."
Erik looks at him as if he is resisting the urge to roll his eyes. He gets up from his chair. "You're the one who wanted to tag along with the CIA." He points out sarcastically. "Agent McTaggert would be disappointed if you fail to turn up."
Charles nods, rising. "I should contact Moira." He says. Then he pauses, feeling worried as he remembers the attack which had taken the lives of many men. "I do hope she's alright."
Erik scoffs and walks away. Charles looks after him, then turns to Raven.
"I know, Charles, we know," she says before he can speak, giving him a reassuring smile. "You two can go do the mission – we'll be fine."
Charles closes his mouth. He looks around at the young mutants, all now under his charge, and gives a grateful smile. "Thank you."
"Be safe, Charles." She says and he nods, returning her smile before turning and striding to Erik.
He soon catches up to Erik, coming to stand beside him in front of the huge double doors, which Erik mentally throws open with his power.
Charles watches as the man steps forward into the bright sunlight. Erik turns to look at him, a set resolution in his dark green eyes.
"Let's go. We don't have much time."