And here is the second chapter !
Thanks to the reviewers !
Disclaimer : I don't own anything related to X-Men.
"Telepath & metalbender" = thoughts
Chapter 2 :
(Erik's POV)
As I watch Charles go to his room, I cannot help but to feel a bit ashamed of myself too, I never really wondered if his gift was hard to live with or not. He always seem so in control, like it comes easily to him. We are all so rapidly adapting to having him taking care of us, we never stopped to think about his hardships, we take him for granted. But first, Raven :
"Raven... I know I told you to be natural, but antagonizing the closest you have as a family is not going to help anything... Even if I admit I didn't consider his difficulties either..." She seems shocked, "I..." she hesitates "I didn't... want... to..." "I know Raven, maybe you could talk just the two of you when he's better, hm? I'll go see if he's up to bear my presence..." And I left her still standing in the kitchen, through I notice she morphed some clothes on, probably unconsciously.
He walks through the halls until he reaches the door of Charles' room. Despite their numerous nights of chess and discussions, he only rarely went into Charles' domain, and he can't help but to develop a strange feeling in the pit of his stomach, suspiciously like butterflies, and he doesn't really know what this sensation is.
Before even knocking he hears a "come in" from inside, so either he stood before the door longer than he thought or Charles is really less patient tonight, as usually he lets us make our choices, important or not. Not that he blames him, he was always convinced people with Charles' patience didn't exist, and usually knowing in advance what's happening in people's head, their feelings and decisions, even before themselves, without saying anything and speed up the process must require a lot of concentration and generate some frustration.
When he enters Charles' quarters he realizes how dark it is in there, probably because the light is worsening his headache, and after getting accustomed to the lack of light, he perceives the shape of his friend lying on the sofa (and why on earth does his heart beats strangely at the sight of this man ?).
"Charles" he whispers, "do you want to be alone ?" He hopes he's not too intrusive, he's not comfortable, never really had to comfort or take care of anyone before...
"You can stay Erik, though I should warn you my control is extremely bad at this moment, and I can't put up shields." Well, at least he answered... And Erik realizes that it doesn't bother him so much that Charles might know his mind...strange... But then, the exploration of these feelings would be better done once alone, both in shape and in mind (although distance probably doesn't make a difference to Charles...)
Despite the obvious close temper of his friend, he has some questions to ask, he doesn't want to disturb him, but his paroles in the kitchen rendered him curious.
"You can question me a bit my friend, though not too loud, my head wouldn't be able to bear it."
After some time to organize his ideas, he goes on : "I just realized Charles that we don't really know what your power entails... Would you mind tell me why you never expanded on it ? Even Raven doesn't seem to really know it..."
"Well that would be because my power makes her uncomfortable, so I didn't talk about it with her, or with anyone for that matter" Never ? Erik understands then how frustrating it must be with Raven always in some sort of angst because of her appearance, and no consideration of her brother state of mind toward his mutation, simply because it doesn't affect his physical aspect.
"And to answer your other question, I didn't want to frighten anyone with my power" Well this one was unexpected, he's completely stunned, frighten anyone, Charles ?
Said man begins to laugh "You would too my friend. Sometimes I'm even scared of myself..." he says with a peculiar undertone, something between sadness and anger...
"But... what exactly can you do then ?" "Ah isn't it the million dollar question ?" he hears in his mind, tinted by amusement, but he answers aloud anyway.
"Globally, I can do everything that requires the mind." Seeing, or feeling, Erik's obvious confusion, he elaborates : "know the life of someone, including all the repressed memories, force the mind and so the person to do my bidding, erase memories, modify perceptions, alter some parts of a memory, freeze someone, communicate by thoughts, move objects by a mere thought, the possibilities are close to limitless, at least regarding the power, ethically it's another matter. I can also connect and communicate with anything just sentient, which includes animals, old forests, earth and such. And all of this, within a zone of 50km, which can go up to 300km from me."
Charles doesn't know if he made the right decision by telling Erik the expense of his power, but if someone can bear the truth it's him, and probably the only one who deserves the truth, bar Raven, but she's always focused on her blue skin. He continues : "All of this means that if I'm not actively shielding, I receive all the thoughts of people of quite a big part of the town, and generally know the mind of people around me almost better than my own."
Erik is amazed, his friend is so much more powerful than any of the others in the mansion will ever be, or will ever envision and it's only because of a set of rules, his own and those imposed by his education, that he doesn't have the world at his feet. Looking at his friend, resting in this big sofa, in an overgrown study, makes him see how Charles is a walking contradiction, with his scholar inconspicuous persona, and this huge amount of power inside. But something is troubling him, which may explain his friend's current temper...
While Erik ponders, Charles observes him, because he finds it fascinating to see the emotions on his friend's face, even if the man is convinced to put on a cold mask all the time. Ah, and there's the apprehension, and something else he cannot quite precise, suspiciously like admiration and concern ? Whatever for ?
"But if your power is so... well... powerful, doesn't it hurt or something to always keep it so tightly around yourself?" Charles is astonished, here's is why Erik Lensherr is an exceptional man. Someone, that he met only a few weeks ago cares enough to ask if he is uncomfortable to not use his power, whereas he reminds himself bitterly that his sister in all but blood didn't bring up the question even once. It makes him inexplicably sad and tired. "Indeed my friend, it does hurt, quite a lot if I'm surrounded by a lot of people for a long moment, through it improves the more time I pass with the mansion full around me."
"And, do you need to train a lot ?"
"Everyday I need to let my power run free, I wouldn't be able to bear the pressure otherwise; which explains partly why I'm an insomniac ! It alleviates my conscience to let it go once everyone else is sleeping, though sometimes I receive some … hm, personal dreams..."
Erik ponders the almost deceptive nature of Charles, which for once is based on his kindness and consideration for others. Really, Emma Frost and Charles both create illusions, just of e different kind.
After some silence, through comfortable, Erik asks a question almost timidly : "Would it be possible to observe you during one of your training ?"
The next reply is his head, and the voice appears surprised : "Of course my friend if you wish, as long as you realize that by being in close range for these sessions, Your mind will be completely open to me..."
"But it's always the case, no ? Only your... courtesy stops you, doesn't it ?"
"Indeed..."
Erik feels strangely excited to learn more about Charles, yet looking at him, one can notices how tired he is.
He decides to help soothe his friend to decrease his headache. He comes over, sits down on the sofa too, places gently Charles' head on his lap, and begins to lightly massage his temples. He hesitates but Charles doesn't object. It feels strange to be this close of someone else, he didn't think he'd still be able to get close to someone, and yet, with Charles he came closer both physically and emotionally. So much that he's actually quite happy to help his friend, although that may have something to do with running his hands through his hair...
Looking down, he realizes Charles has fallen asleep, even if it doesn't mean his telepathy is inactive, as apparently, it cannot be inactive.
He's comfortable here, and his eyes are getting rather heavy. They'll have to talk more thoroughly tomorrow. Just before drifting to sleep, one sentence finally hit him ("...sometimes I receive...personal dreams...") He then derives to the land of dreams, with Charles' head lying in his lap.