Thank you all so much for the awesome feedback! It's certainly given me some extra steam to get this out asap, though I'm still very sorry it took me this long! This chapter went on longer than I planned, and it probably should have been split into 2, but since I promised the latter part already, here's a longer chapter than what I would normally hope to update with! Hope you all enjoy it!
So, I'm writing this on the premise that the 'X-men' or 'The Brotherhood' has not yet been formed, nor do they normally refer to each other in their mutant names (other than Raven).
"No! Op looky! !" Charles sat firmly within Raven's blue skinned embrace and waved his hand at Scott's face. The tween had been blushing non-stop since Charles had wanted Raven to be in her natural form.
"Wanna Rayray comfy! No looky! !" Charles had spent most of the day telling everyone to turn away, while he glued himself onto Raven's bare chest. His miniature scowl packed quite some oomph as he sat guarding his sister's virtue and modesty, alternating with pointing a tiny demanding finger at anyone who dared to look their way, or using his small and round figure to hide Raven's nakedness.
"Sott! No! Rayray! Dressy! ! You get cod! No looky Sotty! Op it! !"
Azazel suddenly appeared out of nowhere, bearing a thin white sheet for Raven to wrap herself in, though he doesn't manage to hide the slight disappointment upon seeing her more covered.
"Ank you, Azza!" Charles gave Azazel a big blinding smile that immediately turned into a stern pout.
"You no looky at Rayray atter bed time too!" The toddler made sharp biting motions with his bitty mouth, threatening what was in store for his tail if Azazel made any moves on Raven under this roof.
Still turned away, Alex quickly caught himself from releasing an amused snort. He was still far from comfortable with the temporary truce called with the guests at the mansion, but Charles and his watery eyes and quivering pout had given him little choice.
He had only begrudgingly agreed to allow them to stay because Hank had explained how Charles' predicament would be resolved faster if Erik and Azazel were to help, and Raven, having grown up with Charles in the mansion, is well suited to care for him. Angel and Janos had initially stayed more out of amusement and for the most part, they kept clear of each other's way, allowing Alex to pretend they weren't there. More importantly, Charles had grown into a habit of needing to give every single one of them a 'muah nighty' before he is willing to be put to bed for the night.
Sean seemed to have accepted it without much question, doing his utmost to keep the mansion running normally, and continuing with Charles' plans for the school. When Charles recovers, Alex hopes he will remember how much, out of everyone, Sean has stepped up and taken responsibility.
For the first few days of their abrupt arrival, Alex had had to use every nerve within him to keep his rage contained while the children were around, but one day he could hold it no longer. It was after a morning of training with Scott outside, taking good advantage of the last days of the warmer weather, they walked into the dining room to see Charles snoozing in the arms of a blonde Raven, while she laughed and gossiped with Angel, who in turn was braiding Ororo's hair.
The sight made Alex's blood boil. He firmly believed they had no right to be acting like they belonged here, like they were one big happy family. Not even Raven.
"You have got to be fucking kidding me! How can you expect to just waltz right back into this home, right back into his life!? After leaving him like that? After finding out he was fucking paralyzed!"
His harsh whisper sounded more like a hiss, but Alex would rather not the children hear this. He had asked Scott to look after Charles and Ororo for a moment, and demanded a private word with Raven away from the dining room.
"He is still my brother, and this was my home for a good part of my life! I have every right to be here for him when he needs me!"
"Then where the fuck were you for the last 15 months!? Where were you the month he spent in hospital? Where were you when they told him the paralysis was permanent!? Where the fucking-heck were you when he had to relearn how to do shit simple things as getting out of the fucking bed!?"
"Don't you dare talk to me like that! I don't answer to you nor do I need to explain myself to you. I was in constant contact with Charles. I asked him time and time again whether I should come back to care for him. He said no! He-"
"Are you fucking stupid!? You of all people should know his martyr complex! You should have came back no matter what he told you! Not even a visit!?"
"We were busy trying to save the lives of others like us!"
"Yeah? Too fucking busy that you don't even have the time to give one shit about the man who saved yours."
The vibrant blue of Raven's skin took on an almost purple tinge. She was shaking and shaken. The truth was she had no good explanation for why she hadn't visited Charles since parting with him that day on the beach. Erik had asked Azazel to also teleport Charles and the other mutants left stranded on the beach to a hospital, but Azazel said Charles insisted, and possibly manipulated him to take them all, including Moira, back to Westchester.
Charles had since kept up frequent telepathic contact with her, just to make sure she was well and vice versa, and her resolve to stay with Erik and his cause had wavered a bit for the first few weeks, when she wholeheartedly missed her brother. She had a feeling Charles wasn't being completely forthcoming about the extent of his injury from the bullet wound, and she only got confirmation about it from Hank a few days ago. Deep down, perhaps she felt too ashamed to see Charles again until they had accomplished something to show him that her chosen ideals were the right choice.
"Alex.." Scott, looking more than a little pale, stood at the doorway, unwilling to step any closer. Immediately, Alex buried his fury, and if Raven hadn't been so angry at him, she would have thought the sudden softness in Alex's expression looked good on him.
"Hey Scotty, what's wrong?"
"It's Charles... He started crying when... I don't think he likes it when you argue... and nor does Ro.." They had been so preoccupied with their argument, they hadn't heard Charles' bawling in the other room, behind the thick antique wooden doors.
Raven moved swiftly back into the dining room and proceeded to try to calm her brother down, holding him securely in her arms and bouncing him up and down, while saying soothing nothings into his ear. This of course ticked Alex off further. He stormed in, and snatched the sobbing Charles away.
"No! ! ! ! Aley! ! Op! !" His crying got louder, face scrunched and red. With one hand gripped tightly at Alex's shirt, Charles used his other hand to reach for Raven, bringing the two to stand face to face.
"'A-ami-ly... No wan-na ami-ly bye bye.."
A tidal wave of guilt washed over Alex. He hadn't considered it like that at all. To think, after all that Charles had done to reunite him with Scott, he had been trying to break up what family Charles felt he had.
Ororo came up and tentatively reached up to hold Alex's free hand. "Please, Alex... It's hard enough not telling Charlie about his parents..."
After that, Alex swallowed down whatever frustration he felt for this arrangement, and did everything in his power to allow Charles to have this small bit innocence and peace for however long it may last.
"Wait, how is everyone else busy today?" Sean looked incredulously at each person in the room.
"I could stay."
"No Hank, you've worked months on securing this meeting, and with Charles unable to go now, you can't cancel. Alex? What's happening with you?"
"I'm meeting that mutant downtown. Plus I'm taking Scott and Ro to the dentist, it will be a few hours, but I don't think they'll let us reschedule a fourth time."
And so it was, that everyone was busy with something for the afternoon. Sean was also set to meet a fellow mutant, terrified and in hiding a few hours drive away. Raven had a small re-con mission that required her abilities. Angel had to go into 'work' and establish contact with a possible anti-mutant group. Azazel was scheduled to be in Russia to help Emma for a few days. Finally, Janos was scheduled to meet one or two mutants outside the country, which would mean he returns when Azazel returns.
They all turned and looked at the gloriously oblivious toddler playing on the sofa with his sock bunny toy, and blabbering at whoever is the closest to him, today being Janos, who seemed to be quite charmed by it.
Then simultaneously, they all turn to look at the only person free to look after Charles today.
Erik.
It was uncanny how unsettled he looked even under that metal helmet.
He has been sulking around the mansion for few weeks, since their arrival. His efforts to stay hidden from Charles' view but still within close range, made him look and feel like a creeper in the shadows. The helmet doesn't help, though at least he's no longer wearing the cape and streamlined Santa suit.
"I'll stay. I can tell them-" Angel was cut off by a raised hand from Erik.
"It will be fine. It is only a few hours. I have looked after children before." However, his expression said it was going to be anything but fine.
It has become the norm to see Charles react positively to Erik's voice, but the second those too large eyes land on the source, his demeanor takes an abrupt turn. Now, instead of fear, the toddler packs on a glare that was deadlier than Scott's red optic blasts. The worst part was Charles would sit purposefully with his back and round diaper clad buttocks facing Erik, and scowl painfully indirectly at him from a profile view.
"Charlie! Who wants lunch?" Always eager to diffuse any tension, Sean jumps in to distract the seething toddler, faint still-developing brows scrunched in distaste, lips squished tight together. Good thing, Charles was easily distracted, especially by food or toys or playtime or anything other than Erik.
"Me! ! Can has oney bed and juujuu, pooweez?"
"Alright, buddy! Wanna pour the honey on the bread yourself?"
"Yeah! ! !" Charles clung to Sean like a koala, and bobbed his head in excited agreement. "Awn elp daw smiley, purdy peeeez?"
"Sure, little man!"
"Yay! ! Lolo has big big smily! She may big *whoosh* likey Jano!" Charles squeezed together his petite mouth and made an impressive imitation of the sound of wind. "And and Aley has two bed! He likey bed! !"
"Erik, I've tucked him in for his afternoon nap. When he wakes up, he'll want his bunny, and a drink, preferably water, but I'm letting you slide with some juice..." Sean placed a couple of mini juice boxes on the bench.
"He's really into his apple juujuus right now, but we've run out, so orange will have to do. There's some apples in the fridge if he gets fussy. I should be back by dinner time, and I'm sure Alex will have the kids back by then too. If he gets really bad, just read him Peter Rabbit through the wall or something. And-"
"Sean. Charles will be fine. Go."
Unfortunately, Charles wasn't the one Sean was worried about.
Erik felt a small sense of serenity as he watched, from just outside the room, Charles' tiny figure sound asleep in his bed, fortressed with pillows just in case. His small podgy limbs splayed about with fingers and toes all fisted comfortably tight, one hand grabbed tightly onto his favorite comforter, a fuzzy pale green blanket that Erik was sure he used when he last stayed at the mansion.
Charles' head is tilted towards Erik, a rare occurrence, and his cherry colored lips have parted, the clear plastic pacifier fallen out of his mouth, leaving a large thick trail of drool down the side of his mouth.
After a moment, Charles's brow's twitched in agitation, perhaps due to a dream. One chubby leg kicked about, and the tiny arm connected to the hand holding onto the comforter jerked away, pulling the fuzzy blanket off him, leaving the sleeping toddler without cover over his bare porcelain chest.
Immediately, Erik moved to readjust the comforter, making sure Charles' soft chest, rising and falling rhythmically, was tucked in securely and comfortably. Unfortunately, it was the wrong move, as Charles seemed to have sensed his proximity, and even in his sleep his dainty features came together to form the grimace Erik is all to familiar with by now. A few whimpers are emitted before Charles stretches his plump limbs and reaches to rub his eyes, still unwilling to open.
Erik quickly returned to the shadows just before the child finished rubbing his eyes awake. Sitting up in the middle of the the large king sized bed, surrounded by piles of pillows, Charles scratched his neck and looked around the room confused, still with a scowl on his face. Then the barely awake toddler tilted his head as if in waiting. After a minute of silence, he scrunched his face together, and a little grunt escaped his mouth. It looked and sounded as if he was pushing...
Scheiße! Erik was in panic mode. Sean had said he'd changed Charles' diaper before putting him to sleep, and he assured him it would hold up till they returned by dinner time. He didn't even know where the diapers were kept. In his consternation, he nearly missed the movement of Charles tiny hand.
Charles continued making little grunting noises of intense concentration, but now he has his tiny index finger pointed at his temple. He was using his telepathy.
"Awn?" His voice was small and unsure. His eyes growing larger and watery as silence greeted him.
"...Teddy! ? Huuh huh..Aley! ? ?" By the time he got to Raven's name, Charles was balling his eyes out, too scared to move from his pillowed fortress, one hand still pointed at his temple, while the other held onto his comforter. Erik had no other option but to reveal himself.
"Charles. Hey, little maus, you're not alone. I'm right here." He had not intended it, but he hoped his words would spark some better memories of him for the terrified child. It didn't. Charles' worried gaze snapped onto the dark figure in the corner, still wearing his ridiculous maroon helmet with what looked like mini antlers. Even under the dimming light of dusk, his azure eyes were bright and vibrant, sadly, they were also filled with tears and apprehension.
"Hut! ! No! Ead huts! ! No! ! Go way! !"
Erik sighed and decided to go fetch the juice box and fruit and leave it by Charles side. As he is about to leave the room, Charles whimpered loudly.
"Op! N-no wanna bye bye.." The little boy looked so conflicted, both scared to be alone and yet terrified of the man in the room with him.
"Charles... no, not at all. I'm here for you-" Erik takes a step towards Charles, only to have the toddler recoil in fright, again his petite hands reached up to clasp at his head.
"H-hut! He-head hutty! Pooweez...no wanna hutty!"
Finally, it all made sense. How could he have been so stupid for so long. Without further thought, Erik slipped the helmet off and threw it to the ground. The startled child went stock still, his only movements were the hiccups he was unable to control. Slowly, Charles' expression scrunched again, and he burst into tears.
"...E-Erie? Erie! ! !" Charles practically jumped off the bed into Erik's welcoming arms. "Erie! ! Mi-ss you! ! Miss m-iss you, Erie! !"
"I'm so sorry, Charles. I'm right here... Ssshhhh... I'm right here with you."
Clung tightly within Erik's embrace, Charles rubs his face over his shirt, wiping tears and snot on his black turtle neck. At one angle, Charles spots the helmet on the ground.
"Ba-ad! Erie... bad! H-ut!"
His tiny podgy finger points accusingly at the offending helmet, while he looked imploringly up at Erik. With a flick of his wrist, Erik has the helmet fly out of the room, far away from the small telepath. Charles looks at him with complete awe and adoration, tears still running how his rosy cheeks, and his little nostrils obstructed with watery discharge.
"Oh little maus, let's clean you up and get some juice in you."
Charles nods his head enthusiastically, immediately forgetting his tears. "J-uujuu!? I l-ikey juu-juu! Erie h-has juujuu too!"
The toddler doesn't stop looking adoringly at Erik, he even refused to get his whole face wiped clean, for fear Erik might disappear if he doesn't keep an eye on him. He uses his puny hands to reach up and map Erik's face, as if he can't quite believe he is real. The most adorable part was when Erik smiles back down at him, the toddler would shy away for a few seconds, hiding his face into the man's neck.
As they made their way to the kitchen, Charles sat contently silent in his strong arms, just smiling and studying him, at times ducking away when he gets shy again. Erik opens an orange juice box, and poured the contents into a infant friendly bottle, while Charles started to jump about in his arms and eagerly reached to receive the bottle, mouth already forming an 'O' in anticipation of the bottle's spout.
The second the juice hits Charles' tongue however, the toddler chokes a bit, and his features tighten together, while his lips pucker outwards, like how one would after sucking on a lemon.
"You don't like orange juice?" Erik couldn't help but chuckle fondly at Charles vast array of expressions. As he reached to grab the bottle from Charles, the toddler huddles at it tighter, unwilling to let go.
"No! I wanna juujuu! No wanna wa'er."
"How about I cut you some slices of apple instead?"
At the mention of apples, Charles eyes light up again, and he instantly forgets about the bottle being sneaked away from his grasp.
"Apple! ! I likey apple! !"
Erik uses his powers to open the fridge, and selects a nice red apple to be washed. Charles is elated to see his powers at work, and he squeals and claps at Erik's display. Much to Charles' further delight, Erik has a knife float out of its drawer and cut the apple by itself.
"Here you go, maus."
"Ank you, Erie!" Charles shyly accepts and grabs the piece of fruit and proceeds his nibbling, dripping a bit of its juice down his chin and hands. After returning to earnestly look at Erik, the toddler stops eating suddenly, and offers Erik his partly eaten snack.
"Erie has apple! Om om! Apple good Erie!"
Erik indulges the child, and takes a bite out of the piece offered to him. Charles makes a satisfied hum then his small body shivers, and a blissful expression runs across his now shy face.
"..oopy.."
The drive up the mansion's driveway was tormenting long for Alex. His mind flashed gory images of the worst scenarios of what could have happened in their absence. Scott and Ororo were equally anxious.
When they finally opened the front door, the mansion was eerily silent and ominous.
"Charles!? We're home!"
The gloomy silence is soon broken by a loud squeal and the pitter patter of small bare feet running across the wooden floor.
"Aley! Sott! ! Lolo! ! ! Ome!"
A butt naked Charles ran up to greet them, giddy and jumping about in excitement.
"Erie ome! Erie ome! !"
Not a moment later, Erik scrambles out from the direction of Charles bedroom and bathroom, holding a bottle of baby powder in one hand and a clean diaper in the other. His hair was messed up and half his face and black top was covered with white powder.
Alex quirked an eyebrow, and gave Erik an approving nod. He'll laugh at his helmet tan line after they get Charles changed and dressed.