Chapter 5: Charles Xavier
Charles was back from the dead again. This time, the ripples an unidentified event produced on the space-time continuum caused a series of dead heroes to return to life, his daughter included, and many others to have parallel versions of themselves living side by side with them, but Erik didn't want to dwell on that.
At the moment, the old frenemis were engaged in a match of chess. If everything went as expected, Erik calculated his victory was no more than seven moves away. They stared at each other across the board, until Charles spoke, "You know, I never chose to be bald."
"Well, then, we have just found another difference between each other, old friend," Erik answered, raising an eyebrow. His companion gave him a half-smile, and continued.
"I must say, I am surprised. I never knew you were inclined to adopt this hairstyle, not to mention a practical man such as yourself never stroke me as someone who would be willing to deal with the inconveniences it brings."
Resting his chin on his hand, Erik smirked. "Are you trying to tell me there isn't room on this planet for two bald old mutant leaders, or just hoping to distract me enough so you can win this match?"
Charles actually laughed at that. "Perhaps; this game is not yet lost. But I confess that I really am wondering what led you to make such decision, considering the circumstances of the last time you were bald." Erik's face took a somber aspect, and Charles was quick to apologize. "Forgive me, that was uncalled for."
The master of magnetism sighed. "It is fine." A pause. "I feel you have earned the right to know the truth, after all."
Charles gave him a surprised look; he never expected there would be more to this story, as all he truly intended was to unnerve Erik enough for him to make the wrong move. "Yes?"
"Not too long after you died, there, ah... there was a small incident with my helmet. I did not realize there was a, erm, substance on the bottom of the helmet until I put it on my head and it stuck on my hair. I had no choice but to shave my head in order to get rid of that small annoyance. Charles?" He asked, when the other man seemed unable to form a reaction. Suddenly, he laughed, a loud, open-mouthed laugh the likes of which neither had heard in a while. Erik soon joined him.
Minutes later, when they had both recovered, Charles asked the sensible question. "What I don't understand is, why did you stick with the baldness for months after your... incident? I don't even have to listen to your thoughts to know you are not as fond of this look as you're trying to convince everyone."
"Oh, I had no intention of staying bald! But when every person around me chose to remark on it with a poorly conceived sense of superiority, it became a matter of principle. And I'll confess, torturing Scott by resembling the mentor he killed was too tempting to resist." More laughs. "You understand, of course, that you can't share this information with anyone. I have a reputation to protect."
This time, it was Charles who smirked. "Well, old friend, nothing but your behavior will determine the safety of your secret."
AN: I will let you decide what the substance that stuck in Erik's hair was. Oh, and he let his hair grow back, but Age of Apocalypse-style, because I live in this happy world where Magneto is the sexiest character in all of Marvel.