How can I say no to your kind requests? Thanks everyone for the comments and the faves. I enjoyed reading your feedback and they made my day :'). So here's the follow-up story I promised.
Show Me the Goods
Chapter 2: Cakes Made From Joy
It took about ten minutes for Raven to find out Erik, or Magneto, wasn't such an expert at baking like he'd claimed.
He was currently eyeing the recipe in his hand. He couldn't make heads or tails of it. This was ridiculous.
"Um..."
He turned to her. "Yes?"
"I thought you knew how to bake."
He didn't! He had absolutely no clue how to bloody bake! It astonished him, floored him how he could bend an entire satellite but was unable to make pastry. Oh how the world can be humorous.
"Well, it's been a while." He lied.
She crossed her arms. "So we have a novice and a guy who's forgotten how to bake trying to bake?"
"You're making it sound more difficult than it is."
Raven sighed. "Yeah, you're right. How hard can it be to make some sweets?"
Erik nodded in agreement. It was simply a cake; they weren't building an automobile. How difficult could it possibly be?
About thirty minutes later and they had found out.
It was safe to say the blob looking thing in the oven was not a cake.
"Somehow the picture in the recipe book looks far more appealing than that." Raven said wondering if what they had created was even edible.
"Much more," Erik added with a frown. "I don't even want to know what it would turn out to be if we continue."
Right as she was reaching for the oven mitt he cut her off by raising an arm up to halt her. Using his mutant ability he easily opened the oven and glided the pan out.
"Now was that really necessary?"
"Wouldn't want you to get burned dear Raven."
"There is an oven mitt you know?" She replied a bit annoyed by his overly overprotective attitude, which he seemed to have with only her.
"Not needed when you have me." He said before gliding the pan in front of her, a playful expression gracing his face. "Care for a taste?"
She laughed, a sound that was music to his ears, and backed away. "No way!"
With a smile he removed it from her sight, dumping the contents in the trash can. His gaze returned to her before beckoning the materials. "We still have some more, want to try our luck again?"
"Definitely! I feel it'll be a lot better now that we have more experience. Besides second time's the charm." She joked.
This time it was about thirty five minutes later that they had finished.
"Argh!" She cried out in exasperation. "We're terrible bakers!"
Erik stared at the pastry (if that's what one wanted to call it) before turning back to her. "At the very least the color is right. That can be seen as progress."
"At this rate it'll take centuries. I can't believe we can't bake a stupid cake." Raven complained, a pout present in her features.
Erik sighed and yet again dumped the blob into the trash. "It's seems it's actually harder than it looks."
"We should just ask Hank for help."
He twitched. "Or we could simply buy one."
"What?" She replied in disbelief. "That would completely destroy the purpose. Not to mention it'd be extremely lazy of us."
Erik could care less. Anything but get help from him.
"We've wasted almost all of the materials too. Looks like we'll have to buy some more tomorrow. If we can miraculously work it into our schedule that is."
Erik recalled how it was Banshee's turn to do the market run. "Why not just ask Sean to pick some up on his way?"
"I can't do that! It's supposed to be a surprise remember?" Raven replied before shooting him a glare. "At least, it was a surprise until you and Alex decided to drop in."
He coughed awkwardly and closed his eyes to stifle the embarrassment. "I told you it wasn't what you were thinking."
When he opened them he noticed her face was now extremely close to his. He would've jumped had it not been for years of always maintaining a cool composure. His heartbeat began speeding slightly as she edged even closer. Her hand reached over and cupped his face, her thumb gently rubbing his cheek.
Oh goodness was he breathing? He couldn't even tell. His brain had suddenly just malfunctioned. Since when did he act like this?
And just like that she pulled away and started laughing. "You have cake batter on you!"
His eyes darted to where her hand was. And the gooey substance was evident on the thumb that had been on his face. Suddenly his body exhaled indicating that no, he hadn't been breathing throughout the little interaction. Using his hand he quickly wiped the batter off his face.
Slowly Raven began licking the pastry off her thumb having no idea what the action was doing to him. Abruptly she turned to him and grinned. "Wow you know what? It's actually not that bad."
"No it isn't." He replied referring to something else entirely.
Then her gaze returned to him, scrutinizing something, before chuckling. "There's some on your hair too."
Much to his pleasure she reached out again and wiped it off with a napkin. "You're such a goofball Erik! It's almost cute of you."
Her close proximity was intoxicating and he found himself relishing it. Right as she pulled away he reached forward and caught her hand. Their faces were only but mere inches away.
"E-Erik?" She gasped softly.
In response he gently squeezed her hand. And he pushed his head towards her. Fleetingly he noticed the napkin had dropped out of her hand. His eyes never left hers as he inched closer and closer.
They were wide with shock. Her cheeks flushed. Yet she did nothing to pull away.
"Whoa!"
The two instantly jumped back at the sudden voice. In came Alex (of all people) in nothing but his shorts.
"What?" Erik growled. And if looks could kill. Was this how Hank had felt when he'd interrupted him and Raven that time? Because from the other end of it that really was annoying.
Alex glanced from Raven to Erik before eyeing the mess of bakery materials scattered on the counter. Quickly he put two and two together. And there was that irritating, God awful smirk that Erik hated plastered on the young boy's face.
"Trying out the goods eh Erik?"
Before he could reprimand the boy on his manners Raven had chucked some of the cake batter onto his face.
"What the hell Raven?!" Alex groaned as his hair was now covered in cake substance. "What's your problem?"
"You're my problem jackass!" Raven retorted. "You are such a pain sometimes you know that?"
Erik couldn't help but smirk. "So, how are the goods?"
"Haha very funny." Alex grumbled as he walked inside the kitchen for a napkin. "Thanks for giving me a reason to shower again guys."
"You deserved it." Raven replied.
"I swear you just can't take a joke."
"Why are you even up anyway?" She questioned.
"I was coming in for a snack, that a problem? By the way how did the little baking come out Raven?"
"Lame."
"Rough," was all he said before fetching an apple from the table. He made his way out with a small wave. "Don't go doing anything I wouldn't."
"Shut up!" Raven managed to retort before he'd made his leave. Nervously she looked back towards Erik, avoiding eye contact. "Uh, it's getting late. We should call it a night."
Erik looked upwards from his book when he heard a knock. It was one of those rare days where he was simply enjoying the day. He rose from his bed and opened the door.
"Hey," Raven greeted with a timid smile. "Mind if I come in?"
He opened the door more for her. "Not at all."
"I was just wondering if you'd like to go to the market with me."
"Me?"
"Yeah. You're one of the few people who knows about my plan. I need a strapping man to help carry the bags and it isn't like I'd go with Alex. So what do you say?"
Inwardly he felt a wave of content at the fact that she hadn't chosen to go seek out Hank. "Love to."
"Great, what are we waiting for then? Let's go."
They managed to successfully exit the mansion without anyone noticing. Now they were surrounded by tall buildings, the bustling of people, and the sound of engine horns. The sensation felt... normal.
"Move it Erik," she commanded and was soon tugging at his wrist and dragging him. "We don't have all day and we can't be out for too long or the others will suspect something."
Her hand felt soft. And so he allowed her to drag him towards their destination. Occasionally he'd earn curious glances from the crowds as well as a giggle or two from the adolescent children, mostly the girls.
The cashier gave them a smile -though Erik knew with a bitterness that he'd have never done so if he knew their true identities- and handed them their bags.
Raven turned to stare at him.
He stared back.
She narrowed her eyes slightly.
Oh. Finally it hit him. He took a hold of the bags and eased it up onto one of his hands.
She smiled innocently at him "How nice of you Erik."
"What's with all them sweets?" The cashier asked. "Is it your anniversary or something?"
"It's nothing like that!" Raven quickly answered, waving her hands a bit. "It's for something else."
Once again she took a hold of his wrist and dragged him out. It wasn't exactly helping the theory that they weren't together but, strangely he didn't mind.
"What is it with people thinking we're together?" She asked still dragging him. "Can't a girl and a guy be seen together without having to be... together?"
"You can't blame humans for having such simple minds, my dear."
"So what does that make Alex?" She joked with a laugh.
He found himself actually chuckling. It's been a vast amount of time since he'd laughed liked this let alone have such a peaceful day. The normality in the day had felt strange, weird even.
Once they had arrived back at the mansion she took the bags off his hand.
"Okay I'm going to go stash this somewhere. Thanks for your help Erik."
"A pleasure." He replied truthfully.
"I'll be seeing you later after dinner and all."
... ... …. …. ... ... ... …. …. ... ... ... ….
"Hank was sending me these glances nonstop all evening." Erik said as he eyed the pan in the oven, their third try of the night, then, with a smirk he added. "Care to tell me why?"
She blushed. "Erm... it probably has to do with the fact that I told him I'm doing this with you."
He'd of loved to see the young scientist's face during that conversation. "I take it he didn't handle it well."
"Actually he was pretty understanding about it. Although, now I'm beginning to think otherwise."
"He thinks I'm ruining his 'moment'."
"Huh? Who gave you that idea?"
"Just a comment Alex made earlier."
Raven shook her head and sighed. "Alex can be such a toddler sometimes. Always saying such ridiculous things."
"Then, it's not true?" He couldn't help but ask.
"What isn't?"
"That I'm coming in between something with you and Hank, it isn't true?"
Raven paused at that. Yes she'd initially thought of Hank in that light, but lately things had gone on a different path. All he talked to her about was some cure and looking normal. It made her feel incredibly self-conscious and insecure. And then there was Erik.
"By the way, if I were you I wouldn't change a thing"
Erik seemed completely unfazed by her true form.
"You want society to accept you but you can't even accept yourself."
He encouraged her to embrace it. It made her feel relieved... happy too; that there was one person who seemed to accept her for who she truly was. At times it seemed confusing. Why was he going out of his way to tell her stuff like that? Why was he constantly reassuring her? It's as if he lik—
"Raven?"
Apparently she'd been lost in thought. "Oh sorry about that, zoned out for a moment. To answer your question, no, you're not intruding in anything. And to be completely honest I... I prefer this, being with you I mean."
The comment caught him off guard. Before he could respond the timer dinged indicating the cake was ready. As he'd been doing for each he glided the pan and set it on the table.
"Yo!"
Raven rolled her eyes as Alex made his way into the kitchen. "What do you want now?"
"Give me a break can't I check how my cake is coming along?"
"It's right out the oven so do be careful." Erik warned the boy as he made his way to it.
Alex sliced a small piece off with the spoon he'd grabbed. "Damn... this is good. Really good!"
"Are you serious?" Raven asked in shock. "If you're joking I'll pound your lights out."
"I'm telling you it's delicious!"
"Really?!" She replied in glee. "Do you mean it?"
"Hell yeah! It's good. Nice job guys."
Raven turned to Erik and smiled before raising her palm up. "High five for success! You're amazing Erik I wouldn't have been able to do this without you. I guess you actually did know what you were doing."
And he smiled, raising his open palm to meet her soft one.
Of course he would never tell her that he lied and that the only reason he'd said all that was so that he could be around her.
"I was happy to help."
... ... …. …. ... ... ... …. …. ... ... ... ….
"Wow is this for us?" Sean asked as he eyed the delicious looking chocolate cake in the table.
"Yeah," Raven answered happily. "It's for all of us. I thought it'd be nice to reward ourselves with a cake. I mean we've all worked hard these past few days."
"Raven," Charles began with a soft smile. "You didn't have to."
"I know, but I wanted to."
"It looks really nice." Moira said as she began cutting the cake into even slices. "Did you do this all by yourself?"
"Not exactly," Raven replied before beckoning Erik who was standing next to her. "Erik helped me. It turns out he's quite the baker."
"No way." Charles said with an amused brow aimed at his friend. "I would've never bet that you were a baker Erik."
"Neither would I." Hank muttered under his breath in annoyance. He was supposed to do the baking.
"Damn this is some good cake!" Sean cried happily as he devoured the treat.
"Don't eat it all man save some for me!" Alex ordered as he reached for another piece.
Sean quickly reached over for seconds. "Sorry man, it's been a while since I've eaten some nice treats like this. You're awesome Raven!"
"I helped too." Erik added with a slight frown. He earned a thumbs-up from the young mutant who was now engaging in some eating contest with Alex.
"Here you go Erik." Raven said as she held a plate for him. "We can eat ours together."
Conveniently he took the vacant seat next to her on the couch. "Don't mind if I do."
"It'd be nice wouldn't it," she suddenly spoke.
"Hmm?"
She gazed at the peaceful atmosphere they were surrounded by; Alex and Sean's crazy antics, Hank's poor attempt at calming them, Moira and Charles' scolding the boys, and all this while eating some nice chocolate cake.
"If moments like these could last forever I meant, wouldn't it be nice?"
He paused and took in her words. If he were to be perfectly honest right now he could say he enjoyed this little moment. It felt nice to just sit back with fellow mutants and just live life. Deep inside he knew that it would never be this easy despite what Charles would say. Nonetheless times like this felt relieving, as if there were no cares in the world.
With that he turned to her and smiled softly, a genuine smile. "Yes. It'd be nice."
"You feel the same way; I'm glad."
And the smile she sent him was so heartwarming, so peaceful, so... nice. Cake just never tasted sweeter. Closing his eyes he relished the tranquility of it all.
Yes, it would be great if this feeling could last forever.
Author's Notes
I find it a bit tragic how things had to turn out with the guys, having to be on different sides and all. It must've been rough. I guess I just wanted to do some of the lighter side. Well thanks a million for reading. I'll be sure to write more so stay tuned :)