7) Just a kiss
Plot: Charles walks in on Erik and Raven kissing. XMFC
Erik studied the young, blue-skinned woman in front of him. She was truly something amazing, someone beautiful, Raven. He was not in love with her on an emotional level, but her mutant beauty was astonishing and too incredible not to love and enjoy.
No, he felt connected to someone else entirely.
Nevertheless, when she pressed her lips against his, Erik simply kissed back. He was not about to upset Raven any further. (He sensed Hank had to do with her sudden insecurity. They had been pretty close.) Besides, even though she was in his bed naked, he did not have to act lustfully. She was still a child, who probably had no true feelings for him whatsoever. He was a man whose head and heart were set on killing Shaw, unless one counted how his heartbeat quickened during encounters with someone...
They heard someone knock. Then, the door swung open without a warning. When Erik saw who it was, he froze.
"Erik? I'm sorry if you were asleep. But I need to go over our plan again so I'll be sure we're ready. I won't mention Shaw, but I do think we should - " Charles stopped talking and moving. His eyes widened tremendously and his lips quivered ever so slightly as he stared at the couple owlishly.
Startled and embarrassed, Raven abruptly the kiss. "Charles, I -"
"Go put some clothes on," Charles hissed, his eyes never leaving Erik's. "Now."
Raven rolled her gold eyes but quickly stood up to grab her robe. "Why, does this embarrass you, Charles?" Charles gave no answer, and she did not wait for one. Soon, the two men were alone, Erik in his bed and Charles standing and openly glowering at him.
The metal bender cleared his throat and forced himself to meet the telepath's eyes. "She was insecure -"
"And that's how you make her feel better?" Charles snapped. "How you build confidence? Convince her to sleep with you?"
Erik gritted his teeth. "Don't jump to conclusions, Charles. She came to me. I imagine Hank said something unfavorable about her true form."
Charles stopped glaring at Erik and began pursing his lips. "Hank wouldn't do that, would he?"
Erik rolled his eyes. "Really, Charles? Just because he's a genius, doesn't mean he'd rather make out with the blonde over the blue girl! You know how Hank views his own mutation and his obsessive work over that stupid cure."
"But..." Charles suddenly found the bedroom's carpet fascinating. "Why did she come to you... and not me, her brother?"
"Probably because she knew what you would say if she tried to tell you how she felt." Erik suppressed a smile and leaned back. "Besides, it would be weirder to sleep with your own brother as opposed to a tall, dark, handsome, mysterious stranger, wouldn't it?"
Charles scowled and sat on the bed. "So you don't think..."
"She has feelings for me?" Charles nodded meekly, and Erik shrugged. "I can see why that would worry you, given my background, but I honestly don't think so. I do think she tried to sleep with me, but that's obviously not the same thing."
"And you?" Erik chuckled darkly.
"You ask too many questions."
"Well, I need to know, my friend."
Erik rolled his eyes again. "Charles, I understand your concerns, but I promise that I won't try to take advantage of Raven. Besides, don't we have bigger, more important things to worry about?"
"Erik?" He looked up at the telepath, whose eyes had softened a measure. "You can tell me. I promise I won't be upset. I just need to know."
"Why? Raven -"
"It's not about Raven." Charles flushed and looked down at the carpet again. "Nevermind. Good night, Erik." He stood up and left, leaving Erik puzzled and wishful.
Of course I'd make out with the wrong sibling. With depressing thoughts, Erik stood up, turned off the lights, return to his bed, and slept. Personal affairs could wait. Tomorrow mattered, and tomorrow he would murder his creator.