guideshapelead | XMFC/Hank's in trouble...

To both his annoyance and amusement, Charles has been watched like a hawk by Erik ever since the disastrous trial run of Cerebro. Recovered from the side-effects of the modified machine, Charles can appreciate his lover's concern, is even touched by it, but he honestly feels back to full health. He's got a lot of bruises, but besides that, he really can't complain.

Two nights after his experiment with Cerebro, Charles is lying in bed, head buried in a book. Whilst academia is no longer his life, he still tries hard to keep up to date with the latest genetics research and publications. Since he's barely been allowed out of bed, for the last two days, he's come a long way in catching up.

At the end of the chapter, Charles closes the book, sensing Erik's approach. It's late - past his lover's normal bedtime - and he has to admit to feeling more than a little tired himself. As he rolls to place the book on the bedside table, he's bothered by a momentary sensation of pins and needles throughout his whole body, but it's gone as quickly as it came. He's almost forgotten about it when the world goes black around him.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

Regardless of blame, Hank now knows that Cerebro has affected Charles' brain for good. The seizure the other day hadn't been a one off, after all. Still learning to cope with life in a wheelchair, Charles now has this to think about to.

And all because he'd modified Cerebro. He sure as hell feels to blame, regardless of Erik's words.

Face sad, he nods his acceptance of Erik's apology and beats a hasty retreat.

Erik watches the boy leave. He closes the door with his power and hastily changes for bed, throwing on his sweatpants and crawling into bed beside Charles.

He spoons up behind him, drawing him into his chest to keep him on his side during the night. "It's going to be fine."

"'rik?" The movement brings Charles back to consciousness. He's exhausted, and confused, but at least he's lucid again.

"I'm here," Erik says, kissing the side of Charles' neck. "Go back to sleep."

"Did... did it happen again?" Charles remembers more this time, remembers reading in bed and sensing Erik heading in his direction. And then... nothing. It's the same black hole in his memory as the day he reportedly used Cerebro.

Erik pulls Charles closer to him. "Yes."

He allows it a moment to sink in, then adds, "Hank is going to look at medication in the morning."

"I don't remember anything," Charles admits, thinking that that's probably a blessing.

He tries to twist himself in Erik's arms, wanting to see his lover's face, but he finds himself completely drained of energy. He can barely move.

Erik wordlessly completes the movement, so that Charles is facing him. The bruise on his temple is florid now and will only be worse come morning.

Erik kisses it, then kisses Charles' lips. "It stopped by itself this time, but you hit your head."

"I do have a headache," Charles admits. Then again, everything else aches too. He feels like he's run a marathon, or like he's gripped in some fever.

"I was just putting the book down..." he frowns, trying to fill the void in his memory.

Erik nods. "I heard it fall when I was on the stairs. Don't think about it - go to sleep."

"Is this..." Charles doesn't want to sleep, struggling to get his thoughts back together.

"Is this going to keep happening?"

Erik doesn't want to worry Charles when he's unwell, but he doesn't want to lie to him either.

"Hank thinks they can be controlled with medication."

Looking up at Erik with eyes still slightly unfocussed, Charles struggles to take in this new information. That there's something else wrong with him, that's not going to go away.

"Medication," he echoes, sad and resigned already.

Erik kisses Charles again, tender and lingering.

"To control it. We will work it out."

"I feel awful," he admits, his head pounding from where he slammed it into the headboard.

Erik starts massaging small circles on the back of Charles' neck. "Should I fetch you some painkillers?"

Charles shakes his head gently, sure that painkillers won't have much effect at the moment. He just feels completely drained of all of his strength. Like he's been beaten to within an inch of his life.

"I can taste blood."

"You were bleeding. Open your mouth."

Erik tilts Charles' jaw with his fingers to get a better look.

Even that small movement is an effort, but Charles manages it, opening up his jaw for Erik to have a look.

"It's your tongue, but it's stopped now." Erik taps Charles' mouth closed and draws him into a closer embrace.

"You scared me," he confesses.

"I don't remember anything," Charles repeats, not sure if that's any consolation or not.

"It's not your fault," Erik says with a note of exasperation, wondering how many more people he'll have to tell that to tonight.

"I just...wanted you to know. I love you, Charles. I don't like seeing you like this."

"I love you too," Charles promises, the words out loud tonight, too tired to even attempt telepathy.

"And I don't much like feeling like this," he manages a hint of a smile.

"How are you feeling now?" Erik runs his fingers over Charles' face, a couple more bruises developing. It looks like Charles has been in a prize fight.

"Like I've been run over," Charles admits.

"Repeatedly."

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