XMFC/Accidents Happen

[guideshapelead]

Charles is far from impressed with the drugs Hank's given him. So far, he's taking them obediently, but he has to admit that it's already a struggle to keep up the regime. He hasn't had another seizure, and for that he is grateful, but the cost is almost too much. His concentration is shot; he can barely manage a chapter of a book in one sitting, now, whereas before he'd skim whole volumes. And worse, his telepathy has been weakened to a level which is almost non-existent. He has to try, with all his concentration and mental strength, just to catch glimpses of thoughts aimed directly at him.

His head has never felt so quiet.

As a consequence, he's in far from a good mood as he sits in the drawing room with Erik that afternoon, struggling to do more than watch the flames in the fireplace. He finds the whole thing far more crippling than the bullet in his spine.

Comments

[guideshapelead]

"He needs to be more careful," Charles frowns. He knows no real harm has been done, today, but he's very aware that things could have turned out very differently.

"I don't want any more rooms collapsing."

[diecastking]

"I'll tell Bozo," Alex promises, before getting up, saluting them all, and heading for the door.

Raven shakes her head. "What did they give him in the hospital?"

"Painkillers," Erik says with a smile. "I'm heading for bed. Charles?"

[guideshapelead]

"Yes," Charles nods in agreement. He'd feel guiltier about leaving his sister with the washing up if he could reach the sink.

[diecastking]

"Don't mind me," Raven says mildly. "I'll just make tea for my charred blue boyfriend and pretend you're going to separate rooms."

Erik raises an eyebrow but said nothing. He'd suspected as much anyway.

[guideshapelead]

Charles takes the news with far more interest than Erik, though keeps himself from saying anything. His sister and Hank are both adults, something he often forgets.

"Good night, Raven," he manages instead, before following Erik from the room.

[diecastking]

Erik follows, hand on Charles' shoulder as they head to their bedroom.

"Were you not expecting that?"

[guideshapelead]

"Was I expecting it? No. Does it surprise me now that I know? No." Charles answers.

"Considering the adventures of today, it's the least of my concerns."

[diecastking]

Erik frowns at Charles as they get into the lift.

"Are you still thinking about that?"

[guideshapelead]

"You expect me to have forgotten already?" Charles frowns right back at Erik.

"I thought I'd - I could have lost you, Erik. And the boys, too."

[diecastking]

As they step out of the lift, Erik shrugs.

"I've always lived with danger, Charles. I never expected to live this long."

[guideshapelead]

Stopping in his tracks, Charles looks up at Erik with a look of utter desperation across his features.

"Don't... don't say that. Don't ever say that."

[diecastking]

Erik realises Charles has stopped and turns, horrified at the look on Charles' face. He hurries back and places his hand on Charles' cheek.

"I'm sorry. I didn't mean to upset you."

[guideshapelead]

"I need you, Erik," Charles looks up into the other man's face.

"I need you by my side."

[diecastking]

"Charles, I need you too" Erik says sincerely. "For the first time, I can see a future."

Erik bends to lift Charles out of the chair and kisses him for all he's worth, a promise to stay.

[guideshapelead]

Wrapping his arms around Erik's neck, Charles kisses him back. There shouldn't be anyone roaming the hallways this evening who could run into them.

"I can't hear your mind any more," Charles sighs, letting Erik hold him without complaint. "It scares me."

[diecastking]

Erik carries Charles through to their bedroom, placing another kiss against his cheek. "Maybe it will wear off as your body gets used to the drug?"

[guideshapelead]

"I hope so," Charles agrees, though in his own mind he's already decided that the drugs have to stop. He's not willing to wait and see whether he'll adapt or not. He's not having a repeat of today.

[diecastking]

Erik lays Charles down on their bed and then perches on the edge. He places a restraining palm on his chest, brushing a kiss against his lips.

"So, you were saying something about missing me...?"

[guideshapelead]

"You were gone a long time," Charles tries to play innocent, looking up at Erik with wide eyes.

"I was worried."

[diecastking]

Erik laughs, a genuine burst of humour. "Those long minutes without me, Charles. I expected you to have found another handsome GI before I got back."

[guideshapelead]

"I was too busy looking after our children, darling," Charles teases, smiling happily. He still can't quite believe the family he's managed to forge for himself.

[diecastking]

"You've regained a remarkable figure, liebe," Erik says, running his hands down Charles' chest as he jests. "Little wonder I rushed home to you."

[guideshapelead]

"Who's saying that I'm the mother?" Charles demands, though he knows that Erik's quite right. Alex and Sean both seem to prefer Erik for practical problems, and himself for emotional ones.

[diecastking]

Erik laughs again, hands settling on Charles' belt to make quick work of the clasp. "There's nothing womanly about you. Of that, I am assured."

[guideshapelead]

"I'm glad you think so," Charles grins, propping himself up on his elbows to get a better look at his lover.