Chapter Text
Erik Lehnsherr's entire world revolved around one thing. Every waking moment, he thought of what it would be like when he finally took the life of Sebastian Shaw.
When Charles had first met Erik Lehnsherr, he was nearly drowning. He was swimming behind a submarine, and he had just destroyed an entire yacht.
"Erik-" Charles struggled to stay above the water. Erik splashed beside him.
"Calm your mind."
"You were in my head."
"Yes, I-"
"How?" Erik's swimming grew less panicked, less desperate. "How did you do that?"
"You control metal. I control minds."
"You- How do you know that?"
"Besides the flying anchor? I read your mind, Erik, I felt your pain. I know your life. Your mother-"
"Do not speak of her." Erik furrowed his brow a bit. His nose twitched. "Do not speak of her until I have killed him."
Charles nodded. Before he could say anything else- any of the hundreds of things he wanted to say- a life ring landed beside them.
"They want to help you." Charles grabbed the ring. "We want to help you."
Erik hesitated, though grabbed the ring. He said nothing. He fixed his eyes on the boat, refusing to look at Charles.
Once they were on the boat, Erik had quickly positioned himself in front of the fireplace. A blanket was around his shoulders. He watched the flames quietly.
"Can I sit with you, Erik?" Erik turned and found Charles- already seated in a wheelchair.
"You want to know how I was swimming earlier." It was a statement, not a question. Erik turned back toward the fire.
"I am curious, but it is none of my business."
"I don't mind." Charles wheeled forward, next to Erik. He watched the flames for a moment, felt their warmth and revelled in it. "Primary periodic paralysis. Sometimes my legs just... don't work. It's genetic."
Erik nodded. "Alright."
There was a moment of comfortable silence.
"And your mutation? May I ask about that?"
"What do you want to ask?" Erik shifted his body towards the other.
"Earlier, you saw my whole life? Felt my pain?"
"Yes." Charles swallowed, and looked down at Erik for the first time. "I'm sorry. Occasionally- I can't always control it. I just wanted to know what you were doing- what you were chasing."
Erik nodded. He, more than anyone, knew what it was like to be out of control.
"I don't think I was out of control, Erik. Your mind is strong. I tried to read your surface thoughts, and instead, I was flooded with these awful scenes-" Charles' brow furrowed, and he frowned slightly. "I think your mind was reaching out for help."
"A telepath would help me greatly. Shaw has one, a-"
"I know you want revenge, I know you think that will make you happy. I promise you it won't."
"You don't know that."
"I do. What will you do afterwards?"
Erik didn't reply. He'd never thought of it.
"You are more than your rage, Erik."
"What do you know about me? We’re opposites, Charles. The men who try to imprison me are the very men you work with.”
“I don’t want-”
“They’re preparing me a cell right now, aren’t they?”
“They are not. At least, not that I know of. The only reason I am working with them is to help you. Do you know how difficult it was to convince them that I could handle you, that you wouldn’t kill me?”
“Everyone I have killed deserved it.” Erik stood. Charles could sense his anger, but not because he looked for it. Once again, it was as if Erik's mind was grabbing his attention, forcing him to listen.
“I know that.”
“Do you?” Erik stalked forward towards Charles, cocked his head slightly. “Do you know that I won’t harm you?”
He walked until his knees were touching Charles’, then he bent and put his hands on the arms of Charles’ chair.
“I could.”
“No, you couldn’t. You know you couldn’t. You feel threatened; you are trying to intimidate me.”
Erik glared in reply.
“Even if you would kill me, you couldn’t. You are not the only mutant in the world, friend.”
“No,” He stood straight, took a step back, and looked Charles up and down. “Though it seems I’m the only one fighting for us.”
“I am fighting. Just without the bloodshed.”
“It’s not enough.” Erik walked father from Charles. “Asking nicely isn’t enough. They don’t understand us, they-”
“Then help me teach them.”
Erik stilled.
“We can give you a home and I promise you-” Charles wheeled forward. “I will help you find Shaw.”