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If there was one downside that Charles found to his and Erik’s unconventional relationship, this was it.
They could go days with no contact at all, though Charles would often reach out at night. It was a time he was certain that Erik would be without his helmet after a brief discussion where it was decided he would take it off so Charles could have some way of contact. The only concern was that their time zones added up. Sometimes they did and he could check in on him, make sure he was alright, still alive, still going. He lived for those moments of their secret conversations, their talks about what they were planning or doing, sometimes drifting to wandering hands and discussing their current actions.
On occasion, Charles even found out when Erik was planning to return to him again. Other times, he would leave Cerebro, a sinking feeling in the pit of his stomach, with no more knowledge at all of where the other was and what was happening to him.
This was one of those times. It has been close to a week since Charles had last managed to contact Erik and, while it certainly wasn't the longest they’ve ever gone, it was the longest since they actually discussed their relationship and came to the conclusion that it was indeed a relationship.
Erik had assured him they would meet up once a month at least and he would be available as often as possible mentally as well. He knew time zones well and could keep up with what time it was in New York, and when Charles would try to reach him.
But the end of the month was closing in, as is the week, and Charles found himself worrying more and more. Not only about their relationship but Erik’s well-being. Had something happened? Would Charles know if it had?
He had no answers to his questions but tried to push them aside and continue on with his teaching responsibilities without the students catching on to his worries and inner thoughts. Luckily he had enough self-control to keep from broadcasting his thoughts, no matter how loud they may seem in his own head.
He is sitting in a classroom, the students sitting in a circle around him taking part in a class discussion when there is a knock at the door before it's pushed open with Hank sticking his head in. “Sorry to interrupt, Professor, but you’re going to want to see this.”
It only takes a second to know that whatever it is, it isn’t going to be good, so Charles refrains himself from taking a look into Hank’s mind. It’s best if he doesn’t know yet, he decides.
With a quick glance around the room, Charles clears his throat, “Class dismissed. Remember to read the next two chapters before class Thursday,” He says, even as the students exit the room. They can’t say he didn’t tell them, it's their fault if they didn't stay long enough to hear.
As soon as the room is empty, Charles wheels around and nods to Hank, who promptly leads them out of the room and down into the lab.
“There was a tape left on the front steps. Or, there was a box left, it didn’t have a name on it or anything, but it came with the mail. Anyway, I opened it to see and then, realizing it was a tape, put it in to check. After seeing the first frame, I paused it and came to get you. Something tells me it was meant for you anyway,” Hank rambles on as the doors open and a screen is in the center of the room as the man steps to the side so Charles can see it.
The sight on the screen makes Charles gasp. He takes it in slowly, there’s no other option. Erik’s hands were behind his back, wrapped around a wooden chair, the power suppressor collar around his neck. He has his head up, back straight, seeming to have as much dignity as possible, even with the blood, scrapes, and bruises covering his face. Or what Charles can see of it. The damned helmet covers most of his head, as usual.
“Play the video, Hank,” Charles demands, or tries, but his voice is much too soft and full of concern to be anything more than a request.
Charles watches. He has to force himself to watch and not look away, but the fear that if he does, he’ll miss something important is enough to make him keep his eyes on the video as the voices start.
“He’s going to see this, anything you want him to know?” A voice asks around a laugh.
Erik struggles around, as though trying to look away from the camera. “Don’t. Don’t do this,” he says.
“Shut up!” The yelling is accompanied by a hard punch to Erik’s face in the hole cut out of the helmet, blood drips from his nose. “We have you here now, we’re going through with it.” With every word, the voice sounds increasingly angry, speaking louder than before.
“Just tell us what you want. We’ll get it to you. You don’t have to resort to this,” Erik states, finally giving in and opening his eyes to look straight into the camera.
“As though the great Magneto wouldn’t do the same thing we're doing.” The man laughs, “Just a taste of your own medicine. Wait until your dear little professor sees this, and sees what we’re doing to you. I think we should be able to arrange a trade. I’d imagine he would give us many things to get you brought back. I can’t imagine why he’d want that though. After all, who would want an insufferable, annoying, pathetic, poor excuse for a man like yourself?”
There’s a pause in the talking as a man walks around behind Erik, a knife slides gently over his neck and Erik tries to lean away but hits the stomach of the man who is behind him, face never seen as the camera cuts off just below his neck.
“Maybe even the blueprints for Cerebro. What do you say, Charlie-boy?” The knife is moved away seconds later and the man makes his way over to the camera, stepping around behind it.
“Don’t do it, Charles!” Erik calls out.
Charles’ eyes follow the trail of a drop of blood as it slides down Erik’s throat until the screen goes black.
“Where do we meet them?” Charles asks after a second of silence, “And how soon can you and the X-Men be ready for a battle? I’m not going to give Erik up without a fight and we both know how risky Cerebro can be in the wrong hands.”
“There was a note,” Hank says, sliding it out of the box from the tape and handing it to Charles. “I’ll go work on getting the team ready. In the meantime, we can just hope we’re not walking straight into a trap.”
Charles sits in the lab, staring at the small paper in his hand with only an address and time on it. They’ll be there and find a way to hunt down Erik. There is nothing Charles won’t do to get him back, no lines he won’t cross.
Erik is terrified. Lucky for him, though, he’s spent most of his life running on a mix of adrenaline, fear, pain, and anger. This situation is no different. He just hopes he has enough time to get himself out before Charles and the others show up. He doesn’t want to be the reason Charles gets hurt once again. They’ve just started building their relationship back up and to lose him again, Erik isn’t sure he would be able to handle it.
Already, he doesn’t know how long he’s been here. Day and night have faded, blending together with nothing to separate them, one day bleeding into another. Or maybe it’s only been hours. Either way, it’s been too long.
He wonders if Charles has gotten the tape yet, if they’ve arranged a meeting, if they might already be on their way.
Really, he knows he should have more faith in Charles than to think he’ll give up Cerebro with such ease, especially to these people. But Charles doesn’t always make the best decisions and he often says the worst things he could possibly say.
He needs to figure this out on his own before mutant lives are wasted. Before the X-Men burst in with no idea who they are dealing with and get themselves killed. Erik isn’t sure Charles would ever be able to forgive him for the death of his students.
And then the screaming starts, pulling Erik from his thoughts as his head snaps up, wincing immediately. His body is on fire but he pushes the pain aside to focus on what he can hear. Part of him says to scream back, yell, and get their attention, the rest says to stay quiet and wait. It could be someone coming to help, but it could be someone who could make his situation much much worse.
The sounds of doors banging echo in the halls outside and seem to be getting closer. For a second, Erik’s instincts say to hide before he realizes there is nowhere to hide. Or, rather, no way for him to hide, tied to the seat the way he is.
The screaming continues as well, getting closer, louder by the second, and, after a moment, he realizes what they’re screaming.
“Magneto?!” Bang !
“Erik?” Bang !
It takes only a moment longer for him to make up his mind. “In here!” He calls back, hoping for the best but preparing for the worst, trying to get his feet firmly on the ground, ready to do what he can.
The door to his room opens next and Erik blinks, thinking he must be seeing something wrong.
“Charles,” He whispers out, watching a smile form on the other’s face.
“I’m here, love, I’m right here,” He assures him, rolling close enough that he reaches out and unties Erik who immediately removes the power-dampening collar and then the helmet from his head. As soon as it’s on the floor, Charles dives into his mind and Erik sighs out softly, almost collapsing down on him as he leans in to wrap his arms around the other.
“I’ve missed you,” Erik informs him, “I’ve missed you so much, Liebling. I’m sorry about all of this.”
“ Unless you made them kidnap and torture you then there is nothing to apologize for, darling. Come on, let’s get you out of here while the others continue to search and make sure the others have taken everyone out.”
Erik nods and pulls back from the hug, keeping one hand on Charles’ shoulder as they make their way out of the building, more for reassurance and comfort than anything. At least, that's what he tells himself as he's stumbling more than he would like to admit.
“Did you bring the blueprints they wanted?” Erik asks, needing to know.
“Well, yes, but I didn’t give them away. I was prepared to do anything to get you back. I didn’t want to give them up and face what may become of it, but I would give up anything to have you back safely. The backup plan was to give them what they wanted. No matter what it may have been.”
Erik nods as he lets this information sink in, making his way slowly out of the building with Charles. They meet up with Hank who is quick to sit him down and start looking him over. Erik knows it’s on Charles’ orders rather than any personal concern about Erik’s health and well-being.
“How are you feeling, anyway, Darling?” Charles asks as Hank works. Charles is just far enough back to be out of the way but, thankfully, not out of Erik’s sight. Though he does long to reach out for him again.
“ As though I’ve just spent a week being kidnapped and beaten around,” He deadpans, before adding, softer, “I’m okay now that you’re here and I know you’re safe and, hopefully, now that a full meal is in sight.”
“As soon as we return to the school, Darling.” Charles assures him, “And why were you worrying about me? That should have been my job to worry about you.”
“You make rash decisions sometimes. I worried this would be one of those times,” Erik explains.
“There is no decision too dangerous when it comes to saving your life,” Charles says out loud, rolling closer and wrapping his hand around Erik’s.
It’s almost enough to make Erik believe it.