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Erik shuffled through the school hall and dashed out the back door, shielding the crown of his head with a physics textbook. It had been a while since the last rainfall hit town.
The metal bender was fond of gloomy days. It made things feel less dull and repetitive. The last time it rained, Charles told him he felt some sort of anticipation building up in the atmosphere as if something bigger than themselves was about to happen. He described it as there being "magic in the air". Erik smiled as he recalled the telepath's whimsical enthusiasm.
In less than a minute, Erik was soaked to the bone. He entered his car and slammed the door shut, muting the roaring thunder.
Erik glanced out the window. There were flashes of lightning streaking the sky. His physics textbook was sopping wet; however, it had been partially salvaged by the plastic wrap he used to cover most of his second-hand books. Erik wiped the excess water before slipping the book into his backpack.
As he started the engine, Erik caught a glimpse of someone sitting against the far end of the brick wall, which was barely shielded by the roof of the school building. He took a closer look, blinking slightly when the figure moved. Erik was certain that it was his best friend, Charles Xavier. What was he doing out here?
One of the lamp posts flickered on, and Erik could see the telepath wiping his eyes on his sleeve. Charles was crying. He hadn't seen his friend in a while due to being in different classes and their busy schedules. It tugged at his heartstrings to see him like this.
Erik, ready to brave the rain once more, grabbed an umbrella from underneath his seat and unlocked the door. As he stepped outside, he opened it and walked towards Charles.
Charles picked up on Erik's presence long before he noticed his.
When the metal bender started walking in his direction, Charles looked up, making Erik stop in his tracks. As another stream of tears spontaneously trickled down his cheek, Charles looked back down at his feet.
A moment later, Erik was standing in front of him, observing his crestfallen state. Charles' cheeks were stained with drying streaks of tears, and his hair was damp. Erik looked up and saw that the tip of the roof was leaking. He shielded him with his umbrella whilst mulling over his next course of action.
Charles continued to stare at the ground as tears streamed down his face. Eventually, Erik decided to sit beside him in silence. The sky began to growl, and the raindrops started to multiply at a rapid pace.
Both of them stared at the backyard, which had flooded a little. Erik remembered the first time he met the telepath. It was raining that day too, and he had just lost his mother. Charles offered him his undivided attention and comfort even though they were strangers. Erik initially planned not to befriend anyone at his new school until he came along.
"Charles," Erik said as he stood up. He extended a hand. The telepath grabbed it, and Erik guided him to the front of the school's back door, where it was dry.
"Do you need a ride back home?"
Erik was unsure of how to comfort Charles and didn't want to probe by asking him what happened or if he was okay because, clearly, he was not.
"Or maybe we could go somewhere else?" he suggested.
Charles' eyes perked up at the second suggestion. Erik pulled Charles closer until he was under the umbrella, and they made their way to his car.
"Wait, Erik," Charles said before they stepped out into the rain, "My things are still inside."
They take an odd shortcut through the school gym. The building was almost empty, with the exception of a few staff members and students who were held back for detention. When they got to Charles' locker, Erik quietly watched the telepath stuff items into his backpack. It's a lot more than the average student should carry, and the thought of this dragged Erik's attention to the dark rings around Charles' eyes.
On their way out of the building, Charles kept his head down the entire time in case they passed by any nosy peers. He was well aware of how pathetic he must look. When Erik was sure they were alone, he used his powers to push open doors and levitate the umbrella over his and Charles' heads once they were outside.
Erik and Charles rushed to the metal bender's car as thunder boomed and the rain poured. Charles took shotgun and tried to get comfortable while Erik restarted the engine.
Another lightning bolt streaked the sky, and the sounds of thunder predictably followed. Erik drove out of the school parking lot with caution, catching the telepath's gaze as he looked into the rear-view mirror.
"Why don't we head to the library and wait for this storm to subside?" Charles suggested, "Unless, it would be an inconvenience..."
"I have nothing planned for the afternoon."
Erik found the perfect parking spot that was shielded from the rain and close enough to the entrance that he and Charles didn't need the umbrella. He flashed a smug grin at the telepath, who was looking a lot more lively.
Unfortunately, they were not the only ones who came to the library for shelter. It was crowded with students and people who looked like they had just gotten back from work. Charles and Erik couldn't seem to go a few steps without apologising for bumping into someone with how crowded it was.
They headed to the second floor and roamed until they finally found a less crowded table sandwiched between two long bookshelves. Erik and Charles sit across each other at the far end of the table. They were accompanied by two older women and a little boy—presumably the grandson of one of them. It wasn't long before they left, leaving the two friends alone.
There's a chess set on the table. Erik dragged it over and placed it in front of Charles.
"How about a game?"
The telepath doesn't say anything for a minute. Now that they had proper lighting, Erik could see the redness in his friend's eyes, reminding him that he had just been crying.
"Charles?"
"I'm sorry, Erik," Charles said, "Of course. I'm sorry, I have a lot on my mind right now."
"I understand," Erik assured him.
Charles smiled, knowing he meant it and wouldn't be pressured into talking about whatever was troubling him.
"It's your move," Erik said with a mischievous grin that brightened up the room.
In the middle of the game, they decided to take a break.
"Are you hungry?" Erik asked, feeling his stomach growl.
"A little."
Erik volunteered to get them food. He headed to the library's café and ordered two cups of hot chocolate with marshmallows and two chocolate chip cookies.
Erik returned and placed one of the cups and cookies in between the small space unoccupied by Charles' folded arms.
"It's on me," Erik said, happy to be spending time with his old friend again.
"Thank you," Charles beamed, but his expression quickly changed.
"I'm sorry for... all this. I know you saw everything."
"There's nothing to apologise for," Erik patted his shoulder lightly.
Charles took a sip from the plastic cup, feeling the warmth rush through his body. The drink tasted sweet and comforting, and he swore it wasn't the extra toppings Erik added to it that enhanced the taste—it was his presence that made everything better.
Erik and Charles decided to save their food and drinks for later, seeing as the rain had subsided. Although it was only by a fraction, Erik was eager to take Charles back home with him. The scent of cookies and hot chocolate filled the vehicle, creating warmth and cosiness that both hadn't felt in a very long time.
As Erik drove past neighbourhoods, Charles took small sips from his hot chocolate and devoured the cookie. It was enough to replenish all the energy he lost from crying. They enjoyed a quiet drive, and sometime along the journey, Charles dozed off. Erik parked his car and sat there silently, watching his friend instead of waking him up. Sadness looked and felt so intense coming from the normally cheery telepath. Erik hoped he could always be by his side, like how Charles was always there with him in his lowest moments and that he would never have to go through it alone.