Work Text:
*Erik do you love Charles?*
He was surprised to hear the question, after a moment of silence he answered,
"Yes, yes I do. Why are you asking?"
*Something tells me he misses you, you should go and tell him.* I said, poking the bear straight in the face.
He raised an eyebrow then put his helmet down on the oak furnished table. He sighed and rubbed his face in slight frustration.
"I don't know if I want to, he doesn't get it. He has no idea of the hatred towards our kind from 'normal' people."
*He does, he just understands that if we fight for our kind with violence and murder, the humans are going to hate us even more* I insist.
"That's my point, we're going to be hated regardless of how much we try to be polite. Violence is the only way, I refuse to let my people suffer the same fate as I did," he said in a cold, bitter tone. He was frowning now.
*There is no chance that we will be able to coexist peacefully if we continue to harm people, but there is a chance the world could change if we prove to them we are not a threat, their weak and scared of the unknown Erik, you and Charles could help them see that we shouldn't be feared and that we can help them.*
He scoffed at that idea. He ran a hand through his hair, thinking of how to respond. After a moment, he replied with a serious tone,
"Do you honestly believe people can change? The hatred of our kind has been passed down for centuries, you can't erase that. They won't listen to us."
*How do you know, you've barely tried, all you've done from their point of view is kill their families..* I paused.
*For instance, how do you think women got rights after centuries of being treated as mere animals.*
*This change won't just happen over night, people of colour, women, and queers have been fighting for years, and change has happened, yes there is still be change to come, but at least they've stepped forward in their movements.*
He paused, listening as I spoke. He had to admit that I had a point but he wasn't used to giving in. He sighed and stood up.
"Let's say I agree with your way, how am I supposed to change the viewpoint of millions of humans by myself."
I fought the erge to roll my eyes, (this bitch-)
*That's why you need to go to Charles, you need to tell him what I have told you, convince him by any means that you've changed, he'll know what to do he always does, people may not forget completely what you have done but if you try you can balance it, maybe even over power it.*
He looked as if he wanted to say something in protest but he couldn't find the words to disagree. After a few seconds he finally responded.
"And what makes you think he'll even listen to me? He'll just try to get me to join the X-Men, again."
*He'll listen to you if you are truthful, he may be sceptical, but I believe he needs as much help as he can get with this. He knows you Erik, he won't turn his back on you for no reason.*
He knew I was right. He was still hesitant, but I had a good point. After a moment of consideration, he spoke again.
"Okay fine, but, I'll go there by myself this time. Charles is less likely to think it's an ambush." He decided.
*Yes that's fine, now go.*
He nodded and grabbed his jacket that was hanging on the dresser then he turned back to me.
"And what will you do while i'm gone?"
*Well, I've landed a position at the local PD, it's a low rank but I thought it would be one step closer to our goal given that I'll be a protector of both humans and mutants, once I move up the chain I really think I could make a difference, anyway don't worry about me go get your man!*
He couldn't help but look mildly perplexed yet determined. He was impressed by my ambition which was something he could respect. He gave a small nod in acknowledgement
"Very well then, I'll be seeing you again." He said as he opened the door, walking out.
I smiled fondly in success. My job was done...
He got into his car, a little less suspicious than flying there with his powers, plus it would give him some time to think about what he was going to say, he started it up and began to drive.
On the way to the X-Mansion, he had a few thoughts on his mind. Thoughts on how Charles would react when he'll see him, and what he will say to him. But he pushed those thoughts aside to focus on driving, he didn't think about how he was starting to regret not bringing me with him. God he was so nervous.
He took a deep breath and walked up to the door, debating in his own head if this was a good idea. After some time, he finally knocked on the door, waiting...
°•°•°•°•°•°•°•
Charles opened the door to his mansion, looking tired.
"Are you a parent? The school is closed-", the words died in his mouth as he realised exactly who was Infront of him.
Erik was stood nervously at the door.
"you couldn't tell it was me?", He fidgeted awkwardly, a dark feeling like he shouldn't be there.
Charles raised an eyebrow, shocked to see Magneto at his door. He leant against the doorframe, taking in the sight of his former friend
"What. Are you doing here, Erik?"
Erik was also surprised, mostly at the professor's state.
"may I come inside?" He asked stiffly.
He was concerned around Charles' clear lack of self care. He noticed he'd not shaved and his hair had grown down to his shoulders, much unlike the usual tidy professor he used to know.
Charles hesitated, his eyes narrowing at Erik skeptically. However, he stepped aside, gesturing for him to come inside
"Step in, then." He huffed half reluctantly.
Charles shut the door behind him, crossing his arms and leaning against the wall. He looked at Erik with a mixture of weariness and curiosity.
Erik furrowed his brows, looking at his surroundings as he turned to face Charles, his eyes lowered to the floor, he opened his mouth to say something but closed it, thinking better of it.
"I'm sorry", he didn't know where to start, he knew a simple sorry wouldn't fix anything he'd done but he might as well say it.
Charles raised an eyebrow, surprised by the unexpected apology from Magneto of all people. He leant against the wall and crossed his arms, studying Erik with a guarded demeanour.
"Sorry?" he asked, a hint of sarcasm coloring his voice. "You come here after all these years—after everything you've done—and all you have is a 'sorry'?"
Erik blinked, he was expecting Charles to react this way, however it didn't soften the sting of his words and spiteful tone.
"I'm sorry for taking your family from you, I'm sorry for Cuba, I'm sorry that I'm the reason there's always a war on the verge of happening, I'm sorry I abandoned us, *you*," he took a step forward into Charles' space.
"And I am terribly sorry for all the pain I have caused.." he studied Charles' face and wetted his lips nervously.
Charles stood his ground, not moving as Erik stepped in closer. Hearing the string of apologies made his expression soften a little—though only a little bit. There was a mix of hurt, anger, and something else in his eyes as he stares up at Erik.
"Do you think sorry can fix all of that? All of the pain you've caused?" he asked, his voice cracked, betraying some of his hurt.
"You've burned bridges, *Magneto.* And not just with me." He spat.
Erik looked down briefly before making eye contact with Charles,
"I know, but bridges are mendable aren't they?" He didn't quite understand what was going on with Charles, telepathy wise, but he tried to project his raw feelings as much as he could, only hopeful that he would pick it up.
Charles sighed, looking at Erik with a mix of irritation and resignation. He ran a hand through his tousled hair, messing it up even more. He turned away, not wanting to show Magneto too much of his vulnerability.
"Mendable..." he muttered, looking out the window. "I don't know, Erik. There's so much to fix. So many lives you've affected. Including mine." He looked back at Erik, his gaze hard. "What makes you think I want to fix anything?"
Erik's gaze hardened slightly, then softened almost instantly, "because I know you" he stood his ground.
"And I know you believe in me, in people".
Charles huffed out a bitter laugh at the mention of his old beliefs. He turned his back on Erik, rubbing a hand over his face.
"Ah, yes," he muttered, a hint of sarcasm in his voice, "the old Professor Xavier, who still had faith in people. In you. The one you broke, Magneto."
Erik sighed at the use of his mutant name.
Charles was being too blunt, but he was too hurt, too bitter to hold back now.
"no I refuse" Erik closed his eyes and dismissed the idea that the professor had changed.
Charles turned to glare at Erik, clearly frustrated by his stubbornness.
"Refuse all you like," he snapped, his face contorted, "but it doesn't change the truth. You broke me, Erik. You broke my dream. My beliefs. My faith in humanity."
He took a step towards the other man, jabbing a finger at him.
"And you can't just brush that aside and try to pretend everything is fine."
Erik raised an eyebrow.
"I'm not brushing anything aside" he stated bluntly. He thought over his words for a while before settling on, "I have had a lot of time to fight for my beliefs and to mull over yours, and I have come to the conclusion we are both wrong. Starting a revolution will just make humans hate us even more, however doing nothing will lead them to believe they have power over us which simply is not true."
"I came here because I had hope, like you once did for me, I had hope that we could join together and fight, peacefully of course, for our kind. Because I cannot stand by and watch the inhabitants of this earth spite eachother."
He let out a deep breath, hoping he'd made his point.
Charles listened to Erik speak, his expression stoic. Hearing his words, a part of him resonated with what Erik was saying. It was the part of him that still clinged to the hope and idealism that once defined him. But the years and the pain had dulled that hope, leaving only bitterness.
"You talk like it's so easy," he retorted, his voice a bit softer now. "Fighting, making things right. It's not that simple. There's too much fear, too much hatred."
Erik rushed forward and gripped Charles' shoulders, "that's why I need you, they need you, you're my other half Charles, the light to my dark, i need you.. to help our kind as one" his eyes flicked over Charles' face.
Charles was initially taken aback by the sudden, forceful grip on his shoulders. He looked at Erik, their faces close for the first time in years. His eyes darkened as he responded, his voice heavy with pain and resentment.
"You don't get to say you need me after all the hurt you've caused," he replied, his voice quivering slightly. "It's too little, too late. I can't just ignore everything you've done, everything we lost."
Erik squeezed his eyes shut trying to not raise his voice, "I understand that we've lost so much but there's so much more that we can loose" he said between gritted teeth.
"I can't do this alone Charles, I don't have the ability to convince people we can coexist peacefully, you do", He let his head hang between them, his hair brushing Charles' chest, his fingers curling tighter around Charles' shoulders for support.
"If I could turn back time and stop myself from doing what I have done, I would. But I can't so I'm going to stop what may happen in the future." He mumbled quietly.
Charles was silent as he listened to Erik's plea, his expression shifted from bitterness to something more contemplative. The mention of coexisting brought up memories of their time together at the school, when they still believed in a unified cause.
"And if I don't want to help you?" he asked, his voice quieter now. "If I'm tired of fighting the same fight over and over? If I've lost all hope?"
Erik raised his head and gripped the lapels on Charles' tatty robe, "... I-" he stumbled over his words, he'd never witnessed Charles like this.
"Be selfish after, you can walk away then, throw me out of your life, whatever you want, but please I'm begging you just hold on until the world is right again." He had tears in his eyes as he continued, "we want the same things," he furrowed his eyebrows, "I was just too blinded by hatred and vengeance to realise.."
Charles searched Erik's face, looking for any hint of deception. But he saw only desperation—desperation and pleading. The sight cuts through his bitterness, stirring up feelings he thought he'd buried.
He was silent for a long moment, his eyes locked with Erik's. He was torn between his anger and his old ideals, between his hurt and his hope.
"Hold on..," he muttered, "until the world is right again.."
"How do I know I can trust you, you have tested my trust before Erik, I don't know if I can do that again" he frowned.
Erik smiled solemnly, "you can't," he sighed,
"Not that I would, but that's why I'll leave once this ideal is over, I'll be out of your life again, I wouldn't dream of making our.." he hesitated, his eyes darkening.
"Relationship worse", he looked to the side.
"So, I know this a lot to ask from you but are you in?"
Charles studied Erik's face for a long moment, his mind racing. Part of him wanted to push Magneto away, to never have to see him again. But the part of him that still cares for the man he considered his friend is strong, and he found himself unable to reject him entirely.
"I'm in," he said finally, his voice reluctant but firm. "But I have conditions."
There was a noticeable perk in Erik's expression, "yes, of course, anything" *for you* he thought. The hope he felt was strong.
Charles paused for a moment, gathering his thoughts. He took a deep breath before stating his conditions.
"First, no violence," he said firmly. "No more destruction, no more fighting. We try to resolve things peacefully, no matter what. Second, you answer to me from now on. You listen to my lead, and you don't go behind my back like you did before."
Erik nodded, "even if I wanted to, which I don't, I don't have my helmet anyway"
Charles raised an eyebrow. He nodded, slightly appeased by this information.
"Good," he muttered.
He paused, thinking for a moment.
"You said you'd leave me alone after this is settled," he says after a moment, his voice quiet. "Are you seriously going to disappear again?"
Erik blinked, unsure about how to answer Charles' question.
"Well I did some thinking and I decided it wasn't fair to be more of a burden on you than I already am," he hummed,
"unless.." he shook his head. "No never mind it's probably for the best, as you said I've done my deal of damage I don't want to make matters worse" he said with certainty.
Charles scrutinized Erik as he spoke, listening closely. Something about his words and his hesitant tone made him pause. He waited until Erik finished before speaking again.
"Unless what?" he prodded quietly. "Say it."
Erik's expression became flustered, "oh- it really wasn't anything, unrealistic thoughts that's all" he waved his hand in a mindless manner.
Charles was about to press him on the matter again, when he stumbled. Thankfully Erik still had a hand on Charles, and helped him upright.
Unbeknownst to Erik, the drug to enable Charles to walk had started to wear off.
Charles made a side long glance towards Erik before hollering for Hank.
Hank appeared almost instantly, likely having been listening to the conversation. He raised an eyebrow when he saw Charles and Erik together in the hallway, but he didn't waste time with questions. Instead, he immediately stepped forward, whisking Charles away from Erik's grasp to help him sit down on one of the living room sofa chairs, Erik was left to follow behind.
"Hank please fetch me my medication," Charles rubbed his temple with his spare hand, seemingly in pain, all while the ither stood there helplessly.
Hank quickly went off to his lab, as Erik tried to process what was happening.
Suddenly Charles spoke, "it allows the motor function in my legs to work" he sighed, answering Erik's thoughts.
Erik blinked, agitated slightly, "so now you can read my mind? Are you going to tell me what's going on?" His concern grew by the minute as the pained expression on the professor's face grew more intense.
He looked tired, more so than normal. His hair was disheveled, and there was a thin layer of scruff on his face and chin.
Charles took a deep breath, gathering his thoughts before speaking. The pain was clear on his face, but he tried to explain to Erik as calmly as possible.
"It's a serum," he said, his voice strained. "Hank developed it. A combination of medication and mutation enhancer. It temporarily allows me to use my legs again... but it's a double-edged sword."
Charles paused to collect himself, "It blocks my mutation momentarily, but of course when it wears off, the voices come back and the pain, hurt and anger floods my mind." He gripped the arm of the sofa chair tightly. "Forgive me but you were thinking a little loud so I couldn't help but hear your thoughts."
Erik was dumfounded, in disbelief that Charles of all people would give up his mutation. It dawned on him that Charles was technically paralysed, he only realised then that he had done that, taking the bullet from his back had also taken the mobility from his legs. A not uncommon wave of guilt swept over him. *God this was all his fault.*
He tried to hold himself together, especially when Hank came back with a syringe filled with a yellowy liquid.
It pained Erik to watch as Charles injected himself with the fluid. It didn't seem healthy.
Charles winced as the needle pierced his skin, the yellowy fluid slowly making its way into his system. After a moment or two, the pain on his face seemed to lessen a bit, and he let out a slow breath.
"Thank you, Hank," he muttered, his voice still soft. "Could you give us the room for a moment, old friend?"
Hank nodded and quietly exited the room. Charles watched him go, before turning his attention back to Erik, silently waiting for him to speak.
Erik ran a hand through his hair before speaking, "Charles, you may not want to hear this, but you need to stop, this doesn't seem healthy, if we're going to do this I need you to embrace your telepathy again,"
Charles bristled a bit at the advice. He knew deep down that Erik was right—he couldn't keep using this serum. It was not sustainable. Or healthy. But he'd grown tired of living the life of a cripple, stuck in a wheelchair, unable to walk on his own. The thought of going back to that existence was hard to bear.
He sighed, running a hand through his messy hair. "Easier said than done, Erik..." he said quietly. "I can't- I can't bare it, it's too much"
Erik drew his eyebrows together, "I believe you can Charles, you're strong.." he reassured.
"I think it's time to pull you out of your spiral" he announced suddenly. He stepped forward and held his hand out to help Charles up.
Charles stared at Erik's outstretched hand, a mix of uncertainty and resignation on his face. He hesitated for a moment before taking it, gripping it tightly. Then slowly, with Erik's help, he rose to his feet. He stood there, a bit unsteady.
"What are you doing Erik?" He asks curiously.
Erik showed a small smile, "it's time for a clean up, you'll see," pulling him along. They walked through the mansion, Charles in tow with Erik, until they reached one of the bathrooms in the living quarters.
He folded the toilet seat down,
"Sit" he said, then rummaged around in the bathroom cabinet. His eyes lit up when he found what he was looking for. He held a pair of scissors and a comb.
Charles watched as Erik moved around the bathroom. It was clear now where this was going, and he didn't look amused at the thought.
He let out a defeated sigh as he sat down on the toilet seat as told. He looked up at Erik with a mix of resignation and annoyance.
"You really don't have to do this" he muttered, his words lacking conviction.
Erik smirked, "I know, but I want to" and if that was an excuse to touch Charles, nobody had to know.
Erik stepped between Charles's legs and ran a hand through his unruly hair, he parted a section of the professor's hair with the comb,
"You alright" he asked.
Charles tensed ever so slightly when Erik stepped between his legs and ran a hand through his locks. It was an intimate gesture, one that stirred memories and feelings he thought he had buried. He was unused to closeness anymore, having isolated himself for so long.
"I'm alright," he muttered, avoiding eye contact. "Just get on with it."
Erik brushed another strand away, "okay then," and he started his work, snipping at the outgrown hair, it was a strange feeling being so close. It felt nice to gently card through the locks of hair, shaping the layers into the way Erik remembered when they first met.
After a while, Charles had to turn around so that Erik could trim the back of his hair.
"All done" Erik announced, admiring his handy work.
As Erik finished trimming his hair, Charles had to admit it felt nice. The heavy, overgrown locks didn't weigh him down anymore. He turned back around to look at Erik, his expression a little softer now than it had been.
"Much better," he murmured, running a hand through his new, shorter hair. "It feels lighter."
Erik stepped back a little.
He smiled playfully, "although something needs to be done about that stubble,"
Charles chuckled dryly at that, running a hand over his scruffy chin.
"Ah yes, I suppose you're right about that too," he said, his voice still rough but now tinged with amusement. "What do you suggest? A clean shave?"
Erik let his eyes gloss over the other man's face, "but of course."
He glanced at the counter where the razor was, "can I or-" he asked.
Charles raised an eyebrow at the question, a small smile playing at the corners of his lips. The thought of Erik standing between his legs again was both intimidating and tempting at the same time. He couldn't help but appreciate how his friend looked in that tight, black turtle neck, and the way his hair fell when he loomed over him.
"You want to shave me?" he asked, his voice laced with skepticism. "Are you sure you're up for the task? Your hands are a bit shaky sometimes..", he teased.
Erik scoffed and feigned hurt. "None of that cheek unless you want to sport a goatee" he grabbed the shaving cream and shaver, he knew he could technically use his powers to control the razer, the same for the scissors, but there was something so domestic about it that made Erik want to do this for Charles.
Charles chuckled as he watched Erik gather the shaving supplies. "Alright, alright," he said, raising his hands in mock surrender. "No more teasing."
He adjusted his position on the toilet seat, spreading his legs a bit wider to give Erik more room to work with. He didn't bother to hide the fact that he found this entire situation amusing and a bit arousing.
"Go ahead then, make me look presentable again."
Erik carefully lathered the foam over Charles' face, then cautiously cupped the opposite the side of Charles' head to the side he was shaving. The razor glided over the professor's skin, collecting the rough hairs.
Charles found himself leaning into the touch slightly, his eyes flicking up to meet Erik's. The silence between them was strangely comfortable, intimate even. For a moment, he let his eyes flutter closed, reveling in the contact he'd been denied for so long.
Surprisingly, the silence wasn't awkward, instead it was peaceful and pleasant.
Erik's thumb tilted Charles' chin up lightly, easing the access to the hairs underneath Charles' bottom lip and jaw. It felt incredibly intimate, and Erik knew that it would make leaving Charles harder. But he couldn't help himself.
As Erik went to work, Charles couldn't help but feel a strange mix of sensations. The cool sensation of the foam, the feel of Erik's warm hand on his jaw, the closeness of Erik as he stood between his legs...
Erik hadn't realised he'd been staring at the others rosy lips until he blinked, the man looked much more youthful like this, he'd always been pretty, Erik thought, as he cleaned the last of the stubble from Charles' face.
The professor was back it seemed.
"All done" Erik murmured, placing the razor back on the counter.
As Erik stepped back, Charles opened his eyes, feeling a strange mixture of disappointment and relief. The absence of Erik's touch was both welcome and painful.
He raised a tentative hand to his smooth face, feeling the now bare skin. It was strange, not feeling the rough stubble anymore.
"Impressive," he murmured, giving Erik a small smile. "You didn't even nick me once. Maybe you missed your calling as a barber."
Erik raised an eyebrow curiously.
"Thank you," Charles said quietly, looking up at Erik. "It feels... different. Good different."
For a moment they stood there, the air between them heavy with unspoken words. Charles looked at Erik and it felt like a rope was being tied around his heart, pulling him back towards memories he'd tried to desperately bury.