Chapter Text
It was an average morning in New York City. People were walking their pets, middle-aged business owners rushing to work with their coffee in one hand, and birds chirping which was a pleasant way to start the day, unfortunately, the tune was cut off by a loud groan. “I’ve told you, Raven, I still need one more model for this week’s show!”
It was a chaotic day for fashion designer Erik Lehnsherr, who was balancing his phone on one shoulder, a coffee in one hand and two fabric rolls clinging on for dear life in the other. “Everything is a mess and – no I’m not blaming you, it's just-” He grumbled into the phone, resisting the urge to drop everything and rub his temple to ease his throbbing headache. The show that he was referring to was his annual showcase, featuring his top works throughout the year. This meant that this fashion show had to be perfect .
Erik couldn’t deny that he was a perfectionist, but others were concerned, especially his assistant, Raven, who was always worried sick for him whenever shows were nearing the date. He would lock himself in the studio, working on a dress until he was satisfied. Every piece of cloth had to be sewn and cut to a precise length, even his sketches had to include accurate measurements for him to proceed. Despite his habits, he would respect his other designers, never unnecessarily criticising their work or projecting his habits onto them. Erik eventually accepted the fact that his perfectionism would end up killing him one day, but he couldn’t give a damn if he was six feet under or not if this week didn’t go the way that he planned it to be.
Erik had a few more outfits that needed to be made, yet there were still so many problems. He tried his best to absorb today’s schedule as Raven reminded him through the phone. At the same time, he was stressing about finding another model. He had the perfect suit that he spent weeks designing and tailoring it, but he couldn’t find anyone to fit it the way he wanted it to. He had received countless of model applications which he appreciated from the agency’s scouting, but there wasn’t a single person that he could imagine wearing his suit perfectly.
“Raven, I might just scrape this outfit that I so painstakingly worked on, so god will you help me make sure all the other models and outfits will be ready by tomorrow night.” Erik raised his voice slightly at the last few words, far beyond realisation that he was squeezing his coffee cup to the point that some of the liquid spilt out. Raven eventually hung up and he tried to grab his phone from his shoulder, before bumping his left arm into someone, who was walking in the other direction.
His coffee dropped and the black liquid spilt all over the pavement, his phone lying flat on top of the puddle. What Erik didn’t realise was that several pieces of paper dropped onto the floor. Erik let out a groan under his breath and instinctively bent down to pick up the papers that were about to get soaked. When looked up, he was caught off guard by the stranger’s captivating blue eyes.
Those are the most gorgeous pair of eyes I’ve ever seen.
“Oh my gosh, are you alright Sir? I’m so sorry I wasn’t looking, oh god your drink. Let me buy you another one,” the stranger apologised and lent a hand out to help Erik up. The designer was still in awe when he took the man’s hand, the rolls of fabric on the floor beside him and the stack of papers in his other hand.
“You’re gorge- I mean, no worries.” Erik tried to brush off the fact that this man had a beautiful jawline, perfect hair and perfect facial proportions. He picked up his damped phone, wiping off the coffee on it before shoving it into his coat’s pocket. He barely paid attention to the fact that he needed to get a new phone as he was far too busy with the stranger’s brightening smile.
“Oh, my papers, thank you, sir,” The stranger reached out to retrieve his papers, their fingers touching for a moment. He then also helped Erik with the fabric roll, looking down at them before looking back up into Erik’s eyes. “These colours are lovely by the way, are you a fashion designer?” He asked in the cutest accent. “I love this type of material, silk is it?” He chuckled as he handed it over to Erik. But Erik wasn’t there, his mind was drifting away, still admiring the angel in front of him. Suddenly, like a miracle, all his worries were gone and this man just so happened to fix his major problem. He didn’t realise that his lips were slightly parted and the stranger started to look worried, finishing his slight ramble on silk.
“I’m Erik Lehnsherr, owner of X, you know the fashion brand?” Erik suddenly introduced himself, shaking the man’s free hand before yanking out a business card that may or may not be crumbled.
Keep it together, Lehnsherr. Professionalism. Now’s your shot.
“I have a show this week, and I’m in need of a male model. Would you like to model for me?” Erik asked, observing the surprise and confusion forming on the man’s face. He offered the business card to the stranger and continued. “I’m sorry if this was sudden but I really am in need of a model this weekend,” Erik prayed that the universe was on his side today. The stranger held and observed the card, flipping it behind to read the details while Erik straightened his coat to seem more professional. However, his mind was filled with different thoughts and possibilities, and his heart started to race as each second went by.
“If you’re interested, please call me by tonight,” Erik finally grabbed his stuff and picked up the wet coffee cup to dispose of. He looked down at the puddle of coffee, cringing at himself before walking away guiltily.
The stranger looked back at Erik hurriedly rushing off to the end of the street, taking a turn to the junction on the left before disappearing from his sight. Obviously he was still in shock, not expecting to be scouted in the middle of the morning, at the same time by the designer of a branded fashion label. Suddenly, his phone rang and he carefully placed his card in his pocket before picking up his ringing phone. “Charles, where are you? You’re never late, the other professors thought you got into an accident on the way here.” Hank hastily asked through the phone, students’ conversation being picked up softly by the phone. A soft smile appeared on Charles' face as he replied, “I’ll be there in a minute Hank, you won’t believe what just happened to me.” He hung up before Hank could reply, the smile grew wider as Charles picked up the pace, heading to the university that he was supposed to teach a lecture ten minutes ago.
Erik tapped his ID at the gantry of the building and took the lift, along with two other designers. They both stood at the very end of the lift while Erik was checking his phone. He accepted the fact that he looked intimidating as people rarely approached him, let alone look him in the eye or even had the intention to be close with him. The only real friend he had was Raven, who had supported his dreams from the start.
The only reason that Erik was doing this was mainly because of his mom. As Erik waited for his level, his mind wandered off, back to his childhood, which he could barely recall. Something about his mom introducing him to sewing, and Erik making his first dress for her. A few years passed and his mom wore a scarf he designed for her, lying on her death bed as Erik held her wrinkled hand. A few years later, Erik met Raven who became his first official model. Raven had run into his studio saying she’d been signed to her dream agency and became an official model.
The chiming sound indicated that Erik had arrived at the level of his studio and stepped out of the lift. He laid his fabric onto the sewing table, which was worth hundreds and tiredly sat on his chair with a sigh. He rubbed his palm against his face, the fatigue finally catching up with him with the lack of his morning adrenaline.
He looked up at the mannequin at the corner of his studio, wearing a dark blue suit, made out of the finest wool Erik could get his hands on. The buttons shone brightly under the light, the cuffs fitting the mannequin’s wrist perfectly, leaving a comfortable amount of space if a person that size would wear it. This was the first time Erik tailored a suit and the first time he would be showcasing one. That also meant that he didn’t know how well the audience would receive it. Would they love it and give Erik an outstanding applause when he walked out or would his hideous outfits get criticised on major fashion blogs?
He didn’t want to overthink the situation he was in. He knew he only had less than a week- no not even a week, he had less than three days to save his showcase. He needed to finish up the suit, check on his team of designers and go through the models-
The stranger.
Erik was so deep in thought he forgot that he desperately needed that stranger to call him back. He was the perfect one: professional, charming, handsome. Erik let himself wonder how his other designer outfits would fit him so well. Wait, why did he not remember his name?
Oh right, I forgot to ask for his name.
Erik groaned into his palms, letting out his frustration. How could he have forgotten such a basic thing, perhaps he was too distracted with other problems. Or maybe, he was caught off guard by how soothing his voice sounded, his hair falling ideally onto his face and the way he would tug the longer strands behind his ears.
No, no more distraction s. Erik reminded himself and started to shuffle through the sketches on his table. He needed to contact his team to check on the outfits, but then again, his phone was spoilt. “Oh the phone,” Erik cried out in fury and mentally reminded himself to get one by the end of the day. The overwhelming amount of undone work was going to cause Erik to start greying by the end of the year. He let himself groan one last time and started his day, by getting up and going around the building.
“Charles, are you serious? There’s no way that just happened.” Hank asked as he adjusted his glasses. They were walking back to the teacher’s office as Charles nodded. “I’m going to call him tonight, plus he’s my type.” Charles swooned and gave Hank a big smile which he returned. Charles was immediately head over heels for this man and the fact that he would be modelling for him. He never expected this to ever happen to him, yes there were some acquaintances that complimented Charles on his model-like looks, but it never occurred to him that he would actually be a model. A part of him was still in disbelief from the encounter, but another part of him was excited. He never minded new experiences and couldn’t wait for the day to end.
Charles was at his table, putting his messenger bag down on his chair as he took out his phone, and the business card from his pocket. He dialled the phone number and waited for the other person to pick up. “Hello this is X, Erik Lehnsherr’s assistant speaking, how can I help you?” Raven greeted through the line.
“I would like to book an appointment with Mr Lensherr, it’s about modelling for his upcoming showcase,” Charles said hesitantly, afraid that he might have interpreted the offering in a different manner. “Sure, could you email us your application and tell us which agency you’re under.” Raven continued, typing on her keyboard so loudly that Charles could hear them. He started to panic as he wasn’t under any agency, let alone have an application.
He reconsidered his answers and tried his best to sound confident, “I don’t have a model application and an agency I’m under.” The answer shook Raven as she told Charles that she’ll put him on hold. She immediately made her way to Erik’s studio, heels clicking and a phone in one hand. She knocked on the door as Erik told her to come in. She entered and upon her was Erik wearing his glasses, cutting up the fabric he bought and his gaze shifted from the cut fabric to Raven. “There’s a guy on the line saying he wants to model for you, but he doesn’t have a model application nor agency he’s under.” She remarked as Erik took a step closer to Raven, holding his hands out. She instinctively placed the phone in his hand, and Erik picked up the phone. “Hello, Erik Lehnsherr speaking, and you are?”
Charles’s eyes lit up as he recognised the voice, quickly replying as he tried to hide his nervousness “Yes, I’m Charles Xavier, the guy you bumped into this morning. You offered me a position to model for your showcase, right?” Erik was relieved that he got a callback from Charles, and looked back at the suit he was touching up on just a few moments ago.
“Yes Mr Xaiver, I’m so sorry I couldn’t get your name just now, I was in a hurry. But if you would like to book an appointment I’m free tonight,” Erik tried to recall, “6 pm tonight, we can have an appointment at my studio, if you’re free. I need to prepare for the showcase as soon as possible, and I’m really grateful that I have your assistance, Mr Xavier.”
Charles scrambled for his planer on his slightly messy table and flipped to today’s date while holding his phone. “Yes, I am…free this evening. Thank you for this opportunity Mr Lehnsherr.” Charles thanked after he confirmed the address and hung up. He was delighted that this was happening and remembered something else.
Before heading over to the studio, Charles wore a scarf as it was getting chilly and made his way to the nearest cafe. He went in and ordered a cup of coffee, hoping that it was Erik’s taste and hoped it would serve as a favour for Erik due to the earlier coffee spill. Once he got the order for him and Erik, and was feeling delighted, Charles called a cab and made his way to the building.
Erik soon realised it was 6 and took a few steps from the mannequin, taking one good look at it before heading down to the lobby. His mind was still dwelling on the small mistakes of the suit, his body on autopilot as he tapped the G button and reached the lobby in no time. But all those thoughts were gone the moment he saw Charles at the gantry of the studio, wearing a long brown coat with a matching scarf. Erik could sense he had wonderful taste in fashion just by that outfit and tapped his card, letting Charles pass through. “Thank you for making it Mr Xavier,” Erik thanked as he pressed for the lift, Charles smiling back at Erik in return.
That smile.
Erik felt a pang in his heart but paid no attention to it as the lift arrived. He only then realised that they were the only ones in the box and it felt slightly awkward after Erik pressed the close button. They stood there, staring at the door as the lift took them up to Erik’s studio. Charles wanted to say something but before he knew it, they were already there and Erik was far ahead, leading Charles towards his studio. When he entered, he was amazed by the fashion designer’s workplace. There were beautifully drawn sketches on the walls, many astonishing outfits at the corner of the studio all lined up perfectly, the rolls of fabric on the table were messy yet well fitting for the aesthetic. Charles didn’t realise that Erik was gone until he called Charles over to another section of the room, which had two couches surrounding a coffee table.
“You could just put your stuff beside the couch, I’m so sorry my studio is a mess right now.” Erik apologised as he indicated Charles, who was still slowly observing the room, to sit on one of the couches. Erik then got up to go to a nearby pantry and gathered a drink and two cups from the top cabinet. “Do you have any preference Mr Xavier, wine or beer?” Erik asked as he peeped out of the pantry to look at the shy Charles sitting on the couch, who was slightly shaking his legs.
“Charles is fine Mr Lensherr, and about drinks,” Charles clarified and brought out the two cups of drinks he bought earlier on. “I promised that I would buy you another drink, since I spilled yours this morning. But I don’t mind anything, plus it's late at night so I don’t know if you would drink coffee..” Charles offered and held out Erik’s cup of coffee towards him. Erik was stunned as he tried to recall what happened, with his entire day being too filled with tasks to the point that he forgot about the coffee this morning. Charles realised that Erik wasn’t replying and placed the drink back in to the bag, before Erik hurriedly replying,
“Wait! No no, it’s alright Charles, I don’t mind coffee at this hour, since I have more work to do after this.” Erik cleared his throat as he made his way back to Charles, who took out the coffee again. He took the coffee from Charles’s hands and took a sip, oblivious to the fact that he had not been hydrated since afternoon.
Erik was woken up by the sudden taste of caffeine, and the fact that Charles managed to guess his favourite type of coffee. “Charles, thank you for this, how did you know it was my favourite? This is incredibly tasty.” Erik complimented as he took a seat on the couch across from Charles. The other man chuckled and replied with a joke, “I just guessed, I'm not a telepath Mr Lensherr.” Erik smiled and suddenly, he had a good feeling about the showcase, just by having Charles here with him.
Maybe there’s hope for it.