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He often went to America lately. Busying himself with securing Genosha, a save haven for all mutants.
Peace talks have brought him to the school once again. He didn't need to attend, but the opportunity to see his son again couldn't be passed. He's only seen him a handful of times since...
He doesn't see the speedster anywhere to his disappointment, but he knows he might be avoiding him. Is likely avoiding him. He has been for a while.
He finds him at in the kitchen. Nightmares rarely let him sleep comfortably and apparently so is true for Pietro. The boy is busy listening to his music, ignoring his surroundings.
"Can't sleep?" Erik says softly. Pietro looks over with a haunted look in his eyes that makes his heart clench painfully.
"It's not so great." The boy rasps out. "I'll clear the kitchen, no worries." Erik expected the boy to flee immediately, as he did many times before. He considers it a success that he stays long enough to answer.
"There's no need to. I could use the company." Erik starts preparing tea, trying to seem as non-threatening as he possibly can. He's used to doing the opposite. "Would you like some?"
"I'm good. How are the talks?" An olive branch. Erik takes it.
"It's going smoothly. Humans agreed to all our demands so far."
"Great." Pietro is fidgeting again. To be fair, he always is. He seems to be unable to stay still. Except for that time in-
He chooses not to remember that. "When it's all settled, Genosha will be open to all mutants." He leans on the counter.
"I've heard." Pietro sits down on the counter on the other side of the kitchen.
"You're welcome too." Erik adds quietly. He didn't have the opportunity to see his son grow up. He'd like to have him close now that he can finally get to know him.
Pietro seems uncomfortable. "I have a home. I'm an X-Man, I can't... I don't think that could work."
Of course. His son, Charles' soldier. "My offer still stands. You're welcome to come anytime."
"Why? You don't have enough mutants or something?" His typical sarcastic self passes through.
"How can the boy be so blind? "You are my son. I'd like to get to know you."
Pietro only looks away. Erik knows what that means. "If I had known-"
"Yeah, but you didn't." Pietro interrupts him. "It's fine, what happened happened. You apologised, I'm alive, it's fine."
"I'm truly sorry."
"As you keep saying." Pietro takes bite out of a Twinkle he wasn't holding a second ago. He glares at him from the side of his eye. "It's fine."
"Then why are you avoiding me?"
"You know, I always thought you'd be someone cool. Mom said you were." He says bitterly. "When I was a kid I imagined my dad as a hero. Someone too busy saving the world to check up on his kid." He tosses the wrapper into the trash angrily. "My opinion was kind of changed the what, second, third time we've met? I mean, mom said to keep away from you, but I didn't really understand why until that. I thought you didn't hurt mutants. You said you were fighting for them. In the elevator."
Erik can't face him. "Pietro..."
"It's Peter, try to keep up." The boy corrects him strictly. "Not that hard to pronounce."
"Peter.... If I knew, I never would have done it."
"Yeah, but you didn't know. You'd do it to some other kid who'd have the shit luck to face you on the battlefield. It's not better, Pops." The 'Pops' is said with as much disgust as Peter can manage.
"How can I earn your forgiveness? Can I even?"
It's Peter who can't face him now. "That's the thing. You have it." Erik can see that his face is tear streaked. The speedster attempts to wipe them off.
Erik offers him a tissue which he takes. "I'm truly sorry for hurting you, Peter." He wants to hug him but knows that he wouldn't let him.
"But you're not sorry for hurting people! Just for hurting me." He glares at him angrily. "You don't even think that it's wrong."
Erik remembers his promise to himself all too well. "I know my methods were extreme. That I killed and hurt people needlessly. I matched the cruelty humans showed our kind."
Peter keeps glaring at him. It doesn't have the effect as his his eyes are still sparkling with tears. "I'm not a human."
"No, you're not. I took it too far. I crossed lines I never thought I would. And you paid the price."
Peter looks away again. "How can I know you won't do that again? Hurt people. Kill people."
"I have a reason to do better now." He says honestly. "I missed everything in your life. I'd like to be your father if you'll have me."
Peter takes another tissue. "I don't know what that'd mean. I'm not a kid anymore, you don't have to bother just cause you feel bad. I can manage."
Erik feels his heart sinking. He brought that upon himself. "I understand if you don't want me near you anymore, Peter. If you wish to not be bothered, I won't attempt to contact you."
Peter looks away. "I mean.... You can. I don't want you to do it just because you feel guilty."
Hope blossoms in Erik's chest. "I want to get to know you because you're my son." His son. Sometimes he still can't believe it.
Peter doesn't answer that but Erik can see his eyes filling with tears again. He smiles weakly.