Chapter Text
Magneto visits the school. It's an odd feeling, he only visited the infirmary last time he was there. Not much has changed, safe for the students moving through the hallways. They were empty last time.
His old friend welcomes him in his study. Magneto is too ashamed to look into his eyes. Charles welcomes him to sit nevertheless.
He puts the helmet on the table.
"It's good to see you again, Erik." Charles' eyes are still so bright as they were before. Like summer sky. Cuba's sky.
"It has been a long time, old friend. The years have been kind to you."
Charles pours him a glass. "Have you come here for Peter?"
Pietro. His boy. "I came for advice." He admits hoarsely. "I need your help." He takes the glass.
"You know I will do what's in my power to help you." Charles gives him a soft smile. "What advice do you need?"
"I can't do what I did anymore." He's still looking down. "I lived with vengeance my whole life. I'm... tired of it, Charles. Staying.... like that - staying Magneto....will cost me my son." If it already hasn't. "My cruelty will drive him away." Like it drove away Charles.
"I don't know how to leave that path." He admits in a whisper. "And I cannot stand by when our kind suffers under humans."
Charles is a good listener. Always has been. At the end of their conversation Erik is finally able to look him into his eyes.
"So you do not believe I'm a lost cause?" He winces at how pathetic it sounds.
Charles smiles at him. "Just because someone stumbles, loses their way....that doesn't mean they're lost forever. Your path will only be harder than others'"
There's just one more question he needs to ask. "And Pietro? Is that a lost cause?"
"I don't believe it is, Erik. He's wounded, still. But he's a good man. No, I don't believe he hates you. You two are quite similar in certain aspects." Charles' lips curl into a smile.
"What aspects?"
"You'll see for yourself, I believe. His dorm is the end of the second floor, if you'd like to visit. He's awake."
"Thank you. Truly, Charles." It seems that it's Charles' personal goal to save Erik from himself as many times as he can.
"Anytime, Erik."
He leaves the helmet on the table when he leaves.