I had to write the thing about Peter leaving Luna with Charles and Erik. It’s not great but I couldn’t stop thinking about it
It was a quiet night in for Charles and Erik, something that they didn’t get too often in the school full of little mutants. Both of them had tucked themselves away in their bedroom, hiding away from the rest of the world. An evening in bed, maybe going to sleep earlier than they had been for the last week or so.
Or that had been the plan for the night until there was a knock on the door.
The two of them shared a look, just enough to know that neither of them expected anyone to show up at their bedroom door at six in the evening. Erik pushed himself up from the bed with a small groan and walked over to the door, opening it.
At first, he’d didn’t think anyone was there. Not unless they had an invisible student in the school and that wouldn’t really surprise him.
When he looked down though, he realized he was wrong. Sitting on the floor right in front of him was a little girl in a pink onesie. Erik smiled as he saw her and leaned down to pick her up—only taking a moment longer than he would’ve liked to do so.
“Just how did you knock on the door, Luna?” He asked, holding her in one arm and his free hand gently rubbing over one of her little pink-covered feet. “Have you come to spend some time with your Zayde and Grandpa?”
The little girl smiled and babbled in response—not quiet to the age of talking—yet Erik was hanging onto every sound she made as he sat back down on the bed next to Charles.
“Seems our night in now includes one more,” Charles commented, reaching over to brush his hand over the head of soft sandy-brown hair.
“No complaints?” Erik asked, looking over at Charles after pulling his eyes away from the little girl on his lap.
“Never when it comes to this little one. You know neither of us are going to turn down any of our grandchildren,” Charles replied and Erik knew he was right.
The only time he had regretting agreeing was when they found themselves with Billy, Tommy, and Luna at the same time. Charles had handed them back to their parents insisting the two of them were too old for that now. Erik wouldn’t ever admit defeat but he was exhausted that night, tired and sore for a couple of days after.
“I’ve been informed Peter and Chrystal wish to have a date night,” Charles said, leaning against Erik’s shoulder, keeping his eyes on the little girl. “Peter was the one who brought her up.”
Erik nodded a little, he had to admit this was one of his favorite ages for babies. No chasing her around the house with her running away, no getting into everything. The little girl had just mastered sitting up by herself, after all. They’d just need to feed her in an hour or so and get her changed and into bed. It should be simple enough.
“Famous last words, my friend,” Charles commented and Erik knew he was right.
“She’s just one little girl, Charles. We can handle this. We’ve raised children, we’ve babysat for them before. We can handle this,” Erik said, though he wasn’t sure if he was trying to reassure himself or Charles.
Either way, he moved the little girl against his shoulder—the one Charles wasn’t pressed against—and started rubbing her little back.
“Get her to sleep now and let her parents handle the feeding and changing when they get back?” Charles asked, amused, watching his partner.
“We’re the grandparents, Charles, we know best,” He replied, “Besides, we get the fun parts now. I changed enough of Pietro’s diapers, it’s time for a little revenge now.” He paused, but only for a second before adding, “If she needs it you know I’ll handle it before they get back…or I’ll make you.”
Charles laughed softly and rolled his eyes as he moved back to lean against the bed. “I’m sure that’s what would happen, love,” Charles said and Erik smiled.
“I’d battle sentinels any day to not have to deal with a blowout,” He said, meaning every word of it.
Charles was nothing but amused. “I think we’re both too old for that one, love,” Charles said but Erik wasn’t having it.
“I could handle it,” Erik said, smiling as he heard the little girl start babbling again. The conversation dropped as Erik shifted the girl to look at her, listening to the string of sounds she was making.
“You don’t say?” Erik asked as the rambling stopped, only for it to start right back up and Erik smiled at her.
“I can’t wait for you to get old enough that we can hype you up on sugar and return you to your parents. I really can’t,” Erik said to the little girl, only to get a playful shove to the arm from Charles.
“I though you were Mr. Healthy. You’re going to give her those things?” Charles asked, looking over at him.
“She’s my granddaughter. I want her to be happy and well fed,” Erik replied, “So I’ll make the candy myself if that’s what it takes. What do you think, Luna? Are you going to be my little baking partner when you get older?”
A little hand came up toward his mouth and he caught it with his hand, “I’m going to take that as a yes. I can’t wait to show you cake and cookies.”
“You are awful,” Charles said, “But I also can’t wait for these days when you’re going to be baking so much.”
“So you’re going to judge me giving it to her but you’re wanting it?” Erik asked, looking over at Charles.
“Yes, I’m old, it’s not going to hurt me. If it was that damage is already done. She’s young still,” Charles said but Erik just rolled his eyes.
“This is just you wanting all the chocolate chip cookies for yourself, Charles. I see through the act. Besides, what if she has a metabolism like her father? She’ll need to eat to keep up. You remember how much it takes to keep Pietro full, don’t you?”
“Yes, believe me, I’ll never forget that,” Charles replied, smiling, “We’ll see, but I’m sure you’re right that some won’t hurt her.” They both knew that Erik wouldn’t go too crazy with it, no matter how much he acted like he might.
After a moment, Erik stood up from the bed, “Anyway, I’m going to go find some dinner for this one and we’ll be back. You can change her and we’ll get her tucked into bed then.”
Charles just laughed and shook his head as Erik left, feeling like he won the argument of who was going to change the little girl. But that battle wasn’t over just yet.
Funny, how arguments over mutant rights became arguments over diapers and treats for their grandkids.
