Premise- A glimpse of a rare morning you spend in Genosha beside Erik.
Authors note- I really wanted to write something in the duration of Erik’s time as king, this isn’t SUPER comic accurate- yes he was king but I’m not sure about the other details I included. It’ll be faithful to the timeline though.
Word count- 962
Content- just fluff
Rays of sunlight filtered through the delicate material of the pale curtains. The colour pallet of the room had set into a navy blue, royal velvet red and a rich brown, all of Erik's favourite colours.
Now that he was king, you were sure he'd be able to change those curtains that consistently woke you from your sleep. It's not often that you stay in Genosha with him- much to his dismay, but you'd prefer a blacked out room in contrast to this.
Though you could only guess he kept the curtains light to ensure the morning sun would awaken him if his fatigue were too heavy.
And yet, the beams of yellow continued to seep through the canopy drapes framing the bed.
Beside you, Erik's head tilted comfortably against the pillow, an arm kept loosely around you whilst he slept like a log. He managed the entire night without a nightmare. A miracle for him, really.
Without a sound, you carefully peeled yourself off his chest and crawled out of bed, tiptoeing to the glowing curtains.
Upon closer sight, the view of the fresh nation bore hope, the distant sea glistening in the morning rise. Distant construction work of new buildings began to fill with workers clocking in for their shifts.
Your eyes softened. Finally, a safe place for mutants, just as Erik dreamt.
Just as you followed the horizon with your eyes, you caught a familiar pair of blue reflected against the window pane, aimed right at you.
By the time you spun around Erik had closed his eyes and pretended to sleep.
A smirk lit up your face. "Ah..." You stalked to the bed, "His majesty is still fast asleep," you playfully murmured aloud.
The drapes fluttered apart, allowing you space to sit. The mattress dipped beneath your knee, reaching over to cup his cheek. For a revolutionary leader of a nation he has his soft moments.
"What usually wakes King Magnus?" You whispered, his lips twitched as you kept talking.
"Hmm," your attention follows the curves of his arms and collarbones, down his torso. You don't ever recall him warning you of physical sensitivity but surely everyone has their weak spots.
As he continued to pretend, the idea only grew irresistible.
You took a wild guess where his most sensitive spot could be and pressed your palms down to his ribs. He restrained a smile at the touch, quickly flinching as you began the tickling.
Erik awoke with a clenched jaw and barely restrained sounds before grasping your hands with a glare.
"Good morning, your majesty."
"I believe I told you not to call me that." Erik's grip tightened enough to restrain you. "Is this any way to wake your sleeping husband?"
You cackled at his scolding before snatching your hands back and continuing the barrage of tickles on the old man.
He fell back with half panicked sounds- huffs of air escaping his shut mouth as he refused to give in. Erik's palms wildly scrambled to catch yours.
"This is what you get for pretending to be asleep!" You cooed, managing to escape every attempt of restraint until his cheeks flushed pink. You slowly released him.
Your mercy proved to be a mistake as Erik suddenly lunged and scooped your entire body.
The world tilted dizzyingly as he rolled you onto your back and trapped you down. No magnetism just pure strength.
"Not so cocky, now." He smirked triumphantly, "hm, maus?" His index finger curled softly at your cheek.
You let him believe he's won for strictly ten seconds before you tackled him onto his back, catching him off guard. He released a shocked sound in between a laugh of disbelief.
The two of you tussled around and wrestled until the sheets tangled up.
"Just give up, Erik!" You groaned as you tried to press the silver haired king down.
"Oh, my dearest." He strained, slamming you into the pillows. "The master of magnetism has and never will surrender!"
You attempted to crawl away before he snatched your ankles and dragged you back.
Your stomach clenched with giggles as you desperately clawed at the mattress, Erik finally getting ahold of your squirming body before his lips pressed to your forehead.
"Mm-" you wriggled around as he began to pepper your face, "Erik"-
"Hold still,"
Your cheeks spilled over the hands that firmly cradled you before he left a final peck onto your nose.
His usually neatly combed hair fell over his face and pointed in four directions, leaning over you with a sleepy smile.
"Can't believe you're ticklish." You snorted, reaching up to stroke his hair back.
Erik, like a big cat, closed his eyes and tilted towards your hand, "I don't believe anyone has ever dared to pull the very stunt you have today.”
"Are you calling me brave?" You teased, buried between the white tousled sheets.
Pale blue pools of mischief travelled down your face, before he leaned in and closed the gap with his lips.
You carefully held his face as his mouth warmly captured yours.
Your eyes fluttered as he pulled back too soon.
"Brave? No... Reckless, perhaps."
"I'll take it," You whispered, eyes still trained on his lips.
Just as he leaned in for another, a polite knock on the door interrupted the two of you. Erik sighed and spoke a frustrated "Yes?"
"You have a meeting with the UN this morning, your majesty."
You shot him a sad look, tracing his growing stubble. "It's alright, Erik... I'll still be here- 's not like I have to return to Westchester anytime soon."
Hearing the reassurance, Erik nodded and leaned in to place a final peck to your mouth before moving out of bed, faithful to his responsibilities.
AN: This is the first in a series that I will update periodically! Let me know what you think
The mansion is more intimidating in person. That’s the only thing I can think of as I approach it. The large X’s on each door knob create a shadow that looms over my luggage. This is the first time I have ever lived where I worked, and if the way, the man who answers the door is any indication of how well I fit in here; well let’s just say I probably won’t. This man, who hasn’t even introduced himself to me, takes my bags wordlessly as I enter the mansion's dimly lit foyer. Faster than I can blink, I can see Cyclops, Rogue, and Gambit at my side.
“Hello, I’m the public relations manager that was hired by The X-Men for damage control and all other press related issues, so the team can focus on what they do best, saving the world. Am I at the right place?” I feel a shiver run through me, and I feel like I’m being watched, something akin to a zoo animal – that is if zoo animals could tell us how they felt. I can’t help but sway on my feet a second, then without warning, Gambit takes my hand and shakes it.
“Well, Bonjour mon ami, The name's Remy Lebeau, or as my lovely girlfriend calls me –” He looks at Rouge with a snicker, then back at me “Asshole. Every friend of mine has a nickname in this place, you’ll have your own soon enough. Walk with us, we will show you the ropes.” I walk with him, and Rouge speaks for the first time, a southern drawl that mirrors my own.
“So, where are ya from newbie?” I look at her, with a nervous smile, still afraid – not of them, but of losing this damn job.
“Down South, Virginia. My family is Appalachian originally.” I untuck my gold Star of David necklace, and it rests on my collarbone. I don’t see why I need to hide it exactly, although I definitely did earlier. The walk is silent as the trio mulls over the everything about me, and for now no one seems to be noticing my background too much. We make a stop at the kitchen, and Remy speaks.
“This is our kitchen, Ami, where all the magic happens. Gambit likes to cook beignets here on Sunday mornings like his mama taught him, and we keep the kitchen kosher.” He gives a knowing smile my way, wordlessly extending an olive branch the rest of them seem to dance around like a child dances around the maypole.
“So, you noticed I’m Jewish then.” Cyclops finally breaks with a laugh and nods.
“Yes we did, and one of our team members – and the reason we hired you Magneto is Jewish as well. He’s secular, but by the looks of it, you aren’t?” I slowly feel my shoulders sink, like I was holding onto something but had no idea what it was.
“Yes, I keep kosher, I don’t keep shabbat, and I go to Shul when I can.” I walk around the house with them, as they lead me to my room. “You should also know, I have a double degree in education and public relations from the College of William and Mary. I can and will help out teaching if needed.” We all stop at my door, where my luggage is laid out just so, and I get smiles from all of them. It’s Rogue who speaks up first.
“Well of course we will let you know if it’s needed newbie –” she pauses to look at the three of them, then finally is friendly for the first time ever since we met “and welcome home, we’re happy to have ya.” With that I’m left to unpack, as they shut my door behind me. My room is large, has an office, and a restroom attached to my room. Not bad at all considering I don’t pay rent. I dust off my speaker and set it on the desk beside where I’ve been provided a work laptop. I hook it up to my CD player, and Cannock Chase by Labi Siffre drifts into my space as I unpack. My mezuzah is attached to its place outside my door, and by the end of the night everything is in its place, however bare bones that may be until I can decorate properly. As I get ready for the night, I can’t help but wonder what the next day will bring.
Hi!! I really like your works with Magneto, thank you for your writings 🙏🏼
I was hoping you might have some ideas about what life with him would be like? Yk, like a domestic Magneto and all, haha
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Magneto | Life Together
(Not proofread)
Synopsis - This is, to put it simply, a collection of very domestic, fluffy, “home life” headcanons, with some references to his past.
C/W - nothing comes to mind! This is a very sfw piece, possibility of marriage is mentioned + some extra with kids headcanons at the bottom.
A/N - This takes place long after he is/was a villian. I’m kind of imagining as if Magneto didn’t have as heavy of a role in krakoa and instead stayed somewhere else since humans are not allowed residence on krakoa, reader being mutant and human can then be interchangeable in this scenario.
Hysterectomy recovery is kicking my ass less and I’ve never been happier 🥹
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- I’d like you imagine yourself settled down somewhere quiet. I’m not saying a fully isolated cabin where nobody can reach either of you, but maybe a small town where everyone pitches in and everyone knows eachother, Mutants scattered around, Where the sun always goes the prettiest orange during sunsets, flowers bloom, hills shield the town from being too exposed, somewhere you can really just relax and find a home in.
- As for the house, I think you guys just settled for what you needed. A room for the two of you, A lovely Garden, A kitchen, A living room, Bathrooms, An extra room or two (or three) for your hobbies (or kids, if you chose to have any. I don’t think he would be against having children. More on this later)
- Max loves tending to the garden, he houses all sorts of exotic plants, fruits, vegetables and will sometimes spend hours out there looking after his greenery while you tend to your own activities. He comes in with muddy hands that you have to shoo away so they don’t ruin your clothes, he laughs as he swipes mud onto your nose and goes to wash his hands, showering you in plenty kisses afterward
- I think I’ve mentioned this before in another headcanons list I did for him but metal storage containers everywhere so he can 1. Clean up quickly and 2. He likes levitating his ingredients while cooking for easy access + less clutter so he can have you sitting pretty on the counter next to him.
- He 100% makes you a ring/makes your wedding ring if you decide to marry by himself. Despite his second name alluding to being “hard as iron” he’s a total softie, he designs it by himself, spends his time trying to not make it obvious, asking you oddly specific ring-related questions. Do you like Gold or Silver? Do you have any ring shapes in mind? Any precious stones that have significance? He takes his time with it until he’s ready to present it to you. The gesture was beautiful.
He would adore if you made him a wedding ring too if you have your own hobbies (wood carving, maybe you also make jewellery, Maybe you work with glass.) either way, he would allow himself to have two rings. One, made with metal to match yours and one made with something he cannot control if the day ever came he had to use his powers on a mass scale (aka, the ring you’d likely be making! If you’re not crafty, he would have somebody else craft it.) this way, he would have one ring that wouldn’t be part of collateral if the metal one somehow gets damaged by his own powers.
- Names to Magneto have been a finicky thing. His birth name Max Eisenhardt, Changing it to Erik Lensherr to hide his heritage, then taking on the name Magnus, he goes by many. You may find yourself wanting to be “Mrs/Mr/Mx Eisenhardt” or “Mrs/Mr/Mx Lensherr” but he doesn’t see issue in taking your last name if it’s something you want to keep or something that holds significant weight to you. As for first names, He prefers when you call him Max over Erik.
- Evenings are always so cozy, fireplace crackling softly, a window cracked open (he totally didn’t unlatch it while you weren’t looking just so you’d cuddle closer) as you both sit together, curled up on the couch with a blanket tugged around the two of you. Music plays faintly from the record player sitting in the corner. The only word that explains it is “intimate”, like after a long day your souls can exist together and rest. Soft spoken compliments, gentle touches, your hand tracing his, kisses placed so perfectly that it makes both of you feel so complete.
- You have the occasional visit to Krakoa where you get to occasionally meet the other x-men. IF you have a kid, you were granted access to visiting to be able to bring the baby with you and get the most pristine medical care for after giving birth. In the case you’re a human, a few people owe Max favours and he pulled a string or two if it meant he could count on a healthy recovery for you and the baby.
With Kids:
- I don’t think it would be an easy thing, and he finds himself being kind of “helicopter parent” like. Ever since losing anya, the prospect of children didn’t really enter his mind for years, he had bigger responsibilities than love and didn’t have room on his plate or in his damaged heart for children. He’s very nervous when it comes to the baby. Always worried his scarred hands littered with the traces of war would somehow hurt them by merely coming close. The wounds in his heart left by his first family
- Hand makes the kid wooden and metal toys to play with, also makes them a little bracelet that resembles your rings/wedding rings (if you have them) and is always keeping on top of resizing it as the kid grows up and gets bigger.
- He will love the child no matter if they’re human or mutant, however if they are human, you can count on him ensuring they are very very well read up on mutants and what they have come through. He’s not going to have his child be raised ignorant or as a bully.
Premise: Krakoan era, you get your period (it’s a PCOS period, agonising, tiring- you get it)
Authors note: not insanely accurate this is mainly self indulgent.
Despite the multiple invitations and reminders of the gala, you regretted to inform everyone that you might not show up and even when asked why you could only shyly look away and whisper a small, "period."
Emma's perfect features twitched in confusion, asking how on earth you were confident about your uterus's timing and why it even mattered.
Anna Marie, however, shot you a knowing look. She'd been there when you were both young at Westchester, the entire mansion would hear your cries and yelps until you grew wise enough to mute the agony out with pills as per her recommendation.
"Only issue is," you continue to explain to Emma, "I've taken so much pain relief in the past that I have to take a shit ton now. Which only redirects the agony to my livers."
She swirls around her wine in her gloved hand and raises a suspecting brow, "Had I been you, I would've fought Beast for a cure."
Anna sits up on her seat properly, "best we could do was stay outta her damn way," she snorted in memory, "poor Remy was the only one who didn't understand-" you both laugh as if the exact same memory replayed in your head.
The Cajun stood in your doorway, dropping peace offerings whilst ducking hard launched pillows you'd used your gravity mutation to attack him with, screeching at him to go bother someone else.
"Careful cherè! Was only checkin' on ya- AGH!"
The memories rushing back only makes you sigh, hoping sincerely that your little prediction was incorrect and that the little cramps and cravings were just a coincidence and that tomorrow- upon the gala's day, you'd wear the gown you saved and make it to the event.
You cut the little hangout short after a few more stomach pangs.
The green pathway was clear and direct, towards the pod you share with your husband, Erik. Along the way, you grow weary and slow enough not to notice the tall figure following from behind.
Instead, you curled on the little stone steps, hugging your stomach.
Leafs and plants swaying amongst the silence soothe you into small chills through the dull pain.
Until...
"Ah, there you are"-
You shriek at the deep baritone voice, flinching towards the direction to find a mildly amused Erik.
"You arse-" you hiss before quickly shutting up and forcibly softening yourself, sitting back on the steps. "Sorry, sweetheart... didn't see you."
The same shit eating grin lit his face. "I was beginning to wonder when you'd notice me," he kneeled in front of you, his white strands mussed from a long stressful day.
The steel blue eyes you woke up to every morning travel across your features, down your body as if he was trying to make sense of your weary state.
Then, he peels his glove off.
"I would be dutiful in reminding you the Gala's tomorrow," the back of his ungloved hand presses to your forehead, "however it doesn't seem as though you are fit to attend," he hums and pulls back. No heat.
"It's my period, Erik." You reassure and eventually stand to enter the warm home. "I wouldn't be fit to get out of bed, let alone a whole Gala..."
His chuckle vibrates through the vacant entry of the home, "Oh, I am well aware of your mighty periods and the doom they cast upon your day."
"Not enough to stop you from scaring me apparently." you limp to the couch, curling up to warm your tummy.
"Come now, my dear, it was only done in jest." He beelines to the kitchen and rummages around until a few minutes later. He emerges with a mug smelling of multiple seeped plants. The mixture of herbs that usually soothes mild cramping.
You carefully take it from his steady hands and take a few sips. "Forgiven," you sigh and lean back as if your shoulders weighed you down.
"Wonderful,"
You melt at the genuine fond look he shares. "I'm not sure if my period is coming anyway, could be a scare." You whisper as he sits beside you, an arm behind your shoulder.
He hums in response, sharing his bodily warmth with you.
You add hoarsely, "I'm excited to see you there too... I mean I saw your outfit and I can't wait to see how Charles reacts when you out do him again."
Erik laughs heartily at that, slender fingers burying into your hair to carefully bump your forehead with his. "He will be rendered speechless- as he is every single time."
Your eyes softly flutter as fatigue grasps you, his warmth paired with the tea reduces you to a yawning mess.
Erik helps you into bed and you curl up with a few sleepy prayers about your period delaying for the gala's sake.
By the time the cool summer air drifted in through the windows and the Krakoan sun bathed the bedroom, you find yourself in a cocoon with a heating pad on your lower belly. However, it didn't seem to do much.
Despite the fresh breeze and the calming serenity of the morning your stomach tied in knots, releasing in a dull clench before repeating the same agony.
Erik opened the door at the sound of your whimpers, in the midst of getting dressed- no doubt. His white brows furrow before he hurries over and tries to do something to the iron in your blood, which makes you yelp and flinch onto your side. "E-Erik...! M-Meds..." you pant breathlessly.
Without a nod, the old man leaves your side and returns before another dull wave washes over you.
You drink the two pills he often lectures you against having, his hand cradling your head as you chug the water.
To settle in your system, it would take twenty more minutes. You refuse to cry like you did back in Westchester. No, not at such an age. You're a woman now.
You grit your teeth as Erik adjusts the heating pad and rubs your stomach in slow circles.
"G-Gala... go..." you sigh as relief barely washes over you, "I'll be fine"-
"Nonsense," he dresses your cold feet in fuzzy socks to lock warmth in. "Krakoa will survive without me for one evening," Erik half jokes.
"It isn't nonsense..." you whisper between huffs, "Erik, you deserve to be celebrated... you played a huge part in keeping mutants safe..." You bit your lip, trying not to grow too emotional in front of him. "Don't stay because you pity me,"
At the sight of your tears, he assesses again, scanning where your most coiled and stiff movements were to understand where you're hurting.
And of course, Erik Lehnsherr ignored your pleas.
Instead, your poor husband spent the better half of the morning and afternoon around you.
"Have you eaten?"
"Not yet," you rasp, half spent from muffling your sounds of anguish the entire hour.
Erik furrows his brows and leaves to go fix the issue. Somehow problem solving every discomfort the best he logically can.
By then, the afternoon slipped by in a haze of blankets, heating pads and junk food.
It destroyed your carefully balanced meal plan but your husband only protested once- mainly reluctant.
"You'll feel terrible if you eat all this," he sighs before sitting down.
"I already feel terrible," you switch on a random film to distract yourself, curling against his side. Jane Eyre. You think nothing of it.
Between scenes and a few weak nibbles on a bar, you end up with your back half to his chest, his arm curled around you to secure your position.
In the distance, the sounds of laughter and music pangs, muffling in the Krakoan air. The gala being hearable wasn't helping your case- not as the film takes an emotional turn.
Jane had discovered Mr Rochesters mad wife in a locked room shortly after their interrupted wedding, disturbed and confused. Mr Rochester attempted damage control by pleading with her, crying into her dress and explaining why he lied, yet it wasn't getting through to her.
So she ran away, down the window, through the grassy desert.
Both your guilt and the scene of Mr Rochester calling desperately for Jane on his horse builds up into an ugly ball of emotion.
Your eyes immediately began to sting, a broken whisper flying from your lips, "oh God."
Besides your ear came a very familiar sigh, one earned from years of learning how emotional you could become during certain films.
You sniff, thickly swallowing. "Oh Erik... this is awful." You wipe your tears, "he loves her,"
"I gathered as much,"
Your lip trembles as the rain soaks through her hopeless sobs, thinking she found someone who truly loved her just for it to be a lie.
Behind you, Erik slightly shifts. Not because he was uncomfortable but because he knows whats to come.
A broken sound leaves you, turning to peer over at the old man, "are you judging me?"
His lips curl in a soft smirk, “I wouldn’t dare,” Erik beckons you closer, hand slipping over your stomach to check the heating pad. “It may be mildly amusing when you shed tears over fiction, though I suppose that only means you wear your heart on your sleeve,”
“Heck does that mean?”
You snort and curl up into him properly, legs tucked under the little blanket and cheek nuzzled into his chest.
“It means,” he corrects the fabric around you to trap heat, “You are deeply sincere,” he taps your nose, “Maybe even an open book,” another tap.
“Erik,” you sigh and grab his hand before he does it again.
“Sleep, you look exhausted.” His cheek rests on your head, hiding his dreary expression as the two protagonists on screen yearn for each other.
Your arm tucks against his middle, losing the battle against fatigue. Another issue he’ll have to hunt a solution for.
When you’re finally out, he presses his lips into your hairline, smoothing hair back from your face.
Summary: Erik Lehnsherr x fe!Reader -> Erik walked out of your life once, and he doesn't want to repeat the same mistake twice.
Disclaimer: exes-to-lovers, dislike/enemies to lovers, spoilers for first class, mutant!reader, Erik protects reader, existing feelings, love confessions, reader gets hurt, hurt/comfort, teacher!reader.
Xavier was at his wits end.
Years of education, countless thesis defences, an ignorant mother, a world that thought him a ‘freak’ for being able to communicate with his mind, a government who could change their opinion and choices any second, an impending third world war…
And yet you and Erik were going to be the thing to kill him. He was pretty sure of that.
“You just shot at me!”
You shrugged, standing with the gun hanging beside your thigh. “You asked.”
“Him!” Erik pointed at Charles. “Not. You.”
You practically glared at Erik. “You thought he would willingly shoot at you? Jesus.”
Erik heard your scoff. “What?”
You shook your head, holding back a laugh. “Nothing. Just…even I thought you were more intelligent than that, Erik.”
Erik grumbled, ready to charge at you. Holding out his hand to stop his friend, Xavier shouted out.
“Maybe it’s best if you go inside, Y/n. Erik? Erik!”
Finally he got his friend to turn away and for you to go inside.
“Sorry, Charles. She just-”
“I know. I know. But you can’t let your emotions get the better of you.”
“I can’t believe she’s even allowed to own a gun.”
Xavier shrugged. “I don’t know if she does. But who’s gonna argue with her? Other than you, clearly.”
It had been the same for months. Even from the moment they had both found you whilst on the search for more mutants who might want to join the group. The same group the others had affectionately called: The X-Men.
You had been working at the New York Museum of Natural History. Apparently, two researchers wanted to talk to you about some of the new artifacts. It was rare, but not unknown for academic researchers to want to talk to you so you had agreed.
But the second one unknown face, and one slightly familiar face, walked through the door, you’d regretted agreeing.
“Hello,” Erik had smiled, his hands in his pockets, as if you were friends.
“What the hell are you after?”
“Uh, please excuse my friend. I’m Charles Xavier and this…this is Erik-”
“I know who he is.”
“Alright then.” Charles rocked on his feet. “Well, we were hoping to talk to you.”
Looking between Charles and Erik, you waited for a few minutes, trying to make up your mind.
“I’ll talk to you,” you said, looking at Charles. “I’m not talking to him.”
“Told you she wouldn’t want me here, Charles.”
“Yes, Erik, I gathered that.”
“You should have trusted me.”
You raised your brows. “Trust? You wanna talk about trust, now?”
Charles quickly cleared his throat. “Maybe-maybe it's best we talk in private. In your office, perhaps?”
It had taken you three days to decide whether or not you wanted to help. Charles Xavier had made a rather convincing argument, but the fact he was working with Erik was unsettling.
But, once you had made a decision, you tracked them down. It had made for a nice surprise visit for Charles when he found an unknown duffle bag in the hallway of his home.
He had welcomed you with open arms, finding it fantastic that you had agreed to join. But Erik wasn’t of the same mind. After that, everything became a fight.
The fact that you had decided to join, the fact that it was Shaw he was looking for, the conversation about your change of style since he last saw you, your not-so-subtle statement that you’ve changed since he was last in your life.
The way you sided with Charles, the way you didn’t side with either of them, his approach to push Cassidy off the top of the satellite dish, the way you used your powers and abilities around the grounds.
Who made dinner, and how. Who the singer of the record was, which record was better, how far was too far to push training abilities.
“He deserved it.”
“But did you really have to shoot him?” Charles asked you, hours later as you stood in the kitchen, seasoning Hank’s food before he knew.
“He can deflect them. He’s fine.”
Charles watched you with a perplexed look. “What happened between you two?”
“I thought you could read minds.”
“Not my friends. Not unless it’s needed.”
You still didn’t turn to look at him. “Thought Erik might have told you?”
He shook his head. “No. Well, not exactly.”
“I thought you didn’t read your friends' minds.”
Xavier sighed. “Earlier…Erik allowed me to enter into the brightest corner of his mind. It was a memory of his mother, from when he was younger. But before that…he still has memories of you. Happy ones.”
For a moment, you stopped what you were doing. Charles watched as the information washed over you in waves, but you simply pushed the waves back.
“Yeah, well…” You cleared your throat, avoided his eye contact, and dried your hands on a dishtowel. “That’s in the past.”
“Not necessarily.” Charles caught your arm, gently, as you passed him. “What happened, Y/n?”
You sighed and he saw the pain in your eyes. “Why don’t you ask him? He probably knows more than I do.”
On your way out of the kitchen, you nearly ran into someone but moved out of the way just in time.
“What are you-”
“Out of my way.”
Pushing past Erik, you hurried down the hall and towards the main staircase. Meanwhile, Erik turned into the kitchen and looked at Charles.
“What did you do?”
“Nothing,” Charles said, avoiding the bubbling rage inside of Erik. “What did you do?”
“Excuse me.”
“I asked her what happened between you two, and she said to ask you. I know you still hold fond memories of her.” Charles’ eyes scanned Erik’s as he watched the past and pain wash over his friend. “What happened?”
Erik’s shoulders dropped after a few moments. “I left. That’s what happened. I promised her a goodbye and…never did.”
As Erik grabbed himself a drink, Charles took a seat and waited for Erik.
“It was five years ago,” Erik began. “I was returning to Europe to hunt the rest of the soldiers that complied with my torture. But, for a brief time…I stopped.”
“Because you met Y/n?”
Erik nodded, taking a hard swallow of his drink. “We met outside of her university. She was, uh, she was studying for her masters.”
Charles watched as a proud and nostalgic smile came onto Erik’s face. He didn’t mean to, but he saw Erik’s mind and his memories – not that Erik noticed.
“I was doing some research to try and find some old files. It was a pure accident I’d run into her. Knocked her books to the ground…pretty sure she cussed me out.” Erik laughed. “I’d never been cussed out in an accident before. When I saw what she was studying, I asked for her help. She said ‘no’, obviously. Until she found me lost in the library a few hours later.”
“Did she know you were a mutant?”
Erik shook his head. “Not at first. She knew I was different, though.”
“And you? Did you know about her?”
Erik shook his head, again. “Not until she told me.”
The moment when you had told him about your abilities had been one filled with vulnerability. Something that, at the time, he didn’t break. Equally, he shared his own ability with you, which turned into a conversation about how he had discovered his powers, who else had done the same, and why he was meant to be heading further into Europe.
“So, what happened?”
“We fell in love,” Erik said, simply. “She made me promise to stop hunting. To stop looking for vengeance and to try and find happiness where I was. Some days I wish I’d never broken that promise.”
Charles stayed quiet, waiting for Erik to finish.
“But, ultimately, I did. And…she knew. I guess she could feel me slipping away and…about a month before I left, she’d asked me to promise to say goodbye. That if I was going to leave, that it would be finished. That she wouldn’t be left hanging on to hope.”
Charles felt his heart break for you. And for Erik. “But you didn’t say goodbye?”
Erik shook his head. “No. I thought about leaving a note but I could never bring myself to write one. In the end, I just left.”
Charles let out a long breath and took a sip of his own drink. “I don’t blame her for being so angry.”
Erik nodded, taking another drink of his own. “Neither do I.”
“But why fight with her? Why keep fighting with her, when you know you were an asshole?”
“Ouch.”
“Erik. We both know it’s true.”
“Yeah, okay. I guess-”
Charles closed his eyes. “Please don’t say it’s because you miss her. Even I know that’s an asshole move.”
Erik chuckled, just a little. “I’d rather have her fight me than ignore me.”
“Like you did with her?” Charles asked. “Did you ever look for her?”
“Not that she knows about.”
Charles was shocked. “But you did?”
“Before I tracked Shaw to the US, I looked for her…”
Charles nodded, “The museum…you already knew she was there.”
“Her master’s came in handy, and she found a great opportunity. She seemed happy. Until I showed up.”
Charles scoffed a little, in sarcastic judgement. “Who can blame her? Look, Erik, in all seriousness, I think you both need to talk. Seriously talk. You can’t fight forever. Seek her forgiveness-”
“I don’t want her forgiveness. Charles, I broke my promise to her, twice.”
“People make mistakes, Erik. You can’t let your past define you, or Y/n. There’s still good inside of you, and, once you accept that, maybe she might start seeing it, again, too.”
Erik raised a brow. “You really think so?”
“I know so.”
Charles had an odd but hopeful look in his eyes as Erik looked at him. Clearly, he knew because of more than just intuition.
And, to his credit, Erik tried. Really, really tried.
But…you had changed. You were still you, just…harder. Tougher in every sense of the word. Others saw your kindness, and your compassion. But not Erik.
Not that he could really blame you. He was angry. Annoyed, sure. But, even then, he knew he was angry and annoyed at himself because, deep down, he was the reason you were mad at him. He was the reason he couldn’t get you to lower the barricades he’d made you build as a consequence for breaking his promises to you.
Finally, one day, it hit him.
“I’m sorry.”
You’d been training most of the day and had barely had a moment's peace to yourself. You were ready to tell whoever had walked in to give you five minutes, until you heard Erik’s voice.
Rolling your eyes, you sighed and started heading for the door of the library. “Goodbye, Erik.”
“Wait, Y/n! Wait, please- please just– just wait? Please?”
Erik blocked your exit. Not by closing the door with his abilities, but by literally running in front of you.
“What?”
Despite the memories that flashed across your face as you remembered the last time you’d seen Erik run to stop you from leaving, you couldn’t forget why you hadn’t experienced more of those moments over the last five years.
Back then, you had been younger and in love. It had been in an act of pleading to try and get you to come back to bed and to skip the boring lecture meeting.
Now, it was…well, you didn’t know.
“I’m sorry.”
“For what? Did you push Cassidy off the roof?”
“No,” Erik shook his head. “Not this time. I’m…I’m sorry for leaving five years ago.”
You hadn’t been expecting an apology. Although, you’d never really been expecting to see Erik again after he left.
“You asked me to stop hunting, and I broke my promise. You asked me to say goodbye and I broke that promise, too. I-I’m not looking for your forgiveness. I don’t want it.”
“Wow.”
“But I do want you to know that I’m sorry.” Erik let out a breath.
“Why didn’t you?”
“Why-”
You crossed your arms over your chest. “Why didn’t you say goodbye? Why did you just leave in the middle of the night like some random hook-up? We’d been together for months, Erik. Granted, that’s not a long time in the grand scheme of things, but we were in love! And you just left. Just like that. Like it didn’t even cost you a second thought!”
Erik swallowed, finally seeing some of the pain behind your eyes. No longer just disdain, but anger, sadness, and hurt.
“I couldn’t say goodbye,” Erik said. “I-I didn’t want to.”
“But you still wanted to leave? So, what? Go and hunt Nazi’s and then come home like nothing happened?”
“No, no! That’s not what-”
“What the hell was I to you, Erik? What? Just a warm bed?”
“What?! No! No-”
“Someone to distract you whilst you completed your research? What?! What was I, Erik?”
Each accusation was like a dagger to his heart. He knew he had been an idiot to walk away from you, no matter the manner in which he did it. But he had really fucked things up.
Turning away from him, you walked further inside the library.
“You were my partner! You were my love! My life!”
With tears in your eyes, you turned back to him. “If I were your life, Erik…then why did you leave?”
“Because I had to. I had to.” Erik started to cry, now. Watching you in pain – pain he had caused – was crushing him from the inside. “Everything that happened– everything they did to me, to my family! I couldn’t just let them get away with that. Believe me, I wish I could change the story. I wish I hadn’t left you. I wish I had come back to find you sooner. I wish I had said goodbye, but I was never going to bring myself to do it. I loved you, Y/n. I still do. Saying…saying goodbye to you would have meant we were permanently in the past.”
Taking a few breaths as you looked at him, you wondered why you had ever agreed to join his team.
“I asked you…” You wiped the tears away. “I asked you, Erik, that if you were going to leave then you wouldn’t leave me hanging on to the hope that you might come back. You hurt me, Erik. You really hurt me.”
“I know.” Erik’s voice was as soft as your own as he slowly approached you. “I know. And I should have done that. I should have given you peace.”
“I waited for you.”
Erik stopped in his tracks.
“For four years,” you told him. “I waited for you. Didn’t…date anyone else, didn’t leave my routine other than to go to the library more often, even after I graduated, just in case you were there, waiting for me. My entire life was put on hold, waiting for you. I know-” You took a breath. “You never asked me to do that, but…you never said goodbye. I asked you not to make me hope, and…you did.”
“What…what made you…”
“The museum was sending a shipment of artifacts to New York. They asked if I would go, and that there was a permanent position for me there if I wanted it. There was no sign of you anywhere and life was moving on. I figured I better start moving with it before I lose myself to the memory of you completely.”
Biting your lip, nervously, you looked at him. You were both a few years older now, but you could still see the Erik you knew. He was right there, staring back at you.
“I really did love you, Erik. I think part of me always will. But, I already lost you because of Shaw. I won’t stand here and wait to watch you walk away again, because of him.”
“You won’t. I’m not-”
“I’m here because I won’t stand by and watch as innocent people get caught in the crossfire of another world war.” You spoke, plainly. “Why are you here, Erik? For the same reason, or because you want to kill Shaw?”
“He took away my family.”
You nodded, saddened by his pain. “I know he did. But don’t let him take you, too.”
Wiping your eyes, quickly, you excused yourself and Erik watched you go.
He couldn’t turn his back on what Shaw did to him, but he also couldn’t lose you, again. He didn’t want to hurt you, again, either.
But that, sadly, seemed inevitable.
The next day, everything seemed to evolve into an extreme. Russians vs Americans, an impending war, Shaw, Hank (now Beast), a submarine and a water tornado.
“Erik!”
Unbuckling yourself from your seat, you hurried over to Charles and Erik by the dropped wheels.
“I don’t think I can hold it much longer!”
“Can you help him?” Charles shouted to you over the sound of the engines.
Furrowing your brows, you looked back to Erik who was starting to struggle.
“You should get back to your seat!”
Charles followed your request and buckled himself inside, meanwhile you reached your hands out, and the wind started to pick up.
The smell of sea-salt filled the air almost to the point of nausea. Erik’s hair was growing damp from where it was hitting him, although not at the same force at the back end of the submarine which was starting to lift.
Somewhere on the submarine, a hatch opened. And what followed was enough resistant power to send the submarine flying towards the beach, and to give the jet’s landing a bumpy ride.
Reaching for Erik’s hand, you managed to catch him just in time before he fell. In return, as you both tried to make it to your seats for some kind of safety measure, you were both sent flying.
Until Erik covered your body with his own, anchoring you to the mental panel.
Everyone was screaming in fear, in sickness and in pain. And, when it finally stopped, the entire crew fell silent.
Slowly, Erik lowered you both to the roof of the jet that now lay on the floor.
“Are you okay? Are you hurt?”
You shook your head, quickly. “No, no. I’m okay. What about you?”
“I’m okay.”
Carefully, you stood up before helping Erik. Meanwhile, Charles called out for Moira and helped Raven out of her seat.
However, by the time Erik was running inside the submarine, Charles called out to you.
“Help him. Make sure he doesn’t lose himself.”
For a split second, you hesitated.
“There is still good inside of him, Y/n. You and I both know that.”
Taking a breath, you nodded and ran outside. Alex gave you a clear path to get inside, and you made a break for it. It took you a few attempts, but slightly bruised and sand covered, you made it in.
“I’ve lost him!” Charles shouted inside your head.
“What do you mean you’ve lost him?!”
“He’s gone into the void. I can’t communicate with him there!”
You grumbled, “Goddamn it. Erik! Erik!”
Running throughout the submarine, you found no-one. Until you heard a distant crash and Charles’ voice inside your head again.
Behind you, the wall slid open into two and you saw what Erik had done. Rather, what had been done to him.
A mirrored room, Erik on the ground, and Shaw standing in the middle, a helmet on his head.
“Erik!”
“No, Y/n, don’t!”
Shaw seemed to smile. But it wasn’t at all comforting. “So, this is the girl? This is the one who almost got you to change?”
“Don’t you touch her!”
Suddenly, Erik was thrown against the mirrored walls once more. And you didn’t hesitate. Running inside, you just reached Erik before you were thrown back from him and into a wall yourself.
“Y/n!”
“You’ve come a long way from bending gates,” Shaw said to him, watching him stand. “I’m proud of you. But don’t let her get in your way.”
Just as Erik went to move towards you, Shaw threw you, again. This time, Erik threw every metal beam he could to block Shaw’s path to you.
“Think about how much further we could go, together.”
Despite the dizziness, you could still make out the image in front of you. Erik, trying with all his might, to keep Shaw in his place. But, with a simple hand, he just pushed Erik back.
“This is our time, our age. We are the future of the human race.”
From your position on the floor, you could see Erik. And he could see you. Both of you, bloodied, cut and bruised.
“Get away from him!”
“Zip it.”
Suddenly, you felt a crushing weight on your chest and a growing inability to breathe.
“Let her go!”
“She’s nothing to you! Whereas I,” Shaw held the back of Erik’s head as if he was a father talking to his son. “I can help you find your everything. You have a calling, Erik. Don’t waste it on the likes of her.”
“Don’t–” You were struggling to talk. “Don’t let him– do this to you– Erik. Please.”
“Let her go.”
Shaw watched the look in Erik’s eyes turn…compliant. But his own ego didn’t see the darkness that lurked behind them.
Finally, able to breathe again, you tried to find the energy to stand. But it was a struggle.
“Everything you did, you made me stronger.”
“Erik…”
Erik couldn’t look at Shaw, but he did look at you. “Made me the weapon I am today.”
“It’s the truth. I’ve known that all along.”
Managing to stand, Erik’s gaze turned away from you and onto Shaw. You had an opportunity whilst he was distracted. You just hoped you would have the strength to pull him free.
“You are my creator.”
Reaching forward, you pulled the helmet from Shaw’s head, leaving both you and Erik to shout for Charles.
With the sound of metal dropping, you felt yourself fall to the ground with it.
“Y/n!”
Erik fell to his knees on the floor with you, holding your head up. “Hey, hey- stay with me. Y/n! Stay with me!”
“It hurts,” you said, weakly.
“Where? Let me-”
From your rib cage in a downward curve, there was a long slit of blood. Erik couldn’t tell how deep it was, but from the amount of blood starting to stain your skin and clothes, he knew it wasn’t good.
“Outside. I need to go outside. Let Charles take care of Shaw.”
Erik turned to where Shaw was still standing still.
“He’ll make him pay, Erik.” You assured him. “Don’t let the cost be you.”
It took a long moment, but eventually Erik walked away with you and helped you outside. Whilst Beast and Raven made their way inside the submarine, following Erik’s orders to make sure Shaw didn’t get away, he helped you into the water.
The salt stung your wound as you dropped to your knees, feeling the tide wash over you. Meanwhile, Erik kneeled beside you, cradling your head against him as you closed your eyes and tried to ignore the searing pain.
“You’re okay,” Erik continued to repeat, almost as a mantra to himself, in order to remind himself that you were alive. That, despite the pain, you were breathing.
You are alive. You are breathing. You are okay.
In a pain-filled daze, you looked up at Erik and saw the same man you had seen in the library. Erik. Your Erik. Erik, who knew kindness and wasn’t afraid to show it. Erik, who could feel something other than rage and his soul in torture.
Although the following situation wasn’t relaxing, you let your anger go. Erik had walked away, once. And, he could have done it again. But he didn’t.
Shaw was barely three feet from him, and he chose to leave with you.
Although some of the others continued fighting, which resulted in flying bullets, by the time you were all back on the jet, the world was getting hazier and hazier.
Charles lay on the floor of the jet. Moira was trying to make contact with her bosses, so Erik took her place beside Charles, holding his hand.
“I’m sorry, Charles. I should have seen it coming.”
“Don’t, Erik. It’ll be okay.”
“I could have stopped-”
“There were too many. Erik, all that matters now is that we’re together. As a team. My legs…the doctors will be able to help, if there is any hope of help.”
“There will be.”
Charles gave him a polite smile and squeezed his hand a little tighter. Then, he looked over to you. You had your eyes closed and your head tipped back against the seat, meanwhile, you were holding your side.
“It’s nice.” Charles smiled in a whisper.
“What is?” Erik managed to laugh.
“You two. Not fighting. You make quite the team when you’re not at each other's throats.”
Erik swallowed, his eyes falling on you with a kind look in his eyes.
“I love her, Charles.” Erik admitted, quietly.
“I know.”
“I never stopped.”
“Neither did she.”
Erik swallowed, looking back to his friend. He didn’t have to say his worries out-loud.
“It’ll take a little time, but it’ll be worth it. You’re good for each other.”
“You really think so?”
“I know so. Erik…trust her. Trust yourself. It’ll all work out together in the end.”
“Any other wise words, Professor?”
Charles gave a wet laugh, looking to the ceiling. “Yes. I suppose I’m a real professor now, aren’t I?”
“Not until you get the school up and running.”
Charles looked at Erik.
Erik looked around at the team. Despite being worn and beaten, they were mostly okay.
“You’ve got a good foundation, and a good idea. Why not help the kids figure out how to use their abilities? We are still the future, Charles.”
Charles chuckled, once more. “I suppose you have a point. Fancy teaching European History?”
Erik laughed. “That might be a push too far.”
From the pilot's seat, Hank called out the ETA for landing back at the school.
“Go,” Charles said, nodding over to you, to Erik. “I’ll be okay.”
Moria appeared behind Erik. “I’ve got him.”
Standing, Erik took a seat beside you. You barely opened your eyes to check who it was before you leaned your head against his shoulder and took his hand in your own.
Over the months of recovery for everyone, and the time it took for Charles to set up his school, it gave yourself and Erik time to grow together.
In the beginning, it was a little stagnant.
You were open to his help, and he was more than willing to give it. But there was still the unspoken hesitation. The fact he could have been half-way across the world, creating a mutant army, or hunting more soldiers.
But he wasn’t.
He was helping you.
Over time, it got easier. You both fell into a natural flow of things. Conversations got easier, there were less fights, neither one of you left the room the second the other walked in.
Kinder memories started to come to the front.
Slow mornings were spent in each other’s quiet company, surrounded by the smell of fresh coffee, fresh bread and danishes. The hurried mornings were started with a quick coffee, a surprise kiss on the cheek and a bite of toast.
Eventually, you and Erik found yourselves on the cusp of rediscovering the loving relationship you had once had with each other.
“You’re gonna fall.”
Erik had been watching you for the last three minutes trying to balance on an old kitchen chair, as you started to hang up your DIY Ancient History timeline.
“No, I’m not.”
Pushing himself from the beam of the doorway, Erik chuckled. “Famous last words.”
“Famous last words are like…Oh happy dagger! This is thy sheath; there rust and let me die.” You sighed, a little annoyed as you needed to reach further to make the banner follow a coherent line. “Not-oh!”
Around your waist, you felt Erik’s arm take a strong-hold of you before he lowered you to the ground, spun you around and kissed you in a slight dip.
After a few moments, he replied, “And thus, with a kiss, I die.”
“You should teach English.”
Erik gave you a coy smile and set you back on your feet. “Either way, I don’t need your famous last words to be because of an unsafe chair. Give it.”
Handing over the end of the string, Erik changed the tac to a new one that wasn’t damaged and willed it to float up.
“Uhh…a little lower? Higher- stop!”
“There?”
You nodded. “There.”
Setting it into the wall, Erik pulled the chair away with him and stood beside you.
“Looks good.”
“Thanks,” you smiled. “Want me to make one for your classroom?”
“What?”
Still smiling at Erik, you moved away and reached into the top drawer of your desk. Erik, although curious, seemed a little scared as he followed you.
Walking back to him, hiding the nameplate behind you, you stopped directly in front of him.
“What’s in your hands?”
“A little something,” you shrugged.
“A little something…of what?”
Presenting it to him, name forward, you let him take it. “Congrats, Mr Lehnsherr. You are now the new teacher of European History. And, also, philosophy. That one is a class you’ll be sharing with Xavier, though.”
“Oh, will I?”
You hummed in a playful nod. “And, if you will follow me…” Taking his hand, Erik willingly followed you out of your classroom and straight across the hall.
“Welcome,” you said, opening the door and pushing it open. “To your new classroom.”
Erik couldn’t help but laugh a little as he stepped inside. He’d already made a deal with Charles that he wasn’t suited to a teaching position. Clearly, Charles thought differently.
And so did you.
“So long as you stop pushing people off satellite dishes, I’m sure you’ll be great.”
Erik turned around. “That was one time.”
You giggled, almost skipping across the laminated wooden floor and laying your arms over his shoulders. Without a second thought, he brought his own (and his nameplate) around your waist.
“So? What do you think?”
Erik looked around. “I think…I’m gonna need help.”
“Well,” you shrugged. “I’m just across the hall.”
“That is,” Erik shrugged and then nodded. “That is a bonus.”
You chuckled, leaning up and kissing him quickly.
By the time classes officially started up, it was safe to say you and Erik were far from the people you had been when you had first landed at the school.
Instead, you’d become the two people most students started a rumour about and were excited to find out it was true.
