Charles Xavier/Erik Lehnsherr - "I Can't Let You Do That" (2)
“I can’t let you do that.”
Erik hesitated in the door frame. “Charles.”
“You can’t leave.”
“Who said I’m leaving?”
“The helmet was a pretty good indicator. Factor that in with the bag and the sneaking out at midnight, and I could make a pretty good guess.”
Erik turned and looked at him. “Charles-”
“You can’t leave,” Charles told him. “Running from guilt never works.”
“Who says it’s guilt? Perhaps I’ve just outgrown this place.”
Charles gave him a look. “If it’s not guilt, take off the helmet.”
Erik’s eyes narrowed. “I prefer privacy.”
“You used to trust me.”
Erik paused. Of course he trusted Charles, and Charles knew it. But he couldn’t risk inflicting that soul crushing guilt on Charles. It would only make Charles feel guilty in return.
“Come back to bed,” Charles told him.
Erik lashed out and hit the doorframe. “How can you do this?” He asked. “Look at what I’ve done to you!”
Charles was giving him a considering look. He carefully looked down to his legs, to the wheelchair, before catching Erik’s eyes again. “I know what happened.” Charles said just as carefully. “And I know you carry the guilt for that.” He shook his head. “But you won’t find redemption out there.”
Erik sighed and leant against the doorframe. “Charles.”
“Please take off that helmet.”
Erik’s hand twitched. “I don’t-”
“Erik.”
Erik could never disobey that tone. He took off the helmet.
“Oh Erik,” Charles sighed holding out his arms.
Erik shot one look out the door before stepping back to Charles and his limitless forgiveness.