Erik sighed as he closed his book, raising an eyebrow as Hank approached him. Before he could even speak, the Doctor cut him off, holding up his blue hands. “I want you to know that none of this was my fault, and the kid shouldn’t be been running around my lab.” The scientist grumbled, crossing his arms as Erik sighed. Mein gott. “What happened.” He mumbled defeatedly, ready to find out whatever stunt his son pulled this time.
He was decidedly, not ready to find out however, eyes widening as Hank stepped to the side, revealing a small child standing behind him. The kid was bouncing from leg to leg, (not that you’d notice it, a trail of blue the only evidence of movement), fluffy silver hair sticking out in odd places as the boy looked at Erik with wide, blue-greyish eyes. The older mutant looked at Hank with a hint of disbelief, quickly discarding his book to the table. “Is that-…” the doctor nodded, sighing tiredly. “Yup. And he’s your responsibility now, have fun parenting the ball of energy.”
Before Erik could even respond, the other adult had already left the room, leaving him with the child. His child.
" You're my dad?" Pietro mumbled in awe, standing in front of Erik's chair. The man nodded, feeling like his heart was going to melt as the boy smiled widely. "Yes i am Herzchen" he spoke softly, putting on a genuine smile. "Woah... thats awesome..." Pietro mumbled, eyes flicking as he looked at Erik with nervous hesitation before continuing. "Can I have a hug..?"
Oh. Thats not what Erik had expected when he noticed the nervousness in the boy's eyes. Sure, 'normal' Pietro knows that he'd never lay a hand on his son, but the man didn't expect the little kid to want to hug him, Magneto.
" Of course mein Sohn" he replied quickly, opening his arms and wrapping them around his son gently. The boy nuzzled into his chest, tiny arms not managing to fully embrace Erik. The man had gone through many horrible things, all things he tried to block out, causing him to shut off his emotions, but as his young son hugged him, it felt like a dam broke. If you had asked any student, or even Erik himself, they would tell you ‘Magneto? He doesn’t cry, he doesn’t even feel. He’s like a machine.’
Ever since Pietro had told him about his heritage, that had changed. The adorably young version of his son looked up at him with a frown, clumsily wiping Erik’s eyes. “Why are you crying? Are you okay papa?” The boy asked worriedly, little brows furrowing. “I’m fine Spatzi, just happy to see you” the man replied, clearing his throat as he shifted. “Hmm, okay! The blue guy told me you see me everyday though” the boy asked curiously, and Erik chuckled.
”That is true little one, but usually you’re a bit older” he smiled, ruffling Pietro’s hair softly. The boy hummed, seeming satisfied eith the answer, before looking around. “Do you want to play? I’m bored.” Erik was taken aback for a moment at the sudden change of subject, but smiled fondly. “Of course little one, what would you like to do?”
Pietro’s face lit up, his brows furrowing slightly in thought. (Erik’s heart melted at the sight.) “Hmm, wanna play pretend?” The boy asked, eyes shining with excitement as the older man nodded. The man hesitated for a short moment, but quickly nodded in agreement. "Alright kleine, sounds like a plan."
"Charles. Scott." Erik greeted the people walking into the room, sitting still as Pietro put pink hair clips into his hair. "Ah, hello darling" Charles replied, lips quirking into a smile as the younger x-men's eyes flicked from Erik to his son. "Uhm.?"
The man raised an eyebrow at the student, still looking threatening despite the bows attached to his clothes. "Got a problem Summers?" He growled, hearing Pietro giggle as Scott stammered. "Uh- no, no sir" the teenager mumbled, looking at Charles with a look of confusion before just deciding to look down.
"I was going to ask you to help me train the students, but I see you're busy." Charles smiled, waving at Pietro. The boy waved back shyly, grasping at Erik's shirt as he hid behind the man. He hummed, giving his son a reassuring hair ruffle before turning his attention back to Charles.
"Yes, unfortunately I am busy being a princess." He replied with a monotone voice, still keeping a straight face as he glared at Scott while Pietro put a pink crown on his head.
"Dad, m tired." Erik chuckled as the boy laying on his chest mumbled, putting a hand on the boy's back. "Really? Couldve fooled me." He replied soft but teasingly, shifting as he wrapped his arms around his son. The boy huffed, but nuzzled into his sweater, stifling a yawn.
"Go to sleep kleine" he hummed, carding his hands through Pietro’s hair as he made a noise. "Promise me you'll still be here when i wake up?" The boy whispered shyly, looking up at Erik with blue-dough eyes.
Erik made a choked sound, but nodded reassuringly. "Of course Pietro, I'll always be here, always." The boy hummed satisfiedly, yawning softly as he buried his head in Erik's chest.