“Papa! Alex stole my chicken nugget again!” Sean’s high-pitched complaint echoed through the house, piercing through the usual morning chaos.
Charles let out a long-suffering sigh, his hands busy wrapping sandwiches and organizing the neatly labeled lunch bags that would soon be carried off to school, work, and whatever else the day held for their lively household. He glanced over his shoulder to find Alex, as smug as ever, chewing on one of Sean’s precious nuggets.
“Alexander Alex Summers!” Charles called sharply. “Leave your brother alone, honey, or there’s no PlayStation time for you tonight!”
Alex froze, mid-bite, and gave his father an exaggerated pout. “Okay, I’m sorry,” he mumbled, setting the slightly mangled nugget back onto Sean’s plate.
“Thank you,” Charles said, though his relief was short-lived. As Alex turned, he stealthily reached over to Hank’s plate and snagged a nugget from his older brother instead.
Hank, who was deeply engrossed in his biology notes, only noticed when his plate felt lighter. He sighed, setting his pencil down and glaring at his younger brother. “Seriously, Alex?”
“What? You’re not even eating!” Alex shot back, popping the nugget into his mouth unapologetically.
Charles pinched the bridge of his nose and muttered something about needing a vacation. The mornings in the Lehnsherr-Xavier household were always a blend of love, noise, and just a hint of chaos.
Just as Charles was about to mediate yet another sibling dispute, the sound of hurried footsteps thundered down the stairs.
“Schatz!” Erik’s voice rang out as he burst into the room, looking harried. His tie hung loosely around his neck, and his expression was a mix of panic and determination. “Have you seen my car keys?”
Charles turned to see his husband, the picture of frazzled elegance, struggling to adjust his tie while scanning the room for the elusive keys.
“Darling, why not use your powers to locate them?” Charles teased, already stepping forward to help.
“You know they don’t work when I’m nervous,” Erik grumbled, holding still as Charles began to expertly tie the knot.
Charles smiled as he worked, his fingers deftly arranging the fabric. “You have nothing to be nervous about, my love. You’re going to do brilliantly at Stark Inc.”
Erik let out a shaky breath, his gray-blue eyes meeting Charles’ warm gaze. ‘You look extra handsome and sexy in this suit,’ Charles projected into Erik’s mind, his lips curling into a fond smile.
Erik’s cheeks turned faintly pink. ‘Thank you, leibs,’ he replied. ‘But I’d still feel better in my red flannel. I can’t believe you spent months convincing Tony Stark to consider me, and here I am, a mess.’
Charles chuckled softly. “You’ll do great,” he said aloud. “Have you checked your jeans’ back pocket?”
Erik blinked, then gave a sheepish smile. “You got me, schatz. I haven’t.”
He pressed a quick kiss to Charles’ lips before darting back upstairs to check, leaving Charles shaking his head in affectionate exasperation.
Back at the dining table, the kids were in full swing. Sean and Alex were arguing again—this time over the last drop of syrup from the pancake platter. Hank, meanwhile, was still poring over his notes, his face creased with concentration.
“Hank, darling,” Charles said gently, sliding into his seat. “Do you have a test this morning? You’ve been studying since before breakfast.”
Hank looked up briefly, his dark hair slightly tousled. “Yeah, Papa. It’s the advanced placement test for Biology. If I score above 90%, I can skip some first-year college classes.”
Charles tilted his head, a soft smile on his face. “You’ll do just fine, sweetheart. Biology has always been your strongest subject.”
“I know,” Hank replied, though his voice carried a hint of doubt. “I just don’t want to mess this up. Getting into the advanced program would put me closer to grad school. You were already working toward your PhD at my age, Papa.”
Charles sighed, reaching out to ruffle Hank’s hair. “Baby, you’re only fifteen. Don’t rush yourself. I never expected you—or any of my babies—to get their degree at fifteen like I did. Remember, even your Daddy got his degree when he was thirty eight years old .”
“Thirty-seven,” Erik corrected as he reappeared in the doorway, holding his car keys triumphantly. He leaned down to ruffle Hank’s hair too, earning a half-hearted glare.
“Exactly,” Charles said with a chuckle. ‘Did you find them?’ he projected.
‘Yes, thanks to your psychic sleuthing,’ Erik replied cheekily, sliding into the chair beside Charles.
“Daddy! You’re so late!” Sean chirped, bouncing in his seat. “We’re almost done eating, and Papa waited for you!”
“He’s right,” Alex added, grinning mischievously.
“I’m sorry, kiddos,” Erik said, reaching for his coffee. “So, what did Papa make for breakfast?”
“Chicken nuggets,” Sean said, his pout returning. “But Alex stole three of mine!”
Erik raised an eyebrow at Alex, who shifted uncomfortably in his seat. “I see,” Erik said slowly. “Well, in that case, only Sean, Hank, and Papa get McDonald’s after my interview.”
Sean perked up instantly. “Can I get a Captain America Happy Meal, Daddy?”
“Of course,” Erik said with a chuckle. “I’ll even get you two.”
“BUT DAD!” Alex whined, nearly falling out of his chair. “I want McDonald’s too!”
“Only if you promise to stop stealing your brother’s food,” Erik said, his tone firm but kind. “If you’re still hungry, just ask for more next time.”
“Pinky swear!” Alex replied, holding out his little finger enthusiastically.
Charles shook his head, amused. ‘How do you manage to resolve their fights so quickly?’ he asked through their link.
‘Three years as a stay-at-home dad while you worked miracles at the university,’ Erik replied with a wink.
Charles rolled his eyes, taking a bite of his now lukewarm breakfast. ‘I love you, my dear husband.’
‘I love you more, schatz.’
For a moment, amidst the noise and chaos, everything felt perfect. Erik reached over, his fingers brushing against Charles’.
As Erik stood to clear his plate, Charles noticed the way his suit seemed to hang a little awkwardly. His husband, despite his broad shoulders and confident demeanor, wasn’t used to formal clothes. Erik caught the glance and raised an eyebrow.
“Not a word,” Erik muttered.
Charles chuckled. “I wasn’t going to say anything.”
“Yes, you were.”
Charles laughed openly now, earning curious looks from the kids.
“Daddy, why are you wearing that suit anyway?” Alex asked, tilting his head.
“Because Papa said if I didn’t, Mr. Stark would throw me out of the building,” Erik replied, only half-joking.
Sean giggled. “I think you look cool, Daddy. Like one of the Avengers!”
Erik smiled, ruffling his youngest son’s hair. “Thanks, buddy.”
As the family began to scatter—Sean and Alex running off to grab their bags, Hank reluctantly tucking his notes into his folder—Charles stood and wrapped his arms around Erik from behind.
“You’ll be amazing,” he murmured, pressing a kiss to Erik’s shoulder.
Erik reached up, covering Charles’ hands with his own. “Thanks, schatz.”
“Now, go knock them dead,” Charles added, his tone teasing but warm.
Erik chuckled, turning to kiss Charles properly. “Don’t let the kids destroy the house while I’m gone.”
“No promises,” Charles quipped, watching as Erik grabbed his briefcase and headed out the door.
As the door closed behind him, Charles turned to see Alex and Sean already squabbling over who got to sit in the front seat on the drive to school.
He sighed, smiling despite himself. Just another morning in the Lehnsherr-Xavier household.