Dad
Peter groaned in disdain when Hank told him he still couldn’t walk any further from the bed to the bathroom.
“This is illegal. You can’t keep me here.” Peter whined from the cot. At this point, he was sore, bored, and still all over. He was itching to run, walk, or do anything that didn’t involve staring blankly at the white ceilings.
“You know you really should be more patient.” Erik drawled from the doorway. Peter shot up in the bed, straightening his back, and trying to look sort of presentable.
“Erik.” Hank said, nodding his head in acknowledgment. Erik nodded back, and watched as Hank walked away.
“You’ll tell Hank to let me loose soon, right?” Peter complained, shifting awkwardly in the hospital bed. Erik made a face at Peter, who then groaned.
“You know…” Erik said, breaking the growing silence and changing the dwindling subject. “I wanted to ask you a few things.”
Peter swallowed thickly. Nothing good could come from this.
“Ask away.” Peter said with a fake cool. Erik nodded, thinking for a moment. “Everyone kept telling me to come down and see you.” he said, voice even.
Peter felt his heart rate skyrocket, and prayed that it show up on the monitor. (He cursed hank for making a special one that could actually read his).
“Oh… yeah.” Peter said, avoiding eye contact. Erik raised a skeptical brow. “Do you know why that is?” He asked in his deep voice.
It made Peter feel like a pebble, being dropped in a really cold lake. Everything was a shock to his exhausted system.
“Um…yeah, maybe.” Peter shrugged as best he could. Erik’s face turned into a deep frown.
“Care to tell me why that is?” Erik prodded. Peter looked away, eyes darting to every corner of the room that they could latch onto.
‘Come on Peter. You’ve had like… 15 years to figure this out…’ he thought crossly to himself.
Peter took in a deep breath.
“Just like, don’t freak out. Ok, man?” Peter stressed. This only spurred Erik’s confusion and curiosity more.
“You’re… you’re my Dad.” Peter admitted. The second the words had tumbled from his lips, he wasn’t sure if they felt too heavy or completely weightless. The whole thing felt anticlimactic, despite still waiting desperately for his father’s reaction.
“Oh.” Erik managed after a moment. Peter tried to laugh, “Yeah, oh.”
--
“Peter…” Erik mumbled. Peter opened his eyes again, too tired and slightly agitated.
It was later at night, and Peter was desperate for sleep. His body was burning so much energy trying to catch up with his enhanced healing factor.
“What…?” Peter asked, voice trailing as his body desperately called for rest.
“I’m… I’m leaving.”
At that, Peter was bolting upright in bed, staring wide-eyed at his dad.
“What?”
--
“Do you have to leave?” Peter asked, staring sadly at his father.
It had been two days since the news had been thrust onto Peter that his father was taking off again. Of course, it made sense. But it still made him sad. (especially since the professor was leaving shortly after).
“I’m afraid so. We both knew I couldn’t stay.” Erik replied. Peter sighed, “I know. It just… we lost a lot of time, y’know?” Peter said. Erik nodded, he did know. He’d lost all of his family, only to find out he had a son a few weeks ago.
But he was right, they both knew he couldn’t stay. Especially not with Charles leaving too.
A part of Peter hurt extra badly though. Even after the truth, Erik was still Magneto. Still chose Magento over his son. Still chose Charles over his son….
Peter pushed that part of his mind away, he was an adult now. He didn’t need or want coddling, especially not from a father he never had. But it still made him feel raw, abandoned.
“You’ll visit, right?” Peter asked, shifting under the stiffened sheets. Erik laughed, and raised a brow. Peter paused, then laughed too, “Ok, so I’ll visit since it’s easier.” He corrected. “But, I mean, you’ll want me to visit. Right?” He asked, trying not to sound pathetic.
Erik smiled fondly, “Of course I’ll want you to visit.” He said. His words put Peter to ease, and he slumped back into the cot.
“Cool, cool.” Peter said, trying to play it off. Erik smiled again, face looking even fonder.
“Goodbye, Peter.” Erik said finally.
Peter smiled and shook his head.
“It’s Pietro.”