CHAPTER 2
Sean found David at the door of the mansion the morning after a heavy snowfall. Consequently, everything was wet, cold, and covered in snow, including the basket in which David was abandoned. Sean had only been out for a few minutes to remove the snow from the driveway and had nearly fallen flat on his face not noticing the small lump standing in his way.
Charles was halfway to his morning tea when Sean's high-pitched scream broke his favorite cup. Hank, who had been trying to fix the sink pipe, hit the crown of his head hard against the edge of the wood. And Scott spilled his bowl of cereal and milk all over the table.
"What the fuck ...? "
But Sean yelled again, interrupting any other profanity Hank might say.
"Professor! " Then Sean entered the kitchen in an exhalation, holding a baby in his arms. A crying baby.
"Where the hell did you get that from? " Scott asked, staying at the far end of the kitchen as if the baby was going to implode at any moment. Judging by the volume of the crying, Charles swore it could have happened.
"It was at the door, in a basket. I only went out to remove the snow and almost opened my head when I tripped over it" Sean answered holding the boy away from his body.
"Why the hell do you have a baby? " Alex asked entering the kitchen, grimacing from the crying of the baby.
"I found him at the door" Sean repeated exasperated as he gestures as if waiting for someone else to hold the baby for him. Charles felt sorry for him because he was sure that no one in that kitchen would dare hold the sobbing child.
"What do you mean you found it? It couldn't have appeared out of nowhere! " Alex replied, angering Sean. As they were both engaged in a discussion about the likelihood that the boy might just appear there, Hank approached them both and adjusting his glasses, he leaned toward the boy and put a hand on his forehead. He immediately hissed, drawing everyone's attention.
"He has hypothermia. He has had to be in the snow a long time. Here, give it to me" He said stretching his arms.
Sean didn’t hesitate and handed the crying boy. So, Hank ordered Sean to immediately go to the nearest store and buy baby formula and diapers. Sean seemed more than willing to escape the scene and hurried out of the kitchen.
Hank led the boy into the living room, where the heating was strongest, and hastened to place the boy on a soft cushion. He also asked Alex to hand him a bath towel, and told Scott to bring the thickest blanket he could find.
Hank diligently dried the boy and wrapped him in a light blue fleece blanket. Then he lifted the boy in his arms and rocked him, trying to calm the crying, but it didn't work.
The little being was still screaming loudly and was causing a severe migraine for Charles.
"You're not doing well," Alex said grimly, as he snatched the baby from Hank and tried to rock it again. Hank of course argued and claimed to have read about it, but Alex replied that he had carried Scott when he was little, and he had the experience on his side.
Even with the experience on his part, Alex couldn’t calm the boy. The screams seemed to grow louder with each passing second, almost rivaling Sean's sonic waves.
Hank tried to remove the boy from Alex's arms, and they struggled until Charles could no longer see the whole show they were putting on.
With a confident step, but without feeling absolutely sure of what he is doing, he snatched the boy from Hank's hands and brought him close to his chest. He walked across the room and rocked the boy gently. At the same time, he tried to release calming pheromones in the same way his mother had done many, many years ago, when he fell from a tree and nearly broke his arm.
The effect was immediate and magical. The boy calmed down as if Charles had flipped a switch to shut him up. Watery, sky-blue eyes greeted him. Then something even more magical happened.
Charles can hear Hank, Alex and Scott gasp around him, but he was immersed in the tangle of emotions and vague images the boy was projecting towards them. There was confusion and sadness. Also, a man and a woman screaming. The same woman crying and then everything went hungry and cold. There was one last image, and Charles exhaled when he can see himself. He can even feel his own calming pheromones and the warmth of his chest.
When he came to himself, Charles can see everyone else looking at the boy with their mouths open.
"Shit," Alex whispered. Scott next to him, nodded strongly.
"That was telepathy? " Hank asked with interest and Charles could only faintly whisper a yes.
He was speechless for what this child had just done. The boy couldn’t be over three months old, but the development of his telepathy was impressive. He himself hadn’t been able to project emotions and memories until he knew he was a telepath and wasn’t going crazy.
He knows that his pheromones at that point must be out of control, and he's a little embarrassed because he knows Alex can surely sense it in midair. Fortunately, Alex has matured a lot over the years, and he doesn't comment on it.
Sean arrives carrying several bags with him.
"I didn't know what else I might need, so I brought a little of everything I saw. "
Sure enough, Sean had filled the bags with diapers and clothes of different sizes, several cans of baby formula, bottles and even some toys.
Charles recalls that it took many attempts to learn how to put the child in a diaper, and that they would very likely have had to hire a babysitter, if it wasn't for Alex, who really had experience caring for babies and showed everyone how change properly a diaper and prepare the baby formula.
Keep or not keep the baby was out of the question the moment the child proved to be a mutant. The memories showed the boy's parents didn’t want him for being a mutant and Charles didn’t have the heart to put him in the care of other people. Furthermore, the boy would clearly grow up to be a powerful mutant, and it would be best for him to stay with them.
This is how in less than two weeks everyone had gotten used to the routine of taking care of the baby, and they had also fallen under his spell because the child was a very cute baby.
Everyone wanted to name it, but no one did in the end, because inside the basket where Sean had found the boy, there was a single note almost undone by the humidity, which specified the boy was called David and asked them to take care of him.
Charles decided the boy should keep the name and the others agreed.
David then decided Charles was his new father because every time he cried either from hunger or from a diaper change, he insistently projected the image of Charles. He wouldn’t accept anyone else, especially if he was upset.
David was also very restless and easily scared, especially at night. He could wake up multiple times, preventing Charles from maintaining a healthy sleep cycle.
It was then Hank informed them that some babies stay calm when both parents smell them. The combination of the scents could mean to them they weren’t alone and their pack was united.
The only available alpha was Alex, and Charles was very embarrassed to ask for his help, but Alex was wonderful about it, and smelled of both the boy and Charles.
The combination of smells made David sleep through the night and stay in a good mood during the day. Also, it made David allow other people than Charles to carry him, especially Alex.
But the most impressive thing about the scent marking was it also calmed Charles's nerves and anxiety. Hank, quite uncomfortable, told him it was normal, especially after Erik's departure.
There was nothing sexual about the scent marking. Alex touched Charles's neck with his hand enough so David could feel the combined smells, and that was it.
In rare moments, Alex had briefly hugged him, when David was very excited and Charles was unable to produce calming pheromones due to his nerves.
Of course, Charles had never stopped to think that other people outside his pack would conclude that he and Alex were mated. And of course, Charles could never have imagined that they could assume that David was the child they had fathered.
Okay, maybe he can understand. Scent marking is not exactly something that people simply do for fun. The act is reserved for members of the pack, especially mated pairs. And mixed smells could confuse many people.
But still, Raven should know him well enough to know Alex and he are a family. Not a couple.
And Erik. Erik believed it too.
Naively, Charles had believed the entire alpha show in the kitchen was due to an excess of pheromones and the charge of emotions. Alex hadn't taken Erik's departure well. He had pack bonding problems in the past, following the death of his parents at an early age. Social services also didn't do a good job separating Scott from him. He and Erik were alike in many ways, and Charles knew they had both shared moments very similar to those of a father and son. It was absolutely understandable Alex had reacted the way he did. For Alex, Erik hadn't only hurt them, he had abandoned them.
Now Charles felt like a fool for not having noticed before. Erik's reaction had been out of place and he had mistakenly assumed it was the tension of the reunion.
Of course, Erik would feel betrayed, and of course his vengeful being had wanted to launch a challenge. Prove that he was better than the youngest alpha.
Charles snorts as he runs his hands through his hair.
"The talk didn't go well? " Alex asks entering with David still in his arms, followed by Sean.
"It was quite good, actually" he replies, because if there is something that has gone well all day, leaving David's business aside, it’s his talk with Raven.
"Are you sure? " Alex frowns, passing David to him "He got restless and wanted to see you" he said pointing to David.
That was another thing about David. He always seemed to know when someone, especially Charles, was having a bad time. David was fussy, until the person who was upset or sad carried him. Then that person would be a victim of David's empathic powers and feel much better.
Charles, however, was a little more resistant to David's powers and couldn’t reassure himself adequately. He pulls David into his arms, before telling Alex and Sean everything Raven had said.
"I cannot believe it! " Sean screams while holding his stomach "How the hell did they come to that conclusion? "
"You can't blame them" Charles answers with a sigh "Our smells are mixed. It’s a very valid conclusion, especially since Alex is the only alpha of this house. "
"That was why the jerk wanted to challenge me" Alex frowns "the very idiot was jealous."
Charles's heart skips a few beats. There is a box of feelings buried deep in his heart that he refuses to open. Jealous Erik means things he doesn't want to think about now.
"But really, you? " Sean scoffs, shaking his head, as if he couldn't believe such nonsense.
Alex opens his mouth, very indignant "Why do you find it so incredible? I am a perfectly eligible alpha. "
"You are," says Charles, drawing both their attention "and that is exactly why they have assumed this fairly quickly. "
Alex now seems quite flattered and Charles gives him a gentle smile, because he is not blind. Alex is quite handsome and his body is no joke. But, above all, he has matured a lot. His emotions are under control now, and he has trained so much he has also managed to manipulate his power properly. Alex is also considerate, and cares infinitely for his family. The omega, or even the beta who will become his partner will be someone very lucky.
Sean gives both of them a long look, and Charles loves the boy, but sometimes Sean can be quite troublesome. He confirms his suspicions when Sean speaks.
"You know, we could let them believe the lie. "
"Why in the hell would we do that? " Alex asks, confused. Charles already knows what Sean's response will be.
"Just think about it, it would be the best revenge of all. Obviously, Erik thinks it’s real, you guys together. He is jealous. We will only make him suffer a little more. It's not like the idiot doesn't deserve it" - says Sean growling at the end.
Charles opens his eyes wide when Alex looks at him, clearly considering Sean's words.
"We are not doing this" he says trying to sound firm "There is no need for any revenge. "
"Are you really sure? Alex questions with a serious enough look to shut him up.
Of course, Erik was an idiot. He left him wounded on an island, for heaven's sake. He lost mobility in his legs and was subjugated to using Hank's serum (at the cost of his powers) to walk again. And Erik never came back, not once to check if he was okay. As if everything they had lived didn't matter at all.
Alex's eyes tell him that he knows exactly what Charles is thinking.
"It will only be a few days" Sean adds "since David is not really your son, he will eventually find out. "
"Then what? He is going to be furious" Charles tries to refuse.
Alex growls "Fuck him then. You owe him nothing. "
Charles finally sighs, standing up to take a sleeping David to his crib "I don't know if it's a good idea, let me think about it, okay? "
The universe must terribly hate Erik. It must hate him a lot because he was just walking around the mansion to calm down, when he sees Charles and the baby. David.
Charles has his back to him, but David is crawling across the blanket that Charles has spread on the grass and Erik can see him perfectly.
The baby is beautiful, exactly as Scott said it was. His eyes are big and blue like Charles's. His skin is a healthy pink and his hair is golden blonde. Exactly like Alex's hair.
The boy is the perfect combination of both and Erik just wants to spit fire. The boy is also older than he expected, meaning Alex and Charles have been together for over a year. Knowledge turns his stomach.
Then, David looks at him and Erik freezes. The child's gaze is not that of any baby. It is smart and as searching as any adult gaze. The boy extends his hand to him and before Erik can think on running away, Charles turns around.
Their eyes meet for a long time. Charles doesn't reject it and Erik takes it as an opportunity to get closer. He almost regrets it when he sits in the far corner of the blanket, because even at that distance he can smell Alex's alpha scent.
Erik wonders if he hates Alex as much as he hates Shaw. The answer leaves a bad taste in his mouth.
The silence is uncomfortable, especially since David hasn’t stopped looking at him, examining him.
"He's wondering who you are," Charles says suddenly. Erik raises an eyebrow, because he didn't expect Charles to be the first to speak.
"Do you read the baby's mind? " He asks, more mocking than he intended to sound "Isn't that cheating? The other parents don't have that kind of help. "
Charles's lips twitch and Erik curses himself. When is he going to learn to stop being an idiot?
Apparently never, because Charles's response makes him crawl.
"I don't have to read his mind, he's projecting, but you can't feel it through the helmet. "
Erik chokes on his own saliva "Is ... is he a mutant? " he asks stupidly.
Charles nods and Erik wants to die, because what on earth was he thinking about? He is the son of Charles and Alex, of course he would be a mutant. Both are powerful, and Alex's younger brother is also a mutant. The boy was destined for it. And by the holiest skies, he's just a baby and he's already projecting. Erik was eleven years old and couldn't even move a coin to save his mother.
He really wants to vomit now. That child could have been his son and Charles's. Everything Alex had now could have been his and he had ruined it.
Erik ask himself if David would still have Charles's sky-blue eyes, or if he would have inherited his gray-blue eyes. He wonders what David would look like with his reddish hair, and also wonders, if David would still be a telepath. David could have inherited his mutation, or developed a new one.
Everything looks so wonderful and so far in his mind. He had never realized how much he had wanted to have this with Charles. And now that he has it in front of him, it's not his.
Charles is no longer his, and David never was.
And anger burns his insides. Because no matter how hard he tries to leave the feeling of betrayal, he can't.
During the months they had spent together, before going to Shaw, they had all acted like a pack. And Erik had forgotten how it felt to be part of one. But beyond all that, they had been his pack, and he had been the alpha of their pack. Raven, Hank, Sean and Alex had been practically her pups and Charles had been her omega. So beautiful, so kind and so perfect. His. Until he wasn't anymore.
Erik knows he’s an idiot. He has said it to himself this day, more than in his entire life. He knows that he is solely responsible for everything that is happening around him. But again, the betrayal he feels cannot be described in words.
Alex, a pup, his pup, the same one who was no longer a cub (because although Erik's pride didn’t allow him to admit it out loud, Alex had grown up) had taken away the most valuable thing Erik had ever had.
David extends his small arms towards Charles and he smiles sweetly at the boy.
"I thought you would be happy to see another mutant child. "
Erik opens his mouth surprised "What? "
Charles shrugs his shoulders, picking up David and sitting him on his lap.
"You look like if the kid were to attack you at any moment. He is still little. His telepathy is harmless, and I will teach him how to control it when he grows up. Also, you have your helmet. "
Oh, of course Charles would believe Erik was concerned the boy might use his telepathy to control him in some way. Being objective, Erik can understand why Charles would think that. As a telepath, Charles was commonly rejected by most people, fearful of not having the privacy of their own minds, or worse yet being influenced or manipulated in some way. Charles had never said it out loud, but Erik could infer from the start it was one of Charles's insecurities. He certainly hadn't helped when the first thing he did when holding the helmet was to put it on and not take it off after killing Shaw, making it very clear he didn't trust Charles and wanted him out of his mind. Erik still refuses to take off his helmet. He knows Charles will not try anything, but the helmet has become part of him now, and it is very difficult for him to keep it away from his head.
"It's not that" he says quickly, although the look Charles gives him, says he doesn't believe him "I just thought about how much he looks like you and Alex. "
He expected Charles to relax, but on the contrary, the man grew even more tense.
"Do you believe? " Charles asks in a voice without emotion.
Erik frowns, because it's a bit cruel for Charles to ask him that question.
"He has your eyes and Alex's hair. Do you want me to start finding more similarities? " He cannot escape the acidity that seeps into his voice.
"It was just a question, you don't have to be an idiot about it" Charles replies sullenly, pressing David against his chest, as if Erik could hurt him. Words and movement do nothing to improve his mood. He lashes out the only way he knows how. Hurting.
"I cannot be more idiotic than the puppy that is fucking you" Charles's face is livid, but Erik still has no regrets. He still has things to say "were you so desperate that you messed with the first one you found? "
David starts crying loudly and Charles stands up, trying to rock him. He doesn't look at him, but his voice is sharp as a blade.
"At least he was a real alpha, he didn’t run as soon as he could, much less put a bullet in my back" Now Charles looks at him and his eyes have never been so ruthless "And he fucks me better than you ever could do it. "
Charles leaves without bothering to pick up the blanket, with his head held high and with the dignity of those who owe nothing to anyone.
Charles's words are repeated endlessly when Erik sleeps. Like David's crying.
Alex is the first to wake up. A few years ago, his morning routine was the same. He puts on comfortable clothes, running shoes, and runs for a few laps around the mansion. His instincts will not leave him alone until he has made sure that everything is in order and nothing monstrous is waiting to attack them. It wasn’t the only change in his instincts. He would also be responsible for reviewing each of the inhabitants of the mansion. The revolution of his instincts would become much stronger when, after a long search, Charles was able to locate Scott in an orphanage in Nebraska and the boy was brought to the mansion. It was when he was about to lick Scott's cheek, he decided he needed help. Cheeks red with embarrassment, he had to ask Hank why in the hell he wanted to smell everyone in the mansion, including Charles. Hank didn’t mock him, as Alex had expected, and quite the contrary, he was extremely understanding.
"It's a natural reaction" Hank said adjusting his glasses on his nose "Your instincts interpret Erik left the pack and it’s your duty as the only alpha here, to take care of everyone. Scott shares blood ties to you, so his arrival only increased your protective instincts, and they are telling you this is your pack now and you must protect us. "
Hank also said smelling Scott would help them both regain their family bond and somewhat ease their instincts.
Hank had been right, in part. Smelling Scott made him feel more focused, however, it wasn't enough. The itchiness in his bones seemed to never want to go away. Curiously, what would finally completely calm his instincts, would be to be able to mark David and Charles with his scent. It was purely platonic, but his senses were numbed by sniffing out the comfort that David and Charles's pheromones gave off.
This time, without needing to ask Hank, Alex realized his instincts perceived David and Charles as the most vulnerable members, and smelling them satisfied his need for protection. It’s not like Alex thought Charles was weak. He knew very well that the man could make him believe he was a dog, so he spared his comments on it.
The only thing Alex couldn't get rid of was the habit of getting up early, running, checking Scott and David, and taking a shower. He would be in a bad mood all day if he didn't.
It's almost nine when he finishes dressing and goes down to the kitchen to make a coffee.
All except for Charles and David are in the kitchen, which is currently being consumed by the oppressive pheromones Erik is releasing, like the jerk he is. Everyone is silent, tense with their eyes fixed on the table, including Raven.
Alex breathes in gently and seeks to calm down. He walks over to Scott and ruffles his hair. His little brother doesn't complain like he normally would, and Alex really wants to rip Erik's throat out. He also runs his hand around Hank and Sean's neck, just to reassure them. He firmly ignores the piercing look on his back as he brews his coffee and begins making David's bottle.
He is setting up the children's high chair just as Charles enters the kitchen with David dressed in a bear baby romper which makes him look even more adorable. Both don’t seem to notice the charged atmosphere of the room, because the aroma of caramel milk and peach reflects joy and satisfaction.
It's strange, because last night, while he and Sean were playing with David, Charles seemed lost in his own world and also very angry.
Charles doesn't look at anyone, which makes Alex very curious because the man generally greets everyone before putting David in his chair. This time, Charles approaches him directly and kisses him on the corner of his lips. It’s by pure surprise he doesn’t jump back.
"Good morning, darling," Charles says, his voice laden with sweetness and affection.
"Good morning" he says back, still shocked. He’s sure he and Charles have never been so close.
"Oh, you made David's bottle! " Charles's voice is full of surprise, as he places David in his chair, although Alex isn’t sure why. Almost always someone has David's bottle ready.
"Yes, of course" he answers feeling very confused.
"Thank you, my love," says Charles, coming closer again, kissing him on the cheek.
Out of the corner of his eye, he looks at the others and it's quite a sight. Sean looks absolutely funny, and Hank and Scott look as confused as Alex feels. Raven seems to be in conflict, between worried and happy, and finally Erik. Oh, Erik looks totally killer.
Then Alex understands and remembers the little talk he, Sean and Charles had. He wonders what made Charles change his mind, though he doesn't stop to think about it much. He's not going to miss out on the chance to tease Erik, so he wraps his arm around Charles's waist to draw him to his chest, buries his face in the man's white neck, and makes sure to breathe hard enough for everyone to hear it.
He has to bite his tongue to keep from laughing when all the metal in the kitchen rattles violently. Charles relaxes even more against him and Alex slides his hand up to the curve of Charles's butt, because he's also an idiot and he's enjoying this. The coffee pot explodes, Hank chokes loudly and Sean whimpers.
"Guys please, get a room. "
"Oh, my eyes" Scott laments, covering his glasses with both hands.
Charles walks away with rosy cheeks and Alex is a little worried he has gone overboard with affection, but the man gives him a bright smile, takes the bottle from the counter and offers it to David, before picking up a tablecloth and dry up the mess Erik's anger has caused.
David brings the bottle to his mouth with his small hands and the image is too adorable for Alex to resist, so he rummages his hair with one hand and gives him a loud kiss on the cheek. David pulls the bottle nipple out of his mouth to laugh and purses his lips. Knowing what's to come, Alex brings his face close to the boy's mouth, who gives him a slobbery kiss on the cheek.
He can hear Raven and Sean yelling something that sounds like "too cute", then Erik's chair falls back as the man gets up. Only then does Alex realize all the metal artifacts in the kitchen are horribly deformed.
The room seems to drop several degrees in temperature when his gaze meets Erik's. Erik's fists are tightly closed, his eyes sparkle with violence and hatred.
The air condenses into a cluster of sour pheromones from everyone in the kitchen.
Alex squares his shoulders, and feels his instincts alive under his skin. He is no longer a bratty kid, he has matured and trained hard every day since Erik left. If the man thinks he can hurt his pack or make them feel uncomfortable inside their own house, he is very wrong. Alex will take care of breaking his teeth and returning him to hell where he came from.
The moment is broken when David noisily drops his bottle onto the floor. Alex mentally thanks Sean for buying a pretty sturdy one.
Erik looks at David for a few seconds, and leaves without taking a single bite of the toast in front of him.
Raven sighs audibly "And here I was, thinking it would be a better day than yesterday. "