Chapter 6
Moira was flustered. She could admit that it was a rare occurrence but…well.
“The Admiral caused the tremors?” The Joint Chiefs of Staff sat around the meeting table looking as stunned as she felt.
“Yes. he raised his hand and apparently caused a mild earthquake that lasted for approximately three seconds. After which he ended it and righted what had been knocked askew with… the same ability?” She hated to end her sentences with a question, but she couldn’t be sure of what she’d seen with her own eyes.
There was stunned silence in the room before one of her direct supervisors spoke up with soft trepidation threading her voice. “Do we know if any of the other invaders have similar abilities?”
Moira shook her head helplessly, “No ma’am. We have no idea.”
The president sat back in his seat with a tired sigh, “Let’s hope we stay on their good side until we can figure out our next move.”
“Is there a next move, sir?” asked the Commandant of the Marine Corps, skeptically.
“None that I can think of. We still can’t see their ships with any of our equipment. They have more advanced theoretical cloaking technology than we can hope to understand.” He turned tired eyes to Moira. “I hope your young doctor knows what he’s doing. As of now, he’s humanity’s last, best hope.”
“I know sir. And I have every faith in Dr. Xavier.” Moira said firmly, careful to hide her worries about the young man behind a professional façade.
~~
Charles was having a surprisingly nice afternoon. A hot Caprese Panini followed by a flaky napoleon would do that. He’d been pleased to note that the Admiral enjoyed their meal as well. he was especially fond of the soft, white cheese that had been used on their sandwiches. he have given a pleased hum at the taste and had eagerly tucked into dessert once it arrived.
"Oh, it's very sweet," he'd been surprised.
"Yes, our meals tend to be savory and our desserts tend to be sweet," Charles agreed, more relieved than he could say that Erik was an adventurous eater and seemed to be genuinely enjoying the flaky pastry.
They had made comfortable small talk and Erik had explained a bit more about their different styles of communication.
“When I smile it looks like this,” he pressed his thin lips together in a way that made him look livid. It was a very mild deviation from his resting facial expression.
Charles had laughed, intrigued, “And what does a frown look like?” he asked eagerly. Laughing once more when Erik’s face stayed the same except for a slight lift of his eyebrows. “My goodness, I never would have noticed that! I’ll keep an eye out for it.” He promised coyly-belatedly wondering if he was flirting.
Erik gave his small smile again to show his pleasure at Charles’ words, “I’ll be practicing my facial expressions. I have no intention of scaring my subject’s unintentionally each time they’re in my presence.”
Charles had suppressed a shiver or fear at the other mans dry words, but tried to play it off as lightly as possible. “So you only want to scare us intentionally then?” he joked.
Erik nodded; face nearly expressionless especially with his eyes hidden by the dark lenses of his sun glasses. “Yes, I have no desire to keep your people living in fear. It’s not healthy. And if they feel they can’t relate to us-to their new position in the Federation- things will only be more difficult for them. For you.”
Charles took a moment to consider what he’d said, “You seem very concerned for our health and well being.”
“I am. your people are my people now.”
It was a strangely comforting thought. Charles had no doubt that the Admiral took his responsibilities very seriously and if he saw the well being of humans as his main concern that could only be a good thing. Charles felt a wave of relief flood his body.
“That’s wonderful, Erik. I hope we can live in harmony. I’d love for humans to view your people as our people. I think that can become a reality with time,” he said with a warm smile.
Erik was doubtful, considering how deeply humans were divided over the slightest differences amongst themselves. But he didn’t want to ruin the pleasant mood that had settled over them. Charles’ optimism drew him in and made him want to go against his very nature and hope for better things.
He told Charles as much, and was pleased to see the change in his posture at his words. He wondered smugly if he was becoming more adept at understanding the silent language humans spoke constantly.
“How do you stay so positive in the face of the…very nature of your people?” he asked, genuinely interested in the answer.
Charles was taken aback by the question, “I’ve never really thought about it. I suppose I’m an individualist a heart. I believe that everyone has the potential to be good, kind, and honest given the right opportunity and incentive. With that in mind how can I not stay positive-or at least hopeful?”
“Well put, doctor. So you think that the slavery, misery, starvation, and poverty on your world could be cured if everyone-or at least the majority- made different choices in life?”
Charles sat back in his seat, looking off into the distance as he contemplated the issues Erik had raised. He took his time formulating an answer, but felt no need to rush; he wanted to get his point across as clearly as possible. “That’s a bit naïve isn’t it? In a perfect world, human life would be seen a sacred and the health of our planet and our people would be sacrosanct. Or course I know the issues of hunger, disease, and hopelessness that millions of us face every day. When their back is to the wall, they make decisions that well to do people could never comprehend. Dealing in human trafficking, drug running, and organized crime is a last resort for most people. We aren’t inherently cruel.”
“So you excuse their behavior?” Erik asked, surprised by the other mans stance on the matter.
Charles shook his head with a wry twist of his full lips. “There can be no excuse for it, but understanding their motives can explain their actions.”
“And through understanding we know what issues to address.” Erik finished the thought with a small smile.
Charles leaned forwards excitedly, “Yes, exactly. Is that how you usually address social change in the Federation?”
“We have an open system in our society. Using Earth as an example, your people will be allowed to keep your religions and political organizations. The Federation is not concerned with controlling your thoughts or the minutiae of your lives. We incorporate planets and species in a mutually beneficial relationship.”
“So you have all of your social ills sorted out?”
“Not entirely. We do have the occasional battle and even wars, but they are rare and we keep our military at the ready to put a stop to any violent incursions before they can escalate.”
“And that’s what you do? You’re an admiral in the military?”
“Yes. I’m the Admiral of the Northern Fleet, the highest ranking officer in the fleet.”
“How many admirals are there?”
“Only four.” He said, pleased at the impressed look that came over Charles’ face.
“That’s amazing! One for each of the cardinal directions?.” Charles chuckled ruefully at his nod. “It’s like I just found out I’m having dinner with the queen and I chose to take her here.”
Erik tilted his head to one side and offered a tiny shrug, “I like it here. It’s very different from my usual treatment on newly acquired planet.” He smiled, “You’re red again.” He noted playfully, smiling wider as the color deepened with his mild observation.
“Yes, thank you for that. It’s called blushing,” Charles turned his full attention to his dessert with a bashful glance.
“I know, may I?” Erik lifted one slim fingered hand slightly off the table. Charles nodded, bashful and confused as Erik placed three fingertips to the curve of his cheekbone. “It’s warm.” He said softly, a note of wonder in his voice.
Charles nodded, voice stolen by the delicate intimacy of the moment. By the dry heat of Erik’s fingers pressed against his flushed cheek.
“It’s nice to know you can warm up. You’re one of the coldest species the Federation has ever encountered. And the coldest I’ve personally met.” He confided quietly.
“Oh. I suppose that must be odd to you.”
“It’ll take some getting used to,” Erik admitted.
“Did you know we have cold blooded animals here?” Charles asked; shy about the subject and trying not to imagine Erik’s hot hands on other parts of his body.
Erik leaned back with an exasperated huff of air, “Yes, my biologists are eager to see your reptiles and study their blood. its all they've talked about lately.”
“That’s a good in, you know? Scientists and mathematicians are more interested in knowledge than where it comes from. I know the STEM community is chomping at the bit to see what you all have to offer.”
Erik smiled, “That’s the plan. And we’re happy to share our knowledge.”
Charles paused for a moment, staring at the other man and wishing he could see those translucent eyes that he felt roaming over him from behind tinted lenses. Something Erik had said a few moments earlier was bothering him.
“I can see how that would be very beneficial to us, but how will Earth be beneficial to the Federation? Why come here except to save us from ourselves?”
Erik turned his head to watch the crowd pass, clearly uncomfortable with Charles’s question.
He took pity on the taller man and gestured for the check. “Let’s walk for a while.”
~~
They were currently walking down a busy D.C. street. People watching in comfortable silence. Erik stopped to read an inscription carved into a small stone slab set into the outer wall of a building they were passing. If anything, Charles was relieved by the sheer interest Erik displayed in their surroundings.
He’d avidly watched the antics of a pair of squirrels for the better part of ten minutes which had naturally led to him asking after Albert. Charles was touched and had led him to a nearby bench and eagerly taken out his phone and shown him the many pictures and short videos he’d taken of Albert from the day he was adopted until a few days before when he’d gotten tangled in one of Moira’s lacy slips and fallen off her vanity table. The video ended with her laughing and leaning in to help detangle the outraged kitten.
For some reason Erik had withdrawn after that last video and not spoken to him for long minutes of their walk which he had resumed without further comments or questions about Albert or pets in general.
In Charles’ admittedly limited experience with Erik’s slight facial expressions, the other man appeared to be frowning. He tried not to speculate on why.
During their stroll, Charles had toyed with the idea of getting him a little pet of his own, but couldn’t help but think of the poor animal being taken away from Earth and all of his own kind without any understanding of what was happening. Logically he knew he couldn’t stop Erik from taking anything he liked, but he would try to discourage him if possible.
~~
Erik was irritated. Charles was staying with the female who had wanted to accompany them on their outing. He’d asked for clarification, just to be sure and yes, his ambassador was staying in her residence. The two of them alone except for Albert who was hardly an appropriate chaperone in Erik’s opinion.
And he’d been in what appeared to be her bedroom. That seemed unnecessarily intimate. He’d have to see to it. He turned to Charles but stopped himself from issuing commands- he remembered his mother and all she’d taught him about interpersonal relationships. He thought of how she’d handle this situation and took a moment to compose himself.
He started again, “Charles?”
“Yes?” he blinked up at him warily.
“How do you feel about temporary accommodation?”
He seemed confused. “Like a hotel?”
“Yes, exactly,” he wrapped a hand around Charles’ sturdy wrist and lightly tugged him out of the flow of foot traffic.
Charles followed him closely and stepped into his space to answer his question “Well some of them are very nice and I am partial to hot tubs.” He eyed Erik at that proclamation then dropped his eyes in a way that he’d come to learn meant the smaller man was embarrassed.
Charles continued quickly. “Would you like to try one out? I’m sure we can get a suite somewhere. Maybe Paris or Tokyo. Or somewhere in the Mediterranean-” he faded out, mind whirring with possibilities that would separate him from his pretty companion.
Erik gave him a small smile and clasped his hands behind his back, more pleased than ever with how his plan was turning out.
He opened his mouth to speak once more- wanting to ask in a roundabout way what a “hot tub” was and why the thought of one made him blush- only to stop short when a little boy slammed into the side of his leg at full speed. The kid stepped back from him and continued on his way without a glance at either man.
Charles chuckled at the way Erik glanced down at his leg and after the little boy who had made it the few feet to stand at his mother’s side.
He stopped short when he realized just how close he was standing to the admiral. He took a half step back, trying to regain his equilibrium. Erik caught him by the wrist once more, holding him captive for the length of heartbeat.
“I’ve enjoyed today, Charles. I hope to have more days like it with you.” His hot breath brushed Charles’ ear, sending a sensual shiver down his spine.
“I’m glad to hear it, I look forward to it,” he murmured softly, keenly aware that if Erik were a human man he’d have kissed him by now. He wondered absently if his reluctance to do so made him xenophobic or speciesist. He set that thought aside for further contemplation at a later time. He’d probably end up having an in depth discussion about it with a disinterested Albert.
But he was genuinely conflicted, this had easily been the best date of his life and it didn’t even count he thought ruefully. But as they made their way back to the car he wondered if that was entirely true.
Erik walked so close to his side that their arms brushed with each step they took, and Moira had been right. He was watching Charles closely.
Perhaps it was simply his desire to understand the ‘silent language’ that so confused him, or perhaps it was something else. Something that filled Charles with a shy sense of anticipation that he was no longer able to deny.