Cosmic Kiss

Thus far, their travels had taken them to scenes straight out of a textbook. Charles had never been overly enamored with outer space, though he had delighted in the discoveries of Earths space programs along with everyone else. This was different. This was tangible.

Erik showed him a wide assortment of planets with year lengths ranging from less than two days to over five years.

They visited, though couldn’t land on, the surface of a planet hotter than many stars. It skimmed the surface of its sun and was superheated by radioactive particles.

“We can visit if you like, but we’ll need special gear,” Erik said as they clung to the outer atmosphere of the fast moving gas giant.

Charles shook his head, amazed with what he was seeing. “No. I mean, maybe some other time.” he fidgeted with his bracelets self consciously. He’d started wearing them again, worried that his telepathy would act on his private desires and seek Erik’s mind to draw them together.

Erik had agreed with a nod.

Then they were off on another jump. The drive only needed ten minutes to charge, but they stayed at each jump point for at least the length of a Federation day. Erik took the time to show Charles how to create a log of their journey and upload it to the mainframe at the end of each jump.

It was plainly fascinating.

They skirted the edge of a massive asteroid belt and coasted past a cloud of radioactive debris that stretched on for light years. Its iridescent glow was visible from two separate jump points.

They flew through the neon aura of a boiling atmosphere raining molten glass. They skimmed over seas of mercury with massive shadows shifting beneath the heavy waves.

Erik took them to the orbit of three planets with massive overlapping ring systems just as the suns in their solar system began to set. The sight was breathtaking. Indescribable. Charles was moved to tears that he didn’t bother to hide.

He reached out tentatively and brushed his fingers against Erik’s as they sat side by side on the viewing deck. Neither man pulled away.

They jumped to a floating ocean deep in space. It contained more water than existed on Earth. It was amazing, unreal. So worth the mating, he thought disloyally as they toured the galaxy.

More than worth it.

Erik taught him the basics of piloting their small craft and gave him free reign when they were in deep space in no danger of hitting anything. Charles felt like a great explorer, though he wondered if Genoshians learned to pilot these as teens the humans did with cars.

He laughed at the thought and sped along through the great cold silence, the first of this kind.

~~

“You can’t send him those!” Sean insisted, incredulous.

Moira raised an eyebrow at him. “He needs to stay updated on what’s going on here.”

“Come on Moira! He’s on vacation, what would you want to read about on your honeymoon?” he blushed as he got to the last word and wouldn’t meet her eyes.

She sighed, he was a sweet kid and me might be on to something. He leapt on her perceived hesitation. “Just send him the sketches; he doesn’t need the whole picture. These are the first days of the rest of his life; let’s not ruin them anymore than they already have been.”

He made some good points, and if she was honest with herself, she wasn’t objective when it came to him. “Alright. Help me narrow this down.” She hid a smile as he fist pumped the air.

He was a good man.

~~

Though Charles had been practicing with his aural implants and researching other species and their cultures, he had shied away from actually interacting with new creatures.

At first this had concerned Erik until he realized that Charles felt the weight of his world on his shoulders. He was no longer Erik’s ambassador to Earth, he was Earth’s ambassador to the Federation and it was a daunting task.

He decided to make it easier on his erstwhile mate and set something up for him to help get over his nerves. He knew just the place.

~~

“I hate getting these reports,” Charles griped as he skimmed the data points Moira had gathered and sent to him. There were very few items which was unlike her. So either she was taking this vacation thing seriously or she had no good news to report.

He was betting on the latter.

Erik looked up from his own tablet and locked him in an unblinking gaze. “What is it?”

“I’m a pariah and I’ve dragged my whole team down with me,” he flipped his tablet off tossed it aside irritably.

Erik tried to think of what to say. His plan had been working well so far, Charles had begun to seek out his company most days and was now opening up to him about his personal frustrations.

Unfortunately, those frustrations stemmed from Erik’s presence in his life.

Charles turned to look at him, a small frown creasing his delicate brow. Erik surmised he was taking too long to answer. He decided to try and use some human psychology.

“You’re saying your people have rejected you because of your relationship to myself and the Federation.” He said flatly.

Charles nodded, frown growing deeper, “Yes, exactly! I hate it! What was I supposed to do? What were any of us supposed to do? Refuse to surrender?” he huffed like it was an absurd prospect.

Even now, in the face of the full rejection of his people, he valued their lives above his own happiness. Erik gave his small smile, “You’re too brave for that. its easy to say what you might have done when you’ll never be in that situation.”

Charles looked away but a pleased flush crept up his cheeks. “I shouldn’t judge them, they’re living under the governors daily and I don’t know that it’s like for them.”

Erik couldn’t care less, but knew better than to say that. “Frustrating I’m sure. They feel safe venting about you and your…" Team? Coworkers? Associates?… "Friends rather than about us. The invaders. I think that’s a sure sign that they still see you all as part of them.”

He felt a faint gleam of hope light the corns of his mind. Charles gave him a tiny smile, “Thanks for trying, but I doubt I’ll ever be able to go home again. Not really,” he said softly.

“We can visit anytime you like. I can promise no harm will come to you on your home planet,” Erik said sincerely, seeing how important it was to his mate. “Though of course I hope you will come to see the Flagship as your home. Or we can choose any planet you like to settle on.”

Charles gave a small nod and ran his fingers through his hair before turning to look out the window without another word.

Erik wondered if it would be too much to go to his side and offer physical comfort, but didn’t want to push his luck. Besides, with his physical changes complete, hiding his physical reaction and…need for his mate had become impossible over extended periods of time.

He hadn’t even been able to sleep next to him any longer.

That had worked for his plan to let Charles come to him. Unfortunately it had also caused a strain in their bond and a certain tension the he didn’t fully understand to develop between them.

Each time they touched a spark lit within him, one that he couldn’t suppress. Those sparks had now burst into a conflagration out of all control. At odd, inconvenient moments, his mind was drawn back to the night he first brought Charles to his ship before everything went wrong.

The night Charles seduced him and changed him forever.

He was apt to lose himself in fantasies of his mate in ways he had never anticipated. He’d have thought he was losing his mind if sexual intercourse didn’t permeate every facet of human behavior that he’d ever researched.

He settled for pretending to read Azazel’s report on his tablet and watching his mate from afar. He was coming to him, slowly but surely.

Erik just hoped he could wait him out and that his dreams wouldn’t call to Charles’ mind and reveal the depth of his physical need for the other man.

The only thing that gave him any comfort was the thought that, since Charles had once seduced him, he may still feel these urges, and even stronger than Erik did, considering he was fully human.

He felt Charles’ affection glimmer in his mind for a brief moment before the smaller man stood and left the room, walking past him to place a hand lightly on his shoulder as he went.

Erik sighed and shifted uncomfortably in his seat hoping that Charles warmed to him soon.

~~

Charles was being shown off for lack of a better term. He was reluctantly flattered. They were on one of the more heavily populated asteroids in this quadrant and Erik had planned this intimate setting for his introduction into Genoshian society.

It served the purpose of introducing him to many new species and people but didn’t overwhelm him because their numbers were so few. Those invitees were preening and practically falling all over themselves to make his acquaintance and stay in Erik’s good graces.

It was nice.

Erik had taken him to several planets uninhabited and even disparate parts of his fleet. And how humbling to realize that the numerous ships orbiting Earth weren’t even half the ships under his command.

He had really mated up in the universe.

“Sir?” a stocky, diminutive, aubergine Genoshian caught his attention nervously. His head just barely reached Charles’ shoulder when in his military boots. His voice was incongruously deep, a barely audible rumble that Charles felt more than heard.

“Yes?” he asked brightly, well aware that he was the first human any of these Genoshians had ever met and wanting to make a good impression.

“Would you like a drink?” he asked, offering Charles a shimmering crystal liquid in a cup so thin the liquid appeared to be floating on air.

“Yes,” he smiled and took a sip of the surprisingly bitter brew. He winced at the taste. “Thank you.”

“I am Genlen,” he inclined his head sharply.

“Charles Xavier,” he said redundantly. This entire shindig was for his benefit, everyone knew his name.

“I am an explorer and have traveled two galaxies on exploratory missions for the Federation.”

Charles’ interest was piqued. “Really?”

“Yes. My crew added your solar system to our maps,” he said proudly.

“You did?”

“Yes. I didn’t expect to meet a human for a very long time. This is a very pleasant surprise. When I heard about this event, I added a week to out layover here just to meetvyou.”

Charles didn’t know what to say to that, “I’m pleased to meet you.”

Genlen shifted his shoulders and rocked on his heels. “I was horrified to hear about your induction day ceremony. I felt guilty.

Perhaps you should have been given longer to evolve before we inducted you, but there was a real concern that you all would kill each other off without intervention.”

Charles frowned “How do you decide that?”

“We run predictive computer simulations. I can send them to your tablet if you’d like to review?”

“Thank you Genlen, I’d like that,” Charles said honestly.

“Of course, Xavier.”

Charles laughed, “Its Charles. Xavier is my family name.”

“But Xavier is a given name?”

“Usually yes. It’s complicated,” Charles shrugged apologetically.

Genlen hissed lowly and agreed, “These things often are. You know, I feel a bit like a matchmaker for you and the Admiral,” he confessed.

“Why is that?”

“I suggested the Northern Fleet for Earth. He has a harsh reputation but when we run predictive computer simulations he has the best record of non lethal inductions for hostile species. He has some of the best returns of any Admiral in Federation history. I am happy to have played my small part in helping you find your mates.”

Charles’ mind was whirring with this new information. “Non lethal?”

“Yes. The Tribunal deals with criminals, but Admirals have final say over planets, especially their personal declared colonies. In the eyes of many Genoshians, he would have been justified in killing the entire ethnic groups of any of the involved terrorists,” he said matter of factly. “But the Admiral would never do that. He values life too highly.”

“I thought all Genoshians value life highly?”

“We do. But there are some that believe in what humans call ‘bad blood’ and think that those with it should be eradicated before they can harm others.”

“Are there any Admirals who believe in that?”

Genlen hesitated for a heartbeat. “Admiral Shaw claims to, but I disbelieve him.”

Charles’ senses went on full alert at the mention of that name “Why don’t you think he’s telling the truth?”

“He has been rejected by his mother’s peoples for that very reason,” he watched Charles closely and seemed relieved that he already knew of Shaw’s past.

“Even with that attitude, he feels superior to other Derrians. Possibly to all Genoshians. He hid behind those beliefs to excuse his overly violent incursions in his youth.

He has moved past that, but still has some of the highest rates of violence of any Admiral the Federation has ever known. He has been investigated and cited for allowing violence to escalate to a point that it requires a harsh response. My team does not recommend him for new colonies.” He concluded flatly.

“Are we anywhere near his fleet?”

“His fleet? No. Him? Perhaps. He is known for taking his personal craft out regularly. It is equipped with two FTL drives so he can be anywhere in the Federation at any time. Charles frowned, “Why two?”

“In case he needs to make quick, successive jumps. It’s rare for ships to have them, but it is a security feature when traveling away from the security of a fleet or Genoshian Space. All exploratory vessels, like mine, are so equipped.”

That couldn’t be right; Erik would never take risks with his safety. “Our ship isn’t.”

“You all have never left the security of Genoshian space and have never been more than one jump from a segment of the Northern fleet,” he assured Charles. He relaxed as Genlen continued. “There have been questions about what Shaw get’s up to in deep space. Exploration is not the work of Admirals.”

“Of course,” Charles said, then hesitated. “Can I ask you, off the record?” Genlen nodded. “Are there rumors about…my mate and Shaw?”

He hissed lowly, “Several. Not only are they brothers promoted one after another, one is a forbidden child. It’s all quite dramatic. Many Genoshians feel for Shaw, his clear admiration and imitation of his elder brother is seen as a way to make up for the sins of his father.”

That was concerning. “Do you think he admires Erik?”

He hesitated for a moment and stepped closer to Charles, “I think it has moved past admiration, but that’s just my impression,” he clarified quickly.

Their conversation ended soon after, leaving Charles with a sick feeling in his stomach at the thought of what Shaw could be up to out there.

He had a terrible feeling that they’d find out soon enough.

~~

Erik steeled himself for the conversation ahead. He had the ship announce him, though the portal was open and Charles was reading his tablet on the chaise, Albert cuddled to one side. He hated to ruin the moment but he had put this off for far too long already.“Charles, can I have a moment of your time?”

“Of course, what is it?” he set his tablet aside and gave Erik a warm look.

He tried to remember to blink. “I realized that over the rush of our mating and the changes to our biology that I never asked how you feel about having children of our own. I assumed since you love children and value them that you would want a family of your own. I should have made things clear before we consummated our relationship. I’m sorry that I didn’t.” he said honestly but stiffly.

Charles seemed surprised by the subject matter and took a moment to gather his thoughts. “I never really thought about it. I just thought life would work itself out. If I ever fell in love I’d get married and maybe we’d adopt some kids if we wanted to. I’m still young for a human male, that…drive to procreate hasn’t hit me yet.” He admitted honestly.

Erik felt like a monster from one of Earth’s films, wreaking havoc on a young man’s life. He pressed ahead. “I’m sorry, Charles. I don’t know if you’re aware that there’s a very high chance that you’re already pregnant.”

The smaller man was already nodding before he finished speaking, “I know. I’ve been trying to come to terms with it and trying to find the right words to ask you about it.”

“I’m sorry. We can find out right now if you like? Just so we can know for sure.”

Charles sucked in a deep breath and nodded. “I think we should. We need to know.”

Erik nodded grimly and took out a small med kit, taking a tiny sheet that looked like a black wine chaser and sticking it to the inside of Charles’ wrist. It slowly began to fade and they watched it for long moments.

“How do you feel about it?” Charles asked quietly while they waited for the test to complete.

Erik shrugged, “I’m not young and even when I was I had the overwhelming drive to find my mate and procreate. I have wondered if I’ll want more children or if I’ll be content with one. Everyone is different.”

“Your parents?”

“My mother of course only ever wanted one; my father seems pleased to have me as a son. Neither of them ever mentioned anything about fostering other children before or after the Shaw incident. Perhaps they would have been willing, but it would look worse that they rejected him then took in another child.”

That made sense.

“What brought this on? Why are you telling me this now?” Charles began to fidget; the test was fading from navy blue.

Erik sighed, “You have the right to know what’s happening in your own body. I’m sorry it took me so long to work up the nerve. I didn’t want to ruin our bond before it had a chance to take with you. Then I realized that I was doing that by withholding information from you. I’m sorry, Charles. Maybe it’s the human in me but love is making me irrational.” He said grimly.

“That sounds about right,” Charles gave a weak laugh, glancing down at his wrist to see it painted a pale, shimmering orange. “What does that mean?”

Erik grasped his fingers firmly, “That you’re free of me if you want to be.” He said simply.

Charles didn’t know what to make of that. “What do you mean?”

“It’s positive.” Erik explained.

Charles had long suspected, but was still uncertain of their standing. “But our bond is unbreakable?”

“Yes. We will always be connected through our child and our bond but by bearing me a child you have no more duty to us.” He said softly, still stroking Charles’ hand like he would never get another chance.

Perhaps he wouldn’t, Charles hadn’t decided yet. The test was positive; he was going to have a child.

They were going to be parents.

“If you want to live separately you can. I’ll give you your own suite of rooms on the flagship. You can continue your studies and only see me when you choose.” Erik continued smoothly, eyes shifting to a crisp green.

“Erik…I…” he didn’t know what to say.

He gazed at him steadily, saying nothing for a long time, “Take your time, this is big news. There’s no hurry. We can make an appointment with a doctor as soon as you like,” he assured him warmly.

Charles startled at the mention of a doctor. Of course, prenatal care. “Alright, the next time we’re with the fleet, then.” He said, happy to know for sure but also terrified to have it confirmed.

His baby. Their child. Their future that he had far more say in that expected. It was a nice thought.

Erik squeezed his hand. Charles squeezed back.

~~

“Tell me about your parents?” Charles asked one night after they’d watched yet another monster movie. Erik never declared a genre preference but he seemed to like the action scenes.

He looked over, eyes shifting to dark grey. “I’d like you to meet them. They’re…hard to explain.”

“What do you mean?”

“My father loves my mother as fully as a Genoshian can love his mate. I believe she cares for him deeply. She has chosen to stay with him even though she could leave. That means worlds to him.”

“They don’t have a good bond, do they?” he asked softly.

Erik blinked. “It’s gotten better with time, but it’s been hard. She’s never been back to her home world since he took her on a tour of his ship to complete their bond.”

Charles was shocked to hear that. “What? Why?”

“At first I think he was afraid that she would walk away from him. She’s nearly all powerful around large bodies of water,” Erik explained.

“Is that why you’d never swum in water? Why you mentioned bringing your mother to Earth?” he asked, pieces suddenly clicking into place.

“Yes to both.”

“You should tell your father to surprise her with a trip back to her home world. I think it would make all the difference.”

Charles felt a prickle of confusion on the edge of his mind “Really?”

He rolled his eyes playfully at his emotional ignorance. “Yes, really.”

Erik seemed thoughtful for a few minutes before asking. “How about your parents?”

He hated this story. “They loved me. My father and I were especially close. He died when I was young and my mother pulled away. She married again- man with a son a few years older than me. My step father Kurt Marko, and my mother drank to excess.

She drank to numb her pain. She found solace in the bottle. My step father was a mean drunk. He hit us, but especially me and Cain, his son. Cain hit me too. My childhood ended with my Father’s death.” He concluded grimly.

“Where are they now?”

“My mother and step father are dead. I haven’t seen Cain in years,” he sighed

“What was your father’s name?” Erik asked softly.

“Dr. Brain Xavier.”

“You took after him?”

He smiled, “yes.”

Erik wrapped a hand around his wrist. “Genoshians don’t have step parents. Only fostering if both parents die,” he explained.

“What if only one dies?”

“The child will live with their surviving parent and be mentored by other Genoshians.”

“Like extended family?”

“Yes, as you know them.”

A thought occurred to him. “Is that what will happen to Jason Stryker’s child? Will he be born and raised in prison?”

“Born yes, raised for a least a short while. That will be up to the inmate.”

“How so?”

Erik sighed, “Some species- especially those not accustomed to the idea of pregnancy and childbirth- have a hard time accepting their child. If he is well behaved and wants the child he will raise it through infancy and then have regular visitation through the foster parents.”

“And if he rejects the child?”

“He will go straight to a permanent foster home.”

“Back on Earth?” Charles asked curiously “Since it’s a new colony, but the child will be half human?”

Erik tensed, “Since there are very few Human/Genoshian couples there are very few options for who will raise the child. We wouldn’t send the child to be raised in a hostile environment, as Shaw wasn’t sent back to parents home world. Besides, the governors are still trying to sort through the excess children on Earth and finding them good homes.”

Charles’ eyes widened as he took in his meaning. “You don’t mean?”

Erik’s eyes shifted to a complex hazel “Since we are expecting our own, our first we will have rights of first refusal then it will fall to Captain Summers and his mate.”

“And if we all refuse?”

“Then another Genoshian Family will take the child in and try to engage with humanity as much as possible. Don’t feel pressured to accept a child not your own, Charles. That could lead to resentment which isn’t a good home for a child in any case,” Erik assured him firmly.

“Of course,” Charles conceded, trying to take in this new information.

“Come, let’s have dinner and you can show me your best alien movie,” Erik cajoled.

Charles agreed with a small smile. At least it would keep Erik distracted while he sorted through all this.

~~

Charles couldn’t sleep and not just because Albert was frantically wrestling a small pillow as loudly as possible.

His mind was on fire with all he’d learned over the weeks of their travels and especially the revelations of the past two days.

He resented Albert’s simple pleasures. Why did hid life have to be so difficult? He tried to smother himself with a pillow. “I’m jealous of a cat!!” he screamed into the cushion to muffle his angst.

And not just because the cat got to sit on Erik’s lap anytime he chose. He sighed then sat up, one hand resting on his lower abdomen thoughtfully.

Well, why not?

After all, the worst had already happened.

~~

Erik woke fully and immediately to a presence in his room. He opened his eyes to see his mate making his way towards the bed, stumbling slightly in the darkness. He propped himself up on one elbow and took in the sight of his mate approaching him dressed in a simple, thin robe.

He was confused, “Charles? What is it-”

Charles kissed him.

Erik was stunned. He hadn’t been expecting any physical overtures for at least several more months. Not that he wasn’t intrigued by the prospects of ‘angry’ and ‘make-up’ sex, but he tried not to think of such things too often.

“Charles?” he asked again, baffled once the smaller man pulled away.

“Erik, I can’t stop thinking. I need to stop thinking for a while.” He said like that explained anything. He pressed himself to Erik, climbing onto the bed to straddle his hips.

“Do you need a sleep aid?” Erik asked, choking out a groan as Charles pressed their hips together, setting up a sweet friction that had Erik clutching the sheets.

He caught the edge of Charles’ smirk, “Something like that.” He slipped his robe down his shoulders to reveal his nude form.

Oh.

“Oh.”

“Is-this alright?” Charles asked, suddenly hesitant, he shifted like he was going to leave the bed.

Erik grasped his hips tightly, frantically. Hoping this wasn’t another dream. “It’s alright. Please, show me how to help you.”

Charles grinned, triumphant, “Gladly.”

~~

His time had come.

Erik had thrown his little mate an introductory party with a few boot kissing, upper echelon sycophants who would cater to the humans’ delicate sensibilities. He had apparently made friends with Lady Frost, that Crystal Bitch. No surprise there, telepaths were drawn to their own.

That and his new acquaintance with Genlen could create issues for The Resolution, but scientific advancements were never reached without difficulty. His mother was a testament to that.

He never would have guessed that his favorite brother would be drawn to such an inferior being. Of course humans were being touted as the greatest find of their generation. The most recent best hope of birthing daughters.

Shaw smirked at the thought.

Two Derrian boys trying to solve the male issue for the Federation. With very different methods, of course.

Shaw hadn’t been invited to the gathering; he doubted Erik had even considered it. He’d been forced to hear about it second hand. The slight burned, but not for long.

Overall the news was good.

They had appeared close, as willing mates. There was little chance that they hadn’t completed their bond. That the cold, weak human didn’t now carry his brother’s child.

Perfection.

With a bit of data extrapolation, he could guess their next jump and surprise his dear brother with the good news.

His tablet chimed. The synthesis was complete.

He would cure Erik. Then together they would rule. Two halves of the same whole. “I’ve found your missing piece, Erik. Let me make you whole.” He said softly, watching the pale fluid settle in the centrifuge.

Yes, their time had come at long last.