The room was full of those who had been involved in Charles Xavier's life. He had built a world so large and open to those around him. Bridges connected to those he never thought would be there. From his first X-men, to his old friend Erik, to his only son David, they stood before him.
He was surrounded by those who loved him. Charles had lived a long life. A life of mistakes, that he was not at all proud of. But also a life of helping others. Building a legacy, watching it grow into something even bigger. A life that he could be proud of.
Charles looked down as Scott Summers took his hand, and he heard the words that he said. He couldn't respond, but he heard them. That was how it was with all of them, until he got to his son.
When David stepped forward, he didn't take his father's hand like the others, but he stood next to him, arms crossed. No words were said out loud, but there was a comfort of hearing them in his mind.
"I wish things had been different between us father."
"I as well my boy. I am very proud of you. You have come a long way since we first met." Charles told him.
"I just came to say thank you. I know you have a lot of others to see. I won't take your time from them. But thank you for the chance. It's more than what most gave me in my life."
David put his hand on Charles' shoulder and gave him a slight nod before walking toward the door. Nobody stopped him. Nobody questioned him. They let him leave.
The others remained in the room. They told stories from the past. Happy ones that they knew Charles would enjoy. Ones that made everyone laugh.
And when Charles fell asleep that night, he went in peace. He didn't wake up the next morning.
He was buried with the X-men they had lost in the past, in a lot that they had been saving. He was there leader, so he remained with them.
There was sadness. But they knew he wouldn't want them to be that way for long. They all knew he lived a long life. An accomplished one.
They would continue his work.
They would make him proud.
They were his X-men.
They were his students.
They were his friends.
