Weirdest F*cking Friends

Chapter 40- Not Too Late to Change

Erik shoved the psychologically books on the shelves into a box. The folded homework on his desk, fell to the ground from the excessive movement. Erik turned and picked it up. He sighed and opened it while turning on the paper shredder.

His eyes scanned the paper until he began to properly read it.

The question you gave me was 'did I trust you?' The answer is no. Not because you haven't earned it. It's because you've earned it too much.

You probably don't really care about me, but sometimes it feels like you do. Talking to you reminds me of talking to Bobby. He was like a father to me. That was before he died. It feels like everyone I get close to always die.

So no, I don't trust you. Because the world needs you as a therapist, and you don't deserve to die... Well, not yet anyway.

~ Dean

Erik wiped away his tears while laughing at himself.  Dean was often pretty snarky or stubborn during most of their therapy sessions. It took a lot for him to get this deep.

"Dammit, Winchester," Erik said, sniffling.

Some details of his memories were slowly coming back in sections. One of those details was Charles's gravesite.

Erik left the office after turning off the paper shredder. He drove to the grave yard and got out. Shoving his hands in his pockets, Erik found Charles's tombstone.

"Hey, sweetheart," Erik muttered, kneeling in front of the stone, "I brought you some flowers."

He set them down on the ground. Then he pulled out a chess piece and set it down as well.

"I also got your favorite piece. In case, you found a new chess partner in the afterlife," Erik said, his smile turning into tears again, "I'm sorry it took so long for me to stop by."

He wiped away his tears while taking a breath.

"I don't know what I'm doing, Charles... I'm not you. I don't know how to be good. But dammit, I'm trying," Erik cried, running his hand along the engraving of Charles's name, "I wish you were here."

Erik stood up as the sound footsteps approached. Wanda paused with flowers in her hand.

"What are you doing..."

Wanda ignored him and set the flowers in front of Charles's grave. She kissed her fingers, then placed them on the engraving of father on his stone. Erik's eyes widened as he finally realized who Wanda was.

She stood up and turned to leave.

"Wait."

Wanda froze and turned back around.

"Are you my... Are you our daughter," Erik asked, glancing at the tombstone.

"I'm Charles and Erik's daughter. My twin brother and I were adopted once Charles died though. Then those parents died. Everyone fucking dies," Wanda said, her sadness turning into anger, "Now I'm alone."

She turned again before Erik stopped her once more.

"I didn't know who you were before..."

"I know. I thought reminding you would help me. It didn't. All I did was traumatize you. I shouldn't have done that," Wanda said.

"Is that why you kept coming back for therapy," Erik asked, "To see me?"

"It was the only time I felt like I was talking to my father again," Wanda said, swallowing thickly.

Erik turned his head away.

"I'm not good for you, Wanda..."

"And you think I am? Do you think you're the only one with blood on your hands? Why do you think you're drawn to helping people with temper issues? Or those with daddy issues? Or those with powers? Or even those who are considered villains," Wanda asked, knowing all of those qualities are the same issues Erik deals with.

Erik lifted his eyes to meet hers shamefully.

"Erik, the only thing father changed was your attitude towards humans. Everything else... The therapy, the helping, all of it. That was you. You chose to be good," Wanda said.

"Dr. Ernest Lewis?"

"You went under an alias to make others comfortable. You had to pretend to be human," Wanda explained, "Eventually, you started to believe it. You're capable of being good. Because of you, so many people like us are changing for the better."

Erik dropped his eyes again.

"It's not too late to turn Erik Lehnsherr into a hero as well," Wanda said softly.

She leaned forward and kissed him on the cheek. Then she walked away.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Back at the office, Erik stared at the homework on his desk. He dialed a number and waited for a response.

"Sam, it's Dr. Lehnsherr," Erik said, "I'm willing to help, but I need to make sure they're ready for this first. Call me back whenever you get this message."

He hung up and leaned back in his chair.