Cherik One Shots

Play the Game

Summary- FAKE DATINGGGG (YAYA) for the sake of a mission.

Warnings- sexual tension galoreee, fake dating, gay chicken-y, some internalized homophobia, denial is a river in egypt, angry sexually frustrated Charles, mutual pining (but not realizing), kinda fluffy?

Word count- 3463

***

Hank orchestrated the plan along with Moira, who supplied the specifics over the phone. It was a relatively simple mission, get in, mingle, and get out with the information on their search for a certain scientist who was last seen at this one bar. Straightforward. The issue:

"I'm sorry, what." Charles stared blankly at the unbeastly beast, waiting for the punchline but not receiving one. "You must be mad, Hank, truly mad if you think Erik of all people would play dress up, let alone with me, as my undercover date. I mean, a bar for only homosexuals? I can't just go as a single person? Truly hilarious, thank you, but honestly, what is the actual plan?"

Hank sighed, eyeing the once empty doorway before explaining, "The CIA team posted to this top secret mission agreed with mine and Moira's pairing. You two are the selected candidates with the highest chance success rate. We need the two of you to pretend to be a couple; the people who need to be negotiated with respond well to couples who, well, fit both of your profiles."

"Our profiles?! Two straight men? Seriously, is this a practical joke?"

"I'm afraid not, my friend." Charles instantly stiffened at the sound of Erik's distinct voice. "For the sake of mission, right? No harm, no foul?"

Charles grit his teeth and turned to the man leaning in the doorway. "So, you're okay with this plan? Okay to play my boyfriend?"

Erik shrugged and walked up to his to-be partner, tauntingly draping an arm around Charles' waist, quickly being shoved off by the professor after he had responded, "Afraid you might like it?"

Charles was seething and would never let a soul know why. "Can't I just make them believe I'm with someone?"

"Actually," Hank began, handing the two a manilla envelope, "Neither of you can use your abilities while in the bar. Once you get the intel and are in pursuit, then and only then you can. There's word of a mutant that can sense when another uses their power and, more often than not, are thrown out. So, we can't risk blowing the mission. It's crucial that you both make sure this goes smoothly, for the future of mutant-kind...You both have the most control over your mutations, so-"

"So we're the perfect candidates," Charles mumbled with a huff, reading the contents in the folder. "And you're certain this will work?"

Hank confirmed, "One hundred percent."

Charles dared a peak at Erik who was already looking back at him, a small smile plastered on his face— somewhat cocky, somewhat frightened. He stopped himself from reading his mind, unsure if he wanted to know why Erik was not as angry about the situation as he was, why he was so calm and collected. He supposed he could ask, but not now, not in front of Hank who was very obviously on edge to hear an answer.

Feeling bad for making him stress, Charles reluctantly said, "I'll do it."

Almost immediately after, Erik said, "I'm in, too."

Hank let out a breath he didn't know he was holding, picking up the phone the next second and thanking while dialing, "I don't know what we would've done. They're going to be very happy."

"So," Erik started as the two walked out the office to give Hank privacy. "You seem thrilled."

Charles forced a smile and said, dismissive, "I'll see you tomorrow, Erik."