time eternal.

three.

. chapter three

The four were gathered around in Charles' study. It was incredibly cluttered, August noted, but she didn't pay much attention to it.

Charles was pouring himself another drink, the smell of the alcohol swirling around the room. August scrunched up her nose, never really being into alcohol herself.

"So you're saying, they took Raven's powers and what? They weaponized it?" Charles asked as he took a seat on the small sofa.

Logan nodded, "yep."

"She is unique," Hank pointed out.

"Yes, she is, Hank," Charles agreed, a melancholy smile ghosting his lips.

"In the beginning the Sentinels were just targeting mutants, then they began to identify the genetics in non-mutants who'd eventually have mutant children or grandchildren. Then they started targeting everybody," Logan began explaining. "Many of the humans tried to help us, it was a slaughter. Leaving only the worst of humanity in charge. I've been in a lot of wars, I've never seen anything like this. And it all starts with her."

"Let's just say for the sake of...the sake, that I choose to believe you; that I choose to help you. Raven won't listen to me. Her heart and soul belong to someone else now," Charles said sadly.

August piped up, "we need Erik." She knew the idea was completely ludicrous, but everyone knew she was right. Erik was there for Raven, even for August too, but she wasn't sure if that was true or not anymore.

"Erik?" Charles repeated, a look of shock and sadness in his eyes.

"You must know where he is, August," Hank stated.

"Well, yes, but-"

August was cut off by a loud burst of laughter. Charles hoisted himself up and began walking out of the study.

"He's where he belongs."

Logan stood up to go after Charles, but August stopped him before he could leave. Logan glanced down at August, before pushing her aside and catching Charles before he disappeared.

"The Professor I know would never turn his back on someone who'd lost their path. Especially someone he loved," Logan said, causing Charles to stop and turn around.

His blue eyes shifted over to August, who stood with her arms crossed and staring at the wooden floorboards.

"I've done many things in my life that I regret," Charles said, still locked on August. "I've done many things that I know is best for the ones that I love, too."

"Listen, I've come a long way, and I've watched a lot of people die. Good people. Friends. If you're gonna wallow in self-pity and do nothing, then you're gonna watch the same thing, you understand?" Logan replied back harshly.

Charles finally averted his gaze away from August, who looked up for just a second to see his anguish and pain.

"We all have to die sometime." And with that, Charles sulked away.

Logan turned towards August, who now sat on the sofa that Charles once sat on. She looked around, confused and oddly heartbroken.

August could feel her brain trying to reach out to forbidden memories, looking to find something useful.

"I'm so sorry, Charles."

Charles smiled brightly, a piece of his hair falling in front of his shining eyes. August almost allowed a giggle to escape her mouth before stopping it.

"Why are you smiling like that?" she breathed out, her jade eyes flickering over his features.

"You called me Charles," he grinned.

The memory was small, and August wasn't completely sure that it was real, but it felt like it was.

He looked so different in the vision. He looked happy.

Up in his bedroom, Charles had taken another dose of Hank's serum. He closed his eyes tightly, fighting back the tears and the memories of the two people he loves most. Raven and August. He knows he couldn't save Raven when on that beach in Cuba, but August could've stayed. She would remember him, she would love him, and then maybe, Charles could be the happy man that he used to be.

August still sat on the sofa, going over the tiny memory again and again, to make sure she captured every detail it had to offer.

Logan and Hank stood talking, but she didn't bother with the conversation, although she knew her name came up once.

August's eyes shifted over to the doorway, where she saw Charles making his way back. He stopped as he caught her eye, a look of sadness etched across his face. August frowned, the thought of his grin from her memory flashing in her mind.

Logan and Hank ceased talking, and Charles looked away from August, a determined look replacing the sad one.

"I'll help you get her," Charles agreed, speaking of Raven. "Not for any of your future, but for them." August wondered who else was included when Charles said 'them', but a part of her liked to think it was her.