time eternal.

four.

. chapter four

The four of them conducted a plan to get Erik out of containment. August knew it wasn't going to be easy, but she also knew that he was needed. Breaking into the Pentagon will be the hardest thing August will ever do, but Logan assured the rest that there was someone to make the break-in easier and quicker.

Hank left to get the jet prepared for take-off. Logan went along with, leaving August with Charles.

Charles had changed into somewhat presentable clothing, and was now looking out the window at the garden. August wondered what he was thinking.

"You want your memories back," Charles stated, his dull eyes never leaving the garden. "How did you find out?"

"In my childhood, I remember a woman named Jade Xavier," August started. "She told me about you. I eventually realized that Jade was me, and that led me to numerous explanations on how that could be. I still don't exactly know, but it had to do with my mutation."

"How did you know it was me that wiped your memory?" Charles questioned, turning to face August.

"I didn't," she admitted. "I knew that you were a person from a past that I didn't remember. I searched for you for years, and it gave me time to find Logan."

Charles was silent, so she continued. "God, the future was truly terrible. So many people suffering, so many deaths. Everywhere you looked there was someone staring at you, hoping that you'll help them, hoping that you'll do something to put them out of their misery. All those people had nothing, Charles. They had nothing to live for."

Tears were making their way down her cheeks. When she traveled to the future, she never expected such hurt and loss. To see so many innocent people die and be driven towards death made August's heart heavy with sadness.

Charles walked over to August, enveloping her in a hug. He hadn't hugged her in ten years, and he wasn't afraid to admit that he missed it desperately. He felt the tears soak through his shirt, and he ran his fingers through her hair, knowing that it would calm her down.

"We're going to help them, August," he whispered.

"I wasn't there, Charles," she muttered.

Charles' grip on her tightened, knowing what she meant by her few words. "No, no, we're going to change that. I'm going to keep you alive, love, I promise. You're not going anywhere."

August nodded her head and buried herself deeper into Charles' chest as she felt a single teardrop fall on the crown of her head. He was broken too, and in need of fixing, and August was going to be there for him, even if she had no idea of what he meant to her.

"Guys," Hank barged in, stopping awkwardly when he spotted the two embracing. Charles gave him a look, and Hank nodded and quietly exited the room.

"I apologize," August said as she backed away from Charles' familiar grasp. "We should be going-"

August was cut short by Charles' lips coming into contact with hers. He tasted of alcohol, sadness, and loneliness. August's eyes fluttered shut and her brows furrowed as Charles continued to kiss her. She swore that this happened to her before, but again, she couldn't place the memory.

August soon came to her senses and gently pushed Charles away. The stranger that she used to know. The kiss left her feelings and thoughts in a jumble.

"I'm sorry," Charles muttered. "God, it's just been so many years since I-"

"It's okay," August whispered, eyes downcast. "Let's just go."

August left the room, leaving Charles behind with tears collecting in his eyes. He wouldn't let them fall. He won't cry for her; for something he can save. She could gain her memories back, and she would love him again.