By My Side | Cherik One Shots

Wake

Erik looked down at Charles, guilt filling his soul, he couldn't believe what he had done. Charles was laying in a white hospital bed, his eyes closed. Hank entered the lab, because it was too risky to take Charles to an actual hospital as he was mutant. Hank growled, seeing Erik there. "Erik, what are you doing here?" You aren't allowed in this house, you jerk! Look at what you've done!" Hank spat. Charles' eyes shot open. Erik.  Out of the corner of his eye, Erik saw Charles wake. He immediately looked away, not sure how to talk to his newly injured friend. "Erik? Why are you here?" Charles said, pure curiosity in his voice. "Didn't you leave with Raven?" He inquired. "I- l . . ." Hank interrupted Erik. "He came back." Hank said, Erik's presence obviously disturbing him. Hank stared right into Erik's soul. "Yes Erik, you came back. We're all so glad. But that doesn't make up for you leaving your best friend paralyzed on a beach in Cuba!" Hank yelled, quickly covering his mouth. Charles turned to Hank. "What?" Hank mumbled curses under his breath. "I was going to tell you in a softer way," Hank glared at Erik while speaking. "But someone had to make me angry." Patches of blue grew on Hank. Tears ran down Hank's face as well as Charles'. Erik speaks. "I-I came to tell you that you were right. That humans aren't the problem. I'm so, so sorry Charles. Goodbye, old friend." And with that, Erik left. Charles began to sob. "Hank, I miss Raven. She'd know what to do. Can you find her?" Charles mumbled through the tears. Hank nodded over and over. "Yes, yes I'll find her." Hank said. "Is it true, Hank? Am I paralyzed, Hank?" Charles looked up at Hank with his bright blue eyes. "I'm afraid so, Charles." Charles looked longingly at his legs, willing them to work. They stayed on the bed, numb and useless. Charles then looked back to Hank, eyes pooled with tears. Hank knelt down and hugged Charles, whispering. "I'm sorry, I'm so sorry, I'm so, so sorry, Charles." Hank chants, rubbing small circles on the crying man's back. Charles then dried his eyes, looking at Hank. "I need to find Raven." Hank knew what Charles was thinking. Cerebro. "You're sure? Aren't you a bit too weak?" Hank inquired thoughtfully "No, I must find Raven. Now." He said. Hank sighed. He knew he would do this, whether he wanted to or not. He picked up Charles with a groan and set him down in the newly acquired chair. Charles swallowed his dignity and allowed himself to be pushed. A short while longer, Hank and Charles entered Cerebro. Charles picked up the helmet and placed it on his head as Hank turned on the machine. Charles' vision was filled with red and blue silhouettes. He saw Raven. He reached into her mind, talking to her. "Raven. We need to speak. Please come home." He said to her. 'I have missed you, Charles, I will return for a visit.' She thought back to him. And that was it. Charles took off the helmet, Hank turned off the machine. Soon they were back to the dining room. Charles held up a hand, a signal for Hank to stop. Charles then took the wheels in his own hands for the first time. He pushed the old hospital chair through the halls, arriving at his study.
Charles POV.
Hank was behind me. "No Hank, I'll be all right." I picked up a book I had yet to read and set it on my lap, heading towards the old chair I used to read in. I maneuvered the heavy wool blanket off of it and in a series of odd and awkward movements, I was in the old seat. I covered myself in the blanket and began to read. Seeing that Hank was gone, I put down the book, untangled my useless legs and was overwhelmed with emotion. I silently cried, not wanting Hank to hear me in pain.
Hank POV.
I left Charles because I figured he might want to be alone. I sat at the dining room table, the erie silence of the students sleeping and the professor in his study. I silently sobbed until I heard my name quietly called from down the hall.
Charles POV.
I tried to get back into my chair and my arms gave out, my legs twisting into a position that if I could feel them, wouldn't be very comfortable. I fell to the floor. Being the stubborn person I am, I attempted to get back into the chair, failing. I sat for a minute and debated my situation. I decided to try again. The chair tipped on its back, front wheels spinning. I muttered curses. "Hank?" I called timidly. He rushed into the room. "What happened?" He asked, his eyes wide. "I-I fell." I felt my cheeks burning. Hank speed walked over to me and righted my chair before picking me up and setting me in it. I panted for a minute before pushing the wheels. My arms screamed out in protest. Tears formed in my eyes. I pounded on the armrests. "DAMMIT!" I cried. I pushed the wheels, hard. I moved slowly. Hank watched from the corner, not sure what to do. I put my face in my hands and began to sob. "DAMMIT HANK! I'M JUST A USELESS CRIPPLE! I'm-I'm just useless..." I cried. Hank walked up to me cautiously, crouching down in front of me. He hugged me tightly. "You're not useless, you're not useless, it's okay, it's okay," He cooed. "It's going to be okay." I knew at that moment, my life would never be the same again.