X-Men Oneshots

Unseen Battles (Erik Lehnsherr)

Trigger Warning: ED

The day had started like any other, with the sun casting a warm glow through the apartment windows. I went through my usual morning routine, but today, the mirror reflected a version of myself that was hard to ignore. I had been struggling with an eating disorder for months, and my body was showing the consequences of my refusal to face it. Erik and I had been dating for a while, and I loved him deeply, but there was a battle inside me that I had been trying to fight alone.

I had been avoiding eating as much as possible, hiding it from Erik with excuses and distractions. Today, despite my fatigue and weakness, I pushed myself to join him for a picnic he had planned. He was always so supportive and caring, and the last thing I wanted was to burden him with my issues.

The park was beautiful, the trees swaying gently in the breeze, and the sound of laughter from children playing nearby filled the air. Erik had set up a charming spread of food on a blanket, his eyes lighting up when he saw me. He greeted me with a warm smile and a loving kiss.

"Hey, beautiful," he said, his voice filled with affection. "I'm so glad you're here. I've been looking forward to this all week."

I smiled back, though my heart was heavy with guilt. "It looks amazing, Erik. Thank you for doing this."

We sat down on the blanket, and he began to serve the food. My stomach twisted in knots as I forced myself to nibble on a small portion, hoping he wouldn't notice how little I was actually eating. I tried to engage in conversation, but the dizziness was becoming unbearable.

As Erik chatted away, I felt my vision blur. I tried to shake off the dizziness, but it only got worse. Before I could say anything, I felt a wave of weakness crash over me, and the world went dark.

The next thing I knew, I was lying on the grass, Erik's worried face hovering above me. His voice was a mix of concern and panic. "Y/N! Are you okay? What happened?"

I blinked slowly, trying to focus. Erik helped me sit up, his hands gentle but firm. "I'm fine," I mumbled, though my voice was shaky. "Just... a bit dizzy."

Erik's eyes were scanning me with a heightened intensity. "This isn't just dizziness. You've been struggling, haven't you? You haven't eaten much... or at all."

His gaze moved from my face to my body, taking in the way my clothes hung loosely on me, the visible signs of malnutrition. I saw the realization dawn on his face, his eyes widening with a mix of shock and sorrow.

"Y/N," he said, his voice breaking slightly. "You're so thin. I didn't realize how much you've been hiding. How long has this been going on?"

I looked away, unable to meet his gaze. "I didn't want to worry you. I thought I could handle it."

Erik's expression softened, but there was a fierce tenderness in his eyes. "You're not alone in this, Y/N. I want to help you, but you have to let me in. You can't keep pushing me away like this."

The weight of his words, combined with my own fear and guilt, became too much. I broke down, tears spilling from my eyes as I clung to him. "I'm so scared, Erik. I feel like I'm losing control, and I'm jealous of everyone who seems to have it all together. I don't feel good enough."

Erik held me tightly, his arms a safe haven amidst the storm of emotions. "You don't need to be perfect. You don't need to have it all together. You're human, and it's okay to struggle. But you don't have to do this alone. I'm here, and I'm not going anywhere."

I could feel the warmth of his body, a stark contrast to the cold isolation I had been feeling. His support was overwhelming, and it helped to soothe the raw pain I had been carrying. "But what if I can't get better? What if I always feel like this?"

Erik's eyes were filled with unwavering support. "We'll get through it together. It's okay to have bad days, and it's okay to lean on me. We'll face it one day at a time. I believe in you, and I believe in us."