That Ship Has Sailed

Charles & Erik

Requested by chungchungla

"Steve, James! Get out of my room."

"We want to play, too."

"Not right now, get out!"

The door slams shut behind two mischievous 6-year-olds and they both cross their arms in a huff. They look at each other and pout until they hear, "Boys, stop fighting with your sister," in their minds. They groan and stomp down the hallway.

"Stop doing that, I don't like it when you're in my head."

"I'm sorry, Bucky," Charles replied, taking the boy into his lap. Steve followed suit, climbing into his father's lap, "I just think you two should leave Jean alone when she has Scott over. You know how much she likes him and getting between them only means trouble for all of us."

"Why?"

"Because a love-sick, teenage girl is definitely no fun to have around," Erik said as he entered, patting Charles' shoulder before going to the bookshelf to look for something.

"Your father's right. We want to encourage her to be with Scott to keep her happy."

"Yeah, otherwise, she'll take her shit out on us," Logan says as he walks in and flops into a leather armchair across from his father, "What's up, dad?" he grins.

"What have I told you about sitting sideways in my chair?" Erik said, shoving his son's leg back over the arm of the chair.

Logan sits up, "Sorry, sorry. So listen, I wanted to ask if I could go out with--"

"No."

"You haven't even heard what I have to say."

All Charles had to do was put his finger to his temple and Logan groaned, "Stop reading my mind! I just wanted to take her stargazing."

"You have more on your mind than stargazing," Charles said.

"Like what?" Bucks asked.

Erik and Charles share a panicked glance before Charles says, "Nothing, why don't you two go play outside? We'll call you in for dinner."

Steve and Bucky agreed, taking off down the hallway toward the door. Erik walks up behind Logan and claps him on the back, "What happened to the other girl you were dating? Jes--Jo--Jan--?"

"I broke up with her," Logan said, "She wasn't really my type. Besides, I hate being tied down to just one girl."

"That's no way to live," Charles said, "How are you ever going to find the right person to settle down with if you don't stick it out when it's hard?"

"What, like you and dad? No thanks, I'm not really the marriage and kids type of person."

"Tell that to your siblings who all look up to and adore you."

"They do not," Logan groaned, "They couldn't care less."

"That's not true. Steve and James just want to be like you. What kind of example are you setting for them by being with a different girl every week?"

"Well, I was doing this when Jean was young and she turned out just fine, dating old, what's-his-name with the motorcycle."

"Are you forgetting how distraught she'd been before she found Scott?" Charles said, "She saw how you acted and how miserable you were inside and it made her miserable."

"Just because she inherited some of your traits," Logan defended, "I'm nothing like either of you."

"Actually, you are quite like I was when I was your age," Erik said, standing beside Charles, "Before I met Charles, I was a mess. I dated around, I made horrible choices, I committed crimes."

"I've never committed a crime," Logan pointed out.

"That doesn't matter. You're still suffering, just as I was."

Logan rolled his eyes, "I'm not like you because I'm not your child. You took me in. It's different and you can't know what I think or feel."

"It's just a warning," Charles said, "Because we love you."

"We wouldn't have taken you in if we didn't."

Logan paused, looking at his parents who looked back at him with a look that held a lifetime in them. They had lives before him. Loved people. Lost people. But then they found each other. If they could do it, so could he.

He smiled slightly and nodded, "Thank you. I love you, too."

He stood and gave each of his parents a hug before going out side to play with his younger brothers. Charles stood and walked to the window, sighing as he looked out of it. Erik came up behind him and watched as Logan began playing with his brothers.

"He's a good boy. He'll find his way someday soon."

"I know he will. Thanks to you."

"Me? I can't take credit for him, Charles."

"You relate better to him."

"But you can see what he's thinking and feeling. I can never feel that with or about anybody."

"You can with me."

"Only when you let me."

Charles smiled and looked at Erik, telling him something in his mind.

Erik smiled and rolled his eyes, "I love you, too, Charles."