With my Life

by dick_helmet_magneto

Summary:

"Erik had been happy. Things had been going well with him and that was the first sign that something was about to go terribly wrong. "
-
Erik and Magda are happy until things go wrong. And when they need protection, there's only one place Erik runs to.

Notes:

No. 4: “I see the danger, It’s written there in your eyes.”

Cattle Prod | Shock | “You in there?”

So I took shock into a different direction than I think the prompt meant but eh

Erik had been happy. Things had been going well with him and that was the first sign that something was about to go terribly wrong. 

Over and over again, life had proven to him that he couldn’t be happy. That wasn’t something that could be allowed. Whatever god there was seemed to be set against him. 

He had found a human and fallen in love. They had married and, one thing, one small thing, had almost ruined it all. 

The small home the two of them had was up in smoke in front of them, seeming to be engulfed the second Erik had managed to pull his heavily pregnant wife out of their home. But at least they were both okay, so maybe things weren’t nearly as bad as they could be. Aside from a few singed hairs and the warmth through their clothes, they were fine, physically. 

“What are we going to do?” Magda whispered, looking up at Erik, seeming so afraid and uncertain. It was something he wasn’t used to seeing on her face. She had always been so strong, confident, and stubborn. But now she was looking to him for ideas and protection. 

“We have nothing left for the baby. We have nothing but the clothes we’re wearing.” It wasn’t like neither of them had been in this position before, but Erik knew she wished to never be back in this position again. He knew he didn’t want to relive this too many more times, running out with nothing but what was on his person at the moment. He’s had too many fresh starts, too many chances to start a new life. 

“We’re not safe here,” Erik replied softly, “We have to leave, and now.” There was one place in his mind, one place that could guarantee their safety. “Have you ever been to the States? I know someone there who can help us and he’ll keep us safe.”

“You trust him?” His wife asked and Erik found a small smile. 

“With my life,” He replied with no hesitation, only complete certainty. 

---

“This is his home?” Magda asked, looking up at the mansion with awe on his face. “The mysterious Charles you talk about lives here?”

Erik smiled a little to himself and nodded, “It’s his home. He’s turned it into a school for mutants though. So it’s not just him, there’s teachers, children. I thought it would be a good place and he…” He’ll know what to do, Erik thought, but couldn’t bring himself to say. That would involve admitting he, Erik, didn’t know what to do. 

“Should we have told him we were coming?” Magda asked as the two of them started to make their way slowly to the front door of the mansion. 

“He’s a telepath,” Erik replied, reaching out mentally, projecting “Charles? Can we speak?”

“Of course, my friend. I’m in my study, just come on up.” Charles replied and Erik wouldn’t allow himself to think about how good it was to hear his voice again or feel the presence in his mind. 

He missed the look Magda gave him, the knowing one that, more often than not, made him feel like she was a telepath as well, who knew his every thought, every desire, every wish. All he noticed was her taking his hand and starting to walk to the front door. 

It took them a bit to walk through the door and make their way to the second floor of the school, though locating the elevator in the school was helpful. Erik wasn’t exactly looking forward to helping his thirty-seven-week pregnant wife up the stairs to the second floor and then to Charles’s office. 

To him, it was surprising how well he remembered his way around the school. He located the study with ease, but he fully blamed that on how long they spent, half asleep, wandering out of the study after a little too much to drink and an extra game of chess. 

He knocked on the door, glancing over at Magda as Charles called from the room, “Come in, my friend.” 

Erik took a deep breath before walking into the room, his hand still wrapped tightly around his wife's. 

“Erik,” Charles said with a smile, and then his eyes widened as he saw Magda, their intertwined hands, and that she was obviously pregnant. “Oh, hello,” He said politely to her, careful not to stare, though Erik knew he was forcing himself not to, “Charles Xavier, nice to meet you.” He rolled around his desk and held his hand out which Magda accepted, being rewarded with a kiss to the back of her hand. 

“Magda Eisenhardt,” She replied with a smile, “It’s nice to finally meet you as well. Erik has told me much about you.” 

“Is that so?” Charles asked with barely concealed amusement as he looked up at the other man who refused to meet his eyes. 

“Oh, yes. He goes on and on about the Great Charles Xavier. His Old Friend,” She said, teasing her husband, gently knocking her shoulder against his arm. 

“Alright, enough of that,” Erik said, trying to fight back a smile and a blush, but only having so much success, “I’m going to regret deciding to introduce you two, aren’t I?” 

Magda smiled at him, “Of course not, my love. I do think we’ll be great friends though,” She added to Charles. 

“I think you’re right,” Charles replied, “For now though, I believe you have something to tell me. So please, have a seat and we can discuss what’s brought you both here.” 

Erik nodded and moved to help Magda into one seat before settling himself in the other one. Meanwhile, Charles moved back behind his desk and watched the two of them. 

“I’m sorry about this,” Erik stated, “And you know I hate to ask for help, but that’s why we’re here. I’ve made some mistakes in the past,” Charles’s eyes widened, but he said nothing, and Erik continued on, “Some more recently than others. The latest one ended with us being hunted and attacked. Our home was burned down, everything we had and I knew we needed to get somewhere safe. Best we can add up, Magda should be giving birth in a week or two and we knew we had to do something.” 

“We needed a safe place,” Magda added, “Somewhere to bring our child into the world without worrying about someone finding us. A place to stay until we get everything sorted and know where to go from here.” 

Charles nodded, “Of course,” He replied, looking at Magda, “I told your husband years ago he would always have a home here, and I would like to extend that to you and your child as well. The three of you will always have a place here, as long as you want to stay. There is no rush. Stay as long as you need, as long as you want.” His attention moved back to Erik, “Your old room is still empty, and I believe everything in there is almost as you left it. Of course, it has been cleaned since then, if things have moved. We can get the room next to it cleaned and furnished as a nursery for your little one as well.” 

“You don’t need to do all of this, Charles,” Erik said, “Honestly, all we were asking for was a safe place and to not be homeless while we try to make some money and be out of your hair.” 

“I believe I’ve offered you a teaching job before. You can still teach and make some money here, if you’d like. That way you wouldn’t have to leave and risk being found. Stay close to your wife and child.” He looked back at Magda, “And I’m sure we could, later on, find a way for you to help if you wish, and, if not then that is perfectly acceptable. I just remember Erik was never one to be content unless he had a load of stress on his shoulders.” 

“You’re one to talk,” Erik mumbled but Charles only smiled at him. 

“Of course,” Charles continued to Magda. “It would be after the birth. We wouldn’t want you doing too much before then, except resting and preparing.” 

“I’ll think about it,” Magda replied with a smile.

“Is that all then?” Charles asked, looking between the two and Erik nodded. 

“I’ll show Magda to our room,” Erik replied, standing up but his wife touched his hand, making him pause and look down at her. 

“You go ahead, my love. I’ll be there soon. I would like to talk to Charles about something and I’m sure I can find my way there.” 

Erik looked from her to Charles, but Charles only gave him a nod while Magda wouldn’t give him that much. 

“Go on, my friend,” Charles replied, “I’ll let you know when we’re finished and you can come for her then. We’ll be alright.” 

Erik nodded and walked out of the room. He was a little scared. Charles and Magda were a little similar, if he was being honest with himself. And he wasn’t just thinking about the blue eyes, the soft brown hair, or the red-tinted lips. They were both stubborn, convinced they were right, ready, and willing to argue. They could both be very persuasive as well, a force to be reckoned with. 

What the two of them could be doing alone in Charles’s office worried him. And it wasn’t that he didn’t trust them. He wasn’t fearing cheating or anything near that, but he did have the strange feeling it involved him.

He wandered the halls for a while, reacquainting himself with the layout. For a while, he didn’t pass anyone or see any sign of life until suddenly the halls were filled with prepubescent children he was trying to walk through, like a fish swimming upstream. 

Then, just as quickly as the hall filled, it emptied out again. All he knew was one or more children looked at him with fear in their eyes as they passed and Erik worried. Would his own child look at him like that? Would they fear him and what he was capable of? 

He found himself back in his room and Charles was right, things were as he left them. There weren't many personal belongings. Some clothes in the closet, only a couple of outfits, some underwear, a couple of white T-shirts, a grey sweatshirt, and matching pants. Some money was stashed in the drawer but it was only $25. It would be enough to get Magda and the child some clothes and start on the nursery, perhaps. 

Falling back on the bed and staring at the ceiling, he found himself thinking about what Charles and Magda could be discussing again. But that thought didn’t last long. There was a knock on the door and Erik sat up, confused. There was only one person who could know where he was, maybe two if Charles told Magda where his room was. 

“Erik, you in there?” Charles called and Erik relaxed just slightly. 

“Yeah, come in,” He replied, watching as the door opened and the man rolled into the room. “What’s going on? Where is Magda?” 

“She’s fine, my friend,” Charles replied with a small smile, “She’s made her way down to the kitchen with Raven. She insisted I should come and talk to you while she got herself a snack.” 

Erik nodded, it had been a while since they last ate. He was a little ashamed to think it hadn’t even entered his mind that his wife may be hungry. 

“I’m a little surprised that you've married. A human, no less,” Charles said, smiling a little but Erik sent a playful glare his way. 

“What can I say? I saw her and…I didn’t think I believed in love at first sight but after the second time experiencing it, I think I’ve decided I might. I told her who I was, and what I’ve done the first night and she just…was okay with it. She held me and assured me it was okay, she wasn’t afraid of me or what I could do or had done.” 

“She’s a remarkable woman from what I’ve seen so far,” Charles said and Erik nodded in agreement. “But that’s not what she wanted me to talk to you about.” 

“Oh?” Erik asked, looking up at Charles, feeling a nervous feeling settle over him, but he wasn’t sure if it was his own or Charles’s. 

“She said you still love me,” Charles started and Erik was shaking his head, “And I love you,” Charles continued on. 

Erik sighed, rubbing his hands over his face and through his hair. “Charles I…” He couldn’t say he didn’t still love Charles. The man was a telepath and would know he was lying, and Erik would also run the risk of hurting Charles’s feelings. 

“She said to decide what we want. She’s willing to share and we’ll all talk about this together later when she’s eaten. But she wanted us to decide and think about what we wanted.” 

“Willing to share?” Erik laughed but there were tears in his eyes. He didn’t want to lose his wife, or his child. He didn’t want to take those risks but now Charles was right in front of him, as beautiful as always. There was a look on his face, as though he was hopeful, almost pleading with Erik to give in and agree. 

“How would this even work out?” Erik asked, looking over at Charles, “We take it a day about? Will it be the three of us together? I don’t…is this very practical?” 

“Maybe not,” Charles replied, “but when have either of us been practical.” 

Erik found himself laughing, as though that would stop him from crying but, even still, tears were sliding down his face. 

The door opened and Magda walked in, or waddled, until she was lowering herself onto the bed next to Erik. 

“I take it the two of you haven’t reached a decision?” She asked. 

“I took too long waiting outside and trying to talk myself into doing this,” Charles admitted and Magda only smiled. 

Erik looked to his wife, “Liebling, what are you planning here?” He asked, “What’s the idea you’re after?” 

“Making all three of us happy,” She replied easily with a smile at her husband before placing her hand over his. “You still love Charles. Charles loves you. I love you. You love me. I’m not saying you have to stop loving either of us, and we’re not going to stop loving you either. And, if Charles has any interest, I think I could find myself loving him one day. If the stories you’ve told me haven’t been overly biased.” 

Erik smiled a little, his head lowering, “They might have been tinted by my feelings, but they were true to him.” He decided. “But I don’t have plans on cheating on you.” 

Magda shook his head, “I know, my love. And it wouldn’t be.” Her hand moved up to cup his cheek and pressed a quick kiss to his lips. “I’m giving you permission here. It wouldn’t be cheating if I knew and approved of it, would it?” 

Erik slowly shook his head, “I suppose not.” Magda smiled a little brighter. 

“Good. Now, kiss him, Max Eisenhardt,” She ordered and who was Erik to disobey a direct order from his wife? He moved in, pressing his lips against Charles’s for the first time in a decade, this time with his wife’s eyes on him, watching. 

Notes:

kudos are great, comments are motivation.

Series this work belongs to:

• Part 4 of Whumptober 2023