Chapter Text
Erik sat back and watched the rain pound against the glass of the window in the Xavier school's study. A distant rumble of thunder echoed outside. Judging from the way the wind whipped outside, the main powerline might go down soon and then they'd have to switch to the backups Charles had installed.
Erik shifted to ask Charles when the last time the backups had been checked for wear and tear when Charles' head jerked up from the book he'd been reading. In an instant his posture turned sharp as he looked out towards the front of the house. He snapped his book shut in a motion far harsher than any usual form of agitation would allow.
"What's wrong?" Erik asked.
Charles frowned. "We have a visitor."
"Trouble?"
His frown deepened. "I don't know."
Together, they made their way to the front entrance of the house. Erik let Charles lead but stayed close behind the chair as they moved. When they reached the entrance, Charles paused.
"Get the door for them will you, darling?" He said to Erik. "We wouldn't want them waking the whole school."
Erik moved to do as he was told. His hackles raised as the word 'them.' He reached out with his powers as he moved to open the door. He could feel the lone truck parked haphazardly outside. There was a jingling key set in a pocket and a watch around a wrist moving quickly towards the house. He opened the door and immediately stepped back to avoid the fist that had been raised to knock.
A large red haired man stood tall and looming in the doorway. He shuffled awkwardly and readjusted his grip on the other figure clutched at his side. His gaze slid past Erik to Charles.
"Help us. Please," the man begged. His rough voice cut through the heavy tension in the air. "You don't have to do it for me, but please, just help him."
"Who is he, Cain?" Charles asked stiffly.
The man, Cain, turned his focus back to Erik. "I've seen you on TV. You're a mutant activist. Tom's a mutant. You'll help one of your own won't you?"
"Is this safe?" Erik thought to Charles.
"Probably not," came the reply.
Out loud Charles said, "Why don't you come in and we'll see what we can do."
Cain released a heavy sigh of relief, scooped up the figure at his side, and carried him in. "Do you have anywhere we can take him? I can usually carry him for a while but I'm not- It's been a long day and I figured it would be best if I left some stuff behind."
"That was probably wise," Charles agreed and then nodded sharply in the direction of the main hall. "Follow me."
The elevator ride down to the lower levels was tense. Erik stood as Charles's side and kept watch of this new figure. He seemed nervous and primarily focused on the man in his arms. Cain was tall, nearly seven feet, Erik noted. Despite the fact that Charles had never mentioned him before, they clearly knew eachother. Whoever he was, Charles wasn't comfortable. Erik resolved to remain on guard.
Once they descended to the lower levels, Charles led them to the medical wing. Cain followed cautiously behind.
"Set him on the table," Charles directed him.
Cain seemed to hesitate before obeying although he left a hand on the man's shoulder.
Charles wheeled over to the monitors and screens near the examination table. "Now, tell me about this man and what troubles him."
"This is Bla-" Cain cleared his throat. "This is Tom Cassidy. He's a mutant like the two of you. He's been... I don't really know what it is. You know how I'm not really good with the sciency crap. He got hurt and his powers started slipping. His mind too. I figured if there was anyone who could help with that, it'd be you."
Charles tilted his head. "And who is he that you'd come asking me for help?"
Cain growled low in his throat. Erik thought the sound could have given Beast or Wolverine a run for their money. He readied himself for a fight.
"Don't make me say it," Cain said. "You know who he is, Charlie. Don't make me say it."
Charles scoffed. "Contrary to your beliefs, I'm not omniscient. I don't know everything and despite your worst opinions of me, I'm not constantly digging around in your head to know-"
Something shifted on Charles' face in realization. "Oh. He's... oh. You finally... I'm glad. Yes. Of course, I'll help him. Can you describe his symptoms for me?"
Erik watched in fascination as Charles' entire demeanor changed. The tension between him and Cain seemed to snap as they discussed what had been occurring with Tom. The conversation passed him by as he focused in on how Charles behaved around this man. There was a deep familiarity there but also an underlying animosity. Still, in the face of a problem to solve, it all seemed to fade away.
Eventually, Erik tuned back in to the conversation in time to hear Charles say, "Well, he'll be stable for the night. There are still some empty rooms in the west wing of the house if you want to take him there."
Cain huffed out what might have been a laugh. "Yeah, I figure a bed'll be more comfortable than your slab here. Could you make your medical feel any more like a morgue is you tried?"
He picked Tom up gently and started towards the door. As he went Charles stopped him.
"Cain, I want you to know, despite our history, I would never judge you for that." Charles looked almost nervous as he spoke. "I'm... we never got the chance... me too. Erik is, well you understand."
Cain looked down at Erik with renewed interest. He grinned, wide an menacing. "He's not bad, I guess."
Then he was gone. As soon as the doors closed behind him Charles slumped in in chair from exhaustion. He raised a hand to cover his eyes as he took a shaky breath.
"Charles, who is he?" Erik asked.
"Oh, Cain?" Charles looked up at Erik with a crooked smile. "He's my stepbrother."