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Charles looks up at Alex, blinking slowly. He looks tired, but Alex still forces him to stay awake.
“Come on, you have to keep your eyes open. We’re going to get you out of here, but you have to work with me,” Alex whispers, and Charles gives him a crooked smile.
“I’mm ssory,” he mumbles, and Alex’s heart clenches.
Alex has to bite his lip to keep the thoughts out of his head in case Charles can still hear what he’s thinking. He refuses to think that Charles is going to die, not when he can still hear Alex think it. Not that he has any way of knowing if he can or not.
Alex blinks, and Charles’ eyes are closed, or maybe he got too caught up in his thoughts. He taps Charles’ cheek insistently, then rips his gloves off so he can feel Charles’ pulse. It’s thready under his fingers.
“Guys, I think he’s going into shock. Are we having any luck?” he calls.
“No, there’s nothing, and I don’t know how to get us out of here,” Moira replies, sounding completely frantic.
Alex grabs Charles’ face, more sand sticking to his face, and Alex’s fingers.
I hate the sand, and I’ll be happy to never see sand again after this.
Charles’ eyes drift open, but he doesn’t seem to be looking at Alex, more past him. This time he doesn’t speak, instead he just projects his thoughts. Alex isn’t sure if he’s the only one that can hear them, or if everyone can.
The sky is so blue. Was it this beautiful earlier? I didn’t notice.
“Hey, I’m glad you’re back. Just don’t fall asleep, ok?”
Charles turns from the sky to Alex with a soft smile on his face.
I’m alright, don’t worry about me.
Alex chokes out a laugh.
“Oh, only you could say that after being shot, and not having any way to get to medical help.”
The corner of Charles’ mouth turns up, though his eyes are getting glassy again already.
“Charles.”
His face is red, sand in his hair, across his face, crusting around his eyes. Sweat coats his face, and his eyes are rapidly dulling. He looks like a wreck, and Alex can’t help how scared he feels at that moment. Charles frowns.
“Srry,” he slurs again, his face pinching together.
“No, I’m sorry. I was trying not to think too loudly.”
Charles reaches up with a shaking hand to touch Alex’s cheek. Alex feels a rush of calm that soothes his fraying nerves.
It’s not as good as normal.
“You don’t have to make me feel better. You should save your strength. You need it.”
Charles smiles, the creases on his face not going away. He looks like he’s in more pain now. His eyes drift to the left of Alex. Suddenly all Alex can see is Raven. She can’t be older than fifteen, and she’s leaning against a counter. She’s laughing, and Alex can hear the sound ringing in his ears.
“You’re ridiculous. You know, you could use your powers some other way than just figuring out what people think of you.”
“You always judge me, but I don’t think it’s fair to read people’s minds indiscriminately.”
“Yeah, I guess that’s fair, but how do you justify today?”
“It was an accident. I didn’t think that person thought I was… nevermind. I don’t want to repeat what I heard. You know I can’t always choose, and sometimes I can’t help it.”
Raven hums, looking down.
“So, what are you going to do about it?”
“Nothing, his personal thoughts shouldn’t affect my actions.”
The scene rapidly changes. Suddenly he can see Charles’ living room as though he’s sitting on the couch. A woman that Alex doesn’t recognize walks in.
“Charles, what are you doing up at this hour?”
A book drops into his lap.
“Sorry, Mother. I was just studying. I lost track of time. What were you doing out so late?”
“That isn’t an appropriate thing to ask me. Mind your own business, Charles. You need to learn to control yourself. Go to bed.”
“Ok, sorry, Mother.”
Why didn’t they love me? Why did she leave? Everything hurts.
Alex feels tears streaming down his face as the beach comes back into view.
“Charles, I’m so sorry. I’ll be here. I won’t leave you.”
Charles’ eyes are closed, but Alex doesn’t think he’s asleep. He can still feel the rush of emotions that are definitely not his. Tears continue to pour from his eyes, and he’s not sure whose emotions he’s getting overwhelmed by at this point. He puts an arm around Charles’ shoulder, not aware of if he can even feel it at this point. He’s desperate to do something, anything to make Charles feel better, or just a little less distressed. A single tear falls down Charles’ face as he opens his eyes again.
I can’t feel my legs.
“I know, I know. I’m sorry. I’m so sorry about everything. We’re going to get out of here.”
I can’t… I.
Alex tips Charles’ face to make Charles look at him.
“Hey, I know. We’re going to get you out of here. I promise, we’re going to get you out of here.”
Charles sighs, closing his eyes again. Alex doesn’t fight him this time, too busy trying to compose himself.
It’s a few weeks after that when Charles is finally released from the hospital. They haven’t talked about what happened, but Alex can tell that he’s trying to put on a good front. He rolls into his house, looking at the stairs with a frown.
“Well, I’m going to have to make this place a little more accessible, huh?” he asks with a laugh.
Alex sighs.
“Yeah, that sucks.”
Charles’ smile wavers just a little bit.
“Well, it is what it is, huh? For now I’ll just settle somewhere downstairs. Can you get a few things from my room for me?”
Alex nods.
“What do you want for me to get?”
Charles gives him a short list before telling him where he’s going to set up. Alex nods, and heads up the stairs to find Charles’ room. He’s been there one other time, but the house is big enough that he always struggles a bit getting around. He eventually finds Charles’ room. After getting some clothes from his closet, he heads to the bathroom that’s attached to the room.
His eyes catch on a collage of pictures pinned on a board that’s hanging on the wall. Most of them are of Charles and Raven, but a few of them are of the rest of them since they got to the mansion. There’s a picture of all of them, one of Alex while him and Charles were talking in the garden. There’s one of Hank and Raven in Hank’s lab, and one of Charles and Erik outside.
Alex finds himself staring at it for a lot longer than he intended to. By the time he pulls himself out of his head, he has to rush through the rest of his task. He comes down with his arms full to find Charles completely still near the doorway of the room he’s going to be staying in.
“Are you ok?” Alex asks.
“Yes, I just… I got stuck on a divot in the floorboards.”
Alex bites his lip.
“Ok, I can’t get around you. I’m going to see if I can just push your wheelchair with my hips.”
He manages to get Charles unstuck, then sets the pile of stuff down.
“I’m sorry, Alex.”
“Don’t be. This is going to be an adjustment. You’re going to have a hard time, and that’s not fair, but we’re going to figure this out together. You’ll get more comfortable with this, just give it time.”
Charles gives him the smallest smile before nodding.
“Thank you.”
“Any time.”