A/N: SUPRISE! I know this story was complete, but lemme explain. I was originally finished with this, but then Auua Ytjoml left a review asking what might happen after the movie... then this happened. I apologise if anyone is OOC, but I wanted to write a follow up to this. Some dialogue is taken from Doctor Who 6x11 The God Complex.

"I have to be honest Erik; I never thought that you would want to be on the same side again."

"Is it truly that unbelievable?"

"Frankly, yes."

Charles had to admit, the fact that Erik had showed up at all to the Xavier mansion was a surprise. The fact that he was alone and dressed as Erik Lensherr rather than Magneto was cause for concern. However, when he told Charles that he wanted to work out a compromise to their feud and offered peace? The telepath was seriously considering calling Hank to perform a medical examination (on which one of them, he still wasn't sure).

The two of them had spent hours in Charles' study, doing the one thing that was once thought impossible by them both: they were talking. No weapons, no war, just words. Both spoke their piece, and both listened. Of course there had been a few times where voices were raised and blood had boiled, but they were trying.

Now the pair were sitting in companionable silence in front of a chess board with a glass of whiskey in hand. If you ignored the wheelchair and the desperate need for one of them to get a haircut, anyone could be forgiven for thinking that it was a scene taken straight from 1962. Things were far from fine between the mutants (it would take years no doubt, to regain something that even resembled their dynamic from all those years ago), but the gaping chasm between them suddenly didn't seem that big. Certainly not too big to bridge.

The telepath hadn't even tried to hide his surprise (or delight) at Erik's sudden change of heart. Throughout the discussions, there was one question on his mind that he'd been reluctant to ask, in fear that it would drive the other away. Yet as they had talked, his confidence had grown, and he decided to voice his query.

"Why now?" the younger asked.

Because you're still…breathing.

"Because if we're too busy fighting each other, then we aren't focusing on the real problem." When Charles looked unconvinced, Erik went on "We've seen what the future could bring. I'm simply trying to lessen that possibility."

"Of course. It's just…"

"Just what?" Erik prompted after a minute.

Charles still said nothing, instead looking the older man over in the same way one would look at a jigsaw. With a confused expression, the telepath continued. "…I know you Erik: once you have your mind set on something, very little, if anything, can convince you to stop. You believe so deeply in your cause, that our ideals were too polarising, yet here you are, willing to fight side by side again. Forgive me my friend for asking but… what changed."

Erik had to stop himself from replying with a defensive comment, and instead sat up straighter on his chair. Logan's warning was still circling in his head, still as loud and clear as when he'd first been told.

"Charles dies Erik"

Erik could take a lot of hits and keep going, as he'd proven time and time again. Losing his parents, his home and his childhood? Tragic yes, but he'd soldiered on.

Losing Charles Xavier? Tragic didn't even begin to describe that thought.

Aware that the man in question was still awaiting an answer, Erik eventually decided for once to lower his defences and confess his true reasons. "And what's the alternative? Me standing over your grave?" Not daring to look up, Erik missed the telepath's stunned, slightly bewildered look. "Over your broken body, knowing that…I was the one who broke it."

"…Erik…" Charles breathed.

The addressed clenched his eyes shut and relaxed slightly at the man's voice before carrying on. "You weren't the only one who got a glimpse into the future Charles. On the way to Paris, Logan told me what happens to us… to you. It sounds impossible, I know, but… you don't make it. You're killed, and I could tell that part of him blames me for it. He, uh, he told me that something brings you back, but that's not the point." Erik looked up at Charles, haunted eyes meeting compassionate ones. "I've done plenty of things that I regret, old friend. I will not be responsible for…that."

At this point, the warmth in Charles' look was undeniable. The professor knew that he could say some grand, moral-lifting speech, or press for more information about his apparent demise. Instead, Charles simply gave Erik an understanding smile, leaned over the board to take his hand and said one thing:

"Okay."

With that, Erik returned the gesture with a small smile of his own, relishing in the sheer relief that was flowing through him. There was still a long way to go, a lot of battles to fight, but it was a start. He hadn't been completely dishonest before either: He was trying to lessen the possibility of the future he'd been shown happening.

The End

A/N: Aaaand NOW it's done. I promise. I make no apologies for the ending, I needed some bromance. (I will apologise for any spelling mistakes because uuuugh) Thanks for reading and please leave me a review telling me what you thought. Until next time guys... :3