A/N: Sorry this is later than promised! It turns out the house we stayed in did not have any wifi so I had no way of posting this :/ So sorry! I promise that this chapter will be the best one yet and full of surprises!
Also: the story goes from real time to flashback. The real-time is 15 years after their graduation. If it's in italics then it's back to their graduation. A dotted line while separate the flashbacks form real-time along with the italics
Erik touched his wedding ring, turning it on his finger. He did this went he was waiting and it was usually just an idle thought. He heard the bathroom door open and the light filled the bedroom.
"How do I look?" Charles asked from in the doorway. He had a crisp white button up and a blue suit jacket and pants. Erik got up, smirking at Charles.
"Don't you think they will remember you more with a sweater vest and glasses?" Erik teased, kissed Charles' forehead.
Charles rolled his eyes. "Well then you should wear a turtleneck for the whole thug look."
Erik laughed. "Oh really? But seriously Charles, you look fine." Erik kissed Charles and walked into the bathroom. Fixing his hair, his ring glinted in the light from the mirror.
15 Years Ago
It was graduation day for Erik and Charles. Charles drove to Erik's house to pick up Edie and Erik for the ceremony. Edie insisted on taking numerous photos of them together in their robes. Erik rested his arm on Charles' shoulder and Charles put his around Erik's waist. Edie was so happy and spent forever taking pictures. The boys finally convinced her to stop and that they needed to go. Erik let his mother sit upfront while he sat in the back, exchanging glances with Charles from the mirror.
The ceremony was long, and frankly boring, until they called up the valedictorian. Charles got up and took his place behind the podium. Erik smiled and watched his boyfriend give an inspiring speech on the future and the past.
"The things that make us different form each other are what make us ourselves. If you don't truly be yourself, you'll never know what makes you 'you'. I know who I am because of one person. I'd like to thank Erik Lensherr for showing me that it's best to be yourself because you will be loved for it. If it wasn't for him, i don't think I would even want to give a speech to you all. Erik if you could stand up for us." Charles pointed in the crowd to a now embarrassed Erik Lensherr. Everyone was turning to look at him as he slowly stood up. Everyone broke out into a clap and Erik could hear Edie happily saying 'That's my son!' to everyone around her. Erik focus was solely on Charles. They stared at each other and Charles mouthed 'I love you' to Erik and winked at him.
The clapping stopped and Charles went back to his inspiring speech on the future and education. Once he finished, he took a step from the mic and bowed a little as the crowd clapped again. Erik was smiling, watching his boyfriend walk back to his seat. The rest of the ceremony was long and boring to Erik so he just kept staring at Charles sitting on stage.
The handing out of the diplomas had begun and Erik watched his classmates get up one by one. The 1st of his 'kinda-friends' to go up was Sean Cassidy. With a bush of curly red hair sprouting out from under his cap, Sean went up and got his diploma. He turned and gave thumbs up to the crowd before scurrying on the stage. The next person he recognized was Emma Frost. She walked up wearing way too much makeup and her hair was pin straight under her cap. Looking like she was just anointing queen of the universe, she got shook the principle's hand and waved to the crowd. Erik rolled his eyes with disgust.
Now it was Erik's turn. He stood at the bottom on the stage steps; waiting for his name to be called. The principle took the next diploma from the stack and said 'Erik Lensherr' into the mic. Erik gave him a angered look for pronouncing his last name wrong and went up on stage. He shook the man's hand and got the diploma. He could hear his mother shouting out 'Congratulations!' and 'You rock, Erik!' in German from the crowd. Erik was about to walk off stage when Charles jumped up and hugged him on stage. "Good job, Erik. I'm so proud." Charles whispered to him before kissing him quickly on stage. Erik could hear a few gasps and whispers as he walked down the stairs and back to his seat. He really couldn't care less at that moment.
Erik was back at his seat and watched the people after him go up. Charles' friend Moira was up now and Charles was clapping at her form his seat. She shook the principle's hand and Charles got up to give her a small hug on stage. Moira smiled at him after hugging Charles and went off stage. Darwin was close behind her in line with the last name Munoz. He went up normally and smiled at the crowd like everyone before him. Erik was clapping for him since Darwin was actually nice compared some of the other he was 'kinda-friends' with.
Janos went after some kid with the last name Quant. He and Azazel took like total douchebags as normal. Not a whole lot of people clapped for him or Azazel. Angel Salvadore leaded the 'S' last names. Erik clapped for her as she came up on stage with her graduation gown billowing behind her. Giving a nod to the crowd after getting her diploma, Angel walked back down the stairs and to her seat.
Shortly after Angel came Shaw. Erik laughed to himself when only Emma, Janos and Azazel were clapping for him. The whole ceremony was pretty much dead silent. It seemed that even the student's parents knew not to clap for him. Looking pissed off; Shaw swiped his diploma and strutted off the stage, flipping off Charles behind his back. Erik chose to let that one go since it was bad form to run up and kill your fellow graduate on the stage.
Alex Summers was the last of his 'kinda-friends' to go up. Erik clapped for him and sat in silence as he watched the rest of the S, T, U, V and W last names go through. Then it was the moment he had been waiting for.
Charles Xavier was the first of the X names to be called up. He got up from his seat on stage and shook the principle's hand and gave him a quick hug. The whole crowd was clapping and Erik found himself standing up, cheering loudly for Charles. Even a couple hundred feet from the stage, Erik could still see Charles blushing. Erik looked around and saw Raven and Hank cheering loudly and even Edie was standing up now too. The clapping died down and Erik took his seat.
After the ceremony the graduates were dismissed to go to their families and say goodbye to their friends before the parties. Erik went straight to finding Charles. He waited by the stage stairs. Charles say he and practically ran off the stage and jumped on Erik.
"Erik! ConGRADulations! I saw you clapping for me! Thank you for that!" Charles said, wrapping his arms around Erik's neck and kissing him. Erik smiled and wrapped his arms around Charles' waist.
"Did you expect me not to, Xavier? You're valedictorian! Thank you for mentioning me in the speech. I'm not sure who was tearing up more; me or Edie." Erik laughed, taking off his cap with a free hand. He took of Charles' and rustled up his hair. " You excited for the party tonight?"
Charles smiled and removed his arms form around Erik to fix his now messy hair.
"I guess so. Why did the student council have to pick my house to have it though? Half the student body hates me." Charles sighed, playing with the tassel on his cap. The two walked to through the crowd.
"Maybe because you have the biggest house in the school? Charles, I promise you that it'll be fun. Besides, you made me a promise almost two years ago. I'm not letting that slide away" Erik whispered in Charles' ear as he put a hand on the small of his back and wrapped his hand around until it was around Charles' waist.
Charles was a pretty shade of red now and stared at the ground.
"I was hoping you'd forget that by now."
"How could I?" Erik gave him a shark like smile and nipped at Charles' ear. They continued walking, talking about how funny it was that Shaw got no applause until they found Raven and Hank. Raven gave Charles and Erik both long hugs, saying how proud and happy she was for them. Hank gave them a little nod, adjusting his glasses on the bridge of his nose.
They found Edie and she started crying when she saw them. Hugging both of her 'babies' tightly, Edie said how proud she was of them and how handsome they looked.
"Edie, Erik and my friends were going to a restaurant to get a late lunch. All their parents are invited so that means you're invited too!" Charles smiled at her and then whispered in Erik's ear. "Don't worry it's not the one with the waiter that you assaulted."
Edie smiled and nodded her head. "I would love to come."
Erik helped Charles get into their car. Erik ran over to the driver side of the car and started the car. Charles picked the music and put on Bach's Brandenburg Concerto No. 3 in G Major. Smiling at a memory, Charles turned to Erik.
"Do remember when we were first dating and we got into that fight over you 'touching' Emma Frost's boobs? This is the song you had the orchestra play when you went all 'Glee' on me. "Charles laughed to himself seeing Erik wince at the memory.
"Hey, I didn't want to lose you. In case you haven't realized I've always been willing to make sacrifices so I can be with you." Erik's tone was serious and firm. Charles opened his mouth to say something but just stared at Erik with his eyes tearing up. He shut his eyelids to force the tears back. Charles opened them and looked out the window.
"Can we not talk about that?" Charles croaked out, trying not to cry again. Erik put his focus on the road and gripped the steering wheel so tight that his knuckles were white.
"Okay."
The late lunch was over around 5 and Erik got a ride to the Xavier house with Charles. The party was at 7pm and despite the fact that the maids had been preparing all day there was still lots of work to do. All the valuable items were placed in the basement and locked with a butler guarding it all night. A long table of endless food was let up along with a few tables and chairs. The balcony was opened up and music prepared by Raven was playing on continuous loop.
Erik went up to Charles' bathroom to get ready. He wore a black button down shirt with black dress pants. He put on a tan leather jacket to make him look more like he was going to a party and not a funeral. He slapped on some cologne and fixed the part of his hair. Today had to be perfect.
Guests started to arrive at 7:50 and the music was kicked up a few notches. Charles greeted Erik as he walked down the stairs. Charles was wearing a blue button down shirt and black dress pants. Erik kissed the top of his head.
"No one's going to recognize you. Shouldn't you be wearing a sweater vest and your glasses" Erik teased him.
"Ha-ha. Very funny. Seriously, do I look alright?" Charles asked, stepping back so Erik could see his whole outfit.
Erik stroked his chin with a hand. "Hmm. Can you do a turn for me?" Charles nodded and started turning. "How about a little catwalk for us?" Erik asked, holding back laughter. Charles rolled his eyes and playfully punched Erik's arm.
"Now you're just mocking me!"
Erik smiled and grabbed Charles' hand. With one movement he pulled Charles in close to him and whispered in a husky voice. "I think those clothes will look even better on the floor tonight." Erik winked at the blushing Charles and walked away to go talk to Raven for a moment. Charles just stood there, sweating with nervousness.
Almost all of the graduating class was at the party and even with a house as big as Charles' it still felt cramp. Erik and Charles spent the majority of the party talking with Moira, Angel, Darwin, Sean and Alex. Raven and Hank went to the movies since it was a senior class only party and they were only sophomores.
Unfortunately for Charles, Erik and just about everyone there, Shaw and his gang were invited too. Since the party was for the whole class no one was excluded. Shaw showed up in a dark grey suit with a red button down shirt and his arm around Emma. She was wearing a skimpy white dress and some type of powder makeup that made her look like she was sparkling. Janos and Azazel followed and zoned in on the food and girls at the party.
"Look what the cat dragged in." Angel said, snickering into her drink. The group turned to see Shaw and his gang walking towards them now. Shaw was smiling and was the first to speak.
"What a fine party and place you've got, Charles. We can always rely on the gays for home decoration." Shaw said, taking a sip of the beer he brought.
"Shaw, I can't kick you out just yet but this is an alcohol free party. I thought you got the memo." Charles said, shifting his weight. Shaw smiled.
"You expect to have a high school party with 300 kids and no alcohol, buddy? You must be a dreamer." Shaw shifted his attention to Erik. "Now look at you! Dressed in all black; who died? Or is that all that mommy could afford to patches the holes in for you?" Janos snickered in the back.
"Says the man who looks like a 40 year old virgin." Alex commented from behind Erik. The group laughed and Shaw just stared at them, looking rather pissed off.
"Oh, very funny. Since when you do guys hang out with the fags?" Shaw asked.
"When we decided it'd be nice to actually get applause at graduation." Angel scoffed, crossing her arms. The group laughed again and Angel winked at Shaw with a 'suck-on-that-one' face.
Shaw just smiled rudely and directed his gang away. Erik and Charles were laughing so hard that they were tearing up a little.
"When did you become so sassy, Angel?" Erik asked her when he finally calmed down. Angel just smiled and took a sip of her drink.
"You obviously don't know me well enough, honey." Angel giggled and the group continued talking.
Charles had run off around 10 to use the bathroom. Once he saw Charles close the bathroom door, Erik left the group and headed upstairs. He told them to tell Charles when he got back that he had gone upstairs. Erik sat on Charles' bed and put something in the bedside drawer. He closed his eyes and sighed deeply, trying to relax himself.
Charles came back from the bathroom with a relieved look on his face. He walked back to his group and did a mental head count. Erik was missing.
"Where'd Erik run off to?" Charles asked once he reached them. The group looked at each other.
"He went upstairs. Says he needs you up there immediately." Darwin was the one to speak up. Charles flashed him a look of mortal shock and started sweating again.
"Oh, very well. I-I'll see you all later." Charles stuttered and left the group. His heart was beating fast as sweat ran off his temples. I'm not ready for this…Oh my god, I can't do this. Why am I so nervous?! Charles thought to himself as he walked up the stairs and reached his door. He knocked once before opening it slowly. Erik hopped off the bed and walked to Charles.
"I've been waiting for you, Charles." Erik said, walking closer to him.
"Oh I was just in the bathroom and then I-"Charles was cut off by Erik's lips. Erik used his strength to pin Charles to the door with a loud thud. With one hand he fumbled with the door knob until he had it locked. Now Erik's attention was on Charles only.
Erik lifted himself off Charles and pulled him to the bed. Erik pinned Charles underneath him and started to unbutton Charles' shirt. He had only undown the first button when he stopped and got off of Charles. He smiled at Charles.
"I just want to make sure I have our little rings ready for the actions." Erik winked at Charles and got up to the bedside table.
"Erik, I'm so nervous. I don't know if I can do it." Charles said, feeling a wave of embarrassment as Erik winked at him. Oh no, he's getting condoms. Well at least it'll be safe...No Charles shut up! You can't do this; it'll just bring Erik down! Oh boy, he's got the drawer open now. Charles sat and panicked to himself.
"Too late; I've already got them." Erik smiled and took Charles' hand. He kept his other hand behind his back. Charles was on his feet now and stared at Erik's eyes.
Erik bent down on one knee. Oh no, here comes the condoms…oh no! I seriously might pass out…. Charles continued to panic to himself.
"Charles, the only ring I want you to put on tonight is this one." Erik smiled and removed his hand form behind his back. In it was a silver wedding band. Charles' eyes widened.
"Y-You want to….marry me?!" Charles could barely piece together words as Erik took Charles' hands. He stood up and looked directly in his eyes.
"The only person I could ever marry is you." Erik said and his face softened.
Charles smiled and blinked back tears. "Well then you will be one happy man, Erik. Yes, I'll marry you." Charles said before Erik kissed him. The kiss wasn't like any kiss they had shared recently. This one was like their first; full of fulfilled longings and happiness. Erik slipped the ring on Charles' left hand.
"It's not much but Edie and I have been saving up for them for a few months now. I hope you like it." Erik said shyly, letting Charles put on his ring. Charles looked up and smiled.
"It's perfect, Erik. I can't believe you're now my fiancé. I've dreamed about calling you that." Charles kissed him softly.
"Charles Lensherr or Erik Xavier? Which sounds good to you?" Erik asked.
"Both sound perfect. I don't care about the last name, Erik. I just want to be your husband." Charles smiled and the two walked back downstairs to the party, hand-in-hand.
Erik helped Charles get out of the car again. They went inside they're old high school and a wave of nostalgia hit them immediately. The school had changed so much that it was barely recognizable. They could hardly recognize anyone there as well.
"Charles? Erik? Oh my gosh!" A short girl with a dark brown bob cut and a dark blue dress came running up to them. She gave them both hugs.
"Moira! It's so good to see you!" Charles smiled at his old best friend. She gave him a sympathetic look.
"Charles, we haven't talked in ages! Not after…that happened." Moira chose her words carefully. Charles frowned slightly.
"My apologizes. I've been busier than ever with my job and keeping up with this guy." Charles signaled a thumb at Erik who was looking around the gymnasium. Moira smiled and said she had to run off somewhere.
Charles turned his attention towards Erik. "Will you please cheer up? I know you didn't like high school but at least act like you did."
Erik gave him an angered glance. "You know I didn't want to come here. For you; I don't think we need people asking about it."
Charles gave him a stern look and lowered his voice. "I'm perfectly capable of answering anyone's questions, Erik. "
"I know you can answer them but I also know you don't want to." Erik said and the conversation ended when a group of four people came up to them.
"Charles! Erik! I've miss you!" Angel Salvadore smiled and gave them both hugs. Erik could recognize Darwin, Alex and Sean standing behind her. Charles smiled and they all chatted for a bit.
It was Sean that brought it up.
"I'm sorry for putting this out there but what happened to you, Charles?"
5 years ago
"Erik, I don't think I can drive home tonight. I've drank my fill for the night." Charles said, putting down his seventh beer. Erik nodded and handed the bartender their bill.
"Fine. We can walk." Erik said, smiling at Charles.
It was near midnight outside when they finished paying. The two walked hand-in-hand, laughing about something funny from the bar. They turned the corner to see a man holding a woman at gun point. From what they could see he was trying to rob her.
"Hey! Stop that!" Erik called out, running up to the man. The girl saw the robber was distracted and took it as her cue to run away.
Charles stood behind Erik. "Erik, honey, I don't think this is a good idea. He's got a gun."
"It's fine. I've got this. Call 911." Erik whispered to Charles as he approached the armed man. The robber held out his gun and kept it aimed at Erik.
Erik grabbed the gun and punched the man in the face. He pointed the gun up in the air in case the gunman tried to shoot it.
Erik was now in possession of the gun and kept it pointed at the robber. Charles was quietly talking to the 911 operator. Erik looked back at Charles for a second and the robber took the opportunity to kicked Erik's knees. Erik tumbled down and the two were fighting on the ground. Charles yelled and jumped over to get the gun Erik and the robber were fighting over. With the gun in his hand, Charles was the new target. The robber shoved Erik off of him and went to tackle Charles down. They were now fighting on the ground when Erik heard a gunshot fire.
He looked down at the two as the robber got up and started running in the opposite direction from them. Charles was on the ground, screaming in pain. Erik knelt down beside him and saw the bullet stuck deep into Charles' back. Charles was screaming and crying.
Another person came out from the shadows, pointing their gun at them. This person, who was female, turned out to be a police officer that was watching the scene. She knelt down beside Erik.
"Is he alright?" The police officer asked, taking out her flashlight. Erik looked up at her.
"Moira?!" He hissed, cradling the shot Charles in his arms. Moira gasped and flashed the light on Charles' face. She let out a cry and dropped the flashlight.
"We need to get him to a hospital! Oh no, Charles, I am so sorry!" Moira cried and tried to help Erik lift Charles up.
"No, get away from him. You did this to him! Stand back!" Erik hissed, trying to get Charles onto his feet. Moira was still crying.
"I-I thought he was the robber. I meant no harm I just-"
Charles let out a moan of pain and collapsed onto the ground. Erik propped his head up.
"Erik, I…I can't feel my legs. I can't feel my legs." Charles repeated over and over again, gasping for breath. Erik picked him up wedding style and carried him all the way to the nearest hospital, tears falling down his face at a fast rate.
"It's a long story, my friends. Not one for a once every 5 years party like this! Now how has life been treating you all? What are you all doing these days?" Charles decided to change the subject when he saw Erik wince.
"I work at Burger King. I'm in a scream band on the side though. We call ourselves 'The Banshee Boys'." Sean stuck out his tongue out and did the 'rock on' sign with his hands.
"I'm working at a gentlemen's club. Just until I get some more money to go back to college." Angel said, rubbing the back of her neck.
"After juvy, I moved into Darwin's apartment and we're roommates now. I'm actually working at the juvy now as a parole officer." Alex scuffed the floor with his shoe.
"I work as a taxi driver in New York City." Darwin said, adjusting his shirt collar.
"Well that's wonderful news everyone! A job these days it's a great thing to have! I'm currently professing at the local Ivy League school and Erik here is an architect." Charles said proudly.
Erik smiled to himself and gave Charles a kiss on the top of his head.
"Erik, how is your mother?" Angel asked.
"That's another long story. Not one for a party as Charles had said." Erik gave a meek little smile and stared at the ground.
Darwin noticed this and decided to change the subject.
"So how exactly did you two meet officially? You two didn't really have the same crowd."
Charles looked up at Erik and took his hand in his.
"It all started with a group project."
A/N: THE END! I'm not telling you if Edie died or not MUAHA! It's up to you. Well this is the end :'( My first Cherik story is over! It certainly isn't my last! I'd like to thank 2badass4you and Hinatasara for inspiration and reviewing every chapter! Also thanks to anyone who read, reviewed or faved this story! I hope this chapter doesn't disappoint!
Also you can follow me on my tumblr (grooovy-mutation is my url) for Cherik stuff and any word on when my new story will be up! Thanks!