I didn't actually plan on writing more, but I got to thinking about the mechanics of the "Opening Gambit" universe and, uh, this came out. This sequel is it thought -- I've got no other inspiration. Anybody who wants to write another sequel or an AU to this AU or whatever is very much welcome to do so.
Warning: Dubcon. Consent issues. References to violence, including murder and infanticide, and trauma.
En Passant
Erik hadn't ever considered before how alphas were held hostage to biology as much as omegas were, until he found himself instinctively drifting towards where he sensed Charles was -- and realised that he'd been doing it all day, much to his horror. It was humiliating, to be circling around an omega as if he was guarding a nest. He told himself that it would be a while yet before Charles's pregnancy could be confirmed, let alone the actual identity of the child's father, but he knew beyond doubt that Charles wasn't lying.
"Congratulations, sugar. You've got your hands on the most powerful telepath on earth."
He didn't know why he ever thought that Emma Frost was a challenge to read. Compared to Charles and his frustratingly deceptive softness, Emma was as transparent as air. Her slightly puckered mouth, the flat stare -- they all spoke of betrayal and envy. Erik considered this, looking back at her over steepled fingers, mentally playing a child's lullaby until she grimaced and turned away.
"So Shaw wasn't as forthcoming with you as you led us to believe," he said.
Her shoulders lifted. "Clearly, we were both mistaken. Though Shaw does seem rather less impressive as a villainous mastermind, now that I know where he learned his adorable little tricks to keep me out of his head."
"How powerful is Charles?"
"Let's put it this way, darling: he could turn my mind upside-down and inside-out with less effort than you'd need to lift that chair." She raised her eyebrows. "When the collar came off yesterday, it was like the Fourth of July on the astral plane."
"I'm a telepath with some measure of skill, though not, as I understand it, at Miss Frost's level of expertise."
Clever Charles, to be able to tell the truth and lie at the same time. Erik felt himself go cold, despite the sudden rabbiting of his heart. If he'd known he was bedding someone that dangerous... he would never have taken off the suppressor collar, Mystique be damned. Emma eyed him with viper-like amusement and, possibly despite herself, something close to sympathy.
"I wouldn't worry too much about Xavier," she said. "I can't get past his shields, but Mystique doesn't believe he's capable of harming a fly. I'm inclined to agree -- he's far more worried about protecting your spawn than taking over the world with his mind."
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Charles was in his bed when Erik finally made it to his room, irritable and exhausted. He paused at the doorway, eyeing the mess of brown hair on a pillow and the glimpse of one pale, freckled shoulder. Erik hated surprises, and once again Charles pulled the rug out from under him. He wondered if Charles knew the Brotherhood was running a mission today with him at its lead, and hoped to strike while Erik was too tired to be at his best and likely -- though not on that day -- injured.
His fingers itched to summon Shaw's helmet and a complement of guards to subdue Charles while he fastened the damned collar around Charles's neck.
"There's no need for that." Charles sat up, rubbing his eyes and switching on the bedside lamp. He was topless, the sweep of his collarbones and the dark nubs of his nipples displayed to Erik's eyes. Despite the continued uneasiness, interest stirred in Erik's gut.
"I can't trust you," Erik said instead, because it was true.
"I know." Charles sounded neither surprised nor indignant, and his gaze was steady. He folded his hands in his lap. "All the same, until yesterday we had a-- workable relationship. I would like to open negotiations for its continuation."
En Passant 1/7 (Charles/Erik, Charles/Shaw, omegaverse AU, warning: dubcon)
Warning: Dubcon. Consent issues. References to violence, including murder and infanticide, and trauma.
En Passant
Erik hadn't ever considered before how alphas were held hostage to biology as much as omegas were, until he found himself instinctively drifting towards where he sensed Charles was -- and realised that he'd been doing it all day, much to his horror. It was humiliating, to be circling around an omega as if he was guarding a nest. He told himself that it would be a while yet before Charles's pregnancy could be confirmed, let alone the actual identity of the child's father, but he knew beyond doubt that Charles wasn't lying.
"Congratulations, sugar. You've got your hands on the most powerful telepath on earth."
He didn't know why he ever thought that Emma Frost was a challenge to read. Compared to Charles and his frustratingly deceptive softness, Emma was as transparent as air. Her slightly puckered mouth, the flat stare -- they all spoke of betrayal and envy. Erik considered this, looking back at her over steepled fingers, mentally playing a child's lullaby until she grimaced and turned away.
"So Shaw wasn't as forthcoming with you as you led us to believe," he said.
Her shoulders lifted. "Clearly, we were both mistaken. Though Shaw does seem rather less impressive as a villainous mastermind, now that I know where he learned his adorable little tricks to keep me out of his head."
"How powerful is Charles?"
"Let's put it this way, darling: he could turn my mind upside-down and inside-out with less effort than you'd need to lift that chair." She raised her eyebrows. "When the collar came off yesterday, it was like the Fourth of July on the astral plane."
"I'm a telepath with some measure of skill, though not, as I understand it, at Miss Frost's level of expertise."
Clever Charles, to be able to tell the truth and lie at the same time. Erik felt himself go cold, despite the sudden rabbiting of his heart. If he'd known he was bedding someone that dangerous... he would never have taken off the suppressor collar, Mystique be damned. Emma eyed him with viper-like amusement and, possibly despite herself, something close to sympathy.
"I wouldn't worry too much about Xavier," she said. "I can't get past his shields, but Mystique doesn't believe he's capable of harming a fly. I'm inclined to agree -- he's far more worried about protecting your spawn than taking over the world with his mind."
------------------------------------------
Charles was in his bed when Erik finally made it to his room, irritable and exhausted. He paused at the doorway, eyeing the mess of brown hair on a pillow and the glimpse of one pale, freckled shoulder. Erik hated surprises, and once again Charles pulled the rug out from under him. He wondered if Charles knew the Brotherhood was running a mission today with him at its lead, and hoped to strike while Erik was too tired to be at his best and likely -- though not on that day -- injured.
His fingers itched to summon Shaw's helmet and a complement of guards to subdue Charles while he fastened the damned collar around Charles's neck.
"There's no need for that." Charles sat up, rubbing his eyes and switching on the bedside lamp. He was topless, the sweep of his collarbones and the dark nubs of his nipples displayed to Erik's eyes. Despite the continued uneasiness, interest stirred in Erik's gut.
"I can't trust you," Erik said instead, because it was true.
"I know." Charles sounded neither surprised nor indignant, and his gaze was steady. He folded his hands in his lap. "All the same, until yesterday we had a-- workable relationship. I would like to open negotiations for its continuation."