#she makes me believe that her erik is really in love with charles

[arale2126]

Cherik fics - That ONE line - 107

「I feel like I should keep an index of the one line in each Cherik fics that impresses me to no end, making want to bookmark it immediately.」

Dreaming Aloud by luninosity

Summary: Written for a prompt somewhere on the kink meme that went something like this: “Erik and Charles, on their road trip, are in a bar. Someone gives Charles mind-altering substances. This is a Bad Thing to do to a telepath. Discuss.” So...that's what happens. Plus some confessions of Feelings.

The quote:

You know how much darkness lies in everyone, and you choose to believe in the light. You have such faith in everyone. Even in me. And I don’t understand you but you make me want to try. To see what you see, even for an hour, a day, a minute.

[multi-fandoms-posts]

We enter Charles's House again. When we found Raven, Erik wanted to kill her. Both have disappeared without a trace.

Charles collapses. "Charles!" I say and run to his side. "What happened?" asks Logan. "Why can't he walk?" asks Logan. "He needs his serum," says Hank. "I can hear them," says Charles, panicking. "I know, it's ok," says Hank, and I help him to support Charles against the wall. "I'll get everything," says Hank and starts walking. Charles holds both hands to his head. "Hey, hey, pull yourself together. It's not over yet," says Logan, and Charles suddenly looks at him. "You don't believe it yourself," he says. "How do you know that?" asks Logan. "The weaker they get," says Charles, pointing to his legs, "the stronger this gets," and points to his head. "They're all coming back," says Charles, covering his ears. "Charles, look at me," I say and put my hand on his cheek. Charles looks at me. "I want it to stop," he begs. "I know, baby," I whisper. "But you're so much stronger than this," I say, brushing a few loose strands of hair from his face. I lean forward and kiss him gently.

Focus on me, baby.

I'm not strong enough. Comes it from him.

Yes, you are. You are Charles Xavier, the one who founded the X-Men, the one who taught us to fight for mutants. I love you, Charles, and whether you're in a wheelchair or not, I will never leave you, never!

While we were communicating like this, we never broke the kiss.

After a few moments we pull apart and I put my forehead against his. "Whatever you decide, I'm here for you," I smile and pull away from him. Charles looks at me briefly before rolling up the sleeve of his shirt. "Look, I... I'm still here, and she's still out there," Logan says. "But we need your help, Charles. But not like this, I need you. We can't track down Raven, not like this, not without your powers," Logan continues, and Charles looks at him. "I made it a little stronger because they missed a can," Hank comes over to us and gives Charles the injection.

I know Charles will make the right choice. "Charles," says Logan.

Charles looks first at Logan, then at me. I smile gently at him.

Charles pushes the tip of the syringe in and looks at Logan and then at me. Charles seems to be thinking about it because he pulls the syringe out again and puts it to the side. I give him a gentle smile. I know it's not easy for him.

"Hank, do me a favor. Please take me to my study," says Charles, and Hank supports him and we slowly walk to his study.

Once upstairs, Hank opens the door and reveals Charles' wheelchair. "Are you really sure?" asks Hank. "No, absolutely not," replies Charles.

Hank and I help him into the wheelchair. I kneel down next to him. "I'm proud of you, Charles," I say and give him a kiss. "I'm not forcing you to stay with me if it's too much for you," Charles says. I look at him in surprise. "I'm not leaving you, Charles," I say. "Yes, but..." "No buts, Charles, never. I love you," I smile. "I love you too," he smiles.

[ezra-editss]

Just watched X-men Apocalypse. What the hell.

Okay, so I kinda have a take on all this and idk if that's just how it feels to me, but that's what I wanna know. (I don't think this actually happened, but it's the vibes it is all giving)

So it started when I told my mom about First Class (keep reading I'm gonna get to apocalypse eventually) and we came to the conclusion that it feels like they wrote the script, looked at it again and thought:

"Hmm, this seems pretty gay.. Erik and Charles both have no female love interests and they have those lines that seem pretty romantic. Also, Erik seems almost obsessed with Charles at the end with how overprotective he is. Let's fix that!"

And then they gave both of them a kiss with a woman they weren't interested in and added the line "We're brothers, you and I" and then were proud of how well they "saved" it.

And then they made Days of Future Past and didn't even think of it, but when it came out they saw how people were shipping it and then they were like "oh shitt"

And in the first hour of the movie, I thought they were just doing all of this stuff to "erase" any potential gayness people thought there was and wanted to make sure nobody got the wrong idea about the recent movies. But it was more the reminder they like women, before the EXTREME GAYNESS in the second half.

(This is getting so much more unserious than initially intended💀)

Anyways, Apocalypse.

Either I missed something or Erik settling down and HIDING makes NO SENSE. In the last timeline it was 100% clear that he'd never stop believing in what he did, he would never stop fighting his war. So yes, this is a different timeline, but there is no reason given why he suddenly decides to try Charles way. He failed in Days of Future Past and Charles let him go, but there is no way that's enough. And they played this off like that isn't the thing they both wanted since forever and never seemed possible. Being on the same side. Erik switching to Charles side is insane, why wouldn't he talk to Charles in all those years then?

I can't believe they threw away everything that IS Erik, just so he had a reason to be angry enough to join the guy.

(They also died in such a weird/lame way)

And Charles and I still don't really know her name😭.. I have to admit the scenes where Charles was nervous were cute, but that's just because Charles is adorable. But in First Class she was obviously only there for the plot, in Days of Future Past, she wasn't even mentioned and in Apocalypse, she was, again, only there for the plot. She literally doesn't say anything the entire movie after the beginning. She has like two lines. And in the end fight, she's just standing there. And then Charles makes her remember and the flashbacks are soo bad, BC THEY HAD NO MOMENTS. (Especially bc you can compare it to Erik's flashbacks, we're gonna get to that)

(I don't think I have to say it, but to be sure. I have absolutely nothing against straight couples. I don't care if it's gay or not. But if one of them were a woman, I wouldn't be writing this. I just hate how often they prefer to write a heterosexual couple that has no chemistry at all instead of making the two guys/girls kiss.)

Let's talk about the ending. Sometimes when I talk about this stuff I'm a little worried that I interpret things wrong bc I want it to be like that and I'm not being objective anymore, but I was proven right so many times in this. When Mystique and Erik kissed in First Class, it felt really weird to me because Erik obviously had no interest in her. (I suppose it was to show her she's beautiful) And that was pretty much proven right when she talks to him and he barely reacts to what she's saying. I also thought that he probably didn't know Charles was dying, bc he wouldn't let that happen. Then Mystique says "Charles" and suddenly he does show a reaction and when she's gone, he has those god damn flashbacks. WHAT DO YOU MEAN THIS ISN'T A ROMANTIC PLOT?😭 and then the specific one of Charles turning away and leaving him. (Could be a metaphor for Charles giving up on him) THAT'S WHAT GOT HIM.

And they make it even more clear when Mystique is dying and Erik doesn't react, but when Charles is dying, is when he steps in.

Ending was cute, but damnn the "you can make me do anything" was crazy.

(This turned out soo long, I've never been so obsessed with something.)

[adidegmez]

x-men '97 spoilers

ep 1(To Me, My X-Men)

wow. i just finished x-men animated series. last eps were different than the other seasons. im glad they made this Show story wasnt ober yet. this new start is so good. artstyle is amazing. The visual effects were so cool. everything is great. it was fun. cyclops is struggling. There's a lot of pressure on him. and he is leaving x-men with Jean. Jean is pregnant. Charles really left everything to magnus?! and why is bishop still there i get that timeline is not right but they are not doing a certain thing to fix it. and im glad morph is back. and rogue and gambit i love them. logan and morph's friendship is nice.

ep 2(Mutant Liberation Begins)

Why did they suddenly start calling Magnus Erik? Okay, Erik is also his name i know, but they used to call him Magnus. Erik is an honorable man. I want to believe and trust him. I hope he doesn't have any evil plans. We'll see what happened between rogue and magneto. storm lost her Powers while trying to save magneto. magneto tried. he really did. humans suck(most of the times-in most of the universes). they dont deserve them. dr. rogue and baby is here. scott is being nice to magneto. its good for now. but not for long probably. ororo left. gambit's heart is broken. and 2 jean's?! I cried in the last two minutes of the episode more than I ever cried in the first 5 seasons. It was more painful. it happened in a much more perfect way. it was beautiful. I guess this is what happens when an animated series is made for adults. i really love it.

ep 3(Fire Made Flesh)

Why is Roberto in the mansion? Is he there to hang out with jubilee or is he staying there now? Since when is jean a clone? goblit queen is so powerfull. baby is gone. Madelyne is one but i think we'll see her again someday. hi, forge. i hope this is really forge and he can help storm.

ep 4(Motendo/Lifedeath - Part 1)

I want to see more gambit and rogue. and I want to see nightcrawler. not mojo again🤦🏻‍♀. jubilee's powers are cool. storm:(. i hope she can get her Powers back. i love forge. he did something bad but he wants to redeem himself. i hope he can.

ep 5(Remember It)

this Show makes me so happy. kurt is here. genosha is beautiful. mutants live in peace. madelyn is here. and i got gambit rogue and kurt:). I can't feel nostalgic. I just finished the x-men animeted series yesterday but this is so perfect. its just perfection. i love them so much. this Show pays tribute to what the other has done and takes it even further. I can only ask for more episodes, there is nothing else I can ask for(except maybe more gambit and rogue). scott is right. If the x-men were like humans, I think they would start thinking like the old Magneto. The x-men did not think about themselves, they always prioritized others. but in the end they were always hated. I don't understand how they can still do this. How do they hold on, how do they compromise themselves for those who still hate them? Mutants(not the bad ones) deserve great things, but all they get from the world they're trying to save is hatred. and scott is losing his fate in charles vision. he lost his son. his wife was a clone. There's a lot going on for Scott right now. but I hope he can get over this as soon as possible. jean kissed logan! she is confused to she has to remember so that she can be with scott again. and then maybe jean and scott could help eachother get better. i like seeing scott's eyes. scott is right i am not sure jean loves scott anymore. she remembers she loved him but i dont think she feel that way anymore. scott loves madelyn because she was jean and part of her is still jean. idk everything is complicated. it is painful to watch. i just want them all of them to be happy. but there's so much going on right now. I wanted gambit and rogue to be together. They were so beautiful together. But Magneto may be right, I can't be angry with him. But I just wish Rogue and Gambit could be more than friends. too many people are heartbroken rogue, gambit, jean, scott, (me). Did I just see Watcher? after gambit and rogue's talk. i think i did. i wish things were simple. cable is nathan. Why was he there and why did he leave? erik is gone. gambit is dead. they saved rogue. so many mutant died. leech trusted magneto. magneto gave hope to mutants and everything was great, i had hope things were getting better. mutants on genosha were happy. magneto he tried. he tried to save them. he tried to be like Charles. but World just wont let them be this good. he really tried. Would I be too delusional if I hoped that Remy and Erik would return? I need them both back. i cant feel you, this tells everything(reminds me of wanda). I knew it the moment I saw rogue touching gambit. I wish things could have happened differently. i knew I haven't cried this much while reading or watching a story in a long time. This episode really broke me. I'm not in a good mood. The world doesn't deserve X-Men. they never deserved the x-men and will never deserve them. Whatever the x-men do now, they will almost always be right.

ep 6(Lifedeath - Part 2)

lilandra and Charles are good together im happy for them. but i wouldnt mind if they come to earth and save x-men. storm and forge they are cute. but it probably wont last long, i wish it could last. i hope Charles can learn about what erik did. professor xavier, that was smart. yes, storm got her Powers back. Charles is Charles. i love him. his ideals are amazing but they are just ideas. to make them real they suffer they try and they fail over and over again. im glad hes returning to earth but it is too late. and things in spece wont be good when he left. and sinister! sinister killed all those mutants adn remy and erik. i hope he will have a painfull and an awful ending to his story.

ep 7(Bright Eyes)

not a funeral, please he has to come back. hi cap. normally i would say it is nice to see you but right now you're just reminding me how ridiculous mutant hatred is. Yes, there are people who hate superheroes too, but mutant hatred is on another level. And this is ridiculous. rogue is right to be mad. Humans expect mutants to compromise themselves in order to live with them, and they require this. Because humans are afraid of mutants, mutants have to hide their powers and not use them so that people do not feel threatened. Why do mutants follow their rules? because they are good. The "bad ones" don't suppress their power just because people want them to. But when it comes to humans, mutants who live their own nature as they wish are evil. i love kurt and rogues relationship. it feels good to see the X-Men being together and helping each other through all this bad stuff. oppenheimer… now i am become death the destroyers of worlds. trask destroyed all those mutants lifes. i cant say he didnt deserved death but rogue, she let him die. this is not who x-men is, at least WHO they were. she is angry she is grieving she is not in her right mind right now. if she was herself she wouldnt have let him die. i saw the sign for Strak Industries. I wish we could see Tony. In which universe, in which timeline are we right now? Is Tony dead here too? magneto is alive. bastion? i dont know anything about him i guess ill see. scott learned about cable.

ep 8(Tolerance Is Extinction - Part 1)

is madelyne dead? i thought she just get hurt not dead. kurt with swords, I've been waiting for this. Everything is in a very bad state right now, but this visuality and the fights are beautiful. Jean being a mother to cable(seatbelt:) ). wolverine's fight in the skys. yes! summers family. it was so cool. hi peter. but really magneto was right. Charles was just being naive. humans are the wortst. i wish humans and mutants could live together in peace but humans wont let them. mutants deserve better. Charles is back. It wasn't Magneto who started the war. humans wanted this war from the beginning. Mutants and X-Men have been patient, but now it's too much, how much longer should they be patient? It would be really nice if there was peace, but as long as people have this hatred, it seems impossible to make peace. Bastion ignited the war, but whether he started or not, the war would still happen one day. I hope the mutants can win. magneto can win. I think Charles is late. Before the war, they could have tried to implement Charles' ideals, but it was too late. The war has begun and mutants need a leader in the war and that leader must be Magneto.

ep 9(Tolerance Is Extinction - Part 2)

Why is everyone mad at Magneto? I understand humans being angry, it's usual hatred, but why are the x-men so angry? Okay, the order of the world has been disrupted, life has become difficult, the end of the world may even be near, but Magneto saved the mutants. If he had not done this, the mutants would probably have died. I've never been one for villains, I've rarely agreed with them. and this is one of those rare moments. magneto is right. I don't think he is the villain in this story bastion and humans are the bad guys. im glad rogue went with him. charles' ideals are nice to think but its impossible right now. we need magneto. black lether, I completely forgot this scene was coming. x-men are noble they are still trying to do the right thing(according to them). I'm still amazed at how they can endure so much and still try to do good. morph smash:) I wish mutants didn't fight each other. but really i wanted to say shut up to Charles when magneto did. things are bad, really bad. When I started watching '97', I thought I would watch something fun and light. I never thought it would be this dark. Logan should have at least thought once before attacking Magneto with his metal skeleton. He probably won't die, but I think this is an indication that Magneto didn't want to hurt them before. If he wanted to, he would have done this years ago, but he prioritized mutants and didn't want to harm mutants. Now he had to harm the X-Men to save many other mutants. scott confused me, yes the others needed time but why did this happen? Is Jean dead? forge and storm will surive too right?

ep 10(Tolerance Is Extinction - Part 3)

ironman! I wasn't surprised when I saw Ironman with Captain America, but Daredevil caught me off guard. Daredevil is one of my favorite Marvel characters. Is Doctor Strange in surgery?! wakanda! cloak and dagger! this cameos are amazing i hope we can see things like that in live action. I hope mister sinister is gone for good. t'chaka is black panther. Charles destroyed magnus. i hope he can bring him back. bastion is right, humanity would rather die than have kids like mutants. and that why i dont like them. mr. fantastic(morph but still its nice to see him)! humans say we did it. But all they do is bring about the end of the world over and over again. x-men saved the world, magneto saved, mutants saved the world. humans only made it a worse place. wanda and quicksilver off World? where are they? bishop. yes save the x-men. i need season 2 immediatly. x-men scattered through time. They found Nathan. en sabah nur(Apocalypse!!!). At least the series didn't end in a bad place. They defeated Bastion and Sinister. They fell apart, but they're not in a bad situation right now. When is gambit coming back? he has to come back.

this Show is amazing. Characters from MCU and X-Men are in the same universe together. It was very beautiful. I hope we can see more. I can watch so many seasons this way.

[delyth88]

X-Men rewatch 6

X-Men: Dark Phoenix. I hadn't seen this one either. That might have been a good thing.

Okay. I think filmmakers should be banned from telling this particular story ever again.

I mean I guess this wasn't awful from a general movie point of view, but from a fan and character point of it really went in to destroy, didn't it? Like, I now have an unpleasant taste in my mouth. It took what I had come to love and just broke it.

Sigh.

I can't say I wasn't warned.

But this is unlikely to get a rewatch for a looong time if ever.

Both films that have tried this storyline have sucked. Not being a comics reader I wasn't sure which parts were fundamental to the story, so going into this one was a bit like Russian roulette - which characters are going to die this time? Given I'm now a certified Charles Xavier fan I am selfishly glad it wasn't him this time, but Raven? That was totally unnecessary. (As a Loki fan I am completely allergic to killing off beloved characters for shock value and to make your new big bad look more powerful. Just stop it. Okay?)

But beyond that, what I hated the most about this was how they twisted everyone just a little too far in to the evil mirror universe. *rolls eyes*

It was rather excruciating to watch Charles talk of superheroes and later be cut off by the president. Which I can only assume was there to make sure the audience knew that the other's were right about how he was being overconfident and putting people in harms way, and... I'm not exactly sure what else. The moments where this thread worked best for me were when it was more personal conversations. (Although the kitchen scene with Hank just seemed out of almost nowhere.) Jean's conversations with Charles I thought worked better - we could see how it looked from both sides and how Charles genuinely thought he was doing the best thing for Jean. I truly thought she was going to kill him again, so it gave me hope that he go through to her in that moment.

It's a shame Raven wasn't around to have a heart to heart with Charles. I think that would have been enlightening. And Hank seemed to change so abruptly that it didn't feel convincing.

Perhaps if it had been a couple of years for me between Apocalypse and Dark Phoenix it might have seemed more natural. But coming directly after three movies that had a really strong bond between the characters to this, I really felt I was missing some backstory here.

Thinking about this I've also realised there weren't any moments in this that felt like there was as much of a connection between the characters as the first few. Each one of those had at least one knock out moment for me between Charles and Erik, and sometimes the others.

Although, I did feel the weight of the world building and the previous films when Charles tells Erik that if they fight here on the streets of New York they will have lost what they've been working for. It has been so much work to get to a world where they are not feared and hunted, and the exchange with the guard and Nightcrawler in the transport about how the guard's kid had looked up to him hit home. :( And then we watch them tear it apart. But somehow it didn't ring as true to me as the other key decision points in the previous films. I had been thinking to myself that they had had remarkably believable motivations for each of the characters for their actions, and the scale of them, up until this film. :/ I dunno. There was just something missing.

Maybe it was that the key relationship this time was between Charles and Jean, but it just was as strong as the one between him and Erik that has been the foundation for the last three films.

And now, help me out here. What actually happened at the end? Did Charles just decide to retire and leave the school? Did he just feel too guilty? Did he feel he needed to leave because he had gotten too above himself? Was he pushed out? Is he homeless now? Or did they just rename the school in Jean's honour and he's stepped away from the day to workings of it, but is still welcome there? Did Erik just offer to help him move the his island? I'm not clear. Whatever it was he clearly was unhappy about things, but I WANT TO KNOW MORE! lol

I thought it was interesting that Erik really did seem to have settled down to live a peaceful life. I appreciated how he was prepared to defend his people, and then help the authorities escape. And here again, I think it really needed to have hit home harder that Raven was dead, because it just didn't seem to work for me that he was so dead set on killing Jean.

Still, I did enjoy seeing them all working together on the train.

I did appreciate Charles eventually acknowledged he'd done the wrong thing by Jean to Hank and the others on the train, and there did seem to be some sort of redemption for him through Jean's forgiveness. But not fully, maybe only not from himself. I don't know.

I missed the light and energy of the Charles from the previous films.

I do wonder if that's part of the formula for the X-Men - the contrast between Charles and Erik. The continual hope for something better from Charles, and Erik's quest for vengeance. And when you disrupt that balance the line goes slack. Here Charles took on too much of the darkness, and there was no-one left pulling in that direction anymore.

Y'know, if Raven had been injured such that Jean thought she'd been killed but had survived and then been able to have that conflict with Charles I think that would have been more satisfying. She could have been fighting for the family she loved and the ideals they had originally set up the school on. I think to have seen her, the person who has always been sceptical of hope and seeing the good in people, going up against Charles and being the example of what he used to be before he got too carried away would have been more powerful. And then her and events bringing him back to the place he needed to be.

Maybe this was meant to be a lesson on becoming too entitled and arrogant. But the resolution sucked.

Hmmm... what else can I say.

Oh yeah. The weird aliens. I don't really want to say this, but I think they needed more screen time. lol They felt like such a side plot. Who were they? Why did they want to take over earth if they could just use the power of the pink space lights to terraform Mars or any other planet? Did the blond one have enough of the power from Jean to do that? She certainly seemed to have significant power of some sort after Jean transferred some of it. All in all they didn't spend enough time on them for me to care about them or feel any sort of sympathy towards their cause. They may as well have been a random natural phenomenon.

Oh yeah. Her Dad sure seemed to be a jerk. And again that shouldn't have felt that way to me.

So yeah. A very unsatisfying film.

[iamhereonlytobeanunstableshipper]

(First of all, English is not my first language so sorry if there are some mistakes long essays are hard to write djhdsfs)

HELLO GOOD MORNING CHERIK FANDOM SO the other day I made this post about a very hurtful and surprisingly overlooked parallel: Cherik not being able to shoot each other. Aaaand that second scene from DOFP where Erik is unable to shoot Charles has been keeping me awake at night for AGES and I really feel like we don't talk enough about it. So, here I am. Still being pissed off because of some fictional characters not kissing in some movies made years ago lol

So, here's an extended extract from that scene:

So. Erik's plan here is to kill Raven, bc you can't use Raven to create evil war machines if there's no Raven am I right lol. Charles, before Erik can shoot his sister, puts himself in between the gun and her (btw shoutout to Charles for being brave enough to put himself in front of a gun again after what happened in Cuba and the ptsd he 100% has bc of it I love you muac).

Let's make things clear here: There was nothing stopping Erik from killing Charles in this scene. He could've done it. Erik's mission at that very moment was to kill Raven, and Charles was getting between his mission and him. And we all know how things end when something gets in Erik's way when he's completing his mission. Erik does not care about collateral damage. For fucks sake, in this very same scene, he was willing to kill Raven off just bc it was easier and faster. He doesn't give a fuck about who has to die in favor of the greater good.

And I mean, technically, Erik should be more willing to kill Charles than Raven. Raven was his right hand for a while before he went to prison and she was his canonical lover. Charles, at this point in time, was his enemy. Both of them are very powerful mutants, with the difference that Raven is usually by Erik's side, and Charles is one of the only people in the world able to stop Erik thanks to his mutation. If Erik was willing to kill Raven, he should be willing to kill Charles too, if not as much, then more.

So... Why not? Why not shoot him, and once Charles was down, kill Raven too? Why is he able to attempt to kill Raven (his former ally and EX LOVER) and not Charles?

🤨 🏳️‍🌈 ❓ 

ALSO, now that we're here: Let's talk a bit about Dark Phoenix, too.

So, let's face it, DP is a bad movie. Overall, it's boring and that's pretty sad counting the masterpieces FC and DOFP are. But, hey, I can live with a boring movie. It's fine. What I CANNOT live with are things that are out of character. Especially when my fave characters are out of character. Ok maybe I'm being a bit too over dramatic here but I'M NOT

So: Let's talk about how Erik wants to rip the world apart over Raven's death in Dark Phoenix bc he's just so destroyed bc the love of his life died or whatever. Dude. I'm sorry but I don't buy it.

Correct me if I'm wrong here bc there's been a while since I don't rewatch Apocalypse or Dark Phoenix (again, meh movies), but from what I understand Erik didn't spend more time with Raven, apart from that bit in Apocalypse? Because after DOFP, Erik distanced himself from anything related to mutant wars to create a family, and then after Apocalypse Erik created Genosha and Raven stayed at the mansion, isn't it?

Assuming that this is correct, they're trying to tell me that between the scene where Erik was willing to kill Raven over the greater good in DOFP and the scene where he was willing to rip the world apart bc of her dying in DP, Raven and Erik only saw each other once. Riiiiight.

And, look. I'm not saying that Erik wouldn't feel sad about Raven dying. Of course he would. He's not made of steel (bc most steel is not magnetic. Get it? Magnetism, Erik... Imma shut up lol). Obviously he would feel bad. And I'm not saying that love can't last that long if they haven't seen each other in a long time, bc c'mon. I'm a cherik shipper. Of course I believe it can.

What I'm saying is that I can't believe that Erik is so devastated that gets blinded enough by his broken heart to hunt down a teenager that's being haunted by something she can't control. I can't believe it bc 20 years ago, it was him who was trying to kill Raven (and almost succeeding), a time that was way closer to their partnership and relationship than when DP takes place. If anything, he should be more affected in DOFP. Instead, he goes from almost killing her himself to wanting to rip everything apart bc of her death.

It. Doesn't. Make. Sense. So, Dark Phoenix's Raven x Erik plotline can suck my dick lol. If it doesn't make sense with the character's previous actions, it's not canon. That's how this works lol I don't make the rules

Summing up: Erik willing to kill Raven but not being able to shoot Charles in DOFP is EXTREMELY fruity and romantic, and Dark Phoenix's romantic plot between Raven and Erik makes 0 sense and is forced as shit

End of rant, thanks for hearing my ramblings on these gay old men and I hope y'all enjoyed it!!

(Also, of course, happy new year!!!)

[countrymusiclover]

15 - Professor X and Mystique

Part 16

Battle of Heart and Mind

Found this deleted kitchen screen from Days of future past so I included it in this story. Enjoy 😉

Tag list - ask to be added (in my ask box please) @aintinacage @hiraethrhapsody @mostlymarvelgirl @importantgalaxyrunaway

Walking into the kitchen to get a drink after we had landed the plane back here earlier this morning. Turning the water on I put some in a glass turning around on my feet dropping the glass at who I saw standing in the doorway. “Holy shitt Raven.”

“Addi….” She muttered racing towards me throwing her arms around me and I chuckled into her shoulder hugging her back.

She squeezed me tightly and we just held each other for a few moments longer since it had been years since we had seen the other. I broke the embrace finally not imagining that she was back here. “What are you doing here?”

“You said if I needed help to come here and find you. I want your help to kill Trask.” She declares lowering her face to my pregnant belly. “I guess your answer will be no. Who’s the father?”

I replied simply. “Erik.”

“Addison! Hank, I can hear them.” I heard Charles' voice holler through the living room.

“I’ll be back. Wait here.” Touching her arm I rushed towards the sound of his voice knowing something was wrong. Skidding on the wooden floor I almost fell on my ass if I didn’t grab a hold of the wall. Charles was laying against the wall grabbing at his hair and clutching his eyes shut tightly. “Charles, what’s wrong? Talk to me, what’s wrong?”

“I love you, Addi.” I heard his voice say inside my mind and I had my answer.

Logan didn’t understand though. “I thought you could walk?”

“It’s past the time he took his treatment. The serum that gives him the ability to walk but it hides his powers.” I dropped myself down on my knees and my belly bounced against Charles' leg.

“Hey, hey, pull yourself together, it's not over yet.” Logan said.

Charles moved his fingers to his temple reading his mind mumbled what the man from the future was really thinking. “You don't believe that.”

“How do you know?” Logan knitted his brows.

“As these go, this comes back.” Charles sucked in a breath placing one hand on his thigh then moving his hand back up to his forehead. “They all come back.”

“Look. I'm still here. She's still out there. But we need your help Charles. Not like this, I'll need "you". We can't find Raven not without your powers.” Logan paused watching him trying to convince the professor.

Charles shook his head letting heavy tears falling down his face keeping his hands up on the side of his forehead. “I can’t do this. I’m not strong enough. I need the serum.”

“Charles, look at me. Logan is right, we need the real you.” I touched his shoulders, making him look me in the eye.

He sniffed sharply, pressing his back against the wall. He was becoming an addict to the serum and I knew it would take something big to keep from taking anymore. “The voices, Addi…they’re too much. I can’t sleep hearing them. I can’t…have them in my head….because it’s so much pain!”

Moving one hand through his hair he made noises in disagreement. I tilted my head to the side, wiping away tears that were on his face. “I know that it’s a lot but we need - I need you, Charles Xavier.”

“What could you need me for? Erik’s the one you want.” He questioned avoiding my gaze.

I quickly responded to him resting my forehead against his when I spoke towards him. He needed to know that my feelings for him were starting to change from what they used to be a few months ago. “Erik and I aren’t right for each other right now. You’ve been by my side through the whole pregnancy. I have been there for you. We can’t abandon the other, not now, not ever.”

Charles mumbled under his breath needing to hear me say the words, regardless if he knew your heart truly would end up elsewhere. “Just once say the words, Addi.”

“I love you, Charles Xavier.” I mumbled drawing my forehead away from him, placing his freehand over my stomach. “We all need you, Logan needs you, Raven needs you, I need you, but most of all my children need you.”

Hank finally entered the room carrying a syringe with the serum. “I added a little extra since you missed the original dose.”

“Charles…” I whispered under my breath when he held the needle tightly in his fingers staring at it.

Yet he dropped it on the ground beside his leg, covering his face with his hands taking a few breaths. “Hank, could you help me to my study please?”

“Are you sure about this?” Hank asked helping him sit down at his desk opening the closet revealing the former wheelchair.

Charles admitted grasping my hand in his. “Absolutely not…but we have to find Raven.”

“Actually she found us. She's downstairs in the kitchen…don’t be mad but you still need your powers to be who you really are.” I squeezed his hand in mine sensing a glare from the telepath but he made no verbal argument against me while we all headed downstairs to the kitchen.

Charles breathed out her name rolling over to her in his wheelchair with open arms and to my surprise she did hug him back. “Raven…I didn’t think you'd come home.”

“This isn’t my home anymore. I'm only here to hide out from Erik for a few hours. Then I'm going after Trask.” She said to her brother taking a seat across from him at the kitchen table. I pulled up a chair sitting in between the two, leaving Hank and Logan just to stand.

Hank spoke up to her first. “If you kill Trask they'll be ten more just like him.”

“Then I'll kill them too and anyone who stands in my way.”

Logan raised his hands snapping at my blonde friend. “Let’s cut to the chase. You wanna know how all this ends cause I've seen you in the future.”

“Yeah, what am I like?” She asked him.

Logan said. “You're a cold hearted bitch.”

“Well don't hold back.” She snapped in his direction.

“By the time they finish you and they finish you. You've killed so much that you are knee deep in human and mutant blood. You don’t even know who you are.” He kept explaining to her.

Raven declared with a single glare. “Well maybe there wouldn't be as much mutant blood if we made our move now.”

“Those are Erik's words not yours. Besides you'd be giving Trask exactly what he wanted. A reason for humanity to fear and to hate us.” Charles responded.

Raven quickly changes into her natural blue form seeing her brother look away and put a hand over his mouth. “You think they need a reason. Do you honestly they'll ever be able to see me like this and feel anything but fear. You can't even look at me.”

“Raven, cut him some slack.” I butted into the conversation resting my hands on my stomach feeling a little drained from fighting Erik yesterday.

She isn’t fazed by what I had to say. “I can hide like you and Addi, but what about the ones who can’t. I saw them in Vietnam. It’s hard to hide your power when you’re getting shot at and the ones couldn’t hide become lab rats.”

“I will never let that happen to you. I made you a promise a long time ago. That I would keep you safe and that I would protect you. If I’d done my job properly perhaps none of this would be happening to us, perhaps you wouldn’t have left home.” Charles leans forward in his chair shifting his gaze between me and Raven.

“Let’s change the subject for a second here. What exactly is going on between you and my best friend because last I checked she was with Erik.” Raven focuses her attention on me.

Tapping my fingers on the table I lowered my voice, not comfortable having this conversation with Charles sitting on the other side of me. “I was with him for a few years until JFK. He didn’t kill him like everyone thinks. I broke into the pentagon to see him…but let’s not talk about it.”

“You don’t want to talk about it because of my brother right. You got with her didn’t you after she found out she was pregnant.” Raven questions her brother.

Charles clicked his tongue resting his chin on his fists. “That conversation isn’t relevant right now. We just need to be relieved that you are back home now.”

She sighed, lowering her gaze to the floor. “I couldn’t stay here forever, Charles…I still can’t stay.”

“And why not?” He touched his temple entering her mind.

She smacked her hands on the table heading towards the stairs. “That’s why! And it’s not me that you should be worrying about. Erik is going to start that war whether you like it or not.”

“How do you know?” Hank asked her.

She replied leaving the room looking at me. “He told me. Addi, I hope you figure out what you want and choose either my brother or Erik.” She limped up the stairs and Hank followed after her seeing if she needed help with her bullet wound leaving the three of us alone.

“You’re going to drive her away if you keep pushing her to come back. I’ve seen it done to other women in my life.” Logan pointed out.

“I can see if I can convince her otherwise.” I entered their conversation.

Charles glanced at me. “Addi, don’t get offended but how would you be able to do that? You’re not a telepath.”

“I don’t have to be one to know Raven….ohh.” Covering my forehead with my hand I felt myself getting dizzy when I slowly attempted to get to my feet to get a drink or something since I hadn't eaten much. I stumbled into the chair I was sitting in and my knees began giving out from underneath me.

Charles called my name doing the best he could confined to his wheelchair now, reaching out to catch my body since I had fallen forward in his direction. “Addison! Urgh!…Logan.”

“I‘ve got her, professor.” He caught my legs helping Charles be able to hold my body against his chest now.

Charles looked up at him concern clear in his tone of voice. “Help me get her to the lab downstairs….you'll be just fine, Addi.” He sucked in a breath trying to not let his anger rise inside of him when he thought about Erik. If this was his fault like he likely believed it was he would be giving him a good talking to the next time he saw his old friend.

Comments really appreciated ❤️

[wolfverse-stories]

Magneto's Kids

Chapter 4

Wanda

     Wanda paced back and forth. Tonight she was going to tell her boyfriend Magneto is her father.

     "What if he doesn't like me anymore" Wanda panicked quickly turned to run.

     "Babe!!!" She turned back to see her boyfriend Jack running at her full speed. He covered the distance between them in five seconds pulling her into a hug.

     "I missed you so much!" Wanda cried hugging him back.

     "I can't believe you were gone for so long," he said enjoying her warmth.

     "It's only been a week" she smiled nuzzling closer to him 'Oh I missed this' Suddenly she pushed away remembering what she came to tell him.

     "Jack there's something I need to tell you" he nodded listening to her closely "When I went to find my brother a week ago I met Magneto" Jack's eyes widened in horror.

     "Did he hurt you" he grabbed her hand worriedly looking her up and down for any injuries.

     "No actually he's working with the X-men now" she looked down tears rolling down her cheek, "He told me he is my dad" Jack looked at her speechless "I know you think he's a monster and after all he's done to you, you probably never want to see me again"

     "Wanda that doesn't matter" he smiled lifting her chin "It doesn't matter to me where you came from or who your parents are I'm in love with you for you"

     "Really?" Wanda asked with tears in her eyes. He nodded pulling her into a gentle kiss.

Peter

     Peter sat on the couch watching TV with Jean Kurt and Scott.

     "Charles is going to freak when he finds out we got a TV" Jean panicked.

    "Calm down Erik gave me the money," Peter said not taking his eyes off the TV.

     "Why are you so chummy with Magneto all of a sudden?" Scott asked suspiciously.

     "He's not a criminal anymore, he's part of our team now like it or not" Peter pointed out taking a sip of his drink.

     "Erik is never that nice to anyone," Scott said. Instantly everyone froze looking at Peter.

     "Are you dying?!!"Kurt blurted out causing Jean to burst into tears.

     "No seriously people why do you always think someone is dying" Peter started to worry about the well-being of his friends.

     "Then why is he acting so nice?"Scott asked accusingly.

     "He's my dad" everyone gasped. Jean started to grin like a Cheshire Cat.

     "I knew it!" She screamed throwing her hands up in the air.

     "Okay cutie" Peter smirked pulling Jean into a hug which she quickly pushed out of "Oh I almost forgot, this is one more thing that makes me cooler than glasses," Peter said adding a telemark on the board under his name.

     "Okay get off!!!" Scott yelled knocking Peter off the couch.

Pietro

     "Hey, Cap can I talk to you for a second," Pietro asked nervously. He felt scared to death, being an Avenger was everything to him and he didn't want to lose that.

     "Sure thing" Steve smiled walking over to the young avenger.

     "What is it kid, got yourself in trouble again?" Clint smirked leaning against the wall.

     "No old man!"Pietro glared at him. Clint was kinda like a father to Pietro in some ways but that didn't keep Pietro from wanting to knock his lights out.

     "What is it, kid?" Steve asked concerningly asked.

     "You see" he turned to look at Steve "Last week I found out my dad is Magneto the guy who killed the president" Steve's eyes widened in shock "I know you probably don't want me in the team anymore after all the things he has done to the Averagers" he looked down waiting for them to abandon him as everyone else in his life had done.

     "Of course we do" Steve smiled putting a hand on the kid's shoulder "You will always be an Avenger like it or not you're stuck with us"

     "We did let Dr.Claw on the team after all" Clint smirked pointing over to Bucky.

    "You are such an old man," Pietro said rolling his eyes as a small smile appeared on his face.

Prev. / Next

[gerec]

I posted 3,935 times in 2022

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Blogs I reblogged the most:

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I tagged 3,925 of my posts in 2022

#fanart - 562 posts

#travel - 517 posts

#cherik - 498 posts

#food porn - 323 posts

#spoilers - 273 posts

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#comics - 214 posts

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#the mandalorian - 200 posts

Longest Tag: 139 characters

#they're not saying 'work' like a chore but rather that you need to both put effort and kindness into the relationship to nurture and make i

My Top Posts in 2022:

#5

do you have fic recs where Charles has a secondary mutation that allows him to get pregnant? I read your fic My Name is Max and loved it so much, I’m now craving more fics like it!!

Hi Anon! I'm so glad. you enjoyed MNIM and I'm happy to share some of my mpreg faves! These are all canon, mutation related fics (I didn't include any alpha/omega recs) with Charles as the one with the pregnancy (though there are lots of excellent mpreg!Erik fics in the fandom too)!!!

What Not To Expect When You’re Not Expecting It by thehoyden

A Logical Progression by cloudyjenn

An Earlier Heaven by Regann

This far but no further by niniblack

Runs In The Family by Anonysquirrel (chibirisuchan) 

Your Baby is My Supermagnet (My Baby is Your Drug) by Unforgotten

Your Choice Begat Mine by TwilightDeviant

And here are some mpreg aus that you might enjoy:

Runs In The Family by Anonysquirrel (chibirisuchan) 

Charles Xavier's Baby by Gerec

Do You Love Me by cgf_kat

Das Salz des Vergnügens by melonbutterfly

All the King's Man by Pookaseraph

Twice in One Lifetime by Gerec

59 notes - Posted October 22, 2022

#4

Cherik 63 & 84 please!

63. injury 84. at the hospital

Of all the things Erik expected when he woke up that morning, it was definitely not ending up in the hospital with bruised ribs and a broken leg. He hadn't even made it to the office, with the accident happening not ten minutes into his morning commute, the little kid darting out into oncoming traffic right in his path.

If not for his mutation, and Erik using every bit of his ability to throw the car (and himself) out of the child's way things would have ended much more tragically than just him spending a few weeks recuperating in bed.

The other thing he hadn't expected was to wake up with his ex husband at his bedside, looking pale as a ghost as he held Erik's hand.

"You're here. They called you?"

Charles chuckled, a thin, watery sound that reminded him too much of their fights before he'd walked out of Erik's life and out of their marriage. "They called Edie and she called me. She's on her way; caught the first flight she could out of Frankfurt."

"Oh." He shifted a little and winced, his ribs protesting even with the drugs he'd been given. "What about the little girl? Is she alright?"

That really should have been his first question, but Charles always did have a way of distracting him, filling every thought in his head with his mere presence. It had been that way when they dated, and when they were married, and apparently even now...after.

"She's fine, Erik. You saved her life," Charles said, warm and tender as he brushed the hair from his forehead. "You almost died doing it, but yes, she's perfectly alright."

"Good." He looped his fingers through Charles' and closed his eyes, and let himself be vulnerable for just a moment; letting himself ask for what he wanted - what he's always needed from the love of his life. "Stay with me?"

Charles smiled and brushed a kiss to his cheek. "Always."

Drop a ship (or threesome, poly, etc.) along with 2 to 4 elements in my askbox to request a mini fic!

65 notes - Posted May 15, 2022

#3

No but seriously I can not believe they put Sir Pat Stew in the Multiverse of Madness trailer fuck me

67 notes - Posted February 13, 2022

#2

hi! what do you suggest as the must read fics for someone who is just starting to read cherik fics?

Hi Anon,

1. @earnestly-endlessly put a list together recently to answer this question and I think it's an excellent place for you to start :D

2. I was also asked once to give my top 5 fics in the xmen fandom, and you can find the answer here (5 canon fics and 5 aus)!

3. Feel free also to browse the gerec's fic rec tag on my blog, where you'll find my recs for all manner of xmen/cherik fics usually by a particular trope or au :D

Finally, here are a few that didn't appear on lists 1 and 2 but I highly recommend!!!

Blood and Steel and Miles Between by dreamlittleyo

(Post-movie AU.) On a beach in Cuba, Charles manages to talk Erik down from the edge. But even after the missiles have been diverted, compromise is impossible. There are two different futures to build, and Erik and Charles will always be separated by their principles. But when Charles is kidnapped and the X-Men can't find him, Erik will get him back no matter the consequences.

Meanwhile, trapped alone in his mind for the first time in his life, Charles comes face to face with the truth about what and who he wants. When convictions stand in direct opposition to the heart, which will prevail?

Spy Games by manic_intent

Prompt: Burn Notice AU, with Erik Lehnsherr as the spy and Charles as the trigger-happy ex boyfriend. Erik is burned for unknown reasons in Mexico and wakes up in New York City. Somehow, he needs to raise $500,000, in order to find out -why-.

Playing With Fire by professor

Charles is a detective determined to catch a serial killer.

If the serial killer doesn't catch him first.

of shuttered and scented rooms by pearl_o

It can wait. It can wait long enough for this. It's been years, now, since Erik last touched Charles like this. He has never been one to throw away an opportunity.

Math Reasons by pearl_o, pocky_slash

"Mom says Erik always knows what he wants, it just sometimes takes him a little while to actually realize it," Ruth said.

Charles fell in love with Erik the first night they met, the first week of freshman year. Two years of friendship, adventures, arguments, hijinks, secrets, and summer visits later, Erik is starting to catch up.

98 notes - Posted January 25, 2022

My #1 post of 2022

445 notes - Posted January 5, 2022

Get your Tumblr 2022 Year in Review →

[kandisheek]

FIC REC WEEK 12 – OTHER MARVEL SHIPS

RAREPAIR

Sugarplums Ain't as Sweet by OriginalCeenote

Pairing: Sam/Logan Rating: T Words: 4,580 Tags: Fluff, Christmas, Veterans

Summary: “That’s the only Santa they could find?” Tim Dugan was shaking his head incredulously. “It was short notice, and beggars can’t be choosers. Do you wanna disappoint all these kids?” “No, but I don’t wanna damage them for life, either. Did you hear the mouth on that guy?!” Bucky stared incredulously at the short, burly guy in the back room as he strapped on the prosthetic belly form. “I can’t believe we’re doing this.” Sam smirked and clapped his shoulder. “You never know. Everything just might work out fine. Don’t lose faith in him yet.”

Reasons why I love it: The mental image of Logan entertaining kids in a Santa getup is so fucking cute, oh my god. I don't know why I never thought of how well Sam and Logan would fit together, but now I definitely am. This fic is wonderful, and I hope you give it a shot!

Crazies by Saturn_Girl

Pairing: Bucky/Wade Wilson Rating: T Words: 3,375 Tags: Aggressive Flirting, Monsters, Humor

Summary: On his first mission as an Avenger, Bucky Barnes meets his greatest fan.

Reasons why I love it: Oh, Deadpool, how I love you. This fic is hilarious, and the hints of Bucky's developing interest at the end are so much fun. Plus, the action is really well-written, I love the variety of enemies here. Definitely go and check this one out, it's great!

Furious Fury and the Interrupting Intern by Stella_Malodi

Pairing: Darcy/Fury Rating: G Words: 1,182 Tags: Soulmates, Fluff and Crack, Ceiling Vents

Summary: Darcy's trying to find the cafeteria; somehow, she finds her Soulmate instead. (She really should've known better than to ask Clint "The Ventilation System Is My Highway" Barton for directions.) -- Darcy had no sense of direction. This could be a problem when she was trying to find her way around SHIELD headquarters, especially since SHIELD agents were apparently horrible at giving step-by-step directions. Because, seriously? “Follow this hallway for five hundred feet, then turn North.” She wasn’t carrying a compass! And how was she supposed to know how far five hundred feet actually was?

Reasons why I love it: This fic encapsulates everything I love about Darcy as a character. The sass, the humor, the not giving a shit about authority, it's all perfect. And everyone's reaction to the big reveal is hilarious. I love this fic so much, so I really hope you give it a go for yourself!

Lets get comfortable by BoredomBeckons

Pairing: Bucky/Bruce Rating: G Words: 1,815 Tags: Domestic Fluff, Comfort No Hurt, Falling In Love

Summary: Bucky just wants to be comfortable after everything he has been through. Bruce always wore very comfortable looking clothes, Bucky noted.

Reasons why I love it: I really, really love the soft and calm way Bucky and Bruce love each other. It feels so comfortable and sweet, and the way the team finds out about them makes me grin every time. This fic feels like a warm hug, so do yourself a favor and enjoy it!

A Strange Thing Happened on the Way to the Superhuman Summit by Amuly

Pairing: T'Challa/Namor Rating: E Words: 9,700 Tags: Misunderstandings, Gossip, Hook-Up

Summary: It is the first annual superhuman world-leaders' diplomacy summit. Namor is an asshole, Erik won't shut up about Charles' asshole, T'Challa won't give Namor the time of day, and Black Bolt just desperately wishes that everyone else were as quiet as he was. Not to mention Doom Doom-ing, Mystique being far less mysterious than her name would suggest, and honestly Ka-Zar is just happy to be included.

Reasons why I love it: This fic makes me laugh and shake my head in despair every time. There are so many great moments, but what always gets me is the conversation T'Challa and Namor have about their life experiences and the politics that come with them. It's so good! I love this fic, so I hope you give it a shot!

[bratprinceofexy]

Aftg Rdr2 AU

This absolutely unhinged au came to me last night, and now I have to share it. I realized as I was matching characters to rdr2 characters that in this au, the Van der Lindes are significantly less doomed.

Foxes(Van der Lindes)

Wymack- Dutch, this is easy, though he would be much less unhinged than the real dutch

Andrew- Arthur, andrew can draw in this au! Arthur just makes so much sense for andrew at his core. I think instead of improperly prescribed drugs, the focus can just be on alcoholism and the debts.

Aaron- John, if andrew is arthur, aaronn is john. I think their pact would have to be different and they might just be adopted siblings in this au. Adding the arthur-john sibling dynamic to the minyard twins would be really fun

Katelyn- Abigail, because aaron is john, katelyn has to be abigail roberts. Jack exists in this au as their son. Love an au where katelyn and andrew are besties

Nicky- Josiah Trelawney, I originally went with Javier for him, but trelawney works so much better! He's gay, he has a ring of 'men down on their luck', he has a secret family in saint denis (Erik!); it's perfect!

Renee- Charles, renee was difficult, but I chose charles because of how he is torn between his identities. She would obviously not be christian, and I think it would be more of her discovering more about her identity as she connects with the Wapiti and her indigenous heritage. Also, Charles is Arthur's bestie (and more in canon if you believe in charthur, though that would not be a factor here)

Bee- Hosea, this was chosen mostly because of bee's relationship to andrew, but also she'd be so interesting as hosea. We'd really get to see her mischievious side :)

Abby- Grimshaw, it fits best for her role. I think this au implies a polycule between abby, wymack, and bee

Dan- Tilly, Tilly is sister to Arthur and I think her personality is in line with Dan

Matt- Lenny, he's the closest fit, but it's a bit of a stretch. I don't know how lenny's backstory would mesh with Matt's. If anyone has a better match, let me know.

Allison- Karen, they are loud, confident, and bitchy. It's an easy match

Seth- Sean, this is less a personality match and more of a role in the story match. Sean's relationship with Karen meshes on well to Allison and Seth too.

Kevin- the one character who doesn't have a match to an rdr2 character. I do have an idea about how he fits in with Kayleigh Day and Riko though

Neil- Sadie, this is another character where the role in the story matches well more than personality. I think he and mary would have been at that homestead and mary was killed there. His father is Nathan Bronte, crime lord and puppetmaster of the political leaders in saint denis

Kayleigh Day- Annabelle, annabelle has zero backstory other than that she died, similar to Kayleigh Day! I think she was involved in the creation of both the foxes and the o'driscoll(ravens in this au) gangs and Testsuji killed her sparking the rivalry between the gangs. Kevin was raised with the O'driscolls and fled to the foxes when Riko broke his shooting hand

Antagonists:

Tetsuji and Riko run the O'driscolls and work with both the Brontes (wesninskis) and Ichirou moriyama, who is a wealthy businessman in blackwater with ties to both the criminal world and the pinkertons. Also a friend of Leviticus Cornwall.

Jean was stolen as compensation from some poor family and is considered riko's property

Misc Characters(chosen for what was funniest):

Roland- Fence in Emerald

Jeremy Knox- Albert Mason

I'm having a lot of fun piecing this au together and I might turn it into a fic if it gets that far!

[a-boca-do-inferno]

allegory (erik lehnsherr x human!reader)

summary: Erik and (y/n) have a big fight.

warnings: angst and fluff. slight swearing. also erik lehnsherr lmao

words: 1.4k

notes: dont mind me i just needed to write something for this gif. byee

How many times has he been in this same place, looking into her eyes as he utters the sweetest words? Honest, not so much… She knows this. Deep down, (y/n) knows it all too well and yet, her heart thuds in her chest when Erik approaches her with that same hard, dismayed gaze, somehow now shrouded in a cloud of tenderness. This is so like him, to be ambiguously loving and closed off at the same time.

“I don't think there's any reason for me to keep telling you this, (y/n). I'll never stop fighting for my mutant brothers and sisters as long as we're still threatened”, he states solemnly, and that solemnity in his tone was borderline irritating at this point. But she couldn't do anything about it, that was just Erik's way. Diplomatically assertive. Dangerously determined. And as if she'd read his thoughts, he frowned just enough to catch her eye: “this is nothing new for you, I hope.”

“I didn't say it was new, after all you won't ever let me forget that”, she grumbles almost like a child, slightly annoyed at the infantilizing way Erik can treat her sometimes. It feels like he sees her as less for being human, despite telling her so often that oh, she’s different from the others. Only when convenient for him, it seems.

With a crooked smile, not really sincere, Erik shakes his head. “So, I don't see what the problem is.”

“The problem is that the Brotherhood is always above me, above us!”, she snaps, crosses her arms and looks away from him. How those words had even left her mouth, she had no idea. It wasn't like her to be so direct, but perhaps Erik's sober behaviour had repercussions on her own as a matter of coexistence — if this was good or bad, they had yet to see. She continues, still shying away from the darkest clear eyes she's ever seen in her life: “the problem is that you say one thing and show another in your actions.”

“What actions of mine make you think this way? Isn't it enough what I’ve sacrificed to be with you?”

“Are you going to tell me now that I ruined your life, Erik?”, she spits and laughs, unable to believe Erik Lehnsherr is really trying to make a scene as if he was the only one to have fought for their relationship. “Are you going to tell me that if it weren't for me, the world would have heeded your violent advances to be respected? That if it weren't for me, JFK would still be alive and you wouldn't be a fugitive? Oh, and what else... Had I not crossed your path, maybe you’d still be at Charles' mansion right now in his little boyband?” As frustrations escaped her lips, Erik crumpled an aluminium cup, visibly enraged. She didn't back down from that though, suddenly even more outraged that he was maybe trying to frighten her with his powers. “You son of a bitch.”

He abruptly stands up, causing the chair to fall to the floor. With gritted teeth, ragged breathing and clenched fists, Erik resembles a cornered animal ready to defend itself. His greenish orbs are like a closed window in front of her, trying somehow to keep him shielded from her attacks. They're not attacks, however, not really; they both had been in this position many times before, and many times Erik had been the one unavailable and uninterested in considering her point of view in the end. This is merely payback for all the other times he cornered her with demands about her “human” ways.

And yet, Erik will often say he loves (y/n) with his whole chest. He kisses her hair before going to bed, smiles passionately at her while they’re having breakfast together, laughs aloud at her antics when they are alone. This man, this same man who can't even manage his own heavy emotions when confronted like this, still does everything in his power to make her feel loved. He still goes out of his way to make sure they spend time together, listen to each other, talk, live with one another, but it's not nearly enough. For one of the most powerful mutants to exist in his time, Erik Lehnsherr is just not enough for the woman he loves.

And he just can't take it.

“What else do you want from me?”, his voice falters, and she takes a reflexive step back. Erik holds his eyes unblinking, imprinting a certain desperation on his cold features. “(y/n), what more do you want from me?”

Silence.

The beer on the table has been warm for some time now. The birds outside sing their goodbyes with the sunset in the background, unbothered by the avalanche of emotions that have taken over the house. She stares at the floor not knowing what to say. Erik, on the other hand, doesn't take his eyes off her for one second, unsatisfied and longing for an answer they both know might not even exist. Who exactly are they trying to fool at this point? There is no hope for Magneto in trying to receive love. There is no hope for (y/n) in trying to love Magneto.

The aluminium cup serves as an allegory for that failed relationship; destroyed in its form by the powers of a man, though the water still manages to stay inside it for the purpose of quenching one’s thirst. The cup is (y/n) and Erik could be both the force that deformed it, or perhaps the water that still manages to cling to the recipient. The metal reflects two silhouettes facing each other like a house of distorted mirrors, and the feeling in the air is pure miscommunication, incomprehension, deformation of the real meaning of things. It's always like that with the two of them, they're eagle and hawk meeting in the air. Inevitable collision. Ambiguously loving while tearing each other apart.

“I want all of you, Erik”, she murmurs during a silent cry, voice perhaps so docile it could sound disproportionate to how choked up it was a few minutes ago. “And I want you to want me too.”

“I do, my love, I do want you”, he rushes his words, finally giving in to other feelings besides anger. Understanding, benevolence, love. He walks over to her, taking her hands in his firm grip. “Tell me what the problem is”, he coos, looking eagerly into her eyes.

The way he is melting in front of (y/n) is almost pathetic, although neither of them cares much about pride and pose in situations like this. Maybe that's why they've been together for so long. Feeling — and sometimes even feeling too much — is not something they're afraid of when it comes to each other. Like that cup that now lies on the table behind them, that implacable brute force crushing it to its core, but just not enough that it strips away its definite purpose; killing thirst. They bend and turn and crumple and almost break.

Almost.

“Don't go on so many trips anymore”, she asks, softly touching his face. “I don't like to be alone in this house, it's too big.”

Erik can't help but smile, kissing her fingers. “We could get a dog if you feel too lonely. Maybe that's what we need to reconnect.”

(y/n) clears her throat, hugging her stomach in a sheepish manner. “I don't think we'll need it.”

The cup falls to the floor instantly. Erik's eyes are filled with tears. “Liebling”, his deep voice wavers, and his face is still in complete shock. “When did you find out?”

“Two days ago, but you were away”, she repeats, sighing a bit when Erik's grin slowly fades. “We need all of you, Erik. Please.”

“I promise I won't ever leave again, my love”, he mutters, then takes her into his arms. “I'll never stop fighting for the both of you.”

Her heart thuds in her chest once more. The honesty in his voice is crushing and she knows this time, Erik means it. (y/n) watches as the cup on the floor uncrumples gradually, getting back to its previous cylindric format. The marks on it are visible and they glisten similarly to silver. It is like them, now, she realizes; bent, but never broken. The allegory is as true as it has ever been.

There is still hope in loving Magneto, then.

[bellarkeselection]

Hi can you write Charles Xavier hears about a mutant who sees death ( kind of like future but not really ) he shows up at her house when she was getting robbed and he takes care of her

sorry if it doesn't make sense

Knight in a Wheelchair

Waking up from a nap I feel my heart beating faster. The world knows of mutants after a man named Erik Lehnsherr nearly killed the president of the United States. Running my hands down my face my eyes glowed seeing two men in black ski masks getting knocked out before me on the floor. Shaking my head I don't want to see the horrible vision anymore. Ever since I turned thirteen I get visions of death. Sometimes they are future ones or from the past but it haunts me in the middle of the night. Tonight is different though I am laying in my bed until there's a sound in the kitchen making me get out of bed. Grabbing a baseball bat from underneath my bed I sneak into the living room. It's like a nightmare is happening right in front of me because those men I saw earlier are inside my house.

Peaking around the wall one of the guys digs around in a kitchen drawer searching for something but I don't know what. The other guy dug around behind the tv finding a safe I kept money in that used to be hidden inside the wall. He managed to unlock it until I shouted. "That doesn't belong to you!" The guy in the kitchen suddenly came at me where I take a swing at him with the bat. But he's stronger than me so he pinned me on the ground about to hit me. Suddenly my front door gets thrown opened and someone rolled inside sitting in a wheelchair. The first guy yanks me to my feet pulling out a knife cutting me. He almost hits me again but the guy in the wheelchair raises his fingers to his head freezing both men hitting me and creating bruises.

Shuffling towards a corner I gulped afraid that he might hurt me like those guys did. "Don't be afraid Y/n. I'm a mutant like you. My name is Charles Xavier." I heard a British voice inside my mind with the guy staring at me his bright blue eyes. Shuffling my hand around I found the bat getting ready to hit him. "How can I trust you. I don't know what to believe anymore. Those men just died - I had a vision." Charles rolled forward reaching for my hand but I shake my head no so he kept his fingers to his temple. "They're not dead love. The vision that you see of them dying is my mind knocking them out. But they still are alive." Lifting my gaze up to his I mumbled under my breath still shaken up at the two men laying asleep inside my house. "Can you help me, Charles...I haven't slept right since I was twelve years old." The attractive man nodded still holding out his hand for me to take.

Slowly placing my hand in his he pulled me to stand upright. My other hand falling to my side still holding the bat which he noticed. "I have a question Y/n. Why didn't you take a swing at me with that?" Raising a brow at him I shrugged my shoulders dropping the weapon feeling it not necessary anymore. Somehow I feel at ease around the charming man I had just met. Like he could protect me from the darkness that controlled my mind. "I don't know I just feel safe around you. Can you help me please?" I begged until he gently squeezes my hand in his giving my hand a kiss making me lightly blush. I am thankful that we are slightly dark lighting so he couldn't see that. "Yes my dear I believe that I can. I have a school for other mutants like us. Where you can learn to control your powers. Although I must say I haven't ever had a crush on a student." He blushed as I did but confidence came over me when I kissed him and he kissed back smiling. "But don't you worry I'll make an exception for you, love."

Comments really appreciated ❤️

[earnestly-endlessly]

hi! hope you're doing well :) do you have any domestic!cherik fics? or established relationship ones?

Hi anon, thanks for the ask. I'm doing very well, been super busy because I'm currently moving but it's all good. I have plenty of great domestic/established relationship cherik fics for you. I hope you enjoy!!

Domestic/Established Relationship cherik

Daycare ‘Verse’ – orphan_account, pocky_slash

Summary: A modern AU in which Charles runs a mutant daycare and Erik is his long-suffering engineer boyfriend.

Runs in the Family – Anonysquirrel (chibirisuchan)

Summary: Alex knew his own reputation. Hell, he'd started some of his own reputation, because it kept some of the smarter thugs off his back. Everyone knew Alex's reputation. There was no way Hank didn't know his reputation, but he'd brought Alex into a house with some really expensive things and a lot of innocent little kids and his too-friendly, too-harmless dad.

But clearly Hank hadn't told his family anything about Alex, just like he hadn't told Alex anything about his family. At least, not about the brain-breaking parts of his family.

"I didn't know where to start," Hank said, for the dozenth time.

Gift of the Magi, But Screw it Up – librata

Summary: He doesn't know if he's buying too much, too little, or even the right things at all, because he's never entertained a guest as important as Edie Lehnsherr.

Making perfect – aesc

Summary: As is the case with most trials in Erik's life, this one starts with Charles gazing beseechingly at him and asking him for a favor. Not that their going-on-three years relationship is a trial, even though it started with Charles giving Erik the full benefit of sad blue eyes and asking him if he wouldn't mind opening his car door since he'd locked his keys inside, but still.

Continue firm and constant – aesc

Summary: Moira hasn't seen her old partner in saving the world from threats human and intergalactic, Erik Lehnsherr, for a few years. When she finally does see him again, she finds a man different from the one who's been with her down in the dark and the dirt and the blood... or maybe he isn't so different after all.

After School Special – listerinezero

Summary: Charles was barely seventeen and Erik was his social studies teacher. But after almost fifteen years together, does it really matter how they met?

Terrifying Domesticity – ishipitsobad

Summary: Erik is the most dangerous and notorious mafia boss around for miles, and yet the strangest things terrify him.

For example: his children, and his very pregnant mate.

Trying is Half the Battle – Pookaseraph

Summary: Post-Cuba, no divorce, Charles and Erik are in an established relationship and when Charles gets sick with a random flu bug, they discover that Charles can get pregnant. They then try to get pregnant, and try, and try.

We’ll all be gone for the summer – pocky_slash

Summary: Charles and Erik's usual family beach vacation gets a little bigger when they agree to watch Erik's teenaged twins for the summer. Charles is looking forward to a chance to bond with his step-children. Erik is terrified of screwing them up even more.

A Summer Day So Late in Coming – helens78

Summary: Fifty years after they fell in love, Erik comes to Charles with a proposal that rocks Charles's world.

Still Going Strong – JackyJango

Summary: Speaking of forty-eight, Erik hates it. Hates it even more that others are aware of it. While he’s pragmatic enough to know and accept that aging is inexorable, the increase in number gives the people around him the freedom to pounce at him with questions, opinions and advice he'd fought to keep at bay all year.

Besides, Erik believes that youth is a state of mind, not a phase in one’s life.

You have a child’s mind in a man’s body, Charles constantly tells him.

But despite his age, Erik is healthy. He works out daily. His muscles are steel and he can dead-lift four hundred pounds. He can break bones without breaking a sweat. Most importantly, he can still carry Charles to the bedroom and fuck him senseless. And as long as Erik can do that, he’s perfectly happy.

Before You Attempt Me (Fair Warning) – kianspo

Summary: Charles helps Raven get ready for the prom. Surprisingly, that part goes well. The prom itself not so much. Erik cooks a lot of unhealthy comfort foods and is incredibly patient. Charles mostly frets about everything, until Erik does something neither he, nor Raven see coming.

And now you will not be alone any more – pocky_slash

Summary: Erik gives driving, sewing, and cooking lessons, soothes nightmares, bolsters self-esteem, and still can't figure out why Charles keeps smiling at him like that.

Some sense of touch and a melody – pocky_slash

Summary: On a day when Charles, for once, finds himself saying the right thing to everyone he sees, he allows himself to be talked into a field trip to a local orchard.

It’s kind of our whole thing – pearl_o, pocky_slash

Summary: After two years of best friendship, Charles and Erik thought they knew everything there was to know about each other. They're surprised, then, when their first summer as a couple reveals that they have a lot to learn about each other and themselves.

Indulgence – grim_lupine

Summary: “The children are still asleep,” Charles murmurs groggily, flinging an arm out as if searching for Erik beside him. “The house is still standing, this is a ghastly hour, and more importantly, I’m still here. Why do you insist on doing this every morning?”

Your Father’s Daughter – ConsultingWriter

Summary: Wanda proves just how much she takes after Erik.

Pietro reeled back before leaning back in "They didn't tell you what happened? Wanda got in a fist fight and totally wailed on this guy, I mean, on one hand I feel kinda embarrassed for him, but it was so epic."

Erik's eyebrows shot to his hairline. Wanda got in a fight? That was....surprising, to say the least. Wanda tended to take after Charles in temperament and preferred talking to violence.

This Crazy Game Called Life – chiasmus

Summary: Raven declares game night in the mansion. Sean finds an elephant, Erik inherits one hundred unwanted cats, and Charles scars Hank for life with misdirected dirty thinking. This is five thousand-something words of crack with a dose of schmoop. I'm not sorry. Written for this kink meme prompt: Raven is tired of the boys going off to play chess (if they're even playing chess!) and pulls out a load of board games from one of the closets in the mansion. Madness ensues.

To my roomba with love – sareyen

Summary: There are a lot of things that Erik loves about Charles. He loves all of the obvious things; Charles’s kindness, his intelligence, his laughter, his eyes. He also loves the little private things; the way Charles sneaks Erik his unwanted tomatoes, his warbled opera singing in the shower, that sensitive spot on his hip.

And he loves the silly things about Charles, especially the way the man has a habit of talking to inanimate objects when he thinks no one is looking. Charles has conversations with the kettle, the washing machine, and their roomba – and every time Erik eavesdrops on him, he falls in love with the man a little bit more.

Everything About it is a Love Song – pocky_slash

Summary: Erik's spent fifty years being a figurehead and he's ready to leave that behind. Luckily, so is Charles.

(aka Old Retired Dudes in Love)

A Very Xavier-Lehnsherr Christmas – zamwessell

Summary: Erik is discovering new things about Charles Xavier all the time. Charles sometimes talks in his sleep. Often about food. Occasionally in Latin. Charles has a scar on his left thigh from attempting to demonstrate relativity to a girl by sitting on a hot stove. Charles doesn’t mean to be so loud when they make love, but sometimes Charles can’t help himself.

Charles is a voracious reader. Charles has an unspeakably filthy imagination. Charles will try anything in bed twice to make sure he wasn’t wrong the first time.

Charles is unexpectedly fond of Christmas. Perhaps that is not the phrase. “Unhealthily obsessed” might be better.

The fluffiest holiday fluff you ever read in your dang life.

Of Crabs and Castles – flightinflame 

Summary: Charles and Erik take their children to the beach. Wanda builds a sandcastle, Nina makes some friends, and Pietro gets some exercise. Some family fun in the sunshine.

Bring Your Daughter To Work Day – listerinezero

Summary: Charles brings three year old Lorna to class with him.

Glasses – grim_lupine

Summary: Charles blinks at him bemusedly, but Erik barely notices because Charles is wearing glasses— wire-rimmed, and Erik can feel the metal humming, traces without touch the way they follow the curve of Charles’s nose and rest behind his ears.

Genetics Isn’t Sexy – pocky_slash

Summary: Charles lectures. The kids aren't very responsive. Erik, on the other hand....

Peanut Butter and Honey (The Fairytale Remix) – pocky_slash

Summary: Once upon a time there was a Princess named Anya who lived in a house with her Daddy and her wicked stepmother Charles. (A wicked stepmother is the person who comes and lives with princesses and their daddies after their mommies go away.) She had a best friend named Leroy, and one day he was lost.

The Bystander (The Consultant (aka A Westchester Telepath in the Avengers Tower) Remix) – Nanimok

Summary: When it comes to Professor Charles Xavier, telepath, SHIELD consultant and compulsive flirt, no one is safe.

Not even the Big Three.

[hugh-lauries-bald-spot]

im sure theres fics about it but i think charles would 110% have sauntered up to erik and been like “you eye color is cool groovy mutation” and whatnot if they had met when he was drunk wait i like that hold on--

Charles noticed them immediately, the man’s eyes, that is. He had only just walked through the door, an air of discontent and an aura of anger surrounding him, but the inebriated telepath could focus on little else but the stunning green eyes seemingly boring holes into anything they landed on. He couldn’t take his own blue ones off him as he slumped by the counter and ordered something that was lost on him. 

“Damn, you’re right.” his sister said with a smirk, leaning over his shoulder to get a better look at the intriguing man at the bar. 

“Did I say something?” Charles asked. Surely he wasn’t that drunk yet, to speak without any knowledge of doing so. 

“No, but I can almost hear you rehearsing your stupid groovy mutation pick-up line.” she groaned, doing her best-worst impression of her brother, a loving mockery of his posh British accent. 

“I am not!” he nearly yelled, a few people turning around to their table. He pulled Raven into a huddle so they could continue their conversation without the prying ears of the surrounding patrons. 

“Right, and I guess you aren’t staring at that hot, angry guy over by the counter.”

“Right.” Charles affirmed with a nod, although his attention was... elsewhere for the evening. 

“Buy him a beer or I’ll make a scene.” Raven challenged, her eye colour flicking from blue to yellow and back to blue. Charles weighed his options. The man was admittedly attractive, and he knew his sister was more than ready to pester him until it stuck... and the guy was really really attractive. 

“Fine, I’ll do it.” he said after a second, getting up and smoothing his wavy hair out behind his head. 

“And with no resistance! You must really be into him!” she thought, knowing her telepathic older brother would pick up on it. She was answered by a glare before Charles took a seat beside the man. 

“What a stunning EYCL1 gene you have.” he remarked, turning to face the man who was staring dead ahead at no point in particular. “It’s also known as the gey gene, one of your alleles gives rise to blue eyes and one to green, but you seem to have the most vexing aquamarine.” he continued. The man turned to him, confusion apparent in the way his brow was knit together but his overall air of icy indifference had momentarily softened when he locked eyes with Charles. 

“Are you talking to me?” the man asked, looking around for a moment before turning his attention back to the odd man in front of him. 

“As if anyone else in this bar has genes beautiful enough to mention.” he answered smoothly, or what he hoped came off as smooth, since once the man’s eyes were on him the air around him grew hotter and thicker in an instant. Perhaps his drinks were kicking in at the worst moment. The man looked down to his slacks and then back up at Charles, his expression growing more and more perplexed with every moment. “My name is Charles Xavier, and I think you have a groovy mutation.” he nearly purred, extending his hand. 

“Thank you. I’m Erik Lehnsherr.” he replied, shaking the had offered to him and entire energy easing and his expression matching Charle’s. “And believe me, Mr Xavier, you haven’t seen the least of my groovy mutations.” he added in a hushed tone, and with a movement of his hand the bottle cap in front of him made its way back onto the mouth of the bottle. The other man’s mouth was agape and went dry in a moment. He grinned and decided he could show Erik some of his own tricks. 

“What a fascinating gift, Mr Lehnsherr.” he projected, his fingers pressing his temples as the small smile on his face grew. It was Erik’s turn to be impressed and his energy grew excited. 

“I thought I was alone...” he muttered, more to himself than to anyone else, raking Charle’s face over with his striking eyes. 

“My dear, you’ll never be alone again.” he spoke softly, growing fonder of the man as their brief interaction carried on. “Can I buy you a drink?” he asked, waving over the bartender. Erik grinned and turned as to face his new companion more fully. 

“Only if I can buy you one.”

i dont know anything about genetics dont @ me

[thephantomessoftheopera]

Notes on Gaston Leroux‘s „The Phantom of the Opera“ - Epilogue

<< Previous chapter “It is a far, far better thing that I do, than I have ever done; it is a far, far better rest that I go to than I have ever known”

-Charles Dickens, “A Tale of Two Cities”

As we are coming to the end of the story, Leroux ties up a few more loose ends in the epilogue.

As for Raoul and Christine, their possible happy ending is only implied by what Erik told the Persian - that they had “taken a northbound train” and were planning to get married in secret. They have disappeared from the world, and Christine never appeared again on stage anywhere. According to Leroux, they might have finally settled in Norway together with Mama Valerius. At first, I thought Leroux might have been confusing Sweden and Norway, but when I did a little research on the name „Daae“, it turns out that the name is actually most prevalent in Norway, with almost no occurrences in Sweden. It is also implied that even if they took that “northbound” train before, Christine took a train back to Paris a few weeks later to return to Erik, because she had the wedding ring on her when she left, and it was finally found on Erik‘s finger.

As Philippe‘s death was deemed to be the consequence of the fight between the two brothers over Raoul’s supposed engagement to Christine, Raoul was a murder suspect - but as his previous testimony had already made him appear a lunatic in the eyes of the Commissary, Philippe‘s death was ultimately pronounced accidental. However, as Parisian society had taken less than kindly to the news of the engagement, I think that the couple would have had a very difficult standing if they had officially married and assumed the now vacant titles of the Count and Countess de Chagny. It is therefore likely that Raoul, having officially disappeared, never claimed his titles and inheritance, and chose the more simple lifestyle that Christine was accustomed to. Leroux concludes the story of Raoul and Christine with the statement that one day, he too might „hear the solitary echoes of the Northland repeat the singing of the woman who knew the Angel of Music''. In the epilogue, the boundaries between the „false“ and the „real“ Angel of Music become blurred, as Leroux repeatedly speaks of Erik as the “Angel of Music” - indicating that maybe, just maybe, Erik truly was the Angel of Music.

After following up on Raoul and Christine, Leroux relates how he obtained proof of Erik‘s existence from the Persian, mostly through the letters written by Christine that Erik had sent to him, but also through the testimonies of Meg Giry and La Sorelli. He supposedly placed all the proof he had gathered in the archives of the Paris Opera.

He also obtained the testimony of M. Poligny, the previous manager of the Opera. The „Opera Ghost“ affair was the final straw that made him resign his post, which again indicates that Erik‘s reign as „O.G.“ was rather short and caused by Erik falling in love (since he had been living in the Opera House presumably since the early 1870s). He also quotes from the fictional „Memoirs of a Manager“ by Armand Moncharmin, where Moncharmin relates that a few days after Christine‘s abduction, Erik returned all of the forty thousand francs he had extracted to the managers, no longer having any need for the money as he had given up his plan to marry Christine. The mystery of the safety-pin is also finally resolved, as Leroux was supposedly able to locate a small trapdoor in the floor of the managers’ office, through which a dexterous magician like Erik could easily have reached up and retrieved the envelope from Richard‘s coattail pocket as it was hanging down from his chair.

Leroux also notes that the marble pillar next to Box 5 sounds hollow and would offer ample space for Erik to hide inside it. According to Gérard Fontaine’s research, the pillars being hollow applies to all the pillars in the auditorium of the Palais Garnier. Whether that proves or disproves anything is up to you... Leroux’s plan of having the lake drained in order to obtain the ultimate proof of Erik‘s existence - finding the entrance to the house by the lake - did not go through, but Leroux still sustains his hope of one day finding the score of „Don Juan Triumphant“ there (that is, if Christine had not taken it with her when she came to bury him).

Leroux then gives a summary of Erik’s life according to the Persian. Erik was born near Rouen in France and ran away from his parents as a young boy, as they were afraid and horrified by how he looked. After being exhibited as a “living corpse” at fairs, he became a singing sensation and garnered a reputation that reached as far as Persia. The daroga of Mazenderan was sent to bring Erik to Persia as entertainment for the “little sultana”. Erik, who also worked there as an assassin, is described here as amoral, “not knowing the difference between right and wrong”. Even though he does not have an evil heart, his life up until this point has left him completely without a moral compass of any kind.

After building an ingenious palace for the shah, Erik’s execution was ordered so that he could not divulge its secrets to anyone. The daroga was supposed to carry it out, but as he owed Erik favours (and was the one who brough Erik to Persia in the first place), he helped him escape instead. He was punished for this and went into exile to Paris. Erik took a detour to Asia Minor and Constantinople before he ended up in Paris as well. It is also mentioned that Erik could make lifelike automata, which is reflected in the musical in the form of the monkey music box and also the “mirror bride”, a physical representation of Erik’s dream of a loving wife.

Once in Paris, Erik decided that he finally wanted to live a normal life, and placed a successful bid to work as a contractor on the Opera House. Wishing to hide his face from the world forever, he built his comfortable home into the foundations of the Opera. Erik’s plan to live out the rest of his life in peaceful tranquillity went well - until he crossed paths with Christine Daae and lost his heart to her completely. And the rest is history…

Leroux here gives his own view of Erik: “He had a heart great enough to hold the empire of the world, and in the end he had to be content with a cellar.” With a normal face, Erik, with his brilliant mind and extraordinary talents, could have had the world at his feet. And even though no one had ever loved him, he still had a heart capable of feeling deep, pure love, which is pretty remarkable. His beautiful voice is a reflection of the beauty he carries inside his soul - which was sadly eclipsed by his ugliness, which did not allow him to live “like everyone else”. The great tragedy of his life was his face, which kept others from treating him as a human being and recognizing his full potential. He is therefore clearly worthy of pity, instead of being cursed and condemned as evil.

Leroux had already mentioned in the Prologue that he believed the skeleton found in the cellars of the Opera was Erik’s. Now he finally reveals why he was so certain of that: because Erik’s skeleton wore the gold wedding ring on his finger, which Leroux believes Christine had placed there. Even though Erik had set her free and given her the ring, she later came back to him, and this time it was certainly not out of terror. With Erik dead, none of his threats would hold any more sway over her - and yet, she still returned to him to keep her promise. She not only buried him with the wedding ring, but she slipped it onto his finger, ultimately fulfilling her promise to accept him as her husband. In a sense, she buried him with her love, and that is truly a bittersweet and beautiful ending. After everything he had to endure, Erik’s life ends with a kiss and a ring on his finger, put there by the woman he loved more than his own life, and with Leroux praying for his salvation. That may not be a traditional happy ending, but it‘s very powerful. And it’s definitely not a villain’s ending.

As „Faust“ is the most strongly referenced work in „Phantom“, it is also worth comparing how the endings are different. In the final act of Gounod‘s opera, Faust and Marguerite first swear their love to each other, but when Marguerite sees Mephistopheles and realizes who Faust really is, she turns away from him and chooses death instead, while Faust is dragged into the fires of hell. Her famous last words to him are „You horrify me!“ In „Phantom“, the progression is almost the other way round - Christine is horrified at first, but then accepts Erik and chooses life instead of death.

It should also be noted that the ending in the novel is so vague that it also allows a lot of room for the reader’s imagination. Was Erik really dead when Christine returned? He himself was announcing his death, so it would not even be so very unlikely. But as this is Leroux’s story, the official reading would of course be how he himself imagined the ending: Erik dying and Christine coming back to bury him. This might be my favourite line from the novel:

“The skeleton lay near the little fountain, where the Angel of Music first held the unconscious Christine Daae in his trembling arms after taking her into the cellars of the Opera.”

As if the return of the ring was not enough poetic closure, he also asked to be buried in the very spot where he held the love of his life for the first time...

Symbolism and Metaphors

Now that we have concluded the epilogue, I would like to add a few more notes on the general themes which are present throughout the novel and still influence how we feel about it today.

To understand the extent of symbolism employed in  „The Phantom of the Opera“, it is necessary to understand the cultural mindset and environment in which it was written. At the turn of the century, the arts (and sciences, as evidenced by the slowly emerging works of Sigmund Freud) were rather obsessed with the fateful connection between Eros and Thanatos - love as the life-bringing force, and death as the destructive force. Both were often seen as intertwined and mirrored in the other.

Erik is the personification of Eros and Thanatos. He unites both forces in him to a degree unparalleled by any other character in the story. The death symbolism that is also clearly reflected in how he is described, would be both perceived as horrifying - and yet not without a strangely seductive fascination inherent in it. Death is intricately tied to darker feelings of passion and desire.The “Eros” and the “Thanatos” part of his character are intertwined, but his character also oscillates between the two sides in the course of the story.

Music in „Phantom“ also serves as a metaphor for romantic love, not only in the spiritual but also in the physical sense, as it is connotated with “passion”, “fire”, “ecstasy” and “rapture” throughout the story. Erik’s teaching awakens “an ardent, voracious and sublime life” in Christine, symbolizing the burgeoning romantic feelings in the young woman. She is terrified with the changes going on in her, which is also in line with how „Eros“ was originally viewed: as a frightening loss of control. Erik says in “Apollo’s Lyre” that “some music is so formidable that it consumes everyone who approaches it”, and Christine states that “Music has the power to abolish everything in the outside world except its sounds, which go straight to the heart”. In both sentences, the word “music” can easily be replaced with “love” - especially in Christine’s example, it would be the musical equivalent of “love is blind”.

Like in other (gothic) romances - “Wuthering Heights” being perhaps the prime example - the two rivals in the principal love triangle represent two very different types of love: one is intense and passionate, but also consuming, terrifying and potentially destructive, and the other is safer, but also somewhat chaste and lifeless. Erik and Raoul each represent one of the two extremes. This contrast is exemplified in the scene at the Masked Ball: Raoul wears white, the colour of innocence, while Erik wears red, the colour of passion, but also of danger and blood.

It is suggested in the novel that Erik and Christine were chained together by fate (“La destinée m’enchaîne à toi sans retour”), and I believe they were destined to save each other. Erik saved Christine from her grief in the wake of her father’s death and brought her back to life, and Christine saved his soul by being the first person in his life to accept him and grant him true happiness. „Phantom“ may be a tragic love story, but it is also a hopeful one, as love proves stronger than death. Christine’s choice, Erik‘s sacrifice and the skeleton’s wedding ring are all symbols of love triumphing over death.