Genosha another home? | 23/11/24 with Erik (@thatmagneticbish.bsky.social)

Grief can change someone, pushing their emotions into dark corners. Charles had witnessed the loss his old friend experienced. How could he say sorry when they hadn't seen each other in ages? 

Now he had found him, reaching out as he always used to do, not knowing how the other would react or feel. 

"I am deeply sorry for your loss, my old friend." Because that's what he was, yet they had lost touch even though Charles had tried to keep himself in the other mutant's life. But he also knew that if he took one step on the ground Erik had been building for his new life, Erik would try to lure him back in. They had always been on different sides; where Charles still held hope, Erik was the one trying to Open Charles's eyes. But that was truly a challenge, given who he was. In the end, they were like two sides of a coin, and for that, he came and was there.

Grief had pushed Erik to the point of break. Trying to live a normal life. Finally had something to live for. Then the dark day in the forest. When his world came crashing down around him.

He stared forward deep in thought. That's when he felt the presence in the back of his mind. "Charles."

He whispered blinking a few times. 

"Sorry for my loss...just because you've been in my head doesn't mean you know everything." Erik was good at pushing people away from him. Afraid to get too close. He cared for Charles there wasn't a doubt in his mind that he didn't. However their different views drove them apart. He tried for so long to convince him. 

"Why are you here?"

It was hard to come this way towards him, but that was the only way. Being in his friend's mind, he felt so close, but it was never easy for him to go in, and he knew that going in there would also cross his boundaries. Getting a response, the way he gave it to him, he also felt his emotions. They were open towards him, and he had to wipe a tear away.

"I can feel you. I feel your loss—but I want to know what happened. I want to hear from you. I am here as your friend." He knew how hard it was for Erik to open up or get close to anyone. But he was here, and he would be on his side; he was always on his side, even if he didn't feel he was. Maybe this time things would be different. He saw the other mutant, the one he always felt close to. Different views had pulled them apart, but circumstances could bring the right moment to bring drifting apart souls back together.

Erik hadn't thought about the sudden Intrusion in his head. For some reason it was a warm reminder of friendship. Something he hated to admit he needed at this time. He didn't bother to his the extreme emotions he was feeling. No matter what Charles would have found them even if he tried to bury them. He felt so lost and broken. 

"I know you can. I...I tried to live a normal life Charles. Like you always talked about. I even saved a life...a human life. They instantly turned on me. Took my daughter...I LOST EVERYTHING!" 

He reached up to wipe away tears. Showing emotions he usually tried to hide.

And the wave came, the one he had felt lurking. Not even Charles, who was on the side of the humans, could keep his eyes dry. He had to swallow his tears, the pain, the grief. He had felt that kind of grief once when he was connected to him, and hearing that he truly had tried to live a life as he always told him broke his heart even more. He dropped his head, listening to him and to what he had lost, and the worst was that he had lost his whole family.

"Let me be there for you. I know we have drifted apart. Will you let me?" It was Charles Xavier asking for permission, knowing Erik wouldn't just let him come to him.

The soft sobs coming from the usually stern male echoed in his mind. He hadn't meant for Charles to hear them. It was enough to just show the weakness in front of him. The emotions he suppressed even though it hadn't been long after. He remained silent unsure of what more he could say to Charles. When he spoke to him he felt a sense of uncertainty to let Charles in fully. To allow comfort from a man who had been there for him since the day that they met. Finally he took a deep breath nodding.

"Alright. But just you. If you wish to come see me then do so. But no one else."

He wiped more of his tears away; the request was clear: only he alone. He felt his friend in pain—so much pain. There was only he who could hold those broken pieces together now, even though he needed Hank with him, but Erik would never allow this for him—or would he? Maybe he would go alone first and ask if Hank could come later. 

He felt how hard it was for the other to even let him in and be there for him. "I will be there. I will be alone. Just give me a day or two to organize the important things so Hank knows what to do, and then I will stand in front of your door." That's what he let him know, and then he gave him a visual view and looked at him, a memory of both, and he gave him a comforting hug; then it vanished. "Wait for me," he said with a whisper back at him.

Erik hoped that he would stay true to his word and come alone. He was untrusting of people when it came to his feelings. The less people to know he had a softer broken side the better. He nodded at his words. "Very good. I'll be expecting you. Two days time. Don't be late Charles."

Even if it was just in his head the visual view and hug seemed to calm him a bit. He nodded. 

"Alright."

"Two days. Alright." He wouldn't be late; he would be there for a moment he was at least a little with him, but he decided to make his way. He had to organize a lot of things to keep the school running while he was gone, and Hank had to help him with other tasks. Two days were not a long time to organize everything, but he didn't want to be late. Another feeling was crawling up on him, and he also felt a longing, missing him.

Two days later, Hank brought Charles to the place Erik had told him to come. Genosha, that's what the place was called. Charles looked at Hank, Two days were not a long time to organize everything, but he didn't want to be late. Another feeling was crawling up on him, and he also felt a longing, missing him. "I need to go alone now. He trusts me; I don't want to ruin this, and I am good at such things, as we know." He said, and then he walked toward the huge doors of Genosha and used his telepathic powers to let Erik know he was there.

Erik would spend the next two days preparing for his arrival. Making sure he had a proper place for him to stay. And making sure everyone was aware of his arrival. Didn't need to cause panic amongst his people. He couldn't help but find himself deep in thought about Charles. All the time that they spent together. All the time they spent apart. He couldn't deny that he hadn't missed him. A soft sigh as he stood in his room making himself a cup of tea. Suddenly, there he was in his head. He had arrived at the gates of Genosha. "I'm on my way." He'd tell him before making his way briskly to the gates. He was trying to contain his thoughts. He took a deep breath. Fixing his plain everyday clothing before raising a hand and using his powers to open the gates. 

"Hello, old friend." He said giving him a warm smile.

When he heard he was on his way, his heart raced a little faster, and Hank, who was about to leave, looked at Charles, giving him a small grin. Charles returned this with a stern look back at him. He didn't like that it was so obvious that he had missed Erik, and in addition, it was no place for feelings right now. He knew why he was there, and he had left everything behind to support him. 

And then, standing at the gates of Genosha, he saw him, but he had felt him long before he would reach the gates to open them. For a moment, there was silence, but it was a little magical; hearing him call those few words meant everything to him. 

He dared to give him a warm smile back. "Hello, old friend. I came as you wished, alone. Now, show me your home, and thank you for letting me come here," he said, knowing it wasn't easy for Erik to welcome him into this new home he had created—a safe place for mutants. Maybe there was a way they could be together again? The telepath wished for it deeply, feeling that ever since Erik had left him, a part of him was never whole again.

He nodded to him. That smile. It had been so long since he had seen it. 

"I'm glad you respected my wishes. Perhaps another time your X-Men can visit."

Even if he had brought someone else he wouldn't have turned him away. He wanted to see him. Needed it. He gestured for him to come inside the gates.

"Let's get you settled and I will give you an official tour." 

Once he was inside he'd turn and start walking giving a wave of his hand to shut the gate. "How have you been? Anything new? We don't really pay attention to the news out here. Pretty much stay to ourselves. It's better that way." 

After walking for a moment he would stop in front of a small home made of metal. 

"This is my home. I have arranged for you to stay here in the one next to mine. It has all the accommodations that you should need."

Feeling a warm and fuzzy sensation wash over him, both of them made their way to Erik's home. It was entirely made of metal but incredibly beautiful. However, what surprised him the most was that Erik wanted him to have the house right next to him. This made him swallow briefly. He felt that he needed Erik, that he wanted to be close to him, and Charles would do everything possible to grant that wish.

Listening to Erik and what he said, a small smile reached his lips. "For a moment, you at least allowed me to have Hank here. But even when you say now that the X-Men can be here, I don't think that's needed for now. I see—" He gestured around and noticed how the other mutants from Genosha were looking at him, then shifted his gaze to the house that was for him.

"I see that you have everything here for me, and when I need help, I know you are not far away. You are right next to me. So I am good. I came here because of you and because you need me. That's all that matters to me. I can't wait for the tour." He made his way to his own house and opened the door, which was wide enough for him to go through with his wheelchair. It looked cozy; he loved it. Then he turned his head to look at Erik. 

"I missed you too," he said quietly, reaching his hand towards his friend. He hadn't felt him in so many years.

He had a sense of pride to him. It had been a while since anyone new had come to Genosha. He was happy to be able to showcase this accomplishment to Charles.

He had a sense of pride to him. It had been a while since anyone new had come to Genosha. He was happy to be able to showcase this accomplishment to Charles.

"Of course Hank needed to drop you off. I will have a designated spot for him to land here near your home in future visits." He glanced around at the mutants who were around watching them with cautious eyes. 

"You'll have to forgive them. They aren't used to new faces. It's not often people come to visit. Don't hesitate to find me if you need me." He gave him a soft smile.

"I'm glad you came. It means a lot. How long will you be staying?" 

He watched him as he made his way up to his home. He had carefully built Charles' home out of various pieces of metal. It resembled a cottage. Ones he had seen when he lived in Poland. This one in particular was big enough for one person. Designed to accommodate a wheelchair down to the metal ramp leading up to the small porch. 

He hesitated as Charles had reached out. He closed his eyes a moment taking a deep breath before he moved to join him hand reaching for his.

And Charles, who had lived forever in his place where he had been, recognized what Erik had built. By his whole body language, he let Erik know how impressed he was. "You created something big here. It's a compliment," he said with a soft remark. He smiled at him with some openness. "I wasn't sure if you would let him come. But he is the one I need, so thanks for letting him come if necessary." His next remark made him thoughtful. 

"You gave them a home. That's all that matters to me." A small nod, and he mirrored the smile, feeling a warm feeling come into his heart. Charles had noticed each detail, including the cottage style, and he couldn't help the tear rolling down his cheek as he tilted his head. 

"Never has someone built me a home out of compassion and love. Making me seen... You built not just a house; you built a cottage because you want me to stay." Then he felt Erik's hand, knowing what it took him, and gently brushed his thumb over the back of his hand. 

"The rare gift to see each other's core." His heart felt close, but he also knew Erik couldn't hold this connection of their bond for long. "Let me rest a little, and then show me what you have created. I feel excited to see what you have built.

"Of course Hank needed to drop you off. I will have a designated spot for him to land here near your home in future visits." He glanced around at the mutants who were around watching them with cautious eyes. 

"You'll have to forgive them. They aren't used to new faces. It's not often people come to visit. Don't hesitate to find me if you need me." He gave him a soft smile.

"I'm glad you came. It means a lot. How long will you be staying?" 

He watched him as he made his way up to his home. He had carefully built Charles' home out of various pieces of metal. It resembled a cottage. Ones he had seen when he lived in Poland. This one in particular was big enough for one person. Designed to accommodate a wheelchair down to the metal ramp leading up to the small porch. 

He hesitated as Charles had reached out. He closed his eyes a moment taking a deep breath before he moved to join him hand reaching for his.

And Charles, who had lived forever in his place where he had been, recognized what Erik had built. By his whole body language, he let Erik know how impressed he was. "You created something big here. It's a compliment," he said with a soft remark. He smiled at him with some openness. "I wasn't sure if you would let him come. But he is the one I need, so thanks for letting him come if necessary." His next remark made him thoughtful. 

"You gave them a home. That's all that matters to me." A small nod, and he mirrored the smile, feeling a warm feeling come into his heart. Charles had noticed each detail, including the cottage style, and he couldn't help the tear rolling down his cheek as he tilted his head. 

"Never has someone built me a home out of compassion and love. Making me seen... You built not just a house; you built a cottage because you want me to stay." Then he felt Erik's hand, knowing what it took him, and gently brushed his thumb over the back of his hand. 

"The rare gift to see each other's core." His heart felt close, but he also knew Erik couldn't hold this connection of their bond for long. "Let me rest a little, and then show me what you have created. I feel excited to see what you have built.

He watched Charles taking note of his reactions. He nodded giving him a soft smile. 

"I know." 

He suddenly frowned his facial expression turning serious. 

"He is your friend Charles. If you trust him...I should as well." He paused thinking for a moment. 

"They deserved a home. I gave it to them. A place to feel safe." 

He gave his hand a squeeze as he focused on the cottage. 

"I wanted to give you a piece of home. A place where you could feel comfortable and safe. Years ago you offered me a home. I just want to do the same for you." 

He pulled his hand away retreating back some.

"Right. When you are ready let me know. I'll see you later." 

He reached out patting him on his shoulder before he turned to walk away. Towards his own home. Once there he would make himself a cup of tea before going over to pull his old trunk out opening it. Digging around for his portable chess board. He thought of a nice spot they could go to after he gave him a tour.

"Maybe he is my friend, but that doesn't mean that I bring him here. You requested that I come alone. I wanted to respect this wish and not be disrespectful. We haven't seen each other in so long that I didn't want to demand anything but just to be here... being close to you." That was the most sincere answer he could give to this.

Then he heard what he said about what the others deserved, and he was right, because everyone deserved a home. Erik had created something with his own hands, and he felt the warm, fuzzy feeling coming from there.

The remark that he wanted to give him a piece of home, like he did once for Erik, warmed his heart even more. It wasn't just a home Erik was offering; he offered so much more, and Charles saw it, felt it, and experienced how his soul felt the first time he resonated with someone who saw him just as he was, who loved him as he was.

"I appreciate that you did this for me—giving me a piece of yourself to stay here." When he pulled his hand away, he felt how they were pulled apart for a moment, but Charles felt him still; the connection was there. Even through all the grief and pain, he felt him lingering, waiting. He gave a small nod, and when he turned to walk away, Charles suddenly felt very alone in this cottage.

What a weird feeling it was, not being in the Xavier school in the rooms he knew so well, but in a house created by the hands of the one he could never forget. When he was alone, he finally had more time to see all the details, and then he felt that he truly needed some rest. He made his way towards the bed, getting himself out of the wheelchair, and that was when he took the rest he really needed so much. But his mind was so loud, so very loud, and when he woke, he hoped it wasn't too late.

He got ready and then went out of the cottage, checking the porch to see the other people who were living there. Before he would let Erik know that he was now ready for the small tour, he said, "I am waiting outside. Sorry if I took too long to rest. I think I haven't slept this well in a long time." 

Erik wanted to offer Charles much more than a home but it was hard for him to express it. There was no doubt in how he felt about Charles. It scared him. He couldn't lose him like he lost all the other important people in his life. He sat in his home deep in thought about everything as he waited for Charles. If he asked Charles to stay with him would he give up everything that he believed? Would he give up the things he had built?

He had spent the rest of the time walking around patrolling the island. He had to keep his mind off his thoughts. 

"Mhm, I am on my way right now. I will be there within a few minutes. Don't worry about it. You needed the rest." 

A few minutes later Erik would come into view giving Charles a small wave as he approached him. "Did you have a nice rest?"

He stops directly in front of him arms crossing over his chest.

A small smile came to Charles's lips when he saw the other mutant. "I probably had one of the best naps ever. I normally don't sleep well, especially recently. A lot is on my mind. Maybe I should ask what you have done with my cottage that allowed me to be shielded from all the thoughts. Normally, I can't rest at all. But maybe it's just the place itself." He looked up at him; their eyes met, and he could get lost in them each time.

"Show me around, and I hope that my being here is truly okay. I saw how the others were looking. Would you mind if I stayed longer?" It just slipped out of him, maybe because he just didn't want to leave him again. He knew the school was in good hands; they could be without him for some time, and if he needed something, Hank could help him. But now, looking at Erik, he thought maybe for once he just had everything he needed.

Everything was fine, at least until he felt the heat crawling up inside him the moment Erik asked if Charles would stay forever. For a moment, he had still looked around, interested in what was around them: all the different flowers, buildings, and the other mutants watching them. It was so strange to have a peaceful mind. He had noticed it, but when Erik said what he said, his eyes shot back to him.

"Wait." Erik had already started walking again and continued talking about how he imagined all of this here, and Charles began to form a clearer picture of what Erik wanted to communicate. Erik was not always the best at sorting out his emotions openly, and now Charles was directly confronted with it.

Before he could finally say something, Erik made it even clearer. "Stay with me." This statement held a lot more weight than Erik probably realized when he asked the others to stay with him.

Now Charles grabbed Erik by the wrist and made him stop walking. "Look at me. You just asked me for a lot more than to stay with you here and build something together. Am I right?" 

Erik had continued going on and on about Genosha. Naming off all the great things he had achieved here. Things that they could achieve together. He hadn't been paying attention to Charles or his reaction to what he had asked of him. It surprised him when Charles grabbed his wrist stopping him in his tracks. He turned to him nodding his gaze meeting his. 

"That is what I meant when I said it." 

He frowned his face twisting in frustration. He had always been bad with words. With expressing emotions Was it not clear enough to Charles what he wanted? Was he asking too much of him? 

"I understand if you don't want this. I just thought...." 

His voice trailed off. He was about to put his walls back up. Forget about what he wanted. He couldn't outright say those three words. Could he? No. Saying I love you wouldn't fix all the years of heartache and pain he had caused Charles. It was silly of him to think this would be more than just a visit. Yet he didn't pull his hand from his grip.

It was hard to get Charles lost for words, but for a moment he was, and he didn't let go of his wrist; he actually didn't care if someone saw them. In all the years, they could be open with each other as much as they wanted.

"I... If I don't want this? You mean if I don't want you and all of this? I thought I came here because your whole family is lost. I didn't think for one second or dare to think of more because I thought I have no rights there because your heart is with them. I thought you grieve so much that you need me as your friend." He swallowed briefly, recalling all the years, and pulled him closer toward him.

"I wasn't expecting to find the feelings, these feelings you just shared. Those I hoped to find so long ago." He said softly, meeting his gaze, with tears in his eyes.

"We went through so much. I did let you go so many times when I wished I hadn't. I spoke up and tried to make you stay so many times, but then I thought you wanted to get away from me, and now you ask me to stay. How could I be so blind when I am normally the one to see everything? But I didn't see this coming. I want to stay... I just was afraid you didn't want me the way I want you." Now it was out, and he still held him in a tight grip; he didn't want him to go again.

He could tell Charles was struggling to find the right words to say. Normally he would have made a joke about it but it didn't seem appropriate at this moment. So he would wait for him to speak again. He would nod. 

"Yes, you are here because I sought out comfort from you. Because I am grieving my family. I also realized how much I care about you. You never left my heart. I just never thought this could happen. We were always so different."

He didn't protest when Charles pulled him closer to him. A soft sigh escaped him. As Charles spoke about his own feelings Erik watched him his gaze remaining locked with his. 

"I know. I should have stayed all those times you asked me. But I was so wrapped up in my own anger and determination. I pushed you away. I promise I won't. Never again." He reached a hand up stroking the side of his cheek leaning towards him. 

"I want this Charles. More than you will ever know."

He leaned more towards him his lips brushing against his.

Maybe that's when he forgot to breathe for a moment, the wave of emotions coming to him, the truth suddenly said so clearly that he felt it so heavy and deep. It clouded his mind a little. Yes, they were always different, but this didn't mean he had no feelings of love ever for him. The way he looked with his blue eyes into his, he was so vulnerable, and he didn't close himself off; he was all open to read for Erik.

"You promise to never push me away again? You really promise this to me?" Such a promise was a huge one, one he would have to return equally to him. When he felt his hand against his cheek, feeling his skin, he didn't realize how much he had yearned for him until it was very obvious. He leaned his cheek into his palm, and his heart, it was so alive in his chest.

And there was the truth; for now, he knew he wanted this, but he didn't know how much he wanted this, and when he leaned more towards him, he let out a soft breath, his heart was beating, and he felt it so heavy but with excitement, and then he felt his lips—soft and tender brushing against his. It felt like Erik's soul was touching his.

He can't remember the last time he had kissed someone, but it was a very, very long time ago. Softly he cupped Erik's neck, brushing his thumb against his neck, and responded to the kiss, kissing him back.

A new memory, a kiss, their first kiss, and he felt as their souls intertwined. Then he pulled a little away, resting his forehead against his. "I have waited so long. I can feel you; I want you to feel me too. I want to stay; I want this here with you. I can't be separated again from you; my heart wouldn't take another separation." And that was the truth.

He didn't know what else to say or do so he hesitated. The slight doubt that Charles could love him back lingering in his head. He studied his facial features taking in his stunning blue eye that showed vulnerability. Something he's unsure he had seen before. He nods whispering to him. "I promise. I really promise this to you."

He let out a sigh of relief as he leaned into his touch. He had been afraid of how he would react. His heart pounded in his chest. 

He felt Charles' hand on his neck his breath hitched as a pang of nervousness set in. Their first kiss. He relaxed into the kiss as Charles returned it. Erik's arms moved to wrap around him pulling him up gently so they were close.

He smiled at him when he pulled away. 

"I have too. For so long I denied what I felt. You mean a lot to me. And I'm glad to finally have you by my side."

The promise was real; it felt so real, and he knew Erik by now. Maybe this touched him the most—the promise, the love declaration, coming also with the last words floating to him. 

When he got pulled up, feeling his arms around him, he wrapped his arms around him in return and looked at him, smiling. "I am always the one giving people a home. I was always the one giving my love. It was you this time who came and asked me to have a home with you and share my love with you, with everything coming in return. God, I feel open and vulnerable. I have always allowed only you to see me like this. You were always it for me." He held tight to him and pressed a tender kiss on his jaw; he loved that spot. He just had never been able to show or tell him this. 

He knew they both still had so much to talk about, their feelings and how to process this new situation. 

"As much as I hope we finally have a safe home, I want you to know I will fight for this home. But what are we going to do about my school? We have a lot of things to plan and discuss. And... you tell your children on your own that you have a boyfriend now. I think about what I am in the modern world. Even though I don’t care what we are, as long as we are just simply together."

Erik smiled as he felt Charles' arms around him as he supported him holding him up. 

"You may think you never got through to me Charles but you did. I can't explain it but you did." He looks down at him letting out a soft hum as he kisses his jaw. He nods to his statement about protecting this home. 

"It is safe. I have made sure of it. But I appreciate your willingness to help. As Genosha grows we will find new struggles." He thought for a moment. 

"As I stated before we could bring your school here. We could build something better. Mutant existence will always be a bane to the humans. We both know this.You can still have your X-Men and play heroes." He moved to help him back into his chair. 

"We will discuss everything. You should get settled first. And as for telling my children. If they ask then I'll tell them. I highly doubt they are interested."

Charles made a small frown at the one statement he made, "You made sure of it? How do you mean?" What did he do? From the outside, it looked like a normal island. What did Erik do that made them truly safe here?

With Erik's help, he went back into his chair, which was one of the more modern ones Hank had helped to create. It also charged so that he could stand for some time without problems. But now he was glad to be sitting again and looked up at him. "This school is not just a school; there is also Cerebro. If you want my world to merge with yours, we have to build something that has never happened before. We, as a team, have a power that no one will expect. All the humans and other creatures have always seen you and me as being on two different teams, each with its own world. Mixing this together will bring out something that even I do not know what it will be."

At least he knew that the decision to be not only in a romantic relationship meant changes; also bringing their two different worlds together meant even more changes.

When the topic of the children came up, Charles let out a soft chuckle. "I was already in a very awkward situation with Wanda. Your children are interested in who their father is with or not. But maybe they will not really expect that it is me. And for the settled part, I need an additional house; help me build one. Hank needs to be here, and he needs a lab—at least something where he can work." While both were talking, suddenly someone joined them. It was a young woman, and she leaned closer to Erik.

"We have new visitors. They are mutants asking to enter. It's a small group, and we need your help." The woman gave Charles a small look and then looked back to Erik, as she felt like she was intruding on something intimate. "I am sorry; I didn't mean to interrupt, but someone needs to check it."

"I have people here that help me out to keep the people safe. Ones with specific gifts. No one comes to Genosha without being detected and dealt with properly. I have also reinforced the island's structure with metal. There is a whole infrastructure below the island. It is big enough to build a lab for Hank as well as Cerebro." 

He paused a moment thinking. 

"Does it matter what others think? Many will see this as a betrayal. Others will see it as a beneficial merger. As for the humans. They are going to try to wave war on us. Seeing us together as a threat. We have to be ready. We have to protect our people. This is how it should have been from the beginning. We are much stronger together than we have been apart."

He nodded at the request of another home. Of course he would do that for Charles. All he had to do was ask.

"As I said before. We can build a compound underneath the island. A place for Hank's lab. For Cerebro. And anything else we may need to keep from the public eye. 

He turned towards the person who had approached them nodding as he listened to her explain the situation. He looks at Charles. "Sorry to cut this short but we have some unexpected visitors I must deal with. Please feel free to look around. I will return to you as quickly as I can."

He turns back to the woman. 

"Please, lead the way."

Charles watched Erik, his expression thoughtful, a mix of admiration and concern etched into his features. His hands rested lightly on the arms of his chair as he leaned back, considering the weight of Erik’s words and the decisions they were making together.

"Stronger together," he murmured softly to himself, repeating Erik’s assertion. There was truth in it, undeniable and powerful, but it carried with it a complexity that couldn’t be ignored. The world would see their unity as both a beacon and a threat. He had always known this path would not be easy, but hearing it framed so plainly by Erik brought the reality into sharper focus.

He turned his gaze to the horizon, the beauty of Genosha’s landscape almost a contradiction to the heavy discussions of war and survival. "We must be ready," Charles said aloud, his voice low, as though grounding himself in the enormity of what lay ahead. "Not just for the battles you foresee, but for the ideological ones as well."

Still, the promise of building something together, a sanctuary, a safe haven, and a foundation for their people’s future was undeniable in its appeal. Erik’s unwavering determination, though at times daunting, was also strangely reassuring. Charles found himself smiling faintly, despite the looming challenges.

"I’ll hold you to that, Erik," he said softly, his mind already turning to the possibilities of a new Cerebro and what they might achieve with it. Moving, Charles decided to explore the island as suggested, taking in the scale and ambition of what Erik was creating here.

In a quieter moment later, he would remind Erik that even as they prepared for war, they must also prepare for peace. But for now, he would let his partner deal with the unexpected visitors, trusting in Erik’s ability to keep them safe. As always, they would navigate these complexities together.

His gaze harbored the same expression though it was more admiration for the other. 

He would nod as he mumbled those words. He understood the complexity of the situation. He worried about the outcome. He couldn't bring himself to lose another person that meant so much to him. He made a vow to himself to protect Charles. No matter what the humans did. 

He watched Charles as his gaze shifted. He turned to look as well. Genosha was a beautiful place. A lot of forestry. Right now there were only a handful of homes spread out along the land. Some Mutants even opened a few shops with handmade signs. 

He nodded in agreement to Charles as he spoke. 

"We will be ready. I promise. Together we can make this work. " 

He really wanted to reassure Charles. Show him that their dreams would finally be coming true. 

"I hope you do." He replied confidently. He would watch Charles as he wandered off to explore the fruits of his labor and determination. He smiled slightly. 

He turned his attention back to the woman following her as he was led off towards the gate of his mutant paradise. He was a bit on edge considering they didn't get many visitors aside from the ones he had invited.

At the gates of Genosha, a small group of visitors stands quietly, their appearances varied but their intentions unclear. Leading them is a tall woman with striking silver hair, her posture confident and regal. Beside her, a younger man with a wiry frame and nervous energy clutches a small bag, his eyes darting around in awe of the island. The last is a young girl, perhaps in her early teens, her vibrant green hair framing a curious face as she peers beyond the gates.

The woman steps forward, her voice steady but firm.

"We’ve come seeking sanctuary. We’ve heard of Genosha—a place where mutants can live freely. We’re hoping the stories are true."

The girl behind her fidgets, looking up at the towering walls, while the younger man shifts uneasily, his gaze fixed on the distant trees as if gauging their safety.

At the same time, Charles Xavier had made his way back to his house, maneuvering his wheelchair with practiced ease. The tranquility of Genosha always gave him a rare sense of peace. Now settled on the veranda, he opened a worn book, its pages marked by years of thoughtful reading. The afternoon sun cast a warm glow over him as he immersed himself in the words, a brief respite from the weight of leadership.

From his spot, he could faintly sense the presence of new arrivals at the gates, though he trusted Erik to handle the matter. For now, Charles allowed himself this moment of quiet, his mind still attuned to the hum of Genosha’s life around him.