Paternal Mindfulness
So I have a little, big ongoing fic on AO3. An X-Men movieverse AU where Erik knows Pietro is his son and decides to do whatever it takes to keep his son safe. I wanna pick it back up and continue, but I hit a writing block wall. So maybe sharing it here will help.
The sound of crutches clicked down the halls of Xavier’s Institute for Gifted Youngsters. Despite showing signs of a speedy recovery, Pietro’s leg still needed time recovering. Patience wasn’t Pietro’s strong suit, and all he wanted to do was run. He counted his blessings, however, telling himself to be glad it was just his leg and not his whole body that was broken.
“It’s not my fault Scott’s so slow.” Pietro mused. “If I had it my way, the mission would have lasted ten minutes.”
Kurt chuckled. “Yeah, but Hank would have your head.”
The blue mutant was one of the few people who considered himself friendly with Pietro. They were roommates and spent quite a bit of tome together when Scott and Jean weren’t borrowing them. Kurt was also one of the few people Pietro could genuinely trust, with Kurt being one of a select few who knew about his family ties.
“It’d be worth it.” Pietro argued.
“I don’t know, Hank can get pretty mean when he’s angry.” Charles stated, stopping in front of them.
“I think I could handle it.” Pietro stated.
“With what? Crutches don’t make useful weapons last time I checked.”
Pietro playfully rolled his eyes. He might not be able to now, but he was confident that he could take on Hank. The sound of a bell ringing requested that Pietro and Kurt start moving on. As Pietro started passing Charles, a hand grabbed his wrist.
“You have a visitor.” Charles stated with a stern stare.
Pietro’s head tilted. “Really? Who?”
Charles looked to Kurt then back to Pietro. “I promised I’d let that be a surprise. Not someone looking to hurt you rest assure, but someone who you can’t neglect any more.”
~
Erik was sitting in the garden watching bees jump from one flower to the next. He didn’t really want to be here, but he had to. It was the only place he could discuss business he was recently made aware of.
“If it’s about the whiplash, I thought I apologized for that.” Pietro greeted.
Erik turned to face Pietro, his expression indifferent to the jest. Standing up, he approached the younger mutant.
“It’s not about that.” Erik assured. “But I do appreciate the apology.” He offered Pietro a seat on a nearby bench. “No, I’m here for something more personal.”
This was unusual. While there were certainly things he wished to discuss with the metal manipulator, what personal topics Erik wished to discuss were concerning. Cautiously curious, Pietro took the offered seat. Erik sat next to him. There was a moment of awkwardly inflated silence.
“I know, Pietro.” Erik stated.
“Know what?” The platinum haired man inquired.
“I’m your… I’m here for my family too.”
It was in that moment that Erik realized Pietro was more than just some kid Charles plucked off the streets. He wasn’t just a random mutant who’s mother might have known someone like Erik. Nor could the uncanny resemblance be a mere coincidence.
“I know you are my son.”
Pietro’s body stiffened, freezing in a way that he never thought possible. Shock, relief, and panic surged through his body as he glared at Erik with wide chestnut eyes. He had yet to tell Erik that he was his son. Still anxious and uncertain to do so. Everyone he told swore to let him tell Erik when he was ready, so it had to be impossible that they told Erik.
“How?” Pietro stiffly questioned.
A hand softly ruffled Pietro’s hair. “When I look at you I see myself.” Erik mused. “Cocky and calculated, but well meaning and proud.” His hand moved, resting on his son’s shoulder. “After your mother and I split, I didn’t know what I was leaving behind…”
“I’m your… I’m here for my family too.”
“You tried to tell me,” Erik recalled, “but you were afraid. You thought changing your statement would negate what you wanted to say. In that moment, everything clicked.”
Pulling Pietro into an embrace, Erik felt a lonely weight being lifted off his shoulders. He had missed so much. Guilt of not knowing still plagued his heart, but it finally felt whole again.
Pietro, meanwhile, wasn’t sure how to feel. Erik knowing felt relieving and he was happy that he no longer had to keep it a secret. However, it all felt too sudden. Too convenient to be purely benign.
“I’m so proud of you.” Erik stated. “And now that I’ve found you, I’m not going to lose you again.”
One hand slowly engulfed itself in Pietro’s hair while the other went for something in Erik’s pocket. Flared suspicions sparked in Pietro’s mine, sensing something wrong. In one swift motion, Pietro’s head was yanked back as something cloth-like covered his airways.
Limbs twitched and flinched as Pietro tried to escape, but his body felt weak. Weaker than it should have been. The scent of something chemically foreign seeped into his system. Pietro let out a muffled scream, panicking as his eyes got heavier. He might not gave known what Erik was planning, but he knew abducting when he saw it.
“Shh…” Erik hushed. “It’s okay. You’re coming home.”
Struggling was futile as consciousness was lost. Collapsing in Erik’s arms, Pietro’s body went limp. Picking his son up, Erik wasted no time exiting the premises unseen.
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I could never afford this, but, as a new inductee into the Hughverine 'cult' of fangirls who find him hot, can I just say...mama likes?!
https://www.sideshow.com/collectibles/marvel-wolverine-1973-version-hot-toys-911536?var=911536
But, IDK, the peacock print isn't the most masculine thing ever in my opinion, buuuut, Wolverine makes it so.
Obligatory not a sponsor, blah, blah, blah. I make 0 money off this post, I just thought it was neat they're selling this, even 10 years after the movie came out. Kinda late, but who cares? We nerds eat this crap up if we can afford it. And if we can't-which is obvi the majority-still like to window shop and dream.
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