Chapter Text
Erik couldn’t help but be terrified. Ever since Shaw had come to him to inform him there’d been a buyer, he had been shaking and feeling sick with anxiety.
Since the death of his parents, his life had been unstable. First going from foster home to foster home, then Shaw finally adopted him. If Erik was being honest, he thought he would’ve preferred to just move on to another family rather than spending any more time with the man.
As it was though, he was close to aging out of the system and he wasn’t sure what he would’ve done if that had been the case. Fully alone in the world, he didn’t know what he would do or where he would’ve gone. At least, with Shaw, he had a roof over his head.
When he was sixteen the man had informed him of what the plan was. Some kind of illegal system where people could be bought and sold and Erik was in perfect condition for such a place. His profile was immediately posted and, well, nothing had happened.
That had been two years ago and Erik had begun to relax finally, suspecting nothing was going to happen. He was a week off from being eighteen and he figured that then he would be safe. Shaw would kick him out or, at the very least, send him out to get a job so he could live on his own sooner rather than later. But that wasn’t how things transpired.
An offer had come in, finally, when Erik was so close to freedom. Apparently, the money was too good for Shaw to turn down and, so, Erik found himself being packed up, the few things he owned shoved into a garbage bag and then into his arms.
It kept playing in the back of his mind, how things could go from here on out. No matter how much time Erik spent thinking about it, he couldn’t help but be convinced he was being sold to some man in his seventies who wanted acts he just couldn’t ask of a partner. Or to be kept as a sex slave.
At first, he had tried to ask Shaw about it, but the man either didn’t know or enjoyed Erik’s anxious suspense too much to tell him. Erik suspected he didn’t know and didn’t really care. Shaw would be getting money and getting rid of Erik. That was all he cared about and bothered to negotiate.
For the short ride from the city to the suburbs and then into a place that Erik didn’t even have the words to describe, he thought about jumping out of the window of the car. He would have, had Shaw not been sitting right beside him, ready and willing to make his life even worse, had he made any attempt to escape.
So, he found himself unable to do anything but look at the sprawling land and the few-and-far-between houses—or mansions, really—they were passing. That told Erik more about the person who bought him than anything else would. Whoever it was, they clearly had money, and probably paid enough to support Shaw’s lifestyle for a couple more years at least.
That was almost an ego boost for Erik, thinking that someone would pay so much for him. Almost, being the keyword there.
The car finally came to a stop, what felt like hours later in front of a mansion. Erik felt intimidated by the house as soon as he could see it. He sat in the car, waiting as Shaw got out and went around to open the door on Erik’s side. As soon as he was able, he grabbed Erik by the arm and pulled him out of the car, dragging him up to the front door where he knocked.
Erik’s heart was beating faster, each second seemed to stretch out for an hour—and no wonder it took so long for an answer, as big as the house was—eventually, though, someone answered. And, immediately, Erik could feel his heart sinking.
The man was a bigger man, a little taller than Erik, who couldn’t help but feel like he was about to be snapped in half like a twig. Something about him just seemed dangerous, angry, short-tempered. The beard, the ruddy face, the set of his mouth and brow. Unconsciously—because that’s the only way Erik would ever do it—he felt himself pushing back against Shaw, getting as close as possible. He may have hated the man and feared him, but at least he was predictable to Erik now. This new man was not.
“Ahh, Kurt, there you are,” Shaw said, pushing Erik forward, “Here’s your order. He’s ready for anything you may need him for and he’s well trained.”
The man—Kurt—reached out and grabbed Erik’s hands that Shaw had a firm grip on behind Erik’s back. He didn’t waste a second in pulling him into the house and shoving him in behind him.
Without his hands to stop the fall, Erik face planted onto the floor as he heard Shaw and Kurt discussing details and settling everything. Erik moved around, sitting up, but he didn’t dare move from the floor where he had been disposed of. If this was what his life was going to become, he considered trying to make a run for it, but maybe that should wait until Shaw was gone, at least. He’d have a better chance with one man chasing him than two.
Erik wasn’t sure how long passed before he heard the door close and then Kurt was hovering over him and Erik almost shrank in on himself. No matter how many times this happened, his instinct was to fight but that had been beaten out of him with Shaw. He knew he didn’t have much of a chance with this man and if he tried to hurt him then Erik would just end up being the one hurt.
“Get off the floor,” The man said, as though he was disgusted by Erik. Looking around, Erik could see why. His clothes weren’t exactly clean—older clothes, well worn, Shaw wasn’t exactly wasting his money on Erik—and the house was clean, spotless, really. The only spot anywhere was Erik who stood out.
As soon as Erik was on his feet, Kurt was walking and Erik knew he was to follow behind him. The man spoke without even bothering to look and see if Erik was still following behind him. He was used to it by now, Shaw treated him the same way.
“I may have bought you but it wasn’t for me. My wife and I are going away, we own property in England and want to move away. We can’t do that right now though because of my useless excuse for a stepson. He’s holding us back and we want someone to unload him on, you know? Sure, we could just pay someone weekly or something but this seemed to be the better investment. We don’t have to worry about paying, you’ve been bought and where else would you go? So, he’s your problem now. Don’t worry, he’s no more than a useless lump.”
Erik wasn’t really sure what was going on now, but he thought he got the gist of it. The man hadn’t bought Erik for himself, he had bought him for his stepson. At least Erik wouldn’t have to deal with the big man who seemed so dangerous. But he did wonder about the stepson who the man was describing so poorly.
He didn’t have to wait long for his answer though, as the man walked down a hall and opened a door to a bedroom—one of many, from what Erik could gather. In the room was a television, a large bookshelf, wardrobe, wheelchair, and a bed. In the middle of the bed was a man who looked to only be a little older than Erik himself was, even though he looked smaller and fragile.
The man sighed as he saw them. “What is it, Kurt?” He asked, seeming to struggle to keep his voice sounding as polite as possible, even if the words were nothing but.
“You mum and I are going away. This is going to take care of you from now on. It’s a permanent solution, he’s been bought, so don’t worry about that,” Kurt said, giving Erik a shove to the back, making him stumble into the room, almost falling again but at least he had the use of his hands this time, with no one holding them behind his back.
“What have you done?” The man in the bed asked, looking at Erik and then Kurt with wide eyes.
“Gotten rid of our problem—you. Now we can go as we please. Kill each other for all I care, as long as you’re not our issue anymore.” And, with that, the man turned and walked out of the room, slamming the door behind him.
The man in the bed looked from the door to Erik, a horrified look on his face. “What did he do? I mean this isn’t just some job for you, is it? He said he bought you. He actually bought a human.”
Erik gave a little shrug, “My adoptive father wanted to get rid of me and your stepfather apparently wanted me. They reached a deal. I don’t know any more about it than that.”
“Listen, if you wish to leave, to run, feel free. Though I would suggest waiting until they’ve gone. I believe they plan to leave first thing in the morning. You can take off then, for now feel free to help yourself to anything, food, clothes—if you find anything that fits—we have plenty of money.”
The offer was a compelling one, but Erik couldn’t help but stop and consider the situation before he did anything. There were more factors than just his freedom. Like what would happen if Shaw found out he left? Or the family who purchased him. They didn’t seem to care much if he and the other man lived or died, but he couldn’t help but feel they wouldn’t appreciate being cheated.
And then there was the question of, “If I left, what would you do?” Erik asked, not wanting to leave someone alone when they needed help. He might not be the best person in the world, but he couldn’t help but think about how he wouldn’t want someone to just leave him with Shaw when he had a chance for help. Nor would he enjoy feeling helpless. Sure, he didn’t know what was going on with the man, but the wheelchair and medical equipment around him seemed to suggest that there was something.
“I don’t know,” He replied with a small smile, “I’d work something out, I imagine. I have a sister, she’d eventually visit, I assume.”
Eventually, who could say when. If it would be before or after the man died. Erik wouldn’t do that, leave someone alone to die. Not someone who hadn’t committed horrific acts. Shaw, for example, or Kurt. They could die, for all Erik cared, but the man he was talking to seemed to not have anything to do with the situation they were in, besides the fact that Erik was bought for him. It didn’t seem to be his decision or idea.
“I’ll stay,” Erik said, “You said I won’t be forced to stay after they leave? I’ll have freedom to come and go?” He couldn’t help but ask. Shaw had practically kept him hostage for the last couple of years and Erik couldn’t help but want to be free to go to the store if he so pleased, or a walk in the park.
“Yes, of course,” The man replied, “It’s not like I could stop you, even if I wanted to,” He said, nodding down toward his body. “But if you plan to stay, then perhaps we should get acquainted with each other. I’m Charles Xavier, nice to meet you, though I do wish it was under different circumstances.”
"Erik Lehnsherr,” He replied, “And I wish it was too.” But, at the same time, he couldn’t help but be glad it wasn’t under the worst circumstances. Things seemed to be looking up right now and he couldn’t help but acknowledge that, if only to himself.
Charles gave him a small smile, “So, tell me, Erik, how old are you?” He asked, and Erik felt a little strange about the question, briefly wondering why Charles asked before deciding it probably meant nothing, just a way to get to know each other.
“I just turned eighteen,” He replied, “I’ve lost track of what day it is, truthfully. It’s been an interesting week.” Or year. “But it hasn’t been too long.”
“I’m sure it has been interesting. Maybe we can do something soon for your birthday, a late dinner, some kind of small celebration,” Charles replied, “I’m twenty-four, personally. So, maybe we’re not too far off.”
Erik nodded, his mind still stuck on the idea of doing something for his birthday. He was sure he’d not do anything since his mama and papa had died. None of his foster families seemed to care, or he wasn’t with them when his birthday rolled around. And Shaw certainly couldn’t care less.
“So,” Erik said softly, looking around the room, “Tell me a little about yourself, Charles. It seems like we may be getting ready to spend a lot of time together, after all. We should know more than each other's names and ages.”
Charles smiled and nodded, “Well, I suppose we should get the obvious out of the way. I have a spinal cord injury. My stepfather pushed me down the stairs around three years ago. Started on the fourth floor and ended at the first. I suppose I have my stepbrother to thank for me continuously falling without stopping, he was sure to help me along when I needed it.
“Anyway, that’s why I’m here and, now, why you are as well. I’ve mostly been stuck in this bed ever since. I’ve never been much of a fan of television but I find myself watching it more often now. I enjoy reading but I struggle with the control needed to turn pages. I’ve always been a fan of board games but have no one to play against or help me set them up. I used to enjoy going out to bars, flirting, mingling. I liked football too, I used to play at the boarding school I went to but that’s in the past now.” Charles sighed and gave a small shake of his head, “What about you?”
That question gave Erik pause as he considered how to answer. Why about him? He wasn’t sure he knew. “I’ve never been one for watching much either. I do enjoy reading and am a big fan of chess—“
“Oh, me too,” Charles said, smiling brightly before seeming to realize he interrupted, “Sorry, continue.”
Erik laughed softly, “It’s alright, perhaps we can play together sometime, it’s been years since I last was able to play. My parents died a few years back, my father was killed in a crash and my mother went downhill after that, I sort of think it was a broken heart. I took care of her until she…until she was gone. Then, I spent a few years going from foster home to foster home. Then I was adopted by Shaw, the man who sold me to your stepfather. But I have a feeling this is going to be better than being stuck with him. I wasn’t allowed to leave his apartment over the last two years. I want to be able to go outside again, walk, go get groceries, even.”
“It would be nice, wouldn’t it?” Charles asked, looking out his window with longing and Erik found himself looking at Charles, curiously.
“You don’t go outside?” He asked, wondering if he misunderstood, or if there was a reason for it.
Charles shook his head. “No, my mother is an alcoholic who doesn’t care about anything other than her drink. My sister moved out—I don’t blame her, you know, it was for the best that she got out—my stepbrother did too but he wouldn’t have been much help. And Kurt, well, it’s a lot of work, you know? Getting me out of bed, into proper clothes and into the wheelchair, then outside. It’s just easier on everyone if I stay here. I’m less of a burden that way.”
Erik felt like it was irrational, the way he felt tears in his eyes. He couldn’t imagine feeling that way or making someone feel that way. It couldn’t be that much work, he decided. “Tomorrow, you’re getting outside. Your family will be gone by then, they won’t have to know and I’ll do whatever it takes. We’ll figure this out.”
“You don’t have to-“ Charles started to say but Erik was having none of it, shaking his head immediately.
“I know I don’t have to, but I want to. I can’t believe it would be that hard, and it couldn’t be fun staying in bed all the time. We’re getting outside tomorrow, you have a big yard, we can explore and you’ll show me around this castle of a house you have.”
Charles looked like he was trying not to smile and losing the battle. “Okay, we can do that,” He agreed, “Do you think we’ll be able to play a game of chess? Maybe this evening?”
That, Erik was eager to agree to, nodding, “Yes, sounds like a plan to me. And maybe you can walk me through anything else you need help with? Shower or changing, anything?”
Slowly, Charles nodded, “Yeah, I can do that,” He seemed hesitant to agree to that, “We can discuss it then. For now, you can go down the hall and choose a bedroom. No one else stays in this wing but me so the rest are up for grabs. And, if tomorrow isn’t too difficult with…you know…we can go to the store soon and get you what you’ll be needing. Clothes, foods you like, anything.”
Erik gave a small smile, “I’m sure we’ll be able to do that soon. I won’t decide it’s too much trouble, I promise.”
“For now, feel free to see if you can find some clothes to fit. Maybe in one of the wardrobes. I can point you in the direction of the laundry room if you need it. If the room is too dusty, I’m sure the cleaners are around here somewhere.”
“I’m sure it’ll be fine,” Erik replied, knowing some of the places he’d slept in the past and the bedroom couldn’t possibly be any worse than those.
Charles gave a small nod, “Alright, if you’re sure,” He replied, “There’s a bathroom down the hall too if you need it. Just feel free to use anything in there. Umm…anything else?”
Erik nodded, “Nothing that I can think of. Thank you,” he replied, moving around the room. “I’ll be back in an hour or so, if you’ll be okay until then? And we can play chess?”
“Sounds like a date to me,” Charles replied, then cringed a little, “I didn’t mean that the way it sounded,” He said and Erik gave a small laugh.
“Sure you didn’t, Charles,” He replied with a wink and stepped out of the room, closing the door behind him. He really needed to look into a shower and a change of clothes, if that was a possibility. More and more he was beginning to feel like a large speck of dust in the house and the last thing he wanted to do was make a mess of Charles’s house.