A R M I S T I C E
noun [ahr-muh-stis]

A temporary suspension of hostilities by agreement of the warring parties; truce.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~

You frowned as you stared at him, laying in bed remaining completely still and lifeless. It hurt you to watch him in that state. He was such a strong-willed man, you admired him like that and he inspired every single person around him.

But he can't take it anymore. He claims he has no reason to continue his work and his 'normal' life, even though you've told him that in any other circumstance, his and you lives are far from being normal.

"He's at the lowest of his lows [y/n], he'll... pull himself out of it," Hank placed a hand on your shoulder and squeezed it. You stepped back and leaned on the door frame, continuing to watch the Professor shut his eyes.

"How can you be sure about that Hank? I can't watch him like this anymore, it's hurting me on the inside too," You whispered and he looked to the floor.

"The Professor won't let what he's built fall apart, he won't-"

"But it feels like that's most likely going to happen."

None of you said another word. Hank let go of your shoulder then walked away, going towards his room. You stepped inside the Professor's bedroom and sat on the empty side of the bed. He lay on his side, his back facing you.

"Charles, are you awake?" You asked softly and he turned towards you, smiling tiredly.

"Don't waste your time with me, love," He mumbled and you rolled your eyes.

"Charles please you... need to get up and fight this! You're better than being thrown to the ground like this, come on," You motivated and he sighed loudly, holding his forehead.

"I-I can't do anything about whatever happens around me [y/n]! I have no control over any situation," He explained with heartbreak, "Erik took away literally everything I had in my possession, he took away... R-Raven and corrupted her mind! Almost all my students have been appointed for the Vietnam war and there's barely anyone in this school."

"I'm here, Hank's here-"

"Yeah but that's not enough!" He shouted, "It's a school, not a cemetery! There are supposed to be students in every room lile when it first opened up but now there's just me and you and Hank and..."

You placed a hand on his forehead and stoked the strands of hair that fell on top of his face. Although, he moves your hand away and turned to the side once again.

You sighed then got up from the bed. You stood there, pondering over his current state then backing away. You stepped out of the room then shut the door. You rested your forehead on the door and took a deep breath.

You had to take matters into your hands, this is ruining the one man you know to be confident and strong.

*****

HONK! SCREECH!

Your eyes shot open and you sat up straight, your heart thumping in your chest. You looked at your wristwatch, it was 2:40 PM.

You got up from your seat on the bus then grabbed your bag from the overhead compartment. You slung it over your shoulder then walked down the aisle to the exit. You smiled at the driver and thanked him then got down.

You breathed in the fresh air, blowing softly and making your hair fly onto your face. You tied it up into a ponytail then made your way towards a like that had a map and a helper giving people directions.

You grabbed a map then walked away. You didn't really need one because of your powers but kept it just in case. You shut your eyes and focused you energy on finding Erik's ener-

It hit you like a gush of wind, images of him filled your mind. He was staying at a house in the country side not far from where you were right now, a couple of miles north.

You opened your eyes and started your journey in that direction, opening the map and placing your finger over the town's name.

*****

The porch creaked as you climbed onto it. You peeked into the windows with pulled-back curtains in search of anyone living inside at the moment.

KNOCK! KNOCK! KNOCK!

"Hello? Erik?" You called out and waited for a response but nothing followed. You placed your forehead to the window and looked inside the darkened house but no shadows moved, nothing stirred awake.

You frowned, thinking that you found the wrong house-

CLANG! THUD!

You jumped with slight fright, a large metal panel was being hit with some sort of hammer... or at least it sounded like that. You walked around the side of the house to the back yard and found a worn-out dusty barn, with its doors a little open.

Someone was inside working with large equipment. You cautiously approached the wooden building and looked inside, finding a man raising two panes of metal material.

He turned around sharply, causing the panes to plummet towards the ground.

BANG!

"Erik I-"

"What are you doing here? This is private property!" His voice thundered, causing you to jump in fright.

"It's me Er-"

He rushed towards you as you backed away then raised his hands out in front of him.

"ERIK, it's me [y/n]!" You screamed and he abruptly stopped moving. He gulped then lowered his hands.

"[y/n] I'm... sorry, I thought you were someone else," He frowned then rubbed his forehead, "What are you doing here?"

"I need your-We need your help Erik."

"We?" He raised an eyebrow, "Wait, Charles?! No I am NOT helping that traitor. He's rather have the humans be safe than his own race!"

You groaned in frustration, "Charles needs you Erik! He has lost everything because of YOU. Raven is gone, he can't walk anymore and the school is completely empty because the students are gone for war."

You rushed towards him and grabbed his shirt, pulling it slightly. "Please Erik, for my sake... if not Charles, come home and help your old friend," You pleaded, "He helped you through so much, he helped you unlock your stronger powers. Charles needs a win, a sign of hope Erik. I'm... worried for him, he's going to give up if he doesn't see a sign soon."

Erik clenched his fists and jaw then sighed. "I do this for you, because I care for you," He mumbled and you hugged him, wrapping your arms around his neck.

*****

KNOCK! KNOCK!

"Professor, you have a visitor," Hank informed and you peek inside the room, trying to hide the optimism inside you.

"Hank I told you I don't want to-"

Charles froze when his eyes lay upon Erik, who stood in the open doorway of the room. "E-Erik... What the he'll are you doing here?" The Professor furrowed his eyebrows, then looked to you, "What is HE doing here [y/n]?!"

"Charles, old friend, stop sulking and pick yourself up," Erik smiled slightly as he walked towards the bed. Charles sat up, feeling threatened then placed his hand our to stop him.

"N-No, get out NOW Erik! I don't want to deal with you ever again!" Charles' hands started trembling and you hurried to his side, checking on his and holding his hands, "How could you bring him here?"

"I want to make amends Charles, stop this divide between us and get Raven back," Erik explained and he looked at him with disbelief.

"Have you lost your mind? Where on earth would we find Raven?!" Charles reached for the glass of water on the bedside table and gulped it down, then struggled to steady his heavy breathing.

"That's why I'm here. We find Raven, together and we get the school back."

There was a pause of silence in the room then Charles scoffed, "Why... would you want to help me?" Erik sat beside him on the bed and looked to the sheets.

"Because you helped me when I thought I had nothing left... and I'm here to do the same for you, because now you have almost nothing left."

"Almost? I have nothing Erik!"

"You have us," He glanced around the room, "Hank, [y/n] and I, and soon Raven. We owe you one Charles and now it's time we pay for it."

Charles sucked in a sharp breath then put his hand out. Erik shook it and they nodded. You bit the inside of your cheek, you were happy that they were somewhat resolved in their differences.

"Now let's go get Mystique, Professor X."