[ It was thrilling seeing the possible future laid out in front of him. It did fill him with the hope that the older Charles wanted to get out of him. Yes, it turned into an apocalyptic setting because of Trask, but there were still years when it was beautiful, when mutants had a home and each other. There is still value in that, like Logan told him on the plane to DC. Finding and guiding them was worth doing regardless of a possible tragic end.
He holds a lot of anger at himself over what Erik accused him of. His friend has always been good at hitting the mark with him, precise and true. He let his misery and guilt lead him astray and at least for him, the glimpse of a time when he did it all right instead, it was reassuring. But also overwhelming. The man he became is someone he didn't fully recognize. Perhaps Xavier in the 60s would've fit his path, but he feels far from it. Charles may have certainty of his path, unlike Erik, but it doesn't mean it feels any more guaranteed. ]
And if they don't? Will you leave it at that?
[ Charles glances up from where he sits, eyes traveling the long distance up Erik's arm to his shoulders and his face at the end of its journey. A beloved one, if filled with bitterness to look at too. His eyes narrow slightly. ]
The future you worked with us in the end, Erik. I am not the only one you can and should prove yourself to. And I think if you do, it will be good for you as well.
[ He shouldn't give up before he starts. They're his people too. Erik cares for mutants. He's gone about it in the wrong way, but the goal is there at its base. Maybe he is their villain in the future, but if they were raised by Charles, and many of them truly were, they'd be open to someone looking for a second chance. It just requires Erik to be willing to put his money where his mouth is. ]
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He holds a lot of anger at himself over what Erik accused him of. His friend has always been good at hitting the mark with him, precise and true. He let his misery and guilt lead him astray and at least for him, the glimpse of a time when he did it all right instead, it was reassuring. But also overwhelming. The man he became is someone he didn't fully recognize. Perhaps Xavier in the 60s would've fit his path, but he feels far from it. Charles may have certainty of his path, unlike Erik, but it doesn't mean it feels any more guaranteed. ]
And if they don't? Will you leave it at that?
[ Charles glances up from where he sits, eyes traveling the long distance up Erik's arm to his shoulders and his face at the end of its journey. A beloved one, if filled with bitterness to look at too. His eyes narrow slightly. ]
The future you worked with us in the end, Erik. I am not the only one you can and should prove yourself to. And I think if you do, it will be good for you as well.
[ He shouldn't give up before he starts. They're his people too. Erik cares for mutants. He's gone about it in the wrong way, but the goal is there at its base. Maybe he is their villain in the future, but if they were raised by Charles, and many of them truly were, they'd be open to someone looking for a second chance. It just requires Erik to be willing to put his money where his mouth is. ]
We both started the X-Men.