Title: Chemistry
Fandom: X-Men First Class
Content notes: references to drugs and implied noncon.
Length: 334 words
Characters: Charles Xavier, Sebastian Shaw, Emma Frost
Author's note: A flashback in the Patterns of Light 'verse.
Summary: “The wonders of chemistry,” Sebastian Shaw says, raising his frosted silver tumbler.



“The wonders of chemistry,” Sebastian Shaw says, raising his frosted silver tumbler. His smile is slow and relishing; it makes him look older.

Charles sips at his mint julep; it’s sweeter than he likes it, but with a bitter note underneath the sugar. The coolness of crushed ice is irresistible, though; even in the shade of the courtyard, the late afternoon is so hot and humid that he can scarcely breathe.

He forces himself to mirror Shaw’s lazy smile, though his head already aches from trying to make sure that Emma Frost can’t pick up his thoughts. She may look languid and bored in the heat, but she’s as powerful a telepath as he is, and with none of his inhibiting scruples. He mustn’t drink too much, however strong the temptation. Dutch courage and drowning his sorrows are equally inadvisable if he’s going to get the evidence he came here for.

Shaw would know all about the wonders of chemistry: so much of his empire in New Orleans and beyond is built on drugs. Marijuana, heroin, cocaine – and there are rumours, not yet substantiated, of an unlicensed suppressant that enables mutants to pass for baseline human.

“Emma makes a great cocktail,” Shaw says. “You must try her White Russian – it’s a work of art.”

“I’ll look forward to it,” Charles says politely.

“The pleasures of anticipation,” Shaw says. He’s so pleased with himself that he’s almost purring. “But I don’t like to wait too long for anything.”

Charles doesn’t need to read his mind to know he’s thinking I’ve waited long enough for you.

Shaw drains his tumbler and sets it down. “You’ll excuse us, Emma. Charles and I have an appointment to keep.”

Charles knocks back the rest of his own drink – the dregs are so bitter he almost chokes – and pulls himself up out of the wicker armchair. Every step feels heavier than the last as he follows Sebastian into the house and up the broad marble staircase.