X-Men Oneshots

How you meet

Charles:

The library was quiet, the scent of old books filling the air as you wandered between the tall shelves, searching for something that might catch your interest. It was a calm escape from the chaos of your everyday life—work, meetings, and the general hustle that came with it. You often came here after a long day, seeking solitude in the pages of novels or historical texts.

Tonight was no different, but there was an unusual stillness that made the hairs on the back of your neck stand up. You had always been sensitive to the energy of others, and though the library was empty, you couldn't shake the feeling that someone was watching you.

You glanced around, but the aisles were deserted, save for a man sitting in the corner near the large windows, a book open in front of him. His focus seemed to be entirely on the page, but you felt something—a presence, as though he was aware of you in a way that wasn't entirely ordinary. You shook off the feeling, thinking it was just your imagination, and continued scanning the shelves.

"That one's an excellent choice."

The voice was soft yet commanding, and you turned, startled. The man from the corner was closer now, his gaze focused on the book you had just pulled from the shelf. He had a calming presence, his demeanor kind but with an undeniable intensity behind those piercing blue eyes.

"Excuse me?" you said, slightly on edge.

"The book you're holding," he clarified with a small smile. "It's a wonderful read. The author has an interesting perspective on human consciousness."

You glanced down at the book in your hand—The Self and Its Brain by Karl Popper. "Oh, yeah... I've heard good things about it."

"I'm Charles, by the way." He extended his hand, and you hesitated for a moment before taking it. His handshake was firm yet gentle, his fingers lingering just a bit longer than expected, almost as if he were studying you.

"Y/N," you replied, a bit flustered. "Nice to meet you."

Charles nodded, his eyes lingering on you for a moment longer before releasing your hand. "Are you interested in philosophy or is this more of a casual pick-up?" he asked, a touch of humor in his tone.

"Philosophy," you said, feeling more comfortable as you settled into the conversation. "I've always been fascinated by the mind and how people think."

Charles' smile deepened. "A kindred spirit, then. I've dedicated much of my life to studying the mind, its potential, its limitations."

There was something about the way he said it that intrigued you, like he wasn't just talking about academic pursuits but something much more personal. "You're a professor, right?" you asked, remembering his name. "Charles Xavier... I've heard of you. You run a school, don't you?"

Charles' expression brightened at the mention of his school. "Yes, I do. It's a special school, for students with unique abilities."

"Unique abilities?" you repeated, confused. "What do you mean by that?"

He paused for a moment, as though weighing his next words carefully. "Abilities like mine." His gaze met yours again, and this time, you felt a subtle shift, like a gentle ripple in the air around you. Suddenly, you heard his voice—not out loud, but in your mind.

I can communicate with people telepathically.

Your breath caught in your throat, your eyes widening as you instinctively took a step back. "What... how..."

"Please, don't be alarmed," Charles said quickly, his voice now audible again. "I didn't mean to frighten you. I only wanted to show you what I meant."

Your heart pounded in your chest, and you took a deep breath, trying to process what just happened. "You're telling me... you can read minds?"