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You walk slowly through the bar, disgusted you had to be there. You want to get in and out quick. It isn't a particularily nice part of town. You are only there to complete a business transaction. You need a new ID. Your mutant powers are in danger of being discovered again, and you can't risk being found. You look around nervously. There's two men that have been watching you for the past hour. Well, one at least. The other has glanced at you from time to time, presumably to see what his friend is staring at. But his friend hasn't let his eyes off you. You have to admit, he's incredibly attractive. He has short brown hair and a strong jawline. Though his stare is making you uncomfortable, it's also not threatening. More like he's very, very attracted to you. When you had walked in and passed their table, you had heard him ask his friend, "Who's that girl?" Still, you don't like being stared at.
You turn your attention from the man and his friend and back to the clock above the bar. You would wait ten minutes. No more. Finally, someone takes a seat next to you.
"Do you have it?" you ask without looking.
"Not yet." You hear a British accent tinged with amusement, and you whip your head around to see the man who was staring at you earlier. He had a smirk on his face that looked arrogant and breathtakingly handsome at the same time.
"You," you breath.
"Me?" he still has that smirk.
"You've been staring at me all night. It's pretty uncomfortable. Do you normally stare at girls in bars?" you decide to play his little game.
"Only you." He turns to face you completely and smiles.
"Wow. Such an orginal line." You roll your eyes.
He chuckles. "I'm Erik. What's your name?"
You hesitate. But what can it hurt? "(y/n). Who's your friend?" You nod over to the corner, where Erik's friend is flirting with another girl.
"Ah. That'd be Charles. He can read minds. I know you're a mutant." Erik's smile has disappeared and he's staring at you intently.
You freeze. You look around quickly. "I-I'm sorry. I have to go." You sit up and start to rush towards the door, but a hand on your wrist stops you.
"I won't hurt you. I'm like you. I can show you." He smiles encouragingly. You sit back down. Might as well hear him out.
"Fine. Show me."
Erik reaches into his pocket and pulls out a small paper clip. Cupping it between his two palms so that's it's hidden, the paper clip slowly unfolds, until it shapes into a small simple butterfly. You stare at the paper clip and then at him.
"Why me?" you ask.
Erik grabs your hand and places the butterfly in your palm, folding your fingers over the metal. "Because we can help you. You don't have to run anymore." He lowers his head to look deep into your eyes. "You're not alone."
Your heart soars and you feel your eyes fill up with tears. He couldn't be for real?
"How can I trust you?" You whisper. You blink back your tears.
"How can you?" Erik questions, smiling gently.
You pull back and take your hand from his. You open your hand and look at the butterfly. "I can."
You meet his eyes again and smile.

~5 months later~

You curl onto the red couch in front of the fire place. It has been five months since Erik found you in that bar and brought you to Charles's school. You and Erik had grown close over that time and you had to admit that you have fallen in love with him. You aren't sure he feels the same way. You pull your fluffy blanket closer around you, staring into the orange and red flames. Erik is currently away with Charles and you aren't sure when he'll come back. It's now two am in the morning, but you just can't sleep. You're too worried about Erik and Charles. You hate when they're away for long.
"You're up late." A voice murmurs into your ear. You jump, having heard no one come in. You twist and see Erik grinning.
"Erik! You're home," you grin back at him. "How did it go?"
Erik moves around the couch and sits down next to you, looking into the fire. "Not well. The man refused to return with us."
You study Erik's face. He looks tired and you can tell he hasn't gotten much sleep.
"You can't win them all. Even with your handsome face," you joke, hoping to make him smile.
It works. He turns away from the fire. "Is that how I won you over?" he grins.
Your smile fades. "And your compassion." You reach for the cord around your neck and show him the pendant attached to it.
"You kept it." He fingers the metal butterfly he had made you the first time you met.
"Of course."
Erik slides his hand up to cup your face. "I never told you how happy I am you chose to trust me," he whispers.
Your heart pounds against your chest. "Me too."
Erik closes the gap between the both of you and kisses you deeply. You run your fingers through his hair, pulling him closer. You feel him smile against your lips and he pulls away, looking at you. He pulls your hand into his and rubs his thumb over the back of it. Then he holds out his other arm and you move closer to him, cuddling into his side. He wraps his arm around you and presses his lips to your temple.
"I love you," he murmurs against your hair.
"I love you," you mumble, snuggling closer and laying your head on his chest.
You fall asleep in front of the fire, encircled in Erik's arms.