Erik had always known that Liesel was hurt in some ways from their past. She had commented and mentioned as such, Azazel was always a deadly person; his accuracy with the sharp and slightly curved blade that he wielded was unreal. He knew that when the two had crossed paths, Liesel had got caught by the smooth surface, he just didn't quite know how badly she had been cut.

Once her hands were clean, he had pointed out the fact that she needed to sort her shoulder out. She looked at him dubiously, "It's fine." She said, Erik looked at her like she was a complete idiot; he knew, that she knew that that right there was a lie.

"At least I'm aware to this injury and can help." Erik had commented off topic, he decided to just leave her to being ignorant.

"If you're going to name drop the frostbite, I will throw something at your head!" Liesel's voice exclaimed quietly from the bathroom as he exited to find something to fashion into a needle. She did glance at her fingers though, the slightly puckered healed marks were still there. She hadn't wanted to tell him of that, because she didn't want him to worry.

"Like you could." Erik peered around the door and watched as she awkwardly stood. His head had stopped swimming, his mind was a little fuzzy, but for the most part he was the more alert out of the two.

Liesel was suffering with blood loss, so until the wound was closed she would still keep loosing it as quickly as her body could remake it. The thought of her even attempting to throw something was laughable, even more so considering she couldn't even stand without wobbling. "It's fine," Liesel pushed past him irritably and kicked off her boots as she went. "Just need to sleep."

"You aren't a fast healer." Erik stated while turning and watching as she limply attempted to pull her arm free of her jacket. She'd already dumped her bag to one side. She grumbled slightly over some of the content falling out before waving her good hand at him. "Meaning, if you go to sleep while you're still bleeding, you're likely to bleed out." Erik said, honestly he didn't know if that was true, he didn't know what damage the bullet had done, but he was just trying to make her see sense.

Liesel looked at him with a frown. "Worry about yourself, Erik. You are hurt too."

"I'm not the one that got shot." Liesel pressed her lips into a thin line and looked away from him. "You're so stubborn, this is me repaying you for earlier."

"That's messed up. You let me stitch you up, so let me, let you stitch me up in return?" Liesel looked at him with a slightly disturbed expression. The ramble was confusing at best, but Erik just looked at her simply. "You're so weird."

"Coming from you." Erik responded and watched as she sighed and hung her head. Her aversion to not accepting help was stemming from something else. And it wasn't until Liesel had shrugged off her jacket, and started to pull her blood stained shirt off that he realised where it may be coming from.

Sitting in her vest, she looked down at herself. She grimly looked over patches of blood, bruising and grazes. She was a state, there was no doubt about that. She felt awful, made sense she'd look it too. Erik looked at the messy hole from the bullet, below it was a curved scar which he reached up and traced. The sudden contact snapped Liesel from her thoughts and she physically lurched away from him. She frowned and looked at him darkly. He held his hand up and sent what he hoped was a reassuring look her way. Never before had she ever shuttled away from him so quickly, if memory recalled Liesel always quite liked being near.

"Can we get this over with?" Her tone was short and sharp, the sooner she could hide long healed wounds up the better. She didn't quite like the look Erik was sending her way, it was something between pity and sympathy.

"You still got that ribbon?" Erik asked, they needed thread. She turned and rummaged for it before pulling it out and giving it to him. Taking it apart he held up a small piece of metal that Liesel hadn't even realised he was holding until now. Attaching the thread on, he turned and looked at her. "This is going to hurt, isn't it?"

"Yes." Erik answered honestly, he wasn't going to lie to her. What would be the point? He'd lie and when it was found out that he had, she'd shout all sorts at him, he knew that all too well.

Unlike the previous hotel, this one didn't have a drinks cabinet of any sort which meant that she couldn't even have anything to dull the pain. Though the word lucky was perhaps the worse word to use at the moment, she was still a bit woozy from blood loss. She half hoped that it would knock her out and by the time she woke the deed would be done. 

Wincing when something cold was pressed to her shoulder she looked to Erik. She'd been so lost in thought she hadn't even noticed him leaving and returning with a towel to clean her shoulder. She looked down at the white material as it slowly blotched with red. Seeing as how the flow wasn't stopping, Erik put more pressure on both sides. Liesel gritted her teeth and let out a quiet whine, the stabbing pinching pain was unreal.

"When you asked to stay with me, did that mean that you have no intentions of returning to your sister?" Erik asked, he was trying to distract her mind.

Liesel looked up at him slowly. "I don't know." Erik wasn't surprised by that answer, he nodded slowly and pulled the towel away. Slowly but surely the blood flow was stopping. The water had cleaned the blood away, but even now he could see blood coming from the wound again. "If I did, she'd hate me..." He flicked his gaze back up at her, Liesel was staring off into space with a troubled look on her face. Being hated was something she really didn't want, least of all by her own flesh and blood.

"Even if it meant being happy?"

Liesel laughed at that. Her laughter died though from the serious look which Erik was sending her way. "And you can make me happy?" She questioned with a raised eyebrow. If she could've she would've crossed her arms for good measure too. But seeing as how he was holding onto her wrist, and her good arm was in her lap, she couldn't. Erik didn't reply, not that she was expecting him to. Instead he readjusted himself to sitting behind her so he could get to the entry wound on her back. "If I did..." Liesel piped up again, Erik held up the needle and placed his other hand against her shoulder. Slowly his fingers held on to stop her from moving away. "Would you have me?"

"Don't make yourself out to be some sort of lost puppy." Erik muttered and gently pinched the skin together as he manipulated the needle down and through. 

Liesel whimpered and hung her head, that didn't hurt as much as she thought. But that was still painful to her, she really wished there was alcohol here, she could use a stiff drink around about now. "I hate you so much right now."

"No, you don't." Erik said while she bit her lip and continued to try and resist the urge to fidget and shuffle about. That's all she wanted to do, move away and get as far away as humanly possible. The burning sensation of the needle moving through her was just like being shot all over again, it hadn't started off hurting, but the more Erik stitched her up, the more it hurt. However at least the bullet was gone as soon as it appeared, this needle wasn't. Just as it disappeared, it reappeared with agonising slow movements. Liesel could've sworn he was doing that on purpose. But then a part of her did fondly wish to muse over him taking his time to try and minimise the possible scarring; as if that'd do anything, she already had enough as it was, what was one more to the collection? "Yes," Erik finally replied while tying off the end and looking over her shoulder.

Liesel turned her face slowly, she looked strained, the complexion of her skin was pale from this whole experience anyway, but this moment of speedy first aid had seemingly made what little colour was in her face to disappear completely. Her eyes had dimmed to a murky green, she was in pain, tired, maybe even a little annoyed from the day. Her hair had escaped her tie and it had come to frame her face in loose waves. She looked exhausted, hurt, but still to Erik, beautiful. She had grown up to be a beautiful young woman, he regretted missing out on sharing those years with her.

He looked at her while she just looked at him with pained and conflicted eyes. Reaching slowly up he didn't even remotely hesitate to place a hand to her face and pull her close. Liesel shut her eyes and nudged her forehead gently against his while quietly sniffing in hopes that what growing tears there were, would go away. She naturally tensed and moved back when something skimmed her lips. 

Erik just gauged her reaction with sudden dark eyes. He didn't move, yet watched as she slowly turned and knelt, she looked him over before reaching up and pulling him close to herself. Erik held onto her at her waist as she shuffled to be against him. Liesel looked at him with a small frown, she ran a hand through his hair, careful of the stitched cut before rolling her eyes and muttering something under her breath before kissing him firmly.

Regardless of still needing to finish stitching her up, Erik still pulled her into his lap. She tilted her head, allowing him to deepen the kiss as his hands skimmed up and down her back gently, his hands even slipping under her vest to feel her warm skin against his palm. Liesel leaned back, taking in a deep breath as she looked at him. Erik looked at her simply, he had missed her, all of her, so much. Brushing his hair with a hand again, she bought him close and gasped suddenly when something pinched. Liesel went to hold onto her shoulder, only to fail because of the thread.

She let out a pained noise while frowning at him. Erik raised an eyebrow, "Almost finished." Erik stated while seeming completely flippant about the whole thing.

"You were still stitching me up?!" She exclaimed, sounding shocked by this. She should be surprised, yet a small part of her wasn't. But really, that was taking advantage of what could've been a reconciling moment.

"Proved distraction enough, right?" Erik smirked and watched as Liesel did a rather good impression of a fish. "Please stop that," he asked not wishing to point out that it made her look like an idiot, and she was certainly not an idiot.

"I can't believe you..." Liesel trailed off and looked to the newly stitched wound on her shoulder. Moving her arm tentatively, she winced slightly at the pulling of stiff muscles. Everything in her arm protested against moving. Clenching her hand, she frowned deeply, that caused shooting pain to trail up and down the limb. Healing from this was clearly going to take a while.

Erik shrugged, "You shouldn't be surprised." Even Erik stated this blatantly, stroking his thumbs gently against her sides. She was still in his lap, she hadn't moved off and away from him just yet, even if she acted utterly appalled.

"Hm, no, that is true. But even still..."

He raised an eyebrow at her, "Oh Liesel, don't look so put out." He smirked at her rather unhappy expression. He could see her trying so hard to hide her disappointment; honestly, he didn't know she still cared. Or rather, he knew she did, someone so angry has to care. He just didn't know how much. Liesel pouted and muttered something under her breath while fidgeting rather awkwardly and moving out of his lap at last. Erik's smug expression disappeared then, missing her weight and warmth. She fidgeted on the bed until she had pressed her back against the headboard. Erik turned and leaned against one hand while the other waved casually in the air. "Undermining, sure, I will admit to that. But it served a purpose, maybe more than one, don't you think?"

"You're not helping."

"Yes, I can tell." Erik said while standing up and moving around to the other side of the bed. Liesel just sat and watched him until he was seated next to her. Unlike her though he had his legs stretched out on the bed, while hers were tucked up to her chest. "I honestly thought you would push me away. Or..."

"If I shocked you...just think of the pain which would've come back at me. Needle, electricity, yeah, I don't want that in my life thanks." Liesel actually shuddered at the thought of using her powers while having something metallic in her. That would surely hurt a lot. The thought caused her to shudder again before looking back to Erik.

He slowly turned his head to look at her. "Have you thought anymore on what I asked earlier?"

Liesel laughed, "You think just by kissing me, even if you're using it as a distraction, or to prove a point, or to fulfil something; I don't know what, that you think that alone would change my mind to stay with you, and not return to Gretchen?" Liesel actually couldn't believe that. "You're truly unbelievable." She said while looking to the plain wall opposite to them. "You're a good kisser, Erik...don't get me wrong, but even that isn't going to change my mind. I still don't know." Liesel admitted with a sad look quickly sent his way. "I don't want to be hated."

"But you can't live your life in fear, or in monotony." Erik stated while Liesel slowly looked puzzled. "Just think about it, Liesel. Wasn't our time together good?" Erik asked, good was spoken in a slightly strained tone. Was their time good? Even he was uncertain considering some times together was far from good. Yet they were together, which made times good. It was all very confusing.

Liesel looked sceptical, Erik just returned her look with one of simplicity. She was probably a little confused over his choice of words. "But that was then." She stated, letting out a low sigh, she looked despondent while shaking her head.

"And this is now. Things are different, but that doesn't mean things can't be like they were."

"There's robotic mutant hunters in the world, Erik. Instead of people, we have robots. I don't think things can be like they were. I don't even think we could remotely be like we were." Liesel said while throwing her good hand in the air with a groan. "Doesn't mean we can't try...I guess." She couldn't even lie, she missed him, tremendously. When she left him, she was heartbroken, finding out he was the one who killed the President destroyed her. Seeing his mugshot all over the news, and reporters spouting out information about him which was mostly false, hurt her more than she could ever admit. She loved him, through and through, despite of all the bad, she loved him still.

"So that's a definite?"

"...I think..." Liesel said slowly while trying to ignore the fact that Erik sent her a rather wide smile. It was disconcerting, as lovely as it was it was still hugely worrying. She slowly turned her face, "Life was definitely more interesting with you. Life with Gretchen revolves around work, and paying bills, and grocery shopping."

"You hate shopping." Erik pointed out. Typically Liesel may be the lone female he knew that hated all forms of shopping.

"I know!"

"Sounds dreadful. Really, really dreadful. How have you survived so long?"

"The secret is not spending that much time together."

"Wait," Erik frowned suddenly and turned serious despite of their joking moments ago. "Your avoidance to answering stemmed from your sister. Yet you've just said you don't actually spend time together." He narrowed his eyes, Liesel smiled innocently and shrugged stiffly. "You were using her as an excuse."

"Yeah...do you blame me? I mean, being with you again could lead to pain. And...wait, more pain," she said while glancing at her shoulder and then shooting him a dark look. "And I've hurt enough, Erik...I don't really want to hurt anymore."

"I can't promise-"

"That I won't get hurt, I know. It's an occupational hazard when in your company. Trust me I'm a little used to it, shockingly enough." Liesel rolled her eyes with a dry laugh. "And face it...you need me."

"How so?" The corner of his mouth turned up slightly from her sudden smug disposition.

"You need to know where your gear is at, right? As well as those Trask Industries warehouses; or more specifically the ones in use which have the Sentinels." Liesel said while shuffling more against the pillows behind her with a satisfied smile. "You need my brilliance in your life."

Erik frowned yet rolled his eyes at her moment of ego boosting. "When did you get so-"

"Annoying?"

"I was going for self-assured."

Liesel winked, "Got to learn from the best really." Erik frowned at that. "What? You're the most confident person I know. And well...you honestly think some of your traits didn't rub off on me? Even after the amount of years we had spent together? Keep in mind, Erik, you and I have been together since I was about twelve." Liesel shook her head, Erik just sighed and let that slide. "How are we going to get back to America?"

"Do you know how to fly a plane?"

"Coming from the guy who can just manipulate one?" Liesel smirked and shot him an incredulous look.

"Might as well add high jacking to the list of offences."

"Is it high jacking if no one is on board?"

"Stealing, then."

"Add burglary to the list of offences then."

"Wouldn't be the first time."

"Do we honestly need to steal a plane?" Liesel asked while looking at him curiously. "I mean surely there must be some other way back?"

"Do you honestly see Charles letting us go back with him? No, you don't. To be honest with you, they've probably already left." Erik looked at her as she sat and thought over all the details, they probably were already on the way back, neither of them had passports, they were stuck in Paris essentially.

Liesel pouted, "Why'd you have to try and shoot his sister for? Could be in a nice private jet going back to America by now...but no, you try and solve the problem so simply. Have I ever told you, that you can be such an idiot? Do you think before you act?"

Erik frowned and narrowed his eyes at her. "I might think over allowing you to stay with me."

"You make it sound like you have a choice." Liesel beamed and rather dramatically sighed and rolled her head to the side. Leaning against his shoulder, she looked slowly up at him. "You're stuck with me. Aren't you lucky?"

"Aren't I just?"

"No need to sound so miserable." Liesel said sourly. "You were the one a moment ago seemingly pleading with me to stay..."

Erik looked down at her, "I wasn't pleading."

Liesel frowned, "Uh-huh, okay."

"I wasn't." Erik said in a firmer tone, Liesel just giggled. Shaking her head gently she shut her eyes and wrapped an arm around his. Erik rested his head on top of hers and looked slowly towards the window. "We'll think of something to get back. We need to get back, we can't stay here...I know, as much as you would love to, we can't. We have things which need to be done, Liesel. We weren't here for a holiday, remember?"

----

Edited: 14/June/2019

Reedited: 26/August/2021