It was her hesitation that strengthened him. It was ridiculous to be having these pangs of reluctance, as if anything could trump the need to preserve his privacy.

Neither of them had ever acknowledged the root of the problem, that Erik's motive in protecting himself from Charles's prying was to keep Charles ignorant of his betrayal and its terrible consequences. He was lying to Charles to keep Charles from hating him-- Erik was fairly certain the Magneto that Mystique knew would never be so sentimental. But they all had their weaknesses, and at least where Raven was concerned, he was far past the point of pretending that Charles wasn't his.

"Nothing," he said, quietly firm. Their eyes met, and he shrugged one shoulder, amending, "Nothing important."