I'll describe the way I feel, you're my new Achilles heel.

[bringyoupeace]

[ Locked to atthemercyof. Terrible Things!Verse. ]

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[atthemercyof]

Not particularly. [ Erik's shoulders are slumped with exhaustion, but he's not unhappy seeming, not really. He flashes Charles a glance, let's go of the engine he's been pulling apart for hours. It falls to the floor with a thump and Erik takes a step back. ]

It's taking so long, I need to be faster, how am I ever going to be of any use if I can't grasp this?

[bringyoupeace]

[ Charles offers up a sympathetic look, reaching over to pat a consoling hand at his shoulder. ] You always knew that this was going to take time, but I'm proud of you, Erik. You've excelled much further than I had first hoped in such a short time already, and the more practise that you are able to fit in each day will help. But it will come to you naturally eventually, you must continue to remind yourself of that.

[atthemercyof]

[ He imagines he can feel his palm through both the jacket and his jumper, even though it's an impossibility, Erik likes to think it. ]

Will it? [ He doesn't mean it to come out like a sigh. Turning towards Charles slightly. ] I'm sorry, thank you for your help, I do appreciate it.

[bringyoupeace]

[ The hand lingers there longer than perhaps is necessary before it finally drops back down to his side, and he walks a little closer to Erik, the space between them just enough to prevent incident whilst continue on in their brisk pace. ]

You needn't thank me, love, but you are more than welcome. I am more than happy to help where and when I am able to, with both your powers and the powers of the children. But if you expect too much of yourself too quickly then you are bound to grow frustrated and lose focus. Remember, in order to do this properly you need to calm your mind not enrage it.

[atthemercyof]

[ Shoulder bumping his, his voice shifting to exasperated fondness. ] Yes, yes, I remember, serenity. If it was only as easy to achieve out here as it is in your bedroom, mm? [ With a sly smile. ] Then I'd be unstoppable.

[bringyoupeace]

[ The corners of his mouth begin to rise, cheeks forming into shape, and it looks as if he's about to flash a dirty grin, but he tames it quickly in favour of maintain a serious expression, the one that gains him many nicknames from the children when they forget how easily he can read them. ] Yes, well, I very much doubt that bringing those sorts of activities out into the streets will gain a welcome reception, but if it will help then perhaps I ought to aid you with a few visuals.

[ Charles turns to Erik and opens his mouth to say something else, but he's cut off by the loud rumble of thunder that cracks somewhere off in the distance and makes the ground vibrate slightly with it. He jumps at the suddenness of it, heart pounding against his ribcage, which he places a hand over as he tries to compose himself. ] Good heavens, where on earth did that come from? [ Calming, several more claps go off from the skies, but not quite as startling, and he begins to laugh at how easily he spooked. ] We had better hurry if we want to avoid the

[atthemercyof]

[ As if Charles is the ringleader of the universe, the heaven's choose exactly that moment to open in a sheet of rain. It immediately soaks through everything it touches, sending fabric clinging to skin, and Erik looks up at a sky that had been so clear a moment ago, mouth parted in surprise. ] Scheiße.

[bringyoupeace]

[ Charles gasps with the shock of it, arms held out to the sides as if asking the powers that be what it is that they're playing at. ] Oh, for heaven's sake. [ Drops stick to his hair and eyelashes in places and drip from others, the suit jacket he's wearing quickly soaking up the water so that the shirt beneath is drenched through within minutes. ] The next time that we search far and wide for others such as ourselves, do remind me to track down a mutant with the ability to alter the weather.

[atthemercyof]

[ His mouth curls upwards at the corner even though he's immediately drenched to the bone. Any other person would start running, but Erik curls his hand around Charles' wrist and pulls him closer, pressing a kiss to the corner of his lips, before huffing out a laugh. ]

Oh, what a lucky find that would be. You'd get a bit of colour to you. [ Sliding his fingers through his, because in this weather there's no one going to be around, no one who could see them like this. ] Poor little Zaubermaus.

[bringyoupeace]

[ Charles stills for the slightest milli-second when Erik entwines their hands together, but he does it so quickly and passingly that it probably would go unnoticed, relaxing when he reaches the conclusion that out here, during what is fast becoming a full-blow thunderstorm, that no one will see them. That is something that he often fears, being caught, and although he isn't ashamed as such, he does worry about what people will think, of what people will do if they were to discover their secret. Drawing any attention to them, especially negative attention, is bound to lead somewhere devastating.

He keeps close to Erik, doesn't let go of the hold, and chooses to ignore the rain where he might otherwise complain and make a point of trying to shelter himself as he runs for cover. ] Are you implying that my pasty complexion is undesirable? I thought it added to my endless list of charms. [ He shivers at the playful name and it has very little to do with the weather, German on Erik's tongue always something that stirs something within,

[atthemercyof]

[ Erik pulls him closer for a second, ducking down to look him in the eye, eyes as dark as the sky above him. Rain has flattened his hair down and is soaking inside his jacket, and he shivers, but doesn't let up, simply smiles mysteriously. ] We had our first kiss in a storm, do you remember?

[bringyoupeace]

[ Charles smiles, something so soft and tender in his eyes, because he does remember, of course he does. How could he forget something like that? He brings a cold, wet hand to stroke lightly against Erik's cheek, eyes locked with his. ] Yes, my darling, I recall it well. And so very often.

[atthemercyof]

[ He dips in, presses a warm kiss to Charles' mouth, something soft and fond in the delivery. It is very rare that Erik is like this, could be kind with his affections, but the moment has caught him unawares, the rain reminding of what they embarked upon on a night like this when Erik had been scared and lost in his own mind, Charles' dragging him to freedom and something a little sweeter.

Flights of fancy are not his thing, but now, with his lips brushing the other man's, his hand still wrapped around his wrist, he imagines he could be. ]

[bringyoupeace]

[ Eyes lingering closed from the first press of lips as he basks in the moment, Charles raises the corners of his mouth into a wider smile, something pleased and content, and tugging around the edges with something else, something that he isn't really certain of.

He doesn't pull away, refuses to until it's absolutely necessary, and when he looks at Erik now it's with an expression that feels oddly unfamiliar to even him, something just for Erik. ] Erik, love, I never thought of you to be the romantic type, but I could get used to this. Do feel free to do that again.

[atthemercyof]

You're getting wet. [ His voice is rough sounding, amusement creeping into it as he blinks rain from his eyes and licks a raindrop clear from the corner of Charles' mouth. It's an odd mood, rising suddenly within him, but he finds he doesn't quite mind.

Teasing. ] I'll have to peel you out of your clothes, rub life back into you at this rate.

[bringyoupeace]

It would seem that I am, yes. Leaving that coat at home was a mistake in hindsight, but not to worry. [ Because he really doesn't notice the wet or the cold crawling over his flesh and seeping into his bones, this strange mood of Erik's washing over him with warmth and keeping him very much distracted.

With a cheeky grin, Charles presses their mouths together in a deeply passionate kiss, taking as much advantage of the atmosphere as possible. ] Do you know I think you just might be required to do that once we reach the house, I might become extremely sick if I'm left to my own devices.