Continuing on.

[helpmeguideit]

continued from..."Breakfast would be nice," Charles said. He enjoyed those times when he woke up early and got to spend some time alone with Erik. They didn't have these moments very often. Not with his own habit of falling asleep in his office and waking up in the middle of the night. He would join Erik for sleep (most nights) well into the

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[helpmeguideit]

Charles couldn't help but hold back a chuckle at Erik's question, "That's quite alright. French toast is good." He hadn't found many things that he disliked, though. "You don't want English food. I don't, either." He wasn't lying. Most of the things he remembered were dry and bland. Not a good way to start he day.

[helpmeguideit]

"Yes, and I don't want to share," Charles pointed out. Especially not when he got those few moments alone with Erik. And while he loved his children, he had to keep walls up around himself when he was with them. Walls that he didn't have to have with Erik. Not anymore, at least.

"Two's fine," Charles said, taking another sip of his coffee.

[helpmeguideit]

"I do, but I'm often busy," Charles said, and he enjoyed the feeling in the air. The fact that Erik felt happy pleased him. His grin was almost shy (unusual for Charles), as he looked down as his hands, holding his coffee in his lap. He appeared to be thinking, but he wasn't really. He was just enjoying the quiet presence and watching Erik make the french toast.

Basking in the feelings and thoughts that Erik was projecting, basically. "I love you." It slipped, without him even realizing it.

[helpmeguideit]

Charles watched him, listened, and looked unsure. It was as though at the same time Erik realized what he had said, he realized it himself. He brushed a hand up through his hair, attempting to relax. "I said -- I love you." It was harder the second time, where it didn't slip out as if it was a part of normal conversation.

[helpmeguideit]

Charles knew Erik couldn't return it in words, but he could tell. He could feel it from him. "I know," he said simply. Even without articulation, it was obvious to him. While he cherished his differences from others, this was one of those moments where he more than treasured it -- he was grateful for it. He knew Erik and had started to understand him -- and what being with him entailed.

"I truly do know." He had no expectations and only really wanted Erik there at his side.

[helpmeguideit]

Erik allowing Charles to be present in his mind helped Charles greatly. He could know Erik's feelings and make an attempt to understand them. It allowed the two of them to bond in so many different ways. Charles liked that he could bond without words. He could give Erik those pleasant thoughts and feelings.

He put down his coffee and moved near Erik, mostly so he didn't feel like he was sitting off to the side watching him, "You're welcome."

[helpmeguideit]

Charles let his hand meet Erik's for a brief moment before withdrawing it from his. Those moments were so fast, so private, so theirs. No one had to see it, Charles knew that they had suspicions, if they didn't know. But it was the fact that it was all unspoken and thoughts kept it in a good place. "What would you like me to do?" he asked. It wasn't as though he couldn't cook, but he rarely was one who actively participated in helping Erik. He didn't want to get in his way, but it would be fun to be a part of breakfast.

[helpmeguideit]

Charles watched Erik, as he always did, as his way of learning how to do the things he did. It wasn't as though he needed to know how to make them, or didn't know how, but everyone did things a bit differently. Erik was no exception. "And?"