Its the night before Cuba ... with a few differences. [Closed!]

[excessivehubris]

Characters: Erik Lehnsherr oxidantshappen and Charles Xavier excessivehubris
Location: X-Parents apartment
Planet: Coruscant
When: Before shipping out, after this bit of news
What: Having exhausted themselves with bedroom acrobatics, talking actually.
Rating: R for post coital comments and possibly language

Comments

[oxidantshappen]

Chuckling at Charles' words, he knew the man was at least right if they ever saw things the same way. It was part of why they had been so successful together, with their disagreements not lending to fights, but rather a better understanding of each other's ideals and beliefs, least of all over a complicated situation such as this.

Erik's aware of what the future affords him, the merciless man prone to taking both lives of mutants and non mutants alike for the sake of his kind, but he shoves it aside, focusing on the situation at hand, tucked against Charles as he is.

"We'll be outnumbered when we go." It's an observation, purely made from the constant news reports he's seen and paid attention to, but Erik knows it holds considerable weight given Revan's army and constant growth. He says we, because even if he tried to have Charles stay back, the man was stubborn enough to go anyway. No use fighting his lover over something like this, when they had stared down missiles that day in Cuba.

"It seems unfortunate, going into this without more information," he continues, bringing a free hand up to thread Charles' hair. Erik has never been the kind to go into something unprepared, without all the information ahead of them. "Though I suppose in this kind of battle we have no choice."

[excessivehubris]

"That sounds about par for our luck," Charles said ruefully, bracing for an argument about his participation and a little surprised when it didn't come.

He recognized that he was no fighter, no where near the physical threat of Erik, Logan, Scott or even Jean but he was not completely helpless and he had been training.

"Well, that might be where my presence will afford us some advantage," Charles offered, eyes closing with lazy contentment when those lean, strong fingers worked their way into his sweaty, disheveled hair. "I've been training and I am fairly confident I will be able to reach across ships telepathically, when we're free of hyperspace at least. It should allow me to pick up numbers if nothing more."

He paused, fingers closing around Erik's in a quick grip.

"And if we end up on separate ships, it should not be quite as problematic, if I can reach you regardless."

[oxidantshappen]

He would have argued, he's learned enough that Charles is stubborn, and if anything, getting kicked out of the bedroom right now doesn't sound particularly appealing. Erik can dispute matters when they're assigned to ships, cart Charles away and set him down in the seat right next to him and force him to stay out of trouble.

"That concerned about me, Charles? I'm flattered." Erik's teasing, but there's an appreciation to Charles' words. Having him around, having Charles' presence with him mentally is something Erik has learned to tolerate, prefer almost.

"I'm not going to kill Revan," he says bitterly, returning the grip with his own, almost vice like in his anger. "Unfortunately for him. Quite a shame Saffron told me I'd be arrested if I violated her orders."

That was certainly the last thing he needed, though it was the clincher that sent him in the seething rage it took Charles a considerable amount of effort to snap him out of.

[excessivehubris]

Laughing softly, Charles lazily rolled over to his stomach and pressed his mouth down against Erik's shoulder.

"My friend," he said, turning his cheek so he used hard muscle as a pillow. "In the time I've known you, I've had to jump into the ocean after you, chase after you into a highly guarded, high ranking Soviet officials home and held one of the most powerful mutants I've ever encountered still for you to drive a coin through his head."

Slender fingers brushed at the short hair at Erik's temple and Charles leaned up to kiss him there.

"Yes, I am that concerned about you."

Because Erik was quickly triggered and highly reactive. Because the man had a clear picture of how he wanted things and was not at all shy about bolting into the fray to get them that way. Pushing himself up with one hand, Charles stroked Erik's shoulder, trying to encourage him up on the bed.

"I am finding it getting a bit chilly in here," translation, I'm cold and want to snuggle under the covers but the word 'snuggle' will never leave my lips.

[oxidantshappen]

"Put some clothes on then."

Said even as Erik moves, pushing himself off the floor and towards the bed seamlessly. He doesn't mind Charles' ulterior motives, obvious as they are from time to time, because all things considered, Erik would rather indulge Charles' romantic notions.

Raking his eyes over Charles' body, he shakes his head, patting down the covers before settling in. One of the advantages of sleeping in the nude meant he never had to bother to get out of bed from their love making, seguing nicely into the late night embraces.

Motioning a hand towards Charles to join him he settled in on the bed, abs flat against the mattress as he rested his head in a single pillow. "Far too concerned some times, I think. I can take care of myself."

Said even though he'll gratefully accept Charles' help from time to time, ignoring the moments when his pride refuses to cooperate.

[excessivehubris]

"I think we both know you don't mean that," Charles said back without missing a beat.

In fact, it was all together possible that he stretched a little beneath the rake of pale eyes, presenting himself before letting Erik get settled into the bed. Crawling in after him, Charles flicked the blankets up over them both and stretched out on his side beside his lover. Laying his head down on the pillow near the older man's shoulder, Charles stretched a hand under the blankets and began to trace idle patterns across Erik's lean back.

"You have needed my help in the past," he said as they were both well aware that Erik would have drowned that night, had Charles not jumped in and grabbed his obsessed ass. "As I have required your's."

Such as training at the manor, the wild crash of the Blackbird, which would have killed Charles had Erik not pinned him to the floor and then the missiles.

"We watch each others' back."

[oxidantshappen]

Preening yourself, Charles? It's a very good thing Erik loves your body because otherwise you'd just be embarrassing yourself.

He wants to say he knows, but that's a confession he doesn't like conceding to Charles, intimate as they have been for quite some time. But he does, and he appreciates Charles providing his (often unwarranted) help, appreciates the fact that they can bounce off each other easily in ways he can't with others.

Erik stretches against the touch of fingers, brushing aside the slight shiver in his spine; because Charles has always had that impact on him, a physical presence he doesn't want to let go of.

"Except I can't watch yours out there." Mumbled through lips pressed against his own arm. What, you thought Erik agreed too easily before?

[excessivehubris]

Listen, just because some of us do not chisel out every little muscle in front of the mirror, just be glad you were born before the term 'gym bunny' was coined.

At the mumble, Charles laid his palm flat against Erik's back, brushing from between his shoulder blades, down to the taut curve of his ass.

"It really is bothering you?" He asked the question with a gentle sort of curiosity, no judgement or resentment, no assumption that this meant Erik didn't believe Charles could handle himself.

Just, genuinely wanting to get it out into the open, settled between them, before they got on those ships later.

[oxidantshappen]

"No." The word comes quickly, faster than Erik anticipates, but he lets it hang in the air.

It's ridiculous almost, that he can be this possessive of the man, protective, when over the course of the months they've known each other he's never once cared if Charles was safe or not. It really only started the moment they bridged the gap from friends to lovers and it's slightly shocking to him that he's treating Charles as a lover in contrast to being the man he was interested in earlier.

"Not necessarily," Erik says turning to look at Charles. "You can take care of yourself, that much is obvious."

Erik wants to say it's because he genuinely cares about the man, but he's really not sure what brought this on in the first place, when all things considered Charles will be on a ship surrounded by well trained forces to begin with.

"This isn't the same as Cuba," he finally concedes with a bit of resentment, as if it should explain everything.

[excessivehubris]

In that moment, Charles is torn between being insulted and being touched in a way he has never known. Its been a very, very long time since anyone felt protective of him. Sharon was protective of her appearances and her bottle and he was protective of Raven, there had never been anyone else.

It shocked him as much to hear words that might have well screamed their underlying message as it probably shocked Erik to say them and for a moment Charles was still beside the older man. Then, he lowered his head and kissed the ball of Erik's shoulder, letting his lips rest against salty skin as his hand soothed over the other's back.

"No, this isn't like Cuba," he agreed, wanting to reassure without forcing Erik into acknowledging what he'd just come close to admitting too, not if the man wasn't ready. Charles didn't know that he'd be able to handle it if Erik bolted off again, like he had the morning after the hospital.

"I'm ..." Charles began, stopped then took a breath and continued. "You will be in my thoughts."

The words were not adequate to cover the concern Charles knew he'd feel. He knew that he'd have a telepathic eye on Erik, would stretch himself to maintain that connection for as long as he was able and would worry, deeply when he was cut off from the man. Charles harbored no fear for himself but part of the ferocity of his own love making tonight was born of the fear he felt twist in his gut for Erik.

"I will be worried for you," he whispered.

[oxidantshappen]

He loves Charles, Erik's aware of that much. Whether or not he'd admit it, is something even less likely to happen because that would be an admission he's afraid to concede since his mother died at the hands of Shaw. When Charles speaks, he barely hears it, out of fear that he doesn't want the confession or he can't handle the rejection of baring himself openly. It's a vulnerable moment for the pair of them, because the last time either of them had made such an intimate connection, he had bolted off because he couldn't believe it was true; was unwilling to believe it was true.

Erik turns to his side completely, giving his lover a long look over, searching his eyes in the dark light of the evening for some physical confirmation to the words he spoke. Taking the kiss as it was given, Erik rolls over to the other man, returning it with a soft brush of lips to Charles' shoulder in kind.

"Come back in one piece," he whispered back.

Since the arrival of Emma, he had briefly considered remaking the helmet he had taken from Shaw. But it was Charles' presence particularly that held him back. Effective as the helmet was, taking Charles out of the question would be ridiculous when Erik had come to rely on him so much. So to face that absence of mind would be jarring, one he knew he could tolerate, though it didn't change matters in the slightest.

"I need you back."

[excessivehubris]

The soft brush of lips has him shivering in a good way, fingers reaching to brush tenderly through dark auburn hair. Charles had all the faith in the world in Erik but he also knew his friend's temper and drives could quickly lead the man to make decisions that could be self destructive. It hurt his heart, knowing how deep the pain and rage went in Erik, to remember Cuba, thinking he in a few weeks could wipe away the pain of years and bring peace.

Closing his eyes, Charles bent his head to kiss the top of Erik's crown, pressing his cheek to his hair for a long minute.

"Please, my friend," he said softly, voice a little strained as fear and concern began to chase around in his mind. "I ask you to be careful."

He wouldn't demand it. He wouldn't blindly expect it, as he had in Cuba but Charles could not, not ask Erik to take care.

I need you back, the touch came telepathically, the purest form of honest communication he could offer to his friend. I ... do not want to lose you.

[oxidantshappen]

All things considered, regardless of what comes between them, they still have a future together. Whether it's as enemies, friends, or lovers, Erik doesn't particularly care about the semantics. What he does care about however is the fact that in a few short months, Charles is fully capable of undoing everything Erik has harbored inside of him. That for the first time in his years, he's learned to attach to someone other than grieving over his mother.

He settles in against Charles, face buried in the curve of his neck, but there's no desire to get his rocks off this time. One hand pressed against his lover's chest, he traces Charles' collarbone, drawing his palm down to where Erik could feel the younger man's heart.

Erik has always been a physical person, relying on actions to tell the particular stories he's unwilling to let his emotions run, because they're fickle and they get the better of him at all times. There's no guarantee he'll be careful, because even in a fight that's not his, he's always been a reckless fighter. Tactical at times, yes, but things go wrong in close combat even as he reacts fast enough. So he can't give Charles that closure the man wanted.

I'll come back for you, Charles. It's the only thing he can think of, what with his history of running away so frequently and never having a place to settle in. But Charles is different and Erik doesn't need to question that tonight.

[excessivehubris]

A typical evening, often found Charles using Erik as a pillow or otherwise crawling into the older man's personal space. It was simply how they normally sorted themselves out, Erik the more passive while Charles was a bit more open with his physical demonstration of affection.

Tonight, in the cover of the darkness that blanketed their room, Charles rolled carefully to his back, drawing Erik deliberately into his arms and tucking him safely against his neck. Stroking his fingers through the older man's hair, Charles breathed steady beneath the large, warm palm atop his chest and rested his cheek against the side of his lover's head.

This is all I will ask then, he sent, along with a soft, telepathic caress, a mental mirror to the hand he brushed back and forth across Erik's shoulders. Closing his eyes, he was quiet and still, except for the motion of his hand on his lover's back, wrestling with himself before practicality won out.

It might not have been wise, considering the way they edged around each other at times, it might have been a risk, given how strongly Erik could react to the idea of attachment but Charles had grown up in the shadow of World War II. War never offered any absolutes and even on ships surrounded with highly trained military and Jedi, there were no assurances and though in theory death was not as permanent here as home, he knew that being sent home suddenly was just as real a possibility.

Curling his arms, protectively around Erik and drawing him close, Charles knew the older man could probably feel the increase pound of his heart beneath his hand in the seconds before he whispered.

"I love you."

[oxidantshappen]

Considering Charles always had a history of invading Erik's space, he never once questioned the man continuing to do that when they became lovers instead of friends. It was the only natural progression of things, and he found he genuinely didn't mind Charles' breach of privacy. Tucking himself Charles, Erik shifted, half sprawled over the other man as he curled into his warmth.

He had never been the type to openly cuddle, merely accepting Charles' open demands but this was welcoming, and Erik found he didn't mind the change in roles. It wasn't an act of submission on his part, setting against Charles, hand tucked under his lover's back to hook his shoulder. For Erik at least, the act was him responding to his lover openly, letting Charles know how much he needed him; the first step in overcoming his long standing issues of attachment.

Erik felt the words before they came, the slightest shift in Charles' movements, the increase in pulse, the welcoming telepathic touch he clung to. I love you. Three simple words he had danced around in the two months, give or take that they had been intimately involved. He should have stiffened, should have ran away, left Charles alone like he did the last time, but he felt comfortable, confident that despite everything they endured, all the stories of their future and his own persistent memories of the past, that the present was what mattered.

He could fight tomorrow and die, anything was probable in a war where he was unaccustomed to taking down a group of soldiers he wasn't familiar with. But he had Charles by his side, physically and mentally; especially mentally now that he accepted the man's presence in his thoughts, welcomed it in sharp contrast to the way he had to ask Erik permission months ago.

Before it was Shaw that gave him a reason to live, revenge he needed to earn for his mother. But things had changed, hadn't they? He wasn't the same angry man he was now, more open, approachable, contrasting Charles without the stench of hatred and anger surrounding him.

"Do you?" The words came out louder than he expected, shifting to tug himself from Charles' embrace as he pressed his hands into the mattress on either side of his lover. Green-grey eyes caught blue ones in the darkness of the room, the dim light from the city offering enough sight that Erik could see his lover's face, looking at him intently.

"I want to hear you say it again," he said. I want you to tell me face to face because it's the only way I can be sure.

[excessivehubris]

There was a brief second, when Erik began to move that Charles felt a flash of true panic. That he'd gone too far and the older man was going to bolt like the while thing he was. That panic, no doubt still showed in his eyes, pupils wide and breath coming in a quick hitch as he looked up into Erik's face.

As wild as his lover could make him in bed, this was perhaps the first time Erik had a chance to see Charles Xavier truly afraid, genuinely emotionally shattered and undone.

His eyes never left Erik's face, held his lover's pale gaze directly, not even a blink as he lay beneath him, more vulnerable than Charles had ever allowed himself to be in his life.

"I love you," he repeated softly but with a strength of conviction and tone.

The words were out there, between them and though he was naked and vulnerable, both in body, heart and mind, Charles would not back away from them. Not when they were given to this man.