No. Usually there is no choice, particularly in the face of a war. Certain things become sidelined for that. [ Erik moves backwards and watches Charles' face for a pointed second-- before breathing out a long breath; not quite a sigh, but still audible. He stops any sort of bite of a retaliation, and it's easy enough-- he honestly does not want tension between them; they have enough of it in the past to cover for that. ]
Yes, she did. Raven and I both did. [ Not able to keep any kind of real distance from the telepath, he shifts to slide his arms around him again, chin ducking down so that it's tucked against Charles' neck, a warm cloud of breath brushing against the skin. The familiar weight is vastly sobering, and Erik's eyes drift shut with the ache of knowing that come monday, he'll have to face another separation. He speaks quietly, hushed to a whisper by their intimate proximity. Neither could I, and it's why I come back. But it's-- in a way, Charles, it's not-- fair on you; to keep you waiting with months between, and-- I can
( ... )
[ Carrying the other man over to the bed, he lowers him slowly-- nose and mouth resting against the side of his head. He's careful-- extraordinarily so, and ensures that his hand doesn't brush the site of the wound, even now. Erik pulls the covers on their former bed back, tucking them over Charles first, then sliding in next to him-- his back resting against the cushions behind him-- and he looks at the bedside table, then around the entire room; cementing details into his memory to recall later, before returning his eyes to the other man, carding his fingers through the dark hair. ] Try to sleep--[ He exhales slowly, settling an arm around Charles' waist. ] I promise not to intentionally let you beat me at chess tomorrow.
[ The care and ease earns him a smile, not because he wants to be seen as fragile but because he understands it's out of those unspoken feelings which they share that causes Erik to treat him this way. He shifts a bit, just enough to get his spine as comfortable and straight as he can manage when he sinks into the bed. Reaching up he cups his face, turning it just enough to get a small kiss before he lowers his head into the pillows. ] Good, I'd be disappointed if you did.
A light yawn as he reaches down, tugging on his sweater and pushing it over his head with some effort. His fingers tugging at buttons of the undershirt before it too was gone. Too tired to drag himself to the bedside and dig out pajamas but not so much to sleep in what would undoubtedly become itchy clothing. Another squirm before he seems to settle, flopped and a bit messy into the white below him. ]
Hmm, well, as long as you don't cheat. [ He returns the chaste kiss, then tugs Charles closer to him-- during their short, stolen days together; Erik is entirely focused on the telepath-- putting the Brotherhood, and the Hellfire Club as far from his thoughts as possible in favor of suspending the delicate mechanics of their semi alliance-turned opposition, to allow himself and Charles some semblance of normality. He helps the other with the sweater and undershirt; his own outer clothing discarded too. Once they're both settled again, Erik curls around the telepath-- pulling them impossibly close together; his hands consciously staying where Charles can feel them.]
Goodnight, my dear. [ He punctuates it with another kiss, something of their early days together in the tone and gesture. ]
[ He was at ease in his hold, when most wouldn't be-- but after everything, perhaps in his own naive and stupid way, he still never felt Erik was a threat. Harm had come, yes, but it wasn't intentional and Charles knew this and it was probably his only saving grace. He was delighted to be pulled in, and closed his eyes, resisting the urge to move or tug at anything. His face turned and tucked as close as he could get while laying on his back. ]
[ He sleeps only for a part of the night, warmly curled around the telepath-- and in the familiar space of their shared bedroom. For the other part he lies awake, listening to the even inhale and exhale; hand securely resting in the center of the other's chest. Slowly, the sun rises-- and Charles sleeps soundly against him; a tender weight, one that he'll miss and remember with no small amount of nostalgia. Erik shifts a little, to press his mouth to the other's shoulder-- the same gesture he had made on every morning of every day that they'd shared a bed during their months together. ]
Hey there. [ A smile. He watches Charles' eyelids. ]
[ He stirs a little bit, head rolling to the side toward him. Lips parting he sucks in a breath of air and then lets it out with a little 'hn' noise. One eyelid cracking open and then the other, blearily watching Erik as if he was unsure if he was dreaming of the man. If he was really there. As soon as the realization settles in a smile curls his lips and it's nothing short of loving. For all that had happened to them, for all the talking around it they did, he was acutely aware of how he still very much loved Erik Lehnsherr. ]
[ Lifting a hand, Erik cards his fingers back through the other man's tousled hair, the warm smile still tugging at his mouth-- his gaze flitting across Charles' features; cataloguing the newer lines around his eyes that he had not noticed in the dim light from the fireplace, only becoming evident in the morning sun. They were going to get old at some point-- neither was impervious to that of all things, and he wonders, fleetingly, if it will be apart or together that age will finally catch up to them. Erik continues smoothing the telepath's hair back, then shifts to bring them closer. ]
Morning. [ He tips his head down, raising Charles' chin towards him with a crooked finger. ] You seem to have slept well.
[ He follows the light nudge, staring up for a moment before he shrugs, a tad abashed, ] I was comfortable. [ After a few sleepless nights he welcomed the familiar weight in his bed, the soothing warmth, and slept soundly. Fingers slip up and around Erik's hand, bringing his knuckles to his mouth and pressing a soft kiss there. ]
Far better than usual. You've always helped-- with the dreams, and all that. [ He runs his thumb over Charles' upper lip-- the digit following the shape of it. Erik chances a look out the window-- and from what he can see, the snow from the previous night had only intensified; leaving the mansion and its grounds with a fine covering of white. When his hand drops again, Erik leans in to kiss the telepath on the mouth, lingering a moment with the hint of a smile. ]
At least we've got this weekend, hmm? [ And he'd needed it-- having Charles to return to gave him some sort of respite-- and a familiar shoulder to lean on; after all-- Charles was as intimately acquainted with the pain of their separation as Erik was. ]
[ He presses a ghost of a kiss to Erik's thumb then it meets the middle of his mouth. He doesn't look away even when the metal-bender does, focused on him solely for the time being. A light smile crossing his lips when Erik leaned down, pushing himself upwards and returning the kiss with a soft affectionate noise. Moving his lips ever so faintly against Erik's before he slid back down into the bed. ]
We can do whatever it is you'd like. [ Charles didn't really care, so long as he got to spend time with him. ]
[ He hums softly, returning to his former position curled into the telepath’s side, a hand trailing up and down the other man’s back-- always staying above that invisible line that circles his waist; the point that beyond which, he can’t feel at all. It’s an odd situation that they’ve got to deal with-- because he can’t just walk around the house like he used to-- it would probably alarm the students if anything else; or cause some sort of blow up with Alex and the others. Nosing into the crook of Charles’ neck, Erik traces the line of his jaw. ]
I don’t mind. [ He’d actually be content to simply stay where they are for the entirety of the weekend, though it’s certainly too lazy for both of them. Though, he sobers for a moment, hand not ceasing its motion. ] There are things we should probably talk about, later-- if you want to.
Why don't we just get it over with now? [ He asks softly as he relaxes with a little huff, ] Now that you've mentioned it, it's going to be stuck in my head all day-- so we might as well talk about whatever's on your mind. [ It would bother him, especially with his promise to try and stay out of Erik's mind-- which was extraordinarily difficult as things stood currently. ]
[ He's noticed-- the lack of the telepath's presence in the back of his mind; that altogether too familiar weight that had settled there slowly; through the passing weeks that they spent together at the mansion, growing closer and closer-- thoughts shared, and nearly everything else possible. And it's missing; while at first he'd welcomed the return of his solitude; the restoration of it-- it took him barely a few days to realize that he'd been terribly alone before he'd met Charles. ] The sort of thing that you and I have to inevitably discuss never make for good pillow-talk, I believe. [ It always blindsides him; the kind of respite that these kinds of mornings offer, though, Erik's not one for easing around a topic. ] But Charles, the recent clashes-- I've wounded your students, and you've wounded mine. It's contrary to both our goals.
[ In an effort to smooth over the inevitable stirrings of contention, he props himself up on an elbow, chest and stomach fitted against the telepath's side; and he leans down to ghost a kiss
( ... )
Yes, she did. Raven and I both did. [ Not able to keep any kind of real distance from the telepath, he shifts to slide his arms around him again, chin ducking down so that it's tucked against Charles' neck, a warm cloud of breath brushing against the skin. The familiar weight is vastly sobering, and Erik's eyes drift shut with the ache of knowing that come monday, he'll have to face another separation. He speaks quietly, hushed to a whisper by their intimate proximity. Neither could I, and it's why I come back. But it's-- in a way, Charles, it's not-- fair on you; to keep you waiting with months between, and-- I can ( ... )
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A light yawn as he reaches down, tugging on his sweater and pushing it over his head with some effort. His fingers tugging at buttons of the undershirt before it too was gone. Too tired to drag himself to the bedside and dig out pajamas but not so much to sleep in what would undoubtedly become itchy clothing. Another squirm before he seems to settle, flopped and a bit messy into the white below him. ]
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Goodnight, my dear. [ He punctuates it with another kiss, something of their early days together in the tone and gesture. ]
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Goodnight Darling.
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Hey there. [ A smile. He watches Charles' eyelids. ]
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Morning...
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Morning. [ He tips his head down, raising Charles' chin towards him with a crooked finger. ] You seem to have slept well.
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I slept very well, thank you, and yourself?
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At least we've got this weekend, hmm? [ And he'd needed it-- having Charles to return to gave him some sort of respite-- and a familiar shoulder to lean on; after all-- Charles was as intimately acquainted with the pain of their separation as Erik was. ]
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We can do whatever it is you'd like. [ Charles didn't really care, so long as he got to spend time with him. ]
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I don’t mind. [ He’d actually be content to simply stay where they are for the entirety of the weekend, though it’s certainly too lazy for both of them. Though, he sobers for a moment, hand not ceasing its motion. ] There are things we should probably talk about, later-- if you want to.
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[ In an effort to smooth over the inevitable stirrings of contention, he props himself up on an elbow, chest and stomach fitted against the telepath's side; and he leans down to ghost a kiss ( ... )
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