XMFC/Sorry seems to be the hardest word

[guideshapelead]

Charles isn't surprised to find no sign of Erik when he finally makes it to bed, nor is he surprised to find himself waking up alone in the morning. It's with a heavy heart that he gets himself ready for the day, clear now that Erik's not going to find him and apologise for yesterday's arguments.

He's just about dressed himself when the knock comes at the door, and his sister's barging in before he has so much as a chance to call out. She's talking too, before he can remind her about manners.

"Alex has locked Erik in the drawing room. Do you know how hard it is to lock Erik anywhere? And now you're going down there too, and we're not letting you out until you've got over this little squabble of yours. Really, it's pathetic."

"Raven, there's nothing I want to sa-"

"Tough. Go on. Now."

Charles sighs. Any fight against Raven is always a losing one. He has no choice but to follow her.

Comments

[diecastking]

Arms folded, Erik sulks on the sofa.

Alex knows that Erik won't risk hurting him and therefore stands defiantly in front of the door, a ball of energy in one hand.

"That isn't necessary," he says, but Alex doesn't budge. Clearly, he's in the middle of an intervention and is not being allowed to escape.

His suspicions are confirmed when the door opens to reveal Raven and Charles.

[guideshapelead]

Charles is more than a little started by the ferocity with which Raven pushes his chair further into the room, before grabbing Alex and leaving the room with him. He can sense them waiting just the other side, though, in case either of them try to escape.

"Um..." he manages, highly intelligent.

[diecastking]

"It seems the children believe we have something to say to each other," Erik says tautly. He is not in the mood for more accusations.

[guideshapelead]

"We do," Charles answers after a moment of uncomfortable silence.

"Or at least, I have an apology to make to you."

[diecastking]

Erik looks at him fully, hopeful. He hates fighting with Charles, spent a sleepless night in that cold bed.

"No, Charles - you don't. We were both foolish."

[guideshapelead]

With a sigh, Charles shakes his head.

"No, it was me. It was ridiculous of me to expect you to understand."

[diecastking]

Erik looks away, hurt that Charles thinks he can't know what it is like to be caged.

"What is it I don't understand? You'll have to tell me - we don't all read minds, Charles."

[guideshapelead]

"You don't... see how it is, to be left behind," Charles can't meet Erik's eye, shoulders slumped as he gazes firmly at his knees.

"You don't see how much it hurts, to watch you carry on with all the things we used to do together, when I can only watch from the window."

[diecastking]

Erik swallows. He never wants Charles to feel like that because of him.

"I can never make up for what I did to you," Erik says eventually, swallowing his bitter pill of guilt. "If you don't want me to run with James, then I won't."

[guideshapelead]

Charles knows he's being unreasonable, he just doesn't know what compromise he can ask for.

"I don't want you to stop running," he shrugs, more confused than ever. "I just... feel as though I'm being left behind."

[diecastking]

Erik doesn't have an answer for that.

"We could...do something new together," he suggests. "Something we haven't done before."

[guideshapelead]

"Something just the two of us?" Charles nods, a small smile starting to form.

"I think I'd like that."

[diecastking]

"Just the two of us," Erik confirms, with a shadow of a smile forming.

"You should choose."

[guideshapelead]

"I... don't mind," Charles shakes his head, answer honest.

"I just want there to be something that's you and me. Not... you and James."

[diecastking]

Erik frowns. Why does this always come back to James?

"James is just a friend, Charles," he says slowly. "You must know there's nothing else between us."

[guideshapelead]

"I know, I know," Charles shrugs it off.

"It's... nothing. I'm being silly."

[diecastking]

"There is nothing going on," Erik repeats firmly. He wonders how Charles can be so blind.

He pulls Charles' chair forward with his power until his lover is right in front of him. He takes Charles hand. "I love you. Only you. No one else - never anyone else."

[guideshapelead]

"I know," Charles sighs, yet again, and takes Erik's hand.

"I know."

[diecastking]

"You have to put these thoughts out of your mind," Erik tells him, frowning. "You have to trust me, Charles."

[guideshapelead]

"I do," Charles promises, though he can see why Erik might doubt it after the way he's been behaving.

"I do. I promise."

[diecastking]

Erik's expression finally relaxes into a smile. He kisses Charles' knuckles.

"Would you like to go out today? Just the two of us?"

[guideshapelead]

"We have children to educate, Erik," Charles reminds his partner with a smile, keeping hold of Erik's hand.

"But this evening, perhaps?"

[diecastking]

Sometimes, Erik wishes they just had their days to themselves, but he has prepared a particularly good lesson on the origins of Communism.

"This evening. I will collect you before supper."

[guideshapelead]

"I look forward to it," Charles finally manages to smile, reaching up to pull Erik down into a kiss.

//Sorry for being such a grumpy old man//

[diecastking]

Erik kisses back enthusiastically.

//Careful, Charles. As your older man, I think of you as youthful//

[guideshapelead]

//I don't think I've been youthful for a while// Charles shakes his head.

//Headmasters aren't youthful by nature//

[diecastking]

//Beautiful Adonis// Erik tells him playfully, moving his kisses to Charles' neck. They have a few minutes before the children miss them at breakfast.

//Golden Ganymede//

[guideshapelead]

"Yes, yes, alright," Charles laughs out loud, hands finding the sides of Erik's face and gently pulling him away.

"You can tell me all about that later."

[diecastking]

Erik affects his best sulky look and tries to recapture Charles' lips.

//We don't need breakfast. I'll bring you crumpets at breaktime//

[guideshapelead]

"I'm not missing breakfast," Charles warns, though gives Erik what he's after and lands a firm kiss to his partner's lips.

[diecastking]

//First you should work up an appetite//

Erik refuses to break the kiss. He wants to prove to Charles that he finds him exquisitely attractive.

[guideshapelead]

//What's gotten into you?// Charles marvels, surprised by the intensity of Erik's kisses. He appreciates that they've fought, but still, he's starting to worry he'll run out of oxygen in a minute.

[diecastking]

//I love you//

Erik breaks the kiss for air, before returning for a second.

[guideshapelead]

//I... love you too// Charles has to fight even to get the thought out as Erik's lips are back at his, feeling as though he's drowning in the other man's affection.

[diecastking]

Erik punctuates his words with kisses:

//I love you more than breakfast//

[guideshapelead]

Charles laughs and lets himself be kissed for a moment longer, before forcefully pulling away.

//I love you more than breakfast. And breakfast more than seizures.//

[diecastking]

Erik pulls away, knowing that he has to be sensible about Charles' health.

//Fine. But I love you more than everything. Just so we're clear, liebe//

[guideshapelead]

//I know// Charles promises.

//I'm sorry//

[diecastking]

Erik kisses Charles' hand. //Don't, Charles. It is behind us//