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]

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//