Chapter Text
The next morning feels more like home than Westchester ever did. Though there is no Raven greeting Charles with a bleary grumble before she has had her first coffee of the day, though there is no humdrum noise of the servants busying themselves with their morning routines, when Charles awakes he feels warm and safe and secure, and knows there is nowhere he would rather be.
The thing that rouses Charles that morning is not the same nightmare that has plagued him for years, it is the feeling of someone’s hand in-between his shoulder blades, steadily rubbing the area in slow circles. Charles blearily blinks back sleep as he opens his eyes, feeling instantly soothed by the sight of Erik’s body beneath his own, and perhaps a little bit embarrassed as he realises he has essentially draped himself over Erik like a slutty blanket… However, it soon becomes clear that Erik doesn’t mind, as he keeps his arms wrapped around Charles and dips his head to press a kiss to Charles’ temple; that simple, soft touch enough to have sparks alighting Charles’ soul emanating from where Erik’s lips are pressed.
“Guten Morgen, Liebling…” Erik murmurs.
It would be so easy for Charles to tilt his head up, to steal the kiss he wants so badly from Erik’s lips, to strip his clothes off and beg Erik to touch him, to give himself to Erik like he knows he wants to. But it is morning now, and in about twelve hours’ time Charles’ telepathy will return and he will have to leave, and he knows that if he allows any intimacy to unfold between them it will only make everything that much harder.
It’s with that same conviction that Charles quickly withdraws from bed, flashing Erik a small, shy smile and offering him a polite: “Good morning” before he hastens towards the bathroom, closing the door behind himself as he prepares to take a shower. After washing and redressing in the same pyjamas as before (given Charles was in such a rush he neglected to take any clothes in with him) he returns to the bedroom- expecting to find that Erik has ventured into the kitchen to make breakfast, but instead seeing that Erik is still there.
Erik is sitting on the edge of the bed staring at Charles, comely and warm in his jumper and pyjama bottoms, with his hair in slight disarray like he has only just run his hand through it in an attempt to form it into some sort of order. There are questions in his eyes, and worry, and concern- all of the things Charles is feeling too- but though Charles wants to go to him he knows he cannot. His resolve is strong- it has to be; he has to maintain distance if he is going to have the strength to leave. But then Charles looks away towards the window, sees the wintery scene outside through a small gap in the curtains, and as Charles watches the snow fall he finds that his resolve does too.
By the time Charles is standing in front of Erik- the two of them gazing at each other like the rest of the world has ceased to exist- Charles’ heart is hammering within his chest like he has just run for miles. Charles’ mouth is dry and his palms are clammy, because he knows what he wants now he just doesn’t know how to ask- not just because Erik cannot understand him, but because it is hard to ask for something when you have been denied everything for years. But in spite of his fears Charles tentatively reaches one hand to hold Erik’s face carefully, reverently, and looks down at him as he says the word: “Please…”
Erik’s eyes narrow slightly as he gazes up at Charles, replying: “Was möchtest du?” quietly; the questioning response suggesting that he hasn’t understood in the least. Perhaps it is true that actions speak louder than words ever could, and it’s with this in mind that Charles takes a small step back and reaches for his pyjama top, fingers fumbling with the buttons as he slowly undoes the garment, exposing his bare chest. Erik watches the act fervently, mouth parting as his eyes draw slowly down the length of Charles’ torso, until the point when Charles steps closer once more, his voice soft and pleading as he says again: “Please…”
Charles is shaking, he knows he is, and every second that Erik isn’t touching him feels like agony. But then Erik leans closer, placing one hand so that his palm is splayed across the point of Charles’ hip, and as he dips his head and presses his mouth to Charles’ belly Charles whimpers, because the touch is everything. Erik’s mouth moves lower, licking and sucking at Charles’ sensitive skin, prompting Charles to groan and slide his hands to fist in Erik’s hair, feeling like he is sinking, falling, and he needs to hold on for stability. It’s almost sinfully good the way Erik’s tongue trails along Charles’ abdomen just above the line of his pyjama bottoms, an act that has Charles’ cock filling rapidly, something Erik clearly recognises by the way he slides his hand lower and begins to palm at the area.
“Was möchtest du, Charles?” Erik murmurs, leaning back and looking up at him. Erik’s eyes are dark with lust, a low flush is colouring his cheekbones, and his lips are moist from marking Charles’ skin. He looks gorgeous, stunning, and for a moment it’s hard to believe that this is someone Charles has met because they have both at one point escaped from a mutant prison, and not just some handsome stranger Charles has picked up in a bar. But the way Erik touches him carefully, respectfully- like Charles is a delicate treasure that might shatter if handled incorrectly- reminds Charles of the reality of the situation.
“Komm her…” Erik continues, a sentence that Charles finally understands, an instruction he follows as he allows Erik to pull him closer, climbing onto Erik’s lap so that their torsos are pressed together. Erik pauses for a long, lingering moment- watching Charles carefully, almost like he is waiting for objection- and then he leans closer, and his kiss takes Charles’ breath away.
It has been so long since Charles was kissed by anyone that he feels practically virginal in his response- whimpering and moaning as Erik’s tongue slides into his mouth and brushes against Charles’ own. Charles holds onto Erik ardently, desperately- completely compliant as Erik leans backwards, using the hold he has on Charles to roll him over so that Charles is lying on his back on the bed, his body aching for friction now that it is no longer pressed against Erik’s. But before Charles can attempt to pull Erik closer once more Erik gently squeezes Charles’ shoulder and turns him over, so that Charles is lying on his stomach on the mattress in-between Erik’s spread legs.
It’s vulnerable, but at the same time Charles feels completely safe lying there before Erik, quiet and still as he waits for whatever is coming next, and knowing he trusts Erik enough to let him do whatever he desires. Erik’s large hands splay across the small of Charles’ back as they push his pyjama shirt higher up, so that Erik can press his mouth to Charles’ skin, tongue trailing up the length of Charles’ spine as words are murmured with each precious kiss.
“Sag mir, Charles- was möchtest du? Willst du, dass ich dich ficke, oder willst du mich ficken? Wärst du lieber aktiv oder passiv?”
Erik manhandles Charles out of his pyjama shirt before he dips his head and draws his tongue across one of Charles’ shoulder blades, trailing up to Charles’ neck before Erik’s mouth nips at Charles’ ear and he whispers: “Was auch immer du willst, Charles- du kannst es haben. Ich werde es dir geben…”
“Erik…” Charles murmurs in response, because it’s all he can say, because he hopes that the tone of his voice can somehow convey just how much he wants this, just how much he needs Erik to touch him, to hold him. Charles turns his face towards Erik and for a short, blissful moment their mouths meet, but then Erik moves away again- leaving Charles trembling in anticipation and wanting more.
Erik leans back so that he is knelt in-between Charles’ knees, the palms of his hands smoothing slowly down Charles’ back until they come to rest on Charles’ buttocks, cupping Charles’ arse through his clothing admiringly.
“Liebling… Du bist so schön…” Erik says softly, the tone of appreciation in his voice unmistakable and prompting a rush to colour Charles’ face, a flush that only deepens as Erik seizes hold of Charles’ pyjama bottoms and slowly pulls them down, prompting Charles to squirm and turn to hide his face in the pillows.
Whatever discomfort Charles is feeling is clearly read, as instantly Erik stops what he’s doing and seizes hold of the blankets, bringing them with him as he leans over Charles once more, pressing his face into Charles’ neck and lifting the sheets up so that they are both completely covered.
“Es ist okay, Charles…” Erik whispers, pressing a kiss to the back of Charles’ neck. “Wenn es dir unangenehm ist, können wir aufhören”.
Erik’s body is a warm, welcome weight against Charles’ back pressing him down into the mattress, the blankets up over them making Charles feel completely safe and secure in spite of the fact that he is now mostly nude. It would be easy to just lie there and enjoy the blissful moment for what it is, but as well as Erik’s heartbeat thrumming strong against Charles’ back he can feel Erik’s cock pushed against his arse, thick and heavy even through the pyjama bottoms Erik is wearing, and it’s unbelievably distracting.
Without further thought Charles shifts his hips, pushing his arse back against Erik’s crotch and earning himself a deep groan from Erik in response- the warmth of Erik’s breath against Charles’ neck sending a delicious shiver through his body. The desire to see Erik naked is almost overwhelming, prompting Charles to reach back and tug helplessly at Erik’s jumper, hoping Erik will get the hint and knowing that he has when he moves away, there is the sound of clothing being removed, and then Charles can feel Erik’s bare torso against his back.
“Charles…” Erik murmurs. He grasps hold of Charles’ waist, rolling his hips and nudging his clothed cock more firmly against Charles’ arse, making Charles gasp and push back, allowing Erik to pull him so that he is braced on his knees with his chest still flush against the mattress. It seems to be where Erik wants him, and as soon as Charles is there Erik starts to trail a long line down Charles’ spine with his mouth as he disappears beneath the sheets- lower, lower, until Erik’s warm breath ghosts across Charles’ backside and Charles trembles in anticipation.
“Darf ich dich hier küssen?” Erik asks softly, his hands gently spreading Charles’ buttocks, making his intentions clear even if Charles cannot fully understand the words.
“Yes…” Charles breathes, wriggling to assist as Erik starts to slide Charles’ pyjama bottoms off completely. “Yes, Erik- that, please…” As soon as Charles is fully bared he rests his torso down against the mattress once more, wrapping his arms around the pillow and bracing his knees as he feels Erik move into position, and gasping as Erik reaches a hand between Charles’ legs to grasp his cock.
“Perfekt…” Erik murmurs, holding Charles’ cock in his hand and rubbing his thumb against the shaft. The sheets are starting to creep down Charles’ back now that Erik is sat upright but Charles finds that he doesn’t really care anymore, he only wants Erik and his careful hands and his gorgeous mouth, regardless of how vulnerable the whole situation makes him feel.
“Erik…” Charles whispers. “Please…”
Erik loosens his hold on Charles cock as he dips his head to press a kiss to the small of Charles’ back, lips trailing lower and lower until he is mouthing at Charles’ entrance, making Charles writhe and moan as unfamiliar sensation runs through him, heady and intense. It’s clear that Erik knows exactly what he’s doing, that he knows how to touch and kiss Charles to make him whimper, that he knows exactly what motions are required to make Charles shamelessly push back against Erik’s face, his cock achingly hard between his legs and slick with pre-come. Charles realises that Erik could probably make him come just from this, if he wanted to, but evidently that’s not what Erik has in mind, as when Charles’ moans grow increasingly loud and desperate Erik withdraws, and proceeds to kiss up the length of Charles’ spine once more.
“Darf ich dich ficken?” Erik mumbles once he has reached Charles’ ear. “Würde dir das gefallen?” Erik’s crotch presses pointedly against Charles’ arse, prompting Charles to fumble blindly behind himself as he hooks his fingers through the waistband of Erik’s pyjama bottoms and pulls them down, moaning helplessly as he feels the length of Erik’s hard cock spring free and nudge against his buttocks.
It’s almost a little amusing to Charles how, in the bedroom, the language barrier between himself and Erik is suddenly of little consequence. Though Charles would love to understand all the deliciously filthy things Erik is saying to him, though he would love to know what Erik means when he rolls Charles onto his back and looks down at him, brushing Charles’ hair back from his forehead as he says softly: “Ich wünschte du würdest bei mir bleiben…”, in the next second Erik is stroking Charles’ cock and kissing him, and nothing else seems to matter.
After a succession of heartfelt kisses and mutual touches Charles can’t help but whine a little as Erik withdraws, though his objections become muted as Erik leans over and reaches into the bedside table, retrieving some condoms and a bottle of lube. Suddenly Charles is nervous again, mouth drying as he lies there and watches as Erik tears open the wrapper with his teeth, heart pounding as he watches Erik unroll the condom onto his huge member, the latex not reaching anywhere near the base. Charles has never seen anything more beautiful than the sight of Erik knelt between his spread legs, cock hard and urgent, eyes dark and lustful. Erik’s body is glorious, and Charles even adores the succession of marks that cover Erik’s torso- some that seem like evidence of an active, self-sustained life but most that hum ominously of the complex and everything that undoubtedly happened there. And it is with such adoration in mind that Charles leans forward and presses his mouth to Erik’s chest, drawing his hands slowly over the defined muscles of Erik’s abdomen before he grasps Erik’s hands and starts to guide them around to his backside.
“Prep me, Erik…” Charles whispers, looking up as he feels Erik’s fingertips trail slowly down the line in-between his buttocks. “I want to feel you inside of me…”
It’s the least of what Charles wants. He wants to be kissed, to be held, to be touched. He wants to forget where he’s come from and everything bad that’s ever happened to him. He wants to give himself to Erik and let Erik fuck him, until he can remember nothing in the universe but the feeling of Erik’s cock in his arse and the sound of Erik’s voice as he comes.
“Charles…” Erik murmurs in return, pressing his fingers gently against Charles’ entrance. Whilst Charles has been daydreaming Erik has coated his fingers in lubricant, and slowly he starts to push them inside Charles’ hole, causing Charles to groan and cling helplessly onto Erik for support as his body at first resists the intrusion, until the moment when his muscles inevitably relax. Charles continues to lean heavily against Erik as he is prepped, his hard cock pressed against Erik’s and trapped in the space in-between their stomachs, his eyes fixed devotedly on Erik’s face as Erik continues to gaze down at him, almost like he is continually checking to see if Charles is okay. Charles can’t remember the last time he felt this good, and as Erik carefully slides his fingers back out Charles smiles up at him, and feels his heart surge with joy when Erik smiles back.
“Leg dich hin, Liebling- lass mich dich ansehen”, Erik says, using his hold on Charles to gently tip him backwards, until Charles is lying back against the mattress and Erik is ranging over him once more. Erik dips his head to kiss Charles as he slides his hands to hold Charles’ thighs, carefully moving him into position, and prompting Charles to inhale a shaky breath as he feels Erik’s cock nudge against his entrance.
“Erik…” Charles murmurs. Erik reaches his hands up to run tenderly through Charles’ hair, fingertips drawing slowly across Charles’ scalp and making him shiver as Erik pauses and gazes intently into Charles’ eyes, his cock still braced against Charles’ hole.
“Bist du sicher?” Erik says softly. He moves his thumb to brush gently against Charles’ lower lip as he continues: “Sag mir, wenn du aufhören willst”.
Though Charles doesn’t know what Erik is saying, he feels like he understands. Erik has stopped moving and he is staring at Charles intently, almost like he is waiting for Charles’ tacit permission to continue. It’s a lot to offer to someone who has been kept imprisoned for two years, to someone who has almost forgotten what it feels like to have control over their own life, and it’s enough to have tears welling up in Charles’ eyes as he wraps his arms around Erik’s shoulders and pulls him in for a kiss, murmuring: “Erik, fuck me… please…” before he lifts his legs and presses his feet into the small of Erik’s back. Erik clearly understands, as shortly after he shifts his hips and begins to drive his cock into Charles’ arse, causing Charles to groan helplessly into Erik’s mouth.
“Mein Gott, Charles”, Erik groans, the words mumbled against Charles’ lips. “Du fühlst dich so gut an…”
Charles can do little more in response other than moan Erik’s name, overcome by the heady sensation of Erik’s thick cock filling him completely; a pleasure bordering on pain as Erik starts to rock into Charles in steady thrusts. But fortunately Erik is careful- he moves slowly and considerately, monitoring Charles’ face for signs of distress, and pausing any time Charles tenses in pain. And before long the discomfort dissipates, replaced by pure pleasure as Erik’s member nudges repeatedly against Charles’ prostate, causing Charles to gasp and reach for his own cock, stroking it firmly in time with Erik’s thrusts.
It could all be over in an instant- everything feels so intense and so good that Charles is sure that he’s constantly only seconds away from coming, but every time his moans grow a little too intense Erik reaches down and grasps Charles’ arms, pressing both his hands down into the mattress to prevent him from touching himself. With Erik in control Charles is constantly kept in a state of acute pleasure, crying out as Erik fucks him and kisses his neck and murmurs all sorts of potentially wonderful and devastating things to him in German, his voice low and incredibly seductive. Before long the sheets beneath Charles’ back are damp with sweat and the air is dense and it’s the hottest Charles has felt since he came to this frozen wasteland, because Erik’s body is warm everywhere Charles touches him and he can’t stop touching him. But though in many ways Charles wishes this could last forever, wishes that he could be in Erik’s bed, with him, underneath him, for the rest of time, he knows that it’s not possible. Fortunately though, the climax almost allows him to forget that fact.
“Erik, I’m… I’m…” Charles gasps, turning his face to the side as Erik lifts Charles’ hips up higher, enabling him to rock forward in deeper thrusts that have Charles’ head spinning and his cock throbbing. It feels so good that Charles is finding it hard to breathe, much less do anything else, and he’s grateful when Erik wraps a hand around his cock, beginning to stroke in time with his thrusts. The touch is all it takes to push Charles over the edge, and then he is crying out through his climax, feeling hot come splash across his own stomach as Erik’s movements grow shaky and uncontrolled, and he presses his face into Charles’ neck as he comes too.
It takes a short while to come back down to earth after that. For a long time Charles just lies there, limbs shaky and still wrapped around Erik’s body, heart pounding fiercely within his chest, mouth pressed to the locks of damp hair curled across Erik’s forehead.
Charles knows that when they separate it will be real. When they separate the blissful morning will over, and Charles will be ever closer to the point when he has to leave the cabin, and Erik, for good. It’s something that should be a positive thing- in a few hours Charles should start to feel his telepathy come back, he should once more be able to feel the comforting presence of other minds around his own- he should start to feel safe again. But the problem is, in many ways, Charles already feels safe. Though the complex looms mere miles away Charles finds that he does not fear it, because he has Erik and that seems like enough.
“I don’t want to go…” Charles murmurs quietly.
Erik stirs where he is lying, lifting up to gaze down at Charles- his expression instantly growing concerned as he looks at Charles’ crestfallen face.
“Charles, geht es dir gut? Habe ich dich verletzt?”
Charles knows it isn’t fair to put this burden on Erik, that what he wants is inconsequential in comparison to what he must do, and even though the desire to stay with Erik is all-consuming it wouldn’t be right. Because it’s not just Erik Charles has to think about- it’s Raven too. It’s his friends and colleagues back home. It’s the life he left behind when he embarked on the stupid endeavour that brought him here two years ago. And it’s like the two things don’t reconcile- Charles’ life in America and his life with Erik- and he knows no amount of forcing will make them fit.
“Thank you…” Charles says quietly, smoothing both hands through Erik’s hair. Charles can still feel Erik’s cock inside of himself, a reminder of the intimacy that they have just shared, and Charles knows that they need to sever now before he blurts out to Erik how much he wants to stay when he knows that he cannot.
The rest of the day is like an age, and at the same time like nothing at all. Charles and Erik shower separately, they eat breakfast, they play chess, and as each hour passes Charles feels like he is just waiting for the moment when he senses his telepathy reactivate once more- something he both wants and dreads in equal measure. Through the assistance of the computer they discuss Charles’ plans to leave, and in spite of Charles’ protests Erik begins to put together a bag for him to take containing supplies like food, clothing, and money. Charles doesn’t want to take anything from Erik, not when he has already been given so much, but Erik insists and he is resilient in his efforts to help.
At some point during the day Charles asks Erik about what he will do once Charles is gone, not daring to hope that the answer will be that Erik is going to spend his time pining over Charles and miserably wanking to his memory… The answer is one that Charles probably should have seen coming but one that surprises him nonetheless- Erik plans to continue with his surveillance of the prison up until the point when he has gathered enough intel to enable him to infiltrate the facility. Apparently it has always been Erik’s intention to return to the complex and to liberate the mutants held prisoner there, but he has been biding his time so as to ensure he attacks at the most opportune moment. Charles doesn’t know how long it will take for Erik to put his plan into action, he only hopes that it is soon, and tries not to feel guilty about the fact that he isn’t going to be a part of it.
The first time Charles becomes aware of his telepathy once more he is in the bedroom with Erik, watching as Erik selects a number of jumpers to stuff into the bag he has prepared for Charles. The sensation is like a flicker of light, like seeing the fragment of an image through the haze of a dream- more feeling than perception, more sense than sight. Erik is grasping a blue jumper in his hands, and as he holds it he draws his palm slowly over the soft material, and thinks to himself about how much the colour of it reminds him of Charles’ eyes. When Charles realises that it’s not just something he has imagined, that the feeling he’s getting is his telepathy reaching out and plucking the thought from Erik’s mind and using sense to translate it into something meaningful, he almost cries. Instead, he kisses Erik.
It’s a bad idea, worse than the first time it happened, and it ends up with Charles and Erik sprawled naked across the bed, scattered items of clothing strewn all around them, lost to the throes of passion. Charles straddles Erik and sinks down onto his cock, and feels the explosion of joy and pleasure within Erik’s mind as they connect, and the underlying sense of tragedy beneath it all that confirms that Erik is as remorseful about Charles’ decision to leave as Charles himself is. Erik understands though, that much is evident- though it is clear that, to Erik, meeting Charles has been very much like finding something he didn’t know he was missing his whole life, he knows why Charles has to go, and doesn’t blame him for it. Still, in the moment after they have both climaxed, when they lie there, sticky and sated, limbs and hearts and minds intertwined, Charles wishes for a moment that things were different, because he knows now what he has with Erik.
Charles holds Erik carefully, drawing his hands over Erik’s face like he is trying to commit him to memory, and says softly: “I wish I could tell you how much this has meant to me. How much you mean to me. I wish I could make you understand, because it kills me that you don’t know how safe I feel with you; how cared for”. Charles pauses, tears threatening to spill from his eyes as he finishes, saying the words that make his throat burn with emotion but that he needs to get out: “Erik, I… I know you can’t love me, but you make me feel loved…”
In response Erik’s expression crumples, and as his lower lip starts to tremble Charles knows he needs to leave, because if it hurts now it will hurt that much more when his telepathy is completely restored, and he can’t bear to think of how painful that would be. In some ways it could be kinder to linger, to allow himself the time to explain to Erik everything he has just said- to wait until he can use his telepathy to translate the words, or to project the feeling into Erik’s mind. But at the same time such a thing would be torturous, it would only make each of them suffer more, and it’s that understanding which prompts Charles to go.
Erik remains in bed whilst Charles showers and redresses, not even withdrawing from the sheets when Charles returns to the bedroom and begins to pick up the bag Erik has prepared. It’s clear that Erik knows what’s happening, and Charles can’t help but wonder if perhaps he is already projecting more than he knows, and if Erik has somehow understood what Charles said earlier. Nevertheless, now is not the time to dwell on the matter. Regrets and reprisals can come later.
Before he leaves, Charles wanders tentatively over to the bed and places a hand on Erik’s shoulder over the blankets, knowing he is still there by the sound of his breathing but being unable to see anything other than the top of his head. Charles’ squeezes Erik’s shoulder and leans down, pressing a kiss into Erik’s soft hair and whispering: “Danke” before he withdraws, and biting his lip to keep from saying anything further, trying desperately to hold back everything he is feeling. The act of restraint continues as Charles wanders slowly though the cabin he has come to adore, as he opens the front door and steps out into the bitter cold outside, but after Charles has taken only a few steps he hears the sound of his name being called, and his defences are rendered useless.
Charles turns and Erik is there, still wrapped up in one of the blankets, the glimpse of bare chest Charles can see prompting an instant concern that Erik will catch a cold if he is not careful. But it’s clear that Erik has little regard for his own health at that moment as he immediately strides out into the snow without any footwear on, marching up to Charles and opening the blankets just long enough to wrap his arms around Charles and pull him into a fierce hug.
There, in Erik’s arms, in the icy air contrasted by the warmth of Erik’s body against his own, Charles feels himself fall. His body shakes and his breath catches short and he begins to cry for the things he has lost, for the way he feels like he is losing even more now, for the injustice and sad reality of it all, for the way he can feel Erik crying too. It’s clear that this isn’t Erik trying to stop him it’s Erik saying goodbye, and so Charles gives himself to the moment- he lets himself hold Erik and repeat his name and feel the clear spectrum of his mind for the first time; some shining, bright light that Charles aches to explore but knows that he never can. And then, when they are both weak and heartsick and heavy, Charles withdraws. Erik kisses Charles once- an intense embrace that feels more like dying than anything in the prison ever did- and then he steps back and turns away, and within a short while he is back inside the cabin once more, and Charles is alone.
Charles can still feel Erik’s kiss some time later as he walks across the icy tundra that stretches in front of himself, almost like the imprint of Erik’s mouth has frozen to him like some permanent, bleak reminder of everything Charles has lost, of everything he wants but cannot have. The scope of Charles’ telepathy is increasing now and he can feel the life emanating from the nearest town, and knows that within a short while he will be back in civilisation once more and he can contact Raven at last and tell her he’s alive and arrange to take the first plane back to see her.
It’s a moment Charles has been desperately anticipating for so long now, and when he finally gets to hear Raven’s voice, faint and crackled through the telephone wire, he feels himself break all over again. It’s a sharp and splintering sensation- something painful and bitterly ironic given that it is exactly the opposite of how Charles felt when he left Erik earlier; a joyful agony rather than a dismal one that confirms to Charles what he already knows, what he has known since he touched the barest eminence of Erik’s mind earlier.
Charles will return to America. He will see Raven again and resume his job teaching at the university and settle back into ordinary life. But not yet. Right now, Charles has somewhere to be. Right now, Charles has someone who needs him, and who he needs in return.
It’s dark when Charles returns to the cabin, when he trudges through the snow to reach the front door, slumping ungracefully against it as he lifts a hand to knock loudly. From inside the cabin Charles sees the living room light turn on, the glow just filtering out through the frozen glass panel, and then the door is opening and Erik is there, and the look of shock on his face would be funny were Charles not feeling so unbelievably emotional at the sight of him.
“Charles…” Erik murmurs uselessly, his expression dazed and disbelieving. “Ich dachte, du würdest nach Hause gehen?”
The words mean little to Charles’ ears but thanks to his telepathy his mind understands the question, and he knows that Erik is asking why he hasn’t gone home after all. In response Charles smiles widely, and steps closer to Erik- placing both hands on Erik’s broad chest as he gazes up at him and gives an answer that, finally, he knows Erik will recognise, and appreciate.
“Ich bin bereits da”, Charles says, heart instantly warming as he sees Erik smile and knows he has understood the words.
“I’m already there”.