Chapter Text
The first time it happens, they’re standing on the balcony. The satellite, some hundreds of feet away, has just been turned through access of a new control; both are shaking, glee and heartbreak reverberating through their minds.
Charles knows there’s more to Erik than even he believes. Something damaged, but good, no less. He’s seen it, time and again through use of his powers, and more recently, through interaction.
“That was a beautiful memory.” Charles croaks, thumbing away a tear. Erik turns to him, rubbing his own eyes. He’s uncannily vulnerable; expected, but... startling, still, to witness in person.
“I didn’t know I still had that.” He rasps, and oh... Charles’ heart crumbles once more. His hands twitch at his side, tempted to touch his arm, cheek, but such behavior isn’t proper between two men who aren’t family.
“There’s so much more to you” he says instead, stepping as close to the other as he dares. “Not just pain, and anger...” no, certainly not. There’s a warmth to him, a kindness. A light so very seldom burned... it hurts Charles, but it excites him, too. “There’s good, too,” he confesses, and though his tone remains restrained, that longing, love, shines behind his eyes. “I felt it.”
A blush bleeds through on the last word, and tears threaten to fall once more. I care for you, hangs silently in the air. I care for you, I need you, I never want to be without you.
He keeps it to himself, of course; growing up as Erik did, what would he say to such a revelation? What would he do?
Charles cannot bear the thought, and so he pushes it aside, prepared to further verbal encouragement.
Until abruptly, Erik changes course.
“...do you love me, Charles?” It’s not the phrase that does him in, not entirely. It’s the pending desperation, the huskiness in his voice. That touch of vulnerability fighting with his usual guard. He doesn’t sound accusing. Doesn’t look it, either. But Charles’ stomach suddenly freezes, and he severs any telepathic link.
“I...no.” He shakes his head, kicking himself but it’s for the best, it is. If his upbringing has taught him anything, it’s better to be safe than sorry.
Better to stay in friendship’s company, than risk desire and lose everything.
He turns to leave, but something snags his arm. It’s Erik, he knows before he looks back.
“Charles...” tries the metal-manipulator again, as though Charles’ power, too, were his own.
The telepath himself bites his lip, but his eyes remain on their arms.
“Erik, please..”
“Please what?” Interrupts the other man, sharper than before. “Do you love me, or not?”
There are a million answers he could say:
‘No, I don’t, why would I, that’s ridiculous.’
‘Why are you asking, haven’t we a world to save?’
The more frightening ‘Do you love me, then?’
And of course confessing openly, which, as noted previously, falls in ill favor.
You could always freeze him, Charles.
Oh yes, freeze his mind and back out, like a bloody coward. That wouldn’t harm their relationship at all.
(Sarcasm; it would, it undoubtedly would.)
Ultimately, Charles doesn’t know what to do, so he says nothing and hopes his silence will lead to defeat on Erik’s end.
But, as Erik so often does, he takes an unexpected action; his free hand finds Charles’ cheek, drawing their gaze together.
“Do you love me, Charles?” He asks again, soft.
“...yes.” Relents the telepath, unusually timid for the man previously ensuring confidence. He intends to further explanation, ask why it’s so important, if he’s damaged their friendship and why is Erik suddenly so much closer--?
“Mmf--!”
Shock electrifies him, Erik drawing them both in a deep and tender kiss.
‘It’s okay, Charles.’ Rings through the telepath’s mind. ‘I love you, too.’ Apprehension leaves him like the storm it was when it arrived. He sinks into the kiss, a little smile on his face. This, he decides, is his point between rage and serenity.