Chapter Text
There was something different about this boy. Erik could sense it in his being. Erik had a way of being able to differentiate the good from the bad, the strong from the weak. The young boy across the hall was a rare specimen, both good and strong. He wasn’t physically strong, but strong in spirit.
The young brunette with captivating sapphires for eyes (eyes so impossibly blue, Erik was sure that they weren’t of this world), had a spirit that Erik had never seen before and he was certain he would never see again.
Said young boy was shivering outside of the building in which they both lived.
Erik almost thought he was crying, but he knew better and saw that the boy was simply whimpering from braving the cold in his thin t-shirt and pajama shorts. It wasn’t raining but the rain was soon to come.
“It’s warmer inside.” Erik said to the young boy as he opened the door with his key.
The boy got up with a smile, accompanied by a few dark and ugly cuts and bruises, on his face.
“Yes, I imagine it would be.” A posh English accent replied.
“Get in then.” Erik gestured to let the boy pass before him.
“Thank you, my friend, but I’m being punished and things could get considerably worse if I go in before I’m told that it’s alright to.” He replied as if everything was fine and he wasn’t crooning his left arm in his right out of pain.
“You live right across from me,” Erik replied dully. “I know that the animal who gave you those wounds won’t even notice you came in until noon tomorrow.”
The younger boy squinted at him. “And how do you know that?”
“Same way that I know that this isn’t the first time this has happened and that it won’t be the last.” Erik supplied. “Are you going to come in with me or not?”
“Alright.” Charles said with a shrug as he passed Erik on his way in.
Erik walked up the stairs first to be able to open the door for both of them.
“I didn’t get your name.” Charles informed him with a shiver still in his voice.
“That’s because I didn’t give you one.” Erik smiled at him.
Those impossibly blue eyes blinked at him and the boy graced him with a smile.
“It’s Erik. I’m Erik. My name is Erik.” He stuttered out, caught in the intense focus of those eyes.
“Hello, Erik. I’m Charles.” Apparently Charles replied, his smile growing a bit before he settled it and held out his hand.
Erik stared at it for a moment.
A few moments actually.
“Sorry, yes. Hello, Charles.” Erik said when he came to his senses and took the small, cold hand.
Erik forced himself not to blush as he pushed the door open and they were engulfed in a friendly heat.
“Mama, I’m home.” Erik called out.
“Schatz! You’re later than you said you would be. Who’s this?” Erik’s mother asked.
“This is Charles. He’s- umm.” Erik was unsure what to say but his mama interrupted him.
“Freezing! The poor pale thing is freezing.” She brought the blanket on the couch to Charles and wrapped him in it.
“Thank you, Madam.” Charles replied a bit awkwardly.
“What happened to your face? Who would want to hurt such a handsome face?” She asked horrified as Charles’ ugly bruise made itself known to her.
Charles sputtered a bit and tried to cover himself.
“No, I will take care of this.” Edie said batting his hands away from his face. “Erik, please bring me the little kit in the bathroom, yes?”
Erik went to get the First Aid kit and could vaguely overhear Charles telling her that it was fine and that she needn’t go through the trouble.
Edie fussed over Charles and once his cuts were cleaned and bandaged, Erik brought ice in a towel for his bruises.
It was late but Edie heated some of the soup they had had for dinner for Charles to eat because he looked thin. Erik accompanied him with a small piece of bread that he had saved from dinner.
“So, why did he hit you?” Erik asked cautiously. “I mean, from what I’ve seen, you’re quiet and keep to yourself. You do all of your homework so it couldn’t be that. What happened?”
He didn’t exactly expect Charles to answer. These things could be hard to talk about but Erik had been wondering for the three years since the brunette first moved in with the horrible man in the apartment in front of them.
“I didn’t wash one of the dishes correctly. He found some food remains on a plate he was going to use.” Charles said indifferently.
Erik felt his anger rise and was ready to scream and ask why Charles put up with such bullshit, but he saw a ghost of a wince and a spark of sadness flash over Charles’s expression when the boy saw him turning red.
“Why do you live with him?” Erik asked with all of the calm he could muster.
Why do you live with that monster?
“I have to.” Charles sighed. “I haven’t anywhere else to go.”
“Who else lives with you? Isn’t there anyone to stop him?” Erik asked horrified.
Charles let out a dry chuckle. “His son lives there too. I’m afraid he doesn’t do much to stop his father though.”
“He isn’t your father then?” Erik knew he was prying now but curiosity won him over.
“Oh no. He’s- well that’s a bit more complicated.” Charles said easily. “A story for another time perhaps.”
Charles got up out of his chair and went over to where Edie was knitting on the couch listening to the record player.
“Thank you very much, madam, for your hospitality.” Charles said leaving his hand out. “I should get going now though.”
“Please, call me Edie.” She smiled, putting her knitting down and giving Charles a hug.
It didn’t escape Erik’s notice when Charles flinched back instinctively and gave her an awkward pat in return.
“Now it is late and no time for such a small child to be walking the streets. You can sleep here.” Edie said easily.
“I live right across the hall, it’s not a problem.” Charles replied stepping back for a bit of distance. “Thank you so much for the offer.”
“Oh! That explains it.” Edie said with a smile. “Erik never brings anyone home. Doesn’t make very many friends.”
Charles turned to look at Erik inquisitively. “I can’t believe that. He’s been nothing but lovely to me since we’ve met.”
Charles gave Erik a huge smile and Erik forced himself to look away.
“He is a good boy but he isn’t always so friendly.” Edie pretended to whisper to Charles. “I hope to see you again, but next time with less damage, yes?”
Charles gave her a small nod as he opened the door and left.
Erik ran to the peephole to see if he would go to his apartment and instead saw Charles head back down the steps.
“He make it home safe, Erik?” His mother smiled at him.
“He’s okay for now, mama.” Erik replied simply, knowing that Charles would have to be back on the street by morning.
After saying goodnight to his mother, Erik looked out his window to see if Charles was outside but he wasn’t.
Probably staying inside for warmth as long as he can before he has to go outside again.
Erik went to sleep with thought of Charles and those incredible eyes staring back at him.