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[balancingminds]

Somehow after the discussion with Erik, Charles managed to sleep though his dreams were complicated and vivid as he thought of Erik's touch.

He woke early and went to make himself a strong cup of coffee in the kitchen, his hair wet from the shower and his shirt not fully buttoned.

The past few days have been so full, he wonders what's to come next.

Comments

[balancingminds]

The dream shift is unexpected and Charles ends up resting his hand on a bureau to collect himself.

When he does, he smiles at Erik, "Do you prefer this?"

He can feel some of Erik's emotion with that tantalizing taste of desire that he wants to explore. For the scenery to be a dream in Erik's mind is unexpected.

[markedformore]

"It's an old memory," he says, sitting on the edge of the bed and sprawling out, closing his eyes as he coaxes Charles ever-closer. "I find that with you present, my thoughts gravitate to such things."

[balancingminds]

"I understand that urge, though I do hope we can do the same awake,"

He walks over to the bed and considers where to put himself before closing his eyes and placing himself beside Erik. It's a cheat he can only do in a dream, where the rules are rather bendable.

This is one reality, a powerful one and he feels Erik's arm pressing into his back due to how he ended up. He does hope that this is a beginning that can be continued awake where there's another layer of touch.

[markedformore]

Erik lies back, shifting his arm enough so that it's placed near to Charles' hip rather than the small of his back, breathing in sharply as though he will find some familiar smell from his childhood to remind him of this happiness, but it is forgotten. "I don't know what you do to me," he murmurs. "You've known me for only a few days and you've got me in knots."

[balancingminds]

At the shifting touch, Charles leans into it,

"I don't wish to cause knots. I've always worked to keep myself balanced and you change that, leaving me questioning and wanting."

[markedformore]

Erik's breathing has turned even, finally, and as he breathes out against the nape of Charles' neck, he finds that his words turn exhausted, as if he is going to sleep within his sleep. "Questioning what?" He doesn't think that Charles is the sort to question anything.

[balancingminds]

"What I'm trying to achieve and why. Rest, I'll be here, awake or asleep,"

He moves just enough to kiss Erik on the cheek enjoying the feel of his stubble, later there will be time for more.

[markedformore]

The kiss is both welcome and surprising. He finds that his cheeks flush and he swallows hard, but succumbs to the sleep that he's been missing for so long, resting for what may be hours or minutes, he cannot be sure. All that he knows is that he wakes in the Milliways bedroom and feels entirely rested.

There is also the edge of a seed of desire in his mind as he stares at Charles beside him and he wants.

[balancingminds]

Once he's certain that Erik won't be woken by any nightmares, Charles moves out of his mind, strengthens his shields and then sleeps.

He hadn't meant to fall so deeply asleep but the dreamwork was wearing and he shifts to hide his head in Erik's chest.

[markedformore]

The weight of Charles' head against his chest is foreign to him and yet he finds that he wishes to cradle his forehead with a waiting palm, thumb brushing the traces of hair away as he adjusts his position in the bed in order to curl Charles in closer, protecting him from whatever the world would do to him.

[balancingminds]

At the touch, Charles starts to wake up, gently opening his shields as he places where he is.

He's not fully awake as he drapes an arm over Erik's chest but getting there.

[markedformore]

Erik cannot help his smug smile at the arm over his chest, given that it means that Charles has, in a subconscious way, accepted such a claim over him. "Shh," he murmurs, barely audible as he brushes his lips over Charles' forehead. "Rest. It's your turn."

[balancingminds]

He doesn't hear the words but feels the kiss and moves his head up, "Mm, but I'm awake."

Not all the way and his eyes aren't all the way open though his shields are, so that some of his contentment is projected.

[markedformore]

Erik feels the happiness lapping at the edges of his awareness, like the ocean coming back to shore. He smiles, barely, but he relaxes enough on the bed to feel like he's actually managed to procure some rest. He reaches over, blunt fingernails scratching lightly at the space behind Charles' earlobe. "Are you, truly?"

[balancingminds]

The scratch is odd but nice and Charles makes a contented sound. Iris would probably wonder at how such a simple touch can please him so.

He know its because this is trust and wonderful and a beginning, "Slightly."

[markedformore]

Erik draws his finger away solely so that he can slide it through Charles' hair, sprawling out on the bed and relaxing until his toes are curling in the sheets. "Will the children be missing us, soon? Or does time truly stop, here?"

[balancingminds]

"Mm, no, they won't. I've seen how it stops here many times. I used it to work on my dissertation,"

He almost groans at the hand in his hair, this is what he wanted.

[markedformore]

"So that's your little trick." Erik had merely used it to point him in the direction of where he had to go next. He realises, soon, that he is petting Charles akin to how one might touch a pet and smoothes his fingers out over the skin at the back of his neck. "And how do they feel about mutated beings, here?"

[balancingminds]

"Of sorts, there's lots to enjoy here. Welcoming, there are other mutants from similar worlds here. As well as aliens and people who consider themselves metahumans as opposed to mutants, gods too. Your mutation will be greeted far more warmly than mine, because even if someone knows of mutants, they still have a moment of uncertainty at what I can do. I've had a sword drawn on me,"

When Erik's hand goes over his neck, Charles doesn't moan but does make a content noise. He's glad Erik knows of Milliways as its a place that makes him hopeful.

[markedformore]

He had not revealed his abilities because he had not been sure that he wanted to -- after all, people could be terrible and he wouldn't want to have a messy incident on his hands. He raises a brow at the noise, fingers stilling. "Do you like that, perhaps?" And as if contradictory, he pulls his hand fully away.

"I think they will fear me," he admits. "Everyone always has."

[balancingminds]

"I do and some will, but many of them will accept it as part of you. The one who drew a sword on me, I've helped learn how to use their mental shields. Everyone reacts differently and there are some people I haven't told. I'm still cautious about who I tell. Later come downstairs with me and I'll introduce you to people I know who I know understand,"

He wants Milliways to be a safe place for Erik as well and if he can smooth any troubles away, he will.

[markedformore]

"I would've drawn that sword and turned it back around on him, and then what would he have thought of me?" is all Erik has to say, slowly sitting up and stretching out his back, elongating his spine as he reaches for his bare toes -- having kicked off his socks while in his sleep. "And perhaps I'd rather not share you right now."

[balancingminds]

As Erik stretches, Charles leans back on the pillow,

"That you were impressive as that student's training to be a knight in a rather more medieval world."

Alanna and Erik would probably be a tricky but possibly good combination.

[markedformore]

Erik scoffs, hoping that it is very clear that he does not share in Charles' sentiment. He remains glad that he will be able to forcefully stop any sword of metal if it comes to that. He searches for his shirt and socks, eager for the cover if he intends to stay for a time longer.

[balancingminds]

Charles yawns as he watches Erik, "Your shirt's over there."

He won't press any of his friends on Erik, but does hope to show that not everyone's first instinct is hate to those who are different.