(no subject)

[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]

"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.

[markedformore]

Erik murmurs a soft 'thanks' in German, picking it up with two fingers as he slides back into it, shifting the shoulders until it is more comfortable on his shoulders. "Have you slept?" he asks. "You seemed in the midst of it earlier, but I never know with you."

[balancingminds]

"Some, I probably could do with more, but don't need it,"

There was time for a two hour or so nap, which was helpful but he feels tired out. Dream work is difficult and not something he's done a lot as dreams are complicated.

[markedformore]

Erik finds his way back to the bed, his steps long and near-predatory as he advances, placing a knee on the bed before all fours follow and he kneels at Charles' side. "Time is stopped here, isn't it? What harm would more sleep be?"

[balancingminds]

"None at all. Will you be joining me or do you have something else in mind?"

The way Erik is looking down at him, Charles feels as if he's being hunted, which thrills him. All he would have to do is lean up and he could kiss Erik.

[markedformore]

Erik shrugs, as if this is the sort of thing he does on a regular basis and not simply because he enjoys how it puts off people, how he can seduce information out of a target if need be. He doesn't want Charles to be like that. "You tell me."

[balancingminds]

Charles considers Erik, how he uses his stillness and then reaches a hand up to go through Erik's hair and pulls him down,

"Stay here with me."

[markedformore]

Erik allows his body to fold easily when Charles pulls him, his hair becoming property of Charles' touch. He curls into the warmth of Charles' body and does little more than lie at his side, unmoving and cautious. "Where else would I have gone?" he murmurs, though he knows there are a dozen answers to such a question.

[balancingminds]

His smile is wry as he strokes Erik's hair and looks at his face, close enough to kiss and yet, still on guard,

"I don't know."

He slowly shifts enough to kiss Erik, it's light as he doesn't know what too much or too little for Erik. This is a time when he'd rather give in to desire and open himself wide but that could frighten Erik away forever.

[markedformore]

Touch still comes strangely to Erik, given how it had been used against him for so long in the camps. Still, to have this from Charles, given so freely, he finds himself melting forward against a man who has become his equal in a frighteningly short amount of time and whom Erik wants at his side, through all things. Charles, he finds himself thinking. Why?

[balancingminds]

Touch is something Charles wants, he can be close with his mutation but mental and physical touch is best.

Because I want you close in as many ways as possible.

[markedformore]

Erik finds this satisfactory as far as answers go. He takes a moment to compose his thoughts and draw in a breath before he leans in and brushes a soft kiss against Charles' lips, surrounding his torso with his arms as he holds him in closely, tightly, possessively.

[balancingminds]

Charles smiles into the kiss and at being held so tightly before kissing back a little harder.

[markedformore]

Mine, Erik thinks possessively, willing to go to so many lengths in order to exercise such a claim on him. His fingers tighten on Charles' shoulder, but inevitably he pulls away when he remembers that until Shaw is dead, he can have only one task.

[balancingminds]

The grip and the thought is unexpected and nice too and when Erik loosens it, Charles looks at him.

We can find time and get Shaw. Life doesn't have to be either/or, it can be and, that's what balance is for.

[markedformore]

Erik searches Charles face, wondering how they can be so attuned to each other, how things can be so terribly easy between the both of them. "I thought that you said that I threw you off balance," he notes, more amused than anything.

[balancingminds]

"Yes, but in a way I like. You surprise me and excite me,"

He smirks as he says it as yes, balance is key to how he works but there's room to move.