Upstairs with Erik

[balancingminds]

His room is unchanged, there's a fire, two comfortable chairs, a chess set, dark woods, a bottle of Scotch and the coziness that reminds Charles of New York.

Inside he steps in to lean against a back of a chair, he's always aware of the space between his body and Erik's and even though they have now been closer than before, he knows that it might not last.

He reaches up to adjust the cravat and looks over to Erik.

Comments

[markedformore]

"Yes, but I do think perhaps something is missing," he admits, projecting a thought of Charles' hands on him in said chair being the most comforting thing of all. "Don't you agree?"

[balancingminds]

Charles stands up and then looks down to find the best way to sit then starts by kissing Erik as he arranges himself on top of Erik.

[markedformore]

Erik allows himself to smile for an echo of a moment before he closes his eyes and focuses on the warmth of Charles' body atop his, focusing on the perfection of how that kiss feels. He buries his fingers in Charles' hair, the other hand toying idly with the cravat.

[balancingminds]

Erik's pleasure and the kiss are wonderful and Charles sighs happily as he presses against him.

[markedformore]

It's not entirely what he'd expected, but it is what he wants. He eases back, half-dazed, staring at Charles. "What about your woman? What about her? I thought you weren't supposed to do this with me."

[balancingminds]

"She's not mine anymore. I told her I kissed you and she was done with me and I'd rather have you,"

Iris saw him in ways he hadn't expected and he misses her and he's sorry to have her hurt her, but Erik fits.

[markedformore]

Erik is both superior and surprised, elated and expectant. He's not entirely sure he deserves such resounding belief in him. "You'd rather have me, would you?" he asks quietly. "And what would you do with me, now that you have me."

[balancingminds]

"Yes, I would,"

He doesn't know how long he might have Erik for and doesn't wish to waste any time. So his answer is to slowly and carefully kiss him.

[markedformore]

Erik finds layers of protective casing faltering when Charles kisses him like that. He's erected those walls to protect himself, but now he feels like they're tumbling down too quickly for his liking. "Charles," he exhales, as if giving in to the feelings.

[balancingminds]

As Erik opens himself, Charles can feel it and takes a breath to keep his shields steady,

"Don't wish to overwhelm you."

[markedformore]

"I suspect we're long past that," he warns, giving Charles a look that implies he was overwhelmed a great time ago and it had nothing to do with their physical proximity and everything to do with meeting Charles.

[balancingminds]

"Oh, yes,"

He relaxes with a smile, Erik's still here and moves to loosen the cravat.

[markedformore]

Erik's smile is crooked and nothing like the smiles he gives when he's truly content. Still, it's pleased and having Charles so close is part and parcel of that. "I do love that cravat," he murmurs fondly.

[balancingminds]

"Then help me out of it,"

He prefers having his neck open when he can and he likes this new smile of Erik's.

[markedformore]

Erik's smile grows wider, that curiosity eager to unfurl and grow. His fingers are deft as he plays with the fabric of the cravat, enjoying the smooth feel and taking his time to truly undo Charles like a present. "No one will hear us?" he verifies.

[balancingminds]

"No, they won't. The walls are thick here,"

As Erik plays with his cravat, he stays still, curious to see what he'll do though he'll be glad to be rid of it.

[markedformore]

Erik slides his fingers through the fabric and unwinds it, prying it off with a sly smile on his face. Now that the thing is rid of Charles' neck, he takes the opportunity to lean in and press slow, heated kisses to Charles' skin, now revealed.

[balancingminds]

He does like that sly look of Erik's and smiles into the touch and the kisses make him gasp.

His neck has been covered and the air plus Erik's lips is surprising and wonderful.

[markedformore]

Erik eases back, unbuttoning the top two buttons of his slate grey shirt, spreading his legs as he tries to get Charles more comfortable in his lap. "Enjoying yourself?" he asks, a bit smugly.

[balancingminds]

"Yes, if you'd like I could share some of it with you,"

He knows he's going to have to be careful with possibly projecting. His position is awkward but he doesn't mind too much as he leans in to kiss Erik's neck ever so slightly opening his shields to allow Erik to feel his excitement and the nervousness beside it.

[markedformore]

"I'd like that," Erik admits, sliding his palm to cup the side of Charles' torso in order to curl him closer. "If you'd be willing to share that with me."

[balancingminds]

"I am, but you must tell me if it ever becomes too much,"

This time he opens his shields wider and kisses Erik trying to use the kiss to make the transition easier.

[markedformore]

Erik feels a flood of emotion, more than he expects. He's braced himself on the expectation of Charles' emotions, but it's fleeting compared to what he actually feels. It's exhilarating and he swallows back a pleading moan, not wanting to betray how much he enjoys it.

[balancingminds]

Charles can feel that mixture of emotions and says quietly against Erik's mouth, "I'm not good at acting as expecting. Do you want less?"

He doesn't want to close these doors now they've been opened but there's a reason he keeps them closed.

[markedformore]

"No," Erik replies honestly, the smile he gives genuine and a bit boyish. "No, I simply thought maybe you exaggerated about what you felt," he confesses, sliding his fingers over Charles' waist to hold tight.